Chapter 25

Plainsong

"Everyone seemed so nice." Ariadne said as she was laying in Severus's bed at Spinner's End. While the furnishings were simple, they were also quite comfortable. The sheets were of the softest cotton, and somehow the pillow she was sharing with Severus, though there were several other pillows laying unused on the bed, managed to stay cool no matter how long her head lay upon it.

"I told you that you were worried for nothing. You manage to charm everyone you meet."

"No, I think that they are just kind, decent, caring people; it's nothing to do with me. That's who they are. Sirius was funny."

"Sirius is a vile excuse for a human being and I'd rather spit up slugs for the next 24 hours than spend 15 minutes in his company."

"Tell me how you really feel, Severus Snape."

"I just did," he replied indignantly.

"I was employing sarcasm."

"Ah." He reached his hand over and caressed her cheek, brushing a few tray hairs away from her face.

She smiled at him. "This bed is so comfy. I don't think I have ever been in a more comfortable bed in my life. The sheets are so soft and I don't even need to flip the pillow over for the cool side, because it's perfectly cool, and I am practically drowning in blankets and pillows. Everything is just right."

"Well, the mattress is charmed so that it is always the most comfortable for whomever is laying in it. For example, if you like it rock hard, it's rock hard. If you like it so soft you sink into it, it's so soft you sink into it. And the pillow is charmed to remain cool."

"Ah." She paused momentarily before adding, "At least you like your lovers to be comfortable," she said, allowing her insecurity to get the best of her.

"Generally, yes." Ariadne did not look amused, so he quickly added, "But I have never shared this bed with anyone other than you. Please don't be like that. I charmed it so that you would be more comfortable. Spinner's End is my 'home' so to speak, but I've told you that I am a very private person, and this has always been a place that I have reserved for myself. Few people know that this is where I reside, and even fewer have been here. Your Uncle Albus, Lucius Malfoy, Lily: they've been here. Charity knows that I live in a place called Spinner's End, but she's never even seen it." She did not look altogether placated. "Damn it, Ariadne. I have a past. I'm not 21 years old. This is hard enough for me as it is."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It's just hard for me too. I accept that you lived for a long time without me. It's just different for me. I've had one other serious relationship, and you had a ringside seat to how that ended."

"I know and I am so sorry for that. All I can say is that I am not Anthony. I am not that boy. I am not saying I am perfect. I am not a seer, so I can't predict the future, but I am a man of my word, and while I can't say that I will never hurt you- because I know that I will probably will- I will never intend to do so. I might have to do things that you won't understand, or that I can't tell you about, but I will never, ever, lie to you. I love you, and I give you my word, that everything that I do, every decision I make, every action I take, will be because I love you. I have walked around in these bones for more than 35 years, and I know myself, but I've never allowed anyone to know me, and Ariadne, I want you to know me. Despite how hard I try and what I would like to happen, I don't know what outcome this war will have, but if- and I pray to whatever God will listen that I do survive it- I don't make it out alive, I don't want to die without someone having known me." He took a deep breath. He had laid himself completely bare. He thought he was telling her everything when he told her about his past and Lily and everything else, but this was the real truth of it. He wanted someone to know who he was. He wanted her to know.

She had never suspected that this much lie beneath the surface of the man who had opened himself to her. Tears now ran freely down her cheeks. She put her hand on his face and caressed his cheek, embarrassed at herself for questioning his fidelity, as he whipped her tears away.

"I'm going to miss you terribly," was all she offered and all she needed to offer.

He kissed her on the forehead. "I will leave Hogwarts as often as I can to see you. We'll just have to arrange a meeting place that wouldn't draw much suspicion if someone were to monitor my comings and goings, probably Rosmerta's pub. It's called the Three Broomsticks. I would say that the Hog's Head would be preferable, but your Uncle Aberforth would make it awkward."

"You're probably right, as much as I hate to admit it."

"Don't worry, we'll be back here together before your birthday."

"How do you know when my birthday is?" She was smiling once again at this thoughtfulness.

"Magic of course, but come, let's sleep. You must be exhausted." With that, he kissed the tip of her nose, then pulled her head into his chest, kissing the top of her head. The moment had passed.

She pulled back slightly to look at him before she said, "I think this is what I'll miss most, curling up to sleep beside you."

"Are you sure about that?" He asked before kissing her, softly at first, but more passionately as he continued, his tongue urging her lips apart. And the rest of the night they alternated between making love and dozing, real rest forgotten in favor of savoring every moment they had together. They were now acutely aware of what he had been trying to forget since he had returned to his own country with her. That everything surrounding the battle between good and evil and which would control his world was waiting, perhaps patiently, potentially just on the other side of every door they faced. So they shared each other, each knowing that they may never know which time they made love would be their last. They enjoyed each other, not with urgency, but with a peacefulness and tenderness that came with total acceptance, of one another and their potential fates. They finally fell into a blissful slumber as the sun was rising.

BREAK

For the second time in as many days, Ariadne was awakened by an owl tapping at the window. As she rose to open it, having observed Severus do the same the previous morning, Severus woke with a start. Instinctively, he grabbed his wand and jumped up at the sight of the unfamiliar bird.

"Get back from the window," he told Ariadne, before adding "please," belatedly. He nudged her behind him and spread his arms wide, protectively shielding her. "No one who knows that I own this home owns a tawny owl," he whispered. Ariadne complied, her eyes wide with surprise. She watched as Severus made some complex movements with his wand, before finally opening the window and snatch the note from the bird before closing the window quickly.

"Please leave the room and close the door. I require privacy. You've served your purpose. You'll excuse me if I don't show you out. I've business to attend, as I am sure you do as well." His voice sounded dismissive, harsh even, but his eyes were pleading with her. Confused, she went down exited the room, shutting the door behind her and walking down the stairs and sat on the sofa.

Severus unrolled the parchment and instantly recognized Lucius Malfoy's familiar handwriting. Lucius was supposed to be in auror custody awaiting trial in Azkaban, and for a moment, he was nearly certain that the missive was some sort of tracker or meant to curse him, yet it did not contain any of the known tracking spells or curses he could think of. Once decoded, Severus found the message to be highly concerning.

"Old friend,

I don't believe I can evade for much longer, but I need to speak with you urgently. My home is not safe; I will be at your residence at noon. I apologize for imposing upon you. However, you are the only one I can trust. Please be there.

Lucius was being incredibly vague despite writing in a code that Severus was positive was known only to the two of them, especially in light of the other precautions he had taken, including sending an owl that would not be traced back to him. He took a deep breath and walked down the stairs to speak with Ariadne.

"You need to leave quickly."

"You were serious before? You want me to leave?"

"Of course not." He pulled her close to him and whispered in here ear. "I didn't know who sent the owl. It was unfamiliar to me, and I was unsure of whether it had some sort of tracking spell or recording spell, and as we discussed, knowledge of your association with me could be used against one or both of us. They don't need to know your ancestry to try to use you against me."

"That's what I thought upstairs, but when you continued the act down here, it made me worried."

"No. Lucius Malfoy will be here in less than an hour. His message said it was urgent. He is in the inner circle of the Dark Lord's group, but lately I have been sensing some resistance to his plans. Lucius may be an arrogant bastard with a bit of a sadistic side, but he isn't truly evil, and I do not doubt that if he felt his wife or son were in danger, he would do whatever it took to keep them safe. He's a wounded tiger. I can't predict what he will do."

He thought for a moment, pacing back and forth across the small room. His eyes became alight with an answer. "You'll stay here. I'm not sure there is a viable alternative. We could try to contact Black or the Twins Weasley, but there is not enough time. Quickly, come with me. We've got to get you changed into robes. His son goes to the school. He'll learn of your existence soon enough in any case, assuming he doesn't meet the dementor's kiss in the meantime, but your identity is protected with Moody as secret keeper."

"What's the dementor's-" He cut her off abruptly.

"I've no time to explain now. You must listen carefully. I am going to tell Lucius that you are an American student who is considering doing some training at Hogwarts, which is the same story we plan to tell everyone next term in any case. He would be more suspicious if he happened to come upon you in hiding than if you were in the open to begin with. If we were try to get you to Black or the Weasleys, I would run the risk of missing him when he arrives, and I certainly don't want him here by himself: inside or outside the house."

"I could say that the headmaster wanted me to meet with some of the professors to try to entice me into coming to the school, that they wanted me to teach something. Latin!"

"That could work, but we need to be as vague as possible. It's better that way. There is less likelihood of being caught in your own deception." His years as a double agent had taught him that well. "It is absolutely paramount that you try to speak as little as possible. I'd say to try to draw as little attention to yourself as possible, but people can't help but be drawn to you." He pulled her to his chest and kissed her passionately. "We should make ourselves ready."

Tinky assisted Ariadne as she dressed and applied some cosmetics, making certain that her robes were on correctly. "Tinky is not very knowing of the ways of English wizards and witches, but I do know that you should not Mr. Malfoy in the eye for more than an instant," the elf said as she flitted about checking hemlines and placing a charm on the garments with a snap of her fingers to remove any wrinkles. "Mistress must look at his face for just one second before she curtseys like this." Tinky curtseyed perfectly.

A few minutes later Severus knocked on the door. He did not wait for a reply before entering. "Ariadne, I must show you how to greet Lucius."

"I believe Tinky already has," she replied, demonstrating Tinky's instruction.

"That is perfect. You must do exactly that when I present you to Lucius. Elf, you are certainly proving valuable."

"Please don't speak to her like that."

"We haven't time to discuss the correct manner in which one should address a house elf," he replied sharply, but changed his tone markedly, and with a slight smile on his face, for he appreciated the man that Ariadne was helping him become, as much as he feinted otherwise. "Tinky, would you prepare some tea and some sort of refreshments for Mr. Malfoy's visit?" Tinky nodded and was gone with a sharp crack.

"You must do your best to merely make your presence known to Lucius and then excuse yourself while I speak to him. You must do exactly as I say. Do not ad-lib. Do not forget anything, and, for the love of the Gods, do not let on that you are in any way aware of Lucius's position within the Dark Lord's organization or any apprehension you may feel toward him because of it. You must act as if you do not know anything other than the fact that I have an old friend popping over." Ariadne nodded.

"After you are presented to Lucius, you must excuse yourself. Say that you are going to finish the headache potion you started earlier for me. It's perfect. It is freshly brewed. You are going to go to my laboratory. There is a glass container with lavender liquid in it. It looks like a lab beaker with a cork inside of it. Pour some of it into a test tube, cork the test tube. There are slips of paper to label the tubes. Write "Headache Remedy" and your initials on the tube. Then you are to wait until you hear me ask Tinky to bring tea. Tinky will come and get you downstairs. Come upstairs. You will offer me the potion and I will drink it. By that time I probably will have an actual headache. Lucius must believe that you are a competent potions student, competent enough that I will take a potion you created without hesitating. He must know that you are my ward, my responsibility. He has to believe that you are competent enough to warrant my academic attention, as it has been quite some time since I took an interest in a student's progress, and I have never taken on any sort of apprentice. And above all, go along with whatever I say or do." As he finished he looked at the young woman opposite him with sadness in his eyes.

"I think I can remember all of that," Ariadne said by way of reply. "If he's some sort of fugitive, then he isn't he going to be concerned that I am going to turn him in?"

"It's a risk we are going to have to take." Just as the words left his mouth, there was a knock at the door. He squeezed her hand reassuringly before answering the door.