The Games They Play
Chapter 43
Despite having been unconscious, Blake could hear everything around him. It was far away, almost like trying to swim through tar to hear properly. He had no idea how long he'd been unconscious, or how many days had passed, the constant pain relief draughts had been making him sleep while he recovered. Despite how vulnerable it made him, he was grateful for the potions, he was used to pain, it was an old friend…but to be without it was a blessing. One he never took for granted, and never would.
He could hear Severus talking to him, his tone wistful? Struggling internally, trying to listen to what he was saying. He didn't think he'd ever heard Severus sound that way before…then again he'd been through two wars and died in the process. He'd never gotten to know Severus in his past – the future – as he did now.
"I'm not sure whether to remain Headmaster or not, I've never once been an indecisive man, yet I'm beginning to feel it now." Severus told the unconscious Blake wryly. "Not that it's a matter of what I want…not fully…I want your opinion as well." which was true enough, Severus did.
Blake wondered if he should give him a sign that he was awake, and when he tried, he realized he could do nothing but listen. He couldn't move a muscle yet, he'd tried, even just a finger, but nothing, no outwardly reaction from Severus. He probably shouldn't listen, but he didn't have a way to turn off his ears. It felt too private, he'd done the same when Severus was unconscious after his vicious torture by the Dark Lord earlier that year.
He wondered if Severus had heard him then.
"I might not be indecisive but I'm most definitely a coward at the moment," Severus continued, Blake could hear the scowl in his voice. Just hearing Severus refer to himself as a coward made Blake want to jerk in shock. He knew from experience that Severus absolutely loathed the thought of being a coward never mind calling himself that.
"How difficult is it to ask someone if they'd go on a date with you?" Severus continued rhetorically.
Jealousy flared within his breastbone, Blake was not able to stop it, not for the life of him.
"You almost died and I still cannot bring myself to tell you how much I care…" Severus told him self-recriminating. "I'd rather have your friendship and you in my life than risk you distancing yourself completely."
Blake felt his heart give, Merlin, help him, Severus had been through so much. So had he, but his world as he knew it had ended, making taking risks quite easily for him. The ironic thing was, despite everything, he was more like Severus than he imagined. He had remained stoic in face of his attraction to him, fearing that he would lose the one person who understood him above all others. Nobody else would ever know about him being from the future.
Or so he thought.
Blake had no choice but to sit and listen to Severus pour out his heart, unable to move, give a sign or wake up properly. He did know what he wanted to do when he managed to come round properly. It didn't take long for his mind to exhaust itself, and sleep once again overcame him, and sleep muzzled his racing mind.
The next time he came around, he heard Harry's voice, reading from one of his Dark Art texts.
"Blake? Are you awake?" Harry asked, staring at Blake wondering if he'd imagined the low sound he'd heard emerge from the wizard.
Another groan, before drowsy green eyes opened, relief passing over his features, he could move.
"SEV!" Harry all but hollered for Severus. "He's awake!"
Blake groaned, wincing at the loud sound, his throat was so dry that it was so painful to make any sound at all.
Severus immediately came into view, pressing a goblet of water with ice cubes in it, to his mouth with a knowing look on his face. He'd suffered enough to exactly what someone would want upon wakening up after an extended period of time unconscious. "Take your time," he murmured, tone almost soothing, doing it absently despite the fact he knew Blake would know what to do.
Blake did indeed take his time, despite the fact he wanted to guzzle the entire contents of the goblet. If he did that he ran the risk of being sick, and what he wanted to do when he had the energy…didn't go hand in hand with sickness. He did suck in an ice cube and began chewing on it, before licking his dry lips, "Thank you," he said gratefully, and this time it didn't hurt with his throat well and truly lubricated.
"How are you feeling? Do you need another pain reliever?" Severus asked setting the goblet aside, but well within Blake's reaching distance, the goblet was already refilling with both water and ice. "Poppy will know you're awake and she'll check you over as soon as she can."
"No more of those potions, I've slept long enough…" Blake stated, squeezing Harry's hand, "Wait…how long has it been?"
Harry felt nothing but stark relief that Blake seemed coherent, seemed to remember then again he hadn't spoken much. "You remember the duel?" needing reassurance.
"Yeah," Blake nodded, grimacing, "Maybe some potion, level four maybe?" he reckoned he'd been on the highest level, number ten pain reliever draught.
"Of course," Severus agreed, barely having to glance at the vials before uncorking it and handing it over to Blake. He had to refrain from babying him too much, he wanted to take care of him, but like him, Blake was very independent and he'd find it stifling to be catered to like a child.
It took some time, but Blake managed to get the vial up to his lips, hands visibly shaking with the strain before he gulped it down. Only then did Severus grasp the vial and set it aside. "It's been seventy-two hours since the duel, you've been unconscious for most of it, you did wake up the first night for a few minutes." Severus explained seriously.
"You stopped breathing," Harry said in an accusatory manner.
"I'm not easily gotten rid of," Blake said, reassuring Harry, not telling them he'd been awake at least once more. He vividly remembered the one sided conversation Severus had with him, when he thought he was unconscious. "I'm fine…" rolling his eyes at the sight of their disbelieving face, "I've had worse." he protested, and he'd survived that too.
That sobered them up.
"What's wrong with me anyway?" Blake asked, pressing his hand against his side, letting go of Harry's hand for a few seconds. "My side hurts like a son-of-bitch." Not to forget his neck, which felt like someone had gone over it with a cheese grater.
"Diffindo to the neck, the injury I'm afraid got some of your tattoo. Three broken ribs, one of them penetrated your lung before the potion could fix the damage. It's going to take weeks if not months for the damage to be fully repaired. The wound on your thigh has faded slightly, but it will probably never fade away. cauterising the wound saved your life, but has left you with quite a scar." Depending on Blake's pain tolerance he supposed. Plus, Blake would need to remain as immobile as possible, to aid the healing, otherwise he could exasperate his injuries.
The bindings around his chest would help with that, but not fully, and he had a feeling Blake wouldn't like being cooped up.
Blake frowned, the tattoo could be fixed, he just needed someone good enough to accomplish it. Not just anyone either, someone brilliant. That wouldn't be a problem, but it was a problem that could wait, three broken ribs, and unlike Bones they couldn't be healed within twenty-four hours. Ironic though with Skele-Gro an entire arm of bones can be grown overnight, but ribs still took months. He was going to be out of commission for ages, and that annoyed him. Still, Voldemort was gone, he could do it as his own leisure.
"Alright," Blake murmured, sighing softly, "So, what have I missed?" had he heard Severus was the Headmaster? Had Dumbledore quit to what? Hunt down Horcruxes that were already destroyed? He wasn't surprised it had gone straight to Severus instead of McGonagall, Hogwarts had favoured Severus as the next Headmaster. He didn't want to cotton on that he'd heard Severus, so he asked in a round about way. Closing his eyes tiredly, even just being awake was exhausting.
"Dumbledore lost his magic, he's a Muggle now," Harry blurted out, supressing a smirk of amusement.
Blake's eyes snapped open, lurching up a little, only to have Severus pressing on his shoulder, preventing him from sitting up fully. "WHAT?"
"Easy with the movements," Severus stated firmly, having expected the move.
"What the hell happened?" Blake asked, gaping in disbelief.
"Magic herself removed Dumbledore's magic," Severus informed him, not needing to say more for realisation to dawn on Blake.
"He did the poisoning?" Blake asked incredulously, he hadn't been expecting that.
"That's still not known, he's remained unconscious since he was found," Severus admitted, "The Aurors have been informed, but nobody else knows yet, surprisingly nobody has thought to snoop on Dumbledore as of yet. They probably think he's too busy with the recent defeat."
"Has there been any dead bodies popped up?" Blake asked, frowning.
"Two, one was natural causes, an old woman called Meredith Clearwater and a man…his death's still being investigated I think." Harry informed him, "I still have the newspapers if you want to read them." he read the newspapers thoroughly following what happened, it was mostly about the duel, a detailed play-by-play of what happened and 'updates' that followed, which were a lot of bullshit, but that wasn't a surprise considering he knew the Daily Prophet was full of crap.
At least they hadn't said anything bad about Blake outright, if they had he knew Blake would bite back. He'd kept him safe from the vultures, and wouldn't hesitate to sue them for anything they wrote about him.
"Still…I can't believe he actually did it himself," Blake muttered, "He NEVER gets his own hands dirty." Dumbledore believed that if one marred their soul, they'd be condemned, it's why he always had everyone else do the dirty work for him. For him to have done so…was completely mind-blowing to him.
"There's no evidence he did, it was more than likely a House-elf." Severus pointed out, "But magic has a way to sus out intent. It might explain Headmaster Black's reaction…" he mused thoughtfully, vividly reminded of the portrait talking about the rules and regulations when he'd asked.
Blake shook his head, still reeling over this new information. Damn.
"It shouldn't be a surprise, he will have been desperate, you said yourself he believes the prophecy fully. He doesn't know about you, so he will think the war will start back up again." Harry pointed out, grimacing just thinking about Dumbledore and what he'd done. He'd tried to kill Blake, take away his magical guardian…tried to take away someone he loved and cared for. Tried to take someone who cared about and loved him away. Hadn't he lost enough?
"I became the Headmaster once mother magic stripped Dumbledore of his magic," Severus explained, a conflicted look on his face. On one hand this was his home, on the other…he didn't want to be stuck here for the rest of his life. Plus, with Dumbledore out of the way, Blake may want to leave Hogwarts behind and begin living his life now that the future was irrevocably changed.
"That was inevitable," Blake said, with a small fond smile on his face, "Hogwarts favoured you, Severus, because you'd make a good Headmaster." He'd never had a chance to prove it past the war due to his death, but afterwards everything he'd done for all the students had come to light, he'd done his best…but now? Now he'd see exactly what Severus was capable of.
Severus' cheeks went a pale red, barely noticeable unless you were watching him intently like Blake was. No doubt he wasn't used to being 'favoured' by anyone, more used to being abandoned when he needed them most. Used to the point of apathy when it came to others.
"What was McGonagall's reaction?" Blake asked, she'd been pissed in his original timeline, absolutely furious, but remained for the sake of the students. Say what he liked about her, she did care about the students…them as individuals not so much, but yeah, overall, she cared about them.
"She's unaware of the switch," Severus stated bluntly.
Blake blinked, Merlin only knows how she's ignorant to it, but she wasn't used to a bond with Hogwarts of the wards even as a Deputy Headmistress…perhaps she assumed that's how it would be as Headmistress, but that was impossible surely she had to know she'd feel the bond?
Severus just shrugged his shoulders, he didn't get it either, and to say anything would be to insult the bright witches intelligence, and she was intelligent.
"She can't remain unaware for much longer," Blake pointed out, it was shocking that she still didn't know.
"You'd think so," Severus agreed.
"I'm not missing her reaction," Harry declared, man this would be the most fun he'd had in ages when he got to see the entire school's reaction.
"Nor am I," Blake said bemused, "I do suggest heading to the Great Hall…when's the next meal?"
"You really should remain immobile as much as possible," Severus cautioned him, already knowing he was wasting his breath. If Blake wanted to do something he would do it, regardless of what advice was offered to him. "It's going on lunch," he added.
"I'll use the Floo network to get to the antechamber," Blake compromised, much to Severus' shock.
"Actually that will cause more harm than good, the jostling around in the network," Severus pointed out.
"Use Dobby," Harry suggested, it was even better than Apparation, no sick feeling or jarring. It was probably the smoothest form of magical transportation available.
"Good idea," Blake agreed, "I'm glad I wont have to deal with Aurors," he mused, slowly sitting up, grimacing in pain, but no less determined.
"Harry called Dobby?" the House-elf appeared. "Master Blake is awake!" ecstatic to see his Master up and about again.
"Bring me a change of clothes down, please Dobby," Blake stated smoothly. "It's good to be awake." He added to the House-elf giving him a small smile.
"Dobby will be doing that!" Dobby said excitedly, popping away.
"May I borrow your shower?" Blake then asked Severus, for having been unconscious for three days, he felt clean enough, considering the amount of blood he'd lost…he suspected he'd been given a sponge bath at some point. Hopefully not by Poppy.
"Of course," Severus agreed immediately. "Do you think you can manage on your own?" he asked, blank faced.
"I should be fine," Blake said thoughtfully, "I'll keep the door open just in case," he wasn't sure whether Severus had individual silencing spells in his bathroom. Regardless, if he needed help, the door open would allow his voice to be heard. He doubted he would need help though, he was too stubborn for that.
Severus shoulder's unconsciously relaxed at that, giving Blake a nod. The urge to help strong, but he remained where he was.
Dobby returned putting the clothes in the bathroom sink, after ensuring it was dry of any water droplets. Then he disappeared again, presumably off to help the Hogwarts House-elves prepare for another celebratory meal – the celebrations were still ongoing even for Hogwarts – over the defeat of Voldemort. Or as even the House-elves called him You-Know-Who.
Twenty minutes later, Harry and Severus heard quiet shuffling and saw Blake emerging. You could see that he was in pain, he didn't have his usual confident stalk and his back wasn't as straight back as normal. It would be his normal gait for a while, until his ribs healed at any rate. He did look better, he had a red flush to his cheeks, but that could be exertion.
"Are you sure you want to be doing this?" Harry asked, watching Blake move slowly. He was surprised the wizard would want to be seen vulnerable, not that he would be. Both him and Severus would make sure no harm came to him while he was recovering.
"And miss the fun?" Blake asked, smirking outright, "No way, it isn't as fun watching it in a pensive."
Harry muffled his own amusement, eyes gleaming just as excitedly as Blake's just without the inner jadedness.
Severus inhaled sharply, not quite ready to deal with a petulant McGonagall, the only good thing about doing it in the Great Hall, it would ease her reaction. She would raise hell in private, of course, but initially he'd be able to sit down and enjoy his meal while she grew accustomed to her disappointment. Not that he really cared about her disappointment, but he'd rather not endure her sniping complaints and disbelief.
"Don't worry, she'll be too preoccupied with the problem that Dumbledore's presented than you," Blake informed him, struggling to put his cloak on, until Harry helped him.
"Ready to go?" Harry said after fastening the clasp, making no big deal about it.
"As I'll ever be," Severus scowled, go figure Blake would get amusement out of this, he would too, if it wasn't going to directly affect him.
"If you don't want to, then we don't need to," Blake stated, sensing Severus' inner turmoil.
"No, I've been putting it off too long," Severus conceded, now that Blake was on the mend, he truly had no more excuses up his sleeve. "We need to get back to normal," the 'we' slipped effortlessly off his tongue.
"Did you find someone to cover your Potions classes?" Harry asked curiously, with it being so close to exam times, it was a vital time for the students to get the last minute education necessary to pass their exams.
"I've asked Slughorn to return for a few weeks while I try to find someone, he's graciously agreed." Severus said grudgingly. "He will be here by tomorrow, the news of my Headmastership status will probably already be going around in certain circles."
"Who?" Harry asked, blinking in confusion, it was almost like Severus expected him to be familiar with him.
Blake chuckled, "You'll hate him until you can't help but like him," he was a fame hound but he was also very likeable.
Severus conceded that description with a cock of his head in agreement. It was quite a true description of Slughorn.
Harry screwed up his nose, before shrugging his shoulders, "It's only for a few weeks anyway," which was also true enough. He was near enough finished his fifth year of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and for the first time, he hadn't had to worry about being killed and had been forced to focus on his education. He never thought he'd see the day where he finished a year at Hogwarts without Ron and Hermione at his side. He thought they would have been friends for life, but it obviously wasn't meant to be.
"It's ironic how much ends up staying the same…" Blake admitted shaking his head, Slughorn still came out of retirement. At least this time he didn't need to be convinced by dangling him like a bit of bait. The knowledge that Voldemort was gone for good might have convinced him though, he supposed. "Did you tell him exactly how it came to be?"
"I did," Severus agreed, he knew from Blake that the old fool had obliviated the memory from his own mind. To prevent his own conscience getting the better of him. The news he shared probably shook it free, and no doubt left him with a load of his shoulders. "Charmed so he couldn't talk about it, not that I think he will."
He'd kept his mouth shut thus far after all.
"Ready to go?" Severus asked, eyeing Blake as if he was close to imminent collapse. Which might not be far off it, actually. He really shouldn't be up this soon after beginning his recovery, Poppy would more than likely give him hell for it too.
"Yes," Blake declared, "After I get my shoes on, you guys go on ahead, I'll meet you there,"
"Shouldn't you get someone to put them on…bending over…" Harry said, not the best of ideas, he was familiar with how painful it was, although his ribs hadn't been broken…at least he didn't think so. Magic could have healed him, but he'd been too young to know the difference.
"If I can't I'll get Dobby to do it, go on," Blake said, with a wry smirk, at least Dobby could just click his fingers and it would be done, no need to endure someone physically putting them on for him. The thought of being seen as an invalid was stressful.
"Very well," Severus conceded, "I'll see you soon." with that both he and Harry left Severus' quarters, not feeling good about leaving Blake at all. What if he collapsed? The only reason they actually moved was because Dobby was going to be there to take care of him, and if anything happened the House-elf would let them know immediately.
"Maybe you should tell Poppy you're going to the Great Hall," Harry suggested as he matched Severus' long strides out of habit now.
Severus smirked eyes gleaming in amusement, "Oh, she'll be there, she won't miss a meal unless she has to. Not with the prospect of seeing this, a healer she may be, but Poppy was only human. She liked to see drama as much as the next person. He did however, make a mental note to get Poppy's memory of Minerva being informed of Dumbledore's Muggle status…and Dumbledore's reaction if and when it occurred. He could die before he woke, he was an old man now, without the magic he was born with, his body might not be able to handle it.
"I don't know, she never leaves the hospital wing when she has a patient," Harry pointed out, she ate in her office from what he understood.
"Regretfully, there is nothing that can be done for Dumbledore," Severus replied, rounding yet another corner of the dungeons and the corridors lit up as they reached the main entrance.
Harry absently wondered how it was possible to put so much sarcasm into one single word. Regretfully his ass, Severus didn't care, if anything he was getting amusement out of it. quickening his stride, not wishing for Blake to beat him there, not that he wanted to see everyone's reaction to Blake, no it was Severus' headmastership that truly made him want to do a dance and just see everyone's reactions.
Harry's first action as soon as he stepped into the Great Hall was to check the table and glance at the door to the antechamber behind the teachers table. Nothing, Blake hadn't made his appearance yet.
"Harry!" Hermione called out, relief visible on her features, and that begun an echo of 'Harry' from everyone else, all of them surprised and happy to see him.
They didn't react to Severus' presence at all, as usual they elected to ignore him when he wasn't taking house points or detentions.
"Take your seat," Severus informed Harry, most of his masks back in place, but not as impassive as he normally would be. He no longer had to play a part, it would take some time for it to sink in, but just knowing Voldemort was gone for good had him relaxing unconsciously.
"Yes Sir!" Harry said wryly, saluting him before he moved off towards the twins and Neville. They immediately surrounded him, not asking what had happened…no they were all about if he was alright, if Blake was alright, and if he'd been injured. For Ron that would have been an afterthought after getting all the juicy gossip except for their first year he supposed. Credit where it was due and all that, and Ron had immediately asked if he was alright, admittedly, after he asked him.
Minerva stood from the Head seat as Severus approached, "How is he?" genuine concern written across her features.
"He's fine," Severus replied, catching the Antechamber door opening from the corner of his eye. "However, I do believe that you're in my seat, Minerva." That seat was reserved for the Headmaster or Headmistress, something of which Minerva was not.
"Excuse me?" Minerva retorted, her thick Scottish accent showing through more than normal in her confusion.
"I am the Headmaster of Hogwarts," Severus stated, and to prove his point, he raised his hands in the air and Hogwarts banners unfurled everywhere, not the house colours, but Hogwarts banners that hadn't been used in decades. The Great Hall doors closed and the candles flared brighter bringing more light than needed into the hall. The doors opened once more and the candles dimmed, Severus was just showing off now.
Minerva's jaw dropped incredulously, as the student body gasped in shocked disbelief almost as one. Then the Slytherins begin cheering outrageously loud, ecstatic that their favourite professor and Head of House had become Headmaster. Regardless of how loud they were…they heard McGonagall's reply and quietened to hear Severus' reply. Suspecting it would be something scathing.
"That's…that's impossible," Minerva stuttered, cheeks flushing red, whether it was due to her stuttering or anger nobody knew.
"No way!" Seamus cried out, his accent helping to identify him, the hall was so silent that he was heard regardless.
"Don't you know, Minerva, that Hogwarts is sentient and often time chooses her Headmasters?" Blake said coolly, as he made his appearance. The cheering commenced immediately, all of them cheering for his recent defeat of Voldemort. Blake predictably ignored the cheering. "Headmaster Dippet was one such person it's why he was capable of more than Dumbledore when it came to controlling the wards." Dumbledore used his wand, whereas Severus or Dippet didn't have to, giving them a more powerful appearance. Of course, Dumbledore concealed his wand up his sleeve, while he performed his 'displays' making it seem as if he was more powerful than he was. Not that he was a slouch, he just wasn't as powerful as he liked everyone to believe.
"Surely you suspected, Minerva, Hogwarts hasn't responded to you yet," Severus pointed out, the House-elves brought up the food and she had yet to display the banners or make any changes to Hogwarts. If she had attempted it, he would have known.
Minerva flushed much darker at the declaration, "I was the Deputy Headmistress, the next in line to receive the Headship, it's only natural to assume I would be the Headmistress after Dumbledore passed the baton."
"Ah, but he didn't pass the baton, he had his magic forcefully ripped from him by Mother Magic for attempted to interfere with a lawful duel." Blake didn't make any bones of keeping it a secret, "He tried to poison me in order to prevent the duel from taking place."
The outcry was immense, the Slytherins' believing it, the Gryffindors crying out that he was lying, that it wasn't true. Defending Dumbledore to the last, not only because he was a fellow Gryffindor but because Dumbledore had favoured them so much that they believed they were special, better than everyone else. The Ravenclaws demanded evidence and the Hufflepuff's were horrified that someone would go to those lengths during an official duel.
"Silence!" Severus shouted loud enough to be heard even at the front of the Great Hall.
"I see you didn't inform the students of the real reason Dumbledore wasn't here." Blake said coolly, sweating a little, as he shuffled in and grateful took a seat, the pressure now off his ribs. "Bad form that."
"But Dumbledore wanted You-Know-Who gone he wouldn't have done that!" Hermione protested, as always quick to defend Dumbledore.
"Then explain to me, Miss Granger, why Dumbledore has lost his magic?" Blake asked sardonically, "Why it was ripped from him by Mother Magic immediately following the duel?" Mother Magic's magic was…unmistakable. Especially for those who have followed the old ways even for one single ritual, which was all pureblood's and half-blood's in the magical world…Muggle-borns perhaps a few who were curious and participated but most did not.
Hermione had a look on her face that could be considered constipated. Mother Magic? Really? But given how everyone was reacting…perhaps it was a thing. She did not like being ignorant to things. The urge to race to the library was very strong indeed.
Minerva's lips were pursed, yet she was not surprised, she had suspected then. Not truly surprising she was intelligent and more importantly…she knew Dumbledore well.
"You already knew, or suspected…tell me did you know the lengths he'd go to in order to stop the duel? Did you find my life worth taking due to Dumbledore insane belief that only Harry could stop the son of a bitch?" Blake asked, furious beyond belief that she would go along with Dumbledore's insanity. His chest ached like blazes just puffing out in fury, it almost sent him to the floor in agonising pain.
"No, no," Minerva said immediately, panicked and shocked that someone would think that of her, "I did not know what he would do, or condone it, I would never allowed him to do such a thing." She wished she could say she couldn't believe the lengths Dumbledore had gone…but his belief in the prophecy…it was solid. He believed it to the whole of his being that he had risked his life and in turn lost his magic for it.
The Great Hall was buzzing with students whispering to each other, all of them trying to talk over one another but also listen to the spectacle going on at the Head table.
There was only one student getting his kill over what was happening; who had looked forward to it immensely. Harry.
"How can you be enjoying this?" Hermione hissed at Harry.
"Oh, Hermione, use your brain…"
"He already knew about it," the twins muttered shaking their head, mock disappointment displayed across their features.
"Dumbledore wouldn't do a thing like what Blake's suggesting!" she hissed back at them, shaking her own head in disappointment, but it sure as hell wasn't mockingly.
"Hermione…if he lost his magic, then there can be only one reason for it, just be glad he didn't die…" Fred said bluntly.
"Because that's normally what happens to someone who tries to interfere with a magically sealed duel." The twins once again spoke finishing each other's sentences.
Hermione was just about to open her mouth and protest again, refusing to believe that badly of Dumbledore. Just like she refuses to see the reality of what he had done to Sirius Black. Dumbledore was a beacon of light, a champion to people like her, Muggle-borns who were discriminated in the magical world when a woman entered the Great Hall, screeching for Dumbledore at the top of her lungs.
"ALBUS DUMBLEDORE!"
"Can I help you?" Minerva asked the woman, frowning at her appearance. She looked like haggard and worn, utterly disgusting in appearance, wearing clothes that looked like she had been wearing them for weeks and her hair was greasy and lank.
Severus cleared his throat, giving her a pointed look, he was the Headmaster not her.
"Where's Dumbledore?" she demanded eyes flashing with sorrow and fury in equal measures.
"I'm sorry but Dumbledore is not available," Severus stated firmly, concerned for the woman. "Is there something I can do for you?"
"I want ANSWERS!" she screeched, "The old fool forced my husband to poison someone and now….now he's dead! My Tim is gone…" her heartbroken whimper heard by all, as her legs bucked unable to carry her weight anymore.
"Poppy?" Severus murmured, she needed help, rest.
"There was a Timothy who died, suspicious circumstances three days ago…" Poppy informed him as she passed, making her way towards the woman who was suffering from utter devastation. Weakly clutching a letter to her chest, tears pouring down her prematurely aged face.
Poppy tried to ease her up, "NO I WANT ANSWERS!" she shrieked, digging her nails into Poppy, shaking and shivering, clearly not thinking straight.
The students were subdued and silent, watching the woman with sympathy, the eleven-year-olds more scared than understanding. Too young to really understand what she was going on about. Well, understand it maybe, but comprehend it, no.
"Shh, we'll get you answers, I promise, shhh," Poppy consoled and soothed he agitated woman, she didn't have any potions with her, so she couldn't give the witch anything. She believed if she summoned a House-elf to ask for a calming draught she'd just set the woman off again. "Follow me, that's it easy does it," guiding her to her feet, "Do you have children?" judging by the stickers on her cloak she knew the answer to that.
"They've lot their father…how do I tell them?" she sobbed, "I want my Tim back," Poppy cuddled her close regardless of the smell. She was grieving, hygiene wasn't exactly going to be the biggest concern in this woman's life.
Everyone heard her and Poppy's words, Severus staring after them blank faced. His eyes though, held a great deal of understanding and pain. Nobody deserved to lose their significant other, especially for such a pathetic reason. Whoever this 'Tim' was, he didn't feel wrath or fury, he just felt a subdued understanding. He knew just how good Dumbledore was at manipulating the people around him. Hell, he could probably guess what he'd used as incentive. Such a needless death, Dumbledore had so much to answer for.
"Was the name in the paper Timothy Redfern?" Blake asked Severus, an impassive look overcoming his features.
Severus scrutinised Blakes' face, looking for clues, "Yes," he confirmed what Blake already suspected.
Inhaling sharply, he nodded just once, features set into stone.
"Students!" Severus called out, "Tomorrow classes will resume, today you may do as you please. However, it's important that you all try and get some studying done." He told them, "Exams will commence as normal, you'll find your times on the noticeboards in your common rooms."
Small groans could be heard, from select students, but overall, nobody seemed overly disheartened by the announcement…one could say a lot of them were greatly relieved by the information Severus had given.
"For now, try and eat," Severus waved his hand and the food appeared for them all, but as expected, there wasn't great big rush to eat. As all of them were digesting the new news they'd been given. From Dumbledore trying to kill Blake…to some stranger coming in and accusing him of more nefarious deeds. Even the teachers were subdued, seeing the witch in such a state had definitely made them feel rather sick to their stomach.
To say it was a very tense half hour would be putting it mildly, barely any sound was made, except for the expected noise, thudding of the goblets and the clinking of cutlery. Severus barely touched his good, but made sure Blake ate something, he needed it, to gain strength, to take his potions. Refraining from asking what was really on his mind. How did Blake know Timothy Redfern?
"Dobby?" Blake called, Severus stood, realizing that Blake was leaving.
"I'll see you in your rooms?" Blake suggested, asking permission to remain here in a roundabout way.
Severus sighed, giving a nod, "You're always welcome," he'd prefer it actually.
"Take me to Severus' quarters," Blake told Dobby, and with that the exhausted Blake was gone.
"Professor Snape, Sir…is Professor Slytherin alright?" that shout came from the Slytherin section, Blaise Zabini if he recalled correctly, but all of them looked worried. It came as no surprise that he was liked by the Slytherins, his no nonsense attitude and the lack of favouring any house at all got him a lot of brownie points with the often secluded house.
Severus straightened up, "Professor Slytherin is beginning his long journey of recovery, he has three broken ribs and a punctured lung that's healing nicely. He will be hindered for the next month while his ribs heal. The worst is fortunately over with, and he will make a full recovery." Severus declared, "Now students, be prepared for tomorrow's classes, I do not want to hear any excuses or absences, you've already had three days off." Their exams were so important, it would dictate what they could and couldn't do when they left Hogwarts. There were students who had to get a job right out of Hogwarts due to circumstances, so yes, they had to do the best they could on exams. Happiness comes at a price, happiness of no exams the price was their future.
With his piece said, he moved to follow Blake down to his rooms.
"Severus…"
"Minerva, I shall have a meeting in the staff room at four o'clock just before dinner, all your questions can and will be answered then. Attending the meeting is mandatory." Severus explained patiently, before he left, Minerva would need to make a decision. She could not, would not, get to continue to do three jobs, she would need to choose between being a Head of House or Deputy Headmistress. She would thank him one day. Maybe.
Once he got into his quarters, he was unsurprised to see Blake there, he was slightly worried about his crumpled form on the couch. Deliberate or exhaustion? Or perhaps a bit both? Closing the door he made his way over, crouching down and touching Blake cautiously.
Green eyes flashed open as his body tensed, relief exuded from him as he relaxed. "Hey," he murmured, vividly reminded of the conversation he'd heard from Severus.
"You should be in a proper bed," Severus pointed out, he needed actual rest, he'd done too much.
"That is not a proper bed," Blake replied wryly, gesturing towards the hospital like bed that had been conjured for him.
"It did it's purpose," Severus said, had he ever been this close to Blake when he was conscious? He didn't think so, not since he had been tortured and Blake had healed him at any rate.
"Mmmm," Blake murmured in agreement, before taking cautions in the wind and grasping Severus' neck and drawing the wizard down and pressing his lips against his.
There we go! SOOOO what do you want to see about this story before it draws to a close as you can see it's nearly finished! So this is your chance to ask for what you'd like to see in it before it's finished! :) another story nearly done I'm really pleased with the process! Hope you're still enjoying it! R&R please!
