48
Blood RelationsSnape is treated in a Muggle hospital for the injuries he received from the Hippogriff. But Muggle methods may have strange consequences for wizards… SS/OC, after HBP
Chapter OneIt was a calm summer night. The first light of dawn turned the sky from black to grey. Nothing stirred in the still, grey-coloured grounds of Malfoy Manor. The majestic 18th century building looked deserted. Suddenly with a soft plop two figures materialized in the drive, right in front of the sign saying that this property belonged to the National Trust and would be open for visitors from 10 to 5 each day except Mondays.
One of the two figures swayed a little and leaned briefly on the other for balance. Then they hurried along the front of the building towards the left hand side, where the remains of the medieval castle still stood as a picturesquely overgrown ruin. There was a metal fence around it and a sign saying access was forbidden. The two figures seemed to melt through the fence and entered the castle through what was left of a large vaulted doorway…
Draco had barely knocked on the door when it was opened by a scared looking house-elf.
"Tell your mistress we're here," Snape said as they quickly pushed past the elf into the hall.
The elf turned without a word and ran upstairs. Snape sank heavily onto a high-backed chair and examined his bloodstained hands.
"Damn that hippogriff," he moaned and Draco saw that he was still bleeding from a wound on his neck. The collar of his shirt was red and his black cloak was ripped and probably soaked with blood, too.
"It should have stopped bleeding by now," he remarked.
"Yes, but obviously it hasn't," snapped his teacher, breathing deeply and trying to ignore his dizziness.
The arrival of Narcissa interrupted them. Draco's mother came running down the stairs and pulled her son into a nervous hug.
"Draco, you are here, you are safe, you fulfilled your duty…"
"No, as a matter of fact he didn't," Snape cut her short, "it was me who had to do the dirty work in the end, the Dark Lord won't be pleased."
Draco let out a muffled sob into his mother's shoulder.
"But, Severus, then Draco is… the Dark Lord is going to punish him."
Snape sighed impatiently. "Yes, Narcissa, he most certainly is. And if the Aurors get here first it's Azkaban for him. That's why you must go into hiding. Remember, we once talked about your plans. Now is the time to put them into practice."
Narcissa trembled. "But…"
Snape got up angrily, but had to grip the back of the chair in order to steady himself.
"There is no time for 'buts', woman. Take your son and run."
"And what about you, Severus, are you coming with us?"
"No, you will be safer without me. And apart from that, I haven't got the strength to go very far. There must have been something in that hippogriff's claws that prevents the blood from clotting."
Wearily he showed her the hand he had been pressing to the wound on his neck. Narcissa gasped, obviously she had not noticed the blood before.
"You need a healer, go to St. Mungo's!"
"Oh right, and from there straight to Azkaban," Snape sneered. "No, I think I'll have to rely on Muggle skills for once. You don't happen to have some Muggle clothes in the house?" Narcissa shook her head mutely.
Snape sighed. "Can you transfigure my clothes, Draco? I'm afraid I haven't got the strength for extra magic at the moment."
Draco slowly pulled away from his mother, took out his wand and pointed it at his teacher.
A little movement changed the robes into black jeans, t-shirt and leather jacket.
"Thank you. And don't hesitate, Narcissa, flee before it is too late. Both the Aurors and the Death Eaters will be here before long."
Then with a deep breath he disapparated.
