Chapter 8

Disclaimer: I own the plot. JKR owns the characters and places. GrammarPolice and SlytherinsHeirx should own the pain au chocolat for their help in beta- and Britpicking this melee. Much thanks and virtual chocolates also to the admins who keep my commas in line. ^_^

Chapter Eight

...Two weeks later...

"Sir, are you sure?" Draco was perplexed. "I know you've made grand progress, but I'm not so sure about this."

"I refuse to continue simply pacing the upper hallway for the rest of my stay," Severus snarked. "I want to sit at a table and eat like a civilized person, not eat dinner in my room again."

"Draco," Narcissa interrupted, "if Severus thinks he can manage the stairs, then perhaps we should let him."

"But, Mother, he's..." Draco protested.

"But, nothing," Severus interrupted. "If I fall, it's entirely on my head. Let's go."

* * *

Hermione and Lucius stood at the bottom of the wide staircase and watched Severus slowly make his way downstairs followed by Narcissa and a frowning Draco. Once he reached the bottom, Severus took the walking stick Lucius held out to him with a grunted "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Lucius said with a smirk. "Keep it and consider it an early holiday gift."

Severus glared at him, then turned and walked into the dining room followed by a smiling Narcissa, who felt she had a rather lovely, if unconventional, family all of a sudden. Severus stopped next to a chair and waited while Lucius and Draco helped Narcissa and Hermione to their chairs. When the ladies were seated, the men took their seats, and Narcissa rang the silver bell sitting on the table at her right hand. With a "pop", bowls of soup appeared on the table in front of each of them and dinner began.

* * *

Minerva,

Severus

* * *

Severus,

I look forward to seeing you next month as do the rest of the staff. Filius says that he can't teach me the spells you used because he doesn't recognize them. I will definitely be coming to you to learn them.

Minerva

* * *

Minerva,

Severus

* * *

Severus,

Minerva

* * *

Minerva,

Severus

* * *

"Well, you seem to be in a good mood," Narcissa said from the door of the library where Severus had taken up residence once he was able to move about. She walked in, levitating a tray of tea and a second tray of cakes and other pastries. "Is the news from Hogwarts that good?"

"The Headmistress and I are just having one of our civil conversations, albeit by owl rather than face to face," Severus answered with a smirk. "I believe your son has gone behind my back and suggested that the Potions classroom be moved to the ground floor, rather than the dungeons."

"Actually, I did that," Narcissa confessed. At Severus' scowl, she quickly explained. "I remember those stairs to the dungeons. They are steep and can be slippery at times, and I was afraid that you might lose your balance and fall. I truly didn't mean to infer that you were an invalid to be coddled."

"I should hope not." He sniffed and then took a deeper breath. "Do I smell pain au chocolat?"

Narcissa smiled. "Yes. I asked the house-elves to make some for our tea. Hermione is quite fond of the pastries."

"I take it Miss Granger will be joining us then," Severus growled.

"Why, Severus, I do believe you don't want our company." Lucius' snide remarks as he entered the library made Narcissa laugh, and Severus scowled at both of them. He started to say something, but was interrupted by Draco and Hermione's bickering voices.

"I still say he's trying to do too much too soon," Draco said.

"Nonsense, Ferret," Hermione shot back. "If he feels he can do something, then he should at least try. That's the whole idea behind physical therapy. The patient usually knows what he can and can't do."

They walked into the library to find Lucius and Narcissa beaming at them while Severus scowled.

"What?" Draco said, coming to a halt. "What'd I do now?"

"Nothing, dear." Narcissa smiled. "Come and have your tea."

Draco and Hermione exchanged puzzled looks on Narcissa's inexplicable affability and obeyed, seating themselves in the chairs on the other side of the tea table.

* * *

Severus waited until Draco took a sip of his tea. "I understand you don't believe I should be out of bed yet," he said.

Draco sputtered and started coughing. Hermione started up out her chair and he waved her away. "I didn't say that, sir," he said. "I just said I thought you were pushing too hard. The book..."

"The book is just guidelines," Hermione interrupted. "It's not the bible of physical therapy."

"The what?" Lucius asked. "I don't believe I've heard that expression before."

Severus smirked. "I do believe the Gryffindor Know-It-All has discovered that not every answer can be found in a book."

"Actually, sir, they can," Hermione said. "You just need to know how to interpret the information you're reading."

"Five points to Gryffindor, Miss Granger," Severus said. "I have been trying to teach you that since your first year. At least you no longer regurgitate the information word for word."

Hermione looked stunned. "D-did you just give points to Gryffindor, sir?" she asked.

"Did you lose part of your hearing in the final battle, Miss Granger?" he countered. "I find that I no longer have to coddle the members of my House in order to play a role. Therefore, when I return to Hogwarts, I will be giving and taking points appropriately.

"Even from Slytherin," he warned as Draco started to smirk, causing him to frown instead. "As to the expression Miss Granger used, Lucius, it means that there are other resources that may not agree with that particular volume and not to rely on it entirely."

"I see," Lucius said, reaching for the last scone. "So, Draco, do you still want to go to university after Hogwarts?"

"Yes, Father," Draco said. "I would like to learn more about how Charms can be combined with Potions. Professor Flitwick said that a university curriculum was better than an apprenticeship for learning to combine the two subjects, and he offered me an apprenticeship to complete my studies after I graduate."

"He did what?" Severus sputtered. "Why, that bandy-legged, little excuse for a teacher. If he thinks he can steal my apprentices..."

"Severus!" Narcissa said, shocked. "And you were doing so well, too."

"If you will excuse me," he growled as he reached for his cane and stood up. "I find I have a letter to write."

* * *

Author's Note: Pain au chocolat (translation: chocolate bread), for those who don't know, is a wonderfully flaky croissant crust wrapped around a stick of dark bittersweet chocolate and baked. Some bakeries roll hazelnuts or almonds up with the chocolate before the pastry is baked. They are delicious and very rich, which makes them perfect for chocolate lovers, in my opinion. I've even had them with an icing glaze drizzled over the top. Yummy!