Chapter 4
The Return of a Fallen Hero
***
Rebecca Jameson lead the way after Albus Dumbledore into his Office followed by Harry Potter, and the young woman took into view of all the artifacts that the Head Master had on display inside of the ancient room. It almost reminded her of Harry's House in main London where he had lived with his wife, Cho Potter, for the first six years after Graduation. Harry and Cho had got together nearly after Voldermort had been defeated. They had been very happy up until Cho had fallen in love with a young Muggle Baseball player, Owen Henray. Cho had left Harry sighting she had been bored in the Marriage and wanted a Man who could excite her.
Rebecca, in her years as Harry's partner in the Ministry, had always thought Harry as nothing less than exciting. With every Dark Wizard and surviving Death Eater trying to do him in every few years, how could anyone get bored in his company?
Albus soon took his seat and began to explain his theory on how Severus Snape could still be alive.
"Severus casted a very powerful spell that would have pulled anything into the other Dimension within ten feet of the spell at the very least," Albus explained quickly. "Even himself!"
"But you told Hermione that Voldermort casted the Death Curse on Snape before he vanished," Potter snapped, anger rising on behalf of his friend who had suffered so cruely in her loss. "How could you have told her that if you weren't certain?" He then demanded.
"How could I 'have not' Harry?" Dumbledore asked in matter of explaining. "Lucius Malfoy had declared Severus dead with a very impressive lie. He had even fooled Hermione into accepting his story. How could anyone not have done the same?"
"But you don't make mistakes!" Harry argued.
"I did this time, Harry," Albus smiled sadly. "Even Wizards are capable of screwing up. It's not limited to the Muggle World I'm afraid."
"When did you suspect that Malfoy was wrong?" Harry asked curiously. The annoyance still clear in his voice.
"Severus' screams were heard yesturday in the Dungeons by the new Caretaker," Albus replied. "It sounded as if he was calling for someone from somewhere far away."
"So," Rebecca quipped. "Maybe the old Git is haunting the place?"
Harry shot her a look that said 'not now'. Rebecca held her head low to her feet.
"How do you think it's other wise, Professor?" Harry asked.
"Because Severus explained it all to me, of course."
"What?"
"He was using a whispering spell from where ever he is," Albus began shortly. "And when it is heard here, it is heard as a scream."
"Oh." Harry replied. He still had no idea what was going on.
***
In the depths of a dark and wet place, a man sat laying in a heap on the cold ground. His breathing was shallow as his body grew weaker from having to breath the cold and bitter air for so many years. In fact, his body was slowly dying.
Somewhere from deep inside of himself he brought the power within to finally make a last effort in trying to escape this hellish place.
And in that last effort, someone had finally answered him back.
"I'm alive?"
"I think so, my friend."
"Hermione...where is my beloved?"
"Things have changed here Severus."
"Is she all right?"
"Yes."
"Tell her I'll be with her soon. I think I finally figured out how to get back!"
"That is wonderful news, my friend. But are you aware of the risks?"
"What risks?"
"The spell you used also casted Voldermort out of this dimension. If you reverse the spell you might send him back here as well or instead of you."
"I never considered that. But Albus, I can't be without her forever. It's been hours already. Hermione must think that I'm dead by now."
"No, my friend. Hermione has thought you dead for some time."
"What are you saying?"
"You've been in the other dimension, Severus, for the last eleven and a half years."
"Oh, no."
"Oh, yes, my friend. Hermione has moved on in her life. You must accept that."
"Moved on with who?"
"Just return to her, my friend. She can tell you the rest. She's been waiting by those Doors for you for over eleven years, Severus Snape. Don't make the poor dear wait any longer."
"I won't. I'll see you all soon. I hope."
"I hope so too."
***