Fractured paths

New years miracle

Regulus teeth chattered as he trudged through the snow, shielding his face from the bitter cold as it swirled around him. His cheeks flushed red.

By now, it was dark.

How long have we been walking? It's been... what—a week since Christmas? Maybe more. At least Severus says we'll be there tonight. Regulus couldn't see the moon, so he wasn't sure if midnight had passed yet. "Where are we going?" he said.

Severus' lips pursed into a thin line as he carried a nearly frozen Evelyn on his back. The little girl clung to his neck with all the strength she had left.

"Severus, please!" Regulus said. "We've walked the entire day! Think of Evelyn. She's turning blue!"

"We're almost there," Severus growled over the whoosh of the snowy wind. "We're going to one of the Order of the Phoenix's rendezvous points. There, we'll call on the secret keeper of the place we're really headed so they'll invite us in. Then we'll floo there."

"That all sounds well and good, but how long before we're out of the snow?" said Regulus.

"There!" Severus pointed directly ahead.

Regulus squinted hard. A small light flickered in the darkness. As they drew closer, he realized it was several lights. Windows! His strength surged just enough to take him to their destination—but the way still felt interminable. By the time they reached the door, Regulus could have sworn his hair was turning blue.

Severus hammered the door with one fist.

"Hold it, hold it!" said a man's familiar voice from inside. "Who goes there?"

"Severus Snape!"

"Tell me three things only Severus Snape and I would know," said the man inside.

"Arthur, we're freezing to death out here," Severus hissed. "I've got a little kid with me!"

"And I've got three kids in here. Never hurts to be sure," Arthur said.

Severus grumbled. "Most of the time you knew me, you thought I was a German Ministry worker named Johan Jones. Lola was my partner in the Order of the Phoenix—she's a parrot Animagus, and deservingly so. And Dumbledore tried to make me eat lemon sherbet the last time all three of us attended the same meeting—before his death. Now, would you please let me in?" he growled.

The door opened, and Arthur Weasley, red hair, wide eyes, and all greeted them.

Severus pushed past Arthur into the entryway where he set Evelyn down.

Regulus hurried in after Severus. "H-h-hello again, s-s-sir." His teeth still chattered.

"My goodness!" A red-haired woman appeared beside Arthur. "You look frozen to death! Come into the living room where there's a fire. Oh dear, is that a little girl?" She bowed over Evelyn.

Evelyn was too tired and cold to protest the woman's attention, though she did grab Severus' cloak and groggily said, "Mum?"

"Not yet, I'm afraid," said Severus with a gentle shove to dislodge her from his cloak and push her into Mrs. Weasley's arms.

"Sorry, dear, but I'll do what I can to get you warm and cozy. You're cold as ice!" Mrs. Weasley picked up Evelyn. "Would you like something to eat? Drink? I've got homemade cookies. Or how about some nice hot chocolate? Tea?" She kept talking as she carried Evelyn away.

"Sleep," was all Evelyn managed to whisper through cold-chapped lips.

Regulus followed Mrs. Weasley into the living room.