3) By himself.
It didn't take long to get to the Headmaster's office. He still wasn't entirely sure how long it'd been since the Headmaster had left the dungeons. He snapped the password and the gargoyle moved aside.
"Ah, there you are, Severus. Lemon drop?" Albus said easily as he came in.
"We were starting to worry," Minerva stated. The woman had no subtlety.
"I told you I'm fine," he growled. He sat down, ignoring Albus' lemon drops. "The whole thing did make a rather large mess as I'm sure you noticed."
Minerva frowned, but she said nothing.
Severus gave his account of the events, which was almost as it happened, apart from his claim he had ducked and must have been momentarily knocked out as he fell. He did not say a word to explain his behaviour afterwards, yelling at the horse or picking the scythe up off the floor. He had good hopes that most of the students hadn't been close enough to see exactly what he did, apart from Malfoy and Granger. Malfoy wouldn't go to the Headmaster, although he expected the boy would come by his office later, and Granger certainly wouldn't tell.
Minerva was still frowning. Damn, the woman truly didn't trust him, even after all these years. Quite the hypocrite, always complaining about how biased he was, yet she was just as bad. That this time she was right in suspecting he was holding back was beside the point. Albus was much more perceptive, but his face showed nothing as he listened.
"I will investigate how Mcnair managed to enter the school," he said. "My guess is he used Polyjuice to pose as one of the students, although it is unclear why he'd wait for it to run out before confronting you."
"Perhaps he wanted me to know who he was," Severus said. "He has never been particular sensible, if he'd had any sense at all he would have paid attention to the schedule and the seventh' years would have been the last class he'd picked to make his entrance."
It was almost a veiled compliment at Potter's DA, and privately Severus thought the students had responded very quickly indeed, but it was all he would give them. He definitely was not say any of this aloud, or even admit to thinking it. Besides, Malfoy had been almost as quick as Potter, and he hadn't been involved in that stupid club.
"Until we know for sure how he managed to enter, I will be adding extra wards to the defenses of the school, and no one is to enter or leave the Hogwarts grounds without permission. That also means Hogsmeade weekend is cancelled; I am sure the students will be disappointed and there has been no direct threat to them, however I can not take the risk of someone sneaking in with them when they return."
"I doubt anyone will try again this soon," Severus said. And he was sure; sure for far other reasons than the simple fact it would take the Dark Lord a few days to make a new plan.
"Nevertheless, my decision stands," Albus replied. "Please inform your students of the fact."
Severus nodded.
"The Aurors will likely want to take your statement as well, but I will make sure they come to see me first," Albus promised.
"Thank you," Severus said, and for once he meant it. He hated the Aurors, most of them, and they disliked and distrusted him. "If that is all?"
"That is all," Albus replied, but something in the way he looked told Severus it wasn't. As Minerva got up and left, he made sure to hang back.
And indeed, the Headmaster called him back.
"Oh, Severus?"
He paused and turned back at the top of the stairs.
"There is something you're not telling me. I trust it will not hurt the students or the school. Or you."
"It will not," he replied.
The Headmaster nodded solemnly, and Severus left for real this time.
He went straight down to the dungeons. He'd deal with Poppy later; Albus had not insisted he visit her, and as long as he went around looking fine she could not make him keep his earlier promise. He had a classroom to clean, and then he better check up on Death.
Cleaning up went rather quickly; he simply Vanished anything that had been spilled, and emptied the cauldrons the same way. He'd provide fresh ingredients for any students who needed them; while in the lower grades he let students pick up most of what they frequently knocked over, for the potions brewed in seventh year even the least bit of contamination could affect the results.
Even so, Miss Granger knocked on the door before he made it to his quarters.
"You took care of the horse?" he asked without preamble.
"Yes, sir," she replied. "Hagrid never questioned your explanation or how I came to handle your horse. He seemed rather impressed with Binky, considering he doesn't breathe fire or tries to take anyone's head off."
In spite of himself, Severus smirked. "Very well. Thank you, Miss Granger. Please take your bag and cauldron on your way out. And Potter's, then he won't have to come down here himself."
His tone made it clear this was a dismissal, but she did not leave.
"Sir?"
"What?" he replied brusquely.
"I would like to come with you again tomorrow. You will have to go again tomorrow, won't you?"
He'd known that was coming, and she had been helpful in the Muggle hospital. But he had already decided he would not take her again when he had seen the accident. This time the man's body had been mostly hidden from view in what was left of the vehicle, but the next time they might not be so lucky. They could end up on another accident scene, in the middle of a battlefield, or even at one of the Death Eaters 'parties'. She did not need to see that.
It would surprise his students –or those not of his house, at least- that he cared about this at all. Certainly, he enjoyed making those dunderheads squirm when he took house points, and if one of them was stupid enough to get him or herself cursed he didn't believe there was anything wrong with being amused. But there were limits. Albus had long given up trying to change him, but he knew with absolute certainty that if he didn't care what his students saw at all –or even enjoyed such things, as Walden Mcnair or Randolphus Lestrange would- he would not be teaching here at Hogwarts.
Even so, if he tried to explain this to Miss Granger she would be likely to argue. Gryffindors seemed to think they could handle anything, even when no one in their right mind should want to handle it. "I'm afraid that will not be possible, Miss Granger," he said instead. "While your absence may have gone unnoticed today, tomorrow you will have other classes, and even if we can return within minutes it will be difficult to explain." It might even be true; he had no idea when he would have to go out next.
She looked disappointed, but at least she didn't argue with this kind of logic. She nodded. "Yes, sir." She quickly packed her bag, and Potter's, and was gone.
One look around the classroom told him he was done here, and Severus went out, locking the door behind him. He had a guest to see.
Death was reading comfortably as Severus came in.
HOW DID IT GO? he inquired.
"Well enough, I suppose," Severus admitted reluctantly. "Is there anything I can get for you?"
Death seemed to consider. PERHAPS A CURRY
"A curry?" Severus asked. That wasn't what he had expected.
I DO NOT REQUIRE FOOD, HOWEVER I FIND I HAVE COME TO LIKE A GOOD CURRY
"I will see to it," Severus promised. A curry, why not. He wondered why, after all he'd been through today, he still allowed anything to surprise him.
He ordered a curry from the kitchen, delivered it to Death himself –he still did not want to explain about his guest to the house-elves- and made his way to the Great Hall for dinner. His body seemed to require food as long as he was still using it, and of course he wished to avoid questions as to his absence.
Dinner was all but pleasant. Severus was well aware few of his colleagues really cared about him, yet they all found it necessary to inquire after his health. Even the students were glancing at them from their seats at the house tables, and he made sure he scowled hard enough to discourage any one of them addressing him directly. The last thing he needed was sympathy from Potter.
The evening, at least, was spent much like normal, grading papers in his office. Malfoy paid him a visit, as he had expected, but the boy knew enough not to press him when he avoided giving any real answer as to what happened. Malfoy left, satisfied his Head of House was well enough –even though Severus was sure the boy knew he hadn't told him the complete truth. Afterwards, he transfigured the couch in his living room into a bed and found he slept quite well.
At breakfast things were almost back to normal. Well, apart from his houseguest of course. He'd seen Death this morning and provided him with a few more books. Death had handed him today's hourglasses, or life timers as he called them, ensuring him there would be no conflict with his classes. The first was only due for a little after four o'clock.
So, after classes, Severus walked out of the castle towards Hagrid's. Normally he avoided the place –and the half-giant- and it had been months since he had last come this way, however he had no trouble finding Binky's paddock. The horse nickered as he approached.
He scowled at it. He still wasn't exactly happy having to do this duty, and now he'd have to take care of the horse by himself, too. Well, so be it. He found the saddle and bridle in a small shed and managed to get the horse saddled. Halfway through, Rubeus came out from his shack and leaned over the fence.
"Magnificent horse you got there, Severus."
"It's my mother's," Severus replied curtly.
"That's what Hermione said when she brought 'm in. 'Ow 'd she end up wif 'im, anyhow?"
Damn, of course Rubeus would start to wonder eventually. He was dense but not that dense. Severus shrugged. "I have no idea. Likely my mother was running late and handed him to the first student she saw. Or Miss Granger, busybody as she is, volunteered before she found out it was my mother."
"Most students wouldn't mind takin' care of 'im," Rubeus remarked.
"Perhaps not. Now, however, if you will excuse me, I have a horse to ride," Severus replied, his tone making it clear he didn't care what Rubeus thought about the matter.
"Sure, 'ave a nice ride," the half-giant said amiably, then turned and went inside as Severus glared at him.
Severus led the horse out of the paddock and around the corner of the shack. As soon as he was out of sight, he took the potions bottle out of his pocket, transfigured scythe and robes, and mounted.
Yesterday, the horse had taken off immediately. Now, it just stood there, unmoving. After a moment, it turned its head and looked at him. He kicked it lightly with his heels. "Well, come on."
The horse tossed its head, snorted, and looked around again, but it didn't move one step. He prodded a little harder. What was the beast's problem? Irritated, the horse pawed with a front foot and tossed its head again. Was it waiting for something? No way, the horse couldn't possibly want that.
"No one else is coming, not today," he told the animal. It snorted.
"And that is not up for discussion," he added, digging in his heels again. Finally, the horse took off, rather reluctantly.
The first stop of the day was at an ordinary farmhouse. It could have been in England or just about anywhere in Europe. The horse entered through the living room wall and Severus dismounted. A short hallway led to the bedrooms, and low voices came from the one at the very end. That was probably where he had to be. He almost made it when he heard the sound of a door opening behind him. He looked over his shoulder, more out of habit than anything else –people couldn't see him after all, so what did it matter if someone came up behind him? To his chagrin, he saw the horse had just pushed open one of the doors. He turned and stalked down the hall, meaning to close the door and hoping no one had seen the door opening seemingly by itself.
"Don't do that!" he snapped. He reached for the door only to find a little boy staring directly at him. Not just in his direction, or at the open door –at him.
"Who are you?" the boy asked.
Oh, great, Death had said sometimes small children would be able to see him, hadn't he?
"I came to see your grandfather," Severus replied.
The boy considered that information for just a moment before he spoke. "I've never seen you before. Grandpa's friends don't have no horses either. And they wouldn't take them inside if they did. And they don't carry big sword things like that. Grandpa's dying, isn't he? Mom says he's just ill but I don't believe her."
Wonderful. What the hell was he supposed to say? He didn't usually approve of people protecting their children from life's realities, it rarely worked in the end anyhow, but it wasn't his place to decide what to tell this kid. "What makes you say that?" he asked instead.
"He's been ill before and that was different. And you, you look sort of like Death in the storybook. At least the horse and the sword thing and your clothes an' all. I just thought you'd be a selle… skelle… all bones and stuff."
"Skeleton," Severus corrected automatically. "No, I'm not. And the sword thing is called a scythe."
"Well, is he? Dying I mean?" The boy looked up at him expectantly, clearly not sidetracked that easily. Severus gave up.
"Yes, he is."
"I knew it," the boy said with the satisfaction of a small child who'd proven himself right.
"I'm afraid I must go now," Severus said. "Goodbye."
"Wait! Will you really use that skee.. skee, skeet on him? Will you take him with you on your horse? Can I watch?"
"Yes, I will, and no you can not. I do not think your mother would appreciate that," Severus replied coolly.
"Aw, al right then," the boy said, clearly disappointed. "Goodbye then."
Severus quickly retreated from the room, closing the door. He scowled at the horse before stalking down the hall. At least the old man went without any further problems, not even commenting on his appearance. A simple nod was all he gave Severus before fading away. If only everyone were that polite.
Severus mounted the horse brusquely and kicked it in the ribs. "Next, and behave yourself!" he snapped. The horse snorted, but took off immediately.
It wasn't a long ride to a small cottage. Even from above, the first thing Severus noticed was the cats. There were at least a dozen of them in the yard. Binky landed and the moment Severus dismounted, the cats came running up to him. They meowed loudly, wove between his legs and rolled over in front of his feet. Scowling, he stepped over the cats on the ground but then had to catch himself as one of the animals almost tripped him. He considered briefly just walking straight on, after all he could walk through walls and people. But he suspected that if the cats saw him and could trip him, he would probably be too solid to ignore them. He made his way to the cottage scowling darkly.
Inside it was worse. Not just one dozen but several dozen cats swarmed him, purring and meowing and howling. Along with the cats, the smell hit him. The cottage wasn't grossly neglected, but with this many animals it didn't take much. Full litter boxes stood along the walls and feed bowls, all empty, littered the floor. Severus waded through the mess and made his way to a small bedroom.
The only one present was an elderly lady lying in the bed. No family, no doctor, no one was in the room with her except for several more cats. She squinted as she looked in his direction. "It's time, isn't it? The cats tell me you're here." Of course, she couldn't actually see him yet.
He checked the hourglass. He was a few minutes early. The lady continued to speak. "It all went a bit faster than I'd expected, I'm afraid. I don't suppose you can feed the cats for me? Miss Rebecca won't be here until tomorrow –she helps me with the cleaning, you know- and the poor darlings are going to be so hungry by then. The food is in the kitchen, next to the fridge. There is a can opener on the counter."
Severus rolled his eyes. Feed the cats? His first impulse was to say no, but he strongly suspected Death himself would have helped her out. And while he didn't particularly like cats, or most other animals, he disliked random animal cruelty more. The cats couldn't help he got stuck with this job. He made his way to the kitchen. As soon as he reached for the first can, he was completely swarmed. Cats –more than before- came from everywhere, screaming, howling and purring. He found himself wishing he had taken Miss Granger along after all. With some difficulty he figured out how to use the Muggle can opener and he emptied several dozen cans in the bowls. Then he checked the life timer and made it back into the bedroom just in time.
"Thank you," the cat lady said. "I'd hate for my poor kitties to go hungry. I don't suppose you can clean out the cat boxes?"
"No," he replied very definite. Food okay, but he was not going to clean twenty cat boxes for some nutty old lady.
The woman shrugged. "Ah well, most will go outside if it gets too bad. And the people who'll buy the house will probably want new carpet anyhow."
She faded out and Severus went back to Binky, who was waiting patiently. Of course the horse hadn't needed to make any more trouble here. He looked at the last life timer.
They crossed the ocean before Binky descended toward a large city, not unlike the one they had visited the day before, but while yesterday the horse had aimed for the hospital, this time it stopped in a dark, narrow alley. Severus dismounted and looked down. His robes were covered in cat fur. With a curse, he pulled his wand and spelled the hair away. Or tried to; nothing happened. He frowned, glanced around, and seeing no one, he thought himself solid. The spell worked fine this time. So he could not use his wand while he was in his invisible state; that was good to know. He heard shouts and footsteps and quickly made himself invisible again.
Three young black men rounded the corner at a run. Or more accurately, two of them ran while the third stumbled along in between his friends. Right in front of Severus the man collapsed.
"Fuck!" one of his friends exclaimed, stopping and kneeling next to his dying companion.
The other kid –Severus saw they weren't older than seventeen or eighteen- pulled on his fallen friend's arm. "Come on, don' give up, don' fuckin' give up, man!"
A sudden crash made everyone jump, kids and Severus alike. Severus turned to spot Binky, standing over an overturned trashcan. He cursed. "Don't do that!"
"What the fuck was that?" one of the kids exclaimed.
"It's just a trashcan fallin' over, man."
"How'd that happen? There ain't nobody there!" the first kid argued.
Severus glared at the horse, then glanced at the life timer, stepped forward and brought his scythe down. The ghost of the dead kid got up.
"Man, I knew I shoulda carried my piece. He wouldn't have hadda chance if I'd 'ad my piece. Mah brotha borrowed it off me, he hadda go downtown te get some stuff ya know?"
Severus had no idea what the kid was talking about, and the strong suspicion that in the end, it didn't really matter either way. He nodded vaguely, waiting for the kid to fade away. Then he spotted the horse from the corner of his eye. The beast was pulling one of the other kids' hoods!
"Stop that!" he yelled.
Binky stepped back, but not before it grabbed the boy's jacket in its teeth and pulled. The boy jumped up. "Hey! What the fuck was that?" He looked around nervously. "There was something behind me! There's fuckin' ghosts here I tell ya!"
Severus grabbed the reins and pulled the horse out of the alley. He tied the animal to the nearest light pole, for all the good that would do with a horse that could walk through walls. "And stay there," he growled. Then he quickly returned to the alley.
The two surviving boys were quarrelling, one insisting they leave now, while the other told him not to be a sissy and stay with their fallen friend. The ghost of the kid addressed him, not showing any sign of fading.
"Hey, don't fuckin' leave them like that, they's scared shitless. Sure, we don' always stay outa trouble but they don' deserve this."
Severus sighed. He pulled his wand from his sleeve, willed himself solid for the second time and cast Obliviate on the two kids. Switching back to his invisible state, he said, "they won't remember."
The kid looked at him. "'ad ya some trouble wif the 'orse, right? Ya know, the city ain't no place for no fuckin' horse. No wonder 'e give ya trouble. Ya ever thought to get yerself a bike? Helluva lot easier, a bike. It don't eat nuthin' and it don't have no mind of its own. I know this guy, he'll get ya one cheap."
"Thank you, I will consider it," Severus replied, guessing rightly that'd be the quickest way to get rid of the boy. And indeed, the ghost of the boy started to fade.
"You do that. Jus' ask for Bobby, an' tell him Buzz sent you. A horse in the fuckin' city, fuckin' Christ…"
With a sigh, Severus left the alley and, scowling, untied Binky. Without a word he mounted and rode back to Hogwarts. He unsaddled the horse quickly and mercifully without running into Rubeus, and went inside.
HOW DID IT GO? Death asked as he returned to his quarters.
"The bloody horse!" Severus cursed. "It interfered twice. Is it always like that?"
THE GIRL COULD NOT HOLD HIM? Death asked, sounding surprised.
"I didn't take her."
YOU DID NOT?
"No. Look, I got myself into this mess, and Longbottom. She has nothing to do with it and she shouldn't have to deal with it. One of them today was a gangster, dying in some back alley, who knows what they'll be like tomorrow, or where."
SHE WILL BE PERFECTLY SAFE.
"She's seventeen, she doesn't need to be safe Merlin-knows-where because she should be perfectly safe here at Hogwarts. And she's a Gryffindor. She even tried to free the house-elves until some time last year, she doesn't have to see murders, abuse or who knows what else. She will probably try to interfere, too."
SHE'LL HAVE TO LEARN LIFE IS NOT FAIR.
"I teach Potions, not social studies or psychology."
DOES HOGWARTS OFFER SUCH CLASSES?
"No, of course not."
THEN HOW IS ONE SUPPOSED TO LEARN?
Severus glared at Death. What did it matter how one learned? He shrugged. "You just learn, I guess, from experience."
SOUNDS LIKE A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY.
"No."
BINKY SEEMS TO THINK SO.
"I am not going to change my mind because of a horse."
THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO CONVINCE HIM INSTEAD. HE CAN BE QUITE STUBBORN.
"What about Malfoy?" Severus tried. "At least he won't try to save anyone."
YOU CAN TRY. HOWEVER I EXPECT BINKY WILL NOT LIKE IT.
With a snarl, Severus turned and left the room. He went up to the Great Hall for dinner, then corrected papers as usual, but his dilemma kept him occupied. By the next morning he had made up his mind. He saw no other way, except for fighting the bloody horse all the time. At breakfast, he approached the Gryffindor table.
"Miss Granger, my office, immediately after classes."
She looked up, surprised, but she quickly recovered. "Yes sir."
He stalked on toward the head table, leaving it up to her what she wanted to tell her friends.