Chapter 21: To Grandmother's House We Go*
* Over The River and Though The Wood, Flowers For Children, Volume 2 (1844). Lydia Maria Child
Maya, in her usual disguise of dark hair and silver hooded eyes, sat in a deserted corner of the Three Broomsticks waiting for Severus to arrive from Hogwarts. She had held to her word and did as Albus asked, though waiting the twenty-four hours to pass until Severus could be free was excruciating.
Finally, she saw a dark shadow pass in front of the window and knew it was Severus. He entered the pub and strode to her table. "What kept you? You said you'd be here twenty minutes ago," Maya said, putting down her glass.
"Umbridge called a staff meeting. Translation: everyone sits around listening until she tires of her own voice, which usually only occurs when her voice has gone completely hoarse," he said, irritably. "We should go now, before too many people see us together, especially when you insist on looking like that."
"What's wrong with the way I look? Oh never mind, let's just go. I'd like to get there as soon as possible. I sent word to Grandmother that I would arrive today. She must be frantic if she contacted Dumbledore." Maya left two galleons on the table to cover her drink and the tip.
Once outside, they slipped into an alley. Severus had expected her to send him an image of the location. He did not expect her to grab his hand and apparate with him. As soon as there was solid ground under his feet, he felt her small hands on his face pulling him down gently, her lips meeting his, warm and inviting. He returned her kiss, his hands going to her waist allowing the feel of her to wash away some of the tension left from the meeting with Umbridge.
Maya leaned into him, welcoming the safety and warmth she found in Severus' arms. With a sigh she took a step back. "Welcome to Mayfair, Severus," Maya said as she started up the gravel path.
Severus opened his eyes and took a deep breath, wondering to himself if he would ever become accustomed to her random displays of affection; they blew in without warning like storms on the moors and left him awestruck in their wake. All around him he saw expansive grounds and gardens. In the center was an enormous main house that would make the Malfoys envious. The path led through pristinely manicured front gardens to the main entrance. Maya had returned to her natural appearance the moment her feet touched solid ground and Severus paused for a moment, watching her as she walked ahead. In that moment he could see how in a different time and place she belonged here, the lady over this estate.
Maya and Severus approached the great doors. One side of the enormous double doors swung open, revealing two very happy house elves. Tinky and Blinky rushed to hug at her legs. "We are so glad you and your professor are finally arriving. Tinky and Blinky was getting worried, Miss Maya."
"As you two can plainly see, I'm fine and so is Professor Snape. No need to fret, I promise you," Maya said, smiling as she patted the little elves on their backs. "Now where is my Gran? I know she must be anxious to see me."
"In the parlour Miss," said Tinky as she released Maya's leg. "Tinky will go and make tea for Miss Maya and Mistress Ladon."
"Thank you, Tinky. Tea would be lovely." Maya made her way to the first set of double doors on the left of the spacious entrance hall Severus following her silently, observing the grand surroundings of the house.
Maya waved open the doors with a silent spell. Severus saw the elderly but regal witch sitting in a comfortable armchair, a large Russian Blue cat at her feet. The old woman was at least as old as Dumbledore. "Gran, I'm so sorry for worrying you," Maya exclaimed, rushing to place a kiss at her grandmother's cheek.
"My dear, from what Albus has been telling me the situation was worthy of my fretting. He said you were quite ill for a period," the old woman replied, concern in her blue eyes.
"Yes, I was ill, but I'm fine now. I promise, no need for you to worry Gran," Maya said, kneeling at her grandmother's feet. Severus waited just inside the door, allowing grandmother and granddaughter to reunite in private.
After a moment the old woman seemed to decide that her only granddaughter was indeed going to be fine. "Come, it has been too long. It's been five years since I was well enough to apparate the distance to see you, and Albus tells me you've been in Britain since November," the old woman said disapprovingly.
"Dumbledore thought it best no one know I'd returned." Maya moved to stand again.
"A smart man Albus Dumbledore is; I'm sure he knows what's best. I prefer a quiet life now that my only son and daughter-in-law have passed on, but Albus always manages to find excitement - or rather excitement always manages to find him." The old woman laughed softly and Maya could feel tears sitting at the backs of her eyes. She had missed this so much. "He was the same way when we were in school," she finished, smiling at her granddaughter. "Come dear, introduce me to your young man!" Maya motioned Severus into the warm parlor.
"Grandmother, this is Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts. Severus, this is Esmeralda Ladon, my grandmother." Severus approached the lady of the estate. He gave a low bow touching his lips briefly to the back of her hand.
"Nonsense, Maya! Severus my child, call me Essie or Gran. Everyone does. Please have a seat you two."
Maya and Severus moved to take seats in the comfortable armchairs across from Maya's grandmother, and he had the momentary thought that this must be what it was like to take audience with the muggle Queen. "I heard you were in contact with Dumbledore," Maya said.
"But of course, dear. He has come to tea about once a month for the last forty years, but never mind that, tell me about yourself. When Tinky and Blinky arrived without you, I feared the worst." She paused, then turned her attention back to Severus. "You wouldn't be Tobias Snape's son?" she asked.
Severus, who was unaccustomed to anyone in the wizarding world knowing his father, was caught somewhat off guard, not that it showed on his carefully schooled features. "Yes Madam, I'm afraid so," he said matter-of-factly.
"You knew Severus's father?" Maya asked, disbelievingly.
"My dear, I'm an old woman. I've met a great number of people in my lifetime. I met Mr. Snape a handful of times. It was your mother who was his acquaintance. He was married to a lovely young witch that was a classmate of your mother's. He was a rather surly fellow I'm afraid. Oh, do forgive me dear," said the old woman, smiling sheepishly at Severus. "I am old and tend to forget diplomacy."
"None taken, Madam," Severus said. "He was indeed a most disagreeable man. However, both he and my mother have passed."
"Pity," the old witch frowned. "I see you inherited your manners from your lovely mother. She had a reputation as a fine and gifted witch. She was at Hogwarts around the same time as your father and mother, Maya." Esmeralda Ladon beamed at Severus.
"What a small world it is indeed," said Maya, smiling at Severus.
"So it seems." He was uncomfortable with all of this talk about his family but did find it very interesting that his mother and Maya's had been friends or classmates at least. After marrying his father, his mother had little contact with the wizarding world, and he couldn't remember ever meeting anyone that remembered her outside of Hogwarts.
"Speaking of Hogwarts, Albus said you would be ensuring my granddaughter's safety on her visit? It sounds as if he expects trouble right here in Sussex," Essie Ladon asked Severus.
"Yes Madam. Dumbledore felt that someone should be here in case Maya were followed," he responded. "Just a precaution, I assure you."
"Yes, he does worry, doesn't he?" Esmeralda said, turning her gaze to her granddaughter. "Now after all of these years what has made you find your way home, love? As I said, I feared the worst when you did not arrive with the elves."
"All is well Gran. Recent events have made me realize my time is far better served here then in America," Maya said. I do have news, but I wanted to make sure things were safe before I came to you."
"Yes, Albus told me you were injured. Another thanks I owe you, young Mr. Snape. Albus said you saved my granddaughter's life," she said to Severus, and he read the sincere gratitude in her old eyes. He gave her a nod of acknowledgement. "But Maya, what happened?" she asked, turning back to Maya.
"I have been helping Dumbledore, Gran, and I was injured while on business for the Order of the Phoenix. I was attacked by -." Maya hesitated, unsure how much to tell her grandmother and not wanting to upset her or put her in danger. "By Nathaniel. He was alive and still very much a supporter of "You-know-who."
"My word," Essie exclaimed. "I never liked that young man, too charming for his own good. I always felt like he was blowing smoke, if you take my meaning."
Maya almost laughed at her grandmother's use of the slang phrase, whispering it as if she were swearing in public. The smirk on Severus' face said that he approved of her grandmother's opinion. "Yes, well it turned out you were right about him after all."
As Maya recounted the essentials of her tale, Severus watched her interact with her grandmother. He was surprised to see a bit of the girl he had glimpsed in her memories in her shinning eyes and pink cheeks. Just as Maya finished her abbreviated tale the elves entered with tea and sandwiches.
"I imagine this will be the last time I see you for a while, then?" Essie asked as they sipped their tea.
"I'll try to come as often as Dumbledore thinks is safe," Maya said. "I don't want you to be put in danger though, and as long as no one knows I've returned or that I'm working with the Order, you should be safe."
"Well, I would hope that you and young Mr. Snape here can stop in from time to time so that I know you're safe. I do so hate to get news from The Prophet. They print mostly rubbish these days."
Maya smiled at her grandmother's apt assessment of the wizarding paper. "I'll try, Gran. Severus and I really must be off now," Maya said, standing.
"If you must child. Please come back when you can. Mr. Snape, take care of my granddaughter," the old woman said, serious pale eyes trained on the younger man.
Severus stood and again bowed low to the old woman. "Yes, madam."
After embracing her grandmother one last time and kissing her wizened cheek, Maya left the sitting room. As she and Severus were leaving, Maya could have sworn she saw a knowing look on her grandmother's face. The old but kindly witch didn't miss a thing. Maya smiled to herself.
"Have you eaten?" she asked as they crossed the gardens to the edge of the estate's protective wards. Dusk had fallen while they were inside, and night had enveloped the beautiful grounds in velvety blackness.
"No. Umbridge's meeting ran through dinner," he replied.
"I can whip up something, or we could do take away if you don't trust my cooking," she suggested with a smile.
"I think you can manage to not poison me," he said with a smirk, and with a soft pop they both vanished.
Maya looked through the fridge while Severus sat at the long kitchen table with a bottle of cold butter beer, watching her inspect and select the items she wanted. "Any objections to Cottage Pie?" she asked.
"None," he said, feeling awkward. Just twenty-four hours ago he had spent the night with this woman, and now she was offering to cook him dinner. Since he rarely engaged in romantic liaisons, this was not a situation that he normally found himself in. With no pending Order business, Lupin and Auror Tonks both out on guard duty, and Black off sulking in the attics somewhere, they had the large house to themselves. But what did she expect from him?
"Good." She sent him a smile over her shoulder as she brought an armload of items over to the counter, bumping the fridge door closed with a hip. He watched from his seat at the table as she chopped carrots, shelled peas, and browned beef, impressed that she did most of the work by hand, choosing not to use magic.
"Here, peel these," Maya said, handing him some potatoes she found in the pantry along with a knife. He gave her a questioning look but didn't refuse or complain. They worked in comfortable silence and in no time the dish was steaming from its spot on the table between them. She joined him at the table, offering him a fresh bottle of butter beer and grabbing one for herself as well. "Tuck in, then," she smiled, handing him the serving spoon.
"We may be able to make you sound British again after all," he teased, taking the spoon from her and dishing out steaming servings onto their plates.
"It's like riding a bike; you never really forget," she quipped. "Like so many things." She couldn't hide her smirk or the mischievousness reflected in her eyes.
"Just eat, woman," he relented. She smiled warmly at him from her place across the table before she focused on her food. They ate in companionable silence, enjoying the food, and the rare moment of quiet.
Once they had eaten Maya gathered the plates and walked them to the sink, running hot water to rinse them. Severus watched her as she worked for a few moments. He stood, crossing the kitchen in a few easy strides, standing behind her as she worked at the sink. His hands went to her hips and circled her waist, his long fingers skimming her stomach. He placed a kiss on the exposed skin of her neck and felt her lean into his embrace.
"If that's how you say thank you, I'm going to be cooking for you more often," she said softly.
He responded by pulling her closer, eliminating the space between them. He removed her wand from her back pocket, placing it on the counter. "What else do you have in here, dragon?"
"Just me." She sighed at the comforting feel of his strong chest. Her thoughts were interrupted by the languid kiss he placed on her neck.
"Deadly weapon indeed," he said softly in her ear.
"I do believe you are trying to distract me, sir. Is this how you interrogate all of your informants?" she teased.
"I do not interrogate, Madam. I am a spy. There is a difference." He kissed his way up her neck.
Maya turned in his arms. "Is that so?" She looked up into his dark eyes, snaking her arms around his neck, gently massaging the knot of tension that always seemed to be there. "I'll have to keep that in mind."
His black eyes searched her blue ones and she couldn't look away. She loved these rare times when they were alone and she was able to see this more private side of him. His eyes were intense, like he was trying to see into her soul. Their depths seemed endless; she could become lost and never find her way back. Her heart stopped as she realized she was well on her way to doing just that; she was falling in love with him. The thought terrified and excited her at the same time.
Severus picked up his forgotten butter beer from the counter and took the last draft, swallowing hard and placing the empty bottle back on the counter next to her forgotten wand. In one swift motion he lifted her onto the counter, kissing her soundly. She deepened the kiss, savoring the languid pace he set. Severus ran his hands along the outside of her thighs leaving a blazing path from her knees to her hips. He skimmed the edge of her shirt, long fingers finding the cool skin of her back. Fire ignited in her belly at his touch and radiated out to her fingers and toes.
Maya reached out, finding his belt, tugging him closer. She ran her hands up his chest and arms, loving the feel of his lean muscles through the thin material of his shirt. "Now where do you keep that wand?" she said softly as he kissed his way down her jaw, pausing to tease the sensitive skin of her chest.
Severus pulled back slightly to gaze at her with smoldering eyes. "Now who's doing the interrogating?" he said in his husky baritone, her comment reminding him of a dream he had when they first met.
Maya smiled wickedly back at him as she gave his white shirt a tug, releasing it from the waist of his trousers, running her hands up his sides and back. He caught her lips in a searing kiss that made her heart stop and her body hum with excitement.
Maya lay with her head on his chest, curls fanned out over his shoulder, trying to catch her breath as he drew lazy patterns on her hip. The dark mark there a sobering reminder of the danger they were in every day. With a wave of his hand he brought the sheet up to wrap around their cooling bodies. Maya snuggled deeper into his chest, trying to hold onto that feeling of normalcy just a little while longer, the amazing feeling of making love and crashing back down to Earth together in your lover's arms.
"I may not be able to get away from the castle until the end of term. It's OWLs and NEWTs in four weeks. I'll need to spend most of my time with the fifth and seventh years revising for exams." He had a reputation in the school for having a high percentage of passing students, even if by sheer fear of his retribution, and he was not about to have his reputation tarnished by a war.
"Yes, I imagine between exams and the Dark Lord, you'll be quite busy." She had seen the strain on him since Bellatrix and other members of Voldemort's inner circle had broken out of Azkaban almost five months ago. Most witches and wizards couldn't see it, but Maya had come to know him and could see what he always hid from everyone else. She saw it in small ways, the hardness in his eyes, and the occasional twinge from his mark. Bellatrix, out and on the loose, questioned his loyalty to the Death Eaters, attempting to infect others with her suspicions and mistrust. Umbridge's presence and ever increasing control at Hogwarts took away any sanctuary that the school had once been for him. Maya only hoped that their brief time together had helped to relieve some of the strain he had been under lately.
"I expect The Dark Lord will make another attempt at the Ministry soon. Everyone in the Order will be on alert around the clock."
Maya reached for his wand laying next to hers on the bedside table. She twirled the worn ebony wand in her fingers slowly. Severus watched her closely, trying to guess at what she was thinking. Watching her there, his wand in her hand seemed strangely intimate, even more so then the intimacies they had shared moments before.
"Things are going to get much worse before they get better, aren't they?" she said, knowing the answer to her own question.
"It's very likely. Once the Dark Lord chooses to come out in the open, it will be full out war. When that happens …" He left the statement unfinished as he let one of her curls slide through his fingers.
"When that happens, we'll both be doing everything we can to bring an end to this - to him - as soon as possible," she said determinedly. Maya felt his touch as he placed a soft kiss to the top of her head.