A/N: OK, this is a turning point in the story... it's a bit violent, and
angsty (but it'll get worse in the next chapters, don't worry), but I think
the rating holds.
Just a warning: I won't be able to update next week, so this is all you have for now (it's long and action-packed, so don't complain too much). I'll be gone for a week in a Cartography fieldtrip, and if I survive the hellish heat (here in Spain it can get hot), the ten-hours-a-day walks and trying to write the report afterwards, I'll update as soon as I come back.
Feed you good karma writing a review!!!
FAMILY MATTERS
PART XII
"Are you sure this is wise?" asked Severus Snape for the umpteenth time; his expression was probably as sour as it was when Sirius Black had escaped, his stance was tense and he was apparently preparing himself for a nasty blow.
"Well, whether either of us think this is wise or not, I don't know and I don't care," replied Svetlana, getting ready herself, putting utmost care in every little detail "but we have to do it. There's no choice"
"You could kill me instead. I'd go to Hell and you'd go to Azkaban, but I'm sure it'd be much better than *this*..." proposed Severus, earning a glare from his wife
"Oh, don't think I wouldn't! Only that your beloved employer would be dreadfully disappointed if we should fail to attend his Halloween dinner" Svetlana finished checking her reflection in the mirror and turned to her husband, who was regarding her curiously.
Life in the dungeons had acquired a varnish of normality after the argument Siena had witnessed. Both spouses had decided to ignore their differences for the moment, guilt attaining what their combined consciences couldn't, although it didn't mean that a few heated words wouldn't be crossed from time to time. Still, the situation was controlled enough for them to share a casual joke and, like in this case, make their appearance together at the Halloween Feast, Dumbledore's latest idea for raising school morale. A banquet held in the Great Hall, with students, staff and families invited; anyone who was anyone would be there, and that was basically the only thing (along with a subtle threat from the Headmaster) that had prompted Severus Snape to don his dress robes and accompany his wife to the party.
With the expression of a couple walking towards their deaths, Severus and Svetlana Snape made their way to where the hubbub of people could already be heard. There was going to be a cocktail before the actual dinner, but Severus had managed to arrive late enough for this preliminary to be almost over by the time he and his wife made their entrance into the beautifully decorated hall. Svetlana secretly loved the expectation, the festive atmosphere, the excuse to dress up (not that she needed a excuse) and the thrill of the multitude, but she didn't want to appear frivolous in front of her husband, so she remained impassive. As soon as they entered they drifted apart, Severus going to a corner, to glower at the happy people who dared enjoy the season in his presence, and Svetlana making her way towards Mandy McGonagall and her group of protégés.
Once Svetlana was settled in her position, she let her gaze wander around, taking in the sight of the youngsters trying to grab a glass of wine from the house-elves (who were authorised by the Headmaster to give pig-ears to any under-age wizard or witch found with alcoholic drinks), Seamus and Dean spiking the pumpkin juice at the Gryffindor table (and being given an extra set of ears in the process), the whole Weasley family looking like a bonfire on a corner of the room, the rich Slytherin parents standing aloof in a corner...
"Fancy meeting you here" said a cheerful voice by her side, distracting her just when she was about to spot Lucius and Narcissa. Svetlana turned her head to see who had spoken to her and found a good-looking man about forty- years-old, with deep-blue eyes, long black hair and a hearty smile "Do you remember me? Diagon Alley, almost two years back, we met in Flourish and Boot's... you were looking for a present for your son and I was looking for a present for my god-son, and we got to talking" Svetlana raised an eyebrow and didn't answer: she remembered, it had been very difficult to shake the enthusiastic Sirius Black off her back "The first beautiful woman I met after my trial, I shall never forget! But I don't remember your name, maybe you could..."
"I don't believe she wants to talk to you" snarled Snape, appearing suddenly from behind his wife and taking her arm possessively. Sirius, too angry at the interruption, didn't register the actual words but only the challenge implied in them.
"What are you doing here, Snape?!" exclaimed the Marauder, frowning at the Potions Master "I don't remember asking *you* anything; go and stick your overlarge nose in *your* own business, and leave this lady alone" Svetlana, remembering that not long before she had said similar words to Snape, and enjoying the argument quite a bit, remained silent.
"This lady you are bothering happens to be called Mrs Snape: she is my wife, and even your underdeveloped intelligence will agree that she *is* my business and not yours" said Severus softly. An expression of smugness shone in his black eyes at Sirius' open-mouthed surprise, and he led an unresisting Svetlana towards Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.
"I was going to warn you, Siri" said a breathless Harry, who had run across the Hall to try and avoid the confrontation. "I just didn't think you'd try to talk to her..."
"His *wife*?!" squeaked Sirius, looking completely flabbergasted.
"You look very much like Ron when he found out" snorted Harry, looking at his godfather's expression.
"His wife?" repeated the older wizard with desolation.
"See that little boy by the Slytherin table? That's their son, and there's also a little girl..."
"Snape? Married? With children?" The Marauder seemed on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
"Don't take it to heart, Siri, I'm sure you'll manage to do that someday too" said Harry, the implied insult erased by the toothy grin he was sporting.
"Talk to me about something else entirely, or I may be ill" said Sirius, trying to unglue his eyes from where Severus, still giving his arm to Svetlana, was talking to Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.
"Come on, Siri, it's not that bad, even Ron can look at them and not throw up!" exclaimed Harry with a bit of impatience "Besides, I'm worried about something else entirely..."
"What is it? A girl?" asked his godfather eagerly, looking around as if he expected to see a girl with a sign saying 'I'm Harry Potter's love interest'.
"No, Siri, it's all this" said Harry, motioning at the partying crowd "It seems too good of an opportunity for Voldemort to ignore, don't you think so? I mean, one really big curse, and he'd wipe out half of our side"
"And a fair bit of his" said Sirius, signalling to the Slytherin side of the Hall.
"Mmm, maybe that's true, but I can't help thinking he's going to try something. It's just too tempting..." said Harry, still unconvinced.
"Maybe that is Dumbledore's idea. A bait and catch red-handed whoever tries to do anything. I bet he's giving an extra keen look to those Slytherins in the corner" Sirius reached forward to grab a canapé, and Harry scanned his surroundings worriedly.
"I hope you're right..."
Conversation was picking up again between the guests after the tables had been cleared away a few minutes before and hundreds of armchairs had descended from the walls to replaced them, causing a bit of a disarray between the company while they set; now coffee and cognac were being brought out after the copious dinner, and the atmosphere was relaxed once again.
A shrill scream broke the air and attracted everyone's attention. The fourth-year Hufflepuff who had screamed did it again, and those who were closer to her went over to see the source of her distress; the door the girl had been trying to go through swung completely open by the wind and the crowd stopped.
"Merlin's beard!" exclaimed a fat wizard, father of a sixth-year Ravenclaw, his rubicund face becoming ashen when he saw what had made the girl scream. The Hufflepuff backed away from the doorway and fainted in the arms of Professor Sprout, who stood open-mouthed before the gruesome display.
Mandy McGonagall hung from a black rope around her neck, blocking the doorway. Her face was intact and her hands fell to her side, one still clutching her wand, but what called for attention was a large piece of parchment attached to her chest, with an announcement written in what looked like blood: HOGWARTS IS NOT SAFE ANYMORE.
A few moments went in silence before Dumbledore, his arm around Professor McGongall's shoulder, made an announcement.
"Please, nobody leave the Hall. Is everyone in here? Gather in groups, I want to see if someone else is missing" There was an immediate chaos as everyone tried to find their loved ones.
"Siena!" cried Svetlana all of a sudden, pushing Serguei into Severus's arms and running to the doorway; in the middle of the way, she turned towards the Headmaster, her eyes brimming with tears "Professor, I have to see my daughter, I left her alone in her quarters..." her voice broke, and Dumbledore nodded heavily, calling for the house-elves.
"Dobby, go with Mrs Snape to the dungeons, and take care of her. Winky, go to Professor Vector's quarters and check on Mrs Vector and the babies" ordered the old wizard to the house-elves. "Everyone else, please remain where you are. Is there someone missing?"
Svetlana advanced through the crowd that opened up for her, but her eyes were too full of tears to see anything. When she reached the doorway, she hesitated for a moment in front of the dead body giving a final look to one of her only friends. Gently pushing the corpse aside with her left hand, and trying not to look at the way it swung back on forwards in front of her, she went through; her first steps were leaden and hesitant, but she soon broke into a run. She made it to the dungeons in record time and gave a sigh of relief at finding the wards intact and her daughter sleeping soundly.
"Siena!" she said, hugging her with all her might; the sleepy girl returned the hug and clung to her mother's neck as if sensing her anguish. Svetlana just leaned back in the bed with her daughter in her arms and a few tears down her cheeks, the shock and adrenaline burst taking their toll, but Dobby gave a small cough.
"If Mrs wants to go to the Hall again, Dobby will goes with her. Dobby is not leaving Mrs alone"
"Yes, let's go, I suppose the Headmaster wants us all there" She started the way back to the Great Hall "Elf, is there another way in that is not through *that* door?"
"No, Dobby is afraid there isn't more doors" nodded the house-elf solemnly.
"Close your eyes, Siena" instructed Svetlana, covering with her own hand the sleepy eyes of the girl. That's how they crossed Mandy's dead body again. A few steps further in, an Auror was asking for everyone's wand.
"Everyone, please, collaborate" said a loud voice, belonging to one of the Ministry officials that had arrived to set order in the commotion. "Give your wand and name to the Aurors, who will perform the 'Prior Incantate' charm and give your wand back immediately. Nobody will be allowed to leave the Hall until he or she has done this. I repeat..."
Svetlana just walked towards Severus, the only figure she could make out amongst the crowd, and allowed her relieved husband to deposit her in an armchair. She barely noted she was crying, too preoccupied with holding Siena and Serguei close to her, and sensing Severus nearby.
"You wands, please" said a young Ministry official. Snape gave him a glare and his wand (which produced a reshuffling of ghost papers), Serguei did exactly the same, with the added bonus of a scowl (a smoky Jelly-Legs hex flew through the air, and the boy found the courage to smirk), and Svetlana also drew hers from the special pocket in her dress robes (the shadow of a Hair-Curling charm appeared). "Professor Snape, Mrs Snape and Serguei Snape, is that it? Very well, your wands are clear, thank you very much..."
Svetlana raised her big blue eyes, made bigger by the tears, towards her husband; she was holding Siena, and Severus had one hand on Serguei's shoulder, who, for once, didn't appear to resent his father's presence or touch. Unspoken words passed between the two spouses.
"Seriozsha, sweetheart, tonight you'll sleep in my room" said Svetlana, reaching out and tucking a strand of his hair behind his ear
"But, mother.." Complained the child half-heartedly.
"No arguments. I didn't ask you, I told you" The tone was clear, and Serguei shrugged his consent; he wouldn't deny that he felt much safer with his mother.
"I told you!" exclaimed Harry over and over again; pale with shock, The Boy Who Lived paced a corner of the Great Hall. Hermione was accompanying Professor McGonagall to the Infirmary with the help of Madam Pomfrey, but the rest of the gang was assembled there, including Sirius, to whom this remark was directed. "All of us gathered here, partying and drinking, almost with a big neon-sign flashing over our heads: 'Attack us'"
"Neon-sign?" asked Ron; Harry shrugged the question off.
"Your wands, please" said another Auror, giving them a tense smile. One by one, all of them complied, receiving the clearance quickly. Mr Weasley, who had gone off to speak to one of his colleagues, returned, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"Absolutely unbelievable!" he exclaimed "I simply cannot believe this! The whole Hall is in hysterics, I've overheard at least ten parents talking about moving their children to Drumstrang, and the Ministry has the closing sign ready to hang it in the same doorway in a matter of days!"
"Arthur!" reprimanded Mrs Weasley "The children are listening..."
"They're not children any more, Molly" said Arthur Weasley, all the same giving them an apologetic glance "They've seen it all and more..."
"I *knew* something like this was bound to happen!" said Harry again, kicking the wall in frustration "How could I've been so stupid? I should have talked to Dumbledore, tried to convinced him, not just..."
"It's not your fault, Harry" said the Headmaster, appearing suddenly and squeezing the boy's shoulder "There's really nothing that you could have done; even I had a bad inkling about this, but I though it'd be a nice opportunity to get together and relax" The old wizard sighed heavily "A most costly mistake, I'm afraid"
"How is Professor McGonagall?" asked Percy, who revered the Transfiguration teacher.
"Minerva has been taken to the Hospital Wing. She is a strong woman, but the blow has been heavy..." Dumbledore shook his head again. "Harry, Arthur, Sirius, could I see you in my office when you're able to leave the Hall? Thank you..." The Headmaster wandered off, looking for the rest of the members of the Order to tell them of the upcoming reunion.
The Snapes went back to the dungeons as soon as the Aurors allowed them to. Severus ushered his wife and children inside and remained in the doorway, his face a blank wall.
"I'm going to lock you in here." he announced to his family "I have to set some order between the Slytherins, but I'll be back as soon as I can. In the meanwhile, I'm going to block doors, windows, fires and set Anti- Portkey wards all around the dungeons. Will you be OK?"
Svetlana nodded timidly from where she was cradling Siena.
"We'll be fine here. Go and look after the students, and... take care, will you?" The witch didn't raise her eyes from her daughter, but she saw the raised eyebrow and hesitant nod from her husband. As soon as he closed the door and the successive wards began to shine around the wood, Svetlana adopted the protective role she let Severus sport when he was in the room. "Serguei, you'll sleep tonight in Siena's room, and she'll sleep with me. Come into my room, and stay with your sister while I fix the bed..."
Setting both her children on her bed, and feeling satisfied of the way the boy held his arms around his sister, Svetlana went into the other bedroom and started removing the fences around the cot and straightening the blankets. Between the rumpled bedclothes and underneath the pillow, a short wand (eight inches, white thorn and a acromantula's eye-nerve) appeared next to a very thin needle; completely unfazed, the witch hid both items up her sleeve and finished doing up the bed.
"Come here, Serguei. Is Siena asleep already? Don't wake her, leave her there..." The little boy obeyed and went into his sister's bedroom, where his mother was conjuring a night-shirt for him.
With his black eyes less expressionless than usual, Serguei looked up to his mother, following her movements. That simple look was enough for her to fall on her knees and hug him fiercely; although he didn't return the embrace, he allowed his mother to almost choke him to death, release him and smooth his hair afterwards.
"Leave your wand where you can reach it, Seriozsha. I'll leave the door to my bedroom open: if you need anything, want anything, or just feel like it, wake me up, all right?" recommended the witch, blinking rapidly.
"Are we going to stay here, mum?" asked Serguei, cutting short her rant.
"I don't know, Seriozsha" confessed Svetlana, sitting on her heels in front of her son "If Hogwarts is not safe anymore, I don't want to imagine the rest of places where we could go. We can't go to Russia, our house has already been ransacked, moving to Beauxbottoms or Drumstrang is not much of an option because of the money... I do suppose we'll stay here for a while, but I need to talk to your father first" The boy nodded thoughtfully, and Svetlana noted with satisfaction that he didn't frown at the mention of Severus //He's probably still in shock...//
"I'll leave the light on" said Serguei, daring his mother to make fun of him; wisely, she didn't.
"Good-night, baby" Svetlana moved into her bedroom, leaving the door ajar behind her. Giving a lingering look to the girl asleep on her bed, she moved to the wardrobe to look for her nightgown and dressing robe; then, she went to a heavy trunk laying at the foot of the bed and reached in to look for a pair of slippers. Still kneeling in front of the trunk and rubbing with her right hand the bridge of her nose, she caressed the wood on one side of the lid, the nimble fingers of her wand hand pressing the smooth expanse of polished oak, following the twists of the grain with a distracted and yet single-minded focus. After a minute of such activity, the wood quivered warmly under her touch and opened to reveal an empty compartment, its walls covered in velvet; Svetlana deposited there the wand she had found in Siena's bed and the needle, being careful not to touch the tip which still showed remains of a transparent substance, and caressed the wood closed again, leaving it flawless and apparently untouched. With a heavy sigh, she got up, wiped a stray tear from her cheek, and made her way to the bathroom to get changed.
When Severus Snape went back to his quarters, after helping Draco settle the terrified Slytherins into their dorms, set protection wards around them and try to calm the hoards of hysterical parents waiting in his office, he was pleasantly surprised to find the fire burning low, the doors to both bedrooms open, showing Serguei and Siena's sleeping forms, and Svetlana sitting at her desk, pale and yet calm, waiting with a pot full of mint tea for his return. //It almost feels like home...//
Just a warning: I won't be able to update next week, so this is all you have for now (it's long and action-packed, so don't complain too much). I'll be gone for a week in a Cartography fieldtrip, and if I survive the hellish heat (here in Spain it can get hot), the ten-hours-a-day walks and trying to write the report afterwards, I'll update as soon as I come back.
Feed you good karma writing a review!!!
FAMILY MATTERS
PART XII
"Are you sure this is wise?" asked Severus Snape for the umpteenth time; his expression was probably as sour as it was when Sirius Black had escaped, his stance was tense and he was apparently preparing himself for a nasty blow.
"Well, whether either of us think this is wise or not, I don't know and I don't care," replied Svetlana, getting ready herself, putting utmost care in every little detail "but we have to do it. There's no choice"
"You could kill me instead. I'd go to Hell and you'd go to Azkaban, but I'm sure it'd be much better than *this*..." proposed Severus, earning a glare from his wife
"Oh, don't think I wouldn't! Only that your beloved employer would be dreadfully disappointed if we should fail to attend his Halloween dinner" Svetlana finished checking her reflection in the mirror and turned to her husband, who was regarding her curiously.
Life in the dungeons had acquired a varnish of normality after the argument Siena had witnessed. Both spouses had decided to ignore their differences for the moment, guilt attaining what their combined consciences couldn't, although it didn't mean that a few heated words wouldn't be crossed from time to time. Still, the situation was controlled enough for them to share a casual joke and, like in this case, make their appearance together at the Halloween Feast, Dumbledore's latest idea for raising school morale. A banquet held in the Great Hall, with students, staff and families invited; anyone who was anyone would be there, and that was basically the only thing (along with a subtle threat from the Headmaster) that had prompted Severus Snape to don his dress robes and accompany his wife to the party.
With the expression of a couple walking towards their deaths, Severus and Svetlana Snape made their way to where the hubbub of people could already be heard. There was going to be a cocktail before the actual dinner, but Severus had managed to arrive late enough for this preliminary to be almost over by the time he and his wife made their entrance into the beautifully decorated hall. Svetlana secretly loved the expectation, the festive atmosphere, the excuse to dress up (not that she needed a excuse) and the thrill of the multitude, but she didn't want to appear frivolous in front of her husband, so she remained impassive. As soon as they entered they drifted apart, Severus going to a corner, to glower at the happy people who dared enjoy the season in his presence, and Svetlana making her way towards Mandy McGonagall and her group of protégés.
Once Svetlana was settled in her position, she let her gaze wander around, taking in the sight of the youngsters trying to grab a glass of wine from the house-elves (who were authorised by the Headmaster to give pig-ears to any under-age wizard or witch found with alcoholic drinks), Seamus and Dean spiking the pumpkin juice at the Gryffindor table (and being given an extra set of ears in the process), the whole Weasley family looking like a bonfire on a corner of the room, the rich Slytherin parents standing aloof in a corner...
"Fancy meeting you here" said a cheerful voice by her side, distracting her just when she was about to spot Lucius and Narcissa. Svetlana turned her head to see who had spoken to her and found a good-looking man about forty- years-old, with deep-blue eyes, long black hair and a hearty smile "Do you remember me? Diagon Alley, almost two years back, we met in Flourish and Boot's... you were looking for a present for your son and I was looking for a present for my god-son, and we got to talking" Svetlana raised an eyebrow and didn't answer: she remembered, it had been very difficult to shake the enthusiastic Sirius Black off her back "The first beautiful woman I met after my trial, I shall never forget! But I don't remember your name, maybe you could..."
"I don't believe she wants to talk to you" snarled Snape, appearing suddenly from behind his wife and taking her arm possessively. Sirius, too angry at the interruption, didn't register the actual words but only the challenge implied in them.
"What are you doing here, Snape?!" exclaimed the Marauder, frowning at the Potions Master "I don't remember asking *you* anything; go and stick your overlarge nose in *your* own business, and leave this lady alone" Svetlana, remembering that not long before she had said similar words to Snape, and enjoying the argument quite a bit, remained silent.
"This lady you are bothering happens to be called Mrs Snape: she is my wife, and even your underdeveloped intelligence will agree that she *is* my business and not yours" said Severus softly. An expression of smugness shone in his black eyes at Sirius' open-mouthed surprise, and he led an unresisting Svetlana towards Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.
"I was going to warn you, Siri" said a breathless Harry, who had run across the Hall to try and avoid the confrontation. "I just didn't think you'd try to talk to her..."
"His *wife*?!" squeaked Sirius, looking completely flabbergasted.
"You look very much like Ron when he found out" snorted Harry, looking at his godfather's expression.
"His wife?" repeated the older wizard with desolation.
"See that little boy by the Slytherin table? That's their son, and there's also a little girl..."
"Snape? Married? With children?" The Marauder seemed on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
"Don't take it to heart, Siri, I'm sure you'll manage to do that someday too" said Harry, the implied insult erased by the toothy grin he was sporting.
"Talk to me about something else entirely, or I may be ill" said Sirius, trying to unglue his eyes from where Severus, still giving his arm to Svetlana, was talking to Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.
"Come on, Siri, it's not that bad, even Ron can look at them and not throw up!" exclaimed Harry with a bit of impatience "Besides, I'm worried about something else entirely..."
"What is it? A girl?" asked his godfather eagerly, looking around as if he expected to see a girl with a sign saying 'I'm Harry Potter's love interest'.
"No, Siri, it's all this" said Harry, motioning at the partying crowd "It seems too good of an opportunity for Voldemort to ignore, don't you think so? I mean, one really big curse, and he'd wipe out half of our side"
"And a fair bit of his" said Sirius, signalling to the Slytherin side of the Hall.
"Mmm, maybe that's true, but I can't help thinking he's going to try something. It's just too tempting..." said Harry, still unconvinced.
"Maybe that is Dumbledore's idea. A bait and catch red-handed whoever tries to do anything. I bet he's giving an extra keen look to those Slytherins in the corner" Sirius reached forward to grab a canapé, and Harry scanned his surroundings worriedly.
"I hope you're right..."
Conversation was picking up again between the guests after the tables had been cleared away a few minutes before and hundreds of armchairs had descended from the walls to replaced them, causing a bit of a disarray between the company while they set; now coffee and cognac were being brought out after the copious dinner, and the atmosphere was relaxed once again.
A shrill scream broke the air and attracted everyone's attention. The fourth-year Hufflepuff who had screamed did it again, and those who were closer to her went over to see the source of her distress; the door the girl had been trying to go through swung completely open by the wind and the crowd stopped.
"Merlin's beard!" exclaimed a fat wizard, father of a sixth-year Ravenclaw, his rubicund face becoming ashen when he saw what had made the girl scream. The Hufflepuff backed away from the doorway and fainted in the arms of Professor Sprout, who stood open-mouthed before the gruesome display.
Mandy McGonagall hung from a black rope around her neck, blocking the doorway. Her face was intact and her hands fell to her side, one still clutching her wand, but what called for attention was a large piece of parchment attached to her chest, with an announcement written in what looked like blood: HOGWARTS IS NOT SAFE ANYMORE.
A few moments went in silence before Dumbledore, his arm around Professor McGongall's shoulder, made an announcement.
"Please, nobody leave the Hall. Is everyone in here? Gather in groups, I want to see if someone else is missing" There was an immediate chaos as everyone tried to find their loved ones.
"Siena!" cried Svetlana all of a sudden, pushing Serguei into Severus's arms and running to the doorway; in the middle of the way, she turned towards the Headmaster, her eyes brimming with tears "Professor, I have to see my daughter, I left her alone in her quarters..." her voice broke, and Dumbledore nodded heavily, calling for the house-elves.
"Dobby, go with Mrs Snape to the dungeons, and take care of her. Winky, go to Professor Vector's quarters and check on Mrs Vector and the babies" ordered the old wizard to the house-elves. "Everyone else, please remain where you are. Is there someone missing?"
Svetlana advanced through the crowd that opened up for her, but her eyes were too full of tears to see anything. When she reached the doorway, she hesitated for a moment in front of the dead body giving a final look to one of her only friends. Gently pushing the corpse aside with her left hand, and trying not to look at the way it swung back on forwards in front of her, she went through; her first steps were leaden and hesitant, but she soon broke into a run. She made it to the dungeons in record time and gave a sigh of relief at finding the wards intact and her daughter sleeping soundly.
"Siena!" she said, hugging her with all her might; the sleepy girl returned the hug and clung to her mother's neck as if sensing her anguish. Svetlana just leaned back in the bed with her daughter in her arms and a few tears down her cheeks, the shock and adrenaline burst taking their toll, but Dobby gave a small cough.
"If Mrs wants to go to the Hall again, Dobby will goes with her. Dobby is not leaving Mrs alone"
"Yes, let's go, I suppose the Headmaster wants us all there" She started the way back to the Great Hall "Elf, is there another way in that is not through *that* door?"
"No, Dobby is afraid there isn't more doors" nodded the house-elf solemnly.
"Close your eyes, Siena" instructed Svetlana, covering with her own hand the sleepy eyes of the girl. That's how they crossed Mandy's dead body again. A few steps further in, an Auror was asking for everyone's wand.
"Everyone, please, collaborate" said a loud voice, belonging to one of the Ministry officials that had arrived to set order in the commotion. "Give your wand and name to the Aurors, who will perform the 'Prior Incantate' charm and give your wand back immediately. Nobody will be allowed to leave the Hall until he or she has done this. I repeat..."
Svetlana just walked towards Severus, the only figure she could make out amongst the crowd, and allowed her relieved husband to deposit her in an armchair. She barely noted she was crying, too preoccupied with holding Siena and Serguei close to her, and sensing Severus nearby.
"You wands, please" said a young Ministry official. Snape gave him a glare and his wand (which produced a reshuffling of ghost papers), Serguei did exactly the same, with the added bonus of a scowl (a smoky Jelly-Legs hex flew through the air, and the boy found the courage to smirk), and Svetlana also drew hers from the special pocket in her dress robes (the shadow of a Hair-Curling charm appeared). "Professor Snape, Mrs Snape and Serguei Snape, is that it? Very well, your wands are clear, thank you very much..."
Svetlana raised her big blue eyes, made bigger by the tears, towards her husband; she was holding Siena, and Severus had one hand on Serguei's shoulder, who, for once, didn't appear to resent his father's presence or touch. Unspoken words passed between the two spouses.
"Seriozsha, sweetheart, tonight you'll sleep in my room" said Svetlana, reaching out and tucking a strand of his hair behind his ear
"But, mother.." Complained the child half-heartedly.
"No arguments. I didn't ask you, I told you" The tone was clear, and Serguei shrugged his consent; he wouldn't deny that he felt much safer with his mother.
"I told you!" exclaimed Harry over and over again; pale with shock, The Boy Who Lived paced a corner of the Great Hall. Hermione was accompanying Professor McGonagall to the Infirmary with the help of Madam Pomfrey, but the rest of the gang was assembled there, including Sirius, to whom this remark was directed. "All of us gathered here, partying and drinking, almost with a big neon-sign flashing over our heads: 'Attack us'"
"Neon-sign?" asked Ron; Harry shrugged the question off.
"Your wands, please" said another Auror, giving them a tense smile. One by one, all of them complied, receiving the clearance quickly. Mr Weasley, who had gone off to speak to one of his colleagues, returned, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"Absolutely unbelievable!" he exclaimed "I simply cannot believe this! The whole Hall is in hysterics, I've overheard at least ten parents talking about moving their children to Drumstrang, and the Ministry has the closing sign ready to hang it in the same doorway in a matter of days!"
"Arthur!" reprimanded Mrs Weasley "The children are listening..."
"They're not children any more, Molly" said Arthur Weasley, all the same giving them an apologetic glance "They've seen it all and more..."
"I *knew* something like this was bound to happen!" said Harry again, kicking the wall in frustration "How could I've been so stupid? I should have talked to Dumbledore, tried to convinced him, not just..."
"It's not your fault, Harry" said the Headmaster, appearing suddenly and squeezing the boy's shoulder "There's really nothing that you could have done; even I had a bad inkling about this, but I though it'd be a nice opportunity to get together and relax" The old wizard sighed heavily "A most costly mistake, I'm afraid"
"How is Professor McGonagall?" asked Percy, who revered the Transfiguration teacher.
"Minerva has been taken to the Hospital Wing. She is a strong woman, but the blow has been heavy..." Dumbledore shook his head again. "Harry, Arthur, Sirius, could I see you in my office when you're able to leave the Hall? Thank you..." The Headmaster wandered off, looking for the rest of the members of the Order to tell them of the upcoming reunion.
The Snapes went back to the dungeons as soon as the Aurors allowed them to. Severus ushered his wife and children inside and remained in the doorway, his face a blank wall.
"I'm going to lock you in here." he announced to his family "I have to set some order between the Slytherins, but I'll be back as soon as I can. In the meanwhile, I'm going to block doors, windows, fires and set Anti- Portkey wards all around the dungeons. Will you be OK?"
Svetlana nodded timidly from where she was cradling Siena.
"We'll be fine here. Go and look after the students, and... take care, will you?" The witch didn't raise her eyes from her daughter, but she saw the raised eyebrow and hesitant nod from her husband. As soon as he closed the door and the successive wards began to shine around the wood, Svetlana adopted the protective role she let Severus sport when he was in the room. "Serguei, you'll sleep tonight in Siena's room, and she'll sleep with me. Come into my room, and stay with your sister while I fix the bed..."
Setting both her children on her bed, and feeling satisfied of the way the boy held his arms around his sister, Svetlana went into the other bedroom and started removing the fences around the cot and straightening the blankets. Between the rumpled bedclothes and underneath the pillow, a short wand (eight inches, white thorn and a acromantula's eye-nerve) appeared next to a very thin needle; completely unfazed, the witch hid both items up her sleeve and finished doing up the bed.
"Come here, Serguei. Is Siena asleep already? Don't wake her, leave her there..." The little boy obeyed and went into his sister's bedroom, where his mother was conjuring a night-shirt for him.
With his black eyes less expressionless than usual, Serguei looked up to his mother, following her movements. That simple look was enough for her to fall on her knees and hug him fiercely; although he didn't return the embrace, he allowed his mother to almost choke him to death, release him and smooth his hair afterwards.
"Leave your wand where you can reach it, Seriozsha. I'll leave the door to my bedroom open: if you need anything, want anything, or just feel like it, wake me up, all right?" recommended the witch, blinking rapidly.
"Are we going to stay here, mum?" asked Serguei, cutting short her rant.
"I don't know, Seriozsha" confessed Svetlana, sitting on her heels in front of her son "If Hogwarts is not safe anymore, I don't want to imagine the rest of places where we could go. We can't go to Russia, our house has already been ransacked, moving to Beauxbottoms or Drumstrang is not much of an option because of the money... I do suppose we'll stay here for a while, but I need to talk to your father first" The boy nodded thoughtfully, and Svetlana noted with satisfaction that he didn't frown at the mention of Severus //He's probably still in shock...//
"I'll leave the light on" said Serguei, daring his mother to make fun of him; wisely, she didn't.
"Good-night, baby" Svetlana moved into her bedroom, leaving the door ajar behind her. Giving a lingering look to the girl asleep on her bed, she moved to the wardrobe to look for her nightgown and dressing robe; then, she went to a heavy trunk laying at the foot of the bed and reached in to look for a pair of slippers. Still kneeling in front of the trunk and rubbing with her right hand the bridge of her nose, she caressed the wood on one side of the lid, the nimble fingers of her wand hand pressing the smooth expanse of polished oak, following the twists of the grain with a distracted and yet single-minded focus. After a minute of such activity, the wood quivered warmly under her touch and opened to reveal an empty compartment, its walls covered in velvet; Svetlana deposited there the wand she had found in Siena's bed and the needle, being careful not to touch the tip which still showed remains of a transparent substance, and caressed the wood closed again, leaving it flawless and apparently untouched. With a heavy sigh, she got up, wiped a stray tear from her cheek, and made her way to the bathroom to get changed.
When Severus Snape went back to his quarters, after helping Draco settle the terrified Slytherins into their dorms, set protection wards around them and try to calm the hoards of hysterical parents waiting in his office, he was pleasantly surprised to find the fire burning low, the doors to both bedrooms open, showing Serguei and Siena's sleeping forms, and Svetlana sitting at her desk, pale and yet calm, waiting with a pot full of mint tea for his return. //It almost feels like home...//