"It is no longer lit," Juliana told Severus the moment he joined her in the dining room. She gave him back the wand and shook her head. "It will not work."
"No longer lit?" Severus asked. He held the wand up and inspected it. Truly, it looked no different than any other wand. It was only the feel of it, cold and lifeless, that gave him any indication of its difference.
Juliana sighed and held up a finger for a moment of patience while she poured a potion on a parchment, tapped it with her other index finger, and murmured something softly.
"Ah, he is moving," she said. She tapped her finger on a gold galleon and smiled softly. "My Amore and my Meraviglia are tracking the werewolf that injured my Amore. I believe they will find him tonight, no?"
Severus recognized the potion as an illegal tracking potion that he had used before with great success and nodded slightly. "Perhaps," he said. Truthfully, he was more interested currently in the Elder Wand. Harry would be fine, of that Severus was certain.
But Harry would die if the wand was irreparable.
Hence, the wand.
"All wands have a spark of life in them," Juliana said briskly after a moment of smiling at the coin. Her smile dropped and her eyes tightened while her lips pursed. "That wand," she nodded toward the Elder Wand in Severus' hand, "does not. The spark in the wand is ignited when it chooses a wizard to use it. The flame diminishes when it is any except the master of the wand using it. Apparently," she curled her lip and tossed her hair over her shoulder, "it is rare for a wand to extinguish altogether after the death of its master, but not unheard of."
"Is there no way to reignite it?" Severus asked, biting back on the desperation he could feel boiling inside him.
Juliana's eyes were soft, full of regret and disappointment. "I am afraid no. We will lose our Harry or Tom Riddle will tear our world apart."
Severus nodded curtly.
He had known that for a year now.
It should not still feel like a fresh stab wound to his stomach.
Juliana stroked the parchment she had been working on before tapping the galleon once more and getting to her feet. "They have found him," she said simply. Her hand was pitying as she laid it on Severus' shoulder. "There will never be another soul on this earth as our Harry, he is a marvel."
Severus had always known that.
Once Juliana left the room, Severus allowed his head to hang with all the weight of his disappointment.
All his work, all his effort— for naught.
All his care, all his concern, all his irreversible attachment— and Harry would still die.
Severus choked on something that felt like a mixture between a sob and a laugh.
He had once told Harry that he would end up in a small coffin if he did not accept help for his mental illness. And now it seemed as if Severus would be the one to put him there.
'Is this irony or karma?'
A favorite question of Harry's.
Both, it would seem.
Severus had no idea how long he sat there, the sun had long since set, the tea before him had went cold, and yet Severus sat as he twirled the wand.
The wand that they orchestrated Albus' murder for.
The wand that was meant to save Harry.
Severus very gingerly sat the wand down as his disappointment and grief boiled into a blind rage.
He was unsure who he despised more in that moment—
The Dark Lord for creating the situation.
Albus for exacerbating it.
Or himself, for being useless in preventing it.
"Sev?"
Severus tore his eyes from the wand as Nymphadora slowly walked in the room. Her hair was windswept and her cheeks were flush.
"I was dueling, with Sirius," she said, explaining without being asked to. "Everything alright in here?"
Severus nodded and opened his mouth to lie in the smooth and even tone he had long since perfected. "No," he said, shocking himself with his honesty. "Everything has failed, Nymphadora."
"What?" Nymphadora scrunched her brows together and moved to sit beside Severus. She scooted the chair over until her lean legs were pressed against Severus'. "What's happened?"
"The wand does not recognize Harry as the master of it," Severus said quietly with a nod toward the offensive item. "He is going to die," Severus admitted bleakly to Nymphadora. "He is going to die and he has asked me to do it."
Nymphadora sucked in a shocked breath. "You told him no, right?"
Severus looked up at her, and his eyes were surely burning. "Who else would he ask to do it? You believe he wanted to give the Dark Lord the pleasure?"
"I just…" Nymphadora grabbed Severus hand and squeezed it as she peered into his eyes. "Do you even think you could?"
Severus was spared answering her—
He would have to.
If Harry would give up his life, then Severus would fulfill the final request from the boy who had always asked for so little.
—by the arrival of Black bounding eagerly into the room.
"Evening," Black said with a smile.
Severus cleared the despair off his face and replaced it with disdain. "Black," he said coolly with a slight sneer, "I believe you have a home of your own? One your godson designated to you?"
Black winked at him. "I came here, on invitation, by Tonks." He grabbed a pitcher of water off the ever-present cart of drinks to the side of the room and then sat at the table, quite uninvited.
"Et tu, Nymphadora?" Severus murmured.
Nymphadora, who had much less practice with concealing her emotions quickly, closed her eyes for a long moment before opening them and adopting a false grin. "When will you two admit that you're best mates?"
Black choked on his water and Severus' sneer deepened.
"When hell freezes over, I suspect," Severus said drily with a look of disgust toward where Black was sputtering.
"Not even then," Black said. "Merlin, Tonks, just because you're sleeping with the enemy doesn't mean the rest of us want to."
Nymphadora smiled so sweetly at Black that Severus knew something terrible was about to come out of her mouth. "I think it's just repressed sexual tension," she said matter of factly. "I think you've always been attracted to Severus and just didn't want to admit it when you were a teenager and so you resorted to being a prat—"
"Attempted murder," Severus interjected swiftly.
"—and now you just can't bear to admit that you've always been attracted to Severus," Nymphadora finished before fluttering her lashes at her cousin. "You're jealous, Sirius, how droll."
Severus would be much more disgusted and disturbed by Nymphadora's rant if Black's face were not undergoing the most amusing transformation.
He went briefly pale, before turning a startling shade of red, and currently was inhaling through his nose very slowly as he turned a shade off grey.
"That is disgusting," Black shuddered with a furtive look toward Severus.
Severus raised a brow when Black's look seemed to linger for too long of a moment.
"Disgusting," Black repeated. He lunged to his feet and shook his head at Nymphadora. "If you wanted me to leave, you could have just asked."
"I want you to leave," Severus said.
"Goodbye," Black said firmly.
Nymphadora had no more than grinned impishly than a peculiar patronus floated through Black and stopped beside Severus.
"We're at 92 Knockfarrie Road, Pitlochry, Scotland. Come quickly."
In the very back of his mind, Severus was mentally rolling his eyes that Blaise Zabini's patronus was a flamingo. The main part of his mind was focused that it was Blaise who sent the message, and not Harry.
Severus was on his feet immediately and glanced toward a bemused Black and a vigilant and alert Nymphadora.
"Come along," Severus told them. He reached for Nymphadora's hand as he felt a shiver of unease trail down his spine. "I cannot imagine what they are doing at Minerva's home, but with Harry, it surely cannot be anything good."
Nymphadora squeezed Severus' hand as he quickly apparated the two of them to Minerva's with Black following along.
Severus looked up at the sky immediately upon appearing in Minerva's front lawn and felt pain stab him through the chest.
The dark mark.
The green serpent slithering in and out of the skull.
The mark that the Dark Lord or his followers have killed the person inside the home.
Nymphadora was stoic by his side, but Black let out a whimper before pushing past them and rushing inside.
Not Minerva…
Not Harry…
Not Minerva…
Not…
"Harry," Severus breathed as soon as he ran inside Minerva's cottage and found Harry seated at a small table. Severus looked him over quickly and carefully. Pale, some blood marking his trainers, a sheen of sweat on his forehead, a frantic look in his eyes, but no injuries.
Thank Merlin.
Harry met his eyes and shook his head before looking behind Severus.
Severus inhaled very slowly as he spun on the spot.
"No," he gasped.
No.
It was as if all the air had been knocked from his body.
His lungs were constricting and he was breathing through a straw as small as the tunnel he was looking through.
No. No. No. No. No. No.No.No.Nononono.
No.
"Nooo," Black groaned as he sank to his haunches beside Minerva.
Nymphadora said nothing, she simply stared with wide eyes as her hair slowly shifted from pink to a pale white.
Severus moved beside Black and lowered himself to reach for Minerva. "How?" he asked as he gently grabbed her lifeless hand.
"Greyback and some others," Blaise said solemnly. "We got here just in time for them to kill her."
"We got here too late."
It was Nymphadora who had the cognitive functioning to move from Minerva's side to Harry's.
Severus merely held Minerva's hand as he focused on holding back the tsunami of grief inside him.
Minerva was infinite.
Severus fully presumed that he would be taken from the world— that humanity itself would— before Minerva.
I am so sorry, Severus thought as he looked to the one witch he had, if not always agreed with, at least always respected in one way or another.
Black let out a shaking breath as he smoothed a tendril of Minerva's hair back. "Why?" he asked shakily.
Severus knew the answer, but it was Nymphadora again who spoke.
"He wanted Hogwarts," she said in a whisper. "And it was probably kill the board or- or…"
Or kill Minerva.
"We need to find a way to make this look less like a murder."
Severus spun his head around while keeping hold of Minerva's cold hand. "Why?" he asked Harry sharply. He took a moment to take in the rest of the crime scene he had been summoned to and realized there were multiple dead death eaters in full garb. He let out a bitter laugh, "Are you truly concerned with being arrested for killing them?"
"I wasn't actually," Harry said, his tone weary and flat. "Why d'you always think the worst of me?"
Severus turned fully, releasing his grip on Minerva— who was gone and Severus could no longer help— to scrutinize Harry.
Harry was still seated and had Nymphadora (who was glowering at Severus) on one side of him and Blaise on his other side. Nymphadora had a hand lightly placed on Harry's shoulder while Blaise held no qualms about squatting beside Harry and wrapping his arm over Harry's shoulders.
Severus quirked a brow at Nymphadora and she narrowed her eyes and shook her head subtly.
What that look was meant to mean, Severus had no idea.
"Nobody thinks the worst of you," Black told Harry. Severus spared him a quick glance and saw that there was true sorrow in Black's stormy grey eyes. Black rubbed his face with his hands and appeared moderately more alert when he refocused on Harry. "Can you guys walk us through what happened?"
Harry glanced toward Blaise, and Blaise took his cue.
"We overheard them in the forest discussing the attack," Blaise said, his tone factual and without the sarcastic drawl Severus was so accustomed from hearing. "Timmy wanted to offer someone a place in his ranks, they refused, and so he wanted them killed."
Severus scoffed quietly while Black snorted loudly.
"Minerva would never," Black swore. "He must have known that before he even offered."
Indeed.
"Go on," Severus told Blaise.
"We got here while they were attacking, we had to wait to get Greyback's location, and…" He shook his head. "And she had killed two of them before we got here and then Harry took care of the other two before we left with Greyback."
"Where is Greyback?" Nymphadora asked the boys.
Severus watched Harry closely.
Harry avoided eye contact with Severus as he peered owlishly up at the ceiling.
Black was torn between shooting mournful glances at Minerva and watching Harry.
Nymphadora turned to Blaise with an expectant tightening around her lips.
Blaise smirked, "Dead."
"And you summoned us here to…?"
Blaise looked at Harry, and Harry spoke to the ceiling instead of Severus.
"You need to remove the dark mark," Harry said. He cleared his throat and shook his head a little. "I don't want to give Timmy credit for this. It's… just no."
"Understood and agreed," Severus said after a moment.
The Dark Lord could lay claim to a great many lives; yet he would never be allowed to claim powerful beings such as Minerva, Albus, nor Harry.
Harry would never allow him the honor of boasting over Harry's death- and Harry would deny him the honor of boasting over Minerva.
A respectable thought that cemented Severus' agreement in May in his mind.
Severus swallowed harshly as he got to his feet and looked down at Minerva. For such a fierce woman, for such a brilliant mind, she looked rather frail and diminutive in her death.
Rest in peace, friend, Severus thought before clearing his mind and fully assessing the best route to take.
"Harry with me," Severus said curtly, his mind dealing with what can be changed now. "We will remove the dark mark. Black and Blaise, relocate the dead death eaters to anywhere else. Nymphadora…" Severus jerked his chin towards Minerva's body and Nymphadora nodded in understanding.
Somehow, they no longer required messages to be explicitly spoken on occasion.
Which was as convenient as it was peculiar.
"Shall I put her in her bed?" Nymphadora asked.
Severus hesitated as he considered the best option.
"Her recliner," Black croaked. He got to his feet, with slumped shoulders, and pointed toward the sitting room. "Every time I've been here, she's always in her recliner."
"Very well," Severus agreed. "Nymphadora can handle that. Harry, come along with me. I will show you how to remove the mark from the sky."
Harry slowly got to his feet and whispered something to Blaise before maintaining an arms length of space as he followed Severus outside.
"I spoke hastily in there," Severus said. He moved to stand in front of Minerva's cabin and drew his wand as he looked up at the grotesque symbol shining in the sky. "I was… distraught and caught rather off-guard." Severus kept his eyes on the sky and allowed Harry to skirt around him with his hunched shoulders. "I do apologize if you believe I meant something unflattering."
"It's fine," Harry said. He sounded years older and vastly more tired than usual.
Severus spared him a quick look before raising his wand to the sky. Harry looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, and, in a way, he was. "You could not have stopped this," Severus told him. "Pay attention now, FINITE MORSDE!" Severus waved his wand as if he were untangling the serpent from the skull in the sky until the entire sign dissipated.
Once finished, Severus tucked his wand away and placed a bracing hand on the back of Harry's neck. "Speak, child."
"McGonagall was a good person," Harry said as he looked up to the sky. "Yeah?"
Severus looked up to the sky as well and thought of all that Minerva was. "Yes," he agreed. He cleared his throat and blinked quickly. "Minerva was an excellent person."
Harry turned to look at Severus and he seemed to have truly aged a decade since he left to hunt for Greyback. "We need to find that tiara soon."
Severus squeezed Harry's neck and shook his head. "You are no martyr, do not play one now."
Harry's lips twitched, "You think I wouldn't have died for McGonagall?"
"I do not."
Harry shook his head and jammed his hands in his pockets. "I'm living on stolen time, Sev. Stolen from every person he kills. I stole it from Trent, and now McGonagall. Abracadabra," he whispered.
Severus watched as Harry strode back inside the cottage.
The death of the Bailey boy was cruel.
The death of Minerva was egregious.
The fact that Harry would be next- intolerable.
*****
Headmistress of Hogwarts Dies!
It is with a heavy heart that I, award winning best selling author of 'The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore', must report the death of Hogwarts Headmistress Minerva McGonagall.
Sirius Black, Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor and previously convicted murderer, states that he went to visit his coworker/employer last Monday and found her dead in her sitting room.
"Heart attack," Lead Hit Wizard on the case, Blue Ritters, stated in a curt interview. "Seems there was some sort of nearby mining blast- a noisy muggle thing- and… well… Dear Professor McGonagall's heart just couldn't handle it."
"I always thought she'd live forever," Black stated with tear filled eyes when he was pressed for a quote. "Minerva McGonagall was the best witch I have ever, or will ever, know. Every student and soul inside Hogwarts will feel the loss."
Indeed, with nearly twenty students withdrawing already from the upcoming term, Hogwarts is already feeling its losses.
Hogwarts Board has replaced Headmistress McGonagall with Amycus Carrow, the current Muggle Studies teacher. The role of transfiguration professor remains open- but Headmaster Carrow and the Hogwarts Board feel confident that they will find a replacement soon.
It is this humble reporters opinion that perhaps being the headmaster of Hogwarts is no longer a cherished role. One only has to look at the past three to wonder why Carrow would covet such a spot. Albus Dumbledore- disgraced and currently believed to be living under an alias in Slovakia. Dolores Umbridge- heart failure. Minerva McGonagall- heart attack.
Perhaps Headmaster Carrow will thrive in the position. Or, perhaps, it will be an open position once more. Time will tell.
*****
"Delightful," Severus scoffed as he threw the paper on the table and pinched the bridge of his nose. "They have elected an active death eater to the position."
He was pleased that Ritters had been able to subvert an official autopsy. The man was a remarkable ally to have for someone that Severus could hardly remember ever interacting with before Harry found him.
Or, if he remembered correctly, before Ritters sought Harry out once he heard a whisper of an alliance being built around him.
Severus would need to dig a little on the man at some point, ensure they had no false enemy within their ranks. Who knew more than he how the most helpful of your allies could be the one set on betraying you the worst?
"Are you surprised?" Lucius asked him. He poured Severus a drink and slid it to him. "I believe had they voted Amycus on to begin with, McGonagall would still be here."
"You're probably right," Lupin agreed with Lucius quietly. He had an arm over Black's shoulders as they sat side-by-side on the opposite side of the table from Lucius and Narcissa. Lupin nodded gratefully as Lucius slid two tumblers of scotch to him and Black. "Who do you think they'll fill for transfiguration?"
"Another scumbag, probably," Nymphadora sighed from beside Severus. She accepted the tumbler from Lucius with a faint smile. "Hogwarts without McGonagall just sounds…"
"Wrong," Black said. His eyes were swollen and red-rimmed, having been rather close to Minerva and a Gryffindor to boot. "Hogwarts without her isn't even Hogwarts…"
"Minerva did have a way about her," Narcissa said lightly.
"She was a fighter, right to the end," Nymphadora said. "Took down two death eaters on her own, when they had her outnumbered five-to-one, didn't she?"
"She did," Severus agreed quietly. His hand that was not swirling the amber scotch in his glass was laying flat on the table and he gave Nymphadora an appreciative nod when she placed her smaller and softer hand on top of his.
"I can't fucking stand thinking that they'll get one of those death eater scums to fill her spot," Black spat before he threw back his drink. "It's a bloody disgrace."
"Not for long," Narcissa said with a sly smile that was drastically out of place. "I do believe I overheard Harry discussing his desire to show Amycus Carrow the error of his ways."
"You mean more than already?" Lupin asked, tapping the photograph on the evening paper with his finger.
They all took a moment to appreciate the eyepatch that Carrow had to wear, as Theodore had disfigured his eye with a knife during the Battle of Hogsmeade.
"Well, here's to Amycus Carrow's impending death then," Narcissa said to Lupin. She held her glass out to him and the two of them clinked them gently.
"Delightful," Severus drawled. It had been five days since Minerva's death and already Harry was plotting vengeance. "I wonder if the Headmaster will rank above the Minister."
"It depends," Lucius said as he tilted his drink side to side.
"On?" Black asked.
Lucius smirked and lifted a shoulder. "On if Harry would prefer vengeance first, or ensuring the safety of muggleborns."
Nobody said anything for a moment as they all considered the choice Harry would make.
Lupin eventually snorted quietly. "Then I hope Hermione is ready to marry Theo, because I'd say Carrow will come first."
Severus finished his drink in a single swallow and swore to discuss it with Harry the next morning.
"One more, I think," Severus said.
Lucius floated the bottle around to the six adults partaking before raising his glass. "To Minerva then, a fierce witch and a legend of a professor."
The others raised their glasses and Severus exchanged a weary look with Black as they echoed the sentiment.
It was becoming tiresome, toasting to their fallen friends.
***
When Harry entered the dining room for breakfast the next morning, he had his snake wrapped around his shoulders and was carrying a rapid fire conversation back and forth with it.
Severus watched curiously as Harry took a seat and began adding hand gestures to whatever points he was making.
"When you lose an argument with an animal, I believe it is time to stop arguing," Severus said with a hint of a smirk. He pushed the tea tray towards Harry and had to immediately yank it back as the snake whipped its head around to hiss at Severus.
"Stevie isn't an animal," Harry murmured, obviously distracted. He ran a hand through his hair then resumed his argument.
Severus privately amused himself with debating on the winner of the discussion.
Unsurprisingly, the snake slithered to the floor and left the room a few minutes later with a rather smug look on its reptilian face.
Harry shook his head and summoned a sheet of parchment and a quill before he began making himself a plate with one hand and writing with the other.
"I need to discuss something with you," Severus said.
"Yeah, a bit, but Fred and Theo and Susan all know and they're being extra annoying so you don't need to be too."
That…
Severus narrowed his eyes at Harry.
"That has nothing to do with the topic I wanted to discuss," Severus said. He watched Harry write a list of some sorts for a moment before clearing his throat and causing the child to look up at him. "Explain, Harry."
"Oh." Harry glanced up and tilted his head at Severus for a moment. "I didn't sleep much the past couple of nights, I feel a bit restless. I figure I might be flying, yeah?"
Severus checked the date, 20th of July, nearly six weeks since Harry was last meant to take the potion. Harry had not been ill since the night of Minerva's death, almost a week ago now. Severus examined the cramped handwriting, the bags beneath his eyes, and the brightness of his eyes.
"Quite so," Severus agreed. He ensured that Harry was holding eye contact as he added, "I am proud that you are able to recognize that in yourself."
Harry narrowed his eyes at him. "Are you being sarcastic?"
"I am not."
"Alright then, thanks, I guess."
Harry went back to his writing, presumably forgetting Severus' initial query. "Harry," he called, "a moment of you attention."
"Right." Harry sighed and gave Severus a patient type of look. "What's up, Sev?"
"I need to know what your plans are," Severus told him. "And, if you believe you are experiencing mania, no matter how light it may be, I do request that you check with me before enacting any plans."
Severus expected it to be an argument— he had forgotten that Harry was a tad more mature than he once was.
"Fine," Harry agreed. He blinked at Severus, "Is that all?"
"It is not," Severus said. "What are your plans?"
Instead of a verbal answer, Harry spun his parchment around and slid it to Severus.
To Do List:
1. Kill Thicknesse (save muggleborns from Azkaban)
2. Kill Carrow (who will be headmaster next?)
3. Wedding rehearsal Send Tonks to rehearsal
4. Wedding
5. Find tiara
6. Steal cup from Lestrange vault (bombs?)
7. Finish will
8. Die?
Severus touched his fingers to his lips as he read Harry's erratic list.
"Ambitious," he said as he returned it. "I particularly like the idea of sending Nymphadora as your stand-in for a wedding rehearsal."
Harry smirked for a brief moment before his eyes clouded with anger. "Did you know Fred invited McGonagall and she said she would be delighted to come?"
"I did not," Severus admitted. "I am unsurprised though, Minerva was quite fond of you and Frederick both."
Harry nodded and bit his lip as he tapped his quill to the parchment. "They never could have taken her one-on-one, fucking god damned cowards."
"I could not agree more," Severus said. He watched Harry for a minute, gauging his mood. He had been rather quiet since Minerva's death, a bit withdrawn, though he was clearly returning to his more extroverted state now.
It had been as if the entire house seemed to feel the loss of Minerva. A notice had been posted, and they all read it- if a witch such as Minerva could be killed, who could consider themselves safe?
"If it weren't for Azkaban, I'd kill Carrow now," Harry swore. "But…"
"You are prioritizing for the good of the many," Severus said approvingly. "I believe your order is correct. Although…" Severus peered at the upside down handwriting. "Perhaps it is a bit too ambitious to slaughter both the Minister of Magic and the Headmaster of Hogwarts before the 31st."
If anyone could do it, it would be Harry. Yet Severus would prefer he did not rush such brash and risky plans.
Severus winced at items seven and eight. "And why do you need to finish your will?"
"Because it's not done yet, Sev," was the cheeky response murmured back to him.
"Of course." Severus felt a weight settle in his chest as Harry made himself a cup of coffee. Two sugars. Two creams. He always stirs clockwise, just as Minerva always stirred her tea counter-clockwise.
Is this what the end of the Dark Lord will bring?
All the people that Severus cared for, gone.
With only Severus remaining to recall their tea and coffee orders.
"I despise this," Severus said truthfully to the only person he would speak so frankly to. "Harry, I truly despise this. I wish…"
Harry grinned and shook his head at Severus, once more pitying. "Don't wish for things," he said. "It's pointless. Just… just enjoy it while we can, yeah?"
Severus wondered what happened to the brash and impulsive eleven year old who once irritated Severus as much as he amused him.
He grew up, Severus supposed.
Grew to lead a revolt.
Grew to become a leader that drew others to him as easily as he breathed.
He grew to be the remarkable nearly seventeen year old before Severus now.
And it would all be for naught.
"You're mopiiiiing," Nymphadora whispered in a sing-song voice as she unceremoniously flopped across Severus' lap one afternoon as he had been moping thinking in his office.
"I am not," Severus said half-heartedly. He cleared away the documents he had been pursuing, notes he had taken last year over horcrux removal methods. "Do you not have a wedding rehearsal to be at?"
"Tomorrow," Nymphadora winked, apparently pleased to do Harry such a peculiar favor. "And, speaking of which, he's about to come in here, so I need you to…"
Severus was caught off-guard as Nymphadora abruptly wrapped a hand around his neck and plastered her lips to his.
"Imp," he growled at the smirking witch when Harry stepped in the room not a second later and cleared his throat.
"It's like I'm the only fuckin person in this house who uses his bedroom," Harry sighed in a put upon way. "Bedrooms, people, bedrooms."
"It's a war, Harry," Nymphadora winked. "You have to seize the moment and all."
"And embarrass Harry as repayment for attending the rehearsal in his stead?" Severus guessed.
"Me? Never!"
Severus spotted Theodore slinking in the room behind Harry, a grin flitting around his lips even as he held a finger to them.
Severus had no idea what idiocy the boy was about to pull, but he was certain it would be ridiculous.
Sure enough, Theodore suddenly lunged forward, grabbed Harry by the shoulders, and apparated away on the spot.
"What on earth?" Severus breathed as he blinked at the spot that Harry had just been standing at. He looked up as he was joined by the rest of the misfits and he looked toward Susan, who was surely involved in such a scheme. "Did Theodore just kidnap Harry?"
"Yes," she laughed.
"Risking injury through splinching?" Nymphadora asked.
"I've got a potion to heal him if so," Granger said, holding up a bottle of essence of dittany.
Severus looked over the children and realized they were all dressed in casual muggle clothes, a realization that only brought more confusion. "Why?"
"It's for Harry's stag party," Ronald said with a pleased grin.
"We'll be back on the morning of his birthday," Susan assured Severus.
"You better be," Nymphadora quipped. "Sirius and I have been planning for ages."
Severus checked the date on the paper and quirked a brow at Susan. "His 'stag party' is meant to last eight days?"
"Yes, sir," Longbottom said, politely if not a tad smugly. "Don't worry, he'll be fine."
Severus would have argued the point if he did not spot the bags the children all carried.
"Good riddance," he muttered, his attention back on the paper.
"Don't you want us to promise to call you if we get hurt or arrested?"
Severus looked up at Granger and raised a sardonic brow at her. "No," he said simply. "Go away."
"Have fun, you two," Luna said with a bright smile.
"Goodbye," Severus repeated.
"Have fun," Nymphadora laughed.
He waited until the misfits all apparated away, with Blaise politely escorting Granger, before releasing a heavy sigh.
Eight days of silence.
Blessed, blessed, silence.
"Afternoon, good sirs."
Severus and Nymphadora looked up and saw George and Frederick lingering in the doorway with identical smiles on their faces.
"Go stay with your mum," Nymphadora ordered them immediately. "Aht!" She raised her wand when George opened his mouth, "No. Come back for Harry's birthday, not before then. Goodbye."
Severus smiled slowly as the twins exchanged bewildered looks and immediately loped off. "Do you believe you can scare Narcissa and Lucius off?" he murmured as he ran his hand down her bare arm.
Nymphadora smiled brightly before kissing Severus quickly. "If it means you get an eight day vacation, I'll beg my mum to put them up for a few days."
"Do it," Severus said. He got to his feet and Nymphadora laughed as she was abruptly shifted to a reclining position in his arms. "Do it later."
"Later," she agreed, her eyes sparkling with humor.
As this was a war, a war that would end in devastation and heartbreak, perhaps Severus should adopt Harry and Nymphadora's views and seize the opportunity for joy when it so rarely is offered to him.
Eight days of blessed, blessed, silence and Nymphadora.