Chapter 15: Revelations
Though the Season had yet to reach full force, there was already a twittering about the dedicated gossips of the ton. Lord Severus Snape—though only a humble baronet—had become the cause of great speculation. The man had practically been a hermit for so long that he had been all but forgotten. Why, it was quite a shock to many that the man resurfaced so suddenly! There had been a few vicious rumors circling about Lord Snape, but those had been put to rest with no more than a disapproving glare from His Grace, the Earl of Dunhaven. Lady Narcissa had furthermore silenced those particular rumors by whispering to her bevy of admires that she believed that Lord Snape had actually come to miss Lady Snape. Yes, the gossip mill was quite in swing, and Severus was nearly sick with disdain for all of it. However, he did make a glowing appearance at Lady Stafford's dinner party.
Severus had surprised Victoria with his easy acceptance of the invitation. Lady Strafford was well known to be more than a little dim-witted and not at all quiet about her rather less than insightful opinions. In fact, Victoria had been so shocked that she nearly chocked on a bit of scone. If Victoria were the sort of woman who enjoyed having her husband at hand at parties, she would have been delighted that he would make such an effort. As it was, she simply wished he would go back to the French harlot and rut until he was satisfied enough to return to Spinner's End. It would not do to put up with his rather stilted social performances in public only to be treated to his surliness afterward.
On the carriage ride home from Lady Strafford's, Victoria took the time to study her husband. He certainly was a homely man. She had thought so when she first married the man, though he did age much better than she had expected. His stern nature did little to soften the appearance of his Roman nose and thin lips, nor did his dark clothing suit his gaunt frame. Victoria had once begged him to at least cut his hair to a more fashionable length, but he had merely raised a brow and gone back to his books. To her, he had always been an absolute bore. He had never garnered much interest from her. Somehow, though, Victoria found herself very interested in him right then. As the carriage rolled along slowly, she noticed that Severus appeared more pensive than usual—though not in his traditionally scholarly way. It was almost as if he were pining.
Victoria snorted. She could not imagine the sort of woman who could make her dour husband pine for more than a mere second.
When they had first married, Victoria had believed that Lord Snape would be as other men were: completely and utterly enamored with her beauty. Lady Eileen had led her to believe that Severus was a man who would be happy with a pretty, biddable bride. In fact, Victoria had even looked forward to having a man who would cherish her and spoil her as she deserved. Instead, she ended up with an ill-tempered recluse who looked at her as though she were no more than a servant in his house.
"My lady, are you feeling well?" Severus asked, dragging Victoria from her thoughts.
Pasting on a smile, she nodded. "Oh, simply fine. I was merely thinking that we should have a dinner party of our own before the season is through—perhaps maybe even a ball," she suggested for effect.
To her satisfaction, Severus grimaced. "You know I detest hosting social events," he commented, sounding more like the man she had come to know, but then he smirked. "Though, I do admit, a ball would keep you busy enough to avoid making mischief, wife."
"Why, dear husband, I know not what you mean," Victoria ground out.
She wanted to claw him to death and scream like a banshee. Whatever his game was, Victoria would see an end to it. One way or another, she would make him regret every sharp word, every censure, and every single moment he had ever mistreated her. Victoria felt her composure returning.
"I will make sure that I throw a ball that will make you proud," she assured him winningly.
The morning after Lady Strafford's dinner party, Severus was quite resolved to avoid people at all costs. An evening in the presence of the cloying sycophants who made up the peerage was enough to leave him with a raging headache. His plans, however, were disrupted by the arrival of Mr. Whit, who appeared at precisely eleven o'clock. Severus found the investigator waiting in his study—where he had instructed the servants to lead him directly
Mr. Whit rose and bowed politely as the lord entered. "I do apologize for coming unannounced, but I came across a few tidbits that I believe you will find very interesting," he said without preamble.
"Really?" Severus intoned as he took a seat behind his desk.
"Mr. Dursley has come to London. I've had a boy watch the Dursley household since you first contacted me. He followed Mr. Dursley and his man, Pettigrew, to a flat not far from here," Whit explained.
Severus frowned. "Why the devil would he come to London?"
"I can't be certain. However, I did learn a good deal about Dursely and his man through a bit of digging. What would you say if I told you that Peter Pettigrew was the same man who was driving the coach on the very day that Sir James and his wife were murdered?"
"I would say that is a very strange thing, indeed," Severus murmured, not liking at all what that implied.
Mr. Whit continued, "Pettigrew had only been with the Potters for less than a fortnight when they were murdered. His references have been lost, but the Potters' housekeeper, Mrs. Kent, had a great deal to say about Pettigrew—none of it complimentary."
"I can only imagine," Severus snorted. "Do you still think that Pettigrew could be swayed to betray Dursley for the right price?"
"Oh, yes," Whit replied without thought. "In fact, I was going to ask what price you wanted to offer. I find it quite odd that Dursley has appeared so quickly and so closely to where you have Harry hidden."
A chill ran down Severus' spine. "He will never lay another hand on the boy as long as I draw breath," the lord swore. "Offer him fifty pounds."
Whit did not seem surprised in the least by the outlandish sum. The investigator merely nodded.
With his ideal afternoon disrupted, Severus reasoned that he had absolutely no excuse not to visit Harry. In fact, if was completely honest with himself, he might even admit that he truly did want to visit the boy. He briefly wondered what Miss Granger would have to say about his unannounced visit. After his first visit, Severus had fallen into a habit of visiting on Mondays and Thursdays just after Harry's lessons. He spent precious little time alone with Harry, and that was his own doing. It was dangerous to get too close to that fire unprepared. Instead of facing temptation, Severus spent the majority of his time talking with either Miss Granger or Miss McGonagall. Though neither commented on his hands off approach to Harry, it was clear that both women disapproved.
Severus was met at the door by a rather befuddled Dobby. "My lord," the butler said in shock, "it's Tuesday."
"Yes, Dobby, I am aware of that," Severus muttered as he pushed the butler aside.
Dobby straightened himself. "I am afraid Mrs. Figg and Miss McGonagall have gone on an errand and won't be back before this evening."
"And the boy?"
"Ah, young Master Harry is upstairs with Mr. Weasley, my lord. I believe he isn't feeling well."
Instantly, Severus felt a cold hint of anxiety strike. "Have you sent for a physician?"
The butler frowned. "Why no, my lord, I don't believe anyone has."
Without giving a damn for protocol, Severus charged toward the steps. "Why not?"
"Well, my lord, I was under the impression that the young master's illness was entirely related to eating nearly a whole tray of Cook's sweet tarts himself," Dobby explained nervously. "Do you want me to summon a physician?"
"Bloody hell," Severus swore under his breath. Already halfway up the stairs, he felt like a thousand kinds of fool. He was happy that only his former butler had witnesses his poor behavior, but that soon changed when Mr. Weasley appeared on the top stair. Given the man's deformity, it was hard to tell if it was an amused grin or a polite smile that graced Mr. Weasley's features.
"My lord, we were not expecting you," the teacher said, erasing any doubt that he was indeed amused by the lord's arrival.
Severus wanted nothing more than to strangle the insolent manner out of him. Though he'd had very little to do with the man, he had come to dislike him intensely. Mr. Weasley was too cheeky, too pleasant for his tastes. Furthermore, Severus detested the way he turned Miss Granger from a reasonable, decisive woman into an awestruck, lovesick schoolgirl. Severus sneered as he recalled how she had looked at him over tea the day before.
"I wasn't aware that it was any of your concern," Severus stated loudly and clearly.
Mr. Weasley folded his arms over his chest—looking a great deal more menacing than he had before. "Whatever devil's bargain you've forced Hermione into is certainly my concern. She is a good woman…too good for the likes of you to foist your bastard on. And how dare you let your son…"
"Harry is not my son! I will say it again, Weasley: This is none of your concern." Severus' control was waning.
"How you've managed to get Albus to agree to send us here with such an obvious farce is beyond me. Does it shame you to have a deaf son?" Mr. Weasley spat. His hands moved with each damning accusation. "Does it make you uncomfortable to be in his presence knowing that you've let him fall so far? Why did you even bother to bring him here if you were only going to ignore him?"
Severus didn't think until after it happened. His fist flew with unerring precision toward Weasley's face. The larger man reeled backward a bit before quickly moving to retaliate. Forcing Severus against the wall, Weasley returned Severus' blow. There was little doubt that he would have pummeled the lord had an unexpected savior not appeared. At first, Severus didn't even see Harry pulling at Weasley as the red-haired man released his grip on him.
Weasley and Severus both stared at the boy with open amazement. "Nuh!" Harry commanded sternly. His hands began to move quickly.
"He doesn't want us to fight," Weasley said flatly.
"I wouldn't have guessed," Severus drawled. "Tell him that I am very sorry he had to see that."
"See what?" Hermione asked from bellow. Miss McGonagall stood by her side. Both women appeared none too pleased with the sight of the battered looking gentlemen.
Stepping forward, Severus attempted to appear dignified. "It seems we can no longer keep our secrets in this house."
Hermione nodded. "I'll take Harry to his room."