Chapter 17
You open your mind entirely to Nova as you run through the school, searching for her energy in the fog as you draw closer. People stare at you as you run, but you pay them no mind, pushing through the crowds until you finally find yourself outside of the Astronomy Tower.
You push the door open, and lock eyes with Nova.
She gasps, squealing and reaching out for you with her small hands, desperately trying to twist herself out of Charlie’s grasp.
You run to her, taking her into your arms and holding her as tightly as you dare against your chest as she bubbles over in laughter. Tears streak down your cheeks as you kiss her hands and her face, holding her as close as you can.
“(Y/N), are you okay?” Daisy asks, wrapping her arms around you from the side as Charlie stands on your other side.
You nod, drawing your eyes away from Nova to look at your friends.
“Thank you for keeping her safe.” You breathe, tears still spilling down your face as you look between them.
Daisy squeezes you tighter, and Charlie wipes your tears away with his fingers gently.
“Of course.” He says, resting a hand on your back. “You know we’d do anything for you. For her.”
You smile at them both as you press another kiss on Nova’s forehead.
“What happened to you?” Daisy asks, concern filling her voice.
You sigh, leading your group to the windows and sitting in front of them on the floor. Daisy and Charlie sit beside you, and Nova stays in your lap, looking up at you with her wide eyes.
You begin telling your friends about the events that had happened to you, keeping your voice low and swearing them to secrecy. They remain silent as you talk, their eyes wide as you tell them all of the story.
“And your mother is here?” Daisy asks, resting her hand on yours.
You nod, reaching out through the fog for Severus. You snap into his mind, finding him with your mother in Dumbledore’s office. A couple of the professors surround Dumbledore’s desk, and your mother stands near Dumbledore.
“Yes.” You answer, finding yourself back in your own mind. “They’re in Dumbledore’s office with some of the other professors, I think they’re trying to find a way to hide her.”
Charlie takes a deep breath, shaking his head.
“I can’t believe she’s been alive all this time.” He says, placing a finger in Nova’s outstretched hand. “I’m so sorry, (Y/N).”
You nod, leaning your head against his shoulder.
“I’m just glad to be home.” You answer, running your fingers through Nova’s curls.
Daisy leans on your shoulder, and you all look out of the window.
“How did Severus find you?” She asks. “You both always seem to know where the other is, like magic.”
You smile to yourself, sending it to Severus in your mind.
“Do you know what Legilimency is?” You ask, looking between the two of them.
Charlie nods, sitting up straighter to look at you.
“Are you saying—?” He begins.
That we use it to communicate? You ask, pushing your way into Charlie’s mind. Yes.
His eyes widen as he stares at you.
“What?” Daisy asks, looking between you two, not getting it yet.
We use this. You push to Daisy, watching as her eyes widen too. We always have.
She gasps, laughing as she does.
“You’re so sneaky!” She exclaims. “How do you know how to do that?”
You laugh, shrugging.
“Severus taught me when we first met.” You answer. “It’s been helpful.”
Charlie nods, laughing as he does.
“I’d say so.” He answers. “He was still really worried about you. I don’t think he’s slept much at all, he was up with Dumbledore at all hours.”
You smile, hoping that you’ll get to sleep beside him in your own bed tonight.
“What were you guys doing up here?” You ask, looking around the room.
Daisy brushes Nova’s hair back, and Nova giggles sweetly.
“We were just trying to keep her entertained, and classes don’t start up here until dark.” She says. “We weren’t sure when you guys would be home.”
You nod, hugging Nova a little bit tighter again.
“Thank you both for all the help.” You tell them. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”
They nod, shrugging off your thanks as they gush over how wonderful it is to watch Nova. You take a deep breath, squeezing her again once more before setting her into Daisy’s lap.
“Do you mind watching her again?” You ask, looking into her eyes. “I need to go see what they’re doing with my mother.”
Daisy nods, hugging Nova close.
“Of course, do what you need to do.” She answers as you stand up.
You reach down, running your fingertip along Nova’s soft cheek before turning on your heels and leaving the room. You hurry through the halls, heading for Dumbledore’s office. Finally, you step into the room, and a hush falls over the professors gathered around the desk.
“Ah, Mrs. Snape.” Dumbledore says with a smile. “We were just talking about how to best protect your mother.”
You nod, moving to stand beside Severus as Dumbledore continues talking.
“If we each cast a protection spell around her, as well as Professor Flitwick’s charm to obscure her appearance, I believe she’ll be able to evade capture.” He says in a matter-of-fact way. “Any objections?”
Everyone in the room talks amongst themselves for a moment before settling in agreement on the plan.
“Excellent!” Dumbledore says, clapping his hands together. “We’ll lead her out of the castle after the spells are cast, and get her a ticket to whichever place she’d like.”
Your mother moves to the center of the room, and one by one the professors step up to her and cast their spell of protection over her. Professor Flitwick casts his obscuring charm, and Severus steps up behind him to cast his spell. As the magic spills from his wand, your mother looks at you.
You take a deep breath before stepping forward, drawing your wand and casting your spell to her. She keeps her eyes locked on yours, all traces of malice long gone.
“I’ll walk her to the station.” You say, tucking your wand back into the side of your boot.
Dumbledore smiles softly as he reaches into his pocket, handing you a bag of money.
“Good luck, Ms. (Y/L/N).” He says, taking your mother’s hand.
She nods, and he lets her hand go. You tap Severus’ chin with your finger as you walk past him, and he smiles at you.
Go be with the baby. You push to him. I’ll be home soon.
He nods once, turning away from you as you walk with your mother out of the room. You lead her out of the castle, walking in silence beside her as you head towards Hogsmeade. You make it to the ticket stand in front of the train station, standing back to look at the massive board of transits before you.
“Where are you going to go?” You ask, your voice softer and more fragile than you were expecting.
Your mother shakes her head.
“I don’t know.” She replies quietly, looking over the board as well. “I suppose I could disappear in a busy city. London maybe? Paris?”
You nod, looking at the closely approaching departure times.
“And that’s your plan?” You ask, turning to face her. “To disappear again forever?”
She shrugs, taking a deep breath.
“If that’s what you’d like.” She replies, her voice hardly more than a whisper.
You take a deep breath as well, turning back towards the board.
“You’ve caused me a lot of problems.” You answer quietly, exhaling as you speak. “But you’re still my mother. You’re still my blood.”
She nods, turning back towards the board as well.
“I don’t want you to be gone forever.” You whisper. “Just until it’s safe for you to come back.”
She nods again, her hand reaching out and taking yours hesitantly. You flinch away from her touch at first, but you then let her hold your hand.
“I’ll come back someday.” She says softly, and you turn to face her. “I hope that one day you will believe when I say that all I have done was to protect you.”
You nod, squeezing her hand lightly.
“I hope so too.” You reply.
She smiles a small smile as she turns back towards the board.
“Paris it is.” She says quietly. “I shall blend into the hustle and bustle of a French life.”
You laugh, nodding as you lead her towards the ticket booth. You purchase her ticket before walking with her to the platform.
“Here you are.” You say, handing her the ticket, as well as the pouch with the rest of the money.
She takes them both, slipping them into her pockets.
“Thank you.” She replies, squeezing your hand now, softly.
You let go of her hand as you reach around your neck, pulling off the necklace you had been given in the forest.
“You should take this.” You tell her, reaching around her now and securing the necklace to her neck. “If you need help, blow into the pendant.”
She nods, her fist wrapping around the small, blue pendant dangling just below her collarbones.
“I’ll see you soon.” She says, reaching out to brush your cheek with her fingers softly.
You nod, and she walks towards the train. As she gets further away, Professor Flitwick’s charm seems to take effect, and your mother becomes unrecognizable as she boards the train. You stand on the platform as the whistle blows, and you watch each window as it slowly begins to pull out of the station.
You wave, not sure if she sees it or not, and the train disappears from view. You smile as it dips below the hillside, and begin to make your way back home to your family.