Choices of the Heart

Disclaimer.

This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made, and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

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Boxing Day. Funny thing was that Boxing Day was synonymous with a hangover for Snape. At least it had been since he was old enough to get pissed on Christmas Day. He pushed himself up and swung his legs over the side of the feather bed he'd used the night before. Watery morning light flickered through the lace curtains and puddled on the Persian rug thrown beside the bed. Snape sat forward, his elbows resting on his knees. Bending his neck, he rested his forehead on his hands for a moment before running them through his hair; it was still strange to have short hair.

"Master Snape, is you needing anything?" asked Lessiff the elf, who had appeared in the bedroom unbidden.

"Coffee in the drawing room," said Snape as he stood and stretched.

The elf disappeared. Severus left the room in search of a bathroom before heading downstairs. He went to the same drawing room he'd sat in the night before and found Malfoy sitting in the same chair, looking as if he'd never moved.

"Coffee's there." Malfoy pointed to a side table.

Snape poured himself a cup and sat opposite his friend. He pulled out two phials of potion and passed one to Malfoy. They opened the phials and silently toasted each other before they each tossed the potion back in one.

"Just like old times." Malfoy stared into the fire, his thoughts miles and years away from here and now.

"Are you resolved?" asked Snape.

Malfoy nodded. "It shall be done. When do you expect to be called?" He looked over at Snape.

"Come now, Malfoy. You must remember that He Who Must Not Be Named always holds a New Year's Day levee for his most faithful. Eat, Drink and be Merry, sayeth the Dark Lord." Snape smirked before sipping his coffee.

"Here's to the creature of habit, and I do mean Creature," said Malfoy, now raising his coffee in a toast.

"And to his real familiar, Wormtail, for Merlin knows, Nagini the snake has far more brains in her reptilian head than the two-legged rodent. She's probably the real brains behind the entire movement." Snape began to laugh at his own joke. Malfoy joined in, and soon the deserted house was echoing with their dark mirth.

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Late Wednesday morning, December 31st, Jenny looked out of her front window and saw a grey car pulling up to the kerb. She turned away and got her coat and handbag, stopping for a moment to check her hair in the hall mirror. The doorbell rang as she was pulling on her coat.

With a smile, Jenny opened the door. "Hello, Severus, you're right on time. Don't you look handsome?" She brushed her hand over his tie.

"Thank you. Traffic was light for a Wednesday. I'm glad you had the day off." He stood aside as Jenny stepped out and locked the door behind her.

"It was a nice surprise to be asked along on a day out, Severus. I've not been out of Manchester for a while. Where are we going anyway? I hope I dressed properly for dinner." She walked down the path not noticing Severus' eyes watching her legs. She'd never worn a dress while in his company before. Severus decided he liked the view.

"You recall that search we did for an old artefact the first time I visited?" he asked, pulling his eyes to her face.

"Yeah, the shield with griffins on it located in a church somewhere east of here," she replied.

"Indeed. I thought we would visit the area and, as I had told you on the phone, stop for dinner on the way back. I've made reservations at a nice restaurant where I'm sure anything you wear would be appropriate." He opened the car door for her to enter.

"Thank you, Mr Snape. You know just how to make me feel special." She pulled her skirt in before he closed the door.

"My pleasure, Ms Doulton. It's not every day a lovely lady consents to be my companion," he told her, as he climbed in the driver's side.

"Don't forget your belt," she warned, as he started the car without buckling up. "Don't want to get a citation."

"I forgot," he muttered as he fastened himself in.

They headed out of Manchester, east on the M60 and M1 towards Greater Driffield. After leaving the Motorway and the main trunk roads behind, they ended up on Bridlington Road.

"Do you know where the church is?" asked Jenny.

"I don't have the address, but I think we've found it." He looked out of his side window and saw a steeple tower soaring upwards to the sky. "I thought we might try something I always do when I'm looking for information and visit the hub of news about the town," he replied.

"The library," she stated with conviction.

"The local pub," he responded with a smile.

They found a pub after turning two corners. Severus parked the car down the street from the whitewashed building. He opened the door and helped Jenny out.

"This looks like a good place to start," he said, "and it appears to serve pub lunches. Hungry?" he asked, leading her to the doors.

"Biscuits and cheese with a shandy sounds good," she replied, entering the pub before him.

The interior was quiet, only a few older men and a group of women in one corner.

"'Ow do folks, 'aving a day out, then?" greeted the landlord.

"Yes, we're just travelling around the area taking in historic sites," Snape told him.

He ushered Jenny to a table where they were joined by the jolly man.

"What can I get you?" asked their host.

"A Ploughman's lunch, a shandy for the lady and a pint of bitter for me," Snape ordered.

"Are you vegey?" he asked. "'Cause we've 'ad some that don't like to 'ave meat."

"No, we'll have a bit of everything," replied Snape.

"Coming right up." The landlord exited into what appeared to be a kitchen and then returned to pour their drinks.

"Why are you searching for this shield, Severus?" asked Jenny.

"There are some who would pay a great price to have it in their possession," Snape told her. "To others, the shield represents a way of life, a tradition begun by the original owner."

"Are you still talking about your old school?" she asked.

He cocked his head to the side. "Surely you know the kind of loyalty old schools have from their pupils."

"I never went to that kind of school, Severus. I couldn't wait to get out of the state system." They paused as their drinks arrived.

"Anything else?" asked the landlord.

"Yes, where can we find All Saints Church?" asked Snape.

"When you go out, go back up the hill and turn to your left at the first street. You'll see the old graveyard first. Just turn right when you see the main gate. You can't miss it." He stood aside to let a woman put a platter of food and two small plates on the table.

"Have there been any other people around asking about the church?" Snape kept the question innocent, but Jenny caught something in his tone.

The landlord shook his head. "Not since I've been the licensee, but I remember my old dad saying something about a man asking after the church quite a while ago."

Snape looked at him. "Why would that stick in your memory?"

The landlord stroked his chin. "My dad, 'e was a superstitious man, 'e was. Had the vicar come and bless this house after that bloke came. Said 'e thought we'd been visited by Satan 'imself. Lot 'o tripe of course, but me dad was funny that way. Enjoy." He nodded and returned to the bar.

Jenny helped herself to pork pie, Cheshire cheese and a slice of cob bread. "What are you not telling me, Severus?" she asked.

"Why would I be hiding anything?" he asked in return. He speared some pickled onions to go with his slice of pate.

"Severus Snape, don't play the innocent with me. There's something more going on here than just retrieving an old school heirloom." She sipped her shandy and waited.

Snape sighed. "Jenny, the whole matter is contentious. There are two sides fighting over the possession of certain artefacts. They both believe they are the rightful heirs."

"Whose side are you on?" she asked, putting a piece of pork pie in her mouth.

He smirked. "The side that is right of course."

When they finished, they left the pub and drove to the church. No one else was about as they approached the front doors which were open, much to Jenny's surprise. They entered the ancient church and looked about the nave. To one side, the nave opened into a small side chapel that held a burial crypt.

"Severus, look." Jenny pointed to a carved frieze above the low, buttressed entry to the chapel. The heraldic and holy symbols included stylized Griffins. Jenny walked towards the vault while Severus was several paces behind. As she passed under the buttress, he saw a glow emanate from around the wooden frame. Secretly, he dropped his wand into his palm. Turning to cover his action, Severus cast a Revealing Charm on the frame. As he had suspected, a ward to detect magic of any kind had been placed around the chapel. He tentatively reached out a hand only to snatch it back when it was given a nasty shock -- warded against magical folk as well then.

Jenny reached into her bag and pulled out a small camera. "Come closer and I'll take your picture with the dead knight."

Severus shook his head. "I've more respect for your camera lens than that. If you wouldn't mind, take a few snaps of the crypt itself."

"Shy, aren't you," she teased. "Okay, from what angles?"

"Do you see the shield?" he asked.

"Yeah, looks perfect from here." She lifted the camera and took pictures from every direction. At Severus' coaching, she took one closer shot of the shield.

"Why won't you come closer, Severus?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Old superstition – only pretty young women may approach the knight with impunity."

"And here I thought you wanted to spend time with me when all the time you just needed me to get close to the dead old geezer," she mocked him teasingly.

Snape frowned. "I do want to spend time with you, Jenny."

Jenny shook her head. "I was just teasing you again. Here, take a picture of me pointing at the carvings above." She passed him the camera and took off her coat.

She posed, leaning on the wall with her arm outstretched pointing at the frieze.

Severus watched as she got ready for the picture, taking in the black velvet dress she wore. The neck was scooped low and the skirt hung loosely from her hips. It made her look utterly feminine and reminded him of something a witch would have worn.

"You look very pretty today, Jenny," he told her, as he pointed the camera at her and pressed the shutter release.

"Thanks, I... my sister said every woman should have a little black dress." Jenny blushed at his compliment.

"Hello, can I help you?" called a voice from the sanctuary.

"Hello," answered Jenny. "We were just admiring your wonderful frieze and crypt. We're not trespassing I hope."

A man approached them. "Not today you're not. We're having a service of Thanksgiving tonight, and the choir is due for practise anytime. I'm the lay-deacon here, Archie Phelps." He held his hand out in greeting. Jenny and Severus both shook it.

"My name is Tobias Prince, Mr Phelps," offered Snape, hoping Jenny wouldn't give away his subterfuge. "I was wondering if you've had any enquiries about the shield on the crypt. It seems remarkably well preserved."

"I've not had any questions from anyone, but there is a visitor every Easter that stops by and makes an anonymous offering to help in the upkeep." He chuckled to himself. "The old vicar said it must be a descendant of old Godric the Good."

"Godric the Good?" asked Jenny.

Phelps nodded. "Well, the story goes that the knight, Sir Godric, cast a magic spell upon the shield making it impervious to any weapon. It's said the spell is still in effect today, leaving the shield as perfect as the day it was cast." The man smiled. "The Sunday School kiddies love the story."

"Indeed, thank you, Mr Phelps, Happy New Year," said Snape, gathering Jenny up to leave.

"Happy New Year, sir," called Jenny over her shoulder, struggling to don her coat as Severus pulled her along.

"Tobias?" she asked as they approached the car.

"Later," he replied, making haste to leave.

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"Mum, sit still," Ginny insisted as she helped her mother primp for the Minister's Ball.

"Ginny, I'm quite capable of choosing make-up charms," snapped Molly.

Ginny rolled her eyes in frustration. "Fleur, are you there?" she shouted down the hall.

"Oui, wat is eet?" asked the Weasley daughter-in-law, entering the bedroom.

Ginny indicated her mother. "Please, tell my mother wearing blue eye shadow and heavy black eyeliner is out," she begged.

Fleur looked at Molly and gasped. "Mon Dieu, ma mere, vous etes ...pardon ...you are spoiling ze look of your beautiful robes and stole. Sil vous plait, laissez-moi faire votre maquillage? Let me 'elp you?" The witch from France smiled at her mother-in-law.

Molly huffed and started to pout.

"Mum, think of Dad? He just wants you to feel like the belle of the ball tonight. He's right smart in his new dress robes." Ginny knew her mother was a softy when it came to her father.

"Mais oui, mon Cher papa Weasley, il est magnifique, 'e is very dashing." Fleur looked at Ginny over Molly's head and winked.

Molly shrugged. "Go on then, do what you want. I'll put myself in your hands tonight, girls."

A short time later, Fleur declared Molly was, "Parfait."

Molly walked down stairs, following the younger girls, and into the front room. Arthur had been talking to Lupin while the twins, Ron and Harry played exploding snap. Hermione was curled up on the rug with Crookshanks, reading her ubiquitous book.

"Okay, Prince Arthur, Cinderella is ready to go to the ball," announced Ginny, smiling ear to ear.

Arthur turned and looked at his wife. Her transformation was complete. She wore dark green formal robes with gold filigree lace embellishing the bodice, cuffs and hem. Gold combs adorned her hair which had been styled into a regal chignon. Her gold locket, a wedding gift from Arthur, was the only other jewellery she wore.

"Molly," said Lupin, breaking the silence, "you've never looked lovelier."

Molly blushed and looked away. "Thank you, Remus. It was kind of you to say so."

"Wow, Mum, you'll knock'em dead at the dance," announced George. Ron and Harry nodded in agreement. Hermione smiled knowingly at the two girls who had wrought the new Mrs. Weasley.

Arthur finally approached her and took her hands in his. "Molly, my love, you've never looked more stunning. I'll be the envy of every wizard there tonight." He lifted her hand and kissed it.

"Stop it," said Molly. "You've got me all embarrassed."

Arthur took her stole and set it about her shoulders. "Nonsense, Molly. Every word they've said is true. Now, let's make our grand entrance to the ball, shall we?"

He started to lead her out, but stopped and turned. "Happy New Year, everyone." He pointed to his children. "And you lot behave."

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"Master, he is here," announced Pettigrew.

"Show our dear brother in, Wormtail. He has been too long gone from our fold." Voldemort lounged on his wing-back chair as if it were a throne. He petted his familiar, her serpentine head resting on his shoulder from where she had coiled over the chair-back.

Lucius Malfoy entered the presence of his Dark Lord for the first time since he'd fought at the Department of Mysteries. He'd found robes that had been in the laundry when his home had been plundered following his wife's murder. That, along with Death Eater attire supplied by Snape had made him at least look presentable.

Lucius limped into the room, leaning heavily on his cane. He stopped before Voldemort and with obvious difficulty, dropped to his knee in the approved manner. He bowed his head and said, "My lord, you are most kind to grant me an audience."

"Lucius, you must know of my affection for you. You have served me loyally for many years. Surely you didn't think I had forgotten you." Voldemort regarded the man before him. "You are recovering from your ordeal?"

"I am beginning to, my Lord," he answered, avoiding looking into Voldemort's eyes.

"Come and sit by me while we have some tea. Wormtail," he called.

Peter scurried into the room and bowed. "Master?"

"A proper tea for us and our guest. We have much to catch up on." Peter was dismissed with a serpent-like smile and a wave. As Voldemort turned to Lucius, now sitting on the arm chair opposite, his face had morphed into a look of pity.

"Ah, Lucius, when I think of your poor, poor, deluded wife." He shook his head. "How could she have thought to foil my plans? Surely you had told her of my need for obedience?"

"My Lord, she was a mother in fear for her son..." began Lucius cautiously, only to be cut off.

"She sought to escape my wrath," Voldemort snapped violently. He drew a deep breath and continued on in the calm tone he'd used before. "If she had approached us with an explanation or asked for an indulgence, we would have considered it. As it stands, stealing away in the dark of night, well, she left us no choice."

"Her intentions were never intended to be disloyal, my Lord. Draco... " Again, Lucius was cut off mid sentence.

"Is a failure, an embarrassment. He cost me my inside spy to the activities of my enemies." Voldemort stood and began pacing. "This fiasco of a feud has gone on long enough. It must end before the feast of Walpurgisnacht is over." He wheeled back to Malfoy, pointing a finger in his face. "And you, my dear, devoted Lucius, shall lead your brothers in the fray."

At that moment Peter entered, floating a large tray of tea time accoutrements before him.

Voldemort looked up, his expression lightening. "Excellent, Wormtail. Did you find the gammon I asked for? I do so enjoy a fine gammon sandwich for tea. Milk and sugar, Lucius?"

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Jenny sat curled against Severus watching the New Year's television broadcast from Scotland. She felt him laugh quietly.

"What?" she asked.

"I think I watched this show back in nineteen seventy-five, seventy-six and seventy seven. The dancers dance the same dances, they sing the same songs and recite the same bloody Burns poetry every year." He lifted his glass and sipped the brandy he'd bought on the return trip to Jenny's house.

"Well," began Jenny in the Scots defence, "they have their traditions. Good for them if they enjoy them." She sat up and looked at the clock. "Ten to twelve. Come on you." She pulled Snape to his feet.

"What?" he asked surprised at her actions.

"Out you go, I have my traditions too." She handed him his coat.

"You're throwing me out because I don't like bloody Scottish traditions?" he asked in surprise.

"No, silly, you've got to first foot. Come on, hurry, outside." She pulled him to the front door.

"Jenny," he whined, "they used to make me do this at the school in Scotland."

"It's your own fault," she told him as she opened the door and pushed him through.

"What did I do to deserve the miserable honour?" he asked petulantly.

"You were born a man with black hair. Now behave and you'll get back in at midnight." With that, she slammed the door on his face only to open it again to hand him his bottle of brandy before banging it shut once more.

"Bloody, northern superstitions," he muttered, then opened the brandy and took a swig.

"Can you spare some?" asked a male voice to his left.

Looking over, Severus saw a younger man, with dark hair, in the same predicament he was. "You don't have anything to first-foot with?" he asked.

"Just this." The other first-footer held up a lump of coal.

Severus snorted and passed over the brandy. "Did you bring a bottle?"

His neighbour took a long draught of liquor and passed the bottle back. "Yeah, but the father-in-law to be claimed it on sight."

Inside, Jenny was dashing around madly. She ran to the bedroom and removed her clothes, donning a black, silk nightgown adorned with a handkerchief hem. She dabbed Severus' perfume on and passed a brush through her hair. Then she dashed to the kitchen and pulled out a small bottle of champagne from the fridge. Grabbing two flutes, she went back into the living room and set everything on the small table by the door. She then lit several candles before turning out the lights. Turning once more to the bottle of champagne, she popped the cork and poured the sparkling wine into the flutes just as the clocks began to chime and the church bells began to ring. Lifting the flutes in one hand, Jenny went back to the front door and released the latch just as Severus knocked.

Severus saw the door open just as he tapped it. He pushed it open all the way and stepped inside to be presented with a vision he'd not expected.

"Jenny," he breathed, closing the door behind him. She had transformed herself into a voluptuous nymph. His senses were filled by her presence.

Jenny stepped close to him and handed him a flute of champagne. "Happy New Year, Severus." She touched her glass to his and sipped. Severus followed suit.

Jenny then took his glass and set both flutes aside. Stepping forward, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. He wrapped his arms about her, holding her softness to him as a drowning man to a lifejacket. The moment seemed to stretch into eternity. Only when they each needed to breathe did the embrace loosen.

"Oh, Severus, I've waited for this moment since the first time you kissed me," she whispered in his ear. She began to stroke his back and arse, only to feel him stiffen and move away.

"Jenny, my lovely Manchester lass, I can't believe you have done this for me." He pulled back from her and stroked her hair.

Jenny frowned and shook her head. "You don't understand, Severus. What do you mean, have done this for you? This is just as much for me as you," she exclaimed.

"Jenny, there are things you don't know about me; things that would make you see me in a different light." He didn't know what else to say.

"Are you gay or bi?" she asked bluntly.

"What?" he asked, incredulously. "No!"

She picked up her champagne and walked away. "I've told you more than once I had no illusions about how men saw me. You gave me the impression you saw me otherwise. If that's not the case, then don't lead me on and tease me, Severus."

Jenny bit her lips to stop herself from crying. "I've come to feel a great deal for you, Severus. Not just as someone I can actually have a decent conversation or debate with, but also as a woman for a man. I've dreamt of you holding me and making love to me. I've never met a man I could have that kind of relationship with before." She turned to face him as he sat on the chair beside the computer. "Be honest with me, Severus. I'd much rather keep you as a friend than lose you as a lover."

There had been few moments that Severus regretted his genetic inheritance of being a wizard, but this was probably the greatest of them. He inhaled deeply. A decision had to be made.

"Jenny, there are things happening in this world that very few people know about. Men, women and children are suffering," he began.

"I know this, Severus," she replied.

"I'm not talking about what you read in the newspapers, Jenny," he declared. "There are other parties who would seek to overthrow the government."

"This has everything to do with the research you've been doing, doesn't it?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied.

"Who is Tobias Prince?" she asked.

"My pseudonym," he replied quietly.

Jenny knelt before him on the floor. "What does all this have to do with us?"

"Jenny, people are being hurt and sometimes dying because of a ridiculous conflict. If you were to be counted among their number..." He couldn't voice any more.

"Whose side are you on, the ones that want to take over or the others?" She watched the guarded emotions pass over his face.

"There are times I'm not so sure any more. It's all gotten muddled somewhere in the middle. I'm trying to stop the mayhem." He felt her hands on his face.

"Do you want to hurt innocent people?" she asked, gazing into his eyes as though she could read the answer there.

"NO! You can't possibly think that, Jenny." Severus grabbed her hands in his.

Jenny pulled his hand to her mouth and kissed the knuckles. "Severus, I could step outside my front door and be murdered by a stranger. I could board a train destined to be derailed by an idiot making a political statement. Good lord, I work in a public building that shares information to all and sundry. It could be bombed by a religious zealot who decided we were blaspheming against his god." Jenny paused to gather herself. "In our world today, there are no guarantees, Severus. I will not be a prisoner to fear."

Snape reached out and cupped Jenny's face. "I... I want you more than the air I breathe. You are perfect and pure and lovely. I am not worthy of your gift."

"Don't put me on a pedestal, Severus. Just give me my New Year's wish." Jenny waited for his answer.

"What is your wish, Jenny?" he whispered.

"Make love to me and let me wake in your arms tomorrow morning."

He rose and pulled her up with him. She took his hand and led him down the hall towards her room. Unseen by Jenny, Severus raised his hand in a gesture borne of habit and waved it behind him dousing the candles magically.