Lucius Malfoy is pacing back and forth in his uncomfortable large sitting room before the blazing fire: the very image of Lucifer before his exile from Heaven. Blond hair trailing, and his green robes fluttering back and forth, it's a wonder he hasn't got a tail or a cheeky set of horns to complete his look.
His old friend Severus sits before him, one leg crossed over the other and feigning deep interest in today's copy of the Prophet. His black eyes glisten as they follow the green figure's careless moves. The shadows and the dark fabric of the chair conceal Severus' dark demeanour: black greasy hair and equally noir robes. A sly smile graces his lips.
On the head of his chair, his black Raven, Cipher, pecks at the loose threads of the upholstery.
"Trouble in Paradise?" Severus lowers his paper, tactfully concealing the headline "Granger Seeks Sanctuary for Homeless House Elves."
"If you really must ask, it's all her fault!" Lucius pinches the bridge of his nose, holding back a single tear. "Dobby #3 is gone!"
Severus sighs. "You're third least favourite servant?"
"And I only beat him once a week. Imagine the ingratitude!"
"There are many for sale around the holidays."
"That's just it." Lucius leans against the fireplace, gazing into the flames. "Cissy says she doesn't want anouther one of them. They vex her eye and she says it makes us look like we're living in the last century. House Goblins are all the rage."
"Ah."
Cipher nearly croaks his last caw as Lucius slams both hands down on the chair.
"You must be the one to get him back."
"I beg your pardon?"
"No, no, don't try to weasel your way out of this one. You owe me a boon for-" he lifts his brow in 'that way'. "You know..."
"No."
"That's not the way boons work! Come on now. I'll lend you my cashmere and sheepskin boots."
Severus and Cipher exchange looks and sigh. It's settled. They're going to the mountains.
-x-x-x-
The Portkey only takes them so far. Severus is forced to fly through the snowy forest in search for the inn where Hermione Granger is keeping the elves.
He can only imagine the sheer look of surprise she will wear when they once again lock eyes: their last meeting being less than clandestine. No matter, business is business and the sooner he can get the elf, the sooner he can be out of the damned cold.
They're flying quite quickly when suddenly the black bird flickering in the corner of Severus' eye disappears.
"Cipher?"
Severus' heartbeat quickens. He swoops down to the ground and searches frantically until he finds the poor raven frozen rock solid and lying tail up in a pile of snow.
He tucks the bird under his robes and speeds up his flight. His own hair is stuck to his face like a row of black icicles and his robes are stiffer than morning wood. He curses under his breath until he sees the faint outline of a brown and red cottage tucked away in the side of the mountain.
He flies to the door, knocks it open with an Alohamora and his rock-solid boot and marches in.
Elves scatter about and an array of guests sipping hot cocoa by the fire nearly pop out marshmallows at the sight of the black fury in from the cold.
"Kitchens. Now!" He yells at one of the creatures who shakes and faints.
Severus spins about. "Direct me to the kitchens this instant or I will be forced to Obliterate the lot of you!"
Everyone shares a look and mutter to themselves. Then, the boss appears.
Granger, dressed in striped stockings and a red suit-dress marches through the lobby and points her finger straight into his face. "You are not to speak to any of my elves as such."
"We shall see about that," Severus snarls. "My raven is half-frozen. Surely you aren't as big a witch as to let an innocent animal die."
Granger's expression softens. She beckons for him to follow her down the stairs into the kitchens.
They place poor Cipher in a warm blanket by the blazing fire. Granger brings a tincture and puts a few drops into the creature's beak. Cipher snaps it up and stirs.
"Thank Merlin." Severus pats his companion on the back. Granger always knew how to follow a recipe for a solid Pepper Up. It's both a gift and a curse, as now he owes her for not one but two creatures. Surely she can be reasoned with, but he wishes he could at least have dry pants before proceeding.
Later with two cups of hot toddy, he and Granger sit by the fire in her personal office. He leans by the flames, casually warming his tush while Granger prepares the drinks.
"I don't expect you've taken a sudden interest in elvish welfare?" she begins.
"My intentions are as they are always assumed to be."
She nods, humming. "I'll bet you're here because one of your Pureblooded friends wants to get their House Elf back. Well, it's too late! Now they work here and I give them very reasonable working conditions. The guests are here to relax, and the elves are here to serve. They're warm, and fed. And nobody gets struck by a cane."
Severus smirked. "It appears to be an acceptable compromise. Bravo, Miss Granger. But before you employ my raven, I advise you to proceed with caution. When not frozen, Cipher is known to nip and peck."
"I don't need a raven."
"How benevolent. Surely there must be some way I can repay you?" Severus schools his voice into a purr. Granger's pupils widen.
"Nothing you can offer me will make me sell you back a House Elf."
"Nothing is precisely all I have." In a flash of magic, Severus has her exactly where he needs her: hands and legs bound together and floating in the air upside-down.
He approaches, debating between wand or wandless magic to frisk her for her desk key. He decides to use his hands to fluster the witch a little before his departure.
With the key retrieved, he rummages through her desk drawers before extracting Dobby #3's purchase receipt.
"You are a cheat and a scoundrel," she spits. "Harry and Ron were right about you all along."
"And you're a glutton for punishment, pet," he says, planting a quick kiss on her floating...well you know where (wink). "I will pass on your kind words to my Pureblooded friend."
She rewards him with a slew of obscenities that can make a Dementor blush. Having his fill of ear poison, Severus makes his way down to the kitchens where he demands for Dobby #3 else he give his sock to one of them. The obedient Elves have no choice, but to single out the culprit, whom Severus instantly Stupify's and stuffs into a rice sack.
He comes by the fireplace where a warmed and fed Cipher hops into his robes.
They head to the front door and push only to find it firmly locked in place by a wall of snow.
Yes. They've been snowed in.
-x-x-x-
"There, there," Granger tuts, handing him a spare blanket. "It's only a little blizzard."
Severus scoffs, throwing the blanket to a Cipher who immediately nests inside it and preens his feathers, the right bastard.
"Would you prefer to sleep in the ski shack?" she asks sweetly. "I believe it's cold and damp and isolated...just as you like it."
He meets her satisfied gaze and hoods his lids. "I prefer my warmth from a witch pressed against my body."
She goes bright-red. "We don't offer that service to unregistered guests." Then she marches off to do her other boss-like duties.
"What must I do to complete my registration?"
She raises her brow. "Pay a fee."
"You know very well I don't spend my galleons on just any service."
"I'll make it worth your while."
They meet once more at dinner where Granger sets out a table for him at the corner of the inn restaurant. It's thoughtful, as he likes his privacy. It's cruel because it's pressed against a window where the snow falls in a steep blanket over the landscape.
Dobby #3, who he might add looks quite fresh and a little bit joyful, brings him a glass of burgundy and a warm cheese plate to start. Lucius isn't going to like that.
"Don't get too comfortable," Severus warns the little beast. Dobby #3 blows him a raspberry before disappearing into the kitchens. He's certain he pissed in the wine. Having Pureblood friends means Severus knows the smell of an acceptable burgundy and this just isn't cutting it. And the cheese looks chewed on.
When the little shite appears once more with his entree, Severus warns him to bring back something good else Cipher will eat his when the lights go out. This makes Dobby #3 a bit more acceptable.
"How do you like your dinner?" Granger's wearing a deep green velvet evening dress with a holly pinned to her breast.
He slices off a bit of his steak. "I can see why the little bastards don't want to leave."
"I make sure of it," she says, almost wistfully, and gazing at the snow. "It's so cold outside."
"You always had a heart for the unfortunate creatures." He drops his voice. "I am not one of them." He charms the spare chair away from the table. "Come. Dine with me."
Granger smiles and sits. Severus rises and pushes the chair against the table. The crook of her neck smells of jasmine and a hint of trepidation.
"T'was pretty weird that we were seated beside each other at the Ministry dinner last Mabon."
"Indeed."
"And that we danced three times. And got locked in the private wing together."
Food is served and wine is poured. Severus allows for some feasting before setting aside his fork. "I must confess, Mabon was of my own device."
"It's in your repertoire."
"I am a wizard of opportunity," he confesses, picking up the entire bottle of wine off Dobby # 3's tray and placing it in the centre of the table. "And you were outstanding."
She blushes very prettily.
"I never jest." Severus swirls his glass. "I would be lying if tonight wasn't only the result of a boon."
"I won't give you back the elf."
Severus bursts into a drunken laugh. "You don't even know its name."
"I do. I do!"
"What is it?'
She laughs, tossing back her curls. "I admit it."
Her Severus leans over. "You are so beautiful when you laugh."
"You're just trying to get me into bed."
"How clever you are." With a swift rise, he pushes out her chair. "Come along."
They walk up the stairs to her chambers where he shuts the doors behind them and captures her entire mouth into his. Pressing her against the hard wood, he squeezes all his favourite curves before hoisting her up and tossing her into the bedsheets. Magic is a wonderful thing.
The following morning, he runs his fingers through her curls as she nuzzles his neck. "Must you go?"
He chuckles, kissing her forehead. "Perhaps my Pureblooded friend will wait a few moments longer for her third least favourite servant."
A/N: Happy almost hols! Thanks for reading! I had every intention of finished my last long story but a bit distracted at the moment by my own special someone this season. God speed I finish writing or even remember what I wrote. Thanks for the feedback in my last stories and enjoy the rush before Christmas if you celebrate! Cheers !