When the Moment comes

Severus didn’t hear her come in but he knew Tanya was there when the hair on the back of his neck stood up. She observed him with a serenity of a hippogryph prepared to snap its beak on the prey’s neck.

“I was informed” she began leisurely “that you have developed free schedule for pranks.” There was a soft, impatient tapping against the floor accompanying every word.

Reluctantly, Severus faced her, the childish hesitation to run flickering in his mind insisting he could not get in trouble if he couldn’t see her.

“Apparently, Rosy is helping too much.” The soft tapping was a cane, avoided for the past three months. “Or maybe I am too lenient.” Tanya was dressed for another club meeting. Severus listened for the arrival of the carriage which could save him. No help came. Tanya port keyed her sons to the ball. She was prepared to go as well but first she had to make him miserable, preferably for the duration of her absence. “I will soon overlook the schedule concerning your daily tasks.” She promised.

Severus didn’t answer stubbornly looking at the floor. The only sound filling an ominous space was a clutter of china and dripping water. Rosy was washing the dishes. Her triangular ears were plastered to the back of the head in agitation. Tanya spared her no more attention than she did the furniture.

The first hit was so swift Severus missed the movement. The blow was heavy on the shoulder. The next sent him on the floor with a strangled yelp clutching the ankle. Each well aimed hit was followed by a crack. The cane froze in mid air at the loud crash followed by a loud howl.

“Ai! Bad Rosy, broke Mistress’s favourite tea pot!” The delicate, most expensive china, which Tanya drank coffee from every morning, lay in un-repairable dust. Rosy burst into tears smacking herself over the head. Her loud bawling could have been enough for the dogs across the miles to start howling.

“You worthless trash.” Tanya said in a controlled, icy voice. Yelling at the elves on good days was beneath her. “Give me a reason not to kill you.”

Rosy jumped off the chair avoiding the cane and ran for the door howling that she will go chop off her hands as punishment because Mistress does not need her anymore.

“Come back.” Tanya was too practical to have her servant permanently maimed. “I will punish you myself.” She hastily followed the house elf outside until the screams were absorbed by the night.

When neither came back fifteen minutes later, Severus moved. The leg faltered when he tried to stand. He crawled to the wall and supported by one hand staggered up. The shoulder hurt a lot. The trip to his nook in the basement lasted many long breaths.

Severus curled up on a pile of rags. Familiar darkness surrounded him. A soft pop announced arrival of the house elf. She hovered anxiously about the boy not daring to touch him. She had a red strip running across her back.

“Rosy. You should not have been involved.” Severus told her. “Now, Tanya punished us both.”

“The carriage came. She went away.” Rosy reported ignoring his words. Master didn’t understand. It was Rosy’s duty to protect Master.

Severus closed his eyes. He was not sure Tanya was done with them. She will not be satisfied with crushing his body. She wanted to destroy his spirit.

Severus fumbled with the rags pushing them aside. Behind his so called bed, at the joint of the wall and the floor, was a loose stone. A tiny niche behind it was a secret-space for his meagre, valued possessions. With practiced movement he removed the tricky stone. There lay a jagged at the edges photograph. He didn’t need to see it. He had the image memorised. It was the only picture of his parents left. It was made before his birth. His mother turned in the embrace and lovingly smiled at her husband. Emilian beamed joyfully. His hands securely wrapped around her waist. One hand rested protectively on her stomach. Severus suspected he was there with them. It was a happy moment where there were no Potters, Tanyas or any other who wanted to harm them.

A cool, wet nose touched his palm bringing him out of the musings. “Hey Amber.” Severus muttered scratching her behind the ears. Amber purred loudly. She hopped on top of the boy like he was a couch she owned. With additional warmth pressed on him and clutching the picture, Severus drifted close to sleep.

“No. No. You must not sleep.” A voice akin to rustling of the leaves prompted. “Eradian will be very disappointed if he doesn’t see you at the ball.”

The name worked as good as a bucked of water. “Violla!” Severus almost hugged her. He held back and then leaned against the wall wondering how she knew about Eradian. She seemed to know a lot about his life although she was hardly a part of it.

Violla apparated them into the living room where she could examine him.

“I’m glad you came.” It cost him a lot to confess.

Violla blinked away the tears. “I wish I came earlier despite the restrictions.” The robes she conjured for him were black. The silk fell in smooth folds. “I’m sorry about your foot.” She said straightening the fabric on his shoulders. “A large bone was broken. I healed it but it will hurt.” She gave him a pair of special shoes. They shone like black onyx and were hard surfaced but they were light as a feather. The inside was adorned with comfortable velvet. The shoes shrunk and adjusted to his foot perfectly, leaving a margin of space.

“Go on.” Violla told him impatiently once she was satisfied admiring her work.

Severus hesitated. Revealing his true feelings put him at risk. “Thank you.” He told Violla when the minute stretched too far and he had to either go or explain. “This is the best anyone had ever done for me that I can remember.” The portkey hummed once and then he was gone.