Disclaimer: I own nothing, but my thoughts of AU and OC, the rest all belong to J K Rowling.

Chapter 22

Draco Malfoy left as soon as the staff of Hogwarts had decided to head back to the school. He too would go there, but only after having dinner with his worried mother. Sparing his godfather, a single nod, he had left the building. He could have run out of it. But two lines anchored him into reality.

How do I love thee… (1)

If thou must love me (2)

E.B.B

Rubbing his breast pocket discreetly, Draco felt the edges of the folded parchment and took deep breaths. As he swiftly made his way through the empty corridors of St. Mungo's, his mind was rocking in the tumult of the surging emotions, was it her farewell, the final declaration, that she too had harboured a feeling akin to love for him? was it meant for that three-letter initial- E.B.B.? Was it her twisted joke? To ignite his passion from afar, and then to leave him to burn in his own creation of fiendfyre. What were those (1) and (2) indicating? His head was hurting now. It was a miracle that he had successfully apparated right outside the wards of Malfoy Manor without splinching.

The gates opened on their own, registering the Manor's master's return. A single house-elf popped beside him and informed, Narcissa Malfoy was indeed waiting for him, at the dining room. He stopped at the giant entrance to catch his breath. He needed to gather his wits; his mother was too intuitive for comfort. She would know the moment she would look at her only son. She would know that Draco Malfoy was stuck in hell and his heart was bleeding.

The image of Hermione hugging Severus, with all her might, had burnt a hole in his mind. He knew he would have to try to get it out of his mind, if he was to triumph as a lover in the eyes of the Brightest Witch of the age. Giving himself a thorough shake, he gestured to the waiting house elf to push open the door and entered his ancestral home, after long hours spent in anxiety.

When all the visitors from Hogwarts finally made it to the apparition point near the school, the half-moon was glowing overhead. Harry decided to tag along with them. Flitwick and Lupin were discussing among themselves in hushed undertones. The young Auror was walking a foot or two behind them. With his shoulders drooping, his head bowed he created the perfect image of a tired man, in need of a meal and a bed to sleep. Severus was right behind the Wonder Boy, shocked and amused, speechless and confused. He liked puzzles. Only hours ago secluded in the staff room, he had been complaining about his monotonous life. Hermione Granger had reappeared but instead of just a challenge problem, the young woman carried with her a bad omen. Snape could feel it in his bones.

Suddenly Lupin came to a screeching halt. First a piercing yelp, followed by a threatening yowl startled Snape, Harry and Flitwick. Lupin was nursing his injured foot right in front of them. It so happened that a very angry tabby cat had planted itself right in front of the gates, barring their entrance. The charms professor was busy twiddling his fingers, expecting a verbal thrusting, Lupin on the other hand, was truly terrified. To see the werewolf shocked out of his skin and gulping down, looking everywhere, but the feline seated in front, Potter cocked his head to one side in confusion and pointing his wand he muttered," Lumos."

He scrunched his brows together and mumbled," Is that, who I think it is?" He looked at Flitwick and Lupin and sighed, preparing himself for the inevitable.

Severus for his part was having a tough time maintaining a straight face. He would credit humour and its distant sister comic relief with a perfect 50 points on such rare occasions when his heart was feeling as if it was trapped inside a box.

Severus had always found it assuming to see a tabby cat with an air of superiority stomping about on the grounds of Hogwarts at night, during his early days as a potion master. She did not have any interest in the scurrying away rats. She was not amused by the catcalls of the squirrels from above the trees. Honestly, when that had happened, he had uncharacteristically barked out laughing.

He had laughed so much that his insides were throbbing. And the shock to see Professor McGonagall transfigure and walk up into his personal space from nowhere and strike at his long nose with her index finger, whispering a heavy warning, "Don't you dare, Severus Snape"! That did hurt, and yes, he vowed to himself, he would never dare to poke fun at her, no never again.

This was the same tabby cat spotting those square rings around its piercing eyes. In seconds it transformed into the formidable Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts. She didn't even give them a moment to explain,"You didn't even think! No, not a word Remus! Filius, you too could have... Potter, I didn't expect it from you... But you, you, Severus, you knew, I would worry…"

"Minerva, Please Calm down…she is fine…" The headmaster tried to pacify.

"Fine…oh! Merlin's beard!" resting her palm on her chest, she heaved a sigh of relief, and then the fire was back in her eyes," Gentlemen! couldn't you have sent a single Patronus and just said, 'she is fine'…men, absolutely utterly, pathetic."

Sparing each one of them a withering glance, the witch promptly turned on her heels. Pushing past the iron gates, muttering under her breath, she stomped up towards the castle.

Filius had turned to Severus for help, but the DADA professor took note of how jittery the headmaster was feeling at the moment. Quietly, they entered the premises and the headmaster renewed the protective wards after closing the gates shut.

Before Remus could cook up an excuse on his behalf, Severus simply requested the three men, "Why don't you go ahead and calm her down? I would like to take a stroll…there is the thestral baby to check on and I see candles burning in Hagrid's hut. I would like to have a talk with him as well. We will be expecting some visitors around midnight, we better inform the others, especially those former students planning to stay…"

Filius reached up for his hand and gave it a pat. He politely conveyed," You managed the situation well, I am certain, so is Healer Norman, we will find a way to save her."

Remus grabbed Potter's shoulder and with the final nod from the Headmaster, he too started walking towards the castle with the others.

Severus stood still and watched the three figures growing smaller and smaller. He could make out their pale robes and coats, but he was sure, his signature black robes would hide him well.

Turning towards the gameskeeper's cottage, he briskly walks away. Once out of sight, just in case the three thought of looking out for him, he walked along the first row of those ancient trees that marked the border of the forbidden forest. Hiding in the shadows of one familiar tree bark, he finally closed his eyes and lowered his occlumency shields.

A/N: Spontaneous sage, Mrs Haloona, tlc125 thank you, hope you would like this chapter too.