Disclaimer- Really, I wish I actually was creative enough to come up with something like this, but I'm really not. I'm not making any money.
Monuments and Melodies
Chapter Six- Frayed
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When Severus had trudged down the old squeaking staircase of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place a few days later, he was surprised to see Ginny already there, moving bit of porridge around aimlessly in the bowl with her spoon. She looked better than see had in weeks, her crimson hair left tumbled and shining like liquid blood on a dried surface. She wore a simple graying jumper with frayed cuffs that he recognized as a Weasley sweater, a sight he had become familiar with after years of red heads passing through his classes.
Slowly, her head turned to him, "Good morning," she said softly, making a point to take a bite from her porridge.
He nodded, "Good morning. You're looking better."
"I know," she said, "Remus stopped by a little while ago."
Severus nodded again, taking a seat at the table diagonally from her. His hands shifted through a few papers resting on the worn wood, "What did he want?"
"To talk to you."
"About?"
"He wouldn't say," she answered, nibbling a bit more of her meal, her eyes fixed on Severus's hands fumbling through the parchment, "What are you looking for?"
"A letter Albus sent me yesterday. I don't think it's here." He murmured, his hands still busy.
"You might try the drawing room. I saw some stray parchment on the side table in there last night." She suggested. He thought for a minute, looking at the door, but then shaking his head.
"I'll do that after a cup of tea." He said, heading over to the sink and filling the empty kettle with water, "Would you like some?"
"No, thank you."
Severus dropped the kettle on the stove and used his wand to ignite a fire below it. The red flames surrounded the bottom of the pot, the heat from them warming the air around. He stood stiffly, his eyes focused on the kettle, waiting for that familiar whistle that would signal the water was done heating.
"Professor?" Ginny asked from behind him. He turned, "Are you going to the Grounds today?" He paused a moment.
"Yes, Miss Weasley."
"May I go with you?"
Severus stopped. Why would she ever want to go back there? He surely didn't. The place held too many ill memories of things he no longer wanted to remember.
"No, of course not."
Ginny looked horribly put out, "Why not?"
"It's not safe. Constructional spells will be flying about, and I doubt you will find it pleasant to be hit by one."
"I'm not careless. I can easily watch out for that sort of thing."
"Not in your condition." The kettle began to resound, and he quickly grabbed a rag from the counter and picked the object off its setting and placed it carefully on the stove top beside the lit burner.
"You said I looked better yourself."
Severus sighed in quiet frustration at this. He did not turn back to her, opening up the cabinet to find a suitable tea cup. His hand brushed against the familiar rose thorned cup, his fingertips making a print on the shiny surface. He took it down, and watched the steam like the smoke of a cremation rise from the boiling water as he poured it.
"Professor, please," He heard Ginny say behind him; "I want to go."
He still did not look back to her, bending down to find the tea bags in the fairly messy drawer next to the stove, "I understand that Ms. Weasley, but it's just not appropriate."
"Appropriate? What's not appropriate about it?"
Severus found a small tin full of the contents he had been looking for. There being no labels on the different bags, he held them to his nose and sniffed to see if he could identify any of the ingredients. Recognizing maple in one of the lighter colored bags, he dropped it into his cup, forgetting the rest. He stirred the thin paper around in the warm water, watching as its color and scent diffused.
"Professor," Ginny repeated, "What is not appropriate about it?"
He did not look to her, only removing the spoon and wiping it off on the rim, "Well, a great deal of people are going to be there, and who knows what the consequences are if you get too excited."
"Who?"
"What do you mean 'Who'?"
"Who is going to be there?"
He moved to the table, sitting across from her, waiting for his fresh tea to cool, "Remus as you know, Potter," she gave a funny look, "Malfoy- yes, Miss Weasley, Draco will be there, Minerva, maybe Poppy, Dumbledore is trying to get some word to Charlie-"
"Charlie?!" Ginny exclaimed, "He's alive?"
Severus was baffled. He had assumed that she already knew, that Harry would have told her. The boy had spent enough time harassing the poor girl. One would think he would inform her of the present situation, "Yes, Miss Weasley."
"Where is he?" Her eyes were wide with anxiety; hanging on Severus's every breath.
"I'm afraid I don't know."
She was confused, "Don't know?"
"No one does. He disappeared after the Battle," he responded.
"Then how do you-"
"Supposedly, he has been in contact with Albus."
Ginny's pale face fell, "That doesn't make any sense. Why would he just take off like that… when I'm still here?" she finished the last part in almost a murmur.
Severus frowned, "Miss Weasley, how much do you know of Percy's participation in the War?"
Ginny's lips pursed, "He strove to stay out of it. He didn't want to be involved in the fighting."
"It didn't seem that way the last I saw of him."
"What are you saying?" her features remained neutral, but in her eyes the dread was rising.
"There are many who bear the mark-"
"No," Ginny whispered in disbelief. He could see the line of water appearing just above her lashes like a clear liner.
"I'm very sorry, Miss Weasley," He said stiffly, not knowing what else to do. She stood up abruptly, skidding the bench back. Her breath was fast and ragged.
"Excuse me," she muttered, fleeing up the stairs. He could hear her footsteps creaking against the wooden floor, and she made a distinct snap as the door to her bedroom was shut.
Severus sat there a moment, running a hand through his hair. He pinched the bridge of his nose tightly, and groaned.
"Damn it."
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When Severus apparated just outside the battered iron gates of Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry, the sun should have been high in the sky, but the only to be seen above the scorched and limbless trees of the Forbidden Forest was a slate of gray, painting the heavens for miles and miles.
Behind him, Severus could just make out the small village of Hogsmeade, still destroyed and ruined. Small miniatures could be seen from his position, moving about and trying to clean up the mess they had been left with. From the few words coming into Grimmauld Place, he had heard that Hogsmeade was probably the most devastated of all areas with the exception of Hogwarts itself, and now its surviving residents and even the generous from all over the country were striving to put the town back together. This was the case in many other locations.
Hogwarts. He sighed at the thought. He had not been to the Godforsaken place in what seemed ages. Not since that fateful day just after the final battle. The day he had found Ginny, wrecked and ravaged, clinging to the body of her dead brother. He tried to shrug off the image.
And now he stood before those familiar iron gates that had protected him from the outside world, not only for just the student's seven years, but for an extra twenty three. Thirty years he had spent, confined behind those stone walls, thirty years he had resented the place like a prison, and yet thirty years he called it home.
And now, when he saw its ruins through the twisted and melted iron, he could not help to feel the lump in his throat. But it was swallowed quickly, and his thin spidery hand grasped the bent metal, slowing pushing the gate open with a squeak emitting from the hinges.
He started down the rough path, beaten down by years of students, taking his time to look at the atmosphere around him. The grounds looked much better than they had the last time he'd been there, but it was still easily one of the most tragic places he had ever seen. The bodies that had once littered the grass had disappeared, but instead of leaving behind the lush green carpet that he had grown to recognize, the grass was scorched- blacken and browned beneath his feet.
The Forbidden Forest once bustling with life, had fallen into a state of pure death. The trees stood straight and tall, but narrowed by the roaring fires. They stood together pointing to the clouds like a large hedgehog, warding off the sky. And the castle- no, there was no castle. Only a pile of rubble was left to signify the once towering turrets that had stood there.
As Severus came closer, he could see the spells flying about, sending new gleaming stone one upon the other. For how little the progress seemed, they must have done a great deal to already be working above ground. The dungeons were more extensive than anyone would ever believe.
All around the perimeter were charm casters participating in the reconstruction, their wands weaving together the castle that hand once been his world. There were only a few not working, and as he approached, Severus could identify most of the circled group.
Remus, the graying werewolf stood beside Kingsley Shacklebolt, looking worse for the wear. He had supposedly been rounding up the last of the Death Eaters over these past few weeks. It was not a job Severus would choose to take. Potter was ruffling a hand through his hair, saying something (with quite an unpleasant look) to the blonde haired man beside him- Draco Malfoy. Severus had always been fond of the boy, fond even as he was still to this day fond of the late Lucius. He could not say he wasn't pleased when the young Malfoy had turned to the Order of the Phoenix after his father's death. And beside that pair stood Minerva, a few more wrinkles around her knowing eyes and her frail hands clinging tightly to the shoulder of a silver haired wizard- Albus Dumbledore, the man who had taken the place of a friend when no one else was willing to take up the spot, and for that, Severus would be eternally grateful.
The older man had caught him watching, his blue eyes still twinkling after all they had seen, "Severus, my boy," he called, waving him over. Severus followed, joining the small circle beside Minerva, "I pray we did not call you from any matter too pressing?"
"No, not at all," he said briskly. The headmaster nodded, before turning to say something to Kingsley that Severus did not hear. Minerva was talking to him.
"You look awful," she tsked, looking him over.
"Talking like that will give me a big head." Minerva smiled, and gave a small chuckle.
"Well, I'm glad to see your foul manner is still in check, if not your charming good looks."
Draco looked over at them, "Professor Snape charming? I'm afraid I've missed something dreadfully important." The boy smirked, his thin hair falling into his face.
Harry scowled, "The war, perhaps?"
Minerva pursed her lips, but said nothing. Like old times, the two boys now men still fought like two wild cats in a pit. Harry had not been pleased when Draco had come to the Order, head in his hands, and had never learned to trust the pureblood wizard as he never learned to trust Snape. And Draco had continued with his snide comments and sarcastic jests, but there was something more in the back of his eyes whenever these things were directed at Harry. Like an old wound once scabbed over was beginning to bleed.
But for all the animosity between them, they were an unstoppable pair. Having a bounty on his head, Draco had been forced to stay within headquarters, working from the inside, while Harry had been out physically fighting to bring an end to the war. It was the Slytherin who had formulated all the plans, who they owed most of their success too, and it was Harry who executed these plans. Together, they had brought the Dark Lord's downfall, but it seemed Potter resented the fact he had needed his school time enemy's help, even today when the war was over.
Or was it?
"Severus," Albus addressed him, "I was actually hoping you would have brought Miss Weasley along."
The glower on Potter's face immediately dissipated, his attention all on Severus, waiting for his reply.
"Miss Weasley, though better, was not in condition to attend this little gathering," Severus answered briskly, avoiding the green eye's staring at him.
"She seemed well enough this morning," Remus put in, glancing accusingly at the potions master.
"Later events have kept her at Grimmauld Place."
"You didn't want her to come," Harry spat, "That's why she's not here."
"You are correct when you say I did not want Miss Weasley to come, but it is certainly not the reason for her absence."
"What did you do to her?"
"Now, Harry," the Headmaster said, "There's no reason to point fingers. I'm sure Miss Weasley's absence was purely of her own choice."
Potter looked skeptical, "I'm not so sure."
"Mr. Potter, do you really believe that if Miss Weasley had wanted to come she would not be here. She is probably the most stubborn girl I have ever had the displeasure of meeting. I highly doubt my word alone could keep her away from anything."
"Well, why isn't she here then?" Malfoy asked.
Severus frowned, speaking grimly, "She was just made aware of her brother's placement in the war."
"Percy?" Kingsley said.
"Yes."
Harry immediately looked down, Draco following this action but not for the same reasons. Everyone's expression was mournful.
Minerva started, "I would think Miss Weasley would have known. She was in captivity-"
"That does not mean she knew who they were."
Minerva's lips fell once again into that familiar line, but it was not a scolding expression this time.
"Enough, enough," Dumbledore said, "Miss Weasley is not here and it is foolish to stand here bickering about something we cannot change." The group murmured in agreement, "I hope you've all been well since I last saw you. It's been longer with some and shorter with others. I wish we all had a little more time to chat, but there is work to be done. If things go to schedule, Hogwarts should be ready to accept students in a year- next September."
In a year? That was almost ridiculous. It was impossible. You couldn't put up a castle in that short of a time. Severus heard a few whispers expressing his same ideas.
"Yes, I know, I know," he continued, "It may seem a bit hard to grasp, but Mr. Malfoy has donated a great deal to the project, along with Mr. Potter and numerous others, not to mention the great number of people who have volunteered to work from all over the continent. Hogwarts has suddenly become the best place to send your children, and the enrollment list has increased greatly in the short time after the war. And a school, now becoming the top school for European witches and wizards, will need the best of the best as there professors, which is why I have asked you all here."
There was a silent pause, everyone trying to take in all the Headmaster had said.
"You want me to teach?" Draco said, breaking the silence.
"Hogwarts needs a new Charms professor, Mr. Malfoy."
"Me? Teach charms?"
Dumbledore smiled, "As far as I'm concerned, you are the best of the best."
Draco quickly wiped the surprised look off his face for a smug one, "Well, I'll have to think about it."
"Yes, yes of course, now Remus, how would you feel about returning to teach Care of Magical Creatures?"
"Teach again?" Remus was taken back, "Professor, I would be honored."
"Very good, very good, Remus. And Kingsley, we've already discussed it. Everything is in order."
"Ship shape, Professor."
"Good, good, then I'm guessing Harry will be taking over for you."
"He's my first choice." Kingsley said, looking over at Harry, who nodded.
"Yes, and I assume Minerva and Severus will be returning to their old positions?" Albus looked pointedly at them.
"Of course," Minerva snorted, "Where else am I to go?"
That was the real question. Where else was there to go? Severus frowned. He was not sure if he could return to that life that had been his prison for twenty three years. Now that freedom had finally fallen upon him, he had no idea what to do with it.
"I would like some time to think it over," he answered it finally.
Dumbledore frowned, "As much time as you need, my boy. As much as you need."
"Thank you, Professor."
"Say nothing of it… now, why don't I show you the plans Mr. Malfoy has come up with for the frame…" Dumbledore said beginning to walk over to a small tent set up about one hundred feet away. The group began to follow, as the elder man painted a picture of what the school would be like. Severus moved with them, but tuned it all out. He was too busy thinking about his decision.
This was home, was it not? But it was a home he had always longed to leave; one he had hoped to depart from like a child hopes to leave their parent's dwelling. He still had Snape Manor in his possession. The thought of living there had always sung in the back of is mind, but would he be happy there?
Would he really be happy anywhere?
He was beginning to doubt it.
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A/n- Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews! I can not say that enough! You guys are great! Don't worry, chapter seven is still a work in progress but about half way done and should be up soon. Honestly I LOVE long, rambly reviews telling me exactly what you think, so feel free to just babble. I originally wrought this story for all the Snape/Ginny shippers out there who had no stories of real meaning that were long and in depth. This is for you guys! And I just want to address some of you wonderful reviewers. I know who you are!
GreenEyesBlind- Oh, I hope Harry didn't come off as too needy. He's just lonely. J
livy black- Hey man, I'm only human… heh