Ancient Magician (Severus x Reader)

Chapter 43: Dobby's Reward

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𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝟒𝟑: 𝑫𝒐𝒃𝒃𝒚'𝒔 𝑹𝒆𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅

"𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆 𝑺𝑻𝑹𝑶𝑵𝑮 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆 𝑩𝑹𝑨𝑽𝑬"

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Warm sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting a golden glow across the white sheets. I groaned, instinctively turning away from it and pulling the blanket up over my head.

"Ugh, make it stop," I muttered groggily. "Why does it feel like the sun is trying to roast me alive?"

"Sunlight's good for the soul, you know," came a teasing voice, unmistakably Lupin's.

"Tell that to my eyelids," I grumbled, still refusing to open my eyes. "It's burning a hole in my face."

"Well, it's not anymore," said another voice—this one softer, familiar in a way that made me feel safer instantly. When I finally cracked one eye open, blinking against the sudden dimness, I found Severus standing nearby with his wand raised, having drawn the curtains slightly. James, Sirius, and Lupin were all crowded around the end of my bed.

"You lot look like you're waiting for me to croak," I said, voice raspy.

"Croak? Please, you're far too dramatic for that," Sirius quipped. "But you did give us all a scare."

"Two days," James said, his eyes a bit too wide. "You were out cold for two days. And you wake up complaining about the sunshine?"

"Do you have any idea how worried we were?" Lupin added, though he was smiling now. "It's good to see you awake."

Before I could say anything else, James reached over and pulled me into a careful but tight hug. I froze for a second, then let myself sink into it.

"I'm okay," I whispered. "I think."

"And Hermione?" I asked suddenly, pulling away. "And Ginny? Harry?"

"They're alright," Severus answered quickly, stepping a little closer. "Hermione woke up yesterday. She kept asking about you, of course. Harry's fine—bruised, but otherwise unharmed. And Ginny's... shaken, but recovering."

I let out a sigh of pure relief. "Thank Merlin. I—I was afraid..."

"Well, don't go fainting on us again just to make a dramatic point," Sirius said, but his smile was gentle.

"Oi, how did you all even find us?" I asked, looking between them. "We were in the Chamber. That place is ancient—it's not like it was on a map."

"That's where you're wrong," Severus said, folding his arms. "Fred Weasley had the Marauder's Map. I confiscated it when I caught him and George sneaking around. Once I saw your name—and Harry's—I knew something was wrong. The others were already here, so I told them."

"You used the Map?" James said, clearly both impressed and scandalized. "I can't believe I'm saying this... but thank you, Sev."

Severus gave him a deadpan look. "Yes, well, desperate times."

"So... what happened after I passed out?" I asked, rubbing my forehead.

"Oh, loads," Lupin said, sitting on the edge of the bed carefully. "Molly and Arthur came rushing in when they heard about Ginny. Nearly bowled Dumbledore over in the corridor."

"Hagrid's back too," Sirius added, leaning against the bedpost. "Got cleared of everything. Big smile on his face—said something about having a proper sleep again."