And more greetings to my far-flung readers. Hi, Sri Lanka, Estonia, Chile, Lithuania, Vietnam, Argentina. Bahamas, too. I couldn't just leave you hanging. Or could i?
Enjoy,
DN
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Snape and Trelawney Apparated with a slight "pop" on a side street a few blocks away from the Malfoy's imposing and gloomy mansion, trying not to draw undue attention to themselves as they waited in the cold morning air for Pansy and Millicent to arrive by Portkey, neither of them being especially skilled at Apparition to do so confidently without Squinching. After a short time, Snape opted to sit on a nearby bench to wait out their expected companions. After about 15 minutes, the two arrived, holding the edges of a broken umbrella, which they hid carefully under a cardboard box.
Snape did not rise immediately. "So, Miss Parkinson, you are certain this is your wish?"
Pansy relished being able to return the sneer she had seen so often on his face. Funny how much more powerful the threat of bad publicity was as compared to curses and hexes. She kept her hand in contact with her wand, but doubted she'd even need to draw it. She hadn't threatened his person, just his reputation. "The chance to see you suffer like you've made my family suffer? Before the war, I had everything going my way. Draco was mine and the Malfoy fortune would one day come to me and my children. But then we had our fortune confiscated, my mother in prison on trumped up charges, just so the Ministry could get its slimy hands on our money. And suddenly the Malfoys couldn't even remember who we were. Of course, I'm ready. I'm ready to get back what we've lost, thanks to Muggle-loving wizards like you," she said fiercely, her hand drifting towards her wand.
Trelawney sucked in her breath in shock that anyone would speak to the Headmaster, a hero at the battle of Hogwarts, in this way, let alone a student, but Snape held up a pale hand to silence her.
"Everyone loses in war, even those on the winning side, Miss Parkinson," he said quietly.
"Don't give me your simplistic empty phrases, Snape! Nothing has changed for you at all. You even got to keep your position by some miracle. Well, I intend to reclaim what's mine. And you either help me, or I'll be sure you lose your beloved Headmastership." Now she approached him closely, above him as he remained seated, speaking softly and threateningly. "What school would hire a teacher with such a bad reputation, especially with his female students? You'll be forced to run a shop, making Hair Potions and Beauty Tonics just to keep a roof over your head. All it would take is that one picture finding its way to the Daily Prophet, where I'm sure you know they have less interest in truth than in scandal. The Ministry would feel compelled to follow through after the other recent incident. After your quick maneuvers before your trial, they just need a reason, any reason, to sack you, and I'll give it to them if I need to. Do what you're told, Snape."
Snape said nothing, but rose, now towering above her. She snorted, then turned and briskly led the way toward Malfoy Manor, Millicent, Trelawney and Snape behind her.
Narcissa Malfoy was stunned to see the assembly in her drawing room. "Severus Snape," she said icily, her voice dripping with insincerity. She paced around him, sizing him up, Lucius Malfoy standing aside. "What an unexpected pleasure. And Miss Parkinson, what brings you here with your friend?" She did not acknowledge Trelawney, a breach of etiquette that Sibyl opted not to mention, staying in the shadows behind Snape's robes as best she could as Narcissa continued her intrusive observations.
Snape allowed Pansy to do the talking, which she was altogether too pleased to do. "I captured him for you, Mrs. Malfoy, just as you asked. And now that I've brought you Snape, I expect you to keep up your end of our bargain."
Narcissa glanced at Lucius and put a long-fingered hand to her neck, where color was rising, gripping the oversized black pearls so tightly Trelawney thought the cord might break. "Pansy, I had no idea you'd ever be successful. The good professor has avoided a visit for a very long time, despite my numerous invitations. But here you are, Severus, along with your protector. It is as though you don't trust me," she said, casting him a sour look.
"My trust in the Malfoy family has not changed, Narcissa," Snape said, wobbling slightly on his feet.
Narcissa looked at him questioningly. "Are you not well? Please, sit down, you look tired. And weak," she pointed out maliciously. "Get him a chair, Lucius."
At this, Snape glared, but accepted the wing chair Lucius conjured nearest the roaring fire, drawing his robes around him, and resting his elbows on his knees, his head in his hands, the very picture of defeat. Pansy and Millicent wore twin sneers, as Trelawney hovered behind, pacing with concern in her large, magnified eyes.
Pansy brought the focus back to herself. "So, Mrs. Malfoy. I understand Draco is home from Durmstrang this weekend. I'd like to see him," she said, not in the tone of a request, but as an order.
Narcissa gave Lucius an imploring glance. "Summon Draco, Lucius. Let him know Miss Parkinson is here to see him." The tall, silver-blond wizard hesitated before casting a Summoning Charm. The rapid footsteps of Draco could be heard shortly thereafter, their pace matching the agitation in the young wizard's voice.
"What's this about, mother?" Draco said, bursting into the room. If he was surprised to see the rest of the group, he didn't show it. "Pansy, what are you doing here? Professor Snape, Professor Trelawney," he said, acknowledging them.
"Good day, Draco. It's good to see you looking well," said Snape smoothly. Trelawney nodded in agreement.
Pansy smirked in triumph and gestured for Narcissa do the talking.
"She's here for you, Draco," the tall thin witch said through tight lips.
Draco sneered, looking at Pansy with derision. "For me? Merlin's beard, why? We haven't seen each other for months."
"Because I have pledged you to her," Mrs. Malfoy said, folding her hands together.
"Pledged me?" Draco shouted, his eyes snapping back to regard his mother with fury. "What the heck are you on about? You must be joking. Why would you do that? Father, is this true?" Mr. Malfoy avoided Draco's eyes guiltily.
"Because she has brought us the good Headmaster Snape, who had been avoiding us, hiding at the school all these many months. Avoiding a just punishment for his crimes. Avoiding being called to answer for breaking his so-called Unbreakable Vow. Until now." Narcissa drew her wand, though Snape had made no move against her or anyone else. He sat back in the chair, legs extended, and looked at her with resignation in his eyes, his hands idly at his side.
Draco sat in the chair opposite Snape and crossed his legs casually. "So what? That's ancient history, mom. We made it through the war alive, whether through his protection, or lack thereof."
Narcissa looked pained and drew her hand once again across her neck, her fingers tapping along the angles of her jaw. "It matters a great deal, Draco. The breaking of an Unbreakable Vow carries considerable consequences, consequences that Severus here had been avoiding while holed up behind the defences of Hogwarts. Consequences that your father and I will be very pleased to administer personally." Lucius' face now morphed into a malicious grin.
"There's no way I'm marrying her," Draco sneered derisively, pointing at Pansy like she was a stain on the carpet. "I'm finally going steady with Angelica Zabini. And you know where that could lead," he said, turning and looking at his mother meaningfully.
Pansy, rather than being hurt by Draco's harsh words, was only angry and jealous. "Angelica? Blaise's cow of a sister? She's lucky they're still rich. No one would give her a second look if her pockets weren't lined with money."
Draco turned to her and spat out, "At least she has money going for her, which is more than I could say for you." Millicent sucked in her breath in shock and gripped Pansy's shoulder.
Pansy shook off her friend's hand and drew her wand, but Narcissa was faster, stepping between her son and the young witch, her own wand drawn. "Let's settle this like civilized witches, shall we, Miss Parkinson?" Pansy lowered her wand slightly, still scowling at Draco.
"Yes. Civilized witches who keep their word, Mrs. Malfoy. I assume your documents are in order, and that you have mine?"
Mrs. Malfoy nodded. She went to the desk, opened a drawer, and removed a stack of papers bound with a red ribbon. Now Draco rose from his chair, sputtering in shock. "No way, I'm not doing this!" Narcissa returned and handed the papers to Pansy, then put a hand on Draco's shoulder, which he tossed off violently.
"You don't have a choice, Draco. You have been pledged. Professor Snape and Professor Trelawney will be the witnesses to your marriage. Then we will have the opportunity to take the good Professor to task for his Unbreakable Vow," she said, her wand still in her hand.
"I advise you to use your excellent reading skills to actually read the documents, Miss Parkinson," Snape intoned quietly. Pansy turned on him, surprised to hear him speak. "I would advise your careful scrutiny, particularly of the last page."
Pansy narrowed her eyes at the Headmaster, then untied the ribbon and shuffled through the papers until she got near the end. Her eyes began to widen. Millicent asked "What is it, Pansy? More than you imagined?"
Pansy sat down heavily in the armchair Draco had vacated, all of the parchments falling to the floor except the last one of the large stack, which she continued to regard in disbelief. Draco allowed a contemptuous sneer to cross his face.
"Nothing. They have nothing, Millie. They are poorer than I am now," roared Pansy angrily. She flashed a dangerously angry face towards Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. "And you tricked me into bringing you Snape, knowing Draco has nothing to offer me in marriage, you lousy conniving witch."
"Why do you think I'm trying to woo Angelica, you stupid fool? She's beastly, but the Zabinis have their fortune still," Draco sneered. "Too smart to ever choose sides until it was over. It's a shame Blaise is already pledged to some Durmstrang girl, or you could have thrown yourself at him, too. I hear Potter still has his fortune..."
"What became of your fortune, Mrs. Malfoy? I already know about your fines to the Ministry to get Lucius out of prison, but I know you had a lot more than that," Pansy said accusingly.
Narcissa returned her gaze of contempt. "Living through a war requires many expensive transactions, not all of which are public."
Pansy stood up and spit onto the parchments on the floor, on which she stepped as she marched angrily towards the door, Millie standing still in confusion.
"Forget it, let's go, Bullstrode," she said, grabbing her bewildered friend by the arm and dragging her from the room as tears of rage and frustration emerged on her cheeks. The front door was heard to slam not long after. Mrs. Malfoy turned her glance to Mr. Malfoy. She closed her eyes and sighed with relief.
"Thank you, Severus," she said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "What a relief to be done with that barnacle of a girl. She's been trying to snare Draco since their first year of school, but such a shady family. Please, Sibyl," she said kindly to Trelawney. "Do sit."
Trelawney sat in the now vacated chair opposite Snape, who busied himself gathering the scattered parchments and feeding them into the fire, where they burned hotly for a moment, then vanished. Snape stretched out languidly and relaxed.
"You've been like a second father to Draco since our Vow and again you've kept him, indeed the whole family, from harm," Narcissa said warmly.
Snape allowed a grim smile to cross his face. "There's nothing like young love to stir the emotions, don't you agree?" he said tiredly, rubbing his forehead.
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Hunter found it nearly impossible to locate the Malfoy house, it not being on maps nor having a usual address. Not wanting to ask anyone else and raise suspicions, she had to wait until she saw Pansy and Millicent reappear in the alley behind the Three Broomsticks and drop the umbrella. She assumed correctly that it was their Portkey and grabbed it as soon as they were out of sight. After the whirling, gut-wrenching surge released her into a dim side street, she didn't find it difficult to determine which house she was after. The tall, imposing facade of Malfoy Manor was clearly out of the ordinary on this otherwise fashionable, orderly street. She approached the house from the side, carefully observing the windows looking for one that captured Snape and Trelawney. Rounding the corner, she saw movement in the rear sitting room and moved closer, reapplying the camouflage charm to blend among bushes outside.
There they were, with an older, glamorous witch that Hunter assumed was Mrs. Malfoy, hovering behind them both with a bottle in her hand, looking joyous, celebratory. Another older wizard was handing around glasses, a look of smugness on his face. There was a younger wizard, perhaps of school age or young college age. Clearly their son by the strong family resemblance. His was perhaps the most cheerful face. Perhaps a former student, a favorite? She found it difficult to imagine what a favorite student would be like, given that the Potions Master she'd had seen was generally stern and difficult. But, like his marriage, perhaps this relationship was built on money, as the Malfoys clearly had plenty, given their enormous home. Perhaps their generosity was why the tuition and board rates had been so inexpensive at Hogwarts. Like any other administrator, Severus must need to please wealthy donors. Though he rarely ever left the school. Perhaps these were particularly wealthy and influential people.
Trelawney, looking as beautiful as Hunter had ever seen her, sat opposite Severus, a broad smile on her face. And Severus, stretching back in the armchair by the fire, relaxed, as satisfied and pleased a look on his face as she'd ever seen. She saw no evidence that he was unwilling, unhappy, or coerced into the situation. They all looked so pleased at the event, a happiness she was kept out of. She ducked back down among the bushes as young Malfoy paced the room. Softly, she touched her wand to her ear and whispered "Amplifico," and listened as though she were in the room.
She heard the light pop of a cork being pulled from a bottle, followed by the sound of glasses being filled. "Agreed," said a voice that Hunter assumed was Mrs. Malfoy. "So let's raise a glass to your Vow, Severus. Unbreakable, forever, my brave, loyal, and ever-dutiful friend."
"Here, here, Professor," said a younger male voice. The son.
"A glass for you, Sibyl? You favor sherry, as I recall?" Snape asked.
"Ah, yes, thank you, Severus." It pained Hunter to hear them sound so...familiar….so comfortable, already.
"If only Bellatrix were here to witness this, Severus. My sister misses you, I'm sure," Narcissa added, a tone of wistfulness in her voice. "Another, Sibyl?" That was fast, thought Hunter, as Snape let out a low snort. She must be preparing herself.
"Bellatrix would only miss one wizard, and it isn't me," said Snape darkly, followed by swallowing. "Narcissa, you should consider having Draco finish his education at Hogwarts. Durmstrang is…" He didn't finish the thought.
"I know things have changed, Severus," Narcissa said kindly. "We had to make our decision before the situation there became clear. Karkaroff put a lot of pressure on families to commit right away after the battle. And we had to do what seemed best for Draco at the time."
"Thanks, Headmaster," said Draco. "But being in the same school and indeed the same House as Parkinson, no thanks."
"And on that matter, I cannot disagree, Draco," said Snape drawled, followed by laughter from the group. Hunter cringed. She never heard anyone brought to laughter by one of Snape's remarks. Maybe sardonic smiles or a knowing grin, but never actual laughter. Because he didn't crack jokes. And what was the issue with Pansy? Hadn't she been here earlier? Hunter wondered what role the two Slytherin girls had played, given that they were clearly not invited to the "after-party." Perhaps they were witnesses for the formal binding ceremony, but then left afterwards. That was strange, no one seemed to be pleased with her. What was the connection between Snape, the Malfoys and the Parkinsons? Her feelings of being well out of the mainstream here, knowing nothing about families, relationships, and history returned.
"But may we rely on your support if we need letters of recommendation for college?" Mrs. Malfoy asked.
"Of course," Snape said smoothly. "I would be pleased to recommend a former student of such talent. Sibyl and I should be returning now, however. We will be missed before too long."
Hunter heard the shuffling sound of people standing, glasses being put down, footsteps. "It is good to be able celebrate, Severus," Narcissa said warmly. "Be sure to get some rest, you seem tired."
"I confess that bed is the only thing on my mind just now," Snape said. Hunter nearly choked. How could he be so vulgar?
"Well, then, I'll let you get to it," Narcissa said, followed by footsteps out of the room and the sound of the front door opening.
"Good night, Professor Snape, Professor Trelawney," Draco's voice carried.
"Draco, you should consider coming back to Hogwarts to finish," Snape said again.
Hunter remained hidden and waited until she heard the "pop" of Snape and Trelawney Disapparating before she ventured back down the side street, keeping her Camouflage Charm in place until she reached the old umbrella. Her thoughts raced and she could only think of getting back to her own room and closing the door behind her. Severus was married today, in a private ceremony only witnessed by the Malfoys and two students, to Sibyl Trelawney, who was perhaps the least likely person on the staff that Hunter could have imagined making a lifetime bond with Snape. Hunter was becoming dizzy from the storm in her head and disorienting effect of the Portkey. She reached for the nearest wall when her feet landed in the alley behind the Three Broomsticks, held herself up, and tried to regain her breath.
"Morgan, so good to see you," a slimy voice said, much too close, as she began to feel the point of a wand on her throat.
"Ethinian," she choked out, afraid to make any move towards her own wand.
"Just stay still and silent and have a small sip of this refreshing cocktail," he said mockingly.