Chapter Six: Christmas
As predicted, by Monday the rumor that Severus had started was all over the school. Due to the rush of final exams, he and Veronica had had no time to talk until after lunch as they walked to their afternoon classes. Because he was more than head taller than she was, Veronica had to march briskly just to keep up with his long strides.
"So, how's your day going, darling?" she teased.
Severus snorted. "Besides the endless refrain of 'is that the best she could do?'—just dandy."
She bit the insides of her mouth to keep from giggling.
"Well," he continued, "I suppose it's an improvement over 'his nose is so big it could house a family of four'"
Veronica laughed out loud and incurred the stares of several students passing by. Instead of being annoyed, Severus actually seemed pleased. He had this way of smiling and sneering at the same time that most people found somewhat disconcerting, but Veronica had learned it was his way of showing amusement. In fact, she had a feeling he repeated the nose remark specifically to illicit a laugh.
"What about you?" he asked.
She shrugged. "I'm afraid the Slytherins are a bit more direct with their opinions. It's nothing worth repeating."
Severus steered Veronica into an empty hallway. "Is it Malfoy?"
"No, it isn't Malfoy," she replied. "Whatever you said to him the other day worked. He didn't even look at me in class today. Speaking of class, we're going to be late—"
Severus refused to be put off. "I want to know what they're saying and who's saying it."
Veronica sighed. "Well, if you must know, they're calling me…'Huffle-slut'." She could see and almost feel the anger rising in him, so she quickly added, "It's just a stupid name, please don't—"
"Make a complete ass of myself again?"
Veronica patted his arm soothingly. "Oh, I'm glad you made a complete ass of yourself the other day. It's healthy to do that every once in a while. Who knows, if you keep it up you may not die of that stroke before you're fifty."
Her comment had the desired effect—he smiled slightly.
"Let this one go, Severus. They'll tire of it soon enough."
He nodded reluctantly. "The only good thing about a rumor at Hogwarts is that another one is bound to come along to replace the old one."
*
"Such long faces," Veronica said as she entered her classroom to find her fifth-year Gryffindors looking particularly dour. "I promise the practical exam will be virtually painless, so cheer up for goodness sake."
Her light-hearted pronouncement did nothing to lift their spirits. She imagined that they would be as curious and bewildered as any of her other students at the talk of her relationship with Severus, but she had a bad feeling there was something more to their behavior than that. Veronica tried a different tact. "Rotten luck about the Cannon's, eh boys?" she said to Harry, Ron and Neville. "I thought for sure they'd beat the Wasps." She turned to Seamus and Dean. "But the Bats are brilliant this year, don't you think?" Harry, Ron, Seamus and Dean didn't say a word and wouldn't even look her in the eye. Poor Neville looked like he was on the verge of tears.
"All right," she said, "what's this nonsense all about?"
After a moment, Hermione broke the silence. "We heard a rumor, but considering the source—" she began, giving her friends Harry and Ron a disgusted look.
Great goddess, what is it now? "Go on, Miss Granger."
"The Slytherins are saying that you created a counterspell for the Anti-Bully Charm and gave it to Professor Snape so he can go back to yelling at students again, because you and he…" Hermione blushed. "Well, you know."
Veronica stood with her mouth open for a full ten seconds before finding her voice again. "I don't know what to say, but I suppose I'll start by telling you that it's a lie. There is no counterspell and there never will be a counterspell if I have anything to say about it." She paced in front of the class, both furious and hurt; furious with the Slytherins for making up such a story and hurt because the Gryffindors could believe she would do such a thing.
"Obviously, I've failed you this term," Veronica said sadly. "I may have been successful in teaching you the mechanics of Dark Arts defense, but that's only a part of it. Defense Against the Dark Arts is not just about spells used to repel an attack, it's a whole mindset. I had hoped that by my words and actions I would have conveyed my personal philosophy to you, but apparently I haven't made myself clear. When I took this position, I made a pledge to not only teach you how to protect yourselves, but to protect you myself. If I were to create a counterspell thereby allowing someone to hurt you, I would be breaking my pledge. I wouldn't be able to look at myself in the mirror."
Veronica sat on the edge of her desk, feeling more than a little weary. "When it comes right down to it, it's all about personal integrity. Many of you are probably starting to ask yourselves questions like: What do I believe in? What would I be willing to fight for—to die for? Well, I am here to fight for all of you. That is my primary concern and will be for as long as I am a Hogwarts professor." She scanned the room and met the eyes of every student. "Just so we're perfectly clear on this, I would never, ever do anything to hurt any of you."
All of the students nodded and appeared relieved, but Veronica couldn't help notice that Neville still looked crestfallen, so after class she called him aside for a private chat. The boy stood glumly by her desk and looked down at his feet.
"How's Trevor?" Veronica asked by way of breaking the tension.
Neville shrugged. "Fine, I guess." Then he took his toad out of his pocket and handed him to her.
"He's looking well—which is more than I can say for you. What's wrong, Neville? Don't you believe that there's no counterspell?"
"I believe you, but I just don't get it." He managed to raise his head and look her in the eye. "How can you—like him?"
Suddenly it dawned on her why Neville looked so sad. He had a crush on her. Veronica took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "Just because I like him, doesn't mean I don't still like you. We were friends first, remember?"
Neville smiled shyly and blushed. "Well, I suppose it's all right if it means you'll stay on at Hogwarts after the end of next term."
"Just between you and me, I haven't made a decision yet, but circumstances have made it more likely that I will stay." She put a finger to her lips. "Keep it to yourself though, all right."
He nodded and smiled more broadly. Veronica gave him a big hug and sent him and Trevor on their way. During the term, she had learned of the terrible tragedy that had befallen Neville's mother and father and felt particularly protective of him. They had so much in common. They had both been deeply wounded by Death Eaters, but at least she still had her parents. She wouldn't let anyone hurt that sweet boy if her life depended on it.
*
When Veronica entered the Great Hall for dinner that evening, she noticed that her usual place next to Professor Sprout was occupied by Professor Sinistra. That meant that the only available chair was the one next to Severus. Sinistra gave her a wink and a grin. Professor Sprout shrugged, looking resigned.
With a cluck of her tongue, Veronica sat next to Severus. She noticed the almost imperceptible curl of his mouth.
"Sorry," he said softly, "this wasn't my idea."
A few seconds after she sat down, her plate was magically piled with broccoli, carrots, spinach and rice. She grabbed a large piece of brown bread and buttered it.
Severus, his plate filled with big slabs of meat with a couple of potatoes on the side, said, "Is that all you're eating?"
Veronica held back a smile as she thought, oh dear, here we go. She nodded as she popped a broccoli spear in her mouth.
"But there's no meat," he said, as if she were unaware of that fact, "only vegetables."
"That's because I'm a vegetarian," she replied.
He rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me that on top of everything else, you're one of those tree-hugging loonies that thinks it's wrong to eat animals that are raised specifically for that purpose?"
"Plant are living things, too," Veronica replied. "We all have to kill to live. I just never much cared for the taste of meat, besides," she added in a speedy undertone, "vegetarianism is better for the environment."
"You are one of them!" Severus pointed his knife at her accusingly.
She held up her hand, trying not to laugh out loud. "Just eat your dead animal carcass and leave my vegetables alone."
"No wonder you're no bigger than a minute. All those vegetables have stunted your growth. It's positively unnatural." He speared a dripping piece of roast beef off the platter on the table and plunked it on her plate. "Just eat it. That's what the gods made cows for in the first place."
"Do you mind?! Oh, look at that!" she cried in disgust. "You got cow's blood all over my carrots. Just for that…" Veronica scooped up a spoonful of chopped spinach off her plate and went to plop it on top of his roast beef.
Amusement clearly showing through his irritation, Severus parried her spoon with his knife. "Don't even think about it, woman, or you'll be spending the rest of your life as a rabbit."
"Before the two of you start throwing food at each other, please be so good as to warn me so I can stay out of the line of fire," said a very annoyed Professor McGonagall, sitting on the other side of Veronica. "Honestly! The two of you are acting like a couple of silly third-years. I would appreciate the exercise of a little decorum at the staff table, if you don't mind."
Both Severus and Veronica mumbled, "Sorry, Minerva."
Veronica tried to look angry, but had to stifle a giggle. "Now you've gone and got me into trouble with the Deputy Headmistress," she whispered. "I'm not sitting next to you anymore."
Severus snickered into his pumpkin juice.
*
Neville Longbottom looked over at the staff table and sighed. "He better not hurt her, that's all I've got to say." He had only meant to think it, but he blurted it out loud instead. Not that it mattered; his fellow fifth-year Gryffindors had known about his crush on Professor Stanley almost before he did.
"No use torturing yourself, Neville. Besides, I think she's almost as old as my mother, and Mum's ancient," Ron said as he espied Snape and Stanley. He smiled at Neville encouragingly. "Look, they're arguing about something." Ron chuckled and glanced at Hermione. "They remind me of us."
Ginny Weasley giggled, Hermione blushed and Ron, after thinking about it a moment, suddenly became very interested in his potatoes.
"They're not arguing, not really," Hermione said. "See, she's smiling and I think he is too, but it's hard to tell."
"Looks to me like they're getting ready to have a food fight," said Harry.
Hermione grinned in a superior manner. "Well, I think they make an adorable couple."
All the boys made gagging noises and Neville shot daggers at her with his eyes.
"Do you mind, Hermione?" Ron said in irritation. "We're trying to eat!"
*
"It has to be some kind of spell," said Pansy Parkinson to a couple of Slytherin girls. "Anything that ugly would need powerful magic to make any man want her. Not that Snape's any great prize, mind you. What do you think, Draco?"
Draco glared at her. "I think you should be quiet for five minutes so I can think!"
Pansy looked hurt, but obeyed.
Draco watched the giggling pair at the staff table furtively, careful not to incur Snape's wrath again. Every ounce of respect Draco had ever held for Professor Snape evaporated as observed their disgusting display. Snape might think he was stupid enough to take what he said to him the other day at face value, but Draco had eyes. He could see that Snape cared for Stanley much more than he led on. There must be some way Father could use it against her—against them both. As far as Draco was concerned, Snape was now one of them.
*
After dinner, Veronica returned to her office while Severus made for the dungeon. On his way there, Dumbledore appeared, seemingly out of nowhere as he was wont to do on occasion. Severus gave a small start, but quickly regained his composure.
"Might I speak to you for a moment, Severus?"
"Certainly, Albus." Snape assumed that this was in reference to his increasingly complicated and bizarre relationship with Veronica, but chose to let Dumbledore bring the subject up in his own good time.
As they walked to the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore chatted about the weather, final exams, and the upcoming Christmas holiday until they were safely behind the old oak door, away from prying eyes and ears.
"About dinner tonight…" Dumbledore began.
"I did not ask Sinistra to move," Snape said almost defensively. "I apologize if we behaved inappropriately. I assure you it won't happen again."
"There is absolutely nothing wrong with the way either of you behaved, despite Minerva's admonitions," Dumbledore replied. "Veronica is a very sweet and funny woman; personally I'm delighted you've become such good friends."
"But…"
"But, we both have other concerns beyond the personal."
"I've taken care of that, Albus." Severus proceeded to relate his little chat with Draco Malfoy, careful to omit the part where he slammed the boy against the wall.
Dumbledore sighed. "Severus, you can tell a man that the moon is made out of green cheese, but it doesn't mean he'll believe you. I think it was obvious to anyone who was paying attention that you think of her as more than just a casual amusement."
Severus swore under his breath.
Dumbledore put a fatherly hand on his shoulder. "This friendship of yours may very well put Veronica in danger, but I suspect she's already figured that out. I am loathed to tell you to suppress your feelings for her—I believe tonight was the first time I ever saw you laugh—but I would be remiss if I didn't tell you to be careful, at least in public, for her sake as well as yours."
*
As he returned to his dungeon, Severus decided not to tell Veronica about his conversation with Dumbledore. No use in worrying her; she already knew she was a target, at least as far as the Malfoys were concerned.
As to her behavior towards him in public, it would be next door to useless to tell her to behave any differently. He doubted she would be able to be anything but herself without drawing even more attention to their relationship. Besides, Severus liked her just the way she was. The other alternative was that he could try not being her friend again. He rolled his eyes. Oh yes, that worked ever so well the last time.
He would just have to be more reserved towards her in public, but the problem was that she brought out this ridiculous side of his nature—a side he didn't even know he had. Severus found he enjoyed making her laugh; he did and said things he probably shouldn't because it seemed so natural to do so when he was with her. No doubt it was all the fault of his damned heart. He chided his intellect for once again laying down on the job. It could be worse, he thought. I could be in love with her. A feeling of impending doom suddenly washed over him. For one, shining moment Severus thought it was that stroke finally coming to take him, but to his dismay it was just another blood vessel harmlessly bursting inside his brain.
*
On Christmas morning, Severus awoke to someone knocking at his door. It was still dark, but then he lived in a dungeon, it was always dark. "Who is it?"
"Happy Christmas!"
Mumbling a couple of choice oaths, he climbed out of bed and answered the door in his long gray nightshirt looking more disgruntled than usual. "Great gods, Veronica, it's six o'clock in the morning!"
Veronica had a wide smile on her face and several packages in her arms, flushed with annoying holiday cheer. "Happy Christmas!" she repeated. He scowled and started to close the door, but she managed to catch it with her foot before he shut it. "There's no way even you can dampen my Christmas spirit."
He glowered at her. "Not even if I try especially hard?"
"Sorry." She pushed her way in and deposited two packages on the armchair by the fire and then emptied a bag full of sweets from Honeydukes on his desk. "I just love Christmas!" she proclaimed, giggling like a little girl.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?"
Veronica took a good look around his room. Despite popular belief, she had never been there before. Most everything, including his bedding was done in black. "Very dark and dank. It's you."
"Couldn't this have waited until later?"
"I always wake up early on Christmas morning. Besides, I'm going to my parents' house after breakfast. They always have a big do on Christmas. My brothers, their wives and children— whole family." She hesitated. "I was wondering... if you would like to come? I'd understand if you didn't, I mean, my entire family at one time would be a bit overwhelming for anybody."
"Thank you, but no," he replied. "I doubt I could stand quite that much holiday fun." Severus actually had a previous engagement he didn't dare tell her about. He was relieved to hear she would be otherwise occupied today. He walked to his desk and picked a toffee out of the pile of sweets.
Veronica opened a Chocolate Frog, positioning the box in such a way that the frog jumped straight into her mouth. When one of the frog's wiggling legs popped out of her mouth, she shoved it back in.
"That was disgusting," he said, visibly impressed.
"Thank you," she replied proudly with her mouth full. She looked at the accompanying card. "Look, I got Wendelin the Weird! Been looking for her for ages." Wendelin was being happily burned at the stake for the twelfth time. She finally swallowed her Chocolate Frog and said, "I know I'm a bit silly, but I thought all this might bring back some of your happy Christmas memories from when you were young."
"Unlike you, I wasn't raised by Christmas elves." Then more quietly, "I'm afraid I haven't many fond memories of my youth." She looked sympathetic, but thankfully didn't press for details. Severus then picked up a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. "This does bring back one memory—not related to Christmas though. I doubt you'd approve."
Veronica placed his gifts on the floor and settled into the armchair by the fire. "Tell me anyway, I'm feeling particularly charitable today."
He grinned mischievously. "When I was a student I invented a potion that would turn vomit-flavored beans the color of strawberry beans, but they still tasted like vomit. There was this half-witted Gryffindor boy by the name of Pettigrew—before you say anything, trust me when I say that even you wouldn't have liked him—who would eat anything—"
"Oh, Severus," she said disapprovingly, trying to hide her smile.
"The silly fool fell for it half a dozen times before his friends told him not to take anything from me any more."
Veronica laughed. "That's evil."
"If you think that's evil you should hear what I used to do to Sugar Quills. On second thought, never mind. Knowing you you'd think of some way to use your Anti-Bully Charm on me retroactively."
Eyeing him with exaggerated suspicion, Veronica rose and gathered up the Sugar Quills from the pile of sweets and stuffed them in her pocket. "I think we should get to the presents before I decide to give you a lump of coal instead." She handed him the larger of the two gifts. "Speaking of the Anti-Bully Charm, I got to feeling a little guilty—"
He hefted the heavy package in his hands. "It's too big to be a counterspell."
"That's because it isn't a counterspell, but hopefully it'll help make things a little less painful for you."
Severus removed the wrapping. It was a book, Yoga for the Utterly Clueless. On the cover was a perky Indian woman balanced precariously on one foot. She smiled at him encouragingly. "Very amusing."
"There's more." Veronica handed him the smaller package that had 'Zonko's Joke Shop' splayed across it.
He opened it up and found an extremely hideous demon-headed doll. "I do not play with dolls. I have never played with dolls."
"Squeeze it."
With a sigh, Severus squeezed it. The demon's head, eyes, nose and tongue bulged out grotesquely. He laughed out loud.
Veronica beamed. "For those days when you feel like throttling someone. I suggest you keep it close at hand at all times."
"I think I'll call it 'Potter'." Severus squeezed it as hard as he could and smiled devilishly.
"You're looking more relaxed already." Veronica patted his hand affectionately. "Happy Christmas, Severus." She then left him to enjoy his presents and ready himself for breakfast.
Her gift from him was coming by owl post that morning, but he hadn't let on that he had bought her anything. She certainly didn't seem to care whether he had or not. Severus was glad that at least he had the good sense to have her gift delivered to her office rather than to the Great Hall at breakfast. Perhaps it wasn't wise to give her anything at all, but it was something she needed and he wanted her to have it.
Severus was just about to leave for the Great Hall when he felt an excruciating and frighteningly familiar burning sensation on his left arm. He pulled up his sleeve and saw his Dark Mark showing clearly. The nightmare begins again.
*
On the way back to her office, Veronica stopped by the bathroom. As she washed her hands she wondered if she had been too pushy, bursting into his room like that so early in the morning. I suppose it's all right, it is Christmas after all, and he did seem to appreciate the effort a little. No harm done.
Veronica looked up, caught her reflection in the mirror and winced. Oh dear, I can't believe I went down there with my hair looking like that! And could my face be any pastier, I wonder? Maybe I should start wearing just a little makeup... She laughed nervously and thought, Like it matters. It's just Severus, for goodness sake. After all, he was just a broody and tortured Potions Master/spy with dark, piercing eyes and long black hair, who lived in a dungeon and could his deep, sonorous voice be any sexier…? She splashed icy cold water on her face in order to bring herself back down to earth. Even if it was possible for her to express herself physically with a man, she doubted Severus was in the market for a Christmas elf.
She left the bathroom and rushed to her office, desperately wishing she had papers to grade. It really wasn't that she found Severus attractive, she told herself, he was just especially dear to her because he didn't seem to be dear to anyone else. Veronica had friends and a wonderful family who loved her unconditionally. What did he have? Dumbledore. Though she knew Severus trusted him completely, Dumbledore was at least partially responsible for his renewed involvement with the Death Eaters. What if Severus lost his life—or worse, what if he lost his soul? Well, he won't if I have anything to say about it.
When she let herself into her office, it took her a moment or two before she saw the unmistakably-shaped package sitting on her desk. Oh, Severus, tell me you didn't get me a broom. She read the attached note:
|
Veronica, Thank you for making me feel like one of the good guys. Happy Christmas, |
That was the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to her. Damn, why did he have to do that? She quickly unwrapped the package, then stood there, stunned. She swallowed hard, blinking back a few tears. Veronica had to read the gold lettering stamped on the broom's sleek handle three times before it sunk in. It wasn't the Bluebottle Compact Turbo she had coveted for a whole year, it was a bloody Nimbus Two Thousand Two!
*
Veronica bounced into breakfast, even more flushed with holiday cheer than she had been earlier—something Severus would have thought impossible just a few moments ago. She settled next to him in her now permanent seat at the staff table and beamed at him as she ate her poached eggs and fruit. Would just one sausage kill her? He grinned slightly himself. She must have gotten the broom. Perhaps he shouldn't have been so extravagant, but he could easily afford it. His parents may not have left him with many happy memories, but they did leave him a small fortune. Besides, it was Christmas.
There were only a handful of students staying over for the Christmas holiday, but she waited until after breakfast to speak to him. "Thank you so much, Severus, but—"
"If you say anything foolish like 'I can't accept this—'"
"Not to worry," Veronica said brightly. "The only way you'll get that broom back is if you pry it from my cold, dead hands. But you really, really shouldn't have. I would have settle for a Bluebottle. I would have settle for my old one being repaired." She pulled the accompanying note from her pocket. "Honestly, I would have settled for this."
Severus flushed slightly, but remained deadpan. "It is never wise to question my rare moments of generosity. You never know when—or if—the next moment will ever come."
She nodded. "All right, but I really wish you would reconsider coming with me to Christmas dinner. My parents would love to have you."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Well, they'd get used to you." Veronica smiled sweetly. "I have."
"I can't." He paused. "I have something I have to do tonight."
As she looked into his eyes, her expression changed from one of curiosity to worry. "Oh, I see. Be careful, eh?"
Severus nodded and started to turn away.
After a moment's hesitation, Veronica stopped him, stood on her toes and threw her arms around his neck. She whispered, "Don't forget, you're one of the good guys." Severus so wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her close, but he didn't dare. After a few seconds she released him and rushed away.
*
Severus was led, blindfolded, down several flights of stone steps. He heard the sound of a key being turned, then an old door creaking open. The Death Eater accompanying him pushed him through the door without a word, then roughly removed his blindfold.
Though Severus had known what to expect, it was still a bit of a shock to see Lord Voldemort standing before him in simple black robes, pale and scaly, with his snake-like eyes boring into him.
"Do you have it?" the Dark Lord asked.
Severus reached into his pocket and withdrew a vial filled with green liquid. He placed it in Voldemort's outstretched hand.
"A few moments after ingestion, it first paralyzes, then proceeds to eat away the victim's body from the inside out," Snape explained proudly. "The victim remains conscious for most of it, of course."
Voldemort grinned a snaky grin. "Excellent! You've outdone yourself, Severus."
Snape bowed his head. "Does this mean I've finally redeemed myself, My Lord?"
The Dark Lord eyed the vial. "Ask me tomorrow. What do you call it?"
"I thought I'd leave that to you, My Lord."
"How about 'Voldemort's Revenge'?" Snape tried to look encouraging but Voldemort didn't seem too pleased with it either. "I'll work on it."
Severus smiled graciously and once again bowed his head as Veronica's painfully ironic words flashed through his mind…
Don't forget, you're one of the good guys.
*
Rupert Balin pulled up the sleeve of his tattered robe and regarded the Dark Mark on his left forearm nostalgically. The exquisite burning was almost a comfort as he sat in his cold, barren prison cell. Voldemort was calling his Death Eaters to his side, and only Azkaban's security measures prevented Balin from being transported to the Dark Lord as well. This was the second time in six months that his Mark had burned. Voldemort was powerful again. Powerful enough to give his old right-hand man sanctuary. It was time to go. Balin picked another bug out of his long, filthy beard and squashed it. It was definitely time to go.
Balin glanced at the two dementors guarding him in his cell as they paced restlessly. They felt Voldemort's power rising, too, but they didn't understand it, not really. He would just have to make them understand. The trouble was that because Balin had no soul, the dementors liked to keep their distance. "Come closer," he said in a friendly way to the rotting, robed creatures. They approached him warily. "Let me tell you about this lovely little place called Picadilly. So many wonderful souls to feed on…"
***
End of Part Two
To be continued in Part Three: "Restoration"