My Princess

Chapter 23

"You are fucking kidding me!" Narcissa exclaimed, chocolate brown eyes wide with interest as she stared at me. The other girl sat cross legged on the bed in front of me, listening to me recount the events of the afternoon.

"Yep." I drawled in return, my lips curling in to form a thin line as I released a weary sigh and suddenly found a fraying edge of the blanket very fascinating as I avoided eye contact with my companion.

"Do you think it's actually true? He's not bullshitting you?"

"He seemed sincere in his beliefs. I guess it could all be one massive coincidence but he knew my mother's maiden name."

"This is crazy! Absolutely crazy." I nodded solemnly as Narcissa went off on a tangent, ranting and raving all of the feelings I was unable to process myself.

"How could he never have come forwards once he knew!? I get that things were complicated but you were - are - his child for fuck's sake!" Narcissa was pacing the small room, hands flying around wildly in her anger.

"My own father was certainly no saint but at least he could man up enough to raise my sister's and I! Severus Snape is nothing but a bloody coward." I watched as Narcissa's eyebrows furrowed and she seethed, unable to feel anything about the situation myself.

"He tried to do what he thought was right.. I guess." I mumbled, shrugging my shoulders. In truth I believed him to be a bit of a coward as well, never having owned up to his mistake. Did my other father even know I wasn't his own?

"Did your mom ever tell your dad?" Seeming to have read my thoughts, Narcissa's confused gaze fell upon me as she finally ceased her pacing, standing right in front of me at the edge of the bed as her voice softened.

"I.. don't know. If he knew he obviously never told me."

"I can't believe this. I just can't believe this." In a way I was glad that Narcissa was able to convey the strong emotions rolling around inside of my own head as it gave me a sense of relief and eased the numbness ever so slightly.

"I am.. so sorry my love." Narcissa sighed, calming down as she curled one leg underneath herself and sat down beside me on the bed.

I nodded, fidgeting with my fingers in my lap as I tried to think of something to say. Meeting the other girl's concerned gaze was too much for me right now and I turned away from her as she tried to catch my eye.

The princess rested a comforting hand on my back, rubbing slow circles as she observed how I reacted to the physical contact. When I didn't object the touch became more confident, my companion scooching just a little bit closer so that the front of her body was lightly pressed against the shoulder, inviting me to lean into her if I wanted.

I finally obliged, leaning to my right and meeting a warm chest, Narcissa's arms coming up to encircle my body with her own. I released yet another sigh as my head rested underneath her chin, one small hand running up and down my arm as she rested her cheek against my hair.

"Just remember you aren't in this alone ok? I will do whatever I can to help you y/n." Narcissa hugged me just a little bit tighter, pressing a soft kiss to the crown of my head.

I pulled back just enough to look up at her from where I lay nestled against her breast, finally meeting large, concern filled eyes before my gaze flitted down to luscious red lips and back up again. Narcissa took the hint and leaned down, meeting me halfway in a sweet kiss.

It was short lived but it was enough to convey a message to the both of us. It assured Narcissa that I wanted and needed her as I worked through my newfound family drama and it also told me that my companion was sincere in her words and that she was willing to help me in any way that she could.

✨✨✨

I refused to allow the potions master's story affect me, assuring Narcissa I was perfectly fine the next morning and leaving the inn for work. We needed the money and I wouldn't let the man know he had rattled me. We would surely be gone soon enough anyways.

Entering the apothecary Monday morning I was just a little bit surprised to find the dark clad man in the front at the desk. He appeared to be sifting through orders placed by the village people and I cleared my throat to catch his attention as I stepped through the door.

"Y/n." The man spoke, surprise evident in his voice. He obviously did not expect to see me for a while, if ever.

"Mr. Snape." I returned, nodding my head in greeting with a blank expression on my face. "I assume I still have a job here yes?"

"Yes, of course. I just wasn't sure.." he trailed off as obsidian eyes darted around in discomfort.

"I'd rather not speak on it right now. I still need to repay you for what you did and my companion and I need the money. That is it."

"Of course. You will begin receiving a paycheck of 5 silver a week next Friday. This week and the one day last week will cover what the two of you owe." I nodded curtly, grabbing the shabby watering can and going outside to fill it and begin my very awkward work shift.

The potion's master soon returned to his normal place in the back, working through private orders as I tended the front desk and the plants. He had also recently gotten in a small colony of some type of beetles that I could not identify, and I had the pleasure of feeding them their medley of greens, fruits, nuts, and whatever else was in the vat.

A few customers had been in today and as I was instructed to I took their requests, took them back to the potion's master himself, and took note of what he told me for the future when I would be able to do this part by myself. It was a fairly cushy gig and I certainly couldn't complain, things were far worse before we found this town.

We had about an hour before the shop was to close for the day when the man finally emerged from his lair, a crate in his hands. He quickly strutted towards the front of the shop, silently doing what he had to do in order to close up early as I watched on from my spot on the stool behind the counter.

"Come. We need to deliver these and then you may leave for the day." I immediately hopped up, ready to be out of the dark dungeons and finding no reason to complain.

The two of us locked up the apothecary and began our walk towards the housing side of the village. It was a bit of an odd time in the day and not many people were out and about, those that were quickly moving out of the foreboding man's way as he confidently strode forwards with a purpose.

I tailed the man like a lost puppy, jogging every so often to keep up with his longer stride. Mr. Snape didn't speak to me as we walked, making quick work of the journey to the first cottage and knocking placidly on the front door.

I stood to the side as we waited, a woman opening the door cheerfully. "Ah, Mr. Snape. It's wonderful to see you."

"Mrs. Posser." The potion's master greeted, handing the young brunette 3 vials of something orange.

"Thank you very much Mr. Snape. It's always a pleasure doing business with you." The young woman winked with a sickeningly sweet smile on her face, nodding towards me as an afterthought.

The stoic man payed her no mind, nodding curtly before striding off towards the next house. A shit eating grin toyed at the corners of my lips, my narrowed eyes peering up at the older man.

"I think someone has a little crush on you sir." I chided lightly. The man grunted in response, neither amused nor annoyed by my remark.

"She's the local whore if you must know. She has 'a little crush' on every man in the village." I blinked a few times at his bluntness, holding back a laugh.

"Oh. Fair enough." Was all I could think to say, shaking my head and letting out a silent chuckle as we continued on, the tension between us far lighter than it had been this morning.