Disclaimer: Same as the site's disclaimer
I'm sincerely sorry for the massive delay. I hope you're still interested. To all who reviewed: I'm ecstatic with appreciation! As always, replies at the end.
Quick A/N: Due to a high fever, our favourite Potion's master is suffering from delirium in this chapter, so I'm forewarning you of slight deviations in his character.
Chapter 7: Conversations with a Weasley
Present
Molly quickly pulled her hand away from Snape's burning arm, her body trembling. What had she just seen? Closing her eyes, she ran her fingers through her hair. So much blood—she had never seen so much.
She cautiously opened her eyes and looked down at the Potion's master. A tear ran down his face and his hands gripped the sheets tightly. Barely audible words escaped his lips but Molly knew exactly what he was saying. She had seen the little five-year-old pleading with his mother's lifeless body. "You said you loved me. Why would you leave me?"
Dropping her head into her hands, she silently begged her body to stop shaking.
She knew there was an easy explanation to why she had been privy to the memory he was reliving. He was a powerful wizard and a practiced Occlumens, constantly hiding his memories from others. Thus, in his weaken and feverish state, those memories broke free. The images running through his mind became hers the instant she elicited physical contact with him. Unlike Legilimency, she had no control of what she saw; she only saw what he saw.
The moment his memory invaded her mind, she was transfixed. She couldn't let go of his arm. A part of her wished she had not seen the horrific memory. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep for days. How could such a small child suffer through all that in such a short time? She thought of her own children. Tears stained her cheeks. What would she have done in his mother's position? No, she refused to think about it.
She dipped a cloth in a basin filled with cold water and brought it to Snape's forehead. She hesitated, not wanting to be pulled into his nightmares again. "Come on Molly, collect yourself." She knew that this type of uncontrolled magic was unpredictable. For all she knew, the next time she touched him nothing would happen.
Molly sighed in relief as her mind stayed clear after placing her hand on his arm. She couldn't help seeing the small boy when she looked at Snape. Her motherly instincts wanted to collect the man into her arms, as if he were still a child and comfort him. Who held him when he was scared growing up? Not his father, she thought angrily.
She squeezed the cloth viciously over the basin, barely hearing the sounds coming from the living room.
xxxx
Sera quickly grabbed the edge of the table to prevent from falling over. She hated traveling by portkey—it just wasn't meant for clumsy people.
She looked pensively around the dark room. She could feel magic trapped inside the walls—dark magic. She unconsciously wrapped her arms around herself. Why would Dumbledore bring her brother to such a dark place?
"This is where you've brought Severus?"
Dumbledore nodded. "He's safe here."
"But where is he?"
"He'll be in—." Someone rushed out of a room down the hallway, interrupting him.
"Albus!" Molly's voice barely disguised her distress. "A house elf brought Severus here."
"Where is he?" Sera cried, impatiently.
Molly paused, looking at the young woman suspiciously. "Who in Merlin's name are you?"
"Molly, this is Severus's sister, Seralina. She'd like to see him."
Molly raised an eyebrow, surprised. Unwillingly, images of a lifeless woman, drenched in blood entered her mind. How was this possible? "Er, right this way."
Sera felt her heart clench as she set eyes on her unconscious, feverish brother. "Oh Severus," she exclaimed as she ran to his side. She grabbed his hand and winced. He was so hot and his breathing so ragged.
Dumbledore frowned. "What did the healer say?"
Snape's body convulsed in a series of wracking coughs.
"He has pneumonia."
"But that can be easily treated," said Sera, hopefully.
"Unfortunately, not this particular type," explained Molly, regretfully.
Dumbledore sighed. "Sera, you have to tell me what Severus told you."
"This is all your fault!"
"Sera, please."
"He said…he said that…You Know Who is planning attacks on Diagon Alley and Hogsmead—."
Molly clasped her hand to her mouth in shock.
"Don't leave me," rasped Snape.
Dumbledore's eyes darkened.
"And an Azkaban breakout," she added, grabbing the towel from the basin at the bedside and running it across Snape's forehead. "Shh, it's ok Severus."
"Molly, I trust you to take care of Severus…and Sera," started Dumbledore.
Sera shot him a nasty glare.
"Yes, of course," Molly replied faintly.
"I must contact the others."
xxxx
"Let me take him home, to my place," pleaded Sera, who had taken Molly's seat beside Snape.
Molly snapped out of her thoughts—thoughts of her husband, sons and friends walking into a planned Death Eater raid. She shivered. "I cannot do that."
"Who are you, anyway? What right do you have?" she snapped angrily.
"I'm Molly Weasley."
A Weasley, she thought. She'd heard of them—a prominent pureblood family, poor but prominent—
blood traitors according to most of Severus's former associates. She shut her eyes. Why was she fooling herself? He probably never cut ties with them in the first place, to ensure his return to the inner circle in case the situation called for it.
"Sera?" came a weak voice.
"Severus, I'm here," she assured, taking a hold of his clammy hand.
"Sera, do you remember what I taught you?"
Molly looked over at Sera, perplexed. Sera's confusion showed clearly on her face.
"Do you remember," he asked more desperately, before reeling in a fit of coughs.
Sera lifted his head and brought a glass of water to his lips. "Severus, what do you mean?"
Snape gulped down the water slowly. "Remember what I taught you to write? 'Come home right away.' Can you spell that, Sera?"
Realization dawned on her. She closed her eyes, trying to prevent the tears from breaking away. "He's delirious," she explained.
Molly nodded slowly. "I've tried everything to bring the fever down. Nothing's working."
"Remember how to spell it. Don't forget, Sera. It's important."
"I never forgot," she said, dabbing the damp cloth on his neck.
"Good," replied Snape, his tense muscles relaxing.
"I never had to use it, though. You came home anyway," she whispered, sniffling softly.
Snape squeezed her hand weakly. "I'd never let anyone hurt you."
"I know," she agreed softly, no longer able to control her emotions.
Molly stood at the door, riveted. What was transpiring in front of her was obviously part of a memory. Snape was confusing the past with the present. Her hands began to shake again. What other painful memories could this man have?
"Please let me take him home. At least he'll be surrounded by people who care about him," begged Sera, again.
"I care," Molly said, jerkily.
Sera narrowed her eyes. "Of course," she muttered, sarcastically under her breath.
Molly raised an eyebrow. She could certainly see the family resemblance.
"I have to make some arrangements. My children are at a friend's place. May I use the fireplace?"
"I'll come with you."
Sera grumbled and patted Snape's hand lightly. "I'll be back."
Snape did not respond, unaware of his surroundings. He held a distant expression, his ragged breathing and incessant coughing echoing through the otherwise silent room.
xxxx
Molly stood uncomfortably near the stairwell in the living room as Sera talked to her ex-husband through the fireplace. Instinctively, she felt she could trust the girl but she knew what Dumbledore meant by, 'Take care of Sera.' Her privacy had to be forsaken in favor of the Order's protection.
"Luke, just for tonight—I'm not asking for much."
"Why can't you bring the children to Severus's place or take him to yours. I wanted some time to myself."
Sera snorted, unwomanly and rolled her eyes—more like time with some woman. "I can't and besides do you want the girls to get sick?"
"Where are you?" he asked suspiciously.
"None of your business."
"How do I know that he's actually ill? Maybe you just want to hit the pub for a drink or twenty," he shot nastily.
"How dare you," she snapped, clenching her fists tightly, preventing herself from slapping him through the fire. "That was vile."
Luke sighed. "I'm sorry. Sure, I'll take the kids."
"Thanks," she spat angrily, cutting the floo connection and storming away.
"Certainly has a temper," muttered Molly, following her back to the room.
xxxx
Snape lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling.
"The other day, this numskull in my class melted his hundredth cauldron. I've kept count. Can you imagine? A hundred cauldrons!"
"You kept count?" asked Sera, stifling a chuckle. She knew he was still delirious but she decided to humour him.
"Albus is always berating for my treatment of Longbottom and Potter and actually, the Gryffindors in general."
"That's nothing new. You've giving them special treatment since your first year as a professor.
"Ah, but now I have proof of their idiocy. They're imbeciles, all of them—Longbottom, Potter, Weasley, even Grange—." He stopped abruptly, interrupted by a fit of coughs.
Sera quickly glanced over at Molly and unsurprisingly, Molly's expression was less than pleasant.
"Er…"
"And now Albus wants me to admit them all into my NEWTS potions class. It's ludicrous—'Melt your hundredth cauldron and you'll be accepted into an advanced potions class.'"
"I'm going to fix him something to eat," Molly said, curtly, leaving the room without another word.
Suddenly Snape started heaving. He bent over in pain, the hacking cough returning with full force.
"Oh Merlin!" exclaimed Sera, her eyes scanning over the various potions aligned along the bedside table.
His cough seemed to subside slightly, replaced with uncomfortably rapid, shallow breathing. She lifted his head and brought a vial to his lips. "Drink this."
Snape accepted the cool liquid without question and soon his breathing seemed less painful and his eyelids grew heavy.
"Get some rest, Severus," she whispered, worry sketched across her face.
She kissed him lightly on the forehead before leaving the room. She didn't know why, but she felt like she had to defend her brother's behaviour to Molly. After all, Molly seemed to care genuinely about Severus.
Sera found the kitchen easily by following the sound of water running over clanking pans. Molly was by the sink, scrubbing the pan viciously. Sera stood in the entrance contemplating whether to interrupt the older woman or not.
Deciding against it, she turned around. It's not a big deal anyway, thought Sera, why should I care what she thinks?
The sound of scrubbing stopped. "Sera, did you want something?" asked Molly.
Sera twirled back, startled. "Uh, I would like a glass of water."
Molly nodded, taking a glass out from a cupboard.
"The fever is making him delirious, you know. Honestly, he would never keep count of something as absurd as how many cauldrons a student melted. He has more important matters on is mind than that," offered Sera as Molly handed her the glass.
Molly sighed. "I know that but it doesn't change the fact that he has spent the last fourteen years terrorizing my children and their friends."
Sera sat down at the kitchen table and stared into the water. "It's not that simple," she muttered.
Molly scooted into a chair opposite to the pale-faced woman. "I know."
Tension hung in the air as the two women sat silently.
"I never understood Severus," began Molly, breaking the silence.
"Few do."
"I took him at face value—a vindictive, bitter man who frightened children. I never questioned his motives for joining You Know Who or his reason for switching sides unless it was in light of potential treason."
"Have you people have been accusing him of treachery?" Her tone was low and dangerous, her eyes glittering angrily. "After all this?"
"It was wrong of us. I'm not saying that there is no merit to the concern, it's only natural for us to be wary of..." Molly's voice trailed off.
Sera knew what would fit perfectly into the redheaded women's unfinished sentence—an outsider. She wasn't sure she would be able to control her anger; it didn't take much for Sera to guess what these people thought of him.
"A former Death Eater," mumbled Molly.
"Former is the key word here," she shot, hotly. "What about the merit of having the courage to turn his back on the most ruthless wizard of our time? That holds no value?"
"Some are unconvinced that he has truly turned his back on Him."
"You can't be serious. Can you not see how much pain he's in? Do you honestly think he does it for fun?" She couldn't understand why Severus continued to act as these ungrateful people's double agent.
"It can be argued that He Who Must Not Be Named treats all his followers mercilessly."
"I'm not going to sit here and listen to this shite!" she snapped, pushing her chair back.
"But I'm starting to see past his vindictiveness," hurried Molly.
Sera looked at her skeptically.
"I was wrong to judge him based solely on his behaviour. It's obviously a façade. Maybe it's his way of protecting himself"
Sera didn't say anything. Her relationship with Severus had always been an exception to the way he interacted with people. Sera was convinced that his attitude towards others was indeed an act to protect himself when he was younger. But he had spent so much time and energy being contemptuous that it was now part of him.
"Though I wish he would treat Harry and Neville better. They've lost their parents at such a young age and Harry's relatives are rather awful. I know you and your brother lost your mother at a young age—he should underst—." Molly stopped abruptly, knowing she had said too much.
Sera could see pain etched across Molly's face. "Excuse me?" What did this woman know about their family?
"I'm sorry."
"Where did you learn this?" she asked, suspiciously.
"I…I…"
"Severus and I have the same father but different mothers. Who told you that welost our mother?"
Molly raised an eyebrow. "I misinterpreted…"
"Misinterpreted what?"
"It happened before you came." Molly hesitated. "Severus was fitfully sleeping…I touched his arm and suddenly these images invaded my mind…"
Sera's eyes widened. Severus would despise this invasion of privacy. "What did you see?"
Molly dropped her head, tears threatening to break free again. "A little boy and his mother, happily enjoying each other's company until his father…" The words were stuck in her throat. "And then…she was…dead…she…she killed herself."
Sera looked away. Her bottom lip trembled and she placed her hand over her mouth to hide her emotions. Her mother had told her about Maureen's suicide. She had been very young but she understood the direness. Her mother had gloated over the death of Severus's mother. It made her sick.
"Harry and Severus have both lost their mothers and left in the hands of unloving relatives. If only he could see that."
Sera shook her head but continued to look away. "It's not the same."
"But—."
"No, you can't compare the two situations. The Potters died protecting their son, Severus's mother abandoned him—left him unprotected. She claimed to love him but then knowingly left him to the likes of…of our father.
Sera brushed her tears away and looked at Molly.
"Can you imagine what that must be like? What damage it would cause a five-year-old child? He can't mourn her like Harry Potter can. She chose to leave him in an unloving world."
"You're right," agreed Molly, dejectedly.
"I'm not saying that one situation is better than the other, I'm just saying that they're not comparable."
"From now on, things will be different."
Sera snorted. "Don't make promises you can't keep."
Molly put a comforting hand over Sera's hand but Sera drew away. She pushed her chair back and walked to the doorway facing the living room, her arms crossed.
"I wish people would stop judging him. They don't know him. They don't know what he's capable of," she whispered. Severus could have left her if he wanted, like his mother left him. Yet, he didn't. He always took care of her, always protected her.
Sera leaned against the doorway while Molly sat at the kitchen table, both lost in thought. Suddenly, a young, fuchsia-haired woman tumbled out of the fireplace, crashing into a chair, followed closely by a slew of other people.
"Oh no," muttered the woman, looking at a draped portrait.
"BLOOD TRAITORS! FILTHY HALFBLOODS!"
"Damn portrait," cursed a man, rushing over to portrait to draw back the curtain that had flown open.
A small stampede of teenagers sprinted down from the second floor in midst of the commotion.
"They're back," exclaimed Molly, jumping up and running over, her eyes scanning for her husband and sons, anxiously.
Sera stayed where she was, glaring into the scene transpiring before her.
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Any feedback would be truly appreciated.
Again I'm truly sorry about the delay…with writer's block and midterms galore, it was inevitable. I hope to the next chapter up much sooner! Hope you'll stick around for it.
Due to my writer's block, this chapter didn't turn out as well as I would have liked. As this is my first Snape-centric fic, I'm slightly unaware of what is liked or not. Please tell me what you think, even if you didn't like it. I know it was a lot of conversation. Tell me what you think and how I can improve.
Note (about Sera) I know this chapter had a great deal of Sera and I know that OCs are not always liked. I assure you that Snape is the most important character and Sera is just a very important part of his life (even the scene with her ex-husband relates back to Snape).
Their relationship is always much closer than sister/brother relationships I read about (without bordering on incest, which this definitely is not!) but I have my reasons behind that. Their relationship is an exception to his interaction with others for a reason.
Most people seem to like her but if you're becoming weary of her character, I will reduce her role. Just let me know.
Review Replies
Silverthreads: I'm glad that it didn't appear overdone! I was worried about that. It's unfortunate that children usually blame themselves for their parents actions and I can't agree more…there isn't a punishment greater than his mother willingly leaving him. I found the chapter very hard to write because of the emotion involved. Thanks so much for your wonderful review! Weasleygirl-ca
bird: That's the beauty about fanfiction, isn't it? We can explore characters more in-depth than JKR does. Flow is such an important thing that is so hard to keep when I write. It's nice to know that it's working. Thanks so much! Weasleygirl-ca
XiaoGui: I'm blushing! I'm so glad to hear that my flow and characterization are doing well. It's a chapter by chapter process, isn't it? Every chapter I have to make sure everything is right and I'm sure I slip all the time but hopefully get back on track. I have painted Moody as a real arse…I'll have to remedy that eventually. The flashback was very hard for me to write. The handshake game is actually something I saw in a Disney movie—Parent Trap. You might have guessed that I'm a movie goer, hehe. I really liked the idea and it helped to show his relationship with his mother. I hope you like the little Sera/Snape interaction. I promise, the next chapter will have more not-delirious!Snape. Thanks for your always wonderful reviews! Weasleygirl-ca
DarkDancer: I've been evil in making Moody so horrid…maybe he'll come around. Thanks for the review! Weasleygirl-ca
Marauder3Moony: I wasn't much of a fan of the Order when reading the book—they should have told Harry the things he needs to know. And I can't see them taking warmly to Snape right away. Severus will get better, eventually ;). Thanks so much! Weasleygirl-ca
Oya: That's exactly what I was trying to get across…to her, her pain is greater than her love and that can only cut deep for a small child. Moody is definitely going to hear form Dumbledore and Sera…she can be scary just like her brother :). Thanks for the great reviews! Weasleygirl-ca
cupotrevor: Ooo! Thanks! I'm so glad you like it. "Very moving", thank you so much! Weasleygirl-ca
risi: Ouch! That would really hurt! Both Dumbledore and Sera will get to 'chat' with Moody :D. Thanks so much for always reviewing! Weasleygirl-ca
Morena Evensong: I love your short reviews, they're just so lovely and long :D! Oh, the child psychologist thing—I'm a psych major and I want to be a child psychologist of psychiatrist so chatting with him is just great! I'm glad you like my depiction of Molly—I think Molly and Sera will get along in the long run. I'm also happy you like Sera. Is it ok that this chap had a lot of her? I liked the blackmailing too—if you're related to a Slytherin, you have to have some of those qualities (look at Sirius). Yeah, I think being in Ravenclaw is best for Sera's daughter…things could get awfully complicated if she were in Slytherin or worse, Gryffindor. Sorry to make you procrastinate (isn't it so much fun, I do it too often, lol). Thanks so much for the wonderful review! Weasleygirl-ca
Jenray Lee: Hehe, I like the wooden stick image. I hope I can continue to capture character personalities. Thanks so much for the review! Weasleygirl-ca
Asha Ice: I'm so embarrassed, you're right…it was Crouch not Moody…I always forget that even though I know GoF well. Anyway, hopefully my Moody will come around. Oh and 'ca' stands for Canada (.ca comes at the end of Canadian urls), where I'm from. Thanks so much for the review! Weasleygirl-ca
Me: I know, very depressing—it was hard for me to write. I would love to slap a few characters now and then…oh, if only I could. Thanks so much for the review! Weasleygirl-ca
Phinea Rogue: Yeah, I'm a psych major and I want to be a child psychologist or psychiatrist so I find it very interesting to talk to him. I've got a very bad picture of his father in my head…don't like him. You'll see more of him but again I don't like him. He's nothing like your Snape Sr. Now there's an amazing complex character, I love him! I loved the blackmailing Sera thing…after all she's a Snape, like you said. Yeah, I'm trying very hard not to let her fall into Mary Sue-ness, because I like how her character came out. Molly is a great character…I know she can be overbearing but she's a compassionate person. Writers are so evil to Severus, I guess I'm no exception, lol. Thanks for your always amazing reviews! Weasleygirl-ca
saphirefox: Thanks so much! Weasleygirl-ca
hulahula: Sigh, I love your reviews! Cliché, I know…I hope I can still make it good, though kind of cliché. Yup, the little Snape crying in the corner is definitely a déjà vu. Oh, I love that you mentioned the kids/Molly interaction…I liked that part a lot…very Molly. I think some DEs are very smart (after all, Snape was on of them), but most are stupid…following some 'Dark Lord' around like his puppy, yuck. Don't worry about the criticism—I'm glad you mentioned it. It's important for improvement—I tried to fix the Molly thing in this chapter, which was hard because she did see Snape's memory but thank you very much! Hmm, I've never heard of Brokaw the reporter. Here in Canada, we have Paul Mansbridge…I guess all countries have those exceptional media guys. It's really important, isn't it? I'm glad that it sends a 'we can trust' message though, he's a good healer. Thanks for you always stunning and constructive reviews! Weasleygirl-ca
Rachel: Thanks so much! I hope you like the rest. Weasleygirl-ca
Carpathia: Oh, thank you so much for you're compliment! I'm glad you like. Severus needs some love, doesn't he? I guess he makes it hard for himself but still. Thanks so very much! Weasleygirl-ca
Purple Raveness: It was very hard to write. Thanks! Weasleygirl-ca
Lilith11: This chapter was indeed very difficult to write. Molly's a great character, even if she's overbearing. Thanks so much! Weasleygirl-ca
Knitekatz: Yup, Moody is in for a few words from a couple of people. The next chapter has more on the rest of the Order. I'm glad you liked the part with the kids—it was fun to write. Molly sure is the Mother Hen—great descriptor. Hope you like the rest. Thanks so much! Weasleygirl-ca
blind4seer: Thanks! Weasleygirl-ca
