For anyone reading Grill's fic 'The Unfortunates' and wondering where she's got to, the sad news is that FanFic has deleted both her fics and her account. Why this has happened she doesn't know, but for those wanting to read the latest chapter (she is desperate for people to know she hasn't abandoned the story), you can read it on Ashwinder.
Enjoy...
Chapter Twenty-Six
DAUGHTERS AND LOVERS
The school had a weird silence about it today. Lessons were in progress and no one was about. Andi had the afternoon off - a combination of a free period and a pupil being sick.
It wasn't very unusual to find herself in this position, but today the silence of the school had a peculiar feel about it, a tight, expectant feel. Something was amiss. She felt uncomfortable in her skin. Her clarity was straining to understand what was causing it, but she just couldn't get there. It remained elusive.
One hand on her cane, the other in the pocket of her gown, she walked slowly but purposefully into the grounds. The weather had been dry for a week, but there was a smell of rain in the air this afternoon.
Smoke was curling up from the chimney in Hagrid's hut, and his dog barked deeply as she approached and knocked on the door.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Hagrid."
"Tha's all right - I'd finished me tea."
"I should have given you some notice," she said in a rush, "but I find I have to act on the moment, or... I'd never do it." Hagrid looked at her. "I wondered... if you would... show me the grave?"
They walked across to the lake, Hagrid making a gallant effort to slow down so she didn't have to rush. Well, she couldn't rush - not walking with a cane.
They went past the patch of Night Diamond and then down the bracken-edged pathway along the banks of the lake.
The breeze rippled across the water and the occasional 'plop' of a surfacing creature could be heard.
"Rain's comin' in," he said, peering at the sky. "Got a few hours grace, mind."
Hagrid led her through a thick curtain of willow, holding it back for her as she stepped out into a small clearing where a patch of young grass grew, supporting a carpet of pinkbells. Andi stopped quite still and gasped.
"Oh, Hagrid!" Her eyes had suddenly noticed the pinkbells were growing in the shape of a heart, the edges marked out in pure white pebbles.
"Always think a bare grave's morbid," said Hagrid, looking at his feet. "I hope y'don't mind the liberty."
Andi went and knelt at the point of the heart and ran her hands lovingly over the flowers. "I was really dreading coming here," she said, quietly. "But I couldn't have wished it more beautiful. Thank you so much." She bowed her head and put her fingers to the bridge of her nose, a sudden pain appearing there.
"T'aint right, is it?" said Hagrid, thickly. "A grave so small."
A few moments passed in silence.
"I'll er... I'll leave you fer a while then..."
Andi leaned forward and picked one of the flowers from the very centre of the heart and clutched it to her own heart, then turned and sat on a flat rock set close by. She had still to shed her tears for Josephine.
She was deep in thought when she became aware she was not alone. Looking up, thinking Hagrid had returned for her, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Hello, darling."
Genevieve was holding aside the curtain of willow. She was dressed in a cream cashmere sweater and a honey suede skirt and matching jacket. She had foregone high-heels for flat brown boots.
"Wha... what are you doing here?" A tiny flutter of panic appeared inside her. Please don't let her mother misbehave, not here, not in this place.
"Hagrid told me you were here," Genevieve replied.
Andi frowned, irritated. "No, I mean what are you doing at Hogwarts?"
"We came to see Albus." Genevieve came further into the glade and indicated the rock next to Andi. "May I?"
"You'll ruin your skirt," Andi warned.
Genevieve waved the warning away and lowered herself elegantly onto the rock.
Andi watched, intrigued. She had attempted to move just like her mother once, the very first time she'd had dinner with Severus and wanted to appear cool and elegant - like Katharine Hepburn she had thought. Genevieve seemed to have that elegance, whether naturally or acquired, she certainly had it.
"We? You said 'we'."
"I'm here with Bruno. We arrived just about two hours ago. We can't stay long, so I came looking for you." Her eyes fell to the heart-shaped flower display. "Is this where your little girl is buried?"
"How do you know-?"
"I correspond with Vincent. You must excuse his telling me, darling. I promise I haven't breathed a word to anyone."
"Not even Narcissa Malfoy?" Andi replied, sharply.
"Certainly not Narcissa Malfoy. Darling she was the most awful inquisitor. I'm afraid I was flattered by her interest at first, but I soon became suspicious that all her questions were about you and Severus and not about me." Genevieve smiled. "Thank goodness she didn't flatter my ego, otherwise I'm afraid to think what I might have told her!"
Andi didn't dare reply. Instead she said, "And who is Bruno?"
Genevieve clapped her hands together and raised her face to the sky dramatically. "Horizontal paradise!"
Andi gave a hoot of laughter. Genevieve twinkled a smile at her daughter.
"He's Bruno Gleaves - the Austrian Beater."
"A Quiddich player? So he's quite young then?"
"Young enough to keep me very busy; and he's also incredibly handsome."
"And wealthy, I imagine."
"But of course."
"So is he going to be number five?"
"Oh goodness, no! Can you imagine! Genevieve Gleaves - how ghastly. No, he's just my temporary toy until someone more suitable comes along."
"Why bother getting married at all? Five does seem a bit excessive."
"For the marriage settlements, of course. And the social standing. I've never married unless they are very well connected - socially and financially."
"So love doesn't come into it at all?" Andi was beginning to get a bad taste in her mouth.
"I've never looked for love. Oh, I've been very fond of some, of course, but I made a vow a long while ago..." Genevieve's sentence ground to a halt. She swallowed and looked away. "Hagrid has made it very beautiful here. I do think you've been awfully brave. It's the hardest thing in the world to lose a child. I lost one once..." Andi looked at her sharply. "But I hope I might get her back one day."
"You didn't lose her - you ran away from her," Andi snapped. "You gave her up; you chose to leave."
"Yes. I wasn't a very good mother."
"You were no mother."
"I did try. For three years I tried."
Andi felt anger rising inside her and a lifetime's resentment ready to erupt, but she refused to have this argument beside her daughter's grave. "I have to get back to the castle," she said dismissively, getting up.
"Oh no, darling, stay awhile-"
"I'll see you back at the school." She walked away. She didn't look back. She just kept walking towards the castle as fast as her stupid, aching hips would allow.
As she approached, a figure came out of the main door and down the steps. Upon seeing her, he hurried towards her. Andi stopped, frozen to the spot, filled with terror that it was bad news. She knew she wouldn't be lucky a second time.
"Vincent, what is it?" she called desperately.
He rushed up to her and held the tops of her arms. "Oh sweetie..." He gulped and then gave her a huge smile. "Severus is back."
Frustrated that she couldn't move any faster, she hurried into the castle and up to the Hospital Wing, Vincent close behind. With controlled urgency she pushed open the doors to the ward and walked quickly in.
Poppy spotted her and silently indicated the end of the ward where screens had been drawn around a bed. Andi hurried towards them, unaware of Poppy restraining Vincent from going any further.
Andi's heart almost burst with joy when she saw him sitting up on the bed, fully clothed and uninjured apart from a cut on his left temple.
Alive!
He turned his head to her as she stepped through the screens, his eyes running over her, appraising her, taking in the cane before returning to hold her gaze, and just for one unguarded moment there was an expression in his eyes that made her heart leap.
It took all her willpower not to rush to him and throw her arms around him. Albus was there, Cornelius was there, and two others who were strangers to her. She knew she had to restrain herself, but it was so difficult. The fact that he would hate a display of affection in public, her only restraint.
She swallowed and licked her lips. "Sorry I'm such an old crock," she said, indicating the cane, and helpless to disguise the weight of emotion in her voice.
It was Cornelius who came to her and put his arm around her shoulder.
There was a perplexed look on the faces of the two strangers as they took in the situation.
"Well, um... I think we're finished here," said the male stranger at last, in a deep, rich voice and drawing the other away by the arm.
"Kingsley; Tonks," said Albus, stepping up to them. "My deepest thanks for returning my Potions master to me."
The one called Kingsley bowed.
"My thanks also," said Severus quickly, although the words seemed to stick for a moment in his throat.
There was a flicker of astonishment from both strangers. Kingsley bowed again, this time to Severus, and then he and the girl left.
With just Albus and Cornelius present, Andi felt able to go and sit on the edge of the bed.
"I think we should leave," said Albus, quietly.
"You have yet to explain how I was found," said Severus.
"Perhaps later..."
Yes, yes, let it wait, she thought. I want to be alone with him, touch him, to make sure he's really here.
"I must know to whom I am obliged."
Albus sighed. "Very well. A chance remark alerted us to your whereabouts, Severus. You have Genevieve de Laclos to thank for your discovery."
"My mother!" said Andi, incredulously. She couldn't help it. The shock that her mother had actually done something useful sent her turning to Albus.
"Yes. When her current partner learned she was your mother, Andrea, he recognised your name from the newspapers and your link with Severus, and told your mother that he had heard Severus' voice at Mulciber Croft."
"My voice?"
"Yes. He is a former pupil at Hogwarts and a remark about never forgetting that voice was made." Albus twinkled. "Genevieve thought it best to bring him directly to me, rather than risk a letter."
Andi's mind was ticking over. "This former pupil... would it be someone called Bruno Gleaves, by any chance?"
"Gleaves? Gleaves?" Severus frowned. "Austrian boy; one of the best Quiddich players Slytherin ever had."
"Austrian on his father's side. His mother is Scottish - sister of Deirdri Mulciber. He left Hogwarts eight years ago."
Andi did some quick mental maths. Eight years ago? That made him... twenty-six! Two years younger than herself.
Andi looked at Severus as he looked at her.
"My mother! " she said again, this time feeling incredulous on two counts.
"It seems she has her uses," smirked Severus.
Albus drew closer to Andi and put his hand on her shoulder. "I understand you do not have a very high regard for your mother, Andrea."
"No... well..." Andi thought about how she'd left her mother about half an hour ago and felt slightly uncomfortable.
"I do not know your mother's story, but whilst we were dining with her last year, I detected she was not at all comfortable with your remark concerning the manner of your conception."
"Oh what a surprise!" said Andi, sarcastically. "But it didn't look like that to me. It looked as though she couldn't care less she'd dropped her knickers for a complete stranger. She swanned in here with airs and graces when I know what a cheap little..."
Albus held up his hand. "Have you not considered her overwhelming manner may have been a nervous reaction to meeting her daughter after so many years?"
"Twenty five years, Albus." Andi looked at him.
"She wants another chance to love you."
"Yes, well, she had her chance and she blew it - when I was three. She couldn't love me then, otherwise how could she have walked out of my life just like that - so why should I give her the chance now?"
Albus studied her for a moment. "There are as many ways of protecting those we love as there are reasons for protecting them," he said. "I believe there is more to your mother's story than meets the eye."
"Such as?"
"As I say, I do not know, but I have a very strong feeling that what she did, she did in your best interests. You should not be too harsh on her."
Andi relented. "How can I be?" she said, turning to look at Severus. "Knowing she was instrumental in returning Severus to me."
"Hurumph!" coughed Cornelius from behind them. "Yes, well, must be on our way, eh, Dumbledore? I know these two have... a lot to...talk about."
Albus lay a hand gently on Andi's head and she knew he was fortifying her with courage for what she had to tell Severus. She looked up at him and gave a little nod in acknowledgement.
"Severus," he said quietly, nodding to him.
"Good to see you back, Snape," said Cornelius. "I shall get those papers drawn up as quickly as possible. I'm sure when all is said and done-"
"Thank you, Minister," said Severus quickly, through tight lips.
Albus and Cornelius made their way out through the screens, but Albus turned before he left completely.
"I have charmed the cubical," he told them. "Please be assured you will be neither overheard nor disturbed."
And he left them.
Andi turned to Severus again.
"I am aware of what they did with the Polyjuice Potion," he said, stretching his arm out and taking her hand. "There was nothing I could do to prevent it."
"Oh God, you have no idea. When I saw you lying there in the Chapel..." She shuffled closer and ran her hand over his face, relishing the living warmth of his skin compared to the cold stone of the body in the Chapel. He caught the hand in his own, turned his lips to her palm and kissed it, looking at her with a strange expression.
Unable to restrain herself any longer, she closed the gap between them and threw her arms around him, quickly tracing kisses all across his face.
"I've needed you so much," she spluttered, almost hysterically. "I've needed you so much..." The words caught in her throat and were reduced to little whimpers as the kisses became frantic, covering every inch of his face before finding his lips and kissing him hungrily.
His fingers forked through her hair and cupped the back of her head, pulling her closer, kissing her deeper until she thought she might pass out with relief and happiness.
Then quite suddenly, abruptly, he pulled away from her mouth, but kept his arms around her. They held each other, Andi just overwhelmed to have him back safe, in her arms again.
Her cheek was pressing against his. She must tell him now about the baby, but how on earth should she begin?
He held her tight against him.
She took breath to speak.
"Andrea..." he said in a low, melancholy voice into her ear. He paused and she heard him swallow. "I am married."
A/n - You thought I was giving you a bonus chapter on Monday without there being a catch? This is it - a cliffie (if it can be called that) to ponder over until next week. lol.
OK, although I haven't seen the film for years, I'm pretty sure that frantic kissing scene was inspired by the ghost's first appearance in 'Truly, Madly, Deeply'. Aren't I an honest soul? And Severus has sort of returned from the dead, hasn't he?
Queen of the Faeries1 - Only one more cliffhanger after this one and no more scares. From your comments a few chapters back re the pregnancy being discovered after they'd split up, I'd say you might guess what the last cliffie is - it's pretty formula (and I admit that freely).
Hysterically Insane Author - No, no, you mustn't hate me. We all need our chick-flick moments of weeping! And it wasn't him. As if I could ever kill our Sev.
Silent Watcher, 1st Fury - I hope the last line of this chapter was unexpected, too. Thank you. I bow to your applause!
Mark Darcy - Your review put a huge smile on my face. I had a hunch some of you might scoot prematurely to the end of that last chapter to check it out, and I have to tell you, you wereat the top of that list. I'm intrigued that another author had the same idea as me about the Polyjuice Potion. Can you tell me which story? I'd like to check it out.
billiejoe - As if I could ever kill our Sev. Thanks for your forgiveness. I'm glad my plea worked.
May-Luna - The last chapter a masterpiece? Wow, I'm flattered. We've a few chapters to go yet and a few more ups and downs - oh, and don't forget the show.
breziebear - Killed by a bear? Is a breziebear as dangerous as a grizzly? Anyway, I'm safe now...I hope.
Kerichi - Oh Kerichi, Kerichi. I'm sorry but I think you're going to be getting candlewax down your arm. JK has said in an interview (about Sirius' death) '...and the character was definitely dead, and I went into the kitchen and cried.' I know how you must feel. I will feel the same when she kills Snape at the end of book seven.
Hikari Aijuntani - Thanks for your review. Sorry about the madness - may I join you? Hehehe.
Thouandl - Yes, the last thing I want is to upset my readers. You've all been so nice and faithfully and helpful. Not sure about my intelligence, though. I'd say it was pure luck. The quote is lovely, isn't it.
Emma Barrows - Thanks for your review. I'm glad you liked that last chapter.