I do not own Harry Potter…boo hoo
Thank you to all of you who have kept with this story I know it's a bit slow going. I also need to go through and edit some of my horrific, dyslexic grammar and spelling. Don't worry I will get to it, eventually.
Chapter 19
The Retirement of Albus Dumbledore
It had been a little over a month since Lily had gone into premature labor with our twins. Gannon and Griffin were both still in hospital, but were are hopeful they will be out in time to celebrate their big brothers and sisters birthday (they were only two days apart) in mid July. The healers were optimistic but want to wait until they were off oxygen completely before allowing them to leave St. Mungo's. Lily stayed in hospital for a week after the babies were born, but eventually had to come home without them, which was immensely hard for her. She spent the weeks spoiling Rose and Harry who she had taken several times to see their baby brothers.
As the school year ended, despite the insanity of what happened at the end of the year, things began to settle down. Dumbledore was stabilized, but still resting but during his last visit I was brutally honest with him about how much time he had.
"A month maybe more, but you won't make it through the summer."
The old wizard sighed but thanked me for my assistance. "I was hoping for more time…perhaps…Severus, I believe it's time for me to retire as Headmaster."
I nearly laughed at his statement. He would be retiring alright, from his very existence.
"I will make an official announcement tomorrow and hand my position over to Minerva. Severus, Tom cannot know when I die, no one can, at least not yet. We will lead him and everyone else to believe I have simply retired. He will probably think I am devoting my time to searching for ways to destroy him, which is fine, but he needs to believe that I am still here and able to protect the castle if need be."
"So, you want to fake you life?"
"Yes. Neville needs more time. He is still trying to go this alone, he needs to trust his friends. Ms. Granger and Mr. Potter and Weasley, he can be successful but he needs there help."
I sighed and shook my head in disbelief. Why he was leaving such a huge responsibility to a bunch of teenagers I just didn't get. Poor Neville had no choice, he was born with this horrible burden, a burden, which was partly my fault. Dumbledore may want his friends to help him carry the burden but I simply couldn't let that happen. Ms. Granger almost lost her life, Potter an arm…they had risked too much already. This is war, children should not be involved in it if it can be helped. I helped the boy before and I will help him again!
I simply agreed to his stupid plan just so I could get out of his sight. I would need to talk to Lily and then somehow get in touch with Neville-secretly.
XXX
While I spent much of the time over the summer with my family, there were also Order meetings. They were often difficult to endure as Dumbledore was rarely there and when he was he looked the worse for wear. I also spent a couple days each week at my shop. I had almost forgotten how much I missed the place. It was running smoothly in the hands of my assistance and profit had gone up it the past quarter. I hoped by the end of next year to return to my Apothecary and forget teaching forever!
XXX
The boys came home the day before their brother and sisters birthday celebration, which made the day all the more special. There were taking an assortment of potions on a daily basis, the most important for one for their lungs to keep them open and the oxygen flowing through them properly, still they were alive and thriving!
Draco had been more then honored when we informed him we named one of the boys after him. While he tried to hide it, I could see the tears of joy forming in his eyes. He held his namesake for over an hour that afternoon. Rose and Harry had the time of their life. We had a wonderful party for them at the castle by the lake. Rosie loved to watch the giant squid, and sometimes fed him her snacks while Harry kept trying to toddle off towards the Quidditch pitch. We had games and food and while we only invited a hand full of people we truly did have an amazing time.
XXX
He died on a Tuesday. Minerva and James Potter were by his side when he took his last breath. No one but a select few were told. I found it depressingly ironic that such a great man would die such a pathetic death. I never had great fondness for the man but I would admit he was a great wizard. He defeated Grindelwald and educated thousands of students during his time as Professor and Headmaster at Hogwarts. He was also Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards as well as the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot.
His death should have been a celebration of his amazing life, instead is was a secret locked away in a web of lies. His body was placed in stasis in a secured area, not even I knew where it was.
His official retirement from education was announced just two days previous and took up a full page in the Daily Prophet. Dozens of people were quoted saying some amazing things about him. At least he was able to read that before he died.
I was summoned by The Dark Lord just a day after the announcement. The first question he asked me was, "Were you aware this was going to happen?"
Of course I lied in response. "No my Lord, not until the previous night when he announced it to the staff. His health has not been well since the night we invaded Hogwarts and he no longer feels he can do a proper job as Headmaster at this time. McGonagall has taken over for him."
He paused for a moment, then sitting down in his large thrown like chair, he looked up at me and said, "I want you to apply for Deputy Head."
It seemed like a ridiculous request, the board of Governors would never approve it. Maybe if Lucius was still the chairman I would have a chance, but he was technically an escaped felon at the moment. "I can, but I do not think it likely I will be given the position. I'm a new teacher and-
"I don't want your excuses, Severus. Just put your name in, I will take care of the rest."
"Yes, My Lord."
I did not know exactly what he planned to accomplish with me in such a position, perhaps he thought it would get me closer to Minerva and in turn Dumbledore…or perhaps he had hopes of once again infiltrating Hogwarts.
"Is there anything else you need to me to?"
"No, at the moment. I will call you when I do."
XXX
I had sent Neville and owl, actually Lily sent it to him. She asked how he was doing and if he needed any help with anything. I had no doubt his mail was being checked so I didn't have Lily ask any probing questions. I did let him know that we would be in our family home for much of the summer and if he had anything he wanted to talk about he could write or even call us. She then added our phone number. I didn't know if he had access to a muggle phone but I figured it couldn't hurt to let him know regardless.
While we had been living in the castle all year we were happy to be heading home.
A/N: Hello all. A little snippet of the summer, I know its short but at least I got something out there. Up next, Year 7. Severus does the best he can to secretly help Neville and James Potter who did not return for their 7th year.
