Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Severus heard the creaking of his cell and opened his eyes. Lucius Malfoy was coming up to him. He looked pityingly upon Severus, who was still chained to the wall, and waved his wand. The chains fell off Severus’ wrists and he collapsed to his knees.

“Severus, I consider you my friend. Little did I know you were going behind the Dark Lord’s back and helping Dumbledore.”

“Lucius!” Severus moaned.

“You know I can do nothing for you, my friend. You have dug your own grave.”

“Why are you here?” Severus managed to say through his parched mouth.

“I am here to tell you that you will appear before the Dark Lord tomorrow. You should prepare as you see fit for your death.”

Severus straightened his body up. He struggled to his feet, pulling himself up with the chains that had bound him to the wall for so long. His entire body screamed at him. Stumbling, he finally was able to straighten up. He winced in pain but refused to give Lucius the satisfaction of crying out.

“So, you came here to mock me?” Severus spat bitterly.

“I came here to give you some advice.”

“Why would I need advice from you?”

“Because, Severus, I am not the one in a cell.”

Severus glowered at him.

“Tell the Dark Lord what he wants to hear, and I’m sure he’ll make your death a quick one.”

“How very thoughtful of you, Lucius,” Severus muttered.

He was trying to keep Lucius talking while he slipped his hand into the pocket of his robes, but what he wanted was no longer there.

“Are you looking for this?” Lucius said as he brandished a small vial in front of Severus’ face.

Severus blanched inwardly. His Strengthening Solution, which he carried on him at all times, was now in the hands of Lucius Malfoy. It would do him no good there.

“What is this, Severus?” Lucius asked while turning the vial in the light.

“It’s just a Healing Solution. I think some of my ribs are broken. I’m having trouble breathing.”

“It’s better to have trouble breathing than to not breathe at all, is it not?” Lucius asked with a smile.

Severus narrowed his eyes at Lucius.

Lucius brought his wand to the small vial.

“Evanesco,” he chanted. The bottle disappeared.

“Sorry, Sev. If the Dark Lord found out I had helped you, he might not give me your place by his side. No hard feelings, right? We’re still friends?”

Severus sneered at Lucius. “You call yourself my friend when you leave me to die?”

“You know as well as I that if the tables were turned, you would do the same to me. We all have that self-preservation buried deep in our veins. I truly am… sorry.”

There were footsteps coming toward the cell. Bellatrix turned the corner and sneered at Severus.

“I see you let him have a good rest, Lucius. Is he properly grateful?”

“Bellatrix, even if he was, you would not refrain from torturing him, I’m sure. I will not stay and watch you amuse yourself.”

He turned to go but halted instead and turned back to Severus.

“I will miss you, my friend,” he said to Severus and then left him to Bellatrix and her wand.

It had been a full week of imprisonment before a malnourished and beaten Snape was brought before Voldemort and the Death Eaters. His robes were tattered and hung like rags on him. His hands were tied tightly behind his back. He could barely walk or stand, so he was supported by a Death Eater on either side of him.

They took him out in the woods, where they were meeting, so as not to be discovered. Severus had been mercilessly shoved into the center of the circle that the Death Eaters had formed. He stumbled and fell to the ground but quickly struggled to his feet, grimacing with the effort it took. The two Death Eaters strode up and supported his weight, each hooking a hand under his armpits. Voldemort glared at him.

“It seems, Severus, that you have not been the loyal subject that I thought you were after all!” Voldemort cried.

Severus said nothing. He would not speak during this session. He knew his cover was blown. Anything he said would not appease the Dark Lord. It would simply cause him to be more enraged. He just hoped that the Killing Curse would come quickly. His only regret was that he would never see his Hermione again.

“Severus! Where did you take that sword?” Voldemort demanded.

Severus was silent.

“Answer me!”

Silence.

“Crucio!”

Severus collapsed to the ground, his hands still secured behind his back, and shuddered silently. Finally unable to take the pain, his mouth opened in a blood-curdling scream.

“Get up,” Voldemort demanded.

He was wrenched up from the ground by the two Death Eaters who waited alongside of him, one of whom was Lucius.

“Where did you take it?” Voldemort demanded again.

Again silence.

“Crucio!”

The torture went on for at least an hour. Severus would collapse to the ground, screaming in pain, his body shuddering with the torment. Then he would be hoisted up for the same procedure to take place again. Voldemort knew exactly what he was doing. He never held the Unforgivable long enough to cause insanity, just excruciating agony. By the end of the hour, Voldemort was livid.

“You will answer me!” he screamed at Severus.

Severus just looked at him weakly and continued to say nothing.

Voldemort regarded him with narrowed eyes.

“Fine,” he said nastily. “I was going to make your death a quick one, but for your continued insolence, I will let my Death Eaters deal with you. Enjoy the last hours of your life, Severus. Know that your dishonor is complete as you lie dying on the ground.”

With that, Voldemort rose and Apparated away, leaving the dirty job of killing to his minions. The group laughed to themselves as they descended on Severus, releasing his hands and knocking him to the ground again. They knew he was too weak to fight back, and they wanted his full body accessible to them. They kicked, punched, and pelted him over and over again. They broke his ribs and legs and arms. They battered his face until it was unrecognizable. He finally could hold it in no longer and screamed in pain repeatedly as they beat him senseless. After a long while, they finally decided they were tired of their game as Severus had been unconscious for quite some time now. They all Disapparated in unison, leaving Severus to bleed to death on the forest floor.

Severus finally regained consciousness, unsure as to how long he had lain on the ground slowly bleeding to death. He was surprised he was still alive. He didn’t think there was a bone in his body that wasn’t broken. He lay there on his side and cursed himself. He had no wand, and he knew he would be unable to stand to Apparate somewhere. He couldn’t move at all, let alone get to a standing position. He was trapped on the forest floor awaiting death.

He lapsed in and out of consciousness as his imminent death filled his mind. His body was in excruciating pain. It was a miracle that he was even awake sporadically. He should be dead already.

His thoughts groggily turned to Hermione. She hadn’t foreseen this turn of events. Perhaps she had felt it, and that’s why she had been so adamant about him not joining Voldemort all those years ago. Too late now… he was close to death, and there was no going back. There would be no reunion for Hermione and him. She would return and find that he had died, never able to hold her in his arms again. He bemoaned his fate. It seemed that no matter what he did, he would never be truly happy.

Severus opened his eyes and squinted around. He had lapsed into unconsciousness again. Pain seared through him once again. He felt weaker than before and knew it wouldn’t be much longer. His swollen eyes thought they saw something. Two forms were coming toward him. Were they from the beyond? Had they come to usher him to his death? He almost welcomed the relief death would bring from the agony that was torturing his body.

As they neared him, he thought he made out the form of Albus Dumbledore. The figure came closer and knelt down besides Severus’ broken form. Yes, it was Dumbledore all right. How on Earth had he found him? Severus concentrated on the other form, which had come close with Albus. Narcissa Malfoy.

“Thank you, Narcissa,” Dumbledore said softly, “for leading me to him.”

Albus waved his wand over Severus body, placing a Stasis Spell on him so he could Apparate with him back to Hogwarts.

“I had to help, Professor,” Narcissa responded. “He saved my son’s life. I could not stand to see him beaten like this. I just hope we are in time to save his life.”

Albus looked up at Narcissa. “I believe he will survive, thanks to you, Narcissa. You should go, in case someone comes back to check on him.”

Narcissa nodded and Disapparated. Albus turned back to Severus. He gently lifted the other man up and readied himself for Apparition.

“Don’t worry, Severus,” he murmured. “Poppy will have you fixed up in no time.”

Even if the Stasis Spell hadn’t been cast on him, Severus only had the strength to groan. Albus turned on the spot and found himself back at Hogwarts. He hurried to the castle and up to the infirmary. He yelled to Poppy as he entered.

“Quick, Poppy, he’s near death. We need somewhere to heal him where he won’t be discovered.”

Poppy motioned for Albus to bring Severus towards the back of the infirmary. She waved her wand over the back wall, and a door suddenly appeared. She opened it to reveal a private hospital room equipped with everything she would need to heal Severus.

Albus rushed in and placed Severus on the bed. Poppy waved her wand over him and frowned.

“All of his limbs are broken, most of his ribs are cracked, he has a ruptured intestine and stomach, and there’s lots of internal bleeding. Both of his cheekbones and his nose are broken also. Curse those evil men! I just hope I can get him stabilized!”

Albus put his hand gently on Poppy’s arm. “I know you can, Madam Pomfrey. You will save him.”

Poppy frowned again and went to work trying to save her patient. As Severus lapsed into unconsciousness, he saw his Hermione caress his face and kiss his lips.

That evening, Harry appeared in Albus’ office.

“Professor Dumbledore, Last week, the Sword of Gryffindor appeared out of nowhere. Ron destroyed the locket with it. We are one step closer to ending all of this.”

Albus smiled at him. “Well done, Harry. Now we just have to find the other Horcruxes.”

“Do you have any idea where they are?”

“No, but at least we know one of them is the Hufflepuff cup. The other obviously has to be something from Ravenclaw or Gryffindor.”

Harry nodded. At that moment Madam Pomfrey stepped through the fireplace. She seemed surprised to see Harry sitting there. She seemed unsure as to how to go about reporting on Severus.

“I just wanted to give you an update on my patient, Headmaster.”

Albus looked at Harry carefully.

“You are aware that Professor Snape attempted to kill me at my own orders, correct?”

Harry stammered—in shock that Dumbledore knew his secret.

“I… I… he told me… not to speak of it.”

Albus nodded. “He has been discovered. His true allegiances will be public knowledge soon. He was beaten last night to within an inch of his life. Madam Pomfrey has been struggling to keep him alive ever since.”

Harry turned to Madam Pomfrey. “Will he be all right?” he asked with concern.

Poppy looked back to the Headmaster. “He will survive, but he has not regained consciousness, and I don’t expect him to for several days. It will take him a long while to recover fully. He will not be able to leave his room for some weeks.”

“What can we do, Poppy?” Albus asked.

“We can only watch and wait. I’m sure a visit now and then once he’s conscious would be helpful also.”

“Of course, Poppy, thank you,” Albus replied.

Madam Pomfrey turned and disappeared in the fireplace.

Harry frowned at Dumbledore.

“May I visit him?” he asked the Headmaster.

“I think you should,” Albus told him. “He is hidden in a secret room in the back of the infirmary. You should bring Ron and Hermione also.”

“But they won’t want to see him. They hate him for what he tried to do to you.”

“You must tell them the truth. Now that Severus’ cover is blown, it doesn’t matter who knows what. They are his friends and will be a comfort to him.”

They spent the rest of their meeting planning the visit to Severus.

Six days later the trio snuck into Hogwarts under the Invisibility Cloak. They had arranged to meet Dumbledore in the infirmary at exactly six o’clock. They made their way into the room and found Dumbledore alone and in the back of the infirmary. They came up to the Headmaster.

“We’re here, Professor,” Harry whispered from under the Invisibility Cloak.

“Shh, I already knew that,” Dumbledore said quietly.

He waved his wand, and a door appeared. Albus brought down the wards on the door and stepped in, holding the door open long enough for the three teenagers to enter. They pulled the cloak off themselves once they were in the room and the door was securely shut. All three rushed to Severus’ bedside. He seemed to be asleep. He looked somewhat peaceful.

“Is he still unconscious?” Harry asked Dumbledore.

Severus’ eyes snapped open, and he regarded the sight before him. His three favorite students were all surrounding his bed, leaning toward him with looks of concern on their faces.

“No,” he rasped out.

“Professor, thank Merlin you’re all right,” Harry exclaimed.

Hermione grasped his hand. “I asked you to be careful!” she reprimanded him.

Severus cracked a small smile at her.

“Bloody hell, you look like death warmed over,” cried Ron.

“Very astute, Mr. Weasley,” Severus croaked.

“Is there something we can do?” Hermione asked.

“You shouldn’t be here… too dangerous,” he murmured.

“Dumbledore is watching out for us, we are safe,” Harry told him.

“But if they find Hermione… they are doing awful things to Muggle-borns.”

“Severus,” Dumbledore interrupted. “She is safe.”

“We’re concerned about you,” Ron said.

“I will recover,” Severus whispered. “Albus tells me I look much better than when he found me.”

Tears formed in Hermione’s eyes. “You could have died,” she told him.

“I would have if Albus hadn’t come when he did. I could feel my life force leaving me.”

Hermione bent low and gave him a light hug, trying not to hurt him as she did it. Severus was shocked by her show of affection.

“We’re glad you didn’t,” she said as she pulled away.

Harry looked at Severus thoughtfully. “I know it wasn’t brewed for this, Professor, but would your Strengthening Solution help you to recover?”

Severus closed his eyes and thought about it. “It will not mend bones, but it will help to give me back the energy I lost, yes.”

“I’ll go get some, then,” Harry said quickly. Before anyone could say a word, he had tossed the Invisibility Cloak over himself and left the room.

“Impetuous as ever, isn’t he?” Severus mused.

“At least he didn’t walk into a Death Eater trap!” Ron mused.

“That was not one of my better spying days, I will admit.”

Hermione looked at him gravely. “Shh, don’t talk like that. I’m sure you were as cautious as you always are.”

“Not cautious enough,” Severus mused.

It had been true. He had been so worked up about the sword and how he could get it to Harry secretly that he had just gone blindly on his merry way. He was sure that the possibility of seeing Hermione after so long perhaps… maybe… possibly… had been a distraction as well.

He knew better. He knew not to let his personal life interfere with his spy work. Of course the one time he let his guard down, he had proven himself right, almost losing his life for his folly.

“Professor, don’t berate yourself. What happened, happened, and thank Merlin you’re all right,” Hermione mused.

“I almost lost everything,” Severus said as he watched Hermione look at him worriedly.

“But you didn’t,” she said finally.

Just then the door swung open and closed again. Harry emerged from the Cloak and handed a small vial to Dumbledore. Albus went over to Severus and propped his head up, helping him down the potion. Placing his head back down, they all waited for the Strengthening Solution to take effect.

They watched in amazement as Severus’ drawn features became more relaxed and normal looking. He opened his eyes and seemed to be more alert. When he spoke, his voice had its normal authoritative timbre to it.

“Thank you, Harry,” he said. “My entire body still aches with the mending of bones, but I don’t feel as if I’m going to pass out at any second. It seems we have found a new use for my illustrious potion.”

Harry smiled at him. “I’m just glad it worked.”

Severus nodded at him and smiled a genuine smile, his face finally able to respond as he would like it to.

“I don’t think we’ll be able to visit you again, Professor,” Harry said. “We just wanted you to know that we’re thinking about you and want you to get better quickly.”

Severus looked into Harry’s eyes. “Just accomplish your task, Harry.”

“I will, sir,” Harry told him.

“What an interesting necklace, Professor,” Hermione mused as she fingered a small half heart with the words One Heart inscribed on it. “Does it have some meaning?”

Severus’ eyes grew wide as his hand went up to the necklace that always graced his neck. It usually was hidden behind his high collars, but with the hospital gown he was wearing, it had surfaced and was lying in the open for everyone to see. His fingers brushed Hermione’s as he grasped the necklace. It took all of his control not to grasp her hand and pull her toward him.

“It was a Christmas present given many years ago, Miss Granger,” he answered.

His heart constricted. If only he could tell Hermione that it was part of his gift to her during the Christmas they had shared together. If only he could tell her that she herself wore the other half of that necklace with the words One Mind inscribed into it. If only he could tell her everything. Facing death had made him long for his Hermione’s presence. He knew it would only be a few years before her return, but those years seemed to stretch unendingly before him. He cleared his throat and answered Hermione.

“It symbolizes a very dear friendship that I once had. The two of us were very like minded and cared for one another very much.”

“And she still means something to you?” Hermione asked in wonder.

“Very much…”

“What happened to her, Professor?” Hermione queried as she pulled her hand back to her lap.

Severus swallowed hard. “She had to leave our world. Someday she will return.”

Dumbledore cleared his throat. “I think Severus has had enough excitement for the day,” he told the trio, signaling that it was time for their departure.

Hermione rose from the bed and stood next to Ron. He put his arm around her and looked down at Severus.

“Well, we best be off before the Carrows smell us or something,” Ron remarked.

Severus gave them a wan smile. “Thank you for visiting me,” he said.

His gaze lingered on Ron’s arm before he turned to Harry.

“Be careful,” he advised him.

“I’ll be more careful than you were!” Harry told him, making light of the situation.

“That would not be hard to do,” Severus shot back.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione replaced the Invisibility Cloak over them, and Albus opened the door. Soon Severus was alone in the room. He sighed to himself. Obviously things were warming up between Hermione and Ron. His eyes had nearly popped out of his head when he saw Ron’s arm lazily resting on her shoulders. Of course, he was adept at schooling his feelings and guarding his emotions so he was saved the embarrassment of a crude reaction to them. He shoved thoughts of Ron Weasley out of his mind and concentrated on his Hermione.

He fingered the necklace and thought of the love he had seen in Hermione’s eyes when he had given her the other half of it. He knew she still wore it and would reappear with it secured around her neck. His half had remained around his neck since that Christmas so long ago. He would finger it at night and think of her. When he looked in the mirror, he would see it around his neck, and it would give him hope for the future.

He thanked Merlin that he even had a future. He had thought he would surely die in the woods, but he had been given a reprieve. His Hermione had come to him while he was unconscious for those few days. He had felt her hold him and comfort him. She whispered to him that he would be all right, that he would live and see her again. She had been with him constantly cradling him in her arms. It had seemed so real that he had been disappointed when he had awakened and not found her there with him. He had almost been able to feel her in his unconscious state, making it hard to believe that she was not really there but had only been a figment of his imagination.

Imagination or not, she had saved him. The war, however, was not over. There were still battles to be fought. Now that his cover had been blown, he could fight directly for the Order. There was a certain satisfaction in that, even though he would not be able to help them know Voldemort’s plans. Somehow, he knew, Dumbledore would be prepared for the final battle anyway. He was always prepared for everything. Severus hoped he would live to see the end of the war and the return of his beloved. Thoughts of her were the only thing that was getting him through the pain of his recovery.

A/N: Next up: The Final Battle

I hope you can all breathe a sigh of relief now. :) It won't be too long before we see Hermione's return. I'm sure you'll all be glad for that! Happy reading and reviewing.