Runaways (Don't Save Me Book 2)

Chapter 28: It's Over

Over the next few weeks, Severus worried Lockhart would blow our secret but he seemed quite content in remaining quiet about it. My guess is he didn't want everyone to know I had said no to him because I was dating Severus. I wondered why Severus had even told Lockhart if he didn't want anyone to know, but any time I tried to ask Severus about it, he just changed the subject, stating that Lockhart wasn't worth our time.

I was patrolling one night, thinking of all the ways things had gone wrong, when I heard commotion from Hagrid's hut.

"Take me where? Not Azkaban prison!" I heard Hagrid yell. I quickly made my way toward his hut, pulling my wand from my robes as I reached the partially opened door. I saw Lucius, Albus, and the Minister of Magic standing in Hagrid's home.

"Believe me, I take absolutely no pleasure being inside your... you call this a house?" I heard Lucius mock as he looked around. "No, I simply called up the school and was told the Headmaster was here."

I pushed open the door, stepping inside.

"Ah, Y/n! Wonderful to see you dear," Lucius exclaimed. I gave him a half smile, knowing something was wrong.

"And what, exactly, is it you... want with me?" Albus asked slowly.

"The other Governors and I have decided it's time for you to step aside."

"Lucius!" I exclaimed in disbelief.

"I'm sorry, Y/n, but I'm afraid this is out of my hands now." He turned toward Albus and Cornelius. "This is an order of suspension. You'll find all twelve signatures on it," Lucius said as he gave a rolled piece of parchment to Albus. "I'm afraid we feel you've rather... lost your touch. Well, what with all these attacks, there'll be no muggleborns left at Hogwarts. I can only imagine what an awful loss that would be to the school."

"You can't take Professor Dumbledore!" I exclaimed.

"You take him away and the muggleborns won't stand a chance! You mark my words, there'll be killins' next!" Hagrid yelled.

"You think so?" Lucius replied, coolly.

"Seriously, Lucius, how on earth do you think this is going to solve anything?" I hissed, though he didn't answer.

"Calm yourselves, Hagrid, Y/n," Albus said, nodding toward us. "If the Governors desire my removal, I will, of course, step aside. However... you will find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it," Albus said, looking toward the fireplace. I turned toward it, though I didn't see anything there.

"Admirable sentiments," Lucius said. "Shall we?" Lucius and Albus left the hut before Cornelius turned to Hagrid.

"Come, Hagrid... Well?" Fudge said, waiting for Hagrid to follow him. I was seething, though I knew I couldn't say anything. If I tried to fight against the Minister I would only succeed in getting myself thrown into Azkaban along with Hagrid.

"If anyone was looking for some stuff... all they'd have to do would be to follow the spiders... yup, that'd lead 'em right. That's all I have to say," Hagrid said as he made his way toward the door. "Oh, and someone'll have to feed Fang while I'm away."

Cornelius left with Hagrid as I turned toward the fireplace, knowing someone was there. I raised my wand toward it.

"Show yourself!" I hissed. Instantly, Harry and Ron's face appeared as they threw off the invisibility cloak.

"It's just us!" Harry whispered.

"Harry! You scared me to death! What on earth are you two doing here!"

"We had to talk to Hagrid! It was urgent!"

"You're going to get yourselves expelled!" I hissed. "Get back up to the castle and don't let me catch you out after dark again!"

They scurried away, running toward the castle before disappearing under the cloak. I stood in Hagrid's hut, feeling slightly guilty for my outburst, but I knew I had to protect them. I left Hagrid's hut as Severus ran across the courtyard.

"Y/n! Is everything alright? I heard yelling!" he exclaimed as he reached the hut, pulling me into his arms. I felt the tears welling in my eyes, unable to hold them back as his arms held me protectively. My body shook in his arms and he pulled me closer.

"Darling, what happened?" he asked softly.

"They took him... a-and they fired Albus... and Hermione's been petrified, and everyone thinks i-it's Harry, and-."

"Darling, calm down," Severus interrupted, pressing his lips to my forehead. "You're speaking so fast, I can hardly understand you, my love," he chuckled, taking a small step back, though he kept his arms around my waist. "What happened, love?"

"Fudge showed up and took Hagrid to Azkaban. H-he said that the Ministry had to do something about the attacks and Hagrid was the first one they turned to. Lucius showed up a-and had an order of suspension forcing Albus to step aside. Students keep getting petrified and everyone blames Harry because he can talk to snakes. How long before they start blaming me once they find out I can too!? A-and why can I even talk to snakes?!" My voice cracked as Severus whipped the tears away from my cheeks.

"No one thinks it's you, love. No one could possibly think it's you."

"They will soon, Sev. How long did it take for the Ministry to leave me alone after Sirius was captured?"

Severus stayed silent and I answered for him.

"They haven't. It's been 11 years and they are still watching me for something I had nothing to do with! They are still watching me because I dated someone who was guilty! Salazar Slytherin was a Parselmouth! What do you think they are going to do when they learn I can talk to snakes!? How much of a suspect do you think I'll be then!?" I hissed.

"Oh, my love... I promise... I won't let anything happen to you," he soothed, raising a hand to my face, cupping my cheek as he wiped away my tears with his thumb.

"Severus... you and I both know when it comes to the ministry... we don't have much of a say. If they think I'm guilty... it's over."