Disclaimer: I do not own any of the people or places that belong to the wonderful world of Harry Potter, as they belong to J.K. Rowling. The OCs (Katherine, Septimus, Serenity, Helena, Christoph, Elisa, Henry, Nick and any name you don't recognize and isn't from the HP universe) are entirely my own.
Chapter 31: I Remember You
May 2, 1999 - London, Borough of Islington:
The screams.
The bright lights from the spells and curses.
They were everywhere.
Everywhere.
His heart hammered in his chest; his breathing hitched and shallow. He could feel the sweat trickling down his face and body. Blood littered his clothes and the ground. Walls exploded around him; and fire engulfed the turrets' peaks.
He saw them.
He always saw them.
The lifeless faces of Remus and Tonks, as they laid side by side in the Great Hall. Fred's face just before the stone wall collapsed on top of him. Lavender's stilled form as it was being feasted upon by Greyback. Collin's corpse sprawled out of the ground in the middle of the courtyard.
"Look...at...me..."
Those black eyes unnerved him the most. He had done nothing, but watch as the man died, and take his memories from him. The memories that now sat in a small crystal bottle on the dresser in his bedroom. Those eyes were now burned into his mind and soul. He could still see the ripped flesh of the wizard's neck; the blood that stained the black haired wizard and a blonde haired witch, as well as the floor surrounding them.
But it wasn't just one wizard that still haunted him; it was the voice of another that did.
"Give me Harry Potter...and none shall be harmed..." The cold voice hissed. "I shall find you...and I shall punish every man...woman...and child who has tried to conceal you from me..."
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" And green light flooded his vision as a scream escaped him.
Pale eyelids flew open, revealing emerald green orbs within. Harry Potter bolted upright in his bed; sweat poured from his face and torso. His body shook from the sheer shock. It was always the same.
Throwing back the covers of his queen sized bed; Harry slid off the mattress and padded across the room. He did not need his wand anymore to see where he was going, for he now knew the house like the back of his hand.
About a month after the final battle, Harry had gone back to London. To Number 12 Grimmauld Place, to be more exact. Ron and Hermione had joined him there at first, but she had stayed only a few weeks before leaving to retrieve her parents from Australia. Ron had remained though, and he now occupied Regulus Black's old bedroom, while Harry slept in Sirius'.
Harry quietly slipped out into the hallway, and tip-toed down the stairs, while Ron's snoring echoed through his close door. Harry passed the next three floors quickly, and then silently slipped through the ground floor, trying with all of his might to avoid waking Walburg Black's portrait. They had still yet to figure out how to remove that damn painting.
As he reached the kitchens, Harry paused to look around. It was the first room that they had redone when moving in. There was, now, fresh paint on the walls and new wallpaper as well. The furniture had been dusted and polished, and the counters had been replaced. The pantry was filled to the brim, and even Kreacher's den had been remodeled, by Hermione of course.
The grandfather clock in the corner of the room chimed five in the morning. Harry sighed, knowing that Ron would not be up for another couple of hours, he would take his breakfast alone this morning. He began digging through the cupboards, searching for a simple breakfast of cereal and a croissant, when a sudden noise made him stop.
"Master Harry is hungry," Kreacher's voice came from his doorway. Harry turned to find the aging house elf standing there, watching him intently. "Kreacher will make Master his breakfast."
"It's alright Kreacher," Harry sighed, as he ran a hand through his unruly black hair. "I can get my own this morning. Ron will be up later, and you can make his then."
"Of course," Kreacher muttered, as he began to return to his room. "Kreacher lives to serve good Masters."
Harry sighed again, as he retrieved a bowl and the cereal from the cabinet; then summoned the milk to follow him to the table. He sat heavily down in his chair, and poured his breakfast, before looking up at the four contents that were lying on the table before him. Two letters and two small boxes.
The first letter was a joint invitation from Headmistress McGonagall and Minister Shacklebolt...
'To Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley,
Please join us for a Memorial Service
honoring the Lives of Those Lost
during the Second Wizarding War
Sunday, the second of May
nineteen hundred and ninety-nine
at eleven o'clock in the morning
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt Headmistress Minerva McGonagall
(Minister of Magic, Order of Merlin, First Class) (Order of Merlin, First Class)'
The second letter was from Mrs. Weasley...
'Harry,
Please join us for Sunday dinner
after the Hogwarts' Memorial Service.
Dinner will be a 5pm sharp.
Love,
Molly & Arthur'
Life had become different after the battle at Hogwarts. Both he and Ron became Aurors, along with Neville, Seamus and several others. Hermione, Ginny and Luna had gone back to school in September in order to finish out their N.E.W.T.S., so most Saturdays were spent in Hogsmeade seeing the girls.
The three of them had each received an Order of Merlin, First Class, about a month after the war; while several others of their classmates received second and third class Orders. But the two boxes sitting before him had been the hardest to get.
Granted they were Order of Merlin, First Class; it had taken forever for them to be approved. They would be the last Orders to be given to two heroes of the war, and they would be given out today at the Memorial Service.
The only thing was the two that would be receiving them would not even be present.
May 2, 1999 - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, Scotland:
It was an hour before the service was to begin, but Headmistress Minerva McGonagall already found herself standing before the graves of those who had lost their lives a year ago to that date. She had already privately visited Remus and Nymphadora Lupin's, as well as Mr. Creevey's and Ms. Brown's; and she had spent nearly twenty minutes at Albus' grave.
But now she stood before a stone that would forever haunt her. Buried beneath her feet were two people that she had come to hate during their last year of life, but that hate quickly fled after finding out the truth. She had cried so many tears over the past year; so many sleepless nights went by as she sat with Albus' portrait and learned the truth.
She ran a pale hand over the black granite and sighed heavily. Time had moved forward without them, and it would continue to do so. But today, it seemed to have had at least slow down, as the morning had seemed to drag on forever.
The soft crunching of grass behind feet caused Minerva's head to turn away from the headstone, and focus on the direction of the noise. Her green eyes squinted in the morning light, before finally settling on an aging figure.
"You're out early, Minerva," the voice of Aberforth Dumbledore stated, as he slowly made his way over to his sister-in-law.
"I felt as though I needed a few private moments before the ceremony began," she said quietly, as Aberforth came to stand beside her in front of the grave.
"Aye," he muttered. "It is hard to believe it has been a year already."
"It is indeed," Minerva sniffled lightly, as she brought out her handkerchief and gently dabbed her eyes. "I can believe how awful I was to them, in their last moments."
"You were not the only one," Aberforth said, as he placed a frail hand next to hers on the stone. "I never even allowed myself to know my daughter, Minerva."
"Nor did I," the Headmistress replied. "I wish, now, that I could go back and come to know her better. It was not her fault that my sister and I did not speak with each other."
"Neither was the fact that she looked like Ariana," Aberforth sighed. "I threw away me chance at a family. I may have lost my wife, but I could have had a daughter...and a son-in-law and grandchild. If only I hadn't pushed her away..."
"I know Ab," Minerva whispered. "I know...
"Come," Minerva said softly, as she patted his aging hand. "The guests will be arriving soon, and I wish to greet them properly."
A loud crack sounded just beyond the Hogwarts' gates, and a feminine figure and the silhouette of a small creature now stood in a once empty spot.
"Thank you Bobbin," Narcissa Malfoy said quietly. "I will call for you when I am ready to return."
"Yes good mistress," the small house elf said, bowing lowly to his mistress. "Bobbin will return when called." And in an instance, the creature evaporated into thin air.
Narcissa sighed heavily, as she turned to face the magnificent entrance. The wrought iron doors had been rebuilt after the war, and the two columns were once again flanked with their winged boars. Slowly making her way to the gate, Narcissa paused and rested her hands upon the iron.
She wouldn't be able to get inside the grounds by herself, as her wand still belonged to the Ministry. It was also the reason to why her loyal house elf had brought her here; by law, she was still being tracked, but at least it was only for another month. Then she would have her wand and freedom back...for the most part anyways.
"Hello Narcissa," a firm voice said, causing the pale blonde witch to look up suddenly.
"Headmistress," Narcissa greeted Minerva kindly, as the elder witch waved her wand and opened the gates. "Are you well?"
"As well as one can be, on a day like this," Minerva responded, as she offered her hand to the younger witch. "Andromeda said that she would be joining us today, along with little Teddy."
"Yes," Narcissa replied, as she swallowed a sob. "I talked to her this morning, after I...I..." But Narcissa couldn't finish her words, as she broke down in tears.
It had happened again this morning; she had seen Katherine and Severus on the path, walking towards the house again. She had been in the master bedroom, slowly getting ready for the memorial service, when she saw them through the windows. It was always the same; the two of them walking arm in arm towards the house, and they were always chatting and smiling at each other.
"Narcissa," Minerva said softly, as she tried to comfort the sobbing witch.
"Mother?" Minerva turned to find Draco rushing towards them. He stopped quickly, just in time before his mother wrapped her arms around him tightly. "It happened again, didn't it?" But Narcissa couldn't respond through her sobs; all she could do was merely nod her head.
"Mr. Malfoy, would you..." Minerva started, but the loud crack of Apparation startled all three of them. The headmistress squinted in the direction of the sound, only to find a female figure dressed in black and carrying a small child.
"Cissy?" Andromeda Tonks called worryingly, as she hurried forward into the school's grounds, with her grandson on her hip.
"Oh...Dromeda," Narcissa sobbed, as she released her son and embraced her sister. The younger witch clung to the dark haired witch, as Minerva struggled to get Teddy out of the way before being crushed.
"Shhh...it'll be alright Cissy," Andromeda said soothingly. She, too, had grieved for the loss of her family, but she thanked Merlin everyday that she still had her grandson. "It'll be alright."
"I...shouldn't...be," Narcissa gasped between sobs.
"And I told you this morning Cissy," Andromeda told the younger witch firmly. "Just because they were not blood, doesn't mean that they were not family. They were as much as family to you, as Ted, Dora and Remus were to me. They loved your son enough to accept the honor of being his godparents, and you know Katherine cared greatly about you. You were the sister that she never had. And she needed you as much as you needed her."
"I...just...miss them so much," Narcissa sniffled.
"I know you do," Andromeda said calmingly. "And you always will. But the pain will lessen with time. Be thankful that you still have your son, and remember the good times you shared with them."
A crowd had gathered beside the lake; a crowd full of survivors and heroes. The sun was shining brightly that late morning and the lake's glassy surface was calm. Rows of white chairs had been conjured near the shores, which were now occupied with students, staff and civilians.
The front rows had been reserved for families who had lost loved one during the war, along with the Minister and the Golden Trio. Minerva sat beside Aberforth, while Narcissa and Andromeda sat in the row behind them. The entire Weasley family took up the rest of the second row
Kingsley rose from his seat, and slowly made his way to the podium. A hush came over the crowd as he cleared his throat to begin the ceremony.
"Thank you all for coming to help us celebrate the first anniversary of the end of the wizarding war," the Minister began.
"Today we pause to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our world, the fallen heroes who never came home to their families and friends. May second is the one day each year on which we will reflect on the tremendous sacrifices made by our fellow wizards, witches, and all others that call our magical world their own.
"We were a world at war. A world divided simply because of blood and power. And sadly, more than fifty men, women, children and other magical beings had given their lives in the cause of freedom. We mourn the loss of each member of our wizarding family.
"Our world survived that bloody war, and went on to become a beacon of hope for millions of others around the world.
"The fruits of their labors can be seen throughout the world. We have come together to heal the negative corruption that have gone on too long. We have come together as equals in our world. Our world fought proudly, but we know the cost as we see the graves before us, where the remains of our fallen heroes reside.
"Some of our best and brightest have given their lives on the blood-soaked corridors of Hogwarts, the dark grounds of the forbidden forest and even in the skies over both England and Scotland. They have fought and fallen in the school's courtyard and in the village of Hogsmeade. And they have fought in the final moments in the Great Hall.
"Only those who have seen the horrors of war firsthand can ever truly know what these heroes went through in their final moments. Perhaps they were charging out onto the grounds amongst the giants, with no place to hide and no chance to retreat. Or maybe they were taken out on broom, plunging to the earth as they were unable to escape the curse that hit them.
"Each of them knew what their duty was, but surely each of them also dreamed of going home to the people that they loved and the life they cherished. Each of them had families waiting eagerly to see them again. We know that they were forced to leave their hopes and dreams behind when they went off to war. They parted with them forever when they died.
"As you walk through the rows of gleaming white and black headstones, look at the names and the dates inscribed on them. Behind each name is a story of grief and loss that came to a family, a child, a town. Eventually, the day will come when no one is left behind who knew the story behind that headstone. But we will never forget what they did for our world.
"Today we honor all those who left us too soon, whose lives were cut short on this battlefield. And so, as you celebrate this anniversary with family and friends, I urge you to take a moment to reflect on those who sacrificed their lives so we could enjoy a beautiful day like today. This moment of remembrance is something each of us can do to keep their memory alive in our hearts. Surely we owe them nothing less than to remember, and to give thanks for all they have done on our behalf. On behalf of our world, we honor them, and pledge that we will never forget. Thank you."
The crowd applauded as Kingsley finished; a light breeze had picked up, rippling the lake's glassy surface. Family and friends held each other close, as it had been a long year for everyone.
"Before we continue," Kingsley spoke up again. "Please, let us take a moment of silence, as we honor those who had died one year ago to date. For each one of these names, the Hogwarts' bell will toll once. One strike for each individual lost during the battle.
"Fred Weasley." The bell rang once; echoing eerily across the grounds and throughout the school. Arthur Weasley held his wife, Molly, close as their son's name was announced. Their eyes, along with the eyes of their other children, family and friends, filled with tears.
"Colin Creevey." His brother, Dennis, sat in the third row with Colin's camera in his lap. He sat clasping the hands of his parents, whom had been granted special access onto the grounds that day, despite being Muggles.
"Lavender Brown." Parvati Patil, whom had become Lavender's best friend while in school, sat crying in the arms of her twin Padma, as the bell rang again. The names continued on; each one followed by the toll of the bell.
"Remus Lupin."
"Nymphadora Tonks Lupin." Andromeda grasped the hands of Narcissa, who sat on her left, and of Lyall Lupin, Remus' aging father, who occupied the chair to her right. Lyall held his grandson, Teddy, whom had turned his hair pink, like his mother use to do.
"Katherine Dumbledore Snape. " Narcissa grasped Andromeda hand even tighter than before, as Draco took her other. The blonde witch trembled lightly in her sat, as a soft whimper escaped her.
"And Severus Snape." The last bell's toll hung harshly in the air. Narcissa closed her eyes, finally letting a new batch of tears seep for her steel blue orbs.
Silence hung for a moment more before Kingsley summoned Harry, Ron and Hermione forward. Hermione's eyes were red from crying and she clutched one of Ron's hands as though she would drown. Both Harry and Ron stood stock still, but both swallowed harshly as they fought to keep their emotions in check.
Harry gripped the two small boxes tightly in his hands, as he stood next to Kinsley. He hated being the center of attention; he craved for a normal life for so long, but he knew that even through the war was over, he would always be a focal point in public.
"Today," Kingsley continued, "we will be presenting the last two Orders of Merlin, first class, to two of the most under acknowledged individuals. To many, they were viewed as Voldemort's highest ranking Death Eaters; but to those who know the truth, know what they truly were.
"Heroes," Kingsley said firmly; raising his chin, challenging anyone who said otherwise. "They risked their lives every day; every time they stood before Voldemort, they knew their lives were on the line. But they played their parts well, so well that even Voldemort himself thought that they were loyal to him and only him until the very end.
"They were half-bloods amongst multitudes of pure; ousted by blood on one side, and ousted by association on the other," Kingsley paused. "Severus Snape and Katherine Dumbledore.
"I was a few years behind them in school," Kingsley continued. "They being fifth year Slytherins, when I was sorted into Ravenclaw. I remember a graceful Katherine on the Quidditch Pitch, and one of the quickest wand draws from Severus in dueling club. I don't ever recall a time I didn't see the two together. Whether it was in the Great Hall for meals or in the corridors.
"I remember sneaking out with the older boys to watch the Slytherin team practice, and Severus would be sitting in the stands while Katherine flew the pitch," Kingsley paused again, collecting his thoughts. "They were close; as close as friends could be without being considered together. But apparently they fooled us there as well.
"There are very few that knew the real Severus and Katherine," the Minister stated. "The ones without the masks; the ones that were not the spies, the ones that were not the cold, heart professors. But without them, where would we be today?
"So today," Kingsley smiled sadly. "We honor them; we honor their strength...their courage...and their sacrifice. Here to accept the awards on their behalf today is Headmistress Minerva McGonagall and Aberforth Dumbledore." Minerva and Aberforth rose from their seats in the front row, and made their way onto the platform.
"Headmistress McGonagall and Mr. Dumbledore," Kingsley continued. "On behalf of the entire Wizarding World, please accept these medals on behalf of Headmaster Severus Snape and Professor Katherine Dumbledore, as a symbol of their bravery and sacrifice."
Kingsley gestured for Harry to open the two boxes, before carefully plucking the golden medals from the velvet cushions. Turning back towards the two honorary recipients, he handed Severus' medal to Minerva and Katherine's to Aberforth. Together, the two turned towards the black granite headstone behind Kingsley, and with their wands levitated the medals before it. With complex sticking charms, the medals welded themselves into the dark stone; just above both of their names.
"As we go forth today," Kingsley stated. "Let us remember all of whom we have lost, and celebrate the freedom they have given us. Thank you."
May 2, 1999 (6AM) - Northwoods, Wisconsin:
Drops of sweat trickled down his back, as Severus grunted and released his seed into the witch below him. His heart raced, his head throbbed, and his breathing was ragged; as he collapsed on top of her. Katherine's arms and legs were still wound around his person; her hands soothing his tense back muscles that were still twitching from his strong climax.
Severus nuzzled his nose into the crook of her neck; relishing in the feeling of Katherine's pulse fluttering rapidly against it. Her tightened muscles still held him in, even though his arousal had depleted some. It had been her hardest orgasm of the night so far.
Had that been the third or fourth time he had come that night?
He couldn't really remember; the last few hours had been pretty much a blur. The last thing he could truly remember was that damn dream that woke him.
He could hear the screams in the distance.
The pain that shot through his body as Nagini's venomous fangs pierced his neck.
The blood.
He had bolted upright in the bed; panting heavily as the cold sweat rolled down his face and chest. Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, he had sworn silently to himself. 'Two fucking a.m.' It was then that he had noticed the cold bed beside him.
Untangling himself from the strewn bed sheets, Severus had headed straight for the nursery. He found her there, as he somehow knew he would; sitting next to the crib, watching their almost six month old daughter sleeping peacefully.
Without a word, he plucked her from her seat and glided her to the door. He glanced back at Serenity for a moment, before leading Katherine back downstairs to their bedroom. They had held each other close as they laid in bed. Clothes were shed; hands and fingers caressed marred pale skin. Lips met; tongues dueled, and quickly they joined. It had been frantic and rough, but not unwanted.
And now it was hours, and couplings, later. Katherine wriggled under Severus' person, arousing him from his thoughts. Her hands continued their soothing menstruations over his scarred back. Her cheek was pressed against his own, and her warm breath fluttered his black hair that hung down near his ear.
"I love you," Katherine whispered, as she pressed her lips to his ear. Severus planted a kiss to her collarbone before lifting his head. But the sight that greeted him was not what he was expecting. Tears had escaped from the corners of his wife's ice blue eyes; eyes that were mixed with several different emotions. Gently, he reached out with his right hand and brushed the tears away. A flashback hit him, taking him back to one year ago today. The day that changed both of their lives for the better.
"I love you as well," Severus spoke softly, offering Katherine a small smile. Gingerly, he rolled over; pulling her with him and into his arms again. Their legs intertwined; bare skin was pressed flush to bare skin. Katherine burrowed her face into his chest, while Severus rested his chin on the top of her head.
Glancing about the room, he noted the light beginning to peek through the windows. He figured it be another hours before they had to get up for the day. Serenity had been waking up around seven the last couple of mornings, and he was quite positive that Christoph and Elisa would invade the house as soon as they had the chance. And he couldn't forget Septimus today, as it was the boy's seventeenth birthday.
He closed his eyes for a moment and clutched Katherine tighter to his person.
Silently, he prayed.
He prayed to Merlin; something he hadn't done in a long time.
Praying for the safety of his godson and the boy's parents; for Minerva and the staff of Hogwarts, whom he had come to consider family. He prayed for Avery, and the wife and child that the wizard had left behind.
He thanked Merlin for Katherine's safety and his children. For his second chance at life, and for the new friendships that had become of it. For Albus' sacrifice to keep them safe, even though he still wished to throttle the old codger for his manipulating schemes.
And finally, and a bit reluctantly, he thanked the 'bloody boy-who-lived.' Even he couldn't deny that his new life wouldn't be possible if it were not, partly, for Potter. He wouldn't be here holding Katherine in his arms. He would have never met his son, and his daughter probably would have never lived. He was pretty confident that they both would have been killed if the Dark Lord had survived.
Severus could feel himself drifting off into sleep, as the sun began its' ascent on the eastern horizon. He could feel Katherine's breathing even out, as she too surrendered herself to dreamland. Sighing contently, Severus buried his nose into her blonde locks and breathed in the sweet subtle scent of cherry blossoms. Just before succumbing to sleep, he prayed one last time.
He wished to Merlin that all was well... with Harry Potter.
a/n: Hello all! I'm back! Sorry about the wait, but things have been hectic again. So here it is Chapter 31! Hope you all enjoy it :) Chapter 32 has been picked at already and I'm aiming at a three week goal. Hopefully :)
A Big Thanks to xxxMadameMysteryxxx, lightbabe, Mira Severus Sirius Black-Snape, Missyick, Backward Mind, xxyangxx2006, and *Guest* for their wonderful reviews! And as always, thank you to all who have add 'Forever Yours' to their favorites and/or alerts!
