17 - ARGUING
Standard disclaimer - I own nothing in the Harry Potter Universe and am making no money from this work of fiction. See warnings Chap. 1!
Well, things had to come to a head at some point with our couple, both being such strong-willed and independent individuals. How will that play out?
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Thursday
Their tryst in the study was brief and both were asleep soon after returning to their bedroom, once again surrounded by the four pets. Lucius was awake first and cast a silencing spell before showering and getting dressed. The animals went with him downstairs. He ate breakfast and read the news before his witch finally appeared.
She stopped at his side. "Well, you look relaxed. That is the opposite of what I am feeling through my mark. What is wrong?"
His hand grasped hers. "I only wish to discuss a few things with you about the events of the last few days, nothing more. My current agitation is directed at this rag," he pointed to the current edition of The Prophet which lay wrinkled on the table face down.
Christina sat next to him and pulled the paper to her. After just a few minutes of reading the front page, she threw it back down. "I did not see any reporters or photographers yesterday," was her only comment.
"Nor did I. That is not going to change the fact that now the population believes me not only to be a Death Eater still, but a cowardly one who hides behind a woman's skirt. You must keep these things in mind no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in, Christina."
"I only thought to protect you - there is no telling what those two idiots might have done to you!" she told him.
"And you think I wanted you in the line of fire in front of me - at their mercy?" he argued back. "You should have stayed behind me and watched for other Aurors. By backing me into the storefront, we had no way out!" He ignored the stabbing pain in his shoulder as he stood and began pacing.
"Leaving you wide open to attack? They were hesitant to cast any spells with me in the way, since I was the reported victim - of course I stood in front of you and made sure you were protected!"
"Thereby making me look like a coward!" He turned to face her.
"So are you more upset that we were trapped by my actions or that you are thought a coward?" she asked flippantly.
Lucius stalked towards her and pulled her chair around to face him. His face lowered until they were eye to eye. "Witch, today is not the day to mock or tease. I am deadly serious in advising you to consider your actions in public from now on. One day our very lives may be in jeopardy due to your brash actions!"
He did not voice his fears upon reading the quotes from those in the crowd the previous morning. Several had apparently been within seconds of joining the Aurors in attacking the couple. His eyes closed as he took a deep breath to reign in his temper. Christina took this as her opportunity.
"I'll give you brash, wizard," she said. Her feet came up and pushed against his chest. He sprawled on the floor as she stood up. "No worries, Lucius. You will not have to berate me ever again - about anything," he was told as she walked out of the dining room. Her calm tone distressed him more than her actions.
He heard footsteps running toward the entry hall as he stood up. Before he was out of the dining room, the front door slammed. Deciding that distance was the enemy, he Apparated to the front gate thinking to catch her before she disappeared. When he saw no trace of her there or down the lane to the house, he called his elf.
"Dropper, have the elves search the grounds for Christina. She came out the front door, but I do not see her," he ordered. The elf bowed and disappeared.
Lucius began casting spells to detect anyone disillusioned, covering the area from the gate back to the house. There was no trace found, and he entered the foyer of his home a half hour later, only to be met by Nanny.
"Mistress is not here. She has gone," she informed him.
"What do you mean 'gone'? And to where?" he asked.
"I mean she has left the grounds. To where, I do not know. The Squib saw her on the road by his house getting into a car heading south."
"How in the hell did she get all the way over to the road by his house without being seen? I was at the front gate right after she went out the front door," he said.
Nanny shook her head. "No, Master. Badger was out front and wind caught the door. Mistress went out to the patio and across the field."
"Gobshites!" he exclaimed. "I went the wrong direction. Now I have to go and look for her." Lucius started to walk back out the door, but suddenly was unable to move.
"Master, you will stay here and leave her be for a bit."
"Release me this instant! You cannot use magic against your Master!" he yelled at the door, unable to turn around.
"My duty is to you both. You will do more harm if you leave now - to both of you and to your bond. He said she was crying and favoring one leg. Your marks are trying to warn you away from your actions, but you do not heed them." She grasped his hand with hers and in seconds he was left alone in the Hyacinth Suite.
His hands searched fruitlessly for his wand. Damn. Calling to the other elves did no good. The door was locked and the window was sealed. Double damn.
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Christina was glad that the first car to stop was the local vicar on his way to the same pub she had in mind to visit. He was going to pick up one of his flock, and gently tried to dissuade her from imbibing. When she explained it was just the one place she knew of to call friends from, the man carried on a conversation about current events and village gossip until they arrived.
She made her way over to the barmaid who was bent over a sink cleaning glasses. "Your cousin Fiona speaks highly of you," she greeted the woman.
"And how would you be knowing my family, Misses?" the tart reply came quickly.
"She and I do business together and have been friends for several years. My name is Christina and I need access to an owl."
"She has talked of you often - very fondly.," The woman finally looked up. "And you seem to be in a right state today." She grabbed the witch's arm and pulled her around the end of the bar. "John, I'm taking me break now," she called to the owner while walking to the back door.
Once Christina had been sat on a bench and given a shot of scotch, the woman began to whistle. A small white owl flew down and landed on her shoulder. She handed a pen and notepad to the witch. "No parchment or quills here, love."
"No problem. I was raised Muggle and prefer this," she told the barmaid. A quick note was scribbled, after confirming that she was in Tilshead. She took a second piece of paper and charmed it into a ribbon, then handed the note and ribbon to the woman.
The owl flew off to the north, confirming Christina's theory that the house was closer to Malfoy Manor than she was. "My friend will not approach if you are out here. I do thank you for your assistance," she told the woman as she stood and pulled several five pound notes from her pocket. "Please, take these for your trouble and for the drink. And give my regards to your cousin when next you see her. I may not get a chance to contact her for a long time."
The woman patted her shoulder. "There, now. It will all be well, Misses. I will tell her, but you will see her soon." She went back inside.
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Lucius had worked off his rage by throwing a chair at the window, breaking every piece of purple-hued porcelain in the room and banging against the door. Now he sat upon the bed, head in hands, pondering his position. The morning was not meant to be spent in this manner. He wanted to have a calm discussion with his witch about how the Wizarding public perceived things and possible courses of action they could take in any given situation. Nanny was correct; the stab of pain in his shoulder was a warning which he ignored.
Finally it struck him - where he was; in the very room where he and Severus had worked so hard to heal his witch. The crafty old elf had done this on purpose to remind him of the Invokation and of his growing affection for the woman who was to be his wife. Lucius finally realized interactions with Christina were going to be completely different from his first marriage and would call for him to voice all his concerns. He had never exposed that much of himself to anyone. It was habit to stay guarded and leave many things unspoken for self-protection. That was not the case here. She accepted all parts of him and did not use information to gain her own way based on his insecurities. This caused the wizard to reflect upon all of their tiffs and the reasons behind them.
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Christina had just put out the cigarette she had bummed from the bar owner when she heard a soft pop. She squinted at the hedgerow a dozen yards from the back of the bar and walked towards it. A quick look around assured her no one was about to hear.
"Raven?" she quietly asked in the direction of the greenery.
"You silly witch," a deep voice came from inside the hedge. "What if it had been a wizard with ill intent instead of me?"
"I would be at their mercy. I do not have my wand," she answered.
"Why the fuck not? What is wrong with you?" Severus reached out and pulled her into the hedge. Finally he noticed her red eyes and splotchy face. He let out a sigh. "What did he do now?"
"Never mind what he's done or not done. I need to get to my flat in London to tie up a few loose ends. I'll not bother you again after you get me there," she told him.
"No. I will not chance incurring the wrath of the Ancients by assisting you in fleeing your bonded mate," he pronounced. Before she could respond, he grabbed her hand and Apparated them to the front garden at Raven Pitch. "Not to mention the wrath of Lucius for assisting in your hasty departure."
Christina jerked her hand out of his. "Damn you, Severus. You cannot keep me from going where I please. You most definitely have no say in my actions." With that, she began walking toward the road.
The wizard stood staring at her retreating figure. Dammit. As much as he wanted to step away from the situation, the woman was responsible for his mark-free left arm - not to mention the bonded mate of his only friend. He quickly cast Petrificus Totalus along with Mobilicorpus at her body, preventing her from landing face first into the dirt. Then he summoned her to him and walked toward the house, her body bobbing behind him.
"Before you decide that you are going to disappear from the Wizarding world completely, we need to have a little chat," he told her as he modified the spell and sat her on the couch.
Several minutes were spent thinking on how to approach things. Finally he decided on a plan of action and sat in the chair facing her. "You were raised in the Muggle world. Things there are rather transitory and impermanent at best. Buildings get torn down or crumble, people move often and you never see them again, friends come and go, marriages and affairs end more often than they last.
"In the Wizarding world things are enduring. Gringotts has been in the same place for over a thousand years. The same is true for Hogwarts, which has had fewer than one hundred Headmasters in that time. When visiting the few magical villages in Great Britain, you see the same people you went to school with and the same ones you fought with or against in the last war - whenever that might have been. Marriages lasting over a century are the norm.
"You grew up in a country that allows its citizens many freedoms. Choice of where to live, who to befriend, where to work, what politics to follow, whether to vote or not; all of these are taken as your due. The same holds mostly true for British citizens. Now we get to the crux of things.
"The Ministry has a long history of interfering in the lives of the Wizarding population. This is not the first, but the tenth time there has been some type of marriage law foisted upon the survivors after a devastating war. For some odd reason, there was not one last century after Grindelwald was defeated - but make no mistake, it happens more often than anyone but Purebloods realize. They all have unions in their family tree that occurred only because of such a law.
"All of that is in preparation of this; your bonding to Lucius is permanent. It cannot ever be severed or broken. It is the way of magical gifts like the one you have been given. Much like Muggle science, for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. You each made a plea to the Ancients and were blessed with an answer that has a physical manifestation - your Invokation marks." The fact that she was beginning to break the petrifying spell did not go unnoticed by him. He raised his wand and pointed it at her. "Now, if you will agree to continue sitting, I will release you." She gave a small nod.
In just a few seconds, she was back to normal. "I am not wanting to severe the bond. What happens if I walk away? It is just there to be ignored from now on out."
Severus shook his head. "You realize that being parted does not diminish the magic? Neither of you will be able to engage another person, ever."
"Typical man; sex is not the be-all, end-all of existence, Severus." She rolled her eyes. "I lived for years without it and imagine I can live for many more single and happy."
"Then apparently you have not attempted any self-gratification while alone since the bonding marks appeared," he retorted. The look of surprise on her face made him chuckle. "Make no mistake, witch. The Ancients gave you a gift, but they were a lustful lot when in physical bodies. There is a reason many tales of the gods revolve around sexual escapades."
"So you are telling me that if I leave him, there are to be no more orgasms in my life? It is a small price to pay for not having to tolerate his terrible temper and high-handed manner."
"No. I am trying to tell you to rethink this decision to leave before one or both of you is permanently damaged by your actions. Never before has an Invoked pair lived apart. Believe me when I tell you that several couples nearly came to blows or within an inch of hexing each other to death, but they always stayed together," he informed her.
"So, what; I'm just supposed to act like a beaten dog and take his crap? Give in to the lord of the manor whatever his decision on any topic? I won't live like that, Severus," she emphatically retorted.
"And you do not have to live like that. I am not suggesting that you take any shite he starts flinging about. You need to find a way to compromise, just as you would try to do in any marriage. Even though he is my friend, I have no illusions where Lucius is concerned. Yes, he is overbearing at times - that is because he is so eager to get things done that must be in order to relax and be alone to enjoy a book or a brandy. And yes, his temper is quick to appear, but I have not seen much of it in the last few weeks.
"This is a monumental change for you both, having to live with someone you do not know. As I said before, everyone knows everyone else in this small society. They grow up, go to school, and do business with the same people; there is nothing new under the sun in Wizarding Britain."
"So these things are his way of dealing with change, which he does not like?" she finally asked.
"I believe he reverts back to old habits when faced with new challenges. Make no mistake, witch - you are going to be a challenge for him at every turn. An outspoken female with background and opinion which differ greatly from his on every level is something Lucius has never dealt with before." She stuck her tongue out at him, causing him to laugh.
"He does keep telling me that I am not like any woman he has ever known before. At times he seems pleased by this fact, other times he appears to be at a loss as to what to do with me," she confirmed.
"Oh, I would guess he has several ideas of what to do with you - all of which include various positions and acts that can no doubt be found in the private section of his library," Severus quipped.
"Yes, I know of that section of the library. And yes, there is no doubt we are physically attracted to each other. The problem is we cannot spend our lives fucking, so how do we live together the rest of the time?" Her shoulders sagged and her head bent down.
"By communicating openly and honestly. Neither of you should be issuing dictating to the other about anything - if the two sides are so far apart, agree to disagree and let it lie," Severus sagely offered.
"Do not take offence, but I need to discuss this with someone who is not so close to the situation. I've not made up my mind yet and would like to talk to Augusta first," Christina told him. "I do appreciate your time and your wise words, my friend. Thank you."
He stood and offered her a hand. "Please take them to heart, along with anything Lady Longbottom may advise. Is her Floo open to you?"
"Yes it is, but you don't want me to go from here - do you?" she protested.
"Who do you think I get my exotic plants from? The plant faerie?" he asked.
Her free hand smacked his shoulder. "You ass! Why didn't you tell me they knew you survived?"
"Not so omniscient now, are you? Off you go," he teased, throwing powder into the fire and calling out her destination.
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Lucius woke up suddenly, unsure of where the hell he was. He sat up as the door clicked open and his old friend walked in.
"What time is it?" was the greeting out of his mouth. "We must hurry. Christina ran off this morning when we argued and Nanny locked me in here when I tried to follow her," Lucius explained while trying to get around his friend and out the door.
"Wait, Lucius. She did not run far." Relief flooded through him; maybe she was back already. His friend handed his wand over. "She Owled me from a pub in Tilshead. She wanted me to take her to her flat in London as she was without her wand." Lucius made to comment and he held up a hand to stop him. "I took her to my home and talked to her about the Invokation in terms she would understand. While she seemed to take my words to heart, she wanted to talk to Augusta Longbottom for a neutral perspective on things. I have come to see to you while we wait for either Christina's return or a note from Augusta."
"At the very least, please retrieve her wand and get it to her. I shudder to think what might have happened to her without it!" Lucius pleaded.
"Let us both go and locate it. We will wait in the study with a bit of Irish coffee and see if she calls for it," Severus gently told him.
The wand of curupay lay on the coffee table between the men; Lucius uncharacteristically slouched on the sofa, Severus sitting in the chair across from him. He had just finished telling his friend most of what he had said to the witch earlier.
"Do you think she is truly considering just leaving the magical world?" Lucius was shocked at this revelation.
"It is hard to tell. Sometimes she is harder to read than Riddle. Her Occlumency skills are finely honed," the dark man responded.
"Is it true what you told her? The population is far more accepting of interference by government here than in the Muggle world?" Lucius asked.
"Yes, in much of the world people are truly free. In other places, those in power meddle in every aspect of the citizens' lives - including what information they can access and where they can live." Severus called an elf to refill their cups.
"Even if Christina returns, what is to say I will not be in this same position again the next time we disagree? Maybe it is better for us part," Lucius said softly. He was feeling deep emotions at the thoughts of being with and without his mate. He did not like it.
"I will tell you what I told your witch; you need to discuss things honestly. Neither of you should be issuing edicts about anything - if the two sides are so far apart on an issue, agree to disagree and move on."
"Did she tell you about the events of this morning?" The dark head shook. "Have you read the paper today? They quoted a few people who said they were just about the draw their own wands to hex us both before the Minister arrived and stepped in. Never mind that I am now seen as a coward who hides behind women when confronted!" He stood and began to pace.
"Your precious wounded pride aside, Lucius, did you tell her of the threat? Or did she read about it?"
"She did look at the article, but not for very long. Her only comment was that she did not see any reporters on the street - as if that was the point!"
Severus stood up and walked over in front of him. "And did you tell her exactly what your point was?"
"No, but it was implied, obviously," Lucius spat out.
"There is no 'obviously' about it, old friend. Think on this; she was raised a Muggle in a foreign country, has had only limited exposure to the magical world, and has absolutely no frame of reference for the events of the last two weeks. How would you feel in a new country, without magic, having an ailment cured by some strange Muggle method and faced with impending marriage to a stranger?"
"Irritated at the least, possibly homicidal when pushed to the edge," Lucius finally said. "Oh Severus, I have cocked this up - I fear beyond repair."
He led his friend back to the sofa and placed the refilled cup in his hands before sitting down himself. "Do not think that way. Augusta is from an old family and realized the importance of your Invokation the minute your witch wrote her about it. Christina respects her and might follow recommendations to respect the Ancients' gift."
"I am truly sorry that you have been pulled into this, Severus."
"Do not think on it, old friend. Just promise me the next time things get heated you will either bed her or duel - do something to release the tension that does not involve me," he implored. Lucius laughed at this, missing the sound of the Floor activating.
"Maybe if I had started things off with a tryst on the dining room table this morning," he started to respond.
"Do you see what I put up with, Augusta? Just like randy school boys all the damn time," Christina's voice echoed through the connection.
"That never changes, dear. They are men after all," Lady Longbottom could be heard from the Floo.
The witch walked through the fire and Severus stood up. "Leave the connection - I need to go through." He stopped and studied the witch. "Be kind to each other," he told her before going and closing the Floo behind him.
"Who would have thunk it: us getting relationship advice from Mr. Snarky, Solitary, Snape?"
"Certainly not I considering his acerbic wit and lack of romantic entanglements," he answered, remaining on the couch and glancing at the witch trying to determine what she was going to do.
"I have a proposed course of action, if you are open to suggestions," Christina said, standing next to his left knee.
Lucius nodded his head in response.
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Yes, I am evil - actually my muse is. You have to admit, this is the first terrible cliff-hanger to befall you on this journey. So relax, enjoy, and ponder for a few days on what she might suggest.