Chapter Fifteen

Three more Aurors arrived early the next day. They went to Professor McGonnagal's office and from there straight to the hospital wing, accompanied by the headmistress. When they learned about the new whereabouts of their prisoner, they were furious about their colleague's leniency. Five minutes later they pointed their wands at Claire's bedroom door and it flew open, startling Claire and Severus, who were having breakfast. Claire was feeding Susanna.

The baby started to cry and Claire got up angrily.

"You could at least have knocked," she shouted.

"All this sentimental extra pampering is going to stop now, we've come to take him where he belongs. Are you ready, Snape?" a tall Auror barked.

"Yes," Severus said and rose from his chair, his face white as a sheet.

"Search him!" the Auror commanded and two of the others roughly pushed Severus with his face to the wall, arms and legs outstretched. They searched him, but found nothing.

"His wand has been confiscated already?"

"Yes, it's at the ministry."

"Good. Turn him round."

The Aurors obeyed, making the blind man nearly lose his balance.

"Snape, hands!"

Severus held out his hands. The Auror touched them with his wand and at once handcuffs appeared and fastened themselves around his wrists. Two Aurors grabbed his upper arms. "Let's go!" the tall Auror said and turned.

"No, wait, let me say good-bye!"

Claire had run across the room and positioned herself between the door and the Aurors. Her voice was angry and her eyes were flashing.

"You can't take him away like this."

"Get out of the way, woman, this is a criminal who must be brought to justice."

"He's a human being with the right to be treated as such. He's the father of my child and I want to say good-bye."

"I also think your manner of arrest somewhat hasty and also rather brutal," Professor McGonnagal joined in. "As headmistress of this school I must insist on more polite a behaviour, even towards a prisoner."

The Auror looked as if he wanted to arrest the two women as well. But meanwhile other residents of Hogwarts had appeared at the door: Madam Pomphrey, Remus Lupin, Professor Sprout and Hermione were watching the scene and their expressions left no doubt whose side they were on. He shrugged and with a movement of his head ordered the Aurors to let go of Snape's arms. Claire went to Severus and put her free hand on his cheek.

"I love you. I'll never forget you," she said softly, resting her head on his chest. He bent down and kissed her head, then, when Claire raised her face to his, their lips met for a last kiss. They parted and Severus awkwardly felt for Susanna with his bound hands and gently patted her head.

"I love you, too," he said hoarsely, "both of you."

Then he straightened and held out his hands.

"Minerva?" Professor McGonnagal stepped forward and took his hands.

"Will you remember what we discussed?"

"Yes, Severus, of course I will."

The others came to say good-bye, one by one, while the Aurors grew more and more impatient.

"That's enough," the tall Auror interrupted Madam Pomphrey's detailed advice as to Snape's health.

"Let's go!"

They took hold of Snape's arms again and marched him from the room.

Claire stood motionless, ignoring the her daughter's cries of protest and stared at the doorway through which Severus had been taken.

"I must see the trial, I must know what they do to him," she whispered to herself, lost in thought. Professor McGonnagal gently touched her arm.

"We'll see what we can do," she replied.

This was a short chapter, but the following ones will be longer. A happy ending? Well, if there is one, it will still be miles away.

Thanks to J.K.Rowling for the inspiring characters.