Life Begins Anew

Chapter 63 Love Conquers All

Headmaster Snape grumbled as he read yet another complaint from another business in Diagon Alley complaining about the stench of the of the dead muggle-born students left decaying in the main street of Diagon Alley reminding him that it was the school’s responsibility as they had been students. He glanced up to the portraits noticing most still had their backs to him.

He lazily called out to the portraits. “Your behavior is really amusing and very hypocritical of you, being you were here for all the planning and knew what was tasked of me. If you keep this up I am going to have Mr. Filch put you in storage as I cannot have visitors to my office seeing open rebellion from the portraits.”

He chuckled as he heard “”Insolent!” and “How dare he!” From the portraits.

The witches and wizards in the portraits turned and faced him, realizing that what he said was true.

“Now that we have addressed that, you are supposed to be the fountain of advice for a Headmaster. I’m waiting for it.” He drawled out, waiting for a reply.

He grunted at their silence. “I thought so.”

Severus clutched his arm as the Mark flared up in pain as he stood up from his desk and made his way to his chambers as the portraits silently watched his departure.

&&&&&&&&&

Harry and Ron made sure the group was settled in and walked to Hermione’s lean-to, finding here sobbing uncontrollably. She blamed herself for the young Slytherin’s death.

She looked to her friends, her eyes rimmed red. “I promised that I would stand by him. Fine example I made! I don’t understand how he died so quickly into the trek.”

Harry looked thoughtful as he sat next to her and hugged her. “Hermione, I think the run from the werewolves took a lot out of him. He came to us an hour after you left, body cold and passed out from exhaustion. John wanted to keep going and his body just gave out. Don’t blame yourself as we are all trying to deal with what the Fates have given to us.”

Bootstray joined them and handed Harry a flask. “Drink a sip of that and pass it around.” He watched as they sputtered and coughed, their bodies feeling warm. He took a long drink, capping the flask as he chuckled at their reaction to the strong drink. “Firewhiskey, good for a body cold and full of worry.”

He continued. “You knew there would be deaths, but even I am shocked that not one from your group helped the boy.” He turned to Hermione, grabbing her shoulders to force her to look to him. “It is Fate Hermione. And you cannot control it, for what will be, will be.”

He looked to her approvingly as she looked to him, anger flashing in her eyes. “The Fates are a bitch young one. You’ve learned the lesson early in life. Be thankful for that.”

Harry looked to the assassin. “We will not be using magic again to draw out our enemy again. Maybe sending the bodies to Diagon Alley was a bad idea. Voldemort will now know what we have and plan for it.”

Bootstray looked to him in approval. “Yes Mr. Potter, but priceless in the psychological warfare factor. For there will be those that see those dead bodies will pass word of mouth. Useful for when you confront him later as the Daily Prophet will not print it.”

Ron looked to Bootstray. “We will have a following when we need it at the end?”

“Precisely.”

They began plan the night’s trek.

&&&&&&

Severus Apparated from the castle, immediately bowing and kissed the Dark Lord’s hem.

“Rise Severus.” Feeling the Dark Lords red eyes looking at him as he noticed the pile of bodies in front of the throne. “You arrived here quickly Severus. Taking advantage of your station?”

“Yes My Lord, and find it handy as I do not need to skulk about anymore.” He replied respectfully.

He caught his sister’s eyes for a moment as he looked to the Dark Lord questioningly, noticing the bodies of the Outer Circle.

“Yes Severus, those that I sent out against Harry Potter two days ago.” Voldemort handed him the bullet. “Feel the magic?”

“Yes My Lord though I do not recognize it.”

“You should not, as it is rare that the Goblins get involved in things. Yet I must let this pass until I am more firmly in power.” Voldemort looked to his right hand wizard.

“The Carrows will be joining you at Hogwart’s along with your sister. Find a place for them as professors Severus.” He commanded

“Of course My Lord, but as you have brought up school business I need to tell you that I find myself being owled from every business in Diagon Alley demanding that the school take care of the muggle problem as they were students and the dead bodies are affecting sales.”

Voldemort chuckled. “Ah, the mighty Galleon! Have Sara head that up. No one has taken the bodies, so my purpose in leaving them is complete.”

“All of you are dismissed. Severus, take Sara with you. Percy, stay as I need to talk with you.” Voldemort commanded.

Lucius joined Sara and Severus as they exited the throne room. He looked to the witch. “The Dark Lord gave me free rein as long as I do not damage his heir. I will be coming to the castle on business soon as we need to discuss the thoughts of Vendetta Lady Prince.” Leering at her.

“By all means Lucius. I welcome the …..discussion” She replied back

“If that is all, Lucius? After all, I have a school to run and I do not need the dalliance of deviant sex to keep my professor from the task commanded by our Lord.” He watched as the wizard Apparated away.

Sara looked to her brother as he grabbed her and Apparated to his office. He hesitated for a moment as he filled two glasses with fire whiskey, unsure because of her condition.

She brushed him aside and picked up the drink hissing. “I will be long dead before I give birth to that spawn.”

They began to discuss the recovery of the bodies, not noticing Headmaster Black leave his portrait as they agreed upon a plan.

&&&&&&&

The group made good time and two days later found them at the half-way point. The snow was becoming easier to manage and the temperature started to rise as they made their way southward.

Hermione made her shelter and dug into her pouch to take her potion and to mark off the calendar. It was the only way she could keep up with what day it is. She sighed to herself as she noticed that tomorrow would be the start of school. What she would give to trade where she was now and be back at school.

***Bootstray, I am here in the forest. I am going to approach. Please make sure that the students are not trigger happy. ***

Bootstray shouted out. “Make sure your weapons are unloaded. We have a friend approaching us.” He listened to the clicks of ammunition magazines being removed from the weapons. Soon it was silent.

Sara approached the clearing where Bootstray was standing beside Mr. Potter. She looked towards the edge of the clearing, not seeing any indication of the remaining group. “Good concealment and control of your group Mr. Potter.” She muttered in approval.

She called out to the forest. “Gather your things and come to Mr. Potter as I have things to discuss.”

Still no movement from the forest.

Harry grinned at her as she looked to him. “Nicely done. It seems that they have learned a thing or two under your leadership. Please call them in as I have much to discuss and not much time to do it.”

“All right you lot! Do as Professor Snape requested.”

Witches and wizards materialized at the edge of the clearing and began to walk towards her, carrying backpacks and weapons.

Sara walked to the edge of the clearing and began a spell that would conceal magic for two days. She continued to walk and chant, the students feeling the hairs rise on the back of their necks as she continued.

Hermione looked to Harry. “She’s using Dark Magic.”

Sara walked back towards the group and began pulling items out of her pocket, enlarging them to reveal two tents and two crates.

“Witches to one tent and wizards to another. The crates have the supplies that you need. Clean up and relax as you can use magic here for two days without fear of detection. Discard your clothes as the crates have replacements for you.” She chuckled as a cheer went up from the group as they rushed the crates and tents.

Slightly and Ron approached Harry, Hermione and Sara.

“Come with me.” She motioned to the witch and wizards as she enlarged a tent and motioned them inside. She set about making a fire as the group removed their jackets and sat down in the chairs, waiting for her to address them.

She pulled out a bottle of fire whiskey, pouring a small amount for Harry, Ron and Hermione and handed it to them. “Drink up! It will relax your nerves so we can talk. Miss. Granger, a shot or two will not harm the life growing within you.” She poured out a heftier serving for Slightly, Bootstray, and herself.

She sat back and watched the group as the warmth of the fire and drink relaxed them.

“Now whose bright idea was it to send the bodies of fifty Death Eaters to Diagon Alley?” She coldly asked as a frown appeared on her face.

Harry shuffled his feet as he looked to her. “It was mine Professor. I felt that it was the right thing to do to send a message, but now I realize…”

Sara held up her hand and stopped the wizard. “Harry, it was priceless. The Dark Lord now thinks that the Goblins are in league with you. And he cannot afford to address it until he is completely in power.”

Harry perked up at the sound of his first name.

She raised her glass to him. “You all deserve to call me by my first name warriors, as you have earned it. It is Sara. Be sure not to address me as such in front of the others. The address of first name to warriors is not to be taken lightly.”

Harry and Ron sat up straighter as Hermione grinned at them.

She pulled out her map. “The trek will be easier from here on out. The snow will disappear after the next day’s travel so you should make good time. Forget about the time schedule. If you arrive before what we agreed upon it will make no difference as the Dark Lord knows that you have survived.” She marked her map indicating where the snow would disappear.

Ron looked to the witch. “Sara, how did he know that? We delayed travel for ten days.”

Sara looked to the young wizard, weighing her response. The father already knew of his son’s defection.

“Percy Weasley was a member of the Outer Circle. He brought a clock to the Dark Lord indicating that you and Harry had survived. I was able to remove Hermione’s name from it as I changed the appearance of one of your dead to her so as to seem that the mission was not a total failure, as she is believed to have influence and guide the Chosen One. Because of this he is now a member of the Inner Circle.”

Harry grinned as he replied. “She is my cold logic in the face of acting rashly Sara.” He grabbed Hermione’s hand and kissed it.

Ron spoke out in anger. “That twat! He always felt he was above his family. I’ll kill him!”

“The Dark Lord does not care for his survival. He did that to create a tool that you could trust and then betray you. Be wary if you come across him as he has already betrayed you once before.”

Sara began filling them in on the events that had taken place since their departure from the train.

“Think upon it Harry. It is by no means over.” She looked to the distressed wizard as his shoulders slumped in defeat. “You remember the Order of the Phoenix? Thought currently thought broken, plan 1A is effect. You remember that?”

Harry nodded to her as she stood up. “And now tell your group to write parchments home and that I will send it to their families. Of course I cannot do that, but it will help them. Rest here for two days, as my spell will last that long. You need to recover, and the rest of the trek will be fairly easy.”

They exited the tent, Bootstray and Slightly staying with Sara as Hermione made her way to the witch’s tent and Harry and Ron to the other. Soon they heard the whoops of joy sound out.

Sara looked to her wizards as she rubbed their bearded faces with a gloved hand. “You look good with fur on your face.” She chuckled.

Bootstray’s body suddenly thrummed from the joy and love emitting from the tents. He looked to Sara as he tackled her to the ground, his hands removing her gloves from her hands and grasped them.

She howled out in pain as Bootstray held her tight, feeling her pain along the bond, unconsciously focusing the emotions from the tent and his true love for her.

Sara struggled as she felt the love enter her as her darkness fought it. She saw in her mind the dark box that she fooled Lord Voldemort’s weavening open up, spilling forth a bright light as she lost consciousness.

Slightly stood up from where he fell and looked to Bootstray, panting out in the pain he felt along their bond. “Do you think that was a good move Bootstray?”

Bootstray remained knelt over Sara, panting. “I don’t know what came over me Slightly! All I know is that it felt right.” He picked up Sara and held her in his arms looking to her.

Slightly looked at the still body in Bootstray’s arm. “Maybe you forced the Darkness away Bootstray.” He watched as Sara came to and looked into Bootstray’s eyes.

“I had forgotten you wizard.” She weakly told him.

He carried her back into the tent as he whispered to her. “Sara, I have never forgotten you.”

&&&&&&&

Severus sat on his bed, idly twirling his Mask. He was truly alone now, and the plans that he had made would surely focus the hatred from the faculty and students solely to him. He tossed the Mask down and pulled out the charmed knife that he had used to kill his sister, admiring the metallic glean. He was a strong, powerful wizard but felt lost. Hell, even the portraits could not give him advice. His life would not matter as he was sure that all was required of him was providing his sister First Blood to complete the prophecy.

Albus was supposed to guide him from his portrait, but had not arrived. He thought his sister might have something to do with that.

He thought of his Bond but it had been closed for what seemed an eternity. Throwing down the knife, he dug into his robes for a particular poison that he created to use if his duplicity was discovered. It was untraceable and would mimic death by a heart attack. So tempting, Severus thought to himself as he sighed, suddenly realizing that this was the closest he had ever been to taking his own life. It was a coward’s way out and he was no coward.

Just as he began to place the phial back into his robes, the Bond opened up, filling him with such a feeling of protectiveness and love that he had ever experienced.

***No Severus!! Come to me now! ***

He stood up and dropped the phial, watching it shatter to the floor as he focused on the Bond and Apparated away.

&&&&&&&&

Hermione was in the witch’s tent, enjoying their company as she suddenly felt a feeling of impending death and the bright release of her Bond filling her. She excused herself and went outside and walked a ways, looking to the peacefulness of the woods.

Her Bond flared and she felt her wizard’s thoughts as she sent out her command, waiting for her wizard to appear.

&&&&&&&&

Sara Apparated into her chambers as Hades looked to her. “I felt something from you Sara. Something akin to joy and I’ve not felt that in a very long time.”

Sara allowed herself a small smile. “That would be Bootstray Hades. He was able to focus some emotions, and I was able to push back my Dark Arts master’s darkness. I’m not sure how long it will last, but I am thankful the reprieve.”

Hades sniffed, and looked to her with a glint in his eye.

She noticed the bird’s look as she transfigured her blood red robes to those of black. “Do not say a word bird. I have to go and fetch Minerva and retrieve the bodies of the muggle-borns in Diagon Alley.”

He watched his mistress exit his chambers, smelling the lingering scent of Bootstray as she left.

Sara made her way to Minerva’s chambers and knocked, wondering how the witch would receive her.

Minerva opened the door, revealing Sara standing at her door as she whispered out. “What do you need Professor Snape?”

“We need to recover the filth from Diagon alley.” She sneered to her as she strode into the chambers without welcome. “The Headmaster has commanded me to head this and selected you and Hagrid to perform this despicable business along with me. If it was up to me, they would rot there for eternity, but the Dark Lord is feeling generous.”

Minerva watched as Sara walked to her desk and pulled out a parchment and began to write.

The businesses in Diagon Alley has complained about the smell and Severus has gained permission to recover the bodies. Though you cannot be there because of the enchantments placed upon you, I plan on giving them a proper burial. She penned out and handed the parchment to the witch.

Minerva looked to her as she angrily replied. “And what do you plan to do with the bodies Professor Snape?”

Sara chuckled darkly. “I am going to place them where they belong, Minerva. In a Muggle land- fill filled with discarded trash, as that is surely where they deserve to be.” Watching Minerva pen her response.

Thank you Sara, as I know your feelings on death. Is it true what I heard, fifty dead Death Eaters left next to the bodies?”

Minerva answered back angrily. “As I have no choice because the Headmaster commands it, I will do it.”

Sara penned back. “It is true courtesy of Harry Potter.”

Minerva looked to Sara as she torched the parchment. “Fine, I’ll go to help the Headmaster in his public relations exercise. After all, I am expected to support him as he made that fact abundantly clear.” Opening her door and motioning Sara out.

They made their way to Hagrid’s hut not saying a word, Minerva knocking at the door.

“Minerva! And Professor Snape?” Hagrid looked to Sara with distrust.

“Hagrid, hitch up a wagon. The Headmaster has directed us to retrieve our students in Diagon Alley.” Minerva asked of the half-giant.

He looked his colleagues and solemnly replied. “’Bout time I say. Bodies rotting and no way ta avoid the poor students. Shames me it does that nothing was done ‘til now. I’d be proud to help ya.” He left the door of his hut. “Wait here a mo will ya? I know just whot to hitch up.” Walking into the Forbidden forest.

After a while Sara watched Hagrid walking towards them with two of the largest thestrals she had ever seen. “They are fine specimens, Hagrid.” She told him.

“Seen yer share o’ death perfessor? They should be as they be ta King n Queen o’ the herd.”

Hagrid helped the witches onto the flat seat of the open wagon and sat down beside them. The wagon began to move.

“These are the instructions given to me. No magic will be used when we load the wagon as they are not worthy of it.” She coldly told them.

Hagrid looked to the dark clad witch in anger as Minerva grabbed Hagrid’s arm and silently shook her head.

Soon they rode into Diagon Alley, the citizens noticing as they began to walk behind the wagon. Quite a few saw the threstals pulling the wagon and shrank back in fear, as they knew the symbolism of the creatures. The wagon stopped in front of the bodies of the dead students.

Sara pulled out a parchment and quill. “Minerva, you must identify the students before we load them up.”

The gathered witches and wizards saw the glare from the Deputy Headmistress as she went down the row and named them, Hagrid wrapping the bodies, silent tears falling from his eyes.

Minerva paused at the body of Hermione Granger. “..And this is Miss. Granger.” Falling to the ground as she began to cry.

Sara saw the flash of cameras as she tucked the list into her pocket and bent down to help her up. “Sit at the wagon Minerva. Hagrid and I will take care of the rest.”

Minerva simply nodded and stood back to watch as Rita Skeeter and her photographer approached her.

“Professor McGonnagal! Why retrieve these bodies now? The Wizarding world wants to know.” Rita Skeeter asked her.

Just as she began to reply, Lord Malfoy appeared.

“As you know I head the Board of Governors. The reason the bodies have been here so long is that we have been trying to contact the next of kin.” Smoothly answering the question. “Sadly, they have not been located, so the school is bearing the responsability.” Reporters rushing to him as they shouted out their questions.

Hagrid and Sara quickly loaded the bodies onto the wagon as Lord Malfoy took care of the press, helping Minerva to the wagon as Sara climbed onto the wagon from the other side.

The wagon pulled away as the now silent group of witches and wizards watched it leave.

The wagon entered the gates of Hogwarts and Hagrid looked to Sara, waiting for direction.

“Minerva, I will take care of this as I told you. Go to the Headmaster and tell him your task is complete.” She watched as Minerva left the wagon.

Hagrid looked to the cold witch for direction as he watched Minerva walk away, shocked that she would not be there for the burial.

“Hagrid, she is not able to bury the muggle-borns. It is left to us. Now, they cannot be buried on the grounds around the school, and I was hoping that you knew of a place.”

“One not in view Perfessor?” He asked as he realized what was needed.

She just looked to him as the wagon began to travel deep into the Forbidden Forest.

“Here we are Perfessor Snape.” Hagrid told her as the wagon stopped.

She jumped down from the wagon, pointing her wand at the ground revealing twelve open graves. She watched as he placed the bodies within them as she pointed her wand and filled them in.

“Young witches and wizards. Life taken from you, so young and not understanding. You have arrived to the Veil, and the Veil will be most accepting of you as you are innocent of the violence performed upon you. And you are remembered by those that count. I hope that it comforts you in the next world.”

Hagrid sobbed as he carved the initials of the dead into rocks and placed them accordingly.

“Perfessor, it is good that they are buried.” He told her as he looked to her in sadness.

“Obliviate!” She silently intoned as she altered his memories.

She watched as Hagrid climbed up into the wagon and rode away.

&&&&&&

Hermione jumped back as Severus suddenly appeared in front of her, standing silently as he observed her.

Twigs wrapped in her knotted hair, clothing tattered. Merlin! She never looked more beautiful.

He watched as she placed her hand upon her cheek.

“Hermione.” He whispered as he grabbed her hand with his. “I had forgotten you.”