Shadow & Love

19* A Place to Hide

Severus paced the kitchen in the cottage rolling his eyes, "Leo, you do not leave that place. Eileen is just a day old and Caryn told you to rest at least a week."

"We need something to eat, Severus. Shops are closed on Sunday and it's Saturday morning. I take the 10 o'clock bus to the village and return two hours later."

"Listen, no matter if the Dark Lord summons me or not, I'll go to Malfoy Manor tonight and Narcissa will help. I know she anticipates something. She always asks about you. I'm also sure she stores Polyjuice Potion."

"Narcissa visited me after Harry hexed Draco," said Leonor reflectively remembering the curious look in the otherwise uppish expression. "I've Polyjuice in the apothecary. There's still too much stuff in Hogsmeade. If I could apparate!" sighed Leonor.

"Don't even think about it," growled Severus annoyed.

"I brought everything here for the birth but forgot about the time after. I was not myself in the last two weeks, couldn't concentrate on a thing. I hate me for being unprepared. Not even the owls are here." Leonor sounded desperate.

"Don't blame yourself," snapped Severus knowing full well that he did his bit increasing the unease.

"I worried about you, heard everything from Potter, your flight, the chase down the Hogwarts grounds. It was so awkward being in the hospital wing looking up potions for Bill Weasley and hear them talking. My head was swimming; shock and grief about the headmaster in every voice when I just felt black despair about you and then all that misunderstanding and hatred. I wanted to say that you work for their side, but they wouldn't have listened, not with Harry in the room. Nobody of the Order of the Phoenix saw Dumbledore's injury. That is so unbelievable. He would have visibly wasted away soon."

"You've been there?" said Severus taken aback.

"I woke up with a gut feel that something was going on. When I passed Rosmerta's I saw the Dark Mark and heard cracks of apparition and then all was quiet. I walked to the hospital wing through the debris of the fight, thought that I could help."

"How's Bill?" asked Severus.

"Better in general at least; the scars will mar his face forever. There's not much to do about it. And Draco?"

"Redeemed in the Dark Lord's eyes but frightened like his father. Narcissa is the backbone of the family."

"Will you become the new headmaster?"

Severus shrugged, tracing his thumb along Leonor's jawline, satisfying Albus' plan still unpredictable.

"Let me think about something to get all the missing things from Hogsmeade first. I'm here and if the ministry is fallen then I can go back in the open. It will not take long. Let's have breakfast now," huffed Severus.

They ate in silence and Leonor retreated morosely to the bedroom, cradling an awake and well-fed Eileen.

Severus spoke first, "I make a round with the broomstick. I must get my head clear. There's no point in arguing the situation, Leonor."

"I'm not arguing. I'm stuck here, Sev."

"You are stressed and exhausted. You slept only hours tonight. Take Eileen and go to bed and let me take care of the rest. Hogsmeade isn't any better those days. It is full of the wrong people."

"Sev," stuttered Leonor. She put Eileen back to baby cot and run towards Severus. "I have an awful fear."

"Leo, I know. Go to sleep, I need you." He couldn't tell that he was afraid too; surviving had never been important — it was now.