Chapter Fifteen-
As Severus had known, the Headmaster was less than pleased to be disobeyed. He was now standing in the Headmaster's office, being lectured to as if he were still that eleven year old boy in his first year at Hogwarts.
"Severus Snape, I get the distinct feeling that you are no longer even listening to me." Only as Albus glared at the younger man did Severus realize that the rant was over.
"Well, of course I wasn't listening!" He snapped, throwing his hands up in the air. "I am a grown wizard- I have been for many years. I have the right to make my own decisions, now don't I? You gave your suggestion, I thought about it and then I rejected it. My choice, Albus, my choice."
The Headmaster looked distinctly displeased, making Severus swallow hard, though he vowed that he would not be swayed from his decision. "I can't stop now, Albus," he went on, hearing the pleading tone in his voice and hating himself for it. He hated to be seen as anything less than firmly in control, but it was hard when it came to the man who had been a father figure to him for so long. "He's beginning to trust me. I can't just give that up. I can't- I couldn't live with myself if I did."
Severus looked so determined; Albus couldn't bring himself to argue any longer. They had been fighting for well over an hour already, continuously going in circles, as both were too obstinate to compromise.
"Very well." Albus said, sighing heavily. "As you said, I cannot make your decisions for you. Let us move to a topic where perhaps something can be done. You have spoken to Sirius Black, I take it?" He asked, already knowing the answer.
Severus saw the sparkle light up once more in those blue eyes and could barely contain himself from laughing. "Yes, as you well know, I did." He said, dropping once more into his seat. "And, as I'm sure you already know, I have offered to house Potter while Black goes to play with the wolves. Hermione would love to have him, though I know it shall likely start a war in my home."
Albus smiled. "Ah yes, Blaise and Draco will be quite surprised, won't they?"
"I only have one problem, Headmaster." Severus pointed out. "I haven't been able to get out hunting all summer, thanks to the upheavals. I need to collect at least half of those ingredients; I need them for potions I will be brewing in the next year."
"Ah," Albus frowned, resting his chin on his hand as he thought over the latest problem. "I had completely forgotten about your hunts; I'm used to you simply disappearing for a few weeks. What do you usually do? You often have your two sons with you at about this time."
"I send them to Capricia." Severus admitted with a reluctant laugh. "None of them are ever really happy with the situation, she least of all as it distracts her from the beauties of Italy, but they make do. But I don't exactly want to desert Hermione in a foreign country and I doubt Potter would be any more comfortable."
"Have you spoken to Capricia about this?" Albus asked with more than a touch of hope. "I mean to say, you have finally found your daughter. The woman doesn't wish to spend any time with her?"
Severus shifted uneasily at the thought. This situation could quickly get out of hand, but unfortunately he too could see only one solution. "Well, she did want to spend some time with Hermione." He admitted. "In fact, she offered to even stay at the Manor if I thought Hermione would approve of that more so, which I know for a fact she would. Though I will be honest and tell you I don't know how Capricia will be able to handle four teenagers, should you agree to let her watch Potter," he added, knowing the Headmaster needed the blatant truth. Not that he wouldn't try to do all he could to twist the truth once he knew of it.
Albus contemplated the woman that had bewitched his spy all those years ago. "I have no problem with Capricia." He said after a moment's thought. "I would love to have her on our side, but I know at the same time that she would never do anything that would push her firmly on the other side either, so Harry would most certainly be safe. And I've seen the measures she has gone through over the years to keep Blaise safe. As frightening a thought as it is, I cannot believe that she would be any less protective of Hermione." He smiled suddenly. "In fact, I do not believe I would be exaggerating to say that she might even be more protective of the girl."
"That is most definitely true." Severus admitted with a grimace. "Merlin help the poor idiot who offends the girl first. You'll never find another trace of them; I can already see that manic glint in her eyes."
"That sounds perfect!" Albus laughed as his Potions Master exaggeratedly shuddered. "For our situation, of course." He added quickly as Severus turned a mock glare on him. "As Harry is her daughter's best friend, I have no doubt that Capricia will keep him safe. If she agrees, I think that would be a perfectly acceptable solution to our problems."
"Alright," Severus agreed, having no doubt that his ex would eagerly take the opportunity. "What time frame are you looking at? Do you want me to take the children back before the full moon tonight? I couldn't help but notice that Black looked nervous about leaving them alone in his home."
"Ah, yes." Albus mused, smiling as he remembered the Animagus's panicked ravings on a boy and girl alone with no supervision. "If you could, I think that would be for the best. Sirius is as worried about Remus as ever; you know how little patience he ever had for waiting around. I'm afraid they are quite eager to be off, now that they've been given their latest assignment. At your earliest convenience, I think, would be best."
"Let me go speak with Capricia and I will head straight to Grimmauld." Severus promised, standing.
***
Severus didn't get to spend even five minutes in his Manor, once Capricia had heard the situation. He was practically forced into the Floo, her caustic words still ringing in his head. What kind of idiotic question is that? You think I'm going to turn down the opportunity to spend time with my daughter and her paramour? The Boy-Who-Lived himself? Go get them both, at once!
Someday, he vowed silently, as he stepped into Grimmauld and waited for Black to show himself. Someday he would wean himself of his ridiculous attachment to that woman. Then he could work on regaining his sanity. And more than likely help his children with the very same problem. She was absolutely insane and gifted enough to take everyone around her down too.
"Snape? Snape?" Once again Severus found himself lost in thought, this time being pulled out to see Sirius Black looking at him in amusement.
"Ah, there you are." Severus mentally drew himself up, even as he berated himself on not paying attention to his surroundings. It would never do to let Black know he'd gotten the drop on him, he reflected, smirking at the other man. "Took you long enough. We've set everything up. I will take Potter and Hermione back to my Manor. They need not speak to Draco and Blaise if they don't want too. I will be away, however, for at least the next three weeks, but Capricia will be there for them."
"Where are you going?" Sirius asked curiously.
"Away." Severus was not about to explain himself to Black, no matter how well they had been getting along lately. It was absolutely none of his business. "I need to get ready myself, so if you would just have the two pack up and Floo over, that would be much appreciated.
"Yeah, of course." Sirius said, watching in amusement as Severus yawned widely. "They'll be over in about a half-hour."
Only as Severus thought of everything he had to do in the next few hours did it hit him how tired he was getting. He needed some Pepper-Up. "Lovely." He said, glaring at the other man for his smirk. "Here is the wolf's potion." He added, pulling the remaining Wolfsbane he had in stock out of his cloak. "It is all I can offer to him, Albus said he must be without it while in the wild."
"Yeah, I heard." Sirius said, suddenly frowning. He always worried about his friend when Remus was stuck without his potion. They were getting up there in the years, especially for a wizard who was infected with lycanthropy.
"If he decides that he cannot be without it, you may send an owl after me, but I cannot guarantee they'll find me anytime soon." Severus admitted. "There is enough there for the next few moons, though it won't exactly be fresh. When Hogwarts is in session again, though, I will be able to produce quite a quantity. That may be enough of an incentive for some of the wild wolves, so keep it in mind," he added, offering the words before he could even think about them.
"Thanks," Sirius said, looking as surprised at the offer as Severus felt. "That's, uh, really decent of you, Snape."
"Yeah." Severus said awkwardly, unsure as to why he'd made the offer. "Well, I'd best be off. Send the children over before you leave. And for Merlin's sake, be sure to tell Potter where you're going so he doesn't decide it's vital for him to track you down!" He added gruffly, before quickly Flooing home.
Sirius stared at the flames for a moment, as unnerved by the last few minutes as he was sure that Snape was. Seven years of daily interaction while at Hogwarts hadn't forced the two men into ceasing hostilities and so he wasn't sure what was making them change their behavior now. One thing was certain though, neither of them liked it. They were going to have to do something about it soon- maybe he should just pop Snape one in the nose the next time he showed up?
Ah well, he thought ruefully, shaking the thought away as soon as it came. He wasn't strong enough yet for the barrage of curses that he knew Snape would immediately throw back. At least it would bother everyone else as much as it bothered them. Almost like a prank…
"Harry!" He turned abruptly, not liking that thought any better than his previous ones. Snape did not prank- he was the one who was pranked. It was the natural order of things and nothing could change that. "Hermione! Where are you two?" He demanded, heading upstairs.
***
Severus and Capricia were enjoying a glass of wine together, as Severus outlined what he would need her to do for the next few weeks and she rolled at his presumptuousness. They quickly ended their conversation, though, as Hermione and Harry Flooed into Snape Manor. "Ah, excellent," Capricia said, greeting the two with a smile. "Zinone, I couldn't be more pleased that you and I will get to spend time together. And you as well, Harry, darling," she added with a wink. "I couldn't be happier than to spend some time getting to know my daughter's boyfriend."
Hermione just rolled her eyes, well used to such behavior from her mother. The few times that they had spoken since she'd learned of her true identity, Capricia had not so subtly brought up the topic of boyfriends.
Harry, on the other hand, couldn't help but turn terrified eyes on Severus, who didn't look happy at the implication either. "Mrs. Zabini, I'm not dating Hermione!" He exclaimed, trying in vain to keep his voice from squeaking. The look on Snape's face was almost enough to make him want to go back to a now Sirius-free Grimmauld, it was that terrifying.
"Damned right you're not." Severus snapped, smirking at the look of pure fright on Potter's face. "That will be enough of that, Capricia." He ordered his wife.
"Fine, fine," she waved his glare off absently. "Hadn't you better get going, dear?" She asked him. "You did say you wanted to leave as soon as possible." And, as soon as he left, she could go back to her fun.
"Yes, I did," Severus admitted. "But I wish to speak with the boys first," he added as he stood. "Let them know-"
"Excuse me!" There were many things that Capricia let Severus get away with, because he was a man and women naturally had to take in the male species absolute idiocy into account, but on some issues she simply had to draw the line. "I am Blaise's mother and Draco's godmother. I am just as capable of keeping the peace as you, Severus Snape. I don't need you to go threaten them again." She said, standing so that she could glare at him adequately, hands on her hips. "Or, are you saying I'm not a good mother?"
Even Severus at his dumbest state wouldn't have been stupid enough to step into such an obvious trap. "No!" He protested immediately, holding his hands up as if to defend himself. "That wasn't what I meant at all. Of course, I know there will be no problems leaving the situation in your hands, my dear."
Capricia grinned triumphantly, even as she wondered whether his last few words had slipped in patronizing tones. "Good." She said firmly. "Now, you have your pack, get going. We'll all be here when you get back." She came over, pulling his hands down, and kissed his cheek. "You go have fun getting all dirty."
She had watched, utterly repulsed, as year after year he went off on these "potion-ingredient finding missions" and came back utterly reeking, bruised, battered, often bleeding and beaming as if he were the happiest man in the world. Lucky for him though that he was obviously not out with another woman- he wouldn't have lasted the first year otherwise. As it was, she was finally starting to believe that he actually came back so refreshed because he had collected another large sum of disgusting tidbits that he could throw in a cauldron. And women were supposed to be the simple species…
He grinned, oblivious to her mocking undertone. "I will." At this time, when he got to do whatever he wanted, travel wherever he wanted, for whatever potion ingredients he wanted, his usual façade couldn't last. He genuinely enjoyed this 'vacation'; it was the one time in his whole adult life each year that he was truly his own master. For all their power, neither Dumbledore nor the Dark Lord had any interest in nature, in seeking out danger, and he frequently traveled to remote, desolate and dingy locations and loved every minute of it.
He gave her a firm kiss on the lips, absently sensing that she was displeased with something, and then turned. "Hermione, Potter, I leave you in Capricia's capable hands. Blaise and Draco are grounded to their rooms for the next two weeks, after which you may simply avoid them if you don't want to make up. I expect neither of you to cause any trouble."
Harry merely nodded, but Hermione stepped forward to hug her father. "We'll be good little Gryffindors," she promised, grinning wickedly as he wrinkled his nose. "You just be careful. This 'hunt' doesn't exactly sound safe."
"Nonsense." He scoffed, hugging her tightly. "I've never had any problems," he said, blithely forgetting the few times he had just barely made it back in time to counter-act whatever local poison had gotten to him. He wanted, he realized with a surprising amount of awe, to reassure the girl who stood before him. Blaise had never been worried; he'd always been fascinated by Severus's trips and frequently tried to convince the man to take him as well. Capricia had never been happy about the trips- mostly because of his hygiene once he returned- but had never had any doubts that he would return. It was an utterly bewildering feeling. "I'll be back in a few weeks and then, if you like, you can help me categorize my finds. Your brothers will be."
He looked up evilly as he spoke, not resisting the urge to taunt Capricia, who had turned away in disgust at his words. While she had been extremely advanced in both Charms and Transfigurations, Potions had never interested her, mostly because of the "utterly disgusting" ingredients, to quote her favored excuse. Sure enough, she looked revolted as ever at the thought of the ingredients themselves as well as her son eagerly volunteering for such a task. That such a task would interest their daughter too only pleased Severus.
And sure enough, Hermione Granger was still alive and well within Serena. She pulled away, looking up at him searchingly. "Really? I can help?" She asked eagerly.
"Of course, my dear." He said, patting her shoulder. "Potter too, should he wish." He added, mostly to be polite. "But first, I have to go collect the ingredients. So, I should be on my way." He bent down, kissing the top of her head and then headed towards the fireplace. "Expect my return in 3 or 4 weeks." He said. "If I'm not back by August the thirtieth, go to Dumbledore." He added, looking to Capricia to make sure she understood.
"Yes, yes." She said, nodding. He had given her the same instructions since the year he graduated from Hogwarts. "Get on with you!" She said, shooing him with her hand.
He grinned. "I'll miss you too, love." He teased, reaching down to grab the large backpack that she had so lovingly prepared for him while he was out. He reached for the Floo powder and in a flash was gone.
***
Hey guys, here's your next chappie. Sorry it's been so long- I lost my zip drive and most of my outline for this fic! I've finally managed to piece enough together and I'm pretty sure I can start normal releases again.
I'd love to know what you think of the story in general and Sev's hunts. I was always of the opinion that Severus enjoyed a special position within the Death Eaters. Not exactly that of the right-hand to Voldemort, but a position that guaranteed he was mostly left alone, while still managing to mostly stay in favor with both Voldy and Lucius Malfoy. Not just a Potions Master, but as someone the other Death Eaters just did not want to fuck with. I've seen this portrayed in a few fics, one way or another, and this is my attempt. Based on how they're described, I see the Death Eaters in general as being rich men who don't have to work and are used to a comfortable life. That Severus would go to dangerous, desolate places merely for his craft, I think would be enough to gain them respect. You've got to figure, after all, when he joined, he was a skinny, seventeen-year old, who many of them had seen being pranked all through Hogwarts. He had to gain their respect somehow and given how most people view potions, I don't think a mastery in the subject would be enough. Well, anyways, that's my opinion. Let me know what you think.
Minara.