Twenty Three: Revenge Is A Dish Best Served

Anti-Litigation Charm: None of the characters belong to me. They belong to JK Rowling, who let my entire reason for reading the Harry Potter series bleed to death on the floor of the Shrieking Shack. I'm building a better world.

I have become comfortably numb.

Together, Severus and Hermione Floo'd from Dumbledore's study into Severus' quarters. He turned to her, dismayed to see the misery in her face. As Hermione blew her nose and took a shaky breath, Severus poured them both a large tumbler of whiskey. When she balked, he patiently held the back of her head and tipped half of the glass' contents down her throat.

As she choked and spluttered, Severus said, "I know you don't drink, but I'm going to and I don't feel like drinking alone anymore. Besides, you're so upset you've made yourself ill." He downed his own glass in one gulp and poured another. "Drink the rest of your whiskey." His voice was indulgent, like a parent urging a child to finish their milk.

They sat down on the sofa together, staring into the fire as if hoping to divine the answers they sought in the dying flames. Finally, Hermione turned to her husband. Seeing the concern and resignation in his careworn face, she smiled weakly. "I'm sorry I went mental in there. My outburst was childish and useless."

"It was that," he agreed mildly, frowning into his glass. "It also served a purpose. Albus knows he can't keep Potter in the dark forever. You didn't call his bluff, so he still thinks he has the upper hand."

"Bluff?"

Severus gave her a faintly chiding look. "That shite about exposing our marriage and having you expelled. We haven't broken any school rules. He can't expel you, really, especially if he still expects me to do this heinous little hit job for him. He was just trying to cow you."

Hermione huffed. To her surprise, Severus laughed. "He knew any talk of you being denied your schooling would intimidate you. Don't feel bad," he added, at her crestfallen expression. "I bought it, too, until I realised what he was on about. Not that it matters, in the long run."

He turned away from Hermione, his eyes hooded. "When I... I kill Albus, I'll have to flee." His tone was apologetic. "Would you - " He stopped suddenly, and took a large gulp of his drink, grimacing as he swallowed the fiery liquor.

Hermione looked at him, puzzled. "Would I what, Severus?" Her strength left her, making her feel shaken and hollow. The whiskey turned sour in her stomach.

He looked away, his shoulders hunched as if preparing for a blow. "Would you prefer to remain behind?"

Astonished, Hermione replied, "Why on earth would I want to do that?"

Severus looked uncomfortable. "I will be on the run. If, or when, I am commanded to return here, I don't know what will be waiting for me. It could be very dangerous for you."

Hermione straightened her shoulders. Suddenly, her previous upset was replaced by anger. "We swore to protect one another, Severus. You stood in the burned-out shell of my parents' home and said your back would be to mine. Do you think I would abandon my post at a time when you need me more than ever?"

He scowled at her anger, and grew defensive, sullen. "People say things they don't mean when they are distraught." He shrugged, and tried to look unconcerned. "In the cold light of day -"

Shocked, Hermione recoiled from him. She felt as if her stomach had been punched. "Are you saying you've changed your mind?"

Severus' eyes grew wide and he shook his head. "No! I meant every word of it! How could you ask such a thing of me?" He looked for a moment as if he might cry. Defeat seemed to etch a jagged outline around him. "I meant – that is, I wondered if you... it's so much to ask - "

Hermione slumped, understanding. She slid to the floor and knelt before him. She took his icy hands in hers and kissed them. Looking up, she saw a pale, slender man looking at her with despair and love in his eyes. In the dim light, they were huge and painful in their hope. His hair, oily after a day of sweating through classes, fell forward to hide his face; his curtain and shield to ward off the blows the world had thrown at him since childhood.

Most of the Wizarding world, Hermione knew, saw Severus Snape as a dark wizard, full of churlish, angry bitterness. A man who hated the world. A man without a redeeming feature. An unpleasant, unhandsome, uncaring, unhappy, unlovable man. Hermione thought of all the things he'd told her about his life, revealing things to her he'd never told another living soul. He had been afraid, angry, suspicious, and still he'd told her. She thought of his bravery, his passion, his love and dedication to her, and her heart broke for him.

"Severus, look at me," she whispered, and took his face in her hands. His dark, haunted eyes met hers, and she Legilimised into his mind with the gentleness of a babe reaching out to grasp its mother's fingers for the first time. She stepped into his solid, strong, and inflexible mind; the imposing walls he'd raised inside were of blackened, brushed steel. Nothing would get through unless he allowed it. Even the Dark Lord could not navigate through this labyrinth without Severus' permission.

With all her discipline and strength, Hermione opened herself, opened her mind until she encompassed him, and she breathed life into the long corridors and hallways. She flooded him with her love, her strength, her passion. She felt their minds merge, with an intensity they'd never achieved before, even when making love. Empowered with this intensity, she poured light and laughter and hope into him, as much as he could take, as much as he needed. She opened herself to him until she felt him feed back to her. He was being nourished, and having been fed of this light, could now nourish her in return.

She felt his devotion for her, his deep, abiding pride in her intelligence and resourcefulness. She felt the sexual arousal her touch gave him. Most of all, she felt his painful hope, trembling, fearful, ready to burst. Quietly they held one another. How? his voice whispered in her mind, beautiful and tender with longing. His breath rasped harshly against her ear. He shook his head, as if unable to believe the love he was receiving truly belong to him, or that he was deserving of it.

He looked down at her, his dark eyes full of wonder. With a voice like golden honey, sweet and rich and priceless, he said, "Why do you love me so much, little girl?"

She pulled him closer and wound her arms around his slender frame. "How could I not love you?" she replied. "You will never have an unguarded back while I'm alive, Severus. I'm not about to let you go through this alone. If I do nothing else before I leave this earth, I will somehow convince you that you are worthy to be loved this much. In the end, whatever happens, I will stand by you. And when this is over and we are free-"

The fear returned, and he reluctantly pulled away. He stood, pulling her to her feet. When he spoke, his beautiful voice was dark with sorrow. "I know it's asking too much. You will be vilified. You may be imprisoned." He looked down at her and the bleak hopelessness in his eyes almost made Hermione lose her own hope. He pressed his lips against her forehead. "May the gods forgive me for drawing you into this life with me. I feel I have damned you, yet I cannot bear the thought of being without you. I'm a selfish, grasping fool. But I need you. I cannot help it."

She spoke as his hands braided through her hair and drew her close. "We will end this as we began it. Together." She looked up at his frightened face, and the fear, the strength, the duty she saw in his eyes strengthened her. "You promised to be mine, and I promised to be yours. Tonight, I will hide you away. They will never find you." She stepped back, and he looked down at her, puzzled by her words. She smiled. "You and I have to start planning for this, instead of sitting here like lambs waiting for the slaughter. We have to prepare to meet the future, instead of waiting for it to come for us."

Severus looked down at his little lioness, and felt a wave of her magic, smooth and powerful, wash over him like a protective shield. She smiled grimly. "We need to be ready."

He looked at her for a long time, then smiled, then chuckled. Soothed with the love she'd poured into his soul, he laughed wistfully. He placed a hard kiss on her forehead. "Before we do, Lass, we must do something about that Devil's Snare you call hair. It's all over the place. It started crackling in the Headmaster's office!"

Hermione's eyes grew wide, and before she could raise her hands to her mad hair, Severus withdrew his wand and murmured, "Teresdec Orocuros." The lovely sensation of her hair smoothing and untangling never failed to delight Hermione, and she put her arms around his waist as the unruly tresses slithered and burnished at Severus' command, wrapping around his back and arms. Several curls wound flirtatiously around his wand like tendrils of a vine, until she had all but bound him to her with the strands of her hair.

Severus smirked. "Why does this particular spell always work with everyone else but you?" He rolled his eyes as another curl insinuated itself around his neck, like a cheeky little rope. "Every time I'm sure I've got the inflection and wand motion right, I still end up held for ransom by your hair."

Hermione laughed, and the curls trembled with her laughter, tickling Severus' neck pleasantly. "I told you, my hair is as much in love with you as I am." With a quick flick of her wand, the masses of curls obediently unwound from Severus and settled in place. He looked down at her, and in that winsome moment, Hermione could have sworn he looked a little bereft for the loss of his hirsute vines.

As he watched his little witch shake her marginally tamed locks back in place, sorrow welled up within him so strong it took his breath away. He didn't deserve this. Neither did she. In a soft voice, weighed with immeasurable longing, he said, "Sometimes, Hermione, I wake up in the middle of the night, and look at you, asleep by my side, and for a moment, I pretend there is no war, no Dark Lord, no Dumbledore, no Potter. We owe nothing to the past, we have nothing to fear from the future. I imagine that the only conflict in our lives is whether to holiday in Skegness or Llandudno."

He took her head in his hands and looked down at her with such love Hermione's heart ached, and she reached up and clasped his wrists in her hands to hold him in place. He closed his eyes and his silken, hypnotic voice washed over her like a spell. "I pretend you and I are going to wake up, and after we make love we'll rise, and take a walk on the beach, or through a garden, and no one knows who we are, or what we are. We're just two people who want to live our lives in peace." He swallowed. "I'd give my soul to make that real, Lass." He opened his eyes. "It is just a dream I have." He gave her such a sad smile Hermione felt tears prick her eyes.

With more courage in her voice than she had in her heart, Hermione replied, "I'm going to hold you to that dream, Severus Snape. Only, in my version, we'll have a little black-eyed boy walking between us, holding our hands, and a little wild-haired girl on my hip." Her tears betrayed her, but she shook them away, with a fierce, brittle smile. "That is our future. I've decided it."

As she had hoped, Severus smirked, and gave her one of his silent laughs. "Ever the bossy one." He released her head, and caught her hands as they slid away from his wrists. "So mote it be, little one. That is our future."

They sat down, and began to plan, and Severus felt the sheer formality of study and research act like a balm to his jaded spirit. For so long, they had sat, frightened, burying their heads in the sand, whistling in the dark, begging to hide one another away safely. It was as if the fog of fear that had paralysed them all this time was lifted at last, and for the first time, Severus thought they were ready to be proactive, not reactive. If they were to hide away, they would have to build the hiding place first.

The following morning, Hermione trudged up the frigid hall toward the Gryffindor Common Room. Dawn was freezing, and as she only had her school robes for cover, walking up from the dungeons was a miserable exercise. Frost limned the windows and the icy wind crept in through the stones. She was shivering by the time she reached the Fat Lady's portrait; all she wanted to do was get into the room and stand by the welcoming fire.

As she hurried through the door and into the room, she saw Harry sitting there, obviously waiting for her.

"Harry! You're up early," she said, with a brightness in her voice she was far from feeling. He was looking at her, unsmiling, and Hermione felt a sudden sliver of icy fear that had nothing to do with the temperature.

"So are you. Up early, I mean," Harry answered tightly, watching her closely.

"Oh, I've been up for ages! I've been in the library checking on a book I thought might help -"

"I've just come from there. It's not open. Madam Pince isn't well today. The door was locked."

Hermione cursed inwardly for having been caught so blatantly in a lie. For a moment, she merely looked at Harry, trying to decide how she should react. Taking a leaf from Severus' book, she merely waited until Harry spoke. Perhaps his next words would give her a clue as to how to respond.

"I wanted to talk to you about something last night, but I couldn't find you. And by the time I finished speaking with Dumbledore, it was after bedtime, so I thought I'd wait until the morning."

Hermione nodded. "Okay." She noticed that Harry was positively shaking, and she realised he was angry; angry and upset and confused. "I had rounds to do -"

His voice was low and deadly quiet. "Justin told me you'd switched nights with him. You didn't have rounds last night."

Hermione blinked, but Harry pressed on, as if the words were all strung together in a prepared speech, and he didn't want to lose his place. "I went all over the school, looking for you. I went to the library, and the Great Hall, the Infirmary and the Prefect's bath. Finally, I was going to be late for curfew, so I thought, 'What's the best way to find out where Hermione is'?" He looked deeply into her eyes, as if demanding she answer his question.

Hermione felt her heart slam in her chest, and the adrenaline pumping in her bloodstream made the room suddenly seem uncomfortably warm and stuffy. She was amazed how level and pleasant her voice sounded. "The Marauder's Map?"

Harry nodded. "The map, yes. So I looked at it. And then I had to do homework, but I checked it afterwards. And right before I went to bed, I checked it again. Then I got up this morning and looked at it one more time." He stood and walked toward her, and Hermione forced herself not to take a step back. He approached her until he was standing close, and Hermione had to look up at him. She forced herself to meet his gaze.

In a quiet voice, trembling to maintain control, Harry said, "And now I'd like you to tell me, Hermione. I'd like you to tell me why you spent all afternoon, all evening, and all night in Severus Snape's quarters?"

Hot. It was so close and hot. Hermione sniffed. "Professor Snape's quarters?" She scoffed. "There must've been a mistake. I don't -"

Harry's voice was low and insistent. "The map doesn't lie, Hermione. You know that." For a beat, they simply stood looking at one another. Harry's green eyes were flashing fire, and she could see betrayal in them.

For the first time in ages, Hermione had no idea what to do or say.

"What's going on?" The two of them turned to see Ron shuffling into the Common Room, yawning and stretching. He eyed them suspiciously. "You two are up early."

Hermione smiled. "No rest for the wicked. I'm getting in a little early study time." Before Harry could reply, Hermione turned to him. "We'll talk about this tonight, okay, Harry?" She looked deeply into his mistrusting eyes and mutely willed him to agree.

Finally, he nodded curtly. "Sure, Hermione. Tonight, after dinner." He looked at her for a moment, his jaw working tensely. "If you're not here, I'll come find you." His eyes were bitterly accusatory. "I know where you'll be."

Hermione forced herself to remain calm. She returned his nod and went to her room. Once there, she closed her eyes and reached out to Severus, telling him what happened.

Perhaps it's for the best. His voice in her mind sounded resigned.

I was thinking the same thing. Perhaps now is the time to tell him the truth. If Dumbledore won't -

We'll find time to discuss this. In the meantime, you have to prevent him from telling everyone in Gryffindor that you spent the night with me.

Hermione shook her head, forgetting that it was pointless to do so, as he couldn't see her. He won't tell anyone.

Are you so sure, Lass? What makes you think he won't go babbling to Minerva?

He WON'T. You have to believe me on this. When it comes down to it, Harry can be as tight-lipped as you.

She smiled ruefully as she felt the disgust laced in his thought patterns. Kindly do NOT compare Potter with me, Hermione. You are putting me off my breakfast.

The day passed so slowly Hermione was tempted to believe that time had been magically slowed down just for her benefit. It was perhaps fortunate that Gryffindors did not have DADA class, sparing Hermione the apprehension of the possibility of a another confrontation between Harry and Severus. Still, Hermione would have liked to have spoken with her husband, if only for his solid, comforting presence. The only time she saw him was at lunch, and there they took every precaution at their respective tables to studiously ignore one another, opting to communicate silently instead.

What on earth are you eating, Hermione? It looks like potions ingredients.

Broccoli salad and asparagus. It's quite lovely, actually. You should try some. You are having something green for lunch today, aren't you, Severus?

She could almost hear him sigh. Spinach in some sort of cream sauce. Happy?

She tried to stifle a smirk. Very. Even if it is the longest day in history. Merlin, I wish the day would be over and we could get on with this meeting with Harry!

It will be here soon enough. After all, I can't imagine you are in that much of a hurry to tell Potter he has to die.

Startled, Hermione choked on her broccoli salad. A firm but friendly hand began to pound her on the back. Coughing and spluttering, she turned to see Harry, a concerned expression on his face. "Alright, Hermione?"

Hermione cleared her throat and took a large sip of pumpkin juice. "Sorry, yes, I'm fine." She coughed again. "W-Went down the w-wrong h-hole."

Harry smiled tightly. "As long as you're okay, yeah?" Hermione looked into his emerald eyes, and in spite of his earlier suspicion and anger, she saw his genuine love and care for her. The knowledge of what she and Severus must tell Harry hit her like a bludger.

Merlin, I've got to tell this nice, sweet, lonely boy that he's a Horcrux, and the only way to defeat Voldemort is for him to die. Oh, gods, Harry!

She covered her tears by coughing again. She put her hand on his arm. "Thank you, Harry. I'm fine. Really." She gave his arm a loving squeeze. "Thank you."

This time, his smile was genuine. "Sure. Be careful, okay?" He gave a brief laugh. "Don't go keeling over on me, alright?"

Hermione managed a smile in return, and pushed her plate away. "I'll take that as a sign that I've had enough. Those books aren't going to study themselves." She looked at her old friend and covered his hand with hers. "We'll get together later - right after dinner, okay?" He smiled and nodded, then turned back to his lunch.

Hermione rose from the table and left the Great Hall without a backward glance. She could feel Severus' eyes on hers, and she hastily told him she had an errand to run. She barely made it to the girls' toilets, where she locked herself in the far stall, and cried as if her heart would break, and each tear was shed for Harry and Severus – and for herself. Severus had been right. Too much was being asked of them all.

When she could function without bursting into fresh tears, Hermione left the stall and went to the sink, splashing water on her face. She looked into the mirror and grimaced. She was a mess - bright red nose, swollen, red-rimmed eyes, puffy lips, flushed face. A blind person could tell she'd been crying. A minor glamour covered up the worst of the ravages. In the soft light, she could probably pass for normal. She silently explained to her disconcerted husband that she'd needed some time alone. She did not want him to know she'd been crying; it would add another burden to the heavy load he already carried.

Then, as she cast her freshening charms, she had the beginnings of an idea. Once she left the toilets she dashed back to her dormitory. She was usually not one to skip class, but Professor Binns would hardly notice her missing from History of Magic, and this was far more important.

The never-ending school day finally concluded, and shortly after dinner, Hermione finished her homework and went looking for Harry. She and Severus had decided that she would initially speak with Harry alone, then together they would join Severus and he would fill in the blanks concerning everything; from his relationship with Harry's mother, to the prophecy, to the horrible matter of the Horcrux.

Rather worryingly, Hermione couldn't find Harry anywhere. Now it was her turn to long for the Marauder's Map, as she checked high and low for her friend. No one, even Ron, was sure where he was.

As Hermione rounded the corner near the Headmaster's Study, she saw Harry running toward her. From the distance, he looked strained, rushed. "There you are!" she said, smiling, and walked toward him to close the distance. "Where've you be-"

"Your precious Snape killed my parents!" He bellowed, bearing down on her and grabbing her by the arms. He was shaking with rage. "He's the one who told Voldemort about the prophecy!" Stunned, Hermione tried to push him away, but Harry's hold was too strong. "He has betrayed and killed EVERYONE who has meant anything to me, and you're fucking him!"

"Harry! Keep your voice down!" Hermione hissed, freeing herself from his grasp. "Who – what-" She floundered, pressing her palm against her forehead in confusion. "What is going on? You and I were supposed to meet thirty minutes ago!"

Harry was panting with rage. "I got a message from Dumbledore. He wants me to go somewhere with him tonight. I think it has to do with a Horcrux." He took a deep breath, but he was still too agitated.

Hermione shook her head. "But – but what does that have to do-"

"I ran into Trelawney while I was trying to find you. She told me that while she was stashing her sherry bottles in the Room of Requirement, she heard Malfoy in there – he was celebrating!" Harry's eyes were blazing. "Think, Hermione! Why would Malfoy be happy?"

Before she could form a reply, he continued. "Because he's finished whatever it was Voldemort charged him with doing! He and Snape are going to do something horrible to Dumbledore and this school- for Voldemort!"

"Harry, stop! You're not making any sense!" Hermione almost growled with frustration. "If you'd just let me explain-"

Harry turned on her, and for a terrified moment Hermione thought he might actually hit her. "And while Trelawney's waffling on about trying to find somewhere to hide her sherry, she tells me that, all those years ago, while she was being interviewed by Dumbledore for her job, Snape was discovered on the other side of the door, eavesdropping! Don't you see, Hermione? Snape heard the prophecy and ran straight to Voldemort!" He panted, near tears. "Because of him, my mother and father are dead!"

"Harry, it's not like that! If you'll just let us explain-"

"The only explanation I want to hear is how you ended up fucking my enemy, Hermione!" Harry roared, apoplectic with fury. "You might as well be in bed with Voldemort!"

She slapped him then; a genuine, Hermione-style, round-house slap that rocked Harry back on his heels and spun his head sideways. The sound reverberated in the empty hall like a gunshot, and Hermione's hand stung with the force of it.

Hermione? What is happening? Talk to me!

Ignoring Severus' command, Hermione stepped closer to Harry. Her voice was low and intense with anger. "You don't know what the hell you are talking about, Harry. Now, for Merlin's sweet sucking sake, listen to me and keep your mouth shut and you'll hear the truth! Do you honestly believe the word of an airy-fairy old sot like Trelawney over your friend?"

Harry looked at her, then silently shook his head. He continued to shake his head for several seconds, as if being asked a question with a very emphatic 'no' answer. Hermione could see the bright red print of her hand against his white face, and she felt like a monster.

Finally, he said quietly, "You're not my friend. My friend wouldn't betray me. My friend wouldn't lie to me. My friend wouldn't cover for a murderer. My friend wouldn't sleep with the enemy." He looked at her pityingly. "You know, I really hope Snape has Confunded you, because if you're doing this on your own, I will never forgive you."

"Even if you knew the entire truth? Even if I gave it all to you and you could absorb it all and see the entire picture from the very beginning?"

Lass, you are worrying me. What is wrong?

Harry only shook his head and turned toward the entrance to Dumbledore's office. Hermione, feeling sick and more desperate than she could ever remember, said, "Please, Harry, just listen to me. You don't know the entire story. I'll tell you everything. If you'll just give me that one chance, I'll give you all the information you need. You know I would never do anything to hurt you!"

He stopped at the entrance, but didn't turn around. "I don't even know who you are, Hermione." He turned his head to the side. "I'm going to tell Dumbledore about you and Snape and Malfoy. If I were you, I'd rather face Voldemort than Dumbledore, once he finds out."

"He knows, Harry!" Hermione cried, and Harry froze. He turned around then.

"He knows what?"

Hermione took a deep breath. "He knows about Severus and me. He knows about Draco. He knows a lot of things he won't tell you, things that Severus and I wanted you to know."

He sneered, "Oh, it's 'Severus' now, is it? Is that what you call him when he fucks you?"

"Don't be stupid, Harry!" Hermione snapped, her patience gone. "You're ranting about things you know nothing about and that don't matter, instead of the things that will defeat Voldemort and save your life! Didn't you say yourself that Dumbledore was keeping you in the dark? Have you ever asked him why – or do you just blindly trust everything he says, like you did Sirius?"

Harry flinched. "Dumbledore would never do anything to hurt me!"

Hermione almost sobbed, "Neither would I!"

Harry retorted, "He'd never lie to me, either!"

This isn't amusing, Hermione. I'm coming to find you.

"Probably not, but what about the things he hasn't told you, like why he withheld the whole truth about what Sirius did to me, or the true meaning of the Horcruxes, or the truth about Severus and what happened the night your parents were killed?"

Harry rushed at her again. "Don't you DARE mention my parents!" he hissed, and Hermione recoiled. He no longer looked like her friend. He looked – he looked like the Dark Lord.

"What is going on here? Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, kindly explain the meaning of this disturbance!" Hermione turned to see Professor McGonagall walking toward them. She looked perturbed at seeing her star Gryffindors practically at one another's throats. "Arguing in the halls? This is most unseemly, not mention uncharacteristic! Why aren't you in your Common Room?"

The wild, unwholesome darkness faded from Harry's eyes, and he was himself again. Sullenly, Harry replied, "I have an appointment with the Headmaster, Professor."

As he spoke, they heard footsteps descending from the Headmaster's study, and Hermione's heart began to pound as she recognised the familiar cut of Severus' trousers as he came into view. She grasped Harry's arm in warning, just as Severus stepped out of the stairwell.

Professor McGonagall was saying, "Oh, yes, I do recall him mentioning you both would be away this evening." She turned to Hermione. "That unfortunately doesn't excuse you, Miss Granger. Kindly return to your dormitory and allow Mr. Potter to go about his business. I'm sure whatever disagreement you are having will be resolved by tomorrow."

Harry gave Severus a murderous look. Hermione pleaded silently with Harry, but he merely shook his arm free of her grasp, gave the password to the gargoyle, and headed up the stairs. Hermione watched him go, feeling like she'd been punched in the stomach.

"Miss Granger?" McGonagall's voice was marginally patient, and reluctantly, Hermione turned her attention back to her Head of House. Thankfully, Severus stepped forward, pretending disdain.

"Although I had not planned on walking in that general direction, Professor, I suppose I can ensure Miss Granger returns to her dormitory, seeing as she appears rather uncertain how to proceed on her own," Severus said coldly, sounding every inch the passive - aggressive, surly Potions master.

McGonagall smiled tightly. "Thank you, Professor. That is most kind. Off you go, Miss Granger."

Severus scowled in her general direction, and Hermione meekly followed him down the hall.

As they turned the corner, they looked at one another, and then her knees buckled and he caught her in his arms. Hermione was shaking so badly he entwined his hand with hers and gently put his other arm around her waist to steady her. She allowed him to lead her like a stricken animal. They saw no one as they walked down toward the dungeons. Hermione realised that, even if they had, it would have made no difference. They were incapable of letting go of one another.

As Hermione was wandering toward the Headmaster's office, looking for Harry, Severus was already there, having been summoned by Dumbledore shortly after dinner.

The Headmaster's instincts had, once more, been uncanny. "I believe I've found one of the Horcruxes, Severus," he'd said, gazing out the window. "It's a two-man job, though. I can't destroy it alone."

"Fine. When would you like to depart?" Severus had asked, turning to go. "I'll tell Hermione-"

"You will need to stay here, Severus. Wicked things are afoot tonight. I'm taking Harry with me."

Severus looked at Dumbledore in disbelief. "Potter? You're taking the boy? That's dangerous-"

"I believe tonight may be a foul night, Severus. I will feel more at ease knowing you are here, helping to protect Hogwarts from our enemies."

Something about The Headmaster's tone made Severus' stomach lurch. "Albus? What are you saying? What do you know?"

Deep within his mind, Severus felt a sharp ache, and he instantly recognised it as Hermione. She was in distress. He called out to her: Hermione? What is happening? Talk to me!

Dumbledore gave the younger man a smile. For a moment, he looked like the powerful wizard of old. "Know? Not much. Suspect? Well, rumour has it that Mr. Malfoy has been working on a project that has now come to fruition. If he has, tonight may be the very night we see the fruits of his labours."

Severus looked at the Headmaster in shock. "Then why are you leaving the school if you suspect trouble? Shouldn't you be here, with us, making sure-"

"I trust no one more than you, Severus, to hold the enemy at bay until I return. But this Horcrux is very important. The others may be found, but this one would hide forever, and as I say, it's a two-man job. I have to at least try to retrieve it before I'm killed."

Hearing Dumbledore say those words so calmly made Severus' gut clench. "Then-" he began, and had to clear his throat. He fought his emotions; fought his fear and sudden anger. He swallowed. "Then, you believe it is to be tonight?"

"Severus," Dumbledore began, and Severus gasped at the emotion he heard in the old wizard's tone. "Death Eaters will enter Hogwarts tonight. Where I am going, there's a chance I could die before we return. This Horcrux does not want to be liberated." He paused for effect. "Regulus Black was given the task of hiding it."

His words hit Severus like a hammer to his chest. Anger and resentment bled from him, to be replaced with horror. "Oh, Merlin, no!" Severus cried, and sank to his knees beside his Headmaster. "The potion. Oh, gods, Albus," he moaned brokenly, looking at his old friend helplessly. He shook his head, sick with guilt. "I've not thought of that potion in years. I never -"

He looked at Dumbledore pleadingly, as if begging to be believed. "I never knew why The Dark Lord commanded me to create it. Reg never told me what he was doing-" Severus could not finish the sentence. Oh, this hurt. He swallowed. "You won't survive it, Albus."

Dumbledore's bright blue eyes were soft with understanding. "Nor do I wish to, my boy. From what I remember, it was a nasty bit of potioneering." He looked away for a moment. "Poor Regulus."

Severus lowered his head. "Oh, Albus! I'm so sorry." He felt the old man's hand gentle upon his head, felt the love he'd once cherished as a son for a father, and felt as if he were dying a little, as well.

"No, no tears for me, Severus," Dumbledore said gently, and drew the younger wizard up into his arms. Fervently, he said, "You see why I have to go? Someone must drink the potion to retrieve the Horcrux. I'm the perfect candidate. I'm already dying, my boy, you hear me? I killed myself the moment I put Marvolo's ring on my finger."

Severus voice was clogged with tears. "The pain will be unspeakable, Albus. Potter will be unable to help you."

The older man nodded and took a step back. "No doubt it will be unpleasant. But listen, Severus. I must return to the castle, to get Harry back here to safety. If the Death Eaters come before we return, you will have the opportunity to repel them without having to worry about Harry. I know you will keep the students safe, Severus."

The sharp buzzing in Severus' head grew, making the pain behind his eyes worse. Lass, you are worrying me. What is wrong?

Dumbledore took a deep breath, and in that moment, all of his vitality left him, and he looked frail, pensive. He gazed upon the younger wizard. "I'm not afraid to die, Severus. But I am sorry. For so many things."

He sighed. "I'm sorry to make you do this. I'm sorry that I've been so harsh with your wife; I know how much you love her. Most of all, I'm sorry that your chance at finding happiness has been..." The old man turned away. "I lost my chance long ago. I don't wish that loss on anyone; especially you, my dear boy."

Severus felt oddly numb, and was grateful that his senses were deadened. He doubted he would be able to survive otherwise. He sniffed and tossed his hair from his eyes. "I will leave you then, Albus. Preparations must be made. I need to speak with Hermione as soon as I can." He stood to go, and looked down at the old wizard. Grief flooded his heart. "Albus, you have, in your own way, been like a father to me."

Dumbledore looked up at Severus and smiled. "And I have loved you like a son, Severus. I'm sorry I've had to use you so harshly, and I have not treated you as well as you deserved, but that fault was mine. And this will unfortunately be only the beginning of the end, not the end of the beginning.

"Do this one last thing for me, my dear friend. Give an old man some peace, and forgive me. You will be doing me a kindness, remember that." He looked into Severus' dark eyes and smiled. "Do this because you love me, not because I've given you so much cause to hate me."

Severus nodded, even as Hermione's anger and fear washed over him again, and he gasped aloud. This isn't amusing, Hermione. I'm coming to find you.

Faced with the roiling emotions from both Hermione and his own pounding heart, Severus fought every instinct within not to weep. He looked at Dumbledore one final time as a friend. "The next time we meet, I will have only two words to say to you, Albus. So I'll say my good-byes now."

The two wizards faced one another. For a brief moment, Dumbledore looked afraid, then he, too, found his strength. "Farewell, Severus. Until we meet again, my dear friend." He looked at Severus fondly, and in that moment Severus was so unnerved he could not decide whether he hated Dumbledore, or loved him. No one had ever used Severus with more precision, or more genuine affection.

Severus turned and descended the stairs to find Hermione.

The Dark Mark seared the sky like an Angel of Death. Filius Flitwick came dashing down to his chamber. "Severus! Severus! Death Eaters at Hogwarts! We have to send up the alarm-"

The stunning spell knocked Filius out so quickly and quietly Severus was able to catch the diminutive wizard before he hit the ground. Gently lowering Filius onto his sofa, Severus ran out of his rooms, just as Hermione and the Lovegood girl came racing down the steps to the dungeons. She had been in her dormitory when he called her, entreating her to meet him in his study.

"Miss Granger, Miss Lovegood! Professor Flitwick has collapsed in my chamber. The strain," he said, hearing the unmistakable sounds of panic and chaos in the upper levels of the school. "Stay with him until help arrives. Do not leave him."

As he turned to go, he looked into his wife's eyes. She looked reproachful; as if angry to be shunted off down in the dungeon while the brunt of the fighting was elsewhere. Stay here with Filius. When the deed is done, I will return to collect you. Have everything ready. We must act fast.

It's too dangerous for you to come back down here. I'll leave Luna with Professor Flitwick. You're just doing this because you think I can't take care of myself!

Merlin's sake, witch! For once, do as I say! I don't want you to see it, Lass! I don't want you to watch me do this! Please!

He was dashing up the stairs, running on adrenaline, when the words, Don't you dare leave me behind, Severus Snape! almost made him falter, and he laughed, a sharp bark of a laugh that made several students look at him with unease.

Just stay put! Foolish girl, be waiting – of course I'm coming back for you!

He ran up the stairs of the Astronomy Tower. In that mind-bending race up the innumerable steps, he said aloud, "How am I suppose to survive otherwise?"

He burst onto the ramparts, wand in hand, breathing hard, and took in the scene in one swift moment. He saw the despicable, inbred Carrows, leering off to one side, alongside Fenrir Greyback. The werewolf's stench had assaulted Severus' nostrils before he even saw him. Severus recognised the remaining Death Eater as the blond wizard who'd escorted him to his last meeting with the Dark Lord. Severus gave him no more than a passing glance.

Draco stood to one side, shaking as if palsied, his wand trembling like a branch of a tree. He and the Death Eaters he'd secreted into Hogwarts were all facing a huddled figure leaning against the parapet. Severus followed their gaze and saw Albus Dumbledore, wandless, ghastly pale, sagging against the wall. He was panting like an animal in pain, and his face was grey with exhaustion and the poison he'd ingested.

"Ah, Snape," Amycus Carrow said, his voice a grating whine in Severus' ears. "We have a problem. The boy doesn't seem capable..."

Severus' gaze was locked upon Dumbledore. He looked hideous; his body trembled with the effort to stay marginally upright. He looked like he'd aged a hundred years in the last few hours.

"Severus," Albus, said, his voice raspy and frightened. "Please."

Like a sleepwalker, Severus raised his wand and leveled it at his friend's heart... his mentor, his gaoler... he felt his magic rise within him... he thought of Dumbledore's cruelty... his lack of regard for Hermione... she stepped between you and Dolohov!...his wand arm was steady... Albus and his Greater Good... to cast an Unforgivable you have to mean it...

"Severus?" Albus gasped, and looked at him with beseeching, rheumy eyes. "Severus, Please!"

Severus was stone... his wand was stone... he was fire... he was blood... he saw Dumbledore, telling him his mother was dead... Regulus Black was dead... Lily was dead... Hermione's parents are dead, they were all dead, dead, dead... say the words... say them... you have to mean it... say them...

"Get on with it, Snape, or I will! Hey!" Severus heard shuffling behind him, but his cut-glass concentration was focused completely on Dumbledore.

His wand was an extension of himself, a pointing, accusatory finger... Dumbledore, defending the Marauders... boys will be boys... that brat is just like his father... Sirius Black escaped... Potter would not be punished for hurting his wife... his wife... I prefer not to put all my eggs in one basket, especially one that dangles on the arm of Lord Voldemort... his wand wavered minutely... he felt the magic swirling, like the magic that had healed him...

"Avada Kadavra!"

The bright green light flashed through the night, lighting up the tower. Severus watched numbly as Dumbledore's body flew from the parapet like a bird, soaring downward. The Death Eaters were strangely silent for having just seen their sworn enemy struck down.

Severus lowered his wand and turned in time to see the green light fade from the tip of Hermione's wand. "No, Lass. No," he whispered, as he looked into the terror-stricken eyes of Dumbledore's murderer.

Opening words – Comfortably Numb – Roger Waters

Words in bold are a direct quote from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by JK Rowling

This chapter is also dedicated with apologies to LaurieLove, who used a similar plot device in Out of The Depths, when another character was looking for Hermione.