The Approaching Battle
Dammed disgust and fear transformed into a forceful apparition. The landing made Severus tumbling out of the chosen hide-out in the bushes around Leonor's garden. A branch scratched the back of his hand while putting on the black mask. Animal moans issued from inside. Severus' mind stopped working when inhaling the sound; reminding him that he didn't even know what happened to Zora. It was the price for keeping cover. She saved him from interfering with shagging violent Death Eaters and gave the opportunity to sleep in one of the many blue-ornamented rooms until the pain of the Crutiatus and the evil sight of crimes faded, at least a bit. A picture of a bitten through bloody body made him ask 'why them, why Zora first and now Leonor' and it released the temporary blockade.
The back door stood open and Severus entered quickly though silent. Two petrified people lay on the floor. Their gaze drooled at the huge Greyback striving against an invisible figure pressed flat to the wall. Burn marks on the skin and the dirty shirt showed the resistance of Leonor. The cognition that she was still alive or Greyback wouldn't fight anymore sent all magical force to the tip of Severus' wand and hit the werewolf into the back. The momentary victory enabled Severus to regain an indifferent composure. When Greyback turned, a body sank to the floor.
"The Dark Lord sends me to stop you," drawled Severus.
"The bitch burned me. I'll take her now. Watch!" Greyback moved to bring the body into position, but before he even touched the now lifeless witch another curse made him stop.
"Dare to disobey the Dark Lord," hissed Severus threateningly calm. The companions and Greyback eyed him suspiciously.
"The Dark Lord changed his mind. The bitch is useful to him."
"Just because you have a mask doesn't mean he sent you?"
"Take your friends and leave. Be grateful if I clean up your mistake and tell our master that no damage is done." Severus' voice initiated a hateful look towards the lost prey before Greyback freed the man and woman and toddled off. It felt like ages until the group left slowly under cuss words and complaints cowed by the rising power.
Severus dropped the mask and hurried towards the lifeless body. Leonor's skin was pale; calling it white as a sheet was an understatement. Severus' thumb searched a pulse and pressed his mouth to Leonor's transparent lips feeling a low breath. He uncased a small flask of a strengthening solution from inside his robes and poured it down her throat. A reviving spell made her gulp. Severus was about to carry her upstairs hoping the owls would be home for sending word to Dumbledore and Poppy. But he had to lower her carefully back to the floor when loud shouts came from the street. Obviously, somebody noticed Greyback's struggle and found help at Aberforth's tavern. Severus fled and disappeared duly from the threshold of the door when a bang shook the apothecary and Dumbledore's voice called "She's alive!" The small flask of medicine rolled directly into Dumbledore's hands.
XXX
Severus paced up and down the circular office of the headmaster. He saw Madam Pomfrey running across the lawns while hiding behind trees. A disillusionment charm allowed an unnoticed entrance to the headmaster's office; just in case any teacher walked the corridors. The dark-haired wizard felt like a coward waiting for Dumbledore. And still, he knew that being seen at Leonor's place brought more danger to her. Dumbledore will approve; Severus was sure of it.
Suddenly green flames burned up in the fireplace and a psyched Poppy followed a stern looking Dumbledore. She didn't notice the other wizard standing in the middle of the room.
The matron spluttered, "Albus, I've been wrong in believing Leonor is after my job! She looked like supporting the wrong side with the green and black attire and all that knowledge about the Dark Arts! Minerva and I believed St. Mungo's had a reason to turn her down as a healer. I'm so sorry for being touchy and about what happened to her! I cannot believe it's only a day after You-Know-Who's return and there's already a victim!"
Poppy was silenced by Dumbledore's greeting to Severus. The headmaster looked straight into the unfathomable stormy grey eyes of the younger wizard still clad in the heavy black cloak. "We all judge sometimes wrongly."
Poppy was surprised about the third person in the room, but Dumbledore forestalled the question.
"I asked Severus to have a word before the staff meeting. He waits already a while. I'll see you in thirty minutes." Dumbledore's words drove the matron out of the office. She still scolded herself. Dumbledore spoke only when her voice died in the distance. The headmaster's tone was grim and thoughtful.
"Leonor is alright. The intensive magic used to fend off Greyback exhausted her. Your strengthening solution was right in time."
Severus was choked by the good news and also that Dumbledore knew. Of course, he recognized the potion master's flasks used for the 'private' brews. Severus noticed only now that he sweated. He shed the woven fabric from his body as if it erased the event of today with it, but it didn't.
Dumbledore continued to speak with a frown at the unusual robes for a summer day. It bespoke that Severus commenced the duty as a faithful follower of the darkness.
"I connected the fireplaces temporarily. Poppy will look after Leonor before she turns in tonight. There are still twenty minutes before the meeting. If you want to make use of it? I will see you in your office later to discuss the inevitable."
"Thank you, Albus!" said Severus and stepped into the flames waiting not a second longer. The twirl churned up ash and the headmaster chuckled amusedly.
XXX
It was quiet in the sales room of the old apothecary. No sign gave the aggression away. Even more, protective shelters secured the house, except the floo connection to Hogwarts. Dumbledore left nothing unfinished. It reassured that Leonor was safe tonight. The loophole of the barrier used by Severus in the past was closed now. He feared the small weakness helped to let everything collapse earlier. He took the blame. The magic of werewolves was crude and strong. Their powers were underrated by barring them from the society.
Severus walked quickly upstairs finding Leonor in deep sleep. She breathed steadily. A sleeping potion stood on the nightstand. Leonor's palms were burned from using the dark magic on Greyback. A drab salve worked already and the burn marks stood out less than when Severus found her. The beautiful dark eyes were concealed by the lids and framed with wisps of soft hair. Shadows showed the drain on resources. Her skin was cool when Severus placed a chaste kiss on the forehead. The woman looked peaceful and Severus covered her with another rug to keep her warm. There was not enough time for sitting down. He had to be back at Hogwarts in time.
Leonor would not know that his role as a double agent brought her in great distress. He cursed Lucius to whisper everything when threatened. It was dangerous. The Dark Lord noticed every failing; he was an expert in deciphering the fear. Severus occluded fear. There was no place for it. The will to right the past without doing damage to the present was stronger. He felt like a proper idiot for believing that he was able to save Leonor. Severus planned to speak to Dumbledore getting consent on hiding the witch soon.
XXX
Aberforth visited Leonor at least twice a week after the attack. Leonor wanted to thank him again and again for being vigilant though he brushed her off as if it was nothing to mention. An arriving guest reported about the animal groans from the opposite side of the street and the landlord joined the dots. He called the headmaster with his Patronus and run to the apothecary. Leonor might have been seriously injured without the quick help. Luckily, she slept a long night and the sore hands healed in a few days only. Poppy did her best and dropped in from time to time. Both healers wondered that no other medicine than a sleeping draught and a salve had been necessary to bring Leonor back to life. Poppy spoke highly about Leonor's condition; the praise felt unjust and the younger witch could not enjoy a bit of the questionable victory. She fought against Greyback and when the powers left she concentrated to think 'do not swoon'. Still, the moment came when everything went black. Leonor remembered nothing after that and nobody was able to explain why the werewolves left her alone.
Leonor leaned with a coffee against the workbench. Aberforth read the Daily Prophet while muttering to himself complaints about the ministry. Their habit of insulting Dumbledore and Harry Potter became more and more awkward in the last weeks. Harry's accusation of underage magic marked a new high. Little messages questioned the sanity of both and littered the newspaper. Leonor could tell that Aberforth disliked hearing the gossip about the usually aloof brother. Somewhere deep down it was still family even though he never admitted it.
Today was the first meeting with Dumbledore's organization and Leonor being in a hurry. A silvery imprint of Fawkes the Phoenix introduced her to the secret messaging service of the order. Dumbledore mentioned a full report besides location and details to get there. When Aberforth left, she heaved a sigh and packed quickly a bag for home visits. She wasn't used to so many guests; a pity that the one person she missed most had not stopped by. Neither Aberforth nor Poppy filled the gap that the potions master and Hogwarts left.
Leonor planned the full day in London. A patient needed an examination. Richard wanted a word at St. Mungo's and the muggles of Leonor's terrace house left for vacation. She wanted to check the house and place some intruder charms. No signs pointed clearly to increased violence in the wizarding world, strange accidents, and an uncharacteristic heat wave shook the muggles. Something seethed beneath.
Richard spoke about underlying activities, more sightings of werewolves near wizarding homes, insured witnesses reported about 'being cursed from ambush' and unfortunately strange disappearances started. The good news at St. Mungo's was that the delegation of British healers arrived in Brazil and took over from the Russian team. Richard cared about Leonor too. He pointed out Greyback's attack and that South America might be a destination to escape the war. For the first time, Leonor listened to the fatherly friend.
She was deep in thoughts when she arrived at the still leased out house in London. Everything looked normal. The couple of muggle students wasn't at home. They travelled free and easy. The fridge was empty and a travel magazine lay abandoned on the coffee table. Leonor only hoped that the servants of the darkness never found the piece of muggle existence in her life. Protective spells on muggle property wouldn't repel everything.
Maria and Francesco packed things too. The flight to Palermo was scheduled for tomorrow. Leonor planned to visit them after the first meeting of the Order of Phoenix. She wanted to reconcile with Maria. It was hard enough for her closing the beloved restaurant, to live with muggles and even more leaving Matteo behind. The cause for the quarrel was gone. Maria was obviously right. Leonor struggled more and more in believing that there was a future for herself and Severus. She wanted to make a fresh start. It had never been worth rowing about the potion master.
XXX
Leonor landed in a quiet park. The place advised by Dumbledore was covered with rhododendrons and invisible for walking by pedestrians. Leonor checked if the air was clean before stepping out and exposing herself to a homeless person sitting in a hole of cardboard and waste. The part of the city was less furbished, the houses a bit older than near Regent's Park. Leonor exited the park and walked straight into a front of houses thinking hard of Grimmauld Place 12. She was early and hoped the magic revealed the entrance without making a fool of her running into a wall or ending up knocking on the wrong door. It worked out and only seconds later she stood in a long corridor. Everything looked dated; a stale must filled the air. Furniture and paintings had been dusted recently. Nevertheless, the impression was dark and depressing. Muffled voices came from somewhere on the ground floor. After looking around, Leonor called 'Hello' to attract attention. She knew immediately that she did something wrong!
A high-pitched voice screamed inarticulate sentences and maledictions. Leonor was unable to do anything except holding her ears. She was grateful when a traditionally dressed wizard pointed his wand to silence the screeching witch.
"My mother welcomes you!" said Sirius Black.
"Goodness! Does she always do that?"
"If you make too much noise—," smirked Black and ten pairs of eyes stared at Leonor. The Weasley family, Remus, Sirius, Hermione and of course Harry escaped from a room on the ground floor.
"Sorry, I'm a bit early. I hope you don't mind it?" said Leonor apologetic.
"Not at all!" said Molly Weasley quickly. "Boys, girls, time for you to go to your room now. I only want to see you again after the meeting when everybody left!" Molly shooed the children away and up the stairs. They ranted and raved about it. Leonor smiled to a curious looking Hermione and a suspicious Harry before taking the now free way into the kitchen. It smelled mouth-watering after a decent dinner. The plates were all finished.
"Can I help you to do the dishes?" asked Leonor to interrupt the momentary silence. She waved her wand and the plates stacked up.
"My dear, let me do it!" said Molly and took the plates out of Leonor's hands.
Sirius offered a seat attentively. Leonor couldn't place the friendliness. He always barked when meeting him as a dog. Sirius Black was handsome; not even the wrinkles and the few grey hairs masked it. Leonor saw him never properly dressed; she'd just remembered him from the one unlucky incident with Remus' transformation. He was taller than Severus. The curly long hair and the aristocratic robes suited him well. It wasn't difficult to guess that he must have been the heart-throb at school. The years in prison made him look older than he was, but it didn't erase the proud attitude. Sirius smiled at Leonor when offering a glass of wine to everybody. Leonor felt welcome in this big family. The room reminded her of the staff canteen kitchen in Argentina, a place she loved before discovering her father´s torture to those being friendly to the unwanted daughter.
Remus accepted and toasted, "You look well. I'm sorry what Greyback and his folks did to you."
"There's no need for you to apologize," answered Leonor. "I'm fine. I got off lightly."
"I heard Dumbledore helped you?" Sirius Black drank to her as well.
"Yes. I have to thank the landlord of the Hog's Head Inn for calling him," answered Leonor demurely.
"My mother didn't call you 'Mudblood'. You are a blood traitor like myself." Sirius circled the wine blinking amused into Leonor's direction but didn't elaborate further and Leonor quickly changed the topic.
"It's the first meeting of the order today, isn't it?" asked Leonor bluntly. She was curious to hear the answer. Molly and Arthur had a routine to prepare for more participants. They hexed more chairs into the room and vanished unnecessary furniture to create more space. The hosts looked at each other, obviously, they didn't know what to say. Leonor could tell that they lived for a while in Sirius Black's family heirloom. Leonor just had not been a part of earlier gatherings. Dumbledore had not contacted her to help with something after asking to deliver information. She wondered because it was more than a month without hearing anything about the Order of Phoenix.
"My dear," answered Molly after a while, "today all members will join for a report. It's the first meeting when everybody of the order will be here. That's why the kids are so interested, not that they wouldn't try to listen another time."
That was what Dumbledore mentioned, a report.
"What report is it?" asked Leonor. She had no clue, and she was tense about everything recently. The only interesting thing she could divulge was what Richard told her today, but some of it had even been in the Daily Prophet for those able to read between the lines.
Remus answered quietly, "Severus speaks about the Death Eaters."
"I see!" said Leonor a little discomposed. She had not been prepared to be confronted with Severus so quickly even though she expected him to attend. In a certain way, she hoped that he was still a secret member without showing up. It hurt. It hurt because she didn't know and it became obvious with that stupid question.
The door opened and a couple of witches and wizards filed into the room. Leonor was grateful that it gave a natural break to the conversation. It was clear that Arthur, Molly, Remus, and Sirius believed her better informed about Severus matters. She wished that Dumbledore had told about Severus being the one speaking today. Leonor gave an apprehensive look to the door after all greetings and introductions. There were still ten minutes left. Black caught her eyes.
"Snape's always on the dot and never stays for small talk. It's refreshing to see you without your personal minder." Sirius Black studied Leonor from face to feet.
"He's not my minder," snapped Leonor back.
"No, of course not!" taunted Sirius. "He's just hanging around in the bushes if you visit Remus. I almost bumped into him in June. But he wasn't there in July anymore."
"Sirius—," called Lupin reassuringly. "Severus is right, I'm dangerous sometimes."
"I didn't ask him to watch!" interrupted Leonor, but her voice missed the sharpness when Sirius Black put a hand around her shoulder. The gesture felt genuine and welcome. It was somewhat comforting to have a strong arm around and to lean into it. Unfortunately, the black hair and eyes of Severus returned into her mind and Leonor felt like caught in the act. She wriggled herself free quickly.
"Ah! Still, in love with the potion master? Thought you are cleverer!" Sirius almost shouted and several heads turned into their direction.
"And why is it your business?" answered Leonor with a calm voice, all the mixed feeling pressed beneath the surface.
"Because Severus' real master sent Greyback! You support the wrong man, Leonor Scott. Snape told Voldemort about you! Open your eyes!" Black was now really angry. His gaze bespoke the belief in being right.
"Sirius, Dumbledore just mentioned that You-Know-Who sent Greyback to make trouble in Hogsmeade right under Dumbledore's nose," mentioned Remus pacifying the incited mood. "He didn't say anything about Severus."
"Isn't it the same?" replied Sirius offended and a young woman with pink hair took Remus' arm and lead him off from the place with the words 'squabblers'. Remus just gave another soothing glance to his friend and found a seat next to that friendly looking witch. They spoke relaxed and Leonor sighed inwardly. Happiness just didn't cheer her up those days.
"Thanks for the warning, Sirius. You are not the first telling me things about Severus. But it's still my choice with whom I work."
"Be careful." With those words, Black sat next to Leonor and took her hand to squeeze it gently. The gesture made Leonor blush. She'd lost the panic when men touched her; it was a merit of Severus and the hope for kisses. A harsh growl stopped the line of thought.
"Black! You just cannot leave hitting on a woman, can you?" Severus' voice cut the thick air. Leonor put her hands below the table, too late anyway.
"Oi, Snivellus! If you can't keep your friends save—," smirked Black and moved an arm around Leonor's waist.
Severus seethed. His jawbone was tense, and Leonor was just happy when Dumbledore called everybody to silence. Severus hadn't even looked at her, but the glare to Black could kill. It didn't drive the grin out of Sirius' face until Severus walked ahead at the front of the large table to start the meeting. Severus' report was soon enough absorbing everybody and Black left Leonor to her own conclusions.
Voldemort hired everybody with empty promises. He wooed the support of giants, werewolves, ministry workers, dementors and all those searching might. He-Who-Most-Not-Be-Named operated at a maximum efficiency already. The most intriguing plan was getting hands on a weapon in the department of mysteries. Severus closed the report with those words and a buzz started immediately.
Dumbledore interrupted the speculations about the weapon after a while smiling non-committal. "We will find out about it. Severus, thank you. Are there any other information interesting to everybody?"
Some wizards and witches asked questions or informed about sightings of Death Eaters. It took not long and Dumbledore closed the meeting and left instantly. Severus followed close but was ringed by questioners. Leonor made hay of the situation. She planned to have a word with Severus. She needed clarification. Leonor waited patiently at the exit grabbing his arm when he overlooked her again spinning already on the threshold of the door. She was right in time to be sucked into the slipstream of Severus' apparition.