Halloween dawned bright and clear. Promptly at six o’clock, the members of the circle presented themselves in the training room. They all stood in silence for a while, a melancholy mood falling over them.
Eventually, Severus broke the silence. “Potter, I assure you that I have no intention of participating in anything as puerile as the likes of a group hug, so I suggest you get on with the reason we’re here.”
The mental image of even the new and improved Severus Snape engulfing the predominantly-Gryffindor group in a bear hug had most of the members laughing out loud. With that, they got down to the more serious business of war.
------------------- ~♥~ -------------------
Dusk found Harry and his circle back at Hogwarts, armed and as ready as they were going to get. They were a deadly looking group, steely-eyed and radiating confidence. Ginny looked around at her brothers, her friends, her new sister-in-law and her comrades. Each of them was dressed in colours denoting their part in Harry’s plan. The four rear guards – the unpaired four – the twins, Remus and Ginny, wore black battle robes with pictures of the four elements on their backs. She admired the red flame displayed on Fred’s back, knowing that his twin wore a blue rain drop. She herself had a white feather, the pair of Remus’ green leaf. As if reading her mind, the werewolf looked up at her, smiling reassuringly.
“Are you alright, Ginny?”
She nodded, ignoring the shaking she could feel in her hands. “I’m fine, Remus.”
“Just do your best, Ginny. We’re all scared; it’s nothing to be ashamed about. The adrenalin will make you sharper, as long as you don’t let it overwhelm you.”
Easier said than done. She smiled slightly, thankful that he would take the time to comfort her. As the youngest member of the circle, she knew that she was considered a weak link. Knowing that, she had pushed herself harder than the others, driven by an overwhelming refusal to let her friends down.
Remus smiled at the youngest Weasley. He knew what she feared, but he knew that she was as ready for this as any of them. Surveying the eight teenagers, he saw the best and brightest of their generation, and felt privileged to be among them. He caught Severus’ eye, seeing the same feelings in the other man. Severus. How he’d changed from the sallow youth and bitter man that Remus had grown up with. Not just his appearance, which in itself was an amazing transformation, but in his manner. Even here, less than an hour before he was to walk into battle, there was happiness in the man. Happiness caused by Harry.
As if the werewolf’s thoughts had alerted the young man, Harry stood and gathered their attention.
“Right. It’s time to get into position. We’re not sure exactly what time Riddle will attack, but I have the feeling that it will be not too long after dark. Any last questions?”
Ron pulled at the collar of his red robes and spoke. “Yeah, do we really have to wear these?”
Hermione, resplendent in her own blue robes, scolded him. “You know that colours are as important as the words in an elemental drawing ritual, Ron. Your element is fire, representative of passion and strength, so you wear red. Grow up boys!” The last was snapped at the giggling twins, who were laughing at Ron’s now red-face. Rolling her eyes, Hermione continued, not so much to educate, for this was already known by the group, but to calm; to bring a bit of normalcy to the situation. There wasn’t much more normal for this group than Hermione lecturing them.
YOU ARE READING
Blood Bonds
Fanfic18 lonely years Severus has been without his vampiric mate. Now, another has come into his inheritance... Disclaimer* STORY WAS NOT WRITTEN BY ME
