The meeting of the Order of the Phoenix dragged on for another hour as plans for McGonagall's 'death' were finalized. The deputy headmistress finally departed Grimmauld Place in her animagus form. Dumbledore, Snape, and Alex took a Portkey back to the gates of Hogwarts. It was a beautiful Sunday morning. The sun was already burning the mist off the lake, promising an unseasonably warm day. Soon the grounds would be crowded with students eager to get outdoors, but for now, the lawns leading up to the castle were empty and still.
The three mages said goodbye quietly in the main hall. Snape retreated to his dungeon while Alex and the headmaster climbed the stairs toward their own quarters. Back in her apartment, Alex soaked in a hot bath, trying to relax. The events of the night ran through her mind, repeating again and again in an endless loop. She sighed, letting the water run out of the tub and reaching for her wand to dry her hair. Who would have thought I'd end up in a secret order, fighting against evil ? Heh, Grandfather Corwin must be rolling in his grave about now. She conjured a lacy black nightgown, and after a moment's thought, a matching silk robe to wear over it. Crossing to the sitting room fireplace, she grabbed a handful of floo powder and stepped across the hearth. "Severus Snape's apartment," she stated. Cold green flame surrounded her.
Alex stepped out of the fireplace hastily as the green flames dissipated. Severus had already kindled a fire in the grate. The orange, non-magical flames crackled merrily. He was slouched on the leather couch, holding a glass of red wine. An opened bottle stood on the side table. "I wasn't expecting you," he commented.
"It's still the weekend, Severus." She loomed over him, making her expression severe with some difficulty. "You're all mine for the next twelve hours."
The effect was ruined when Snape flicked his wand, conjuring a pair of brightly-colored, crocheted slippers onto her feet. "You'll catch your death of cold, wandering around the dungeons barefoot," he smirked.
"Eew." Alex banished the slippers. "Next time I go into a trance, I'll be sure to keep my shoes on," she grumbled. Curling up on the couch beside Severus, she conjured a wineglass and watched him as he poured for her. His face had the taut, pinched look of exhaustion, its pallor accenting the dark bruises around his eyes. He'd bathed but obviously hadn't bothered to do anything about his broken nose. That's not going to heal straight, Alex thought to herself. At least it wasn't too bad of a break. There were more bruises visible on his torso. Couple of fractured ribs ? she wondered. "Severus, we need to talk."
"We need to talk ?" Severus repeated in mock horror. He rolled his eyes. "Four of the most terrifying words a woman can say. Why don't you just crucio me ?"
"Aw, quit your whining. Listen, what the hell happened at the meeting ? Who beat you up ? Does the other guy at least look as bad as you do ?" Severus chuckled at the last question. He drained his wine glass and reached to pour another.
"Lucius Malfoy," he said after taking a sip of wine, "is beginning to chafe under the yoke of our Dark Lord - this endless obsession He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has with young Potter. Chasing after a schoolboy bears slight resemblance to the fantasies of ruling the world that we all bought into so long ago. Being constantly thwarted at every turn, and by a mere child..." With this last statement Snape's voice revealed a touch of frustration of his own. "Malfoy wants to overthrow the Dark Lord," he said bluntly. Alex's eyes widened. Severus shrugged. "It's been sixteen long years since we've seen a significant victory for the cause. Shall we say that Lucius' patience is running out ?"
"I can't imagine Lucius Malfoy siding with Dumbledore," Alex murmured. She gave the potions master a reproachful look as he burst out laughing.
"That must be the famous American optimism at work." Severus winced slightly. "Ow, that hurts my ribs. Really, Alex, your naivete is just priceless," he added.
"I said it was hard to imagine," Alex said, annoyed.
"Lucius Malfoy will turn to the light the day after I dress up as Father Christmas and distribute gifts to the patients in the pediatric ward at St. Mungo's," Snape assured her. "In other words, two days after hell freezes over."
It was Alex's turn to laugh. "Now there's a mental picture I could live without," she giggled. "You playing Santa Claus. Gods, you'd scare the poor sick kids to death."
"Lucius will have to draw his allies from among the Death Eaters," Severus went on. "He took me aside at that dinner party you were unable to attend and dropped... subtle hints."
"I'll bet they were subtle. How'd you respond ?"
Severus rolled his eyes. "I led him on, giving the impression that I would support him if he moved against the Dark Lord, but saying nothing that could incriminate me, naturally."
Alex summoned the wine bottle and poured herself another glass. Gods, I can imagine that conversation. She pictured Severus and Malfoy trading carefully chosen words, each seeking an opening, a weakness to exploit. Ugh. "Malfoy's plan sounds nearly impossible," she remarked. "None of you can trust one another enough to form an alliance. At the first opportunity to suck up to Voldemort, anyone Lucius had managed to recruit would rat him out."
"Which is exactly what happened last night." Snape's eyes gleamed. "Dolohov betrayed Malfoy, or tried to. If Lucius could trust anyone, it would be Antonin Dolohov. But Dolohov was the one who'd recruited Nicholas Quid, you see. He turned on Lucius to try and save his own hide." Severus paused. "Of course there was nothing solid to implicate Lucius Malfoy, he's far too clever for that. And the Dark Lord didn't believe the accusations anyway," he continued thoughtfully after a moment. "Lucius has always been the Dark Lord's right-hand man. It's as though he can do no wrong." The potions master's dark eyes were bewildered.
"He has charisma, Severus," Alex replied. "Lucius Malfoy is Voldemort's fair-haired boy. Literally." Snape snorted dismissively. Popularity is something he's never experienced, Alex reminded herself, and try as he might, he'll never understand it. Severus is just one of those people who never fit in, never belong, only watch from outside. She felt a rush of sympathy, but didn't let it show. Well, spying is a good calling for him, anyway. Alex changed the subject. "So what happened then ? Looks like a brawl broke out."
Severus looked sidelong at her, his pensive expression changing to a grin. "Correct. The Dark Lord has always fostered an atmosphere of hatred and paranoia, even among his followers," he told her. "That seething cauldron sometimes boils over. The Lestrange brothers and Bellatrix attacked Malfoy, and within moments, anyone with a grudge to settle or something to prove had leapt into the fray."
"You fought on Malfoy's side, I take it ?" Snape nodded. Alex sipped her wine, frowning. They watched in silence as a log in the fireplace collapsed into embers, sending sparks up the chimney. "And if Malfoy does manage to stage a coup ?" she asked finally.
"That would be highly unlikely. The Lestranges will never turn against the Dark Lord."
"How do Bellatrix and the Lestrange brothers figure into last night's attack on Lupin and me ?"
Severus shook his head. "I don't know yet. You've obviously become a target. So, from now on, you don't leave the safety of Hogwarts unless I'm with you."
"I can take care of myself. I don't need a babysitter," Alex retorted.
"You're going to have one, regardless," he replied implacably. "It can be Mad-Eye Moody, if you'd prefer." The little witch snorted indignantly. "I mean it, Alex. You don't step one foot off of the grounds without a guard."
Alex started to continue the argument, then changed her mind, and the subject, abruptly. "You have no intention of telling any of the Order about Malfoy's plans, not even Dumbledore," she said shrewdly. "You say it's unlikely Voldemort could be overthrown, but if he ever was, you'd be second in command. Lucius Malfoy's right-hand man."
"Yes. And if I was, I'd be in an even better position to help the Order," Severus replied, meeting her gaze.
"So why the secrecy ?" He didn't answer, just looked back at her challengingly. She answered her own question. "You've always withheld information from Dumbledore, haven't you ?"
"No, not always. Just since the Dark Lord's return. I will not be a pawn, Alex. Not anymore." His eyes were fierce.
Alex wanted to hug him tightly, but mindful of his cracked ribs, settled for leaning against him with her head on his shoulder. "You're playing a very dangerous game, Severus."
"But I'm playing by my rules," he replied.
Alex yawned. Her mind had finally stopped treading over the details of the kidnapping attempt and she had begun to feel drowsy. "Scoot over," she ordered. Severus shifted so they could lie on the couch side by side. Alex tucked her wand under one of the sofa cushions, within easy reach, then wrapped her arms around him. He stroked her hair. "Narcissa Malfoy," Alex murmured.
"What about her ?"
"How do you think she feels about Lucius' plan ? Isn't Bellatrix Lestrange her sister ?"
"Narcissa hasn't seen her sister in years. She didn't visit her in Azkaban; the Malfoys distanced themselves from convicted Death Eaters. I don't think the two were ever close. Anyway, Narcissa has dedicated her life to advancing Lucius' career," Severus said sleepily, "you know the type, the devoted wife, the perfect hostess. A beautiful ornament on Lucius' arm."
Alex felt an odd little twinge of jealousy. "I know the type. Would that be your type, Severus ?"
"Perhaps." She felt a soft laugh rumble up through his chest. "No. I think I'd get bored. Narcissa is entirely too trusting," he added. "She seems to believe everything Lucius tells her."
Whoa. Is that a warning ? "I trust you, Severus," Alex said.
"As far as you can throw me," he chuckled. He conjured a blanket and spread it over them, carefully placing his wand on the side table. He pulled Alex close.
"Yeah. But I can throw you pretty far," she reminded him, stifling a yawn. "Remember when I disarmed you ? That was a good fifteen, maybe twenty feet."
"Point taken."