Nothing belongs to me. Everything belongs to J. K. Rowling. A lot of quotes from Rowling, J. K., 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows', Bloomsbury Publishing: London, 2007, chapter 'The Prince's Tale', pages 532—543.
Lily's jealousy was becoming disturbing, and Severus wasn't quite sure if she was just jealous over the friendship he and Hermione had or the fact that he and Hermione were dating. It seemed like Lily didn't want anyone else to be close to Severus. Right now she was pestering him about his House-mates.
Lily didn't approve of the friends Severus had made in Slytherin, although Severus wouldn't have gone as far as calling them friends: they were in Slytherin and he had to get along with them, but since his childhood he'd only had two friends, Hermione and Lily, and Lily was constantly causing trouble in their friendship.
"A friend wouldn't demand I cut my ties to my House-mates, and a friend would be supportive of me being with Hermione. I thought we were supposed to be friends?" Severus argued.
"We are friends, Sev, but I don't like some of the people you hang around with! I'm sorry, but I detest Avery and Mulciber. Mulciber! What do you see in him, Sev? He's creepy! D'you know what he tried to do to Mary McDonald the other day?"
"Yes. Hermione already told them off, and she told Slughorn who gave them detention with Filch for weeks. They're not my friends anyway: I already told you: they're in my House. I have to talk to them and get along with them. That's how things work in Slytherin: I can't just go about ignoring all the other Slytherins."
"But that was Dark Magic!" Lily argued, her voice rising.
"What about the stuff Potter and his friends get up to?" Severus argued.
"What's Potter got to do with anything?"
"They harm people too. They sneak out at night and break the rules all the time. And there's something wrong with Lupin too."
"He's ill, Sev. They say he's ill..."
"Every full moon?", Severus said with a scoff. "Look, Lily. I need to get along with my House-mates. I don't agree with what they say about Muggle-Borns: they know I'm dating Hermione and they know I love her, but I have to get along with them too. Can't you see it's impossible to live in Slytherin if my house-mates detest me as much as all of yours do? Except Hermione, of course, and you."
"I don't like it. She shouldn't encourage your friendship with those Slytherins. Mulciber, Avery, Rosier... they're Dark, Sev!"
"Maybe, but I don't need to be Dark to get along with them. I've discussed this many times with Hermione. And they don't try and stop me from dating Hermione these days, though you know what they think about Muggle-Borns."
Lily scoffed bitterly.
"Look, Lily, we're friends, all right? But I need to get along with them. You're not at war with any of your House-mates, are you?" he raised his eyebrow questioningly. "Everyone knows that James Potter fancies you."
"James Potter is an arrogant toerag, and you don't need to tell me that. But Mulciber and Avery are evil, Sev. I don't understand how you can be friends with them."
Severus shook his head and strolled off.
"Where are you going?" Lily asked, running after him.
"To see Hermione. We'll be meeting by the lake for some reading."
Lily stopped. She did not follow him.
"What about "Half-Blood Prince?" Severus suggested.
" Half-Blood Prince?" Hermione asked. "Mmm. I love it. I prefer Severus, though."
"But it's a good nickname."
"What about me, then? Do I need a nickname?"
"What about 'Princess'?"
"I love you, Severus," she said and kissed him.
"Lily wanted me to stop talking to Mulciber and Avery. Probably the rest of them too," Severus said after a while.
"Why?"
"She says they're Dark."
"She's probably right. The stuff they do is just... vile and nasty. But, Severus, you don't need to be Dark to be able to talk to them. Just to get along with them."
Severus looked at her. "Lily didn't seem to think so."
"I think Lily's wrong. Dad always says that getting along with different kind of people is important, but you don't have to be like them to get along with them. And you're not Dark."
"Mmm. You are the wisest girlfriend at Hogwarts, Hermione."
"Of course I am," she said, smiling gently. Severus laid his head down on her lap, knowing she'd warn him if someone approached: it had been unnerving at first, but Hermione stroked his hair too sweetly for him to resist the temptation. He closed his eyes in delight as her hands began to stroke.
"I wish Dumbledore did something about Potter's gang," he admitted quietly.
"Professor Dumbledore, Severus. And he doesn't do anything about any bullying right now. I wish he did. It's the war, I think. This 'Lord Voldemort' sounds bad, and since Professor Dumbledore defeated the previous one, Grindlewald, he's expected to defeat this one too."
"He should leave the school for someone who has time for it, then."
Hermione nodded in admittance.
"We're going to France this summer. You'll come with us again?" she asked, changing the subject. It made Severus want to grin: typically Gryffindor, she was often quite transparent in her actions, and she obviously wanted to cheer him up.
"If mam allows it. Will your parents be OK with it?"
"Of course!"
"Then definitely. Anything to spend time with you."
"Admit it, Severus, you love France."
"I do. Just not as much as I love you," he drawled lazily, enjoying the feeling. He was rewarded with a kiss on his nose and a promise of a proper snog later.
Three weeks before the end of term Severus received a letter from Hermione's parents: Tobias Snape had been released from prison. His mother had been saving money for a new home while his father was imprisoned and wasn't drinking every penny they got, but she hadn't found one yet, and the Grangers had taken her in. Her life would have been in danger from her husband, who would have without a doubt killed her for getting him in trouble with the law.
Severus felt quite horrible. He was concerned for his mother, afraid that the weak-willed Eileen Snape would go back to her husband to be killed and he'd have to follow her home, embarrassed that they had to take refuge with the Grangers, though he full well knew they would gladly help them, and happy to know that at least for now his mother had a safe place to be: Tobias Snape did not know the Grangers, did not know where they lived, and did not even know he dated their daughter. If Eileen Snape would be wise enough to stay with the Grangers and out of sight, she'd be relatively safe.
He was also concerned that they'd move away, far away from the Grangers. Though they weren't exactly neighbours, the journey between the low-class factory row-houses and the Granger home in the higher-class neighbourhood was a short one, and they had always been able to spend every day together. Would they be forced to spend time apart during the summers?
A week before his fourth year ended, Severus was unexpectedly called to Headmaster Dumbledore's office: Deputy Headmistress McGonagall escorted him from Arithmancy class: she looked very grave, but only told him he was not in any sort of trouble. Headmaster Dumbledore was waiting alongside Professor Slughorn, his Head of house: they both looked very grave and sad.
"My boy, please sit down. I'm afraid we have had some very bad news from your home," Professor Dumbledore said sadly. "I'm afraid your father has passed away two days ago."
Severus didn't know what to think. He was supposed to feel sad, he knew, but the man he'd have to call his father had never shown him an ounce of love or caring, and had given him naught but beatings and pain. He felt empty, in a way, and mostly concerned with his mother.
"How? Is my mother all right?" he managed.
"My boy..." the Headmaster said.
"He was in a bar brawl and there was an armed man there. He died in a Muggle hospital," Professor Slughorn said calmly but not unkindly. "Miss Granger's parents sent a letter to the Headmaster. Your mother is fine, she's resting and Miss Granger's parents say she's living with them until she feels well enough to go back to her home. Would you like to go home a week early?" he asked. "If you wish, one of the staff can Apparate you side-along directly to your home."
"No... no thank you, Sir. I want to go with Hermione when the term ends."
"Ah yes, Miss Hermione Granger?" the Headmaster asked, his blue eyes twinkling. "Horace here has told me you have a fine girlfriend. She's in Gryffindor?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Very unusual, a relationship between a Slytherin and a Gryffindor, when even friendships are very few between the houses at this time."
"She's very special, Sir."
"Yes, Horace has told me. You two are the best in students in your year, possibly the brightest students in decades at Hogwarts," he said kindly, and Severus felt his pale cheeks flush.
He also felt a strange niggling feeling in his mind, like the wings of a butterfly, and instinctively pushed it away, trying to rid himself of the weird feeling. The Headmaster's eyes twinkled and he smiled kindly at Severus.
"Very well. As it were, the letter did not strictly ask you to arrive early, so I will send them an owl and advice them that you'll be arriving with Hogwarts express at the regular time. If you begin to feel the need to go home earlier, you may at any time talk to Professor Slughorn or myself and ask to be escorted home. And should you feel the need for a Calming Draught or a talk with Madam Pomfrey..."
"Thank you, Sir," he said simply, and Professor Slughorn kindly escorted him down the stairs and handed him a note for Professor Sprout, should he be late for his Herbology lesson.
"A remarkable young boy, Horace," Albus Dumbledore said, when Slughorn returned. "He is a natural Occlumens, I noticed. I wish I had the time to teach him."
"Took a peek at him mind, Albus?" Horace teased his old friend with a smile.
"Yes," Albus admitted unashamed. "His mind is filled with love for his young lady friend. Such remarkable devotion and capability to love."
"Ah yes, Albus, always about love. But he is also in possession of a fine young mind. He had a true talent for Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts. I believe he would one day become one of the world's finest Potions Masters, if he's given an apprenticeship."
"Would you like to offer it to him, Horace?" Albus asked.
"He already brews me potions for the infirmary, when I can't keep up with the stocking and the teaching schedule. He's very talented and he has already developed some improvements for the potions. And his family is very poor, so I pay him for the brewing, a bit of pocket money as it were. I think I would gladly tutor him further when he graduates. I also have a few contacts whom I could get in touch with... that boy is going to go far if he so chooses."
"Yes. No love for his father that I could see, but it is no wonder. He tried to push me out of his mind, did you know that? But I did see a glimpse of his father beating him severely."
"Poor boy," Horace said sadly. "It explains a lot. He never allows anyone to touch him apart from Miss Granger. He has always flinched and drawn back at the slightest touch. His uniform, robes and shoes were poor and second-hand too, although he's gotten nicer clothes in recent years."
"I suspect Miss Granger's family has hand a hand on that. They seem to have taken Mr Snape and his mother under their wing. And he is a remarkable young mind. I wish I could spend more time with the students, to get to know them. His Miss Granger seems like a fine young woman, and should she remain by his side, I have no doubt they'll go very far. Alas, this war..."
"Yes, the war," Horace said sadly. "It is a terrible thing."
"It is. And that young man is at great risk, Horace. He's half-blood but he has great ambitions and great talents, as befitting his house. If he's left alone, I have no doubt Voldemort will try to recruit him. Yet he's courting a Muggle-Born. I know the blood prejudices don't run through all of Slytherin, Horace, don't fret, but you can't deny that the movement is growing stronger every year."
Horace grimaced. "I know."
"She'd be at risk as well. Two such wondrous minds, so bright and promising. It is for minds like those we need to end this war, Horace, to protect miracles like those two, and to protect love like theirs."
Eileen Snape was there with the Grangers, waiting at the platform nine and three-quarters. She still did not smile, but Severus had never seen his mother so relaxed. It was something in her eyes and her lips as well as some very minute changes in her posture. She was there for more than company for the ride home: they went to buy a wand for her.
When Eileen first waved her new wand in the air and colourful sparks lit the air at Ollivander's shop in Diagon Alley, she smiled. It was the first smile that Severus could remember seeing on her face. Tobias had snapped her wand several years back, and to acquire a new wand and be able to reconnect with her magic meant the world to the woman who'd never been very good with wandless magic and usually too afraid to use even that.
Hermione got herself a familiar from Diagon Alley: a black female Half-Kneazle with white socks on her back paws. The animal was intelligent and adored both Hermione and Severus: Hermione called the cat "Stockings".
Their home at Spinner's End was in a dreadful state. When his wife and son weren't there to receive the brunt of his anger, Tobias had taken his rage at the house. All the windows were broken, the furniture in disrepair, the plates and cups had been broken and had to be thrown away. There were dents in the walls where Tobias had flung random objects. Eileen set out to repair the home: she'd cleaned the smaller broken items away the Muggle way, and with a wand she'd be able to repair the rooms and some of the furniture. She still resided with the Grangers, and every day she trekked to Spinner's End to repair things. Severus and Hermione researched their school books for spells to mend and repair, and although they couldn't help with the actual magic, they gave advice and instructions. Eileen was decently good in Transfigurations, and soon the china was temporarily replaced.
Eileen Snape was happier than in years. She took back her maiden name, Prince, though she made no effort in trying to contact any living relatives, and took up a job as a waitress at a local Muggle diner.
Severus received her permission to go with the Grangers to France. Stockings would reside with Eileen for the duration, and Eileen would watch over the Granger house.
France was just as wonderful as Severus remembered. They visited the mountain areas: they trekked to a Catholic church that was on a small mountain, and looked at the stunning vista hand in hand, with Severus' arm around her shoulders, holding her close. For a moment he felt like the king of the world, while Hermione clung to him with her fear of heights.
They stayed in a small hotel that clung to the side of a cliff, although once Hermione had taken a look outside from the balcony, she refused to leave her room. They ate delicious meals, snogged frequently and enjoyed their holiday.
The Grangers in France received him just as warmly as they did Hermione and treated him as one of their own. When Hermione was pulled out to buy new clothes with her mother and her two aunts — Hermione cast glances that pleaded mercy, but to no avail, she was not spared the shopping — Severus was invited to spend the afternoon with Mr Granger and the other men. They played pétanque in teams.
Severus realised that the Grangers had become a second family to him, and Mr Granger was acting more like a father to him than Tobias Snape ever had. The might have been Muggles, and he had always detested his Muggle father, and he knew most of the vocal students in Slytherin talked about how Muggles were the lower breed, but the kindness the Grangers showed him was immeasurable.
He received some new clothes from the Grangers as well: they were cheaper in France, and Mrs Granger shushed him and told him she enjoyed having a boy to dress up, since she only had gotten a daughter. Severus suffered quietly through three shops, blushing furiously as shop assistants and Mrs Granger prodded and evaluated him, ushered him to try on new sizes and styles. Hermione looked at him with a delighted glint in her eyes that told him she was enjoying the view, and that made him blush even more.
A handsome French boy tried to hit on her in a cafeteria. His bony chest swelled with pride as his girlfriend kindly told the handsome boy that she already had a boyfriend by her side.
She'd chosen him over a handsome French bloke.
The next year would be their OWL's year. Slughorn had promised that this year they'd be included in his "Slug Club" along with Lily Evans: the club would host small dinners as well as occasional larger parties where one could meet some useful contacts for their future career. He'd be able to take his intelligent, witty, pretty and perfect girlfriend as his date.
The world was a rather marvellous place, he inwardly sighed as he spooned some ice cream from the bowl in front of him and smiled at his lovely Hermione.
"We should create more spells. Something we can use to prank Potter and his gang."
"Any ideas? Nothing terrible though, Severus."
"I haven't tested it yet, but I have something new. Wait, I don't want anyone else to hear this..."
Severus took out his wand and cast a Muffliato. He'd developed the charm a couple of months earlier to be able to talk in secret with Hermione. She'd been thrilled with the results.
"It's a variant of Mobilicorpus," Severus continued as the Muffling Charm set over them. It would fill the ears of others close by with unidentifiable buzzing noise. "The incantation is 'Levicorpus'. I haven't tested it yet. It should make the person you cast it on hang in the air."
"Ooo, sounds like fun. Want to test it on me?" Hermione asked.
"Are you sure?" Severus asked, frowning. "I've never tested it. It shouldn't hurt or anything, but..."
"I trust you. You do have a counter-charm, don't you?"
"Ummm... yes, but that's also untested."
"Well, there's only one way to test that, too. And maybe a simple General Counter-Spell will end it if that doesn't work."
"If you're sure. Absolutely sure? We could always test it on Potter or Black."
Hermione nodded and stood up, while Severus cancelled the Muffliato.
"I'm going to cast this nonverbally."
"Wait wait wait... what?!" Hermione cried. "You've learned nonverbal spells? Since when?"
"Last week," Severus grinned. "I'll teach you later. You do know I do every bit of extra-credit work I get at Defence."
Hermione glared at him, which only made Severus chuckle. Hermione was often competitive when it came to studying, but his aptitude in Potions and Defence was higher than Hermione's, while Hermione was better than him at Arithmancy and Transfiguration as well as History of Magic.
"Ready?" he asked. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Hermione nodded, and Severus raised his wand, casting the Jinx nonverbally. Hermione let out a small scream as the spell hoisted her into the air... feet first. Her uniform skirt rose and she struggled to hide her panties.
"Severus Tobias Snape!" she cried, "Get me down this instant!"
Severus had trouble casting: it was a combination of laughing and trying not to stare at her knickers which were currently exposed to his viewing pleasure. Hermione was wonderfully furious: she was desperately trying to clutch the hems of her uniform skirt to hold them down over her knickers, while glaring at her laughing boyfriend. Her wild curls were dangling in a bushy mess that stated it'd take even a longer time than usual to brush them into submission.
"Severus Snape, put me down!" she yelled, and Severus noticed that Mulciber was approaching with a curious expression on his face. He quickly muttered the counter-charm and caught Hermione before she dropped roughly on the ground.
"I'm sorry, luv, I had no idea it'd dangle you upside down," he admitted. "Forgive me?"
"Of course. But I should hex you for laughing at me."
"I should kiss you for providing a view of your undies." He smiled and kissed her. Hermione flushed. Their snogging had become more and more heated as their fifth year at Hogwarts had progressed: their teenage hormones were occasionally quite rampant, but they refrained from going further than a few touches and caresses, knowing full well that snogging in empty classrooms and alcoves was forbidden and punished with detention and loss of points. They already had enough trouble with the Marauders and did not need problems from the Professors to add to it. Sometimes, though, it was so difficult to stop, when her lips tasted so delicious, when her skin smelled so sweet, and when she clung to her, he remembered the taste of strawberries, lemonade and the sunlight and shades by the pond. Her eyes were so warm and sweet and full of love.
It was time for classes though, and Severus waved as Hermione regretfully had to make her way to the greenhouses for Herbology, while Mulciber walked with him to Charms. It was safer to walk with someone: the Marauders had an uncanny ability to catch him when he was alone and hex him, although they'd kept it relatively harmless, knowing that both he and Hermione would retaliate every time. It was as if they were testing them, or keeping them on their toes to remind him that the first moment Hermione would stop retaliating as they slept, they'd strike him and strike him hard. Severus could hold his own and always Hexed them back, but one boy was hardly enough against four, and Hermione's unexpected strikes in their dormitory terrified them.
"What was that spell, Snape?" Mulciber asked. "You dangled your Mudblood bird upside down, were you trying to see her knickers?"
"Don't call her that, Mulciber."
"All right, your Muggle-Born bird then. Was that something of yours?"
"Yeah," he admitted proudly, "I developed it. It's called 'Levicorpus."
Mulciber whistled, impressed. "Damn, Snape, you're bloody powerful. Developing new jinxes is impressive. Teach me that, will you? Gonna test it on Potter."
Severus frowned but nodded, though slightly torn. Hermione was always impressed with him, but getting recognition from someone else too felt good. "You'll cast it nonverbally, will you? I don't want it to spread around. You can use it on Potter's little shites but I don't want it to spread around."
Mulciber nodded eagerly, and although Severus felt slightly torn, he explained the Jinx and its counter to his friend.
Teaching the Mobilicorpus-jinx to Mulciber had been a mistake, on hindsight. His stupid pride: Mulciber was just too dumb to use nonverbal Magic when he could just vocalise the incantation. He'd used it on Potter, and then Black had tested it on Wilkes and a couple of Ravenclaws overheard and soon it was nigh impossible to go anywhere without someone being hoisted up in the air by their ankles. Hermione stuck by his side all the time now, and glared at the Marauders in a menacing way, promising retribution if they as much as approached Severus.
She was fretting about their OWLs. She'd made a revision schedule during the summer, and they shared it: he had his own copy for curfew times and he did try to follow it, just to please her, but by Merlin she was almost manic in her need to revise. He lured her away from her books for the Hogsmeade visits, some snogging (although they got reprimanded by Madam Pince twice for it, and once Slughorn caught them but he just chuckled at them and told them it was important not to be caught: that was the Slytherin way, not being caught.)
The Slug Club parties were boring but the food was good: twelve students were invited in all, and he attended them with Hermione to get her away from the manic revising, but also to please his Head of house, though being social was a burden with very little profit, when those attending were just other students. But there would be a party just before Christmas for a large number of current and former Slug Club members: they'd be dressing up nicely, being introduced to influential people, forging important contacts that might further their future careers and education after the school.
Avery attended the supper parties occasionally, as did Lily. Hermione sat by his side and they frequently held hands between the courses: Severus traced her knuckles with his thumb and cast surreptitious glances to see the faint smile on her lips.
Things weren't easy, though: the war outside the school continued, though it simmered slowly at this point. They were saying that Lord Voldemort was afraid to face Headmaster Dumbledore, but many were so afraid of Voldemort that they'd began calling him 'He Who Must Not Be Named' or 'You Know Who'. Avery and Mulciber called him 'The Dark Lord' with a voice filled with respect, something they'd learned from their fathers, and he'd heard the name repeated a few times in the Slytherin common room.
He knew the teachers were concerned and tense, and he feared for his two Muggle-Born friends: for both Lily, though she still acted like a complete prat towards Hermione, and most of all, for his beloved Hermione.
The thought struck him then, just as they were eating the Slug Club supper, dining on such fine lamb in a wonderful herb sauce with a side of roast potatoes that reminded him of the dish served in that small restaurant in France: a dream of one day marrying Hermione Granger. That one day he, Severus Tobias Snape, might be a Master of Potions, and he'd be able to kneel in from of his Hermione and present her with a ring, and she'd say yes and kiss his lips. His Hermione Granger by his side as they were bound by magic, dressed in fine dress robes, and his wife in their bed...
She was only sixteen, and he'd turn sixeen in two months, but by Merlin how he yearned for that dream, to make her his so completely... He blushed quite crimson and Hermione glanced at him with a curious expression on her face. He knew she'd ask a dozen questions when the supper would be over, but he wasn't sure he'd dare to tell her the truth, best friend and girlfriend or not.
At least not yet.
Horace Slughorn made his way slowly to Headmaster Dumbledore's office. The portly man was troubled beyond words: he'd done some difficult things, but this might have been easily the most difficult decision of his life. His shoulders were hunched and his steps unusually slow as he approached the gargoyle guarding the entrance to the Head's office.
"Cotton Candy," he quietly gave the password, and the gargoyle allowed him entry to the staircase.
"Horace, what a pleasant surprise!" Albus said. "Would you have some tea?"
"Thank you, Albus, if you don't mind."
Albus summoned tea from the house-elves and the men sat down. "So, what can I do for you, Horace? I thought you had a supper party with your Slug Club, and you usually retire right after those." The Headmaster took a Sherbet Lemon and offered Horace one. Horace declined and buttered a fresh and hot scone instead.
"I... yes, we did have a supper party. I would like to ask you a question first, Albus, please," Horace said and sighed deeply. "Do you know... what is Vol... the name of the one they call You-Know-Who?"
Albus looked at him sharply. "Yes, and I believe you know as well. We both taught him, after all. His name was Tom Marvolo Riddle."
Horace felt his face grow even paler than usual, and he tried to force his pulse down. "Do you remember when we spoke earlier about young Mr Snape and his young Gryffinor lady, Miss Granger? The two very talented love-birds?"
"Yes?" Albus replied.
"They were there, at the supper party, the two of them. They held hands under the table. They think we can't notice things like that, but we always do. They're very... so very young and so much in love. And I remembered what you said, that they'd be in danger, two such talented young lovers. That You-Know-Who would go after the young lad. And she, her young Muggle-Born lady?" Horace drew breath and thanked the Gods for the liquid courage he'd taken before this. Albus nodded slowly.
"I am not a brave man, Albus, not really. Nor am I the most intelligent of men, I admit it. I need to make a confession. To you. Just you. To keep them safe. Those young lovers, and many others like them. Albus, we need to keep them safe, love like theirs safe."
"Go on, Horace," Albus encouraged, lowering his cup on the table.
"I made a mistake then, years back, when I taught him. Riddle. I've made so many mistakes, but by the Gods, Albus, I hope my soul will not be condemned for this one mistake. He came to me, young Tom Riddle, when he was quite young, when I taught him. He asked me about a certain piece of magic and I answered him, gave him answers I never should have given anyone. He was such a bright young boy, you understand, and seemed to charming."
Horace drew another breath, now gazing steadily down to the floor over his sizeable stomach.
"His agents approached me quite recently, asked me to join his ranks, Albus, as a potioneer. I remembered what I told him, and how You-Know-Who has survived some terrible, terrible curses that should have killed him. Albus... he asked me about Horcruxes. And I told him."
Albus Dumbledore was very, very quiet for a long time. The men sipped their tea in silence as the logs in Dumbledore's fireplace crackled, and the only sounds were the clattering of Horace's tea cup and butter knife against his platter as his hands shook every time he handled it, the munching as he ate one scone after another, and the klicking, humming and whirring sounds made by the various small devices positioned all over the office. The portraits of the previous Headmasters and Headmistresses were very quiet and solemn, watching over the two men in keen interest.
Finally Albus broke the silence. "Horace, I believe we must take him down. With your information I believe we can. I will face him in the end, but we first must find his Horcrux and destroy it."
"Albus, I believe he meant to create several," Horace sighed.
Albus set down his cup again and stood up. "I would ask you to give me a memory of that encounter for my Pensieve, as well as memories of any other encounters you might have had with him. We'll need some help finding those cursed objects and destroying them, but we will manage somehow. Will you help me in this, Horace?"
"As I said, I am not a brave man, Headmaster, but I will. I promise you this."
Hermione was absolutely adorable in her green dress as they danced at Slughorn's Christmas party. He felt so proud that night: proud to have her as his date, beautiful in her green dress adorned with white lace and darker green accents. Proud of his new dress robes, partially funded by the money he'd earned from Slughorn ("Professor Slughorn, Severus," his girlfriend would have gently chided him) for the brewing, proud that the green accents in his dress robes matched the green accents in Hermione's and the white in his dress shirt matched her white lace, so they looked like a proper couple. Proud that Slughorn had introduced him to several of his contacts in potioneering, and they'd expressed interest in the future career of the boy Slughorn had introduced as 'a marvel and a miracle, a real promise in the field'.
Lily Evans might have been considered more beautiful by conventional standards, Severus knew, but for him, Hermione was everything and so much more. He dreamed constantly of marrying her, making her his, and though he hadn't dared tell her all of his dreams, the way her brown eyes sparkled when she looked at him made him almost certain his dreams were fully reciprocated.
They danced well together. Their mothers and Hermione's father had taught them during last summer: Eileen showed them some Wizarding dances and Dr and Mrs Granger taught them Muggle dances, and they'd all dance in the spacious living room of the Granger home several nights a week. Eileen never laughed, but her eyes held a softer expression these days. Spinner's End was a much more pleasant place now, and Eileen had managed to save some money from her wages to replace the broken kitchen wares and furniture. Severus had gotten a new school uniform, no longer a second-hand set, and new books. Eileen had even slipped him a small pouch of Galleons and Sickles she'd exchanged at Gringott's to use at Hogsmeade.
When the dance ended, he led his date to the buffet table. He had just helped himself with some cheese rolls when he spotted Lucius Malfoy heading their way. It had been a few years since he'd seen Malfoy, who'd graduated a few years ago. He was impeccably dressed in finely cut robes of obvious quality, his blond hair shiny and finely cut.
"Good evening, Severus," he greeted, "How are you this evening?"
"Good evening, Lord Malfoy," Severus replied politely, "I am well. How are you and your lady wife?"
"Thank you, Narcissa is fine, as am I." Malfoy looked at the girl by Severus' side with interest. "And your lady friend...?"
"Ah. Lord Malfoy, may I have the honour to introduce you to Miss Hermione Granger, my girlfriend? Hermione, this is Lord Lucius Malfoy of the great and honourable house of Malfoy." Hermione offered her greetings, but Lucius furrowed his brows.
"You would be the Muggle-Born girlfriend of Severus I have heard of?" Lucius asked, his voice growing slightly colder.
"Yes, I am," Hermione nodded with a pleasant smile. Severus knew she wasn't really surprised: everyone at school knew about them, but she was intelligent enough to understand that while the Slytherins at school knew how she'd stood by Severus and hexed her own house-mates, some others might not be as receptive of their relationship. Still, she'd been brought up to behave well.
"Hmmm," Lucious said, now pointedly ignoring Hermione. "Severus, might I have a word in private?" Severus looked at his girlfriend, but she gave him a small encouraging smile and a nod, bade Lucius politely goodbye — a gesture which Lucius completely ignored — and turned to head for a table with a small plate of treats.
"Severus," Lucius Malfoy said in a low voice, "I have been sent to make you an offer, as it were. Your talent with both potions and the Dark Arts hasn't gone unnoticed, and a certain very important person is, shall we say, interested in an alliance? He'd be willing to fund your studies and make sure you'd receive the best of mentoring and training after you graduate. You'll be looking for an apprenticeship, correct? He'd be able to make sure you'd be trained by the best of the Potions Masters in the world."
Severus could guess to whom Lucius was referring to. His loyalties were known among the Slytherins, and he served the Dark Lord along with his father Abraxas Malfoy.
"But I must admit I find myself... disappointed with your choice of partners, Severus. I had hoped the rumours about you dating a Mudblood were unsubstantial. She's not worthy of you, Severus. However unfortunate your mother's choice of partners was, she's a descendant of the Prince line, and so are you. A proud pure-blood heritage, despite the misfortune of the man who sired you. But you must understand that a relationship with a Mudblood hinders your career, Severus, and it will hinder your future life as well. There are plenty of other women, worthier and of purer blood for you."
Severus felt a white and cold fury bubble inside himself, but he hid it and hid it well. Malfoy's offer was oh so tempting: the Malfoys and the Dark Lord would have access to perhaps the best, most skilled Potions Masters in the world, and most likely far more skilled than the ones Slughorn could contact. He could ask help from Slughorn, but he detested asking — he wasn't a beggar, no matter how little means he'd had in the world — and he'd graduate much sooner with their tutoring. And the power that would come with protection from the Dark Lord as his sponsor? It would mean wealth. Wealth that could...
Wealth that he wouldn't be able to use with Hermione, he realised. Malfoy and his lord would not approve of his girlfriend or her parents, the people who'd become like second parents to him during these years, the people who had always accepted him just the way he was. He thought that perhaps the Dark Lord would spare them, if he'd rise to power, spare his lovely Hermione, Hermione's parents, perhaps even Lily Evans.
Then he caught how Lucius looked at Hermione. He was covering it well, like a true Slytherin, but Severus was also a Slytherin through and through. And no matter how much Mulciber, Avery, Wilkes and the others disliked Hermione, they tolerated her. Lucius Malfoy detested her, looked at her like she was the most disgusting little insect to be crushed.
"Thank you, Lord Malfoy, your offer is very interesting. I cannot accept it right now, of course, but I will certainly give it my best consideration," he said stiffly. "My graduation is still quite far, after all. But nevertheless, I will consider it."
Lucius nodded and bade him a pleasant evening before he departed to greet some other participants, heading toward Avery and some older gentlemen he was speaking with. Severus made his way to his girlfriend and curled his arms around her from the back, holding her in his arms protectively.
"Is everything all right?" she asked.
"Yes, love. I'll talk about it later," he promised and kissed her neck gently. "I'll eat a bit, and perhaps I can dance with you again?"
"I'd love that," she replied with a gentle smile that he could hear in her voice, and pressed a little more against his chest in a way that made his toes curl in his shoes, before she sat back down by the small table. "Shall I go and get you a drink and some other treats?" she offered, seeing he'd only managed to snatch a couple of small canapés from the table before being distracted by Lucius.
"If you don't mind, love. Thank you," he replied with a smile, and she briskly walked off to get a glass of butterbeer for him as Severus tucked into his canapés. Lily approached him almost immediately, and Severus was quite certain she'd been keeping an eye on him. She'd left her date — a burly Gryffindor Beater by the name of Reames — somewhere.
"Would you dance with me, Severus?" she asked, batting her eyelashes and tossing her long auburn locks behind her shoulder. Several guys were casting surreptitious glances towards her, and Severus knew he'd be envied by many of them if he did dance with her, not to mention it'd piss off Potter, but he had other plans.
"Sorry, Lily, I promised all the dances to Hermione," he replied calmly, and tried not to notice when her eyes narrowed.
"I thought we were friends too!" she whined.
"We are, but Lils, she's my girlfriend, and this is a date night, please understand. Where's your date?"
"Ditched him," Lily said, looking annoyed. Severus decided not to comment. Lily didn't seem to be interested in the guys who were interested in her, Severus noticed: whenever someone would show interest in her, she'd begin to back-pedal. He'd known her as long as he'd known Hermione — though he'd always been so much closer to Hermione — and they were friends, but she did have her flaws, one of which seemed to be her desire to be wanted and the centre of attention to everyone. She wanted everyone to worship her, and the fact that one of her oldest friends worshipped another girl and not her seemed to insult her.
Hermione arrived, carrying a plate full of small sweet and savoury cakes and a glass of Butterbeer and offered them to Severus, before stealing a small raspberry cake from his plate with a cheeky grin and greeting Lily kindly, complimenting her dress. Lily thanked her for the compliment blandly but made her excuses and left them almost immediately.
Hermione looked quite sadly at their retreating friend, but her smile returned bright when Severus took her hand and caressed her knuckles with his thumb, pushing the plate of treats closer to her so they could share.
And so they danced, their bodies pressing together so sweetly, and Severus thought proudly of the book he'd been able to buy his beautiful girlfriend for Christmas, and dreamed of the happy day that she'd be his, like he was already hers, always.
