All That You Leave Behind

Thanks, as always to those who review. Newcomers or our faithful friends, we do appreciate the comments. So, tainted_love, thank you for all your support and encouragement. We were really glad to hear that the twists and turns are appreciated. Tambrathegreat- yeah, it is unfair to Harry. I guess we're evil like that. He'll have plenty to remember Severus by, however! CruciareMors- Again, we're evil like that, but, sorry to make you cry! Christina- thanks for your review! Mie and amanda- thanks for your reviews and we're glad you're enjoying the story. Cravedom- aww...thanks for your review. Sorry to make you grieve and to break your heart. Believe us, it nearly killed us too!

We hope you think this chapter has been worth the wait. All manner of stuff has got in the way, not least of which was a PAINFUL bout of writer's block for both of us! Anyway, things are hopefully *fingers crossed* a bit better now, so, without further ado, we present...chapter 73!

Actually, there is further ado, as we want to just tell you about our latest project - we're now on LiveJournal!
You can find us at: http://queens-of-angst.livejournal.com/ We hope you visit us and let us know what you think of our inner musings. Friend us and we'll friend you back! And now, really, on to Chapter 73.....



Chapter 73



He became aware of a vague murmuring sound first, what sounded like several voices speaking, although he couldn't make out words. Gradually, he felt a sense of numbness and some stiffness seeping away as his body became aware, as if he were awakening, and slowly the murmuring sounds became louder and clearer.

After a few moments, he could make out voices, heard his name called questioningly, heard someone stating that he seemed to be waking, and he tried opening his eyes. He could feel his eyelids fluttering, they felt heavy, as did his limbs, and he concluded he had indeed been asleep, unconscious for some time, perhaps even days.


As his eyelids slowly unsealed themselves, the darkness that seemed to surround him gradually became lighter and brighter, and he closed them again momentarily, gathering his wits about himself. He exhaled and opened his eyes once again, trying to focus against the stab of light and get a clear view of where he was and who was talking.


"Yes, yes, I do believe he is waking."


"Severus? Can you hear? Can you see?"


"Give him a moment to gather his wits, for Merlin's sake," a familiar voice said with annoyance.


Bit by bit his eyes began to acclimate themselves to the light, focusing on the scene in front of him, and Severus Snape found himself looking at the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts.


He blinked a little and glanced around at the many faces. Some were curious, some
sympathetic, others hiding a slight excitement. He frowned as his mind whirled back
through the last thing he could remember.

He looked over and saw the old familiar face of Albus Dumbledore smiling benignly at him. Severus scowled, annoyed to see the twinkle still in his old mentor's eye. Dumbledore chuckled faintly and said, "Welcome, Severus. So good to have you with us again, my dear boy."


Severus raised a brow and growled, "I trust everything is right in your world, Albus?" Keeping any worry he felt in check, he ventured, "And Harry? Ginny?"


“They’re both fine,” Albus’ voice assured him.


Severus glared at the old man as though daring him to lie,his expression covering the relief he felt. The other figure shifted comfortably, very used to Severus’ glares, and filled the younger man in on all that had happened since the Death Eater attack.


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Ginny gently eased a sleeping James into his cot. He reached out drowsily for his favourite toy, a small emerald dragon which folded in on itself in his arms, gentle puffs of air rising from its nostrils. Ginny drew a blanket up over his small form, glad he was, like the dragon, gently snoozing, and quietly tiptoed out. Once in the hallway, she drew her wand and adjusted the room temperature, then set a monitoring charm before moving quietly off to the living room.


She sat on the sofa for a momentary breather. James had been especially clingy and whiny this morning, and had required every second of her attention. She wondered if perhaps he sensed that in a few short months his reign as only and most favoured child was about to end. She supposed it could also be because he sensed hers and Harry's sadness and grief over Severus' death.


She sighed and flicked her wand this way and that about the room, causing a pile of baby laundry at the other end of the sofa begin to fold itself neatly, Harry's coffee cup, which he'd left on the mantlepiece before he'd flooed off to work, to levitate itself to the kitchen, and the newspaper he'd left scattered over the coffee table....damn him! she thought with annoyance....to tidy itself. Even though she missed Severus very much, and was still teary and slightly traumatised over his death, she was immensely glad that the funeral was over. She hoped Harry would be able to get back on a somewhat even keel now that it was. She hoped her Christmas gift to him would help. Hoped it would help him come to terms with what had happened. And if not, well, she welcomed having it.


She finished her quick tidying of the living room, and then got up and went quietly to that closed door. She took a deep breath and slipped inside Severus' rooms. She'd hidden the gift in here, sure that Harry wouldn't be coming in here anytime soon. It was still too painful for him, but for her, it provided a small measure of comfort, even if it did make her sad as well. She could still feel Severus' presence here, and she sometimes sat here and talked to him, even though she knew he was now only a memory. Even if sometimes, she was almost sure she caught sight of him out of the corner of her eye.


She walked through the living room until she reached the bedroom door, congratulating herself on finding a hiding place Harry would never think to look in, even if he were so inclined to search for hidden gifts. She entered the still room, and went to the bed, sinking to her knees, and used her wand to draw out the large and heavy package concealed beneath.


She sat on the now made bed. It had been a mess when she'd brought the gift in here to hide, and knowing what a neat and precise man Severus had been, she'd thought he'd appreciate her making his mussed bed. She smiled sadly at the thought of an irked Severus spending his afterlife annoyed that he'd left his bed unmade. It would be just like him.


She cast a lightening charm on the heavy package, and vanished the wrapping it had been delivered in, revealing the painting she'd commissioned for Harry's Christmas gift. With a small smile, she noted that the room depicted within the antiqued gilt frame was empty. She felt an excited thrill ripple through her, and even though she knew this was only a poor substitute for the real thing, she couldn't help it. She leaned forward and called quietly into the frame. "Hello? Can you hear me?"


A moment later a somewhat confused and surprised Severus Snape stepped into the painting, and Ginny felt her breath catch and tears well up. She smiled and said with feeling, "Severus. It's so good to see you again!"


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