Chapter 8

A/N: I know it's been a few weeks, but I have been under the weather. I've had what the experts call "faux flu." Anyway, I know this is going to come as a huge shock to you all, but I'm not making any money off of this story. Neither is my wonderful beta, RobisonRocket -- even though she should.

Chapter 8

THREE YEARS LATER

Severus was sitting at his desk in the Headmaster's office, reading over the Divination syllabus that Professor Trelawney had dropped off earlier in the evening. Though he still wondered what the purpose of having a Divination class was, he knew that he needed to give her syllabus the same attention as he did all the others. He eyed her notes incredulously.

"Reading tea leaves, crystal gazing, palmistry... mind reading? Where in Merlin's name does she come up with this rubbish?" Severus said aloud.

He heard a soft chuckle behind him. Severus rolled his eyes and spun around in this chair. "Is there something you find humorous, Albus?"

"Don't mind me, dear boy. I am merely enjoying myself as I listen to your yearly rant over Sybill's lesson plan." Dumbledore smiled. "Does she still keep her fire blazing all term?"

Severus noted that even in a portrait, his old friend still had a sparkle in his blue eyes. "I wouldn't know; I don't frequent the Divination classroom. I find it to be a ridiculous subject and am curious to know why we still waste our students' time with it."

"Now, Severus, are you telling me that you actually care about your students' time?"

"Don't start with me, old man. I'm not in the mood. I have to get through three more of these tonight, and I would like to get finished so that I can make it back to my quarters in time for dinner." Severus turned back to his desk. Giving a petulant sigh, he pushed Professor Trelawney's lesson plan aside and picked up the one from Professor Sinistra.

"Do you have big plans for dinner?"

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose impatiently and turned back to face his former Headmaster. "Albus, is there a reason that you'd like to hold a conversation with me when I have already informed you that I need to get these looked at? To answer your question, my daughter will be joining us for dinner this evening."

"Do yourself a favor, Severus, and take the remainder of those to Hermione. That lovely wife of yours is more than capable of helping you. Now, tell me, how is Grace? I assume she is a full-fledged Auror now."

Knowing that Dumbledore would not relent in his questioning, he reluctantly stacked the remaining syllabi and returned his attention to the portrait behind him.

"Yes, she has been an Auror for over a year now," Severus said, not bothering to hide his obvious pride in the girl.

Albus gave him a knowing smile. "Yes, she's quite a young woman, isn't she? Tell me, is she still besotted with the young Malfoy heir?"

"You know, for a dead man, you certainly are inquisitive. I believe the boy is still around, yes. I try not to delve into Grace's personal life," Severus added.

"Of course, you don't," Dumbledore said pointedly. "He's a bright young man, Severus. I'd think you should be quite pleased that she would still be involved with a boy that you've known all of his life. Wouldn't that be more agreeable than someone that she's just met?"

"You speak as if they are going to get... married," Severus said with disdain.

"I only speak of what I know. I can't predict that they will marry, but she will marry someone some day, and she will eventually become a mother."

"That's quite enough! I'll not discuss this with you any longer. Talk of marriage is completely off the mark; she's too young. She has just started her career, for Merlin's sake. Now, if you want to discuss the fact that I still don't have a decent History of Magic teacher, I'll gladly give you an audience," Snape chided.

"Yes, I've heard that Professor Binns has finally come to the realization of his demise," Dumbledore said thoughtfully.

"Unfortunately," Snape pointed out, "there are far too many witches and wizards who have yet to come to that realization. Some, curiously enough, are so perpetually ignorant of their own mortality, that they still... meddle."

Albus chuckled softly. "Your gift of subtly is beginning to unravel, old friend. Let's see, I believe you will find the perfect replacement for Professor Binns right under your nose."

Snape made a noncommittal noise deep in his throat.

"So, tell me, Severus, has young Devon completed his studies at that wizarding university in London?" Albus asked conversationally.

"I believe he has. I'm not certain, as I do not keep up with the boy," Severus replied.

"What was his course of study again? Ah, yes, I remember Grace telling you that it was History. She was not surprised, if I recall, because he had received an Outstanding in his N.E.W.T. for History of Magic."

Snape grunted. "And you say that my gift of subtlety is beginning to unravel. I know what you are hinting at, Albus, and I don't think the boy is capable. He is barely out of his teens."

Albus' grin caused a frown to crease Severus' face.

"I found myself in your situation many years ago when I was still the Headmaster of this school. I recall needing a Potions professor, and I rectified the situation by hiring a young man who had just graduated. He was not even as old as Mr. Malfoy at the time."

"No, Albus. I'm not hiring the brat as a professor."

Albus' retort was interrupted by a knock on the door. The only people who had the password were his wife and children, so Severus didn't hesitate in asking the visitor to enter.

When Devon Malfoy stepped in, Severus glanced up at the portrait of Dumbledore, who was suddenly snoring against his frame. Severus rolled his eyes and faced Devon.

"Well, I guess I don't have to ask how you got in here. What do you want?"

Understanding that to be the best invitation he was going to get, Devon stepped fully into Snape's office. Severus did not offer for the young man to have a seat.

Severus took in the boy's appearance and noted with hidden amusement that he was nervous about something. This ought to be interesting, thought Severus.

Devon paced back and forth several times until he finally seemed to gather his courage. "Sir, I need to talk to you... to ask you... Ugh, why is this so hard?"

"Here's an idea," Severus interrupted. "Just. Spit. It. Out. You're wasting my time."

Devon took a deep breath and said, "IwanttomarryGracie."

"Do you think you could possibly speak English? I haven't yet learned the language of Troll."

Devon pulled himself up with all the courage he had, and his prepared speech was completely forgotten.

"Sir, I intend to ask Gracie to marry me, and I would like your b-blessing, please."

Severus stared at him as if he'd grown an extra head. The silence stretched between them for, in Devon's opinion, several hours. Devon could feel his heart beating in his ears, waiting for Snape to say something.

Finally, Severus stood and walked around his desk, so that he was only mere inches from the insolent boy who dared to walk into his office and make such a ridiculous request. Severus crossed his arms and stared into Devon's eyes. Devon was less than an inch shorter than he was, but it didn't matter. His intimidation tactics were legendary, and he was damn well going to use them now.

Devon was ready for this, however, and was determined to maintain eye contact with Snape. He also knew that he was risking his mind being invaded with Legilimency, but he didn't care: he had nothing to hide. He was ready for the intrusion, but nothing happened.

Snape's expression, as well as his voice was impassive. "My daughter," he began, "has a career to think about and I doubt she's prepared to marry at such a young age. Why do you want to get married, Malfoy?" Then, with his voice dripping with sarcasm, Snape added, "Oh, I know, is it because she makes you happy? How... sweet."

Devon regarded him for a moment and then shook his head, knowing Snape was trying to get under his skin. "Of course, she makes me happy. But, that's not the only reason. Professor, Grace and I have been attached to one another from the time we were children. When I was in my fifth year here, my mother asked me where I saw myself in ten years. I told her that I didn't care where I was as long as Grace was with me. She told me that I was wise and that I held my future in my hands. Most people laugh at my mum because she's different, but those words stayed with me because I knew she was right.

"But, there are many reasons why I want to marry Grace. I love her more than I could ever imagine loving anyone. She's beautiful, yes, I won't deny that, but, there's so much more to her than that. She's so smart and such a strong-willed person. There's nothing in this world more beautiful than to see Gracie happy, and I want to be the one to make her happy. Besides all of that, how many people get to marry their best friend?"

Severus turned and took the seat behind his desk. He gestured toward the chair in front of his desk and indicated Devon to take a seat.

After Devon timidly sat down, he waited for the older man to say something. Severus leaned forward. "Fine, you may ask her. She's an intelligent young woman, so I can't promise that she'll accept, but there you are. That's a risk you'll have to take."

Devon blinked. It wasn't exactly the reaction he wanted and was nowhere close to the reaction he expected. He certainly didn't want to think about Grace turning him down.

"If you are finished, please close the door on your way out," Severus said, looking at his papers.

"That's it?" Devon asked.

"What else did you have in mind, Mr. Malfoy? You have asked for my daughter's hand, and I gave it to you. I don't see how there is anything left to discuss with one another."

"I'm just surprised, that's all. I expected you to throw me out of here and tell me that I wasn't good enough for her. I also expected a few threats to my life," Devon said, feeling a bit anxious.

"Well, I thought you already knew that you weren't good enough for her, but with all that aside, I've already told you that my daughter is an Auror, Mr. Malfoy, which means she can handle herself quite well. Her own godfather, who also happens to be her uncle, is the head of the Auror division. Speaking of uncles, have you met them all? Let's see, there's Bill, who is a curse breaker for the bank; Merlin's beard, I bet he knows some nasty curses. There's Charlie, of course, a dragon tamer. There's Percy – well, there's Percy. But, it's the twins that scare the hell out of me. They are devilish pranksters, but I would never want to get on their bad side. They are fiercely protective of their niece, whom they have taught everything they know."

Snape leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Do you know why I'm telling you all of this? Do you know why I am reminding you of all the wizards who would go to great lengths for Grace's well-being?"

Devon swallowed. "Because you want me to be aware of the danger I'm in if I hurt her."

Snape smiled his cruelest smile. "Not... quite. You see, if any harm comes to my daughter, either by your hand or your heart, the aforementioned gentlemen will only get what is left of you after I'm finished. That is, of course, if there is anything left. You are dismissed."

Devon stifled a tremor as he stood to leave.

"I am curious about something," Severus said.

Devon turned toward him apprehensively.

"Why did you come here? My daughter is a grown woman who does not need permission to get married."

Devon was stunned by this question and thought for a moment that he might have gotten himself trapped into something. He figured the best way to answer would be to just tell him the truth. He cleared his throat. "With all due respect, sir, you are her father. My mother told me that it was customary for some families to ask the father for his daughter's hand."

He gave a small shrug and continued, "My mum reminded me that your wife is Muggle born and that I need to show the proper respect for both sides of Gracie's ancestry. I would have asked you anyway, though."

Severus eyed him suspiciously. "And why is that?"

Devon shrugged again. "It's what my dad did before he married my mum. And my dad told me that you asked Mr. Granger before you married Gracie's mum."

"Indeed, I did," Snape said thoughtfully. "When did you plan to propose to Grace?"

Devon grinned sheepishly. "When we were little kids, we used to climb onto the roof at The Burrow every full moon while the adults were having drinks. We'd be really quiet so we could hear all the creatures that only came out at night. We imagined all the creatures that my mother always talked about, and we'd make up stories about them. When I asked my mother how I should propose, she just told me to take Gracie to the place that belongs only to us, whether it was a crowded café or a spot in the woods. I know it's a little childish, but the rooftop of The Burrow belongs only to us – it's our spot."

Devon looked at the ground as he finished, feeling a bit foolish and not really sure why.

Severus cleared his throat. "There are some people who confuse extraordinary with different."

Devon looked up sharply at Severus.

"Those of us who know the difference," Severus continued, "are rewarded with Luna Malfoy's own brand of magic, which is her intellect. Quite a mystery, your mother."

Devon gave Severus a smile in gratitude.

"I owe her, Mr. Malfoy, for doing something that I myself could not do."

With his voice shaking a bit, Devon asked, "What was that, sir?"

Severus grimaced. He'd over-stepped an invisible line that he'd created for himself. He did not want to have a heart-to-heart with this boy who had the audacity to take his daughter away from him. And he certainly didn't want to do it within earshot of Albus Dumbledore's portrait. Damn! I'm going soft, he thought to himself. Severus sighed dramatically and gestured once again for Devon to take the seat in front of his desk. After Devon sat, Severus folded his hands in front of him and began.

"I saved your father's life, but I could not save him from himself. Luna saved his sanity and gave him a reason to live. My godson was only a shell of a man when the war ended. He had witnessed too many deaths, and too many lives that were destroyed. He had barely escaped the fate of becoming a Death Eater himself when I brought him before the Order."

"Before Draco courted your mother, he was often found in deep conversations with her. He confided to me that he was fascinated by her logic. She was as much a mystery to him as she was to those who knew her best. When he told me that he had fallen in love with her, I was not surprised. That is why I owe her: she brought him back from a place within himself that only she could penetrate."

Neither man said anything for a several moments, both lost in their own thoughts. Devon's thoughts were of his parents, who sometimes acted like they were still teenagers. He smiled when he thought of how his dad looked at his mum and the way he always listened to her with his full attention. It didn't matter if she was telling him about her shopping day with Ginny Potter or if she was telling him about the latest creature that had been discovered. His dad happened to love her radish earrings and necklace made of butterbeer corks. That was the Draco and Luna Malfoy that he knew. Devon looked up at Snape. He knew that Snape knew a different Draco and Luna Malfoy – well, at least a different Draco. He suppressed a shudder. He didn't want to think about that Draco.

Severus cleared his throat and gave Devon a furtive look. He was fighting with his conscience again, knowing what he needed to do, but feeling as if it would cost him more than he was willing to pay. With a defeated sigh, he said, "There is something that you wanted from me that I haven't given you yet. You... You have my blessing, Mr. Malfoy, along with my daughter's hand."

Devon almost choked, but regained his composure with a grin. "Thank you, sir. That means a great deal to me."

Devon stood from his seat and stuck his hand out. Severus eyed his hand for a moment before he shook it.

"Well, I guess I had better go, Professor. I have a job interview early in the morning, and I want to get a good night's sleep. Mum will kill me if I have bags under my eyes. Thank you for your time, sir, and the talk."

Snape nodded to him, and upon hearing a small cough from the portrait behind him, he inwardly cringed. "Mr. Malfoy, have you ever considered teaching?"

A/N: Please stay tuned for the next chapter. It's the last one before the epilogue and I plan for it to be quite emotional. You know me -- I... Must... Have... Drama!!!! Cheers! ~potterbrat~