Worth Its Weight
by
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Snape, Lucius Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson
Word Count: 1,072
Disclaimer: All the characters are Rowling's. The situations they're in are mine. No profit was made.
Summary: A well-made suit is worth its weight in Galleons...
"You'll need a suit."
Severus was annoyed, but he merely nodded. Lucius's belief in his own sartorial superiority was one of many things that rankled, but the man was still one of his benefactors. He knew better than to act too pettish.
"If you need help--"
"I can manage, but thank you for asking," he said quickly.
Malfoy considered this, but said nothing, and Severus privately vowed to himself that the suit he got would be top notch, even if it cost him a month's wages. Not that this was saying much, since fledgling teachers earned very little, but he knew he could sell a few potions to one of the Knockturn Alley apothecaries that would earn him enough coin.
When Severus showed up at Draco's christening, he looked every inch a man the Malfoys would have, and had, in fact, chosen as their son's godfather.
~(*)~
He wore his best teaching suit.
It was not his fanciest suit by far, but it was crisp, warm wool that kept its sharp pleats. Teachers might not earn much, but he'd be damned before he'd represent Slytherin house wearing common, sloppy or ill-fitting garments. He especially would not do so the first day of the new term.
The incoming students made their first impression on him, and he on them, when they looked up to the high table. This would be his godson's first day. Not even the presence of Potter's spawn could lessen the pride he had.
He smiled when the Sorting Hat placed Draco immediately into Slytherin, and smirked when it took ages with Potter. Quite likely the poor hat was trying to figure out if he was too foolhardy for Hufflepuff or too earnest for Gryffindor.
It never occurred to him the hat might have placed both boys in his own house. He was glad Potter went to Gryffindor, though. Looking askance at his windblown hair and unkempt clothing, he doubted the boy had one ounce of pride in his appearance.
~(*)~
He could not return to his old residence just to get his one good suit, but at least he had clean robes. It was all he could offer, aside from two pitiful bottles of healing and stamina potions, which was all he had to give to Draco as a wedding gift.
The war had taken its toll on them all, but life went on nonetheless, and Draco had finally asked Pansy to join him as his wife. Neither had taken the Dark Mark, and if Severus had any say in the matter, neither ever would.
He could only manage a day away from the Dark Lord's main enclave, citing the need for ingredient gathering, which he had asked Pansy, a quick study in Potions, to provide. He kissed her forehead gently, a benediction, when she handed him the package he would take back with him, full of herbs and jars of ingredients.
Draco, he embraced, heart full of pride in his tall, graceful godson. He smoothed back the long, blonde hair and smiled at him.
"After this, you must call me Severus."
"Yes, sir."
Severus and Narcissa both smiled at his cheek and then they all turned to face the Bavarian vicar who would unite Draco and Pansy as husband and wife.
To his credit, his eyes remained dry, although he did need to swallow an inordinate amount during the ceremony. He was so pleased to see at least one young couple evade the long arm of the Dark Lord.
~(*)~
He never told an impressed Draco that the navy blue velvet suit with a matching satin-lined cloak he wore to Devon's christening was the very same he'd once worn to Draco's. It had not required any resizing spell, the privations he suffered during and after the war serving to help him keep a slim figure.
Lucius had been right about a well-made suit being worth its weight in Galleons. This suit had held him in good stead for a quarter of a century already.
~(*)~
He dragged out his finest and most hated suit.
It fit him like a glove, but he disliked the long sleeves and the flared pant legs and jacket arms. He only wore it because he knew his godfather liked it. Draco had been about to say just how much he hated the thing when he saw the look in his godfather's eyes on sight of it -- near bursting with pleasure and pride that he had chosen an outfit so similar to his own in construction.
After that he only wore it when he visited him, or at special occasions like Christmas when he knew he would see him. It was not his favourite, but he only ever wore it out of respect for Severus, just as he would once again.
Draco studied himself in the mirror, then smiled at Pansy who came up behind him, resplendent in dark green velvet with pale grey trim.
"Pallas is sleeping and Moxie is watching her. Devon will meet us there via Floo. The Headmistress said since school is up next week, he can just stay with us after."
"Good. It will be good to see him. He was nearly as tall as me when he left."
"He may have matched you by now."
Draco was pensive. "I wish Devon had been able to know Severus as his Head of House."
She smiled, embracing Draco from behind.
"He did know him as a good friend."
"Yes, that much, at least. It will be hard for him."
"We'll be there for him, Draco. We'll have all summer."
Draco nodded at this, pleased at the thought. No one had been there for him more than Severus Snape, and he vowed to always be there for his son and daughter when they needed him.
"Well, let's go. I don't want to be late. Severus would never forgive me."
Pansy smiled a bit tearfully, and he turned to her, kissing her gently, and then taking her hand in his, apparated them both to Berridge and Burns Funeral home.
Severus Snape waited in state, wearing the truly resplendent suit of velvet navy blue that Draco had always thought made his godfather look not only dignified, but dashing.
He might not have had much, but as long as Draco had known him, he always dressed like he was well-heeled and respectable. It was part of what made him so very proud to call himself his godson.
~ FIN ~
posted 23 Dec 2006.