Deliverance
Cirrus clouds decorated a bright azure sky. The rooftops of central London reflected the sunlight here and there. Green oases breathed air into the overcrowded city. The morning rush hour finished hours ago, and the horns of impatient car drivers took a break until everybody returned from work. The flat roof of St. Mungo's provided enough space for a walk with a magnificent view across the muggle metropolis. Leonor recognized neither the sky-blue appearance of the early summer day nor the voices of strangers that echoed to the top of the hospital speaking about trivialities like weather or the plans for the weekend. She leaned against a tree trunk staring into the distance.
Footsteps resonated from the metal steps leading to the observation deck with the magical botanical garden. Leonor turned only when a male voice addressed her cheerfully.
"I always wonder why all healers sit in the staff restaurant with the bewitched weather if they can have this view! Or maybe I need to thank them for a quiet lunch up in the air!" Richard smirked, snatched a delicious looking apple and bit into it. Leonor agreed silently and pocketed the pages in her hand quickly without creating too much attention.
"Have a seat!" Richard pointed to the bench next to the apple tree. "I hope you enjoy the day to the full. It's entirely your merit that Lucy and Alexander return home."
"They go into a retirement home," snapped Leonor. She liked to be alone; there were many things to consider.
"Still, better than agonized by their own mind in a hospital bed."
"True." They sat in silence while Richard relished the cracking bites of the rosy-cheeked fruit. Lucy and Alexander lived now a very simple-minded life. They would need support, but at least managed the daily routine almost themselves. The medicine wasn't too late for them, but it was too late for the Longbottom's. The torture drove them into irreparable insanity.
"Good to meet you up here before the ministry will pick the muggles and guide them safely back into their world." Richard paused again. "Leonor, why do you refuse to go to Brazil? I mean you are brilliant at research. You and Brian! That could really be successful!"
"I thought you nominated a potions master to join Brian?"
"We did, we had to. But I still prefer you after you found something to ease the Crutiatus Curse."
"And if it is not just thanks to me?"
Richard gave Leonor a surprised and searching look, but she didn't explain further.
"What does that mean?"
"Richard, it's secret. You know the formula, the ingredients, but nobody else can know or everybody is in grave danger. You promised to keep it to yourself for use at the hospital in emergencies."
"It would be perfect for the periodicals, something to enlighten the potion's community. Why all the secrecy?"
"—to cure those that aren't beyond help. The attackers must not know, or they are going to kill instead."
"You should publish your result. Especially if you achieved it in such a short time."
"Richard, it's investigated much longer than you might think!"
"You had help?"
"Yes."
"Is the guild behind it? They tended to control the St. Mungo's research in the past with generous cash infusions. The guild's senile pair of chairmen was always keen to investigate the 'Unforgivable Curses'!"
"No," lied Leonor and Richard frowned at the quick answer.
"—the Professor?" he bored deeper.
"No, old acquaintances outside Britain," lied Leonor more composed and determined.
"But Snape deters you from going to Brazil?"
"I've not even spoken with him about it," said Leonor indifferently.
"Leonor, I've no grudge against him. I'm not Maria. If Dumbledore trusts—"
"Yes, 'if Dumbledore trusts'! I already used the sentence myself instead of sharing my own persuasion! It's not right to trust only because of Dumbledore. It feels like a betrayal," gasped Leonor.
"I would appreciate using everybody's knowledge for such human purpose. Do you know whom we employed instead of Snape? Not that it matters much after all those years; it's all history." Leonor shrugged curiously.
"The pimply guy cutting ingredients day in, day out. We just had two applicants in that year and I regret my decision. The bloke set two labs on fire, burned scores of cauldrons. He faked his exam; the falsification charm wore off and since we found out, he works apologetic and abjectly at the same place. At least he's reliable and not complaining. I'm not proud of it."
"I tell Severus," accepted Leonor quietly. She knew it would still matter to him.
"Good. If you anyhow want the job in Brazil, just let me know! Britain will replace the Russian healers in July." Richard left quickly down the narrow staircase and when his head descended into the building Leonor removed the letters from the pocket to read them again. They arrived in the early morning and there were no doubts about Juan's decease. Leonor should be on top of the world! Instead, she mused about the new freedom. She was free, free to decide where to go, to take back the name at birth, to publish everything she wanted. Juan determined her life and now she was lost to decide. Leonor looked across the London' housetops and walked slowly down to say goodbye to Lucy and Alexander — the kind muggles moving to a retirement home at the age of forty-five. The couple chose to take a night-time stroll and made a fateful encounter with a wizarding criminal. Leonor hadn't found a person resembling the picture in the muggles memories. She searched the register of the ministry without success. The Auror department stopped the investigation already a while ago.
XXX
The midday sun shone brightly. It tinted the landscape into a beautiful gleaming light. The wood on the outer wall of the apothecary was perfectly warm. Leonor leaned against it, staring to the weed-infested planting beds. Surprisingly the magical plants didn't mind it too much; it gave Leonor more time to catch up with remaining work. The garden could wait. She slid into a catnap, the drawn in knees and her face against the warm sunlight. There was a time for decisions and a time for actions. The excuse of frequent St. Mungo's visits and Juan's existence didn't count anymore. Karkaroff appeared almost never at dinner. He was even more distant and nervous behind the cold facade. He locked himself in the elegant cabin of the ship, brooding constantly. Dumbledore appeared to be more introspectively even if an outsider wouldn't notice it. Severus sat frequently beside Leonor at meals; his dark eyes followed her sternly. Another Hogwarts year ended soon, whatever the next would bring. Thoughts swirled in and out of Leonor's twilight sleep.
"Hello?" A pleasant male voice urged Leonor to wake up. She didn't like it.
"Leonor?" asked the man again. The garden gate creaked.
Leonor only grunted, "What is it?"
"Sorry! Should I come back later?"
"No, of course not Remus!" answered Leonor and squinted against the sun.
"Nice weather!" Remus sat down opposite Leonor in the verdant green grass. He didn't look her in the eyes and observed some birds in the hedges.
"I'm sorry for the incident in March," said Remus insecurely.
"I've heard it a hundred times now," replied Leonor annoyed. All further deliveries of the Wolfsbane Potion worked without issues, except that Sirius Black continued to woof like mad when Leonor entered the Shrieking Shack. She didn't even listen anymore to the dog's complaints. Remus nodded and started a conversation. It was about easy topics, things he'd heard or read. Lycanthropy wasn't mentioned at all and one could think Remus had the best of a possible life. Leonor smiled and even laughed about some experiences.
"We should visit a Quidditch match!" exclaimed Remus suddenly, but bit his lips in embarrassment immediately. Leonor considered him a moment.
"I'm not much of a Quidditch fan."
"No need to be. I visited the Chudley Cannons. It's fun."
"The tickets are sold out at least a year in advance, how did you get to that?"
"Potter ordered, every term break."
"Remus! You talk about the past!"
"It could still be fun!" came the truculent reply. Leonor rolled her eyes. "Since Snape doesn't engage you anymore," continued Remus hopefully. Leonor shot him an angry look and felt strangely alone. "I was really busy!" justified Leonor herself. An invisible 'I've told you before' hovered in the air.
"What did you do at St. Mungo's in the past months?" said Remus curiously after a while.
"Case studies," answered Leonor curtly.
"About what?" The unmistakable interest in Remus light brown eyes was difficult to overlook.
"Nothing specific, long-term tests, all under the authority of St. Mungo's."
"But you spent a lot of time there—"
"I did, but the assignment is completed." Leonor averted her gaze and played cautiously with a blade of grass.
Remus observed Leonor a moment and the disbelief reflected in his expression; he didn't press the matter and continued with small talk. Leonor didn't listen anymore. She'd been distracted by the question and a beautiful bay and a single birch tree came to her mind. A year ago, she sat on the grass opposite Severus and the words were much less light-hearted. Anyhow Leonor missed the depth of the conversations, the scientific approaches, the simple mutual understanding. She felt suddenly childish for the jealousy. Their separation was a case of sour grapes, wasn't it?
"Remus, what's the reason for your visit?" interrupted Leonor fidgety after kneading more grass in her fists.
"I came to ask if you could do the Wolfsbane for another six months." Remus shifted himself shyly.
"There's still enough ingredients for July. I altered the quantity to your needs. I will order again in August. We should talk next month again."
Remus looked up in positive surprise.
"No problem, we simply continue the same procedure," smiled Leonor a bit strained. "I should pack my bag and go to the school now. I want to make a patient's visit on the way" Leonor got up and seemed to be in a sudden hurry.
"You like a tea before I need to leave?" asked Leonor and entered the laboratory through the back door. She infused an aromatic smelling powder with boiling water and handed the opaque liquid to Remus.
"Elderberries with oriental herbs—," declared Leonor happily and sorted the content of the first aid bag while the tea cooled down.
"You like it?" asked Leonor mischievously.
"Extraordinary taste," said Remus and pulled an almost disgusted face.
"Not your favourite?" shrugged Leonor.
"No," answered Remus honestly. "Should I see you off to the gates?"
"Not necessary," replied Leonor quickly. Remus nodded and strolled with a frustrated 'Cheers' out into the village.
Leonor already returned inside when Remus turned to look back. He cherished Dumbledore's view. Unfortunately, the old man's wisdom failed if it came to women. Sirius' and James' carefree small talk fascinated numerous girls; Peter and Remus were only a supplement, bystanders, admirers. Nothing had changed. He tried the same, but it wasn't successful. It was just Snape's turn this time and the unpleasant guy would enjoy it! Leonor obviously preferred the gloominess of Slytherin over a mild werewolf. Severus wasn't handicapped; all the acrid moodiness came from himself. Remus couldn't comprehend Severus when he himself suffered from fate brought over him as an innocent child.