Chapter 6 The Labyrinth

Tonks held on to Draco's arm as he led her to their seats. Her grip tighten when she realized the volume of people who were attending. She hadn't expected there to be so many. He had told her, on so many occasions that he had no friends. Yet, so many were forced to stand as all the seats had been taken. The outcry of mourners astonished her.

The funeral had been short, but she felt like it would never end. His casket remained closed, as he had wished. He didn't want her to see him that way; lifeless and cold. He told her to remember him as he was the first time he told her he loved her, because that was when his life had truly began.

Her grip tightened as Draco adjusted himself in his seat,. "Relax." Draco whispered into her ear, "I'm not going anywhere."

She nodded, relaxing her grip, "Sorry. I just didn't expect such a huge turn out."

Draco rubbed her hand, "He was loved Dora…even if he didn't realize it."

"I know, Draco. So did he...He was stubborn, that's all. He didn't want all this."

He nudged her shoulders, "Sometimes the very thing we don't want, is exactly what we need."

"Are we still talking about Severus?" She bumped him back. "Where is Hermione?"

He smiled, "On her way."

"How are you two doing?"

"I don't think this is the place or time."

"Pacify an old women. I need a distraction. I feel like everyone is staring at me."

"You're barely 40. I don't think that qualifies you as an old women." He chuckled, "And everyone is staring at you." She fidgetted; Draco rubbed hand again, "I'm joking."

Everyone was staring at them. Fucking vultures. He knew why they were really here. Everyone wanted piece of the Potion's Master estate. When he passed, the press went crazy, announcing that he had no heir, no family and no wife. His Will was to be read at his funeral, distributing his possessions. Everyone who had any contact with him, whether it was a conversation or a simple handshake, crawled in.

Severus was worth a fortune, having inherited the Prince family estate, along with the money he received as a covenant member of Merlin First Class. He didn't splurge, he had no need for fancy things. His teaching pay was more than enough for him to live on, so the money sat in Gringotts, collecting dust.

Draco's temper flared; he met every eye that dared look in their direction. He could see the looks of disgust thrown at them. These people had the nerve to throw shade at them? Years had past and he was still seen as the son of a Death Eater.. A Death Eater himself. And Dora was the cousin of infamous murder, Sirius Black and Draco Malloy. Their sins had tainted her as well.

Nothing would change the public's opinion of them; not even the fact that he was married to The Golden Trio's very own Hermione Granger or that he had given half his fortune to rebuilding the Wizarding World. They all thought he had casted the Imperius Curse on Granger or used some other dark magic. He stared back at them. Daring someone, anyone to say something; to make a move.

Tonks rubbed his hands, "Manners, Draco. What would Severus have thought of all the sneering your doing?"

"He would have told me to hex them all to hell."

She giggled, "You're probably right, but don't"

"Witches and Wizards. I come before you now as, The Minster of Magic, to give you the last will and testament of Severus Tobias Snape. Before I start, I'd like to say a few words:

I had the pleasure of knowing Severus Snape. He was a man of few words, but the little that he did speak, were always of great knowledge and insight. He forever changed the world we live in. Some may say, for the worst, but to those people I say this:

You did not know him. You have lost out on meeting a great man and having a loyal friend. He was kind and thoughtful. He was grace and poise, in a time when we lacked it. He embodied what most, only ever dream to ever be. I am grateful to have called him my friend. And I will cherish the memories.

Now to the will: I, Severus Tobias Snape, leave my potions; all supplies and ingredients associated within, to my Godson Draco Lucius Malfoy. May it serve you well."

"Mr. Malfoy, if you will see me after the reading, I have something else for you."

Draco nodded.

"To Hermione Jean Granger Malfoy, I leave my library and all it contents. May your thirst for knowledge never end."

"To Harry James Potter, I leave my pensive and all my memories stored. May you know your mother as I once did."

"Mr. Potter, I would also like to see you after."

Harry nodded.

"And lastly, my Gringotts Vaults, all monetary values and my home in Spinners End and all other properties I own, I leave to my wife, Nymphadora Tonks. May it buy you the peace in my passing that I could not in life."

A collective gasp erupted from the crowd.

"Quiet! Ms. Tonks err Madame Snape if you would be so kind as to see me after."

Tonks nodded, as the crowd stared conspicuously at her. She held on to Draco's hand tightly, staring at her shoes. They sat in silence as the crowd dispersed.

"They're gone Dora. Everyone's gone." Draco nudged her.

She shook her head. "I can feel their eyes on me."

Hermione moved, from her seat next to Draco, to the empty spot next to Tonks. "No one is here but us. You can look up now." She grabbed Tonk's free hand, " Promise."

Tonks slowly raise her head, sighing in relief.

Draco excused himself to go find Kingsley.

Harry approached her slowly, "Hi Tonks."

She nodded to him. It had been years since she last saw him. He was no longer the skinny, shy boy she once knew. He had become a man; a husband and a father too.

"Hi Harry," she hugged him awkwardly.

"I'm sorry about Severus. I came as soon a I heard. I'm sorry I didn't visit more-"

She stopped him, "We all did what we had to. Moving on, sometimes meant, moving away. I understood that. He did too."

Harry nodded, relieved at her statement, "Forgive me, anyways. I need to know that you do, then maybe I could feel like I have earned his forgiveness too."

She smiled, "There is nothing to forgive, but if you need the words, then yes. I forgive you."

Harry smiled, letting the tears he had been ashamed to cry, finally fall. "Thank you."

He sat down and held her hand, wiping away her tears, along with his own.

Sarah watched the exchange. What was that all about?

*******Oh! The Labyrinth. One of my all time favorite movies. The song "As the world falls down" in this movie, makes me cry. It doesn't get any better than David Bowie cooing in your ear. I would have chosen you, my Goblin King. ******