Severus and the Thunderbird

Summer Flight

His head still throbbed a week later. Those three disarmed him while they helped Black escape. At first he didn't believe when Albus told him that Sirius had been framed. He wanted the vindication of turning him in. All of those years being tortured for the Marauders amusement...

He could practically taste the victory. His only consolation prize was insinuating that there may be a werewolf at Hogwarts. And even that felt hollow. Perhaps Remus got the wrong end of his wrath. But it was done and over with now.

He didn't want to believe that Sirius was innocent. That would mean that Sirius had some form of convictions. But as much as Black was horrible to him, he was good to Lily and Potter. As much as the hatred still swirled in his gut, he knew that Black would protect Harry with his life. Just as he had sworn to. So much so, he didn't explain to anyone that they disarmed him, not even Albus.

It wasn't an issue of pride, it was an issue of valor. The three of those kids bound together and took out what they perceived as a threat. Even if that threat was him, he could respect that. That's not to say he didn't fight for their suspension for leaving the school grounds when they weren't supposed to; they could have ran into a transfigured Lupin...

With all his belongings packed and stored at his home in Spinners end, he had the summer to himself. The Dark Lord hadn't resurfaced yet, none of the followers were regrouping, and Potter was off to his muggle family.

He picked the watch out of his coat pocket and set it for a few minutes away, not expecting Seren to reply instantly. The watch glowed bright yellow. His spirits began to lift a little. Over the spring semester they spent one night a week together, usually Saturday night into Sunday afternoon. Some days she stayed at the castle, but he enjoyed meeting her at the edge of the grounds, always apparating to her cozy home. He could be himself away from the confining brick walls.

He flipped open the watch, waiting for her face to pop up

"Where are we meeting this time?" she asked, familiar smile contagious

"I've opened my floo network for you: Severus Snape, Spinners End" he told her shortly, not willing to leave his floo open for long, anyone could enter.

She agreed and within the next five minutes his fireplace lit up emerald green and she stumbled out, shaking the soot from her curls. Her shorts showed off her muscles, simple green tee shirt, and a wrist full of wooden beaded bracelets. She appeared so ordinary, but he knew she was hiding in plain sight for a reason.

"What a warm and welcoming home" she teased, a layer of dust flying out from under her fingers as she ran her hand across the books on the shelf.

His eyes settled on her arm, a cast in place.

"What happened?" he questioned, wincing at the concern in his voice, he couldn't afford to blur that line.

Plopping herself down beside him, she shrugged

"I was with my mom and sister for the weekend. I fell down the damn stairs because my sister, Eaódin, leaves her shoes everywhere. I didn't trust myself to fix it with my wand and they're both muggles so I spent six hours in a hospital...Oh, sorry, is this funny to you?" she stopped in the middle of her rant, annoyed at his smile.

Her voice settled in his bones like whiskey in the winter.

"I assumed you were trying to be funny with your theatrics?" he pressed, arching his eyebrow, feeling free to tease her now knowing that she wasn't in any pain.

"Keep it up Severus" she threatened, shoving him in his ribs like she tended to do as they bantered

He winced, hissing out a labored breath. He had a few broken ribs from being disarmed. Poppy healed him that night but they were still tender.