Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all his friends (and enemies) are the brain-child of J.K. Rowling. Exclusive ownership belongs to JKR, Arthur A. Levine Books and Scholastic Inc. Grace Millgrove and all additional characters belong to me. You belong to yourself.
Chapter Two – Potions Master's Bride
…where Severus Snape gets married and a will is read…
"Well, kiss her already!" Reginald Runyon cheered, clapping loudly.
Severus shot his new uncle-in-law a nasty glare, but the older man just laughed good-naturedly. At his side, Grace looked up at him, and his dark expression quickly gave way to one of indifference. She already was upset enough and did not deserve him taking his frustration and displeasure out on her. With one final scowl at Runyon, he turned to face his bride and stiffly bent down to kiss her primly on the lips.
Reginald scoffed. "Come on, Snape, surely you can do better than that?"
"Not with an audience jeering in the background," Severus replied calmly. "I prefer to do certain things in private."
His uncle-in-law threw up his hands in resignation. "Let's just hope you know what to do and how to do it when the time comes. How I wish I could live long enough to hear the pitter-patter of little feet in these empty hallways."
Severus scowled unhappily at the thought, but did not deign to respond. Grace merely gasped and turned red with embarrassment.
Reginald Runyon studied his niece's husband, noting his dark mood. He thoughtfully rubbed his chin. "Maybe I should have made a stipulation for children in my will," he finally mused aloud, shrewdly watching for a reaction from the couple in front of him.
The blood drained from Grace's face and Severus' scowl darkened.
"Should I make the necessary changes?" Theodore Inkwell , the elderly wizard who was Runyon's private solicitor, immediately dug into his satchel and rummaged for the will.
Reginald thumped him on the back. "No need, old friend. I have a feeling that these two here will get around to it in no time."
"Now see here, old man…" Severus stepped forward, ready to give him a piece of his mind, but Reginald waved him off.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist, Snape," he told him good-naturedly. "Whether you'll have children or not, is no concern of mine. I know that you'll treat Grace well, and that's all I'm interested in. Simply put it to the fanciful ramblings of a romantic old fool."
Grace moved to her uncle's side and grasped his arm. "Uncle Reginald…"
"Don't worry about me, child." He patted her hand reassuringly. "I merely want to see you happy, and I believe you will be."
Reginald drew a laborious breath, pulled out a handkerchief, and wiped a few beads of perspiration from his brow. Grace led him away from the wedding party to a nearby sofa, while, from across the room, Inkwell called on the witnesses and Snape to finish the paperwork.
"You do trust me, don't you, child?"
She nodded solemnly. "Of course, Uncle."
"Then please have faith in me and my decision to have you and Snape marry. This will all work out for the best. Trust me, Grace. I know Snape." He paused and looked at Severus, who was with Inkwell now, signing several documents. "…not the most charming man, I must admit, and rather rough around the edges. Deep down, however, he is a good man. I would have never chosen him for your husband, if I didn't believe that."
Grace followed his gaze and studied her husband from across the room. Her husband, she mused, letting it sink in. The man she was bound to for the rest of her life. She frowned and wondered just how deep she would have to dig to find that good man.
"If only young Sullivan were still alive…" Reginald said suddenly.
The mention of her former fiancé jarred Grace. She had hoped her uncle wouldn't bring him up. Getting married to a stranger was difficult enough without having to be reminded that the man she had loved, the man she was supposed to have married, was dead. For a moment, Grace thought of Nigel Sullivan, her one true love. It hadn't mattered to him that she was squib. In his line of work, Nigel had seen too much misuse of magic, and, therefore, had thought her inability to do magic rather soothing. He had been kind and patient with her, but most importantly, he had returned her love. And all the plans they had made… Grace shook her head and sighed. There was no use in bringing up the past. It was just that – past and long gone. No wishful thinking on her part would ever bring Nigel back. She was married now, and a new life lay ahead of her. She had to look to the future – a future with Snape – and make the best of it.
Reginald noticed his niece's somber mood and sighed. He knew he had shocked her with his plan and the hasty nuptials, but he hoped she understood the importance of it all and the need for urgency.
"I'm sorry, Grace," he apologized. "I didn't mean to…"
"It's alright, Uncle," she told him softly, "I've thought it, too. If Nigel were still alive, everything would be different. But… given the way things are… I… I understand that this is the only way... Don't worry about me, Uncle. Mr. Snape and I have come to an understanding – of sorts. I'm sure we'll deal well together."
He patted her hand again. "I still wish that he would take you with him. I don't understand why you can't just go with him."
"He's explained it all, Uncle," Grace reminded him. "He can't bring a wife to Hogwarts. There are no accommodations for spouses. Don't worry, though. He's promised to visit as often as he can. Besides, this way I don't have to leave you."
Reginald shook his head. "I don't like it. Lucius…"
"Cousin Lucius will find out when the time comes," she told him firmly, "and he'll simply have to realize that his plan fell through and he has lost. Mr. Snape doesn't like Lucius, and I believe him when he says he'll protect me from him."
Her uncle nodded slowly and offered her his arm. "Come on, my dear. Let me take you back to your husband."
As they made their way across the room towards Severus who was still talking to Inkwell, Grace suddenly thought of something.
"Well, there is one good thing that has come out of this entire mess," she told Reginald.
"Oh, yes? What's that, child?"
"I just realized that I don't have to re-embroider the monograms on my trousseau…"
Her uncle threw back his head and let loose a bark of laughter, drawing a dark stare from her husband.
"I never would have thought, though," Grace reflected somberly, "that GS would stand for Grace Snape instead of Grace Sullivan."
They reached Severus, and Reginald kissed his niece's forehead before handing her over to her glowering husband. Severus stared down at his bride, who, unnerved by his intense scrutiny, immediately averted her eyes, a delicate blush spreading over her cheeks. The faint color in her cheeks rendered her especially young and endearing, he suddenly thought – and rather pretty. He recalled their kiss earlier. It had been too short to be considered enjoyable, but Grace's lips had been soft and warm beneath his – almost welcoming. The direction his thoughts were taking disconcerted him considerably. He frowned and cleared his throat.
"Runyon," Severus addressed his uncle-in-law, "I have signed all the necessary documents, and everything is in order."
"Indeed, it is," Inkwell threw in quickly.
Reginald rubbed his hands. "Good." He nodded, satisfied. "Good."
Something in his behavior jarred Severus. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but Runyon seemed much too smug about the entire affair. His eyes narrowed suspiciously, but when the older wizard didn't even bat an eyelash under his intense scrutiny, Severus thought he might have been mistaken.
"I better be on my way now," he said decidedly. "The new term begins tomorrow, and I am expected at Hogwarts."
"Yes, yes… Grace has told me. Damn shame, though…"
"Shame?" Severus arched an eyebrow.
"That you're going alone, Snape. Leaving your bride on her wedding day… highly unusual, if you ask me… unheard of, in fact."
"It cannot be helped," Severus said tersely.
Reginald shook his head. "Lucius will learn of this. He has his sources, you know."
Grace gasped and clamped one hand over her mouth. Severus grimaced. The thought had occurred to him, but he had hoped that Runyon wouldn't put any stock in it.
"I don't have to tell you, Snape," Runyon began shrewdly, "that if there is the slightest hint of a ruse, the smallest doubt about the true reason for your marriage…"
Severus raised his hand, bidding him to stop. He knew how much the success of this entire scheme depended on appearances. There was no room for mistakes. "Say no more," he said firmly, "I'll stay the night."
Grace gasped again, and both men turned their attention to her. Her husband's eyes narrowed disapprovingly. He did not care for a jumpy wife.
"My darling bride," Severus sneered, his upper lip curling in disdain, "it appears you'll have the pleasure of my company for a little while longer."
He was watching her face and noticed a flash of displeasure at his mocking, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. Again, Severus was struck by her composure. Maybe his wife wasn't jumpy, after all. Maybe, just maybe, she had more in common with him than he'd thought.
Grace had not missed the sarcasm in his tone. Oddly, though, she wasn't as offended by it as she had thought she would be. In fact, she thought it somewhat amusing. After all, this entire marriage was a sham. There was no reason to be offended by his displeasure. She inclined her head slightly.
"I am as pleased as you are," she told him graciously.
Severus stared at her for a moment, surprised by her quick wit. Apparently, his concern regarding her cleverness had been unfounded, too.
"If you'll follow me, Mr. Snape," Grace interrupted his thoughts. "I'll show you to your room."
Severus nodded and let her lead the way.
"You kids have a good night," Runyon called after them, grinning contently.
---
Severus watched with unconcealed interest as his wife – his wife, for heaven's sakes – prepared his room for him. Where others, him included, would have merely waved their wand to build a fire and turn down the bed, Grace did everything by hand.
"Couldn't you have a house-elf do all this?" he asked her.
Grace shrugged. "It makes me feel useful. Besides…" She chanced a quick glance towards the door. "The longer I stay in here alone with you, the less gossip there will be tomorrow morning."
Severus arched an eyebrow, not amused by the prospect. "So, we're keeping up appearances?"
"Why not? We are the only ones who know that this is a marriage of convenience. To everyone else, we must appear truly married."
"I see."
"I mean…" Grace blushed delicately. "That is… you haven't changed your mind?"
He looked at her, his face inscrutable. "No," he told her firmly. "This marriage is in name only."
"Oh, good." She breathed a heavy sigh of relief, which oddly enough annoyed him.
Grace checked the room one last time and, satisfied that everything was in order, moved to the other side of the room. She touched one of the sconces above her head and a secret door opened in the wall.
"This passage leads directly to my room," she explained hesitantly. "No one will see me leave your room."
Severus was impressed. "You really have thought of everything."
Grace blushed again. "We can't afford any mistakes. Lucius scares me," she suddenly confided in him. "I… I know what he is capable of, and that he won't let anything stand in the way of his greed. My cousin is a dangerous man."
A sound of displeasure rumbled in her husband's throat. "So am I."
She moved to leave, but hesitated again. Severus noticed her hovering by the door. It was obvious that she had something on her mind and likely wouldn't leave until they had talked about it.
"Was there anything else?"
Grace took a few steps towards him. "Erm, well, I was just wondering…"
"Yes?"
"How do you know Lucius?"
Her question was innocent enough. Severus searched her eyes, but couldn't discern any ulterior motives, no hidden agenda. When Grace began to squirm under his intense stare, he realized he had been staring at her for an inordinately long time.
"We went to school together," he finally told her. "We weren't in the same year, but we knew each other."
"I… see." Severus could see that she wasn't happy about the answer. "Were you friends?"
His lips twisted into a wry smile. "No," he answered truthfully. "We have never been… friends."
Grace nodded, accepting his answer. "I still can't believe they released him from Azkaban. Did you know, he… he was a Death Eater?" She shuddered, horrified.
Severus studied her for a long moment, wondering how she would react, once she found out that he also bore the Dark Lord's mark. Watching her, it suddenly occurred to him that she seemed to know nothing of his past. Apparently, Miss Mill… He caught himself. Apparently, his wife – his wife! He still couldn't believe it. – didn't read The Daily Prophet or any of the other brainless sensation rags. It seemed that Runyon hadn't told her anything, either. He almost felt sorry for her. Grace had led a truly sheltered life, but whether it had been by choice or by force he had yet to find out. He met her eyes.
"I was aware of it," he admitted calmly.
She shuddered again. "My uncle told me that he was in Azkaban when the Dark Lord fell, and that was why the Ministry decided to show some leniency. Especially, since he lost his entire family during the Final Battle."
Severus squirmed slightly. He had no desire to rehash the past.
"May I ask you something else?"
Her demure politeness stirred him in a strange way, and he did not like it. "If you must," he bit out, more harshly than he had intended.
Grace shrunk back briefly, but quickly recovered. "Well, I… merely… did you fight in the Final Battle?"
Severus closed his eyes as the events of the last three years assaulted his mind. After his hasty flight from Hogwarts more than three years ago, after he had killed his only friend, Albus Dumbledore, he had lived like a rat, hiding in every dirt hole in Britain and biding his time. It had been Bellatrix Lestrange, fuelled by her long-standing hatred for him, who had betrayed him in the end and divulged his whereabouts to the Ministry. He had spent fourteen months in Azkaban in a cell next to Lucius Malfoy. It was only after the Final Battle, when certain documents of Dumbledore's were discovered and made public, documents that relieved Severus of any responsibility of Dumbledore's death, that he was exonerated and set free. He cleared his throat. He didn't want to think of it, anymore. Not now, anyway.
"No, I… did not," he told her firmly. "I was… unable to… participate."
Grace nodded again. A small smile formed on her lips. "I'm glad to hear I wasn't the only one who couldn't contribute to this historical event."
Severus didn't know how to respond to that. He did know, however, that he had no intention of clearing up her misconceptions at this time. He decided to keep his wife in blissful ignorance of his past – at least, until he got to know her better. This was a chance for him to start with a clean slate, and for some reason which still eluded him, he felt it necessary that Grace did not judge him. He frowned. Where had that sentiment come from? Never before had he felt compelled to secure anybody's good will or opinion. He didn't like the idea that this slip of a woman – a squib at that – could invoke such changes in him in such a short time. He didn't like it, at all. He couldn't afford to become soft. And, yet…
"If there's nothing else you need," Grace interrupted his thoughts, "I think I'll go now."
She quickly moved towards the secret door again, driven by the urgent desire to get out of here, away from her husband. During their conversation, the low silky timbre of his voice had relaxed her, and the subtle nuances of his speech had had a strange effect on her body, awaking feelings she had locked away long ago. Grace hadn't thought it possible, hadn't thought that she could ever respond like that to a man again. On the outside, her husband was a forbidding and inscrutable man. His voice, however, hinted at a deeper, more passionate nature, and suddenly, the memory of their brief kiss flashed through her mind. She had not expected Severus Snape to be as gentle as he had been. Involuntarily, her gaze had dropped to her husband's mouth. His lips had been unexpectedly warm and supple…
Then, however, she had noticed his mood change, and all of a sudden, all she could think of was to flee from her own foolishness.
Severus saw the desire to leave in her eyes, and had no intention of holding her back. "Good night," he told her curtly, dismissing her.
Grace nodded and fled from the room.
---
She kept throwing secretive glances towards the door. Where was he? Grace hadn't seen her husband since the morning after their wedding, when he had hastily departed for Hogwarts. He had, however, acknowledged her letter informing him of her uncle's death and assured her that he would come for the reading of the will. Across the room, Lucius Malfoy was casually inspecting his cane. He was as handsome and immaculate as ever, she thought disgustedly, and as trustworthy as a poisonous viper. Lucius didn't know of her marriage to Snape, and she didn't want to face him alone when he found out. Grace was aware of Lucius' history as a Death Eater, and she knew she had every reason to fear him. She wanted her husband to be by her side, to protect her from her cousin's temper when the time came. Lucius was a dangerous and vindictive man, and she could readily imagine how he would react, once he found out that his carefully laid plans had been thwarted.
Malfoy felt her gaze upon him and looked up from his cane. He gave his cousin a charming smile, which quickly turned into an amused sneer when she blushed and quickly averted her eyes. Grace Millgrove wasn't beautiful, he mused, not like Narcissa had been. Her inheritance, however, made her very attractive, indeed. Besides, no one would miss a mousy little squib like her, should she meet with an unfortunate accident…
"Well…" Theodore Inkwell checked his watch and cleared his throat. "I think we can start now."
"No, we can't," Grace spoke up suddenly. "Not, yet."
Inkwell coughed discreetly and Malfoy lifted an eyebrow in mild curiosity. Grace blushed. She had surprised herself with her outburst.
"I mean," she quickly began to explain, shifting uncomfortably, "erm, well, it's not three o'clock, yet."
Malfoy rolled his eyes, his amusement gone from them. "Get on with it, Inkwell," he instructed impatiently. "I don't have all day."
Inkwell looked at Grace in askance. She glanced towards the door one last time, before she returned her attention to the elderly solicitor and nodded in resignation.
"Very well, then." Inkwell cleared his throat again. "It won't take long. It's rather brief and to the point."
He adjusted the spectacles on his nose and broke the seal on Runyon's will. He unfolded the parchment with trembling fingers and began to read.
"I, Reginald Runyon, being of sound mind, but not so sound body, do hereby declare my last will and testament. I leave all my worldly possessions…"
Grace sneaked a peek at Lucius. He looked rather smug.
"…to my closest living male relative..."
Lucius was sporting a wolfish grin now. He didn't even try to disguise his greed, Grace thought disgustedly.
"…my niece's husband…"
Lucius frowned in confusion.
"…Severus Snape, provided…"
Lucius' face contorted into a mask of hatred. "WHAT?" he bellowed angrily, unwilling to listen any further.
Theodore Inkwell started, but quickly composed himself. He adjusted his spectacles once more and shot the younger wizard an apprehensive look.
"Yes, indeed," he began to explain. "Mr. Snape and Grace were married a little over a month ago in the presence of Mr. Runyon, myself and two witnesses."
"Impossible!" Lucius hissed viciously.
"Oh, it's quite true," a silky voice drawled from the background.
Grace's heart skipped a beat. He had come! Her husband moved swiftly across the room to stand behind her chair and place his hands possessively on her shoulders. He bent down with the intention to kiss his wife on the cheek, when Grace turned her head to greet him, and her lips brushed his. If he was displeased, he did not show it, but her face turned pink in demure embarrassment. To the eyes of others, they convincingly looked the part of a newlywed couple.
Malfoy glared at husband and wife with unconcealed hatred. Something wasn't right. He could feel it in his bones. Grace, married? To Snape, of all people? Impossible!
"It's a lie!" he shouted furiously, his face turning an angry shade of purple. "It's a ruse to keep me from claiming what is rightfully mine."
"I assure you, Lucius," Severus said calmly, secretly enjoying Malfoy's loss of control, "it's no ruse. We are truly married. I have known Runyon for years, and from the moment I met Grace, I just knew I had to marry her. She was kind enough to accept me." To demonstrate the point, he reached for her hand and lifted it to his lips. "I am a very lucky man."
Grace's blush intensified, as she watched her husband masterfully twist the truth. He wasn't actually lying, she realized, slightly sidetracked by the pleasant tingling where Snape had kissed her hand. Judging from her cousin's expression, Severus seemed to be convincing him. Lucius' eyes narrowed as he looked to her for confirmation.
"Grace," he addressed her with forced calm. "Is it true?"
She nodded. Feeling daring, and drawing courage from Severus' presence, she placed one hand on her husband's. "It's the truth, Cousin Lucius. Won't you congratulate us?"
Malfoy stared at her contemptuously, still shaking with helpless anger. "This isn't over, yet," he promised grimly and strode from the room, his cane loudly tapping on the floor and his cloak billowing angrily behind him.
As soon as he was gone , Severus removed his hands from Grace's shoulders and stepped away from her chair.
Grace got to her feet. "Thank you for coming," she greeted him.
Severus nodded curtly. "I said I would," he told her tersely, annoyed that she would doubt his word, doubt him.
"I'm sorry," Grace mumbled quickly and looked away.
He frowned. He had thought about Grace Mil… – Grace Snape – frequently in the last month, more frequently than he cared to admit. That she would doubt him didn't sit well with him. Of course, Severus mused, he probably should make some allowances for the extraordinary circumstances that had brought them together. Grace's uncle had been a meddling old fool, who had married her off to a virtual stranger. Moreover, her cousin was a greedy power-hungry wizard, who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. No, she had every reason to mistrust the men in her life.
"Ahem." Theodore Inkwell cleared his throat. "Mr. Snape, a word?"
Grace summoned a house-elf and requested some tea. While she set the table, her eyes kept wandering to her husband who was in deep conversation with the solicitor. Snape did not look very pleased. She wondered what Inkwell was telling him.
"NO!"
Her husband's sudden outburst caught her by surprise and she dropped the tea cup she was holding. It fell to the floor, where it shattered into countless pieces. Her hands flew to her mouth.
The crash had also jarred the two men, and they looked at her.
"I'm sorry," Grace apologized and fell to her knees, quickly collecting the shards of china scattered all over the floor.
Severus turned his attention back to the older wizard. "Inkwell," he warned him, his voice deceptively soft, "this wasn't part of the deal, and he knew that. Runyon has crossed the line. Do you hear me? It is out of the question."
"I… it… I…" Theodore stuttered, pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead.
"I must insist that you do something about this," Severus maintained.
"But, Mr. Snape, it cannot be changed."
"You drafted both, the will and the marriage contract," Severus reminded him. "You find a way around this clause."
"But that's what I've been trying to tell you, Mr. Snape. It's not a clause. It's the contract itself. Mr. Runyon insisted that it be a contract based on the Law of Old. Those ancient contracts stipulate…"
He caught Grace's curious stare and leaned closer to Severus, lowering his voice so she wouldn't hear the rest.
"So, you see, Mr. Snape," he spoke up again, "there is really nothing I can do."
"Damn him," Severus hissed.
Grace got to her feet and smoothed her dress. If this conversation was about her uncle's will, as it appeared to be, she had a right to be involved.
"Is there a problem?" she asked innocently, startling the two men.
"Ah, well…" Theodore Inkwell tugged at his collar, looking at Snape for help.
"This doesn't concern you," Severus said quickly.
"If it is about my uncle's will, I have a right to hear it, too."
Severus pressed his lips together in prim disapproval. "It's not important."
"Judging from your reaction just now, I don't believe you."
"If I may…" Inkwell interjected, but a dark scowl from Severus immediately silenced him.
"What's going on?" Grace asked, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Her husband cleared his throat. "Your uncle has changed his will."
She shook her head. "No, he didn't. I remember him dictating it after our wedding. He hasn't changed a word."
"Tell me, Grace," he asked unpleasantly, "has your uncle always had this unhealthy affinity for blood?"
"Blood?" she echoed, her confusion increasing by the minute.
"Yes, blood," he mocked. "It seems everything he ever did was sealed one way or another with blood. And now he wants mine, again – and yours, as well, come to think of it."
Grace stomped her foot in utter frustration. "Will somebody please tell me what is going on here?"
"Your uncle…" Severus wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Your uncle had our marriage contract drawn up according to the Wizard Law of Old…"
"And?"
"The Marriage Law of Old stipulates consummation for the contract to be valid."
"No!" All color drained from her face, and Grace reached for a nearby chair for support.
"Your uncle's will is, therefore, contestable until our union is…"
He didn't get any further. For the second time during their short acquaintance, his wife had fainted.
Potions Master's Bride © 2006 by MMHG
