Previously on The Years Of Decisions 10: Not Everything Ends Well
Receiving no answer, Severus walked deeper into the room still looking around. No Janna. Severus figured she was in the Great Hall or somewhere on the grounds having a walk so he showered, returned his black apparel back to his former rooms then headed to Dumbledore's office to report in.
Severus knocked on the office door turning the knob before Dumbledore had a chance to answer. He strode across the room and placed a folder in front of Dumbledore.
Dumbledore moved the folder to the side. "This can wait Severus. There's been an accident."
"What is this Albus? What kind of accident? Janna is alright, isn't she?"
"No Severus she isn't. She was attacked in Diagon Alley. I.."
"Attacked? In Diagon Alley? What in Merlin's name was she doing in Diagon Alley? Who attacked her? Is she in St Mungo's?"
"Severus. You need to calm down. Janna is in the Hospital Wing with a severe concussion. Go see about her. We'll discuss everything else later."
Striding across the room, Severus snarled back over his shoulder. "My wife has been attacked. You couldn't have sent me a bloody owl? Now you stand there telling me to calm down. I will calm down when I have the bloody fuck's neck in my hands. Whomever hurt Janna….." and the rest had been lost as the door closed behind him.
Dumbledore fell into his chair and placed his hands flat down on the desk as if to ground himself. "That poor fool has no idea what a few touches on the wrong witch has cost him. He'll never see Severus coming."
The Years Of Decisions: Chapter 11: To Set Things Right
Severus was moving down the stairs at the speed of light growling all the way. Even Peeves who quite liked aggravating the Potions Master hurriedly got out of his way. Severus was worried about Janna, but he was also thinking of what he would do to the bastard who hurt her.
All those things disappeared from Severus' head as he pushed open the doors of the Hospital Wing calling out to the nurse. "Where is she Poppy?"
Madame Pomfrey came rushing out of her office insisting that Severus lower his voice.
"This is not the time Poppy. Where is my wife and how significant are her injuries?"
"Don't you dare shout at me Severus Snape. I have put Janna in my private room to afford her a bit more privacy. She does have a concussion, but it isn't as bad as it looks. There was quite a bit of blood from a nasty gash on her head. I've removed as much blood as possible, but there is some remaining residue that cannot be removed until the swelling goes completely down. It appears that whoever did this beat her with his fists."
Severus felt as though there was a knife twisting inside him as he strode to the private room in the back. Some spawn of a demon had actually hit Janna. Someone had hit his wife. Severus didn't even realize he was growling until he saw Poppy backing fearfully away from the corner of his eye. However, as soon as he laid eyes on Janna the growling was replaced by a soft mewling that sounded like the cry of a wounded Crup as Severus grabbed Janna up in his arms. When she didn't respond to him, Severus gently lowered her back down to the pillow, drew his wand and ran it over her from head to toe. When the tip of his wand glowed red for the briefest second, Severus stood and began mumbling spell after spell.
After what seemed like hours to Madame Pomfrey, Severus lowered and sheathed his wand and sat on the bed beside Janna. It was only seconds later that Janna opened her eyes, saw Severus sitting on the side of her bed and broke into heart wrenching sobs as she reached out for her husband.
Severus asked Madame Pomfrey to step out of the room so he could have time alone with his wife, but she balked. With Janna awake, there were spells she had to cast and readings that had to be taken to insure Janna's health. "I will leave after I've checked my patient. If you don't care for my rules Severus, you may leave and see your wife after I've released her. Now step out of my way."
Severus stood up to face Poppy and replied in a low and deadly voice. "You take too much for granted Poppy. I'm not some sniveling fourth year who is cowed by your commands," he said his voice growing decidedly louder and more deadly. "I am here with my wife and I would like some privacy. She is my responsibility from here. Get out."
Poppy was as frightened as she'd ever been, but she stood up to Severus. "You've gone too far Severus. As you are not some sniveling fourth year, neither am I. I will leave Janna with you only because I know how skilled you are, but don't think for one moment Dumbledore won't hear about this," and she strode away pulling the door closed behind her.
/*/
Once they were alone, Severus summoned the extra hospital robes from a nearby chair and laid them on the bed beside him. He had then gently guided Janna to a sitting position, cast a cleaning spell after removing her blood spattered robes and helped her into the fresh robes before laying her back down.
When Severus looked into his wife's eyes he realized more had happened than a simple attack. Up until that moment Severus had thought some Diagon Alley derelict had tried to take her purse or purchases and hurt her in the process which was bad enough. But he was now seeing something in her eyes that told him there was more. The twisting knife in his gut was back.
Holding a trembling hand to each side of Janna's face, Severus looked into her eyes. "Tell me exactly what happened," he said in a hoarse whisper.
And she had. For the next several minutes Janna told Severus all she could remember shamefully explaining how her attacker had touched her, hit her with his fist and smugly told her he was bringing a present from Yaxley. Janna finished the explanation by admitting she didn't know how she landed in the Hospital Wing.
Severus jumped up seething. Janna had just said something about Yaxley. For seconds Severus wouldn't even entertain the thought that Yaxley or anyone else he was acquainted with would dare do something this despicable or be stupid enough to cross him. Out loud he snarled, "I'm going to get you settled and then I'm going to see about this" as he conjured a small specimen jar. Kissing Janna on the lips and on the forehead, Severus made a request. "To do what I need to do, I'll have to ask you to do something that might make you uncomfortable."
Janna was still feeling a bit woozy, but she could see Severus had worked himself up to one of his terrors. "Please love. Please remain calm. Don't do anything that will…that will."
"That will what Janna? Even someone as sweet as you can't believe I would let this attack go by unnoticed. I need you to relax and concentrate on your attack. Push everything else out of your mind and bring the memories of the attack forward. I plan to cull and review those memories to determine the culprit…..and then I will handle him."
Janna laid back on her pillow and did as Severus asked. Shortly after, Severus had the memories and had settled her back down in the bed. Standing up he went to the door to call Poppy who had immediately come running.
"Is everything alright Severus?"
"Janna is doing better thank you. I apologize for my earlier behavior, but I returned from a journey to find my wife had been attacked in my absence. I have an important errand and I would rather Janna stay here under your care than leave her alone in our rooms. I'll return to pick her up as quickly as I can. Thank you."
Severus went back over to Janna who put her arms around his neck and kissed him on the mouth telling him to hurry back to her because he'd been gone long enough. He kissed her back and quickly left the hospital wing headed straight to Dumbledore's office.
/*/
Even though it was quite late, Severus did not hesitate to go back to Dumbledore's office. He himself had a small Pensieve, but he wanted to use the large one in the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore didn't even rise from his seat when Severus came bursting through the door. He'd been expecting him. He just didn't know if he would be dealing with Severus the Death Eater, Severus the Beast or a Severus who could be dealt with.
On the surface, Severus appeared to be in control as he walked across the room, but as he grew nearer, Dumbledore could see that Severus was trembling from head to toe and was quite sure he wasn't trembling out of fear. Dumbledore knew he was dealing with Severus the Beast.
"I do not have time for niceties Albus. I would like to make use of your large Pensieve. I have pulled Janna's memories and intend to find out which bloody fuck had the temerity to put his hands on MY WIFE." Severus shouted the last few words and a line of spittle had appeared at the corners of his mouth.
Dumbledore summoned the Pensieve and set it on the desk in front of him.
Severus wasted no time. He pulled out the jar containing Janna's memories and poured them into the Pensieve letting the memories swirl for several seconds before leaning in to view them. When he pulled his head out, his fists were clenched and he had his mouth poised to let out a blood curdling scream, but before he could do that a three dimensional memory showing Sybil Trelawney popped up out of the Pensieve. Both Severus and Dumbledore were taken aback as they listened to Sybil speak what appeared to be another Prophecy.
"What is that blubbering cow on about now?"
"Do not speak about her in that manner Severus. She is your colleague after all. It appears she has made another Prophecy. It would seem that this time she refers to you, Janna and Harry. However, this is not the time to discuss Sybil's ramblings. I'll take a look at the memory and decipher it. At the moment you have certain things to see to. Take care Severus. I do not want to see my Potions Master landed in Azkaban especially so soon after he and the witch of his dreams finally have a chance at a life together. May I ask the name of the fellow involved in this dastardly deed?"
"Severus Snape is always careful Albus. Have you not learned that after all this time? I imagine you are having your little joke inquiring after a name when no one but you could have rescued Janna and brought her to Madame Pomfrey. Thank you for that Albus. I will take my leave as there are preparations I must make," and with that, Severus left the office.
/*/
"A Prophecy and a murder," said Dumbledore with a sigh. "What else will appear before me?"
/*/
Lucius had returned from a Governors Meeting several hours earlier and was sitting alone in his study having sent Draco and Narcissa on their way. Lucius was pondering the owl he had received from Severus. Severus hadn't elaborated, but Lucius was certain he knew what his old friend meant. They had previously discussed matters which could not be discussed with anyone else. He and Severus had come to the agreement they were better off without the Dark Lord and didn't necessarily want to see him come back. Severus was happily married and he was happily in power. Both those things would easily come to nothing if the Dark Lord reappeared wielding his power.
One thing was certain, what should be done should be done as quickly and quietly as possible because even though they were locked up in Azkaban, Bellatrix, Crouch Jr. and the LeStrange brothers still had some powerful connections who were faithful to the Dark Lord. If he and Severus were caught out, it would mean a horrible death for the pair of them. However, if they were able to either stop or slow the return of the Dark Lord, their lives would be so much better for it.
Lucius thought if all else failed, he might resettle his family in Belize or Bali as Severus had been threatening to do of late. That idea of course was folly. No one left the Dark Lord. On the other hand, Lucius wasn't fool enough to willingly give up even an iota of his power. Lucius smiled to himself. Perhaps they could enlist the aid of Harry Potter. Perhaps they could get him to kill the Dark Lord again.
Of course there was more to it than slowing down any return of the Dark Lord. There was also the need to present themselves as the most solid of Dark Lord supporters…..which they planned to do until the time they didn't have to, if ever.
Lucius shrugged and summoned a bottle of Firewhiskey and a glass. Until he was able to hold a discussion with Severus, he decided to put these thoughts completely out of his mind.
/*/
Lucius had just leaned his head back against the chair when Draco knocked and entered the room.
"Father? May I have Theo and Blaise as guests for the night? There are spells and hexes we would like to practice before the start of school term. We will not allow anyone to best us Slytherins."
"Practical thinking Draco," answered Lucius proudly. "You are correct. Slytherins never allow anyone to best them. You may have guests, but keep to your wing or I'll have all your arses. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes sir you have," answered Draco solemnly rolling his eyes to his father's back. "I will see to it that Theo and Blaise understand as well. Thank you father."
/*/
While Lucius was thinking, Severus was stalking. He had seen Janna's memories and did not plan to return to his wife until he had restored her honor. Severus believed he knew exactly where to find Pippin and thought Yaxley might still be in London as well. Severus wasn't sure, but no matter as they would both be dead before the end of Sunday. The fucking audacity. Knocking Janna about to steal her belongings would have been enough, but Yaxley and Pippin had made a filthy plot to shame her intimately. Well the plot stopped there. What they had done was unthinkable and Severus planned to retaliate with the unthinkable.
As Severus expected, he caught up with Pippin first. The little piece of shite hadn't even blinked when Severus approached him which immediately told Severus that Dumbledore had interfered.
"Severus my friend," called out the wizard who was about to meet his death. "I was told by Yaxley you were in Albania. Have you any news about our Lord?"
Severus was holding himself tightly together. " I do not have news about the Dark Lord, but I do have questions for you and Yaxley. Where is he?"
"He'll be along shortly," laughed Pippin. "He is somewhere getting the lizard tamed if you know what I mean."
"Getting the lizard tamed then, is he? You and Yaxley are quite the pair," snarled Severus. Two bloody bastards who pull that filthy piece of skin out on any witch. Eh?"
Pippin didn't like where this seemed to be going. Severus was acting as though he'd been wronged. "Is everything as it should be Severus? Has someone offended you?" stammered Pippin fearful that Severus would actually tell him.
"Yes. Someone has offended me. In fact, I have been deeply offended by the wizard who forced himself on my wife," he said in a low voice. "I am here to set this right." Severus was gruff, but he was not bringing attention to himself because at the end of it all, this wizard and Yaxley will have disappeared and he didn't want to be called in to disclose what he knew.
Pippin was frightened beyond measure by Severus' tone as well as his words, but just when he thought he would urinate on himself out of fear, Yaxley strode into the pub. The telltale stains down the front of his trousers informed the entire pub he'd had a witch and by the location of the stains that he had probably taken her without thought.
Severus hadn't hesitated. As soon as Yaxley was in snatching vicinity, he had snatched him and Pippin and apparated them to Spinner's End. Severus drew his wand to cast anti-apparition spells over both wizards as soon as they landed.
"What's this about Severus? What have we done? You have the wrong wizards. Please Severus. You know we wouldn't….."
"Shut up you sniveling bastard. Having a go at anything that walks are you then Yaxley, including my wife? Is there a reason my wife cannot walk through Diagon Alley without being accosted by filthy, dog breath, pieces of shite such as yourself or Pippin? You call yourself coming for me yet the closest you came was my wife," said Severus as his voice grew louder. "I WANT TO KNOW WHAT BUSINESS YOU HAVE WITH MY WIFE?" and drawing his wand he cast a spell on both wizards that had the effect of them being pummeled by fists. "You thought to put your fucking hands under her clothes. You thought to use your fists on her. I will kill you here and now."
For as much of a blowhard Yaxley was when Severus wasn't around, he knew. He positively knew he had fucked up. "It wasn't me," Yaxley whined. "Pippin wanted to…."
Severus swung his wand again and blood came gushing out of Yaxley's nose as he fell to his knees begging for forgiveness.
"Way too late for begging," screamed Severus. "No worries though because Pippin will be joining you in death. For your information, I have seen my wife's memories. Thought it would never come back on you then Yaxley? You were the instigator who never expected the deed to lead back to you. Well here it is. Your arsehole follower was idiot enough to tell my wife who had sent him. So here's a gift courtesy of my wife. Sectumsempra!" and then Severus turned to Pippin with a wicked grin. "Perhaps your dick will be soothed in the afterlife you bloody sod," and he called out for a second time. "Sectumsempra!"
The last thing Severus had done before leaving his childhood home was call out, "Incendio."
Severus paused for a moment to watch as the flames engulfed the house he had grown up in, where he had taken his worst beatings, where his mother had taken her worst beatings and where he had made a son. The flames were a catharsis and after they had burned out Severus vanished everything leaving only a level space of land. If Janna ever wanted to live in the place he had lived in as a child, they would have build up from the ashes which was more than fine with him. Now he had to get back to Hogwarts. He had a wife who was waiting for him to return and that's what he meant to do.
The fire was out and the night was silent. The only thing that could possibly have been heard by anyone in the vicinity was the slight pop of apparition.
/*/
Janna was feeling loads better. The Headmaster had stopped by to inquire after her condition as had Sybil and Filius. Sybil and Filius had lamented over the fact how it was unsafe for a Hogwarts professor to travel alone in Diagon Alley.
Janna listened to them with one ear as she longed for Severus to come through the door to collect her. He'd been gone a long time. Her eyes had closed and when they reopened she was looking into the face of her husband and she was in their bed.
"Hello beautiful. How are you feeling? I took the liberty of removing you from the Hospital Wing. I hope you don't mind. It is my opinion that I can care for you as good as Poppy Pomfrey," he said reaching out for her and snuggling his face into her neck. "I've missed you my love. I cannot stand being away from you even for a short time."
"I missed you as well. I thought to entertain myself by spending some time away from Hogwarts. Look where it's gotten me."
As Severus pulled Janna to him she suddenly seemed to shrink into herself and tears began to trickle down her face. "I'm so sorry Sev. I let myself be manhandled by some stranger. He tried to… He tried to…"
"Hush," said Severus kissing Janna on the forehead not missing the fact that Janna had just called him Sev. "I know what he tried to do. He won't be doing it to any other witch. Right now I want you to forget all about it. Are you up to having some breakfast?"
"I will be up to some breakfast after my handsome husband takes me in hand. I need to feel loved Sev. I need you to comfort me."
"You have called me Sev twice in the last five minutes. I like it. It makes me want to climb on top of you and never let you up."
"Does it now? In that case, let me just say Sev, Sev, Sev. It's just feels right when I say it and I will enjoy knowing the effect it has on you. I am hoping that you are now going to follow through on your admission. I missed you and I need you. I think I'm well enough to wiggle beneath my husband. What do you think?"
For the first time in days a smile appeared on Severus' face as he removed his and Janna's clothing. "I can handle that," he said climbing into the bed beside Janna. Running his hands over her breasts and leaning in to suckle one after the other, Severus ran his tongue up and down Janna's stomach making her wriggle beneath his mouth.
"Oh Sev, she cried out. "You make me feel so good. Please don't make me wait," and she reached between his legs to rub his dick whispering how hard he was.
Her touch was like a shock to Severus's system causing him to prematurely squirt liquid across Janna's leg. She inflamed him like no other witch ever could. He slipped two fingers inside her slit pulling back a little to smile then run his mouth across her jaw. "I marvel at how I can make you this wet," and he whispered his love for her as he positioned himself at her slit and slowly pushed himself into the only witch he had ever loved calling out her name as he did.
As Severus began to move, Janna followed his strokes as words of sex and love came tumbling from her mouth.
Janna's words of sex and love drove Severus to a sexual fury so fierce he pulled her to a sitting position as he kept thrusting while repeating over and over that she was his heart and his perfect witch.
And they had reached orgasm one right behind the other falling back onto the bed with their energy spent.
Severus was spent, but he took the moment to raise up, place his hand on Janna's stomach and gaze directly into her face. "There are things in my past that led me to believe I wouldn't ever be lucky enough to experience romance or true love. With you Janna, I am experiencing both. I am so thankful you are in my life and I will do anything to keep you here."
Janna smiled as she raised up as well. "I think our sex has made you silly. You have married me. Therefore, you are stuck with me for life. Besides, I think I was besotted with you within weeks of taking the position at Hogwarts. From the first it felt as though I knew you. You do remember a certain kiss which caused quite a bit of dissension between us. Now that I have your love, it will take Merlin and his Minions to part us."
"I was quite the arse back then. Wasn't I?" asked Severus solemnly. "I cannot apologize enough for my behavior."
Pinching his cheek, a grinning Janna rolled her entire body over onto Severus kissing his lips over and over again. "We have just had a perfect shag. Don't you dare go all Professor Snape on me. I didn't mention that silly kiss to make you chastise yourself. It's I who owe you the apology for even bringing it up. We are so far beyond that Sev. Now tell me you love me like a good husband."
"I love you like a good husband," joked Severus.
Janna sat straight up in the bed. "Was that a joke? Has the sour Professor Snape actually made a joke? Please keep your humor inside our rooms or the students and staff will fall over dead from surprise."
Grabbing Janna around the waist, Severus told her he'd never give up his persona and softly nipped her ribs before padding across the room to the bathroom.
/**/
Vernon Dursley had always treated Harry Potter unfairly. This Sunday was no exception. He was in the middle of dragging Harry to the kitchen by his hair. Harry was screaming in pain but knew there wasn't anyone or anything who would come to his rescue so he just went with it.
"Get in there and get the breakfast started and none of your foolishness," shouted Vernon as he literally threw Harry into the kitchen.
Harry allowed himself a few minutes of feeling sorry for himself before pulling out the breakfast ingredients and getting the stove going. He was used to this. It had been a way of life for the last ten years and would probably be the same for the next eight years until he came of age. All he could do until then was bear it and do as he was told.
There were times when Harry promised himself he would come back and kill them all. Then he realized he wanted a good life and he would not have that if he killed someone. When he came of age he would just get as far away from Little Whinging as possible and never look back.
Harry served the Dursleys their breakfast and moved to what his Uncle Vernon smugly called Harry's corner.
As Harry stood there waiting for the family to finish so he could clean up and have the remains, he fervently wished his parents had not died in that automobile accident. Straight behind that, Harry wished that someone somewhere was searching for him to take him away from Privet Drive. After ten bloody years, Harry knew better. There wasn't anyone to come rescue him and all the wishing in the world wouldn't change that. He did promise himself that once he came of age, he wouldn't ever let anyone treat him in the manner the Dursley's had treated him. Ever.
/*/
Janna tried to get out of bed, but Severus held onto her tightly until she finally threatened to soil the bed if he didn't let her go use the bathroom.
"I'll let you go only if you promise to relieve yourself and come quickly back to my engorged manhood. It needs you."
Janna ran for the bathroom laughing at her husband. They'd had sex four times since he first climbed on top of her and he was still hungry for more. As Janna took care of her needs she could not think of a place she'd rather be than in her husbands arms. However, when she returned to their bed Severus was sitting on the side of the bed reading an owl.
Reaching out his hand for Janna to come sit beside him Severus explained the owl. "Lucius and Narcissa have invited us to spend Sunday with them. Are you up to it or shall I send our regrets?"
Janna thought about it for a second before replying. "I'll accompany you, but I had hoped we could set aside time to speak with Dumbledore to formulate a plan of what he wants us to say to the Potter lad."
"Right. That is coming up rather soon. We'll speak with Albus tomorrow. I'm sure if we don't find him, he'll find us," replied Severus. "I'll owl Lucius to expect us by 3:00 and get brunch while you bathe."