Lucy Snape and the Final Battle (Book Seven)

Love Thy Daughter

Chapter 11: Love Thy Daughter

Snape didn't get a report back from Shona before the train pulled into the station. In fact he didn't see her at all amongst the throng of students fighting to get onto the carriages. Instead, his personal carriage was the one to lead the procession. With McGonagall seated opposite him he felt as though he was being interrogated without words and her rigid demeanour dared him to react.

"Minerva, I suggest you stop looking at me in such a way," he announced finally, looking over her shoulder at the shrubbery as they passed.

"Forgive me," her response was icier than the chill that pervaded Scotland in winter months. "I'm constantly reminded of a man of a few years ago who's no longer there."

He met her gaze. The words were out of his mouth, they were low and he hoped she misheard him. "It was my duty, it was requested personally that I should do so."

McGonagall recoiled as if he'd hit her. "How could you say — ?"

"I don't want you to become my enemy," he was speaking practically out of the corner of his mouth, glaring at the shrubbery. "Lucy isn't here."

"Have you not seen her yet?" She seemed more surprised at this and some of her venom dissolved.

He shook his head once, finally his gaze met hers.

"Where is she?"

"Your guess is as good as mine."

McGonagall's worried expression followed him all the way out of the carriage, through the search that everyone had imposed upon them and into the Great Hall. But no matter how hard she stared she couldn't gauge the full amount of grief that he was enduring. His face only slowed so much, what lie underneath was much more painful. It came to him in waves.

He stood in the headmasters office. He'd rushed there as soon as the search was over and he was past the threshold of the school. This wave of grief had nearly caused him to show weakness and he'd been forced to hide until it ended. His eyes fluttered between each of the individual portraits before coming finally to rest on Dumbledore's.

He was awake.

"Severus," he said. His voice warm and inviting unlike so many others. The feast is about to begin."

Snape scoffed and then composed himself. "They'll wait for me."

"She's alive."

The words stung him. The implication was clear and that's what hurt but the meaning softened the blow. "How do you know?"

Dumbledore peered at him over his half moon spectacles. "I have my sources." And with a final wink he shuffled out of his portrait.

Minutes later Snape pushed the doors of the Great Hall open and strode to the front, his black robes billowing behind him. The happy murmur that had been present before his appearance now ceased and everyone watched as he stood on the podium Dumbledore had favoured to give his welcome speeches.

"Quiet," he demanded to the small amount of chatter that had arose when he had stopped.

Worried glances were exchanged and then Snape continued.