Now We Know

"Didn't I tell you?" he asked with a painful grimace. "It's Blaise Zabini."

Severus had half suspected it. The more he considered the quiet, handsome boy with his arrogance and his subtle cruelty, the more it made sense.

"I've known for quite some time," said Draco, "but unless one of the others would admit it, there was no proof. He's always been careful to keep himself in the background."

A bruise on his cheek stood out on his pale skin and there were shadows under his eyes, but his voice was level as he spoke.

"Draco, you've shared a dorm with him all these years," said Zelda sadly. "How awful."

He shrugged, unwilling to touch on the subject while his head was throbbing dully.

"Go on, Severus, so you can come home sooner," Zelda told her husband. "Harry, I'll see you tomorrow."

After they left, she studied Draco closely. "Does your head ache?"

"A little," he replied. "I'm really fine, Zelda."

"I know you are. Do you want to go right to bed or sit up with me for a little while? I'll be boring, so you won't be too over stimulated," she offered. "Sit down, if you'd like."

"Thanks," he replied, looking cautiously at her as he sat down.

She rolled her eyes. "Don't look at me like that, I'm not going to interrogate you."

He'd never been alone with her before and didn't know what to expect. Most adults he'd known were quite domineering and not respectful of his feelings, but she seemed different. Furthermore, Professor Snape was extremely untrusting, yet he'd married her and seemed nauseatingly pleased with his life.

"Lovely spring weather we've had lately," she said airily.

A reluctant smile touched his mouth.

"I don't want to violate your privacy," she said. "But is there anything you'd like to talk about?"

"How long have you known Michael?" he asked guardedly.

She wandered back in her memory through the years. It seemed that Michael had always been there, but really, it wasn't for her whole life.

"At least fifteen years," she said. "His partner was the teacher who mentored me when I first started teaching."

Draco thought for a moment and asked, "Does he really know what he's doing with the counseling stuff? He's really smart, but is this something Muggles do? Is it real?"

"It's real," said Zelda. "Michael brings his own high standards to whatever he does, so I think he's better than most people. He's had a complicated, often hard life and he's learned from his experiences."

"Potter says he's, um, gay," he said softly.

"If you have questions about that, you should talk to Michael," she replied. "Does it bother you?"

"Not… I don't think so," he said hesitantly. "People talk about stuff, but no one admits it if they, er, like other guys."

"Our worlds are different then," she said. "There's still plenty of prejudice among stupid Muggles, but gay people are accepted much more than before. To me, Michael's just Michael, and I can't imagine my life without him. He's one of the best people I've ever known."

Draco was silent again for a long time, and finally blurted out, "I want to learn to do what he does and work at St. Mungo's."

Zelda was startled. From what Severus and Harry had told her, this was a remarkable development. Draco Malfoy, a sullen, pampered brat, was the last person one might expect to embrace a career that combined research, Healing and interpersonal skills. He looked anxious, however, as he waited for her response.

"It's fascinating work," she told him. "Actually, your world has a lot of catching up to do, the field is wide open and I imagine an intelligent young wizard could have many opportunities. Have you talked with Michael about it? If you're serious, he'll help you."

He shook his head, feeling relieved at her acceptance of the idea.

"Have you spoken with your mother about it?" she asked softly.

"No," he muttered faintly. "She has a hard time understanding how her life's changed, and she still thinks I should be a snobbish little Malfoy prince."

"What about your father?" she asked carefully.

"I hope… I can't let him, or the thought of him decide what my life will be. Professor Snape told me a few months ago that now, since I'm of age, I need to decide what's right for myself."

She smiled encouragingly in response and said, "Good for you, Draco. You've had a hard time, but I think you'll do very well at St. Mungo's, if that's what you decide to do."

Relieved that she hadn't laughed at his new ambition, he relaxed and realized he did have a headache. He rubbed his forehead in a fruitless effort to ease it.

"You probably do have a slight concussion," Zelda said mildly. "Not enough to need the hospital wing, but I imagine some sleep in a nice darkened room would help, wouldn't it?"

It sounded tempting. He nodded and followed her to the spare room, where Dobby had brought his night things and a change of clothes.

"Our room is over there, if you need something, but knock first," she said, her lips twitching slightly. "Dobby will stay tonight too, if he can help. Um, Draco, does it bother you to see Dobby at Hogwarts?"

"It's weird, since he used to be at Malfoy Manor, but the way I grew up was really weird. He's happier here at Hogwarts and we were, um, we weren't kind to him."

"Okay, I just wondered. Sleep well, Draco," she said with a gentle smile.

&&&&&&&&&

It was well after midnight when Severus finally came home. Rowena gave a faint woof when he opened the door, and then ran to him.

"Good girl, Rowena," he muttered, petting her briefly.

He checked the guest room and in the dim light of his wand saw Draco Malfoy sleeping, so he closed the door.

Zelda was also sleeping soundly, so he undressed and prepared for bed. The morning would be soon enough to tell her everything. It was a wretched, sorry tale that they'd finally heard and although it seemed a resolution had been reached, he looked forward to Zelda's attention to improve his mood. He climbed gratefully into bed and carefully pressed against her back, putting an arm around her. He closed his eyes and groaned with relief as he fell almost instantly asleep.

&&&&&&&&&

Zelda woke early, needing to use the bathroom again. She eased out from underneath Severus, who was sprawled across her most endearingly, pausing to look at him and sigh. His curtain of jet-black hair had fallen over his face and he was snoring. She hurried as much as a very pregnant woman could hurry so she could return to bed.

"Severus," she whispered as she climbed back into bed.

"What is it?" he asked urgently, sitting up and staring worriedly at her. "Are you all right?"

"Sorry," she said. "I'm okay, but it's Monday and I wondered if you have to get up."

"I do have to get up, but it's most unkind of you to remind me," he said, moving close and hugging her. "Do you want me to go?"

She put her arms around his neck and kissed him lightly. "I'd like you to stay all day."

Their eyes met and Severus rubbed his nose against hers, smiling faintly. "Waking up with you still feels a like a splendid treat," he said.

Zelda caressed his cheek and ran her thumb along his eyebrow. "Was it awful last night?" she asked rather anxiously.

He nodded. "We collected all the troublemakers and spoke with them. Most of them, even Pansy Parkinson, admitted everything. When they were forced to defend their actions publicly, all of them were quite horrified to admit what they'd done."

"What'll happen to them?" asked Zelda.

"Minerva won't expel them," he said. "They'll do detentions to contribute to the school. They must apologize to their victims and do a great deal of community service over the summer in various locations around the wizarding world. Minerva and Kingsley will arrange this. For those who are not yet of age, their parents have been notified."

"Are you sure you found all of them?" she asked, concerned.

"The last of them was Zabini, and he was the only one who showed no remorse. When the Headmistress contacted his mother, she had no interest in allowing him to be punished and continue at Hogwarts, so with a matter of weeks left in his school career, he's been withdrawn."

"What'll happen to him?" she asked, looking disgusted.

"His mother took him away last night and they went abroad. She plans to have him tutored or to finish his education at Durmstrang, another wizarding school. He'll take his examinations privately and go on to make trouble somewhere else in the future, no doubt."

Severus was troubled that one of his students had gone so wrong, but the rest were likely redeemable. He saw a frown on Zelda's face and realized that she too saw Zabini's fate as a sad failure.

"The rest are in a more hopeful situation. Michael and Pye are arranging counseling sessions for all of them. All of them, even Pansy Parkinson, want a way out of this sorry mess. Overall, it's an acceptable resolution."

"You can't win 'em all," she quipped sadly. "I think they're lucky, and I hope they think so too."

"We hope that in a day or so the student body will settle down and begin preparing for final examinations," he said. "Perhaps then I can concentrate on my own concerns."

He kissed her, signaling his interest in a happier subject.

"You look lovely this morning," he told her, fondling her breasts.

She blushed, feeling large and ungainly, but he caught a glimpse of her feeling and snorted.

"Zelda, you're beautiful," he said, running his fingers through her thick curls. "But if you don't feel like it, I'll just hold you, my sweetheart."

She nuzzled his neck and bit his earlobe. "It seems undignified at the present time," she murmured, putting her arms around him.

He smirked at her in mock disbelief, murmuring, "Is sex ever dignified?"

His hands moved down her body, discovering that she was quite amenable to his touch.

"After the creature's born, I'll miss making love to my pregnant wife," he said as he traced delicate patterns on her belly, a smile lighting his somber black eyes.

His hands were creating a warm glow of desire in her, so she looked into his eyes and murmured, "Well, if you're sure…"

"Idiot girl," he whispered, "Pay attention now."

He took his time pleasuring her, and knowing this might be the last time until after she gave birth made it even more significant than usual. As they came together, tears came to her eyes and she held him close for a long time.

"I love you," she whispered seriously.

Life was constant change, he thought, but these moments of love and pleasure were teaching him that change need not be terrible. With Zelda, he was learning to trust and admit to having hope. It felt good.

&&&&&&&&&

"Have some more toast, Harry," said Zelda, watching in amusement as Harry once again devoured everything in sight.

A congenial breakfast with Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy was the last thing Severus had ever expected to experience, given their history. Their growing maturity made him realize that he could relax his responsibility for these two. They were learning to make better choices and take care of themselves.

Harry swallowed a large gulp of orange juice and said, "So Zabini's mum just took him away? She didn't care about any of it? He's going to get away with it!"

"Blaise is a master at sliding out of trouble," said Draco cynically. "His mother always takes his side too, so I'm not surprised."

"Since we cannot proceed legally against him without exposing those others to the Ministry who wish to make reparations, Zabini will escape the consequences," said Severus. "In this case, salvaging the futures of so many others must take precedence."

"I won't forget he's out there," said Draco.

"Of course not, but get on with your own plan for your life," said Zelda. "Don't let Blaise Zabini or anyone else distract you from what you know is right for you, Draco."

He smiled faintly at her and said, "Will Michael be able to see me today, Professor?"

"He'll be in his office at half past eight. I suggest you go there and ask him. Pye will be here too, helping to organize sessions for yesterday's culprits, and they'll bring two more Healers that recently joined the staff of the Dumbledore Clinic."

"Will he be too busy to see me?" asked Draco.

"Ask for five minutes of his time," suggested Zelda with twinkling eyes. "He'll be glad to hear what you have to say."

She smiled at Severus and Harry's bemused expressions, but said nothing. Draco needed to explore his idea for the future with Michael before he told anyone else.

"When will you leave?" she asked Severus.

"I should go to Professor McGonagall," he said. "She planned to speak to the student body at breakfast, explaining that the disturbances are resolved and that we expect the rest of the school year to be dedicated to studies. We hope things will return to normal, but I'd like to hear how it went."

"We all want things to be normal," she said. "But what will you boys do without a secret mission?"

"Pass my N.E.W.T. exams, I hope," said Harry. "Hermione has two months worth of notes and reading for me. She's designed practice tests too, in case I missed anything."

"Gods, Potter, I'm glad to be in Slytherin. Pansy'd never have the cheek to make me study," smirked Draco.

Zelda laughed. "Please don't start with the Hogwarts house stuff. It's all so silly. Just pass your exams so you don't end up cooking French fries at McDonalds for a living."

"What are French fries?" asked Draco.

She laughed and said, "Ask Harry, but later. You have five minutes to talk to Michael and then you need to come back and rest today. Harry, go to class. Severus…"

"Well?" he asked coolly.

"When will I see you again?" she replied, smiling at him.

"Noon. Ask Dobby to bring lunch," he murmured.

She studied him for a moment. His black billowing robes and the permanent lines on his face painted a severe picture. But his eyes were gleaming as she smiled at him, a sight that melted her heart.

"I'll see you at noon," she said. "Have fun, husband."

Harry smirked at Draco, since he never tired of seeing Professor Snape and Zelda act nauseatingly affectionate with each other. A sly smile told him that Draco shared his amusement.

The three wizards went about their business. Zelda watched them leave and walked slowly back to the bedroom, Rowena following along. She went to the baby's crib over by the window, trying to think what the baby would need that she was forgetting. The little colorful blankets and sheets looked very inviting. The teddy bear from her colleagues sat in the corner. There was a changing table, well stocked with the diapers that Dobby insisted he would clean for them. It still bothered her, but there was no real alternative at Hogwarts. The tiny clothes were plentiful, but there was room for more in the small dresser. There was a rocking chair too, facing the window so she could see the sky when she sat down in it. Rowena settled on the soft rug at her feet.

She wondered if she'd ever really feel at home at Hogwarts. It still felt she was there under false pretenses. A few people knew she was a Muggle, fewer still knew she was a Legilimens. She was accepted as Severus's wife, but it was assumed that she was a witch. The idea of making a public announcement declaring her Mugglehood was quite horrifying, but concealing what she was made her feel dishonest and depressed her.

A nudging from within her was a pleasant distraction.

"Hey, baby," she said, pressing a hand gently against what felt like a tiny elbow. "It won't be long now, will it? There'll be one big shock for you, and then the world's going to be your oyster, my little one. We'll have a lovely summer together, won't we?"

When she stood up, she realized something had changed during the night. She could breathe more easily. The baby had dropped down low into her pelvis, which also explained her almost constant need to pee. She drew a deeper breath than she'd had in weeks, grateful for the oxygen. A slight tinge of panic washed over her, since childbirth demanded everything of one, body mind and spirit. But Severus was going to be upset enough for both of them, so she mastered her emotions and went to ask Dobby to bring lunch at noon.