Chapter 37: A Good Puzzle
"Where are you rushing off to?"
Severus stopped, his hand on the handle of the front door. His mother wasn't usually interested in where he went or what he did. Especially not since Sabine was born. He looked over his shoulder at her: she stood in the doorway to the kitchen, his sister balanced on her hip. Sabine locked eyes with him and a chill ran down his spine. He wished he knew why she stared at him all the time.
"Lily's." He pulled open the door, letting out a grunt of annoyance when she spoke again.
"Not just yet. I feel as though I haven't seen you since you got back. You can spare five minutes for your own mother, can't you?"
His hand tightened around the doorknob. Why did she suddenly care about spending time with him?
"I promised Lily I'd be over this morning."
"You can go over after we talk. Shut the door, sweetheart."
Sweetheart? She hadn't called him that in years. He frowned but let the door fall shut and turned to face her, arms crossed over his chest. "What do you want?"
"There's no need to be rude. Come in and sit with us." She sat on the couch and set Sabine on the floor.
Severus sat on the opposite end of the couch, perched on the edge of the cushion. "I really did tell Lily I'd be over early."
"She's nice, that Evans girl."
"All the Evanses are nice. Well, except Petunia."
His mother nodded absently, staring down at Sabine with an indulgent half-smile on her face. Sabine pulled herself up next to the couch and began to take teetering steps toward Severus. He straightened, annoyed, and was about to leave when his mother finally responded.
"I know things aren't easy for you, darling."
Darling? What the hell is going on? She'd barely spoken to him over the past two years, let alone used terms of endearment. "If you're going to make excuses again—"
"No. No excuses." Her voice was quiet, the soft smile plastered on her face as she watched Sabine. Finally, she brought her gaze to Severus's. "I'd like you to spend more time at home, with your family."
He snorted. "No, thanks."
"I understand," she said, "your not wanting to be here with me. But your brother misses you. He needs you. And your sister—"
"Doesn't need me," Severus said. "She's got her own protection."
His mother frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, come on. You know as well as I do, probably better, actually. Luminis Praesidium."
Her face froze, eyes darting to Sabine. "What—how—who told you that?"
"I've seen it."
"Nonsense."
"You can't tell me you didn't know. Steven's seen it, too. It had to have happened when you were around."
"Luminis Praesidium is theoretical at best. You must have imagined it, dear."
"And Steven? He wrote to me before Christmas, describing it. You have to know something about it. How she's got it and Steven and I don't."
"I've taken up so much time, and you wanted to get over to the Evanses. Go ahead, dear." She stood, but Severus had no intention of letting her off the hook.
"You turned away every time he hurt us." Severus's voice was barely a whisper, his hands clenched at his sides as he stood to face her. He'd grown several inches over the term and was nearly eye-level with her now. "And then she came, and he left. Because she's got this gift that won't let him touch her. Why?"
"I've told you, dear—"
"I'm not imagining it!" Severus's voice rang off the walls.
Sabine halted in her toddling around the room, and he felt her eyes on him again.
"You know what's going on," he said. "You have to."
"Do not raise your voice to me in my own home. I don't have the answers you want, Severus. I never do."
"Liar!"
It was so quick, so unexpected, that for a moment, Severus didn't know what had happened. But the sting in his cheek and his mother's hand, hovering uncertainly in the air in front of her, her eyes wide, made things crystal clear. On the floor, Sabine began to cry.
"Severus, sweetheart—"
Severus didn't wait to hear more excuses. He spun around and wrenched the front door open, practically running to Lily's house.
His mother had never as much as raised her voice to him before. Was he really so awful that the only way his parents could deal with him was through violence?
"What happened?" Lily asked, the smile of greeting dying on her face when she opened the door.
"Severus, dear! Come in. Lunch is on the table." Rose's voice squashed any discussion Severus would have started, even if he'd wanted to talk about it.
He shook his head and went into the kitchen, scowling at the wide grin on Petunia's face when she saw him. Petunia being happy he was there couldn't mean anything good.
"Looks like you'll just have to find some other family who can stand you over the summer." Petunia sneered at Severus as she shoved food into her mouth.
"Petunia!" Lily shot Severus an apologetic glance. "Dad's company is sending us all to Spain for a holiday. I only found out this morning."
"When do you leave?"
"Friday. We'll be gone through the middle of August."
"That's the entire summer!"
"Well spotted," Petunia said.
"Shut up, Tuney! I'm sorry, Sev."
Severus' stomach roiled. She was abandoning him. But one look at her face—her eyes, pleading for forgiveness—made him feel guilty for the thought. "No, you should enjoy yourself," he said. "I expect I'll be at Lucius's soon anyway."
"I thought –" Lily looked over at Petunia, who was looking between them, her head tilted to hear better. "Let's go for a walk after lunch."
"You eat," Severus said. "I'm not very hungry. I'll wait outside."
"No, I'll come with you," Lily said, glowering at Petunia. She glanced over her shoulder as they went out the front door to make sure her sister hadn't followed them. "I didn't think you'd be visiting Lucius anymore, now he's graduated."
"Why should that matter?" Severus asked, ignoring the fact that he'd posited the same thought to Lucius after the Christmas holiday.
"Sev, he's five years older than us. Why–" She stopped, bit her lip, then began again. "If this weren't you and Lucius. If you were just hearing about it from someone else. Wouldn't you think it was weird, an eighteen-year-old wanting a thirteen-year-old hanging around all the time? It's just…strange." Her voice trailed off, as though she'd wanted to say something else.
Severus set his jaw. "You don't approve of Lucius. You never have, you never will. I don't like your other friends, either."
"You don't know my other friends," she said with an arched brow. "I'm the only student outside of Slytherin you even speak to, unless it's Potter and Black, and that's just to trade insults and hex them."
"Don't tell me you want me to be friends with Potter and Black?"
"Of course not!" She threw up her hands. "All I'm saying is be careful, okay? At least consider Lucius has an ulterior motive." When he didn't answer right away, she slipped her arm around his. "Let's not spend the rest of the week arguing about Lucius. How're things?"
Lily's eyes strayed to his house as he stiffened. He really didn't want to talk about what had happened, not even with Lily. What if she thought he'd deserved the slap? He shrugged in lieu of an answer.
She didn't press him. "Let's make the most out of our last full day of summer together. We can start off with a race down to the playground. Ready, set, go!"
Lily darted away.
"Cheat!" Severus shouted, tearing after her. His longer legs quickly made up for her head start, and he slammed his hand onto the swings, panting. Merlin, that had felt good.
Lily doubled over to catch her breath. "I guess cheaters don't ever win," she laughed. "I should have a head start by default with those stilts you have for legs."
"You had a head start. Didn't help." He grinned. "Just to prove the point, Let's race to the mill. You start at the edge of the playground, I'll start here."
"Ugh, no thanks. The mill smells worse the closer we get to it. Let's go down by the water."
They laid on the banks of the murky stream, feet pointed in different directions, heads beside each other, and stared up at the clouds.
"That one looks like a dragon," Lily said, pointing upward.
Severus didn't see it. "There's one that looks like Binns." He pointed out a rotund, wispy cloud.
Lily laughed. "It does!" She turned her head to his. "Sev, I'm sorry. About the trip, I mean."
He turned his head. "Don't be. I'd jump at the chance to get out of here for the summer."
"I wish you could come with us," she said.
Severus's heart skipped a beat. A summer spent with Lily without having to go back to his house every day? It sounded perfect. But they both knew it wasn't possible. So, he said what would give her the most peace of mind: "An entire summer holed up with Petunia? No, thanks."
The smile on her face countered the sinking feeling in his stomach. What was he going to do all summer?
#
Severus didn't allow himself to give in to his frustration until after he got home, just before dinner. Steven sat on the front step and bounded up when he saw his brother.
"Severus! Where have you been? I went over to Lily's, and Petunia said you were sulking. What does that mean? Is it bad? What happened?"
Severus closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. He'd forgotten how annoying the constant barrage of questions from his brother could be.
"None of your business," Severus said. He didn't want Steven to start tagging along with him and Lily, especially not when they only had one day before she left on her trip. And if he told Steven where they went, he had no doubt the pest would dog every step they took.
His tone didn't deter the younger boy. "Well, Petunia said they were going on holiday, did you know? On Friday. Does that mean you'll have time to teach me some of the spells you learned this year? Uncle Sebastian says you're almost top of your class. That's so great! And you have new classes next year, right? What did you pick? Is Lily in all the same ones?"
Severus ignored him and walked into the house, intending on shutting himself up in his room.
Sebastian called out from the sitting room as they passed. "Ah, boys. Good. Your mother had to go out, and she's asked me to see to your supper. I never was very good at cooking spells, so what do you say we grab a bite in Diagon Alley?"
Steven's face lit up. "Really? Can we go to Florean Fortescue's?"
Sebastian ruffled his hair. "Perhaps not for dinner, eh? But certainly afterward."
"Where's Mum?" Severus asked, his stomach in knots.
His uncle met his eyes, the indulgent smile for Steven still on his lips. "Out, as I said."
Did he know what had happened? Severus's cheek had stopped stinging, and he doubt she'd left a mark, or Lily would have said something. "Out where?"
Sebastian's eyes flashed with impatience. "I'm sure if it is vital that you know, she will tell you. I didn't ask. Come on, then. Severus, you go first." He nodded to the can of Floo powder on the mantel.
For a moment, Severus thought about refusing, just to make things a little more difficult for his uncle. And probably earn endless lectures the rest of the summer. He sniffed, then grabbed a pinch of powder and tossed it into the fireplace.
Steven barreled out of the Floo almost immediately after Severus landed in the Leaky Cauldron, coming so fast on Severus's heels that he bumped into him.
Severus let out a disgusted huff and shoved his brother away from him—just as their uncle emerged from the Floo. He scowled at Severus and helped Steven stand, shaking his head when Steven bounded through the door to Diagon Alley.
Sebastian kept pace with Severus, walking several steps behind Steven as he dashed from storefront to storefront, hands and face plastered against the glass.
"Racing brooms! Severus, are you going to try out for the Slytherin Quidditch team this year? I bet Uncle Sebastian would buy you one—ooh! Look at the new Falmouth Falcons robes!"
Sebastian chuckled, and Severus rolled his eyes. "There was a time you would have been that excited coming to Diagon Alley," Sebastian said.
"Not for Quidditch."
Sebastian laughed again. "No, I suppose not." He eyed Severus as they walked. "Is there anything you'd like to see while we're here?"
Severus's eyes fell on the apothecary's shop. Without thinking, he walked toward it. Sebastian held out a hand to stop him.
"What? You asked—"
"I try to avoid the apothecary before a meal," Sebastian said. "The smells don't agree with me. We'll look in on our way back."
Severus arched a brow and glanced back at the shop. Through the window, he could just make out a pair of bleached-blonde men at the counter.
"I'll go in without you, then," he said. "I can catch up—I need to re-stock some of my ingredients." He darted for the door.
Sebastian shouted after him, then cursed and raced in the opposite direction to keep up with Steven.
Abraxas and Lucius turned at the door's chime. Severus's breath caught at Abraxas's calculating gaze. He'd been eager to come in and speak to Lucius, but he hadn't counted on the fear creeping along his spine at being close to Abraxas again. It wasn't that long ago that he learned the man before him had orchestrated the murder of innocent people. Severus swallowed. He'd have to be careful around Lucius's father.
Lucius smirked. "I told you I saw him, Father."
"Yes, you did." Abraxas said. "Severus, it's nice to see you again. Here with your parents, are you?"
"My uncle." Severus looked over his shoulder toward the door.
"Ah." Abraxas's eyes shot to the door, then back to Severus. "Lucius and I were just talking about your coming to stay with us this summer. Perhaps for a longer visit than last year."
It was exactly what Severus had hoped for, but the invitation, issued in Abraxas's cold voice, made him want to shiver. Still, he said what was expected: "That would be wonderful, sir."
"Good. We'll send an owl in a day or two, work out the details," Abraxas said.
Again, his words brought no comfort, and Severus almost frowned. He wanted to spend the summer with Lucius, didn't he? But standing this close to Abraxas, knowing what he was capable of, made beads of sweat break out on Severus's forehead. "I'm looking forward to it, Mr. Malfoy."
Abraxas nodded at him and swept through the door.
Lucius followed, nudging Severus with his elbow. "I told you I wouldn't forget about you."
Without Abraxas looming over him, Severus was relaxed enough to grin after his friend, then grabbed the ingredients he needed and paid the man behind the counter. He was still grinning as he hurried out the door to catch up to his uncle and brother. Steven was easy to find—pressed against the glass at Eeylops' emporium, telling Sebastian which owl he'd pick if he were allowed one. Sebastian's attention was divided; his scanning eyes caught Severus several shops away and stayed on him until Severus was beside them.
"Get what you were after?" Sebastian asked, lips thinned.
Severus held up his purchases. "I told you I'd only be a minute."
"Next time, listen when I tell you to wait," Sebastian said. He wiped sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. "We're going to have to sit outside in this heat now—no one is going to want that lot stinking up their establishment."
Severus frowned and lifted the bag, giving it a tentative sniff. It wasn't that bad. Sure, the toad entrails could get a bit rank if you left them in the air, but everything was sealed and in a brown paper bag. He doubted anyone else would even smell it. His uncle just wanted to have something to disapprove of. Severus smirked, but said nothing. He'd rather be outside, anyway.
Twenty minutes later, he was almost regretting it. Even with the lengthening shadows of early evening, it was uncomfortably hot. Severus shifted in his chair but was determined not to give his uncle the satisfaction of seeing his discomfort. Sebastian had given Steven permission to stand against the side of the building, in the sliver of cooler air beneath an awning, until their food was brought out.
Severus cleared his throat. This was the first time his uncle had been alone with him for more than a minute since he'd gotten back from Hogwarts. "I came across some information this term, and I thought maybe you'd know more about it," he said, flicking his eyes between his uncle and his brother. Steven didn't need to hear this.
"Oh? I would think if it was academic, you'd have asked your professors."
"I did."
"And?"
"And they're not much help."
"You think I'd have more knowledge of a subject than the Hogwarts professors? I am flattered. What is it you believe I hold the answer to?"
"Luminis Praesidium."
Sebastian's face remained as impassive as ever, but his grip tightened around his glass. "Afraid I can't help you there, boy."
"Can't? Or won't?"
"May I ask how you stumbled across this information?"
"I was trying to find out what's happening with Sabine."
"Oh?" Sebastian raised a brow. "Concerned for her well-being, are you?"
"Of course I am. She's my sister."
"And you do everything in your power to avoid spending any time with her. She could just as well be a stranger."
"She's just a baby," Severus said. "It's not like she does anything interesting."
"Except have this gift," Sebastian said dryly. "And now she's a puzzle for you to solve, is that it?"
The words stung, but Severus ignored them as though they hadn't bothered him. "You know more about what's happening," Severus said. "I asked Melison—"
Sebastian's calm evaporated; his head snapped around to Severus. "What did he say?"
"Enough," Severus said, eyes narrowing, "to know that he's not telling me everything."
"And that led you to me, did it?" His tone was sharp, eyes piercing Severus's.
Severus met his gaze, a smirk curling his lips. Let Sebastian use his Legilimency all he wanted to; Melison had taught him well. And clearly there was more information to be had here. "Yes."
Sebastian sighed and leaned back in his chair. "It is a gift, Severus. If you're truly worried about your sister, don't be. There are no chinks in that protection."
"It was you," Severus said, blinking as he realized.
"What's that?"
"Melison said he'd known a man at school who became obsessed with it."
Sebastian's eyes hardened. "One of these days, that old fool is going to go too far."
"But why? Why were you looking into it then?"
Sebastian looked down at his glass, spinning it with his fingers. "I enjoy a good puzzle, too," he said.
Severus perched on the edge of his chair. "And what did you find out? What is it? Why did she get it when Steven and I didn't?"
Sebastian sighed again. "This desire to have all the answers, Severus—I speak from experience when I say it can have detrimental effects."
"I need to know that he can't get around it," Severus said. "That whatever he does, she'll be safe."
His uncle's eyes rose to his. "Perhaps you do care."
"I told you I do!"
"But not enough to stay at home and ensure her safety."
"That's why you're there, isn't it? Because there is a way around it, and you're afraid he'll figure it out?" Severus's blood turned to ice in his veins.
"There is so much you do not understand, boy."
"Then tell me!"
Sebastian eyed him, lips pressed thinly together. "Too much knowledge of this—it is dangerous. Your father might attempt to get information from you, should he think you have any to give."
Severus scoffed. "He's never around anymore. Steven said he hasn't been back in months. I need to know, Uncle Sebastian. Why her? Why did it all stop when she arrived?"
His uncle's gaze went to Severus's hands. They'd balled up subconsciously. He unclenched them, but the feeling remained—irritation. Frustration. Pain.
"Because he has something else to focus all of his rage on," Sebastian said quietly. "A puzzle."
A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting! But thanks to my beta to2llyuntraceable, who keeps prodding me to dig deeper.