Chapter Eighteen
The sun was low over the hills surrounding Hogwarts. Hagrid pulled the large toboggan up the gentle slope between the castle and his cabin, carrying Susanna on his shoulders. They had spent the whole afternoon in the snow, building a snowman in front of Hagrid's cabin and going down the slope on his toboggan, Susanna safely ensconced in the large man's arms. This was going to be the last ride. Claire watched them go up the hill, smiling sentimentally about Hagrid's affection for the little girl, who had developed a striking likeness to Severus with her black hair and eyes and her very white skin. Suddenly Claire was seized with a pang of misery. Severus. How she missed him! He wasn't allowed any visitors or letters. All her attempts to approach his mind had been futile. Obviously his defences were up, he didn't want to let her come close. How did he cope with imprisonment? Tears were coming to her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. Severus! Her mind reached out for him once again and this time she wasn't blocked by the usual impenetrable barrier. Instead she felt unbearable pain and misery. He was suffering! Her knowledge of the Wizarding world made her doubt that Azkaban was comparable to modern Muggle prison standards. Medieval dungeons and torture were more likely. She shuddered. What did they do to him? "Severus, hold on, I want you back!" her mind cried out.
Hagrid and her daughter were sliding towards her, laughing and shouting. Hastily Claire wiped away the tears and tried to smile. Hagrid, however, looked at her with narrowed eyes. "Thinking of him?" he asked softly.
Claire nodded.
"Can't understand what ye see in him. But he'll be alright, he's tough."
He picked up the sleigh and Susanna, and noticing Claire's doubtful frown, he added,
"the Dementors were the most horrid thing about Azkaban. They're gone, it can't be that bad anymore. He'll stay sane. Want to come in for a cup of tea?"
Claire shook her head.
"Thank you, Hagrid, but we have to go back. Susanna'll fall asleep on her feet if I don't put her to bed soon."
"It's getting dark. I'll better walk you to the castle."
He hoisted Susanna on his shoulders and they set off through the deep snow.
Inside the front door Claire was shaking the snow from her cloak and peeling Susanna out of her snowsuit, when an agitated second-year student came running down the stairs.
"Oh, Professor Saunders, I've been looking for you everywhere! Professor McGonnagal wants to speak to you."
"Thanks, Miss Williams, I'll see her at once."
Claire smiled to herself. She still had to get used to the title Professor. It certainly was an improvement in her career, from simple teacher at an inner-city comprehensive to professor at a famous Wizarding school. She enjoyed teaching at Hogwarts, more than she had thought it possible when Minerva offered her the job of teaching Muggle studies and languages. They had gone out of their way to help her: Her classroom, office and living quarters had been fitted with electricity for her own use and for teaching students about Muggle technology. They had changed the syllabus, so that students had to do at least one foreign language a year. Languages would even be part of the final exams as soon as they could find someone in the Ministry to do the examinations. She was accepted by the young witches and wizards, who liked her modern teaching methods and were keen on learning about computers and CD-players. She was also accepted by the other members of staff. They helped her wherever they could. She had the impression that they somehow wanted to make amends for Severus' fate, that they felt indebted to him.
Susanna had become the darling of the whole school, students and staff alike, house-elves were looking after her when Claire was teaching, house-elves – Claire loved them. No more cooking or housework to do – it was great.
She had told Linda Davis about a new job at a boarding school and had rented her house to four students. One of them actually was a wizard working for the Ministry and keeping an eye on the property and – Claire was sure about that – on its owner. She had retained a room where she could stay during visits to London.
Everything was perfect, or would have been, if Severus had been with her.
"Oatmeal biscuits," she said to the gargoyle guarding the entrance to the headmistress's office. She settled Susanna more comfortably on her hip while the revolving stairs transported her upwards. She knocked and entered. Minerva McGonnagal was sitting at her desk frowning at a piece of parchment in front of her. She rose quickly and took Claire's hand.
"Thank Merlin, they've managed to find you."
She seemed relieved.
"I was outside in the snow with Susanna and Hagrid."
"A letter arrived two hours ago. From Arthur Weasley. He must have written it in a great hurry, it 's rather confused."
The older witch obviously was far from her usual composed self.
"They have found something, some new evidence – they're going to re-open Severus' case. Tomorrow there's going to be another trial."
"Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow at 10 o'clock"
"What does it mean, is it good or bad for him?"
Professor McGonnagal sighed. "I'm not sure, but as far as I understood Arthur's letter I deduce it must be positive."
Claire withdrew her hand and ran it through her hair nervously.
"I must go to London at once."
"At once?"
"It takes at least six hours, and certainly more in this weather."
"We could use side-along apparition, you know."
"No", Claire said vehemently, "never. I'll take the car."
The old witch frowned. She couldn't understand why Claire preferred these Muggle metal boxes on wheels to the much quicker and perfectly safe magical means of transport.
"You must get some sleep first. Or do you want to have an accident because you fall asleep on this motorway of yours? Setting off early in the morning should be enough. Leave Susanna at Hogwarts. She can stay with Poppy. I'm going to apparate and we'll meet in front of the Ministry."
Her tone allowed no contradiction and Claire went to get ready, her thoughts all in turmoil.
Thanks to J.K. Rowling for the inspiring characters.