Ch 7. A Father's Love
"...Police have no leads in the death of Cornelius Fudge they are telling us however the wounds to his neck are like no other..." Remus turned off the TV normally he enjoyed watching the morning news with Netis however now he had a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"Netis I've got to go talk to Albus, Fudge is the Minister for Magic. You're welcome to come with me but we have to go now." It's been three weeks since Remus told her he as a wizard. She was shocked at first but looked at this as a good experience. Remus grabbed her around the waist and apperated to Hogsmeade.
Within moments they reached the castle and under normal circumstances they would have stood looking at it for a long while today however they went straight to Dumbledore's office. Before Remus could utter this weeks candy password Albus appeared before them.
"I know Remus, I'm on the way to collect Kegan now." Remus and Netis followed in case they were needed.
Nothing could have prepared them for the scene they walked into as they descended the stairs and turned into the Great Hall. Kegan was standing next to the fireplace holding the Daily Prophet, the normally docile gold in her eye's shining with fury. Dumbledore ducked as a bolt of lightning barely missed him. It was then he noticed Fred and George Weasley on the floor. Luckily the rest of the student body wouldn't return until tomorrow. Albus turned to ask Remus to fetch Poppy but saw him hurriedly leaving the room in the direction of the hospital wing.
Harry who'd been playing chess in the next room with Ron was now running towards Kegan as she collapsed on the floor, Ron and Draco hurriedly approached the fallen Weasley twins.
"Everyone remain calm let's get these three into the hospital wing." Poppy said surveying the Great Hall to be sure the others were okay. Up in the Hospital Wing, Kegan was given a reviving potion and rest before she was released while the twins remained unconscious. Kegan wandered around the halls not really going anywhere it wasn't until she ran into Peeves she realized how close she was to Severus' office but she knew he wasn't there.
Over the summer he'd become a father to her, a real father, not the kind that leaves you in a hotel and forgets you exist. 'I wish he was here now.' The murderous look she gave Peeves insured she'd be left alone. Not that she wanted to be alone she wanted Severus. It's been a long time since she felt anything for her father she'd never admit it but all she wanted was love and she found that love in Severus.
After several hours of sitting in the dungeon hallway Kegan wandered back to her common room and up to lay on her bed thinking about what she'd done to Fred and George, so much for the relationship they'd started over the summer. Kegan sat bolt upright when a soft kiss was placed on her forehead.
"Shh it's okay." A soft voice soothed her. Kegan remembered what had upset he so much the man she called father was dead this time he wouldn't come back with cheep gifts and rushed hellos, he was really gone and the only thought running through Kegans mind is what happens to her now?
It's not that she didn't care that he had died because she did, but she didn't feel the way a daughter should and she felt guilty because of it. She was startled by gentle strong arms wrapping around her, she'd forgotten someone was there with her. This was her father, this was the first person to care about her future.
"You know I told myself he'd never make me cry again." Kegan said as she buried her head in Severus' black robes. Severus held her until her tears subsided she felt safer than she ever had before. "What would you like to do for your last day of summer freedom?" She pulled away from his comforting warmth.
"Can we go see Fred and George?" Severus stood and pulled Kegan to her feet and began leading her to the Hospital Wing. Neither of the twins had moved but Poppy assured her they only needed time for their minds to slow down.
"Why don't you talk to them, it might make you all feel better." Poppy suggested and Kegan went to George's side while Severus and Poppy went into the office.
"George I'm so sorry, I never meant to lose control of my magic I was just so angry at him. Sure he's left me before but he's always come back. I can't say I'll miss him, does that make me sound awful? Of course it does! However, there is one ray of sunshine in all this you two, I still have hope that I haven't messed up our relationship to badly." Kegan was lost in thought she hadn't noticed Fred moving until he wrapped his arms around her.
"No harm done love, we got some well needed sleep." George whispered as Severus returned and stood watching them remembering how Harry had fainted when he found out about their relationship.
Merlin the fight that followed! Of course he didn't believe him and Albus for all his vast knowledge seemed to think he could hold his temper he had thought he knew everything and in time he did learn to control the feelings of his past. It took time but slowly he would come to the dungeon after classes to ask questions about the past.
His open curiosity got the better of him, Severus had told him about his mother and even 'that insufferable werewolf' and 'the mangy mutt'. When he told Harry about Kate and Julie the fights had started all over again. It wasn't until Harry finally calmed down that Severus could explain that Julie was in no danger from Death Eaters because she was female. Again in time Harry began coming back to the dungeons bringing his books to study and before summer holidays started Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had become permeate fixtures in his study.
Severus idly wondered if they would return this year with reinforcements. He was already sure Draco and Kegan would come down there, maybe even Fred and George could manage to stay out of trouble.
He was pulled from his reverie by Netis' voice as she talked to Remus at the other end of the Hospital Wing, what made that insufferable werewolf bring a muggle to the castle he didn't know if he were being truthful he would admit he and Remus were getting along a lot better since seeing each other at the hotel yesterday.
FLASHBACK
"But dad why do we have to go stay with Granddad at the castle?" Harry whined.
"Because your mother and I want a night together before term starts. Now does everyone have everything?" Eleven heads nodded and they were off. After dropping the children off Severus and Kate checked into a hotel in muggle London.
"Oh Severus this is a beautiful room." Kate stood just in the door Severus' arms holding her to his chest taking in a large four post Mahogany bed, silk Sapphire sheets and thick charcoal black comforter. To their left stood a large Mahogany plated fireplace with a charcoal squashy sofa trimmed in Sapphire turned to face the golden flames crackling in the hearth. Nudging Kate towards the sofa Severus called room serves ordering Champaign and strawberries all the time thanking his son for teaching him about muggle devices.
Severus and Kate were involved in heavy kissing when room serves arrived. 'Curse muggles for not being as efficient as house elves' and spent the rest of their evening in each others company.
They dressed in muggle formal attire, picked out by the children and went to dinner. The restaurant was cast in the warm glow of candle light flickering on each table and a large candelabra hanging over the dance floor. After an elegant diner and light conversation Severus' tuxedo clad figure took Kate's hand leading her to the dance floor her Silver Jessica McClintoc ball gown rustling around her. They danced till nearly sunset and decided to end the evening with a dip in the pool.
"Remus what the hell are you doing here?" What does that insufferable wolf think he's doing? Severus was livid he'd always admired Remus for living with something like being a werewolf but now he questioned that respect.
"Not that it's any of your business but I'm spending time with my fiancé." Well he had taste at least in women.
"Kate perhaps you should take Netis to see your anniversary gift...he bent to her ear... ward yourselves in apparently Remus has forgotten what time of month it is." Severus instructed looking at a horror struck Kate as she realized the date.
"Oh yes you must see it this man is so romantic." Kate said as they walked off chatting.
"I don't know what you think you're doing but I'll kindly ask you to stay out of my life." Severus steeled himself preparing to try discreetly hexing Remus. "I take no pleasure in disrupting your love life but I assume you've not told her you're a werewolf, please tell me you didn't forget your potion." Remus was about to reply when Fudge joined them.
"Ah I see I'm not the only one needing a get away." He didn't seem to notice the stiff stance of his companions.
"Minister, how nice to see you but I'm afraid the girls are waiting for us." Severus' attempts to bow out gracefully went unnoticed by Fudge.
"Ah where are your delightful companions?" Fudge asked. Remus stiffened further trimmer beginning his transformation.
"They're..." but it was to late Remus let out a howl of pain. The transformation was instant and before Severus could get his wand aimed Remus advanced on Fudge claws shredded his jugular. Finally getting aim Severus put the wolf in a full body bind turning to Fudge he made the wound look more like a knife had done it then pushed the Minster into the pool.
"Ok Remus lets get you out of sight." Severus heard a menacing growl as he scooped the wolf up recasting the body bind to be safe. Knowing Kate took Netis to their room he took Remus to his own room warding it closed. He staged the vest of the night whispering soft words of comfort praying to any deity listening that Remus could hear him. Just before dawn Severus cast one last body bind then left warning Remus in and returned to his own room. Netis was sleeping on the couch under Kate's watchful eyes.
"Everything go ok?" Wearily he nodded. "He wont remember anything let's get Netis back to him before he wakes up and then go tell Dumbledore what happened." Severus looked forlorn at the bed picked up Netis and returned her to a sleeping Remus. They returned to Hogwarts and Severus recanted his story.
END FLASHBACK
"Severus, what will happen to him?" Netis asked. He was taken back a moment just how much does this muggle know? "I'm not a muggle..." at his quizzical look she continued... "I'm a witch, I'm also a mind reader. Please don't tell anyone at least not until I find my family." He nodded confirming his silence.
"Well I really can't tell you what will happen to him however I'm sure Albus will do everything he can to help." They stood side by side in silence watching the hospital wings occupants as George stirred.