Shadow & Love

11* A Healer's Duty

Leonor landed hard in the bedraggled thicket of the apothecary's garden, a heavy crate in her hands. Hugo and Pauline greeted Leonor from the roof ridge and flew curiously down, watching the wooden box suspiciously. The healer glanced quickly around and checked the surroundings before walking into the back door.

"Hello!" said Leonor finally, exhaustion and joy in her voice. "I hope you will like the new family member." She glanced at the two large eagle owls, put the crate to the table in the potions' kitchen and stroked Pauline and Hugo, who had followed and sat expectantly on the workbench. Leonor opened it to reveal a nest made of feathers and ashes. A tiny Phoenix sat in the middle, discomposed by the transport and the change of location. He made no noise and opened the googly eyes slowly.

"The last living member of his ancestral family died. I've been lucky. There have been several applicants and he chose me. His name is Flint." Leonor caressed all birds by turns. The little Phoenix ruffled its feathers and accepted the new place after a while to fall into a slumber. The two owls nudged him gently before returning to their favourite branch on one of the impenetrable bushes.

Leonor made a fennel tea; she needed something to regain her strength and to shake off the slight feeling of an unaccustomed nausea. The journey had required an effort, and the island of bliss of last Sunday returned to her mind with a pleasant anticipation of a nice dream and a decent sleep at home. Leonor considered sending a quick note to Severus about the return, but any owl would soar into the middle of the Halloween Feast. She knew it wasn't wise.

XXX

The Halloween festivity in the Great Hall was in full swing and the banqueting table overstuffed with food and pumpkin juice. Floating candles illuminated everything in a gleaming light of treacle-gold and orange. Hagrid, Minerva, and most of the teachers chattered louder than the students; it got to Severus nerves more than every year. He hoped — as always — for an early end, planning a visit to Leonor. He wanted to know if she returned safely and waited to hold her tight, yearning for the softness of her body. He felt ashamed to admit that the wish to see Leonor overshadowed the grief about Lily. Severus daydreamed behind an unfathomable grim and stony expression when a piercing pain shot through his arm. It burned like a scald and Severus pulled a wry face until the summons faded. The Dark Lord called him alone. He stood and waited to make eye contact with Dumbledore who watched in delight a hunt of ghosts hurdling through the gaping students. Severus used the havoc to exit quickly through the door behind the teacher's desk. Leaving the feast made a welcome escape. Meeting with the Dark Lord was a burden Severus was used to endure.

The feet carried Severus swiftly to the gates and outside the Hogwarts grounds; a touch of the Dark Mark transported him straight to Malfoy Manor. He raised an arm to open the richly ornamented golden entry gate. Then he walked along the wide driveway to the entrance. The peacocks knew by now to give way to dark clad visitors disturbing the aristocratic peace of a well-trimmed English park. House elves opened the door; their lace cloths were replaced by filthy rags of tea towels and covered barely the signs of serious maltreatments. Severus shook the miserable sight off and walked upstairs, composing himself to enter the Dark Lord's headquarters.

The large door of the vestibule stood open and Bellatrix squealed to announce the visitor. The sound hung still mid-air when Severus kneeled and bowed, addressing the Dark Lord in awe.

"My Lord, you requested my presence."

"Sit next to me!" ordered the master and relaxed thoughtfully with an inhuman smile, sitting at the front of the table and pleased with Severus prompt arrival.

Voices echoed now coldly in the once friendly majestic room. Dark curtains draped the high windows and shielded the room from any light. The nights became darker in the otherwise sunny Wiltshire since Lord Voldemort settled. Chandeliers were hexed to illuminate just the area near the Dark Lord. Bellatrix lingered in the edge, leaning against the mantlepiece, fidgeting with her crooked magic wand obviously in anticipation of something. Severus addressed her briefly with a nonchalant 'Bella'.