Fic: Going Home: Part Twenty-Two
Title: Going Home: Part Twenty-Two
Author:![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
alisanne
Word count: 1290
Rating: PG
Characters/pairings: Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger, Narcissa Malfoy, Severus Snape/Minerva McGonagall.
Challenge: Written for![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
slythindor100/![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
slythindor100's 25 days of Christmas, Day 22 (traditional): Heart shaped ornament.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.
Beta(s):sevfan and emynn.
Authors Notes: Part 22 of Going Home (LJ/IJ/DW).
~
Going Home: Part Twenty-Two
~
Everyone seemed shocked speechless, even Draco was uncharacteristically quiet, although he seemed determined to squeeze all the blood from Harry’s hand he was holding on so tightly.
Everyone except Narcissa, that is, who leaned forward in her chair. “Please know we would not be here if our situation wasn’t desperate, Severus,” she said, her voice soft, pleading. “In fact, it’s my fault we’re here at all. I insisted Draco and Healer Granger bring us.”
“I see.” Snape’s eyes narrowed. “And why is that?”
“Lucius is gravely ill. He was cursed by the Dark Lord before he died.” Narcissa’s hands were clasped together in her lap. “We need your help.”
“Are you here to request a potion? Snape frowned. “If so, you’re far better off retaining the assistance of someone who has stayed abreast of the current literature. I’m afraid I’ve let that side of my life…lapse.” He perched on the arm of McGonagall’s chair, and they clasped hands, their fingers lacing together.
A soft noise slipped from Draco’s throat.
McGonagall sent a sharp look towards him and Draco ducked his head. “You have something to ask or say to me, Mr Malfoy?” she asked.
Draco coughed. “No, Headmistress McGonagall.”
“Perhaps I’m the one for whom he has questions,” murmured Snape, tone soft.
Draco lifted his head, his eyes meeting Snape’s. “My only question is if you’re willing to help Father. Anything else is irrelevant.”
Snape smiled briefly. “As I’ve told your mother, I’m hardly the one to come to for potions assistance.”
“That’s not what we need,” Narcissa interjected. “We believe we’ve found a possible cure, but it requires the magical essence of a wizard who defeated the caster of the curse.”
Snape immediately looked over at Harry. “Again, I fail to see how I can be of assistance when you already have the Dark Lord’s vanquisher available to you.” He raised an eyebrow. “And from the way he and Draco are holding hands, I suspect he would be more than amenable to assisting you.”
Hermione cleared her throat, and they all looked at her. “Professor Snape,” she said, tone formal, “this cure requires the entirety of a wizard’s essence. We were hoping—”
“Ah, I see. You want me to voluntarily give up my magical essence.” Snape’s expression went unreadable. “I see now why you came. You don’t want to risk your precious Saviour’s magic, but my magic is expendable, is that it?”
“Oh, for—” Harry rolled his eyes. “Will you stop being overly dramatic and listen for just one minute?” he snapped. “Hermione thinks there’s another way. If you’ll donate some of your essence, and I donate some of mine, it could still work.”
Snape scowled. “You’re willing to do this for a man who would have happily seen you killed?”
“No,” said Harry, tone low. “But I am willing to do that for the father of the man I love. Believe it or not, Snape, things aren’t always black and white in this world.”
Snape hummed. “Well, well. It seems you’ve finally grown up. You’re correct, things are often in shades of grey.” He eyed Narcissa. “Although I’m still at a loss as to why I should donate my magical essence to Lucius, given all his actions during the war.”
Narcissa rose out of her chair, tall and defiant. “Lucius did what he had to out of the belief that it would keep his family safe. There is no part of the Dark Lord’s plan that he enjoyed.” She looked over at Harry. “Certainly not the idea of anyone’s death.”
Snape snorted. “He is a good actor, then.”
“Were you never his friend, then, Severus?” Narcissa asked. “Was it all acting for you?”
Snape’s expression softened. “He was my friend, Narcissa. But I was never sure if I was his.”
Narcissa closed her eyes. “Severus, please.”
Snape sighed. “Narcissa, what you’re asking…What if it doesn’t work?”
“Hermione,” said McGonagall, her voice like a knife, “how convinced are you this cure will work?”
Hermione spread her hands wide. “As sure as I can be taking into account that the recommendation came from an ancient Mesopotamian text.”
Snape’s eyes narrowed. “Was it Thales of Miletus’ Treatise on Curses and Cures?”
Hermione’s face lit up. “Yes! It was in the chapter on—”
“Excuse me,” drawled Draco. “But before you two start talking way over the rest of our heads, does this mean you’ll help Father, Severus?”
Snape turned to look at McGonagall and they engaged in what looked like a long, silent conversion. Finally, McGonagall nodded and Snape turned back towards them. “If you’ll give us a moment to pack, we’ll accompany you.”
“We?” said Narcissa.
McGonagall raised an eyebrow. “Would you let Lucius do something like this without your presence?”
Narcissa smiled faintly. “No I would not.”
“Exactly.” McGonagall rose from her chair. “Excuse us, please.” And, hand in hand with Snape, she left the room.
Once they were gone, Draco turned to Narcissa. “You knew!”
Narcissa exhaled. “I…suspected.”
“But how?” he asked.
“From certain things Severus would say.” Narcissa smiled. “If I’m correct, they have been together for almost ten years.”
“But the way she duelled him the night of the Battle of Hogwarts was so intense. They really looked like they were trying to kill each other.” Harry shook his head. “Either they are both great actors, or—”
“Or love overcomes a lot of things.” Narcissa glanced at Hermione. “During our many years of marriage, Lucius has done some foolish things. It’s been my decision whether or not any of them have been unforgivable enough that I couldn’t stay.” She inclined her head. “So far none of them have been bad enough for me to give him up. That is a decision we all make for ourselves, however.”
“Harry and I overcame a lot, too,” chimed in Draco. “I had to overcome him being a goody-goody Gryffindor, and he had to overcome my amazing wit and handsomeness.”
Rolling his eyes, Harry poked Draco with his elbow. “Don’t forget your incredible humility,” he deadpanned, raising an eyebrow when Draco stuck his tongue out at him.
Narcissa, watching the interchange, simply smiled.
Hermione smiled, too, then signed. “I do love Ron,” she said softly. “And we used to agree on the things we wanted. But then his mother got involved and…” She shook her head. “Anyway, it’s a moot point since he hasn’t answered any of my messages.”
Walking over to her, Harry hugged her. “It hasn’t even been a day yet,” he reminded her. “You know how Ron can be. He’s probably sulking somewhere.”
Hermione leaned into him for a moment. “Thanks,” she whispered.
The door opened and they all turned to see McGonagall and Snape, both dressed in proper robes, sail into the room. Harry’s eyes were caught by a red heart-shaped pendant at her throat.
Evidently seeing him looking, McGonagall smiled, touching it. “A gift from Severus. He does love giving me heart-shaped things.” She glanced up at him. “This year he ever decorated the tree by our bed all with red heart-shaped ornaments.”
“How romantic,” said Narcissa, sounding sincere.
Snape smirked. “I’ve my moments.”
“Of that I have no doubt,” said Narcissa. She exhaled. “May we use your Floo to get to the Manor?”
“Actually, we thought we’d Apparate,” said McGonagall. She hummed. “After all, Severus and I are both Hogwarts Headmasters. We can Side-Along the rest of you.”
“I should go and adjust the wards to let you through, then,” said Narcissa. “Give me five minutes?”
“Of course,” said McGonagall. Once Narcissa had left in a flare of green flames, she turned to Hermione. “So, how is married life with Ronald?”
~
Continued in Going Home: Part Twenty-Three (LJ/IJ/DW).
Author:
alisanneWord count: 1290
Rating: PG
Characters/pairings: Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger, Narcissa Malfoy, Severus Snape/Minerva McGonagall.
Challenge: Written for
slythindor100/slythindor100's 25 days of Christmas, Day 22 (traditional): Heart shaped ornament.Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.
Beta(s):
sevfan and emynn.Authors Notes: Part 22 of Going Home (LJ/IJ/DW).
~
Going Home: Part Twenty-Two
~
Everyone seemed shocked speechless, even Draco was uncharacteristically quiet, although he seemed determined to squeeze all the blood from Harry’s hand he was holding on so tightly.
Everyone except Narcissa, that is, who leaned forward in her chair. “Please know we would not be here if our situation wasn’t desperate, Severus,” she said, her voice soft, pleading. “In fact, it’s my fault we’re here at all. I insisted Draco and Healer Granger bring us.”
“I see.” Snape’s eyes narrowed. “And why is that?”
“Lucius is gravely ill. He was cursed by the Dark Lord before he died.” Narcissa’s hands were clasped together in her lap. “We need your help.”
“Are you here to request a potion? Snape frowned. “If so, you’re far better off retaining the assistance of someone who has stayed abreast of the current literature. I’m afraid I’ve let that side of my life…lapse.” He perched on the arm of McGonagall’s chair, and they clasped hands, their fingers lacing together.
A soft noise slipped from Draco’s throat.
McGonagall sent a sharp look towards him and Draco ducked his head. “You have something to ask or say to me, Mr Malfoy?” she asked.
Draco coughed. “No, Headmistress McGonagall.”
“Perhaps I’m the one for whom he has questions,” murmured Snape, tone soft.
Draco lifted his head, his eyes meeting Snape’s. “My only question is if you’re willing to help Father. Anything else is irrelevant.”
Snape smiled briefly. “As I’ve told your mother, I’m hardly the one to come to for potions assistance.”
“That’s not what we need,” Narcissa interjected. “We believe we’ve found a possible cure, but it requires the magical essence of a wizard who defeated the caster of the curse.”
Snape immediately looked over at Harry. “Again, I fail to see how I can be of assistance when you already have the Dark Lord’s vanquisher available to you.” He raised an eyebrow. “And from the way he and Draco are holding hands, I suspect he would be more than amenable to assisting you.”
Hermione cleared her throat, and they all looked at her. “Professor Snape,” she said, tone formal, “this cure requires the entirety of a wizard’s essence. We were hoping—”
“Ah, I see. You want me to voluntarily give up my magical essence.” Snape’s expression went unreadable. “I see now why you came. You don’t want to risk your precious Saviour’s magic, but my magic is expendable, is that it?”
“Oh, for—” Harry rolled his eyes. “Will you stop being overly dramatic and listen for just one minute?” he snapped. “Hermione thinks there’s another way. If you’ll donate some of your essence, and I donate some of mine, it could still work.”
Snape scowled. “You’re willing to do this for a man who would have happily seen you killed?”
“No,” said Harry, tone low. “But I am willing to do that for the father of the man I love. Believe it or not, Snape, things aren’t always black and white in this world.”
Snape hummed. “Well, well. It seems you’ve finally grown up. You’re correct, things are often in shades of grey.” He eyed Narcissa. “Although I’m still at a loss as to why I should donate my magical essence to Lucius, given all his actions during the war.”
Narcissa rose out of her chair, tall and defiant. “Lucius did what he had to out of the belief that it would keep his family safe. There is no part of the Dark Lord’s plan that he enjoyed.” She looked over at Harry. “Certainly not the idea of anyone’s death.”
Snape snorted. “He is a good actor, then.”
“Were you never his friend, then, Severus?” Narcissa asked. “Was it all acting for you?”
Snape’s expression softened. “He was my friend, Narcissa. But I was never sure if I was his.”
Narcissa closed her eyes. “Severus, please.”
Snape sighed. “Narcissa, what you’re asking…What if it doesn’t work?”
“Hermione,” said McGonagall, her voice like a knife, “how convinced are you this cure will work?”
Hermione spread her hands wide. “As sure as I can be taking into account that the recommendation came from an ancient Mesopotamian text.”
Snape’s eyes narrowed. “Was it Thales of Miletus’ Treatise on Curses and Cures?”
Hermione’s face lit up. “Yes! It was in the chapter on—”
“Excuse me,” drawled Draco. “But before you two start talking way over the rest of our heads, does this mean you’ll help Father, Severus?”
Snape turned to look at McGonagall and they engaged in what looked like a long, silent conversion. Finally, McGonagall nodded and Snape turned back towards them. “If you’ll give us a moment to pack, we’ll accompany you.”
“We?” said Narcissa.
McGonagall raised an eyebrow. “Would you let Lucius do something like this without your presence?”
Narcissa smiled faintly. “No I would not.”
“Exactly.” McGonagall rose from her chair. “Excuse us, please.” And, hand in hand with Snape, she left the room.
Once they were gone, Draco turned to Narcissa. “You knew!”
Narcissa exhaled. “I…suspected.”
“But how?” he asked.
“From certain things Severus would say.” Narcissa smiled. “If I’m correct, they have been together for almost ten years.”
“But the way she duelled him the night of the Battle of Hogwarts was so intense. They really looked like they were trying to kill each other.” Harry shook his head. “Either they are both great actors, or—”
“Or love overcomes a lot of things.” Narcissa glanced at Hermione. “During our many years of marriage, Lucius has done some foolish things. It’s been my decision whether or not any of them have been unforgivable enough that I couldn’t stay.” She inclined her head. “So far none of them have been bad enough for me to give him up. That is a decision we all make for ourselves, however.”
“Harry and I overcame a lot, too,” chimed in Draco. “I had to overcome him being a goody-goody Gryffindor, and he had to overcome my amazing wit and handsomeness.”
Rolling his eyes, Harry poked Draco with his elbow. “Don’t forget your incredible humility,” he deadpanned, raising an eyebrow when Draco stuck his tongue out at him.
Narcissa, watching the interchange, simply smiled.
Hermione smiled, too, then signed. “I do love Ron,” she said softly. “And we used to agree on the things we wanted. But then his mother got involved and…” She shook her head. “Anyway, it’s a moot point since he hasn’t answered any of my messages.”
Walking over to her, Harry hugged her. “It hasn’t even been a day yet,” he reminded her. “You know how Ron can be. He’s probably sulking somewhere.”
Hermione leaned into him for a moment. “Thanks,” she whispered.
The door opened and they all turned to see McGonagall and Snape, both dressed in proper robes, sail into the room. Harry’s eyes were caught by a red heart-shaped pendant at her throat.
Evidently seeing him looking, McGonagall smiled, touching it. “A gift from Severus. He does love giving me heart-shaped things.” She glanced up at him. “This year he ever decorated the tree by our bed all with red heart-shaped ornaments.”
“How romantic,” said Narcissa, sounding sincere.
Snape smirked. “I’ve my moments.”
“Of that I have no doubt,” said Narcissa. She exhaled. “May we use your Floo to get to the Manor?”
“Actually, we thought we’d Apparate,” said McGonagall. She hummed. “After all, Severus and I are both Hogwarts Headmasters. We can Side-Along the rest of you.”
“I should go and adjust the wards to let you through, then,” said Narcissa. “Give me five minutes?”
“Of course,” said McGonagall. Once Narcissa had left in a flare of green flames, she turned to Hermione. “So, how is married life with Ronald?”
~
Continued in Going Home: Part Twenty-Three (LJ/IJ/DW).
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