The disclaimer: the same as the previous chapters.
Chapter 44
The night descended upon Hogwarts much as it used to during the breaks. The empty castle groaned and belched as the drafts of wind merrily run through its crevices and broken windows, and doors. The remaining witches and wizards could only mend the walls with the residual magic they could call upon. It was remarkable under these circumstances, that the Ravenclaw Tower stood as proudly as the Gryffindor and the Head Master's office and quarters. The dungeons were naturally safe because the castle held to its grounds refusing to bow to the megalomaniac's demands. The Hufflepuffs section was yet another mystery.
Perhaps it was Madam Pomona Sprouts endless devotion to herbs and plants and her badgers' natural affinity to protect the plant and animal world, that Mother Nature to it upon herself to grow extensively throughout that section to cordon off that wing from others. Severus could only reach till the kitchens and check upon the elves. He was made aware that several of the faithful keepers of the school were wounded and few become martyrs. But Ob, the master of the Elves rigidly stuck to his point," We are not leaving Headmaster, our oath stays to serve the school. And Ob will die serving it till the very end. As for our wounded, we are taken care of. The castle knows to take care of its own." The elves loved to talk in riddles, but Snape picked up those subtle nudges of the master-elves shoulders. It was also drawing his attention towards the furthest wall. A common-looking brick and mortar wall which the kitchen incidentally happened to share with the Hufflepuff staff corridor. He had squinted his eyes at that, and the elf had offered him a curt nod.
Poppy Pomphrey would have to come back as well. She was currently serving as a voluntary mediwitch at 's. That woman just couldn't stop caring for others. When Snape had suggested her, before heading to Staghorn Lair," Poppy, you should consider going underground as well…" the mediwitch had fumed. The remaining of the wounded were already transferred to other holding houses and safe shelters of the Order or of the Ministry. She simply said," I am going to be at Mungo's for a while." And had flooed away, giving a final look over to the empty hospital wing.
After a quiet dinner, Hermione had excused herself, while Severus went back to the lab to attend the waiting caldrons. Adding the roots of the lady's mantle to the bubbling mix, he adjusted the flame of the burner and thought Poppy could investigate the Hufflepuff segment. She was a Hufflepuff. It did strike him odd that even the greenhouses were covered with poisonous creepers making the area impenetrable in all possible ways. He was dying to know what lay within both the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff entrances. More so, he badly wanted both Filius Flitwick and Pomona Sprouts to be safe. There was another thing niggling in his mind. Shacklebolt had pointed out the low numbers of members of both the houses unaccounted for. What was worse, they were still to locate the room of requirement.
Hagrid had extended his hut with the help of some of the students to make rooms for Flich and Mrs. Norris. Now, together they patrolled the entire property with Fang trailing behind. Nothing jumped out of the shadows. And while they picked their way through the dark and high corridors of Hogwarts, accompanied by eager elves at times, the grounds had found its own guardians. The creatures of the Forbidden Forest were both able to see and hear Fawkes and Swmg flying in elaborate cycles renewing the protective charms. But to the Keeper of the grounds and the caretaker of Hogwarts, it looked like a burning phoenix surrounded by dark tendrils of his shadow flying overhead.
A knock on the office door had alerted Snape of both of their presence. A glance at the clock told him, this visit had nothing to with exchanging pleasantries. It was Argus Filch, Fang looked over his shoulder and Madam Norris peered at the potion master from between the caretaker's boots. He motioned the three inside. But both the cat and the boarhound stationed themselves at the door, after giving the Slytherin a welcoming nudge and licked his palm.
Argus stood in front of him stealing glances at the closed door of his private quarters. Severus supplied," Madam Snape is fine and you would be glad to know, Madam McGonagall has joined us as well."
Argus's eyes had bulged and then he exclaimed," But she can't stay at the Gryffindor Towers."
"And she is not going to stay there for some time. She will stay here, with us. She is doing just fine, recovering faster" The caretaker's shoulders relaxed, but just a bit. Remembering the real reason for seeking Snape in the first place, he managed to say," The castle and the grounds are quiet. But Mrs. Norris keeps looking at the barrels by the kitchen oddly. I can't hear anything. But today even Fang barked at those barrels and sniffed over them, till he managed to bump his nose into something, drenching all three of us in vinegar. The creepers cover the section still. But I wanted to know, can this be possible?"
Snape subtly sniffed the air and inspected the gangly man in front of him and mused," So the spell to keep out outsiders is in place. Last time, I could not manage to reach the barrels. Interesting. We can go down in the morning after breakfast and inspect the area together. I think Minerva would also like to look for herself, the Ravenclaw tower, and the Gryffindor Tower."
The caretaker had bobbed his head at that," Ay, she should, she is still Hogwarts, Deputy Headmistress. But, she shouldn't stress herself too much. Hogwarts needs her. The kitchen was bustling today."
"We had visitors. We will continue to have visitors, Argus. The school might not be in session for some time. But we need…"
The caretaker had fisted his hands and passionately uttered," We need those mutts gone for good, Sir. Goodnight to you Sir. Hagrid is keeping a watch all alone, I will join him now. The castle seemed to protect us like a mother hen. But you are aware of it. Call us if you need anything. Anything, even if you need us to go to Hogsmeade. One of us can always do that. And…tell, Minerva 'Hello'. Mrs. Norris missed her the most." The caretaker and the two animals made an odd group. Severus realized instead of feeling unsettled, he felt oddly protective about them.
When he walked inside the bedroom, he found his wife coming out of the bathroom ready for bed. He had just turned halfway towards the dresser where he kept his nightshirts when she offered him a pair of new ones.
"I found them among Minerva's gift box, these are softer and at least better than that thousand holes tattered nightshirt of yours." Her insistent tone worked. He took the clothing but not without brushing his fingers over hers.
He drawled, "You went through my stuff as well."
She glowered, hiding those tell-tale signing of attraction behind her eyes," Only when I was certain, your wards won't leave me paralyzed and no, I did not touch your books. I swear."
Settling under the covers they faced each other unsure of themselves. Hermione tucked her hair away from her face and asked politely," Can you tell me more about Professor Lupin?"
To every other witch and wizard, Kingsley Shacklebolt was now the iron-handed formidable Minister of Magic. He had earned his respect in this world the hard way. But in his own cottage left to him by his parents, Kingsley was a caring husband and a doting father. Returning to the quiet home, which would either smell of Cynthia's baked muffins or cookies and musical notes floating down from Amanda's room where his girl would practice fiddling with her violin, the huge man had fallen to his knees and wept over the bear rug. As long as he had his mind occupied with the worries of the magical society, he could hold on to his sanity. But he dreaded being alone. He dreaded fighting his own demons.
He wasn't Severus Snape. He didn't have that kind of tenacity to bear on the burden of guilt and fuel his determination with it. He had lost several colleagues while still being an Auror. It came along with that job. But this war had hit home, rocked his own sanctuary, and dismantled his personal defenses. The Zabinis were still formal and Cynthia…he could only manage to muffle his deep howls by biting on to the fur harder. He missed his wife's arms.
He didn't dare to climb up the stairs. He couldn't bring himself to walk up to his daughter's room. He had taken up residence in the ground floor guest bedroom. Adjoining to the study. He could manage to blissfully forget the existence of another floor above his head. Blaise had helped his shift. The man didn't ask or comment about it. He had just levitated some of the boxes. While the Minister sat at the foot of the stair, nursing his wounded fists.
The nephew had next flooed called Poppy Pomphrey. The Hogwarts medi-witch had come down immediately and attended the wounds. The wall next to the kitchen in the meantime got fixed by the quiet young man waving his wands and mumbling under his breath. While the giant man watched him dispassionately the medi wtich offered her own explanation," Your things are arranged in the guest bedroom. And Blaise Zabini has a knack for architecture. Though his family is inclined to the perfume-making business. He had been appearing at my office with nicks and cuts that screamed out his peculiar interest."
Kingsley gaped at her and said," Amanda wants to be a healer and a dressmaker, she also wants to be a Musician and a globe trotter. And they tell me, they couldn't find my baby. I hate this Poppy, I hate…either she is…or she is hiding. My baby is a fighter, I am telling you. She is not dead." Digging into his pockets, he brought out a piece of jewelry. It was a jade stone with a couple of golden rings tied to it from both ends." Poppy, we bought it for her as a coming of age gift. She would never part with it. Wore it around her wrist. There were seven stones. Around."
Poppy had gasped," And you have one. This looks like an artifact. So, if anyone plans to steal it and sell it…"
Jerking his head," No, not possible, I will feel it, I will know of it. It binds our bloodlines together. It is my tribe's heirloom." Gripping his shoulders, the medi witch stared hard," Then continue, doing your job, Kingsley. We too are your family. Our world is threatened and reduced to a handful, but don't you dare abandon hope. Several of us are looking up at you for guidance. And I promise you, Cynthia will be back home, before you know it. Just hang in there. Albus counted on you. And in the same manner, we all do."
It had been a handful of weeks. Poppy's personal elf Nobit and Shacklebolt family's own house-elf, Gen were of great help. His robes were clean and arranged, he food warm and in front of him whenever he felt hungry. And his room clean and tidy. It was not out of place to feel two pairs of hands helping him up from the floor and settling him over the crouch. He heard the fireplace crackle because someone was adding more dry logs to it and eased into the warm blanket placed over him. Two voices whispered close to his ears before he fell asleep," Good Night Minister."
Cynthia Shacklebolt was propped up against her pillows, while Poppy Pomphrey was reading the Magical Geographic journal aloud to the patient ina single occupancy ward of St. Mungo's. They both heaved a sigh when Nobit apparated in front of them with a pop and nodded," Minister sleeps like a babe. Nobit will go back in the morning and help Gen in making breakfast." Poppy immediately scribbled a note and stuffed it in the elf's waiting hands. And Cynthia smiled, addressing the knowing elf," He has a way of forgetting himself in his work, so make sure he eats all that before leaving early in the morning." The elf tsked and muttered, disapprovingly," Men, do they ever grow up?" The women threw back their heads and laughed aloud and offered," No, Never."
A/N: Even the Banyan Tree needs several roots to rest its weight on...I thought, adding the Minister's personal life was important since he too will become an important part of the following chapters.