I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry! (Grovels to her readers). You can probably tell, but my schedule has been so busy, what with homework, projects, school events, and more! A girl's gotta have some free time, sheesh! But that's what ya get when you get older! High school's so tough! But I find time for writing. Anyways, enough of my prattling on. Here's the long-awaited chapter 21!
Disclaimer: Last time I checked, I was not JK Rowling... but wait... (rushes over to mirror and starts futilely looking for any signs that she just may be JK Rowling. Some random dude comes on). "Sorry folks, but she's gonna be at that for a while. You should just skip down to the chapter..."
NOTE: If this chapter seems short, that is because I didn't get the chance to finish it. I felt really bad at how long it's been since the last update, so instead of making you all wait longer, I decided to give you a shorter chapter this time. Sorry! But it was the only way to post sooner rather than later. Next chappy may be around the same length or a little longer, since it was supposed to be part of this one.
It Ends Now
Part 21: "Aftermath"
Albus Dumbledore paced in his office, arms clasped behind his back and maginificently embroidered purple robes swaying in time to his walk. Tucked into his wizened hands was a crimson ball. No twinkle was present in his eyes; only deep-seated worry.
"Albus, that pacing is becoming pestiferous," Minerva McGonagall, seated in the chair across from the Headmaster's desk, said with a wan smile.
"Have fortitude. He'll get Harry away," Remus Lupin, seated in a chair beside the Deputy Headmistress, soothed edifyingly. Dumbledore sighed and sunk into his chair, burying his face into his hands and trammeled with doubt in his altruistic way. The act had become an idiosyncrasy lately.
"What if it doesn't work? What if both are caught and killed? I should never have egged Severus into going alone; I should have provided reinforcements!"
"Albus, of course you are not to blame!" Minerva exclaimed. She and Remus exchanged glances. Where was Albus' intrepidity when they needed it?
Dumbledore sighed again and stood, resuming his incontinent pacing.
"Really, Albus, not again! You're going to wear a hole into the floor at this rate!"
"I can't help it. I'm so worried, I can't sit still! Please, don't mind me, Minerva."
The Transfiguration teacher scowled, but there was a soft look behind her eyes. That Albus was this fearful was saying a lot, considering what he had faced in his 150+ years. He lost sleep over Harry, and constantly dreaded events like these. The child was like his son, the way he fretted!
He stopped at the large window overlooking the grounds. Night had descended and the moon shone in a crescent high above. A light snow sprinkled from the sky. Inside, it was warm and toasty. A fire roared in the crate within the office, pouring out heat waves. It looked and felt so normal, as if this night was just the same as all the others. As if a pyscho mad-man was not torturing a little boy right now; as if a certain greasy-haired man was not currently risking his own life to save a child he hated.
No, it didn't feel like that at all. But it was happening, and those in the room felt not the warmth of the room. They were wrapped up in their own anxiousness and trepidation.
They stayed silent for an interminable amount of time. No noise sounded, and they remained in their positions for who knows how long. Dumbledore at the window, and Minerva and Remus seated stiff-backed in the chairs, tensed and looking as if they would jump at the slightest pin drop. Finally, Albus broke the dream-like state they had fallen into.
"Harry's protering will need modifications." The old man withdrew his own, fingering it delicately. The ring glittered in the firelight.
"It didn't work?" the haggard werewolf inquired, sounding surprised.
"No. I felt it burn, many times, but was unable to apparate to wherever he is. The protering has a pull; an apparition pull that enables me to apparate to where he is, guiding along by the protering twin's power," the mage explained, turning away from the window to look directly at his companions. "But Severus informed me of the apparition wards around headquarters. It was as I suspected. That's why it wouldn't work."
He turned back to the window. His face was pinched and sorrowful in the reflection. "Poor Harry. He must have felt terrible when his calls for help went unreplied to."
Silence reigned in the room once more, and each delved into their morose thoughts of what might be happening at Voldemort's headquarters. Was Harry alright? Would Severus get him and get away? An hour or more passed. They lost track of time. It was like they were locked in time; in a place of eternal wait. It was a place of unknowing; whether Severus or Harry would even return to Hogwarts, ever, was beyond them. The tension and fear was almost tangible; the fate of the two they were awaiting, unfathomable.
Until-
"It's them!" Albus exclaimed, voice happier than it had been in the last couple days of terror and concern. The trio moved into action instantaneously.
oOo
The portkey pulled the two on in a whoosh of color and sound, until depositing them onto Hogwarts grounds. Severus felt his body slam into cold, wet grass, clumps of freshly fallen snow soaking his back and burning almost as if it were white-hot instead of freezing cold. His open and throbbing wound screamed in sheer agony, and Severus bit back a cry as he painfully sat up, struggling to bring his burden up with him. The man checked Harry's pulse. It was faint, but there. He looked around. The grounds were dark and quiet- a peaceful ambience.
"HARRY! IT'S HARRY!"
Well, farewell silence.
The Headmaster hadn't been the only one looking out the window when Severus and Harry had returned. Those who had also had raised the alarm and let many others know in their excitement: Harry Potter was back.
A small mob of students (all clad in bright, cheery patterned pajamas that made Severus want to vomit and adorned in warm, fuzzy cloaks) were racing at the two, varying expressions on all faces. Fear, happiness, wonder, excitement, anxiousness, and more. Snape growled and unconsciously held Harry tighter as they crowded in on all sides like eager Death Eaters for the torture, bringing the man back unpleasant memories of the flight just finished. A claustrophobic person would have suffered a panic attack by now.
"Imbeciles! Get back and give the boy space or ALL the Houses will find themselves in the negative points within the second!" he threatened menacingly in a foreboding hiss.
"Severus! Severus!"
The Headmaster, Transfiguration teacher, and werewolf pushed through those gathered. Albus dropped to his knees and felt Harry's wrist.
"Is he...?" Minerva questioned in an oddly strained voice.
"No. It's faint though," Severus answered weakly for Albus. His adrenaline was leaving, pain and exhaustion taking its place.
"Out of my way! Let me through! I must get through!" A woman's voice proclaimed authoritatively. The throng parted like the Red Sea and let in the matron. She immediately conjured a stretcher and floated Harry onto it, taking no time in hurrying up to the Hospital Wing. Remus followed suit, beside Harry with a concerned look plastered over his features. Some students looked ready to follow, but a warning glare from McGonagall killed those ideas before they were put into action.
Albus tenderly helped Severus up and supported the man as he struggled for balance, legs failing him. However much he staggered and leaned on Dumbledore though, the uptight Potions Master was the same as always, never losing his edge.
"Well? Are you brainless baffoons done gawking yet? GET TO BED!" he shouted sardonically.
The students scattered in fear. An angry, hurt Snape was not a Snape you wanted to mess with. Said Potions brewer ignored the faint chuckle that escaped Albus' lips. The Headmaster began helping Severus limp up to the castle. Professor McGonagall strided beside them, pulling her cloak closer to her body to ward out the chill.
"How in Merlin's name did you escape, Severus?"
Snape laughed darkly. "Well, it certainly wasn't easy. Nearly lost Potter in the process!"
McGonagall looked slight of heart. She muttered, "I don't think I want to know, then. You'll just make me more worried. Perhaps once he is all better I will be willing to listen without feeling the urge to rush to his side immediately."
"You and your coddling. The boy doesn't need all the pampering you adorers lay on him."
"Severus, your heart is as cold as ice."
"Why thank you."
oOo
Half an hour later, Severus was in a starched white hospital bed, tucked in so tightly he could hardly move. Currently, the man was sitting up against the pillows, hands folded neatly and resting upon his lap. Albus sat perched upon the bed, listening intently as Snape explained the details of what had happened. The expression on the old mage's face never faltered or changed throughout the whole interview, but if one looked close enough they could see the underlining sorrow hidden in his cerculean orbs.
"And that was what happened," Severus finished. Dumbledore glanced over at Harry's bed, which was across from Snape's. Harry looked so young and vulnerable; so helpless right now. He was asleep, bandages layering his body like a second skin of an onion's. Balm ointment was being applied to some of the burns right now by Madam Promfrey. Her mouth was chiseled in a tight line; no doubt she was eavesdropping in on the gridy details of what Harry had been a victim to.
"Again, Severus, I'm extremely proud of you. You risked your life to save this child, and I do not know how I can repay you. I am so, SO proud, dearest boy."
Severus couldn't help the tiny smile that broke out on his face. Being praised so highly by the most powerful Light wizard of the age was no small matter.
"I'm also pleased to see you are slightly closer to Harry. It takes a great deal of courage to overcome unfounded prejudices, but you have done nicely. It's good to see you are beginning to soften to him; you had been a bit too harsh." There was a small, humorous glint to Albus' eyes, and the twinkle was ignited.
"I-what?" Severus' smile was wiped right off his face as the words hit home. Albus laughed outright.
"Hide it all you like, Severus, but I see it. Perhaps Minerva is tricked by your facade, but not me. I may be old, but I am not blind yet!"
"Albus, I'm outraged you would think such an absurd thing!" the man spluttered, clearly affronted. "I shall die before I become a coddling, emotional, groveling member of the Potter fan club! In fact, you have my permission to Avada Kedavra me when I go that insane!"
The laughter gleamed in Dumbledore's eyes as he stood. "Deny away all you wish, but I'm just letting you know how happy I am at your revelation that Harry is not his father, nor as arrogant as you always claimed."
"Albus..." Severus growled, clearly not done with him. He looked ready to choke with indignation, and was going red in the face.
"Good day," Albus winked, turning and leaving the ward while humming gaily to himself.
Severus scowled. Honestly, how dare Albus think such nonsense! It was preposterous! Utter rubbish!
Still, Severus couldn't help but look over to the Boy Who Lived.
Maybe, just maybe (and he would drop dead if he ever told a soul this!), his point of view of Potter had changed. But only a teeny, teeny bit (in his head, Severus stressed the word).
A/N- :-) LOL! Yah, "a teeny teeny bit"... hardly anything at all... you just keep telling yourself that, Snape! Yah, he's just a little angry today... watch out for his random rants about Harry... tee hee! And so ends Severus' POV. It's back to Harry next chapter. So did you like my more light-hearted chapter? Review! Thanks for all my reviews for last chappy too! Replies below!
Next chapter, which is sort of like the continuation: "Gratitude".
REPLIES TO REVIEWS:
Haunted: Thank you! Hope you enjoyed this chappy and I will do my best to get the next one up quicker! Byes :-)
BlackHalliwell: Thanx ;-)
darkmarkgirl: As always, correct on all accounts there! True, true, a big oxymoron. Same here; it was fun to write Severus in a different POV; plus the action was wicked fun to do! LOL. Yep, I tried for that. Glad you liked Voldy's description. Cool! I love that, when you feel like you're in a FF :-) Mwhahaha cliffys are most fun and evil to write!
Xavier Phoenix: Sorry about the wait, but I hope you liked it and also hope to hear from you more! Thanx:-)
TwlightsCalling: Whew, been a while since I updated (although not since I emailed you... lemmee think... must have been about 45 minutes ago :-) lol!) Glad you liked the chapter and I hope you like this one too! Glad you liked the hint (coughyouknowcough). Your review made me laugh, tee hee. Such evil death threats. Review! And I'll update ASAP, hopefully. Byes till the next email!
Gabwr: Yep, I do! Tee hee. Me too. Was very fun writing that part, lol! Hope you enjoyed!
C K Brook: Woah, really? I'm so touched! Sorry for the wait, but here's the chappy! Yes, I do want to... :-D
I-see-thestrals: Thank you thank you! Huggles! I'll update ASAP!
Naquadria: Most evil indeed :-) See, that's my evil smiley person. lol! MWHAHAHA! Ooh, good luck! My best wishes your way! I think I checked it out... it's been a while :-) Did I? If not, I will! Awww, thanx! Means a lot! And sorry for the long update. Been very busy.
jayley: I'm sorry you thought that, but hopefully you were enlightened by my reply. If you have any more questions, don't hestitate to ask, and enjoy! Review if you wish :-)
Iniysa: Yep! Thank you! Review and I'll update ASAP :-)
shannyauburn: Thanx! I will and hope you enjoy:-)
#1harryginnyfan: Quite, lol :-) Shame on me! But no cliffy, really, this chappy. At least, not as bad as last, lol! Enjoy, and happy reading!
lilacBookstar: Awww...Thanx! Means a lot! Hope you enjoy, and totally cool! Hope they like it too!
Dumbledore Prince: Thank you. I guess it was really good then :-) Probably not, but I guess I was :-) I'll try to in later chapters, but perhaps he is a bit more in character for this chapter? I'm just trying to show that the experience has changed him. I love constructive criticism! Always welcome.
sirius115: Glad you came back to it! Missed ya :-) Anyways, enjoy! And review :-)
bookworm622: For once, someone who does, lol! Yep, you got that right! Enjoy, and review! Thanx! I'll update ASAP :-)
Until next time,
AngelMoon Girl