Chapter Three: Back to Life, Back to Reality

(i) The characters and world of Harry Potter are the property of J.K. Rowling. I just play with them because they are so fabulous.

(ii) Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to leave reviews. Please, please do continue to let me know what you think of the story.

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As Eileen finished speaking, she stroked Severus’ lank hair away from his face and kissed him gently on the forehead. Then she said, “Know that I love you with all my heart. Know that the image you see now is my true form, the form that I would have taken if I had found true love. Don’t be afraid; as your mother, I feel very strongly that the next stage of your life is going to be the best part yet.”

Severus once again attempted to speak, but was once again hushed by his mother. “Let me finish,” she said tenderly. “I don’t know how long we have, and there is much for me to say. Don’t let the curse colour your thinking. You are a Slytherin; use Slytherin cunning to get what you need, be it friendship, love or contentment. Just as you have used your tongue to wound, now use it to heal. You can do this, my son, I know you can.”

Severus was speechless. Finally he seemed to regain himself and nodded slowly to his mother and said drolly, “I shall do my best, but I doubt that I shall be able to find true love in Azkaban.”

Eileen laughed. “I don’t think you’ll go to Azkaban. I think if you play your cards right that you will have a wonderful future ahead of you.”

As she said these final words, Severus felt pain like he had never known before take hold of his body. As he gasped in shock, he felt his mother’s hold on him start to lessen. “Mother,” he called in anguish, “Mother.”

“Remember my words, my son,” said Eileen. “Good luck, and know that I am with you always.”

And then, the pain took hold like it never had before, and the last thing Severus remembered as darkness overcame him was his mother’s bright and beautiful smile.

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Harry, Hermione and Ron left the Headmaster’s office and walked back towards the Great Hall.

“I’d really fancy going to bed, and perhaps a nice tasty sandwich,” said Harry.

“I know,” said Hermione, “but perhaps we should be with the others for a short while longer.” Then looking at Ron, she went on, “And I think we need to let Ron be with his family. Fred…” And then she stopped, unable to go on.

As they entered the Great Hall, Ron was immediately called over by Molly, who was surrounded by the rest of the Weasleys. Ginny was sitting with her head on her mother’s shoulder. Arthur clasped Ron to him and beamed at Harry, who sat down next to Ginny.

Hermione, however, felt extremely uncomfortable, and with a sobbing George being held by the pale-faced but dry-eyed Percy, very out of place.

As Hermione looked round the Hall, she noticed the three Malfoys, huddled together as though unsure whether or not they were supposed to be there. As she continued to watch them, her thoughts turned towards Professor Snape. All the fallen Order members and those who fought for the Light were placed together, but the body of Professor Snape was still lying in the Shrieking Shack. Wracked with guilt, the thought of his body out there alone in death, as it had been in life, felt wrong, and Hermione felt that she at least should do something about it.

Hermione looked towards Harry, but she knew that he was very tired and so very relieved to be with Ginny again. He would not really want to be disturbed. And Ron, she looked at Ron thoughtfully and realised that he would not want to help her. He had always disliked Professor Snape and would not want to go help ‘the Greasy Git’ even if he had been working for the Light. No, Hermione realised, if she wanted to bring the body of Professor Snape back to the castle, then she would have to do it herself.

Or perhaps not. Squeezing Harry on the shoulder to let him know she was moving away, she walked towards the Malfoys. Of all those in the Great Hall, they, in spite of being Death Eaters, were the only Slytherins who would care about recovering Professor Snape’s body.

Reminding herself that she was a Gryffindor, even as she recalled the events at Malfoy Manor, she approached the huddled trio. As she approached the table at which they sat, Lucius Malfoy looked up questioningly. He sneered at her and said, “What do you want?”

Gathering her courage together, Hermione spoke. “Mr Malfoy, I know you were a friend of Professor Snape. I need help in recovering his body; he was killed by Voldemort’s snake in the Shrieking Shack.”

As Hermione finished speaking, Draco looked up. He didn’t sneer at Hermione; in fact, he looked quite traumatised. “I’ll help,” he said immediately. “I’m alive because of Professor Snape.”

Lucius Malfoy looked at his son searchingly, and then said, “Yes, we will all help.”

Hermione looked around to see if anyone was watching her speak to the Malfoys, but everyone was busy with their own grief. Quickly the odd quartet walked out of the Great Hall and headed across the grounds towards the Whomping Willow. Dawn had broken, and the carnage of the battle was littered all over the grounds.

They didn’t speak; there was nothing to say. Lost in their own thoughts, they moved as swiftly as four weary people could through the tunnel, Hermione in the lead until they came to Snape’s body.

Seeing the pool of blood, the ever so pale, lifeless body of Snape, Hermione was again immobile. The only thought going through her mind was, He’s dead.

Narcissa, however, was quick to push past Hermione and kneel, unmindful of the blood soaking through her elegant if now torn and battered silk robes, beside the body of Snape. She felt for a pulse, then pulled out her wand and performed a series of complex diagnostic spells with quick precision.

Turning to Hermione she stated, “You said he was dead. He’s not dead; he’s deep in a coma, almost like a magically induced sleep.” Then turning swiftly to her husband, she stated, “Lucius, we need to take him to Malfoy Manor now.”

Lucius Malfoy leaped into action, quickly transfiguring his cloak into an illegal Portkey. Before Hermione could utter a word, the three Malfoys surrounded the prone body of Snape, activated the Portkey and vanished.

Hermione had not moved since entering the Shrieking Shack. All she could think was, “He’s not dead, he’s not dead,” which was quickly followed by the thought of how foolish she had been to not cast any diagnostic spells or to think about retrieving Snape earlier.

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The two quotations in bold in the chapter have been taken from J. K Rowling, ‘The Flaw in the Plan’, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2007) p. 597.

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A/N: Love it or hate it, please let me know what you think.