Severus sat on one of the many beds in the hospital wing as Madam Pomfrey performed one diagnostic spell after another over him. The ratty looking cat laid on the bed next to him, purring contentedly, after being fed a good meal of chicken.
Meanwhile, the dark haired woman with the pale green eyes paced in the aisle in front of the beds. He hadn't been paying much attention when Minerva insisted that he be taken to hospital so Severus wasn't sure what happened to the woman's children. Someone was probably looking after them; not that it was any of his concern.
"How can this be happening?" the younger woman huffed to Minerva as she paced. "How is it possible that he's forgotten me and the girls?"
"Poppy is looking him over carefully," Minerva said quietly. "Hagrid's gone to the centaurs to ask about the visit. We will figure this out and get his memory back."
"I should have gone with Hagrid to find out what they did to him," she seethed. "Look at him. He doesn't remember anything about our life together."
"If you insist upon talking about me," Severus commented loudly, "at least have the courtesy to do so directly to me. Though, I must say I object to this scrutiny to begin with. I am perfectly well."
Minerva and the woman looked his way and he felt a twinge of irritation at the sad, concerned, and underlying ferocity that the face bore. Considering that she was a complete stranger, he felt there was no reason for her to be in such an emotional turmoil.
"Severus, we are only trying to find a reason for your very selective amnesia," the woman said to him.
"I told you not to address me so informally," he growled at her. "I don't know you."
"You don't remember it but we have been mates for months," she explained, gently. "We have two beautiful little girls together. We live at Spinner's End in the home you rebuilt."
"Even if you did in some fashion trick me into believing we are mates," Severus sneered. "There is no way you are foisting the responsibility of your two little bastards onto me."
The sound of flesh connecting with flesh filled the room and Severus felt his cheek growing hot. Everyone stood in stunned silence.
"I don't care that you don't remember me right now," she said sharply to him, after regaining her composure, "But you will never call our girls that vile word again."
"This woman is demented," Severus declared. "Minerva, remove her from the grounds before I hex her into oblivion."
"Severus, you don't mean that," Minerva replied. "You're understandably confused."
"I do not have to put up with being assaulted by some lunatic with an unnatural obsession in my well being," he spat. "And if you are living in my house, you had best be gone with those two brats before I return or your bodies will never be found."
Poppy finished her examination. "He's been Obliviated though I think that was obvious enough. It was made easier by the ingestion of Fugue Potion."
"Can you undo the damage?" the young woman asked the healer, already knowing the suspected answer.
"No," Poppy replied. "We need to find who gave him the potion and then used the spell. Otherwise I can not hope to reverse the effect."
"It must have been the centaurs," Minerva said, "but why have they done it?"
The unknown woman backed away from his hospital bed which suited Severus just fine. The further away that crazy woman was; the better, in his opinion. She looked angry but, as long as she was out of slapping distance, he wasn't too worried.
"I doubt I could have been given any sort of draught without my knowing it," Severus commented smugly. "I'm rather too talented at detecting them to be easily tricked."
"You're not infallible, Severus," Minerva said, "And rather too apt to think your abilities superior to the rest of modern man. What happened when you went to the enclave?"
"I went as requested and saw their seer," Severus explained. "She wished to give me the Resurrection Stone that was found in the forest. She claimed that it held a destiny for me regarding my heart's desire and a gate of life. I am not certain what any of it meant but she was certain that it was for me. After a cup of tea, I returned and assisted Pomona in ridding herself of this cat."
The black, patchy animal continued to purr at the end of the bed as he licked his paw. When he realized that he was the focus of current attention, he approached Severus and rubbed his head on Severus' robes.
"He seems to have taken a liking to you, Severus," Poppy observed with a sour expression. She didn't like animals in her hospital. "I want to keep you here overnight. It's probable that the tea was laced with the Fugue."
The cat jumped down from the bed and sauntered through the nearby open door that the woman had left through only a moment earlier after hearing his report. Severus figured that she went outside to cry about it or she was collecting her children to leave.
"I need no such attention, Poppy," he said. "I'm quite well aside from where that lunatic struck me."
"Never insult a woman's children, Severus," Minerva cautioned. "Even if you ARE their father."
"Those cannot be my children," Severus replied. "It's simply not possible."
Minerva summoned a photo album and turned to a page with a color photo that flashed and showed him holding two tiny bundles while sitting in a chair. He looked tired and a bit shell shocked. His eyes were red, as if he'd been crying; although Severus couldn't imagine such a thing. He hadn't cried in years. He had to admit the photograph looked familiar to him. He just couldn't recall where he'd seen it before. Underneath was a photo of him and that woman standing by a car, his beloved Cortina, each one holding a little girl and he was smiling. Not his usual self satisfied smirk but a real, honest to goodness smile. He had trouble imagining that it was actually him looking as if everything in his world was good.
"This is the day they were born," she said, pointing to the first photograph. "Lottie almost died that day but in the end, she survived and you were blessed with these two girls; Audrina Marie and Lilianna Minerva. She didn't get that name by coincidence, Severus."
In the face of somewhat compelling evidence, Severus had to concede in his own mind that it was possible that he fathered the children. He wasn't impotent and, if in a moment of weakness, he fell for the woman's charms... he could have impregnated her. Neither of the kids looked like him, but they were babies so it was rather difficult to tell.
"Why would only these memories be targeted? The centaurs have no reason to interfere. They generally refuse to get involved with the human world at all," Severus mused. "I still can't believe that I'm involved with that woman. I've only ever loved one woman, Minerva. You know that."
"And you were finally able to settle that and move on, Severus," Minerva explained. "You and she were building a life together. The girls just had their first Christmas and you were such a changed man."
"Get Lucius, if he will come," Severus said. "He can perform Legilimancy and he's gifted with Obliviating charms. If anyone can help, it will be him."
"Do you think it wise to trust him with such a delicate matter?" Minerva asked.
"He's the only one I trust to help with this," Severus replied. "Despite everything, we are friends."
Hagrid entered the hospital wing in his typical lumbering fashion. He looked grave and serious. "Professor McGonagall, Headmaster," he greeted.
"What news, Rubeus?" Minerva asked.
"The centaurs won' answer abou' what they done to th' Headmaster. Only some ruddy codswallop abou' the stars aligning and it had ter be done," Hagrid reported. "Since they didn't deny it, I reckon that is tellin' in and of itself."
"Is Miss Nikos in the hallway?" Minerva inquired.
"No, I met up with 'er on me way here. Left 'er with Professor Flitwick and the girls. He was givin' 'er a drink to help calm 'er nerves. Figured that would keep 'er from tryin' ter go to the enclave on 'er own and endin' up dead or in Azkaban," Hagrid said. "The babies needin' their Mummy's abou' the only thing that'll help keep 'er head, I expect."
"Why would she go to the enclave at all?" Severus wondered. "Is she stupid?"
"Well, t'ain't no secret she's protective of ye, Headmaster," Hagrid replied. "Ever since she were takin' care of ye after ye were bit by tha' snake."
Severus shuddered involuntarily. That, he remembered vividly. He remembered that he woke up in Grimmauld Place. It had been months of unconsciousness. He remembered Harry standing at the door of a darkened room when he welcomed him back from the dead. He even remembered Molly bringing him clothes and some newspapers for him to catch up with. There was someone else there. He knew that but the image was blurry, as if he were trying to look at it though a deep fog.
"As I was comin' back, she was on 'er way to the enclave, wand a' the ready lookin' like she were out fer blood," Hagrid continued. "Don't reckon the Centuars would ha' liked that too much."
"Hagrid, as Poppy has insisted that I remain here for the night, would you do me the favor of finding that woman and telling her to bring the children here?" Severus asked. "I need to have a look at them and decide if they are to remain in my home until she is able to make other arrangements."
"I'll go an' tell 'er," Hagrid said as his brow furrowed in concern. Surely, the headmaster wasn't throwing her and the kids out? It must've just been because he was so confused; Hagrid was sure of it. He lumbered back out of the infirmary to deliver the message as he was asked.
The cat strolled back into the hospital wing and jumped onto the bed once again. He sat staring at Severus for several minutes before meowing at him, flopping over and starting to wash his belly.
"Have I always been certain that the children were mine?" Severus asked Minerva.
"Since the day you brought her here and you fainted in the office when the reality of it all hit you," Minerva confirmed. "I am going to have to contact the Ministry about this unprovoked assault on you. Perhaps they can persuade the centaurs to undo the damage done before an all out new war is waged. I believe we have all had enough of that sort of thing to last many lifetimes."
"Perhaps," Severus mused. "I still haven't any idea what Windfall meant by the gate of life. Does it mean anything to you, Minerva?"
She shook her head silently as she closed the photo album and put it away. "Please try to remember, Severus."
"I can only do so much, Minerva," Severus replied. "Unless the centaurs release what they know, I doubt I'll be able to change that."
Filius entered the hospital with the twins in their tandem pushchair. One of the little girls began flapping her arms wildly and repeating, "Dada, Dada, Dada."
Minerva put the excited child in Severus' arms and she settled in easily and rested her head against his chest. She cooed at him and smiled. He shifted her slightly so that she would be comfortable and it dawned on him that he knew how to hold the girl. The centaurs might have taken his memory but they couldn't erase his body's reaction to holding a baby.
He looked down at the two girls as Minerva put the other one in his lap as well. Aside from noting that they were very cute as far as babies went, he felt no mental connection or bond with them. It further dawned on him that children of their tender age were unable of acting deceitfully with their emotions and that their delight with him must be genuine. The cat who had been shadowing him all day moved up and plopped himself right between the two children on his lap and gave each one a lick, which startled and tickled them.
His mind was swimming with questions about the children, their mother, and his relationship to all of them. Had he betrayed Lily, the one woman he'd ever truly loved, in exchange for this? Was that what he'd done or was he now betraying the new woman, what was her name? Camelot... that was it; was he now betraying her for memories of Lily?
His heart raced and one of the babies began crying as he was holding onto them a little too tightly. There was a pain in his head and his chest felt heavy as he struggled for breath.
"Take them," he begged Minerva. "I don't remember them. Give them to their mother and tell her to go. Send them all away! I don't want to see them again!"
"Take a deep breath," Poppy instructed as Minerva took the two little girls from him for their own safety. She summoned a Calming Draught from the potions cupboard and unstoppered it. "You're panicking. Take this and relax. You'll be fine in a moment."
Severus' hand was trembling so badly that he nearly spilled the contents of the vial on its way to his mouth but he was finally able to get enough of the potion into his system to stop shaking and lie back on the pillows, exhausted. Through partially opened eyes he saw Minerva calming the babies and a figure at the doorway.
"He should rest now," Poppy said as he fell unconscious.
When Severus opened his eyes again, the moon was sitting high in the sky outside of the closest window. The hospital wing was mostly quiet and he felt the cat lying on his legs. He looked next to him and saw that Camelot sat next to him, also looking out of the window; her chin rested on one hand. Her attention snapped to him as soon as he rustled the blanket.
"Where's Lucius?" Severus asked brusquely.
"He will be here in the morning," Lottie answered.
"I told Minerva to send you away," Severus told her. "I don't want you here."
"I know," she replied, "but I'm not going away so that you can shut down and pretend we never existed simply because the centaurs decided to meddle in things they had no business in. I love you too much to give up that easily."
"I don't love you," Severus spat back. "I love her."
"I know you do and I never asked you not to," Lottie responded quietly. "But you do love me. I know the bond is still there. That pain, right in the center of your chest, I feel it too. Some things can't be destroyed as easily as memories. The centaurs didn't count on that."
"Stay away from me. If you don't go, I will beat you until you do," Severus snarled.
"No, you won't," she said simply.
"How do you know I won't?" he demanded.
"The same way I know that you like marmalade on toast with breakfast, that you know all the words to A Hard Day's Night, and that you have the most adorable bunny shaped birthmark on your right buttock. I've learned it by knowing you; by watching you, by loving you, Severus," she told him.
"Don't tempt me to prove you wrong. I will hurt you," Severus threatened. Silence hung in the air for a few minutes before a question came to him. "Why did you try to go into the dark Forest on your own?"
"Because they hurt you," she replied. "I was somewhat out of my head at the time, but they will pay for the offense."
"That's really stupid," he said. "You could only take on a couple at a time and their numbers are strong in the forest. You don't stand a chance. They do horrible things to women who trespass in their territory."
"They can't do anything more to me than what's already been done, Severus," she answered. "Poppy will probably be out in a minute to give you a sleeping potion. Try to get some rest. I'm sorry I slapped you earlier. I lashed out without thinking. I know you wouldn't have called our girls that under normal circumstances."
"I really don't love you. I don't want this bond with you any longer," he told her. "I will break the bond you placed on me as soon as I am able. Do yourself the favor; take your babies and go. I love Lily and I'll have her back soon."
She stood up from her chair. He jumped briefly when she leaned over and kissed him. He didn't return it but sat there stunned. This was the same woman who slapped him earlier that day, even if she apologized; she still did it. He felt a tear fall from her cheek onto his own.
"If that is what your heart truly desires, Severus, you shall have it. I've only ever wanted you to be happy," she said softly. "You are my mate and I will always love you. The bond won't break easily but eventually, the pain will ease before drifting away completely. I'm going to take the girls and go home. I have faith that you'll remember. Hopefully before it's too late. Get some sleep, Love."
The light faded as she walked out with the lamp. He could hear the sob she let out as she turned the corner. Severus felt as though a stone slab was pressing on his chest and that he could scarcely breathe. The cat sauntered up and looked him in the face and meowed pitifully at him and began to purr as he licked at the center of Severus' robe where the pain in his chest was.
It was the kindest thing he could do to tell the woman to go. After all, it wasn't going to be reasonable for her to stay around when he didn't want her. He was going to have a life with the wife and children that he'd dreamed of since he was a boy.
After hearing Lottie leave, Poppy emerged from her office and handed Severus a sleeping potion. She'd talked to Lottie while he was unconscious earlier and knew that he would need something if he were going to rest. Lottie wanted to talk to him, and Poppy allowed it but by the sound of the young woman as she was leaving; the conversation obviously hadn't been a pleasant one.
"I don't think I should take another one," Severus said, wheezing a little bit. He pushed the cat off his chest.
"I do, Headmaster," she replied. "You won't sleep if your brain is going full tilt and I know you well enough to know that is exactly what is going on just now."
"Please do not let that woman in to see me again," Severus requested as he took the potion from the medi-witch.
"As you wish," Poppy said, retrieving the phial after he took the potion. "Sleep well, Severus."
Poppy waited until Severus was asleep, which took less than a minute, before she left to find Lottie since the conversation between the couple hadn't gone well. She didn't have to go far as she found the young mother sitting at the bottom of the stairwell facing looking across to the door that opened to the courtyard. She sounded as if she were desperately trying to get hold of her emotions and end her tears.
"Don't give up hope, my dear," Poppy said, putting a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Lucius Malfoy will come tomorrow and the Minister of Magic. They'll get this sorted out."
"I know," Lottie replied as she drew in a deep breath and wiped her tears with a tissue. "At least, I hope they can. I don't understand why the centaurs did this and I don't much care. All I want is my mate restored. For now, I need to get the kids home. Those girls are so off their schedule that I'm dreading the next two days."
"I think it would be better if you stayed here for the time being," Poppy suggested. "I think having his family close would be more conducive to his recovery. Besides, you shouldn't be facing your difficulties alone either. The bond becomes more painful for you as it becomes weaker, doesn't it?"
Lottie nodded. "But don't tell him if he doesn't remember it on his own. He's got enough on his mind over not having all that he should in his mind. Even if we stay, I need to get our things from home. I'm down to my last three nappies and no changes of clothes for the girls, let alone myself."
"We can send a house elf to get things for you and the apartment you stayed in is still in ready order," Poppy said. "You need sleep as well. I can get a potion for you."
"Not with two little girls that still aren't sleeping through the night," Lottie replied. "They're getting closer but just not quite there yet."
Lottie stood up and stretched and Poppy stood with her. "We'll get you all the help you need," the mediwitch said. "You don't have to be alone to deal with this."
"Let's go find my kids and then I'll decide," Lottie said.
Once the mediwitch steered the younger woman to the apartment she'd spent so many comfortable months in; it was easy to persuade her to remain at the school. Upon hearing that his family was remaining at Hogwarts, Kreacher dispatched himself to Spinner's End and gladly picked up all of the things to make the family at home.
After everything was settled and the small house elf Bunnie was sent to assist in the overnight care of the infants, Lottie finally took the offered sleeping potion so that she could face the coming day well rested.