Severus Snape and the Reluctant Hero
Disclaimer: All characters in this story (except for Ravenna...Snape) belong to JKR, not me. This is my take on how our beloved Severus Snape came to be the way he is. Pre HBP but with elements from same. This is my version of year 6.
A/N: I would like to take a moment to thank Mark Darcy and Holly Ilex for their wonderful comments and encouragement of this story. HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
Chapter Thirteen
The Best Laid Plans...
Voldemort paced angrily about his study. Lucius had informed him of Snape's arrest and had so far been unsuccessful in gaining any additional information. With the loss of Bellatrix and Snape the only spies he had within Hogwarts castle were a bunch of snot nosed brats. One way or another he was going to have to eliminate Potter and Dumbledore once and for all. He took a little satisfaction in the knowledge that Dumbledore's last blood relative had already been eliminated, thanks to Snape's Wolfsbane potion. Unfortunately with Snape in custody of the Ministry, he had lost this weapon as well.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his study door. "Enter!" His hissed angrily.
Luther Bloodworth hesitantly entered the room, stopping before Voldemort to bow respectfully. "My lord, we have just received word that the Dementors have agreed to join us."
"That is most excellent news. Inform them we will call upon them when they are needed." Voldemort hissed through a self-satisfied smile. At least one part of his plan was still intact.
"As you command, my lord." Luther responded as he bowed and left the room. Once he had departed the study and closed the door he leaned heavily against it, releasing a shuddering breath.
"What news have you brought our lord?" Lucius asked has he approached the door Luther was leaning against.
"The Dementors have agreed to join us." Luther responded hollowly.
Lucius smirked "I am so glad you were appointed that task."
"What task have you been appointed then?" Luther asked curiously.
"I am to stay close to my son at that damned school, try to find out what that old fool is up to."
Luther nodded his head jealously, he should be the one at Hogwarts not Lucius. He had more children there and was not already identified as having joined up with the Dark Lord again as Lucius was now known to be.
"If you will excuse me, I am due to join my son this morning." Lucius said gleefully as he turned back down the hallway.
Hogwarts Castle
Harry let go of sleep slowly. He lay still for a few moments before sitting up to reach for his glasses on the bedside table. All was quiet this morning, then he realized he was still in the hospital wing. He was just uncovering to head to the facilities when Madam Pomfrey approached his bed. "Good morning, Harry. I trust you slept well." She said with a smile.
"Yes, thank you." Harry said as he stood next to the bed.
"Good. You can go ahead and wash up. I expect Ron and Hermione will be here shortly to escort you to breakfast." Poppy said with a smile then headed back to her office. Harry went about getting ready and was just putting on his robe when Ron peaked around the privacy screen.
"Ready for breakfast?" He asked with a smile. Harry nodded in response. Ron then pulled back the screen. Harry was amazed to find that not only Ron and Hermione were there but most of the members of the D.A.'s as well.
"What are you all doing here?" Harry asked wide-eyed.
The entire group clamored before Ginny stepped forward to speak. "We just wanted to make sure you are safe." She said with a shy smile. Harry smiled and led the group out of the hospital wing. They all made their way down the staircase towards the Great Hall talking excitedly amongst themselves. Harry came to a halt just at the bottom of the staircase as Draco, followed by at least ten Slytherins, approached him.
"Well Potter, glad to see you're feeling better." He commented insincerely.
Harry just smiled as the entire D.A. group stepped forward to surround him. Ron stood directly in front of Harry and Hermione moved to stand directly in front of Malfoy, her hand clutching her wand at her side.
"Out of the way, Malfoy." She said evenly. He just glared at her, then lowered his eyes to see the wand in her hand. With fear in his eyes he stepped aside and the group moved as one past the Slytherins.
As they crossed the threshold into the Great Hall Ernie Macmillian leaned towards Hermione. "That was awesome. Why is he so afraid of you?" He asked in awe.
"He knows I will jinx him if he mucks with me." She said with a smirk as she looked directly into Ron's appreciative eyes.
"Yeah, and she will make it hurt, too." Ron said proudly.
Albus watched as the large group escorted Harry into the Great Hall. He was happy to see the students bringing themselves together on their own for the greater good. He waited a few moments more for the Slytherins to seat themselves before indicating to Minerva to get the students attention. Minerva tapped her goblet with her spoon until all students were looking towards the teachers table.
When everyone was quiet Albus rose from his chair. "I have an announcement to make." He started almost sadly. "As you are already aware, many of you have family members here in the castle to help us all adjust to the sudden and tragic loss of Professor Gryffin." He paused for a moment and watched as the students sadly nodded their heads. "I too, feel her loss keenly. Many of you are not aware of the personal relationships she had within the castle. She was my great-granddaughter and Professor Snape's wife." The hall was momentarily filled with gasps of shock. Albus gave them a few moments to murmur amongst themselves before getting their attention.
"Given the current state of affairs in our world I cannot allow you to not be properly trained in defense. To that end I have asked Alastor Moody to return here to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts for the remaining weeks of this term." He concluded as he gestured towards Moody, who was sitting in the chair Ravenna used to sit in. The entire hall stared at Mad Eye. "Furthermore, until such time as Professor Snape returns to Hogwarts, those of you who are still taking Potions will have that time free for additional study." Albus concluded as he sat in the chair.
Many of the D.A.'s, who were a combination of students from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, directed their gaze towards Harry. Harry however, was staring directly at Draco who was scowling at Dumbledore.
Lucius strode into the Great Hall just as Moody was being announced as the professor who was taking Madam Snape's place. He was not at all pleased with this announcement, but was not surprised either. Who else would Dumbledore bring into the castle than a man known for his hatred of Death Eaters? Lucius quickly made his way to Draco's side and sat down quietly. "Were you able to get to Potter?" he whispered in his son's ear. Draco lowered his eyes and stiffly shook his head. "Why not?" Lucius hissed.
"Father, when he was released from hospital this morning he was escorted by an entourage of students. They completely surrounded him and that filthy Mudblood Granger threatened all of us with her wand." Draco concluded shamefully.
"It is of no matter Draco. Soon enough Potter will be eliminated, and Dumbledore with him." Lucius stated evenly as he glared at Dumbledore. Sensing someone looking at him, Albus turned his head to look directly at Lucius and nodded his head slightly, then turned back to complete his conversation with Moody.
At the conclusion of breakfast Harry, sandwiched between Ron and Hermione, headed back to Gryffindor Tower. As they would have had Double Potions this morning after breakfast they figured being back in the dormitory would be safer for Harry until lunchtime.
Lucius frowned as he watched Potter, surrounded by his friends, leave the Great Hall. He had to find a way to give Potter the potion that the Dark Lord had given him. Lucius had hoped Dumbledore would continue Potions classes while Snape was incarcerated so that he could get to the substitute and have some sort of potion brewed that the students would be required to test, then it would have only been a matter of replacing the potion sample with the potion from the Dark Lord. Now he had to come up with another plan, quickly. The Dark Lord was most anxious to have Potter destroyed. With a sigh of frustration he gestured for Draco to lead him out of the Great Hall back to the Slytherin common room.
Alastor watched the Malfoys intently as they departed the Great Hall. He continued to watch them through the wall until they were finally out of his range of vision before turning back to Albus. "I don't like the idea of that Death Eater here in the castle. He is up to something, I know it. He has a rather suspicious vial in the upper left pocket of his cloak." He said quietly as he could with his gravelly voice.
"I do not like him being here either, but this is the only way to justify all the other parents being here. If I begin to make exclusions it will only further heighten Voldemort's suspicions. Do your best to keep an eye on him, and keep him as far away from Harry as possible." Albus concluded quietly as he rose from his chair and departed through the door behind the teachers table. The rest of the teachers also left heading toward their respective classrooms.
Snape Estate
Severus woke to the feeling of something sticky and warm on his left arm. It took him a moment for his brain to wake enough for him to realize where he was. In his bed, on his estate with his wife at his side. She was lying in her usual position, on his left side with her head on his chest. His arm was wrapped around her back with his hand resting on her now much smaller waist. Unsure of what could cause the sensation he gently stroked Ravenna's cheek with his right hand. She did not move in the slightest at his touch. Figuring she was exhausted from giving birth to their daughter the day before he kissed her lightly on the top of her head before gently rolling her off of him so he could get up to use the facilities.
As he stood he looked down and was immediately alarmed. His left arm, from elbow to wrist, was covered in blood. Walking swiftly to the bathroom he washed off the blood, but could find no evidence of a wound that would have caused it. Like a bolt of lightening it struck him, he ran back to the bed and gently rolled Ravenna over so she was lying on her stomach. The entire back of her dressing gown was saturated in blood. Gently he removed the bloody garment and began to more closely examine her back. Quickly grabbing the wand that lay on the bedside table he flicked his wrist and the blood was gone. He was now able to see the whip marks, eighteen in all, on her back had re-opened somehow. With some rather complex wrist movements the wounds again sealed themselves. At that moment there was a gentle knock on the bedroom door. "Enter." He said.
"Good morning Severus." Molly smiled at him as she opened the door just enough to look in. "I believe your little one is getting hungry. Is she up yet?"
Severus shook his head and gestured for Molly to enter the room. "How did you heal those wounds?" He asked looking down at Ravenna's back. Molly looked down a little shocked to see that they looked as thought they were fresh.
"With a simple healing charm, why?" Molly said confused.
"I woke and found them all open and bleeding rather spectacularly." He said with concern heavy in his voice.
"I don't understand, how is that possible?" Molly asked, equally confused.
"I can only guess whomever inflected these wounds used a rather nasty concoction I developed in my early days with the Dark Lord." Severus said coldly.
"What sort of concoction?" Molly asked in a quiet, scared voice.
Severus took a moment to gather his thoughts before answering. "I had been charged with coming up with a potion which would, when applied to an open wound, cause that wound to reopen itself after being healed. It was one of many devises the Dark Lord used to torture and murder." Severus concluded with shame apparent on his face.
"Dear God. Is there any way to heal a wound like that?" Molly asked.
"I do not know. I did not know any of that particular potion still existed, so I did not come up with an antidote." With concern apparent in his eyes he sat on the bed and watched as the wounds on his wife's back opened again. "I must find something that will heal this. If I do not, she will most assuredly bleed to death in a matter of hours."
"Go then. I will stay here with her and continue to heal them as they open, this should buy us more time." Molly said with determination in her voice.
With no further words Severus nodded his head curtly and left the bedroom, heading towards his lab.
An hour later Severus came back into the bedroom holding a small jar. Molly had bandaged Ravenna's back as best she could and had just finished allowing the baby nurse on the still unconscious woman. Molly stood and approached. "At least for the time being she is able to feed your daughter. I need to go change her, then I will be back to help." Severus placed a gentle kiss on his daughter's forehead before Molly took her from the room. He crossed to the bed and kissed Ravenna gently on the lips, then rolled her gently over to remove the bandage. All eighteen wounds had opened themselves again. He quickly healed them and gently wiped the salve he had just completed over each of the deep gouges. Only time would tell if it would work.
Riddle Manor, several days later
Remus was curled up on the far corner of the room he was still being held hostage in. He still could not get beyond the fact that he had killed Ravenna Gryffin, one of his oldest and dearest friends. Voldemort seemed to be taking great pleasure in tormenting him about it. He was lost in his sorrow when the door to the room flew open suddenly. Remus did not bother to look up, he figured it was Voldemort back for another taunt. He was shocked to find he was being lifted bodily from the corner and kissed by Lucius Malfoy. Forcefully Remus shoved Malfoy away and glared at him.
"Remus, it's me. Tonks!" Lucius's face said quietly in a rather feminine voice. "We have very little time."
"What are you doing here?" He asked in a shocked voice.
"Dumbledore sent me to free you. Lucius is currently napping on the sofa in the Slytherin common room. Come with me, once we are outside of this house we can apparate out of here." She said as she grabbed hold of Remus's hand, pulling him out of the room. Remus noticed as he was pulled through the door to the room that he had occupied for several months now that the guard was lying on the floor. Once they were outside Tonks apparated them both to the Three Broomsticks.
"Why are we here?" He asked confused, the thought they were going to Hogwarts.
"This fireplace is connected directly to Dumbledore's office at Hogwarts. Hurry, we cannot risk you being spotted."
Remus quickly grabbed a handful of floo powder and threw it into the fire, seconds later he was standing in Dumbledore's office.
Albus grabbed him firmly by the shoulders. "Remus, I am so glad we have finally been able to free you." Albus said with a gleam in his eyes.
"I fear you did not free me soon enough Albus. I have done something truly horrible." Remus responded shamefully. Albus looked at him knowingly. Molly had already told him what she had done.
"Fear not Remus, you have not done what you think." He said comfortingly. Remus stared at him blankly. "I can assure you, you did not kill Ravenna." He concluded with a smile.
"But I remember it vividly." Remus stammered.
"That particular memory was given to you by Molly. When you helped Ravenna get safely home you went to get Molly, she then oblivated your memory of rescuing her and replaced it with what you believe now." Remus was relieved beyond words. Albus helped him to a nearby chair.
Just as Remus stepped away from the fireplace, green flames flared up and 'Lucius' stepped out of the fireplace.
"Very well done Tonks." Albus said. Go wait upstairs until the Polyjuice Potion wears off, then go back to the Slytherin common room. Keep close tabs on both Malfoys. I want to know the instant Lucius leaves." Tonks nodded her head and went up the stairs.
Remus watched silently as Tonks climbed the stairs to Albus's study. When he could no longer see her he looked back at Albus.
"Remus, you look absolutely exhausted. I want you to go upstairs to my bedchamber, shower and sleep. Once you have rested we will get you someplace safe." Albus said in a tone that left no opening for argument. Remus nodded his head and slowly climbed the staircase opposite the one Tonks had just taken. Confident that Remus would do as instructed he left his office to meet with Minerva. After informing her he was going to be out of the castle for a while he returned to his office and took the fireplace to Severus's house.
Snape Estate
Severus stated when green flames shot out of the fireplace opposite where he stood. He immediately relaxed when he saw Albus step out of the fireplace. "Severus, have you had any luck yet?" Albus asked concerned.
"Not as yet. The only reason she is still alive is because we are able to temporarily heal the wounds as soon as they open." He responded in a voice full of frustration. "Albus, this is entirely my fault." He said despondently. Albus stepped around the desk and placed a comforting hand of Severus's shoulder.
"Relax, dear boy. I assure you it is not." Albus said quietly.
"How can you possible say that? To every degree this is my fault. I married her, I took her to the Dark Lord, and I invented and brewed the potion that has left in her current condition." Severus lowered his eyes in shame.
"Severus, while it is true you did all these things, you cannot take responsibility for the actions of others. You were not the one who inflected the wounds and you were not the one who used the potion on her. What you can do is save her. As you said, you were the one who created the potion, so who better than you to find the antidote for it." Albus said with a knowing smile. "What have you tried so far?"
"Everything I can think of." Severus responded emotionlessly.
"Perhaps than I can be of assistance. Let us think as simply as possible. What is it that we want to do exactly?"
"We need to stop the bleeding and get the wounds to…" Severus broke off in mid sentence with a sparkle in his eyes. "Of course, a simple coagulant and perhaps something to cause the skin to swell." He said absently as he began to gather ingredients. Albus smiled as he patted Severus on the shoulder.
"While you work on that I am going to go see my great-great-granddaughter." Severus nodded absently as he set to work.
Albus watched him for a moment more before heading up the stairs. He smiled brightly as he reached the top step. He could clearly see Molly sitting on the sofa in the lounge cradling a small bundle.
"Molly." He said lightly, she turned to look at him.
"Albus, I was wondering when you would come for a visit. Come see." Molly smiled at him.
He took a seat next to Molly on the sofa and smiled as she placed the baby gently in his arms. "Remarkable, if I didn't know any better I would think I was holding Ravenna in my arms, except her hair wasn't nearly as dark." Albus said with a tear in his eye. "She is doing well?" He said as he looked back at Molly.
"So far she is doing wonderfully. We have kept Ravenna asleep to conserve her strength, fortunately we are still able to allow the baby to nurse." Molly's smile faded.
"Don't worry Molly, she is going to be fine. I believe at any moment now Severus will find the potion necessary to restore her to good health." Albus said as he continued to gaze upon the baby in his arms.
"I hope you are right Albus. Those two deserve to be happy. She really loves him you know."
"Yes, that is something I have known for a great many years."
Molly went to the kitchen to make some tea, leaving Albus to look after the infant he was cradling in his arms. Just as Molly returned to the lounge with a tray of tea Severus came running up the stairs.
"I think I've got it." He announced happily as he entered the lounge, then continued to the staircase that lead to the upper floor of his home. Albus, still holding the infant, and Molly hurriedly followed.
Severus placed the jar on the bedside table and gently lowered the covers from his wife. He then rolled her over so she was lying on her stomach. With all the gentleness he could muster he removed the bandage from her back and quickly cleaned the blood. He was just applying the thick cream to the first open wound when Molly and Albus entered the room. They stood at the foot of the bed while Severus sat on the edge watching Ravenna's back. Within moments a small smile formed on his lips. The wound he had applied the cream to had stopped bleeding and the skin was beginning to swell. Hurriedly, but gently, he applied more cream to the rest of the whip marks. Seeing that the remainder of the wounds had also stopped bleeding he covered them all with a fresh bandage and pulled the covers back up. "If this works we should be able to wake her. I would like to wait for at least another hour to make sure they do not re-open." He said quietly as he turned his gaze from his sleeping wife to Albus and Molly.
"What we have just witnessed looks promising." Molly said happily. "I believe she is going to be fine now. The baby will not be hungry for a while yet, why don't you try to get some rest."
Severus shook his head and rose from the bed. Albus moved to stand next to him. "Severus, you look dead on your feet. Get some sleep." He concluded as he gently pushed Severus back down on the bed. "I must get back to the school, but I will be back this evening and I expect to see you looking better than you do now."
Molly gently extracted the infant from Albus's arms and left the room.
"Albus, what is going on back there? Is Harry doing well?" Severus asked as he watched Molly and his daughter leave the room.
"We will discuss all of that when I return this evening. For now, lay down with her and get some sleep. She will be worried sick if she sees you in this state." Albus smiled slightly, he knew he had just played the right card.
"Very well, but I expect you to update me on everything when you get back." Severus stated firmly. Albus nodded his head and left the room.
Riddle Manor, several hours later
Luther Bloodworth paced the floor frantically. He knew there would be hell to pay when the Dark Lord found out. The moment he had been dreading was upon him. The Dark Lord would be returning at any moment and Luther was the one who would have to deliver the bad news. Hearing the commotion in the entryway he knew the time had come. Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly he proceeded to the study.
"Pardon the intrusion my lord, I have news I must report." Luther said nervously from the study door. Voldemort turned to face the door.
"Can this not wait Luther?" Voldemort asked annoyed.
"I fear not my lord, I believe you would be angrier if you find out later." Luther stuttered.
"Very well then, out with it." Voldemort hissed in response.
"My lord, the werewolf has escaped." Luther stated quietly.
"WHAT!"
"My lord, we are still not quite sure how he got out. The guard was found unconscious and the back door was left open. That is all we know."
"I want him found, he knows were we are." Voldemort yelled. Luther bowed and backed out of the study.
Hogwarts, Room of Requirements
Since Severus had advised Harry that Hogwarts was most likely going to be attacked he had gathered the D.A.'s to begin training again. They had decided they needed to do the unthinkable. They were going to have to learn how to cast the Unforgivables, along with a great many other offensive curses. They had also decided they all needed to practice conjuring a patronus since the Dementors had abandoned Azkaban. Harry had just finished reminding the gathering of how to conjure the Patronus Charm when he felt the intense burning in his scar. He clutched his hands tightly to his forehead and fell to the floor. Ginny and Hermione were instantly at his side. "I think Voldemort is upset about something." He whispered in a pained voice. Hermione nodded and called Ron.
"Take him back to the tower. We are going to continue to practice." She said firmly. Ron nodded and helped Harry to his feet.
By the time they reached the Fat Lady the pain in Harry's head had subsided. He was just about to speak the password when Dumbledore rounded the corner at the far end of the corridor.
"Harry, are you quite well?" He asked with a knowing look in his eye.
"I am now sir, thank you. I think Voldemort is angry." Harry responded shakily.
"Yes, I was wondering when he would find out." Albus said absently. Ron and Harry both looked at him questioningly. "I think perhaps it is best if you get some rest. Be sure to prepare yourself."
"I will sir, good night." Harry responded, then stepped through the portrait hole that had been revealed when Ron spoke the password to the Fat Lady.
Once inside the Gryffindor common room Harry took a deep breath and released it slowly. Ron was already heading up the stairs towards their room. By the time Harry had reached their room Ron had already changed into his pajamas.
"Harry, are you alright?" Ron asked as Harry entered the room.
"Yeah, fine." Harry responded quietly. "I just miss her."
"Yeah." Ron said in response. "Get some sleep, we've got Mad Eye first thing in the morning.
"Night Ron." Harry said as he changed into his pajamas.
Snape Estate
Molly knocked quietly on the bedroom door before she opened it just enough to pop her head through. "Severus." She called quietly. There was no answer. "Severus, the baby's getting hungry." She called a little louder.
At the sound of Molly's voice Severus woke suddenly. "Bring her in." He said roughly.
"I am so sorry to wake you, she is getting impatient." Molly said apologetically.
"It is quite alright. I expect Albus will be coming back soon. I should be up and ready for him." Severus said as he rose from the bed and headed to the bathroom. He quickly showered and redressed in clean clothes. When he came back into the bedroom Molly was just settling the infant in to nurse.
"Molly, I want to thank you again for everything you have done to take care of my wife and daughter. I shall be forever in your debt." He said as he approached the bed. "Why don't you go ahead downstairs and wait for Albus. I'll take care of this."
"Alright. You could use a little private time with them. I will be right downstairs if you need me." She said with a smile as she rose from the bed. Severus immediately sat in the spot she had just vacated.
She watched from the door for a moment as Severus gently held his daughter to his wife's breast before closing it and heading back to the lounge.
Severus continued to hold his daughter close to Ravenna until she had fallen asleep. He then cradled her firmly in his arms, kissing her lovingly on her tiny head. He held her close for a few moments before placing her gently in the bassinet that was beside Ravenna's side of the bed, tucking her in carefully. He then rearranged the covers over his wife. Taking a quick glance at his daughter he stepped around to his own side of the bed. With a shuddered breath he laid back down to wait for Albus to arrive. He did not even realize when he drifted off to sleep. He woke a short time later feeling the warmth of his wife on his chest.
Tenderly he kissed the top Ravenna's head, which was tucked into the crook of his shoulder. He was surprised when she lifted her head and looked him in the eyes.
"Hi." She said quietly.
"Hi yourself." He said tearfully.
Startled by the tears in her husband's eyes she lifted her hand to his face and gently stroked his cheek. "What's wrong?" She asked concerned.
"You have given us quite a scare. I was afraid you were going to leave me."
"What has happened?
"In short, the wounds that were inflicted on you caused you to nearly bleed to death. You have been out for almost a week while I tried to find a way to keep the wounds healed."
"What about the baby, where is she? How is she?" Ravenna asked with an anxious voice.
"She is sleeping in the bassinet beside you. She is fine, wonderful actually." He said with a smile. "Looks just like her mother."
"And how are you?" She asked anxiously as she slowly sat up.
"Easy." He said as he as he too sat up. "You need to take it easy. You have had a very difficult and draining week."
She smiled at him lovingly and pulled him into a firm embrace. "From the looks of you I would say you have had a rough few days yourself."
"I was scared. I thought you were going to die." He whispered.
"Were the lashes that serious? Molly healed them when she first got here." Ravenna said curiously.
"The wounds themselves were not severe, the problem was they would not stay healed." He responded tightly.
She knew instantly there was something her husband was not telling her. "What is it?"
He looked her in the eyes briefly before lowering his eyes to the bed. "It is my fault." He said shamefully.
"What is your fault?" She asked as she placed her hand on his chin, lifting his face to look at her.
"I made a potion that keeps wounds from healing. Whoever beat you must have used it."
"Don't be daft, you didn't beat me with that whip. That was Luther. And you most certainly didn't try to make me bleed to death."
Severus glared for a moment. "Bloodworth did that to you?" Ravenna just nodded in response. "What else?"
"Nothing." She said a little too quickly.
"He didn't…"
"Not for want of trying, fortunately for me he was having so much fun whipping me that he ran out of time." She said shakily. Severus pulled her into a firm embrace and kissed her gently on the top of the head.
They sat quietly in their embrace until there was a knock on the door.
"Enter." Severus said evenly as he looked to the door. Albus entered the room.
"Ravenna, I am so happy to see you are awake." He said with a full smile.
"Grandfather!" Ravenna exclaimed happily as she sat up in the bed.
"You have a beautiful daughter. Have you given her a name yet?"
Ravenna lost her smile and looked from Albus to Severus. Severus smiled back at her. "I believe we should name her Lilly, with 2 L's. What do you think?" Severus said as he gently kissed his wife's neck.
"Thank you, Severus." She said, tears shining in her eyes.
"Wonderful!" Albus said as he bent over to lift the infant from her bassinet. "It is a pleasure to meet you Lilly." He said quietly as he kissed the sleeping baby on the forehead. He than pulled up a chair to sit next to the bed. "There is much to discuss, and I am afraid I have little time." Both Ravenna and Severus lost their smiles.
"Is Harry well?" Severus asked quickly.
"Yes, for the moment he is safe and well. It would seem Voldemort is getting increasingly angry and unfortunately Harry is feeling it."
"What is going on, Grandfather?" Ravenna asked nervously.
"Well, everyone except for Molly, Severus, Remus, Poppy and I believe you to be dead."
Ravenna gasped. "Remus knows I am not dead? Than surely Voldemort knows this as well."
"We have been able to free him. He is now safely at Hogwarts. Once he has had a chance to rest a bit and eat I am going house him in the rooms behind Severus's apartment."
"I had completely forgotten about those rooms." Severus said quietly. Ravenna looked at him questioningly. He smiled slightly at her before continuing. "When you were presumed dead, I hid the door. It was too painful a reminder of you." Ravenna turned to face him fully and pulled him into an embrace. Severus returned her hug and kissed her gently. He then turned his attention back to Albus.
"When will I be able to return to the castle?"
"Soon. I am afraid we will need you." Albus responded gravely.
"I want to go back too." Ravenna said quietly. "I can stay in the rooms behind his apartment as well."
"Perhaps, after you have rested." Albus responded.
"I don't believe that is a wise idea. I don't want the Dark Lord to know you are still alive. It could be dangerous for both you and Lilly." Severus said gravely.
"I don't want you going back there without me." She responded adamantly.
"Ravenna, we need him back soon. Voldemort is becoming increasingly angry about his continued failures; we need to know what is going on there. He will likely make his move soon now that Remus has escaped and we know where he is." Albus said with a wink at Severus.
Ravenna glared at him for several moments before responding. "Very well, but will he be able to return here in the evenings?"
"Perhaps, if it is not too risky. We will have to be careful that the increased floo activity is not being noted." Albus stated gravely. "I have been receiving reports of strange behavior by many Ministry employees."
"Then it is likely that the Dark Lord has begun to use the potions that he has had made." Severus said quietly.
"Would it not make more sense for me to be at Hogwarts than?" Ravenna interjected. "This way we would not have to worry about discovery."
Albus and Severus looked intently at each other, neither wanting her and the newborn to be at the castle should it be attacked. Ravenna watched the silent exchange for several moments before speaking again.
"I am quite capable of protecting myself." She stated adamantly. Severus smirked. "And what do you find so amusing?" She growled at him.
"I seem to recall making that same statement myself." She chuckled.
"Grandfather, please. I don't want him to go back if I will not be able to see him."
"Very well child. I think a few more days for both of you to rest, then you all will return to the castle."
"Thank you." Severus said quietly. "How is Harry doing?"
"He is doing well; they have taken it upon themselves to reform my army and are practicing regularly." Albus began with a smile. "The members have taken it upon themselves to be sure that he is being well protected."
"That is good to hear." Severus said quietly. He was relieved that Harry had taken his warning seriously.
"I will leave you now to rest. I will send word when it is time for you to return." Albus said as he gently placed the sleeping infant back into her bassinet. Molly followed him out of the room.
When Albus and Molly reached the fireplace in Severus's basement he paused for a moment. "Molly, when they return to Hogwarts you should go back to headquarters. I will let Arthur know you are fine. Any messages you would like me to relay?"
"Just tell him and the children I am fine and love them." She said sadly.
"I know you miss them all. You will be with them again soon." He replied as he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. Without any further conversation Albus stepped into the fireplace and disappeared in a flash of green flames.
Once he arrived back in his office he headed directly to his sleeping chamber. He smiled when he saw Remus still sleeping peacefully upon the bed.