Disclaimer: I own little to nothing of what it is named/referred to and am making even less from it.
Chapter 9.
As he stalked down the corridor, Severus was conscious of only slowing his pace just a little to accommodate for the girl following closely on his heels. It wasn't until they came to the main stairs that he was aware of any problem at all. The girl, as he had taken to calling her, had been at his side or as good as, since they had left the hospital wing, but when he was several steps down the flight of stairs she was still standing up at the top. Turning to see what on earth was holding her up, he was just in time to see her take an unsteady step downwards and overbalance.
He had cast the charm before he had even thought, years of duelling practice making his reflexes sharper than most people's. Subsequently, he halted her fall before she had hit the solid marble face first, but only just. Quickly he grabbed her by the waist and righted her. A glance told him she hadn't hurt herself seriously and although her eyes were tearing up she was biting her lip in an adamant statement that she would not cry. Even if it was grudgingly, he had to admit that this was quite a feat.
"And are we to assume that this Gaelic speaking household in the middle of nowhere also had no stairs, Miss McGonagall?" He asked as she settled herself into his arms, despite his initial intentions to set her back down again. Thinking about it, it really oughtn't to have come as a great surprise and he had to admit that these deep-cut monstrosities of steps were likely not the best place to learn. In any case he conceded and carried her down to the Entrance Hall.
When they reached the stairs down to the dungeons however, he carefully set her back on her feet. Glancing around he hoped that everyone really was at dinner, as they ought to be, for he had no desire for anyone to see what he was about to do now. Then again he'd be damned if he was going to carry the child around for the next… well, however long she was with them for. Taking a few steps downward, he turned back towards her and taking both her hands in his own tried to guide her down. He took a step backward so that she really had no choice but to move forward and slowly and a little apprehensively she did just that. Using her grip on his fingers to help her balance she managed the set of four steps and as she reached the flat she looked up at him and smiled shyly.
"Well done." He said letting the corner of his mouth twitch upwards. "Not exactly a world changing achievement but promising none the less." Letting go of just one hand he started down the next stretch of corridor. They took the next set of stairs in a similar fashion but when they came to the third and last flight she continued on without waiting for his other hand. Using an arm to steady herself against the wall she slowly and carefully descended them and Severus was a little taken aback by the pride he felt at her success.
"Well Madame – lets hope that you're just as quick at picking up languages, huh?" He said and was met by another quizzical look. By the time that they had arrived at the tapestry which covered the entrance to his quarters, she reinserted her little finger into her mouth. Muttering the password he led his 'guest' in and then was immediately struck by the fact that there was already a fire blazing in the grate. It wasn't that he didn't usually light one, it was just that well…he usually did it himself.
However, Poppy had said that the elves had been down in order to make his second bedroom habitable. He might have pondered the situation longer if it weren't for the fact that he could feel the weight of the young girl leaning up against his leg. The child was obviously exhausted, despite having slept for several hours during the day, but the previous night had been nothing if not unusual. Leaning down, he picked her up again and headed for the seldom opened door off the living space in his quarters. The room wasn't large but there was more than enough room for the single bed and chest of drawers that were the only significant pieces of furniture there.
"Right, well this is your room for the time being." He told her as he sat her down on the edge of the bed and turned back towards the drawer. Opening the top-one he found three or four garments neatly folded. He pulled out the nightshirt that she had been wearing when they had found her, and returned to the bed. He was more than mildly amused to find 'Minerva' trying futilely to undo the back of her dress.
"I'm afraid your arms are too short for that to work." He told her as he undid the buttons quickly. Out of curiosity though, he stood back to see what she would do. Shrugging the fabric off her shoulders, she let the dress fall to the ground and reached for her nighty. After she had donned it she picked up the dress and after looking around, she walked over and placed it carefully on the chair that sat in the corner. Severus was beginning to feel that this child was going to be far more self-sufficient than most. When she returned it dawned on him that he really ought to brush her teeth and perhaps even point out the connecting door that also led from the bathroom to his bed chamber. Holding out a hand she took it and he walked her over to the door talking her through everything on the way.
"This is the bathroom, and ah, the elves managed to find you a toothbrush." In order for her to reach the sink he had to pick her up and hold her there but once again she seemed more than capable of dealing with the brushing herself. Once they were done he opened another door and guided her across the threshold.
"Sibh?" She asked pointing at him and then at the bed.
"Yes." He replied with a nod. She certainly wasn't slow. She gave a thoughtful nod then turned on her heel and walked back to her room and hopped up onto the bed and pulled off her pumps. It was only when he was rearranging the covers on her bed that he remembered the cuddly toy that Albus had so carefully left in his possession earlier that day. He retrieved it from the living room and certainly wasn't expecting the response that he received when he returned.
"Lamblet!" The girl cried, bouncing out of the bed and running towards him. Severus couldn't supress a chuckle as she took the creature and held it next to her chest, inhaling deeply. After a moment though she held it at arms length as if examining it.
"Tha e atharraich." She said looking up at him. He supposed that she had noticed that this was not exactly the same Lamblet that she knew but she seemed to accept it none the less as after shrugging she took it back to the bed with her. He followed her again and sat on the edge of the bed as she snuggled into the pillows.
"Goodnight Minerva. I shall see you in the morning." He told her, feeling an inexplicable desire to run his hand through the soft curls that covered the pillows.
"Mar sin anmoch." She murmured as she rolled onto her side. After a moment he muttered 'nox' and all of the lights went out, bar another softly glowing orb that sat on top of the dressing table. He made his way out of the room and gently closed the door behind him. After pouring himself a drink, which he felt he really did deserve after the distinctly bizarre day he had had all in all, he sat down at his desk to write a note to Remus. It had become fairly obvious that his plans for the weekend were going to have to be changed quite dramatically.
Once he was done and had sent the message away with his own owl, he sat back and realised for the first time quite how tired he really was. He supposed this was hardly surprising since he had had no sleep at all the previous night. Draining the last of the whiskey in his glass, he went to put the bottle away and was struck by the memory of who had given him that particular bottle of Talisker. For someone who drank infrequently and then only ever in moderation, Minerva McGonagall did have, or at least had had, an incredible eye for a nice vintage.
This bottle had been his last birthday present and he noticed that now this seemed quite …meaningful to him. Shaking his head he blamed the odd over-emotional response on his exhaustion rather than looking any deeper. As he began drifting off to sleep he was glad for the early night, as he more than suspected that tomorrow and the meeting it would likely bring with Draco's remaining parent, would be something of a trial for all involved.
A/N:
Sibh? – You?
Tha e atharraich – It is changed. (literally)
Mar sin anmoch – Goodnight
(and yes Lamblet is still just a butchering of regular English, even if my post-facto beta has abducted the name….)
I love this chapter. Sorry just had to say that grin Hope you liked it to, let me know in any case. Thanks for taking the time to read and especially to those of you who are faithful in your reviewing grin
xLx
PS – thank you M!!!!!!
