Deathly Hallows pt4
When they entered the room it was silent. His body was leaned up against the wall. Blood had soaked through the white of his color, staining it a deep red color. She walked over to him slowly and knelt down.
She was already crying when she spoke, “Thank you Professor…” she whispered, “you have… saved me more times than I care to admit… I’m sorry… that I treated you so… I’m just sorry…”
She fell over him, her tears flowing freely now as Luna and Ginny joined her, wrapped their arms around her and shushed her.
She hadn’t the time to cry over her father, nor the option to hold him once he was gone. He was just gone… she hadn’t the strength to fight for her mothers body when they took her away…
“Let’s take him back..” she whispered.
“Mobilicorpus.” She said once she was standing, and her wand pointed at him. His body lifted from the ground in a heap of dangling arms. His head falling backwards to hang limply so that if the blood along his neck hadn’t dried it would have dripped up his face.
“I—“ she said with a gag. “Someone else please…” she said and Ginny took over the spell instantly as Ryleigh leaned over and dry heaved onto the wood floors. She was grateful she hadn’t eaten in far longer than would be recommended as there was simply nothing for her to throw up.
Luna held back Ryleighs knotted and bloody black hair as she continued to heave.
They floated him back up to the castle and everyone watched as they brought him down next to the other deceased members of the resistance. She could see they’d removed the bodies of the death eaters and started organizing their own dead. Ginny placed Snapes body gently to the ground and Ryleigh sat beside him.
McGonagall made her way to their side, she placed a hand gently on Ryleighs shoulder and the girl looked up at her. In a flash she had thrown herself into the embrace of the Professor who held her tightly a gently hand on her head.
Xx
Her years at Hogwarts had led her to more funerals and memorials than she’d thought possible. Her father. Her mother. Her teacher. Her friends. Her mentor.
Fred’s funeral was held in a dry meadow near the Burrow. It was a mostly limited affair, and by limited she really meant a lot. The Weasley family and their extended family. Ryleigh attended with McGonagall and her siblings. Luna and Xenophilius also joined them, along with all Fred and George’s friends from school.
George spoke about his brother, about the fun they had, the pranks they pulled, the bravery he showed.
She and Luna stayed with Ginny that night, they stayed up late talking about Fred and the other friends they’d lost.
Xx
Harry had suggested they burry Snape in Godricks Hallow with his mother and Ryleigh thought that sounded like exactly where the man would wish to be. That gathering was smaller. Harry, Hermione, Neville, the Weasleys, the Hogwarts Staff, as well as the remaining order members.
Harry spoke, about his work for Dumbledore all those years, about his love for Lily, about his skills. Then he looked to Ryleigh.
“Professor Snape… he taught me more than anyone I’ve ever known… he… took me and nurtured my love of potions… he… made me feel safe with him… he kept me safe and saved me… multiple times… and… he had no reason to… he just… did… he helped me realize how I felt about the love of my life…” she looked to Luna wish a smiled, “I will forever be grateful for everything he did for me. Everything he did for all of us. He gave his life for us… he always knew that was a risk he was taking and he took it anyway… so, thank you Professor. Rest now.”
Xx
The rest of the school year was cancelled but she stayed at Hogwarts with McGonagall. They worked to rebuild the school with the rest of the staff. Harry hung Snapes portrait in the headmasters office and McGonagall was appointed headmistress.
They were told that there would be no need for anyone to repeat the year unless they wished to. That come the fall term they would begin fresh.
Ryleigh and Luna had decided to take a trip together as well. She’d gotten her appiration license over the summer and they were headed to her hometown.
“You girls be safe then. Come right back if—“ McGonagall started.
“We will.” Ryleigh said.
Luna placed a hand onto Ryleighs and she disappirated them instantly.
Appariting them directly to her beach spot.
As she inhaled deeply the salty ocean air she felt right at home.
“I’m going to set the house right a bit okay? I’ll be right back.” Luna said before turning and walking through the brush down the street to Ryleighs childhood home.
Ryleigh sat down. She closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of the white caps crashing onto the rocky shore.
Once upon a time she’d sit on this beech and feel nothing but peace and happiness. She remembered being small, spending time with her mother and Grandad here. Then baby Ro was born and then Quinn. She remembered the picnics they’d have together and the beach days that Quinn loved so dearly. Then her Grandad died… But she’d met with Sirius here as well, then he died and her mother joined him soon after. She looked out at the water now and felt hollow.
She heard the crunching of Lunas footsteps and smiled. Whatever hollow she felt at the loss of her parents, Luna could fill, her light floaty presence practically forced a smile onto the girls face. The love that she felt from her. The way that she could make her feel whole even when she’d lost so much.
Luna sat herself down beside Ryleigh.
She didn’t say anything and Ryleigh didn’t mind, perfectly comfortable simply in each other’s space. They’d always been that way she thought. Just, comfortable together.
Luna had brought back a blanket and laid it down for them.
“Come and lay.” Luna said and they moved to lay down together.
“I love you.” Ryleigh whispered as she interlocked her fingers with Lunas.
“I love you too.” Luna said back.
Xx
The next September when the students entered the school there was an air of apprehension around them. McGonagall had been made official Headmistress of the school and did he very best to ensure the students were comfortable.
“Welcome to Hogwarts.” She said with a smile.
“For our returning students. Welcome back. I wish to assure you that the curriculum has been returned to normal, we have three new members of our staff this year. First Professor Saladin will be taking over Muggle studies. Then we have Professor Brindlemore who will be taking of Defense Against the Dark Arts. And finally my Replacement for Transfiguration will be Professor Nathaniel.” Quinn was sitting at the professors table with Pomfrey watching them all with a smile. She’d never been allowed to join them for school events before but seeing as McGonagall was headmistress and their guardian she had decided the girl had spent enough time locked away in their chambers.
The girl waved enthusiastically at Ryleigh who waved back with a smile, then the girl waved to her brother at the Slytherin table who waved back as well, albeit much subtler.
Xx
Hermione had rejoined them that year to finish her schooling and take her N.E.W.T. Exams along with the other seventh years.
Professor Slughorn was actually a better professor than Ryleigh had noted in her last two years. In all fairness she was a bit preoccupied for both of them. He helped her figure out publishing her potion recipes with the proper accreditation. She cited Professor Snape as faculty advisor on both and Slughorn signed as an additional advisor after doing a number of tests on her two complete potions himself.
“Some excellent work Ms Walsh.” He has said one afternoon. “You remind me a rather lot of Severus in his youth. Very talented boy he was, if a little antisocial.”
Ryleigh laughed, “Thank you Professor.” She said.
“I will submit these for you.” He said as he stacked the parchment neatly. “You, Miss Walsh, are going places.”
Xx
When she turned 18 her friends threw her a small party in the common room. A cake and little gift were given.
“This is the first of your birthdays we’ve properly celebrated.” Luna said softly.
“I would have gotten away with it too.” Ryleigh said with a laugh but Luna and Ginny just looked at her in confusion.
“Come on?” She said.
“If it weren’t for you meddling kids.” Hermione finished for her rather unenthusiastically.
“Thank you Hermione.” Ryleigh said, then she looked to Luna and Ginny, “You two need to spend more time in the muggle world.”
Xx
“What are you doing up here?” Ginny asked as she entered the Astronomy tower to find Ryleigh pouring over her potions texts and Luna laying on her back with her head overhanging the edge under the railing.
“She’s studying for her N.E.W.T.s” Luna explained.
“She doesn’t need to study anymore.” Ginny said taking a seat next to Luna.
“I know, she likes it.” Luna said, “just potions though.”
“Not true! I’m sitting for the defense newt as well.” Ryleigh said.
“Why? I mean you don’t need a DADA newt to be a Potioneer.” Ginny asked.
“I know but what if I— change my mind or something?”
“I’m only taking the Care of a Magical creatures exam.” Luna said.
Ryleigh looked over at them. Staring. And glared.
Xx
At the end of the year they received the grades for the N.E.W.T. Exams that they sat for and Ryleigh was thrilled. She got an outstanding on both Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts and Luna received the same on her Care of Magical Creatures exam.
She had begun working on her next potion and also brewing to order to earn some income while she tested her new recipes.
After a lengthy talk with Professor McGonagall the woman had insisted that Quinn and Ro stay under her care. That Ryleigh should focus on pursuing her career from the stability from Hogwarts as well and that when she was financially stable enough she could if she so wished, move them all back out of the school.
“I’ve grown quite fond of you three running around my chambers.” She said.
Ryleigh smiled. “Alright then, how about seeing as I own a house and a half I take them with me over the summer holidays and stay in Ireland and we stay home here over Christmas holidays.” Ryleigh said.
“I would be amendable to that. So long as you be sure to visit throughout the year.”
She and Luna planned to travel together. She could realistically work on her potions from wherever as long as she had the things she needs and Luna wanted to search for her mystical magical creatures.
“Promise.”
Xx
“I’ll see you guys in a few weeks okay? Luna and I will be back and we’ll spend July and August back in Ireland okay?” She said to the blonde kids.
Quinn nodded, “will you come with me to get my school stuff?” She asked.
“Of course. We’ll go to Diagon Alley and get all the things. Then you guys can take the train. It’ll be so fun I promise.” She said. Then she kissed them both on the head. “I love you both.”
“Love you Ry.” They said back then looked at Luna beside her, “Bye Luna! Love you too!”
She hugged them as well, “love you both too.”