Snake And Wolf: The Finding

I hope you have as much fun reading this as I have writing it.

Snake and Wolf: The Finding

Chapter 12

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Saerry sat at her brother’s desk, idly drawing on a piece of paper when she heard a groan from behind her. Turning, she saw Severus sitting up, one hand moving up to rub at his forehead. He looked at her and asked, “What happened?”

Saerry turned around in her chair and replied, “Nightmare. I gave you some Dreamless Sleep Potion.”

Severus’ eyebrows arched and she laughed.

“It was in your room. And you told me what it was one time.”

“Oh.”

Saerry smiled and rose, heading for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Albus told me to get him when you were awake.”

“Use the fireplace.”

“Hmm?” Saerry turned to give her brother a confused look. Severus sighed and said, “Black pot over the fireplace. Throw some of the powder into the fire and say ‘Dumbledore’s Office’.”

“Oh!”

Saerry grinned sheepishly, embarrassed that she had forgotten that mode of communication. Walking over to the fireplace she found the small black pot on the mantle and took a pinch of the powder out of it. Throwing it into the flames she called out, “Dumbledore’s Office.” A second later the Headmaster’s head appeared in the fire.

Dumbledore smiled and cheerfully said, “Severus is awake?” At Saerry’s nod he said, “Step back. I will come through this way.”

Saerry moved back to stand at the head of the couch, watching as the flames in the fireplace turned green and Dumbledore stepped through them a second later. He brushed soot off his robes then smiled at the two of them.

“Did you sleep well Severus?”

Severus nodded and looked up at Saerry. He said, “I couldn’t have managed it without Saerry.”

Saerry flushed and playfully slapped his shoulder. He grinned and said, “Its true.”

Dumbledore smiled at them, his blue eyes twinkling. Then he turned serious. Looking down he said, “Severus, I’d like you to tell me what your dream was about.”

Saerry watched as her brother’s already pale skin turned almost white as he stared wide-eyed at the headmaster.

“Albus, please . . I can’t – it’s too much to just see it in my dreams.”

Dumbledore sighed.

“I’m afraid I must insist Severus.”

Severus opened his mouth to protest then sighed. He pushed himself up onto his elbows then grabbed the back of the couch, pulling himself all the way up. Saerry sat down beside him, her eyes reflecting her worry. Dumbledore settled down in the chair in front of the desk, his blue eyes watching Severus closely as he waited.

After a moment Severus said, “I will tell you.”

Dumbledore nodded and said, “That is all I ask.”

Severus sighed again and Saerry laid a hand on her brother’s arm. He smiled at her then said, “It happened a few months before Voldemort attacked the Potters. Some of the Death Eaters wanted a bit of – pleasure. Voldemort let them have it. He gave them permission to kidnap witches, both pureblood and Muggle-born, which ever they wished, from their homes.” There was a pause before he added softly, “Voldemort gave those in his inner circle first choice. I was one of those few.”

Saerry stared wide-eyed at her brother while Dumbledore simply waved one hand, a signal for him to continue.

“He – he gave us a choice between any of the women they had taken.” Severus swallowed hard then choked out, “Lily was one of those taken.”

Dumbledore blinked then leaned forward and asked, “What happened?”

Severus swallowed again and continued. “Voldemort gave me first choice. I saw Lucius Malfoy watching Lily. He – he had killed another woman that had been captured earlier. And he wanted nothing more than to hurt Potter. I – I couldn’t let him do that. I would have gladly let him hurt Potter but Lily . . I would have killed him and everyone that got in my way before I let them lay a finger on Lily. She was – God, Albus, you know how she was! I couldn’t let them do that to her! I couldn’t!” He let his head fall into his hands and Saerry could feel tremors running through his body.

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, letting all of it sink in.

“You chose her.”

Severus looked up and nodded, his face a mask of no emotion. But Saerry could sense how much he hurt to tell the secret out loud.

“Yes,” he said, in a voice far stronger than the one he had been talking in before. “I did. I had no choice. Malfoy would have killed her. And so would have anyone else. They all knew how much Voldemort hated the Potters.”

“Did anything come of it?”

“No.”

Saerry blinked, remembering the boy, Harry. She leaned forward and asked, “Are you sure Severus?” He nodded and sank his head into his hands again, gripping fistfuls of hair in each.

After a moment he gasped, “Go.”

Dumbledore nodded, not at all surprised. He said, “I will return later.” Saerry nodded and he left, this time going out the door, which Saerry heard lock behind him with a soft click.

As soon as the headmaster was gone, Saerry turned to her brother.

“Sev.”

“Please Saerry. Go away.”

“I will not leave my brother to suffer!”

Severus looked up at her and hissed, “Go away damn you!”

Saerry looked fearlessly into his eyes and calmly said, “No. I won’t leave you.”

Severus stared her for a moment then closed his eyes. When he opened them they were glittering with unshed tears.

“Thank you Saer.”

Saerry smiled. “I’m here for you Sev. No matter what, I’ll always be here for you.”

Her brother stared at her then abruptly and to her utmost shock, wrapped his arms around her and began to sob into her shoulder. She had never seen him break down before. He had always seemed so . . strong and unbreakable when she was a child. She guessed the strain of remembering what he had done to his best friend had been too much for him.

Slowly wrapping her arms around him she let him shed his tears.