Chapter 20

All canon characters belong to JKR.

Thanks to June for her help with all of the beta work.

Chapter 20

While waiting for Madam Pomfrey to come and heal Severus’ injuries, he and Harry sat on the steps of the home in which Bellatrix had made her final appearance. Osiris assured his cousin that Draco had taken the children to Hogwarts. Then Crooks regaled them both with the tale of Osiris’ capture of Pettigrew.

Meanwhile, Lucius had Apparated back to Hogwarts and made his way to the hospital wing. Upon his arrival, the first person he saw was a smiling Draco. Lucius was relieved, as that meant Draco had safely returned with the children. He then heard his daughter from the far side of the room.

“Daddy!” cried Odette, as she rushed into his arms.

“Odette,” Lucius sighed, as he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. He pulled back and looked at her. “My sweet little girl. You are not hurt, are you?”

She shook her head, “No, I’m fine. But Raven, he’s hurt.”

Lucius looked up to see Hermione approaching him with tears in her eyes.

“Thank you!” she said as she hugged him.

“How is Raven?” he asked.

“He’s a bit roughed up, but will be fine. Where is Severus? Is he coming?” she asked hopefully as Pansy now rushed into the hospital wing. Pansy had been visiting her parents and found Harry’s note upon her arrival.

“Is Harry all right?” Pansy asked as Hermione took her hand.

“They are both fine,” Lucius nodded. He looked at Hermione. “Bellatrix had been using the Cruciatus Curse on Severus before I arrived, and then she took turns with us once she found out I had betrayed her.” He walked to an empty bed and sat down, he was exhausted. “Severus will need someone to have a look at his injuries before he can Apparate back. She also used a Slicing Hex on him, so he’s lost a fair amount of blood.”

“I’m going to him,” said Hermione, as she rushed out of the room.

~*~*~*~*~

Osiris and Crookshanks had decided to Apparate back to Hogwarts, as they wanted to see Raven. As Severus and Harry sat in silence, Severus remembered Osiris dropping something on the ground.

“Harry, hand me that trinket Osiris dropped.”

Harry looked down and picked up the small silver paw, then handed it to Severus.

“It’s just Pettigrew’s paw. Didn’t Voldemort give it to him?” asked Harry.

Severus took the object and closed his eyes.

“Wait, let me think for a moment,” Severus said. “I know something of this.” He shook his head, trying to clear the sense of confusion and light-headedness from his blood loss. If Lucius had not arrived when he did, Severus more than likely would have been much worse off. While he and Lucius had outwardly laughed at her abilities with the Cruciatus Curse, he considered Bellatrix to be one of the most proficient users of the curse he had ever had the discourtesy of meeting.

Severus smiled, “This,” he said, holding the paw out to Harry, “I believe may be the cure for Lupin’s lycanthrope.”

Harry stared at Severus, waiting for an explanation.

“This paw was made from silver coins — silver coins that were made from the Holy Grail. The same grail that one Jesus Christ was said to have drunk from during the Last Supper.”

“Those are Muggle beliefs. Is Severus Snape saying he believes in Muggle religion?” said Harry with a smile.

“Whether I believe him to have been the savior of the human race makes no difference. He did exist, and he performed many, what I am told were, miracles,” Severus looked at the paw. “The man was a healer. It matters not to me where his power came from; the fact is he had the gift of healing. It was said that if anyone sick drank from the same chalice Jesus drank from in his last days on earth, then that person would be healed. With Hermione’s help, I believe we can develop a potion using this silver paw, and cure Lupin.”

Harry took the paw from Severus’ hand and looked at it. “This Grail, how did Voldemort get hold of it?” asked Harry.

“He did not. The guardians of this relic were the Knights Templar. Back in 1307, the Knights were arrested and eliminated by King Phillip of France, who then seized their properties, including the Grail. It was melted down and made into silver coins. I have no idea how Voldemort came into possession of these coins, but I know they were authentic.” Severus heard a pop just off to his right, and looked up. He smiled as he saw Hermione now running towards him.

“Severus!” she yelled as she threw herself into his arms. She held him tightly until she heard him gasp. She then remembered what Lucius had said of his injuries, “Oh, darling, I’m sorry. Where are you hurt?” she asked, not deeply concerned.

“Am I invisible?” asked Harry with a chuckle. Hermione smirked at him.

“Don’t worry, Harry,” Hermione assured him. “I’m sure Pansy will devour you when she sees you’re safe.”

“Pansy! Oh, no! I completely forgot,” Harry’s eyes grew wide. “I left her that note. She must be worried sick. I’ve got to get to her.” He rose and handed the silver paw back to Severus, then looked down at them. “I’ll see you two back at Hogwarts.” He hurried off.

Hermione looked at Severus and smiled.

“I was so afraid,” she said with tears in her eyes. “First Raven, and then you. I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost the both of you.”

Severus reached his hand out and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Raven and Odette are fine then?” asked Severus.

“Odette is a bit shaken up, and Raven has a few broken bones. But Poppy said he would be fine by this evening.”

“Thank the gods the others got here in time.” He made to stand but grew dizzy.

“Sit back for a bit, love. Let me heal you, then we can go home.”

“Since when are you a medi-witch?” He looked at her and raised his eyebrow.

“Well, I’ve never told you this, but during the war, I asked Poppy to teach me some healing spells for some of the hexes I thought would be used the most. I wanted to make sure if you ever needed it of me, I would be able to help you.”

“How I wish I had known then, Hermione, how much you truly cared for me.”

She threw her head back and laughed. “You would have thought I was a silly little girl with a crush on her evil Potions Professor, and probably have embarrassed me for all my trouble.”

It was his turn to laugh. “Wife, you know me so well.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. And I hope you liked the addition of the Knights Templar legend. I have always thought it very interesting. And just another little tidbit on that legent. The Knights Templar were done away with by King Phillip of France on in 1307, on Friday, October 13.