Everything I Do, I Do It For You

Chapter 11 - Back to Hogwarts

Severus staggered while making his way over to Draco’s body. The old spy felt drained, but he knew he had to bring his godson back home. Severus bent over and picked the boy up, cradling him in his arms. Straightening himself up, he managed to get to and open the door. Before leaving, he paused for a brief moment and threw a regretful look over his shoulder at the two dead Death Eaters. Shaking his head, he stepped out of the house and made his way down the long driveway. Severus Apparated, with Draco still in his arms, to the outskirts of Hogwarts.

Striding up to the castle, he made a line straight for the side entrance, as to not bring any unwanted attention to the now lifeless figure in his arms. All of the students had left the school; however, he knew the remaining members of the Order were still lurking around the castle. Hogwarts had temporarily become their headquarters, until the new term started in just a little under two weeks.

Passing along the corridors on his way up to Dumbledore’s office, Severus found himself detached, formulating what he was going to tell the Headmaster. Deep in thought, he jumped ever so slightly when he heard the all too familiar growl of Sirius Black.

“So, you brought the little ferret back, did you?” Sirius asked, trying to get a rise out of Severus.

Severus paused briefly before falling back into his stride and continuing up the corridor.

“You know, you should have left him where you found him. He’s not worth the effort,” Sirius grumbled, attempting to bait Severus once more.

Severus whirled around, his cloak billowing with the effort. Sirius was leaning against the wall next to a statue, flicking a Galleon up in the air, catching it with deliberate ease.

“Don’t you dare to presume that you know me or this boy who died gallantly to save my life,” Severus hissed.

Sirius straightened himself up and pocketed the Galleon. Turning to face Severus, he replied in a composed fashion, “Well, he shouldn’t have bothered.”

Severus felt his face grow hot, his temper rising to the limit of his tolerance. Shifting Draco, so he could hold the boy in one arm, Severus used his freed hand to whip out his wand and aim it at Sirius’ chest. Sirius was only a few yards from Severus and knew that at this close range he had little chance.

“Don’t you dare try my patience this evening! I have already disposed of two Death Eaters and will add you to that list, if you continue,” Severus said with a sneer, his lip curling upwards.

Sirius eyes widened briefly as he registered that confession, but his face quickly resettled into a stony faced glare.

“Is that a threat?” Sirius asked, whipping out his own wand and taking a couple of steps in Severus’ direction.

“No-it’s a promise,” Severus stated, shifting Draco’s body over one shoulder as to get a better aim at his long time enemy.

“Well, what are you waiting for, you spineless coward? I’m here, you’re here, let’s finish this once and for all,” Sirius growled, much like his Animagus form, Padfoot.

The hatred pumping through both wizards, as they continued to face each other, further intensified, although neither of them was willing to make the first move. Severus’ hatred stemmed from the torment that he had faced as a youth at the hands of Sirius and his friends. Ironically, the man Sirius hatred was the one he had inadvertently helped create, the Death Eater who no longer even existed. Sirius wasn’t quite willing to accept that change of heart, and mentally still lumped Snape in with the likes of that traitor, Wormtail, who caused the downfall of his closest friend, James Potter. Voldemort was the one who killed James and Lily, and Sirius was being unfair. But Voldemort and Wormtail were destroyed and Snape was a convenient target for his rage and grief.
The silence was deafening, all that could be heard was the shallow breathing of both men as they stood there, wands raised.

“Petrificu…” Severus yelled.

The precise instant Sirius screamed out, “Impedimen…”

Both men were startled to hear a third voice say, “Expelliarmus!” It was Dumbledore, who had come up unnoticed by either combatant. The pair turned and saw their wands fly through the air and into Dumbledore’s left hand.

“Look at the both of you,” Dumbledore said, the disappointment was evident in his voice, “duelling in the corridors like children. One would never think you were on the same side. I am bitterly saddened by you both.”

Sirius hung his head in shame, while Severus just starred at the Headmaster, not willing to back down.

“Severus, I want you up in my office.” He glared at Severus until he nodded and turned on his heel, heading in the direction of Dumbledore’s office. He waited until he was sure that Severus could not hear what he was about to say before turning to face Sirius and asking, “Sirius, when will you give up your hatred for Severus?”

He paused briefly as if waiting for an answer, but continued when none came. “He is working on our side; he has proved himself time and time again. What will it take for you to accept him as an ally?"

Sirius looked up at Dumbledore; his breathing had been reduced to little gasps as he stood there, dumbstruck.

“I will ask for you to behave yourself whilst you are in my home, you are a guest after all and I expect you to act like one,” Dumbledore said in a chastising tone.

Sirius merely nodded his head. Handing Sirius back his wand, Dumbledore looked at the younger wizard.

“Now if you will excuse me, I have pressing matters to attend to.”

Before Sirius had time to answer, Dumbledore was headed off down the hall. Mumbling under his breath, Sirius made his way to the entrance hall and outside to clear his head.

***

Dumbledore saw Severus standing at the stone gargoyle outside his office. The younger man was slumped against the wall, clinging onto Draco’s body as though it was his life line.

“Why aren’t you in my office, where I told you to wait?” Dumbledore asked, looking at the now exhausted Severus.

Lifting his head, the Potions Master replied in a weary voice, “I didn’t know the password, and I’m too tired to start guessing.”

At this Dumbledore chuckled a little and said, “Fruit flavoured fizz bins.”

His eyes still enjoying their formerly habitual twinkle, Dumbledore used the time it took the stone gargoyle to move to hand Severus back his wand. The ex-Death Eater took it and, on Dumbledore’s prompting, silently preceded him up the stairs. 'Silent' after such an encounter wasn’t Severus’ usual style, but just now he was too tired to think, let alone complain about Sirius. Upon entering, Dumbledore spoke. "Please sit down." This was a demand, not a request.

Severus slumped into the seat facing the Headmaster’s desk, still clutching Draco’s body. Dumbledore took his seat behind the large desk.

"Accio firewhisky." The bottle flew from its cabinet and into Dumbledore’s outstretched hand, whereupon he placed it on the desk.

"Accio glasses." Two shot glasses came out of the same cabinet and landed neatly on the desk before the two men.

Dumbledore picked up the firewhisky and filled both shots, placing one in front of Severus.

"Drink up, my boy; I feel you’ve earned it."

Dumbledore spoke as if he already knew what Severus had done.

Severus reached out his shaking hand, grabbed the glass, and downed the firewhisky in one shot. He shivered as the liquid burnt its way down his throat. Placing the glass back on the desk, he looked up at Dumbledore, his eyes showing the guilt he felt inside. Dumbledore just sat there for a minute, sipping his firewhisky like they were both simply having a friendly chat. Finally, he seemed to notice the look on Severus’ face and broke the awkward silence.

"I have informed Healer Jensey and she is waiting to receive Draco’s body in the infirmary." Looking at the mix of despair and confusion that appeared on Severus’ face, he quickly added, "She is on loan to us from St Mungo’s, until I am able to employ someone more permanent. So, if you’ll just allow me to Floo him over there, we can get your recollections of today’s events into my Pensieve, and you will be free to leave my office."

At this Severus simply nodded his head. He felt like everything was working in slow motion, as if he was in a dream of sorts. Dumbledore stood from his desk and walked over to the fireplace. Reaching up to the box on the mantle to grab a pinch of Floo powder, he cast it into the fire, saying, "Hogwarts Infirmary," in a clear, firm voice. After sticking his head into the fire to make sure that Healer Jensey was ready for Draco, he took out his wand and cast a Levitation spell. Draco’s body rose in the air and out of Severus’ grasp. Dumbledore manoeuvred the corpse over to the fireplace with his wand and let him float through the green flames. Severus kept his gaze on the body of his godson until the boy had gone, silently saying “Goodbye” to the last family he had.

Once the flames had resumed their usual orange-red colour, Dumbledore made his way across the room to one of the many bookcases that adorned his small but cozy office. He took his Pensieve from its shelf and placed it on the desk in front of Severus. The younger man eyed the Pensieve with trepidation; he wasn’t quite sure he was ready to let go of his memories just yet. Dumbledore knew Severus so well that he could read the spy’s uncertainty without Legilimency as easily as with it. He tried to soothe the other, saying in a fatherly tone, "They will always be in here when you want them, but I think it’s for the best if you just place them away for now."

Severus knew that the Headmaster was right, as usual. Calming his nerves, he took out his wand and started to place his memories into the Pensieve. Strand after strand of the silvery thought-material came out of his head, including, after some hesitation, the memory of how Draco had died saving his life. When he was done, he replaced his wand into his robes and stared up at the Headmaster. Dumbledore took the Pensieve and put it away, but didn’t yet dismiss his Potions master. He just returned to the desk and looked at Severus for a minute.

"I think it’s time,” Dumbledore said in his usual cryptic manner.

"For what?" Severus asked, completely baffled.

Instead of answering, Dumbledore reached into a desk drawer and pulled out a broken wand, which he pushed into Severus’ hand. And there was that maddeningly jolly twinkle again. Severus’ curiosity only intensified as he looked from the broken wand in his hand to the way too cheerful face of the Headmaster.

"Keep it safe," were the only words that Dumbledore spoke.

Severus, still confused, shook his head in a futile attempt to clear his thoughts. "But what …?" he tried.

"It was Miss Hermione Granger’s," Dumbledore answered, eyes still twinkling.

***

A/N: Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers.

Thanks also goes out to my beta, Eclipse. You're Great! I have changed beta's for a little bit, as I can't find one that is willing to stick with me, with the exception of LydiaCarol although she detests violence, so if the writing chances a little, I am truely sorry.

Unfortunatly I thought this was going to be an easy 15 chapters but so far I am up to chapter 13 and there is no sign of Severus finding Hermione yet, so I think I shall aim for 30 chapters and if I make it I will be very happy. I could rush through this story but would feel that I am letting down you as my readers. This has been a true joy to write and I hope you are having as much fun reading it as I am writing it. Cheers to all.

Disclaimer:- JK's characters, well most of them anyway. I am not making any money from writing this however, I am having fun and that is the main thing isn't it.