The Empty Spaces in the Heart

After the girl finished singing, the boy took over:

The night was deep. The town was quiet and peaceful, as though someone had cast a spell over it.

Girl, I will protect you forever. You smiled at me, drawing my heart to you. Your smile was innocent and lovely.

Though we only have one brief day, girl, I will remain by your side...

"Keep singing!" Pomona was listening with rapt attention, but Severus, who had been translating, fell silent.

"I hate this song," Severus said.

"You may not like it, but I do!"

"Then go learn German." He turned his attention back to the book in his hands.

Pomona used her wand to fling it into a corner.

"What are you doing?"

"Sing for me!"

"You said you wouldn't force me to do things I don't like."

"I. Want. To. Hear. A. Song!" Pomona said, stressing each word.

"Did you understand what that song was about?" Severus asked.

"What?"

"The right of the first night. She had already chosen the man who would take away her love and innocence."

"You know that was a misunderstanding. No noble actually exercised that right," Pomona argued. "He only needed to pay a fee to claim the bride."

"I sleep with my own wife and still have to pay the lord and bishop a sum of money. Wonderful!" Severus said acidly.

She looked at this man before her, every inch the aristocrat. Was he on the commoners' side or the nobles' side?

"Come here." He patted his thigh. "Sit on my lap."

She coyly refused.

"If you want to hear me sing, come over here."

So she fluttered over like a butterfly, spun once before him, and finally settled on his lap.

"Let's talk about the inheritance rights of 12 Grimmauld Place."

"Oh, damn