The hooded man reaches the crest of the hill and see's the old, but tidy cottage coming into view. He knows that a traitor resides within these walls and must be dealt with accordingly. What was that old muggle phrase? 'Cheaters never prosper?' While this may be true in most cases, these non-magical fools had never had the pleasure of meeting a Death Eater before. Cheating is their specialty.

Severus Snape had not only cheated the Dark Lord, but the buffoon Dumbledore as well. While the latter sin could be forgiven (and celebrated), the obvious and premeditated disregard for the Master was a transgression of the highest order. Though Voldemort may be gone, his legacy and mission still remain burned into the arms and hearts of those who followed him fully and completely. The traitor Severus Snape must die.

The old rusted mailbox he passes bears the alias he knew would be there; the name of a Mudblood. That status title causes a hateful burn in his heart and he knows that his once fellow Death Eater played them all for fools. His hand wanders into his inner robe pocket and grips the elm wood tightly. Today there would be retribution, there would be reven-

To his surprise, his target is standing on the cottage porch waiting for him. Severus was always a tall fellow and that had not diminished any with age. In fact he looked taller, his black hair shoulder length and eyes as black as coals still pierced from yards away. He would have looked far more venomous were it not for the casual Muggle blue jeans and black sweater he had now adopted instead of his trademark robes.

The man swallows, a small spark of doubt tickling the back of his mind. He knows that Severus is a dangerous man, he has seen what he is capable of: torture, murder, curses… He was not counting on his quarry to be expecting a visitor, but now is not the time to rehash times long passed. He clears his throat and prepares to speak, but Severus's voice calls out first,

"You must truly have a death wish, coming to my home. I haven't even laid out my tea set yet."

The man sneers behind his hood, suddenly finding courage, "Big talk coming from a self-imposed Muggle. It's been to long… Tobias. Isn't that what you want all those filthy townsfolk to call you?"

Severus smirks and crosses his arms, leaning against the porch railing, "They can call me what they wish; sometimes it is Tobias, other times there are names far less savory. Your name is no better Hansel Burr."

"Hm," Hansel finally pushes away his hood, "I would say I'm honored that the traitor Severus Snape remembers my name, but that would be a lie. You are a disgrace, you worm. You deceived our Lord, you disgraced your title-"

"My title was that of a deceiver," Severus's voice rises over the wind, and Hansel is surprised to realize that he himself shrinks a little within his cloak. The Professor has not lost his edge, "You single-minded, blithering idiot. Voldermort made fools of us all. He made false promises, scarred us for life and sent us as children ourselves out into the world to do harm. We killed, and we were good at it. Or rather, I was. You were lucky to not obliterate your own genitals."

Hansel snorts, fingers tightening around his wand. He is afraid of Severus Snape, but he also knows he must complete his mission. Clutching this sole object gives him renewed strength, "Words, words, words Severus. You were always good with words. But tell me, are you still as sharp with your magic as you are with your tongue?" Hansel pulls out his wand and points it at Severus, who simply looks on bemused from his porch.

"Oh dear," Severus murmurs, "It seems as though you are serious about this."

"I am," Hansel nods, taking a step forward.

"There is nothing I can do to change your mind? You don't have to do this." Severus moves forward as well onto one of the porch steps, "You can still turn away you know."

Severus's moving towards him throws Hansel off guard. What is he up to? Despite every instinct telling Hansel to retreat, he stands firm, "I am not a coward like you, Snape."

"Hm," Severus takes another step and is now on the ground, "a coward am I?" the air around him feels ominous, the wind picking up again, "Tell me Hansel," another step forward, "where were you when the Dark Lord fell?"

Instinctively Hansel takes a step backward, "I was at Hogwarts, where all of his loyal followers were."

Another step forward, "Liar."

"N-no, I was there-"

"You were cowering outside of the castle, fool. You may have been in attendance, but not in the ranks. What do you hope to accomplish here with my death? Everyone already thinks I'm buried, what difference does it make?"

He is getting to close for comfort, he is maybe fifteen paces away. Hansel knows he must kill him soon, before he gets any closer, "Stop and accept your demise like a true wizard," Hansel snarls, getting into a low stance, "I have sworn to avenge the Dark Lord and make this world pure, accept your death Severus Snape! Avada-"

"Sectumsempra!"

An unbearable pain grazes Hansel's face, knocking him backwards. Blood splatters around his feet, and when he finally glances up Severus is standing tall and proud, wand pointed in his direction, "Tell me again," Severus smirks, "who now is the disgrace?"

Hansel smiles, pink tongue darting out and licking the blood running down his cheek, "Oh Severus, now you have made this fun. Confringo!"

To Severus's surprise, Hansel's aim is not directed towards him, but at his home. The cottage erupts in flames and begins to burn quickly. This distracts Severus for the briefest moment, just as Hansel's fist meets his cheekbone. Stars erupt behind his eyes as he stumbles; magic he was expecting, not brute force. Before he can recover, Hansel rushes him and knocks him to the wet grass, fist over fist raining on his face. Though Severus is a large man, Hansel's ferocity is frightening. Severus knows he no longer has the upper hand. He tastes blood in his mouth and his head begins to spin. The only way he can turn this around is in turn using brute force himself. He allows Hansel several more strikes before grabbing his fist in his hand, and then twisting it sharply to the left. The wrist bone snaps like a twig and Hansel lets out a howl. Taking the opportunity, Severus flips Hansel onto his back, holding down the injured hand while driving his fist repeatedly into his opponents nose. This fight is no longer a distinguished duel between wizards; it has turned into a full on brawl. They roll together, a muddy mess of fists and blood. Severus feels a poke in his back and realizes he is laying on his wand. Desperately he tries to twist his arm under his body but Hansel's attack is relentless. In what Severus decides is the best way out of the situation, he drives his thumb into Hansel's left eye.

Hansel shrieks, reeling backwards. Severus grabs his wand, shoves it into Hansel's chest, then shouts, "Avada Kedavra!" There is silence for a long moment, then Hansel slumps onto his side, never to move again. Severus grunts, pushes himself up and finally stands. It is then he notices he is still not alone. Against the backdrop of his burning home stands another, slighter figure. The figure of a woman. She looks familiar though the blood and dirt in his eyes prevents him from an immediate recollection.

Severus spits blood in a manner very much unlike himself and raises his wand, "You there, come to kill me as well?"

"Not exactly… Professor."

She approaches him slowly, her wand also drawn. It is then he realizes who she is: her hair is brown and curly, her eyes the color of honey. She is grown now though, ten years older in fact. He is mildly surprised how easy on the eyes she has become, and then notices the Magical Law Enforcement patch on her cloak.

With a sigh, he lowers his wand. She does not. Finally she stands before him, her gaze full of uncertainty. Severus looks at the burning carcass of his house and then back to her, "Miss Granger, I would invite you inside but it seems as though my home is on fire."

Hermione Granger sighs, finally lowering her wand and looking him up and down, "You're a bloody mess." her voice is just as he remembers.

Severus nods, "Indeed. Now, what in the hell are you doing here?"

She gestures towards the crumpled body of Hansel Burr, "I've been tracking that foul excuse for a wizard for the past several weeks. He's got a cell reserved for him in Azkaban. Seems like you took care of it for me, and did a bloody mess of it too." Hermione sighs, her face full of questions, " I finally caught up to him and tracked him here to your door. Although I didn't know that until I saw you crushing his face with your fist. Speaking of, professor, why are you alive?"

He raises an eyebrow and realizes it is far more painful than it should be, "You don't seem very surprised."

With a smile, she responds, "When you've seen what I have Sir, nothing surprises you anymore."

Something shifts in Severus's head, causing the world to lurch to the left, '"My head is dizzy, allow me a moment." Severus carefully sits on the lawn, and he realizes the grass has never felt so soft. When was the last time he ever enjoyed grass? The heat of his burning home combined with the biting wind creates a strange sensation, peace and restlessness. He suddenly becomes aware that Hermione is staring down at him, eyes full of conflict. Severus meets her gaze squarely, only a little concerned when his vision suddenly transforms into a dark tunnel. He feels her name on his tongue, but before it comes out he is no longer conscious.