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wellpresseddaisy · 2 years ago

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Long Ago (and far away)

Part 9

Everything had changed, and he didn't know how to integrate the new into the existing framework of his life. How did one balance a Bonded and a demanding job?

He'd bound himself before, to a cause, to an ideal, but never to a person. He'd never truly belonged to another in the way he did now. Not as property, no, but bound in responsibility, bound in mutual need. Mutual esteem? Could he hope even for that much?

How did one be a husband? He'd never expected any of this. Husbands weren't for him. Even at sixteen he knew he lived on the ragged edge of acceptable. It was only the Malfoys' backing that got him an apprenticeship, and even that was on the continent. But marriage…and such a traditional, contracted one at that, had never been something he regarded as his right. he'd convinced himself he never wanted it anyway, as the years of no offers (no interest at all) went by.

No one of an Old Family wanted someone like him; he had a profession. A degree from Oxford or Cambridge would have been acceptable and gentlemanly. He, however, had apprenticed. He'd done demonstration work to earn a bit extra. His mother had left the protection of her home and Family to live in the non-magical world. He worked for his living. That would make him a non-starter for just about every family in the Sacred Twenty-eight.

Like an unthinking child, he'd let a handsome face and some kindness turn his head completely. How had he bound himself to such a stranger? His magic fair purred with contentment, like one of the neighborhood cats after yet another litter of kittens. One's magic behaving like a back-alley cat was not a comfort. Clearly there was some sort of magical disorder happening. He'd never felt like this before.

His hands shook as the world receded. How could he not feel his hands as he clasped them together? His ears rang continuously, sharp and piercing, overriding any other sound. It wouldn't do for anyone to see him so out of control. Had had to keep himself together. He wouldn't lose his composure publicly.

He barely felt Riddle's hand on his elbow. Why did the world look so gray?

"Severus? Are you...dear Merlin." Darius peered at his gray-faced and faintly wheezing bonded before starting into action.

He wrapped an arm about Severus' shoulders and steered him into one of the side lanes. He looked up at the towering brickwork for the sign...Tansy Lane. That should work, provided the shops remained constant. He walked Severus briskly up the lane until he found what he was after. The Queensmark Tea House stood where he remembered, wedged between a secondhand bookshop and an herberie of questionable reputation. The bell on the door jingled as he opened it and steered Severus inside. Worryingly, Severus went where he was pointed without so much as a peep of protest.

The shop looked much the same as he remembered. The dark-stained, wide-planked floor held the same marks and dings from years of boots and chairs. The shutters over the front windows were closed, heightening the dim quiet, noise further muffled by the carved paneling cladding the lower half of the wall and the cream-painted plaster above. The ceiling, though, had been clad with copper to reflect the low-burning lamps hung from wall sconces. The chairs and tables stood crowded into the floor-space with cozy booths lining the walls. It was, as he'd expected, deserted at that time of morning.

Darius found a booth and settled Severus quickly before he wove through the chairs and tables to the counter and summoned up a smile for the young woman behind it. She was much younger than the servers he remembered, barely out of school, perhaps. Her bright dress and white apron were a beacon in the dimly lit shop.

"Could I trouble you for a cup of strong, sweet tea? My bonded has had a shock and is the worse for it." He gestured toward the booth. "We're in booth 30."

She sucked air in between her teeth when she craned her neck to see around him.

"I'll have it right out, sir, quick as anything." She turned to the little range behind the counter and hooked a kettle onto it. "It'll just be a minute."

"Thank you, miss." He retreated to the booth, throwing propriety to the winds and sitting next to Severus. They'd have to put an advertisement in the papers.

Several advertisements, actually, between his own existence and the bonding.

"We'll have tea for you in a moment, pet. Merlin, your hands are freezing." Even if Severus couldn't answer, he could take his poor lad's shaking hands in his and rub some warmth back into them.

He'd seen this look before; the blank, faraway stare he associated with soldiers and the Blitz. Darius knew only the barest outline of Severus' war experiences (and an even barer outline of his life in general), but he had a feeling this was more a man ill-used to anything remotely nice happening. He looked down at the click of mug on table and frowned.

"I'm sorry, miss, but I asked for tea, not chocolate." And looked up to a wand pointed straight at his heart.

"Who are you and what have you done to Professor Snape?" The counter girl demanded.

Darius opened his mouth to answer.

"Don't give me any bonding nonsense, either."

"We really are. Just this morning at Gringotts. If you'll allow me to raise my sleeve and the Professor's, I can show you." He didn't move, barely breathed as he waited.

"Move slowly and don't twitch your hand. Professor Snape was my Head of House. He tutors the older students in Defense." It was more threat than comment.

"I'm currently wandless." It was giving away a weakness, but perhaps? In any case, he forced his hands to steady while he gently pulled Severus' sleeve up, followed by his own.

She peered down at their matching bands. Her eyes widened as she took in the crest on his signet--a crest every Slytherin would know.

"You're…" she trailed off, paling, and holstered her wand. "You're really…and you..."

"Confirmed this morning, miss."

"Oh." She dropped heavily onto the seat opposite, slumping. Her dismay highlighted her youth. "Oh, I've really fucked it up this time."

"Eglantine Holyoaks Dunwoodie, mind your mouth." Severus came back to himself with a start and a scold.

Eglantine jumped, squeaking in alarm, and Darius had to cover his mouth to hide his amusement. She fairly shot upright, knocking her knee against the underside of the table in her haste to sit straight.

"Are you…" Darius trailed off, not quite knowing what to ask. Instinct shrieked at him to pet and coddle his young man, but he knew enough about Severus to know he'd pull back a stump if he tried any cosseting in public. Proud as a cat, Severus was.

"I find myself quite recovered, thank you." Severus shifted until he sat straight, folding his hands in his lap. "What brings you here, Miss Dunwoodie?"

"You're in my tea shop, Professor." She grinned proudly.

"You were engaged?" It seemed a non-sequitor, but the girl just sniggered.

"Oh, that fell through so Dad gave me my dowry to do with as I pleased. Mum cut up rough about it until he said they could either spend the money on sending me to balls and parties that I hated and where I spent more time talking about seed cake with the catering staff than dancing or I could be allowed to do what I really wanted. Turns out being a dab hand at Potions translates to tea brewing."

"You haven't given up your research to work here, I hope." Severus leaned forward slightly, concern creasing his brow.

"Oh, no, sir. I bought the building when the previous owner wanted to sell up. I've a flat of my own and some rentals upstairs and a lab in the basement." She looked a bit smug. "I run the shop during the day, and I can tell you the tea served here was shocking before I took over, though the soup took a close second. Now, drink your nice chocolate and I'll bring you some soup. You look peaky, sir."

She departed quickly, leaving a gobsmacked Severus in her wake.

"Three years ago she'd barely look me in the eye." Severus murmured, but took a sip of his chocolate.

"You are recovered, Severus?" Darius took one of Severus' hands between his.

"I apologize for my…" Severus wouldn't look at him as he started.

"No, no apologies. You've had a difficult time of it and you've had more than your fair share of shocks today. You'll drink your chocolate and have some soup, and then we'll get you home," Darius decided.

"No." Severus' hand shook a bit as he disagreed. "I'd rather finish our errands today. You must have a wand."

He wanted most to get Severus somewhere safe and quiet, but he also didn't wish to be too high-handed. Everything had happened so quickly that they hadn't discussed anything relating to...well, what liberties Severus would allow him to take.

"If you're quite sure? You will tell me if you wish to leave at any time?" Darius pressed.

"I give you my word, sir." Severus promised, swallowing heavily.

"Here's your soup. It's split pea, made fresh this morning, with breadrolls." Eglantine set two bowls on the table, along with a faintly steaming cloth-covered basket and a crock of yellow butter. "And you're going to eat, or I'll be writing to Derry Halthorpe who'll write Mrs. Malfoy."

It was only through intense self discipline that Darius did not laugh at Severus' face. Finding your students no longer in awe of one was a shock to the system. Especially the ones who once treated one with great deference. Add in that said student seemed determined to manage one, and, well.

Severus took one of the bowls almost mechanically, good manners overcoming shock. "It looks delicious, Miss Dunwoodie."

"Thank you, Professor. Please don't be a stranger when you're in the Alley? I've got to reopen in a few minutes or I'd sit a moment." Eglantine took her leave, flicking her wand at the sign on the door to turn it to open as she went.

"I'm not entirely sure what just happened." Severus admitted, spooning up soup.

"Your students have grown up," Darius patted his hand gently and turned to his own lunch.

#long ago and far away #hp society/the ton #hp the season au #hp the season/the ton au #severus snape #not!tom riddle #this is not the same eglantine as in other bits #this is eglantine dunwoodie #she went by eggsie and the other (our dreamy italicized one) went by nora for her middle name #because eglantine honoria is an excellent name #eglantine honoria is a few years older and we'll meet her again later

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famouz-is-here · 2 years ago

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The Owl House Warrior Cats AU!

Leader– Lowstar(Belos), acts as same in canon

Deputy– Lilyfrond(Lilith Clawthorne), acts as the second in command.

Heads- Trusted cats, all of which are the heads of their own roles (just as in the TOH canon)

Scouts– Leader`s most trusted/desired warriors. Strictly loyal to him and him alone. Has power of lower ranks and will follow on Lowstar`s orders. Also does warrior duties. They uphold warrior code.

Healers– Cats training and specializing in herbery.

Oracles– Cats who read the earth for things like omens and signs. They go to Lowstar for interpretation.

WARRIORS– A general grouping term. Used for cats who do not have a specific role/duty to carry out. They do basic stuff like hunting and patrolling. Also used for cats who have not chosen/have not been chosen for a specific role.

Spies– cats who are trained for spying and camouflage. They inform the scouts of suspicious activity and silently stalk the territory, ready to find threats. Usually a role chosen from birth/early kittenhood or apprenticeship.

Guards– Act as guards to the camp/dens, prisoners, and higher-ranking cats. They are respected cats and some of the most skilled in the Clan, although they are not considered skilled enough to become Scouts.

Bard– A fairly minor role. They provide entertainment for the Clan with "music" created by the nature around them.

Mentors– Cats who have proven themselves to be patient and willing to teach apprentices. Mentors can also have any above roles.

APPRENTICES– A general grouping term. Used to describe cats who are training to be specific roles. They are occasionally referred to as trainlings or trainees.

Kittens– Young cats who are not of age to become apprentices.

Fun extra note!! The Golden Guard(i.e Goldenpaw/Hunter) is a special snowflake and trains under Lowstar!!! In this AU, Lowstar IS actually his uncle, but by a couple greats.

Luz would become Lightpaw, Eda would become Owlspark, and King would become Littlekit! Hooty would stay Hooty, instead being a long Maine Coon who protects the main cast. ^ Owlspark would probably be a known codebreaker, but Lowstar wants to execute exile her. He wants it to be public but finds it difficult to get a hold of her! She`s either avoiding being caught breaking the code or slipping right out of his paws.

I`m definitely turning this into a book

I`ll probably make a part two to this later haha

#the owl house #warrior cats #toh #cat #au #toh au #the owl house au #work in progress

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