Chapter 20: Part One: A Desperate Potions Master
Snape had made it back to his quarters and shut the door behind him in relief. He had not found the package and that should have been bothering him, but after all else that had happened it was the least of his concerns. What was he going to do with Draco? More importantly, what had Draco been doing? Well, he knew what he had been doing, but why THERE? Why in Ivy and Osanna's bedroom? He sat down at his desk, his forehead in his hand. Everything was a mess, or so it seemed...he had lost that gift, it was most likely now in Osanna's hands, and now this whole mess with Draco. He sighed heavily, he had to keep it from Dumbledore, having Draco expelled wouldn�t do, he saw much of himself in young Malfoy...no, he would have to keep it all quiet, hopefully Draco would have the sense to do the same.
As for the situation with Osanna, he saw no way to resolve it so easily. He couldn�t simply ignore the situation, if she did find the gift, that would put him in a bad light.... however if she had not found it, saying anything would reveal his feelings. What was he going to do? He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, pondering his options, not that he had many. He was nearly about to give up when an idea struck him.
Ivy would know, perhaps he could trust her just this once to keep a secret, he could ask her if the package had been lost there, surely she would have to know, and then he could have peace of mind! He pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill and hastily scratched down a note.
"Dear Professor Cariad,
I beg your assistance in a rather delicate matter. You must, I implore you, keep this a secret from professor October. Do not tell her anything of what I have asked you!
Did either of you by any chance after I left earlier today find a small box, silver in color laying about? It was something very dear to me and I am afraid I may have lost it there? Please respond as soon as possible!
Most sincerely
Severus"
He rolled up the piece of parchment and tied it carefully around his owl's leg, he then let her loose after giving explicit instructions on which hotel and which room in London Ivy and Osanna occupied. He then sat back in his chair and took a deep breath; all he could do now was wait.
Lucius Malfoy reached the grand front entrance, paused and opened it allowing Narcissa to breeze through it. They made directly for Snape�s office, the crush of students opening like the Red Sea before the imposing figure of Malfoy Snr. Narcissa, who usually was restricted to following along behind, walked smugly by his side. He reached the door of the Office and raising his cane knocked sharply on the door twice. Without waiting for a reply he pushed open the door and allowed Narcissa to pass through before him.
Snape looked up as Lucius entered. �Damn,� He thought, � I forgot about the Owl. What the hell am I to tell them?�
Lucius pulled out the chair for Narcissa and stood next to her. Cane firmly held in front of him. �Well Severus, why have you asked us here? I believe Draco has gotten himself into a spot of bother?�Lucius tilted his head slightly to suggest that his son NEVER got into trouble and that this must just be a hideous mistake on Snape�s part.
Snape racked his brain and then remembered the fight in the Slytherin common room; his mind had been so full of the consequences of him loosing the box and the horror of Draco that he had completely forgotten it.
�Yes, Draco was involved in a rather savage attack on Harry Potter. Naturally it was beyond my influence to prevent Potter from going to Dumbledore, as I expect he has now done and I wanted to meet with you before Dumbledore summoned you.�
�And what caused his attack on Potter?� The sneer as Lucius pronounced the word Potter was chilling, but amusement played in his eyes at the thought of his son attacking Harry.
Snape took a deep breath, �I believe Potter was guilty to some degree. He appeared to draw a Bludger towards Professor Cariad, she was hit and quite injured.� He hesitated, unsure of how to continue, �Draco has become very� loyal� to Cariad and he was most � upset to see her attacked in such a way.� He let out the breath and hoped that it had not sounded too forced.
At the mention of Professor Cariad a chill shot through Lucius� body. He remembered that name, but the feelings were wrong� different in someway? He couldn�t quite place it.
Narcissa noticed the change in Lucius immediately and scowled. What the hell was it about Ivy Cariad that affected him?
Lucius collected his thoughts, �I trust Lady Cariad was healed?�
�Yes, Osanna October and Myself took care of her. Now I will try to save Draco from any unjust punishment, but I feel he will receive something at least from Dumbledore.�
�I understand and I thank you for bringing this to my attentions earlier than normal. � Snape stood and opened the door for them to leave. Lucius went to exit before Narcissa in his usual manner, but caught himself at the last second and allowed her before him. He paused in the doorway, �Please give Ivy my regards and tell her that I hope she is well and to see her soon.�
Snape barely controlled his puzzlement as he shut the door and retreated back to his desk. How did Lucius know Ivy and why was he so concerned about her?