Discombobulate

Arun ran her hand over the threadbare sheets on Severus's childhood bed. She opened her eyes and looked up at a patch of peeling wallpaper thick with grey spiders webs. It was still dark, which meant she had only managed a few hours at most. Next to her Sev was asleep, but his brow was knitted. He held onto her like his life depended on it and when she moved his eyes flicked open and he gasped, still deep in a dream.

"It's ok, I just need some water."

Snape nodded and his head floated back onto the pillow. She sat at the end of his bed for a while, looking at the childish drawings that littered the walls of his room. She saw one that said, 'you're my best friend Sev, I can't wait to be at Hogwarts with you- Lily.' and under it two stick figure people, one with red hair and one with black stood hand in hand smiling. Another, drawn by an older hand, showed a dark figure posing with a cauldron, with a selection of crudely drawn people bowing at his feet, one of them with flame red hair, and the words above said 'The Half-Blood Prince.' There was a selection of newspaper cuttings stuck up too, including one from the day the Potters were assassinated with a picture of Lily. Arun ran a hand over her hair and wondered what she would look like with auburn hair, not as good she suspected. She looked back at Severus, his hair was covering his face and he breathed deeply as he slept. Who was it that told her 'death was just the start of another great adventure?' Maybe it was Grindalwold. One of that old guard who had searched for the hallows, one of the wizards who studied the resurrection stone. She had to wonder if Severus looked forward to his own death, just so he could see her again.

Without making a sound she crossed to the door and tiptoed back downstairs. In the living room she heard the patter of rodent feet, and in the kitchen, she saw shadows disappear behind counters as she entered the room. A clock told her it was coming up for six in the morning, Severus would want to cancel the Malfoys. He'd want to stay with his mum and if that were the case she would need to get them some f-

"Arun!"

She jumped, the glass fell from her hand and shattered on the floor.

"Arun!" Severus sounded panicked. She ran upstairs as fast as she could and skidded to his side by the bathroom.

"Oh no," Arun breathed.

Snape was frozen to the spot.

Arun pushed past him and ran to Eileen's side, she pulled her into the recovery position and checked her airways. She was mottled purple down one side of her body where her blood had settled. Her eyes were open, unblinking and she was cold to the touch. Next to the toilet was a bottle, Arun snatched it up and studied it, she recognised it instantly.

"I'm so sorry Sev, she's gone."

A change came over Severus' face, all emotion drained away. He nodded, turned and went back to bed. Arun hung her head, ran her hand across Eileen's cold, dead fingers and whispered how sorry she was, then told Eileen that she had been selfish.

She wrapped the body in a sheet from the bed and decided to transfigure it. She turned Eileen into a dark crystal ball, which mirrored the night sky and showed the multitude of stars and the milky way. As she worked she didn't notice Severus get up to watch her, she didn't see him go downstairs, or light the fire, or sit with his hands over the flames until they burned, because he felt nothing and he wanted dearly to feel something, anything, more than empty and hollow.

Arun brought the crystal ball down and without words, she handed it to Severus. He stood looking into the depths of the stars for a long time, then he turned and placed it on the bookshelf, next to her gobblestones set.

Arun slipped her hand into his and rested her head on his shoulder.

"We're going to be late for lunch," he told her.

"Do you still want to go?"

"Is there something keeping me here?"

"Sev…" she was momentarily lost for words. "Whatever you need to do."

They apperated outside the Malfoy's gates and they were met by a servant called Portmore. He gave them a deep respectful bow and opened the gates to let them through, "Welcome, welcome. I trust your journey wasn't taxing?"

"It was as expected," Snape told him.

Arun stayed quiet.

Malfoy Manor was always a welcoming sight for Arun, but today she felt apprehensive. She didn't know if Snape wanted her to talk about what had happened or stay quiet, she didn't know if the American's had made contact with Lucius and told him she had double-crossed them. She felt sick, and round and round in her head went the image of finding Eileen on the floor of the bathroom.

Narcissa met them on the steps. She swept down and took Arun's hands and kissed her on the cheek, then she did the same to Severus, "I'm so glad you could make it," she smiled. "And together too!" Clearly, she credited herself with getting them back together.

"Thank you for the invite Cissy," Arun gave her a warm smile.

"Come on, it's cold get inside."

"How are the peacocks?" Arun asked as they moved into the hallway.

"Ah, I thought I heard your voices!" Lucius poked his head out of the door and smiled, "Come and warm up in here, I've got a roaring fire going and a very fine elf wine for you to try. Severus will have to work out what vintage it is."

"I'm sure I can oblige," Snape told him. Arun turned to go into the parlour but Narcissa held out a hand and stopped her.

"Come and see my greenhouse," she said. "I've got a fantastic crop of Molly and I want to show you my Shrivelfig's."

"Don't be rude," Arundel giggled and followed her dutifully through the house and out into an orangery where Narcissa's pride and joy, her collection of magical plants were carefully tended to.

"These are looking good," Arun studied the creeping vines that hung from the glass roof. The variety of plants, magical and beautiful and creeping was astounding and overwhelming together. "Do you ever let Draco or Lucius in here?"

"I don't let anybody in here, this is my sanctum," Narcissa grinned and took a deep and satisfied sigh. "It's too dangerous for Little Draco in here, and honestly, Lucius caring for plants? Severus askes me to grow things for him from time to time, plants he can't get hold of, sometimes ones that are banned."

Arun looked around the room again, she couldn't see anything particularly illegal growing. Narcissa pulled on gloves and started to prune, "So?" She asked with a smile, "Talking about Severus...?"

Arundell rolled her eyes and pretended to be very interested in the Molly plants.

"Don't you dare tell me it's 'complicated.' Arundel Granville."

"Cissy-" Arun opened her mouth, shrugged and closed it again. "We're taking it slow." whatever that meant, she couldn't think of much more 'full on' than finding your partners mother dead from an overdose on the night his abusive father died.

"Oh?" Narcissa waved some pruning shears at her friend, "I'd expect nothing less, of course, Severus is a true gentleman." She put the sheers down and looked up at Arun as if weighing her words carefully. "The business before, I don't want to pry, but you were so upset with him and you never told me why. He wouldn't either, he said you had enough of him, that there was something in his character you found abhorrent."

"Melodramatic as usual," Arundel sighed. "The Dark Lord was obsessing over killing a child, he didn't have much work for me at that point and my sister extended an invitation."

Narcissa realised Arun didn't want to say more, and she was good enough to let it lie. "There is something else I wanted to talk to you about."

"Oh?"

"A man came to call, He was a tall man, out of shape, with cowboy boots on under his dress robes. He was quite abrupt, and his accent was really- well- American. He said he was called Harrold Kirk, he claimed he was working for-"

Arun held up her hand. "Cissy, don't get involved."

"Lucius entertained him but I was present during the conversation. He says he is collecting artefacts that could bring the Dark Lord back, but that you are stopping him. We said there must be some mistake, you are first among us."

"There is a mistake. He's telling you a half-truth."

"But any chance to-"

"There is no chance with him." Arun ran a hand through her hair and watched as one of the creeping vines curled up toward the glass ceiling. "Yes, the American Society of Dark Wizards are hunting for Artefacts that could bring back the Dark Lord, but the artefacts that they are looking for would bring back a half-corpse completely under their control. They do not seek to resurrect him, they seek to claim his power for themselves. They are nothing more than graverobbers. Harold Kirk is the broker, he's the man they have hired to locate the Artifacts and he's the one who's studying their use. He subcontracted me to actually retrieve the artefacts when he was unable to do it himself and now I have chosen not to aid them he is charged with finding me."

Narcissa bit her lip.

"What did you tell them Cissy? Did they mention Hogwarts?"

"They said that you had been announced the new teacher, I said you had taken the job, he asked why and I said you needed the money and a change of job after...well..." Arun grimaced, Narcissa took off her gloves and clasped her hands in front of her body, "I-" she clenched her jaw, "I felt so frightened at the possibility of him returning. Does that make me a bad person?"

"No," Arun said. "If he did return what would he come back to? Half of his followers are driven mad in Azkaban, the others are starting to believe their own subterfuge. What has become of the Death Eaters? Humiliated, exposed as cowards. What would he think of us if he came back? He would not be proud."

Narcissa sniffed, "I won't allow my family to fall Arun. The Blacks or the Malfoys. We will remain."

"Then help yourselves by helping me. Help me destroy the Grants Artifacts before the Americans get them and turn Him into their sick puppet freak."

They ate lunch in the dining room, huddled down one end of a fifty seat table. Arun told the Malfoys' everything, she detailed her adventure thus far, spoke of the battles she had to gather the artefacts, about the one she suspected was at Hogwarts and the strange case of the more corporeal hauntings that had been occurring and then stopped. She omitted Severus' part and chose headlines rather than minutia but at every opportunity sold her friends the story of the Americans wanting to take the Dark Lords power for themselves. Partly she spoke so Severus didn't have to. He drank silently, ate with little passion and only made eye contact when he was spoken to directly. She suspected he had told Lucius something; the way Lucius looked at him and dutifully refilled his wine cup whenever it started to get low was proof enough.

"The American Society has always been difficult to work with. At every opportunity, they sought to reduce our Lord's power and influence in America. They cherry picked his ideas to suit them and let blood traitors and muggles hold positions of power in their office," Lucius rolled his eyes. "I can't say I'm surprised they are now trying to steal His power."

"It's an affront," Narcissa agreed. "We didn't sacrifice so much of ourselves so his memory could be made a mockery. I don't want to follow a Las-Vegas-Voldemort." When she realised she'd said his name she winced and put her wine glass away from her. Lucius was too stunned to speak and then he started to laugh. Even Snape managed to smile.

"Well yippy ki-ahy Cissy, because if they get the artefacts that's exactly what you will be following," Lucius told her, leaning in he pointed to her wine glass and when she shook her head he poured it into his cup. Awful table manners from a man so hung up on status and power.

"So?" he asked. "You have a plan of course? You would not have been so forthcoming if you did not want our help in some way."

"Observant as usual my dear friend," Arun grinned. "I want you to tell them that Hogwarts was a dead end. Tell them I'm intending to hide the fifth artefact whilst I continue to look for the sixth. We could have some fun here Lucius, we could get the old crowd back together, take down this threat together." She leaned in, her eyes glinting. "Like the old days."

He pushed long white hair over his shoulder and tilted his chin as he thought about it, at first he seemed worried but after a moments thought he smiled, "Like the old days." The idea might have amused him, but he was still hesitant. "Most of the old crowd are in Azkaban and personally I would not care to join them."

"Where's your sense of adventure," Arun coxed.

"You sound like my sister," Narcissa cautioned. "Kill kill kill for me is not your style."

Snape hiccuped.

"We don't even need to take them on necessarily, we just need to keep the artefacts from them and find a way to destroy them- something like the lost sword of Gryffindor would do it."

"Why destroy?" Narcissa asked, running a hand through her long blond hair.

"If we don't they will pursue us for the rest of our lives."

"Unless we stop them." Lucius lounged in his chair, clearly enjoying the idea of a fight but not yet truly committed.

"Don't forget your teachings, Lucius, if you cut the head of the hydra two grow back."

"So drown the fucking hydra," Lucius hissed, his eyes glinting with malice.

"Alright!" Arun rolled her eyes and picked up her wine glass, "So? Will you help me?"

Lucius looked to his wife, Narcissa regarded him with a raised eyebrow as if saying 'don't look at me this is your gig.' "We have Draco to think of," Lucius told her, colouring slightly. "It's not as easy to say yes any more."

Arun had expected that response from Narcissa but not her husband, the death of the Darklord and the arrival of Baby Draco must have changed his perspectives.. "Then, at least say you will stay out of the way whilst I do what I need to do, and ensure that none of our lot sides with the Americans?"

Narcissa leaned both elbows onto the table, "That we can do," her hair fell slowly from behind her shoulder onto the table as she kept her eyes on her husband, she looked beautiful. Arun always thought her and Lucius made a fantastic couple, but times like this confirmed it. She had to admit she was jealous. "I think, if it comes to a fight you can count on my husband's support and discretion."

Severus was drunk. When they got back to school she kept a good grip on his arm and marched him through the corridors. On a Sunday there were very few people about. By the time they were outside her office, Severus was half asleep and she pushed him inside and locked them in.

The houself had been busy. Everything was exactly the way she wanted it, from the roaring fire to the comfortable bathroom and large bed with fresh sheets. There was even a plush fur rug on the floor to keep out the chill of the stone. Arun smiled as she lowered Severus onto the sofa and took off his shoes. She thought about taking him out of his overcoat, but the sheer quantity of buttons stopped her, it was like he was sewn in.

"I'm sorry-" Severus muttered.

"What for?" she asked him.

"Today was-" he hiccuped. "Bad. I liked your-" he cast around for the word. "Ball."

"Sev, you're drunk."

"I'm not," he leaned forward. "Do you think I'm like my father?"

"No."

"I do," he sat back, his unfocused eyes found the fire and he sat looking at it, mesmerised for a long while. "I do," he muttered again.

"Why?"

"I get angry. I get angry and it blinds me and.. And…" he ran a hand down his face. "I'm the worst part of my parents. Snivellus," he mocked himself. "Snivellus Snape. Sad little boy. Coward. The last thing my father said was that I looked like a faggot and had no shame. I just stood aside and let him, just let him for my whole life. Snivellus."

"When you wake up tomorrow you will be glad you don't remember what you're saying to me."

Snape gave her a lopsided smile, "Hi," he told her and he reached out his hand. She came and sat on the floor by his knees and rested her arm across his lap. "I don't deserve you," he told her. "I don't. You should be with somebody who...just….who…" he waved a hand, like he was giving her something, "All of it…." he paused, "you know?"

"I have enough."

He ran his hand over her head like he was petting a dog. "Where are we?"

Arun sighed and got up, she kissed Severus then took his hand and led him to the bedroom. It was only six in the afternoon but she put him into her bed, telling him he was honoured to be the first one to sleep in it. She tried to get him to unbutton his top, but his fingers were so uncoordinated so she sat doing them for him. It took a long time, and she had to do the sleeves too, but once he was out of it he fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

The next morning Snape woke up with an awful headache. He grumbled like a bear and Arun had to manhandle him into the bathroom and force him to try out her new shower. Whilst he was in there, she made the bed, floated a pot of coffee over the burner for her caldron and brushed out his clothes. She waved her hand across them a few times, using a cleaning spell to freshen them up, it wasn't as good as the laundry, and Arun wasn't convinced he'd ever given his clothes to somebody to wash. He emerged sometime later with a long face and a towel wrapped around his head, "I can't remember coming back to Hogwarts."

"Lucius had to help you down the stairs from his front door. You vomited on his lawn. It's not like you to show so much emotion in front of people Sev, what did you tell him?"

"I told him the truth, and he told me to drink."

"And did it help?"

Severus shrugged. "I'm going to be late."

"Coffee," she held out a cup for him, "You're going to need it, and this," she held out a potion of her own design. "It's a mint and merlap infusion. It'll settle your stomach but be careful you don't burp."

"Why"

"It'll-" she grimace. "Let's just say it'll burn."

Severus downed the coffee, and then the infusion, she helped him with his buttons and when he was caged back into his robe he swept from the room without a thank you or goodbye.