By Fair Means or Foul

Chapter 17

Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts and many other titles, was quite pleased with the turn out. He received many nods and bows from the men lining his halls and was just barely able to suppress a jig of delight. He couldn’t have been happier that Severus had turned out to have such a valuable commodity. It was true that many of these men were here for purely carnal reasons, but there were quite a few whom Albus was friends with or acquainted with that he personally would have picked for Severus.

“Delightful fluff you have here, Professor. Hagrid grew these flowers, then?”

Albus looked towards the voice and saw one of those respectable men he had been thinking about.

“Why yes, Hagrid has many wonderful talents,” he said with a smile. Gesturing to the item in the man’s hand he added, “Is that truly gorgon scales you have there, Thomas? That is quite impressive. That ingredient is quite hard to come by I hear.” The man beamed and Albus moved on.

The charming decorations grew more and more scarce and the men more and more abundant as he neared his destination. Winding his way through the throng of men and gifts, nodding pleasantly to those he knew, he finally arrived at the shut, locked, spelled and warded door of his potion master. Using the master spell to gain entrance anywhere in his school, Albus tapped his wand upon the door and then slid through the wood.

Severus was busily working near a cauldron. Albus looked about the classroom and always remembered the kisses he had stolen while a student in this room. He wondered what made this particular classroom such a popular trysting place.

“Did you need something Albus, or are you here to embarrass me further by taking the locks off my door. Perhaps you would like me to strip down naked for their inspection and entertainment?” Severus spoke without diverting his attention from his cauldron and reading material. The headmaster strolled over to him and entertained himself by reading over Severus’s shoulder.

“Ah, these are the documents you were waiting for. How is your project coming along, Severus?”

“I have isolated the turning agent but to find one that can reveal it is still the task.”

“You would be awarded several honours if you are able to do this, my boy. To be able to discover someone using polyjuice while in disguise would be a phenomenal benefit to the ministry and for interviewing for teachers, I should say,” Albus said with a chuckle.

“Indeed.” Severus had still not looked up but Albus noticed that his cheeks appeared to be flushed, there was a rosy tint to them.

“Severus, I believe you are sitting a bit too close to your cauldron. You look a bit flushed,” he said with concern. Severus raised his head and turned at that and Albus noticed that the fire under the cauldron wasn’t lit at all.

“Why, you are positively glowing, Severus!” Albus watched as his friend’s jaw tightened and he ducked his head back down. “Come, tell me, what has brought such colour to your cheeks.” He received only silence for an answer. Which in itself was an interesting response, as normally the potion master would have a ready retort to such an observation.

“My goodness, I haven’t seen you in such a good mood since Voldemort’s head had been found and used as a football by the Auror’s.” When Albus got a good-humoured smirk from Severus at that slightly exaggerated memory, he knew that something momentous had occurred. After another moment of silence wherein Albus did his best imitation of a barn owl, Severus huffed and closed the book he had pretended to be reading.

“Very well, Albus. You shall be the first and only-“ he stressed the word with a stern look- “ to know of my forthcoming nuptials.”

Albus’s face split wide as a smile took over his lips. “Severus! How wonderful! Simply wonderful. Oh, but you mean I can not tell Minerva?” At the stern glare, Albus shook his head. “Oh alright, I shall be quiet about it. The secret will not pass these old lips.” Replacing his solemn face with another bright smile he asked the question that begged to be asked.

“And who is the lucky man?” Severus raised his eyebrow at the phrasing of the question but answered it anyway.

“Lucius Malfoy.”

Albus wanted to be disappointed. He really did. When he thought of all the good catches just outside that door, another man might have wept. But, Albus had watched Severus and Lucius since they were children. He watched and listened as the two men surreptitiously looked out for each other, both in Voldemort’s camp and his own. He witnessed Severus’s seduction to the side of dark and Lucius being drug to the light. The one really did complement the other. So, in the end, Albus was content and said so.

“Congratulations, Severus. I am happy for the both of you,” he said and placed his hand on his friends shoulder. “When will the joyful event take place?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Why, that is hardly time to prepare. Or have you been planning this for some time?” Severus shook his head.

“No, we… decided yesterday. No preparation is required. It will be simple and quiet.”

Albus looked as if his favourite candy had been snatched right out of his mouth. “Oh, now that is disappointing. I was quite looking forward to a gala event.” Severus now looked shocked. Albus regained his smile. “But I do suppose that would not have been to your taste. But, I insist you at least allow me to host a reception-“ Severus opened his mouth to object “-a small reception in my office with only staff and your new family. Goodness, it just occurred to me that you would now have a stepson. Draco Malfoy at that. I suppose if we couldn’t curb your house prejudice I doubt we can stop any nepotism, eh?” Albus chuckled good-naturedly. “Luckily young Mr. Malfoy shall be going on this summer and you won’t have that temptation next year.”

“That brings up a point that I need to discuss with you, Albus. I won’t be here next year.”

“What do you mean?” Albus asked with confusion. Severus turned to fully face the headmaster.

“I shall finish this year but then I will need to resign. I shall, of course, draft a list of names that I believe would make an adequate replacement.” He looked deeply into Albus’s eyes. “I truly appreciate all that you have done for me and my position as a teacher has been trying but rewarding in many ways. I hope that I have been an asset to you.”

Albus smiled and patted his friend’s arm. “None of that Severus. I don’t know what I would have done without you, in more than just the war or as a brilliant teacher. But, surely Lucius isn’t demanding this of you? Think of the students bumbling about here without you.” Severus grimaced.

“Lucius has nothing to do with this decision.” His eyes narrowed. “I rescind that comment. In truth he has a lot to do with it, but not in the way you mean. And I assure you that it will be I bumbling about knocking potions over with my girth.” Albus held his breath, understanding clearly the implication, but feigned confusion so that he could hear Severus’s reaction to speaking it out loud. Seeing Albus’s uncomprehending expression, Severus took a deep breath and spoke.

“I am… with child, Albus.” He placed his hand upon his lean torso. “Only a day along, but by September I expect I shall be rather ungainly. And I patently refuse to blunder about like a heifer and embarrass myself. So, no, I shall not be returning next fall.”

Albus watched as Severus rubbed his abdomen a few times and then carefully place his hand back on the closed book. Never once did he grimace or sneer while relating his condition and Albus was pleased.

“Well, I must say that was quick,” Albus said with a smile. “But it is delightful news. I simply adore babies, you know. I once lost one in my beard for ten minutes and when we found him he was sucking on a lolly that I had misplaced a week before.” Severus rolled his eyes but there was a definite hint of a smirk. “But, I would be available if you needed a godfather for the child. Or a babysitter for that matter.”

“We will keep you in mind,” Severus said dryly.

“Well, I suppose I shall have to except your resignation.” He held up a finger. “But only on the condition that you come to visit, if only to give the students a good scare.”

“Thank you, Albus. I will.” Definitely a smirk could be seen.

“But I really do insist on allowing staff and friends to congratulate you on your wedding. So, we shall have the reception tomorrow night after dinner.” Albus rubbed his hands together in anticipation. He began wandering off to round up more decorations for the party when a thought occurred to him and he spun around.

“Severus! You will be having your wedding and all your anniversaries on Valentine’s Day. How very romantic of you!”

Albus was through the door before he could witness the look of dawning horror on Severus’s face. But he knew it was there and chuckled all the way back to his office.