Second Place - Romance

Several screams rent the air as Voldemort was destroyed by the Boy-Who-Lived. The Death Eaters stopped fighting as each clutched his or her left arm and collapsed in obvious pain. Startled, the opponents of the dark turned to where they had last seen the Dark Lord facing off with Harry Potter. Expecting to see the two wizards still dueling, they were surprised to instead see the tall form of the potions master being intercepted as he made his way to the prone form of the young hero. Even more astonishing than the writhing forms on the ground and the still body of Harry Potter was the notable absence of the Dark Wizard. As the confused wizards watched, several Aurors quickly surrounded Severus Snape as he bent towards his student. The Aurors subdued the proud wizard with several hexes and the potions master disappeared from their midst.

Albus Dumbledore came to his senses as he realized that the Ministry aurors had effectively taken his protégé captive. Seeing the younger man port-keyed away from the battlefield, he could only assume that Severus had been sent to Azkaban prison. That fool Fudge, he fumed to himself as the implications set in. The aurors had obviously been under orders to detain the potions master as soon as Harry had defeated Lord Voldemort.

The old wizard was confident in his assumption that Harry had indeed succeeded in his task as the unconscious forms of the Death Eaters indicated that their connection to the dark wizard had been permanently destroyed. The headmaster carefully picked his way through the body-strewn battlefield as he made his way to the young hero of the wizarding world. Some of the Ministry Aurors who had the misfortune to still be there felt the anger and power radiating off the venerable wizard as he knelt next to Harry. As one, they decided discretion was the wisest course of action and backing away they sought to escape the headmaster’s obvious fury.

Remus Lupin and Kingsley Shacklebolt ran over to join Albus at Harry’s side and together they were relieved to note that the young man was only unconscious and not dead. Receiving a nod from the headmaster, Remus gently picked up his friends’ son and carried him into the confines of the castle. Albus stopped only long enough to ask that the Auror make some discrete enquiries as to the fate of the potions master. Kingsley grimly nodded as he understood the implications. It was a badly kept secret that Minister Fudge was determined to bring down Severus Snape. The Minister had been furious years earlier when Albus Dumbledore had managed to convince the Wizengamot that the potions master had in fact been a spy for the side of Light and not an actual Death Eater.

Madame Pomfrey had readied the infirmary for casualties and it was to her that the men took Harry. Already, several of the injured were being treated, so room was spare in the over-crowded hospital. The way was cleared for the werewolf and headmaster as people saw the precious cargo the men brought. Poppy quickly cleared a bed so that the Boy-Who-Lived could be tenderly placed on the mattress. The medi-witch went to work, using diagnostic spells and healing minor cuts and abrasions. As she gathered the necessary potions, she finally spoke to the anxious men. "He will be fine, although his magic levels have been severely depleted." Pausing in her ministrations, the woman asked, "Albus, does this mean that Harry was successful? Did he destroy You-Know-Who?"

"Yes, Poppy, young Harry defeated Lord Voldemort. And this time we will not have to worry about him coming back. Also, the Death Eaters were incapacitated by their master’s demise and the Ministry Aurors are busy collecting the unconscious wizards even as we speak." The mention of the Aurors brought his mind back to the unwarranted capture of his protégé and the headmaster frowned. He sincerely hoped that his beloved boy was all right. He was the only one who knew that the façade that the potions master projected was just that. His heart bled for the young wizard who had had every adversity thrown his way and had yet stood stoically. Albus knew that he was the only one who was aware that Severus had decided years ago to push everyone away so that he could protect them and while that decision had saddened the older wizard; he truly understood his protégé’s desire to protect those around him.

Remus looked over at the headmaster and noted the distress evident in the older wizard’s countenance. "Albus, Kingsley will find out where they have taken Severus. The Ministry has no real case against him," he reassured his friend.

"That they have no reason to hold Severus is not comforting, Remus, as I am certain that Cornelius will do everything in his power to make sure that there is no trial for Severus. Without a trial, we will be unable to mount a defense. Another way must be found to save our friend."

Thoughtfully, the thin and greying wizard acknowledged the truth in Albus’ words. Fudge had shown a flagrant disregard for the laws of the wizarding world and the rights of its individuals before. And even some who knew the potions master weren’t convinced of the irascible man’s motives and inclinations. Certain members of the Order of the Phoenix had repeatedly expressed the suspicions that Severus Snape was not to be trusted, despite repeated evidence that the man had risked much in order to help the order.

As much as the irritable potions master managed to push everyone away, Remus still felt a certain kinship and responsibility towards the man. All of his former compatriots were now gone or had succumbed to evil. In an odd sort of way, Severus was all Remus had left from his childhood.

"Poppy, if young Harry here will be all right, I have other matters to which I must attend." Not waiting for an answer, the headmaster turned to leave, his robes flashing brightly in the light of the infirmary.

Remus pulled over a chair and settled in for a vigil at Harry’s bedside. He was not going to leave the side of the brave young man. The werewolf had the feeling that Harry would need all the support he could get once he awoke. The scents he had been picking up from the young Gryffindor had Remus convinced that Harry had found his soul mate. And though he might not have liked the idea, Remus thought that he knew who that mate was. Once again he found himself thinking that James would be rolling in his grave if he knew that his son’s chosen mate was Severus Snape. Remus had also been sniffing certain scents from the potions master as well. Those scents were enough to make the werewolf realize that the older man reciprocated Harry’s feelings. But he was reasonably sure that neither had done anything about their feelings. Yet. If they did manage to save Severus from the Ministry, Remus was determined to help the two get together. Love was to be treasured and a soul-bond was even more precious.

Out on the erstwhile battlegrounds, students, teachers, members of the Order of the Phoenix and aurors continued gathering the still unconscious Death Eaters. Those fighters for the side of Light who had been injured had already been sent to the infirmary; they were fortunate in that none perished. Indeed, it appeared that the only casualty was the Dark Lord himself. The senseless Death Eaters were gathered into groups and then port-keyed directly to Azkaban. After a good portion of an hour all of the Dark Lord’s supporters had been incarcerated and all that was left was the mess left behind by the battle. Rocks, trees and shrubs had been hit by stray blasts and the waters of the lake were agitated by the irate giant squid who had not appreciated having its home disturbed.

Ron and Hermione gathered with the other members of the DA to check on everyone’s condition. Both were relieved to find that other than a few minor cuts and bruises, no one was seriously hurt. It appeared that the extensive training that Harry had insisted upon had paid off.

The stalwart Gryffindors were worried about their friend and leader. They had seen Snape being surrounded by the Ministry Aurors, and being rather distant from the scene, were unsure whether Snape had been trying to help or hurt Harry. Even though they had often been assured that the potions master was on their side Ron still didn’t trust the older wizard. He was willing to believe the worst of the man and personally was glad to see Snape being arrested.

Hermione, however, wasn’t convinced that Snape being taken away was a good thing. She had always been willing to give others the benefit of the doubt and though the man often seemed to be narrow-minded and vindictive, she sometimes sensed that it was all an act. She had a gift for seeing the truth where others saw only the facts, and she had learned over the years to trust her instincts.

The members of the DA were comforted by the knowledge that Dumbledore and Remus Lupin had quickly taken Harry to the castle. They knew that if anyone could survive an encounter with He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, then it would be Harry. Now all they had to do besides help with the clean up was wait for word on their friend.

Hagrid was feeling mighty proud of his younger brother. Grawp had proven that he was more than a match for the fully-trained wizards as he had used just a small tree to overpower his attackers. A giant’s hide is tough enough to withstand many spells, hexes and curses and Grawp had easily shrugged off all that had come his way.

Draco felt the adrenaline slowly leave his body as he surveyed the results of the battle. He had suffered a cutting hex on his left arm but other than that he felt fine. Looking over to his mother Draco felt a sense of pride that she had found the strength of will to stand up for what was right. Above all, Malfoys were taught to believe in their own abilities and ideals and it had been a disappointment to both of them that Lucius had subjugated his own judgment and pride to a half-blood.

Narcissa smiled at her son. Never had she been so proud of the young man. He had proven himself a true Malfoy today. They had watched as the unconscious Lucius was carried along with the other Death Eaters off the field. Then the man had been whisked away by port-key, hopefully to Azkaban prison. And unless the Ministry was willing to fight the young heir and his mother, Lucius would be unable to wiggle out of things this time. They were determined that the man be held accountable for his many sins and Draco was going to do everything within his power to make sure that Lucius stayed in prison this time.

Nymphadora, or Tonks, as she preferred to be called, worked on auto-pilot as she helped to cleanup after the battle. She smiled as she recalled fighting alongside her aunt and cousin. It had pleased her to no end that they had come over to the side of the Light. Tonks felt like she had gained new family, when in fact she had had them all along. But with Aunt Narcissa and her son being Malfoys, there had been little chance of being around them. She was going to enjoy getting to know her aunt and cousin, she thought happily. At long last the remaining Death Eaters had been rounded up and Tonks gave a sigh of relief. The Aurors’ jobs were over for now and they could finally rest after a hard-fought battle.

Fred and George grinned at each other as they watched the Death Eaters scream in pain and collapse. Too bad they couldn’t have a Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes product that could cause that sort of reaction in their victims, er customers. Adopting a mock-serious pose each bowed to the other in mirror image. Straightening back up they started laughing, the sound carrying across the school grounds turned battlefield.

"Just think," said George.

"If we could do this sort of thing," continued Fred.

"Everyday," ended George.

Identical smiles graced the freckled faces as those nearby glanced over nervously. Anyone who had ever spent any time around the pair knew that happy Weasley twins meant that trouble was never far away.

Tired after all the activity had died down, Ron and Hermione walked back to the castle. Slowly, the other battle participants turned towards the sanctuary of the school. Now that the opposing forces had been defeated and taken into custody there was no longer a need to continue to stand around. The only exceptions were Hagrid and his ‘little’ brother Grawp. Hagrid had made great strides in civilizing the young giant but he was still not quite castle-broken.

Many of those present were ready to start celebrating; in fact, looking over at the commotion surrounding the red-haired Weasley twins, it was easy to see that they had already started the party as patented Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes magical fireworks split the air. Even the normally stern Professor McGonagall smiled at their antics. Surely there was no better time to celebrate than now.

The only blight on the upcoming festivities was the questions surrounding Harry’s condition and the potions master’s fate. Hurrying up the castle steps, the members of the DA were determined to at least get the answers regarding Harry. The group was met at the infirmary door by the headmaster as he took his leave from the room.

"Ah, my dear students, and what may I do for you?" Albus asked as he reached into his pocket for another lemon drop.

"Headmaster, we were wondering if you might tell us how Harry is doing?" Hermione spoke for the group. She didn’t wait for an answer before she asked the question they had all been pondering. "And what happened to Professor Snape, sir?"

Weariness showed in the older wizard’s visage as he prepared his answers. "You may all rest assured that I am confident that young Harry will recover completely. It seems that he just used so much power in defeating Lord Voldemort that he needs some time and rest in order to regain his strength." Here Albus paused. "However, I cannot say with any certainty that Professor Snape is similarly all right. As you may have seen he was taken by the Ministry Aurors to an unknown location. Even as we speak, there are people who are working to find him and to obtain his release."

"Sir, you don’t think that they took him to Azkaban prison, do you?" the bright witch asked.

"While I do not know for sure, I do believe that that is the most likely conclusion. I am afraid that we will have a battle on our hands in trying to retrieve our potions master at any rate," the headmaster tiredly answered. The truth was that this was one time that he did not feel the desire to be devious and misleading. His heart was hurting too much at the loss of one whom he considered to be a son. And the fact that the young man had already suffered so much in life just added to his grief. Albus was well aware that the masks that Severus wore were so complete that so many truly believed the man to be an evil Death Eater and all around bad guy. The venerable wizard could only hope that they would be able to free the potions master and that the man would then feel free enough with the destruction of his ‘master’ to drop those masks and allow others to finally see him as he actually was. For Albus knew that underneath the cold façade hid a man who cared deeply for those around him and that the man would risk everything to help another. Sometimes Albus wondered if the sorting hat had gotten it wrong when it had placed Severus in Slytherin house instead of Gryffindor. Of course, the older wizard acknowledged that the potions master was certainly sly and cunning enough for his house as Albus knew of no one else who could have so successfully fooled so many for so long.

Absently the headmaster realized that he was now standing alone in the corridor. He could only assume that as he stood ruminating the students had entered the infirmary to see their friend and leader.

Seeing that the older wizard had become lost in thought, the members of the DA quietly slipped into the infirmary. Despite the headmaster’s reassuring words, they knew that they would feel better if they could see Harry for themselves.

The earlier commotion and noise had settled down as there were very few serious injuries for the medi-witch to attend. She straightened up as she saw the group nervously approach. "I assume you are here to see my favorite patient?" she inquired with a faint smile. There was really no reason to ask as these young people had proven time and again that they were always there for one another.

This time Neville spoke up. "Yes, ma’am. If that’s all right. We just wanted to make sure Harry will be okay."

The medi-witch’s smile grew as she nodded. "Yes, Harry will be up and around before you know it. I should think that he will be ready to leave my care by tomorrow. He used a great deal of energy in the battle against You-Know-Who and just needs to rest now."

The friends peeked around Madam Pomfrey to see Harry quietly sleeping. Hermione and Ginny both sighed their relief that the boy they each saw as a brother was all right. Nodding to one another, the group quietly thanked the medi-witch and turned to leave. They had heard word of an impromptu party in the Great Hall and now that they knew Harry was fine they were eager to attend and celebrate.

The Flipside of Sanity - Chapter 4

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