Chapter 6: Conversation teaches more than meditation.
The invitation lay on Rowena's nightstand, along with brush and mirror. Severus, looking for where Rowena had stashed his lesson plans, (for he was going to be teaching when the holidays were over, no matter what anyone said) happened to glance at it.
And at the signature.
L. Malfoy.
A cold knot formed inside him. Rowena would think nothing of accepting the offer if it meant finding out who had attacked him. She'd go in, thinking herself prepared.
She'd be slaughtered.
"Snooping for something in particular or just a cursory glance to familiarize yourself?"
"You can't go."
Rowena entered the room and settled on the edge of the bed. "I'm not 16 and naïve anymore, brother. I know what I'm doing."
"Now you're 32 and have no better idea than you did before." He took the invitation in his hand. "He'll not even bat an eye as he snuffs your life out."
Rowena took the invitation and smiled. "And why should he? I certainly wouldn't. And, at one time, neither would you."
"That's different."
She laid a hand on his still too pale cheek. "Of course it is." She was almost out the door when she tossed back, "But I'm still going tonight."
The Gala was well attended with various high-paid stiff necks and their significant others. Several couples had brought their children along, looking extremely bored, but hiding it oh so well. Rowena had to bite her lip to keep form laughing as Lucius Malfoy glided over and kissed her hand. "Miss Snape, a pleasure as always."
"Lucius, the pleasure is mine. We get together much too infrequently."
They moved over to the wine table where Lucius poured them both a glass of Shooting Stars Champagne. "A toast perhaps?"
Rowena raised her glass halfway. "To what shall we toast?"
Lucius looked her over, obviously liking what he saw. "To your continued beauty?"
"To your wife's continued beauty."
After they drank, Lucius continued. "But I forget, where is your dear brother? He usually escorts his little sister to these events, to save her innocence form the predators."
Rowena made he eyes go wide. 'Why, didn't you hear? He tried to get back in with the old crowd. Well, you wouldn't believe it but some members, I won't say whom, well, they didn't remember the favours that Severus had done for them. Nearly killed him just before Christmas, the brutes. Of course, Severus does want to exact…payment, I suppose, but he'd rather wait for just the right opportunity. He's not Head of Slytherin for nothing."
"Or course," Lucius replied, concern etched in his face. But there was a bit of something else there as well, Rowena noticed.
"I daresay, though, that whenever Brother does decide to strike, it will be a sight to behold." Her voice became deadly. 'And I would hate to become caught in the crossfire."
"Indeed, that would be …regrettable," Lucius murmured, tossing back the rest of his drink. "A pleasure, always."
"Do say hello to your wife for me." Rowena smiled as he left to go chit-chat with less intelligent and more malleable prey.
"My, that was an entertaining evening to say the least." Rowena settled on the bed, taking off her earrings.
"Hmph?"
She peered down at her brother. "Albus get you to tea again?"
"What?"
She smoothed his hair and pushed him back down. "Go back to sleep, brother." She paused, eying the empty goblet. "Or rather, just close your eyes. I don't believe you're awake."
"Hmph."
"Great conversationalist," she muttered as she prepared for bed.