shoutouts to:
MissesE: I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter! and what a twist, right? XD well, thanks for reading it until now, this chapter is for you. cheers! ;D
A/N: Heyya readers! If you don't mind, would you kindly let me know how you think of the characters so far? I know Severus and Lucius are ooc in this sotry but in my defense, I am trying to create a new perspective of the aftermaths from their point of views after the Hogwarts War ended. please tell me what you think of the OC, Claire Rollins! hate her? love her? like her? dislike her? anything! until then, cheers! ;)
Chapter 5: Bonding
THE first thing that caused Claire Rollins to wake up the very next morning, was not by the bright sunlight that always blinded her through the huge window of her bedroom. Nor was it the soft cotton mattress of her single bed that made a quaky sound whenever she switched her position on the bed.
No.
Claire had woken up by the smell of fresh citrus mixed with muscular sniffed the air again. True enough, the strong pleasant scent was coming directly from her!
Slowly opening an eye, Claire took a look at her surrounding and immediately found out that she was nowhere in her own bedroom at the Apartment!
Claire sat up on the bed in panicked with her eyes widened at the spacious bedroom decorated and filled by things she only read in the Jane Austin's books.
Her instincts finally kicked in. Claire rushed out of the bed to the tall standing mirror at the corner of the room. She took a good look at herself.
Instead of wearing the dress she wore to the ball last night, Claire was wearing a silky yellow-green pyjamas that was slightly big on her small frame. She could hardly afford to own such pyjamas. So who was the owner of the pyjamas and where the hell was she?
Before Claire panicked even more, soft knocks on the bedroom door alerted her.
A house elf entered the room.
"Good morning, Missus. Did Missus had a good night sleep?"
If Claire could widened her eyes even more, she would have done just that.
Severus had told her about the magical creatures in the Wizarding World, so Claire had more or less know how they would looked like. But she'd never thought she would meet one!
"I slept well, thank you. You must be the house elf, am I correct?"
"Yes, Missus. Missus may calls Mimi whenever Missus wishes. Master Malfoy had instructed Mimi to serve Missus while Missus stays here at the manor."
It finally clicked her. Of course she'd be at the Malfoy's Manor!
Claire suddenly remembered what happened last night－ the Spring ball, Rita Skeeter, she'd kissed Severus, she and Severus had a disagreement about Lily, Severus had kicked her out of the apartment, Lucius had found her and apparated her to his manor.
Claire cringed when she remembered she had unwillingly vomited on Lucius' highly expensive tailored suit due to the Apparition. The older man hadn't been too happy about it, but he didn't scold her for it either. Instead, she had been handed over to the House-Elf Mimi for a clean up while Lucius went off in search of something comfortable for her to wear.
When Lucius had come back few minutes later, he had handed her the silky pyjamas.
"I couldn't find anything suitable enough for you to wear, Miss Claire, and I highly doubt my late wife's night gowns are suitable for you to borrow. I could have let you borrowed Draco's pyjamas, but then, he was always quite possessive with his things. Hence, here is my pyjamas which I have already shrunken it to a smaller and suitable size for you."
That explained why she smelled just like him.
"Missus?" Claire snapped out from her thoughts when she was being addressed.
"Ah, sorry about that! I was just thinking of something."
Mimi nodded and handed her a clean towel. "Master Malfoy asked Mimi to assist Missus to get ready for breakfast. Come, Missus! We shouldn't keep the Master waiting!"
Ten minutes later, Claire, now dressed in a simple white short sleeves knee-length dress (which she had been told by Mimi, Lucius had called his personal tailor late last night and placed an order to make one for her and had it sent to the Manor earlier today), found herself being escorted by the House-elf to an exquisite dining room where Lucius was already seated at the head of the table, with breakfast already being served. He was wearing a reading glasses and was reading today's Daily Prophet newspaper.
When Claire arrived, Lucius put down his spectacles and the newspapers. He stood up and greeted her like a proper gentleman.
"Miss Claire, good morning. I take it you sleep well last night?" Grey eyes unashamedly took an appreciation of the dress he'd ordered for her.
Claire stiff slightly under his gaze. Clearing her throat, she nodded and replied, "Yes. The room was lovely and the bed was comfortable. I'm very sorry about your suit."
"Ah, yes. Well, I couldn't possibly blamed it all on you. It was partly my fault for not informing you beforehand about the effects of Apparition. Most witches and wizards vomit during the first time they have successfully Apparate. For a normal Muggle like yourself, the effect was doubled. Now, let us be seated."
Lucius pulled her chair and allowed her to be seated before returning to his own seat at the head table.
They ate wordlessly for a short while, before Lucius let out a small cough and broke the silence.
"My son would be visiting for the weekends."
"Oh?" Claire looked up and met his gaze on her.
"There's no need to fret, Miss Claire. When Draco gets here, I'll be sure to explain to him the reason why you are here in the first place. He should be here any minutes now."
"I'm not fretting." she took the napkin and wiped her mouth. "Though out of curious, is my presence here a bad thing for your son?"
Lucius heavily sighed. "If you could look beyond the tough demeanour, and the arrogance he'd been brainwashed since young and has been wearing it on his sleeves for years. Not to mention, the fact that he has tendencies to be an insufferable prat while in your presence, then yes."
Claire raised an eyebrow.
Without asking for him to further explain the situation, Lucius continued.
"It is my fault for not being a good father to Draco. I loved my son with all my heart. I'd showered and spoiled him. I'd raised Draco into thinking that only Pure-Blood family like ours are superior than everyone else. Because of my strong belief and support of the Dark Lord, my late wife and son had to suffer. Because of me, I'd lose my wife in the war and Draco loses his mother. "
"Does your son hates you?" Claire asked thoughtfully.
"I don't know." Lucius said after a long pause. "But I don't blame him if he hates me. Since Narcissa's death, I haven't been much of a help to him either. I ran away, remember? I pushed everything onto Draco's laps and ran away from responsibilities."
"But you have been working while you are still in the Muggle's world! I went to your office before, remember?"
"Yes. But work and being a Father are two different things, Miss Rollins. While I'm still working for the sake of the Malfoy's family, I haven't been there for Draco when he needed me the most."
Soft footsteps could be heard from the dining room outside.
Lucius quickly stood up and headed to the entrance of the dining room.
"That must be Draco."He was right.
Draco Malfoy stood at the entrance of the dining room, looking exhausted and tired as ever.
"Bonjour, père." The young Malfoy greeted.
"Bonjour, Draco. Comment a été ton voyage?" Lucius pulled his only son into an affectionate embrace, which the latter returned.
"Not bad, Father." Draco smiled briefly at his father. Something then caught his eyes at the dining table, and his smile quickly disappeared.
"What is she doing here, Father?" Draco asked, fury evident in tone of his voice.
"Draco, be nice to our guest."
"Her bloody face is all over today's Daily Prophet!" He stormed over the dining table and took the newspaper, before flung the front page at Claire's face, in disguise.
Claire took the paper and gasped aloud at the big picture of her kissing Snape at the ball. She skimmed the headline news under the picture:
Sorry Fellow Witches, the War Hero Is Taken!
Six months after the death and defeated of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, the news that our Local Hero, Severus Snape, vanished from the surface of the Wizarding World had created havoc for everyone, especially amongst the female Community.
It is with great pleasure that I, Rita Skeeter, went for an undercover mission to see the whereabouts of the Hogwarts' famous Potion Master and ex-Headmaster and what is he doing currently at the moment.
It was a hard task indeed, for it has taken me months to be able to track down his trails. But nothing is impossible for this loyal reporter whose passion to deliver the juicy gossips for the eager readers!
With a sufficient amount of time and great patients, I'd managed to track down of his whereabouts. Apparently after the chaos Mr. Snape had made in the Wizarding World, he has decided to settle down within the Muggle's Society! He'd even found a job as a Chemistry Professor in one of Muggle's Elite High School - Easton Academy. But wait! That's not the shocking news yet!
While I was undercover, I'd found out that Mr. Snape has found his 'Princess Charming' －a young Muggle whom, to my own surprise, was young enough to be his daughter!
Shocking, are we?
Well, we can clearly see why the Potion Master took interest in her.
In her own words, the future Mrs. Snape had said to me, "because I'm a hella' of a kisser!" is why she was chosen by the reclusive Potion Master of Hogwarts...
Honestly, how could any man resists such a vicious young woman? We'll hope to see news about little Snape any time soon!
"What?" Claire snapped. "That bitchy cow!"
All eyes were on her.
"Take no concerns about what was written by Rita Skeeter, Miss Claire." Claire didn't hear a word Lucius had sad as she was still busily swearing the vile witch reporter with colourful words, down to her own grave.
Draco looked stunned at her sudden outburst, but he quickly recovered. Turning to speak with his father, he pointed a finger at Claire.
"I want this gold digger out of this manor NOW!"
"Draco-"
"Excuse me? What makes you think I want any of his fortunes or even your inheritance? I have more dignity and pride than that!" Claire glared sharply at the young Malfoy.
"What else would you want to be with an old goat with him then? Do you really think I would be dumb enough to believe that you aren't in for his money? That you sincerely love him? Tell me, how much does my father pays you to sleep with him?"
"Draco!" Lucius' voice boomed throughout the entire manor.
A blade could cut the tension air between the three of them.
Taking a deep breath, Lucius exhaled before he walked out of the dining room.
"Come along, Draco. We'll have a lot to discuss. Miss Rollins, please finish your meal and later return to your room while my son and I have a little talk in private."
Draco glared menacingly at Clare before he followed his father to his office.
Even before they reached to Lucius' office, Draco already starting.
"Room? She has a room now? What else does she owes in this damn Manor that I don't know about?"
Claire returned to her seat, but her appetite was already gone. She didn't even noticed how badly her knees were shaking until she finally sat down. Taking her drink, she desperately gulped it before putting it down back on the table. Wiping her mouth using the back of her hand, Claire stood up and was about to call the House-Elf when the yelling coming from the room upstairs echoed loudly.
"She's old enough to be your daughter, you filthy old man!"
"Do not talk to your Father like that, Draco! You don't know what you're talking about or the whole story!"
"Or do I really? How about the many times you bought in those filthy women to the Manor for a shag? Do not try to deny it, Father!"
The argument continued until Claire finally decided she couldn't take it anymore and had enough.
"Mimi!"
A loud pop, and Mimi was already standing before her.
"Can Mimi be a service to Missus?"
"Yes. Can you perhaps take me out - anywhere away from here, please! I do not want to stay in my room while hearing those two yelling at each other's throats!"
"Mimi can take Missus to the a private Rose garden behind the manor. If that's what Missus wishes."
"Lead the way, please."
THE Rose garden behind the manor was lovely. Claire had never seen such a beautiful garden with roses of all kind that many, her whole life! To add to her pleasure, the way to the garden were covered with flagstone and gravel walkway.
Mimi had told her as they made their way to the said garden, it was Lucius' late wife's idea to make the Rose Garden. She had also been the only one to manage the the gardening to her taste.
While Claire never met with the woman, she had to give the woman credits for her delicate taste for the garden.
When Claire finally arrived at the centre of the spiral designed garden, she found awaiting her were a cup of hot tea with rose petal and a plate of cookies on the Victorian garden table and chairs.
"Are these for me?"
"Yes, Missus." Mimi nodded.
"Oh, thank you! That's very thoughtful of you, Mimi." Claire smiled wonderfully at the blushed House-Elf.
Taking her seat, Claire inhaled the fresh air and the wonderful scent around her. Mimi had taken her leave and returned to the manor, leaving Claire all alone in the big garden, but she didn't mind.
Sighing, her mind wandered to yesterday's event and Severus. Was he still angry with her? He might be. Lucius did told her that Severus could be a twik when he chooses to be. With his stubbornness, Claire had no doubt he could be a stubborn old git if he wishes.
What concerned Claire the most was if he had read today's Daily Prophet and his reaction to it. Thinking about the newspaper ruined her mood to calm down again. Thus, she put that thought at the back her mind, tried to relax and enjoyed the view.
About half an hour later, Claire heard footsteps heading to where she was currently standing near the Dolphin's Fountain, somewhere in the garden.
Turning her back to look at that someone, half-expecting it to be Draco, she was shocked to see the older Malfoy was half-dragging his right foot, and a ugly bruised cheekbone on his left and a right cut on the corner of his lips.
"Oh my God! What happened?"
"It is as you can obviously see, Miss Rollins. Draco threw a punch at me after I'd explained everything and then told him to keep his mouth shut about you staying here in the manor. "
Claire gawked. " This is ridiculous and outrageous! I'll have a word with him and then, I'll leave!"
"Spare your breath, Miss Rollins. Draco has already left the manor. He left right after he'd assaulted me."
"I'll leave regardless, then! Goodbye, Lucius." Before she could even take another step, Lucius grabbed her arm and stopped her.
"You stay."
"Unhand me." Lucius tightened his grip and said nothing.
"Seriously Malfoy, if you don't unhand me right now, I' will hit you. You know damn well that I will."
"I need someone to fix this hideously ugly bruise."
"Ask Mimi to do it for you then!" Claire protested.
"You will fix this bruise and you will stay until I declare it is safe for you to go back to your Muggle little world again, wretch."
Oh no he didn't.
Claire snapped her arm from his grip and glared sharply at the older man.
"You don't owe me, Lucius Malfoy. Don't you dare ever talk to me like I'm one of your toys ever again. I tolerate Snape's sharp tongue, because he never tries to control me."
Crossing her arms, Claire said, "I'll stay and fix your damn bruise. But talk to me like that again and I will leave within seconds, Malfoy."
"You do realise I have zero knowledge about magic nor do I even know how to incarnate one, right?"
Claire stood against his wooden table with her arms, once they were in Lucius' office. Lucius came back from the bathroom carrying a small salve in his hand. He handed the salve to Claire who raised an eyebrow at the cover name.
"'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes' －Bruise Removal Paste. What an odd name. Where did you get this from?"
"I had to be very discreet in order to get that salve. It's said to heal bruise within an hour." he didn't directly answered her question.
Claire stood up straight and wait for Lucius to sit down.
"You wish to discuss something with me, do you? That's the only reason I can think of why you would chose me to help treat your bruise when you could have use magical healing or have the House-elf to heal you."
Lucius looked at her for a longest time and nodded.
"Okay. We can discuss as I put this salve on you." She stood in front of him. "Lift up your face, please."
As Claire bent slightly down to dab the yellow thick paste on Lucius' bruised cheekbone, he couldn't help but to comment on her wonderful body scent.
"What fragrance are you wearing, Miss Claire?"
Claire looked up at him. "None. I soaked myself this morning with Hibiscus scented soap though."
"Really? You smell a lot like a white citrus instead of Hibiscus. It's delightful to the nose." Claire raised an eyebrow at him, but didn't say anything.
After she finished putting on the paste, she excused herself to the bathroom and washed her hand. Once Claire returned, Lucius ushered her to take a seat, which she did with her legs crossed.
Lucius cleared his throat. "Thank you for your help, Miss Claire."
"You're very welcome."
"Before we start, I would like to sincerely apologise for the way I acted back at the Garden, Miss Claire. I want you to know it wasn't my intention whatsoever to control you whatsoever. Or at least, I will try not to."
Claire nodded. "Understood and you're forgiven."
He smiled briefly at her. "I would like to suggest to you to stay in the Manor for a time being."
"Why?"
"To avoid being stalked and targeted by one Rita Skeeter. That cow is every businessmen nightmare. Or anyone else's as a matter of fact. You only need to stay here until the rumours of you and Severus died down. You may go back and forth at your place. But I'd prefer if you stay at the manor at the moment."
"No." Claire shook her head. "What about Severus? He's the victim here. I can't just leave him alone like this and let that bitch Rita Skeeter spread more nasty rumours about him! I'm responsible for all that'd happened last night!"
"I've been meaning to ask you, Miss Claire, which I hope you don't take any offence to what I'm about to ask." Lucius looked at her thoughtfully. There was something in his eyes that Claire couldn't figured out what.
"Bear in mind, I don't judge you should you say yes to these questions: Are you and Severus lovers? Do you love him? Does he loves you? Are you both in love?"
Lucius knew the moment he addressed those questions at her, he was out of character and definitely out of his mind. What power possessed him to ask her such questions in the first place? As if he was interested to know her personal life and what they were doing behind the closed doors.
He had to know.
Lucius had to know. He had to know if there were anything going on at all between his good friend and the young Muggle. If there was, he could finally know where he stood between them and even supported them, perhaps.
If there wasn't anything between them, that they were simply good friends. Best friends. Then, maybe, just maybe, Lucius could-
A sincere, full of life laughter came from the young Muggle that rang like a soft tune in his ears. It was the young Muggle.
She was laughing at him.
Claire covered one hand on her mouth.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Malfoy. I-"
"Lucius."
"I knew it was coming. I knew you were going to ask that question to either one of us, but I'd never knew you would be so forward!" Claire giggled again while shaking her head.
Lucius patiently wait with a steady smile until she could continued with his fingers clammed together in front of him across the table. If he moved over the table, his hands would have touched her bare knees. He kept his eyes focused only on her face and not to any other part of her.
Claire cleared her throat. "To answer your question, Lucius, no there isn't anything at all going on between Severus and I. Though, I do love him," Lucius felt his heart sunk a little bit. "But it was more of a platonic love between us. I care for him and I'm concern about his well beings. Which is why, I felt so deeply depressed when he kicked me out of the apartment last night."
"But you've showed a lot of attention and concerns that are sometimes unnecessarily and unwanted toward him. People could have easily mistaken you two are lovers."
Claire unexpectedly smiled at him, to Lucius' surprised. It wasn't a cheeky smile or any other kind of smile, but a truthful sincere smile with a touch of sympathy.
"You and I both know that Severus isn't an easy man to deal with, yes?"
He nodded.
"Therefore, you should know how differences the two of you. Lucius, you are the light, whereas he is the dark. You two are the total opposite of each other yet similar in many ways. It'd taken me the whole day of today to realize about this." Claire shook.
"Elaborate , Miss Claire?"
"We are three different people, Lucius. Amongst us, Severus is the one who'd suffered the most in terms of love. While you have experienced falling in love, being in love and have that loved returned, Severus has experienced of falling in love, having that love unrequited and then left with a broken scarred heart. Men
like Severus who had suffered such terrible childhood memories only needed one thing in their life; to love and to beloved, unconditionally. He never got that from his parents. When Severus met Lily, she had been the first person whom he'd opened up to. After their friendship fell out, he had no one other than the great Albus Dumbledore. After he died, the rest, I'm sure you knew what happened."
Lucius thoughtfully nodded.
They both stayed in silence for a while, before Lucius asked, "What about you, Miss Claire? You said we three are different people in terms of love. Have you been in love before and have that love returned?"
For the first time since Lucius had known her, the fire in her eyes shortly died. A sad smile graced on her lips.
"I'd fallen in love, been in love, and had that love returned with the same guy for four years."
"What happened?"
Claire looked at him with the same smile.
"He died. From Brain Cancer, last Autumn. He was a great guy. The humblest and kindness man I had the pleasure of meeting in this life time."
Exactly at that moment, Lucius discovered the real answer what he's been looking for:
The reason why this young attractive spirited Muggle had no problem caring for Severus like the way she did, and defying a Malfoy like a Queen. She also did not seemed to be eager of getting into his pants to get her hands on his great fortunes and status, like the rest of the women.
Her heart had already being stolen by another man.
"Miss Rollins," Lucius' throat felt drained. "My condolence for your loss."
He reached out both hands at her and held her hands.
"I'm very sorry." Grey eyes filled with true sadness when he met with hers.
"Thank you, Lucius."
They stayed in a comfortable silence for a short while when Claire decide she needed to use the wash-room, preferable in her temporarily room. Lucius had offered to escort her back but Claire politely said no need.
"I think I'm able to find my way to my room, Lucius. Thank you, anyway." she smiled politely at him.
"I enjoyed our talk, Miss Claire. Please, if there's anything you would like to talk about, I'll be happy to hear it."
"Thank you, Lucius."
Claire was about to turn the knob when she stopped. Turning to look back at the handsome Malfoy Patriarch, and said, "I never meant to insult Lily Evans last night at all."
With another small smile, she turned the knob, opened the door and closed it back again.
"How much have you heard?" Lucius turned to look at the black shadow hiding behind the curtains near the windows.
"Everything."
"Why are you even here, Severus?"
"I missed her. The Apartment－our home doesn't feels the same without her. I've never knew solitude could be so lonely up until now." Lucius smiled briefly at the miserable look on the dark haired man.
"She should be down within an hour for dinner. I'm sure you know where to find her room?"
"Of course."