Author's Note/Warning - Chapter Seven - Some startling realizations.
Standard update days are Sundays and Wednesdays.
Only Sara is mine, along with the non-canon magical plot point of a Kelsalis and a Kel (one of those terms that will be explored further in coming chapters).
- Snow
NanamiYatsumaki- The evolution of the characters is precisely what the story is driven by in this one. Thank you for the lovely reviews. I hope you enjoy this chapter especially. -Snow
Of Gold and Steel
Chapter Seven
You fucking me makes me bilingual - Jose Nunez - Bilingual
Snape used his time wisely, as he always did. An hour later found him having attended to his business at the apothecary as well as the bookstore. He returned to Madam Malkin's with the evidence of his shopping. Two new books and a new order of ingredients placed. All in all, a productive day. He drew in a breath, fortifying himself against the inevitable discomfort that assailed him in Sara's presence. What had possessed him to take the woman shopping? She had never worn anything with shape to it, nothing that called attention to her figure or the curves that he now knew lay beneath them.
When he'd first caught sight of her that morning, something inside him had snapped. She was a reflection of him, of his ability to keep a wife well. How had she gone about dressed that way for years and not noticed? It niggled at him, not only that he'd not noticed, but that he suddenly had and more than that, he had found himself irritated by his lack of attention to her physical appearance. He frowned, an expression he wore perpetually when in her presence. The unsettling arousal that had eaten at him had not been banished from their encounter the previous night. In fact, it had only intensified. He knew now, just what she was capable of, and damned if he didn't want more.
But to begin, he had to at least make her presentable, even if he was the only person she would see. The woman, for some reason, never left the house on any of her visits, save for her weekly trip to the supermarket. Any other time, she had kept herself locked away in the spare room. Dimly, Severus wondered if that was his fault as well. And what on earth had she meant when she'd spoken of "Rule four"? How very odd.
He re-entered the shop, the wrapped books he carried tucked beneath his arm. The bells rang out, high and tinkling, announcing his arrival and a moment later Madam Malkin's gray head popped out from the fitting room. "Ah! Professor! You're just in time. We're finishing up the fitting of her dress robes. And I must say, she looks absolutely lovely, Dear." Only Madam Malkin could get away with calling him that and escape the death glare that would send lesser women running.
The sound of feminine conversation drifted toward him from the fitting room. Severus gave a nod as the dressmaker's head popped back into the changing room, the buzz of female voices now tinged with laughter. A frown tugged at his forehead once more as he realized he knew the voice. Sara. He'd never heard her laugh before. Guilt unthreaded in him for a split second. He'd never given her reason to laugh, he now realized. For an instant, it hit him, with such startling clarity. He'd never given her a reason to laugh, to smile, to talk freely or converse. She was quiet and observant of his space and privacy, never interfering, never questioning, and never overstepping. In fact, now that he thought of it, the woman damn near tiptoed around him. Was he really that bad?
Severus had no time to study the revelation when a moment later Madam Malkin appeared, followed by Sara. The third voice was explained a moment later and Severus could feel the blood drain from his face as Narcissa Malfoy appeared just behind them. Where Narcissa was, Lucius was undoubtedly not far behind. Severus schooled his expression into one of careful neutrality, his gaze moving to rest on Sara's small form. He detected no discomfort from her, in fact, she was completely at ease as she laughed softly at some small joke shared with the other two women.
When her eyes caught his though, she quieted instantly, her head dropping. How had he missed that change in her before? Ridiculous. He'd never hurt her, save for the natural pain she'd endured for a few seconds the night before, never treated her anymore harshly than he had anyone else, and yet in his presence, she had shut down and wilted like a flower denied sunlight. Rage enveloped him instantly, a surge of undefinable anger that had no readily identifiable source, and no target. It passed within a moment though, as he looked at her, really looked.
His wife, there was no doubt, was a stunning woman. She'd kept a killer figure beneath her dowdy muggle clothing. What's more, she was delicate, almost fragile. Even beside the breathtaking, carefully bred beauty of Narcissa, Sara was stunning. Gone were the jeans and frumpy sweater she'd hidden behind. She stood before him now, her hands folded before her in a royal blue dress. Almost muggle in design, it was modest, with a stand up collar that almost brushed her ears. The modesty did not end there however, the fabric gathered just beneath the line of her breasts, which no longer looked quite so small, and fell to her mid-shin. A dainty pair of gold slippers were on her feet now, making her appear so delicate as to almost seem breakable. His lips curved into a feral smile for a moment as the urge to dismiss the other two women and lay the little brunette over the counter struck him, from nowhere.
Narcissa broke his reverie with a soft laugh. "Our dear Severus looks besotted, and why wouldn't he?" She approached him with a gentle smile, one hand rising to pat his hand affectionately. "Severus, you've been a very naughty man, keeping this gem tucked away for so long. Married! You! And you're the one who keeps telling Lucius that you have no time or inclination to have a wife, and yet here you are. Naughty!" Her laughter came once more, like windchimes tinkling in his ears. Severus hated windchimes.
He gave a tight smile as he nodded to her. "Narcissa. I see you've met Mrs. Snape."
"Indeed I have. A delightful woman, and from such a good family too, Severus. Really, the Creech line is one of the oldest and most respected. They go far back, you know." No, he actually didn't know. His Kelsalis was a pure blood, he'd known that. But her family history… how was it that he knew so little about her?
He drew himself up to his full height, wanting nothing more in that moment than to escape from the blasted shop. He gave a nod toward Madam Malkin. "I'd like to see the rest, quickly, if you please. We have an appointment to keep."
Sara appeared stricken for some reason. He moved past her and toward the back room where the proprietor was directing him toward the rack of clothing. Dimly he heard Narcissa as she exchanged words with Sara, quietly enough that he could not hear. He flipped through the clothing, a surge of anger mounting for a moment as he spoke softly toward Madam Malkin. "If you please, send my wife back here for a moment, I'd like to speak to her privately."
The older woman frowned at him faintly before whatever idea she had dawned on her and she gave a grin, bustling off toward the front of the shop. Sara appeared a moment later, her nervousness palpable. Severus stared at her a moment before jerking his head toward the clothes. "Is that all?"
Her hands were suddenly shifted behind her, fisted tightly, and for a moment Severus was tempted to toss the binding charm he'd used on her once more, if only to see her face flush. He resisted the urge however as she nodded. "That's all."
He glanced back toward the rack once again, speaking matter-of-factly. "Do you plan to go without undergarments, Mrs. Snape?" The formality, as much a part of him as anything else, protected him as a cloak.
Sara reddened visibly as she cleared her throat. "I have my own." It was a weak argument, but an argument still. Severus remained silent, raising one brow. Sure enough, she sighed heavily a moment later. "It's so expensive already. I may not know much about the wizarding money here, but I know that four digits is a lot. I don't need so much, I'll only be here a little while."
Severus bristled instantly, knowing she had gotten straight to the heart of the matter. His lips thinned out as he took a single step toward her. "Madam, you must have misheard me at some point. I did not tell you to look at price tags. I told you to choose things more suitable and flattering. This includes all the things you will need for the summer, and whatever you call those things I found in your wardrobe… they are not in the least bit appealing to me." His voice dropped as he lowered his head to whisper the words in her ear. "Imagine my surprise, when I found on closer inspection of your wardrobe, Madam, that what I found you in last night is not the standard or your wear. Whatever those hideous high-waisted cotton things are called… I do not like them and I do not wish to find you wearing them. Replace them."
Sara stiffened and the embarrassed glow that suffused her lanced through him as acutely as if it had been his own. Her muttered words were barely audible even to him. He tipped his head, one brow lifting as he spoke again. "What was that?"
She cleared her throat, her face burning a bright pink as she averted her gaze. "Granny panties. That's what they're called. They're comfortable." She finished weakly as her ears turned even redder.
It took every ounce of his willpower not to chuckle at her discomfort. He settled for a smirk as he lifted his head. "The name alone would send any red-blooded man in hasty retreat from his own bed. Replace them, Sara, or I will choose the replacements for you. When you've finished, meet me at café across the street."
He took a step back, inclining his head toward her as he slipped past. The soft conversation between Madam Malkin and Narcissa came to a halt as he reappeared, moving toward the counter. "Everything is quite lovely, Madam Malkin, as usual. Mrs. Snape has just a few more items to add to her shopping. I'd appreciate if you could keep it brief though, she has a pressing appointment in an hour and she needs to have a bit of lunch beforehand. You can bill my account at Gringott's as usual."
He gave a glance toward Narcissa before executing a picture perfect bow and striding toward the door, as if he did not feel Sara's tears welling up as if they were his own. No sooner than he stepped out the door however, did the mark begin to burn. He winced in pain as the burning grew stronger. In that moment, he knew the moment he'd been dreading was there. He gritted his teeth, turning back toward the door. He burst back into the building, his eyes settling on Sara. She had moved toward Narcissa, the smile that she'd worn before gone. He had no time to think of it then as he pushed the books he held at her, barely managing to keep his voice level. "I have to go."
Narcissa paled beside her as she spoke. "It's him, isn't it?"
Severus drew himself up to his full height, forcing the emotions from his voice and his mind, willing his heart to stop pounding as if to break free of the cage of his chest. He shifted his eyes to Narcissa, giving he a singular nod. "Watch over her. I'll be back as soon as I can." He hated those words, hated himself. She didn't deserve to be drawn into it, but he knew at that moment, even as the mark burned again, just what he'd be walking into was one very angry Dark Lord.
His gut clenched as he glanced toward Sara, who hugged the books to her chest as if they were a lifeline. He could not afford to look at her for more than a moment, could not afford to have his resolve softened. He'd been a fool, to let himself think for even a moment in time that happiness, however fleeting, might be possible. She was the source of his trouble now. It was her fault for being a disobedient little fool when she'd attacked Pettigrew that made him the target now. He should have been more vigilant, punished her, something to compensate for her actions. Instead he'd been blinded by lust, and by the confusion that had followed on its heels, and even more, he'd almost softened toward her, endangering everything he'd worked for.
Severus closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again, his voice as cold as he could make it "You will accompany Madam Malfoy for the rest of the evening. She will escort you home after you've eaten. Enjoy your shopping trip." With that he sneered, despite the bolt of guilt that struck him as the tears that had threatened her before appeared once more. Yet again, he'd hurt her. A unnecessary evil however, if he was to keep the foolish little chit alive to see another day. Within moments he'd left and disapparated with a loud pop, only to appear a moment later in the drive of Malfoy Manor. Hatred drove him in those moments, propelled him up the steps and toward the library, where he knew the Dark Lord was waiting. Show time, and Dumbledore's lead actor once more took the stage.
