Chapter 32:
I enter our still deserted rooms and change my robes. I feel the need to be impressive. But, I consider, I will also need to be adaptable. I doubt there will be time between gatherings to change. I thrust my hand into the racks of robes and pull out one of deep purple. Feeling it matches brilliantly with the royal mood I am in, I quickly don it and head to the mirror. My hair is in shambles. Having never been one for the womanly arts, I shoot a few charms in the direction of the top of my head. It wobbles precariously, but stays. Calling it good, I make for the front door.
Severus enters as my hand in on the knob. I stop and pull back. He coolly nods in my direction. I step further back into the room, allowing him access. He strides by into the bedroom. A few moments later, he emerges, in fresh robes, still black, and clutching a satchel under one arm. From the corner of it, I see a flash of white, his mask. He, too, is prepared for the evening.
I notice his eyes upon me as a faint flush creeps its way up my throat. He shakes his head. My eyes widen, wondering where he could have found fault, when he withdraws his wand and shoots three charms at my head. I feel my hair rearrange itself. Once it has stopped moving, he approaches me, Accio- ing a mirror from the nightstand. He shows me the improved hairstyle. I nod my approval as he offers his arm. Staring in wonder at him, I take it and we exit together.
"I am sorry, Severus." I apologize. Tonight is a night we must be reconciled. I am practically quaking in my boots at the thought of the Order. Funny. I am not nervous about again facing Voldemort.
Severus makes a harsh sound in his throat. "There is no need to apologize. I was being childish. You were quite correct to call me on it. Are you ready for this evening?"
"Is that possible?" I question.
He smiles. "Never entirely."
"I visited Grandfather today." I inform him, anxious to fill the quiet. He nods.
"He does not like me." He says simply.
"He is learning." Severus's laugh is a cold one. "No, truly, he is. He did not like you, that is true, but he is learning to like the man you have become." I press.
Severus turns his head sideways to look at me. "He said that? Hmm. That is rather interesting." He stays quiet for the rest of the walk to the front door. Albus is there waiting for us. He nods curtly, noticing immediately my arm tucked in to my husband's.
"Let us away." He says simply. We move towards the front gate, where Minerva meets us.
"What did the Minister want, Albus?" she asks as way of greeting.
My uncle shakes his head. "Nothing of importance, Minerva. It was a matter easily settled. Now, I shall see you at headquarters." He says, disparating.
Severus looks to me to confirm what I had heard-that the matter was of great importance indeed, but Albus does not wish to reveal it. Interesting. With another quick look to one another, we disaparate and reappear in a small green lawn across the street from the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix.
Ushering me inside, Severus takes my outer cloak and hangs it on a hook. Bringing a finger to his lips for me to be silent, we make our way to the basement kitchen, where sounds of laughter and discussion greet our ears. Upon entering, I notice every eye is upon me. A few moments awkward silence is quickly dispersed when Albus enters, followed quickly by Minerva. Albus motions for everyone to take a seat. He sits down in a chair at the end of the table.
"My friends, there is much to discuss this evening, but first, I wish to acknowledge a new member of our ranks. Bena Hummel." He motions to me. I feel twenty pairs of eye bore into me, most unfriendly.
"My pardons, headmaster, but who exactly is Bena Hummel?" comes the voice of a tall, handsome-looking young wizard, most likely a Weasley, to judge from his hair.
"Bena is an old friend. I know her grandfather very well. She has been in the Wizarding States these past eighteen years, working for the Congress. She has also been monitoring certain activities, unofficially, of course, for me." None of them accept this as a final answer.
Another wizard, this one with white hair, speaks up. "How do we know she is trustworthy?"
"I will vouch for her." Says Severus from behind a curtain of black hair.
This statement does not seem to inspire confidence. Alastor Moody puts voice to this concern. "Your word doesn't mean much, Snape." He growls.
"I also will vouch for her." Comes Remus' voice.
Severus' jaw clenches tight. I move my gaze around the table, silently imploring the members of the Order to trust me. Moving their eyes between Severus and Remus, they all, after a few minutes, reluctantly give their approval.
Albus claps his hands together, as though this were the perfect treat. "Then, let us get to business. There is much to discuss." The order settles down into the routine of strategy planning. No one pays me much mind. I listen intently, but keep darting my eyes around the room. Moody is watching me closely. Remus occasionally risks a glance in my direction and Severus watches him intently.
The meeting passes quickly. A number of rather brilliant strategies are formulated. Were they to ever be put into action, I have no doubt the Death Eaters would be left stunned. Unfortunately, more often than not, the job of the Order is to react, adapt, and overcome, with little time to present an offensive line.
After two hours, the Order meeting is called to a close. No one has directly said a word to me the entire evening. I can see in their eyes they do not like or trust my presence. I know I can do nothing about that except to let it sit for the time being.
Soon enough, there are only a handful of us left in the kitchen, Molly Weasley being among them. "Don't let them get you down, dear." She says, pressing a mug of hot spiced cider into my hands. I nod in appreciation. "They'll come around. They all do."
I nod again, as Remus approaches. Severus is locked in deep discussion with Minerva and Albus. I cannot see the harm in talking to a fellow Order member, so I greet him enthusiastically.
"Where were you today? I checked all over the castle." He asks, running a hand through his too-gray hair. The next full moon will be here in five days time. I know from experience that he dreads each one. I put a comforting hand on his.
Molly notices it and purses her lips but says nothing. I pull my hand away quickly. Remus looks hurt. I whisper low, "I am sorry, Remus, but I must watch myself."
He gives a small, dry laugh. "So then you are staying with your husband?"
"Indeed." I say. He also purses his lips.
"Very well. I shall keep my distance to true this time." The look of heartbreak on his face hurts me. I want to comfort him, but it is no longer my place. Molly comes back over to us, though she has thankfully missed the exchange. So far, only Minerva and Remus know from the Order. I have the feeling Severus wishes to keep it that way for as long as possible.
I do not. "Molly." I begin. "How long have you and Arthur been married?" she cocks her head at the non-sequitor, but answers promptly.
"Twenty-five years this May." She says proudly. "And you, dear, are you married?"
"Oh yes," I answer. Severus and I just passed our eighteen year anniversary. The look of shock on her face is priceless. Oh, I really must do this more often.
By now, however, Severus has noticed what I am up to. Grabbing my forearm, he makes our excuses to the group and pulls me bodily to the front door.
"It was not your place to say, Bena." He says angrily.
"Sod off, Severus." I bark.
He is about to say more, but takes in my face and realizes I meant no harm. He pulls me in for a chaste kiss and says quietly, "Now for the main event. Hold on to your hats." With a pop we disappear from the square.
------
I enter our still deserted rooms and change my robes. I feel the need to be impressive. But, I consider, I will also need to be adaptable. I doubt there will be time between gatherings to change. I thrust my hand into the racks of robes and pull out one of deep purple. Feeling it matches brilliantly with the royal mood I am in, I quickly don it and head to the mirror. My hair is in shambles. Having never been one for the womanly arts, I shoot a few charms in the direction of the top of my head. It wobbles precariously, but stays. Calling it good, I make for the front door.
Severus enters as my hand in on the knob. I stop and pull back. He coolly nods in my direction. I step further back into the room, allowing him access. He strides by into the bedroom. A few moments later, he emerges, in fresh robes, still black, and clutching a satchel under one arm. From the corner of it, I see a flash of white, his mask. He, too, is prepared for the evening.
I notice his eyes upon me as a faint flush creeps its way up my throat. He shakes his head. My eyes widen, wondering where he could have found fault, when he withdraws his wand and shoots three charms at my head. I feel my hair rearrange itself. Once it has stopped moving, he approaches me, Accio- ing a mirror from the nightstand. He shows me the improved hairstyle. I nod my approval as he offers his arm. Staring in wonder at him, I take it and we exit together.
"I am sorry, Severus." I apologize. Tonight is a night we must be reconciled. I am practically quaking in my boots at the thought of the Order. Funny. I am not nervous about again facing Voldemort.
Severus makes a harsh sound in his throat. "There is no need to apologize. I was being childish. You were quite correct to call me on it. Are you ready for this evening?"
"Is that possible?" I question.
He smiles. "Never entirely."
"I visited Grandfather today." I inform him, anxious to fill the quiet. He nods.
"He does not like me." He says simply.
"He is learning." Severus's laugh is a cold one. "No, truly, he is. He did not like you, that is true, but he is learning to like the man you have become." I press.
Severus turns his head sideways to look at me. "He said that? Hmm. That is rather interesting." He stays quiet for the rest of the walk to the front door. Albus is there waiting for us. He nods curtly, noticing immediately my arm tucked in to my husband's.
"Let us away." He says simply. We move towards the front gate, where Minerva meets us.
"What did the Minister want, Albus?" she asks as way of greeting.
My uncle shakes his head. "Nothing of importance, Minerva. It was a matter easily settled. Now, I shall see you at headquarters." He says, disparating.
Severus looks to me to confirm what I had heard-that the matter was of great importance indeed, but Albus does not wish to reveal it. Interesting. With another quick look to one another, we disaparate and reappear in a small green lawn across the street from the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix.
Ushering me inside, Severus takes my outer cloak and hangs it on a hook. Bringing a finger to his lips for me to be silent, we make our way to the basement kitchen, where sounds of laughter and discussion greet our ears. Upon entering, I notice every eye is upon me. A few moments awkward silence is quickly dispersed when Albus enters, followed quickly by Minerva. Albus motions for everyone to take a seat. He sits down in a chair at the end of the table.
"My friends, there is much to discuss this evening, but first, I wish to acknowledge a new member of our ranks. Bena Hummel." He motions to me. I feel twenty pairs of eye bore into me, most unfriendly.
"My pardons, headmaster, but who exactly is Bena Hummel?" comes the voice of a tall, handsome-looking young wizard, most likely a Weasley, to judge from his hair.
"Bena is an old friend. I know her grandfather very well. She has been in the Wizarding States these past eighteen years, working for the Congress. She has also been monitoring certain activities, unofficially, of course, for me." None of them accept this as a final answer.
Another wizard, this one with white hair, speaks up. "How do we know she is trustworthy?"
"I will vouch for her." Says Severus from behind a curtain of black hair.
This statement does not seem to inspire confidence. Alastor Moody puts voice to this concern. "Your word doesn't mean much, Snape." He growls.
"I also will vouch for her." Comes Remus' voice.
Severus' jaw clenches tight. I move my gaze around the table, silently imploring the members of the Order to trust me. Moving their eyes between Severus and Remus, they all, after a few minutes, reluctantly give their approval.
Albus claps his hands together, as though this were the perfect treat. "Then, let us get to business. There is much to discuss." The order settles down into the routine of strategy planning. No one pays me much mind. I listen intently, but keep darting my eyes around the room. Moody is watching me closely. Remus occasionally risks a glance in my direction and Severus watches him intently.
The meeting passes quickly. A number of rather brilliant strategies are formulated. Were they to ever be put into action, I have no doubt the Death Eaters would be left stunned. Unfortunately, more often than not, the job of the Order is to react, adapt, and overcome, with little time to present an offensive line.
After two hours, the Order meeting is called to a close. No one has directly said a word to me the entire evening. I can see in their eyes they do not like or trust my presence. I know I can do nothing about that except to let it sit for the time being.
Soon enough, there are only a handful of us left in the kitchen, Molly Weasley being among them. "Don't let them get you down, dear." She says, pressing a mug of hot spiced cider into my hands. I nod in appreciation. "They'll come around. They all do."
I nod again, as Remus approaches. Severus is locked in deep discussion with Minerva and Albus. I cannot see the harm in talking to a fellow Order member, so I greet him enthusiastically.
"Where were you today? I checked all over the castle." He asks, running a hand through his too-gray hair. The next full moon will be here in five days time. I know from experience that he dreads each one. I put a comforting hand on his.
Molly notices it and purses her lips but says nothing. I pull my hand away quickly. Remus looks hurt. I whisper low, "I am sorry, Remus, but I must watch myself."
He gives a small, dry laugh. "So then you are staying with your husband?"
"Indeed." I say. He also purses his lips.
"Very well. I shall keep my distance to true this time." The look of heartbreak on his face hurts me. I want to comfort him, but it is no longer my place. Molly comes back over to us, though she has thankfully missed the exchange. So far, only Minerva and Remus know from the Order. I have the feeling Severus wishes to keep it that way for as long as possible.
I do not. "Molly." I begin. "How long have you and Arthur been married?" she cocks her head at the non-sequitor, but answers promptly.
"Twenty-five years this May." She says proudly. "And you, dear, are you married?"
"Oh yes," I answer. Severus and I just passed our eighteen year anniversary. The look of shock on her face is priceless. Oh, I really must do this more often.
By now, however, Severus has noticed what I am up to. Grabbing my forearm, he makes our excuses to the group and pulls me bodily to the front door.
"It was not your place to say, Bena." He says angrily.
"Sod off, Severus." I bark.
He is about to say more, but takes in my face and realizes I meant no harm. He pulls me in for a chaste kiss and says quietly, "Now for the main event. Hold on to your hats." With a pop we disappear from the square.
------