Love For Too Many

Chapter 63

Severus

Thanksgiving is here again and as Headmaster I must help orchestrate something magical. Not hard when you work in a school of magic. The halls are lined with orange and brown themed decorations, pumpkins sit outside on the school steps, talking jack-o-lanterns sit in the library to help you find the books you're looking for.

Although some of the school is festive, Minerva's been crying for days. Poppy hasn't found a way to console her yet and it's been on my nerves. She's been sobbing about how thanksgiving without Y/n is one she never wants to have. Then I remind her she's done thanksgiving without Y/n most of her life and she cries harder.

On top of Minerva's crying, I have become the school's most hated headmaster in years. I just wish that meant that the dark lord was off of my ass about everything. I hate running the school this way. The students run from me more than ever. The mood at Hogwarts is so depressing that even the ghosts stay quiet.

There's not much to be thankful for this year and it shows. The staff and students are waiting for any gossip or news on Harry's adventure for the Horcruxes and besides for that there's barely a speck of life in this castle.

I decided last night that I was going to do something absurd. I was taking Minerva to go see  this Y/n person. If it was only to shut her up that'd be one thing but for the last month or so I've felt more empty than ever. So the first logical idea was maybe she could help.

Before I can sneak off with Minerva; which sounds dastardly like that. I much set up the rest of the magical fun. I've told Filch that all the students must be in bed straight after dinner. There's to be no lolli-gagging around the halls. If they want to party in their houses I couldn't care less. But it's easier to get hurt or in trouble if you're by yourself in the dark of the castle.

I head to the great hall which is quite empty being as I shut it down just this morning to add the finishing touches on it. I wave my wand casting the candles to be lit. Then I walk in circles trying to spot any blank spots. There's cordials on the tables. Vegetables most kids consider weird stacked in beautiful arrangements.

I add a few more finishing touches before heading to Minerva and Poppy's office. Minerva is lounged out of the soda dramatically and Poppy is filling out another accident report from a student being stupid.

"Minerva," I stated with somewhat of a coo in my voice. "Have you packed a to go bag yet?"

She shot upright on the couch. "Whatever do you mean Severus?"
"I found your stack of letters to Y/n earlier and reached out to Clint. I refuse to have Thanksgiving here, with you all miserable. Is your bag packed?"

"No, I- oh heavens." She says as she quickly gets up to scour the room.

"Poppy, how about you?"

"Me?"

"I'll wipe your memory of it when we get back but you haven't see Y/n either. You're the only other person besides us who knows she's alive."

"Thank you Severus but I better not. I do send my hellos but who knows what the students will get up to with all three of us gone."

"Fair enough, Minerva you have two seconds to grab a bag and walk out the door or I'm leaving without you."

"Heavens Severus!" She picks up a small brown purse and throws a few things from her desk in it and then hurries after me down the corridor.

She catches up quickly but I can see her hands shaking and fidgeting.

"Do not be anxious Minnie," I whisper. "The nausea from the jump fades."