Spinner's End

Chapter 21

Cold March gone, springtime was finally upon the city.

Raven walked back towards her house. The May evening wrapped her in a layer of soft coolness. She was walking slowly her shopping bag banging against the side of her leg. She felt relaxed and calm. She thought how in only a month, Severus would be done with the school year and she would have him living right across the street from her again.

Raven sat on her sofa in her sitting room listening to a very small degree to some silly show on her little television as she actually read a small ancient leather bound book, entitled “Edwin Drood Etc. Dickens”. Reading Dickens was actually taking most of her concentration.

She was wearing her favorite old red wool jumper and flannel pajama pants as the sun had set already and she was feeling a little chill.

There was a sudden popping noise as Severus appeared in the middle of Raven’s sitting room.

Raven jumped to her feet, letting go with a series of curse words that would have shocked anyone other than Severus. He simply stared at her, a wrinkle creasing his brow.

After Raven had calmed down she sat on the sofa as Severus paced the floor in front of her and explained why he had come unannounced.

“He used the Sectumsempra spell!” He spat. “My Sectumsempra spell!” He reiterated, his voice full of venom, a large vein at his temple pulsating visibly. “Then the little sod had the temerity to lie to me about it and the book.” He turned looking not at Raven but through her. “As if he thinks me incapable of knowing the truth.”

“Oh yes, and he is such a proficient potion master now! That fool Slughorn thinking that Potter is so smart.” He slammed his fist into his palm.

Raven’s eyes grew large. She knew better than to say anything when a problem regarded the Potter kid. She sat quietly and let Severus vent his anger.

“If I hadn’t have been near by, Malfoy could have died! It is unlikely that he will complete the task anyway, but dead he certainly wouldn’t.” This time he looked at Raven, imploring her to agree.

She gave a small nod. She had no idea what he was talking about but she could tell that he was very stressed by what had happened.

Throwing himself onto the couch next to Raven, Severus stared across the room seeing nothing.

“There’s only a month left. He isn’t going to be able to accomplish it. Everyone knows this.” He shook his head. “ I am the only one, I think, still holding out hope.” He placed his palms on his thighs and sighed.

“ I’m the only other one that it really matters to.” His head cocked to the side, his eyes far off.

Raven looked at his profile. She knew that she had just become privy to some of Severus’ deep dark secrets. Unfortunately though for her, she had no real context in which to place them, so they were mostly useless to her.

Severus blinked suddenly, bringing himself back to the present. He had almost forgotten that he was in Raven’s house. He glanced briefly at the flickering people on the television screen, his mind still not fully in the present.

Turning he looked at Raven sitting a few feet from him on the sofa. He realized that he had just told her some stuff that he probably shouldn’t have.

“I’m sorry to burden you with this.” He said slowly.

“I’m not burdened.” Raven replied. “ I can’t be burdened, because I really didn’t understand most of what you said.” She finished shrugging.

Severus gave her a slight smile. He could feel some of the tension leave his neck. Smiling at Raven, he realized that she always relaxed him more than anyone else ever could.

“ I know love.” He said placing his hand on her knee. “ I burst into your evening with the nonsensical ravings of my lunatic mind, what can I expect?” He asked. “Hell, I don’t understand most of what I said.” He answered himself with a slightly harsh laugh.

Raven could sense his tension but she didn’t know what to do.

“I don’t know how to help you.” She said in a questioning voice. “I don’t know what to do.” She sighed.

Severus threw his arm over the back of the sofa, resting his head on it. He regarded Raven.

The pair sat in silence for several minutes, looking at one another.

Without preamble Severus said, “ I have to do a horrible illegal thing and if I don’t, I’ll die.”

Raven’s eyes grew large. She wanted to shout. She wanted to laugh. She wanted to cry. In any other relationship, she would have gotten rid of the man for being melodramatic, or crazy or an out right liar but she knew that Severus was speaking the truth. She could feel her heart pounding in her ears.

She took his hand from the back of the couch and kissed his rough knuckles. Holding his hand in both of hers, she looked at him, saying nothing. Severus watched her. They sat in silence

After a few minutes Raven finally asked, “ Is this the part where there’s only one month left?”

Severus nodded.

“But you didn’t come to tell me this?” Raven concluded.

“No.” Severus agreed. “I only came to tell you that I’d probably be a little late on Saturday.” He smiled at her. “ I didn’t want you to worry.” He laughed, a real laugh this time.

“Okay, then.” Raven responded. “I sure won’t worry about anything at all now.” She added trying to keep the sarcasm from her voice.

Severus sat looking at her, snickering.

Raven could feel the sofa vibrating with his suppressed laughter.

He started laughing out loud.

“Glad I could help!” Severus managed to spit out between his peals of laughter.

Despite herself Raven also began laughing. In her mind she concluded that there was nothing that she could do about the situation. She knew the situation was bad, as she laughed at Severus laughing, she thought that it was like they were punch drunk about the situation. She’d just have to trust that Severus would know what to do.

Severus pulled Raven into a hug as they laughed, he hadn’t laughed like that since he was a little boy, he guessed, as he actually couldn’t recall laughing even as a boy. He wiped at the tears streaming from his eyes.


Having eaten the small quick dinner Raven prepared, Severus readied himself to depart.

“ Okay, I’ll see you on Saturday.” Raven said giving Severus a soft kiss on the lips.

He kissed her back. “Yes, Saturday.” He said just before disappearing.