Ladies & Gentlemen, we've had a portion of the horror, now for the romance. Time for Poppy to get her due. Enjoy!
Chapter 5 Unity
Poppy sat wearily at her desk, finally able to rest a bit. The school was so quiet. Almost no-one had stayed for the Christmas holidays, not even a good portion of the staff. With Voldemort on the rise, Dumbledore's death, and the subsequent disappearance of the Boy Who Lived, it seemed that everyone had yielded to a sense of fatalism, and determined to spend Christmas with their families while they still could.
The infirmary was blessedly empty, but she had worked anyway, stockpiling potions, organising deliveries to HQ, making ready for the coming term. She had been busy this year. Tragedy had struck some hard, and she had dealt with six attempted suicides among the students so far, Slytherin in particular, what was left of it, was hard struck. Poppy doubted that anyone truly realised what a stabalising force Severus had been for his House. She had seen the results of his work over the year. A small group of Slytherins had come to her, and set up watch so that at least one person was there tor each of her suicidal patients at all times. It seemed that Severus, as Slytherin Head of House, had formed the group from students with similar problems that he had encountered over the years. Their function was basic security and support. Inspired, Poppy had set about extending the group to offer the same services to affected students from other houses. The group, called Survivors, was now only equalled in size by Dumbledore's Army, the defense group.
Sighing, she slumped back, watcing the house elves moving about her office, including the ever-present Dobby. All the elves were rather subdued, reflecting the attitude of the whole school, but Dobby was suffering the double blow of losing Harry, the boy who had freed him, and Severus, his friend and confidante. The little elf had taken to sleeping in her armchair at night, and to be honest, she was glad of the company, Dobby now worked almost exclusively in the infirmary, along with Neville on weekends.
Neville. A touch of pride filled her at the thought of the quiet boy. He was a promising healer, possessing an instinct for the pain of others that could have lead him to be a formidable warrior, or a healer beyond compare. Although in times like these many would have chosen the former path, Neville had realised that in war, the healers who work to mend broken lives are as important as the warriors who fight for freedom. He had adamantly stuck to his choice. His presence was one of the few highlights of her current situation.
So much had happened since Albus' death last summer. Some had firmed in their resolve, and fought all the harder, others had bowed to tragedy and lived with a fatalistic expectation of death. Harry and his friends had left on their own quest, moving in secret, taking the hopes of many with them. Hogwarts went on, watched constantly by the Ministry in the wake of the attack, Minerva making a competent Headmistress, but the sense of fatalism was there yet. Paranoia njled in London, and the whole country existed in a state of war.
Merlin, but she was so tired. She was tired of watching the halls for broken students, tired of worrying every night that she would be called to attend one of the Order, tired of watching for news of raids, of waiting for every body to be identified in case it was Harry, or one of their allies, or... or Severus, She was tired of waiting, of hoping to find him collapsed in her armchair in the morning, only to find herself alone save for Dobby. She wished she'd had the chance to say the things they'd never said to each other, until Severus left to die. She wished he were here. Until she held his body in her arms, she couldn't give up hope. He had survived so much. Maybe he could survive just this one more time. She had to hope.
She was woken from exhausted sleep some hours later by a clamour from the infirmary. Wearily she pushed herself to her feet. Dobby scrambled up out of the armchair and moved to her side. She stepped out into the other room.
And stepped right back again. There was a huge man-wolf in there! The creature turned to her and, seeing her fear, raised its hands placatingly. 'Remus?' she asked. 'Fawkes?' The phoenix fluttered over his head. 'Are you injured?' What was going on? Suddenly, two forms moved out from behind the wolf. Without thought, her wand was in her hand, but she recognised them. One was a ghost, and unmistakably Albus Dumbledore, while the other...
'Severus!' Dobby cried, rushing forwards. Dignity forgotten, she flung herself after him. Oblivious to the stares of the other two, she grabbed Severus and pulled him into a fierce embrace, Dobby between them with his arm around Severus' neck, all three of them weeping with relief and joy. They rocked back and forth drunkenly, before collapsing on the edge of the nearest bed. Unable to stop, she wept uncontrollably, and he held her. Wrapping his arms around her, he cradled her as she had cradled him all those years before, and it was his tears that wet her hair, and hers that wet his chest. Dobby withdrew slightly out of respect, his eyes tearful and joyous.
"Never again!' she wept. "Never again, do you hear me? 1 dont care who comes for you, who wants to order you around. I'll silencio them permanently! I'll feed them so many sleeping potions that they won't remember their own names, let alone yours!' She was aware that he tried to hush her, but she ranted on regardless. 'The next person who hurts you, who even looks at you funny, I'll hex them into the afterlife! I'll.,.' He leant down to capture her mouth with his, and swallowed her fierce words. Her eyes flew open in shock, then slid gently closed again as she returned the kiss. Unlike their embrace, which had brought them to their knees, this was deep and gentle and unspeakably tender. His hands cupped her tear-slicked cheeks as hers tangled his hair, and only when their lungs burned for want of air did they break apart.
She looked up at him in wonder. He smiled down at her. 'You wont have to do any of that,' he murmured. 'I can do it myself, now,' Hope sprang up. 'You mean ... ?' He smiled, and showed her his left arm, bared and unmarked. 'I'm free.' For a long moment, they stared down at it, wondering, then Dobby put his spindly hands across it and drew their attention. The small elf looked up at them, crying unabashed. 'You is free. We is both free, and Master Lucius is dead. We is making it! You is saying we is making it, and we is!' He danced an ecstatic little jig. 'Free! We is free!' Then, just as suddenly, he sobered. "Mistress Poppy is right. You is not leaving again. We is not letting you go. We is not letting anyone hurt you again.'
Severus looked down at him, then at her, a curiously determined look on his face. She felt the worry grow again. There is one more bond I must make,' he said quietly. 'I...' But she let him say no more. 'No! Not again! You are not making us go through this again! You have no responsibility to any of them anymore!' She swung on the ghost at the end of the bed. 'Albus Dumbledore, if you've put him up to this, I swear I'll set every ghost in this castle on you!' Albus backed away from her fury, but Severus caught her chin. "He has not, Poppy. I make this choice of my own free will, for it is no slave bond. It requires free choice of both parties, a pledge to join for life.' Her heart gave a queer thrill as he knelt smoothly before her. She moved to kneel with him.
"Poppy. Will you marry me?' Black eyes met hers squarely, full of an emotion too deep to name. She could no longer think, she could no longer speak for the emotion clogging her throat, yet she must, for there was one word it was vitally important she say. She swallowed hard, met his gaze, and answered.
'Yes.'
His smile was like the moon rising, pale and haunting in its beauty. She could barely believe this. An hour ago she had feared him dead, and now ... She paused, thinking how close she had truly come to losing him. They couldnt wait, not in times so uncertain as these. 'Now! Lets do it now! Dobby?' Severus blinked, then smiled as understanding dawned. He turned with her to look at their friend. Dobby nodded, solemnly. With a cry of laughter, they leapt up, capering to the door. Before leaving, she turned to the bewildered werewolf, and the incomprehending ghost. 'You're invited, of course,' she said.
Laughing, they raced through the halls, hand in hand, feeling like a pair of children. They hit the stairs, heading for the Room of Requirement on the 7th floor. Rather than climb, he caught her in his arms, and raised them both into the air. She laughed delightedly, totally unconcerned. The very fact that they had survived to do this was a miracle. Flying to their wedding was perfectly natural. He whirled her in an ascending waltz, eyes sparkling with devilment. She leaned in to claim his laughter for her own with a brushing kiss.
Dawn broke around them. Below on the stairs, Remus paused as the man-wolf morphed back to human form, naked. Caught in the elation, he ran on regardless. Poppy chuckled, calling down. 'Ihope none of the students are up, Mr Lupin. Your state would cause considerable outcry!' He looked up and grimaced apologetically, but came on, grinning. Severus leaned into whisper in her ear, 'Anyone directly below us will have cause for outcry also,' he grinned, grimacing in mock distress as she punched him lightly on the shoulder. 'Now, now. You wouldn't want me to drop you, would you?' She leaned into him. 'You'll never drop me. Not ever.' Sighing, he pulled her close. "Not ever,' he echoed. And knew it was true.
They were met on the landing by Dobby, with the entire house elf population of Hogwarts, the Bloody Baron, and the Grey Lady gathered around him. At the sight of Severus, the elves gave a quiet cheer, clustering around him, hugging and patting him. She had to laugh at his bemused and touched expression. It was about time he saw how much they cared. The ghosts were something of a surprise, though, and of their motives she was unsure.
A hush fell on the party as Remus and Albus arrived. Actually, she supposed she should have been shocked at the deceased Headmaster's return too, but she had been a little preoccupied. But the house elves' reaction startled her. Rather than greeting him, they instead gathered protectively around their recently returned companion, warily facing the intruders. The ghosts and Dobby moved to intercept the uncomfortable newcomers. Dobby drew Remus aside, presenting him with a rather tatty set of robes, leaving the ghosts to face each other.
'Well met, Headmaster Dumbledore,' the Bloody Baron intoned. He and the Lady bowed in greeting. Albus returned the gesture respectfully. 'We did not expect you to join our ranks, Headmaster,' the Grey Lady murmured, one pale eyebrow raised questioningly. Albus shook his head. 'I did not expect it either. I was sent back, by a distraught child and an unfinished duty.' The Lady sighed. 'Oh dear. We are glad that you have recognised that you have a duty. However, you may regret choosing to fulfil it. You see, the event of death has many effects, and when a slave bond is involved, it becomes complicated.' Poppy held Severus' arm as he made to move forward. The Lady looked to her partner. 'Put simply, Headmaster,' the Baron finished, 'By returning to this world after death, you have caused the control you had over Severus Snape in life to become his over you in death.' A stunned silence fell. She felt Severus quiver with anguish under her hand.
'I ... see,' Dumbledore said. Abruptly Severus wrenched free and strode forward, utter fury on his foce. She followed a step behind. 'Stop this?' he commanded. 'It was I who instigated the bond, and circumstance gave him little choice but to accept it. You cannot call him to task for accepting what was freely offered!' He fairly vibrated with fury. 'Child ..." the Grey Lady began, but he cut across her. "No! You cannot! To ask someone to indure this existance beyond death is ... it is beyond thought! Death is freedom! The only freedom that can be achieved. To violate that... what you propose is an evil beyond reach of mortal aim.' They looked at him grimly. Poppy stood beside him, hand on his arm in support.
'Severus.,.' the Bloody Baron started, but this time it was Albus who interupted. 'I acknowledge that any control I had over Severus is relinquished, and that as long as I exist in this world, he will have that same control over me.' He paused, and smiled wryly. 'Indeed, I see no other way it should be.'
Poppy, feeling Severus tremble in anguish, aimed a furious glare at the three of them Of all the low-down tricks, and at a time that should have been happy. Their wedding ... Then, Severus shook free of his malaise, and stood facing Albus. ' will deal with this later,' he ground out, a strange expression on his face, 'In the meantime, if there are no further objections, I should like to get married!' He turned, and strode to the door. He stood there for a long moment, putting away his anger. She wished she could do the same. Then he turned to her, and she couldn't have been angry if she tried. Her heart leapt at the love in his eyes. He took her hand, gently but firmly, and opened the door.
They entered the room together, and smiled at the sight that greeted them. The house elves seemed perfectly at home here, but without even looking she could feel the confusion of the others. She had to laugh at their lack of understanding, and a glimmer of a smile graced Severus' features also. They understood, right enough.
The Room of Requirement stretched out before them, about half the size of the Great Ha!l below. A single window, set high on the facing wall, sent the dawn radience down the centre of the room, creating an aisle of light. The elves gathered in the shadows to either side. And that was it, aside from the three inches of dust on the floor, the millions of motes drifting in the air, the curtains of cobweb hanging from the blackened rafters. The scrufly rainment of the elves looked pertectly right here, as did her rumpled robes, and Severus' tattered ones. The blood that marred them seemed less a stain, and more a mark of honour. She smiled as a cobveb floated down to rest crookedly atop her head, a bridal veil. As they walked up the aisle, a cloud of glittering dust danced around them, lending an air of magic that mere spells could never achieve. They glanced at each other, then ran laughing along the beam of light. This occasion was one of joy.
The ceremony was simple, but eternal. They knelt, one hand in each others, the other held firmly by Dobby, their trustee. Smiling, he began. 'Do you choose each other, partners for life, complete in each other?1 Simultaneously, they answered. 'Yes.' Dobby nodded. Then be as one.' He released their hands, and Severus laid his over her heart, and she laid hers over his, 'Severus,' she murmured. 'Poppy,' he replied. Beneath their hands, twin silver glows appeared. Slowly, they grew, and formed, and then soared. A great hawk, and her own owl. They rose together, wingtip to wingtip, and gradually they slid into one another, joined forms encompassed by a white radience that eclipsed the dawn sun behind it. The nebulous form sank back to hang pulsing between herself and Severus, then it divided once more, and each beast rejoined its owner. Forever linked, forever whole. That was what the elves celebrated, the joy of the moment that so few achieve, the bonding of two souls, not only in duty, but in love.
Tn unity.