A/N # 1 – NW2A edited Min's love note from Gellert in the previous chapter, so she had some idea where to go. Yes, Gellert sent V a different note than the one Min got. 'Cos he's sneaky.
Thanks to MM for her help.
"I'll pay for the dress," Oxana informed Severus. "You don't have to spend your money on outfits. Sasha and I have set some money aside for this. It's our gift to our goddaughter, so you don't have to worry about the cost adding to your debts."
Severus shook his head, and tersely explained. "I must be the one to buy this particular outfit for her."
The witch protested but still Severus doggedly persevered. For Ariana's first Christmas, he would buy a dress. Severus had long accepted that he wouldn't be there to see his daughter wear it, as he'd be dead. But he would be there in spirit.
Green, it must be a radiant, vivid Slytherin green. Minerva had made a promise regarding the outfit. No doubt the Headmaster would adorn his babe in sparkly, jeweled finery ill-suited for a little sprog, but… she'd need to be changed. Babies required frequent changes due to recurrent eruptions from either ends; the indomitable Minerva would get the dress on her.
Ariana would be dressed in emerald and silver for her first Christmas. The colors would be a barbed reminder to one and to all that a Slytherin had been intimately involved with the miracle of her conception.
That would be enough for Severus as pictures would be taken, and hopefully an older Ariana would understand that Severus had given her that for Christmas. No doubt she would wonder about her rather irregular conception. Thankfully, Severus had long accepted the bitter fact that Albus wouldn't really mention him to Ariana, so the sting no longer burned as badly. In Albus' Dumbledorish universe, there were lavender unicorns and crup puppies, sweets and Muggle chamber music, no Slytherins allowed, especially after their usefulness had ended, thank you very much.
Considering that Severus had started this sojourn full of piss and vinegar, he was surprisingly fatigued, as though he had run a marathon or three. Oxana claimed it was because he was being weaned off their Heartstone. The magical node that Oxana and Sasha used to protect the shop plus keep him alive was being slowly brought down so the three of them could leave Manchester. Yes, Severus was leaving with the Dark Mage, but first he would buy a Christmas dress to spite the Headmaster. Priding himself on being pragmatic, he decided it best to cover all the possibilities.
"You don't have to find it today," suggested Oxana. "We can go shopping another day."
She earned a nod of acknowledgment, and then he continued to search through the racks. This one was too poofey, that one was a horrible monstrosity the Headmaster would wear if only it came in his size and that one had ribbons on which Ari might choke. Then he found it, in the back, an emerald green taffeta dress embroidered with red roses and long silver vines. There was even a large, black satin bow.
Ari? Do you think you'd like to wear this?
In his mind's eye, he saw her, a plump baby with a riotous mass of dark curls wearing the dress. She bounced up and down excitedly, seemingly pleased with his choice… Then Ari frowned and looked at her feet. She wiggled her plump toes and then beseechingly looked up at him.
Slippers, she reminded him. Ari needs slippers, Papa! Maybe a green hair bow? Please, Papa!
"I'll need to get satin slippers and a matching hair bow," he said out loud. "But I think this is the dress."
By the time they reached Wizards Thatch in Alderley Edge, he was staggering and near physical collapse. The deceptively strong Oxana had slipped one arm around him and was physically supporting him.
"You're doing remarkably well considering this is your first day off the Heartstone. Don't you fret about being tired, dear. It's to be expected. Now, Sasha sent us here because there's a rumor that King Arthur and his army are sleeping nearby, awaiting their chance to serve England once more," Oxana explained. "He so enjoys King Arthur myths."
"Such a romantic, our Sasha is," Severus sniped.
"He is. Now let's get you into bed," she ordered. "I'll be sharing the bed with you, but it's quite large."
He was too knackered to even manage a quip about how sharing a bed with Oxana would ruin his unblemished reputation, so he just nodded. His dreams overtook him almost as soon as he crawled into the truly mammoth four poster bed, which was hung in scarlet and gold tapestry. Really, surrounded by all the Gryffindor frippery, it was not a surprise that he dreamed of the Headmaster…
Albus Dumbledore switched into something a little more Muggle like than his usual lavender bespangled robes. He stared at his reflection in the mirror and shook his head. Charity Burbage had assured him that he'd fit in with the other tourists in Prague in this most outlandish of clothes. Black trousers, a plain white shirt and a black leather jacket. No splash of color! How drab! Charity had specifically ordered that he wasn't to wear a muffler. With a soft sigh of regret, he decided that it would be necessary to shorten his hair and beard. Its length and condition was a great vanity of his, but his signature coif was rather noticeable. It wasn't December 5th, so a figure reminiscent of Szent Miklós out and about on the streets of Prague would be rather noticeable.
"I'll find him…I swear that I will bring Severus home and then Confine him to Hogwarts until our child is born," Albus firmly assured Fawkes. "Before long, he'll be here. Soon."
Severus woke in darkness then, his heart pounding. Nadya was curled next to him and questioningly chirped when he woke.
"He's going to find me," he whispered. "Take me back to Hogwarts and confine me until Ariana is born. He'll take her from me. I know he will…"
Oxana stirred next to him and ordered, "Put your hand on your pendant. Hold it tight."
The jade dragon pendant felt warm in his hand and he squeezed it.
"As long as you wear that, the only way he'll be able to find you if he knows where you are physically. Magically, your essence is disguised. We have Glamoured you into being unrecognizable, never forget that. He can't Trace you or Soul Locate you," the witch whispered. "Good news, I heard from Sasha, we can return home tomorrow as the air will be safe for you to breathe. Now go back to sleep. You need to rest as our shop is backlogged! Closing the shop on a Monday afternoon! I never thought Sasha would do that. "
He closed his eyes. As Severus drifted back to sleep, Nadya increased her purring and his thoughts were full of Minerva.
Go to sleep, Severus. I'll protect you, his dream Minerva promised.
The wave of exhaustion was so unexpected that Minerva McGonagall nearly fell into Aberforth's embrace. As it was, they almost got to know each other biblically as Abeforth's hands were in distinctively no-man's territory.
"Arthur's in the parlor," the embarrassed Aberforth gruffly stated.
"Thank you," the witch said, attempting not to inhale. Aberforth did smell like a goat, and while it wasn't an unpleasant musky smell… perhaps it was a bit overpowering? When she entered his home…her mind refused to say HOVEL, though it did shout barn, shed and milling goat herd, she found the reason.
Arthur Weasley was giving a fully grown goat a bottle. To a purist like Minerva, it was bad enough to entertain goats in the parlor but to bottle feed a full grown goat smacked of molly coddling. It was no real revelation that the ginger-haired father of the Weasley multitudes seemed remarkably at ease at doing so, as apparently one kid was much like another regardless of the number of legs. The blissful goat was contentedly sucking away.
"Mattie's an orphan," Aberforth tersely explained. "Mattie, when you're done, it's off to bed with you. It's time for your bedtime. Looks like there will be no story tonight."
The goat stopped in midsuck. If goats could pout, this one had it mastered. The look on his face could only be one of betrayal and Aberforth growled, "I've got important business!"
The sulky goat trotted off to wherever his bed was and Minerva prayed that Aberforth wasn't sharing a bed with Mattie. Though it would explain a great many things, none of which a rather stressed Minerva McGonagall truly wished to dwell upon.
Her eyes involuntarily rolled heavenward as if in prayer...Severus, I will never let Aberforth raised the bairn, I so swear!
The goat stuck his head around the corner of the door and looked hopeful, as though expecting a reprieve. He nickered hopefully.
"NONE OF THAT BACKTALK, BOYO! BEDTIME!" Aberforth roared and the goat softly bleated. "HEAD ON THE PILLOW OR NO BEDTIME STORIES FOR A WEEK!"
There was a final, weak nag of goatly protest, a counteroffer of no stories for a whole month, the scampering of cloven hooves and then the creak of a bed as Mattie made himself comfy.
"So, we're there. What do you want?" the down-market Dumbledore growled. "Make it quick. I need to tuck him into bed. He's an orphan and needs structure in his life. You know, a regular bedtime is a good habit to get into."
Minerva bit her tongue to prevent herself from informing Abeforth that his little "orphan" billy goat kid was in fact old enough to populate the parlor with numerous grandkids for Aberforth to spoil. But no doubt Mattie was a down-to-earth goat, and would be indisposed to ruin a good arrangement.
"As you're aware, Albus canceled tomorrow's Order Meeting. I believe that is because he will be in Prague. I fear that it will be an ambush, and I'd like to request your help." Minerva decided it was best to keep her plea simple and unemotional.
If she thought that there would be slimmest chance of success, Minerva would have gone to each and every Order member and begged for their assistance. However Minerva knew too well the recent mood of the Order. Mad Eye and Sirius had managed to spread their Anti-Snape prejudices amongst the Order. There would be no unexpected help from them. As it was, she wasn't sure that Arthur would agree to this madness but there was the faintest glimmer of hope as she knew him to be fair minded.
"Backup? For my brother?" Aberforth then paused for a moment, relishing the pleasant daydream of swooping in to salvage his brother's latest cock up. "That will hurt his pride."
He laughed softly, apparently enjoying the chance to get back at Albus.
"To hell with his pride," retorted Minerva. Merlin's twisted pants, Severus was what mattered. "Aberforth…"
"Minerva, you're moving a bit fast for me," Arthur interrupted. "Last thing I knew Severus wanted to leave. Why would we be part of dragging him back?"
"Boy got tired of being used by my bloody sainted and obsessive brother," spat Aberforth. His spit splattered close to Minerva's boot, but she refused to flinch. "Went from the griddle into the flames. I'm in. Got to rescue Severus and my goddaughter. Then you and I, Minnie, we will protect the kid from her father. Albus can't be trusted with anything fragile, you know."
Aberforth loving glanced toward Mattie's bedroom and nodded his head.
"He'll leave the poor thing hungry and in a dirty nappy while he runs off on some ego-building crusade...she'll need proper care from an experienced hand. Don't you worry, Minnie, I am more than willingly to do my part in raising her."
Minerva couldn't help but shudder as she imagined Severus' daughter being fed while standing and being taught to eat cereal from Aberforth's hand. If Aberforth wasn't restrained, the bairn would be requiring a bottle for her Hogwarts' meals!
Arthur struggled to process everything he had just heard without wearing his shock on his face, but his jaw did go a bit slack involuntarily. Minerva wasn't sure what got her goat more, that Aberforth had blithely announced something better kept secret, or the fact that he had called her Minnie.
"You have a Goddaughter?" Arthur questioned. "Albus? He's a father? I thought we were talking about Severus? What the bloody hell have I been drinking? I thought I just had a cup of goat's milk. You didn't tell me it was spiked! Have your goats gotten into some sort of funny grass, Aberforth?"
"Forget I mentioned anything," a shamefaced Aberforth mumbled. "Wasn't supposed to bring it up."
"Abe," growled Minerva. She shouldn't be angry as it was far too late to put the goat back in its pen, but… damn Aberforth! "You… You…"
"Minerva? Aberforth? This conversation is so far beyond cryptic that it's completely nonsensical," inserted a rather gobsmacked Arthur. He had a glimmer of what they were talking about, but Arthur Weasley was a sensible man. There was a natural order to the world, even the magical world, and men having babies had no part in it. "Did I fall down the rabbit hole?"
"Mattie needs to be tucked into bed. He's a growing goat and needs his rest," rumbled Aberforth, who then ran for the hills… bedroom, leaving Minerva McGonagall, the universally ordained bailer outer of the leaky boat known as the HMS Dumbledore... the witch sentenced to a life sentence of unbuggering all the Dumbledore related buggering, facing a confused Arthur Weasley.
"You can't tell me," acknowledged Arthur. "But… just 'yay' or 'nay' will be sufficient. You believe Severus is loyal to the Order but is in a bit of a jam. Albus is heading into an ambush, and he's not asking for help from the Order because he thinks we have all forgotten how loyal Severus has been."
"Aye," she answered. So far so good. Hopefully that would be enough for Arthur?
"There's a baby involved? No wonder Albus has been acting bloody blinkered…" was Arthur's next comment. "No… no… that you can't answer… but what the bloody hell happened to Severus? Can you tell me that much?"
"It's more like what didn't happen to Severus. He Whom I Wish Nothing More than to Castrate with a Dull, Rusty Butter Knife happened to Severus," Minerva explained. She paused, debating what she should say next. "When He found out Severus' true loyalties, He systematically tortured Severus with a literal army of Polyjuiced Albuses… There were some matters that needed to be resolved between Albus and Severus. I told Albus to back off as Severus was in no condition to deal with him…"
"Albus can be a tad overwhelming," helpfully offered Arthur.
"Albus backed off…but by doing so, Severus reasoned that Albus was abandoning him…as maimed, he felt no longer held any value to the Order. He fled… I fear that now he is being held prisoner by a Dark Wizard."
"He Who Must Not Be Named has him?" questioned Arthur.
"No…" This is where Minerva once more realized how absolutely barmy this tale of woe sounded. "Gellert's followers."
"I thought that they were all dead," Arthur protested. "Never mind, I'm sure you have your reasons. The question is… why didn't Albus ask for your help? Why is he doing this solo?"
"Albus has chosen not to confide in me," the witch tersely answered. Left unspoken was Minerva' belief that Albus was being a daft prat.
Arthur tilted his head, quirked an eyebrow and waited for more. Subconsciously, he radiated a soothing "Confess all to Father Arthur and Receive Solace" aura.
"That's all you'll get from me," she snapped. She was not a Weasley and she made a habit of confessing her sins and transgressions to no man. "Are you in or are you not? We need to be in Prague."
The head of the Weasley family pondered the situation while Minerva attempted to remain calm. Damn it, she needed Arthur. He wasn't the experienced street fighter that she was, couldn't hex a drunken crowd into submission like Aberforth, but he was level-headed and courageous. Weasley would be a badly needed asset in this sticky wicket.
"I'm in," he decided. The witch opened her mouth to express her gratitude, but Weasley interrupted her, "Don't thank me as if I am doing something gallant. Severus is an order member - a loyal order member – and that means he gets my help. Let me go home, inform Molly that I'm out on Order business tomorrow and that it is a secret mission. I'll meet you here?"
"Very well," Minerva agreed.
"See you when I see you," he promised.
Even distracted and emotionally distraught, Albus still managed to avoid the eagle eyes of Minerva McGonagall… only thanks to his loyal familiar, Fawkes. It was Tuesday afternoon, and she was stalking him with all the enthusiastic vigor of a large, hungry cat.
Down the hallway, Fawkes informed him. Take the left. She looks quite determined to talk to you.
He followed the directions quickly, and then fled to his office where he told his stone sentries that no one, especially his Deputy Headmistress, no matter how determined, was permitted to enter.
"Unless Hogwarts is on fire," he informed Bob, the stone Gargoyle. "And if it's Minerva, she'll need someone to confirm that she didn't start it."
Bob the Gargoyle, thankfully not very talkative as Albus was in no mood for witty conversation, quietly agreed.
You have a full schedule today. You should cancel your appointments as you should nap. Fawkes pedantically instructed him as though Albus was only a Phoenix chick. Tonight, you must be in top form.
"I will only be a mere one hundred and fifteen years old on my next birthday," Albus dryly informed Fawkes. "So I am ever appreciative that you're here to mentor me as I'm obviously in need of assistance."
One hundred and sixteen years in Phoenix years, retorted his familiar. If one counts the years properly.
"I do not count the time I was in the womb," was Albus' normal rejoinder to this old, familiar tease between them. "But I am quite certain that my mother did."
The quip wasn't voiced, instead an exhausted Albus gracelessly collapsed onto his settee. "I feel every single second of my one hundred and fourteen years," he softly admitted.
It was a painful admission for him. For most of his long years, Albus had been so bloody cocky, confident that he still possessed the strength and the stamina of a much younger wizard. Not any more. His piss and vinegar had long gone for a Burton and had decided not to return. On the afternoon before a looming battle, the very time when he would need to be at his strongest, Albus Dumbledore was utterly drained.
Fawkes crooned softly and Albus briefly closed his eyes. He should return to his bed for a nice long lie-in, but the settee seemed to be physically attached to him. It would be futile, he assured himself, to walk to his bed as he'd have to drag the settee after him. Best stay where he was, sooner or later the settee would get bored and find someone else to attach itself to.
Don't go alone tonight. You might need help.
"There's no one I can ask," mumbled Albus. He felt the displacement of air as Fawkes appeared over him and dropped something warm and fuzzy on his ancient bones. It was a continental quilt.
Not true! NOT TRUE! Silly little nestling! Am I nobody?
"I don't want you hurt," protested the mage to his familiar. "You are all I have."
You're not alone! Fawkes' tone was reproachful.
Feeling more than slightly maudlin, Albus wiped his tearing eyes.
When we find Severus, we'll bring him back home to heal. You just need to let him regain his confidence. I know it's difficult to hold back, but cosseting him so tightly that he can not breathe will not help him mend. When a chick falls out of the nest, they're scared. Our chicks need to know that we are confident in them. If we hold them back they will never take that first leap from the nest."
"I just thought that I should help," Albus whispered. "I had the money, he didn't. All of his money went toward his mother's care. He didn't even have a proper pair of boots, Fawkes. Yet, whenever the Board increased his wages, he would just turn it all over to that horrid hospice. He didn't keep any of it for himself. I had to help him… because I couldn't fail someone that needed my assistance. Not like I did Ariana…"
Go to sleep. I'll sing you to sleep.
Returning back to shop the next afternoon, Severus thought that he'd be put to work settling the backlog of potions. Instead, a freshly shorn Sasha quickly examined him, declared him in passable health, brutally chastised him for not buying more daygros and poppers for the sprog as Sasha was paying for them, and then demanded that Severus follow him into the parlor.
"You and I need to discuss important matters. Oxana, will you join us also?" Sasha requested. He then rubbed his head as though he wanted additional physical confirmation about his hair loss. "Sit… sit…First of all, we've got company. I've got two dozen various mages staying for the night while they're waiting for their port key."
Severus sat down and Sasha approvingly nodded his head. "The three of us will be bunking in your room. I wouldn't give your room away, but one of the witches is quite close to term, so I gave her Oxana's bed."
Oxana sighed and shook her head.
"I'm willing to bunk on the floor but Oxana, your back is a bit dodgy. But that's not the big issue; I'm not sure the best way to mention this…"
The Dark Mage paused and Severus was secretly bemused that dear, sweet, barmy, mass murdering Sasha was really nervous. It was rather… droll.
"Cut the palaver," suggested Severus. "I've got potions to brew. My boss is a tyrant who doesn't like me piss-balling around."
As expected, Sasha quirked a quick smile.
"Just a tyrant? The bastard's a despot! Severus… it's your mother," Sasha began. "I wish I didn't have to tell you this, but she's dying. It's only a matter of time."
Severus quirked one eyebrow at Sasha and shook his head. Really, Sasha didn't know that Severus' mother was moribund? "I know she's failing. Now, may I get back to work?"
"No… I'm not talking her usual condition of status asparagus," protested Sasha. "Listen to me; she's well and truly dying. Her organs are shutting down, Severus. She'll be dead within the week. Would you like to visit her before she dies?"
"No doubt Dumbledore has the hospice heavily warded, I'll never be able to get in to see her," Severus calmly stated.
Yes, put the blame on a fear of Dumbledore, as that would be an acceptable reason for not visiting one's dying mother, rather than a complete lack of interest. Sasha wasn't displeased with his refusal; no instead, he seemed quite pleased.
"I believe that he'll be quite busy tonight around ten in the evening," was Sasha's ready answer.
The explosives? Sasha wasn't going to bomb Hogwarts in a fit of pique, was he? All those dead students, bodies strewn throughout the Great Hall, the little black pointed hats… No… no… there was no way Sasha would do that… He slipped Muggle children sweets when they came into the shop!
"I can get you in and you can have a quick visit. Rada's been playing with the wards and added a few modifications. She's a very subtle caster, so her addendums appear to have been unobserved. Really, they shouldn't perceive them unless they attempt to Apparate directly to the hospice while you're visiting your mother. They'll bounce off harmlessly to another location and we'll be able to escape. Don't be so worried, you should know that I wouldn't risk you and my goddaughter if I wasn't completely confident that we can get you in and out."
Severus realized that while he was attempting to keep his emotions in check, he had still managed to reveal his unease. He was rubbing his belly, instinctively attempting to pacify the current occupant.
"And what if the Headmaster decides to enter through the front door?" questioned Severus. "I understand that it's a rather quaint way of entering a building, but he might be in a whimsical mood. I highly doubt it, as he's such a stolid soul."
His quip earned a narrowing of Sasha's green eyes. "Even if he rappels down a rope being tightly held by his Phoenix, he won't be able to enter the building without us being aware. We'll have enough time to get you out. Rada, Toma and Byakko have taken it upon themselves to do this for you and I know the sterling quality of their work."
That tidbit stopped Severus' hand in midrub.
"They know about my mother?" Severus softly questioned. There a quiver in his belly when he realized that he had been entirely too trusting of the Bulgarian.
"Severus, I brought you into my house," the Bulgarian explained. "At great risk to my fellow cell members and the Harbinger. The blood in your parents' veins could be used to trace your location, and I needed the connection to be broken. Toma is quite proficient in blood magic and he created the necessary magic. Byakko is the only one that knows the complete circumstances behind you. But I trust him with my life. As the Harbinger, he knows how to contact Snezhana besides being aware of the location of all my brothers and sisters are scattered across the globe. He'd die before he revealed anything, but I would not willingly put my brother through torture, especially since he's to become a father again."
"Byakko?" Oxana inserted.
"Yes. His wife is the one in your bed. Yes, he's gotten remarried. She's Toma and Rada's granddaughter. Yes, Rada was involved with Sofia, but after his sister died, Toma made a donation… or three…Yes, the entire lot of us are horribly inbred but it's hard to find a suitable life partner when everyone in the free wizarding world wants you dead, and can we focus on the current situation and less on who's related to whom in the Brotherhood?" Sasha rapidly stated.
Severus blinked quickly, attempting to comprehend what Sasha had just rambled at a quick pace. He decided that he really didn't want to know about the breeding habit of Dark Wizards and instead did a quick calculation. He came up with a sizeable sum. Hesitantly, Severus questioned, "The Brotherhood has been in hiding for nigh near fifty years… and in that time, you had families… all of whom probably followed in your beliefs. How many of you are there?"
"Until you take the Oath, I can not tell you that," Sasha assured him. "Don't worry, you'll know soon enough. We're extremely interested in recruiting you to our cause."
Merlin's scrote! A Death Eater, Order Member and now a prospective Brotherhood member. Truly, an embarrassment of riches. Wouldn't Eileen be so proud of how her son had turned out?
"Oh," whispered Severus. Then realizing that perhaps his lack of enthusiasm might not be received favorably, Severus attempted to put a positive spin on things. "I am… quite…. honored."
He didn't even want to think about what horrors the initiation rites might include. They might want… to… repeat… what happened… His stomach roiled at the thought of providing carnal entertainment for hundreds of Gellert sworn Dark Wizards. Sasha sat next to him.
"Snezhana hoped that by providing you with the opportunity to visit your mother without fear of being harassed by either Snakey Face or St. Albus, it would prove to you that we are capable magicians, worthy of your considerable skills. She sends her compliments to you."
The Dark Wizard paused and then hesitantly continued. "What happened to you… how you were abused… by them both… it would not happen again… if you would choose to join us. You have honored me, chosen me to be Godfather to your child… and I would be delighted to call you my brother."
Once again, Severus felt that sinking feeling in his gut and he swallowed.
Sasha clasped Severus' hand and then he knelt before Severus. Deliberately, he placed Severus' hand over his heart. This had the aura of a ritual and Oxana was watching them both intently.
"Here on my knee, I vow to God above, I'll never pause again, never stand still, till either death hath closed these eyes of mine or fortune given me measure of revenge. I, Damyan Georgiev Draganov, vow on my soul and on my name, that I will defend my brother, Severus Tobias Snape, to my very death. I will avenge the horrific wrongs that have been inflicted on your noble soul. Will you accept my pledge, my brother?" Sasha asked.
The Dark Mage's green eyes were penetrating and Severus was overwhelmed by a calamitous portent.
Sasha, sightless eyes open wide, was lying bloody and still in green grass, while a conquering Albus Dumbledore cavalierly stepped over Sasha's broken body. "You're coming with me, Severus. I've long since lost my patience with you… it's time for you to stop running."
"I… can not ask this of you," protested Severus. "You have taken me into your house… healed me… I can not ask for more."
"Brother, you have not solicited for my assistance. I have declared my intention, now, you can accept my vow or you can refuse. But know this; I will take vengeance, my brother, whether or not you give me permission. Albus Dumbledore and Voldemort will look upon me and know fear," vowed Sasha. "For it will behoove them not, to come unaware upon a live Dragon and his wrath."
"I don't want you to die for me," shakily asserted Severus. Then, he quickly added, "Brother, I do not desire to lose you."
"Then I pledge that I will not die," was the Bulgarian's cocky retort. He then released Severus' hand and stood. "My shop is calling for me and it is decrying my neglect of it. That reminds me, I have ordered a new cleaver to match the rest of your potion set. The previous owner shattered the original cleaver in defense of his family and since he was no longer able to use the set, I never replaced it. It's been so long that I had forgotten that the set was cleaver-less."
"You… never told me who owned the set originally," Severus reminded him.
"Adrik Zoravkov," Sasha slowly admitted.
The name was not one of Gellert's known followers.
"Adrik?" Severus repeated. "Is that why you call me… Adrik?"
"You reminded me of him… when I found you in the alleyway. So determined to fight until the last, even though you had no strength. Adrik… was my father's sister's son. Not just my cousin, but my father's sister's son. When the Draganov curse awoke in me, the Czech Aurors were sent after him, as the Bulgarian Aurors Department consisted of only very small chunks. Sadly, the Draganov curse is only passed down from the father to the son, so his blood was clean. That didn't stop them. Adrik, dear, sweet, splendid Adrik fought to the bitter end, and he sunk his cleaver deep into the Lead Auror's heart."
Sasha was trapped in the memories of his dead and then he blinked his eyes.
"I avenged him, his wife and his three little girls. It took me time, but I killed every single one of those Czech Aurors. I was… Godfather… to his oldest girl, Krasimira."
There was a profound silence and then Sasha mumbled about returning to the shop. He left the parlor, leaving Severus and Oxana.
"You look done in, why don't you lie down," Oxana suggested. "I'll wake you around eight? That way you can get ready to visit your mother."
But I have no desire to see my mother, Severus thought. But the emotional burden of what had just occurred was weighing heavily on him. It would be best for him to retire to his room so he could process everything. Sasha had offered him with the most remarkable gift.
Friendship.
And comradeship with Severus would in turn lead to the Bulgarian's death. Severus didn't possess an ounce of foresight but there had been the bitter sting of truth in his vision. To Severus' profound shame, his eyes were tearing and he brusquely wiped them. Must be the damn hormones. A man's body wasn't meant to endure this, that was why he was acting so barmy!
"He's exceedingly fond of you, you know. When you wanted him to be Godfather, he was bloody well chuffed. I know he kept refusing to be Godfather, but he was just being radgie gadgie Sasha," Oxana helpful explained. "You've done him a lot of good by being here. He needs to be reminded of the man he once was. His friends… they're dragging him back into the Brotherhood. I quite like Sasha, as you are well aware… but Damyan… his rage frightens me."
"My Brother is an extraordinary man," offered Severus.
"Yes, he is," the witch agreed. "You do know, my dear Adrik, that since you and Sasha are now Brothers in heart that means that you and I are now Brother and Sister. I hope you believe that I will defend you also. I am an excellent defensive witch and Sasha is quite the attacking mage."
Oxana Kameneva stepped in front of Severus, and faced the Dark Lord's followers. Recklessly, she laughed her defiance at them. Severely outnumbered, the witch bravely stood her ground, refusing to yield. The Hexes hit her hard and her body collapsed in a boneless heap at Severus' feet.
"I do not understand what I've done to earn the strength of your regard," protested a tearing Severus.
She pushed his dark hair out of his eyes and then smiled.
"Just by being you, dear one," she assured him.
"No one has ever said that to me," he slowly admitted. "Usually… most don't like it when I'm… me…"
The Headmaster hadn't... Lily always tried to improve me...
"You need a new circle of acquaintances," the witch retorted.
Voldemort ignored the puppy dog look in Bellatrix LeStrange's eyes. He was quite aware of the witch's illicit thoughts toward him, but the ability of partake in the pleasures of the flesh had long since abandoned his sparse frame. Sex was merely a momentary distraction when compared to tempting glory of immortality.
Mentally, he reviewed the imprisoned Gellert's letter to the Gryffindor Bitch. Truly, if Gellert had any pride he should have committed suicide rather than being taken alive. Perhaps, he had naively believed that his zealot followers would have stormed his prison. No, his fanatic faction had done no such thing.
They were all long dead, now written off to only being a list of names to frighten young magelings.
Yes, all long dead, except for the three mages who had decided to involve themselves with the traitor Severus Snape.
Dearest Minerva,
Recently, I came into information regarding your Severus Snape and his rather unique circumstances. It seems that he has managed to locate Lazar Mikhailov and Ivanka Petrova. They have aided him and have made arrangements for him to be transferred into the care of Nevana Stambolieva. Tomorrow night when Mars is at its apex, the prisoner will arrive at Prague Orloj where the transfer will take place.
Out of a misguided sense of noblesse oblige, I have notified Albus. I don't know if he'll listen, as he was always headstrong. No doubt he'll be horribly embarrassed and decide to handle the matter himself in order to keep it quiet. Impregnating one of your male instructors and then kicking him out in the cold is rather vulgar, even for our lavender clad friend.
I hope that you will take kindly to my assistance in this matter. Perhaps, you might be appreciative enough for this information to sneak me some contraband items? Nothing too much, perhaps… any of the following would be greatly appreciated. I truly miss the finer tastes in life.
The deluded, would be ruler of the world had been reduced to plaintively whinging for sweets and wine.
How pathetic.
First thing Voldemort vowed to do after he had rebroken Severus Snape was kill Gellert Grindelwald. It would be a mercy killing. To sink so low… to lack anything resembling pride?
"Go, find Severus, Bellatrix. Bring him back alive," ordered Voldemort. "The baby and its mother must be kept alive."
"I've always wanted to go to Prague, I understand it has some truly remarkable architecture," Arthur joked. "But at eleven in the evening, I'm afraid that I can't see a ruddy thing."
"Don't like this, Minnie," Aberforth mumbled. "This smells like an ambush."
No, you smell your goat infused coat, Minerva mentally protested. Damn good thing that the strangers weren't down wind as they would have wondered when the barn had arrived in the square.
The three of them were standing in a narrow alleyway, and the Prague Astronomical Clock was still standing proudly in the Old Town Square, ticking away the time. At the top of the hour, the various figurines performed their pantomime before retiring before their next routine. Truly, the clock was a marvel of Muggle engineering.
"No, I don't see your brother," Minerva whispered. "He's probably in another alleyway."
"Any sign of Severus? Your eyes are sharper than mine," questioned Arthur. "Wait… is that three figures near The Church of Our Lady in front of Týn?"
"Early," whispered Aberforth. "The Apex of Mars isn't for another three minutes and fifteen seconds."
The thought that allegedly illiterate Aberforth was able to correctly calculate the Apex of Mars with only a glance at the stars was rather unnerving.
"Shhh…" commanded Minerva. "Give me a moment."
She only partially transformed herself into her Animagus form, just enough to sharpen her night vision. Yes, there were three figures near the church, one robed figure's profile seemingly gravid. They were walking toward the clock, but something wasn't right. This was coming together entirely too easy.
"There's another figure," hissed Arthur. "On the right."
Having been close with Albus, Minerva McGonagall intimately knew the taste of his magic. When a solitary figure silently arrived near the clock, she knew who it was.
"Albus is here," she whispered. "We'll let him handle it. If he has any problems, we'll jump in."
"Best if we stay out of the matter. Since he's not expecting us, he'd be quite likely to Hex first, Question later," agreed Aberforth. "Always was a bit too eager to rely on his wand."
While you were always willing to use your fists, Minerva thought.
"Where is the person that they're meeting?" whispered Arthur. "Shouldn't they be here?"
"There's movement on the bridge," Aberforth stated. "Seems like a whole bunch of people. Enough to ambush even my brother."
"Be prepared to attack on my mark," ordered Minerva. "Stun if possible."
Albus quietly arrived in the cobblestone streets. In his pockets, he had prepared several port keys that would cause the traveler to arrive in the Hogwarts Infirmary. Poppy was working this evening, thankfully, so Severus could be examined immediately by someone familiar with his unique situation.
There were three people in the square and deliberately, he stepped out of the alleyway. Pretending to be a drunken Muggle, he took a quick sip of pumpkin juice from a silver flask. His exit earned a growl from a rather large, completely disreputable dog with only one eye that was reclining underneath one of the benches that were sprinkled throughout the square. When the hell had that stray appeared? He hadn't seen it when he had examined the square!
The three figures then Disapparated, leaving Albus quite vexed. Three new silhouettes stepped out of the darkness and Albus raised his wand. He lowered it after he realized who they were.
"Minerva," he growled. "What are you doing here?"
"Albus, there are people on the bridge. They're coming this way," Minerva informed him. "Do we stay? Or do we get out of here?"
It was too late as the newcomers Apparated into the square. Bellatrix LeStrange was nearly foaming at the mouth when she roared, "Where is he? Where is the traitor Severus Snape?"
The one eye dog appeared not only starving for food, but for entertainment, as his floppy ears picked up as he watched the scene unfold. His long tail wagged in excitement as he crept along, his belly close to the crowd.
Above the combatants, the uncaring clock ticked on. At 11:04:51 in the evening when Mars reached its apex, the dials of the ancient timepiece, crafted by long-dead Muggle engineers, moved into position.
Then the ground beneath the clock exploded.
The dirt underneath him exploded and the fumes it released burned Albus' mouth and nose. He began to choke from the acrid vapors.
Bublet, Albus silently cast the Bubble Head Charm and he was able to breathe once more.
Rodolphus LeStrange lay still on the pavement, surrounded by several other fallen Death Eaters. The one eye stray appeared uncaring of the exploding earth as he grabbed Rodolphus by the sleeve and began to drag him off the battlefield. The strange acting dog became the least of Albus' concerns as the remaining Death Eaters attacked in mass.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Arthur Weasley was down, blood streaming from his nose and face. Aberforth was casting a rather intricate spell as the prone Arthur was in next to no time encased in a protective bubble. With a quick flick of his wrist, Albus threw a button at Arthur. With a flash, the port key activated taking the fallen Weasley to the infirmary.
Damn it, damn it! Minerva, Aberforth and Arthur! I've got to get them out of here!
"Get out of here!" he said to his brother. "I'll take point!"
"Minnie's already engaged! We can't leave her here!" Aberforth protested. Wonder of wonders, Aberforth was barefaced.
"You can't breathe this!" protested Albus. "The vapors!"
"I've breathed far worse! Now we've got to get Minnie out of here!" His brother retorted.
Yes, Minerva was channeling Boadicea, battling four Death Eaters at once. Her face was almost completely covered by the Bubble Head Charm. Her wand flicked and swished… and damn it, she was bloody magnificent.
The Dumbledore brothers, united in a common goal, were a force with which to be reckoned. Aberforth was a wily street fighter, victor of many a bar room brawl. His skills might be overshadowed by his more famous brother, but Aberforth fought dirty and he fought to win. No Hex was too low to be used in this, a fight to save his Goddaughter. And well… Albus… he was the greatest wizard of his generation.
Meanwhile, unnoticed in all the excitement, the one eyed dog Disapparated away, taking his prisoner with him.
Severus Snape Apparated into his mother's hospice ward. He looked at Sasha who nodded his head once.
"They know we're here," the wizard tersely informed him. "Five… ten minutes… at the most… and then we leave."
He nodded his understanding, and then Severus looked at his mother. Eileen had further collapsed into herself, becoming even more contracted than when he had last visited her. She was covered in a green and silver afghan, and in her arms, there was a knitted teddy bear. Drool dribbled from her mouth and Severus wiped it away with the corner of her afghan.
The Headmaster has been here, he thought. He has taken better care of you than I ever could have. He would be able to take better care of Ari than I ever could. What type of life could I offer her? The chance to marry into Gellert's Brotherhood?
Eileen was febrile and her breathing was loud. Her thin hair was plastered against her skull.
"She has pneumonia," Sasha explained. "Plus, she's in end stage renal failure. She's not in any pain though."
"Good," whispered Severus. He put his hand on his mother's mitten covered hand. "I'm here, Mother. I came to see you..."
He said nothing else. It would be futile, as his mother couldn't hear him. She didn't even know that he was there. At the end of her life, their tattered relationship was still unchanged. No matter how hard he tried to connect with his mother, he had never succeeded.
"Severus? What are your wishes in this?" Sasha intently questioned. "They're keeping her alive, preventing her passing beyond the Veil."
"I would let her go," Severus softly said. "I know that the Headmaster is keeping her alive… but this is not what she would have wanted. Let it end. She's fought hard for a very long time… now we should let her go…"
"Very well," Sasha agreed. "Let us begin. May the Lord forgive me the presumption of doing this, but there is no one else here. Lord have mercy on us."
"Christ have mercy on us," answered Oxana.
"Lord have mercy on us. Christ, hear us," intoned Sasha.
"Christ, graciously hear us…."
Severus let them say their prayer for Eileen. He kept silent, attempting to keep his emotions under control. Memories of his mother filled his mind, his parents' fighting, the times when he was just a little one when his mother had attempted to protect him from Tobias. The freshly baked Eccles Cakes that had greeted him on his first day home from his term at Hogwarts. Yes, Eileen had loved him until Tobias had utterly defeated her and then the simple act of loving her son had required too much energy. Her primary focus had always been to keep Tobias happy. When Tobias' demands had increased, naturally, her son had fallen by the wayside.
I'd never do that to you, Ari. I'd love you forever and ever, no matter what. Even if you loved the Headmaster so much that you wouldn't be able to love even the slightest part of me, I would still love you. I'd never stop trying to be the parent you deserve.
"I should have killed him," Severus interrupted the final stanza of the prayer. "I should have killed my father when he pushed her down the flight of steps… I should have….but he was my father…"
Byakko interrupted. "Toma informs me that Prague is going all pear shape. Explosions everywhere. Plus the Goblin's just bounced off our wards. We're leaving. Now."
Byakko disappeared without a noise and then Oxana reached for Severus. "Have to go," she said. "Say goodbye."
He leaned over his mother and he brushed her forehead with his lips.
I never stopped loving you, he thought. I thought if I became powerful enough to save you from Tobias, you could love me once more. But you never wanted to leave Tobias as you were addicted to him. Mother, I received my fatal flaw from you, and I both curse and thank you for it. Without my sick obsession for the Headmaster, I'd never have Ari.
Severus didn't want to leave. When his mother died, he should be there… Eileen shouldn't die alone and forgotten in a hospice. While he was struggling to stand, Severus felt that strange feeling in his belly once more and he rubbed his stomach.
"Congratulations are in order, Brother," dryly quipped Sasha. "It seems that you've quickened. Now get out of here. I need a moment alone with Eileen to help this along. Oxana, give him what I've prepared and put him to bed. I'll join the two of you later, as I have a long night ahead of me."
The injured Arthur Weasley's arrival in the midst of the infirmary caused quite the ruckus. Poppy Pomfrey immediately went to work stabilizing him. In between preparing her various draughts and potions, she called for Minerva McGonagall. When no answer was forthcoming, she contacted Remus Lupin and Filius Fitwick.
"He's concussed," she tersely explained. "Plus his lungs have been burnt by inhaling some sort of poison. Albus isn't here, Minerva's gone. This reeks of Order business. What the hell is happening?"
"I have no idea," Remus stated. "Filius?"
Filius Flitwick was distracted and he pulled a pocket watch out of a pocket. He fiddled with it for a moment and then he shook his head.
"I have to go," he tersely explained. "Severus just entered his mother's Hospice room. I need to get there. Call the Order together, Remus. Send Elphias and Emmeline Vance to the Hospice, and have Alastor and the rest be prepared for whatever might happen next. The odds of this being a coincidence are quite small. Arthur is injured and Severus is visiting his mother at the same time? They're related, I'm sure of it. The game's afoot, Remus!"
The Charms Master Disapparated to St. Barbara's Hospice as soon as he cleared the Anti-Disapparation barrier at Hogwarts. For all his trouble, Flitwick found himself neck deep in the middle of the goldfish pond. A few of the more adventurous goldfish nibbled at his fingers to see if the diminutive Charms Master was tasty or not. A rather saucy fish attempted to swim up his trouser leg to find a tastier treat and was nearly turned into sashimi for his impudence.
"Bugger!" Filius cursed. "Bugger! Bugger! BUGGER!"
The Charms Master continued to curse while he 'popped' out of the pond, dried off his clothes and stormed over to the front door of the hospice. Truly, if Sasha had seen the Charms Master aquiver in righteous rage, he would have been in fear of his life.
"Mess with my wards, will you? Mock my goblin heritage? Try to drown me in a fish pond?" Flitwick growled. "This means war whoever you might be."
Minerva McGonagall was ferociously fighting when she realized that she was face to face with Bellatrix LeStrange. The two witches Casted and Hexed, Charmed and Cursed like two hellcats.
Hurt my Severus, will you? A furious Minerva raged. With a violent double flick, a burst of staccato swishes and a round of Gaelic curses, Minerva managed to knock Bellatrix on her bum not to mention completely disarming her. The defeated Death Eater looked up at her nemesis and saw not Minerva McGonagall, but Mórrígan, Goddess of War, Revenge, Night, Magic and Prophecy.
"Where is he?" Minerva harshly demanded. She had her foot on Bellatrix's wand and she, accidentally, put a little too much weight on the weapon, causing it to snap in half. For good measure, she slowly ground the remains underneath her heel.
The ground was still exploding around them when munitions detonated underneath their feet. Minerva wasn't expecting that and she executed an awkward rolling tumble to the ground. She didn't knock herself out but the impact left her gasping for breath. A maddened Bellatrix cast one final spell.
"Sectumsempra Bublet!"
Minerva's Bubble Head Charm was slashed by magic. She couldn't breathe, the vapors burning her lungs. Uncontrollably coughing, the witch was unable to perform the nonverbal magic necessary to breath.
"We die together, bitch," Bellatrix whispered before her own Bubble Head Charm collapsed. "I willingly die rather than face my Lord having failed him…"
Someone grabbed the Minerva by her arm and with a sensation akin to having a hook pull her along by her navel, a barely conscious Minerva McGonagall left Prague.
"Poppy. It's Minerva, she inhaled whatever Arthur did," Albus explained after Abeforth and he arrived in the infirmary. The two Dumbledore brothers were carefully supporting an unconscious Minerva. "How's Arthur?"
"Sleeping," Poppy assured him. "Let's get Minerva to a bed. Horace is busy with a nebulizer treatment. I'll advise him that he'll need to increase it. Dobbie?"
The House Elf arrived, wearing socks and assorted tea cozies, meanwhile the Dumbledores were quietly disagreeing over the best way to put Minerva to bed. "Dobbie wishes to help?"
"Please tell Professor Slughorn that I have another patient and that I'll require more of his nebulizer treatment," the matron requested.
With a pop, the House Elf was gone.
"Just put her in the bed!" snapped Poppy. While normally Poppy was the calmest of souls, Albus Dumbledore had a tendency to turn her well managed infirmary into complete bedlam. "That one! Right next to Arthur. Now, you two can leave. I'll handle it."
"No, I'm staying with her," protested Albus. "I'm not going anywhere."
Clenching Minerva's right hand tightly in ihs, Albus sat down next to her bed. It seemed that the only way to remove a disturbed Albus from the ward would be by magical means. YES, and Poppy was sure a charmed trail of lemon drops would not work THIS time.
"Severus is supposedly at his mother's Hospice," Poppy explained. "Filius and Remus were here when Arthur arrived. Filius went to the Hospice but hasn't informed us of the situation there. Remus called the Order together and they'll want to know what's happening. In fact, I'd like to know what the hell is going on! Incendiary respiratory burns? Were they sipping Molotov cocktails, Albus?"
"Severus is at St. Barbara's Hospice?" When Poppy nodded her head, Albus continued, "Filius is there. He can handle the situation. My appearance would not be beneficial or wanted."
"What about the Order? They'll want information!"
"They can wait," protested Albus. "They'll want information about Arthur and Minerva which I do not have!"
A damp looking Filius then popped his head into the Floo for a Floo Call. "Poppy? Is Albus there?"
"Yes."
"Severus had long done a runner by the time I got in. Eileen's dying," Filius tersely explained. "They say she won't last the night."
The Order, Minerva and now Eileen. If he could only split himself into three Albuses!
"Go," Aberforth ordered his older brother. "Someone needs to be with Eileenwhen she passes. Severus can't be there because of the way you completely cocked up everything. Go. Take responsibilities for your actions, don't make Filius pick up the pieces! I'll talk to the Order; let them know some of what's happening. I'll sit with Minnie when I'm done."
"Minnie?" protested Albus.
"We've got a special relationship," explained Aberforth, unsuccessful in trying to pass off his comments as anything but brotherly brutality. "Being Godparents and all that, we've become quite close. Don't be jealous, Albus. I just have a knack with woman, which you completely lack. When everything's settled down, I'll put Mattie to bed early and give you some pointers. He's too young to risk him overhearing what I need to tell you about women."
"Minnie?" repeated an incredulous Albus. "She lets you call her that?"
"Eileen," his younger brother reminded him. "Don't bugger this up, boyo. Go! Move back, Flitwick, Albus is coming through if I have to toss him arse over tit through the Floo."
"Give me a moment to move away from the Floo," Filius loudly insisted. "First, I nearly drown tonight and now I'm being used as a bloody pin in the Dumbledore version of ten-pin bowling. I want a raise, Albus!"
"Quit your jawing, Flitwick. He's coming through," announced Aberforth. Deftly, with decades of experience dealing with unenthusiastically exiting patrons underneath his belt, Aberforth manhandled his brother out of his chair and into the Floo before Albus could voice a protest.
The rubbish removed... err… Albus sent on his way, Aberforth made a show of brushing off his hands before loudly cracking his knuckles.
"I'll tell off the Order and I'll be back in fifteen minutes. I'm assuming Molly will want to visit her husband?" Aberforth questioned. "Fawkes will no doubt be popping in momentarily to keep an eye on Minnie."
"Molly's outside, you can send her in," Poppy agreed.
"Excellent," Aberforth said.
Rodolphus LeStrange woke to a world of darkness. His hands were restrained behind him and there was a wand in his jugular.
"What's your name," a voice questioned him.
He wanted to definitely scream, "Sod off!" but instead, he dutifully gave his name.
"Drink this," another male voice ordered. There was a vial of something that tasted like horseradish placed against his lips.
Rodolphus instinctively spat it out. For his act of defiance, he was soundly Hexed until he was weeping.
"Drink it," ordered the voice. "We're truly sorry about your sensitive stomach, but it's really rather pointless. You will drink the Polyjuice potion."
They pinched his nose and poured the vile drink into his mouth. Having no choice, he swallowed.
"Must be the taste that's causing him to sick up," a third voice announced. "Your flavor is bit like wasabi."
"Do I really look like that?" The second voice requested. "I've let myself go."
"You've had a long tenure at the International Confederation of Wizard. It's aged you, I'm afraid. Now, here is what you're going to do, my blindfolded friend. You're completely under my control now. You answer only to the name Ishikawa Byakko. Byakko is your first name. Ishako is your surname. You're a widower and you do not have any close friends. You're to report to Nurmengard and kill Asen Peychinovich. Yes, we know that he's one of your fellow Death Eaters. You're to kill him," the first voice announced.
"Your port key is waiting for you," said the second voice. "Die with honor, like I would."
The first man roughly grabbed him by the arm and lifted him out of the chair. "I'll take out the rubbish."
The two mages waited until Toma left the room.
"He'll kill Asen and he'll be cut down by the guards," Byakko stated. "If he dies when he's under the affect of Polyjuice, he'll stay in my form. But the poison I administered should ensure that he'll be dead well within the hour."
"Yes, and they'll find your suicide note where you claim that you and Gellert were Imperio'd by him into giving false information to Dumbledore. You're such a strong mage, my brother, to fight off an Imperio," complimented Sasha.
"Voldemort will be furious. He'll move openly against Dumbledore as blood has been shed. They'll weaken themselves severely and then the Brotherhood can move in," Sasha grinned. "We'll get Gellert out of Nurmengard when everyone is occupied watching the bloodshed."
The two Dark Mages pondered happy thoughts about freeing their Lord and Master from Nurmengard.
"Now, on to other matters that require our attention. Am I correct in understanding that the lad's father harmed his mother? He pushed her down a flight of steps?" Byakko questioned. "And he still walks upon the Earth?""
"Yes and yes," Sasha admitted. "A fine example of Muggle justice."
"As Godfather, you should kill him. I'll help," Byakko decided. "He's in no condition to do it now. Handle the matter for him. It's the proper thing to do."
"Patricide is your answer to everything, isn't it?" Sasha fondly questioned.
"Yes," was Byakko's curt answer. He quirked a disapproving eyebrow when Sasha laughed.
"He's in New Mills. Shall we find him? I believe we can get the matter settled within the hour," Sasha decided. "I should be back here when his mother passes. He might need a sedative."
"Let's go hunting, Brother."
Filius Flitwick was sitting next to Eileen Prince and he was gently holding her hand. He gave it a comforting pat as he continued to talk softly to her.
"It's alright, Eileen. Go to the light. Don't be afraid, you're not alone. Albus and I are both here and we won't leave you."
Albus swallowed once and then he spoke.
"You were waiting for Severus, weren't you? You wanted to say goodbye before…" he paused and then swallowed once more. "But he came to see you. Such a good son. I know that you're tired, Eileen. Go rest."
The two mages sat together for several hours, telling Eileen stories about how remarkable and brave her son was and reassuring her that she wasn't alone at the end.
In time, her breathing slowed and then stopped.
"I'm grateful that Severus got here to see his mother before she died," a tearful Filius informed Albus. The two Hogwarts Instructors were standing outside the room while the staff did whatever they were required to do in such situations.
"Filius?" Albus questioned. "What happened? Why are you damp?"
"What about you? What happened to your hair? Your beard? Why do you smell of soot?"
Tobias Snape was in a dive bar in New Mills, bemoaning the fact that he had just lost his job at the mill when two strangers offered him a drink. They were peculiar, probably gay boys like his no good son, one was a slanty eyed queer and the other homo had a strange accent. But their money was good, so they drank until the bar closed and then the three of them decided to have a walk through Torrs Riverside Park.
Tobias was hoping that the slanty eyed queer had more liquor to share when he reached into his jacket, but instead the queer pulled out a long knife. With an easy grace, the homo put the knife into Tobias' chest and then pulled it out.
Snape looked at the bloody knife and then he stared in bewilderment at the hole in his chest that was gushing blood.
"Why? What have I done to you?"
"Eileen sends her regards," whispered the other man. "How do you like it, Tobias? To have the roles reversed? Where you don't possess the upper hand? I should throw you down a flight of steps but sadly, there aren't any nearby. Don't worry, I can arrange for something similar."
Then the two queers threw him over the guardrail and into the River Goyt. He was still futilely raging his protests at how unfair the world was when he drowned.
Horace Slughorn rubbed his aching temples. He had managed to whip up a nebulizer treatment to fix whatever was ailing that ginger haired fellow and now Poppy wanted still more from him!
"Assure Poppy that I will make more, but I need you to go to Slug and Jiggers immediately. Give them this note and have them charge it to Hogwarts. Tell them I know it's after-hours and they will charge me dearly. I need these potions ingredients tonight," ordered Slughorn.
Slughorn handed his list to the oddly dressed House Elf who bowed once and then disappeared.
"Fortunately, I possess enough of the Plectranthus esculentus tuber to handle even this crisis." He congratulated himself on his savvy stockpiling of the various esoteric potions supplies even as he placed a large tuber on his table. "Time to start grating."
It was when he put the rhizome on the table that he noticed how the tuber had been prepared. Hogwarts trained mages would not have left so much of the nodes intact.
"Jiggers must be having problems obtaining supplies locally. A Durmstrang Potion Master prepared this." Horace announced to himself.
He had just finished neatly grating the tuber when he remembered a long forgotten conversation he had with Barty Jigger.
I have this marvelous mage on retainer, a Durmstrang trained Potion Master. He provides me with all sorts of esoteric items and the best part is… he's located in Manchester, so I don't have to deal with International Magical Supply Act. Their import fee would bankrupt me.
"Oh bloody hell," Horace whispered. "Severus…. Manchester…. Damyan Draganov… Durmstrang trained…? But how do I get the information on him? Jigger won't give it to me…He'll be afraid that I'll go directly to his wizard for my supplies. Cut out the middle mage."
He pondered the thought, remembered the recent inconvenience of having his cauldron examined. Who was that ginger haired fellow?
Mercy? Percy!
He had been very methodical. Truly, he deserved more in his life that weighing cauldrons. Someone that disciplined, that precise in such an inane position? He deserved a helping hand up the career ladder. Horace knew many a businessman that could use someone like Percy.
Perhaps, they could do an exchange… of names.
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A/N # 2- for Ellie, who didn't leave a contact email. (Don't you want to hear from me? I'm getting a complex from your reviews. :))
Wait did Byakko, great, unseen assassin just spend the better part of the night talking to his target in a buzy bar (glamoured? who knows) and kill him with a knife in such a way as to give him time to face his murder and maybe take a swing (okay, so Tobias didn't but he bloody well could have) while still in the bar and leave a slumped over corpse in the bar? For an honourable professional that smells of arrogance and sloppiness to me.
NotWIllingtoAdmit's Answer
Err WRONG! Tobias was killed by muggle means by Byakko and Damyan in parlour...err.. Torrs Riverside Park in New Mills. The boys had a couple quick drinks, then decided to go for a stroll. One knife wound to the chest and then he was thrown over the guardrail into the river, as they didn't have a flight of steps to throw him down (like he did to Eileen.) NO magic involved so if Albus decides to investigate (which he probably will as he's a nosey old codger), there will not the faintest whiff of magic involved. And it probably took all of thirty minutes. :)