Chapter 24- Decisions
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…the castle is a stronghold of ancient magic…HBP, Ch. 20
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It was one thing to have an intellectual grasp of the Cruciatus Curse, and quite another to see it performed on someone close to him. Tearing his eyes from the floor where Eris writhed in pain, Severus ordered, "Rescind the curse!"
Walking further into the classroom, Lily Evan's vacant smile turned into a frown. "But she was forcing herself on you. Aren't you glad I stopped her?"
Grabbing his wand, he pointed it at the bewildered girl. "I will not hesitate to hurt you."
"Snape, No!"
He aimed his wand at the boy who'd burst into the dungeon. "I want the curse off Eris now!"
"You're the one who put a spell on Lily. You have to ask her to do it!" yelled Potter .
Through his teeth, Severus addressed the hopeful-looking girl. "Please release her so that I may thank you properly for your concern."
Lily nodded eagerly. "Anything for you."
After the curse was lifted, he forced himself to step away from Eris and toward the one his roommate had entranced. To forestall an attempt to embrace him, Severus took Lily's hand and said, "Close your eyes. I wish to…thank you."
Smiling, she did as asked. While Potter dithered between hovering behind one girl and comforting another, Severus performed the counter spell to the Entrancing Enchantment. When green eyes opened, the manic gleam was gone. She pulled away.
Severus rushed over and dropped to his knees, gathering Eris into his arms while chanting a pain cessation spell. Thankfully, Lily hadn't cast the Crucio with intent to cause lasting harm. While Eris caught her breath, the girl who still held her wand outstretched put a hand to her head.
"What…what's been happening to me? Horrible images are going through my mind." The distress in Lily's voice grew as she denied, "I…I don't want to be with Snape…I love James." Her gaze fell on Eris. "What's wrong with her? Why is she…?" Breaking off with an appalled look on her face, Lily backed away. "No, I wouldn't hurt her. She's my friend." Her face twisted as she entreated the boy drawing her close, "Tell me I didn't use an Unforgivable Curse!"
"It wasn't your fault." James stared defiantly at the other couple. "Snape bewitched you, to get back at me for being friends with Eris. Didn't you, you bastard?"
"No!" Lily sobbed.
Severus looked down into Eris' tear-drenched face and replied, "I did not perform the enchantment, but neither did I revoke it in time." Lowering his voice, he said in a raw whisper, "Forgive me."
She nodded, burying her face against his chest.
Relief made Severus' throat ache. As he stroked her hair, a bitter voice echoed in the chamber. "She might forgive you, but I don't, and if you try to tell anyone about what happened..."
"James, he has to tell the Headmaster. I used an Unforgivable Curse! I deserve to go to Azkaban."
"The hell you do! If anyone deserves to rot, it's Snape, for allowing this to happen!"
"He didn't intend to cause pain and enjoy it. I did. I used Dark magic and now I have to face the consequences," Lily said dully.
"Not if we keep silent."
"But James, Dumbledore will know somebody used an Unforgivable in the castle!"
"That is not correct," Severus interjected. Telling himself that he could not abide ignorance, he explained, "Hogwarts was built with an ancient magic. It is a stronghold that not only repels intruders, but also shields the wielders of magic within its walls." Irritated by the impatient look on Potter's face, he snapped, "Intended to prevent enemies from detecting spellwork, the magic works against castle inhabitants as well…is that clear, Mr. Potter?"
"Yes, Professor." Turning to Lily, James dropped the sneer. "I may never say this again, but Snape's right. I remember ancient magic being mentioned in Hogwarts, A History, and unless a teacher or prefect saw, I never got in trouble for using magic outside class." Face and voice alight with hope, he said, "No one ever has to know."
"I can't live a lie, the guilt would destroy me," Lily cried despairingly.
Eris waved her wand. "Obstupefacere!"
The other girl's anguished features smoothed into a blank stare. James exclaimed, "Lily!" before demanding, "What did you do to her?"
"I've transfixed her mind," Eris explained hoarsely. "You won't be able to convince Lily to keep quiet. She's too honourable."
Severus helped her stand. "How do you propose we handle this, then?"
"Memory Charms…we make her forget she was ever entranced. If Lily doesn't remember, she can't feel guilty and tell."
"Flitwick said we shouldn't use those kinds of charms. They're potentially dangerous and certainly unethical--practically Dark Arts themselves," said James.
"Would you rather your girlfriend confess to performing an Unforgivable?" jeered Severus. "I wonder how long it would take for Dementors to destroy every memory she ever had of you."
"I wonder how you'd like a hex. There are loads of curses that aren't Unforgivable."
"I know, and I am more than willing to try them all on you, Potter."
"Are you challenging me to a Wizard's Duel?"
"Do you have a death wish?"
"Stop, please!" Eris waited until she had both boys' attention before saying, "Fighting isn't going to help Lily."
"Why should I help her? She admitted to enjoying hurting you. I say we go to the Headmaster and let him decide." Severus relished the look of panic on his enemy's face.
"No, gods no, anything else…even Memory Charms." James clasped his girlfriend's limp fingers and said, "I can't lose her, so…just tell me what to do."
The lips of the boy watching turned down at the corners. Here he was again, in position to extract revenge on his foe and unable to carry it through. Although he'd implied otherwise to bait Potter, Severus considered Lily an innocent victim. Moreover, regardless that he still believed with every fibre Potter had meant to harm him fifth year, it didn't change the fact that James had saved his life. Galling as it was, Severus owed the privileged git a debt he could never fully repay.
Nodding reluctant approval to Eris, he listened while she said, "You'll have to be her Secret-Keeper, James."
"Can the Fidelius Charm work that way?"
"Yes, I've watched my father do it." Disregarding Potter's pitying look, she continued briskly, "Which of us do you want to be your Secret-Keeper?"
"Wait; hold on, what do you mean my Secret-Keeper?"
Severus cut in, "Really, Potter, and to think I had credited you with marginal intelligence. If you want to make certain the secret is truly buried, you have to ensure that someone skilled in Legilimency won't be able to lift it from your underused brain."
"I don't believe…what are you doing?"
He was looking into Potter's mind, easily finding and bringing the curse episode to the forefront of memory. Unable to resist, Severus delved deeper.
Running toward the hidden passage, James dove beneath a club like branch of the Whomping Willow and scrambled down the steps. Face white, he reached the boy staring in horror at the transforming werewolf and dragged him into motion, away from mortal danger.
"Relashio!"
Thrown backwards, Snape picked himself up, gritting as he rubbed the back of his head, "You should study Occlumency, Potter. The weakest of Legilimens could yank any thought out of your tiny mind anytime they liked."
"I will, and I choose Eris to be my Secret-Keeper. You get the memory erased. I don't trust you not to betray me, Snape."
Severus gave a short laugh. Did Potter not realise he had almost as much to lose? Dark Enchantments were Azkaban worthy offences. The thought of being convicted as an accessory was the lone reason he had not already rushed to the Headmaster's office. Minor culpability had nothing to do with it. Shrugging over the dunderhead's inability to reason or place trust in the correct persons, he sneered. "If only every memory of you could be erased."
"Same here," James returned. He noticed Eris riffling through the flagons on a worktable and said, "What are you doing?"
"Finding a Strengthening Potion. The spells we need are complicated and draining." With a ghost of a smile, she said, "I've had a hard day."
"Hellish, more like. I'm really sorry you had to go through so much pain."
Severus was not about to stand there and watch Potter be the sensitive champion yet again. Slipping his arms around Eris, he said, "Allow me to assist you with the spells."
She gave him a smile other girls reserved for expensive jewellery and roses. Raising his wand, Severus gazed smugly at the other boy. "Let's start with you, Potter. Relax your mind and it won't hurt…much."
Gulping, the Gryffindor paled, but nodded manfully and complied. The show of bravery made Severus' lip curl as he began the complicated process. Always the hero….
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Before the final spell had been completed, Eris said, "If Lily's going to come to herself in a few moments and think you two came down here to snog, seeing us is going to ruin the story."
James pointed. "Hurry, hide beneath Slughorn's desk!"
Severus complied, feeling as though near-tragedy had been turned into farce.
Eris raised her wand. "You're going to think while we were making up, we heard someone trying to enter and ducked under here to avoid detection." She kissed him. "You won't remember, but what you're doing for Lily just makes me love you more."
He smiled to hear her Hufflepuff spin of his Slytherin pragmatism.
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Hearing Potter say his girlfriend's name, Severus rolled his eyes. He should've hexed instead of hidden. Fortunately, the desk was as massive as the professor who had accepted it from a former student and it was comfortable sitting in the hollow with Eris curled up on his lap.
After a pause, he heard Lily say, "Tell me again, why you thought this was a good place to snog."
"Because no one ever comes here," answered James.
"Maybe everyone thinks that and we'll get interrupted by another couple just when the kiss starts getting good," the girl said laughingly.
"What do you mean starts? My kisses are good beginning to end and I'll prove it!"
In the dimness beneath the enormous desk, Severus could see Eris smiling. She whispered in his ear, "Your kisses are better than good."
He said quietly, "I missed being with you, even more than your kisses, while we were apart."
Soft lips pressed his. Blocking out the sounds made by inferior snogging, Severus proceeded to display his ardour in a superior…and silent…manner.
"Ohhh..."
He stiffened. Had the feminine sound been Eris'…or Lily's? Beyond the desk, Potter said, "Uh, Lily-flower?"
Severus grimaced. Was that the best a Marauder could do? Their reputation was undeserved, just as he'd always thought.
"Mmmm?"
He looked at Eris. She was biting her lip, looking guilty. So…she was the one carried away. His lips curved.
"Let's go somewhere else."
"Trying to lure me to the Room of Requirement? Not after what almost happened last time, you naughty boy."
Merlin, please, the pair was even more nauseating than previously imagined.
Potter said, "I promise to be good, Lily-love, I just…."
"What?"
"I want to pretend we're somewhere far from here, someplace there's just you and me."
"All right, James, let's go."
After the other couple exited the dungeon, Eris whispered, "That's all I want too."
He asked, "What, to be someplace there's just you and me?"
She nodded. He smiled a little. "That's right here."
"So it is."
Right then, with his back against the desk and Eris' lips pressed to his, Severus felt a rush of feeling that exhilarated and humbled. He almost put it into words, but her tongue slid along his, and the moment was lost to sensation.
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Eris felt like she was keeping secrets from everyone. Although she and Severus were back together, he'd cautioned against letting anyone know. His roommate had seemed more amused than resentful that his spellwork had been for nothing, but Tom couldn't be trusted not to relay all knowledge gained back to his sponsor. Lucius, well aware of her parents' betrothal plans, wouldn't hesitate to use her relationship with Severus to his own advantage.
After the Memory Charm, Lily had forgotten everything that transpired before or during the dungeon incident. She continued to be friendly, and made a point to chat for a few moments whenever they met in the corridors. Eris had flinched the first time she'd seen the Head Girl after being cursed, but forced a smile that became natural after talking with Lily.
On prefect rounds one night, James had partnered with her and asked questions.
"You seem to be okay with what happened, but…are you? I mean, you'll have to keep this from Snape forever."
She smiled. "I don't know if it's because of the Fidelius, or that he agreed to it, but it's not a burden. I'm happy to do it."
"I feel the same way." After checking a floor of classrooms and ordering a group of second year Gryffs to cease playing lumos tag and return to their common room, James asked solemnly, "Do you feel differently about Lily now?"
"Do you?"
"No! I love her, and know it wasn't her fault, but you…."
He shook his head, unable to continue, looking so wretched she almost hugged him. Refraining, Eris replied, "I still like her and think she's a good person, if that's what you're asking." She continued in a thoughtful tone, "I guess I don't consider what she did Unforgivable."
"But the Ministry…."
"Is narrow-minded and autocratic and cares nothing about mitigating circumstances. Lily wasn't in her right mind when she saw me all over Severus and reacted. If I saw another girl doing what I was doing, I'd curse her too." Trying to lighten the mood, she teased, "I wouldn't use 'Crucio', because Slytherin think before they strike, but I'd act boldly as any Gryffindor."
"I believe you would."
The respect in James' voice made her smile, remembering the conversation days later, studying with her boyfriend in an unused classroom on the sixth floor.
"A galleon for your thoughts."
Looking up from the Dark Arts notes she was supposed to be reading, Eris said cheekily, "The ones I'm thinking come with higher price."
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Really, are they of a romantic nature?"
She giggled. "In a way. I was thinking of hexes to use on any girl who dared try to kiss you."
He gave a short laugh. "I do not see a queue forming, so spare yourself the trouble."
"No trouble. I've already thought of a few."
"Name them."
Standing, Eris walked over and placed her hands flat on his desk, leaning down to challenge, "Are you willing to make it worth my while?"
His lips twitched. "I take it by your expression the payment is not monetary?"
She'd been going for sultry. Eris nodded. "A kiss a curse."
His gaze became hooded. "The better the curse, the better the kiss."
What an incentive for excellence. She leaned forward until their mouths were only a breath apart. "Verruca."
He gave her a peck on the lips. "Acceptable, but warts are easily curable."
"Sternuere."
The next kiss lasted longer. "Uncontrollable sneezing is inventive, and Exceeds Expectations."
Almost breathless with anticipation, she said, "Ebrietas."
He smiled in a way that made her heart beat faster. "Drunkenness--why haven't I thought of that before? Black, inebriated, during school hours…he wouldn't be able to talk his way out of that."
Rising to his feet, Severus pulled her flush against him. The long, deep, bone melting kiss that followed curled her toes and matched the spell. It was Outstanding.
-
When Sirius Black began reciting dirty limericks at the top of his lungs to the appalled and delighted students finishing lunch in the Great Hall, Eris almost felt sorry for him. Professor McGonagall ordered the boy to the infirmary in a tone so dire; everyone at Gryffindor table ducked their heads. Black only howled with laughter and staggered toward the double doors, pausing to call a farewell to every girl he had ever snogged. He'd only gone a few metres when James and Remus came up beside their friend and marched him out of the Hall.
At the end of Slytherin table, a boy sat laughing silently. Eris caught Severus' eye and was guiltily happy to have cast the hex for him. If the Gryffindors made accusations, her boyfriend would be able to say in all truthfulness that he hadn't cursed anyone. As she watched, Severus arranged the fingers of one hand in the shape of an 'O.'
Later that day, after her last class, Eris was walking back to the common room when she heard her name called. Following the whisper to the source, she stepped behind the statue of Gary the Gorgeous. Her smile faded to see Sirius Black, not Severus, lying in wait for her.
"You look disappointed, Greatbody. Expecting someone else?"
"It's Greyback, and no."
"Not even your good friend James?" Shocking Eris by grabbing her wrist, the boy said, "All year, I've watched you chatting him up whenever Lily's not around." Grey eyes bloodshot from the hex gleamed dangerously. "The past few weeks, you two have become extra cosy, and I'm telling you right now to leave off."
"You misunderstand, we're just friends, and Lily's my friend too!"
A sneer marred handsome features. "Right, I know the ploy. It's one of my cousin Bella's favourites. Make nice with the wife or girlfriend while she's slithering into their partner's bed. If you think I'm going to let you get away with it--"
"I'm not like that. Talk to James, he'll tell you…."
"You're the exception, eh? A Slytherin with a heart of gold… Ballocks. I didn't buy it when he tried to sell me your Hufflepuff act, and I don't buy it now. I want your promise to stay away from him."
"Are you threatening me?"
He looked her in the eye. "Let's just say this dog bites."
Memories of being chased through the forest sent adrenaline coursing through her. "Well, this cat scratches!" Punctuating the words, Eris' nails raked across the back of his hand as she twisted out of his grasp.
Staring in disbelief at the blood dripping, Sirius barked, "You…"
"Sternuere!"
The boy stumbled away, sneezing. She backed up, saying, "If you weren't such a dumb animal, I'd try to talk some sense into you, but as it is…stay away from me!"
He managed to growl between sneezes. She hissed and ran. No one was in the corridor, so she transformed and ran faster.
-
"Elpis?"
Curled up on Severus' pillow, she mewed.
"I think you got your cat back, Tyke," said Tom. Behind the bed curtains, her eyes followed his voice as the boy walked across the chamber, saying, "Claire wants to study on the window seat in the Restricted Section, so I'll have to miss the touching reunion." There was a sound of papers rustling, and then his voice was heard by the door. "See you later, mate. Welcome back, Kitty."
She tried not to purr her distress, but the girl in Siamese form couldn't stop the deep sounds tearing from her throat. The moment Severus opened the curtains, she rubbed her nose and cheek against his hand and tried to press against any part of him she could reach.
He picked her up, petting in a repetitive, soothing manner. When she calmed, he placed her on the mattress and sat on the bed, drawing the curtains closed. "I heard that Sirius Black had to go to the infirmary again due to a mysterious inability to stop sneezing."
Transforming back into a girl, Eris threw herself into his arms, saying, "He lured me behind a statue and demanded I stop talking to James. I was so angry…and scared."
He stroked her back in the same manner he had used before. Gently, he asked, "What is beneath your fingernails?"
"Blood."
Severus lifted her hand and kissed it. "May I collect it?"
She didn't even think twice. Eris immediately used the same Cleansing Charm McGonagall had employed on James' socks.
"It was worth a try," he said ruefully, watching the blood disappear. Severus brushed his lips across her cheek, whispering, "Was Tom right? Do I have my cat back?"
Eris nodded. "I want to sleep in your bed every night." The silence that fell was charged with meaning and feelings better left unspoken…for now. She sighed as Severus brought his mouth down in a kiss that felt like a promise.
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Compared to the other dramas in her life, NEWTs paled by comparison, evoking little more than the usual pre-exam nervousness. In fact, the weeks of theoretical exams in the morning followed by practical examinations in the afternoon were relatively peaceful. Students concentrated on subjects other than feuds or romance for a welcome change. As anticipated, Eris performed superbly in Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures and did well in the other exams.
Only in Herbology did she falter. The theoretical exam was easy, but the practical ruined her chances of attaining more than an Acceptable. Clearing away the fruit she hadn't dried because her Heliotrope was casting a death shadow instead of blinding sunlight, Eris heard one of the Examiners sniff audibly. The plump little witch said to the others in a carrying whisper, "Sorry. Reminded me of my little sister--cried every time a batch of flobberworms died, the poor darling."
Blinking madly, Eris drew herself up straight and exited the chamber. She wasn't crying over a stupid exam that wouldn't mean a thing once she left here. The room had been dusty.
"How did the examination go, dear?"
Looking into Professor Sprout's kind brown eyes, the tears the girl had denied spilled down her face. Patting her arm, the woman said briskly, "For a black thumb to make it through seventh year is Outstanding, in my opinion, so hold your head up, Miss Greyback." At Eris' nod, Sprout smiled. "I need a second opinion on my latest batch of crabapple jelly. Would you care to accompany me to the kitchen for tea and crumpets?"
Nodding gratefully, the girl said, "Yes, thank you."
-
"Gods you're witchy tonight."
Glancing up from sorting her trunk to meet Narcissa's gaze, Eris smirked. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
Clapping her hands together in glee, Narcissa said, "Are you mental? I love it!" Coming over to pick a white blouse out of the trunk, she continued, "Claire's gone round the twist over that little creep Wilkes, Diana has been hinting that she'll have a ring to flash on her upcoming moonlight ride, and even hags like that Bullstrode creature are gushing about alliances and wedding robes. It's revolting!"
"The blouse? Put it back, then."
Slapping Eris playfully on the hand, Narcissa laughed. "Not the blouse, it's gorgeous. Did you transfigure it? I hate you if so."
"You hate me? I'm gutted."
"I'll love you if you give it to me."
"It's yours."
Admiring her new garment, the girl sighed. "Just think, when we're practically related, you can transfigure all my clothes to fit me perfectly."
"I'll always be your friend, Cissy, but I can't promise to be your tailor."
"Why not?"
The astounded look on her friend's face brought up a memory as easily as if Severus had been practicing Legilimency.
Two little girls played with dolls in the Greyback House nursery. Tossing back long white-blonde hair, Cissy said, "My dolly's old and ugly. I hate it!"
Eris snatched the doll away from the girl before she could hurl it across the room. "Don't treat toys like that."
"Why not?"
"Because it's not right." Taking a doll off a nearby shelf, she extended it. "Here. I've never played with this one. She looks like you, so you can have her, if you'll promise to take care."
Reverently touching the doll's pale ringlets, Cissy smiled. "She's beautiful, and I won't let anybody harm her, ever."
"Hello? Anybody home in there?" When Eris explained what she'd been remembering, Narcissa said, "See? I need you around to be my conscience." Cajolingly, she added, "And while you're making me do the right thing, you can tailor my clothes."
"You have to be responsible for your own actions, Cissy."
"No I don't."
Shaking her head, Eris refused to argue ethics with someone who didn't believe in absolutes. Sighing, she returned to going through her clothes. When she came across a pair of white trousers, Eris held them up. They were immediately snatched away.
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"Enter."
"You sent for me, Professor Slughorn?"
"Yes, yes, be seated, Mr. Snape."
Warily, Severus entered the office, glancing at the walls covered with photographs of the professor with famous former students. He sat on the edge of a chair. Facing the Head of Slytherin House, he waited to be enlightened as to the meaning of the summons. Several terrible possibilities had entered his mind when the Prefect had tapped him on the arm in the common room. Slughorn knew of the times he and Eris had snogged in the classroom, or that he'd appropriated a basket of strawberries from the professor's desk to feed his girlfriend.
"As Head of House, I am privy to the results of your NEWTs, although the marks will not be owled to you until the end of term." Regarding him curiously, like a confection thought inedible but proved otherwise, the gluttonous wizard said, "Outstandings, except in Transfiguration, and History of Magic." Condescendingly, Slughorn explained, "Your partial transfigurations weren't quite up to par, and geography is not your strong point either." With a brief smile, he said, "But still, Exceeding Expectations is nothing to be ashamed of."
Fighting to keep from showing any reaction to the upsetting news, Severus nodded stiffly. He froze upon hearing,
"As candidates for new Potions Masters are so rare, the Ministry no longer offers subsidised apprenticeships. However…." A box of sugared dates drew the man's attention. Contemplating it for several moments, Slughorn finally chose a date to eat.
"Yes?" Severus wanted to lunge across the desktop and drag the pontificating arse out of his seat to demand he finish, but forced himself to relax his white-knuckled grip on the arms of the chair.
Now taking his time rifling through mounds of papers, Slughorn found and extended a scroll. "It seems you have an anonymous benefactor, Mr. Snape. It's all there, the funds transferred to pay for your expenses and instruction, the travel arrangements made." The professor's tone became more effusive when his student asked the identity of the Potions Master. "Mordred Ap Meurig, uncle to Rhydian Ap Meurig, who was one of my former students and most talented in Transfiguration. Very grateful to be included in my Slug Club, Rhydian was. Sent a signed first edition of his text, although we never had the chance to take a photograph together."
While the professor trailed off into meditative silence, Severus unrolled the parchment and grappled with his pride. Had Eris owled her old teacher, begging for his assistance? He could envision Meurig jumping at the chance to help the prettiest student he'd ever had. The famous bastard likely fantasised the girl would thank him with more than words.
For an instant, Severus imagined tearing the apprenticeship contract in half, and stalking back to Slytherin to loftily state he would make his own way, without a rich girl's patronage. His lips twisted. That mental image wasn't nearly as satisfying as the thought of walking into an apothecary shop in Diagon Alley and hearing, "Do you know who that is? He's Severus Snape--the youngest Potions Master in Britain!"
Slowly, he reached for a quill, signing the contract binding himself as apprentice to a reclusive Welsh Potions Master.
-
Returning to his dorm, Severus paused in the doorway to watch an unusual sight. Tom was sitting on his bed, petting a cat. It was the hesitant stroking of a person unused to pets. The feline looked accepting, but ready to bolt at any moment. In the soft tone people reserved for animals, the boy said, "I'm rather glad I didn't have to hex Eris to get you back, Kitty. She's weak, but not a bad sort. Still, betrayal comes with a price, and I bet the girl misses you almost as much as my mate, eh?"
Elpis meowed and sprang down to run toward the door. Scooping the Siamese up, Severus braced her with one arm, while smoothing the cat's downy hair with his free hand. He could feel the rapid rise and fall of her chest and said, "Thinking about pet ownership?"
"No. The only cat I want digging her claws into my back is Claire." Laughing over the other boy's grimace, Tom said, "I like your kitty-cat, though. She refused to fetch a ball or play with a dangling shoe lace, giving me this look." Grinning, he asked, "Are you quite sure she isn't Professor McGonagall?"
"McGonagall's a tabby," Severus reminded, before changing the subject. "I signed an apprentice contract today."
"About time, mate! Who with?"
Tom obviously wasn't his mystery benefactor. The cat became very still. He said, "Mordred Ap Meurig."
"Sounds Welsh."
"It is."
The shorter boy shrugged. "It's not the worst place on the planet. You could've gone back to Yorkshire."
"Merlin forbid."
"Yeah. Hey Tyke, tell you what. I'll visit."
Severus deadpanned, "I will look forward to it like Christmas."
Tom's laugh was cut short by a heavy knock. The brawny form of Laurence Keane stood in the doorway, his crony Jugson beside him. Jerking his head, the boy informed, "There's a meeting. One hour. Be there."
"So be there. In one hour," Jugson repeated portentously, before asking Keane, "What does that mean, in exactly one hour? One hour from when? From when you said it, or from when Greyback told you to go say it? And whose watch are we using? Should we synchronise or something? What time do you have, Snape? Ow!"
Lowering the hand he'd cuffed the other boy with, Keane ordered, "Shut up, Lane. Tell the message and go, that's all we were supposed to do."
The lanky boy scratched his head. "But we didn't go. We stayed, and I asked Snape the time and…OW!" Rubbing both ears, he continued despondently, "Yeah, that too."
Keane heaved a deep sigh and pushed his friend down the corridor. Tom snickered. "I'm really going to miss them."
The pair was amusing, but the only one he would miss would be Eris. Unconsciously, his grip tightened. Tiny claws dug into his forearm. Relaxing his hold, Severus placed the cat on the bed, thinking he didn't mind her claws in any form.
"How about we go early and put a shock spell on the door. Ruin Sutton's perfect hair."
Severus nodded. He didn't know if Tom's continued animosity derived from lingering jealousy over Claire or the rumours that Clive intended to ask Ulrik Greyback for his daughter's hand in marriage. Either way, it was a brilliant plan. "I'll put a trip jinx on the doorway." Fastening his cloak, he looked at the feline staring with deceptively innocent blue eyes and pointed a finger. "Stay."
Elpis purred.
-
During the meeting, Tom kept snickering over Clive's static charged hair and Erik's bruised forehead, which had hit the doorframe when he'd tripped. Severus contained his amusement and gave the appearance of listening respectfully. The 'study your spells and be ready to serve' spiel was treated by the others as having come from Voldemort, to Lucius, to them, but he knew better. The real word from their lord would come after the gathering.
"It is unnecessary for you to wait, Wilkes. Run along with the others."
Tom's eyes flashed angrily at Malfoy's dismissal, but he left obediently. Lucius chuckled when the door closed with a snap.
"Wilkes is not someone you should antagonise."
Severus' caution was dismissed with a wave of a manicured hand. "Let him sulk. I didn't come to rally schoolboys to the cause. I came to speak with you." With a measuring gaze, Lucius said, "Greyback has given Lestrange permission to address his daughter."
"That is no concern of mine."
"So Narcissa told me. I'm pleased, for your sake." Pale eyes gleamed. "You'll have more important things to occupy your time." Lucius said with satisfaction, "From now on, you work for me."
"Special Projects?"
"Exactly. Once we learnt of your apprenticeship, Ap Meurig was contacted." He smiled. "You will find your Master very understanding when it comes to occasional absences to fulfil knightly duties."
"Which are?"
"Courier. Owls are not the safest method of communication. Intelligence is the key to our lord's return to power, and you will be an integral part of the network."
"Headed by you?"
"Yes."
Severus had detected the infinitesimal hesitation. Malfoy claimed to be Spy Master, but Voldemort was only allowing him to assume the role. Yet another way the brilliant wizard appeared to trust his followers while in reality kept all the true power. He nodded. "I await your command."
Lucius looked pleased. "Excellent."
Once their gazes met, Severus used the link to delve into the man's mind. He 'saw' Lucius seated before a fireplace, smiling. The book he was reading was The Secret Life of Animagi. Chills ran down the boy's spine. A decision was called for. Use a Memory Charm and chance harming his sponsor, or allow Eris to be blackmailed into Voldemort's service. Before Malfoy could do more than demand, 'what the hell', Severus lifted his wand. "Obstupefacere!"
-
After saying he would await command a second time, the boy watched the wizard leave and closed his eyes, overwhelmed by relief. Lucius was unharmed, and Eris was safe. He exited the chamber with a spring in his step. Later that night, when he was sure Tom was asleep; Severus engaged his wand to a minor glow and whispered, "You do not have to worry about Lucius anymore."
The cat lying on his chest transformed. Eris was wearing one of his old tees. She pushed the fringe out of her eyes and said, "Did he mention me? What did he say? How did you convince him?"
His fingers stopped the hushed inquiry. "I used Legilimency and saw that he planned to use your abilities…so I adjusted his memories."
Eyes shining, she kissed his fingers, and then crawled up to reach his lips. His hands smoothed down the worn fabric and halted. Waiting until allowed to draw breath, he asked, "Is there a brassiere hanging in my shower?"
"No, I shrunk it along with the other clothes I put in your pillowcase." Kissing him again, Eris said, "Check for yourself, if you'd like."
Severus didn't reach for the pillow. He rolled his girlfriend over and lifted the hem of the shirt while lowering his mouth. Deep, passionate, kisses and caresses made silence hard to maintain. Her nails lightly raked his back. He did his best to stifle a groan.
"You all right, mate?"
He doused the wand and Eris finished transforming seconds before his roommate yanked the curtains apart. Raking back his hair, Severus sat up, squinting against the light. "Yes, of course, I just…"
"Rolled over on the cat? Better get used to sharing a bed, Tyke." Bending down, Tom picked up a tee. "Were you wearing this earlier?" Shaking his head, he cautioned, "If you're feeling warm in a chilly room, maybe you'd better take a Pepper Up Potion tomorrow." Transferring his gaze to the cat stretched out on the mattress, Tom chuckled. "At least you don't have to worry about accidentally smothering your kitty. That noise she made could wake you out of the deepest sleep."
He hadn't been wearing a tee, and the noise was hardly that loud, but Severus nodded. "Indeed. Thank you."
"No problem. Good night."
Stuffing the tee into his pillow case, Severus muttered to the feline watching him with shining eyes, "If you want it, come get it." The cat's warm, soft weight settled on his bare chest. She purred, paws gently kneading. He smiled in the darkness.
-
All inclination to smile was gone by the time the Hogwarts Express pulled out of the station, headed to London. He had seen Eris following her brother to his room for a private talk that morning. Judging by Erik's complacent smile later, his sister had agreed to her family's plans. Severus hoped that she was lulling her brother, that Eris had meant it when she said she wouldn't marry a man she didn't love. He just didn't know how to suggest an alternative.
Severus tried to read the paper, but his concentration was shot. Staring out the window, he watched the scenery flash by and tried to find the right words to say.
"Sorry I'm late. I was saying my goodbyes," said Eris, entering the compartment and taking a seat beside him.
Nerves taut, he questioned curtly, "Would that not have been better done at King's Cross?"
"No."
About to ask why not, he got distracted and said, "Where is your luggage?"
She lifted a handbag. "In here."
Why go to the trouble of shrinking it unless…. "Do you plan on returning home?"
Dark blue eyes were sad, but resolute. "No. I told Erik this morning, and gave him letters for everyone, before I used a Memory Charm to make him forget I'm not coming back."
His heart pounded. "Where do you plan on going?"
"That depends on you."
Severus found it hard to breathe, much less think. In a lesser man, he would call it panic, but he was only deliberating over the right words to say. "Eris…."
"Yes?"
He grabbed her hands and blurted, "I have no money…no right to ask…as a lowly apprentice…." Gathering his courage, he said, "Lestrange may offer financial and social advantages, but he will never care for you like I do or…."
"Care?"
She knew damn well what he meant. Did he have to say it? It was unsettling enough to feel the emotion much less admit to... "Love." The word was out of his mouth before he could take it back. Not that he wanted to, seeing the happiness on Eris' face before she threw herself into his arms.
Fervent kisses and mutual avowals of love were gratifying, but there was still a practicality to consider. "Eris, apprentices are not allowed to bring a partner."
Her smile gave him hope, even before her words gave him a bright future.
"You can bring a cat."
-
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A/N: When a story is over, is it really over? Not when Kerichi is the writer, lol. I couldn't let them go without a look into the couple's life after Hogwarts, so I hope readers will enjoy a Severus pov sequel. The Potions Master's Apprentice. Thanks to all the readers of this story, and special thanks to the reviewers who inspire with feedback and encouragement! The fantabulous folks who reviewed last chap (and most others- did I say I heart you people?) were ♥ 40/16♥ Arilla Rossi ♥ cupcakeswirl ♥ die Loreley ♥ ElspethBates ♥ Embellished ♥ FNP ♥ gothic-wildhorse ♥ GraceRichie♥ Machiavelli Jr ♥ Libeku Taganashi ♥ MamaLisa♥ NazgulGirl ♥ Slipknot-3113 ♥ sunny9847 ♥ TheLastWerewolf ♥ and The Ravishing Enchantress ♥