Fantastic reviews. Thanks everyone. Missing FemmeLoki, anyone heard from her lately? I think the glitch in ff the other week might have disabled a few 'author alert' messages.

As warned, we take a turn down a dark alleyway with this chapter. Here's where the drama/angst bit begins that I warned you about at the beginning of this story. Hopefully you'll all be there to hold Andi's hand, though - and I promise there'll still be some light moments. Don't forget, I know how the story ends. We'll be OK.

My thanks to JessiokaFroka for Betareading. She also checked the previous chapter but I forgot to acknowledge her (blushes with embarrassment).

Chapter Seventeen

THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY

He slept late.

Poppy had given him a painkilling draft, warning it would knock him out for a while. She had been remarkably discrete, managing to understand the nature of the wound without actually asking how it had occurred. It wouldn't prevent her musing over it later though, Andi thought.

The wound had been cleaned and dressed and would heal over the next couple of weeks, but Poppy had warned it would scar.

Andi was showered, dressed and sipping a mid-morning cup of coffee. She was curled up in the armchair by the fire leafing through the book of Christmas spells Madam Pince had found for her when there was a knock at the door. When she opened it she was surprised to find Albus and Cornelius there.

"Come in." She beamed at them, giving her grandfather a kiss on the cheek "This is a nice surprise."

The two men entered the room with solemn faces.

"Is anything wrong?" Andi's stomach lurched.

"Is Severus around?" asked Cornelius.

"He's still asleep."

"I need to speak to him on a matter of some urgency."

"Is... is it bad news?" Andi looked from Cornelius to Albus and back again.

"I am afraid it is."

"I'll... I'll just get him."

She went into the bedroom and approached the bed. Severus was asleep on his back - his injured shoulder padded thickly, the arm above the covers. The other arm was flung above his head which Andi knew would
cause him pins and needles when he finally moved.

Andi stood looking at him for a while, lying peacefully, unaware that bad news awaited him. She almost couldn't do it. She wanted to leave him sleeping, protect him from any distress that was to come.

Taking his raised wrist gently in her hand, she lowered his arm to the covers and ran her hand over the hard curvy muscles of his upper arm and up to his shoulder, stroking him.

He woke slowly, still groggy from the Potion.

"Severus?" she said, softly.

"Hmmmm." He looked at her through half-open eyes.

"Severus, can you wake up please?"

"Uh... what... what is it?"

"Albus and Cornelius are here. They want to see you."

He drew his hands over his face, rubbed his eyes, and then gasped. Glancing down at his shoulder and the dressing, he grimaced. "Oh yes. I remember." His lip curled, ruefully. Then he frowned. "The Minister? What does he want?"

"I don't know," she said, "but it isn't good."

He got out of bed unsteadily. She fetched his robe and helped him into it.

Albus and Cornelius were seated at the table when they came out of the bedroom, but stood immediately.

"Severus - are you quite well?" said Albus.

"The after-effects of one of Poppy's potions, but otherwise, yes. Thank you."

There was silence. The knot in Andi's stomach tightened. What on earth were they here for?

"Would you care to sit down?" asked Cornelius, gesturing the chair.

Severus looked at him carefully. "I think I would prefer to stand" he said, slowly. "What is it you
have to tell me?"

Cornelius glanced at Albus nervously and then looked back at Severus.

"The Ministry has received intelligence that in the early hours of this morning..." Cornelius' voice faltered. He cleared his throat. "In the early hours of this morning, Snape Towers was all but destroyed by an explosion in the Main Hall. The fire quickly spread throughout the Castle. The North Tower and East wing are completely destroyed; what remains has been ransacked." Cornelius looked down at the ground, his news given.

Andi looked at Severus. He was standing quite still, as though turned to stone. His eyes did not seem to look at anything. His mouth opened slightly as though to speak, but no words came out.

"Severus, I understand you will need some time-."

"The Crypt?" said Severus, quietly.

Cornelius took a sideways glance at Albus. "Severus-"

"The Crypt, Minister," he repeated through barely moving lips.

Cornelius looked down at the ground again. "Desecrated."

Severus swayed. Andi stepped to him and held his arm, wishing she understood; wishing she knew what to do to help him.

"Sit down" she said, gently. Instead, he released himself from her and turned his eyes to the wall.

"I must go."

"Yes" said Albus. "I understand. I shall inform Tonks and Alastor, they will accompany you."

"I would rather go alone."

"Severus, you are not going anywhere without the protection of an Auror or two, least of all to the scene of an open attack."

Severus looked ready to argue, but thought better of it. "Very well. Tonks I shall accept, but not Moody. Find another if you must."

-

Severus began packing, throwing spare clothing in to a huge black Gladstone bag which, Andi noticed had the faded silver letters 'S.M.S.' pressed into the leather near the clasp. He dragged a heavy traveling cloak from the back of the wardrobe and dusted it down. His movements were stiff and every so often he would take a sharp breath as the wound in his shoulder obviously made itself known.

Andi sat on the bed, watching in silence. He hadn't explained anything that was going on, and she felt uncomfortable asking.

"Would you prefer to be alone" she asked, eventually.

"I am alone" he answered quietly, bitterly, not turning to her. "Quite alone."

She felt tears prickling her eyes. She fought the urge to go over to him and hold him. It was difficult. She wanted to tell him that he wasn't alone, that she was here for him. She wanted him to know that - why didn't he all ready know that?

She sniffed as tears trickled down her cheeks, looking away quickly as he glanced up.

"The last thing I need is an emotional female on my hands," he said, sharply.

Andi swallowed and wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand. "Sorry."

She watched him for a little while longer.

"Will you - will yoube gone long?"

"Two weeks would be a conservative estimate."

Andi said nothing, but was secretly shocked. Two weeks? What was it he had to do?

"I wish there was something I could do to help, but I don't even think I understand what exactly has happened."

"There is no reason why you should. This does not concern you."

She looked at him, unable to squash the hurt she was feeling.

"It does concern me, because it concerns you" she said, shakily. "You are obviously hurting, and I want to...oh, never mind." She got up and left the bedroom as more tears welled up.

She was busy blowing her nose when he touched her gently on the shoulder. When she turned, he guided her to the sofa and sat her down.

"Do you remember back in July I told you about a person who wanted me dead?" She nodded. "This is almost without doubt, his work. Snape Towers has been in my family for nine generations, and now he has destroyed it. I have to go and rescue whatever I can - paperwork, records of importance..."

"Can't I do anything to help?"

"Yes," he said. "It would help me to know you will not venture from this Castle without your wizard protection."

"I never go out without-"

"I know. But sometimes I believe you would, if I did not remind you. I shall not be here to do that. Promise me."

"Of course. I promise."

Pinklittlewitch - If you're reading this - sorry I won't be hearing from you for a while. I shall miss you. Thanks for your reviews. This story will probably be complete before you get back to us. Hope your own goes well.

Kerichi - Mental Health day? They're fighting a losing battle with me. I tell you, that Fergie is a lucky gal. Between you and me, I've had that particular treatment and it surprisingly effective!

Thouandl - I don't think Andi has any power, I just think she struck lucky, or unlucky - however you look at it. We are in for some rough times, but promise you'll stick with me. I've not given you disappointing endings so far, have I? (smiles).

Josie - Hehehe - thanks!

Intelligent Witch - No, it hasn't happened to anyone I know. Then again, to my knowledge, I don't know anyone with that particular fetish. The anal thing does raise its head (sorry, couldn't resist) again later on, yes.

Flamethrowerqueen - And I didn't even know foreplay is called a lime. Where on earth do we start our research!

Helena Oe - I love the word 'bizarre'! Poor Sev in agony and you're laughing. Shame on you!

Aries1 - Lol.