Title – The Price We Pay 11/12

Rating – PG-13/T

Disclaimer – I own none of this, it all belongs to Rowling. I just have the honor of using her creations in my story. No slash, sex or profanity.

Summary – The long road to recovery

A/N – Well this chapter is a result of too many cups of coffee, a sudden burst of inspiration and writing at 1:00 in the morning. I practically wrote this whole chapter in one night and I must say it's one of my favorites. There is an epilogue, and it will probably be out this weekend. All reviews, corrections, suggestions and questions are welcome! Read and enjoy!

The Price We Pay

Chapter 10

"For Merlin's sake Albus, do you have to wear that ridiculous hat?"

"Of course. It's part of the ensemble. A ship's captain must dress appropriately."

"First of all this isn't a ship. You cannot be the captain of a dinghy. We're not even on the ocean."

"Come now Severus, this is supposed to be a peaceful afternoon. You are under strict orders to relax and this is relaxing. Lemon drop?"

Snape scowled but accepted the candy anyway, wondering why Dumbledore brought sweets everywhere he went. He shifted so the cool sea breeze could hit his face and let out a small sigh. He had to admit this idea of Dumbledore's was quite soothing and spending the afternoon sailing around the cove with his friend was relaxing. If only the older wizard would stop acting like a child whose imagination had run wild. Turning his gaze toward the other passenger of the boat he suppressed a wicked grin at the sight of Dumbledore hopelessly fiddling with ropes and sails. He was dressed in navy blue robes with gold boats and white seagulls and perched on his head was an absurdly large white captain's hat that kept drooping into his eyes. Snape adjusted his own robes and asked,

"Why don't you just use magic to control the sails? Surely it would be easier than figuring out that bloody mess."

Dumbledore stopped his fight against a particularly knotted section of rope and pointedly stared at Snape.

"Using magic would be cheating my boy. Doing it the muggle way is part of the fun."

A snort came from Snape as he crossed his arms defiantly.

"Yes, well, don't think you are getting me to help you. I would most definitely cheat."

"Such the Slytherin." Dumbledore replied, but the two shared a smile and he resumed his inspection of the ropes. Snape watched him amusedly for a minute then reached into his robes and pulled out a sealed letter that had arrived just as they had left the shore. He broke the Malfoy seal and began reading the note from his former student. Dumbledore noticed it and asked,

"Who is that from?"

"Draco. He's invited us for tea tomorrow afternoon."

"Really? Both of us? How is he doing?"

"Yes, he invited you Albus, don't act so affronted. And it says he's fine, he's recovered nicely from Bellatrix's attack thanks to Poppy. Furious with the Ministry about how they handled the whole Lestrange affair, but fine nonetheless."

"Ah yes, I believe Auror White has yet to return from his suspension. Threatening someone with an Unforgivable was wholly an abuse of power. Created quite the uproar in the Ministry I believe. Fudge is still being criticized about how he handled the entire war. Rumor has it Amelia Bones is going to challenge him for Minister."

Snape smirked and let his thoughts wander to the confrontation between Malfoy and the headstrong Auror. He had heard from Dumbledore that Pomfrey had discharged Malfoy from the Hogwarts the day of the attacks. Draco had flooed back to Malfoy Manor to discover Auror White leading a thorough and very illegal investigation of the sprawling estate. Things had quickly escalated beyond words and only the timely interference of the other Aurors prevented another death that night. Malfoy had then used his considerable influence in the Ministry to have White suspended from duty and charges on intention to use an Unforgivable were pending in wizard court. Needless to say White's days at the Ministry were almost over. One did not cross a Malfoy and expect to survive unscathed. Snape smiled when he thought of Draco and began formulating a proper reply in his head. The sounds of the water and wind soon lulled him into a completely relaxed state and he did not know he had fallen asleep until a hand shook his shoulder.

"Severus? Going to wake for lunch?"

Snape blinked open his eyes and saw a simple meal spread out on the deck of the boat. His appetite was slowly returning and he found himself hungrily eyeing the food Miel had packed for their outing. As he reached for a sandwich a loud squawk told him he was not

the only one hungry. Fawkes alighted from his perch at the top of the mast and came to rest on Dumbledore's shoulder, knocking the captain's hat back into his eyes and looked hopefully at the wizard. His beak opened and closed eagerly until Dumbledore acquiesced and fed the persistent Fawkes bites of his lunch. Snape happily munched on his own sandwich, watching the interactions of the wizard and phoenix when the image of a very bizarre pirate captain, his demented parrot and their pathetic ship suddenly flashed through his mind. He choked then, his laughter trapped by the bite of sandwich lodged in his throat. Dumbledore was at his side in an instant, frowning in concern, and anxiously supporting him through his coughing episode.

"Are you all right Severus?"

When Snape could breathe again his laughs burst free and it was several minutes before he could look at Dumbledore again without snickering. Wiping away his tears of mirth he smiled up at Dumbledore and Fawkes and said between gasps for air,

"You two…would make…wonderful pirates."

He then dissolved into another fit of laughter and after a moment heard Dumbledore join him, as the other wizard finally realized how ridiculous they looked. They collapsed to the deck and Dumbledore looked appraisingly at the younger wizard, who was smiling and looking very pleased with himself.

"And what role do you play on our peculiar little pirate ship Severus? Cabin boy perhaps?"

"Hardly!" Came the indignant reply, "I would be the first mate of course. It would be my job to stage a mutiny against the captain. Seizing power and all that you understand."

"Indeed. I'll have to keep an eye on my cunning first officer then."

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, enjoying the moment and finishing their lunch. Dumbledore was so very happy to hear Snape laughing and having a good time. It was a sound he heard too rarely from the man and it pleased him to no end to hear it today. He had feared recent events would change Snape for the worse, but the former potions professor was quick to smile and respond to people without the anger and bitterness that protected him earlier in his life. He still maintained his dry, sarcastic wit and his withering glare, but he was less angry and more at peace with life. Dumbledore wondered what his former students would think of their evil professor now. He leaned back and studied the younger wizard from the corner of his eye.

Snape was no longer rail thin or sickly pale and had regained the weight and color to his skin. His black eyes positively sparkled now and his lips would curve more often into a smile instead of a sneer. Snape's overall recovery, according to Madame Pomfrey, had suffered no major setbacks from Lestrange's attack and not a day passed where Dumbledore did not see some sign of improvement or healing. His magic was only returning in small amounts now, but they were confident Snape would be up to his normal standards by Christmas.

As Dumbledore studied Snape he was thoroughly amazed at the change between the wretched prisoner he had rescued and the smiling young man sitting next to him. They had all worked hard during the summer to save him from the horrors of Lord Voldemort, and seeing the end result sitting next to him was more than he had hoped for.

Smiling softly, he cleared his throat and waited until black eyes turned to him curiously. Reaching into the basket of food Miel had provided, Dumbledore pulled out two crystal goblets and a bottle of champagne. He handed one glass to Snape and used his wand to open the bottle with a loud pop, pouring the expensive champagne into their goblets.

"What is this for Albus? What are we celebrating?"

Dumbledore looked fondly at him and replied,

"It occurs to me Severus, that you have yet to properly celebrate the downfall of Voldemort. Understandable of course, given all that had happened this summer. Consider this our own private party."

Snape stared at him for a moment, then returned the smile and raised his glass in a toast, replying softly,

"To the downfall of Voldemort. May his soul suffer for all eternity."

"To the downfall of Voldemort." Dumbledore repeated and they clinked goblets before drinking. They sat like that for a while, reminiscing over the last years of the war, friends and allies lost and the potential of a Voldemort-free future. They discussed the whereabouts of former students and Snape was not surprised to hear that Hermione Granger had been hired by a wizarding think-tank group right after graduation and was in charge of her own research department. Ron Weasley was now the starting Quidditch keeper for the Chudley Cannons, something the rest of the Weasley family brought up in every conversation or letter. Somehow Dumbledore managed to keep track of all his recently graduated students and it was clear they all had promising futures.

The deaths of the Lestranges marked the final end of the war. The Dark Magic Rastaban Lestrange had used to break through Dumbledore's wards had been one of Voldemort's last secrets and they could now live without the threat of such Dark Arts. All Death Eaters had been killed, punished appropriately or imprisoned in Azkaban. The Ministry, for once, was finally heeding Dumbledore's suggestions on how to avoid the rise of another Tom Riddle. Families and friends of those killed were moving on, honoring those slain by dedicating themselves to the pursuit of peace.

"I never thought I would live to see the end of the war. My life was filled with too many perils and half-truths that I positively knew I was going to die sooner or later." Snape said, looking out over the water, "To be here now, to be able to see the results of my labor and suffering, is a feeling I can't properly put into words. Unexpected I suppose, but definitely appreciated."

Dumbledore nodded and looked at him in that benevolent, all-knowing way of his. His blue eyes twinkled merrily as he reached into his robes and pulled out a small box wrapped in green and silver paper. His smile grew even wider as he silently handed the box to Snape, who took it warily.

"What is this Albus? A gift? For what?"

But Dumbledore continued to smile and motioned to the box,

"Open it. Let's just say Mr. Malfoy isn't the only one with influence over the Ministry."

Snape raised an eyebrow and with one last uncertain look at Dumbledore, began to unwrap the gift. It was a plain wooden box and Snape did not see anything important about it until he opened the box and audibly gasped.

Sitting inside the velvet-lined interior of the box was a medal, a shining Order of Merlin, First Class. Stunned speechless, Snape could only watch numbly as Dumbledore pulled the silver and gold medal out of the box and reverently hung it around his neck saying,

"The Ministry of Magic hereby awards this Order of Merlin, First Class to you, Severus Snape for services rendered during the war against Lord Voldemort, for outstanding courage and perseverance in the face of the ultimate evil, for pains endured and for sacrifices made for the greater good. Congratulations my boy."

Even with the weight of the medal against his breast Snape could not believe it until he looked up at Dumbledore and saw the pure joy and pride reflected in that aged face.

Slowly his hands reached up to carefully hold the medal he so desperately wanted, but never thought he would receive. Snape stared at the Order of Merlin for several moments until Dumbledore's voice broke through his reverie,

"Severus? Anything to say?"

Finally Snape looked up, cursing inwardly when tears suddenly blinded his vision. He was working hard to control his wild emotions and thoughts and tried to hold back his tears. He would not cry over a simple award. An award that meant more to him than he would ever admit. Despite his efforts, silent tears rolled down his face and Snape managed to ask,

"How? I thought Fudge made it clear that someone like me would never be worthy of such praise."

Blue eyes went dark for a second before they filled with their own tears. Dumbledore closed his hands over the slightly trembling ones still cradling the Order of Merlin in disbelief. He waited until the surprised wizard could meet his gaze before answering,

"Fudge was more receptive to the idea when I spoke to him at length about you and your accomplishments. Of course I also told him the Daily Prophet would be very interested in hearing what I had to say, but at that point he had already agreed. You deserve this Severus, you out of any of us, and it is my honor to present it to you."

Snape stared again at the Order of Merlin, a slight smile working its way across his face as the impact of such an award finally managed to sink into the former spy's mind. He clutched the medal to his chest and the smile grew even wider.

"At least I didn't have to suffer through one of those long, boring ceremonies with sentimental speeches and everyone wanting to shake your hand."

"Oh, I can still organize one for you if you want Severus." Dumbledore replied with a smile of his own. "But you know I would have to give one of those sentimental speeches."

"NO! Merlin no! I'm perfectly happy right now." Snape quickly said. Black eyes went soft as he gazed at his friend and mentor. "I don't think I have ever thanked you properly for all that you have done for me over the years. So thank you Albus, thank you for this and everything else."

"You are most welcome Severus." Dumbledore answered sincerely.

The wizards sat side by side in the boat until the sun began its descent from the heavens. They watched as brilliant oranges, purples and reds splashed across the darkening sky like paint on a canvas. Stars slowly appeared above them and twinkled like a certain pair of kind blue eyes.

Dumbledore put his arm around the other and Snape gave a little sigh of contentment before snuggling down, sparkling black eyes happily watching the stars appear. The older wizard smiled and felt truly happy for the first time in years. The wizarding world was at peace, the future looked bright and he had accomplished what his heart had vowed to do in a hospital room months ago. He had freed Severus from the darkness and healed him with the power of light and love.

The long road to recovery had finally reached its end.

TBC

(Passes out the Kleenex) Only one more part to go! I'm getting teary-eyed just thinking about writing it, let alone posting it. I've enjoyed writing this so much and you readers are simply the best! I've loved reading each and every review and your support has only encouraged me to write even more fics. The prequel will be a one shot about the night Snape was discovered as a spy and so far I'm titling it 'The Risks of Espionage,' look for it soon. Anyway, as always, let me know what you think!