The Three Keys

A/N: I do not own any Harry Potter Characters, just my Laurel, her family and any misc. people that you don’t already recognize, and my fun little plot bunny.

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to my dear friends who are always willing to be honest sounding-boards and thoughtful betas in my times of distress – RAHNEE and EGYPTSSTAR! Thank you both for your continued and every growing friendship. You mean so much more to me than I can say!

Okay everyone sing it with me…Ready? Here we go:

‘IT’S AN AU WORLD AFTER ALL…IT’S AN AU WORLD AFTER ALL…IT’S A COMPLETELY ALTERNATE WORLD AFTER ALLLL. IT'S AN ALTERNATE, UNIVERSE WORLD!'

That having been said, I am happily and unabashedly ignoring HBP. So, in my AU world; Dumbledore is still alive, Snape is still ambiguously evil, Blaise is gloriously, 100% full-blooded Italian and Draco will still be at Hogwarts and has not had to face Voldy to save his skin….as yet.

So without further adieu, may I present to you:

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Previously from Ch 35:

I will bid you farewell,” the goblin paused, bowing formally to Draco, “Lord Malfoy.”

Ezra smiled, “The paperwork is complete, the Heir’s Privilege has been invoked. Your work here today is finished.”

----- -----

Rounding the corner Lucius stopped abruptly, holding a languid hand up to stop the men behind him, a cold smile turning his lips up, “Draco…”

Draco’s eyes narrowed, turning deep grey as he assessed Lucius and two – ‘FUCK’ – two other Quorum Death Eaters.

At that moment, Draco Malfoy, now unquestionably one of the most wealthy and powerful wizards in the known world had never felt so acutely alone in his entire life.

“Hello, Father.” Draco drawled lazily, “What kept you?”

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CH 36 – HEARTBREAK

Date began chapter - April 25, 2005
Date finished chapter - August 9, 2005

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“I must protest Headmaster. This is simply unacceptable; it’s unheard of and completely absurd, I will not allow it.”

Maggie’s eyes narrowed and her tone was clipped, “Oh for Merlin’s sake, Severus, lighten up!”

Severus Snape turned and directed a quelling look toward Maggie Winters that would have intimidated the most errant of his students into submission without question. Maggie however, simply rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue. “Batting those big, brown eyes at me isn’t going to change anything, Sevvie, so I’d cut the flirting if I were you. You do remember I’m a married woman after all.” Maggie winked at him and Snape’s dark expression turned murderous.

“Magnolia,” Snape’s eyes narrowed and a ghost of a smile twitched one corner of his lips for a moment, as he watched Maggie wince at the use of her full name, “please rest assured that the VERY LAST thing I would ever do is,” Snape’s voice dropped low and mocking, “flirt” the word spat from his tongue like it was poison, “with you.” Maggie folded her arms across her chest and raised her eyebrows. “And please don’t make such asinine comments again in front of the Headmaster.”

Maggie grinned playfully, “Sevvie, what are we, sixteen again?” she chuckled, very amused. Maggie just couldn’t help needling Severus; he was SUCH an easy target. She’d forgotten how much fun it was to tease the irritable, persnickety bat. “Is the Headmaster going to give us detention if we misbehave? Maybe deduct a few house points even?” Maggie broke out into a rich laugh at that.

Snape said nothing, his eyes were mere slits, his jaw twitching noticeably; he scowled and turned back to Dumbledore. “Headmaster, I will NOT have Draco staying here one more minute. I want him to come back with us to Hogwarts at once.“ He turned and eyed Maggie contemptuously. “I will not jeopardize his safety just to keep up appearances.”

“What exactly is THAT supposed to mean, Severus?” Maggie asked quietly, her teasing mood gone in a flash.

Snape scoffed and swung back to face Dumbledore, his exaggerated movements making his robes flare about him dramatically. “Don’t you find it curious, Headmaster, that Draco rushes out to save Potter, risking his life on a ‘tip’ from dubious sources, and just happens to run into Magnolia’s daughter at the very same club? Draco seemed to have been influenced by this young witch and distracted by her. WHY do you suppose that is? And just moments before they’re attacked by Lucius, no less.” Snape turned his head slightly, casting a sly glance at Maggie.

Maggie’s eyes darkened dangerously and her voice became positively glacial. “What does Laurel’s meeting Draco have anything to do with Lucius attacking them, Severus? Besides we’ve not proved who it was that attacked Draco yet. It may well have NOT been Lucius.”

Snape’s eyes gleamed, “Ah, I see, Magnolia. So you’re still prote..”

Dumbledore sighed, “Severus…”

“Please let me finish, Headmaster,” Snape interjected, as he began pacing back and forth, one pale hand gesturing lazily about, “Well, Magnolia, one has to wonder what the implications of such a – coincidental – meeting implies? What with your, shall we say, ‘checkered’ history and all…Look at the timing of the attack and the location. A MUGGLE club, full of all those simpletons…” Maggie made a growling sound in her throat and Snape’s eyebrows shot up. “And such a brazen attack so closely on the heels of your return to England…”

The words left him and hit Maggie squarely in the chest, like the wind had been knocked out of her. Maggie’s mouth dropped open, and when she spoke it was breathless and rushed. “What with my…You, you CANNOT BE SERIOUS?” Maggie stalked over to Snape, yanking the front of his robes hard to bring his face down close to hers, her breath hissing on his cheeks. “Are you ACTUALLY suggesting, you sniveling little snake, that I had something to do with that boy’s attack?” she seethed. “And I would think VERY CAREFULLY how you answer that, Severus. You seem to forget that you’re not the only one who knows where some skeletons are hidden, dear, old FRIEND.” Maggie sneered just as skillfully as Snape could ever have done.

“Draco is a Malfoy,” Snape purred, taking Maggie’s hands and prying her fingers open none to gently, removing himself from her grasp. He took a step back, his eyes glittering; he looked greatly satisfied as a twisted grin fitted itself to his face. “You know he IS Lucius Malfoy’s son.”

“And?” Maggie demanded, searching Snape’s face, her eyes flicking over his stoic features looking for anything that might betray his thoughts. “Severus, you don’t think that I could POSSIBLY have had a hand in that attack? You can’t truly believe that I could…For heaven’s sakes, Severus, LAUREL was there! She’s my daughter!” Maggie’s expression fell, her eyes growing wide with realization. Her face became a cold mask instantly and she turned away, quite afraid she’d hex Severus if she looked at him for one more moment. “I see,” she said curtly. “And do you feel this way too, Albus?” Maggie turned back to the seat where Dumbledore had been sitting moments before, only to find it vacated.

Neither Maggie nor Snape had noticed the elder wizard rise from his seat to go stand in front of the fireplace, his head bent in thought, his eyes closed, spectacles in hand. The quarreling twosome looked at him expectantly. Dumbledore took a moment before he began speaking. There was no mildness in his voice when he did. “It would appear that some things, regardless of my hopes for the better, yet remain the same.” The old wizard shook his great, flowing mane; “Severus, your suggestions are unfounded. There is absolutely no reason to entertain such notions. Just as implicitly as I trust you, so do I also trust Magnolia.”

Maggie should have felt better after hearing Dumbledore’s statement, but she was far too infuriated with Snape to let it go. She rounded on him immediately. “I want you to apologize, Severus,” she demanded straightening her back and pulling herself up to her full height.

Snape’s reply was sardonic. “Whatever for? Simply because I am not intimidated by your ‘status’ or family name to question your loyalties?” Maggie gasped and sputtered. “You have been away too long, Magnolia, but NOT long enough for me to forget. And I will NEVER apologize for trying to keep one of my students safe,” he paused and eyed her coldly, “and alive.”

“You presumptuous prick!” she shrieked, “You arrogant, self-righteous, pompous ass! HOW DARE YOU, of all people, bring up the past! How dare you presume to know what went on with me!” Maggie swung around, wand in hand instantly, aimed threateningly at Snape.

Snape rolled his eyes and muttered, “Really, how typically rash of you.” He drew his wand leisurely, holding it steady and directly at Maggie, his tone was even and detached when he stated, “You would be surprised at what I dare to do, Magnolia…”

“THAT IS ENOUGH!” Dumbledore commanded. Maggie and Snape however, didn’t drop their wands or take their eyes from each other. “I would have hoped after all these years and with the many talents, abilities and knowledge you both possess that perhaps you would have learned the great gift of tolerance by now.” Neither responded. Dumbledore replaced his spectacles on the bridge of his nose before he spoke again, letting his words sink in, seeing that they had no effect, he continued, “Severus, you are an ambassador of Hogwarts and a respected professor and I expect you to act accordingly. Lower your wand.” The statement was not a request.

Snape had not moved or batted an eye, “Lower your wand, Magnolia.” he challenged.

“After you, Sevvie.” she spat out, raising her wand a fraction higher.

Dumbledore closed his eyes, “Severus…”

Snape’s mouth pressed into a thin line, his lips turning white from the effort to keep his comments to himself, nevertheless, lowered his wand.

“You’re so VERY lucky that Albus is here, Sevvie, or you’d be leaving today with one less appendage than you came in with,” Maggie snarled.

Snape’s eyes turned black. “How charming. As always, your manners are impeccable, Magnolia.”

“STOP calling me that, you know I hate being called that.” Snape’s eyes glittered triumphantly at her vexed expression.

“Oh come now, Magnolia, It IS your given name, after all.” he goaded, “Or is it that hearing it just brings up too many bad memories of someone else, perhaps?”

“You are still the same heartless, insensitive bastard that you’ve always been.” Maggie hissed. She waggled her wand at him tauntingly, “But I should have realized that even though a snake can sheds its old, dead skin, it still slithers among the dirt, SNIVELLUS…”

Snape’s lip curled up in an ugly sneer; instantly, his wand snapped back up to Maggie’s chest. “How DARE you insult me and slur my good name, you annoying CHIT!”

“Good name?” Maggie burst out laughing, “You’ve GOT to be kidding me, right?” Both he and Maggie had quite forgotten that Dumbledore was there, quite forgotten in fact, that they were no longer sixteen years old. Snape paled a shade at her words; he looked as if he was physically trying not to throttle the woman. “What?” Maggie taunted glibly on, “You scared?” She began slowly circling Snape, measuring his movements, calculating.

Snape hissed, “Scared? Of you? I think not.”

“Oh, Sevvie, I’d not be so confident if I were you…It’s been quite a while since I’ve kicked your ass, but rest assured I can still do it.” Her eyes narrowed, “I will do it.”

Dumbledore shook his head. His expression was somewhere between amusement and frustration as he stepped between the two. “Magnolia, I am quite sure that Severus has no desire to, ah, get his hind quarters, or any other part of his person, ‘kicked’ as you so colorfully put it. Please, both of you, lower your wands. And do, let’s remember that we are focusing on the CHILDREN.” His eyes sparkled briefly, almost enjoying the situation, “NOT acting like them…our differences, though they are there, should be put aside for the time being. “

Maggie glanced at Dumbledore and started. She smiled ruefully, lowering her wand and had the good graces to look embarrassed. Her tone was flat when she spoke, “You’re right of course. I apologize. Somehow Severus always manages to bring out the very best in me.”

Snape made a sound at the back of his throat, but pocketed his wand in one quick, jerky motion. “What room is Draco in?” He looked quite disgusted. “I want you to fetch him as I wish to take him back to Hogwarts immediately.”

Maggie’s face clouded over instantly but Dumbledore silenced her with a quick wave of his hand, “Severus…”

Snape’s eyes snapped to Dumbledore’s, his expression turning incredulous at the look on the older man’s face. “Headmaster, surely you can not possibly wish for Draco to remain here in this,” Snape’s eyes narrowed and his voice dripped venom, “clearly hostile environment? Draco needs to be protected; he needs to be back at Hogwarts.”

“Severus, I think perhaps Draco should remain here. He’s just been through a very traumatic situation. He is going to need to be able to work past this and being a part of a stable, loving and supportive family atmosphere will do him good, I would surmise.”

Snape rolled his eyes. “Honestly, Headmaster…”

“And” Dumbledore continued on cheerily, “we’ve seen that he has developed quite a fondness for young Miss Winters, of which the feeling appears to be mutual. He is under Ministry protection here,“ Snape snorted and Dumbledore continued unperturbed, “ and the Order’s as well. Additionally, remaining with Magnolia affords him the opportunity to be with Harry and the Wesley children for the remainder of the summer. It will do him good to be around his peers.”

“Peers?” Snape snapped. “He’ll be holed up with a house full of Gryffindors!”

Maggie rolled her eyes and smiled at Dumbledore. “Thank you, Albus. Jack and I will watch over Draco as if he were our own, as we will all the children. Arthur and Molly will be here daily as well checking up on Ron and Ginny, so I don’t foresee any serious problems…”

“You don’t foresee any serious PROBLEMS?” Snape practically screamed, cutting her off. If Maggie hadn’t been so upset with him at the moment she would have quite enjoyed watching his careful veneer of calm and indifference slip away. “Magnolia, what about Lucius? Does the fact that he tried to kill Draco, HIS SON and Potter, his sidekick, AND your girl just hours ago not seem a PROBLEM to you? Merlin woman, get it thorough your head he’s…”

“Let’s not start this again, please, Severus. Maggie is well aware of the situation and her home is soundly guarded. Let us speak with Draco this evening and for the time being let him rest. Maggie, I appreciate the offer for dinner and I am happy to accept. I will return say around seven? But for now I must return to Hogwarts.” Dumbledore nodded to Snape. “Shall we, Severus?” and turning without a further glance, Dumbledore glided toward the entrance hall. “Tell the children that I look forward to supping with them this evening.”

Maggie smiled, “I will, thank you, Albus.” Snape moved to follow Dumbledore out of the den but Maggie stopped him. “Headmaster, I wonder, would you mind going on ahead? I’d like to speak privately with Severus for a moment.”

Snape’s eyes grew fractionally larger, then he turned to Dumbledore. “I shall follow you shortly, Headmaster.”

Dumbledore searched Snape’s face for a moment and nodded and with his parting words, “Until tonight then, Magnolia!” was gone.

Snape turned back to Maggie, folding arms across his chest and peering down at her, asked, “Are you hoping to continue your silly tirade of insults, or do you actually have something worthwhile to discuss with me?”

Maggie took a deep breath and felt her cheeks tinge pink. She hated apologizing to this git, but she HAD been acting out of sorts with him. “I apologize, Severus. Really, I do. I, well, I’m rather frazzled at the moment and my head isn’t where it usually is.” She looked up at him, and for the first time today Snape was taken aback by the haunted, hurt look in her eyes. He didn’t like feeling regret for his actions toward this woman, but at the moment he did. “I’m sure Albus told you by now that Laurel was attacked in May.”

Snape nodded solemnly. “With the Amatore Blasphemare, yes. Quite an obscure curse to be used by one so young as your daughter’s suitor,” he observed. “One would wonder where an adolescent wizard would come across such an old and long forgotten spell?”

Maggie sighed, “Yes, Jack and I have gone over that quite a bit. The boy comes from a very ancient line and his family hasn’t exactly denounced any ties to the Dark Lord.” Snape nodded again yet remained silent and Maggie continued. “And even though the curse isn’t thought to be used any longer, we know that it is STILL being used…”

“I’m not sure I follow you, Magnolia.” Snape replied smoothly.

Maggie rolled her eyes. “Oh come off it, Severus. We both know WHO favors using the Amatore as one of his favorite binding curses. Just because the Ministry keeps a tight lid on the fact that it is not quite as ‘long forgotten’ as you put it, doesn’t mean I am not informed about the curse surfacing now and again, and each time the Dark Lord’s signature is all over it.” Her face paled as she opened the top two buttons of her shirt, yanking the material aside impatiently as if she were being suffocated. Maggie felt ill.

Snape pursed his lips. “It would appear you are more informed than I,” he lied easily. “What would you have me do about it?”

“No one has said anything about the possible intimations, Severus, and God knows I don’t want to think about it…But this is twice now that Laurel has been in life or death situations with suspicious circumstances. And this time, there were Death Eaters directly involved. We know what it means when Death Eaters enter the equation, Severus. That’s what I wanted to discuss with you.”

Severus Snape raised his eyebrows; “There are no Death Eaters at Hogwarts, Magnolia.” He cut her off at her next words, “Yes, yes, present company excluded,” he snapped waiving an impatient hand in the air. “Regardless, Laurel will be as well protected as any other student at Hogwarts.” Disdain crept into his voice at his next words, “Just look at how Potter has managed to remain alive and intact all this time. And rest assured it is not for his lack of trying to get himself killed. Besides,” he paused, “I’m sure Laurel knows you attended Hogwarts, does she not?”

Maggie knew where this conversation was going and she was determined that it would NOT go there. “Of course she is aware, Severus. However, there are things that she doesn’t know. Things that will remain where they should: in the past.” came her frosty reply.

Snape’s expression was blank, but his voice was mocking. “She doesn’t know?” he echoed. “I see.”

“Severus, I need…I need to be able to trust in you. I need you to remember that Laurel is not me. “

“I know that,” he hissed.

“She’s only a child, Severus. She’s only seventeen.”

“We were ‘only’ seventeen once as well, Magnolia. And she is not a child.” he shot back.

“Laurel is not aware of what happened in the past, Severus and that’s the way it will remain. She’s not me, you have to remember that.”

“Yes,” he replied dryly, “you’ve mentioned that twice, as if I could somehow become confused.”

Maggie ignored him. “I started a new life, Severus. I thought you of all people, would be able to appreciate that.”

Snape snorted. “I can understand your desire to run away…But to escape by marrying a muggle? Really, it is beneath you.”

Maggie growled, frustrated now, and her anger flared lightening quick. “So we’re back to that again, are we? I did NOT run away and you damn well know it. What I did do is meet a man. And how dare you say I escaped by marrying John! I fell in love with him and I married him. It just so happens that he is a muggle.”

Severus shook his head accusingly. “You, with your impeccable bloodlines and prestigious family,” he rolled his eyes, “and your duty to fulfill. It’s your birthright; a privilege, an honor and you risk it all by marrying a muggle. You risk your children’s legacy all for a muggle. It’s irreverent.”

“My children’s birthright is intact!” she growled.

“Is it?” Snape inquired. She would have believed his tone sincere if not for his black eyes suddenly becoming hooded and calculating. “Has Laurel preformed a patronus yet? Has she called forth a Curadore?”

Maggie took a deep breath to calm her temper. “Dumbledore told you about her patronus?” she asked, clearly surprised. His smug smile was all the reply she needed. “Yes, well, he did tell me he would only disclose her abilities to those absolutely necessary. I will just have to trust his judgment, where you are concerned.”

“How very astute of you.” he deadpanned. “And about calling the Curadore?” She was hoping he would have forgotten about that question. She didn’t distract him enough, obviously.

“Don’t you forget ANYTHING?” She shook her head in disbelief. “After all these years you STILL remember? Why I told you in the first place is beyond me!” Maggie threw her hands up in the air. “Ah the stupidity and ignorance of youth. And please, let’s not do the ‘muggle bashing’ thing right now. Just because Laurel is half muggle does not invalidate her privileges in the Cortez family. She will fulfill her duties, both of my daughters will. They are Cortez women and they are the rightful ‘Tenedoras de los Curadores’.” The pride was evident in the tilt of Maggie’s chin and the fire in her eyes.

Snape shrugged. “We shall see. And no, I never forget. I believe I mentioned that.” If it were possible, Maggie would have thought that Severus actually looked hurt when he spoke quietly, “Magnolia, you should know the secrets you entrusted to me in friendship many years ago have not been broken.”

Maggie looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, and then answered sincerely, “Thank you.”

Snape seemed unimpressed. “My confidences are never broken, Magnolia. But then again, those who have trouble keeping confidences often doubt the integrity of others.” Maggie’s mouth dropped open and her face flushed, but surprisingly she immediately snapped her jaw closed and remained silent. When she turned her head and looked away scowling and clearly holding her tongue he continued, “We will know soon enough regarding Laurel’s abilities.”

After a moment Maggie seemed to regain her composure and spoke slowly as if measuring every word, “Yes that is true. Look, aside from all that, Severus, Laurel is still so very young and innocent.” She glanced down at her hands and started fingering her wedding band. At hearing Snape’s derisive snort, her head shot up and she glared at him. “Do you know what Laurel told me when Draco was laying on our couch near death and I found out that he was Lucius’ son?” she asked, anger and hurt were rolling off of her in waves so strong that Snape could feel it.

His eyes locked with hers. “One can only imagine.” He couldn’t keep the bite from his voice.

Maggie laughed bitterly, “Oh, Severus you will just love the irony in this.” When Snape simply sighed and inclined his head at her, Maggie whispered in a hollow voice, her eyes becoming unfocused as if she were looking into the far recesses of her memories. “She told me not to judge Draco by the sins of his father.” Snape’s head snapped up and his shoulder’s stiffened visibly. Maggie laughed again, coming out of her trance. Her eyes held no trace of any mirth. “I told you you’d appreciate it. Can you believe she actually said that to me, Severus? She actually told ME not to judge Draco by the sins of his father! She has no idea what she said, but I told her I would honor that request. And now I will ask the same of you. I ask you not to judge Laurel by the sins of her mother. Can you do that, Severus?”

“I’m not a child and I don’t need to be spoken to as one.” he grimaced, clearly uncomfortable.

Maggie looked un-affronted. “I’m being absolutely serious, Severus. If someone should try to attack Laurel again I need to know that you will be there to protect her. I honestly wouldn’t trust anyone else to keep her life safe, other than you.”

Snape’s eyes grew cold. “Don’t flatter me, Magnolia.”

“I’m not flattering you,” she said quietly, “I’m simply stating the truth. When it comes to Potions you’re exceptional, but when it comes to the Dark Arts, I don’t believe anyone can match you,” she grinned smugly, “except perhaps me. But I won’t be there to watch over my daughter…you will.” Maggie grasped his arm again. “Promise me, Severus. Promise me that you will protect her. She did save Draco’s life, if nothing else that should warrant some appreciation from you toward her.”

“Magnolia,” Snape hissed with barely suppressed fury, “I may be ruthless and I will do whatever I need to in order to achieve my goals. But don’t think that even I am heartless enough to let an innocent child fall victim to harm if I can do anything to prevent it.” His voice was laced with spite. “Even your child.”

Maggie dropped her hand from his arm immediately. “Good,” she said, visibly relieved, “That’s all I need to know. By the way, you’ll find that Laurel is quite adept at Potions as well.”

Snape rolled his eyes, “Humph. We shall see.” He turned to leave the room and thought better of it, pausing in the doorway and turning back to address Maggie one last time. “He’s more dangerous than you know, Magnolia,” he said quietly. His tone brooked no argument.

“We’re not going to have this conversation,” she retorted.

“He’s changed,” he continued on stubbornly.

Maggie looked resigned. “It would appear that we are, then. Okay, look, Severus, we all know that sometimes things are not what they appear to be. You of all people know that.”

“You have his wand, don’t you?” he continued, completely ignoring Maggie. “You can easily see what spell was last cast from it. Your daughter claims to have taken it from him immediately after he cursed Draco. That will prove it.”

Maggie shut her eyes and Snape saw the fatigue and uncertainty in her momentarily unguarded expression. The instant she opened them again, however, the moment was gone and her walls had returned. “That proves NOTHING and you know it. Anyone could have picked up his wand and used it. True it will reveal the last spell, but not WHO cast it; its inconclusive evidence.”

Snape grasped Maggie’s arm and held it firmly. “He’s one of them, Maggie,” he growled, frustrated.

She snorted and yanked her arm free. “Yes he is. And what does that prove, Severus; so are you.” Snape’s jaw clenched tightly and he glared at Maggie. “Look, even though he appears to be behind this, I just cannot fathom someone intentionally trying to hurt their child, even Lucius.” Snape shook his head. “I concede he does appear to be at fault, but you know very well that what appears so clearly to be the truth, even convincingly so, can in fact be just smoke and mirrors. You are a master at that.”

Snape’s tone was mutinous, “Thank you for the compliment, Magnolia. However, in this case, things are exactly as they appear to be.” He turned and swept from the room and spun around to face Maggie once more, “You know the truth, just as I do. Regardless, I will watch over Laurel, I give my word.”

“Thank heavens for small favors,” came a deep voice from Snape’s left.

Snape tensed instantly and turned his head slightly in acknowledgement. “Winters,” he replied coldly.

“Snape,” came the icy return.

“You’ll be back for dinner then?” Maggie jumped in; interrupting the two men’s challenging glares.

“Of course,” Snape answered, continuing to eye Jack warily, then turning to look down his nose at Maggie he stated matter-of-factly, “I will be here to support Draco when we tell him what his father has done. He should be surrounded by those who care about him and he will have nothing less.”

Without another word and with a loud, ‘CRACK!’ Snape was gone.

Maggie bristled in defense, her words of retort left sitting on her tongue like bitter apple. She scowled at the spot where he had been for several seconds. “You asked HIM to watch over Laurel?” Jack asked quizzically, breaking her train of thought.

“I did. There’s no one better at the Defensive Arts in that school than Severus. I would think of trusting her safety with no one else,” Maggie huffed.

Jack shoved his hands in his pockets, as he always did when he was very stressed, and quirked his head, “Do YOU trust him after everything that’s happened?”

Maggie sagged against the doorframe. “He understands, Jack that the past has nothing to do with Laurel. We discussed it and I believe he will keep her as safe as he can. Besides, Albus is there; she’ll be better protected at Hogwarts than anywhere else. How long have you been standing there?”

Jack’s voice was crisp. “Long enough to know that Snape is still Snape. He still hates us lowly muggles.”

“Jack…” she sighed wearily.

“It’s all right, Maggie.” Jack ran his hands through his hair in frustration and Maggie realized he looked tired, probably just as tired as she felt.

“Yup,” she agreed then, “I fear that will never change.” Maggie smiled feebly in a vain attempt to lighten the heavy mood between them. Discussing her past always strained their otherwise solid relationship.

Jack sucked on his front teeth thoughtfully for a moment. “Do you think Dumbledore is right in trusting him?”

Maggie shrugged, “He’s never given Dumbledore any reason to doubt him all these years, so yes I suppose so…Even though he is an annoying old bat.”

Jack nodded curtly and walked past her into the den, “You should tell her, Maggie. She deserves to know, especially after all that’s happened. It’s only fair.”

“Fair to whom, Jack?” Maggie snapped, twisting around to confront him. “It’s none of her business and I have no intention of muddling her down with my past sins.”

Snape didn’t win this argument and neither would he.

“Maggie…”

”We agreed to this already when we moved here, Jack, when we agreed to send her to Hogwarts. She’s better off not knowing anything.” Maggie stalked into the den now and flung herself on the couch, realizing with a start that she was bone tired.

“How can you say that, Maggie? Laurel is mixed up with Malfoy’s son! Uh-uh, don’t shake your head at me, honey; I’m not saying he’s involved in any of this, that’s pretty obvious. What I’m saying is that Malfoy tried to KILL his boy, for God’s sake! If it weren’t for you and Laurel he would have succeeded. He’s one lucky kid.“ Jack shoved his hands in his pockets again and started pacing slowly in front of her. “Maggie, I think we need to watch Laurel closely where Draco is concerned. I’m not sure her being involved with him is a good idea. Hell, I know it isn’t. But I’m worried if we forbid her to see him what she’d do.”

Maggie shifted uneasily under her husband’s gaze. Truly she didn’t have a problem with Draco; the problem lay with the other Malfoy male. “I don’t think that’s an issue at this point, Jack. They just met, and yes, it does look like they’re drawn to each other, but Harry seems interested in Laurel, too.”

Jack groaned, “Oh, that’s just great. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. I think I’m just going to forbid her to date until she’s thirty.”

Maggie chuckled, dropping her head to rest on the back of the couch and closing her eyes. “Let’s give that some serious consideration,” she agreed. “Regardless, they’ll all be leaving for Hogwarts in a few weeks time and we know once they’re at school, well…” she stopped short and raised her eyes to Jack’s, “the kids will be left to their own devices. And as much as I’d like to tell Laurel what to do concerning Draco, I trust her good judgment. And we already know she saw his soul, she said it’s pure and I believe her.”

“So do I,” Jack sighed resignedly.

“Besides, if I had listened to my mum telling me who I could and couldn’t see, I dare say we’d be not here at this moment,” Maggie said, her face darkening at the memory of when she first introduced her future husband to her family.

Jack caught her look and smiled. “If your mother had her way today, I think she’d still jump at the chance to obliviate my mind and send me on my merry way…” His face sobered. “At least she didn’t try to hurt you for your differences in your beliefs.” His countenance grew fierce at the very idea.

Maggie sniffed and quirked a tiny smile at him as she pulled herself stiffly up from the couch. “Jack, I just simply cannot believe that any parent would knowingly try to hurt their child.” Her expression grew thoughtful and her voice wistful as she continued, “There’s got to be another explanation.” Maggie walked over to Jack and put her hands on his arms and looked up into his eyes. Her gaze was piercing and so full of conviction. “Jack, how can you believe that ANY father would try so viciously to kill their child? You can’t believe that, can you? Honestly?”

Jack shook his head slowly. “No, Maggie I can’t see it. But we’re not like them. We have morals and values. You’re too trusting,” he said softly, his thumb running across her cheek and down her jaw, “It’s why I love you so much. But some people, Maggie, don’t deserve your trust.”

Maggie turned her cheek into her husband’s chest and closed her eyes, wrapping her arms tightly around him. ‘I hope you’re wrong, Jack. I hope everyone is wrong.’

Most of all she hoped that tiny, niggling feeling in the back of her mind that was whispering to her was wrong.

For Maggie wanted to believe her own words so desperately.

Was it so wrong to want to believe in the goodness in people, in the goodness of one man?

She was ignoring too, what had abruptly begun bubbling up and trickling out of her soul like a freshly opened wound. Maggie would not surrender to that old feeling again. She had thought that it was long gone after all these year. She had believed that is should have withered away after meeting John and falling in love. After marrying a good man and raising a wonderful family, surely, it could sustain no more life and should have disappeared forever.

Why then was she suddenly hurting so very much?

Apparently Maggie had been wrong, because there it was, fresh and hot and surprisingly strong…

It was the pain of heartbreak.

__________________________________________________

Severus Snape stormed through the deserted halls of the dungeons at Hogwarts. As soon as he descended into the cool, familiar surroundings he felt his spirit begin to calm and his taut nerves start to relax.

He was still furious at Maggie. How dare she try to keep Draco from him? Clearly she didn’t understand that he was still in danger. Going against Lucius Malfoy, no matter who you were, would put anyone in danger. And add the displeasure of the Dark Lord and your fate was all but sealed.

He would have thought that Maggie had learned that lesson long ago.

Snape grunted in his disgust at the situation. He wasn’t doing a very good job at ignoring the hairs standing on edge at the base of his neck, either. Something bad was happening; he could feel it. He just hoped he would be able to shield Draco from whatever retribution Lucius was surely working on before it was too late.

Maggie had always been far too trusting of everyone around her. It was only as a result of that trust that he himself had befriended the young Spanish witch when they were students at Hogwarts. He quirked a grin; yes, Maggie was always far too trusting of those around her. Even still, it appeared.

He reflected for a moment on how tired and physically worn down she seemed. It had been years since he’d looked into those smoldering, dark eyes of hers and he admitted, exhaustion aside, she was still a beautiful woman. Age agreed with her. But Maggie had always been quite pretty in a dark, exotic kind of way. Not his type at all, he preferred fair hair and alabaster skin, but there had been those who were definitely captivated by her. Those who, had they not been so driven by their thirst for worldly goods, might have had a chance at something far better than material possessions that faded away in the blink of an eye. They – he - had been a fool. He was still a fool, albeit a very dangerous one now.

Snape snorted again, so unlike his character, but stingingly reminiscent of his adolescent days when he roamed the halls of Hogwarts as a student with the very few people, two in fact, that he considered friends. Severus did not bestow that rare distinction on just anyone, and although Maggie had hurt him in the past, he still considered her a friend. Though he’d keep that bit of information close to the vest for the time being, until he was sure ultimately where all loyalties truly lay.

Snape’s brow furrowed as memories washed over him and he was surprised to feel a jolt of nostalgia. True, his days at Hogwarts as a student weren’t all they could have been, but he had had some good times…He found himself pondering over those wispy, fragile pieces of time and the people that he had held close to his heart. Unexpectedly, they were like darkness and light, so vastly physically different, but so much alike that they seemed almost as two halves of a whole. Both of them, distinguishing beauties each in their own way, but they were more than beauty, they were kind and understanding and caring of him.

They were his trusted confidants.

One so dark and lovely, with her bronzed skin, cool, smoky eyes and ebony curls; he cherished her as he imagined he would if he had been blessed with a sibling. And the other…She was the very personification of warmth, with her smooth, milky complection and shimmering fair hair and eyes the color of a sunny afternoon sky. She radiated sunbeams and the pale glow of moonlight. She was what he imagined capturing illumination itself and fashioning it in human form would be. She was breathtaking; she was the essence of all he desired.

And she belonged to another.

Snape felt the foul swell of jealousy building in his chest and he immediately tamped it down. It would not do to dwell on things that can never be; even though his heart thudded in his chest to let it beat just for a few moments with the drum of anger and loss. But Severus’ mind was far the stronger opponent in this battle and it methodically began closing the small doors and shutting the recollections of his past down with practiced ease.

It was with these thoughts that he entered his private quarters somewhat distracted and intent on beginning to look into some type of remedy to ease the complications of the Amatore Blasphamare. He wanted to have a head start on this brew, should the situation arise where it was needed. Severus had it in the back of his mind that perhaps this might be a prudent move, what with Maggie’s daughter and Draco’s apparent latest romantic dalliance fast on her way to Hogwarts. Not to mention the fact that young Laurel was most likely one of Lucius’ newest, least favorite people.

As soon as his door shut, he felt something off and froze for an almost imperceptible moment. It wasn’t anything he could visibly see, for his quarters appeared quiet and just as he’d left them. It was something else. The awareness of it lingered heavy in the air around him, teasing him with familiarity and wistful, foolish yearnings of days long past…

Snape went to his bedchamber and removed his traveling cloak and robe and then returned to the threshold of his living area and looked around with keen, alert eyes. He remained in the doorway, examining every detail of his room and finally sighed, stepping over to his hearth and stoking the fire.

Satisfied with the roaring fire, he turned around and his eyes swept the room once more before announcing, “You don’t have to hide, you know. I’ve known you were here since the moment I stepped foot into my chamber.” Snape folded his arms across his chest and waited a moment before a gentle rustle of material revealed the one sight that always took his breath away.

“How did you know anyone was here?”

Snape produced a warm, genuinely amused smile. “Anyone? Surely you know me better than that. If it had been just ‘anyone’ they would have been dead before my chamber door was closed. I said I knew it was YOU.”

“You’ve always been the clever one, Severus.”

Snape glided from the hearth to stand directly before his visitor and, taking her hand gracefully, he bent to kiss the soft skin of her wrist. He was rewarded with the slight intake of her breath. “It’s been far too long,” he breathed, raising himself to his full height and looking into her eyes.

“It has at that, Severus, dear friend,” she agreed, reaching up to touch his cheek with her palm. She had missed him.

“To what do I own the pleasure of this unexpected visit?” he inquired, moving to prepare tea for his company.

“I need your help, Severus.”

“Anything.” he replied instantly, turning back to face her. “You know I can deny you nothing. Ask for the world and I will present it on a platter.”

Her soft, tinkling laughter, tinged with sadness, echoed through the drafty confines of more than just the room, filling his hollow heart and making him slightly dizzy. It amazed him that she still had such an effect on his senses.

“No, Severus, I don’t need the world on a platter.”

“What has he done now?” Snape demanded, seeing the torment on her face, and flying to the woman’s side. “Has he hurt you?”

Snape searched her eyes and held her hands tightly in his as she spoke, her voice quivering with emotion. “Yes, Severus. It’s the worst kind of hurt. The worst kind of pain, that I can no longer endure.”

Snape lowered the lady to his couch and immediately wrapped a warm blanket around her shoulders. “What is it that you want of me?” he asked, seating himself beside her, and daring to lay a tender hand on her knee.

If anyone had seen him now they would be taken aback at the gentleness in his voice and the depth of concern in his eyes as he reached up to tuck an errant wisp of hair behind her ear. It felt so familiar, so shockingly intimate and so very, very right. “What is it you need of me?” he asked again, his dark eyes searching her clear blue ones.

“I need only one thing, Severus.” She smiled through teary eyes at her dear friend, clasping his surprisingly warm hands in hers and looked at this man that she held so close to her heart. This man that she often wondered if she should have perhaps given more thought to than just a friendly shoulder to lean on when she was young and impetuous. Perhaps she still could, someday… "Just one cold, black heart.”

Severus Snape’s eyebrows shot up and his eyes lit with understanding and he squeezed her hands reassuringly. “Ah, Narcissa, finally you ask of me something that I not only can do for you, but something that I will relish in the very task itself.”

Narcissa Black Malfoy smiled warmly at Severus. His words it seemed, at last, had dulled the pain inside her for just a moment. It flickered and lessened with the hinted promise of freedom one day soon from the binds that held her heart captive. She was tired of feeling this pain. Tired of being hurt and angry and feeling so very lost.

She was tired of the heartbreak.

____________________________________________________________________________________

A/N: (Dancing around, doing the happy dance) FEW! Can you believe it? DONE. FINALLY! YIPPEE! OY, this was a hard chapter. LOL, actually THIS wasn’t a hard chapter ONCE I figured out WHO it was that wanted to have some screen time…Once that was all worked out, the chappie literally sprung out at me and demanded to be written. I swear that Snape, Maggie and our dearest Narcissa were standing over my shoulder constantly bickering among themselves, poking me in the side and dictating to me the entire time… Didn’t they have GREAT CHEMISTRY, the three of them?? I thought so...

Okay now that all that fun stuff is out of the way there are some things I need to tell you…Here we go; this chapter was BUSTING AT THE SEAMS WITH THE FOLLOWING: Plot, plot, plot, a little bit of plot…Oh yeah and some more plot. So, take close note to pretty much everything you read, cuz I’ve included some plot in here.

Now, about the next chapter…You can consider this a warm up, the pre-show entertainment to the next big event in the story - It’s what you’ve (and me too) been waiting for, the battle of the blond Malfoy bad boys! AKA - The Draco/Lucius confrontation. Reserve your ringside seats TODAY!

Just leave me a little ol’ review and I’ll reserve YOU a seat!

Now kids….PLEASE BE KIND TO ME and remember that this is my FIRST new chapter of Keys in quite a while, and the first new one since I was booted from FF. I am in DESPERATE need of some comfort and kindness in the form of reviews. I’m DYING…sitting on pins and needles and bobbing up and down impatiently to hear what you all think.

See that button down there on your left? Hit it and tell me!

TRANSLATIONS:

‘Tenedoras de los Curadores’ - Keepers of the Guardians (cough, cough, plot, cough)

SPELL WORKS:

Amatore Blasphamare - Lover’s Curse - An age-old dark spell that had been cast typically when a spouse was caught cheating on their mate, hence the name. The guilty party was hexed and bound to the person who cast the spell until either one of them died, thereby releasing the other from the curse. If you were cursed it was a horrible and torturous way to be killed as the person’s heart actually shred itself slowly into pieces and you would die, quite literally from a broken heart. Sometimes however, particularly strong individuals would survive. That’s where the binding would come in. If you lived, you were still bound to the person who cast the spell and if they hexed you again, the second attack was immediately fatal. - MY OWN SPELL IDEA.

A/N SHOUTOUTS:

Dear All, thank you sincerely for the many months of support that you have given to me both in the form of reviews and personal emails. I’ve been having such a terribly difficult year and it resulted in my not being able to write. Thank GOD that my head seems to be clearing and my words returning to me.

I look forward to hearing from all of you and I’m also jazzed to finally be hearing my Draco speaking to me again. How I’ve missed him and you, so.

PS - Don't forget that I have a personal email chapter update list. If you'd like to be added, just leave me a review with your email add and tell me to add you and it's done!

Cheers!

Lorett