SALVATION

K Rowling's characters and Wizarding Universe are all uniquely hers

JK Rowling's characters and Wizarding Universe are all uniquely hers. Plot, new characters, new magical terms and abilities etc. are my intellectual property. If you want to borrow then please kindly ask.

ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. If you are looking for strict Canon or even a slight deviation from Canon you won’t find it here.

Summary: The War is finally over and Snape finds that the world he knows has nothing to offer him. He finds himself drawn to a new world; one steeped in traditions of its own not known to the wizarding world. Will he take the risks needed for his own salvation?

Rated M for Sexual Situations, Language, Some Violence.

Author’s Notes: My inspiration comes from the novel and film WHALE RIDER. Regarding the NZ slang – I am using several online resources including those from the U of NZ and some local to specific areas of NZ including the one in which this story is set.

SALVATION

Chapter 007: Once Upon A Time

The former Potions Master used the simplest of glamours along with an influencing spell to secure Pai’s release from hospital soon after administering the potion. It would not do for her to remain at the hospital for the most obvious of reasons.

xxxOOOxxx

Pai slipped in and out of consciousness for several days, but she was healing and Snape was ever-present to care for her. She slept. And as she slept she dreamt.

She dreamt of a world that she had never seen; one filled with flights of fancy beyond ordinary imagination. There was a familiar presence in her dreams; but one who was so different to what was familiar to her in Aotearoa. She understood that this was not his true self. He played the part they expected him to because his contemporaries in this world refused to see anything different. He existed only in the shadows of a world filled with darkness and ever-present danger. He was not liked and he definitely was not trusted. No sacrifice was ever enough.

They were his judge, jury and executioner.

They had used him in every way imaginable – and then condemned him for it.

The people of his world had made him what he was in their eyes – and his.

xxxOOOxxx

It was no mean feat to open himself up to Pai’s uncle and grandmother – but Snape had had no choice. Though Witi was powerful in his own right, he could not have done what Snape did. No other explanation for what had taken place would suffice. It was the honourable thing to do – to trust them as he had been trusted with the one thing they all loved most – Paikea.

Rawiri had been his greatest friend besides Paikea and Wendy had always looked after him even though her husband had not made things any easier for her than he did their granddaughter. Witi was there to back him every step of the way, though it was not needed entirely. There was no need for fabrication or evasion. The former Potions Master could only tell the truth, just enough of the truth without having to go into sordid detail.

The former Potions Master started to speak, at first haltingly. But once he found his voice the words came out evenly. As he spoke it was as if time itself had stopped. Once finished, Snape stood ramrod straight with his mouth set in a tight grim line as Witi confirmed that Snape hadn’t lost his mind and that his world was very real because he himself had seen and experienced it.

There was silence for a moment or two.

‘Michael… Michael; I knew that wasn’t your real name. You just don’t feel like a Michael to me. Wendy said carefully. ‘But I do believe you – and I understand more than you think.’

‘So tell me,’ Snape said equally cautiously. ‘What exactly is it that you believe you know about me?’

Wendy and Rawiri looked at each other.

‘Let me tell you a story,’ Wendy said calmly as watched him preparing more mugs of tea for them all.

‘I am listening; please go on…’

‘We had a visitor here once upon a time. A man called Grindelwald,’ Wendy said darkly.

Snape’s countenance did not betray him as his blood went cold.

‘He was very ambitious indeed, so it seems,’ he replied faintly after what felt like an eternity.

‘Mmpm. That, our good friend, is an understatement,’ Wendy said tightly. ‘It was Koro’s father that befriended him, welcomed him into our little community. But it was my father and grandfather had the misfortune of cleaning up the mess once he was driven out. He was a nasty piece of work, that one. Never had me fooled one bit, no matter how good looking and charismatic he was. I don’t think we’ve ever really recovered from it, to be honest.’

Wendy, Witi and Rawiri knew – and somehow it was as through a great weight was lifted from his shoulders.

‘If it is any consolation – Grindelwald is dead,’ Snape said coolly. ‘He died in the prison of his own making in our world.’

‘Prison? Was this the place where he would have put all of the non-magicals?’ Rawiri asked.

‘Nurmengard – you have heard of it then?’

‘I better let mum answer that…’

Wendy took a long draught of her tea before she began to talk. But once she spoke it was clear the memories were anything but pleasant.

‘Not by that name, no,’ she answered. ‘See, this Grindelwald turned up one day, no different to any other traveller coming through here. Like the place and decided to stay a while. Well you know we’re like. No reason to be hostile. He seemed alright at first. Then the rot started to set in. It was little things at first; comments about how we lived, how we let ourselves down. How we wasted the spiritual power that we have. Then it was attacks on our ancestors all the way back to Paikea Te Rangi himself! How we made the biggest mistake of our lives by not joining with your world at the moment of the Great Divide when magical and non-magical people went their separate ways. Then he upped the ante with what we thought were tall tales about these wild dreams he was having. One of them was about this fortress prison where he would house anyone in the world who didn’t have what he considered legitimate magical ability.

Rawiri shuddered involuntarily and his brother took his hand and gave it firm squeeze.

‘It was my grandfather realised what he was really about he wanted no part of his schemes,’ Wendy continued. ‘I made it a point to tell my children about him as a warning…and Pail. That man wanted to wage wholesale genocide against non-magical people. Only what he seemed to be plotting was worse… much, much worse than anything I have ever read about between we ordinary people.’

‘I would have been a goner then…’ Rawiri laughed nervously.

‘Coming from the lineage that you do, not necessarily,’ Snape said, still reeling from the revelation of one of the greatest Dark Wizards of all time having spent time in the valley he loved so much. ‘You may not have the abilities that your father, brother and niece have, but you do have them. I think in you magic has been inhibited due to your father’s neglect and abuse. Your people are a magical people – you all have abilities whether acknowledged or not. And that is what brought Grindelwald here. He could have gone anywhere – but he came here specifically for a reason. I have no doubt about that. He was quite astute in his choice.’

For the first time in a while Snape thought about the man thought to have been the greatest wizard of the age – Albus Dumbledore. There was a history between Grindewald and Dumbledore; more than was commonly known. If Grindelwald had come to this place then it stood to reason that Dumbledore may have as well. That was an avenue he would have to explore some other time. The fact that Grindewald had been here and wreaked havoc was enough to digest for one day.

‘Mmpm. I do believe you are onto something there,’ Wendy commented. Her countenance suggested they would pursue this line of discussion some other time. ‘So – what is your real name, eh Michael?’

‘That is of no consequence,’ Snape replied coldly.

Rawiri started to speak but Witi held up his hand.

‘I think it was mighty good of you to trust us as you have done, Michael,’ said Witi. ‘And you will find that your trust is not misplaced. You are who you are regardless of the name you carry.’

‘Had I even believed it possible we would not be sitting here like this,’ the former Potions Master replied.

He nursed his tea as Witi told his mother and brother that he was engaged.

‘Engaged? When? Who is she? Where is she from? What does she do? When do we meet her?’ Wendy sputtered in shock.

‘Well this is the interesting thing…’ Witi began.

‘I knew this had to be a trick,’ Rawiri chuckled. ‘So what’s wrong with her then!’

‘Not a thing, bro. Not a thing. Janie is… Janie is… just absobloomin’ lovely! She’s English; I met her up in London, She’s a bit of an activist I guess you could say…’

‘Evading, isn’t he Mum?’

‘Get to the point, tea’s getting cold...’ Wendy sniffed as she looked at her eldest son.

‘Repressed abilities my arse,’ Witi laughed.

‘I would suggest you put an end to their misery,’ Snape said, rising. ‘I need to try and get some nourishment into Paikea.’

He began to prepare a small cup of tea with honey and lemon, a tall glass of water and some chicken broth with crackers.

‘Well Janie is special, quite special…’ Witi began.

‘Yeah yeah, she loves you blah blah blah…’ Rawiri smirked.

‘Janie is a Witch!’ Snape snapped as he rolled his eyes.

‘Uh, thanks there Michael,’ Witi coughed.

‘You owe me,’ Snape smirked as he placed Pai’s dinner on a tray.

‘Gee thanks mate!’

‘I take it that you will not hold it against your son that your new daughter-in-law is one of us,’ Snape said fixing Wendy and Rawiri with a steely gaze.

‘Any woman that truly makes my boys happy I am happy to embrace as a daughter,’ Wendy said quietly. ‘I can tell she’s a good woman – just by the way you are, Witi. It’s great to see you smiling and happy again. It’s good to see finally content with who you are as a man.’

‘If anybody deserves some happiness it’s you cuz,’ Rawiri said as he extended his hand and drew his brother to him. They touched foreheads and clapped each other on the back affectionately as was the way of their people.

Snape left them alone to talk about Witi’s new life in England. Paikea needed him, and he needed time alone with her.

xxxOOOxxx

‘Oh my poor darling,’ Snape murmured as turned back the covers and sat down. He pulled Paikea into his arms gently and held her. She was a bit warm to the touch, but that was to be expected. It was a sign that the potion was killing off the infection that had threatened her life. At first she was prone to seeming fits and sweating profusely as the infection was pushed out of her body and trauma to her brain healed. Those were the darkest moments of her healing and it nearly killed him to witness it. For the first day or so, Snape wondered for the first time in his life if he had lost the right to be called a master of the great art and subtle science that was potion-making. He wanted so much for her, so much for them both…

‘No,’ Pai mewed faintly, still barely conscious. ‘Don’t…hurt..’

‘It’s ok, my love,’ the former Potions Master whispered as he stroked her hair away from her face. ‘No one can hurt you now…’

He manoeuvred Pai into position so that he could feed her. It was like feeding an infant. Knowing that he was not a man to share such intimacies with strangers, Pai’s family did not intrude. There was nothing to be done for her that he would not do himself. He alone bore all of the responsibility and would not have it any other way. Wendy had remarked that she tended to think that people had no real understanding of what it meant to love, honour and cherish

Snape was grateful for the trust and faith they had in him. He’d waited his whole life for this. Now that he had it, he was telling himself that he would not lose it. Inwardly, however, he wondered how long it would last.

Everything he touched inevitably turned to poison – and these people had no idea about the man he had been in the world that Pai’s father had embraced with open arms.

xxxOOOxxx

Snape found himself exploring his expansive rear garden after everyone had gone and Paikea was asleep once again. He was quite fortunate that he had so much land to do as he pleased. For the first time since arriving he gave thought about what could be done with it. Brewing the restorative for Paikea had re-awakened the Potions Master deep inside him and now he stood wondering if perhaps he should look into setting up a large greenhouse and a proper laboratory. He wasn’t quite sure what he would do with any of his elixirs – and it wasn’t exactly an inexpensive bit of dabbling. Potions-making cost money, and he really did need to mind his expenses.

Still, he did have to think about his future with Paikea and providing for her. He certainly had no intention of living off of her like many men would do. She was a high flyer of sorts and earned much more than a number of her nearest and dearest. She could do a lot better for herself, and it was time she did. The woman he loved should be free to pursue her dreams and Snape was sure that he had it within himself to provide for them both.

xxxOOOxxx

The next few days after the meeting with Pai’s family passed uneventfully for Snape, thank Merlin. Things had been quiet in the settlement – a sort of uneasy truce as Rawiri described it when he stopped in to see how Paikea was doing. Apparently they were expecting him to exact revenge over what had happened with Paikea and so were leaving him alone. Witi let it be known that as far as Michael Stuart-Clark was concerned, it was over. Everyone had been put through enough and it was time to move on. They had their lives to lead and he had his. There was no reason why they could not co-exist peacefully. But make no mistake; he would defend himself, his home and those he cared about if push came to shove – same as the rest of them.

Agreements were reached despite a few rumbles from Koro and his usual sycophants; most people saw sense and just wanted to forget that night. The coppers wouldn’t be brought in - and things would take care of themselves much as they always had done.

xxxOOOxxx

Wendy, Witi and Rawiri came to see Snape for a talk.

‘To tell you the truth – I don’t think she should go back there,’ Witi said as he looked out of Snape’s kitchen windows towards the settlement. ‘Koro would be the tinder that would touch off another firestorm and nobody needs it. He is never, ever going to back down and he doesn’t care that he went too far.’

‘He’s the one that ought to be hung out to dry over this!’ Wendy huffed. ‘But no – it’s always Pai that’s got to suffer! It’s not right!’

‘We have all suffered, Mum!’ Rawiri said hotly. ‘Honestly – I don’t understand how you can bear to stay with him!’

‘I had nowhere else to go,’ his mother replied quietly. ‘I tried – you just can’t remember is all.’

Snape was at a loss for words and kept his own counsel.

‘I remember,’ Witi said quietly. ‘I remember you banging on Aunti Sarai’s door begging her to let you in – you thought he was going to kill us all that night. She wouldn’t lift a finger. Kept the house dark and didn’t move a muscle. I will never forget that as long as I live.’

Tears started to roll down Wendy’s face silently.

‘I failed you boys. And I failed Pai too…’ she whispered.

‘What happened on this night that you speak of, if I may be so bold as to enquire?’ Snape asked breaking his silence.

‘He beat me, plain and simple. He beat me because I stood up to him and told him about himself! He ruined my life; Witi was half-afraid of him. Rawiri – well he was just a wee thing, but even he was scared of his own father. Children shouldn’t be afraid in their own home. Ever. But Koro rules by fear. He made me afraid to leave and he made everyone else afraid by threatening the life of anyone that tried to help me. That’s why things are the way they are, Michael! There will be no reconciliation amongst our people, there will be no healing – until he is out of the equation. And I tell you what – he’s too mean to die a natural death and spare us all. It’s good that Witi found it in him to go out into the world and leave this mess behind! Pai would be doing the best thing for herself if she left too.’

‘Do you know what it’s like to pray for your father’s death?’ Rawiri asked resentfully.

‘Yes,’ Snape replied quietly, ‘Yes, I do. I won’t bore or burden you with the details, but as I said to Paikea once – my father could give Koro a run for his money.

Wendy reached out and drew Rawiri to her.

‘I won’t tell you you’re wrong because I’m still praying for it. I’m praying for us all to be set free in the gentlest way possible. I know it’s not right to do that and maybe that’s why I’ve never had much luck. It’s not good to pray for someone’s demise. I’m tired of being afraid and god help me before I die, I want to know what it’s like to really be free…’

‘You don’t need to be afraid…!’ came a hoarse voice.

‘PAI!!’ Wendy screamed as she took in her granddaughter standing in the kitchen doorway.

‘Hi Pop – what a homecoming eh?’ Pai said weakly. ‘You all look like you’re ready for a funeral… sounds like it too…’

Witi raced to Paikea’s side and held onto her tightly.

‘Have you lost your mind?’ he scolded. ‘You should be in bed!’

‘Ahh ya big sook!’

‘Your daughter!’ Wendy roared through her tears. ‘She must be better alright!’

Everyone fussed over Pai until she shoed them off her. Snape helped her over to the window seat. It was wide enough for her to stretch out and her father summoned cushions and a blanket.

‘He knows,’ Witi said quietly before Pai could react.

‘And you haven’t done a runner?’ Pai sniffed looking up at the former Potions Master questioningly as he made her comfortable.

‘I’m never going to leave you, Paikea. And it takes far more than that to worry me.’

‘Even though you do realise that I…’

‘That you are magical like your father?’

It was Pai’s turn to cry and Snape took her in his arms.

‘You see?’ Witi said, ‘You see what he’s done! He’s made her ashamed of who she is as much and what she can do as he did me! Pai, I know you feel it’s your right to take up the mantle – and it IS your right! But it’s not going to happen the way you want it to! You can’t leave yourself open to his abuse anymore and especially now that he’s shown his hand to you. You must protect yourself – and the best way to do that is to stay the hell away from him!’

‘But if I don’t stand up to him…!’

‘Honey listen to me,’ Witi said crouching down and taking his daughter’s hands. ‘You’ve fought a good fight. You did it with dignity and grace and you have truly honoured the name that you carry and the blood of the ancient ones that flows strongly in you. But maybe, just maybe the way to reconciliation isn’t what you think.’

‘I can’t just give up! I can’t…!’

‘Who said anything about giving up? All I am saying is that the way forward sometimes happens in ways we just can’t anticipate or plan for. I tried for years and so have you – and where has it gotten either of us?’

‘Your father’s right Pai,’ Wendy said. ‘If things had been different and I had been stronger we could have all had a different life. He never laid a hand on us once I came back and I guess I have to give him credit for that. But he rules by fear and we let him. If he was only an ordinary bloke he just might’ve been a dead man a long time ago. But even adults that should know better bend to him – he’s Koro, leader of our people. He’s not the worst that’s ever been, but he’s not been good for any of us and we are all paying too hight a price for it.

‘Sasha thinks I should move into town – to Wairoa…’ Pai said quietly. ‘What do think of that, Michael?’

‘As it happens I agree with her,’ Snape answered. ‘You deserve far more than you have ever allowed yourself to have or believed possible.’

The former Potions Master went quiet.

‘You need to leave too Mum,’ Rawiri said. ‘Come stay with me...’

‘You and ‘Chelle need your own lives Son. A woman needs to be the queen of her castle and to run it as she sees fit. Me and your lady there don’t see eye to eye and me being there would be a problem.’

Rawiri sighed. It was true, his mother didn’t get on with Michelle for the same reasons he didn’t. They were just too different and there was no true meeting of the minds.

‘You don’t have to worry about her. As it happens we split up a couple of weeks ago…’

‘I’m sorry, Cuzzy, I really am,’ Pai murmured as Rawiri pulled his chair over and another for his brother.

‘Don’t be. Mum didn’t get along with Michelle for the same reason I couldn’t. We were just too different and there was no real meeting of the minds. Michelle puts herself first, last and always. In my own way I guess I was allowing myself to believe I wouldn’t be able to get on or do well without her. That’s what she’s always said…’

‘She’s said a lot of crap that isn’t right,’ Pai huffed.

‘Well I had my own little version of Koro right there in some respects.’

‘That you did Bro; that you did,’ said Witi. ‘So… what are your plans then?’

‘I found myself a nice place over in Wairoa. They accepted my offer and I’m taking possession next week. The motoring business is coming along good and I can take on the shop now along with expanding the fishing business.’

‘Nice specialised business you got there; auto restoration is an art form and plenty of people will come far and wide for a job well done,’ Pai said matter-of-factly. ‘The community can use the jobs too… You kept your head down all these years and worked really hard for it. I’m proud of you.’

‘So, like I said Mum – you can stay with me,’ said Rawiri. Family is the most important thing a man can have and I can look after you.’

Wendy began to protest and Pai put up her hand for silence.

‘I think Nana would feel better if she had something to do so she didn’t feel like she was living off of you,’ Paid said firmly. ‘She’s always been good with marketing and promotions and we all know she’s a great manager from what she’s done with the Marae and the tourists that come.’

‘Me – have a fancy job?’ Wendy sputtered. ‘I’m too old girl; past my prime…’

‘Bullshit!’ said Witi. Just by looking at his mother he could tell that she wanted it so much. ‘We’re all behind you Mum; there’s no reason to hold back. And don’t you worry about Dad; Me and Rawiri will see to him.’

‘It’s a great idea Mum,’ said Rawiri. ‘I need someone I can trust and Pai’s way too expensive for me now!’

‘Fair point, Cuzzy, fair point…’ said Pai with a grin. ‘You can’t argue against such sound reasoning, Nana. He’s talking a lot of sense for a change and you know you can’t respect someone who’s lost his wits!’

Wendy stood up and stretched. She looked around and then peered out the windows.

‘I’m not even that old, really…’ she said to no one in particular. ‘We stopped being man and wife in every way but name years ago. And it’s not as though he wouldn’t welcome it after a while. I know he’s carried on with some of them; he still wants his boy to succeed him.’

Wendy turned around slowly, choosing to ignore the shocked silence of the others.

‘What about you, Pai?’ she asked. ‘We got so caught up in my nonsense that you’ve completely side-stepped what Michael had to say to you.’

Pai sat up and sighed.

‘What about you?’ Pai asked Snape, looking worried.

‘I have no overwhelming attachment to this house,’ he said without missing a beat. ‘We would still be in Eastland – and in the most beautiful part of it. I said I would not leave you, Paikea. Since we are all being so open here: I would propose that we live together to start with. I do not want to be apart from you anymore than you want me to. I think its time for a new beginning for us all and am of the firm opinion that the things that need to change are better handled from a distance.’

‘You sound like a man speaking from experience…’

‘Experience that ought not to be ignored,’ Witi said carefully. ‘Michael here knows what its like to make changes – look at how much he’s had to change just be able to live here. And there is something you haven’t considered…’

‘…and that is?’

‘Wairoa District is part of our territory, but Koro has no real influence there. People know what he’s like even if they don’t speak of it openly. You work there, you volunteer in the community and you do things to help without always being paid. People know you and respect you. Evolution could easily take off for Christchurch or Wellington – even Auckland itself. But you were instrumental in keeping the business here... That was a major coup for the Tairāwhiti Development Partnership and no one has taken it lightly. They say that you are in line for Senior Partner. The growth that’s happened wouldn’t have without you. Wairoa District is a huge chunk of the territory and Koro hasn’t done anything to help… see what I’m getting at?’

‘How the hell do you know all that?’

‘You forget who I am daughter,’ Witi smiled.

‘I know that you do very well for yourself, Paikea; better than you have ever really indicated,’ said Snape. ‘But I am not proposing for one minute to have you support me. As it so happens your illness has made me think of a business I could set up for myself here – albeit with a little guidance from yourself with more practical considerations… At any rate, your father’s assessment is an astute one. Given the facts you could actually do much more for your people from Wairoa than you ever would manage to here.’

‘I guess when you paint a picture like that – maybe… what’s this business that you have been thinking about then and what’s my illness got to do with it?’

‘It was Michael here that healed you, Pai,’ Witi said.

‘He did? It wasn’t you? How?’

There was a moment’s silence and looks were flying around the room.

‘What haven’t I been told then?!’

‘You were sick Pai, I mean really sick. You almost died…’ Rawiri said angrily. ‘Koro’s thugs – they went to far….’

‘…you had a brain injury, severe trauma… nothing the Pahekas at General did worked,’ Wendy cut in. ‘Not that we expected much mind you…’

‘…and they didn’t seem to give too much of a damn anyway!’ Witi snapped as the memories of Pai’s time in hospital flooded back.

‘…so Michael did what?’ Pai asked looking around at them all irritably. ‘Why can’t anyone give me a straight answer?!’

‘Oh God – it wasn’t meant to happen like this…’ Witi said helplessly.

Pai said up ramrod straight and fixed them all with a steely glare.

‘Michael is special, very special. I’ve always known that,’ she said. ‘And I’ve always trusted that in time he would explain it to me. I don’t… I don’t know the particulars – it’s just one of those things I simply know.’

Snape made a slight noise and for the first time appeared not so sure of himself.

‘You think too much of me, I’m afraid. But then you are particularly tender-hearted and especially where I am concerned. There is nothing special, nothing remarkable about me,’ he said.

‘Now look who’s talking! Whoever it was that you left behind – have they beaten you down so much that you can’t truly believe in yourself anymore – you can’t believe in you?’

Snape laughed ruefully.

‘You are correct in one regard – I do rather suppose it is exactly because of my life experience. I believed in the wrong things once upon a time. And when I “saw the light” there was no one to believe in me even if they were inclined to use me. You are quite lucky in some respects, Paikea. No matter how alone you have felt at times you still had family and friends to care about you and look after you. I don’t think I’ve ever entirely believed in myself as I ought, but I never did much to encourage anyone else to believe in me as I would have wished. Many things happened for entirely the wrong reasons. I was never able to make the kind of life for myself I would have liked.’

‘We believe in you; and you can make the kind of life for yourself that you want…’ Witi said quietly. ‘Tell her, Michael. I’m here to back you up, remember?’

‘I think this is where Nana becomes useful,’ said Wendy. ‘Let’s change places, eh Michael? Rawiri – I think we’re all a bit famished, son…’

‘Listen – omelettes and teas on me… Mum, you guys set her straight and I won’t interrupt.’

Pai sat quietly as everyone bustled around her taking their places. Her grandmother sat next to her and Snape took her old seat next to Witi.

‘Do you remember, Pai, the stories I told you and your uncle about the man that came through here once… The man that damn near destroyed our people?’ Wendy asked.

‘Mmm… that Grindelwald person. Yep, I’ve never forgotten it, ever. Sometimes I found myself wondering about that because of Koro… the way he thinks and acts…’

‘You learned well – just as I intended. Anyway, you remember what I said about where he came from and his people?’

‘You said that there were people in the world who were naturally magical; that they existed alongside us but don’t live in the world like we do. They had their own unique place in the order of things because of a great split that happened centuries ago… and that their own world was filled with troubles not dissimilar from ours – but far more complex and deadly because of the power and sacred knowledge they possess.’

Snape took the mug of tea that Rawiri handed him and looked at the young woman who had turned her life upside down for him.

‘I… I…’ he sputtered. ‘I am one of ‘those people’, Paikea.’

His revelation was greeted with a quizzical look.

‘I am a Wizard, Paikea. I was not brought up in your world and until I came here my everyday existence was filled with magic. Magic the likes of which you can’t imagine. To heal you I used skills I haven’t employed since I left the British Isles. I had to risk exposing myself to your family so that you might be healed. But I couldn’t sit by and let you die knowing that I had it within me to enable you to live.

Paikea couldn’t speak. She simply sat in silence, clearly numb.

‘Paikea…’ Snape began, hoping his voice didn’t betray how worried he felt.

‘She’s thinking,’ Witi said as he placed a restraining hand on Snape’s arm.

After what felt like an eternity, Pai spoke.

‘You could have killed them all; you could have destroyed the settlement and everything and everyone in it. You could have done things the likes of which Koro can only dream of and yet you didn’t. You willingly allowed them to beat you down like a dog and even when you protected me you didn’t go as far as you could have.

‘That’s right,’ Snape said softly.

‘You can do things that even we can’t; and that’s why I’m sitting here now. It could have my funeral you were talking about rather than Koro’s… For all that we know and can do – even we have our limits.

‘Only because of your grandfather, Paikea. I think there is more to the magic of your people than he has ever allowed. Not being able to stand with Grindelwald – I believe that was a turning point for him.’

‘It was the single biggest disappointment in his life,’ Wendy said tonelessly.

‘Incredible…’ Pai sighed.

She looked into Snape’s eyes.

‘I had a dream…’ she began as she looked down at the mug of tea Snape wasn’t drinking. She took it from him, had a sip and then placed it on the floor.

‘What kind of dream?’ the former Potions Master croaked as she took his hands into hers.

‘I dreamt of a castle with things like a Grimm’s fairytale gone mad: books that scream, brooms that fly…

‘…anything else?’ Snape sniffed, looking bleary-eyed.

‘Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn, and caldron bubble…’

‘Why am I feeling so…emotional?’ Snape murmured.

‘There was an ever-present danger. And many times it was from other people who would insist that they themselves above such things…Wizards made you what you became. But no one ever helped you to discover who you really are, have they?’

Snape couldn’t find the words to answer – all he could do was shake his head ‘no’.

‘You have unfinished business there…’

‘No, I do not,’ Snape looked at Witi and then at Pai who was clearly in another world. ‘She… what is this?’

‘Just go with it Michael. This hasn’t happened in quite a while, but it’s part of her magic… if that helps to understand it….’ Wendy whispered.

‘Yes, yes you do. They cannot carry on without you. In time they will see just how foolish they have been.’

‘I have no intention of ever going back there! My home is here now with you!’

‘Dark times are ahead and many decisions will have to be made. We will all face the choice between what is right and what is easy...’

Snape backed up and opened his mouth, but no words came out. He had heard those words before – many years ago during the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts. Dumbledore was still Headmaster then and gave Harry Potter some sound advice, advice that both would have done well to remember further down the line. Bad choices had cost both their lives. Though many mourned their loss he still could not. The pain of it all haunted him even after all this time. Bitterness and resentment ran deep.

‘You can be your own worst enemy and compound your problems by making the wrong choice for what seem to be the right reasons. You are not alone anymore, and it would serve you well in your darkest hours to remember that. I take your side, not theirs – always... I will be there for you, not them.’

Paikea still held onto his hands tightly and would not let them go.

‘I don’t want to go back there,’ Snape thought to himself.

‘I will be there for you, not them…’ came Pai’s voice in his head though she did not speak.

‘You would come with me if I was ever compelled to leave?’

‘I would help you as you will help me.

‘Are we OK?’ Pai asked as she shook him gently.

‘Yes…’ Snape answered. ‘I do believe we are.’

‘Good,’ Witi smiled.

‘Listen – I don’t know about you but it’s been a long day. Let’s have some food and talk about next steps… Wairoa…’ Rawiri said as he let out a huge sigh of relief and set plates down on the table. ‘And Michael can tell us about this venture he’s got in mind.’

‘I always wanted a proper house to live in actually,’ said Pai.

‘You and me both girl,’ Wendy said. ‘Let’s be positive, eh?’

They all sat around the table and began to plan their respective moves.

But deep down all were wondering about the dark times ahead that Pai had spoken of; dark times that would bring choices between what was right… and what was easy.