Take A Bow
He raised his gaze and met the red eyes without flinching. He paid no attention to those who surrounded them, for there was only he and Lord Voldemort here. There was no fear, only hatred and a sense of justice.
"I should have known." Lord Voldemort murmured.
His hands were chained behind his back, and he couldn't feel his fingers. He paid no attention to that numbness, for soon, he was sure, there would be nothing to feel.
"Of all the people, it could only have been you."
He could hear the anger in that soft voice, and it should have chilled him. But he paid no attention to that, for there was nothing he could say that would calm the Dark Lord down.
"It will make no difference. They shall not win."
He did not doubt that war was unpredictable. He did not doubt that things could change in the blink of an eye. But he paid no attention to that, for he also did not doubt the strength of Albus Dumbledore and the importance of Harry Potter.
"You have chosen the wrong side."
He disagreed, but here was not the place to air that disagreement. It would not save him. He paid no attention to the seconds ticking past, for time was nothing here.
"Does he know that you are going to be sacrificed for his precious cause? How does that feel?"
He cast his thoughts back to his mentor. The blue eyes that had understood him and guided him and known him. The reassuring hand on his, the arm around his shoulders, the lilting voice that had meant so much to him.
The eyes that had darkened when he had told him. The hand that had clutched his fingers unwilling to let go. The arm that restricted his departure. The voice that had trembled and shook as he had pleaded with him not to sacrifice himself.
Sacrifice. A selfless manoeuvre that he had thought he would never make. He paid no attention to the emotions that stirred in his chest, for he was making the right choice.
"Will you say anything? Plead for your life?"
He did not need to plead. Why would he plead? This was the right time. His final performance; the last act; the curtains had to close.
"I congratulate you on deceiving me for so long. That would be a feat for most men. Well done."
He paid no attention to the sarcasm placed on those words. Instead he simply smiled.
"Take a bow, Severus Snape."
He stared at Lord Voldemort, smirking.
"Bow to me!" The order was not to be disobeyed.
He took in a breath.
He inclined his head.
He listened to the words.
When the green light hit him, he made sure he did not scream.
Instead, he made sure he was smiling in triumph.