What is it like to die?
Does it hurt? Is it painful?
Do you remember the mere act of dying, specifics perhaps, or does it all become a distant memory, a blur of sorts?
It just so happened, that on this very evening, the Auror and Warewolf known as Remus Lupin had thoughts such as these mulling about in his head, as he gazed into the helpless dark eyes of the man trying desperately to hold him up. The Potions Master did not have to utter another word as he looked at the fading man in front of him, for the current circumstances proved clear as crystal.
Remus was dying. And on what had planned to be one of the best days of his life.
How ironic indeed…
Remus Lupin had awoken early that morning. Making sure not to disturb the purple-haired woman sleeping next to him, he shimmied out of bed, dressed in the darkened bedroom, and headed on to his destination of choice: Diagon Alley. There, the Auror was to pick up an object of great worth, an item so dear to his heart, an article of jewelry that he knew deep down would bring joy to the woman that held his spirit so dear.
Remus was picking up an engagement ring. And he was going to propose to Nymphadora Tonks on this very night.
As luck would have it, he was spotted by a Death Eater in disguise no less, sneaking around the marketplace in Diagon Alley, looking for anything that merely resembled trouble, or anything that could bring about a bit of…fun. Alas, the Auror was seen, and the Death Eater thought that she would have a bit of fun with her recently acquired prisoner. Knowing who he was, knowing that it would fit into the Dark Lord's plan, she could only imagine the praise that would come her way once she showed him the Auror.
Bellatrix Lestrange stunned Lupin just as he was rounding the corner of the jewelry shop. She apparated with him to Malfoy Manor, and the rest, we can say, is history.
And there he lay, a broken man. A broken, dying man. A perfect plan gone sour…and at what cost?
Severus continued to stare down at the beaten, bloodied figure of Remus Lupin. He looked like hell. That was, indeed, putting it nicely. One could only have imagined what he had just been through, and it pained Severus to relish the thought. Having your ribs kicked, feeling them snap like twigs in your chest cavity was by far not the nicest of images.
'S...Severus...' winced Remus Lupin, in a very hoarse and scratchy voice. 'I...I owe you one...for bringing me home…' he said, trying to smile, struggling to breathe.
The Potions Master inhaled deeply, and looked grimly at the Auror. Suddenly the back door few open. The black orbs of Severus Snape snapped up to meet a set of emerald eyes.
Harry took a look at the two in the yard. His eyes grew wide, and he felt his mouth grow dry. Without another thought, he flew down the concrete steps.
'Holy shit,' he muttered to no one in particular, looking down at the mess of a man that Severus was supporting.
'What...what happened?' he asked softly, as he crouched down to look at his former Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Harry scanned Remus' body, trying to comprehend the mess in front of him.
'He is a message...from the Dark Lord,' said Snape grimly, looking down at Lupin.
Severus' eyes narrowed, and his eyes met Harry's.
'Get Molly. Granger. Anyone. Get Poppy here as well,' demanded the Potions Professor.
Harry nodded solemnly and ran back inside. Harry was running as fast as his legs could carry him through the back hallway. On the way to getting help, he came within inches to smacking directly into a very tall person standing in the back of the kitchen.
'Sorry, Kingsley. Oh Kingsley!' Harry yelled as an afterthought, as he continued to walk past him, '-it's Lupin - he's out back with Snape!' he shouted, as he continued through the hallway. Kingsley Shacklebot's eyes grew large, and he immediately ran towards the back yard.
And since the Auror was in such close proximity to the Kitchen, everyone seated (or standing for that matter) heard the news from Harry's voice.
Remus Lupin was home.
Tonks was the first to stand up. She rushed from her seat and bolted down the hallway towards the back door, orange sweater flying in the wind behind her, boots scuffing along the wooden floor. You could hear the precise moment that she saw him. She screamed, and began sobbing immediately, anguishing sobs, sobs that shook her entire body.
Hermione ran after her, and was also outside in the yard. Severus saw the look on Tonks' face, and after hearing her gut wrenching scream, was thankful that he placed a silencing spell on the yard moments before.
Hermione's eyes followed Tonks' form. Looking at what the woman had cradled in her arms made Hermione's eyes widened, and she cupped her hands to her mouth.
'Oh my God…' she whispered, standing behind where Tonks crouched to help hold her beloved.
Hermione's stomach churned for a brief moment, seeing Remus in such awful state. There was blood everywhere, and it was continuing to seep out from him, ever so slowly. With her eyes, she began to observe and assess the man in front of her, trying to think of where to begin first.
Hermione Granger had planned on training as a healer when she finished Hogwarts. She had made her intentions quite clear to her head of house, and most students and teachers were thankful to have an extra set of hands on board for particularly aggressive quidditch matches. Natrually, Madame Pomfrey was eager to help Hermione in her chosen path, giving her tips and tricks, showing her the best way to wrap bandages, administer potions, and so on. As luck would have it, it was to Remus' advantage that Hermione knew a thing or two about medical triage, and the young girl rolled up the white sleeve of her sweatshirt, couched down beside Tonks, and began working.
With eyes scanning his neck and face area, she reached for his carotid artery in his neck and began checking his pulse.
It was bounding. She had better hurry.
As evidenced by the blood that surrounded those on the ground, it was clear that Remus Lupin was going into shock. There wasn't time to get him to Saint Mungos. She had to begin working on him right here, right now, or else it would be too late.
Hermione instantly began yelling orders, as her hands began moving along his dying form.
She heard Snape muttered an invisibility spell, something he had forgotten to do before. Though the yard was quite empty, there was no telling whether or not they would be spotted.
Hermione also began muttering several complex spells and incantations to help the badly injured man who lay before her. After a moment or so, the bleeding had slowed, and eventually stopped. Madame Pomfrey had arrived, and began helping Hermione. After awhile, things began to become under control. By the time Hermione had checked his wounds one final time, wrapped an appendage here and there, and mended the back of his head with a row of stitches under Madame Pomfrey's guidance, Hermione finally stood up.
She winced, placing a hand on the small of her back. Crouching all that time had not done her well, and she closed her eyes from the pain. She inhaled deeply and exhaled, closing her eyes. Opening her eyes, she brought both hands in front of her.
Her hands were covered with blood, her sweatshirt stained crimson, and her jeans were much the same.
Minerva McGonagle, who had also come outside to offer help, had softly spoken a spell which lifted Remus Lupin in the air a few feet off of the ground. The unconscious man was followed by the Headmistress, Tonks, Madame Pomfrey, and Kingsley, who all scurried behind to follow the sleeping man into the house.
The only people who were left outside were Hermione, bloodied and who still had yet to place a concealment charm on her abdomen, and Severus Snape, who was also mildly covered in blood.
Both stood silently side-by-side, breathing inaudibly as they watched the others make their way into Headquarters behind the injured man.
Severus turned his head to look at Hermione.
'Nice work Granger. A Healer in training, I presume?' he questioned, one eyebrow raised.
'In training is the key word here, Professor…' she said softly, face as blank as an overcast sky, still staring at the place where Lupin was lying just moments before.
She turned her head to look at the Potions Master.
'What did they want with him,' she whispered, searching the Potion Master's face for answers.
Severus regarded her question for a moment, and ignored it for the time being. He waved his hand, and muttered a spell to clean up his hands and clothing, as well as the blood and extra bandages that were lying aimlessly on the gray cement.
'He, Miss Granger, was a warning,' said Severus icily, looking up at the darkening sky, avoiding her eyes.
She looked at him with confusion. 'A warning?' she asked in disbelief.
Severus turned his focus on the ground below.
'The Dark Lord wants to prove that he will harm, kill, destroy anyone and anything that gets in his way. Anything...except you, Miss Granger. For at this particular time, you appear to be...quite untouchable. You are not to be harmed…at least not yet,' he added quietly, closing his eyes and opening them slowly.
She moved in front of him, damned for him to look at her, look into her eyes and tell her exactly what was going on. She could feel anger begin to swell within her, and it took all of her being not to grab him by the collar and demand answers.
'Harmed? What are you talking about? What do you know that we don't?' she boldly probed, a mixture of confusion and fury on her face.
'Miss Granger,' he said, owning up to the inevitable and looking her straight in the eye, '...there has been a prophecy. A prophecy regarding you, Potter...and your child….'
Before Hermione could say anything, Harry bolted out the back door. Hermione turned around to face her beloved.
'Mione!' he shouted, rushing over to her, giving her a hug and a kiss on the forehead, ignoring the fact that she was still covered in blood.
'How...how is he?' she asked Harry, trying to hide the fear she held within.
'He's on the mend. He's conscious. Sleepy, but aware of his surroundings. He...Mione?' Harry asked, suddenly looking at Hermione.
Hermione refused to look at Harry. She had tears welling in her eyes. One tear had escaped her eye, and was traveling ever so slowly down her redden cheek. Harry bent his head down trying to look her in the eye.
'Mione, what's wrong love?' he asked her softly, trying to read her face, and then proceeding to look up at the hardened face of Severus Snape for answers. The Potions Master continued to stand with his arms crossed, staring at Harry, not uttering a single word.
Harry looked back at Hermione. He took both of his warm hands, cupping them around her face, forcing her to look at him. He looked into her eyes. She didn't look sad, Harry thought. Rather, she looked…scared, or frightened perhaps.
'Harry...oh Harry...' she whispered. 'There's...there's been a prophecy...about...about us...all of us...' she said, wiping another tear from her face with the back of her sleeve.
'Wh...what? Mione what are you talking about?' asked Harry, who was both suddenly concerned and angered by her words.
Severus Snape took one step forward.
'It is true Potter. Months ago, there had been a prophecy about the two of you...and your child. The Dark Lord is fully informed, and he is using it to his...advantage,' said Severus quietly, still standing in place.
'Prophecy? But...but when did you find out? Who…who told Voldemort? Why in Gods name didn't you tell us this before!?' roared Harry, who let go of Hermione's face and began walking towards the aging Professor, the fury in his voice and hatred upon his face ever growing.
Rather than retaliating, Severus closed his eyes.
'The current circumstances have become complicated, Potter. An explanation is warranted, and shall be given once we are indoors,' he stated, looking at the Boy Who Lived.
'You…you realize that maybe you could have told us this information before?! I...I can't believe this!' shouted Harry who was venting quite loudly and becoming angered.
The Potions Master stood silently, arms crossed, feet planted on the ground. He had expected him to react this way, had he ever found out.
'What the hell were you waiting for, Snape?! For us...for her to die? God damnit if it's about us, then we should bloody well know about it!' he yelled.
Harry turned around swiftly and made his way up the steps to enter the back door. He stopped in his tracks and turned around. He had a manic look upon his face, and with eyes wide, he opened his arms and spoke.
'I should have known! I should have known that you didn't change!' bellowed Harry, who then turned, pulled the back door open, and slammed it shut, making Hermione jump.
Hermione stood there looking at the door. Her eyes had continued to well, and the fear that had initially made her weep had morphed into sadness. She slowly crept towards the door, and she too turned around.
She looked at the Potions Master. His features appeared gaunt, and a tad sallow in the fading light. He looked tired and worn. Still standing with arms crossed, he looked at her as she turned around slowly.
'When?' she asked softly, looking into his black orbs.
'Since January,' he answered gravely.
They stood, feet apart, looking at each other.
'Why?' she whispered, her voice cracking.
Severus' face hardened. He knew the answer, had known the answer for months. With eyes still intent upon hers, he answered.
'I wanted to protect you. All of you.' he stated quietly, never taking his eyes off of her.
She turned and slowly walked up the cement steps. Before reaching the back door, she turned once again to face him.
'I still believe that you're on our side…I still trust you, ' she said in a whisper. She turned around, put the back of her hand up to muffle a sob, and she slowly opened the door to the house, leaving it slightly ajar.
Her words, the words that she spoke to him only a moment ago, made him feel an emotion that he had not felt in a very, very longtime.
It broke his heart. It absolutely broke his heart to hear her speak that way, in a hopeful yet ultimately defeated tone. After this...after all of this, she still didn't give up. Either she was incredibly stupid, or exceptionally trusting. Severus Snape believed that it was the latter of the two that scared him the most.
The Potions Master inhaled deeply and exhaled.
He owed the two Gryffindors an explanation. That was certain. And so, he too made his way indoors, climbing the badly cracked cement steps of Number 12 Grimmauld Place, and closing the door quietly behind him.