Sub Rosa

A/N- I know I said that only sixth and seventh years got to go to Hogsmeade this year, but Albus gave permission for the fourth and ups to go, because xmas was coming. This note is for Kate cause she catches all my errors. : )


Chapter 36 – Hogsmeade

The Three Broomsticks was doing brisk business when Severus swept in with Draco. Kathryn was seated with Albus, Minerva, her brother Michael, his wife Perrine and Lilith at a table near the back.

Michael was a true Leblanc, pale skinned and dark haired, with the trademark nose and warm brown eyes, he was stunningly good-looking with the face of an angel, almost too pretty to be a man.

Perrine was a plain-faced woman of medium height with muddy brown eyes and mousy hair. It wasn’t until Severus stepped up to the table with Draco that she smiled, as the intelligence in her gaze and the kindness of her smile transformed her, that he understood how she came to attract Michael.

He introduced Draco to them and the young man looked Lilith over with undisguised interest. Lilith had obviously gotten her looks from her father, but her sharp-eyed gaze was identical to her mother’s as she returned his scrutiny.

“Mr. Malfoy, why don’t you take Lilith to Honeydukes, I am sure she would enjoy it.” Kathryn shooed the two teenagers away.

Draco pulled out Lillith’s chair for her and offered her his arm, with the courtly manners that Severus always found surprising in a boy he remembered watching falling out of trees and landing in mud puddles.

“They grow up quickly don’t they, Severus.” Albus was doing his mind-reading trick again, but Severus simply nodded and settled down beside Kathryn.

“I talked to Narcissa and she is thrilled with the new match.” Severus added after he was introduced to Kathryn’s brother and sister-in-law.

“I’m glad, the Malfoys are not a bad connection for us, but I’d hate for Lillith to have a mother-in-law who hated her.” Perrine had a soft, melodious voice that carried well. Her husband had his gently besotted gaze resting on her as she spoke. “I get along so well with my in-laws that I want a happy family for our daughter.” She smiled at Kathryn as she said this.

Severus was charmed by their closeness. He wished he had such a loving family growing up as Lilith obviously had. When all this was over, when Voldemort was defeated, would he be able to build a life with Kathryn? Could he slip into the comfortable warmth of her family, enjoying holidays at the Lieu D’Asile?

“Narcissa will be a trial to Lillith whether she approves or not.” Minerva interjected, her dark eyes filled with wry humor. Her steel gray hair was pulled tightly into a bun and her hat, a plaid tartan, was cocked to one side.

“That is probably true, but I suspect Lilith will be more than a match for her.” Albus smiled at Minerva and then turned and included them all in his gaze.

Severus wondered again about the scene he had witnessed between Albus and Marie. As far as he knew, Minerva and Albus had been together for as long as he had known them, going on forty years. They kept the relationship very private and whether they had ever married was not a question Severus had ever asked.
He had never thought about Albus’ youth or the possibility that there had been other women before Minerva. What had happened between the two that had led to the sorrow and pain he had glimpsed in them over Halloween? He suspected that Kathryn knew something, but she had never said a word about it and he had not asked.

Watching Minerva as she watched Albus though, he sensed something, as though she was there to support him in some indefinable way. He had been observing Albus closely, so he suspected that he was the only one to see the slight tightness around his eyes that came and went suddenly.

“Grand- mére is here!” Kathryn stood up beside him, her voice registering both pleasure and surprise. He rose as well as Marie approached the table.

She was dressed in high Victorian style, a white Gibson girl blouse, tucked into a pleated walking skirt in Navy wool, her high button boots, clicking softly on the floor boards.

Silence had descended on The Three Broomsticks. Heads turned in awe as she passed. The patrons whispered her name. A susurrus of noise so soft it was more like a wind passing over the room. She sank with quiet dignity into the chair Severus pulled out for her.

“I passed Lillith and Draco in the street, they seemed to be getting on rather well.” Marie said as she greeted them all. If her gaze lingered on Albus for longer than the others it was hardly noticeable. They returned her greeting and Kathryn dropped a kiss on her withered check.

“Even if they do not finally settle on each other, the match will keep him safe for some time.” Albus replied, his voice just the slightest bit strained. Severus only heard because he knew him so well, Minerva nodded.

“It will keep Narcissa happily occupied, that’s for certain.” Minerva was her usual brisk and efficient self and it seemed to bring everyone back to emotional neutrality.

“Now we need to find a pleasant young man for Miss Ravagienne, then I have two or three grandchildren and great-grandchildren to settle and then I shall be at peace for another generation.” Marie was smiling up at him with her mischievous expression back in place and Sev ret returned her gaze with a twist of his lips. He bent down and whispered in her ear.

“You get rid of Voldemort and I will happily marry Kathryn.” She grinned at him in reply.

“Miss Ravagienne will need someone very strong.” Minerva mused, her eyes gone distant inughtught. Marie smiled at her, obviously taking a liking to the Scotswoman.

“Yes, someone smart too, for she has a quick mind.”

Severus was amused by the contrast between the tiny, elegant Marie and the lanky,gmatgmatic Minerva. They were a study in opposites. Where Minerva was prim, with tightly coiffed hair and pursed lips, Marie was full of mouth, with hair piled loosely on top of her head, and with an easy sensuality, Minerva was brisk and her brogue gave her an air of practicality, but Marie was languid and her Southern drawl added to the sense of a peaceful dreaminess.

Yet, when they started to chat about Minuet, all differences faded and Severus could see that they were sisters under the skin. Strength of character, fierce intelligence, competence and compassion were traits they shared and was quite obviously what had drawn Albus to them both.

Severus glanced at Albus surreptitiously from under lowered lashes and saw him smiling softly at the two women, his caring for them both apparent in his eyes.

Under the table, Kathryn slipped her fingers into his and squeezed lightly. He met her eyes with much the same expression on his face as Albus’.

Severus and Kathryn excused themselves from the table at one, when it became their turn to chaperone the students. Flitwick and Hooalutaluted them as they left the crowded bar, passing the symbolic baton. They separated, Kathryn headed for Zonko’s and Severus to Honeydukes.

The wind was brisk and icy, as winter had sunk its claws into Hogsmeade with a vengeance. It was getting close to winter vacation and Kathryn’s plans for Midwinter were coming along nicely.

He still wassuresure what she had in mind, exactly. She just gave him that smile and waved off his concerns. He turned a corner and saw Minuet staring into one of the shops, her face filled with a miserable longing that tugged at his heart.

He slipped up silently behind her and saw a family inside the shop. The father was holding up his little girl, so that she could examine a doll more closely. Love and joy and closeness were on their faces, the mother beaming at them both.

He gently dropped a hand on her shoulder and she whipped about in shock, looking up at him.

“P-Professor.” She hastily wiped her eyes, hiding the evidence of her distress.

“What are you doing for Christmas, Miss Ravagienne?” He asked gently.

“I’m staying over, Sir. Mother says she doesn’t think coming home would be a good idea.” He nodded. When her father had been arrested, Aurors had ransacked her home looking for evidence. After his conviction, neighbors and friends ceased to come over and her home was regularly pelted with stones. Her mother was right, home was not the place for the girl to be.

“I see.” He looked into the shop window. “Whom are you shopping for?”

“I, well, my little sister is six this year.” Severus nodded and guided the girl into the store. He watched her looking around at the dolls and toys with hungry eyes. It was safe to show affection to this child. Her father’s loyalty meant that he could be openly kind to her without jeopardizing his own life. All the others that he had to sneer at made him cherish all the more the ones he could be affectionate to.

She slipped her hand in his and led him to a selection of tiny horses. The plush animals pranced about the tiny stable yard, nickering and whinnying. Minuet reached out a covetous hand and gently stroked a tiny foal with one finger. The charmed toy arched against her finger and looked up at her with liquid eyes.

“These are too fragile for Fortina.” She murmured sadly and turned away. Severus noted the toys and followed the girl as she picked out a soft baby doll for her sister, which blinked sleepily at them as she carried it to the clerk. She discussed hair and eye choices with the clerk and he charmed the doll to exactly duplicate Minuet’s coloring. She had it wrapped and sent home.

The clerk paused in writing out the address, looking up sharply at Minuet. Severus glared at him, so fiercely that the poor man almost dropped his quill, but he said nothing and soon they were back outside in the bitter cold.

“Thank you, Professor.” He eyes contained understanding of what the clerk’s hesitation meant. He wanted to walk back into the e ane and hex the young man behind the counter, but he merely nodded.

Once more he swallowed an insult to his children. It was bitter indeed.