19. St Mungo's

Severus had arranged to meet with Augusta and Neville Longbottom at 8 o'clock in the morning. Bobbie went with him because they both thought it would be helpful to have a psychiatrist on hand, be it for the patients in case they woke up and found themselves decades into the future, or Neville and Augusta getting their hopes up only to find out the potion might fail to work. The four of them met inside the lobby of St Mungo's and then walked together to the fourth floor where the Janus Thickey Ward, a secure ward for long-term residents with permanent spell damage, was located.

They all thought that it would be better to try the potion on either Alice or Frank, and decided on Neville's mother. Bobbie said, "I think it would be a good idea for you two to stay away for now." She mentioned to Augusta. "If she wakes up and then sees you she will be in shock at how much you have aged, Mrs Longbottom and she won't recognize Neville at all. She doesn't know me and I think it would be easier on her if I talk to her first and lead her slowly into it. I even think you, Severus, need to leave right after you give her the potion. She also knew you from before."

"I agree!" Severus said and then added quietly, "Especially since she knew me in less than favorable circumstances."

Neville put his arm around his grandmother's shoulders and led her outside of the room. Severus retrieved a vial with a copper colored fluid and held it to Alice's lips. Her instinct for food and drink was still there and she opened her mouth readily and drank the potion.

Severus left the room and Bobbie pulled the curtain which was between Alice's bed and that of her husband closed. She didn't want her to see him like that. Then she sat down on the chair beside the bed. Nothing happened at first and Bobbie already started to get a sinking feeling that the potion had failed. After all, the potions she was giving students at Hogwarts always worked right away. Then again, the Lycanthropy cure took a little while... Then, just when she was about to get up to give Severus the sad news that his potion hadn't worked Alice Longbottom turned slowly her head and looked at Bobbie and croaked in a timid, unused voice, "Who are you?"

Bobbie smiled at her and said, "My name is Bobbie Snape."

Alice thought for a moment and then asked, "Snape...?"

Bobbie noticed some recognition on the woman's face and hoped the name would jostle her memory. It didn't take too long when she cleared her throat and said slowly, "I know someone with that name. He used to go to the same school and then became a Death Eater."

Bobbie wanted to get Alice off the line of thought she was on. She needed to know how much the woman was able to remember. "Mrs Longbottom, you are in the hospital. I need you to tell me the last thing you remember."

Alice thought for a moment and then said, "I..., I remember Bellatrix casting the Cruciatus Curse on me."

"Okay!" Bobbie said. "Please stay calm because what I have to tell you will sound strange and also quite disturbing. That Cruciatus Curse had put you into a state of insanity. You have not been able to recognize familiar people. You have been like this, in this hospital, in this bed for 15 years."

She let Alice think about that for a moment and then continued, "A lot of things have changed, and people have changed, including you."

Alice slowly sat up and winced at the soreness of her unused muscles. Then when recognition set in she said, "15 years... Oh, Merlin...!" as she held her hands up and stared at them front to back again and again.

Bobbie put her hand on the woman's shoulder and said, "Please don't try getting up. You will hurt yourself. Your muscles are not used to this anymore. Even though Sev..., the Professor who brewed the potion added some muscle strengthening substances it will take a while for you to get well enough to get up."

Alice nodded and after a while she looked at Bobbie with a pleading look in her eyes and asked with barely a whisper, "Can I please have a mirror?"

Bobbie said, "I will give you one, but you have to promise me to be calm. Please think about it. 15 years is a very long time."

She again nodded slowly and Bobbie pulled a small mirror out of her purse. She gave it to Alice who took a deep breath to brace herself before looking into it. When she saw her face she touched her cheek and mouth and a strangled sob escaped her.

Bobbie gently squeezed her shoulder and said, "It will be a while until you get used to it but you need to know that even though you don't think so, you are one of the lucky ones. A lot of people you knew, who were friends of yours perished during the war. The good thing is that we did win it."

Finally Alice slowly put the mirror onto the blanket in front of her and asked, "The war... What about my family?"

"Your husband is also in this hospital with the same malady, the potion professor who healed you will heal him next. Your mother-in-law is here and so is your son. Please keep in mind that you have been unaware for a long time. Your mother-in-law is an elderly woman now and your son is a man. You can be very proud of him. He was one of the key players in winning this war," Bobbie said.

"Can I see them?" she asked.

"One more thing before I get them. A lot of things have changed or were not what you once thought they were. Severus Snape is not a Death Eater. He was Professor Dumbledore's spy. He only pretended to be one of You-Know-Who's servants." Bobbie thought it was better not to call Voldemort by his name, knowing how everybody else reacted to it. Then she continued, "Severus is the one who brewed this potion for you. He is also my husband. He would like to check you over before you can see Neville and your mother-in -law."

She nodded and Bobbie got up to get Severus. When he walked into the room Alice stared at him.

"Alice, how are you feeling?" Severus asked tentatively.

Alice put her hand in front of her mouth and another sob escaped her. Then she spoke, "Severus, I... I don't know what to say... This is all so..."

"Yes, it is a lot to take in...! How about you let me examine you? I want to make sure that what I gave you worked and then I'll let my wife get Augusta and then your son. They will be happy to see you awake. They have been visiting you almost every week through all these years and never gave up on you," Severus said.

Again she nodded and Severus helped her lie back down. Then she said, "You are so different. You used to be so..."

"Such a bastard? Yes, I know! You can say it," Severus interrupted her and smiled. "Things are different. I used to be a very unhappy child and let it out on other people."

Severus sat down in the chair next to the bed and Alice smiled and said, "I think I like you better now."

Severus snorted and said, "I hope everyone else will agree with you."

Bobbie squeezed his shoulder and said to him, "I know they do and you should accept it."

He squeezed her hand for a moment and then pulled out his wand. Alice winced when she saw him do that.

"I am not going to hurt you, Alice. Please trust me...," he said.

He concentrated and slowly waved his wand over her. After a long while he nodded and said, "As far as I can tell, everything looks good. I want the healers to make sure though. They are better qualified for this kind of thing." Then he smiled at her and said, "I am glad to see you are back, Alice."

"Please, can I see Augusta and Neville and also Frank before you get the mediwizards," she asked.

"I will get Augusta and Neville but I caution against seeing Frank in the state he is in. He is still unresponsive. We tried this potion on you first. Please understand when I tell you it is not an easy thing to see," Severus said and patted her hand.

She nodded and when Severus got up from the chair to get Augusta, Alice grabbed his hand and stopped him and said, "Thank you Severus!"

He inclined his head and said, "Any time!"

He left and came back with Augusta. The war hardened older woman saw Alice and broke out into tears when she saw that Alice recognized her. She went to the bed and carefully pulled her daughter-in-law into her arms and hugged her. The two women hung on to each other and cried; Augusta for joy but Alice with an overwhelming sense of loss.

Severus went to Bobbie who also had become emotional and pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the top of her head and just held her.

After a long while things quieted down and Alice was ready to see Neville. Severus whispered to Bobbie, "Come, let's give them some privacy."

He led her out to the hallway were Neville was waiting. Severus gave him an encouraging nod and said to him quietly, "Go ahead."

Bobbie and Severus sat down on a bench in the hallway. She looked at him and said in earnest, "Severus, you have given them the greatest gift in the world. I am so proud of you and you have no idea how much I love you right at this moment. I hope you know what a wonderful gift you have."

He said quietly, "This is what I always wanted to do. All these wasted years because of Voldemort..."

She stroked his cheek and said, "I am happy that you are able to do these things now. It really would have been a waste if you would have given up hope. Your strength and bravery paid off."

"I don't think I could have done it without you," he said.

"Well, I maybe gave you a little nudge here and there but you always had it in you," she insisted.

They sat there a while longer side by side with Bobbie leaning her head on his shoulder before Severus said, "As much as I hate to break this reunion up we can't let Alice tire herself out. She also needs to be seen by a mediwizard and I think it is time to awaken Frank."

"I agree!" she said.

Severus got up and gently knocked on the door and then walked in. When Augusta looked at him he quietly mentioned to her, "We need to get a mediwizard and have Alice checked out. We don't want her to exhaust herself."

"Yes, of course!" Augusta agreed right away.

Severus went and got a healer. When he arrived he couldn't believe that his patient was out of her unresponsive state. He was stunned and examined her thoroughly while they all waited patiently out in the hallway. When he came back out of the room his prognosis was that there were no traces of Cruciatus induced insanity to be found.

During the time the mediwizard examined Alice they plotted how to get Alice out of the room so they could give Frank the potion. Under no circumstances did they want her see him the way he was now. Augusta decided she was going to talk Alice into getting a little fresh air. The healer transfigured the bed into a wheelchair and Augusta and Neville took her outside to a patio.

After they had left, Severus took the mediwizard with him while he gave Frank the potion. Like before Severus left while Bobbie spoke to Frank. The healer sat in the room and observed while Bobbie explained everything to his patient, just like she had done with Alice. Then he was giving Frank a thorough check-up.

After Severus had re-introduced himself to Frank he went to find Augusta, Alice and Neville. They did as before and let Augusta in first and then Neville. After that Alice was pushed in on her wheelchair. She had by then gotten a little used to the idea that she had lost all of these years and said to Frank, "I have been told that we haven't seen each other in 15 years. I think when we get out of here we need to make up for lost time." She smiled and then she told her husband all the things that she had heard had happened during the time and she proudly said, "Neville was given the Order of Merlin, First Class yesterday."

While husband and wife got re-acquainted Neville came over to Severus and said, "Professor I have no idea how to thank you. Please let me know how much I owe you for the potions. And if you ever need anything you need only ask."

Severus said, "You're welcome. You don't owe me anything. This one was on me. I just appreciate that you and your grandmother trusted me enough to let me try it on your parents. Of course now that I know that it works I will charge for it," he said and smiled.

"In any case Professor, I owe you," Neville said with gratitude.

"You can do me a favor and stop calling me Professor. I am not your professor any longer. We may even work together when we will heal some more werewolves. I believe you know my first name, I'd like you to use it. I know you are on first name basis with my wife for a while now," Severus said.

Then Severus extended his hand and said, "Take good care of your parents, Neville."

Neville nodded and grasped his hand with both of his and said, "I will. Thank you so much, Severus."

888

The news about the Longbottoms coming out of their Cruciatus insanity spread around St Mungo's like Fiendfyre. By the next morning it had reached outside the walls of the hospital and eventually made it to the Ministry. Kingsley called Severus over Hermione's mobile phone by mid-morning and asked him to come by the Ministry as soon as possible. When Severus mentioned that he still had 3 classes to teach in the afternoon Kingsley said he would send Harry as a substitute teacher.

Harry showed up during lunch time and after a handshake in greeting he and Severus went to the teachers' lounge to have some privacy. The men sat down at the table and Severus asked, "What in Merlin's name is the hurry?"

Harry grinned and said, "Seems like you have made quite an impression, Professor. Neville is over the top with praise and the mediwizards in St Mungo's and other hospitals around the world all want to get their hands on that potion."

"First of all, I'm going to tell you the same thing I told Neville last night. I am no longer your professor and I know you and my wife are on first name basis for a while already, so I think it is about time that you and I will do the same. Having said that, here is what I have been teaching so far." Severus showed Harry the pages of the books for the first year and fourth year classes. Then he said, "The other class is seventh year. Just ask your girlfriend and Miss Lovegood. I have made them substitute teachers. This way we can split up the class into three parts and we can cover more ground."

Harry said, "Hmm, that is the way we did it during the DA."

"Yes, Miss Weasley mentioned as much, and contrary to everyone's believe I am not above admitting when somebody else has a better idea than I do," Severus said and got up from the chair he had been sitting on. "Well I better get going..."

The men shook hands and Severus walked to the door. Before he walked out he turned around and said with a mischievous grin, "Whatever you do don't be too gentle on the students. After all, you're taking over for the bastard of the dungeon."

Harry chuckled and waved him off. "Yeah, we all know better than that by now..."

888

Severus walked out of the Floo in the atrium of the Ministry brushing off the soot on his robes. The girl at the front desk spotted him and smiled. "Professor, the Minister is awaiting you in his office."

Severus inclined his head and thanked her before making his way to Kingsley's office. The door was open so he knocked on the door frame.

Kingsley looked up from his work and said, "Severus, come in!" He got up and the men shook hands.

Then Kingsley said, "Damn, you don't miss a beat, don't you? One day it is the cure for Lycanthropy and the other a potion against the Cruciatus insanity."

"Well, I had a lot of time to think about both of them but unfortunately my hands were tied when it came to brewing and trying them out. If Voldemort would have found out that I had been working on them we wouldn't be having this conversation. I didn't invent those potions over night," Severus said.

"I understand! Have a seat." Kingsley motioned to a chair in front of his desk.

"I wanted to talk to you some more about how best to approach the next tests on the cure for Lycanthropy. Obviously we can't just advertise that we have something. I have thought about it and wanted to run it by you and see what you think."

"I'm listening...," Severus said.

"How about we let St Mungo's put something into the 'Daily Prophet' that they are looking for a few volunteers, all expenses paid, for a test phase of a possible upgrade of the Wolfsbane Potion. An upgrade that will have the possibility in some people with Lycanthropy of maybe even curing it. I like to be cautious about it, just in case. I don't want to come right out and say that it is a sure thing because of the riot it could create."

"I think that would be wise," Severus agreed. "After all with the long brewing time and the small window we have to administer the potion, not to mention the plethora of Aurors we need in order to keep everyone safe while doing so, we can only cure 2 or maybe 3 patients at a time."

"Yes, that would mean only 2 or 3 a month," Kingsley mused.

Severus said, "I have some ideas about making the potion more stable so I could brew it in advance and wouldn't have to be up all night. Unfortunately that still would only leave us with about 30 seconds after the person is starting the transformation. It really wouldn't change anything in the long run unless we can train some healers."

"Yes but that also means we would need more Aurors because we need more guards for safety," Kingsley said.

"There has to be a better way... My wife and Miss Granger said something about the way Muggles inject their patients directly into the blood stream. I have been wondering ever since if I could weaken the potion enough to make it safe for that. Since it wouldn't have to go through the entire digestive system we don't need it as strong. As a matter of fact it would no doubt kill the person if administered at full strength."

"What are you suggesting?" Kingsley wanted to know.

"I am thinking we wouldn't have to be in the steel cage with them and risking getting bitten. We could stay outside the cage with one of their hands tied to the bars so it would be reaching out in between the bars and we could inject it into the artery in the wrist."

"I see!" Kingsley said. "We could modify the cages, or cells, whatever you want to call it. We could attach some shackles."

"Right! We need more cages. They don't have to be as large as the two in the dungeons but I do not want the patients to be together just in case the potion doesn't work on one of them. If that one would be able to reach the others who have been cured it would tear them apart," Severus said.

"Yes, they only need to be large enough to hold one at a time. If someone really wants to be cured they will put up with a little bit of inconvenience."

"I agree! In any case the next full moon is about 3 weeks away and we can mull it over for a little while longer. I may have to borrow Harry again to take over some of my classes once in a while in order to get some sleep." Severus chuckled.

"I think we can manage that." Kingsley smirked. "But, now to the newest development... Every Mediwizard wants to get some of the potion against Cruciatus insanity. Have you thought about how much you want to charge? You need to cover your cost and the time it takes you to brew it."

"I haven't really thought about it. I told Neville that the potions for his parents were on me. It gives me some sense of penance since I once belonged to the lot who tortured them," Severus said quietly.

"But you weren't the one who did it...," Kingsley stated.

"True, but it doesn't make it any easier," Severus said and then went back to the discussion at hand. "The potion is fairly easy to brew and it is very stable and can be done weeks ahead of use. The only problem is that one of the ingredients is difficult to come by."

"Let me know what it is, maybe I can be of some use," Kingsley offered. "Meanwhile you figure out how much your cost is and then add some. Don't make it too cheap. If I was you I would put a patent on it."

Severus chuckled. "You sound like my wife. She said to monopolize my potions like that French Potion Master did with his cure against the kidney disease."

Kingsley nodded and said, "That is a smart woman. You should listen to her. If you want I can find out for you how to approach the idea. It is one of the perks of being the Minister of Magic." He grinned and then added with conviction, "I think you deserve to finally live your own life."

"Thanks Kingsley, I appreciate it," Severus said. After that the men sat around for a while longer with a cup of tea and discussed the possibility of getting the two remaining werewolves in Azkaban cured first. Kingsley said that it would probably cost the Ministry less money getting them cured than having to maintain those extra accommodations for werewolves in prison. It also would cut the danger down considerably for the guards.

The two men resolved that Harry would be on standby to take over Severus's classes on a moment's notice during the time before the next full moon, just in case Severus couldn't tear himself away from the lab while working on making the cure more stable and maybe trying to modify it so it could be injected into the bloodstream.

Severus made it back to Hogwarts just before dinner time.

He strode into the castle just when Harry walked out. He asked, "Did everything go smoothly with classes?"

Harry chuckled. "Believe it or not, everything but the Firsties."

"Oh?" Severus asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, I think they weren't happy with the way I was teaching them," Harry replied. "One of the girls actually told me that," and here Harry tried mimicking her voice, "'Professor Snape lets us use dummies for our spells'." Then he went back to his normal voice. "And that wasn't the only thing. It was 'Professor Snape this' and 'Professor Snape that'. If I didn't know better I would think you are spoiling those little brats."

Severus chuckled. "Yes, they have developed a liking to knocking over the dummies using magic. I figured it would help them to understand the kind of havoc they would be able to cause to real people. I don't want them to take magic lightly but they also need to know that they can defend themselves."

"I understand. This way you kill two birds with one stone." Then Harry looked at his watch and said, "Oops, I better get going. Good night." He gave Severus a short wave over the back of his shoulder while walking out.

"Good night!" Severus said and was about to walk into the Great Hall when he thought of something. He turned around and called, "Harry, don't you at least want to eat dinner? You worked here most of the day and I think I can invite you with good conscience."

Harry waved it off and said, "Minerva already invited me but I declined. I'm meeting with Ron and Hermione for dinner. From what I understood, they have some news."

"Okay, I will see you later then."

Severus walked into the castle and to their rooms. Bobbie was sitting in front of the fireplace reading. When she saw him coming in she got up and walked into his arms and said, "There you are. Did you get something accomplished?"

"I think we did." He kissed her and then just held her and put his chin on the top of her head and stroked her stomach and asked, "How are my two favorite girls?"

"Waiting for our favorite man," Bobbie said with her head leaning against his chest.

By the way, Kingsley is doing me a favor and looking into monopolizing the potion we used on the Longbottoms."

"That would be great. It would give you recognition as a Potion Master and you would finally get your wish and make some money that you can actually keep and don't have to give to that megalomaniacs cause. You deserve it!" she said and kissed him.

"Speaking of money, I have also thought about selling my parent's house on Spinners End and move everything useful into the cottage - if you don't mind."

"Of course I don't. We are married and that means my house is also yours. I think it would be another milestone for you. You have no good memories about that place." She stroked his cheek and then sat back down and pulled him with her.

Severus said, "It won't be much. Some books and maybe some clothes. I didn't keep much there and the furnishing is old, dingy and threadbare and I will just dispose of it. Maybe I will get a few Pounds for the house."

"Pounds, not Galleons?" she asked.

"Yes, it is in a Muggle neighborhood," he explained.

"Well, maybe we can have a look at it next weekend. Perhaps there is something we can do to make the place a little more attractive for buyers," she suggested.

"Maybe...," Severus said with a doubtful look on his face.

"It shouldn't take too long. Am I right in assuming that you have it registered for magical activity and you can use magic there?" she asked.

"Yes, your assumption is correct," Severus said and then the two of them made their way to the Great Hall for dinner.

As soon as Severus sat down for his meal Minerva asked, "How did everything go? It seems like the potion you developed for the Cruciatus insanity is all everyone wants to talk about. Kingsley seems to think you could make a fortune with it."

Severus snorted. "I think our new Minister of Magic has a way of jumping to conclusions. I like to approach things with a little more caution. Nevertheless, I will brew another batch tonight. In order to market the potion I need to find out how much it will cost to make it, when it comes to the ingredients and my time. I would like to finally have some money. I want to give my wife and child a good life, a nice home with a large yard, maybe do some traveling. I have never had any of those things but Bobbie has and I don't want her to feel deprived of those things."

"Sounds like your trip to Canada has made an impression on you," Minerva stated.

"I think you could say that! My wife's family isn't overly wealthy but they are comfortable and help each other when need be. When Bobbie's grandfather was sick she just went to the bank and picked up the money for the cure, and you know how much that cure costs. Her two uncles went in on it and paid their share of it back but I could never do anything like that, just go to Gringotts out of the blue and pick up large sums of money..., I basically have nothing."

"My guess is that Bobbie doesn't love you any less because of it," Minerva mused.

"Yes, but that isn't the point. I don't want anyone telling me that I married her for her money or something similar to that." Severus said.

"Severus, nobody who knows you as well as we do will think such a thing." Minerva said, shaking her head.

"I also want to prove Lucius Malfoy wrong," he continued. "He always tries to make me feel like I need a hand-out. I know it sounds petty but I really would like to stick it to him, so to speak." By that time Severus had a mischievous smile on his face.

"You go right ahead! Go get him! It doesn't hurt taking Malfoy down a notch or two...," she said and they both chuckled.

888

In the meantime Bobbie had a very similar conversation with Poppy; with Bobbie saying that she feels that Severus needed to get some recognition, and making some money would boost his self-worth.

Poppy agreed and said, "I'll never forget when he came to Hogwarts for the first time and the other children were looking down on him because of his outgrown and threadbare clothes. He never had anything as a child and later wasn't much better because of the circumstances during the war. It will do him some good. Kingsley is a good man; he will make sure that Severus gets the compensation he deserves."

888

After dinner Severus went to his lab to brew the potion and Bobbie went with him to help him prepare the ingredients and then later watch him brewing. She sat on a tall stool and smiled seeing him work. She knew that she would never get tired of it, the way he moved, the precision when he was measuring and then counting the exact number of stirs.

When he turned down the potion to a simmer for about 30 minutes he came over to where she was and asked, "Are you enjoying the show?"

"Immensely!" she said and pulled him closer for a kiss.

He groaned and whispered against her lips, "Remember what happened the last time you sat here, when you were in your bathrobe?"

She did remember and the thought made her blood rush through her veins like a heat wave. She deepened the kiss and wove her fingers into his hair to pull him even closer. When he whispered, "I want you!" she felt the tingling between her legs intensify. Her fingers went to the buttons of his trousers and she couldn't get them open fast enough in her arousal.

When she finally freed him and wrapped her fingers around him and stroked him he groaned and threw his head back in ecstasy. He stood her on the floor and hiked her robes up to get to her panties. He moaned when he pulled them down and then felt her moist and ready. He picked her up and sat her down on the work bench and entered her with a groan.

Her breathing quickened and she closed her eyes in her desire exposing her throat by bending her head back. He kissed and nibbled gently on the soft spot below her ear and then traced it with his tongue. The moans she emitted were all the reward he needed. His strokes were slow and deliberate. She clung to him and answered each and every one of them.

She felt she was melting into him. "Oh Severus, you feel so wonderful...," she breathed against his neck. He groaned in response his arousal intensifying and when she tightened her muscles his knees almost buckled from the feel of it. He knew he couldn't last much longer and positioned himself so every move would caress her core. It only took a few more strokes and she tightened around him and they rocked against each other in an all consuming climax.

After the afterglow had worn off and they had gotten their clothes back in order Severus said, "I could get used to spending the time waiting for the simmering to be done, like that."

"As long as we don't go past that time and you have to start your potion over." She stroked his cheek and nestled against him.

Eventually Severus finished up the potion and bottled it in individual vials. Then he put them into a rack for cooling. He cleaned up his lab with his wand and then took Bobbie by her hand and said, "Come on my Love, it is time to go to bed."