Chapter 21: Severus

Chapter 21:

Severus:

Severus removed his mouth from Draco’s erection reluctantly and glared at Treedy.

“Can you not see that I’m in the middle of something, Treedy?”

The house-elf bunched his hands into fists, doing what Severus knew was an attempt to hide his punishment.

“Master said—”

“Treedy, how many times have I told you not to hurt yourself?”

He released his hands, only to reclench them. It’s hopeless: I can never train that instinct out of him, no matter how hard I try.

“I is sorry, Master, but Master told me to come right away if He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named fell.” Now this news just might be worth the interruption.

“My plan worked then, Treedy?”

“Yes, Master! Exactly as Master said it would!”

“Wait, Severus, what plan?” Hermione broke in, and he couldn’t help but warm to the excitement in her eyes.

“You remember those extra vials of potion we brought with us, the first night we came here?” She nodded, and he continued. “I had Treedy give them to Potter, along with instructions as to its use, and hints as to its advantages.”

Her smile spread from her face onto his and even onto Draco’s.

Continuing his earlier questioning, he asked, “Treedy, is Voldemort dead, then?”

“He is! And, Master, he is the only one!”

Hermione piped up, “Harry and Ron, are they hurt? Is anyone hurt?”

“They is not hurt.”

An exuberant scream of happiness broke from her throat as she reached for him. She flooded his mouth with kisses, seemingly oblivious to the confused house-elf who just stared at his Master. Reluctantly, he pulled away from her. He needed to be sure of what Treedy saw, because if this news was true… If Voldemort is dead, then I’m a free man. No more hiding, no more lies, no more spying… If Voldemort is dead, I can be a good person… for her, and for him.

“Treedy, may I see what happened?”

He nodded his affirmation. It was always tricky, performing Legilimency on a different species. But at least Treedy was a willing and familiar subject. He looked deep into his eyes, raised his wand, and thought, Legilimens!

Dobby suddenly gave a yelp and shouted, “Harry Potter is in trouble!” POP! away he went, and then the world shimmered as the trail was followed to the Gryffindor Common Room. All the students were gathered there, grouped by year, receiving whatever instruction the haggard professors could dole out under such circumstances, and there were Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, talking fervently with Professor McGonagall. She nodded and he followed Dobby just outside Gryffindor Tower.

And with that, Voldemort raised his wand, pointed it at Harry… who started back towards the wall… “Avada Kedavra!” But Harry was already in the wall. The spell hit the wall instead of Harry and bounced back to strike Voldemort, whose body slumped to the ground harmlessly.

Severus pulled out of Treedy's mind and nodded his thanks.

“It is true. Voldemort is dead.”

Draco and Hermione attacked him with such ferocity that he could only laugh.

A small voice piped up in the background, “Master? Is you coming back to Hogwarts now?”

Looking at her and at him, still completely naked—How could I have forgotten how lovely his body is?—he could only reply, “No, Treedy… I have some business to take care of here first. Tell anyone who asks that the three of us will return to Hogwarts shortly.”

And with that, Treedy left with a POP!, and Severus, Hermione, and Draco fell onto the bed together, to continue what Treedy had interrupted.