Chapter 47: The Light at the End of the Tunnel

The castle was quiet and morbid that same evening. The rooks in the clock tower echoed their calls to the dead, and the sky was as dark as Voldemort's heart with no stars or moon to guide the lost fighters to their new abode.

Severus lay in a bed in the Hospital Wing, his eyes taut with tears and pleaded in vain to the Higher Ones for his grandfather and his friend to return.

Lily had been sitting up late by his side, alongside Petunia. Their parents were back home but Dumbledore arranged to come and bring them to his office personally, and they were to collect their children and Severus. Severus was to stay with the Evans that night, as his mother, Robin and Desdemona were dealing with the body of Septimus and making night-long arrangements for his passing.

James and Sirius were lying prostrate on their beds, tears in their eyes. Nobody said a word since their arrival in the Hospital Wing. They were quietly told by an unscathed McGonagall that Peter was killed. They couldn't bear the agony of this truth and were put into a Dreamless Sleep by Pomfrey, but the sleep was haunted by the pain of the Cruciatus Curse and they woke again not long after and were now taking in the minimal consolation of their girlfriends stroking their hands. Frank was in the same position and was even crying more, despite Alice's efforts. Unlike James and Sirius, he refused to take medication of any kind, though Pomfrey drew the line with easing the pain in his muscles.

Remus was lying in bed asleep, blissfully unaware of all that was going on around him. He had been put into a day-long coma by Pomfrey after a stressful day of screams and pain in his head. He was due to wake up again the following day.

"Who's going to tell him?" asked James suddenly.

All eyes turned to him.

"Peter and he were close friends before the attack, and Pete visited him more times than anybody else…to never see him come and visit again…"

"We'll take his place…and we'll tell him together when he wakes up," replied Sirius quietly.

Severus sighed in deep thoughts of despair.

Near them, also bedded up and recovering were a sleeping Professor Flitwick and a comatose Emmeline Vance. Narcissa was also under a coma too. All three were expected to recover, but the latter would likely need a lot of psychological therapy after enduring the Cruciatus under the hands of Bellatrix and Lucius before the death of Peter. Regulus explained downheartedly that Narcissa had fallen victim to them before they gave chase to him and Melody.

Melody was crying a lot lately. She felt that if she hadn't run to Hogwarts with Regulus, and just stayed to fight, Peter may have not been caught in the crossfire of the battle.

"You wouldn't have survived, Mel," said Lily softly.

"We're all lucky to have survived ourselves," added Severus.

"Thanks to Peter." murmured James piteously.

Everybody nodded in agreement.

Flitwick woke up first and Dumbledore let him in on the events he had missed. He groaned sadly at the loss of Peter. His death and Septimus' among many others were noted and honoured in the Daily Prophet's evening edition.

As the friends sat and mourned in silence, the doors opened and there were the more visibly pregnant Andromeda Tonks and her husband, Ted. They both rushed over to Narcissa's bedside, which was currently occupied by Regulus and Melody too. Sirius was sat beside her bed in his own.

"Oh, Cissy," murmured the elder sister sadly.

"She'll be okay," whispered Regulus.

Andromeda embraced him.

"I'm so glad you're safe…all three of you. But…who is dead?"

The Union members in the room lowered their heads unhappily.

"Several villagers, Emmeline's boyfriend, Professor Norton, though he was actually a Death Eater in disguise, Severus' grandfather-"

Ted groaned in sorrow for his wife's friend. Andromeda was looking to Severus with deep sympathy.

"And…Peter Pettigrew," concluded Severus to divert the pity party from himself.

Andromeda's hands clasped over her mouth in horror.

"Peter's dead?!"

"Yes…he was trying to defend us against Malfoy…Dumbledore's arrival distracted him. Malfoy killed him on the spot…I should have been able to stop him!"

It was Frank who said this. He looked wretched with guilt.

"You did the best you could, honey," whispered Alice sympathetically.

"No, my best would have saved him," moaned Frank.

Alice hugged him as he sobbed in her arms. This sparked tears from the others. Dumbledore was watching them alongside Pomfrey from the door. He was about to inform them that Trevor and Rose had arrived to take Severus, Lily and Petunia home.

But he didn't enter yet.

His reasons were two-fold.

One was that he felt the Union needed their privacy in such a vulnerable state, and the second was the premature wakening of Remus Lupin. He was awake and tears were pouring from his eyes. His face was straight, but his eyes looked more human than they had been for a long time.

Dumbledore wished to smile but declined to do so. There was very little to smile about. The Pettigrew matriarch was currently in his office, filled with despair as he recounted the story of her son's heroic sacrifice, not to mention the bereaved expressions of the Prince matriarch and her daughter. Severus was also looking beyond help at this moment. He knew time would pass and life would go on. But this Dumbledore had more tact than his predecessor and knew that this process would take time. And only time could heal Severus, not a double life enslaved to two men, in a vain effort to quench a guilt he could never let go of.

Hogwarts was ready to be closed a week early. Even the students who had elected to stay for the holidays were obliged to leave. The Ministry were taking investigation procedures over Christmas and Dumbledore even postponed Severus from seeing Lily Potter until after Christmas. The only ones who hadn't left the school yet were Remus, James, Sirius and the others who were attacked with the Unforgivables, still in the Hospital Wing.

Severus was at this time, back in Cokeworth. He was staying with the Evans, trying and failing to sleep. Any time his eyes closed, his mind showed him snippets of the events of the day…Peter's final expression, Flitwick and Narcissa on the floor, Nott's perverse leer on the Evans girls...his grandfather's body…

He sobbed in silence at the thought that he'd never be able to cuddle his grandfather in this life again. He felt some consolation at the knowledge that his grandfather wasn't gone for good…but he couldn't tell his family nor Lily this. And he couldn't bring himself to look forward to seeing his grandfather via the Stone. It wasn't good enough. The only reason the Stone was good enough to communicate with Lily Potter was the fact that he still had a Lily Evans to come home to, always welcome and always the right time.

As he pondered this misery in an endless cycle in his head, the door opened and Rose came in, also looking like she had been crying. Severus strode to conceal his own tears and shaking, but she wasn't fooled.

"Severus," she whispered, rubbing his back, "Robin's here…he says you can come home now if you wish."

Severus couldn't imagine himself getting out of bed, but he knew that his mother needed him and so he slowly, as though he were made of lead, heaved himself up and slipped his shoes on, ready to go.

"Severus," continued Rose as he was about to pass her, "we likely owe you our daughters' lives. Trevor said before he stepped in, you looked more than ready to give up your life to save theirs. Thank you…and…know that we all love you and are here for you when things get too much."

Severus hugged her softly, his tears leaking out despite himself.

"Thank you, Rose," he replied softly.

"You're welcome, darling. And I'm so sorry about your grandad…and your friend."

Severus only nodded meekly and went down to join Robin.

"Your mum's waiting, Severus," he said sympathetically.

Severus nodded grimly once more and let Robin lead him outside and back to Spinner's End. From her bedroom window, Lily watched him go and the pair of them waved to each other secretly. They both needed time to process what had happened. Neither of them slept well that night, and neither of them were thinking about being a couple…

The following morning, Severus spent all his time with his mother. Desdemona had slept there too, mourning her husband and unable to face returning to Prince Manor alone. Septimus' name was all over the Daily Prophet, along with tragic hero students such as Peter, as well as Hogsmeade residents. Severus glanced at the extensive article briefly but was unable to look at it for long without bursting into silent tears again. He hadn't changed his clothes at all either and felt something when he sat on the settee. He fished out what his grandfather had given him before he died, his old engagement ring.

Thoughts of he and Lily getting together at last seemed farfetched now after all that had happened. But Severus knew that the day would come, if not for he and Lily, then to honour his grandfather's memory and wish.

Later that day, they agreed that Desdemona remain with them until she was well enough, if ever, to return to the Manor. The house elves were instructed to keep the Manor aired, dusted and ready for its remaining owner's return. Severus and Eileen kept Desdemona as occupied as possible, mostly with cuddles and shared mourning. Robin remained silent yet optimistic by taking charge of the house. The Gobstones Inn was closed for the week and fortunately, no Christmas Eve bookings were cancelled. Robin insisted he and the elves take charge of the inn until after New Year, to which Eileen did not object and showed every inch of gratitude for her husband's kindness and helpfulness.

Christmas was likely to be cancelled, though this didn't disappoint anybody in the Prince-Kennedy family considering the lack of festiveness in the household.

Two days in collected solitude passed and Severus seemed to look more gaunt in quick succession. Eileen noticed this, as did Desdemona and the pair of them insisted that Severus get outdoors and go and see Lily, to see how she and her family were coping with the events at Hogsmeade.

Severus only left after Desdemona insisted that she could manage without him for a few hours and Eileen kissed his cheek, whispering, "Your grandad wouldn't want you to become a recluse…it'll be hard enough getting your nanny to not become one as it is."

As Severus departed the house, he immediately felt the sense that somebody was watching him and he increased his pace, but not long after, he was grabbed by the shoulder. Before he could raise his wand, a familiar voice barked at him.

"I like your vigilance, boy, but there's no need in this scenario!"

"Moody?!"

"Dumbledore requested that myself and a few others watch over yours and Miss Evans' families, among others," explained Moody, "today happens to be my shift."

Severus then had a nasty thought, or rather memory, of when Moody wasn't who he said he was.

Raising his wand after all, directing it under Moody's chin, he muttered coldly.

"What is the Patronus of Alastor Moody? The same Patronus used to contact Professor Slughorn two days ago after Moody brought me and Lily Evans to the body of Septimus Prince?"

This was the best question that Severus could think of, as no Death Eater could conjure a Patronus and the Death Eaters had all fled long before the moment he had mentioned.

"A vulture," replied Moody approvingly, "never been sure why."

Severus could understand why, though Moody had yet to gain his magical eye.

"Can I get a demonstration of said Patronus?" he continued unrelentingly.

Moody didn't look annoyed in the least. In fact, he looked pleased with Severus' persistence.

"Expecto Patronum," he said quietly.

The ghostly vulture flew and perched on Severus' shoulder before just as quickly fading away.

Severus finally lowered his wand and apologised.

"Never be sorry for being cautious in wartime, laddie! Constant vigilance!"

Severus couldn't help but sport a smile of appreciation. Apparently, some people never change.

The two of them headed off to the Evans estate, and Moody explained that so far all seemed well there, if not a little haunted for the girls in particular. He also mentioned that Rose had privately chastised Trevor for leaving her at home alone to cry herself in horror at what may or may not have befallen the rest of her family. This didn't surprise Severus at all.

The pair soon reached the house and Severus knocked.

Lily answered it, stared at them for a moment and then winded Severus by tackling him into a tight hug.

"I missed you so, Sev!"

Severus realized how much he missed her too and cuddled her, fighting back tears.

The two of them entered, followed by Moody. Severus was greeted most welcomingly by Rose.

"Oh, my boy, how are you?" she asked, sitting him at the dinner table and putting the kettle on. "Tea, Alastor?"

"No, thanks. I'm set, Mrs Evans," said Moody, taking a swig from his hip flask.

As they drank their tea, Trevor came down, with Petunia bringing up the rear.

Severus looked over to Lily and she smiled softly, nodding.

At least one good thing had come from the Battle of Hogsmeade; it would seem that saving his daughters' lives and defending his elder's honour was more than enough to make Petunia forgive her father.

Severus smiled secretly too and winked at Lily, whom copied the action in response.

They spent the remainder of the afternoon catching up on the past two days and wondering what was going on amongst their friends over the early holidays…

At Andromeda's new home, Sirius, Regulus and a physically recovered Narcissa were sat at a small dining table. Sirius looked ecstatic, Regulus looked downcast and Narcissa looked haunted and gaunt.

After the battle in Hogsmeade, it became common knowledge that the three of them were against the Death Eaters and each of them were sent a Howler that distressed Remus more than anybody else, and Pomfrey was enraged. The Howlers dubbed the three Blacks as disgraces and prone to disowning…but for the present, severe punishment.

To relieve them of that retribution, Andromeda took it upon herself to escort her sister and cousins back to her home and let them remain there until they saw fit. They did realize however, that this meant they would most certainly be disowned now.

"Bet Mother dearest is burning us off the wall as we speak, if not before," said Sirius with relish.

Nobody laughed.

"Siri, I know you're glad to be away from them, but Reggie and Cissy won't be quite so happy to be disowned," said Andromeda a trifle sternly.

"Sorry," murmured Sirius with contrition.

"Tea, Cissy? Reg?"

"Please," said Regulus hoarsely.

Narcissa said nothing, staring into vacancy.

Andromeda sighed. They had a long way to go, and she wasn't sure if she wanted Narcissa in particular to return to Hogwarts after New Year. But she would endeavour to help her recover in the meantime.

Perhaps Christmas would have to be cancelled this year…all the more reason to celebrate after the baby was born.

At Hogwarts, almost everybody was recovered. The only two left in the Hospital Wing were James and Remus.

James insisted that his chest was still heaving in agony from the Cruciatus Curse he was submitted to, and despite Pomfrey's claims to the contrary, his parents insisted he stay put for another day or two so as to be sure.

James' true reason to stay behind was to spend as much time alone with Remus as possible, since Andromeda took the Blacks away quickly to avoid their respective parents' punishments. Frank, Alice and the others also went home, either at their parents' command or to mourn, such as Emmeline was for her boyfriend, Lucas Banns. James was the last one there and he felt the need to speak to his old friend about Peter.

"I guess you know by now about Peter, eh, Rem?"

Remus was wide awake, sat up, with his arms crossed around his legs, frowning at nothing.

"I'm sorry, Remus…sorry you never got to see him in action…nor be able to truly be with us this past year…especially Pete. He treated you as the best of friends. He saw you more often than any of us. I think he felt you sympathised with him more. You have always been the kindest of us in Gryffindor, maybe in the whole school. And I wish that Peter lived long enough to see you get better…he wanted nothing more than to see you well again. In fact, Remus, we all want you back…please…come back to us…"

James was crying by the end of this monologue to his friend. He also noticed tears coming out of Remus' eyes.

Then he heard it.

"James…"

Remus spoke his name. James ceased his shaking at once and pushed closer to his friend, hoping he was comprehensive of this movement. The werewolf's eyes flicked over to meet his own.

"Peter's gone…James…"

James' only reply was a bittersweet nod; Remus Lupin was back at last.

A/N: Here's Chapter 47! I hope this chapter was okay, and that I recollected every detail from the battle and placed it into this chapter! Fun theory: I made Moody's Patronus a vulture to symbolise his mad eye, so as to reference Poe's 'Tell-tale Heart' and I recommend the short story to readers! And yay! Remus is back! Chapter 48 coming soon! Thanks for reading! Please review!