Disclaimer: The Potterverse is not of my property. We must thank J.K. Rowling for creating such a wonderful world. The story and others, however, are mostly mine.
Summary: The war was over, and although many lives were lost, one of them was just taking a nap. Literally. However, the countless casualties suffered by the magical world seriously threatened it with extinction. But the Ministry of Magic will make sure that such a thing never happens. No matter what it takes.
Warnings: Snamione (Severus Snape / Hermione Granger); Alternate Universe; my first language isn't English, it's Spanish. This may contain grammatical mistakes that I'm willing to correct.
Initial notes: Hello! Like the summary already says, this is my first Harry Potter fanfic, and I'll do everything possible to keep it In Character. Also, I think there will be another disclaimer in the final notes... but no more to say, let's begin!
Life is a waltz
Prologue
He was nervous, that he had to admit, even if it was only to himself.
He avoided engaging in battle at all costs, hidden in a corner which, fortunately, was being ignored by most of the combatants. He was handcuffed: hr didn't want to attack Hogwarts' supporters, but if he attacked Death Eaters, his role would be discovered.
He growled a little, before checking the watch on his wrist. It was almost time.
He was so grateful to Professor Trelawney for that prediction she had made exactly six months and one week ago, detailing in a horrifying tone the way that he was going to die.
Did he believe in that crazy woman's predictions? Of course he did, because every one of them had become true without any error. Even those she always did, talking about the death of a different student every year. He was pretty sure that now their bodies were scattered on the floor of the castle.
He pulled the first potion he had to drink from his black robe. Well, mix of potions, technically, he thought as he emptied the contents of the little bottle in a single sip, grimacing in disgust because of the flavor it had.
It was a fusion of three potions, which had been prepared in advance, because he knew that this moment would come, and that he should be prepared
The first potion was honey badger anti-venom. The venom of the stupid pet snake that the Dark Lord had was powerful, but never more than his potions, he thought with a sense of arrogance.
The second one, a coagulant potion. He would lose a huge amount of blood, he was so sure of that, but the potion would make sure to keep enough to survive.
And third, but not last, Draught of Living Death. With that potion circulating in his body, he knew he would fall asleep just moments after being "killed". A dream really, really like death. He even had added some dragon blood to be able to moderate when he would fall asleep, and when he would wake up.
No wonder, he was the master of potions, probably the best in recent times. And he knew it.
"Severus."
Lucius Malfoy's slightly trembling voice caught his attention, so he turned around to face him, keeping his empty bottle in his robe again. His expression urged the blonde man to continue talking.
"The Dark Lord requires your presence in the Shrieking Shack" the man announced, swallowing loudly, before approaching a little more to talk more softly. "I think... I think he wants to…"
"Don't say it" Snape then interrupted him, with a wave of his right hand to downplay the situation. "Look for Draco and Narcissa, and keep them safe. I'll cover you."
Malfoy took on a look of disbelief, that soon changed to eternal gratitude. He even moved a little closer to give him a tasteless hug, but Snape simply refused.
"Thank you, Severus... thank you, thank you..."
And repeating the same word over and over again, maybe now talking to himself, he walked away toward the castle, cursing whoever crossed his path.
Snape took a huge breath, and made his way to where he knew he would die. Or so it would be, in an alternate universe where he wasn't a damn genius in potions, and in life itself, said an arrogant voice in his head, sarcastically.
He reached the place sooner than he would have actually liked, but there was no time or chance to turn back now. Being on the very entry, only with a corroded wooden door separating him from his destiny, he took the last potion of night out of his robe.
Felix Felicis. Liquid luck. The only completely reliable way to ensure that his plan would have no chance of failure.
One sip emptied the small bottle before putting it in his robe again, with a sigh. He sked for help from Merlin, Morgana, Dumbledore and even that deity that some muggles called God.
He entered, and after his feet touched the dirty floor, everything went as he had been expecting. He played his devout follower role perfectly, like he had been doing for a long time.
And Voldemort believed it, victim of his own ignorance.
Sooner than later, he heard the order that the Dark Lord had given, and with no opportunity or time to resist, he could feel the sharp bite of that damn snake around his neck.
He gasped in pain, dropping, crashing to the floor, and getting to see with the corner of his eye as Voldemort withdrew almost immediately, fleeing as the great coward he was.
Still, there lying on the ground, he could feel the anti-venom and anticoagulant work together in tandem to keep him alive, keeping just enough blood, although he helped a little by covering his wound with one hand.
He was about to yield to the Draught of Living Death's effect, until he could see Potter and company get closer… Potter?! What the hell were doing Potter and his friends, the redheaded moron and know-it-all, in this place?!
He decided not to give much importance to why the boy was there, although a part of him made him think that his presence was indirectly because of Felix Felicis. And then he understood.
He took the boy by his robe as firmly as he could, and concentrated in expelling his thoughts and memories in any way possible, as he was unable to use his wand at that very moment. Potter needed to know the truth, and there was no time to tell him the whole story. He had to see it himself, as soon as possible.
"Take it… take it…"
He could see the boy watch him baffled, and had to endure the urge to roll his eyes in exasperation at his incompetence. Fortunately, Miss Granger was not an idiot like him, and quickly made a small bottle appear.
When he was sure that Harry Potter kept his memories in the newly appeared bottle, he could loosen his grip on his robes, knowing he could not keep the boy there for much longer.
Anyway, he just had one last wish.
"Look… at … me..." he said in a weak whisper, intending it to be an order that ended up sounding like a request.
The young man did so, and Snape allowed immersed in the beautiful green of hia eyes, before succumbing to the Draught of Living Death without even closing his eyelids, falling into a deep sleep so close to death that it would convince Merlin himself.
In the depths of his own thoughts, Severus Snape knew that all he could do was waiting in silence, lost in the effects of that powerful sleeping potion, and hoping that nobody would take hid "dead" body to profane it, whether incineration or other type of irreparable damage. He had to remain calm, he was a potion's master, he had practiced, he could wake up whenever he wanted…
"Everything will be fine!" then said a cheerful voice in his head, but he was pretty sure that this was only the liquid luck he had drunk, borrowing the voice of his conscience for a moment.
Endnotes:Yes, I know, there was nothing very 'Snamionie-ish' at the beginning of the story, right? For though I would love to be make them run into each other's arms and be in love forever and get married right now, I can't do that. Not yet, and not exactly in that order... but I better shut up already.
The second disclaimer is: the idea of the honey badger anti-venom belongs to the YouTube channel "How It Should Have Ended". They have a very funny video about "How Harry Potter should have ended", and from there came the idea, which I then modified to make it more believable within the universe of HP.
And... I think that's all for now. I can only ask for patience, because inspiration is rebellious, it comes and goes, it never stops. Still, I will try to update soon.
If you liked it, you can leave a review. If you didn't like it, and want to make constructive criticism, you can leavea review. If you just want to insult and look for problems, better keep your opinion where you fit best. Each review will be answered in the next update.
With nothing more to say, read you soon!
_- * -_- * -_ KovatePrivalski97 ._- * -_- * -_
