Keeping Secrets
The sun climbed the horizon without mercy. A spring rain made the air fresh and humid. Green sprouted up out of nowhere. The grey and brown of the winter retreated slowly into the mountains.
"Leonor, let me go," whispered Severus. "Lessons start soon."
"That is difficult. I never know when I will see you again. It's always just hours." She embraced him, resting her forehead on his chest.
"I understand. To tell the truth, it's not going to be better," sighed Severus. "Take care of you and the baby, will you?"
Leonor nodded, like always. She accepted the circumstances and never put the blame on him. Deep gratitude warmed his soul like he never experienced it before.
Severus kissed Leonor a last time, sweet lips and soft touches followed the beat of their hearts. It felt so right to stay and yet the time to be always together was just a dream; the present separated them again and again to look forward to another moment of bliss in an uncertain future.
Severus rushed uphill. Hagrid watched him from the small round hut; the Hippogryph was carefully put on a leash eyeing Severus suspiciously. Severus recognized it but hurried towards the large oak gate. He spent no time thinking about it. The wizard wanted to show up for breakfast, making sure to mitigate the risk that the absence tonight got noticed.
The large hour glasses sparkled in the always festive light of the entrance hall. Severus' eyes lingered for a short moment on the emeralds of the Slytherin House; it looked as if the number of precious stones changed since the evening before. Severus almost run down the stairs and through the alcove to his chambers, exchanging the heavy travelling cloak against the regular teaching robes. He never had been that late back.
Some students sat already at the long house tables in the Great Hall. The few Slytherins looked nervously down when Severus walked swiftly to the staff table; the cloak billowed behind. Albus and Minerva finished the meal already and chatted; Professor McGonagall looked grim and the headmaster looked like having a flash of inspiration seeing Severus coming; he pierced Severus with his blue sparkling eyes from a distance.
"Good morning, Minerva. Albus." Severus nodded curtly and took a seat next to his peer.
Minerva frowned, "It's about time to turn up again, Severus. I believed you have the grace to inform at least the headmaster of your absence."
"I got hold up."
"You have not even been back at dawn."
"I trust that you handled everything without needing my authority," sneered Severus.
"What did you think," replied the older Professor and shook her head crossly.
Dumbledore explained now, "Argus Filch got attacked, given what he told us."
Severus scoffed, "It happens almost every year, doesn't it?"
"For a change, the Slytherins incurred the displeasure. If I remember correctly your house snooped on the whole student body supporting Umbridge and Filch last year," reprimanded Minerva.
"And what did the Slytherin's do to annoy Filch?"
"Set Peruvian Instant Darkness Power to the corridors. We had to clean up the dungeons near the entrance of the common room. Some first years and Argus were frightened to death, bumped their heads."
"I see, that explains the reduced number of house points," said Severus calmly. He didn't bother at all about the house cup this year; only Draco's strange ideas saving the honour of the Malfoy family worried him. Severus' feared that Draco lured Death Eaters into the castle getting support. Bella mentioned something.
Dumbledore chuckled, "Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes make an impression on your house, Severus. If I heard correctly the powder is sold there."
"Minerva, allow me to suggest docking points from Gryffindor — so to say as farewell gift for the mischief created by the Weasley twins?" mocked Severus. "Fred and George are oblivious to notice for what deeds the powder can be used. The Hand of Glory — a dark artefact — is usually in possession of the old pure blood families and other scum lurking in Knockturn Alley. They all know how to use it well."
"You've been much less disapproving of Fred and George's deeds when they paid back to Dolores Umbridge last year. You knew as good as Filius and me how to remove the swamp in the corridors, but you didn't."
"Let it be Minerva." Albus Dumbledore patted on her shoulder with a wink.
"I ought to think, Albus, that you are more supportive to avoid harm of the students in these times." Minerva stood up defeated and exited the hall quickly. She knew as good as Severus when the headmaster finished a conversation.
"Have you been summoned," asked the headmaster when Minerva McGonagall was out of earshot.
"No," answered Severus truthfully.
"I see. Remus reported that you left Grimmauld Place before midnight."
"I checked if Death Eaters controlled my house recently," lied Severus without making eye contact.
"And?"
"Nothing."
"Severus," urged Dumbledore the younger man, "I rather think you see Leonor whenever you return in the early morning. I understand you try to protect her by keeping your relationship a secret, but do you need to do that all alone?"
When Severus didn't answer, the headmaster sighed, "Don't make the same mistake as James and Sirius."
Severus looked still down on his plate and the mild mood of the morning was suddenly gone. He spoke dangerously calm, "I'm not as reckless as Potter and Black. I'm not a fool."
"The Order of the Phoenix will protect Leonor. We can hide her."
"She doesn't want to hide or why did you think she came back from South America? The Order is beaten. All members are already in a hide-out." Severus thin, ferocious face glared at the headmaster.
"Severus, you still insist that I should never reveal the best of you?"
"There is no other way than to keep secrets. Who will want to support Leonor once I've killed you? Who will trust when I'm the murderer of the greatest wizard of all time?" Severus stormed off anguished by the truth.
Albus Dumbledore nodded grimly and followed Severus out of the hall, his glittering robes swooshing in his wake. The wise man looked much older than minutes before; he had been mistaken doubting that the once so greasy and awkward boy was able to shoulder an even greater responsibility than saving Harry Potter. He underrated the teen and certainly the man.
XXX
The door of the hospital wing flew open and crashed against the wall behind. Severus Snape supported Draco Malfoy into one of the hospital beds at the far end of the ward. The boy settled limply on the bed, still soaked with his own blood, arms and torso slashed.
"Take the clothes off your chest," said Severus calmly. When the boy didn't move, Severus whispered. "I will make sure that nobody sees the Dark Mark, except those on our side. Pull yourself together or Madam Pomfrey will be here before Scott has a chance to take over."
Severus closed the curtains around the bed letting the boy alone. He circled his wand. A graceful doe erupted from the tip and run nervously along the aisle before jumping through one of the large windows.
"Severus," exclaimed Poppy, "what is it this time?"
"A dark curse used by Potter on Draco," replied Severus with as much contempt as he could muster. "Scott will be here soon. Make sure that nobody comes near that bed while I take care of Potter. I'll be back in ten minutes."
"And what happens to the boy? Is he at risk?"
Before answering, Severus summoned a flask of Dittany across the ward. Poppies mouth fell open, when he gave the vial to Draco. The boy sat still on the bed like in a daze; the left arm carefully covered by the drenched clothes.
"Put that to your wounds, will you? Pull yourself together." asked Severus with emphasis. The boy nodded weakly.
Severus turned back to Madam Pomfrey. "The boy is alright, but nobody is allowed to go behind that curtain before Scott and I run a counter curse the make sure nothing will spread to others, understood?" bellowed Severus and exited the hospital swiftly leaving a flabbergasted matron behind.
A short while later, Leonor walked up the marble staircases, the last steps made her even more breathless, and she rested on the bannister, waiting to cool down, or she wouldn't be able to do what needed to be done. She gasped in shock, when Severus came through a tapestry, and she could tell that he was furious. His face was ashen when he looked at her.
She just took his hands; he would speak when he was ready. Leonor feared the worst.
"Potter cursed Draco with Sectumsempra; Draco is safe. I found them early enough. Potter's using my potions book, my spell. I've seen it in his mind but couldn't prove it," hissed Severus grimly. "I don't want that anybody associates that spell with me; it is not for the public."
"Do you think Harry or Draco will use it again?"
"Draco hasn't heard it properly. Potter was shocked, hopefully too devastated to spread word. I think he doesn't know that it is my invention."
"Good. We cannot do anything about that now. Shouldn't we take care of Draco?" suggested Leonor. It didn't make sense to elaborate a sensitive topic on the stairs, walls had ears and more than ever students.
"We need to make sure that nobody sees the Dark Mark. That is why I need you here. I had to keep the matron away from his bed with a lie. I hope Draco put the Dittany on the wounds to avoid scarring. Narcissa won't be pleased to see his chest and arms covered with scars."
"So, what are we going to do?"
"We mumble a general painkilling incantation, the one used on Katie Bell would do. Heal the cuts, Leonor, take your time. Can you try to get the trust of the boy? Pamper him, find something out; somebody strewed Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder next to the Slytherin dormitory. Draco attacked Potter out of distress."
"I do, but it may not work out," said Leonor with a smile, brushing her fingers quickly over Severus cheeks. "Good to see you, Sev!"
Severus moaned quietly, "Leo, I'm sorry to call you. I don't want the boy to suffer from the mistakes of his parents. He needs a second chance."
"Of course, I make sure nobody will see the Dark Mark."
"I know. The traditional wizarding robe suits you well," said Severus quietened. He knew how much she hated the formal high-necked robes.
"Loads of space in there." Leonor smiled without giving the impression of being happy.
He closed the cloak over the baby bump. "You have rosy cheeks."
"Sev, I've been running and I'm sweating under that mass of fabric."
A brief smile crossed Severus' face before he opened the door for Leonor to enter the hospital wing.
Madam Pomfrey fussed around. Being withheld from a patient violated her determined nature.
"Madam Pomfrey," greeted Leonor friendly.
"Where have you been? The boy lets nobody in, he's threatening me with the wand."
"The curse, Poppy," reminded Severus. "It won't take long, and Draco will be back in his dormitory." Severus dragged Leonor faster towards the closed curtain.
Draco sat indeed on the bed with the wand at the ready. The dittany unused, the face contorted like in mental pain.
"We are here, Draco. Give me your wand, please," said Leonor and in a split-second she wrenched the stick unnoticed away. Draco couldn't even protest.
"Are there cuts on his back," asked Leonor.
Severus just shook his head.
"Lay down, Draco. I want to look after your wounds."
Draco stared at her.
"We are here to help." Leonor pointed to his left arm. "But we need your help too." With those words she pressed him down into the bedsheets.
"We ought to speak the incantation first," reminded Severus.
"Close your eyes Draco, we make sure that no unwanted magic is left. Then I will clean the bruises."
Severus and Leonor spoke a Latin incantation, a singsong voice, soothing and the slight sting of the fresh cuts vanished. Draco relaxed, feeling his hand enclosed by Leonor's fingers.
When they were ready, Leonor sniffed on the flask of Dittany and said, "Severus, please give me the blue flask with Dittany from my bag. It is more concentrated and gives a faster result. Time was lost."
Severus left quietly and Leonor dabbed the cuts, smiled at Draco whenever possible. He was thin, stressed. She could tell that he slept too less for a long time. He kept his eyes on her.
"Ready, I'll bandage your arm and you are ready to go back, but not before Madam Pomfrey approves," emphasized Leonor behind the curtains. Draco said nothing, obviously to overwhelmed by everything. He looked like falling asleep, eyes open, but staring into an unknown distance.
"You look tired, Draco. You need rest."
"Get ready," snarled the blond boy, regaining quickly the cold demeanour, a protective shield.
"Listen!" Leonor seized him by the arm and hissed quietly, "Don't talk to me in that tone. If you need, I can contact your mother, I can even arrange a meeting for you both, if that is of help."
"I don't need my mother," spat Draco.
"Don't do anything stupid. You will get help, but beware, no more spilled pure blood. Do you understand?"
Draco took his wand back. His lips trembled, when Leonor repaired and cleaned the bloody shirt.
"The shirt will do until you can change it."
The boy stormed out, pushing the matron aside and the door fell into the lock.
"I'm sorry Poppy." Leonor raised her hands in apology. "I couldn't stop him anymore."
"Is he alright?" asked Madam Pomfrey still confused.
"He is. There's new skin on the cuts, it is unlikely that scars will form. We've been early enough."
"I still have no clue why you had to do that or what happened, but if Potter is involved, I will learn it soon in the corridors." Poppy shook her head, vanished the used bedsheets and walked back to the small office in the ward.
"Do you mind explaining that incantation? Over a tea perhaps?"
"No," said Leonor queasily; she needed a seat or fresh air.
"I take your cloak. You look a bit shaken from the emergency." Poppy gestured to a chair on the small table.
Leonor sweated now more than running uphill. It was harder to hide her body without a protective cape. She sat down, leaning forward, hiding behind the table as good as possible. Neither she nor Severus considered getting a friendly invite for tea, a treacherous situation.
She explained why incantations created a better effect than potions after being cursed with dark magic. Poppy listened carefully.
"Will we face more injuries like that if He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named comes to more power?"
"The school is well protected," mentioned Leonor reassuringly. "You can always call me for help. St. Mungo's needs longer than walking here from the village."
"Albus made Severus save Katie Bell; I couldn't have saved the girl."
"She is back at school, that is all what counts. I should go back now."
Leonor finished the tea and stood up. She wrapped herself in the cloak, but before she left the door, Madam Pomfrey called, "When is it due?"
There was no reason to deny the pregnancy, not anymore.
"In July," replied Leonor, but for some reason she knew that Poppy wouldn't say a thing — medical confidentiality perhaps.