Death Eater No More—Chapter 89 (Snapshots Finale)

July 16, 2000

The sudden rapping of an owl outside Lucius' study window caused him to start. He'd been so engrossed in revising a bill of sale on a piece of property that was bound to make him a tidy profit that he'd forgotten to even heed the time. From the pocket watch on his fob, it was after five o'clock, he'd need to finish up soon.

He flicked his wand at the window and the owl flew in, perched on his desk, and waited motionless. He detached the note from its leg, fully expecting it to be from a business associate, and leaned back in his armchair to read it.

Dear Mr. Malfoy,

I don't think you know me, but I know you. I read about you in the Daily Prophet sometimes. My name is Sonia Hawbecker, but everybody calls me Sunny. My sister will be going to Hogwarts this year, but I'm only eight. When I was two years old your father saved my life.

Lucius paused with a sucked-in breath and sat bolt upright in his chair. Abraxas had died just over seven years ago, and before he'd passed on he'd helped to heal a little golden haired girl. That name did sound familiar! His father and Dr. Cullin had advised him not to initiate contact with the family, so he'd heeded that request. Well, now he wasn't the one initiating contact, was he? His hands quaked ever so slightly, and for the life of him he didn't know why.

If it was my daddy I'd miss him a lot, so I think you must, too. Only a really good person gives away their life force like that. Mum says the conviare spell he used killed him and I shouldn't bother you, but I wanted to tell you a secret. I think he gave me some of his magic, too. I can do stuff other kids my age can't. I thought you'd like to know.

Sincerely,

Sunny Hawbecker

With a sad, wistful smile playing on his lips, Lucius read the letter over again. He folded it carefully and tucked it into the breast pocket of his robes behind the miniature replica of his lovely wife that Narcissa had given him so many years ago. Every so often he still liked to set it on a tabletop and watch it dance, listen to it talk.

He sat in contemplative silence for a time before pulling a slip of fresh parchment from the stack to his left, then reached forward for a quill and black ink. He hesitated as the quill entered the neck of the bottle; withdrawing it, he capped the ink and took a bottle of green from his drawer.

Dear Sonia,

He struck a line through it. With his wand he vanished the ink completely and began again.

Dear Sunny,

How delightful to hear from you! Your letter stirred old memories that are best never forgotten. I watched my father perform the spell that saved you. I want you to understand he did it willingly, it was a great honour to him to be given such an opportunity. The conviare did not kill him, dragon pox did. Please do not blame yourself.

Lucius stopped, remembering the sight of Abraxas dying of leprosy and too ashamed for the world to know. He'd made his son promise never to tell a soul, not even Narcissa or Draco, and Lucius had kept that promise out of respect for his father. As far as the world was concerned, Abraxas Malfoy had died from dragon pox.

You said you can do special magic. My father was quite gifted in the healing arts, among other things. Do you mind telling me what kind of magic you believe he has bestowed on you?

I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing from you again.

Here Lucius paused once more, not sure how to sign the letter. He didn't actually know the girl, so 'Your friend' might sound kind of….strange. 'Sincerely', while appropriate, sounded so formal for a little girl. 'Best wishes'—well, he'd just wished her that in the line above, no need to be redundant. At last he took a breath and jotted down his name with a flourish.

Lucius Malfoy

XXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOO

October 10, 2000

Severus and Aline apparated together into the back garden at Spinner's End where a row of tall bushes planted in a row years ago against the fence bordering the neighbor's yard precluded anyone seeing them. It had been a relaxing afternoon with just the two of them, a well deserved break from the pandemonium of parenthood, but as to be expected when a new mother is separated from her offspring, Aline had grown ever more anxious to get back.

Thanks to Severus' repeated admonitions concerning the quality of the neighborhood, Regulus had made a habit of keeping both the front and back doors locked; Severus undid the bolt with a simple alohomora. He ushered Aline in and followed after her, his lips reflexively parting at the sight of his six-week-old son nestled on Bayly's shoulder.

"Aidan, my big boy!" he crooned in a most un-Snapelike manner reserved for his immediate family.

"You're back early," Bayly remarked as he got up from the sofa to hand the tot into the outstretched arms of his father, after first pressing a kiss to the infant's forehead.

Aidan thrashed his tiny limbs and gurgled, obviously delighted to see his Papa. A shock of black hair stuck up all over his head, the full extent of his resemblance to the man. Big brown eyes exactly like Aline's gazed up adoringly at his sire.

Aline bent to plant a number of smooches on the baby's face, laughing along with the child's squeals of joy. She tweaked the miniature version of her own nose. "Were you good, sweetie?"

"He was perfect," Gloria answered. "I hope our babies will be that nice."

When Aline and Severus turned surprised, enthusiastic faces to her, Bayly interjected hastily, "She's not pregnant. She means when we do have kids."

"Hey, Severus! Hey, Aline!" Regulus exclaimed as he bounded into the room from the kitchen holding a bowl of popcorn in one hand and a precise replica of Aidan clutched to his chest. "I didn't hear you come in, Adriel was helping me with the snacks, weren't you, buddy?"

Adriel swiveled his head as far as it was humanly possible without invoking demonic activity. He caught sight of his parents and shrieked cheerily. Aline cooed back at him and walked over to Reg while Severus greeted the boy in his deep drawl that babies loved.

Gloria took the bowl from Reg and set it on the coffee table. Regulus held Adriel in front of him and made a face that sent the baby into gales of bubbly laughter. "I love this kid!" He plopped the child in Aline's waiting arms and watched him erupt in another round of hilarity at her kisses.

"How come you're back so soon? Is everything alright?" asked Gloria.

"Aline is a worrywart," answered Snape drolly. "I hope you boys don't take after your mother in that." He smirked at her and winked surreptitiously.

"You missed them, too," Aline shot back, cuddling Adriel against her breast. Addressing the child she cooed, "Mommy only wants what's best for you. Aren't you glad I didn't let Papa name you Aethelred?"

If Snape were capable of blushing, this would have reddened his face mightily. It had only been a suggestion to honor the main builder of a magnificent work of magical architecture. In typical style he retorted, "Yes, dear, Apolonius is so much more modern."

Aline puckered her brows in feigned irritation. "It was Apolonio, and shut up." She stuck her tongue out and he smiled. He still had it.

"Not to intrude on your argument or anything," Regulus announced with an eyeroll, "but you're just in time, we were going to watch a movie. It's supposed to be awesome!"

Bayly and Gloria nodded along eagerly. At first they'd both been a bit wary yet enthralled by this queer box with tiny people inside, yet no matter how hard they tried to pluck the people from the screen, it was fruitless. They'd come to thoroughly enjoy it as much as Reg did.

"What's playing?" To Severus' chagrin, Aline sank down on the sofa next to Bayly, eyes already glued to the screen, enraptured like the rest. Severus thought it cute, albeit a tad pathetic, to see his wife so enamored of the boob tube like the rest of the band of purebloods gawking at the silly box.

Severus mimicked Regulus' eyeroll and raised him a Slytherin sneer. "You think all movies are 'awesome', Reg. I'm astonished that your eyes haven't abandoned your skull in search of respite from that machine."

Regulus shrugged, unfazed. "Someone's got to teach your kids about the Muggle world, and if you won't do it I guess it's up to us." He gestured, ironically, at the other purebloods who until a year ago hadn't known the first thing about Muggles.

Ignoring Regulus and Severus, whose friendship apparently hinged on snarky comments, Aline turned to Bayly. He'd taken over all the Potions classes at Hogwarts except the advanced 7th year class, which Severus was teaching. "How are classes going? Are the children behaving?"

"Yeah, they're great." A disbelieving snort from Severus earned him a death glower from Aline. She was getting pretty darn good at them. "When do you think you might come back?"

"I deeply appreciate all your hard work, Bayly," Aline began, her mind groping for the right thing to say. "Severus and I have discussed this….the thing is, I don't like being away from my babies, they're so young. I love teaching, I love the students, but I honestly can't see returning before Christmas vacation. I'm sorry to make you work so hard when you're still studying to become a Potions master. It isn't fair to you."

"I don't mind," Bayly chirped in reply, vastly brightened. He'd actually been afraid Aline planned to take back all her classes….he'd come to love teaching, he didn't want to give it up. Not all of it, anyway. "Take your time, Aidan and Adriel need you. And when you're ready, Gloria said she'd take care of the babies for you."

Gloria nodded and beamed at the gratitude on Aline's face. "They're so adorable, how could I not want to? By the way, how's your mum doing?"

"Better," Aline responded softly through the lump edging up her throat. The hormones from pregnancy hadn't all quieted down yet, she often found herself teary at the slightest provocation. For six months Eleanor had been taking the potion that Aline and Severus had collaborated on, and it was working! "Her last appointment with her doctor showed significant shrinkage of the tumor. We're all very pleased."

"I have to tell my dad—I bet they'll want to study that formula and use it for other people!" Gloria gushed elatedly.

Severus came sauntering in from the kitchen with Aidan perched on his hip, the baby's stubby legs gripping his slim figure and sucking on the middle fingers of his hand as he looked around inquisitively. "Reg, I thought you were making supper for us. The only thing I found in the kitchen is popcorn."

"Huh?" Regulus forced his gaze from the telly. "Didn't Kreacher leave anything?"

"Obviously not or I wouldn't be bringing it up, would I?"

"Well, you are early. Maybe he wasn't prepared. Kreacher!" he bellowed.

Within a second the hideous, stooped elf popped in. One might even suspect he'd been eagerly awaiting the summons. He bowed low to Regulus as he cast furtive glances at the crowd. "Yes, Good Master Regulus?"

"Could you bring us something to eat, please?" inquired Reg.

Grinning all over himself, which only served to make the poor daft elf all the more homely and slightly frightening, Kreacher bowed profusely. He loved Regulus at the worst of times, so the addition of 'please' on a request sent him into absolute ecstasy. "Whatever my beloved master wishes! Kreacher will be right back!" He popped out with a loud crack.

"You Brits rely too much on house elves," Aline observed, turning to Severus and Reg with a sly smile. "Not to say I wouldn't like one of my own."

Ah-ha, this was what Severus had been waiting for! At last Aline had come right out and admitted her desire instead of hiding behind the I-can-take-care-of-everything-myself spiel! Sure, he loved her independence and strong will, but enough already. Due to her innate compulsive tendencies, the house was always organized and spotless; however, taking care of newborn twins on top of it all had definitely caused a rift in her ability to get everything done to her perfectionist standards, and frankly it was driving Severus up the wall. Even though she was a delightful wife—most of the time, though to be fair he wasn't a prize all the time, either—and she was a wonderful mother, he sensed her slipping. And her cooking was…well, abysmal. That actually hadn't changed.

"You know, Aline, Winky has never gotten over being freed. I dare say she'd jump at the chance to become our family elf…"

XXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOO

December 20, 2001

"Andromeda, just because you teach Muggle Studies at Hogwarts doesn't mean you have to bring the blasted articles into my home," Lucius griped as he watched Teddy on the floor playing with the oddest book he'd ever seen.

Blue and green material he'd heard referred to as 'plastic' encased a storybook; Teddy poked at the book with a wand on a cord and the object magically pronounced words for him. It never failed to fascinate and trouble Lucius how many things Muggles created that imitated magic. Clearly jealousy on their part.

"It's to help children learn to read," Andy replied. "What's wrong with that?"

"What's wrong with it is that parents and tutors are supposed to teach their children," Lucius proclaimed, imperiously lifting a blond brow and crossing his arms as he pressed himself against the sofa back. "The human element is essential."

"Lucius, you said you weren't going to start," Narcissa cautioned in a near whisper next to his ear. He'd have been tempted to ignore it had she not also been digging her talon-like nails into the flesh of his thigh.

Before he had a chance to respond, Cinchona toddled in with Ladon and Khala, who'd scarcely awakened from their nap. She passed the tykes on to their parents, only the children had other ideas. There was company; there was a child like themselves, albeit older, and he was playing with something! Momentarily the two blond heads were bent over the peculiar device as they crouched down on their haunches on either side of Teddy.

As anyone who'd ever watched two or more small children interact could attest, it was only to be expected that fireworks would soon erupt. Within seconds there were cries of protest and shrieks of anger as the Malfoy progeny attempted to interfere with Teddy's fun, making grabs for the wand, grasping at the book. When Khala wrenched the object out from under his nose, all hell broke loose. Teddy snatched it on the other end and the two began a tug of war with Teddy and Khala shouting incoherently and Ladon simply watching the proceedings with interest. How funny, that kid's hair changing color!

Andromeda rushed over to intercede at the same instant Teddy ripped the book from the girl's tiny fists. He ran around behind his grandmother's chair leaving Khala to wail in fury. She started to give chase when she found herself lifted into her father's arms and carried to the sofa. Feeling a bit overlooked, Ladon drifted over with them.

"There, there, sweetheart, it's alright," Lucius soothed. He sat his daughter on his lap to stroke her downy white hair while glaring daggers at his sister-in-law. "That's a Muggle toy. Purebloods don't play with—"

"Want Mugg-o toy," Khala sniffed into his chest as she rubbed her nose on his formerly immaculate robes.

Lucius grimaced both for her answer and for the soiling of his clothing. This was all Andromeda's fault, she knew how he felt about Muggle inventions! The children would learn about them soon enough, they didn't need to sully their innocence so young. Ladon was not even three, Khala was barely two years old! Patiently—as patient as a Malfoy was capable of being—he said, "You don't understand, Khala. Muggle toys are bad, they're evil."

"Lucius!" exclaimed Andy to his triumphant stare.

Khala squirmed on his lap to turn a tearstained face up at him. From the day she was born she'd had this wizard wrapped around her finger, and she'd quickly learned to use that knowledge. "Want eve-o toy."

As siblings do, Ladon observed the pint-sized manipulation, he understood full well what his sister was up to. If there was any bounty to be had, he intended to get his share. He crowded up to Lucius' leg and latched on. "If she gets a evil toy, I wanna evil toy."

"You don't even know what that means!" Lucius exploded. So much for the Malfoy patience.

Together the tots broke into heartfelt squalls. They weren't accustomed to their father yelling at them. Ladon flung himself round and latched onto Narcissa, who scooped him up onto her lap. Khala kicked and fought her way off her father, also to land on Narcissa's lap.

Narcissa's demeanor could hardly be described as benevolent at the moment with two sobbing toddlers clinging to her. In a tightly clipped voice she stated, "Nicely done, Lucius, you've traumatized the children. Will you be leaving now or later to look for those presents for our darlings?"

He'd have offered to help calm the kids if Narcissa hadn't looked so…..what was the word….homicidal. "I suppose now," he drawled, standing and giving his robes a dignified brush. A swift scourgify cleaned the snot from the front of his shirt. To Andy he hissed, "Thank you for poisoning my children's minds. Now I have to purchase those bloody trinkets!"

XXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOO

Lucius shivered in the frigid, wet breeze outside London's Toys R Us. In his hurry to get out of the house he'd forgotten his cloak and cane, and a pack of wild dogs couldn't have dragged him back in there—not if he had to face Narcissa in her current mood. Memories of previous shopping expeditions flitted through his mind, and a shudder wholly unrelated to the cold racked his body. Already he knew this was not going to be pleasant.

Standing in the car park, he frowned up at the gaudy sign: leave it to Muggles to spell the name of their own shop incorrectly! Shaking his head and heaving a resigned sigh, he trudged forward cautiously lest one of these mechanical beasts roaming the lot run him down. His left foot suddenly sank down into a pothole disguised by the layer of water covering everything.

"Son of a f—king bitch!" he thundered as he yanked his drenched foot free of the puddle. A woman strapping her child into a carseat looked askance at him but he merely straightened his shoulders and returned a haughty glare as he marched on, one sodden foot squishing with each step.

As he had anticipated, the door automatically opened for him. Lucius drew aside in the vestibule between this set of doors and those going directly into the store. The moment no Muggles were traipsing in or out like cattle he whipped out his wand and performed a drying charm over his body. He secured the wand in his pocket, smoothed his hair, and took a deep breath. While he held not a miniscule of affection for Muggles or their way of dress, he was glad at the moment that his slate blue trousers and tunic were relatively inconspicuous. He was not in the mood to dodge their bovine stares or listen to their idiotic quips.

He stepped inside and his eyes grew two sizes. Hells bells, how was he ever going to find that ludicrous toy he was after? The place was enormous, he could be lost here for days, only to finally scratch his way out, a mere shadow of himself! Narcissa spoke of trauma, what did she think she was doing to him? And to top it all off, the place was crawling with Muggles like a roach infestation! For a split second he actually felt sorry for Muggleborns, wizards and witches deprived of a proper upbringing by these creatures.

Sighing once more, Lucius resisted the urge to shuffle to the nearest aisle; Malfoys do not shuffle, they pick up their feet and walk with pride. Swerving around a woman whose basket was filled to the brim with brightly painted boxes, he peered down the Muggle-choked aisle and suppressed a horrified gasp. Floor to ceiling of every imaginable doll confronted him. The thought that he should tell Nott about this place for Missy was swiftly crushed by common sense: letting a child in a store like this was asking for trouble, as evidenced by the multitudes of unleashed screaming brats whose grating voices rang through the air.

He took a pace backward right into a burly man who shoved him aside with a hard belly bump and continued on his merry way. Lucius spun into a panel of Barbies, knocking one of them onto the floor with a thump that barely registered with all the other noise going on. Fury leaped into his heart as his wand jumped into his hand.

"Mr. Malfoy!"

Lucius hesitated, mortified. No one he knew should be here! This would ruin the reputation he'd strived so hard to rebuild. Perhaps if he took off at a run he could escape before anyone had proof…but how to get past all those maggots blocking the aisle?

Too late, here came the intruder. Lucius slipped his wand away, to the relief of Harry Potter. Harry came to stand beside the other man with a puzzled expression. "Mr. Malfoy, I'm—well, surprised would be inadequate to describe how I feel seeing you here."

"Oh, joy, I wasn't having enough excitement with the unwashed masses. Now I get to hobnob with an auror," drawled Lucius.

Potter hung on to the topic like a bulldog. "May I ask what on Earth you're doing here?"

Lucius debated internally whether to answer. He hadn't been arrested, he was under no obligation to reply; however, this was Harry bloody Potter, it was prudent to play nice. At last he stated, "I have been to Muggle establishments in the past." How dare that little prig purse his lips and avert his eyes as if he didn't believe him! "And not as a Death Eater! That godson of yours has some ridiculous bookish toy that my children insist on having. It's turning our lives upside down."

"That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?" commented Harry. He received nothing except a blank stare from the other wizard. Thinking it best to get Malfoy out of the store with all expediency for the safety of the crowd, he offered, "I'll help you find it if you like. Come on."

"Which part of 'Oh, joy' did you not recognize as sarcasm?" Lucius retorted, yet he followed along after the boy wonder. The sooner he got that stupid toy, the sooner he could return to a normal life and try to block this episode from his mind.

They'd gone barely two aisles over when none other than Sirius Black poked his head out, caught sight of Harry, then noticed Lucius striding along with him. "Harry, what the hell is Malfoy doing here?"

"Always a pleasure to make your acquaintance, dog boy," Lucius returned snidely. Merlin's britches, was every auror in Britain here? Were it not for Narcissa's desire to have a relationship with her arrogant prat of a cousin, Lucius wouldn't deign to address him at all. "Did I miss a memo? Is this Bring an Auror to a Muggle Toy Shop Day?"

"He's looking for the Leapfrog pad I bought Teddy," Harry explained with a tilt of his head toward Lucius.

"What for?" asked Sirius to Harry as if Lucius weren't right in front of him.

"That would be none of your business," Lucius commented tightly. "Potter, shall we?"

Harry gave a little shrug and started off once more. Unable to resist a good dig at Black, Lucius collared a boy and a girl about the age of seven walking by and bent down to whisper, "Be careful of that man at the end of the aisle. He's a werewolf, he eats small children."

With that he straightened up and strolled off behind Harry, smirking at the uproar beginning behind him. The girl shrieked for her mummy as her brother delicately skirted the area staring both curiously and fearfully at Sirius. Wondering what the commotion was, Sirius came out to ask the wee girl what was wrong, sending her running through the store screaming that a werewolf was attacking her. Lucius' smirk morphed into a full blown smile.

"Here they are, Mr. Malfoy," said Harry, pointing halfway down another aisle. "The checkout counter is that way."

"Thank you, Pot—Harry."

As speedily as he could squeeze between the throngs of people, Lucius wended his way down the aisle, snapped up two of the wretched toys with a thinly veiled swear word under his breath, and fought his way back out. He practically sprinted for the checkout, trying to ignore the fact that he'd been touched and manhandled by a plethora of them. In time the ghastly memory would fade, he reassured himself.

He waited in the long queue impatiently tapping his foot. Did these Muggles have nothing better to do than converge on a store he was currently patronizing? The only bright spot in the whole adventure was watching Sirius Black being paraded to the security desk at the front of the store while he professed his innocence. Now that part Malfoy wanted to remember forever, to play it over and over in his mind, maybe even bring it up in conversation on holidays when the jerk was present. Finally something to smile about.

At last he set his boxes on the counter and reached into his pocket. His hand froze in place, his heart nearly stopped. This could not be happening! Damn it all to Hades and back, he'd also forgotten to bring Muggle money!

The pimply faced cashier scanned the items, thrust them into a bag, and mumbled, "You want batteries wif 'at?"

Lucius looked up and scowled. "Batteries of what?" Were they expecting imminent attack?

"Batteries," the youth repeated, holding up a package of size D that had hung beside the register.

"Why, pray tell, would I want those?"

"Coz them toys don't run wifout 'em," rejoined the lad, daring to sneer. It was a pitiful attempt, really, when one considered the years of care and practice Lucius had put into his own sneer.

"Fine," Lucius snarled. He didn't have time for arguing with this moron…well, alright, he had time, he simply didn't care to spend it here. The ambiance was making him woozy. "I seem to have a slight currency problem. Do you take galleons?" He held out a coin for inspection.

The boy gawped at it and shook his head. "Ain't seen nuffin' like 'at."

An idea struck Lucius square in the head—or was it the annoying toddler behind him tossing his blocks? Whatever the case, Lucius leaned in slightly to query, "I've witnessed employees at similar establishments communicating via some sort of audio system…"

The boy continued to gawk vacantly, his jaw slackening at the unfamiliar words. If he'd had red hair, Lucius might have mistaken him for a Weasley.

"Page Harry Potter for me, he's got my money," ordered Malfoy in exasperation.

The teen understood that much; he picked up the microphone and called out for 'Arry Potter' to come to the checkout counter. Lucius chanced a look back along the winding queue of people behind him. He almost—almost—felt a twinge of guilt for holding up the line…no, not guilt. Embarrassment. They were all looking at him like a monkey in the zoo! They, who more closely resembled apes than he could ever begin to! When he saw a bemused Potter coming from the security area, all thoughts of the other consumers fled his mind.

"Mr. Malfoy, is everything alright?" asked Harry. He wore an expression to suggest he assumed trouble, likely a diatribe from the cashier on the horrors of this customer.

"No, everything is not—I seem to have forgotten to exchange my currency. Might you have change for five galleons?" Lucius held out the gold expectantly. The manner in which Potter had rushed him through the store made it plain he wanted Lucius out of the place without further disruption. Sure enough, Harry dug into his pocket, counted out a rough equivalent, and took the gold. "Thank you once again, Harry."

"Have a good day, Mr. Malfoy," Harry uttered. As he walked off, he glanced over his shoulder to see Lucius making haste for the exit as only a pureblood could, trying to look dignified while running. One catastrophe averted; now to convince the security guards that Sirius had not attacked a little girl!

XXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOO

February 1, 2002

"Harry, how lovely of you to bring Severus! It's been ages!" Molly Weasley barreled forward to embrace Snape before he could escape back into the floo. "How have you been, Severus?"

"I've been better," he growled. Did this woman lift weights on the sly? He could swear he felt a rib pop.

"Where are Aline and the children?" asked Arthur. "That's enough, dear, he's turning blue."

"Aline?" Severus echoed feebly, looking around. Where were they? How could they leave him alone to fend off the entire Weasley clan? "I…I thought she was here."

"We're having broom races," Harry chirped. Out of the blue he tossed a broomstick at Snape; it smacked him full in the face and fell to the floor.

"Now you see, that's why he never played Quidditch," Arthur said in a scolding tone to Harry. "He hasn't got the reflexes for it." Arthur picked up the broom and handed it to Snape, who accepted it wordlessly.

He wanted to say he'd show them reflexes in a duel to the death, only the house was empty. Outside he heard the cheering and shouts of the family. From the side window he saw Ginny, George, Harry, and Charlie zooming across the sky in a jagged line. Now was his chance to escape!

He whirled round into Molly and instinctively backed away. The woman was dangerous! "What are you doing in here alone? Come join the fun!" she coaxed. An astonishingly quick lunge forward and she grasped his hand.

"I'd—really—rather—not," Severus grunted as she dragged him toward the door. He clamped his free hand on the doorframe, squeezing for all he was worth. The wood squeaked, make a weak groaning sound, and a length of frame cracked off in his hand.

"Oh, don't worry about that, Arthur will fix it. Happens all the time," Molly smiled, waving it off.

She blithely hauled him out onto the front lawn where the entire clan were standing in a circle, along with that wretched Sirius Black…and Lupin. Severus wrinkled his brow, confused. That wasn't possible, he was dead—but then, Black had been dead, too. What if someone had found Life Water to use on him? Lord have mercy, another Marauder let loose!

Sirius made a motion strikingly similar to an obscene gesture. "Come on, Snivellus, don't be a wet blanket."

Without genuinely willing it, Severus found his hands reaching out to clasp Harry on one side and Black on the other. Perhaps he'd been Imperiused—yes, that would explain it!

All at once Black began to belt out in song, "Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya…"

The rest happily sang along, then stopped dead to stare at Severus. "Come on, Snape, we're all waiting on you," said Harry. All their eyes, their blank faces turned to him, welding him to the spot.

Why couldn't he just tell them to sod off? What was wrong with him? To his dismay, he opened his mouth and haltingly sang, "Kumbaya….my Lord…"

Severus woke up in a cold sweat, panting so hard he nearly hyperventilated. His eyes scanned the dark room of his own home, though it took a few moments to register. He was safe; it was a dream, just another horrible dream!

"Honey, what's wrong?" Aline rolled over to snuggle up next to him.

Finding his voice he rasped, "I had that hideous nightmare again."

"Poor baby," she commiserated, stroking the hair on his chest as he engulfed her in a powerful hug. His heart beating a mile a minute sounded like staccato drums to her ear. "I've been thinking maybe it's because you're under a lot of pressure. Jacinta is getting married to Theo next week, your job as Headmaster is a very public position in which you're expected to get along with people you don't have a great fondness for."

"I've been under far more pressure hundreds of times, Aline," he sighed, letting himself relax into her. "My life has been at stake more times than I can count."

True," she acknowledged. "But you thrive under that kind of pressure. Shielding your emotions is easy for you….it's harder for you to honestly try to be nice to people like Sirius Black and Harry Potter, since you had such a miserable history with them, and yet you feel like everyone is watching you."

"What are you, a Muggle psychiatrist now?' he intoned with a smirk.

"I'm merely saying it can be very stressful," she replied.

"That's putting it mildly," Severus growled. If he had to sing that infernal ditty one more time he was liable to avada kedavra the lot of them and then himself!

XXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOO

September 1, 2017

Platform 9 ¾ was obscured by billowing steam from the Hogwarts Express gearing up for its yearly first-day run. Hordes of wizards and witches milled about, mostly in family groups, saying goodbyes and chatting with friends. Draco, bundled in a coat buttoned to his throat to ward off the chilly air, squeezed Astoria's hand. Understanding what he was feeling, she squeezed back.

"Our eldest is going away for the first time," she lamented softly, her hand on top of Scorpius' head fiddling with his white blond hair.

"Mother, you're messing it up," Scorpius grumbled, shaking his head and making it even more disheveled. He raked his hands through his mane.

"Scorpius, your mother will miss you," Draco admonished him. "Be kind to her."

Telltale grey Malfoy eyes pierced Astoria. "Sorry, Mother. But you still have Benedictus and Tea. They won't be going to Hogwarts for a few years."

Astoria pulled the boy into a tight embrace. "Father and I will write to you often."

"As will your grandparents," Draco added with a smile. As much as Astoria's parents loved their grandchildren, no one could top Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy in the child-spoiling category.

"Your Aunt Khala is a seventh-year, she'll watch over you," said Astoria, only to witness her son roll his eyes so like his Uncle Severus.

"Spy on me, you mean," Scorpius muttered.

"You won't need spying on if you're behaving," came a voice from the mist. Bayly stepped forward smiling, with Gloria and four children in tow. His oldest, a fifteen-year-old girl, poked a teasing finger at Scorpius' cheek.

"I'll be keeping an eye on you, too, pipsqueak," she smirked.

"Mother!" Scorpius protested. Then he seemed to notice Bayly's two sons, aged thirteen and twelve, and he greeted them warmly. At least he had friends already there, he wouldn't be alone with the female snoop patrol!

Gloria gave brief hugs all around. Her dark hair that she'd worn in a bob while at school on the Quidditch team had grown to drape softly over her shoulders, and it tickled Scorpius' cheek. "Bayly's going to ride the train with the children, so don't worry about Scorpius."

"We tried to talk him out of it," said the fifth year girl. "I mean, he's the Potions master at Hogwarts—you don't see Headmistress McGonagall on the train, do you?"

"The more you try to convince me, the surer I am that you're up to something," Bayly explained blandly, winking at his daughter.

"Oh, Daddy!" she exclaimed, unable to contain a smile.

"Viktor!" exclaimed Gloria at the same moment. Out of the mountains of steam the Bulgarian came strolling, his brooding countenance offset by a beaming smile.

"Gloria! Bayly!" He gave them each a fierce hug. "Hello, Draco. Astoria."

The Malfoys greeted him cordially, if not as one of the family. After all, they rarely saw the man, since he lived in Bulgaria with his wife and swarm of children, all of whom were bound for Durmstrang rather than Hogwarts—and all of whom, according to reports, were as skilled as their father on a broom. Their mother worked as a liaison between Britain and Bulgaria in the Bulgarian Ministry of Magic, which explained why Viktor was here now. Certainly it wasn't for Quidditch himself, those days were long gone.

Bayly shook hands with Draco and kissed Astoria on the cheek. "We'd best get going, I want to get my crew settled in. it's great to see you—and Scorpius, I look forward to class with you."

The Young family wandered off with Viktor, leaving the Malfoys alone once more. Draco turned his head to find his family the object of scrutiny by the Weasley clan, Potter, and Hermione. Not up for a show, he merely nodded curtly and turned away.

Sometimes he envied Severus and Aline, the way they no longer had to face certain unnamed persons or their progeny. When they'd quit Hogwarts a few years back to open their own shop specializing in exotic and difficult potions, he'd thought them batty. But they'd been following their dreams, they did a thriving business and were deliriously happy…maybe he ought to go back to work at his old passion, too…

He glanced again at the group around Potter. That boy, the one who looked like Harry, he was Scorpius' age. Despite old animosities, he hoped the boys could be civil, if not friends. Rivalries like the one between himself and Harry proved extremely destructive for all involved.

As he watched, Viktor sauntered over to Hermione and planted a kiss on her lips, then stood with his arm across her shoulders chatting with Harry and Ron, probably about Quidditch. Draco failed to see any other area of common interest they might share. A minute later, Viktor and Hermione waved as they walked away hand in hand.

Draco bent to kiss Scorpius on the top of his head, eliciting an embarrassed howl from the lad. "Go ahead and complain that it's not the Malfoy way, son. Just remember I love you. Have a good semester and we'll see you in December."

The End

(A/N: Thank you all for your kind words and for sticking with me here. I hope you enjoyed the ride, it was a long one! I need to take a break to clear my head and get some things done in real life, but don't think I have abandoned you. I want to come back and write "The Voldemort Diaries". It will include not only Voldemort, but also Severus, Lucius, etc. For those who'd like to be automatically notified by FFN when the next story comes out, all you have to do is put me on Author Alert with the button on the bottom of the page. See you there!)