Severus and the Frozen North

Old Friends & New Life

February 1, 2002

"Thank you for traveling here Narcissa. I know it's a distance" he thanked his old friend, pouring her a glass of the deep red wine that she preferred, long blonde hair swept over her shoulder

"Of course Severus. It suits you well up here" she complimented his home with an approving glance around.

He relaxed in his arm chair, a sense of pride forming. He kept a clean home, unlike his residence at Spinners End. That hadn't truly been his home. He hid behind the veneer of untidiness and disarray. Now, the air smelled of mint and soap. The books pristine and organized by content. Tall candlesticks burning on the walls. Few furnishings but high quality, the same as his decor and clothing.

Artemis, his white speckled owl, tapped at the window to be let in from the winter winds; obediently flying to his open cage where he would rest.

"How is Draco?" he asked curiously, wondering how the boy had fared since the war; whether he had seen the error of his ways or had followed down the futile path of the dark arts

Her face lit up, as a mother's does when talking about their child, especially one as coveted as Draco

"He is well. Not surprisingly, he has chosen to go into potions research. He always enjoyed your classes so much..."

"And Lucius?" he asked perfunctorily, not that he cared about him

Lucius was a coward with no integrity who sold his child out to the Dark Lord. He grubbed for prestige and got humiliation.

"He is neither here nor there. A shell of his former self. But, that was the risk he took, was it not?" she answered sharply, expression tired and worn

"Yes, I suppose that was the risk we all took. What about you Narcissa?" he asked softly, remembering the nights the two of them would sit in the common room and chat

Lucius looked out for him and taught him to crave power, but it was Narcissa who understood his mind and need for acceptance. That was why she came to him in her time of need, to care for Draco; it was also why he could not say no. She held a heart string and had pulled it mightily.

It had simultaneously been a great honor and horror, ultimately leading to the death of his best friend and giving the life back to another.

"Oh, I'm fine. I keep busy...We're all just rebuilding, aren't we? Finding out what life looks like now. Tell me about this piece of jewelry" she answered halfheartedly, not truly believing what she said

He wished he could help her more. She always held sway with him, more so than his other "friends" because as deeply as her family was entrenched in dark magic and blood purity, Narcissa simply wanted her own family and to be cared for. That bonded them in a certain way. Ties of vulnerability.

"My colleague, Kora Kane, was married to an Auror, Akos Kane. He was killed by werewolves and his ring stolen. Apparently, it held some sort of last rites within it, specifically for Kora and she hasn't found it. She wants the closure" he explained, drinking the bitter wine with a wince

Narcissa sat her glass down, peering at him from down her thin nose

"Is this another Potter situation? Because I won't take part in that"

"No! Of course not. I learned my lesson, suffering for nearly thirty years of my life..." he defended himself angrily, embarrassed that it was so obvious to everyone but him

She softened her tone as she continued with protectiveness

"It's just...It was so embarrassing Severus. To see you grovel at the feet of someone who didn't care about you. You had so much to offer, and she refused to see it. Please tell me this isn't the same pattern"