Celebrating Voldemort's Downfall

Chapter 7

by Iva1201

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Madam Pomfrey was just finishing her morning rounds – most of the children who had still needed to spend the night in the ward were well enough now to return to their respective Houses after breakfast, she noted happily and was about to sum the House Elves so they could start serving the food – when a new calamity reached the Infirmary. The Nurse could not decide later if Horace Slughorn had searched her out as patient or just a friend in need of support, but there he was suddenly, still clad in his night shirt and a dressing gown. Slughorn's trembling hands were clutching an empty glass basin to his chest, his eyes unseeingly staring at the lifeless water still in the bowl.

Poppy noticed the Slytherin Head of House by the entrance to the Infirmary, absentmindedly taking in his presence, but determined not to interrupt her rounds before she was finished and the children were delivered their breakfast. When Slughorn with his strange load however turned towards the corridor leading to the private room in which Snape was still resting, she hurried towards the distraught man, not particularly wishing him to disturb her patient's much needed sleep.

"Horace," the Nurse exclaimed, trying to sound delighted about his surprising visit, while in reality she wondered what he was doing up here and why he wanted to see Severus. The strange glass container in Slughorn's arms was also a disturbing sight – she had no idea why he should be bringing such thing to the younger Slytherin. Resting her hand softly on one of the older man's arms, Madam Pomfrey gently steered him to the door leading to her office.

"What a lovely surprise!" She continued to speak, amiably addressing her unexpected visitor. "May I offer you a cup of coffee or perhaps some tea? I was just about to call for breakfast myself – it would be lovely if you could join me. I seldom have company up here, you know – a coherent and adult one anyway." She smiled slightly, trying to impress her apparent loneliness on her colleague. "I am sure the Elves will not mind to bring your food up here instead of the Great Hall. Oh, and do not worry about your… aquarium, is it?" Madam Pomfrey eyed the glass bowl in Slughorn's arms in confusion. "You can put it on one of my shelves while we are eating; there is more than enough free place for it there."

Interrupted like that, Slughorn had no other choice than to follow the Nurse into her office. He was far too polite to plainly refuse joining her, especially once she had claimed her being alone far too often for her meals. He knew well this to be true. His visit to Severus had to wait a bit… but he really needed to speak with the boy as soon as possible.

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"She is dead," Slughorn had said earlier that day to Albus Dumbledore, the empty aquarium as a testimony of his words placed on the Headmaster's large table illuminated by the rising sun of the early morning.

"I know, Horace, and I am indeed very sorry for losing her and James." Dumbledore had tried to pacify his friend. "I remember the fish she conjured for you very well – it was indeed extraordinary beautiful. It is painful when we are robbed of such precious gifts while losing our dear friends. Alas, humans, Muggle and Wizard alike, are mortal. It is indefinitely sad when people die as young as Lily and James did – but their sacrifice led to Lord Voldemort's" – Slughorn had flinched hearing the name – "demise. And we shall be greatly thankful for that."

Slughorn had shaken his head in response. "Tom should not have done that, none of it. Why is it always the bright ones who get lost?" He had continued staring at the empty aquarium, his eyes full of unhidden pain. "Tom, Lucius, Beatrix, Severus, Lily, James, Sirius…" Slughorn had recited the names, each of them pronounced with a tangible sadness.

"Severus Snape returned to us, Horace, and Lily's and James's son Harry survived. Not all of it ended ill. Please, remember that – and take console in those small things. We need to move on, while commemorating those lost to us. If we did not, their sacrifice would have been for naught – neither I, nor you, I am sure, wish for that." Albus Dumbledore had comforted Slughorn. But the only thing Horace had really heard was Snape's name. He could not stay at Hogwarts, he had thought, and Snape would be his ticket out of this mess.

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"Pomona told me that young Severus was up here," Slughorn told Madam Pomfrey, while she poured them coffee. "Is he ill or injured?"

The Nurse hesitated before answering. But since Horace Slughorn, no matter his faults, was the boy's mentor and he should know, she finally decided to reply truthfully. "Young Mr. Snape suffered a great personal loss three days ago – as I believe you know very well. He had decided to treat his depression over his friend's loss by some of his more potent sleeping and calming draughts – and accidently overdosed. I believe him on the best way to full recovery, but I shall keep a close eye on the lad. As you should, too, in the Potions stores."

"I see," Slughorn murmured, his pained eyes resting on the empty aquarium again. "We shall all miss her. I have never encountered someone so talented, beautiful and kind."

"Indeed." Madam Pomfrey nodded. "And yet she had never reconciled with the Snape lad – and what a strong friendship that used to be!"

"There have never been many lasting friendships between our two Houses, my dear, no matter how much I would wish otherwise. Perhaps the new Head of House can do something about that. It is far too late for me now," Slughorn replied resignedly.

It took Madam Pomfrey a moment to realise the real impact of his words. Then she exclaimed in disbelief: "A new Head of House? You are leaving? Why? The House will need you now!"

Horace Slughorn gave her a sad smile. "You are far to kind, Poppy. I am sure my House will not miss me – not gravely, in any case. I taught Tom Riddle, you see, many years ago. Lily Potter's blood is on my hands now. I cannot stay any longer, I am sorry. I cannot stand it to be responsible for her death, not when she was my favourite pupil. I cannot teach them. I cannot be a Head of House. Severus will need to take over."

Madam Pomfrey almost dropped her cup, so shocked she was by the last sentence. "You cannot ask it of the lad. Not right now. Not for some time yet. He…"

"…is not prepared?" Slughorn finished for her. "My dear, he and Miss Evans have been my best pupils ever. He will be fine; he has been teaching most of the children since September anyway. I have full confidence that he will make a great Head of House, too." He stood up, took his aquarium again and bowed his head in a polite farewell. "Thank you for the breakfast. It has been a pleasure working with you. Please, tell the lad I wish him all best – and to get well soon. Slytherin needs him now."

That said, Horace Slughorn left the office, leaving the Nurse completely dumbfounded.

When she was finally able to speak again, she whispered only: "Poor lad. This will not end well."

With that, she summoned the Elves to clear the breakfast from the table. She had lost all her appetite.

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A/N: I have my PhD now – but I also got promoted in my job. So while I shall no longer have to work on my studies, I am very afraid I will have my hands full in my new job in the near future. Rest assured, however, that my fics will be finished.