Sub Rosa

Chapter 23 – Reporting In

Severus rode the spiraling staircase up to the Headmaster’s office with his small triumph still singing in his blood. He stepped up to the door, just as it swung open for him but even that could not annoy him.

Albus sat behind his desk peering up at Severus from over the top of his half-moon spectacles.

“Good evening, Severus.” He intoned, with a touch of amusement at the lilt in Severus’ step.

“Good evening, Albus.” He responded with a twist of his lips as he flopped into a chair. “He called me tonight.” His words caused Albus to lean forward suddenly in interest.

“Indeed? You are in excellent shape for such an occurrence.” Albus’ sharp eyes were examining him for any sign of harm.

“They burned ’The Bridge Between Worlds’ and killed the proprietors but I was able to save the daughter of the owners.” The exhilaration of saving the girl finally faded and he was left with the bitter aftertaste of destruction.

“An excellent choice of target.” Albus rose and began to pace before the fireplace, deep in thought. “I will see to it that the child goes into hiding.” He gestured towards a mirror on the side table and a few moments later, Kingsley Shacklebolt’s face appeared. Albus gave the information needed to Kingsley and then returned to pacing. “That store was an important first step in integrating Muggle-borns more closely into our society.”

“Hence the reason why it was a natural target for the Dark Lord.” Severus scrubbed his face with his hands, the faint tang of blood still evident to his keen nostrils despite the cleansing charm he had used earlier.

“True.” Albus moved back to his desk and shuffled papers, waiting for the rest. Severus ordered his thoughts and reported the sequence of the night’s events as clearly and concisely as if he was giving a paper at a conference.

“When we returned, he said we had done well and that our next series of targets would be businesses and establishments that catered to Muggle-borns and half-bloods. He said he had something special planned for Samhain, by the way, so I think we should expect something big and flashy around that time.” Severus shrugged, suddenly tired. “Gods, how I hate listening to him pontificate.” It was an admission that he wouldn’t have made five years ago. He was mellowing in his old age, he decided, or maybe he was just getting tired of lies.

“Did things go alright last night?” Albus’s voice was light and his delicacy was appreciated. Severus simply smiled and let his face show some of his contentment before he closed himself off and rose.

“I have rounds to do and then I am off to bed, Albus.” Hopefully, Kathryn’s bed, he thought wistfully. It would be nice to have somewhere to go for comfort after a night like he just had.

The door opened and Minerva entered the room with an expression of grave concern.

“Albus, we have a problem. Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Neville, Parvati, Lavender, Dean, Justin. Luna and Seamus are all missing and no one has seen Kathryn all day.” Severus heart plummeted in sudden fear.

“When I last saw her she was dressed for hiking and said she was going somewhere with Mr. Potter.” Severus volunteered.

“Kathryn came to me some days ago with a map of the castle, Severus. She told me that Mr. Potter and his friends seemed to be the cause of the recent earthquakes.”

“What!” Both Minerva and Severus were staring at Albus in utter horror.

“She suspected that in their misguided attempts to find allies for the Order and to strengthen the wards around Hogwarts that they may have roused an earth elemental.” Severus sat down abruptly, his face gone white and his hands trembling. Minerva was equally pale and she plopped into her own chair with the same look of shock on her face that he knew must be on his.

“Albus, why didn’t you tell us?” Minerva looked hurt and Severus felt much the same way. Kathryn could be dead right now and she hadn’t even told him before she left.

“Because Mr. Potter and his friends had told her in the strictest confidence; she felt it was her duty to inform me as Headmaster but she had already made the children promise not to go off on their own again and assured me she would guard them.”

“And who will guard her!” Severus shouted, jumping up from his chair. The thought of her in danger and himself helpless to do anything tore at him. Minerva looked at him in surprise at his outburst but Severus didn’t care.

“Had you gone with her, you would have missed this evening’s meeting, Severus.” Albus shook his head. “To be seen in the company of Potter and the others would have endangered you Severus, she knew that. She told me that they had found a secret passage out of the castle on her map and they were going to explore it; if there was anything dangerous down there they would return immediately for reinforcements.”

Severus looked at him in shock and incredulity.

“What were you thinking, sending children into danger like that?” Minerva was staring at Albus as though she had never seen him before.

“I didn’t send children into danger, Minerva. I sent a group of young people who have already faced Voldemort and Death Eaters and more besides that.” Albus reminded them. “Kathryn has been in far worse situations and come out perfectly fine.” He looked between the two teachers, waiting for them to calm down. Severus forced himself to think clearly and not just react.

Kathryn was an Agent. Even wounded, she was deadly in a fight and he was already familiar with her brilliance and quick thinking. If anyone could face an Elemental and come through it, it was Kathryn. Potter may have the ability to get into the worst possible scrapes but he also seemed quite able to get out of them as well. The others were all fairly competent in defense and would listen to orders. He felt his pulse slowing and he nodded to Albus.

“I apologize for my outburst, Albus, I was taken by surprise.” Severus finally spoke when he knew his voice was back under control. Minerva was still fighting an internal battle between her concern for the children and the necessity of allowing them to grow up and face their own challenges. After a few more minutes, she too nodded at Albus and gave him a tired smile.

“They still seem terribly young to me, Albus, even after all they have faced. I cannot but help thinking of them as children; even Kathryn seems so young. Severus is the same age as she is and I trust him to spy for us on Voldemort, I suppose I will have to learn to trust Kathryn as well.

“Thank you, Minerva, I will endeavor not to disappoint you.” Kathryn’s voice, ragged with pain, floated through the open door and she appeared an instant later, hobbling on her cane and looking quite gray with exhaustion.

Severus was up and across the room in an instant, pulling her into his arms with a feeling of profound relief. She was dirty, her jumper was torn, her boots were scuffed and she looked like hell, but she was alive.

“The students have all been sent to bed, Minerva, there were no injuries.” Kathryn clung to him equally hard as she spoke over his shoulder. He led her to a chair and a house elf materialized with food and a cup of hot tea. She fell on the food with a hunger held in check only by her good manners.

He saw Minerva watching them with an expression that started out as shock and then slowly transformed into a look of satisfaction, as though she had contrived his entire relationship with Kathryn. He wasn’t sure if he found it irritating or if he was relieved she didn’t disapprove.

“I take it the passage went somewhere?” Albus inquired with a raised eyebrow.

“I’ll say.” She took a bite of a sandwich and swallowed. “Arthur’s resting place.” Her eyes when she turned them to Severus were filled with a strange mix of fear and wonderment and he found himself gaping at her. “The Guardian sealed the passage behind us so I can’t give any guided tours.” She shrugged, but her flippant tone belied the way her hands trembled.

“You’re saying that King Arthur is asleep in the mountains around us?” Minerva was staring at Kathryn with something akin to awe.

“No, I’m saying the passage went to wherever he was sleeping. It was a Dragon Road and Gods only know where we were at the end of it. We could have been in Avalon itself.” Albus leaned back in his chair watching them with eyes gone distant and sad.

“I wish I could have seen the sleeping king.” Albus’ voice was wistful and Kathryn grinned at him.

“Once I’ve told you all about it you’ll be glad you didn’t come along.” She rolled her . “I. “I wasn’t sure whether to kill Harry or kiss him by the end of it but I think he got out with far less harm done than he could have.”

“Is he alright?” Minerva was instantly alarmed. “You said there were no injuries!”

“Minerva we dealt with the Guardian of the tomb. She was a Greater Elder of some sort.” They all went silent at that, even Albus looked a little shocked. “I managed to bargain stories for our freedom to get us out of there but Harry had to go and give her a wishing and a compliment.” She slumped back in her chair finishing the sandwich while they waited. “She gifted him and gave him a blessing.” Her voice was affectionate, but rueful.

“What was the gift?” Albus had leaned forward again, once more the enigmatic wizard.

“A short sword, one of the special ones. I will have to research it, but I think it’s one of the Twelve Dragon Swords.” Minerva and Severus exchanged glances of confusion, but Albus merely nodded.

“What was the blessing?” Minerva asked, looking back and forth between Albus and Kathryn.

“That when love did finally claim him, it would be both eternal and unbreakable.” Kathryn’s voice was deeply troubled by this.

“That sounds lovely.” Minerva said, with puzzlement on her face, confused by Kathryn’s solemn reaction.

“No Minerva, it means that whomever he loves, he will love only that one. Even if his love dies or doesn’t love him in return, he will only ever love that one person.” Severus replied. Minerva’s face registered her comprehension and horror.

“Faerie blessings are always double edged, Minerva.” Albus said, sorrow in his face.

“Let’s all hope he has learned to hold his tongue.” Severus shrugged; after all, what was done was done. “His impulsiveness comes from his father, you know.” He added darkly.

“Severus.” Kathryn warned and he clamped his mouth shut on any other nasty commentary he might have made. “Anyway, she gave me instructions on how to find the Earth Spirit we need to talk to so we can stop the earthquakes. We won’t be able to do anything about it till midwinter though; the route to her realm is closed ‘til then.” The others nodded.

“That gives you some time to plan.” Albus nodded. “You must be exhausted.” He dismissedm anm and Severus helped Kathryn to rise. Her legs nearly buckled and he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm.

“I’m totally beat. Good night, Albus, Minerva.” Kathryn affirmed and he led her out. Their replies were lost in the rumbling of the staircase. At the bottom, he cast a charm that would let them pass through the halls unnoticed and swung her up into his arms.

She must have been truly worn out because she didn’t argue, but rather wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder.

“That whole trip was highly irresponsible, Kathryn.” He snarled.

“I missed you too.” She murmured into his lapel. He was so startled by her response he almost dropped her but managed to keep her aloft. They reached her door and he realized that she was asleep.

“Kathryn, I need the password.” He jostled her awake.

“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” She muttered and then traced a sign over the angel who rose and moved aside.

“Americans.” His voice was its usual sarcastic tone but for some reason it only made her snuggle closer to him. He was pretty sure the woman was mad.

He carried her into her room and set her on the bed. She yawned and then grabbed his hand before he could leave.

“What happened to you tonight?” She gave him a heavy lidded gaze that still managed somehow to be penetrating.

“Death Eater fun and games.” He spat. She pulled him closer.

“Stay.” He nodded. She knew he needed comfort but made it sound like she was the one who wskinsking for it, thus salvaging his poor battered ego. It was a thin disguise but he was grateful for the pretense. He was after all, still a Slytherin.