In the End

Chapter 11: Aftermath

It was over...for now. Voldemort had pulled his Death Eaters out of the cities, but not before finishing the replica of the Dark Mark and killing numerous innocent people, Muggle and wizard alike. Grimmauld Place was packed; many of the wounded Order members who had not been seriously injured were sent to Headquarters to either receive treatment or stay the night. Joanna had little Healing experience, but she did know how to treat second-degree burns, cuts and gashes, and small broken bones (being a teacher for over ten years had helped).

Currently, she was wrapping a bandage around Charlie Weasley's very muscular upper arm. He had been burned by a Death Eater whilst defending a Muggle family near Scotland's border.

"There you go," Joanna said softly as she finished wrapping the arm. Charlie gave her a distracted and sad smile as he flexed his arm.

"Thanks," he mumbled with half-lidded eyes. Joanna could tell that the younger man was both exhausted and utterly worried about his brothers. Percy had been kidnapped, Fred was at St. Mungo's with severe internal bleeding, and George was still suffering from the after-affects of the Cruciatus Curse. Bill was doing all right, having only been mildly hexed earlier in the evening, and Ginny and Ron were still safe at school.

Joanna watched as Charlie clenched and unclenched his fists and stared off into the distance. Laying a calming hand over his fists, she said, "Is there anything I could get for you? Something to eat or drink, perhaps?"

Charlie's eyes snapped to hers before flickering down at Joanna's hands. Looking back up, he said in a hoarse voice, "No...I'm--I'll be fine. I'm going to go find Mum and Dad...Someone'll need to tell Ron and Ginny about--about Percy. And the twins..." Charlie gritted his teeth and looked back down to his lap. He then quickly grasped her hands with his own and gave them a firm squeeze.

"Thank you," he whispered. He then stood up and walked swiftly from the room. Joanna sighed loudly and bowed her head as the other conversations in the drawing room slowly filtered back into her awareness. The pain and extreme emotions in the house were really beginning to get to her; Joanna knew that it would only be a matter of time before the emotions would overwhelm her. Occlumency could hold off the assault of the intensity of feelings only so long and would begin to crumble. She needed to leave Grimmauld Place as soon as possible.

But not before she knew that Severus was safe.

Word had spread quickly that the Death Eaters had reached Azkaban and rescued their fellow followers. The death toll of the Aurors and Order members was daunting, and Joanna had felt physically sick when she'd heard the news. Kingsley Shacklebolt was the only survivor and was currently at St. Mungo's. He'd had a run-in with Bellatrix Lestrange; it was a miracle he was even alive.

What was worse, though, was that she knew Severus had been there. She'd felt it.

With a growl, Joanna scrubbed her hands over her face. It'll all be over soon, she told herself, somewhat hysterically. Severus is fine, I know he's fine. Joanna blinked wearily as the room shifted. With a start, Joanna shot out of her chair and then immediately doubled before darkness encompassed her.

*~*~*~*

A dark figure glided through the night, walking briskly towards the house that had just appeared before him. He raised his wand and tapped it against the door, and a moment later, he silently entered the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. He closed the door quietly behind him, aware that it was nearly six in the morning. As expected, he was met in the foyer by his mentor.

"Severus," said the man, his voice soft and kind, quite unlike his other master's. "Come with me." Severus dutifully followed the older wizard into a drawing room where they could be alone.

"Sit," Dumbledore said politely, and Severus gratefully sank down onto one of the plush, if not dusty, sofas. "I will try to make this as brief as possible," the older man continued, pouring Severus a steaming cup of tea laced with a Calming Draught.

Dumbledore listened patiently as Severus relayed the activities he had participated in that night, including aiding in the breakout of Azkaban Prison. He also told Dumbledore about Narcissa Malfoy now being a Death Eater, something that had both surprised and unnerved him that evening.

"I'm sorry, Headmaster," he said hoarsely after he had finished.

"You have nothing to be sorry about," Dumbledore replied in a firm voice. "What you are doing for the Order is not easy, and at times, it will ask you to do some...questionable things, but I know that you are a good person, Severus. We can finish up the report tomorrow. I daresay we're going to have a lot to talk about."

"And Joanna?" Severus whispered, too tired to scowl at Dumbledore's praise or feel embarrassed about his asking of after Joanna's welfare.

"She is resting," said Dumbledore.

"She...she wasn't harmed, though?" questioned Severus, his eyes boring straight into Dumbledore's. "By the Death Eaters?"

Dumbledore shook his head and said, "No, she was not hurt." Severus exhaled slowly and nodded distractedly. "I want you to stay here," the headmaster continued. "You are exhausted and in no condition to return to Hogwarts. There is a room for you on the fourth landing, fourth door on the left. Please go, and be at rest."

With a sigh, Severus heaved himself off the couch, and was halfway out the door when Dumbledore stopped him with a touch to his shoulder.

"I am very proud of you," he said softly into Severus's ear. "More than you can imagine."

Swallowing heavily, emotion overwhelming him, Severus gently pulled away from the headmaster, granted him a goodnight, and then slowly trudged his way upstairs. The door was closed, but Severus barely acknowledged this and walked into the darkened room. Although the curtains were drawn around the bed, Severus knew at once who was behind them. He parted the curtains and found Joanna sleeping peacefully. Without thinking, Severus stretched out his arm and lightly touched one of her cheeks; his hand drifted lower to her neck as he took in her appearance. There were noticeable dark circles under her eyes, and she appeared to be grinding her teeth; her hair was stringy and matted to her face, but Severus couldn't help but think that she looked beautiful when she slept. He pulled back his hand and stepped quietly away from the bed before making his way over to the bathroom on the other side of the suite.

Severus turned on the water to allow it to heat up as he began stripping off the Death Eater robes. When he was finally naked, he found himself in front of the mirror above the sink, staring into a face that was not his own. He tore his eyes away from the stranger's reflection and quickly stepped into the shower, allowing the scalding water to beat its way down his back as he braced himself against the wall.

He stood there for what felt like hours, just letting the water pound into him, washing away his sins and the blood on his hands. Severus tried not to think about what had happened at Azkaban, or to look at the tattoo marring his left forearm, so instead he pictured the only thing that could bring him any sort of pleasure anymore: Joanna.

His heart began to beat faster and his stomach rolled in an odd yet agreeable way as he thought about the witch. For almost the entire time he was in the company of the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord, he had thought of little else than returning to see her, to see her smile and laugh, or tease him while she worked on potions.

When he was on Azkaban Island, as men and women fell to the Killing Curse thrown by the Death Eaters, Severus prayed that he would make it out alive...and that Joanna would forgive him for the deeds he was witnessing and committing that night. Severus remembered how his entire being had clenched against the howl of misery that built within his heart at the thought that Joanna could be hurt, or worse, during the attacks...that he might never see her again. It was one of the most overwhelming moments of his life.

Severus grabbed a bar of soap and began scrubbing furiously at his skin, hoping to clean away the scent of pain and death. Twenty minutes later, he finally shut off the tap but he still stood in the bathroom, toweling dry, for another ten minutes before he was able to work up the nerve to walk back out into the room. To Joanna.

He sighed with relief when he saw that she was still sleeping, curled up like a cat underneath the bed sheets. He pulled on a pair of underwear and a nightshirt before crawling into bed beside Joanna, and falling into a restless sleep.

*~*~*~*

As the men cleared out of the kitchen to go do "manly things," Milah and Lily stayed behind to chat over a cup of tea. Shouts of laughter could be heard from the other room where baby Harry was the center of attention amongst the boys.

Milah sat in her chair for a very long time (at least according to her) before she finally cracked and blurted out, "Why isn't Remus here?"

Lily sighed and set her cup down a little harder than necessary. She glanced wearily at the door that led to the living room, and apparently satisfied that they wouldn't be overheard, said, "He and James had a falling out."

"What?" Milah gasped, spilling some tea down the front of her blouse. Lily quickly cast a Scouring Charm on the shirt and Milah gave her a sheepish smile before asking, "What do you mean, 'a falling out?' Did they have a fight? I hadn't heard anything from Sirius..."

Lily sat staring at her hands, which were clasped around the cup before she looked up, tears brimming in her eyes. "Did you know that Remus was in love with me?"

Milah opened and closed her mouth several times, and her eyes widened in understanding. Licking her lips, she nodded slightly.

"I thought so," said Lily. Tugging on her bright red hair, she took a large gulp of tea and said, "He told me...a long time ago, while we were still in school, and long before James and I were ever married. He said that--that he just wanted me to know, that of course he would never try to take me away from James..."

"But?" prompted Milah when Lily didn't continue.

"Last week he came over...James was out on a mission for the Order," Lily said, wringing her hands. "He was drunk, Milah. I never even knew werewolves could get drunk. Anyway..." She trailed off and bit down on her lip hard. "He--he wasn't himself, I know he wasn't acting like he normally does--"

"Lily, what happened?" Milah stressed.

"He kissed me," she whispered, and Milah gaped at her.

"You're joking. Remus wouldn't do that!"

"He did." Lily stared at Milah with wide eyes, and Milah knew at once that it was the truth.

"And then James found out," Milah finished for her, slumping back in her chair. "Oh, Lily, I'm so sorry."

Lily's bright green eyes were full of tears. "James, Sirius, and Peter, they just--they just shut him out. It was horrible, Milah. I'd never seen James look like that before...and Sirius. My God, it was like Remus had killed his puppy or something."

"He saw it as a betrayal..." Milah murmured. Running a hand roughly over her face, she looked towards the doorway leading out of the kitchen and suddenly felt very sad. They were the Marauders, the best of friends. They were never supposed to allow anything to come between them.

Just then, Sirius bounded into the kitchen and planted a wet, sloppy kiss on Milah's cheek. "Ready to go?" he asked, hopping from one foot to the other.

Milah raised an eyebrow. "Go where?"

"I'm walking you to your flat. It's too dangerous to be out alone these days," he explained, puffing out his chest. Milah rolled her eyes at Lily, who gave her a feeble smile.

"I'll meet you out front," she said to Sirius, and once he was out of the room, turned back to Lily, and gave her friend a fierce hug. "It's all going to be okay," she said into Lily's ear. "It'll all work itself out." Pulling away, she pecked Lily on the cheek and walked out of the kitchen. After bidding farewell to James, Peter, and little Harry, she met Sirius on the front porch.

Milah took his proffered arm and allowed Sirius to lead her away from the Potter home and towards her flat that was about a mile away.

"You look stunning, by the way," said Sirius, breaking the heavy silence. Milah smiled slightly; she was wearing a long, flowing light blue summer dress, one of Sirius's favorite colors.

"Thank you," she replied softly. "I just got it a week ago...Sirius, why didn't you tell me about Remus?"

She felt his body tense and saw him clench his jaw. "I take it Lily told you?" he asked, giving her a sidelong glance.

Milah stopped walking, forcing Sirius to stop as well, and pulled her arm out of his grip. "Why, Sirius?" she asked desperately. "Or better yet, how? How could you do that to one of your best friends?"

"What kind of friend goes around kissing other people's wives?" he snarled, curling his lip. "He betrayed James's trust. That is reprehensible, as far as I am concerned."

"Why, because you're James's best friend, as opposed to Remus and Peter?" Milah shot back, and placed her hands on her hips. "Listen, I'm not saying what Remus did was right, okay? It was wrong, but for God's sake, Sirius, he's your friend too! He doesn't deserve the only people who've ever truly been there for him to just stop being his friend! That, Sirius, is reprehensible."

"It's not just James he's betrayed," Sirius sneered mysteriously.

"What are you on about?" Milah barked, her ire rising dangerously.

Sirius took a step closer to Milah, and said in a hushed voice, "Don't you think it's more than just coincidence that there's a spy in the Order and Remus has just cut himself off from his only friends?"

"You cut him off!" she shrieked. "Are you implying that Remus is that spy, Sirius? That's absurd! He would never, ever betray you! How could you even suggest such a thing?"

"He's a Dark creature," Sirius continued, his voice low and dangerous. "He admitted to being approached a year ago by Voldemort's followers, and claimed he refused their offer, but what if he didn't?"

Milah stared at Sirius in horror, her mouth agape and her eyebrows furrowed. "You're unbelievable," she hissed. "Just--just get away from me." She turned to leave and began to walk quickly down the street, when Sirius caught up with her and roughly grabbed a hold of her arm.

"Don't be daft," he growled, spinning her around to face him. "You still need an escort."

"Let go of me," Milah snapped, wrenching her hand from his grip. "I don't want you anywhere near me, Sirius Black, so why do you take your conspiracies and go fu--"

CRACK.

Milah jumped and let out a shriek at the unexpected sound of someone Apparating. For one wild moment, she thought that Sirius had actually left her alone, but it was when she spotted a figure cloaked entirely in black and wearing a white mask did she realize that the sound had come from a Death Eater.

Suddenly the air filled with the same cracking sound as more and more Death Eaters Apparated into the alley, surrounding her and Sirius. Milah found that she couldn't do anything, couldn't even move to draw her wand. A series of curses and hexes were fired, and Milah was screaming, red and blue and green light were flying dangerously close to her face...a Death Eater was approaching her...Sirius was yelling, telling her to run...The Death Eater raised his wand and fired--

And Joanna Kent woke with a scream.

*~*~*~*

Severus had not been having the most pleasant of dreams, so a small part of him was grateful to be woken only two hours after he had fallen asleep. The screaming, however, he could do without. Joanna was still shrieking when Severus grabbed a hold of her shoulders and began to shake her, forcing her into full consciousness.

"Joanna!" he barked, gripping her arms tightly. "Joanna, wake up! It was a dream, just a dream!"

As her shrieks turned into whimpers, Joanna's eyes fluttered open and came to rest on Severus's face. With a gasp, she flung herself forward and clung to Severus's nightshirt, wetting it with her tears. Closing his eyes, Severus wrapped his arms around her and placed a chaste kiss on her head as she cried into his chest. He wasn't sure how long he sat there, holding Joanna, comforting her, but eventually she fell asleep once more and Severus gently lowered her back down to the mattress. He tucked the blankets firmly around her body, and then stood up to get dressed. Severus was fully awake now, and he didn't see the point in going back to bed again if only nightmares awaited him.

He walked jerkily down the stairs and into the kitchen, hoping for a strong cup of coffee, and was surprised to find several Order members already awake.

"Professor Snape, good morning," said Molly Weasley with red-rimmed eyes. Severus, of course, knew that her son had been taken by the Death Eaters, yet it had been only late last night that he learned of the reopening of Troudemort. The thought still made his blood boil.

He nodded at Molly and moved to pour himself a cup when she hopped up from her chair and told him to sit, that she would take care of things. Severus figured keeping busy was one of her ways of coping with difficult situations, and decided to allow her that small bit of comfort.

Tonks, Lupin, Bill Weasley, and Alexander Bowen, a new member, were all gathered around the kitchen table discussing the events of the previous night. Severus ignored them all, something that had never taken much effort, and sipped his coffee gratefully, though he refused any breakfast. He had absolutely no appetite. Normally, Severus would have fled from any room that held more than two human beings, but he couldn't face Joanna quite yet, not when his own emotions were all over the place as it were.

"I heard Joanna screaming," said Remus softly in a concerned voice, leaning over to speak to Severus.

"It was only a nightmare," he replied curtly, and then immediately wished he'd bit his tongue. Several pairs of eyebrows shot up around the table, but again, Severus ignored them and instead, took to appearing as unapproachable as possible. It worked.

Eventually, George Weasley stumbled into the kitchen and Molly instantly began fussing over her son. Severus watched George scrupulously from behind his coffee mug and noticed that the young man was still suffering from the after-affects of the Cruciatus Curse. Severus reached into his robes, pulled out a concoction he used to brew regularly for the Order, and tossed it over to George.

"Drink it," he ordered. "It'll help with the shaking."

George downed the potion in one gulp and rolled the phial back over the Severus. "Thank you, sir," he said as the potion began taking affect, and the shaking became less noticeable. Severus gave a short nod and went back to staring into his cup, which was now almost empty.

"Losses?" he quietly asked Remus from the corner of his mouth.

Remus frowned and ran a hand through his hair. "Order members, thirteen. The rest were Ministry employees, mostly Aurors. We have several people at St. Mungo's, including Fred Weasley, Angelina Johnson, Kingsley, and Adrienne Appleton, among others."

Severus nodded grimly. He would learn of the deaths soon enough; the Order would surely hold a memorial for the lost members, as it always had, though Snape himself had never gone to one before.

"What about...?" Remus gestured vaguely, and Severus took that to mean he was asking about Death Eater losses.

"No one even remotely important," he supplied with a scowl. Remus closed his eyes and nodded. "You do know about...Troudemort, yes?" Severus continued, and Remus nodded again, a haunted look in his eyes. Severus ran a hand roughly over his face and finished his coffee.

He was about to rise and leave the room when a deep, rough voice growled, "Did you know about all of this?"

Severus hated to admit it, but the voice had startled him slightly; turning in his seat, he found Alexander Bowen glaring at him reproachfully. Severus raised an imperious brow and glared back at the younger man. "Excuse me?"

Bowen's upper lip curled and he leaned forward in his chair. "The attacks, you knew about them, didn't you?"

Severus, too, leaned forward and arranged his well-known scowl on his features. "You're new here, aren't you? Well, young man, I'm going to give you a little advice: never question me or my activities. What I know is strictly between the headmaster and myself."

"You're a self-righteous bastard," spat Bowen, clenching his fists on the table. "God forbid you ever think of anyone but yourself--"

"Enough."

Everyone in the room jumped at the voice and turned to see Joanna standing in the doorway to the kitchen. Striding forward, she stopped a mere foot away from Bowen and said, "Severus does not answer to you; he answers to Albus Dumbledore. If you have a problem with that, I suggest you take it up with the headmaster, I'm sure he'd be most pleased to discuss it with you."

Bowen scowled at her before rising up from his chair, and stormed out of the kitchen. With a sigh, Joanna took his seat and buried her head in her hands.

"You should be in bed," Severus chided before he could help himself. He cringed inwardly when several people turned to stare at him.

"I'm fine," she mumbled from behind her hands.

"Would you like something to eat, dear?" Molly asked. Joanna raised her head and smiled gratefully at the older woman.

"Yes, thank you," she said softly, lowering her hands. Joanna glanced around the table and caught Severus staring at her. She gave him a brittle smile as she took a sip of the tea that Molly had just placed in front of her. "Where's Arthur?" she asked.

Molly frowned and turned back to fiddle around the stove. "He's at Hogwarts," she replied softly. "He's telling Ron and Ginny about--about P-Percy."

Joanna set her cup down. "I'm so sorry, Molly," she said sincerely. Molly merely nodded and went back to fixing breakfast.

Normal conversation soon resumed in the room, but Severus was having trouble concentrating. He could read Joanna's emotions like a book now. It took him several minutes before he realized that her Occlumency was almost shot to hell. As if reading his thoughts, Joanna made eye contact with him and said, "It happened last night, I believe. All the conflicting emotions were just too much for me." Severus stared at her for a moment as the words sunk in. It was no wonder he could feel her every emotion. But that would also mean that she could feel everyone else's as well.

"You shouldn't be here," he said again, gripping his cup in his hands. "You need to get the walls back up before you can be around people."

"I was lonely," she said with a sigh. "Besides, no one in here is bothering me. Not even Remus." At that, she smirked at Severus and took a dramatic swig of her tea. Severus frowned and turned away, only to meet the eyes of Lupin, who was smiling at him knowingly. Scowling, he focused on his still-empty cup, and pretended that no one was looking at him.

As time wore on, more and more tired and haggard looking members began making their ways into the kitchen. Severus took this as his cue to leave, and all but dragged Joanna out of the room.

"This isn't necessary," she huffed as she struggled against Severus's iron-like grip.

"You cannot handle all those people and their emotions right now," he said forcefully. "You and I will work on rebuilding your Occlumency today before we return to Hogwarts. There is no way you will be able to behave properly in a school full of raging hormones without your mental walls fully functional."

"Fine," Joanna muttered petulantly as the door to their room clicked shut.

*~*~*~*

Five hours later, Joanna had drifted off to sleep again, exhausted by Severus's continuous use of Legilimency on her. All the hard work was paying off, though, as Joanna's Occlumency shields were now almost operating at full capacity. As she snored on the bed, Severus's stomach rumbled and he realized with a scowl that he would have to venture down into the kitchen--and into human contact--if he wanted to have something to eat. With one last anxious glance at Joanna, he pulled on his robes and strode from the room.

He had just made it to the main floor, and was about to descend the staircase to the kitchen when a gentle voice broke him from his stride.

"Severus?"

Turning around, he found Dumbledore watching him carefully. "Yes, Headmaster?" he asked quietly, gliding over to the other man.

"There's going to be a memorial held tomorrow in honor of all those in the Order who were killed or severely injured in last night's attacks," Dumbledore explained solemnly. "And tonight, I would like a complete report of last night's activities starting from when you arrived at Voldemort's...well, I suppose we could call it a lair."

Severus nodded stiffly, and then started when he realized something.

"Joanna cannot know what happened at Azkaban," he said fervently, almost desperately. Dumbledore gave him an odd look; glancing over his shoulder to ensure that no one was listening, Severus continued, "I do not want her to hear about Lucius Malfoy and the particulars of his escape last night." Severus paused, and then added, "Nor the part I played in it, either, sir."

Dumbledore studied Severus carefully, causing the younger man to flush slightly under the heavy gaze. After several moments, Dumbledore said in a cautious tone, "Joanna understands many things, Severus, including whatever happened at Azkaban. She will not begrudge you for your actions last night."

"I'm not so sure about that, sir," Severus said thickly. Dumbledore sighed, looking terribly old, and ran his hand absently through his beard.

"I must also ask something else from you and Joanna," he said tiredly. "I want you two to return to Hogwarts tonight. I do not want you at the memorial tomorrow. There will be numerous families there who will be suspicious if you are present, and frankly, Joanna simply is not in the proper state of mind to be around all those emotions right now."

"Yes, sir," said Severus after only a moment's pause. Joanna may argue about this, but Severus saw no need in him going to the memorial. Dumbledore gave him a worn-out smile; he rested a wrinkled hand briefly on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze before floating out of the foyer.

Severus found that he was no longer hungry.

*~*~*~*

"No! NO!" Joanna croaked angrily a few hours later when Severus had informed her of Dumbledore's plans, and more specifically, about the memorial service. "I want to be there! I owe it to those people, Severus! I owe it to--to Hestia." Joanna cut off as tears welled up in her eyes.

"That's exactly the point," Severus argued, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You are in no state to handle that many people in varying stages of grief at one time. Hell, I doubt either of us would be even if we were both practicing and functioning at optimal levels! Try to be reasonable about this!"

Joanna's lower lip trembled, and Severus felt a rush of fear just before she burst into tears.

"Bloody hell," he muttered, conjuring a tissue and handing it to Joanna, who snatched it from his hand and blew into it with a great honking noise.

*~*~*~*

A knock on the bedroom door startled Severus. He had been reading a fascinating Potions text about blood magic, and was a bit annoyed that he'd been interrupted. Joanna had left the room a few hours earlier in a huff and Severus had not seen her since. He doubted it was she at the door, as she usually took to barging into people's room in that way she had...

Clearing his throat, he closed his book and said, "Enter."

The door creaked open and a second later Arthur Weasley poked his head through the door. He smiled benignly at Severus when he spotted him on the sofa and said, "Molly was wondering if you were going to join us for dinner before you leave tonight, Severus. It'll only be a few people..." Arthur's eyes darted quickly around the room and the tips of his ears turned pink. "She also sent me to ask Joanna but she doesn't appear to--ah--be here."

"No, she left the room hours ago," said Severus curtly, standing up from the couch and pulling on his robes. "I'll be right down." Mr. Weasley nodded and closed the door gently behind him.

Severus fastened the final clasp on his robes, then closed his eyes and concentrated on finding Joanna. After only a few seconds, he located her in the library. Smirking, he strode from the room and to the second floor landing; the door to the library was ajar and Severus knew there was no point in trying to hide his approach from her, as she'd always been able to tell when he was drawing near, especially after they had bonded all those years ago. He felt his cheeks burn briefly before he pushed the door open all the way and stepped into the room.

"What d'you want?" grunted an irritated voice from the corner of the room.

"Dinner," Severus grunted back, crossing his arms defensively over his chest. He heard her sigh and a rustling of paper told him that she was closing whatever book she'd been reading. Joanna stepped out of the shadows, and without a sideways glance, strode past Severus and out of the room.

He turned to leave as well, but something told him to stop. Twisting back around, Severus walked over to where Joanna had been sitting; he picked up the book left lying on the cushion and looked at the title.

It was the same one he'd been reading not minutes earlier.

*~*~*~*

Severus left the Order meeting feeling as if he'd been run through a meat grinder and then spat back out. All he wanted to do was find Joanna, return to Hogwarts, and promptly fall into bed--preferably with Joanna. He was also anxious to discuss the previous night's activities he and Joanna had engaged in before the attacks began. He wanted to know if there would ever be an opportunity like that again.

When Severus stepped into the bedroom they shared, however, he discovered that Joanna was not there. Too exhausted to look for her mentally or physically, he made his way back to the kitchen, where he found Molly Weasley making her tenth batch of biscuits.

"Mrs. Weasley," he said stiffly, yet softly, so that he wouldn't startle the woman into hysterics. She jumped anyway and whirled around, wielding a wooden spoon before she realized who it was.

"Professor Snape!" she said in surprise. "Goodness, but you gave me a fright! What can I do for you? Would you like some biscuits? You're looking a little peckish--"

"Molly," he ground out through gritted teeth, "have you seen Joanna Kent?"

"Oh," she said with wide eyes. "Why yes. She left through the Floo not long after you began your meeting with Professor Dumbledore, so she's been gone for about an hour now, I suppose."

Severus felt a muscle in his jaw spasm before he realized he was clenching his teeth again. "Thank you," he said curtly before turning around and storming out of the room. Stomping back up to the bedroom, he collected his things and then marched back down to the kitchen. He burst through the door, causing Molly to jump a foot into the air, and strode over to the fireplace. Taking a pinch of powder, he threw it into the flames and snarled, "Headmaster Dumbledore's office, Hogwarts School!" He stepped into the grate and a moment later, he was whirling away from Grimmauld Place.

*~*~*~*

Severus had been pounding on the door to Joanna's quarters for a good ten minutes before he realized two things. One, he still knew the password to her chambers and thus, the knocking wasn't necessary; and two, there was a good possibility that she simply wasn't there. With that in mind, he took off for her office, which wasn't much farther away. Without knocking, he barged into the room and then stopped dead.

Joanna was sitting behind her desk, fast asleep. Beside her sat a large cauldron, which was in serious danger of bubbling over. Walking swiftly across the room, Severus placed the potion in stasis and put out the flames. He peered into the cauldron and at the ingredients lined up beside it, and deduced that Joanna had been attempting to make Veritaserum. With a sigh, Severus quickly banished the potion, for it was ruined now, and then cleaned up the work area. Joanna slept through it all. Honestly, she could sleep through a war, Severus thought, though not unkindly.

Almost as if on cue, Joanna stirred and slowly lifted her head, blinking wearily. "S'verus?" she said, her voice slurred with sleep. "What're y'doin' here?"

"You need to sleep," he told her firmly, gripping her upper arm and attempting to pry her from her seat.

"'M'not tired," Joanna mumbled, feeling positively boneless. "Was tryin' to make Veri'serum..."

"Why?" Severus asked against his better judgment, still attempting to get her to stand up.

"Order needs it," she replied. She leaned over in her chair and peered into the empty cauldron. Frowning, she said, "Where'd it go?"

"It was ruined," Severus answered in an exasperated voice. "You hadn't added the unicorn hair yet before it reached the boiling stage, and when I came in, it was boiling and thus, ruined."

Joanna narrowed her unfocused eyes at him. "You ruined m'potion."

Severus gave a sigh that turned into a growl. He felt that he was being remarkably patient, but he knew he was beginning to snap under the pressure.

"Joanna," he said sharply. "You need to go to bed and sleep. Now get out of that chair this instant and come with me!"

It was a true testament to how tired Joanna was that she didn't immediately begin shouting back at him. Instead, all her energy appeared to leave her body in a whoosh, and she slumped in her chair and stared up at him reproachfully.

"Fine," she muttered, standing up and then hobbling out from behind the desk. "Y'don't have to be so bitchy 'bout it."

Severus gaped at her for only a moment before grabbing a hold over her arm and forcibly dragging her out of the room.

"Severus! What are you doing?" Joanna spluttered indignantly as she struggled against his vice-like grip.

"Rachat," barked Severus when he reached her chambers and the door opened obediently. "In," he snapped, all but shoving her into the room.

Too tired to fight, Joanna stepped into her living room and began heading for her bedroom. It took her a moment to realize that Severus was also there with her. Halting in her tracks, she turned around to face Severus and said, "What are y'doin'?"

Severus crossed his arms over his chest and raised an imperious eyebrow. "Making sure you make it to bed and actually go to sleep," he drawled. "Despite the color of your hair, you are not an idiot, and know that you need to sleep. You can work on the Veritaserum tomorrow. Now, you must rest."

Joanna stared at him for so long that Severus began to squirm slightly under her gaze. Finally, she opened her mouth and blurted, "Did you just make a blonde joke?"

Sighing, Severus took Joanna by her shoulders, turned her around, and steered her into the bedroom and then the bathroom. "Get undressed," he said, and Joanna raised her eyebrows. Severus rolled his eyes before sweeping out of the bathroom. He returned a moment later with a pair of flannel pajamas. After exiting the loo again, Severus suddenly found himself in Joanna's bedroom for the second time in the past two days. He couldn't help but smirk just the tiniest bit.

The door to the bathroom clicked open and Joanna padded out into the room, absently tugging her hair out of her haphazard ponytail. Without a glance towards Severus, she crawled into bed and burrowed deep into the covers until only her face from the nose up was visible.

Severus blinked and an unexpected surge of disappointment course through him. Struggling to maintain his control, he turned to march out of the room when a muffled voice broke through his thoughts.

"There are some pajama bottoms in the bottom drawer."

Severus froze and blinked again. "Excuse me?"

Joanna's eyes dragged open and even though Severus couldn't see her mouth, he knew that she was smirking. "Pajama bottoms," she said, nodding her head in the direction of a large dresser at the end of the bed. "You aren't gonna sleep in your robes, are you?"

Severus rubbed the palm of his hand roughly over his twitching left eye. "You--I don't--pajamas?"

Joanna snickered, and Severus felt his cheeks flush. "You wish for me to stay, is that it?" he snarled as he struggled to control his temper. Joanna didn't answer for a moment before she nodded her head and said, "I sleep better with you near me."

Severus stared at her. Then, before she could change her mind (or before he could change his), Severus went to the dresser, pulled out a pair of over-sized tartan pajama bottoms, and walked into the bathroom. He steadfastly ignored his reflection in the mirror, not wanting to see his red cheeks, and quickly changed out of his two-day old clothes and into the pajamas. After performing a simple cleansing spell on his face and teeth, Severus exited the bathroom and found Joanna slumbering peacefully on the bed.

The temperature of the room was cold, so Severus spelled a fire into the fireplace before walking around the bed, and sinking into the mattress. He pretended that he didn't mind being in bed next to Joanna and not wearing a shirt. Severus garnered up all the courage he could muster, then slid underneath the covers, and reclined stiffly on his back. Bloody hell, there was no way he'd be able to sleep, Severus thought, both excited and terrified at the prospect of spending an entire night with Joanna, even if they were only sleeping.

Severus almost cried out when Joanna rolled over so that she was facing him. He suddenly realized that he hadn't extinguished all the candles around the room. Grabbing his wand from the bedside table, Severus hastily put out all the flames, save for a few, leaving the room bathed in an ambient light. Satisfied, he placed his wand back on the table and also rolled over so that he could watch Joanna sleep. That time, he did let out a yelp when he saw that Joanna was watching him keenly.

"I wouldn't have regretted it," she whispered before Severus could scold her.

"Regretted what?" he blurted, then winced when it came out a little louder than he intended.

Joanna licked her lips and reached out with her hand to stroke the side of Severus's face. Like the last time she had done that, Severus inhaled sharply and felt several different emotions hurtle through him.

"Last night," she said quietly. "If we hadn't been interrupted...I wouldn't have regretted it. I've never regretted a moment I've spent with you, Severus."

With a small smile, Joanna leaned forward and brushed her lips across his, causing him to shiver. She pulled away and grinned impishly at him while gently stroking his face. "Goodnight, Severus," she said, grasping one of his hands.

Severus watched in awe as Joanna's eyes fluttered shut and she eventually fell into a deep sleep. He continued to watch her slumber, amazed by how relaxed and utterly beautiful she looked bathed in the candlelight.

He glanced down to look at their entwined hands, and it was then that he knew he loved her.