12 Grim Old Place

Chapter 4
Date Started: 03-01-07
Pairing: Ew...VoldemortxSnape, Slight HarryxGinny, Future DM/HP
Disclaimer: Nope. Don't own them. Wish I did...but nope. The idea wasn't even mine. It was Yami Bakura's. I had thought of something like this... but my idea was a lot stickier so I knew deep down I'd never write it. XD Yami Bakura

***

Remus came into the room a few moments later after Severus returned to check on Draco and blinked at the sight before him.

Harry seemed to have fallen asleep curled up against Minerva, who was petting his hair lovingly.

Remus bit his lip before slowly moving to sit, lifting a hand to lightly rub over his adopted Godson's back. "How did he take it...?"

"I believe it took a little while for everything to make sense. He cried for some time before falling asleep." Minerva said softly, lightly combing her fingers through Harry's hair.

"I see... When will Severus be bringing Malfoy?" Remus asked softly before pulling his hand back and shoving the pair into his pockets.

"In a day or so."

"Harry knows?"

"Yes, he wasn't all too upset over it, though besides a small frown. He explained what he saw that night again in regaurds to Mister Malfoy." Minerva nodded, pausing her action and looking down at the boy resting peacefully against her.

Remus nodded, shifting nervously for a moment.

A small object the size of a baseball flew in through one of the windows causing both of the adults to jump slightly but the sleeping boy didn't stir in the slightest. Remus reached up to catch the owl and retrieved the letter then released the bird to let it fly around the house. "Looks like a letter from Ron."

***

Hermione sighed, staring as a few other girls, the ages varying, pranced about the store. Once again she was being requested to be a braid's maid at her cousin's wedding. She was really getting sick of prancing about in a dress and walking arm and arm with some guy that she didn't know and was usually quite ugly. It was almost torture.

One of the girls, this one about a year or two older than Hermione stepped up, wearing an exremely ruffled pale pink dress, held out her arms and pulled the girl up. "Come on, Hermione. This is fun... don't look so down."

Hermione would have rolled her eyes if this girl wasn't one of the only muggle friends she had. She couldn't possibly explain that she missed Crookshanks, her kneazle/cat. She couldn't talk about the way her Headmaster had died. She couldn't talk about how she may never graduate and that the school she had practically grown up in might never reopen. She couldn't explain that with a flick of her wand all these frilly dresses could be turned into mice.

"I'm sorry... It's just one of those days?" She forced a smile before pushing some of the brown curls behind her ear as another girl, this one dressed in a much more elegant looking white dress, moved forward, holding a pale blue, simple looking dress.

"Try this one on Hermione... I think you'll look beautiful." She smiled and Hermione couldn't help but do the same as she took the dress.

At least that one wasn't coated in frills and ruffles. It had a large circular bottom and a bow on the back but overall it was a simple cut. By far the best she had to try on that day.

She smirked as she pulled off her clothes, imagining the look on Ron's face if he had to sit through something like this. At least after picking out the dress she wouldn't have to wear it till Christmas.

***

Snape returned to the graveyard, eyeing a few of the Death Eaters that looked like they were sitting around and simply taking up space. It was disgusting. They were disgusting. The most disgusting thing turned around to face him once he stepped close enough.

"Severus...," Voldemort cooed in a sickeningly sweet way as he moved his hands to take hold of the other man's.

Snape possibly would have flinched, the slight burn of his throat gave him the odd sensation of wanting to retch. "My Lord...."

Stepping closer, Voldemort moved his hand to gesture for Snape for move foward into the small collective group of Death Eaters. He glared at Peter Pettigrew for a moment before gaining a look of pure disgust that made Voldemort give a hissing laugh.

Bellatrix gave Snape a grin that would have made her husband seethe. Snape merely glared.

"We were discussing our next course of action," Voldemort hissed before turning his red eyes to look at Snape, a thin and inhuman hand lifting to rake through Snape's long black strands.. "I waited for you to give out any true information. You're are certainly the one who's opinion I value the most..."

***

Harry,

'Mione said she might be a day late. She's supposed to send her letter as soon as she can. It's hard to believe it's been a week since we left school. Almost unbelieveable. Bill and Fler's wedding is at the end of the month. Mum told me to remind you so you'd get a new set of dress robes. They can't wait to see you. Fleur's excited.

'Mione's got another wedding to do. I'm glad my family doesn't get married as often as her's. I bet Charlie never gets married. No one would want Percy. He's mental. I hope Pig makes it okay. He's been crazy to do something.

Wish I could talk about more stuff... but I guess that'll have to wait. See you Monday! Watch for us in the fire. I think Mum and Dad want to see you... gonna use floo power. Fred and George can't come. Busy with the store. Ginny's coming, though. She misses you, too. Always talking about you.

See you soon

Ron

Harry couldn't help but grin at Ron's messy writing. It was refreshing to hear about the wedding. He somewhat wished Hermione would have wrote him. She might not be home though, if there's another wedding being planned. He really hoped she could make it on time. Ginny missed him. That made him feel a little lighter than earlier.

Remus was watching him read over the letter and could only smile faintly. Harry looked a lot better than when he had first woke up. It seemed like the shock of it had passed.

Harry looked up after a few more seconds and grinned widely. "Got any paper?"

"Of course." Remus grinned in return before nodding and standing to go fetch some.

When he returned Harry took the parchment and quill and quickly began:

Ron

I can't wait! It'll be great to see you guys again. I've missed you all. Are you in the wedding? I don't think I ever asked.

Hermione must have a really big family...

Tell Ginny I miss her, too.

Later

Harry

Harry stood and looked around for the owl, only to find it perching on Remus's shoulder, looking more like a ball of feathers than a bird. He stood and held the letter out to the owl which seemed to spring to life, taking the letter and twittering about madly before flying back out the window. Remus smiled and tugged Harry to the seat behind him.

"Life's busy, is it?"

"Yeah... It'll be nice to see everyone again."

"I agree." Remus nodded, ruffling Harry's hair.

***

"Albus... I simply can't..."

"Of course you can, Minerva. I fully believe you can."

"No..."

"I know you can. Besides. I'll be right here. You know you can ask me anything."

McGonagall turned her head up, her eyes glaring from behind her square glasses.

"Don't look at me like that..."

She continued to glare at the painting on the wall, to which to occupant of the picture sighed heavily, the blue eyes not holding the fierce sparkle behind the half moon spectacles. "Minerva...."

"No, Albus. I simply cannot allow Potter to do something so foolish. It was entirely different when you were going with him. Potter is just a boy...!"

"I know, what a fine young boy he is." The man in the painting smiled, McGonagall only looked more upset.

"You don't understand..."

"He will do it anyway... Once he comes of age you cannot stop him, Minerva."

The stern looking woman seemed to soften and she suddenly felt much older than she looked. "Albus..."

"Let him do as he would... Perhaps send Severus with him?" The painting smiled.

Minerva snorted faintly as she fixed her robes, the painting's smile didn't shift at all. "Potter would never have that."

"Ah... but they would make a powerful pair. Though, Severus has things of his own to pursue."

"I agree."

"What about Mister Malfoy?"

"What about him?" she asked, one eyebrow raising.

"Send him with Harry. Mister Malfoy is growing to be quite the capable wizard, even though his loyalties were falsely believed."

Minerva opened her mouth, but stopped herself. She had done quite enough of talking back to Dumbledore today. "He is. Though, I doubt Potter would like that idea much, either."

"Of course he wouldn't." The painting said with a smile. "Do you know what I miss the most, Minerva...?"

She looked interested and gave a small smile. "What's that?"

"Sherbet Lemons. Wonderful things..."

They both had to smile.

----

A/N MY GOODNESS. You guys are fast to give reviews. XD I love you both~ Hee Severus and Remus amuses me for some odd reason. I think it's mainly because Remus seemed to not so much hate Severus like James and Sirius did. I'm trying to keep things as close to canon as possible. @___@ I'm sorry I made you have to go back and read HBP, Yami Bakura. I just want things to sort of...fit, you know? I love canony fics that make you think... You know... that could be how it was or is! It's amazing isn't it? XD I wrote a lot today/tonight. I'm really liking this story so far...

Draco was completely missing from this chapter... that makes me a little sad. Oh well! You'll see him again next chapter.

And aren't my chapter names just weird? Yeah. They are almost completely random.