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Disclaimer.
J.K Rowling went out one day so I took her characters out to play.
We ran around, they laughed with glee,
All this fun and she works for free!
To my reviewer's old and new...Thank you. Now, just to prove I work really hard at this story on my day's off – I had a three day weekend – here is another chapter. A bit angsty.
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Phaelan and Severus lay in post-coital bliss watching the embers of the small fire in the dungeon bed chamber. He idly played with her nipple as she rubbed his thigh where it crossed hers.
"You don't know how lucky you were to be out of the castle for the staff meeting today." Phaelan told him.
"How so?" he asked propping his head up with his bent arm.
"Dumbledore's great idea." She replied.
"Ah," he responded as he rolled her onto her back to look into her eyes. "What did he inveigle you into now?"
"A reunion of former students and staff and," She told him, "before you think it was just me that got trapped, everyone in the staff room was shanghaied onto the committee to run the thing."
Severus rolled onto his back and began to laugh. It lightened Phaelan's heart to hear him laugh as he indulged in mirth so infrequently. "Who else escaped?" he asked.
"Hagrid, Trelawney and Binns for obvious reasons and of course Poppy." She told him before rolling to lie atop him. "You'll still help right?" she asked in hopeless optimism causing him to begin laughing again.
Pushing herself up, Phaelan sat astride his hips, "Well, you need to know that my timetable will be incredibly filled in the New Year. I doubt I shall have a single erg of energy left to indulge my physical inclinations." Raising the back of her hand to her forehead, she fanned herself with the other. "I shall be simply too fatigued for the exertion."
With a sudden movement, Phaelan found herself on her back with her arms pinned over her head and a long lean body lying atop her, "Madam, you forget you have given yourself to me. By your own words, you are mine. I once told you I am very particular about that which I call mine. I shall not be denied access to my most precious and treasured possession."
Looking into the infinite darkness of his eyes, Phaelan surrendered her will to him, "You know there is nothing I can deny you my lord. You have me, all of me for as long as you want me."
Severus' eyes lit with an inner fire that seared Phaelan to her very soul. "Ah, my sweet lady forever is a long time. Speak carefully, for the elements listen."
"Then let them witness my truth again, Severus. I've no plans to leave you anytime soon or ever." She kissed him and looked back into his eyes, "I love you."
"I love you Phaelan, with all of my being, I love you." He told her softly as he released her hands and held her close as he showed her by his kiss the depth of his feelings.
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"Now Severus, we should all have dinner down here tonight. Arthur will be here too. Albus has said he can stay here and floo to work. He's such a dear but absolutely impossible when it comes to looking after himself." Molly told the Dark Wizard leaning on the door jamb leading to the bedroom the Faubert girls would share.
Molly had swept in the day before and had driven the house elves into a frenzy with her sweeping renovations to the suite assigned to them.
"I think I should come with you, Severus. After all, I will be with them day and night and they need to know who's in charge from the start. The poor dears need to be very clear who they have to fall back on from the get go." Molly told him as she plumped and smoothed the bed dressings.
Many of the girls own things had been saved and brought to their chamber. Other artefacts from their home had been placed around the rest of the married quarters in an attempt to make it familiar.
"Madam Pomfrey has arranged with Madam Curador to meet with the girls before bringing them here." Severus told her. "She will also meet with them everyday until she is satisfied with their adjustment to their situation."
Molly shook her head, "If I'm to be responsible for these girls..."
"You are not!" Severus interjected. "I am responsible for the girls." He paused and took a deep breath. "Molly, Poppy asked you for your assistance because you know children and you are a loving, gentle yet firm parent. They will need the firmament of a new life you will provide. Ultimately, I am responsible for their future. There can be no confusion."
Molly had the grace to look embarrassed. "I'm sorry Severus. I didn't mean to butt in where I was not asked. Kingsley showed me the memory through his recollection. I know your place in everything."
Severus felt a small pang of regret at his words but pushed it aside. "We all have a duty to the girls, Molly. I trust you."
Molly smiled, "Thank you Severus, that means a lot coming from you. I won't disappoint you."
Severus nodded, "I know that Molly. You are the best choice for my charges. I am grateful. Now, I'd best be going." He turned to leave.
"Will Phaelan be with you?" Molly called after his back. Severus paused mid step, "I know Severus. I see the way you look at her in meetings. She's a lovely woman."
"Yes, Phaelan will join us." Severus told her before escaping the annoyingly observant woman's presence.
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Genevieve and Rebecca sat beside each other on one of the beds in the private ward. Healer Parasarathy had given them their final check-up and pronounced them healthy. Now they were faced with their future; Professor Severus Snape.
Madam Pomfrey and Snape had flooed from the school in the middle of the day. They had parted company when they arrived allowing Poppy to go to the girls alone. Severus had sought out the Men's room and when it was empty, pulled out an invisibility cloak. After putting it on, he left and made his way to the private ward. Waiting outside the door with his back against the wall, he watched the coming and going of the Mediwitches and healers while he waited for Poppy to let him in.
Poppy exited the room and closed the door. "Severus, are you here?" she whispered to the air.
"Right behind you." He replied making her jump.
"Mercy, I'll never get used to that." She muttered "Alma is with them, they're waiting." She opened the door to let him slip in then followed and locked the door behind them.
Severus removed the Invisibility cloak making the girls jump and grab each other. Laying the cloak across a chair, Severus crossed and sat facing them on the opposite bed. "I'm sorry if I startled you, but I had to come in secrecy. It can't be known that I am here for you." He told them in his softest tones.
"Madam Pomfrey and Madam Curador say that you are to be our guardian." Rebecca stated bluntly, "They say it was my father's wish. Why would he inflict you on us? He loved us."
Inwardly, Snape flinched. It was true, he had never endeared himself to any student and to any outside Slytherin, he had usually been a miserable bastard. How to let them know he would care for them without sounding pathetic, he wondered.
"Miss Faubert, there are circumstances which transpired where your father and I became...colleagues. The situation was not ideal but your father had little choice in who he could confide in and so I became his comrade of sorts." He told her, not wanting to divulge too much of what had happened at this early stage. "I made sure his death was quick and painless. Your father was a very brave man. He died a hero and saved many others with his sacrifice."
The older girl's face became red. "You were working with THEM. You were in on this whole thing!" she shouted. "You sit there and say you are our guardian and you let him die! What kind of evil monster are you?" she screamed. "How can you sit there and face us after all you did. How dare you, how dare you..." Rebecca sobbed as she launched herself at her teacher clawing and punching.
After a moment of shock, Severus grabbed the girl and pulled her onto his lap to wrap his arms around her, grasping her wrists with each hand. Hugging her tightly, he began to whisper, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." He didn't notice when the tears fell from his eyes only that the girl had stopped fighting and was now sobbing her grief into his shoulder. On the bed opposite, Genevieve was being held by Madam Pomfrey as she sobbed just as hard.
Madam Alma Curador observed quietly from the sidelines. She had known everything would start with anger and that the anger was not yet finished. This was a good beginning though, she thought, this will be a good thing.
"I think it's time to go home now. We need to get you settled girls." Alma told them as their sobs subsided.
Rebecca lifted her head from Severus' shoulder, just realizing who had been holding her. He produced a handkerchief and handed it to her then helped her to her feet. Looking up at the tall dark man, Rebecca saw a livid red streak down one side of his face. She reached up and touched it.
"I hurt you sir. I..." she was shocked at herself.
"It's nothing, Miss Faubert. You've nothing to apologize for." He told her quietly. Walking over, Severus picked up the Invisibility Cloak, folded it and put it away somewhere in the voluminous folds of his robes. Reaching into another pocket, he pulled out a long strand of spaghetti string liquorice. Everyone looked at him strangely.
"Don't ask. Professor Dumbledore gave me this to use as a port key to your chambers." he told them holding the confection up between two fingers. "Grab on." He instructed. When everyone held on, Severus pulled his wand and said, "Portus," as he passed it over the portkey.
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Phaelan entered the staff room on her break to find Minerva sorting through a mountain of file cards.
"What are you doing, Minerva?" Phaelan asked as she crossed to the side table to drop her books.
"Albus pulled the records of all the students from the past twenty five years. I'm just going through the lot in batches to sort out those who are deceased or incarcerated." She replied as she took up a handful and fanned them out before her. She passed her wand over the cards and flicked "Alumnos Defunto."
Phaelan watched as a card floated out of the fan. Minerva took it and placed it in a black basket. Minerva repeated the process using "Alumnos Ligatus." Nothing happened. Minerva gathered the cards and placed them in a green basket.
"How long will it take you Minerva?" asked Phaelan of the monotonous labour.
"Not too long. Albus and Filius are both doing their share."
"Good luck. Is Severus back yet?" Phaelan asked.
"I don't believe so." Minerva looked over at her. "You're worried about him, aren't you?"
Phaelan leaned on the table, "He hasn't said anything but he is really stressing over his oath to Faubert."
"How so?" Minerva queried.
"He gave a Gryffindor an O on a potions essay and didn't even correct it when he realized. He even wrote 'Adequate' as a comment."
"Poor man; he is in a bad way." Minerva commiserated.
"Better yet, you should have seen the poor girl when she saw her mark. When I passed her in the hall, she was still swooning from a fainting attack and that happened on the second time she looked at her parchment." Phaelan told the older Gryffindor, "Her friends told me she fainted dead away in class and he just stepped over her; didn't take points or anything."
Minerva clucked her tongue. "Maybe you should go and meet him down in the chambers prepared for the girls."
"Yeah, I think I will. Just in case he finds himself struck with the urge to cuddle something." Phaelan smirked at Minerva's frown, "Better me than one of those poor girls. They've had enough mental trauma."
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Molly was looking out of the window of the living room in the suite which overlooked the small open area where the portkey was to bring the travellers. Dumbledore was seated beside the fire, quietly reading a volume of poetry that had been brought from the girls' home. Molly turned when she heard a knock at the entryway. The house elf in residence answered and led in Phaelan.
"Hi. They're not back yet then?" she asked.
Molly shook her head, "No, I thought they would have been here by now. Everything's alright, isn't it Albus?" she asked worriedly.
"I'm sure everything is fine. We had no fixed time for arrival." He assured her.
At that moment a loud pop heralded the arrival of several people in the courtyard. Molly rushed out to greet her charges.
"Come along girls, it's cold out here and you haven't proper clothes." She chided as she shuttled them quickly into the warm living room.
Dumbledore stood and approached the girls. He pulled the youngest girl to his side and placed a comforting hand on her face before beckoning the older girl to his other side.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts girls. We've missed you terribly." He told them as he steered them to the sofa in front of the cheery fire.
A knock came to the entry once more and Filius Flitwick fairly bounced into the room. "Miss Faubert and Miss Genevieve. I'm so happy you're finally here. I can't tell you how you've both been missed. Oh.." He held each of their hands in his left hand and patted them with his right. He had to stop finally to produce a handkerchief, as his tears were becoming beyond his whiskers ability to absorb.
"All right everyone lets sit down and have tea. Let the girls have a moment to breath." Instructed Molly. She nodded to the elf who, with the assistance of Polly, produced a prodigious spread of teatime treats.
Molly stood to one side of the table before the fireplace. "Well, since no one has thought to introduce me..."
"Molly my dear lady, forgive me, I have been remiss." Dumbledore stood and took her hand.
"Children, I would like to introduce you to Mrs Molly Weasley. Mrs Weasley is mother to Ronald and Ginevra whom I'm sure you know by reputation if not in person." He returned to his seat. "I know you've been told you cannot return to classes right now for your own protection. Mrs. Weasley will stay with you here and help you adjust to your new home. In the coming days, we shall arrange some tutoring for you in your classes."
Rebecca spoke first, "Professor, this was to be the year I sat my owls. I've missed so much."
"Not to worry Miss Faubert, you are an excellent student. " Flitwick told her, "You can make it all up, I'm sure."
"Phaelan, I almost forgot you there in the background." Dumbledore called her over.
"Children, this is a new face to you. Professor McKenzie is our teacher of Muggle Studies and she is very special." Dumbledore told them with a wink.
"Why?" asked Genevieve.
"Professor McKenzie is a ...Muggle." he told them with a smile.
"Really?" asked Genevieve.
"Yeah." Phaelan answered, "An American Muggle in Dumbledore's court"
Genevieve giggled at the jumbled reference to a Muggle story. "Are you from Connecticut?"
"No," Phaelan smiled, "Pretty close by, Maine."
"Cool." The young girl smiled then looked at her sister before looking down at her hands, her face once more sad.
"I'm not very hungry, can I see my room?" Asked Rebecca.
"Me too." Echoed her young sister.
Molly looked around the adults who were clearly uncomfortable. "Of course dears. Come along and we'll get you settled. We've brought your clothes for you but you might have grown some." She kept talking as she led them to the bedroom.
They entered and looked around the comfortable girl's room Molly had created. Rebecca spotted her own bookcase and walked over to stroke the familiar wood.
"Snuffy!" Genevieve called out when she saw her favourite stuffed elephant. Frayed and worn, the toy bore witness to years of love from a young girl. She climbed on her bed and hugged her source of comfort to her chest to bury her nose in his familiar scent.
Rebecca turned to Molly who was still standing in the door. "What should we call you?"
Molly stood perplexed, "Oh, I don't know. I hadn't thought." She told them. "You can't call me Mrs Weasley all the time and I'm certainly not your teacher." She thought for a moment about what she would want and realized there was one appellation she had never heard and had never thought to after her brothers died. "Would Aunt Molly be alright? I know I'm not your aunty but...well...I have no one to call me that so if you want..." she trailed off.
Rebecca and Genevieve looked at each other and decided in a silent sisterly communication. "All right, Aunt Molly it is then." Rebecca told Molly.
"Good." Molly declared, "Well now...how about I get some tea things for you and bring them here and we can get to know each other away from the others, hmm?"
Rebecca nodded, "That would be nice, thank you."
Molly nodded and left.
"We're really all alone, aren't we Becky?" asked Genevieve.
"Yeah, we are. But I'll look after you Nevvy, don't worry. We'll be okay, I promise." She sat beside her little sister and put her arms around her. "We don't need him. We don't need his charity."
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Phaelan flooed into Severus' chambers after a session with part of the DA. She was tired and sore. They were getting good and she was still only five feet four inches tall. Her body was none too happy with being thrown around. The chamber was fairly dark which was unusual as he normally marked papers up until he headed off to bed or patrol.
"Severus?" she called, wondering where he was.
"What?" came his voice from the corner his desk was located in.
Phaelan walked to him, "What's wrong? What are you...you've been drinking." She stated when she saw the empty bottle on the desk.
"They hate me. They hate meee!..Not Severus Snape, Potions Master extraordinaire. They hate ME. I left their father to die...fuck I helped him die." He snorted as he took another gulp of his drink.
Phaelan took the glass out of his hand. "Enough of that. You were not cut out for self pity Severus." She took the glass and bottle to the sideboard and set them down. "They don't know all the facts yet. When they see..."
Severus rounded on her, "You think I'm going to let them tip toe through my memory like they paddle in the shallows at Blackpool. You stupid Muggle, I am a Deatheater! I chew people like you up and spit them out. I use them and throw what's left into the midden." He began to laugh. "We used to call it 'Fuck 'em and Chuck 'em" he continued but the laughter changed into sobs.
"Oh Phaelan, forgive me. I'm sorry...I didn't mean it." He left his chair and fell to his knees before her, "I don't deserve you. I'm a foul, loathsome wretch who should be in Azkaban for the sins I've committed. Why? Why did he make me swear? I'm not worthy to be the doormat they wipe their feet upon."
"Stop it. Stop it!" she cried, her own tears blinding her. "You are who you are. Faubert knew it when he asked it of you. But he saw...he saw the man beneath the dark curtain you draw about you when you are with...that thing." She knelt in front of him. "You will find a way Severus. I know you will. Just as you found your way to my heart, you will show them the true soul that cares so deeply that you weep for them and their parents." She cupped his face in her hands, "You will find the way and they will share your strength and honour. They will be the daughters their parents wanted them to be because you...YOU will find the way to show them what love is when they thought it was forever gone.. just as you showed me."
Severus looked into the eyes of the woman he loved and found himself once more. He found the strength to ask for something he hadn't needed since childhood, "Help me...please?"
Phaelan nodded, "Always...Always."
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