Chapter 16

Retreat

Snape looked over with annoyance at the robes that Wicket had hung beside the bath for him. As he ran his hand along his chin to be certain that there was no more stubble, Snape considered whether it was truly necessary to wear formal robes for his meeting that afternoon.

As an adult, Snape had learnt to take his dress quite seriously. He had no patience for the newer style of collarless robes with their cheap-looking QwikSeal buttons. It was no secret to him that his students were more afraid of seeing his severely cut, traditional style black robes at the end of a corridor than they were of standing at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Snape might not care about presenting an attractive or fashionable appearance, but he was certainly concerned about the impression of intelligence, power, and seriousness that his clothing would make.

Therefore, Snape eyed the lightweight wool gabardine robe with hematite coloured threads forming a faint check that was only barely discernible, with a jaundiced eye. He had always thought that patterned robes were somewhat strident; however, the current fashions meant that only minor Ministry officials ever wore formal robes in plain black. At least he had more sense than to be seen abroad in Tattersall check formal robes like Avery.

Snape dropped his towel to the floor and began to step into his clothing carefully. It was all very good to pretend that his mind was truly on where he was going today, but the truth was simply that he was still entirely caught up in Christmas night.

He had not drunk that much in years. In fact, he had forgotten just how potent Black Aquavit really was. The emotional release had been quite pleasant until the moment that he saw her standing in front of him. All inhibitions safely imprisoned by the liquor, Snape had not only abandoned himself to his desire for his wife, but he had not been able to control his reactions to her either. He did not remember exactly what he had said, but he was certain that something of his feelings must have slipped out at some point that night.

The only thing that had salved his painfully smarting pride was that it was obvious from her responses to him afterwards, that she still had no idea what his real feelings for her were. On the other hand, that night had forced him to accept how pointless it was to avoid what he wanted.

Snape ran a horn comb through his long hair and began to pull the hair together at the nape of his neck. With a touch of his wand, the hair was tightened into ponytail, which was fastened with a thin black cord. He looked in the mirror, accepted what he saw, and then reached for the heavy gold ring that was lying on the dressing table. It was too early in the morning for sand needle, but perhaps it would help him navigate the breakfast table. For reasons he did not fully understand, Snape had ordered breakfast served for both of them. It would have been better to eat separately as per norm.

With a sharp tug, Snape pulled the heavy black dragon-skin bag from the top of his desk and grabbed his formal travelling cloak from the chair. Snape saw that Wicket had placed his gloves with his hat on the seat of the chair, so he picked them up. Then he strode into the fireplace and stepped out again into the sitting room on the ground floor. He laid down his belongings and stalked into the corridor towards the dining room.

Before he even set his hand on the snarling, brass paxprey head that served as a doorknob, Snape knew that she was already waiting inside. He could smell her perfume and hear the blasted Crup whinging for some food scraps. This breakfast was a serious error in judgement. Snape pulled back his hand and reached it into his pocket for the sand needle case. As he slid the case back into his pocket, he felt the icy relief creep over his mind. Now his emotions were only barely in check, but it was enough.

When he opened the door, however, his mind was immediately overset. Why did she have this stultifying effect on him? She did nothing but sit in her chair looking uneasy and faintly displeased to see him and yet he could not manage a single intelligent thought.

Snape walked past her to his chair with a nod and sat down quickly. All the platters for breakfast were lined on the sideboard, but he merely wanted some coffee for the moment. He watched as Patience returned to eating her eggs with relish and then he looked down at her Crup, which now was gnawing on its toy severed head. Snape had never imagined any scene so domestic for himself and the fact that he felt almost comfortable unnerved him.

After finishing his second cup of coffee, Snape stood up to get a plate of food. He was fully aware that she was waiting for him to speak first. However, civil speech was not possible before he had even had any bacon. Snape piled his plate unusually full, since he did not know when it would next be convenient to eat. As he settled at the table, Snape noticed that the Crup had transferred its attentions to himself. Snape nudged the animal away with his foot and tucked into his food with determination.

When he felt somewhat more sated, Snape looked up at his wife, who, having finished eating already, was toying with her fork as she waited for him to speak. "I will be leaving to do some work for a couple of days. Most likely I will return tomorrow afternoon."

"Will you be back for dinner?"

"I don't know. Wicket will manage if I am, do not worry about it."

"I see."

After he had eaten several more mouthfuls of bacon, Snape said dryly, "I can see that you want to ask me something. What is it?"

"I want to meet Eva in town for lunch."

Realistically it could not do much harm. If she really intended to do anything unacceptable with Eva Rosser, she could do so inside his house just as well as in town. If they were in a public place, there was little opportunity for harm. In any case he had been reconsidering whether it would be objectionable for her to owl the other two girls. Now that he knew that the Binding Charm had some effect on her tongue, he could allow her to write them.

"I do not have any problem with that. I think that you may, as well, owl your other two friends. Owl only, mind."

The silly way in which she always greeted pleasurable news enchanted him now as it always had done. Her hands fluttered to her bright red cheeks and she hopped up in her seat to speak. "Thank you, Severus. That will make such a difference. Might I go shopping with Eva later in the week?"

She had placed her hand over top his as she asked the question and this, in addition to seeing her bright eyes sparkling at him with pleasure, caused Snape to say recklessly, "I don't think that you will need to ask permission every time that you wish to see Miss Rosser. I think that she has proved herself."

He had his reward immediately. In her excitement, Patience grabbed his hand between both of her own as she thanked him.

As soon as she finished speaking, he stood up from the table. "It is past time for me to leave. I will return tomorrow."

Patience happily hummed to herself as she perused the table of multi-coloured Beautification Potions. When she had informed Rem of her intention to meet Eva in Hogsmeade for lunch and therefore that she would need Rem's escort, Rem had surprised her with the news that Snape had left Patience another sack of gold. Since she had not expected to get anything more for almost a month, this was a rather delightful surprise. She and Eva had spent almost a third of their time during lunch devising lovely ways to spend every Knut on frivolous, yet fun things.

Patience had never held with using the stronger Beautification Potions, although her friends had told her that this was simply because she had no need for them. However, Aurora Glow was a really nice, gentle potion to put a healthy glow into dull skin and Patience had to admit that her own complexion had never fully recovered from her illness. It was shockingly expensive, but she could afford it right now. Perhaps it would not be such an extravagance to purchase one flask until she completely regained her health.

Rem grunted impatiently behind her, but Patience was really in no mood to be discouraged. This had turned out to be a rather wonderful day. She had received permission to see Eva any time she liked, she could now write to Sarah and Elspeth, and she had an entire bag of gold to spend as she liked. Eva had told her some really juicy gossip about Eva's brother's fiancée, too, over which they had laughed pleasantly before lunching on heavily fattening, delicious food. Patience was feeling quite charitable towards the world, even her husband. Perhaps it was not so bad to be married to him. He was hardly there really, so she would not have to deal with him often. If he continued to relent regarding her friends, then she might even learn to be happy.

Patience picked up one of the shiny blue Aurora Glow flasks and another bottle of Blonde Beauty Potion for her hair and walked to the counter. Perhaps she ought to go to Zacarias' Zapateria next. She could use another pair of black slippers and Zacarias' sold outstanding Spanish-made silk ones.

As Patience left the store with Rem trudging behind her carrying several parcels and bags, she saw something across the street that stunned her. For several seconds she was too surprised to move, but as soon as she collected her wits, she turned to Rem and said urgently, "We must go. Hurry, turn round."

Rem stared placidly at Patience and asked sarcastically, "Why?"

At that moment a deep voice called out, "Why, Patience Kent, what a surprise."

Patience gripped Rem's shoulder as she turned round saying only,

"Hello, Bobby."

"Oh so you do remember me, do you? I did wonder."

Patience said nothing, but pulled her wand out of her pocket and continued to glare at her former fiancé with loathing.

The tall, blond man stepped closer to Patience and she could hear Rem clucking her tongue in disapproval. "So is it true? You went and married Severus Snape? The greasiest, ugliest man you could find, was he?"

Patience pulled back from Bobby Fleming, as she stammered, "Don't you say that about him! You know nothing about him."

Patience could see the anger in Fleming's face deepen as he hissed, "I would never have believed it. You desperate little slapper. What did I ever do to you to make you prefer that over me?"

At this moment, Rem stepped forward and said gruffly, "You stay away from Mistress Snape! Madame, we go now, leave here."

With one push of his hand, Fleming shoved away the old woman and then grabbed Patience's arm. "Tell me, Patience. What did he do to make you want him?"

"That isn't any of your business, Bobby. However, why I married him had nothing to do with why I would never, ever have married you. Perhaps I'm unusual, Bobby, but I don't like men who cheat."

Rem tried to interfere again, but Fleming pulled his wand and warned, "Back off old woman. This does not involve you." Fleming turned his attention back to Patience and continued, "You think that he won't do what he wants, too? Wizards like Snape take what they want, little girl. Your morals mean nothing to him and neither do you. You are just a pretty little plaything. At least I would have treated you well."

Patience shook her head and said tearfully, "No, you wouldn't, because you didn't. Just go, Bobby. I do not have anything to say to you."

Patience stared nervously at Bobby as she saw that he finally comprehended her rejection. Suddenly he grabbed her, forced a hard kiss on her mouth, and then shoved her away saying, "Run home to your master then, little pet. I am done with you."

Patience stood frozen with anger as she watched Fleming turn on his heel and walk back across the street. When Rem began to pull on her arm, directing them towards their home, Patience burst into tears. "Oh, Rem. He's going to kill me. He is going to kill me for this, isn't he? What shall I do?"

She could see several people in the street that were looking interestedly at her and realised that they must have witnessed the entire altercation with Fleming. If Rem did not tell him everything then he would probably hear from some other source. Patience blindly allowed herself to be pulled along behind Rem, as she tried desperately to think about what she needed to do. Things had been almost decent that morning and now this had happened. Oh how she hated Bobby! However, she knew instinctively that this was the sort of thing that Snape would never forgive.

By the time that they had arrived in Wygracket Street, however, Patience had the kernel of a plan. She and Eva had been reading Iphigenia's Trials—A Trilogy of Betrayal and Extraordinary Love. In the second book, Iphigenia's former lover insults her honour at a party. Iphigenia writes to her husband, who was inexplicably away in business in Crete, and the husband hurries back to fight a wizard's duel to the death with the former lover. Patience had an idea that perhaps, if she wrote to Snape immediately and explained everything before anyone else could tell him, then he might believe her and realise that she had been the injured party. It was a terribly risky plan. More than likely he would not believe a word she wrote and would be even angrier with her. Yet when the alternative was so bleak, what else could she do?