Author's Note: Alright, so I squeezed this chapter in before I go off to school. I hope you all enjoy especially NoraWalker as I couldn't leave you all hanging like that. So read on and I hope you enjoyed it.
A/N: Starting off with third person just to let you know. :)
The Order sat solemn. None of them knew what to do. The rain outside kept tapping on the window pane insensately. It had been many hours since they had seen Chris. They knew the man was distraught, so they left him be.
Molly sat in the kitchen with the rest of the Order, twiddling her thumbs, feeling helpless. They had been through strategy after strategy, never agreeing on one. Molly kept sinking in her chair. She had no idea how to save Minerva either. Sure Minerva was a friend of hers, but they were never really close. She was once her teacher and that was all. She was now her children's teacher.
Molly, being a mother of seven children, was mostly focused on them. She wondered how Ginny and Ron were. She couldn't help but feel concerned for them. If Voldemort and Minerva did bind their powers, then he would be unstoppable. What would happen to her children? Would they be safe?
Ginny and Ron in the meantime were in the living room. Ginny was worried while Ron wasn't at all. He wanted to get on with his quidditch magazine, but his little sister kept on pacing around the room.
"Could you stop that?"
"Ron, how could you just lay there and read?"
"It's quite easily actually." Ron replied sarcastically only to receive another punch from Ginny. "Oi, what's wrong with you?"
"Doesn't it seem suspicious that Snape would pull Chris into the closet?"
"Well it was about time. That poor bloke has been standing there like a statue for long enough."
"Ron! You're not getting it. Why was he standing there, and then why did he look so determined after they go out of the closet?"
Ron just shrugged, still not really paying attention, "Maybe Snape and Chris had a nice 'chat'."
"EW, Ron, you know he wouldn't do that to McGonagall. And where is she? I would have expected to hear her voice in the middle of the meeting or at least to come out to console Chris in the hallway. And not only that, Chris and Severus walked out the door! What was that about?"
"Ginny, stuff it, you're going to get us in trouble." Ron warned. Ginny looked at Ron incredulously, but then decided to give up. She looked around for a book to keep her busy.
Molly had enough of just sitting around dejectedly so she leaned over to her husband and whispered, "I'm going to check on the children." She then silently excused herself after Arthur had wearily nodded his head in agreement.
Molly walked out of the kitchen to find that Ginny and Ron were sitting in the living room. Ginny was reading a book while Ron was looking at a new quidditch magazine. She smiled to see that the war had not affected them yet.
"Hello my darlings." She greeted them when she walked into the room. "Anything interesting?"
"Not really." replied Ron bluntly. Ginny only glared at her brother before she returned to her mother with a broad smile.
"Actually, we've been able to occupy ourselves with books." Ginny said happily.
"That's good." Molly replied, dotingly brushing Ginny's bright red hair to the side. "Well, are you guys' hungry?"
"Yes, please." said Ron like he hadn't eaten for days. Ginny looked at her mother with the is-he-really-related-to-me look. Her mother only gave a little chuckle from her daughter's reaction. Ginny on the other hand still was concerned and had the questions circling in her head. Molly spotted the sudden change in Ginny and wondered why.
"Ginny Dear, what's wrong?"
She sighed before turning to her mother, "What's going on? You've been in the meeting for the whole night and day. Then Chris came out looking upset after being dragged into the closet by Severus. Then they leave and-"
"They left, when?" Molly interrupted Ginny. Her face suddenly paled in mention of Chris leaving. And he left with Severus, of all people. Those two loathed each other and did nothing to hide it. Ginny was shocked by her mother's sudden outburst. She had not expected that kind of reaction.
"Ginny, when did they leave?" repeated Molly seriously, it almost frightened Ginny.
"A few hours ago." Ginny answered before her mother stormed out of the room without another word.
"Ohh, you're in trouble." teased Ron. Ginny turned around to punch her brother again.
"Shut up!"
Molly burst into the kitchen, startling a few Order members who had dozed off to sleep. Her face had gone completely white as if she'd seen a ghost. Arthur was right on it as he quickly got up from his seat to dash off to his wife.
"Molly, what's wrong?"
"It's Chris, he's left with Severus."
The Order looked around, wondering what to do. Albus looked torn between being proud and disappointed. He no doubt went after Minerva using his plan which directly put himself dancing on Death's door step. He was brave, but yet he had gone despite what they had told him.
"Blasted muggle! We already have enough to worry about. Leave him be." roared Mad-Eye. He was starting to dislike Chris immensely.
"You don't believe he went after Minerva?" Tonks looked over at Remus for reassurance, but Remus had none.
"Enough," commanded Albus, finally taking over control, "Chris has undoubtedly gone after Minerva. Now we must go in search for him. If his plan worked, then we will find Minerva with him. Molly, I need you to stay here with the children and to floo Poppy and tell her we need her over here right away. We don't know what condition both Minerva and Chris will be in if we find them. The rest of you, move out."
All nodded as they understood their roles and moved out in search for Chris while Molly stayed behind and did what she was told.
-/-/-
"Where is he!" bellowed Lord Voldemort. He was seething. He looked around at his death eaters trying to see which one could have helped him. His power was building inside of him. The floor beneath them started to tremble from rage. Severus tried to keep still. Any movement and the Dark Lord would send a curse soaring his way.
The other death eaters were frightened. They had never seen their lord display such magic. Lord Voldemort's anger was boiling. He needed release. He lashed out his wand at his death eaters, sending them flying. At this point, he didn't care if he killed one of them. As soon as one moved, he sent a curse hurtling towards them.
The lucky ones still standing were trembling in fear except for Severus. He was scared alright, but his muscles wouldn't dare flinch.
"Go find her, now!" ordered Lord Voldemort. The remaining death eaters bowed hastily before leaving the presence of their master.
"Yaxley, stay behind for a moment."
Yaxley froze at the mention of his name. He slowly turned around to face his master.
"Come here." beckoned the Dark Lord, still breathing heavily out of frustration.
"Yes my Lord?" inquired Yaxley, trying not to show fear.
"I need you to closely follow Severus. If he proves to be a traitor, then do not hesitate to strike him down."
"Yaxley let out his breath he had been holding in and bowed to his master, "As you wish my Lord." He then disappeared trying to follow Severus as best as he could. The Dark Lord then turned back at the devastated throne room. He was tremendously displeased. He needed his queen back and he would get her back.
-/-/-
A/N: First person, but not for a very long time.
My eyes were blinded by the blazing blue light that surrounded me. I soon found myself no longer lying on the stone floor, but on the still moist damp grass. The rain still fell, causing my painful body to feel numb under the heavy shower.
"Chris!" I heard Minerva screaming. Her long dark skirt kissed the ground as she ran to me. I could hear her heavy breathing before she fell by my side. Her pale cheeks were soaked with a mix of her own tears and the rain. I tried to crack a smile for her, but I could feel my life stripping from me.
"Chris, stay with me." She begged with her hands levitating above my body, in fear of causing me more pain, "Stay with me, please. I don't know what I'd do without you." Minerva cried. I wanted to reassure her that all would be all right, but it hurt just to breathe. I knew I wouldn't be around for long.
'Please smile for me one more time' I beseeched her though I could not speak. Even though I could not speak, I saw her eyes. From there I told her. I told her I loved her. From those green tearing eyes, I knew she felt the same.
"I love you." She told me over and over again. Slowly, my eyes felt heavier while my breathing felt more forced. I wasn't going to make it. Before I closed my eyes, I looked one last time at Minerva. She gave me a broken smile while the tears still cascaded down her bruised face. Her hair was soaked, sticking to her pale skin. She was breath taking in her state. From there, I knew I could close my eyes in peace.
-/-/-
A/N: Third person again, is this getting confusing?
Severus moved quickly. He tried to get out of the manner as soon as possible. He knew that Chris wouldn't be able to last long. He needed to get to him as soon as possible.
"Hey, Severus, do you want to team up?" asked Lucius, but Severus ignored him. He was off immediately. He walked through the silent cold streets. Few lights were on as only the streets light illuminated the night. He walked briskly. He knew the plan was risky, but he also knew it would work. He couldn't imagine what Minerva was doing right now. She was probably sobbing over his body right now.
Severus hoped it wasn't too late for more of Minerva's sake than his. Luckily it was still dark out granting some protection for Chris and Minerva, but then he stopped. There was an advantage to rain. One was knowing if there was someone around. The slashing of water stopped, but Severus knew there was someone. Quickly he apparated away from the place. He quickly went from place, trying to trip whoever was on his tail. Just like he thought, he could hear someone behind him. Whoever it was, was definitely following him. He needed to lose him and quickly. He continued to apparate, but where ever he went, he was still followed. It didn't make sense. He shouldn't be able to be traced so easily.
Severus went deep into his own mind. He searched for tracers. Any kind of simple piece of magic that informed someone where he was going or thinking. Just as he thought, there was one. It was a small tracer that looked like it had just recently been put up. Luckily it hadn't been up for long or else the person who was tracking him might have known the location of the Order.
Quickly, using as much concentration he could while at the same time, keep moving he tried to cut the tracer lose. He didn't have much time, or more likely Chris didn't have much time. The person seemed to sense what he was doing. Severus moved faster feeling the person right behind him. He was getting worried that he would splinch himself
As soon as he felt the string cut, Severus quickly apparated again and then to another place to make sure he had gotten the person off of his tail. When he sensed all was clear, he quickly apparated where Chris would be with Minerva.
The rain still fell hard. At the bottom of the hill, he saw them. Minerva was in a green heap over the limp bleeding body. He quickly slid down it. Minerva whirled around to see Severus. She swiftly got up as she was hysterical. She was soaked to the bone, but she didn't care.
"Severus, please help him." She pleaded. Severus went straight to Chris. He knelt down trying to look over the injuries. They were worse than he thought. He reached to search for a pulse. Severus grabbed Chris's wrist, desperately trying to find a pulse, but he couldn't. No, this couldn't happen.
Severus dropped the wrist dejectedly. There was nothing he could do. Minerva seeing the action felt her knees go weak. Severus quickly turned to catch her. He could feel her trembling. She screamed out in agony for her loss, not caring if anyone heard.
"Minerva, please quite. There are still people out there." Severus begged her, but she only pushed him away. She returned to Chris's side. Her whole body was convulsing from her crying. All Severus could do was watch her hold her love one. It reminded him of the same night he lost Lilly. He knew she felt lost and helpless.
He knelt down beside her to hold her. He promised Chris he would protect her and that was just what he was going to do. She welcomed him as she turned to face him. She clutched onto his soaked robes as if it were her life line. Minerva buried her face into his shoulder, and he held her shaking form.
-/-/-
A/N: Back to first person. Did I hear that gasp of hope? :)
As soon as I closed my eyes, I opened them to find myself back at a familiar place. I didn't know where I was, but then I realized I was back in New York. I was in my apartment. Though for some reason, I felt like I wasn't really there. I was standing in the hall as everywhere around me seemed dull, and deathly silent. Something wasn't right. Where was Minerva, or Sirius? He would have come and greeted me by now.
I looked down the hall way as I saw my bedroom door. Soon everything around me seemed oblivious. There was nothing. I was no longer at the apartment as all I saw was the bedroom door. Behind the door was something that was beyond my grasp. I took an apprehensive step forward and unexpectedly the door slowly opened. It unleashed an unearthly blinding light.
I shielded my eyes from it, but after a while it wasn't blinding anymore. It was welcoming. I felt like it was beckoning, calling me to step forth. I took another step to oblige it, but was stopped when I heard something. It was a scream. It was Minerva. I looked around frantically, but she was nowhere near. I felt like I was back in my dream again.
"Come please. Mother will understand." begged a small voice. I turned around as there standing in the door way was a small boy, no older than four. He had dark curly locks like Minerva, but those blue eyes. They were mine.
"Who are you?" I asked. This couldn't be real. The boy giggled as he smiled. The smile reminded me of Minerva. He had innocence as he had not been tainted by the two cruel worlds of which I knew all too well.
"I'm you're son. Come father. Come play with me." The young boy started to run off. He ran into the light as the air was filled with his delightful laughter. I felt my heart longing to be with him. I took another step and then another. He was mine. He was Minerva's, but how? Was he the child that never got to see the world? Was he the one we had lost?
"Come father, come play with me." He requested once more. I found myself laughing along with him and went to chase after him, when I heard Minerva weep again. I looked up from where the sound seemed to be coming from. I was dead. Wasn't I? She was crying for me.
I looked back at the inviting light, at the warm light. It seemed then looked to be cold. The boy was back looking at me questioningly.
"What's wrong? Don't you want to comply play with me father?" His eyes grow large, insisting me to follow him, but Minerva's cries broke through once more. I looked back at my son. From there I knew what to do.
"Can you come here son?" I asked him. He nodded and sauntered over towards me. He stopped right in front of me with his head down shyly and his hands behind his back. I set my hand down on his messy black hair. He looked at me with doting eyes. Those eyes were filled with life, even though I knew it was quite the opposite.
"Why do I see you?" I asked him.
"You see my spirit father. I've been waiting for you."
I bent down so we were eye level. I smiled at him as he looked like me, but yet he still had Minerva's pale skin, dark hair, and lips. I then pulled him in and held him. Something that I knew I could never do while I was alive. I savored the feeling, but hearing Minerva crying, I knew where I wanted to be.
"Son," I said pulling away from him and looking into those blue steel eyes of his, "I love you more than anything, but your mother needs me now more than ever. I will see you again whether it's soon or far into the future, but no matter what. I will never forget you."
He seemed to understand as he bowed his head down towards to floor. "Say hello to mother for me."
"I sure will. Now go off and play my son." I told him and he looked up again to smile at me.
"Do you promise to play with me when you return?"
"I wouldn't think of anything else I'd love to do." His smile broadened and he hugged me tight before running off. The bright light engulfed him and he was gone. So was his musical laughter as the only thing I could hear was Minerva.
"I'm coming." I said to her, even though I knew she couldn't hear me. I started running in the other direction. With each step I took, the ground seemed to get harder. The light around me started to fade. I was in complete darkness, but I kept on going, no knowing where I was heading.
Her crying seemed to get louder. I knew I was heading in the right direction. If I could breath, and if I had a heart, I knew I would be heaving out of breath and my heart would be pounding rapidly within my chest. But I wasn't alive. Not yet. I was stuck in some place between life and death. I guess people call it limbo.
I kept going, but the darkness appeared to just be growing. It was to the point it engulfed me. I was surrounded by the cold and lost track of the light. I could no longer hear Minerva's cries. Where was she? Where was I? I just wanted to get back, but I found myself stuck. What have I done?
Continuing to look around in the never ending darkness, something caught my eye. I turned around to see something bright red coming towards me. For one moment I thought it was the devil, but the devil didn't fly, did he? Still uncertain, I kept on peering at the approaching red figure. I could soon make it out as a bird. It was a bird and his cries broke through the darkness. It didn't feel so gloomy anymore as the bird approached me.
It looked glorious. It had scarlet and gold plumes of feathers. It landed gracefully in front of me. It's black onyx his inspected me. It looked as if it was trying to see if I was worthy of its gift. I wondered what it was doing here, but I was happy to see it. I knelt down to see it closer.
"Hello there." I talked to it. It gave me a small squawk as if to say hello back. It looked intelligent. Even more intelligent than Sirius, though I would never tell Sirius that if I ever did see that dog again.
I reached my hand out nervously and the bird looked at it curiously. A few seconds passed and it nudged my hand with its head. It allowed me to pet it. I stroked its head. The bird's feathers were soft beneath my fingers. I wondered if he was magical.
"Hey, I was wondering, could you take me back to my love one? I've managed to get myself lost in trying to find my way back to her." I asked my new friend. I didn't know whether I was being ridiculous now, but it didn't hurt to try. The bird looked at me and then turned around. Behind him was long train of red feathers. He looked back at me as if he was saying: Hold on
Seeing as I had no other options, I grabbed on. The bird flapped its wings and it was off. I was easily raised off the ground. I was startled and held on tighter. I tried to see where we were going, but we were still surrounded by darkness.
The bird kept on flying and then I heard Minerva again. Her cries seemed to die down, but she was still crying for me. I could hear her repeating my name. The sound of it rolling from her lips made my soul leap. I wanted to be with her again.
A light appeared. It looked like the same blinding light from my door way. I started to get nervous. Was the bird taking me back to my son? Was it taking me back to whatever came next after death? Soon we were engulfed by the light and I felt my hands slipping. There was nothing I could do about it. I let go of the tail feathers and I was falling. I was plummeting back.
My body was cold. It was unbelievably cold as the air around me was freezing. I could feel wet poking me. It was rain. I breathed in, no longer feeling pain. I could smell the damp Earth and the freshness of the rain. I was back.
I opened my eyes to see a red bird looking back at me. It was the same bird that had brought me out of the darkness.
"Thank you my friend." I said only to then feel someone clutching on to me. I looked to see Minerva. Her eyes read shock, but she was overjoyed. I moved to sit up as there wasn't pain anywhere. It was as if nothing had happened.
Minerva quickly collided her lips against mine. I welcomed the feeling. I thought I'd never be able to kiss her again. I wrapped me arms around her shaking form. Her skin was as cold as mine. I needed to get her by the fire. She needed to get warm again. I broke apart from her lips as she rested her head against me shoulder.
"I thought I lost you." confessed Minerva.
"And I thought I'd never see you again." I held her tighter to me. I looked up to see the dark form of Severus. His face was unreadable as always, but I swear I detected a small glint of contentment.
"Thank you Severus." Minerva looked up at Severus as if she was contemplating the thought of hugging him or slapping him in the face for letting me come rescue her.
"Might I suggest we start moving? There are still people out there looking for the both of you." Severus advised. I went to stand up and helped Minerva up too.
"Where do we go Severus?"
"We go back to the Order until we can make further plans of what to do."
-/-/-
The red bird was gone in a ball of blazing hot fire as I side long apparated with Minerva back to Grimauld Place. We got out of the rain and back into the house that I was once grateful for. It was still gloomy, but it was less depressing as I knew Minerva was safe now.
Molly came rushing from out of the kitchen as she looked at us incredulously.
"I can't believe you went out and did that!" she yelled at us and then turned to Minerva. "I'm so glad you're back here safe."
"Oh dear." sounded another voice. I looked to see it was Poppy Pomfrey. She was in yellow witch robes as she rushed over to us.
"Well Chris, you seem alright along with you Severus. Minerva, you're first."
"First for what?"
"First for examination, I wonder how many more wounds you have just from looking at the bruises and cuts on your face."
"Poppy I'm fine." Minerva pestered. I knew she didn't like being the patient.
I took hold of her hand reassuringly. "Min, let Poppy look at you, and I'll be right beside you."
Minerva seemed to glare at me, but couldn't keep it for long before she broke out into a smile. Poppy led us into the first vacant upstairs bedroom where she could fully examine Minerva. We went to move past the thresh hold when Minerva stopped me.
"Chris, I don't want you to see me like this." Minerva told me.
I looked into her pleading green eyes as I knew she was in pain, but I didn't want to leave her side. I didn't want to go just like in the muggle hospital.
"Minerva, nothing could separate me from you."
"But I have scars that I don't want you to see."
"Minerva, you are still beautiful as I will never think less of you. I knew Voldemort (she flinched.) left scars on you, but he could never taint your heart. That will forever be pure."
She looked at me unsure, but I gave her a light kiss, telling her I loved her. She finally relented and let me through. Poppy slowly examined her. I felt my stomach churn when I saw her back. Angry red marks lay embedded into her pale skin. Her body was leaner as if she hadn't been eating. Her wrists were bruised and her fingers deeply lined with cuts. Her jawline and neck were bruised as she had a cut along her hair line and a cut on the corner of her eyebrow. Her thighs were bruised and she had scratch marks along her arms.
What had shocked me the most was that there was carved marks on her chest. Over her heart was the dark mark. He had marked her, branded her as if she was some piece of meat. I felt horrible. I felt like it was my fault that she was hurt. I couldn't protect her like I should have. I had let her down. Once Poppy was down curing what she could, she moved out of the room to give us privacy.
I went to sit by Minerva. She looked ashamed of her wounds. She looked guilty of what had happened to her as if she could prevent it. It wasn't her fault. None of this was her fault. She moved to wrap her arms around me, to know that I was there. I wrapped my arms around me and held her once more.
"Where did you go?" she asked me as I wondered what she meant. "I thought you were gone."
I sighed as I understood. "I was, but I came back for you."
She pulled back to smile at me. Her smile reminded me of my small adventure.
"I saw our son." She gave me a questionable look. "I saw our unborn son. He's waiting for us to play with him. He told me to tell you hi from him."
"You shouldn't joke about that."
"I'm not." I told her. Her eyes started to glass over as she remembered the child we had lost. "He had your dark locks of hair and smile along with your pale skin." I told her and she broke out into a smile. "He also had my blue eyes and nose." I could see her trying to imagine him. "He's ours, and I hope to have more with you."
She seemed to chuckle doubtfully. "I don't know if that will happen Chris, not in the troubled world I have brought you in."
"Maybe not as I don't know the future, Minerva, but I do know one thing." I told her as I reached past her. I had laid something on the in the sideboard of the nightstand, knowing that if we returned we'd return to this room. Her green eyes followed my hand. They grew large in disbelief as I pulled out a tiny black velvet box. I turned back to her as she was speechless.
"Minerva, I know that through everything we've been through. Nothing can tear us apart. Not even death. These past years have been the happiest of my whole life combined as I could not imagine the rest of my life without you. I do not regret anything as the greatest decision in my life was talking to you in that café. Will you be in the rest of my life as my wife?"
I opened the box as inside laid the diamond ring. I didn't know if this was how wizards proposed, but I knew she would know what I meant. She her green eyes fill with tears.
"Yes Chris, I will marry you." she answered overjoyed. I soundlessly moved over to kiss her. I could feel the wetness of her cheeks from her tears. I moved apart to take off the fake emerald and put on the real diamond. She kissed me again and I responded to her soft lips against mine. My heart pounded wildly in my chest. I knew that our lives would never be easy, but it wouldn't matter. As long as she was beside me, we'd get through.
TBC…
Author's Note: Ha, I got this chapter in before school. I think I deserve a review for that one and for the fact that Chris didn't die! Thanks for all the reviews and all the readers that have put this under their fav/alert list. Trust me, there is more in store for our beloved couple and I will write as much as I can without interfering with my already busy schedule. I'm wishing you all the best and thanks again.