k heres a new chapter for all of those who are reading this story. well, i hope are reading. and i hope you all are enjoying it.
Disclaimer: i dont own anyone cept for evelyn and her family
They appeared at the castle gates, the soft dim from the windows of the castle gave Hogwarts a magical appearance. One would usually marvel at its wonder. But not this night, not for this man. His only objective was to bring this girl to safety.
He hoisted the woman gently in his arms for a better grip and started up the pathway to Hogwarts, the stars shining brightly overhead. The distant caw of night birds and rustling of branches from the forbidden forest could be heard, yet Snape paid no heed. The night grew cold, even though it was still the summertime, and he could feel Evelyn shivering in her fitful sleep. Holding the girl as close as he could for warmth, he picked up his pace, the castle doors drawing closer.
He kicked open the large wooden doors and stumbled into the great hall. There stood professor McGonagall, waiting for them no doubt. She rushed over to her colleague immediately.
"Severus! Is she alright?" McGonagalls stern voice sounded panicked.
"She is physically alright Minerva, she is merely sleeping. Emotionally, however, she is in great pain." Snape answered wearily. He was tired and his body was still in minor pain from the unforgivables cursed on him tonight. All he wanted to do was take a pain killing potion and go to sleep.
"We must bring her to the hospital wing, shes been through much trauma." McGonagall stated firmly.
"No, the headmaster requested that he saw her before anything else."
"But Severus, the poor child has gone through quite enough for one night, surely-"
"Minerva, any other time I would agree, but the headmaster is adamant on seeing Miss O'Brien," Snape answered. The tone of his voice suggested that the subject was closed, and he headed up the stairs, to the headmasters office, McGonagall in tow.
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Evelyn awoke from her short slumber in the arms of her potions master, going up a large spiraling staircase she recognized lead to the headmasters office. She looked up at Snape, staring at his faced, etched with worry and aggravation. She wondered briefly if she was the only cause for this expression. The doors to the headmasters office opened and she felt snape walking forward. She did not want to have to face the headmaster, to see his look of pity for her, to have to explain what she saw. So she closed her eyes, with hope that she could stall time.
"Seveus my dear boy, is Miss O'Brien quite alright?" She heard Dumbledore whisper in a fearful tone.
"Yes she is fine, physically that is." Snape drawled.
"Of course, the emotional strain on this poor child is of course hard to bear. Well, set her down on the couch, and we will wake her."
Please God, no. not now... Evelyn thought
"Headmaster, this could be too much for her to face right now. The mere mentioning of her family brought her to tears when I found her. I suggest we let her rest for now." Evelyn felt a rush of gratitude for her professor.
"I agree with Severus, albus. This is too much too soon." Professor McGonagall's stern voice added.
"To hold this off will only cause more pain for her to relive something she worked hard to forget, let her get it over with now and let her rest afterward." Dumbledore replied wisely.
In her heart of hearts, Evelyn knew he was right. But she did not want to go through with the telling of what she found, not now, not ever. But sure enough, she felt a hand lightly shake her shoulder, and the soft voice of Albus Dumbledore calling to her.
She let her eyes flutter open, and the kind face of the headmaster was looking down upon her, the twinkle in his eye gone. The look of sorrow on his honest face was too much for her, and a tear escaped her eye.
She felt the warm embrace from the old man, the gentle rocking of his arms as she cried once again that night. Unknown to her, Snape stood by the window, fighting off the emotion of jealousy, an emotion he had not felt for years.
Soon her tears subsided, and she pulled away from the headmaster, thanking him quietly. He smiled and patted her head, and walked around his desk and sat down.
"My dear child, I can not express the sorrow I hold for you, and I know that when these few months pass, you will be tired of constantly hearing 'im sorry' from many people, but know that you are not alone, though you may think it. There are still many people out in the world that care for you, including every person in this room."
Evelyn saw McGonagall nod in agreement, but she noticed Snape did not affirm what the headmaster said, though Evelyn felt that he did indeed care, or else he would not have shown such kindness in her moment of need. Him being there was enough for her. Dumbledore continued.
"I realize how hard this may be for you, but I must ask you to show bravery again tonight, I must ask you to relive what happened to you. I must know what you found at your home this evening." Dumbledore said carefully, staring intently at Evelyn.
Evelyn looked fearfully at Dumbledore. She trusted this man, yet she was not sure she was ready to share anything about tonight with anyone. She knew he had good intentions, but she'd give the world to just be able to forget. She looked at professor McGonagal, who gave her an encouraging smile, and she looked at Snape, who was watching her closely from his place at the window. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and began.
She told them everything she could remember. She told them about going to the store, what she got, what she thought of while walking back, hearing the screams, and seeing the dark mark, running to the house, finding her nana dead at the doorway, walking throughout the house, finding everyone else dead, being in a trance like state. Finding her parents dead. Realizing then and there as she saw her father what had happened. Running away from the house. Professor Snape finding her. And finally being brought to Hogwarts. She thought that her specific emotions at the time could be left out. Retelling the events of this night was hard to do, but once she got started she couldn't stop. She didn't cry, she didn't scream, she just told the headmaster what she knew, in an emotionless voice, staring at a corner of the rug, but not really seeing it. She was trying to get to a distant place in her mind, to run away from it all.
She finished her tale, and drew a shaky breath, allowing a tear to escape her eye. She felt a reassuring hand on her shoulder, and found it to belong to McGonagall, her stern face softened, a sad smile formed on her lips. Evelyn looked at Snape, who was staring out the window, a disturbed look on his face. At the time she wished she knew what he was thinking of.
"My dear child, I again cannot express my sorrow for your loss, though I know it won't bring your family back. But know that you are not alone in this world, that the people in this school care for you dearly and you are always safe and welcomed here. I will have Severus escort you to a room in the west wing that you could occupy for the time being, and we shall talk more in the morning. Goodnight, Evelyn. Try your best to get some sleep." Albus said kindly.
Evelyn nodded and stood to leave, waiting for Snape to escort her. Snape sighed and turned to Evelyn.
"Miss O'Brien, would you kindly wait at the bottom of the steps for me? I'll be with you shortly."
Evelyn nodded, and opened the door gently, stepping down the steps with her head hung, her hair covering her face. McGonagall sent a worried look to Dumbledore and followed the worn out girl.
Dumbledore turned to Severus, and raised an inquiring eyebrow. Snape sighed.
"Albus I am worried of how Miss O'Brien will react to the events of tonight. What if she closes off from the world? Or attempts suicide?"
"Yes Severus, I myself had reviewed these possibilities while Evelyn had told me of the nights events. And I have come to the conclusion that her biggest fear is being alone, for she was used to having such a large family that she never had to endure loneliness. So, if she is not alone, then she cannot close off from us or, God forbid, commit suicide. We will just have to be as supportive as her family would, and keep a sharp eye on her. Can I trust you to do this?" Dumbledore asked.
"You have my word Albus, I will assist in caring for the girl." Severus replied firmly, if not a bit unwilling.
Dumbledore smiled. "I was hoping that you would not argue Severus. I think that, since you were the one there at her hour of need, she will most likely confide in you among anyone else."
This statement from the headmaster, to say the least, startled Severus. He had not even thought of the idea that she would be willing to ever even associate with him after tonight, for she knew that he was there when her family was murdered. Snape stared at the elderly man, trying to decipher what made him say that statement, but all that Dumbledore did was pop a lemon drop into his mouth, and smiling serenely, bid Snape goodnight.
Utterly bewildered, Snape walked out the door, wondering if the headmaster's statement was just a guess or if it would actually occur.
k theres anuther chapter for ya. PLEASE R&R! even if your comment is insulting, im sure ill get a laugh out of it. :)