Chapter 6:
The morning does indeed come too quickly. I find myself alone in the too- large bed. Hearing Severus moving in the bathroom, I take the moments alone to examine this room. If plans go forward as expected, it will soon be shared with me.
This room, as the others, is sparsely decorated. The bed stands in the middle of the room covered with the black duvet and two functional pillows. There is a nightstand on the left side of the bed, near the closet. On the stand is a stand for vials, the five vials glittering beautifully in the morning light. Even here in the dungeons Severus has managed to allow some sunlight, undoubtedly to give him reason to get up after a night of heavy drinking. The vials are, from left to right, a Sleeping Draught, a Pain Reducing Tonic, a Blood Replenishing potion, Skele-grow, and a Lust Potion. The last one surprises me, as Severus has admitted his abstinence...it appears Severus is not as honest as I had thought. I continue my perusal of the room.
There is no other furniture. There is, however, a photograph on the wall. It is of the two of us, on our wedding day. I remember the photograph being snapped. The photographer had been hired by Septimus, Severus's father, as a way to record the occasion. Overall, the wedding was small, mostly Snape family friends. I believe Albus was the only person I liked that was there. He performed the marriage. He insisted.
Septimus and Ormana Snape of course wanted a fully binding wizarding wedding for their son. It had been a very cold day as the sun broke over the hill at the Manor. Oh not Snape Manor, no, the Snapes had long lost their family fortune, but the Malfoys, having taken a great interest in the tall, dark youth, had graciously offered to host the wedding at their home.
I had met Lucius Malfoy one year before my wedding. Severus and I had been out in Diagon Alley, shopping for Christmas presents. Severus had never questioned my odd appearances at Hogwarts for holidays and holidays only. So, there we were, walking, not hand in hand, as we were still nervous acquaintances, not yet more than an awkward first kiss having passed between us.
Severus was now three years out of Hogwarts, and I had graduated two years previously, though I stayed in the States, ostensibly to continue my higher education. The reason I stayed there, was, as I had told him, because a wealthy benefactor had bequeathed an ample sum of money to be at my disposal were I to remain across the ocean from my motherland.
Of course, in reality, there was no such bequeathment; my benefactor still being very much alive, but the charade fit in nicely with my uncle's plan. We had stopped at Flourish and Blotts, for I had an inkling I may be able to find a book to fit my parent's fancy when a heard, quite clearly, a drawling voice address my companion.
"Severus, good to see you. Nice to know you're getting some sunlight."
I turned cautiously around, having learned early in life that voices that drawl are rarely attached to pleasant individuals. It seems I have still to be disproven in that theory. A tallish young man, platinum hair spilling over his shoulders, disdain evident in his eyes, was smiling falsely at Severus.
As I turned around further, he noticed me, eyes raking me up and down, much in the same way Severus had done on our first encounter. However, this time I felt no burn of anticipation, rather, I felt revulsion, and I pulled my robes around me tightly, attempting to ward off this unwanted attention.
Severus seemingly took all this in the blink of an eye, for he moved between Lucius and me protectively. "Yes, Lucius, buying something for Mother and Father; the holidays and all." He drawled directly back.
Lucius. I had heard that name before, I recalled. Both from Severus, and my uncle. Both issuing warnings to steer clear of him at all costs. Albus for reasons of safety. Severus, I suppose for the same reasons, though from a different motivation. Whereas Albus feared for my safety as a Dumbledore and a wizard of the Light, Severus feared for my safety as a woman. Nearly quailing under the proud gaze, I appreciated Severus's concern.
A well-manicured hand is proffered, and I take it, noticing at once the handshake to be limp, very much that of the cultured gentleman. Our hands remained in contact for a few seconds more, before I sharply withdraw it.
"Lucius Malfoy, meet Bena Hummell." Severus introduces us. I flit my eyes in his direction, but he had closed his face off from emotion. That raises my heckles far faster than any reaction I had received from Lucius.
"Ah, yes, Headmaster Dumbledore's little pet. I remember you telling me of her. Back from the Wizarding States then, are you? A nice little lull in activity, is it?"
"Yes," I reply carefully, not letting my voice catch or falter, "The Headmaster is great friends with my grandfather, and has taken it upon himself to ensure I always have pleasant holidays, my parents never being much for entertaining me."
This is more of an explanation of my visits than Severus has ever received, and he raises his eyebrows slightly at me. I incline my head minutely, hoping he will take this as a sign we will discuss it later.
Lucius is now contemplating me with an air of studied boredom. I have not held his interest long at all. I am extremely grateful for this. "Good luck with your shopping then. I shall leave you to it." And he turns and swishes out of the shop.
I exhale loudly, and Severus turns to face me. "What a vile wizard!" I exclaim heartily. Severus, rather than agree to me, instead thrusts me to the wall of the bookshop, his hands tightly on both my upper arms, "Listen well, Bena. The Malfoys are influential wizards. You would do well to give them the respect they deserve. Lucius has been so kind as to take an interest in me, and his father has agreed to sponsor me in my private studies. I would advise" and he stresses the word so that spittle flies out the corner of his mouth, "that you learn your place when in their presence. A friend of the great Albus Dumbledore does not count for much in many circles."
With this, he steps back, his hand rising to his face to wipe away the spit that has clung to it. My chest heaving, I look at him, and for the first of many times, I am frightened. I am also angry, for the sarcastic tone in which he derided my uncle. Denied though I am of my name, I will still fight for all the honor and respect due it, and I need no convincing that the Dumbledore name should be along the most lauded in the Wizarding world, far different of my opinion of the name Malfoy.
I look at Severus squarely, and walk out of the bookshop. I do not stop as he calls after me, until I have reached the safety and quiet of Gringott's. Severus does not follow me, and I watch through the doors as he throws up his arms in frustration and stalks off.
The present-day Severus is now leaning in the doorframe, apparently wearing only his dressing gown. My revulsion of last night has not fully worn off, though, and I am loath to arrive late to the breakfast table. Raising my eyes warily to his, I see the predation present. Shaking my head slightly, I stand up and walk resolutely past him, clicking the bathroom door shut behind me.
I will be facing a breakfast table full of inquisitive professors fully armed this morning, not from under the myopic gaze of a freshly bedded woman.
The morning does indeed come too quickly. I find myself alone in the too- large bed. Hearing Severus moving in the bathroom, I take the moments alone to examine this room. If plans go forward as expected, it will soon be shared with me.
This room, as the others, is sparsely decorated. The bed stands in the middle of the room covered with the black duvet and two functional pillows. There is a nightstand on the left side of the bed, near the closet. On the stand is a stand for vials, the five vials glittering beautifully in the morning light. Even here in the dungeons Severus has managed to allow some sunlight, undoubtedly to give him reason to get up after a night of heavy drinking. The vials are, from left to right, a Sleeping Draught, a Pain Reducing Tonic, a Blood Replenishing potion, Skele-grow, and a Lust Potion. The last one surprises me, as Severus has admitted his abstinence...it appears Severus is not as honest as I had thought. I continue my perusal of the room.
There is no other furniture. There is, however, a photograph on the wall. It is of the two of us, on our wedding day. I remember the photograph being snapped. The photographer had been hired by Septimus, Severus's father, as a way to record the occasion. Overall, the wedding was small, mostly Snape family friends. I believe Albus was the only person I liked that was there. He performed the marriage. He insisted.
Septimus and Ormana Snape of course wanted a fully binding wizarding wedding for their son. It had been a very cold day as the sun broke over the hill at the Manor. Oh not Snape Manor, no, the Snapes had long lost their family fortune, but the Malfoys, having taken a great interest in the tall, dark youth, had graciously offered to host the wedding at their home.
I had met Lucius Malfoy one year before my wedding. Severus and I had been out in Diagon Alley, shopping for Christmas presents. Severus had never questioned my odd appearances at Hogwarts for holidays and holidays only. So, there we were, walking, not hand in hand, as we were still nervous acquaintances, not yet more than an awkward first kiss having passed between us.
Severus was now three years out of Hogwarts, and I had graduated two years previously, though I stayed in the States, ostensibly to continue my higher education. The reason I stayed there, was, as I had told him, because a wealthy benefactor had bequeathed an ample sum of money to be at my disposal were I to remain across the ocean from my motherland.
Of course, in reality, there was no such bequeathment; my benefactor still being very much alive, but the charade fit in nicely with my uncle's plan. We had stopped at Flourish and Blotts, for I had an inkling I may be able to find a book to fit my parent's fancy when a heard, quite clearly, a drawling voice address my companion.
"Severus, good to see you. Nice to know you're getting some sunlight."
I turned cautiously around, having learned early in life that voices that drawl are rarely attached to pleasant individuals. It seems I have still to be disproven in that theory. A tallish young man, platinum hair spilling over his shoulders, disdain evident in his eyes, was smiling falsely at Severus.
As I turned around further, he noticed me, eyes raking me up and down, much in the same way Severus had done on our first encounter. However, this time I felt no burn of anticipation, rather, I felt revulsion, and I pulled my robes around me tightly, attempting to ward off this unwanted attention.
Severus seemingly took all this in the blink of an eye, for he moved between Lucius and me protectively. "Yes, Lucius, buying something for Mother and Father; the holidays and all." He drawled directly back.
Lucius. I had heard that name before, I recalled. Both from Severus, and my uncle. Both issuing warnings to steer clear of him at all costs. Albus for reasons of safety. Severus, I suppose for the same reasons, though from a different motivation. Whereas Albus feared for my safety as a Dumbledore and a wizard of the Light, Severus feared for my safety as a woman. Nearly quailing under the proud gaze, I appreciated Severus's concern.
A well-manicured hand is proffered, and I take it, noticing at once the handshake to be limp, very much that of the cultured gentleman. Our hands remained in contact for a few seconds more, before I sharply withdraw it.
"Lucius Malfoy, meet Bena Hummell." Severus introduces us. I flit my eyes in his direction, but he had closed his face off from emotion. That raises my heckles far faster than any reaction I had received from Lucius.
"Ah, yes, Headmaster Dumbledore's little pet. I remember you telling me of her. Back from the Wizarding States then, are you? A nice little lull in activity, is it?"
"Yes," I reply carefully, not letting my voice catch or falter, "The Headmaster is great friends with my grandfather, and has taken it upon himself to ensure I always have pleasant holidays, my parents never being much for entertaining me."
This is more of an explanation of my visits than Severus has ever received, and he raises his eyebrows slightly at me. I incline my head minutely, hoping he will take this as a sign we will discuss it later.
Lucius is now contemplating me with an air of studied boredom. I have not held his interest long at all. I am extremely grateful for this. "Good luck with your shopping then. I shall leave you to it." And he turns and swishes out of the shop.
I exhale loudly, and Severus turns to face me. "What a vile wizard!" I exclaim heartily. Severus, rather than agree to me, instead thrusts me to the wall of the bookshop, his hands tightly on both my upper arms, "Listen well, Bena. The Malfoys are influential wizards. You would do well to give them the respect they deserve. Lucius has been so kind as to take an interest in me, and his father has agreed to sponsor me in my private studies. I would advise" and he stresses the word so that spittle flies out the corner of his mouth, "that you learn your place when in their presence. A friend of the great Albus Dumbledore does not count for much in many circles."
With this, he steps back, his hand rising to his face to wipe away the spit that has clung to it. My chest heaving, I look at him, and for the first of many times, I am frightened. I am also angry, for the sarcastic tone in which he derided my uncle. Denied though I am of my name, I will still fight for all the honor and respect due it, and I need no convincing that the Dumbledore name should be along the most lauded in the Wizarding world, far different of my opinion of the name Malfoy.
I look at Severus squarely, and walk out of the bookshop. I do not stop as he calls after me, until I have reached the safety and quiet of Gringott's. Severus does not follow me, and I watch through the doors as he throws up his arms in frustration and stalks off.
The present-day Severus is now leaning in the doorframe, apparently wearing only his dressing gown. My revulsion of last night has not fully worn off, though, and I am loath to arrive late to the breakfast table. Raising my eyes warily to his, I see the predation present. Shaking my head slightly, I stand up and walk resolutely past him, clicking the bathroom door shut behind me.
I will be facing a breakfast table full of inquisitive professors fully armed this morning, not from under the myopic gaze of a freshly bedded woman.