Shadows In The Rain

Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters owned by JK Rowling. I\'m only taking them out for my own devices for short time periods and then returning them. Original characters: Lucinda Moonstar and Angelina Moonstar.

The raid was like so many others that Snape had participated in,
it didn\'t faze him. Well, except the brutality, which he wanted no part
in since turning to the side of the Light. He made himself scarce, trying
to appear the obedient servant. Making his way up the stairs in the
muggles home, he heard a muffled sob to his right - three elongated
strides and behind a door - he found her.
A child, with saucer sized eyes, quietly sobbing. As he approached,
her head jerked to the left and right looking for a place to hide. Some-
thing about her - screamed out to his soul to save her. Golden blonde
hair cascaded around her face and her innocence of evil( at least, before
tonight) was evident. Pulling his wand from his sleeve - he performed
a silencing spell on her - he left her mobile to help with his ruse. Her
struggling against him would please Lucius when he told him he was
taking her back to his dungeons for his entertainment.
Snape glided across the room, grabbing the child around the waist,
she began squirming immediately. Lucius Malfoy looked up in time
to see Snape start down the stairs with the mesmerizing child.
\'Now that will be a tasty morsel - she looks like an angel - that
golden, shimmering hair - those wide petrified eyes.\' Malfoy slowly flicked
his tongue across his lips in anticipation.
\"Severus, she looks absolutely delectable. I can\'t wait to taste her.\"
His lechery was evident in his smile, his eyes, the tilt of his head and
posture - he exuded blackness.
\"She\'s mine - I\'m taking her to my dungeons - I don\'t want to hear
anything else from you. Voldemort said I could have my pick tonight
for my re-devotion of services.\" Before Malfoy could retort - Pop!!! -.
Severus apparated to the gates outside Hogwarts.
Severus heard Dumbledore, before seeing him - \'damn him\' -
Severus thought - \'how does he always know what is afoot.\'
\"Headmaster, I\'ve brought a child with me.\" Severus released
his viselike grip and released the silencing spell on her.
\"I know, my boy. I know. Minerva and Poppy will be here in a
moment. Is she hurt, injured in any way?\" Dumbledore asked through
ragged breaths.
\"No, not physically. I claimed her as entertainment to save her
from the hell they would have put her through. When I saw her - I
just couldn\'t bear the idea of her being used that way.\" Severus
spoke - but couldn\'t understand his urge to explain himself - he
never had before.
Poppy, the Medi-Witch, reached them first - she held out her
arms to the child. The young girl melted into her arms - feelinafe afe with a woman immediately.
\"There, there. Come with me child.\" Poppy exchanged a glance
with the men, letting them know she would be in the medical wing.
Minerva followed them back into the building, offering the child
another shoulder to cry on.
Severus felt like he\'d been in the middle of a hurricane for the
last few minutes. Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder and
guided Severus to his office. It was their habit, after a raid for
Severus to report immediately with all the details.
\"Sit down. Would you prefer a whiskey instead of tea tonight?
Since school is not in session - you can sleep in tomorrow.\"
\"Yes, Albus that might calm my nerves. I can\'t understand why
my instincts were so focused on getting that child out of harms way.
I don\'t intentionally try to hurt others - unless I\'m being watched.
All of a sudden - she was there - so innocent and angelic looking.
I wasn\'t going to let those beasts have her.\" Severus looked up
suddenly, realizing he was explaining himself a second time
tonight.
Reaching over his desk - Albus handed Severus a glass of
Ogden Whiskey and shook his head slightly. Wondering to
himself, exactly how much should he tell Severus, not the
entire truth. Not yet anyhow.
\"Severus, the house you were raiding - was the home of Ashley
and Brad Blossom. Thery were muggles who adopted Angelina - a
pureblood who had to, still has to be protected. Her parents were
murdered by Deatheaters shortly after her birth. The information
I am about to tell you - must not leave this room until Voldemort
is dead or there are other dire circumstances. Angelina\'s parents
were James Potter and Lucinda Moonstar. James did not die the
same night as Lily - that was kept secret. He was severely injured,
near death - for a long time he gave up and courted death. Event-
ually, he was taken in by Lucinda - whose family has a long history
as healers. She brought him back and gave him a reason to live.
They married secretly - but someone at the Ministry betrayed
them - Voldemort sent his Deatheaters to finish him off. Angelina
was born hours before and I took her immediately - neither of her
parents wanted her to come to any harm. She is three years
younger than Harry. She is extrinarinarily special - more than
you can imagine at this moment. My boy, are you alright?\"
Severus had turned a lighter shade of gray than usual and
for a moment Albus was afraid he would pass out.
\"Voldemort\'s weakened condition must have been the reason
he could not tell that James was still alive. Albus, this means I
have another Potter to instruct for seven years, doesn\'t it? There
aren\'t anymore hidden somewhere - are there?\"
Chuckling Albus assured him there were no others and confirmed
his assessment of Voldemort\'s weakened condition.
\"Is there more, Albus? This still does not explain why I felt so
protective of her.\"
\"Severus, that is a matter for the future. I can not speak any
more than that. I know that seems unfair, but I will say this -
your instincts were as they should be and if you ever feel the
need to protect her again - follow that urge. Do you understand
me?\"
Severus answered positively - although he still felt that he
was standing in the middle of the lake in heavy fog, unsure of
which way to turn.
They spoke for a while longer before Severus excused himself.
As he neared the door - he looked back - he could have swore
he heard Albus tell him to \'follow your instincts, my boy\' but
Albus was already gone - Severus shook his head as he closed
the door. He was too weary to think on any of this any longer.
After his shower, Severus had no trouble falling into a restful
sleep. No nightmares tonight - it was the best nights\' sleep he
had gotten in over twenty years.