Esclavitud *Now Complete*

Chapter 18

The following Friday, Ron, Hermione, and Severus showed up for their Friday dinner. Harry and the elves had prepared the coffee table in the middle of the sitting room as it was now their practice. They were sitting on the cushions around the table and having a pleasant conversation. Harry could see that his friends were feeling less pressure now that the baby issue had been placed on hold.

“Did you get the owl from George?” asked Ron. “I can’t believe it is that time of the year already.


“It’s because you never go to muggle malls. They have had Christmas decorations since the day after Halloween,” Hermione chimed in.

“Now why would you go to a muggle mall?” asked Harry.

“I take my parents shopping,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Oh,” was his only reply to her and then turned to Ron. “Yes, I did get George’s owl. We will have to find a way to stop by the joke shop to get the letters.”

“Well, you two better find time because I am swamped at work.”

“Mione, you act as if all Harry and I do all day is sit at our desks.”

“Ron, you know I have missed way too many days at work…”


Harry saw an opportunity and went for it. “Severus, I was thinking, maybe I could take you Christmas shopping. I know you prefer the catalogues, but you know how it is with Christmas shopping, you really want to be able to see it. You know to get a feel for it.”

“Master Harry, that is too kind of you, but Mimi and I have already planned a shopping day. I have been going to the shops to deliver my potions and no longer feel apprehensive about going to Diagon Ally,” said Severus with bowed head.

“Oh, I see,” responded Harry a bit dejected. Severus immediately picked up on Harry’s reaction and decided to clear things up.

“Master Harry, I would not be able to buy your gift if you were present.”

“But, Severus, we talked about my gift. Remember…” said Harry with wide eyes. “… We agreed that it would be the same gift as my birthday gift.” He said widening his eyes even more.

Severus had to bow his head lower as not to show a smirk and when he felt he could talk without smiling he said, “Yes, Master Harry, I do recall that, but I do not see why I would not be able to get you more than one gift. Of course, I first need to know how much Master will allow me to spend,” he said looking up at Ron.

Ron looked a bit confused before realizing that he was the for-mentioned master. “Well, I am thinking that an appropriate amount would be…” he said looking up to thin air for a figure, “No more than three quarters of your money bag.”

Harry laughed, “You do know he has had to empty that bag a couple of times. The gallions did not fit in such a small bag. Mimi has all his money in a safe place. She will not even tell me where she has placed it.”


They all laughed, “No, Mimi wouldn’t tell anyone.” They all agreed.

“Oh, I forgot to mention,” said Ron looking at Severus, “Your master gets the best and most expensive gift.” He said with a wide grin.

“Ron!” protested Hermione and Harry.

“What?”

“Ron, everyone knows that the mistress gets the best and most expensive gift,” said Hermione with a straight face.

“Oh, no, I believe you are both quite wrong. It’s the lover who gets the best and most expensive gift.”

Snape looked mystified until they all started laughing.

“Severus, since you are going to Diagon Ally, why don’t you stop and get the letters,” said Ron looking at Severus.

“Master, I would be more than happy to serve you, but I have no idea of what letter you refer to.”

“We are sorry, Severus, how rude of us to be talking about something without explaining,” said Hermione.

“Severus, the letters are from the children at the orphanage. They write their letters to Old Saint Nick and some of us give the jolly old man a hand,” said Harry looking tenderly into Severus’ eyes.

“I see, but why do the letters go to Master George’s Joke shop?”

“Well, you see, my brother is very active in everything that has to do with the orphanage. He is even the president of the board. So he get’s the owls from the children and those of us who wish to lend a hand can pick up the letter at the shop.”

“I see Master, will I be picking up two letters or three?”

“Three!” expressed Hermione.

“Hermione is very adamant about keeping her independence,” he said with a raised eyebrow.

Severus looked puzzled about something, but when asked he simply said it was nothing important.

Ron looked at Hermione who seemed to be egging Ron on. Ron mouth the words ‘you tell him’ when Harry caught on.

“I am guessing this is about Christmas Eve at the Borrow,” said Harry to the point.

“Harry, you must go. Molly and Arthur would find it very strange and know that there is something wrong…”

“Hermione, I am going.”

“What?” exclaimed the couple.

“I said, I am going, Severus will be there and I have no intention of being away from my lover. He is all that matters to me now.”

Severus lowered his head. The couple had nothing to add and soon left Harry and Severus alone in the sitting room.

Harry took his lover in his arms, “Now will you tell me why you looked so puzzled?”

“Master Harry, I was just wondering if I could pick one of the children’s letters,” said Severus with his eyes glued to the floor.

“Severus, I can’t see George denying you a letter, but if you wish you can ask him for two letters for me. He doesn’t have to know it’s for you.”

“Thank you, Master Harry, as always you are too kind to this servant.”

Harry tightened his grip on Severus and looked into his eyes, “Severus, please love, you know you are not a servant to me. You are my lover. And when we are back together, you will be my husband.”

But Severus looked sadden at this news. Harry picked up Severus’ face with his finger, “What is it, love?”

“Master Harry, a slave and a master are not allowed to marry,” he said lowering his eyes with his face still perched on Harry’s finger.

“But that is mental. I have seen wizards get married. It is not against our laws.”

“Yes, Master Harry, wizards may marry, but not a slave and a master. It is considered as inappropriate as a wizard and an elf wanting to bond.”

“That makes no sense. I will have Hermione look into it. I know she will find a loophole; she always does,” he said kissing the man in his arms.

“Master Harry, do you really think it wise to go to the Borrow?”

“Severus, I meant what I said, you are all that matters. I am set on my ways. I will show you with my actions that you are all I care about.”

Severus buried his face in Harry’s neck and took a deep breath. He needed to hold on to the now and the here.

***

The following Monday found Severus and Mimi walking down the streets of Diagon Ally. Severus was walking down the street in much the same fashion as he did when teaching at Hogwarts. With chin up high, shoulders squared, and bellowing robs. To his surprise people were nodding their salutations. He even heard a couple of ‘Good day, Professor.’ This was the first time he actually walked down the streets of Diagon Ally. He usually had Mimi snap him to the backdoor of the shop he was delivering potions to, but today he decided he needed to window shop in order to get ideas for his presents. He never had such a long list: Harry, Hermione, his master, Mimi, Kreacher, and with any luck an unknown child. He was brought back from his musing by a persistent call.

“Professor, professor Snape, professor!” called out a familiar voice.

He turned around to see two platinum hair people walking towards him, Draco Malfoy and his mother Narcissa Malfoy. Narcissa was the first to approach him and take his hands in hers.

“Severus, so nice to see you; how are you?” she asked with tenderness and concern.

“I am well, Mistress,” was his short reply.

Draco looked at his mother with pity in his eyes; then looked at his former teacher.

“Professor, is there anything we can do for you? Anything at all?” he pleaded looking into the Potions Master’s eyes.

“Master Draco, I assure you, I am fine. I am in need of nothing. My master makes sure of it.”

Draco looked over at Mimi and asked, “Is that your elf, professor?” Then he seemed to recall some information. “Professor, aren’t you Ron Weasley’s slave? I thought his wife was against house elves.”

“Yes, Master Draco, I do belong to Master Ronald Weasley. And yes, my mistress does not believe that elves should serve the Wizarding World, but Master Harry allows me the use of his elf.”

“You belong to Weasley, but Potter provides you with an elf.” He said slowly and clearly as if he was having a hard time understanding.

“That is correct, Master Draco,” said Severus looking at Mimi with raised eyebrows. Mimi returned his look in much the same way.

“Draco, stop pestering Severus with your questions.” Then she turned to Severus, “You do look well. I am happy to see that you are being treated well. Of cause, I did not expect less from Weasley.” While she spoke these words to Severus, Draco had turned to Mimi.

“Do you know how to get to the Malfoy Manor?”

“Mimi is knowing this, Master Malfoy.”

“If the professor ever needs anything, anything at all, you are to come get me at the manor. You can ask for London, he is my personal elf, he will guide you to me.”

“Yes, Master Draco, Mimi will do as she is told. Mimi is being a good elf.” And to Severus’ surprise Draco gave Mimi a tender and approving pat on the head.

“Severus, what brings you to town,” asked Narcissa bringing his attention back to her.

“I need to do some Christmas shopping.”

Draco and his mother looked baffled by this statement.

“You mean, Weasley send you to do his Christmas shopping.”

“No Mistress, I mean I have come to do my Christmas shopping.”

“But Severus, you can’t have money or any possession. How are you to pay for things?”

“This is being Mimi’s job,” the little elf chimed in.
Both Malfoys looked at the little elf in astonishment.

“Master Weasley is telling Severus he may spend three quarters of the money in the bag,” and with that she showed the bag and jingled it.

“But Weasley isn’t rich, how could he give you so much…” he was interrupted by the elf.

“Severus is being a good brewer. He is selling his potions.”

The Malfoys soon understood. Narcissa gave Severus’ hand a little squeeze. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you so well. You deserve to be happy.” And with that she entered the joke shop with her son.

Severus followed with Mimi and they in turned were followed by a very stout witch. She entered the place as if she owned it. Severus noticed how the Malfoys made a detour from their first aim, the register counter to look very intently at some merchandise on the shelves.

“Good day, Mrs. Langfire, back so soon,” was George’s salutations.

Mrs. Langfire looked at the Malfoys with disdain. “Mr. Weasley, you really should be more selective of your clientele.”

“I know, but given the fact that you always help out with the children I make and exception,” he said with a broad gin.

“Speaking of, I have come to return the letter you gave me yesterday.”

“You have decided not to help this year?”

“Do not be ridiculous, I am a well known witch in our society. People expect no less from me, but what they do not expect is for me to be buying present for a Death Eater’s child.”

“Madam, I assure you we do not have Death Eater’s children at our facility. Nor do we have children of the Light. We merely have children. If this is a concept you are not able to understand, I will appreciate it if you leave my establishment at once,” said George with an absent smile.

Mrs. Langfire gave him a scathing glare and turned on her heels. George immediately came out from behind the counter and made a mock sweeping movement as he followed her to the door. Then he turned to look at the Malfoys.

“I tried to put a signed up that read ‘NO IDIOTS ALLOW’ but the authorities made me take it down.”

Draco gave him an appreciative smile and Narcissa stated their business.

“We have come for our letter.”

“Ah yes,” and with a swift movement he bent over the counter and pulled up a black top hat. “Now close your eyes and … no, no peeking.”

Severus would have expected Narcissa to be crossed by George’s buffoonish behavior, but she seemed to go along with it, as if treating with a long time friend.

Narcissa closed her eyes tightly and picked an envelope, Draco followed suit.

“So is everything ready for the children’s Christmas Feast?” asked George.

“Yes, I do expect it to be nicer than the one we had last year,” said Narcissa quite satisfied.

“I find that hard to believe, if I recall correctly, the children were so stuff they couldn’t get up to play with their toys.”

Draco had to laugh at the recollection.

“Draco, help those children, keep her under control,” he said brandishing a finger at the blond man.

“I assure you I am trying, but apparently they will die if they don’t have marzipan imported directly from Italy, and pumpkin juice which is totally out of season and yes there is the little matter of how big this goose should actually be and if there is such a creature…”

“Oh dear, she is out of control, isn’t she?”

“You think,” answered Draco with raised eyebrows.

“You are both being completely insensitive. We are talking about children. Nothing can be too good for them.”

Both men gave her a smile and accepted their defeat. She was of course right. The children did deserve the best.

As soon as the Malfoys left the shop, George turned his attention to Severus.

“I am sorry you had such a long wait, Professor, what can I do for you?”

“I have come to get the letters for my master, my mistress, Master Harry…” then taking heart of what he had seen earlier said, “And one for myself.”

“Sure, but don’t expect any special treatment just because you are family. You will have to close your eyes like everybody else.”
Severus did as he was told and picked one, two, and three. But then opened his eyes and looked at George not knowing if he should ask. He took heart when George encouraged him with a smile.

“Master George, may I please have the letter that the fau…” but the curse would not let him talk poorly of a witch. So he took a deep breath and continued, “That Mrs. Langfire returned?”

George looked at him intently, lowered his head and then took a deep breath. “Sure, Severus, here you go,” and gave him the castoff letter. “That letter is from Lucy and if my brother brings you along you will meet her on Christmas day. Believe me, she has loads to say,” Said George with a chuckle.

“Should I assume that you know this child, Master George?”

“Know her, believe me, Severus, everyone knows Lucy.”

Severus looked a bit embarrassed which puzzled George.

“Severus, is there anything you need?”

“Master George, I was wondering if you didn’t mind reading the letter to me. I have never brought a child a gift and I would like to ask questions if there is something I don’t understand.”

“No problem,” said George as he opened the letter and began to read. When he was done Severus was mulling over the information.

“So she wants doll clothing, but she does not want a doll?”

“Oh, no, no doll. You see, Severus, Lucy has Daisy her doll and she will not take another. We have tried to replace the old tattered doll with a new one, but she will have no part of it,” explained George.

“I see, thank you so much, Master George.”

“No problem, is there anything else I can do for you?”

Severus was about to say no when he remembered something. “Master George, there is one other thing; I need to get my master an expensive gift, but have no idea what this might be.”

George looked at him with a puzzled look. “Severus, something tells me that you have misunderstood my brother. I really doubt that he would make such a demand.”

“You are correct, Master George; my Master has not made any demands. It is my wish to get him something special.”
“Well, he has always admired Bill’s and my dragons hide boots. But I must warn you, those will set you back a couple of galleons.”

Severus smile in the knowledge that this suggestion was a great and useful one.

“Thank you, Master George, you have been most helpful.”








A/N
So have we all guessed when Ron and Hermione are planning to give Severus back to Harry? =0) Yes, I know I just gave it away, but I really can’t take anymore of this “When?” business. LOL You know I love you, but you guys can get a bit demanding.

I hope to write before the New Year, but if I don’t, have a great one.

Always loving your reviews,

Moon of the Sea