Hidden Friends

A low growl permeated the room, as the accompanying quiet shift of large paws scuffed the floor while Gabriel paced slowly. Her piercing yellow eyes were clouded with thoughts, never seeing the contents of the room that was the Black Family Library. She merely paced back and forth, from the far wall book shelf, to the end of the tattered, well worn couch, her black panther form looking like black ink among shadow, with the occasional light from the crackling fire illuminating her every time she passed.

Too many things happening at once, she thought. So many thoughts and problems to handle at once. She needed something…someone to help her. For the first time in a long time, Gabriel admitted to herself that she was alone, and that she was not as strong as she thought she was.

'You're only human, after all,' came a quiet voice in the back of her mind. Gabriel let out an irritated growl, but it lacked its usual annoyance. She just did not have it in her to argue anymore. She was tired…so very tired. She never like admitting weakness, it made her feel vulnerable, open to attack. Though an attack from what she was never sure at the time. Verbal abuse, physical, mental, emotional? It didn’t matter, for it hurt all the same.

She flicked her tail absently as she ran through the thoughts in her mind, letting them flit by her until something stuck out. The most recent was the Marriage Law. Bloody Fudge! Her growl was heavier, echoing in the sparsely furnished room. But she had left the blasted letter downstairs, so she could not contemplate anything about it. Any other thought was just overdone. Her sister now in St. Mungo’s, still unconscious, injured….she had almost lost her. Who were those men? Why were they after her and her sister, her family? Who were they working for? Why were they in her nightmares? Why her, why Gabriel, why do this at all! Why. Why. Why. What was to gain from it? Why did they almost take away what was left of her family?

Gabriel felt a shiver down her spine, as a pathetic sound whined from her throat. She sounded like a wounded kitten, not a large predator, but the pain in her heart was still fresh and hurt like hell. She would growl again, roar even, but she didn’t have it in her. She was a shell of herself.

A rogue thought entered her mind, her memory revisiting last night when Severus had left her.

Severus….

A familiar pain laced her chest, remembering how close she had gotten to the brooding man. She had been his friend without him knowing for over twenty years, since the very first year of school. The amount of times she had tried to befriend him outside of her wolf form, but he refused, rebuked and outright insulted her in front of many just so he could see the back of her head as she walked away, hurt once more. He even hexed her for fun once, humiliating her in front of the older students. She never allowed him to see her hurt though. Oh Merlin, no! That would ruin whatever was left of her shattered heart. She could not take him knowing how much he hurt her, he probably wouldn’t care anyway.

‘Who ever did care about you…?’ Well her sister for one, her parents, but they were no longer here. They cared, but Gabriel had never been like her sister. Jessica had had plenty of friends, always out and about the castle, in Hogsmeade, at little slumber parties with the girls in her year.

Gabriel had been too busy with schoolwork, watching out for her sister, (which she nearly had to do constantly) trying to make sure she followed what their father had told her to do, or befriending Severus. He had needed her much more than she thought. So much pressure for such a little boy, growing up into the man he is today, after making bad decisions, before seeking shelter and solace in his mentors welcoming embrace, willing to put his life on the line to right his wrongs. So Gabriel had remained alone most of the time, the quiet, nearly invisible girl from Gryffindor, keeping to herself, her studies, never being a burden to anyone. No one ever knew how much she risked her life to help others, never showing weakness in times of need, always pushing forward to do her best.

Growing weary of thinking, Gabriel ceased her pacing and curled up next to the fire, letting out a long, deep sigh. Ignoring her insistent thoughts, she began to stare blankly at the merrily crackling flames, dancing hypnotically.


She didn’t realise how much time had passed until the initial touch of a warm hand made her start in surprise, as she had not heard the visitor approach.

“Ah, my dear,” Albus sighed, sounding as old and tired as she felt herself. He had taken a seat next to her on the furred mat, a pillow resting at his back as he reclined against the couch. He was absently stroking her head and back gently, as if reassuring her he was there. “Sometimes there is too much for one person to endure, hmm?”

A soft purring rumbled from deep in her chest, showing her agreement. He smiled softly, watching the fire as she had done.

“You must realise though, although we think we are alone, it is often not true. For you see, the people downstairs are very concerned for you, worried about you and your sister, about how you will cope with the new situations arising,” he continued. “What you must realise also, is that we are all human, we are all prone to weaknesses at some point, and it is alright to seek comfort, even help when one needs it.”

‘See,’ the little voice said. Gabriel rumbled a growl and turned her head away from both the fire and Albus.

“I’m sure you remember often, the times when a certain someone needed the comfort of a friend in times of weakness. I’d even go to say, he probably would not have survived intact as he is now if it were not for his friend.”

“That was when the comfort was offered freely, Albus. He does not wish to offer freely,” came the bitter tone of the woman now beside him.

“How do you know that?” he inquired gently.

She was silent for a moment. Finally, “Because he left me,” she whispered, her brow furrowed in concentration. She would not cry again.

Albus was slightly confused. He had seen Severus Apparate with her and heard the distinct pop from upstairs, but he had not seen nor heard anything until about three in the morning. He had spotted Severus leaving the room and venture into his own, closing the door firmly.

“I was afraid, Albus.”

If he had not come back from his thoughts so soon, he would have missed her nearly inaudible whisper, so soft he thought he had imagined it.

“I was afraid that I could no longer feel…that my heart could take no more. I had needed comfort, and he had provided it for a short time. When I woke, I was alone, and afraid, and I thought my heart had broken once more, leaving nothing behind.”

She stood suddenly, pacing over to the window, gazing out at the darkness beyond the thin glass. Her hushed and broken tone betrayed her blank, neutral expression. “I feel nothing like I once did. I’m broken, and I’m not sure how to fix it. I want to be myself again, but I’m not sure how.”

She turned to look at him. He was standing now, his expression one of worry and sadness at how she had hidden all of this from them. He knew she had retreated inwards but not so far. She was in great pain, and no one had even seen it.

She could not hold his gaze for long, her eyes casting downwards, hoping to avoid more shame at him seeing how weak she had become. “I think I need to be alone for a while.” With a deep breath she had turned back to the window, her pale hand resting on the glass.

“As you wish, child,” he responded quietly, and Gabriel heard his soft footsteps retreat to the door. With a small ‘snick’, he was gone. She was alone once more.

___________________________________________________________

In the kitchen, the astonished group of people were still animatedly chatting about the news on the Marriage Law.

“This is ridiculous!” Moody growled. “What is Fudge thinking?”

“I don’t believe he’s thinking much at all these days, merely spouting off one new Law after another. I’m not surprised,” came the calmer tone of Mr. Weasely, who regarded Gabriel’s abandoned letter carefully.

“It was bound to happen,” Sirius added, shaking his head and folding his arms. Leaning back in his chair, he continued, “I mean, it was only a matter of time when Fudge would come up with a Law to save the Wizarding world by pairing people off to have babies and repopulate, knowing that Purebloods are becoming few in number.”

Remus nodded agreeably, regarding his Tonks carefully. She was frowning harshly at her letter, probably wanting to burn a hole through it. Across the table, Molly Weasely was hugging an unresponsive Ginny, who was in shock, her letter crumpled in her hand in a death grip as she stared at the table. Hermione was furiously reading, and re-reading, and reading once more over hers, looking for any possible loophole to escape this drastic occurrence. So far she had found nothing.

No one paid attention to the dark man brooding in the corner, leaning against the wall, his arms folded, the long fingers of his hand unconsciously gripping the cloth of his frock sleeve as he thought. He had noticed her this morning, paler than usual, almost as bad as himself, her eyes dull and empty, her expression blank and poster defeated. She had still worn her clothes from the day before after running home from Mungo’s. Her blood red shirt and black jeans wrinkled from her night of tossing and turning, her hair mussed from sleep, and even though she looked haggard, his treacherous mind could not help but notice how beautiful she had looked.

When she had answered Kingsley that she was not alright, he had looked up at her, only to feel an unfamiliar pain in his chest at how lost she truly looked. For once, her expression was open for all to see, even if only for a moment, and he could not believe how he had not seen it, for he was a true master of masks himself. He had held her last night as she had cried, releasing her grief for everything it seemed. She had not looked at him once, choosing instead to bury her head in his chest or neck. When she had stopped, she had turned away from him slightly. She did not want his comfort, merely the fact that he was the only one there. So he had left her as soon as she fell asleep, returning to his own rooms with a bitter attitude. He had offered comfort, albeit reluctantly, but she had not wanted him there. But he had stayed awake after returning to his room, and could here often the occasional noise as she relived another nightmare. He had been tempted to go back to her, to see if she was alright, but he had stubbornly squashed the feeling, simple turned on his side and willed himself to sleep.

It had been a long night.

The chatter continued in the old kitchen, bringing Severus out of his thoughts. This new news about the Marriage Law was bound to happen, like Black had said, but it had no interest to him. He was not involved, so it didn’t concern him.

‘Liar,’ a voice chimed in his mind.

He scowled. How was he lying?

‘She received a letter for it and you’re curious.’

‘I bloody am not!’ Even to himself he suddenly sounded like a petulant child. Sighing, he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn't want to deal with this now. Ignoring the petulant voice, he idly wondered where Albus had gone to. Probably upstairs to comfort the impossible chit.

“Severus, my son, would you kindly bring Gabriel’s letter up to her please?”

Severus turned to see Dumbledore in the doorway to the kitchen, smiling softly to encourage him. ‘Why does he insist on calling me that?’ he mused. Sighing once more, and adding a scowl that had no effect on the old fool, he irritable snatched the letter out of Arthur Weasely’s hand and strode quickly out the door and upstairs.

“Albus, is she alright?” Minerva asked. She had been unusually quite about the letters, everyone having expected her to be spouting off about the Minister and where he can shove said letters, but she had been too concerned over Gabriel to add her own comments.

Albus sighed, taking his seat next to his love. He looked at the table for a moment, collecting his thoughts before sitting back and looking Minerva in the eye. “I’m not sure, my dear. She needs help, and I’m not entirely sure that we are the ones to do it.”

“What do you mean? Is she in trouble, what’s wrong? And what is she going to do about the law, she can’t avoid it?”

“Take it easy. I think though, that we can deal with these things as they come, maybe even kill two birds with one stone as they say.” He smiled softly, a new twinkle in his eyes that did not go unnoticed by the stern woman.

“Albus,” she started warningly. “What are you thinking?”

“Everything has become quite a mess recently hasn’t it?” he said, glancing around at the occupants of the table, his gaze drifting up towards the ceiling to the absent two, finally returning to Minerva, who was starting to look very impatient. His blues eyes glanced over his spectacles, as he bent his head to hide his new smile. “I think,” he continued slowly, “that it is time to clear a few things up.”

_____________________________________________________________

Severus grumbled to himself as he traversed the stairs to the library. He approached the door, watching it warily as if it would suddenly come alive and attack him. Grimacing at the ridiculous thought, he knocked on the door.

From inside Gabriel had been sitting on the floor once more, her back resting against the couch, her head lying back on the cushion. She had been staring at the ceiling for the last ten minutes, her mind blissfully blank for the moment. Upon hearing the knock, she lazily rolled her head towards the door, and grunted in reply.

The door opened and in stepped Severus, and she had to admit that even in her mood, she found the familiar scowl, and black robes, and the intimidating presence, comforting. Some things never change, she thought, letting a small smile slip through, before hiding it once more. She knew what the man was really like, and took a deep breath to regain her control as he regarded her quietly. There was no sense in betraying her emotions to him now, he would only disregard them as a weakness that she could not afford displaying again. Absorbed in her change of thoughts, she did not notice the strange look he was giving her.

Severus watched the emotions flicker across her face before she shut herself away again. He could’ve sworn he saw her give him a small smile. He sill hadn’t moved from the door, but seeing her come back to herself, he began to walk over to her, holding out the letter.

Seeing him walk towards her, now noticing the letter in his hand, she reached up to grasp it, feeling her fingers brushing his for a moment, sending a shiver down her spine. Swallowing, she ignored it, instead looking down to the parchment that would change her life. For better or worse, she didn’t know.

Closing her eyes briefly to brace herself, she opened the letter and began reading.

'Dear Ms. Crenning,

Due to recent studies regarding the increasing number of Squibs and non-magical folk, and even still-births, Minister Fudge has decreed a new law. This Marriage Law will pair off suitable witches and wizards to be married within six months of receiving this letter.
As you are now aware, as you have received this letter, you are among those chosen to be married according to the law. Should you not choose a suitable husband within the list provided, one shall be selected for you. Refusal to agree to the terms of this law, or should you not choose to wed, the law insists that you shall be sent to live as a muggle for the remainder of your life, where your wand will be retrieved and broken to assure us your compliance to use no magic.'

At this point in the letter, Gabriel was outright growling at the audacity of Fudge and his people. The letter was now being crumpled in her clenching fist as her gaze tried to burn a hole in the parchment. Severus watched her carefully, seeing the crackling of energy around her as she continued to read. Whatever was in the letter was obviously upsetting. He wondered if he should edge towards the door in case she becomes caught up in her anger as she often does.

Gabriel either ignored him, or paid no attention to the pondering man as she read on.

'As you are of Pure Blood (What!? Last time Gabriel checked her mother had been a Muggleborn, attending Hogwarts like anyone else.) we wish to pair you up with a Muggleborn, or Half Blood. We matched your intelligence, and personality to those who suited you best, to combine together for the most beneficial outcome for children for the future Wizarding World. (“Oh dear god,” Gabriel muttered.) Included is the following list of people who was found to be a suitable match:

Jonathan Marshal
Michael Fletchly
Lucious Malfoy
Gildroy Lockhart
Severus Snape

If you should not be able to choose within the six month period, we shall choose for you. Enclosed in a second page, is a list of requirements needed to ensure that this marriage will succeed.

Yours Sincerely,

Roshan Higgleby
Secretary to Minister Fudge
Ministry of Magic'

“Son of a bitch! This is the most ridiculous fucking thing he could come up with! What is wrong with the man?” Gabriel raged, leaping up and pacing the room. Severus was about to answer with a retort of how Fudge always had something wrong with him, when the letter was shoved under his large nose. Taking it from her, he read it. Not believing what he read, he read it again. And again, his eyes going comically wider every time he reached the part with his name. Shifting the first page he glanced through the second one.

A snort of disbelief was heard through the room, and Gabriel stopped her pacing and turned to look at the shocked man.

“What?” she asked sharply.

He simply handed her the second page. Confused as to how it could get worse, she looked down and read.

'Here is a short list of requirements to be met for the marriage:

A child is to be produced within a year of bonding.

Requirements for copulation is twice a week.

Monthly inspections are obligatory for a ministry official, to ensure marriage is succeeding and couples are well. Failure in marriage will result in the bondage broken and individuals are to be remarried to another from the list if available.'

The resounding “Fuck!” could be heard all over Grimmauld Place, even waking Mrs. Black’s portrait, who promptly began screeching.

The occupants of the kitchen all looked up simultaneously.

“Well,” commented Sirius Black. “I think she just read her letter.”