Zelda Meets Dobby
Professor Tonks was just finishing class when he found her. The students made their usual mad dash for the door when the bell rang, suddenly swerving to either side as he passed through the doorway.
Tonks looked up, beaming cheerfully. "Hey, Severus! How's it goin'?"
His lip curled instinctively at her breezy tone, causing her to chuckle.
"I like being your colleague much better than being your student," she said.
"Perhaps I'll still give you detention, Nymphadora," he replied dryly.
"Now you sound like the old Professor Snape," she said approvingly. "Come to my office, okay? You look like you have business on your mind."
"The old Professor Snape?" he asked sourly.
She opened her office door and ushered him inside. "The one who lived in the Hogwarts dungeon and didn't have a life. People are starting to wonder where you are when you're not here, and what you're doing." Tonks paused for effect and said cheekily, "I could tell them what I think you're doing, except I'd blush when I say it."
"It is, after all, none of their business," he said with an icy glare.
"So what can I do for you?" she asked. "Besides stop teasing you about Zelda… although I'd love to meet her again. She must be one tough woman to handle you."
He stared icily at her, knowing perfectly well she was not the least bit intimidated.
"Will you please escort Draco to St. Mungo's tomorrow morning?" he said. "He has agreed to see Michael Fletcher there, and I won't be here so early."
"What time?"
"Nine o'clock. At first he refused to have anything to do with a Muggle, but Michael handled him quite cleverly."
"Really? That's fantastic news," she said.
"Nymphadora, have you heard anything about Narcissa's condition?"
She sighed. "She's suffering from what Muggles call clinical depression. I went to see her last weekend. She went home too soon last time, lived alone at Malfoy Manor and got very strange. She stopped eating and finally stopped getting out of bed. So she's in the Janus Thickey Ward, and they've got her on Muggle medications called antidepressants, since magical treatment didn't help."
"So she is no help to Draco right now," he said slowly.
"Her condition is part of his problem, I'd say," she replied. "She loves him deeply, but she's not strong, and she clings to him and makes unreasonable demands when he visits her. You know, she used to think I was scum, with my Muggleborn dad. But she's grateful now when I go to visit. She's being forced to deal with reality, and it's hard on her."
"I see," he said, staring into the distance as he visualized Narcissa's plight.
"I'll be glad to go with Draco to St. Mungo's tomorrow," she said. "I hope this'll work."
"Thank you," he said. "I must go now. I hope it goes well. I thought he might bolt today."
"I'll watch him," she promised. "I don't want Slytherin to fall apart, and for better or worse, he practically is Slytherin."
"You're no longer sorry to be a Slytherin?" he asked mockingly. "Every time something went wrong in your life, you'd whinge about how you should have been in Gryffindor. It was extremely obnoxious."
"I still think we're a detestable lot, but the whole system's starting to gripe me now. Seeing it as an adult has got me thinking maybe they should do away with the Sorting completely."
"You've become a revolutionary," said Severus, his eyes gleaming reminiscently. "I used to tell the same thing to Dumbledore, in fact, but he'd only laugh and say that in time I'd see the point of it. It was… irritating."
"Do you see a point to it?"
"I'm still frequently irritated by the stupidity of it, but I've wondered at times if it serves as a safe way for foolish young people to behave in extreme ways, yet within acceptable boundaries," he replied thoughtfully. "I'm certainly grateful not to have been put in Gryffindor, however."
She laughed. "It wouldn't have done at all," she replied gravely. "What if you and Remus had become best friends?"
He scowled and gave an exaggerated shudder. "I'm leaving now and I'll try to forget you suggested that."
Her peal of laughter filled the office and her hair gradually changed to a rich Gryffindor red.
Severus shook his head as he prepared to leave. "Imagine how insufferable you'd be today if you hadn't been fortunate enough to be in Slytherin," he suggested. "By the way, it was only Dumbledore that kept you out of detention every time you did that."
"I know," she replied, smiling. "I'll let you know how it goes with cousin Draco. See you tomorrow."
Severus still managed to arrive home before Zelda did, which pleased him. He took off his robes and put on Muggle clothing, leaving his collar open and rolling up his sleeves. He did a few small chores; got dinner started, lit the fire and lay down on the couch to think. He smiled when Rowena joined him, and when the cats came to enjoy the fire, he thought how delightfully uncomplicated animals are. No conversation to annoy one, just a straightforward desire for food, warmth and affection.
Zelda discovered him there, sleeping soundly, when she arrived home.
"Shh…" she said to Rowena, not wanting to wake him.
She rarely got to watch him sleep, since he was still something of an insomniac. He'd told her that for most of his adult life he'd only slept a few hours every night. It pleased her deeply to know that since he'd been with her he slept far more than before, but still he nearly always woke before she did. She removed her coat and threw it on the chair, then knelt and looked at him, wanting almost to weep from love. Finally she could wait no longer.
"Severus," she whispered. "Good afternoon, my sexy wizard."
He woke instantly, like a man still prepared to defend himself, except that his eyes smiled faintly.
"Come here," he murmured, holding out his hand. He settled her comfortably in his arms, groaning when she began to kiss him.
"It's lovely coming home to you," she said. "How did it go?"
"Draco agreed to see Michael tomorrow, after a foul little rant about how he's too good to seek treatment from a Muggle. I was hard pressed not to slap him," he said grimly.
"But he will see him, and that's what matters," she said. "So you accomplished something good today."
"There is something else," he said slowly. "You're not required to agree if you dislike the idea, but Minerva suggested that, rather than have you worry here alone, we should make my old quarters habitable, so you may stay there when I am forced to be at Hogwarts, and have your friends visit you there."
Zelda looked doubtfully at him. "Do you want me making changes to your place?"
"Silly wife, those empty rooms belonged to a miserable man who cared nothing for life. I want to share that place with you and I want you to make it feel like a home for both of us, the way your house here does."
"Will you help me?" she asked. "I'd like it if we could do it together."
"Of course, darling girl," he said, heartened by her acceptance of the idea. "Will you come along tomorrow after you finish work? We, erm, could stay overnight there."
"Can we bring Rowena along? The cats won't take well to traveling, but I'd like her to come along."
His Slytherin soul felt a small surge of victory. Having her dog along would make Zelda feel more at home. Perhaps she'd become attached to the place if she spent enough time there.
"Arrange to have someone mind the cats, my love. We'll bring Rowena along to guard you from fierce insects in the spare room. Perhaps Molly will visit with us while you're there."
She snuggled against him. "That sounds like fun," she murmured. "Did you rest enough, or may I join you for a short nap?"
His mocking smirk appeared. "Dear girl, if I stay here with you now, neither of us will sleep. Why don't we finish the work that needs doing now, so I'll have an uninterrupted evening with you?"
"More delayed gratification," she murmured, stroking the bare skin of his throat. "I can arrange not to have any work this weekend and if you'd like, we can stay at Hogwarts until the staff meeting on Sunday," she offered, striving to hide her uneasiness.
"Splendid," he said, kissing her gently.
Reluctantly she sat up and straightened her dress. "I'll get to work."
"Dinner will be ready in an hour," he said. "And after that…"
Her smile said there was no need to finish speaking. They both anticipated a delightful night together.
Severus ushered Zelda and Rowena into Hogwarts grounds on that dark, snowy Friday night. He turned and locked the gates securely, and they began walking up to the castle.
"Heel," commanded Zelda softly. Rowena was on her leash, but she obediently dropped into a relaxed pace next to Zelda's left side.
"You've trained her well," remarked her husband.
"Actually, she'd had a bit of training before we ever found her. I sometimes feel guilty. What if someone loved her and missed her?"
"She'd have died if we hadn't found her. This is her second chance at life, and I'm happy that you had her while I was unable to be with you," he said.
"You're right. When I think back on the months without you, I was wretchedly lonely, but I had no idea that I missed being loved. Rowena was such a comfort."
He put an arm around her as they walked and his cloaked covered her too. It shocked him, this electric feeling of need and love. His emotions were tumultuous, making his previously powerful control weaken unexpectedly. He was filled with terror at times that he might lose her and be left alone again. She shivered slightly in his embrace, causing him to frown.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Sometimes I'm so scared," she said. "I love you so much that if I lost you, I don't know how I'd bear it."
"Come here," he said, pulling her into his embrace and holding her. As her arms went around him, he took a deep breath, willing himself to calmness. They stood locked in that embrace until Rowena whined.
"What is it?" asked Zelda.
Severus reluctantly released her and listened. Suddenly wild, deep barking became audible and he sighed.
"Hagrid's beast," he said.
"Oh," she muttered. "Rowena's good with other dogs, but what about Fang?"
The black dog bounded over the rise and headed right toward them, making Rowena take a step forward and whine, her tail beginning to wag tentatively.
"Fang, be a good dog," said Zelda firmly, her breath catching with anxiety.
The two dogs met, nose-to-nose, sniffing eagerly.
Severus drew his wand, preparing for the worst, but suddenly the dogs both began wagging their tails and nosed playfully at each other. He lowered his wand.
"It seems all right," he said reassuringly. "Bring Rowena along. I suppose Fang will follow, but they won't fight."
The dogs obviously wanted to play, but Zelda kept Rowena close. They were nearly at the dungeon entrance when Hagrid approached them.
"There yeh are, Fang!" he shouted, quieting suddenly when he saw who was there.
"Hagrid, I'm glad you're here," said Zelda. "It doesn't look like they'll fight, but what do you think?"
"They've seen each other before," he replied.
Zelda stared in amazement, and then her face fell. "I don't remember," she said. "But they're okay together?"
"Sure they are," he replied kindly. "Don' worry, Zelda. Yeh'll remember it all. But these two seem ter like each other."
"Okay," she said. "Hagrid, we're planning to be here until Sunday evening. When Rowena needs a run, can she play with Fang?"
"He'd like that jes' fine. Termorrow I'll come up and take 'er out wi' us," he promised. "I'll keep 'er safe too. Fang ain' no magical dog either, he's jes' a dog."
"Thanks. I guess I'm here in secret, so I can't take her out to play in the snow."
"Well, I'm glad ter see yeh," said Hagrid. "Yer awful quiet, Professor," he added.
"You two have more than enough inane conversation between you," said Severus acidly. "Hagrid, we'll be delighted to see you tomorrow, but tonight I wish to get Zelda and her dog settled in our rooms."
Hagrid chuckled. "I won' keep yeh, then. Come, Fang!"
He stomped away through the snow, dragging the reluctant boarhound away with him.
Severus opened the dungeon entrance and they brought the dog inside. There was no one in sight, and they were soon at the entrance to what he thought of, hopefully, as their home.
When he opened the door, a fire sprang up in the fireplace, creating a warm, golden glow in the huge room. Severus pointed his wand at the candles on the table and they brightened the room immediately.
"How lovely," Zelda murmured. "Come in, Rowena, and do your exploring."
She unhooked the leash and the dog began trotting all around the room, sniffing at everything.
Severus removed her cloak from her shoulders and hung it on a hook near the door, then put his own cloak over it.
"Dinner in the Great Hall is over by now, but we can get something brought here whenever you're hungry," he said.
A sudden sound of throat clearing from the wall by the bedroom door drew their attention.
"Professor Snape, the Headmistress will be here momentarily, so I am relieved to see you're both decently clothed," said Phineas Nigellus from a small portrait.
"Goddess! Phineas, are you everywhere?" asked Zelda. She was startled to hear that familiar, obnoxious voice in a new location.
"As a former Slytherin and Headmaster, my portrait is, of course, in these rooms," he replied complacently.
Zelda rolled her eyes and smirked at Severus, but said nothing.
"Thank you, Phineas," said Severus. "You need not trouble yourself any longer."
Phineas Nigellus curled his lip. "It is no trouble," he replied in a silky voice. He moved slowly out of sight.
"Has his portrait always been there? I didn't notice it before."
"Yes. In fact he delivered messages to me from Dumbledore. Does his presence disturb you?"
She shrugged. "I have a vague feeling I got used to him before. If he'll behave himself, I'll be good too."
A brisk knock heralded the arrival of Headmistress McGonagall, who was not alone. Rowena ran to stand next to Zelda, who held her collar firmly.
"Good evening to you," Minerva said pleasantly. "Zelda I have come to offer you an assistant. I assume Severus has given absolutely no attention to making these rooms habitable, so I've brought a helper, to make your stay here bearable."
She looked down as a small strange person stepped out from behind her skirts, eyeing the large German shepherd nervously.
"Dobby, you know Professor Snape, of course. This lady is Mrs. Snape, and she will need your help to clean these rooms," said Minerva. "Zelda, this is Dobby. He is a house elf, employed by Hogwarts. I believe he'll be most helpful to you."
Zelda's eyes were huge as she gazed at Dobby. He was as small as a human child, yet not human, with huge, round green eyes that stared at her curiously.
"Hello, Dobby," she said softly. "I'm happy to meet you. I've never met a house elf before."
The elf bowed to her. "Dobby did not know Professor Snape is getting married, but Dobby is honored to meet Mrs. Professor Snape."
Zelda looked at Minerva and Severus in some surprise. "I've heard about house elves from Hermione. Won't I be exploiting slave labor?"
"No, no! Dobby is a free house elf, Mistress," said Dobby earnestly. "Dobby is being paid by Professor McGonagall to work at Hogwarts. She is saying that you was worried about such things, like Miss Hermione, but Dobby likes work to do."
"Well, from the look of the place, Dobby will be busy," said Minerva, gazing around her. "Merlin, Severus, don't you believe in furniture? Salazar Slytherin and his successors managed to snag the biggest rooms in the entire castle, I believe. The place resembles an empty barn."
A faint flush touched his gaunt cheek and he scowled at Minerva.
"Hey! Minerva, you of all people seem as if you'd appreciate a minimalist approach to décor," Zelda said defensively. "Or, you could look at the place as a blank canvas, waiting for the artist's touch."
Headmistress McGonagall snorted. "Dobby will know where in the castle to find mountains of unused furnishings, Zelda. I assume you'll wish to see Mr. Potter and his friends, so you should at least have places for them to sit."
A slight, dramatic groan escaped Severus, although he'd prepared himself for the brats to descend at some point. However, the words had an electrifying effect on the house elf.
"Does Mrs. Professor Snape know Harry Potter?" he asked raptly.
Zelda beamed down at him. "Of course. Harry told me about you, Dobby, and yes, he's my friend. I can't wait to tell him I've met you."
Severus watched this absurd exchange between his Muggle wife and the delighted house elf with cynical amusement. His Zelda would undoubtedly adore the creature, another possible reason for her to enjoy coming to Hogwarts. However…
"Dobby," he said gravely. "We must ask you to keep Mrs. Snape's presence a secret. No one else, not even other elves, must know that she is here, or that she is my wife. Will you keep silence?"
"Of course, Professor Snape, sir," he replied, pulling himself up to his full height. "Dobby swears it."
"There is another thing," said Severus. "Mrs. Snape is a Muggle. She cannot use a wand, or do magic. Will you still respect and assist her?"
Dobby's huge eyes bulged. "Mrs. Professor Snape looks exactly like a witch, sir. But, 'tis all right. Dobby is happy to help Harry Potter's friend and sir's lady wife." He looked around with a professional air and added earnestly, "If the Mrs. Professor can't do magic, she is needing more help than ever in this place."
Minerva controlled her expression. Watching Severus converse with Dobby was most amusing, but she had other tasks to attend to. "Severus, shall I tell the young people Zelda is here? When would you like to see them?"
Zelda put a hasty arm around his waist and squeezed. "I'll take that question, I think. If they have time to stop in briefly this evening, we'll arrange another time for them to come, while I'm here."
"Very well," murmured Minerva. "It's enjoyable to watch Severus being managed. Thank you for that delightful moment. I'll leave now, but I hope to see you again while you're here, Zelda."
"Thanks, Minerva," said Zelda, smiling brightly.
Once Minerva had left, Zelda glanced up at her husband. "Managing you? I'm sorry if that was rude," she said.
Severus smiled knowingly at her. "You may play the domineering wife before Minerva, but we both know the reality of it, don't we, my sweetheart?"
She leaned against him with a wry smile. "It seems that we do," she murmured, kissing his chin lightly.
Dobby had stood watching them. They suddenly remembered they weren't alone.
"We shall show you the entire place, Dobby. You need not do it all immediately, but when you have finished cleaning, Mrs. Snape will consult with you about furnishing and decorating all of it."
"Our dog's name is Rowena. She'll get used to you and leave you alone very quickly," added Zelda, holding the dog's collar and letting her sniff Dobby's small hand.
They led the house elf first into their bedroom and bathroom, and then into the unused rooms. He looked thrilled at the magnitude of the ancient filth.
"Dobby will make it clean and fresh," he promised. "Dobby can bring dinner up if Mrs. Professor is wanting to eat."
"That sounds lovely," said Zelda, smiling at him. "Thank you, Dobby. After the kids have gone, I'd love some dinner."
Dobby headed quickly off to begin his battle against grime, and Zelda began kissing her husband.
"This is probably very bad for my character," she said. "Dobby's fascinating, but it feels wrong to have him do everything."
"Dobby cannot do everything," Severus murmured suggestively. "You have many jobs, but I believe your immediate task is to take care of your neglected husband."
"That's why I want to see the kids right away. Once I begin my oh-so important task, I want no interruptions." She looked appraisingly at him. "I have plans for you, my boy."
A smug, small smile touched his lips and his black eyes gleamed with anticipation. He responded so enthusiastically to her kisses, that they jumped hastily apart when someone knocked on the door.
"Only for you can I tolerate them right under my nose," he whispered.
Her eyes glowed with pleasure as she looked at him. She reached up and smoothed his lank hair, which had become disheveled. Then she went to greet their guests.