Easter

Easter

Severus woke with the first rays of sun and, as was his wont, wanted to work out his kinks. This morning, though, he found himself unable to move. Not only was his right arm detained by his sleeping wife but his back was stiff and aching.

After tossing and turning for hours, Ginevra was now sleeping on her side, her mouth slack and her features softer than in weeks. Dried perspiration had baked her hair to her face, and she was holding to his arm as if it was a lifeline. With his free hand, he gently peeled off a strand from over her eye. She barely stirred, only clutched his arm even tighter.

Her face hardened with no outer reason, and she mouthed words of anger. Severus placed his upper arm on her shoulder and stroked up and down. When she relaxed again, her knees curled up, leaving him barely any space in the narrow bed. Severus suppressed a groan but didn't push her knees back down. Then he carefully worked his shoulder deeper into the mattress and circled his ankle simply because these were joints he could move freely. I will relocate our new, fabulous bed from the Academy to home for the summer, he promised himself.

For minutes he lay like that, listening to the birds outside and watching Ginevra, his wife. When her brows weren't furrowed in a dream, she looked even younger than she already was.

She shifted again and wrinkled her nose when the sun hit it. Her warm brown eyes, with their endearing blue flecks, opened, sending Severus' heart into a somersault. Dumbledore's words hit him like a bullet to the brain. "Love, Severus, the emotion that Tom will never understand, will be his downfall."

Whatever you say, old man, he thought. Consider the company she's forced to keep and the choices she's had to make! Even you have to admit that my personal feelings for her are utterly irrelevant. I cannot even console her with details on the few pieces I could turn to our advantage.

A very worried Urquhart had delivered a wreck of a girl to their quarters and given Severus a blow by blow account of the flying examination. The boy was a simpleton, but brought up in the noble, old ways to honour one's elders and to protect the fairer sex...no matter what. Severus had easily enlisted him to watch out for his teacher's wife in his stead. It had been harder to drill the necessary caution into him so that neither Ginevra, nor anyone else, would suspect him of doing so. If he was discovered, Ginevra's indignation might be as hard to bear as any rumours or open investigations, Severus thought with a mix of dismay and pride.

For the boy's benefit Severus had addressed his wife with "my love" for the first time. He had never imagined the spark it had ignited in her tired face.

Then there were the preparations for Beltane, including a ceremony of inauguration, read: branding the next year of recruits with the Dark Mark. Cold sweat ran down Severus' back as he recalled Brenda Nott's slip of the tongue. The woman had complained about the tricky spells to reveal a magical signature, as she was enlisted to sort out pregnant girls. Which, in turn, makes me shag her like a randy Manticore, no, make that a narcissistic, prurient scoundrel, Severus raged. He imagined how the news would be interpreted: The bat of the dungeon is determined to get Ginevra up the duff and bequeath a child his fabulous genes! His situation filled him with disgust.

Severus could not risk her knowing any of this. What she did know was their obligation to produce three magical children before they were allowed to part, and she experienced the hardships at the blasted Academy of Our Dark Lord's blessing.

The sun had wandered, and Ginevra squinted in the sunlight, closed her eyes and stretched like a Kneazle. Severus placed his upper arm once again on her shoulder and asked how she was feeling.

Stiffly Ginny manoeuvred herself onto her back and to her half of the narrow bed. She furrowed her brows and took her time to answer. Finally she lifted her hand and counted her thoughts with her fingers. "Let's see. I've had a delicious dinner, escaped from cleaning the kitchen and had a long night's sleep. I wake up in sunshine with the prospect of three weeks' holiday. And I'm in the arms of my beloved husband. How would I feel?"

Severus stiffened at the word beloved and elaborated his concern. "You were hardly yourself last night. Do you remember what we had for dinner?"

Severus felt tension build up next to him, and the little colour vanished from her face. Had it been the wrong words to say? The wrong tone? He had tried for genuine concern, but his voice was raspy from the night.

"I'm a lot better now," she started, her hand tentatively moving to his hips.

Severus rapidly stalled her move and covered her hand with his, saying, "Ginevra, no. It's not that I don't want to sleep with you, but we're in no condition to enjoy it as we should.

"Everyone in the Academy was chained to their wands with all the exams crammed into just one week. The support our master sent wasn't exactly helpful for conducting them, to put it mildly. All hell broke loose once you were out."

"Those questions were pure hell, too...whatever Draco says about fifth years getting off lightly. May they be as excruciating to grade as they were to answer!" She propped herself on one elbow. "It would mean you have less work than other teachers." As she looked into the bottomless black of Severus' eyes, a shiver ran down her spine.

"Oh, I'm honoured; however, I have got to fear your wrath in addition," Severus countered. He sat up, discouraging her still wandering hands.

"I don't know about wrath, but I'll sure send you off with a long shopping list. You can finally demonstrate the benefits of a Muggle bike."

However, Severus smirked. "Upon Brenda's recommendation we're getting our main supplies via Hubert's Household Hauling from now on. You should keep check of my choices, though."

"Hubert's? They're expensive!"

"They are known for reliable quality and a vast selection." He landed a light kiss on her mouth and made for the bathroom. Under his breath he added, "and they take Galleons."

Ginny stretched and reflected over this last comment. The Dark Lord had finally arranged for the teachers' salaries, but it all landed on their Gringott's account. He would never pay his vassals in pound sterling...were they running low? Severus received interest on some Muggle money that he had invested. She knew where he stored the neatly printed, bluish paper slips and even how to withdraw money without irritating the little automates, but she hadn't followed up on their spending.

After a hearty breakfast that included the last beer porridge from Orkney, Ginny was sent off to see Maud. The girl was moody and tired, and so Ginny dragged her out into the sun. "I need a present for Severus. Imagine, I missed his birthday! So, Easter it has to be. Maundy Thursday might be the last day to get something, and nothing costly."

They strolled through the town centre when someone called, "Maud, what a surprise!"

The caller was about to enter a narrow café Ginny hadn't paid attention to so far. It looked nothing like her mum's favourite haunt in Diagon Alley with its overstuffed loveseats and dusty wall décor. It had none of Madame Puddifoot's frilly, dusty draperies or Fortescue's cosy booths that required expansions to hold the assembled Weasleys. To Ginny's relief, Maud's friend cut the conversation short.

"What an odd place," Ginny commented when they parted. "Everyone was staring into their own computer screen. Can't they do that from home? Don't Mug... you go to a café for talking to each other?"

"It's an Internet café," Maud offered. "Patrons want to access the internet, see. They may hire the PC or bring their own." While she went on why her friend, Malcolm, needed to do so, Ginny's thoughts galloped ahead. There is a place in town where I can enter this internet-thing without a computer of my own. The Grangers have it, too...we've found them already! Uh, I've forgotten how that went, but according to Maud's volleyball friends, I can probably play the dumb lady in distress without raising suspicion. The idea was exhilarating!

In a second-hand bookshop, Ginny stumbled upon a book on poisonous fish and other venomous sea life. It explained their habitats and how modern medicine (of the 20s) retrieved and used the poison. Its anecdotes on myths around the topic read like a book for Care of Magical Creatures or Potions of the time Hogwarts was founded. With a grin of anticipation, she paid for her find. She grubbed a bit in her bag to shuffle her wand into her hand and cast a feather-light charm on the weighty leather-clad tome.

Maud's steps slowed down again, and they stopped for a drink. It wasn't like Maud to run into cafés, but Ginny humoured her without questioning. They marvelled about the sunny weather. "It's only fair after the year we went through!" Maud declared. "Hey, we should take the bike tomorrow, Good Friday. What do you think? Yes, yes, you have to ask your strange guardian, but even he should understand a little fun, or doesn't he?"

:*:*:*:

Ron had once again driven Harry away and was feeling miserable about it. "There's a war going on, we're on a quest, and I'm no help at all. I can even understand Harry, for it is quite unbelievable...maybe I am cocking it all up?"

"Nothing of this is your fault." Hermione sighed and looked towards the door where Harry had left. "Harry is the one being difficult. I'd like to say he is as unstable as you are, or maybe more so because he doesn't accept any help."

She let the implication sink in before asking, "Ron, may I see a certain part of your memory again? I mean the last minutes you were with Malfoy. May I apply Legilimency on you?"

"Do you know how to do that?"

"I've read about it. You did it on him, and it worked because he wanted to. It's like with Ginny...oh, please, Ron!" Hermione rubbed her boyfriend's back to get over the awkward moment.

"Legilimency and Occlumency are tightly related, see? Knowing one, you've got the key to the other. In Be the Master of your Mind, page 32, it says..."

"All right, all right, you won't harm me, I get it. Go ahead, just try it. Do I think about this scene, or do you search or what?"

"Please think about Malfoy making you look into his mind. Got it?"

Malfoy had Apparated them to a sort of place Ron had never visited before. Aggressively lit advertisements, some steady, some flickering, had surrounded them. The patterns and pictures had reflected in Draco's retina.

By now Ron had learned that these brightly illuminated shopping centres were nothing strange for Muggles. Hermione knew of several similar places right here in Britain! If she knew of such places, then at least the scenery wasn't a creation of his befuddled brain, as Fred, the twat, had proposed.

The strongest impression Ron recalled was how Malfoy had looked at him: disappointed and desperate, which was thoroughly unbecoming to his aristocratic manners.

"Ron, I want you to remember the scene as it felt that evening. You were feeling sorry for your rash actions. Recall this scene with the original emotions!"

"All right then."

Draco was relaying to Ron how Ginny was suffering from being cut off from her family. He quoted details he could not have known if she hadn't told him. Ron was feeling bad, but at the same time grateful to the blond boy for keeping an eye on her.

"Legilimens!" Hermione's command resonated with the memory of himself chanting the word at the blond boy, who had stood but inches away. Draco Malfoy, whom he wasn't sure he should hate or love.

A small sitting room appeared. A haggard-looking, dark figure was sitting in a worn-down, greenish armchair. The shelf-covered walls were packed with heavy leather-clad tomes and quartos, with ancient vellum codices as well as cheap Muggle paperbacks. A moody gloom hung in the air.

The books are certainly the same as in Ron's own memories, Hermione thought.

The Snape in this memory, however, was a haunted, gloomier version of their former teacher. His eyes sat in deep, dark sockets, and his skin was too large for the face it covered. One by one, Hermione detected more differences. Snape's dull clothes matched the lacklustre appearance of the high, greenish armchair, although it was shaped like in Ron's other memories. The saggy sofa opposite with its curled red-brown backs and arms didn't match the armchair, other than that it was equally ugly and more worn than even the sofas in the Burrow.

The curtains were drawn closed, adding to the gloom, but Hermione recognised their pattern from Ron's own memories.

Then Malfoy had changed the scene. He and Snape were now having a simple meal: The table held nothing but the pot with soup into which they dipped their spoons. They had crumbly bread in their left hands and ate in silence.

Suddenly a harsh voice cut through the scene. "Goodness boys, get yourselves a room!"

Draco and Ron parted and looked irritated in the bright neon lights. Likewise, Hermione's and Ron's connection broke.

"Draco simply snorted at the thought," the Ron next to Hermione recalled. "He didn't go for his wand or appear disgusted."

Hermione lifted her hand absent-mindedly to ask for silence. After pacing twice back and forth, she stated, "Malfoy wanted to make a point, didn't he?"

"I believe so, but I can't fathom what. Snape looked more sorry than ever at Hogwarts. This was Snape's room, too, and yet it wasn't."

:*:*:*:

Severus exhaled deeply when the wards announced Ginevra's safe return. Soon she pottered around noisily with the tea service. He could use a break, too, but wanted to first finish this abomination of a exam paper and forget the dunce who wrote it for three weeks. If his charming colleague, Professor Flank, ever again complained about students in his colour not knowing their spelling and punctuation, he'd gladly rub this particular paper from silver colour under her nose. He'd even lend her the drills he had used on his Slytherins at Hogwarts to get out of Minerva's hair.

The tea kettle whistled before Severus's ink had dried. Steps on the stairs announced that, instead of being called down, he seemed in for room service in his crammed, little office.

Ginevra peeped in carefully first, and upon his nod she opened the door as far as it would go. "Wow, have you slogged through all this pile already?" she asked, pointing at the desk.

"Indeed, I have. Wait, let me stash it away. The collected contemplative incontinence of the Academy could curdle the milk in our tea even through the sturdiest of earthenware."

A wide grin on her face, she directed the tea set to the hastily cleared spot. She Summoned the old chair from the other upstairs room, artfully steering it opposite from his own while Severus filled their mugs.

Cradling his steaming mug and relaxing his eyes on his wife's happy face, Severus leaned back with a sigh. Her look was steadier than in the morning...visiting with Miss Taylor had become her.

Ginny leaned to the side to peek through the narrow window into a clear blue sky, frowning. "How come it's so warm and dry, Severus? What has happened to the Dementors? They need the grey and dreary weather we've had for months."

"Noticed it only now, did you?" Severus asked lightly, but swore inwardly he would have her go out more. "Our master is most furious. It appears the Ministry has covered the British Isles with a tight net of Cloud-Redirection-Charms. The youngest Dementor-procreation perished...they were fried alive, if alive is what they are. Mothers ran amok in their grief and killed the elder offspring of other females. In the end it was a case of dog eat dog. Now there is a ratio of four adult male Dementors to one female. They do not need Ludwig's Lust to fight over the women."

"...With more losses, I presume. This is splendid!"

"It depends on which side you are, Ginevra," Severus said seriously. "We've been called to pacify them or turn their anger against the Ministry."

Ginny waved off. "Leave it, I don't need these details. We are free for a long weekend, AND the weather is nice. That's more luck than we deserve but not more than we can bear. Even those social events you said we'd face in the holiday weeks might be a little more bearable."

"Things will change, Ginevra. I have kept you out of this, as you had a strict schedule every day. After passing your O.W.L.s, you continue to live at Salazar's Academy as my wife. When I get an invitation, so do you. Whether teachers allow you into their courses or not is entirely their decision."

He glared into his mug, adding, "And it is a matter of... your condition."

There were, however, no objections against a little tour by bike on the following day.

"It only means you need to get your Easter egg early," Severus told her and stood to rummage in his shelf. He produced a small parcel from behind the year books. A few flicks of his wand later, he presented her with a foot-long, egg-shaped parcel.

Ginny gasped and was doubly glad to have bought the book for him. To honour the artful Muggle wrapping and to keep herself curious, Ginny opened it by hand. Knot after knot she undid the ribbons, enjoying immensely how Severus fidgeted and went for his wand when it took her too long.

In a thick bowl of oddly light material, she found a chocolate bunny. She lifted out several chocolate eggs with different fillings. "Mmm, nougat and raspberry!"

Black flat ropes with gadgets she had never seen before remained. They were fixed to the rims of the... helmet! For this is what the egg was: a bright green biker's helmet! It clearly meant that he had always wanted her to use the bike!

"We will rework your Quidditch gloves to padded bikers' gloves too. I have checked the models...we will manage."

After thoroughly snogging her husband, Ginny nearly tumbled down the stairs to retrieve her gift for him. "This has to cover your birthday as well. I hadn't known of it until mid-February, and five weeks overdue was far too late," she declared decisively.

Severus was nonplussed. "How do you know at all?"

"Your boss certainly has your personal data filed. My face when I noticed I had missed it seems to have been worthwhile her effort of letting me know. Open it already!"

Severus perused the book with great concentration. "There might always be aspects I don't know that could even go into potions. Thank you!"

"Oh, but potions are described in the last chapter," she quipped lightly.

He arched his eyebrow. "Potions?" He then read the first sentences and smiled in amusement. "Muggles do have a way to know and still ignore us, don't they?"

Ginny's heart raced. She had chosen a gift that pleased him. A book, nonetheless!

Aloud she said, "It's what fascinates dad so about Muggles." Dad! She longed to see him, of course. However, for the first time, the thought did not uncontrollably flood her eyes with tears.

:*:*:*:

Ginny happily rode her bike on forest walks and field ways with Maud and a friend of hers, passing through villages next to their town. Several families passed them, chatting happily, clearly enjoying the spring sun. Maud's friend challenged them to a race and got a bit grumpy when Maud pulled a face. Ginny's bike, being the smallest, meant she had to pedal furiously. Especially uphill she was soon jealous of the children frolicking as they overtook her. Pedalling heavily left, once more right, and then her bike suddenly stopped. With a huff of annoyance, Ginny dismounted just before she'd topple to the side.

Maud was behind her, but expended much less effort! How did she do that? When she caught up, she happily jumped off to save her breath. They continued pushing, and Maud used their time alone to explaine the gear system once again.

Their companion stowed away her camera, asking, "Slowpokes finally made it? Goodness, looking at you, one could think we were in the Pyrenees."

Ginny continued more easily now, impressed by the Muggles' cleverness. The whole idea of a bicycle had an appeal to the young witch, even if shifting gears in a timely manner was still a challenge.

With red cheeks and sparkling eyes, Ginny returned from their little romp, bursting to tell Severus about it. He listened silently, observing his wife. She so deserved these little escapades. It had been worth his Apparating and waiting for her every mile or so. He had enjoyed the outdoors more than he had anticipated, even if he would not admit it openly.

Severus Snape didn't know digital cameras existed in the Muggle world. He knew nothing about a 3½ inch floppy disk holding three snaps of his wife that was hidden in the dilapidated house next door.

:*:*:*:

Over their second mug of tea, he opened a severe topic. "There's a dinner with the Inner Circle tonight, and I cannot possibly leave you out of it. Ginevra, you have two hours to switch into the role of a Death Eater's wife...a middle-aged Death Eater's wife, mind you."

"Pah," was all she said, but she was unable to concentrate on anything in the following hour.

When Ginny left the bathroom, intending to dress, Severus held her back. "There is still my Christmas present." He produced a small, reddish box with a snapping lid. It was from a Muggle store. She found a golden belcher chain bracelet matching her necklace. "Severus, you should not..."

"Yes, I certainly should. I should have given it to you a long time ago. Let me fasten it."

Ginny hadn't realised before that fixing a bracelet required so much tenderness and kissing. Each finger, the wrist, and her arm till the elbow pit were given attention. Well, she certainly didn't complain.

Severus looked up, his eyes boring into hers. "Ginevra, listen now. The event today is similar to the one you have... experienced in November. This time you will sit next to me and close to the Dark Lord, very close probably. Someone will serve you, and you know what will happen after the feast."

She swallowed, and Severus laid his hands on her shoulders.

"I do not know whom they have caught. It might be someone you know. Ginevra, love, this is what we have to go through, and you know it."

She was trembling now, and Severus pulled her tight.

"Harden your face. Occlude your mind. You need not be rude, but don't appear friendly either. Neutral acknowledgement will already be more than most others will offer. You will appear in a positive light to him or her. If the person ever remembers this day, that is."

Her knees buckled, but Severus held her in his arms.

Into her heavy breathing Severus said, "Albus used to ask me, 'Are you prepared, are you ready?' I used to answer with yes. The truth is you can prepare yourself and you must. But you are never really ready. Albus found this a positive sign."

Ginny took longer to dress than she had assumed. The prospects were too appalling. Severus left her on her own for a while. He then helped her with her last preparations, starting with an ointment on her red-rimmed eyes.

Finally she was dressed to go. "We're late, aren't we?"

"We are not. I lied so that you would have this extra time. We still have ten minutes. Let me see your eyes again and your hair." He removed the remainders of the ointment and brushed gently through her locks. "You are beautiful, my love. And you are strong. I have full confidence in you. I will apply the mask spell, and then let's go."

:*:*:*:

"A renovation!" Hermione screamed. At Ron's irritated look, she elaborated, "The Snape and the room Draco showed you were from last summer or autumn. Now, however, Snape has relaxed and filled out, and the room has been renovated. It looks so much cosier now, friendlier!" For a while they contemplated why this would be important.

"Renovating overstuffed furniture might be a hobby for some, but it requires skills and tools. Most Muggles seek out a professional." Hermione said. "It is a lot of work."

"Weird," Ron said. "We use spells for that. Mum refreshes the sofa according to... Hermione, that's it! Draco showed me that it had been Ginny renovating the room."

"Why is it important, though?"

"Hey, aren't you a woman? Think what Fleur does half her time... Bill always jokes that another room 'shouts out Fleur' whenever he enters. Yes!"

More energetic than she'd seen him since the incident, he dragged her to the door. "We have to see the others."

:*:*:*:

To a larger public Ron explained, "Snape declared that his wife was to stay home, and I taunted him that the house has nothing that could make it Ginny's home. There were no pictures, none of her knick knacks.

"However, he was taken aback more than I'd have thought possible. At the shopping centre Draco showed me what the room looked like before Ginny came to live there. So, for Severus...oh, stop it, Fred...the whole sitting room 'shouts out Ginny' wherever he looks."

Arthur and Bill nodded in recognition.

"Well, this room 'shouts Ginevra', 'cause he uses her full name," Ron added. "I accused him of that, too."

Remus stood and paced. "I cannot imagine Severus living in bright colours. The old room is much more like him."

"Like the greasy, ill-tempered git that spread malice wherever he went." This was George.

"The man fussing over Ginny wasn't like that at all." Ron noted. "Dinner was really luscious, although not Hogwarts style. Maybe... yes, it was quite close to Mum's cooking."

"Well, the dishwater for a soup that Malfoy and he forced down in the other scene can't have been tasteful or inviting."

"This moment where he brought up the onions," Tonks piped in, "reminds me of my dad's attempts at cooking when Mum was out. He would frequently utter doubts, and I vigorously declared it was great...and tucked in again to prove it. Did Severus coax Ginny into eating a little more?"

Bill shook his head. "Are you saying that the change in the, ah... cuisine at the Snapes' was another way of showing you that Snape is really... hm... making an effort, let's say?"

George snorted, but Harry stomped off, annoyed.

:*:*:*:

The hall was similar to the one Ginny remembered vaguely. A U-shaped table was laid out. Severus' place was directly to the right of the Dark Lord. Next to Ginny an unknown couple by the name of Pritchard took seats. The man was sportive and extroverted while his wife's jaw was so tightly clenched the sinew became visible along her throat. Ginny forcefully reminded herself not to let her inner turmoil show in this manner, but how to go about it?

As she turned away from Mr Pritchard's boisterous greeting, her left elbow contacted with Severus' steady and warm arm. The reassuring sensation crept up to Ginny's shoulder and down into her pinky. She inhaled deeply, and more tension left her as she slowly exhaled. Turning to Severus meant looking into their master's direction, too, and she stalled for a moment.

"You recognise Rodolpho Lestrange, the poor widower." Severus noted, pointing to the other side of the Dark Lord. Ginny swallowed hard and nodded. Next to him sat a woman and the sneaky man who had brought Severus home on Christmas Eve, Sinclair Boston. Turning back, Ginny found the Notts only a few places further down on the right. The Mulcibers sat a similar distance from the Dark Lord on the other side. Next to Paul Nott, there was Avery, his left eye missing and scars sprinkling his face. Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy sat at the far end, which so obviously didn't please the man, while Narcissa made a more composed face than recently. When dinner was about to start, Ginny saw Lucius Malfoy retreat for the bathrooms. She smirked inwardly while his wife's look followed him in disgust. The Dark Lord glanced dangerously at the man when he arrived together with the servants.

Neither Draco nor Theodore nor anyone else of her age were invited. Ginny searched for couples that might remind her of her school pals, but none were obvious, and she could not ask. To her relief she didn't see the mundane faces of the Crabbes or Goyles either.

An elf and two captives, a middle-aged man and an elderly woman, served. With shock Ginny recognized the man from one of her father's parties. Severus set his lower leg touching hers for a few seconds, and his warmth seeped through their robes. The spoon insinuated itself into her hand, and Ginny focussed on the bowl in front of her. It held a light-coloured soup that melted away a little of her anxiety. She didn't ask for a second helping, and she didn't recognize its taste either.

A high-pitched voice woke her out of her dreamy state. "Anything to drink for you, madame?"

Addressing the elf, Severus placed his arm on her back. He ordered for them both and let his arm linger just a moment before he had to revert to decorum. When their drinks came, Ginny was relieved it was the elf serving them. The hustle and bustle around her threatened to unnerve her, and she imagined herself as a blinkered horse with earplugs.

A harrumph broke her stupor. The plate in front of her now held a sirloin steak and mixed spring vegetables. Collecting her thoughts, she could not afford weakness! She sat up straighter and stabbed her fork into the meat.

"How is your steak, Ginevra?" Severus asked after two bites.

"Tender, as it should be, Severus," she answered firmly. Reaching for a sauce-boat without a tremble, she added, "The rosemary potatoes and these rich gravies make it a splendid meal, don't you think?"

"Indeed. I'm very glad you like it."

"Our youngest member enjoys her meal, I'm happy to hear?" the voice to Severus' left asked.

"Yes, my Lord, it is excellent," Ginny managed, but didn't look up at him for fear he'd break her resolution.

After pudding, of which Ginny had not eaten much, their master stood and clapped his scaly hands. The servants cleared the tables, and the show was to begin.

Ginny concentrated on her drink, a blend of cider and water. She remembered Severus' words. You can prepare yourself... So she did. Occlude your mind, set up a neutral face. Like a mantra, she repeated the instructions. She saw the bracelet and concentrated on his tender kisses and nice words, but when a scream seared the air, she almost lost her mind. Severus' hand supported her elbow for a short reassertion. She turned her mind back to the memory of Severus fixing the bracelet. Her left index finger retracked the trails his mouth had taken.

Re-Occluded, she lifted her eyes and looked along the line of faces to her right. Bored faces alternated with such staring straight ahead, and there were those vividly commenting on the display in the centre. Brenda Nott might have developed a technique similar to herself, and their looks locked for a while. Ginny remained attentive anyway; even the Notts could still represent a trap. With a nod she looked further down.

Severus leaned over when the noise ebbed down. "To the left of Paul Nott is Mr Avery. You've already heard about his accident." A little later he provided, "To Brenda's right we have the Bullstrodes. Then the Hunts. It is their son Bernhard in your year. Mrs Bullstrode and Mrs Hunt are sisters, as you might have guessed."

"Avery, Nott, Bullstrode, Hunt," Ginny repeated, playing with her bracelet. She would do good to be able to memorize names and faces of these people. Bernhard and Millicent are cousins. Squinting, she searched for their features in their fathers.

Suddenly the hall fell silent. A heap of limbs and rugs lay in the far corner. On the left blood dripped into a puddle, and on the right a light green cloth took on the dark colour of blood as well.

"Lucius is not well, it appears," Severus remarked, and Ginny's eyes left the centre of the room. She imagined him nervously debating between another session in the restrooms or the agony of sitting it out. Finally Narcissa nudged him, and he left before causing attention to his doings under the table. The revealing smile that threatened to form around Ginny's eyes died with another look at the unmoving form on the floor.

The Dark Lord gave a flaming speech, and the man from the Ministry was brought in. He answered with a steady voice, not looking left or right. Most of his replies did not contain value, and the Dark Lord felt he had to prod him further. The man withstood the pain of the first teasing curse, although his body twisted and turned. He focussed on a corner. The next stabs of pain made him lose control over his moves again. He now focussed on a spot behind Ginny. Or was it her face? Ginny saw how his eyes opened wide, and she could read the secret he didn't want to reveal before the man flopped down in another bout of agony.

When it ebbed off, a sharp command, "Take him," brought Avery and another man into action. They gripped the captive under his armpits and hauled him to the Dark Lord. "LEGILLIMENS!" For an endlessly long time, their master searched through the man's mind. Then he nodded. "Release him."

"Well, that was a show," Mr Pritchard, the man next to Ginny opined. "Almost like..."

"We want to hear the verdict, Hubert," Severus cut him short. Ginny didn't want to hear a verdict at all, and she didn't hear it either. She only realized that suddenly chairs were scrapping, and Severus lifted her chair to prompt her up and help her out.

They Apparated to their normal place. Not yet half the way home, Ginny stopped. "Back! We need to get back to the trees!"

Concerned, Severus led her back, holding her around her waist. She appeared determined rather than close to being sick, as he had first assumed. Out of earshot Ginny asked, "Did you see anything in their eyes, Severus?" He denied. "Well, I did. This man, he knows a place, a safehouse of the Ministry, a hideout of sorts, I don't know." Severus gripped her upper arms. "I pried deeper to see a lake and a railway station, Hawtholst. I can find the way from the station to this house."

He considered her. She was impressively composed, overloaded with adrenaline as well. "We would need more people though. And I don't want you to..."

"Severus!" She cut him short. "I'm supposed to watch that show, but I'm not allowed to act?" He wanted to argue, but she pounded on his chest. "Go over and convince Draco to come. Then the Notts?" Severus nodded. He had his doubts still, but the chance was too good. Ginny said, "I will change and then Portkey to Notts. We meet here." Off they went.

:*:*:*:

Brenda had been to Hawtholst before and Apparated Severus there. Together they returned, and she took her family while Severus took Ginny and Draco along. Paul addressed the three young people. "Look around, remember the place. It is essential that you learn places. These Geography lessons were not misplaced, but too theoretical." Severus nodded. He had been thinking the same.

"What is it we are searching?" Theo asked.

Brenda explained in a calm steady voice, "The Death Eaters have caught a Ministry member. He knows this place and has revealed it to us. They have headquarters there. People in hiding, maps, plans, a lab... I could not deduce more from the Dark Lord's questions."

Ginny looked up. Brenda?

Severus nodded slowly. "I cannot tell either whether our master has found the place. The man was adept. He might only have slipped to us. These people can be warned. We need not even be seen." He turned to the Notts. "Ministry?"

Brenda nodded and asked back, "Order?"

They all three nodded, but Severus added, "Draco is not known to anybody, though. He is at most risk." With pride Ginny noticed that he didn't treat her as an appendix anymore but as an Order member.

They decided to pair Brenda with Draco. She could bail him out. She declared that Severus and Theo were to form a team and Paul was to take Ginny along.

With clenched fists and teeth, the elder men stared into each other's eyes, exchanging unspoken threats.

Ginny and Paul took the lead. It wasn't necessary for Theo and Draco to know who had seen into the captive's eyes. At the little pond they turned uphill. Half a mile and a hint of smoke caught their attention. To the right the outlines of a little hunting house could be made out. The two windows were covered well enough for a passerby but not for someone searching them out.

They retreated again. Brenda took command. With a quiet, clear voice, she gave orders. They were to make the inhabitants aware of a discovery. Brenda and Draco would go closest and head right for the door. She would try to be seen with him.

It was over before it had really begun. The doors opened at the first indication of noise. Ginny heard Brenda exchange an odd code of passwords with those inside. More was exchanged. The Ministry Aurors nodded. Brenda said something pointing at Draco, and the three Aurors nodded again. Brenda Disapparated them with an extra-loud Pop. Ginny heard only half of it, though, because Paul Nott had gripped her around her waist and hauled her back to their meeting place close to Spinner's End.

Mission accomplished, Ginny felt bone tired and numbly waited for the other two to arrive.

Brenda woke her from her stupor as she exclaimed, "Oh, for heaven's sake, Paul! The boy is not careless, and we've trusted Severus with him for years!"

Confused, Ginny looked up. The man was pacing, and his wand emitted tiny blue sparks of agitation. With two muted plopps Severus and Theo finally appeared, the boy panting heavily. Paul went right to Severus' throat, and Brenda had to cast a barrier between them, calling them to order. The groups quickly bade their goodbyes. Draco would go to the Snape's.

Inside Severus reported how they had made for close to the railway station first. "Three far Apparitions would have been too loud," he declared. When numerous pops announced an invasion of wizards, they had observed them. Walden Macnair was in the lead and Avery second. Unluckily a branch had hit Macnair so that he had to halt the attack for a few minutes to recover, Severus recalled with a smirk. On their ascent the last four men were hit with a few untraceable spells and fell hard. Very unluckily their heads or hips contacted with rocks, or stones hit them painfully. Only the fifth to last had taken his job seriously and looked back as it had, of course, been agreed. Not seeing anyone, he had panicked and shouted ahead. Avery had been outraged at the noise and Stunned the man. Seeing their losses, the remaining group of six had spread out, and Severus and Theo had made haste to Disapparate.

Draco asked directly, "Was it Ginny who read his mind?"

"Read his mind? Like in every second Muggle fairy tale? Have you never listened?" Severus gloated.

"Come now, Severus," Ginny said. "Legillimency, even an involuntary one, allows a glance into someone's mind. Yes, Draco, between his twists, he had a few still moments in which I saw the station, the pond and the hut."

He nodded. "Be careful with that. And how was the rest of the... party? I paced a hole into my room's carpet in worry."

Severus answered, "It resembled those you experienced in autumn. Close to the November presentation, far too close, I dare... Ginevra!"

His wife was half way to the toilet already and made it just to the tiled bathroom floor before sickness wasn't to be held anymore. With three heavy bouts she delivered her dinner. Soft arms gripped her from behind, held her head and presented a warm, wet towel when she had finished. She used it extensively and ran water over mouth and nose. With another cold towel in her neck, she returned to the sitting room, guided by Severus' arms.

"You mean to say this was your first puke the whole evening?" Draco asked after he had Scourgified the very substantial mess. He knew all too well what she had gone through. She nodded weakly, not realising Severus and Draco exchanging glances of admiration.

They had a pot of tea, with just a little sedative potion for Ginny, before Draco returned to the manor. "Father has not been interested in me lately, but you never know. I guess I was watching your house all night."

"Very well," Severus said. "Take a look at the bedroom what dress Ginevra wore and comment on it to Lucius to back your story up. Good night."

"Good night. Try to sleep...both of you!"

:*:*:*:

They had Saturday all for themselves. Not even shopping was an issue, for Hubert's service worked most nicely with all of Severus' wands and with Ginny's short second wand. "Eventually we ought to register your first wand, too," Severus had said, but there wasn't a rush for it.

Avoiding the events of the night before, they sat in quiet communication. Severus conjured garden furniture, and they had a reading session under the apple tree. Ginny didn't lack books, and Severus had his new present.

For an hour or so, Ginny left for town with Maud. Both were exhausted enough to return quickly. Maud entered the Snapes' garden for lemonade, Severus making sure she would remember only the outdoors. There wasn't a gnome or anything else magical in sight, and the girls chatted for a bit before Maud made her way home. She was still irritated at the fact that the house was so difficult to find. Otherwise, though, Maud wasn't as alert and curious as usually, and magical details slipped her attention.

When the full moon shone in through the windows, Ginny was already soundly asleep.

:*:*:*:

Half of Ravenclaw's table was set for lunch in Hogwarts' Great Hall. An owl nose-dived and dropped a letter into Hermione's salsa. Gingerly she picked up the formerly white envelope, addressed to her in biro, and wiped the splatter of salsa off with her napkin.

"My mother informs me that they're not home for Easter and declares I'm expected the weekend thereafter. No excuses, she writes." She looked at Kingsley and Jocey, the Aurors in service, feeling desperate. "I've not been there for five months. They reason that if they are kept safe by these so-called wards from your ominous Ministry," she made quote marks in the air, "which severely restrict their lives, as mum points out, then I'm safe there, too."

Jocey nodded. "It is very hard to explain to the Muggle parents. I can accompany you."

Hermione quietly consulted with Ron. "Do you think Harry needs a change?"

Ron thought it over. "He needs a change, yes, but not that. Maybe we can do an all-boys event here. Remus and Neville, both Boot boys, my brothers..."

Hermione grimaced. "I guess I will have to save Clara from that sort of weekend!" She gave him a peck. "Cheer up yourself, too. I'm not giving up on you!" she ordered.

He nodded. While improving, he still wasn't the attentive boyfriend she deserved, and he knew it. He still didn't feel like a whole person. Important hours of his memory were lost and several others in such a state that he'd rather have lost them as well, if he could not get them confirmed soon.

:*:*:*:

Brunch at the Notts on Easter Sunday was not too large a gathering. Severus was the last to arrive, but with Ginny being visible quite early, they had pretended he had been caught by a book in the library.

Theodore had asked to invite the Brookhursts, and he and Ginny had a long talk with Heather. She was to select a husband in the following week, and the thought left her and her parents desperate. The Dark Lord had given them a few names and would force one of these upon her if she could not decide. He had already rejected one proposal the Brookhursts had made because the boy was to continue schooling at Salazar's Academy. Another young man had himself rejected. "Albert Flint being dead, Frank Drillstrand disgraced, it is between Crabbe, the murderer, and Goyle, self-declared sex god.

"Well, there is also Avery and other, older widowers whose first wives found a most questionable end."

Ginny shuddered. She could not tell her that Albert Flint wasn't someone to miss, or how he had died. "You could ask Draco about... Vincent and Gregory." A huff was all the reply she got.

"Do stay in contact with me, Heather! Make clear you will visit me regularly and that I will visit you." Heather nodded weakly. "I'm wife of Severus Snape, member of the Inner Circle. I can be the chief bridesmaid, or," she blushed a bit, "no, matron of honour. I'll do whatever to strengthen our relationship. Anything, Heather, just ask me!

"But now it's probably better we mingle."

Theodore ranted in agitation, "If only I could..."

Ginny smiled sadly. "They would not let you, Theodore. Not your parents, nor the other Death Eaters." Ginny reasoned. Quietly she added, "You are to be admired for your thoughtfulness!" He looked at her in utter bewilderment. "Theo? Something the matter?"

"N... no, nothing, what did you say?"

"There is nothing you can do, and Heather knows it. We should check on her and arrange it so that her husband is present." He nodded sadly.

Heather's family left the party early. Ginny felt like retreating into a silent corner, and this is exactly why she forced herself to go to a group and have a talk. Some made excuses to dissolve when she approached but a couple stayed. It was Tom and Denise, who had married with them. They had lost a child a month ago. He was more attentive to his wife now, but they didn't seem overly happy with each other. I'm in one of the few happy pairings, Ginny reminded herself, thinking again how odd this was.

Their small talk turned serious, addressing the other pair that had married with them, Edwin and Linda Suller. Ginny had heard about his arrest. For a week people had taken little interest in the matter but then Linda, who had been very happy with him, had miscarried and lost her baby. In grief and fear over his capture, Denise whispered.

Both women were appalled when loud laughter erupted from another corner of the garden. Ginny quickly regrouped and reminded herself as well as Denise, "We're at war. If we let everything touch us, we cannot continue living."

"Quite right," Tom said in an ice cold tone. "Get it together now, Denise, and DO stop whining." Eyes widening, Denise turned to go. Ginny could curse herself.

A surly looking Severus approached. "Professor," Tom greeted in an overly polite manner and retreated rapidly pretending to follow Denise.

Severus approached Ginny with a questioning look. "Can we just walk a bit, Severus?"

"That would be a pleasure." He put his warm hand on her waist, and they strolled leisurely, each hanging on their own thoughts. They initially sought out the warming sun, but his frock and robe made Severus retreat into the shadow of a large tree. "Cherry, if I'm not mistaken," he said. "Ah, a magical variant," he continued, "self fertile, of course. Yellow, knubbly cherries grow here, dark red, juicy ones over there. Cornelian cherry, and isn't this a branch of Morello Cherry?"

Spy that he was, Severus also took the chance to scrutinize the fence and wards the Notts had set up. "The place is quite secure," he approved. "I will check with them for firewall wards, though."

Suddenly he held his breath, and his eyes watered. Ginny heard sounds of irritation from every corner.

Severus walked her over to the others, rapidly giving directives. "We need to go. Check who stays here. Remain with someone. It is safer here than all alone in our house."

The first Death Eaters made for the exit. Already in pain, Severus still took his time to kiss her thoroughly before he joined them. A series of "pops" was the last they heard.

Silently the rest of the guests turned to leave. Denise was still there, white and trembling, not able to Apparate just yet. Brenda was nowhere to be seen. "I'm supposed to stay here," Ginny said. "Severus considers it very safe. Aren't you living somewhere remote, Denise? Why don't you stay, too?"

Seeing the woman's questioning eyes, Theo nodded. "I don't mind another pair of hands to do the washing up," he declared.

Magical facilities or not, it was a lot of work. Theo preferred the carrying duties, and the women handled the watery part. They worked in silence for most of the time, but Denise had a question on her lips. Ginny sent Theo to check all the garden furniture. "What is it, Denise?"

"I... well, I saw you with him. So you are actually quite... satisfied?"

Ginny smiled. "Didn't believe Severus could be the caring husband, did you?" Already the first name of her old Potions teacher sent a shudder through Denise's body. "We came to terms well enough," Ginny continued. "I've passed my O.W.L.s and even finished the year. Now I'm supposed to have a baby soon, I suppose ." She would not reveal anything personal to this woman.

When nothing was forthcoming, she returned the question directly. "What about you, how's Tom to live with?"

"Not bad, exactly. Only so distant... I knew nothing about him, and this hasn't changed." They exchanged a little more conversation before Theodore reported the garden was done. The shadows of the trees pointed east before they relaxed with a jug of cooled pumpkin juice and a few remainders of the brunch.

Brenda was the first to return, panting. "Ginevra, could you check the lab for medical supplies? Who of you can help her?"

:*:*:*:

Severus made her leave with the ointments half whipped-up. They appeared irresponsibly close to their house, and a shell-shocked cat darted off. His eyes glinted with an unknown fierceness when they finally arrived at their house. Their wards were up in seconds, and he gripped her tight, demandingly pressing his erection on her thighs, growling, "Ginevra, love. Don't deny me now."

A/N:

Honeyduke's best chocolates to my fabulous betas, SopranoInShadow and MagicAlly. They worked hard to make this chapter readable. You have no idea what they saved you from.

Big thanks go to Clairvoyant from TPP who repositioned all of my errant commas. I really should ask Severus for one of his punctuation drills.

The kettle in the Snapes' household is from the 1960s, and it looks that old too. However, I'm rather sure Severus has changed the whistle into something like this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVcUO87yA6M