A Cloud Before the Moon

Chapter 5

With a bit of coaxing, Letha was able to persuade her new and unlikely companion to explore the woods with her. She was quite astounded at how knowledgeable he was about the identity and uses of the plants, insects and other small creatures they encountered in their expeditions. For his part, Severus was fascinated to find living samples of some of the creatures and plants he had in his collection, floating in preservatives in jars, flasks and vials on dusty shelves in the dungeon. It was quite enjoyable, too, to have for company someone who appreciated sharing his interest. She had no qualms about sticking her hands into the recesses of a rotted tree swarming with insects and spiders, or examining bits of owl or gnome droppings.

One day, they were inspecting some odd-looking tiny purple plants growing on the underside of a mossy rock. Severus was explaining, "This is useful in sleeping potions, if you just want to induce a short nap. I have a vial in my collection, but I now I know I can always get some more, right here."

Letha laughed. "I don't need a potion to help me take a nap." It occurred to him that she had a nice, honest laugh. "I don't understand, though," she said, "if you don't collect the potion ingredients yourself, where do you get them?"

"Some of them I buy in Diagon Alley or - "he reflectively lowered his voice "Knockturn Alley. A lot of them I found right in the dungeon; no one else uses them." He added, "Some of the more unusual ones, I get from Lucius."

She looked at him. "Malfoy? Why, does he share your interest in potion-making?" she asked incredulously.

"Somewhat. To the extent that he finds it useful to him."

"How so?" she asked.

No answer was offered. Letha ventured a question. "Why do you hang around with him and his creepy gang?"

"Hang around?"

"Associate with them. At school, you're always part of that group. I certainly don't think it's because you find Crabbe & Goyle so fascinating."

He smiled wanly. "Hardly."

"So", she persisted, "why?"

He turned towards her with an angry scowl. "Why don't you mind your own business? It has nothing to do with you."

Letha shook her head. She had an unhappy thought. "Severus?"

"What?" he asked impatiently.

"Tell me the truth. When we go back to school, are you going to pretend you don't know me?"

Severus was nonplused by the question, but he was very certain about one thing: he did not care for this particular line of inquiry. He had much preferred the conversation when they were talking about plants. He also had the uncomfortable feeling that she was probably right. He responded icily, "I see no reason to wait that long.". Letha wrinkled her forehead and looked at him warily. "That was supposed to be a jest,.", he told her, shrugging his thin shoulders apologetically and smiling rather dismally.

"Well, I'm not amused, Severus. You'll need to work on that," she said, shaking her head. "Now you've hurt my feelings, and I'm going to have to get revenge." She thought a moment and grinned. Then she took out her wand, pointed it above his head and said "Pluriorbis!" Suddenly, hundreds of brightly colored little balls were raining down on him. After he recovered from his initial astonishment, he tried to cover his face as best as he could, but found that the deluge was quite painless. As each colored ball hit him, it made an outlandish noise, while Letha watched him, giggling. As one let out a particularly loud and disgusting belch, Letha started laughing so hard, tears came to her eyes and she could hardly stand up. He started laughing too, and soon they were both sitting on the ground, weak with hilarity.

Finally, Severus gasped, "Where did you learn that trick?"

"My grandmother," she answered. "Grandma Ephie teaches me all the important things."

"I can see that".

He stood up, and reached out a hand to help her up. They stood and brushed themselves off.

Letha considered. "Listen", she told him, "my thirteenth birthday's in two days. Grandma said I should invite my friends over for a party. Well guess what? You're invited."

"Thank you." He bowed graciously. "I accept." Then he paused and reconsidered. "Who else do you expect?"

"No one else. I really don't know anyone else here. Well, I guess there's the Trolls, but I'm not sharing my birthday cake with them. I just think I better warn you."

"About what?"

"Grandma Ephie. She's a real card"

"A card?"

"Believe me, when you meet her, you'll know what I'm talking about. But don't worry; I won't let her totally freak you out." She abruptly gave him a friendly hug. Awkwardly, uncertainly, he put his arms around her, and was relieved that she did not scream or pull away. For a while, they stood holding each other silently and motionlessly. The universe had reached a momentary equilibrium, which neither of them dared to disturb with a movement, a sound, or so much as a stray thought.

"Well, isn't this touching?" A voice drawled. Severus and Letha let go of one another hastily, and turned to face Lucius Malfoy, who stared at them with a mirthless smile. Ignoring the girl, he addressed Snape. "Father asked me to stop by your house this evening to see you." Then he pointed a dismissive finger at Letha. "She will not be with you." It was an order, not a question.

Letha spoke up. "Don't worry; I won't be there, as long as I know you will. But I do have a name, you know."

Malfoy responded without looking at her. "Yes I know. Faraday - parents are low-level Ministry bureaucrats. Family has no money, no pedigree. A strain of insanity. I suggest you stay away from such riffraff, especially Ephemera Faraday." He grinned maliciously at Letha. "Oh excuse me; the loony old bat is the family matriarch, isn't she?"

Letha's face turned red with anger, and her light blue eyes turned stormy gray. She extracted her wand from her robe. Severus grabbed it quickly and pulled it away. He hoped she would realize that it was she he was protecting. It would not bode well to put a curse on Lucius Malfoy.

"Really, Severus, don't you have anything better to do than play with skinny little girls?" Lucius smirked, then added, "I will see you later."

After Malfoy left, Letha was very glum. "See," she complained, "I knew this would happen. You weren't joking before; I'm not part of that crowd."

"That does not matter," he assured her.

She shook her head sadly. "Oh, yes, it does." She paused, preoccupied with her thoughts. "I think I'll go home now. Shall I tell my batty grandmother to expect you, or not?"

He nodded emphatically.

"Well, that's something, I suppose."