Severus Snape A Soul Undiminished

Chapter 67 - Andromeda's

Tenebrus flew swiftly but steadily, as if he knew the precariousness of his cargo. Sirana knew where they were going. She had met Andromeda, Tonks' mother, a couple times before when she had hidden out at her home with the Order. She was as lovely as Tonks and was just as brave in her own right. Sirana had heard she had recently lost her husband, Ted Tonks, to Snatchers. She hoped Andromeda would welcome them, considering Severus Snape was with them. Maybe she knew of Severus's true allegiances as Grayson did. She didn't want to even think what they would do if she was unwilling to welcome them into her home.
When they landed, Grayson told her to hold onto Severus, and he ran towards the house. Several minutes passed before he returned, Andromeda following close behind. She helped them lift Severus down, and Sirana and Grayson were able to get their shoulders under Severus's arms to carry him in the house.
Andromeda led them into a bedroom, and they laid him on the bed. Sirana brushed his hair back from his face, which was still pale, but not as lifeless and white as it had been. Andromeda brought out a heavy quilt and covered him with it. Sirana leaned down to kiss him on his forehead, then told them she would be right back.
  |337|

A Soul Undiminished—Severus Snape
She went out to Tenebrus. She thanked him, patting him on his neck, and told him he could fly home. When she returned, Andromeda brought both her and Grayson something to drink. She was thankful. She was so thirsty, and her body was starting to shake with the exertion from the battle and its aftermath. She sat on the edge of the bed, feeling inadequate and unable to help Severus any further. She loosened the collar of his jacket and shirt, and Andromeda helped her to remove his robe and then his shoes, trying to at least make him as comfortable as possible. Sirana inspected his neck, seeing the wounds, which had been healed with her counter-curse. Andromeda brought back a basin with warm water and began washing the blood from his face and neck.
When they'd done as much as they could do, Andromeda spoke, "What happened?"
"The Dark Lord," Sirana answered. She knew some did not say the name "Voldemort" aloud. "He cursed him and had his snake, Nagini, attack him. He almost died. I used the counter- curse and antidote. He was still so close to death, and my grandfather came and brought him back," Sirana said.
"He seems stable for now. I will send for a Healer as soon as I can. It will have to be someone we can trust. I know of Severus's reputation since he took over at Hogwarts. There's not a lot of people who know the truth," Andromeda said.
"Andromeda, we need to talk." Grayson spoke up. Sirana noticed that Grayson's voice and expression were somber. She stayed at Severus's side when they went in the other room to
|338|

Andromeda's
talk. Suddenly, she heard Andromeda wail. Sirana went to the doorway to see if she was okay. Grayson was holding her as she sobbed, crying, "No, not my Dora!"
Grayson turned to Sirana. "I have some bad news. Remus and Tonks fell in battle." She too broke down in tears at the news, going to them, and he pulled her in as they all embraced, sharing their love and sorrow of lives lost too soon.
Later that evening, as Sirana set on the side of the bed, watching over Severus, Grayson entered the room. "Andromeda is sleeping now," he said, pulling up a chair to sit close by, his eyes looking haunted as he stared off at some fixed point in the room, "I saw them die, Sirana. Bellatrix killed Tonks. Bellatrix was Andromeda's sister, Tonks' aunt. Molly Weasley killed Bellatrix. Your grandfather came to get me after and led me to you. He said he heard you through his mind. When we found you and Severus, he said that you and Severus's minds were joined. I've heard of this magic, and I know it's a rare ability, but I've never seen it before." She could tell he was talking to help ease the pervasive sense of despair. They had lost so much today.
"What about Teddy, their son?" Sirana asked.
"He's with Andromeda, sleeping," Grayson answered. "She has made plans to care for him."
Sirana felt the overwhelming sadness of it all, but she knew Andromeda's pain was more than she could even fathom.
"You need to rest too, Grayson. I will be fine here. I need to stay with him," Sirana said.
|339|

A Soul Undiminished—Severus Snape
"I will. You need to rest too though. Why don't you lay down? I'm sure Severus won't mind," Grayson said, leaving to be with Andromeda.
Grayson was right, —she was tired. She felt like she was starting to sway. She climbed into the other side of the bed, lying next to Severus. She touched his mind in their link and fell fast asleep.