Knowledge is Power

Chapter 41

(I'd do anything for you Severus! Don't you see that?)
Those were the first words that filtered through Severus's mind when he returned to wakefulness in the large four poster bed beside Mag. The words were jarring still, and a bit frightening, and caused a huge lump to rise from his heart and lodge itself in his throat.

Everyone wanted to be cared about, but he simply wasn't used to trusting that for one reason or other. He trusted her though. That was why he'd hate himself were anything to ever happen to her because she cared about him. Yet she didn't seem to be bothered enough about how much pressure that put on him. Did he love her? Of course he was aware that he cared for her, but that was a bit different. Gods forgive him, but he obviously lusted for her, and again that was different. The thought of anything happening to her, though, that was what showed him that he loved her. That and the rage he could reach in zero point zero seconds at the idea of her caring for his enemy as in his pretend Dumbledore created love triangle or whatever it was supposed to be.

Suddenly Mag shifted against him as her green eyes slowly opened.
"Good morning."
Gods help him he smiled.
"Good morning."
Were any mornings good? This one wasn't particularly bad.

Eventually they made it down to breakfast, which Nightshade was already enjoying.
//I thought about waiting for you, but then...well it didn't get past the thought.// Nightshade paused briefly to peer up at Mag and Severus.
//Just so you both know, it's convenient for me that you got together. Otherwise this splitting my schedule shit now that Mags is out of school would get annoying and complicated.//

//Yes, it's most definitely all about you,// Severus thought back dryly as he settled down at the breakfast table beside Mag.
//Damn right it is,// Nightshade agreed, intentionally missing the point.
At least Severus very much hoped the point missing was intentional. The owl sat on the table across from them, hunched over a plate of sausage and eggs.
//It's always amusing to me that you eat eggs,// Severus told him randomly as he reached for the coffee pot.

//Why? Survival of the fittest, motherfucker, and these guys are all cooked up,// Nightshade retorted, filling his beak with another bite of fluffy eggs.
Raislen and Heather sat flipping through the morning newspaper, dressed for work at the Department of Mysteries.
"I'd ask if you slept well, but then considering where you slept and with whom, I'd quickly grow disturbed so I'll just say good morning instead," Raislen announced, lowering his part of the paper to peer over it at Mag and Severus.
"So good morning."

Mag smiled.
"Good morning, Daddy...Mum."
"Morning," Severus replied, filling his cup at least a third of the way with vanilla creamer before applying a stirring charm.

"We won't be able to see you off on the cruise, so have fun, both of you," Heather said.
"And we'll see you in a few weeks."
Apparently the cruise was two weeks long.
//Are you coming along,// Severus asked Nightshade.
//Yep. Maybe I'll try to nab myself some fresh ocean fish like a fucking seagull.//
Mira entered then with plates of breakfast for Severus and Mag. The brightly colored scarves in which the elf attired herself nearly hurt Severus's eyes.
"Good morning, you two," she said cheerfully.
Severus nodded and thanked her for the food, digging in while Mag exchanged pleasantries with the elf.

"I think I'm stealing some things from work," Raislen said, refilling his coffee cup.
"Things Voldemort really doesn't need to get his hands on. I'll replace them with substitution charms and no one will think to check. Eventually I'll bring them back to the department of course."
"Not a bad idea," Severus replied, assuming the comment was directed at him.
It almost felt nice talking with Raislen again. Like old times revisited. He'd not eaten breakfast in this dining room for around fifteen years, but he remembered it well. He and Raislen had often talked about books at this very table while Raislen's parents read the paper.