When All is Lost One is Found

Chapter 106: Unexpecto Patronum

When All is Lost, One is Found

Author: Rinoaebastel

Chapter 106: Unexpecto Patronum

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than writing practice. JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.

AN: This story may contain scenes taken from the Harry Potter movies and books, but it's not exact dialogue, just rewording of dialogue or omission. It is not marked.

December, 1997

The snow crunched under his boot, the sound pleasing to his ears. The landscape itself was barren of people, but the castle was crowded even during this Christmas season. All the students had stayed, whether by their own will or the will of their parents he wasn't sure. It was strange that people thought Hogwarts to be a safe place despite it being under his control.

Though, most of the students were from pure families, so it made a bit of sense that they would see Hogwarts as being a good place to spend the holidays.

He walked away from the castle and took a deep breath, thrilled to have the outside to himself and whatever animals lurked in the snow-covered landscape. No one would dare to venture out into the cold when mugs of hot chocolate and warm fireplaces comforted them inside.

But this environment also brought a small pang to his heart. It made him miss her.

His steps halted as he saw the place where the witch had dared to get closer to him the first time. A year had passed since she'd watched him gather the yellow slipper.

A curve formed on his lips as he remember the blasted cat coming to him first, and she afterwards, bringing him a warmth he would never imagine he'd become attached to. That he'd miss.

He thought of her every day and didn't try to stop it since it mainly happened when he was alone. With all the hate surrounding him, it was too easy to get lost in his memories of her. The witch loved him, and he wasn't going to forget that. It was his reason to continue with his mission and give her a relatively safe future. She'd given him something he could've only dreamed of for years. Made him feel like he actually deserved to be cared for. She made him desire to have another chance when he'd once looked forward to his death.

It'd been a couple of weeks since he'd last seen her. He assumed Potter was healed since Phineas told him that they'd changed locations a few days ago.

"You shouldn't be here, Severus," a stern voice said. He turned and looked toward the castle. Pomfrey was trudging through the snow at a fast pace, a stern expression woven onto her features.

"When last I checked, I was the headmaster of the school and could leave when I pleased," he replied with no hostility.

"I don't care. Not even if you are trying to play as a traitorous Death Eater," she said, her voice low. "You can't fool all of us. You need a check up, now."

She hit his chest with one of her bony fingers. She...She knew? It did make sense. Pomfrey had known him since he was a child. She knew his actions better than any of the other staff. Knew his personality. And she'd been the only one who'd hesitated in looking at him with disgust when he came back. The only time she'd let such an expression cross her face was when the rest of the staff looked at her. Even then, it wasn't disgust as much as it was cold neutrality.