BOOK 2: CHAPTER THREE

"Anyone for a sandwich?" Amelia took the gleaming cleaver and smacked off a healthy chunk of python for herself, slathering mayonnaise across some bread and tossing on a bit of lettuce.

Albus sipped his coffee. "I thought you'd never ask. It's marvelous."

Minerva and Snape looked at them, then at each other, and walked out of the kitchen.

Once again, Albus was holding the baby in his free arm, showing him around the kitchen and letting him touch various spatulas, cauldrons, jars of spiders, and herbs.

"Would you like an egg on top?" she asked. "I think it might complement the flavor."

"Thank you. It sounds lovely."

She kissed his cheek. "No wonder you're the headmaster. You're smarter than all of them. And more adventurous."

He only blushed and mumbled something.

Sitting down at the tiny kitchen table, and letting Severus Jr. crawl away, Albus appeared to become thoughtful.

"I've missed you, my dear. I want to apologize for accusing you of poisoning everyone."

Smiling, she shrugged. "You hadn't much choice. I would have done the same."

He nodded, but a shade of regret remained.

"But really, headmaster, don't you think you might be over-reacting in saying Draco's all the way out here?" She handed him his plate and sat down across from him.

"Amelia, I wish I could believe I was over-reacting. We've seen a few signs, that things aren't what they should be. I suspect you have, too."

Her forehead creased in concern. She wondered how he knew about those things. They were nothing in and of themselves; but after the first two or three, they began to wear on her mind, and on Severus'.

"You have seen them, haven't you?" Albus persisted.

Reluctantly, she nodded.

"What have you seen?" he asked.

She paused. "Little things, mostly. They probably don't mean a thing. I'm just a hysterical, new mother."

"That's not such a bad thing, my dear. The senses are naturally sharpened, as extra protection for your baby. Very magical. Even muggles have it; probably the only magic they ever enjoy."

She smiled and blushed. Severus, who had returned in curiosity, looked as distasteful as if Albus had just declared all of magic the work of Satan.

"So, what have you observed?" Albus asked them.

Amelia looked at Severus and swallowed hard. He sat down beside her, hastily covering the leftover snake with a plate.

"It isn't so much what we've seen. It's what we've heard," he admitted in a low voice, as if he were worried someone would hear.

Albus' eyes darkened.

"Sometimes, we'll go out for a walk at night. Something will howl; or a rushing sound in a bush," he added. "Nerves, probably. We've never seen anything to speak of."

Amelia nodded. "Our home isn't a large one, sir, but one afternoon, when I was in the kitchen and Severus and Severus were outside…I heard footsteps. There was no doubt. I thought it was Severus, of course, and went out into the living room. There was no one."

"But the door was unhinged," Snape finished.

Even the memory made her shudder and feel cold.

"And at night? Anything?" Albus asked.

Amelia crossed her arms.

"Just howling; probably coyotes. Sometimes a light flashes. But there are no cars that ever pass by here," she answered.

Sighing, Albus nodded. "I think it's time, then. This was a wonderful respite for you both, but it is time to move on."

Snape's lips tightened and Amelia's hands clenched nervously.

"I'm afraid, professor. I'm terrified of bringing my son to Hogwarts," she confessed. "He's so curious and active…what if he's in danger there?"

"He may be, but there are more ways to protect him – and you and Severus…Lord it's going to be difficult with two Severuses…anyway, I beg you to consider it."

She paused. "Of course. This isn't the first time you've kept me or Severus from disaster."

He smiled and their eyes met in mutual respect. It felt wonderful that someone like him would respect her – and she quickly looked down.

"I don't like the idea of running," Severus said bitterly. "Especially from someone as ridiculous as Malfoy."

"Severus, we're not running. We're staying safe to make a plan. And you, of all people, should know that he's powerful."

"Headmaster," she began tentatively, "whatever you can do, whatever magic there is at hand, please, please help my husband recover."

Albus nodded. "We all will, and with any luck, your marriage bond will expedite his recovery. He will recover, Amelia, I'm sure of it."

At that moment, Amelia thought she heard a faint cry from the front room.

"I think Severus may be hungry," she said. "I'll go check on him and come right back."

When she walked into the living room, she frowned. Minerva had drifted into a doze and this time, not one, but two snakes had wound around the baby, making him look like he was sticking his head out of a basket.

"You pythons are being very bad," she scolded. "Aren't you afraid of the same fate your friend had?"

As she looked at them, however, she realized something was wrong – and it wasn't the pythons. Severus didn't seem to be afraid of the snakes, but of something beyond them. And the snakes, with their heads held high as if they were ready to strike, weren't drooling over the baby – but were focused on something else.

She felt a breeze, and noticed the front door had come open just a few inches – possibly from the wind? And where were Severus and Minerva?

Slowly but surely, a roaring, like from the inside of a conch shell, filled her ears. Everything in the room faded out of view but the baby, the snakes and something else. Something small.

A tortoise?

"Severus!" she cried. "Oh my God, come quickly."

An instant later, the door flew open and Severus ran in, snatching up the baby from the snakes.

"Oh, Amelia," Severus said irritably. "They won't hurt him. They just like to play."

But then he saw beyond the snakes, to where the snakes' gaze was fixed. His shoulders slumped and he dropped the coffee cup he'd been holding.

Before anyone else could make a move, Severus raised his wand and commanded, "Reveal."

Sparks flew, pops cracked the air – and smoke began to rise – yet nothing but a tortoise revealed itself.

Albus, fast behind him, repeated the spell, with the same result.

Turning toward them in agony, Amelia raked her hands through her hair.

"Is it Draco?" she cried hoarsely.

Albus picked up the tortoise and shrugged. "I seriously doubt it. It doesn't look like the one back at Hogwarts did. Too dark. But we'll keep him, just the same. Let Lupin take a look."

Minerva sighed and held her face in her hands. Severus looked at Amelia, who fell speechless with distress.

"Let's just kill him," Severus said bitterly. "Why take a chance?"

"I'll get the shovel - or should we use the spade?" Her eyes glittered.

Albus frowned. "No, no. We must wait. So eager to kill...you really are made for each other."

Amelia and Snape looked at each other in question, and then turned back to Albus.

"We're taking him back," Albus insisted. "I want Malfoy alive. We may get some information out of him, if this is him. I have a feeling this is bigger than a boy getting back at his teacher."

"Headmaster, couldn't we torture him, a little, to get to the bottom…"

"No!" Albus thundered. "Remember yourself."

Snape just looked hurt.

"The snakes knew. Oh God, it was some kind of warning, or worse, wasn't it?" Amelia said darkly.

"We're not waiting to find out," Albus answered calmly. "We should leave for Hogwarts, now."