A Life of Hiding
Author: Leta McGotor
Disclaimer: I own nothing because JKR does and I'm not her.
Chapter 2 Moving Heaven and Hell
The hours came and went but the lonely figure sitting in the office in the dungeons didn't stir. It seemed that the person was waiting for something and to be honest that was exactly the case. The figure stared at the door as if awaiting that someone would open it and enter the room. But the door remained closed. If you had looked in this very office a few hours ago you would have found the figure rummaging in the shelves, in the drawers of the desk. You would have found this person kneeling on the floor looking for only one sign. All books were looked through, all walls and furniture were felt. An inspiration, a hint was needed, only one.
The figure had sat there for hours. In the morning was the funeral of Albus Dumbledore. Many had cried, had felt helpless, defenceless without the man with the famous twinkle in his blue eyes. Many had been there, friends, family, students, teacher, people from the ministry and many more. They all wanted to say goodbye, to wosh their last farewell.
The Ministry was looking for his murderer, Severus Snape, as well as the lonely figure still sitting in his office, Minerva McGonagall, not Deputy Headmistress anymore, but Headmistress now of a school with maybe no future? She didn't know. She diden't want that the shool was to be closed as well as she didn't want to belive, what was sure. She simply couldn't believe that Severus Snape, her Severus, was pure evil and that he was nothing more as a good actor for Albus Dumbledore had trusted him, she had trusted him.
She heard the bell far, far away, midnight. It was dark in the room, no light but the small candle standing in the middle of the table. Minerva sighed. There had to be something, which would help her to find him. But she had looked all and everywhere – nothing. Only one little hint.
He is an evil murderer. He has killed Albus Dumbledore without a second look, the man who had trusted him, who had given him a second chance. Why do you want to look for evidence for his innocence? You know you won't find anything because he is not innocent but a murderer, Minerva, a murderer without a heart. That was what they had said to her as she had the idea to look for details, for evidence. You want to protect a murderer? They had looked at her as if she wasn't right in her mind, they had talked behind her back, but Minerva knew that he was innocent. He was not a murderer withou a heart. He had a heart, he had loved her and she had loved him. Is such a deep love, they both had felt, possible without a heart?. But why…?
She looked around for the uncoutableth time but all what she saw, were things she had seen before, looked through before. She looked back at the small object lying in her lap. It was a photography, made by a muggle camera. She and Severus were to be seen. They were happy at that time – two, no, nearly three years ago. She rembered clearly that day, the last of the summer holidays before the start of next term and of The Triwizard Tournament. He had taken her to a village celebration and afterwards to London to a small restaurant, where he had made his proposal kneeling in front of her with a man making music and one red rose in his hands. He wanted to marry her in the next summer holidays. She had dreamed about their wedding nearly every night since that day until, yes, until now. They weren't able to marry because of the return of Lord Voldemort. One year later she was all but in a healthy situation because of the four stunners and now, all was left was an empty office and the picture made at the village celebration – and, she felt for it, the ring hanging at the silver chain around her neck.
Minerva got to her feet. There had to be something here, wich would show her the right direction, any direction. Minerva felt the tears in her eyes again. She had cried the last days, every time she was alone, and the whole nights, for her she had lost both: Her best friend for years and years and the man she loved – and probably the happiness in her life.
"Severus." She cried sinking back into the chair. "Why?… Why are you… punishing me?… I love you…always." Tears poured down her face heavier that all the other times for now she was crying over her broken heart. With the time Minerva became quieter and quieter until she fell asleep, still with the rivers of tears on her face and still with the thought that she would move heaven and hell to find him, even if it would cost her life.
Far, far away another lonely figure stood at the window of a small cottage looking out at the grey surroundings and the rain. Brought the rain cold with it or was it because he felt cold inside of him? He had stood there for hours now, not moving an inch, not turning around as one of the many cats living here and in the near village chased another one. He sighed. Only one year ago he was happy with all what he had – a good job, a comfortable home and, what was most important for him – someone he loved and who loved him back.
His heart ached with only the thought about her. He missed her already and the knowledge that he wasn't allowed to see her again let his heart shatter in thousand pieces and more. Only one year ago.
It was his fault that all didn't work after what he had planned. His fault that one of his few friends, his employer and the man, who trusted him – Albus Dumbledore – was dead. It was his fault that the only woman he ever truly loved hated him for what he had done. Again his fault. If it all had only worked as he had planned it. But that never happened – his fault again and again.
Now he was dammed to have a life of hiding. Never should somebody find him, never. He would move heaven and hell that nobody would find him even if one of them would die at the attempt.
tbc
Of course you encourage me to write more if you click on the small button on the left side and say me what is good, what is bad and what I have to improve. And not to forget a big hug and thank-you to all who have read and especially to kate, Digital Damita, Morgana-Alex and Rhiannon Wt for reviewing.
