Enlightening Visitations

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o 34 o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enlightening Visitations

~H~

When Hermione entered the Auror security wing on the fourth floor, she was pleased to see David coming out of a patient's room into the main corridor. He looked up and smiled at her. "Hermione! I'm surprised to see you here," he said, closing the chart in his hands as she approached him.

"I'm here to see Severus," she said, coming to a stop in front of him. "How is he really? It's been days, and I thought he was doing well, but he's not back at school yet. Did the spell fail somehow?"

David cupped her elbow and gently ushered her over to a sitting area. "There's no problem with the spell you created – it's just that there is a complication."

Hermione gasped and leaned away in shock. "He's not – but your letter?!"

"Hermione, there is a complication due to Severus' previous neurological condition – from a snake bite," he said, tucking the chart under his arm.

She'd not considered that.

"The venom was apparently a very rare type that acted as both a neurotoxin, affecting his peripheral and central nervous systems, and hemotoxin, affecting his heart and pulmonary functions as well. Fortunately, his cardiovascular and pulmonary scans are fine, and his central nervous system is not currently affected, but his peripheral nerves were. So it's his sensory and motor functions that have been affected. He can move, but his agility and dexterity are sluggish, and he's weak. Also, his magical abilities are diminished."

The information he presented whirled around in her mind as she struggled to make sense of what he was saying. "How badly?" This information was contradictory to his letter, and she should have been told the truth.

"Rudimentary level only – but he's showing signs that as his neurological condition improves, his magical abilities should, too," he said and then quickly added. "I'm really hopeful."

Hermione nodded in understanding. Well, she understood what he was saying, but not how an injury that had happened almost four moths ago could be having such a profound effect now. She tried to recall the information she'd read recently about neuro-regeneration and pulmonary regeneration potions that Professor Reynolds had assigned for his essay. Because of Severus' near lethal encounter with Nagini, it had become a topic of great interest to her.

She thanked the Healer and walked to Severus' room. He was sitting up in bed, reading. "Hi," she said, closing the door behind her.

"What are you doing here? I thought I said you were to stay at the castle," he said, his tone even and low but he was apparently unhappy to see her, and she was a bit taken back by his demeanor.

"I had Auror escort," she said as she sat down. His eyes narrowed so she quickly amended her statement. "Harry, Ron, Loraine, and Kingsley met me at the school, and we took a Portkey to the alley beside the hospital. Harry and Kingsley are in the visitor's lounge, waiting to take me back."

"That tells me who, Hermione. Not why," he said, letting the book drop onto his lap.

"I-I wanted to see you," she stammered slightly. Articulated like a nervous first-year. She took a calming breath. This was not the way this was supposed to be going. She was worried, and he was being so cold. "How are you doing?"

His lips pursed momentarily as he stared at her. "Better."

"David said you're having difficulty moving," she said, hoping to draw him out into talking about it.

He closed his eyes and exhaled, then looked at the wall.

"If you won't tell me, I can go ask your Healers and..."

His head snapped in her direction. "No. You'll return to school where you belong."

"So much for building a relationship based on trust," she said, rising to go. "If you won't talk to me, there's no point..."

"I feel... numbness occasionally," he admitted, and she sat back down.

She tilted her head to try and get him to look at her. "David indicated that your motor functions are impaired. Something about there being an interruption in conduction of the impulse in your nervous..."

"Did he? Did he tell you he thinks it's a complication with my nervous system because of the snake bite?"

"Yes," Hermione said, folding her hands in her lap. He looked pale, the light green of the hospital robe not helping his complexion. "You should get outside more often; the body produces vitamin D from sunshine," she suggested and flinched at his scowl. "Are you being given Remyelination Potion? It can generate new neurons, glia, axions, and myelin sheaths, as well as help the synapses..."

"I'm taking neuro-regeneration potions," he stated.

He had no reason to be so dismissive of her. She was here because she cared about his well being. He could be a bit nicer to her, after all. "Aristolochia rugosa and Aristolochia trilobata, or Dutchman's Pipe, are very beneficial for treatment against snakebites and scorpion stings because the aristolochic acid inhibits inflammation induced by the immune complexes in the body, and nonimmunological agents..."

"Stop quoting the book at me," he snapped and closed his book.

"You read Medicinal and Ethnoveterinary Remedies of the Healers of Trinidad, by George K. Bridgewater?" she asked, since he'd recognized the quote.

"Naturally. I have my own copy, as well as Bioprospecting the Phylogenetic Piscine of Magical Venoms, by Jared J. Herd. Whom do you think made the potions to cure Arthur Weasley?" he asked, closing his eyes and shaking his head. When he looked at her, she saw the old look he used to give her in class. "Healers Javidan, Lansing, and Cadwallader have been reviewing my journals from 1995 and '96 on the subject as well as my annotations in my journal in regards to my previous treatment."

"Oh," she said. That makes sense. Mr. Weasley's condition took a dramatic turn for the better just about the time of Severus' visit...

"Yes. Oh." He laced his fingers and rested his hands on the book.

"How did he get them?" It had just slipped out. That wasn't really what she wanted to ask him, but the way he smirked told her he'd expected the question.

"Draco Malfoy, of course."

She was shocked; that was not the person she was expecting him to say. "He's been here to see you?'"

"As was Narcissa," he said smoothly. "I've told you, they are my friends. Narcissa came here to answer Healers Lansing's and Cadwallader's questions regarding my snake bite and recovery. Now my turn."

Hermione smiled and crossed her ankles. "All right," she said.

"How are things in school? How do you like Professor Reynolds?"

She almost smirked at his change of subject, taking the focus off himself and onto her. He really hated talking about himself. "Things are much quieter this year, considering there isn't any huge mystery to solve, and I can concentrate on my studies," she said, and for a second it looked like he was about to smile. "I like Professor Reynolds well enough. He's competent. His directions are clear, and so far his essays haven't been too bad. I really enjoyed researching the last one. And I'm really enjoying Professor Avoian's lectures. He really loves history, and his lectures are truly engaging."

He nodded slightly in approval, encouraging her to continue. She relaxed and began telling him about her lessons and how far behind she was. "I have five essays to finish by tomorrow," she admitted.

He glanced at his bedside table and then back to her face. "Which essay were you working on last night?" he asked, and Hermione wondered if maybe he was thirsty.

She stood up and poured a glass half-full with water as she answered, "Neuro-regeneration and pulmonary regeneration potions for Professor Reynolds." She handed him the glass but he shook his head. "I'm sorry I thought... Why don't you want it?"

"Hermione," he said in warning.

It dawned on her – he was embarrassed to be seen as weak. "Is it because of your weakened motor functions?" She move closer and brushed his hair back from his face. "Try; I don't mind, and I don't see you as weak, only healing. There's a huge difference."

"I'm not thirsty," he said, but his gaze was locked on the hand holding the cup.

"Severus, you keep indicating that you want this to be a marriage," she said, and his gaze snapped to her face. "Wives do this for husbands; if they're ill or injured, a wife takes care of her husband. It's not a weakness to let me help you. Besides, if the tables were turned, you'd do the same for me, wouldn't you?"

He frowned, his eyes hardening as he regarded her, possibly angry... He was behaving so typically male, as if needing to prove his masculinity, having to always appear strong and virile, but right now she was seeing behind the mask, and she knew he didn't like it at all. "Being injured doesn't mean you're weak. It only means you have to heal."

Maybe she was pushing too far. "I'll go." She turned to place the cup on his bedside table.

"Yes, please."

She turned to look at him. "The water..." he said, leaving the actual request unsaid.

She held the cup up for him, and his hand covered hers, guiding the cup to his lips.

"Thank you," he said after only a sip.

"More?" she asked, hoping he wasn't stopping because of her. He accepted, finishing the water. She refilled the cup but he shook his head. She attempted to put the cup in his hand, and his eyes narrowed as he watched her. "You don't have to worry about my opinion regarding your masculinity. There is no doubt in my mind – so this gruffness and unwillingness to show me that you are temporality weakened from your condition has made no impression on me."

He crossed his arms at his wrists, but didn't answer her, so she set the glass down on the table.

Feeling at a loss, she looked at the book on his lap, surprised when she realized he was reading A Farewell To Arms by Earnest Hemmingway. "I've read that one. Actually, I've read all of Hemmingway's books. A Farewell To Arms is practically an autobiography of his time in the war," she said.

He smirked. "I'm aware of that."

"That I've read it or that it's a personal account of his experiences?" she asked with a smirk.

"The latter," he stated. "When did you read it?"

She smiled at his question. "I started reading them... the summer before I got my Hogwart's letter. You see, my father loves his works, and I wanted to... What?"

He shook his head and smiled. "Which did you prefer?"

They spent almost an hour discussing Hemmingway and various other Muggle authors. Hermione was delighted, realizing that they shared, at least in part, a similar taste in fiction. So that when Harry knocked on the door and poked his head in, Hermione felt like she'd found another connection to Severus.

"Hermione, we have to go," he said, quickly adding, "Hello again, Professor."

"Potter," Severus replied without the bitterness Hermione was used to hearing whenever he said her friend's name.

"Sure, Harry, one moment." She placed her hand on Severus'. "I have to go. I don't know when I'll be able to come and see you again."

He squeezed her hand. "Don't. I don't want you to."

She sighed in disappointment, dropping her gaze to their hands.

"Hermione, no matter what precautions you take, if word reaches Dragen or any of his associates that you came to see me, they will stake out the street and alley by the hospital. I'm surprised they haven't already. It's not that I don't trust Potter and Kingsley to defend you if there is an attack; it's a huge risk that I don't want you making. I want you at the castle," he annunciated his last five words firmly, and she nodded. "You have your studies to concentrate on. Write me if you wish, and I'll respond."

She let his words sink in before looking up at him. "All right, if you insist. But if you're not better in two weeks, I'm coming back." She stood up and leaned forward, intending on kissing his cheek, but he turned his head and captured her mouth in a kiss.

"I... er... I'll wait outside," Harry stammered as Severus buried his fingers in Hermione's hair so he could deepen the kiss.

Hermione had to brace herself, one hand on the bed and the other on the headboard, so she didn't fall on him and hurt him. Severus turned slightly, and she sat down, trying to be careful where her bum landed. His other hand found her hip, urging her to shift closer, and she complied, finding herself in his embrace. For someone who was weak and having diminished motor control, his embrace was oddly strong.

His hand at the nape of her neck moved slowly down as he angled his head to trail kisses to her neck, and she felt him stroke her breast through her jumper. She still tried to keep some distance between them so she wouldn't crush him, but that only left room for him to fondle her.

She moaned, and pulled back. "I feel like I'm molesting you," she said breathlessly, mentally shaking her head to dispel the headiness he was eliciting.

His hand stroked her leg up toward her groin and rested there. "I would think it is I who is taking advantage of you," he said smoothly.

His words sent a shiver through her. "I..." She was interrupted by a knock on the door and Harry poked his head back in. "Have to go." She eased from the bed and backed up. "Please get better."

"I will," he said, smirking as she turned to leave.

~S~

Severus crossed his arms over his chest as he watched her leave. The encounter went very well in his opinion. He'd been surprised to see her, and he'd have to have a stern word with Kingsley and Potter about it, but over all it was very illuminating. She cared very deeply for him and still wanted him to open up to her, which meant she did want the relationship. Their physical attraction to each other was as strong as ever, considering her responsiveness. Winning her was going to be much easier than he'd thought.

He turned and reached for the glass, picking it up and lifted it to drink. His hand still had a barely perceivable quiver, but nothing like she was led to believe. He tapped the rim of the glass against the pitcher. "Fill half way," he said and smiled as the pitcher rose and refilled his cup.

He leaned back against his pillows and concentrated, making the water glass rise from his hand and float in the air before him with two consecutive wandless nonverbal spells. He made the glass float to the windowsill and set down. He smiled smugly. Holding out his hand, he summoned the glass to him. The glass lilted once and he frowned. He repeated the exercise two more times before filling the glass with more water and trying again. The third time the glass tipped lightly, making a small amount of water spill out.

Frustrated he drank the water and levitated the glass back to his bedside table as Healer Cadwallader entered the room. "Awesome, how did it go?"

"Well enough," Severus stated.

"Ready to do it with a wand?" the Healer asked, taking Severus' wand from the drawer.

"Wandless takes more concentration," Severus said as Cadwallader refilled the glass. He repeated the exercise four more times, making the glass move in a wide zigzag instead.

Cadwallader held the wand out to him. "But you and your wand need to be reconnected, and that will take practice."

Severus held his wand in his hand, and for some reason, it wasn't responding as well as it should. His wandless abilities were growing stronger, but he was not up to par with his own wand.

~H~

When they'd returned to the school gates, Hermione wanted to linger in Hogsmeade with Harry for a while before returning to the castle, however Kingsley and Harry wouldn't even consider it. "With everything going on, it's much better if we hang out on the school grounds," Harry insisted, indicating the gate that was opening up to admit them.

"Fine, if you insist," she grumbled and slipped inside.

John Dawlish greeted them as they passed him. Hermione said, "Hello," spotting Professor Reynolds standing only a few feet away, talking to Hagrid.

"Minister, a word," John said, drawing Kingsley's attention.

"Hey, let's go up. I want to see the castle and maybe find Ginny," Harry suggested, making Hermione laugh.

"In that order," she teased him.

"Well, only in order of occurrence, not necessarily my order of preference," he replied with a wiggle of his eyebrows and a huge grin.

Professor Reynolds and Hagrid both waved at them as she and Harry walked by. "Do you want to stop and see Hagrid?" she asked, waving back.

"Ron and I stopped by to talk to him before Kingsley and Loraine arrived," he said, and then added, "I'll stop by later on my way out."

The two men started to follow them up the path to the castle, and she sighed. "Over doing the security, don't you think?" she grumbled.

"John was obviously sent to open the gates, Hermione; I'm not sure what business Professor Reynolds has with Hagrid," he replied. "I assume they are going up to the castle the same as we are, nothing more." He asked her about school as they made their way up to the castle.

She told him about her new celebrity status, and he chuckled. "They'll get over it quickly enough," he stated, pushing open the huge oak doors to let her enter first. "Or you'll simply learn to ignore it."

"It's still annoying," she admitted. Several students stopped in their tracks, pointing at them as they crossed the Entrance Hall and ascended the stairs. "I suppose I never really understood what your first year must've been like, not really. The recognition, everyone watching you all the time..."

"Welcome to fame, Hermione. It sucks."

She laughed, ignoring the cluster of students they passed on the first landing.

She was glad that Harry had chosen to stay for a brief visit, but his appearance in the common room caused a huge stir the moment he entered. Many of the first- and second-years who'd never met him before wanted autographs and to ask him questions, to which Harry obliged. He'd spent a full ten minutes signing his Chocolate Frog cards for them before waving off the rest and walking over to sit with Hermione.

"Oh, my gosh! Harry!" Ginny squealed from the common room entrance. He stood up, turned, took a few steps toward her as she ran over to him and nearly crashed into him as they embraced.

"I've missed you," he said as they clung to each other.

Her arms tightened around him. "Me too." They kissed briefly, then they broke apart and joined Hermione on the sofa by the fire. The girls told him everything about what had been going on since school started, and he did the same about the Auror program and his part in the Death Eater search. "You never write to me," Ginny pouted, playfully hitting his arm.

Harry leaned back, rubbing his arm in shock. "I write once a week! To both of you! You made my owl attack me until I did, remember?" he said in his defense.

"And I had to in order to hear from you," Ginny insisted.

As Hermione had anticipated happening, Harry turned to Hermione. "Do you mind if I..." he stammered, pointing to Ginny.

"Want to be alone with Gin – I figured you might. Go on," she said, smiling at them. She went up to her room as Harry and Ginny left the common room for somewhere more private.

Harry and Ginny had disappeared for several hours, so she'd spent the time working on her essays until dinner. Harry reappeared with Ginny and sat in his old spot between Hermione and Ginny at the Gryffindor table, which caused quite a stir throughout the Great Hall, even at the Slytherin table.

Following dinner, Professor McGonagall invited them to have pudding with her in her office. She was so delighted to see Harry, she actually hugged him. Harry gave her a much abbreviated version of his Auror training and activities. When the bell tolled the hour of the younger students' curfew, Professor McGonagall exclaimed, "Oh, my – where did the time go!"

"Harry, I'll walk you to the Entrance Hall," Ginny suggested, hoping that Professor McGonagall wouldn't object.

After saying good-bye to Harry, Professor McGonagall asked Hermione about Severus.

*

The rest of the week flew by with very little incident. Hermione wrote to Severus on Monday, sending her letter right after breakfast. His response arrived on Tuesday without any speculation as to when he'd be discharged. She wrote him back that night, and asked Ginny at breakfast if she could use her owl to send it to him.

On Hermione's prefect rounds, she encountered nine third-years splashing in the prefect bath and deducted five points each, then caught four couples engaged in trysts in various spots around the castle, one, a Hufflepuff and a Slytherin actually engaged in the act.

True to her word, or threats depending on how she looked at it, Ginny had dragged Hermione to both Quidditch practices, and even managed to get her out on a broom for a little while. On Saturday, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna spent time together out by the lake, enjoying the sun and watching the squid as they talked.

However, Hermione spent all her available time in the library or sequestered on her bed trying to catch up on her school work, forever feeling like she was dragging behind. That dreaded feeling she hated, which always made her feel anxious.

Whenever Luna was in the library the same time Hermione was, she always came and sat at Hermione's table. It surprised Hermione how nice it was to have the girl's company, working quietly and companionably on their school work. More than once, they offered reading suggestions to each other, and Hermione was amazed at just how smart Luna really was, in her own dreamily-spoken, unassuming way. Even Luna's undaunted serenity seemed to rub off on Hermione during those times, creating a deeper friendship and understanding of the girl.

As much as Hermione wanted to look up the collation between neurologic conditions and magical ability, her class assignments left her little time to do so. She did manage to catch up on her essays by late Sunday night, and by Tuesday, she was finally current on her reading assignments and Arithmancy equations.

By Thursday, knowing she was well ahead of her reading, and far along on her new essay assignments, she felt relaxed enough to spend some time talking to her dorm mates. Alestra and Veronica were the first to relax around her, but they were both still fascinated by the hunt for the founder's artifacts, the Gringotts break in, and Hermione's memories of the war. Wendlynne, Hermione assumed after watching the girl, was painfully shy until she got to know someone, so she knew that it would take some time to befriend the girl, but Sunita still stared at Hermione as if she were larger than life, regardless of how often Hermione tried to draw her out.

In regards to Nadine and Deborah, they reminded Hermione very much of Lavender Brown, only really interested in boys, clothes, makeup, and boys – not necessarily in that order – and frequently wanted gossip about her and Severus. So Hermione figured that of her dorm mates, Alestra, Wendlynne, and Veronica were likely to become friends with her, which suited her just fine.

Friday, at breakfast Hermione received letters, one from Neville telling her about the Untwert plumoria he'd found and his enjoyment in camping in the mountains, and a friendly hello from Hannah, asking her how things in her life were going and telling Hermione about her job working in the Crock n' Carafe pub. Hermione wrote letters back to her friends, as well as one to Ron and Harry. She was about to write to Severus, but hesitated. She hadn't had word back from David regarding his recovery, and she was becoming concerned again. Deciding that she needed to find out in person, she went to Professor McGonagall's classroom before lunch to ask permission to go see Severus again.

"Mrs. Snape, as much as I'd like to allow the privilege, I'm afraid that the decision must be up to the Auror office. The Death Eaters have made two attacks, as you are aware if you've followed current events in the Daily Prophet, and I'm not sure that an Auror would be available to escort you."

"I'm sure Harry and Ron would after their shifts." It wasn't the answer she'd hoped for. Hermione sighed, her shoulders involuntarily slumping, then she looked up, remembering something. "Isn't there a direct connection between the hospital and the school?"

"Yes there is," the stern matron stated. "However, only Madam Pomfrey is authorized to open it, and only if there is an extreme emergency. When that connection is activated, an announcement is made at the Urgent Care Healer station to alert the staff."

"I see," she looked up and forced a smile on her face to hide her disappointment. "Thank you."

Professor McGonagall laced her fingers together on her desk and smiled indulgently. "If it will make you feel any better, I received a message the other day from Elaine Prevatt, Clerk to the Administrative Offices of the Hogwarts School Governors, that the Healers assured her that Severus will be returning to Hogwarts soon."

"How soon?" she asked, hoping she didn't sound petulant.

"I'm sorry, dear, I really don't know; it's up to his Healers to decide when exactly he is fit to return, but the news I have is that he is recovering his strength nicely," she said, and Hermione knew that she'd just have to write to Kingsley and ask him if she could have an escort to St. Mungo's.

Kingsley's response came with the post the following morning.

Dear Mrs. Snape,

Minister of Magic for the United Kingdom

Hermione crumpled up the letter and set it afire in her goblet, then left the table to write to Harry. She was going to find a way to see Severus again or, at least, get some proper answers.

~S~

Severus was released from the hospital, against Healer advice, two and a half weeks after Hermione's visit. He'd recovered physically, at least to the level he'd been before the curse, only his magical strength seemed off. His personal assessment associated his lack of ability to his wand and its unresponsiveness to his hand. Severus leapt into the air from the dark alley beside the hospital, relishing in the freedom of flight, pleased that this ability was undiminished. He returned to his home at Spinner's End to seek answers in his personal library, and then flew to Malfoy Manor to search through the books there. The only conclusion he could come up with was that somehow he'd been disarmed and his wand acknowledged another owner, but that didn't fit with what he knew about wand lore.

His first order of business, after forcing his way out of St. Mungo's, was to seek out Ollivander in his shop the next morning and inquire about a new wand. Diagon Alley was fairly quiet, with only a few shoppers scurrying about, quickly attending to their business. It was the same as during the war, and until the last resistance of the Death Eaters was caught, it would likely remain so.

Ollivander's shop was the same as when he was a child of eleven, seeking to buy his first wand with his mother. He'd been granted monies from a school scholarship, so his first cauldron and his wand were the only items that he'd bought that day that were new. For that reason, the small shop, dim except for the single ceiling lamp and the light from the large window, always held a fond memory for Severus. Ollivander seemed to materialize from the floor-to-ceiling shelf as he stepped into view.

"Headmaster, how good to see you up and around," Mr. Ollivander said as he stepped up to the counter. "How may I be of service?" The man was still thin from the imprisonment during the war, and his face deeply lined, but his silver eyes, that seemed to glow from within, were as penetrating as ever.

"I have come to ask you about my wand," Severus replied, laying it on the counter.

"Ah, yes, birch with dragon heartstring, twelve and a half inches, strong yet supple... It's served you well all these years, has it not?" Ollivander examined the wand carefully. "Interesting... I heard that you'd been hit with the Inferi Curse," he said without taking his gaze off the wand.

"Yes," Severus replied, waiting for the wandmaker's impression.

"And that you were near death," the wizard asked, finally looking up at him.

"So I was told," Severus admitted calmly.

"And this one – why do you wish to destroy it?"

The question for some reason shocked Severus. "No, I will keep it, but I need one that responds to me." The silent, questioning expression of the wandmaker made Severus realize he'd have to admit why. "It feels... intrusively unfamiliar to me now as if it were another's."

Ollivander nodded as if finally understanding. "It feels clumsy, and your spells are less powerful..."

"Yes," Severus admitted, thinking that he was possibly making a mistake. His lack of control may simply be from his previous injuries and nothing more.

"The wand chooses the wizard, but alliance can be changed, it's rare, but happens when someone conquers someone else's wand. Any powerful wizard can channel magic through any instrument he desires, but the strongest magic is when the initial attraction creates an affinity bond between a wizard and a wand. And this connection strengthens even more as wand and master share experiences. Break this bond, and the wand will bend its will to the new master."

This was not the answer Severus had expected. He'd heard about this, but the facts of changing wand loyalties were seeped in myths. "I thought one had to kill to master another's wand," he asked, wondering if the old stories were false.

"Not always so," the wandmaker replied.

"I'd still like to replace it, then," Severus said sadly.

Ollivander gently placed the wand on the counter and moved through the shelves, pulling out one wand after another. None actually felt right in Severus' hand.

"I wonder..." the wandmaker murmured, walking to the back of his shop. When he returned, he handed Severus a black wand. The wand emitted a soft glow, and when he attempted to change a box lid into a glove, the feeling was intrinsically friendly and supple – admittedly even stronger feeing than his original wand.

"Black birch, twelve and three quarters, strong yet supple... the phoenix feather core is from Dumbledore's own familiar, given to me just before he died," Ollivander said with a mysterious smile.

Severus studied the wand, refusing to think about the implications of the wandmaker's statement. He paid the seven Galleons and seven Sickles and left the shop.

His second order of business was to find out which Death Eater had disarmed him.

"I want to be alone with him," Severus stated emphatically as he peered into the window of the interrogation room.

"All right," Kingsley replied, backing up. "But I'll be watching you just in case."

MacTavish's eyes widened in recognition and his mouth opened slightly when Severus entered the interrogation room. "You – but you're..."

"Dead? An Inferi? No, sorry to disappoint you," Severus said smoothly setting his old wand on the table, scrutinizing the other wizard. "So where to begin. Where is Dragen?"

"I'm not telling you that," MacTavish snarled. "And you stay out of my head."

"Not a chance; he attacked my wife, and I will find him to pay him my thanks," Severus said coolly, watching every miniscule move the wizard made.

MacTavish's eyes narrowed, but Severus caught the quick glance at his wand. "Thanks? Yeah right. You're helping them hunt us down," he sneered angrily at the betrayal.

"And what did you expect? We were on the losing side," Severus sneered at him. "There are consequences for the decisions we make in life, and this is yours."

"There isn't a we, traitor," MacTavish snarled as he snatched up the wand.

Severus reacted before the wizard had time to raise it to strike, hitting MacTavish with a wandless Body-Bind and pinning him roughly against the wall as Kingsley and the guard burst though the door behind him. "Thank you very much. I'll just take that back, if you don't mind," Severus said, snatching the wand from MacTavish's grip. The wand responded in his hand, the familiarity returning.

"Now about Dragen, where is he hiding out?" Severus snarled as he aimed his wand in MacTavish's face. "Legilimens." Severus took his time sorting out the various memories, searching for locations and houses. He saw a few places that MacTavish didn't want to show him, some of the memories of the places were clouded, some completely distorted, but two places were clearly homes the wizard had resided in the past. Severus tried to force his concentration on the house that was distorted. "Dragen Dolohov," he repeated, trying to bring a memory of Dragen and Lestrange into focus, but the image changed, and Severus thought he recognized the place. "The Lestrange home?"

MacTavish tried fruitlessly to push Severus from his mind, but he persisted, increasing the exertion of his mental attack. The house was clearly too distorted for Severus to make anything out. "Where is it?" he snarled, and tried to focus on the Apparation location. He was successful, even getting clear images of Torrington and Rosier in the small village, which lay down the road... a bakery, and a green grocer, Gene Bulstrode harassing a cobbler in his shop – a magical cobbler whose house-elf was sweeping up... The image changed, and Severus forced the new memory to return. A huge pepper tree and... a bridge, Torrington and Lestrange crossing the bridge... Dragen looking at a map of London on an old wood table. "Where is the house?" he snarled, but MacTavish was starting to lose crack.

Severus released him, and turned to face Kingsley as MacTavish fell on his face. "I have two locations to consider, the Lestrange house, which I don't think is a likely prospect as it's too obvious, and a house near a village with a bakery, a greengrocer, and a wizard cobbler. The cobbler has a house-elf. There is a large old pepper tree next to a bridge over a gulley... But this would be more clear if I used a Pensieve again."

"Good thing I have one, isn't it?" Kingsley said as the guard shackled MacTavish's arms and ankles and released the Body-Bind.

Severus didn't look back as he followed Kingsley from the room. "So, when shall we organize the raid?"

~ T B C ~>

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Author's notes:

The bird associated with the Month of the Birch is the pheasant, so I made Severus' new wand core phoenix. Birch's color is white, its day is Sunday, and its gemstone is red chard. The Celtic symbol of Birch is the White Stag with a rack with seven tines, especially interesting to me since Severus' Patronus is a hawk. Birch is associated with the element of water, is a tree of the sun, and the planet Venus, and its Herbal Gender is feminine. The Birch tree is sacred to the God Thor and the Goddesses Diana and Cerridwen.