Title: When Harry Left Severus
rating: R for adult themes including male/male relationships.
Chapter 5 - Enlightened Vigils
by: Raven Dancer
disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling except for the Drs. Barnes, Daniel Murphy and Beryl. I receive no monetary compensation for these works.
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Where's Jeffrey? Dumbledore suddenly asked. The younger Healer was conspicuously absent from the clinic.
He is giving a presentation in Geneva on counseling in the
wizarding world today. Stacy sent an owl to him about two hours
ago. Jeffrey will return probably as soon as he reads the
message, Dr. James reported. His son had built up quite a reputation with his therapy practices. But he'd forgo the rest of the conference to help Snape. The Healer looked at the frightened elf.
Dobby? Come with me and let me show you the kitchens. I think
that you can help most by fetching your friends tea and meals,
hmmm? Barnes knew it would help Dobby. The elf nodded his head and reached out for the Healer's hand.
I will join you Dr. Barnes. And then I must be off, Murphy said, although he moved to the comatose wizard.
I'll be back to see you Severus. You rest and get better, the officer gently stroked Snape's forehead before turning and following the Healer out of the room.
It took time to get used to sitting with the Potions Master. His face was bruised and battered. The breathing tube hissed. Dr. James had been very careful to explain the injuries to his friends and taken more time to explain why Snape had been lucky they weren't worse.
Much Worse.
So they learned to moisten the injured wizard's lips and mouth. Learned to gently stroke his forehead and arms and carefully massage feet and calves. They also learned not to look under all the covers.
Curiosity had nudged Black to look at the trauma to the groin' and Lupin had joined him. Dumbledore, whether from intellect or personal knowledge, moved away having no desire to look. One glance was trauma indeed for the two. Black dropped the covers and looked at his mate.
Will he ever be able to... the animagus began, stopping when he saw the tears form and simply held Lupin until the sadness ebbed enough to bear.
In the evening Minerva McGonagall came into the clinic, received a briefing from the receptionist and calmly moved into the chair across the bed from Dumbledore. The Headmaster had to admire the witch's soothing manner.
While Black and Lupin curled up to sleep a for few hours McGonagall told Dumbledore of all the doings at the castle. Once going through all the news she reached into her robe and pulled out a small paperback book. Dumbledore read the title, The Magician's Nephew and looked quizzically at the witch.
It's a muggle's book, Albus. Severus had the entire series
on his personal shelves at school. They looked well-read, she explained. After the fall of Voldemort Snape was not able to continue teaching. Since the rooms were needed for the new potions teacher all his things had been packed up and stored. Although Snape was considering staying retired Dumbledore had held his personal effects at Hogwarts until Snape had returned to his manor. Harry had enjoyed putting things away under Snape's amused eye.
So McGonagall read aloud for over an hour, sipping tea and discussing the story as it unfolded with Dumbledore. He was interested in the muggle's concept of magicians/wizards. He was also interested in the witch's comments about more interesting issues to discuss as the story progressed. When she left the Headmaster kept the book so he could continue reading aloud.
Jeffrey Barnes swept into the room well after midnight. He moved the nodding Headmaster onto the other empty bed and spent hours gently tending to Snape. He even went so far as to repeating his speech and views on current theories in therapy. He kept hands itching to heal still, knowing he could do more harm than good while his patient was in a coma.
The following day brought a steady stream of staff members willing to sit and talk, slurping up all the tea that Dobby could brew. Through it all the patient stayed unmoving save for the slight rise and drop of his chest.
Murphy came, easily talking to the comatose wizard, running soothing fingers over his forearm. Once he'd paid his respects he and Black went back to the manor to check on things'. Only McGonagall knew about the destruction and the animagus wanted to keep it that way until Snape came out of his coma.
Even though Black knew the manor was destroyed he really wasn't prepared for the shock of seeing the charred stone, beams and ash. It had been a long, low home, the wings embracing the gardens. The second story that was over the middle of the house had collapsed as had most of the roof on the west wing where both the morning room and bedrooms were.
They walked around the destruction, some areas still smoldering, to the east wing. Here the roof was still intact but the internal fire had been so hot the the furniture and wall hangings were practically gone. Black stopped at a huge lump of blackened metal and realized it was the remnants of several suits of armor and an extensive sword collection.
Walking into the sitting room the animagus paused in the door surprised at the birdsong. He realized the glass in the huge windows had shattered and melted. It was no house fire; the heat generated could only be attributed to magical means.
Murphy prodded gently.
Uh, the safe was on the wall opposite the windows, Black managed, shaking out of his horror. He picked his way through the debris and was surprised there was a wall still standing. The fire had been fast and hot scorching the surface of the brick wall. Brushing aside what had been a hinged painting the animagus exposed the safe.
Being a wizard's safe there was no combination knob to turn nor keyhole. Black carefully laid his hand on the smooth surface and spoke his opening spell. Both wizards were more than a little surprised when the door opened revealing a neat stack of papers. Glancing at Murphy Black reached in and removed the intact parchments.
Well, if these survived then perhaps some of Severus' papers
and journals survived. He has a few of these safes in the manor, Black commented.
I think we will check on those later. I have placed a seal over the
premises to keep out the curious, Murphy explained.
Let's go back to my field office and go over the relevant
papers.
Field office? Black asked curiously. The security wizard grinned sheepishly.
I don't always want to bring things back to the Ministry. Too
many ears and not enough privacy wards. I certainly do not want
to have our discussions about your godson get out, Murphy admitted. He pulled a small key ring from his pocket and selected a plain brass door key. He held it out to Black to touch.
Don't tell me. A port key? Black smirked. A sly grin spread on the security wizard's face.
he said.
You are so clever, Black retorted. He touched the key and felt the familiar strange tug when Murphy murmured an incantation. The burned-out manor dissolved into a surprisingly comfortable-looking office. There were cupboards along one wall and a kitchenette of sorts. The opposite side of the room had a fireplace and couches. The middle of the room was dominated by a large conference table.
Let's get some tea and we can sit at the table, Murphy suggested. Papers were set down and the two wizards put together tea and a light snack. Once settled Black separated the parchments and sorted them in order while Murphy poured out tea.
Finally Murphy accepted the stack of parchments. He read through them quickly, then reread them. Black fidgeted through his own stack of personal papers fingering the court decision that he was a free wizard. Then over his identification papers and Lupin's.
After ten or so minutes Murphy set two parchments aside and studied the remaining stack yet again. From this pile two more were plucked out and set aside. Once more he read the four left in front of him.
Well, Mr. Potter seems to have written all these parchments at
first glance, Murphy said.
Black asked tentatively.
Seems. Although these two, and here the security wizard handed Black the two exact parchments he and Lupin had decided were not Harry's.
These two may be in his cursive, but they are not Harry's. The
flow of the words are not his, the word usage has a foreign edge,
German I believe.
As Black reread the two letters he understood what Murphy was saying. The structure itself, the noun/verb/descriptor usage, was subtly off and did in fact seem as though written by a non-native speaker of English.
That is what Remus and I felt, Black agreed.
These two are Harry's, plain and simple. His writing, his thoughts.
They are not as harsh as the later parchments, Murphy handed over the next two for his cohort to peruse.
Now, these, these are not written by Harry at all but the script
is extremely close. This writer does better writing in Harry's
style, but harsher, more accusatory. See? Look at the way the
t' is formed and the connectors between the small b' and small
a'. A good reproduction, but not original, Murphy determined.
Black was more than impressed and he looked at the security officer with something close to awe. Murphy smiled slightly.
I have always been curious in insignificant details. Things that
seem just slightly skewed. These parchments are excellent and
I know you didn't catch the forged handwriting. Nor would most
other people, the wizard said modestly.
I think it's amazing. I also am doubly worried about Harry. Do
you think he's been coerced into helping harm Severus? Black asked worry painting his voice.
I do not wish to form any opinions either way, Murphy said, gathering up the parchments and handing them to Black.
I do want to go visit Mr. Potter as soon as I am able. I need
to speak with him and nose about. I will let you know what
I find out when I can. An oblique promise, but a promise none the less.
Don't you want to keep these parchments? Black asked.
No, not right now. I would rather you keep them secure. I
might want them later, the wizard said. He rose and opened a cupboard selecting a leather valise. This he unzipped and handed to the animagus.
Here. Not quite as fireproof as Severus' safe, but good
enough for now. You can key it to you and Mr. Lupin. It will
withstand some destructive forces. Black accepted the gift and carefully put his papers and parchments inside. He spoke the keying charm on the inside of the lining and then closed it.
Thank you very much, Black said gratefully. Together they floo'd to the clinic.
The vigil stretched to the second night. Black had noted that Snape had moved in the bed but found out the Healers had moved him to prevent bedsores. In this position, rolled carefully on his good side (no broken ribs) with plenty of pillows to cushion him, people could gently rub shoulders and back.
There were more people that night. Both McGonagall and Hooch had taken over the midnight shift while an exhausted Dumbledore snored softly nearby. Some more of the muggle book was read and a spirited discussion on good and evil ensued between the witches.
When Lupin woke late in the morning he sleepily watched as Dr. James and his son bathed Snape. Cream was rubbed into skin and they softly murmured back and forth. single words and a few phrases drifted over.
...remove ... tube?
...nose first...
...don't know..
Which was all well and good but Lupin wanted to know what was being discussed and pushed himself up off the bed and moved silently over to the empty chair. The older Healer gave him a warm smile while the younger concentrated on scanning Snape's lower torso.
Good morning Remus! I've sent Albus off to shower and change.
Black said he'd find you some clean clothes and bring them back, Dr. James told him. Lupin wondered why he hadn't picked some up when he'd gone back to the manor with Murphy the day before. His drowsy thinking was derailed by an elvish hand.
Master Remus wants tea? Dobby asked quietly.
Yes, please Dobby. Breakfast, too, Lupin replied, patting the hand on his forearm. With a toothy smile Dobby left the room. Lupin returned his attention to the Potions Master and the Healers' ministrations.
Any better? Lupin asked hopefully. This time Jeffrey looked over at him.
Well, the swelling is starting to go down and he's breathing
easier, the Healer reported. We'll leave the airway in until we
can fix his nose.
What about, uh, his groin? Will it, uh, will he function? Lupin stumbled over his question. He had been quietly pleased his mate was willing to consider bringing Snape into their intimate circle but what if he was damaged? Jeffrey now glanced over at his father subtly deferring to the head Healer.
If by you are referring to his toiletry, then, yes, that
is fine now, just the swelling prevents the functioning, Dr. James said carefully. Lupin blushed very slightly.
If by function you are referring to the ability to sustain an
erection, Jeffrey took over, I can't answer that. Physically he should. Emotionally? he shrugged.
Is there something I've missed here? I don't recall that Severus
had any lovers currently, Dr. James looked both curious and protective. Lupin fidgeted.
We were together for over 12 years, before Sirius came back. I,
I am concerned for him, the werewolf managed. The younger Healer looked at him carefully.
That's a long time to have a relationship and walk away, he commented without inflection.
Sirius is my mate. I had thought I had lost him, Lupin tried to explain. Surely they knew about werewolves and their mating habits! Continuing to tend to his patient the younger Healer glanced at the rather nervous wizard.
You believe werewolves mate for life? he asked casually.
Of course, everyone knows that! Lupin stated firmly.
Well, if they do why were you able to enter into a relationship
with Severus? Jeffrey asked lightly. Your mate wasn't dead,
only unavailable. You should not have been attracted to anyone
else.
But, but he was dead to me! Lupin stuttered. Barnes silently finished wiping his hands and moved to the chair next to the confused wizard.
Remus, if you truly mated for life, as most of the texts say, then
you would not have been interested in sustaining a relationship
with another lover for 12 years and you would not feel the need
to protect and care for Severus now this deeply, Jeffrey pointed out.
He's, he's part of my pack. I protect my pack, Lupin blurted out using Snape's own description.
You never stopped loving Severus, did you? Jeffrey asked point blank. Lupin reeled back.
he whispered. I love Sirius, but I love Severus too.
Remus, wolves mate for live. But a werewolf is not a wolf; he
or she is person who has been infected with lycanthropy. A
person with wants and needs. Barnes explained.
Society perpetuates the idea of life mates. From what I've
studied it is a misguided attempt to curb werewolves in society.
It has been somewhat effective over the years, but it also causes
many werewolves to be confused and upset. Lupin was stunned. So all his turmoil over Severus was normal. It was as if a great weight had been shifted off his shoulders and he looked with fondness at the comatose wizard.
Remus, Da and I need to go over some clinic business. Why
don't you and I sit down and talk later this afternoon when some
of the Hogwart's contingent show up? I suspect you might need
someone to talk with, Jeffrey offered.
I would like that. Maybe later Sirius could join us? Lupin asked.
We'll just set up a couple appointments, hmmm? Jeffrey asked gently. Lupin nodded then made his way to Snape's bedside. The Healers left him alone to whisper soft words to his old lover.