AN: Thank you for your comments and keep them coming. I am interested to know how you like this chapter. I am not completely happy with it but it is also only a part of the scene.

Chapter 4 Unimaginable Feats

Severus and Minerva held council in the staff break room. For this, Severus was very thankful. He did not wish to lay eyes on the Headmaster, or Headmistress' office just yet. His time occupying that office had been nothing short of hellish. He also had no desire to take a trip down memory lane with Albus. Severus was still peeved at Albus for lying to him about Potter being a Horcrux. Severus may have had little love for Harry but as the only living thing left of Lilly, he had felt beholden to him. Reflecting on his past feelings Severus felt oddly indifferent towards the thought of Lily at the present moment. How very strange. I don't feel that familiar oppressive weight when I think of her now. Perhaps it is due to Voldemort's fall. My debt repaid in a sense. Minerva's nasally request for attention brought Severus out of his musing.

"So, with Albus' portrait's testimony and the remaining Order members statements provided verbally as well as through memories you have been vindicated. The Aurors office still wishes to speak with you but you should not worry about your freedom." Minerva had been dreading this moment. Severus would need to be told what had transpired. He is not going to take this well, she mused and wrung her hands nervously. This situation was particularly painful for her as she felt deeply sorrowful for how she and the rest of the Order of the Phoenix had turned their back on Severus the moment Albus drew his last breath. In retrospect his time as Headmaster must have been one of his darkest hours and the Order had failed their comrade. On the other hand who could have guessed Severus' truest motivations. A woman,

Harry's mother no less. Who would have ever guessed such a calculating and unyielding persona had laid its foundations in the heart and then fortified its porous soul with concrete to protect itself and survive a hellish destiny? It was unbelievable. Yet, thru it all he survived and now stood before her. To have survived one life of servitude and responsibility to face yet another constriction seemed beyond unfair. It could be assumed that being the recipient and motivation behind; what he would undoubtedly see as the corruption of something innocent, seemed cruel for him to have to endure. How she wished Hermione had awaken first. She only knew a vague description of the spell and Merlin help her she had no real answers for Severus as to why or how Miss Granger had succeeded but she is a remarkable witch. Severus' medical reports is where Minerva really saw just what the Vora-Eros had done for Severus. It was nothing short of astounding. Minerva's thoughts were churning. How could she present these details to Severus with the least traumatic effect?

Minerva stood at the tea counter. The six-foot piece of granite countertop with Elvin beveled edging defined a large recessed area in the castle wall with provisions for making tea, cocoa, and coffee. Skillfully carved black metal shelves of lace design lined the walls, outlining the alcove. Tea and coffee cups of all sorts filled the shelves. It was an interesting menagerie. A thought came to Minerva Severus does enjoy licorice tea. "Would you like a cup of licorice tea Severus?" Minerva offered.

Severus pursed his lips and reclined in his high back chair. Templing his fingers and touching them to his lips he contemplated. Poppy avoided the subject artfully and now Minerva is stalling. The public persona manifestation, or infestation more like, and the means of my survival must be of such caliber they know it will raise my ire. He was no fool. Poppy had already made it quite clear that his memories had been made public. It figures Saint Potter would be thoughtless and dispassionate enough to blab my most carefully guarded secrets. Bile pushed against his throat. His stomach churned. "Yes, thank you." Severus oh so slightly curled the corner of his lip." I have heard all of this from Poppy. Tell me what it is you so obviously are trying to delay."

Minerva, looking at Severus, slightly tilted her nose up and gave a light sniff of indignation. She would swear he could sense chicanery from a mile away. Yes, Severus was ever the Slytherin. She exhaled heavily. she considered her words as she prepared tea for them both. "In attempt to help clear your name Mr. Potter provided the Ministry the memories imparted to him. While under the care of the Auror Department the memories were leaked to the public."

"Yes, well. Poppy has alluded to the public's knowledge of…" Severus was not sure how to address his feelings regarding the publicizing of his memories. Articulating each word he continued. "The truth." He looked Minerva in the eye with this statement.

She was tongue-tied. What could she say? In two words he leveled anyone's argument or defense against all he had done.

He smirked inwardly. He had duped them all.

Straight to it then, thought Minerva. "Miss Granger returned to the Shrieking Shack after the battle. I understand that Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger was present when you were attacked? They were hiding. Do you recall you interaction with them?" Asked Minerva.

Severus grimaced. He did not like where this conversation was heading. "Yes, the miscreants came out of hiding after the Dark Lord left and I gave Mr. Potter the memories he needed to understand that he was an accidental Horcrux." Now the whole begotten wizarding world thinks me some sort of dark hero with a big fuzzy heart. Severus curled his lip. Breathing out heavily through his nose he watched Minerva make her way to their seating arrangement.

The staff break room held the shape of a clover. The first petal to the right hosted several small but ornate work desks all facing each other in a circle. This area provided teachers a workspace that facilitated group conversation. The walls were lined with intermittent bookshelves and black boards. The second and center room was of a more casual nature with a kitchenette in the center and cozy tea tables, nestled against large windows encompassing the room that provided breathtaking views of the grounds. The third room, where Severus and

Minerva were convening resembled a house common room. A large stone fireplace flanked by tall windows on either side made the main focal point of the room. There were tapestries representing different houses and paintings of earlier professors dotting the walls. A tea alcove was on one side of the room and a reading nook on the other. In the center of the room were several plush chairs and side tables for comfortable conversation.

Minerva handed Severus his cup of tea and took a seat across from him. "It was reported by Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley that Miss Granger had been beside herself when they made her leave you in the Shrieking Shack. After the battle was won Miss Granger returned to you. Roughly four hours later Mr. Weasley came to me in a state of duress requesting I help him in finding Miss Granger. He believed her to have returned to the Shrieking Shack and to be extremely upset about witnessing your death. As we made our way down the tunnel under the Whomping Willow I believe Miss Granger cast a very ancient incantation." Minerva paused to take a sip of her tea.

Severus took a moment to ponder this new bit of information. Why in Merlin's name would Miss Granger give two cents about my person? As far as she knew I was just another Death Eater? Perhaps after she viewed the memories with Mr. Potter she felt some sort of remorse. She will likely expect some sort of accommodation for her efforts no doubt. He sipped his own tea and smirked into his cup. Like hell, I will not give her the satisfaction. Severus was mentally growling at the thought of owing his life to the little know it all. She had been a significant part of keeping Harry safe over the last several months. No correction, since he was eleven. Still, she was an especially annoying personality.

Minerva cleared her throat and continued on. "The child darn near depleted her core in her efforts. Quite amazing actually! She managed to heal every wound on your person including the tears to your vocal cords and esophagus. When Mr. Weasley and I entered the room she had lost consciousness." Now for the nitty gritty, Minerva sighed inwardly.

"Yes, well done Miss Granger. Rah rah rah." Severus flippantly tossed his hand about in sarcasm. "She obviously exceeded her magical limits in her attempt to carry out the impossible." Severus ever so slightly crinkled his nose in disdain at the last word. "Tell me Minerva, what spells did your little protégé cast?"

Minerva steeled herself against the wraith she knew was coming. She looked over at Severus. "Severus, would you cast an Animus Charm?"

Severus lowered his chin to his chest and furrowed his brow in confusion. "Whatever for?" The Animus Charm reveals your souls aura. It allows you to look at the condition of your soul. Severus' soul had its share of damage. He was curious once when he was a younger man as to just what condition his soul was in. He had already done so many deplorable things, he was curious to what extent his soul had suffered. At the time he had a deep gray fringe with a pale green base color. Grey indicated an abused soul. Base colors are unique to each person. There are seven main colors that can vary in shade. Blue and Green, the most common; Yellow, Red, Orange, Lavender and the extremely rare, White.

"Humor me Severus. I would not ask if there was not a purpose." Minerva raised an eyebrow and stood up from her chair. She walked over to one of the side tables and transfigured it into a full length mirror.

Severus joined her by the mirror. His expression was of slight annoyance and curiosity. With a graceful flick of his right wrist Severus' wand slipped into his hand. Pointing the wand at his person, he whispered "Anima Circumspectus". As he looked up from his chest to his reflection in the mirror what he saw took his breath away and made his body shiver. His mind paused, his chest constricted and his eye grew wide. His aura pulsed a deep emerald-green. It was enthralling. The color was solid and rich. Unable to command his voice he spoke softly, "How can this be?" His mind seemed to have a hard time articulating words for his mouth to say. He was utterly muddled. Severus looked into Minerva's face.

She stood only an arm's length away and made no move to react or comment in any way. Her face gave away nothing. Best to let him come to the conclusion on his own, she thought her herself. Minerva had dealt with Severus Tobias Snape for 28 years. She had learned a few things about manage the surly young man. She allowed herself a mental smile. Minerva returned the side table to its original state and Severus began to pace.

"Minerva, How can this be?" His voice was low and deep. "My soul has changed. It looks pristine?" His speech pattern sped up marginally as he began to voice his thoughts. "You cannot repair your soul! What happened to me?" Severus was in awe. He could fathom no logical explanation. Then Minerva's words came back to him. "I believe Miss Grainger cast a very ancient incantation." He stopped mid stride and glared at the stone floor in front of him as if it had offended him in some way. With fearful yet furious expectation he looked at Minerva. This type of magic had to require a sacrifice of some kind. This was too great a deed. A feeling of being greatly encroached upon swept over him. Severus enunciated each word with disgust as he asked, "What did she do?". Before he could immerse himself in those feelings Minerva spoke two words that had him leaning heavily on the bookcase to his left.

Minerva spoke firmly but gently, "Vora-Eros." Her eyes pinched. She wanted to tear up at the confession. "The scientific name is Votum Eros Contego Praesto presto, in short Vora-Eros. Have you heard of it before?"

Severus was a million miles away. He focused on his breathing for a moment. In thru the nose out thru the mouth. In thru the nose out thru the mouth. You need clarity Sev. Yes, he had heard of the Vora-Eros incantation in his theology studies while working towards his Potions Mastery. The incantation was more a theory than a proven spell. The few excerpts known to the wizarding world at large were broad in summation and minimal in instruction. Severus recalled the readings of his earlier years. The Vora-Eros allows a family member who wishes to save a dying loved one to beseech Eros, the God of love, to prevent their loved ones death. The caster must be willing to die in love and charity for the other person. It is believed that the sacrificial act would appease death with the soul of the caster and allow the loved one to survive. Some translations specifically stated only family members as in blood or husbands and wives could successfully cast the spell. It is believed that the spell works by pinpointing the moment just before death, awaits for the soul to fracture as it begins to embark on its journey from the body of the dying loved one and absorbs the soul of the caster; binding the escaping soul back to the body of their loved one. The insertion of an external soul restores health to the recipient. Unlike a Horcrux the breaking of the soul and installing it into another does not create a life bond but may kill the caster.

Authors Note:

Anima (Latin) Def. Soul or spirit

Circumspectus (Latin) Def. Visual examination, contemplation

Votum (Latin) Def. Promise to God, prayer, wish or desire

Contego (Latin) Def. To protect

Praesto presto (Latin) Def. To be responsible for