California Dreamin'
They were suddenly standing on a hillside that overlooked a city. There was a bay, and the air was milder, with sunshine struggling through a soft foggy haze. They were alone, so Severus removed the Invisibility Cloak and they all looked at each other.
Zelda chuckled at Lily's wide eyes. "It's shocking, isn't it?" she murmured sympathetically.
"Yeah, but I wish I could do it," she replied. "Um, Mom… I don't suppose you brought your cell phone along, did you?"
"No," she confessed guiltily, looking nervously up at Severus.
His eyes were gleaming with cynical amusement, which drew a reluctant smile from her.
"Do you have to be so cursed practical, Lils? We're on an adventure here," she replied stoutly. "Why do we need a phone?"
"Eli borrowed his roommate's car when we came up here. He might have driven up here in ten minutes, but instead, we'll have to walk."
"Oh… Well… At least the weather's lovely," offered Zelda brightly, glancing sidelong at her husband. "What a beautiful place."
"Lily, do you know which way to go?" asked Severus.
"The campus is this way," she said, leading them onto a well-traveled trail.
The sun gradually became stronger as they walked. It felt like a world away from winter at the cabin. Before long Zelda took off her jacket.
"Allow me," said Severus, Vanishing it so they wouldn't be burdened.
Lily stared.
"He'll bring it back," Zelda said. "Want yours Vanished?"
"Uh… Okay," she replied, removing her coat and holding it out. She jumped slightly when it disappeared. "Thanks," she muttered.
Severus nodded. Lily seemed to be accepting the quite situation well. He couldn't help wondering if her brother would equally understand. He disliked the idea of Obliviating anyone, but to protect his marriage to Zelda, he would do it.
Zelda touched his arm. "Are you going to take off your jacket?" she asked innocently.
"I am perfectly comfortable," he replied stiffly, although the black leather might soon be uncomfortably hot. They both knew he could not walk around a strange city so exposed, and he frowned at her for teasing him.
"Sorry," she mouthed. She took his hand and held it, relieved when he squeezed it warmly.
They entered the University campus, which was serene and empty on the day after Thanksgiving. Severus had spent little time in the Muggle world, and found the huge school interesting. The buildings were solid and pleasing to the eye. One was the Doe Memorial Library, and he was curious as to what he might find of interest there. He slowed to appreciate the classical symmetry of the building.
"Tempting, isn't it?" murmured Zelda. "I adore libraries."
"Yes," he replied. He imagined losing himself in the immensity of that building. "Perhaps some other time…"
He tucked her hand inside his arm again and they began walking again.
"How much farther?" asked Zelda, as they reached the end of the campus.
About four blocks," replied Lily. "But, maybe we should find a phone and call ahead."
"He did say he'd be home," said Zelda. "Besides, and this shows you how out of touch I am with Muggle ways, I have no money with me today."
"Muggle?" asked Lily. She shook her head irritably. "Never mind. I only have Swiss money with me. Let's just go."
The beautiful weather had drawn people out into the streets, shopping and greeting friends. The people in this community were far more… diverse than those in Geneva, and the clothing was much more exotic, Severus thought. As they walked through the busy streets, he became uncomfortably aware that he was drawing interested stares, generally, but not always, from women. Sweat broke out under his collar and he determinedly avoided looking into people's faces.
A store on the corner up ahead drew his eye. The sign above it said, Sunset Magickal Discount Supplies. Curious, Severus changed course so they could walk past the storefront. Cheaply printed 'spell books' caught his eye first, then a display of crystals surrounding a chalice and a ceremonial dagger. A sign offered candles, herbs, jewelry, occult message buttons and magical fetish-wear. He choked slightly.
"Shall we stop in and browse a bit?" asked Zelda, smirking slightly. She winked at Lily.
"I think not," he replied grimly.
Suddenly the door opened and horrified, Severus thought for a split second that it was Sibyll Trelawney's sister. A scrawny woman with badly dyed red hair, draped with shawls and jangling jewelry, lurched out the door and gazed straight at him. She murmured dreamily, "Please honor my humble shop with your presence, Great Master. Long have I awaited you."
Lily watched wide-eyed as Severus shied wildly away from the woman, dragging Zelda with him. She hastily followed.
Zelda had felt him flinch. She wondered if the woman, running what seemed to be a hokey little store, was one of those Muggles born with some magical ability, as she'd been. There could be no other explanation for her recognizing Severus as… something. The other people who stared had more mundane activities on their minds. She sighed, realizing that her sexy husband had no idea what effect he had on others.
"it's right around the corner," Lily said. She'd seen a lascivious gleam in the fortuneteller woman's eyes, and wondered how her mother liked having her boyfriend get propositioned while he was standing right next to her.
They walked around the corner and Lily stopped dead, causing Zelda and Severus to crash into her. She turned and shoved them firmly back around the corner.
"What?" asked Zelda, confused.
"Didn't you see him? It's Dad!" hissed Lily. "I think he saw me, too! He's got a duffle bag, he must be leaving just now."
Instantly, Severus pulled out the Invisibility Cloak and put it over himself and Zelda.
"You're on your own, kid," said Zelda mockingly. "Can you get rid of him?"
"God! I don't know!" Lily muttered rebelliously. It was freaky, knowing her mother was right there, but invisible.
"Tell him I bought you a ticket to visit Eli. Say I got a bonus check and you're exhausted by work, so you're taking a vacation," her mother suggested snidely. "Go!" she ordered, pushing her daughter back around the corner. "We'll follow. Say you need to talk to Eli alone."
Lily flounced toward her father, calling cheerfully, "Hey, Dad! You're still here!"
Zelda sighed, feeling sick. What a mess, she thought.
Severus began kissing her, and pressed her against the wall of the building. "Don't look so unhappy, Mrs. Snape," he said quietly.
"Can we just wait here? I'd rather not have you see how awful he is. I'm not proud of having married him."
"In my youth I made evil decisions that caused great harm to others. Yet you knew most of it, and still love me. It might actually make me feel better to know that you're not quite perfect."
He hugged her. "Is this the worst thing I can learn about you?"
"If I make snide comments, remember there was extreme provocation," she muttered darkly.
Together, under the Invisibility Cloak, they headed back toward where Lily was talking with a man. Then a young man with short hair so blonde as to be invisible in the sunshine appeared from the building behind them.
Something about the older man's posture, the tilt of the head, reminded him of Gilderoy Lockhart, thought Severus.
"No, Dad," said Lily firmly, "I'm glad to have seen you for a minute, but I need to visit with Eli alone. I'll see you in January, like we planned."
"But Lily, sweetie, I don't have to be any place soon, and this way I can be with both of you," wheedled her father hopefully.
The young man looked on helpless, as though he might drown between his father and his determined sister.
Zelda sighed. "Okay, Sev. It's Mom to the rescue." They took off the cloak and kept walking. With a scowl she said to him, "Come and meet the family."
"Hello, children," said Zelda cheerfully, approaching them. "Rob," she said, nodding coolly.
"Mum!" said the young man. He turned and hugged her, swinging her off her feet and around in a circle. "You look great," he told her.
"Eli," she said, kissing him fondly. "This is Severus." She pulled her son around to face the wizard.
The young man stared challengingly into the black eyes of this newcomer. On some level he felt strange power emanating from him and was disturbed.
"Nice to meet you," he muttered rather sullenly.
"What the hell are you doing here, Zelda?" asked Rob Graff nastily. "Is this your… ahem, boyfriend? Um, interesting."
"Did I ask for your opinion?" she replied, bristling at his tone. She inhaled deeply and said levelly, "Rob, we're here to see Elijah."
Rob Graff was in his mid forties. He was tall, with warm hazel eyes and dark brown hair. He looked as though he took excellent care of himself, and he radiated a subtle, frenetic energy. He glared at Zelda.
"I was here first. You can't deny me time with my own children," he pronounced grandly.
Zelda closed her eyes and counted to ten. She then said to the man, "They're grown up and this is ridiculous. I won't argue with you, Robert."
She turned to her son. "Coming here was impulsive, Eli. I'd like us to spend some time together, but we'll go now. Why don't you tell me when it'll be a good time for you."
"Dad," said Elijah, recovering his nerve, "Your train's leaving soon and we've seen each other all week. I haven't seen Mum in months. Look, here's the bus. Have a good trip and I'll talk to you soon."
As the bus doors opened, Elijah manoevered his father toward it with a practiced air.
Rob Graff paused briefly in front of Severus, and attempted to loom impressively over the shorter man. He was met with a cold, expressionless black stare that unnerved him on a visceral level. He turned away hastily.
Lily kissed the man's cheek and said, "See you soon, Dad. Have a good trip."
The waved as the bus pulled away, and an awkward silence followed.
"Smooth," said Zelda, disheartened. "Sorry, Eli. Lils said he was here, but we thought he'd be gone by now."
Zelda's ex-husband was a pathetic poseur, Severus realized. He was relieved to know that Zelda could never have had, with that detestable man, a love like they shared. He put his arm lightly around her waist.
She smiled gratefully at him, then looked at her children.
"Eli, is there someplace we can talk?" she asked.
Lily had watched the whole scene carefully. Knowing what she did about Severus, she was reassured that he'd stayed in the background, choosing not to confront her annoying father.
"Eli, can we go upstairs?" she asked. "Mom and Severus have something important to tell you."
Elijah led them into an untidy, small apartment. The sofa bed was open and unmade and dirty dishes littered the stuffy living room.
"Ew!" Lily said, looking around in disgust at her brother's mess. "Is your roommate home?"
"He's working," replied the young man, glaring defensively. "Cut it out, Lils. I wasn't expecting company."
"Behave, children," said Zelda fondly. "Listen, Elijah. I know it's unbelievable, but I left out a major piece of information when I wrote to you and Lily. Severus is a wizard. That's why we're here. We Apparated to Geneva, to collect Lily and then came here to see you. A lot happened to me during the summer, and I want to tell you about it."
"He can do magic?" asked Elijah skeptically.
"Yep," replied Zelda.
"Can I see?" he asked, looking fiercely at Severus.
"Your mother also wanted proof when I told her," said Severus mildly. He looked appraisingly around the apartment, then pointed his wand at the dirty dishes, Levitated them to the sink and murmured, "Scourgify." He then magically rinsed and dried them.
The magically clean dishes were then Levitated to the cupboard dishes and stacked neatly. It took all of two minutes.
Elijah stared at him, impressed. "Okay, so what now?" he asked. "Are you two really going to get married? What do you do for a living? Do you have a job, or just float around washing people's dishes?"
"Eli, can you come with us to Michael's cabin for a while? We'll bring you back whenever you need to come home, but we have a lot to tell you." Zelda smiled and added, "If you come with us, your sister won't be able to harass you about the mess here."
"I don't have to work again until Sunday," he said slowly. "Is this safe?"
"Yeah," said Lily. "Grab a jacket and some real shoes, because there's snow at the cabin. I have about a million questions for these two, so hurry, brother dear."
He headed for the bedroom, while Lily turned to her mother.
"Thanks, Mom," she said gently. "I know how hard it was for you to deal with him, but I don't think Dad would've left without you showing up."
Zelda said thoughtfully, "I haven't actually seen him in about three years. I didn't realize… I'm sorry, Lil. You and Eli don't have any easy time with him, do you?"
Her daughter replied thoughtfully, "He drifts in and out. I think he sees us as stability, and he's not working now, so he hangs around a fair amount."
"How long has he been out of work?" asked Zelda.
"He got the money from Grandad's estate, and I guess he'll live off that 'til it's gone. He's flown out to visit me twice in the past six months," said Lily.
"Hmm…" said Zelda. She didn't dare to comment, since eventually the kids would get defensive.
Elijah rejoined them, wearing a jacket and boots, as his sister had suggested. "How do we do this?" he asked, staring intently at Severus.
"I can take all of you at once," replied Severus.
"Really?" asked Zelda. "It's getting sillier every time we add someone, isn't it?"
"I've Apparated with giants," said Severus. "This will work. Elijah and Lily, hold on tight to my arm and each other."
Severus put his arm around Zelda and held the other out to the brother and sister. When they were all motionless, he concentrated on the cabin, and they disappeared.
&&&&&&&&&
The afternoon sun was brilliant on the snow in the clearing. They all needed a moment to adjust to the glare. Severus pointed his wand at the cabin door and Rowena ran out, eager for company.
"Nice dog, Mum," Elijah said admiringly. "I thought you were never going to get another one."
"I should learn never to say never," she replied. "She's wonderful company, much smarter than most people I know."
She smiled, watching her son get acquainted with Rowena. He loved animals.
"I'm going in to get something to eat. I don't know what time it is any more, for you kids, but I'm hungry," said Zelda.
"Give me a minute," said Elijah. He was making a snowball, which he threw across the clearing for Rowena to chase. He laughed when she reached the hole where it landed and thrust her whole head into the snow, digging eagerly for it. "We'll be right there."
Lily and Severus entered the cabin with her. Lily peered over her shoulder into the refrigerator.
"Wow! I forgot it was Thanksgiving yesterday," she said. "Outstanding leftovers, Mom. Let's do it all."
Soon the oven was hot, and the smell of Thanksgiving filled the cabin for the second day straight.
"I've missed this," Lily moaned. "It smells wonderful. Did you have a good Thanksgiving? Who was here yesterday?"
Zelda put the remains of the canned cranberry blob onto the table, and smiled. "Some magical people, and Michael, as you can see," she chuckled.
"I wish he was still here," she replied. "Mom, who's this guy he's with now? Is it the real deal? Will it last? I got so tired of temporary 'uncles.' Some were so stupid. I want him to be with someone great. He shouldn't be alone."
Zelda looked at Severus. "I wonder if he and Kingsley would like to come for a visit," she murmured. "I was exhausted yesterday evening, but having the kids here today is too good for him to miss."
Severus reflected that before he and Zelda could make decisions about their future, they must make things right with her children. Obviously, Michael was important to them, so he might be able to smooth things out.
"Shall I go speak with him?" he asked, pulling her into a warm embrace.
Zelda grinned. "Yes, thank you. Tell him we'll wait twenty minutes, but after that Elijah's going to finish his cranberry blob."
Severus smiled faintly as she put her hand up to his cheek and kissed his lips. "I'll go from here, straight to St. Mungo's," he murmured, letting go of her reluctantly.
He went to the bedroom and put on his traveling cloak, then Apparated away.
&&&&&&&&&
After Severus had left them, Zelda looked at Lily enquiringly. "Well?"
"How did you meet him, Mom? This is really unbelievable. He's, um… a little scary, I think, but he's awfully nice to you," she said. "Where's he from and what does he do? If you marry him, you can't just live at home and have him pretend to be ordinary. It'd never work."
Zelda sighed. "This is why I wanted you and Eli to both be here. I could talk myself hoarse and you'll still have more questions. I can only do this once."
"I see that," conceded Lily. "But are you sure you're up to this guy? I saw the way people looked at him in Berkeley, and what's with that crazy fortune-teller lady? It was creepy, the way she came on to him, right in front of you."
"Well, that, at least, had something to do with magic, I think," replied Zelda. "I think she sensed his power. I'm pretty ignorant about magic, but Severus is… powerful. People who are sensitive to magic can feel it."
"Can you feel it?"
Her mother smiled. "I've only felt magic once, and it was something unique. I'm really dying to figure out how many ordinary people have a tiny piece of magic in them. Not like wizards and witches, but I don't think the line is as well defined as they think. I think the fortune-teller woman is one of those."
The door flew open and Elijah came in, with a snow-covered dog by his side. Rowena shook hard, flinging snow all over the kitchen and making them laugh.
"What a great dog she is, Mum," he declared. "Where'd you get her?"
"Severus found her last summer, lying out by the road. She'd been hit by a car and would've died. He brought her back here and he and Michael healed her," she told him. Rolling her eyes, she added, "He's not the only male person who foisted a dog on me, Eli."
"Can you say you didn't love Teddy?" he asked, looking hurt.
"Idiot boy, of course I did," she said. "But it might be nice to choose when I'll take on another pet."
"Where's Severus?" he asked, looking around.
"Gone to get Michael," said Lily enthusiastically. "Maybe he'll bring the new 'uncle' too."
Elijah frowned. "What if this new guy is another loser? God, Mom, I wish Michael would find a good one and just stick with him."
"I can't remember all the details yet, but I think Kingsley's a keeper. I hope so."
"Why can't you remember?" asked Lily, her eyes narrowing as she studied her mother closely.
Zelda blushed. "It's a long story, and if it's okay, I'll wait 'til Michael's here before I tell you. I got involved in their magical business last summer and a lot happened. Michael was involved too, so he can help prove I'm not crazy."
She smiled at her children. "Why don't you get ready to eat? Severus will be back soon, possibly with Michael, and I'm starving. If you think about what we've done today, it's pretty mind-blowing, so you must be hungry too."
There was a brief knock on the door, which flew open, admitting Michael Fletcher, who was beaming joyfully.
"Where are my kids?" he called, and then grabbed Elijah, still standing near the door, in a bone-crushing hug.
Following close behind him was Severus, along with an attractive black man who smiled to see Michael's enthusiasm. Closing the door, the newcomer looked at Zelda and said, "Do you remember me yet, Zelda?"
