Chapter 40 Dark Arts are a Kinder Mistress
Her father's letter was folded around seven purple, crisp, twenty pound notes. She double checked his math. Crap. She owed Sev this much? Well, a bit less, but her father wanted him to have the entire amount. Her father was angry that she borrowed this much money.
Lily did not appreciate her father's comment that finally working for her money would give her an understanding for it.
Her mother was just as scathing, but with a lot more words. Lily should not borrow so much money from Severus. Lily should not spend so much on one outfit. Once the price was converted from galleons to British pounds, her dress robes cost more than her bridesmaid's gown for Petunia's wedding, and her mother did not like that. Something how a wedding attendant should not outshine the bride or bridal party. Lily felt that if she'd wear these dress robes multiple times, they were worth more than a gown she'd only wear once.
Mrs. Evans was not as eager for Lily to work though. She wanted to know more details, but expressed her opinion that she felt safer knowing Severus would be there with her. What was that supposed to mean? Lily was competent. It's not like her potions ended up on the classroom ceiling, or lately, and that was only due to those stupid Marauders throwing things in the cauldron she shared with Severus, back when they were partners.
Finally, she closed by telling Lily to make sure Severus knew he was invited to Petunia's wedding. If Lily was going to be borrowing large sums of money from him, they should treat him more like family. Lily sneered at that. It was only once, and not that much money. It was more than she should have borrowed, but it sounded like less when it was in galleons. There were two letters for Prof. McGonagall covering both their absences from school, beginning a day before so Lily could practice with the rest of the group, and Severus could get some clothes sorted with her father's help.
God! They wrote to her like she was a seven-year-old, rather than seventeen. Old enough to be working, married, and popping out squalling babies.
Severus initially looked annoyed, but said he'd attend. When Lily said he did not have to, he replied that he should since Petunia was now one of the people he had known longest. Lily supposed that was true.
With regards to Petunia's wedding, Severus thought it odd to be invited so much later than the others. At the Evans', he thought he overheard over a hundred people were invited, so his presence should not cause a major snit for Petunia, since so many well-wishers should block him from her view. Since this was a muggle ceremony, he needed more clothes, and yet another gift. Having acquaintances was expensive.
Would attending two weddings get Lily thinking about marriage? Maybe Longbottom's would be in a style she'd prefer. Severus had heard Lily complain multiple times that Petunia's extravagance was wasteful. It did not sound much different than when Rosier spoke about his sister, or was it sisters? At least one of them was married, and it sounded comparable in scale. From what he overheard in Slytherin, it was better to spend more, invite more, and receive more presents, besides a degree of family honor.
Severus had not considered it important because he had no one to invite, other than his parents at the time. He envisioned leaving it up to Lily, who'd invite her family and whatever friends could tolerate the sight of him. That would result in a small gathering, not Petunia's hundred, or the Slytherin habit of inviting everyone with a familiar last name.
Perhaps she would look at Vernon Dursley and Frank Longbottom and consider that Severus was not like either of them. Dursley was nothing like Longbottom physically, but both were comfortable talking to others. Dursley told stories and jokes, while Longbottom talked about anything that caught his fancy, mostly Oakby and the Ministry. Severus did not mind conversing on subjects that interested him and the group, but Lily would interrupt him when she was present. Then later, she'd follow up by accusing him of being antisocial. For the most part he was, since many topics of conversation were trivial to him and not worth discussing, such as the weather.
Another week into May, Severus received the reply from Regulus Moonshine. The potioneer was agreeable to both of them working for the joint wage, for no more than fifty hours a week with Saturdays and Sundays off. Moonshine said his house was already full of family, and listed everyone from his mother-in-law on down. Severus sneered as he scanned through the letter to find the part that mattered. He and Evans would need to share a small lodging a short walk from the main house. Severus was suspicious that this lodging was never meant to be used for habitation, like a potting shed. The man gave too many details setting up the announcement of quarters.
Lily agreed when she read through the letter, but had been mulling over Severus' idea of spending so much time together. Her parents did not need to know they'd be sleeping together, so she did not have to make up some story to cover up. She'd have to do that if Sev and her were going to live together over the summer, without the work. Also, the thought of any holiday with him that went overnight. Her mother would want to know where they were staying.
Rather than devoting time to her studies, Lily envisioned how things could go. The big advantage of living with Sev would be the sex. There was also finding out more about him, other than he snored, drooled, made his bed at Spinner's End, and did not leave dirty laundry lying about.
The disadvantages Lily foresaw was she'd be spending a lot of time with him. They'd be working, eating and sleeping together. Lily liked things her way. She knew Sev knew that, but there might be something that rubbed him the wrong way that he could not ignore. Likewise, he could get on her nerves too. If that did not happen, the argument was sure to be over why Lily would not agree that the two of them were perfect together and should married right away.
Lily knew Miss Skeeter was trying to provoke a response from her. Must be a habit she got into to become a good investigative reporter. Prod someone till they gave you information. Well, she needed to relearn some manners and talk normal when she was not interviewing, rather than trying to start something. Anyway, she had mentioned Lily not wanting to become a widow. All things considered, Lily had to admit there was a possibility that people hated Severus that much. Not the general hate that was normally directed at him because he simply existed, but the kind that made people go out of their way and plan horrible crimes.
She could be letting her imagination get the better of her, but Sirius Black was who she considered as the biggest threat. Lily had discarded James Potter, since at the Ministry he was just his usual toerag self. Black came from a family whose motto was 'always pure'. The pureblood crap that the Death Eaters followed. He was sorted into Gryffindor, but that did not mean he was a good guy. When he said he was not like the rest of his family, he was lying because he was surrounded by mudbloods and half-bloods in Gryffindor. Black lied all the time. Black might simply be bolder than the typical Black who was sorted into Slytherin. One did not need to look any further than all the spells he cast at other students to tell he was no hero. He wanted everyone to know what a bastard he was.
After having his liberties curtailed, Black became too bored to stay at school, and tried to get Severus killed. He probably had his escape to France already planned, if Sev didn't mysteriously disappear when he was eaten by Lupin. Black's plan sort of failed, he was exposed and he fled.
Since then, how did they know Black was not in England? Someone killed Pettigrew. What if he was out of bounds and saw Black? Did Pettigrew offer his silence for a price, or did Black kill him to guarantee he'd never talk?
Black's family was at the pub and killed Sev's father along with a lot of other muggles. Was Black there too? The lack of reporting by The Daily Prophet was worse than their sorely lacking story about the werewolf attack. Death Eaters killing muggles so openly, and two Death Eaters getting killed was news. Once Mr. Snape was dead, all Black would only need to wait around for Severus to come home for the funeral, where he would be unprotected and surrounded by only muggles. No one could have predicted the school being so incompetent.
The likeliest proof that Black was occasionally in England was the murder of his father, who supposedly disinherited him and cut off his money. Perhaps he did not like Regulus being the official Black family heir. He certainly never showed any affection for his younger brother at Hogwarts. Although they were only rumors, some of the Gryffindors would receive news of Black being sighted somewhere in Europe, living lavishly, as he traveled with his wife. Was that contradicting that he had no money, or a show to provide him with an alibi as being somewhere other than England?
Then Slughorn, possibly at Dumbledore's request, followed Regulus home, even over Easter break. Regulus would be next on Black's list of victims, unless Severus exposed himself. Severus was more of a personal vendetta, rather than ensuring Black nearly limitless wealth. Would Black also kill his mother? Or would he have the money once Regulus was dead?
Lily's brain had been churning because there was a lot of banter about the Lestrange vault. Apparently they were a very old family, like the Blacks, and now they were all dead. Although it did not effect her, she could hope that the person that did inherit it was not a scheming murderer, like the former owners. That was unlikely since all those Slyterin pureblood families were interrelated, and it would probably go to the Black family, or the Mulcibers, or the Averys of the world.
She also wished it did not go to the Wilkes family. It's not that she didn't think Malcolm could be a nice fellow, but that would absolutely crush Mary. She was still hurting while pretending she quietly fancied Severus. Now and then, Mary would cry over what she lost. It was not only because she turned into a werewolf, but she'd never have any children of her own. Lily knew from first year that's all Mary wanted, to get married and have children. Helen's dream was playing quidditch. Lily hoped it was her that caught Sirius Black. He had a lot to pay for.
Remus looked horrible. His shoulders were slumped, his feet shuffled as he slowly came into the room, his eyes were downcast, and his friend had a few grey hairs on his head. He looked worse than if he just transformed back into a person.
The Potter solicitor had to get his friend out of here. He did not belong in Azkaban.
"Remus!" James called, hiding his concern over Moony's appearance. Once he was out of here, had a couple house elves stuffing him with food and fluffing his pillows, he'd look much better.
Rather than responding, Remus listlessly moved to the straight-backed chair. A comfort he did not enjoy in his cell.
Mrs. Lupin went over to him. "James Potter wants his family's legal representative to file an appeal on your behalf, Remus."
"Why? I'm a murderer."
"No you're not, Moony. You weren't responsible for your actions. You were used like a weapon. If someone casts a killing curse, they go to Azkaban, not their wand," James pleaded. "You need to answer some questions and then the paperwork can be filed at the Ministry."
"Why now? Where were you, James? Where were you?"
"I accept whatever blame you lay at my feet, Remus. I can only say now that I'm seventeen, I can take some responsibility. Before then, I may have been a coward. I did not know, and I should have cared more to find out."
"All of it, James," Remus broke out in tears. "Not only at the trial, before that. You knew that Sirius told, and you knew I was a werewolf. Why would you let innocent people come walking in there when you knew?"
"I knew, but I didn't know … ugh, it's hard. Now, it's easy to see. I should have punched out Filch and gotten hauled up to the headmaster and told him everything. You would have been safe, they would have been safe, and Sirius and I would have gotten punished, but no one would have been killed."
"That's not what you wanted. You wanted me to kill."
"No! Listen to yourself. It's this place. Why would I lose my best friend over some silly schoolboy rivalry? You mean more to me than all that, Moony."
Remus sniffed, "Maybe. The dementors … they have me thinking terrible things about me, about you, about everyone."
"Because that's what you fear most, Remus. You are not a monster, but that's what you are afraid of. You are a good person, kind and loyal, and my best friend."
"No, no. Padfoot is."
"I was a fool, Moony. From now on, it's you and me. I don't care that you are quiet. And I love that you think before acting. You are who I need. Not some idiot that hexes first and damns the consequences. Running away when the time for friendship counts. That's why we're here now, and we going to fix this."
More tears flowed from Remus's eyes, "I'm dreaming this, aren't I? I'm lying in my cell, delirious with the fever that's spreading through the prisoners here."
"Hell no," James said and punched Remus in the arm. "If I wasn't here, would you have felt that?"
Remus snorted, "It's traditional to pinch, not punch."
"Pinches are for wusses. You are made of tougher stuff than that, Moony."
Lily rolled her eyes over a letter from her mother that included her itinerary for the wedding of the century. Gown, rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, nails, hair, makeup … her every sodding minute was planned.
Severus foresaw trouble from the way Lily waved around a piece of paper as she approached him. "Can you believe this?" she asked while keeping the list in motion so he could not honestly agree or disagree. "This is no fun at all. Why do I have to do anything for Tunie's stupid wedding?"
"You love her."
Lily huffed at him. "Love? If Petunia loved me, she wouldn't be doing all this crap."
"Perhaps your mother felt you could be depended on … to have your hair done?" he asked, catching sight of one of the items.
Severus remembered in the Lily's list of complaints that she had to keep her hair long because the ladies were having some sort of style with flowers in it. At the time, Severus did not see the problem since Lily hardly ever got her hair trimmed. So on the wedding day, why was hair fixing, or whatever it was called, unexpected?
"What? Look at this," Lily put the paper in front of his eyes. "Rehearse. Can't they just tell me where to stand? The whole group then has to go to dinner. And look, it's for hours. Then the next day we have all morning scheduled going to the salon for nails, hair and makeup."
"One place?" Severus asked.
"Yeah, for hours. I'll be trapped with those chatting twits all morning."
"Perhaps you could look at this from the opposite direction, Lily? During this final twenty-four hours, every hour that passes will bring you closer to it being over."
She snarled, "But I could be studying. I should be compensated in some way for my investment in this."
Lily was barking mad. Telling her the truth that she was jealous of her older sister being the center of attention would not be wise.
"What's this reception thing after the ceremony?" Severus asked. "That's for hours too."
"A party. We're fed and dance."
"Dance?"
"You know. You saw them practicing a couple summers ago."
"I don't remember it well since I only tried it for an hour. Am I required to participate?"
"Who else am I supposed to dance with then? My father doesn't dance the discofox."
"Are we going to practice any? I realize studying is more important, but if I'm suppose to dance with you, I don't want to trip over you or something equally ungraceful."
"I don't remember a lot either," Lily complained. "There's also slow dancing. Do you know any of that?"
"What's that?"
"You know. Slower music, and close together dancing like they do in the movies."
"No, I don't. There's a record player with a crank, rather than electricity, upstairs. If there's no good records with it, Mr. Filch has a lot of them. Maybe he'd let me borrow some."
"What? For me to teach you?"
"You wouldn't?"
"The guys lead, Sev. You're the one that needs to know it."
He doubted that. During his brief lesson on discofox, the female partners were fully participating. "I guess you will have to dance with someone else. I do not know any dances."
"Sev, that's the whole point of the reception," Lily pouted.
Surely, Lily was exaggerating. If dancing was so important, it would have been mentioned prior to today as one of her many complaints. Before Severus was invited, Lily was going to dance with someone else. Whoever he or they were, they could still dance with Lily.
Fortunately, he was currently on speaking terms with Evan Rosier to find out. Rosier clarified not everyone danced. He never heard of discofox. He did know slow dancing, but was unsure if muggles dance the same ones, and it would be awkward to instruct Severus since they were both male so they took over Severus's study group's corner of the common room with a wireless turned low, and Regulus and Barty were good sports to dance with each other. Some of the girls were game to dance with the fellows, and soon they had enough students dancing in couples with the wireless turned up that it seemed like a spontaneous gathering, rather than Severus asking for instruction.
He learned a few things. First off, younger girls overlooked his ugliness just for the opportunity to dance with a sixth year, as opposed to a second or third year that they did not fancy. Severus did not have to do much. Some of the blokes just moved with the music. As long as they did not limit themselves to shifting their weight from their left to right foot and then back, they appeared like they were dancing. With a partner's cooperation, couples could move around like they knew what they were doing. So he could basically fake slow dancing, unless muggles did something different.
There were a couple simple dances that he learned that were based on the tempo of the music. Luckily, more girls than boys wanted to dance so he could always manage to find a partner. Younger girls were willing to show him where to go, and he really felt Lily had it wrong. Females could lead just as well as males, even if they were more than a head shorter than him and could not see where they were going.
Mr. Filch also had something to add regarding slow dances. He had records for Severus to listen to so he'd recognize the right cadences for specific dances. Unlike the Slytherins, there was no practical demonstration, other than Mr. Filch stepping through the male half while holding Mrs. Norris and staring into her big, orange eyes.
Perhaps the looking into a partner's eyes part was good, if Severus chose to dance with a person, rather than an animal.
He did not practice with Phi.
Soon enough, the two of them left to go home for Petunia's wedding. There had been no more spontaneous dances in the Slytherin common room, but Severus was at least sure he would not stand around like a pillock in the middle of everyone else. If he had to dance that is, he would remain undecided until he observed others.
Lily was whisked away by her mother, and her father invited him upstairs. Leading the way, Mr. Evans commented, "I have a few sports jackets I've outgrown. Maybe one won't be too large for you, Severus."
Sports? Severus thought to himself silently. He'd have to see it to recognize what Lily's father meant by that name. If he had a number of them, it was undoubtedly something a muggle usually wore.
Lily's parents' bedroom was big. Their bed was big too, not just the regular size for two people that Severus's parents had. Rather than wood, it was that white metal that the infirmary beds were made of, but with gold knobs and other decorative things. It was very well-lit with bright sunlight, and with all the white and flowered prints on white, Severus had to admit that overall he did not like it. In fact, it was just as feminine looking as Petunia's and Lily's rooms with its frills and white eyelet lace.
The room also had multiple mirrors, even on the sliding door of the closet Mr. Evans was currently opening. The large closet that was built into the wall was full of only his clothes. It was precisely organized, even with raised shelves to see the shoes in the back, rather than laying them all out on the floor. There was even a light in here above the rack where he stored his neckties. It was filled to capacity, and there were dozens of them.
Considering the amount of clothing stored here, perhaps he had kept something from when he was ten or twelve, when his shoulders were as narrow as Severus's currently were.
Mr. Evans slid suit jackets on hangers along the railing they hung from. There were some ugly plaid ones among them. When he pulled one out, Severus supposed he misheard what was said earlier. These were not for playing sports in, and now it made better sense.
"You can pretty much wear anything with a pair of black slacks and a white shirt, Severus. We'll pick you out a tie too."
Severus frowned at the first two jackets. Just because he could wear anything, didn't mean he should. He muttered, "I like black."
Displaying the same ability to not listen to him as Lily, Mr. Evans held up a jacket in front of him that had no black at all. It contained several other colors though.
"I have a new shirt that I could wear, instead of a white one."
"Is it black?"
"No, it's sort of red and blue. I have my trunk with me, if it's all right to enlarge it here."
"Let me shut the door first. Vernon and his mates are staying at a hotel, but they might come over."
After the door was closed, Severus enlarged his trunk, removed the wards and opened it. The shirts were in the flat specialized bag from Gladrags with his dress robes. He also took out his new boots. They only covered to above his ankle, however they looked nice with his robes, even when he sat.
Mr. Evans saw more books and paper than Lily's trunk. Hers was more clothes. She said the girls she roomed with did something with theirs to enlarge them inside to hold entire closets. He was disappointed that Severus did not have that done with his trunk, but he supposed he had no need for that sort of thing. The shoes were all right, depended on the hem on the trousers whether ankle boots would work or not. He peered into the bag that Severus was opening. It was too big for just a new shirt.
"That green shirt is quite nice," Mr. Evans commented, seeing the one that was on top.
"It matches Lily's dress robes, so I shouldn't wear that now. She might not like that."
"Women."
"This is the one I meant," Severus said, bringing the maroon one out.
"That's quite a color, or two colors. Is it magic?"
"I don't think so. There's two colors in the weave, rather than a charm creating it."
Mr. Evans leaned forward to study it in the sunlight. "All right, I see that so that's good. I'm not sure I have a jacket to go with this. What's this behind it?"
"That's my dress robes."
"Oooh, is this silk?" he asked, running his hand across the black fabric.
Severus sighed, "I would have preferred wool, but the first time I'm wearing them is at a wedding in July. It's heavier though, so it should be alright for winter too."
"Do you remember what this fabric's called? I like it." Obviously, in a different color. A cocktail dress for his wife would be really nice in this.
"Uh, doopee something ee."
With an indrawn breath, Mr. Evans turned back to his closet. Blue. He had blue. He looked back at the shirt. "The collar's wrong for a tie."
"The robes button up to my neck."
"That might be all right. You're young. I know it's not cool to wear a tie."
Maybe Severus should be looking forward to this being over, along with Lily. Why was her father talking to him about muggle fashion? Especially when Mr. Evans had no eye for color, proven when he pulled out a horrible blue and yellow jacket. Since he owned this collection of clothing, probably all bought new, Severus did not want to wear what Mr. Evans thought looked good.
"I prefer something plain."
"Hmm, I have this one black jacket as part of my funeral suit, but it's actually a little roomy in the shoulders on me."
"I can fix it, but maybe I can see if there's one I can buy when I shop for Petunia's gift. Lily said there's a list?"
"Oh, a gift? Uh, I suppose. It's all rather expensive with Petunia's taste running to the finer things. I guess we can stop in there when we go for a haircut after lunch."
Severus stared at Mr. Evans. He did not agree to a haircut. He was not even asked. "I'm not letting someone cut my hair."
"It's long. I know you've always worn it long, Severus, but you are getting a little old for that uh, bohemian look."
"I don't care. I don't want it cut."
Mr. Evans did not want to argue with Severus. Normally, the boy just went along with whatever his wife suggested. Maybe she'd have to tell him to get his hair cut.
"Well, I can take you by the store where Petunia's registered, but you don't need to buy her any of those items."
"Which one is it? I can get there on my own so I don't take up any more of your time, Mr. Evans. You doubtless have a lot on your hands."
He laughed, "Not really. They want me to stay out of their way. I write the checks when I'm told. Tell you what, um, be back here by eight tonight. We'll probably still be at that dinner, but after that I'm invited to the bachelor party. It should be on the tame side if I'm there, or at least I hope. I can drive you there and back."
"Party? That wasn't on Lily's list."
"Men only. Acting silly, the night before the groom gets married."
"I don't act silly."
"That's the most fun." Mr. Evans reached out to him with his elbow. "You can watch others acting silly."
Severus clarified, "Not in a bad way?" He was confused. Was it some sort of ritual to act immature before marrying? Is that why people were invited to watch? There were different flavors of fun when observing others. He did not know Mr. Evans well, and Vernon Dursley hardly at all, but Petunia knew Severus enough that if something went wrong, he'd take the blame.
"No, they wouldn't have me along if it was that sort of bachelor party."
"I'd rather not."
"Nonsense, Severus. Bad enough we have to dress up tomorrow, act our best, and use all our table manners."
Until Lily found this new person she'd marry, Severus could go along with some of the things her father suggested, as long as getting his hair cut off did not come up again. Maybe at some point in the future, Lily's parents would remind her in some manner how he was in any way better than the man she married. Even if it was to patiently watch some muggle do foolish things. If Mr. Evans was there tonight, he could explain some of the muggle things to Severus that he did not know. "All right, I'll be back at eight."
On his own, Severus was able to get a black suit jacket and had the registry clarified. Everything on it was something Petunia definitely wanted, including the right color or size. The store kept track of what was already purchased so she would not receive multiples of one item. Considering it was the day before the wedding, Severus was surprised so many things for her kitchen were still not bought from her list. He had enough muggle money on him, thanks to Mr. Evans paying him back through Lily, to purchase the odd looking pot called a pressure cooker with the canning things that went with it.
He knew Mrs. Evans spent whole days canning and making preserves with Petunia's help. Lily did not care for it much because there was messy work involved, but Severus did find it interesting that they could pack their own food to last a long time, besides buying it in cans from the store. He actually wanted to experiment with it to see if it could effect potion brewing. What if he could brew something that needed months, or the really rare ones that needed years, in a fraction of the time? He needed to understand the workings of pressure better to express it arithmantically. Mrs. Evans brief explanation of additional pressure meant the cooked faster due to the higher temperature was inadequate.
This store pretty much did everything, including wrapping it in appropriate paper for a wedding and assisting with picking the right kind of card to attach. Petunia had done all the work of making the list, and all he had to do was come in here with the money. He wished Longbottom had done something like this, but it might be impractical since there was no wizarding version of a department store. That might be the true test of a couple – choosing to make a list at Flourish and Blotts, Honeydukes, Quality Quidditch Supplies, or Zonko's.
With trepidation, Severus waited in a chair on the front porch of the Evans' house that evening. Party with only men doing silly things. He could find no way of imagining anything other than the way Lily described her male housemates sullying the Gryffindor common room.
Both Lily and Petunia loudly protested Mr. Evans taking Severus with him, when they arrived home and found him waiting.
Mrs. Evans was not as loud, but she had her doubts as well. It was all right for a married man such as her husband to view some racy pictures or see a stag film, but Severus? She doubted he was uninformed about such things, but since his best friend was their daughter, it was rather irresponsible to be putting such images in front of him. She doubted he was close to any other girls, or she would have gotten an earful from Lily.
Firstly, Petunia did not want Severus having a good time. In fact, he shouldn't be here at all, but back at that freak school. Secondly, what if he did some freak thing in front of Vernon and his old mates from Smeltings? They could only get so drunk since they had a big day ahead of them tomorrow.
Lily did not want Severus looking at other women in any way. Either in photos, films or in person. There'd probably be drinking too. What if Sev said something? It could be anything. Blokes were pigs when they got together. If Severus knew stuff that he shouldn't know, or compared something he saw to Lily's, her father could … she did not know what he could do. He could hit Severus before he got his wand out to defend himself. Her father could tell her mother. He could ground her. Vernon could tell Petunia and she'd laugh her head off, grin at her all day tomorrow, and call her a depraved Spinner's End slut again.
Mr. Evans waved off the complaints, "It's tradition, and I needed company for the ride over and back." Really now, Severus was an almost grown man, who by all rights was now on his own. What was a couple beers, a cigar, and a pack of nude playing cards, or whatever these Smeltings lads planned for their wild evening?
Lily tried to grab his elbow to take him inside the house, but Mr. Evans said, "I already told them he's coming, Lily, so let him go."
"But … Sev, you don't want to go," Lily said, appealing to Severus to heed her, rather than listening to her father.
"Why?" he asked. This was making it more interesting. Was this ritual something that was supposed to change him in some way? If it was for men only, did Lily even know what happened at it, or was it another of her unfounded ideas? Like all Slytherins joined up with He Who Must Not Be Named right after they were Sorted?
"They have a no freaks rule," Petunia replied nastily. She had not been keen on Vernon and his bachelor party, however as her father said, it was tradition. Probably just them sitting around drinking, smoking and telling stupid stories about women they dreamed about, but who would never talk to them.
Severus quirked an eyebrow at the elder Evans girl. He buys her the pressure cooker of her dreams and she still treats him like rubbish, was the amused thought going through his mind. He knew that he had not given the gift yet, and it was unlikely to be the nicest thing she received tomorrow. However, Petunia was a bit like Lily. Nothing Severus could do would be good enough for them.
He did not resist as Mr. Evans pulled him out of Lily's grasp and down the stairs towards his car. Severus nodded and made noise of agreement as Lily's father kept up a one-sided conversation about his silly girls on the short drive.
It was easy for Severus to keep quietly in the corner of the room with a bottle of ale, while the fellows played drinking games in the middle, centered around Vernon. About half of them had gone to school with the groom, and a few times their school song was sang poorly. Severus did not bother to complain since his school song did not have any music, just words sung any old way. It was rather nice that Vernon seemed popular with his old school chums and that they were not picking on any of the other blokes in the room. Instead they were bonding over a never ending flow of liquor and boisterous tales.
A woman was admitted to the room wearing a ridiculous constable outfit. Except for it being blue, it shared little in the way of a real one except for the handcuffs and stick on her belt. The shirt was only held close by two buttons, obviously sewn on with extra strength thread.
Her pantomime was supposed to be exciting, yet the men put on the better show for her, rather than her for them. Vernon was eager to be cuffed to his chair, and the woman climbed onto him facing away, and ground her arse onto his crotch while oohing and ahing at her nightstick that she held in front of her, kissing it, and finally sticking the end in her mouth. Her next act was to take off her blouse, expose herself to the crowd, turn around and try to suffocate Vernon with her ample chest.
Severus almost got dragged into the center for her encore as the youngest there, but when she questioned his age, he was passed over for truthfully answering seventeen in favor of one of the fellows who had the title of 'best man'. It was fortunate for him because she got pretty disgusting with running her tongue all over Vernon and his friend while fluttering her eyes, grasping her own breasts, rubbing the front of her knickers and moaning unconvincingly.
He had to admit, after this woman, even Petunia in her apron and ridiculous, elbow-length, yellow rubber gloves would look sexy. Hell, her snipes of 'freak' were sexier than the noises this slattern was making. She also had the largest pimple he had ever seen on her dimpled arse cheek, and that was a popular jinx for about a month so he had seen quite a few unnaturally enormous ones that resembled fleshy pus volcanoes.
Finally, her hour or whatever she was paid for was up, she dressed, took a tip from one of the guys and left.
The drinking resumed in earnest, and they talked about the hired woman in terms that in no way truthfully described her. Severus imagined they must be what was called 'blind drunk', and also 'hearing drunk' because they were conversing about what this so-called beauty said as she flirted with all of them.
After that finished, the real silly, or as Severus saw them, stupid things, began. Predictably, it ended badly with broken glass, screams, blood, and a reddening white towel wrapped around Vernon's left hand.
Mr. Evans, as the soberest in the room besides Severus, took charge. However, he did not behave in a predictable manner. He pushed Vernon into the bathroom and hauled Severus in there, commenting, "Severus is great with first aid."
"Me?" Severus protested.
"Yes, don't be modest. If we need to take him for stitches we will, but you should look at it first. Right?" To the others, he said, "Excuse us," before shutting the door and locking it.
"What's going on? Do you go to medical school or something?" Vernon slurred.
"Sit down," Mr. Evans instructed him. "You might need to be let in on something a day early. Severus, that's his ring hand. Can you fix it?"
"What's the other option?"
"All night at a hospital and they'd probably sew it up with thick, black thread, and it'll be bandaged up. Petunia and my wife won't like it because that's the hand the wedding ring goes on."
"Let me look at it first," Severus muttered, holding out his hand for Vernon's injured one.
"Lily said you fixed up that girl that was attacked with her."
"Not really. I stopped her bleeding to death."
"Wow," Vernon commented. It was not clear if he was commenting on Severus saving someone from bleeding to death, or the sight of his own wound.
"This is just a normal cut. Deep. I guess I could … if Vernon wouldn't mind. For Petunia that is. You understand that, Dursley?"
"What?"
"Don't pay attention to what Severus is doing. We can explain tomorrow," Mr. Evans said while grabbing Vernon's chin and tilting his head up.
"What's he going to do?"
"Fix your hand."
"Accio glass." Severus sent the pieces over to the sink.
"I felt that."
"If it hurts, it'll stop after I do the next part," Severus mentioned. "It'll sound like I'm singing to your hand, but don't interrupt. All right?"
"Why would you do that?"
"Don't worry about Severus. He does strange, but good, things. This is an emergency, or Petunia will kill us."
"No kidding," Vernon agreed.
Vernon looked down, despite Mr. Evans trying to get him to look up.
Petunia's sister's friend was holding a stick over his hand. Where'd he get a stick in a hotel bathroom?
He was chanting some nonsense, and he could see the wound closing. What had Petunia said? He'd burst into flames if he went into a church? Oh no. "You're a devil worshiper?"
"No, he's not, Vernon. It's hard to explain when you're tipsy. Lily can do it too."
Severus looked up and shook his head. Finishing Vernon's hand, he mentioned, "She can't do it yet. Lily wants to though. Just so you know before you ask her to heal something."
"Well, she can do other things," Mr. Evans informed Vernon.
"It's not a worship or religion. More like being able to tap into natural forces," Severus explained. "It's a secret, but even someone that can heal up a hand would be afraid of Petunia. It might even be better to say nothing now, and act surprised after you're married when they tell you about Lily. She won't like it that you hurt your hand, or that we ruined her moment to let you in on the secret."
"Oooh," Vernon responded thoughtfully. "Yeah, Petunia likes to do things her way."
"Right," her father agreed.
"And if you didn't know, she's not fond of me so she won't like it that I helped you cover up that you hurt your hand, Vernon," Severus hinted.
"My ring hand," Vernon explained, and held it up. Amazing. There was only redness. Not even a scab.
At last, the day of Petunia's stupid wedding dawned. It was one problem after another for Lily.
She fixed her gown yesterday when she put it on for the final fitting using magic. If she was not seventeen, Lily had no idea what she would have done. The nitwitted shop had taken it in too much. Once it was taken in like that, they could not make it bigger again without ripping the darned thing apart.
The rehearsal last night had been really boring. She could have figured out that she needed to go down the aisle at a ladylike pace, and they showed her where she was to stand and sit. They were there another hour to do all the other practicing before they went to dinner at a Chinese restaurant. It was a slow, sit down place and their table had so many people at it that it took a long time to order and get served, and everyone was talking so much, they took forever to eat.
Then her blockheaded father invited Severus to Vernon's bachelor party. Lily had stayed up, but her father had dropped off Severus on their way home, closer to Spinner's End. She didn't know why he would do such a thing. Severus hated ruddy parties and having to be social with people. He had nothing in common with anyone that would have been there.
And now this morning, Lily was going to be trapped with all the women getting all primped and whatever, including Vernon's sister and mother. In her opinion, those two needed miracles since they hadn't even bothered to shave their mustaches in advance.
They were lucky in one way though. Neither of them was being forced to wear pink.
She had no idea if she'd see Severus between now and the church, and Lily did not even know if her father picked out something for him to wear that he liked. Maybe he needed help with something.
By the time Lily was at the church, sequestered in a room with Petunia and the other pink-clad ninnies, her eyes were aching from rolling and looking up all morning. Petunia looked lovely.
If her sister could shut up, she'd be perfect.
Lily spent some time staring at her flowers. A tight, compact bundle of pink and white rose buds. If she had thought of it in advance, she could have saved her family some money by transfiguring flowers for them.
The wedding itself happened just as planned, and then Lily was off with the others for photos before the reception. In less than six hours, all this would finally be over, and Petunia and Vernon would be gone.
Severus was seated in the church to watch Petunia's wedding. The ceremony was kind of on the long side with a lot of promises being repeated by Petunia and Vernon. They did not seem special. Actually, they seemed rather self-evident. It was rather foolish to think they'd marry to abandon the other as soon as a difficulty arose. He knew Lily had told him about muggles undoing marriages, but he did not understand that. With all these vows they were taking, how would that be possible?
When the ceremony inside was over, he followed the others outside. They were standing around so he joined them and was handed some grains of rice. He threw them when everyone else did. Lily looked unhappy when she came out. Had something gone awry that he hadn't noticed? Her dress, hair and whatever else looked fine. Everyone's still did. Petunia was smiling. Vernon and Lily's parents were smiling.
Once everyone started dispersing, Severus strolled around the building away from the parking lot to apparate. He had plenty of time to make sure he was not under observation.
At the reception, Lily sat with her family and the other members of the bridal group, including Vernon's male friends in tuxedos. They were immature, but they were not throwing food around or trying to stick it to the ceiling.
She could see Severus seated at a table in the back. He was wearing his dark wizard shirt with a black jacket that fit well. How did her father let him get away with not wearing a tie? He seemed all right since he was not sneering at anyone and anything in his vicinity.
He was looking around, probably studying wedding details. Lily could only imagine what he was thinking. He was near enough to Petunia's mountain range of presents to form some sort of opinion. Undoubtedly negative, since they were for Petunia.
Lily wouldn't want all this for her wedding. She'd want a party with food and dancing, of course. And presents, but not all that. And better food and more of it. This entree wasn't enough to fill a cavity. She agreed with Vernon's friends on that point. A buffet might be messier, but she and the guests would have been able to have as much as they liked. Maybe someone carving a roast of beef, a ham and perhaps a turkey. Yeah, Lily would like all those at her wedding reception, and maybe some roast pork loin. That'll show Petunia.
Her mother already had informed her that for the first dance with everyone that she had to dance with one of Vernon's tuxedoed friends, had to dance at least once with her father, and then Lily could dance with whoever she liked. God! She needed another drink. In less than four hours, Petunia would be in a car on her way to the airport. That couldn't come soon enough for her.
Severus gleaned soon enough that the group at his table were here individually. The single table. He sensed Mrs. Evans' hand in making sure it was five males and five females, seated alternately boy, girl, boy, girl. If Petunia had to accept he was here, she would have arranged for this little card with his name, or perhaps her affectionate nickname for him of 'freak', to be in a toilet stall … in a public loo down the street.
Some of these people were local so knew him by reputation as the filthy Snape boy from Spinner's End. They behaved themselves, but he saw the initial looks of disgust followed by surreptitious glances. His satisfaction sprung from knowing that they were thinking that the Evans thought so little of them, they were seated at the same table as him. Nine poor people condemned to hell on earth till custom allowed them to leave the table. Delighted, Severus ordered another ale.
After the plates were cleared, music started. The next phase of this reception ceremony was starting, with Vernon leading Petunia to the center of the wooden floor that the tables surrounded. That gown's style was ideal for Petunia. She also had a radiant expression on her face, unlike Lily's open-mouthed look of boredom as she rested the side of her face on her hand, with her elbow propped on the table.
There was an announcement that this was their first dance as a married couple as the music changed. Petunia and Vernon looked into each other's eyes, and slowly moved about the floor.
Other couples joined them, including Lily. He knew someone would dance with her, if he couldn't. They weren't even doing any special steps, just navigating in time with the music to avoid collisions.
After the first song was over, Lily came over to him. Sighing and rolling her eyes, she said, "It's all downhill from here. I wish they'd cut the cake already."
"Did you want to dance?" Severus asked.
Lily made a face, directed more at the crowd out on the dance floor, rather than Severus, and answered, "No." She didn't want to dance with any more of Vernon's friends.
"All right." He was glad he had not invested more time in order to gain more skill. Lily was so contrary.
"Did you see all that?" Lily inquired, pointing at the presents.
"Yes, I am seated close to them."
"Are you drinking?"
"Only ale."
Lily crossed her arms over her chest, then commented, "I supposed you drank last night too."
"Only three bottles. That's less than one an hour."
"What else happened last night?"
"I believe there's a muggle code wherein I'm sworn to secrecy."
"Very funny, Sev. So you were bored?"
"Yes."
"What about today?"
"I would not want to make it a habit to attend these, but one's all right."
"Hmm," Lily murmured in reply. "They haven't even wheeled the cake out yet."
"Is it special?"
"It's the wedding cake, Sev. It's a big deal. You'll see. You might have to eat a forkful of yours to look polite."
"All right."
Lily frowned at him. Sev did not have to be on his best behavior with her. Right now, she'd relish his honesty and probably join in with mocking all this excess. Why else did he think she had him here?
Mrs. Evans caught her unawares with her hiss of, "Lily."
"What?"
"After Petunia dances with your father, you are to dance with him."
Sulkily Lily answered, "Alright."
"And stop keeping Severus in the corner with you. Come on, Severus. I'll find you someone to dance with after you take me for a spin."
"Mum, leave him alone."
"I don't mind dancing with your mother, Lily," Severus commented, knowing he was on dangerous ground. Later, Lily would forget that she was in a bad mood, and review his actions through different eyes. Insulting her mother or Petunia, even if it was to agree with Lily now, would have consequences.
"Fine, you two dance, and I'll dance with dad."
"You better adjust your tone, Lily," her mother advised.
Lily made a face before turning and walking away from them.
"Come on, Severus," Mrs. Evans repeated.
Severus cooperated and joined Mrs. Evans on the dance floor. She talked about the wedding, and Severus agreeably nodded. He thought he was doing all right till he saw Lily making a face at him. What did she want from him? If she wanted him to dance better, she could practice with him, rather than expect him to know it on his own. It was not something he could learn from a book.
Watching Severus, Lily did not think he was that bad a dancer. He was better than some of the other clods who were either swaying in place, or were getting dangerous with all the drinking that was going on. She saw the staff lining up champagne bottles on the side. Still no cake, but the bar was still serving.
Since the next dance was Lily's with her father, Mrs. Evans introduced Severus to Vernon's sister, Marjorie. She was slightly taller than him, and was physically shaped much like her brother. Burly, but she had two inches of neck that was wrapped in pearls. There were two levels of trepidation within Severus. He did not want to hurt Mrs. Evans' feelings by saying 'no', and Marge, as she asked to be called, could physically hurt him.
Marge draining a full glass of wine in one swallow indicated that she may not be sober. Severus was not sure if Vernon would assist, since he had not seen them together to gauge if her brother cared about her getting rejected by an ugly, pockmarked teen in need of a haircut.
Vernon's sister allowed Severus to keep a proper distance between their two bodies. She talked about dogs and led. Forcefully led. After their one song, she continued to lead Severus with a solid grip on his arm. She ordered another glass of wine at the bar.
Severus saw the large tiered white iced cake being wheeled in. Lily was right. It looked important. He did not know what the symbolic significance of the little dolls on top, representing Vernon and Petunia, meant. He did not want to converse with Marge. Besides it might be a muggle thing that everyone was expected to know.
After downing the new glass, Marge returned them to the dance floor until the cake cutting was announced. Severus allowed Marge to lead as she liked. He was not feeling especially well watching Lily dance with men, other than her father.
She'd rather dance with them than him.
Lily was smiling.
Maybe she preferred to dance with anyone but him.
The dancing stopped for speech making, cake cutting, champagne, and eating cake and other desserts. Not that interested in eating more than the token half fork of cake, Severus followed the champagne with another ale before approaching Lily at the long table with the other wedding participants.
"How's it going for you, Sev? Isn't this great?" Lily asked, smiling at him, before finishing her champagne.
He nodded, unsure of what to say in response.
"The music should start up again soon."
"Then what happens?" he asked.
"People dance. My feet are killing me, so I'm done. I'm going to have to stay till the end because we got to arrange to get all that crap back to the house. Did you want to go?" Lily lowered her voice to a whisper, "I saw who mum fixed you up with to dance."
"It's not too early?"
"No, just uh, say good-bye to Petunia, Vernon, and my parents and then you can go."
"All right," he agreed, sensing that Lily was giving him the alternatives of leaving or continuing to dance with Marge. "What time should I come over tomorrow so we can go back to school?"
"Did you want to come over for brunch?"
"Can we leave after that?"
"But after that we could … you know."
"I have a lot of homework so I need the library," Severus huffed. If Lily could not be bothered to have one dance with him in public, why should he agree to sneak off with her? He knew he'd reconsider, but right now, he couldn't contemplate more than nothing he did was good enough for Lily, unless it involved sex.
"Can't you ask for an extension or something since it's been a while since … well, with Dumbledore, I know, but …?"
A little voice in his head urged him to shag Lily till she couldn't walk. Take it while he could get it, and damn the consequences. Severus knew Lily was going to leave him, so why not enjoy it and leave her with the memory of what she'd never experience with someone else? "I'd rather not."
"Can't you get any of it done without the library?" Lily whined.
"I finished that part already. For someone who claimed school was more important than anything else right now, I would expect you to have a little empathy for me."
"I do, but you spend so much time on your school work, Sev, and I really need it," she pleaded.
"I'm tired of hearing about what you need."
"What?" Lily gasped, shocked that Severus would say something like that to her. Obviously, he had had too much to drink.
"I have reached my limit for today, and I don't know about tomorrow or after that. I'll come by at noon, and I may return to Hogwarts without you, if you are not ready to go then."
"You may return without me? Is that supposed to be a threat?"
"I am informing you of my intention in advance. If you choose to interpret that as a threat because I am making a decision for myself, that's your choice."
"Perhaps I will. Maybe I'll interpret as you are breaking up with me."
"Breaking up? Don't I have to be your boyfriend first?"
Boyfriend? Lily made a face, and argued, "No."
"Then why are you seeing anything as a threat? I've had a long day, not as long as yours, I admit. I attended the wedding of your sister as an invited guest because I've known her for years. You turned me down when I asked you for a dance because you were not obliged to treat me any differently than any other guest, because as you said I am not your boyfriend, or whatever you are not calling us. After meeting my commitment here, I would like to return to school to resume my normal schedule, but you are asking me to delay that because tomorrow I am worth more than the rubbish I am today?"
"Rubbish? I never … and when did you ask me to dance?"
"Earlier, on the other side of the room, before your mother danced with me."
"You asked me to dance with you?" Lily asked in confusion.
"There's no need to continue insulting me. I'll see you tomorrow," Severus said, turning away to make his way down the table, while all the people he was supposed to say farewell to were gathered together. Others appeared to be taking their leave now, so it seemed appropriate.
"Wait," Lily called, grabbing at his arm.
"What?"
"If you stay, I'll dance with you."
"You already said your feet hurt, and I've made up my mind to leave."
"But Sev … I … I guess I'll talk to you tomorrow. But you have this all wrong."
"I don't think so."
Lily got up and trailed behind Severus. He didn't say anything unusual to anyone. Vernon acted a little odd by holding up his wedding band to show it off and winked at Severus. Was it some inside joke from the bachelor party last night? Maybe, because her father then patted Sev's shoulder.
Petunia mildly bid Severus, "So long, freak."
Lily sat down next to Petunia, observing others wish the couple luck and a safe trip. What was she going to do between now and noon tomorrow?
Sev would probably realize what a fool he was when he sobered up. At least that was what Lily was thinking till her mother asked, "Why didn't you dance with Severus earlier?"
"I don't have to, if I don't want to."
"Lily, not everything is about what you want. Severus helped out Vernon and your father last night. At least he had the right spirit about this."
"What?"
"Vernon had an accident, and uh, Severus was able to sort it when your father specifically asked him to so … I know he shouldn't have, but it would have put a damper on today, if he hadn't."
"Mum, did Vernon see?"
"Since he was bleeding, yes."
"Oh, well, that's um, all right I guess. Sev wasn't the reason why Vernon was hurt?"
"No, it was just boy stuff that got out of hand and a glass end table," Mrs. Evans said with a shake of her head and lifted her eyes. Thank goodness, she did not have sons.
"Well, that has nothing to do with me dancing with Severus. Petunia should have danced with him then."
"What?" Petunia asked, hearing her name.
"I said," Lily repeated, "you should have danced with Severus."
Petunia's lip curled, before she moderated herself and commented, "He was dressed appropriately. You know maybe Marge can straighten him out. The way she trains her dogs is amazing. Probably feed him up a bit too."
"He's not a dog," Lily sniped.
"Girls," Mrs. Evans murmured. "I only mentioned it was a shame that Severus went through the trouble to come, and Lily did not have time to dance with him."
"Bad enough he was seen here, and we were serving food so it's not a total loss for him," Petunia sniffed.
"He gets fed at school."
Petunia's eyes drifted over her sister and she observed, "Obviously pretty well."
"It's all the studying," Lily retorted. "I have a job this summer so maybe I'll get some exercise, and fresh air too."
"Wasn't it … mixing things?" her mother asked.
"He asked about our um, botany grades so it could be outside with plants too."
"Good thing you got a job," Petunia hissed. "I can't believe you'd borrow money from Snape. And so much. He could probably feed himself for a year on that."
"Why did you tell her?" Lily indignantly inquired.
"Lily, I changed the guest list for Petunia's wedding. It was only right that I consult Petunia."
"You and dad are paying for it," Lily reminded them.
"Because it's our pleasure to do that for our daughter. I don't know what we're going to do with you, Lily."
"Perfect Lily takes everything for granted and wants it served on a silver platter," Petunia said with a smirk.
"I do not."
"You two stop it, before your father hears. Or Vernon."
"It's too late for him now," Lily laughed. "He's stuck with her."
"That's not funny."
Petunia added, "You're simply jealous. Have been for months. Trying to dictate to us in your letters from your freak school about gowns, hair, flowers … it's my wedding. When you land one of those food-throwing, bollock scratching slobs that you go to school with, then you can pick what will get hurled besides the bouquet."
"Ugh, I'd never marry one of them, Tunie. They're horrible."
"If Snape's the best of them, they must be."
"Why are you picking on Severus?"
"Who said I was? I simply find it as strange as mum does that you refused to dance with him." Petunia was trying to trip up Lily. Old habits died hard, and at the moment, Severus could do little wrong in her mother's eyes. Becoming suddenly orphaned, even at seventeen, tended to do that.
"I didn't refuse."
Petunia tilted her head and explained, "Well if you didn't refuse, it's only because he was too shy to ask. I'm sure he had hopes."
"You don't know anything about it."
"Girls, please."
"Ready, my Petunia?" asked a solicitous Vernon, giving Petunia a kiss on the cheek she offered him.
"Of course. Now that my sweet, perfect sister is giving me yet another reason to be swept off my feet by you, and come live in your castle, my dear dream prince."
"I am not," Lily snarled.
"By the way, if your friend can sort wounds, what can you do?"
"Huh?"
"He said you did something different."
"She plays with toads and frogspawn. It's disgusting," Petunia said with her nose crinkled. "Like her smelly owl."
"I can do a lot of things. Not just … I guess you'll have to wait till I can properly show you, Vernon. I'm looking forward to proving that it's more than toads."
"Yeah, she's a whiz with teacups too," Petunia giggled. "Let's go before she throws a fit."
"I do not throw fits."
"Lily, what are you carrying on about?" Mr. Evans asked.
"I am not carrying on."
"She is," Mrs. Evans disagreed. "We'll talk about it at home."
"God!"
"How many glasses of wine did you have, young lady, to be mouthing off like that?" her father demanded.
"Little wonder Severus left so early with her being so argumentative," Mrs. Evans complained.
"Me? It was him."
"You said you did not feel like dancing with him."
"Why not?" Mr. Evans asked. "He looked fine out there, even with Miss Dursley. A little mismatched, but all right."
"Why do I need to give a reason? Maybe I didn't feel like it."
"Can the attitude, Lily. I need to get some things sorted first, then I can take you home."
"Good."
Mrs. Evans asked, "Do you want a bar of soap in that mouth?"
"What?"
"Just keep talking."
"You can't do that."
"I can try. And if not, maybe a squirt of dish detergent while you're sleeping."
"Ugh, that's child cruelty."
"If only they set up a hotline for parent cruelty. You, your lip, and your airs."
Lily snarled, stood and put her hands on her hips. She'd walk out if she had somewhere she could go. Spinner's End was too far a walk from here, her wand was at home because she didn't want to put it in her knickers or the waistband of her panty hose, and Sev might not even answer the door.
Mr. Evans returned to his family after he finished finalizing some bills, getting information on one refund he was due, and verified the date the photographs would be ready for review.
"What now?" he asked.
"Lily's got her mouth in a pucker thinking about me squirting dish detergent in it," her mother replied.
"I do not."
Severus was such a dunderhead. He knew better. How many times was it proven that it was ridiculous for him to hope for anything? Might as well be lurking behind bushes watching Lily and Petunia on the swings again.
Lily was angry with him. It couldn't be avoided. There was limit to how much he should be expected to tolerate. She intentionally made him miserable today. He meant so little to her. Why? Lily agreed to spend more time with him this summer. He was sure he expressed himself properly that it was to bring them closer together. He could adjust to what Lily wanted, but if she behaved as she did today, it would jeopardize both their future apprenticeships if she could not act professionally around others.
Lily may blame him for that, but at some point she had to give up being a Gryffindor and take responsibility for herself and what she did.
He could replay the day in his head, feeling wretched while losing a night's sleep, or lose a night's sleep while being constructive and erasing his unhappiness at the same time. Baring the floor, he lay down lines of salt to form a pentagram. There was a variation of a Dark Arts conjuration that he wanted to try out while away from the prying eyes at Hogwarts.
Although it rubbed her the wrong way, Lily was packed, in case she decided to return to Hogwarts with Severus at noon. It depended on how he apologized for yesterday. He should have made himself clearer. Though if her parents did not shut up, she'd want to leave as soon as possible. At times, very rare times, Lily wished she had parents more like Severus's. They never cared what he did. He moped about all the time, and Lily bet he never got threatened with soap or dish washing liquid.
Today, things were much clearer to Severus. After successfully experimenting through the night and most of the morning, his doubts were erased.
Lily Evans could do as she liked.
He was not a child any more.
He knew that he never meant anything to her.
Severus knew that for years, and it was about time he faced the truth.
So what if she did not delight in shagging anyone else for the rest of her life? That was her own fault for this past year of toying with him. Lily knew what hurt him and had no qualms about twisting that knife in his gut. Now it was his turn, but he'd be subtle about it. That way Lily would have no idea what was going wrong with her torture of him. Maybe he'd be so good at it, he could get it to last till graduation to get his year back.
Severus arrived promptly at noon. Lily took one look at him as she opened the back door and said, "You don't look well, Sev."
"I did not sleep."
Her initial resolve deflated. Severus had been deeply troubled by yesterday. Maybe her family was right. He had hoped to dance with her. "Would you like to get some rest before going back to school?"
"No, I'd rather get going."
There was an odd glint in Severus's eyes. Did he take some kind of potion?
"Cup of tea, Severus, or something to eat?" Mrs. Evans asked. She was aware he had argued with Lily yesterday, then probably returned home to that empty house. Now he looked bedraggled, after he looked so fine yesterday.
"No thank you, Mrs. Evans."
"Did you eat anything today, Sev?" Lily asked.
"I am not hungry, Lily. Are you ready to go or not?"
Lily's mouth twisted. That wasn't a nice way to ask, but Sev needed her, or he might keel over while walking up to the school. "I'm packed. Let me just go get my stuff." She had hinted with the way she turned that Sev could follow her upstairs, but he was so tired, he was oblivious and stood at the kitchen door waiting for her.
She said good-bye to her father and mother on her way out, and mentioned to Severus, "You might be too tired to get your homework done."
"I don't feel tired."
They went behind the garden shed, and Phi landed on Severus's left shoulder. "I want to try apparating somewhere else."
"Where?"
"To a different floo point, but if I can get that far, it'll save us time over the summer," Severus said while grabbing Lily's arm.
"But if it's that far …" Lily was jerked into the apparition as Severus took her through side-along, rather than telling her their destination.
Severus hid his smugness as they arrived in Mould-on-the-Wold. He knew he was powerful, but showing off to gain enemies wasn't in him. Impressing Lily, when she kept saying every wizard out there was preferable to him was different.
"Where's this?" she asked, checking for splinching. Even Phi was all right.
"Mould-on-the-Wold."
"But that's outside of safe apparating distance from my house."
"I must have enough Determination," he shrugged in response. "It'll save us time, won't it?"
"I'm not sure if I can."
"Don't you trust me to side-along? We are working the same days."
"Yeah, but how do you do this stuff, Sev? And you know all your nonverbal spells annoy me."
"Which spell do you want to know?"
"Like when you caught Dumbledore. That was brilliant."
"I cast them nonverbally so whoever didn't overhear and counter them."
"Who knows enough counters to combat you, Sev? You've been reading up on spells before we even got on the train the first time."
"The headmaster might," Severus replied sarcastically. "There's always new spells. I keep telling you that. Do you think He Who Must Not Be Named found the Dark Mark in a book, and thought to himself that he wanted to copy another dark wizard?"
"Of course not."
"When dueling or simply fighting, it's best not to let your opponent know what you plan to do."
"Like when you ambushed the Marauders?"
"Standing in the middle of a hall and challenging the four of them with fair warning would not have been wise. Besides, I was not using spells that would permanently injure them. They all were on very good terms with Pomfrey. That's why she turned a blind eye to all the younger students they injured. She'd heal them, but there wasn't anything ever done about the cause of it, except for her to complain she was overworked."
This was no Hogsmeade. Just a dirt road with some buildings. She could see some houses in the distance. They were spaced out. Lily frowned as they entered the local inn. She still hadn't come up with anything to sort Pomfrey. She was like Dumbledore. Considered above reproach because most of the time she helped people. Slughorn might be getting himself in his own trouble with wooing the recently widowed Mrs. Black, unless he was secretly protecting Regulus from Sirius. Lily preferred to think that his greed was getting the better of him, rather than a noble cause.
"May we use your floo, sir?" Severus asked the only person in the taproom. A man in an apron, behind the bar who was reading Witch Weekly.
"It was installed as a courtesy for paying customers," the man replied, lowering his magazine.
Severus asked Lily, "Did you want some mead?"
"He can't ..."
"It's his floo, his rules."
"I am so god damned sick of rules."
"Well, we'll know for next time. For our summer work, we won't need to floo, unless we want to head down to London."
"That'd be nice. Um, yeah, get a mead from the toerag."
Severus walked over and ordered Lily's mead and an ale for himself, while Lily seated herself heavily at a table. He was only charged two sickles. Either this was going to be fouler than Polyjuice, or this man was not interested in making money, in spite of limiting access to his floo.
He took a sip of his ale. It was watery in both taste and the lack of bubbles. Severus preferred it without a great deal of foam, but this was flat. It wasn't bad enough to spit out, and there was enough light in here to confirm there was no foreign objects in either glass.
Lily momentarily was annoyed that her mead was in a full-sized drinking glass, the same as Sev's drink, but it was not bad. Tasty. There was something to it. Not just the sweetness of the honey mead, but some sort of fruit. Since Sev was taking his time with his ale, Lily got a second glass.
Severus observed Lily getting smashed and randier by the moment. She kept touching his hands and arms. A third glass would have her on his lap, and probably passed out before they got back to school.
His ideas from this morning need refining. They had seemed brilliant then, but Severus knew the Dark Arts tended to give someone feelings of invincibility and self-confidence bordering on recklessness. He should have known he was in the thrall of that earlier today. Some of his best ideas were irrevocably damaging, like shoving warmed suet up Lily's arse and fucking that hole while she cried and screamed. Severus would like Lily to stay his friend for a long time, so she could beg him to shag her when her husband couldn't please her.
Lily smiled back at him with a crooked grin. She was lying, deceitful, cruel and an unsuspecting idiot, even when sober.
He took out a reused tin that he put some floo powder in, and said, "How about we get on our way?"