Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. I just like to toy around with them in my imagination before putting it to paper.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews, follows, & favorites. Every time I get positive feedback it makes me even more eager to write. So here goes the next update:
"Tell me everything, Samuel." Minerva calmly demanded as she sat behind her large desk in the Headmistress' office. Usually, she would offer her guest some tea or other refreshment, but she was far too concerned about the whereabouts of Severus to remember her manners.
"Well, it all started about four months ago. I had this feeling in my gut that I belonged somewhere and found myself in our local park. I walked for quite a while and then I ended up in a rather secluded area. There was a man who was sprawled out on his back. He looked like he'd been roughed up quite a bit and so I went to help him. He was such a kind fellow, although rather rough around the edges and awkward. Poor guy couldn't remember a thing so I took him back to my home to help him. We became friends over a time and I helped him get on his feet so to speak. Then, earlier I heard him muttering in his sleep and it all pieced together. I didn't know he was missing, as I don't follow anything that happens in the Wizarding world ever since I left. I swear it Minerva… Had I known sooner, I would have brought you to him. His hair is shorter now, I… Err… Made him cut it… But otherwise, he hasn't changed appearance wise. What should we do? Should we contact the Minister?" He asked as he finished his explanation of how he came to have Severus Snape in his company.
Minerva hesitated to answer due to the tears running down her face. She quickly accepted the handkerchief that Samuel held out for her and dabbed at her face. Her fears of the worst having happened to Severus were finally allayed. Although she hadn't seen or heard anything from Samuel Thorn in years she knew that the squib had been one of Dumbledore's most trusted friends, but when things began to get dark again and word of Voldemort's return amplified, he left. Not out of cowardice, but to protect his family.
Much good that did. Samuel had a son and a wife once. His wife was a muggle and his son hadn't developed any magic either so they had lived in the Muggle world. They had been living in London at the time and Samuel had been on a visit to see Dumbledore. When he returned home, he found nothing but the charred ashes and the London Fire Brigade outside of his home. He had never been so distraught. Dumbledore arrived on the scene not long after hearing word of what had happened.
He stayed in a spare chamber in Hogwarts until he managed to pull himself together long enough to leave. That's how he found himself in Creekton. The pain of the brutal murders of his wife and son had never been abated nor would it ever be, but he found that the loneliness he once experienced had alleviated ever since Severus appeared in his life. His son would be only a handful of years younger than Severus, but he could see the similarities between his son and the man. He recalled Matthias' mannerisms and smiled despite the pain in brought. His son was quite the loner with such a dry humor that it usually stunned a person before it brought them to tears of laughter. He preferred the company of books to people and was quite serious for a young man of twenty. He had such high hopes, but they were stolen from him.
Samuel shook away from his thoughts and looked back up at Minerva who had paused from explaining her solution to the issue when she realized he was no longer speaking. He knew bringing Severus back to the Wizarding world meant either losing him or returning to a world where he felt he had never belonged. Could he lose yet another person in his life? He viewed Severus as the son he had lost, he could never replace Matthias and he didn't, but he helped Samuel in more ways than the old man could explain.
"As I was saying, there is a team of aurors who are working on the case. I shall contact them immediately and then we shall return to your home to get Severus. The team will be completely discrete and this case will be so low profile it won't even have one. Severus will be safe while we work on restoring his memories. Hold on while I do this floo call." Minerva told Samuel, excusing herself to go to the floo and throw in some floo powder.
"Harry Potter's floo!" She called into it and a few moments later Harry appeared, just his head floating in the green flames.
"Hello, Harry. A man by the name of Samuel Thorn visited me today… He's found Severus. Can you get your team here so we can all apparate to Samuel's place?"
"Wait… You've found Severus?! How?!" Harry was so in shock that his eyes had widened comically, mimicking those of an owl.
"It can wait, Harry. Just get here as soon as possible, please." Minerva said, hanging up the floo call and adjusting Hogwarts' wards to allow the visitors.
Within ten minutes, Harry's team was there and he, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, and Neville Longbottom crowded the Headmistress' office. Samuel instructed those present how to apparate to the point nearest to his home and they were soon on their way.
Upon arrival, Samuel quickly led them to his modest home. Usually, he'd be enthralled by the greatly spoken savior of the Wizarding World, the-Boy-Who-Lived, but the matters were pressing and there was no time for such frivolities. He used his house key to unlock the front door and as he pushed it open he was shocked to find Severus laying in quite an awkward position on the foyer floor.
"Oh Merlin!" shouted Minerva from behind. Draco, who had been awfully quiet due to his worry, pushed his way to the front immediately. This was his godfather and he had been worried sick about him since his disappearance.
"Uncle Sev…" He muttered, kneeling down and checking his pulse as Minerva started casting diagnostic spells on him. "He's alive, but his pulse is very slow." Draco told them.
"He needs to be taken to St. Mungo's. His magical reserve is almost depleted, but how can that be? He doesn't even remember that he has magic nor should he know how to use it… Unless… Did he have an outburst maybe? Samuel, check around the house and make sure everything is in place and nothing is damaged." Minerva told him as Draco and Neville apparated away to St. Mungo's with Severus.
Samuel promptly returned saying that all looked to be alright, leaving Minerva and Harry clueless as to how a man of Severus' magical caliber could be magically depleted.
"What in Godric Gryffindor's name is going on?" Minerva wondered aloud as all three of them then followed behind Draco and Neville, apparating to St. Mungo's.
Upon their arrival, they were met with the furious face of Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister of Magic.
"With all due respect, Minister. Not now. We have bigger fish to fry than your threatened ego. Now if you would please, kindly direct us to Draco and Neville." Harry said, his voice steely and his eyes daring the Minister to say something to him that was even remotely out of line. Harry had seriously had it with having to get permission before every single move. The Minister growled loudly as his eyes narrowed, throwing his head to a side in order to point the direction of Draco and Neville.
"Now, if you'll excuse us." Harry stepped around the Minister. Minerva stuck her nose up slightly as she walked around him as well and Samuel gave the furious man a cheeky grin.
"Digging the hat, mate." Samuel commented, rushing by with a grin. He was looking forward to getting to the bottom of things, but he wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to piss off the Minister.
Kingsley folded his arms across his chest and followed behind them, making a note of pulling Harry aside soon and reminding him just who controlled the Wizarding community.
"They've admitted him and are running their tests now... It's all a matter of waiting now. Nothing much we can do for my godfather aside from find out who the hell did this to him in the first place." Draco said, running his fingers through his shoulder length hair.
Deciding to stay until they had more news, they all began a tedious wait although, thankfully, the Minister excused himself as he had other matters to handle.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
What was happening to the beloved, if not entirely infuriating, Severus Snape?
A/N: So, could levitating some little objects have truly depleted the great Severus Snape's magical reserves? What do you think is the reason? It'll be a few more chapters before the two soul mates are reunited. The next one will explore just who could be behind their separation to begin with. Hmm… The mystery continues! And I promise, eventually there will be lots of romance & lemons. Do you really think Hermione & Severus will be able to keep their hands off each other once their reunited? Reviews are welcome and very much appreciated! Thanks for reading!