Book 7: Chapter 2

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

A few nights later Alethea was pacing the floor in her London apartment anxiously awaiting her guests. She knew what time Tonks and Ron were due to leave Privet Drive and how long it should take the pair to reach her apartment by broom. Alethea checked the time again and used her wand to make the windows large enough for them to fly straight inside. She stuck her head out the window and scanned the dark sky but couldn't see anything. She paced for several more minutes before she finally caught sight of a dark form in the distance approaching at a rapid pace. Alethea stepped aside as Tonks and Ron flew through the large window into the room. They dismounted from their broom and collapsed onto the floor.

"Did everything go okay? Are you both alright?" Alethea asked looking from one to the other.

"Death Eaters," Ron puffed catching his breath. "Death Eaters chased us from Harry's house… had to lose them."

"Yeah," Tonks said scowling. "It's as if they knew it was all going down tonight."

Alethea checked the time again.

"You've got to hurry," she said. "Get back to the Burrow and tell Remus to fill me in on everything later."

Tonks nodded.

"Where's the portkey?" she asked.

Alethea pointed to a faded tennis ball on the coffee table. Tonks and Ron both placed a hand on the ball.

"Thank you for the help Professor," Tonks winked.

"I'm just glad you're both safe."


After Tonks and Ron left, Alethea resumed her pacing, anxious to hear news of everyone's safety. It was several hours before Remus, looking slightly more dishevelled than usual, knocked at her door.

"Did Death Eaters really turn up? Is everyone alright?" Alethea asked ushering him inside.

"Not really," Remus shook his head. "We lost Mad-Eye."

"Lost? He-he's dead?"

"Yes, Death Eaters chased us all; they were waiting for us, they knew our plan."

Alethea sat down on the lounge.

"But everyone else is okay?"

"George was injured in the pursuit, he lost an ear actually. It was… I saw Severus. He was involved in the chase."

Alethea jumped up.

"You saw him? Is he alright?"

"Now I understand you may be concerned about him but I wasn't about to stop and have a conversation with a man chasing me on a broomstick blasting curses about the place."

Alethea sat back down, shaking her head.

"But why would he be doing that? I don't understand. Unless he still needs to convince You-Know-Who which side he's on."

"Alethea I don't think Severus' loyalty is in question any more. I'm sorry, but for your own sake I think you need to accept what he really is."

"Severus and Dumbledore were like father and son; he loved Albus, would have done anything he ever asked. He never could have killed him."

Remus sighed and patted her arm.

"All the pieces of the puzzle are together now Alethea, but you're refusing to look at the picture."

After he left Alethea cried herself to sleep on the lounge. She would not believe the man she had known and loved for so long might be someone she didn't even know at all.


Molly Weasley had been run off her feet ever since her home at the Burrow was made the temporary headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. Not that she minded though, it was her pleasure to look after members whenever they dropped by to relay news. Depending on the time of the day, Molly would ask them to stay for a meal or greet them with a tray of snacks. When Alethea Validus stepped timidly through the back door and into the kitchen, Molly wasn't sure how to react; she eventually rushed to her and pulled Alethea into a firm embrace.

"Oh my dear, I am so happy to see you. Are you doing alright? You're not looking the best."

Alethea winced and pulled out of her grip.

"I'm fine." She smiled. "I just wanted to check that everyone's alright and didn't want to risk sending an owl. How's George?"

"Oh he's just fine," Molly said. "He's back to playing practical jokes with his brother already."

Alethea nodded.

"Good, I'm glad. And everyone else?"

"Fine, just fine. I was about to put on dinner if you would like to stay."

"Thanks Molly but I'd better go. I just wanted… needed I guess to see some friendly faces."

"Of course you're always welcome at the Burrow dear," Molly waved as Alethea backed out of the kitchen.

The pop of Alethea apparating just beyond the garden gate sounded in the kitchen as Harry, Ron and Hermione entered.

"Were you just talking to someone Mum?"

"Professor Validus dear, she was just here."

"You should have called," Ron grumbled. "I wanted to thank her for the help with the portkey."

"How is she Mrs Weasley?" Hermione asked looking concerned.

"She looks a little thin I think and tired, the poor thing."

They all turned to Harry and looked at him questioningly.

"What?" he asked looking puzzled.

"Isn't this where you launch into a speech about her being one of You-Know-Who's minions?" Hermione said folding her arms.

Harry lowered his head.

"I don't know. I mean you can't be sure about people can you, so maybe I'm not as mad at her as I was before."

"So what's with the change of attitude?" Ron asked.

"I've been thinking about that night at Hogwarts and remembered something. When Snape took off, Professor Validus was chasing after him but he sent her back; he told her the school needed her."

"What do you think it means?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know," Harry said shrugging. "Maybe nothing but at the very least I'm sure she wasn't sent back to the school to do anything bad."


Alethea finally returned to Hogwarts at the end of September with a heavy heart. For as long as she had been at the school Severus had been there with her. All her greatest memories revolved around the two of them together; each room they had made love in or each corridor they had stolen quick kisses in.

Once Alethea walked through the Entrance Hall she headed straight for the dungeons, keen not to be seen by any of the staff just yet, at least not until she was ready. She needed time to adjust, to get used to being alone at the school before she had to deal with any accusations or attitudes. Alethea stepped into her quarters and let her trunk drop just inside the door. She flicked her wand at the fireplace and in an instant the roaring flames warmed the room. Alethea collapsed into Severus' favourite lounge chair by the fire and pressed herself against it, as if she was snuggling into someone invisible. She began to cry, home wasn't home without him.


Alethea hid in her quarters until dinner that night, when she had finally gathered the courage to emerge. She made her way into the Great Hall, keeping her head low as she walked past tables of students excitedly finding their own seats. When Alethea finally reached the Head Table she was greeted with warm smiles.

"Oh Alethea it's so good to see you," Sprout beamed wrapping flabby arms around her tightly. "I was so worried that you wouldn't be coming back."

"Thanks Pamona."

Alethea felt a tug on her robes and looked down; the tiny Professor Flitwick was standing beside her.

"Hi Filius," she said smiling awkwardly.

He tipped his head to the side and looked at her sadly.

"Alethea I am happy to see you back, but I hope you understand that I cannot forgive what Severus has done."

"Oh Filius this is neither the time nor the place," Hooch scowled at him. "The poor woman needs to know she has our support. Welcome back Alethea."

Alethea smiled in embarrassment and sat down. From the centre of the line of chairs Minerva looked down at Alethea and nodded her head slightly.


It hadn't taken the staff long to realise three notable absences at the Gryffindor house table. During the Welcome Feast it had become obvious that Harry, Ron and Hermione had not returned to Hogwarts on the train with the rest of the students.

"I wonder why they wouldn't have returned." Alethea said to Sprout beside her.

"Oh dear," the Herbology professor exclaimed. "Minerva said that there had been some trouble during the wedding of Ron's brother. Apparently some Death Eaters turned up and the three kids haven't been seen since."

"What do you mean they haven't been seen? Isn't anyone concerned that they may have been captured?"

"We're not because they haven't been," Minerva said suddenly appearing at the table in front of them. "Molly Weasley said the three of them had been planning to leave on some sort of secret mission and we expect they used the wedding intrusion as their chance to take off."

"But…"

Minerva raised a hand to stop Alethea then touched her wand to her throat.

"Sonorus," she said facing the crowd of students. "I wish to welcome all former students back to Hogwarts for the new school year and extend a special welcome to our first years. I welcome you all as your new Headmistress and although I am deeply honoured to do so, this responsibility comes with great sadness. In Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts has lost more then a Headmaster; he was a foundation stone, the soul of this school if you like, and as such shall be sorely missed. Dumbledore has left a legacy behind and we must ensure to keep it going. Although there are terrible events occurring in our world at the moment and I am sure Dumbledore would have agreed with me that maintaining a dedication to your magical education is of utmost importance."


Later in the evening, as everyone was filling up on dessert, a large black owl soared in through one of the high ceiling windows. It circled the room twice then landed on the table in front of Minerva, pecking softly at her hand until she removed the parchment from its leg. Minerva unrolled the paper and read it, her face not giving anything away. She raised her fingers and pinched the bridge of her nose hard, squeezing her eyes shut as if trying to fend off a headache.

"If all staff members have finished their meals then I would like you to follow me to the staffroom immediately."

Minerva stood up and pushed in her chair carefully before she abruptly turned and rushed out of the Great Hall. The rest of the staff looked at each other quizzically before leaving the hall behind her.

"What's wrong Minerva?" Sprout asked.

"A parchment from the Ministry," Minerva said waving it in the air. "Apparently Severus Snape has been appointed Headmaster of Hogwarts."

Several staff members, including Alethea, gasped.

"They carn do tha'!" an outraged Hagrid bellowed. "Not aft'r what 'es done."

"I'm afraid they can," Minerva scowled. "He will be arriving tonight along with two new teachers – our Muggle Studies and Defence against the Dark Arts professors."

Alethea felt butterflies swarming about in her stomach - she would see Severus again. She tried to mask her feelings, afraid that the others would be far from impressed about her reaction.

"Then we must all quit!" Flitwick squeaked.

"Right," Sprout added. "As a joint protest."

The sound of everyone else voicing their agreement filled the room until Minerva spoke over the top of them.

"We cannot do that," she said. "We have a duty to this school and to our students to remain and see to their safety. If the Ministry has appointed Severus as Headmaster then I don't want to imagine how bad these other two might be."

"Besides," Hooch said rolling her eyes. "Do you really think the Ministry would just let us all walk away like that?"

"And our students need us now more than ever!" Flitwick said as he punched a fist into the air.

"You have been very quiet Alethea, how do you feel?" Sprout had leaned in close to whisper to her.

"I-I'm not sure," Alethea answered. "Please excuse me."

She left the room, watched by her peers. She didn't care what they thought of her and didn't want to hear what they had to say. Severus was coming home and that was all she cared about.


Alethea could not recall when she had ever been so nervous before. She paced the carpet by the fire for hours, sure that Severus would arrive soon. Just when she didn't think she could endure the excitement and the anxiety any longer, someone knocked lightly on the door. Alethea froze. He wouldn't knock would he, she thought. The noise came again louder and Alethea took a step towards the door just as it slowly swung open; a tired and drawn Severus stood on the other side. Their eyes never left each other as he stepped in and closed the door behind him.

The noise jolted Alethea and she ran forward, flinging herself into his arms. She pressed herself into his chest, tears dampening his cloak. Severus took hold of her face in his hands and kissed her softly. Alethea let her anxiety melt away; she had forgotten just how safe she always felt in his arms. She relished the taste of his sweet lips on hers a few moments longer then stepped back and slapped him hard across the face.

"What?" Severus said angrily holding his red cheek.

"Did you do it?" Alethea demanded. "Did you kill him?"