Title: Blue October, Volume One – Chapter Thirty-Eight.
Author: Woodland Goddess.
Rated: M
Author's Notes: Thanks to everyone who's been reading/reviewing so far; you're all brilliant. I'm glad you guys are still enjoying this fic. This chapter was, at first, a struggle but then it became fun. *much love for this chapter*
Chapter Thirty-Eight: Quality Time
Severus sat alone in the kitchen, his second-hand copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch open in front of him, propped up against the table's edge. Eileen had gone to Diagon Alley that morning, armed with a shipment of all her recently brewed potions for the apothecary, leaving her son in peace for a time, but she would be back soon. The red leather cover felt worn under his hands; it seemed to carry a thousand memories in every bump and dip. A soft smile curled his mouth; he wondered whether a famous Witch or Wizard had once owned the book, had once perused its contents. But that was idle speculation, really. Shaking his head, he turned the page and continued reading about the reversal of partial transfigurations.
During the few weeks since he had come into the possession of the textbooks Severus had been reading and re-reading them, storing the information away in his mind for future use. Even if he was unable to master some of the spells he had tried, at least he would have a clear understanding of the theory and mechanics behind the process; that was just as important. He was eyeing the diagram demonstrating the wand movements when he heard the dull thunk of a car door swinging shut.
Dark eyes lifted from his book in confusion and peered out the window. Mr Evans' Jaguar MK 2 was parked at the end of the driveway, glinting in the morning light. Severus frowned, eyebrows knitting together severely, as the man climbed out of the car, pulling his youngest daughter along with him. Lily did not look amused or pleased about being manhandled by her father; if anything, she seemed irate and mulish. She looked up at Mr Evans, mouth twisted in an unhappy grimace as she stubbornly folded her arms across her chest. Her lips moved as she spoke, too quietly for Severus to hear from the kitchen.
Mr Evans' eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened fractionally. He gave her a shove and pointed towards the Snape household, speaking to her softly, but sternly, as he did so. Lily did as she was told but not willingly. When Mr Evans' green irises lifted and spotted Severus in the window, the man's face eased back in to a softer expression. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and his gaze sparkled in the sunshine. The young Wizard flushed at being caught spying and dropped his head, eyes burning holes through his textbook.
When the knock came at the front door it was expected. Severus hesitated for a long moment, his fingers drumming an erratic rhythm along the leather cover of his book. Eventually he set it aside, closing the book quietly. He rose from his chair and headed for the door even as a second knock sounded, more insistent this time. Lips pressed in a thin line, he pulled the door open. "Yes?" Severus stared at her, one dark eyebrow arching towards his hairline questioningly. Lily remained silent, glowering. "Were you looking for something?"
Green eyes dropped to burn holes in the ground. The girl mumbled something, her arms tightening across her chest.
"I'm afraid I didn't catch that."
Lily whined loudly, her face scrunching up as she lifted her head. "I said I'm sorry...for...for the thing with the letter," she explained, her crimson hair falling from her shoulders to sway in the slight breeze, "for the fight we had." Her fingers dug into her arms briefly before she allowed her hands to fall to her sides, her arms held in rigid lines as she straightened her back. "I'm sorry for not listening to you and trusting your judgement. I'm sorry for pushing you." She made a face at him. "Please, don't make me say it again."
"That sounded painful," said Severus dryly as he folded his arms across his chest. His eyebrow fell to form a stern line with the other.
Grimacing, Lily answered plainly, "It was." The response startled a small smile out of him. She tentatively returned it and held her hand out towards him. Smile broadening slightly, Severus caught her hand in his, enjoying the warmth and kindness carried in her touch. Lily hugged him, then, drenching him in the scent of eucalyptus shampoo. Surprised, he allowed his arms to slip around her, resting his hands awkwardly against her back as she tried to crush him with her enthusiastic embrace. "I missed you," she whispered in his ear.
Face flushing scarlet, Severus stammered, "I...I missed you, as well...and I'm sorry for pushing you, too. It wasn't very decent of me."
Lily smiled against his shoulder and withdrew slowly, hands sliding down his arms to capture his. "I pushed you first, Sev." She shook her head, her hair flicking this way and that. "But none of that matters now." Her grip tightened around Severus' hands. "Dad's taking me and Petunia to the beach and he was...we were wondering if you'd like to come with us." Dark eyes met green; Severus' lips parted in surprise. He had never been to a beach before, had never thought he would even get the opportunity. "You'd have to ask your Mum, of course," said Lily just as Eileen popped in to existence behind her, a sudden crack of displaced air announcing her presence.
"Ask me what?"
Jumping in surprise, Lily whirled around, her skirts flaring about her legs. The girl was so surprised that her babbling was incoherent, but Mr Evans jogged up. "Hello, Eileen," he greeted cheerfully as he came to a stop beside her, his hands slipping in to his pockets. "It's lovely to see you again." Green eyes sparkled sincerely. Twin spots of pink flared across Eileen's high cheekbones and she muttered a response. "I was wondering if you and Severus would like to accompany us to the beach. It's such a lovely day and with the kids heading off to school so soon, I thought some quality time together might be beneficial."
"I...that's not...we don't have swimwear," Eileen blurted before slapping a hand over her mouth in mortification, her face flushing scarlet.
Mr Evans' charming and handsome smile blossomed in to existence. The corners of his eyes crinkled up in good humour. "Why should that matter? Being at the beach doesn't require swimming," he said gently. As he spoke he reached out and ruffled Severus' hair affectionately, sending a flood of warmth through the young Wizard; Eileen's dark eyes were drawn to the action immediately. "You can always just sit back and relax; you won't have to worry about Severus because he'll be right there."
The adults exchanged glances, seeming to have a thousand unspoken conversations at once. "I don't think it would be appropriate, Mr Evans," said Eileen quietly, one hand wringing the other nervously. "People..." Her voice trembled and cracked. She coughed to clear her throat, a blush once more staining her face as she dropped her gaze to the ground at her feet, almost as though she were afraid to hold the man's gaze any longer. "People might make wild and inaccurate speculations regarding our...relationship."
Severus and Lily exchanged confused glances as Mr Evans' cheeks flared with colour, his bottom lip briefly caught between his teeth. After a moment the man reached out and touched Eileen's wrist gently, causing her to startle and look up at him with wide eyes. "Then let them," he answered softly. His hand wrapped more firmly around Eileen's wrist, his thumb rubbing in soothing circles. "Let them speculate and believe what they want. You and I know the truth; nothing else matters."
"They'll talk –"
"Let them," Mr Evans said again, firmer. "Who cares what they think, what they say? The only opinions that matter are our own."
"I'm sorry; I...I can't." Eileen wrenched her wrist free and fled inside, the tail of her frayed coat billowing behind her, her shrill words echoing in her wake. Lips parting in surprise, Mr Evans followed after her quickly, almost knocking Severus over as he did so. Their voices could be heard in the distance but the words were muffled. Glancing sideways at Lily, he came to the conclusion that it was, very much, a good thing. It was best that Lily remained unaware of what went on in the Snape household.
Some minutes passed like that, Severus and Lily standing awkwardly on the doorstep, Petunia waiting impatiently in the backseat of the car. When Mr Evans finally emerged from the house, a smug grin on his face, it was with Eileen in tow, Severus' satchel slung from her shoulder. The woman looked rattled and her eyes were red-rimmed, as if she had been crying. Eileen took a sharp breath as she paused beside Severus, looking down at him. A smile forced its way onto her face, not quite reaching her eyes. "Well, come on, then; no time like the present, is there?"
Severus frowned and glanced between his mother and Mr Evans, wondering just how the man had managed to convince her to come along; she had been rather insistent, after all. Conniving bugger, he thought, exasperated and appreciative all at once. Shaking his head, Severus made for the car. Lily followed behind him and the adults came after her. He settled himself in the backseat, nestled between Mr Evans' daughters. Eileen climbed in to the front passenger seat, shooting a nervous glance around the neighbourhood. Just as it had been the day they went to Diagon Alley, her hand was in her pocket, fingering her wand.
The journey to the beach was mainly uneventful, though Eileen and Mr Evans kept glancing at each other, the latter smiling softly. The smile only made her tighten her mouth and look away, which in turn made Mr Evans' expression falter just that little bit more. "That road," said the man, pointing to a road on their left as they drove down Scarisbrick New Road near Southport Beach, "will take you to the British Lawnmower Museum." An impish expression came over his face. "It must be a cutting-edge facility."
Eileen proceeded to snort, choke and laugh in quick succession. "That was horrible," she groused good-naturedly, glancing in his direction, a tentative smile tugging at her mouth.
"Shut up; that was brilliant," answered Mr Evans, chuckling. "It's hardly my fault if no one in the car appreciates my humour."
"Dad, your humour is dreadful," drawled Petunia, rolling her eyes fondly. Lily just shook her head and grinned at Severus, who was unable to fathom the fact that Mr Evans had thought that horrid line was humorous.
"Your grandfather's humour was dreadful," the man corrected, a smile tugging at his mouth. A soft and wistful expression settled on his face as he glanced in the rear-view mirror. "When you were small, he'd sit you on his lap and tell you jokes that would make you laugh like an idiot; you thought he was hilarious." Petunia flushed scarlet and turned her face towards the window, lips pressing in a thin line. "He doted on you, Tuney; you were his first grandchild. He'd be so proud to see the young lady you've grown into." If anything, the girl grew more mortified, though a smile curled her lips.
Severus shifted uncomfortably, fingers fiddling with his sleeves. He had never met his own grandparents – Tobias' father had died during the war and his mother, after the Blitz in Birmingham, had suffered from Shell Shock until she was unable to take it anymore and had committed suicide by slitting her arms open with a kitchen knife – but he knew his mother's parents were still alive. They had turned their backs on her when they learned she was dating his father. It was a struggle to keep the derisive sneer from twisting his mouth at the thought.
"I wish I could have met Granddad," said Lily, her tone sulky.
"As do I," her father agreed, "though I shudder to think how much of an uproar the house would be in; you have his temper. And his stubbornness when it comes to apologising!" In answer, Lily stuck out her tongue; Mr Evans rolled his eyes at her antics. "Such disrespect," he lamented. Mr Evans glanced sideways at Eileen, a cheerful grin on his face. "Do you see what I have to deal with, Eileen? Severus is always such a respectful lad; he's done you proud." Green eyes sparkled pleasantly and a pool of warmth flooded Severus' chest. "You and your son will provide far better company."
"Shut up, Dad," groused Lily defensively. "We're not that bad!" Severus tried, in vain, to hide his amusement as Mr Evans snorted loudly in the driver's seat. The girl swatted Severus' arm. "Don't encourage him, Sev!" The young Wizard held his hands up in surrender, a small smile tugging at his lips. Soon Mr Evans was parking the car and their squabble was forgotten as an expression of pure joy washed over Lily's face. Mr Evans climbed out of the car and hurried around to the other side, startling Eileen by opening the door for her, a soft smile quirking his mouth.
Twin spots of colour blooming on her face, Eileen climbed out of the car, her head down. When she looked up and muttered her thanks Mr Evans' smile deepened immeasurably as he pressed the door shut with one firm hand. Eileen tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear and cast her gaze aside, her other hand fidgeting within her pocket. The man slipped around her and popped open the boot of the car as Severus, Lily and Petunia scrambled out of the backseat, the latter two bouncing on the balls of their feet in enthusiasm.
A salty wind pushed its way through the air, lifting strands of Severus' hair, assailing his senses, dancing across his skin. He took in great breaths of it, feeling it fill his lungs and his limbs; it was invigorating in a way that he could not explain. It was better than the first touch of snowflakes in his hair, better than the kiss of sunshine in the summer, better than the light drizzles that sometimes caught him and Lily off guard. Severus had no idea why. "You lot grab the buckets and spades," ordered Mr Evans as he nestled a bundle of towels and a blanket against his side, held tight with his arm, and shouldered two sets of rolled-up windbreakers. "Eileen, would you mind carrying the basket? I'd carry it myself, only I don't have enough arms, I'm afraid. You needn't worry; it's not too heavy."
Severus glanced towards his mother, who hesitated briefly before complying with the gentle request. Eileen shut the boot with a hard thrust of her arm and gave Mr Evans a sharp look. "You needn't worry," she mocked, dark eyes glittering. "A woman can carry a basket just as well as any man, Mr Evans." The corner of her mouth lifted in a triumphant smirk as a look of surprise blossomed on Mr Evans' face. Eileen turned and headed towards the beach, the children following behind her excitedly.
The man stumbled in his haste to catch up with them, falling in to step beside her. Dark eyes met green for a brief moment. "Harold," he insisted quietly. Mr Evans grinned brightly, then, eliciting a tentative smile from Eileen. Shaking his head, Severus decided to ignore the pair of them as they stepped onto the sand. He was startled when his feet sank in to the sand, having not known it would be so soft and welcoming; Lily laughed at his reaction, catching his free hand with hers. Her red bucket and spade swung as one at her other side, while Severus' green ones stayed virtually stationary by his own. "Hey, Jude," Mr Evans called out cheerfully.
"Don't make it bad," answered Lily, singing the lyrics to the Beatles' Hey Jude as she threw a grin over her shoulder. "Take a sad song and make it better. Remember to let her in to your heart, then, you can start to make it better. Hey, Jude, don't be afraid; you were made to go out and get her. The minute you let her under your skin, then, you begin to make it better. And any time you feel the pain, hey, Jude, refrain; don't carry the world upon your shoulders. For, well, you know that it's a fool who plays it cool by making his world a little colder."
"Oh, for Merlin's sake," groused Eileen as Petunia joined Lily, "this is isn't a musical."
Mr Evans chuckled, though he seemed marginally less cheerful than he had been a moment earlier. "I wish it was; music is one of the most magical things invented, you know. A single song written by a person you've never met can impact you in indescribable ways; it's wonderful." Lily and Petunia continued singing together, growing progressively louder with every word uttered. They shared large grins as they dashed across the sand, kicking it up violently with every step they took. Severus was dragged along after them, a beseeching glance thrown over his shoulder at his mother – a glance which went ignored.
As soon as a prime spot was located Mr Evans dumped the windbreakers in the sand and went about spreading the beach blanket. Then, he put up the windbreakers, closing off their own small portion of the beach. Eileen carefully set down the picnic basket and glanced around warily, grasping her wand within her pocket once more. The girls were still singing, though the words were broken up by laughter as they set their buckets and spades down. Severus was uncertain whether he was amused or irritated by all of their nonsense.
Lily and Petunia tore off their shoes, socks and frocks, revealing their swimwear. Song forgotten, Lily rushed towards the water, which lapped at the beach almost eagerly, beckoning her. A fierce battle cry escaped her as she crashed through the waves, soaking her hair and her swimsuit all at once. Her elder sister ran up behind her and jumped on her, tumbling them both in to the water, eliciting laughter and shrieks of joy as they flailed around, the water smashing down on them, joining in on their mischief. A small smile curling his lips at the sight of his friend's delight, Severus sat down on the dry sand and just watched...
To Be Continued.
I remember my own childhood days spent at the beach. *fond* There's nothing like salty chips after splashing around in the sea, nothing.
Feel free to let me know what you think, guys.