One Only Understands The Things That One Tames

~ Disclaimer: I own nothing but what springs from my imagination. Severus Snape, Hogwarts, and the rest of the Potterverse are the property and chi children of JK Rowling. I have also used some of the words of Antoine de Sainte-Exupery in various places and in the title of this fiction ~

One Only Understands the Things That One Tames
Chapter 7


Ariah and Remus dashed into the castle and headed for Albus Dumbledore’s office. They gave the password to the gargoyle in unison and dashed up the small staircase to the headmaster’s office. Remus grabbed Ariah’s hand when she stumbled on the last step. Hand in hand, they burst into the room surprised to see Severus sitting in a chair across from Albus’ desk. Severus took in their reddened cheeks, glittering eyes, and clasped hands and felt his heart sink. He affixed a stony glare on the new arrivals. Ariah let got of Remus’ hand and sat next to Severus. He all but ignored her presence.

“Albus, we have a problem,” said Remus.

Severus snorted, “I would think that it’s me who has the problem,” he stated, glaring at both Remus and Ariah.

“Actually, yeah, Severus, I think so,” said Ariah, not noticing his glare.

“What’s wrong?” asked Albus, trying to ascertain what his two newest professors were talking about.

“In Hogsmeade…” began Remus.

“We saw Malfoy. Lucius Malfoy,” continued Ariah.

“And Ariah heard him talking to himself…”

“…about resurrecting the Dark Lord,” Ariah finished, finally taking a breath. She looked over at Severus, who sat stony faced, “Severus, I think you’re in danger.”

“More than my heart, you mean?” he said quietly as he got up and left Albus’ office.

“Severus…” Ariah called after him, getting up to follow him.

“Let him go, Ariah. Heds eds some space, I would say. Lucius appears not to be the only demon Severus is battling,” advised Albus, “So, Lucius Malfoy is discussing raising Voldemort?”

“It sounds that way, Albus,” concurred Remus.

“Albus, what’s wrong with Severus?” asked Ariah. Not even the resurrection of Voldemort was as important to her as what was going on in her lover’s life.

Albus looked into Ariah’s eyes and smiled, “Finish telling me what happened in Hogsmeade, then go after him. He’ll undoubtedly be in the astronomy tower.”

“I was going into Dervish and Banges and heard his voice. I wasn’t sure it was Malfoy until I got closer. I used a glamour, just in case he recognized me from that night,” she explained, “as I got closer I heard him talking to himself about how his son couldn’t do him one favor. One favor that would help him resurrect his Dark Lord. Then I rushed back to Honeydukes to find Remus, and we came here to warn Severus…”

“And tell you,” added Remus, “Honestly, Albus, the woman has a one track mind, all she wanted to do was get back here and warn Snape. She almost lost her footing on the steps she was in such a hurry to finish with you and find him.”

“Well, last time I saw Malfoy, he was giving the Avada Kedavra to Severus, I am NOT letting the past two years be all for nothing should he succeed this time. He might be quite mad, but I think he’s still got the ability to seriously damage, if not kill, Severus. And I don’t have the power to save him anymore,” said Ariah, giving Remus a dark look, “Can I go now, Albus?”

“Yes, my child,” said Albus with a smile, “there’s not much we can do right now anyway and now that we have a head’s up, it might be prudent to try to contact Draco Malfoy and see what information we can gather from him.”

Ariah barely heard what Albus was saying as she bade a hasty goodbye and rushed to the astronomy tower. As usual, Albus was right. Severus sat on a stone bench looking out at the sun setting across the lake. Ariah quietly entered the room and sat next to him, taking his hand in hers.

“Severus?” she asked softly.

“Why are you here?” he asked.

“To be with you, of course.”

“What about Lupin?”

“What about him?”

“Isn’t he waiting for you?”

“What would he be waiting for me for? Severus, why are speaking so cryptically?” Ariah asked, placing her hand on his chin and turning his head toward her.

“You looked pretty…close…when you burst into Dumbledore’s office…” he said, with a scowl.

“Oh no, Severus. I tripped on the top step and he grabbed my hand. We were in a hurry. Remus wanted to tell Albus what happened, I wanted to warn you that you could be in danger again.”

“Why were you in Hogsmeade with Lupin?”

“I needed to get some books. I wanted to wait for you to finish classes, but I figured you’d be busy with detentions. I was going to go alone, but Remus needed to go into town as well, so we went together,” she caressed Severus’ cheek, “How could I want to be with Remus Lupin when I have you?”

“He’s everything I’m not,” he replied flatly.

“I noticed. And you are everything I want, he’s not. I can’t believe you actually thought I would ever be interested in Remus, especially after last night,” Ariah kissed him softly, “I wasn’t just saying mere words when I said that I loved you. I meant it.”

Severus wrapped his arms around her and drew her close, “I’m sorry. I’m just not good at this.”

“And I am?” she responded, snuggling up against his chest.

“You’re better at it than I am.”

“Well, you can be a little socially inept,” she smiled.

“You think?” he said, his brow furrowing.

“Just a little.”

Ariah lifted her head and captured his lips in a deep kiss. He returned the kiss, holding her closely. They sat and kissed each other as if nothing else in the world mattered as the sun descended over Hogwarts.

“Oh for crying out loud, can’t a raven ever get a little break from you two snogging?” cawed a familiar unwelcome voice from the window ledge, “I figured I was safe up here. I was afraid of your chambers, Goddess girl, after seeing a naked Snape there this morning, and I never know what will be tossed at me in the dungeons…”

“Well, Poe,” said Ariah, “you’re the only one here right now who has any problem with Severus being naked. I have to tell you, I wouldn’t mind waking up to that every morning, minus the raven peanut gallery.”

“So, who was that wacko in town this afternoon? The one with the scraggly hair talking to himself?” asked Poe, artfully changing the topic.

“Lucius Malfoy. He tried to kill Severus two years ago…”

“So he ain’t all bad, huh?”

Severus lifted his wand and pointed it at Poe, “Petrificus…” he began.

Ariah silenced him with a kiss, “You’re going to petrify a bird?”

“Well, he is annoying.”

“True…but still. We might be able to use him since he appears intent on sticking around…” said Ariah, her eyes narrowing.

“Oh yeah, baby, use me,” Poe turned a glittering on Severus, “her, not you, cauldron jockey.”

In spite of his best efforts, Severus chuckled. Ariah turned around and stared at him.

“What was that noise?”

“What noise?”

“You made a sound…like laughter.”

“No I didn’t,” he said, trying to keep a straight face.

“Oh my…Severus Snape, you laughed.”

“I merely chortled.”

“Nobody chortles, Sev, not even you.”

“I am terribly sorry, Ariah, but think about it, my two biggest adversaries are an insane Death Eater and a talking raven. It’s so ridiculous that it’s either laugh or cry and I hardly want to be known for my tears,” he smiled.

Ariah held him close, “Just when I think you can’t possibly be any more beautiful to me, you smile and I’m left speechless.”

“We could never be that lucky, Ariah speechless…” scoffed Poe, as he flew out the window, “let me know what you need me to do,” he called out as he circled into the sky.

“So, what’s the plan, as I’m sure you have one worming about in your beautiful Slytherin mind,” said Severus, stroking her hair.

“You heard about the Sorting Hat?”

“From the hat itself.”

Ariah laughed, “I was shocked. I figured I’d be Gryffindor on the merits of my impulsivity alone.”

“Too much cunning for Gryffindor, I guess. So, what’s the plan?”

“Albus mentioned something about talking to Draco Malfoy, see if he had any information.”

“Draco’s a good start. If anyone has an ax to grind about Lucius, it would be his much maligned son. Lucius did a number on the boy’s mind during the final battle against Voldemort. Drove him clear over to our side. Lucius is completely insane, I take it you noticed.”

“Yes, I did.”

“And that makes him more dangerous than ever.”

“I would imagine that dark magic in the hands of a lunatic wouldn’t exactly be high on the list of best case scenarios,” said Ariah grimly.

“And I’m afraid it’s not just me and Albus he’s gunning for.”

“Who else?”

“The goddess who drove him insane.”