Chapter Twenty Two: Secrets and New Starts:
Severus was having a nightmare, it had been a few weeks since the last terrifying one and he had hoped he was done with them. That was not the case, this time he was in the shrieking shack kneeling before Voldemort and he was talking to him, talking about killing him. Severus flashed to other more disturbing parts of the dream, the headmaster dying on the Astronomy tower, Harry in the Triwizard Tournament, the death of Cedric Diggory, watching Charity die at the hand of Voldemort and back to the shack. Voldemort was threatening him, working his way up to killing him and then Nagini was over him and….someone was shaking him awake. He gasped and came awake to see Minerva over him with Dumbledore on the other side of her.
"We heard the charm go off child." Minerva said quietly. "Another dream?"
"Yes, not the same though, I saw horrible things." Severus said tears trickling down his face.
"What did you see my boy?" Dumbledore said softly looking very concerned.
"I saw, Wormtail was never captured and Harry never went with you Minerva." Severus began softly.
He told them all he had dreamed and they listened solemnly. It seemed if fate or rather God or the angels had not caused Sirius to go after Wormtail and both to be overcome by the lake then Harry would not have gone to Minerva. Sirius would have had to go back on the run and Wormtail, well he would have gone to Voldemort and Barty Crouch would have posed as Moody and Harry would have ended up in the Triwizard Tournament. There was more, Sirius would have died at the end of Harry's fifth year and Dumbledore would have been gravely wounded. Then Severus would have had to kill him and in the end it looked as if he would die. Severus was crying freely now as both McGonagall and Dumbledore did their best to comfort him.
"Hush child it was just a dream, none of it happened." McGonagall said holding Severus and he let her. "You never will have to do such a thing."
"To think I was that horrible to you my boy." Dumbledore said, "I would not do that to you, when I adopted you to keep you safe I meant it when I said I would keep you as safe as I could. I know I have said and done things that were wrong and I am sorry."
"I too have done things headmaster that I regret." Severus said. "So many things."
"Yes but the good you have done far outweighs the evil." Dumbledore said, "you are my boy nothing will change that."
"I know." Severus said.
When Severus had come back to Hogwarts after his time in the ministry being questioned he had horrible nightmares. He refused to take any potions as he did not want to become addicted and so Dumbledore had set up wards to let Poppy at first know Severus had nightmares and have her tend to him. Then later it was McGonagall who got up and went to him to take care of him. In the past few years Dumbledore had gone with her as Severus could keep his mind cleared when he had to when he was with Voldemort, however that did come at a cost. For a few years Severus had no nightmares and was doing very well but with Voldemort back the nightmares had started up again. Dumbledore feeling guilty sending his boy into harm's way (though Severus would have gone anyway) had set the wards up in his rooms.
"So when will you marry Charity?" McGonagall asked.
"As soon as you and the headmaster tell your little secret." Severus said silkily.
"You are horrible and I think most people have figured that one out already!" McGonagall snapped at Severus.
"Well we could say something." Dumbledore said thoughtfully.
"Or not." McGonagall replied.
"Whatever do you two have to be ashamed of?" Severus asked. "You love each other, and both had losses in live and gained each other."
It was true, over long years of working together they had found they were in love with each other, after McGonagall had wed Dumbledore had been very supportive. When McGonagall's husband had died it was Dumbledore who took care of her but never told her of his love at that time. He never would have if she had not realized the truth and found he cared so deeply for her he was willing to give up his happiness to allow her to be happy. He had the problem of his youth and what he had done the but she had not cared. They had fallen deeply in love, a love so pure they had to be soul-mates.
So the natural thing for them to do was get married. Most of the staff at Hogwarts knew they were married, but very few did on the outside. There was more, it was McGonagall that had ordered Dumbledore to take Severus in that first time, for years even before they married she had done what she could to temper him and keep him doing the right thing. In fact she was still working on him giving an apology to Slytherin for taking the inner-house cup from them and giving it to Gryffindor. He had only been trying to be kind and he thought fair but she kept at him. Then there was their boy, who was still trembling slightly before them and still needing their care.
"Do you need me to stay with you Severus?" McGonagall asked.
"That would, I don't want to burden you." Severus said.
"Oh it will be no trouble." McGonagall said changing to Tabby and jumping on the bed and curling up by Severus.
"Go to sleep, no harm will come to you." Dumbledore said.
Severus lay down and curled around Tabby and was asleep quickly. There was nothing like having a soft warm bundle of fur to sleep by especially when that bundle could turn human if there was trouble ahead. Severus of course would never curl up with Padfoot, he had his reputation as a horrible wicked strong man to uphold after all. Dumbledore transformed the armchair in the corner to a camp bed and curled up on it. Soon his snores joined those of Severus and Tabby and were the only sounds for hours. This was how Tibby found them the following morning. She smiled as she saw her master sleeping with Tabby by his side, the cat woke first yawning and stretching and getting up turning back to McGonagall. Next Albus woke and finally Severus woke.
"We better let Severus get ready for the day." McGonagall said walking to the fireplace.
"Yes, though it is very early yet." Dumbledore said smiling.
"Yes it is, you have time for what I must have interrupted last night." Severus said silkily.
"Oh yes well I fall asleep many times during that." Dumbledore said innocently.
"Albus!" McGonagall snapped while Severus turned red at that remark. "Am I really that boring?"
"You know that image is really the very worst." Severus said, "I really don't want to hear more."
"What that we like to play chess many an evening my dear boy?" Dumbledore said innocently. "Whatever else would I mean?"
"Er nothing headmaster." Severus replied.
McGonagall called out hers and Dumbledore's rooms and went though with him following. Severus went to take a shower and try to get the image out of his mind of just what McGonagall and Dumbledore were doing. He didn't need to know that, he really did not. Still they were good to him and he allowed them to tease him as it was all in good fun. He realized there were so many here for him and he loved how his life was getting better and better. He may still have nightmares but he did not have to deal with them alone.
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Hogsmeade:
Severus Snape looked up at the dilapidated shack with disgust, it was a blight on the edge of the school grounds and he hated it. Remus no longer needed it as he took Wolfsbane, Lithium and wore his magical muzzle when he changed. Severus wanted to get rid of the house as it had no good memories for him. It was here he was nearly killed in his sixth year and again in Harry's third year. Yes Sirius had apologized and really had meant it but still there was the pain of seeing that house. He turned as Sirius walked up hands in the pockets of his maroon robes. He looked very thoughtful and Severus wondered if he thought of doing what he wanted to do. Remus came up eating and looked at the house and reached into the bag of dog treats (I know that sounds funny but they are high in protein and he needs protein) and he ate it before he spoke.
"Let's blow it up." Remus said.
"It belongs to the school, we cannot." Severus said.
"Um ah not exactly." Sirius said a slow smile crossing his face. "I bought it, for a very small sum, seems it is in such bad shape that it was almost for a song and dance."
"Splendid, so when do we blow it up?" Remus asked.
"What spells will we use?" Sirius said.
"No spells." Remus said.
"No there are muggle ways to do this." Severus said.
He smirked as Sirius looked thoroughly confused as he not know much about muggle explosives. He was thinking how fireworks could blow up a building and thought that TNT was so dangerous it could blow up the castle with one stick. However Remus and Severus knew about TNT or dynamite and they would put their heads together to figure out how to do this safely and in a fun way. That was why Severus fit into his busy schedule of teaching, grading papers, taking care of his son and of course dating. Remus of course went to buy fireworks from W3 and Fred and George found out what was going to happen. They of course offered to help and Severus did not have to worry about them keeping the secret.
Finally on a cold spring evening they had everything ready. The shield charms had been set around the parameter and the explosives had been set up carefully inside. Every possibility had been carefully considered and it was Remus who went and bought the dynamite. He had filled out the forms he had to that explained he was doing a demo and yes he had all the safety equipment in place. Then a week of careful placing of the explosives and fireworks and setting up the shield charms. Finally they were ready and Severus was going to have fun destroying the last horror of his childhood.
"So you ready for this professor?" Fred asked him.
"We got the cameras set up." George added.
"So glad we are doing this." Remus said knowing Severus needed this.
"Me too, got the detonator thing?" Sirius asked Severus.
"Yes and no you don't get it." Severus said.
"Well I don't want it, I still don't see how you thought fifty of sticks of TNT might not be enough." Sirius said, "TNT has to be very powerful!"
"Well it is but there are things more powerful." Severus said.
"Oh yes C4 comes to mind." Remus said.
"That and Napalm." Severus added.
"What the hell is Napalm?" Sirius asked.
"Basically it's sticky gasoline that can burn underwater." Remus said, "it's really nasty and it was used both World War II and the muggle American war in South East Asia."
"Wow, so um what is the worst?" Sirius asked.
"Must you ask that?" Severus nearly snapped, "even you should know that the splitting of the atom created a horrible weapon that was used to level two cities thus ending world war II."
"Enough war talk, we are here to destroy that building not talk of war." McGonagall said walking up.
"Right, so Severus you want to do this?"
"Of course."
Around the parameter the students of the school had gathered and were watching what was going to happen. They had heard their would be a show and though most had gone home for the Christmas break they had come back for New Years. Harry stood by Ginny and seeing she was cold shared his cloak with her gently holding her close. Draco was standing with Luna and Ron and Hermione were together. Neville was holding hands with Hannah and many other students were finding tender ways to stay warm. A couple had to be pulled apart from Snogging and firmly told to pay attention. Severus turned to the hated house and Dumbledore looked at his watch and lead the countdown.
Severus dropped the plunger on the detonator and waited for something to happen. For a few seconds it looked as if nothing would happen, but then fireworks started to go off. Then there was the sound of explosions and the house came tumbling down. There was a cloud of dust that quickly settled as the fireworks continued to go off all over the place. Finally Severus grinned as he saw the house was completely gone. All that was left was a pile of rubble where the hated house had stood. An evil chapter in his life was finally closed and he really did feel as if he could move on with his life…
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Grimmauld Place:
A few days after Severus had blown up the shrieking shack he proposed to Charity Burbage and she said she would accept if his son did not mind. Severus knew she was the right witch for him when she said yes, of course he had known that before hand as she was so very good with Max. So that was why he was here with Charity to see his son. He had sold his own house and for the time being put his books in storage as his childhood home was not a place he wanted to stay, there were too many memories there, many good but many that were hard to take. His father dying of cancer and watching his mother waste away with grief and dying as well. Sirius said he could stay for the time being until he found a place to live, Severus had an idea where he wanted to live but that meant he would have to buy some land and build a house. His son came into the parlor where Charity and Severus sat waiting for him.
"Hello Max, do have a seat." Severus said.
"Yes daddy." Max said sitting down.
"I have a question for you Max." Charity said, I would like to marry your father but I want it to be alright to you." Charity said.
"I guess that would be okay." Max said looking at the floor.
"I am not ever going to replace your mother, you don't have to call me mum or mummy if you do not want to. I promise I will take care of you and your father you have my word on that."
"You will?" Max said looking up at her.
"Yes, I love both of you so very much." Charity said.
"Daddy will you still read to me?" Max asked, "each night?"
"Of course I will." Severus said.
"Okay, but well…."
"What is it Max?" Charity asked.
"Can I have chocolate every day?" Max asked innocently.
"Well that may be up to your father." Charity said.
"He already gets a piece a day." Severus said giving his son a stern look.
"Well if I get one from you daddy and one from Charity then I get two a day." Max said innocently.
"This is Remus doing I know it." Severus said starting to get up, "I will hang him in the dungeon by his thumbs I really will."
"Severus don't you dare." Charity said firmly.
"Can I be ring bearer?" Max asked.
Severus and Charity looked at the small boy and smiled warmly at him. Max gave his answer and it was yes, he wanted a mum to look after him and he was sure his own mother would not mind. He got up and ran and hugged Charity then his father as he was so very happy. Charity was not replacing his mother but she would be there for him too. He saw how happy his father was and he was very happy too as he knew life would get better and better as he got older and soon, in a few short years he would go to Hogwarts himself!
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So the end of an era just was literally blown up. I think doing this helped Severus heal so much more, the shack had been something that had stood to remind him of a time when Sirius Black would hurt and harm others. He has changed as has Severus and Remus. They have grown up.
So do review!