Cold

Chapter Sixteen

(Severus Snape)

It was amazing how many bags we had walked out with in fifteen minutes. I supposed that being rich had it's good points-especially with excessive spending. Strange thing was, she bought me almost a whole wardrobe before she even picked up the pair of boots she wanted. I wasn't sure if she was being selfish or selfless! Of course, Narcissa had always been hard to read, especially when it came to her marriage. This brought a thought to mind.

"Narcissa," I said casually, setting the bags down by the bench we had decided to wait for Draco and Ginny on.

"Yes?"

"Why DID you marry Lucius?"

She stared ahead, glassy eyed for a moment, thinking. It made me feel a bit guilty for asking.

"I'm not sure, really," she muttered, "I never really did love him..."

"Then, why--"

"Well, I grew to love him, just in time for him to break my heart..." Her hand lingered over her bosom.

"I'm sorry-I shouldn't have asked."

"It doesn't matter. You know, I like this new you."

"N-new me?" What was she talking about?

"That girl and my son seem to have brought out the man you used to be, back in school," she smiled at me.

"I guess they have, hm?" I sighed, leaning back against the bench.

"Ah, I love Paris," she said softly, "It's so romantic. It makes me think everything is looking up. You know, I always wanted to come here for my honeymoon. Lucius didn't want to go however, so we went to Greece instead."

"Shouldn't that be your decision?"

"I've never made many decisions in the household," she sighed, "Lucius controlled me always. I suppose that is why I'm so happy now-but the fear never ends."

"I know the feeling," I said, staring up towards the sky, "Have you filed for divorce?"

"Yes," she replied, "It won't be long until the two of us is over. Hell, we're basically already separated."

"Prison doesn't count," I grinned, "but an affair wouldn't effect your marriage much. Heh."

She grinned too, "Well, I have someone in mind."

Just before I questioned her, Draco and Ginny came running up. Ginny looked like she was in a dream, just utterly happy.

"So, have a good snog session? You're late," Narcissa laughed.

Draco turned beet red, but I wasn't sure if it was from embarrassment or fury-maybe both.

"MOTHER!"

Narcissa burst into laughter her hand at the side of her mouth. Ginny was blushing furiously, but silently. I closed my eyes and shook my head. The family was weird, but in some strange way, it fit. It fit me, and I knew it fit Ginny. Hell, maybe we were a part of it without realizing. Narcissa then stood and grabbed some bags, shoving some into Draco and Ginny's hands, then into mine. She grabbed the remainder.

"Well, then," she said, "We should get going. We've got lots of shopping to do."

And before I knew it, we were strolling down the street like we had a million dollars in our pocket. I wouldn't have doubted it with Narcissa. She was a bit careless with her money-of course, it was Lucius's money, so she would of course spend it frivolously. Narcissa was leading us in stores and out of stores with arms full of bags. Draco and I would have to stand outside the dressing rooms and wait for the women to come out.

"So, Snape," Draco said, "why did you come?"

"Huh? Oh, well, I didn't have much to do," I said, not really knowing why I came, "Besides, you guys were begging for me to come-so says your mum."

"It wouldn't be as fun without you, Snape," Draco nudged me with his elbow.

"What do you think?" Ginny's voice pulled our attention.

Draco's eyes widened as the red head stepped out in a long black dress with splits up the sides. It made her hair stand out like fire. She spun around to show off the whole outfit. Draco was silent.

"Looks great," I answered for him, nudging him, "don't you think so, Draco?"

"Y-y-YEAH! Looks great, Gin."

It went on like that for the rest of the day, but we had managed to snag quite a few outfits out of it as well.

"What do you say to some dinner? There's a wonderful lounge near here," Narcissa said as we used the Portkey back to London.

"Yes! I'm starving!" Draco exclaimed.

"I could eat an elephant," Ginny replied.

"Sounds good," I said, "Like what I say has anything to do with the decision."

"Shouldn't we just eat at home? I mean, then we can drop the bags off and everything," Ginny said.

"Huh? Well, alright. Your feet hurt, dear?" Narcissa asked.

"Well, yeah, that too. I don't usually wear all this stuff."

"Well, what DO you wear, Ginny? Don't you ever get new clothes?"

"I usually get hand-me-downs," she said, "But I don't mind. I just want to look like a girl once in awhile."

"Gin, you're gonna scare you brothers with all these new clothes," Draco laughed.

"That's for sure."

(Severus Snape)

With full bellies, the two teenagers sat on the couch. I stood before them, want out and ready. I doubted any magic I taught them would sink in-both of them looked absolutely exhausted. Their eyelids drooped dangerously low and the two depended on each other to keep them sitting up straight. I sighed and put my wand back in my robe. Narcissa smiled from across the room.

"Magic lessons begin tomorrow," I said, "Off to bed with you both."

Neither complained. They trudged up the stairs and off to their respective bedrooms.

"Thank you," Narcissa said.

"Anyone could see that those children wouldn't learn anything. Hell, children that age don't usually learn anything at a normal energy level, much less when they're exhausted."

She beamed at me.

"Well, I guess I'll take my leave-" I started.

"Wait a moment, Severus," Narcissa said softly.

I halted.

"Is there a problem, Narcissa?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Thank you... so much... for everything," she whispered, her voice teetering on crying, "Y-you have no idea... how much everything you've done means to Draco... and myself." She sniffed.

I felt humbled and scratched the back of my head.

"It's no problem, Narcissa," I replied sincerely, "I mean... I.... I suppose I know the feeling of betrayal, that and how cruel Lucius can be. Draco has told me a lot about what has happened here."

"Yes," Narcissa said, barely audible, "Lucius has done... a lot of things... but... I can't fight him because... because... I..."

"You fear him? Obviously it's not because you still love him... is it?"

"No," Narcissa replied, sounding hopeless, "I gave up on him years ago. I do know one thing, though: I know who Draco's father is."

"Yeah, I guess that's why you never fight ba-"

"He's you."

I was caught off guard, standing there in complete shock.

"He IS, Severus. You're more Draco's father than Lucius EVER was! Anyone who beats there child or...or forces them into something horrid is not their parent! D-draco loves you! I... I don't think... he could have made it this far... without you. Surely, I try-I try very hard... but... I... I can't keep it up on my own. I-I... I'll surely break!" I heard sobs from her direction.

"Yes... I suppose you're correct," I murmured, "I... feel like he... he is my son."

I froze as her arms wrapped around me from behind. She buried her cheek into my back. I was at least a head taller than her, but it didn't matter at the moment.

"N-narcissa, please..." I uttered, blushing slightly.

"Please... just let me stay like this... for a minute... just a minute..." she whispered.

"It's not right," I said, my voice low, "It's not..."

"Turn around and look at me," she said.

I did as she told me, not sure of her motives. Her face was tearstained.

"If you're so upset, why are you always so happy, Narcissa?" I asked softly.

"Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying, Severus."

I frowned. "That's quite true."

"Severus, please, don't think of me as someone bad," she said, tucking a piece of blonde hair behind her ear.

"I'd never-you're the one that raised Draco to be a fine boy-Lucius obviously didn't."

"Forget Lucius for a second, please!" she cried.

I bit my lip, silenced. Narcissa put a hand over her eyes shielding my sight from her tears, though they were still running down her cheeks. I didn't move.

"Severus... I'm... I'm sorry... for everything. I've put you through Hell with not one bit of reward."

"Knowing that your son is happy is plenty of reward for me. He's a good boy. He deserves to have a little bit of happiness in his life."

Narcissa stared up at me with a wet smile. "Y-yes."

She approached me and stared into my eyes. I hadn't realized how blue her eyes were-but the tears had made them stand out as well. She stood on her toes and gave me a small peck on the lips. I felt a few shockwaves zap through my nerve endings as she pulled away. It was a foreign feeling, truly. The only girl I had ever kissed was Lily Evans, and Narcissa was far more different than Lily... or perhaps similar... I wasn't sure anymore.

"Excuse me, I have to go," I quickly uttered, rushing for the door.

Narcissa made no move to stop me, but I could still hear her crying behind me. I shook off the guilt, closed the door behind me, and apparated back to Hogwarts.

"As if things couldn't get any harder..."