The Healing

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN


It was early evening as Hermione strolled through the park on the edge of Hogsmeade, pushing Sebastian in his pram. She frowned slightly as she noticed how early the sun was beginning to set now that they were nearing the end of November. She shouldn’t have dallied in the bookstore.

She was looking forward to a quiet night at home with Severus. He wasn’t going to be there until late, he had detentions to look after, but he would be sleeping over, and she lived for those nights when she could sleep, wrapped up in his arms, all night.


Lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t noticed anyone else in the park until he spoke.

“Ms. Granger.” Lucius Malfoy stepped up to walk along beside her.

“Mr. Malfoy? What brings you….”

“Don’t speak Ms. Granger, keep walking…” Lucius grasped her elbow and picked up speed. “You are being followed. DON’T LOOK! They are just inside the wood line.”

“Who?” She asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“Greyback.” He said as he guided her along the parks meandering path.

“I thought he was dead.” She gasped.

“No, and there are about four death eaters with him.” Lucius adjusted his leather cloak around him as his hands slid into the pram. “Do you have your wand?” He asked as he slipped his hands beneath the baby and covertly pulled him from the carriage to cradle him against his chest.

“I do…what are you doing with my son….”

“They want him Ms. Granger, they want revenge on Severus and they intend to get it through his child. Fenrir intends to infect him.” Lucius transfigured his vest into an infant carrier that secured Sebastian to him. “Now, from what I can sense, the four lackeys will come at you from either side, Greyback intends to attack from behind , he has all ready to make the change and will attack in wolf form…”

“You are a legilimens aren’t you?” she asked.

“Not as talented as Severus, or even the Dark Lord, but yes, I have a mild talent for it.” He said as he shielded Sebastian with his leather cloak. “Be ready.” He said as the sky darkened further and the sun set completely. As the clouds parted and the moon came into view they heard the tortured howl of a wolf. Lucius withdrew his wand from the end of his walking stick as Hermione pulled hers from the back pocket of her jeans. “Now!” Lucius yelled as he tugged her elbow and took off at a full run, Hermione running along side him, the carriage forgotten as they ran for the parks edge.

As he predicted two pairs of hooded, masked death eaters were coming at them from the wood line on either side. They could hear the harsh, snarling growls of Fenrir as he loped after them closing in quickly.

“Can you handle them?” Lucius asked her as he shoved her out of the way of a spell.

“Yes!” She turned towards the two closest cloaked figures, “Stupefy!” she watched as the man flew back, landing at the edge of the pond. “Lucius!” She cried as Fenrir swiped his claws across the blonde wizards back. Lucius fell to his knees, his body curling around the baby as Fenrir slashed at his back. Hermione was locked in a heated battle with the other death eaters, fighting with everything in her to get back to her baby.

Fenrir was snarling, slobbering over Lucius as he shredded the man’s back, slashing it in long bloody ribbons. Hermione managed to stupefy another goon, then petrify another, when she turned her attention to the remaining attacker, he fled into the woods. She turned to see Lucius huddled on the ground, completely wrapped around her son as the werewolf tore into him.

“Petrificus Totalus!” Hermione staggered in relief when the werewolf froze and fell over onto the grass. Lucius rolled to his side unoncious, his hands still cupped tight over Sebastian’s head. She pointed her wand into the sky and bright red flares shot in the air, a signal to notify the ministry. She fell to her knees beside Lucius. He began to groan softly and opened his eyes.

“He’s okay?” He asked, his words strained and raspy. He was losing a lot of blood. Hermione unstrapped the baby and removed her cloak. After wrapping him tight, she laid him in the grass, amazed that he hadn’t cried at all, instead he laid there, his little black eyes fixed on Lucius.

“He’s fine, thanks to you.” Hermione removed her wand and cast a healing charm, closing the wounds as much as she could. In that moment several aurors apparated to the site, staring in amazement around them.

“Fenrir Greyback!” One of the aurors exclaimed as he stared at one of the Ministry’s most wanted.

“I need someone to get to the school and notify Severus Snape that Hermione Granger and his son have been taken to St Mungos.” Gawain Robards said as he took charge of the scene.

As the medics transported Lucius, Hermione and Sebastian to the hospital, a young, rookie auror apparated the school.

Severus was in the middle of a detention, longing for the clock to chime eight so he could leave and get to his family. He had been somewhat baffled when Filch pranced in and told him he was needed in the Headmistresses office immediately. He had used the floo network and stepped from the fireplace and into the center of her office, shocked to see Minerva with an auror and two ministry officials.

“Oh, Severus, thank goodness you came quickly!” Minerva said nervously twisting her hands.

“What is happening here?” He asked, glancing around at the people in the room.

“Professor Snape..we were sent to inform you that Ms. Hermione Granger and the infant Sebastian Snape were attacked earlier this evening in Hogsmeade park.” Severus’s face lost all color and he staggered slightly. Minerva saw his distress and waved her wand, sending a chair behind him before he collapsed to the floor. “I’m sorry sir, they are currently at St. Mungo’s, but from all indications neither sustained any injuries.”

“My family…who would attack my family?” He asked, confused and in shock. “Malfoy?”

“No sir, death eaters led by Fenrir Greyback attacked them in the park on their way home.”

“What happened to the assailants?” Severus asked through clenched teeth, every bit of darkness within him desperately wanted to hear that they were dead.

“They were taken to Azkaban and are currently awaiting the kiss.” The auror said. “Sir, you should know that Lucius Malfoy was badly injured during the attack.”

“So he was involved?” Severus asked.

“Not in the attack, he saved your son.” The man replied.

“Excuse me?”

“Lucius Malfoy shielded your son with his own body, the werewolf nearly killed him. He is recovering from his injuries at St. Mungo’s.” Severus sat there for a moment, stunned as he processed all he had been told.

“Minerva? Could you lift the wards for a moment, so that I may apparate to my family please.” He asked softly. He felt the slight shift in the school protection, and with a soft pop, he left Minerva’s office and reappeared outside of the hospital.

Once inside he was directed upstairs to the private room of Lucius Malfoy. Inside he found Hermione curled into a chair with Sebastian asleep in her arms.

“Severus!” She cried when he entered. He was at her side instantly, pulling her and Sebastian into his arms, kissing them over and over again as he embraced them tightly.

“Thank god you are alright! I don’t know what I would have done had something happened to you, I love you both so much.” He said as he kissed her lips roughly.

“Oh I love you too, I was so scared Severus.” She said through her tears as she kissed him back. “Thank goodness Lucius was there.”

Severus released his little family slowly, and made his way to Lucius’s bedside. His face was battered, his white blonde hair matted and stained with blood, his arms and shoulders covered in already healing slashes. He opened his silver eyes and stared at Severus.

“I will never be able to thank you Lucius.” Severus said low, his voice rough with emotion.

“You saved my son Severus, I could not let any harm come to yours, my friend.” He said, his voice rough and strained.

“Thank you none the less Lucius.” Severus reached out and clasped his old friends hand firmly, he had been right, the man had changed.