Chapter 7 - Home and Other Improvements
They appeared at the apparition point in Diagon Alley. Side-long apparition was as familiar to Nathaira as breathing so she surprised Severus by showing no signs of nausea or shaking. He said nothing about it, but led her to Madam Malkin's. When they stepped into the shop Madam Malkin smiled up at him.
"Professor Snape, what brings you here? And who is this charming young woman?" The woman asked looking directly at Nathaira who breathed sharply beginning to hyperventilate. Severus' brow furrowed as he squeezed his daughter's hand reassuringly. Something was wrong with the shopkeeper being able to see Nathaira.
"This, Madam, is Nathaira. We require assistance in building up her new wardrobe. i am afraid she has no appropriate clothes at the present moment."
Madam Malkin only smiled at them and nodded. She came from behind the counter and as she was leading them towards the back of the store the doorbell rang as somebody else stepped in. Severus spun. The new customer was none other than Lucius Malfoy in all his aristocratic glory. His eyes swept over Severus and he was surprised to note a small, raven haired girl beside him peering at him with black eyes from behind Severus' robes.
"Why Severus, long time no see. And who is this charming little thing?" He greeted the Potions Master noting that Severus stepped protectively in front of the girl who held onto the man's arm with a death grip.
"Lucius." Severus said with a nod and turned around heading towards the back of the store hiding the girl in his robes.
"Aren't you going to introduce her to an old friend?" Lucius asked his curiosity peaking. Severus turned to look at him the Potions Master's eyes piercing. Lucius knew his calculating look and waited raising an inquisitive eyebrow into a blond arch.
"Nathaira, this is Lucius Malfoy, an associate of mine." Severus finally said unveiling the slender girl who looked oddly familiar to Lucius. A spark of recognition flamed in his eyes momentarily as the girl seemed to loose her panicked expression and setting her jaw defiantly and her black eyes hardening.
"Sir." She simply acknowledged and offered her hand. Lucius shook it graciously and then turned back to Severus.
"Could I exchange some words with you, Severus?"
The Potions Master glanced at the girl uncomfortably and bent down to murmur to the girl. The girl shook her head furiously, but the man continued to speak to her with a stern, but gentle voice. Lucius was in awe. He had never seen the man act in such a way with a child. Finally the girl seemed to nod, defeated. Severus stood straight, said something to Madam Malkin who led the distressed thing away before he finally turned to the blond pureblood.
"What do you want, Lucius?" Severus asked wearily. Lucius fought back a smirk.
"I was just curious as to who she is. You know, she looks awfully like you. If one didn't know better, I could almost swear..." He trailed off.
"And your point is?" Severus didn't like where this was going.
"I would have never imagined you as a father." Lucius said. As soon as he had spoken, Severus had cast a silencing charm around them and had backed him into a corner.
"You are not to speak of her." Severus hissed. "One word of her to anyone and you and your family shall suffer severely."
"And, pray tell, am I sworn to secrecy. Not very Slytherin of you to bring her out into the open like this if she is such a disappointment." Lucius hissed back.
"She is more adept witch than you will ever know. Her protection failed her." He sighed and backed off. "I'm sorry, friend."
Lucius' eyes widened as Severus whipped out his wand.
"Obliviate."
Severus left the confused wizard at the door and searched for his daughter and the shopkeeper.
"Are you ready?" He asked imperiously coming from behind them. Nathaira flinched in surprise and then nodded. "Good."
He turned to the shopkeeper and reduced the size of several clothes that had been chosen. He bid goodbye to Madam Malkin and apparated them directly back to Spinner's End. They were met by a miffed Minerva.
"Severus, there is something wrong..."
Severus lifted his hand to silence the witch.
"Nathaira, take your belongings to your room. I will be up shortly up with Minerva to improve your room."
The girl nodded, took the bags that Severus was handing her and disappeared upstairs.
"The Fidelius charm did not hold today in Diagon Alley. She was seen by both Madam Malkin and Lucius Malfoy before I revealed her to them."
"That is why I am here. I was suddenly able to freely speak of her to Albus about her. He was not surprised."
Severus snorted.
"Is he ever?"
Minerva shook her head trying to hide her amusement turning serious again.
"Something must of happened."
"You mean Hermione..." He could not finish.
"I think so. All though I wouldn't go as far as death just yet."
Their eyes met gravely.
"What can we do?"
"Nothing, I imagine." Answered Minerva. "Should she be told?"
Severus thought about it for a moment.
"No, she has enough on her mind without this."
Minerva nodded.
"Let's go improve that gods awful place you call her room."
They joined Nathaira in the room where they spent rest of the afternoon with a most talented Transfigurations Mistress showing off her exquisite talents. By the end of it the room that Severus had occupied during his childhood was unrecognisable favourably so.
The walls were painted a deep forest green varying in lighting like the canopy of trees. The ceiling was a replica of the night sky. The dreadful bed that had resembled a cot was transfigured in a fourposter mahogany bed with deep green sheets with the same lighting change effect ad the walls. She had a mahogany desk with a matching chair and the dresser was changed into a renaissance wardrobe. The floor was a polished dark wood with a carpet that looked like grass. Smiling with delight Nathaira jumped on the bed until Minerva gently scolded her about it. Both adults felt wonderful after bringing such joy to the child's face.
The darkness closed in around her.
"I know nothing. I don't know. Please." She pleaded to the dark forms that she knew were there. They were real, she had felt them and heard them speak. The room had no form as she sat in the only corner she had found in the room. O, how she missed the light.
