Am I making Severus too Out of Character? I really want him to still be in
character despite the slight changes I'm making... is he in the least in
character?
Goldhawk - Undead Jell-O turkeys? Right... just keep telling yourself that. And what did I say about the dust mite? LEAVE HIS TWIN OUT OF THIS!
Wyvern-Kun - Ray I assume? Well you did nit-pick... so *sticks out her tongue and kicks you*
A Change of Fate
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Krista was going crazy with the cleaning charms. 'The whole house is way beyond spotless by now.' Thought Sirius irritably as he watched his wife on her cleaning binge. "Tell me again why you're cleaning the house like a woman possessed, Krista. I mean the Dursley's went to Vernon's sister's house for the holidays."
Krista sighed. "I've told you about seven times already Sirius!" She cried in exasperation. "We're having a huge Christmas dinner over here." "Oh..." Sirius had indeed forgotten. "Who's coming again? All I remember is that I wasn't happy about them." "The Malfoy family and Severus are coming." Sirius groaned. "Why do we have to let them in here?" "Because Harry is friends with Draco and I offered to have everyone over here for the holidays."
Sirius flopped down on the couch. "I hate them! And you know it..." He growled accusingly. "You need to get over your Hogwarts prejudges. I know you hate Severus and that will never change, but will you please at least put on the front of being a good host?" Sirius narrowed his eyes. "No, I won't."
Krista smiled sweetly and sat in down in Sirius' lap. Raising an eyebrow delicately, she asked in a sweet voice. "Not even for one night?" Sirius wrapped his arms around her waist. "Well what is in it for me?" "You're a Slytherin at heart, you know that..." Sirius growled lowly. "The little mangy mutt will get a special treat tonight if he plays the 'good host' and is polite and proper and well-mannered." Krista wrapped her arms around Sirius' neck.
He kissed her on the side of her mouth. "It had better be a pretty damn good treat if I have to be all of that..." "Oh it is." Krista confirmed. Sirius sighed and kissed his wife again. "Alright, I'll be good, but only if that prat Severus doesn't start anything." Knowing she wouldn't get anything more than that, Krista smiled.
Remus, Harry, and Marvolo burst through the front door, caroling merrily and covered in snow. Well at least Remus and Harry were; Marvolo was huddled deep in his warm fur-lined bag, fast asleep. "Sounds like they had fun sledding." Krista muttered, trying to get up, but Sirius won't let her. "They'll be fine for a few minutes." He growled sensually before kissing her forcefully.
"Get a room." A shrill voice intoned irritably followed by a deep-throated chuckle. Krista disapparated from Sirius' lap to the other side of the room and stood next to the fireplace with her back to everyone, waiting for her blush to fade. Harry just ignored her and flopped down on the couch with Marvolo. Remus smiled as Sirius tried to hide his... pleasure is having had Krista on his lap and sat down next to his best friend.
"It sounds like you two had fun." Sirius muttered. "We three had a very pleasant time sledding." Remus replied, reminding Sirius that the snake was to be counted or Harry got angry. "Sorry..." he muttered. "So Harry, you didn't let Marvolo get cold did you? Don't want him to miss the big dinner party tonight, do we?" "Nope! He said he can't wait too!" cried the small boy. "That's good. Now he isn't going to eat mice at the table is he?" Krista asked. Harry turned to Marvolo. There was a short dialogue between the two before the child responded. "No, Marvolo says he'll eat whatever everyone else is having. So he can eat off my plate!"
The Black Family Mansion was very large, but not quite as large and the Malfoy Family Mansion. However, the Blacks were wealthier than the Malfoys and always had been. The Black Family simply never flaunted their wealth the same way. The Black Manor did have a reception hall where all apparations and floo networks ended up, unless one had a spell-charm like those whom lived there did. It was this hall that the Malfoy family entered from one of the several ornately craved and expensively decorated fireplaces along the wall.
Marvolo, whom had been sent to lead them into the library, greeted the three Malfoys. The snake nodded his head to them and slithered in the direction they needed to go in. Without turning even once to see if they really were following him, Marvolo went straight to the library and climbed up Harry to wrap about his shoulders regally. Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco had followed. Krista, Sirius, Remus, Harry (and Marvolo), and Severus Snape were waiting for them.
"Welcome, welcome. Please come in and make yourselves at home." Krista said bowing to Lucius and extending her hand. He took the offered hand and bowed to kiss it. "A pleasure as always Krista." He muttered. Narcissa merely raised an eyebrow, and Draco giggled into his hand. "Really Lucius, one would think you mean to steal my wife away." Sirius laughed good-naturedly, he had already had several glasses of mulled wine and wasn't feeling too bad. Lucius smiled tightly and released Krista's hand.
"Please, won't you all come and have a seat? Can I get you anything? Some mulled wine or tea? Hot chocolate, Draco?" "Yes please!" The boy cried without thinking. He cast a frightened glance at his father. "I mean I would like that very much. Thank you." Krista smiled and picked up a cup of hot chocolate from a tray near the couch. She had known the boy would want something to drink. "Why don't you and Harry go up to his room and play for a while? Dinner will be at seven, all right?" "Yes Aunt Krista!" "Yes Miss Krista!" The two boys cried in unison and raced upstairs, Marvolo bouncing about Harry's shoulders. "Children," Narcissa muttered. "So sweet, so innocent, when do we loose that?"
Dinner wasn't served until seven thirty because the boys hadn't cleaned up by seven. There was a huge goose, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean, lamb chops, wine, sparkling apple cider, gravy, and loads of bread and butter. Everyone ate until they were more than full, including Marvolo, whom was fat with all he had eaten. "Can we open presents now?" Harry asked as Severus finally pushed his plate away. (Sev being the last to finish eating...) "Yes can we please Miss Krista?" Draco asked. "Yeah! Come on, let's open presents!" Sirius whined, sounding more child-like than the children did. Everyone laughed at Sirius and moved into the parlor.
Narcissa gave everyone a box with a dozen scones of varying flavors. "It is a tradition in my family." She explained. Harry and Draco giggled VERY quietly about that with Marvolo. Lucius got several books on Dark Arts from the vast and ever growing Black Family library from Krista, Sirius, Remus, Harry, and Marvolo. "It looks like an entire zoo signed the card." He muttered beneath his breath. Narcissa got a beautiful set of silken robes of rich purple and a subscription to 'Witch Fashion', the hottest gossip magazine out there. "What a lovely shade of purple! It brings out the blue in my eyes."
Remus was surprise to get a necklace made of gold (of course can't be silver now can it?) with a pendant on it. The pendant was a full moon with a howling wolf's head inside it. "It is meant to protect werewolves from the bloodlust during the full moon, so they aren't dangerous. I'm not sure how well it does that, but I thought you might like it none-the-least." Lucius drawled. "Thank you very much. That was most thoughtful of you." Remus smiled, putting it around his neck. From Severus, he got a collar with a chain on it. "In case the necklace doesn't work." Sev smiled.
Sirius was given a set of black velvet robes and black dragon-hide boots. "The most durable brand out there. An extremely well put together boot. I have three pairs myself." Lucius smiled. Sirius eyed the boot suspiciously before nodding almost to himself. "It certain is well put together." Sirius also got a black leather collar from Krista. That gift went without explanation... and a large cowbell from Severus. "We need so way to always know where you are." Krista got her own pair of black dragon-hide boots along with several muggle fantasy novels. "I remember how much you loved those things back at school. I hope I didn't get you any you already have." "No, actually I don't have any of these. Thank you for remembering!" Severus gave her a small tissue-wrapped package with a note that said, 'Not to be opened until you're alone.'
Severus got several Dark Arts books on Potions from Krista and Company. From Lucius, he got a few rare potions ingredients and a large sum of money. "To do with as you wish, good man. I really didn't know what else to give you besides the ingredients." Even Marvolo hadn't been forgotten. The snake got a warming plate from the Malfoys. "For when it is too cold to sun yourself." From his own family, he got another skull, a rock, and a rather large branch to decorate his cage with. "For some reason, he just really likes to sleep in human skulls..." Krista explained as Marvolo writhed in pleasure and slithered in and out of the skull. Severus of course didn't forget the snake and gave him a larger cage so he could fit all his new 'decorations' inside of it.
The boys by far got the best presents as far as they were concerned. From Lucius and Narcissa, both boys got their own set of Wizarding Chess. From Severus, a set of Gobstones each. However the best present came from Krista, Remus, and Sirius. Both Harry and Draco got a CleanSweep broomstick, the newest model. "Yes!" "Yay!" "Can we ride them?" "Please, please?" The two boys' voices vied for loudest and most plea-filled. Harry's broom had an attachable satchel for carrying Marvolo, including one for the coldest of winter days. "Only if Sirius will go out with you." Krista said.
Harry and Draco ran to Sirius and tugged on an arm each. "Please Uncle Sirius? Please, please come outside with us!" "Please Mr. Sirius. Won't you please come so we can try out our broomsticks?" Sirius laughed. "Alright, alright. I'm coming. Why don't you two bundle up so you don't get cold? Harry, is Marvolo coming or not?" Marvolo decided to stay inside where it was 'safe and warm'. Remus decided he would join the three of them outside, mainly because he didn't feel comfortable being the only Gryffindor in the company of so many Slytherins, even if one was his twin sister. The two boys grabbed their new brooms and Sirius and Remus grabbed their old ones. Soon they were teaching the boys how to ride around in the back yard.
As Harry, Draco, Sirius, and Remus zoomed around the large back yard, Marvolo sat on his new warming plate, listening to the conversation taking place around him. "So has Harry shown any signs of magic yet, Krista?" "Yes actually just yesterday morning he made the flowers there on the mantel wilt and then grow and blossom again." "What caused that?" Narcissa's nasally voice shattered the quality of the air. "At first he was furious because I told him Marvolo couldn't eat dinner with us, then when I told him Marvolo could eat with us the flowers began to grow and blossom... actually they are better looking now than they were beforehand." "Interesting..." Severus muttered oily.
The conversation turned to the four's own days back at Hogwarts. "Do you know what I never understood, Severus?" Lucius said at one point. "What did you never understand?" Krista and Narcissa both were listening now. Lucius took a sip of his wine before continuing. "I never understood how you could have let Krista marry Black. I mean you two were so close seventh year and you had been dating for a while before that. Then at the end of seventh year, poof! Like there had never been anything other than close friendship, and everyone saw how you two would make out in the halls between classes!"
"It is just one of those things that happens for uncontrollable reasons Lucius, now if you'll excuse me, I think the pot of coffee is about done." Krista muttered. "I'll help you with that." Severus offered, leaving a very smug looking Lucius and Narcissa in the parlor.
Krista didn't even look at the pot of coffee that was blatantly cold. Neither did Severus. In fact, when Krista stopped by the table, Severus walked right up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. He buried his face in her hair. "I still love you." He whispered. Krista tried to pull away from him, but he wouldn't let her go. "Severus, please... I'm a married woman." "I don't care! You were mine first... You're still mine!" He turned her in his arms and pulled her close to him. "I'll never let you go." He whispered fiercely before kissing her harshly. He forced his tongue between her lips and rolled it across her own tongue. Krista pushed away from him. "Severus... please..." She begged.
The potion master looked deeply into her eyes; his own black eyes burning with lust and suppressed emotions. Severus sighed. "Very well then." He said gruffly pushing her from him. "I must be getting back to the castle anyway. It is getting late." "Please don't leave." Krista whispered in a small voice. Severus' scowl softened slightly. "There really is no point in me staying. Perhaps... but no. There is no point in my staying. Promise me you will open the present from me tonight, when you are utterly alone." "I promise." Severus nodded and strode from the room to give his farewells to the Malfoys and Harry.
Marvolo watched the episode between Krista and Severus with growing interest. This would work out better than he had ever hoped. Now all he had to do was get that damnable Gryffindor Sirius out of the way and possibly the werewolf twin too. Then his plans would be nearly infallible. However, Marvolo was patient. He had plenty of time. One thing he had learned from his past life was that impatience was a weakness, and infinite, unending, unconditional patience was what would gain him all he desired for himself and the boy.
AN: Yeah... I'm not overly happy with this chapter. It is choppy in my opinion. *shrugs* Nothing for it, oh well. I am happy with the revised ending but still... opinions? Ideas? Please?
Goldhawk - Undead Jell-O turkeys? Right... just keep telling yourself that. And what did I say about the dust mite? LEAVE HIS TWIN OUT OF THIS!
Wyvern-Kun - Ray I assume? Well you did nit-pick... so *sticks out her tongue and kicks you*
A Change of Fate
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Krista was going crazy with the cleaning charms. 'The whole house is way beyond spotless by now.' Thought Sirius irritably as he watched his wife on her cleaning binge. "Tell me again why you're cleaning the house like a woman possessed, Krista. I mean the Dursley's went to Vernon's sister's house for the holidays."
Krista sighed. "I've told you about seven times already Sirius!" She cried in exasperation. "We're having a huge Christmas dinner over here." "Oh..." Sirius had indeed forgotten. "Who's coming again? All I remember is that I wasn't happy about them." "The Malfoy family and Severus are coming." Sirius groaned. "Why do we have to let them in here?" "Because Harry is friends with Draco and I offered to have everyone over here for the holidays."
Sirius flopped down on the couch. "I hate them! And you know it..." He growled accusingly. "You need to get over your Hogwarts prejudges. I know you hate Severus and that will never change, but will you please at least put on the front of being a good host?" Sirius narrowed his eyes. "No, I won't."
Krista smiled sweetly and sat in down in Sirius' lap. Raising an eyebrow delicately, she asked in a sweet voice. "Not even for one night?" Sirius wrapped his arms around her waist. "Well what is in it for me?" "You're a Slytherin at heart, you know that..." Sirius growled lowly. "The little mangy mutt will get a special treat tonight if he plays the 'good host' and is polite and proper and well-mannered." Krista wrapped her arms around Sirius' neck.
He kissed her on the side of her mouth. "It had better be a pretty damn good treat if I have to be all of that..." "Oh it is." Krista confirmed. Sirius sighed and kissed his wife again. "Alright, I'll be good, but only if that prat Severus doesn't start anything." Knowing she wouldn't get anything more than that, Krista smiled.
Remus, Harry, and Marvolo burst through the front door, caroling merrily and covered in snow. Well at least Remus and Harry were; Marvolo was huddled deep in his warm fur-lined bag, fast asleep. "Sounds like they had fun sledding." Krista muttered, trying to get up, but Sirius won't let her. "They'll be fine for a few minutes." He growled sensually before kissing her forcefully.
"Get a room." A shrill voice intoned irritably followed by a deep-throated chuckle. Krista disapparated from Sirius' lap to the other side of the room and stood next to the fireplace with her back to everyone, waiting for her blush to fade. Harry just ignored her and flopped down on the couch with Marvolo. Remus smiled as Sirius tried to hide his... pleasure is having had Krista on his lap and sat down next to his best friend.
"It sounds like you two had fun." Sirius muttered. "We three had a very pleasant time sledding." Remus replied, reminding Sirius that the snake was to be counted or Harry got angry. "Sorry..." he muttered. "So Harry, you didn't let Marvolo get cold did you? Don't want him to miss the big dinner party tonight, do we?" "Nope! He said he can't wait too!" cried the small boy. "That's good. Now he isn't going to eat mice at the table is he?" Krista asked. Harry turned to Marvolo. There was a short dialogue between the two before the child responded. "No, Marvolo says he'll eat whatever everyone else is having. So he can eat off my plate!"
The Black Family Mansion was very large, but not quite as large and the Malfoy Family Mansion. However, the Blacks were wealthier than the Malfoys and always had been. The Black Family simply never flaunted their wealth the same way. The Black Manor did have a reception hall where all apparations and floo networks ended up, unless one had a spell-charm like those whom lived there did. It was this hall that the Malfoy family entered from one of the several ornately craved and expensively decorated fireplaces along the wall.
Marvolo, whom had been sent to lead them into the library, greeted the three Malfoys. The snake nodded his head to them and slithered in the direction they needed to go in. Without turning even once to see if they really were following him, Marvolo went straight to the library and climbed up Harry to wrap about his shoulders regally. Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco had followed. Krista, Sirius, Remus, Harry (and Marvolo), and Severus Snape were waiting for them.
"Welcome, welcome. Please come in and make yourselves at home." Krista said bowing to Lucius and extending her hand. He took the offered hand and bowed to kiss it. "A pleasure as always Krista." He muttered. Narcissa merely raised an eyebrow, and Draco giggled into his hand. "Really Lucius, one would think you mean to steal my wife away." Sirius laughed good-naturedly, he had already had several glasses of mulled wine and wasn't feeling too bad. Lucius smiled tightly and released Krista's hand.
"Please, won't you all come and have a seat? Can I get you anything? Some mulled wine or tea? Hot chocolate, Draco?" "Yes please!" The boy cried without thinking. He cast a frightened glance at his father. "I mean I would like that very much. Thank you." Krista smiled and picked up a cup of hot chocolate from a tray near the couch. She had known the boy would want something to drink. "Why don't you and Harry go up to his room and play for a while? Dinner will be at seven, all right?" "Yes Aunt Krista!" "Yes Miss Krista!" The two boys cried in unison and raced upstairs, Marvolo bouncing about Harry's shoulders. "Children," Narcissa muttered. "So sweet, so innocent, when do we loose that?"
Dinner wasn't served until seven thirty because the boys hadn't cleaned up by seven. There was a huge goose, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean, lamb chops, wine, sparkling apple cider, gravy, and loads of bread and butter. Everyone ate until they were more than full, including Marvolo, whom was fat with all he had eaten. "Can we open presents now?" Harry asked as Severus finally pushed his plate away. (Sev being the last to finish eating...) "Yes can we please Miss Krista?" Draco asked. "Yeah! Come on, let's open presents!" Sirius whined, sounding more child-like than the children did. Everyone laughed at Sirius and moved into the parlor.
Narcissa gave everyone a box with a dozen scones of varying flavors. "It is a tradition in my family." She explained. Harry and Draco giggled VERY quietly about that with Marvolo. Lucius got several books on Dark Arts from the vast and ever growing Black Family library from Krista, Sirius, Remus, Harry, and Marvolo. "It looks like an entire zoo signed the card." He muttered beneath his breath. Narcissa got a beautiful set of silken robes of rich purple and a subscription to 'Witch Fashion', the hottest gossip magazine out there. "What a lovely shade of purple! It brings out the blue in my eyes."
Remus was surprise to get a necklace made of gold (of course can't be silver now can it?) with a pendant on it. The pendant was a full moon with a howling wolf's head inside it. "It is meant to protect werewolves from the bloodlust during the full moon, so they aren't dangerous. I'm not sure how well it does that, but I thought you might like it none-the-least." Lucius drawled. "Thank you very much. That was most thoughtful of you." Remus smiled, putting it around his neck. From Severus, he got a collar with a chain on it. "In case the necklace doesn't work." Sev smiled.
Sirius was given a set of black velvet robes and black dragon-hide boots. "The most durable brand out there. An extremely well put together boot. I have three pairs myself." Lucius smiled. Sirius eyed the boot suspiciously before nodding almost to himself. "It certain is well put together." Sirius also got a black leather collar from Krista. That gift went without explanation... and a large cowbell from Severus. "We need so way to always know where you are." Krista got her own pair of black dragon-hide boots along with several muggle fantasy novels. "I remember how much you loved those things back at school. I hope I didn't get you any you already have." "No, actually I don't have any of these. Thank you for remembering!" Severus gave her a small tissue-wrapped package with a note that said, 'Not to be opened until you're alone.'
Severus got several Dark Arts books on Potions from Krista and Company. From Lucius, he got a few rare potions ingredients and a large sum of money. "To do with as you wish, good man. I really didn't know what else to give you besides the ingredients." Even Marvolo hadn't been forgotten. The snake got a warming plate from the Malfoys. "For when it is too cold to sun yourself." From his own family, he got another skull, a rock, and a rather large branch to decorate his cage with. "For some reason, he just really likes to sleep in human skulls..." Krista explained as Marvolo writhed in pleasure and slithered in and out of the skull. Severus of course didn't forget the snake and gave him a larger cage so he could fit all his new 'decorations' inside of it.
The boys by far got the best presents as far as they were concerned. From Lucius and Narcissa, both boys got their own set of Wizarding Chess. From Severus, a set of Gobstones each. However the best present came from Krista, Remus, and Sirius. Both Harry and Draco got a CleanSweep broomstick, the newest model. "Yes!" "Yay!" "Can we ride them?" "Please, please?" The two boys' voices vied for loudest and most plea-filled. Harry's broom had an attachable satchel for carrying Marvolo, including one for the coldest of winter days. "Only if Sirius will go out with you." Krista said.
Harry and Draco ran to Sirius and tugged on an arm each. "Please Uncle Sirius? Please, please come outside with us!" "Please Mr. Sirius. Won't you please come so we can try out our broomsticks?" Sirius laughed. "Alright, alright. I'm coming. Why don't you two bundle up so you don't get cold? Harry, is Marvolo coming or not?" Marvolo decided to stay inside where it was 'safe and warm'. Remus decided he would join the three of them outside, mainly because he didn't feel comfortable being the only Gryffindor in the company of so many Slytherins, even if one was his twin sister. The two boys grabbed their new brooms and Sirius and Remus grabbed their old ones. Soon they were teaching the boys how to ride around in the back yard.
As Harry, Draco, Sirius, and Remus zoomed around the large back yard, Marvolo sat on his new warming plate, listening to the conversation taking place around him. "So has Harry shown any signs of magic yet, Krista?" "Yes actually just yesterday morning he made the flowers there on the mantel wilt and then grow and blossom again." "What caused that?" Narcissa's nasally voice shattered the quality of the air. "At first he was furious because I told him Marvolo couldn't eat dinner with us, then when I told him Marvolo could eat with us the flowers began to grow and blossom... actually they are better looking now than they were beforehand." "Interesting..." Severus muttered oily.
The conversation turned to the four's own days back at Hogwarts. "Do you know what I never understood, Severus?" Lucius said at one point. "What did you never understand?" Krista and Narcissa both were listening now. Lucius took a sip of his wine before continuing. "I never understood how you could have let Krista marry Black. I mean you two were so close seventh year and you had been dating for a while before that. Then at the end of seventh year, poof! Like there had never been anything other than close friendship, and everyone saw how you two would make out in the halls between classes!"
"It is just one of those things that happens for uncontrollable reasons Lucius, now if you'll excuse me, I think the pot of coffee is about done." Krista muttered. "I'll help you with that." Severus offered, leaving a very smug looking Lucius and Narcissa in the parlor.
Krista didn't even look at the pot of coffee that was blatantly cold. Neither did Severus. In fact, when Krista stopped by the table, Severus walked right up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. He buried his face in her hair. "I still love you." He whispered. Krista tried to pull away from him, but he wouldn't let her go. "Severus, please... I'm a married woman." "I don't care! You were mine first... You're still mine!" He turned her in his arms and pulled her close to him. "I'll never let you go." He whispered fiercely before kissing her harshly. He forced his tongue between her lips and rolled it across her own tongue. Krista pushed away from him. "Severus... please..." She begged.
The potion master looked deeply into her eyes; his own black eyes burning with lust and suppressed emotions. Severus sighed. "Very well then." He said gruffly pushing her from him. "I must be getting back to the castle anyway. It is getting late." "Please don't leave." Krista whispered in a small voice. Severus' scowl softened slightly. "There really is no point in me staying. Perhaps... but no. There is no point in my staying. Promise me you will open the present from me tonight, when you are utterly alone." "I promise." Severus nodded and strode from the room to give his farewells to the Malfoys and Harry.
Marvolo watched the episode between Krista and Severus with growing interest. This would work out better than he had ever hoped. Now all he had to do was get that damnable Gryffindor Sirius out of the way and possibly the werewolf twin too. Then his plans would be nearly infallible. However, Marvolo was patient. He had plenty of time. One thing he had learned from his past life was that impatience was a weakness, and infinite, unending, unconditional patience was what would gain him all he desired for himself and the boy.
AN: Yeah... I'm not overly happy with this chapter. It is choppy in my opinion. *shrugs* Nothing for it, oh well. I am happy with the revised ending but still... opinions? Ideas? Please?