Note: I have very recently re-read this entire story to refresh my memory. There is one error I wish to correct, in an earlier chapter I said that Snape's patronus is a wolf and then in a later chapter made it the doe. Please omit it being a wolf, I think I wrote that part before Deathly Hallows, Snape's patronus is a doe for this story's purposes.
Cry Wolf
Chapter XXXVI: The Memorial
The search party returned that night with no sign of Snape.
"I think we've got to go ahead and send word to the ministry." Lupin said solemnly as he slouched in one of the kitchen chairs.
Mad Eye Moody was two chairs down from Lupin, his magical eye was the only part of him that was moving, Ginny watched as it spun back to gaze through the ceiling into the rooms upstairs.
Mr. Weasley entered the room and took one of the chairs across the table from Moody and Lupin.
"I've just told Harry, Ron and Hermione." He said. Ginny grabbed a cup from where she was by the stove and poured a cup of tea for her father. "Thank you dear." He said as she set it in front of him.
"How did they take it?" Lupin asked. His prematurely aged face looked very weary. Ginny wondered to herself how close it was until the full moon.
"Harry and Hermione seemed upset." He replied, then his face turned rather stern. "Ron didn't look up from his chess game." Lupin made a disapproving noise and shook his head. Mad Eye stayed silent and still, Ginny thought that he must be deep in thought.
"Ron owes Snape his life, we all do. Without him Voldemort would still be here." Lupin said, his voice full of respect.
"I know, but Ron's always been one to hold a grudge. I doubt he'll be able to get past Snape's... personality, to truly appreciate what the man's done for the wizarding world." Mr. Weasley said, trying to give some explanation for his son's behaviour.
Ginny busied herself with washing the dishes and cleaning up the counter to try to appear like she wasn't paying too much attention.
"It's a shame that there's nothing to bury. He deserved a proper funeral service at the least." Lupin said. Ginny's hands froze as they fussed with the tea towel.
"Likely he'll be deemed a hero." Mr. Weasley pointed out. "I wouldn't be surprised if they built him a memorial." Ginny could feel her eyes tearing up but with her back to the men she could safely dab them with the tea towel without any of them seeing her. Convinced that she'd removed any evidence of a near cry she piled some scones on a plate to take over to the men. When she turned she froze and nearly dropped the plate. Moody was staring directly at her, both his normal and magical eye fixed on her face. How much had he seen?
Deciding that she would rather act as if nothing was wrong she brought the scones over and placed them on the table. Lupin and her father both thanked her but Moody was still watching her, his tea cold and untouched. He looked as if he might say something but instead his real eye turned to her father and his magical one to Lupin. His chair scraped back as he stood.
"I will go alert the ministry." He said gruffly.
"It can wait until the morning Alastor, it's nearly midnight after all." Mr. Weasley said.
"No. I regret doubting Snape's allegiance. I'll go see that he gets the recognition he deserves." He growled then thunked out of the room, down the hall and out the door, slamming it behind him.
"I didn't expect that." Lupin said, his eyebrows raised.
"Mad Eye can be a prejudiced git at times but he admits when he's wrong." Mr. Weasley sighed.
"Dad that's not very nice!" Ginny objected. "After all Mr. Moody's been through I think he has a right to be suspicious."
"Yes I know Ginny dear, but you can be suspicious without running your mouth." Arthur replied, then took a large bite out of a scone and washed it down with some tea. Ginny shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"Anyway, I'm going to head to bed." She said, planting a kiss on her father's cheek. "Goodnight Remus."
"Goodnight Ginny." Lupin replied, a small smile on his face.
"Sweet dreams dear." Mr. Weasley said.
"Thanks Dad." She replied, a small smile briefly gracing her lips before she left the kitchen and retreated to her bedroom.
War Hero Remembered.
The two week search for the man who greatly contributed to the death of 'He Who Must Not be Named' was brought to a close late last night. Severus Snape, potions master of Hogwarts, head of Slytherin house and spy for the Order of the Phoenix has been pronounced as lost in battle and is presumed dead.
Although his allegiances were frequently doubted by some of those that he fought to protect, he played the part of a spy perfectly and throughout the years collected information against You Know Who without ever giving away his true allegiances to the light.
As earlier reported, it was not until Snape killed the snake, Nagini, under the Dark Lord's very nose that the dark wizard had any idea that the professor was working against him. (The snake was also a horcrux which without being destroyed wouldn't have allowed the Dark Lord to be vanquished by Harry Potter.)
Brave in the face of danger and valiant in the heart of battle, a memorial will be unveiled later today at a service held in memory of everything this brave man has done for all of wizarding Britain. An order of Merlin first class will also be awarded posthumously to the man who fought not only because it was the just and right thing to do, but also to protect everyone's born privilege to learn and practice magic, regardless of their heritage.
Rest in peace, Severus T. Snape, hero to all.
Ginny put down her copy of the daily prophet and stared at it blankly. Severus would surely hate all this attention. she thought.
The family was just now getting ready to head to the memorial unveiling and service. She'd heard her father saying that they built a statue on the ground of Hogwarts. From what she'd gathered she guessed it was by the path between the front gates and the main doors.
"Ginny dear we're going!" Her mother's voice drifted in from the hallway. Sighing Ginny got up, inspected her black dress robes one last time and filed out into the hallway with the others. "Right then, let's go."
The lot of them, Hermione, Ron, Harry, her father, her mother, Remus, Tonks and herself marched out the front door and down into the street.
"All right then, pair up to apparate." Her father said over his shoulder. With a smile he offered his arm to Mrs. Weasley and they both disappeared. Ron and Hermione disappeared next.
"Are you two all right together?" Tonks asked, her arm looped in Remus'.
"I can take you side along with me, Ginny." Harry said, offering his arm. Ginny thought about refusing but with the way Remus was looking at Tonks she didn't want to force them apart from each other.
"We're all right, thanks Tonks." Ginny forced a smile and placed her hand as in-awkwardly on Harry's arm as she could manage.
After the unusual crushing sensation of apparition was over with she quickly took her hand back and walked away from Harry towards where she spotted her parents waiting by the gates to the ancient castle.
Beyond them, about halfway up to the castle she could see a small crowd clustered in their chairs around the statue to be unfurled, which was currently covered by an enormous black tarp.
When Ginny, her parents and the others had all joined the rest of the attendees and taken the last seats available there was suddenly silence and the gates behind them, as if on cue, swung shut. Near the front of the crowd Ginny recognized the tall, silvery bearded figure of Albus Dumbledore as he stood and took his place behind the podium. His piercing blue eyes swept the crowd, Ginny swore that they paused on her for a moment, but it was so brief she could hardly tell.
"Welcome." He said simply, the was a small pause before he continued. "I was originally asked by the ministry to perform this ceremony to remember someone, who has undoubtedly saved us all.
"Severus was a misunderstood person in most aspects of his life. At best he would come across as a reserved fellow who preferred only the company of a choice few and at the worst he came across as a right bastard." The few in the crowd that had really known Severus chuckled while those who were merely press or ministry officials looked slightly confused. Ginny felt a small smile tug at the corner of her mouth but at the same time there was an ache of sadness in the back of her throat.
"Severus first came to me for help as a very different person." Dumbledore continued. "Misguided and tainted by his younger years, there was a time when he was amongst Voldemort's true followers. However, upon the discovery that a dear, childhood friend of his was being targeted as Voldmort's next victim, he changed sides. He searched me out and begged that I help him to aid his friend in escaping Voldemort's clutches." Ginny saw Dumbledore's eyes fix on Harry where he sat beside her.
"Sadly, despite our efforts, we could not protect Severus' dear friend. But rather than give up all hope, this tragedy steeled Severus' resolve to destroy Voldemort, like Voldemort had destroyed his closest friend.
"When Voldemort returned, he did not hesitate to once again infiltrate the ranks of the death eaters to bring the Order of the Phoenix any information possible. He worked tirelessly to undo Voldemort's work towards immortality, and as you all probably know by now, destroyed the horcrux Nagini, which Voldmort had protected with serious magic. He did not expect that one of his own would turn against him, so he made it impossible for anyone without the dark mark to cast magic on the snake. Here he made an fatal error." There was a long pause as Dumbledore seemingly gathered his thoughts.
"In my eyes Severus has redeemed himself every time he answered the dark mark's call as a spy. He was a brave man, and will undoubtedly rest in peace knowing that he has avenged his friend by destroying her murderer. Rest in peace, dear friend." Dumbledore finished and stepped down from the podium. There was a smattering of applause and Ginny wiped tears into her sleeve as the headmaster reclaimed his seat and a man in ministry robes stepped up to the podium. He unrolled an official looking scroll and began to read.
"On this day, the Ministry of Magic recognizes Severus Tobias Snape for his service as a spy against he who must not be named and commends his bravery in the final battle where he single-handedly destroyed the snake, Nagini, which directly led to the death of the Dark Lord.
"To award these deeds the Minister of Magic, posthumously awards an Order of Merlin, first class, the highest honour which any witch or wizard can receive, to Master Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts, Head of Slytherin House, and hero of the final battle." With a tap of his wand the scroll the man was holding transformed into the Order of Merlin plaque.
"The award will be mounted in the trophy room of Hogwarts, in a place outstanding in importance from all others. The cash accompaniment to the award will be donated to the school, to fund the supplies for potions classes." The ministry wizard held up the plaque for the crowd and a few press wizards snapped some photos before he set it down on the podium and turned his attention to the tarp covered statue.
"Furthermore, this memorial will stand on these grounds as a constant reminder that bravery for the right reasons, friendship, loyalty, and above all else, honour, can accomplish anything." Another flick of his wand vanished the tarp, revealing a life size bronze statue.
It was a statue of Severus, standing tall and straight, with his arms crossed over his chest and a familiar scowl on his face that was directed towards the body of Nagini, that was also forged from bronze, laying at his feet. Ginny wiped some more tears from her eyes, thinking that Dumbledore must of had a lot to do with this statue for it to have such a characteristic expression on it's bronze face. She saw the ministry man check his watch before he rushed on with his speech.
"Every day, at precisely twelve noon, this statue will re-enact the historic destruction of the snake, so that all may see and know exactly what it is that Master Snape has done for their freedom." The man then turned and waited, his eyes on the statue. The crowd also waited patiently, Ginny was relieved to see that she was not the only one crying, before she too focused on the statue.
From the base of the statue came the sound of a loud clanging bell and just as it died away the bronze snake twitched, then twitched again, then slowly it curled up before it began rising like cobras do before they strike.
The bronze Severus watched it as it rose, his arms slowly uncrossing a his body shifting into a fighting stance, his bronze wand aimed at the snake.
Then all in a flutter the snake hissed and lunged, a flash erupted from bronze Snape's wand and the snake crumpled to it's original position at his feet while he resumed his crossed arm pose and scowled down at it with contempt.
There was another small smattering of applause and more cameras flashed. The ministry official left the podium and after a moment the crowd seemed to realize that the service was over and began to break up with small groups heading back towards the gates to apparate.
Ron and Hermione made their way from where they had been seated on the opposite side of her parents. Hermione also had tear tracks trailing down her cheeks but Ron looked somewhat bored.
"It was a lovely service." Hermione said he voice rather thick, all the while looking at Ginny knowingly. Ginny didn't reply, her attention was focused on Dumbledore, who although he was in conversation (or rather listening) to the ministry fellow and nodding in all the right places, was watching her very intently.
"I'm guessing the dear friend Dumbledore was talking about was your mum Harry?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, They knew each other in school, I saw it in his memory before." Harry confirmed.
"Blimey, could you imagine being friends with Snape?" Ron asked.
"Ron!" Hermione interjected, appalled, then launched into a speech about Ron being more caring and thankful to someone who had saved all of their lives, but Ginny wasn't listening anymore. Ignoring Harry's question of where she was going she left the three of them behind and began making her way towards Dumbledore, a plan forming in her head.
An unlikely to work, nearly hopeless, flawed plan, but a plan none the less. She would not accept that Severus was dead, not without proof, not without finding out for herself.
"Good day Miss Weasley." Dumbledore greeted. "What can I do for you today?"
"I was wondering," she said, glancing around to see if anyone could be listening. "Is Professor Snape's raven still in the castle?"
Dumbledore face was hard to read, his eyes did not have their usual sparkle and Ginny thought that, oddly, he might be confused.
"Yes, Teneberr is there. She's not taking kindly to living solely in the owlery after the passing of her master but, alive and well. Severus used to let her stay in the dungeons sometimes you see."
"May I go up to the castle and see her?" She asked. Dumbledore still looked oddly puzzled but didn't deny her.
"Yes of course, although why you would want the company of such a testy bird shall remain unknown to me. But to each his own, do as you must."
"Thank you professor." She said, a quick glance at her parents told her that they were deep in conversation with Professors McGonagall and Flitwick.
Quickly she rushed across the lawn and into the giant stone castle. She flew up the many flights of stairs as fast as her feet would carry her and finally slowed to a stop as she entered the owlery.
Careful not to step into any droppings or owl pellets she searched the rafters, trying to find the outline of the midnight bird amongst the many coloured owls.
"Teneberr?" She hissed, watching the birds above shuffle about and hoot lowly, clearly ignoring her. "Teneberr?" She repeated, a little louder.
A scratchy caw came from behind her and she turned around to see that the raven was perched on the thick woodwork around the doorway, its steely eyes watching her with mild interest.
"Teneberr!" She said with surprise.
"Dunderhead." The raven croaked.
"How sweet you remember me." Ginny said sarcastically. "Come here for a moment." Nervously she held her arm out for the bird to perch on, knowing that her fingers would probably soon be under attack. The bird ruffled its feathers as if it was too good for her but flew over anyway. Jabbing her hand a few times with its sharp beak after it had landed.
"Ouch! Stop that!" She objected. The raven opened its beak and did a raspy imitation of a chuckle. "Listen," She scolded. The bird huffed but waited, it's head constantly moving in that weird, twitchy bird way. Why could birds never just be still? "Severus is missing. No one knows where he is, and most people are assuming he's dead, but I don't think he is. Do you think you can find him?"
"Duh." The bird croaked. Her insides twisting Ginny walked over to the window and held the bird up to look it in the eye. "Okay, if you find him, come find me, okay?" At that instant she realized that she was holding Teneberr much too close to her face cause it landed a sharp jab of its beak right on the end of her nose that brought tears to her eyes. "Arg!" She shouted, but the bird had already whirled away and, with a lot of cawing, was speeding off towards the horizon.
A/N: A raven, perched upon my chamber door, quoth the raven, nevermore... Ba ha ha, I just couldn't resist. Hope everyone liked this chapter!
Thanks to Masterdeeds for beta-ing!