A New Beginning (DH -COMPLIANT)

Chapter 73 ~ Rod Comes for a Visit

Severus listened with quite a bit of interest as Hugo recounted Rod’s fight with Roland. James had missed the beginning of the fight but Hugo pieced it together from the others who witnessed it. They were eating tomato soup and ham sandwiches, both Hermione and Rose scowling at Hugo’s excited description of the brawl.

”And then Rod ducked, and Roland flew over his back and landed face first on the floor. That’s why his face was so bruised up,” Hugo said excitedly, ducking a little at the table. “And Roland was yelling at Rod to stay still because he couldn’t hit him.”

Severus nodded. Apparently Rod did exactly what he was instructed to do.

”Then Roland managed to grab him in a bear hug and Rod . . .”

Hugo jerked his head forward hard.

”Rod head-butted him, and they were both hurt by it, but Roland recovered first and almost ran Rod down!” Hugo continued excitedly, “but he jumped out of the way and landed near the armor and then . . . POW! Rod threw the whole suit on top of Roland then jumped on him and beat him up. James had to stop it. Rod was great!”

”You weren’t even there, Hugo,” Rose snapped at him, “And I think it’s barbaric. And as much as I hate to say it, that was a dirty move Rod did to Roland.”

Hermione nodded in agreement as Hugo scowled at both of them.

”Roland picked the fight with Rod for no reason and is bigger than him too. Plus, Rod’s a Slytherin. Dirty fighting is what they do. Roland probably would have pulverized him if he hadn’t slammed him with the armor,” Hugo argued.

”Rod wouldn’t even have been fighting if Professor Snape hadn’t taught him,” Rose said, glaring at the dour wizard, who arched an eyebrow at her.

“So, am I to understand you would have preferred Mr. Dormers be left defenseless, Miss Weasley?” he asked the girl silkily, “He had already been attacked by this Roland once. The gauntlet was already cast down and the boy was no match for the Gryffindor as it stood.”

”No, I wouldn’t have preferred that. But hitting Roland with a suit of armor?” Rose said, frowning. “That hardly seems right to teach someone.”

Severus took a bite of his sandwich, chewed it deliberately and chased it with a bit of pumpkin juice before answering the young woman.

”I didn’t tell Mr. Dormers to do that, although I imagine he did it to bring the fight to a quick close, which was quite smart of him since the longer it went on, the less his chances were of a positive outcome,” the pale wizard said before spooning some soup into his mouth. Then his dark eyes rested on Rose.

”It is easy to see that you abhor violence, Miss Weasley, but a fact of life is that there is violence in the world as both of your parents could have attested to, being that they also worked to end one of the most violent threats to the Wizarding World in history. A wizard must be able to defend himself by any means necessary. Bringing a quick end to altercations is one way of doing this. Mr. Dormers most likely would have preferred not to fight this Roland, but had no choice in the matter and simply acted accordingly. My advice to you, young lady, is to face the facts of the matter and not rely on your emotional responses of what’s right and wrong and judge him for it. Nor me. The lines often become blurred, and decidedly so,” Severus said to her.

Rose stared at the pale wizard.

”I don’t need your advice,” she said sullenly.

”Rose!” Hermione cried, aghast at her daughter’s rudeness.

Rose looked at her mother and fell silent, lowering her eyes and eating her soup. Hugo looked from Rose to Severus, who said nothing but continued eating.

“I’m sorry for Rose’s rudeness, Professor,” Hermione said to him, glaring at Rose.

”She was simply stating how she felt. It’s fine. There was a time I didn’t take advice from those wiser than myself. The ability to accept advice is something that is learned over time and after a number of personal errors,” he commented.

”Still it was rude,” Hermione said, frowning at her daughter.

An uncomfortable silence fell on the table for several minutes before Hugo piped up.

”I wonder what Rod’s doing at the castle?” he said, “I bet he’s bored to death. I wish he would have come to the Burrow. He would have had loads of fun.”

“Some are quite hesitant to infringe on family occasions,” Severus said to Hugo.

”He wouldn’t have been infringing. He saved Rose’s life. Anyway, he spends every holiday at Hogwarts. It wouldn’t have hurt him to leave for once,” the boy said a bit angrily.

”I’m sure Rod’s fine, Hugo,” Hermione said, “He’s used to being by himself. He’s probably more comfortable that way.”

Hugo shrugged.

”Maybe. But I’d still like to see him,” Hugo said.

Severus looked thoughtful.

”Mr. Dormers is one of my employees now,” he said to Hugo.

Rose looked up at the wizard startled as Hugo looked at him with round eyes.

”Rod has a job?” Hugo asked.

Severus’ nostrils flared for a moment. The boy was very much like his mother.

”I just said that,” he snapped. “He will be helping me with my fields after he graduates. Perhaps I could save valuable work time if I bring him up now and let him familiarize himself with the layout. Then he could start right in after graduation.”

Hugo broke out in a big smile at first, then it faltered.

”I’m not sure that he’ll come, Professor,” the red-head said to him glumly.

”Oh, he’ll come all right, Hugo,” the wizard replied, his dark eyes glittering. “It won’t be a request.”

Hugo smiled at the Professor brightly and finished his food.

Professor Snape was all right.

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Rod was dancing in his room with his wireless headphones on when he had the distinct feeling he was being watched. Slowly he reached in his pocket, withdrew his wand and spun, pointing it at the intruder.

Professor Snape eyed him calmly as Rod lowered his wand and removed the headphones, wide-eyed.

”P…professor,” he spluttered, “Sorry. I didn’t know it was you.”

Severus arched an eyebrow at the boy. He hadn’t even seen him before he drew his wand. That was . . . quite interesting.

“Obviously,” he purred at the boy, “Although I am somewhat relieved that what I was witnessing before you drew your wand wasn’t a seizure of some type.”

Rod gave him an embarrassed smile.

”No sir. I was practicing some new dance moves,” he responded, curious now as to why the dark wizard was here.

“I’ve seen similar moves performed by unfortunate wizards caught in the throes of the Cruciatus curse,” Snape replied archly, “Now pack up a few things. You are coming to the worksite to familiarize yourself with the layout of the fields. You will be staying several days.”

Rod started to say, “Familiarize myself with the fields?” but something in the Professor’s eyes stopped him.

”All right, sir,” he responded, “Oh, and thank you for the broom. It’s great.”

”You’re going to need it,” Severus said dismissively, “I suggest you bring some . . . entertainment as well. Hugo and Miss Weasley are also on the premises. It’s best you have something to occupy your time when you are not with me.”

”Hugo and Rose?” Rod said excitedly.

”Yes,” Severus responded tiredly, “That’s what I said. I will be waiting for you in the Main Hall.”

The wizard turned and left with a billow of robes.

Rod blinked after him for a moment, then quickly began to gather items together. He grabbed a collection of disks that Winston had sent him for Christmas. They arrived a few days late, but there were some really cool old songs that he liked and he imagined Rose and Hugo would like too.

Fifteen minutes later he was in the Main Hall, wrapped up in his Weasley hat, scarf, sweater and gloves. Severus looked him up and down.

”I see Molly Weasley has adopted you into the family,” he said, eyeing the silver pom-pom on Rod’s Slytherin green hat.

”Yes,” Rod said, “Everything is really warm.”

”You brought your broom?” the wizard asked him.

Rod patted his small bag.

”I have it right here, miniaturized,” he replied eagerly.

”All right, Mr. Dormers. Follow me,” Severus said, exiting the castle, Rod on his heels. They had gone about thirty feet before the pale wizard grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and disapparated with him.

Ouch.

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They reappeared in front of the work site, Severus releasing the boy and Rod rubbing his neck ruefully. He really needed to make an appointment to take his Apparition test. He looked at the smooth white building. There were no windows and only one door. Severus gestured toward it.

”Through that door, Mr. Dormers,” he said.

Rod walked toward the building and the door opened.

”Mr. Rod Dormers is entering the premises. Authorized,” the voice said, Rod looking around to see where it issued from and being pushed by the Potions master who was entering behind him.

”Professor Severus Snape on the premises. Authorized,” the voice intoned.

Rod started walking up the corridor when a red-headed blur streaked up the hallway.

”Rod!” Hugo exclaimed happily, “You came!”

Rod smiled as Hugo skidded to a halt in front of him, his chest heaving.

”I really didn’t have much of a choice,” he said, glancing back at the sober-faced Potions master. Severus furrowed his brow at him.

“Well, you’re going to room with me. Mum transfigured my bed into two twin ones. That’s all right isn’t it?” Hugo asked him.

”It’s fine, Hugo,” Rod said.

Severus watched as Hugo led Rod down the hall to the apartment.

Rod hesitated when he saw the Professor wasn’t following.

”Aren’t you coming, Professor?” he asked the wizard, who shook his head.

”No, Mr. Dormers. I will be here bright and early tomorrow morning to retrieve you and take you on a tour. Have your broom ready as it will be an aerial tour,” he said.

”Yes sir. I’ll be ready,” Rod said to him. He was going to thank the Professor for bringing him, but the wizard had already turned and was heading back up the hall.

”Come on, Rod,” Hugo called from inside the apartment.

Rod smiled.

”I’m coming, Hugo,” he said, entering.

Rose and Hermione were standing side by side, both smiling as Rod entered the apartment. Rose was taller than her mother, but their smiles were similar.

“Hello Mrs. Weasley. Hi Rose,” Rod said a bit shyly. Both witches were very pretty, Hermione in an older witch kind of way. Her hair was curlier than Rose’s too, and browner. Rose’s hair was a deep auburn.

“Hi Rod. Welcome to my home,” Hermione said, walking forward and giving the wizard a hug. Rod accepted it stoically.

”Thanks for having me,” he replied, looking at Rose, who grinned at him.

”I see Grandmum has struck again,” she said, eyeing his clothing.

”Yes. She makes great clothes,” Rod said, then hurriedly opened his bag and took out two gifts. He offered the smaller one to Rose.

”Um . . . your Christmas present,” he said.

Rose took it and Hugo walked up.

”Is that one mine?” he asked Rod excitedly.

Rod nodded and handed Hugo the other box. He looked at Hermione slightly embarrassed as Rose and Hugo opened their presents.

”I’m . . . I’m sorry Mrs. Weasley,” he began, getting ready to explain he didn’t have a present for her.

”Oh, that’s all right Hugo. I see you liked the jeans,” she said, looking at them on the boy’s frame.

”Oh yes. They’re my favorites. I wear them all the time,” he said looking down at them and flexing a leg. “Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. I never got presents before.”

Hermione’s eyes glistened a little at this.

”I’m sure you’ll be getting plenty of them now, Rod,” she assured him.

”Oh, look mum! A charm bracelet. It’s a little like yours but it goes on my wrist.”

She held up a small gold charm bracelet, with one dangling ruby-eyed lion on it.

”Oh, it’s lovely, Rod,” she said, walking up to him and kissing the wizard on the cheek.

Rod went crimson.

Hermione just wanted to hug him, he looked so cute and out of sorts.

”I’m glad you like it,” he said, a bit breathless at having been kissed a third time by the witch. Rose held out her arm.

”Would you put it on for me?” she asked him.

Rod swallowed and took the bracelet from her, carefully putting it on her delicate wrist and clasping it securely. It looked really nice.

”Whoa!” Hugo whooped as he examined his present.

”It’s a snitch signed by Rodney Floofellow of the Chudley Cannons! Look mum! Look Rose!” he cried, holding it out for all to see, the signature glowing slightly. “Thanks Rod! This is great!”

Rod smiled at him broadly.

”I’m glad you like it, Hugo,” he said.

”I’m going to make a case for it right now,” Hugo said, disappearing into his room.

“Why don’t you go in and put your things away, Rod. I’m about to make dinner. I hope you like chicken stew,” Hermione said to the young wizard, smiling.

”Yes I do. Thanks, Mrs. Weasley,” Rod said, following Hugo.

Rose looked after him.

Hermione walked up to her daughter.

”You like Rod, don’t you?” she asked Rose.

”He’s a nice wizard, mum. He really is,” she said.

Hermione nodded.

”I think so too, Rose,” she agreed, wrapping an affectionate arm around her daughter's shoulder.

Both witches then retired to the kitchen to make dinner. There were hungry wizards to feed.

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A/N: Thanks for reading.