Chapter 4
Minerva stirred awake. Her sides ached in pain. She tried to sit up, only to feel a soft hand gently push her back down. She looked up into dark black eyes. It was Severus. He sat beside her as she rested in an unfamiliar bed.
"Relax Minerva, since you were insufferably stubborn, you got all the prisoners out safely." assured Severus. His voice was low and harsh, though she could sense he was only agitated. She had caused this on him, and for that she was truly sorry.
"Where's Longbottom and Lovegood?" questioned Minerva. She found her voice raged and horse as she spoke.
Severus snorted before he answered her. "You never think of yourself do you? They're here since they weren't in any condition to apparate somewhere by themselves. They're both recuperating from Macnair."
Minerva tried to get up once again. She had to go see them, but she was pushed down again to the bed.
"Minerva, don't make me hex you to the bed. I told you to relax." threatened Severus. Minerva went to protest, but it was no use. He was right. She felt too weak to move. Minerva looked at Severus as he looked drained as well. His skin was more swallow as face looked gaunt. How long had she been resting? She then felt a hand encase around hers. It was rough and calloused, but it was warm and caring. She sighed as it was Severus's hand in which her hand was cased around.
"Severus?"
"Hmm…"
"Thank you."
Severus found himself smirking. "It's alright, as long as you don't it again."
Minerva found herself smiling. The bed started to feel more comfortable with each passing second as her eyes started to grow heavy.
"No promises." she replied before she went to sleep, though she could have sworn she heard him saying something about her and Gryffindor pride.
Neville awoke as he was in a room in which he couldn't recognize. The walls were of fainted old floral wall paper. They were covered in rose buds that looked like they were about to bloom. He was resting on top of a twin sized bed that had metal iron black bars. The sheets were pristine white as he wondered where he was. He tried to remember what happened last.
He was in the Great Hall as a determined Professor McGonagall left behind a fuming potion master. Severus had walked up to Neville as he had listened to Minerva's evaluations and fixed Neville right up. The forbidden curses had taken a toll on Neville's nerves. Whenever he tried to move the slightest they screamed in agony. He bit his bottom lip to keep from yelling out in pain.
"Longbottom, are you competent enough to look after Lovegood until I return?" asked Severus in a low growl. Neville didn't like the professor very much since he terrorized him ever since he stepped foot inside the castle at age eleven.
"Yes Sir."
"Good, then stay here while I go help Professor McGonagall." he ordered and then was off. Neville hovered over Luna's unconscious form. The way her curly bleach blonde hair sheltered her face reminded him of Hannah.
He could imagine Hannah's beaming face at him. Her white broad smile with her soft baby blue eyes were etched inside his mind. Her eyes were baby blue like the sky on a cloudless day when light shone down on them. When she felt depressed or lonely, her eyes were of a cold silver gray. He would kiss away her tears that she shed and tell her everything would be alright. He promised everything would be alright, but now look where she was. He promised something he was sure he could keep, but couldn't.
What seemed like a half hour, he heard muffled footsteps and someone's heaving breaths. Severus soon came by the entrance way with Minerva in his arms. She was bleeding all over. Her robes were drenched in what looked like her own blood. Behind him were of familiar faces. A small charms professor rushed over to Luna and Neville along with the school medi-witch and flight instructor.
"Longbottom are you alright?" asked Madame Pomfrey as she made her way towards them. Neville nodded his head weakly.
"Rest up now, we'll all be okay." she instructed and Neville was happy to oblige as he collapsed exhausted.
He was now here, wherever here was. He had enough looking around his room as he got up. He walked towards the door that led to a hallway. The wooden floor was the color of honey while the walls were painted of a warm light sun kissed orange. There were other doors that lined the hall, but Neville didn't dare go into one. He made his way down the hall cautiously until he came to the stairs. It was narrow and long. Neville slowly made his way down the stairs, trying to keep quiet, but to no avail. The stairs creaked with every step he took. He then heard footsteps coming his way. Neville peered over the banister to see there was Poppy Pomfrey coming down the hall beside the stairs.
"Hey lad, come down. Everyone is down here." she exclaimed as she motioned for Neville to follow her. Neville came down the stairs more quickly now and followed the school nurse to a kitchen. The kitchen walls were of a warm sunflower yellow with white counter tops and silver stove. It seemed homey as pictures of people he didn't recognize lined the walls.
Around the kitchen island he saw Filius Flitwick sitting on a stack of books with his right arm in a sling. Next to him was the flight instructor Rolonda Hooch. Her hair was wilder than it usually was. She had some war scars over her face as she had one large red line that was on her forehead, almost touching the hairline. Beside her was Luna. She was eating some toasted bread covered in jam.
"Luna, I'm so glad you're all right." cried Neville as he ran to hug her.
"Nice to see you too Longbottom." retorted Madame Hooch. Flitwick gave a small jab in the ribs and a warning glare.
"It's nice to see you too Neville. I'm sorry I passed out. I didn't have my charm with me to ward off the nargals. They must have overcame me."
Neville didn't believe in her nargal story, but he refrained himself from commenting on them since he was just happy to see her.
"Come, have some toast and jam Longbottom." offered Madame Pomfrey as she handed Neville a plate with two slices of toast. Neville thanked her as he spread strawberry jam over the bread, and took a bit. The tangy sweetness of the strawberries tingled his taste buds. She then poured him a glass of pumpkin juice and handed it to him.
"Food in your system will help your nervous system after the attack Macnair gave yeh." Poppy informed as her Irish accent was more distinct than before. Neville thanked her once more.
"Um…excuse me Madame Pomfrey, but where are we?" questioned Neville as his curiosity had suddenly caught up to him.
"We're at my home in Switzerland. It's the only country that has always remained a war free zone for any war that I can think of. It's also a secret place that only my husband, Professor McGonagall, and I knew of. He passed away though. You knew him Longbottom." answered Madame Pomfrey. Neville gave her a questioning look as he never really did think of his teachers' private lives. Madame Pomfrey smiled at Neville's bewildered look as she motioned him to follow her. He obeyed as he got up and followed her to the side of the kitchen where the pictures hung.
"There, that's him." she said proudly as she pointed to a picture. In the picture was a smiling younger poppy. Her hair was of a golden honey blonde that reminded Neville of Hannah again. She wore a white silhouette gown as she was kissing the cheek of a man. The man beside her had wild strawberry blonde hair as his face was a little scared, but Neville did know him. He wondered from where though. The man smiled a familiar broad toothy grin, and then it struck him. He couldn't recognize him at first without his blue magic eye and the missing chunk in on the bridge of his nose, but it was Alastor Moody.
"You were married to Mad-Eye?" Neville said shocked. Poppy nodded.
"Yes, though I would prefer you to call him Alastor Moody instead of Mad-Eye. His constant vigilance made the protective wards on this house perfect to hide out for us now."
"I'm sorry Madame Pomfrey." Neville continued to look at the picture. They booth looked so happy. There were many other pictures that surrounded them. He even recognized a teenage McGonagall which was quite a shock.
"May I ask another question?"
"Yes go right ahead Longbottom."
"Where are Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape?"
"What do you want Longbottom?" asked Severus in his usual harsh tone of voice. Neville turned around to see Severus standing there in his normal black attire looking worn out, but fierce.
When Neville didn't reply, Severus sighed. "Please Longbottom, I don't have all year. Spit it out if you have something to say."
"Why are you helping us? You killed Dumbledore." Neville finally asked the question that had been on his mind ever since the Great Hall. Everyone else seemed to lean a little closer to Severus as if they were wondering the same thing.
"Poppy, if you would be so kind, could you get me a vile?" Severus requested in an annoyed tone of voice.
"Yes headmaster." she said as politely as she could. Before she escaped the room, Severus held her back as he lightly grabbed her upper arm.
"The school is destroyed Poppy, there is no need to call me Headmaster."
Poppy snatched her arm back as she glared at Severus. "Yes Severus, I'm well aware of the conditions of Hogwarts, now do you want your vile or not?"
"I thought I'd just make myself clear."
With that, Poppy left the room to get the vile for Severus as the kitchen remained deadly silent. Some were glaring at Severus. He's been known as a traitor, but yet all of a sudden he had helped them. No, Minerva helped them, but he helped Minerva.
Filius was the first to speak as he cleared his throat. "How is Minerva?"
The mood seemed tension in the room turned to anxiety as they wanted to know. Severus walked in as he took a seat. He dropped his head in his hands as he looked stressed beyond belief.
"She's better. She needs rest though. Greyback thankfully didn't bite her, so she's normal."
"Will she get better?" asked Rolonda.
"Yes, she'll make it. You know Rolonda that she's too stubborn to not make it."
She laughed silently to herself. It was true of Minerva. She was the most stubborn person she has ever met. Poppy then came into the room as she handed Severus the vile. Severus gave her a grateful look before he carefully extracted the memories once again from his head and put them in the vile.
"Here," he handed Poppy back the vile, "Is the same evidence I showed Minerva. Do what you want with it, but if you need me, I'll be in with Minerva since I'm obviously not welcomed here."
Severus then stormed out of the kitchen and back up the stairs. Rolonda moved for the vile first from Poppy as Poppy quickly moved away from Rolonda's grasp.
"Really Ro, you don't have to jump from your seat."
"I agree, since I'm the eldest in the room, I think I shall look at the memories first." declared Filius.
"Why, I have the vile, and he told me to do what I wish with it." Poppy stated in a matter of fact tone. Rolonda huffed irritably. Filius looked a little upset too, but put up with it. Poppy then calmly went into a different room which looked like an office as it had a large desk with shelves filled with books. The desk was made out of a dark colored wood as the surface was lined with hunter green felt.
Poppy then got out the pensive as she placed it on the desk and poured out the contents of the memory in the basin. She then examined the memories first. When she came out she looked astounded.
"What'd you see Poppy? Does it look real?" asked Rolonda eagerly. When her friend didn't answer she pushed Poppy aside as she looked into the memory next. After her was Filius. All three professors were shell shocked.
"It can't be." Rolonda was the first to speak. "What a load of bull."
"I don't know. The memories looked real enough, and remember Albus's hand was dead in the beginning of last year." piped up Filius.
"I can't believe what I'm hearing!"
"Yes, and he wouldn't let me look at it. He would only let Severus look at his hand. Even under all my wrath, he wouldn't let me look at it." Poppy admitted as she had a crestfallen look upon her face.
"Really, even I can't handle an ounce of it." Rolonda was shocked while Poppy glared at her.
Filius then addressed the large white elephant in the room. "Well do we believe him?"
"He did save Minerva twice now, and I don't think a murder would do that." Poppy pointed out.
Rolonda looked a little apprehensive. "Maybe he's always been infatuated with her and killed Albus off thinking he was competition."
"Rolonda!"
"It's a possibility."
Filius ignored the two bickering women as he tried to remember things that might prove that Severus has always been on their side. "I say we vote. I vote that we trust Minerva's judgment as we have nothing to lose right now."
"I second that motion." agreed Pomona. The two looked at Rolonda who looked shocked. She then huffed irritably as she folded her arms across her chest.
"Fine then, I'd be outvoted anyway." The room then became uncomfortably silent until Rolonda broke the silence. "So what now?"
Severus stayed by Minerva's side while she rested. He watched her with careful eyes as he was ready to jump into action if he had to. Severus passed the few days by reading a book from Poppy's shelf. He couldn't relax though. A few times he had to rush to Minerva's side because she was thrashing from some horrible nightmare. She would continually yell and scream.
"No, please don't kill them! Take me!"
It nearly broke his heart to hear her scream. She was dreaming about that day in the Great Hall he guessed. She was haunted by the moment when Potter killed the Order. She still blamed herself, and would never let it go.
He slowly rocked her until she relaxed once more. She never did wake. He decided to read out loud to her. Maybe his voice would be soothing to her, but it was no use.
Thoughts of Minerva went by as he ended up reading the same sentence five times. What was he supposed to do? He couldn't exactly go back to the Dark Lord now could he? Unless maybe he…no that would never work. He needed to get away from her though. He could be putting her in more danger than she already was in. Severus had a haunch that the Dark Lord had put tracers on his death eaters, and therefore he would know where Minerva was. He had to stay as far away from her. Yes, that's what he'd do.
Several minutes later he went by Minerva's bedside once more as he looked at her one more time. This could be the last time he looked at her. No doubt the Dark Lord would come after him, but it would be for the better. He stared at her as he would always remember this moment. He brushed his slender fingers against her soft, ivory pale cheek.
He then bent down and gave her a tender kiss on her petal pink lips one last time. When he pulled away he could hear her sigh contently.
"Severus." she whispered. He thought she was awake, which would only make leaving her harder. When he realized she wasn't he started to relax again.
"I love you Minerva." He told her softly. Severus turned on his heel as he left her room and down the stairs, catching Poppy's and the other teachers' attentions.
"Where are you going?" Poppy was the first to ask.
"Just tell Minerva that I love her." He ordered before he walked out the door. They stood speechless as they wondered what had happened.
Rolonda was the first to take action as she sprinted out of the living room and up the stairs. Poppy was running after her as Filius wasn't far behind.
"Rolonda, Minerva's in a bad state! You can't barge into her room!" Poppy yelled after her, but Rolonda didn't listen. She flung Minerva's door open to find Minerva on her side sleeping. Rolonda had to grip the door frame from falling onto her face as Poppy had ran into her. Filius stepped passed him and into the room as he could barely see Minerva sleeping, but he knew she was asleep from the sound of her slow breathing.
"You're so lucky she didn't wake up." Poppy hissed under her breath to Rolonda. "Or else I would have killed you. Now let's go."
Poppy grabbed Rolonda's wrist as she dragged her out of the room. She silently closed the door as she hadn't noticed Filius was there. Filius stayed with Minerva. He knew someone should be up with her to tell her Severus had left.
He went at the foot of her bed until he heard her stir awake. Her eyes fluttered open as she then squinted from the candle Filius had lit when it became dark out.
"Filius?" was Minerva's first words. She went to sit up, only to clutch her sides. Pain shot up her body. She looked down to see that her waist down had been tightly wrapped in gauze.
"Min, dear, please lay back down. You'll reopen your wounds." Filius softly warned her. He sat at the foot of her bed as he watched her. She laid back slightly propped up by pillows on the bed. She looked calm for now. Her eyes closed as she looked like she was at peace.
When she opened her eyes, her eyes scanned the room. "I do believe we are in Poppy's house."
"That we are my dear."
"I haven't been her for years." Minerva replied smiling while she continued to look around the room. Filius started to tense as it would only be a matter of time before she asked about Severus. What was he going to tell her then? Um…sorry he left you, and you will probably never see him again. But on the bright side he said he loves you.That sounded horrible, even in his mind. Minerva could see how Filius was off in space.
'What was he thinking? In fact, where's Severus?' she thought, but she wouldn't ask him now. It would make him feel like she didn't want him there.
"Filius, I'm glad you made it out."
Filius looked up at her as he looked into her green sincere eyes. Oh he couldn't break her heart. He thought he'd be able to tell her, but he couldn't just bring himself to it.
'Come on Filius, suck it up. It's the least you could do since she save your life.' he mentally told himself.
"Minerva," Filius sighed before he continued on, "I am grateful that you saved me back in Hogwarts-"
"Filius you don't have to-"
"Minerva, please, if you don't let me say this now, I may never be able to."
"I'm sorry Filius." apologized Minerva as she looked down at her clamped hands. It seemed like this was serious.
"Since you saved me, I feel as though you have the right to know." He paused as he took in a deep breath; this was going to be hard. "Severus left earlier this morning, and I believe he doesn't have the attentions of returning any time soon. He told us to tell you he loves you before he left. I'm sorry Minerva."
Minerva sat rigid. She was motionless. She felt like she had just been slapped in the face. She felt like someone had just pulled the floor from beneath her as she was plummeting into never ending darkness. How could he do this to her?
Filius noticed how she seemed to stiffen when he told her, so he decided to give her hand a small reassuring hand before hopping off her bed and leaving her to grieve. As soon as the door had clicked close, Minerva had let herself shed a tear. She told herself she'd only shed one, but one after another, they fell freely.
She was sobbing and trying to breathe deeply to calm herself. This wasn't helping her health. Her chested heaved in pain from the attack of Greyback, but Severus was able to do more damage. How could she be so foolish? He could never love someone like her. He could never love an older woman like her. She was dreaming when he told her he loved her.
Damn him for making her cry she thought as she only cried harder. Her heart was shattered. She was in too much pain to even pick up the pieces. This was her punishment for living she thought. She balled her fists into the bed covers, causing the knuckles to turn white.
She felt like crying out loud, but she couldn't find her voice. She had lost it. For once the cat did get her tongue as she loathed the new feeling. She sunk low back into the bed, wanting to escape the world.
Her elbow came in contact with something smooth and stiff. She looked down to see a letter. It was probably from him. Did she dare read it? Her hands trembled violently, causing her fingers to be unable to even try to open the letter. As she slowly unfolded it she saw that it was a letter in his hand writing. She had to put the letter on her lap to read it straight, her hands were shaking so badly. She had to stop from crying so hard, so she could hear herself think. Her eyes scanned the parchment as she read his parting words.
My Dear Minerva,
If you are reading this now, you can see that I am not by your side, the only true place I wish to be. I suspect the Dark Lord has tracers on me. I cannot let him find you. If he ever got to you, I would not be able to live with myself. Therefore, I must unwillingly leave your side, though don't you for a second think that I don't love you like you probably are right now. In no doubt in my mind, do I have any regrets in loving you. The only regret I have is not being able to be with you. Please promise me you won't do anything stupid, despite your Gryffindor pride.
The Dark Lord has Brittan, but knowing him, he will be hungry for more power. You must go and make allies with other countries. A new war has just begun. I know you are strong and you can do it Minerva, I have faith in you. I love you Minerva with all my heart, but this is for the best. When the war is over, I shall see you again. Till then my love, keep safe.
Love,
Your Severus
Her hand snatched it from her lap as she crumpled it in her hand. He left her! He left her for her own good were his words. Why was he so stubborn? Why couldn't he have just stayed so they could protect each other? Now he was all alone. She was alone. No, she wasn't completely alone, but she felt it. She felt completely and utterly alone.
Minerva, still clutching the letter, curled up on her side even though every muscle in her body screamed in protest. The physical pain was nothing compared to her mental. He left her; she was alone, replayed in her mind. She felt herself shed silent tears. They slowly slid down her cheeks until they descended down to drench her pillow. She was too tired to sob as soon sleep overwhelmed her.
Filius came down the stairs to see Poppy was making breakfast with no help from Rolonda. He couldn't blame her. Rolonda was horrible at cooking as she probably couldn't even boil water or crack an egg shell without the shell falling into the yoke.
"There you are Filius, I was wondering where you were." exclaimed Poppy. "Longbottom is out back taking care of the garden so we have some food growing out in the back as Miss. Lovegood is helping him."
"You look disheveled Filius, what happened?" asked Rolonda. Was it that obvious?
"I told Minerva."
"You what?" asked Poppy incredulously.
"Without me?" replied Rolonda looking offended.
"You know what state she's in. Merlin knows she opened some wounds when you told her. I'll have to go check on her." Poppy said shaking her head while drying her hands on her apron.
Filius stopped her. "I would leave her alone Poppy. She needs time for it to settle in."
"I'm fine." said a determined voice behind them. Both Rolonda's and Poppy's jaws dropped as they saw Minerva clutching to the wall for support. Her face read pain from her legs as you could see that part of the gauze was now stained with blood. Her eyes were all read and puffy, like she had been crying all night, as her hair was in a lopsided bun.
"Are you going to stand there, or is someone going to help me?" she questioned as she tried to take a step further only to gasp from the agony. All three of them rushed to her aid. They helped her to the nearest chair as Poppy swiftly went to tend to her legs.
Both Rolonda and Filius winced as the scared flesh was revealed. The flesh had been torn in many places as they were surprised that she had even made it down the stairs. Poppy quickly moved her wand in complicated motions while muttering incantations. The wounds were sealed, leaving bright red streaking lines in their place. She then replaced the old gauze with now ones to wrap around Minerva despite the patient's protest.
Once she was done she went straight to reprimanding as if Minerva was a student.
"Mina, you know better than to go down the stairs, let alone stand. Have you gone mad?"
"If you hadn't noticed Poppy, I'm not in the mood to be reprimanded at the moment." snapped Minerva.
"I'm sorry Minerva, you're right."
"Now that we have that clear, does anyone else have anything to say about my conditions?" she looked around the room as her dark green eyes pierced through them, daring them to contradict her. "Good, now that we have that settled, who else is here?"
"Longbottom and Lovegood." answered Filius.
"Did any of you by chance, see Mr. Weasley or Granger?"
"No, I haven't" replied Poppy solemnly. Rolonda nodded her head in agreement.
"Are you alright Min?"
"I'll be as alright as I'll ever be Ro. I thought up of a plan last night, feel free to join or not. I don't care at this point, but if you don't want to participate, speak now."
"I'm in, Minerva." Poppy assured.
"Me too, Min." seconded Filius.
Rolonda shrugged, "It's not like I have anything better to do."
"Good, now here's the plan."
The Dark Lord jolted up in a sitting position from his bed. A shadow of a smile braved his lips.
"What is it my love?" asked Harry as he had felt the Dark Lord's hands leave his warm body.
"I do believe we have a guest my queen. Come, we must greet him." The Dark Lord said as he got up and already clothed himself. Harry got up from the bed reluctantly and followed his husband back to the throne room. He took his rightful place as Harry took his.
"Wormtail, bring him in!" ordered the Dark Lord. Wormtail quickly obliged as he let in the visitor. He bowed respectfully at the Dark Lord never meeting his red blood eyes.
"Hello Severus."
TBC….
Author's note: Are more than two people reading this? Just wondering, but for those who are reading, I hope you liked the chapter as the next one shall be of Hermione or Ron's new lives, or both together in one chapter. I haven't made up my mind yet. Well until then I wish you well. Reviews are welcomed and always appreciated.