Book 2: Chapter 29
"Albus, may Amelia and I take a short holiday this weekend?" Severus asked blandly, that night at dinner.
Amelia stifled a smile as she glanced from her husband to Albus and then back. Minerva, who was sitting beside Albus, suddenly studied them intently.
Albus dabbed his cheek with a napkin. "Why? You were gone for nearly a year."
"Oh, just for a…change of scenery. You know…a honeymoon. Amelia and I never had a honeymoon."
Albus shrugged and helped himself to more lamb stew. "You're on a constant honeymoon. It's rather unsettling."
"Well, we…need a bit of time away from the baby."
"That's ridiculous. He's always with those snakes. And how will he eat?"
Happily, Amelia pulled a breast pump out of her handbag and smiled. "I'm a walking dairy farm. I can pump enough milk to feed this entire hall."
Choking on his biscuit, Albus nodded.
"Where were you planning on going?" he inquired.
"Oh, you know. London, Stratford…Azkaban," Snape murmured.
"Excuse me? The third destination again, please?"
"Didn't I say Stratford?" Snape attempted.
"No. I think Stratford came second."
"I miss Lucius. I want to visit him. Narcissa says he's lonely."
"No."
"Amelia wants to see what all the fuss is about?" he attempted.
"Out of the question. Stop wheedling. You're sounding more like your wife every day. No offense, Amelia."
Snape leaned forward in desperation. "Headmaster, whoever is doing this, I believe, has a link to Amelia's father."
"How can you be so sure?" Minerva asked, intruding into the conversation from Albus' left. "Her father hasn't been in contact with me at all. And Draco did the food poisoning. He's most likely at the bottom of all this."
"Draco is still living in a box," Snape reminded her. "He's not masterminding anything. But Narcissa told me that Lucius may know something."
Minerva bristled. "I…do need to get out there, it's true. I've been a bit busy. Narcissa and I just can't seem to coordinate our schedules."
"Interesting." Snape smiled frigidly.
"Azkaban is forbidden," Albus said.
"No, it's not. Visiting hours are Saturdays, two to four."
"Nothing has happened to warrant such a risky trip."
"Nothing?" Snape remarked. "Poisonings? Yellow rooms? Those turtle sweets?"
"Those sweets were fine," Albus said. "Quite good, really."
"They were meant for my wife. They probably would have killed her if she'd eaten one."
"You're getting as melodramatic as Amel…I mean…a bad actor."
Snape's mouth dropped.
"No honeymoon trips' to Azkaban."
"But Amelia can withstand the Dementors. And with the marriage bond, I should be fine."
"No."
Minerva pressed her lips firmly together, but said nothing.
"So, we'll wait like sitting ducks until this invader traps us for good? Kills us? Kidnaps my son?"
Albus sighed. "Severus, things aren't so dire. Concentrate on getting well. A yellow room…it could be Amelia's imagination. It's all coincidence. You're safest here."
Severus' hands were shaking with rage and he caught Minerva's eye. She glanced away.
"Is that what you want?" he hissed. "You're niece and grandnephew…just waiting for whomever this is? Waiting for it to get worse and worse?"
Minerva swallowed a healthy gulp of wine and refused to reply.
--
A soft knock sounded at Snape's office, late, late that night. Opening it, Severus held up a candle to see Minerva's shadowy face.
"Yes?" he asked gloomily.
"Here." She thrust two black tickets into his hand. "Dress warm. I'll watch the baby."
His face lit up and he eagerly took the tickets.
"Thank you, Minerva. Thank you."
She stepped back into the darkness. "There's only one ferry a week. Friday night. Be on it."
He nodded darkly.
"Take the Express to London. At midnight, the convict train comes. A secure compartment has been reserved for you. Once you're to the harbor, they'll direct you. I'll cover your classes if you mix me a polyjuice potion."
He smiled and kissed her hand. "I love you, auntie."
Her eyes snapped shut as if he'd shocked her. "Please…please don't say that."
He nodded obediently, trying not to laugh. Turning to leave, she looked back briefly.
"Hold onto her hand at all times. All times."
"Of course. I owe you my life."
"I may collect one day. Just…try to get to the bottom of all this. She's been through enough."
Before he could respond at all, she was gone.
