Blooming Flowers
Welcome Back
"We're buying all your children new shit for school, and nothing you say or do will stop us."
Arthur and Molly stared at her, their brains unable to process the fact that Lady Malfoy had just said "shit". Standing beside his wife, Lucius looked very much pleased.
"Erm, that's very kind of you, Narcissa," Arthur started slowly, "but there is no need for you—"
"Your son is using an old wand," Lucius spoke up, "which you and I know can cause problems academically, and is potentially very dangerous."
"And of course there is a need for us to do this," Narcissa huffed, "your children are our children—"
"When did this happen?!" This came from Severus, standing a little ways away with the waiting children, and a disguised Voldemort.
"No one is talking to you!" Narcissa called back.
Arthur and Molly were very much confused. Apparently nearly two months was not enough to get use to the weirdness that was the Malfoys even though their children had assured them that they would get use to it… maybe.
"As I was saying, your children are our children, and we take care of our children." Narcissa's eyes softened. "This is not charity, or pity. We want to do this."
"However, if you must pay us back, I will not say 'No' to Molly's apple pie." Lucius's eyes became dreamy.
"Careful, love." Narcissa looped her arm through around her husband's and they began their way over to the others, "you're starting to sound like Severus."
"That's a concern."
"I heard that."
Confused and honestly not knowing what else to do, Arthur and Molly followed.
~.~
Diagon Alley as always at this time of year, was packed. Upon agreement to meet at Flourish and Blotts, the group split up. The girls one way, and the boys another.
"Let's get your wand first, Ronald," Lucius said, leading the group.
"How is your cold, Tom?" Arthur asked Voldemort as the man downed a small vial of liquid, unaware of it being Polyjuice Potion.
"Better, I feel like I'll be good as new in a couple more days," Voldemort smiled at him, "perhaps sooner, if Severus had his way."
"And I always get my way," Severus said over his shoulder.
Though he rolled his eyes, Voldemort's face was soft with affection and love, which did not go unnoticed by Arthur. Finally, they arrived at Ollivander's. The wand maker was more than pleased to get Ron his own wand, briefly scowling at Arthur for letting his son use a borrowed wand for as long as he did.
"You are lucky, young Mr. Weasley. Wizards who have used wands not their own have lost limbs, some even their lives."
Ron turned paled and gulped.
"Stop traumatizing him, that's our job," Lucius told the man.
"Actually, that's ours," George chirped.
"Stop it, all of you," Severus scolded. Lucius just smirked at him.
Chuckling, Ollivander went about bringing out wands for Ron to try.
Five minutes later, Ron left with a brand new wand. Upon the twins' request, they stopped at Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop.
"You do know they are going to use those at school, yes?" Arthur said to Severus as his two sons stocked up.
"If I don't catch them in the act, there is nothing I can do, nor is there any proof that it was in fact them." Severus shrugged.
"….No wonder the boys like you." Arthur sighed.
"I've been told that a lot. Odd."
Arthur chuckled before something caught his attention.
"Geo—Bi—Fred, I mean, Ron! Put that back, it's bad enough the twins are doing it. Your mother will have my head if she knew I let you have that."
"Aw, but Daaad!"
"Now."
Pouting, Ron put the item back.
"You too, Lucius."
"But Severussss...!"
~.~
When they met up with the girls, they found them waiting a little ways away from the store, mostly likely to be away from the larger then normal crowd jostling outside the door, trying to get in. With an ice-cream cone in hand, Molly looked a little more at ease then when she started.
"How come he gets one?" Voldemort pouted when Narcissa handed Severus a cone.
"Because he'll be in charge of our children for about nine months, thus compensation."
"I take cake too," Severus grinned.
When they moved closer to the store, Severus groaned at the large banner stretched across the upper window.
GILDEROY LOCKHART
will be signing copies of his autobiography
MAGICAL ME
Today 12:30pm to 4:30pm
"Problem?" Voldemort inquired.
"A big one," Severus grumbled.
Gilderoy Lockhart was the new Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor for the coming school year. Upon meeting him at the Professor meeting about two weeks ago, Severus knew without a doubt that the man was an idiot, and far too flirtatious.
"Me and my ice-cream will be staying out here," Severus told his lover.
Voldemort gave him a weird look before shrugging and following everyone else inside the shop, Molly and Narcissa looking very much excited.
"We will stay with you and your ice-cream." Lucius settled next to his friend along with Arthur, watching the crowd part easily for their group.
Being a Malfoy had its benefits.
Inside, there was a long line that wound right to the back of the shop, where the signing was going to be. The children grabbed their required books, Hermione grabbing two others out of interest. Draco had found a book on magical creatures he wanted, and even Ginny had found a journal that Voldemort was more than happy to buy for her.
With books paid for, the children and Voldemort went up to the line to where Molly and Narcissa were standing.
"Oh, you got everything, good." Molly sounded breathless and kept petting her hair. Even Narcissa was smoothing out her robes, something that did not go unnoticed by Voldemort.
There is a sudden hush as Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face, all winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd. The real Lockhart was wearing robes of forget-me-not blue that exactly matched his eyes; his pointed wizard's hat was set at a jaunty angle on his wavy hair.
"He's so stylish," Narcissa sighed dreamily.
"You're married," Voldemort reminded her, then upon noticing the look on Molly's face, added, "the both of you."
"We can still look." Molly's smile was mischievous, and Voldemort now knew where the Twins got it from.
Shaking his head, he glanced at the children and found all of them uninterested and bored. Taking pity on them, he told the witches that he was taking them out, and would meet them at the Leaky Cauldron.
"They're in line for the book signing," Voldemort said when Arthur inquired about the wives, "told them we'd be in the Leaky Cauldron."
"Leaky Cauldron it is." Lucius paused to watch as the Dark Lord glared at a man who had stop to stare with a glazed look at Severus who was still licking away at his ice-cream, oblivious.
Growling, Voldemort went over to his lover who blinked at him, curious, and made a startled noise when the Dark Lord nuzzled into his neck and proceeded to make a hickey right there, his eyes on the man who was now staring at both of them.
"We're in public." Lucius covered Draco's eyes and then cursed when Severus made a soft mewl, he didn't have enough hands to cover Draco's ears too.
Thankfully, the now embarrassed and scared man got the hint, and scurried off. When Voldemort pulled away, smirking, Severus's cheeks were a light pink, and the glare he sent his lover told all that Voldemort was going to have a lot of work to do back home.
Meanwhile, Arthur wasn't sure if he should feel embarrassed, amused or horrified while the children who didn't have their eyes covered, made faces at each other.
They did make it to the Cauldron eventually.
"He kissed our hands!" Molly squealed when she and Narcissa entered the Cauldron and found their group.
"The rogue!" Severus mocked-gasped.
"Oh shush you, you're just jealous," Narcissa huffed at him as she sat down next to her husband.
"Of what, awful cologne, and blinding white teeth?"
"Didn't he smell wonderful, Molly?"
"He did."
The men sighed.
~.~
Visiting Greg was never easy. It often left Severus drained and Hermione quiet for the rest of the day. Something that Voldemort understood, as did Harry. The Dark Lord was more attentive to the two while Harry pretty much stayed glued to his sibling.
The following day, the two would be back to their old selves, though neither sibling nor lover believed them; but have learned it was best to leave them be.
"There was talk about taking Greg off life-support."
Voldemort's head shot up from the letter Narcissa had sent him, to his lover who had been writing out last minute lesson plans for his second year students. Now, he was just sitting there in the chair, hands trembling silently, and looking very vulnerable. The Dark Lord stood up, went over, and knelt in front of his lover, placing a hand on Severus's knee.
"I imagine that didn't go well." Voldemort's voice was gentle.
Severus's lips twitched. "No, it did not. You'll be happy to know that I did not hurt any of the staff's feelings."
"I thank you for your self-control."
Severus let out a huff of laughter, before his expression went somber again. "I told him no, that—" he paused to collect his thoughts, and settle his emotions, "that there still could be a possibility…. I didn't tell Hermione, not sure I could have."
Voldemort said nothing, knowing his lover just needed to speak. However, he couldn't help but feel anger at the doctor for daring to bring up such an option to his lover. To not only put him in such a difficult decision, but also to have to tell his daughter.
"Want me to kill the doctor for you?"
The laugh he got was was wet, and shaky.
Voldemort just stayed there on his knees until Severus was ready to get back up.
~.~
Innumerable candles were hovering in midair over four long crowded tables, making the golden plates and goblets sparkle. Overhead, the bewitched ceiling, which always mirrored the sky outside, sparkled with stars.
Through the long line of scared-looking first years filing into the Hall, Ron was able to spot his little sister Ginny, easily visible because of her vivid Weasley hair. When she turned her head and saw Ron looking at her, she smiled and waved. Ron waved back, frowning when his sister suddenly shivered and rubbed her arms. However, when Ginny just continued smiling, Ron shrugged and turned to watch the first student being Sorted. It was mostly likely a sudden chill. Hogwarts wasn't exactly the warmest of places at night, even with the candle and numerous bodies radiating heat.
The Sorting went as expected with Ginny being sorted into Gryffindor. Then was the introduction of Gilderoy Lockhart as their new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, food, announcements, etc. At last Severus watched his children and the other students exit the Hall and off to their common rooms.
"Good night," Severus said to the rest of the Professors and started making his way out. He was nearly at the doors when a very much unwanted voice stopped him.
"Severus, just a moment."
Inwardly groaning and reminding himself that hexing your fellow Professor (debatable) would set a bad example for the children...well, probably not his, Severus took a deep breath and turned around to face the wizard coming toward him.
"Glad I caught you," Lockhart smiled once he was standing very close to the other wizard.
"What can I do for you?" Severus asked, tone barely polite, barely.
"I was just wondering if perhaps you would like to join me in a nightcap, and maybe answer some questions I have about Hogwarts?"
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline on the nightcap, I don't drink while I'm teaching in the school. And if you have any questions, the best person to ask is the Headmaster himself. I'm sure he'll be happy to answer."
With that, Severus turned on his heel, and left the Hall, robes billowing, before Lockhart could say anything else.
"Welcome back!"
Severus murmured a greeting to the portrait where the Founding Members were currently standing in. He noticed that that the portrait of the Great Lake had changed to what looked like den of a cozy house. Odd considering he made sure that everyone, House-Elves included, knew not to enter his office, and personal chamber without his permission; whether he was in the castle or not.
"A problem for another day," the Potions Master thought, as he went about getting undressed, glaring over his shoulder when Godric gave a an appreciative whistle. He grinned when Salazar slapped the man upside the head, and Rowena gave him a disapproving glare.
"It is good to have you back, Severus," Helga said once Severus was in his night clothes. "things have been… strange since you left for Summer break."
This caught Severus's attention. "Strange how?"
Helga bit her bottom lip, before sighing, "It's probably nothing, but the portraits having been talking about strange happenings. Sometimes, they can hear whispering voices, or flickering shadows out of the corner of their eyes. One even said that books have been moved in the library."
Severus's brows furrowed.
"And they never saw anyone, or anything that could be the source? Perhaps a new ghost?"
The last theory was far-fetched, as all the children had been safely returned home, and as far as he knew none of the staff had passed away in the castle last year. Maybe it was whatever had possessed Quirrell?
Severus really hoped that wasn't the case.
"Thank you, Helga, I'll look into it."
Helga smiled, before she and the other bid him goodnight and had shuffled off, leaving, Severus alone with his thoughts. Severus slipped underneath his covers and prayed he got a good night's sleep. Because between Lockhart and the strange shadows, he knew that this year was not going to be a peaceful one.
Thanks as always goes to my Beta YenGirl, who may, or may not be The Great And Powerful Oz.
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