Always Doesn't Mean Forever: Book 2 (Severus Snape/student)

Chapter 10: I Refuse To Believe

Remus' P.O.V.

    Finally the gates opened just enough for me to slip through and I sprinted to the castle. The whole way there one image floated in my mind... Me on the steps of Hogwarts holding Alex's lifeless body in my arms. She has to be okay. When I got to the doors I pushed it open as hard as I could and took the steps two at a time. Upon arriving at the Gryffin staircase I said the password quickly and didn't wait for the steps to form fully. They slowly took me to the entrance to his office and I knocked once before going in. "Is she okay?!" I stopped in the middle of Dumbledore's office and stared as the old wizard turned from the window to face me. He looked me over for a moment. There's probably no telling how I looked right now.

     "Calm down Remus." He said holding up his hand.

     "Albus is she okay?" I pressed.

     "Alex was not physically harmed at all. It wasn't her this time." I looked at him quizzically for a moment.

     "Then what's going on?"

     "A student has been poisoned." To be compleltely honest I was getting more and more confused by the moment.

     "But not Alex right?"

     "No not Alex. Lemon drop?" He held out his hand and offered a few to me. I shook my head as he popped one in his mouth. "It was Ms. Boldmen this morning at breakfast. Tom payed her a visit, spoke to Alex for a moment, then left. Shortly after Ms. Boldmen fell to the floor foaming at the mouth. Severus and I found traces of Bloodroot and Death-Cap in her cup.

     "Is she alright?"

     "That's yet to be known."

     "What did he say to her?"

     "Well our young Mr. Everett told me he said something along the lines of she's had more than enough time to decide and he's tried to be patient, but he has no more time to waste. She no longer has a choice and what is about to happen is entireley her fault. That she caused it. A second later the affects of the poison Ms. Bolmen had injested begin to show." I ran my fingers through my hair and took a deep breath. Alex was not harmed. She's okay.

      "Who did it Albus. Who poisoned her?"

      "That I do not know."

      "So what you're saying is Hogwarts is no longer safe? That he has people on the inside... Death Eaters..."

      "It looks that way doesn't it."

      "Albus, where is Alex?"

      "Severus took her to her room a while ago. He had to give her a sleeping draught she was hysterical."

       "She hasn't written me in two months Albus... she's completely cut me off. I send her letters two, three times a week and nothing.... Why?"

       "Remus think about everyting that's been going on around her. People are being hurt. She's cutting you off so you don't get involved. She's trying to keep you safe."

       "I appreciate the thought, but I don't need her to do hat. I can take care of myself."

       "I know that. Why are you telling me?"

       "Can I see her..."

       "When she wakes, I don't see why not."

       "Thank you..." He nodded.

       "Take a seat Remus.You still look a bit frazzled." I walked over to the couch and sat down then put my head in my hands.

        "Yeah... you gave me a bit of a scare..."