Snape sat on the edge of the flying carpet, his dark hair gently tousled by the morning breeze. In a calm, measured tone, he recounted the events of the past two days to the group.
"That old witch's experiments were deeply sinister," he said, glancing toward Anna, who curled up quietly in a corner. "This little girl and her family are all victims…"
He spoke for about fifteen minutes. Everyone listened intently, save for the whistle of the wind and the occasional hoot of an owl.
"Parseltongue," Mr. Weasley's voice held a clear note of concern. "It's an incredibly rare gift—Salazar Slytherin himself was a famous Parselmouth."
His gaze flicked between Snape and the serpent coiled on his shoulder.
"Of course, I think you're a good kid," Mr. Weasley swallowed nervously, voice faltering. "Though Parseltongue is reputedly linked to the Dark Arts. Many infamous Dark Wizards have had it; they wear it like a badge—like… the Dark Lord…"
At the mention of that name, a flicker of hatred flashed in Lily's eyes; her fingers tightened instinctively on her wand.
"Dumbledore could speak Parseltongue too," Snape said lightly, deliberately softening his tone as he noted the reactions. "Among the great and good, it's not unheard of, right?"
As they traveled, Snape couldn't help but notice the ghastly pallor of Anna's father; his lips tinged an unnatural bluish-purple, his chest barely rising.
The healing charms Snape had cast earlier had already begun to fail.
He moved quickly to the man's side, pressing a hand to his forehead—burning hot.
"We need to get him to a hospital immediately," Snape said, casting a few more healing spells. Then he turned to Mr. Weasley, urgency in his voice. "His condition is deteriorating."
Mr. Weasley rummaged frantically through his robes, producing a crumpled Albanian Magical Travel Guide.
"Found it!" he said, pointing to a small red cross on the map. "The nearest magical infirmary is over fifty miles southeast."
The flying carpet abruptly veered, tracing a swift arc through the air.
Mr. Weasley crouched, sending a message to the Albanian Ministry of Magic via the drowsy owl perched on the carpet—informing them they had captured a dark witch.
The owl emitted a disgruntled hoot but vanished with the note into the morning light.
When they barged into the hospital with the unconscious old crone, the healer at the front desk nearly summoned Aurors—until Mr. Weasley flashed his British Ministry ID, barely convincing them they weren't kidnappers.
"You British are always so…" the healer muttered, eyeing them warily, "reckless."
Not long after Anna's father was admitted, several finely robed wizards burst into the ward, led by an official sporting a meticulously groomed handlebar mustache and a grin stretched too wide, waving a yellowed wanted poster.
The old witch's black-and-white photo sneered menacingly, occasionally spitting caricatured insults.
Squinting, Snape read the charges: kidnapping, illegal human experimentation, and involvement in at least seven wizard disappearances—marked "Extremely cunning, skilled in disguise." A 500 Galleon reward awaited whoever helped the Ministry capture her.
"Department of Magical Law Enforcement!" the mustached official declared, rubbing his hands with exaggerated glee, eyes locked on the crone discarded in a corner. "We've been tracking her for three months. You've been a tremendous help!"
His assistants eagerly drew their wands, ready to take custody.
"Wait," Snape stepped forward, blocking them. "Did you forget something?"
The official blinked; the fake smile froze. "Of course, thank you for catching a wanted criminal…"
He attempted to sidestep Snape.
"The reward," Snape said deliberately, halting him.
After a tense standoff, Snape finally secured a hefty pouch of Galleons. Only then did he step aside, allowing the Albanian Ministry officials to take the old witch away.
Once they left, Snape handed the pouch to Anna, who was too surprised to speak, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Keep it," Snape said, voice softer than usual. "You need it more than anyone. Also, Mr. Weasley has contacted your family—they're on their way here."
"Thank you, sir," Anna whispered shyly. "May I know your name?"
"Severus Snape," he answered kindly.
Exiting the hospital, they nearly collided with Mrs. Weasley, panting and cradling Percy.
Behind her, Bill and Charlie shuffled in, hair wild as if dragged from bed by their mother.
"Oh, Severus!" Mrs. Weasley enveloped Snape in a tight hug. "Thank Merlin you're safe!"
Snape stiffened, unused to such closeness, but did not pull away.
Isn't this treatment for Harry? he thought. Next Christmas, I'll send the little Weasleys more gifts—robes of every size to last for years.
Mrs. Weasley released him and turned sharply to her husband, voice raised eight notes.
"Arthur Weasley! Is this what you call a 'completely safe' family vacation?"
Her voice trembled with lingering fear. "If something had happened to Severus, I don't know what I'd do!"
"I'm sorry, Molly," Arthur apologized repeatedly, head bowed like a child who'd done wrong. "It's all my fault."
No one dared interrupt Mrs. Weasley's scolding.
Bill and Charlie seized the moment to surround Snape, bombarding him with questions about his adventure.
Charlie even reached out curiously toward Nagini.
The snake raised her head defensively, hissing a warning that sent him recoiling.
"She's just a little nervous," Snape reassured, stroking Nagini's head.
Bill and Charlie exchanged envious glances.
"I want to keep a Hungarian Horntail someday," Charlie grumbled, "way cooler than a snake…"
Later, at Mrs. Weasley's insistence, they decided to cut the trip short.
The second flight was far more relaxed. Though Bill and Charlie nearly argued again over window seats, Mrs. Weasley silenced them with a single look.
By the time they landed, dawn was breaking.
Dragging their luggage to the parking lot, Mr. Weasley popped the trunk and stuffed everything inside.
Yawning, he slammed the door shut, ready to leave.
Suddenly, a Muggle parking attendant approached.
"Parking fee, sir," he said, tapping the window. "One hundred pounds."
Mr. Weasley hurriedly pressed a button, tinting the windows to obscure the unusually spacious interior and the far more passengers than a Muggle car should hold.
To the attendant, it appeared a normal car with only Mrs. Weasley in the front passenger seat, holding Percy, and Snape alone in the back.
The attendant scratched his head in confusion, recalling seeing more people enter.
"Hello," Mr. Weasley said nervously, stepping out.
The attendant tried peering inside but Mr. Weasley quickly closed the door.
"How much?" he called out, now understanding Muggle currency value better. "Why don't you just rob Gringotts?"
"What's Gringotts?" the attendant asked, irritated. "Rules are rules. Your car's been here over six days. Parking fees aren't cheap."
"No way," Mr. Weasley glanced at his wife, who soothed Percy's cries. "This expense won't be reimbursed."
With a slight wand flick, the attendant wandered dazedly back to his booth.
After a bumpy journey, they finally returned to the crooked Burrow, parking beside a dilapidated garage.
The rusted cauldrons at the door looked even older; the brown fat hens still pecked around the yard like when they left.
Bill and Charlie ran indoors shouting, invited by Mrs. Weasley, and Snape followed for breakfast before departing.
Eileen and Mrs. Weasley clattered about the kitchen; sizzling sausages and roast meat filled the air, mingled with the scent of toasted bread.
Snape watched his mother's brisk movements, livelier than usual, then glanced at Lily, who looked noticeably better.
The trip had been perilous, but it seemed to revive them both. Perhaps more outings would do good.
During breakfast, a knock sounded at the door.
"Arthur! Molly! You're back!"
Two brothers with dark blonde hair entered.
Fabian and Gideon greeted everyone warmly.
"Severus, Lily, you're here too. This is—" Gideon smiled, "Let me guess, from that hooked nose, you must be Severus's mother."
Eileen smiled, magically conjuring plates for them.
"We were just in the village on business," Fabian explained. "Saw smoke from your chimney and came over. You got back earlier than expected?"
"We ran into some trouble," Mrs. Weasley said, shooting a warning glance at Arthur. "Albania's not as safe as Arthur made it sound."
Nagini slithered out of Snape's sleeve, who fed her a piece of roast meat with affection.
"Ah, Severus," Gideon said, surprised to see the little snake, "so you're the Hogwarts student who speaks Parseltongue, as the Daily Prophet reported?"
"Why would the Daily Prophet report that?" Eileen frowned, fork paused mid-air.
"Bertha Jorkins," Mr. Weasley grumbled. "She worked at the Daily Prophet, knows a lot of people, and she's a notorious gossip and busybody…"
Bertha's loose tongue didn't surprise Snape, though he wondered if her habits might one day bring him trouble.
"Yes," Snape said with a slight smile, deliberately hissing, "Do I look like the Dark Lord to you?"
"Ha!" Fabian clapped his shoulder exaggeratedly. "If you're the Dark Lord, who's the Dark Wizard?"
After breakfast, Eileen, Snape, and Lily prepared to leave.
As they rose, Gideon called out to Snape and Lily, wanting to discuss Ministry internship opportunities.
"Mom, you should head back," Snape said, catching Gideon's wink. He knew the "internship" was just a pretext.
Eileen left; Bill and Charlie dashed outside to play. Mrs. Weasley carried sleeping Percy inside.
The rest gathered in the Burrow's kitchen.
Their conversation drifted to the Order of the Phoenix. Gideon and Fabian invited Mr. Weasley to join.
"Arthur, why don't you come?" Gideon asked. "With Dumbledore leading us, we're bound to win!"
Arthur's eyes flickered uncertainly.
"No!" Mrs. Weasley slammed the table, making the dishes clatter. "Arthur, think of Bill, Charlie, and Percy! Think of this family!"
Snape never imagined this plump, kind-faced woman could look so much like a tiger baring her teeth.
"Molly, the situation's dangerous—we need more people," Gideon pressed. "As a Gryffindor, Arthur…"
"You know it's dangerous?" Mrs. Weasley's aura turned fierce. "I say you two should quit the Order! Have you thought how hard it'd be if something happened to you?!"
"But Severus and Lily are in the Order too," Fabian whispered, shrinking back. "Can you say something for me?"
"What?!" Mrs. Weasley's eyes sparkled with anger, chest heaving. "Are you making trouble? Did your parents know?!"
Snape opened his mouth to speak, but Lily's voice cut through.
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," she said. "My parents died in the Dark Lord's attacks."
"Oh, Lily," Mrs. Weasley's tone softened instantly, anger melting into sorrow. "I'm sorry, I didn't know."
"It's alright. Mr. Weasley shouldn't have joined the Order either," Lily shook her head. "I understand what it's like to lose family—I don't want you to go through that."
Mrs. Weasley drew Lily close, resting her head in her arms.
But her glare remained fierce toward the two older brothers.
The family discussion ended on a tense note. Mr. Weasley apologized as he saw Fabian and Gideon out of the Burrow.