Chapter 2
Impressive Changes
The portkey deposited them on top of a hill overlooking a sprawling Italian villa. The mid afternoon sun seemed to make the terracotta rooftops virtually glow a warm orange. Green as far as the eye could see, the vineyards seemed to surround the cluster of buildings. "Dear me, I had heard that the Malfoy vineyards were quite the sight to see, but this is beautiful."
"They are quite a lovely sight to see. But we are not here to take in the scenery. It's quite the hike down; I would suggest apparating to the gate and walking from there."
"Indeed."
The two apparated from the hilltop to the main gate of Shadowy Secrets, "I feel very few wards or at least none that should be set off by our simple presence. For two people that should be dead, that seems a bit lax of them."
"Perhaps they believe their supposed deaths supply an ample cover."
"Perhaps, but there is only one way to know. Shall we?"
Severus nodded. The two walked the quarter kilometer up the tree lined lane. The lane split off in opposing directions in front of a rather large Renaissance manor. "My heaven, if it was ever possible I do believe it is larger than Malfoy Manor."
"It is."
Minerva cut her companion a questioning look. "If you had told me where we were going, I could have informed you that I have been here before."
A little girl, no older than ten with shining white-blond hair and a yellow sundress came running around the corner of the manor, followed quickly by a child who looked like her mirror image only few years older and wearing a blue dress instead of yellow. "Lei non me prenderà mai!"
"Se lei non me dà il mio dorso di bacchetta dirò la mamma."
The pair didn't even notice the strangers standing at the beginning of the lane watching them. Instead they continued to run around, the youngest clearly taunting her older sister.
"Lei farà non. Lei entrerà nella difficoltà anche."
"Farà non."
"Farà anche."
Minerva enjoyed watching the two. It reminded her very much of her own childhood and her elder sister. "Excuse me!"
Both girls stopped dead in their tracks and turned towards the voice.
"Ciao."
"Do either of you speak English?"
The eldest spoke. "Yes."
Minerva smiled at her. "Very good, perhaps you can help me. I'm looking for a Serenity Grace. You wouldn't happen to know of her would you?"
"Yes." She turned to her sister and whispered something that neither Minerva nor Severus were able to hear. The younger child passed the wand back to her sister and took off inside the house. The girl eyed the duo rather suspiciously. "I don't know you. I don't talk to strangers."
"That's a particularly good idea. Is your mum or dad home? I'm sure if we speak to one of your parents they won't mind if you speak with us."
"My sister went to get them."
Virtually at the same moment she said it a rather petite woman stepped out of the house. There was no doubt in either person's mind with that red hair and those brown eyes they were looking at a very grown up Ginny Weasley. "Sere, your sister is all in a huff. What ever is the matter?"
"Mumma there are strange people here asking for me. See." She pointed to Minerva and Severus who still stood some distance away.
Ginny looked up to see two of her ex-professors. "Professor McGonagall?"
"Ginny?"
"Professor Snape?"
"Miss Weasley?"
"Oh bloody bugger! Kat go get your father now, there are guests here he will want to see."
The younger of the sisters took off to the left directly into the vineyard as Ginny made her way to her surprise guests. "Good god." Ginny launched herself at Minerva wrapping her arms tightly around her. "I feel like I haven't seen you in a lifetime."
"Nearly so my dear, it has been an age and then some since I last laid eyes on you. I wager it would have been far longer if Serenity's name hadn't appeared in the first year roster for Hogwarts. I came for two reasons; firstly to bring her letter, but more importantly to see if you were really alive. We had thought you dead."
Ginny gave her a sad smile. "No, I'm not dead. Oh Merlin you must think my manners are horrible, standing out in the hot summer sun crying all over you. Please come in."
The two followed Ginny into the manor. Severus noted with happiness that the manor looked nothing like he remembered it. Once it was as dark and oppressive as Malfoy Manor had been. Clearly when the name changed so did everything else about the property.
"Miss Weasley if you'll forgive our intrusion."
"It's no intrusion Professor Snape, really."
"You may dispense with the Professor title. I have not taught for nearly eighteen years. Professor no longer applies. Though I suppose Uncle might as I assume you are married to the obvious father of your children."
No one had noticed Draco enter the sitting room. "She is Uncle. Please do stop badgering my wife."
Draco took a seat on the sofa next to his wife. "He wasn't badgering Drake. It's a fair question. No one has seen us in almost seventeen years. They are going to have questions."
He leaned over and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "I know luv." He turned to look at his godfather. "Well Uncle I can honestly say I didn't expect to ever see you again."
"I would think not. Imagine my surprise when Minerva informed me that not only were you alive but that your daughter was on the letter's list this morning. I don't believe I have ever been so shocked in my life."
"You could have found me if you looked."
"I had no reason to. But you know that don't you."
"I do. I put great care into making it appear that I was dead."
"Then let me tell you, you did a fine job and almost totally pulled it off."
"Severus, stop goading the poor boy."
"He's no boy any longer Minerva."
"I can clearly see that Severus. I didn't bring you along so you could pull some self-righteous sainted act on him. Either sit still and mind your surly mouth or kindly go back to Spinner's End and forget I invited you to come along."
He huffed in indignation but did keep further comments to himself.
Translations:
-- Lei non me prenderà mai! - You'll never catch me!
-- Se lei non me dà il mio dorso di bacchetta dirò la mamma. - If you don't give me my wand back I'll tell mom.
-- Lei farà non. Lei entrerà nella difficoltà anche. - You will not. You'll get in trouble too.
-- Farà non. - Will not
-- Farà anche. - Will too.
-- Ciao. - Hello
-->