The Aftermath

A/N: I own none of the canon characters or situations. No money is made from the writing or publishing of this story.

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When I awoke, I heard voices muttering outside the shack.

A worried female voice shook with grief. The woman said, "We have to make sure he receives a proper burial. Potter said Riddle killed him to control the Elder wand. All this time, we thought he murdered Dumbledore; he was working for the Order all along. He should be honored, celebrated."

"Minerva, he will be. I shall see to that," a smooth, deep voice said, trying to reassure her.

"Thank you, Kingsley, I mean, Minister Shacklebolt." I could hear the smile in her voice as she corrected herself.

The door opened then and the two people entered. The older woman gasped, and a tall black man reached over to steady her. Looking back, the sight greeting her must have been a shock. Severus had been propped up against a wall, alive, but still unconscious, with dried blood all over his clothes, his neck, and his hands. I was lying at his feet. My own clothes and hands were covered in his blood; my face and hair were coated in the grime of the battle. Orby was at my feet, equally dirty from assisting me and from running about the battlefield all night.

"Oh my!" Minerva gasped.

I pulled myself into a sitting position and reached out to check Severus' pulse. It was strong and steady. I cast a couple diagnostic charms. All of his systems were functioning far better than I had hoped. He would need more antivenin and a long convalescence, but he would recover.

"Young lady, what is the meaning of this?" the tall wizard asked. His wand was trained on me, but there was no malice in his eyes, only caution.

"You must be Healer Prewett," Minerva's voice cut across the other wizard's. "Poppy said you were helping her but she lost track of you. Are you okay, dear? What are you doing with Severus' body?"

"Body? What? No, wait. He's alive." Both witch and wizard gasped. "He's weak, but he's stable. The attack was brutal," I choked out, "but he had an antivenin in his coat. I had Dittany and some Blood-Replenishing Potion. Orby has been helping me. What time is it? What has happened? Is the battle over?"

Tears were streaming down the older woman's cheeks, undoubtedly not for the first time this night. This time, her knees did give way. Kingsley stepped forward and caught her. He lowered her to sit next to Severus. He turned to me.

"Healer Prewett, Voldemort is dead. Harry Potter has vanquished him. Our side suffered many losses, but the battle is over."

"What of the Weasleys?"

"Fred Weasley fell; I'm sorry to say. The others survived with only minor injuries. Molly defeated Bellatrix Lestrange."

I nodded. I had already known one of twins had been lost. Sadness at the confirmation mixed with relief that there were no further losses in the family.

He continued, "Several Death Eaters fled, but most fell. The Malfoys are in custody, and we must figure out how to handle Severus here."

"Harry told us he was killed." Minerva could barely speak. Her voice betrayed that she was fighting more tears, and her eyes didn't leave Severus.

"The children were here when he was attacked. It was awful. I was Disillusioned. They didn't see me. I thought I could protect Ron. After Fred ... " my voice faltered. Kingsley nodded and crouched next to me. He placed his large hand on my shoulder in an attempt to soothe me.

"Go on, if you can, please."

"Voldemort trapped him with the snake and ordered it to kill him. It attacked; you can see the bandages and the blood. So much blood." I looked at my hands, which were covered in his blood. "I was sure there would be nothing I could do. I'm sure the kids thought the same thing. Harry collected a vial of something from him. Tears, maybe? I don't know; I was trying to figure out if I could help."

"Memories," Kingsley interjected simply. "Snape gave Harry a series of memories about his past, his role in Lily Potter's death, his time as a Death Eater, his joining the Order, and his work to protect Harry all this time."

"Lily Potter. Harry Potter. His mother. That makes sense now. When the children left, Orby and I were about to go after them. He moved, or sighed, or something. It was enough to show us he still lived. I started using healing spells and Dittany; Orby administered Blood-Replenishing Potion. I knew the snake was poisonous. That was the monster that bit Arthur Weasley, isn't it?"

"It was. The snake is also dead."

"Where is the snake's body? We made need it yet."

"It lies in the front courtyard of the school."

"Orby. Please, go put it in stasis." Orby smiled at me.

"Orby did that while Miss Elizabeth slept. I gave the bad snake man a good kick on my way by too." It was obvious he was very pleased with himself. Minerva and Kingsley chuckled. I patted Orby's head.

I turned back to Kingsley. "He had an antivenin in his coat. Is this man a Healer? An apothecary?"

"A Potions master. He is a brilliant one who probably knew that Voldemort would soon turn on him. Snape was too powerful for someone like Voldemort to keep alive if he didn't need him, especially if Voldemort thought Snape controlled the Elder Wand. Snape must have known the snake was a popular weapon, and he tried to plan for such an attack. But how did you know he carried it?"

"Legilimency. He told me in his mind. He thought I was this Lily at first."

Minister Shacklebolt looked at me a bit closer. "You do look like her. Not an exact match, but given Severus' state, I can understand the confusion. Your hair in particular would make someone think of her. It is a bit darker than most of the Prewetts. You don't have the Evans' eyes."

I snorted. "That's what he said. Then he yelled at me to get the antivenin from his pocket."

"Oh, you cranky bat," Minerva sniffed. She was kneeling next to him, weeping. You could see relief, fatigue, and regret written on her face. "Oh Severus, I'm so sorry I didn't understand."

A muffled whisper, barely audible, answered her, "You sentimental old Gryffindor, I was a damn good spy. Of course you didn't understand."

She gasped. Kingsley looked shocked.

I leaned over to him. "Don't speak, Mr. Snape. Your throat is badly damaged. I did my best to help you, but, well, this isn't a surgery."

"I'll speak when I want."

I stood to my full height and cast a Silencing charm. If looks could kill, well, let's just say I'm glad they can't.

"You will be quiet, Mr. Snape. Healer's Orders. Now, I'm sure you have a lot to say. I can cast Legilimens and share your answers with the others. Or we can get you quill and parchment."

Minerva tried to stifle her laugh. Kingsley turned his head to the side, but I could see his dark eyes were full of mirth. Apparently, Severus Snape wasn't used to being told what to do by random witches. He glared at me, his black eyes boring into me. Suddenly, I realized that he was casting Legilimens. Wandlessly. And in his weakened state, that was quite a feat indeed. Heavens, I knew how to pick my opponents, didn't I? This man was extremely powerful.

"Healer Prewett, if you will, I'd like to inquire as to the outcome of the battle."

"Voldemort is dead. Does this please you?" I spoke aloud, even though the others could only hear part of the conversation. I figured that was better than nothing.

"And the Potter brat, does he live?"

"Minister Shacklebolt, how is Harry Potter?"

"He is shaken, but he is well. I believe he is napping in Gryffindor tower." Snape actually rolled his eyes.

"What of Draco Malfoy and his parents?" He motioned for me to ask, which I did.

"Draco, Lucius and Narcissa are all fine. They are currently being held in the Great Hall. There will be a trial. They are the only surviving Death Eaters that did not flee."

His eyes burned. "Lucius was only protecting his family. He wanted to defect over a year ago. Narcissa never harmed anyone. Draco is but a boy."

"He says that Draco and Narcissa are innocent. Lucius was only protecting his family."

Kingsley raised his hand and spoke firmly, "Severus, I promise you, the trial will be fair. You will be able to testify on their behalf. The fact that Narcissa betrayed the Dark Lord and saved Harry Potter will undoubtedly bode well for her. Draco apparently saved them a few weeks ago also."

Severus didn't need words to express his reaction to that news. His eyes were full of incredulity. He looked back to me and mentally sighed, "I should like to see my old friends."

"He would like to see them, sir."

Kingsley nodded. "I will see what I can do. Healer Prewett, should we move the Professor to the hospital wing?"

Minerva cut in just then. "Kingsley. Is that wise? Not everyone knows Severus' true allegiance. I don't fully understand it myself. Until he can speak for himself, perhaps we should keep him out of the public eye."

"Where do you suggest?" Kingsley eyed Minerva cautiously.

"Malfoy Manor. Kill two birds with one stone. Put the Malfoys under house arrest. Bind their magic until the trial and move Severus there quietly. Healer Prewett and Orby can visit and tend to him."

Kingsley furrowed his brow. "The idea has merit. I shall return." Kingsley turned on his heel and strode out of the shack confidently.

"Professor McGonagall. I should like to go see my family. If they know I'm here and cannot find me, they will fear the worst."

"Of course, dear, I shall keep watch over Severus until Kingsley returns."

Orby handed me the necklace Portkey, and we headed back to the hospital wing. I gave the little elf a hug and asked him to go eat and rest. He frowned at first, and then I assured him I would need him later and wanted him to be ready to go. At that, he beamed.

Poppy had obviously not slept. There was a Healer from St. Mungo's that had arrived to relieve her, but Poppy was refusing to leave. The plan was to move most of the patients to St. Mungo's, but there were a few that couldn't be moved, so the hospital was going to send one Healer and one Mediwitch per shift to Hogwarts until they were ready to be moved. Ironically, I decided I was going to have to take the same approach with her as with Orby.

"Poppy, please, you must rest. I am going to check in with the Weasleys and I will be back soon to help. You must rest. I'm sure they would appreciate you taking some of the shifts here, but you need to be rested. We can't have you falling ill as well."

"I should go visit with some of the families." I eyed her sideways. "It will take just a few minutes, and then I will go. I was just informed before you arrived that Miss Brown's parents have arrived. They were told she was attacked by a werewolf but survived; I'm sure they have many questions."

"How is she?"

"She's sedated for now with Dreamless Sleep. The wounds are still quite painful, and she will need time to accept the scarring, the poor dear."

"I'll walk with you Poppy." I nodded to the St. Mungo's Healer. "I will be back in a bit."

"Where were you all night, Elizabeth? Orby said you were seeing to a patient and needed his help on the battlefield. He said you were helping a dark man, so I feared it was Kingsley. But I saw him a little while ago, and he's clearly uninjured."

"Poppy, I hate to say this, but I shouldn't say." Poppy's eyebrow rose. "I know, I'm not a fan of secrets, but I must wait. I will tell you as soon as I can."

"So, it was Headmaster Snape?" My eyes must have given it away. "Do not fret, Elizabeth. I will tell no one. Young Mr. Potter was in here to have a few cuts treated and told me the story of the snake and the shack. Orby had said that you were in the Shrieking Shack. It isn't too hard to figure out."

I smiled. "Kingsley wishes to have him moved to somewhere private before revealing that he survived. He's afraid of the controversy that would surround the man. He's still badly injured, but St. Mungo's is not where he belongs."

We had reached the Great Hall. I could see my sister and her family standing near the makeshift morgue where the bodies of the fallen were lying. As I approached them, I could feel my throat closing. Poor Fred, he was so young and always so full of life. I wondered how George would cope. The whole family had always been so close. I could see their red-rimmed eyes as I drew nearer. Then I caught sight of something that made my heart plummet even further. Remus and Tonks lying side by side in death was a sight I almost couldn't bear. It was so tragic and yet strangely beautiful as the same time. Tonks had become a friend as well as a patient in the past few months. And Remus was a kind and fair soul who cared deeply about people. That beautiful baby would grow up without knowing his wonderful parents.

"Aunt Lizzy!" Ginny called out, "We didn't know where you had gone." She gasped, getting a better look at me, "Are you hurt?"

"What? Oh, no. It's not my blood. I've been tending to patients most of the night. I'm fine. I'm so sorry about your brother, dear."

"Thank you," Arthur said, stepping forward. "We're glad to see you are safe. Thank you for coming. I heard you and Poppy saved many lives last night."

"I wish I could have saved Fred. I wasn't there. I'm sorry." I reached for my sister. I embraced her, trying to pour all of my love into that hug.

Percy spoke up, his voice as somber as his face, "Fred was taken instantly; there is nothing anyone could have done. At least he did not suffer."

I hugged my nephew. I knew he had been estranged from the family. I did not know he had returned to his family's side. I embraced them all, feeling their grief, trying to provide some comfort.

"Will you return to the Burrow with us?" Arthur questioned.

"Of course she will, Arthur," Molly forced out. I hesitated. I felt like an intruder. "You aren't leaving us, yet, are you?"

"No, Molly, I'm not going back yet. I may see if St. Mungo's needs extra staff for a few months."

"Excuse me." I turned to see Minister Shacklebolt behind me. "Healer Prewett, could I speak with you for a moment?"

Arthur shot me a look. I shrugged and turned to follow Kingsley. He led me off to a small room off the side of the hall. I was surprised to find it occupied. There were two Aurors with their wands loosely pointed at three people. All three were extremely pale, extremely beautiful, and extremely fatigued; a man, woman, and a teenage boy. The man was clad in Death Eater robes.

"Healer Prewett, these are Aurors Robards and Savage. The three prisoners here are Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy, and Draco Malfoy."

I was severely confused what this all had to do with me, but I nodded. "Hello. Minister, is there something I can help you with?"

"Perhaps," he paused. "You see, the Malfoys are a bit of an enigma. They are known Death Eaters, so it would seem that they should be taken into custody. However, it turns out that some vital information about the Death Eaters activities made its way into Order hands; the evidence points to it being obtained and leaked by Lord Malfoy. Lady Malfoy lied to Voldemort while Harry was briefly incapacitated during the battle. She most likely saved Mr. Potter's life. Young Draco here failed to identify Harry and his friends when they were captured and taken to Malfoy Manor earlier this spring, even though he surely knew it was them. So it seems that while they were certainly a party to illegal activity, they have also each helped the Order in recent days."

"I don't see how this relates to me."

"Healer Prewett, I find myself with a rather large number of injured witches and wizards. Some will require rehabilitation and a rather long convalescence. I need more good Healers to assist in that goal. St. Mungo's, as you know, has recently had some – issues – with management under the prior Minister. They are dreadfully shortstaffed. They also lack the beds needed to accommodate all the extra patients."

"That brings me to the Malfoys. A trial is necessary to determine their fate, given the mixed evidence. Imprisoning them seems prudent, but at the same time, the trial may not occur for quite some time. House arrest seems to me to be a reasonable compromise. As a term of the house arrest, Mr. Malfoy has offered one of the guest wings of his home to be used as a temporary hospital. I would like you to serve as the Healer for this hospital.

"There will be two Aurors on duty round the clock, and the Malfoys will have their wands bound and tracked until the trial is over. They will be able to perform simple charms and spells, nothing harmful, and the Ministry will have a record of all magical activity performed by their wands. The wards will be modified as a condition of the house arrest; they will be magically bound to the property. Ministry and hospital employees, you included, on the other hand, will be able to Apparate on and off the grounds. Your house-elf may accompany you. The Malfoy elves will become wards of the Ministry until after the trial and will also be there to assist the hospital.

"Healer Prewett, this facility will be for rehabilitation. In particular, there are some special patients that I would like to see kept out of St. Mungo's for their safety and privacy. This would allow you to oversee their care. There are also some that may benefit from your Muggle training."

"I see. Minister, I would be happy to help, but as of now, I am set to return to America in about three months."

"I will take three months. Hopefully by then, most of the patients will have been released, and St. Mungo's will be back on its feet. Oh, and one more thing I would like you to consider," he paused.

"Yes?"

"I would like you to stay at the Manor; that would allow you to oversee your patients more efficiently."