A/N: I do not own anything to do with the Harry Potter universe... J K
Rowling owns it all. I'm just having fun with her characters. This is the
sequel to my first story Sekhmet's Book. I don't as yet know if I'll make
this into a trilogy series... I guess I'll just see how this story goes for
now. I am currently writing this story as fast as I can... which is
unfortunately about one chapter per month. So, it's not complete but it
most definitely will be... just give me time. Please leave a review as my
muse needs feeding before she gets up and leaves.
Enjoy...
Chapter Nine
"Patty, are you coming or not?" Severus asked as he was half way out of the Great Hall on the Saturday morning before Halloween. The potion would be ready on Monday and Severus was anxiously filling in time before he would be able to go back in time and find out once and for all what had happened.
"Sevvie, I am just sorting something out and then I will be right with you. For Merlin's sake, give me one moment, please!" Cil replied exasperated, as Severus stood between the Gryffindor and Slytherin House tables holding Callum and tapping his foot impatiently. There were still numerous students in the hall but breakfast was over with and most of the students were already heading off out for the Hogsmede visit. A few Gryffindor students were heard laughing and Severus turned his head to glare at their frivolity.
"I'll meet you outside, Patty." Severus said and stormed out of the hall. Cil was speaking to Remus Lupin and looked up to see Severus stalking out of the hall. She shook her head and sighed.
"Not holding up too well is he, Cil?" Remus asked.
"He'll survive, Reemy. I just pray that he gets his life sorted out soon though. Having his wife away for so long is getting to him. I've never known Severus to be as dark and depressed before. Although, I do know I have not seen him since he was fourteen... even so, it's not him, Reemy." Cil said, shaking her head and looking forlornly at the door her cousin had just escaped through.
"Go on then, Cil. I'll see you in the Hogs Head as we planned. I'll have to go and supervise the visit now anyway and I think you should catch up with Severus." Remus said as he stood up from the table and bowed to Cil in a gesture of goodbye.
"Okay, Reemy. Until lunch time," she waved as he left before leaving the hall herself to go and find her elusive first cousin.
~~*~~
"Finally!" Severus said as Patty emerged from the castle still wrapping her scarf around her neck and shivering at a sudden blast of freezing cold air that seemed to rip straight through her.
"Oh, Sevvie... I'm here now, come along. Our carriage awaits us," Cil said as she moved past him and headed for the vacant horseless carriage. Severus followed with Callum still wrapped warmly in his arms.
"Where are we off to anyway? You never usually go shopping... especially on a Hogsmede weekend as well." Cil said as she made herself comfortable. She took a deep breath and looked at her cousin. "Reemy told me, it is most unlike you, Sevvie. Talk to me, I want to know."
"Reemy?" Severus asked as the carriage pulled away and he turned to address her with a pained expression.
"Yeah, Remus Lupin." Severus raised his eyebrow. "I like him; we are meeting up for lunch in the Hogs Head later today."
"I shall busy myself elsewhere then, Patty" Severus told her without hesitation.
"Oh, Sevvie don't. I want you there too. I'm nervous." Cil told him sheepishly.
"Nervous? Why in Merlin's name are you ner-" Severus was interrupted by Callum.
"Daddy," Callum shouted a he stood up on his father's knee and pointed out of the window of the carriage where an owl was flying alongside, a letter tied to its leg.
"Oh... an owl with a letter for one of us," Severus said as he handed Callum over to his cousin and opened the window. He caught the bird and pulled it inside. The owl was a little distressed having been caught mid-flight but soon settled and offered its leg to Severus. It was a school owl and Severus wondered who it could be from since he had just left the building. He retrieved the rolled up letter and the owl took flight again from Severus' outstretched hand out of the window.
"What is it?" Cil asked as Callum looked at his father in wonderment.
"I don't know as yet, Patty." Severus said as he opened the letter.
Severus,
I need to speak to you before you leave on Monday. I'm concerned about a variety of matters and hope you can enlighten me.
Chris.
Severus frowned, what could Chris want to speak with him about? He had been fully versed on what would happen on Monday and the whole surrounding situation.
"Problem?" Cil asked curiously.
"No," Severus said and stuffed the letter into his pocket, choosing silence and contemplation rather than meaningless conversation for the remainder of the journey into Hogsmede.
"So, where are we going, Sevvie?" Cil asked as the carriage pulled to a stop and Severus got out, turning to help his cousin out and take his son from her arms once more.
"Callum needs some new clothes and toys. I have noticed he is growing out of everything he currently owns and his toys are now too young for his intellect." Severus told her.
"Well, ever heard of transfiguration and engorging charms?" Cil asked a bit confused.
"That requires foolish wand waving, Patty." Severus responded with a side ways glance and a smirk on his face.
"You mean you can't do it?" Cil mocked her cousin.
"Quite the contrary, Patty, I can perform these tasks without the use of a wand if necessary." Severus told her.
"Then why buy them, Sevvie?" Cil asked; it was like trying to draw blood out of a stone sometimes when speaking to Severus- he never used to be like that.
"I have the money to... and I need some time out of the castle." He said with a heavy sigh.
"I see. Okay then, where to?" Cil asked as she looked around the village at the shops that were in current view. Severus spotted a chain of Madam Malkin's and headed off in that direction; Cil following quickly behind.
"Good morning, Professor Snape. It is a pleasure to see you again." The shop assistant said as she came around to greet him when he entered the shop. "What can I do to help you?"
"My son requires bigger robes. He has outgrown most of his clothing." Severus said indicating his son who was struggling to get down from his father's arms.
"Oh, what a handsome young man! Well now, let me see let me see." The assistant said as she tapped her bottom lip with her wand. "I know," she went off out the back and rummaged about returning a moment later with several outfits, laying them out on the counter for inspection.
"Oh, Sevvie! Aren't those so cute?" Cil said delightedly as she approached and lightly touched the garments one by one. Severus sighed and she smiled up at him.
"Ah, I see your good lady has taste, Professor." The shop assistant replied.
"Madam, this is not my wife." Severus told her in no uncertain terms as he glanced over the robes.
"Your mistress then..." the shop assistant hesitated with raised eyebrows.
"Or my mistress!" Severus said with a raised voice. Cil laughed beside him and whispered to the shop assistant.
"First cousin, don't mind him he's just grumpy today." Cil pointed to one of the robes, which was of a long dark suede blue material with little silver dragons along the seam. "You have to get that one, Sevvie." She said pointing excitedly.
"Just get them all, Patty." Severus replied with a wave of his hand and raised his eyebrow at the look he received from his cousin. "What?"
"Are you not going to see how much they are, Sevvie? These are all of the finest quality... the cost would be-" Cil asked.
"No, I said I had the money for them, Patty." Severus re-iterated, cutting her off mid-sentence.
"That must be nice, to just come into a shop and not even bother about how much something costs." Cil said quietly.
"Your family are not exactly hard up, Patty." Severus replied.
"No, but we had to always watch the sickles, especially when the crops and vines were destroyed due to bad weather. You learn to live with the thought that next year disaster may strike and you may have nothing."
"And now?" Severus asked with interest.
"Now, I live on a professor's wage and send half of it back for my daughter to survive at university. Anyway, enough of my problems, Sevvie, I'm safe and warm with food and a roof over my head," she said patting him on the arm. "We are shopping for Callum today."
Severus grinned, he now had a plan. After purchasing the selection of robes that had been brought out for inspection and a further half dozen more they both left the store and headed for The Little Wizard, a toy store directly opposite the clothes shop, and next door to its sister shop; The Little Witch. Severus and Cil found a selection of toys suitable for Callum and bought bagfuls, selecting the option of delivery for that afternoon and sending the robes along with the packages.
It was now lunch time and Severus accompanied Cil to the Hogs Head before conveniently excusing himself and Callum saying he forgot that he had urgent business to attend to in London. Cil gave him a glare as he left her with Remus and left via the floo network for Diagon Alley saying that he would see her back at Hogwarts.
~~*~~
Severus arrived in Diagon Alley and immediately headed off for Gringott's Wizarding Bank. He had remembered that all of the money attained when he was a Death Eater was laying collecting dust as he thought about what to do with it. He now had a purpose for it. Approaching the enquiry desk with Callum in arm he cleared his throat and caught the attention of the Goblin behind it.
"Ah, Professor Snape, I shall retrieve Gorgon immediately for you." The Goblin said as he reached for a bell that was on the counter in front of him.
"No, I wish to enquire how much money has been deposited into my vault by Francis Doppleheimer over the years." Francis Doppleheimer was a code name that the Death Eaters had used in order to retrieve their blood money. Voldemort had set up all of the accounts for his followers with the Wizarding bank and the money had trickled in as it was attained during raids.
"Ah, this will take a few moments, Professor Snape." The Goblin replied as he pulled out several dusty old books pertaining to the Snape vault.
"Very well, I shall be back after a short luncheon with my son." Severus told him.
"It shall be calculated by then, sir." The Goblin replied and Severus left for The Leaky Cauldron with Callum.
After a short lunch of a sandwich for him and some stewed apple and custard for Callum, Severus headed back to the bank and straight for the Goblin who had been dealing with his request previously.
"The total amount deposited into your bank account under the name of Francis Doppleheimer comes to a grand total of three hundred and forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty-seven galleons twenty-eight sickles and six knuts." Severus was taken aback; he had never imagined there would be that much money from the carnage that had happened in order to get it. He swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "The interest acquired over the last thirty years amounts to forty-two thousand galleons." The Goblin looked up from the parchment he had been reading from and awaited a response from his client.
Severus cleared his throat tentatively. "Can I transfer three hundred thousand galleons into a new account in the name of Professor Patricia Priscilla Pendragon-Wolf." Severus thought for a moment then continued. "I want another account opened in the name of Christopher Granger and twenty thousand galleons transferred into that. The rest of the amount you have just told me about can be transferred into the bank account for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Wand please and your key, Professor," The Goblin asked and he held out his hand. Severus pulled out his wand and key and handed them over to the Goblin. After a few signatures and verifications of the wand and key, the transfers were made and two new vault keys handed over to Severus to give to Patty and Chris. Severus nodded his thanks and left the bank with Callum to head back to Hogwarts.
~~*~~
After putting Callum down for a nap and summoning Kelpy to watch over him, Severus headed to the Great Hall for the evening meal. He had only been back for an hour and had not seen anyone since he returned. As he entered the hall from the teacher's entrance he noticed that all of the students were already present and he was just about the last of the professors to arrive. He took his usual seat beside the Headmaster and Patty was on his other side.
"Sevvie... I thank you for leaving me with Reemy at lunch time." Cil said in a whisper from beside him and mock annoyance. Severus leaned into her to catch what she said and chuckled out loud.
"Oh, no problem, Patty, I never did enjoy being a third wheel much."
"Well we had a pleasant afternoon. Lunch lasted nearly three hours and we went for a walk and..."
"You do know about him don't you, Patty?" Severus asked; a bit concerned for his cousin.
"Know what?"
"That I'm a werewolf, Cil." Remus said as he moved to sit next to her. "She does know, Severus. It's no secret anymore."
"Yes, and from one Wolf to another," she grinned. "There are no secrets between us, Sevvie. Don't you fret, dear cousin."
"Fine," Severus conceded. "But, Remus, I will warn you now that if you..."
"No need to, Severus. I understand completely." Remus said cutting him off. Severus nodded and set about his dinner.
"So, how was your afternoon, Sevvie?"
"Fine, Patty. I have something for you but you are not to open this until you are alone. Understood?" Severus asked as he reached into his pocket for an envelope which contained her vault key and a note he had written.
"I understand, Severus," Cil nodded and looked very confused as he handed her the envelope and she put it into her own pocket with a nod of thanks and a kiss on his cheek.
Dinner ended and the hall emptied. Severus got up from the table and excused himself as he headed off back to his own chambers. Callum was still fast asleep and Kelpy was guarding him as if her life depended on it. It was the first opportunity that Severus had to speak to the elf for any length of time and so he sat down on the chair closest to the fire and made himself comfortable.
"Kelpy," he called to the elf; who was still in the nursery.
"Yes Master Snape, sir. Kelpy is here to serve." The elf said as she ran into the sitting room and stood before him, bouncing from one foot to the other.
"I have some questions for you, Kelpy." The elf hopped about nervously and Severus sighed. "Sit down." The elf gasped in shock at the invitation and was about to start shouting and crying but Severus interrupted her. "I gave you an order, obey." Kelpy sat down quickly and remained silent.
"Does this please, sir?" Kelpy asked now that she was sitting cross legged on the floor.
"Yes, Kelpy. Now I have several questions about the origin of your people. I want answers, I need answers. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Master sir." Kelpy nodded her head quickly, ears flapping about ludicrously.
"Tell me about your people and what they were like four and a half thousand years ago."
"We House Elves have only been in submission for six hundred years now, Master sir. We knows our places and we is not complaining, Master sir but once elves was free. We likes our freedom and once our magic was more powerful than Wizard folks."
"Continue," Severus prompted.
"Back in the time you wants to know about, elves was very magical. They seen themselves as high up beings in control of everything and your peoples, sir."
"In control of Wizards?" Kelpy nodded furiously, her ears flapping again. "Tell me what they did."
"They controlled the Wizards who were powerful. Elves told the high Wizards what to do and they would control their peoples."
"Were elves in Egypt?"
"Elves were all over the world, Master sir but in Egypt there was more Wizards there. Elves were desert folk then. We likes the hot and dry weather."
"So your people would control say... the Egyptian Pharaohs?" Severus asked.
"We would sends them messages, Master sir."
"How?"
"In the crops."
"So, you have known all along that the symbols we were looking at for so long and trying to decipher on the blasted book were written by Elves!" Severus erupted in sheer anger. "You've known all along that Elves controlled the Wizards in Ancient Egypt and produced the crop circles!" Kelpy was shaking visibly as Severus towered over her as he sat forward in his chair. "What do you know about the Book of Shadows? Tell me everything, Kelpy or you will receive clothes!"
"No! No clothes, Master sir, please!" Kelpy cried and shook her head.
"Tell me then," Severus demanded in a low growl.
"The book is written by Sekhmet. She was not ever controlled by Elves. Her father was under Elf magic. He read the messages in the crops and ruled the Wizarding peoples. He set Hathor his daughter out on a task to cleanse the land of bad Wizards who was killing the land and the Desert Elves. The Desert Elves turned bad and made him tell Hathor to kill lots of innocent peoples."
"Why were Elves like this?"
"Elves was bad bad folks." Kelpy said shaking her head solemnly. "We was protecting our lands and we was more powerful than anything so we used our magic and ruled over all."
"And now? Why are crop circles still appearing around the world?"
"The messages are still written by the free elves... the ones who have got clothes. They is not under any binding of magic and no control of Wizard so they does revert back to their roots." Severus looked shocked and Kelpy continued. "We elves does not have bad magic no more, Master sir. Not since we was bred to be weaker than the Wizarding peoples."
"Who is Sekhmet?"
"The Elves do not know, Master sir."
"Is it Hathor?"
"We does not know, sir. We does not know." Kelpy bawled into clenched fists dramatically.
"Kelpy, you have been helpful. Dismissed," Severus told the elf and she leapt to her feet and vanished into thin air as quickly as was possible. Despite what Kelpy said, Elves were still dangerous creatures, especially if they achieved their freedom from slavery.
Severus sighed, there was much that still needed to be understood and he was still nowhere near finding out who Sekhmet was. He sat with his head in his hands for a short time before being interrupted by a knock on the door. He got to his feet and opened it, revealing his cousin.
"Patty, come on in." Severus invited and stepped to the side to allow her admittance. She did not look too happy at all as she marched past him and stood with her hands on her hips and her back to him in front of the fire.
"Severus Simeon Snape!" Cil began to shout as she stormed in. Severus raised his eyebrow at her; it had been a long time since anyone had shouted his full name at him. "How dare you!" She demanded, whirling around to face him as her cloak swirled around her in typical Snape-fashion.
"How dare I what, Patricia?" Severus asked.
"Do this," she said holding up the vault key and letter he had given to her earlier that evening. "I am not some charity case, Severus. I do not need your money!" She intoned as she glared at him in the eye, her face a picture of thunder.
"Patty, I want you to have it. I have no use for it." Severus said as he moved away from the door and approached her; the door being left slightly ajar.
"Severus, I don't want it. I can survive on what I make as a professor here." Cil said as she thrust the key and letter towards him in her hand for him to take back.
"I don't want you to struggle, Patty. I have more than enough money to fund the entire Hogwarts student body through seven years of education here, university and into half of their lives. I have no way to spend it all." Severus told her as he continued to look her in the eye and ignore her outstretched hand.
"You should not be doing this, Severus." Cil said as she waved the key and letter in front of him, attempting to capture his attention to the fact she was trying to hand him something.
"Why?" Severus asked as he began to pace.
"I wasn't asking for help you know." Cil told him as she followed his movements.
"I know."
"I was simply commenting on how I have never been able to go into a shop and just get whatever I wanted."
"I know." Severus said again.
"The vast majority of people being exactly the same way inclined too, Severus."
"I know."
"Therefore, there is no need to give me this." She said holding up the key and letter again.
"I shall be most offended if you refuse my gift." Severus said as he stopped and looked at her.
"I shall be most offended if you force me to accept it." She told him as she looked him straight in the eye, challengingly.
"Then think of it as money in order to raise Callum should anything happen while I'm away." Severus almost pleaded.
"Oh, Severus, nothing will happen to you. I have every faith that you will return soon enough and bring your wife along with you." Cil tried to comfort. "I can't wait to meet her, I've heard so much about her from the other professors and the students love her too." Severus felt pride rise up inside him at what his cousin was saying regarding his wife.
"Just accept it, please, Patty. If you do not use it on yourself then send it to your daughter."
"Does it mean that much to you?" Cil asked with concern written in her eyes.
"Yes, it does. You and I were always very close, Patty. I like to think we are still close to one another. I cannot sit back and watch you struggle to maintain an existence. Not when I have the means to alter it vastly." Severus looked her in the eyes. "Accept it."
"Thank you, Sevvie." Cil said as she hugged him tightly and kissed him on the cheek.
"Ah-hem," the two broke apart and span round to see who had just interrupted them from the doorway. Christopher Granger stood on the threshold with his hand on the portrait keeping it open.
"Chris?" Severus said as he stepped away from his cousin slightly but still kept his arm around her waist. Chris just stood and watched the two of them, trying to work out what he was actually seeing before him. Severus saw his mind working ten to the dozen and interrupted the thought process. "You requested to speak with me, Chris but I assumed it might be tomorrow rather than at this time on a Saturday night."
"Well, that would have apparently suited you far better, Professor Snape." Chris spat at him with an angry look on his face and suspicion in his eyes.
"What?" Cil asked, "Sevvie, who is this? How can he come here and speak with you like this?"
"Christopher Granger is Hermione's brother and therefore my brother-in- law." Severus supplied, wondering why on earth she had not already worked that one out; she had been teaching him for the past seven weeks after all.
"Oh... I had not registered that fact," she said in awe of her own stupidity.
"That is most obvious, Professor Wolf."
"Watch your tone, Mr. Granger. Professor Wolf is still your teacher." Severus warned and removed his hand from her waist. "Now, why did you wish to speak with me?"
"To ask about her!" Chris exploded and pointed at Cil; his face full of thunder. Severus had almost forgotten how volatile the boy could be but it was coming back to him quickly.
"Calm down!" Severus said with a raised voice, he was very surprised Callum was not already awake with all of the noise that had already occurred. "Sit down," Severus pointed to the couch and prompted Cil to do the same; he took his own seat by the fire. "Speak."
"My sister has been gone for less than two months and you are already taking up with some other woman. I think you owe me an explanation." Chris insinuated.
"What makes you think Sevvie and I are something of an item, Mr. Granger?" Cil asked with a confused look on her face.
"I've seen you both together. I just saw you both kissing and cuddling. The very fact he allows you to call him 'Sevvie' in public!" Chris raged as he sat on the edge of the seat.
"I should not have to explain myself to you, Mr. Granger." Severus replied in an acidic tone.
"No? How about when Hermione comes back? Will you tell her? I am starting to wonder If you were the victim of a spell cast on Hermione when you and Sonia..."
"How dare you question me!" Severus exploded, fire in his eyes and rage bubbling beneath the surface of his skin. "I have always been faithful to my wife. She was indeed under a spell, which was cast by the Headmaster himself and I was indeed a victim of that blasted book playing mind games with my wife."
"Then why are you fooling around with her!" Chris accused with a stab of his finger in Cil's direction.
"I am not!"
"I've seen you, you are quite inseparable."
"Hold it, young man." Cil interrupted. "Now, you have the wrong end of the wand here. Severus and I are not lovers and will never ever be such." She affirmed with finality in her voice.
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because it is true," Severus told him.
"He is my cousin, Mr. Granger. First cousin to be more exact," Chris' jaw dropped and he looked quickly between the two professors in front of him, seeing a slight family resemblance. He went rather red with embarrassment.
"Forget it." Severus said and looked away from everyone, staring into the fire.
"I'm sorry, Severus. Really sorry," Chris said getting up from the couch and exiting the chambers very quickly.
Severus sighed loudly and shook his head. When would people trust him... he had never seemed to be fully trusted ever since the day he joined the Death Eaters.
"What time do you leave tomorrow, Sevvie?" Cil asked, drawing his attention away from the fire. They had sat in a long silence once Chris had left the chambers. Severus deep in thought and Cil giving him a little time to calm down; she was well aware of how his temper could be very explosive these days.
"Early afternoon, Patty, the potion will be finished at twenty-seven minutes past one."
"That's rather exact."
"Potions is an exact art form, Patty." Severus drawled, looking at her sharply with a pained expression.
"Of course it is, Sevvie." She said, unconvinced; she really just assumed he was rather anally retentive about his work. "How long will you be gone?"
"I shall be gone for a few months but you will hopefully see the three... four of us," Severus raised his eyebrows and smiled suddenly.
"Four?" Cil enquired.
"Hermione is pregnant. She cannot travel through time in the latter stages of her pregnancy. She will have to give birth and we'll have to wait until the baby is a little stronger."
"Oh, Severus. I never knew Hermione was expecting." Cil said as she covered her mouth with her hand in a shocked expression.
"Neither did I until I read it in the diary, Patty." He replied.
"So, you'll be gone for..."
"I estimate four months." Severus replied.
"In my time that will be..."
"Well, if all goes well we should return a few hours after you see me leave. I will time it like that so that I don't run into myself leaving."
"Oh, how complicated," Severus laughed at her.
"You teach Arithmancy for Merlin's sake, Patty. Time is a huge part of most of your formulae. Surely you can comprehend a little time travel." Cil smiled back at him sheepishly.
"Of course I can, I just don't like to think of my cousin being a part of it." She sighed heavily. "What is the potential that something will go wrong?"
"There is always the potential, Patty but I am a Potions Master and I can always invent a different potion should the ingredients be damaged in transit again." Severus told her, completely sure of his abilities to do just that should the need arise.
"What if it's not the potion that's the problem?"
"Then I shall just have to take things as they come. I am a powerful wizard, Patty. I can take care of myself and my family."
"I'm sure you can. I will miss you though." Cil told him sadly, she had only just become reacquainted with her cousin and to lose him again so soon was a very distressing thought.
"It should only be a few hours, Patty." They were silent for a moment and just looked at one another. "Look after Callum for me, make sure he's safe." Severus told her seriously. He could not bare the thought of leaving his son without either of his parents but this was indeed the only way to bring them all back together again as a family.
"I will, Severus, have no fears about that." Severus got up from his seat and headed off to the back of the room.
"Give this to Christopher for me as well, please." Severus pulled out an envelope from the top draw of his desk and handed it to his cousin once he had returned to the seating area.
"I will, when you leave, I'll give it to him." Cil assured him.
"Thank you."
"Okay, I will leave you for tonight. You need to rest well." Cil said getting up. "Good night, Sevvie." She kissed him on the cheek and hugged him tightly.
"Good night, Patty." Severus said before she broke away from him and exited the chambers with tears in her eyes.
Severus turned and headed into his bedroom, tomorrow was going to be a long day indeed but he would see Hermione again... his beautiful, pregnant wife, and that was a dream that he couldn't wait to come true.
Enjoy...
Chapter Nine
"Patty, are you coming or not?" Severus asked as he was half way out of the Great Hall on the Saturday morning before Halloween. The potion would be ready on Monday and Severus was anxiously filling in time before he would be able to go back in time and find out once and for all what had happened.
"Sevvie, I am just sorting something out and then I will be right with you. For Merlin's sake, give me one moment, please!" Cil replied exasperated, as Severus stood between the Gryffindor and Slytherin House tables holding Callum and tapping his foot impatiently. There were still numerous students in the hall but breakfast was over with and most of the students were already heading off out for the Hogsmede visit. A few Gryffindor students were heard laughing and Severus turned his head to glare at their frivolity.
"I'll meet you outside, Patty." Severus said and stormed out of the hall. Cil was speaking to Remus Lupin and looked up to see Severus stalking out of the hall. She shook her head and sighed.
"Not holding up too well is he, Cil?" Remus asked.
"He'll survive, Reemy. I just pray that he gets his life sorted out soon though. Having his wife away for so long is getting to him. I've never known Severus to be as dark and depressed before. Although, I do know I have not seen him since he was fourteen... even so, it's not him, Reemy." Cil said, shaking her head and looking forlornly at the door her cousin had just escaped through.
"Go on then, Cil. I'll see you in the Hogs Head as we planned. I'll have to go and supervise the visit now anyway and I think you should catch up with Severus." Remus said as he stood up from the table and bowed to Cil in a gesture of goodbye.
"Okay, Reemy. Until lunch time," she waved as he left before leaving the hall herself to go and find her elusive first cousin.
~~*~~
"Finally!" Severus said as Patty emerged from the castle still wrapping her scarf around her neck and shivering at a sudden blast of freezing cold air that seemed to rip straight through her.
"Oh, Sevvie... I'm here now, come along. Our carriage awaits us," Cil said as she moved past him and headed for the vacant horseless carriage. Severus followed with Callum still wrapped warmly in his arms.
"Where are we off to anyway? You never usually go shopping... especially on a Hogsmede weekend as well." Cil said as she made herself comfortable. She took a deep breath and looked at her cousin. "Reemy told me, it is most unlike you, Sevvie. Talk to me, I want to know."
"Reemy?" Severus asked as the carriage pulled away and he turned to address her with a pained expression.
"Yeah, Remus Lupin." Severus raised his eyebrow. "I like him; we are meeting up for lunch in the Hogs Head later today."
"I shall busy myself elsewhere then, Patty" Severus told her without hesitation.
"Oh, Sevvie don't. I want you there too. I'm nervous." Cil told him sheepishly.
"Nervous? Why in Merlin's name are you ner-" Severus was interrupted by Callum.
"Daddy," Callum shouted a he stood up on his father's knee and pointed out of the window of the carriage where an owl was flying alongside, a letter tied to its leg.
"Oh... an owl with a letter for one of us," Severus said as he handed Callum over to his cousin and opened the window. He caught the bird and pulled it inside. The owl was a little distressed having been caught mid-flight but soon settled and offered its leg to Severus. It was a school owl and Severus wondered who it could be from since he had just left the building. He retrieved the rolled up letter and the owl took flight again from Severus' outstretched hand out of the window.
"What is it?" Cil asked as Callum looked at his father in wonderment.
"I don't know as yet, Patty." Severus said as he opened the letter.
Severus,
I need to speak to you before you leave on Monday. I'm concerned about a variety of matters and hope you can enlighten me.
Chris.
Severus frowned, what could Chris want to speak with him about? He had been fully versed on what would happen on Monday and the whole surrounding situation.
"Problem?" Cil asked curiously.
"No," Severus said and stuffed the letter into his pocket, choosing silence and contemplation rather than meaningless conversation for the remainder of the journey into Hogsmede.
"So, where are we going, Sevvie?" Cil asked as the carriage pulled to a stop and Severus got out, turning to help his cousin out and take his son from her arms once more.
"Callum needs some new clothes and toys. I have noticed he is growing out of everything he currently owns and his toys are now too young for his intellect." Severus told her.
"Well, ever heard of transfiguration and engorging charms?" Cil asked a bit confused.
"That requires foolish wand waving, Patty." Severus responded with a side ways glance and a smirk on his face.
"You mean you can't do it?" Cil mocked her cousin.
"Quite the contrary, Patty, I can perform these tasks without the use of a wand if necessary." Severus told her.
"Then why buy them, Sevvie?" Cil asked; it was like trying to draw blood out of a stone sometimes when speaking to Severus- he never used to be like that.
"I have the money to... and I need some time out of the castle." He said with a heavy sigh.
"I see. Okay then, where to?" Cil asked as she looked around the village at the shops that were in current view. Severus spotted a chain of Madam Malkin's and headed off in that direction; Cil following quickly behind.
"Good morning, Professor Snape. It is a pleasure to see you again." The shop assistant said as she came around to greet him when he entered the shop. "What can I do to help you?"
"My son requires bigger robes. He has outgrown most of his clothing." Severus said indicating his son who was struggling to get down from his father's arms.
"Oh, what a handsome young man! Well now, let me see let me see." The assistant said as she tapped her bottom lip with her wand. "I know," she went off out the back and rummaged about returning a moment later with several outfits, laying them out on the counter for inspection.
"Oh, Sevvie! Aren't those so cute?" Cil said delightedly as she approached and lightly touched the garments one by one. Severus sighed and she smiled up at him.
"Ah, I see your good lady has taste, Professor." The shop assistant replied.
"Madam, this is not my wife." Severus told her in no uncertain terms as he glanced over the robes.
"Your mistress then..." the shop assistant hesitated with raised eyebrows.
"Or my mistress!" Severus said with a raised voice. Cil laughed beside him and whispered to the shop assistant.
"First cousin, don't mind him he's just grumpy today." Cil pointed to one of the robes, which was of a long dark suede blue material with little silver dragons along the seam. "You have to get that one, Sevvie." She said pointing excitedly.
"Just get them all, Patty." Severus replied with a wave of his hand and raised his eyebrow at the look he received from his cousin. "What?"
"Are you not going to see how much they are, Sevvie? These are all of the finest quality... the cost would be-" Cil asked.
"No, I said I had the money for them, Patty." Severus re-iterated, cutting her off mid-sentence.
"That must be nice, to just come into a shop and not even bother about how much something costs." Cil said quietly.
"Your family are not exactly hard up, Patty." Severus replied.
"No, but we had to always watch the sickles, especially when the crops and vines were destroyed due to bad weather. You learn to live with the thought that next year disaster may strike and you may have nothing."
"And now?" Severus asked with interest.
"Now, I live on a professor's wage and send half of it back for my daughter to survive at university. Anyway, enough of my problems, Sevvie, I'm safe and warm with food and a roof over my head," she said patting him on the arm. "We are shopping for Callum today."
Severus grinned, he now had a plan. After purchasing the selection of robes that had been brought out for inspection and a further half dozen more they both left the store and headed for The Little Wizard, a toy store directly opposite the clothes shop, and next door to its sister shop; The Little Witch. Severus and Cil found a selection of toys suitable for Callum and bought bagfuls, selecting the option of delivery for that afternoon and sending the robes along with the packages.
It was now lunch time and Severus accompanied Cil to the Hogs Head before conveniently excusing himself and Callum saying he forgot that he had urgent business to attend to in London. Cil gave him a glare as he left her with Remus and left via the floo network for Diagon Alley saying that he would see her back at Hogwarts.
~~*~~
Severus arrived in Diagon Alley and immediately headed off for Gringott's Wizarding Bank. He had remembered that all of the money attained when he was a Death Eater was laying collecting dust as he thought about what to do with it. He now had a purpose for it. Approaching the enquiry desk with Callum in arm he cleared his throat and caught the attention of the Goblin behind it.
"Ah, Professor Snape, I shall retrieve Gorgon immediately for you." The Goblin said as he reached for a bell that was on the counter in front of him.
"No, I wish to enquire how much money has been deposited into my vault by Francis Doppleheimer over the years." Francis Doppleheimer was a code name that the Death Eaters had used in order to retrieve their blood money. Voldemort had set up all of the accounts for his followers with the Wizarding bank and the money had trickled in as it was attained during raids.
"Ah, this will take a few moments, Professor Snape." The Goblin replied as he pulled out several dusty old books pertaining to the Snape vault.
"Very well, I shall be back after a short luncheon with my son." Severus told him.
"It shall be calculated by then, sir." The Goblin replied and Severus left for The Leaky Cauldron with Callum.
After a short lunch of a sandwich for him and some stewed apple and custard for Callum, Severus headed back to the bank and straight for the Goblin who had been dealing with his request previously.
"The total amount deposited into your bank account under the name of Francis Doppleheimer comes to a grand total of three hundred and forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty-seven galleons twenty-eight sickles and six knuts." Severus was taken aback; he had never imagined there would be that much money from the carnage that had happened in order to get it. He swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "The interest acquired over the last thirty years amounts to forty-two thousand galleons." The Goblin looked up from the parchment he had been reading from and awaited a response from his client.
Severus cleared his throat tentatively. "Can I transfer three hundred thousand galleons into a new account in the name of Professor Patricia Priscilla Pendragon-Wolf." Severus thought for a moment then continued. "I want another account opened in the name of Christopher Granger and twenty thousand galleons transferred into that. The rest of the amount you have just told me about can be transferred into the bank account for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Wand please and your key, Professor," The Goblin asked and he held out his hand. Severus pulled out his wand and key and handed them over to the Goblin. After a few signatures and verifications of the wand and key, the transfers were made and two new vault keys handed over to Severus to give to Patty and Chris. Severus nodded his thanks and left the bank with Callum to head back to Hogwarts.
~~*~~
After putting Callum down for a nap and summoning Kelpy to watch over him, Severus headed to the Great Hall for the evening meal. He had only been back for an hour and had not seen anyone since he returned. As he entered the hall from the teacher's entrance he noticed that all of the students were already present and he was just about the last of the professors to arrive. He took his usual seat beside the Headmaster and Patty was on his other side.
"Sevvie... I thank you for leaving me with Reemy at lunch time." Cil said in a whisper from beside him and mock annoyance. Severus leaned into her to catch what she said and chuckled out loud.
"Oh, no problem, Patty, I never did enjoy being a third wheel much."
"Well we had a pleasant afternoon. Lunch lasted nearly three hours and we went for a walk and..."
"You do know about him don't you, Patty?" Severus asked; a bit concerned for his cousin.
"Know what?"
"That I'm a werewolf, Cil." Remus said as he moved to sit next to her. "She does know, Severus. It's no secret anymore."
"Yes, and from one Wolf to another," she grinned. "There are no secrets between us, Sevvie. Don't you fret, dear cousin."
"Fine," Severus conceded. "But, Remus, I will warn you now that if you..."
"No need to, Severus. I understand completely." Remus said cutting him off. Severus nodded and set about his dinner.
"So, how was your afternoon, Sevvie?"
"Fine, Patty. I have something for you but you are not to open this until you are alone. Understood?" Severus asked as he reached into his pocket for an envelope which contained her vault key and a note he had written.
"I understand, Severus," Cil nodded and looked very confused as he handed her the envelope and she put it into her own pocket with a nod of thanks and a kiss on his cheek.
Dinner ended and the hall emptied. Severus got up from the table and excused himself as he headed off back to his own chambers. Callum was still fast asleep and Kelpy was guarding him as if her life depended on it. It was the first opportunity that Severus had to speak to the elf for any length of time and so he sat down on the chair closest to the fire and made himself comfortable.
"Kelpy," he called to the elf; who was still in the nursery.
"Yes Master Snape, sir. Kelpy is here to serve." The elf said as she ran into the sitting room and stood before him, bouncing from one foot to the other.
"I have some questions for you, Kelpy." The elf hopped about nervously and Severus sighed. "Sit down." The elf gasped in shock at the invitation and was about to start shouting and crying but Severus interrupted her. "I gave you an order, obey." Kelpy sat down quickly and remained silent.
"Does this please, sir?" Kelpy asked now that she was sitting cross legged on the floor.
"Yes, Kelpy. Now I have several questions about the origin of your people. I want answers, I need answers. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Master sir." Kelpy nodded her head quickly, ears flapping about ludicrously.
"Tell me about your people and what they were like four and a half thousand years ago."
"We House Elves have only been in submission for six hundred years now, Master sir. We knows our places and we is not complaining, Master sir but once elves was free. We likes our freedom and once our magic was more powerful than Wizard folks."
"Continue," Severus prompted.
"Back in the time you wants to know about, elves was very magical. They seen themselves as high up beings in control of everything and your peoples, sir."
"In control of Wizards?" Kelpy nodded furiously, her ears flapping again. "Tell me what they did."
"They controlled the Wizards who were powerful. Elves told the high Wizards what to do and they would control their peoples."
"Were elves in Egypt?"
"Elves were all over the world, Master sir but in Egypt there was more Wizards there. Elves were desert folk then. We likes the hot and dry weather."
"So your people would control say... the Egyptian Pharaohs?" Severus asked.
"We would sends them messages, Master sir."
"How?"
"In the crops."
"So, you have known all along that the symbols we were looking at for so long and trying to decipher on the blasted book were written by Elves!" Severus erupted in sheer anger. "You've known all along that Elves controlled the Wizards in Ancient Egypt and produced the crop circles!" Kelpy was shaking visibly as Severus towered over her as he sat forward in his chair. "What do you know about the Book of Shadows? Tell me everything, Kelpy or you will receive clothes!"
"No! No clothes, Master sir, please!" Kelpy cried and shook her head.
"Tell me then," Severus demanded in a low growl.
"The book is written by Sekhmet. She was not ever controlled by Elves. Her father was under Elf magic. He read the messages in the crops and ruled the Wizarding peoples. He set Hathor his daughter out on a task to cleanse the land of bad Wizards who was killing the land and the Desert Elves. The Desert Elves turned bad and made him tell Hathor to kill lots of innocent peoples."
"Why were Elves like this?"
"Elves was bad bad folks." Kelpy said shaking her head solemnly. "We was protecting our lands and we was more powerful than anything so we used our magic and ruled over all."
"And now? Why are crop circles still appearing around the world?"
"The messages are still written by the free elves... the ones who have got clothes. They is not under any binding of magic and no control of Wizard so they does revert back to their roots." Severus looked shocked and Kelpy continued. "We elves does not have bad magic no more, Master sir. Not since we was bred to be weaker than the Wizarding peoples."
"Who is Sekhmet?"
"The Elves do not know, Master sir."
"Is it Hathor?"
"We does not know, sir. We does not know." Kelpy bawled into clenched fists dramatically.
"Kelpy, you have been helpful. Dismissed," Severus told the elf and she leapt to her feet and vanished into thin air as quickly as was possible. Despite what Kelpy said, Elves were still dangerous creatures, especially if they achieved their freedom from slavery.
Severus sighed, there was much that still needed to be understood and he was still nowhere near finding out who Sekhmet was. He sat with his head in his hands for a short time before being interrupted by a knock on the door. He got to his feet and opened it, revealing his cousin.
"Patty, come on in." Severus invited and stepped to the side to allow her admittance. She did not look too happy at all as she marched past him and stood with her hands on her hips and her back to him in front of the fire.
"Severus Simeon Snape!" Cil began to shout as she stormed in. Severus raised his eyebrow at her; it had been a long time since anyone had shouted his full name at him. "How dare you!" She demanded, whirling around to face him as her cloak swirled around her in typical Snape-fashion.
"How dare I what, Patricia?" Severus asked.
"Do this," she said holding up the vault key and letter he had given to her earlier that evening. "I am not some charity case, Severus. I do not need your money!" She intoned as she glared at him in the eye, her face a picture of thunder.
"Patty, I want you to have it. I have no use for it." Severus said as he moved away from the door and approached her; the door being left slightly ajar.
"Severus, I don't want it. I can survive on what I make as a professor here." Cil said as she thrust the key and letter towards him in her hand for him to take back.
"I don't want you to struggle, Patty. I have more than enough money to fund the entire Hogwarts student body through seven years of education here, university and into half of their lives. I have no way to spend it all." Severus told her as he continued to look her in the eye and ignore her outstretched hand.
"You should not be doing this, Severus." Cil said as she waved the key and letter in front of him, attempting to capture his attention to the fact she was trying to hand him something.
"Why?" Severus asked as he began to pace.
"I wasn't asking for help you know." Cil told him as she followed his movements.
"I know."
"I was simply commenting on how I have never been able to go into a shop and just get whatever I wanted."
"I know." Severus said again.
"The vast majority of people being exactly the same way inclined too, Severus."
"I know."
"Therefore, there is no need to give me this." She said holding up the key and letter again.
"I shall be most offended if you refuse my gift." Severus said as he stopped and looked at her.
"I shall be most offended if you force me to accept it." She told him as she looked him straight in the eye, challengingly.
"Then think of it as money in order to raise Callum should anything happen while I'm away." Severus almost pleaded.
"Oh, Severus, nothing will happen to you. I have every faith that you will return soon enough and bring your wife along with you." Cil tried to comfort. "I can't wait to meet her, I've heard so much about her from the other professors and the students love her too." Severus felt pride rise up inside him at what his cousin was saying regarding his wife.
"Just accept it, please, Patty. If you do not use it on yourself then send it to your daughter."
"Does it mean that much to you?" Cil asked with concern written in her eyes.
"Yes, it does. You and I were always very close, Patty. I like to think we are still close to one another. I cannot sit back and watch you struggle to maintain an existence. Not when I have the means to alter it vastly." Severus looked her in the eyes. "Accept it."
"Thank you, Sevvie." Cil said as she hugged him tightly and kissed him on the cheek.
"Ah-hem," the two broke apart and span round to see who had just interrupted them from the doorway. Christopher Granger stood on the threshold with his hand on the portrait keeping it open.
"Chris?" Severus said as he stepped away from his cousin slightly but still kept his arm around her waist. Chris just stood and watched the two of them, trying to work out what he was actually seeing before him. Severus saw his mind working ten to the dozen and interrupted the thought process. "You requested to speak with me, Chris but I assumed it might be tomorrow rather than at this time on a Saturday night."
"Well, that would have apparently suited you far better, Professor Snape." Chris spat at him with an angry look on his face and suspicion in his eyes.
"What?" Cil asked, "Sevvie, who is this? How can he come here and speak with you like this?"
"Christopher Granger is Hermione's brother and therefore my brother-in- law." Severus supplied, wondering why on earth she had not already worked that one out; she had been teaching him for the past seven weeks after all.
"Oh... I had not registered that fact," she said in awe of her own stupidity.
"That is most obvious, Professor Wolf."
"Watch your tone, Mr. Granger. Professor Wolf is still your teacher." Severus warned and removed his hand from her waist. "Now, why did you wish to speak with me?"
"To ask about her!" Chris exploded and pointed at Cil; his face full of thunder. Severus had almost forgotten how volatile the boy could be but it was coming back to him quickly.
"Calm down!" Severus said with a raised voice, he was very surprised Callum was not already awake with all of the noise that had already occurred. "Sit down," Severus pointed to the couch and prompted Cil to do the same; he took his own seat by the fire. "Speak."
"My sister has been gone for less than two months and you are already taking up with some other woman. I think you owe me an explanation." Chris insinuated.
"What makes you think Sevvie and I are something of an item, Mr. Granger?" Cil asked with a confused look on her face.
"I've seen you both together. I just saw you both kissing and cuddling. The very fact he allows you to call him 'Sevvie' in public!" Chris raged as he sat on the edge of the seat.
"I should not have to explain myself to you, Mr. Granger." Severus replied in an acidic tone.
"No? How about when Hermione comes back? Will you tell her? I am starting to wonder If you were the victim of a spell cast on Hermione when you and Sonia..."
"How dare you question me!" Severus exploded, fire in his eyes and rage bubbling beneath the surface of his skin. "I have always been faithful to my wife. She was indeed under a spell, which was cast by the Headmaster himself and I was indeed a victim of that blasted book playing mind games with my wife."
"Then why are you fooling around with her!" Chris accused with a stab of his finger in Cil's direction.
"I am not!"
"I've seen you, you are quite inseparable."
"Hold it, young man." Cil interrupted. "Now, you have the wrong end of the wand here. Severus and I are not lovers and will never ever be such." She affirmed with finality in her voice.
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because it is true," Severus told him.
"He is my cousin, Mr. Granger. First cousin to be more exact," Chris' jaw dropped and he looked quickly between the two professors in front of him, seeing a slight family resemblance. He went rather red with embarrassment.
"Forget it." Severus said and looked away from everyone, staring into the fire.
"I'm sorry, Severus. Really sorry," Chris said getting up from the couch and exiting the chambers very quickly.
Severus sighed loudly and shook his head. When would people trust him... he had never seemed to be fully trusted ever since the day he joined the Death Eaters.
"What time do you leave tomorrow, Sevvie?" Cil asked, drawing his attention away from the fire. They had sat in a long silence once Chris had left the chambers. Severus deep in thought and Cil giving him a little time to calm down; she was well aware of how his temper could be very explosive these days.
"Early afternoon, Patty, the potion will be finished at twenty-seven minutes past one."
"That's rather exact."
"Potions is an exact art form, Patty." Severus drawled, looking at her sharply with a pained expression.
"Of course it is, Sevvie." She said, unconvinced; she really just assumed he was rather anally retentive about his work. "How long will you be gone?"
"I shall be gone for a few months but you will hopefully see the three... four of us," Severus raised his eyebrows and smiled suddenly.
"Four?" Cil enquired.
"Hermione is pregnant. She cannot travel through time in the latter stages of her pregnancy. She will have to give birth and we'll have to wait until the baby is a little stronger."
"Oh, Severus. I never knew Hermione was expecting." Cil said as she covered her mouth with her hand in a shocked expression.
"Neither did I until I read it in the diary, Patty." He replied.
"So, you'll be gone for..."
"I estimate four months." Severus replied.
"In my time that will be..."
"Well, if all goes well we should return a few hours after you see me leave. I will time it like that so that I don't run into myself leaving."
"Oh, how complicated," Severus laughed at her.
"You teach Arithmancy for Merlin's sake, Patty. Time is a huge part of most of your formulae. Surely you can comprehend a little time travel." Cil smiled back at him sheepishly.
"Of course I can, I just don't like to think of my cousin being a part of it." She sighed heavily. "What is the potential that something will go wrong?"
"There is always the potential, Patty but I am a Potions Master and I can always invent a different potion should the ingredients be damaged in transit again." Severus told her, completely sure of his abilities to do just that should the need arise.
"What if it's not the potion that's the problem?"
"Then I shall just have to take things as they come. I am a powerful wizard, Patty. I can take care of myself and my family."
"I'm sure you can. I will miss you though." Cil told him sadly, she had only just become reacquainted with her cousin and to lose him again so soon was a very distressing thought.
"It should only be a few hours, Patty." They were silent for a moment and just looked at one another. "Look after Callum for me, make sure he's safe." Severus told her seriously. He could not bare the thought of leaving his son without either of his parents but this was indeed the only way to bring them all back together again as a family.
"I will, Severus, have no fears about that." Severus got up from his seat and headed off to the back of the room.
"Give this to Christopher for me as well, please." Severus pulled out an envelope from the top draw of his desk and handed it to his cousin once he had returned to the seating area.
"I will, when you leave, I'll give it to him." Cil assured him.
"Thank you."
"Okay, I will leave you for tonight. You need to rest well." Cil said getting up. "Good night, Sevvie." She kissed him on the cheek and hugged him tightly.
"Good night, Patty." Severus said before she broke away from him and exited the chambers with tears in her eyes.
Severus turned and headed into his bedroom, tomorrow was going to be a long day indeed but he would see Hermione again... his beautiful, pregnant wife, and that was a dream that he couldn't wait to come true.