On the Run
His heart was pounding as his surroundings vanished. How dare Potter call him a coward? Even worse, how dare he use his own spells against him? Severus rematerialized at the end of the long drive leading up to Malfoy Manor. Perhaps he could just drop Draco off and be on his own way. Draco appeared next to him, looking shell shocked and scared.
"Come along," Severus snapped harshly. Draco didn't seem to react. Finally after several moments, Severus dragged the boy with him up the long winding drive. What the bloody hell did wizards need a driveway for?
"I…I can't believe its over," Draco whispered as they reached the front door. It was pulled open immediately by Narcissa, whom Severus assumed had been eagerly awaiting their arrival.
"Good night," Severus remarked and turned to go.
"You're just going to leave?" Narcissa shot at him. He stopped moving and slowly turned around.
"I did as you asked. Now I have myself to take care of," Severus quipped.
"They won't be looking for you here," Narcissa offered. Neither adult had noticed Draco slip inside. Severus quickly closed the gap between them.
"Listen to me…whatever ploy you are trying to work, it is going to fail miserably," he hissed venomously at her.
"How dare you insinuate such a thing," she accused, making to smack him. He caught her slender wrist in his hand.
"Do not pretend as if that is not your aim, woman," he snapped.
"What do you expect me to do…sit around and wait for him to come back? He's not going to come back," Narcissa resigned herself to say.
"And you expect me to simply take his place? Absolutely not. I am a wanted man, Narcissa. I do not have the time nor the interest in some illicit affair," he stated as calmly as he could before letting her hand fall to her side. Without another word he turn and disapparated. Narcissa slowly closed the door and turned to find her son staring at her.
"What?" she asked simply.
'That's just disgusting Mother," Draco spat.
"It is not your business," she replied, looking sternly. She couldn't her up her hard demeanor. She was just thankful her son was alright.
"Why don't I get you something to eat," she sighed and ushered him towards the kitchen. It was a very rare occasion that she would actually make anything herself. Draco had come to treat them as special ever since he was a young child.
"So he just sort of left?" Draco as Narcissa pulled two ready-made plates of sandwiches from the fridge.
"We're not going to talk about this," she reminded him.
"Mother, come on. We both know you fancy him…of course for the life of me I can't see why," he retorted.
"Draco…" she warned.
"I'm seventeen not three. It's not like I don't know," he grumbled as he took a sandwich.
At Spinner's End Severus was simply standing at the front door. This was probably going to be the very last time he saw this place and part of him was glad to be rid of it. Most of all, he was glad to be rid of Pettigrew. The little rat of a man drove him crazy. He had tried to set rat traps several times but Pettigrew had somehow managed to evade them. Taking a deep breath, Severus unlocked the door and stepped inside. He didn't think the Ministry would be hunting just yet so that gave him some time to gather his thoughts.
As soon as he stepped into the front hall, he heard scurrying footsteps. He merely shook his head and caught Pettigrew trying desperately to get the book to release and open the hidden staircase.
"Pathetic," Severus hissed.
"You…you are here," Peter squeaked out.
"Yes you fool. I am…it is my house," Severus snarled.
"Does this mean…" the rat-like figure asked.
"Yes…now stop asking so many damn questions and get out of my sight," Severus ordered, flicking his wrist so the staircase would reveal itself. Peter hurried scurried up the stairs. He may have been seeking refuge with Snape but it didn't mean he had to like the surly man.
Severus made his way down the short hall into his study. Everything looked to be in its place. He sat down in the tall wing back chair and closed his eyes. He couldn't believe he'd actually killed Albus. Of course he'd had not choice in the matter but it wasn't like anything other killing he'd done. This one…tore at his heart…his very soul.
"Do forgive me," Severus whispered into the silent air. As he sat there, staring at the empty fireplace a thought made its way to the forefront of his consciousness; Eliza Morrow.
He had not thought about the girl in decades. He'd lost touch with her sister after graduation. He hadn't had any reason to stay in contact. The incident was over and the cold stares and accusing whispers had died. But now in the quiet of his study on the eve of a life on the run, Severus was drawn to her. He felt like he needed to take her story, her legacy with him when he left this place. He at least owed her that, not to be left to the raids of his enemies.
"If I am to die then I at least owe you the courtesy of learning your story," he murmured to the empty room. With resolve he stood and began to gather what he would need. He tossed vials of various potions into a small bag he could easily keep on his person. He pulled all of the desk drawers open, searching for anything he did not want them to find.
Satisfied that he had cleaned out the study thoroughly enough he headed for his bedroom. He kept her letters there. He would have to find a way keep them hidden. They had been given to him in a box by Alyssa. He pulled it from the top shelf in his closet and blew the dust from the top of the box. There was a picture of the young girl staring up at him candidly. She was so innocent and child-like with her soft features. It really was a pity she had died. Slowly he lifted the lid and pulled out the bundle of sealed envelopes.
"After all this time," he breathed and sat down on the bed. He hadn't even looked at the contents of the letters. He'd felt no need to do so in the past. He hadn't fully comprehended how he had caused such a tragedy. He unbound them and sifted through them, making sure to keep them in order. Each floral motifed envelope bore his name in neat script. He slowly traced the outline of the letters with the tip of his index finger. He heard footsteps creeping down the hall and he rebound the letters, quickly tucking them in the inner pocket of his robes. He put the lid back on the box and put it back in his closet. Just as he was closing the door Pettigrew appeared.
"What is it?" Severus queried, looking slightly shaken.
"Narcissa Malfoy is in the Floo," Peter informed him.
"What in Merlin's name does that woman want?" Severus grumbled and didn't give the Anamagus the time to answer the question. Severus looked at the blond woman's head hovering in his fireplace.
"What? I'm a little busy," Severus snapped.
"I wasn't really expecting you to be there still. What do you plan on doing…where will you go?" she asked, sounding very concerned for Snape's safety.
"That is none of your concern. The less you know the better for everyone involved. You know the Ministry will find you," Severus quipped.
"Well do forgive me for being worried about your safety. You saved my son and I'm simply trying to repay you with a little hospitality," she muttered.
"I thank you for the gesture but it is not necessary. I have a plan in place that does not involve hiding out like a scared rat," Severus explained, the jab at the man beside him fully recognized by all who heard it.
"Now good night," Severus said dismissively. With a soft huff Narcissa disappeared.
"You're leaving?" Peter asked. His voice was a mixture of glee and fear.
"And you're not coming," Severus answered as he pulled on his traveling cloak.
"You're just going to leave me here! They'll find me!" Pettigrew squeaked.
"Exactly. And that is not my dilemma now is it," Snape spat as he disappeared into the night. Peter watched him go and quickly ran to the man's room. He knew he had hidden something valuable in there and he wanted to find it. Maybe whatever it was would be a bargaining tool with the Ministry and the Aurors. He spotted the closet door still ajar and managed to grab the box. He saw Eliza's picture on the top and his brow furrowed. She seemed vaguely familiar but he couldn't place her. Regardless, he pulled the top off only to find the box empty.
Severus walked quickly down the street, keeping to the shadows until he was sure he would not be seen disapparating. This was the start of a new journey and he wasn't alone.
