Before Harry Met Sevy

Chapter 14 ~ A Startling Discovery
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The next morning, Severus awoke to a barrage of wonderful smells wafting from the kitchen. A glance at the window told him he'd slept nearly all morning, and he pulled on a fresh set of clothes as his stomach rumbled with hunger. Making his way down to the kitchen, the absence of his father's thundering voice filled the boy with excited anticipation. Perhaps with his father out of the house, Severus would be able to nick a bit of bread pudding before dinner.

His mother was busy in the kitchen, going about preparing their Christmas dinner. Though her hands and feet were moving nonstop, her face was inscrutable. She did not even look up when Severus entered the room. Thinking of the previous evening, he approached her tentatively.

"Happy Christmas, Mum," he said quietly. Her back straightened immediately, and she turned to look at him. He saw emotion in her eyes, but it was not what he'd expected. She seemed startled that he had spoken.

"Happy Christmas, Severus," she returned, turning back to her preparations. Severus was about to head out the door and over to Lily's when he noticed that Steven was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is everyone?" he asked with trepidation, fearing that his father had recovered from his lethargy of the night before.

"Your brother is still sleeping," she replied, not turning from her work. "I allow him to overindulge when your father's not at home." The unanswered portion of his question hung in the air until he cleared his throat.

"And Father -?" he asked with hesitation.

"He had to go out," his mother replied briskly. Severus did not push the matter as he poured himself a glass of water then sat at the kitchen table. He watched his mother as she went about her preparations, trying to discern any difference. Without his father present, she seemed in a slightly better mood, yet her movements were wooden, as though she was past caring. The appearance of Steven in the doorway - his hair sticking in every direction, his pajamas rumpled - took Severus' gaze from his mother. His brother smiled a greeting, shouted, "Happy Christmas," and flung himself into Severus' arms. The older boy pushed him back in surprise.

"Don't do that again," he chided as he succeeded in releasing himself from the six-year-old's grip.

"I missed you," Steven announced, unperturbed by his abrupt brush-off.

"I miss Hogwarts already," Severus remarked in turn, ignoring the admonishment he received from his mother. He was spared further enthusiasm from his sibling by the arrival of his uncle.

"Happy Christmas, Uncle Sebastian!" Steven cried, rushing over to him. Instead of the cool reception he'd received from his brother, Sebastian welcomed he boy with an indulgent smile.

"And the same to you, Steven," Sebastian laughed. "Severus, it's good to see you," he welcomed, no hint of disappointment in his voice. It made Severus uneasy - was Sebastian still angry with him? Or had he forgiven him for his lack of concern already? Sebastian had turned his attention from his nephews to his sister-in-law. "You're looking well, Rebekah," he said quietly. Severus studied his mother intently, and swore he saw a glint of happiness reflected in the gaze she gave her husband's brother. Before he could dwell on her reaction, Sebastian had turned to him once again. "Aren't you going to look in the lounge to see what I've brought you?" he asked the boys with a mischievous glint in his eye. Severus and Steven glanced at each other before racing to the living room, where they stopped at the sight that welcomed them.

Just that morning, this room had been devoid of decoration, yet an impossibly large Christmas tree now graced the corner. The tree itself was adorned with dozens of lit candles, casting a peaceful glow over the room, and the floor beneath it was littered with gifts.

"Well?" spoke a voice from behind them. "Aren't you going to open them?" The boys looked over their shoulders at their uncle, then grinned at each other and began to search for packages with their names.

"Here's one for you," Steven said, tossing a package towards Severus. He caught it easily, and opened it to reveal Potions by Paracelsus. Thanking his uncle, he helped Steven continue his search for his own gift. Finally finding it, he sat back and watched his brother's face light up when he opened his own set of books by Darian P. Woodlin. The two sat down and began eagerly thumbing through their books, leaving Sebastian and Rebekah to exchange their own gifts. Severus watched out of the corner of his eye as his mother was given a pair of jade earrings.

"They're lovely, Sebastian. Thank you." Severus noticed that she did not put them in, but placed them in her pocket.

"You're welcome," Sebastian said quietly. "Where is Silias?" he asked, after clearing his throat.

"He had to go out," she answered immediately. Her demeanor had shifted somewhat, and her expression was guarded as she handed Sebastian a small box. "From Silias and myself." Sebastian's smile seemed forced to Severus, but it turned genuine when his uncle saw the contents. In the box lay a silver pocket watch, with numerous runes engraved on the casing.

"Give Silias my thanks," Sebastian responded, putting the watch in his vest pocket. Severus frowned. There was definitely more than just friendship in those gifts. He'd wager a cauldron of galleons that his father knew nothing about that watch. The trouble was, he wasn't quite sure if this was a good thing, or a bad thing.

"Aren't you going to open it?" Steven's voice edged into his thoughts, and he realized he'd been handed another gift, this one from his mother. Steven was nearly halfway through his own, and managed to get the wrapping completely off before Severus had a chance to look at his own. "A camera! Thanks, Mum!" The three of them were blinded by the flash as Steven immediately took a picture. "And the potions to develop them. This is brilliant!" Severus shook his head: it took so little to amuse his brother. He furrowed his brow as he opened his gift, looking immediately to his mother for an explanation.

"Cursing as an Art Form?" he questioned. Rebekah nodded, a gleam of strength edging into her face.

"I know how you like to study them," she responded softly. Severus looked down at the book again, then tentatively opened the front cover. Inside, in Rebekah's neat hand was written:

To Severus, in the hopes that you will always put the spells within to good use.
~Love Mum Christmas 1970

He looked up at her again, but she was deeply engrossed in conversation with Sebastian. Something had happened while he was at school, he was sure of it. This was his mother's way of urging him to fight back against his father. And like his earlier discovery, the eleven-year-old wasn't sure how to feel.

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"But that's good, isn't it?" Lily questioned later, after he'd told her his suspicions. Severus stared at her in shock. What was good about it?

"You're having me on," he suddenly realized. Lily, however, shook her head.

"Think about it," she argued as he gave a frustrated grunt. "If it is true, then he's going to treat her loads better than your father does. Don't you want her to be happy?"

"She isn't going to be happy with Sebastian," Severus scoffed immediately. Truth be told, he wasn't quite sure of that fact himself.

"I think you're just being stubborn," Lily declared.

"Really?" Severus retorted, his eyebrow arched. "Tell me, Lily - what do you think Father will do when he finds out?"

"It'd be an improvement," she argued. "Sebastian's bound to be a better wizard, right? I mean, he's much nicer than your father."

"Nice has nothing to do with it," Severus explained irritably. "Albert's a nice bloke, too, and Father would slaughter him in a heartbeat. Nice does not equal powerful."

"Just think how romantic it would be," Lily sighed, her eyes focused on the winter sky outside her window. "Sebastian would whisk you all away from your father's clutches. Just like in a fairytale."

"You live in a fairytale," Severus grumbled, nevertheless ceasing his arguments. Of course, it would be nice if Sebastian somehow managed to rescue us, he thought. His mind found a memory of nearly three years ago, when Sebastian had offered the feeble excuses for not saving them. "It'll never happen," he said, almost to himself. Despite his words, a seed of hope had been planted.

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"Happy New Year's!" Sebastian announced after Apparating into the living room. Severus looked up from Potions by Paracelsus in surprise. It was nearly nine o'clock, and he hadn't expected his uncle to put in an appearance. "Not reading your mother's gift?" Sebastian questioned idly as he took a seat next to his nephew. Severus shrugged indifferently before turning back to his book.

"I've read it before," he commented.

"Sebastian." Silias' growling voice caused both Severus and his uncle to look towards the doorway to the kitchen. "What are you doing here? I don't believe I invited you this evening."

"I thought I'd stop by to ask you all to accompany me," Sebastian said evenly, locking gazes with his brother. "A colleague is having a fireworks display at midnight."

"I have no interest in accompanying you anywhere," Silias snapped. "Now get out."

"Why don't you take the boys over?" Rebekah suggested quietly. Sebastian's gaze flicked from his brother to his sister-in-law, and nodded tersely.

"An excellent idea," Sebastian agreed, though Severus could tell he seemed a bit disappointed. He was sent upstairs to get Steven, and by the time the two returned, Sebastian seemed prepared to go. The three of them grasped the edges of the Portkey he held, and within minutes they were transported to a mansion rivaled in size only by Malfoy Manor. Severus gaped at the sight that greeted him. Lush green yard spread in every direction from the veranda on which they stood. He had a sneaking suspicion that if his father had known Sebastian's colleague was this rich, he would have been all too happy to tag along.

"Sebastian!" The woman who emerged from the doorway seemed genuinely pleased to see him. Petite in every way, she stood barely an inch or two above Severus' own head, and her tight red curls cascaded to her ankles, reminding Severus of Lily. She studied the boys with her electric blue eyes, her gaze piercing, yet emanating warmth. "I wasn't expecting children this evening. I'm sure I'll bore them to tears."

"Nonsense, Micaela. I'm sure once everyone arrives -"

"It seems everyone else had to cancel," Micaela said with a smile. "You're stuck with me all evening, I'm afraid." He wasn't sure if it was his imagination or not, but Sebastian seemed to tense beside him.

"I expect we will be just fine," Sebastian assured her. "Boys, this is Micaela Kale. She works with me at Gringotts. Micaela, these are my nephews, Severus and Steven."

"Hullo," chorused the boys.

"How nice to meet you both," Micaela greeted, a warm smile gracing her features. "I'm sure we can find something to interest you two until the fireworks show." Steven was looking at her with something close to awe.

"Do you get to work with the dragons?" he breathed, his eyes wide. Micaela winked at Sebastian, then knelt in front of the child.

"Actually, my job is pretty boring. I go through and make sure all the proper paperwork is in order. However -" she added quickly, after seeing his face fall, "I do, on occasion, get to drive the carts. It's amazing what you see down there, you know." Steven's eyes lit up, and she began regaling him with tales of her narrow escape from the dragons' fire. Sebastian shook his head and directed Severus to a small table.

"Fancy a game of chess?" he asked, withdrawing a board from the drawer and setting it on the table. He withdrew a small bag from the pocket of his robes, and Severus was surprised to see he'd brought his chessmen with him. "Never leave home without them," Sebastian advised as he began to set the board. Severus grinned as he pulled his own from his robes.

"I never do," he replied.

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They were midway through their second game when Sebastian broached the subject.

"She's doing her best, you know," he said quietly, casting a sidelong glance at their host.

"Miss Kale?"

"No, boy. Your mother."

"Oh." Severus refrained from comment as he studied his pieces. Suddenly, he remembered that the very chessmen he was playing with had been another attempt from his mother to gain his forgiveness. "Bribes don't work with me, Uncle Sebastian," he stated firmly, his eyes remaining on the board.

"It isn't bribery, boy. She's trying to show how much she cares." Severus scoffed.

"Then she isn't trying hard enough!" he nearly shouted. Micaela stopped midway through her story and looked over, concern written over her features. A shake of Sebastian's head turned her attention back to Steven.

"You may not believe it now," Sebastian explained, his voice low and commanding. "but I see how much her despondence hurts you, despite your words to the contrary. That is why, especially now, you must remember how fragile she is. Young as you are, without your strength, she would never last through this."

"Through what?" Severus asked, suddenly confused. Before Sebastian had time to answer, Micaela stood to announce it was time for fireworks.

"Why don't you boys go down on the lawn?" Micaela suggested. "If you lie on your backs, you'll be able to see them better." They obeyed, though Severus was too wrapped up in his uncle's words to truly enjoy the ensuing show. He stared blankly into the sky, hearing Steven's exclamations of awe, but not registering them himself. What had Sebastian meant by his last words?

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Blinking his eyes open some time later, Severus realized he and Steven must have fallen asleep. The fireworks had gone on for at least an hour, and the excitement had diminished somewhat. All around him, the night was still - save for the two low voices floating on the air from the veranda.

"-going to make me beg?"

"Micaela, I have already explained the situation. Under other circumstances, perhaps there would be a possibility -" Micaela interrupted him with a heavy sigh.

"Do you realize how frustrating you can be?" she asked, her voice tinged with laughter. There was a pause, and then, "She's never going to leave him, Sebastian."

"I should be getting the boys home," came his uncle's terse reply.

"Sebastian, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have -"

"Good evening Micaela." His voice was suddenly a mere few feet away, and Severus shut his eyes before his uncle could discover his eavesdropping. "Time to go," his voice spoke softly into their ears. Severus made sure to wait until after Steven had begun to stir before he opened his own eyes, feigning grogginess. The boys bade farewell to their hostess, then took hold of the Portkey once again. Sebastian wasted no time once they were back at the house. "Have a good sleep, boys." With that, he Disapparated.

"That was weird," Steven remarked as they trudged up the stairs to their rooms.

"Steven, is there something about Mum nobody's telling me?" Severus asked, his mind not on his uncle's behavior, but his words.

"They haven't told you yet?" Steven asked, his mouth agape.

"Apparently not," the older boy snapped. "Told me what?"

"I don't know if I should -" Steven began, casting a fearful glance towards his parents' closed door.

"Just tell me!" Severus demanded. The younger boy glanced at the door once again before turning his eyes on his older brother.

His words sent a shiver of cold dread down Severus' spine: "Mum's going to have a baby."