Disclaimer: Nothing has changed here, still don't own anything.
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"I don't know why this has happened but I probably deserved it. I tried to do my best but you know that I'm not perfect." —Death Bed, Powfu & Beabadoobee
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August 8th 1960
It was warm. He could hear the chirping of birds above him and the cool breeze rustling through the trees and it's leaves. It smelled of flowers and grass with a hint of sappy wood which also brought on the smell of wood rot; the trickling sound of water alerted him of a stream nearby; the buzzing sound of insects that he also could hear, along with the chattering of wildlife surrounding him.
Slowly, Severus opened his eyes and quickly blinked away the wariness as he shaded his view from the suns rays shining through the thicket of branches and leaves that were the color of yellows, reds and oranges creating a tranquil scenery.
With precise caution, he slowly sat up, glancing around for his two companions and smiled warmly— a smile he was sure to keep hidden from his two unlikely acquaintances, so he kept telling himself. They were still unconscious all the while holding hands. His brows furrowed as he kept his gaze on them, a certain memory of their time spent together over the years playing in his mind.
"You need to rest," Granger's voice said, interrupting his solitude.
Sneering, he shook his head, "I'll rest once I'm done and besides, don't you have something or other to handle at the moment?"
"Give her a break, Severus," Parkinson chided, "we're worried about you."
"Well," he quickly stood, packing his research and scowling at the two witches, "your worrying is unnecessary and a bit stifling."
Sighing, he pinched the bridge of his nose, dismissing the memory quickly and ignoring how crass he was towards them.
It wasn't an ideal plan when coming with ideas to, once again, overthrow Voldemort and his merry band of Death Eaters. And while he was hesitant to even acknowledge how stupidly reckless it was, not to mention, completely dangerous and very Gryffindor-ish of him, Severus knew it was the only way to assure his companions safety.
Five years of traveling the continent and researching what the world, magical and non, had to offer on alternate timelines, Severus knew this was the correct path to take— no matter how much he disliked it. Alternating the reversal charm casted upon the sands of the time-turner and doubling said sand to carry three people back in time had taken Severus more than over a year to finally complete. Not to mention searching all over Britain for a time-turner to begin with. To charm the sands to take them back to the exact date had been a pain as well but was beyond pleased when it had worked in his favor.
It was a mission he hated the most compared to brewing potions and finding the blood ritual to make this plan succeed.
He would do it again if it would give Hermione and Pansy, two witches who deserved more than what the world had to offer, a chance at a good life. And this was his gift to them so he could finally cross over to the other side.
He was beyond tired, so, so tired, of living this wretched life that was stowed upon him. It was time for him to leave this world behind and finally find his peace. But if he could guarantee that the two witches were safe and well taken care of, he could finally accomplish what he had been too cowardly to do before.
Severus shouldn't feel guilty about his decision. He was meant to die long ago but he kept on living and when he thought he had lost all hope and was ready to find a hole and slowly die a slow death, that was when he watched Hermione Granger cry out for her best friend as he perished beneath Voldemort's wand. That was when he decided to help the girl and come up with a plan to take him down— again.
What he didn't plan on was bringing Pansy Parkinson into the fold but he couldn't let her be tortured to death in the middle of Diagon Alley, of all places, and rescued her too while the Death Eaters had hung her parents' heads on pikes for all to see and instill fear if any betrayed his royal darkness.
Which made Severus feel loads better that Hermione wouldn't be journeying to the past alone. So they planned. They fought. They practiced dueling. They excelled in brewing. They created hexes and jinxes. They pinpointed the years of when and where Voldemort had hidden his horcruxes and stashed everything they needed to destroy it in Hermione's beaded bag.
Hermione Granger wasn't the Brightest Witch of Her Age for no reason and Pansy Parkinson wasn't dense when it came to dire situations. He had complete faith in the two to set the world in the right direction. He knew the hardship they would face would be difficult and cause heartache and frustration but he wouldn't doubt them one bit to get the job done and eradicate that son of bitch and all his filthy followers.
No, he knew they would be fine. It was going to be the goodbye that was going to be worrisome, but he would make it quick and swift as possible— not only for him, but for the two witches he knew were struggling with leaving him behind. Besides, they had said their goodbyes and cried like fools back at Grimmauld Place so it really shouldn't be that difficult.
"Severus?"
Startled from his thoughts, Severus glanced at Hermione, nodding his head as he swiftly got to his feet, grimacing while his knees popped clearly reminding him how old he was. He then pulled out his wand, casting a simple spell of his own creation that showed the date and time; August 8th, 1960; 11:29 AM.
"We must leave," he uttered quietly, sheathing his wand back into his robes. He narrowed his gaze at Hermione as she slowly roused the raven-haired witch. "Now," he gritted out, thinking how close they were to the deadline, before it was too late.
"Watch it, Sev," Hermione snapped, helping up a disgruntled Pansy Parkinson.
"I'm fine," Pansy murmured, waving off Hermione's attempt to assure she was alright. "Merlin, woman, I'm okay!"
Severus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he counted to ten to calm his nerves and keep his temper in check. "You do understand the dire situation we are currently in? We do not—"
"We're waiting on you," Hermione bit out.
Lowering his hand from his nose, he narrowed his eyes in irritation but instead of hurtling a response, he sighed resignedly and grabbed the potions in his pocket as he handed them one of each.
"Take the serum first," he told them softly, pulling out his wand again to cast the tempus spell; 11:35 AM. Turning back to the witches, his lip twitched into a smile as Pansy's scars on her face began to slowly fade away, along with the marks Hermione had of her own.
"It worked!" Pansy cried out, excitement coloring her voice as she glanced at her arms and felt along her face, "you did it, Sev!"
Despite how he felt about the nickname he only allowed one witch to call him, Severus bowed his head, "I'm glad, Parkinson." He glanced at Hermione and the smile crept back on his lips as he watched her examine her arm. "Do not worry about the ritual, I'll perform it once you two are situated."
11:39 AM.
He cleared his throat, gaining the attention of both witches. "Do not lose focus of your mission. Remember, you two will be the only ones to remember the other timeline in which Voldemort wins. Never go against one another and always, always, trust each other no matter what the situation is.
"And remember to live your life." His heart was pounding rapidly as he stared at the two, feeling it fracture a bit as he watched them, proud of who they became as witches and women. "And remember to love unconditionally. You deserve it, both of you."
"We love you too, Sev," Pansy said passionately, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.
"One last thing," he quietly added, glancing at Hermione, "if you ever need help, know that Albus Dumbledore—"
Hermione chuckled loudly, scoffing incredulously, "you're joking, right?"
"'Mi—"
"Albus fucking Dumbledore will not have an inkling of what we're doing," Hermione threatened vehemently, "not if I have a say in it and I will make sure that Pansy and I will destroy those fucking shite horcruxes on our own."
His eyes narrowed slightly, Severus scrutinized her from head to toe carefully, unsure of how he could even respond to that. He knew her hatred for Dumbledore was a close second to Voldemort but he felt he needed to let her know she wasn't alone if she, or Pansy, needed help.
He knew he couldn't blame her for loathing Albus for what the fool had put her, Potter and Weasley through but he just thought it was a childish grudge. After all, he had been used and casted aside by the old man, himself, yet he would still seek the old coot for help when he was in need of it— not that he would ever admit to such things aloud.
With a heavy sigh, Severus reluctantly agreed, "Very well, then."
Hermione sighed as well, running her hands through her curls, "I'm sorry, Sev," she groaned, "if the need ever arises for me to seek the old manipulative bastard out, I will."
"That's all I ask, Hermione," Severus gave a curt nod and gestured for the second potion. "Make sure to drink it all. I've brewed it accordingly."
"Newborns, right?" Hermione asked as she sniffed the potion and gagged, "Merlin, this is foul."
Pansy tittered, shaking her head, her attention back on him, "will you be able to catch us when we, I don't know, shrink? De-age? Become babies?"
Severus couldn't help it, he scoffed, whipping out his wand, "I'm sure I've got it handled." He lifted an eyebrow, trying to lighten the situation as he turned to Hermione, "I will hide your bag in the garden since you cannot carry it with you. Do not forget about it," he then turned to Pansy, "you'll remember as well in case Brightest Witch fails to remember."
He held his out for the beaded bag that she carried wherever she went and scoffed as she hesitated for a moment before placing it in his hands. Quickly stashing the bag, he simply lifted an eyebrow at the witch.
Hermione rolled her eyes, refusing to acknowledge his sarcasm. "I'll see you soon, Sev," she smiled softly, and, without warning, guzzled the potion immediately. Severus swiftly waved his wand as the witch de-aged quickly before his eyes, levitating her before she could hit the ground.
"Imbecile," Severus hissed, glaring at the newborn drifting in the air.
The clothes she had on fell to the ground and he sighed, transfiguring her shirt into a simple baby blanket. Growing in annoyance, he quickly wrapped the cheeky witch. He lifted a brow at the babe, his lips twitching once she began to laugh.
"I see this is a good sign?" He asked her softly and scoffed when she nodded her head vigorously.
Severus sighed in relief. He was hoping his touches to the de-aging potion would work and was glad that it did. Their minds were there own, even at such a fragile state of their age.
Pansy chuckled, shaking her head as she stepped closer to Severus, placing her hand on his cheek. "I want you to know that I really do love you, Sev, and I'll save you." She smiled, leaning in as she kissed his cheek, "I promise." She took a step back, her smile still on her face as she slowly tipped the liquid down her mouth.
Severus quickly waved his wand over her as well, catching her before she fell and transfiguring her robes into a blanket that matched the other, wrapping her carefully.
He then lifted Hermione in one arm and Pansy in the other and smiled softly. With the two babies secured in his arms, he waved his wand to check the time once more.
11:55 AM.
"Just in time," he muttered, disapperating on the spot with a soft pop.
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The manor was elegant and welcoming and settled in an opening with trees surrounding the outer area not even a mile out. He could see the gardens from where he stood and it would be a lovely place for the two witches to sit and, hopefully, enjoy the view. The wrought iron gates were attached to the red brick wall that wrapped around the home with ivy winding up the brick; tall windows graced the front of the white brick manor with a double black iron door with intricate designs of gold and silver swirls with two large pillars on either side of the door, ivy wrapped around them elegantly.
Severus sighed, knowing what was about to come. Without much trouble, he dismantled the wards and swung his wand to open the black iron gates as it creaked open.
Gliding through the gates, he hastily made his way towards the double doors and sent a silent bombarda and quickly threw up a shielding charm over himself and the newborns as the pieces of the door flew about, bouncing off his shield. He knew it was a bit dramatic to do such a thing but time was of the essence.
Quickly making his way up the stairs following the cries of a woman in agony, Severus quickened his steps, coming face to face with Alexander Shafiq, his eyes swollen and his face blotchy from crying.
"Who the hell—"
"Apologies," Severus interrupted quietly, sending a quiet stupefy his way and watched as he fell to the ground.
Walking around the heir of the Noble House of Shafiq, he quickly stepped into the room and sent the same spell towards the healers gathered around the bed and the crying mother, sighing heavily as the home became quiet.
It's the only way. You have to do this.
Swallowing the lump in his throat, he set the quiet newborns in the crib near the large window opposite of the canopy bed and slowly made his way towards the mother who was holding two stillborns in her arms. Tears gathered in his eyes as he stared at a mother who didn't have a chance before to grow up with her children— but he was going to change that. Taking a shuddering breath, he pulled up his walls, pushing his emotions away. It's the only way.
With much care, Severus gently grabbed the twins carefully and wrapped them thoughtfully and set them beside their mother on the king bed and began his work.
It took longer than he'd like as he collected Madam Shafiq's blood and set it in a vial; he then made his way towards the Lord of the house and proceeded with the same task. Setting the phials down, he grabbed the two witches who sat quietly in the crib and carefully lifted them, placing them in the unconscious woman's arms.
Pansy began to cry and Severus quickly shushed her, giving her a light glare. "None of that now, I'm hardly done."
Clearing his throat, he glanced at one witch, then the other, his head feeling a bit dizzy. "I am so sorry," he told them, one too many times for him to even count but he couldn't stop apologizing, "if I were to put my trust into anyone to complete this mission, it would be the two of you." The babies cooed, reaching for him. He gently lowered his head as each witch placed their tiny palms against his cheek. Closing his eyes, he let the tears fall, trailing down his sunken cheek. He kissed one baby on the head and turned to the other to do the same. "I will miss you both, greatly."
Standing up, he gave them a curt nod, wiping away the wetness on his face and grabbed his wand as he swished it above them, causing them to fall into deep slumber. Levitating the phials, he began the ritual.
"Hoc est ut run per venas sanguine," he swished his wand downwards, the blood from their soon to be mother and father, slowly trailing out of the phials and into a small orb, rotating slowly, "hoc nomine, Shafiq, ut tua," a bright light emitted from the two witches, momentarily blinding him, "et vivere usque ad officia."
Everything froze but the blood as it slowly trickled into the infants, their skin slowly absorbing the red liquid until their features began to steadily change. A strong breeze billowed through the stiff room, not a noise could be heard, the quiet deafening.
Letting out a heavy sigh, Severus dropped his wand hand, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. It was done. Without another glance towards the sleeping babes, he made his way towards the healers, performing memory charms and soon leaned over the Lord of the house, also charming his memories.
Everything had to be perfect, he had to make sure no mistakes were made. Satisfied with his work with the healers and the Lord, he slowly made his way towards the mother that seemed as if she were resting instead of stunned from the stupefy he threw at her. Slowly, he began taking the memories and the pain away from her and inserting feelings of happiness of birthing two healthy newborns.
Nodding to himself, Severus gently grabbed the stillborns, cradling them in each arm and made his way towards the bedroom door. Glancing around, he felt positive everything would go according to plan and quickly whispered, a silent rennervate on the magical people in the room and speedily casted a disillusionment charm over himself and the babies. With quick steps, he rushed downstairs and out of the house, fixing the double doors before he left the Shafiq manor.
Pausing near the wrought iron gates, he turned his direction and quickly made his way towards the garden, glancing around for a place to hide the beaded bag that had everything the witches would need. Sighing, Severus tilted his head, his eyes narrowed at the stoned bench next to the water fountain and decided to stash the bag underneath the bench's leg with a concealment charm placed over it. He hoped it wasn't too difficult for them to find and if it was, he could hardly be blamed for their incompetence.
Grimacing, he glanced down, the stillborns in his arms and decided it was time to leave and put them to rest.
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Strolling through the woods where he had first landed with his companions, Severus was lost in thought, the stillborns growing cold in his arms. Although it wasn't a sufficient place to bury the babies, he thought it was good enough for himself, Hermione and Pansy. It would be the last place they stood together as the three of them.
Stopping where they had landed, from a different timeline, a world that seemed so very far, far away, he checked the time with a quick tempus; 12:55 PM. It was time.
Unable to rush such a thing, he took measured steps to bury the babies. Finding a tree branch, he unsheathed his wand, murmuring a spell to transfigure the item into a coffin that was big enough to place both of the resting babies. Gently, oh, so gently, he laid them down, ignoring the way his heart thudded rapidly for the two stillborns.
Digging a whole with a flick of his wand, Severus levitated the coffin into the ground, a trickle of tears touching his cheek. It felt as if he were burying the witches he came to care for over the years and in a way, he knew he was.
No longer would they be Hermione Jean Granger and Pansy Primrose Parkinson but Ava Pansy Shafiq and Ayla Hermione Shafiq— it was the least he could do for them to have a part of their old name in their new ones knowing Alexander would want to name his heirs beginning with the letter A. Marrying Amelia Shafiq née Selwyn was shear luck for the Lord.
He couldn't hold it in any longer, he let out an anguish cry, knowing he would never see them again. Ten years was hard not to grow close to the people you're with. Ten years was a long time to build a friendship on trust. It was laying out his plans for them that was a turning point for him, where he stopped thinking of them as Granger and Parkinson but Hermione and Pansy.
"I don't know," Granger uttered with a heavy sigh. "I mean, you know meddling with time could lead to destruction—"
"But we need to at least try, 'Mi," Parkinson cut in with a frown upon her face. "I don't know much about time traveling but maybe it's worth a shot…"
Severus rolled his eyes and said, "it certainly is better than sitting around like pigs waiting for slaughter." He pointed at the parchment between them all, "this is the only option for a better future."
"Okay," Granger said slowly, "if you think this is the best choice, then I'm with you."
Severus stared at her in shock, unable to process how easy it was to have her agree. While Parkinson trusted him implicitly, he didn't think Granger did at all.
"That's it?" He asked disbelievingly.
Granger snorted, "I trust you, Severus. When are you going to get it through that big head of yours?"
She. Trusted. Him… it never occurred to him to earn her trust. Granger had always been so paranoid and going against him with every plan they came up with when leaving the safety of Grimmauld Place but to have her openly admit that she trusted him— it was hard to comprehend it all.
"When should we start?" Parkinson asked, her lips twitching into a small smile at Severus' expense.
"Now," he answered with a clear of his throat, quickly standing from the table and stalking off.
Shaking his head, desperately wanting to rid the memories, Severus put the finishing touches to the grave, adding a tombstone that read, R.I.P HJG & PPP.
Pulling out a bottle that would swiftly end his life, as he began to hyperventilate, Severus didn't hesitate to unstopper it and drain the phial, ignoring the way his hands began to shake violently, just to stop the mess in his head that was full of pain and misery.
Feeling his heart slow, he took a deep shuddering breath, his head tilted toward the warm sun, closing his eyes in pure bliss as he welcomed the chirping birds and chattering of wildlife; the cool breeze touching his skin and the damp leaves that crunched beneath his knees; the warmth that engulfed him as he smiled softly— finally, finally, was he able to find peace.
It was time.
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& this chapter was a pain in my ass. Ugh. I hope I did it justice. Double Ugh.
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