Interlude:Severus

I had just Apparated across half of New England when I'd returned from escorting several Hunters and their quarry to Inferno, and I was developing a first class migraine from it. So I stopped back at the hotel room to take a Headache Remedy before joining Teri and the kids at the beach, which was where we'd planned to spend most of the day. I appeared in the room with a soft pop, and went immediately to my potions kit and drew out the vial of clear fizzy potion and gulped it down. I knew better than to wait, for long distance Apparition is hell on me, and the last thing I needed was to develop a full-blown migraine.

It usually doesn't hit me until the return trip though, which was why I didn't bother taking it with me. I was just shutting the case when I spotted the envelope resting against my suitcase. It was addressed Dad and I recognized Gavin's handwriting immediately, Merlin knew I'd seen enough of it on assignments and lines for detention.

I picked it up and opened it, wondering what could be so important that he'd had to leave me a note rather than simply wait until I came back from my assignment to speak with me. It was only a few lines and I read it swiftly, my jaw clenched in fury.

Dad,

By the time you read this, I'll already be at Rochester Street, trying to rescue Monkey from the Brotherhood. I would have told you this morning about my plan, but you were called away and I couldn't wait. They kidnapped her from NYC and have been keeping her prisoner for over a week, trying to get her to reveal information about us and our world. I spotted her face at the window of their headquarters yesterday and I went out last night to see if it was really her. I managed to speak cant with her for a few minutes, and she told me what had happened and to tell you she needed help. I was going to, honest, but you vanished before I got the chance and something tells me I can't wait for you to get back before I go for her, so I'm writing this to let you know where I am and what I'm doing.

I should be back soon, and I'm really sorry, Dad, about disobeying you and all, but Ravens stick together. Please forgive me, sir. I know this doesn't excuse me from punishment, but I promise I'll explain everything later.

Regretfully,

Gavin

PS If I'm not back by one o'clock, something's happened and you should come looking for me.

Of all the irresponsible, reckless, stupid, Goddamn stunts! I thought furiously. "Son of a bitch, Gavin!" I yelled. Then I said it again, because I couldn't comprehend for a moment how my son could have done something like this. Again.

After what had almost happened when he'd run off without a word to New York to rescue that gang friend of his, Smoke or whatever he was called, and nearly ended up getting killed by Draco Malfoy six months ago, you'd have thought he'd learned his lesson. But no, here he was, doing almost the exact same thing, by Merlin's flaming staff!

My hand clenched on the parchment, crumpling it slightly. Just wait till I get my hands on you, Gavin Albus Snape! You'll be lucky if you see the outside of your room for a month, you crazy kid. A muscle throbbed in my jaw and I forced myself to take a deep breath. It wouldn't do to give myself a stroke before I found the disobedient little wretch and taught him a good lesson. Oh, but I was furious enough to paddle that kid's behind until he couldn't sit down for a day or so, swear to God. Didn't he realize what kind of fanatics the Brotherhood were? They'd been hunting and killing wizards and witches for over two centuries now, and there goes my son, waltzing over to their headquarters like it was the local mall or something.

Did he think that just because he was a firecaller that made him immune to bullets? He was an apprentice, by Merlin's ever-loving damn wand! He didn't even have six months worth of Defense training and yet he thought he was good enough to take on the Shining Path. I hit myself in the forehead. Why oh why did I always get kids who were so bloody impulsive, who were so damn determined to be heroes, who hardly ever stopped to count the cost before they went racing into danger?

You'd think I'd be used to this by now, after all the insane adventures Arista, Trish, and the rest of the SR's put me through. But no, then I had to go and adopt James Potter Jr., who had a bloody hero complex, and an impulsive streak the size of Manhattan. I massaged my temples, trying without success to relieve the sudden pounding behind my eyes. I glanced at my watch.

1:30.

I slammed my fist on the nightstand and spat a few choice curses my father had always been fond of, the only useful thing I'd ever learned from the bastard.

If I'm not back by one o'clock, something's happened and you should come looking for me.

I felt my stomach clench in fear. I didn't even want to contemplate what might be happening, or had happened. I knew more than I wanted to about the so called Shining Path's methods of "persuasion" and how they liked to play with the wizards they captured before they executed them. Ambrose and Evelyn Proctor had been very explicit when I'd questioned them about the Brotherhood's practices.

They might not be able to use magic, but they were nearly as evil as the Death Eaters, and like them they believed their cause was a holy one, sanctioned by God. It made me sick, the way they profaned God's message to suit their own twisted notions of purity and vengeance. They were fanatics of the worst sort, like the Nazis or the Al Quaida, and those were always the most dangerous, for they feared nothing, not even death.

I shivered just imagining what they could be doing to my child or his friend. I had to go and find him, but I couldn't leave my sister-in-law and my nephews undefended. I had to go warn them first and take them somewhere safe. Then I could go rescue my crazy impulsive son. At least he had the sense to leave me a note this time, I acknowledged reluctantly. Maybe I wouldn't wallop him into next week, only tomorrow morning.

Assuming, of course, that he wasn't injured or worse. For if they'd harmed him in any way, shape or, form, they'd see the wrath of a master wizard, all right. I'd take them apart, and there wouldn't be enough of them left over to put in a burial urn. They could do their explaining to God while I explained myself to the President of the AMA, I thought, trembling with fear and fury. Just let my son be alive. Alive so I could hold him and hug him and shake him till his teeth rattled and whack his ass, then tell him I forgave him. That was all I asked for.

Because if he weren't-no, Sev, don't even go there! Don't even think of it. Gavin was alive, he had to be. I hoped as well that his little friend, the spunky street brat Jane Eyre Arnold, was also all right. Muggle though she was, she was a true friend to us wizards, and I hated above all to think of a child her age hurt for any reason.

I took another deep breath, shrunk my potions kit and stuffed it in my jacket pocket just in case, then I called Colin, who was my second-in-command, Hunter Combat Master, and my surrogate little brother. I told him what had happened and that I wanted a backup team on Red Two Alert status, meaning that they should be prepared to move when I signaled them.

Then I Apparated to the beach near the hotel, where Teri and the twins were soaking up the sand and the surf. What a way to end a blasted vacation.

* * * * * *

"Sev, I had no idea he was planning anything," Teri cried after I'd shown her the note. She looked like she was going to pass out, so I quickly grabbed her arm and told her to breathe. She took several deep breaths and then said, "He told me he wasn't feeling well and he wanted to go lie down at the hotel. I knew I should have followed him. I'm so sorry, I was responsible for him . . ."

"Teri, please! It's not your fault. Gavin's a magnet for trouble, you can't be expected to keep an eye on him every second. I thought he'd learned better after the last time, but I guess not. Incorrigible damn brat!" I growled.

"Uh oh. Gav's dead meat," I heard Nick mutter to Drew from behind me.

Yes, he was indeed.

"Yup. Uncle Sev's gonna kick his ass all the way to Cape May," Drew predicted.

Yes, I was in the mood to do some ass kicking all right. My son's and anyone else who got in my way.

"Teri, go back to the hotel and get the rest of our things, if you don't mind. We'll be relocating somewhere else for the time being. Somewhere that's warded and has Hunters patrolling," I instructed her.

"What about Gavin, Sev?"

"Don't worry, I'm going to find him. But I need you three under cover first. I'm not taking any chances on you becoming targets too. Hurry now."

She Disapparated with a soft pop and I turned to look at my nephews. "Did you two know anything about this crazy scheme of Gavin's?" I asked, giving them one of my best glares.

Both of them shook their heads and met my eyes, so I knew they were being honest. "No sir. Gavin never said anything to us about going to rescue a girl." Nick said.

"He told us the house was haunted," added Drew helpfully.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you see, we went around Salem yesterday, to see some houses people said were haunted," Drew explained, digging a toe in the sand. He looked slightly embarrassed. "Gavin told us the one on Rochester Street was haunted too, but he never said anything about seeing his girlfriend inside it."

"Who said she was his girlfriend, idiot?" sneered Nick.

Drew shot his twin an irritated glance. "What the heck else d'you call it, Mr. Brilliant, when he risks his neck for her? If she ain't his girlfriend now, she sure as blazes ought to be."

"Like you know so much about girls."

"More than you."

"Enough bickering, you two," I said shortly, in no mood to have to break up another fistfight between them. They quarreled at the drop of a hat, over just about everything, Merlin help me! Typical brothers.

Teri returned before they could really get on my nerves, however, and then we each took a child and Apparated to my chosen safe house, which was Evelyn Proctor's place. She was a DHI informant, a widow who lived alone except for her seven cats and she had the room and the inclination to host my in-laws for a night or two. She had volunteered to help me with the investigation as much as she could, since she was seventy-five and had seen all there was to see about Salem and knew most of the locals too. I was very grateful for her assistance and I hoped she wouldn't mind us dropping in unannounced, so to speak.

I'd set up wards last time I'd come to her house, and they shimmered slightly when we walked onto the property, but permitted us to cross. They would stop a necromancer or a member of the Shining Path dead, though. That was at first. Those with dark auras or intentions would first come up against a barrier, like a sheet of glass, and get a slight shock. A warning. If they ignored it and tried to cross, the warning would become a bit more pointed, becoming a barrier of white fire and giving the person a nasty jolt and knocking them down. The third time, if there was a third time, the dark wizard would be the recipient of bolt that would scramble his brain for him, if not kill him outright.

Normally I didn't set wards to kill, but after what I'd learned of the Shining Path, I was taking no chances with the safety of my people.

I knew Teri and the boys would be safe here with Evelyn, and Erik Magnusson, my resident Hunter, would protect them with his life. Magnusson was one of my best, he'd been one of Colin's former apprentices, and once I contacted him and told him my family was joining Evelyn, nothing short of death would prevent him from doing his duty. His partner, Leshira, was a magicat, that's a magical panther that can blend into the shadows and is telepathic. Leshira was on the Hunter roster as a Magical Ally, basically that meant a non-human Hunter, like the bronze dragons. Magicats were one of the few species of magical animals willing to form partnerships with human wizards, and they were given full status with human Hunters as per the AMA. Leshira was one of six magicats currently in my employ. Between Erik and Leshira, my family would be well guarded.

I flipped open my spellophone and called Magnusson, informing him of the new arrivals. He took it in stride, cooly professional, as I'd expected. "Leshira and I will be watching, sir. Good hunting, Director."

"Watch well, Magnusson. Snape out." I said, then I escorted Teri and the kids up the front walk and introduced them to Evelyn.

"Of course your family is always welcome in my home, Director Snape," Evelyn said, displaying a level of warmth and politeness that had become lost over the years and to today's generation was a mere notion. She had Teri and my nephews seated at her table and eating homemade peach melba cake and drinking lemonade before you could say Quidditch, and would have pressed some on me as well, but I gently declined.

"I have to find my son, Evelyn, otherwise I'd take you up on your offer, it looks delicious."

"Thank you, Director. One of the few pleasures I have is baking," she said, smiling wistfully. "I hope you get your son back safe, sir. The Brotherhood has been most . . .agitated of late. They seem to be targeting more and more young people of late. Did young Tristan Meese contact you about being targeted by them as well? Or his teacher?"

I was puzzled. "Tristan Meese? Who is that?"

"A young wizard apprentice. He came to see me two days ago and I told him to tell his master to speak with you, to set up some Hunter protection. You mean he hasn't gotten in touch with you?"

"Not that I'm aware of." There was a nagging suspicion in the back of my head. "Evelyn, what did this boy look like?"

She didn't hesitate but answered promptly that he was around eleven, with blond hair that waved slightly, was average height, had blue eyes and wore glasses. The description was none that I recognized. "Anything else you can tell me about him?"

"Well, he seemed very concerned over the attacks and wanted to know about the Brotherhood. I told him all I dared, he seemed unusually intuitive for one so young. My cats liked him, and they don't cozy up to just anyone."

Alarm bells were going off in my head now. The one thing I hadn't been able to figure out was how the hell Gavin had figured out the location of the Shining Path headquarters. It wasn't as if they hung a sign out advertising themselves, after all. Yet he'd told me the address in his note, and that was privileged information. "Evelyn, did you happen to mention the Brotherhood's headquarters to that apprentice?"

"Yes, Director, I thought he should know how to avoid them," she answered, looking uneasy. "Have I done something wrong, sir?"

I shook my head. "No, Mrs. Proctor, you haven't." It wasn't your fault you were tricked by my sneaky son, who disguised himself with a glamour and masqueraded as Tristan Meese to gain information he wasn't meant to know. Oh, you have much to answer for, scamp!

Still, it was a clever bit of spying, and if I hadn't been so angry with him for risking his blasted neck, I'd be proud for his ingenuity. He was more like me than he thought, my son in spirit, if not blood, I sighed. But he was in for a very long lecture when I finally got him safe at home, sure as my name was Severus Tobias Snape.

But first you have to find him, Severus, my inner voice reminded me, and thus I bid goodbye to Evelyn and my family and went towards Rochester Street.

I walked very quickly, not daring to Apparate, as there were too many people about. I wasn't only worried about being seen using magic, but Apparition's dangerous in crowds, since the spot you intend to Apparate to can sometimes disappear if a person walks onto it. And then you can kill yourself or someone else. Well, I wasn't about to risk that. So I walked, and was very grateful for my long legs, which covered the distance from Evelyn's house to Rochester Street very quickly.

I was dressed in typical Muggle clothing, black pants, shoes, and a silver T-shirt with a picture of John Wayne on it and underneath it the words I'm the law in this town. That was Trish's little joke, for the Director really was the law in these parts, at least according to wizard standards. And I also happened to like John Wayne. He played characters I could relate to, tough, gritty, no-nonsense men who didn't give a damn what other people thought, but they did what was right.

The way I hoped I was doing right now.

My wand was tucked in my holder along my leg, nearly invisible against my black pants.

Luckily it was past lunch hour and there weren't too many people in Salem out and about right then. I wanted to avoid drawing a crowd, if possible. I was about thirty feet from the Shining Path headquarters when I caught sight of a slender girl with straggling dark hair limping down the street.

I had only met her once, but I never forget a face.

I opened my mouth to call to her, but then she looked up and spotted me.

I cursed under my breath, for the child had bruises all over her face and legs, and the sparkle I'd seen in her eyes last time we'd met was doused to a mere flicker. Oh, child, what have they done to you?

"Mr. Snape!" she cried and I halted and waited until she made her way over to me.

I flexed my fingers and cast a swift glamour over us, so all people would see was a girl meeting an old friend or a relative. My son isn't the only one who can weave expert glamours in the family. They'd been my stock in trade back when I was a spy.

"I knew you'd come!" she gasped, then practically fell into my arms, her bad leg giving way at that moment.

I caught her easily, she weighed almost nothing. Whatever those bastards had been doing, it sure as hell hadn't involved feeding the poor girl. She bit her lip when I picked her up, but other than that made no protest. "Where are you hurt, child?" I whispered. "And where's Gavin?"

"Back there," she jerked a thumb back at where the mansion was. "He tol' me to skedaddle out the window, so I did, but he was supposed to come after me, only he never showed." She shook her head, blinking hard, fighting tears. "I tol him not to come alone, but he never listens to me, damn it all! And now I think they've got him, the miserable bitching bastards."

"I'll get him out of there, Miss Jane," I said, reverting to my familiar teacher persona, since I felt most comfortable dealing with the little waif that way. I shifted my grip on her slightly, sensing I was causing her some discomfort. "But first I need to get you somewhere safe. What did those bastards do to you, child?"

She buried her face in my shirt, shaking. "Don't ask. Please, Mr. Snape. Please. You don't wanna know."

Oh hell. "All right. Calm down, child," I said, making my voice as soft as possible. The poor thing was shaking like a leaf.

"They wanted me to tell them about you . . .wizards, I mean," she continued in a strained voice, reminiscent of those I'd rescued from Voldemort's tender mercies. "But I didn't tell them nothing, sir! I'm no snitch like Slick was. No sir. Not me. Not me." Her voice broke then and she shivered and clutched me even tighter. I could feel her crying softly against my shirt.

I felt rage surge through me and I longed to go and curse every one of those sick evil people to oblivion. They'd beaten and tortured a twelve-year-old girl for nothing, demanding information she couldn't possibly have given them, because she barely knew anything about the wizarding world, except what little Gavin shared with her in his letters. "Shh, child. You were a brave girl, Janie. Such a brave girl," I told her, reaching up with a hand to stroke her hair. Children find that very soothing, especially when frightened. "You're going to be all right, I promise."

"I didn't betray none of you," she repeated, sniffling. "I done good, right, sir?"

"Very good, little one," I answered, and my heart caught at her query, which was nothing so much as that of a child seeking approval from a father. And I knew damn good and well this girl had never known her father at all, her mother was lucky if she even remembered the man's name, if that. I continued walking, cradling the child in my arms as if she were a valuable glass object.

That was one more I owed the Brotherhood of the Shining Path, I thought furiously as I made my way back to Evelyn's place. And I'd collect on the debt, by God. I was sick and tired of these scum preying on innocent children, and unlike the last time, during the Second Wizard War, as it was now being called, I didn't have to sit back and allow it to happen, for fear of blowing my damn cover.

Like my shirt said, I was the law in this town, and I could fight openly against those bastards. My assistant Stanley was fond of saying that hell hath no fury like a Snape. That was a fact those witch hunters were going to learn to their sorrow. I'd make them regret hurting the child in my arms for eternity, or my name wasn't Severus Snape.

Ten minutes later I was carrying her up the stairs and into the house. Across the lawn I'd caught a glimpse of Hunter Magnusson and given him a short nod. Leshira I never saw, but then you never saw a magicat unless it wanted to be seen, that was part of its magic.

"Sev, what happened? That's not . . .?" Teri cried, rushing over to see who it was I held in my arms.

"No, it's not Gavin. This is Jane Arnold, Teri. Gavin's friend."

"Jus' call me Monkey," she muttered, half turning about to peer at Teri.

"Monkey?" Teri raised an eyebrow at me.

"Her street name. She's a Raven, like Gavin used to be," I explained.

"Witch child?"

I shook my head no.

She was horrified. "Then why did they take her?"

"Because the bastards thought she was an easy mark. Only they were wrong."

"Damn straight," came the defiant little whisper.

I felt my mouth twitch into a half smile at her undaunted spirit. She had more guts than many an adult wizard. "Evelyn, d'you mind if we borrow a guest bedroom?" I asked my host, who shook her head and pointed down a short hallway off the kitchen.

I entered the guest room, which was done in soothing blue and silver accents, and carefully set the injured girl down on the bed. She glanced up at me, her lower lip trembling.

I knelt down so I was less intimidating and said, "Jane, I can guess at some of what they did to you, the evidence is all over your face, child. But I want to make a more thorough examination, if you'll permit me. Otherwise I can call Teri, if you'd rather a woman do it."

"Are you a doctor too?"

"No, I don't have a medical degree, but I've been trained as a medic, which means I can diagnose and prescribe Healing potions and perform some Healing spells. It's a requirement for a Potions Master." I explained simply. I knew quite a bit about battlefield trauma as well, more than an ordinary wizard, due to my background as an agent.

I leaned back on my heels and waited for her answer.

She licked her lips then said softly, "Who's Teri? The woman you were talkin' to?"

"Teri's my sister-in-law. She's a magician too as well as a librarian."

"Oh. Are you gonna use magic on me? Or do I gotta take off clothes?"

Well, that was direct. "Part of my exam can be done with magic, but I may have to ask you to undress when I need to apply potions," I replied honestly. "If that makes you uncomfortable, I can call Teri instead."

Slowly she shook her head. "No. I'd rather you, if you don't mind, Severus. I know you."

"If you're sure?" she gave me a nod. "Very well." I withdrew my potions kit from my pocket and enlarged it back to its proper size. Then I took my wand out. "Before I begin my diagnostic charm, I need to ask you a, uh, rather personal question," I said quietly, meeting her eyes steadily. I hated bringing this up, but I had to know, though I was dreading the answer. "Those men who hurt you, little one, did they sexually assault you?" Please God, say no.

She shook her head, blushing. "No, they didn't get the chance to rape me, Severus. Their leader, Captain Hawthorne, told 'em I was to be untouched, that I was tainted or somethin'!" Her eyes flashed and she spat on the floor. "Guess I oughta be grateful, an' I am, but still . . .I'm not dirt, know what I mean?"

Tears gathered in her eyes again and I quickly conjured her a handkerchief. Then I gently patted her shoulder. "Of course you aren't, young lady. They're dirt, believe me." Bastards! Lord only knew what they'd said to her, probably made her feel like pond slime, poor kid. "Okay. I am very relieved to hear that, Janie," I said, reverting back to the more familiar form of address in order to make her relax. "Now, I'm going to run a very basic diagnostic charm over you. It won't hurt, but you may feel an odd sort of tingle along your bones. Just relax." I intoned the incantation. "Medica Exacto!" Then I brought my wand up and ran it over her, starting with her head.

She shut her eyes, and I let the spell catalogue her breathing, pulse, heart rate, and other vital signs. She was slightly anemic, had a mild congestion in her lungs, and was malnourished and vitamin deficient. I could have guessed that myself, but I was just as glad to have it confirmed. Most of her injuries were superficial, by that I mean non-life threatening and not internal. She was bruised all over, scraped raw in some places, and her ankle had a nasty infected cut on it. The worst injury had been done to her ribs, where some bloody bastard had kicked her, most likely. He'd fractured a rib, according to the charm. It was easily mended, but painful nonetheless. She also had welts, as if from a belt or a switch, on her arms and the back of her thighs.

I winced in sympathy, no one knew better than I how much they hurt. Luckily I had just the thing in my kit to soothe away the sting.

The spell also confirmed the truth of her answer to my earlier question, she was untouched, thank God. At least in that respect. In other ways . . .I lowered my wand. "You can open your eyes now, Jane. I'm finished with that part," I said quietly.

"It felt weird. Kind of like an electric shock, but not really."

I nodded. "I'm going to cast one more charm on you, then I can start healing you, child," I explained, then recited the disease charm, which would check for any infectious bacteria or viruses. It came back negative, she didn't have anything like tuberculosis or strep. I tucked my wand back in its holder and stood up.

"Well, Janie, the worst you're suffering from physically is a fractured rib and numerous bruises and cuts. Those I can mend with my potions kit." I removed several jars and vials from it. "Some of this stuff isn't going to taste good, so just swallow it quickly. I'll give you water afterwards."

"Okay."

"This is a Calming Draught," I handed her the vial of lavender colored potion. "It doesn't taste all that bad, and it'll help you relax. Drink the entire dose, please."

She obeyed, downing it in two swallows. "Tastes kind of like roses and marshmallows."

"Yes. I'm going to mend your rib first, child, and for that I need you to take off your shirt and lie down."

I decided I'd give her the Bone-Knit Elixir after I'd massaged in some of my special salve that reduced swelling and pain, it was a lower grade of Skele-Gro, and it worked quickly and would hurt a bit, which was why I'd given her the Calming Draught first. I'd give her a pain reliever after that, it wasn't good to mix the pain reliever with the Calming Draught, it tended to put the person into a very heavy sleep, and in her weakened condition, that would be bad, almost like a coma. And mixing the pain reliever with the bone elixir would cause the patient to throw up violently.

She had removed her shirt by then and I swore softly at the bruises that covered her torso. She looked like a bloody patchwork quilt. I don't know how she managed to let me carry her without crying more than she did. I took a deep breath. All right, Snape, quit thinking about revenge and just heal your patient. I quickly made myself go into my analytical medic mode, which allowed me to diagnose and treat her objectively. I could put my fist through a wall later.

I uncapped my jar of Muscle Repair Salve, which was my own invention. It was one of my best healing salves. Jane was lying down, eyeing me a little warily. "Is that more magic stuff, Severus?"

"Yes, this is a salve to heal swelling of muscles and tendons, I'm going to massage it into your chest, where that rib of yours is hurt. It might feel a bit hot and then cold and I'll be putting pressure on you there, so I apologize if I hurt you."

"Go ahead. I ain't a wimp."

I chuckled. "No one could ever call you that, Miss Arnold." I then began to work in the salve, rubbing it in with firm strokes in an even circular motion.

She winced and I murmured softly, "Relax, child. That's good. Almost done."

I massaged the muscle along her ribcage for a good five minutes, making certain the salve had penetrated down deep. She was quiet, though I knew it hurt, try though I did to be gentle.

"How do you feel?" I asked when I was done, wiping my hands on a cloth.

"Much better," she declared, her eyes shining. "Is it healed then?"

"Not quite. But the swelling and pain is reduced greatly. It'll be healed when you take this next potion, a Bone-Knit Elixir. And this is one of the nasty tasting ones, so take it in one swallow," I warned. There was no way for me to improve the taste of some of the healing drafts without ruining the potency.

She was better at taking medicine than my son, she simply gulped it down without argument, though she made a face afterwards.

"Yuck! Tastes awful! Like somebody's socks."

"Sorry. Here's some water." I handed her a glass.

Then I told her that the elixir would mend her rib in a matter of ten minutes, and warned her that it'd hurt at first. Once it was over, I'd give her a pain relieving draft.

She gasped, and I knew the elixir had started to work. I gave her my hand and she squeezed it when the pain worsened, but otherwise made no sound.

It was over in ten minutes and then I re-cast the diagnostic charm, making sure the rib was fully mended. It was. "Would you like a pain reliever now, Jane?"

"Is that like magic Tylenol?"

I chuckled and nodded. "It is. Here." I handed her the blue vial and she drank it down.

Then I moved on to the various bruises and cuts she had gathered. I cleaned the cut on her ankle with a disinfectant first, then applied a salve that healed wounds in an hour to it. I wrapped it in a soft bandage. Then I anointed the bruises on her upper body with bruise balm. She was drifting in and out of sleep by then, and I transfigured her shirt into a soft nightgown.

Then I removed the rest of her clothing, and applied the bruise balm and HealAll to every damn bruise and welt on her. Most of them were on her legs, thighs, and bottom, and I muttered angrily over them, wishing I could take whoever'd done this and beat the bugger till he begged for mercy, then do it all over again.

That took about fifteen minutes, but then I quickly replaced her underclothes and pulled the nightgown over her head. She was half asleep when I tucked the covers around her and dimmed the lamp. "Sleep well, child," I whispered, then kissed her forehead the way I used to do with my own daughters.

She smiled and whispered, "Thanks," before falling fast asleep.

I left her sleeping, knowing I'd healed her body, but only time would heal her mind. That was not something I could fix in an hour, or even a day.

Now it was time to return to the headquarters of the so-called witch hunters and rescue Gavin, and kick some ass while I was at it.

And yes, he WILL do it too!

Next: Back to Gavin's POV as you see just what the Captain plans to do with him.