Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Barghest’s Howl

Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Barghest's Howl

Friday, 19 March 1999

Severus entered the Three Broomsticks, and his nervousness returned as he looked around the full pub. The group of Hogwarts staff had taken a table in a corner beyond the bar near the exit for the lavatories. There might not be room for him. He glanced at the other patrons as he stepped further into the pub. The usual assortment, and to the extent they noticed him as he crossed the room, their eyes were not unduly drawn to him. Then he saw her. Hermione was there. Severus swallowed hard. She was there with Tarrant McPherson. And she had seen him. There was no avoiding walking past her table without taking a circuitous route through the pub.

"Hi, Severus!" Hermione said as he came closer.

He nodded to her. Tarrant stood slightly in a gesture of respect, then sat back down.

"Would you like to join us, Professor?" the young wizard asked politely.

As it was a table for two, it was clearly a mere politeness, though he supposed a third chair could be drawn up, but Hermione quickly cut in. "I think that Severus is here with other people, Tarrant."

Severus felt a knife go through his heart. His mouth was dry. He tried to draw some saliva into it before he said, "Yes, I am meeting some others. Thank you for the invitation, Mr McPherson." He glanced at Hermione, meeting her eyes only briefly, then looked back at Tarrant. "Have a good evening."

"You, too, Professor," he heard Tarrant say as he swept away from the table.

He had been twice a fool in less than two short weeks. Once with Hermione, and once with Poppy. Except he'd probably been a fool several times with each of the witches. He simply wouldn't think about it. Put it out of his mind. Sit with his colleagues, have a drink, and then leave. He knew he couldn't sustain a relationship with a witch, and no sensible witch would want a relationship with him.

Poppy had enjoyed the sex, at least. But not enough to want to continue their relationship. At least he knew that if he wanted to have a fling with a witch, she might be willing to have sex with him more than once. But she'd want no more than that. He was destined to be alone. No friends. No lovers. Certainly no family. But it had always been that way for him. This was nothing different.

"Severus! Severus! Come sit down!"

Filius was calling him enthusiastically, waving, as though Severus could not have noticed the large group of Hogwarts staff at the round table in the back. Severus made an attempt to put a pleasant expression on his face, or at least not frown at the little wizard.

"Come, pull up a chair between me and Hagrid," Filius said, shoving his chair over a bit and everyone else obligingly scooting their chairs or stools over to make room for another chair.

"Lemme, Perfesser," Hagrid said, pulling out his new wand...fifteen inches of oak and unicorn tail hair. Everyone at the table immediately held their breaths and sat still as statues, and Filius, short though he was, looked ready to duck. But Hagrid paid them no mind and screwed up his face in concentration. With a bit more swish and bit less flick than he should have used, Hagrid still managed to Levitate a chair at a nearby table...thankfully not a chair in use, though that would not have surprised Severus...and bring it sailing over the heads of the staff to settle with a loud thump beside him. Hagrid grinned with pride as Filius told him how well he had done.

Severus was thankful that he taught Potions and not Charms or Transfiguration, both of which the half-giant was now receiving tutoring in. A number of staff had offered to pitch in. Severus had fortunately been spared being recruited to help; perhaps there had been a slight blessing in being unable to exercise his magic at the beginning the school year. Minerva had hoped that Hagrid might be able to take his OWLs at the end of the year, but it was painfully clear that it would take far more time and tutoring for the wizard to come up to OWLs standard. Severus didn't even see why it mattered: Hagrid was firmly ensconced as Chief Groundskeeper (a new title now that Carleton Rath had been hired as his assistant), Keeper of the Keys, and teacher for the Care of Magical Creatures class. But again, no one had asked his opinion, and he hadn't volunteered it. Besides, he liked Hagrid, and there was something admirable in Hagrid's deciding to master wand-use after so many decades of having been deprived a wand.

"What are you having, Severus?" Olivia Ouellette asked. "I'm buying the first round."

As he folded his cloak over the back of his chair, Severus glanced around to see what the others were drinking. Filius had a bubbling, foaming, multicoloured drink with fruit in it...Severus had never seen anything quite like it before...but the others had more normal drinks, ranging from firewhisky to ale. It looked as though everyone was having something alcoholic, though.

"A beer would be fine."

"Didn't take you for a beer-drinker, Severus," Pomona remarked from the other side of Filius.

Severus finally let out the scowl that had been lurking behind his face since he had walked into the pub.

"The Golden Snitch house lager is quite nice, I hear," Filius said cheerfully. "It's a new brew they started this winter. Rosmerta said she's coming up with another one for spring."

In the meantime, Olivia had flagged down the wait-wizard and ordered Severus's beer, specifying the house lager.

"Did you say that Wilhelmina will be joining us later?" David Manning asked. "We may have to enlarge the table."

"Yeah," Hagrid said with a grin. "But she can sit right 'ere next to me." He thumped the bench he was sitting on. "Plenty o' room."

Severus raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. The bench might comfortably hold two or three normal-sized people, and Grubbly-Plank was a petite witch, but he couldn't see how anyone could share the bench with Hagrid...even Flitwick would be squeezed in that space. A few of the others chuckled, however, so he decided there was some inside joke that he wasn't privy to. Which was unsurprising. At least they weren't making fun of him, although Pomona's remark about his drink had been unwelcome.

When the wait-wizard brought his beer, he also put a plate of food down in front of Pomona, a mountain of chips and some kind of battered fried meat.

"Didn't get dinner," she remarked as she sprinkled her chips liberally with vinegar. "Mr and Mrs Boardman are convinced that the reason their daughter's grades are poor is that she is being 'led astray' by an older student." Pomona snorted. "I'd say that without Babcock's tutoring in Herbology, Paulette's grades would be even worse, and likely the same in every other subject."

"Malcolm Babcock?" Severus asked, his attention pricked up at the mention of a Slytherin student.

"Mmhmm. There's nothing to their complaints, Severus, so we didn't want to lend them any credence by inviting you to attend the meeting. I do want to have a word with Babcock, though, remind him that Paulette is younger than he is and that he should stick with tutoring her until she's a bit older. With your permission. Unless you would like to do that. Or we could speak to him together."

"I shall speak to him, tell him to keep his distance from her," Severus said.

"No need for anything that extreme," Pomona said as she swallowed a chip and slathered her meat with brown sauce. "Paulette just has a bit of hero-worship going on, and there's worse boys she could have picked. Better the Slytherin you know than the one...er, I mean, Malcolm's a good lad, and he's helping her in her classes." She glanced over at Filius, who had jostled her just as she had been recapping the brown sauce. "He just needs to remember that she's only a first-year."

Yes, she was one of the older first-years, and had turned thirteen that autumn. But Babcock was a good student, and Severus did not like the implication about members of his House.

"I believe the age difference is not that great," Severus said. "He's one of the younger sixth-years, and he's not a trouble-maker."

"In a few years, when she's a bit older, it won't make any difference, but now it does," Pomona replied. "So he needs to be careful." She laughed. "The Boardmans actually wanted Paulette moved into classes so that she wouldn't have to share them with any Slytherins, never mind that Malcolm isn't in any of them, since he's not her year. They're a bit paranoid, but after their grocery in Diagon Alley was burned to the ground last year, I suppose I understand why."

"You know, there's a new grocer's opening here in Hogsmeade," Filius said, changing the subject. "Down around the corner on Piggery Lane. I saw them working on the building when I was here earlier in the week."

"I heard they're going to have a lot of imported Muggle foods," Laura chimed in. "I hope that's true."

The conversation turned to the revitalisation of the British wizarding world's economy now that the threat from Voldemort was gone. Severus tuned out and drank his beer. Even going out with colleagues, he was reminded that Slytherin House was still viewed with suspicion and distrust, and that even a good young Slytherin like Malcolm Babcock would suffer from it. If Babcock had been a Gryffindor or a Ravenclaw, the parents would have been thanking the young man for saving their daughter from failing all her classes. At least the daughter thought highly of him...a bit of "hero worship," Pomona had called it, and as one of Snape's Slytherins, Babcock was not the least worthy of his House.

". . . and the Ministry is easing up on import restrictions of magical goods," David said. "They're trying new methods of inhibiting smuggling, too."

"Did I hear someone mention smuggling?" asked a witch in Auror red who had just approached the table.

"No, snuggling," Olivia said. "He was offering me a good snuggle."

The witch laughed. "Well, I hope you declined. I might just have to arrest him for snuggling without a permit!"

The wait-wizard brought another stool to the table as Olivia made introductions.

"I don't know if you all know Shakira Plummer. Shakira, you know Pomona and Filius, of course, and Hagrid; that's David and Laura, whom I've told you about, and Severus Snape."

Shakira nodded and smiled at the group. "Sorry I'm late, Liv, but we had another one of those attacks, and as it was in the North, it's my bailiwick." She ordered an ale and the house special. "Came straight from Leeds, so didn't have time to change duds."

"That's all right. I thought it was something like that," Olivia replied.

"Another suspected Death Eater attacked?" Filius asked, concern on his face.

"Mmm. Shouldn't say anything, though it'll be in the Prophet tomorrow. Not a suspected Death Eater, but a confirmed one. Somehow learned where he was living and tried to firebomb the house."

Severus set down his mug, carefully placing it on the wet ring on the coaster. A confirmed Death Eater living in a house in Leeds. There was someone he knew who fit that description.

"Some people won't let go, will they," Laura said sombrely.

"No. And no matter how I feel about the person, myself, he is living under the protection of the Ministry, and his case was properly adjudicated by the Wizengamot. Besides, it was in a Muggle neighbourhood. Any number of people could have been hurt. Fortunately, because of the MLE's wards on the house, the attack was unsuccessful."

"Any clues about who's doing this?" David asked.

Shakira shrugged. "We have some, but I can't discuss it."

"I hope you catch them soon," Pomona said fervently.

"You said the attack was unsuccessful," Severus said quietly. "Was anyone injured?"

"The . . . victim of the attack suffered some lung damage. There was a highly acrid smoke produced, and we had to enlist the Muggle authorities to evacuate the neighbourhood until we had the situation under control. But he was the only one hurt," Shakira replied, looking directly at Severus. She paused, then added, "His wife was at work."

"He was brought to St. Mungo's?" Severus asked, thinking that he should probably speak with Draco, although Draco "Newman" might not want to hear anything about his father.

"I am not at liberty to say. But he is receiving treatment and should be fine."

"That's a relief," Laura said. "I'm ready for another drink. Anyone else like one? And maybe some chips for the table."

"I will see what is keeping the waiter," Severus said, pushing away from the table, wanting an excuse to get up. He supposed he should buy a round of drinks. He was Deputy Headmaster, after all. "And I shall buy the drinks." He nodded in response to the chorus of thank-yous, and carefully noted mentally what each person wanted to drink. Filius's drink was called a Fwooper's Song. Severus did not care to know what was in it, but the little wizard's face was becoming quite red and his eyes were beginning to glaze over. Given that Filius usually seemed able to hold his liquor, a Fwooper's Song must be quite strong. He would tell the bartender to make the next drink weaker.

As he stood at the bar waiting for the bartender to come over to him, Hermione appeared at his elbow.

"Are you having a good time?" Hermione asked.

He looked down at her. "Lovely," he said flatly.

"Yes, um, I'm sorry I already had plans for tonight. It would have been nice to get together."

"That is why I owled you," Severus said.

"I got an owl from Ginny a couple days ago. She said she's quitting Quidditch after the next game."

"Did she, indeed."

"She said it was your idea," Hermione continued.

"Another round of drinks and two large plates of chips," Severus said to the bartender, who was now standing expectantly in front of him. "Two ales, two lagers, one gillywater, one firewhisky, and one Fwooper's Song...make it weak this time. And Auror Plummer is still waiting for her ale and her meal." He put two galleons on the bar. That would more than cover the drinks and perhaps insure prompter service.

"Was it your idea?" Hermione asked when the bartender had left to check on Shakira's meal. "Did you tell her to quit?"

"No. I merely pointed out to Miss Weasley that she had many options to choose from."

"Do you want Gryffindor to start losing?" Hermione asked. "Do you have more bets placed against them or something?"

Severus looked down at her, his brow furrowed. Bad enough that she was out with McPherson, now she believed that he was counselling a Gryffindor to quit Quidditch just for his own personal gain. He thought she knew him better than that.

"You have remarked yourself that Ginny is unhappy. I suggest you speak to her about her reasons for quitting. You are her friend. You should support her decision," Severus replied. "And whilst you're at it, you might speak to your friend Ronald about his filial duty."

"His filial duty?"

"Yes. I understand that you were often a guest of the Weasleys when Molly was alive. You know the family well. Weasley has five grown sons, and none of them appear to be concerned about their father. If you believe that your friend Ginny is unhappy . . ." Severus shrugged. "Arthur lost his wife and his son, and his wife was at his side only because he had agreed to lead the Order of the Phoenix. Perhaps you might extend some of your concern to him, as well. Bill may be a new father, and Charlie travels with his job, but the twins and Ronald..."

"Ron travels, too," Hermione said defensively.

"Mmm, boinking blondes, as you put it. The Quidditch schedule should not preclude him from assisting his father in his need. Now, if you will excuse me, Hermione," Severus said, nodding toward his table, where the waiter was now serving everyone's drinks and settling two giant platters of chips into the centre of the table. "Enjoy your date."

He was disappointed, though not surprised, when Hermione did not protest that it wasn't a date and did not try to stop him from leaving.

Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank was coming up to the table as he approached.

"Professor," Severus greeted her with a nod.

"Hello, Professor Snape," Wilhelmina replied, breaking into a grin as Hagrid stood and waved her around the table to him. "Hello, everyone!"

"Would you care for my chair?" Severus offered as they made their way around the table. "I can get another one."

"No, no, that's not necessary," Wilhelmina said.

Severus tried to hide his confusion as Wilhelmina sat down between Hagrid and Olivia, sharing Hagrid's bench. She was pressed right up against Hagrid's side, and the half-giant put his arm around her and gave her a squeeze.

The wait-wizard immediately brought her three shots of firewhisky, Levitating them across the table and lining them up in front of her.

"Bring me a Golden Snitch, too," Wilhelmina called to him. She downed one of the shots, then took out her short pipe. Severus was glad that she wasn't sitting directly next to him when Hagrid drew his wand and offered to light her pipe for her. She puffed away as Hagrid winked at her and held his wand to her pipe, a small flash emerging from it. He seemed better at producing a flame than he was at Summoning a chair.

"So, Hagrid says you have big plans for the weekend," Pomona said.

"The Swedish Short-snouts are beginning their mating season. A friend of mine at the Scandinavian Preserve in Norway has invited us up for a visit to watch their mating rituals," Wilhelmina said. She leered and poked Hagrid in the ribs. "Maybe give this one a few ideas." She chortled.

Severus felt the heat rise in his face, but the others laughed along with Wilhelmina.

"Hmm, why do Transfiguration mistresses not have such interesting holiday spots?" Shakira asked Olivia, shaking her head in mock despair, but her face alight with humour.

"And what about Aurors? Do they have more interesting holiday destinations?" Olivia asked.

"I hear there's an island in the North Sea that's quite interesting," David piped up. "Complete with Muggle-repelling wards and a ruined fortress. Could be very romantic!"

"But cold," Shakira said, exaggerating a shiver at the thought of Azkaban. "This witch likes warmer climes."

"How's your father?" Filius asked, slurring slightly.

"He's fine. I got a letter from him just the other day."

"Ms Plummer's father is the..." Filius gave a little burp. "He's the wizarding governor of Trinidad and Tobago."

"So you could take Olivia on a nice holiday," Laura said.

The others talked about holiday destinations, and Laura asked Pomona where she was going on holiday over Easter.

"There's a wizarding resort on the North Sea, in Germany, actually, where we used to go regularly for years. We haven't been there for a long time, and it's probably changed, but I hope not too much," Pomona replied.

"She likes to look..." Filius hiccupped. "She likes to look at the wizards. Looks at the good-looking young wizards there. Handsome young wizards from all...from all over...over Europe."

Severus was very glad he had asked the bartender to make Filius's drink weaker. He hoped he actually had.

"She likes to look," Filius continued. "But no touching! No, no touching!" He slapped Pomona's arm playfully.

Pomona laughed, but leaned over and whispered something in his ear.

"No, I don't want any chips," Filius declared. "Music! We should have music!"

"I think we ought to be getting back," Pomona said. "Come on, Fil. We'll go have the house-elves fix you something nice to eat, soak up some of that Fwooper's Song."

"And we have to be going, too," Wilhelmina said, slipping off the bench she shared with Hagrid. "Our Portkey is scheduled in ten minutes, and I don't want to miss it."

"Got me bag right 'ere," Hagrid said. He reached under the table and pulled out a worn leather haversack.

"I don't want to leave yet," Filius said. "We just got here! And we should have music."

Pomona settled back down in her chair. "All right. But let Rosmerta take care of any music, Filius. Maybe Severus could speak to her?" She looked beseechingly at Severus.

Given that the witch had only just insulted his House that evening, Severus was not inclined to be generous toward her, but he had always liked Filius, even when he was a student, and the little wizard's state was on the verge of becoming embarrassing; he didn't want the Charms master to regret it in the morning.

Severus nodded. "Certainly." He stood as Hagrid and Wilhelmina were taking their leave of the others at the table.

He never should have come that evening, he thought as he made his way across the pub to where Madam Rosmerta was chatting with a few patrons. Aside from the fact that he was completely out of place, he had to have seen Hermione on her date with Tarrant, and then she had essentially accused him of coercing Ginny Weasley into quitting Quidditch in order to win bets, and now he was the only single person at the table. But worst of all, he now had an entirely new set of images of Poppy at some debauched wizarding resort, surrounded by handsome, exotic young wizards in . . . in thongs or something, massaging her toes and feeding her grapes. He didn't know where these images came from, but they stirred up his jealousy. He wanted to be the one massaging her toes and feeding her grapes.

"Madam Rosmerta, Professor Flitwick has requested music. It is likely that he will attempt to conjure some if there is none provided. And he has been drinking something called a 'Fwooper's Song,' so I do not know the quality of music he would produce."

Rosmerta's eyebrows rose. "Filius is a fine Charms master and his taste in music is excellent, but I agree, we cannot let him conjure music under the influence of Fwooper's Song. I will take care of it," she said with a decisive nod. "Three of the Barghest's Howl are here tonight. I'll persuade them."

Severus nodded, then slipped her a galleon. "For the musicians," he said. Noblesse oblige, he thought to himself, feeling slightly more cheerful.

"Ta, Professor!" Rosmerta seemed both pleased and surprised.

Severus sat down again next to Filius, who was still saying something about needing music.

"It is arranged," Severus said. "There will be music." As he spoke, Rosmerta and two waiters were clearing an area on one side of the pub and raising a platform. Two witches and a wizard stepped up, one witch carrying a violin and the wizard pulling out what looked like a practice chanter.

Rosmerta raised her wand to her throat and cast a Sonorus spell. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am very pleased to be able to tell you that I persuaded three-fifths of the Barghest's Howl to perform for us this evening."

There was enthusiastic clapping, and Filius tried to stand up on his chair, but Severus and Pomona each took one elbow and kept him seated.

"Thank you," said the witch with long red hair. "Thank you very much. For those of you who have seen us perform before, you know that we encourage lively participation."

"Yes!" shouted Filius happily.

The witch smiled in his direction. "I'm sorry that Will and Jackie aren't here with us tonight, but I hope you will enjoy our little offering." She turned to the other two and nodded. The shaggy-haired wizard, dressed in jeans and a colourful tunic...a kind of hybrid wizard-Muggle look that was becoming popular, but which reminded Severus of the unfortunate Muggle styles of his youth...raised his chanter to his lips, and the sound of a full set of bagpipes, complete with drones, emerged. The other witch tucked her fiddle between her jaw and shoulder and drew out a long note.

Severus did not know what to make of the music, which seemed like a peculiar blend of wizarding rock and traditional folk music. Fortunately, Filius seemed to like it.

"Thank you, Severus," Pomona said.

He nodded.

"And I'm sorry if I seemed . . . hard on Babcock earlier. He is a fine young wizard, and I told the Boardmans that. I was just hungry and tired and a bit out-of-sorts after having to deal with them. They were the second set of annoyed and unreasonable parents I had to talk to this week, and on an empty stomach again, too."

Severus nodded again. He could understand that.

"Do you have plans for the holiday?"

"I shall be working," he replied shortly.

"Shh, I'm trying to listen," Filius said.

Pomona got up and moved over to the bench that Hagrid and Wilhelmina had vacated.

"You aren't taking any time off? Of course, I imagine you might have quite a few students staying over the holiday this year."

"There are a few," Severus acknowledged, though most were going to the Zabini estate if they had no other plans. Blaise was establishing his Slytherin base . . . his empire. "But we also cannot leave the castle empty of staff."

"But you might be able to take a couple days off. I'm sure that Minerva would be happy to arrange coverage for Slytherin."

He shrugged one shoulder. "I have no desire to take a holiday." He would have nowhere to go, and he certainly wouldn't want to go anywhere alone, anyway. Not that he would want to go anywhere with anyone else, either. Again, the image of Poppy being waited on by handsome young wizards came to mind. He scowled.

"You could do something educational...something like Hagrid and Wilhelmina are doing this weekend. I'm sure they'll have fun, but it'll also be interesting. For them. Not the sort of thing I'd be interested in. But..."

"I will be here over the Easter holiday," Severus repeated. He wished that Filius weren't quite so inebriated. He greatly preferred conversation with him.

"You could bring someone with you, a friend..."

"Pomona, I do not wish to repeat myself. I am not going anywhere. Full stop." He took a sip of beer. He changed the subject. "I was unaware that Hagrid and Professor Grubbly-Plank were such good friends."

Pomona smiled. "Sweet, isn't it? They started seeing each other after the battle. Wilhelmina had a few burns from handling the dragon. Charlie got the worst of it, but Henrietta...that's the dragon...was rather cranky after the battle, and they both were well-singed. Anyway, Hagrid visited her in St. Mungo's, and then they just hit it off. I think it's lovely. Very romantic."

"I thought he was with that Beauxbatons witch."

"Olympe? That was just a flash-in-the-cauldron. I never thought they had anything in common, other than their size. Couldn't understand at all what Hagrid saw in her, to be honest." She smiled fondly down at Filius, who was happily tapping his fingers in time with the music. "And size has nothing to do with love."

Severus took another swallow of beer. Across the table from him, Olivia and her girlfriend were talking, the Auror's dark, slightly greying head inclined toward hers, Olivia's fingertips stroking Shakira's wrist. Laura was leaning against David, who had his arms around her from behind as they faced the musicians, contented smiles on their faces. Across the room, Severus could see McPherson holding Hermione's chair for her as she rose from the table. She took his hand as they walked out of the pub.

Severus scowled and downed the last few swallows of beer.

"Another, Severus? I'll buy," Pomona offered.

He shook his head. "No. I need to get back. I have . . . I have to check on my House."

"Minerva will take care of anything that comes up. You should relax and enjoy yourself. Besides, here comes Helena. You can't be rude and leave just as she arrives."

Helena smiled at them and set down her shopping bags.

"Just back from London?" Pomona asked, looking at the bags.

"Yes. I met an old friend from school for dinner."

"Sit down here next to me," Pomona said, scooting over and patting the bench between her and Severus. "Tell us all about it."

Severus wanted to let out a sigh. Girl-talk, or whatever it was, more talk about shopping, clothes, and old friends. And holidays, probably.

"Oh, there's not much to tell," Helena said, sitting down between the two, smoothing her skirt beneath her. "Becky stopped in London so we could see each other. She's actually on her way to Moscow, so today was really our only opportunity to meet."

"Moscow?"

Helena waved at the wait-wizard, who practically flew across the room to wait on the beautiful international Quidditch star.

"A half of cider, please," she requested. "Yes, Moscow. She's going to be working at the Canadian wizarding embassy there as an assistant to the deputy ambassador. She's looking forward to it." The Hogwarts flying instructor turned to Severus. "How are you, Professor?"

"Fine." Why did people ask such inane questions? What was he supposed to say, that he was miserable, jealous, and horny as hell? On the other hand, he supposed it was better than being ignored.

"These musicians are good," she remarked. "Reminds me of a group I saw once in Nova Scotia."

The red-haired witch was now singing a song about a wizard lost on a mountain, seeking a treasure he would never find. Severus wanted to roll his eyes. But Filius was enjoying it, singing along and only slurring slightly.

Helena looked up at him. "Don't like them, Professor?"

"This particular song is a bit sentimental. It is not to my taste." He could try to be diplomatic.

Her eyes sparkled. "Don't like sentiment, Professor? I would think it would appeal to you. You have certainly experienced a lot of life, and a lot of deep feelings, no doubt."

"Sentimentality has little to do with life," Severus said shortly.

Helena shrugged. "I suppose it depends. But love, loss, longing, joy, fear, triumph . . . these are good subjects for songs, I think."

"You are young."

"And you are not?" Helena asked, laughter in her eyes, but not her voice.

"Hmmph."

"Malcolm's Song, sing Malcolm's Song!" Filius called out as the group finished a medley.

"We have a fan, I see," the witch said with a smile. She nodded and looked over at the wizard. "Luke?"

The wizard put his Charmed chanter down and stood from his stool. He paused a moment, then with no accompaniment, he began to sing a song in a minor key, a soaring song with many grace notes and vocal flourishes.

"Wind across the plains,

"Never take me away."

Severus had never heard the song before, but evidently Filius had, and he sang along, creating a harmony, singing lyrics about hard stone, open sky, and freedom. Other than a handful of people singing along, the crowd was quiet, not chatting as they had during the previous songs, and the wizard's voice was plaintive and moving. Severus had a sudden, vivid vision of harsh sunlight and a brown, barren landscape, but accompanied by freedom from the strictures of society, of cities, towns, and the eyes of others. Personally, he liked walls and roofs and security, but listening to the song, he felt an inexplicable longing for open spaces and the freedom to roam the world and go wherever he wished. It was a powerful song, even magical, perhaps, and Severus felt uncomfortable, though obviously others were enjoying being entranced by it.

The song came to an end, and Filius clapped wildly. As the group began playing another tune, this one much lighter and very mundane, Luke singing something about taking a woman named Maggie in the wood, the crowd returned to their conversations.

Filius looked over at Pomona. "I want to go home now," he said simply.

Pomona nodded, and the couple rose and bid the others good-night.

"I will be leaving, as well," Severus said as he watched the two crossed the pub, Filius somewhat unsteadily.

"Let me just pay for my drink, and I'll walk out with you," Helena said. When she didn't see the waiter, she shrugged and left a few sickles next to her glass. She stood and picked up her shopping bags.

Author's Note: A barghest is a monstrous black dog that roams the moors and is known for its eerie howl. If you hear one, run away, for if you see one, you will surely die . . . Just ask Sybill Trelawney!

The "Malcolm" in "Malcolm's Song" refers to Malcolm McGonagall, Gareth's father.

NEXT

Chapter Fifty-Nine: Skimming the Lake

Friday, 19 March 1999

Severus walks Helena Benetti home, and they take a late-night flight.

Characters: Severus Snape, Helena Benetti