Harry Potter and Co. belong to Rowling

A Snake In Sheep's Clothing.

SSLM

Chapter 13. Sonya Black Hambrick

The squib had once been known as Sonya Black Hambrik. With beautiful brown hair, soft brown eyes, and a seemingly sweet disposition she had been the epitome of a Wizarding child. That was until she had turned ten and no sign of magic made itself apparent. Healers had been called to attend to her condition. They had been sworn to secrecy. Blacks could not have a squib in their family. They were purebloods! Purebloods did not have squibs. She would come into her powers when she reached puberty her parents were told. With that false promise they had waited but no magic arrived on that day and she was declared a squib at thirteen. Her father, Lord Black's second cousin, had been ordered to make sure she did not infect her other siblings. Afraid that their daughter's handicap could be passed on she had been locked up. Two years she lived in complete solitude until one day she managed to trick her nurse into letting her outside. She escaped into a world she had almost forgotten.

Her family declared her dead a few days later.

"What are you thinking Sophia?" Genner Snape, the love of her life, asked gruffly. She did not answer but look at him closely instead. He had a scarred face, walked with a slight limp. He was a quiet man with barely developed magical abilities. The Wizard had been forty when she had met him. She had been, how old? Sixteen. He had caught her trying to steal some herbs to keep warm during the winter months. She had been so frightened then. Afraid that he would take her to the authorities, she offered herself to him. He had laughed and dragged her away to the town's magistrate.

"A thief and a whore."

"Please Sir….I'll pay for it….don't take me to them," She had sobbed and finally fought. "I was cold." Sonya had pleaded.

"I don't care!" He growled over his shoulder and dragged her from his shop "I have a hard enough time making a living without the likes of you stealing from me"

She had been frantic. "I'll work for you! I swear! I'll clean, wash!"

"Wash! From the looks of you I don't think you know what that would be."

"Please!" Sonya had sobbed openly and he had turned on her angrily. "SHUT UP."

She knew about him, who he was. Maybe if she told him he wouldn't accuse her. Afraid that the curious passer bys would hear she clutched his arm "I'm a squib. I'm supposed to be dead. If you take me in, they'll kill me."

"What did you say?"He asked tensing immediately.

"If my family finds me they'll kill me…I ran away…please have some mercy. They want to vanish me…I'm not supposed to exist. I'll pay you back. Help me."

And he did. He took her in and let her use a back room to sleep It had been a year since she had slept in a bed. When she woke up the next day she knew he had been sent by the Gods themselves and set out to get him to let her stay. She had wandered the world alone and defenseless; she would not be thrust into it again. His refusal and disinterest in what she offered had been blatant. She could stay for only five days. He would give her some money but she would have to leave. He was a loner and liked it that way. Women were a complication and except for the sporadic company he searched out once or twice a month he wanted nothing to do with them.

Afraid of being thrown out Sonya slipped him a lust potion and took a fertility one herself. Slightly dazed from the firewhiskey he had drunk at the tavern Genner didn't push her away when she slipped into his bed that night. The next morning was a completely different matter however.

"You filthy whore! I told you I didn't want you! I don't need nor do I want anyone." He had spat in her face. Grabbing her clothes, he had pushed her towards the door. Panicking she told him what she had taken.

"Just like your family, all of them users." He had murmured in disgust and left the shop; he did not come back for a week. Afraid of what she had done, she thought of leaving but changed her mind. She was pregnant with his child, she would stay. There was nowhere for her to go. Genner was a Snape. Snapes protected their own even if they were squibs. Wasn't that what everyone said?

Seven days later he walked into the immaculate shop. Sonya had kept her self busy cleaning every bottle in the shop. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to the back of the store. They would marry and he hoped she would not regret her folly one day, was all he had said.

Happy that she was staying, she tried to appease the man she had trapped but it would be months before he would have anything to do with her. He asked for his Lord's help to arrange the bonding and received it. It was what Snapes did, they looked after their own. A week before the marriage her name was changed to Sophya Noir, later it became Sophya Noir Snape.

Sixteen years later, she did not regret her actions. She leaned back in the large sofa and closed her eyes.

"Sophie!" Genner called out his wife's name but she was still in her own world.

Sophie sighed but did not acknowledge the worried wizard.

Genner sat next to her on the sagging love seat. "I don't like it when you get all quiet Sophie."

"I hate them." She whispered turning away.

"Sophia." Genner whispered and patted her hair clumsily.

"I do. I can. They were my family… once. And then they discarded me when they found out I wasn't magical." She hissed clenching her hands in rage.

Sophie would never forgive her family and he couldn't blame her. "But you are, Jarett proves it."

The witch shook her head in fury. "He's magical because of you…"

"Because of us." The potions master contradicted stubbornly.

"Foolish man," she harrumphed and smiled.

"You're my angel Sophie…you have nothing to be sorry for. I'll make them pay for you." He whispered in her hair. Years ago he ah hated her for trapping him now he was glad she had. Sophie was a darling soul no matter what anyone said.

"You will?" Sophie rested her head on her husband's shoulder seemingly exhausted.

"I will…we have her protection…no one will know."

No one would. The words struck a chord in heart and Sophie smiled again. "Make them pay Genner…please."

"Of course I will beloved." Genner promised.

Their son watched them from the door wondering what poison his father would use.

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It was past eight when Tiberius made his way back to young Severus side. Joannas, the two healers, Lord Malfoy and the Wizard from the night before stood waiting. Of course the Wizard would be here, he thought trying to ignore the fact that it was him he noticed first. Nodding his entrance, he went about checking on the sleeping patient.

"He seems much better…a little feverish-" he began but was quickly interrupted by one of the healers.

"The bond of course…they've been separated for almost two days." The older Wizard explained moving in.

"Probably so." Tiberius nodded but did not stand aside. Lady Gytha had given very specific instructions and he was not about to disobey them. The healer said nothing expecting Lord Malfoy to do it for him.

Lord Abbraxas looked at Tiberius as if weighing him. When the muggle doctor did not fidget under his stare, Lucius looked to Lorne Malfoy. "Very well." He answered dryly. The doctor was Severus' second cousin by blood. He was intelligent and could be very useful if he stayed in the Wizarding World. If Lorne, his most loyal and strongest ally, wanted him then so be it. He'd have to be careful though, Lady Gytha would probably be thrilled, new blood and such. Severus on the other hand, was innocent and unused to marriages of convenience even though his had been just that. He might not understand the importance of the union and might fight it.

Lord Malfoy was not talking about Severus, but a sense of danger stopped Tiberius from asking what he was referring to. A questioning look passed between him and Johannas but neither said anything, it appeared his young colleague had picked up on the exchange too.

As if on cue, Lord Malfoy turned to everyone in the room, "you're help is greatly appreciated."

Wizarding and Muggle healers bowed low. It was at that time that Lady Gytha came into view and sat in her throne like chair in the portrait that hung over Severus bed. "Lady Gytha," Abraxas greeted the witch with a small bow.

"Lord Malfoy." The dark haired witch responded politely. Their time for battling was over, for now.

"I hope we may speak after you are finished." The request seemed innocent enough but Lady Gytha knew better.

"Certainly." She murmured with a wave of her hand.

The blonde lord stiffened at the obvious dismissal but didn't say anything and walked out of the room. He was followed by his cousin; the healers came close behind.

----

The doors shut after the Wizards and both doctors relaxed slightly.

"Tell me everything." Lady Gytha prompted her relatives.

Tiberius wasted no time and gave a detailed description of everything that had transpired with Severus. At the end, Lady Gytha smiled and looked down at the boy fondly. He was a fighter, a snake just like her. "You've done well Tiberius…very well indeed." She murmured appreciatively.

"We are only serving our Lord." Tiberius answered feeling Severus' slightly warm brow.

"Nothing else matters. We must protect him …if not for us… then for the next generation of Snapes. He must remain safe until he is strong and powerful enough to protect his house."

"Yes M' lady." Both squibs answered looking at the now waking boy.

Tiberius fidgeted and wondered if he should mention his meeting with the Malfoy relative. He was about to say something when Severus stirred awake.

"Hello cousin?" Severus asked dazed. What had happened? Last thing he remembered was fighting with the Black heir. He tried to shift in bed and groaned almost instantly. Ok so he lost.

"You were in a fight and got kicked with poison laced boots." Tiberius answered.

"I feel horrible…" Severus murmured looking around the room.

"He's not here." Lady Gytha said interpreting the searching look.

Severus looked to the witch's portrait. "Huh?"

"Lucius Malfoy is not here." The Witch informed him a matter of factly.

Severus bit his lip not understanding why he felt sad. "It's a long story Lord Severus…all will be explained to you soon." Tiberius explained patting the young Wizard's hand.

Looking into the worried dark eyes, Severus looked away to the Witch. "Are things that bad?"

"They were…but we're recovering." Lady Gytha leaned forward in her painting giving the young boy a rare smile.

Severus bit his lip feeling an ache that he was sure had nothing to do with his injuries. "Can I see him?" He didn't say who as he was sure that the people in the room would know.

"He'll be here at twelve Lord." Tiberius explained.

Severus rubbed his brow. "Why?"

"We have to make sure the spell is no longer affecting him." Young Joannas added.

"Spell?" Severus looked from his relative to Lady Gytha.

The witch squared her shoulders. "It's a long story child. If you're feeling well enough, I will tell it."

The young boy felt the terrible ache get worse and nodded tiredly. "Please do."

Noticing the dropping eyelids and flushed face, Tiberius intervened. "He needs to take some potions the other healers left and then eat something light M'Lady. It's important he get his energy back as soon as possible." He explained.

Lady Gytha sat down and arranged her dress. "Excellent idea, he can eat while he listens."

about an hour later….

After informing Lady Malfoy and his bereft son that the latter would be able to see Severus in a couple of hours, Lord Malfoy led his cousin to the privacy of his library. They had many things to talk about. Still trying to weigh how much of an advantage the union would be, Abraxas began neutrally. "He seems strong enough."

"More importantly, he's very intelligent. I had Percival look up his credentials through our muggle contacts. He graduated top two in muggle-medicine school. That's the top two, not top two percent mind you." Lorne Malfoy added seemingly proud of his future spouse's past accomplishments. "He's had a private medical practice for the last four years, is reasonably well-off, not like either one of us but he can still hold his own. The last relationships he had were about five years ago, they were with women but no matter, he's not ignorant of his true nature. After the first coupling, what he's left behind will never enter his mind." Lorne said with a shrug.

"As a doctor I'm sure he realizes his nature but, and don't be offended my most-esteemed cousin, do you?" Lord Malfoy asked sitting down.

Lorne gave a half a smile. "If you're referring to the children…it isn't as if they will inherit a title."

"You are a powerful wizard and your family should be too. I don't want a lack of magic to make things difficult for you. You're children may not inherit a title but what about all that you have done. Your accomplishments are true and admirable. I will give you, all my support in your union but in return I ask that you exhaust all avenues to guarantee strong wizarding offspring. We both have enemies, and they would relish the idea of taking advantage of any of your children. Let's not forget that the same laws that will allow you to take Tiberius Snape as your spouse can one day be used against them. I'm sure you do not wish any Malfoy to be subjected to another's need."

Lorne had grown dangerously still. Abraxas had a point; he could not be foolish about this. His children may not inherit a title but they would not be anyone's pawns. "He'll not bear squibs." Lorne murmured with resolve.

"He is one." Lord Malfoy was watchful of his cousin's change of attitude. Lorne could not forget what was at stake. He was not prejudiced against squibs but he had to make sure, especially with what had just happened that Tiberius did not become a chink in their armor.

"Not entirely, there's a sliver of magic there. I sensed it," Lorne said and then added, "not enough to cast spells, but enough to shift the odds in my favor."

Abraxas grimaced inside. Lorne's mind was made up… nothing to do but ask for the 'squib's hand'. "I will make sure he sees the right healers so the odds are higher then." He said looking up at his cousin. "Let me be the first to congratulate you cousin." Lord Malfoy stood and embraced his cousin warmly.

"Congratulations, why?" Lady Gytha asked coming into the empty portrait over the fireplace.

Both Wizards stood apart and looked into the witch's calculating face.

-----

Lady Gytha arched her eyebrow waiting.

Lord Malfoy bowed slightly and began without preamble. "My cousin has just asked for Tiberius Snape."

"Tiberius?" The witch nodded and wondered what in the world she had missed. If Tiberius had kept something from her, he would not like the outcome.

"My cousin has expressed his interest." The blonde Wizard waited for a response.

The witch tapped her long fingers slowly before turning to both Wizards. "He's not available."

Lorne blinked twice. What had the blasted painting said?

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An:

Don't hate for not posting, I've had a horrible last couple of months and I'm still feeling a little wobbly. Read and review

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