The Centaur's Shrine

Part III : Battlefields

Chapter 24 - On the brink

Hogwarts, infirmary

Severus knew what the problem was. Wizard's bodies healed much faster than Muggle, but this ability developed with age, although it could be quickened by being brought up in a magical family. For example, Silena would probably fare much better in Alicia's place because of this, despite being one year younger.

"We need to accelerate blood replacement," he said. "A potion would help but it wouldn't be fast enough. A transfusion is therefore necessary. What is her blood group?"

"It's O- with K-type Manabolites," replied Pomfrey with a grimace.

"Damn!"

Manabolites were a special substance found in the blood of all living creatures, but they only affected magical ones. Like with the normal blood factors, there were a number of compatibility issues when transfusing wizards. K-types were rare, and this meant that it would be difficult to find a compatible donor. Since it was strongly hereditary, the best bet would be to use a family member.

"Severus, we could use her brother, it-"

He shook his head and interrupted her. He was objective enough to realize that there was only one solution.

"No. The boy is too young. She has lost a lot, and he cannot give her enough. We need to bring her mother here. I know where she lives."

Madam Pomfrey shot him a surprised look which he ignored. This was no time for propriety or hesitation. A life was at stake. If the worse happened, he would be fatalist, but in the meanwhile he would do as much as he could.

"You must hold her at least half an hour." He looked at her and saw the hesitation on her face. "All right, start a transfusion with her brother, and put him on regenerative potion. This will give us the time we need."

She nodded grimly. They both came out to explain the situation to Richard who swallowed in apprehension, but of course he accepted the procedure.

"Mister Potter, give me your broom please," asked Severus, extending his hand. Harry complied and started to offer his help, but the man cut him short. "Only one person is needed for this, Mister Potter, and it would take too long to explain to you how to find Mrs. Parker. You can save me some time by arranging for the chest of medical potions in my quarters to be brought here."

Harry didn't insist. He understood the urgency and that this was a time for obeying orders. He took out his wand and blew out one of the windows of the infirmary. Severus rolled his eyes in disgust, but he accepted that it saved time. He straddled the broom and took off a full speed.

"Come on young man," said Madam Pomfrey to a white faced Richard. "This won't hurt too much, and your sister needs it."

Richard followed her, with Harry and Silena automatically following. The nurse didn't protest. It wouldn't be a bad thing to give the boy some moral support.

Severus flew quickly to the limits of the school wards and touched down at the first possible emplacement. His face showed a furious expression. The last thing he wanted was to see Helen Parker again. For an instant, he regretted not having taken Harry's offer.

A student is in danger, nothing else matters.

Shaking his head angrily, he Disapparated to the inside of Helen's apartment. At that time, she was just coming out the kitchen, carrying a fully laden brunch platter. When she saw him materialize in her living room, holding a racing broom in his hand, she gave a violent start and dropped the whole thing on the floor.

"Severus!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

His face was serious and grim. Niceties could wait, and they weren't his forte anyway.

"Your daughter needs you Helen," he said briskly. "There has been an accident at school. She is badly hurt and requires a transfusion."

Helen's eyes went wide with alarm at his succinct description.

"I will take you to the school," continued Severus coldly. "Time is of the essence, so please get dressed now."

He had never spoken to her like that, and even after what had happened, it was something that bothered him. An impassionate part of him observed how she took the news. He had to admit that, after the initial shock, she handled herself admirably. She didn't burst into tears, or worry about the mess on the floor, or ask useless questions which could wait.

"How do we get there?" she asked.

"There is a public floo terminal not too far from here. With luck I will be able to convince the warden to let you use it. We will materialize into Hogsmeade, and from there, fly to the castle." He marked a slight hesitation. "You only need to take some warm clothing with you," he added, all the while telling himself that he shouldn't have to.

No unnecessary sentiments.

She nodded and took a sweater and her coat, and then she opened a drawer, and fished out the amulet which Bones had given her. Severus immediately recognized what it was. His curiosity was aroused, but there was no time to lose. He reduced Harry's broom to a size that he could hide under his cloak, and transfigured his clothes so as not to shock too many Muggles. Pants, boots and a black leather raincoat were discrete enough.

They walked quickly down the lift and exited the building. There was about five hundred meters to walk. During that time Helen couldn't bring herself to ask any questions. She could sense the urgency from Severus' demeanor, and she would know soon enough in any case. He didn't feel like talking either. After walking a few blocks, they entered a small nondescript pawnshop filled with dozens of showcases of old and useless looking trivia. In the back, the owner looked at them with vacant eyes until Severus showed him his wand. The man's expression transformed into something noticeably more intelligent. He looked inquiringly at Helen who produced her amulet. The owner gestured for them to go through a door on the wall. Helen could have sworn that it didn't exist when they'd first entered the store, but she didn't give it more thoughts.

Behind the door was a room with a large fireplace. A box full of floo powder was on the mantle. Severus took a fistful and turned toward Helen.

"We will go together. Walk inside, hold my side and close your eyes."

She did so, feeling him tense at her contact. He fixed his gaze to the front.

"The Three Broomsticks," he called out, while throwing the powder to the floor. A big flame gushed from the ground to engulf them...

... and then they were ejected from the Inn's own fireplace. Severus had enough practice to stay on his feet but Helen stumbled and lost her balance. He had let her go as soon as possible, and she was thrown against one of the tables. He felt a sudden pang of guilt.

"Are you all right?" he said automatically.

"Cough! Yes. Cough!" she said, standing up and favoring her hip. They were both covered in soot, but it showed mostly on her blonde hair. She had swallowed some, and Severus realized that he also hadn't warned her to keep her mouth shut. He stormed angrily out of the inn, damming Ethan Parker and all those that he considered responsible for this situation.

She followed and once outside she found him astride the broom and ready to fly off.

"Mount behind me," he ordered.

Thankfully she was wearing pants. The broom handle seemed overly thin to be anything but atrociously uncomfortable. He didn't seem to mind, but she wondered if she should seat herself on the sweeping end. He frowned impatiently at her hesitation.

"Sit right behind me. There is a cushion spell which will support you, even if you cannot see it."

She did as she was told, holding on to the only way she could, by wrapping her hands around his waist. Once again she sensed his discomfort. They flew off and she gasped at the sensation of flying over the forest while seated on such a flimsy vehicle. After the initial shock of it, she found it extremely exhilarating, almost to the point of forgetting about why she was here. Hogwarts was visible a couple of kilometers away, glorious with the majestic towers and the lighted windows.

Five minutes later they arrived at the castle. Helen shrieked as Severus pointed them straight at the walls. The window opening had not been closed and he took them smartly in. They disembarked and Helen suddenly remembered that her daughter was near death and that she would see her in few seconds. Instinctively she took Severus' hand and squeezed it. He reacted with initial annoyance and tried to free himself, but a look at her face stopped him.

"Now you can tell me," she said, her face pale. "How is she?"

Severus' expression softened a little. Despite himself he changed the grip on her hand to a gentle touch. He described the accident and the diagnostic. Helen's face showed horror.

"She should heal fully in time," he said. "The problem is getting her through the next hours. We will need to transfuse her with your blood. We have already used Richard's but that cannot last." He stopped and spoke more gently. "Do not be shocked at what you will see. She is alive, and now we have a good chance of saving her. That is all that you need to think about."

She looked back, bit her lip and nodded nervously. He led her through the door to the room where Alicia and the others were waiting. Helen took in the frightening scene. Richard lying on a bed next to his sister. Red stained clothes all over the place. A long cherry colored tube coming out of his arm into a silver machine, with another tube going into Alicia. Harry and Silena standing next to their friend. A large matron like witch checking on the wounded girl. She went right to her daughter's side, her hands caressed her face.

"All right," said the nurse. "We'll switch over now."

Helen started to roll her sleeve. It was awkward with the winter clothes, but Severus used a spell to conjure away the fabric on her arm. They worked quickly and Helen was soon in Richard's place. Severus busied himself with brewing an advanced cicatrisation potion. He asked Harry to assist him, giving terse instructions in a brisk whisper. They worked quickly. All the needed ingredients had already been brought in. The mix was poured into the silver transfusion machine. He brewed another restorative for Richard and for Helen. When everything was done, they settled down to wait.

None of them said anything and the only noise in the room was the soft thumping sound of the pump and the girl's rasping breath. Half an hour later, Madam Pomfrey saw that Alicia's medical signs were picking up. It wasn't over yet, but it was a good omen. She exchanged a discrete glance with Severus, but they didn't say anything to the others, for fear of raising their hopes too soon. The girl could still die of any number of complications, and that would be even more devastating.

Another half hour passed and the positive signs were more evident. Even Alicia's skin color had returned to a merely sicken paleness, from the deathly white it was before.

"She's going to make it," said the nurse. Helen looked at her with eyes full of hope. She turned toward Severus who nodded and relaxed his expression into a soft smile. Helen felt the tears coming and she didn't fight them.

"Thank you!" she gasped in gratitude. "Thanks God and thank you."

Richard was crying too, pressing himself against his mother. Severus felt an acute need to leave the room. Not that there was any chance of him shedding tears, but he might still show inappropriate emotions and that wouldn't do.

"Out!" said Madam Pomfrey. Severus didn't wait and left immediately. "The emergency is over, so out with you, except for Mrs. Parker. We will keep the transfusion on for a little while, at a reduced rate. Mister Parker, how are you feeling?"

"Er, fine Ma'm." The nurse looked at him, clearly considering whether or not to keep him in a patient's bed until the next morning. "Really fine. I'm not dizzy or anything," he insisted.

"Hummphr. All right, but you go and rest in your rooms. I want someone to bring some food, and no play or exercise of any kind. I want you to eat a full meal tonight and drink a lot. Is that clear?"

"Right clear Ma'm. Er, will I be able to see my Mom before she leaves?"

"Yes. Now go away before I change my mind."

Harry led them out, and then the two women were alone with Alicia.

"How do you feel Mrs. Parker?" asked Madam Pomfrey. "Light headed? Any cramps? Nausea?"

"No, no. It's all right, just a little tired."

"You've got a good constitution, but you should rest for a few days after giving so much blood. Can you take leave from your work?"

"Yes. I guess I could," said Helen.

"Then do so. We will arrange a more comfortable mean of transport than brooms or floo powder to get you back. I expect that Severus will see to that."

Helen said nothing. She looked at her daughter and tried to think about something else than the man who had saved her life.

- - -

Diagon Alley,

Arthur Weasley Apparated next to the Gringotts building, inside the special security area that the Aurors had erected around the bank. A glimmering magical shield blocked the street. On the other side of the field, he could see the crowd of angry wizards and witches, clamoring to regain access to their savings, and protesting the breakdown of practically all commerce in Diagon Alley. Some were holding signs: 'GIVE ME MY GALLEONS BACK', 'CAPITALIST ARE THIEVES', 'MY CHILDREN STARVE WHILE YOU COUNT, and others where throwing stones or hexes at the barrier.

Arthur ignored them. There was a similar crowd near the access to the Ministry of Magic. These were just the simple people. None of them had the power to break the defense shield put up by the Aurors. The really powerful wizards who could were staying home. They had more money inside the bank, but they could afford to wait. However, it was clear that if Shrummer gave the order to storm the place, he wouldn't lack volunteers for shock troops. Some of these people were desperate.

Mad Eye Moody and another Auror escorted him as he walked toward the gates. In the past few days, Gringotts had transformed into a fortress. All windows were closed shut with big steel plates. More armor had been bolted on every likely surface, and he could see Goblin crews setting up a pillbox near the entrance. There were protected by guards sporting big and deadly crossbows.

He sighed and walked up to one who appeared to be the leader of the detachment. He was wearing a heavy bronze and leather cuirass, and there was a large curved sword at his belt. He eyed the wizard suspiciously.

"What do you want human?" he spat.

Arthur was tired and worried, but very determined. Dumbledore had offered to accompany him, but he had refused. He knew that he was less gifted than the Headmaster for playing the complex dance of Goblin diplomacy, but he sensed that the time for such play was over, and if the Goblins didn't realize it, then he would tell them frankly. Seeing that, Dumbledore had given him one simple advice.

"Do not try to be polite then. With Goblins, it is all niceties, or raw power. There is no in-between."

"I want to speak to Goblin Gauldbag. Now," said Arthur firmly. The Goblin shook his head.

"He is-"

"I SAID NOW!" barked Arthur. He bent down toward the smaller creature and whispered murderously. "If I don't get to see him in a minute, then the next wizard to come here will hex you so deep into the ground that you'll need one of those vault chariots to come up!"

The Goblin looked at his face and decided that the human meant business, or that at the very least the decision should be taken by his superior. He gave a sign and there was a long grinding sound of metal structures rubbing painfully over each other. Presently, the door opened and the Goblin gestured for them to go inside.

"Nice speech Arthur," murmured Moody in his ear. "I couldn't have said it better myself."

Arthur smiled grimly and went in. It felt very good to lash out at someone, and he had a lot grief and frustration to unload that way. He suddenly felt more confident. He was going to follow Dumbledore's advice to the full. Certainly it looked like it was working. As they got inside, the guards stopped them again. They refused to let the Aurors come in with their wands. Moody was beginning to bristle since they wouldn't be very useful without weapons. Arthur followed an impulse and indicated to the old Auror that he would go in alone.

He stepped inside the bank, with armed Goblins on either side of him. They were carrying vicious looking weapons and grinning cruelly at him, but he didn't feel any fear. It was not his natural courage showing itself. That one would have had him set his teeth grimly and hold the fear at bay with a sense of duty and sacrifice. No, in this moment Arthur was truly unafraid. It was as if he had gone beyond the normal perception of danger. He was normally a prudent man, but there had been so many events beyond his control in the past days, that prudence now seemed to be the least rational attitude. Part of it was fatigue drunkenness, but was truly convinced that there were only two choices available to him. He could either cower like a broken animal and ultimately fail, or ride it out with panache.

So he marched like a king into the great lobby of the bank, where dozens of armed warriors were setting up more weapons. He was walking so fast that the smaller Goblins guards escorting him had to trot in order to keep up. They looked at his face, and since they couldn't understand why he wasn't afraid, they became hesitant in his place. It was as if there were fixed quantities of courage and fear in the room, and the more brazing Arthur was, the more timid the Goblins became. When they reached the other side of the big space, one the guards was running in front, opening the doors and cringing as he gestured for the wizard to follow him.

He was finally led into a room where Gauldbag and other officials were examining some papers, standing around a large table. The bank director looked up and saw a different Arthur Weasley than the one he was used to. He too was taken aback, but it took more than bravado to impress him. Actually that which bothered him the most was the cowed attitude of the Goblin guards. What he was seeing didn't make any sense after the reports he had gotten concerning the Wizengamot meeting. The man had been defeated and humiliated. Gauldbag had expected to never see him again, and here he was, stomping like a conqueror.

Arthur stopped a few steps away from the table and crossed his arms. He looked straight at the Goblin leader and ignored the rest. Gauldbag made a quick decision and barked a short order. The other Goblins started to exit the room. Some were hesitating, but he repeated the command in a biting voice. Presently they were alone.

"Goblin Gauldbag, we have to talk," said Arthur. They were in the same room where they had talked three days ago. The symbols of war were still on the wall.

"I hear you" replied the Goblin. He wondered if he could break the man's assurance with anger. "Is the Ministry ready to accept our demands? The situation can still be mended."

"I am not here to negotiate," replied Arthur unfazed. "It is actually too late, or too soon for that. I am here to tell you that your intransigence has caused your worse enemy to gain power."

"All wizards are our enemy!" retorted Gauldbag. He checked himself as he belatedly realized that it was him who was becoming angry.

Arthur shook his head and explained Lord Shrummer's new policy. He didn't believe there was any advantage in keeping it a secret. The only chance they had to avoid war was to make both sides realize the dangers it carried.

"This is madness!" replied Gauldbag. He was shaken that the situation had degraded so quickly. He had expected to be able to use the trading ban to secure a few privileges, and then restore things to normal.

"Of course it is," said Arthur, almost cheerfully. "What do you call it when reason fails?" He walked calmly toward the Goblin. "I tried to be reasonable. Albus Dumbledore tried to be reasonable." He opened his hands. "You rejected this, preferring to threaten us with ruin. Shrummer rejected it, for his own motives." He shrugged as if it was a minor point. "Other people didn't want to be reasonable, and now Shrummer is Minister of Magic, and he is ready to make a bigger threat than yours."

Arthur turned around and gestured toward the paintings of burning cities.

"So this is what you will get. War, carnage, desolation." He turned around and now anger showed on his face. "It happened before, and we will return to reason when all the mad people will be gone."

"Arthur!" said Gauldbag in alarm. He was appalled at the man's words. If Shrummer or some other hothead politician had said it, then he would have ignored it. But this was Arthur Weasley, a man who had always tried to do the sensible thing. Briefly, he wondered if the traitorous action of his daughter had unbalanced him. Certainly it must have been terrible. In a Goblin family she would have been killed, or forced to commit suicide.

And where is Albus? Why is he not here? Has he gone mad as well?

He imagined the ancient wizard laughing crazily and putting his formidable intellect to the task of making Galleons and Sickles which wouldn't own anything to his people, to his bank! If that happened, not only would the Goblins pay a terrible price, but he personally would lose everything. It was unthinkable.

"Arthur, we must stop this! We must stop it now," he said in near panic.

Arthur looked back and said nothing. Gauldbag pulled himself together. He walked around to table toward the wizard, and made soothing gestures with his hands.

"I have my own mad Goblins to hold at bay," he said fretfully. "You must understand that. The Minister must understand that. But we can work something out. I can lift the ban, but not totally."

He thought furiously. If he backed off completely, then Shrummer would apply his own reasoning to the situation and take undo advantage of their decision. He saw that Arthur was listening attentively. At least it was a sign of rationality. Gauldbag began to regain hope.

"We can lift the ban, but we will keep a ceiling on the value of transactions," he proposed. "Something like under a hundred Galleons a week. It will show our good faith and disarm the crisis. Then we can search for a way to restore the relationship between our species." He looked anxiously at the wizard.

Arthur pondered the offer. It made a lot of sense. Few wizards had more than a few dozen Galleons in their vaults, and the ones who had more than that would not be those doing the fighting. Shrummer would not be able to enforce the decision to go to war in such conditions. It would work.

"That is reasonable," he said.

- - -

Hogwarts,

Outside the infirmary, Harry, Richard and Silena found Luna and Hermione waiting for them. Luna looked miserable.

"We heard about the accident," said Hermione. "How's Alicia?"

"She'll be okay," said Harry tiredly. He looked at Luna with a pained expression, and then gave Richard and Silena a pointed nod. They understood and went away toward the Slytherin dungeons.

"Is it true what they say?" asked Luna, in a shrill voice. "Did Ron do this? He says not, and he's not lying!" she added almost hysterically. "He says you all lied to frame him!"

She shook her head in despair. Harry reached out toward her but she grabbed his hand and held it in her own.

"I'm terribly sorry Luna," he said very gently. "But it's all true. It was like he was obsessed with pushing the kids ever harder." He shrugged helplessly. "I guess that he doesn't even appreciate what he's done."

In addition to touching him, Luna had been staring at his face while he spoke. He knew she was using her truth sense on him, and he didn't try to block it. She realized it, because she suddenly broke into tears. Hermione and Harry made her sit on a bench. They took position on both sides of her, and watched on helplessly as the girl shook with sobs.

"I was talking with Draco..." she said between sniffs. "He's furious, and he says that none of that trouble at the Ministry would have happened if you hadn't sold FOM to Bones." She felt Hermione temper rise. "No, I don't want to debate about it!" she said violently. She stood up from the bench and turned around to stare at them. "I hate what's happening! We were friends, and it was a beautiful thing, and now we're tearing at each other, and it's awful. You've all gone crazy! Can't you see that?"

They looked at her painfully. They could understand how terrible it could be for Luna, who was the one the most attuned to their emotions, to feel how badly things had broken out with their group.

But there was nothing that they could do about it. Harry and Hermione couldn't get away from the fact that Draco and Ginny had taken side with what they saw as evil and dangerous forces. Ron couldn't be shaken from his certitude that Harry had lied to accuse him of a terrible deed. It was really too much for them to handle.

Luna shook her head one last time and ran away. Harry felt crushed by her pain, especially because if one of them was really innocent of any hidden agenda, then it was Luna. It was all the more unfair for her. He didn't know what was happening. Maybe it was just bad luck and random events coming down on all of them. He closed his fists and almost trembled with frustration.

"Mione," he said desperately. "What's going on? Have we gone crazy? She's got a point. I can't believe that we could have drifted so far apart in so little time."

She stared back and said nothing. She could sense some basic rightness in his argument, but when she looked objectively at the situation, she couldn't find the flaw in her reasoning. He continued.

"She can't be wrong, Mione." He gestured toward the direction where Luna had gone. "She's got some strange ideas sometimes, but she's never been wrong about people. She can't be wrong damn it, she's an Empath!" he added, hitting the bench with his fist.

Hermione couldn't help pointing out the flaw in his reasoning.

"If an Empath is never wrong, then why does she say that Ron did not do what you say him doing?" she asked.

Harry was struck mute by her implacable logic. He bowed his head in defeat, as he realized that she was right as usual. This was really a nightmare.

"Why then?" he whimpered. "Why is this happening?"

Hermione didn't know what to say.

"I don't know Harry," she said finally. "I think we just have to wait and search for the answer. Maybe there's something else that we've missed."

She stood up.

"But I'm afraid that it's not over yet. Come. I don't want to talk about it here."

- - -

Severus had anticipated Madam Pomfrey's suggestion and contacted the Ministry. He needed a portkey for Helen and those were normally a Ministry monopoly, a few wizards could create one, but it was illegal, and he wasn't the Headmaster. However, he knew just the man to ask for the favor.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt," he asked into the flames of his fireplace.

"Hello there, Severus," replied the Auror. "How are you doing, man?" he asked of his former partner. They had both been active members of the Order of The Phoenix in the war against Voldemort, and that kind of bond could not be forgotten.

"I am well, thank you. Sorry to disturb you, but I need a portkey for a Muggle." He explained the events which had led to having brought Helen at the school.

"Helen Parker you say?" replied the Auror with a nod. "No problem. I know her. She's been given a Permanent, and I've actually make a few portkeys for her."

Severus frowned. The Permanent Access was the amulet he'd seen Helen use a few hours ago. He was relieved that she had gotten it officially, but there were still a few unanswered questions.

"Why did she need portkeys for?" he asked.

"Bones wanted to meet her. I called at her workplace on Monday and brought her to the Ministry. I didn't know why at the time, but of course now it's all out in the open." Kingsley shook his head sadly. "It was really a shame what happened, but politics is a dirty business you know."

"What did Bones want with her?" asked Severus. He could sense that he was on the brink of learning something important.

"From what I gathered, she needed someone who could represent that association the kids had thought up, you know Fraternity whatever, the thing she based her candidacy on. And it had to be someone without any ties to the school, because your Headmaster was against it, for some reason that I don't understand actually." A light suddenly clicked in Severus' mind.

Merlin! What a mix up.

"Pretty long shot it was, if you ask me," continued Kingsley. "But I understand that for Mrs. Parker, the price of her cooperation was the Permanent Access. Hey! By the way, I saw that book you wrote, in her flat."

Severus had to take a moment to switch mental gears and understand what the man was talking about.

"I found it strange," the Auror went on. "The page with your dedication had been torn and then smoothed over and replaced. I wondered about that. Cute little mystery, you know. Care to tell me about it?"

Severus looked at the man for a moment.

"An accident," he said curtly.

"Ah." Kingsley looked disappointed. He shrugged. "Well, whatever. You said you wanted a portkey?"

"Yes please. For her home."

"No problem, gimme a second." Kingsley's face disappeared from the flames and when he came back a few seconds later, his hand was holding a strand of colored rope, wrapped in a piece of parchment. "Here you are."

"Thank you very much, Kingsley," said Severus. "If I can do anything for you in return, please do not hesitate to ask."

"No trouble. Give my regards to the lady."

"I will. Goodbye, Kingsley."

"Bye, Severus."

Severus placed the portkey in an envelop and reflected quietly on what he had learned. He had made a serious mistake with Helen. His pride had made him react very unfairly with her. It was unusual for Severus Snape to feel ashamed at something he had done, but he was deeply ashamed now.

She didn't hurt me. I hurt myself.

He also realized that he had been unjust with the Headmaster, but somehow that bothered him a lot less. He turned decisively away from the fireplace and went out of his office.

- - -

"Draco, we have to talk," said Ginny, pulling him into a quiet spot.

They had spent most of the day with the other students, as many as would hear them out, pleading for their version of what had happened, and shoring up the case of the new Minister. The results were mixed. Some accepted their story, mostly among Slytherins and Ravenclaws. A few were even avid supporters of the new order, but a strong minority resented violently what had been done. In Hufflepuff, those formed a clear majority. One thing that grated badly with several people was the fact that Ginny had, unwittingly or not, taken position against her father. Family and blood loyalty was a big thing among wizards.

Since they had never imagined Arthur Weasley would be involved in the Wizengamot confrontation, Ginny hadn't fully grasped how the Prophet story sounded to independent witnesses. After the second student had refused to even talk to her, she'd realized it very well.

And then there was Draco's own position. He was clearly the front man on this, and at least the most vocal, but it was also clear that he had lost a great deal of the standing which had come from his association with Harry and his friends. It was now evident that there was a split among the Six Founders, and that in turn reduced the aura they once commanded. To get some legitimacy back, Draco needed to have Ginny at his side. Of course, he didn't want to distant himself from her in any case, but their couple was taking on some aspect of a union of the damned.

"What is it?" he said nervously.

Both of them had been on edge all day. It was their turn to use the Bubble tonight, and it would be a much needed relief for him. Ginny's face was set in a hard expression which had become more and more pronounced as the day went on.

"I want to make something very clear," she said. "I-"

"Wait a minute," he interrupted. "Can't this wait for tonight?" He was tired and it was bad enough arguing with all these people. He didn't want to do it with her as well now. All he wanted was to take her in his arms and forget about this mess for a while.

"No," she said. "Tonight we'll make love. We'll be at peace. I don't want to ruin it with an argument. So we have the argument now. All right?"

He nodded. He was glad that she was a tough one, like him. She wouldn't break and neither would he. They would weather this together.

"Okay," she said. "Here goes. I followed you on this." He started to protest and she stopped him. "Let me speak. I accept the general principles of Trevor and Shrummer's plans. We talked about it and we agreed that Dumbledore played a very strange game." She paused and he twisted his mouth in discomfort. He knew what was coming.

"But I don't like how it's been done," she continued. "My father was humiliated, and I hate that. A lot of people, including Harry and Hermione, think I'm shit, and I hate that. My mother's probably crying her head off, and really hate that!"

She stared at him and he grimaced in sympathy. He felt that way too, but maybe less intensely.

"So the next time we do something, we do it for us, and for the people we've hurt. Trevor and Shrummer got their prize, and they owe us now. They owe us big!"

Draco frowned and stared back with annoyance.

"Come on, you know it's not that easy," he said. "This isn't a game Gin. It's politics, and we can't do all that we want. We need to be together on this."

Anger flashed in her eyes and her face hardened even more.

"You don't understand do you?" she snapped. "Of course I'm with you. We made a pledge remember? Well if it wasn't for that, I'd be back home right now, on my knees begging my father's forgiveness, and telling him everything that happened. It could still happen if I'm pushed too far, so don't push me."

Alarm showed on his face. He hadn't realized how badly she was taking this.

"So we'll argue our cause," she continued, calming down a little, "and defend ourselves, but we don't hurt our friends anymore. We'll try to convince them, but we won't attack them." Her eyes were burning with resolve. "I want you to swear that you'll follow me on this. I said I would be loyal to you, and you said the same, but need to win back our friends."

He waited to be sure that she was finished, and then he answered her.

"I'm with you on this Ginny. Like you I hate what I saw in Harry's eyes this morning. I hope that this will smooth over in time, and I agree that there will have to be some payback. Tell you what. We could write a letter to Trevor, and ask to see him and Shrummer, at Hogsmeade or elsewhere and talk about this. We can do it tonight."

Her face was calmer now. She'd said her piece, and it had been accepted. It made her feel much better.

"No, not tonight. Tonight is for us. We'll do it tomorrow."

- - -

"Come in," said Helen at the knock on her door.

The door opened and Severus came in.

"Hello, Helen," he said.

She took notice that his voice was different from the one he had in the afternoon. It was much softer, like when they had dined together. She wondered why that was.

"How is your daughter?" he asked.

Alicia was still sleeping in a bed next to Helen's. Her breathing was regular and her face peaceful once more. Helen's hand was lying next to her arm. She smiled at the child's face and touched her softly.

"She's much better. The nurse, or doctor I don't know exactly, said that she would be fully recovered in a few days. The wound is already closed. It's really amazing." She turned toward him. "Thank you for what you did Severus. She told me that it was your decision that saved her."

"It was also her skill, your blood and Richard's, and Harry's quick action," he said gruffly. "I only did my part."

"Nonetheless, I am very grateful." She gave him a beautiful smile. The same one which had moved him so much before.

"and I wanted to apologize -"

"I wanted to apologize -"

They practically said the same thing together. It made Helen laugh, and caused Severus to be somewhat embarrassed. He reacted first because she was still a little drowsy after the transfusion and the restorative potions.

"I wanted to apologize for my reaction the other day, Helen," he said. "I misunderstood what you meant, and I only realized the truth a few minutes ago, when I talked with someone from the Ministry."

"It's all right, Severus. It was going to say that it was my fault. I was clumsy. I would never insult you thus."

"I was stupid enough to forget that," said Severus. "Please forgive me."

"Of course I forgive you, and if your offer still stands, I would be honored to accept it. There are no reasons for me not to be involved with the school anymore, and I have the freedom of movement that I wanted."

"Consider it done. I am happy for what Bones gave you. I hope you are not too sad about the fate of your project for the association?"

"Honestly, I didn't care for it as much as she did, or Hermione. I imagine that she is very sad."

Severus made a face. Hermione Granger was something else. He'd followed the theatrics from afar, wondering what action to take. After some thinking, he had finally decided to let the Headmaster assume his responsibilities. He would do nothing.

"Stark raving mad is more like it," he said, "or rather not. She may be burning mad inside, but on the outside, she is a block of ice."

"That sounds like a dangerous mix," said Helen with a twinkle of amusement. Severus smiled as well. What was happening with the students, or the Ministry, didn't seem very important from his present perspective. A life had been saved, and a friendship restored. That was what counted most.

"I can escort you back whenever you wish it," he said, showing her Kingsley's portkey.

"Well then I guess we can do that now." She gazed longingly at Alicia, and then bent down to kiss her.

"I will make sure that she is well," said Severus.

"Yes, I know you will."

Helen finally tore herself free from her daughter. They used the portkey to get back to her flat. The messed up tea service and food was still on the floor. Severus took out his wand.

"Reparo! Scourgify!"

And the broken teapot and cups were whole once again, and the carpet was clean.

"It's amazing how you can repair things," said Helen admiringly. She thought about Alicia's accelerated healing, and then her eyes fell on the monograph, with the torn page still showing out a little. Severus followed her gaze and reached for it. He could how carefully she had tried to undo the damage. He gestured once again with his wand.

"Reparo!" he murmured, and the book was whole once again. He gave it to her and he couldn't help being moved again when she took it against her chest and crossed her arms around it, looking at him with a bright and happy face. It was all he could do not to take her in his arms.

We can repair things all right. Magic is good for that. Such a shame that we do not have anything to repair souls.

- - -

Dinner was over and Draco and Ginny were finally free of the unpleasant mood which had surrounded them all day. They were both nervously exhausted, especially Ginny. At least at the Slytherin table, Draco had the comfort of some friendly company, while most of the Gryffindor still ostracized her, and the few who didn't were the ones she admired the least. She endured it. She knew how the game was played. She would have to take her lumps and suffer before gaining back some sympathy.

They moved along the deserted corridors, up to the second floor when the private room was hidden under the Fidelus spell. They arrived in the area and silently spoke the secret words which would reveal the bubble. Nothing happened. The shimmering sphere was not there. Draco spoke the words aloud.

"The Marauder's Resting Home is located right inside the second recess from the south wall of the west corridor, on the second floor of Hogwarts main building," he intoned.

But still nothing appeared. They exchanged a look of horror. Only the Secret Keeper could have done that, either destroying the Bubble, or removing them from the list of those allowed to use it.

And the Secret Keeper was Hermione.

"Bloody bitch!" raged Draco. "She threw us out."

Ginny's face was white with shock. This was the final blow. The last throw that she could take on this terrible day. Hermione hated them enough so that she had taken the time and trouble to cast the complicated spell to do this. The Bubble could have been a kind of neutral ground, the last remain of what they had shared together, and now what she was saying was that there would be no neutral ground. They where enemies. She and Draco were cut off. She was exiled from her friends, her family. She started to shake.

"Look Gin," said Draco. "We can find another place. We-"

She didn't let him finished. She didn't want another place. She turned and ran. She ran all the way to Gryffindor Tower, and to her dormitory, breathless with exertion and sobs. She threw herself on her bed and closed the drapes. Shutting out the world and the hatred which was in it, only keeping the pain which was inside her.

On the brink Ch24 - 14