Hibernaculum

While strangling one\'s own grandmother was not an unheard of in Slytherin families, it was frowned upon. Severus was required to do many nasty things in his role as one of Voldemort\'s minions but killing an old woman because she had actually succeeded in out maneuvering him was not something he felt Dumbledore would be able to excuse. She had spent decades trying to marry him off (most easily avoided by scaring the prospective bride into hysterics) and she was coming very close to succeeding, but she didn\'t have to be so damn happy about it.

He sulked in his hospital bed without a victim in site to take his mood out on. Usually he had one or two visitors but today everything was quiet and still as if the other staff members were all too aware of the ticking time bomb sitting in the Hospital wing alone. Storming down the corridors was out of the question n his current condition (he had already given up on escape, being tucked into bed by tisking females after lying on the floor for an hour or two was rather undignified) and there were no students present in the school to take points from or lather in sarcasm.

He took a couple of Potions publications from his bedside and flipped through them irritably, then grinned maliciously. He never bothered to actually give those that made contributions to the publications his opinion of their work but now it seemed a rather pleasant way to pass the time. He summoned writing materials and locating an article on a thirteenth use for dragons blood (removing nasty hang nails) he began to write.

Elsewhere in the castle Elizabeth was standing on a small platform looking very much like she had just been struck by a rampaging hippogryph. Her mother and grandmother were happily chatting with the two Mrs. Snapes about dress patterns while she was being draped in rich fabric. She had been bright eyed and merry as the group arrived back at Hogwarts. The prospect of tea with her family had sent Sirius into another fit and the rest of the group had run off, though where she was not certain.

It seemed that Sirius was less than enthusiastic about the idea that they might get some scheme in their head about his bachelor status. While he might not be in their good graces in regard to his past they were rather effective about getting around unwilling grooms in nasty ways he didn\'t want to contemplate.

Her memory failed her after that, how had she ended up like this? something about houses and continuation of family lines.

Then she remembered.

Oh dear.

She was going to be married!

She felt like lying on the floor in a fetal potion but she wasn\'t certain the dressmaker would approve. She glanced down at the stern woman, receiving a bark of reprimand from the woman from around the mouthful of pins, she quickly stood up straighter trying to collect her thoughts. She glanced at Mrs. Snape. \"Bitch,\" she thought to herself, her vocabulary having grown immensely in her time knowing Sirius. She had known the woman for years, thought of her as another grandmother, she had been her tutor and occasionally her confidante and now this is what she got for it. She had planned this all along.

Mrs. Snape glanced over beaming at her and she tried to think of more insults to calm her nerves. While Muggles may use \"witch\" and \"bitch\" interchangeably, it lost its effectiveness when dealing with actual witches. She sighed.

\"How is Severus taking it?\" asked her mother.

The elder Mrs. Snape snorted, \"sulking of course, even the house elves may refuse to bring him his meals.\"

Everyone except Elizabeth laughed, she was too busy thinking about the fetal position again. She had seen him angry and that had been enough to frighten her out of her wits. She really didn\'t want to think about his reaction to this. There were rules in her own family regarding inheritance and marrying whom she was told and she could only assume that Severus was stuck in a similar situation. She had a wild moment of telling them all to \"sod off\" (another contribution to her vocabulary by Sirius) and making a run for it but knew she would never have the nerve.

He had been civil to her when she had brought him his potions and while he had intimidated her, she had hoped on a professional level he would continue to be polite. This was far different. They had deliberately infuriated him and she would be whom he would take it out on. She would have to work with him and live with him.her thoughts trailed off at this as another realization struck her.

The dressmaker cursed as she fainted into a tangle of fabric on the floor.

The women glanced over interrupted from their happy planning by the bride keeling over onto the floor. \"You\'ll need to loosen those corsets dear,\" sighed Mrs. Snape. \"It will not do to have a repeat of that during the ceremony.\"

Mrs. Dupries arched her bow in answer as she reached for the smelling salts.

Later that day Elizabeth hurried downstairs towards the Great Hall. She breatin din deeply enjoying her reprieve from corsets thanks to the shocking suggestions of one Sirius Black. Though she had been horribly offended by his suggestion she was enjoying her small freedom.

Dumbledore usually held staff meetings in the lounge but he wanted to show them Hogwarts new toy. He had decided to add Dueling as a subject and had the Charms teachers create a special floor in the Great Hall for that purpose. When someone was lifted off the floor by several feet the section beneath them would transform into a great pit of foam so that students would be less likely to suffer injury.

This was also a special meeting to introduce the new teachers to the staff. It was inevitable that additions would be made. The years following the first defeat of Voldemort had been hailed as record years for births in the Wizarding World. Few had wanted to bring a child into a world while war was rampaging its way through their lives and as a result Hogwarts was stuffed full with the largest student population in centuries.

Remus and Sirius accosted her the moment she entered the Great Hall, Sirius had been given the second Defense Against the Dark Arts position and would be teaching under Remus. The Hall was alive with the excited buzzing of teachers enthusiastically introducing their new colleagues though many had attended Hogwarts at some time or another.

Professor Flitwick made his way over to them with a tall red haired man in tow; his dragon hide boots a startling contrast to the teacher\'s robes. Flitwick quickly introduced him as Bill Weasley.

Her eyes widened in surprise, \"I remember you,\" she said smiling happily, \"You promised to help me with my flying. Do you not remember me? Elizabeth? I had to leave a few weeks after term began.\"

His eyes lit up in recognition as he picked her up and swung her around the room. \"Little Elizabeth? Of course I remember you, we were furious when your father dragged you off. You are teaching here? What subject?\"

\"Potions,\" she offered.

\"Potions? Yeck! Have you met Professor Snape?\"

As if he had summed him the doors to the Great Hall banged open as Professor Snape stalked into the room, his black robes billowed behind him like a cloud of darkness. He noted Elizabeth standing in the group of men and walked over towards them. She hadn\'t seen him up and about before and the contrast between Lying-In-The-Hospital-Wing Snape and Stalking-About- Glaring-Like-Demon-From-Hell Snape was surprising. She was supposed to marry him? She gave another silent thanks to Sirius for getting her out of the corsets as the mere idea made her feel slightly dizzy even without them. He was obviously right, though she had never fainted before earlier today corsets obviously didn\'t mix with Hogwarts.

\"I\'ve met him,\" she grinned as he made his way over to them. \"Professor Dupries,\" he nodded towards her in greeting,

\"It is good to see you out and about Severus,\" smiled Professor Flitwick.

\"Thank you, Filius.\"

\"Bill, I must admit I am not surprised at your appointment. It was only a matter of time before you made your way back here.\"

\"Thank you Severus,\"

\"And how is Miss Delacour? Still at Gringotts?\"

\"Yes, but she is soon to be Mrs. Weasley now and her sister will be attending Hogwarts this year since her parents were killed.\"

\"Of course, please offer her my condolences.\"

Bill nodded, \"But did you know? Professor Dupries and I were in the same year here. She must have made a lot of headway in Potions to be acceptable by your standards.\"

Sirius and Remus both grinned at Bill\'s baiting. Severus was not known for his compliments.

\"I have read some of her work and am certain of her capabilities though we have not had time to discuss her future plans in that regard since my illness.\"

He turned to her, \"The Headmaster wishes for the senior staff members to assist the new teachers in learning their way around.\"

\"Of course Professor Snape,\"

\"Have you met everyone present?\"

\"I have not yet met Professor McGonagall\'s new assistant, nor the new History of Magic Professor.\" She said indicating the skinny man standing looking terribly uncomfortable next to Professor Binns.

\"Then if you would be so kind.\"

He stalked away, she gave a quick smile to the men she was speaking with then trailed behind him in his wake.

The meeting had been rather short in itself. Headmaster Dumbledore outlining his intent for the new Dueling classes which Professor Flitwick would be heading since he had the most experience. Each Professor was assigned classes, which had been based on experience rather than Houses. It was certain to be an interesting experiment.

Dumbledore took each department aside to give them their student list. Professor Snape stared at the list calmly and hesitated several moments before putting it in his pocket without showing it to Elizabeth.

\"Pardon me Elizabeth but Headmaster may we discuss this a moment in private?\"

Elizabeth watched the two men walk away full of curiosity about why Professor Snape would be annoyed about such a thing.

\"Headmaster, I am not certain this is a good idea. Why would you give us the most experienced students?\"

\"I would think that obvious Severus, the other teachers would do a fine job but many of them already know what they could teach them.\"

\"And what about Miss Dupries? Surely you do not trust her so soon? If certain people were to discover I was teaching Mr Potter and his friends how to fight his Death Eaters, I do not think he would be impressed.\"

\"We\'ll have to figure something out in that regard Severus. ouldould look strange if I separated the two of you when the other teachers are assigned by department.\"

\"May I hope that she is inexperienced?\"

Dumbledore grinned, \"Erm, no not exac\"
\"

Severus flinched as pain shot through his left arm. “We will have to discuss this later, it seems my presence is required elsewhere.”

Dumbledore nodded sadly and watched as the younger man tossed some floo powder into the fire and called out “Professor Snape’s quarters!” and was gone.

He walked back towards the woman waiting for them, “It seems Severus has been called away on an important matter, he will not return until later this evening. But I will be happy to substitute as your escort.” He held out his arm, and she took it. She could not help but notice the exchange of serious glances the Headmaster had with Remus, Sirius and Bill and wondered what was going on.

They spent the rest of the evening watching the Headmaster toss Sirius into the air repeatedly and dropping him into the great pit of purple plushy foam.

Severus’ evening was far less enjoyable.

He quickly snatched his Death Eater robes and mask from his bureau and walked out of the castle via a secret passageway that led onto the grounds. It was originally built so the Potions Master did not have to walk as far to fetch ingredients from the woods and green houses. It served his purposes. He could hardly floo to Voldemort’s side without knowing his location and using the floo to the pubs in Hogsmead would attract too much attention.

He strode past the apparition barrier and donned his robes. He looked around him and placed the mask over his face before sighing deeply and closing his eyes, he Apparated.

Upon opening his eyes he found himself in a small room with another Death Eater.

“Severus?” the voice could only belong to Lucius Malfoy.

“Lucius,”

“I trust you are feeling better.”

“Indeed”

“The Dark Lord was most displeased to discover others taking initiative in his absence.”

“How displeased?”

“Crucio all around of course, my ears rang for hours after hearing their caterwauling.”

“Good.”

The two men walked down a long corridor, another Death Eater stood waiting by a door and motioned them inside. The room appeared to have been intended as a dining room the table and chair had been removed to make room for a dais on which the Dark Lord now sat. They both gave a low bow and at a gesture from the dais entered. They both dropped to one knee and bowed their heads once more, waiting.

“Lucius,” Lucius kissed the hand offered to him and stood.

“Severus,” he repeated the gesture.

“Severus, I am pleased to see you among us once more. I was concerned when Mr Avery admitted to having poisoned you. But I noticed you felt you ought to return the gesture. How very generous of you.”

“Of course My Lord, I trust Avery has recovered?”
“Unfortunately, Lucius I will require you to establish surveillance over our ambitious servant. Watch him closely and inform me of who he meets with.”

“Of course My Lord.”

“That will be all Lucius,” Lucius bowed once more and kissed the offered hand again and made his way out. The door closed behind him.

“Severus, I understand congratulations are in order. Mr Avery was most distressed to discover you have acquired his bride.”

Severus nodded; worried The Dark Lord may be less than pleased with this development.

“I would rather this had been brought before me first but I understand your families dropped this on you while you were still recovering.”

Severus nodded again.

“I must admit I am more than pleased with this development. Elizabeth Dupries has been well trained in your art. I have high hopes the two of you will be able to work together on a certain project I had in mind.”

“You may not be aware of some of her past tutors, it seems Dumbledore managed to convince a certain friend of his to work with Miss Dupries while he was still alive. Her alchemy experience may be a great boon to you.”

Severus mind whirled, “Alchemy?? FUCK!” he desperately cleared his thoughts.

“I understand the impossibilities of creating another Philosopher’s Stone without his notes, (Severus managed not to sigh in relief) however, I understand there is a Potion that is waiting to be discovered. Mr Avery was kind enough to bring it up during his questioning and I wished to bring it before you.”

“It has been theorized that with the use of a Potion a Wizard could overcome a certain block that has been a Bain to us all. With this potion a wizard would be able to cast spells for hours without taxing the willpower on which the force of his spells relies. I would like to discuss this with you.”

“Of course my Lord, previous attempts to create this potion have been unsuccessful. Potions Masters have been driven mad attempting it.”

“Did you attempt to create this potion for Mr Avery?”

“No, My Lord I spent my time in his presence creating poisons to use on him.”

The Dark Lord smiled. “Of course you did, I am pleased by your loyalty to me Severus, I would like you to create this potion with the help of your bride if it is required.”

“My Lord, I have no reason to believe she will agree to this.”

“Don’t you? Is it not standard in pure blood families for the woman to be enchanted into doing whatever her husband requires of her.”

“I have concerns that such an enchantment will affect her work. They don’t always allow them to think clearly.”

The Dark Lord laughed, “Oh surely you can find other ways to beguile her? Has she not spent many lonely years in her tower being taught by men four times her age? Surely you can think of another method.”

“Of course My Lord. I will find a way to convince her.”

“You can always tell her it is for Dumbledore should the little Gryffindor balk.”

“But then there is the possibility she may speak with him about our developments.”

“Of course Severus, do as you see fit. But I want that potion madness or not you will bring it to me as soon as possible.”

“Of course My Lord.”

“You may go.”

Severus bowed low before him and kissed his hand and made his way out. It was the first time he had managed to get through a meeting without writhing around on the ground for hours. He had no such hopes for future meetings.