Chapter Thirty Two
Elaine sat next to Severus's still form, the white sheet covering all but his neck and face. The wound in his neck was covered, hidden from view. He'd been in St. Mungo's for a week now, Pomfrey being unable to do anything more for him.
He'd not been allowed any visitors until that morning, but Elaine had been spending her nights in the waiting rooms anyway, not wanting to leave him alone any more than she had to. People had been by; Harry and his friends, Molly and the other Weasleys - but Elaine hadn't seen any of the Malfoys, and she wasn't sure what she would do if she did see any of them after learning it was Lucius who had escorted Severus to what could only have been his death. There was no way that the blonde man hadn't known what Voldemort wanted with him.
This thought had just gone through her mind when the door swung open and a healer's aid stood there, shifting uncomfortably. "There's a - a Narcissa Malfoy to see you, ma'am," she stuttered. Elaine just nodded, and she left.
"I'll be back," Elaine said softly, kissing Severus on his still cheek. There was no response, even as she waited briefly at the door. With a sigh, she continued out, going to the waiting room where Narcissa was seated.
"Lucius did what he could," the older woman blurted. "He - he put a stasis charm on Severus, making his blood go slowly. He - The dark l-lord-"
"Voldemort," Elaine interrupted coldly, and Narcissa nodded once.
"Vol- Voldemort had the snake with him and when he met with Severus, Severus told Lucius that was how the Dark - Voldemort - had always planned on killing him if he was betrayed or was no longer useful, with his snake, and so-"
"So he performed the charm so the venom wouldn't speed through his body, and he wouldn't lose blood as quickly as he normally would have," Elaine finished, sinking into a chair next to the blonde woman. "Is Lucius here?"
Narcissa shook her head. "That's why I am. They've been rounding everyone up that has the mark - rumor is they're going to start gathering up the ones they suspect, too."
"Me and you."
Narcissa nodded. "Yes. So be prepared to be arrested."
Elaine reached Severus's room just in time to see healers surrounding him as he thrashed on the bed, screaming for them to release him, that he had to get back to his fiancee-
It was here Elaine stepped forward. "Severus, it's okay, I'm here Severus."
He calmed slightly, his eyes looking over her face frantically. "You're safe," he breathed, and she nodded, sitting on the bed beside him as the healers backed up. "You're here."
"I'm here," she repeated, smiling softly. "It's over. Voldemort is dead, so are most of the death eaters."
"Bellatrix?"
"Molly killed her."
"Weasley?" Severus croaked in surprise, and Elaine laughed. "I didn't know that woman had it in her." Elaine was about to respond as a loud commotion came from outside.
"I don't care if you have a warrant from Merlin himself, you will not take him to Azkaban!" one of the Healers that had just left was yelling, and Elaine slipped outside to see what was happening.
An auror stood in front of the healer, looking impatient. "The order comes from the ministry, all marked death eaters must be held in Azkaban until their trial-"
"And if he dies there?"
"I-"
"You can tell the damned ministry that unless he intends to take me to Azkaban as well, Severus Snape stays where he is until he is properly healed enough to stand fucking trial." With that, the healer stormed into Severus's room, brushing past Elaine, who shot the auror one last look before slipping back in behind him.
"They want to take me to Azkaban." Severus's voice was calm.
"Yes," the healer stated, and Elaine noticed his hands were shaking as he flipped through Severus's chart as a way to occupy himself. "You are in no condition to be moved, however, and I told the auror that."
"More like screamed it at the man," Elaine said with a snort, earning a small grin.
"Yes, I rather - I did that."
"Why though?" Elaine questioned.
"Harry Potter himself has come forward for you. He's even gone to the Prophet - what they've managed to rebuild, that is - and I'm inclined to believe the man who killed you-know-who is to be believed."
"Yes, that he is," Elaine said softly.
Time passed, and Severus stayed in the hospital. Elaine hadn't seen anyone other than Narcissa, and was surprised one day to see Kingsley step into Severus's hospital room.
The dark skinned man looked unnerved but determined. "I'm sorry to say, Severus, that they've asked for you to stand trial despite Potter's defense," he informed them. "And in fact, after this evening, you will not be permitted visitors until after your trial. And Elaine-" He looked over at her. "You are to stand trial too. You are unmarked, and so therefore will not be sent to Azkaban, however, they've asked for you to be held in the ministry itself until your trial, at the end of the month."
"No!" Severus hissed, attempting to sit up, but he was still too weak. "She has nothing to do with anything!"
"She was seen in your presence after Albus Dumbledore's death, she was seen at various death eater meetings, and is in fact the one who murdered Benjamin Davies. I have no choice." Kingsley looked at Elaine. "I believe both of you are innocent, however I have to please the rest of the Wizengamont and the aurors. It is why I came here this evening. You have five minutes to say your goodbyes, and then I must take you in."
Elaine gave Severus a hard kiss and pulled back slightly, looking into his dark eyes. "We survived, Severus," she whispered. "And we will get through this, too. I promise you that we will. I love you, okay?"
"I love you too," Severus croaked, and Elaine turned back to Kingsley, tears in her eyes.
"I'm ready," she said firmly.