Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related characters belong to J.K. Rowling. They are used without permission, and no money is being made from this story. Zelia is my creation.
Marriage Laws and the Trouble They Cause
Chapter Two: Severus Snape and the Annoying Little Bug
Zelia woke up the next day feeling very refreshed, but that feeling faded substantially after she remembered that she had to go meet her new husband, Mr. Snape. She decided to be optimistic about it, and went into the bathroom to freshen up before breakfast.
After a light breakfast and some small talk with Rosmerta, Zelia got her trunk and broom and left The Three Broomsticks to go to Hogwarts. She walked down the Hogsmeade main street, and then down a long path. She walked past the front gates of Hogwarts, taking a moment to look at the winged boars that flanked either side of it. Then, she finally reached the castle and saw an very old wizard with long, silver hair who was wearing royal purple robes. Zelia's heart stopped; surely that wasn't her husband, was it?
"Miss Fierfly?" the old wizard said. "Or should I say 'Mrs. Snape'? Well, whatever the case may be, I am Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts." He extended his hand to her.
"It's nice to meet you, Professor," Zelia said accepting his hand and shaking it. "Please, call me Zelia. I've come to meet my new husband."
"Yes, Severus is expecting you, Zelia," Dumbledore replied. "If you'll just follow me, I'll show you to the dungeons. You can leave your belongings here, the house elves will take them to your room."
"Dungeons," Zelia replied unable to hide the worry in her voice.
"Severus prefers the solitude of the dungeons," Dumbledore explained as they started walking. "Don't worry, we have set up a room for you down there that should suit your tastes."
"I hope Mr. Snape likes me," Zelia said after a few minutes of silent walking.
"It will take time for the two of you to become acquainted," Dumbledore replied. "Ah, here we are."
Zelia looked and saw a large silver vase with green snakes, which appeared to be slithering around painted onto it. The vase nearly reached the ceiling it was so large. Dumbledore waved his wand around while whispering some incantations, and a moment later, the vase went back into the wall and disappeared. Where the vase had once been, there was now a vase-shaped hole in the wall that led into a sitting room.
"Severus will teach you how to enter his, or rather your shared quarters," Dumbledore explained.
"Honestly, Headmaster," a new voice said, "couldn't you have told the Ministry I died? I would have gladly drank some Draught of the Living Dead to make it believable."
"Come now, Severus, give Zelia a chance," Dumbledore said with a slight chuckle. "You haven't even met her yet."
"I don't need to meet her," Snape replied.
"Severus," Dumbledore said in a commanding voice.
"Oh very well," Snape replied exasperated.
"Allow me to introduce you two," Dumbledore said, his voice returning to it's cheerful tone. "Severus, meet Miss Zelia Fierfly, or rather Mrs. Zelia Snape."
For the first time, Snape looked over at Zelia with a cold look in his eyes. Zelia found that she couldn't speak; it seemed as though her tongue had twisted itself into several knots. She took the moment of silence to look over her new husband. He was much taller than her, and something about his demeanor made her feel even smaller. He had greasy black hair that looked like it hadn't been washed in days, cold black eyes that seemed to bore straight into Zelia's soul, and sallow skin that could definitely use some time in the sun. He was dressed all in black, which just increased his domineering demeanor.
"Oh, wonderful," Snape said sarcastically, "the Ministry sent me a mute witch."
"Severus," Dumbledore said in his warning tone.
"What?" Snape asked. "I was being…optimistic. If she doesn't talk, she won't get on my nerves as much."
"Excuse me, but I can talk," Zelia said quietly. "I'm sorry for my delay, I was merely collecting my thoughts for a moment." She paused to extend her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Snape."
Snape sighed and rolled his eyes, but after a stern look from Dumbledore, he accepted her hand and shook it. "Likewise, Miss Fierfly," he replied.
"Well, I'll just go now so that you two can become acquainted," Dumbledore said. "If you need anything, Zelia, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, Professor," Zelia replied.
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at Snape as though to say 'be nice', and then walked out the large vase shaped door. Snape immediately sat in a green leather wingback chair and picked up the latest issue of Potions Monthly Magazine to read. Zelia began to hover near the sofa. Technically, this was where she lived now, so she could sit without permission from Snape. However, she was new to his living quarters, and she didn't want to disrespect him.
"Will you stop pacing around?" Snape demanded. "Sit down."
Zelia apologized in a meek voice that she was sure Snape hadn't heard and sat down on the sofa. She looked around the room wishing for something to occupy the time and awkward silence, but Snape offered her nothing. She tried to think of a way to start a conversation without upsetting Snape, but that seemed nearly impossible. Besides, it was rude to interrupt someone when they're reading.
After what felt like an incredibly long time, some food appeared on a small table that was set up in a nook just of the sitting room. Snape rose from his seat without a word and went to the table where he sat down and began eating. Zelia waited patiently on the couch for him to invite her, but as the delicious smells wafted about the room, he still didn't say a work. Zelia turned her head to look at the wall while he ate. Sometime later, Zelia heard Snape fixing another plate and thought he was having seconds. However, a moment later she heard footsteps and then a shadow loomed over her. Zelia turned around to see Snape holding the plate out to her.
"If I must follow this ridiculous law and take a wife just because the ministry says I must, then I will not have a wife who looks like she will be blown away by a small breeze," he said. Zelia noticed a brief flash of concern, caring in warmth in his eyes that belied his cold, uncaring, condescending voice and demeanor.
"Thank you," She said and took the plate. "I'll eat at the table."
Zelia stood up and walked past Snape taking care to avoid eye contact. She sat at the table and started to eat while Snape returned to his magazine. Every once in a while, Zelia felt Snape looking at her while she ate her food. She pretended not to notice and ate everything on her plate even though it was much more than she normally ate. When she finished eating, her plate was instantly sparkling clean, and the food left on the table disappeared.
"If you're bored, Miss Fierfly, you may read one of my books," Snape said.
Without replying, Zelia pulled a random book off the shelf before sitting on the sofa again. She stared at the cover of the book trying to gather enough courage to ask Snape a few questions.
"Um, excuse me, Mr. Snape," Zelia said uncertainly. "I was just wondering if we could talk for a moment. I'd like to know about your life and your work. What are your ambitions? Why did you become a teacher? How old are you? What's your family like? I mean, we are married now, so I feel as though I should put forth some effort to get to know you."
"I'm afraid the feeling isn't mutual," Snape replied coldly. "The only reason we are married is because the Ministry idiots made us. I don't need to get to know you, nor do you need to get to know me."
"Can't you at least tell me how old you are?" Zelia asked.
"I'm forty-seven," Snape replied.
"Oh dear," Zelia replied. "I wasn't aware you were that much older than me. I'm only twenty-one."
"Again, I blame that on the Ministry," Snape replied. "I'd much rather remain alone, and I'm sure you'd rather be with someone your age."
"I have to follow the law," Zelia replied quietly.
"Oh, hang the bloody law," Snape replied. "It's a stupid law in any case."
"So, what made you take a teaching job, Mr. Snape?" Zelia asked trying to continue the conversation.
"I work for Dumbledore," Snape replied. "I don't teach because I want to."
"Where did you grow up?" Zelia asked. "I grew up in the Salem community in America near the Salem Witches' Institute."
"On a street called Spinners End," Snape replied as he turned the page of his magazine.
"And your family, what were they like? Did you have any siblings?" Zelia asked, but instantly knew she had asked the wrong thing.
"I swear you're like an annoying little bug pestering me and asking all these questions," Snape snapped. "A bit of advice, Miss Fierfly, just sit there and don't ask stupid questions."
There were several hours of silence during which Snape finished reading Potions Monthly Magazine, and started reading The Daily Prophet. Zelia sat quietly on the sofa and pretended to read the book she had taken from the shelf.
"Bloody idiots," Snape muttered tossing the newspaper onto an end table. "Come on," he added as he stood up.
"What's happening?" Zelia asked.
"It's dinner time, you fool," Snape replied.
"We're not eating in here again?" Zelia asked.
"Of course not!" Snape said as though it were the most obvious thing ever. "We eat dinner in the staff room during breaks. Now follow me if you want dinner. If you don't want dinner, then suit yourself."
"Forgive me, I'm not familiar with the customs of this school or it's staff," Zelia replied sincerely.
"Learn them quickly," Snape replied coldly, "And come on."
Zelia complied and stood up to join Snape at the door. She smoothed out the wrinkles in her robes, and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ears. If she was going to meet more people, especially her new husband's colleagues, she wanted to make a good impression. Snape rolled his eyes at her and walked out without a word. Zelia followed, and had to trot to keep up with his long legs.
They walked up several flights of stairs and down a long corridor before they reached the staff room. Snape was glaring at Zelia for some reason, and she wished she could hide in the wardrobe she saw in the corner.
"Ah, Severus, Zelia!" Dumbledore said apparently excited to see the two of them. "Glad you could join us. Please, have a seat, I was just about to have the food sent up."
Snape was uncharacteristically nice and pulled out a seat for Zelia next to a stern looking old witch wearing emerald green robes. He took the seat next to her, and as soon as the food was on the table, he began to eat. Zelia fixed herself a plate and ate quietly.
"It seems Severus is a bit too hungry at the moment for introductions," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling merrily in the dazzling candlelight. "Zelia, may I introduce Professor Minerva McGonagall? Minerva, this is Zelia Fierfly, or Zelia Snape. She is Professor Snape's new wife."
"Very nice to meet you, Miss Snape," McGonagall said putting down her fork and knife to shake hands wit Zelia.
"Likewise, Professor," Zelia replied. "May I ask what you teach?"
"Transfiguration," McGonagall replied. "How long have you been in Great Britain?"
"Oh, today is only my second day here," Zelia replied.
"I see the Ministry wasted no time in pushing you into the new Marriage Law," McGonagall observed.
"Well, I couldn't possibly ignore the law," Zelia replied. "As soon as Madam Rosmerta said I needed to register, I hurried to the Ministry and did just that."
"The Ministry is full of idiots," McGonagall said.
"That seems to be the general consensus around here," Dumbledore joked. "I think that they're doing their best."
"They're best, Albus?" McGonagall replied looking at Dumbledore as though he were insane. "You only think that because you're too old to be roped into this stupid Marriage Law."
"Aren't laws created to keep us happy and safe?" Zelia asked.
"Good laws are created to keep us safe and happy," McGonagall corrected her. "This law was created to make sure wizards only marry witches and witches only marry wizards. They'll realize their mistake in a few years when they run out of magical folk who aren't related. We'll have to marry Muggles again just to stay alive and avoid incest!"
"Always a pleasant topic, Minerva," Dumbledore chuckled. "Ah, look, it's time for pudding!"
Zelia and Professor McGonagall changed the topic of their conversation, but continued to chat as dinner carried on. Finally, when the plates were clean and gleaming, and all traces of food were gone, Zelia once again followed Snape back to the dungeons.
"You have been given a bedroom in here," Snape replied when they reentered his living quarters. "It's down the hall and on the right. You also have your own bathroom in there, so stay out of mine. Stay out of my bedroom too, you little bug."
"I assure you, Mr. Snape, that you do not need to worry about that," Zelia replied. "Good night." With that, Zelia turned on her heel without waiting for Snape to respond and went into her bedroom.
It was like walking into a forest wonderland, Zelia thought. The room was filled, absolutely filled with all sorts of deciduous trees. Some were real, but most were magical, all were tall, grand, and gorgeous with lots of lush green foliage. In the middle of the room was the four poster bed, but instead of the usual posters, there were four trees on the corners of the bed. The sheets were green like the stem of a flower, and the duvet was pink and soft like a flower's petals. Instead of the cold stone floor that was in the rest of the dungeons, the floor in Zelia's room was made of soft grass that tickled her feet when she took off her shoes.
Zelia lay on her bed and stared up expecting to see a ceiling. However, the night sky greeted her instead. Zelia knew it was bewitched to do that, and she couldn't wait for the next day to come. She wanted to be woken by the rising sun, nature's alarm clock. Zelia looked to her right and could see a clearing with a large cloud hovering in it. Her curiosity piqued, she went to look at it.
When she stepped into the clearing, Zelia still wasn't sure what it was. So, she walked under the cloud, and just as she looked up at it, the cloud dumped a rain shower on her head soaking Zelia to the bone.
"Well," Zelia said stepping away from the cloud, "that explains it."
As Zelia was looking around for a towel, she noticed the toilet. It was sitting between two trees, and its gleaming white porcelain stood out against the forest-room like a sore thumb. Still, Zelia was thankful for a proper toilet, but wished she had noticed it before standing under the rain cloud 'shower'. Next to the toilet was a smaller cloud that Zelia deduced was used as a wash basin.
Still, she was looking for towels, but they weren't near the toilet or the sink. She turned around and saw that they were hanging on some low branches of a rather lovely maple tree. Zelia took a towel and began drying her hair while she walked back into her bedroom to change.
A short while later, Zelia was sitting under the covers of her new bed marveling at how soft the sheets and duvet were. Someone had really gone out of their way to make this room for her, and she appreciated it greatly. Zelia made a mental note to find out who did it, and also to thank that person. Then, she wondered just how far into the 'forest' she could go. Were most of the trees just walls enchanted to look like trees, or was the whole space magically expanded so she could take a walk in the forest? Zelia smiled to herself, perhaps tomorrow she would see.
(Author's Notes: That's chapter two! Did you like it? I'm still working on chapter three, and reviews are like fuel to me! The more reviews I get, the faster I work! I'm using too many exclamation points, sorry. Anyway, I should probably point out that this story is pretty much AU. Obviously, because Dumbledore and Snape are...well, alive. )