Title: Severus: A New Beginning For The Potions Master
Summary: Given that JK gave us great dispensation on my favorite character (no body, no portrait, ambiguous death), I could not help but use sevral good HP characters and my flawed OC character (who has HP ties) to continue his story…
Disclaimer: Being totally new to this, I can swear that all characters – other than Arianne – are the property of JKR, Warner, Scholastic and anyone else that has a contractual relationship with HP. I am not – nor will – make a profit out of this. Hopefully, this is enough not to get sued:)
Writer's note: This is my first fanfic ever so I am totally green and appreciate the patience – and suggestions. Just as a note, this has MAJOR DH spoilers as well as my alternate ending for Snape. Left vague enough by JK, I could not let my favorite man die so this is my "what happened after" for him. It will be multi-chaptered (if that is a word) and will go back into a year past to properly introduce and stage Arianna as the primary OC love interest and main protagonist. Have already finished three chapters and working on 4th. Let me know what you think!"
Chapter 1 – Things Are Not As They Seem
The pain was searing. His throat felt on fire. He could hear a voice murmuring above him but everything seemed so dark and he felt so tired. If he could only just go back to sleep…and then, he blissfully drifted back into oblivion.
"That's it, Fawkes! Thank you – I think it is working. Thank heavens we got here on time. Only a few minutes later…" She swallowed. She did not want to think of the consequences. As it was, she was secretly terrified she would let Dumbledore down and not be able to save him. And Dumbledore had asked that his most faithful ally be saved – by her.
She shook her head and began murmuring incantations again as she moved her wand over his recently healed neck thanks to the phoenix's tears. She felt him moan softly and heaved a sigh of relief. His vocal cords seemed to work.
She looked around the dilapidated shack. She could hear the stillness of battle after Voldemort had issued his ultimatum. She could only hope that everything that Dumbledore had predicted might happen ocurred. Or all would be lost. She shook her head, coughing a bit as a cloud of dust Fawkes's moving tails had created drifted her way.
She took another look at the peaceful face, the wound now fully closed. It was so strange to see him thus. Usually his sneer was the most distinctive feature of his face. Without it, the man laying there did not seem to resemble the former formidable potions master or recent headmaster of Hogwarts. He seemed much younger, much more vulnerable. Her throat constricted a bit at the thought of what had caused him to be this vulnerable. She tamped down her conflicted feelings about Snape as she looked straight at Fawkes's magnificent eyes.
"One last favor, my dear friend." She said to the phoenix. "I need your help moving him to my parents' house. His full healing will take some time and we can't tell anyone he is alive. At least not yet, according to Grandfather's explicit instructions."
Fawkes inclined his head as his piercing stare joined hers. She placed her hands on top of his cold hands and waited for the phoenix to Disapparate them to the old mansion that she once called home.
Seconds later, she was in their parents' old bedroom. She took her wand out and pulled the covers back from the large bed. Another flick of the wand. Wingardium Leviosa. The injured man was gently laid down in the bed. "This should do it for now." She was exhausted but still much more had to be done to ensure his recovery – to the extent that such a thing was possible. She looked at Fawkes. "You should return in case you are needed at the battle. Tell Grandfather I have him here and, so far, he is surviving. Tell him I will communicate as soon as I have more news." She watched the magnificent scarlet bird approach and nudge her and felt great tears of gratitude fall down her cheeks. "You are amazing. Tell him I love him…" Fawkes gave her a last nudge and disappeared with a burst of flame.
Arianna ran a tired hand over her disheveled hair. She looked at the man on the bed, squared her shoulders and prepared to cleanse and minister him. "Accio hot water, bandages, anti venom potions." Within an instant, the door opened to reveal the requested items which settled at the bedside table.
She took a deep, calming breath and approached the gargantuan bed. Her parents had been very much into utter, decadent comfort as evidenced by the room. No expense had been spared in this bedchamber. Silk wallpaper in shades of gold and crimson adorned the entire room and replicated across all pieces of furniture, from chaises to chairs to curtains, to bedcovers. So different than what she had recently experienced as a teacher – and not necessarily as pleasant anymore.
Forcing herself to concentrate on the task at hand, she approached the bed and began to undress her patient. It was a good thing she had done this many times before at the hospital where she interned as she earned her Master of Potions. She began undoing all of the buttons of his robes and the task seemed unending –especially given her feelings about the patient. Finally, he lay, without clothing, covered in blood. She began to sponge the blood off him, feeling the heat of his body as she did it. She felt into almost a trance as she ministered his whole body.
His moan broke her reverie. She quickly moved to his side. "Severus?" She would not have mentioned his given name if she did not want an immediate – if not pleasant – reaction. Which she got.
"Who are you?" he croaked weakly but defiantly.
"Arianna, Severus. Remember me?."
"You…how could I blessedly forget you…" She was not sure if it was a compliment or a curse – or both. He tried to pull up but just managed to pass out as a vision of dark hair and deep green eyes swam before his vision. And, gratefully, he fell back into the darkness.