Keeping Emma

Chapter 14: Severus Victorious

Hagrid stood at the gates, waiting for the arrival of Ambassador Dalton. He missed his daily walks to the gates and back with Little Emma, as he had come to call her. Professor Snape had been a rather surly and unlikable little pain in the ass as a student, always up to no good, running some sort of scam. In recent months, however, he had seemed changed, and Hagrid believed that it was all due to Little Emma. His musings were ended by the expected apparition of a wizard in deep midnight blue robes over a black suit like the Muggles wear.

"How do you do, Ambassador," said Hagrid as he opened the gates. "I am Rubeus Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Hagrid," said Michael.

"Just like little Emma," said Hagrid. "She always calls me Mr. Hagrid too. The Professor explained how you Americans don't feel comfortable callin' people by their last names."

"Yes, to be honest, we consider it insulting. It denotes an old world class system that has outlived its usefulness," said Michael, who had taken an instant liking to this large, friendly man.

"Er...right," said Hagrid. The Headmaster had warned him that Americans held some rather odd ideas. "So, how is little Emma? I do miss 'er so. I always took 'er for a little walk every afternoon, just up to the gates and back, a few times into Hogsmeade to Honeydukes, if she was feelin' up to it. Professor Dumbledore told me that you are 'er father."

"Emma is well, but she is upset over being away from Hogwarts," Michael answered.

"Well, you tell 'er that Hagrid sends his best, will you?" he asked as they mounted the stairs. The doors opened and Michael was led into the Entrance Hall. Professor Dumbledore stood at the bottom of the stairs.

"Ambassador Dalton, welcome to Hogwarts. Severus awaits you in the Great Hall," said Professor Dumbledore.

"I'm sure that will be fine," said Michael as Professor Dumbledore showed him into the Great Hall.

Michael saw Severus standing behind the Head Table stiffly, his hands clasped behind his back. He'd seen him the previous Monday, when he'd brought Emma into that courtroom at the ministry. As they faced off across the table, he looked into the younger man's eyes, hoping to be able to read his thoughts, but found that the man had his mind firmly blocked off. No surprise, Michael thought, He'd known from his investigations that Snape was an accomplished Occlumens. He would have had to have been, to act as a spy within Voldemort's inner circle.

Michael decided to take control of this meeting and lob the first volley. He pulled out a chair and sat, saying, "All right, Professor, tell me why I should trust you with my daughter."

"Because, Ambassador," said Severus, who took the seat across from him, "she is not happy with this separation, we both want to be with each other, and you know full well that if I did have her bewitched or under some potion, it would have already begun to wear off. But she loves me as much today as when we parted. You read her letter to me. If you were so certain of having done the right thing, then you would not be here."

"Tell me your version of what happened in the hospital room."

"Emma had tried to escape from St. Mungos. She fled through the window, but we easily caught up with her. None of the Muggle passersby had wanted to stop to help her. She had to be given a calming potion. If you've ever had it, you know how it numbs you, makes you feel like you're all alone in the world. It's an unnatural state that leaves you in need of something, any feeling or sensation, anything to cut through that terrible numbness."

Severus got up, obviously distressed by even thinking about that day. He paced, raking his fingers through his hair. "The Headmaster stepped out to see to her release. Her clothes had been ruined in the attack. He'd asked me to purchase her some things. She went into the bathroom to dress. I admit, I was determined to be stupid. Dumbledore wanted me to marry her. At the time, I was not interested in a wife. So, I decided to do whatever I could to piss her off. I had deliberately shrunk the top of the dress so it wouldn't fit, just to see how she'd react. She came storming out of the bathroom in a rage. I grabbed her and--"

"So, you're saying that it was Dumbledore's fault that you raped my daughter."

"No, you are twisting my words around; now I know where she gets it from. I'm not saying anything was Dumbledore's fault. I only kissed her. I admit that I wanted her. I wanted her the first second I laid eyes on her. I just didn't want to marry her. And fate had decreed that she was mine. Fate just plopped her into my waiting, open hands; she was bound to me for life. At the moment, I wasn't exactly thinking right, I deluded myself into believing that I was doing what was best. I let my common sense be overruled by lust. When I ordered her to take off the dress, it was so I could make it fit, not...do what you think I did."

"How old are you again?" Michael asked.

"I'll be twenty-three in less than a fortnight. Why?"

Michael thought back to when he was that age. He had been twenty-one when he'd walked into that coffeehouse and seen Viola. He'd walked over to the table where she sat, sipping a Coke. Thinking back, now he could see the clues that revealed her age. Sure, she had looked older. She'd had the body of a woman and wore her sweaters tight and as low cut as possible. But the giggles, her refusal to tell him her address, let him pick her up at home, her total disinterest in world affairs had all pointed to the truth. He hadn't wanted to see it. All he had wanted, thought about, was having access to that body, those glorious breasts. Hell, it was all he thought about now, knowing she was in the room next to his every night.

Michael realized that he had been silent too long. He sighed and looked at the man. "I was your age once," he said. "And I know how easy it is to let the wrong head do your thinking for you. It's how Emma came to be. But there is another issue. The Silver Circlet, how many times did you use it to torture her into submission? Preston Portage told me that you used it extensively."

"Never! He is a liar. I didn't even realize it could be used for that purpose until the day before she'd been hurt," said Severus, getting up to pace. "And that really was an accident. I had convinced her to sneak down to my chambers. After, we'd had an argument. She became upset and ran out. I just called for her to come back. When she didn't, the damned thing hurt her. I blame Preston Portage for that. He had sworn that he'd taken the old curse off and that I would be able to remove the thing. But he hadn't."

"Tell me why you joined the Death Eaters."

"I joined them after leaving Hogwarts. It was a stupid mistake. I was young, looking for...I don't even know what...trouble, excitement. There was someone I had loved. She'd left me, and I think a part of me had hoped to get her attention, that maybe she'd come back, to try to save me. It only made her despise me even more."

Michael's green eyes turned to ice. "Sit back down," he ordered. Once Severus had retaken his chair, Michael leaned forward and spoke so softly that Severus had to strain to hear him. "Listen to me and listen well. I am not a man to be screwed with. I have my own trail of bodies behind me and would feel nothing at all if you were to join them. I protect my own, and Emma is mine. If I even think you are abusing her, manipulating her, they will never find your body. You are good, but I am better. I've had more years to perfect my craft, and I have friends too, many more than you. Do we understand each other?"

"Yes, Ambassador, I understand you perfectly," said Severus.

"Excellent. Now, I know that school resumes on Monday, the third of January. I will expect you at the Embassy where I live tomorrow morning. You know where it is. You were just there yesterday, after all, under that invisibility cloak."

When Severus opened his mouth to deny the charge, Michael waved his hand to silence him. "Please, you must know that Emma was unable to keep your visit submerged in her mind. This will give me a few days to observe how you and Emma interact with each other. Then, next Sunday, if I am convinced that she is safe with you, the two of you can accompany Natalie to King's Cross to take the train back here. You can expect that her mother and I will be frequent visitors during this upcoming semester, especially as our granddaughter's birth draws near."

"Of course," said Severus.

"I understand that she wishes to have a house in Mulroon. I want her to have the nicest house, in the best area, furnished with everything and anything she wants. The two of you should just choose one. Consider it my wedding gift."

Once again, Severus opened his mouth to object, just to be silenced by that imperiously raised hand.

"I am well aware of your finances, and that place on Spinner's End will not sell for enough to even make a down payment on the type of house I want Emma to live in. You would have to dip heavily into the money you received as a settlement after your father's death. If the house she chooses is not for sale, I will make sure that the owners suddenly become consumed with a burning desire to sell. It is not a problem."

"And you think that I am too controlling?" asked Severus wryly.

Michael stood. "It takes one to know one, Severus." he said. "Until tomorrow, then." Michael Dalton turned and swept out of the Great Hall.

*****

The next morning, Emma sat at the dining room table with both her parents and Natalie, stewing. The day before, her father had returned from Hogwarts and had retired to his library, supposedly working, even asking her mother to bring his dinner in there. He must either be the most insensitive lout in the world or deliberately letting Emma fret and wonder about what had been said. Last night, Mrs. Trumbell had returned from visiting her son in America, apparating into the kitchen and straightening up as if she had never been gone.

Finally, Emma couldn't take it anymore. "So, did you speak with Severus yesterday?"

Michael looked up from his morning papers. Everyday, one of the young Marines brought up the London Times, and a large bald eagle delivered the Daily Prophet. Then, copies of the New York Times and Washington Post appeared on the table at exactly seven each morning, portkeyed there by her father's staff back home. At eight, Monday through Friday, the elevator was heard coming to the third floor. August, her father's secretary, came in with her father's itinerary and began going over it in a monologue while her father continued to read the paper. At first, Emma had wondered if her father was even listening, but from time to time, without even looking up, he would ask questions or direct some alteration of his schedule.

"Excuse me, Emma? Did you ask me something?"

"Oh, don't play. You know I did."

Michael sighed. "Yes, I spoke with him." Then, he went back to his paper.

"Well, what did the two of you talk about?" she asked, exasperated.

"We discussed the use of invisibility cloaks to sneak into other people's homes, Emma," he answered, without looking up.

Emma decided to stop asking questions, her heart dropping to her stomach. She looked across the table at Natalie, whose mouth was hanging open.

Emma simply closed her eyes and began to pray, hoping there was something out there to hear it. How had he found out? He would use it to keep her away from Severus even longer; she knew it. She'd never be back with him in time for the birth now.

She heard the sound of the elevator doors swishing open and the staccato sound of August's footsteps coming up the hall toward the dining room.

"Good morning, Ambassador Dalton," he began. "You have a conference call with the Secretary of Defense and the General Consul of the United Nations at 8:30. At nine, the new attaché for the London embassy will be arriving. If the conference call runs over, I can begin his briefing. At 9:30, the car you ordered will be here to collect Ms. Gianni and your daughters for the trip into London to St. Mungo's. At 11:00, you are expected in London yourself for a meeting with Mr. Crouch at the Ministry of Magic. You, of course, will be apparating. This will be followed by luncheon with the Muggle Prime Minister at noon at Downing Street. Your afternoon will be spent there meeting with various people, according to the Prime Minister's schedule. The list is on your desk. Oh, and your son-in-law has arrived as expected."

Severus stood in the doorway of the dining room, behind the secretary. He watched Emma sitting at the kitchen table, her eyes closed, during the persnickety secretary's litany of appointments. At the end, she opened her eyes and saw him. She jumped out of her chair and ran into his arms.

Emma walked over to her father and grabbed the newspaper out of his hand. "So, you're going to let him visit me?" she asked.

"No, he is here to spend the last week of the Christmas break. Then, if I have determined that he can be trusted with you, I will allow you to go back to Hogwarts with him next Sunday on the train."

Emma flew at him and wrapped her arms around him. "You're letting us be together? Oh my God, I don't believe it. Why didn't you say anything? How could you tease me like that about him sneaking in here yesterday?" Then she released him. "How did you find out that he'd been here?"

"After you woke up from your nap yesterday, you were a bit too cheerful and just a little smug. So, I used Legilimency to read your mind."

"You know, that really pisses me off. I finally got him to realize it was a violation of my privacy and you did it too?"

"You are absolutely right, Emma, and I sincerely apologize," said Michael. "I generally only do it if I feel it is absolutely necessary and in this case it was not." Michael had always found that a well spoken apology diffused most situations, even if it was a completely insincere one. He reached into his pocket and removed her wedding ring. "I nearly forgot. Here's your ring back."

Michael stood. He pulled an envelope out of his inner suit coat pocket and handed it to Viola. "Here is some cash for your trip into London today, and Natalie's charge card. I understand that you all want to go shopping. The chauffeur's name is Paul. Paul is both a wizard and a CIA agent, so he will also acts as a body guard. Do not wander far from him. Natalie, please try to refrain from flirting with him. It makes him uncomfortable. Severus will be going along as well to provide added security. Have a good day, ladies." As he passed by, he dropped a quick kiss on Emma's and Natalie's heads.

"Daddy," said Natalie, before he left the kitchen. "This boy at school, his name is Steven Hastings, asked me if I could come spend Saturday night at his house. He is having a sleepover party of sorts for New Years. His parents would be there, and they would see us to King's Cross the next day."

Michael stopped in the doorway and shook his head, chuckling, "Absolutely not, you silly child. Why would you even ask such a thing?"

"Well, you obviously changed your mind about Emma and the Professor. I thought it couldn't hurt to try," said Natalie.

"There is a huge difference between acquiescing to the inevitable and losing one's senses completely, Natalie. You know the rules."

"Yes, Daddy, sorry," said Natalie.

In the elevator, on the way down to his second floor office, Michael said to August, "I want a report on that Hastings family on my desk by tomorrow."

"I've already made a note of it, Ambassador," said August smugly.

"You're a good man, August."

"I know, Ambassador."

Back in the dining room, Natalie had stuck her tongue out at her father's retreating back, but she did not seem upset by his refusal to let her attend the party. She'd actually expected it.

Severus, however, smiled, determined to start taking notes on being a father to a teenage girl. He began to see a decided advantage to teaching at Hogwarts. Instead of sleeping in whatever dorm room his daughter was sorted into, she would most definitely be spending her seven years going back home with him at night. After all, nobody knew what went on in those dorms better than Severus. Just because the stairs were bewitched to not let boys up to the girls' rooms did not mean that there weren't secret trysts in unused classrooms or supply closets. It also assumed that only the boys were not to be trusted. Then there was that Room of Requirement. Things really got kinky in there at times.

Severus was roused from his musings when Emma grabbed his hand and dragged him to her room, Natalie following behind.

"Wait, are you sure that Daddy intends for him to share your room? Maybe he wants him in one of the guest rooms."

"Shut up, Natalie, and don't give your father any ideas," said Emma as she slammed the door in her sister's face and turned the lock.

She turned to face him, her back against the door. "Well, what are you waiting for?" she asked.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"Get your clothes off, you idiot," she said as she began to rip her own off. "We only have an hour and fifteen minutes before we leave to go to London in that car."

Afterwards, they lay in each other's arms. "Oh, Severus," she said, her face against his chest. "I had no idea how much I needed that."

"Believe me, I knew exactly how much I needed that," he answered, as they both began to laugh.

Suddenly, Natalie was at the door again, "Uh, guys? The car is here for us. You'd better hurry, I mean, if you can hurry...that."

"Oh, hell," said Emma. "I have to shower. I forgot, I'm going to get checked out at St. Mungo's today." She got up and ran into her bathroom, calling out, "Yes, I'm going to need ten...fifteen minutes, Natalie. Oh, hell." At the bathroom door, she turned back to him and said, "I wanted to do it twice. Now you owe me, with interest."

"Loan shark," he said. "I swear you must have Goblin blood in you. Your terms are worse than theirs. But I'll pay, and in a timely manner."

The car was parked at the front steps to the mansion. The driver stood at the open door, dressed in a black suit, wearing dark glasses.

"Oh, I don't want you to be squeezed in that back seat, Emma. I'll sit up front with Paul," said Natalie. Then she turned to the tall, young man with the blonde hair, reaching out to pick some non-existent lint from his suit coat. "You don't mind, do you Paul?" she asked coquettishly, batting her eyes at him.

Emma had to hand it to him. He didn't even crack a smile. "Not at all, Miss Dalton," he said. "Whatever makes you more comfortable."

"Oh you know that you can call me Natalie," she said, pouting.

"No, Miss Dalton, I cannot," said Paul in a deadpan voice that reminded Emma of Jack Webb on Dragnet.

Natalie just smiled. "Oh, we'll see about that," she said as she got into the car. "I am going to be eighteen next summer, you know, Paul."

"Yes Miss Dalton, I know," said Paul as he closed the door.

Viola climbed into the back seat, scooting over to make room for Emma. Severus got in last, next to Emma. Paul walked around the front of the vehicle.

"My daughter's appointment at St. Mungo's is at noon," said Viola.

"Yes Ms. Gianni," said Paul. "I am aware of the itinerary. The drive into London usually takes one hour and fifty minutes. I had left a forty minute window for delays, twenty of which are already gone."

"Well, I'm so sorry we're late, Paul, but you know it wasn't my fault," Natalie simpered in a sly voice. "I was dressed and pacing the hall at nine, just waiting for you. Emma just couldn't seem to get out of bed this morning." She looked in the backseat at Emma, who stuck her finger in her mouth and mimed gagging.

"I'm sure Mrs. Snape requires as much rest as possible, Miss Dalton," said Paul.

"Well, it didn't sound like she was getting much rest," said Natalie.

"Natalie, enough," snapped Viola, who turned her head toward the window, her face red.

After a few minutes of silence, Viola said, "So, Professor, I understand that you teach. How long have you been teaching?"

"I just started this past September, Ms. Gianni," answered Severus.

"And do you enjoy teaching, Professor?"

"I enjoy the subject matter, but the caliber of students I am forced to endure often leaves a lot to be desired," he answered.

"And what did you do previous to teaching, Professor?" asked Viola.

"I was potion-master for a...private employer, Ms. Gianni," he answered.

Emma swore she heard the driver snort, but when she looked in the rear-view mirror, he appeared as calm and unflustered as ever.

"So, Mom, we haven't had a chance to talk. How are things at the restaurant? How is everyone? Any news? Did Mark and his wife have their baby?"

"Yes, Emma, they did, in October. It was a boy. You remember Sandy, one of the waitresses. She got engaged and is quitting when she gets married. Tom is the same as ever, walks around with a huge stick up his ass." Viola slapped her hand over her mouth. "Oh, sorry," she said.

"Don't worry about it, Mom. I've heard Natalie say worse," said Emma.

"Who, me? Sweet, innocent me? You don't believe that, do you Paul?" She reached over and ran her finger down his arm.

Paul kept driving, silent.

"I hope we can find parking near St. Mungo's and the store," said Emma. "I don't want to have to walk all that far today."

"I park anywhere I want, Mrs. Snape," said Paul.

And, it turned out, he meant it. He pulled up in front of St. Mungo's and stopped right in front of a no parking sign, got out, and held open the doors and followed them into the building through the window.

When Emma was shown into a room, Viola followed, closing the door firmly in Severus' face. She helped Emma change into the long white two-piece gown. Soon, two Healers came in. They measured Emma's hips and used the Sonorous spell and placed a wand on her stomach to hear the baby's heartbeat. They asked about the potions Madam Pomfrey had given her and added a vitamin supplement to be mixed into the Strengthening Potion. An hour later, they were leaving the hospital and piling back into the car.

In front of Harrods, once again Paul just stopped the car at the main entrance and got out, ignoring the horns and cussing coming from the other drivers.

"So, how do you get away with this?" Emma asked. "Is there some sort of magic spell on the car so no cop wants to ticket it?"

"No, Mrs. Snape, it's the embassy plates. Sometimes the Non-Magicals do get it right." said Paul.

Natalie grabbed Emma's hand and swept inside the store. Emma could not help but marvel at the way she took everything for granted. She lived in splendor, with a housekeeper, chauffeurs, and limousines; she had a weekly allowance that would have taken Emma six months to earn. It wasn't that she was a spoiled snob; she was just oblivious. Once inside, Natalie headed straight for the cosmetics department. She was obviously known here. A woman came out from behind the counter to greet her by name.

"Rose," said Natalie. "Meet my older sister, Emma. And this is Emma's mother, Viola. I've brought them here to be made over."

"Emma doesn't need to be made over," said Severus. "My wife is perfect as is," he said to Rose.

"Well, aren't you sweet," said Rose. "Why don't you take a little walk and come back in a half hour? Candace, Brit, Eloise, Miss Dalton is here again, with guests," she called out. Three young women in white jackets came out from behind the counter and led Emma, Viola, and Natalie away to a kiosk that had high stools all around it. Severus and Paul followed. Severus had to smile as he saw Emma look at that stool, obviously intimidated by the prospect of actually getting on it in her condition. He walked over to her and lifted her up onto it.

Brit was doing Emma's face. She began to select a frightening number of bottles, tubes, and little pots of various substances. The chemist in Severus got the better of him and he began looking at the ingredient lists on the items, growing more and more alarmed as he read. Most of the chemicals in this stuff were poisonous. He picked up one after another. He looked at Paul. "I thought you were supposed to act as their bodyguard," he said.

"I am. The ambassador is always concerned about a kidnapping threat."

"But, look, those women are putting poisonous chemicals on them."

"They're wearing it, not eating it."

Severus looked at Emma in near horror. Her eyes were ringed in deep brown, with varying shades of gold on the lids, her lashes abnormally long, and streaks of color on her cheeks made her look vaguely like a tiger. Brit walked away a moment to find another product, and Severus walked over to her. "Emma, that stuff on your face. It's all poisonous," he whispered.

"Well, I'm not eating it, Severus," she said.

"But you look ridiculous," he said. "I don't like it. And toxins can get absorbed through the skin. Please, Emma, take it off."

"Oh, all right," she said, slightly annoyed. "Brit? I'm sorry, but my husband hates this look. I'll need some cleanser."

Brit brought over the cleansing lotion and a wash cloth. As Emma removed the make-up, Brit said, "I was going for the dramatic runway model look. You have great skin. All you really need is a little bronzing powder on the cheekbones, maybe a little brownish pink on the eyelids to make the green stand out and a bronzy-mauve for the lips. Don't tell Rose I said this, but that's all you'll ever really need."

"Okay, let's just try that, Brit," said Emma, who felt sorry for the girl. She really had tried.

Brit started over, and had Emma done within a minute. Emma turned around to see what the other cosmetologists had done to Natalie and her mother. She had to laugh. Her mother looked like a raccoon, and Natalie looked like a reject from a vampire movie.

Emma began to see what Severus was talking about. Her mother had always been pretty, with big, round, dark brown eyes that reminded you of a puppy that had gotten kicked a few too many times. She didn't need all that stuff. Emma rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Too much, huh?" her mother asked.

Emma nodded and handed her the cleanser and the wash cloth.

"I'm sorry, Eloise," said Viola. "But I have to agree with my daughter. I'd rather try a more natural look." Soon, the raccoon mask joined Emma's tiger face on the washcloth.

"That's your daughter?" asked Eloise. "You're going to be a grandmother?"

"Yes," said Viola, smiling into the mirror as she washed away the last dregs of the makeup.

"You look awful young to be a grandmother. I thought you were sisters."

"Well, thank you, Eloise. That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me in a long time," said Viola.

Finally done at the makeup counter, with Natalie still sporting the dramatic vampire runway model look, they made their way to perfume. Emma and her mother tried on the Shalimar and rather liked it, but they nearly fainted when they looked at the price.

"If you like it, just buy some," said Natalie. "You didn't buy any makeup, Viola, and Emma only bought the bronzing powder and the lipstick."

"But Natalie," said Viola, "between you and Emma, you girls already spent over a hundred pounds on makeup. I'm not taking advantage of your father's generosity like that. This money was meant for you girls, not me."

"That's ridiculous, Viola. Daddy wants you to get whatever you want too," said Natalie.

"Can we get some lunch somewhere?" asked Emma. "I'm starving to death."

There was a restaurant on one of the upper floors of the store. They made their way to the elevator. Severus hung back, looking at it suspiciously. He hated these things. But Emma dragged him into it. In the restaurant, Emma ate like a horse. Two bowls of minestrone soup, an order of fettuccini alfredo and slice of cherry pie with ice cream later, she dragged Severus over to the house wares department, showing him the various dishes, silver, and cookware that she wanted when they bought their house.

Women, Severus thought, what was it with them? They go to a store saying they want one thing but they have to make sure to touch every last thing in the place. What the hell were they doing? Marking their territory? He felt himself begin to panic in the bedding department as Emma, Natalie, and Viola began oohing and ahhing over floral print sheets. Pink floral yet. The ugliest things he'd ever seen. Then it was on to the infants department where they looked at nursery furniture. There were literally hundreds of cribs, bassinettes, prams, car seats, dressers, changing tables, play pens, and high chairs. Then they had to discuss each one to death, even though they all looked alike.

Finally, Paul said, "Ms. Gianni? It is nearly three. We will have to leave within the next twenty minutes if you hope to be back at the mansion before five."

Severus nearly kissed the man. As it was, he knew he'd be having nightmares about department stores for ages.