CLXXIII

Like a pigeon coming home, Severus dropped straight into Hogsmeade's sacred circle. Part of him expected Hermione to be waiting here for him, bright-eyed and passionate.

He was going to have to tell her friends that he'd lost her. Gone. Oh, Gods.

A pair of warm arms encircled him. He attempted to shake them off, but a familiar voice broke through the smog of despair that surrounded him. Molly crooned to him, soothing away his grief.

He hadn't imagined it. She'd said, "There is Hope."

Straightening and mindless of his tears, Severus asked, "Where is she? What must I do?"

CLXXIV

Molly Weasley tutted, summoning a rag to mop his tears away. "There now. Just take a few breaths, dear."

Batting away those hands, Severus groused, "Dammit, woman! I don't need to be mollycoddled."

A firm hand grabbed his chin and turned him about to face the divine Goddess, wearing Molly like a puppet.

She smiled at him. "What are you willing to do to get your wife back?"

It was a stupid question. Severus gripped her shoulders, barely resisting the urge to shake the Goddess. "Anything!"

Molly's mortal eyes hardened. "Good. You will leave Marietta to me. Summon the Fae."

CLXXV

Immediately, Severus resented what the witch had taken.

Anything.

Including his right to exact justice.

The last time he uttered that particular oath, he committed his life to Dumbledore, failing Lily, who'd put her faith in the wrong person. As penance, Severus served a sixteen year sentence.

Releasing the witch, Severus let his hands fall limply to his side with a sense of defeat.

The God, still within him, spoke: "You must trust Us."

Molly Weasley was nothing like Albus, and thankfully, neither were the Gods.

"Let's get on with this." Dropping to one knee, Severus knocked.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice.

CLXXVI

With a crack, a silhouetted figure stepped through the fairy's fire gate, still tethered in place by Severus' anchor.

Coughing, Puck shook off both of his boots, dislodging the layer of soot that troubled any who travelled by fire. Even the fae were not immune.

Puck turned to Severus and put his hands on his hips, looking down on him with a mocking grin. "What, cock something up already? What do I have in my power beyond that of a God-blessed Beltane King on his own night?"

Standing up, Severus and God spoke as one, "Bring my lost Queen home."

CLXXVII

A shadow passed over the Fae's features. "Tell me your woeful tale. I would hear it first."

Severus glanced about, unnerved by the people watching, just outside the sacred circle. "Here?"

Rolling his eyes, Puck snapped his fingers.

A wave of glowing moths sprung forth from the Bonfire, beautiful sparks given form and agency to alight on the mortals who stood in awe, slack jawed and gormless. Each touched by the moths turned and fell on a nearby observer, overcome with lust.

Chuckling, Puck quipped, "Don't scowl so. You said you wanted more children! That is how it is done!"

CLXXVIII

A rude, feminine snort reminded them of Molly's presence. She scolded the Fae with a shaking finger, "If the babes come out with donkey ears or pig tails, I will remember it and find you, Robin."

"If I don't first." The severe lines of Minerva McGonagall's best Headmistress face made her scowl even more impressive.

Laughing arm-in-arm with Sybil, Pomona sent a gentle puff of air at a moth who'd been perilously close as they stepped into the safety of the circle. "Naughty fairies!"

Severus claimed his throne with a groan of frustration. "Great."

Smiling sweetly, Molly gestured. "Pray, continue."

CLXXIX

Clearing his throat, Severus began. "After I left you, I was directed to what I now know was a barrow. It is my belief that my wife was spirited there by the faithless usurper, Marietta Edgecombe."

Severus paused a moment, appreciating the wider scope of the tale. "All was wreathed in shadow in spite of the bright light of the stars. Magical light too failed to banish the dark creatures, dripping with corrupted magic. Every hex I threw at them, they evaded."

Puck nodded in recognition and said, "We name them Outsiders. They chew holes in the fabric of reality, like mice. The worlds are close indeed."

Slowly, Severus continued, "Hermione was trapped within that tomb, I heard her struggle. There was an explosion of light and the creatures barring my way vanished." He fought to hold his voice steady as he pressed onwards, "My fingers caught only empty air." His mouth twisted in a grimace, "She slipped away, sinking into the stone."

"Only this shroud was left behind." He pulled the gossamer lace from its confinement at his belt. It slipped through his fingers as Minerva pulled it closer for examination.

Severus whispered, "She isn't truly gone, is she?"

CLXXX

Puck leaned in towards Severus, his hands still on his hips. "She fell through solid stone?" There was no mirth in his eyes.

"It was no more substantial than water, and yet the stone would not yield. I could not follow." Severus' voice broke.

The fae turned to Molly. "You are certain? She is not," he made a vague gesture before continuing, "here?"

Severus' laughed derisively. "Of course Molly scryed. She can't resist."

Molly didn't answer at once. Severus' heart fell at the regret reflecting back at him in Molly's eyes. "She is nowhere. Not under sky, earth, or wave."

Severus' mind, as overwrought as it was, caught the nuance of what Molly had implied. "And beyond?"

"The Goddess cannot see past this world, it is not in her gift. It is why we need this one's help." Molly looked upwards, a covert reference to time's passage. "The longer we debate. The farther she drifts from us."

"Ah ha!" Pucks grin was full of pointed teeth. "She lives! Do not dissimilate. You have exposed yourself, m'lady!"

"Alive? Not quite." Molly was concentrating on Severus' wrist, the one that used to bear the dark mark.

"Explain!" Severus was becoming supremely impatient.

AN:

Written for grangersnape100s Spring Fever Challenge.

Thanks to toodleoo for her support and Qdrew for the beta expertise.

Thanks also to readers like you all. Your comments make my day!