Disclaimer: None of the characters in this story belong to me except Gregorios Barter and Narau Terath (but they're not important). Everyone else (namely Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape, Voldemort, etc.) belongs to J.K. Rowling!
Comments:
Kidarock: Yes, Sirius' mum is quite useless (especially since she's plastered up on the wall with a Permanent Sticking Charm). You'd think she could at least provide some good motherly advice or some other kind of entertainment…maybe she could learn how to sing…
shadowfax21: I'm glad you were able to find this site! It's great that you're enjoying yourself, and I thank you for reviewing!
Rosaleen: Fortunately, Severus will not have to test any more of his potions (hooray for him!). And the previous chapter was pretty much the last Death Eater meeting he'll have to attend for the Easter Holidays (which are coming to an end). Thanks so much for your support!
Rikki8879: Yeah, Severus is one lucky man! I think he's the only one in the ENTIRE WORLD that could ever deceive Voldemort and live to tell the tale. "Voldie," huh? I always giggle when people call him that; I'm sure he would be quite mortified if he ever heard someone call him that. Thanks for your review!
Tsuneni soshite Matsudai: Thank you for your kind words! And yeah, for some reason, the doors always shut with a snap in my stories. I guess they could also close with a thud or a slam! Hey, they could even close silently, but that would be kinda creepy…that could mean that there are ghosts around…
Grey Grim: I'm glad you like my characterizations. I'm trying my best to make them as in character as possible, but still make the story my own. It's great to hear words of encouragement from readers. Thanks!
Joelpup62: Yeah, Severus may be lucky when it comes to spying, but that doesn't mean he's lucky when it comes to avoiding a bad week! Poor Severus (gives him a hug)!
Hey guys!
Thanks to all those that reviewed! You know that they are always greatly appreciated! And I apologize for taking so long to update (a month; what is wrong with me!). You see, I had all my ideas planned out in my head for this chapter during exam week, but I couldn't write because I was studying. My ideas were lost somewhere amidst the many thoughts, ideas, and other information in my brain, and it took a while to find them. Sorry everyone!
Well, The Easter Holiday is coming to a close. The next chapter will be the final one (sniff). But with the completion of this story comes the birth of many more stories, including Before the Order (a Remus and Sirius friendship), The Side Effect (an Albus and Severus one-shot), The Staff Room (a Hogwarts staff one-shot), and, for all you ADMMers out there, The Burdens of a Lioness (my very first "real" Albus and Minerva relationship fic, focusing almost entirely on them and them alone!). I hope you'll all keep an eye out for these. I'm 99 percent sure that I'll post the last chapter for The Easter Holiday and the first chapter of at least one of my next fics on June 19th. Why June 19th, you ask? Cuz well…it's my birthday! Sixteen at last (sorry…all my friends that are born in June are older than me by like two weeks…or five days…or five minutes)!
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
saiyanwizardgurl
Chapter 22: Babblings About Blubbering Barter and Blossoming Bruises
Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall sat on the black leather couch that was situated in front of the fire in the Potions Master's private quarters. There had just finished dinner, but the house-elves had left the remains of the mountains of food out for when the Slytherin returned. The witch and wizard were currently curled up on the couch together, enjoying each other's company. "Have you decided if you are going to stay at Hogwarts after the holidays?" asked McGonagall.
"Well, I had originally decided that I would stay, but it looks like I may have to leave. It seems that there are a few complications in – "
Suddenly, Severus Snape burst through the doors to his private quarters and strode quickly into his bathroom, leaving behind a trail of rainwater. "I guess he's back," said Dumbledore.
"He always seems to return completely soaked," said McGonagall.
"Indeed," he said, casting a simple Drying Charm on the floor. The headmaster let his lips brush gently against hers. "We'll just have to make sure he dries off, won't we?"
She returned his kiss. "Yes, I suppose we will. We don't want him to catch a cold. Remember what happened last time?"
"How could I forget? He was in such a foul mood," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. "Severus nearly fainted in my office, and I forced him to spend the night in my quarters. He was furious when I made him sleep in my bed; he thought that he should take the couch instead of me."
"Oh, I didn't see you two," said Snape, walking out of the bathroom dressed in black pajamas. He had pulled a thick robe on to protect himself from the cold air that loomed in the dungeons.
"I told you we would wait up for you," said the headmaster, smiling. The headmaster and Transfigurations teacher made a space between them and indicated for him to sit down.
"I hope I didn't keep you up," he said, sitting between them.
"Of course not, Severus," said McGonagall. "I hope you don't mind that we had dinner in your quarters. As you can see, the house-elves provided us with enough food for an army. Please help yourself."
"Oh, I don't mind. And thank you." Snape picked up a fork, but it soon fell back on the table with a clatter as the Potions Master winced noticeably.
"Are you all right, Severus?" asked Dumbledore.
The younger wizard had grabbed his wrist and was testing it gingerly. "Wrist hurts."
"Is it broken?" asked McGonagall, taking Snape's wrist in her own hands.
"No," he mumbled, "but – "
The Transfigurations pulled back the arm of his robes and his sleep shirt. She and the headmaster gasped. Dark blotches of purple bruises were blossoming brilliantly on his wrist. Oddly enough, they looked like they were left by long, thin fingers. "Severus," whispered McGonagall, "what happened?"
"The Dark Lord was rather upset. He managed to get his hands on an Unspeakable named Narau Terath."
"I've heard of her," said Dumbledore. "Is she the new foreign witch?"
"I suppose. Anyway, she escaped, and the Dark Lord was very adamant about finding the person that let her escape."
"Who was it?" asked the headmaster, brushing back Snape's wet raven hair to reveal more deep bruises on his neck.
"A new recruit, Gregorios Barter. He's a thick head if you ask me. Took the Dark Lord a while to figure out it was him. He nearly went through all of us. I was lucky to have escaped exposure to the Cruciatus Curse."
"Are you hurt anywhere else?" asked the Transfigurations teacher, running her fingers over the Potions Master's wrist.
"My left shoulder."
"I'll get some healing salve," said the headmaster, getting up. "You'll have to take off your shirt, Severus."
Snape visibly tensed, but took off his robes and sleep shirt, folding them neatly and placing them on the table. He let out an exhausted sigh and slouched on the couch, rubbing his face tiredly. McGonagall gently wrapped an arm around him. "Do you want to lie down?" she asked, concern filling her voice.
"No," said the Potions Master. "I'll be fine for now."
"Okay, Severus," said Dumbledore, sitting back down on the couch. "I'm sorry, but this will hurt."
"I know; let's just get it over with," he said, holding out his right wrist to the headmaster.
Dumbledore scooped up some of the creamy salve and began to rub Snape's wrist vigorously. The Potions Master only flinched slightly. When the headmaster had taken care of his wrist, he wrapped it with a flick of his wand, receiving a questioning look from the younger wizard. "Just so you don't move it too much," said Dumbledore. "Minerva, would you pull his hair back? I don't want to get any of the salve in it."
The Transfigurations teacher waved her wand. Snape's hair was pulled into a neat ponytail, a few of the shorter strands of hair falling limply behind his ears. The Potions Master glared at the witch. "What?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm not a girl," he muttered.
"I know," she said, flatly. "You need not worry; just because your hair is up in a ponytail doesn't mean you look like a girl."
"Right – "
His argument was cut off by a pain-filled moan that escaped his mouth as the headmaster began to rub salve into the bruises on his neck. Dumbledore was doing his best to sooth the younger wizard's aches, but Snape was still struck with pain from the abused flesh. Try as he might, he could not help but gasp and groan. He was breathing heavily when the headmaster said, "All right, Severus, you'll need to turn around so I can reach your shoulder."
The younger wizard obeyed, shifting himself so that his back was turned to Dumbledore. His hands were trembling ever so slightly, and McGonagall reached out to capture them in her hands. "It's all right, Severus," she whispered, soothingly. "I know it hurts. Just try to relax."
His shoulder was not as painful as his neck. He let out a sigh of relief as the headmaster massaged the salve into his skin. In addition to his bruises being treated, the Potions Master could feel some of the tension that was locked up in his back escape. When Dumbledore was finished, he capped the jar of healing salve and pulled Snape towards him so the younger wizard could rest against his chest. "Feel better?" asked the headmaster, gently wrapping his arms around Snape's torso.
"Mmmhmm. Thanks," he said, closing his eyes.
"Of course, my dear child," said Dumbledore, brushing a kiss on the Potions Master's head.
"Are you still hungry, Severus?" asked the Transfigurations teacher.
"A little." Suddenly, the aroma of chicken, gravy, and mashed potatoes seemed much closer to his nose. He opened his eyes to see the witch offering him a forkful of chicken. "You two should really stop trying to spoil me."
Both the witch and wizard smiled. "Just open your mouth, Severus," said McGonagall.
The Potions Master gladly obeyed, savoring the warmth of the food and sighing happily as the dull ache of his empty stomach receded. He was suddenly ravenous, and allowed the witch to slip forkful after forkful into his mouth. The Transfigurations teacher willingly filled his stomach's need for nourishment, only stopping to allow Snape to drink some water. After a while, the younger wizard's attack on the food began to slow. McGonagall stopped feeding him, allowing him to rest against the headmaster. "Sleep, Severus," whispered Dumbledore. "We'll be here for you."
"Thank you," said the Potions Master, sleepily. "Both of you."
The Transfigurations teacher kissed him on the cheek. "Don't mention it, dear."
Snape relaxed completely into the headmaster's gentle embrace. His breathing soon slowed, and Dumbledore and McGonagall knew that he had fallen asleep. The witch stifled a yawn as the headmaster shifted the younger wizard so he could wrap one of his arms around the Transfigurations teacher. "It looks like Severus is not the only one that needs to sleep."
She smiled, and he kissed her tenderly. "Goodnight, Albus," she said, snuggling into his shoulder.
"Sweet dreams, love," he said, resting his head against hers. They, like the Potions Master, were soon overtaken by sleep, and the three were lost in dreamland, cuddled together on Snape's couch.
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