The Bookstore

Once home Thomas made use of his excellent shower, the powerful spray allowing the heat to relax his tense and weary muscles caused by the hours of worry and exacerbated by sitting on the hospital seating that remained hard and unforgiving no matter the number or strength of cuahioning charm that was applied. He allowed himself a few moments to enjoy the memory of Livias soft lips and her pliable body pressed against his, she really was the most glorious creature he had ever encountered but before he could could think further on his delightful little minx he needed to focus on planning out his next course of action. Now that he was satisfied that Livia was safe and healing he needed to return his attention to the many things he had ignored whilst she was in danger, he had much to consider and do in the next few hours before he would be returning to Livia's side. He had enjoyed kissing Livia again though, she was so delightfully responsive to him, if nothing else it showed that she was certainly attracted to him and therefore the kiss they shared after the Gala may not be the one time occurrence that he feared it may be. In all honesty he wanted nothing more than to be at her side, just to reassure himself that she was fine and safe.

He shut off the water and dried himself off with a wave of his hand and set about dressing, he called his elf and ordered a light lunch be served in his study before making his own way there, no doubt there would be a backlog of paperwork that could be started whilst he ate lunch and before his advisors arrived in 45 minutes. The downside of politics, in his good opinion, would always be the excessive quantity of paperwork that seemed to come with it, well, that and the avaricious sycophants.

His lunch was finished and he had made an appreciable dent in his mail when he heard his friends approaching.

"Good day to you Thomas, I assume Ms Snape is well given you don't look like your planning a war", Xander observed wryly as he entered the room, Rambert had made him aware of his concerns for their friend while the young lady had been missing and had been immensely relieved when he heard that she had returned relatively unscathed.

"Livia is recovering well thank you. Ram, Abraxas, Lucius", he greeted one by one as they entered.

Once they were all seated and had tea Abraxas decided to broach the subject most on their minds, "Do we know yet what happened to Ms Snape?"

"Not yet, she wished to explain only once, therefore we are waiting for the Auror office to request her statement. Do we know yet when that is likely to be?" Tom asked.

"I asked Madam Bones before coming here, on behalf of Severus, the appointment is likely to be around 4pm this afternoon providing Livia is cleared by the staff at St Mungo's to give Bones a statement by then", Lucius answered, "She was made Acting Head of DMLE and has handed the case off to the Unspeakables given the number of Aurors that have been found to be influenced by Moody. They have agreed to oversee the whole process so that bias can't  be claimed later".

"Moody is not likely to live through the next 24 hours due to his injuries and a court ordered legilimens has been requested to obtain his memories regarding the events leading to his injury and to confirm or deny his involvement in Ms Snapes assumed kidnap", Rambert explained dispassionately what had been requested and then agreed too at the Wizengamot meeting that morning.

"It's rare that such steps can be agreed upon given the violation that it represents however, when his wand was checked there was evidence that he had used several torture curses including the Cruciatus. His actions have called the Auror Corps into disrepute so it's not surprising that they agreed to have his memories taken or that the Unspeakables have been bought in", Xander added knowing Thomas hadn't been there for the session, the five of them were all aware of how many of the Auror force had been in Moody's pocket and when the investigation into those Aurors was concluded and presented, so would the whole of Wizengamot.

"We are going to have an issue with Dumbledore", Rambert said carefully, "He is already trying to build support for a motion to have Ms Snape answer to the Wizengamot for her wards 'failing' and causing, what is likely to be, the inevitable death of Moody. He is unaware at present of the evidence against Moody and Madame Bones instigated an Information lockdown to prevent any leaks when it was suspected that Moody was involved so his usual informants are unable to be of use".

"What do Livia's wards have to do with Moody?", Tom asked baffled.

"We aren't entirely sure, but word is that Moody was found in the unused Ministry building that the Wizengamot had requested Ms Snape place the example of her wards in. There had been a colossal explosion around the time she appeared at St Mungos, the Unspeakables are still investigating the area so little information is available, not that it has prevented Dumbledore from making assumptions", Rambert told him his contempt for Dumbledore evident.

"We will have to counter Dumbledore swiftly, either he knows what Moody was attempting and is attempting to preempt whatever comes to light from Ms Snapes testimony and highlight her work with 'dark magics' or, he wasn't aware and is using this incident jump start yet another debate on the wards and the dangers of dark magic", Xander offered up his opinion on the matter, not entirely sure that Thomas was going to be able to concentrate on talk of politics when Ms Snape was only just concious again, he would certainly struggle if it was his own darling wife.

"Well public sympathy will be on our side, Ms Snapes involvement with Tom is well documented and he will be able to use that against Dumbledore's venerated 'light', particularly as Moody, who is in his pocket, is likely to be implicated", Abraxas said as if it was a full gone conclusion proving to them all that he was indeed a Slytherin despite their doubts but apparently had little self preservation.

Thomas glowered.

"Father! Livia...", Lucius began only to be cut of by Rambert.

"Tom he is right and you know it so stop glaring at him like that, You too Lucius", he said bluntly, "It is well known that Dumbledore and Moody were confidants, friends and had fought together against Grindlewald that will go against him, we can plant seeds of doubt amongst the people using that fact against him", there were nods around the room.

"Livia's medical file will show evidence that a wide range of both light and dark magic in order to torture her", Thomas spat out.

"Even better for us. Notoriously fanatical 'light' wizard, best friend of Albus Dumbledore uses an illegal dark spell against a kidnapped and unarmed heiress. Again it proves that it is the wizards intent and not the spell that is at fault", Rambert stated, agreeing whole

"If you were to hurry and get the girl to marry  you that would be even better. Your betrothed being injured would give credence to both your inevitable interference and assertions. It would also make better headlines! It is a pity that she isn't pregnant with your child, it would have helped immensely to sway the public", the ever helpful, and oblivious, Abraxas suggested.

Rambert pre-empted the Dark Lords attack on Abraxas with a well timed shield charm, while Xander attempted to remonstrate with their enraged friend in the hopes he would see some reason. 

It was a full hour later, after Lucius had bodily dragged his father home, before Thomas was calm enough to accept that Abraxas had not intended to imply that Livia's ordeal was a good and well timed occurance or that her being with child whilst enduring torture would have ever been in any way a positive outcome. Thomas would admit to no one but himself that perhaps he had overreacted a tad, but consoled himself with the thought that it was understandable considering the stress and worry he had endured.

He was almost fit to begin cursing again when Rambert reminded him that he would need to give his official statement to the DMLE before as Madam Bones was becoming impatient. He dismissed his friends and decided to stop by Gringotts, he had rings to collect and a question to ask Livia, despite Abraxas insinuation that it would be a good political manoeuvre to marry Livia the reality was that the decision had been made whilst he still had no idea if she would even make it home alive.

Livia's drowsy mind awoke to hushed conversation, "...the merlin be damned idiot suggested Lord Slytherin marry Livia immediately because, 'Your betrothed being injured would give credence to you assertions' and it would obviously make better headlines after all. I couldn't believe him!", Livia continued to lay still and listened to Lucius and Severus speaking. 

She opened her eyes a few moments later when she felt someone pat her hand and said quietly with some humor, "Livy, a spy you will never make my child. I saw the moment you awoke", Mr Lewis was there smiling down at her. 

"I wasn't trying to spy", she answered, trying to shuffle up the bed once again. She looked over his face and saw that he somehow seemed to have aged since she had last seen him a week ago and squeezed his hand.

"Mr Lewis, are you well?", she asked with no little concern.

"It's nothing that a few nights of good sleep won't cure my dear", he said patring her hand again and sitting down in the chair next to her bed.

"How are you feeling now Livia?", asked Lucius politely.

"Much better thank you", she answered and gave her brother a sly little smile, "Perhaps the staff can be encouraged to let me go home in the morning...early, that is if we can't get them to release me right now?"

"Livia, you need to stay here until you are fully healed, the staff will let you go home when they feel it is right and I will NOT be encouraging them to hurry along your discharge!", Severus informed her with some asperity.

Livia pouted and glared at the door, she didn't want to be here any longer, she wanted her home and her bed, to have the comfort of somewhere familiar and behind good strong wards. Her room at the hospital wasn't secure enough given what had happened and it was beginning to put her on edge when she was awake. She hated that the potions and her exhaustion were making her so vulnerable.

"You may want to freshen up before Madam Bones arrives to take your statement, she is due in a half an hour", Severus informed her, not in the least bothered by her little fit of pique.

"Fine", Livia answered exasperatedly, "would you ask for a Mediwitch to assist me please".

At a little after 4pm and Livia's hospital room was rather crowded with Severus, Lucius, Madam Bones, Auror Dawlish and Unspeakable Cadmir all present. It would have been worse had Bert not decided to return home earlier, content to recieve an abbreviated version of events from Severus, not sure that his old heart could take hearing all of the details of his near- daughters capture and torture.

Amelia Bones had set up a dicta-quill on the hospital table now situated over Livia's bed ready for the interview. 

"This Interview is being conducted at St Mungos, London; the date is August 23rd 1982; the time is 15:43 pm; Present are Interviewer and Acting Head of Division Amelia Bones, Observer Auror Dawlish, Independent Observer Unspeakable Cadmir Legal Council Lord Lucius Malfoy, Head of Family Lord Prince and Witness Heiress Livia Prince also known as Ms Livia Snape". Amelia gave a short pause before continuing on.

"For the benefit of the quill I have already explained the use of an official Auror issued dicta-quill to record this interview, can you confirm that this is the case please Heiress Prince"

"It was explained", Livia answered.

"Would you tell me what you are able to remember about your experiences starting from the morning of 21st August 1982 until you arrival at St Mungos at 7:20 am on the 22nd August 1982” 

"I left Prince Manor at arounf 9am on the morning of the 21st, I traveled by floo to the Leaky Cauldron and walked to Scribbulus' to purchase some parchment and inks. I left the store and turned into Knockturn Alley, Mr Lewis of 'Chapter and Verse Books' was expecting my visit at 9:30am", Livia paused and took a sip of water and a moment to composed herself and order her thoughts.

"I was passing a small Alley way to my left when a felt uneasy, as though someone where was watching me, It put me on my guard so when I felt a surge of magic I erected a shield and turned to return fire, a stunning spell, a disarming spell and a petrification spell. At first I thought the attacker had left, it was too late by the time thqt I realised they were likely disillusioned, to spells hit me in my arm and left side. I knew nothing after that until I came to consciousness".

Livia took a deep breath and held Severus' hand before continuing with her description of what had transpired from when she had awoken, the conversation with Moody, the endless questions and accusations he levelled at her, the curses he used on her, her brothers patronus arriving and the hope she felt that they knew she was missing and the Stag patronus that arrived that prompted Moody to leave again. Amelia Bones was furious, she was well aware which of her Aurors had that particular patronus, she knew James Potter was involved with Moody and had to hope that the patronus was unrelated to this case, though it was unlikely.

After another sip of water Livia continued, "I had fallen asleep or perhaps unconscious, I'm unsure, and awoke sometime later. Moody wasn't there and I took the opportunity to assess my situation, I had included a self release mechanism to the cell as It was intended for a Wizengamot demonstration and it had been my intention to place myself in the cell as part of said demontration. The self release was a small insurance for my safety which noone was aware if but myself and only able to be activated by myself. I set about deactivating the ward whilst Moody was absent and to try and make my escape. The ward did not act as it should, I can only assume that either Moody or someone else had tried to add their own wards to mine, the resulting backlash that occured certainly seems to indicate as much as there was an explosion. Luckily for me I was inside the ward or it is unlikely I would have survived".

"So you claim that Moody wasn't in the room with you at the time you dismantled the ward and caused the resultant explosion?" Madam Bones asked without inflection.

"He wasn't as far as I am aware", Livia answered steadily.

"Alastor Moody's unconscious body was found just beyond the room that the explosion originated from. To confirm, you claim you were unaware of his presence when you knowingly dismantled the wards?", Amelia pressed.

"Madam Bones I must object to your question. My client, the victim in this crime has already informed you that she was unaware of Moodys presence at the scene", Lucius interjected not liking that line of questioning.

"I only wished to ascertain how sure Heiress Prince was that she was alone, it is known that Mr Moody has a wooden leg that makes a rather distinctive sound. Given his proximity to the explosion it would be reasonable to assume that his presence would have been heard", Madam Bones explained patiently, it was a legitimate line of questioning to pursue and given the names and positions of those involved she wasn't about to leave herself open to scrutiny.

"I am well aware of Mr Moody's impediment having met him on previous occasions. I will say again that I had no knowledge of his being in the vicinity however, I would also remind you that I was unaware that he was present at the initial attack upon myself until he apparently cursed and kidnapped me. I think we can agree that he obviously had some skill in stealth given that he was a highly skilled Auror", Livia said tersely, she was feeling tired and achy and was unimpressed with the womans logic. They had magic, Moody's leg made as much noise as it did because he chose that it should, there were plenty of charms that would have nulified any sound it made.

"That is all the questions I have for you at this time. I will ask that you make yourself available if further questions present themselves. Interview end 16:37pm"

Madam Bones picked up the quill and parchment and thanked those in the room and left with Auror Dawlish and Unspeakable Cadmir and informed Livia that she would be kept informed of any developments in the investigation.

A Mediwitch bustled into the room as soon as the Aurors had left and cast some diagnostic charms on her patient gave her the prescribed potions and left once she was satisfied all was as it should be.

"I should be getting home to Narcissa and Draco, I will see you soon Livia", Lucius said adjusting his cloak.

Severus stood with him, "I will walk with you, Bert Lewis should be arriving by floo any minutes now and I promised Livia a slice of cake from the cafe after the interview was finished", Turning to Livia he asked, "Will you be ok until I return?", when she nodded in agreement he said, "Very well, behave", he directed repressively at his sister. As the two men left Lucius could be heard asking, "What mischief could she possibly get up to in a hospital bed...?", 

Moments after they had left there was a small tap on her door and she called a soft, "Enter".

Thomas entered the room and moved swiftly across the room to sit on the edge of her bed, "Your looking better than when I saw you this morning but still tired, how did the interview go?", he asked, taking Livias hand in one of his, much as he had done that morning, and gently pushed a small tendril of hair that had come loose, behind her ear.

Livia grinned tiredly, "It was fairly straight forward, though some of Madam Bones questions would lead one to assume she had forgotten that we have magic", she answered with some small show of annoyance. "You are looking a little less disheveled than when I saw you last", she said with a smirk before her eyes widened as she realised how that could be interpreted, "I meant because you looked so tired this morning... not because... because of...", she closed her eyes in mortification, her cheeks a rosy glow. Thomas gave a deep and happy laugh and when her eyes opened, he moved forward and kissed her thoroughly, he sat back a minute or two later and took both of her hands in his.

"I mentioned this morning that I felt we should talk and there is no time like the present", Thomas pulled a small wooden box out of his pocket. Seeing it had Livia recollecting the conversation she had over heard earlier and hoping she was wrong.

"Livia, the attack and your kidnapping made me realise how much time I have wasted, you mean the world to me and I have never felt so desolate as I did in those hours of not knowing where you were or if you were safe. I think that we have come to an understanding during our aquaintance and subsequent friendship and think that this won't come as a surprise to you", Thomas opened the box and an asked, "Livia Snape, Heiress Prince, will you do me the great honour of bonding with me", Thomas looked hopefully Livia, who in turn looked... disappointed? dejected? He couldn't tell but it wasn't the happy acquiescence he had anticipated.

"Thomas, I'm sorry but I can't accept. I understand that our bonding right now may have some small political benefit in the short term but I thought you understood me well enough to know that I wouldn't bond with someone I didnt love and who didnt love me in return", Livia buried the hurt as deeply as she could, she wouldn't have believed he would use her kidnapping in such a way and yet here he was proving her wrong.

Thomas' eyes sparked with indignation but spoke calmly and asked,

"Why do you imagine that I have asked you to bond for a political reason and not because love you?" 

"You spoke of care this morning, and I believe that you do, we are friends I think. You say now that my kidnapping made you realise you wasted time, that you realised we should bond after I was taken. You say we have come to an 'understanding' and yet I'm not sure that I understand you or your motives at all", she held up a hand and continued, "I also overheard Lucius saying that you had been advised to marry be because it would be good publicity or similar", her answer equal parts earnestness and resignation.

There was a soft knock at the door even as the handle turned, Thomas stood and bellowed, "Leave!", turning his wand on the door he shut and locked it using a parsel spell.

There was banging at the door and Severus was demanding to be allowed in.

"What are you doing?" Livia asked plaintively.

"I will not allow yet another misunderstanding to come between us Livia, we will discuss this like rational adults and then you will agree to bond with me", Thomas stated with cool assurance.

"Excuse me?", was Livias response, her eyes narrowing at the fool of a man before her.

"You heard me quite clearly Livia love. I have been courting you, though not formally for months, I started straight after that first meal we shared at La Luna Nuova.", he held up a hand, "Please let me finish?", at Livias nod he continued, " I made two disastrous attempts at a formal courtshop with you as you are well aware. When that didn't work Xander suggested trying to court you informally. I thought I had been doing so quite successfully up until the last few minutes." He said watchig her closely for hints at whats  she was thinking about.

The sounds of banging on the door had faded into the background while their focus was only on each other.

"The interview you did indicated that you weren't courting me but that you were courting one or more other people. I admit that after the Gala I questioned what was between us, I realised you may be courting me following a conversation with Cissa but I assumed that you were likely courting others aswell. I was intending to ask you about it the day I was kidnapped...", Livia explained, trailing off and feeling awkward. 

"Others? Between my Lordship and Wizengamot duties, to name a few, and the time I spent in your company when and where was I supposed to fit in others?" Thomas' asked incredulously, his voice raising in pitch.

Livia ducked her head and said quietly, 'That's what Cissa said too".

Tom sat back on the bed and pulled her into an embrace. "You foolish woman. There has been only you in my thoughts since I first met you. I wish for us to bond because I'm very much in love you."

Livia pulled back and glared at him, "If im such a foolish woman I'm astounded that you would have any interest in me at all", she said as haughtily as she could.

He caught the glint in her eye, "Oh no you don't!" He leaned in and kissed her soundly on the mouth, "Not this time", he kissed her again, "I won't be drawn into an argument on your intelligence when we both know you will eviscerate me with that sharp tongue of yours", he kissed her again more ardently, feeling her relax against him, returning his kiss.

"Bond with me", he said in between kisses.

"Is that a demand... or question?" she asked breathlessly.

"Can't it be both", he asked smirking into another longer kiss, trying to convince her through the pressure of his lips alone.

"No, it can't if you want an answer", she challenged her eyes alight with mirth.

"Fine. It's a question... so will you?", he said staring into her dark eyes seriously.

"Yes, I will bond with you, but don't expect me to go easy on you in the marraige contract", he claimed her lips again. 

"Slytherin you filthy swine, let me into the room right now!", Severus' Sonorous enhanced voice was heard clearly through the door, Livia pulled back in surprise and then laughed.

"I think you should probably let him in before he makes anymore of a scene", she said, trying valiantly to suppress her laughter.

Thomas flicked his wand at the door and as it slammed open he pulled her into his chest and gave a small kiss onto the top of her head before releasing her and standing he retook her hand and faced an enraged Severus Snape.

Severus was clutching his wand, the knuckles on both of his hands white with how tightly his fists were clenched.

"Unhand and step away from my sister", he said with a growl.

"Severus...", Livia tried before being cut off.

"Keep out of this Livia, I won't allow this blackguard to continue compromising your reputation, first of all he took advantage of your clearly addled mind this morning and now he has locked you in a room with himself, this is the outside of enough and I won't allow it!", Severus raged, completely ignorant of the small crowd that had gathered outside the door to her room, thankfully Thomas had had the good sense to erect a privacy ward before everyone could hear her brothers ranting.

Bert Lewis was stood next to his young companion, no less incensed, the Dark Lord's behaviour was hardly decorus and the man must know it. 

"What are your intentions towards Livia, Lord Slytherin?", he asked sternly.

Lord Thomas Slytherin smiled widely, it was both a captivating and terrifying sight to behold, largely depending on which of the three witnessing it were asked, and answered, "Congratulations are in order gentlemen, Livia has done me the honour of agreeing to bond with me".

"No!", Severus shouted angrily, "She is injured, on potions and has been through a traumatic experience, I won't allow you to take advantage of her in such a way"

"Severus Tobias Snape!", Livia voice was like a whip, "How dare you imply that I'm not in my right mind before even consulting me...", she lowered her voice, though needlessly, and hissed angrily,  "...and for Merlins sake close the door, the gossips have had enough of a show for one day!"

Severus started at his sister using his full name, it's being reserved - as it was - for use only by angry female relatives, and then blushed when he realised that in his haste he had neglected to shut the door behind himself and Mr Lewis.

Before Severus could regain his bearings and before the, increasingly angry looking, Dark Lord could begin cursing them, Mr Lewis's interjected, hoping to calm the situation. "Livia, I'm sure that you understand the concerns that Severus and I may have. This is very sudden after all and right after a particularly nasty event. Perhaps a short 'cooling off' period would be advisable before either of you go any further".

"Enough of this!", Lord Slytherin barked out, "This is no sudden decision Lewis, I have intended for many months that Livia should become my bonded and her brother is well aware of the fact. We may not have had a formal courting agreement but make no mistake that I have been courting Livia unofficially for many months now. Livia has agreed to bond with me and I won't allow naysayers to try and influence her into saying differently".

"What do you mean Severus knew?", Livia asked quietly, looking between her brother and her, probably, betrothed.

Thomas looked down at Livia and seeing the wariness there cradled her face and bent down to look her in the eye, "I spoke to Severus shortly before the newspaper interview I gave. I asked him not to say anything to you because I was worried that you would reject me again before I could show you that it was you that I wanted".

Livia narrowed her eyes at him, she didn't believe for a moment that it had been as pleasant a chat as Thomas was trying to imply. He saw her suspicion and smiled at her ruefully, he would never get anything past his feisty little witch.

"If you're both serious, waiting a few days won't be any hardship surely. At the very least this should wait until Livia is home and rested", Bert said, directing a stern look at the couple.

"Your right Mr Lewis", Livia said with a draw out sigh.

Thomas grabbed her hands tighter, "Livia! Don't tell me that you agree with them!".

"But I do Thomas. If you think about it you will see that they make a good point", Livia said ernestly.

Thomas dropped her hands and took a step back, his face seemed to lose all emotion and he said sharply, "Very well. I will take my leave", he gave an abrupt bow and started for the door, his hands itching for his wand.

"Thomas wait! We haven't finished speaking about this", Livia called in a panic, she didn't know what he was thinking but she was positive that whatever it was, was the exact opposite of what she was trying to tell him.

Lord Slytherin didn't stop as he wrenched the door open and stormed away.

Livia burst into tears.