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.
Chapter Sixteen
The Boy Who Lived No More
Harry had gotten back on his feet and tried to charge Voldemort, only to find himself flying several feet into the air, and crashing back down with a thud. Voldemort then turned his attention to Harry, who was on the ground at his feet. "Good bye Harry." He hissed. "AVADA KADAVRA!" With a flash of green, Harry Potter – The Boy Who Lived – was dead.
"MORSMORDRE!" Several of the surrounding Death Eaters yelled and cheered as the giant green skull took shape over the Hogwarts grounds.
"NO!" Ravenna shouted, still hovering. Voldemort, still smiling, turned to face her.
"What a glorious night, don't you think Madam Snape?" And with a casual wave of his hand, flung her further up into the air and slammed her hard into the castle wall. He then watched as she fell to the ground with a sickening thud.
Bright light and a renewed round of shouting caused Voldemort to turn towards the gate. A large number of Ministry members were pouring through, conjuring patronuses as they came. "Into the castle!" Voldemort shouted. Immediately, the Death Eaters broke off their battles and followed their master into Hogwarts.
Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place
Ravenna woke to the sensation of something soft stroking her face. She turned her head to the side and groaned from the pain the movement caused.
"How are you feeling?" Remus asked her quietly as he lowered the cloth from her face.
"Like I've died and gone to hell." She responded weakly.
"That's not far from what happened, is it?"
"Where are we?"
"Order Headquarters."
"Where's Severus?"
"He's uh…"
"Remus, where is he!"
"Poppy took him to St. Mungo's. There is nothing we can do for him here."
"What do you mean?"
"Rae, the Dementor kissed him. Don't you remember?" Ravenna just shook her head and stared at him blankly for a moment before her eyes began to fill with tears. Remus leaned forward and hugged her. "I'm so sorry." He said quietly. After several moments she pulled back to look at him.
"Where's Lilly?"
Remus hesitated. "She's safe."
"Where is she?"
"She's still at Hogwarts." Ravenna stared at him in disbelief.
"I can't believe you brought me here and left her behind. I have to go get her." She replied as she pushed herself up on the bed.
"Rae, you can't." Remus said as he tried to push her back down. "Voldemort has taken control of the school."
"WHAT! But you said Lilly is still there, and safe."
"She is. I am quite sure Voldemort does not know about the concealed corridor. A few of us are going to try to get in. The floo network is still running and we have several who are watching it at the Ministry."
"Than I am coming with you."
"No, you need to rest. You are injured and would be more of a hindrance then a help."
Ravenna huffed and glared at him. "At least tell me what your plan is."
"We are going to take the floo to Dumbledore's office. From there we are going to try to get as many students out of the castle as we can."
"That isn't much of a plan." She responded sarcastically.
"Given what's happened, it's the best we've got." He snapped back.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"We have no hope of defeating him now. All we can do is fight the best we can." He responded sadly.
"Of course we can defeat him. Harry will…" She stopped in mid-sentence when she saw Remus shaking his head. "What?"
"Harry is dead." He said quietly.
"No. That can't be true." She said quietly.
"I'm afraid it is. We also lost Moody, Bill, Fred and Ron Weasley. Most of the staff is already at St. Mungo's and Albus is missing." He hesitated as his eyes began to tear up. "Tonks is also dead."
"Oh Remus." She said sadly as she grasped his hand. Remus angrily wiped the tears from his eyes.
"I've got to get going. Hermione and Ginny are in the next room, we had to give them a sleeping draught. Molly is looking after them." He said sadly as rose from his seated position on the edge of the bed Ravenna was lying on.
"I should go and check in on them." She said quietly.
"No, you need to stay right here until Poppy gets back. You don't feel it now because of the pain killers you were given, but you are seriously injured. Voldemort was not kind to you at all."
"Remus, I cannot just lay here. I've got to do something." She responded angrily.
"Please Rae, just rest. Everything is going to be okay." He said adamantly as he reached for the door knob.
Ravenna glared coldly at him for a moment before yelled. "HOW THE BLOODY HELL IS EVERYTHING GOING TO BE OKAY? MY DAUGHTER IS TRAPPED IN THE CASTLE THAT VOLDEMORT NOW OCCUPIES, MY GODSON IS DEAD, MY GRANDFATHER IS MISSING AND MY HUSBAND IS…" she paused for a moment and swallowed hard, "soulless." she concluded in a pained whisper.
Remus returned to her side and gently pulled her in a hug. She was crying softly. After several heartbeats he said "You sounded much like a Black just then." which caused her to scoff. "I'll get her back, I promise." He said softly as he released her from the hug.
"Thank you Remus." She said sincerely as he again reached for the door. He smiled at her as he left the room.
Remus was right, she had been seriously injured and apparently the pain killers she had been given were starting to wear off. She was beginning to feel pain everywhere. It was just reaching the point of being unbearable when Molly knocked softly and opened the door.
"Ravenna dear, how are you?" She said softly, not knowing what else to say. Ravenna just looked at her, the pain evident on her face.
"I've been better." She whispered through gritted teeth. "How are you?"
Molly looked away for a moment and lifted her hand, when she turned back to Ravenna, the tears were still visible in her eyes. "I'll be fine, dear."
"Molly, I am so sorry about your boys."
Molly sat on the bed and patted Ravenna gently on her hand. "We have no time for our sorrows now dear. There is much to do." She said quietly as the tears rolled down her cheeks. Ravenna just nodded, not knowing what else to say. "Hermione and Ginny are not doing so well."
"I would guess not, they have both lost so much." Ravenna said somberly, Molly just nodded.
Several moments of awkward silence was broken by a knock on the door. "Come in." Molly said.
The door opened to reveal Poppy, looking rather haggard. "I have just returned from St. Mungo's." She said breathlessly.
"How bad is it?" Molly inquired forlornly.
"Bad." Poppy started, then paused to clear her throat. "Filius, Irma and Sibyll didn't survive. We are still not sure if Rolanda is going to make it, it is going to be touch and go for quite a while. Minerva will most likely recover, but she is going to be recuperating for quite some time."
"What about Severus?" Ravenna asked quietly.
Poppy looked at her with a sad expression before answering. "We have settled him into the Long-term resident ward." Ravenna just closed her eyes and nodded slightly.
"Firenze took Hagrid and Pomona into the Dark Forest; they are going to try to keep tabs on the castle until we determine what to do next." Poppy continued.
"Have they found Albus yet?" Molly asked.
"All I heard was Mundungus, Dedalus and Elphias are still looking for him. They have not been able to find him anywhere on the grounds. You-Know-Who is still holed up in the castle. Aurors and Hitwizards have been dispatched to help recover the dead from the grounds." Poppy broke into tears and could say no more. Molly placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay Poppy." She said quietly. Poppy put her hand on Molly's and patted it gently. She then removed a handkerchief from her apron pocked and wiped her eyes, and replaced it. When she withdrew her hand from the pocket again she had her wand in it.
"Now then, let's take a look at you." She said shakily as she began waiving her wand over Ravenna. She shook her head slightly as she concluded the examination.
"How bad is it?" Molly asked nervously.
"I dare say she has been through worse, but it isn't good."
"Aside from the broken ribs, what else is wrong?" Ravenna asked in a calm but strained voice.
"Concussion, fractured wrist, broken ankles…" She stopped mid-sentence.
"What else?" Molly asked alarmed.
Poppy stared at Ravenna for a moment before answering. "You're pregnant, a few weeks at least."
Ravenna smiled. "I can't wait to tell…" she stopped abruptly and started crying. Molly and Poppy sat on the bed and tried to comfort her. Once she settled down Poppy administered some Skele-gro and some additional pain potion. She also gave her a light sleeping draught. Once Ravenna was sleeping Poppy and Molly left the room.
Remus met up with Arthur and Kingsley in the kitchen. It had been agreed not to use the floo connection at Order headquarters, in case it was being monitored by Death Eaters. They each apparated separately to the Leaky Cauldron. From there they would take the floo back to Hogwarts. Kingsley went first; the others would wait until he sent the all clear.
Remus was getting anxious; Kingsley had left over half an hour before with still no word. "Arthur, something is wrong, I just know it."
"We just have to be patient. Kingsley is very through; he is not going to give the okay until he has checked it out carefully." Remus just nodded his head and took another sip of the fire whiskey in his glass.
Arthur had just lifted his mug from the table to take another sip of coffee when a flame shot out of the fireplace, and a small piece of parchment fluttered to the floor. He put the mug back onto the table along with a few bronze Knuts. "That's the signal, let's go." He said quietly to Remus, who had already stood up.
With no further conversation they stepped into the fireplace, destination Hogwarts, Headmaster's office. Remus emerged from the fireplace in Albus's office first, immediately followed by Arthur. Kingsley had just come off the stairs that lead to the upper level.
"Albus is not here. I think he may be dead." Shacklebolt said somberly.
"Why would you think that?" Arthur asked abruptly.
"That's why." He responded, pointing to a spot above the fireplace Arthur and Remus had just stepped out of. The walls of the headmaster's office were reserved for portraits of previous headmasters. They were all saddened to see Albus Dumbledore's portrait above the fireplace.
"I can't believe he's gone." Remus said sadly. Kingsley and Arthur just nodded in agreement. After several sorrow filled minutes Kingsley spoke.
"I took a look around the corridors from here to the Great Hall. I didn't see anyone. My guess is they are all down in the dungeons trying to figure out how to get in here."
"Than we must hurry." Remus began. "Lilly is down on that level. Perhaps we can get to the kitchen; the house-elves could communicate with Winky and have her bring Lilly to us." Arthur nodded in agreement.
"Remus, you go to the kitchen and try to get Lilly. Arthur, you go to Gryffindor tower. I will go and try to get the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs out of here. I hate to say this but we will have to leave the Slytherins."
"Doesn't matter much, most of their parents are already down there anyway." Arthur said coldly.
Quietly, each of the men cast Disillusionment Charms on themselves and headed towards the spiral staircase out of the Headmaster's office. "The password to get past the gargoyle is Skittles." Kingsley whispered as they reached the bottom. As soon as they had all passed the gargoyle, it moved back into place blocking the passage to the Headmaster's office.
Arthur quickly ascended the stairs towards the tower that housed the Gryffindors. When he reached the proper corridor he paused halfway down. The portrait of the fat lady was swinging open on only its lower hinge. As he got closer he noticed someone lying in the opening. Tears came to his eyes as he realized the body was that of Neville Longbottom. Cautiously, Arthur continued into the common room and was horrified to see even more bodies strewn about the room. He continued to the boys and then the girls' dormitories but found nothing but more bodies. Positive he would not find anyone alive, he quickly left. Hopefully Kingsley would have better luck.
He came to a stop at the end of the corridor leading back to the Albus's office. There, just outside the gargoyle was Argus Filch being held by two Death Eaters. He could hear their angry voices, but could not make out what was being said. He pressed himself close to the wall and began to sneak closer.
"Give me the bloody password!" One of the masked Death Eaters yelled. Argus continued to keep his lips tightly pursed and violently shook his head.
"Crucio!" Another shouted. Argus fell to the floor screaming. After a few moments he lifted the curse.
"THE PASSWORD!" The first shouted again. Still, Argus refused. The second put the curse on him again, for longer this time.
"Enough of this, already. Just kill him." The first said.
Arthur wanted to do something, but knew he could not let them know he was there. He was about to knock them both out when he heard the dreaded words. He lowered his head sadly as he stared at the now dead caretaker lying on the floor in front of the gargoyle. As soon as the Death Eaters left he quickly spoke the password and returned to the Headmaster's office to wait for the others to return.
Kingsley had no better luck than Arthur, he found the occupants of both the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff houses dead. Knowing there was nothing he could do for these unfortunate children he quickly made his way to the dungeons hoping to find out what Voldemort was up to.
He only made it as far as the Potions classroom before he encountered several Death Eaters. He pressed himself firmly against the wall waiting for them to pass. When they were no longer in view he continued. Before he even realized what happened he had been hit by the killing curse and fell to the floor.
Remus came to a stop in front of the painting of the fruit bowl. He quickly reached out and tickled the pear, waiting for the portrait to reveal the kitchen, nothing happened. He tickled the pear again, still nothing. Determined to get Lilly he left, heading towards the concealed corridor in the dungeons.
Once he reached the opposite end of the corridor he froze. There were no less than two dozen Death Eaters standing outside the Potions classroom door. Remus knew there was no way he would be able to get past them all, disillusioned or not. With a sense of grim defeat he had not choice but to return to the Headmaster's office.
As he approached the gargoyle he was startled to find a body of the floor. For a terrifying moment he thought it was Arthur. As he got to the entrance he realized it was Filch. Quietly he spoke 'skittles' and the gargoyle leapt aside. He quickly passed by and stopped three steps up making sure the passageway was again closed. When he saw the gargoyle return he continued the rest of the way to the Headmaster's office. As he entered the office he was relieved to see Arthur sitting at Dumbledore's desk.
"Arthur." He called quietly. Arthur looked up at him with tears in his eyes. "What's wrong?"
"They're dead Remus, all of them." Remus just bowed his head. "There is nothing else we can do here. We should leave now."
"What about Kingsley?" Remus asked quietly.
"He will come back, if he made it." Arthur replied as he lifted himself from the chair and headed to the fireplace, Remus followed. In a flash of flame they both disappeared.
Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place
Ravenna woke to the sound of quiet sobbing. She sat up quickly in the bed, and immediately regretted it. She had to grab both sides of the bed firmly to steady herself. She felt as though she had had way too much to drink. When her head finally stopped spinning she took a deep breath. Once her head had cleared she looked around the room, it took her several moments to remember where she was, and why. The grief hit her with almost physical force. Her thoughts were interrupted by the continuing sobbing. Slowly she turned on the bed and placed her feet on the floor. She pushed cautiously off the bed and stood with her hand still on it until she was sure she wouldn't fall over. She then walked slowly to the door and opened it. The sobbing was much louder now, apparently coming from the room next to hers. As she stepped into the hallway she paused for a moment to look around. She knew this house, the home of her cousin. The crying was coming from the room that used to be Sirius's. Taking a few more steps she stopped at the door and knocked gently.
"Come in." was the muffled response. She opened the door enough to peek in and found Ginny and Hermione sitting on Sirius's bed, hugging.
"Are you girls okay? I thought I heard crying." She asked in a hoarse voice.
"Professor." Hermione said quietly. "It's Ginny, she's really upset. Harry was killed right in front of her." Ravenna placed her left hand over her mouth to muffle her own sob. She then sat on the bed next to the girls.
"Ginny, it's going to be alright, come here." She said as she pulled her into a firm hug.
"Mum said that Bill, Fred and Ron died too. I lost half my family and my boyfriend." Ginny sobbed into Ravenna's shoulder. Ravenna patted her gently on the back and looked at Hermione. She too had tears in her eyes. Ravenna continued to hold Ginny until Molly came into the room.
"Why don't you girls try to get some sleep? Ravenna, would you please come with me?" She said tightly. When Ravenna stood Molly gave each of the girls another vial of sleeping draught and tucked them in. That done, she gestured for Ravenna to follow her to the kitchen. Molly wrapped her arm around Ravenna's waist once they reached the stairs to steady her. The going was slow and it took them three times as long as normal to get to the kitchen. Once they entered the room the few remaining Order members rose to greet them. Remus approached and wrapped his arm around Ravenna, guiding her to the nearest seat. He then sat beside her and firmly grasped her right hand. Molly crossed the room to sit beside her husband.
"Remus and I have just returned from Hogwarts." Arthur began quietly. "What we found there was nothing less than appalling." Remus squeezed Ravenna's hand a little tighter. "Kingsley has not checked back in yet, he was checking out the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff houses. I went to Gryffindor tower, all of the students were… they're all…" He could say no more, he was too choked up to continue.
Ravenna looked at Remus, as did everyone else in the room. "They are all dead." He said quietly. Ravenna pulled Remus's head to her shoulder as he sobbed quietly. He remained there for several heartbeats before taking a deep breath and sitting upright again. "It does not appear that Voldemort has been able to get into Albus's office, they killed Argus Filch trying to get the password. We also believe that Albus is dead, his portrait is up on the wall." He concluded in a whisper as he gripped Ravenna's hand more securely. He could feel her hand trembling in his, knew without looking that she was crying.
Ravenna cried for a few minutes and then she felt the sorrow and pain turn to anger. "I will kill the bloody bastard myself." She said in a very low menacing growl.
Remus stared at her wide-eyed. The look in her eyes was unlike anything he had ever seen on her before. They were hard and cold. "Rae…" he started hesitantly "that sounds like something Sirius would have said." He concluded quietly.
Abruptly, she stood and left the kitchen. In a determined pace she went back to the room she had been sleeping in. Scanning quickly she found her robe over the chair on the opposite side of the room. She was just putting it on when Hermione knocked on the open door.
"Professor, may I talk to you for a minute?"
"Hermione, what are you doing up?" Ravenna asked, trying hard to keep anger out of her voice.
"I can't sleep; I keep seeing what happened to…" Hermione couldn't continue, breaking down in tears. Ravenna moved instantly to her side and pulled her into a firm embrace. When she felt Hermione's sobs subside she steered her to the bed and pushed her gently to sit. "I'm sorry, Professor. I know this is hard on you too." She said roughly as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
"You don't need to apologize."
"But…"
"But what, Hermione?" Hermione just shook her lowered head. It took her several moments before she was able to speak again.
"I heard what Mr. Weasley said, all the students in Gryffindor are dead." She said hesitantly, watching Ravenna's face closely. "And Professor Lupin was right, you did sound like Sirius."
Ravenna stared at her stone faced for a moment before speaking. "How did you hear that?"
"With this." Hermione responded quietly as she raised her hand to show Ravenna something.
"What is it?" She asked dubiously as she grabbed the object from Hermione's hand.
"It is called an Extendable Ear, Fred and George invented it. We used it last year to try to hear what was going on in Order meetings. Sirius always sounded like he was more than ready to kill Voldemort himself."
Ravenna shook her head softly, she remembered how fool-hearty Sirius could be, and was saddened even more when she thought of her lost cousin. "I was not aware that you knew him."
"I met him at the end of third year. Harry and I rescued him from the castle." Hermione said quietly. Ravenna stared at her disbelieving.
"And just how did you do that?" Ravenna asked. Neither Albus nor Severus had shared exactly what had happened to bring Sirius back to the Order. Hermione slapped her hand to her mouth and gasped, then lowered her eyes. She was not supposed to tell anyone what had happened. Ravenna gauged the girl, she knew this girl well enough to know she would not share anymore willingly and did not have the time to talk it out of her. She took a deep breath and then grasped Hermione firmly by both shoulders. This caused Hermione to look back up into her eyes, when she did Ravenna took full advantage and used Legilimency on her. She was able to get enough to discern that a Time-Turner was involved. Ravenna then loosened her grip on Hermione's shoulders and shook her gently. Hermione blinked rapidly and took a slow, deep breath.
"Professor, what just happened?" she asked shakily.
"Tell me, where is the Time-Turner?" Ravenna asked a little more harshly than she intended.
Hermione's eyes widened a little in fright, the woman sitting in front of her was not the Professor Gryffin she knew. "I don't know." She squeaked out. Ravenna continued to glare at her. "I gave it back to Professor McGonagall at the end of my 3rd year."
"Damn." Ravenna growled in response. "Do you have any idea where she may have put it?"
Hermione shook her head. "I can only guess she returned it to the Ministry of Magic, and they were all destroyed last year when Voldemort attacked." She responded quietly then began to cry.
"I'm sorry Hermione; I didn't mean to frighten you." Ravenna said softly as she reached out to pull her in for a hug. Hermione stiffened in her arms before relaxing. Ravenna then put her hand on the back of Hermione's head and rested her forehead against Hermione's. With a whispered 'oblivate', Hermione slumped in Ravenna's arms. She gently lifted the girl and took her back to her own room and laid her on the bed.
Once she was back in her own room she sat laid back down on the bed, absently rubbing her tummy. She allowed her mind to empty and tried to relax, that is when it struck her. If Minerva had been able to get a Time-Turner from the Ministry she wouldn't have returned it unless they had asked for it. The ideas were flowing, and then interrupted by a knock on her door. She remained still on the bed as she heard the door creak from being opened. Remus stuck his head inside. "Are you okay?" he said quietly. Ravenna just turned her head to look at him and nodded. Remus stepped fully into the room. "What is it that you are thinking?" He said suspiciously.
"Nothing, really." She lied.
"I have seen that look before." Remus responded.
"I was just thinking about this." She said as she lifted the Extendable Ear from beside her.
Remus chuckled. "I though Molly had destroyed all of them. Where did you find it?"
"Hermione paid me a visit, she heard what Arthur said."
"Poor girl, we had hoped to be able to wait to break that particular bit of news." He paused for a moment to wipe the tears from his eyes. "I knew most of those kids myself." He concluded in a heartfelt whisper.
"That's right; Albus told me that you and I shared the Defense Against the Dark Arts job. Wasn't that during Harry's third year?" Ravenna said in revelation. Remus just nodded slightly in reply. "Did you know that Hermione was using a Time-Turner that year?" Remus looked at her astonished. That had given Ravenna the answer she needed.
"That would explain how they had managed to get Sirius out of the castle." He gasped.
"Do you know how they work?" Ravenna asked, snapping Remus from his memories.
"Not much really, just that when you wear it you are able to go back in time, and that there are dangerous consequences to those that try to meddle with it." Remus said absently. "I came up here to ask if you wanted to join Arthur, Molly and me for some tea before bed."
Ravenna gave him a hint of a smile before answering. "That would be lovely; I'll be there in a minute." Remus nodded and left the room. She rose from the bed and began to examine the potion bottles that were sitting on the dresser next to the door. As she got closer there was no mistaking Severus's handwriting on the various bottles. Choking back tears she quickly examined each until she found what she was looking for. Grabbing a small green bottle which she tucked into her robe pocket then hurried down to the kitchen. When she entered the room she found Remus sitting at the table with his face resting in his cupped hands. Molly was standing by the stove with Arthur at her side, she was obviously crying. Arthur looked up at Ravenna and nodded slightly. "Let me take care of that." She said quietly as she stopped beside Molly. Molly looked at her and tried to smile. Ravenna gave her a brief hug before leading her to the table to sit. She the proceeded to make tea, being careful not to be noticed as she added the potion to three of the cups before she poured. She slowly sipped on her own tea, which was of course potionless, and waited. It did not take long to take effect. Watching her tablemates lower their heads to the table, she sprung into action. One by one she levitated them to their bedrooms and made sure they were properly tucked in. This done she checked on the girls that were already sleeping and then returned to the room she was staying in. With a quick sweep around the room she gathered several potions, the invisibility cloak that had fallen out of her own and her wand.
She crept quietly down the stairs, just to be sure and had just reached the front door to the house when a horrible scream echoed through the house. "YOU FILTHY BLOOD TRAITOR, HOW DARE YOU SET FOOT IN MY HOUSE!" She stepped back away from the screaming portrait of her aunt and laughed. "So lovely to see you too Auntie, now do SHUT UP!" she snapped as she pointed her wand directly at the portrait and conjured a powerful silencing charm on it. She chuckled even harder as she watched the painted face grow redder by the moment but no sounds were coming from the animated mouth. 'I bet she has made living here a blast' Ravenna thought sarcastically as she opened the door and stepped into the cool, misty late spring night.
Her rapid pace brought her to a local park in little time, she wanted to be sure she was not too close to Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place before apparating away. After looking around carefully to be sure no one was about, she extracted the invisibility cloak and covered herself completely with it. A second later a loud pop was heard hundreds of miles away in Hogsmeade. She had apparated to the backside of the Three Broomsticks pub. Being as quiet as death, she crept around the building and waited for the door to open. She didn't have to wait long; several drunken men stumbled through the door, she quickly ran past them and paused just inside the door to allow her eyes to adjust to the light. When she could see properly she scanned the room quickly to make sure the path to Madam Rosmerta's private sitting room was clear. With all the speed she could muster she ran to the room and paused at the closed door, taking care to listen closely to make sure no one was inside. Confident the room was indeed vacant she turned again to look around the bar to make sure no one would notice the door opening by itself. She gently unlatched the door and leaned heavily against it, allowing it to open slowly. When the opening was enough she slipped inside before gently closing it again. With no time for pause she ran straight to the fireplace, grabbing a handful of floo power. In a flash of green flames, she was gone.
Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office
Ravenna stepped out of the fireplace in Albus's office with her wand drawn, just in case. Though she didn't believe Voldemort had been able to get in yet, she was still relieved beyond words to find that was the case. Feeling momentarily safe she allowed herself to feel the weariness and pain in her body. She walked slowly to Albus's desk and sat heavily in his chair and laid her head on his desk. When the tears threatened to start again she took a deep breath and sat upright. Reaching into her cloak she removed the potion bottles and examined the labels carefully. Finding the one she needed, she unstoppered the bottle and took a quick swig, grimacing at the taste. Obviously this was a standard potion, not one that Severus had created especially for her. With this thought several tears did escape her eyes. "Oh Severus.." she whispered "I will find a way to make this all right." She remained seated until she felt the potion taking effect, relieving the steadily growing pains she was feeling from her abused body. Once they were nothing more than slight aches she rose from the chair and began searching the room, hoping the Time-Turner had been hidden in plain sight. When she reached the table full of assorted objects she paused for a moment to look back at the fireplace. There, directly above the mantel was a portrait of Albus Dumbledore. "Grandfather, where is it?" She asked. The figure in the portrait remained in his relaxed seated position, not moving or speaking. In frustration she swept her arm across the tabletop, scattering the numerous objects across the floor. When she was able to calm herself she slapped her hand to her forehead. "Accio Time-Turner." She called out to the empty room and watched as a small golden object flew from the far cabinet to her hand. With a smirk of satisfaction she walked back to Albus's desk. She grabbed a roll of parchment and dipped the quill into the inkwell. It took her a few moments to gather her thoughts before she wrote…
Grandfather,
I seriously doubt that you would approve, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Horrible things have happened that I cannot live with. Severus has been kissed by a Dementor, Harry is dead and Voldemort has taken control of Hogwarts. All of the students and most of the Order have also been killed. It is unlikely that the Ministry will regain control. I have taken the Time-Turner in hopes that I can correct this. I do not believe that I will survive, but none the less have to try for I cannot live with the way things are.
I truly hope that you will understand that sometimes one must commit wrongs to correct them.
Your loving granddaughter,
Ravenna Snape
Satisfied with her note, she rolled the parchment and placed it on the chair she had just been sitting in. Taking another deep breath she looked one last time around the room and paused to stare at the Sorting Hat that seemed to be smirking at her. She was startled when it spoke. "Hmm, perhaps I should have placed you into Slytherin after all." It chuckled.
Ravenna glared at the hat before responding. "Just what in the bloody hell do you mean by that?"
"Just what I said. I have been sorting students into their houses for almost a millennium. In all that time I could count on one hand, if I had any, the number of students I have had difficulty placing. But to think that there were two within a quarter century is unimaginable. Perhaps my magic is fading."
"If you have something to tell me, do so. I don't have time for this." She growled at the hat.
"Potter." The hat responded.
"Harry?"
"Indeed, he was particularly difficult to place, just as you were. I still think you both should have been Slytherin. I will know better in the future than to allow students to sway my decisions."
"You're wrong." She barked in response as she donned the invisibility cloak once more and left her grandfather's office. It took her no time at all to get to the dungeons. Once she saw Death Eaters in the corridor outside her husband's classroom the rage erupted. She quickly stunned the two that she saw and cast concealment charms on them where they lay. With no more thought of them she continued through into the concealed corridor, to the apartment behind her husbands. Pausing for a moment at the door to remove the invisibility cloak, she placed her hand on the knob and was relieved to find the door swinging open. Winky greeted her just as the door closed behind her. "Professor Gryffin, Winky is worrying that you would not return for Mistress Lilly, ma'am. There are bad men in Hogwarts."
"Yes Winky, I know. How is she?" Ravenna asked anxiously.
"She is missing you, I think. She eats well but is not sleeping well."
Ravenna quickly ran to the bedroom where Lilly's bassinet was kept. She gently lifted the restlessly sleeping infant and held her close. "I am so sorry it took me so long to get back little one." She said quietly as she placed a gentle kiss on her daughter's head. Lilly opened her little eyes and looked directly at Ravenna, cooing softly. Ravenna continued to hold her for several moments more. "Winky." She called, instantly the little house elf was at her side. "I need you to get Lilly out of here." Winky just stared at her with large eyes. "Take her to Order headquarters, Professor Lupin and Molly Weasley are there, they will help take care of her." Winky bowed low, her ears brushing the floor. When she stood back up Ravenna gently placed the now squirming infant into Winky's tiny arms. Ravenna watched tearfully as Winky and her daughter disappeared. In that moment she dreaded the thought that she would most likely never see her daughter again.
Shaking herself from the emotion of the moment, she quickly crossed the room and stopped at the door that connected this apartment to Severus's. Pausing at the door to make sure no one was in there she slowly opened the door, crossed the room and sat at Severus's desk. She dropped heavily into the chair and slammed the Time-Turner onto the desk. Sighing in frustration, she stared at the Time-Turner that lay on the blank page of an open book. Now that she had it, she didn't know exactly what to do to make it work.
She touched it lightly and sighed again. "How in the bloody hell do you work?" Seconds later she gasped as writing appeared on the blank page beneath the Time-Turner. She read astonished as instructions on how the object worked were right there in the book that had previously been blank. Once she knew what to do, she put the chain around her neck and then lifted the book from the desk and examined it closely. She noticed on the back outer cover of the small journal gold writing 'Property of Eileen Prince', on the spine in the same style of gold writing is read 'Tome of Knowledge'. She huffed quietly, "You sneaky Slytherin bastard, and all this time I believed you really did know it all."
With renewed hope she went back to the rooms behind Severus's apartment to retrieve her invisibility cloak. Wrapping it securely around herself she left, heading to the great oak doors. Once there she took a deep breath and began to spin the tiny hourglass. She felt as if she were flying backward, events that had already happened were passing her by at dizzying speed. Just when she was sure she would pass out, everything stopped moving and she heard footsteps approaching quickly from her right.
A/N: I hope I haven't scared anyone away... As this is the last completed chapter I have the next two may take a little longer to post.