severus · snape

I send out the note with a school Owl and wait for a response.

I hear a hushed, intense whisper. "What the hell are you doing here with my wife, Snape?" I open my eyes in the sunlight soaked room to see Lucius standing over me, an angry scowl on his face.

Squinting in the glare from the sun, it takes me a moment to realize where I am, but I am fully awake and tense for action long before I see I am sitting on the floor, Narcissa nestled against my chest fast asleep. The shock of what this must look like to Lucius hits me hard, and I barely keep from leaping to my feet and spilling Narcissa onto the floor. Instead I remain still and look up at Lucius calmly.

"Absolutely nothing," I reply softly.

His frustration and anger is at odds with his desire to leave Narcissa out of this.  With his wand he casts a hover charm on Narcissa and lifts her off me,  her head flopping back loosely.  He sets her on the bed, then whispers to me.  "Let's talk outside of this room.  I will deal with her later." 

As soon as Narcissa is lifted away, I get to my feet and pull out my wand, but I keep it hidden from sight. Now isn't the time to get into a duel with Lucius. Though I am confident I can defeat him, the fight won't be easy, nor do I wish to harm him. Narcissa would not appreciate it. However I do not like the tone Lucius uses when he says he will deal with her later. Once he settles Narcissa down on the bed to continue her sleep undisturbed, I keep my full attention on Lucius. If he plans to magically attack, I want to have as much warning as possible and thus I bring all my abilities to bear.

"I agree," I reply, again in a soft whisper, but I do not move. I have no intention of turning my back on Lucius. He can lead to where he wants to talk.

Lucius backs out of the door, wand still pointed at me,  then waits for me to exit.  We walk cautiously to the library.

"Now, explain to me what you were doing sleeping with my wife!"  he demands, after shutting the door behind me with a jerk of his wand.

"First, I was not 'sleeping' with your wife in the manner you are assuming." I tell him calmly. "We were talking and fell asleep. You are jumping to conclusions, Lucius."

"Second, I would never even consider taking advantage of Narcissa; she's a sister to me, nothing more. Nor will she permit me to even attempt such a thing. It is you she is in love with."

His face looks slightly appeased.  "My wife has been avoiding me for days,  yet I come up here to talk to her and find her asleep with you.  What am I supposed to think?"   I can feel his jealousy radiating from behind his eyes. 

"I perfectly understand why you came to the wrong conclusions." I agree with Lucius. I don't think I would have reacted much differently if our roles were reversed. But I have to be careful in what I tell him next. I certainly cannot tell him why his wife was avoiding him the last few days. That would be more than enough excuse for Lucius to attack, and I am not prepared to explain why I kissed his wife. It is better he never find out.

"I came over because I noticed your wife was exhausted, and I wanted to find out why. We talked, and next thing I know she fell asleep while I was talking. Apparently I was more tired than I thought, things have been hectic at school, and I have not been getting sleep much lately either."

Thinking about school reminded me it's day time on a school day. I check my watch and see it is already time for first class and I am still here. "Speaking of which, if you excuse me a moment, I need to send a message to the school that I will be late."

Turning slightly away from Lucius, I cast my Patronus and nearly drop my wand in surprise. I am impressed I didn't drop the spell as well. Instead of my usual soft eyed doe, I find a large black bear looking at me. I have not seen this form since my first attempts to produce a corporeal Patronus. Why it reverted now I do not know, but I don't have time to consider the implications. Focusing on the bear, I give it instructions, and it lumbers off before vanishing. Turning back to Lucius, I wait to continue our conversation.

"I take it you two worked out your differences then,"  he says.

Acting on Charlie's advice I head out to Hogsmeade a few days later, avoiding the Three Broomsticks as I search for a Floral shop. Fortunately I don't have to search for too long. Stepping inside I find the place filled with flowers and plants of all kinds and their pungent fragrance assaults my nose. I really can't understand why females like flowers, but if it will make Narcissa feel better and give strength to my apology, then I will buy the lot if needed.

A witch approaches me and offers to be of assistance so I describe to her what I am looking for. I am sure she realizes just how clueless I am and tries to sell me the biggest bunch of flowers she has, not the mention the most expensive ones. Her first suggestion is two dozen roses, but even I know that wouldn't be appropriate. I want to apologize to Narcissa, not court her. Finally I settle on a bouquet of mixed flowers, including some of the species I noticed in her gardens.

Once the flowers are purchased I magically shrink them and put them in a pocket. I am not fool enough to walk around Hogsmeade, much less around the school with a bunch of flowers in hand. So far Charlie has kept silent about finding me indisposed the other day, which is wise of him, but I am not going to take chances. Rumours abound at Hogwarts as it is; I certainly don't want to be included.

The florist was also nice enough to point me in the right direction to find a shop that sells sweets and pastries of better standard than Honeydukes. She points me to a tea shop where they serve fine teas and also sell them as well as fine pastries. I recognize the name as the place students go with dates to spend a romantic day oogling and snogging where teachers are not likely to find them. Not that every teacher in the school doesn't know dating students go to Madame Puddifoot's tea shop. As this isn't a weekend, the place is nearly empty, with just locals enjoying tea and acting more like proper witches and wizards.

It doesn't take me long to find some ginger pastries, covered in fine chocolate imported from Belgium. Not being an expert on chocolate, I can only hope the cost is an indication of quality.

Shopping done, I don't waste any time getting back to Hogwarts and preparing my apology. It doesn't take me long to realize the shopping part was the easy part.

After many tries I finally settle on a message. I am no better at writing apologies than I am understanding women.




I reread the letter several times and am not completely satisfied with it. I am not one to apologize, but Charlie's suggestion that I make the effort to seems sound. I just hope Narcissa understands the intent instead of the bad wording of the thing.

Folding the letter neatly and securing it to the large bouquet of mixed flowers, including what I remembered are Narcissa's favorites based on what I've seen growing in her garden: Dragon's blood sedum, lavender centered replete narcissus, blue columbine, and green double auriculas. (I learned what the names were from Sprout.) I secure the note, flowers and a box of chocolate covered ginger pastries to a large school owl and send it off. I continue to watch the image of the owl with its unusual package till it vanishes from sight, then I return to my office to work till I get a response, if any.

Two hours later I recognize Narcissa's owl Perseus tapping at my window. She carries a note.

My Dear Severus,

Of course I forgive you. The flowers and sweets were a lovely, and very gentlemanly, touch. You chose my favorite flowers. How did you know? The dark chocolate covered ginger pastry was exactly what I was craving.

Thank you so much.

I hope to see you soon. Perhaps you would join me for dinner?

Fondly,

Narcissa

Reading Narcissa's note fills me with joy. Charlie's suggestion paid off. I will have to remember this trick next time Narcissa and I have a disagreement, though I hope it never happens again. My little binge after our disagreement is not something I feel like repeating.

Taking a clean piece of parchment I quickly write a reply.

Dear Narcissa:

It pleases me greatly that you enjoyed the flowers and pastries, but most of all that you forgive me. I will be happy to join you for dinner; just say when and I will be there.

Your friend always,

Severus

Attaching the note to Perseus's leg I send her back to her Mistress. Life suddenly feels bearable again.

Dearest Severus:

I thank you for your kind words and concern over my well being, but I must ask you to wait; now is not a good time for a visit.

Soon I will contact you, and we can catch up.

Yours,

Narcissa.

I crumple up the note in frustration. Why is she being so difficult? This is the third such letter Narcissa sent me after I request permission to come visit her, and each time she says she is tired, too busy, or just not up to a visit. I am starting to feel real concern. Has that book consumed so much of her time now that she has not a moment to spare for an old friend? Is Lucius preventing her from seeing me?

Carefully I smooth out the note and study the hand written letter and recognize Narcissa's handwriting. If it is a forgery, it is a really good one. I do not see Lucius going to all the trouble to forge a letter in Narcissa's hand just to prevent me from seeing her.

But this consistent refusal to let me visit irks me, and I decide to hell with it. By now Narcissa would have added my hair to her wards so I can pass them without an escort. She can't deny seeing me if I am at her front door. But I am no fool and take a few minutes to prepare another message:

I attach the note to a school owl and send it on its way. Moments later I am standing outside the warded entrance to Malfoy manor. Even without making an effort, I can feel the power of the magical wards wrapped around the front gate. I approach slowly, focusing my attention on those very wards. I certainly do not feel like being expelled half way across the countryside if the wards reject me. But as I reach for the gate, I feel the wards lose their menacing sensations, and I open the gate and pass through freely. Closing and latching the gate behind me, I head across the front yard and towards the main door. Albino peacocks stride out of my path as I make my way up to the main door. I strike the knocker and wait for the door to open. I am not so worried about Narcissa to insult her by breaking through her front door, so I give her this last moment to continue to refuse allowing me to visit.

I find myself in Diagon Alley moving through the crowds of evening shoppers and people closing up for the night. It is not easy to get out of Hogwarts early enough to get to Diagon Alley before the shops close but today I was able to. But I need to focus my time to locating Bellatrix before her next strike at Narcissa proves successful. Now that I know she has that dog Greyback at her beck and call I am more concerned about her safety. The wards of her manor should be more than enough to keep Bellatrix and her lackeys out but I worry she will find a way to get around the wards.

Ducking behind a group of witches I slip into Knockturn Alley. There are some things I need to get which are not found in the shops in Diagon Alley. Pulling the hood of my robes over me head to better blend into the crowds in the alley, I work my way deeper into the seedy side of the wizard shopping center.

I'm knocked to one side as a young wizard pushes past, unlike the other patrons of Knockturn Alley he makes no attempt to disguise himself and I recognize him instantly. Nott. One of my former pupils.
 
I quicken my stride and place my hand on the young Nott's shoulder and pull him to face me. "You seem to be in a hurry, Mr. Nott." I hiss keeping my voice low. In this place drawing attention to yourself was never a good ideal.

"When someone seems to be in a hurry, it would be polite not to delay them." He growls quietly, twisting out of my grip. "As it is, there is no fire, what do you want?" He snaps.
 
"Normally I do not try and delay them but I do not like former students plowing past me. It is rather rude, even for this place." I smirk and lift my head enough for Theo to see my features. "This place suits you Mr. Nott but I did not expect to see you here."
 
"I should not think it is my presence here you should be worried about. Seems a little suspicious for the recently exhonorated to be skulking around Knockturn Alley," he sneers. "One would almost believe the Minister had made an error in her judgement."
 
"There is no law against being in this Alley," I retort. "Otherwise the Ministry would just close it down."
 
"Besides, as Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor it is my duty to keep tabs on what new items come available which I should be teaching my students to be aware of."
 
He doesn't seem surprised by my new job, instead he just shrugs, "Ministry could try to close it down...but there will always be room for naughty men to sneak about and they'd just open up somewhere else."
 
Theodore's answer amuses me. He was not this witty while I taught him but perhaps being a man now has changed him. Or perhaps it is because he is no longer in the shadow of Draco Malfoy. "You do have a very valid point, Mr. Nott."
 
"Do you frequent this area often?" I decide to ask.
 
"As often as business requires it. Like yourself, there are certain duties which allow for perfectly innocent visits to such a shady neighbourhood."
 
"Of course." I decide to switch to other topics as I am sure Theo will not elaborate on what business he is conducting here. "If you have some minutes to spare it will be nice to know how you are doing, now you are a full grown wizard and not just a student."
His eyes narrow, untrusting. "So much interest now and yet so little before when my education was in your hands...very well, what do you wish to know?"
 
"I am not the same man I was when I taught you Potions or Defense, Theo." I reply. "Much has changed in my life. Thus I find I am more interested in learning about the current lives of my former Slytherins, though I know better to ask personal details."
"From your earlier comments I must assume you have your own business now?"
 
He smirks. "Of a sorts. Though it is usually busier than sitting back instructing others what to do as in most businesses."
"Taking care of things yourself is one way to be certain no mistakes are made." I reply with a smirk. "Business has been good I hope?"

He frowns and glances around, "It has been well enough. A few teething problems, but I was fortunate to have a business partner to assist me through those."

I remember suddenly the conversation I had with Draco a few weeks ago which had been niggling me since I recognized Theodore pushing away from me through the crowd. As I couldn't recall why I wanted to talk to him I made small talk hoping it will come to me. Now it did.

"A business partner? Anybody I may know?" I ask looking at Theodore closely as I Legilimens him to hear what he is thinking. Though I do know who his business partner is or at least was, I want to see if he will be honest.

"You should know, Miss Parkinson was a pupil of yours at the same time Draco and myself were."

"Ah yes Miss Parkinson, I do remember her. I do hope you are being respectful with her as your business partner." I reply with a knowing smirk. "And speaking of young Mr. Malfoy, he is engaged to Miss Parkinson he has informed me recently."

"Yes I noticed, though curiously he bragged about owning a nice shiney new club before even passing comment that he's engaged to such a treasure." He shrugs, ignoring my comment about respect.

"Perhaps he assumed you would already know." I retort. "You did, afterall spend 7 years of schooling with both not to mention knowing Draco even before that."

He tenses slightly, "Yes, curiously long friendship, I'm very fortunate."

"I suspect you do not remember much of those times?" I notice how he tensed, obviously he doesn't like to think of his past. Most likely due to how his father up and abandoned him. Sometimes I wish mine did. I would have lived happier with just my mother around.

He growls and I see his wand arm move, though it is hidden by his cloak so I can't see whether or not he is armed. "Stay out of my mind, Professor." Then he sighs, "Everything after my mother died when I was eight up to the point I started Hogwarts is somewhat of a blur, or missing all together."

"It seems we have that much in common, a childhood we prefer to forget completely." I reply easing up a little on reading his thoughts. My skill at Legilimens is enough I do not have to push hard to see images, especially from an unguarded mind but Theo has a natural resistance I am having difficulty getting past without him noticing. It doesn't help that we are standing in a busy alley with quite a bit of activity moving about around us. I fold my arms across my chest which effectively puts my hand right where I store my wand in my robes. "Perhaps we should continue our discussion in a less busy location. There is a pub not far from here and I am sure you can use something to drink to relax."

He lowers his arm, "And give you a more peaceful setting to examine my thoughts without distraction, making it easier to bypass any ability I have to block you as I did that Lestrange witch? Adding alcohol to the mix to weaken my defenses...it would not be very Slytherin of me to fall for that."

"You have seen Bellatrix?" I ask, targeting the one important thing he mentioned. "When? Where?"

"November 23rd, Midnight Apothecary."

"What did she want there?" I demand. This boy encountered Bellatrix and lived? "And just what did she read from your mind?"
"I have my thoughts invaded by one Death Eater so I'm going to willingly reveal them to another?" He looks highly amused by this, almost laughing at me. "She wanted a potion to make Narcissa Malfoy more compliant, don't worry, once I found out as much as I could, I took care of it."

The boy's mocking tone infuriates me but I restrain myself. As long as he keeps talking then he less likely to face reprisals for his cheek. "Just how did you take care of it?" I ask, narrowing my eyes as I do my best to read his face. I don't see Bellatrix just letting the boy go after learning her plans for Narcissa.

"I sent her a potion. She can add it to her food and drink without risking any harm to herself or anyone else and it will warn her if the food has been drugged."

"That was noble of you to do, Mr. Nott." I state but eye him suspiciously. Narcissa never mentioned she learned her food may be drugged by Bellatrix. But there is still something I sense he is hiding and that is concerning me. With two strides I close the distance between me and him and unfold my arms from my chest at the same time drawing my wand and put it to his throat while I force back into the side of a building. "Just why is it Mr. Nott, Bellatrix let you walk away with this knowledge alive?"

"Because Professor, unlike you, I know how to play nice to get the information I want." He smacks my wand away. "Don't try to intimidate me, I've delt with people alot more frightening than my old Head of House, ex-Death Eater or not."

"You have grown even more arrogant than ever, Mr. Nott." I snarl and step back so slapping my wand away will not be such an easy task. I keep it out but lowered, not yet ready to let this arrogant pup a chance to draw his own wand. "Perhaps you think you are untouchable now that you have your own business and have nobody to answer to but yourself. But be warned, striking up any deals with Bellatrix will be a bad career move on your part. Another thing, how I treated students at Hogwart's is nothing to how I treat my enemies. Do not make the error of becoming my enemy or joining my enemies."

Deciding i have nothing else to say to the boy I step back and turn into the flow of the crowd making it that much more difficult for him to decide to hex me in the back without hitting others in the process. I hope for his sake, Theo keeps his curses to himself.

After my talk with Charlie I decide I will have to see

Remus as soon as possible. Though it surprised me he

would decide to restart the Order of the Phoenix much

less choose to lead it, I have to wonder if he will be

efficient as a leader. 

To consider taking orders from Remus disturbs me,

giving our unpleasant past but I have to admit he did

well enough as Professor of Defense against the Dark

Arts several years ago, despite the fact my suspicions

about him letting Sirius into the castle. It still

gulls me that my accusations were ignored by Albus,

instead he took the word of Potter and his friends.

Now however, I have to learn to let that go. We are

not children at school anymore and Remus has proved

loyal to Dumbledore more often than I can count and it

is very possible Remus won't trust me any more than I

trust him.

In fact, I just don't see how he could have found the

fortitude to stand up for whats right much less be

able to lead. He certainly showed absolutely no

ability to do so when he was a Gryffindor Prefect in

school. 

I sigh, I should know better not to drudge up the

past.  I have repaid my dept to Lily and I should move

past the pains of my past to new possibilities but it

is difficult to forgive those who I hated for as long

as I can remember. But I will need to do so now with

Remus, if I am to ensure I have a place within the

Order and direct him to give me the resources I need

to make tracking down Bellatrix faster. 

It doesn't help to realize I have precious few friends

left in this world. In fact, I am only truly sure of

Narcissa as a friend. Lucius I am no longer certain

about. Of course I have my fellow Professors here at

Hogwarts but I always wondered if their signs of

friendship is more out of the fact Albus trusted me

and they trusted him so they gave me the benefit of

the doubt. Minerva I suspect now trusts me but whether

she considers me a friend, I am not sure.

Again I feel a pang of loneliness. My closest friend

is more like a sister to me than anything else but I

can't help thinking, if she had never married, would I

have considered her a potential wife? Or was I still

to much in love with Lily back then to even consider

another? Now I know there will never be anything

between Narcissa and I other than our brother/sister

love for each other. 

She is also the only other woman besides Lily I care

about. I think I am now too old to look for somebody I

can love enough to want to form a relationship with. I

know I will never love anybody as deeply as I loved

Lily, but my tiny heart may have room for

somebody...if I can figure out how a man even looks

for love in others, I knew I loved Lily since the day

I first laid eyes on her when I was barely able to

comprehend what love is.

Why am I suddenly being so melancholy? It isn't like

me to dwell on these things. Maybe involving myself

with the Order is a bad thing if its going to dredge

up this sort of thoughts. No, I have already committed

myself by accepting Charlie's invitation and I do need

the resources the Order can provide me.

Moving to my desk I sit down and pull out a fresh

sheet of parchment and my black feather quill. Pausing

to recollect my thoughts I start to compose my letter

to Remus. It is short and to the point, I see no need

to chitchat in letter form with him. Sealing it I rise

and head out to the Owlry to pick a bird to deliver my

message.

Remus:

I need to speak to you as soon as is convenient

with you. Just give me a place and time and I will be

there.

Severus Snape,

Professor Defense Against the Dark Arts

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

It didn’t take long for me to hear back from Remus. His reply gave me a time and place to meet him. A few days later I set out to London.

 

Remus is waiting by The Leaky Cauldron; he insisted it would be the best place to talk privately, as there are enough people nobody quite pays attention.

 

He smiles benevolently as I approach, although the smile does not quite meet his eyes. "Good day, Severus."

"Hello Remus," I respond giving him a once over. He

looks well enough, better than usual in fact. Perhaps

married is agreeing with him. I am still not sure how

to treat him, the resentment of our shared passed

burns brightly still but I can't help but remind

myself he has two of his closest friends. 

I take a seat across from him, giving the room a good

look before focusing onto Remus fully.

"It seems we are going to be working on the same side

again," I state, keeping my voice low enough that it

cannot be overheard by passerby’s. "Charlie tells me

you have decided to reform the Order with yourself as

leader."

 

"Yes," Remus says. "There have been several attacks. We need to be sure the war does not happen again. And we may need your help again."

 

"I find it surprising you decided to organize this,

Remus," I comment looking at him closely. "Taking the

mantel of leadership is not your typical way of doing

things. Usually you let other more capable people take

that role."

"However, if a new dark power is on the rise or will

be in the future, I will of course, do my part to stop

it. The scars from the last dark power have yet to

heal and I certainly do not want to relive the past

hardships again." 

 

"I do not want old scars either," Remus says quietly. "But it can be avoided, if we both allow ourselves to open to others and tell the truth." The words "for instance, that you were always on our side" hung in the air, but he left them unspoken.

 

I am not sure what Remus is implying is a dig against

me or nothing so specific. In either cause I decide to

let it pass. 

"You can count on my assistance," I confirm again. "I

have already told Charlie I will join with the Order

again. That was when I learned you are in charge.

There is something very specific I need the Order to

start looking into."

"The Death Eater, Bellatrix Lestrange, I am sure you

remember who she is," I know I don't have to remind

Remus it was her who caused the death of Sirius Black,

probably one of the few things I would thank her for

taking care of. I am know better to admit to my

feelings on this to Remus though. "We need to track

her down, I am sure half of the Death Eater attacks

going on, if not all of them, are her responsibility.

Apparently she is trying to take the place of her late

Lord and she has the magical skill to really make a

mess of things. But I do want to be in on taking her

down, once she is located."

 

"We will certainly alert you," Remus promises. "In fact ,that is where you might be an asset. You... have experience with people such as her, and I feel you might know when and how she might attack, and what sort of place she could be hiding in."

 

I look him over and smirk. The way he talks it sounds

like he expects me to do all the ground work then call

on them for aid when in fact I was hoping to enlist

the Order's own resources.

"As you say, I do know Bellatrix from our past

associations and I am keeping my eyes and ears open

for any indication she is hitting any of her old

haunts. I definitely know she is not having any

association with the Malfoys, that much I do know.

However, for me to track her down, I need man power,

to keep their eyes and ears open for anythink, as I

can't be watching everything at once."

"If you want to give me cart blanche on the Order's

resources and contacts, then I can certainly will be

able to use it." I tell him, hoping he goes this route

as it will mean less direct contact with Remus

himself

 

"You will be in the order, so you will be able to use our resources," Remus says. "And I am not asking you to do all of the work - but you will be an asset. We will all be working together."

 

"Of course," he continues, "you need not feel obligated."

 

"Good." I reply. "I do want to prevent another Dark

Lord rising, or Dark Lady. If keeping the Order active

even though its initial purpose, to stop the Dark

Lord, has been achieved, ensures we do not have such a

reign of terror again, then you have my support." 

"I will keep in contact." I add, deciding there is

nothing else further to say, except for one last

thing. "By the way, where is the HQ now?"

 

Remus gives me the location on a piece of paper. "Here. It is secret again."

 

He looks at his watch. "Well, Severus, I must get back to doing a few things... do you have any further questions?"

 

I glance at the paper and memorize the location. Once

I do, I cast a simple spell and the paper vanishes in

a puff of smoke. 

"I have no further questions at this time Remus. Good

day to you." I tell him. 

 

After dinner I wait in my office for Miss Fry to arrive. The news Minerva and Horace have revealed to me earlier is disturbing and it concerns me some Slytherin students, some who I may have taught potions to several years ago could have done such a thing to a fellow House Mate, even if she is muggle born. I am hoping I can convince Miss Fry to open up to me, without having to resort to more forceful means.

Soon I hear a knock on my door. "Professor Snape?" I hear Miss Fry call out behind it. "Professor Slughorn said you wished to speak with me?"

 

"Enter I call out." As soon as Miss Fry walks into my office, I point to a chair positioned before my desk. "Please have a seat Miss Fry."

 

"Do you understand why I have asked you to come see me?" I inquire, not sure if Horace would have explained why I wanted to talk to her.

Miss Fry shakes her head. "No. He just said you wanted to talk with me." She stills. "Did I do something wrong in class? It was not hard to shift from Professor Kappa's style to yours. In fact it was much easier, your style is similar to the tutors I had at home."

"No, this has nothing to do with your Defense class." I tell her truthfully. As she takes a seat I look directly into her eyes so I can pick up any falsehoods or other information from her without resorting to actually casting legilimens on her. Though very effective I find myself reluctant to use it right off the bat.

"It has come to my attention you are not being treated very nicely by some of your Housemates." I tell her calmly. "Though I expected you will have to endure a certain level of teasing and minor hexes as your fellow Slytherins try and adjust to the fact a muggle born was sorted into their House, I did not expect things to go as far as they have. I am concerned how this will affect your grades. As I teach Defense against the Dark Arts, I feel it is my place to ensure you can defend yourself from what your fellow students are trying to do to you."

Miss Fry goes still in her chair and remains silent for a few moments, then speaks up. "What has happened to me is what I was told to expect by my friend that is in Ravenclaw," she says quietly. "She said people like us, Muggleborns, are not generally accepted by some in my House. I assure you, Professor Snape, I take pride in my schoolwork and will not let bullies affect my grades."

 

"I am glad to hear this," I tell her, steepling my fingers under my chin as I continue to watch her closely. "However, being doused by a Living Daymare potion is not acceptable behavior and has raised great concern about your future wellbeing. This is of course due to no fault of your own however we cannot allow those responsible to continue to try and harm you in such a manner."

"I know all about House Loyalty within Slytherin, having formally been Head of Slytherin myself and an alumi member, thus I greatly appreciate the position you find yourself in." I continue in a calm voice. "I already know Professor Slughorn and Headmistress McGonagall have talked to you about telling them the name of those responsible for giving you that potion and thus far you have kept this information to yourself. Thus I have little hope you will feel more comfortable telling me this information. But I do think you should be extremely careful around your fellow Slytherins, especially if you know the identity of who gave you the Living Daymare potion."

I pause to give Miss Fry a chance to say something while I continue to try and catch surface thoughts. I hoped by my continual alluding to the student responsible for giving her the potion will prompt her to think about him or her, thus allowing me to pluck it from her mind. Unfortunately I find her mind is pretty guarded, whether its a conscious effort on her part or she just possesses a well disciplined mind. I expect the former more than that latter though. It will be better if she just opened up to me on who's responsible and save me the trouble of having to push her into revealing her attacker.

"What will happen to the student who was responsible?" She asks, her tone subdue. "I mean what sort of punishment would be given, if I said their name?"

 

"That isn't your concern," I tell her, worried if I tell Miss Fry the student will most likely be expelled if the student cannot give a good reason for his or her's actions to placate Minerva. "He or she will have to face the consequences of their actions but it will be the Headmistress who will decide the final punishment."

 

"It is my concern, Professor. I am not going to be the one to get a student in trouble simply because he or she cannot accept who I am. If I tell, I will forever have that tagged on me. I read some of the history on Slytherin House. Slytherins do not forget."

"You would prefer they try something worse and possibly seriously harming you instead?" I inquire, starting to feel angry. "There is another thing said about Slytherin, we don't tolerate being the victims of other people, especially when there is an easy way to deal with it."

"It is one thing to have harmless pranks and minor hexes cast against you by malcontents, but it is a completely different matter if a fellow student is trying to do you serious harm.  Slytherins are survivalists, not full of senseless bravado like a Gryffindor."

 

Miss Fry stiffens in her seat. "I am looking after myself, Professor. If I say his name, what would keep his friends from retaliation? You said yourself you are from Slytherin, you know how it works better than anyone else. The three Slytherins I have already befriended have already said they would help me keep a closer eye on my food and drink. The student who did this to me... he will get his own within time. Everything comes within full circle." She half smiles. "Something my father says a lot."

"Do keep in mind that retaliations can cause you trouble as well, Miss Fry." I warn her. "Do not be caught in the same position this boy stands in now for what he has done to you so far. As for his friends, better they see you are not afraid to take proper measures to protect yourself, even if it means giving up the guilty parties' name to your teachers."

She nods. "May I go?"

I study her for a few moments while I consider if I should let her go or push her more for the name. I decide to push more now will not get results but keeping a closer eye on the older male Slytherins, may reveal more than what Miss Fry was willing to tell me at this time.

"Very well, you may go," I finally state. "But be cautious and know you can come to me to talk should you wish. I suggest you stay with your friends as much as possible to hopefully discourage this boy from taking further actions against you."

 

"Thank you Professor," Miss Fry stands up and heads to the door. She pauses, and then glances at me. "It's interesting to think my blood status is what is causing this, and nothing more," she says quietly before she opens the door and is soon gone.

I watch her leave and sigh. McGonagall should never have allowed this girl to be sorted into Slytherin.

"Ah, Severus. Glad I caught you. The Headmistress would like to speak to us both," Horace's voice booms out.

I turn at the sound of Horace's booming voice and flinch slightly. For a man of his bulk he sure can move about silently.

"Hello Professor Slughorn," I respond pleasantly.

Horace nods. "Professor. The Headmistress would like a word with the both of us," he repeats.

"Very well," I reply, curious as to what Minerva wanted with the two of us though I can't help wonder if it is related to recent student activities. I walk with Horace towards Minerva's office, letting him give the password to the stone gargoyle guarding the entrance to the spiraling staircase. Once before the doors of the Headmistress's office, I knock once and push the doors open.

"Hello Minerva, you wished to see us?" I inquire.

"Severus, Horace," she greets us both. She puts her hands on her hips as she stares at Horace. "I want answers, Horace. As does the Board of Governors. They already know about the incident with Miss Fry."

Horace flinches. "I spoke to Madam Pince, Headmistress. Three potions books were taken out of the Restricted Section, by my permission to three of the OWL's students. But since the potion that was used on Miss Fry is NEWT level standard, or was before Hogwarts rejected that potion as part of it's cirriculum, it's safe to say that one of my fifth years were not the culprit."

"That leaves several sixth year and seventh year Slytherins as the culprit," Minerva retorts frostily. "Did you even inform Severus of what has happened Horace, like I asked."

"Haven't had the time," Horace grumbles.

"Just what potion did Miss Fry take?" I inquire. Given the board of Governors was involved, it certainly must have been a dangerous potion.

"Someone slipped a potion into her drink during dinner the other night," Horace says. "It causes the drinker to see their inner most nightmares when awake. A prefect found Miss Fry actually a couple hallways away from the Infirmary."

 

"That sounds like a potion of living daymares, not a potion easily made nor found even in the restricted section," I state. It is also a potion I have used in the past when I was a Death Eater but that knowledge I don't have to share. "I don't expect any student below Newt level will have the required skill to make such  a potion. I suspect you  will find hellbore and nighmare blood missing in your personal stores, Horace."

"The antidote for the potion is not too complex, I can make one up in a couple hours, should it be needed, Headmistress." I offer though I suspect Madame Pomfrey may have already counteracted the potion by now.

"She had one on her when Miss Fry was brought to the infirmary," Minerva answers. "Then gave her a sleeping potion. Horace said he spoke with her yesterday and she still won't say who put it in her drink, but he thinks she knows who it was. Sames situation when she was discovered with the results of several stinging hexes on her arms. Poppy couldn't get any answer  out of her."

"She may know who is doing this Minerva," Horace interjects, "but no matter what happens, she simply will not talk about it."

"Well, I want whoever is doing this to her found. So do the Governors," Minerva's voice turns hard. "The decision to have the culprit's wand snapped and to be expelled has already been made. Find out who did it, before he or she does anything else." Minerva turns to me. "She has apparently taking a liking to your class Severus. Do me a favor, see if you can get any answers from her. And Horace, have your Prefects pay closer attention to the going ons in your House. Another incident with Miss Fry will NOT be tolerated."

I nod, seeing Minerva is definitely not happy about recent events. In fact, I don't blame her, I would do the same thing in her shoes especially giving the seriousness of the potion used on Miss Fry. If the one responsible stuck with stinging hexes and other annoying little spells, they would not be facing possible expulsion.

"I will talk with Miss Fry and see if I can find out who is responsible for giving her the potion," I reply, fully ready to use Legilimens if it came down to it to find out which Slytherin is being so foolish. 

"Horace, can you have Miss Fry brought to my office tonight after dinner?" I ask, deciding I might as well get it done as quickly as possible, instead of waiting till after the next 1st year Defense class.

"Of course. But I still say you won't get anything from her. She's been keeping her mouth shut about everything." Horace frowns.

"I don't care. Find out," Minerva snaps. "It's bad enough that the Ministry had to send someone to convince Miss Fry's parents that she needed to come to Hogwarts to control her  gift, but I am not going to let their fears that she shouldn't be learning magic, be confirmed. She's here to learn, not to be attacked based on the status of her blood. Most of Slytherin has already grudgingly accepted her. The rest better. Now I have to send the results of what you have learned Horace, to the Governors."

"I will be able to find out what she is hiding, you can count on me Minerva," I tell her. "I will give you the name right after I talk with Miss. Fry."

"Thank you. Have a good day gentlemen."

I incline my head to Minerva and look over at Horace before heading out of the Headmistress's office, expecting he would follow me out.

"Just bring Miss Fry to my office after dinner, Horace and I will deal with this matter once and for all." I tell him firmly. It doesn't surprise me he wasn't able to induce Miss Fry to talk, Horace is a nice man who is good at making introductions and ingratiating himself with students, but he never was good at actual interrogation.

"Very well. But do not be surprised if you don't get any answers, Severus. Even though some do not seem to care about house loyalty, she already does." Horace pauses. "I'm surprised at Minerva's outburst though. She's usually very collected."

"Minerva does not take such attacks on students lightly,"  I respond. "Nor is it easy to keep collected when you have the Board of Directors breathing down your neck. I am actually surprised she had as much control left as she did."

 

Horace just nods and wanders off.

Dear Severus:

 

I am looking forward to talking with you again

Same place, Saturday; The seal will activate at 10 am.

 

Sincerely, Narcissa

I fold the message and the portkey carefully and put it away to make sure I did remember the time correctly. I didn't doubt my own memory but it certainly pays to be thorough.

At exactly 10am I feel that same wrenching feeling in my guts and the portkey wisks me away. Landing on my feet with knees slightly bent to absorb the shock, I straighten up and put the portkey back into my pocket as I look for my lovely hostess.

"Good morning, Narcissa," I great my hostess as I turn to face her. "How are you today?"

She takes both my hands in her own.  "Improving.  I actually slept well yesterday.  And while the morning sickness is still a problem, it is becoming less frequent.  My book is progressing well also.  I should have it done by Christmas."  She gives a rueful smile at this. 

"I am glad you are feeling less sick with the pregnancy." I study her carefully knowing Narcissa doesn't always admit when she isn't feeling as well as she should be. "You do look tired though; I hope this book you are writing isn't keeping you awake when you should be resting."

She shakes her head.  "No.  I made a deal.  I get to sleep when I need to--without nightmares, and the book gets written on time."  She smiles softly at me.  "But tell me what it is like for you being back at Hogwarts.   Do the students seem to be eager to learn?  How are my endowment students, Williams and Baddock?" 

"A deal with whom?" I ask, concerned. The rest of her statement doesn't make sense. The only person I knew who received nightmares from an outside source was Potter.  If Narcissa is being sent nightmares, I want to know the source, though I am pretty sure she isn't getting them from the Dark Lord. "And what do you mean no more nightmares? Are you saying somebody has been intentionally sending you nightmares?"

"The subject of my book.  She was making sure I get it finished in time and that I was aware of Bella's intent towards me. Less to save me than to ensure her book is written.  But I found a way to talk to her, and she will not send any more nightmares as long as I have her book done by Christmas."  She looks embarrassed. "You must think I am mad.  I would too, if I had not received the dreams so graphically and so frequently.  But since my subject is not a ghost,  she can only talk to me when I am dreaming."

The idea of the spirit of Morgana Le Fey talking to Narcissa in her sleep concerns me, but I am no expert on spirits. Perhaps the Hogwart's ghosts will be able to shed more light on this. For now I have to content myself in making sure Narcissa doesn't let her mind be opened too much by beings from beyond the grave.

"I advise caution in dealing with this spirit, Narcissa." I tell her firmly. "I also suggest you sharpen up your occlumens skills and keep her out of your dreams. Though I do not doubt her warnings about Bellatrix, she may use your trust in her as a way to control you, and you must stay alert and protect yourself."

"I know, Severus.  I read up in a book how to regain control of my dreams and talk to her.  That is what I did.  I have not had problems with other spirits,"  she tells me.

Nodding, I have to assume she is taking all necessary precautions, but I intend to keep a close watch on her to make sure she doesn't start behaving oddly. My concern for her makes me wish I could spend more time with her. Unfortunately if I did make an effort to keep a closer eye on Narcissa, I risk annoying her husband. Though I consider Lucius a friend, at times I wonder how he views my friendship with his wife.