Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, never will.
A/N: Third chapter of the fic; this is once again set in the present, and continues the story as Germanus prepares to go to Hogwarts. In the last major fic I wrote I planned out too much for each chapter; in this fic I've planned too little, which is why the chapters are generally going to be pretty short. This is probably the shortest of them all, but hey, that means I get the next chapter out sooner, especially considering that I'm going to be sitting in a car for ten hours with nothing to do. I probably should have mentioned this before, but I'm not sure if the author alert is working again or even if it's still there, so if you want me to email you when the next chapter is up just say so in your review or email me privately. Thank you for your reviews! Enjoy!
Chapter Three: Don't Look Back
Germanus sat with the letter in his hands for a long while. He didn't know what to do. He wanted to see Severus – had wanted to see him desperately for years – but he didn't know if Severus would really want his older brother there while he slipped away. The thought of Severus dying made a lump settle in his throat; he was more than a brother to him, damn it. He was like a son; if only he had shown him that when it counted.
But if Severus was dying, then that meant that he might never see him alive again if he didn't make the leap. He couldn't bear the thought that the next time he would see Severus he might be in a casket.
Germanus shook himself. His personal feelings simply did not matter. He would have to go to Severus regardless. The protocol of the ICW – which was, in Germanus' humble opinion, so outdated that it was laughable – stated that the position of Seneschal was kept in the family. His father had just retired to raise Severus when Germanus had taken the position. He had, naturally, been trained his entire life for the responsibility. Severus hadn't been; it had always been assumed that Germanus would have his own children to whom the position would pass, but Germanus had never been good with children and seeing how poorly he had done raising Severus had made him extremely nervous about trying to be a parent again.
Thus, when Germanus had turned sixty-five a mere year ago, Severus had been declared the heir to the family position. It had caused some difficulties, since one of his officials had written Severus about the decision and he had firmly declined the "honor". Of course, he had been named the heir regardless. The fact that Severus thought he had a choice in the matter at all was worrying.
And if the man who was destined to be the future Seneschal really was in mortal jeopardy, then obviously someone high up in the ranks of the ICW would have to make an official visit. Being Severus' brother, he was the clear choice, and sending someone else would raise unwanted questions among his peers, particularly the Seneschal of Asia, who he was quite certain wanted both he and Severus dead so that he could put one of his operatives in Europe into the position and control both continents.
Merlin, did he hate his job.
If it weren't for the fact that he knew Severus would hate it even more, he would have retired years ago.
And if Severus did die, he would be absolutely required to take a wife and produce an heir.
How had he gotten himself into this mess?
Germanus stood up and walked to the door. Immediately after he stepped out of his office, two of the guards at the door flanked him. Another began setting the wards on the door; Germanus truly pitied anyone who would dare try to break in. He walked swiftly outside and to the courtyard, heading for the medical tower. If he was going to go see Severus – a fate to which he had already resigned himself – he would at least bring doctors. He had no idea what the medical staff at Hogwarts was like since he himself had attended Durmstrang, but they surely could not match the professionals at the ICW headquarters. He had the best medical staff in the world at his fingertips, and he was going to take full advantage of it.
When Germanus entered the tower, all the doctors in the room immediately took notice and three rushed toward him.
"Seneschal, what is the matter?"
"What are the symptoms?"
"Are you able to walk unassisted?"
That was the one thing he
disliked about the castle's doctors; they were a rather bored lot and fussed
over him like a flock of mother hens.
They did so with all of the Seneschals, but him in particular ever since
he lost his eye. He was quite certain
they were all waiting on baited breath for something to happen to the other one
so they could have a bit more excitement in their lives.
"I am fine." He stated firmly. "I require a staff of approximately…oh, six of you to accompany me on a trip to England. My personal doctor will be one the six, naturally."
Conversation broke out at once from all sides. His guards were shocked. "Sir, we had not been informed that you were leaving the castle, we'll have to get a team together –"
"When is this trip?"
"Immediately. I wish to leave within two hours. You will be expected to pack your belongings and any medical supplies you may need within that time. You will be seeing to a patient who is near death; I don't know what the injuries are, so don't ask me." He turned to one of his flabbergasted guards. "And I expect a team of no more and no less than a dozen guards of the highest caliber you can pull together. Also, send a message to the other Seneschals that I am leaving, that I regret missing my appointments with them, if any, etcetera." His guards looked uncomfortable; there were only the two with him, and if they left to follow his orders he would be unescorted. "Go on, I'll be fine. I'm just going back to my room to pack."
"We'll accompany you there, Seneschal, and then carry out your orders."
Germanus sighed. He could hardly expect them to go against protocol, especially since he was acting so strangely. He hadn't left the castle for years, and had never done so on the spur of the moment. "Very well." He walked out, leaving the medical staff in a panic over how on earth they were going to get everything together within two hours.
As he walked, he thought of what he would write back to Dumbledore. Germanus shook his head; he would get there before the letter would, so there wasn't any point in announcing his arrival. Once people found out he was there he would have to handle the press and the Ministry, so it was best to keep his journey a secret for as long as possible. After all, he wasn't there to see them, not that they would give a damn.
Of course, he would also have to deal with whomever or whatever hurt Severus.
That was the one thing about this excursion that he was looking forward to.
