.:I Apparently have too much time because I can't stop writing this story, and have nothing in the way of doing so. I need reviews and critiquing, please let me know what you think. –Katie:.
The Saints of Donovan
Chapter 3: Pandora
Severus padded slowly up a tall green hill where Father Donnellson's Orphanage and Catholic school took residence. He was garbed in Muggle clothing, a black leather jacket with khaki slacks, with a pair of black Rabans atop his silken hair. He was able to borrow a black Lexus from the Irish ministry, and driving was something that Severus, begrudgingly admitting, had missed. Muggle contraptions never really held his attentions except when it came to the car. When he got in a car for the first time in his twenties, he was exhilarated, and picked up the movements easily. When he was in a car all his worries seemed to disappear with the road he left behind him. The war, the stress, the hurt, it all left as he drove down a country road with nothing but himself and time to wash away his fears; at least for a little while.
When he reached the top of the hill he saw a lovely scene. There was small shabby church with a school building in the same general shape of the church, and a small inn looking residence. The sign over the old inn said "Father Donnellson's Children's Home" in bold blue paint that was chipped and dull from years of deterioration. Severus sighed, and walked towards the old inn, knocking on the door. A small blonde girl with an old ratty stuffed animal answered the door, her bright eyes shining inquisitively up at Severus. Severus smiled a tad and knelt down on one knee.
"Hello little lady," he said in his silky tones, "Is Father Donnellson in?" he asked. The little girl nodded and took Severus' hand, leading him into to the hall. She led him down the hall past rooms and rooms of children of all ages, a couple of nuns running about. Severus wasn't very comfortable as he was reminded slightly of Hogwarts. The little one led hi up the stairs and down another hall and where the hall ended was an office with a dark mahogany door. The little girl knocked twice and almost immediately the door was answered by a salt and pepper haired Irish man.
"Sarah…did you answer the door again?" he asked in his heavy Irish accent, his cheeks rosy as he smiled down at the preschooler. She nodded bashfully and he patted her head. Sarah skittered back down stairs as the priest turned to Severus. "Hello sir, what can I do you for?" he asked, beckoning Severus into the room. The office of Father Donnellson smelled of pipe tobacco and old spice, which bitterly reminded Severus of his own father. He took a seat across from Father Donnellson's desk and glanced quickly at the warmly decorated room.
"Well, Father, I'm here to find my son…" Severus said seriously.
**
Donovan sat on top of the roof of the church next to the bell tower, watching the last bus of the school borders leave with all their belongings. He sighed as the wind blew his hair about his face. He was alone with children now. All of his friends were gone for the summer, and he would be bored and depressed as usual. Father Donnellson would put him to work like he did every summer. It wasn't tedious or back breaking work; just jobs were just small things to keep him occupied. Still, the thought made him want to pull his hair out. It was so boring…
"Donovan!" came Father Donnellson's voice from the ground. Donovan peered over the building's edge and saw Donnellson standing with a tall lanky man with a crooked nose and glistening hair. Donovan cocked an eyebrow.
"Yes?" he yelled down.
"Get down here my boy; I want you to meet someone!" Father Donnellson said cheerily. Donovan went back into the church tower and started down the many stairs. What did this city slicker want to with him? He made his way through the altar and down the pews until he was at the church doors. Once he was there the doors opened and Father Donnellson and the man walked in, meeting him as a red sunset blazed behind them.
"Hi…" Donovan said, giving the man the once over. He was pretty ugly, but had a confident demeanor about him. Stern too.
"Hello…" Severus said, trying to sound fatherly. The boy was no boy at all; he was nearly a man. Not exactly what he had been expecting. This young man would be hard to convince.
"We have a lot to catch up on…" Donnellson smiled, leading the way into the church.
**
"So…you're my…father…?" Donovan asked, and eyebrow cocked. Severus nodded. "Why haven't you contacted me until now?" he asked bitterly, pacing the space in front of the altar.
"Well, you see, I've tried…" Severus said, looking down cast, "I've been trying for years. For the longest time I thought you dead…but I found you now, and want to be a father to you…" Severus said, breaking out his acting skills. Donovan glared at Severus.
"I don't believe you…" he said through bared teeth. He turned his back on Father Donnellson and Severus and crossed his arms. His eyes fell on the crucifix again. What if…this strange man was the answer to his prayers…what if he really was his father?
"Donovan, don't be so difficult…Who could have asked for you besides your own father. He knew your name…" Donnellson said, looking sympathetically at Severus. Severus sighed.
"Donovan…give me a year. That's all you have until you are legally a man. If you hate me, which I hope you won't, you can forget you ever knew me. All I'm asking for is that…"
Donovan continued to stare into the statue's eyes. Foreboding, the last demon in Greek mythology that Pandora trapped in her box. Famine, disease, hate, death all came out, but foreboding did not. Donovan did not know what this man held for him, but figured that God brought him into his life for a reason.
"Alright…you have a year…" Donovan said, turning around to face Severus, one hand in his pocket, the other one holding his rosary.
.: You know what that last line reminds me off? That one Alanis Morissette song…:.