A Wizard's Debt

Severus



After Hermione had left for Minerva’s chambers, I suddenly found myself lonely. How odd, for I have been alone for most of my life, yet a few short weeks and I am pining for her presence.



I contented myself with watching the fish that had been moved from my previous bedroom into an alcove that had once been a fireplace in the new living room. The electric blue and scarlet shoal of Neon Tetra followed one another around the selection of muggle and magical aquatic plants, nipping here and there at a tasty leaf; an orange and black striped Clown Loach foraged among the gravel, quickly eating a small snail it had come across, leaving the shell behind. The foliage swayed with the current provided by the filter system; small bubbles were racing toward the top of the tank and bursting with a small fizzing sound. Watching the fish was peaceful, but did not distract me from my sudden solitude.



A crack of apperation roused me from my musing, and two house elves stood before me; one held a black wicker basket covered with a cotton cloth; the other held a black glass box.



“Sir, Miss Hermione is sending you this sir.” Piped the one with the basket, handing it to him.



“She is also be sending you this.” Said the other, handing over the glass box.



“You can go.” I said, curious.



A tag on the basket read:

To Severus,

a little pampering for tonight.

Yours, Hermione.



Pushing aside the cloth revealed a large collection of specialist male bathing products from the ‘Luxury Cosmetics Company’, they cost a pretty sickle, and were far too expensive on my salary as a teacher. Occasionally I would indulge in their bath salts, but more often than not I would purchase the cheaper versions – which do little for either my hair or skin.



She seemed to have purchased a large selection: lime and mint shampoo and conditioner for oily hair; bergamot and lemon uplifting morning body wash; chamomile and sandalwood evening relax bath; ginger muscle soothe bath salts… she had picked out all of my favourite scents – and I suspected that information may have come from Draco. Though, the relaxing bath essence would be wonderful this evening. Other products included a Ylang-Ylang, Patchouli and cedar wood sensual massage lotion and mint and menthol tingle massage lotion… hmm.



I turned my attention now to the glass box, noting another tag:

I saw these and thought of you,

See you in the morning.

Hermione.



I lifted the lid and was met by a splash of water from two frightened fish – two pale Royal Turquoise Discus Fish, to be exact. And if I am not mistaken, a breeding pair.



“Well, I hope you’ve been fed, because I don’t want you picking off the little ones.” I said, transferring a mug full of tank water into the glass box so they could adjust to the new conditions slowly.



“What little ones?” Lucius asked, stepping through the floo with Narcissa following him.



“Fish.” I said, peering into the box and adding a mild de-stressing potion to the black box to calm the new fish.



“Pardon?” Narcissa asked, moving to sit on the sofa.



“Hermione gave me two wedding gifts: a selection of bathing products and a pair of discus.” I said, looking at Lucius’s puzzled face.



“How wonderfully romantic. Are you sure you won’t stay at the Manor this evening?” He said, shaking his head before sitting down.



“Can I get you a drink, Narcissa? Lucius?” I offered, keeping my eye on the black glass box.



“Water please.” Narcissa said, “And you avoided the question.”



“No, I will stay here – I can keep an eye on the new fish until the nerves leave me alone long enough to get some rest before tomorrow.” I said, adding another cup of water to the box.



“I’ll leave your wedding gift on the table for you.” Lucius said, enlarging a box wrapped in white paper and placing it on the coffee table. It was a huge box, and I didn’t bother attempting to guess what it contained. But I would place money that it was Narcissa that had taken the time to pick it out.



“Thank-you.” I said, finally letting the fish go and watching them slowly explore their new habitat.



“Oh! Aren’t they pretty!” Narcissa said, sipping her drink.



“I think your wife-to-be got you them so you could stay here and not come to the Manor.” Lucius said with a sight sneer.



“If I had wanted to come, I would have been there an hour ago.” I said, smiling as the two saucer-sized fish swam around the reeds. “I think it’s the most thoughtful gift I have received.” I said, relaxing completely as I watched.



Tomorrow seemed so far away when I stared at the tank, but in some ways it couldn’t come soon enough.