Disclaimer: Not mine.
The Uninvited
Chapter 24
Severus found himself thrown roughly into a small holding room at the Ministry of Magic. They gave him a pair of loose fitting pants and a too large shirt, and then gathered up his personal clothing for examination. The guards ordered him to change clothes while they watched and ran their wands over him to check for illegal items or charms. One of the guards ripped his shirtsleeve off, not waiting for him to disrobe, exposing his Mark. Although they had known it was there, to see it set them off. They jeered, spat at him and pushed him to the floor several times in the short walk to the smaller room down the hall.
They told him to wait for his trial that was to begin in a few hours, perhaps later that day. Severus sat stiffly waiting, refusing to respond to the comments tossed out by the guards or to acknowledge the insults being hurled at him, choosing only to stare stonily ahead.
It had already grown dark outside when they informed him they were holding him until the evidence was gathered and the witnesses interviewed. Severus knew from the clothes they had given him and the absence of an immediate trial that they planned to send him to Azkaban and had steeled himself for the trip. He showed no emotion although his mind screamed and his muscles tightened knowing what lay ahead.
He was apparated to a small boat landing where the final journey across the rough sea would begin. The smell of saltwater assailed him, and the pounding of the sea drowned out the guards banter. Severus' eyes did not look toward the tower of the prison, but searched the area to the north and west of the tower, to where the Reyes Estate hid. He could not see it, but he knew it was there. The very absence of it meant the wards were still holding, that the Dark Lord did not know, and she was still safe. It was enough.
When they landed, he was handed over to the prison guards who treated him no better the Aurors. As he staggered forward, they again pushed and jeered at him. He kept his mind closed, his mind cleared of all thought, and he built his walls as he had done before, when in front of the Dark Lord. Thrown in to a cell with no light, he thought he heard running water, but an examination of the cell showed the sound coming from the steady drip of foul water seeping though the walls and running to the floor.
With no furniture and no blanket, he found the only comfort he could and curled up in a corner. He had his children, and the witch that bore them with him. He could pull their faces up in his mind, he could see their smiles on the back of his eyelids, and he knew they were safe. They lived. It was enough for him to know, and enough to give him sleep.
Abigail was close to hysterical as the Aurors dragged Severus away. She begged Albus to go after him, to plead to the Ministry, to use his power and position to have him released. When they received word that he was in Azkaban with no trial, Poppy had need to give her a calming potion, insisting that she finish the entire vial. But she had taken it from the witch and hurled it against the wall, spending the next hours waiting for dawn as she cried and paced the floor.
All the next day, as Severus sat still in the corner of his cell, Abigail paced and tried to calm herself for the sake of the babies. She was unable to eat, or sleep, and became unable to nurse, leading her to be even more despondent. She wanted to see her mother and begged Albus to let her visit the Burrow, to ask her mother for help, only to the refused because it was unsafe to leave the grounds of Hogwarts.
She saw in his eyes the painful truth that she could no longer pray to the old gods, as she no longer held the magic to call them. She could not hold her children up and beg for their protection, the earth would no longer welcome her song. Her magic was gone, and with it her gods. She could not offer her children for a blessing, a blessing at their naming ceremony. As far as Abigail was concerned she was no longer fit to name the small babes, they would remain fatherless and nameless until he returned.
Having been set up in the dungeons with enlarged space for the cribs, she continued to lose weight and could not sleep. She was still having difficulty feeding the babies, and now her milk had all but stopped. Even with the help of a House elf, she was exhausted. She tried to adjust, but she would still raise her hand to light the fire when she wanted warmth, and was surprised when no heat came.
She wanted Severus. Even if he did not love her, she wanted him near. Just knowing he was in the castle had given her strength the days before the babies were born. Just knowing that she could call him and he would come. He would come only from obligation, perhaps, but she knew he would still come.
When the third week came, Albus told her there was not to be a trial. The Ministry had clear evidence that Dark Magic had been used. The potion used contained Severus' blood and Severus' wand showed the spell he had last used. Guilty of practicing Dark Blood Magic, he did not warrant a trial and would not have one. Albus had appealed to the Minister to no avail. Poppy had offered proof that a medical emergency had occurred but a medical emergency involving an unmarried pregnant witch was of no importance.
Abigail called Lenny begging him to take her to the Reyes Estate, to be near him. She could then look out to the tower and see where he was. She could get a ferry to cross the water and beg the guards to let her see him. She could go to Gringotts and clear the vaults to bribe the guards. Becoming more frantic as time wore on, she thought of nothing but all the ways she could try to free him.
Lenny refused. He had promised the Professor Master not to take her to the prison, he would do as Severus instructed and take care of the witch and the babies. Abigail looked each day for the owl that she knew would come to her window from Severus, all the while knowing there would be no owl.
On Wednesday of the fourth week, she woke early, sat up and looked around the room. She jumped up and began to dress, feeling foolish to have forgotten him. She knew he would help. He had saved her once before and would do so again.
"Lenny!" she called. "I need Lucius, Lucius Malfoy. Lenny, get him at once."
Lenny's ears lay flat and his eye grew as big as saucers.
"Mr. Malfoy, Missus Master? Mr, Malfoy not nice Missus Master."
"I do not need someone that is nice right now. I have need for Lucius," she said, putting her hands on her hips and glaring back at the elf.
"Fine," she quipped after waiting for a response only to realize none was coming. "Get me an owl. NOW! Or take me there…. damn you to hell I will find him myself if need be."
She went to the desk to take up quill and parchment as the babies began to fuss. Laying down the quill, she sighed. They were almost a month old but had changed so much, she was surprised each time she entered their room. Every day they could do a little more, see a little better, follow her voice a little longer. She managed to scoop both of them up and began to get them undressed for their bath and bed.
Lenny reluctantly returned with an owl and looked with a shocked expression at Abigail who was leaned over the bed dressing the babies. Abigail rolled her eyes and grinned.
"I know this is your job Lenny." She looked at his expression. "Fine, you win."
"Lenny," she began. "If I should have to go away for a little bit, will you watch over them for me.?"
"Oh, yes Missus Master, I am to stay with them always. Master Professor and Master Headmaster said this." He beamed with pride.
"Thank you Lenny," she said sadly, she knew what she had to do.
Concentrating she penned a missive to Lucius Malfoy, tore it up and tried again. After several attempts, she thought she had gotten it right and stood to read it one last time. It simply stated that she wanted to see him as soon as possible. However, she knew the writing was childlike. She tied the note around the owl's leg, and instructing it who to deliver it to, opened the door for the bird to fly out. She watched as it flew down the hallway in search of an open window, around the corner and out of sight.
.
.
.
The staff were in the Great Hall eating lunch when Lucius Malfoy entered the castle. He was in search of the witch that had requested his presence. He strode in to find only three of the Hogwarts staff in attendance. Albus, Minerva, and Poppy watched him approaching the table with mild looks of surprise.
"Mr Malfoy," Albus stood as Lucius approached. "To what do I owe your company?"
"I have a luncheon date with a certain witch," he said nodding to both Minerva and Poppy. "However, since she is not here, perhaps you could tell me where Miss Haley is staying."
"I believe I would be remiss in not accompanying you Mr Malfoy," Albus said formally. "Please, do come this way."
Albus walked quickly through the halls towards the dungeons. He did not know why the witch had owled Lucius, but knowing it had something to do with Severus, he could not fault her. He had tried every avenue open to him, to no avail. The witch was also trying any means she could.
When they reached the Dungeons they walked to almost the end of the hall and ducked into a small alcove knocked on the door. Abigail hurried to open it. Seeing the two wizards, she stepped aside and allowed them in.
"Albus, Lucius and I have some business to discuss," she said, looking at Albus boldly.
"And I, will remain my dear since you would have no objections," Albus stated firmly. "I have made certain assurances to my Potions Master which I am compelled to fulfil."
"Lucius, I have need of you." Abigail said to Lucius turning her back on Albus. "I need you to get Severus released from Azkaban."
"My dear, that is not a simple request." He raised an eyebrow at her.
"I am willing to trade," she said flatly. "Anything you want."
"Trade? And what would you trade my dear?" He looked up and down her body. "Unless what I am looking at is for sale."
"Lucius, I must insist ..." Albus started.
"No, Albus, I must insist." Abigail rounded on him viciously. "You let me finish this or I will go without him, do you hear me?"
"Go? My dear, whatever are you asking of me?" Lucius smirked. "If you want to go somewhere with me, I am sure we could spend some enjoyable moments together."
"You can take me to the Dark Lord, Lucius," she said evenly. "If you want me yourself I don't care. You or him. Just get Severus out."
"Abigail, I forbid you to speak like this," Albus thundered.
"Or what Uncle, do you plan on keeping me prisoner?" she screamed. "I have no magic, I will get him out anyway I can."
Her yells woke the babies in the next room and she ran to quiet them. She grabbed the one closest to the side of the crib and clung to it crying. Lenny came in and lifted the second up. Placing it on the bed, he went to Abigail and coaxed her into surrendering the first.
Lucius had been standing in the doorway, stunned by hearing the cry of babies. As the witch struggled to regain her composure, he walked over to the bed and looked down at the little ones. Looking over at Abigail, he smirked.
"I see you and Severus know one another quite well," he laughed. "So, this is what it is about."
Then frowning he crossed the room and took her upper arms holding her back as if to see her better.
"Be careful how you answer my questions witch." Lucius said darkly. "If you lie, you will not speak twice."
She put up her head and locked her eyes on his.
"Are these children Severus'?" he asked evenly.
She nodded her head, choking on her tears.
"Does he believe you?" he kept on.
Again, she nodded.
"Do you love him this much?" Lucius demanded.
"Yes," she spoke without hesitation.
"Yet you would come to my bed and lay with the Dark Lord?" he asked, fury behind his eyes.
"For Severus' freedom, yes."
He pushed her away from him and walked back to the outer room to stand in front of the Headmaster.
"She would do this for my old friend, Albus." Lucius looked into the wizard's eyes. "Have I any reason to mistrust her?"
"Not as much as she does of you," Albus said honestly.
"I will help him witch, not you. If you are deceiving me, you are deceiving yourself my dear. Trust me. I have no interest in bedding my old friend's witch, nor will I surrender the mother of his children to the Dark Lord."
He walked to the door and turned back watching her slide to her knees on the floor, weeping in relief.
"I cannot promise anything," he said looking at Albus. "Severus will be angered that she has come to me."
"Severus does not share his witches," Lucius turned on Abigail, telling her darkly. "Forget this conversation ever occurred. He will see your offer as his betrayal, not his salvation."
Lucius then bowed sweeping his arm behind him in a grand gesture, and left.
Albus knelt beside the witch until she regained some of her composure and then helped her to her feet.
"He is correct in his assessment of our Professor child. I fear you may have saved his body, but I fear what he will think when he hears of this."
"I don't care… I only care that he comes back alive," she whispered, then turned seeing Lenny take the babies from the room. "I don't know what else to do Albus."
"A nice hot bath, a cup of tea and a lemon drop seems to be in order," he smiled at her. "You need to relax. Lenny has the children, use the time to collect yourself and wait to hear from Mr Malfoy."
She decided to take the babies down to the Great Hall for dinner that evening. Although Poppy and Minerva still seemed cold towards Abigail, they delighted in their brief encounters with the infants. Lenny had found an old pram in the storage area of Hogwarts' attic and had it cleaned and lined with soft linens. They laid the babies' heads at opposite ends of the mattress, and pushed them to the Great Hall.
They had a problem with the steps. Abigail automatically raised her hand to levitate the pram up the stairs only to see nothing happened. Lenny tried to help, but Abigail physically pushed him away, determined to help herself. Struggling to pull the pram up from the dungeons behind her, Lenny had hurried to fetch Albus.
By the time Albus had reached the witch, she had managed to get to the second flight up. She was breathing heavily and close to tears. He had gently gone to help her, holding on to one side of the handle while she took the other, and helped her pull the pram the rest of the way.
"Thank you Albus," she said as they continued to the Great Hall.
"I happened to be passing my dear, and knowing how you like to arrive on time, I merely lent some assistance," he said with an off hand air.
"I meant for not using magic you old fool," she chuckled at him. "I know magic would have been so much easier for you to do."
"Ah, but magic is not always better my dear."
Nearing the Great Hall, they heard the outside doors of Hogwarts burst open. Abigail recognized the click of the heels and the tap of the cane at once. She stood still, laying her hand on Albus' arm as Lucius rounded the corner in front of them.
"Albus, Miss Haley." He nodded in greeting. "As rude as I may appear to be standing in the hallway discussing such a matter, I am afraid I have little choice."
Abigail gripped onto Albus' arm tightly as she prepared for bad news.
"Witch, Severus goes on trial tonight, at 7:00 pm," he said without his usual smirk. "I have the assurance of only one third of the judges that their vote will fall with him."
"Headmaster, this is all that I can do. I have called on every judge loyal to the Dark Lord that will be on the panel tonight," he explained. "From here, we hope for the best."
"I have spoken to your intended. I have asked him to send a rescue party if Severus is found guilty," he said looking directly at Abigail. "He has agreed. Do understand, if the Dark Lord rescues him, he will not return here. He will be a wanted wizard. He is a Death Eater. At that point, you will also belong to the Dark Lord. He now knows you are here. Is this what you want?"
"Yes, he will be free," she said steadfastly as her heart beat against her chest. "So, it was … it was Voldemort I …"
"Your intended?" Lucius smirked. "Yes."
"But, Severus will be free?"
"Free? He will be in the hands of a monster." Lucius said coldly, "You to be deprived of your children, and in the bed of a fiend."
"I will trade the possibility for the reality. He is already doomed. He will receive the kiss if he remains. At least he will be alive and have a chance."
Lucius turned to leave as Abigail ran to stop him.
"Lucius, may I see him? May I speak to him?"
"You may see him at the trial," he said evenly. "They will not allow you to speak to him."
He left without looking back at her or Albus. Abigail watched after him, until she could no longer see him, until she heard the closing of the doors.
"I will send Lenny to assist you to the Ministry. I have much to do." Albus hurried off without a further word, his purple and star littered robes fanning out behind him.
Abigail quickly shook off her robes. She grabbed one of the blankets from the crib and folding it into a sling; she tied it tightly around her waist and over her right shoulder. She placed the girl inside, making sure she was comfortable and the reached for the boy. She wrapped him tightly in an extra blanket. Holding him in her left arm, she struggled into her robes, effectively hiding both babies beneath the billowing fabric.
"Lenny!" she called.
"Yes sirs" the elf nervously bowed.
'You are taking me to the Ministry." She held out her hand impatiently.
"Yes Miss Master." He looked around for the babies and then holding out his hand, grabbed for hers and spun them away.