Life Begins Anew

Long Chapter FYI

Chapter 70 Sanctuary

The muggle born students took advantage of the rest area that was close to the End Point on the map. Small groups entered the building to change into the school uniform of some unknown muggle school.

Hermione, Harry, and Ron laughed at the appearance of Bootstray and Slightly.

Slightly definitely looked the part of a muggle teacher. He had shaved off the beard and left a thin mustache covering his lip to take away the prominent point of his nose. Thick framed black glasses finished his appearance.

Slightly grumbled at the students. “I am an assassin and the disguise is perfectly acceptable so stop your laughing.”

Hermione tittered. “Sorry Slightly you are too perfect!”

Bootstray waited for the laughter to stop. He decided to keep his beard thinning it to conform to his face, the muggle sweater and jacket stretching across his barrel chest. He did not look like a teacher at all.

“Gather the group up Harry. I see no sense in staying in the woods when there is acceptable cover close by.”

Harry gathered up the students as they surrounded Bootstray.

“Here is your cover story. You are students of Peverall Private School in Southeast England. We have spent the last few weeks studying the clans of Scotland, ending our “educational” odyssey with a one week hike into the Highlands. We are awaiting transportation back home. I anticipate no trouble but stay in pairs if you are away from the group.”

The group split up into two columns headed by Bootstary and Slightly as they made their way to the rest area.

There were few people in the building as the holidays were over and it was a weekend in this remote area of Scotland near the border to the United Kingdom. The bored looking female attendant looked up as the large group entered the building.

Bootstray approached the attendant. “Miss I am Mr. Johnson of Peverell School. We have spent the past week hiking in the Highlands and I wonder if you would allow us to rest here until our transportation arrives?”

The female attendant looked to the group and then back to the handsome teacher. “Sure Mr. Johnson. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you. And please, call me Kelly.”

Bootstray caught the hidden message and smiled to her in reply. “Please call me Brad. Let me see to my students and get them settled.”

Kelly watched as Mr. Johnson walked back to his students and began a roll call. He was a handsome man and she hoped that he caught her subtle offer. Lord knew this job was boring enough and the man was pleasing to the eye and hinted of a power underneath those clothes.

Slightly watched Bootstray observe the attendant with unveiled interest. “I thought you were a one witch wizard mate?”

“I am Slightly. But after running and fighting for one’s life makes one consider what is freely offered. And Kelly is very pleasing to the eyes.”

***Bootstray control yourself. You do not need to draw any more attention to the group than needed. *** Sara sent to her brothers.

***A means to an end Sara. And as the young woman offered, I could make her forget about our little group, focusing on me. Are you jealous witch? *** Bootstray asked across the bond.

***Just possessive wizard. Your transportation is a red and white bus driven by R&M Transportation. I should be able to meet up with you soon***

Slightly watched as Bootstray began to chat up the attendant. That should cause an interesting reunion when Sara arrived.

&&&&&

Minerva knocked on the door to the Headmaster’s office and heard a muffled “Enter!”

She entered the office and stood by the door. “Headmaster you called for me?” She asked keeping her voice neutral. She was thankful that the traitor had kept his interactions to her to a minimum.

“Yes Deputy Headmistress. I will be away for the weekend with Mr. Malfoy for personalized instruction.” Snape told her voice brooking no question. “Also, Professor Snape has permission to be away from this school. If you need her, just floo Prince Manor and I am sure you will contact her. You have rights to the school until I return.”

“I am sure all will be well Headmaster. Thank you for informing me.” Waiting for her dismissal.

“Go Minerva and I will see you upon my return.”

Minerva left at her dismissal. She would have a meeting with her fellow professors via parchment now that all of the resident Death Eaters were away.

&&&&&

Severus arrived at the Dark Arts classroom with Draco as he banged on the chamber door of his sister.

“Please come in Severus.” Noticing Draco and looked to her brother with a question.

“As the Dark Lord is disappointed with his Outer Circle we may be called and Draco as well. We all need to be together if that is the case. I told Minerva that I was giving personalized instruction to Draco. If he reads the charmed parchment it will not arouse suspicion as I am to personally train Draco.”

Sara nodded as she motioned the pair inside. “Just inside the Forbidden Forest I have hidden a muggle bus. Severus you need to confirm where we need to travel.”

“I thought you figured it out Sara. Sanctuary is our old church from our childhood.” He sneered at her.

She pointed her wand at the two wizards, changing their appearance. Draco looked at his godfather in surprise. He was actually quite handsome. Just as he was about to say something Sara interrupted. “Brother, you are a trip evaluator and Draco is my assistant as I am the main driver. Understand?”

They both nodded as she grabbed them both and Apparated to the red and white bus parked in the middle of the Forbidden Forest.

Sara pushed open the door and motioned them inside. She sat at the driver’s seat and pointed her wand to the floor. “Portus!” She incanted as the bus disappeared and arrived on the road a kilometer from the rest area, driving it up to the entrance.

They exited the bus as she opened up the sides to pack luggage. “Stay here while I gather up the Nation.”

Sara changed herself into a dumpy looking woman and entered the building, noticing Bootstray chatting up the attendant.

She walked up to them and waited, noticing that the muggle woman paid no mind as she continued to flirt.

“Excuse me. I am a driver of a bus and as time is money. I am looking for a group from Peverall School. Do you know if there is such a group waiting?” She sweetly asked.

Bootstray broke away from his flirting. “Yes Miss. That would be my group. Let me gather them for you.” He replied as Kelly discretely passed her number to him as he walked away with the bus driver. “What is the color of your bus and your company?” He asked the dumpy looking bus driver.

“The company is R&M Transportation and the bus is red and white sir. The bus is waiting for you sir.” Sara left her wizard. He was in for a surprise shortly.

Soon the group gathered as Sara, Draco, and Severus packed the group’s backpacks into the luggage holds and entered the bus behind the students.

Sara looked at a clipboard and then approached Bootstray. “Are you Mr. Johnson? Regulations require that I am to be provided a manifest of the passengers for this trp.”

“Of course Mrs. …” Bootstray began to answer as he handed her a list of made up names.

“Forth. Sally Forth.” Sara smoothly replied as she took the manifest and added it to her clipboard. She motioned to Draco and Severus to stand beside her as she took up the mike.

“Good afternoon. One behalf of R&M Transportation let me welcome you.” She spoke into the mike as the bus became quiet. “My name is Sally Forth and I will be your driver for the entire trip. I would like to introduce Mr. Tom Cruisor as he is an evaluator for our company.” Sara silently snickered as the witches gasped out in shock as Severus waved out in greeting. She neglected to tell him that he looked exactly like a current American actor. “Also I would like to introduce Mr. Darren Master, my assistant for the trip. If you need anything please let him know and he will inform me if I am needed. This bus is equipped with inter-bus video. The movie showing for the first half of the trip is “Interview with a Vampire”. I hope that you will enjoy it. Please remain seated during the trip. If you require, a lavatory is available in the back portion of the bus. It is the pleasure of R&M Transportation to deliver you to your destination.” Sara put down the mike and started up the bus and pulled out of the rest area to make her way towards the M1. She snickered to herself once again. Wait until her brother started to watch the movie.

Draco placed the video tape into the player as instructed by Sara previously and sat down in his seat at the rear of the bus and began to watch. As the movie continued his eyes shot up in surprise. His Godfather looked exactly like the vampire LeStat. He watched as the witches tittered and pointed at Severus.

Severus’ eyes narrowed as he realized the disguise that his sister had transformed him into as the muggle born witches eyed him. So she had heard of the rumors of the school of the speculation that he was a vampire. Payback was a bitch and he would make sure that his opinion was known. He felt his Bond flare open and turned to see that his wife was silently observing him.

The trip evaluator’s body language was familiar to her as she felt their Bond open to her.

***Severus I have missed you. *** She sent out. ***I sense that you are close by***

***Closer than you know Hermione*** He sent out to her as she felt her shock at who the trip evaluator truly was.

***Oh my Severus! Who was responsible for your disguise? ***

***My sister. I will have words with her believe me. Every of age witch and some not are eying me like candy***

Hermione felt the bite of his thought. ***Hmmm. You are rather pleasing to the eye Severus but I find the real you more attractive.”

***Hush witch as I extract my revenge***

The movie ended and the passengers noticed Tom Castor stand up and took out the video tape and riffled among the cartridges. He snickered to himself as he put in “Teletubbies: Season One.” As the tape started with song.

Teletubbies come to play ....

Time for teletubbies,

time for teletubbies,

time for teletubbies....

Tinkywinky. "Tinkywinky!"

Dipsy. "Dipsy!"

Laalaa. "Laalaa!"

Po. "Po!"

Teletubbies. "Teletubbies!"

Say, Heeeeee-lo! "Eh-oh!"

Severus sat in his seat grinning as he noticed his sister looked back for a moment as the entire bus groaned out.

***Severus Snape you are evil*** She looked to him as he smiled with satisfaction.

***Yes I am***

Sara pulled the bus up to a hotel in North Hampton as she spoke into her mike. “This is where we will rest overnight as designated on my trip sheet. Mr. Johnson, my trip sheet indicates that you need to confirm this with the hotel before the passengers depart the bus.” Handing him the clipboard with the name of the muggle he was supposed to talk to.

The owner of the hotel had arrived early to his place of business to ensure everything was in order. After all, a private school had rented the entire hotel for two days was a boon as it was now the dry season. If he played his cards right hopefully the school would come back every year. He watched the door open as a tall barrel chest man in school uniform walked up to the desk.

“Are you Mr. Hadley?” Bootstray asked.

“Ah! You must be Mr. Johnson.” Hadley replied as he shook Bootstray’s hand. “Your school has booked the hotel for the next two days and I am sure you will find everything in order. The kitchens are at your disposal and the school has sent clothing to be placed in the rooms. I understand you have been in the Highlands and hope that you enjoyed your trip.”

Bootstray chuckled. “It met our educational goal and my students now have an appreciation of how it was like during the time of the clans.” Handing him the copy of the manifest. “Please make a copy as that is the only one I have. Will your establishment cover the number of students and teachers? I also require separate rooms for the three bus drivers as well.”

Hadley looked over the list. “Easily Mr. Johnson. And all of our rooms have en-suite facilities so you do not have to worry about your students sharing communal baths.”

“Very well Mr. Hadley. Do you think dinner can be served soon? I know that my students grumbled about the dry rations they had to eat the entire hike.”

“Dinner can be served within the hour. Your school was very specific on times. We have a lovely roast meal already prepared for you.” As Hadley motioned to his twelve staff members. “My staff would be pleased to assist your group in getting settled.”

Bootstray went back to the bus with the staff members trailing behind him. He noticed that the bus drivers were already outside with the luggage holds opened. “There will not be a need to unload the baggage Sally. Our school has sent replacement clothing and it is here.”

Sara nodded as she instructed Draco to close the holds as she followed Bootstray into the bus. “Listen up. The school has sent articles of clothing so we do not need to take in anything. You will check into your rooms and bathe and be back down in the lobby ready for dinner within an hour. I understand that the staff has prepared a lovely roast dinner for us.” Bootstray chuckled at the loud cheers. The last time any of them had a decent meal was just before leaving Hogwarts. He held up his hand and the group became silent. “Mr. Potter, make sure you keep the same groups and assemble them outside the bus.” Exiting the bus to address the bus drivers.

Severus, Draco, and Sara stood next to the bus watching the students form into groups. “Sally, I understand it is normally habit for bus drivers to sleep on the bus as you usually have to pay out of hand for accommodation. Please feel free to have your staff join us as our school has booked the entire hotel and there is plenty of room for you.”

Sara kicked her brother and Draco as she replied. “Thank you Mr. Johnson. You are very knowledgeable in the way things work.” The bus drivers watched as the group went in to check in and clean up.

“What was that all about Sara?” Severus hissed.

“Simple brother. In the muggle world bus drivers get paid by the trip and not hourly and most do not waste their money as a bus is available to sleep in. Bootstray knows this and extended a courtesy. We will need to wait outside a bit for the group to be checked in.”

Draco looked to Professor Snape as it reaffirmed his views that muggles were backwards.

“Oh Mrs. Sally Forth.” Severus sneered to her. “I recognized the movie and the tie in to my disguise. Heard rumors about the school have we?”

Sara looked to her brother and chuckled. “Yes Severus. Even you can admit it was funny.”

Severus looked to her in anger. “Did you see the way the of-age witches were looking at me? They will be approaching me the whole night and I HAVE to be nice to them.” He snarled out.

“Just at dinner dear brother. Then you can retire to your room for the rest of the evening.” Laughing out once again.

He just grumbled at her as they entered the hotel and checked in. Sara silently chuckled as her angry brother made his way to his room.

&&&&&&

Minerva called for a meeting in the staff lounge. She had already prepared parchments explaining what had happened to her.

“I would like you to know that Headmaster Snape is away for the weekend. If you need anything just contact me.” Pushing the parchments forward for them to read. She watched as her fellow professors read them and looked to her in shock.

Filius carefully replied. “I am available for patrol if needed tonight.”

The rest of her staff said the same thing as they wrote onto the parchment and handed it back to her.

“The schedule is set and I am sure that it is not necessary Filius. Thank you for the offer and I might call you if needed.” As she read the parchments that were shoved back to her. Good! They were with her.

Minerva looked to the group. “I will call you when you are needed.” As she looked knowingly at the group as they left.

She was pleased. All they needed was an opportunity. She had heard the rumors that the students had reformed Dumbledore’s Army. All she had to do now was find out who the leader was.

&&&&

Hadley looked at the group as they devoured the dinner with gusto. It was as if they had not eaten good food for weeks. They did look a bit rough for wear. “Mr. Johnson, I will be going now. Please alert a member of staff if you require anything.”

Bootstray shook the muggle’s hand. “As you can see the students enjoyed their meal and will soon be fast asleep. I will make a note to our school committee about the services you have provided us. I am sure we will be back again next year.”

Sally approached Bootstray when she noticed that he was finished with his meal. “Mr. Johnson can you please call your teacher and Head Students for a quick meeting to discuss tomorrow’s travel?”

Bootstray sighed, irritated at the muggle’s request. All he wanted to do was sleep in a proper bed. “Of course Sally. Come to my room in an hour and I will have everyone gathered.” He rose up from the table as Sara silently chuckled at Bootstray’s irritation. She had worked hard to make sure that their Bond did not alert her brothers to her presence.

Bootstray heard the knock on his door, and answered it wand behind his back as he let in the bus drivers. “Sally I have everyone gathered…”

Sara silently cancelled their disguises as Harry, Ron and Slightly stood up in shock at the revelation of herself, Severus Snape, and Draco Malfoy. Only Hermione remained seated chuckling at their surprise as she watched her husband pull out his wand and muttered a transfiguration to charm to make the now too short muggle suit fit his body.

“Did you really think I would leave you in hands of a muggle?” Sara coldly asked of her wizard. “I did tell you that I would meet with you.”

Ron looked to Severus Snape as he slowly approached him. “Thank you Professor. I know of me Mums death and was told by DEATH that you helped her despite the circumstances. My wand arm is yours.” He quietly stated as the magiks took hold.

Severus looked to the young wizard in shock. The student had invoked a most ancient bond that bonded the student to him. “Mr. Weasley that was not necessary but I thank you for the trust.”

“You did not want to discuss travel plans Sara.” Bootstray asked.

“No, everything is worked out.” Sara lightly replied. “I just wanted to reveal ourselves so that you and Slightly would know that you are not alone.”

Slightly stood up and made his way to the door. “Let me know if you need anything Sara. I am sure you have things to discuss with Bootstray.” He waggled his eyes as he left.

Severus grabbed up Hermione’s arm and guided her to the door. “Sara, you know where I will be.” Looking out of the door, making sure the hallway was empty.

“Where is your room Hermione?” Severus asked hoping hers was closer than his.

Hermione stopped at room five doors down from Bootstray’s room, using her room key to open the door. She felt him lightly push her inside as he closed and locked the door behind him and looked to her seeing the amusement in her soft brown eyes.

“Love I must admit robes are better suited for you.” She chuckled as she wrapped her arms around him. “But I do not miss the buttons.”

He chuckled as he kissed the top of her head. “But you must admit I was quite handsome in my disguise. I think I’ll ask my sister to make it permanent.”

“You are handsome as you are now Severus Snape!” Pushing away from him and sat on the bed as she stifled a yawn.

“All the students will be getting together in the common area on the third floor in a few hours and I promised I would be there. If I had known….”

Severus sat on the bed beside her and drew her into his arms as his eyes looked deeply into hers. “It’s okay Hermione. I have missed our Bond and I know that you have been through so much in the last two days. I am enjoying having you here beside me, and listening to your voice. I had not realized how much I missed you.”

Hermione gasped out in shock as she felt herself suddenly within his mind images of the past week flashing to her. She realized she could go back further in his mind but realized his trust and love for her.

They found themselves looking at one another panting out as they realized they had entered each other’s mind with no spell used. No words were needed as they continued to hold one another, looking into one another’s eyes.

&&&&&&

Harry, Ron, and Draco quickly exited Bootstray’s room, leaving Sara and Bootstray. Harry grabbed Draco by the neck and pushed him towards his room. “You have a lot to explain Malfoy!” Harry hissed as he pushed him into his room.

Draco looked at the angry Gryffindors and sat down. “Have a seat. It’s a long story.” He stated haughtily as he looked to the wizards.

Draco began his tale from the moment he was marked by Voldemort until the present.

Harry and Ron looked to him in shock as stood up to leave. “I promised to protect you Potter even if it means my death.” Draco quietly told them as he left the room.

Ron looked to Harry. “Who would have ever thought a Slytherin would pledge to protect you, much less a Malfoy?”

Harry looked thoughtfully to Ron. “I have two, and one of them is protecting Ginny as well.”

&&&&&

Sara looked to her wizard as the students left seeing the love and lust in his eyes while shocked at the disgust she felt. The darkness was once again in the front.

Sara held out her hand. “Bootstray touch my hand.” She coldly asked as she saw the question in his eyes as he grabbed her hand. They pulled away from one another, hissing out in pain.

Sara looked to her wizard. “Bootstray, it seems that the darkness is in control again.” Exiting the room and leaving him alone.

Bootstray dressed into a nightshirt and sighed. He would continue to pursue her. Only death would keep her from him.

&&&&&&

The next morning found the group in the lobby split up into two groups as Bootstary and Slightly took roll call and gathered the room keys to turn them in.

Mr. Hadley looked to Bootstray in worry. “Has my staff offended you that you are leaving early?”

“No Mr. Hadley, the school left the schedule flexible and the bus drivers are willing to take us home one day early as they get paid for two days versus one anyway. The students want to get back to their families as most have not been away from them for such a long stretch.” Handing Hadley a letter of recommendation. “I shall see you next year. Take advantage as the school is still paying you for two days.”

Hadley brightened at that remark as he watched his guests depart.

Sara looked to the group as they sat took their seats on the bus. They looked much better and she knew that they spent most of the night talking about their escape and the remarkable fact that they were still alive. She was glad that she added contraceptive potions to their drink as she noticed a change in seating arrangements with the of age students. Danger and constant fear does that to one and when safe… And she noticed that Hermione was sitting with Severus as some of her fellow witches glared at her as her brother had turned down each witch save her.

Sara pushed in the clutch and began her way toward Sanctuary.

It was fairly late in the evening when the bus pulled up in front of the old church. Sara noticed Father O’Connor was standing outside the church.

“Mr. Johnson, Mr. Cruisor we have arrived at our destination. Please depart with me so we can verify before leaving.” Sally stated as she opened the door to the bus.

The students watched as Bootstray left with the bus driver to the priest. After a few words they came back and Sara motioned to Draco to open the holds as Bootstray directed the students to grab their backpacks and follow him.

Father O’Connor led the students to a large open area beneath the church as he turned to address them. “Welcome to Sanctuary.”