Disclaimer: I do not own The Harry Potter series or any of its characters. Those belong to J.K. Rowling and her publisher(s). I make no money from this writing, it's just for fun. I hope you enjoy it.

"The hand holding Harry thudded to the floor and Snape moved no more."

Mattie bit back a scream of terror as she watche3d his hand fall to the floor. She didn't have to; the protection spells she had cast would have ensured that no one heard. But she kept silent as the cold voice of Voldemort rang out, as the Chosen One and his companions left. She did not make a sound until she had entered the shack. She collapsed on the floor next to Severus and began to sob. Desperately she took hold of his wrist, hoping for a pulse; knowing she wouldn't find one. She was shocked to feel something. His pulse was weak, irregular, barely enough, but if she worked quickly perhaps she could save him. Without considering what she was doing she began healing wounds, forcing a potion to restore lost blood, and making manual efforts to restore his breathing. After several of the longest moments of her life she heard a gasping breath. The endless black eyes snapped open and scanned the room in confusion. Suddenly she realized that she was still hidden beneath her protective spells. Before she could remove them, he spoke.

"Lily, I was so close Lily" he said, his voice pained. Suddenly she was unsure if she had done the right thing. She removed her shields. He showed no surprise at her appearance. She conjured a goblet of wine and tipped a vial of sleeping potion into it. "Drink this" she said, gently liftin him from the floor and placing the cup to his lips. He sipped from the goblet before relaxing against the cloak she had laid under him like a pillow. When next the black eyes met her own they were full of anger and agony. He was fully aware now.

"What have you DONE?" he demanded. Her eyes filled with tears as she replied "I don't know" and fled, knowing that within moments he would be asleep.

He watched her as she ran; trying to quiet his anger. She didn't know that he would rather have been left to die. She couldn't have, it wasn't her fault he tried to tell himself. But he had been so close to finding the end of his misery and she had ripped his release way from him. He was so angry that he didn't notice himself fading into the drug induced sleep.