A/N#1 - Silverthreads had a very valid point on her review.
I think it sad that in your universe a person can be born bad (Dark, stinking). I can't imagine how an infant can be born "bad." lack of bonding can create a human that has no empathy (a sociopath), but caught and dealt with early enough, even that can be reversed.
That's such a good point but I truly didn't quite mean it like that. For Nessie, magic has smells. Her old mistress was a follower of He Who Must Not be Named, and she was abusive to Nessie. Therefore Nessie associated her smell with "badness" and "Dark Magic". Since Al and Severus have been kind to her (Ok, Severus has been nice to her, as he hasn't burnt her ear or broke her toe plus Sev slips her chokies, while Nessie has a great deal of empathy for "Silent Al") therefore she equates their smell with "good".
You need to pardon Nessie's comment; she was trying too hard to reassure Sev that his baby is good. (She possesses such a horrible crush on Severus, I'm afraid.) Yes, that means that Sev and Al's bouncing baby boy could easily be Evil Incarnate.
A catatonic Al was gently picked up from the floor, changed for bed and then his rigid arms and legs were carefully rearranged so he could be tucked into bed. For good measure, Severus ordered Nessie to nestle with Al. Perhaps, somewhere, in the damaged psyche of a terrified wizard once known as Albus Dumbledore, Al would sense Nessie's comforting presence and be reassured.
"Master? What happens with Al?" Nessie softly questioned. Severus gently bent Al's arms so that they were wrapped around the House Elf. That done, he gently closed Al's wide staring eyes. No doubt it would help Al fall asleep, plus, Severus felt suitably guiltily without those blank, blue eyes accusingly staring at him, thankyouverymuch.
"Al was saddened when you attempted to hurt yourself. He doesn't like it when you harm yourself," Severus carefully explained.
"Nessie sorry!" She tearfully exclaimed. "Nessie no mean to upsets Al!"
For a moment, Severus worried that Nessie was about to self-harm because of her species' intensive conditioning, but then she realized that such a display would further upset Al. Instead, she trembled slightly, and softly sniffled. Truly, Nessie was a remarkable House Elf, as most Elves would have just performed the apparently obligatory episode of self-harm, realized their error, and then they would promptly had another incident of self-mutilation to show sufficient penance. It would have been a never ending cycle.
"It is not your fault," Severus assured her. It was the truth, Nessie could not be blamed for what happened with Al. No, that was squarely on the shoulders of Father Severus. How could he ever hope to be a decent father to the tadpole if the mother… father… carrier of his child was so frightened of Severus that he slipped into a catatonic state? "Inadvertently, I was rather rough with him when I told him to behave and I was the one that frightened him. You felt his magic, did you not?"
Nessie mutely nodded her head.
"We can't let that happen again. If anyone realizes that his magic is returning, the Dark Lord will be most displeased," Severus reminded her.
"Kind Master?" Nessie softly questioned. "Who was Al?"
"His name once was Albus Dumbledore. He was probably the most powerful wizard in all of creation, and now… now all that remains is a bloody empty shell."
"Al not empty," reminded the House Elf.
"Yes, I know. He's a bloody incubator. If he had any awareness of what the Dark Lord has done to him, he'd kill me," Severus somberly admitted.
Somehow, I doubt that your blue eyes would be merrily twinkling with amusement, as you madly cackled about this latest oh so exciting experience, Headmaster. No, you'd be chasing me, and merrily kicking my arse with those pointy, high heeled boots of yours. If Merlin forbid, you ever caught me, Poppy would have to be called in to extricate your buckled boots from my bum.
"Al wouldn't kill Master. Nessie not let that happen. Nessie tells Al that Master was kind. Master didn't do innie outie with Al, and Master kept Al fed and clean. Al be glad that Master tooks good care of him." Nessie sagely nodded her head, as though detailing all those common courtesies to an enraged, violated Dumbeldore would be enough to keep the Headmaster from slaughtering Severus. Perhaps in Nessie's cold, hard existence that was so empty of small kindnesses, it would have been enough.
The House Elf certainly kept his life in perspective. No matter how horrific his life had been, Nessie had it far worse.
"What have ever I done right to deserve you, Nessie?"
It was a rhetorical question, but Nessie solemnly assured him that he deserved far better and that she'd strive harder to be the bestest House Elf that she could.
More guilt! How much could one wizard handle before he went absolutely barmy?
"Stay with Al, Nessie," Severus tersely ordered. "Don't answer the door unless it's the Dark Lord. Continue with Al's hand massages, his hands appear much better thanks to you. I'll be back in the late afternoon. I might call for you, and you'll need to leave Al for only a minute or two. I won't do it unless it's absolutely necessary, but if I call you, come quickly and quietly. Remember, you can not call Al by his name to anyone except for me, he will be called, 'Mistress'."
Nessie nodded her understanding, and she began to purr loudly. Al's breathing had slowed, and he seemed to be sleeping. Carefully, Severus brushed Al's hair out of his eyes, and then he placed his hand against Al's temple.
I'm so sorry, Al.
Severus was having a cuppa, sitting in the main sitting room of the Dark Lord's Headquaters. He sardonically had nicknamed the Death Eaters HQ, the Maison des Meurtres. He was reading about last night's Rebellion escapades according to The Daily Prophet and it was a hard fought battle to maintain his outward composure, though inside, he was laughing. The widespread posting of the less than stellar scholarship of the new Ministry officials was a bloody stroke of genius. Seventy five Ministry officials listed; a grand total of 172 OWLS and 18 NEWTS between them all. Once again, Filius Flitwick had truly outdone himself as this latest expose was painful and embarrassing.
Truly, Filius Flitwick was a formidable and rather dangerous mage. There was no way in hell anyone would ever believe that gentle-hearted, mild mannered Filius Flitwick possessed anything more than pure thoughts of academia in his head, which was why he was the perfect saboteur. No, Filius watched and observed, and then, he quickly struck in an exceedingly painful, excessively embarrassing way.
The immediate response whenever Filius Flitwick induced sabotage had occurred?
Filius Flitwick? Never! He was utterly incapable of such stunts!
Even the bloody Headmaster refused to list Filius Flitwick as a possible suspect whenever a trick had been played on him.
No, no, no, it was always Peeves' fault even though an all too smug Filius was the only logical culprit.
While he was fondly reminiscing about the very dangerous, diminutive mage, Severus wondered if a surprisingly obtuse Minerva had ever realized how strongly Filius fancied her. Probably not, as Filius was too bashful to make his move. Couldn't truly blame the older mage, as that fear of the one you fancied laughing in your face after your heartfelt, sincere declaration of 'Fancy a shag?" was a wee bit overwhelming.
Merlin knew that horrible daydream besides acute performance anxiety had kept him from ever propositioning the Headmaster.
Lucius Malfoy stormed into the room, and the vexed platinum haired Malfoy was truly a sight to behold. His red face viciously clashed with his blue eyes and his snow white hair.
Severus, waiting in delighted anticipation for a vibrating Lucius Malfoy to spontaneously come apart at his seams, deliberately calmly perused the entire list of Death Eater's Hogwarts grades in the classified section of The Daily Prophet. Only Minerva and Filius had access to those moldering records and for added insult, they had even included Hogwarts' era pictures of the various Death Eaters. Bellatrix must be shrieking and foaming at the mouth considering her picture was one where she was unsuccessfully hiding her pimple infested face with both hands.
"The Daily Prophet appears to have been compromised, as their current edition has numerous unauthorized editorial changes that took place after it was printed. I noticed that your grades weren't posted," snarked Lucius, who with his three NEWTS, appeared to be the proverbial genius among a ginormous cast of village idiots. "But then again, you would have had Top Marks except for that Evans bitch."
That Evans bitch, as Lucius had so succinctly summed her up, had been Severus' only friend, and while he truly loathed her taste in husbands and detested her spawn, he still didn't enjoy hearing her denigrated.
"LeStrange is still fornicating with your sheep?" Severus quipped. "I can't believe that they posted pictures of your sheep being sexually assaulted under 'Situations Wanted' in the classifieds. Bellatrix never mentioned that he was so well hung."
Severus narrowed his eyes at Lucius, and then added for good measure, "I'm assuming she tried him out once or twice before becoming hopelessly fixated on the Dark Lord?"
Lucius hissed. Malfoy was such a bloody prude sometimes, Severus thought. He had fathered over a dozen children thanks to the Dark Lord's breeding program and yet the proper Lucius was thoroughly embarrassed by so much as the mere mention of heterosexual sex. But yes, fornicating with animals was just reeked of absolute… desperation.
Yes, all those child of yours arrived via the stork, Lucius. Thank Merlin, Cissy is more realistic.
"Can you do something? There are a dozen mages taking liberties with my flock of Clun Forest sheep! Very well, it's funny, but you don't see me mocking you about Rita's interview with your pregnant wife-to-be."
Severus growled, and then he flipped toward Rita's column. "I must confess that I never read her column. Let me read her column first before I decide whether or not to help you."
Severus quickly scanned her column, expected the worse, and in fact it was far, far more horrific than he had feared. It made him seemed… devoted… doting… domesticated… oh the unspeakable horror of it all, for a confirmed gay-boy such as himself, Severus sounded so hopelessly heterosexual.
Worst than that, he sounded like a Bloody Breeder!
He put the paper down and disapprovingly glared at Lucius. "Prodigies of our couplings? Prodigies? Can I at least have the first child safely born before we send out birth announcements for the entire brood?"
That sounded close to the party line, as opposed Severus' more realistic attitude, "He's 120 year old, how many babies does the Dark Lord expect Al to pop out before the effort kills him?"
"Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome, the bloody intellect, with his voice of melted dark chocolate, who is apparently planning on siring vast multiples of magical geniuses on Albus Dumbledore, is not amused?" Lucius mockingly cooed. "So tell me, Severus, how often are you riding your new pony? Do you get any sleep? I notice you have dark circles under your eyes. Perhaps, have you thought of asking Cissy for her opinion on Magical Makeup spells?"
"Thank you for your friendly concern with regards to my sex life. I can assure you that I top the old man frequently and fervently. I much prefer riding a stallion over molesting sheep," Severus retorted. "And Dumbledore is hung like a proverbial Centaur, and because of his lack of awareness, I can do any number of obscene things to him."
For good measure, Severus made a rather obscene gesture with his hand, and was rewarded by a terribly mortified Lucius Malfoy nervously swallowing.
"Seriously, Severus, my sheep? Can you rescue my sheep from the amorous advances of Thorfinn Rowle, please? As a bribe for your assistance, Cissy desires you come to dinner as she didn't a chance to speak with you last night. You can bring your stallion along with your fanatically, overly protective House Elf," Lucius purred. "I have to confess, I'm quite impressed with how well she's settled down with you as her Master. I wasn't sure if you had it in you to be a proper Master to a House Elf, considering your less than privileged upbringing. You must have beaten her near to death for her to finally behave. Bertha Rosier always had to use a firm hand with her, as Bertha believed her quite inept."
"Nessie fears my disapproval," Severus truthfully admitted.
"Excellent," Lucius calmly stated his approval. Then with the faintest hint of desperation, Lucius reminded him of far more important matters. "Now? My sheep?"
Alas, Lucius Malfoy's violated sheep were to remain molested and harassed, as a pimply faced boy ran into in the room.
"Sir, the Dark Lord is ordering you to London," he wearily gasped. The message delivered, he attempted to catch his breath.
"London?" Lucius Malfoy questioned. "Whatever for?"
"Not you, Sir. Sir," the boy said to Severus. "There's a burning Poenix over London. The Dark Lord wishes you to handle it immediately. Please hurry, Sir, as it took me some time to locate you."
"Your sheep will have to wait, as I must answer the Dark Lord's call," Severus tersely informed Lucius. "Try sprinkling Aconite in water, and let them drink it. It should kill their libido."
Hopefully, Lucius knew that the Aconite laced water was meant for the sheep.
Severus was greeted by a far too jovial Selwynn when he arrived at St. James' Park in London. The plump witch was nearly dancing in her enthusiasm, and he mentally sighed. Really, one would hope as the ruling Magical Class of all of the United Kingdom, Selwynn would have learned some decorum.
"I winged it!" Selwynn joyfully insisted. "It was flying overhead, and it was bloody burning, and I got it! It squawked and fell into the lake. Lots of smoke when it hit the water. See, you're not the only one that can handle a Phoenix."
Bloody hell, it sounded like Selwynn had actually managed to bring down an honest to Merlin Phoenix, which meant that Fawkes was either most likely dead or injured.
"Huzzah," Severus dryly retorted. "Now, are you planning on fishing your trophy out of the lake?"
"The lake?" questioned Selwynn. She was a rather flashily dressed witch who prided herself on always looking immaculate, and the thought that she would have search the lake for the Phoenix hadn't crossed her mind.
No, she's expecting me to do it, and she'll take credit for the kill.
"The lake," echoed Severus.
Severus often regretted his rash decision to join the Death Eaters, and there were times, like now, when he soundly cursed out the stupid lad he once had been. When he had foolishly dreamed of the respect he'd earn as an Infamous Dark Wizard, the accolades he would receive and the great deeds he would accomplish, the thought that he'd be reduced to scrimmaging around in bird cack and various pieces of foliage on Duck Island searching for a wounded Phoenix on a hot, muggy day had never once appeared in his fantasies.
He assumed that he was quite close to the wounded Fawkes, as two of the park's flamingos deliberately charged him with a sadistic single-mindedness that was positively unnatural. With a quick bit of wand work, Severus succeeded in Translocating them so Fawkes' fierce feathered fiends were on Selwynn's trail. One could almost pity the witch as her day had gone directly to hell and being viciously assaulted by two hot pink birds on stilts was probably the icing on her fairy cakes. Creating a park bench so to take a much needed breather, Severus took a deep breath and concentrated on Casting.
One was a message to Minerva requesting that she meet him in Stonehaven at two that afternoon. For good measure, he promised that he'd buy her a lunch of fish and chips with her requisite chippie sauce as that bribe would be sure to pique both her intellectual and gastronomical interest. The next casting was far more delicate, as Severus attempted to contact Fawkes.
Fawkes? It's Severus. I'm still the Headmaster's man. I'm here to help you. Please don't send any more of your feathered friends to attack me. Truly, I desire only to help you.
While he knew that Phoenixes were natural born Legilimenists, he wasn't expecting a response from Fawkes. The proud Fawkes had never deigned to actually speak to Severus in spite of Severus' habitual greetings to the Phoenix during Severus' long tenure as Potion Masters at Hogwarts. It seemed that the maggot, Severus, wasn't noteworthy enough for the Phoenix to actually lower himself to acknowledge the Slytherin's courtesy. It was a matter of some displeasure to Severus that Fawkes had consented to "talk" to Filius, Minerva, Pomona, Horace and even Rolanda Hooch on the rare occasion.
Well, the Phoenix was stuck dealing with him, Severus thought. All of Severus' betters were either dead or busy elsewhere, and Fawkes was left to deal with the maggot. That acidic thought was quickly banished to the back of the mind as bitterness wouldn't be conducive to convincing Fawkes to acknowledge him. He layered a fake cheer onto his mental tone, ignoring the icky feeling that he was sounding suspiciously like a male Dolores Umbridge.
Fawkes? It's Severus Snape. Don't you want me to assist you? You need to let me know where you are!
Silence.
Fawkes?
Silence.
Bugger! Fawkes, it's a bloody choice between me and the deep, blue sea…err… lake… Yes, you don't particularly care for me, but at least I'm not planning on stuffing you and presenting you as a bloody trophy to the Bloody Dark Lord! Where the bloody hell are you hiding?
There was a rustle of leaves, and a soft, plaintive chirp from the Phoenix. He carefully zeroed in on the source of the noise until he found the newly reborn Fawkes, hidden in plain sight in a flamingo's nest, complete with a fuzzy gray nest mate. It was a brilliant disguise as the Phoenix made no attempt to hide himself, as who in their right mind would expect a Phoenix to be residing in a flamingo's nest?
The wounded Fawkes looked much the worse for wear. His right wing was burnt, and he looked to be in terrible pain. His once proud scarlet plumage was now a dirty gray and his formerly bright eyes were dull and clouded. There was a whiff of something rank in the air, as it seemed Fawkes' injury had gone gammy. Well, maybe the smell was all the diverse varieties of bird cack Severus was sniffing.
Foolishly, recklessly, he grabbed the drowsy Fawkes, planning on leaving the nest before the Terrible Flamingos returned. For his heroic behavior, he earned a vicious peck on his hand by Fawkes' nest mate.
Bugger, bugger, bugger!
Somehow, he managed to defend himself from the baby flamingo, creatively curse all feathered fowl, remove his coat and then bundle Fawkes into it without Selwynn noticing.
Keep quiet. I'm taking you some place safe.
Carefully, he closed his mind, not wanting the Phoenix to overhear his thoughts.
But where could he take Fawkes? He certainly couldn't take Fawkes back to his quarters or his lab at Head Quarters, as how would Fawkes react upon seeing the condition that Al was in? Would he attack Severus as the most likely culprit for Albus' condition? Most likely. Plus someone might barge into the lab and notice Fawkes.
Perhaps, it would be kinder for Fawkes and much safer for Severus to take the Phoenix to Spinners End for treatment.
Deliberately, he stormed to where Selwynn was standing.
"Ruddy-hell, I'm not wasting anymore of my time on searching for your bloody Phoenix that you bloody winged. I'm a Potions Master, not a bloody zoo keeper. Go find your own damn bird," Severus growled.
First things first, after his arrival at Spinners End, he rehydrated a feverish, parched Fawkes using an eyedropper. The inconsolable Phoenix looked like hell and he was in very poor physical shape, what with poor skin turgor and faded and missing plumage. The Headmaster would have been inconsolable to see his familiar in such heartbreaking condition.
"I will be meeting Minerva in two hours," Severus softly explained to Fawkes. "She'll take you back to Hogwarts, and you'll be safe there. What the bloody hell were you doing out in London in the broad daylight? That's a suicide wish if ever there was one. Do you think the Headmaster would approve of such stupidity? Well, what do you have to say about yourself, Fawkes?"
Bloody hell, he was talking to Fawkes like he expected the Phoenix to answer him. Truly, Severus had been dealing with Nessie and Al for far too long as he was regularly chatting with various souls who were unable or unwilling to converse with him. The Phoenix's eyes were tightly shut and he didn't react at all when Severus slathered antiseptic ointment onto the Phoenix's charred wing. His breathing was quite rapid; another sign of possible infection and fever, and Severus decided that it was necessary to dose a trembling Fawkes with willow bark.
His earlier annoyance toward Fawkes had quickly faded, as he had realized that the Phoenix had been so badly hurt by Selwynn that Fawkes had been unable to answer him.
"I know you miss him," Severus assured the Phoenix. "I do also…I truly do."
Fawkes responded to his confession with a soft, mournful whimper. If Severus' two sizes too small heart wasn't made of unbreakable stone, it would have shattered from the desolate sound. As it was, Severus had to admit that it chipped slightly.
"Ssssh, you need to rest. Poor, poor Fawkes, you must be so lonely without him. Don't you fret; Minerva will take good care of you."
To his astonishment, the Phoenix rubbed his head against Severus' fingers, and then gently nibbled at his index finger.
Albus was conversing with Fawkes when Severus arrived for their meeting. The bird rubbed his head against the Headmaster's hand and then daintily nuzzled at Albus' fingers. The Headmaster cheerfully laughed and then he tenderly stroked the Phoenix' bright plumage. The ritual completed, the Phoenix then flew out the open window in order to give the two mages sufficient privacy for their meeting.
"Fawkes was just being affectionate," the Headmaster cheerily explained. "I don't quite understand why Fawkes insists on nibbling on fingers. Perhaps, it's the closest to preening my feathers that he can manage. When we were newly bonded, Fawkes attempted to tidy my hair once. That was a truly emotionally traumatic moment, Severus, as I had to cut off a foot of my hair and my beard as his talons were completely ensnared in it. Since then, he's been content to merely nuzzle my fingers."
Hesitantly, his fingers moving under their own volition, Severus attempted to tidy Fawkes' messy feathers, much like a Phoenix parent might comfort an ill nestling by preening and grooming them. His hesitant stroking seemed to soothe Fawkes as the Phoenix went to sleep.
"I'll need to put you in a box so I can give you to Minerva. I'll ensure that is quite comfortable for you," promised Severus. "For now, sleep, Fawkes."
"Gideon," Filius Flitwick called down the hallway. "Forgive me for bothering you, but I need to speak to you."
"Absolutely, Filius," Arthur Weasley assured him. He had escaped to his sixth floor hiding spot after receiving a not very subtle hint from Molly that he needed to stop plaguing her presence immediately.
"How's your wife feeling? I see you've been banished." Filius' mustache quirked and he sagely nodded his head. "Merry and I were never blessed with children so I can't understand what you're going through."
"She feels fine," Arthur calmly stated. "Muriel just loathes me at the moment."
"Oh my," the kindhearted Filius whispered, his blue eyes filled with gentle concern. "Is there anything I can do to soothe things over?"
Filius, while possibly being the smartest wizard ever to step foot in Hogwart's Hallowed Halls, was a complete babe in the woods when it came to the fairer sex. For this shocking lapse in the erudite Charms Master's education, one must blame Merry Flitwick. She much preferred her husband just the way he was, completely and utterly innocent in all matters of feminine nature. Arthur, being a very wise man and not wishing to have the death of Filius Flitwick weighing on his soul for all eternity, politely refuted Filius' sincere but rather naïve offer of assistance. When she was carrying, his wife had the quickest wand in the universe and she wasn't afraid to use it.
"Her bad mood will pass," he promised Filius. "May have already, in fact. But just in case it's left and decided to come back, I'm staying here until she tells me it's safe to return."
"Oh," Filius said. While he was ignorant in dealing with the fairer sex, he wasn't stupid. Then with a false cheerfulness, he asked Arthur if he wished to leave Hogwarts for a few hours. "Minerva's finally fallen asleep, and naturally, Severus now desires to meet with her. We can't have Severus show up and Minerva not be there, but she's in no condition to travel. There's also no way to contact Severus. I made the executive decision to go instead, and hopefully, he'll decide to speak with me. I'd like to have someone with me in case there is a hitch."
"I'll go," Arthur agreed. He was Order Member after all, and his forced 'retirement' due to his supposed death left him with far too unfilled hours on his hands. A man could only physically make love to his wife only so often after all, and Minerva hadn't yet been physically able to 'introduce' Gabriel and Muriel to the other Order members. "Where are we going?"
"Stonehaven."
"Where's that?" Arthur questioned.
"Scotland. By the way, do you like fish and chips? Seems Severus is planning on buying Minerva fish and chips with chippie sauce."
"Chippie sauce?" repeated Arthur. "Don't you want chippie sauce, Filius?"
"It's a bloody Edinburgher thing. I'm a purist, I prefer salt and vinegar, but Severus has promised Minerva chippie sauce," Filius unhelpfully explained. "I'll be Glamouring as a young boy, Stephen, and you'll be my Tad."
"I'm to be your father, Filius?" Arthur found that quite funny, and he laughed.
"I could Glamour as a full sized adult, but I'll still physically move like I do now. It'll be noticeable that I don't move like you. Come to my quarters in thirty minutes and we'll Disapparate from there."
Severus found a suitable box, and put one of his shirts into it. He Transformed it into the softest silk, so it would be a comfy nest for the wounded Fawkes. That accomplished, Severus carefully transferred Fawkes from the countertop into the box.
"Don't you panic; I'm wrapping your box up so it seems to be a birthday present. If I just hand over a box to Minerva, people will wonder, but a birthday gift? You'll be able to breathe just fine, but perhaps, it might be a good idea to take a nap," Severus suggested to Fawkes.
Fawkes blinked his eyes once in acknowledgement, and then burrowed into the soft silk.
"I'll warn you before I Disapparate," Severus assured the Phoenix.
No response from the Phoenix, but Severus was quite familiar with Fawke's verbosity. Gently, he closed the box and then Severus carefully wrapped it in green wrapping. paper That done, he carefully cast a Glamour to hide his features. Hopefully, he'd recognize Min at the Chippy shop.
"We're going," he tersely informed Fawkes.
Within minutes, Severus found himself in Stonehaven. He felt quite the nutter when he entered the Chippy shop and he was the only person there besides the counter girl. Bloody hell, Minerva had stood him up!
Well, perhaps he should be charitable; maybe she was running late, as being a Feared Rebel Leader was no doubt an all consuming job. He ordered his lunch, and then took a seat at one of the cleaner tables, pretending to browse a newspaper that had been left on the table while he ate his fish and chips.
The door to the shop opened, and out of the corner of his eye, he realized that the newest customers were most assuredly not Minerva. For one thing, there were two of them and both were male. One was a tall man and a small boy who was carefully holding onto the man's hand. The father had short, coarse salt and pepper hair with a neat beard to match, and the two of them placed their orders.
Then to his annoyance, they sat at his table.
What? Wasn't there a vast multitude of empty tables from which to choose? Severus glared at them, and the boy warningly wagged his hand at Severus. The boy was wearing a small ring on his right hand, and when Severus glanced at the boy's hand for a closer look, it had disappeared. Severus knew that ring, as it was Filius Flitwick's Championship Ring from his dueling days. The Charms Master had only worn it when he instructed the Dueling Club and Severus had seen it when he was a student.
Severus made a quick, fluid motion with his hands. Someone who didn't know what Severus had done would have assumed that he was reaching for more serviettes. Instead, the small boy made a matching gesture which identified him in turn as a Hogwarts House Head, while the man next to him continued to munch on his chips.
"Mum sends her regrets," the boy told him in a piping, high voice. "She has a bad headache, and couldn't travel."
"That's regrettable, as I have a birthday present for her," Severus replied. He tilted his head toward the cloth bag that held the box. He flickered his eyes toward the man, and then toward Filius.
The boy was wiping his mouth with his serviette, carefully obscuring his lips from view as he mouthed, "Arthur".
Bloody hell, he had wanted to speak with Minerva, and instead he had gotten Filius Flitwick and Arthur Weasley!
Fawkes, don't panic. It's Filius Flitwick and Arthur Weasley. You can trust them.
"Stephen wanted to see his uncle so badly that when Min had her migraine, that we decided that we didn't wish to disappoint him," Arthur said in a voice that could only be described as a basso profundo. Merlin's scrote, he didn't even sound like Arthur Weasley, and he certainly didn't look anything like the balding, ginger haired Arthur. In anything, Severus would admit that Arthur's current physical features made him immensely shaggable, especially if his equipment had stayed its impressive size.
Mentally, he chastised himself for thinking such lewd thoughts. Yes, it had been far too long since he had so much as a quick nocturnal wrestling match, but he was espoused now, a child on the way plus that entire quadruple agent bit made things far too complicated for quick trip to Knockturn Alley.
"You look a great deal better than when I last saw you," Severus dryly stated.
"I must wholeheartedly agree," Arthur easily stated. "So does my wife. I thank you for your concern."
They made small talk until they finished their fish and chips, and then they left the shop together.
"Where do you suggest that we can talk?" Arthur questioned in a very soft tone.
"Tad? Can we please see Dunnottar Castle?" Filius pleaded, sounding so much like a cheeky monkey that Severus had to look twice. "You promised that we'd see the castle!"
Yes, Dunnottar Castle was perfect. It was quite secluded and the way the weather was, it was unlikely to have many visitors.
"It might wear him out," Severus agreed. "We'll take the hiking route that way you can see the ocean. The view is impressive."
"Uncle, carry me!" Filius whinged. "My legs are small!" He held up his arms for Severus.
"Mind your manners, Stephen," Arthur snapped, sounding a great deal like a harried father. "Why don't you carry him? You need the practice, and my back's a bit dodgy."
"Please?" Filius pleadingly requested, before again reminding Severus, "My legs are small!"
"Would you mind carrying my birthday present for Min?" Severus requested Arthur. "It's quite fragile."
"Sorry I'm so bloody hard to tote," Filius whispered in his ear. "Can't do much about my physical size, but I've reduced my mass. I simply can't run after you two long legged souls for long. Besides, I need to talk to you. Minerva's migraines have returned with a vengeance because of all the stress she's under. Poppy fears that if we don't get them under better control, she'll have a brain storm. There's a new potion treatments for migraines, Severus. If I gave you instructions detailing the potions, could you make them? We need fresh supplies, and our fresh supplies are rather limited."
Severus shifted Filius' small frame once more. While Filius only weighed mere ounces, he was a handful to carry.
"Yes, I will do what I can," assured Severus. "I know how crippling her migraines are."
"Thank you," Filius softly stated. "You can't imagine what it's like to see someone so vibrant reduced to whimpering in pain..."
Why yes, Filius, I can imagine that horrific site quite well, Severus sadly thought.
"When are you going to admit to Minerva that you fancy her?" softly whispered Severus. He didn't speak loud enough for Arthur to hear, but damn it, there was a war going on, what the hell was Filius waiting for? Angels descending from the realms of glory with a suitable trumpet fanfare to announce, Min, I'd bloody like to shag you?
"Merlin's bloody 'nads, you know?" protested Filius.
Filius never cursed. He was ever even tempered and mellow. Nothing ever fazed the Charms Master, even when someone, a rabid mutt by the name of Sirius, had set Filius on fire during Severus' first year's Charm class.
"Language, young Stephen, watch your bloody language, or I'll watch it for you," growled Severus. "But in answer to your question, I've known for years. It was always the little things you did for her that showed me how much you cared. For example, you always made sure she had Brodies' loose leaf tea during our House meetings. I always believed that she'd be quite willing to entertain the notion but that you needed to grab your courage and ask the witch. Don't be embarrassed, I wholeheartedly approve!"
"Sorry, I just believed that I had hidden it better," Filius admitted. "She's now quite aware of my feelings for her, and to my absolute heartfelt relief, she didn't laugh."
"Why would she snicker?" Severus questioned.
"I am a wee bit shorter than she is, Severus," admitted the rather embarrassed Charms Master.
Severus stopped dead on the trail, as that tidbit surprised him.
"I've never thought of you as lacking in physical stature, Filius. I mean, you're twice the mage I am," Severus earnestly confessed. "Your intellect is towering; your skill with your wand is unparalleled. You are the only living, retired and undefeated Dueling Champion. So you're a little bit on the short side, it's not like you've got that damn devil's tattoo on your left arm and on your soul. Let me assure you that truly crimps your romantic possibilities."
The bitterness in Severus' voice surprised himself. Severus continued to carry Filius in silence, refusing to further converse with Filius until he had regained his composure.
Where the bloody hell had THAT thought lurked?
"Let's stop here," Severus suggested after reaching a scene overlook after a fifteen minute climb. "We can enjoy the view here while Stephen does whatever young boys do."
"Brought my Gameboy!" Filius assured him, before he climbed onto the bench next to Severus. He began playing with something small that squawked and hissed, and for good measure, Filius wiggled his feet. Filius was the very picture of a bored young snot. Severus stared at Filius' noisy box and he recognized it as something Filius had confiscated from a first year Muggle student. It was a computer game?
Arthur sat down on the other side of Filius, and he pretended to look at the scenery.
"Safe to talk?" Arthur questioned.
Filius nodded his head, even as he continued to play with his infernal contraption. "No one can see us, and no one can get within a thousand yards of us without me knowing."
"Arthur? Minerva informed me that you've agreed to raise my child if anything should happen to me. I'll be able to give you a stipend, and there will be a House Elf to assist Molly. I'd like to reintroduce you to Nessie. Filius? She claims that she'll be able to locate someone by Smell, even if they're in an Unplottable location. Is that claim true? I know very little about House Elves," admitted Severus.
There was a loud blare of noise from Filius' Gameboy and then Filius pouted as it appeared that he had lost.
"If you're ordering her to find Arthur, and she's determined to do so, yes, she'll be able to find him," Filius softly stated. "She won't be able to see or even enter Hogwarts, but we'll know that she's there waiting for Arthur."
"She'll have the child with her, so it's crucial that you let her into Hogwarts," Severus explained. "If I am killed, she will be a Freed House Elf, Arthur. She's agreed to work for you and Molly, and she'll be paid a reasonable fee."
"Severus, I hate to say this, but I'm not the Weasley who is overflowing in Galleons," Arthur reminded him. "That's Fred and George."
"I know how your finances are; I have the money set aside for you. I'm going to call her here, is that fine with you?" Severus questioned.
When both men agreed, Severus softly called his House Elf. With a soft pop, Nessie appeared, and she immediately attached herself to Severus.
"Master calls Nessie?" The House Elf asked. "Mistress is still sleeping."
"Yes, I called for you. I told you that you were to meet someone. She was ill and unable to make our meeting. Therefore, you'll be meeting someone else. You've already met Arthur, and you need to meet Filius. Come here, let me introduce you."
Nessie peered at the two men, and then whispered something to Severus.
"Yes, I know they're wearing Glamours, and yes, Arthur is the man I supposedly killed," Severus assured his House Elf. "As you can tell, he's still among the land of the living. You just need to Smell them in order to find them, correct?"
The House Elf nodded her head, and then peered again at the two men.
"You've met Arthur already. He and his wife, Molly, have agreed to raise my son if anything happens to me. They'll need your help, as they'll have their own little one to raise."
Nessie nodded her head, and then she carefully sniffed Arthur's outstretched hands.
"Nessie likes babies. Nessie bathes and cleans babies nicely," the House Elf quietly assured Weasley. "Nessie cooks and cleans house also. Nessie can sews, knits and crochet. Arthur will be happy to have Nessie."
Then she looked at Filius and Filius gently smiled at her. The Charms Master held out his hands for her to sniff.
"What lovely brown eyes you have, my dear," Filius assured the House Elf who blushed at the compliment. Then his eyes narrowed as he looked at her disfigured ear. "But whatever happened to your pretty ears?"
Nessie flushed, vainly attempted to hide her damaged ear with her hand, and softly muttered, "Nessie slow and stupid. Mistress wanted Nessie to be better."
"Her former Mistress,' Severus smoothly inserted. "Nessie's current Mistress is quite fond of her and would never raise a hand against her. Nessie takes very good care of her Mistress."
"Nessie loves Mistress," she strongly insisted.
"Now, Nessie, you need to return back to your Mistress," inserted Severus. "I'll be home soon."
With a silent pop, Nessie disappeared.
"That poor Elf," Filius whispered. "To deliberately burn her ear is nothing less than malicious spitefulness. How long have you had her?"
"I was given her a few months after Hogwarts fell," Severus explained. "One of the Dark Lord's foremost followers owned her, and after her death, I was given her."
"That might explain it then," Filius muttered.
"Explain what?" Severus questioned. He felt uneasy, as Filius sounded like a birddog on the scent of a pheasant. Filius was too damn smart; what thoughts had he put together?
"Albus' portrait. It's not acting like a regular portrait, as he does nothing but scream. Then sometimes, his clothes change, as though someone is dressing him, but the strangest part is that Albus cuddles a House Elf doll with a chewed ear. If Albus had seen Nessie and her rather distinctive ear that could explain the portrait. Perhaps Albus' portrait is reliving his death, and Nessie might have been there."
"Unfortunately, many of the Dark Lord's followers do not treat their House Elves kindly. Many of the House Elves have notches or slices in their ears, and there are a few that are missing chunks of their ear," Severus smoothly lied. Well, it wasn't a complete lie, but merely a slight spin on the truth. "Nessie is a rather sensitive soul, and I don't believe that she would be able to witness something like traumatic without adverse affect. For our first few weeks together, she actually wept for her deceased Mistress."
"I'll treat her kindly," Arthur assured Severus. "Though I'm not planning on having her join my family as I expect you to live through this."
"Thank you, it is reassuring to know that my son and Nessie will not be abandoned."
Now, it was time to put Filius off the scent. If there was anyone Severus would dare trust with helping him research the Headmaster's condition, it would have been Filius. But since Filius and Minerva were becoming closer, he couldn't have the Gryffindor involved. She'd kill him first and then ask questions.
"Filius, I don't know what exactly happened to Albus," Severus assured Filius. It was the truth, though he had his suspicions. Damn it, he couldn't ask Filius for the damn book, as the Charms Master would be too likely to put everything together. "I found a gravely injured Fawkes today. He was witnessed in London in broad daylight, and he was attacked. His grief for Albus has caused his mind to go astray!"
For that tasty tidbit, he was greeted with shocked silence.
"He's in the package. I've medicated him as best as I could, but he'll need Grubby-Plank's medical assistance. Under no condition, do you give him to Hagrid to treat. Do you have information on that potion therapy? I'll see what I can do."
His offer of assistance was gratefully accepted by Filius, and Severus was given the information on the potions.
"I'll be in contact," Severus assured them. "I'll see you when I see you."
Quietly, all three men Disapparated from the location, unseen by anyone.
