Chapter 8: An Age Later
8.1
Lucius' words reverberated in the room. He put his hand on his ears, trying desperately to shut off the words.
They were in the first year and Lily was in a glum mood.
"I do not know what to do? Tuney just doesn't respond to my letters." She sniffed.
"Let her sulk. She is just jealous of the fact that she cannot do magic." He snarled. He hated her tears and hated that muggle sister of hers who could cause her such distress.
"How can you say something like this?" She flared up. "She is my sister. I hate the fact that she dislikes me."
"Why does it bother you so much? After all she is just a muggle…"
"What do you mean just a muggle?" Her hands were on her hips and her eyes hard.
"Er…I…"
"You make it sound as muggles are nothing but crawling worms that you would like to pound and make a potion of. Let me tell you that my parents are muggles." She flounced off.
"I was not insulting your parents." He protested at her retreating back.
"And so is your father for that matter." She threw over her shoulder.
He stood rooted to the spot, wretched and miserable.
That night, he turned and tossed in the bed while her eyes hard and narrow appeared to glare at him in the dark. By morning, however, an idea had occurred to him. As soon as possible he rushed off to Professor Slughorn who gave him the permission to use the potions lab. There were only two days left for the Christmas break and he forgot everything as he slaved over the new project.
There was only an hour left before the students left for the station to take the train when he approached her tentatively.
"What is it?" She asked her voice still hard.
"I...I want to show you something."
"Show it then."
"Come with me."
"Where do you want to take her Snivellus?" James Potter's voice carried over from where he was standing with his cronies.
"It is none of your business." He shouted, time was running out.
"Really." Potter sauntered over with cronies in tow.
"Oh my my, something stinks." Black exclaimed wrinkling his nose in disgust. He flushed. He had been so busy that he had not even taken bath for the past two days. And he had been working with potions, some of which were foul. And his cleaning charms were not up to the mark, anyways.
"You mean more than usual." Potter said as all four of them dissolved into raucous laughter.
"Come on Severus." Lily said holding his wrist and pulling him. He noticed the way laughter died from Potter's face and smirked.
"What is it?" Lily asked as they entered an empty room.
"You told me that your sister did not write to you."
"It did not seem to bother you."
He took out the sheaf of parchments and quills. "These parchments have been dipped in a special potion and these quills have a special fluid. When she writes on them both the parchments and ink will change colour." He demonstrated. Immediately the parchment changed from white to blue and yellow words appeared on it. She looked interested. "Further, the moment she writes down a noun, basically the name of a thing or person, a picture of the same will appear alongside. For instance if she writes Lily," he continued and wrote Lily, immediately a lily in full bloom and red in colour appeared on the parchment alongside the word. She gasped.
"She can change the colour too." He said tapping the red lily with the quill. Now it was yellow in colour.
"Let me try. Let me try." She almost snatched the quill from his hand and wrote Petunia. At once a picture of the plant appeared alongside.
"Oh Tuney will be so happy." She said, happiness in each and every syllable as she bent and wrote on the parchment. Glittering stars, burning sun, blushing rose, majestic lion…all appeared on the parchment.
"Oh Severus, this is wonderful." She looked up at him, her eyes glittering and face all shining. His breath caught in his throat. Suddenly, she stood on her toes and pecked him on the cheek. "You are a real friend." And he was floating on air. She gave a squeal then, murmured something about the time and went rushing towards the door, the parchments and quills in her hands. At the door, she stopped, looked back and said, "Thank you, Sev."
It was only when his stomach started grumbling loudly that he finally made a move. It did not matter that he had not eaten anything for the past two days. It did not matter that his robe was full of stains. It did not matter that he had used his entire quota of parchments and quills for the year. It did not matter that his mother would not buy more for him till next year. It did not matter that his parents had not called him for Christmas. All that mattered was her sparkling eyes and delighted laughter. As his feet echoed loudly in the lonely corridors, he whooped and jumped: It was going to be a lovely Christmas.
And now an age later, he put his hands on to his ears, trying desperately to shut off the words as they reverberated all round him.
8.2
Limping slightly, Lucius made his way across the manor. He would not admit it to anybody but he was exhausted and scared. First, his incarceration at Azkaban where he Dementors almost drove him mad, then the sadistic lunacy of the Dark Lord, then all those strange happenings, and finally finding Severus almost dead.
Narcissa was engaged in a conversation with Rudholphus and now looked up as he neared them. "How is he?"
"Better." He replied, sinking down on a chair too. "But adamant. Insists on going back to his house." He picked up a small crystal vase from the table, intending to enchant it so to make it a portkey.
Narcissa spoke in an upset voice. "But we cannot allow him. He needs proper treatment and care."
"Don't I know it? But you know how he is. One simply cannot persuade him. And what do we say anyways? You made him make that unbreakable vow and now all the concern will look nothing but hypocrisy."
It was Rudholphus who broke the silence that descended on them. "Lucius have you thought of what to do next?"
"What have you decided?"
"Well Bella and I had a talk about it and we think that it would be best if we enrolled for Dumbledore's project once Bella has recovered somewhat."
"How is she feeing now?'
"Better but well… she needs to rest."
He contemplated the distance in silence for some moments before saying, "So you have decided to do that community service as he called it."
"Yes Lucius. And very frankly what is the option anyways?" He rolled up the left sleeve of his robe and there was the dark mark in all its ugliness. "With this, who will give us any chance? Dumbledore has pointed out a way otherwise I am sure, we would have been torn apart by now."
He turned towards Narcissa. "What do you think?"
"I agree with Rudholphus. Lucius, there is simply no way out. We were fools to follow the Dark Lord anyways. An insane, mad-man who was defeated by a mere boy!"
"He had ideas." Rudholphus' voice sounded almost wistful.
"Please Rudholphus. How can you even say that?" Narcissa's voice had risen. "Nothing but a megalomaniac."
"Lucius what do you think?" Rudholphus asked, turning towards him. "Will the two of you also accompany us?"
"I really do not know." He shrugged. "It is good strategy, no doubt. It might help us salvage a lot many things but …"
"It is not strategy." Rudholphus' voice had risen and he was leaning forward aggressively. Lucius' eyebrow shot up. The other man suddenly jumped up from the chair. "You will not understand, perhaps." He started pacing. "You both know how much I love Bella. Have always loved her. I…I..gave in to everything that she wanted. The Dark Lord fell and we were devastated. We went to the Longbottoms. You know what we did. I did all that because I just wanted her to be happy. And then of course we were sent to Azkaban. And then finally when we broke free, I suddenly realised that the woman who was my wife was practically a stranger to me. Captivity did that to her. It is very easy to lose one's balance over there. Lucius you will understand, you have been there…"
"What is your point?" Lucius asked coldly. How dare Rudholphus remind him of those humiliating days and in front of Narcissa too?
"We hardly spent any time together. We were pretty young when we went to Azkaban. And over there we had little contact and then when we came out, Bella was virtually a stranger to me. All she could talk of was of the Dark Lord. And I simply did not know what to do. Of course I was also devoted to the Dark Lord but for her it bordered on mania. And I watched as the distance between us widen. Then all that happened in Hogwarts. And when she returned I thought we have been given a second chance. I should not throw it away. We will atone for whatever we did wrong and start anew. Let us suffer as long as it gives us a chance to rediscover the ardour that we had for each other…." His voice trailed off.
Lucius did not know what to say. Rudholphus had always been taciturn and now this rambling speech. It was Narcissa who spoke "I agree Rudholphus. Perhaps all of us need a new perspective and this scheme of Dumbledore's might help us in gaining that."
"Bella also seems willing though I do not know whether it was for the same reason as mine or whether she just wants to follow the Dark Lord." Rudholphus looked wretched as he threw himself back in the chair. "Sometimes all I wish is a little home, a caring wife, and …a child… just like your Draco." His voice petered out wistfully.
Lucius turned to his wife. " That reminds me of what I have wanted to discuss with you, Cissy. Have a word with Draco. He spends all his time moping in the library. It is not healthy for a child. I am sure that even now he will be over there." He clapped his hands, immediately an elf appeared before them. "Call Master Draco."
The elf bowed and disapparated.
8.3
"Professor Snape."
He looked up. Draco was standing at the foot of his bed.
"Sir, father has sent this for you." There was a vase in his hands. "It will become activated the moment you want it."
"Hand it over."
"But sir, where will you go? I mean…you are in no condition to travel…you need to rest and…."
"I don't think what I plan to do is of any concern to you. Mr. Malfoy." He bit each and every word.
Draco gasped. "Sir are you angry with me?"
"What gave you that idea, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Sir you are really angry, aren't you? I was just trying to help. I mentioned to father that you did not look very well the other day…"
"Mr. Malfoy," he snapped, cutting him short. "What gave you the idea that you are my guardian?"
"Not guardian sir. Just worried about you…" Draco gulped.
He did not want a repeat of the conversation he had already had with Lucius. "Hand the portkey to me."
"Sir you really are no….." Draco trailed off as Severus gave him his most baleful stare and handed over the vase to him. The moment the vase was given to him, Severus shrugged off the sheets and stood up. Too quickly perhaps, because for a moment the room swam in front of him. The next moment, however he had steadied himself. Draco who had thrust out his arms in order to steady him, immediately withdrew them. Severus' lips curled up in a sneer.
"I.. I wanted to thank you sir." Draco spoke in a rush. Severus' eyebrow shot up. "I did not realise earlier…I thought you were a Death Eater and thus what you had done was to please the Dark Lord….but after hearing that you were a spy….I…I realised that you were with Professor Dumbledore all along and that you…you…kill..killed him just to save me…."Draco's voice sank into a whisper and then died out altogether.
There was silence in the room save for the agitated breathing of them both. There was a flash of green light and a puppet like figure went over the parapet. Something vibrated in his hand and he muttered home. The last thing he saw as he was pulled away were Draco's eyes gleaming silver.
8.4
It had become dark when they all apparated back to the Burrow from Godric's Hollow.
"Thank Merlin it is over." James announced as he sank down on the sofa. "Harry aren't the Weasleys returning tomorrow?"
Harry nodded in reply. The Weasleys along with Hermione had gone off to Australia the very next day after the battle. Hermione had been worried about her parents and the Weasleys wanted to take a holiday. Percy had returned to the fold and Fred had returned from the cold. They had asked the others also to accompany them. But James and Lily wanted to set their own house in order as soon as possible and so had declined. Remus wanted to spend time with his own family and Sirius of course would not go without James. Molly and Arthur had invited James and Lily to stay in their home, the Burrow, till they had renovated their own at Godric's Hollow.
"I think we will be able to shift tomorrow." Lily said as she acciod snacks and hot cups of tea for everyone. (Harry noted that Sirius looked disgruntled). "Merlin, it would be good to return to our own home."
Harry felt something warm and comfortable steal over him. Home. His own home. He looked around at the Burrow. Yes, he had spent some wonderful moments of his life over here. If there had been a home for him, outside Hogwarts, it had been this. But now he had another one. One that he would share with his father and mother.
"Well I must be off." Remus said, putting down his cup and standing up. " I'll come at the same time tomorrow."
"But really Remus," Lily protested, "we will manage. I feel so guilty. You ought to be spending time with Tonks and Teddy."
Remus snorted in good-natured exasperation. "Oh come on Lily, we have discussed this so many times. Do you think I want to miss out on renovating a house that holds so many fond memories for me?"
That was true, Harry mused. The renovation at home was full of "Do you remember….?"
"Lily actually that's a little mean." Sirius drawled out. "Now when the work is over and Remus and I expect a warm and lavish house-warming party, you are asking him to stay away. Turning miserly in your old age. Tsk. Tsk."
Lily sputtered over her cup as the men dissolved in guffaws.
"I really must be off." Remus said as soon as he had recovered his breath. "Oh by the way Sirius, now that the work is more or less over, why don't you come over? Andromeda has been asking about you and Regulus."
All at once, the grin disappeared from Sirius' face. "Sirius." Remus said gently, laying a hand on the other man's shoulder. "It is over. He realised the errors of his way long back…"
"Oh please." Sirius said, irritably, shrugging off Remus' hand from his shoulder. "Don't you start now. I hear about how wonderful my brother is from my mother and that wretched house-elf on a secondly basis."
"Sirius, it is time to you resolved your differences with your brother." Lily's voice was gentle.
Before Sirius could snarl something in reply, there was a knock on the door and Remus went to open the door. He returned with a Ministry official in tow. The man bowed gravely and then said in a tone of reverence: "It is my good fortune to invite the chosen one (here he bowed again, towards Harry) and his family to a celebration organized by the Ministry tomorrow." With a flourish, he took out a parchment invite from his robes and handed it, reverentially to Harry. He bowed once again. It was all Harry could do to keep himself from laughing out loud.
"Accepted." James said, shortly. Harry suspected that his father too was having a problem keeping a straight face.
"Much obliged." The man said, bowing once again and again.
"I'll see you to the door." Remus said and almost led the man out. The moment, he heard the door close, Harry started laughing. Lily's voice pitched high, however cut it short.
"How could you accept it James? We are supposed to visit Tuney tomorrow."
"Oh we can always meet them some other day." James replied, carelessly, his eyes focused on the invitation.
"Other day!! Other Day!!!" Lily's voice had risen in incredulity. "We have already put it off once."
"It can't be helped, Lil." James was still focused on the invitation. Harry wished his father would at least look up.
"Why?" Lily said, biting each and every word. "Is it because she is my sister?"
James looked up then. "Don't be silly Lil."
"Silly! I am being silly! You are the one who is being insensitive."
"Insensitive! Me! Just because I am going to a party where they are going to honour my son!"
"What? That…That is not what I meant." Lily seemed to backtrack a little. Something cold touched Harry from the inside.
"Then what?"
"I mean...you did not even ask me once."
"What? You wanted me to take your permission to accept the invitation. I thought you would be delighted that they are honouring our son."
"Not that." Lily sat down unhappily on the sofa. " I am just as delighted as you are, obviously. Just that you could have asked me about whether I was alright with the change in our programme."
James stared at her incredulously and then glanced at Sirius, who shook his head in incomprehension.
"You know how I want to meet Tuney…and it has already been so many days." Lily stated a little defensively. "She took such good care of our Harry…"
"Oh stop it." Sirius spoke up now. "I can't understand how Lily even wants to visit her sister after the way she and her family treated Harry."
Harry groaned inwardly. He had not said much about his wretched condition at the Dursleys but trust Sirius to open this can of worms.
"What do you mean?" Lily's eyes had narrowed as she glared at Sirius. "Harry hasn't said anything."
"Well you ask him then and he will tell you about that precious sister of yours."
"She took care of him, brought him up." Lily virtually shouted.
"Care! If that was care, I do not know what neglect is." Sirius' voice too had risen.
"Harry," Lily said, turning towards him, her eyes wide. "What is Sirius saying?"
"I…" Harry gulped and faltered. "It is over…I mean, they did not like magic and…see it doesn't matter anymore."
"It matters." James spoke up now. "I think it is time we had a talk."
"Sirius come on." Sirius seemed reluctant but Remus took him by the arm and led him out.
"Now tell us." James said as the door closed behind the two men.
Harry took a deep breath. "Shall we sit down…."
8.5
Regulus Black waited at the table as he had done for the past so many days.
"Does Master Regulus want something else?" Kreacher bowed at his side.
Regulus sighed looking at the array of dishes laid in front of him. And this was just breakfast for Merlin's sake.
"No Kreacher this is more than sufficient."
"Why Master Regulus is not eating? He is not liking Kreacher's cooking any more. Oh Kreacher is…"
Before Kreacher could start banging his head at the opposite wall, however, Regulus caught him. "Stop it Kreacher. I told you not to do this anymore."
"Oh Master Regulus is so good…" Kreacher began.
"Oh my son, you are so awfully soft-hearted." His mother's portrait spoke up then.
"Ah! So the admiration club has started." Sirius' voice floated in the room as he came down the stairs.
Regulus flushed but before he could say anything, it was his mother who spoke again. "You learn something from Regulus, you blot on the name of Blacks."
"Indeed." Sirius' voice was heavy with sarcasm. "But just what exactly? To know-tow before a Half-blood maniac."
"You…" His mother screeched but Regulus had had enough of this scenario. "Please mother stop it." Thankfully his mother did.
"Why Regulus you surprise me, I thought you will be happy to hear your praises" Sirius sneered.
"Please Sirius, just drop it. We have both grown on lets have our breakfast."
"I am going to have it at the Burrow. The Weasleys are returning today and…"
"Blood Traitors!" Their mother screeched.
The slam of the door echoed loudly in the house as Sirius exited the house. Regulus put his head in his hands. It was awful. Just awful. He had never felt as desolate as he felt right at that moment. Sirius just did not have time for him. Right from his childhood, he had felt estranged from his brother. Much of it had been his fault, of course. He had believed too much in the purity of blood, of the superiority of the Pure bloods, had hated the muggles and muggle-born. But he had learnt his lesson. He looked at Kreacher standing disconsolately. Yes, this elf's impending death had taught him all about Voldemort. He shuddered with horror as the Inferies once again stretched their arms towards him. And then he was sinking, sinking in the water and…..
"Master Regulus. Master Regulus." Somebody was shaking him frantically. Kreacher. What was the matter?
"What?" He snapped.
"Master Regulus was screaming and shivering. Master Regulus is not well."
"I am perfectly fine Kreacher. It was just a nightmare."
"Look it is nothing Kreacher." He assured the distraught elf. "Sometimes I have these nightmares and…"
"Oh Kreacher is bad. Kreacher could not save Master Regulus."
"Kreacher listen to me. What happened wasn't your fault. And now I am fit and fine, so don't blame yourself. And another thing, do not mention my nightmares to anybody. Understood. To nobody." The last thing he wanted was pity from is brother.
"Kreacher will do as Master Regulus commands." Kreacher nodded tearfully. "But Master Regulus needs to take better care of his health. Master Regulus should have his breakfast."
"Yes. Yes." He moved hastily towards the table. He was hardly hungry but he did not want Kreacher to start beating himself again. The loneliness seemed to intensify with each bite that he took. No, he had to get out today. An idea suddenly stuck him. He could go to Cissy's home. Yes, he nodded his head resolutely. He had always been close to Cissy. Sirius would not like it, of course. He had never been fond of Bella or Cissy. But then Sirius had made it clear that he did not like him either. The food stuck in his throat….
8.6
Narcissa got up from the table, her arms outstretched, "Regulus! How wonderful." The next moment, she held him in a tight embrace. Regulus hugged her back tightly, all his doubts disappearing. The elf that had brought him to the sitting room, bowed and left the room.
"So what will you have?" Narcissa asked him when they disengaged.
"Nothing, please. I have had my breakfast."
"But you must eat Reg, you are so thin."
"Cissy, you haven't changed at all." He said, a smile breaking out. "You still mother me."
"Well somebody has too. What will aunt think of me?...Oh but she must be ecastic to have you back."
"She is. Though I wish others were too."
"What do you mean Reg? I am just so happy…."
"I was talking about Sirius." He had not wanted to but the bitterness had crept out.
There was a silence for a few minutes then Narcissa said, "Gryffindor Git."
"Cissy please don't state the obvious." And then both of them dissolved into laughter.
"Now tell me everything." Narcissa said as the laughter subsided.
"I will. But tell me where is Lucius?"
"In his library, where else?"
"Still pouring over his books with that 'Do not Disturb' expression?"
"What did you expect?"
"The same actually. And to tell you the truth it is very reassuring. Kind of comfortable to have a constant."
"And yet Sirius' attitude puts you off though that's also the same, a constant again."
He scowled and then tried to process all the things together.
"Do you want to fly?" Narcissa's question brought him back.
"Fly?"
"Yes dear on a broomstick."
Suddenly the idea of the wind whipping through his hair as he streamed forward seemed eminently desirable. He nodded in affirmation. However before they could step out there was a knock on the door and an elf entered. Narcissa's presence was required in the library. Regulus felt disappointed. Merlin how much time had passed since he rode on a broom.
"What could Lucius want?" Narcissa mused out aloud. Turning towards him, she perhaps guessed how disappointed he was. "Reg you please do some flying. Wobby will get you a broom."
"No Narcissa, I'll wait till you return."
"Wait, I have an idea!" Narcissa exclaimed excitedly. "Why don't you go flying with Draco? The boy has been moping a lot lately. The exercise will do him a lot of good. Wobby go call Master Draco at once." The elf bowed and disapparated and returned a e little later with Draco. The boy looked pale and washed out, Regulus mused, even as he returned his greeting. He did not look happy at the prospect of flying but gave in when his mother insisted.
As he rose in the air, Regulus sneaked a look at him. Despite the glamour, there were circles under his eyes and the eyes themselves were bloodshot. Obviously, he had not been sleeping properly. And he was way too thin. Regulus wondered what was worrying him so much…..
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A/N: Rather a long time in posting this. There is simply no excuse. And on top of it I have posted a new fic: The Weasleys' New Servant at the site. It is again Draco centric, and full of angst. However, unlike the other two I am writing, it is going to be relatively short. Do read it too. It will make my day. And of course, leave reviews for this too.
Thanx Kailline arami, Panther73110, Arabella Kye and Kaleidoscopicepic for reviwing.
Kailline arami, this is going to be a long fic and Draco plays a very important role. So don't worry there will be more of him as we proceed.
Kaleidoscopicepic, the last lines of the second chapter are spoken by Lily as she marches off with Petunia. However, they echo even in the present as with James and Harry round her, she does want Severus round her. He does not belong to her charmed circle, something that he realizes in the hall.