kaleigh + severus + narcissa
WHO: Narcissa Malfoy, Kaleigh Nott, and Severus Snape
WHAT: The ladies kidnap him for a night out.
WHERE: Starting in his office at Hogwarts and ending up...?
WHEN: Backdated to Friday evening, 24th Sept.
RATING: PG
STATUS: Complete




Was there anything worse than tepid tea whilst attempting to mark Defence essays? Severus pulled his wand to warm the liquid, though his eyes continued down the page without interruption. He liked to read each essay through once before bothering to pull out his quill. That way, there were no surprises, and he didn't end up penalizing a student for something in the beginning of the essay that he or she had elaborated on near the end. Of course, some people -- and by that, he meant Lupin -- would likely still take issue with the way he marked essays, no matter what. So, he had exacting standards. Was that a crime? He was only making things easier on Lupin in the long run, anyway. Less work for him if the students had a proper grounding in Defence before he had to take the upper years.

As he moved on to the second roll of parchment in the stack, Severus barely registered the forms approaching his office door, and he didn't fully look up until he heard a knock. When he did, however, his eyes widened momentarily and then his mouth twisted into a small grin. "Kaleigh -- Narcissa! What a pleasant surprise!" he said, setting down the essay immediately and standing. "To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you both this evening?" A small creased appeared between his eyebrows not a second later. He could only hope this was a social call, and not more bad news regarding Teddy, Draco, or the MacMillan boy.

Kaleigh was determined to make the Potions Master keep his word about spending an evening with them. It had been too long since the three of them had a proper chat via anything that wasn't parchment and quill. She had enlisted Narcissa for help and though Lucius was acting a prat in not wanting to join them, the women were hell bent on having a good time.

"Now, you'll get wrinkles if you keep that up." Narcissa tapped the creased forehead with a smirk. "Not that the children didn't already give you a few..."

"All of us a few!" Kaleigh chimed in, chuckling. She didn't get out nearly often enough, but was making an effort for Teddy's sake. She couldn't very well tell him to go out and have a good time if she wasn't, now could she? Nonetheless, she had to admit she enjoyed getting out of the house. A dull ache still took over her heart if she thought on Angus too much, but she was living again. "We're kidnapping you so put down those papers, Severus!"

Narcissa stepped back, grinning. "Did you think we were joking?"

Severus rolled his eyes after Narcissa tapped his brow. "Rather more than a few," he answered, but after Kaleigh had her say, he quickly added, "in my case, I mean." He certainly didn't want them to think he considered either of them ... well, anywhere near as aged-looking as he. He pulled his wand and charmed the rolls of parchment to stack themselves neatly in the inbox on his desk. "I wouldn't say I thought you were joking so much as ... hoped, perhaps? But seeing as you've already come all this way..." He trailed off with a smirk, putting his wand away. "And where, praytell, are we going? I only ask because I need to know just how much I should struggle."

Narcissa huffed and crossed her arms. "Severus Snape, you ought to know by now that you enjoy our company. Honestly. Men."

Kaleigh giggled, covering her mouth when she realized she sounded like a school girl. "Or at least this man," she said when she gained composure. "Now, Severus, don't you trust us?" She put on her very best innocent act.

"I never claimed not to enjoy your company, Narcissa, dear. In fact..." Severus paused, raising an eyebrow. "I believe I referred to seeing you both as a pleasure not five minutes ago." A ghost of a smile drifted across his lips at Kaleigh's giggle, but he quickly cleared his throat as he leaned against his desk. "I trust the both of you with my life. Your taste in destinations, on the other hand..." He gave a very obvious shudder and then smirked.

"We aren't taking you shopping." Kaleigh snickered and nudged Narcissa. "I talked her out of it."

Narcissa bristled, but then laughed too. "I still think picking up a few things won't kill us." She cast Severus a pointed look. "I just saw the most handsome blue robes."

Kaleigh gently swatted Narcissa's arm. "Don't bother him, now. He'll never come out!"

"Thank goodness," Severus deadpanned at the notion of shopping, and then, at the mention of blue robes, he gave Narcissa a pointed look of his own. "No," he said firmly, with a slow shake of his head. If he had known the Latin for "black, or nothing," he imagined that would be a good time to say it. As it was, he didn't know it off the top of his head, but he might just have to look it up later, for future reference. "Other than to rule out shopping, you still haven't told me." He looked from one to the other, eyebrows raised. "Where. Are we. Going?"

"Oh, so impatient. You are worse than my son." Narcissa put her hands on her hips, glowering at Severus as she might have one of the boys.

Kaleigh gave Severus a sympathetic look. She knew what it was like to be on the other end of Narcissa's projects. "Excuse her, she's simply hungry. You know how grouchy she gets." She winked at her friends.

Narcissa let out an impatient sigh. "Honestly, what am I going to do with you two..." She tsked, but finally smiled too. "We're going to eat. Is that acceptable, Severus?"

"That depends -- what are we going to eat?" Severus asked, fighting hard to keep from grinning. Before Narcissa could object, however, he quickly added, "Only teasing, Narcissa dear." Then he gestured toward his office door. "Ladies first."

Narcissa shoved her friend's arm as she passed. "Severus, I swear I'm going to hex you."

Kaleigh bent toward Severus' ear. "Don't listen to her. She hates seeing grown men doubled over. Something about lack of masculinity..." She laughed and swept through the door. "The Leaky? Or do you prefer some place fancier?" The question was directed at Severus though, in all likelihood, it probably should have been a question for Narcissa. Nonetheless, Kaleigh hoped they did settle for a place akin to The Leaky. Her wallet couldn't take much else.

Though he chuckled softly at Narcissa's "threat," Severus shivered just a bit at the warmth of Kaleigh's breath in his ear, and he gave a small smile at her laugh. "Something fancier, I think, though I fear I must insist that it be my treat." He held up a hand almost immediately to stave off the objections that were sure to follow. "And yes, I realize I am supposed to be being kidnapped, but if pressed, I will simply be forced to plead Stockholm Syndrome."

Kaleigh's face warmed. Did he know? Well, alright, most of her close friends and acquaintances had to know she wasn't as well off as before, but...

She tried not to appear put out, but she shook her head. "No, no," she squeaked. "It's fine. Where did you want to go?"

However, the traditional Narcissa had no problem accepting a man offering to pay even if he wasn't her husband. She'd repay him later with some sort of gift. "Brilliant! But Kaleigh's right then. You choose." She had a hunch about what Kaleigh was worried over, but it was utter nonsense. She had family to take care of her.

"The Remora?" Severus asked, only noticing too late the sudden flush that had appeared in Kaleigh's cheeks. He knew that expression all too well, as it was the same one he had frequently worn when Lily offered to pay his way when they were children. Though he did enjoy his fine wines and cuisine, he had no wish to embarrass her. When the bill came, however, he would simply have to be a bit more insistent. Or hex her if she tried to pay. Well, he'd think of something, because spending time with her was certainly worth the price of a meal. Spending time with the both of them, that was. That was what he'd meant.

"Who knew you had such good taste?" Narcissa took Kaleigh's arm, squeezing it in gentle reassurance. "I'm glad we always look our best then."

Kaleigh looked down at her simple dress. It was expensive, but out of season. She missed her shopping trips, but in comparison to everything else, she was still grateful to have it at all. She had sold so many of her other belongings. "Next to Severus, who wouldn't look good?" She beamed at the professor, determined to get off the awkward topic.

"I hope you don't mean by contrast," Severus quipped, but he could tell from Kaleigh's smile that she meant nothing of the sort. He hadn't missed the look she had given her own attire, and though he knew next to nothing about witches' fashion, he wasn't enough of a clod to miss the fact that she was worried her dress wasn't up to scratch. "You both look perfectly lovely this evening," he added quietly. "So lovely, in fact, that I wonder if I ought to change out of my plain black work robes into my plain black dress robes before we're off. Just how hungry are you, Narcissa dear?" There. Perhaps by drawing the conversation onto his own attire, he might manage to spare Kaleigh's feelings, just a bit.

Narcissa sighed as if she was incredibly put out. "No one will notice the difference! I don't even know the difference!" Her hip stuck out as she refolded her arms over her chest. "I'm craving onion soup."

"I think there's a bit of silver on the buttons, Cissa." Kaleigh gave Severus a sympathetic look. Narcissa nearly always meant well when it came to friends and family, but sometimes she simply didn't think about how others would react. How many times had she subtly suggested Kaleigh looked better in blue than red?

"Grouchy, indeed," Severus muttered, turning his head away from Narcissa toward Kaleigh with a smirk. "We'd better get her that onion soup quickly, before she hexes us into next week." He led them both out of the dungeon and through the entrance hall, in the direction of the front gates, where they could Disapparate. Severus had to admit he was a bit surprised that Kaleigh had paid enough attention to his dress robes to notice the silver edging on the buttons. Then again, women did tend to notice such things more than men.

Kaleigh was always one for detail. She thought it was important to drink in little things about the world for the day could come that it was necessary to remember the smallest of tidbits. Of course, that could have also been because she had been a Death Eater's wife trying to protect her son and nephew. She also held a genuine interest in people, especially those who were kind toward her family. And Severus Snape? Had been quite the good man to her family no matter what Angus had died thinking.

She followed behind Severus, waving Narcissa after them. Draco definitely got his pouting from his mother.

When they arrived at the agreed on destination, Narcissa was smiling again. "This really was an excellent idea, Severus. Why were we content with The Leaky again, Kaleigh?"

Kaleigh guffawed as she followed the host to their table. "Something about Draco going on about ale?"

The Remora wasn't a large restaurant, but what it lacked in size, it more than made up for in elegance. Several small, round tables draped in stiff starched white linen tablecloths stood around a small dance floor, with a string quartet of instruments charmed to play at all times during the evening. Though he wouldn't say he came here often, Severus was moderately well known to the staff, and immediately upon seeing him, the host nodded, smiled, and led him and his companions to "his" table in a cozy corner.

Normally when he came here, Severus wanted to get away from people for a while, but he wouldn't mind the isolation tonight, either. The secluded table would allow the three of them to catch up without being disturbed. When they arrived at the table, the host pulled out Kaleigh's chair, whilst Severus tended to Narcissa's. Once they were all seated, he ordered a nice bottle of chardonnay for the three of them to share. As he idly looked over the menu (since he knew it well enough by now), he said, "Remind me to have a little talk with Draco about his taste in beverages."

"Thank you," Narcissa told Severus, giving a smile. "I always like a gentleman." Still, as she spoke she missed Lucius all the more. Would he ever want to spend another evening like the one she and her two long-time friends were experiencing? She missed going out to dinner and attending galas even if she understood why Lucius hesitated. Nothing was the bloody same.

Kaleigh sipped the water that was waiting for them, raising her eyebrows at Snape's remark. "I have to admit it's odd to think of the boys drinking, but what do you suggest for them, Severus? Something sweeter?" She held out the wine menu to him. "Do the honors then. I'll bring back a full list."

Narcissa unfolded her napkin, resting it in her lap. "Or we could simply hand them flavored water and pretend..."

"I don't think they could go wrong with anything on this list," Severus answered, "though the eighty-three chardonnay and the seventy-nine cabernet sauvignon do stand out." He looked up then, sliding the list back across the table to Kaleigh. "But I wasn't certain what you were in the mood to eat tonight, so when in doubt, go with white." Smirking, he added, "Or flavored water. That would work just as well."

Kaleigh smiled wistfully. "I wish they were still young enough to fall for that trick. Remember how we managed to get Teddy to try lobster?"

"Oh, that child and his eating habits," Narcissa muttered as a disapproving look crossed her face. "He still needs a more refined tongue, Kaleigh."

Kaleigh chortled as she took a bread stick from the bowl the waiter placed on the table. She bit it so as not to say anything about how much she actually favored things like fish and chips over such fancy dishes. Sure, she appreciated them and liked several, but simple food was fine too.

"I must have somehow missed the lobster story," Severus said, raising his eyebrows. "Please enlighten me!" He sat back in his chair, crossing his legs and folding his arms over his chest, and prepared to be entertained.

Mischief twinkled in Kaleigh's eyes as she laughed. "Oy, told the poor boy it was just a red pepper made to look like an "animal."

Narcissa had taken a sip of water and it was all she should to keep from spitting it out. She would have died at doing something so unladylike. "In his defense, he was a little lad..." She tapped Kaleigh's shoulder. "He wound up liking it so white lies never hurt anyone."

"If I wore a hat, I daresay I would be tipping it to you right about now," Severus answered, smirking, and he raised his eyebrows when he saw the waiter presently approaching with their bottle of chardonnay. The man showed him the label, and Severus nodded his assent. The waiter then opened the bottle and offered him the cork to sniff, and Severus nodded once more. Only then did the waiter set to pouring them each a glass, setting the bottle to chill in its stand once he had finished. He knew this little ritual was all part of the protocol, and if the waiter had neglected the tiniest portion, his job would have been in danger.

On the other hand, tonight more than ever before, Severus had rather hoped they could have dispensed with the formalities. As much as he normally enjoyed having the restaurant staff fuss over him when he was here alone, he had no wish to embarrass the lovely lady sitting across from him, since he knew full well how she might be in danger of feeling at the sight of all this pomp and circumstance. Clearing his throat a bit nervously, he raised his glass to make a toast. "To old friends?" he asked, feeling -- and sounding -- suddenly a bit unsure of himself, though he didn't exactly expect either of them to object.

Object? Of course not! Narcissa immediately raised her glass, watching as Kaleigh did the same. "To old friends," Kaleigh replied as she clinked glasses with them.