Chapter 35

"I think it's strange that Arian never mentioned to me that he knew Rougier," I said to Severus, as we were eating breakfast on Easter Sunday.

Severus had just finished lamenting that Dumbledore would never understand that he did not have a preference for chocolate stars. I had given Severus dark chocolate again, and he had given me a box of eggs that could change flavour in my mouth. Neither of us ventured to say that there was a chance there'd be no more chocolate stars anyway. It was too painful to think that the leader of our war might not be around next Easter.

"He told me that he had an apprenticeship in Lyon," I continued, picking up a piece of toast, "but didn't mention that it was under Rougier's brother."

"I don't suppose he had any reason to mention it," Severus said, pouring coffee. "To what advantage would it be?"

I thought for a moment. "Just finding a connection, I think. He knew I had a governess because he saw her at Father's party. Why not acknowledge the connection?"

"Perhaps he has since found out your unfavourable opinion of Rougier and didn't want you to know he answers to her brother." Severus looked unconcerned. "He could have a dozen motives, Armilla."

"And she's busy," I said, more to myself.

Severus nodded. "That's what I'm more interested in. She married our father, became pregnant, then had a role in killing Father-"

"Allegedly," I reminded him, though I had no doubt.

He sneered. "She allegedly had a role in killing Father." His pronunciation of the word was laced with malicious sarcasm. "She didn't receive the money she thought she was entitled to in his will and has since been busy."

"And it was at Christmas time that Arian mentioned that Marcel Rougier was having financial troubles," I said thoughtfully. "And that his sister was busy helping him."

Severus scowl deepened. "Perhaps it was when she married Father. She would have conceived some time afterwards, clearly part of the plan."

I nodded, growing more agitated. "And then Father died in early February."

"I shall have to do some investigation on Marcel Rougier," Severus said grimly.

"Arian," I said suddenly.

Severus frowned, looking askance at me.

"Do you think he's been wanting to go out with me because of some obligation to the Rougiers?"

Severus paused, his coffee cup raised. As he considered, he put his cup down again. "There could very well be a connection," he said finally, "but I would jump to no conclusion about his motives. Arian Bletchley can be as cunning as he likes. He may not have been acting on the orders of the Rougiers, apprentice or not. It could well be that Arian is working against them."

Now I was completed diverted. "How?"

Severus shook his head. "It's just speculation, Armilla. The Bletchley family is an old one, but not a financially secure one. He could be trying to beat Rougier at her own game."

"Money?" I had understood that Arian's motive had primarily been a pureblood connection.

Severus inclined his head. "In marrying you, Arian would have access to an estate that Rougier would love to get her hands on. The birth of your first child would push certainly push Rougier's child further down the inheritance list."

I shuddered, disgusted by the thought. I didn't like the fact that Rougier's child would be inline to inherit the Snape Estate. What's more, the thought of Arian having the inclination to reduce the chance of that inheritance through his own greed was repulsive. I suddenly had a vision of walking about Snape Manor with George, the war over and the world happy. I couldn't suppress a small smile when I imagined my own small children attempting to have Severus play games with them.

"Your smile in response to such a scheme alarms me," Severus said, breaking me out of my reverie.

"Oh-" I said, hoping I wasn't blushing. "No, I am repulsed by the thought…I was just thinking of something else."

Severus was watching me, suspicious clear in his eyes. "I see," he said, though his face told me he clearly didn't.

A loud hoot made us both start and a large speckled out soared into the room a moment later. It landed smoothly next to my plate and obediently held out its leg, which had a large box attached. After I had performed the necessary security charms Severus had taught me, I detached the box. The owl picked up one of Docky's bunny shaped waffles and immediately took off.

"You're welcome to the rest of them," Severus called after him. "They're positively vile."

"Did you try one then?" I said, smiling over at him as I tore off the paper the box was wrapped in.

Severus narrowed his eyes at me. "No, of course not."

My heart fluttered a little when I saw the Weasleys Wizard Wheezes logo on the front of the box. George wouldn't have sent anything that would make our relationship known, but I was hoping that there'd be a letter inside, concealed somehow.

"Speak of the devil," said Severus, when he saw the logo.

I frowned at him. "What do you mean? We weren't just speaking about Fred and George."

"No, just thinking about them," he said cryptically.

"But we-"

Severus waved a hand towards the box. "Just open it, Armilla," he said, impatiently.

Feeling rather self-conscious all of a sudden, I opened the box and tipped its contents onto the table. A large, purple covered Easter egg rolled out, followed by a folded bit of parchment.

I picked up the egg and read the label. "The Tongue Print Security Egg," I read. "An egg unbreakable to all those to whom it does not belong. So hands off, foul fiends!"

Severus rolled his eyes. "Genius."

I picked up the parchment, hesitating. Severus generally didn't ask to read my correspondence, but there was still a hint of suspicion in his expression. Maybe it was because his eyes seemed to be following my every move. If I didn't open the parchment, it would be obvious that I was concealing something.

Resigned, I reached out and unfolded the parchment, almost certain that George wouldn't write anything that would give us away.

Dear Armilla,

Happy Easter! As you know, we like to send out well wishing treats to those we greatly esteem. Enjoy this marvellous new product of ours. Remember to treat it carefully.

Yours in jokes and all that is ridiculous,

Fred and George Weasley

Treat it carefully? I could only imagine that George had concealed something inside the egg. I smiled at the strange thought of my tongue print opening the egg. How absurd and yet how awfully useful!

"It's a new product of theirs," I said, folding the parchment again.

"And I'm sure it's a clever one too," said Severus, standing up. He picked up his coffee cup and swept past me.

"Clever?" I repeated, looking up at him. He stopped and turned around, before stepping back towards me. "What do you-"

"Only that it might be deceptively filled with something more inside," he replied indifferently, "…more chocolate perhaps...or something even better." He bent down, kissed the top of my head, and then turned and left the room without another word.

I stared after him, feeling stricken.

000

"I couldn't tell you!" I announced, standing in the doorway to Severus' bedroom that evening. "You laughed!"

The day had worn on and Severus had made no more cryptic remarks alluding to George Weasley, but I had become far more on edge. It didn't help that George's letter, a nice long one that had been concealed within the egg, had also carried a request to inform Severus of the relationship. It seemed that George was feeling guilty, seeing as Severus' knowledge of useful potions ingredients had helped the business to become what it was.

We had just returned from a nice evening flying over the grounds of the Merrigan Estate, except that I hadn't enjoyed it as much as I'd have liked to. It was funny how heavy a nagging mind could be, even on a broomstick.

Severus, who had been taking his cloak off, paused, looking startled.

"You laughed!" I exclaimed. "I couldn't tell you! How could I? You laughed!"

Severus threw his cloak aside, sat down on his bed and fixed me with a look that plainly told me he was questioning my sanity. "I have the impression you are trying to be candid about something, Armilla, but I fail to make a connection with what you're talking about. Though I could probably count on one hand all the times I have laughed within the past year or so, it could take some time to recall the occasions. I must ask you to be a little more explicit."

"Alonso Hewitt!" I said crossly. "His letter! You laughed!"

Comprehension seemed to dawn on Severus' face. He considered me for a moment. "At the time," he said slowly, "I found the letter, and the hints it gave, exceedingly amusing."

"At the time?" I repeated. Did that mean he didn't find it funny now?

Severus gave me a hard look. "Is there something you'd like to tell me, Armilla?"

I didn't answer at first. My mind was too busy creating possible reactions on Severus' part.

"Armilla?" my brother said again. "For Merlin's sake, stop lingering in the doorway and sit down." He gestured towards the space on the bed next to him.

Slowly, I moved further into the room and sat down beside him. After a moment's pause, I met his gaze. "I'm worried you'll do something worse than laugh this time."

His eyes narrowed. "Like what?"

"Like telling me that you would never support such a thing because you don't like him or the risk that's involved."

"Like him?" Severus repeated. "And which red-headed him are we talking of?"

"George," I said quietly.

Severus didn't say anything. He looked away for a moment, his expression vacant. I couldn't tell if he was angry or not.

"How long have you liked him?" he asked finally, turning back to face me.

"Months, I think," I answered. "It was gradual…I didn't realise."

Severus' vacant expression didn't change. "And how long have you acknowledged a relationship with him?"

"About five weeks." When he didn't say anything else, I went on. "Only Ginny knows, and Fred, I think. We very rarely communicate because of the risk."

Still, he didn't say anything. Finally, after what seemed ages, he spoke. "Well, this is some news." He gave me a knowing look. "Though I must confess it's not entirely unexpected."

"I've been wanting to tell you!" I said, perhaps a little too expressively. "I just-"

"Knew not how?" Severus offered, raising an eyebrow.

I nodded. "You said that the Weasleys would never want to align themselves with a family like ours."

Severus gave me a deadpan look. "Even I can be wrong on occasion Armilla. That said, you have yet to see the reaction of Mr and Mrs Weasley. I have it on good authority that Molly Weasley is less than pleased about her eldest son's engagement to Fleur Delacour. You never know, you might become the favourite."

At the moment I didn't care about any of that. "Are you okay with it though?"

Severus looked thoughtful. "I do not believe I would be okay with anyone you dated."

I looked away. "Oh good."

"However," he went on, "this is entirely your decision. I am, as I've stated to you in the past, concerned about exposure and the risks you will face if you are found out." He looked curiously at me. "I do hope it will remain a secret for now. You do know how quickly information like this would make its way into Death Eater circles?"

I nodded. "I don't want the risk to be greater than it currently is."

"Good. How have you been conversing?"

"Through Ginny Weasley. It's been difficult to disguise our correspondence, but we've managed. It's rare I can slip her a letter though."

"Nevertheless, it's probably best if you aren't seen doing it too often," Severus remarked.

"And what about my choice?" I asked.

"Your choice?"

"A Weasley." Severus had always made his preference clear, but he'd always had some underlying respect for the Weasley twins.

Severus shook his head. "I don't like it, but I suppose that doesn't matter."

"It matters to me though," I said earnestly. "It's important to me that you should think well of him."

Severus stood up. "George Weasley, I suppose, is not the worst young man in the world, but once his family is added to the array, you're going to give me one giant headache just thinking about it."

I stood up and placed my arms around him. He hugged me back, though he looked rather disgruntled.

"I thought you'd get really mad."

"Oh, I am definitely put out," he said seriously. "I have Mother's voice rejoicing in my head at the moment, coupled with Father's mortification. It's quite a combination to be getting on with." He sighed. "Does it have to be a Weasley? I am starting to regret giving you permission to date."

We broke apart and I looked back at him, taking in his disgruntled expression. "You cannot always help who you like."

Severus' face darkened and he looked away.

I stood on tiptoe to kiss him goodnight. I was not sure whether I felt that much better. I had honestly been expecting more of a temper. I headed for the door, but turned around when Severus spoke again.

"A Weasley? You're certain about this?"

"Yes," I said earnestly.

He sneered. "I do hope you can tell them apart."

"Severus."

000

Making the decision not to seek Merle out when I went back to school was an exceptionally difficult one. I didn't want to keep collapsing in random parts of the castle, only to come off worse than I'd been before. I could only imagine that as I experimented with getting my magic back, the person behind the curse was likewise experimenting with making it stronger and more threatening than before.

Still, I had to be careful when I was alone in the castle, as the caster generally used this to the best advantage. I didn't like the idea of always depending on someone to accompany me around the castle either. In the end, I thought I would carry on as normal, going around the castle with friends, Severus, or if necessary, by myself. If Merle came, I would do my best to handle it.

Severus didn't say a lot about my decision when I confided in him in the carriage on the way back to the castle after Easter.

"As long as you avoid be alone whenever you can," he said, glancing over at me. "If there comes a point where your magic is becoming too erratic, I will certainly insist on having you be accompanied by someone wherever you go. Just be careful. Like I've told you before, if you to do happen to come across Merle, move as quickly as you can to a place where you're likely to find other people."

"Okay."

"And," Severus went on, fixing me with a hard look, "I would appreciate knowing about Merle's appearance every time they happen."

I had the grace to look a little guilty at that. "I will," I promised. I still hadn't told him about the curse that was making me collapse. I knew he would forbid me to be alone again.

"Have you told Mr Weasley about this problem?"

I shook my head. "No…should I?"

"I think it's advisable to avoid putting such a thing in writing, no matter how advanced your concealments are."

"Okay."

"And if possible, try to avoid having Potter be that someone who accompanies you."

I looked back at Severus, feeling annoyed. "I've never asked him to accompany me."

"I didn't say you had, but I'd rather not give Miss Parkes more reason to gossip. Even the Slytherins seem to enjoy her antics."

"She used to be much nicer," I said grumpily, staring back out the window.

Several weeks went by, quite uneventfully. I had tried to avoid being alone as much as possible. I had a slip up on the Saturday evening first week in May when I was waiting for Lisa outside the girls' bathroom on the third floor. As had happened once before, I had fallen to the ground, unable to move and had to virtually plead with my emerald to defend me. It seemed to be so confused by Merle. All I had seen were green beams of different tones, caught in mid air.

The episode had only ended with Lisa emerging from the bathroom. I had gotten up, feeling a little battered, especially around the right side of my face, which had hit the wall, and a grazed elbow. I staggered a little in pain when I took a step.

"Damn!" I had twisted my ankle in the fall. Severus was going to be furious. I could hear him now pointing out how all this could have been avoided. The truth was, I hadn't been thinking as I'd stepped out of the bathroom. I'd walked out to wait out of habit more than anything else.

"Can you walk?" Lisa asked. "He'll blame me too for this you know."

I gingerly put a foot out and hissed in pain. Excellent. Just what I needed.

"Anyway we can get out of this by not telling your brother?" Lisa asked drily.

"He doesn't like me going to Madam Pomfrey," I said quietly, leaning against the wall. "He'd rather handle injuries himself."

"Sounds like a control freak to me," said Lisa, smirking at me.

"Now's not the time, Lisa," I groaned. Honestly, there was the pot calling the cauldron black.

"I was complimenting him!" she said indignantly.

"And he's right nearby," said a voice behind us.

"Harry!" I exclaimed, feeling really annoyed to see him. "Why is it that you keep showing up whenever-"

"Whenever what, Armilla?" Harry was busy stuffing a piece of parchment into his pocket. "There are people about you know, you might want to keep your voice down."

"Snape's nearby?" Lisa asked, looking nervous.

"He was walking down a hall not far from here." Harry jerked his head in the other direction from where he'd come.

"How do you know that?" I asked suspiciously. "You just came from the other direction."

Harry folded his arms. "I'll answer that when you tell me what just happened."

"Nothing happened," I said shortly. "I am more curious about why you keep showing up when this happens."

"That's certainly a good question," came a silky voice. We all turned in alarm to see Severus striding up the corridor towards us.

He paused next to me and looked closely at my face, clearly taking in the lump that must have been forming there where it had been hit.

"I'd appreciate an answer, Potter," Severus all but growled, turning to face Harry. "This is the second time now you and Armilla have supposedly run into each other in the evening. You must have some motive, I assume?"

"I can't tell you," Harry said stiffly.

Severus raised an eyebrow. "And why not?"

Harry looked over at me.

"If it's to protect Armilla, Potter, then I'd advise against it." The glare Severus was giving to Harry was suddenly transferred to me. "Armilla knows that I permit nothing but honesty. She knows better than to fabricate the truth." He eyes were fixed on mine. "Don't you, Armilla?"

"Yes," I said as smoothly as I could muster. I was quite sure that I sounded more confident in my head.

"Well, Potter?" Severus demanded.

Harry looked over at me, looking a little incensed. What had I done to him?

"Sorry, Armilla," he said, "but I did say I'd tell the next time I found you."

I glared at him. "He already knows."

Harry glared back at me. "You've told him that you collapse in random places around the school?"

Lisa covered her eyes with her hand, groaning. Clearly, she was expecting someone to snap any moment.

Severus looked from Harry to me, his expression stony. "Collapsing, Armilla? That was a little detail you were conveniently leaving out."

I didn't look at Severus. I was too busy glaring at Harry. Harry was returning the look without the guilt I wanted him to feel.

Severus looked over at Lisa. "There's four minutes until curfew, Miss Turpin. You are excused."

Lisa didn't need telling twice. She fled the hall and was gone in seconds.

"My office," Severus said abruptly, glaring at the two of us. "Now."

He turned and began to walk down the hall. Harry began to follow, but both turned a moment later when they realised that I wasn't following them.

"Need I extend a personal invitation, Armilla?"

I shook my head and took a step, hoping my ankle had miraculously healed itself in the past few minutes. I gritted my teeth with the pain the step caused.

"Now would probably be an acceptable time to tell me that you've injured yourself," Severus snapped, striding back up the corridor.

"Fine," I snapped back, angry tears springing to my eyes. "I've injured myself and it wasn't on purpose!"

Severus glared at me. Harry was watching our exchange with a look of trepidation on his face. Perhaps the guilt was coming after all.

"Sit down," Severus ordered, taking my hand to help me sit. He bent down and pulled my shoe and sock off. I gasped as he felt my ankle, which was already started to swell.

Severus sighed as he stood up. "I'll conjure you a stretcher."

"No," I said quickly, feeling embarrassed that Harry was witnessing the scene.

Severus looked annoyed. "The alternative is to have me carry you."

"No!" I exclaimed, mortified. "I'll try to walk."

"Don't be ridiculous." He took out his wand and conjured a stretcher. After pocketing it away, he reached down and lifted me onto it. "It's only a short ride. I'll cast invisibility charms over you and cast wards to have people avoid our path."

"You can do that?" Harry, who seemed to forget that he was talking to his least favourite teacher, looked impressed despite himself.

"Perform simple magic, Potter?" my brother drawled. "Why, yes, I can."

Harry glared at him and muttered something indistinct under his breath.

Severus, who had his wand trained on the stretcher, turned to look at Harry. "Ten points from Gryffindor for assuming that my hearing is less than perfect, Potter."

Harry opened his mouth and then closed it again, clearly choosing to adopt the self-control he'd been learning from Severus since last summer. Severus never lost a chance to test him.

The trip to Severus' office only took a few minutes, thankfully, and before long we were inside the cold room with the door shut behind us. As soon as I was able to, I hopped onto one of the chairs in front of Severus' desk.

Severus immediately conjured two icepacks. "Here," he said, holding it one out to me. "Keep it pressed on the lump for the next half hour. I will give you a bruise salve to put on it after that.

"Thanks," I muttered, accepting it from him.

"Put your foot up here," he said, moving a chair nearby. As I did so, he put the other icepack over my swelling ankle. He moved to sit behind his desk. "How many times have you concealed such injuries? By the way Potter puts it, this is not an infrequent occurrence."

"It's not really a frequent one," I said angrily, looking from Severus to Harry, who was looking uncomfortable. "I've told you when it has happened."

"You haven't told me much about collapsing!" Severus snapped. "I would most certainly have liked to be kept informed about that."

"That has only been a recent development," I said heatedly. "You know I've been careful since the last couple of times."

"Careful of what exactly?" Harry interrupted.

"It's not your concern, Potter!" Severus said irritably.

"Yes, it is!" Harry exclaimed. "Something's been happening to Armilla and I know it's having an effect in our Defence classes."

"What I would like to know, Potter," Severus said, his waspish tone quiet, "is why you do keep making an appearance when Armilla collapses."

"I don't know that it's every time," Harry said defensively.

"Sir," Severus growled.

Harry glared at him. "Sir," he said sourly. "I've had a few evening meetings with Professor Dumbledore and had run into Armilla after a couple of them. It's not hard when you hear the screams."

At this, Severus glared at me. He knew that Merle screamed every time I managed to break the sheen to get my magic back.

"And what have you seen, Potter?"

Harry paused a moment before answering. "Nothing really…sir."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Care to be a little more explicit?"

Harry shrugged. "I generally see Armilla getting up and that's about it."

Severus nodded. "Injured?"

Harry looked at me before looking back at Severus. "A little. Slughorn healed her on Ron's birthday."

"I see," Severus said, resting his chin on his interlaced fingers. "Neither informed me about that."

"Well, Ron's poisoning was probably a bit of a distraction," I said bitterly, looking away from both of them.

"Thank you, Mr Potter," said Severus, standing up. "I am sure it goes without saying that you will not speak of this incident to anyone, unless you wish to suffer my displeasure."

Harry nodded. He looked over at me, finally looking a little guilty. "I'm sorry, Armilla, but I did say I would tell the next time. You were in danger."

"Very noble," I said evenly, looking back at him.

"Be off with you, Potter," Severus said, waving his wand to open the door. "And mind what I said."

Harry left the room without another word.

Severus closed the door with another flick of his wand. He turned back to me, his face showing suppressed fury. "You and I, my dear," he said, sitting down next to me, "have a few things to discuss."

000

A/N Just a small chapter for the time being – I thought it was better than nothing. I'm hoping the next chapter will be out very soon, especially seeing as the end of the story is near. Thank you to those reviewers who have been encouraging me to keep writing, despite knowing that I cannot update frequently.