Chapter 74
The few Death Eater meetings that the dark lord held between Hallowe'en and the Christmas break were unsettling for Severus. Voldemort was growing increasingly more obsessed over finding Potter. This in itself, he could understand, but it was the obviously unstable way he behaved on the matter that disturbed Severus. It made him less predictable and worse less manageable. Severus's tried and true calm reassurances weren't doing their usual job. Worse Voldemort seemed to mistrust even his closest for no apparent reason, another unpleasant sign of the man's mental unraveling. His lashing out at even the Lestranges made him more dangerous to his own loyal followers in a way that only Regulus and Kreacher had seen as obvious in previous years.
"Too many Horcruxes making too many problems, and not enough soul to go round," Severus complained to Magritte after he and Nightshade returned from an evening Death Eater meeting at Malfoy Manor in mid November.
"Amethyst wouldn't even be able to stabilize that mind anymore," Mag said, referring to the most powerful gemstone for healing mental issues.
/The fucking amethyst would run,/ Nightshade chimed in darkly, his head deep in a cup of brandy that he'd demanded as soon as they returned to Severus's private chambers.
"Well at least he believes that Albus is dead, so that's something," Severus said.
These days one had to count one's blessings as they could be so few and far between. Hopefully Albus still found him to be predictable enough, because if not, all of their faking his death efforts were wasted. As Severus hated being Headmaster, he thought that had better not be the case! As they approached Christmas, Severus found it difficult to find the holiday cheer. Needing a break from the school, he longed to shut Hogwarts for the holidays. He didn't dare, though, as it may draw unwanted dark lord attention and thus risky questions. Deciding to be even more cautious now that they were in the home stretch as it were, Severus wrote to inform his Mum that he was unable to do the holidays this year due to his increased duties at Hogwarts. Though Severus encouraged Mag to spend Christmas with her family, she refused.
"I won't be able to see you unless I'm in my rooms, though," he protested. "And unfortunately I will have to come out some for meals and such at least. I hate the idea of having to eat Christmas dinner with people I dislike while you eat it here at the desk later. It just isn't festive and I feel I've taken enough from you already this year."
Mag widened her large green eyes. "How have you taken anything from me? I've chosen to be here even though we can't see one another much. I busy myself with Reece and Griphook, and it's fine. You hate being here and you aren't spending these holidays alone," she said firmly.
Severus sighed, then chuckled, shaking his head. "How is it that you always get your way?"
"Not always," she corrected with an amused smile. "You're still dressed, after all."
When Christmas Eve at last arrived, Severus was waiting for something unpleasant to happen. Perhaps Voldemort sacrificing a baby under the Hogwarts Christmas tree in The Great Hall or some such. The day passed quietly, however. Things only got a little strange at dinner when Filius leaned over and whispered for Severus not to eat too much. "I have a bad feeling about the food," Filius explained.
"Don't take any to Mag either. I've got some in my room I'll share after dinner is over with here."
Severus silently arched his brows, but nodded. He was relieved Filius had remained behind with him for the holidays this year even if the little charms master was behaving oddly. Perhaps the stress was at last getting to him as well. Severus picked at his food without eating it, though, and left with Filius at the end of the meal.
/I hope he's got enough of this food in his room to share with a god damn owl, cause I gotta eat too,/ Nightshade complained from his usual spot on Severus's shoulder. /What the fuck could be wrong with the food anyway? Does Flitwick think the students are so pissed they're finally trying to poison you at the expense of the entire staff table,/ Nightshade wondered speculatively.
A disturbing thought, Severus decided dryly. /Your holiday spirit is about as enlightened as it gets, but you could be right,/ he told the owl.
When Filius led them into his room, the place was pitch dark. The charms master paused to place several hex locks on the door even before turning on a light. Frowning, Severus opened his mouth to ask why it was so bloody dark but Filius spoke first. "I hope you're hungry," he said excitedly. "Because I have food from everywhere! WestCraven Manor, Prince Hall, Grimmauld Place or at least Kreacher, and the drinks are from Egypt! SURPRISE!" On Filius's final shouted word cheerful Christmas music began to play, and brightness flooded the room to reveal a Christmas tree in the center, and just about everyone Severus knew surrounding it. His Mum stood beside Mag. Heather and Raislen were on Mag's other side. Kreacher and Regulus stood beside Sekhmet. With all the stress of the year, Severus had completely forgotten the insane girl's threat to come and visit for the holidays, but apparently she had not. She stood grinning at him like a loon...An insane loon at that. On her other side stood Albus Dumbledore and Bera Karkaroff. Severus had to blink a few times just to take it all in. Never had he thought to see Albus and Sekhmet in the same place and Raislen here and not even looking resentful. It was indeed a Christmas miracle, but of course he didn't say this, because...it would just be too odd.
"You couldn't leave for the holidays, so I decided to bring everyone to you," Mag said. "Nightshade knew how to get in touch with your Mum so I wrote her a letter. Kreacher and Mira helped Apparate everyone directly into this room, so the Carrows won't be able to report to HIM that you had anyone over for Christmas. See? You have nothing to worry about," she concluded proudly.
"Why have I never met this wonderful girl before, Severus," Eileen demanded with a frown.
"Because I was trying to keep both of you safe until the bastard is dead," Severus said.
"Well we can take care of ourselves, and I will sleep far easier at night now knowing that Mag is looking out for my baby. The wedding had better be soon after this is all over."
"Of course," Severus said.
Glancing around the room, he suddenly felt all choked up. Every one of these people were here because they didn't want him spending Christmas alone...especially this year.
"Mira has gone back home for more food, but she'll be back shortly," Heather told Severus with a smile.
"She made that pineapple cake you love just for you." Severus swallowed, nodding and knowing that if he spoke, he may just make a fool of himself. When his Mum and Mag came forward to hug him at the same time, though, he had to lower his head, hiding his face between the two women so that no one else would see the fleeting tears in his eyes as he clung tightly to both, one in each arm.
"Oh my baby," Eileen said, rubbing his back. "It'll be over soon. I know Tobias would be so proud of you."
"Would he," Severus asked, speaking barely above a whisper. "I put you in danger with my need for revenge."
"He'd think you were very brave...and you isolated yourself to keep those you love out of danger. Of course I wish you'd stayed out of it, but you are trying to help to stop a mad man who would happily turn wizarding society into a living hell. You're strong and smart and Mummy is so proud of you!" Her voice cracked and he avoided looking at her face, because he knew he'd break down if he saw her trying not to cry. Living with Grandfather Prince and all his unkind words toward her for marrying a Muggle was a sacrifice he'd never forget. The old man had money and connections, and Eileen had returned to her unkind father so that Severus might have the best.
"I love you, Mum. SO much. Thank you for all you do."
"Oh baby...It's my job and I love you too!" Severus was glad of the holiday music, as it served to drown out most of their conversation so only Mag had heard their emotional words. From the openly adoring look she gave Eileen, she apparently approved. To Severus's relief, Mira apparated in then with two large baskets of food. When she vanished deeper into the room, apparently to begin setting things up, Severus realized that Filius had used an enlargement charm so the party wouldn't be crowded. "Thank all of you so much," he managed at last. Though the words were a bit foreign, they felt right under the circumstances.
"Of course, kid," Raislen said.
"We didn't want you to feel alone right now," Regulus added. "Support goes a long way and we're here."
"Yeah and we're saving all the little brats that remained here for the holidays from your wrath," Sekhmet said with a grin. "Cause you know if you weren't here, you'd be prowling the halls looking for someone with whom to start shit." Severus felt his lips twitch.
"Alright," Filius called, clapping his hands excitedly. "It's time for everyone to eat, drink, and be merry!"
And they did. When Severus was filling his second plate of delicious holiday cheer, he managed to corner Albus who was having more dessert before dinner. "Any news you can share on Potter," he asked directly. "Is the little brat still alive?"
Albus nodded sagely. "You helped him to locate the sword of Gryffindor during the fall with your Patronus."
Severus frowned, then blinked, perplexed. Why would Potter need the sword of Gryffindor of all things?
"Your Patronus looks like a Doe...because Lily's was a doe."
Severus scowled. "Because James the prat Potter's was a stag," he said dryly and Albus smiled.
"Precisely."
"Why," Severus asked carefully. "Why would my happy place Patronus be basically the same as that of an enemy? How is that supposed to work out where I'm not full of vicious resentment and hatred rather than happiness? If Mag married Griphook I'd certainly have no more love for her nor would my Patronus have anything to do with hers, and that bloody goblin isn't nearly the raging Prat Potter was."
Mag choked on a deviled egg, and Eileen had to strike her on the back. "Perhaps Potter and many others believe that love is stupid as well as blind," Mag wheezed through her coughing.
"That sounds about right, dear. Have some water," Eileen told her.
"Albus Dumbledore transfigured his own Patronus to fool Harry Potter into believing it was Severus Snape," Kreacher chimed in, impressed. "He is teaching Kreacher Transfiguration for personal reasons. He already knows how to do many things, but Kreacher required more in-depth training to alter his own size," the elf shared with a wicked grin.
Severus was not about to ask why. He'd been traumatized enough this night and with Kreacher, one just never knew. Fortunately Nightshade chose to distract him. /Hey wasn't I cool, Prof? Totally analyzing the reasons Flitwick could be concerned about the food? And all the while I knew about the party the entire time!/
/Yes, Nightshade. You were brilliant,/ Severus replied, amused. /Even pretending to be angry about not eating...Award winning performance./
/And I decided you're not even being sarcastic,/ Nightshade said happily.