Spinner's End

Chapter 15


The bookshop was having a special event for Halloween. Raven told Severus of the event. He had conjured her a beautiful witch costume. She had naturally wanted the usually black dress and big black hat. Severus had laughed at her and told her that only very old witches dressed like that or the hags that live in old growth woods in America. He added that she was too beautiful to ever end up being a hag. She laughed about that and thanked him for being so kind.

He had conjured her a fuchsia colored cape type garment with a matching smaller pointed hat at her request. He also embellished the front and sleeves of the cape with gold and black fleur-de-lis type embroidery.

“But Severus, this is a silly color.” She had whined at him.

“It is a beautiful color for you with your hair, eyes and skin.” He said admiring her as she modeled in front of him. “Muggles think that all witches wear black all the time. It simply isn’t true.” He shrugged.

“You wear black all the time.” She gave him an evil little grin. She had gained this knowledge as now when he Apparated into her house he was always wearing his regular wizard school attire.

“Yes,” He agreed, pulling her across the floor and into his arms. “But I am not a witch.” He held her against him.

“Oh that’s right I forgot, you’re a warlock.” Raven replied.

Pressing Raven back a bit Severus looked into her eyes. Raven gave him an innocent look.

“I am a wizard.” Severus said, pulling Raven into the hug again. “Would you like me to summon a warlock so that you can tell the difference?” His chin atop Raven’s head, a lop-sided grin on his face.

“No, no, no, just kidding. I don’t really even know what a warlock is.” She responded hastily. “ And I don’t want to know either. I’m ok if I never meet one ok?” She added quickly to avert him possibly summoning one just to frighten her or have some fun at her expense.

“Oh, alright then.” Severus responded lightly, the smile still playing on his lips. “They are really just male versions of hags. Less magical ability I’d venture. However they do have a way of making up for it with shear vileness.” He concluded casually, his hand caressing her hair.

“I know!” Raven suddenly exclaimed, pulling away and looking at Severus.

“Love, you just said that you didn’t know what a warlock was.” Severus responded calmly his hands still caressing her hair.

“Oh no, no forget about them. I’m sure they are loads of fun and what not. But I just had an idea!” She hurried on excitedly. “You should come to the event at the book store!” She beamed at him.

Severus stared back at her. Her face fell with the sudden realization that he was not excited about the idea. “ I don’t think I can do that.” He said softly. Seeing the crestfallen look on her visage, he caressed her cheek.

“ I know, I know,” Raven said shaking her head. “Nobody can really know about us and everything.” She sighed moving closer to him, she played with a button on his shirtfront. “But you could wear a costume, then nobody would know who you were or what you really looked like. In fact, to be honest, they way you dress regularly, everyone would peg you as a Dracula fan.” She said tugging at the button.

“Dracula.” Severus said with a speculative tone. “A vampire?” He asked in disbelief. “I look like a vampire?” He asked rhetorically. “I detest vampires.” He stated with true distaste in his voice.

Raven hearing his tone replied, “Sure, a little goatee and mustache, shorten the hair and you are Count Vladimir Dracula.” Not looking at him, still focused on the button, she smiled slightly at his discomfort about looking like a vampire.

“Count Vladimir Dracula wasn’t a true vampire. In fact he wasn’t a vampire at all. Really his only true feat was probably being crazy. But it is a well know fact in my world that he simply wasn’t a vampire.” Severus stated matter of fact. “ They do say that he drank the blood of his victims.”

“Oh well, la-de-da-da.” Raven responded. She smiled up at him finally. “So since he isn’t even a vampire, just crazy, there is no reason that you can’t come dressed as him to the event at the shop.” She sounded resolute.

She pressed herself free from Severus. She walked across the room towards the stairs. She turned and faced him. “It would be a simple matter for you to just magic yourself a little facial hair, and possibly, if you want, shorten your real hair.” She shrugged her hands at him saying, “That’s so simple.” She smiled at him. “ As for playing a crazy person,” She looked at him in puzzlement, “that is your natural persona anyway.” She laughed and dashed away from him up the stairs.

“Hey!” He exclaimed. “You can’t call me crazy and get away with it.” He ran up the stairs after her.