The Love Of A Wizard

CHAPTER 42
A Light In Darkness

Claudia sat completely lost. Who the hell was Nagini, and why would Severus want he or she dead? Severus glared at Wormtail, who looked as if he would faint.
“Kill…Nagini? Severus…I…I…can’t! No! The Dark Lord would…would…-”
“Yes. The Dark Lord will surely kill you for the task. However, what choice do you have?” He said harshly.
“I…could tell the Dark Lord! Then you-”
“Who do you think he would believe Wormtail? You or me? I can claim ignorance…you can not…” Claudia thought Severus would have made a fine spy, even in the muggle world. He was so calculating and scary…pretty hot too. She thought.
“But…” he stammered and looked like a fish out of water.
“If you survive…if…you may run to your former friends and tell them what you have done. Then, they may grant you the safety you desire.”
“But why Severus? Why do you wa-” Severus waved his hand and cut him off.
“I have my reasons. Do we agree then?” Claudia waited, holding her breath. She exhaled as Wormtail nodded in agreement and hung his head. He was just backed into the most precarious corner a wizard could be in.
“Thank you…that is all Wormtail. You may go.” And Severus vanished his chair out from underneath him. Wormtail fell to the floor with a howl and jumped to his feet shooting daggers at both Claudia and Severus who were laughing. Wormtail went out the front door, slamming it as he went.
“Now that business is out of the way.” Severus said as he moved over to Claudia. She noticed he had had at least three glasses of wine in a very short time and realized, with a little giggle, that Severus was a little drunk.
“Professor…” Claudia said slyly as he fell to his knees in front of her. He pulled her close and kissed her urgently and Claudia felt the fire ignited once again. A timid knock at the door broke Severus away from Claudia. Both of them froze, in silence, listening for the sound to come again. It did, only louder this time.
Severus got to his feet and straightened his clothes. Claudia did the same, but he put his hand on her shoulder and asked her to stay back. She nodded. This couldn’t be good. She thought. He opened the door a crack and stood there for a long moment looking at who had knocked. Then, releasing his breath loudly he stepped back and opened the door all the way.
Claudia saw first a woman enter. She was tall and had long white hair and a severe face. She wore black wizard robes and a few pieces of jewelry. One being a wedding band. The next person to enter was a young wizard boy, perhaps fifteen or sixteen years of age. He too had white hair and a very pointed face. She saw the third person enter, a very tall, pale man with long blonde hair. He looked terrible and Claudia wondered if he was sick. They stood just inside the door and waited for Severus to close it. He motioned for them to come further but they stopped when they saw Claudia.
At that moment, Claudia realized who it must be she was looking at. Narcissa. And her son, possibly Severus’s son, Draco. The other man, she assumed was Narcissa’a husband. They looked at her as if she were a wart. Claudia sipped her wine and flicked her eyes to Severus.
“My dear…the Malfoys. Lucius, Narcissa and their son Draco.” Severus said in bored tones. He walked over to Claudia and placed his hand on hers. “This is Ms. Claudia Moore.” No one said a word. It had been a long, long time for Claudia, but she hadn’t forgotten the sensation. The sensation of spiteful jealousy she felt for the beautiful, tall, long haired woman whom Severus had once loved. She felt her face flush and she gulped her wine. She half nodded in their direction and studied her glass.
“Lucius. I didn’t know you were getting out. It is wonderful news.” he said. Claudia wondered what ‘getting out’ meant.
“Yes…the Dark Lord is benevolent. The faithfulness my son showed bought me a place back in his good graces. He has spared me from sitting in Azkaban any longer.” Came his hollow voice. Claudia found herself glaring at Narcissa who was staring at Severus. Claudia imagined walking over to her and ripping her hair out of her head. She sighed heavily and Severus looked down at her and smiled.
“Lucius here has just finished a long stay in Azkaban. It seems the Dark Lord has allowed him his freedom once again.” Claudia nodded and Severus motioned for everyone to sit. Draco remained standing and Claudia noticed he was giving her a searching look. She rolled her eyes at him and finished her glass of wine. Severus produced three more glasses of wine and handed them to his guests. He refilled Claudia’s and his own and pulled his chair next to Claudia.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Severus began. Narcissa glanced at Claudia, who was still shooting nasty looks her way and then turned to Severus.
“I came to thank you Severus. For everything.” She spoke in a hushed tone that Claudia heard with jealous ears.
“It was nothing. Actually…it was deserving. Draco…how have you been?” Draco nodded his head and said nothing.
“Forgive his rudeness Severus…Draco hasn’t been the same since that night. I’m just so thankful…so thankful he’s not…” Narcissa began to cry and Draco placed a hand on her shoulders.
“Come mother. I want to leave now.” Draco spoke for the very first time. Claudia watched him help his mother to her feet and he placed an arm around her shoulders. Claudia glanced at Severus and saw him watching them go out the door. Lucius stayed behind.
“Severus…I am indebted to you.” He said.
“No…Draco is. But…let us hope that I never have need to call on that debt.” He and Lucius toasted each other and the Dark Lord and Lucius swept from the house. Claudia sat and stared at the closed door. Severus reached for Claudia.
“Come my love. It is time to get you back.” They walked out into the open air and Claudia tapped her ear piece for the second time that night. No fights. No murders. No real problems. Except…she was in a blind jealous rage at what she had witnessed. Severus walked around the corner and held out his hand. Claudia took it and for the first time, did not wish Severus to touch her. He stood for a moment and searched her face and she gave him her most blank expression.
“Are you alright?” He asked. She nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck. She closed her eyes and waited for the sensations to go away. They now stood in the alley way near the hotel and Claudia began to walk. Severus stood still and followed her a moment later. It wasn’t until they were inside of Claudia’s room did either one of them speak.
“It appears you are not happy with the nights events. I thought you would be grateful for what I did tonight. It eliminates a problem for Potter. Or perhaps…you were not happy about my second guest?” He asked. Claudia looked at him and he had an amused look on his face.
“What you did was wonderful tonight Severus. You put on a good show. I wonder…how much of that production was for me as well?” She asked nastily.
“I’m sure I do not know what you mean.”
“Oh...ok. Then I will explain. Narcissa! You told me you were in love with her once. Yet she comes to your house to thank you for something? For everything. That’s what she said. Seems you are quite the busy man Severus. Of course we never even talked ab-”
“Will you shut up!” He spat at her. “If you, even now, question where my heart lies, then I can not help you. Narcissa and I were over long ago. But yes…we are close. Because we must be. How dare you question me. I heard your thoughts when you thought I was guilty of treachery. The one you wished for wasn’t me…was it Claudia? It was Black! I saw it in your eyes the night I came here. Black was right about me. That’s what you thought! So don’t you dare lecture me about past loves.” His face was flushed red and he was breathing heavily. Claudia felt her stomach fill with ice.
“Severus…Firstly, Sirius was never a love, as you put it. But a friend. Secondly…I don’t know what to think about Narcissa and the boy. I just wasn’t prepared.” She said as she slumped onto the bed. Severus stood still and Claudia heard the refrigerator click on. Neither one said a word. Claudia felt she was being childish. In fact, she knew she was being an utter brat. But still…she never imagined she would ever feel as if she had to compete for Severus’s affections.
She reached out to him and he slowly obliged. Claudia snuggled up next to him and they lay there in silence. He kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear.
“You are my love. The only one who has loved me without restraint. Without you, I would be alone. Not caring what I did, or if I even made it through. But you’re here with me. You walked into my darkness and brought me a light. I can only follow where you go now. You have my light and my heart. Without you, I will be lost to the darkness forever.” Claudia felt warm tears on her cheeks and whispered to him.
“I love you Severus.”
************************************************************************
A/N: Hmm...will Pettigrew do it? And now Claudia gets a little jealous, huh?