65
Accidents and Alliances
Borgin and Burke's
Knockturn Alley
A week later:
Regulus finished polishing an ornate silver goblet, that could, when filled with water or wine, render the drinker impotent for a week. He placed it on a shelf in a glass display cabinet, next to a silver assassin's ring set with a blood red cabochon. The ring had a hollow receptacle beneath the stone and could be filled with your choice of poison and when twisted a certain way, a needle would pop out and poison your chosen victim in a second. They had been used widely during the reign of the Borgias and this one had been sold to Burke by the Malfoy family.
As Regulus locked the cabinet and activated the anti-theft wards, Mr. Borgin came out of the back room and said, "Regulus, I'm going home for the day. My headache's come back. You can look after things here, right?"
"Yes, Mr. Borgin," answered the younger wizard respectfully.
"Good. I shall see you tomorrow afternoon then." With that, he Apparated to his home.
Regulus grimaced, knowing full well that Borgin's infamous migraines were not the only reason the shop owner had left early. The Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department had been stepping up their raids and inspections, and the shop was due for one very soon. Regulus knew that Borgin would prefer not to be in the shop when the inspector came, leaving Regulus to deal with the crabby official. Regulus had a slight advantage, because he was Orion's son, the inspector would not harass him quite as much, he was a small fish and the inspector would want to land the more corrupt Borgin or Burke, who ran the acquisitions side of the operation.
He knew enough to make certain that several of the more questionable pieces were removed from the displays, like the pearl necklace with the Withering Curse upon it and the Hand of Glory and a few other earrings and a small diadem. The rest of the items on display were standard heirloom pieces, some with rather unpleasant magical effects, but nothing truly dark.
Regulus wished he could go home early, Cindy would be home now, and getting supper ready. No, wait, they were supposed to eat over at Grimmauld Place tonight, since it was Monday, and Walburga had hinted that Sirius was going to announce something long awaited. Regulus suspected it was either a promotion or that he was engaged to Annie. Regulus hoped fervently of the latter, because it was high time his brother settled down and Annie was perfect for him.
He idly wiped down the counter and adjusted a few of the pictures upon the wall, they were not portraits, and so did not speak, but they moved.
After he had finished replacing the questionable items with others, and hiding the box containing them in the secret space behind the counter under the floor, there was nothing left but to wait for customers or the inspector from the Magical Law Enforcement. It went against his conscience to hide those items, he would like nothing better than to hand them over, but he couldn't expose his true loyalties yet. He must try and figure out what Voldemort was doing with the locket and the ring, Regulus suspected he was using them to try and become immortal, perhaps create a Horcrux. But suspicion was not proof, and Regulus needed proof before he could act.
He knew that Voldemort had been forming alliances with some of the monster population, like the mountain troll king Uruk, and the giant king Thorfell. Those non-humans hated the Ministry because previous Ministers of Magic had persecuted them. They were quite eager to join Voldemort's army, and get some of their own back at the wizards who had hounded and sneered at them, drove them from their ancestral homes.
The tinkle of the bell over the shop door echoed in the silence, and Regulus straightened and pasted a welcoming smile on his face. But it was not a customer, but the inspector, Garvey Hodges, flashing his badge and saying in a condescending tone, "Orion Black's boy, ain't ya?"
"Yes, sir. Regulus, sir."
"Humph! Where's Borgin?"
"Gone home, sir. He has migraines."
Hodges snorted. "Migraines, my arse." He scowled. "All right, Black. Stay put. I'm going to do a quick investigation. Any Dark Objects I find I'll confiscate and slap your master with a good fine."
"Go ahead, sir." Regulus nodded.
Hodges wandered about the shop, peering along the shelves, asking Regulus to unlock a few cases. He inquired where certain objects came from, Regulus replied that Mr. Burke handled that side of the business and some objects' origins were unknown-or in smuggler's parlance—conned out of their original owner. Hodges grunted and growled obscenities because he found nothing worth confiscating, even when he checked the supply room.
Finally, he wrote out a certificate that stated the shop was clean of Dark Objects, and left, calling over his shoulder, "If I were you, boy, I'd leave this establishment. One day I'm going to catch Borgin redhanded with a hot item and then he'll be going to Azkaban and so will any that work for 'em."
Regulus sighed. He knew the inspector meant well. He checked the old clock upon the wall, he had about two hours left of his shift, then Daniel Nott would be coming in to replace him. He hung the certificate on the shop window, then wrote a note for Mr. Borgin to take out the items in the secret cache tomorrow morning, and sent it off with Brighteyes.
After that he had nothing to do except wait and see if any customers came in. He yawned, he nearly fell asleep, since the street was quiet as the grave. He pulled out a book from his satchel, one that Cindy had lent him called She's Having a Baby and I'm Having a Breakdown—a Handbook for New Fathers. It was written by a Muggle author, but Regulus found the advice in it appropriate, and very amusing, for there were scenarios from real fathers and mothers-to-be in it, and he was quite nervous thinking about his impending fatherhood. He would have to talk to Orion soon and ask his dad for any tips he might have. He wanted to be as prepared as possible both for the delivery and bringing his baby home.
He had just opened the book to chapter four when he heard the chimes above the door ring and then abruptly cut off. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled and he quickly slipped the book beneath the counter into his satchel. It wouldn't do for any purebloods to catch him reading Muggle parenting books. When he looked up he found himself face to face with Voldemort.
"My Lord!" he gasped, his eyes widening.
Voldemort still looked handsome, but there was an odd coldness to his features now, as if the skin were a mask stretched over his bones, like a cadaver left too long in the sun. His eyes too were hard and emotionless. He was wearing a thick black velvet robe with his family crest on it and a rich emerald green satin tunic and white shirt beneath it.
"Regulus, my child! I had hoped I would find you here."
"My lord, it is an honor," Regulus began humbly.
"You're not occupied at the moment, are you?"
"No, my lord," Regulus said, resisting the impulse to add "obviously".
"Good. Good." Voldemort sounded pleased. "I wish you to accompany me upon a small errand. Close up the shop for now. Send an owl to your replacement, let him know that I told you to come with me."
"At once, my lord." Regulus reached into the drawer behind the counter and pulled out some of the shop stationary. He scribbled rapidly upon it, addressed it to Daniel Nott, then sent it off with Brighteyes.
Then he locked up the shop and grabbed his satchel, slinging it over his shoulder.
"My lord, where may I ask is our destination?"
Voldemort chuckled mirthlessly. "I cannot reveal that just yet, my son. But soon you will know. Take my arm, I will Sidelong Apparate you there this first time."
Regulus felt his blood run cold. This was totally unexpected, he wasn't sure what to think. But he had no choice except to obey. He placed his hand upon the other's velvet robe.
An instant later he felt a familiar pushing and tugging sensation and he was whisked away on the hem of Voldemort's robes, like the child the other called him.
Page~*~*~*~*~*Break
Hogwarts
Potions classroom:
Severus handed back the homework from last Thursday's class to his second year Ravenclaws and Gryffindors. Most of this class were studious and worked well together, unlike the first year pairing of the same Houses. One thing he was grateful for was that Dumbledore had taken Dickon's and McGonagall's advice and split up the Slytherins and Gryffindors. Because if they had been paired together, Severus was sure he would have spent more time breaking up quarrels than teaching potions. Tension was running very high between the two rivals and he had to call a general House Meeting twice since the new term began to lecture his snakes on the virtues of keeping their tempers and no dueling outside or inside of the castle, or they would risk the loss of 100 House points and possibly expulsion.
He quickly charmed the new potions recipe the class would be brewing upon the chalkboard. Then he turned and said, "If you have any questions about your homework, come and see me after class. My office hours are posted on the wall outside the door. For today, we shall be brewing a Shrinking Solution. Now then, note that a Shrinking Solution does not merely shrink the person or creature who imbibes it, but also does what?"
Several Ravenclaws raised their hands, and some Gryffindors as well. Severus looked about, then called upon Miss Fielding, who was normally so shy that she hardly ever raised her hand in his class. "Well, Miss Fielding?"
"Sir, the Shrinking Solution will also reverse the aging process as well."
"Correct. Five points to Ravenclaw." He was pleased to note that Fielding seemed happy with his response. She rarely smiled, yet she did so then. "Read the instructions in your books carefully, this is a more advanced potion than usual. Copy out the recipe carefully in your notebook, the ingredients are in the back cabinet. You have an hour and a half. Begin!"
He watched as the students made their way to the back cabinet to gather the shrivelfigs, leech juice, rat spleens, caterpillars, and daisy roots needed for the potion. When they had gathered all the ingredients, Severus lit their cauldrons with a wave of his wand. He usually did this for his younger students, it saved time, and a lot of students getting accidentally burnt. By third year, however, his students possessed enough magic to learn the Fire Charm and he expected them to be able to light their own cauldrons, after showing them the charm during their first class period.
He moved about the room, offering comments here and there, answering questions, and scolding those who were socializing instead of brewing. He deducted five points from Gryffindor because two boys were playing with their rat spleens instead of chopping them up.
"Lewis, you have added too much leech juice. Your potion has turned orange as a result. What should the color be?"
"Uh . . .green?"
"A bright acid green," added his seatmate, Marian Halleran.
"Miss Halleran is correct. See if you can figure out how to correct your error, Lewis."
He swept away, towards the back of the room, where Fielding and Sam Asher, one of his more competent students were. He noted that Asher had read the instructions carefully and was chopping his daisy roots finely before adding them to the cauldron. "Excellent work, Mr. Asher. You at least have read carefully," he praised the boy. "Ten points to Ravenclaw."
Then he turned to see how Fielding was getting on. The shy girl had just finished slicing her caterpillar up, fortunately it was dead before she started doing so, and stirring her solution the required five times counterclockwise. She added the caterpillar and then went to add the leech juice and the shrivelfig.
She bumped her shoulder against her lab table, and accidentally dropped the fig and poured the whole bottle of leech juice into the cauldron. Immediately, the solution turned a lethal orange color and began to bubble violently. The girl stared at her agitated solution in horror, and yelped, "Oh, Merlin! No!"
"Fielding! Move out of the way!" Severus snapped, taking two hasty strides forward. "Asher, get down!" he barked, reaching for the petrified Fielding with one hand and drawing his wand with the other.
He dragged the girl backwards just as the cauldron erupted. He instinctively flung a hand over his face as the boiling potion arced up . . . and struck his wand hand and part of his arm covering his face. The fabric of his robe repelled most of the potion, and he managed to spit out the words to a stasis spell, arresting the exploding potion.
Only then did it register that his wand hand was badly burned.
Fielding was staring at him in horror. "Professor Snape . . . your hand . . .Sir, are you all right?" she started to snivel.
Severus was deathly pale and gritting his teeth hard.
Sam Asher stood up and said quietly, "Sir, shall I Floo Madam Pomfrey?"
Severus gave a short nod. His hand was agony and it was all he could do not to scream.
Upon hearing that the professor had been injured by an exploding cauldron, Poppy came through the fireplace in Severus' office and escorted him to the Hospital Wing, after first ordering all the students to continue what they were doing. She then called Minerva and asked her to observe the potions class as Severus was injured.
Then she quickly numbed the nerves in Severus' hand, Transfigured his robes into a set of hospital pajamas, and sat him down upon an empty bed, after first drawing the curtains about the bed for privacy. "Severus, are you hurt anywhere else?"
Severus gasped, the relief from the pain was so great it took him a moment to get his voice back. "My other arm, some potion splashed there."
Poppy rolled up his left sleeve, frowning at the reddened skin. "Hmm, burnt there also, but it's not as serious. You'll need burn-healing paste on both injuries and Pain Relievers and to stay in bed for the rest of the day and night at least. You won't be casting any spells or grading homework for at least two days until that hand mends."
"Wonderful! This is all I bloody need!" he scowled.
"Accidents do happen, Severus," Poppy said philosophically. She conjured up a cart and gently began sponging away the clinging potion from his wand hand. Severus couldn't feel any pain, but he grimaced in a pseudo-reaction. His hand was badly burned and blistered.
Poppy generously applied the burn-healing paste to his hand and his arm, then deftly wrapped them in layers of soft bandages and cast a Sticking Charm over them. "Here. Take this." She handed him a Pain Relieving Draft.
He swallowed it, then the glass of water she handed him next. "Thank you, Poppy."
"You should rest, Severus." She removed the Numbing Charm. "Would you like a Sleeping Draught?"
Severus shook his head. "No." He sighed and lay down on the bed. "How long do I have to stay here?"
"The rest of today and perhaps tomorrow as well. Look at it as an unexpected holiday."
Severus scowled, he hated being sick or injured. "What about my classes?"
"Oh, Dumbledore will find a substitute for them, don't worry." Poppy reassured him, patting his shoulder.
"Poppy? Do me a favor. Don't let Zoey know I've been injured. I don't want her worrying over me."
"Are you sure, Severus? She's your wife, she ought to know—"
"No. She's having a difficult pregnancy and she doesn't need to get upset."
"All right, Severus. Now get some sleep."
The Potions Master closed his eyes. He hoped his students were behaving for whoever was taking over his classes, and that the temporary teacher knew how to brew competently.
Unfortunately, the student grapevine was hard at work after the disastrous second-year class and before another hour had passed, everyone knew about the accident that had befallen Snape. Poor Misty Fielding was so upset that Flitwick had to give her a Calming Draught and send her to lie down in her room instead of attending her Charms class.
When Arthur heard the awful news, he raced out of his Transfiguration class and down to the Hospital Wing to see Severus, only to be told that the professor was resting and he could come back after lunch.
"But he's going to be all right, isn't he? I mean, the damage isn't . . . permanent?" All he could think of was how his friend Nate had been so badly injured from a potions accident. But surely Severus would recover?
"No, Mr. Stephens, he will be all right in about two days. Now go and have some lunch." Poppy waved him away, she had a student who had stuck his jaw together with some enchanted taffy to treat and another who had suddenly sprouted tentacles out of her head as a result of an Extendable Ears Charm gone wrong.
Arthur, very upset and angry, quickly dashed off a note to both Dickon and Zoey, using the school owls.
Dickon was napping, he had run the Astronomy Club last night, there had been a conjunction of the moons about Saturn and Jupiter, and so didn't get Art's message until an hour later.
Lily was out shopping for a few things in the village and didn't see the note until she returned home several hours later.
Severus had woken an hour later and had taken another Pain Reliever at Poppy's insistence.
Dickon had come to see him, inquiring gently how he was feeling and did he want anything from his quarters?
Severus shook his head. "I would like to read a book, but I can't turn pages with my hand bandaged."
"I could charm the pages to turn," Dickon offered.
"All right. There's a potions manual I was reading. I believe it's beside my recliner."
"I shall be back soon." Dickon promised and then he left.
Severus dozed lightly waiting for Dickon's return.
He woke to angry voices—well, one angry voice that he recognized as Arthur's and one tearful one that belonged to Misty Fielding.
"I can't believe you were such a dunce, Fielding!" Arthur said scathingly. "Because of your clumsiness, Professor Snape almost got blown up! I thought you were supposed to be smart. How come the Hat put you in Ravenclaw if you're such a disaster? He could have died, you incompetent idiot!"
"B-But Arthur . . . I didn't mean to make my p-potion explode . . .!" Misty cried, then he heard her sobbing softly.
"Crying won't help fix Professor Snape, you blubbering—"
"Mr. Stephens, come here!" ordered a soft yet unmistakably furious voice.
The children had been standing a few feet away from the professor's bed, and upon hearing Severus' angry tone, Arthur swallowed hard and walked over to Snape's bedside. "You're awake, sir!" he exclaimed, trying to divert Severus' anger somewhat.
"I am. And the last thing I expected to hear was you berating Miss Fielding for what was no more than an accident." Severus said tartly.
The boy bristled indignantly. "But Severus, she deserved it, the bloody stupid twit—"
"Arthur Stephens!" Severus' voice was low but it fairly crackled with temper. "Mind your mouth, young man! Were I able to use my hand right now, I would take you over my knee for your insensitivity and your filthy mouth. Fielding is upset enough over what occurred, you have no right to make her feel even more guilty and ashamed. This was an accident, not a deliberate attempt to explode a cauldron or to harm me. It could have happened to anyone. This is not the first time I have been injured while brewing, and I shall recover in a few days. Now stop blaming Miss Fielding, am I understood?"
Arthur stared at him resentfully. "Yes . . . sir. But you could have died! Forgive me for caring!"
"Arthur—"
But the boy turned and bolted out of the Hospital Wing before Severus could say anything further.
The Potions Master shook his head. Bloody hell, but adolescents were so touchy! Had he ever been so moody at that age? The sound of soft crying drew his focus back to his student. Fielding was standing off to the side, her face buried in her hands, weeping wretchedly.
"Miss Fielding, the way you're carrying on, one would think I was a corpse," he said, trying to make a bit of a joke.
The girl kept on crying.
"Come here, Misty." He beckoned her with his good hand.
She looked up, her face blotchy and red with tears. "S-Sir . . . I'm really sorry . . ." She walked towards him, guilt and shame written all over her. "I didn't mean to let you get hurt. My . . . my hand slipped . . ."
"I realize that. As I told my ward, what happened was an accident. I do not hold you responsible for my hand being burned."
"Why not? Arthur was right, it was my fault . . ."
"Child, accidents happen all the time in my classes. Since you were not deliberately fooling around, you are not to blame for my injury. If I had not pulled you away, you would be the one lying here, and with most likely worse injuries than mine, if that potion had splashed you in the face."
"Oh. I never thought . . . Everyone makes fun of me now, they call me Firecracker Fielding and Mayhem Misty. Larissa Mason said that you'd probably give me detention for the whole term . . ." She bit her lip and looked down at her shoes.
"Humph! That is utterly ridiculous. You tell Miss Mason that I am far more likely to hand out detention to anyone I catch taunting others, than for an accident." His eyes narrowed. "Is my ward one of those who is calling you names?" If he is, I'll tan his backside, Severus thought angrily, for there was nothing he loathed more than bullying.
Misty shook her head. "Oh no, Professor! It was mainly people in my House, I hadn't spoken with Arthur until this afternoon."
"I see. If people are still teasing you after tomorrow, I want you to tell either Professor Flitwick or myself, and we shall put a stop to it."
She lifted her head and blinked. "That's okay, sir. You don't have to . . . I'm used to it."
Severus' mouth tightened. "Miss Fielding, that is not something one should become used to. Ever. As a professor, it is my duty to prevent that sort of thing. If others are bullying you, you should not tolerate it, and if you do not come and inform your Head or me about it, we cannot help you. Name-calling can degenerate into something worse, and before you know it, they are shoving you down the stairs and hexing you in the hallways." No one knew that better than he did. "I shall be out of the infirmary by tomorrow and I expect you to come to me or Professor Flitwick if anyone harasses you. There is no shame in it. Understood?"
"Yes, Professor Snape." She sniffled and went to wipe her nose on her sleeve.
"Fielding, take this." He handed her a handkerchief.
"Thank you, sir." She wiped her eyes, then said shyly, "You're the first teacher who's ever really . . . cared about that sort of thing. All my other ones never even noticed."
"It's high time someone did," Severus muttered.
Just then Dickon returned with the charmed manual and a few magazines. He was accompanied by Sorrel, who sprang up on the bed and curled in a perfect circle between Snape's knees. "Here you go, Severus! A magazine and your cat to keep you company." The Astronomy professor handed his son the magazine. "Ah, hello, Miss Fielding! Come to visit Professor Snape?"
"Yes, sir. But I . . . I have to be going now. I have class."
Before either professor could say anything, she was gone, vanishing like her namesake.
Severus told Dickon what had happened. "I'll be keeping an eye on her from now on, and shall speak with Filius also."
"I shall too."
"Dad, if you happen to see Arthur, tell him I wish to speak with him. He stormed out of here before I could finish my discussion. I know he's upset about my being injured, but even so that doesn't give him the right to rip apart Fielding."
"Aye, Sev. I'll do that. Have you eaten lunch yet?"
"No. But a sandwich is probably all I can manage with one hand."
"Sandwiches are always good. I haven't eaten myself today. Mind if I join you?"
"Be my guest."
Dickon ordered ham and cheese sandwiches with lettuce and mayo for them, a cup of tea for himself and water for Severus. They ate and talked quietly about their classes and Severus' homework that would be piling up while he was in the infirmary, and how the war was impacting everyone.
After he had finished his sandwich, Dickon bid Severus farewell, for he had to go and grade his own homework. "I'll see you later, Severus."
Severus yawned, he was feeling rather sleepy. He picked up a magazine and laid it upon the rolling bedside table and tried to read. As Dickon had promised, the pages turned themselves when he tapped them, and soon he had read most of an article before his eyes started to shut. He pushed aside the table and lay down. He had almost fallen into a twilight sleep when the door to the infirmary opened and Dumbledore and Lily came in.
"Sev! God, are you all right? I just got Arthur's note now and I came over as quickly as I could." Lily cried, she was wearing her Glamour, and her blue eyes were filled with fear.
"Severus, was the burn very serious?" inquired Albus, and he too looked worried. "What did Madam Pomfrey say?"
Severus started, then sat up, frowning. He glanced about, then whispered, "Lily, what are you doing here? You should be resting now." He glanced pointedly at her now rounded belly and her swollen ankles.
"Sev, I'm fine!" she said, an edge to her voice. "Honestly, you fuss like an old woman! I'm pregnant, not dying. And how would you expect me to rest when I'd just heard you were injured in a potion's accident?"
Severus gritted his teeth. He wanted to shake Arthur hard for letting the cat out of the bag. "Lily, you know the Healer said you weren't to get overstressed . . ."
"Yes, I know. But I'm not a glass figurine, Sev. I won't shatter if I'm given bad news. How did it happen?"
Severus moved over so she could sit next to him on the bed. He told her the whole story, including the parts with Arthur and Misty.
"Don't be too hard on him, Sev. He's only a kid and he was probably terrified when he heard what happened. He probably assumed you'd be bedridden for months like his pal Nate, or even dead, Merlin forbid!" Lily reminded him.
"Yes, I realize that." Severus sighed. "However, I won't permit him to verbally abuse another student that way, especially a girl. Fielding had come to apologize to me, and he made her cry, Lily. You know how I feel about that."
"I know. But Arthur's not Tobias."
"If he's not corrected, he could become like him. Best if he learns the proper way to treat a woman now than later." Severus stated firmly. He put an arm about her. "How are you feeling? Does your back still bother you? Are you staying off your feet enough?"
"I rested all morning," Lily said, feeling slightly guilty, though what she said was true. She simply had not rested in the afternoon, for she had needed to get out of the house, and had gone shopping in Hogsmeade, flying on her broom to each shop. "My back is better though I miss you being home." Then she leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Especially when you give me a massage, Mr. Snape."
"I'll have to remedy that this weekend," he murmured, his voice, like roughened velvet, making her quiver all over.
"I'm going to hold you to that promise, love," she purred, then she took his bandaged hand and kissed it. "I wish a kiss could cure you."
"Only in fairy tales, my dear," laughed Dumbledore. "So you shall be back to work in two days, Severus?"
"So Poppy tells me. Who is teaching my classes?"
"Dickon and I are. We're taking turns," answered the Headmaster. "I have the younger years and Dickon has the older students, since he is a better potion maker than I am. So far they are doing well."
"He is? He didn't mention that when I saw him for lunch."
"Ah, that's because I just spoke with him about it and he agreed. I offered to come and tell you as well as see how you were." Dumbledore explained. "And now, I shall leave you two alone. Don't tire him out, Zoey!" He winked outrageously at the two before leaving the Hospital Wing.
Lily giggled. "He is something else!"
"Old lecher!" Severus growled. "He just likes to see me squirm. Are you certain you're all right, Lily? Arthur should have asked me before writing you. I didn't want you to know right away, just in case it caused you to go into labor early."
"Severus Snape!" Lily glared at him. "If you weren't laid up with a burnt hand, I'd smack you! You needn't coddle me as if I were some feeble child! I'm more upset that you didn't want me to know you were hurt than I would have been if you had informed me straightaway. Please, Sev, don't ever keep anything like that from me again. If something happens to you, I want to know right away."
He cupped her chin in his good hand. "Am I not allowed to protect you even a little, Lily? You have so much stress with this damn war and everything, all I want is to ease your burden a bit. If anything ever happened to you or the baby . . . I would never forgive myself."
"Oh, Sev. It's not that I don't appreciate it, I do, I love you. But sometimes I just . . . need space to breathe. I hate being cooped up. I hate that I have to worry so much about you and our stupid spying duties. I just wish, for once, that we could have a normal life." She shook her head. "I'm sorry. Here I am bitching and moaning over a little bit of bedrest when you're sitting here with a burnt hand and arm. I'm probably driving you crazy."
"Only a little," he teased. "What is a husband for, if you can't bitch and moan to him, hmmm? In good times and bad, remember?"
"For better or worse."
"Always," he whispered, his dark eyes glowing with love. Then he dipped his head and kissed her, their mouths joining together in a fierce rush of passion and tenderness that made them ache with longing.
Reluctantly, Lily pulled away. "Sev . . . we'd better stop now. Before we cause a student to faint dead away from shock."
"Let them," her husband muttered, kissing her again.
"Severus!" she gasped, swatting him on the back of the head.
He grinned wickedly. "The weekend can't come fast enough, little oracle."
"Take care of yourself, Professor."
"I'll try. Goodbye, Mrs. Snape."
He watched until she walked out of the door, biting back a groan of frustration. Then he went and lay down upon his bed, gently shoving Sorrel off his pillow.
Page~*~*~*~*~*Break
Regulus squinted as he arrived at his destination, a dank and dark piece of ground, with water lapping at the shore. Voldemort lit up the tip of his wand and Regulus could see now that he was in a large cavern, with an underground lake in the middle of it. Looking out over the water, which was dark and scummy, he could just make out a hunk of rock and something upon it.
"Master, where are we?"
Voldemort smiled. "In a secret place. A place of power. Can you not feel it, Regulus?"
As soon as he had mentioned it, Regulus felt a dark and awful feeling sweep through him. It froze him to the marrow of his bones. There was a terrible majesty about it, even though he was terrified, he also felt drawn to it. There was power here beyond imagining and he sensed it but waited for someone to claim it.
"Ahhh!" Voldemort exhaled in pleasure. "Embrace the dark, my son! Don't be afraid." He threw out his arms and Regulus saw a clot of shadow streak forward and wrap itself about Voldemort like a lover. "Come, Regulus! There is one more thing I need you to see."
"What is it, my lord?"
"It is on the island there in the center."
"How will we get there?"
"On a boat, of course," the evil despot chuckled. Then he withdrew a small whistle and blew into it.
Something stirred on the far side of the lake.
Regulus peered hard into the hazy gloom.
Then he saw it, a small boat gliding across the surface of the lake, silently, without oars. It was painted a dismal gray and had a dragon prow.
The boat slid up onto the rock and Voldemort stepped into it. Regulus hesitated, but stepped in as well at his master's impatient beckon.
He sat down, feeling like a lost soul being rowed across the River Styx by Charon. Slowly, the boat began to move back across the lake.
Page~*~*~*~*~*Break
Lucius shoved the last page of his proposal to the Minister into his satchel and stood up. He was calling it a day and leaving to go home. He was tired and hungry and he wanted to make sure Narcissa was doing all right. "Vivian, I'm leaving. Anyone comes looking for me, tell them to make an appointment."
He grasped a handful of Floo Powder and prepared to toss it into the fire.
"Wait! Lord Malfoy, I need to speak with you."
"It can wait—" he snarled.
"Please, my lord! It's urgent!"
Lucius muttered an oath and turned around to see a short man standing there in a faded linen suit, his hair was mousy and unkempt, he had a thin rat-like face with a prominent overbite. His eyes were squinty and fearful. "Who are you and what do you want from me? If you're from some charity, come back tomorrow."
"No, my lord. I'm . . .my name is Pettigrew. I used to be in school with you."
"Do tell. Are you here to announce a class reunion?" drawled the other, looking down his nose.
Peter blushed and squeaked, "No, but . . . I wish to ask you a question."
"What? Be quick, I haven't got all day."
"How much would you pay for information about the Aurors, secrets only their top wizards are privy to?" A sly smile crept over the small man's face.
"You expect me to believe that you could get such information?" sneered Lucius. "You're about as inconspicuous as an exploding firecracker. Pettigrew . . .now where have I heard that name before?" He mused. Then he snapped his fingers. "Ah, you were one of those Marauders, I believe you called yourself. You were always kissing that arrogant little sod James Potter's arse. Potter's an Auror now, isn't he? And his best mate Sirius Black too, my wife's cousin. Why would you betray them?"
Peter's eyes flashed. "Because I'm sick of them getting all the glory while I only get shoved into the background. All they ever do is boast about how they caught this and that dark wizard and I don't want to be a damn clerk in my father's business the rest of my life. You say that magic is might. Well, I want it."
Lucius eyed the other consideringly. "Do you really?"
Peter nodded. "I can be useful to you, Lord Malfoy. Very useful."
"Come with me, Pettigrew. Tonight you'll be my guest for dinner." Lucius said with an oily smile.
"Thank you, my lord!"
Lucius threw down the Floo Powder. "Malfoy Manor!" Then he gestured for Pettigrew to step through.
Page~*~*~*~*~*Break
Hogwarts:
Professor Marsh was on his way to dinner when he heard an odd snuffling sound coming from the unused classroom just off to the left of the Astronomy Tower. Puzzled, and mindful of what Severus had told him about students bullying Misty Fielding, Dickon opened the door and peered inside. He heard the snuffling again.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" he called, and flicked his wand to activate the magical globes in the ceiling.
As soon as the lights came on, Dickon saw a figure sitting behind the desk, resting his head in his hands. He jerked his head up when the lights went on and Dickon immediately recognized him. "Arthur, lad, what are you doing here, alone in the dark?"
The boy blinked, hastily wiping a sleeve across his face.
But Dickon had sharp eyes and spotted the tell-tale tracks of tears on the youngster's face. "Lad, is something the matter?"
"It's nothing."
Dickon came forward and laid a hand upon the boy's shoulder. "Nothing doesn't make you miss dinner and hide in a dark room and cry. Are you thinking of your parents again?"
"No."
"Are you worried over Severus?"
"No!" Arthur snapped. "Why should I be? After all, it was only his hand that got burnt in the accident. He doesn't care that I was scared, all he cares about is how I made that stupid baby Fielding cry!" He blinked his eyes furiously, trying to pretend he had dust in them, not tears.
"Art, you know that's not so. Severus loves you like he would his little brother."
"Then why was he so mean to me? All I was doing was telling off Fielding for almost getting him killed and he goes and yells at me. He . . . even threatened to spank me!"
Dickon's eyebrow rose. "Art, sometimes Severus says things in a temper that he might not mean. Right then he was hurting and well . . . Severus has rather old-fashioned ideas when it comes to treating woman. What you did, speaking to Fielding that way, insulting her and making her cry, really upset him."
"Why? What's she to him?"
"A little girl who was being bullied by her classmates." Dickon replied. "Sev would never allow that. Because he's been in that position before, you see."
Arthur gaped at him. "No way! You're telling me that . . . Professor Snape was bullied?"
Dickon sighed. "Yes. And I'm going to ask you not to repeat that, ever. Will you keep your word?"
"Yes, sir. Who was it?"
"Some students from his own House and also a few from Gryffindor as well. And that is all you need to know."
"Oh. He must . . . hate me then." Art said, hanging his head.
"Nay, lad. Severus would never hate you. He might be a bit disappointed in you, but that's all. Why don't you go back to the Hospital Wing and talk to him?"
"He won't want to see me."
"Now that's where you're wrong. He asked me specifically to look for you and tell you when I found you that he wants to see you."
"Really?"
"Really. Now, how about you go and wash your face and comb your hair and see what he wants. He's probably going mad being stuck in that bed and would appreciate someone to talk with."
Slowly, Arthur nodded. "All right. Thanks, sir."
"Anytime, Art." Dickon playfully ruffled his hair.
Then the boy sprang up from the chair and hurried out of the room.
Page~*~*~*~*~*Break
The Hospital Wing:
Severus woke to find Arthur staring down at him, his brown eyes troubled. "Severus? I'm sorry I made you mad before."
Severus sat up and patted the bed. "Sit down here, Arthur." He waited until the child had done so before continuing. "I wanted to discuss this before, but you ran off before I could explain why I was so angry with you for snapping at Miss Fielding."
"I shouldn't have done, Severus. But I just . . . I was afraid, when I heard that the cauldron exploded and you were in the Hospital Wing. I thought maybe you were hurt real bad, like Nate was. I thought maybe you might die, like my . . .mum and dad." His lower lip trembled, but he went on gamely. "So I ran down here quick as I could and Madam Pomfrey said you'd be all right, that you wouldn't die. Then I went to lunch and came back after to visit . . . and she was there, looking all pathetic and teary-eyed and I just . . .got so mad thinking about what might've happened. Then I started yelling, 'cause I thought it had happened because she was being stupid and . . . well . . ."
"Arthur, I understand that you were upset and frightened, anyone would be. But it did no good for you to tear into Fielding like that. Do you know who you reminded me of? A boy I used to know in school that enjoyed bullying other children. And that is one thing I have zero tolerance for, Arthur. You should always try and think about what you say before you say it, and the same goes for actions. Did your father ever teach you about how to talk to a lady?"
"Umm . . . he always told me to never use bad words around my little sisters."
"That's part of it. You should also try to be courteous and respectful and not tease or humiliate a girl. Or make her cry. And you should never ever raise a hand to a girl, not for any reason. A man who hits a woman is despicable and deserves to be beaten black and blue and thrown into the Forbidden Forest to be eaten by acromantulas." Severus' face suddenly turned hard and forbidding as stone. "A true gentleman can disagree with a lady without resorting to violence."
"Yes, sir. My dad always told me never to hit my sisters, even if they annoyed the hell out of me. Or else he'd wallop me into next week."
"Good. That is exactly what I would have told you." Severus put an arm about the boy. "Try and remember that next time, won't you? And never think that I am not grateful for your concern, Mr. Stephens. I know this must have frightened you badly, and for that I am sorry. But I shall be all right. Never fear."
Art leaned into his side, pressing his face into Severus' shoulder. "I'm glad, Severus. Because . . . I don't want to have anybody else die on me."
"Shhh. I'm far from dying, little brother. No need for tears now." Severus patted his back. "Now then, how would you like to eat dinner with me? I find it boring eating alone. I believe Madam Pomfrey said there was a chocolate torte with caramel sauce for dessert."
Arthur suddenly stopped crying and sat up. "That's my favorite."
"I had a feeling it was. You may have two helpings, if you'll agree to play a game of Wizard Chess with me afterwards."
"It's a deal! Wizard Chess and no homework."
"When did I say you didn't have to do your homework, Stephens?" demanded Severus.
"Uh . . . well, if I'm going to play Wizard Chess that could take all night, so I won't have to do my homework . . ."
"It most certainly will not take all night. I will trounce you in an hour, and then you will still have three hours to do homework before curfew." Severus told him.
"Aww, but Severus . . .!"
"Did you honestly think you could pull the wool over my eyes that way, Stephens? I'm Head of Slytherin, for Merlin's sake!"
"Homework sucks!"
"Stop whining. Or else no game and no dessert."
Arthur huffed. "Why'd I have to get stuck with a professor for a big brother? You're worse than my mum with homework!"
"Someday you'll thank me."
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Sure I will."
"Like when you receive your marks for this term." Severus added, smirking. "Then you'll be glad I'm such an ogre over homework."
The boy scowled. "I hate it when you're right."
"Get used to it," he ordered with an evil smirk. Then he summoned a house elf to bring them some dinner, allowing Arthur to order the roast beef with gravy and mashed potatoes and sprouts, while he had roasted chicken legs, crisps, and carrot sticks. He made sure there were three helpings of chocolate torte on the tray along with pumpkin juice and a pitcher of water with lemon slices.
Severus ate slowly, it was awkward using his left hand, but he would manage. He watched Arthur eating his food with the typical starving adolescent gusto and hid a smile. One thing he was certain of, he would never be bored with Jess and Arthur as his little siblings.
A/N: Sorry it's been so long, but that's what happens when you're writing 6 fics at once and trying to attend several family functions and work.
Next: Three very different dinner conversations take place at the Black, Malfoy, and Potter residences.