A/N: Hello all! I thought I would put one more chapter in this story, just to tie up the loose ends and such. Severus is in for a rude awakening. As always, I don't own the characters.
"M-my lord-"
"SILENCE, TRAITOR!"
Severus fell silent, acknowledging just how bad the situation really was. If the Dark Lord was possessing Potter, then every bit of information the boy had had access to was now compromised. Including, he realized with a jolt, the location of their headquarters. Looking at Voldemort, he drew his wand, preparing to at least put up a bbit of a fight.
"Oh, Severus. Have you forgotten already? This is my mind. I control-" he flicked his hand, causing Severus' wand to disappear, "-everything that happens here. Now, why don't you ask some of the questions on your mind? I'm sure there are many you would like answers to."
Cursing silently - though he had the feeling that the Dark Lord knew everything he was thinking, and that nod of the head confirmed it - Severus decided asking some questions couldn't hurt. "How long have you been possessing Potter for?"
"Oh, it's been more than fourteen years, now. It wasn't that difficult, really."
Fourteen years? But that would mean... "You started this possession when Potter was a child? How?"
"Yes indeed. And like I said, it wasn't that difficult. No child could have enough power to defeat Lord Voldemort, no matter what that Muggle loving old fool likes to believe. My original self created a Horcrux, using the very child that was destined to defeat him to anchor himself to life. I always did appreciate subtle irony. Of course, in his haste, he overlooked one part of the ritual, and so was torn from his body, but thanks to the Horcruxi that we created before, he survived."
Horcruxi? Severus had never heard of such things, but apparently they were some kind of safety net, keeping Voldemort alive. That wasn't good, he would need to inform Albus quickly.
"Inform the old coot? Ha! If you really think I'm going to just let you leave, Severus, then you are sadly mistaken."
Damn. There went that plan. "If you really are part of the Dark Lord, why didn't you give him the Philosopher's Stone in your first year? Or help him return in your second year?"
"Ah, the Stone. Sadly, that Stone was incomplete, and I had no way of knowing how to complete it, so it was useless to me. Both I and my original self agreed to keep my cover active. Second year was... a mistake. The basilisk was insane by that point, beyond all reason and logic. The diary Horcrux was able to control it, but only barely. With two of us in the same place, it's senses were overloaded, and it went berserk. I killed the basilisk, forced the blasted phoenix to heal me, but the fang that had broken off in my arm hit the diary when I threw it aside. Not my proudest moment, and my original self was not best pleased either. But, it earned the trust of Dumbledore, so all was not lost."
"Fourth year, then? You clearly are not the Dark Lord's enemy."
Voldemort laughed at the thought. "Me, my own enemy? An interesting thought, Severus, but no, you are correct. The ritual could not work using me. But I was not the only one there that night, was I?"
The pieces began to fall into place in Severus' head. "Diggory? You took him with you deliberately?"
"Well done, Severus. I almost regret that you will have to die. It's so difficult to get good, intelligent followers these days. Yes, I stunned the boy and brought him with me. What was one more cut on a body that was covered in injuries from the third task? The wound on my arm was made to make my story more believable to Dumbledore. I must admit, I honestly didn't think he would fall for it. But he did, and so here we are."
"What about Black? And Lupin?"
"What about them? I don't know them, and neither of them served me. They are a necessary evil for me to endure, nothing more."
Severus could feel a bead of sweat form on his brow. "And what now?"
The smirk on the Dark Lord's lips became dangerous. "Now, Severus? Well, let's start with our last meeting, shall we? And yes, all the Horcruxi are linked to their creator. In our last meeting, I told you that there would be an attack on a Muggle suburb in two days time, at three pm, do you remember?"
Severus nodded, remembering the fact that he had told Albus about the attack on the Dark Lord's own orders, to 'secure his position as spy'.
"Well, the attack is going to happen, but not quite as I told you. It will actually take place ten minutes after three, when the Order has arrived and is spread out to secure the area. At the same time, another group will attack 12 Grimmauld Place, yes, I can say it, Moody told me the secret, and by extension my original self. The Order will be wiped out, or near enough that it will take them some time to regroup. I have already told my spies to stay away tonight."
"And what about me? I doubt you're going to let me live, so how will you explain my death?"
"Oh, Severus. Your death was a tragic accident. You were getting too close to a particularly embarrasing childhood memory, and my magic flared up in order to protect me from the intruder. The last thing I remember was a bright, white light exploding outwards from my body, before I lost consciousness. When I came to, you were lying on the floor, not breathing. I may not like my Potions Professor, but I don't want him dead, so I ran to get a teacher as fast as I could."
Severus' eyes widened, his breath coming in quick, short pants of fear. "Albus will find out. He'll see right through all of this!"
Voldemort's eyes glowed crimson. "Severus, he hasn't seen through me for four, going on five years now. What makes you think this time will be any different?"
Severus Snape knew he was going to die. There was no hope of him surviving this, but if he could perhaps do some damage, maybe it would help Dumbledore find the truth. Rushing at the doppelganger of Potter - he supposed it was probably more likely to be a younger version of the Dark Lord - he raised his hands to strike the man.
Voldemort sighed, raising his hand, and Severus froze in place, unable to move. "This is the third time I have told you that you have no power in my mind, Severus. Perhaps you aren't as intelligent as I initially believed." Waving his hand casually, he turned and sat back in his throne, cat-like indolence written on every feature of his face. Severus felt an odd tingling sensation behind his eyes. The sensation grew and grew until he realized that blood was leaking from his eyes, ears and nose. Opening his mouth, he staggered backwards when blood started pouring out of it. The pain finally caught up with him, and he began screaming, a long, high scream that spoke of unequalled agony.
Sitting on the throne, the image of Harry Potter dissolved, transforming into a young Lord Voldemort. Red eyes gleamed cruelly as they watched the traitor suffer, and just as the man expired, their eyes met, the Dark Lord quirked his lips in an expression that was half smile, half smirk, and said two words.
"Goodbye, Severus."
A/N: And there you go, folks! Yes, Severus was a spy for Dumbledore in this one, Voldemort didn't make a mistake. Hope you all enjoy Halloween, and please remember to review!
