Disclaimer: Not mine.
The Uninvited
Chapter 19
A silence had fallen over the battlefield as everyone watched the two dark wizards. Slowly the Order members began to move toward the fallen girl. Molly rushed to her reaching out and pulling her close, Arthur stood back watching with a smile. He walked over to Severus and grabbed both of his hands in his, pumping his arms up and down.
"Severus, I don't know how to thank you," Arthur said. "You saved my only daughter."
"She saved herself Weasley, if she had not had done as she was told she would be dead," Severus said coldly.
He cast a glance at Abigail who stood alone her eyes wildly looking around as she breathed heavily through her mouth. He looked down at the dead wizard at her feet, and then turned slowly, assessing the carnage. He knew they had only minutes to clean the mess before the Aurors arrived.
Moody stalked over to him, his magical eye spinning as Severus turned to Malfoy.
"We are safe for now," Severus said loud enough for Moody to hear "Is the Dark Lord aware of this attack?"
"Yes," Lucius answered. "He sent me to help get them out of here."
"Then return with the bodies, tell him you arrived too late. Tell him I had not arrived with the Order and that Albus was furious with me," Severus said scowling. "Keep it simple, remember, you arrived after the battle, heard Albus raving, collected the bodies and left."
"We will talk," was all Malfoy said before reaching into his pocket for coins charmed into portkeys. He placed one on each body, and when the last body was gone he apparated back to Voldemort to join them.
"What was that bastard doing here?" Moody demanded.
"Saving our arses," Severus spat, turning to walk away.
"I don't trust you Severus, never have. If you think I will ever trust a Malfoy you are sorely mistaken," Moody said in the way of a challenge.
"Perhaps when you are put in charge of the Order you can be rid of both of us. Until that time I would suggest that you watch your tongue," Severus sneered, turning away from Moody.
The other members of the Order were already cleaning the site. They cast spells to find and then vanquish any signature left by the Death Eaters. One by one, they left, aware that the Aurors would arrive at any moment. They couldn't trust whom the Ministry would send, nor could they trust that the information of Lucius' treason would not be reported.
Severus was preparing to leave when Molly came running across the field.
"Severus, your robes, hurry." She had noticed he still wore the Death Eater robes and had rushed to tell him. As they began sprinting to the house the soft pop of Aurors, arriving beyond the gate was heard.
Ginny was on her knees at the fireplace gathering up the traditional robes Albus had sent by floo. Molly helped Severus tug off the blood soaked robes that he had taken from the dead Death Eater, as Ginny rushed to him helping him on with his own, waving her wand and cleaning him at the same time.
Flicking her wand Molly got rid of the ruined robes just as a knock came to the door. Ginny put her hand to his chest and pushed him onto the sofa with Arthur, handed him a cup of tea, and calmly sat next to him.
"So Severus, this new salve that you sent over, will you be marketing it?" Arthur smiled and asked as if this were a Sunday afternoon tea visit.
The continued on with their small talk as Molly greeted the Aurors and invited them in. Severus could not hear the words, but could hear Molly in conversation.
"Arthur you really need to take a firm hand with the twins," she shook her finger scolding her husband as she came into the sitting room. "They have been up to no good again, playing with the wards indeed…"
"I am so sorry. Ever since last year, they have been just a handful. Just last week the gnomes were setting our wards off at all hours." She smiled sweetly and looked up at the Aurors as they frowned down at her.
Molly kept up her banter, Ginny poured more tea, and Arthur invited the Aurors to his shed of Muggle artefacts. Severus looked on in amazement at how quickly they returned to normal. Then as idea came to him so suddenly, it was like a slap in the face.
The scene he saw before him, the one the Aurors now saw, was the ruse. The Weasleys were the masters of deception. The entire family had been raised to deceive, and by doing so had survived. He thought of the twins and their penchant for gags and tricks, and smirked realizing that they were the future Order members that this world may have to depend on someday.
This couple was the only to survive from the original Order intact, with all their children all still alive. He looked at Molly and Arthur with a new respect then frowned as he saw that Molly was keeping her hand to her side. .
The Aurors left shortly, making every attempt at a speedy exit, refusing Molly's repeated attempts to serve them more tea.
"Arthur I have misjudged you," Severus sighed as he stood to leave.
"Molly my dear," he said bringing her hand to his lips and kissed it, "you are a fierce fighter and one that I am proud to call friend. Ginny? If you remember your healing spells see to your mother."
Molly and Arthur looked at one another knowing that such an admission had cost the potion master dearly. His praise came in the barbed comments and sarcastic slams, but his friendship was not forgotten and long lasting.
Severus left by the front door. He had not seen Abigail since the end of the battle and found her sitting under a tree near the gate.
She got to her feet as he neared, and stepped out onto the path.
"Severus," she greeted him. "Are they gone? I don't think they saw me."
"Abigail," he said merely in recognition of her presence, and prepared to walk on.
"Severus, I thought maybe we could talk," she offered, trying to smile.
"I think not. I have better things to do." He walked passed her, leaving through the gate.
"Please, Severus!" she called out, running after him. "I did not mean this to happen."
"Yet it was your choice to come here. You put them in danger," he sneered coldly at her.
"I tried to help. I would have gone with Johnson. Severus I would have done anything to save her Ginny," Abigail cried.
"That was obvious," he sneered down at the Muggle jeans she now wore.
"I would not let her go with them! I would not let them have her like they had me!" she spat.
"You seemed rather familiar with them my dear," he smirked. "Perhaps going home with Grandfather's friends is not so new to you?"
He wanted to call the words back, shove them into his mouth and choke on them, but as he watched her face, and saw her reaction, he also knew that he had to push her away to keep her safe. He turned thinking of hair combs and the smell of jasmine as he apparated back to Hogwarts.
Abigail fell to her knees. She felt the blood rushing to her head, and heard the roar it made as her stomach rose up and she vomited into the grass. The thought that Severus would think she would willing go to their bed, that she enjoyed it brought more bile to her throat. She turned her face up to the sky, felt the warmth of the sun through the cold air, and wanted all this to end. After several more minutes she rose, and following the path that Severus had taken, dropped her wand on the ground, turned on her heel and returned home.
She could see the Estate now that the land recognized her as the oldest living Reyes. The wind that came off the water was as cold as ice, and it howled and moaned around the corners. She turned and looked back at the tower of Azkaban wondering how long had it been since he had been willing to come even here for her.
She entered through the main entranceway. Letting her eyes adjust once more to the dark as the stench of decay overcame her. She walked to the right, to the small sitting room. She did not use lights here, she never did. She waved her hand to start a fire, its flickering glow was all she would need.
Lying down on the hard floor, she fell asleep in the warmth of the fire, wrapped in her own arms. She closed her mind and sought that place of solace, the place she used to hide, and put her wants and memories behind a wall. The same wall that a friendly stranger had shown to her. That was all he was, she told herself. That was all he would ever be. A friend to a child. A child that was dead.
.
.
.
.
"Albus, I know it was my fault." Molly sat in the Headmasters office wringing her hands. "I should have gone to her. I should have made sure she was well. I just saw Ginny. I did not think to get Abigail. She must think we just hate her."
"Molly dear," Albus tried to reason with the distraught witch. "She is not a child. I also want her back in our safety but whatever the cause, we must give her time."
"Albus, not one person, not one went to her after the battle to thank her." Molly's voice was rising. "She put herself in danger and not one had the good manners to thank her."
"Molly," Arthur reached over and patted his wife's hand, "we have talked about this. I thought you understood why."
"You said it was because of her actions. Arthur Weasley, how dare you talk about a witch that way?"
Molly was the only witch that could make Severus cross his legs in self-protection. One wrong word and he was sure that she would fulfil her long spoken threat to hex his bits off. He crossed his long legs now, seeing Arthur grin at him. He noticed Arthur sat the same way and gave the married wizard an understanding nod.
"Molly," Severus now felt safe. "She offered to fuck a Death Eater. I am sure everyone had a hard time in expressing their glee over that."
"I will have you know, that I would do the same if it would keep my children safe!" She rose to her feet in anger.
"A woman fights with what she can. If she can control her wand she will fight, take her wand from her and any man can beat her. Take away my wand and I would fuck anyone who would spare my daughter's life," Molly raged at him.
Arthur rose putting his arms around a now sobbing witch. He led her to the floo letting her vent out the rest of the anger into his chest.
"Albus, she is only concerned for the girl. We both wanted to let you know she had gone missing without her wand," Arthur said quietly, then saying their destination loud and clear, they were gone.
"Molly is quite a sweet girl, is she not? " Albus chuckled as she left.
"I remember her duelling years ago Albus, believe me, she is much improved," Severus said seriously. "I would not want to be on the end of her wand."
"Perhaps we should just throw her in with Tom. I would fear for him," Albus grinned. "Or at least certain parts of him."
"Albus, the students return in two days, I am sure you did not call me here merely to help smooth a mother hen's feathers," he smirked.
"Severus, Abigail is my family." he looked sternly at the Professor. "I expect you to put aside whatever has angered you and bring her back."
"Albus no." Severus was on his feet.
"Severus, I have known you far longer then I ever thought I would." Albus looked at him seriously. "You graduated Hogwarts with twenty three fellow house mates. How many are left Severus, of those twenty three how many have survived this long?"
"What are you on about?" Severus raked his hands though his hair.
"I understand your anger and your sorrow," Albus said. "It is not her fault you know, Severus."
"Old man you go too far," Severus said flatly.
"It is not her fault you care for her. She should not be punished for this," Albus continued, peering over his glasses. "Severus, those twenty three before you, how many found love? How many friends have you buried?"
"I do not care for her." The potions master sneered.
"Perhaps it has been so long since you have cared that you have forgotten the feel of it."
"This is your own we speak of, Albus," Severus sneered at him. "Do not ask for more than you want to hear."
"I know that you care for her. It is only natural to want a witch you care for deeply to come to your bed." Albus smiled, his blue eyes finding their twinkle. "Do you think me too old, or too forgetful to remember the warmth only a witch can bring? Do you think that by closing your heart you can better serve the light?"
"Albus, please," Severus said in a softer voice.
"Look around my boy, who are the best fighters? Molly and Arthur Weasley, Remus and Tonks, those with someone to fight for." Albus looked at the Professor, and finished. "Now go, bring home your witch, I have a need to have my family close by."
As Severus turned to leave he heard Albus speak to him, softly.
"Only three my boy, only three. Yourself and two others are all that remain of the twenty three."
Severus rushed out of the Headmaster's office breathing hard. Albus infuriated him, bringing to the forefront the things he needed to repress.
He started walking and left the grounds, taking the Hogsmeade path, his mind full of the witch that he thought he could be done with. He longed to take her, to feel her under him, inside her. He saw her face come to him when he least expected it, he wanted her gone, out of this life. He wanted her safe, but he wanted her near. He could not have both and it tore at him.
"Gods damn him," he shouted as Albus's words came to him. He started to run, and at a dead run apparated to the Burrow.
He stomped up the path to the Weasleys' porch, calling out Arthur's name as he went. Molly appeared at the front door, wiping her hands on her apron and smiling at him.
"Severus, do come in, you will have tea with us, yes?" she said opening the door.
"Where is Arthur?" Severus stormed.
"He is at work. You know this is a workday. Although by your attitude you stopped thinking a while back." Molly chided Severus for his behaviour and was the only person he knew outside of Hogwarts that would dare to do so.
"I need one of your sons, it matters not which one," Severus said standing outside, no longer walking up the path.
"Severus, I refuse to yell out the door like a common harpy, now stop this and get in here," she yelled to him.
"Then Madame, I suggest you yell like an uncommon harpy. Maybe then one of your sons will hear you," he shot back.
She disappeared into the house, only to return with a confused looking Ronald Weasley. She pushed him out of the door ahead of her, slapping him on the head and muttering as they walked.
"Now young man," she addressed Severus, "What do you need him for?"
"To break a ward," was all he said.
Molly cocked her head to the side and stared at him. Then realization struck her and she pushed a spluttering Ronald back to the door, opened it and shoved him inside.
"Oh no Severus," she fumed. "My blood flows in him too. If you think you're going to add my family to that blood bond, you best think again."
She stood with her feet planted firmly, pointing her finger at him angrily. Severus had not even considered what would have happened if one of her sons had mixed their blood with the earth at the Reyes Estate. He cursed himself for his lack of foresight. If he continued this way, the Dark Lord would be able to enter his mind and all would be lost.
"Molly, I need to get in to the Estate. Albus insists upon it," he stood before her not willing to give up on the mission. "Have Arthur floo me as soon as he returns."
"Severus, he will not be adding his mother's blood as well, you have to think of a different way." she said sadly. "After all the work that was put into securing the wards again, now you want to break them? I just can't understand what could be so important that you would start this all over again."
Severus turned and left, walking toward the Weasleys' gate, feeling defeated. He needed to find a way in. He had to bring her back to Hogwarts.
He reported to the Headmaster as soon as he returned to Hogwarts. The two wizards sat discussing ways to get through the wards, only to come to a dead end. Admitting defeat, Albus sighed and summoned a house elf for tea.
As the house elf was placing the tray on the coffee table, Severus arched his eyebrow and turned to the Headmaster, jerking his head toward the elf and nodding. Albus looked to the elf, and then with realization dawning, a large smile replaced his frown.
"Will there be's anything else?" the creature looked up suddenly uncomfortable at the silence, not knowing he was the mouse to Albus' cat.
"No no, my dear and most trusted elf," Albus gave his best grandfatherly smile.
Severus knew what the elf was feeling. He had been on that end of Albus' smiles himself many times, and often wondered if Albus used a silent and wandless spell to have people do his bidding. He watched closely, he might not get this chance again.
The little elf puffed up his chest, then sagged his shoulders.
"You appear to be worried my little friend. Is something wrong?" the Headmaster went on as Severus closely watched his hands for the slightest flick.
"No kind sirs," the elf squeaked.
"You seem fearful, as if afraid that you may be asked to do something unseemly," Albus managed to look confused. Severus stood to see each finger from a better angle.
"No sirs, you would never do that Headmaster." The elf assured himself more then Albus.
Severus waited, if Albus' timing was spot on the request was coming.
"Of course I would not. Professor Snape and I have just been discussing a most difficult travel arrangement. I have not asked for help, although I can find no solution to the problem." Here Albus sighed loudly, and shook his head. "I fear for Miss Haley's very life."
Severus watched and listened. Then he heard the penny fall.
"Oh sirs, I will help sir, I will do anything for the most kind Headmaster's, Miss Haley."
Albus had not moved a finger. Feeling defeated at not seeing Albus use any form of magic, Severus returned to sit and watch the wizard vs. elf comedy. He felt reassured that another would fall to the old man's wiles, even if the other were an elf.
"Professor Snape here has accepted a very important mission." Albus whispered, watching the elf's eyes grow large. "He needs to enter the Reyes Estate, where the very kind and beautiful Miss Haley is."
The elf took a step back. Severus also knew that feeling. The elf was trapped, dead end, final chapter, no turning back.
"It just occurred to me that you could take him there." Albus smiled widely. "You are able to enter a house without passing wards are you not?"
The elf looked to Severus for help. Both the elf and Severus knew that to answer the question in the affirmative was to accept the assignment.
"You are on your own elf. I have already been there," Severus scowled the elf.
"Yes Master, I has no reason to cross the wards," the elf said hesitantly.
"Good, that is settled then." Albus stood, indicating that the meeting was over. "I would assume you want to leave right after dinner. You should agree to 7:00pm in the Professor's chambers."
The elf followed Severus out of the Headmasters office and down the stairs. Finally building up his nerve, he reached up and tugged Severus' sleeve.
"Sirs?" The elf bowed low to Severus.
"Do you need to see a map or something?" Severus had not even considered how elves travelled.
"No sirs, I just go to the person, unless it is a person's house, then we can go to the room you wants," the elf explained.
"We will go to Miss Haley's house. I believe the kitchen will be adequate." He looked down at the elf then walked on.
"7:00 pm do not be late," he said walking away.
"Elf," Severus felt the need to add something. Turning around to look at the quaking creature he said, "I know the feeling well."