Chapter Two
The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited
Chapter 2 of 5
fizzabellaAuthor's Note: I make no claim that any of these characters belong to me and respectfully salute J.K. Rowling for telling one heck of a tale, even if I disagree with the ending of the saga. With all due respect, JKR, I reject your reality and substitute my own.
Text in BOLD type is quoted directly from "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."
Italic text denotes a flashback or memory of another time
Grateful thanks to Sunshine, who beta'd this story for me. I'm grateful for her insights and for herding my unruly commas back where they belong. Mistakes that persist after her beta-reading are to be blamed on me.
~OoO~
As soon as the sound of their footsteps died away, Hermione turned her attention back to Professor Snape. She was misty-eyed, so grateful that this man, who had sacrificed so much for all of them, was alive.
The visions filling her mind had been completely unexpected, and she'd feared herself gone mad as they had rushed by, but Hermione was sure they were true memories.
She recognized number twelve, Grimmauld Place, and found herself sitting on the sofa across a coffee table from Professor Dumbledore. Looking around, she saw the Weasleys, Mad-Eye Moody, Minerva McGonagall and Kingsley Shacklebolt standing or sitting around the drawing room. Headmaster Dumbledore cast a charm that Hermione recognized as a silencing spell, which would ward the room in which they sat. There was no fire in the fireplace, so she knew that nothing could be overheard by Floo.
"I wish, with your permission, of course, to place some memories in your minds, memories that are vital to the survival of the most loyal and undervalued member of the Order."
Dumbledore looked at each of them in the room, his face very serious, his eyes kindly but, for once, not twinkling. "I am referring, of course, to Professor Snape, whom I know all of you disdain to one degree or another."
Dumbledore waved away their protests with his blackened hand, smiling. "It is a measure of Severus's expertise that he has planted doubts about his loyalty even in your minds. This is as it must be, but I tell you now that Severus has done more for the Order than anyone, even me. Yes, even more than Harry."
He waited a few moments while his listeners pondered what he said, then continued, "I have wondered for many months how I can secure Severus' safety after my death, which is now not far off, both because of the curse I bear in my hand, and because of the mission that has been given to Draco Malfoy."
Half a dozen voices filled the room with questions until Dumbledore waved away the babble. When he was certain he had everyone's attention, he continued speaking.
"Please, be patient. Allow me to explain. As you know, my hand was injured over the summer. I obtained a ring whose stone contained a Horcrux. Riddle had protected it well. I determined to destroy it and I was successful, but only at the cost of triggering a deadly curse. That I am still alive is a testament to Severus. He saved my life by confining the curse to my right arm, for now. Please look behind you...I have developed a way to project Pensieve memories."
Hermione twisted to look at the blank white wall, which began to glow, and a moving image appeared on the wall. It wasn't clearly defined, the colors were faded, but she could see what was happening.
She was looking at the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts.
It was nighttime, and Dumbledore sagged sideways in the thronelike chair behind the desk, apparently semiconscious. His right hand dangled over the side, blackened and burned. Snape was muttering incantations, pointing his wand at the wrist of the hand, while with his left hand he tipped a goblet of thick golden potion down Dumbledore's throat. After a moment or two, Dumbledore's eyelids fluttered and opened.
"Why," said Snape, without preamble, "why did you put on that ring? It carries a curse, surely you realized that. Why even touch it?"
Marvolo Gaunt's ring lay on the desk before Dumbledore. It was cracked; the sword of Gryffindor lay beside it.
Dumbledore grimaced.
"I... was a fool. Sorely tempted..."
"Tempted by what?"
Dumbledore did not answer.
"It is a miracle you managed to return here!" Snape sounded furious. "That ring carried a curse of extraordinary power, to contain it is all we can hope for; I have trapped the curse in one hand for the time being..."
Dumbledore raised his blackened, useless hand, and examined it with the expression of one being shown an interesting curio.
"You have done very well, Severus. How long do you think I have?"
Dumbledore's tone was conversational; he might have been asking for a weather forecast. Snape hesitated, and then said, "I cannot tell. Maybe a year. There is no halting such a spell forever. It will spread eventually, it is the sort of curse that strengthens over time."
Dumbledore smiled. The news that he had less than a year to live seemed a matter of little or no concern to him.
"I am fortunate, extremely fortunate, that I have you, Severus."
"If you had only summoned me a little earlier, I might have been able to do more, buy you more time!" said Snape furiously. He looked down at the broken ring and the sword. "Did you think that breaking the ring would break the curse?"
"Something like that... I was delirious, no doubt..." said Dumbledore. With an effort, he straightened himself in his chair. "Well, really, this makes matters much more straightforward."
Snape looked utterly perplexed. Dumbledore smiled.
"I refer to the plan Lord Voldemort is revolving around me. His plan to have the poor Malfoy boy murder me."
Hermione heard the sound of sharply indrawn breaths from all over the room as those watching the memory understood what the headmaster had just said. Hermione was watching Professor Snape's face, and she could see the pain in his eyes as Dumbledore calmly spoke about his own death. She turned her attention back to Headmaster Dumbledore once again.
Hermione saw Snape sit down in the chair across the desk from Dumbledore. She could see that he wanted to say more on the subject of the cursed hand, but Dumbledore held it up in polite refusal to discuss the matter further.
Scowling, Snape said, "The Dark Lord does not expect Draco to succeed. This is merely punishment for Lucius's recent failures. Slow torture for Draco's parents, while they watch him fail and pay the price."
"In short, the boy has had a death sentence pronounced upon him as surely as I have," said Dumbledore. "Now, I should have thought the natural successor to do the job, once Draco fails, is yourself?"
Hermione's hands suddenly clenched into fists. This was insane. Dumbledore had just told Snape that he expected Snape would have to step in and kill him if Draco was unable to do so.
Even more shocking, Dumbledore seemed to believe that Draco would fail. Incredible. She wondered if she was dreaming and pinched her own arm to make sure she was awake. She turned her attention to the screen of projected memories once again.
There was a short pause.
Hermione saw Snape reluctantly nodding his head.
"That, I think, is the Dark Lord's plan."
Snape sighed. "Especially since he knows of the Unbreakable Vow I made to Narcissa. If Draco cannot complete the task, he knows I promised to do so. The thought that I might prefer to die, myself, rather than kill you, does not occur to him at all."
"Lord Voldemort foresees a moment in the near future when he will not need a spy at Hogwarts?"
"He believes the school will soon be in his grasp, yes."
"And if it does fall into his grasp," said Dumbledore, almost, it seemed, as an aside, "I have your word that you will do all in your power to protect the students of Hogwarts?"
Snape gave a stiff nod.
"Good. Now then. Your first priority will be to discover what Draco is up to. A frightened teenage boy is a danger to others as well as to himself. Offer him help and guidance, he ought to accept, he likes you..."
"...much less since his father has lost favor. Draco blames me, he thinks I have usurped Lucius's position."
"All the same, try. I am concerned less for myself than for accidental victims of whatever schemes might occur to the boy. Ultimately, of course, there is only one thing to be done if we are to save him from Lord Voldemort's wrath."
Snape raised his eyebrows and his voice was sardonic as he asked, "Are you intending to let him kill you?"
"Certainly not. You must kill me."
There was a long silence, broken only by an odd clicking noise. Fawkes the phoenix was gnawing a bit of cuttlebone.
"Would you like me to do it now?" asked Snape, his voice heavy with irony. "Or would you like a few moments to compose an epitaph?"
"Oh, not quite yet," said Dumbledore, smiling. "I daresay the moment will present itself in due course. Given what has happened tonight," he indicated his withered hand, "we can be sure that it will happen within a year."
"If you don't mind dying," said Snape roughly, "why not let Draco do it?"
"That boy's soul is not yet so damaged," said Dumbledore. "I would not have it ripped apart on my account."
Hermione shook her head at Dumbledore's audacity. What was Dumbledore asking of Snape?
"And my soul, Dumbledore? Mine?"
Snape's voice was raw with pain.
"You alone know whether it will harm your soul to help an old man avoid pain and humiliation," said Dumbledore. "I ask this one great favor of you, Severus, because death is coming for me as surely as the Chudley Cannons will finish bottom of this year's league. I confess I should prefer a quick, painless exit to the protracted and messy affair it will be if, for instance, Greyback is involved...I hear Voldemort has recruited him? Or dear Bellatrix, who likes to play with her food before she eats it."
Dumbledore grimaced. "I am asking a terrible thing of you, Severus. But if you protect Draco by killing me, it will reassure Riddle of your loyalty and further our aims, as well as being a mercy to me. I trust no one else enough to ask this of them, Severus."
His tone was light, but his blue eyes pierced Snape... as though the soul they discussed was visible to him. At last Snape gave another curt nod.
Dumbledore seemed satisfied.
"Thank you, Severus..."
The scene on the wall faded away, and the real Dumbledore commanded their attention again.
"If Severus does have to fulfill Draco's mission, know that he does so at my command, under the geas of the Unbreakable Vow he made to me when he joined the Order. My death at his hands will protect Draco Malfoy, enhance Severus's status with the Dark Lord, and spare me much suffering."
For a moment, Dumbledore's eyes grew cloudy and his mouth tightened. He gestured to his injured hand. "I say little about it because Severus and Poppy are doing all they can for me, but the curse can be exceedingly painful and is destined to become more so as it overpowers me."
He hesitated, then continued, "When Riddle takes over the governance of Hogwarts, Severus is fairly certain of being appointed headmaster. He will then be in the best position to control the other servants of the Dark Lord, who will care little about the welfare of the faculty and students or the quality of their education. Severus and I have planned ways that will accomplish this, even while appearing to manage the school as Riddle would have it run. He has other essential tasks with which I have burdened him, tasks that are of paramount importance, and which will fail if Severus dies. I charge all of you, as Head of the Order of the Phoenix, as well as your headmaster and friend, to protect him as you would Harry Potter and give him all the help in your power if you find him injured or incapacitated. The outcome of the war will hinge upon his safety as much as upon Harry's victory. Indeed, without Severus, there can be no true victory for Harry."
Dumbledore seemed to be tiring. His shoulders sagged and he stroked his good hand over his arm as if it pained him. Hermione noticed that the discoloration in his hand now seemed to extend nearly to his elbow. Dumbledore drew in a deep breath, and continued to speak, though his voice was breathy and weaker than before.
"I want you each to have these memories of mine, but I shall place a Warding Charm in each of your minds. The charm will Occlude the memories I give you without leaving a trace so that you will all be protected even if attacked by Riddle himself. I wanted to be very sure that my protection of Severus cannot be turned into a weapon against him.
"There is one other very significant point you must be careful of. Harry Potter must remain ignorant of Severus's true loyalty. He shares a mental connection with the Dark Lord, and by this means, Severus might be betrayed. It's a matter of great sadness to me that Harry is unable to be told Severus's real situation; it will only increase his hatred of Severus, and this is such a waste."
The old wizard looked so sad that Hermione felt her own eyes fill with tears.
"Well. The hour grows late. I shall perform the charm on each of you, and you will not remember our conversation this evening until the wards of Hogwarts fall or until such time as Severus is severely injured or incapacitated and needs your help. At that time, the final battle will be imminent, and Severus and Harry will both need all your support. And yes, Arthur, I can see your question. I have duplicated my memories and secured them by means of a Fidelius Charm, so that even after my death, there will be no doubt with respect to whose man Severus is. I can't properly express how much I owe him, nor how magnificently he has lived up to my trust in him. Do everything you can to help him, please."
Dumbledore focused his attention on Ron and Hermione. "Take time to learn as much as you can about Healing Charms and antidotes to poisons. It's not only Severus who may need them."
Dumbledore paused and then drew in a deep breath, sitting up straight in his chair and drawing out his wand again.
"Please raise your wand if you are willing to accept the charge I have laid upon you."
Hermione remembered seeing her own wand lift; she was the first one to respond.
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Latest 25 Reviews for The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited
37 Reviews | 4.57/10 Average
I agree with your statements about Snape. However, I do not agree with the coupling of Granger/Snape. Though I love the stories because they are so well written, as in the case of yours - the pairing - for all intents and purposes would never have worked. Let's face it, the only reason people think of throwing Snape and Hermione together is because they're both Canon characters and both intelligent. I feel the pairing would have never worked because their life experiences make them from two separate planets entirely. The age difference is hard enough, but their social circles and status in life is too far apart. Snape would never be able to move past the teacher/student aspect, no matter how stubborn Hermione is.
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
Thank you so much for your compliment on my writing:) I appreciate that very, very much:)As far as whether Hermione and Severus would have worked as a couple, I like to think they would have, as even in the mundane world, more unlikely couples make a success of relationships every day, while other couples, perceived as perfect matcthes don't remain together. It all depends on the individuals involved and their love for one another.Given Severus' experience with Lily, I think he would be chary about giving his heart, and this story represents the beginning of their relationship-the feelings that each one has discovered within his or her heart. I used the timeline for JKR's epilogue, but I could easily see Severus and Hermione waiting five years or even longer to marry, while she pursues her post-Hogwarts education and he works to regain the trust and respect of the wizarding community.Given their natures, I AM very certain that neither one would actually go through with marriage without a lot of thought, and certainly not impulsively.Also, the war would have made fundamental changes in the wizarding community and social circles and status in the old world would certainly have been changed in the new one. I don't know what all those changes would be, but the war with Voldemort would have changed people's outlooks on things like social worth, and with Kingsley Shacklebolt as the Minister, there would have been sweeping changes.Call me a romantic, but I believe that they could have made it work:)Warm regards,Fizzabella
A Weasley in Slytherin...scandalous! I enjoyed the reworked epilogue. Great job!
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
I had the biggest sense of VINDICATION when I was writing the epilogue. I wanted to right ALL the wrongs and give the best characters the happiness they deserved.Thank you so much:) It means the world to me that you apparently liked one of my stories and then went on to read my other published works and comment on it. Thank you so much. I am so honored!Warm regards,Fizzabella
I recognized the line from "Love Actually" that you mentioned in your End Note. That was a nice little touch. I love that movie, and that story in particular was so sweet and sad. Next chapter coming up!
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
YAY! I love that segment almost more than the ones with Alan Rickman in them:) I'm so honored that you're reading my stuff:) Thank you:)Warm regards,Fizzabella
This is definitely how it should have ended! I think I'll just go ahead and Obliviate JKR's version from my memory and substitute yours ... Great job! 
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
Thank you so much:) I'm glad you liked it:){{hugs}]Fizzabella
I do believe I will print this and place it where appropriate in my copy of Deathly Hallows - because you are absolutely right: some times reality must be rejected to be replaced with your own!
Thank you!!!! A wonderful story indeed!
yay! the best kind of ending! yes, jkr told a splendid story but i can't help but think she let us down in the last book. wonderful story. thanks and mucho smoochies
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
Thank you so much:) I know you have reviewed each chapter of this story and I am honored by your interest and thrilled that you enjoyed my story:)warm regards,Fizzabella
wonderful, just wonderful. i so approve of your versiom and your dumbledore. thanks and mucho smoochies
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
I'm so glad you enjoyed the story:)Warmest regards.Fizzabella
It is always delightful to read an alternative ending. This is far more satisfying than the original's "poor Severus".
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
I'm so glad you find my account of the final battle satisfying. It was very satisfying to write it:)Thanks and warm regards,Fizzabella
A Slytherin Weasley. Now that's a story waiting to be told. :)
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
That was something I could not resist:)And maybe someday I will write a story about the kids, but my one true pairing is SS/HG, and always will be:)Thank you for your reviews, and I am glad you enjoyed my little tale:)Warm regards,Fizzabella
You never said what Hermione taught as a Professor at Hogwarts.is she muggles studies? Potions... etc.
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
LOL:) I am such a a fanatic about details usually and I left that out. Hermione taught Transfiguration just as Minerva McGonagall had done. I'm sorry:)Warm regards,Fizzabella
Bring on the epilogue! :)
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
I do hope you will enjoy the epilogue, too:) And the house assignments:)Warm regards,Fizzabella
That explains a lot. :)
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
:)Thank you so much:)Fizzabella
Very clever! :)
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
I'm so glad you're enjoying the story:) I enjoy your writing very much so feels very good to have the approval of someone whose work I admire:)Thank you:)Fizzabella
A message from Dumbles set for when the wards failed. Great idea! :)
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
Thank you:) I had to have Dumbledore d SOMETHING for Severus, and he should have done a whole lot more:) But most imprtant was that Severus should survive and have a happy ending:)Warm regards,Fizzabella
Wonderful story, absolutely wonderful and I loved your last chapter!!!
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it:)Warmest regards,Fizzabella
I like this alternate ending. I quite agree that Severus got the short end of the stick and I like your interpretation. Hmmm, I wonder if Jo ever even considered saving Severus. Anyway, a nice little story and one I enjoyed greatly.
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
Thank you so much. I have to admit, I have wondered how she would have done it if she had elected to save Severus. Would have been a better story:)Thank you for taking the time to review:)Warm regards,Fizzabella
It seems a bit sudden to me, but I guess in battle situations if people have something to say there isn't much time.I love the line from Love Actually and recognized it immediately. I love that movie, even many of the bits without Alan Rickman.
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
I love it, too. I wish I hadn't hurried through Severus's reflection of his feelings for Hermione. I wanted to convey (and didn't to my own satisfaction) that he had been thinking of her for some time, but figured he was not going to survive so what was the point?The "...to me, you are perfect..." just seemed to fit. I love that scene and many others, too:)Thank you for taking the time to review:) It's so much appreciated:)Warm regards,Fizzabella
Every time I read these parts from the book it makes me so angry and sad. I'm glad you've added things to help Severus. I cried off and on for days after I read it.
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
I couldn't NOT write this story-it sort of got me by the scruff of the neck and shook me till I wrote it. It was so unfair!On the other hand, I'm so glad you have enjoyed my version of the story:)Thank you for taking the time to review, also:) It's much appreciated:)Warm regards,Fizzabella
Too right you are! Snape deserves better!!!! I love stories in which Snape has a happy ending.
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
To me, he's every bit as much a hero as Harry, if not more. And it's as natural a law as gravity, to my way of thinkinh-the hero gets a happy ending:) I'm glad you enjoyed my story and thank you for taking time to share your thoughts with me:)Warm regards, Fizzabella
I just love this chapter, and I am very much looking forward to read more.
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
I'm so glad you're enjoying the story:) I will get it posted as soon as I can:), real life permitting:)Thank you for taking the time to let me know you're enjoying it:)Warm regards,Fizzabella
Just keeps getting better and better! Looking forward to your description of the battle!
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
The battle is next chapter, and then, because I couldn't resist it, the infamous Epilogue:) I'm so glad you have enjoyed the story so far:)Warm regards,Fizzabella
SO glad you're doing this---it truly was disgraceful the way Snape was cast aside in the original like used rubbish. I am thrilled with your "corrections" to the 'mistakes' and 'omissions' of the original!Looking forward to the next!
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
Thank you so much:) It was a story that demanded to be told:) I'm glad you're enjoying it:)Warm regards,Fizzabella
i'm a mythbusters fan, too!! i'm all for your reality. thanks and mucho smoochies
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
Hurray!!!!! Thank you so much, make yourself comfortable in my reality! Come on in, the water's fine:){{huggles}}Fizzabella
Well on to the next chapter....this is a very interesting beginning.
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
I'm so glad you like it. Thank you for taking the time to let me know.Fizzabella
Would that JK's Dumbledore had been as clever and solicitous with regard to Severus' protection, considering all that he had and would suffer to ensure the Order's eventual victory. Though Moody died long before the battle at the school, he surely would have been one of the biggest threats to Severus, otherwise.
I'm pleased to see Hermione was the quickest to accept and agree to what Dumbledore asked, but I'm curious to see what Severus himself thinks of all this.
Well done, I really like the way you're integrating the more acceptable parts of DH with your vastly more pleasing account of Severus' survival.Kudos!
Response from fizzabella (Author of The Battle of Hogwarts Revisited)
Severus truly deserved better. One of the things that disappointed me the most was that Severus was treated so shabbily, and this story would pop into my head and would not let go until I had written it.I'm honored that you think my efforts to integrate my story into canon are working. I wanted it to flow seamlessly, and I'm thrilled that you think I managed that.Thanks so much for taking the time to give me your opinion.Warm regards,Fizzabella