Confrontations and Wedding Preparations

Confrontation and Wedding Preparations

Since Draco was going to stay at his mother's for the night, it was Paul Nott who came to pick Ginny up and bring her back to Spinner's End on Monday. He didn't say much, but he looked at her several times as if searching for something as they passed along the dreary rows of dilapidated houses.

It couldn't escape Severus' eyes how she slowly turned her head left and right, taking in the whole room, resting her eyes on a chair, the sideboard, a bookshelf. Finally she nodded, her shoulders dropped, and she breathed heavily before she took up her packages again to quickly disappear into the bedroom.

Severus was suddenly awkwardly aware of the shabbiness that had not bothered him for a long time. When he entered the crammed sitting and dining room, hovering a plate of sandwiches and the pot of tea, Ginny stood in the doorframe intently watching her forefinger trace over a scratch in the wood.

Severus remembered all too clearly how he had envied Lucius the first time he had set foot into the immaculate Malfoy manor in Wiltshire. It had been the summer holidays before his fourth year when Lucius had been out of school already. He had done everything, even endured the humiliation of acting as Lucius' training target in Abraxas Malfoy's special lessons, wishing for nothing more dearly than to earn their respect. He had impressed the older Malfoy with his knowledge and magical abilities, and the praise had stroked his ego. Only the permanent washing and the fuss the elves had made about the clothes he had been expected to wear had annoyed him so much that he had gladly left them behind as he had returned to school. How could Severus have known about Lucius' motive to keep a foot in Slytherin house, where a charming Narcissa Black was surrounded by boys, and to take his father's mind off from the son's dubious second life? Abraxas Malfoy had at least partially been altruistically motivated. He had fancied himself in the role of the generous patron as long as it didn't cost too much, especially with the appraising press this step had earned him. In Severus Snape he had also found a person easier to manipulate than his own son.

Severus' eagerness to please the Dark Lord had possibly stemmed from there.

After half of their lunch had passed in an increasingly awkward silence, Severus could hardly stand the tension. He wished to hear her comment, dreading it at the same time. She had, after all, immediately compared his pitiful house with Malfoy Manor, had she not? Severus lifted his gaze to consider her.

Silently, Ginny ate the hearty, simple meal that gave her jaws more to work than the soft, sweet, white biscuits Narcissa had served. With every other bite, she lifted her head to assess the strange mood lying over them. Severus kept staring down as if his plate could divulge a secret if he applied Legilimency on it. Finally, as she was about to finish, his hand slipped through his hair, uncovering most of his face. He looks apprehensive. Ginny tilted her head and answered the unspoken question. "Their house and grounds, the way these people move, how they converse... it is so different from The Burrow. I must get along with them, mustn't I?" Severus merely raised an eyebrow, and now Ginny could not interpret him. "I take it as a yes. Well," she huffed, "I sorely needed the experience, in that case."

"I doubt the plans of the Dark Lord include my getting of a villa or a manor with elves. You can take this hope off the list."

"What do you mean? I don't want it, no thank you." At his dubious look, she explained, "All their perfection makes the place cold and without personality." She frowned, deeply considering how best to explain what she meant, using examples of Severus' life. "Take... err, books. Look around. This shelf holds books you read frequently. Their covers show creases; a few of their pages sport a blot of ink or are dog-eared. This one protrudes from the line, and here we have a bookmark. At the Malfoys', all books are most carefully arranged in the shelves. I could not detect which had been read today, yesterday, this week, which are read twice a year and which have possibly never been touched after entering the shelves."

"Many belong to the latter category," Severus confirmed. He gradually registered that she was not enthralled by the wealth and affluence she had seen. She had seen the mask, even if Severus doubted that she had looked behind it to see the loneliness, cruelty and sadness that it covered.

"I don't exactly mean that. I don't really want to know. Although I would not understand why someone would buy books if not for enjoying them. Or then schoolbooks," she added with feeling.

His eyebrow rose. "Which subjects are you referring to?"

"All except for two. Satisfied?"

"Don't play the Slytherin, Ginevra."

"I told you, I've a bit of Slytherin blood as well. But the Malfoys..." she resumed her report "...are so full of themselves. Even Draco, who is rather, uh, normal, while he is here, changes his personality in that house. He becomes colder, more calculating, cunning, and also possessive, of course. I was shown upstairs to admire the rooms and the garden. It's huge enough to fit two Quidditch pitches with visitor stands. From each window one can see certain parts of the garden, and the view matches the room. The Japanese room is next to a French room, their windows face towards the same direction, but they still show different views. Isn't it sick to spend so much thought, effort and money into these things? Of course, there wasn't a single autumn leaf anywhere, no puddle or twig on a path. Two elves for the garden! It looks worse than Gryffindor common room at 5a.m."

"How would you know that?" he wondered in sudden amusement over this comparison.

"There is the odd night I cannot sleep and need to walk and not just to pee," she admonished.

His scrutiny full in place now, he continued playing the teacher. "Other reasons, Miss Weasley?"

"Uh... when I entered the room through the portrait of the fat lady at this time of the night, then yes." With a glare she continued, "I usually was out of breath and glad to have escaped a certain never-sleeping teacher with a hooked nose and billowing, black robes. Or a nasty cat with equally scrutinising eyes."

"I beg to differ. Mrs Norris' eyes are not nearly as frightening as mine."

"Easily agreed." She smiled before her brows furrowed again. "But back to Malfoy Manor: look at your floor. Stains and chips make the floor tell stories. Not to me, but certainly to you. You'd find nothing like that over there. Those poor elves are obliged to render the house in a state of eternal youth, and I don't mean that in a good way. Sterile, sort of. When I enter The Burrow, there is the wardrobe that's too small. I can see right away who is at home, even who came home last. I see the notch on the hanger and remember Charlie throwing a blue vase at Fred. Even if I'm all alone, I can make myself hear Mum calling for help or see George sliding down the banister. I know that he has to hop off before the end to avoid the rough parts where Fred's Filibuster firework had exploded. I remember the tirade Mum showered him with when it happened." Her view became distant as she pictured her home and all the people dear to her. She pushed away her empty plate.

"When Dad comes home, however tired he might be, he would run a finger over a certain mark on the door frame. It is from Bill's very first accident: he knocked over the umbrella stand. It was taller than him. You know, the small things that make a house a home." Her eyes became wet at the memory, but one more memory had to be told, although her voice betrayed her inner turmoil. "If a step on our topmost flight of stairs creaks in most familiar ways, I know it is Ron, because he lives under the roof. If the same stair creaks higher and lighter, then Harry is visiting. He steps down the stairs more elegantly. I don't believe you'd ever know such a thing at the Malfoys'," she ended.

Severus didn't say anything for a while. Oh, yes, the floor in Spinner's End told stories, too. Hardly any of them he enjoyed remembering, though. And no, they had not made this place feel like home to him.

When nothing more was coming from her, he felt safe to switch the topic. "I believe it is part of the game that I'm not to know any details, but: was your mission successful?"

"Yes, I think you'll like it," she replied, albeit hesitantly.

He frowned. "Ginevra, I will marry you. Not a dress, not whatever they do with your hair. I'd be most pleased to recognise you."

"I know that, Severus. And besides," she added, her voice rising with her chin, "these young brides smirked at each other when they presented their dresses. Narcissa had a strange expression on her face, too. I believe these were not their best dresses, not their wedding garments."

Suddenly outraged, Severus stood and exclaimed, "They mocked you, humiliated you? I will not have it!"

She put a hand on his arm, squeezing lightly, again surprised at the soothing effect physical contact had on him. She led him back to his seat where the second half of his lunch was hardly touched. "No. They did not manage to hurt me. These dresses were still more beautiful than anything I've ever had, or even my mum. I simply made sure they did not notice this. I pretended that I'm obliged to them because I don't have access to my own wardrobe. I'm not concerned, Severus. What is a dress, especially one I only borrow? Come on, what does it matter?" She had sat down again while she talked and observed Severus meticulously chewing his sandwich.

Severus swallowed and took a sip of tea. "I don't understand such things, but dresses appear to be so important for women and wedding dresses even more than others."

Dangerously quickly she retorted, "You regard me as one of those...?"

"No." Severus took her withdrawing hand to stop her before she could start a tirade. "I want you to be... well... at least satisfied."

"Severus, I'll be wearing the most beautiful dress I've ever worn in my life. And I'll have a most formidable, highly respected bridegroom."

"I don't give a damn about their respect."

"You did the other day, remember?" Ginny said, and he grudgingly conceded. She went over to him and tentatively placed her hand on his shoulder, making him jump. "Considering it all, I'm satisfied with today's result. I quite like what I will wear on my wedding day."

Ginny let this sink in before she addressed a sore point. "I learned much about these women, too. Is it all right if I ask Draco to stand with me? I cannot connect to any of those hussies. And no, Pansy Parkinson isn't my type either. She might bewitch you to say her name instead of mine!"

"I'd be damned for a lifetime."

"What?" She pushed away from him but was held by two strong arms. "You refuse the fidelity fast binding with me!"

Wrinkles appeared around his eyes. Yes, Severus actually smiled as he stood up. "May I reformulate: she would follow me into my nightmares even years after our immediate divorce. That is what I meant."

"You had better!"

Once again they stood close and regarded each other nervously. Unable to focus his eyes, Severus felt like retreating a step, but how to do so without rebuking her? He pulled her tight instead, closing his eyes as they kissed. Heaven.

:*:*:*:

Severus had been equipped with dress robes and a shiny, silk shirt. "You will have to check over my clothes as well." She nodded, and he looked at her again. "Is there still something else we need to arrange?"

Soberly, Ginny replied, "Invite the family."

Severus held her tight. There was nothing he could do, and she knew it, but it could not remove her pain. How could he turn her mood into a positive one? He wracked his brain and finally found some consolation. "If you wish them to be present, you are at least not horrified about the whole idea. I still wonder how that is to be explained." His arms tightened.

Ginny leaned on his shoulder. She changed the topic, saying, "Narcissa will check a jeweller for rings. I gave her an idea, and she'll bring a few examples. Will that be all right?"

"Pray tell me, my experienced, pure-blood bride, what is important about the rings?"

Not taking the bait, she explained, "There is a pair, one for each of us, like in a Muggle engagement. They are the carriers of the spell, either spell actually. Any metal will do, but most popular are platinum and gold. Gold can come as white gold or the traditional yellow. Platinum is favoured by some. A new trend is using stainless steel, and Hermione confirmed that also Muggles have them nowadays."

"What? Iron? Simple iron?"

"No! You'd be surprised. They do look fancy, and they aren't cheap. I'll have you know that Dad's parents had simple, hammered iron, and they were happily married for seventy years!" she pointed out.

"You won't be able to take your ring off. Depending on the agreement, this may be possible if we divorce but quite possibly never. Therefore, it is best that your ring fits you and does not cause you any inconvenience. A simple band is best. I went with Bill when he pre-selected theirs. We learned a lot about shapes and cuts."

Severus' left thumb went to find the root of his ring finger, finding it hard to imagine a metal band around it. Observing this, Ginny said, "You get used to it, they say. Just don't start fiddling with it for hours."

:*:*:*:

In the evening, Severus went out with a group of Death Eaters. "We are investigating something...don't ask what it is. It should take a few hours."

They did some reconnaissance all over Azkaban Island, searching for the weaknesses in the fortress and spying on the routines of the guards. For lengthy hours they observed the patterns, which, as it should be, seemed not to exist. With relief Severus recognised two of the guards as Aurors from the Order. But then again, the whole prison had been so neglected under Fudge that now without the Dementors, it was a wonder they still could hold anyone imprisoned there. This evening's task was to find out how to change that. He made a mental note to warn Draco.

They were bathed in a dim, cold light as the crescent of the young moon peeked through a gap between clouds. Severus noted that it was later than he had thought. He called back his men with a sign. As he checked on the scouts at the back side, he conveniently startled the last one enough to make him trip loudly. Three tiny threads of red light shot towards him from the fortress, and a red halo around his form indicated that the guards had Stunned him. One down and the Aurors are warned, he confirmed to himself as his hand closed over the Portkey.

They gathered miles away on the main island, one man missing and one injured. They were drying their clothes from the spray of the sea and crudely ridding it from vermin and moss when an owl arrived noiselessly.

"We've been called to reinforce a campaign against Mudbloods, sir!" The men's eyes sparkled at this much more rewarding task. Severus had not known that there was such a plan this night. Now he worked his brains as he instructed them on the first step to reach their new target.

:*:*:*:

Finished adjusting her wedding dress to her size, Ginny inspected Severus' outfit. It looked little different from his teaching robes, she noted with a frown.

An hour later his garments were clean and spelled to the correct size. Ginny returned to her reading, learning another two wards as well as deepening her knowledge on medical potions. When she could not keep herself focused anymore, she prepared supper.

:*:*:*:

Some families had obviously received warnings, but there were still enough unsuspecting Muggle-borns. Severus and his group were sent to a farm where their victims included sheep and a pig as well as the young Muggle parents. A little boy's accidental magic amused them as they had their way with him. Severus swallowed hard and cast strongly registering spells to rapidly attract the Ministry. Their fight with the Aurors resembled a mud bath, and they lost a woman there.

:*:*:*:

Ginny had been absorbed in a Muggle novel for an hour already.

Supper stood there, untouched. She tore her attention away from the novel and looked up at the clock. Severus was far later than she had thought he should be.

:*:*:*:

For their last target they headed to a neat neighbourhood of a middle-size town. Their muddy trails stopped at the Creeveys'. The guards from the Order or the Ministry...Severus wasn't sure which...were dozing when he and his team arrived. There wasn't a single magical person standing against them. These were the situations he hated most since he had no chance whatsoever to reduce the harm. He could not even be a passive bystander. The two boys put up a respectable fight and Severus was forced to stare at their knowing faces, unable to help them. With careful manoeuvres Severus managed to have Dennis and a small, wide-eyed, pre-Hogwarts witch killed prematurely to ease their last pain.

The Creeveys were no more.

On their retreat they engaged in a lengthy fight with Ministry officials, which they won with few casualties. Severus, as the leader of the first action, brought the injured to the makeshift hospital of the Death Eaters. He was too weary to pay much attention to Crabbe and two other men discussing about this being a chocolate or flower day, even when they grinned at him.

:*:*:*:

Pacing the rooms for what seemed hours, Ginny was reciting to herself the fragments Severus had told her about his mission. Why did he not return? What if they had caught him? She would not even be able to testify for him since she had no idea at all where he might be.

:*:*:*:

Although he didn't know the exact time, it was way past his estimate when he finally dragged his feet home, tired, exhausted, mentally empty and physically covered with mud. Nothing else than a shower and a bed seemed to hold any appeal. In moments like this, Severus appreciated the peace at Spinner's End. His hand moved on automaton to tear down the wards around the house. He mobilised his last energy to re-erect them before he even turned to face the room.

Staring at the wall without seeing it, Severus moved his hands to unbutton his clothes. Shower, bed, don't think of anything else.

A shrieking voice cut through his nerves like knives. "You said you'd return for a late supper, but it is two o'clock in the morning now!" Ginevra's voice was shrill and piercing, and she hardly took time to breathe. "Where have you been? Just look at you!" She managed to screw her voice one octave higher, still. "I'm imprisoned in this place, no note, no chance to contact anyone!"

Without much thought, Severus took up his wand and silenced her. He gripped her hard at her shoulders, and his cold eyes frightened her. "Cease this ridiculous Banshee impersonation immediately!"

Close to tears, Ginny retreated to the kitchen, her hands massaging her shoulders. A spell washed over her neck and vocal cords, but she didn't react. For hours she had been worrying, and then he comes in and throws a set of dirty clothes haphazardly around without a single word or even a look for her, not wishing to eat or speak!

When she had tried to reach him, he had not reacted at all until she had exhausted herself in that fit of nerves.

She reconsidered. How does one get into such a state? Maybe he really had not heard her questions before. What would he need now? Water ran in the bathroom: he was taking a shower or bath. Clearly, a fresh pair of pyjamas was in order and a fluffy towel as well. She'd warm up some food and ask what he'd like to drink.

Ginny did not come far with her plans, though. Severus had used his old towel, was clad in his previous pyjamas and sat in the armchair, pinching the bridge of his nose. The room was only dimly lit.

"I've been so worried," she offered, but with her hoarse voice it came out harder than she had wished.

"This is my life! You cannot expect me to be home for dinner as if I were an assistant in a shop with fixed shift hours. And you cannot even know what has happened."

"No, I cannot know. I can only worry."

Grunt.

"Tea, or something else to drink?"

"No."

Ginny relaxed because he had obviously not been tortured by his master. She sent the clothes to the bathroom. "Food? At least a bowl of soup?"

With a last "NO," he left for bed.

Ginny did have her wand still from his time out, and she Transfigured the sofa into the familiar bed. However, she considered it a bad sign if she went there right away. It was more of a precaution. Hopefully she would have time to explain her actions tomorrow.

She had long been ready for bed. Taking the tea along might be a good idea.

Silently she slipped under the cover next to him. He didn't so much as stir.

:*:*:*:

"NO, not again. Away, GET AWAY!"

Ginny woke with a start. Severus was tossing around, beads of sweat on his forehead. He hadn't really shouted, but his sharp voice had had a desperate edge.

"STOP IT. Out now."

His arm flung around directly on her nose so that she couldn't avoid shrieking. This again woke Severus up, and he had his wand in his hand in no time. "Expelliarmus! Stupefy!" The second curse hit her squarely from a minimum distance. Without a sound, she slid to the floor.

Severus waved on the torches. "Ginevra, what have I done? Rennervate!" He picked her up, inspected her crushed shoulder and then saw her nose. "Wait, I've got a remedy." He was, after all, a potions master and kept his stocks filled. Within seconds she could breathe and speak and even roll her arm in her shoulder.

Severus had not been shy touching her for healing, but now he dropped his arms and stared out of the window.

"You've had a nightmare, Severus."

"No wonder," he noted absent-mindedly. Getting focused, he asked, "Ginevra, did I say anything specific? Names?"

She considered that with a frown. "No. Only general exclamations...'stop it' and the like. Look, I understand that you won't answer if I asked now." He nodded with pained eyes, and she continued. "You were tossing around and sweating. I'd say for a nightmare it wasn't the worst it can get, but it was awful enough."

"I woke up rapidly this time, which is good. But why?"

"You hit my nose, and I screamed. No, it is all right, don't worry." She changed her tone and asked business-like, "Severus, what can I do in such cases?"

"Before I knock you out or stun you?"

"Preferably," she snarled. "I'd like to keep my shoulder in place, too."

"I do not know. This time, waking me up has worked. If you cannot do that, maybe leave before I harm you?" Severus lowered his head to look at her with mixed emotions. "I really do not know." His hand went up to stroke along her healed nose. Clean and somewhat rested, he now considered the evening from her perspective, silently taking in her features. How many hours had she been waiting? If he was killed, she was doomed. Their lives were already linked.

In a soft whisper he confessed, "There has never been anybody waiting for me at home." He gave her a kiss on her forehead. "Nor anybody next to me in my bed..." He kissed her on the nose. "...Whom I could have harmed." Ginny caught his mouth, and her tension vanished as she melted against him.

Ginny pointed out the tea on the bedside table, and this time he took it. "We have beef soup, if you would like it now?" she suggested. The first shades of daylight were visible in the east, so Severus preferred to wait for breakfast. He gulped down another cup of tea, wiped off his sweat and crept close to his fiancée, spooning with her. Holding her by her waist and nuzzling in her hair, he soon felt comforted enough to fall asleep.

They woke again before nine, not really ready for the day. Severus' advances became earnest now. He stroked her and set a series of feather-light kisses on her face, her neck and breasts, attentive to her every reaction. When her breath came heavily, she gently caught his lips with hers and paid his body similar attention.

It was past ten when Severus' growling stomach urged them out of bed for a hearty brunch.

:*:*:*:

In the afternoon, Narcissa brought eight sample rings. Ginny held her breath when she saw them. None of them would have been anywhere close to Bill's budget. Carefully avoiding Severus' gaze, she admired them. Admittedly, on Narcissa's hand, together with the rest of her exquisite jewellery, they would look adequate, if not modest. For herself, they looked exclusive, if not sinful.

"These are the basic forms only. You decide on the material, the runes and the gemstones separately," Narcissa explained.

"Gemstones?" Severus echoed.

"Well, you would not use rubies, I assume, but emeralds, sapphires or of course diamonds. These are the different sizes and cuts." She pulled out a table with sparkling, animated examples and very impressive prices.

Ginny looked up sharply. "The magic is in the metal, not in the stones," she remarked and locked her eyes with his. She opened her mind to him, and he saw a wider, beautiful four-poster bed with bulging duvets replacing the one he had. True enough, Severus' narrow, old bed sagged severely under the weight of two, and it didn't let them sleep in comfort. He blushed remarkably at the memory of its loud squeals of protest at their movements, and he turned away in a bout of coughing that didn't sound quite genuine.

"There is magic in the runes, too," Ginny continued. "Bill and Fleur did the same as my parents: one rune in each ring, and after the wedding they told each other which two would have followed. It is as good as paying for them."

Narcissa's shocked expression was priceless. She finally pulled out a list with the runes. "Yes," Ginny confirmed, "this is the same list I saw."

"If you want to have a look, it is 65 Galleons per rune." Narcissa pushed the list over to Severus.

Severus was familiar with all the runes, and Ginny had learned most of them already in Ancient Runes or with her brother's wedding. "Bill paid 40 Galleons per rune," she remarked soberly.

Severus took a deep breath and addressed the noble woman: "I'm sorry, Narcissa, but these appear to be the higher price level. Would you mind terribly going once again?" He knew that she would not deny him the request.

Ginny took up the thread. "I won't walk around with pricks of conscience for years. We can have the same idealistic value and the same magic on a more affordable level. I remember where Bill and I went. Would you please ask for the same rings that William Weasley pre-selected? Oh, and also his sister's favourite, which he discarded, please."

Narcissa wasn't pleased. But then her selection cost 230 to 300 Galleons apiece, and she felt she'd better not say that aloud.

Ginny reconsidered. They were discussing Severus' money. Never had she earned more than a few Sickles herself. "Severus, that would be bands for 85 to 105 Galleons apiece, is that okay? If not, they had some in silver for fewer than 60 Galleons. We only found they looked cheap. Then there is bronze or brass... I really don't mind if you... "

By now, Severus grew restless, and clearly, Narcissa's patience was dangerously stretched already. Rings seemed to be required, so he'd get some, but this procedure was getting out of hand. "We will finish this here and today." He took three rings out of Narcissa's box and made Ginny try them. Fearfully, she placed one on her finger. This did not look like her own hand any more...or any Weasley hand.

"Lift it up to your face... and hair... eyes..." Severus ordered three times before he declared, "The decision is easy. Your warm tan is enhanced with the gold, so yellow gold it will be. Narcissa, if you would be so kind as to bring a pair of those rings Ginevra would have wanted, but William didn't put into the selection? And I will take these two runes. Ginevra, you select two, please. Yes, two," he insisted when Ginny looked up at him in concern.

It wasn't difficult. One rune for deep-rooted trust and one for comfort in protection. Marking her choice, she was already excited to see which runes Severus had chosen for her ring, but she would learn this only after the wedding. Ginny didn't chose 'love' because wasn't that the base of every marriage? Was it for theirs? Which one, then? There were several runes symbolising passionate love, spiritual love, deep-rooted love, flowing love... How could she know after three weeks?

Not revealing any emotions, Narcissa promised to care for the rings. The way Severus had simplified and shortened the process, she at least didn't have any extra trips to make. She would find a way to pacify her regular jewellery dealer, an expensive way probably. She reminded Ginny of the hairdresser date on Thursday, and she left.

They both let out a breath. "Severus, are you all right with wearing Gryffindor gold?" Ginny wondered.

Dismissively, he said, "Look at me! I'm ugly as it gets, and I wear black and white. Silver is almost as shockingly uncharacteristic as gold is. It won't enhance or diminish anything in me." Thoughtfully, he added with a soft voice, "But it did make a difference on you."

"You do wear green, Severus." She grinned.

"Yes, there is green in this dratted Muggle track suit. The only other colour scheme for this model was purple with yellow!"

"It looks nice... for a track suit. You have green boxers, too."

"Ginevra!" he chastised her, but continued softly, almost fearfully, "Are you all right with no gemstones? If not I can send Pöllö... a sapphire?"

"No way! Such stones are either minute splinters, in which case they are overpriced and don't sparkle a bit, or they are really big, and then they aren't handy for everyday work and...well, one must pay for their size. No, really, I like the model we'll get. It has some cuts and spells to reflect the light nicely. Oh, if you don't want that, you can undo the spell. Bill did that as well, but after the honeymoon. Neither he nor my parents have any stones."

When he didn't answer, she probed a bit. "Do you recall your parents' rings?"

"I remember them fighting, if anything. They didn't wear rings or jewels at all."

"I'm sorry."

"As long as my mother had her wand, there was balance of power, but eventually he caught her unawares and snapped her wand." Ginny came close. She did remember the rare occasions of her parents having a row. It had frightened her to the bone. They embraced in silence.

:*:*:*:

From Narcissa and the Notts, Ginny received basic wizard robes, a cloak and buckle shoes that had taken their combined effort to Transfigure into shape for her feet. She badly needed Muggle clothes for the rainy winter season, though. Severus Apparated Ginny and himself to the closest town which housed a large shopping centre. Wandering indecisively from boutique to boutique, Ginny was amazed at the selection, but the aggressive flashing lights and the Christmas carols shrieking out of tiny, grey boxes or funnel-shaped gadgets made her jump. Each shop had its own, and still there wasn't a single person singing or playing. Ecklectric loudspeakers, Ginny thought.

"Can't they agree which CD to play?" she groaned.

"Seedee?" Severus wondered.

"Those flat, silvery Pensieve-disks for music that need a box working with ecklectricity." She indicated a size of four or five inches. "And here I was thinking you knew all about Muggles."

"Ah, LPs, or albums, you mean, but they are black and about that large." Severus' hands showed a diameter of at least twelve inches.

At the next record shop, Ginny made a surprised Severus acquainted with the newer technology. He admitted that this development had bypassed him. "Muggles do have a way of making you feel your age," he grumbled.

Some windows sported animated holiday decorations, like a Father Christmas with reindeer. They were surrounded by a strange collection of smaller, sweet-looking, cheery figures, most of them a little overfed, with pointed ears, a tail and red cheeks, dressed in red and gold. They seemed capable of speech and even script and some handled tools, so they would have some intelligence. However, Ginny had never seen or heard of such a being.

"Oh, Mum, look!" a little girl declared seriously, dragging her mother towards the display. "Here are the elves that will make my doll house!" Ginny had a hard time trying not to double over in laughter.

Severus showed his disgust at the dressing conventions of the Muggle youngsters lazily hanging around in clusters. Some were smoking little white sticks that Ginny knew were called cigarettes.

"You'll have to show me what you would accept," Ginny told him.

Severus suggested a long skirt. "Skirts are just not practical. I'd not merge into the masses; look, not a cloak in miles. Or what is it, a coat. They all wear short jackets." Some were forbiddingly short, displaying patches of bare skin around the waist, but after a look around, Ginny nudged towards a group of three girls. "Look, these jeans are neither torn nor faded out. They don't end mid-calf, either. And the sweaters look sinfully comfy!" Ginny wrapped her arms about herself, as if welcoming their warmth.

Grudgingly, Severus conceded that these garments would suit for her visits to the Muggle world.

With determination, Ginny stalked over to the group, pulling a very reluctant Severus along by his sleeve. "Hi, sorry to interrupt. I'm completely new here. Can you tell me where I could get jeans and tops and jackets like yours in this place?" She made a vague sway with her arm.

"Oh, sure. Got your daddy to pay, have you? Or godfather?" They told her how to find three shops for the fashion of their liking. When she retreated with thanks, the smallest one shouted, "Your lucky day, is it? Use the chance, milk him for all he is worth." Ginny waved her hand leisurely in reply.

"Sorry for dragging you along, but I wasn't sure I would understand their directions. Do you think we can find these places?" Severus nodded, still shocked at her straight-forwardness with complete strangers, Muggles even. These Muggles had not noticed anything strange about her. She was indeed able to blend in into different groups.

Ginny surprised the assistant with her ignorance about her dress size. Petite and regular, 8, 10, 12...it didn't tell her anything. She was about to say she would shrink them to fit, but Severus intervened with a sharp cough. The clerk wasn't pleased with her simple choices, trying to persuade her to something fancy from the winter collection of a glorious, but eccentric designer. He had his next surprise coming when Severus did not have any credit card or a loyalty or points card. A harsh remark, "Do you not use pounds sterling in your shop?" spurred him into action, though.

Shoes next, and now it got all messed up. English sizes, continental sizes, American sizes... oh, dear. How do Muggles live, she wondered again and again. "You need another pair for training in the forest," Severus reminded her. They were sent to a sports shop.

Passing along the shelves, Ginny admired all the gadgets, the different balls and utensils Muggles considered necessary for sports she hadn't even heard of. Each required special clothing as well, although they all looked like pants and tops. After some search they found trainers and a very simple, soft track-suit as well. They quickly waved off the assistant before Ginny got all styled up for her forest training.

A new bra topped her purchase and was maybe the only piece where she got decent service, albeit at a not-so-decent price. "This one is exquisite and forms your bust wonderfully. You'll see, you will have three or four new admirers before New Year." Ginny forced a smile on her face. "You'd be wise to remember the size, dear," the assistant went on, checking that she was out of earshot from others. "Then you can buy simple ones for daily wear in a department store when you feel comfortable to pick one for daily wear, dear." Ginny debated with herself whether to take the exquisite one or go through the huge shop at the other end of the shopping centre with her new knowledge. A short memory flash of Severus' stressed face was answer enough.

Waiting for her outside, close to the entrance, Severus had managed to shrink the bulging bag while she had been busy with the lingerie. He had then overheard two young men discussing engagement rituals. "She insists on having the whole family there. We need to take an engagement photo under the Christmas tree. Big party, anyway."

The other man groaned with feeling. "That reminds me. First she dragged me through five jewellery shops, and then I still had to change our engagement rings twice until she and her mother and her sister were satisfied. The wedding ring had to have a huge stone, of course, and now she noticed that it is too big for wearing under her gloves, she caused a ladder in her knitted cardigans and all. A nightmare!"

Ginny and Severus reconsidered their purchase. Ginny noticed that he had not bought anything for himself. "Don't you need anything? Shirt, jumper? Black trousers? Socks?"

"I need to get out of here," he declared with feeling.

:*:*:*:

On Thursday, Ginny was at Malfoy Manor again to have a hairdresser home service do their job, the outcome of which Severus dreaded greatly.

Severus was glad to know that the Malfoys' house would be warded well because the werewolves were still furious. He would not put it past them to hurt the girl...his girl, what a thought...if they found her.

She had left a shopping list which Severus expanded considerably before leaving. Having enough time, he opted for the off-town shopping centre where he would find a good assortment of specialised shops as well.

"HERE is where you get me a Christmas present," he heard a sharp, female voice. "Don't you dare come up with kitchen utensils again." Severus turned to see a pregnant woman pointing at a jeweller's shop.

Severus' eyes followed the young, hesitant husband into the shop. This could prove interesting. An assistant approached with such a strange expression that Severus couldn't resist. He applied Legilimency upon her. Another man with no ideas. The Christmas shopping season alone could provide me with the material for a Ph.D. in psychology.

Amused about these Muggle problems, Severus started his grocery shopping. Queuing for the fish, he suddenly noticed that these weren't far from his own troubles. He would need a Christmas present soon, the first one he would have to buy in twenty years. Certainly, the Hogwarts staff had given small gifts of recognition to each other, but it had been easy. Eight identical packets. He usually gave away stationery material, which he was sure would be used, whether liked or not.

It was very different this time.

Weighing grapefruit, he caught someone saying "engagement ring". Sweating now, he wondered if he was expected to come up with an engagement present as well. The practical person in him quickly discarded the ring. Traditional as it might be...was it for wizards? He didn't even know!...Ginevra would get a wedding ring. Another piece of jewellery had better be something else.

He went over to select salads and onions. Hmm, the garlic looked like a treat, and there was a sufficiently fresh cauliflower and green beans from... Kenya! No.

Queuing at the cashier, he saw the young husband enter, who patted a bulging breast pocket in visible relief.

After paying, Severus went into a corner and shrunk his purchase before entering the jewellery shop. He looked around, having no idea what he might want.

"Can I help you, sir?" the assistant asked. When he didn't provide her with a clear wish, she explained the structure of the shop. "Accessories and jewellery for young girls are here at the entrance: firstly the everyday wear, then here the pieces for special occasions." She paused, considering him. "We have the more representative presents for wives...Christmas, birthday or wedding day...over there. The modern styles are to the left, next the traditional patterns, and the folklore style is on the right."

Severus hesitated. Which of these categories fitted to his fiancée?

With great caution, the woman hinted, "We have our exquisite and extraordinary men's jewellery in our main shop at Queen's square." Startled, Severus pried open her mind and saw himself handing a present to a lover. A male lover. He coughed. She shrugged and smiled. "You are looking for a present for a woman, then?" On his nod, she continued in her matter-of-fact tone. "Your wife? Daughter, niece? God-daughter?"

Sweating now, Severus settled for, "A... a young girl, maybe god-daughter would come close. She is sixteen years old."

"And ..." She took a good look at him. "You want something special, genuine material, right? Fine, then we better drop this corner. Can you describe her current jewellery? We might try and find a match."

"She has... nothing." On her doubtful look, he snarled, "There are families in this country that count every penny." Goodness, what concern is this to her? he wondered.

"Oh, but this is nice of you!" She smiled. "I propose either a ring or a necklace as a base. A bracelet is not worn as much as a necklace or a ring."

"Not a ring."

If the woman was surprised, she did a good job not to show it. "A necklace, then. I suggest you take a really nice but neutral one, sir. Add a simple pendant that suits her today and matches your price limit. When her taste changes, she can exchange the pendant, but she will use the necklace for ages and remember you. It is a future investment, sir."

When her taste changes. The thought left him more raw and vulnerable than he would have thought still two weeks ago. He looked at several necklaces and found a pleasant belcher chain. The assistant demonstrated its flexible use, hanging very different pendants to it. She was right. It would be a good base.

Now the pendant. While some of the ones he had just seen were agreeable, none really caught his attention. The assistant asked for her hobbies or pets. What would she say to Quidditch? Severus recalled only that Ginny had been attending Care of Magical Creatures, but knew nothing of the pets in Gryffindor tower, thank you.

"You can take an abstract form, like this one, if she is more of the strict type, straight clothes, short hair. No? Well, many girls go for horses, but no," she quickly corrected herself, "'she's not affluent, is she, sir? Could you give me some idea...? What does her room look like? Her posters? You don't know? What are her favourite videos?" At Severus' doubtful look she added, "Or books? Perhaps she is into her fantasy and legends, you know with witches, elves and unicorns?"

"You have elves or unicorns?" he blurted out.

"Yes, there is a manufacturer for the current fashion. It came up with the books on witchcraft in the wake of the revival of the Lord of the Rings," she told him. "Quite a lot sold this autumn and Christmas season, indeed."

"Well, maybe something of that kind. She does... err, read and talk about witches. Do you have a broomstick? Dragons? Unicorns? Or... eh, normal animals?" His voice lost the hesitant tone. "Do you have big cats? I recall she likes them. She has a few books on cats, in fact. Or maybe owls?"

Ah, finally we're getting somewhere, the saleswoman thought. To Severus, the selection of dragons was most amusing. None of these animals would stay airborne while blasting fire, Severus thought. And never had he heard about one with blue eyes! The broomstick pendant was sold out. Severus saw a snowy owl, which he discarded since Potter's owl was a snowy. Next she presented a formidable lion, a kind of tiger and even a leopard. It could pass for a female one, he thought.

"I will take this leopardess playing with the ball," he declared, feeling similarly relieved as the young man an hour ago. "In gold, with the blue stone. It goes with her eyes," he added firmly, now desperate to leave the shop.

Goodness, what a type, he sensed her thoughts, but at least he knew a few things about the girl. "A good selection, sir," she said amiably. "The ball is Lapis lazuli, not the most noble gemstone. If you want we can get it with a transparent blue sapphire before Christmas."

Severus declined and was about to pay when a formidable-looking man in his late forties entered. He indicated one corner with his hand as he said, "Find me a few things for 200 to 250 pounds. Platinum, no rubies. I'll be back in an hour to pick it up." And off he went.

Phew, that man again, he sensed her and got the impression she had after all preferred serving him.

:*:*:*:

Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, Severus wondered what he would say and how. A pity that the mirror wasn't magical. Or lucky, maybe; it would never reveal this scene to her. He had seen a few Muggle films from the forties and fifties. Dreamy eyes, romantic music, the man usually kneeling down, possibly reciting a poem. All these thoughts appalled him more than cause any other feelings. This is not who I am. I cannot be the dreamy lover type. Even if she has wormed herself into my conscience, into my...yes, admittedly, into my heart!...she cannot expect this from me, he decided.

He settled for preparing a nice dinner and started preparations.

The warding charms announced Ginny's arrival. Quickly he stashed all decorations in the kitchen.

"What have they done for hours? You look your usual self," he wondered with a light voice, teasing her.

"Well, thank you!" she burst out.

"Oh, I am not complaining," he reasoned. "I told you I prefer recognising the woman I marry."

"Yes, well, I assume you will," she conceded. Feeling the need to talk, she explained, "They have a nice method. He tried a few styles, and I picked one. Then he somehow fixed it into my hair. Narcissa and I were taught the spells my hair remembers, and we'll redo them tomorrow after you have left. So you won't see it before you are allowed to," she reminded him.

"I can sleep without fearing for my hairstyle. I just wonder why Fleur didn't come up with this," she mused. Then she sniffed the air and followed the smell towards the kitchen.

"Stop! This room is out of bounds for you tonight."

"Ooh, that makes it all the more tempting." She lightly punched his arm. "But I'll be a good girl, all right?"

Unable to keep it much longer, Severus announced that they would have an early dinner and retreated into the forbidden room.

Amazed and flattered that he would do something special, Ginny was hardly able to concentrate on anything for the next hour. She kept remembering her family, who would be grieving for her, imagining her suffering, while in fact her destiny wasn't as bad as it sounded.

Well, she would not have had the idea of marrying this man or marrying at her age at all. But compared to other captives of the Dark Lord, she had been granted a most surprising amnesty. She would have to stay where she was, of course, and within months she would be pregnant. A child from Severus Snape, whom at least half of her brothers detested with all their heart. She wasn't so sure about Percy, Charlie or Bill.

The elder ones were at least a bit closer to him in age and had not experienced his concentrated vitriol to the same extent yet. As for Percy, well, he was just Percy. Law abiding as he was, he never got on the wrong side with any teacher at all. Not even Snape...oops, Severus. It was hard to merge the two into one person.

While she still remembered his outbursts and the detentions he had given her for sloppy cutting and brewing out of the set task, he didn't frighten her anymore. He had made an effort not to, which was a new thing to him, and she had done her best to encourage it. Sometimes he fell into teaching mode, but with their age difference it was maybe natural, or understandable, although she would not tolerate it in their marriage. Already now, Severus tried to avoid it. Only he didn't quite succeed.

He had not tried anything else than frighten her in the Occlumency lessons before her first encounter with the Dark Lord. But she was ready to admit that his style worked. Severus had taken most of the fear out of her system before she had met the vile, serpent-like wizard personally, which then had not completely paralysed her. Severus' harsh treatment had enabled her to keep her mind and concentrate on the Occlumency for hours.

Not that they had needed this much of concentration and fear of failure in each Potions lesson! How Ron had hated them. Oh, Ron. Mum, Dad!

Just before she lost herself in desperate thoughts, the door opened. "Will you freshen up a bit? In the bathroom or bedroom, just get OUT of this room."

Nervous now, Ginny took one of Narcissa's old robes into the bathroom. Even if the dress didn't fit her style at all, it was a witch dress and not her Muggle outfit. She checked her hair again, excited at the prospects of a fancy dinner. With Severus, her fiancé.

:*:*:*:

She was called in a few minutes later and stalled just a little to enjoy the anticipation.

The curtains were drawn closed, and the whole room was dimly lit with candles. The table was laid most accurately and with matching pieces. A light white wine waited for them, too. She was about to wonder if he would de-alcoholise it for her when he took the chair and helped her sit down. Wow!

His vague smile couldn't hide his anxiety. "Wine?" he asked. "I will de-alcoholise it, or you can mix it generously with water."

She offered him her glass. "De-alcoholised, please." Severus prodded the filled glass with his wand, urging small bubbles of alcohol to rise and dissolve in the air.

"We'll first have soup, then roast," he announced and cleared his throat. "Pudding is fruit salad with ice cream."

It was delicious, Ginny thought but could not fail to notice that Severus hardly touched his food. A few spoonfuls of soup, half a potato and a tiny piece of meat. "Oh, it is wonderful, what a surprise, Severus!" she exclaimed to compliment him and encourage him to try more of his own food.

Cleaning the table, Severus showed nerves and dropped the bowl of salad. Ginny leapt up and caught it but wasn't allowed to bring it into the kitchen. Severus returned with the dessert, and again she noticed he wasn't really eating any. "Have another go, Severus," she tried but he looked almost nauseous. Something strange was happening with him.

She finished quickly, sensing his tension. "I can help in the kitchen now," she decided and got up.

"No," he pleaded. "Wait." He stood up as well.

Stepping close to her, he took a nice little box out of his pocket. "Ginevra, you... I..." he started and faltered, looking terribly lost. "I want to tell you that you... this marriage... I find myself excited about it, excited about you. Ginevra, you..." He hesitated again and then finished his little speech rather matter-of-factly. "So I think an engagement present is in order."

She took the unwrapped box, and seeing the apprehensive look in his eyes, she opened it. "Oh, Severus, how nice! You found a leopardess! She is beautiful."

Her surprise was genuine, he was glad to see, and he let out a breath he hadn't noticed he was holding. "It's not much," he started, but her wild embrace and kiss interrupted him.

When they broke apart, Ginny said, "She is wonderful, thank you so much," and took his hand to go to the bathroom. "Will you put it on for me?" she asked, facing the mirror expectantly.

A bit of fumbling with the clasp, but finally he had it fixed, all without magic. "I could try and make her play with the ball, if you want," he asked her image in the mirror while his hands glided down to her elbows and hips.

"No! It stays as it is. After all, it is Muggle jewellery. You are half-Muggle," she reminded herself, leaning back to his chest. She was tall enough to lean her temple on his chin.

"The blue suits your eyes, as I guessed it would." He bent down to kiss her neck gently. He looked up at her image again, fascinated at the feeling of holding a woman who showed such affection for him. He'd try hard to make her comfortable for whatever time they were bound together!

The old battered bathroom disappeared from his vision when she turned around in his embrace and moved her hands up to his shoulders. "I'll be wearing my own jewels tomorrow!" she said with satisfaction. "Thank you."

:*:*:*:

Ginny removed the necklace, and when she put it into the box on the bedside table, she found a note:

For many people all over the world, Lapis lazuli is considered a stone of truth and friendship. The blue stone is reputed to bring about harmony in relationships and to help its wearer be an authentic individual who may openly state his or her opinion.

Entering the bedroom, Severus checked once as he saw the happiness on her face. It felt far too good to be true.

:*:*:*:

:*:*:*:

A/N:

1.According to the Black family tree, Narcissa is born 1955. I'll make this November so that Severus, born 1959, is only 3 years behind her. Lucius is then born 1953 or end-1954. This scenario is valid before Deathly Hallows (DH).

2.We don't know what additional subjects Ginny took in her third year. I assume it was Magical Creatures and Ancient Runes. Whatever she knows about Muggles she has heard from Harry, Dean, Colin or Hermione.

3.My well-informed beta informed me that the original form of the revitalising spell..."Ennervate!"...would actually have knocked people out if it had been spelled with only one "n", so JKR changed it to "Rennervate!".

4.Neither Severus nor Ginny can be seen in public to select wedding bands. Since jewellery is expensive, it is normally traded in the well-secured premises only. We should assume that Narcissa lends the few samples against a security. Contrary to that, a hairdresser home-service is easily available since they do not have to transport valuables. Also note that Severus, the searched murderer, doesn't meet the hairdresser. Maybe the man is also threatened into secrecy.

:*:*:*:

:*:*:*:

My warmest thanks go to the team of betas that has been supporting me greatly, Jingjingchiquita, Hollimel99 and Angelika. They've made the people and scenes British, let the sentences flow naturally and keep the characters in line. They improved the language to sound genuine British, and finally they added or moved my commas in place.

What still sounds odd is all my own doing.