Chapter 40

"How is it that you are going on vacation with Mag," Raislen asked Severus.

The graduation party was over. It had ended far too soon for Severus's liking. Not because he particularly enjoyed parties, because of course he did not, but because the party had served to put this particular moment off for a bit. Everyone had eaten, had drinks, chatted, then meandered home leaving Severus here with this moment. "She invited me, Raislen." He heard the note of defensiveness in his own tone and struggled for patients as he continued. "I tried to tell her know. I don't want her in danger, and I tried to..."

"You didn't try hard enough, because you're here now," Raislen shouted, slamming Severus in the nose.

Severus staggered backward, blinking in surprise. He'd expected this, but it was still somehow a shock. Perhaps because Raislen and Heather had protected him from such in school and now Raislen was actually hitting him! "I tried but...I can't force her to be safe by hurting her, Raislen," Severus found himself shouting back. Striding angrily forward he threw his own punch, slamming the far larger man in the jaw hard with his left fist. "I did take precautions. I was going to share those with everyone if you would shut the hell up and listen!"

"What the hell! Mum and I leave for three seconds to walk the final guests out and you're fighting," Mag practically shouted as she angrily swept back into the room.

"He started it," Severus defended peevishly, a hand coming up to his throbbing nose.

"It isn't broken," Raislen snapped. "And we didn't use wands," he added to his daughter. "I did start it, but he knows better than to pull this shit!"

"I wasn't talking to you," Mag told Severus gently. Her expression softened as she approached, moving to stand at Severus's side. "And he didn't pull anything, Daddy. I made him come with me. I love him and I have the right to have what I want. I love you and Mum too, you know that, but no matter your good intentions, turning your backs on him wasn't right," Mag said as politely and lovingly as she could.

"Is that what he told you," Raislen demanded, voice rising again as he glared at Severus. "That we turned our backs on him?"

Mag shook her head. "He didn't say much to me about you at all, actually."

"Well he's the one who turned his back on us when he chose the life threatening role of double agent over any sort of productive adult life he could've had for himself," Raislen ranted. "The man is a genius! He could've invented potions, crafted spells, becoming as famous as Dumbledore, but no! He had to choose vengeance! He didn't care that serving Voldemort would potentially bring any of his close friends under the monster's speculative eye. Hell he didn't even care about the fact he was risking himself! And I'm sorry but vengeance won't bring Tobias Snape back!"

"Sure you can judge him, but you can't really understand his choices until you have lived his experiences, which you have not," Mag said quietly.

Severus was once more reminded of her love for Muggle psychology and found himself impressed at the smooth way she applied it in general conversation. So well was it done that he almost didn't mind being talked around nearly as if he weren't bloody present. "I'm sorry, Raislen. I suppose I wasn't able to think it out back then, but I never planned to endanger you or Heather. I don't plan to endanger Mag now. If you had only worked with me on ensuring that didn't happen rather than turning your backs on me, perhaps...things could've been different." He'd honestly intended a sincere apology, but the embittered words just insisted on coming out there on the end of it.

"I'm sorry we weren't enough for you, Severus. I'm sorry we didn't make you happy enough as friends to let go of the hurt and hate, but we had to protect ourselves and though we didn't want to cut ties with you, we saw no choice," Raislen said, expression suddenly tired and resigned. "It's ironic, Mag falling in love with you after we cut ties to keep her safe, but I suppose were Voldemort out of the picture, I would not object to her choice. You were always part of the family and the two of you do seem to suit one another well."

"It's adorable," Heather agreed, speaking at last from where she stood worriedly in the doorway of the parlor where they were all gathered."It's just the Voldemort thing that...you know, makes us fear for our lives," she concluded almost delicately.

Severus sighed. "It'll be over...sooner rather than later. And I went to Albus for help hiding Mag from the dark lord if he looks into my mind. As it turns out, Albus wanted to craft a story to make Harry Potter trust me, and it serves both purposes." Severus explained what Albus had done to his mind to the three of them, the four if you counted Nightshade dozing in a food coma on the side board among shreds of chicken and lobster.

"That is weird, but it may work," Heather said hesitantly when Severus had finished speaking. "I don't Know how Potter or Voldemort think, but Dumbledore is a smart man and people really are stupid."

"Let's hope they are exactly stupid enough to believe that I could love a Gryffindor then continue to love said Gryffindor after she fell for my enemy. It's not particularly in my character, but yes I'm betting on Albus's good sense," Severus said.

"Can't there be a cool Gryffindor," Raislen asked, lips twitching up in amusement at Severus's dry indignation.

"If someone could appreciate me for who I am, there is no way they could want someone like James Potter. That is all I meant," Severus said. "And I just hate that Albus makes me pretend to have feelings for the wife of my dead enemy! It just galls."

"Well as you said, it will be over sooner rather than later," Mag reminded him. "Now I still need to pack for the trip. Why don't you come up and keep me company," she asked, placing a hand on his arm.

Severus knew he should feel uncomfortable about just walking with her up to her bedroom while Heather and Raislen watched them retreating up the stairs, but...But she was of age...And the memory of her mouth on his yesterday caused things to stir in him that he hadn't realized were there...And yes! Considering the way Heather and Raislen had turned their backs on him, it would feel like just a bit of deserved pay back shagging under their roof. Granted he'd never have sought it out, but Mag hadn't given him much of a choice. He could've hurt her for her own good, though he'd not particularly enjoyed that when her parents had done it to him. He could've lied and pretended that he felt nothing when she kissed him.

Perhaps it was weak of him to allow himself to have and follow any feelings at this juncture in the game...But Mag was special to him and if his body wanted to see where that went, who the hell was his mind to get in the way? While these thoughts ran through his head, Mag was already leaving the room, gently drawing him along. As they ascended the stairs, he reached deep down for that discomfort and embarrassment he knew he should probably feel, but it just wasn't there. Well maybe a little, but not enough to bother mentioning. Once upstairs, Mag did actually proceed to pack. Idly Severus watched, perching on the edge of her desk chair. The room held about as many books as did his own at Spinner's End. For most this would be a mini library, but for them it was just the minimum. Unlike his own bedroom, Mag's had stones and toy creatures scattered about, though. And girl scarves...those flow silver colored silk ones she wore in her hair lay draped carelessly over book cases as well as over the top of the mirror.

"I can't believe you're here," Mag heard herself babbling as she hastily packed summer dresses for Egypt. "It's like a dream...I have imagined you here like this for so long...I know all the girls must think like that about you but really, I'm the only one who can actually understand you and..." The sound of choking caused her to turn. Severus's beautiful dark eyes were practically bulging and his face was turning red.

"No girls dream about having me in their bedrooms, trust me! Which I'm fine with!"

"Of course they do. How can they not?"

Severus laughed. "I'm sure they manage," he told her.

With a disbelieving shake of her head, she tossed sandals into the trunk and snapped the lid closed.

"Will you play Bedlam boys for me," Severus asked, suddenly wanting to hear the song again that had apparently terrorized Slytherins. Her voice was beautiful and her bardic talent fascinating. Now it was his to enjoy.

"I will but...there's another song that always made me think of You. I planned to sing it to you if you'd rejected my vacation invitation, but as you didn't I didn't. I think I'd like to now, though, because it'll be something for you to think about just in case you ever consider changing your mind."

Severus blinked in confusion. "Alright...Then will you sing Bedlam boys?"

Mag laughed. "Yes." She drew her fiddle case out from under the bed, then sank down onto the mattress to play. When she began to sing, Severus's eyes widened incredulously because he knew the song but how did she? It was an older Muggle tune by a band called The Eagles. The song, Desperado, wasn't one Severus particularly cared for...until now. Now he hated it! The way Mag's beautiful heartbreaking voice laid out every mistake he'd ever made in the words, then begged him to let her love him...was too much and he had to struggle to keep from leaving the room. Instead he sat stiffly in the chair, bracing himself until it was over, which thankfully it eventually was. Then she went right into Bedlam boys, which he liked far better. "That was brilliant," he said, clapping once she was done.

"Thank you." Music was very strong magic in its own right. Good music had always moved him, and hers was no exception.

Mag smiled, slipping the fiddle back into its case. "I'm just happy you like my singing!"

"It's a true magical ability as you know, and of course I can appreciate that. Bards make people feel things with their words. Voldemort could use that too, you know."

"I don't care," Mag said firmly. "I'd work for him if necessary, if it kept me close to you. I'd do anything for you, Severus, don't you see that? I don't want it to come to that and neither do you, so I don't think it will. I'm just saying if it did, I'd do what is necessary. I am strong and smart enough to do what is necessary for us...until this is over and he's dead I can play his game if it ever comes to that."

Gods help him but he believed her. "You are so beautiful," he said. And she was, with her Tall, willowy figure, creamy skin and long red hair with those big green eyes and lips that could make him feel things with their touch as well as their song. Her mind was just as beautiful, the way it grasped things and turned them into something most people never thought of or even understood. Her innovative work with gemstones, her application of psychology for dealing with people, the odd friends with whom she surrounded herself, all made her someone he wanted at his side, and he allowed himself to acknowledge that with no apology.

"So are you," Mag replied, and standing, she reached for his arm. At her touch he was already on his feet, arms coming around her as he at last allowed himself to indulge in as many kisses as his heart...and mouth desired. The longer he kissed her the hungrier he became for more. The feel of her was intoxicating and the eager insistent way she responded had him giving way completely to those physical needs of the flesh he'd always looked down upon in others as a weakness.