Chapter 39

The excruciating pain in my knee was what woke me. I moaned softly, unwilling to open my eyes.

There seemed to be people bustling about everywhere and from the angered voices I could hear, there seemed to be an argument taking place. I could hear the sound of my brother's voice in the distance.

"You cannot leave that hag in here, Dumbledore!"

"Think of the safety of the students," McGonagall added.

"Ridiculous!" squeaked Flitwick. "Put her in one of the tower chambers!"

I opened my eyes as the teachers continued to argue with Dumbledore. We were in the hospital wing. I was in the bed closest to the doors, while the bed next to me was occupied by Lisa, whose eyes were trained on the adults down the other end of the room, not far from where a bed had been surrounded by the privacy curtain. I noticed that Lisa's injured arm had been bandaged.

Terry, who had a small amount of dressing on his cheek from where he'd been hit by a hex, was sitting in the chair next to Lisa's bed, and Harry stood at the foot of my bed, his arms folded. Both boys were also focused on the heated argument nearby.

"She needs to be questioned," Dumbledore said, his voice not as loud as the others. "She also needs medical care so that we can begin the questioning as soon as possible. Surely you can see that? I cannot awake her at the moment and I am most anxious to find the whereabouts of the real Ruby Parkes."

"Excellent, you're awake," came a voice from my other side. I turned by head to see Madam Pomfrey bustling over to me, her arms laden with supplies. "I need to tend to that knee and I have a lovely range of potions for you to drink." She held out a potion to Terry. "A pain reliever for you, Mr Boot."

Terry got up and came over to my bed. "Thanks, Madam Pomfrey. How do you feel, Milly?"

"Fabulous," I replied, bringing my hands up to rub my temples. A dull ache had settled there.

"That duel was amazing, Armilla," Harry said, grinning at me. "See? I thought you'd been up to something."

I grunted, closing my eyes again, as Madam Pomfrey busied herself with arranging the supplies on the bedside table.

"I'm sorry I missed most of it, Mill," Lisa said. "Apparently you were amazing."

I opened my eyes again and looked over at her. "Thanks for coming to my defence, Lisa. I'm sorry you got injured."

Lisa smiled, looking down as her arm. "It's nothing to your knee, I'm sure."

"Broken in four places," Madam Pomfrey said. "Enough to be getting on with, I assure you."

"What about my concussion?" Terry asked, rubbing the back of his head. "It's worthy of some attention too."

Madam Pomfrey scoffed. "A very mild concussion, Boot. I did a scan and you're practically fine apart of the gash on your face. You were just begging me not to make you stay here overnight."

Terry pulled a face while Harry laughed.

"A good joke over here?"

Dumbledore was striding up the ward, the others close behind, all scowling in his wake. Severus in particular looked mutinous.

Madam Pomfrey rolled her eyes at Dumbledore as she gave me a pain relief potion to drink. "Nothing but a comparison of injuries, Headmaster." She suddenly smiled over at Harry. "But I must say, Potter, that it's a welcome relief to have you in here uninjured for once."

Harry glared at her, albeit half-hearted.

"I'll need a word with you Potter," Severus said, as he passed Harry and approached my bed. "Don't go too far away."

Harry looked uncomfortable. "Yes, sir."

"Are Miss Turpin and Mr Boot to stay here the night, Madam Pomfrey?" Flitwick asked, as Severus sat down in the chair next to my bed. I looked over at him and he met my gaze, giving me the tiniest of nods before looking back at the nurse.

"Both of them, yes," Madam Pomfrey replied, earning a groan from Terry. "Just for observation."

"Well, I will be standing guard down the end of the ward with the Headmaster," said Flitwick, "so if you need anything for my students-"

"Thank you, Filius," Madam Pomfrey replied, taking out her wand. She looked over at Terry and then nodded towards the bed on the other side of Lisa. "Bed, Boot."

Terry looked sour as he trudged away, muttering to himself about a mild concussion.

"Potter and I are going to have tea and biscuits in my office," said McGonagall briskly, earning a look of bewilderment from Harry. She looked at my brother. "I'll bring him back in half an hour."

Severus nodded, taking his wand out. He waved his wand and directed the privacy curtain around my bed before casting a silencing charm.

"Is Rougier down there?" I asked, as Severus put his wand away.

"Yes," he replied shortly, "though if I had my way-"

"No time for that now, Severus," said Madam Pomfrey, as she bent over my knee. "It's Armilla who need your attention at the moment."

Severus glared at her and opened his mouth, no doubt to say something scathing back, but stopped when I hissed in pain as I felt movement in my knee.

"I'm sorry, Armilla," Madam Pomfrey said, glancing back at me before training her wand on my knee again, "not even the pain reliever will completely help with the process of putting the bones back together."

I bit my lip as I felt more throbbing pain in my knee as the bones were moved about. Severus reached out and took my hand, holding it in both of his. "How long will this take?" he asked Madam Pomfrey.

"Until I'm satisfied," came the response.

Severus scowled at her before looking at me again. I gripped his hand harder and he held it in both of his. "Not even I knew you could do magic like that," he said softly.

"I didn't know I could either," I said, before gasping in pain again. I closed my eyes for a moment. "I am glad it's over."

"You and I both."

I suddenly opened my eyes again as a thought came to me. "Is the emerald the right colour now?"

My bracelet was on the arm of the hand that Severus was holding. He looked down and ran his hand over the bracelet until the emerald was resting between his fingers. I smiled as the familiar warmth ran over me.

"It's definitely back to normal," Severus said, examining it closely, "as I would expect it to be. Your magic has been returned to you in full, as we all witnessed."

I was silent for a moment, reliving the scene in my head. I shuddered as I thought about what the scene would have looked like to those who were watching.

"What are you thinking about?" Severus asked quietly.

"How scary it must have looked."

Severus glanced at Madam Pomfrey, who was muttering an incantation under her breath, before looking back at me and nodding. "It put the rest of us in a situation where we were helpless. That sort of feeling does not rest easily with me, as you can imagine."

I nodded, watching as Madam Pomfrey directed her wand to wrap bandages around my knee.

"Don't be mean to Harry," I said, relieved that the pain in my knee was now a dull ache. "He was a tremendous help."

Severus grunted. "The Boy Who Lived is a hero once more?"

"Don't be like that," I said softly, feeling exhausted all of a sudden. "Without his help, Rougier wouldn't have been exposed."

Severus sighed, watching as Madam Pomfrey left, perhaps to get more supplies. "I suppose. You're dating one half of the duo who helped you last time. Just don't start a pattern."

I glared at him, blinking away sudden angry tears. "I am not about to date Harry Potter."

Severus stared at me. "I apologise," he said shortly. "My sarcasm was ill placed."

I looked away, staring down at my knee.

"Are you in pain?" my brother asked.

"A little."

"I shall have to ask Madam Pomfrey what pain reliever she gave you. I do not want to cause an overdose."

I nodded.

There was silence for a moment.

"What's wrong with Rougier?" I asked.

"Though you only used Stupefy on her, she remains unconscious from the trauma of the duel," Severus answered, releasing my hand. "We will have to wait for her to awake. There are many things to be investigated, not the least of which is the location of Miss Parkes. That, of course, is the primary concern at present."

"Am I able to be there when she's questioned?" I asked, meeting my brother's gaze.

Severus frowned slightly as he answered. "Armilla, I hardly think-"

"She did all this to me," I said heatedly, anger boiling inside me. "I want to hear the truth too. She-"

"I do not think it appropriate," Severus countered, fixing me with a stern look, "given what she has put you through. If I had my way, you would not see her face again."

"I don't care," I said angrily. "I had to duel her. It was my magic she took! I didn't think I had enough magic to duel her-"

Severus shook his head. "Armilla-"

"It's not fair if I can't," I said, my voice wavering. "She hurt Lisa and Terry because of me and she's hurt Ruby because of me."

Severus was looking irritated at not being able to get a word in. "Armilla-"

"I deserve to hear it all too! She used Merle, Severus! It was horrible seeing her like that. No one should have to-"

Madam Pomfrey came back and I stopped, feeling annoyed. I looked away as the nurse and Severus had a brief conversation about the potions I had.

"Here," Severus said a moment later as he uncorked a vial, when Madam Pomfrey disappeared behind the curtain again. "Drink this, it'll take most of the pain away."

I took the vial and drank, as Severus sat back in his chair with a tired sigh, watching me. He held his hand out silently for the empty vial and placed it on the bedside table before leaning forward again to speak.

"You faced a very personal battle this evening, Armilla, of that I have no doubt. I don't believe I can express to you adequately how very proud I was tonight, although my emotions were mixed with sheer panic."

I smiled slightly, but the intensity of my feelings did not abate.

"Being exposed to that horrid cursed Merle for all those months was exceptionally taxing on you in numerous ways, especially mentally. You have been brave throughout the whole ordeal, not just tonight, despite our arguments on how best to handle it."

"I still want to see her though," I said quietly. "I defeated her."

"Yes, you did," Severus acknowledged, "but we are not talking of a mentally sane woman. I would rather not put you in her abusive path if I can help it."

I frowned. "I can look after myself. I'm nearly seventeen."

Severus narrowed his eyes. "And I'll still be wanting to stand in front of you when you're forty. It's not a question of age. You've been in the company of Rougier enough this year, even if you didn't know it."

I shook my head slightly as I turned to look up at my brother. "I'm not afraid of her or anything she might say."

He sighed again as he looked away. "My better judgement tells me that you are better off staying as far away from the hag as you possibly can."

"But will you let me see her?"

Severus looked back at me, frowning. After a moment, he shook his head and looked away once more. "Seeing at it was a crime committed here at Hogwarts, it's for Dumbledore or even the Ministry, if he involved them, to decide on that. You and I are emotionally involved in this case; it's a family matter."

"Don't you want to hear what she has to say?" I asked.

He nodded. "I do."

"If no one objects, may I?"

Severus pursed his lips a little. Finally, he gave a resigned sigh. "If you must."

I nodded. "Thank you."

We were silent for a moment and I took in how truly exhausted Severus looked. "You were called tonight," I said.

He gave a slight nod, though his face was suspicious. "How did you know that?"

"Harry's map. It wasn't long after you left me in the library. We saw you out on the grounds and you disappeared beyond the gate. I just assumed you had been called."

Severus narrowed his eyes. "I suppose that map is the reason why Potter so often turns up where there is trouble. I should have confiscated it for good three years ago when I first laid eyes on it."

I frowned. "But Severus, I wouldn't have spotted Rougier."

He now looked a little irritated. "I know. To be honest, I am annoyed with myself that I didn't think of it months ago. I knew the map was useful, but it didn't even register in my thoughts when I was trying to find a solution to Merle."

"I'm glad Harry thought of it though," I said. "He wondered if it might be useful."

"And to what extent did Potter know of Merle?" Severus asked, still looking annoyed.

"Nothing of Merle," I answered. "But he worked out for himself that it was a curse. I suppose that was obvious in the end."

Severus sneered. "Yes well, I suppose even Potter is not dim enough to think that you'd collapse around the castle of your own accord."

I glared at him. "I thought we weren't speaking of it anymore?"

He shook his head. "We're not. I was merely commenting on Potter's great insight."

Now it was my turn to shake my head. "I wished you weren't disposed to think ill of Harry all the time. He was helpful tonight."

Severus grunted. "Indeed."

We were silent for a moment.

"I don't have to stay here overnight, do I?" I asked, feeling suddenly alarmed. "I don't want to be here if Rougier stays here."

Severus sneered at me. "Armilla, do you really think I'd leave you here with that wretched hag at the other end of the room?"

"No," I said crossly, "but-"

"I am not going anywhere, Armilla. I wouldn't leave you here. Nor would Professor Flitwick leave Miss Turpin or Mr Boot."

I sighed, looking away. "I was just asking."

Severus stared at me for a moment before shaking his head. "I do not mean to be short-tempered. It's been an eventful night. Meeting with the Dark Lord is never something you can adjust to. I experienced sheer terror in finding you in a rather perilous situation when I returned. Furthermore, I am struggling to reign in my temper due to the headmaster's decision to keep Rougier here in the hospital wing."

I nodded, reaching my hand out to him.

Taking the hint, Severus stood and sat on my bed. "Not that I'm complaining," he said gruffly, as I leaned into his arms. He kissed the topped of my head. "You're the one who's been battling the mentally insane this evening."

I smirked. "Haven't we both been battling the insane this evening?"

Leaning against his chest, I could hear the low rumble of amusement that Severus seemed to suppress.

We sat in silence for a moment and Rougier stayed in my thoughts. "Severus, does Madam Pomfrey know that Rougier is pregnant?"

"She's not pregnant," my brother said quietly. "I did indicate to Madam Pomfrey that it was our knowledge that she was with child."

I frowned. "But she said she was pregnant back in February-"

"She's not anymore," Severus said, his voice showing no hint of emotion. "Madam Pomfrey is certain she's not."

I shifted slightly and looked up at him. "What happened?"

Severus considered me for a moment. "Zita Rougier is hardly a young woman," he said carefully, "so it may be far more common for a woman her age to miscarriage. If this was not the case, I would hazard a guess that it was the Polyjuice Potion."

"Hazard a guess?"

Severus shook his head. "Alright, it is my theory that Polyjuice would have played a rather destructive role in terminating the pregnancy. Clearly Rougier did not do her research beforehand, which I am sure does not surprise you. Polyjuice always has its risks, but for a pregnant woman to be using it constantly to change back and forth between bodies-" He stopped and shook his head. "If the child had survived there would be major risk of deformity."

"That's sad," I said quietly.

Severus inclined his head. "It is sad to think that a child was to be brought into this world as a means of taking your wealth from you-"

"After my magic had been drained completely," I said softly, as the puzzle fell into place in my head. "Father's will did state that his heir had to be magical." It had all been about the money.

Severus nodded. "Rougier's thinking was truly twisted. I would hate to think what sort of life the child would have been exposed to. A child who exists for the sake of revenge and stealing one's inheritance."

I bit my lip as another, rather morbid thought came to me. "But that's why I exist," I said quietly, looking away. "I was brought into this world for the same reason. I only exist for the sake of having another heir."

Severus considered me, looking troubled. "Perhaps initially that was the purpose, at least in Father's eyes," he said softly. "There are certain decisions I made in my past that caused a fair amount of hardship. If I had not made them, Father would never have disowned me and decided he needed another heir." He paused for a moment and shook his head. He suddenly had a strange, pinched expression on his face. "I have learned that fate works in mysterious ways, Armilla. The decisions of my past have aided in bringing you into the world. It was a world I didn't think I deserved any part of."

I met my brother's gaze and tears sprang to my eyes as soon as I saw they were in his. I tightened my hold on him and he did the same. "Don't go anywhere," I murmured into his robes. "I couldn't bear it if I didn't have you."

Severus was silent. We sat that way for some minutes before we heard footsteps near the entrance of the hospital wing.

"Potter," Severus said quietly.

I let go of my brother and kissed him on the cheek. "Be fair," I said.

He rolled his eyes and stood up, stretching a little before cancelling the soundproofing charm. He moved the curtains back and we saw Harry and Professor McGonagall approaching us.

"Healing nicely, Miss Snape?" Professor McGonagall asked when she reached us. Before I could answer, she held out a small packet of biscuits, tied with a tartan ribbon. "Have some biscuits."

"Thank you, Professor," I said, smiling as Severus snorted.

"And what do you offer your students when they've been through trauma, Severus?" McGonagall asked, eyeing my brother with humour. "Jelly snakes for your serpents?"

As Severus glared at his colleague, Harry seemed to bite on his tongue to keep from laughing. Lisa and Terry, however, barely managed to suppress their amusement.

"I imagine you go through many biscuits with your heroic Gryffindors, Minerva," Severus said snidely. "I daresay you order them by the crate?"

McGonagall laughed, her eyes twinkling merrily. "Why do you think Professor Dumbledore insists on having our meetings in my office so often, Severus? He is rather partial to my Scottish shortbread. What refreshment do you offer him?"

Severus scoffed, his eyes moving to Harry. "Sit down, Potter," he said, gesturing to the seat next to my bed.

McGonagall pursed her lips, watching as Harry complied.

"Do not concern yourself, Minerva," Severus said, returning her look with narrowed eyes. "I shall endeavour to return him to you in one piece."

"Hmph," McGonagall said, before sweeping away. She stopped to give Lisa and Terry biscuits too, before moving up the ward to join Dumbledore and Flitwick at the end of the room.

"I believe your map was of great assistance tonight?" Severus asked, folding his arms as he looked at Harry.

"That map is brilliant, Harry," Terry said.

"I wish we'd known about it earlier," Lisa added. "It would have saved a whole lot of trouble." She scrunched her face up. "We slept in the same dorm as that…that-"

"I believe the word you are looking for is hag, Miss Turpin," Severus said, as Dumbledore came to join us. "Now do excuse us again."

Dumbledore used his wand to direct the curtain around my bed once again, though this time he magically enhanced the space around my bed and conjured himself a rather impressive purple paisley wingchair at the foot of my bed. "Shall I conjure one for you too, Severus?" he offered, after casting a soundproofing charm.

"No, thank you," Severus said tersely, choosing to remain standing with his arms folded.

"Very well," Dumbledore said, sitting himself down. "Now, my dear Armilla," he said pleasantly. "I congratulate you on displaying such bravery and skill in advanced magic this evening. I was immensely proud."

"Thank you, Professor," I said, while Harry nodded in agreement at Dumbledore's words.

"I feel I have also failed you, however, in not detecting sooner that we had an imposter sleeping in your dormitory. As Headmaster of this school, I cannot tell you how angry I am that Zita managed to remain incognito for so long."

I shook my head. "I suppose being skilled in the art of deception is one of her strengths, sir."

Severus made a derisive noise. "One of her many talents, I am sure." He looked over at Harry. "Tell me of your part in this tonight, Potter."

Harry looked at me before looking at my brother again. "I felt bad about what happened the other night, Professor, after Armilla hurt herself and I wanted to help her-"

As Dumbledore looked at Severus, Harry paused. "The collapsing you told me of?" The headmaster asked.

Severus nodded. "The latest in a series of them, it seems."

I didn't like the disapproving look Dumbledore then sent my way and I glared at my brother.

"Don't look at me like that, Armilla," Severus said curtly. "The Headmaster merely asked."

Dumbledore held up a hand. "I am sure the two of you have settled the matter. I should not interfere. Continue, Harry."

"I wanted to help Armilla," Harry continued, turning a little red. "I didn't like seeing her injured and I had worked out by then that a curse must have been causing it. It occurred to me that the Marauders' Map might be of some help."

Dumbledore nodded. "A wise notion, I must say, Harry."

"I lent it to Armilla earlier this evening in the library," Harry said.

"That was much earlier," Severus said, his eyes flitting between Harry and I. "Surely it should not have taken such a long time to scan the map." He looked over at me. "You didn't scan it in detail until you were in Ravenclaw Tower?"

I nodded. "We had to work on our assignment, and even then, we were held up before that."

"Bletchley got in the way," Harry said. "He came in with Professor Slughorn."

Severus' face darkened, but before he could speak, Dumbledore spoke.

"Bletchley?"

"Arian Bletchley, sir," Harry said.

"And what did Bletchley want?" Severus said sharply, looking furious. He looked at me. "Armilla?"

"To talk of Rougier and to warn me," I said, giving my brother a knowing look. "He had suspicions about her too."

Knowing I couldn't say more in front of Harry, Severus didn't press the subject. "Were you alone with him?" he asked.

"No," Harry and I said together and Severus glared at Harry.

"I spoke to him by myself," I said, "but we stayed in the library where Professor Slughorn could see us."

Dumbledore shook his head. "Is Arian Bletchley's presence in the castle something I should be worried about, Severus?" he asked.

"Not that I am aware of, Headmaster," Severus answered tersely. "Though I would prefer it if his presence was no where near Armilla."

Dumbledore looked between my brother and I before leaning further back in his chair. "Ah."

"Thank you for lending the map," I said to Harry. "It's done a great deal of good tonight."

Harry smiled. "That was some brilliant magic, Armilla."

"Indeed it was," Severus agreed, "but it will not be a topic of conversation to start with the Gryffindors I trust, Potter?"

Harry gave my brother a look. "Of course not," he said angrily.

Severus raised an eyebrow, looking expectantly at him.

Harry's eyes narrowed. "Of course not, sir. Armilla knows she can trust me."

I smiled to myself. Except when he told my brother about collapsing.

"I believe you unexpectedly helped Harry tonight as well, Armilla," Dumbledore said, turning the conversation in a different direction. "Harry came to me tonight with something I had been needing for awhile."

"What is this?" Severus asked sharply, looking from me to the headmaster. He frowned. "This certainly has been a most eventful evening."

"A memory, Severus," Dumbledore said. "I have been wanting a memory from Professor Slughorn and before you ask for details, no, I am not about the share them."

Severus threw Dumbledore a scathing look. "Headmaster, I-"

"I trust you implicitly, Severus," Dumbledore said, holding up a hand to stop him, "but I prefer to not put all my eggs in one basket, as it were. Would you prefer it if I shared all the details of your gatherings with the Dark Lord with Harry?"

Severus glared at Dumbledore. "Obviously not," he said shortly.

"Then you understand my reasoning, Severus," Dumbledore said, looking unconcerned.

Severus looked mutinous. "And why, pray tell, was Armilla involved in retrieving this secret memory? You may be able to give orders to Potter, Headmaster, but Armilla is not to be used in this way. We have discussed this before."

"It's my fault, Professor," Harry said, his face red again. "I asked for Armilla's help and I didn't tell her what I needed it for and she had to work it out for herself."

"Armilla?" Severus said, looking over at me. "What was your role in this?"

"I wasn't really coerced," I told him. "I just happened to be there when Harry needed something from Professor Slughorn. It turned out to be convenient that I was because it helped."

Severus was not placated by these words. He threw a withering look at Harry. "Potter, my sister is not to be used as a tool in-"

"Severus," Dumbledore said loudly, "do not distress yourself about this. Armilla did not put herself in danger-"

"And if the Dark Lord invades Potter's mind?!" Severus snapped, looking furious. "What then, I ask you?!" He suddenly looked quite deranged. "Do NOT simply assume, headmaster that I am merely being overprotective. If Armilla is being used in ANY way for your purpose then I NEED to know about it! If the Dark Lord witnesses the scene in Potter's mind and I do not know of it, it may be VERY difficult to talk my way out of it!"

I closed my eyes, hating to hear my brother so distressed.

"Our purpose, Severus," Dumbledore said quietly.

Severus glared at him, his face full of contempt. "There is no need to correct me, Headmaster. Of any of those who serve you, I believe I know my place in the cause."

Dumbledore looked sadly at my brother. "I apologise. I do not doubt you. But Severus, the Dark Lord will not attempt to invade Harry's mind again, not after what he experienced last year."

Severus sneered. "Do not assume what the Dark Lord will or will not do, Dumbledore. We've been burned more than once."

"I'm sorry, Professor," Harry said quietly, looking a little mortified. "I didn't think-"

"Clearly," Severus interrupted. He turned back to Dumbledore. "Armilla may be of age very soon, but she is not in a position like many of her peers. She cannot take an active stance in this without putting her life further at risk. If you want me to be able to continue spying for you then you must understand and respect my wishes to not actively throw Armilla in harm's way. The way our world is headed at the moment, we'll all find it soon enough. One false move on my part could prove perilous for my sister. Look at what's become of the Malfoys."

Harry looked curiously at my brother, while Dumbledore slowly nodded. "I understand Severus." He got up and then waved his wand to banish his chair. He held out his hand to Severus, who took it, looking surprised. "You know I am not long for this world, Severus, but I will not leave it without having shaken your hand as an equal."

I snuck a glance over at Harry in time to see the troubled look cross his face.

"Come Harry," Dumbledore said, after waving his wand to cancel the soundproofing charm. "I believe it's well past the time all students should have been in bed."

"Yes, sir," Harry said, standing up. He turned to me. "Goodnight, Armilla."

"Goodnight, Harry," I said, feeling utterly depressed at how the conversation ended. I knew Professor Dumbledore was dying, but to hear him acknowledge it was very upsetting.

Severus, who now wore an expressionless look, stepped back and moved the curtains once more. Dumbledore walked Harry to the door of the hospital wing before returning to my brother and I.

"Professor Dumbledore!" McGonagall called from the other end of the room. "She's awake."

A/N It was my aim to get this chapter posted before the end of June – a promise to myself. My excuses for its lateness are too numerous to list. Part 2 should be posted this week.