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Chapter Ten

SIGNED AND SEALED

"Where does she get off, sending me a birthday card? She hasn't bothered for the past twenty-five years." Andi was ranting and pacing round the room, waving the birthday card in the air. "I mean, she didn't even bother coming to her own mother's funeral."

"Was she aware of her death?"

Andi paused and looked at him. "How should I know?" she spat. "She's never contacted us until now." She put her hands to her hips. "It's that bloody newspaper report, isn't it? She's found me through that."

"One presumes in which case, she has been looking."

Andi gave him a sharp look. "Whose side are you on? She walked out on me when I was three years old."

"I am merely stating the possibilities."

"Gran lived in the same council flat most of her life - it's where my mother grew up. She knew where to find us if she'd wanted." She sat down heavily on the sofa and ran a hand through her hair, then opened the card and read again:

"Darling Andrea,

I know it's been an awfully long time,

but I am so pleased to have the

opportunity to wish my dearest daughter

a very happy birthday.

I do hope we can meet up in the very near future.

It would be lovely to see you again and

catch up on all your news. Perhaps I

could visit you at Hogwarts? I shall be

in the UK in November.

Do let me know.

With love,

Mummy.'"

Andi looked at the right-hand side of the card. "Genevieve de Laclos. She's living in New York."

"Do you plan to reply?"

Andi thought. "My immediate reaction is to tear this up - or perhaps you can teach me a Disintegrating spell." She flopped back on the sofa. "But another part of me is curious, you know? Shit! She fucked up my life by leaving me, and now she's going to fuck it up again by coming back."

He came and sat beside her. She looked at him and then settled herself against his chest.

"I'm sorry. You really don't need all this, do you - domestic problems."

His arm came around her shoulder and hers around his waist.

"I've never asked; do you have family?"

"No."

"None at all?"

"All the pure-blood families are related in some way."

"But no immediate family?"

"No."

"Oh, that's right. I remember it saying in the newspaper report something about you being the last surviving heir?"

"Hmmmm."

"It wasn't true?"

"Yes, it is true. I dislike being reminded of it, is all."

"So the Snapes are pure-blood?"

"Yes, I am."

She leaned up to look at him. "You mean to say there are no other Snapes in the world?"

"Not from my line of the name."

"I have the only one?"

"Am I not enough?" he smirked.

She moved her face closer to his. "Plenty." She smiled as they fell into a long, slow, lazy kiss.

----------

"Replying so soon?"

They sat at the table, he marking homework, she trying to find the right response to her mother's note.

"Thought I'd get it over and done with."

"You won't think about it for a few days?"

"No. I suppose I shall have to meet her. How does this sound? 'Dear Genevieve...'"

"Not 'mother'?"

"She's never been my mother, and I'm certainly not picking up her chosen 'mummy'. I call my grandfather Cornelius, so I don't see why I shouldn't call her Genevieve.

'Dear Genevieve,

Thank you for the birthday card.

I shall be at Hogwarts during the whole
of November should you wish to visit.

Please let me know.

Regards,

Andrea.'"

She looked up at him.

"Brief and to the point," he said.

"I couldn't think of how else to put it. Not unfriendly, but not exactly encouraging."

"In that case, I would say it is perfect." He marked the top paper with a vicious 'A'. "That should irritate Narcissa."

Andi rolled up her letter. "Can I borrow your seal?" She reached for the brass instrument.

He put his hand out and shielded the one on the right. "Not that one." He picked up the one on the left and handed it to her. "Hogwarts."

"What's the other one, then?"

"My own."

"You have your own seal? Let me see..." She picked up the remaining brass seal. "What is that - a snake and a pole?"

"A Viper and the ancient staff of Sucellus."

"Oh, is that like a family crest or something?"

"The House of Snape crest, yes."

"So only members of the Snape family are allowed to use it, right?"

"As with all House seals."

"Can anyone have their own seal? Could I have one?"

"Incorporating your initials, yes, but a crest has to be bestowed by the Wizengamot and these days it is rarely done."

"Would I be entitled to use Cornelius' crest if he had one?"

Snape put down his quill. "What is this about?"

"Nothing. I was just wondering, that's all."

"I detect an underlying cause."

"Really? News to me," she said, airily.

"You have had trouble from the students again, haven't you?"

"No, I...oh, all right, yes. I'm sure a couple of them tripped me up with a spell the other day, and on Friday the piano had been muffled - yet again. That joke's getting boring now."

"Slytherins?"

"Maybe."

"Who?"

"I don't know. It doesn't matter."

"If it has you desiring more substantial evidence of your wizard blood - as in wanting your own seal, I would say it does matter."

"No, it was nothing - really it wasn't. I just thought having an official seal might give the finger to my mother, that's all." She grinned.

"Then that is acceptable.," He smirked and marked the next paper with an 'E'.

"Hey!" she said. "You didn't even bother to read that one."

"I don't need to - it is Hermione Granger's..."

Helena Oe - You mean like preparing for lessons? Yes I like to include a smattering of ordinary stuff - makes it sound more real, I think. Thank you for the comment, that was nice.

Weasly-Fancier - Welcome. Thanks for your review. I hope you stay with the story.

Josie - Which bit, the accusation or the apology? Or both, of course!

Thouandl - Yes, make-up sex is almost worth the arguing in the first place! hehehe. Oh and the shoes, the shoes! You just wait!

FemmeLoki - Your toes are still sore? I know someone who would be only too willing to give them some TLC.

JessiokaFroka - Twisty? I'm tying myself in knots here - even I don't know the whole story yet.

Kerichi - Nice to have you back. Your review made me wonder if you somehow have access to my drafts of the next twelve chapters. You'll find something in common with pal Liz, I think, and as for the f-me shoes - wait and see.

Intelligent Witch - Oh dear, you think THAT was a cliffie? I promise there are not too many in this story but what there are...oh, dear. There are some bad ones, I warn you now. btw double choc chip cookie, please.