Chapter Thirty-Five
"Trepidation of Faith"

Page Two

There were so many questions to ask, but the first thought to escape was, "What happened to you?"

Snape tried desperately to smile, to try and reassure her, but nothing came. "Death happened to a… friend and that's close enough for me."

"I'll see what I can do for Sirius," she said slowly, "But I think you can do more for him than I can. And more for the children."

Snape paused a moment, but he soon understood. He nodded his head as he walked back to the thunderstruck Sirius, who was standing with Harry at his side, unaware of the rumors that were surrounding him from every angle.

"Sirius," said Snape, a little louder than he had expected. The crowd hushed, focusing its attention on this rather abrupt movement from their current Headmaster.

Sirius turned his head toward Snape as he approached from the corner where he had spoken to Madam Pomfrey. "Yes, Severus?"

Snape walked to Sirius's side and stood for a moment. He proffered his hand to Sirius as gasps seeped through the air. Sirius's lips curled slightly as a tear ran down his cheek. Their hands clasped as Snape pulled Sirius into a tight hug, showing for all the students to see that no harm could be suspected of this man.

The hall fell silent once more, as the students were nonplussed beyond measure.

"They'll never suspect you again," whispered Snape commandingly. "For as long as I live, I promise you that."

* * *

Preparations began to go forth to try and set up the Great Hall once more as an impromptu dormitory. Without further explanation, the students were sent by house to separate corners of the hall in an attempt to restore some sense of order and familiarity.

Snape and Professor Flitwick began conjuring up a meal for the students, answering requests house by house. When Snape reached the northwest corner of the room where he met only one single girl, sitting on the floor, shivering from head to toe.

"Where's the rest of your house?" asked Snape, sitting on the floor beside the young girl.

"I'm the only Hufflepuff left," she replied, her voice unnervingly even and mature for her age. Her knees were to her chest and there she rested her chin, her teeth chattering slightly from the cold. She was so small and seemed so fragile.

Snape looked at her for a moment; he thought he'd recognized her. "Were you here at Christmas?"

"Yes…"

"Sophie, correct?"

The young girl nodded her head as another chill ran up her spine. Her eyes closed as she winced from the pain. Snape immediately placed a hand on her back trying to calm her.

"Please… don't touch me," whispered the girl.

Snape took his hand back and looked at the girl with an increasing sense of concern. "Is there something wrong? Should I call Madam Pomfrey?"

"It's my head. It's pounding and my thoughts won't slow down. I've been trying to stop it from moving so quickly, but it's not listening to me…" her voice trailed off as she closed her eyes once more and she ran a hand along her brow. Her hand was as white as a ghost, and her fingers shook as they met her forehead.

"Will you please come with me so we can at least warm you up?"

Sophie nodded her head and stood up with Snape and walked over to where a group of Slytherins had lit a fire in the fireplace behind the head table, warming their hands.

"Draco," addressed Snape promptly.

"Yes?" asked Draco Malfoy, standing up quickly and facing the Headmaster.

"This is Sophie Kingston. You're to watch over her, understand? She's not feeling too well."

"Yes, sir." Draco held out a hand to Sophie and much to Snape's surprise she took it. Snape left them as Draco placed a soft fleece blanket around Sophie's shoulders and then positioned her directly in front of the fire.

Harry remained with Sirius, unwilling to confront an onslaught of questions from fellow students. He was worried about the look in Sirius's eyes. No matter where he sat, his eyes always seemed locked on Lupin. Madam Pomfrey had pulled Lupin to the side of the room, unsure of what to do with the poor man. Sirius stared at him, as if willing him to live. Denial was still in possession of his emotions and all Harry could think about when he looked at him was how Sirius had fallen when he felt that emptiness back in the forest. How he had given out and almost seemed to lose all sense of himself. It was too much, too painful to see someone so close in so much pain. Harry stayed by his side, asking if there was anything he could do. There was nothing more than what he was already doing; just being there.

Barcis had been circling the room, occasionally stopping to look up at the stars through the enchanted ceiling. The sky was littered with clouds as the stars peeked out from behind massive gray crescents every so often. But something in that man named Black had captured his attention.

"May I ask what your concern is, Sirius?" Barcis had approached where Sirius and Harry sat, looking methodically at Sirius's pale, red-edged face.

Sirius looked carefully at the centaur as he rose to his feet in respect. He fully understood the sacrifice that had been made for him and he wasn't about to leave it unnoticed.

"Someone has died to save me," he said slowly, pointing at Lupin. "A friend suffered unimaginable pain to send help for us. I'm not sure what to do without him."

"You two were close?"

"Yes. We grew up together."

Barcis nodded as he looked over at Lupin, then back at Sirius. Sirius's gaze had locked back onto his friend, unwilling to move.

"Allow me to take him," urged Barcis. "He is not dead."

Sirius's eyes flicked over to Barcis in alarm. He took a deep breath, not sure what to think.

"There are things in this world you will never understand," said Barcis softly, placing a hand on Sirius's arm, sending a chill up his spine. "But faith is enough."

"Take him," Sirius quickly put a hand to his eyes, rubbing them and pinching the bridge of his nose, attempting to hold something back. "But please, if you can't do anything for him -"

"Faith, Sirius," interrupted Barcis, "Remember that faith is enough."

"Thank you," mouthed Sirius as he turned back for a final look at Lupin, meaning those words as much for him as for the centaur.

Barcis walked over to where Lupin lay and lifted him with great care onto his back. The four other centaurs joined him and they left the Great Hall in silence.

Next chapter