Chapter 49: The Reunions
The lack of Christmas cheer was poisonous and yet to everybody in the Prince and Evans families, necessary. The absence of Septimus, the depression of Desdemona in particular, the mourning through the whole group was just too much to ignore in favour of festivities and frivolities and feasts. It would seem like an insult not just to Septimus' memory, but to those others who died in the Battle of Hogsmeade.
Dumbledore had written to Severus the day before Christmas to let him know that several more bodies had been discovered on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, including Zeus Gardner, Madam Rosmerta's mother and several Death Eaters, including Evan Rosier's father.
Severus informed Lily privately, and both bore a moment of silence on behalf of the newly dead that were on their side.
"Guess we'll need a new caretaker as well as a new and proper Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher," she said.
"Yeah," said Severus dully.
There was only one thing that brought a smile to Lily, Severus and Rose's faces, and that was the long-awaited reconciliation of Petunia and Trevor. It would seem that saving your daughter's life and defending her honour at the same time was more than enough to earn forgiveness from said daughter. Petunia seemed inseparable from her father over Christmas. She always paid compliments to his strength and his courage, which, now Lily came to think of it, must have been where she gained her own Gryffindor bravery from. On top of that, she smothered her father with affection, made him tea and cookies, not that she didn't do that for the others as well for propriety's sake, but she always served him first.
Trevor and Rose were delighted to have their eldest child back, but their own emotions were still conflicted with the horrors they faced in Hogsmeade. It made them reconsider the wonderful world that their daughter was adopted into…did she have to belong there? Was Petunia spared from the death trap that is witchcraft? Was her being left out a blessing disguised as a curse?
They wanted to approach the subject with Lily. But they also knew that she was never going to walk away from Hogwarts, her true world…and Severus. They still spoke to her. The outcome was as inevitable as they had imagined. Lily snapped at them for even considering that she would think twice about defending her friends and world from the Darkest Wizard who had ever lived.
"He killed Peter! Severus' grandad! I can never forgive him! I can't turn my back on all this, Mum! And you know that! You too, Dad! Hogwarts is as much my home as here! Maybe even more so! Here is all Muggle! I'm sorry, but I am not a Muggle! I'm a Muggle-born witch and proud of it! Every syllable of it! I will not run from the war, anymore than you two did, than your own parents did! I WON'T!"
Rose cuddled the distressed Lily to soothe her.
"We won't stand in your way, Lily…but know how painful this is for us. We will always be fearful for your safety."
"Nowhere in the Wizarding World is as safe as Hogwarts is. And after this, I doubt Hogsmeade visits will be allowed again, until Voldemort is taken out."
Rose and Trevor saw the sense in that. They knew from the Princes just how well fortified the castle was, and they had great respect for Dumbledore too.
And so, the matter was dropped and because of Lily's strong reaction, it was concluded with the most emphatic finality.
New Year came and went too. Severus was looking forward to returning to Hogwarts, partly to be able to speak with Lily Potter again and partly to get away from the miserable atmosphere. Desdemona was growing thinner and inconsolable by the day, Eileen was crying into Robin's shoulder on a daily basis and he couldn't stop the nagging in his system at the knowledge that Septimus Prince was dead. The funeral of Septimus was a morbid affair, and Desdemona had to be restrained from jumping into the earth with her husband's coffin. The sight of that made Severus want to throw up, but he managed to restrain himself as he restrained his grandmother.
Sadly, neither Severus nor Lily were able to attend the funeral of Peter Pettigrew. His mother asked for privacy as she laid her son to rest. Only members of her family went there, much to James and Sirius' deep resentment. However, they kept their tempers and vented their frustrations through correspondence amongst the Union, Severus and Lily included.
Another reason that Severus felt no reason to celebrate the New Year was that due to the circumstances of everything that had happened, he was simply too low-spirited to approach Lily and confess his love for her as he had planned. Septimus was likely rolling in his grave for this, but he couldn't bring himself to bring something pleasant to the table when his grandmother was suffering depression, one of his friends was placed in the earth and his own grief was being sustained to show some strength for his mother and grandmother.
A few days later, Severus and Lily found themselves on Platform Nine and Three Quarters, ready to continue their fourth year at Hogwarts. But they were still very much single and best friends only, even though they both knew they wanted much more. Eileen embraced Severus. She seemed gaunter than ever at the fact that Severus was leaving her.
"I'll write twice as often as usual, Mum," promised Severus.
"You don't need to, darling…just be safe," whispered Eileen.
Severus nodded.
"And you."
They somehow both knew that he was going to keep the promise anyway. He felt it was necessary to keep track on Eileen's mental health. He would also owl post to Robin as well to be absolutely sure.
Lily was cuddled by her parents and sister, who were as reluctant to let her go than ever.
"Please keep in touch, honey," said Rose.
"I will."
"And don't let your friends out of your sight," added Trevor, secretly meaning the other way round.
"I will."
"And…be careful," said Petunia weakly.
"I will, Tuney," replied Lily, less exasperated by her sister's humble tone.
After the final hugs of farewell, Severus and Lily boarded the train and went to find the rest of the Union after being waved off and vanishing in a cloud of steam.
They soon found the Union in the third coach along from their own with an expanded compartment. James and Sirius were still complaining about not being invited to Peter's funeral. But some of the Union were actually smiling. What about, Severus and Lily couldn't begin to fathom.
"Hey, guys," said Lily as they entered.
The atmosphere turned to 100% gloomy once more when the Union saw Severus walk in, looking slightly thinner than he seemed to be before the battle.
"Hi," came the morose monotone of responses.
"No need to be glum on my account," said Severus automatically.
No-one said a word.
But after a time, the silence became too much and Lily broke it with a question that had a slight accusatory ring to it.
"What were some of you smiling about before we came in?"
The smiles almost instantly returned, and those who weren't smiling before, such as James and Sirius, began to show some cheerfulness as well.
"James told us some great news when we were seated," said Alice.
"Wanted it to be a surprise," said Mary crossly, "wish he'd told us sooner. May have given us more to celebrate than mourn!"
James looked slightly abashed at his silence. He looked to Lily and Severus, half-exhilarated, half-afraid of their reactions. And then he said:
"Remus has fully recovered."
Severus and Lily were torn. Torn between cheering and grinning their faces off to celebrate Remus' return, or yelling and tearing James' face off for not telling them all sooner.
"He cannot wait to see you guys," added James swiftly, "though he feels a bit fragile and is also deeply upset about Peter. He doesn't want any drama on his account."
"All the luckier for you then," sneered Severus.
James had the tact to look ashamed.
"Sorry, guys," he said humbly.
"As you should be, young man!" snapped Lily, her arms folded, making Severus think of her mother in a bad mood.
"Young man?" teased James. "We're the same age."
"True, but I'm older than you by just under two months!"
"Details, details…old girl!"
Rebecca, Alice, Mary and Marlene gasped. They knew after nearly four years that you should never, ever insult Lily Evans, even in a bantering way…and not expect there to be consequences. Severus couldn't suppress a grin of relish as he saw Lily's face gradually turn red with rage that clashed with her hair.
"I don't think I must have heard right, Mr James Potter," she said in a dangerously calm voice, "could you repeat that, please?"
Before James could begin to dig himself out of the hole that he had placed himself in, the compartment door opened and two fellow fourth years leered in most unwelcomingly.
"What are you two doing in here?" snapped Quincey.
"Just seeing how the House Union is coping after we managed to eliminate one or two of its contenders," replied Mulciber maliciously.
"Say that again to my face!" roared Sirius, his wand outstretched, firm and direct to the Slytherin's heart.
"We don't need to prove ourselves to you…we already have to the Dark Lord by taking out Gardner," sniggered Avery.
"…That was you two?!" spluttered Severus in horror.
"Maybe we dealt the final blow, or maybe not," said Mulciber with pride. "And feel free to tell your precious Dumblebore! He expels us, we just go straight to the Dark Lord and claim the rewards of our loyalty!"
Everybody was speechless, too stunned to talk. They had as good as confessed, with pride and joy, that they had killed the school caretaker. And for what? To please Voldemort and to make themselves look competent and powerful.
Severus was the only one who wasn't surprised at their ruthlessness. He stepped up to them.
"I promise you that I will ensure that you both rot for this…you're as much to blame for what happened to Peter…to my grandfather-"
"Oh yeah! About that, how's Nanny doing without Gwandpa? I bet the old bag's deteriorating without her big boy-!"
Avery never finished the sentence. He and Mulciber were blasted into the corridor, covered in tentacles, boils and severe burns to their faces.
Severus, James, Quincey and Sirius had struck all at once.
It had taken everything in Severus' power not to use Sectumsempra on the two killer boys. He wouldn't have regretted it for a moment, but he knew it would lead to one too many questions.
"They're…vile….so disgusting!" panted Mary.
"What do you expect from bigots like them?" huffed Marlene, who also looked pale.
"Leave them there, Sev," said Lily softly. "They're not worth any more of your effort."
Severus agreed but fully intended to tell Dumbledore about their open confession.
After some time alone, recapping their most depressing Christmases to date, the Union began to change into their robes and treated themselves to the food from the trolley lady. Nobody played games but they did exchange some pleasantries before the train finally pulled back into Hogsmeade Station.
This was where the whole group froze.
The carriages drawn by the Thestrals were going to take them through Hogsmeade Village…up the path to the castle where Peter died…
"I don't know if I can do this," whispered Lily.
"We have to," replied Severus, though he wasn't as firm as he had sounded.
He still had difficulty facing the Whomping Willow and its passage to the Shrieking Shack…and the Astronomy Tower where he killed the original Dumbledore.
But the rest of the Union were just as uneasy. Regulus and Narcissa were frozen to the spot, both still unhappy with their altered circumstances and that battle in that village was the final straw that led to their estrangements from their family.
Just then, Professors McGonagall and Flitwick appeared, the latter looking much better after his own experiences.
"Professor Dumbledore thought it in your best interests to Apparate up to the front gates with us…to avoid certain memories," said McGonagall.
"Hagrid can't Apparate, so we volunteered for the task," added Flitwick.
The House Union was very grateful and in pairs of two, McGonagall and Flitwick Apparated the members to the gates. Severus went with Lily, Quincey with Mary, Narcissa with Alice and vice versa.
Soon, they were all there just prior to the rest of the students.
Severus and Lily led the way up to the castle alongside McGonagall, whom had yet to greet the first years, while Flitwick waddled on ahead into the Great Hall. Severus wanted to avoid the carriages arriving. He knew now that he would be able to see the Thestrals, his new life tainted with death once again.
Soon, they were back in the castle and without any hesitation or even any communication with one another, the Union entered the Great Hall and sat at their respective tables. Lily squeezed Severus' hand tightly just before doing so.
Severus sat with Quincey, Nora and Elizabeth at the Ravenclaw table silently. Severus stared blankly at his empty plate. Then he decided he couldn't wait much longer to see Lily and maybe even Peter and Septimus again, so he looked up at Dumbledore who was sitting in his accustomed chair at the teachers' table. He pleaded through Legilimency to be able to visit his office after the feast. The small smile and wink that followed gave Severus the affirmative he desperately desired.
"Um, Severus…isn't that your stepdad?" asked Quincey.
"What?"
Severus looked at where Quincey was glancing in surprise. To his own shock, there sat between Professors Sprout and Vector, was Robin.
"What's he doing here?" gasped Severus. "He's supposed to be looking after Mum!"
"Well, Lily's dad killed the last Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher," suggested Nora logically, "maybe Dumbledore recruited your stepfather to stand in until next year."
"I hope not! Someone needs to be there for Mum!"
Severus was trembling. What if being without her father and husband, looking after her mother and a business became too much for Eileen?
"This'll cheer you up, Severus," said Elizabeth, "look at the Gryffindor table."
Severus looked over and saw Remus walking over to join Sirius and James. Lily and the others all greeted him affectionately. After a few minutes, Remus' eyes caught Severus' and they exchanged a quiet nod of friendship and mutual understanding. They had a lot to say to one another, but it would have to wait.
After ten minutes, when every student was seated, Dumbledore rose to his feet
"Welcome back to Hogwarts for the Spring term," he said pleasantly.
There were murmurs of thanks and approval across the Hall.
"Before we begin our feast, I would just like to announce some new changes to the staff," continued Dumbledore, "first, I would like to introduce our new caretaker, Mr Apollyon Pringle, who will be replacing our sadly passed Zeus Gardner."
Severus recalled Pringle as being originally the caretaker in Arthur and Molly Weasley's day in the old universe. Perhaps he would be around longer this time round and there may not be an Argus Filch to disdain the halls of Hogwarts. But then again, Pringle didn't look like the kindest of men either.
"And secondly, I wish to introduce a temporary new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, a Professor R. Kennedy."
There was a louder applause for Robin, particularly from the House Union. Severus however didn't clap, and he was looking at his stepfather with the most accusatory expression he could muster.
Robin shook his head softly, without smiling. He mouthed the word, 'Tomorrow.' Severus huffed and looked away from him in anger.
"And lastly, I wish to welcome back among the students, a young man who suffered a terrible head trauma more than a year ago and is now once again back to health. Welcome back, Remus Lupin."
The most enthusiastic applause of all came to this announcement, and Remus shyly nodded to the other tables. Only Melody was clapping with pleasure at the Slytherin table. Regulus still had his doubts and Narcissa barely knew the Gryffindor.
"Let the feast begin!"
The students and teachers all tucked into the food. Severus kept glancing either at Robin or Remus or Lily. The latter always smiled at him when he did.
After a lengthy shared meal, in Severus' case, roast chicken with parsnips, boiled potatoes and gravy blended with red wine, Dumbledore called attention to the school once more.
"I think after our indulgence and introductions; I feel it is necessary to bring to the stand what is on many people's minds. Less than a month ago, Hogsmeade was attacked by Death Eaters, and two of our own students made the ultimate sacrifice…Peter Pettigrew…"
He conjured and lit a red candle and hovered it to hang over the Gryffindor table.
"…and Felix Williams."
A second candle, this time yellow and hovering over the Hufflepuff table. was lit.
Several bereaved moans had sounded for Peter's mention, but the latter made one girl at the Gryffindor table whimper in despair. Severus recognised her as Emmeline Vance, remembering that she had been badly injured in the battle and had lost her boyfriend, Felix, in the process.
Her friends gave her a reassuring hug or pat on the shoulder. Lily looked pained too and then looked over to Severus. He looked equally saddened and soon all of the students were looking up at the two candles in respectful silence.
However, much to Severus' rage, some Slytherins could be heard, at least from where he was sitting, to be saying harsh and jeering things like: "Well, what do you expect to happen to a Hufflepuff in a battlefield?" or "Well, Pettigrew was always a wimp!" and "I heard he pissed his pants before he was killed."
Severus was about to leap up and curse the insolent little bastards for their lack of compassion and their crude insults to his friend's memory as well as his distant ally's. But Quincey seized his wrist and shook his head with a warning look.
Severus inhaled deeply and let his frustrations out calmly as he resumed his silent seated position.
"In their memories, we must remember to stand strong and together in the dark and difficult times to come. Like Peter and Felix, we must all choose between what is right and what is easy one day. I trust everybody here to follow their shining example and do what is right…and for those who fear for your safety even here, let me assure you that no harm will come to you here in this school. It is heavily defended, and Lord Voldemort will not penetrate the walls for as long as I am Headmaster."
There were hisses of fear at the sound of Voldemort's name, but also exhales of relief at Dumbledore's confidence in their safety.
"However, for some bad news, as an additional safeguard for your safety, I and the staff have officially decided that until further notice, there will be no more visitations to Hogsmeade."
This news seemed only to enrage the Slytherins, or at least some of them, but due to the circumstances of the last visit, the news of Hogsmeade trips being suspended didn't devastate anybody else as much as one would have suspected a month ago.
"That is all for tonight. I believe we would all appreciate a good night's sleep. Enjoy your new term here!"
With that, the students were dismissed, and Severus played a new excuse to avoid the common room.
"Ugh! I knew those potatoes were crappy! I need to go to the Hospital Wing!" he groaned, clutching his stomach.
"Need help?" asked Quincey.
"No, no…I-I'll manage. Go on ahead."
Severus went on his way before Quincey could argue further and set his diverted course to the Headmaster's office.
Realizing he didn't know the password upon arrival, Severus tried his luck by telling the gargoyle statue that Dumbledore was expecting a Severus Prince.
"Just so," said the gargoyle, "but in future reference, he wishes to give you a permanent password. One that lasts every time you are needed or you wish to see the Headmaster yourself. It is 'Alternate.'"
"Good to know," said Severus, "thank you."
The gargoyle moved and Severus went up the staircase, nervous at the idea of seeing his loved ones who were dead…the idea of seeing his grandfather in that non-solid form seemed to churn his heart. Of all people, Severus didn't think death would affect him so much, having experienced it first-hand, but he still felt mourning, loss and grief.
Dumbledore welcomed him, looking slightly downhearted himself.
Severus told him about his confusing emotions.
"It is true that you have more knowledge than anybody that death is not the end or the final goodbye," said Dumbledore in a philosophical way, "but to not feel the tragedy and the extensive absence of those people and their hugs and their personal traits that you loved about them…well, that would only make you less human, Severus. Your grandfather and Mr Pettigrew may not be gone forever, via the Resurrection Stone and the beyond of life…but until you're on the same celestial plane as them, yes, you will continue to feel the emptiness where their own lives used to be."
Severus understood. Somehow, Dumbledore had managed to relate his mourning to how different he was to Voldemort.
"Now…perhaps you would like the opportunity to meet with them again sooner than even they had imagined?"
"Yes, please, sir."
Dumbledore deposited the Stone before his student and friend.
"Best of luck…and if I may impose, Severus…do apologise to Mr Pettigrew for me."
He turned away and retreated to his quarters. Severus understood after a moment; Dumbledore's arrival had been what had distracted Peter at the fatal moment in the battle. Dumbledore must have felt some of the responsibility for what had happened to the young Gryffindor.
"I will, sir," he said quietly, just before the door closed.
Alone in the office, except for Fawkes and the snoozing portraits, Severus turned the Stone thrice in hand.
"Hi, Severus."
There in front of him was Lily Potter. But she wasn't alone, just as Severus had hoped. On either side of her were two other spectral forms. The forms of a shy yet awestruck Peter Pettigrew, and a firm and stern Septimus Prince.
Severus couldn't help but squirm under his grandfather's stare. He must now know the truth about his grandson. That may also explain Peter's expression too. He finally looked back to Lily. She looked like she wanted to double over in laughter.
"Your face is priceless, Sev!"
A/N: Here's Chapter 49! I hope you all like it! I don't own HP much to my annoyance or I'd make this story canon in Severus' perspective! He deserves a happy ending! Chapter 50 coming soon! And it will have an event that will celebrate that the story has reached 50 chapters! I hope you'll like it and continue to read beyond 50! Thanks for reading! Please review!