Fanfiction based in the world of Harry Potter, created by JKR. Her characters are hers. Original characters are mine. Please see first chapter for full disclaimers and description.

This was a difficult chapter to write. I don't "do" the Malfoys very well. Particularly Narcissa, whom we've not seen much in canon. But I liked the Rowena/Severus interaction here, and further plot developments besides just the romance part—which is of course my favorite.

The "white rabbits" reference is of course stolen from the "Alice in Wonderland" story. However, having Severus use this reference in this particular way is credit again to Annii Fraizer, my role-playing friend who played Severus Snape on the role-playing site where Rowena was born. Lots of Annii's Snape in the walk to Hogsmeade conversation.

I lied a bit—I promised the next chapter would start the school year and interaction with the students, but it turns out I need one more chapter before I can start the term. We must find out what goes on with Tonks! I can't wait to introduce you to the new DADA Professor. I assure you Severus will NOT be happy with the newcomer!

As always, your comments and reviews are craved. Thanks!

Chapter 14: Meeting the New Professor

A faint buzz like the hum of a bee sounded in the room, the soft sound of a very quiet alarm charm. Severus wakened at once, being an incredibly light sleeper out of years of necessity. He rubbed a tired hand across his face. Phantom, his ferret and familiar had joined them on the bed sometime during the afternoon and had curled in a ball at Severus's neck. The black creature squeaked in protest as Severus stirred, stretched lazily, and scurried off the bed.

Rowena was still sleeping softly, curled up against his side, her head on his chest. He waved his hand to silence the alarm, and then gazed at her, allowing himself a brief moment to be fully aware of her while she slept.

It was normal for Severus to stifle his emotions at all times. He had been doing this since he was a very small child. He had quickly learned that by not allowing himself to feel, he avoided pain. He was now becoming aware of the more positive side of emotions that he had also avoided.

He would never be a demonstrative man. Emotions and their effects would not be something that would ever come easily to him. But he was an intellectual, and prided himself on being willing to look critically at himself. Just for now, he wanted the chance to evaluate the feelings and sensations that swirled inside him in a kaleidoscope of impressions, each more confusing than the last.

The sleeping woman in his arms was warm and soft, her arm draped over his chest, one leg twined gently with his own. Her hair was in its tight braid she wore in the lab, but smelled sweet and felt silky against his chin. His body responded to the warmth of hers instantly. Even before he was fully awake he had felt the desire that had become a constant ache in his groin over the last several weeks, the heavy thickening of his body as it reacted to his thoughts and awareness. His flesh felt more sensitive when she touched him, his body more aware of her contact than it had ever been to any other sensation.

His over-large nose had always been particularly sensitive to scents of all sorts. Yet hers, especially... that sweet, feminine fragrance of her, ignited his senses. He sometimes fancied he could tell when she had been in the Library or even in the hallways by the lingering scent alone.

But these were mere physical responses. He could hardly be called a man if he did not respond to her in this way. A pretty woman who repeatedly proclaimed her faith in him, her attraction to him, her belief in him as a far better man than he was. What man would not respond physically to such attentions?

She deserved more than just biological responses. He forced himself to delve deeper into his emotions, beyond the physical. Rowena touched him at some primitive level. He cared deeply for her welfare. He felt protective of her. He wished her happiness. He doubted very much that she would find the happiness she deserved with him, but he did want her to be happy. She stirred his emotions as no one ever had. She could make him angrier than Potter ever had done in an instant... and then with a word, a look or a touch... like the tender caress of his Dark Mark this morning... She could diffuse him as though he was nothing more than a smoking bomb that she had extinguished harmlessly.

But he still did not trust her. He felt a sharp stab of genuine pain at the realization. Not that he felt she was insincere in her declarations, or that she would somehow betray him in his dual role. It was simply that he did not trust her feelings to stand the test of time. She really had no idea who he was, what demons haunted his past. She was too innocent, too trusting, too willing to believe him to be something he was not.

And so there was the crux. He could not trust her affections—was it "love" she held for him already? Not while he continued to believe her to be hopelessly deluded in regards to the kind of man he was. She had pretty words... "I accept you just as you are..." but she had no idea what he REALLY was.

He gave a snort of self-derision. As proof that he was NOT worthy of her faith in his 'goodness'... even this mental conclusion did not change anything. Not for the moment. He was not unselfish enough to turn her away. She had brought something to his life that he had never experienced before, and he was unwilling to lose that already, even to protect her.

Time would prove one or the other of them wrong. He had no hope that it was he, himself who was mistaken. He felt certain that he knew himself too well. He knew enough of his feelings now to know that there would be great pain for both of them when she finally realized he was not the man she believed him to be. But he would allow it to take its course.

His emotional inventory had taken only a few minutes. He then carefully and deliberately shut the emotions away again as neatly and completely as a man might take out working dogs for a run and then kennel them away, forgotten and unnoticed until they were wanted.

Gently he leaned forward and kissed the sleeping woman's lips. Just like in the fairy tales, her lashes fluttered open sleepily and she smiled softly at him. Her chocolate brown eyes met his guilelessly, and he was nearly overwhelmed for an instant at the pure emotion visible there. Based on a weak foundation, they might have been, but there was no doubting the strength of her feelings, nor that they were genuine.

He closed his own eyes—it was almost painful to see that level of untainted affection directed at himself—and kissed her again. She wrapped her arms around him, encouraging him on. He parted her lips with his tongue, nibbling her lower lip with his teeth, and then claimed her mouth hungrily. He drank in her soft, whimpering sigh and delighted in the immediate quickening of her breath.

Another sensation... pride... his male pride was definitely stroked when he could feel her body respond so quickly to his touch, his own desire heightened with the evidence of hers. He pulled her tightly against his body, as though to meld her with himself. Her fingers clutched his hair almost painfully as she met his kisses with ardor. The ever-present cynic in his brain smirked inwardly—"greasy git" they had called him... if they could see him now! With this remarkable woman eagerly twining her fingers through his lank black locks as if she could bind her to him by his hair alone.

But he didn't allow their kisses to linger or become desperate. A few minutes of bliss only, and then he pulled back from her, tenderly rubbing her own small nose with his much larger one. When she looked at him, she had successfully used her Occlumency to suppress the visible evidence of her affections, thankfully.

"You should not open your eyes from sleep without raising your Occlumency, Rowena," he teased, kissing her gently to remove any real sting from his words.

She raised a brow archly and brought up a hand to gently stroke his cheek, "Severus, I have no secrets from you, not really. I just think that "Rowena infatuation" is probably best dealt with in small doses, don't you?"

He had to admit to himself that in some things, she did seem to know him quite well.

"I think you are correct in that," he said wryly. He kissed her once more and then sat up at the edge of the bed, "We need to get ready to leave. I must shower and change, at the very least. We will walk to Hogsmeade and Apparate to the Malfoys. I don't like giving them access to the carriage or other means of transport that can be tampered with more often than absolutely necessary."

"Okay. I'll be ready. I'm sorry to sound backward or obsessed with fashion, but I haven't done this sort of thing much. How dressy am I supposed to be? Are we actually dining at their home?"

He sighed and stood, waved his closet doors open, which revealed an amazing array of... black robes. Not one of them had any touch of real color. The only color visible in all the cabinet was the Slytherin green of his scarf and the Crest of Slytherin house on his professor's robes.

"Yes, we will have our meal at their home. I will again be giving you the general poison antidote. I would like to think it's unnecessary, but I don't wish to take chances. You will meet Draco; he's every bit as bigoted as Lucius, without the veneer of social graces. Dress robes are fine, or a casual dress—is there such a thing? I know little of female fashions. Less formal than a date to the theater, but more formal than a school feast, does that help?"

She grinned and nodded towards his closet. "Yes, I think I know just the thing. Now I know why you only own and wear black—it saves you from having to decide what to wear for any given occasion. That's cheating!"

"Indeed. We need to leave in thirty minutes. Perhaps you don't require as much time as the average female, but I doubt you can spare time dawdling and dissecting my wardrobe."

She laughed and stood as well, standing on tip-toe to kiss him briefly, and then turned to leave. He called after her, "I will come to your quarters for you."

"All right. See you soon then," she called with a radiant smile as she left.

Fool girl! Acting like she was going on holiday. There was much potential for unpleasantness tonight. More complications! This charade added to her danger and his urge to protect her. Perhaps Brother Lupin had a point... she was pissed as hell at him for 20 years, but at least she stayed away... and in Severus's own case, pissed off and away would definitely be safer for her.

He was too selfish to give the thought any more consideration than that. He shoved it aside as he got into the shower.

Prompt, to the second as always, Severus was at her door precisely thirty minutes after she had left. She was in dark red, satin dress robes. Her hair she had pulled off her face with a glittery golden barrette at the back of her head, the soft ringlets that she preferred cascading down her back in loose flowing curls.

The look suited her, leaving the clear complexion of her heart-shaped face completely unobscured. The robes were feminine and elegant, and the color enriched her normally rather "monotone" complexion. However, Severus didn't much care for the color, even though she looked quite pretty... it was too much like blood. But he said nothing. It was a strong color and gave a strong impression... The appearance of strength was always a benefit when dealing with the Malfoys.

He gave her a small smile of approval as she took his arm. The evening was warm and clear. The late summer sun was still brushing against the mountains, giving a soft golden light, so that the walk would not be at all unpleasant.

"I was thinking, as I was getting ready, that there are a lot of things I still don't really know about you," she said, surprisingly, as they began walking towards Hogsmeade.

He frowned at her, suddenly feeling a very uncomfortable sensation in his chest, and said very seriously, "Indeed. I believe I have been trying to warn you of that these last several weeks."

She laughed lightly and shook her head, "No, I don't mean that. I think I know the core of who you are better than you do. I mean the little things. Like, what's your favorite color, how do you like your coffee, what's your favorite Quidditch team, what makes you laugh... you know, that sort of stuff."

He looked at her incredulously, and then shrugged, "My favorite color is green, though I never wear anything but black, as you have seen. I don't care for coffee, though if I can't get tea I will drink coffee with cream. I never use sugar in either. I laugh when I can catch Potter at his antics and put him in detention." He actually grinned at this, and her light, answering laugh gave him an odd lurching sensation in his stomach.

He continued, "I like the Falmouth Falcons, though my favorite Quidditch team is Slytherin, of course," and now he was grinning openly, and she laughed again. He could not remember ever smiling so much in his life, but it felt surprisingly pleasant.

This was still very new and strange to him, but his emotional inventory of this afternoon had left him with the decision that he was just going to go along, whatever might happen. Though perhaps, in after thought, it wouldn't hurt to watch for white rabbits!

"And you, Miss Lupin? How would you answer your questions?" he teased, though with a very serious expression.

She was smiling radiantly, almost hugging his arm to her, as she had joined her hands around his arm as they walked. "Well, my favorite color is yellow, but I can't ever wear it because it washes me out, you know, my mousy coloring. I've always liked it, though—it seems so bright and cheerful to me. I don't drink coffee, either, ever. I can't stand it. Lots of things make me laugh, I'm pretty easy going as far as that goes. And you will have to forgive me if my favorite Quidditch team is Ravenclaw... that was my own house, you know."

"Ah, yes, but if I recall correctly, Ravenclaw never defeated Slytherin while we were in school together, so that makes Slytherin the superior does it not?" he asked smiling at her again.

"Why, Professor Snape, you are quite the rogue to point that out! Very tactless," she chided him, almost giggling, "It leads me to retaliate and remind you that while Ravenclaw never defeated Slytherin; there was only one time that Slytherin defeated your arch rival house of Gryffindor. And I believe there was some tampering afoot there," she said teasingly.

He chuckled softly, "A rogue, now, am I? That is surely the least insulting... epithet I have ever received. And why, Miss Lupin, would you believe there to have been tampering involved in that game? No one was ever able to determine why it was that Potter's broom suddenly became frictionless. It must have been a defect in the manufacturing of the broom, I am sure."

"Oh, you might fool others... but I saw you. Everyone else was watching the game—I was watching you. In fact, it was that incident that taught me about Dark Wands. Talking to the girls from your house, trying to figure out how you did it without being caught. It was really brilliant."

He sighed, and shook his head, though he was still smiling softly at her, "Rowena, every other female in the school would have been scandalized at anything happening to Potter. You truly were a sick little girl, do you know that? Perhaps what you need is not to spend time with me, but to seek out a muggle psychologist."

She laughed again and squeezed his arm, "I'm not mentally unbalanced, Severus. I just happen to like seeing people get what they deserve."

"Indeed. And how is it with that vindictive and blood thirsty attitude, and your single-minded drive to get what you set your mind upon, that you were not placed in Slytherin House?" he asked, genuinely curious. As a teacher, he knew that the Sorting Hat often offered two choices.

She shrugged, "Well, the Sorting Hat did mention Slytherin, but it said that being a half-blood would make things hard for me there. I was already scared enough without willingly choosing a house that would automatically view me as inferior. Besides, after you said on the train that I was 'destined' for Ravenclaw, it just seemed the place for me to go."

He smirked then and said, "Would you be surprised to know that at my sorting, the Hat tried to convince me to choose Ravenclaw? I was already determined to be in Slytherin."

"No, that doesn't surprise me," she said softly.

A dark, brooding frown shadowed his features. He reached across and laid his free hand over her hands on his arm and squeezed them gently. "Interesting paths our choices take us on, don't you think?"

She nodded her agreement, but by now they had reached Hogsmeade.

"I don't wish you to arrive alone at the Malfoys, even though you know where they live well enough to Apparate there on your own," he said, suddenly brusque and business-like. He pulled two small phials out of his robes and handed one to her, "Drink this, the antidote I mentioned, and then allow me to transport us."

"All right. Cheers," she said as they both drank the small potion. She made a face and returned the phial to him, "If you truly enjoyed research, Master Snape, you would find a way to make the damn thing taste better!"

"Nonsense. I live for other people's misery, didn't you know? Let's go," he said with a smirk, holding his hand out to her. When she had placed her hand in his, he instantly Apparated them away.

They arrived outside the gates to the Malfoy Manor, and strode up the path through the fine, well-manicured front garden. The last time she had been here, only a little more than two weeks ago, she had been so excited and nervous that she hadn't paid much attention to her surroundings. She had been too absorbed with her own inner turmoil. Now, she felt the need to be more on her guard, and was also less nervous around Severus, and so she observed.

The house was huge and stately. Tall white columns at the front of the house decorated a wrap-around porch of sorts, though it was really too elegant to be called a 'porch'. Maybe a 'veranda' would be more suitable. The huge pillars then supported the second floor of the veranda, which was a balcony that also appeared to wrap around at least two sides of the home. From where she could see, it seemed that many of the upstairs rooms opened onto the balcony through French doors similar to the ones that had exited the Ballroom the night she had been here for the Fete.

They had only just stepped up to the huge oaken front doors when they swung open at once of their own accord. Lucius Malfoy could be seen striding up the hall towards them. The white marble floor of the hallway gleamed brightly, polished as it was to an almost mirror finish. Malfoy's expensive, highly polished dragon-hide boots made soft "click click click" sounds as he walked towards them, his 'social smile' already firmly in place.

"Severus, prompt as always old friend." He grabbed Severus's hand in a handshake that had all the appearance of friendly warmth. He then turned to Rowena with a very formal, but very slight bow, "Rowena, how very pleasant to welcome you to our home yet again, I thank you for coming. We have received the official notice of your class offering in the post. I know Draco had some questions, as he is planning to enroll. Please, come in."

She couldn't help but wonder, in all this grandeur, why Lucius answered the door himself. But then she realized that it must be hard to have truly loyal servants that could be trusted implicitly when one is a Death Eater; and she didn't see the Malfoys as the sort who would like the impression given when a house elf answered the door! They might be highly efficient cleaning and cooking staff, but they did not make for impressive butlers.

Malfoy led the way down the long marble hallway. Numerous ornately framed family portraits and wizarding landscape paintings hung on the walls, well lit by elegant wall sconces. Not a speck of dust could be seen anywhere, and even in the dying light of the setting sun every surface gleamed brilliantly.

They passed the ballroom on their left. On the night of the Fete, Rowena had had the impression that the room was the primary room of the ground floor, completely surrounded by French doors leading out into the gardens. Now, she could see that in fact only the south and west walls had the exterior doors. The east wall was floor to ceiling in one smooth, perfect mirror. This gave the visual impression of the room being double its actual size and number of guests when full. Currently, of course, it was empty. But its golden wood floor was unmarred by any scuff marks, even though dozens of people had danced here a few weeks ago.

Just beyond this ballroom, Lucius led them into a cozy parlor. It was elegantly furnished, but somehow it was decorated in a style to convey it's great expense while being inviting rather than intimidating. Narcissa was seated within, as was a young man who could only be Lucius's son.

Draco rose from his seat fluidly when they entered the room, and crossed over to them immediately, standing at polite and very formal attention next to Lucius. The boy had the identical ice-gray eyes and white-blonde hair of his father, though he wore his very short. His face was ivory pale, though he still had the pink flush and fullness of youth so that he did not look unhealthy in his pallor.

"Rowena, this is my son, Draco. He is entering his sixth year at Hogwarts. We have been quite proud of his progress over all. He is planning to enroll in your class, as I mentioned," he said, introducing them with perfect etiquette, "Draco, this is Professor Lupin. She will be teaching the Magical Theory and Research class. She is also a particular friend of Professor Snape's."

Draco's eyes had been drawn to her as soon as she entered the room, and had raked over her thoroughly, assessing her critically. She thought she could detect a slight tightening of his face, as though we would have liked to offer her a sneer. However, at this introduction, Draco bowed very formally. His drawling voice still had its usual air of sarcasm, though it was better concealed now than was normal as he practiced his 'polite tones' for her, "Professor Lupin, I am glad to meet you. I hope you will allow me to ask you questions about your class over dinner."

Rowena had to try very hard not to smirk at all this stiff and phony formality and politeness. She noticed that Draco did not try to shake her hand, and that Narcissa was watching the exchange with an intense interest that might almost be called nervous. Rowena instead offered a friendlier version of her own 'polite smile' than she might have normally done. "I am pleased to meet you as well, Draco. I would be glad to answer any questions you might have."

Draco nodded again and then smiled more genuinely, though with an ingratiating quality, to Severus, "Hello, Professor Snape. I passed my O.W.L.s with a high enough score to qualify for your advanced potions class, so I will be enrolled there."

Severus nodded slightly, "I was already aware of this, Draco. Congratulations. I must be the bearer of bad tidings, though, and tell you that somehow Potter managed also to qualify, and will also be in the class."

Draco and Rowena both frowned at this, though for different reasons. Rowena thought it was quite unprofessional and unfair of Severus to talk of one of his students in a negative fashion with another. Draco was merely annoyed at the thought of having to still be in class with Potter.

Narcissa spoke then, from her elegant seat by the fireplace, before the subject could be discussed more fully, "Do come in and make yourselves comfortable, Severus, Rowena."

Lucius gave a slight nod and gestured with his arm towards the elegant Queen Anne chairs that surrounded a matching coffee table. He himself moved to a large, well-stocked bar against the wall near the window. "May I offer you a drink before dinner?"

"Brandy," Severus said curtly. His veneer of "friendliness" towards Lucius obviously did not make him feel that he had to actually BE friendly!

"And you, Rowena?" Lucius asked as he poured a measure of the amber liquid into a crystal snifter, carefully covering the top with an elegant cloth napkin.

"White wine, please, Lucius," she said, taking the seat near Narcissa that seemed to be expected of her. Draco then sat in the chair on the other side so that she was effectively surrounded by Malfoys and cut off from Severus. He sat on the opposite side of the hearth and observed them all with an expression of thinly concealed boredom. His glittering black eyes, though, met hers with an intensity that told her he was quite on his guard.

"So, Professor Lupin... are you a relation to the other Professor Lupin that we had three years ago?" Draco asked as Lucius provided the requested drinks. Draco's eyes bored into hers intently, though she could detect no Legilimency skill in him. She rather thought it was merely a trained response, meant to intimidate.

"Yes, Draco. Remus Lupin is my brother," she said, unflinchingly.

Draco did not attempt to conceal his "surprise", though Rowena was certain his parents must have told him of this before. "Really? But... He had to quit teaching because of his... well, if you are his sister you surely know he's a werewolf!"

"That he is, Draco, but I am not. My brother's condition has no affect on my teaching abilities. I can also assure you that I am not nearly as soft-hearted as my brother. I would easily guess that he forgave infractions in his classes that should have been dealt with. I will not have that same weakness," Rowena said, meeting Draco's challenging gaze with a stern one of her own.

Surprisingly, to her at least, Draco smiled at this, "I see. I'm glad to hear it. It's so hard to focus on what we are supposed to be learning when the Professor allows disruptive students to bother the rest of us."

Rowena was in no way fooled into thinking that Draco was so diligent a student as he obviously wished to imply. She smiled guilelessly at him and said, "I have a further advantage over several of the Professors at Hogwarts... I am not Head of any House, obviously, and have been away from school for so long that I really have no particular ties to any of them. I was a Ravenclaw in my days there, but even then I had no strong loyalties. You will not find me, Draco, showing ANY favoritism to ANY students, for ANY reason."

Draco's smile tightened ever so slightly, but did not fade from his face entirely. "I'm glad to hear it, Professor."

Narcissa then deftly led the conversation towards the actual types of things that might be covered in the class, with Draco at least feigning interest in the answers. Severus and Lucius conversed in low tones on the far side of the room. It would be more accurate to say that Lucius offered conversation to which Severus occasionally deigned to respond. When a small bell chimed, Lucius led them all to an elegant formal dining room.

The room was huge, and easily dwarfed the ornate oak dining table that was currently round and only slightly larger than five people would need to be seated comfortably. Rowena suspected that the table was magical, like many that could be found in the wealthier wizarding homes. No doubt with a wave of the wand and the proper words, the table could be expanded to seat dozens, which would be more appropriate for the size of the room.

The six chandeliers were identical, masterpieces of wrought gold and crystal that lit the room with light that was simultaneously gentle and yet bright. The golden light added richness to the white-fair skin of the Malfoys, though it deepened the impression of sallowness in Severus's face, and diminished the flattering effect of Rowena's blood-red dress robes. Undoubtedly this was all by design. The Malfoys were of a sort to always want to appear to their best advantage; if they could do that while decreasing the advantages of others, so much the better.

The meal was superbly prepared roast duck served magically onto fine china. Narcissa enjoyed discussing the china and chandeliers at Rowena's inquiries. "Well, the china has been in the Malfoy family for ten generations. The chandeliers were a wedding gift from Lucius's father. They were hand crafted in Rome, you know, and are completely unique. Our parents were so pleased that our match went off so well. Sometimes these things can be unpleasant, you know. But Lucius and I have been perfectly compatible from the start, haven't we, darling?"

Lucius smiled at her with the air of warmth, "Of course, beloved," he said, easily. Rowena found herself sickened with the false display.

"Severus," Narcissa addressed him over their desserts of chocolate mousse, "Darling, we have had such a time lately getting that wonderful potion you made for us. You know the one that I mean? My energy has been so flagging without it! Rowena, dear, you must get him to make it for you, and then send some to me, won't you? It's quite rejuvenating."

Rowena had to use all her strength of will to continue to swallow normally, the bite of chocolate mousse suddenly leaden and unappetizing in her mouth. Her stomach clenched nauseatingly and a swirling vision of the angelic face of Katrina came at once to mind. She knew what potion Narcissa was complaining about!

But she had to put her spoon down and hide behind the pretense of wiping her face with her napkin at Severus's next words, "Rowena doesn't need or want the potion, Narcissa. But I have brought it for you. You can stop whining to your friends and... superiors... about it."

Narcissa smiled radiantly at him, "Oh, Severus, darling. You are such a dear! I knew you wouldn't let me down."

"Apparently." He reached into his robes and took out a fairly large wrapped bundle that could be heard clinking softly, and handed it to her across the table. "I won't be supplying all of the wizarding world, so don't be passing that out like biscuits."

Narcissa unwrapped the cloth gently, and Rowena caught a brief glimpse of a large number of small glass phials, each containing some dark red liquid. Her heart was thudding in her ears as the horrified realization washed over her. He had somehow made that potion. What had he used for blood? She knew he wouldn't have used Katrina's, nor did she believe he would have used blood from any other child. But, by the color of the liquid, she guessed that he HAD used blood of some sort, rather than replace the blood component entirely.

"Have you met Harry Potter, Professor?" Draco's drawling question thankfully pulled her out of her horrified reverie, forcibly drawing her attentions back towards the present.

"Yes, I met him very briefly at the beginning of the summer." She knew not to tell him of the conditions of their meeting. What 'side' were the Malfoys supposed to believe her to be on? This was getting more confusing all the time.

Draco didn't attempt to hide his sneer now. "He's quite popular with all the teachers. I hope you were sincere when you said you didn't believe in favoritism. It's disgusting how many things he gets away with! None of the teachers--well, none except Professor Snape here—make any effort to keep him under control."

A slight smile played across Rowena's lips as she looked at Draco. Already he was trying to plant seeds of animosity. "I will keep that in mind, Draco," she said dryly. He frowned at her slightly but then nodded.

"Rowena, dear, would you like a tour of the house? You didn't see anything but the ballroom the last time you were here. I'd love to show you around. Would you like to see the room where Severus stayed during the summer holidays when he was at school?" Narcissa asked, deftly turning the conversation away from Harry Potter and her son's dislike of the boy. Rowena caught a slight frown pass from mother to son, and Draco had the grace to appear chastised.

She glanced briefly at Severus, but his expression was implacable. Rowena hadn't known he had been that intimate with the Malfoys for that long. It hadn't occurred to her to ask where he had lived when he told her he never returned home after he left for Hogwarts. Surely an 11-year-old boy needed someplace to live during the holidays.

She smiled at Narcissa and nodded. "I would be very interested in seeing the house, Narcissa. I've never been in one this large."

The elegant blonde woman smiled indulgently. "Come then, dear. We'll leave the boys to talk on their own. They probably want to discuss Quidditch or the market on Dragon Wings or something equally dull."

Narcissa carried the black bundle of glass phials as though it were as delicate and precious as a newborn baby, and led the way out of the room and up an ornate sweeping marble staircase. A negligent wave of her hand caused passing doors to swing open. There were at least ten bedrooms, each decorated in a different style and color, but each extravagant in its own way. They had huge four-poster beds, silk bed linens, and the French doors that led out to balconies overlooking an exquisite formal garden below.

Rowena politely and obediently stepped into each room and looked at the various objects of interest as Narcissa pointed them out. One room particularly caught her attention; by it's noticeable "ordinariness" in comparison to the others. It was still spacious and expensively furnished. But there was nothing of show or ostentation, nothing extravagant or particularly decorative in this room. It was done in muted gray-green tones as opposed to the bright opulence of the vivid colors of the other rooms.

"This room was Severus's when he stayed here with Lucius and his family. That started before we were married, of course, when Lucius's parents were still alive and lived here. Severus was five years behind Lucius, three years behind me, in school. The last few years he lived here, we were married. He's always been welcome here. He came to us after he finished school, for a while. We still call it "Severus's room". We're quite fond of him."

Narcissa stood in the doorway of the room, watching Rowena intently with a smug smile on her face.

"It's nice to know that Severus had such friends to help him in his time of need," Rowena said softly, and very sincerely. It led her to marvel anew at how he had managed to find his way "out" when he had been so deeply "in" with the Death Eaters and their ilk.

"Yes, he was greatly in need in those days. The Malfoys always look out for their friends, Rowena. A favor which is always returned."

There was something rather sinister in the way that this was spoken, and Rowena did not miss the implied threat. Narcissa, at least, seemed to suspect that Severus's loyalties might be weakening. Rowena merely nodded and said, "I'm sure Severus is aware of his debt to you."

A satisfied smile spread over Narcissa's face as she nodded, stopping in the largest and grandest of the bedrooms and carefully depositing her precious bundle of phials in a small cabinet and sealing it with her wand. "Oh, yes, Rowena. I'm certain that he is."

There seemed to be nothing more to say to this, and they finished the tour by looking through several enormous bathrooms and then returned to the gentlemen.

When Narcissa and Rowena left the dining room, Lucius led Severus and Draco back to the parlor and again served drinks, though Draco was only allowed butterbeer.

"I thank you for the potion, Severus. Narcissa was becoming quite unbearable. It was very ingenious to take custody of the child yourself for the creation. No one would suspect you of doing such a thing.

"I think I need to know where things stand with your strumpet." He continued in brusque and serious tones, "She's been with you often enough now that I'm getting concerned."

Severus raised an eyebrow at Lucius as he accepted the brandy snifter. "Concerned, Lucius? I am merely following orders. What concerns you?"

Lucius gave a cold, tight smile and sat near Severus. Draco was observing the conversation with interest. "It is obvious that the girl is enamored of you. What does she believe of you? And then, more importantly to ME, what does she believe of US?"

Severus leaned back in his chair and answered with an air of complete indifference, "Ah, yes. One must maintain the Malfoy image at all costs, right Lucius? Let me put your concerns to rest. Rowena fears you to no small degree—she has heard the normal rumors regarding your possible Death Eater ties and Ministry bribery. However, she believes me to be wholly 'reformed'.

"Therefore when I told her that we had been long-time allies and that I believed you to be as innocent as Fudge keeps insisting... well, she chooses to believe me rather than the rumors. Though it would help your cause if Narcissa wouldn't be so indiscrete as when she inquired after the potion. I doubt Rowena knows what was being discussed or the implications of it, but it would be inconvenient if she found out."

Lucius frowned slightly at this and nodded, "Of course. I'll have a word with Narcissa."

Severus sipped lazily at his brandy then continued, "She still thinks you are rather arrogant and 'crooked' as far as your willingness to throw money at a problem or buy the opinions of powerful officials, but no more so than any other rich, pureblood family. She has been acquainted rather closely with Narcissa for some number of years. Most of her opinion is formulated from that interaction. Does that suffice, Lucius?"

The cold smile had broadened as Severus spoke, and the gray eyes glittered malevolently. "Oh, yes. That suits just fine, Severus. We will have to make sure that dear little Rowena thinks that we are her allies as well. It can't hurt your cause in the least.

"Do you hear that, Draco? You treat this Professor with the utmost respect, and you do what is needed to ensure that your fellow students do as well."

"Yes, father, "Draco said obediently, but with an equally cold and calculating smile on his face.

They then changed the topic of discussion to the break out of the Death Eater who was even now in St. Mungos. Severus was to use his 'cover' of visiting the orphans with Rowena as an excuse to find where she was being held and aid in her escape. At no time did Lucius think to question why this Death Eater had been rescued from death when so many others had been left to die. Severus eventually brought up the suspicion himself, just to get it out on the table, so to speak.

"I find it odd that the Ministry is willing to save this woman's life when they haven't done the same for any others," he said, suspiciously.

Lucius merely laughed and mimed shaking a large bag of money, "Ah, my friend, you forget the lure of gold. They are always so squeamish about women dying anyway. It doesn't take much of a bribe to get her a bit of medical care. She's to be well guarded of course, and the plan is to return her to her cell when she has recovered. Without the Dementors there anymore, that's not nearly the cruelty that it once was."

Severus nodded, allowing himself to appear convinced, and satisfied that at least that particular argument wouldn't rouse suspicions in other quarters, or if it did, that Lucius could wave them away with ease. He still wished he hadn't known that it would be Tonks he would be removing from that hospital. He had wondered why Albus was so keen to get him to suggest and aid in the rescue of a Death Eater, but now it was all too clear.

The women returned then, and Severus stood, grateful for the interruption. Rather than allowing Rowena to be seated, he approached her, maintaining his cool and distant formality. "I believe we should return to Hogwarts, Rowena. It is getting late."

Rowena assented, and amidst the usual formal and polite salutations, they took their leave. Severus offered his arm, which she took, and as soon as they were outside of the home's antiapparition shields, he Apparated them to Hogsmeade.

"What did you use to make Narcissa's potion?" Rowena asked immediately upon reaching the relative safety of the Hogwarts grounds. She felt the muscles of his arm tighten under her hand as she asked the question.

"That is none of your concern, I will not tell you, and I do not want to be asked that question again," he said, angrily.

"I only wondered...."

"You wondered if I had vials of the blood of children in my potions stores?" He interrupted acidly.

"NO! Severus, of course not. I was just curious, that's all. That's what you were up all night making, wasn't it?"

He sighed, but softened his tone a bit, "Rowena. This is not the time for discussion. Meeting with the Malfoys in any setting wears on me. I am exhausted and I have a lot on my mind. Please don't needle me with questions right now."

This was so aggravating! She was full of questions that only he could answer! Yet she had more understanding of him now than she did before. Lucius Malfoy had been his friend... or whatever it is that Death Eaters have as friends. There was no question that the older man had helped him in some of his darkest hours.

Of course, Lucius was probably right in there leading him to become a Death Eater in the first place. But still, it was natural that Severus should feel a sense of debt and loyalty to him, even now. The conflict of interest that surely arose from that had to be great.

She wanted to know more about his relationship with the Malfoys now that she had a glimpse into the unknowns of his past. She wanted to know what was going to happen with the "rescue" of Tonks as the Death Eater in disguise. She wanted to know the questions he refused to answer about the potion.

She walked with him in silence for long moments, and at last asked, "Can you at least tell me what the Malfoys think I think? This is getting so confusing! Do they know that I think they are Death Eaters, or at least Death Eater supporters? It makes it hard to know how to behave around them."

He looked over at her, his face dark and scowling, but he tightened his arm briefly against his side, squeezing her hand slightly in the process. It was a brief but much-welcomed gesture of comfort in the midst of the turmoil, and his face softened slightly. "Of course, Rowena. I should have discussed that with you more fully before..."

And he went on to tell her what he had told Lucius. She seemed satisfied with the answer, and did not 'needle' him with any other questions.

He escorted her to her quarters and followed her inside, though he stood just within the door, and pulled her into his arms. For long moments he merely held her, resting his cheek against the silk of her hair.

"Term starts on Sunday, Rowena. I have much to do between now and then. I will be unable to accompany you to St. Mungos on Wednesday, but I must accompany you on Saturday. I doubt I will see you before then."

She hugged him a little tighter and nodded against his chest. "Is there anything I can do to help? Potions isn't my strong suit, but my lessons are done and I can chop and weigh ingredients with the best of them."

He shook his head. "Not these potions, Rowena. No more questions." And then to ensure that she did NOT ask any more questions, he tilted her chin up with his hand and kissed her.

She knew full well he was trying to shut her up, but it was a delicious method of doing so, and she clung to him, relishing the fire that sprang up within her as his tongue slid along hers, stroking and tasting. She could feel him tangling his hands in her hair, as his arms tightened on her, pressing her closer to him.

He stopped abruptly and stepped away, though his fathomless black eyes were stormy and his breathing as ragged as hers. "Saturday, Rowena," he said huskily, kissed her fleetingly once more, and then was gone in an instant, shutting the door behind him.

Next chapter won't be much of Rowena and Severus... we will be busy with Severus, Tonks, and Death Eater business. Then we will start the term, I promise!

I have only just now, this month, acquired a "Beta Reader". No doubt you will be unsurprised to find that I have been trying to edit my own stuff. I apologize profusely for the numerous typos that made it through to actual posting, and will be going back to fix those as well as polish the story overall as soon as I have the corrections, critiques and recommendations from my Beta. However, you have all been so nice as to claim to want to read my story, that I have posted this chapter now anyway, as yet un-Beta'ed.

Please feel free to send me your honest suggestions, opinions, and criticisms.

Next chapter soon.

Lisa