alisanne: (Snape)
[personal profile] alisanne
Title: Nutcrackers
Author: [personal profile] alisanne
Pairing/Characters: Severus Snape/Kingsley Shacklebolt, Frank Longbottom/Alice Longbottom, Augusta Longbottom, Albus Dumbledore, Narcissa Malfoy.
Word Count: 100 x 7
Rating: PG
Challenge: Written for [livejournal.com profile] snape100/[insanejournal.com profile] snape100/[community profile] snape100's prompt # 723: Snape's Library - The Nutcracker.
This is part Thirty-Five of my Snape: Horcrux Hunter series (LJ/IJ/DW).
Warning(s): AU.
Beta(s): [personal profile] sevfan and emynn.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.


~

Nutcrackers

~

Severus frowned. “Excuse me?”

“Reg’s dead because of you,” hissed Black.

Kingsley stepped forward. “You’re out of line, Black.”

Black looked up into Kingsley’s face. “I once respected you, Shacklebolt,” he said. “You’re smart and fair.” He glared at Severus. “But you’ve taken up with this scum, so I must question your judgement.”

“Back off, Black.” Kingsley sounded cold.

Black snorted. “Careful, Shacklebolt. Shagging Snivellus got Regulus killed, and it may get you killed, too.”

Clearing his throat, Potter said, “Right. We’re off. Sirius’ impromptu performance of The Nutcracker’s over.”

“More like the ballbreaker,” muttered Severus as they left.

~

“You all right?” asked Kingsley as they sat down.

Severus nodded. “Thanks for defending me. I’m still not used to that.”

“Get used to it,” murmured Kingsley, taking his hand. “If someone insults you, they insult us.”

Frank emerged minutes later. “It’s false labour. But since her water broke, they’re keeping her here overnight. Go home, get some rest.”

Augusta frowned. “I’m not leaving.”

“I figured you’d say that,” chuckled Frank. “You can stay with us in Alice’s room.”

Severus nodded. “I should check on Lucius and Narcissa.”

“I’ll go with.” Kingsley smiled at Frank. “Keep us updated.”

“Will do.”

~

Severus breathed easier after leaving St Mungo’s. When Kingsley raised an eyebrow, Severus said, “Black was staring at me the entire time. Pillock.”

Kingsley nodded. “I’ve sympathy for him. It must be hard to lose a brother. But still, there was no need to be such a—”

“Ballbreaker? Nutcracker? Arsehole?” Severus suggested when Kingsley seemed to having difficulty coming up with a word.

Kingsley laughed. “I was thinking more along the lines of wanker, but yes, your suggestions work, too.”

“Trust me, I have no problems coming up with appropriate words for Black or Potter.” Severus smiled tightly. “No problem.”

~

They arrived at Hogwarts just before dawn. Yawning, Severus realised they’d gone all night without sleep.

Kingsley smiled. “I could do with a nap myself. You’re sure you want to do this now?”

“I definitely want to check on the Malfoys,” Severus said. “As for our…other task, however, perhaps we should postpone hunting for it until we’re more awake.”

“Agreed.” Kingsley reached for Severus’ hand and squeezed it. “Although I am tempted to get this over with so we can move on.”

A thrill went through Severus. “Move on?”

“With our lives together.”

Suddenly, Severus wasn’t nearly so tired.

~

“Lucius and Narcissa are settling in nicely,” said Dumbledore. “And Poppy checks on her daily. I believe her due date’s approaching soon.”

Severus, unable to look at Dumbledore without wanting to hex him, stared at a spot behind his left ear, allowing him to focus on Dumbledore’s collection of Christmas books instead of on him. Unsurprisingly, it included The Nutcracker.

“Thank you,” said Kingsley.

“Is there anything else, gentlemen?” Dumbledore asked, eyes narrowed. “Any…other problems? You seem perturbed.”

“Lily’s in labour,” said Severus.

“Ah.” Dumbledore relaxed. “A bit early, but it happens. Anyway, I’ll show you to the Malfoys.”

~

“Brilliantly quick thinking,” praised Kingsley once they were alone. “I thought I’d manage, but it was difficult not hexing him.”

“Quite,” admitted Severus, knocking on the Malfoys’ door.

“Once this is over, I’ll arrange a ‘practice duel’.” Kingsley grinned. “That could be fun.”

“Indeed,” said Severus, already imagining his moves.

The door opened to reveal Narcissa, looking heavily pregnant. Her face brightened. “Severus! Kingsley! Come in.”

“Should you be up?” asked Severus as she waddled to a chair.

Narcissa hummed. “Pomfrey advises exercise. Have you tried disobeying her?”

Severus shuddered. “No.”

“Exactly.” Seated, Narcissa smiled. “Now, do you have news?”

~

Narcissa sighed once they told her about Bellatrix and Pettigrew. “No dungeon can hold her long,” she said. “Do you have an alternate place to take her?”

Severus shrugged. “Not really. For now, Dobby’s watching her.”

Narcissa smiled faintly. “That should be safe enough. Dobby doesn’t like her.”

“We got that impression,” said Kingsley. He hummed. “Have you any ideas about where to keep her?”

Narcissa spread her hands. “I’d offer the Manor, but—”

Severus sat up. “Wait, does he frequent the dungeons there?”

Kingsley raised an eyebrow. “What are you thinking?”

Severus smirked. “It’s the last place he’d look.”

~

Continued in Motherly Love (LJ/IJ/DW).

Date: 2018-01-02 07:18 am (UTC)
lilyseyes: (Default)
From: [personal profile] lilyseyes
Dobby is pretty fanatical when he's given a job to do...

<3 <3

Profile

alisanne: (Default)
alisanne

May 2021

S M T W T F S
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
232425262728 29
3031     

Most Popular Tags

Page Summary

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jun. 6th, 2025 01:40 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios