Out of the Clear Blue Sky
Chapter Ten - A Wedding
A/N: I'm sorry this took so long! I had a severe case of writer's block regarding this story, which wasn't helped by all the other fic ideas I was getting. Here it is, though, at last.
"You may kiss the bride." Tracey smiled as Alastor Moody and Poppy Pomfrey shared their first kiss as man and wife. Poppy's face shone with her love for him and he didn't look quite so intimidating when he gazed upon his new wife.
When Alastor and Poppy turned to their guests, they were practically mobbed. Xiomara and Griffith led the charge, congratulating the newlywed pair. Minerva and Sylvia weren't far behind. Others followed, milling around the small courtyard as tables of refreshments appeared, courtesy of the house-elves. Tracey hung back, waiting to congratulate them. Finally, everyone else in attendance had congratulated the couple, so Tracey stepped forward. "Congratulations, Poppy, Mr. Moody."
Poppy smiled and hugged the smaller witch. "Thank you, Tracey."
Alastor's hand, though callused and scarred, shook hers firmly. "You may call me Alastor if you wish, Miss Cooper."
"Only if you'll call me Tracey," she countered, smiling up at him.
His smile broadened. "Deal."
Tracey excused herself and wandered over to one of the refreshment tables. Nearby, Xiomara and Griffith sounded like they were having a heated debate. "I don't like him, Ro, not one bit."
"Well, that doesn't matter, Griffith," Xiomara hissed at him, yellow eyes flashing. "You haven't been here for the last five years, so it's really none of your business."
He winced as if she had struck him. "Do you _have_ to keep bringing that up? I said I was sorry, what more do you want?"
She turned away from him, folding her arms tightly across her chest. "Griffith, I wish we could go back to the way things were five years ago, but we've both changed. You weren't there when I needed you. He was. What more can I say?"
Tracey quietly slipped away. "Ah, Tracey, how are you?"
She smiled up at her father. "Just fine, Professor."
He studied her face for a moment. "Are you sure?"
She nodded. "Yes, Professor."
He opened his mouth to reply, but a commotion near the newlyweds distracted them. Turning, Tracey was surprised to see Severus Snape and Griffith Hooch with their wands drawn, facing each other down, much as she imagined Severus and Sirius had not long ago. Xiomara was standing between the two and looking furious. "Will you two just stop it? This is NOT the time or place for this!"
Albus stepped forward, his face and voice grave. "Griffith, Severus, Xiomara, all three of you, please come with me."
Eyeing each other warily, both men lowered their wands and followed Albus out of the courtyard. Xiomara stalked after them, stiff-legged, and her jaw set. Poppy and Alastor followed their progress with worried eyes. Minerva walked over to them and engaged them in a quiet conversation. The happy atmosphere now spoiled, the guests began to leave. Tracey sighed and, casting a glance back at the newlyweds, left as well. She was not prepared to be snatched and have a sack thrown over her head.
* * *
"I'm surprised at you, Severus," Albus began once all four of them were in his office. "You know better than the rest of us how important it is to enjoy what happiness we can at this time." The Potions Master said nothing, meeting the Headmaster's gaze without flinching. Albus turned to the other culprit. "Griffith, whatever possessed you to confront Severus? And during a wedding, too!"
Griffith's blue-gray eyes were flashing. "He's seduced my sister, Sir."
"He did not, Griffith!" Xiomara exploded angrily. "How many times do I have to tell you?"
Albus held up a hand. "Xiomara, please." Glaring at her brother, Xiomara stalked over to stand beside Severus' chair, a small hand on his shoulder. "Griffith, I have long been aware of their relationship and the...unusual circumstances surrounding it. As long as it does not interfere with their abilities to perform their duties as Potions Master and Flight Instructor, I will not interfere. I ask that you refrain from interfering as well."
Griffith surged up from his chair. "Headmaster, he is a Death Eater. How can you trust him?"
"I am no longer a Death Eater," Severus quietly informed the other man, rising from his chair as well. "I turned my back on Voldemort a long time ago, Hooch."
Albus glanced at Severus before adding, "At my request, he has been reporting on Voldemort's activities to me."
Xiomara stepped forward and grasped her brother's hands. "Griffith, please, don't be like this. If anyone has a right to be protective of me, it is Alastor. As it is, he isn't. He understands. Please, try to understand. I don't want to lose contact with you for another five years."
Griffith's gaze was sad when he met Xiomara's. "I'm sorry, Xiomara."
She watched, tears welling in her eyes, as he quietly turned and left. Severus grasped her shoulders and she blindly turned to him, burying her face in the front of his robes. "Oh, Sev."
Nodding to Albus, Severus gently guided the flight instructor out of the office. After they were gone, Albus sank heavily into his chair. The day that had started so happily was rapidly going downhill. And it wasn't even half over.
* * *
Minerva frowned as she walked through the corridors. Something wasn't right. Turning a corner, she nearly ran into Sarai. "Sorry, Aunt Minerva."
"It's alright, Sarai," Minerva replied. She took a closer look at her niece's face. "Is something wrong?"
"I can't find Tracey," Sarai explained. "I saw her leave the courtyard, but that was several hours ago."
Minerva frowned. "I saw her leave as well. It's not like her to disappear."
"Should we tell the Headmaster?" Sarai asked her aunt.
Minerva nodded. "Yes, he should be made aware of the situation."
They met Albus just outside the stone gargoyle. "Minerva, Sarai," he greeted them, and then noticed their faces. "What's wrong?"
Sarai nodded at Minerva. "Miss Cooper is missing, Albus. She left the wedding reception, but I have not seen her since."
"Neither have I," Sarai volunteered, "and neither has anyone else I've asked."
The grave look on Albus' face turned to one of almost panic, but only Minerva was able to read it, having worked with him for so long. Withdrawing his wand, he cast a Locator spell. It came back negative. "Either she doesn't want to be found, or someone doesn't want her to be found."
Minerva frowned. "What should we do, Albus?"
"Look for her, of course," he replied, stowing his wand in his robes. "We shall have to split up." He looked at Minerva. "I take it Poppy and Alastor are no longer here?"
Minerva raised an eyebrow at him. "Once the last of their guests were gone, they left as well."
Albus nodded. "I thought as much. Sarai, search the grounds." The youngest of the three nodded and left at a brisk pace. "Minerva, search the lower floors of the castle."
"Where will you search, Albus?" Minerva asked.
"I shall search the upper floors," he told her. Minerva nodded and left. Sighing, Albus started searching for his daughter. "Tracey, where are you?"
* * *
The young lady in question was struggling furiously in her captor's grasp. The cloth was pressed against her mouth, so the sounds she made were muffled. "Calm down," her captor's voice was, surprisingly, low and melodious. "I'm not going to hurt you." She struggled even harder, not believing him. They stopped moving and she was set on her feet. The moment the sack was removed from her head, she tried to bolt, but a leash-type spell yanked her back to her captor. Wincing, she finally looked up at the person who'd kidnapped her.
Her eyes widened. He was a foot taller than she was and gaunt, with shaggy unwashed tawny hair and haunted blue eyes. His robes were ragged and filthy. "Are you Stewart Pomfrey?"
He blinked and stared down at her. "Who?"
"Stewart Pomfrey," she clarified, studying his face closely. "Poppy Pomfrey's older brother."
He gazed down at her blankly for a moment before lifting his gaze and staring in the direction they'd come. "I...can't remember."
Tracey watched him for a moment. She was sure he would be quite handsome once he was cleaned up and filled out a little. "Do you remember anything?"
"I remember Hogwarts," he admitted, "and a man who is like a brother, but isn't. Two, actually: one older, one younger."
Tracey thought for a moment before she figured out whom he meant. "Griffith Hooch and Alastor Moody."
He blinked again. "Hooch..." his voice trailed off. "...Ro."
She stared at him, confused for a moment. "Oh! Xiomara."
He nodded, staring into the distance. "Yes, 'Mara."
"Why did you kidnap me?" she asked him after a long moment.
The haunted gaze came back down to her. "To bring them to me, to my territory."
"Why?" she asked, puzzled. "Why not just ask to speak with Dumbledore?"
"Because bringing them to me is an advantage," he explained patiently. "I know my territory, they don't."
"Hagrid knows the Forbidden Forest better than anyone," she rejoined. "What do you want, anyway?"
"I want my life." His eyes became angry. "I can only remember bits and pieces of my life before I was kidnapped."
"Kidnapped?" she asked, startled. "Poppy said you were reported dead."
He snorted. "Probably because they never found my body."
Tracey nodded. "Yes. From the amount of blood and the lack of a body, they could only assume you were dead."
He sighed. "Great." He rubbed his face with a hand. "It doesn't mean I can just waltz back into Hogwarts."
"You're not guilty of anything except being dead, Stewart," Tracey countered. "The worse that would happen is that Poppy would Bat Bogey Hex you real good."
He blinked down at her a third time, and then winced. "I remember a few that were rather...unpleasant."
Tracey couldn't help herself. She giggled. He stared at her for a moment before a grin spread across his face. Eventually, she managed to calm down. "Please, Stewart? I'm sure Poppy would love to know you're alive after all. And Alastor, Griffith, and 'Mara."
He studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Very well. We shall go to Hogwarts."
* * *
Minerva was just descending the marble staircase leading up from the entrance hall when the oak front doors swung open to reveal two figures silhouetted by the bright day outside. One was tall and thin, the other was small and slender. "Who are you?"
"Relax, Professor," the first voice was that of Tracey Cooper, sending a flood of relief through the Deputy Headmistress. "It's just me."
"Miss Cooper?" Minerva asked, descending the stairs the rest of the way as the oak doors swung shut behind the two, allowing her to see both. The hand on the banister suddenly tightened around it, her other hand coming up to cover her heart. "Stewart? Stewart Pomfrey?"
He stared at her blankly before drawing in a sharp breath. "Min."
She blinked back tears as she nodded, not trusting her legs to carry her the remaining distance between them. "You're supposed to be dead."
Remaining by the doors, he shook his head. "I'm certainly not dead, although my memories are shot to hell. I can only remember bits and pieces."
"It's rather obvious that you are _not_ dead, Stewart Pomfrey." Minerva's composure was slowly returning and she crossed the entrance hall to the older man. "_How_ did you manage to survive?"
"I'd like to see Poppy first," he replied, looking around. "Where is she?"
"On her honeymoon," Minerva told him.
"Honeymoon?" he asked. "It's taken her this long to marry Alastor?"
Minerva smiled slightly. "Yes, it has."
He sighed. "Can I at least get cleaned up?"
Minerva nodded. "You'll need to speak with Albus first."
"Oh." He blinked. "Right. Well, lead the way."
"Miss Cooper, could you please come with us?" Minerva asked.
"Of course, Professor."
* * *
Albus shut the classroom door behind more forcefully than he intended, but he had a good reason. His daughter was missing and he was no closer to finding her than he had been when he began his search several hours ago. "Albus."
He turned to see Minerva hurrying toward him, Tracey in tow, and a young man who was supposed to be dead. "Stewart?"
When the three came to a stop in front of the Headmaster, Stewart nodded. "Yes, Professor. I didn't die, I was kidnapped."
"Does anyone else know?" he asked, looking from one face to the next, hiding his relief that his daughter was safe.
Minerva shook her head. "No, we didn't see anyone on our way to see you. Not even Xiomara or Griffith."
"I'm afraid that's because Griffith has already left," Albus informed them.
"Why?" Stewart asked, puzzled.
Albus sighed. "He doesn't approve of the man Xiomara is currently dating."
Stewart staggered, shock registering on his face. He slowly slumped to the floor in a dead faint. "Stewart!"
"Why would Xiomara dating another man upset him, Professor?" Tracey asked Minerva as the older witch conjured a stretcher and levitated Stewart onto it.
"Because Stewart has a crush on Xiomara," Minerva explained as they started towards the hospital wing.
Tracey glanced at her father. "Mr. Hooch doesn't approve of Professor Snape?"
Albus shook his head. "I'm afraid not. From what I understand, she has lost contact with him once again."
A determined look appeared on her face. "Excuse me, I have a letter to write."
She left. Albus looked at Minerva. "What was that all about?"
Minerva shrugged. "I have no idea, Albus."
Chapter Ten - A Wedding
A/N: I'm sorry this took so long! I had a severe case of writer's block regarding this story, which wasn't helped by all the other fic ideas I was getting. Here it is, though, at last.
"You may kiss the bride." Tracey smiled as Alastor Moody and Poppy Pomfrey shared their first kiss as man and wife. Poppy's face shone with her love for him and he didn't look quite so intimidating when he gazed upon his new wife.
When Alastor and Poppy turned to their guests, they were practically mobbed. Xiomara and Griffith led the charge, congratulating the newlywed pair. Minerva and Sylvia weren't far behind. Others followed, milling around the small courtyard as tables of refreshments appeared, courtesy of the house-elves. Tracey hung back, waiting to congratulate them. Finally, everyone else in attendance had congratulated the couple, so Tracey stepped forward. "Congratulations, Poppy, Mr. Moody."
Poppy smiled and hugged the smaller witch. "Thank you, Tracey."
Alastor's hand, though callused and scarred, shook hers firmly. "You may call me Alastor if you wish, Miss Cooper."
"Only if you'll call me Tracey," she countered, smiling up at him.
His smile broadened. "Deal."
Tracey excused herself and wandered over to one of the refreshment tables. Nearby, Xiomara and Griffith sounded like they were having a heated debate. "I don't like him, Ro, not one bit."
"Well, that doesn't matter, Griffith," Xiomara hissed at him, yellow eyes flashing. "You haven't been here for the last five years, so it's really none of your business."
He winced as if she had struck him. "Do you _have_ to keep bringing that up? I said I was sorry, what more do you want?"
She turned away from him, folding her arms tightly across her chest. "Griffith, I wish we could go back to the way things were five years ago, but we've both changed. You weren't there when I needed you. He was. What more can I say?"
Tracey quietly slipped away. "Ah, Tracey, how are you?"
She smiled up at her father. "Just fine, Professor."
He studied her face for a moment. "Are you sure?"
She nodded. "Yes, Professor."
He opened his mouth to reply, but a commotion near the newlyweds distracted them. Turning, Tracey was surprised to see Severus Snape and Griffith Hooch with their wands drawn, facing each other down, much as she imagined Severus and Sirius had not long ago. Xiomara was standing between the two and looking furious. "Will you two just stop it? This is NOT the time or place for this!"
Albus stepped forward, his face and voice grave. "Griffith, Severus, Xiomara, all three of you, please come with me."
Eyeing each other warily, both men lowered their wands and followed Albus out of the courtyard. Xiomara stalked after them, stiff-legged, and her jaw set. Poppy and Alastor followed their progress with worried eyes. Minerva walked over to them and engaged them in a quiet conversation. The happy atmosphere now spoiled, the guests began to leave. Tracey sighed and, casting a glance back at the newlyweds, left as well. She was not prepared to be snatched and have a sack thrown over her head.
* * *
"I'm surprised at you, Severus," Albus began once all four of them were in his office. "You know better than the rest of us how important it is to enjoy what happiness we can at this time." The Potions Master said nothing, meeting the Headmaster's gaze without flinching. Albus turned to the other culprit. "Griffith, whatever possessed you to confront Severus? And during a wedding, too!"
Griffith's blue-gray eyes were flashing. "He's seduced my sister, Sir."
"He did not, Griffith!" Xiomara exploded angrily. "How many times do I have to tell you?"
Albus held up a hand. "Xiomara, please." Glaring at her brother, Xiomara stalked over to stand beside Severus' chair, a small hand on his shoulder. "Griffith, I have long been aware of their relationship and the...unusual circumstances surrounding it. As long as it does not interfere with their abilities to perform their duties as Potions Master and Flight Instructor, I will not interfere. I ask that you refrain from interfering as well."
Griffith surged up from his chair. "Headmaster, he is a Death Eater. How can you trust him?"
"I am no longer a Death Eater," Severus quietly informed the other man, rising from his chair as well. "I turned my back on Voldemort a long time ago, Hooch."
Albus glanced at Severus before adding, "At my request, he has been reporting on Voldemort's activities to me."
Xiomara stepped forward and grasped her brother's hands. "Griffith, please, don't be like this. If anyone has a right to be protective of me, it is Alastor. As it is, he isn't. He understands. Please, try to understand. I don't want to lose contact with you for another five years."
Griffith's gaze was sad when he met Xiomara's. "I'm sorry, Xiomara."
She watched, tears welling in her eyes, as he quietly turned and left. Severus grasped her shoulders and she blindly turned to him, burying her face in the front of his robes. "Oh, Sev."
Nodding to Albus, Severus gently guided the flight instructor out of the office. After they were gone, Albus sank heavily into his chair. The day that had started so happily was rapidly going downhill. And it wasn't even half over.
* * *
Minerva frowned as she walked through the corridors. Something wasn't right. Turning a corner, she nearly ran into Sarai. "Sorry, Aunt Minerva."
"It's alright, Sarai," Minerva replied. She took a closer look at her niece's face. "Is something wrong?"
"I can't find Tracey," Sarai explained. "I saw her leave the courtyard, but that was several hours ago."
Minerva frowned. "I saw her leave as well. It's not like her to disappear."
"Should we tell the Headmaster?" Sarai asked her aunt.
Minerva nodded. "Yes, he should be made aware of the situation."
They met Albus just outside the stone gargoyle. "Minerva, Sarai," he greeted them, and then noticed their faces. "What's wrong?"
Sarai nodded at Minerva. "Miss Cooper is missing, Albus. She left the wedding reception, but I have not seen her since."
"Neither have I," Sarai volunteered, "and neither has anyone else I've asked."
The grave look on Albus' face turned to one of almost panic, but only Minerva was able to read it, having worked with him for so long. Withdrawing his wand, he cast a Locator spell. It came back negative. "Either she doesn't want to be found, or someone doesn't want her to be found."
Minerva frowned. "What should we do, Albus?"
"Look for her, of course," he replied, stowing his wand in his robes. "We shall have to split up." He looked at Minerva. "I take it Poppy and Alastor are no longer here?"
Minerva raised an eyebrow at him. "Once the last of their guests were gone, they left as well."
Albus nodded. "I thought as much. Sarai, search the grounds." The youngest of the three nodded and left at a brisk pace. "Minerva, search the lower floors of the castle."
"Where will you search, Albus?" Minerva asked.
"I shall search the upper floors," he told her. Minerva nodded and left. Sighing, Albus started searching for his daughter. "Tracey, where are you?"
* * *
The young lady in question was struggling furiously in her captor's grasp. The cloth was pressed against her mouth, so the sounds she made were muffled. "Calm down," her captor's voice was, surprisingly, low and melodious. "I'm not going to hurt you." She struggled even harder, not believing him. They stopped moving and she was set on her feet. The moment the sack was removed from her head, she tried to bolt, but a leash-type spell yanked her back to her captor. Wincing, she finally looked up at the person who'd kidnapped her.
Her eyes widened. He was a foot taller than she was and gaunt, with shaggy unwashed tawny hair and haunted blue eyes. His robes were ragged and filthy. "Are you Stewart Pomfrey?"
He blinked and stared down at her. "Who?"
"Stewart Pomfrey," she clarified, studying his face closely. "Poppy Pomfrey's older brother."
He gazed down at her blankly for a moment before lifting his gaze and staring in the direction they'd come. "I...can't remember."
Tracey watched him for a moment. She was sure he would be quite handsome once he was cleaned up and filled out a little. "Do you remember anything?"
"I remember Hogwarts," he admitted, "and a man who is like a brother, but isn't. Two, actually: one older, one younger."
Tracey thought for a moment before she figured out whom he meant. "Griffith Hooch and Alastor Moody."
He blinked again. "Hooch..." his voice trailed off. "...Ro."
She stared at him, confused for a moment. "Oh! Xiomara."
He nodded, staring into the distance. "Yes, 'Mara."
"Why did you kidnap me?" she asked him after a long moment.
The haunted gaze came back down to her. "To bring them to me, to my territory."
"Why?" she asked, puzzled. "Why not just ask to speak with Dumbledore?"
"Because bringing them to me is an advantage," he explained patiently. "I know my territory, they don't."
"Hagrid knows the Forbidden Forest better than anyone," she rejoined. "What do you want, anyway?"
"I want my life." His eyes became angry. "I can only remember bits and pieces of my life before I was kidnapped."
"Kidnapped?" she asked, startled. "Poppy said you were reported dead."
He snorted. "Probably because they never found my body."
Tracey nodded. "Yes. From the amount of blood and the lack of a body, they could only assume you were dead."
He sighed. "Great." He rubbed his face with a hand. "It doesn't mean I can just waltz back into Hogwarts."
"You're not guilty of anything except being dead, Stewart," Tracey countered. "The worse that would happen is that Poppy would Bat Bogey Hex you real good."
He blinked down at her a third time, and then winced. "I remember a few that were rather...unpleasant."
Tracey couldn't help herself. She giggled. He stared at her for a moment before a grin spread across his face. Eventually, she managed to calm down. "Please, Stewart? I'm sure Poppy would love to know you're alive after all. And Alastor, Griffith, and 'Mara."
He studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Very well. We shall go to Hogwarts."
* * *
Minerva was just descending the marble staircase leading up from the entrance hall when the oak front doors swung open to reveal two figures silhouetted by the bright day outside. One was tall and thin, the other was small and slender. "Who are you?"
"Relax, Professor," the first voice was that of Tracey Cooper, sending a flood of relief through the Deputy Headmistress. "It's just me."
"Miss Cooper?" Minerva asked, descending the stairs the rest of the way as the oak doors swung shut behind the two, allowing her to see both. The hand on the banister suddenly tightened around it, her other hand coming up to cover her heart. "Stewart? Stewart Pomfrey?"
He stared at her blankly before drawing in a sharp breath. "Min."
She blinked back tears as she nodded, not trusting her legs to carry her the remaining distance between them. "You're supposed to be dead."
Remaining by the doors, he shook his head. "I'm certainly not dead, although my memories are shot to hell. I can only remember bits and pieces."
"It's rather obvious that you are _not_ dead, Stewart Pomfrey." Minerva's composure was slowly returning and she crossed the entrance hall to the older man. "_How_ did you manage to survive?"
"I'd like to see Poppy first," he replied, looking around. "Where is she?"
"On her honeymoon," Minerva told him.
"Honeymoon?" he asked. "It's taken her this long to marry Alastor?"
Minerva smiled slightly. "Yes, it has."
He sighed. "Can I at least get cleaned up?"
Minerva nodded. "You'll need to speak with Albus first."
"Oh." He blinked. "Right. Well, lead the way."
"Miss Cooper, could you please come with us?" Minerva asked.
"Of course, Professor."
* * *
Albus shut the classroom door behind more forcefully than he intended, but he had a good reason. His daughter was missing and he was no closer to finding her than he had been when he began his search several hours ago. "Albus."
He turned to see Minerva hurrying toward him, Tracey in tow, and a young man who was supposed to be dead. "Stewart?"
When the three came to a stop in front of the Headmaster, Stewart nodded. "Yes, Professor. I didn't die, I was kidnapped."
"Does anyone else know?" he asked, looking from one face to the next, hiding his relief that his daughter was safe.
Minerva shook her head. "No, we didn't see anyone on our way to see you. Not even Xiomara or Griffith."
"I'm afraid that's because Griffith has already left," Albus informed them.
"Why?" Stewart asked, puzzled.
Albus sighed. "He doesn't approve of the man Xiomara is currently dating."
Stewart staggered, shock registering on his face. He slowly slumped to the floor in a dead faint. "Stewart!"
"Why would Xiomara dating another man upset him, Professor?" Tracey asked Minerva as the older witch conjured a stretcher and levitated Stewart onto it.
"Because Stewart has a crush on Xiomara," Minerva explained as they started towards the hospital wing.
Tracey glanced at her father. "Mr. Hooch doesn't approve of Professor Snape?"
Albus shook his head. "I'm afraid not. From what I understand, she has lost contact with him once again."
A determined look appeared on her face. "Excuse me, I have a letter to write."
She left. Albus looked at Minerva. "What was that all about?"
Minerva shrugged. "I have no idea, Albus."