Knowledge is Power

Chapter 73

Perhaps it was due to the night full of nightmares, but the rest of Severus's day was, as Nightshade would say, ultra shitty. Everyone seemed to seek to set him off. Didn't the little prats and the stupid staff members realize that his patience was shorter than a Cornish pixy? Students rebelling against anything they didn't like at the school made him want to shake them. Didn't the little prats realize there were far better things to concern themselves over right now? More productive things to which they could redirect their energy such as keeping themselves safe and bloody unnoticed by any of Voldemort's ilk.

Obviously they didn't consider any of that, though, because they were stupid, overly emotional and impulsive. They all expected the world to be a safe place they would enjoy rather than learning to do their part to make it that way. It made him wonder why he bothered to help them. Because Albus would want it, he tiredly reminded himself. Gods, though, he hated being here on days like this even more than usual.

By the time Mag arrived in the late evening, his mood was quite foul. It brightened, though, when she presented him with a very old potions book. The spine was woven and he could see that without a preservative spell it would've fallen apart in his hands.
"Reece said you could borrow it," she said.
When he blinked in stunned wordless surprise, she chuckled.
"After I begged," she clarified.
"He doesn't like anyone to borrow his things and as you two refuse to get along, he wasn't eager to lend to you specifically, but I can be very persuasive."

"Yes you can," he agreed, drawing her into his arms and kissing her soundly just to show how persuasive she could be.
"I was entirely unable to resist you, after all."
"I'm fortunate," she said, smiling and snuggling closer as she wound her arms around his neck.
"All the girls want you, after all, so I could have plenty of competition."

//She can't really be serious,// Severus thought incredulously to Nightshade who sat idly preening on the back of Severus's office chair.
//Everyone knows I hate everyone and they hate me.//
//Yeah, that's true Prof, but she sorta does think every female probably is hot for you,// Nightshade replied, amused.

As Severus began to eagerly work a translation charm on the ancient tome that actually seemed to be written in some sort of Sumerian script, Mag sat down at the desk to eat the plate of dinner he'd brought up for her. Idly he wondered if Areecen had eaten the wizard to whom this book had once belonged. Dragons did live for ages, so he was probably around back then.
"How long do you think Doge will allow Regulus and Kreacher to stay with him," Mag asked after some time.
"He didn't seem to mind them being there, so probably for as long as they need. I should think Regulus will want his own place, though, so I doubt they shall be there too long."

The topic caused Severus to recall something he wanted to mention to Mag last night, but he'd forgotten by the time they got back to Hogwarts. Probably because she and Regulus had flattened his soul just a little with their depressing singing, he thought dryly.
"You used Snape as your last name when introducing yourself to Doge last night...And while I don't mind, I hope you understand that we really can't risk getting married right now. It just isn't safe and I won't risk drawing His attention to you," he said firmly.

Mag frowned.
"I realize that. It just seemed faster to explain our relationship more succinctly to a stranger that we're sure won't be dealing with Voldemort. We're going to be married after all and..."
She shrugged.
"I don't know it just felt right."
Severus smiled, oddly flattered.
"That's nice...And I'm fine with that just as long as you know, that sort of thing won't happen under any circumstances until he's dead."
"Of course," she agreed readily.

When she was finished with her food, Severus placed the book onto his desk and gave her his full attention. They soon retired to the bed chamber where Severus realized what a pleasant distraction pleasures of the flesh could be when one had had a very shitty day. The next day was only mildly better, but at least there were no nightmares during the night. That weekend Grindelwald came to visit Zabini and then again two weekends later as he was scheduled to do. Having another strong wizard present, on whose power he could draw if trouble started, was mildly comforting at those times.

Fortunately the two were wise enough to behave and keep themselves unnoticed by anyone just as they'd promised to do. Over the course of the visits, they managed to make Severus a glass to use for eavesdropping on the Carrows. Rather than a scrying plate, it was a literal glass that he held up to his ear. Rarely did they say anything of use or interest, and listening to their stupid drivel was frequently mind numbing. Eventually he began to bribe Nightshade with turkey to do it. Of course Mag complained that he would get fat, and as a result made him fly more to keep in shape. This put the owl in a bit of a vicious mood, but Severus wasn't overly sympathetic. As he pointed out to Nightshade, in clear terms the owl was sure to understand, things just sucked for everyone at the moment.

When Hallowe'en approached, Severus worried something dreadful would happen at the feast...simply because it usually did. Mag shook her head in dismissal when he said as much to her one night while she was eating her dinner at his desk.
"Potter isn't here, so it's likely to be fine," she said.
"All the trouble we've ever had here has been because HE wants bloody potter. Once again I will say that Cedric kid would be alive right now if your precious Dumbledore had simply gotten wizards to home school Potter...He could've housed him anywhere and arranged that. Hell I'm sure Doge would've taken one for the team and no one would ever be able to guess where Potter was...or that he even still lived for that matter. HE could've been a surprise ace in the hole against Voldemort had better arrangements simply been made."

Severus couldn't really say anything against that line of reasoning.
"If nothing happens this year, I shall be grateful," he said instead.
"I need a break...Enjoying the feast will be somewhat of a nice interlude because it's always been my favorite Hogwarts event."
Mag smiled.
"Mine as well. It's a pity I can't join you, but I understand the risks so I won't."
"I'll bring you lots of treats from the feast, though," he promised.

"Are you going to dress up," she asked.
"No. I considered going as Merlin, but it just doesn't feel right. I will save that costume for happier years. I'm letting Grindelwald dress up and slip in, though. He's promised to wear something that won't even show his face. Just in case anything does happen, having him present will ease my mind. Filius and I are the only truly stronger than average wizards here now with Albus gone."

As it turned out, Grindelwald dressed as a Lethifold, so he kept his word to have his face completely hidden. All of him was hidden in fact, so it was easy for him to pass as a random student. Zabini dressed as a runespore and won the Halloween costume contest, because the look was rather brilliant. He wore a cloak made of the runespore's hide including all three heads, and it was quite real. Mag was correct and the night passed uneventfully to Severus's extreme relief. Potter being gone did the trick.