Life After Death

Life After Death
Chapter 2


A/N: Sorry, but I will probably update every weekend. I’m a single mom with two kids. Between helping them with homework and trying to keep up with the housework and a full time job I don’t get much time to write. LOL Probably sounds like most of you out there. On with the show….


“Minerva was that you I heard come in?” Poppy said as she moved down the center isle to the curtained area. She rounded the corner into the space to see several people with Minerva. She recognized the trademark hair of the two Malfoy men without a second glance. She did a literal double take when she glanced at the third man in the room. Could it be?? No she must bee seeing things! Severus wouldn’t be here. He was in Italy. He would have flooed her to say he was coming.

“Poppy do close your mouth and give me a proper greeting,” drawled Severus. He extended his hands slightly out to each side as the older woman moved to embrace him. He had long since given up being so prickly and now enjoyed small shows of affection.

“It is polite to announce your arrival ahead of time you know,’ she said without any hint of reprimand in her voice. She stood back and looked him over from head to toe.

“Good job with the glamour charms Minerva. But he just doesn’t look right as a blond.” the witch said shaking her head. She secretly liked the dark and dangerous look.

Minerva laughed and said,” There’s no fooling you Poppy. Did I do so poorly that no adult has been fooled yet?” Minerva seriously wondered if she were loosing her touch.

“No, no, you have done wonderfully as usual but I have seen Alan here in every disguise known to wizard-kind and would recognize your magical signature anywhere. Don’t fret.” she said kindly.

Turning to the patient in the bed she let out a sigh. She was truly at her wits end on how to save him. The stasis spell could only be cast once and it was near time for it wear off.

“Have the three of you come to help Mr. Weasley?” she asked. Looking at each one in turn she realized they were really were the best hope for him even if their pasts where less than friendly. The three men in this room knew more about dark magic than any others still alive.

“We will do our best Madame. I will began in our own extensive library,” Lucius said grimly. He knew the effects were very similar to a cross between a blood boiling curse and a Crucio. Nasty way to spend your last minutes of life.

“ I am going to start in the Ministry library.” said Draco. He still had no clue how to stop this curse. They only had one shot at it because once the spell wore off Weasley would only have a few minutes before he died.

“Everyone meet here this evening,” Minerva suggested . “We will compare notes and see what we can come up with. I am looking into extending the stasis spell to give us more time. Alan I have gotten access to the Black family library for you. Harry is on his way home from Bulgaria. The Ministry notified him immediately and he is getting the next portkey. Hermione will take you to the Potters house and get you past the wards. Ginny is at the Burrow with the rest of the family and they should be here momentarily.”

“ Very well. I’m ready when she gets here.” Severus said.

“She’s here.” came a voice from behind all of them. Everyone in the room turned to face Hermione. Poppy was not sure how that girl got in here every time without her knowing it. She had even set the wards to specifically recognize the younger witch and alert her.
“You might not want sneak up on people like that Hermione. Some of us hex first and ask questions later,” Draco said with just a hint of relief in his voice. Hermione coolly dropped her eyes to Draco’s hand and saw his wand already drawn.

“Sorry to have startled anyone,” she said as her eyes took in the people before her. Both of the Malfoy’s were sliding their wands back into the sleeves of their robes. Poppy looked puzzled and Hermione knew she had reset the wards to alert her to Hermione’s presence. It had been a game the Trio had played since first year to see who get in without alerting her.

Minerva looked nervous ,if the contortions her lips were performing were any indication. Hermione vaguely wondered if they had bad news for her. She reminded herself that now was not the time to think of that. Now was the time to do what she did best, figure out the solution to saving Ron’s life.

Standing a little straighter and squaring her shoulders she looked to the stranger in the room. No, not a stranger, but yet not easily recognizable. She looked closer with her magic and saw a light haze near his head that had Minerva’s signature to it. The rest of the body had a different signature that seemed familiar but she couldn’t place it.

“ Hermione this is Alan Prince. I have asked him to give us a hand in helping Ron.” Minerva spoke up. She saw Hermione giving a slight frown of concentration as she looked at the Potion Master.

“I’m grateful for any help you may be able to give, Sir.” the young witch said respectfully. Hermione extended her hand to him and he took it in a firm shake.

Severus thought, ‘Gods preserve me! She’s grown into a beautiful woman and her hand is as soft as silk. How will I get through this?’


A/N Sorry this update is so short. I will make it up to by making the next one much longer.