Severus Comes Out Of Exile

All canon characters belong to JKR.

Thank you to June for all of her help and suggestions.

Chapter 6 – Severus Comes Out Of Exile

Severus and Lucius walked up from the dungeons together. Lucius was bringing his friend up-to-date on his son’s dealings.

“So it seems that you may be a grandfather soon, then?” asked Severus

“Yes. Can you imagine me, a grandfather?” Lucius laughed. It was certainly a hard thing to picture. The man who once dressed as a Death Eater in Voldemort’s ranks, would soon dress up as Father Christmas for his grandchildren. As odd as it sounded, Lucius found he liked the idea very much.

“I don’t even want to think about that yet,” Severus said, inwardly shuddering. “My children are too young for me to think of that.”

As they got to the main floor, they were met by Odin and Sage.

“Uncle Lucius! What did you bring us?” cried Sage as she ran to Lucius.

“Sage, that’s quite rude, young lady,” scowled Severus.

Lucius merely laughed. “It’s all right, Severus. As it happens, I did bring them a little something. But, they must promise to be patient, and I will let them have their gifts after dinner.”

Odin and Sage frowned. At age eight and seven, neither child was very patient, but it seemed that they had no choice.

“Oh, all right.” agreed Sage, as she hugged Lucius. Odin took his turn, then the two children ran off. They knew they would be able to talk Albus and Minerva into conjuring some pony for them to ride around the property.

“Um…Severus, I was thinking. Why were you watching a knitting show?” asked Lucius.

Severus smiled.

“Knitting keeps my fingers nimble,” Severus replied, quirking his eyebrows. “Women like nimble fingers.”

They both laughed and walked towards the large living room, where the rest of the gang was gathered.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The evening passed quickly. Harry and Neville practically sprinted to the dining room behind Ginny, as both wanted to take a seat next to her. For his part, Lucius only smiled. He would have his moment with Ginny.

The Count’s dinner table was square, which allowed for easy conversation. Hermione was pleased to see Severus socializing again, as he happily argued with Lucius and Albus regarding new theories on how the Dark Arts could be used for good rather than evil purposes. Hermione and Minerva discussed new Tranfiguration articles they planned on writing together, and Ginny tried to keep herself from being split in two. Ron entertained Odin and Sage, telling them about Fred and George’s new product ideas they were developing to sell at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.

After dinner, the group split up. Albus and Minerva took the Snape children and walked through the gardens, pointing out the constellations easily seen in the sky. Hermione and Severus disappeared with Lucius into the library for a nightly brandy, while poor Ginny was stuck with her brother and two would-be suitors. As Ginny longingly looked towards Lucius’ retreating form, she wondered if she would ever get a moment’s peace from Harry, Neville and Ron.

As the day grew late and everyone was in their respective rooms, Lucius began to formulate a plan. He’d been discussing with Severus ways to get Harry and Neville away from Ginny long enough for him to spend some time with her. Severus assured him he would help. Actually, Severus said that even if he had to place the two young men in a body bind and hang them upside down in a rather suspect room in the dungeon, Lucius would have time with Ginny. Lucius saw a glimmer in Severus’ eyes as he spoke. He knew Severus almost wished he could do just what he had said, even if it was a bit obvious for a Slytherin.

In their bedroom, Hermione climbed into bed and suspiciously eyed her husband.

“Severus?” she asked as she lightly ran her finger across his chest.

Severus opened one eye and looked at her. ‘Don’t tell her anything, Severus, no matter what she does to you,’ he thought.

“Yes?”

“What were you and Lucius whispering about in the library earlier?”

“Oh, just wizard talk,” said Severus, as Hermione’s fingers traveled from his chest to his navel.

“What kind of wizard talk?” Hermione kissed Severus on his neck, just where she knew he liked it. She had told Ginny earlier that evening that she would try to get as much information about Lucius as she could. Hermione knew Lucius somewhat well, but she didn’t know what he would be looking for in a woman. Seeing Severus and Lucius earlier that evening, speaking in hushed toned, Hermione knew they had to have been talking about more than just Quidditch and Dark Arts.

‘Damn her,’ thought Severus. Hermione was sucking on his neck. If she kept that up he’d confess to being Voldemort’s wet nurse, just to keep her from stopping.

“Oh, you know. The usual. Quidditch and the Dark Arts.”

Hermione immediately stopped touching him.

“What did you stop for?” asked Severus.

“Severus Snape, you know very well you weren’t talking about that,” she said in a huffy tone.

Severus pushed himself up on his elbows and looked at her.

“Well, why is it so bloody important for you to know, woman?”

“It’s not important, I was just curious, that’s all.”

“All right then. What were you and Ginny whispering about before dinner?”

Hermione opened and shut her mouth several times, before she answered.

“Witch talk.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Not much going on in this chapter, nice and quiet. But there is more coming. Severus isn't out of the woods yet, and Lucius has his sights set on Ginny.