A Song for Severus ~ (Not Update, but Edit)

Chapter 79 ~ Transition

Remus was a nervous wreck the next morning and had to shower twice before they left for the Ministry. He and Eloise had spent the night at Hogwarts, the muggle spending much of her time with her arms wrapped around the wizard as he ran, whined and snarled in his sleep. Eloise’s heat was over and she’d be “safe” for the next few months.

Albus wanted to provide him with a set of new robes, but the wizard thought it best if he go into the Ministry’s presence as is. He didn’t want to appear to be “showing off.” He was a humble sort and always had been.

Severus showed up without Hermione, who was busy gathering her tools of war and said she’d meet him at Albus’ office. They had a wonderful night together, one of the tenderest they had ever shared. Severus had been gentle, strong and possessive, though he told her not to expect such soft treatment all the time. He had his needs. Hermione didn’t mind this…she had her own dark little needs after all, but it had been a beautiful consummation of their “agreement,” and she awoke feeling safe and loved in the wizard’s pale arms.

Rubin arrived early, and Severus noticed the farmer didn’t look too well. He was wearing dress robes and seemed a bit pale. Possibly he was nervous, but the Potions Master didn’t like the way he looked and offered him a seat when he entered Albus’ office.

”How are you this morning, Rubin?” Severus asked him as his black eyes washed over the wizard after Rubin sat down.

The farmer rubbed one hand over his face.

”I’m fine, Severus. A little tired and winded though. I guess it’s because of all the excitement. I’m just a simple farmer and not used to all this hullabaloo,” Rubin replied.

”Perhaps I could get you a calming draught?” Severus suggested.

The dark wizard had come to respect the old farmer and was actually concerned.

”No, that’s all right son. I’ll be fine,” Rubin said, giving the sober wizard a small smile.

Severus left him alone after that, but watched the man closely.

Carrying a satchel full of reduced protest signs, Hermione was the last one to show, her hair pulled back in a pony-tail, a pullover sweater, jeans and trainers. She looked decidedly muggle. It was about nine in the morning. A few sweet rolls, sausages, tea and coffee were set out on a small table, but no one was eating.

They all sat in silence, Albus sitting at his desk with a peaceful expression on his face, tapping his fingertips together as the rest of the group watched him.

Finally Severus said, “Headmaster, is there a reason we are just sitting here?”

Albus nodded, and continued to tap his fingers together. Suddenly there was a knock on the door and Filch hobbled in, carrying the Daily Prophet.

“Here you go, Headmaster,” the squib said, walking up to the desk and handing the paper to Albus, who thanked him and opened it.

Filch turned and his rheumy eyes fell on Remus. They lit up.

“Fine job, Mr. Lupin…a brave thing you did, sir,” Filch said, hobbling up to the wizard and offering him his arthritic hand.

Remus looked up at him and slowly took it. Filch had called him sir. He hadn’t been called sir by an adult in many years. Filch gave him a horrendous grin, bobbed his head in deference and left, everyone looking after him.

”Well, the ball has been set in motion,” Albus said, turning the Daily Prophet around so all could see the front page.

The headline read as follows

FENRIR GREYBACK’S REIGN OF TERROR ENDED
BY FELLOW WEREWOLF REMUS LUPIN

Below the headline was a picture of a very sober Remus with his arm in a sling, holding up the head of Fenrir.

“Shall I read the article?” Albus inquired.

Everyone nodded with the exception of Remus and Severus, though it was easy to see they were just as interested as the others.


“Fenrir Greyback, infamous werewolf and Death Eater wanted for more than thirty-five murders and a number of turnings, met his end two nights ago at the hands of Remus Lupin, a former Hogwarts Professor and fellow werewolf. Fenrir Greyback was the werewolf who originally gave Mr. Lupin the malady when he was only five years old. The werewolf’s death ends a reign of terror that spanned decades.

The death occurred on the farm of Mr. Rubin Fezwig, and was witness by renowned Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, famed Potions Master Severus Snape and Eloise Hedgeberry, a recent muggle victim of Fenrir who now has the werewolf malady as well. Mr. Lupin overcame Fenrir after a brutal struggle and decapitated him, a well-known and effective method of killing a werewolf.

Mr. Lupin will be delivering proof of Fenrir’s demise to the Ministry sometime today and will be collecting a large reward in the amount of one million galleons for his heroic deed.”

Albus put the paper down.

”Not very sensational,” Eloise commented.

Albus smiled.

”Miss Skeeter reported the news in the proper manner, stating only the facts. But…”

Here Albus grinned broadly.

”You must note that she said Remus will be claiming his reward without any reference to the possibility that he will not collect it. By stating this in such a widely read periodical, she has set in the public’s mind that Remus is deserving of such a reward. It was a stroke of genius. If the Ministry refuses to give Remus the reward he has earned, there will be a public outcry. I imagine even now the Ministry Council is meeting and trying to decide how to deal with this matter in relation to current werewolf laws. I also imagine there are quite a few people waiting to see Remus deliver Fenrir’s head,” the Headmaster said.

”I bet the goblins at Gringotts are meeting as well,” Hermione said, frowning slightly, “They aren’t going to want Remus keeping a million galleons in a buried chest someplace. I bet the policy of werewolves not having bank accounts changes, and changes quickly.”

“I think we should go,” Albus said, rising, “The time is right.”

Everyone rose, except Rubin, who suddenly looked ashen. Remus looked at him and rushed over as the old farmer grasped his left arm and started gasping.

“Rubin? Rubin! What’s wrong?” Remus cried, grasping his shoulder with his good had, his eyes wild as the farmer’s mouth moved but no words came out.

Severus moved quickly, pushing Remus aside and grabbing Rubin, hoisting him out of the chair and into his arms.

“Quick, the floo! The infirmary!” the wizard shouted, striding toward the fireplace with the wizard. Rubin was no lightweight, but Severus had no problem carrying him.

Hermione quickly threw a handful of floo powder into the fireplace and shouted, “The infirmary!” The flames turned green and Severus ran through, Hermione, Remus, Eloise and Albus following quickly.

”Poppy! An emergency! Heart attack!” Severus bellowed, running with Rubin into the nearest privacy enclosure and laying him on a cot. He immediately began to unfasten the old farmer’s robes. Remus ran in and stood at the head of the cot, his eyes wet with concern and worry.

”Hold on, Rubin,” the werewolf breathed as Eloise appeared beside him, tears running down her face as she grasped Remus’ arm. Hermione and Albus entered also and stood by silently.

“Try to cough, Rubin!” Severus said to him as he pulled the robes aside, “It will help ease the pain!”

Rubin tried coughing, his eyes turned on the Potions Master. He didn’t do very well as Poppy rushed in with her wand drawn and a number of vials. She squeezed in beside Severus and put the tip of her wand against Rubin’s chest, muttering a spell.

The farmer gasped several more times, then his breathing eased. Poppy turned to the group standing about.

“You all have to leave while I examine him. There are a number of chairs near my office. Wait there,” she ordered.

Remus stood there, unwilling to leave the man who had been like a father to him for the past three years.

”Come on, Remus,” Eloise said softly, “He’ll be taken care of.”

She gently pulled the wizard away and through the privacy curtain…following Severus, Hermione and Albus.

Remus followed her and dropped heavily into the chair, letting his face fall into his hands. They waited for more than an hour as Poppy thoroughly checked the farmer.

Presently, the medi-witch emerged from behind the curtain, a somber look on her face as she approached the waiting group. Remus rose.

”How is he, Poppy?” the wizard asked, his eyes searching her face.

“He’s comfortable for now…but I’m afraid his heart is very badly damaged, too damaged to heal,” she said to Remus softly, placing a hand on his good arm.

“No. No. Rubin was healthy as a horse,” Remus said to her.

”I’m afraid not, Remus. He must have hidden his illness from you. From the damage, I’m sure he’s been having small episodes for a while now,” the medi-witch said.

Eloise listened to Poppy and remembered a number of times when she and Rubin were doing chores, Rubin stopped working, perspiring heavily and pulling out his handkerchief, wiping his brow. He would sit down for a few minutes and rub his arm. But she thought he had just been sore and hot from working. She never dreamed he had heart trouble. Guilt washed over her.

She needn’t have felt guilty however. Rubin wasn’t the type of man to complain and was well aware he was ill. But he didn’t want to convalesce in some hospital or home for the aged, alone and without family. He would rather die at his home, doing the things he loved and with the people he cared about…Remus and Eloise. Remus had become like a son to him, and he loved the werewolf. That love was returned.

“How…how long does he have?” Remus rasped as Hermione pressed her face into Severus’ robes, the wizard holding her with one arm.

”I can’t say, Remus. A few hours perhaps,” the witch said.

Remus blinked back the tears filling his eyes, then he turned to Albus.

”I’m not going to the Ministry, Albus. I have to see about Rubin,” he said, his voice catching, “Fenrir can wait.”

Albus nodded, understanding. Rubin meant the world to Remus Lupin. He intended to sit vigil with him until he passed.

”Poppy, make arrangements so Remus can be comfortable,” the wizard said.

Eloise stepped forward.

”I’m staying too. I would have been lost without Rubin,” she said softly. Remus looked at her then drew her into a tight embrace, squeezing his eyes tightly.

Poppy nodded and went about getting chairs and another two cots situated in the room.

”Albus, I wonder if I might collect a few students to take to Rubin’s farm to see about his livestock,” Severus asked the Headmaster, “Those slated for detention. I will be sure they collect their missed class work.”

”Yes, Severus. The names are in the file cabinet to the right of my desk in my office,” the Headmaster replied.

Severus nodded, then looked at Remus.

”I’m very sorry, Remus. Rubin is a fine man,” the Potions Master said soberly.

Remus looked at him, and wiped his eyes.

”Thank you, Severus,” he replied as Poppy came out from behind the drawn black curtain.

”I’m sorry too, Remus,” Hermione said softly, her heart going out to the werewolf.

She hadn’t known Rubin long, but he was a kind man and good to both Remus and Eloise.

”Thank you, Hermione,” Remus said.

Poppy looked at the wizard sympathetically.

”You can both go in now. He’s sleeping,” she said to Remus and Eloise. They thanked her and entered the enclosure, drawing the curtain back.

Albus shook his head.

“A very unfortunate turn of events,” the Headmaster said, “Rubin Fezwig is a very good man who lived a good life. He will be greatly missed.”

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That night, at ten fifty-two PM, Rubin Fezwig passed from the magical world peacefully, in the presence of people he loved and who loved him. He never regained consciousness.

Remus and Eloise clutched each other as Poppy announced he was gone, tears flowing freely.

”It’s not fair,” Remus gasped against Eloise’s throat, “I was just at the point I could repay him for all his kindness. He might not have accepted money from me, but I could have made some improvements around the farm, purchased more animals…hired him some help. If only I had known he was sick…I could have helped him more.”

Eloise rubbed Remus’ back, looking on the peaceful visage of Rubin once more before Poppy drew the sheet over his head.

“You did help him, Remus. You were like the son he didn’t have. It was easy to see he loved and cared about you…and you cared about him. He would have been alone…but because of you…he wasn’t,” she said softly.

Standing by the bedside, Rubin Fezwig looked at the two mourning werewolves. He was dressed in his plaid shirt and work trousers, his straw hat planted firmly on his head.

”It’s going to be all right you two. It was time for me to go. I lived a full life and it was happy in the end because of you. And because of you, I was able to avenge my son and my wife. I’m satisfied and at peace now,” he said softly.

Remus looked up suddenly as warmth washed over him. He blinked and looked at Rubin’s body…feeling comforted somehow.

”That’s right son,” Rubin said with a smile, “It will be all right.”

Suddenly a door appeared before the old wizard, pure white and shining with a golden knob. Rubin eyed it a moment, then reached out and twisted the knob…opening the door. A woman stood there, heavy-set with kindly blue eyes and brunette hair.

”Rubin?” she said in surprise.

The farmer stared at his wife. She never looked more beautiful.

”Rita? Rita, is that you?” he asked, staring at her in disbelief.

Rita smiled, her cheeks rosy with warmth and love.

”Yes, it’s me, Rubin…and I’ve been waiting for you for a long, long time,” she said, opening her arms.

Rubin pushed his hat back and stepped through the door into his wife’s embrace. It felt like coming home after a long, lonesome journey.

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A/N: :::sniff::: Thanks for reading.