Upon discussing the upcoming Tri-Wizard Tournament with the other House Heads the next day over lunch, the staff agreed to allow a champion from each House to work together as a group of four. Owls were sent to Beauxbatons and Durmstrang that requested to meet in the middle of August before the start of term to discuss the modifications to the tournament.
The idea that a student from each House would compete together was, even Severus acknowledged, exciting. Post-war Hogwarts should be and would be focused on unity, as opposed to individualism. He found his mind wandering to the possibility that Hermione might want to compete, that he would be able to assist her. The tournament was wrought with help from outside sources and it always had been, though he very much doubted Hermione would do anything too win.
The next week passed agonizingly slow. Severus had not heard from Hermione in two days, days she was supposed to be traveling back to him, and he grew incredibly nervous and irritable. All of the trips his wolverine patronus made came back without a response. Panic began to set in the very marrow of his bones. His physical therapy was nearly intolerable pain wise, as was his attitude. He found himself apologizing to Beth Creevey more than he could have ever imagined but, to her credit, she took his frustrations and temper in stride.H
"Have you heard from Hermione, Severus?" Minerva approached him in the courtyard as he stood staring out at the grounds.
His shoulder was throbbing from his most recent physical therapy session and he was awaiting the anti inflammatory potion's success, "No."
She was quiet next to him and he spoke again, "Something is wrong, Minerva. Very wrong."
"I've sent word to Kingsley. He and some of the Order are looking for them as we speak," She put her hand on his back and he stiffened.
"If I lose her..." Severus said between his teeth.
"You will not, Severus. We will find them," Minerva said firmly.
"I should be out there looking for her," He said, "I could find her."
"You've said yourself you cannot feel her emotions or location in your ring, and that you cannot reach out to her via Legilimency," Minerva said, "Or has something changed?"
Severus' jaw clenched, "No. I feel nothing. I hear nothing," The frustration and agony in his voice was heavy.
"They will come back," She said.
"Perhaps she has changed her mind," He said darkly.
"Changed her mind about what?"
"Me," He said coolly.
"Oh, Severus. Surely, you are not still so insecure that you'd honestly think she would leave you in such a way," Minerva scolded him.
He winced as the insecurities she spoke of reared their ugly heads, "Why would she not?"
Minerva rolled her eyes, "Because of your charming disposition."
"Sarcasm is a trait best not used by Gryffindors," He said through clenched teeth.
"Self-deprecation is a trait best not used by anyone," She chided.
"The possible reasons for her lack of communication are not good..."
"Yes, Severus, but I doubt it very much that it has anything to do with her commitment in her relationship with you."
He pinched the bridge of his nose, "Yes. Which makes the whole situation that much more alarming"
He crossed his arms as the numbing qualities of the potion finally smoothed over the throbbing pain in his shoulder. Severus' dark eyes fixated on the forest, where a figure was stumbling toward the barrier. Too tall to be any of them. He drew his ebony wand from his coat and started toward the barrier.
"Severus - wait!" Minerva called after him, "Expecto Patronum!" She said and instructed her cats to get the Heads of House.
As his long and brisk strides brought him ever closer to the figure, he could make out that it was a man - heavily disheveled, badly injured, and dirty. He heard Minerva approaching him, and he held out his arm to stop her.
"Wait," He commanded, and when she opened her mouth to protest, he snapped his dark eyes to hers. He glanced over her shoulder and saw Slughorn, Sprout, and Flitwick hurrying toward them.
As the man stumbled through the barrier, he collapsed face down. Severus, wand drawn and trained on the man, moved closely to him. The wizards and witches behind him had their wands drawn as well. He knelt in front of the man at his head, shielding those behind him from the body, and he stared. He examined the man from top to bottom.
The dirty blonde, light brown hair was matted with blood and sweat and grime. Severus looked over the man's clothing. His suit jacket was loose fitting, torn, tattered, and an old-fashioned greenish- brown color. He had a strange feeling he'd seen it before. The man's pants were torn and dirty and matched the state of the jacket. His shoes were brown dress shoes and they were worn and faded and covered in dirt. The clothing was so big and loose that the man's body practically swam in it. He felt the man's sweaty neck and could feel a faint pulse. It was weak against his fingers
Taking a deep breath, Severus stood, "He's still alive."
"Who is it?" Slughorn asked.
Severus bent down and grabbed the man's shoulder with his right hand and pulled him over to his back. He jumped back at the sight.
"Incarcerous!" Snape shouted and the limp body twisted under the bindings, and he jumped back away from the man and managed to keep his face concealed from the professors behind him, "Revelio!"
Nothing about the man changed. What the fuck?!
"Severus?" Minerva said and the staff members encircled him, his wand trained in the bound and beaten man on the grass.
"Severus... is that..." She covered her mouth with her hand.
Pomona gasped, and he saw from the corner of his eyes, that both of the men on his sides tangled their hands in their hair.
"It can't be possible..." Minerva's voice cracked, "I saw his body. Is it..."
"It is," Severus said. His voice was haunted, "It is Remus Lupin."
I saw your body, Lupin. How? How?
