Chapter 3: Upsets and Requests…
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, if I did, Severus Snape never would have died.
It was a little bit odd to go to a dinner party after the events that took place last night. Never the less, a change of air would be good. The tension in the castle got heavier as nobody could explain how Potter's name got into the Goblet or, most importantly, how the security charms against under age contestants have failed. Madame Olympia only told her that nobody got any ideas on how or… who have done it. She commented about the angry and suspicious looks between Karcaroff, Snape and Moody, the anxious state of the Minister and the decision to go forth with the tournament.
She got ready to take the fireplace. She had let down her curls and wore emerald green sleeveless, form fitting dress under a black dress robes. She said "Malfoy Manor" and immediately she found herself at the foyer, where a house elf greets her: "Good evening, if you follow me, please…" She followed the creature up to a wonderful, candle lit room. More elves were getting the guests drinks; she took a champagne glass from one of them. As she took a sip, she was aware that someone was watching her already…. -"Mademoiselle Dumont" Lucius Malfoy said as he lifted his wine glass as making a toast… "It's wonderful to see you again, after all these years… too long, I may add…"When he finished this statement, he was already very close to her, with a beaming smile, kissing her hand.
-"It is very nice to see you again, Monsieur Malfoy… très longue…" They stare at each other way to long, long enough so Narcissa had to make her presence known…
- "Please, meet my wife… Narcissa" They nod and smile frostily at each other.
-"You have a wonderful home, Madame Malfoy" "Thank you, Mademoiselle, now… if you excuse us… Lucius, there are more guests arriving…" Narcissa took her husband's arm and gently lead him to the other side of the room…
Gulping up the rest of her champagne, she heard someone almost talking at her ear…
- "Well, that was… intense…"
-"Oh! Master Snape" "I was wondering if you will be here…" He nodded at her, a little bit intrigued by the scene he just witnessed…
- "I think you need… another drink…" "Oui, s'il vous plaît…" she responded.
Snape came back with a glass of champagne for her and a firewhiskey for himself.
- "I am glad to see you, Professor" she said. "I wonder if I got the invitation because of you…"
- "Not such thing" said Lucius, "I got a report about the delegations visiting Hogwarts for the Tournament… and came across your name" Malfoy had managed to get away from his wife. "I'm glad you came… How have you been, Roxanne?"
-"Very good, Lucius"… "I see you are happily married… and your son… a very… special young man… the spit image of you… "Snape couldn't help himself and the smallest smile came to his face while he took a small sip of his drink"
-"Indeed he is, I'm very proud of him… His godfather is also responsible for his character", as he raised his glass to Severus.
-"Very special" Snape replied.
-"So, what did you did after school? We lost… touch…" asked Malfoy.
-"Well, I went on and specialized at Potions, as well as everything necessary to be a Healer" she replied.
-"Yes… I do remember your flair for potions… Actually, I thought you two will get better acquainted around books and cauldrons…"
-"And I do remember that Mademoiselle Dumont was easily taken away from those activities when you were around… Now, if you will excuse me, I need to speak to someone…" said Snape as he spotted Karcaroff in the room, leaving Roxanne with her mouth half opened after that account…
-"He is right, you know… we did had wonderful activities that summer… don't you think?... By the way… vous recherchez encore ... très belle…" he said to her with the deepest gaze… "Alas… dinner is served... excuse me…"
-"Shall we?" said Snape, again… pulling her out of trance, again, offering his arm to escort her to the dining room.
-"Thanks, Professor…" Roxanne said as she took his arm. "Professor, may I ask, do you have any theories about what happened last night, you know, about Potter's name getting selected by the Goblet?"
-"I don't, no…" said Snape. "I don't think anyone has an idea… only very powerful magic could go over the spells and charms in that magic goblet…"
-"Dark wizards, you mean…" she said, looking over to Karcaroff. "Are you still acquainted with Malfoy's inner circle? After all, that was the main event, that summer, remember?" she said to him, trying to read every bit of his body language…
-"After the war, many choices had to be made… I made mine, as well as everybody else, including Malfoy… May I ask you a question, Mademoiselle?" masterfully changing the subject… "How is it that you… left that inner circle? You two seemed much attached to each other..."
-"Well, I think you know Lucius better and longer that me to know that, well… he likes to attach himself to a lot of women. His wife's demeanor has confirmed that, he hasn't strayed out that much from the old ways…" Roxanne answered him while looking over to Lucius, whom will take glances at her at every chance he got over the long table.
Dinner went through pleasantly enough for Roxanne, enjoying the conversation with Severus, who was pleasantly relaxed and willing to talk about books and potions, forgetting about the goblet, dark wizards, old lovers and jealous wife's…
A little after dessert, some of the guest started to leave and Snape approached Miss Dumont and told her; "We should take this opportunity to get ourselves to a very rare treat…" Roxanne looked at her puzzled and took his arm…
-"The Malfoy's library… The best collection of old and rare books in England, although… I am working very hard on my own…"
- " C'est magnifique ... Je ne pouvais vous perdre ici!" said Roxanne, in a very soft but excited voice…
-"I knew you would like it…" responded Snape, almost smiling…
They spent several minutes looking at books before someone else entered the library.
-"I thought I heard voices… Severus… Miss Dumont" said Narcissa in a very low and suspicious voice.
-"I was showing Miss Dumont the magnificent collection…" said Severus.
-"Yes, it is my husband's pride and joy…" Narcissa commented, looking over at Roxanne.
-"It is late… Thank you Madame Malfoy for such a wonderful evening, I take my leave now…" And left, feeling a little uneasy…
-"Good night" said both Narcissa and Severus.
After Roxanne left, Narcissa walked slowly over to Snape and said "Lovely women, Mademoiselle Dumont, don't you think Severus?"
-"Very…interesting, I could say… and intelligent, very… academic…"
-"Yes… and beautiful… capable of get attention from any… men…"
-"What are you implying, 'Cissa?" asked Snape.
-"Nothing Severus… I just thought that you could use some… company, she looked interested enough…"
-"What are you saying? And how do you get to that conclusion, may I ask?"
-"Well, whatever you were saying to her was interesting enough for her to ignore Lucius attempts to flirt with her…"
Snape just took a hard look at her and simply said "Good night, Narcissa" and with a quick turn left the library and the house. "What is she talking about?" he thought, while he took a shower and changing into a pair of black silk pajama pants, getting ready for bed. He had to admit to himself, she was a very attractive woman, also intelligent and clearly, independent. "Lucius was a fool… or maybe, I was too…"
Dumont transfigures the shower in to a tub, and filled it with warm water, lavender oil and a touch of sandalwood. She did had a great time, but her mind still was racing about seeing how Lucius hasn't changed that much, both physically or his character. His wife was a very interesting character as well. She knows her husband's flaws and strengths. "I can't blame her to be that jealous, not that I will ever fall for him again…"
She closed her eyes and drifted away thinking about her new friend… or at least colleague… "He is quite the character… and handsome… in a very dark and somehow unreachable sort of way… Tempting…"
She got up the tub and dry herself and put on nightgown, getting ready for bed when she heard a tap in her window… It was an owl with a small note:
"I have borrowed some books from the Malfoy library. If you are interested, meet me for dinner tomorrow. SS"
A big smile came upon Roxanne's face. "Dinner… for books?" She thought…" He is going for my heart, and he doesn't even know it…"