Buried History

Chapter 30 So Close is Too Close

Eliza and Severus apparated to their destination once they reached the main gates of Hogwarts' grounds.

They walked toward a gate that suddenly appeared and let them in. The silvery-grey colour of a Patronus attracted their attention. They turned their heads to see a majestic peacock strutting the grounds.

Eliza giggled lightly and turned to her lover.

"Are you sure we'll be alright? If they alert the Dark Lord, I'll die." She whispered, scared.

Severus nodded. "The chance of risk is astronomical, I don't deny it. But," he added seeing her expression. "You deserve it. They are holding a dinner party in your honour, my love."

The pregnant woman nodded. "Alright. I guess I have deserved a small break."

They took a few more steps and she stopped again.

Severus sighed and turned to her again.

The potion's mistress frowned. "Did Garrett seem a bit, how to put it, strange earlier?"

Severus frowned too and nodded. "Yes, he seemed a little out of character. Not himself at all. Nervous."

The woman took a deep breath and shook her head. "We shall discuss it later. Tonight, we dine in the company of "friends" and companions."

***
"Juliet, the guests are arriving." Draco called out.

The redhead rolled her eyes. "They've been arriving for the last hour, Draco."

The blond shook his head. "No, the guests. As in, the guests of honour. I know it's them. I can feel it."

"Well? Who is it?" The Headgirl asked impatiently.

"Come see for yourself."

***

"Harry Potter, you did what!?!" Hermione shrieked as Harry relayed the news of what happened.

Ron snickered. "Bloody hell mate, you kissed another bloke's girl."

"Don't remind me." He harrumphed as he ripped off the rectangular glasses and shrunk back to his normal size. He jammed his round glasses back into his face and plopped into an armchair.

They spotted Ginny tiptoeing down the large staircase to where they were seated.

"Oi, Gin!" Ron called out. "Where do you think you're going?"

The youngest Weasley squeaked and ran back up the staircase to her bed.

"I thought so."

***

"You have got to be kidding me." Juliet muttered. Draco sneered and approached the entryway.

The two guests had finally arrived. Much to the two students' dismay, they were faculty members that they saw every day of their lives.

Someone took Eliza's travelling cloak and other's crowded her, asking a thousand questions at once.

Severus, help me! The woman sent a silent message to her lover and he received it easily.

All she had done was make eye contact.

He pulled her by the hand, away from the crowd and wrapped an arm around her waist, leading her to the hosts.

Lucius stood near the dining table, leaning heavily on his cane. His hair was loose and stringy, not as shiny as it once was. He had stubble across his chin and very dark circles under his eyes. His wife stood beside him, worrying that he may fall at a moment'a notice. Draco and Juliet stood near them, as well, completing the picture.

"Narcissa, thank you for the invitation. It is most appreciated." Severus said quietly to the matron of the house.

The woman smiled kindly and bowed her head gracefully. "It is an honour to have you here, Severus, along with your wife."

Eliza's eyes widened and Severus was at a loss for words. Lucius snorted and all eyes were on him.

"She's not his wife, Narcissa." The blond man laughed.

As displeased as they were, having their relationship somewhat referred to as a joke, they were grateful that someone had said it.

The woman's eyes became huge as realization dawned on her. "Oh, my apologies. I just assumed you were married becau-"

"Because of the baby." Juliet interrupted.

Eliza closed her eyes for a moment and breathed in deeply. "No, we are not married. We have not followed that custom."

"Why ever not?" The older woman asked, clearly still surprised at the news.

Severus swallowed thickly and Eliza sensed his unease. "The baby was unexpected. We weren't planning on conceiving, as early as it happened." She said, she shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny of her pupils.

Lucius smiled. "It's quite alright. No one follows that custom anymore anyway." He stared down his wife dangerously. "You are our guests, we welcome you with open arms. Please do not feel alienated here."

The Hogwarts professors looked at each other and Eliza offered a grateful smile to the Malfoy patron.

***
The dinner went by without a fault, there was much socializing and discussing afterward. Everyone seemed to want to speak to Eliza.

It wasn't until Juliet had taken out a camera, that the guests of honour had realized that something was out of the ordinary.

Very discreetly, the redheaded Slytherin had approached them from behind to try to get a decent picture, but by that time, Severus had warned Eliza not to turn around and with a wave of his wand, the camera disappeared.

Juliet stared. Where did the infernal thing go? She wondered.

Understand what had just happened, they turned to their hosts, said their goodbyes and apparated to the Hogwarts Gates.

"She was trying to get a picture of me to prove to the Dark Lord that I am truly alive. That I was with the Malfoys." Eliza spat angrily. "I almost let it happen. Thank goodness you were there."

Severus nodded. "It did not happen, however. That is something. It did not happen and you are safe. Also, the Malfoys invited us out of the little kindness they have in their hearts."

The woman smiled. "Yes, that was quite generous of them. I don't know who made the food, but it was quite wonderful. I must relay the news to Dobby. Perhaps he and the other houselves can recreate that meal for the students."

A small smile appeared at the corner of the saturnine man's lips. "Your goodness never ceases to amaze me."

He stopped her and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips before entering the castle.