Knowledge is Power

Chapter 75

Once most of the holiday food was gone, the holiday drinks came out. Sekhmet had brought several bottles of the Egyptian spirits Mag and Severus had so enjoyed on their trip two years ago plus three more bottles that she claimed were even harder.
"Don't give any of those last three to the owl," Sekhmet said, frowning at Nightshade.
"It may kill him."

She grinned. "Which means Severus should definitely try some."
"She wishes to kill me," Severus said darkly and Sekhmet shook her head.
"Nah. That would make Mag sad, so we're keeping you alive."
Snatching one of the bottles she'd forbidden Nightshade, the Egyptian girl pored a glass and thrust it at Severus.
"Drink it," she commanded.
"I have a Christmas present for you and you can't see it until you drink this."
Severus scowled.
"I want nothing from you."

"Come on. I swear it's something you'll want," Sekhmet insisted.
Severus sighed and snatched the glass from her just to shut her up. He took a deep chug from the glass, then nearly dropped it as he choked. His throat and his eyes were on fire!
"Hate her so much," he managed to Mag, who stood at his side.
"He's a baby," Sekhmet said, noting Mag's worried expression and speaking up in her own defense.

Turning to Severus she added, "As soon as you finish, you can see your present. I brought it all the way from Egypt just for you."
Severus took another drink, a smaller one this time because his throat was still burning from the last one.
"If I die within the next week, this demon in human flesh did it," he told Mag.
"Can I help him drink it," she asked Sekhmet and the dark haired girl shook her head with a frown.
"No cheating, Slytherins."

Mag chuckled. "You'd have so been in Slytherin had you attended Hogwarts."
Sekhmet grinned and nodded. "I know I would have! Watch me carefully because I'd cheat too," she shamelessly declared.
"Sorry we're late, but we brought dessert."
Severus knew the voice, so didn't have to turn to see Millicent Bulstrode standing behind them. Mag had given him such a nice Christmas. Why had she had to invite Millicent?
"Is Griphook arriving next," he asked darkly and Mag grinned, shaking her head.

"I asked Millicent and Wolfgang if Sekhmet could stay with them for her holiday visit. I'd planned to stay with her at WestCraven manor, but if you can't leave I won't leave," Mag said. "I thought they could get to know one another at the party."
Severus couldn't complain about that he supposed. Not when she was giving up seeing her friend for most of her visit to stay with him.

Severus turned to nod at Bulstrode, who held a delightful looking German chocolate cake.
"Thank you," he said, forcing a polite tone.
"There is still a bit of food left if you'd like some."
"Oh we ate with Wolfgang's dad, but we saved room for dessert," she said, giving him a rare smile.
Apparently she was trying to be polite as well, at least today.

"Don't get distracted. Drink up," Sekhmet told Severus, waving imperiously at the glass in his hand.
He sighed and took another drink as Mag introduced Sekhmet to Millicent and Wolfgang.
"I look forward to discussing Egyptian forms of magic with you," Wolfgang was saying as Severus struggled not to choke on his third swallow of the poison Sekhmet had brought three bottles of.

"Oh for sure," Sekhmet said.
"I can show you some really neat ways to fuck someone up that they'll never be able to undo."
Millicent grinned, waving at Severus's glass.

That one of them?"
Sekhmet shook her head, grinning back.
"Nah. I just want him to be in a better mood. Like a thin but jolly Santa...or something."
"Well you're gonna get Krampus," Millicent drawled.
"Bloody right," Severus said, coughing gently.
"Drink some of this shit to prove to me that it won't kill me to finish this glass," he said, shooting a glare at Sekhmet.

"Oh gods he's such a girl," sekhmet complained.
Millicent laughed as Sekhmet reached for more glasses.
"I was gonna use a P word but girl will do for polite company," Bulstrode shared happily.
"Die," Severus suggested, forgetting that he planned to be nice for Christmas. She'd ruined it first, after all.
"You all gonna drink with me while I drink with him," Sekhmet asked, waving the bottle in her hand at Mag, Millicent and Wolfgang. All three nodded, though Mag looked a bit doubtful as her glance moved from Severus's glass to the bottle.