Attending to Business

Zelda woke before the sunrise, listening to Severus snore. He'd slept badly earlier, waking twice that she was aware, gripped by nightmares. Having been married to a man with no conscience, it was odd that Severus judged his acts under the compulsion of a potion so harshly. It was hard to decide how to feel. It sickened her to know what he'd said and done in those brief moments. But he felt horrible, and he needed her. It's hard for a Muggle to grasp the strength of magical compulsion, she thought. A prodding inside reminded her of something else, so she began sliding out of bed.

"Where are you going?" asked Severus, waking instantly at the loss of contact with her.

"I have to pee," she replied. "I'll be back."

Severus still feared that she was angry. The sight of her returning to bed helped, but still he frowned.

"Don't look so worried," she said, looking at him with deep concern. "If you don't stop, I might think you harbor a secret passion for the Sinistra."

"No!" he exclaimed, revolted. "Zelda!"

She smiled wryly and said, "Darling idiot, I thought I'd remind you she doesn't matter, since you're acting as guilty as if you were having a sleazy affair with her."

She slipped under the covers, offering her lips for a kiss. Severus complied and pulled her into his embrace.

"Only you, sweetheart," he whispered, groaning with pleasure as she rubbed his back firmly. "I hate having touched her."

"Well, I imagine she'll be confused when there's no reaction. I may mess with her mind at some point, and if I do, watch so she doesn't do anything to me," Zelda said with an icy expression in her eyes.

Severus had not often seen that steely glint in his wife's eyes and he was intrigued.

"What will you do?" he asked curiously.

"I don't know yet, but please keep her from hexing me. I'm sure it wouldn't be good for the infant," she said.

They rubbed noses, smiling into each other's eyes. All the rest was forgotten as passion sparked between them. Her familiar touch eased his grinding guilt and made him feel safe after the previous night's horror. His heart swelled with love.

"Sev, you're my husband," she whispered. "We belong together and one selfish, trivial woman can't change that."

Mischievously she applied her lips to his neck and he realized, laughing faintly, what she was doing. He threw back his head, amused that he'd have a hickey for days to come. He was ridiculous, but her mark on his skin proved that he belonged to her. His confidence restored, he made love to her, his encounter with Sinistra briefly forgotten.

Afterward he held her close.

"I was afraid you'd despise me," he muttered into her neck.

"I'm sorry you went through such a horror," she said, drowsing contentedly as she squeezed his waist. "Maybe it's good we'll have a busy day. She's not worth thinking about, is she?"

Wordlessly he drew her closer and they went back to sleep.

Dilys Smethwyck studied Zelda curiously as she examined her.

"You're the equivalent of twenty four weeks fetal development. It's still progressing faster than normal. I'm rather surprised."

"Is it a problem?" asked Severus brusquely, a pang of anxiety clutching his heart.

"It doesn't seem to be, but given the ingredients in the potion she took, it should have slowed to normal by now," replied the witch thoughtfully.

"I feel okay," offered Zelda brightly as she sat up on the bed.

"You look better. More rested. There's nothing to be done, really, except monitor you. Is the child active?"

"Yes," said Severus and Zelda at the same time.

"Splendid," said Dilys. "Do you have any questions?"

"Not right now," said Zelda. "We're going to stay at my house, but we'll see you here in a week."

"Keep resting and take care of yourself. I'm going to see Poppy Pomfrey now. Have a good week."

Severus walked her to the door. In a low voice he asked, "Is she all right?"

Dilys looked shrewdly at him and said, "If there's something wrong, I'll tell both of you. Try not to worry."

"It's my fault she's pregnant. If something happens to her, mine is the blame," he muttered.

Dilys laughed softly. "Severus, she's thrilled to be pregnant. Enjoy this time with her. It's a wonderful thing to share her pregnancy."

"It is," he agreed. "So much so that I wish it weren't going so fast."

"It's better at normal speed," she agreed. "Take care of yourself too and I'll see you next week."

He turned and found Zelda entering the drawing room, already dressed in a remarkable outfit. She wore an antique dress, obviously something bought in Diagon Alley. It resembled something a woman from centuries ago would wear. She was noticeably pregnant in it, but also very pretty.

"Will you tie the laces for me?" she asked, turning. "Don't pull too tight though. Tonks overdid it at first."

He'd never imagined playing lady's maid to his pregnant wife, but he was pleased to do it. Slowly he pulled the laces, careful to be gradual.

"Tell me when it's enough," he said.

"That's good," she said. "I like to be able to breathe. How does it look?"

"You look delightful," he said as he turned her around. "Will you pass as a Muggle in it?"

"Most pregnant women wear really ugly clothes. If a designer saw this, I think it'd start a wonderful new fashion trend. Ordinary Muggles will probably think it is a new trend," she said, adding, "I think if you wear your Armani you'll look like a wealthy man who's indulging his spoiled wife by buying her a weekend cottage."

"What do we call Potter?" he asked suspiciously.

"My son, of course. Your lovely stepson who's going to help renovate our country cottage."

Her eyes sparkled as she waited for his response, and he had to bite his tongue hard.

"He doesn't look like you," he said tonelessly.

"Maybe he looks like his father," she said. "People won't care much."

"Have you discussed this with him?"

"We have a plan," she said.

A knock on the door interrupted his apprehensive questions.

"Harry," said Zelda, ushering him in. She hugged him, murmuring, "You look gorgeously Muggle-like."

"You just look gorgeous," he said, in tearing high spirits. "Where'd you get that amazing outfit?"

"Diagon Alley," she replied.

They turned to Severus.

"Morning, Professor," said Harry. "Thanks for going along with this."

Severus sneered.

"Get ready, Sev," said his beloved. "This'll be fun."

Severus frowned at her, then went to the bedroom and opened the wardrobe. His Muggle suit hung there, elegantly tailored. With a rueful smile he quickly changed clothes, giving special attention to his tie. He couldn't help glancing into the mirror that was mostly used by his wife, and found his reflection acceptable. He composed his expression and left the room.

Zelda sighed happily and declared, "You've made my day, my gorgeous husband."

Harry was stunned. Professor Snape looked more important and powerful than all of Uncle Vernon's important business connections rolled into one, and not really like a wizard.

"Wow," he murmured, awe-struck.

Zelda glanced mischievously at him.

"How shall we proceed?" asked Severus with a withering glare.

"Professor McGonagall arranged for us to meet an estate guy in Inverness," said Harry. "He's a Squib who works in the Muggle world, but also helps magical people find places to live."

"You consulted Headmistress McGonagall?" asked Severus, his eyes narrowing.

"It was my idea," said Zelda. "She has loads of contacts. Harry, where do we meet this guy?"

"We'll Apparate to a big hotel there. A Mr. Neil Kenny will meet us there with a car and show us a few places," explained Harry.

"Does he know who you are?" asked Severus.

"Professor McGonagall said his parents are dead and he has no other family, so he's out of touch with the wizarding world," said Harry.

"I asked Minerva to tell the man that a Hogwarts professor and his family are looking for a home away from Hogwarts," said Zelda. "When we find a place Harry likes, he'll transfer the money into our names and we'll take the title for him temporarily. It'll be easy for us to transfer it to him later, rather than have a kid buy a house."

It was practical, thought Severus, but the thought of masquerading as Harry Potter's stepfather was extremely irritating. His wife was looking hopefully at him, so he merely nodded. He had a thought, however.

"What name are we using?" he asked suspiciously.

"Our own," she replied. "Except Harry of course. He'll be Harry Larsson for today."

"We should get started if we must walk down to the gates," he said. "What about lunch?"

"It'll be an adventure," she said. "We'll forage in the wilds of Inverness."

Severus felt his heart lighten in response to her cheeky smile. He thought he'd probably survive eating in a Muggle restaurant.

"Wait," he said, returning to the bedroom and taking out a small wallet with Muggle money in it.

"Let's be off," he said briskly, ushering them out the door.

"Good to meet you, Professor Snape," said the estate agent. "I'm Neil Kenny. Professor McGonagall told me about you. This must be your lovely wife, and your son too?"

"My stepson, Harry Larsson," said Severus repressively.

"Excellent," said the heavyset man. "Why don't we talk in the car?"

He led them out of the hotel lobby. It was a pleasant spring day, with weak sunshine warming the cool, moist air. He placed Severus in the front seat and Harry in back, next to Zelda.

"Professor McGonagall gave me some idea what you might be looking for, but why don't you tell me yourself?"

"This is my wife's idea, so perhaps she should tell you," Severus said with a smirk, fighting the urge to clutch the armrest as they began driving out of town.

"I fancy a place where we can have a bit of privacy," she said airily. "It doesn't have to be in perfect shape, because Harry's interested in fixing things up."

"I see," said Neil Kenny, trying to keep the smile off his face. He was cautious with wizards, remembering his ancient grandmother's seeming ability to read his mind. He knew wizards, though, and had several good possibilities in mind. It looked as though he'd have a sale this day.

They drove through empty countryside for a while, and then drove into a smaller town.

"This is Dingwall," he said. "If you fancied a place in town, this is a possibility."

Zelda looked at Harry, who shook his head slightly.

"Perhaps something close, but not in town," she said decisively."

"Ah, all right then," he replied, turning left and taking a smaller road out of town.

They drove for several miles and then turned onto a small, unpaved road. Half a mile on, over a hill, they came upon a stone cottage.

"This is an old crofter's cottage that hasn't been lived in for many years. I'd never show this to Muggles, but a wizard with a bit of know-how could make this place snug and comfortable," said the agent.

"It's pretty," said Zelda as they entered the gate and approached the small building. "I think that's a climbing rose next to the door, isn't it?"

"Don't be distracted by a shrub," said Severus condescendingly, playing the role of a professional man. Secretly he thought this was a perfect place for Potter, isolated, but not completely so. It would undoubtedly be cheap, and it needed work, so perhaps the boy would stay away from Zelda.

"Have wizards ever lived here?" asked Harry as they entered the cottage.

"Not that I know, but there aren't so many wizards, are there? I've been able to help several magical folk find homes over the years, but in places owned by Muggles."

The agent opened the door and they entered the cottage. Severus watched Potter, wondering what the boy would expect in a home. This wasn't a ruin, but it was certainly modest. Three small bedrooms were upstairs under a steeply slanting roof. A sitting room and a large, old-fashioned kitchen, with one antique bathroom completed the tour.

"It's extremely small," said Severus cynically.

"Look at the lovely view from the sitting room," said Zelda hopefully. "How much land is included?"

"There's plenty of room for a kitchen garden out back, and all told it's something over an acre."

The clever agent had hoped that these affluent wizards would want something grander and costlier, but this hut would never be acceptable to Muggles, so the idea of unloading it so easily brought a spring to his step as he showed them around the small property. A grove of old trees shielded the place from the road, giving a feeling of complete isolation, something he knew wizards preferred.

"Doe it include everything down to the stream?" asked Zelda.

"It does," replied Kenny.

"I like it," said Harry calmly.

In fact, he thought it was perfect, but knew Professor Snape would despise him if he looked excited. He didn't want a palace, more like a hiding place. He also planned, cleverly, to ask Zelda to help furnish it and to visit with him there. He could see that she liked it here, away from the grandeur of Hogwarts. He looked significantly at Professor Snape while Zelda was asking more questions.

"These are the other two I'm going to show you today," said Mr. Kenny, putting two glossy brochures in her hands. "These others, as you see, are more spacious and more suitable for a family. Shall we go?"

"Excuse me, Mr. Kenny," said Severus smoothly, "I believe this is precisely what we were thinking of. If the price is negotiable, we'll take this one."

"Really?" asked the astounded agent. "Well, if you're certain… I'm sure with a bit of magical fixing up it'll be a fine house. The lot is very attractive, of course. But walk around a bit if you'd like and I'll contact the owner and see what she's willing to do with the price."

He drew a cell phone out of his coat pocket and walked a short distance away.

"Are you sure, Harry?" asked Zelda. "These others look much bigger and nicer."

"It feels right," he replied thoughtfully. "I don't care if it's rundown. After I finish school I'll have some time to spend fixing it up while I figure out what to do next."

Zelda had walked back up to the house, so the wizards followed her inside. She was standing in the sitting room and looking out the small window toward the stream. She turned around when she heard them come in.

"I'd change this for a big bow window," she said, with a window seat. "It faces northeast, so in summer it'll be cool, the kitchen will get what light there is in winter, and the view is lovely."

The empty room echoed slightly as she spoke.

"You're behaving like a cliché of a woman, redecorating a house that doesn't belong to you," Severus murmured mockingly.

"A harmless hobby," she said, going to him and taking his arm. "Do you really like it, Harry?"

"Yeah," he said. "I've never had anyplace that's mine and I can't run around like a homeless kid, staying with people in their homes."

"I like it. How far is this from Hogwarts, as the owl flies?"

"Quite close," said Severus. "Not that the neighbors are aware."

The return of the agent energized the room. He bustled in, smiling broadly.

The owner had nearly given up hope of selling, so she's willing to come down three thousand," he said. "Is that acceptable?"

"Fine," said Severus, wishing to finish this negotiation. The price was rather more than fair, and Potter seemed content. "How shall we proceed with this? I assume Gringotts will change Galleons into Muggle money."

"I'll have the paperwork drawn up. Gringotts will prepare a cashier's check for you and we'll meet in three days to complete the transaction, if that is acceptable. My office is two blocks from the hotel where we met today. Tuesday at three o'clock?"

Severus offered his hand and said, "Very good. We'll leave you here then, and meet you in your office on Tuesday."

The agent locked the door after they left the cottage and strolled jauntily to his car. It had been a quick, profitable hour, and he had another prospective client he could squeeze in. He waved cheerily as he drove away.

Zelda glanced briefly at Severus with a tiny smile, and then turned her attention to Harry.

"You're going to be a homeowner, Harry. How does it feel?"

"Weird and a little scary," he replied. "But good."

Zelda smiled at him and then murmured, "Severus, the fetus and I are hungry and not quite ready to go back. May we have lunch in town before we leave?"

Startled, Severus remembered his hideous experience with Sinistra and Amortentia. This had been a successful distraction, he realized, and perhaps he wasn't ready to return to Hogwarts either.

"Well?" he said to Potter.

"Okay with me," he said calmly.

"I didn't have much Muggle money at Hogwarts," said Severus. "How does American fast food sound?"

"Awful," she said, opening the small pouch that served her as a purse. "Fortunately I brought plastic. Don't leave home without it, you know."

"Credit cards!" chuckled Harry. "How do you get them, Zelda?"

"Banks offer them," she said. "I doubt that Gringotts has the service."

Severus knew goblins better than the other two and said cynically, "Don't be surprised if they've found a way to do it."

"Well, I thought the hotel had a fine looking restaurant," she said. "My treat today."

Lunch was surprisingly pleasant, Severus thought grudgingly. Potter was on his best behavior, since he was rather quiet. They received excellent service in the restaurant, which had to mean that they all passed as Muggles. The irony of wishing to be perceived as a Muggle didn't escape him. It was quite amusing.

After lunch they walked out into bright sunshine and it was evident that they were all reluctant to return to the school.

"What if we go back to the house to look around?" asked Zelda.

"You need to rest, my girl," said Severus.

"I know, but just for half an hour," she said. "Harry's going to have his own place, so he should start thinking what he'll do with it. I thought it was nice there and I'd like to see it again."

"I wouldn't mind," said Harry, hiding his pleasure.

"Half an hour," said Severus. "Furthermore, you're going to sit down."

"Okay," she said. They stepped into an alley and Apparated back to Harry's prospective home.

Immediately it was quiet, except for birds chirping loudly in the small wood.

"Lovely," she sighed, staying in her husband's arms. "It's good to be alone, isn't it?"

Harry went to the cottage and pointed his wand.

"Alohomora!" he said.

The door opened and he went inside. He wondered what his friends would think of it. Probably Ginny would think he should have gotten something grander, but for a boy who'd lived in a cupboard for years, this was spacious, yet still cozy. And he could send Hedwig to Hogwarts easily from here.

Professor Snape and Zelda came into the sitting room, and he pointed his wand at the area near the window. Instantly a comfortable chair and footrest appeared.

"Sit," he said commandingly.

Zelda sank into it gratefully and put her feet up. She grinned at them.

"Perfect," she said. "I'll try not to be too much of a pest, Harry, but I'd love to come here and hang out with you sometimes."

Severus rolled his eyes, but it went unnoticed as he watched his wife and Potter smile brightly at each other. The boy's green eyes, bright with unalloyed happiness, resembled Lily Potter's eyes. The memory of Lily didn't sting like it used to. His guilt would never leave him, but if she'd chosen him all those years ago, Zelda would never have found him. Knowing that Lily's son had survived Voldemort, the goal she'd died to accomplish, he felt it hadn't been a complete waste. Lily would be proud of the boy, he thought grudgingly.

"D' you think Lily and Eli will like it?" Harry asked Zelda.

"They'll love it," she replied. "But you have so many friends, where will you put them all?"

"I'm not planning on having a party house," he said. "I need this place to escape to. But I hope Lily and Eli can come to visit."

"You should pick out your bedroom before we go," said Zelda practically. "And maybe you want to figure out where to add a bathroom. I'm not one for mansion living, but two bathrooms are a good thing."

Harry went upstairs, and Severus sat down on Zelda's footrest.

"This has been a fine antidote to what happened last night. Thank you, sweetheart."

"Hogwarts is wonderful, but it's good to get away once in a while, isn't it?" she asked. "You look fabulous, by the way."

"Will you be happy to go home tomorrow?" he asked. "I confess I'll enjoy having more time alone with you."

"I miss the cats. I hope they haven't gone feral, spending so much time alone."

"Unlikely. They probably haven't moved off the couch since we've been gone."

She chuckled and said, "Since this was so quick and easy, we have time for a nap before we make our happy, married appearance at dinner this evening."

Her eyes were bright and he knew she was feeling well. His anxiety was eased, in spite of the fact that her pregnancy was still accelerated.

"Do you actually require sleep?" he asked with a slight smirk.

"Maybe later," she said, studying him with great pleasure. "Gorgeous as you are in your suit, I'll enjoy removing all of it."

He pointed his wand at her chair and expanded it to a love seat, then sat down and drew her against his side. She sighed her contentment and laid her head against his shoulder. Severus smiled wryly when he realized, ten minutes later, that she had fallen asleep. When Potter peeked into the room, Severus shook his head.

"Twenty minutes," he said.

Harry nodded, pleased that they looked so comfortable, and went out to explore the property. He'd ask more experienced wizards how to place wards around the place. He'd had enough of danger and uncertainty and desired a safe home. He chose a spot down by the gate where he'd put the post box and headed back to the cottage. They'd leave today, but soon he'd have a new home. It had been a good day.