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 Eighteen

Another Year Gone…

Minerva quickly made her way to the hospital wing. She stood just outside the door waiting for Severus to leave. When he was out of sight she hurried inside. "Poppy, you need to get some rest."

"How can I leave here now with so many to care for?" She asked tiredly. "And I have to prepare Ravenna for her final rest."

"There are several healers here from St. Mungo's. You won't do you patients any good at all if you pass out on them, will you?" Minerva said sternly.

"You're right, of course."

"I just have one favor to ask of you before your retire. There is and injury I need you to attend to."

"Of course, bring him in."

"It would be better for you to come with me." Minerva said cryptically as she headed out of the hospital. A baffled Madam Pomfrey followed. As they approached the dungeons Poppy stopped walking.

"Minerva, where exactly are we going?"

"Please Poppy; I will explain everything once we get there." Poppy nodded reluctantly and continued walking. As they approached the concealed corridor Poppy gasped.

"Minerva, that is were Ravenna's quarters are." Minerva placed her finger to her lips and made a shushing sound. They quickly entered the apartment and Poppy went directly to the bed where Ravenna was lying unconscious. She quickly scanned her with her wand. "Nothing too serious, just a mild concussion." She commented as she continued to scan. "Minerva, she's pregnant, a few weeks at least."

"Does she require any potions?" Minerva asked nervously.

"She may need a mild pain killer; she will probably have quite a headache when she wakes." Poppy replied.

"Thank you." Minerva said. "Now let me walk you to your quarters so you can get some much deserved rest."

Minerva accompanied Poppy and once she was securely in her quarters she Obliviated the memory of her treating Ravenna. "Sorry old friend, but we cannot allow anyone to know about her just yet." Minerva whispered as she left the room.

By the time Minerva had returned to Ravenna's apartment she was just starting to wake. She moaned softly as her eyes fluttered open. "Easy now." Minerva said as she sat on the edge of the bed.

"What happened?" Ravenna asked weakly.

Rather than answer the question, Minerva extracted a roll of parchment from her robe and handed it to Ravenna. "Oh, gods!" Ravenna gasped.

"Yes child, that is exactly what I though when I read it."

"So then, let me guess. I am dead…again." Minerva just nodded her head.

"I am going to make arrangements for you to go into hiding."

"Minerva, I cannot leave my family." Ravenna replied firmly.

"You must child. You-Know-Who killed you himself. Heaven only knows what would happen if anyone found out what you have done."

"Surely there is some other way. Grandfather may know of something."

"I'm sorry to tell you this, but he has not been seen since the attack and his portrait now hangs in the headmaster's office."

"No, he can't be dead." Ravenna said as tears formed.

"We just don't know." Minerva said as she squeezed Ravenna's hand.

Severus was more than a little surprised to find Minerva enter his apartment. "Take this Severus, it will help" Minerva said quietly as she placed the potion vial into his numb hand. He looked up at her and blinked, not even realizing she was still there. He then furrowed his brows at her and looked back at the small clear vial in his hands. She gave him a small smile and gently squeezed his shoulder before leaving him alone in his apartment. He figured Minerva had given him a calming or sleeping draught. He unstoppered it shakily and quickly drank. His body shuddered violently for a moment then stopped as he slumped over sideways on the couch.

The door leading from his bedroom opened slowly, seconds later Ravenna stepped into the room. She walked quietly to the couch that Severus was now half lying on and gently lifted his head and shoulders enough to sit down. She then lowered his head to rest on her lap as she carded her fingers through his hair. He moaned quietly and lifted his hand to his head. When his hand rested on hers he sat up quickly in alarm.

"It's alright my love." She whispered and reached out to put her hand on his cheek. He closed his eyes again and leaned heavily on her.

"Why did you leave me?" He asked in a hoarse whisper. She scooted closer to him on the sofa and pulled him into a tight embrace.

"I am sorry my love, I promise you we will be together again some day." She responded tearfully against his neck. They continued to hold each other for quite some time. Finally, Severus pulled gently from their embrace to look again into his wife's eyes.

"How is it that you are here?" He choked out.

"Severus, how is not important just now. We only have tonight and I don't want to waste a moment of this precious time." She had to stop, the tears threatened to take over. Severus gently wiped the one stray tear that did escape her eyes and pulled her into a passionate kiss. Within moments they rose from the sofa and walked hand-in-hand to his bedroom. Once inside he pulled her close for another kiss, which she returned gladly. He lowered his hands from her face to push the cloak from her shoulders, followed quickly by her jacket and shirt. When he attempted to unbutton her trouser she put her hands on his wrists; he looked at her questioningly. "Slowly my love." Was all she said as she began to work her way through the numerous buttons on his jacket. When that was removed she worked just as quickly on his shirt buttons, as she pushed the shirt off his shoulders she gasped quietly. He was wearing her wedding ring on a delicate silver chain around his neck. She looked at her own finger to ensure it was still there. He caught her hand and brought it to his lips and gently kissed the finger that still bore said ring.

"I don't know how I am going to go on without you." He said somberly as he continued to hold her hand to his lips.

"You will find a way. A part of me will always be with you my love, and you have Lilly." This brought a small smile to his lips. "Ask Harry to join our family, he will help take care of you and Lilly." She then pulled her hand slowly from his lips and replaced it with her own. Their kiss grew steadily more passionate as they each liberated the other of their remaining clothing. Ravenna gently nudged Severus backward until the back of his legs bumped against the bed. She then firmly pushed against his shoulders until he fell backward, still kissing him passionately. He placed his hands on her waist and tried to flip her over. She broke their kiss and looked lovingly into his eyes as she gently removed his hands from her waist. "Just lay back and let me love you." She murmured as her lips descended to his neck. He moaned in ecstasy as he felt her straddle his hips.

At the height of her passion she placed her hand directly over his heart and stared him in the eyes. "My love, this night I give you my heart and soul completely." Tears formed in Severus's eyes. He placed his hand over her heart and made the same vow, completing their bond.

Severus woke slowly, reaching across the bed to where his wife slept. When his hand encountered nothing but a cold, empty space he sat bolt upright. He realized that what he remembered from the previous night had to have been a dream. His wife was not with him, she had been killed last night when the Hogwarts had been attacked. Before the tears could start Winky knocked on the bedroom door. "Sorry to disturb you Professor Snape. Lilly is missing Madam Gryffin." The house elf stammered.

"Please bring her in." He said roughly as he sat up. Winky came into the room and placed the restless infant in her father's arms. He looked at the red-faced infant in his arms and smiled. She had indeed begun to show traits of both her parents. As Lilly calmed in her father's arms, he observed she had Ravenna's thick brown-black hair, nose and facial features, she had her father's pale complexion but most startling was the infant's onyx eyes. Winky appeared, bottle in hand. "Professor, it is time for Lilly to eat."

"Thank you." Severus said quietly as he reached out for the bottle.

"Are you not going to breakfast, sir?" Winky asked with wide eyes.

Severus shook his head. "I need to be here with my family." He said as he watched his daughter suckle her bottle. Winky nodded and disappeared.

Remus rose from the sofa in the Gryffindor common room as he heard students coming down from their dorm rooms. He remained standing, waiting for Harry to appear. Most of the students were too lost in their own thoughts to notice their former Defense teacher standing there and very few were conversing. Ron and Hermione were among the last to enter the common room. Remus looked directly at Hermione and enquired with his eyes where Harry was, she just shook her head sadly and looked back towards the stairwell leading to the boys dormitories. He nodded slightly before speaking. "You all need to make sure you have packed everything, you will be going to Hogsmeade station directly after breakfast. When you are sure you are all packed I would like all of you to wait here, I will be back in a moment to escort you to the Great Hall." He then headed up to the room he knew Harry slept in. He paused at the doorway watching as Harry sat on his bed quietly crying.

"Harry, it's time to go." Remus said quietly as he entered the room.

"Professor Lupin!" Harry exclaimed as he roughly wiped his eyes.

"Harry, I haven't been your teacher for three years now. Call me Remus." Harry nodded in acknowledgement as he stood.

"I don't want to go back to the Dursley's." Harry said sadly.

"I know Harry, but you'll only be there until your birthday." Remus responded as he wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulder and guided him to the door. Harry smiled slightly as they headed out of the room. Once they made it back to the common room Remus extracted a roll of parchment from his robe and began to take roll calling out each student's name and checking it off as they responded. Once all the students of Gryffindor house were accounted for he escorted them to the Great Hall. As they entered he realized the Slytherins had not yet arrived. Remus instructed his charges to take their seats as he approached the teachers table, coming to a stop beside Minerva, who was sitting in Albus's chair. "Where's Severus?"

Minerva looked up at Remus sadly. "He is refusing to leave his apartment."

"Then who is going to escort Slytherin house here?"

"I have asked Madam Hooch to see to them." Remus nodded and sat in the chair Minerva usually sat in. As soon as the Slytherins arrived and were seated Minerva stood. She lightly tapped her spoon to her goblet and waited for all the students to look at the head table. "As you are all aware, because of the attack last night you will be leaving here directly after breakfast. At this time I cannot say if the school will open again." She paused to gather her thoughts. "I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe holiday and hope to see you all again on September 1st." With nothing further she gestured with her hands and breakfast appeared on the table. The usually noisy mealtime in the Great Hall was subdued and conversations were much quieter than usual. Minerva did not eat, just stoically watched the students. When she noticed all the students were finished she indicated without speaking that they should ready themselves to leave. Each house was escorted out of the castle to the waiting coaches bound for Hogsmeade. The entire route was patrolled by Ministry officials and Order of the Phoenix members. Harry was escorted the entire way by Remus.

"Harry, I will be waiting for you in the last compartment, I need to speak with the conductor." Remus said as he patted him on the shoulder and guided him towards the rest of the students.

A cloaked and hooded figure watched from the shadows of Hogsmeade station as Harry walked along side the Hogwarts Express with his two best friends. "Buck up mate." The figure heard Ron say. "You only have to stay with the Muggles until your birthday and then Dad and the others will come to take you home." Harry nodded slightly and climbed on board. The hooded figure watched a moment more as Harry entered a compartment and disappeared from view. "Until we meet again, Harry Potter." Was whispered as the figure disappeared.
A/N: That's it for year six. Please let me know if you would like to know about year seven. Thanks to all who have read.