Ch. 23: Mishaps and Miracles
As Tabatha and Severus walked into the faultily lounge they were hit with a very merry sight indeed. In the center of the lounge was a large fir tree decked in Hogwarts iconic colors of red, green, yellow and blue. The large fireplace was a glow with holly and ivy draped over the mantel and large ivory and gold candles scattered though out the greenery. On every surface there appeared to be something glittery, glowing or both, and then there was a large table filled to the brim with food, and spirits.
"I guess you guys know how to celebrate around here" Tabatha looked over to Severus with a slight smirk.
Severus gave her a sideways glance and a long sigh. It was apparent that such merry making was not his thing, and that he was feeling very uneasy.
It was then that Headmaster Dumbledore stepped before Severus and Tabatha.
"Severus, Tabatha, I am very glad to see that you both joined us. For now our Hogwarts family is together to celebrate this wonderful night!"
Tabatha smiled warmly and Severus gave a curt smile.
"We would not miss ….this, for the world Headmaster." Severus coolly spat.
"My dear boy, you should not be so gloomy on a night like this. I hear you got quite the special gift this evening." The old wizard's eyes twinkled.
Severus eyes first looked confused then filled with displeasure which washed away coldly.
"I see that nothing can escape your keen eye sir." Severus folded his arms and stood up straighter than ever.
"It's hardly anything to my merit my boy" Dumbledore laughed "A book like that from a wizard like Merlin has a reputation in and of itself. When it sold, I think not a wizard in England did not hear of it."
"Lovely" Severus slightly rolled his eyes. "I always wished to be on tip of everyone tongue."
"Well I think it's fitting it ended up in the hands of a Slytherin myself." Professor Flitwick's voice came from behind Dumbledore as he, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Sprout came to join the trio.
"Yes Merlin is one of the few good things that came out of Slytherin." A slightly inebriated Professor McGonagall quipped before realizing what she had said. "Of course not accounting for you Professor Snape!" she attempted to correct herself.
Severus eyes glared, "Oh of course not Minerva, I see we're enjoying the fire whisky again are we? Let's not get ourselves locked in the boy's loo all night again this year hmm?"
Professor McGonagall cheek flushed pink and she quickly swallowed the last of her drink.
Severus, obviously angry, pulled the bottom of his coat down quickly and turned to Tabatha. "If you'll excuse me I believe that now I too am in need of drink, I shall return shortly." With that he gave Tabatha a quick nod and walked towards the long table of food.
Tabatha looked around the group of Professors intrigued, "Merlin was a Slytherin?"
"Yes my dear", Dumbledore smiled widely.
Tabatha's eyes sparkled as she looked affectionately at Severus "Wicked cool".
"Very cool indeed" the old wizard winked "Now if you excuse me I too think I will follow our potions master to punch."
And with that Dumbledore headed after Severus and Tabatha's attention was drawn towards the conversation between Professor McGonagall and the other Heads of House.
"Well it's not like I was being dishonest" Professor McGonagall beseeched the group. "We all know what came out of Slytherin!"
"What did?" Tabatha interrupted her eye brow cocked in her quizzical manor, causing the group to look over guiltily to Tabatha.
"Just a few wizards that didn't turn out for the best if you get the drift" Professor Sprout cut in "It's the nature of the house that's all, you know their traits."
Tabatha started to realize just how negatively Slytherin was actually viewed, even within the adult population at Hogwarts.
"Oh you mean resourcefulness, cunning, and ambition" Tabatha eyes got a bit distant, and again her gaze sought out Severus.
"See I told you! Bright as the sun she is" Professor Flitwick chimed "A true Ravenclaw just like I said!"
"Oh don't be so sure Filius!" Professor Sprout added, "She baked cookies with the House elves, that a Hufflepuff for you!
"She puts up living with our happy Potions Master" Professor McGonagall dryly added, "I'd put my money on the bravery of a Gryffindor no doubt".
Tabatha's eyes looked back and forth between them. "What are you all talking about?"
"Oh, sorry love!" Professor Sprout gave a jolly laugh. "It's just since you came here we have all been wondering what house you would have been sorted in".
"Oh" Tabatha looked at the ground "Well I don't know if believe in houses actually."
"Don't be silly my girl" McGonagall laughed "Everyone has a house! You know what I have a splendid idea for some entertainment!"
Professor McGonagall raised her wand "Accio Sorting Hat!"
With that the Hogwarts Sorting Hat appeared in the room before the group.
"What, September already?" the old hat yawned.
"Lord no, were going to sort our guest" Professor McGonagall held the hat tightly.
"No.. Really, you don't have to bother…" Tabatha pleaded as the three Heads of House led her to the middle of the room.
"Don't be so modest now" Professor Flitwick dragged a chair over to her "It's all for a bit of Christmas amusement!"
"Come on over everyone, were gonna sort our lovely Ms. Rewolf!" Professor Sprout beamed.
"Oh what fun!" Dumbledore exclaimed as he walked over to the group followed by Hagrid and Professor Quirrell.
Tabatha looked helplessly around trying to find Severus gaze, which she caught finally in the back of the room. As their eyes locked Tabatha noticed that the coldness was washed away with fear and concern. Why was he afraid, she wondered?
Tabatha sat down on the chair her eyes still locked with Severus when the Hat finally was placed on her head.
The Sorting Hat paused for a moment then finally spoke
"What is this I see; the four houses pull you equally? Ah wait it's now becoming clear, two house pulling strongest here. Lion and snake, the battle rage but what of this is to be made? Where to put you, where to store? Slytherin or Gryffindor?"
The Sorting hate went quite for a moment as if he was finding the decision exceedingly difficult.
"…Gryffindor …or….Slytherin… Gryffindor…or. ..Slytherin… Gryffindor…or..."
Tabatha closed her eyes and thought with all her might.
"You fight this do you? So sure you don't want to be in that house,… strong willed we are ….."
Tabatha flung the hat across the room, "I told you I didn't like the idea of being sorted" she spat as she opened her eyes.
The whole room went quiet and she searched for Severus' gaze again.
Severus looked at Tabatha. His eyes seemed completely betrayed and full with more hurt then she could have every thought possible. Turning around he stormed out of the room.
Tabatha stood up from the chair. "Sorry" she said calmly, "I think I need some air." Quietly she followed Severus.
Tabatha soon found him in the far end of the hallway facing the wall. He held his head in his hand and his black hair fell like a curtain around his face.
"Severus, are you ok?" She placed her hand on his shoulder but was quite taken back when he pushed it off his body callously, and turned around glaring.
"What do you care!" his voice was dark and like ice.
Tabatha stumbled back in surprise. "W..what.. What are you talking about Sev?" her voice shook.
"What am I talking about? What am I talking about!" His voice never left a whisper but his tone screamed. "Not good enough for you is it"
Tears welled up in Tabatha's eyes he didn't understand and he wouldn't let her explain.
"Too good for Slytherin are we? Too good for m…" his voice trailed off and pressed his lips together hard. "What could I expect from a silly Mu…"
The gasp from Tabatha's lips cut him off as hurt and anger filled her body.. "A silly what Severus?" Tears flowed down her cheeks hard and fast.. "What? A Silly Mudblood? Is that what you think I am? Tabatha turned around and ran down the corridor.
Severus stood their dumb founded for a moment before realization hit him and he quickly called out "No! Not a Mud….." He stopped himself " A Muggle.. You're a silly Muggle!" but it was no use Tabatha didn't turn around.
"Damn it!" he spat to himself "not a-bloody-gain!"
"You do have a way with women it would seem" a kind voice called out to him.
Turning around Severus was face to face with Dumbledore, feeling ashamed and awkward he glanced down to the floor.
"Apparently Sir" he mumbled.
Dumbledore walked over to a suit of armor and ran his finger along the cold metal as if to inspect it for dust. "Tabatha is an exceedingly strange young lady if I do say so myself"
Severus eyes moved up to Dumbledore in curiosity, "why is that" he spook flatly.
"Well from what the Sorting Hat claims, never in all his years has anyone tried so hard to be put into a particular house before." Dumbledore eyes moved from the armor to Severus.
"Gryffindor must be especially proud of their newest member" Severus' voice was still. It seemed as if the Headmaster was enjoying this torture. Severus felt like he was dying inside.
"Gryffindor?" Dumbledore stood back and looked questionably at Severus. "Who said it was Gryffindor? No evidently Ms. Rewolf had a peculiarly strong attachment to Slytherin House it would seem, or perhaps it was more someone within Slytherin house." Dumbledore eye flashed with mischief.
"She..she wanted to be in S..Slytherin? Are you sure?" Severus asked in disbelief.
"Well if you don't trust me there is always the Pensieve if you want proof." Dumbledore offered earnestly.
Severus heart lifted, she had wanted to be in his house, she had wanted to be with him. His eyes warmed to the thought.
"Of course" Dumbledore voice cut in "you might want to use that yourself to give proof of your own to Tabatha."
Severus glanced down the hall and back at Dumbledore. "I swear I was going to say Muggle!" he stammered, "I swear on… I swear on …" Severus eyes fogged, he just couldn't bring himself to use the name of his first love to prove his affection and loyalty to Tabatha.
Dumbledore noticed his struggle, and placed his hands on his shoulders. "I believe you Severus, and I'm sure Tabatha will too if explain it to her. But to do that you might want to go find her."
Severus looked up at Dumbledore and back down the hall and shook his head in agreement. Then without a word he turned and dashed down the stone corridor in search of his sweet friend.
Tabatha slowed down after reaching the rear concourse of the Castle; tears were still flowing down her cheeks. She had heard Severus call out after her that he only meant to say Muggle, and she struggled with all her being to believe that. Still his lack of faith in her made her heart ache. Slowly she made her way over to the icy edge of Black Lake.
Looking out the clear star filled sky caused the snow to glisten. The brightest star in the sky caught her eye; it was Sirius the Dog Star. Christmas Eve and bright stars seemed to go together well she mused. It was then that she noticed movement on the ice. Tabatha quickly made her way to the water's edge, when she heard a faint whimpering coming from off shore.
Cautiously she stepped on the ice and felt it hold her weight. Slowly she crept outward till she could make out where the whimper was coming from. About twenty feet out a small black puppy lay shivering on the ice.
"Oh my God" Tabatha exclaimed as she moved faster towards the small animal.
Finally reaching the small thin pup she knelt down and picked it up. The tiny male puppy was shivering and she cuddled him against her chest as she looked him over. He was very black, except for his front paws, a tuff on his neck, and his muzzle which were white.
"Oh you have to be kidding me" Tabatha sighed a small chuckle. "Of course you'd look like Severus". Her words were interrupted by a small yelp and a myriad of sweet puppy kisses.
"Well you're certainly friendlier" Tabatha giggled with delight. "I think I might be taking you home little man".
Just as Tabatha started to walk back towards the shore she saw a flash of light hit the ice and heard a shattering sound. Before she could think she tossed the small puppy as gently but as far as she could towards the shore. Immediately she felt the freezing water envelop her body. The extremely cold temperature of the water caused her to gasp as pain from what felt like a thousand knives hit every inch of her. As she felt herself being pulled down all her mind could think about was Severus, and how she'd never see him again.
Severus finally made it to an outside pavilion that looked over the lake so he could scope out the grounds.
"Where the hell could she be?" he thought nervously to himself "I have to find her, I have to beg for her forgiveness."
He raked his hands though his hair as despair fell over him, he felt like a hopeless fool. It would serve him right to lose the second woman that ever meant anything to him, in the same manner. Hopefully he could just fulfill his vow to protect the boy and then by some mercy he could just go off somewhere and die. That;s all he was worth.
Looking out into the night sky his voice cracked as he spoke lowly "Lily, you were right, I'm no good. I let you down over and over again, and now I've let her down too….I don't deserve either of you… I'm a waste of a person…" Severus voice trailed off when something caught his eye on the lawn.
Severus couldn't believe it, looking up at him was a doe, and it was staring right into his eyes.
"Li…Lily?" tears flowed down his cheek.
The doe took off like a flash towards the lake.
"No.. Lily Wait!" Severus started to move down the stairs towards the grounds, his eyes still following the doe that abruptly stopped on the lake's shore. It was then that he saw something else behind the doe.
Faintly in the background he saw a very familiar form, it was Tabatha and it looked like she was holding something. Severus head spun, did Lily led him straight to Tabatha? Did this mean Lily wanted him to be with Tabatha? To be happy? Severus felt his heart swoon for a moment before horror enveloped his body. Severus watched as a flash of magic hit the lake, and the ice opened up swallowing Tabatha into its frigid depths.
"Merlin NO!" Severus screamed as he ran towards the lake, pulling his robes off as he made his way to the shore. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw a form rush back to the castle, what looked like a bit of purple caught his attention for a moment but Severus was too focused on the task at hand. He had to save Tabatha, his Tabatha, who had already been under that horrid water far too long.
Reaching edge of the ice Severus did not even pause before he lept in. The pain hit him but his determination fought thought it, he flared his arms out in the dark murky depths praying to find the familiar form he cared so much for. His head broke the surface to take a breath of air; he was running out of time. Again he dived down under the waves. Finally just as his lungs were again burning with the need for new oxygen his long pale fingers felt the thick material of her school sweater. In an instant they both broke the surface of the water, Severus was gasping for air, but no sound came from Tabatha's lips. Severus tried to push her onto the ice, but the cold was starting to numb his limps, he needed help or he'd lose her forever. Looking at the shore he saw a large man lumbering over to his hut.
"Hhhhagrid! Hhhhhelp!" Severus called out but the cold was causing him to shiver so hard he could hardly make it out himself.
He reached into his pocket and felt for his wand. Pointing it upward bright red sparks flew out of the end in dazzling light show. Hagrid looked over and immediately ran to the lake.
"What in blazes are you two doing in thar!" He exclaimed as he made his way carefully around the jagged edges of the broken ice.
"Sssave..Tttaabbbatta" Severus shivered loudly.
Hagrid moved quickly as he lifted Tabatha out with one hand and carried her to the edge of lake. He was just about to go back to get Professor Snape when he heard him call out as he pulled himself out of the grasp of the water.
"NO!... Ssttay with herr.. yyyou hhhear!" Severus finally got his footing and stumbled over to Tabatha's side.
Looking her over he saw that her lips were blue, and her chest was not moving.
"Professor Snape… she's not… Tabatha's not" Hagrid's voice started to crack.
"no.. no.. no" Severus mind reeled as tears again stung his eyes his head fell forward and rested on her chest and he wrapped his arms around her cold wet body.
"Please.. oh please don't leave me" he begged in a whisper.
Suddenly Tabatha's body shook, as a cough escaped her lips. Severus shot up and guided her head as the water expelled.
"It's a miracle Professor!" Hagrid exclaimed happily "A Christmas Miracle!"
Severus' body shook with joy. She was alive, His Tabatha was alive.
Quickly he composed himself, she was breathing but her eyes didn't open.
"She's not safe yet Hagrid, we need to get her to Madam Pomfrey at once!" Severus looked up at the large man.
Hagrid took no time to scoop up Tabatha into his arms and cradle her to the infirmary wing as he had done before in the not so distant past.
Severus stood up to run after them, when again movement caught his eye. By the shore, the doe stood again. Their eyes locked for a moment and Severus spoke to the creature as if they had some silent understanding.
"Thank you Lily. I will always love you." He whispered.
Just before he turned around he heard a noise at his feet. Looking down a small black puppy whimpered, and he instantly knew why Tabatha was on the ice. Without hesitation or thought he scooped up the small dog and carried it with him as he ran towards the castle, towards his Tabatha.