Through The Looking Glass Again - Alternate Ending Two

Nevermore by Pearle

Summary: The war is long over and life has settled into a comfortable routine. Harry and his team of specialists have been charged with tracking down and dismantling Dark objects. While not part of the team, Harry has had occasion to call on his best friend's husband to help them. What started out as routine turned out to be anything but. One question remained: how was he going to explain to Hermione her husband had been turned into a bird?

A response to SouthernWitch69's chapter challenge. Challenge rules follow chapter one.

Disclaimer: The characters, settings, etc., of the Harry Potter series are not mine; they belong to J.K. Rowling and Co. I promise to return them when I am through. Well, most of them anyway.

~~~ Nevermore ~~~

Chapter 7 – Through The Looking Glass Again

Alternate Ending Two

Hermione's hands shook as she turned the page. "They're not here. Why aren't the rest of the runes here?"

Bill had taken it upon himself to try and break the curse, even though the original meaning was not fully known. With Minerva's help, they had been able to detect several layers of spells and curses. Diligently, they attacked each layer, hoping they could still turn Severus back to human form. The raven complained loudly, cawing almost continuously as he was poked and prodded with their wands.

"Please stop that racket. You're giving me a headache." Hermione sat back, rubbing her eyes, a headache threatening to overtake her. "Do you want to turn back into a human, or not?"

Crookshanks sat on the hearth, tail twitching, his eyes alert as he watched the humans waving sticks around the bird. There was something not quite right about the raven, he just couldn't figure out what it was that bothered him about the black bird.

Hermione watched intently as Bill and Minerva worked through the counter-curse.

"All right, ready for the final layer?" Minerva raised her wand and looked at Bill. "On three. One...Two...Three!"

Witch and wizard recited the final incantation to break the curse, in tandem. A bright light shot from the ends of their wands, fusing together in a cloud of smoke and engulfing the squawking bird.

When the light and smoke cleared, there sat...the raven.

"Nothing," said Harry gloomily.

Hermione threw herself down on the couch, tears streaming down her face. "It didn't work, he's still a bird."

Tonks tried to comfort the distraught witch. "Well, look at it this way, he'll be good at teaching your child how to fly, and think of all the money you can save on owl treats if Severus delivers your letters."

For some reason, the young woman's comments made Hermione cry all the harder.

"I don't understand it. That should've worked." Bill waved his wand over the raven in a series of intricate movements, each designed to seek out and identify a curse or spell. "Here's the problem, this sequence should've been performed first. There's still one spell left. Minerva, you need to stand back. This part's rather tricky."

They watched in tense silence as Bill concentrated on breaking the final curse. The spell was chanted at almost a whisper, his wand movements precise as he broke through the final barrier. Again, a blinding flash of light, enveloped in smoke, shot from the tip of his wand and surrounded the raven. The young man staggered back with the force of the magic he'd cast.

When the light and smoke cleared...the raven was still sitting there, unchanged.

"It's late. Let's call it a night and pick back up in the morning. Don't worry, Hermione, we'll find a way to turn him back." Harry hugged her tightly. "I promise you, I'll find a way to get him back. We're close, I can feel it."

They left quietly, and for the second night in a row, Hermione was left to contemplate the future while staring at the raven. She cried silently, not wanting to let her tears upset the bird. It was sometime later she fell into a troubled sleep.

Morning came, and once again Hermione ordered breakfast for the two of them. The sound of their side door banging against the stone wall, followed by a snarl, startled her. Quickly, she drew her wand and moved into a defensive stance. "Who's there?"

"Hermione?"

The sight that met her eyes took her breath away. There stood Severus Snape, tired, dishevelled, and sporting a two-day growth of beard, but alive...and human.

"Severus?" she asked, not daring to believe her eyes. "Is it really you?"

"Of course it's me. Who were you expecting? I'm going to kill Potter when I get my hands on him."

Hermione launched herself at her husband, hugging him fiercely. "Oh God, I can't believe you're back."

Severus held her tightly; glad to finally be home. "Hermione, why is there a raven eating breakfast on the coffee table?"

Hermione looked from Severus to the raven, and back again. "If you're you, who's that?"

"Pardon me?"

She pointed at the raven. "If that's not you, than who is it?"

Severus raised one brow questioningly. "You thought the raven was me?"

Hermione sat on the couch and regarded the black bird. "Harry said there was a bright light and you disappeared. The raven was standing where you had been, so naturally we all assumed it was you. If that's not you, where have you been the last two days?"

"Russia."

"Russia?"

"The mirror was an illegal Portkey. Malfoy must have created it as an escape hatch. It transported me to a cave in the Ural Mountains. It took almost two days to figure a way out of there without my wand. Fortunately, Durmstrang was within Apparating distance from the cave. I was able to arrange an emergency Portkey back to Hogwarts this morning." Severus eyed the raven. "There were several birds in the cave. This one must have got caught up in the transfer of magic. The mirror must have transported him here when it sent me there."

"It's funny, the raven seems almost human. I mean, he seems to understand what I ask it."

"I'm not surprised. The raven is one of the most intelligent birds; it even seems to possess a sense of humour. The fact that this one lives in a magical world may enhance that intelligence."

"Well, at least we can stop trying to decipher the runes now." Hermione looked at the partially translated spell.

Severus glanced at the parchment. "This is 'travel', not 'transfer'. The line crosses the bar too low for it to be an 'F'. Also, that should be 'you', not 'your'. When the rune is missing the ending curve, you don't add the 'R'."

Hermione stared at him in amazement. "Since when do you read ancient runes? Do you know what it says?"

"Of course I read ancient runes. Some very old and powerful potions were recorded this way." Severus studied the parchment for a moment. "It says:

A spell used for common travel might not

bring you as far out as I can"

The seven of them had spent two days pouring over countless volumes struggling to decode the runes, and Severus breezed though it as if it were nothing. Hermione hugged her husband again. "I don't believe it. I'm so happy you're you. Wait till Harry and the others see you."

"Harry and the others. Care to have a little fun?" Severus smiled evilly.

"What did you have in mind? They've spent the last two days trying to bring you back. I should think you might thank them for their effort.

"I will, I will. But first..." Severus cast a Disillusionment Charm and disappeared from view. "...I think Severus the raven should talk to them."

Hermione laughed. "All right. But only for a few minutes."

A knock at the door signalled the arrival of Harry and his team.

"Just follow my lead and pretend nothing's changed," the disembodied voice of her husband told her.

Hermione opened the door and let the others in.

"All right, I think I know what I did wrong yesterday." Bill addressed the raven. "Hold still, Severus, I'll have you back to human form in no time."

Once again, he cast the counter-curse on the squawking bird. Light and smoke shot out from the end of his wand and engulfed the angry raven. When the smoke cleared...there sat the raven, still unchanged.

"I don't understand why it didn't work."

"I will thank you to not singe my tail feathers," the raven said, Severus's voice appearing to come from the bird.

"Professor?"

"Severus?" Hermione said, looking surprised.

Harry nodded toward the bird. "Keep trying, Bill, maybe this is the first stage."

"Well, look at it this way, even if Bill doesn't change him all the way back, at least he can talk to you and the baby now." Tonks smiled encouragingly at Hermione.

"Baby? What baby?" Severus shimmered into view. "Hermione, what's she talking about?"

"Professor!" Tonks shouted happily.

"Snape!"

"I told you I was pregnant, well, I thought I was telling you, who knew you weren't that ruddy bird." Hermione smiled up at her husband. "Severus, I'm pregnant."

Severus hugged his wife, too shocked for words.

"I never meant to tell you like this, but when you showed up I was so excited to have you back, I guess I forgot to mention it." Hermione buried her face in his chest, drawing strength from his presence.

"Have him back? Where were you? How long have you been here?" Harry's voice rose in anger. "What's going on? If you're you, who's that?" he asked, pointing to the raven.

"That seems to be the question." Severus sat wearily on the couch, the last two days taking their toll on him.

"I was transported to a cave in Russia. The mirror is an illegal Portkey. I only made it back about ten minutes before you showed up."

Hermione summoned tea while Severus related the details of the last two days.

Harry nodded at the wizard as he spoke, noting the circles under his eyes and the state of his clothing.

"It's your fault I spent the last two days trying to get back here. You didn't even try to find me," he growled, glaring at Harry.

"How can it be my fault? Didn't I tell you not to touch the mirror? That you should wait for the others? It's your own damn fault. We thought you were transformed into the raven, so why would I look for you?"

"Harry! Severus! That's enough. It doesn't matter whose fault it is. The important thing is he's back." Hermione glared at the two men.

"It wasn't my fault," Harry muttered. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the wizard's wand. "I think this belongs to you."

Severus nodded stiffly. "Thank you."

"Well, I guess you'll have to teach your child how to fly the traditional way now, riding a broomstick like everyone else instead of flying along next to them," said Tonks with a smile.

"My child."

"Actually, you missed Hermione yelling at you: 'You can't be a bird. I'm pregnant.' Now that we know that's not you, it's rather funny." Remus chuckled at the image.

Hermione made a face at him. "Don't you all have something to do? Shouldn't you be going?"

"I have to say, I liked you better as a bird, even if it wasn't you. Tonks, Bill, Thomas: we need to dismantle that mirror. The cave will need a thorough going over, too. No telling what else it could contain." Harry cast a glare in Severus's direction. "Time for me to leave you two 'love birds' alone."

"I think it would be a good idea if we all left. I have a substitute taking your classes today. I'm sure you can use the time to rest up from your ordeal. " Minerva smiled at Severus. "I'm glad you're back, and congratulations to the two of you."

Severus nodded at his friend and colleague, a sad look passing between them, both of them thinking of Albus and how thrilled he would have been at the happy news.

"All he ever hoped for was for you to be happy. You will come and tell his portrait about the baby, won't you?" Minerva asked.

"I'm sure he'll blind me with all the twinkling he'll do." His voice softened as he thought of his friend. "I'll stop by your office tomorrow; right now, I need a hot bath and some sleep."

Bill cleared his throat, grinning at Severus and Hermione. "You know, I didn't say anything before because you were so upset, but Fleur just found out she's expecting, too. Just think of it, our children'll start Hogwarts together. Any possibility you can make it a Weasley, Snape, and Potter trio, Harry?"

"Any chance I can have another go at that mirror before you dismantle it, Potter?" Severus dragged a hand wearily across his eyes.

"Severus!" Hermione glared at her husband.

"I believe I'll go home tonight and see what I can do, Bill." Harry smiled evilly at the dark man.

In the end, Severus thanked everyone for their efforts, still maintaining it was Harry's fault, before disappearing into his bedchambers. Hermione once again expressed her thanks as she let everyone out.

"Hermione?"

"What's wrong? Are you all right?" Hermione entered the bathroom, bringing with her a gust of cool air into the steamy room.

Severus was stretched out in the tub, his hair damp at the edges as he leaned back against the rim. "Why don't you join me?"

After missing her husband and thinking she would never see him human again, Hermione thought joining him in the tub was an excellent idea.

.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Crookshanks watched his mistress hurry off to answer her mate's call. He eyed the raven pecking at the leftover biscuits on the tea tray. While the raven did not radiate evil, as did some of the other creatures and humans the half-Kneazle had come in contact with over the years, there was still something...different about the bird. His tail switched back and forth; he would bide his time.

The raven devoured the remaining biscuits on the tray. These were the best accommodations he had ever experienced; he just hoped it would last. Cawing loudly, he stretched his wings and flew out through the enchanted window for a bit of exercise.

.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

They made love slowly, enjoying each other's body, each expressing their love for the other with actions instead of words.

Both spent, Hermione leaned forward and captured Severus's lips in a gentle kiss. "Care to take this someplace drier?"

It was quick work to dry off and move into their bedroom, sliding nude between the cool sheets. Severus sighed; he hadn't realised how tired he was.

Hermione snuggled into his side. "Tired?"

"Mhm. Just glad to be back."

"What are we going to do with the raven?"

Severus stroked her back absent-mindedly. "Well, we could keep it as our messenger. I'm sure that's what Malfoy used it for."

Hermione nodded. "And you're not upset about the baby? Do you mind?"

"Do I mind? It will be our child, how could I mind? I don't want a Quidditch team, but one or two might not be too bad." Gently, he stroked her stomach. "A baby. I can't believe it."

"Severus, one is a given; I'm already pregnant." Hermione leaned back to look at him.

Pulling her back down, he gently kissed the top of her head. "Let me take a nap. We can practice for the next one when I wake up," he said sleepily.

It was good to be home.

TBC

Half-Blood Prince

"Nothing," said Harry gloomily.

A/N: Just the epilogue to go; it's worded as such that both endings will tie in with it.

A grateful thank you to my beta, Nakhash, for her corrections, suggestions, and never-ending supply of commas, she is truly the best of the best. Another set of eyes is always helpful, the mistakes, however, are still mine.

Let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! As always, thoughts, comments, reviews, whatever are most welcome.

Pearle