Knowledge is Power

Chapter 44

As Sekhmet had promised the previous night, Mag, Severus and Nightshade weren't too hung over as they boarded the ship. That still didn't mean Nightshade was completely in the mood to be bouncing around on the water again, but he'd deal.

"I knew I'd miss Egypt, and I was right, because I miss it already," Mag said sadly.
The three were at the ship's rail, watching the land depart as they sailed away.
"It was very enjoyable, I must admit," Severus agreed.
Though he'd not have minded spending more time in Egypt, the prospect of returning to England meant returning to life mistakes he wished he could continue to avoid. Death Eater meetings were never appealing, obviously, but now the idea of continuing this made him feel a little dead inside. Not because Egypt had been that amazing, but because this trip served to remind him that he was someone else. A person, not simply a single minded revenge machine. Though that had been far easier he could now admit it had left him lacking. Egypt, Mag, all of it reminded him of who he was before he'd chosen this path. A person with interests, hobbies, dreams. It was only a pity that man had resurfaced at such an inconvenient timing, but there was nothing to be done for that.

He would just have to remember that now he was fighting for more than revenge. He was fighting to take fifty more trips to Egypt, and seventy to Greece and thirty to Rome, and ever how many others to where ever he and Mag and Nightshade wished to go. He was fighting for a life. And who did he have to help him fight, but Mr. Harry Incompetent Potter, he thought darkly. Well at least there was the rest of the trip to enjoy, he reminded himself.
"No more Sekhmet!"

"Oh I like her a lot, actually," Mag objected with a chuckle.
"I just bet you do," Severus replied.
"You get to be a princess while I get to be a deranged murderer."

"I don't hold that against you in the least," Mag assured.
"You weren't trying to kill me. I know you would never hurt me. And you were so upset about it that your spirit tracked hers for ages seeking vengeance, so I'm good."

"You really can't believe all that," Severus objected.
"Why? She seems quite sound of mind. She understood Nightshade's ability without even being told and she was an excellent tour guide as promised," Mag pointed out.
"Besides, what do past lives matter? We learn from them and move on."
Had he learned, though? If this was true, he still hadn't learned how seeking vengeance, rather than letting the bad people of the world hang themselves, could cost him more instead. He sighed.

"Let's go see what's for lunch," he suggested.
Mag smiled, slipping an arm through his.
"Sounds great! I'm going to enjoy having you to myself for five more days!"
It was as if her thoughts had been following similar lines to his own, Severus noted. They were quite alike in many ways. That was the basis for their friendship, but had also made having more all the easier.

The rest of the trip was pleasant and passed far too quickly. When the ship docked, Heather and Raislen were waiting for them, and they even seemed happy to see Severus.
"Did you have a nice time," Heather asked as soon as they joined her and Raislen.
She embraced Mag with one arm and Severus with the other.
"It was amazing! And we brought books back for the library! And maps for the library walls," Mag told her parents excitedly.
"Maps of ancient Egypt that were magically reconstructed," she clarified.
"They're amazing!"

"I'm proud of you for finding the good stuff," Raislen told Mag, giving her a warm embrace of greeting.
"Well, Kid," he asked, turning to Severus.
"Are they library worthy?"
He grinned, and Severus remembered those times as students at Hogwarts when he'd felt so important because Raislen, two years older and brilliant, valued his opinion so highly.

"We haven't had time to read much on the trip, but from what I've seen, they're quite fascinating, so I think so," he replied. Raislen and Heather were eager to see them as soon as Mag and Severus could get unpacked. As both were wont to procrastinate that process, Mira kindly offered to do it for them, so the books could be put into the library. As it turned out, Heather and Raislen were head over heals over the books and maps.
"My baby is book shopping for the library without me," Raislen lamented.
"Adding to our family legacy...Wonderful as it is, it means you've grown up," he told Mag.
"At least you're with The Kid, though. After all this Voldemort shit is done with, I'll be really happy about that."

"That makes two of us," Severus murmured with a sigh.
//Five of us,// Nightshade corrected.
//Lets face it, everyone in this fuckin' room will be glad when that shit is over.//

The next day, Mag wanted to go to the bank to give Griphook the stones she'd picked up for him from Egypt, then if there was time to take Areecen his as well. Once at Gringotts they asked to see Griphook. After a fifteen minute wait, the goblin approached with a look of mild suspicion on his dour face.
"What's the matter," he asked Mag.
"Nothing at all," she assured, giving him a warm smile.
"I brought you something from Egypt!"
She extended a fist sized lapis lazuli carving of a sphinx.

Griphook's overly cunning eyes widened in surprise as he took it. Idly Severus wondered if the goblin was surprised that they went to Egypt or that she'd gotten him something. Word had it that goblins never really GAVE or even SOLD anyone anything, always considering it to be truly their property and only borrowed by another. If this was the case, accepting gifts was probably odd for them to work their minds around.

"What's he doing here," Griphook wanted to know, jerking his head at Severus, who scowled.
"We went to Egypt together, and we're stopping off to see another friend while we're out," Mag explained.
Griphook's eyes narrowed.
"(We) as in,...WE?"
From the [pointed way he spoke, Severus assumed the we's were intended to be meaningful.

Mag smiled, and the joy in her eyes when she turned her gaze to him caused Severus to smile as well.
"Though we're not exactly spreading the word yet, yes," Mag answered.
"Hm," Griphook said skeptically, and Severus frowned.
"What's that supposed to mean, " he asked the little creature darkly.
"Just that she could probably do better. You're always so sour the few times your broke ass has come in here."
Severus glared.
"The fact I'm not buried in gold, should not indicate that I have none. And you're one to talk about sour. All of you are a lot of..."

"Great then," Mag said, smiling brightly at both of them.
"I always love to see my few friends getting on."
"But we weren't," Severus objected.
Griphook smiled.
"On the contrary. I can get along with sweet little Ickles," he crooned and Severus itched to step on his head.

"Let's go. We still have a dragon to visit," he bit out, and smirked at the look of shocked curiosity on Griphook's face.
"But we don't have time to explain now," Severus added happily, reaching for Mag's hand.
She allowed him to draw her along, but looked back over her shoulder at Griphook.
"I'll explain next time."
"Thank you for the sphinx," Griphook called after them.
"Ta, Ickles!"

Severus decided that he hated the goblin. The only problem was deciding who was worse, Griphook or Sekhmet. After that, visiting the dragon he also disliked was nearly pleasant.

Severus and Mag spent the rest of the summer between WestCraven manor and Severus's home at Spinner's End. He loved the place for its sentimental childhood memories, but he had no trouble admitting that WestCraven Manor was far nicer. AND THE LIBRARY!

Still though he doubted he was being watched, due to Voldemort having literally far better things to do at this point in his (career) Severus couldn't be too careful. If he was never at Spinner's End, questions could be raised. During the day Severus was most often at Hogwarts, and Mag was either with Griphook at the bank or Areecen in his new cave. The goblin allowed her to help sort the newest stones when Gringotts got in a shipment, which meant she was in on first pick of the best ones if she could pay, which she could. The dragon didn't need any help with his stones, but enjoyed her company, and she loved to pick his brain about anything he was willing to share.

One day in late July, Severus stopped off at Albus's office before heading home to Spinner's End to meet Mag for dinner. He had noticed a book missing from the restricted section of the library with no record of being checked out so wanted to bring it to the headmaster's attention. When he found Albus breathing hard and slumped over his desk, Severus's heart leapt into his throat.
"Albus? Albus! Gods what's happened. Wait. I'll go for Pomfrey!"
"No," Albus rasped. "Severus...Don't. Let me explain. I'll be alright in a moment."
It was then that Severus's gaze landed upon the strange objects that lay on the desk. Neither was strange in itself, but both on Albus's desk certainly were. The sword of Gryffindor lay beside an ornate ring that was cut in two.