Disclaimer: Not mine.
The Uninvited
Chapter 15
Abigail passed the rest of the afternoon curled up on her bed. She now knew she had hurt Severus deeply but didn't know what else she could have done. Not having learned to deal with people, she was still trying hard to act like the others, but the ideas they held were often foreign to her. She did not even understand why Molly would have wanted to serve refreshments, but by everyone's reaction, this was the proper thing to do. Abigail only knew the way of Death Eaters, or how house elves would do things and that magic and blood seemed inexplicably drawn together.
She rose from the bed grabbing her wand from under the pillow and lit the fire on her way to the shower. Stepping under the hot water and letting it flow over her skin she relaxed and stretched her sore body. Examining her sides and stomach she was pleased to see the angry swollen wounds almost closed and developing scar tissue, at least they would stop hurting every time her clothes pulled too tight or tugged at them.
Abigail was to attend the ceremony bare foot, with only a simple white gown of ancient design. The fabric, gathered at the neck, falling to the ground with no belting or design of any sort. The raglan sleeves fell as full as the gown ending in a rough. The material was coarse, rough, the homespun cloth of the ancients. She could wear no robe, not even if the ceremony was to be in winter. Her hair was to fall loose, no combs or other fastenings. She was to wear no make up, perfume or lotions.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror, and sighing deeply she went to see Severus as they were to leave together. As she knocked on the door, she was nervous about seeing him dressed this way. Vowing that she would hold her temper, she straightened her spine and squared her shoulders as his door opened.
He stood before her wearing loose black slacks that hung to the top of his bare feet. The white shirt he had on was from the same fabric as her gown, its style the same as her gown only open in the front from his neck to the middle of his chest. He had pulled his hair back and tied it with a strip of the same material as his shirt.
"I had not expected you for another twenty minutes," he said, crossing to a small table beside the sofa for his wand. Raising his hand, he lit several candles.
"I was wondering if you had a potion I could have. The scars are healing and I am having a little difficulty," she looked away from him, wanting to avoid any emotion.
He gently took up her arm and began pushing up her sleeve, seeking her nod of consent before continuing. He studied the hardening lines, seeing them thickened and turning a dark colour. Moving her wrist, he frowned, and when he flexed her elbow, or tried to rotate her shoulder he was surprised at the resistance he felt.
"You should have gone to Poppy," he said reaching for his wand.
"She has been on vacation. I didn't want to call her back just for this."
He used a simple scar reduction spell, and then set his wand down. Halfway to his cabinet, he stopped and turned back.
"I have a salve, however if my reading is correct, you may wear nothing more then your gown." He raised an eyebrow at her in question.
"Thank you, I would have forgotten. Perhaps when we get back then?"
"Poppy will reduce the rest of the scars, it may be inappropriate for me to do so." He picked up his wand, tucking it into his sleeve. "I will make the salve available to her."
"Severus, I want to thank you for this," she waved to indicate his dress. "I did not expect it."
"We should go." He did not respond to her comment, but walked to the floo and waited for her.
They stepped in together, he tossing down a handful of powder and calling "The Burrow" loud and clear. As they stepped out into Molly's sitting room, Mr Haley came to embrace his daughter, but she held up her hand halting him.
"I can't, not until the ceremony is over," she smiled weakly. "I don't know why, but this is how she wanted it done. She explained everything, as if she knew I would have to bury her. She just knew."
Her father nodded and stepped back smiling, then leaned and whispered into Albus's ear, winking at her he went to stand on the other side of the room.
"My dear, I believe we should start?" Albus suggested.
Abigail looked around the room surprised at the number of people. She did not know nearly half of them, and then her eyes fell on Severus. He was kneeling before her father, her fathers hand was on his head and they were both chanting something together. She looked to Albus with a frown, but he only smiled and led her outside.
The Weasley boys had prepared the site by laying stones in a large circle and digging a small grave at its centre. Albus had already given Molly and the guests instructions. Once the ceremony began, no-one was to speak but Abigail. They were here as witnesses, but not participants.
Albus nodded to her, and stepped back to watch with the others. He stayed to the east of the circle, facing west as Abigail entered the circle, and faced the east. She offered an incantation to the fire of the sun. She faced the south, and offered to the water, the north the wind, and to the west with the small grave between her and the setting sun, the earth.
Molly entered the circle carrying Ainslie. She knelt by the small grave and as Abigail stepped forward and opened her wrist to allow her blood to flow into the earth she laid the small bundle of remains in the bottom. Letting the blood soak into the soil and splatter onto the white linen of the shroud she nodded to Molly. Molly leaned forward and used only her hands to push the black moist soil to cover the remains. She then patted the dirt in place, and smoothed the small mound of earth.
Abigail then sealed her wound and as Molly stepped out of the circle, Abigail pulled a stone from her pocket. The stone was the size of a child's palm, a hole thru its middle. Into this hole, she threaded a leather strap and knotted it.
She started the stone in small circles, dragging the strap up over her head. The circles increasing in height and speed as she moved her arm faster, catching the rhythm. At last, the strap and stone appeared to be a solid circle whirling around her head. The noise of the whirling stone becoming louder, singing in its vibration. She began her incantations in answer to the unknown questions, having no other stone to answer hers.
Suddenly a second vibration, humming to catch the rhythm of hers, joined the song. Severus had entered the circle with her, his matching instrument singing with hers. They stood side by side, the sound of the stones harkening back to ancient times.
The sound was of the wind. The winds of Africa and of Australia, of the lands that held civilization before the magical separated from the non. The song was the memory of strong beliefs and memories of the old. It was a sound that was once known the world over, only now seemed strange and unnatural.
This was the song of passing souls and the sad sighing of the wind. This song was to help Ainslie home. Abigail and Severus spun the stones as the sun went down, and slowly hers slowed, allowing his stronger song to meet the last of the sunlight.
She fell to her knees in front of the grave and held up her arms to the sky. He waked to the far side of the grave and knelt opposite her, taking up the same position. Together they incanted the prayer to the dead, her prayer taught by her mother, his learned from forbidden texts. Together they reached the end and watched in wonder as a golden orb appeared above the grave, and was gone.
Abigail looked to Severus and smiled.
"It is done," she said
"Yes." He answered standing, helping her to her feet he said. "She is home."
They walked out of the circle together as her father came rushing over, grabbing her and swinging her around. He kissed her on the forehead, and then turned and offered a smile and his hand to Severus.
"Thank you Profess...Severus," Rodger said, "I sincerely thank you. Without your help… why … I don't know if it would have worked so well. I want to thank you for everything."
Severus nodded and stepped backwards, distancing himself from the father and his daughter before turning and leaving them alone. Walking toward Minerva, he frowned at her smile.
"Well, don't you look almost handsome today," she chuckled.
"I look like a fool," he groused.
"Then you look like you should. It wouldn't hurt to go without robes more often you know. It is acceptable outside the classroom."
"I will be taking my leave now Min…"
"Oh no you don't young man. Molly has spent all afternoon cooking and she made sure to make your favourite."
"I have a favourite?" He raised his eyebrow at her. "How interesting."
"You eat two treacle tarts every time she makes them. She wanted to make sure there was something here you liked."
"I eat two because there is seldom anything else edible."
"Well, then eat three today," Minerva chuckled as she grabbed his arm pulling him toward the table. "I have not seen you turn down food lately. Or is it the company we are keeping now?"
Molly had set up a table groaning under the weight of food. Pies, cakes, and other sweets, great jugs of pumpkin juice and Muggle soft drinks lined the table. Everyone was busy loading their plates as Abigail slipped out the front door and sat on the front steps. She felt a presence next to her, and looked up to see her father joining her on the open porch.
"I am afraid I shall be leaving now," her father sighed, I have to work early. You did a good thing today child. She can rest easy now."
"I hope it is enough."
"It will be. And you Abby? How are you?"
"Still getting it used to it all."
"And this Snape…I don't trust…"
"I do, and that's all that counts right now," she sighed. "He isn't as you think, really he's not."
He stood up reaching down to stroke her hair and he slowly left, walking down the path to the gate. She continued to sit as people slowly began drifting away. Eventually Molly came to sit next to her, holding a tiny baby she introduced as her grandson.
Abigail was enthralled, having never seeing a small child, or a baby before. When Molly told her how to cradle the head, and laid the baby in her arms she forgot how to breathe. When her lungs were about to explode she finally was able to gasp in air. Lowering her head to breathe in the fragrance that only a baby can offer, she smiled as the tiny creature captured her finger.
She slowly stood, cradling the baby in her arms to walk back into the circle. Ignorant of Molly's cries to come back and to be careful, she continued. Arthur, hearing Molly's voice stepped outside in time to pull Molly back into his chest.
"Shhhh, let her be, watch." Arthur hugged Molly, his arms wrapped around her and his chin on her head. "It's old. I have heard of it, just watch."
Abigail sat cross-legged in front of the grave, laying the baby on her lap. She raised her hands to the sky incanting her spell. Then picking up the baby on both her palms, she raised it over her head. The air surrounding the babe shimmered, a golden glow swirled around him, small pin points of light glittered over his hair, face, his body, and hovered above his reaching hands. And then, as if sprinkled in stardust the small points of light fell on him.
She held him like this for a few moments, then rose, and cradling him in her arms again walked back towards the house, transferring him to his waiting grandmother's arms.
Severus was leaning against the porch rail, legs outstretched, feet crossed at the ankles, watching her. He saw her face as she handed the baby back to its grandmother, and then her eyes came to his.
He was at peace, and comfortable in this space of time. A feeling he had not felt in a long time. It was an unusual feeling for Severus. He stood watching her knowing that when the night was over he would return to the person he was, but for now the magic the ceremony had created still hung in the air.
"What was that?" he nodded toward the circle as she neared.
"Just a protection spell, one against the normal childhood ills," she smiled, "you know the ones I mean, the killing curse, being detected by the Dark Lord, the usual childhood diseases."
"You should not take these things so lightly." He scowled at her.
"Oh Severus, for one night forget it, let it go," she said quietly. "Anyway, I have had enough of this. I just want a good night's sleep."
"On the floor?" he asked smirking.
"You noticed that did you?" She reddened slightly, "I am used to sleeping on a hard surface, it is better for me. Severus, before we go, I wanted to thank you for helping me tonight. One song would have been enough, but by adding yours it made it stronger."
"Your magic or hers?" He questioned looking at her with suspicion.
"Not the magic itself, perhaps that was not a good choice of words." She looked down pondering the question.
"I think it is more a matter of control, Severus." She looked up, and nodded at her statement. "Yes, I think that fits it better, you should be able to control your magic better, to concentrate better. Meditation, it teaches meditation. Sort of like using a tracking spell, you may be able to pick up traces without your wand, by clearing your mind and thinking of it and only it."
"Severus." She continued on when he did not respond. "This is not dark, it just is. It is as if … I don't know… the meditation, the stillness, the surrender, it helps you to centre. I don't think of it as magic."
Severus pushed up from the railing, and turned to leave when heard the wards go off.
He grabbed Abigail's arm and pushed her into the house. Shutting the door, he turned to see Arthur shepherding his family toward the floo. Molly was pushing the children in three at a time, as Albus, Remus and Tonks stood at their backs, with wands pointed out toward the doors.
Molly held the baby close to her chest and at the last moment pushed it at her youngest in the floo.
"Ginny, you take this little one, floo your brother as soon as you get to Grimmauld," She stepped back to watch them go.
Remus had Tonks by one arm, pulling her along towards the fireplace. Tonks protested loudly and was fighting all the way. As he drew close to Abigail, he grabbed her also, and pushed the two witches in together. They fell on top of each other, fighting to get up. Turning to get a handful of floo powder from the box in Molly's hand, he reached around her ample waist and pushed her to Tonks.
"Here my dear," he yelled to Tonks, "watch this one."
Quicker than the witches could get to their feet, the fire flashed green as Remus yelled the destination.
Severus was still poised in a full duelling stance, with his wand at the door. He looked at Remus, and nodded his approval of what he had done to the witches.
"Remus, you may find it safer to step out the front door then to return to Grimmauld tonight," Severus said in all sincerity. "Perhaps you could be the diversion we need."
"I must say that was about the bravest thing I have seen," sighed Arthur
Severus then said a soft 'Nox', and plunged them into darkness. He and Remus approached the front door, as Albus and Arthur went to the back. They could hear nothing.
The four stepped outside at the same time, to see Death Eaters surrounding the house. Severus pulled back, signalling Remus to follow. As they stepped back inside they heard Albus and Arthur coming back in through the kitchen.
"Albus," Severus said softly. "If they have not attacked by now they will not. I would suggest however, that you follow the witches out. I will stay to destroy the floo after you three are gone. I can apparate under the Dark Lords mark. Quickly now, they must not see me."
Albus and Remus hurried to the floo, Arthur looked around his home for what may be the last time. He took a picture of Molly off the mantel and shoved it in his pocket. Then with a sheepish look at Severus, he stepped into the floo.
After they had left, Severus peered out the window. He did not know why the Death Eaters had not entered the house. They were here to send a warning, but a warning of what Severus did not know. He was uneasy that he was not informed of the plan, or included in the attack on the Burrow.
The image of Abigail opening her wrist to the Weasley's land suddenly came to him. Fuck, he thought, they already know.
Seeing the Death Eaters start to apparate away, he did the same. Once back at Hogwarts he rushed to throw on the Death Eater robes and go the clearing in the forest. He needed to find out what was happening for sure, and he needed to find out now.
He fought to clear his mind, to put up walls and to think of a ruse that would fool the Dark Lord. Putting his wand to the Dark Mark on his left forearm, he spun out of sight.
He came to rest on the outskirts of the Malfoy Manor. He knew that the wards would have sounded in the Manor. With a purposeful stride, he made his way to the front door. If he were observed he must exude confidence, and he was sure that they were watching.
As he was still climbing the stairs to the door, it flung open to reveal a tall wizard. He was not unlike Severus in build, perhaps a little heavier, with silver bond hair, and a pale complexion.
"Severus, whatever are you up to this night?" Lucius Malfoy asked laughing.
"As if you did not know." Severus sneered, "I was playing Albus' lap dog, tonight, at the Burrow. Then, I found myself in the middle of what appeared to be either a very messy attack, or an overzealous warning. Now the old man is expecting me to solve all his problems, and answer all his questions."
"That brings you to my door because why, Severus?" Lucius asked smiling.
"To request an audience with the Dark Lord of course." Severus raised an eyebrow at Lucius' questioning as to his motive. "Do you expect something more old friend?"
"Not at all," Lucius opened the door wider.
Severus stepped into the foyer, and surrendered his outer robes to the house elf. Lucius smirked when he saw Severus' attire and signalled for him to follow into the drawing room. Walking up to the liquor cabinet he poured two glasses of Ogden's Finest, and handing one to Severus sat on the sofa.
Severus knocked back his glass and set it on the coffee table as he sat opposite Lucius who was taking smaller sips of his drink.
"Talk Lucius, or put in my request to the Dark Lord. I know he is here. I apparated to him."
"You sought him without being called? I must say Severus that is either very brave or very stupid, alas, I do not know which."
Severus leaned forward earnestly, "I did not know how he wanted me to respond. He had Albus within his grasp. He only had to start the attack, to show intent and I could have taken the old man out."
Lucius looked at Severus for several moments. He placed his glass down and leaned back, placing his fingertips together he finally spoke.
"My friend, there are still those among the ranks that do not trust you. They see you as too close with the Headmaster." He put up a hand to silence Severus, "I tell you only what I have heard. The Dark Lord still defends you."
"Severus, this is not a good time for him. He is having difficulty feeding." Lucius watched Severus closely.
"I should go to him," Severus said jumping up. "Perhaps it is a reaction to the potion."
"No, no," Lucius smiled, "he seems to have these spells from time to time. He would be most upset to know that I had mentioned this to you."
Severus recognized Lucius' own ruse, making to test his loyalty by testing his reactions to the Dark Lord's illness. The blond wizard was easy to read, a hazard in the ranks of the Dark Lord.
"What of the Weasley's pig sty?" Severus sneered.
"Let us just call it a fact finding mission. It appears that the Reyes blood has been added to the Weasleys." Lucius watched for any emotion.
Severus felt a kick to his stomach. He felt so fucking stupid. He had berated the witch for adding her blood to the soil at the Reyes Estate, but had failed to see the importance of adding hers to the Weasley's until it was too late.
"There was a ceremony tonight, by one of Albus's relatives. I would hardly think Reyes blood would have been involved." He shrugged his shoulders indifferently as he answered.
"Oh, but it was. Do you know the nature of this ceremony?"
"I came only at the end. A witch was casting a protection spell over one of the Weasley brats." He frowned as if trying to remember more. "But, I saw no blood spilled in the spell."
"And the witch?"
"She gave her name as Doris Bentley. I had thought Doris dead long ago, but perhaps I was mistaken."
"Indeed," was all Lucius offered.
"I must return Lucius. The old man may notice my absence." Severus bowed and made to the door.
As he waited for the elf to bring his robes, he felt the overwhelming urge to look up to the top of the stairs. He could feel eyes boring into his back. He fought the impulse as Lucius came out to bid him goodbye. Keeping his eyes from turning to look up, he left to return to Hogwarts.