InsaneJournal

"We should go to see Pluto."

Severus arched an eyebrow. "Having flown to Neptune, I suppose Pluto would be the next logical stop."

"Not the planet, dunderhead." Charity tapped him on the nose, her eyes sparkling. "Pluto Shervington. A musician from Jamaica."

"Dunderhead, yourself," grumbled Severus. "What about Elton?"

"Pluto performs next week," Charity explained. She cupped his face with her hand. "So, since we both like music, I thought it would be a bit of a treat for us--and give me something fresh to teach my students this fall. It's not every day you hear reggae at Hogwarts."


* * *


"It's not every day you hear anything worth hearing at Hogwarts."

"Exactly. Take advantage while opportunity knocks."

Severus smirked. "I should take advantage of my opportunity to bid farewell to Hogwarts. 'Gone to Pluto; good riddance.'"

Charity looked up at him, suddenly intent. "You should."

Severus sobered. "You know I can't."

"Yes, you can."

"I gave my word, Charity--"

"So did Dumbledore."

Severus felt his entire body clench.

"This subject," he intoned in his softest voice, "is closed."

Charity swallowed, but kept her eyes on his.

"I don't trust him, Severus." She spoke in a whisper. "I fear for you."


* * *


"You shouldn't." He rolled away from her and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He sat and stared at the curtained window. "Dumbledore is a far greater wizard than I--"

He heard her snort.

"Enough." Severus stood, stretched his arms overhead, and turned to face Charity. "Tonight is the Elton John concert; next week we go to see Pluto. Thereafter we spend the rest of our glorious holiday listening to music, seeing the sights, and doing everything we possibly can to put You-Know-Where and You-Know-Who out of mind until, alas, they are no longer out of sight."


* * *


Charity watched him stalk into the bathroom.

"You're the one who brought up the subject to begin with, you blinkered bastard." Slowly she pushed herself out of bed.

Elton tonight. Pluto next week. And a glorious summer of music and sightseeing and as much freedom as we both can bear until we surrender ourselves once again to the chains we've fashioned for ourselves.

She sighed. Her glance fell upon the envelope, lying on the floor where Severus had dropped it shortly after initiating their flight to Neptune. Charity smiled and picked up the tickets, tucking them back into her purse.