Alrighty.

I know it's been a while (longer than I thought), but here it is. A kinda short chapter to keep you going a little longer.

I've sort of lost my spark a bit, so I hope this will suffice. I do have more written, but I want to make it a really long and good chapter before I post it.

Enjoy!

It was dark. Not just dark, but black. Everywhere he turned there seemed to be an endless nothingness. Using this moment alone, Severus emptied his mind of anything he didn't want the Dark Lord to see. He wasn't sure he had Apparated to the right spot and he wasn't too sure how long he should wait. After what felt like too long, people in masks slowly came into view.

He never showed his fellow Death Eaters any extra respect; nothing more than what was expected. Glancing around Severus counted a reasonably large number of monsters who chose to join him; even the Rat was present.

"Sssseveruss," The all too familiar voice ran shivers through everyone who heard it, "I'm ssso glad you could join uss."

Quickly regaining his footing, Severus stood tall and gave a short bow, "My Lord, I apologise for my lateness, I was…"

"Nevermind Sssseveruss, I'm ssure you were busssy with your new child." There were a few snickers that rippled through the crowd. "I hear ssshe'ss a handful."

Voldemort's pale skin made the greenish blue veins in his head look like tiny snakes; like a grotesque impersonation of Medusa. His thin black robes flew about him as if a magical wind blew around his feet. Knowing the narcissist that he was, there was probably a charm on them to do so.

"She is more trouble than she's worth." Severus bluntly lied while silently wondering what was going on.

Voldemort slowly walked around the man before him, all eyes on him. Severus could feel the cold chills in the room; was it a room or were they outside? He realised that he not only didn't know where he was, but also didn't know why he was here. Normally he would get there earlier than everyone else and Voldemort would get right into complaining about Potter and devising new plans.

Tonight was not like that. Tonight was all focused on him and not in a very good way. Keeping his face blank, Severus merely stood with his shoulders back in a small form of defiance. There was a feeling in his stomach that this could be his last night on Earth. It was something in the way he was being watched by everyone in the room. He was the centre of attention, like he was a lone sheep in a crowd of wolves in sheep's clothing. They were only pretending to be like him.

There was a sound off in the distance, but it was too muffled to make out; possibly a scream. He could see Pettigrew snivelling off to the side of the rest of the Death Eaters; clothes torn and dirty. He was glad that rat no longer lived with him; his smell was too off putting for words. Although his surroundings still confused him, Severus tried not to let it show as he scoped the area for an exit.

Lucius stood proudly next to his wife, no mask on his face. Although he held himself with grace and a slight 'above it all' attitude, the wrinkles in the corners of his eyes were visible even from Snape's viewpoint. The head of the Malfoy family acted as if it was a great honour to have the Dark Lord living at his house, but the rumours said different. Some of the house elves had commented on the Lady of the house crying late at night, coupled with words of encouragement from her husband.

Voldemort had struck fear into the hearts of many, even the people who chose to follow him in his endeavours were not immune. He was the personification of evil, not only in looks, but his lust for blood and power. But it was becoming clear that Bellatrix was not the only one who had lost her marbles. The Dark Lords mind was torn into pieces and the cracks were beginning to show.

Severus always felt nervous whenever he had to stand before the Dark wizard, but that was because he was aware of what that man was capable of; tonight he was scared. Although he was Voldemort's main source of information about Harry and his friends, Severus was never the centre of attention. Just like every other Death Eater, he knew he was expendable.

"Ssstill sssure sshe would be of no usse to me?" The robed man walked casually, "I could alwaysss ssee for my ssself, a few tesstsss perhapss?"

Severus knew all too well what kind of tests he was referring to and it made his stomach turn. Back he was trying everything to impress the Dark Lord, a very young and frightened Snape did some horrible things. In his seventh year he had taken the virginity of a classmate and then Obliviated her to show his willingness and capability. The way she had just smiled at him the next morning had been burnt into his mind.

When he was younger, the urge to prove himself had been what had drawn the Dark Lord to him; he was given task after task. He had killed animals and with time people and all in the name of the man before him. He could only imagine the "tests" Hermione would be given after Voldemort had seen what she could do.

The collar of his button up shirt suddenly felt very tight as a blonde haired boy stepped forward. He was young, tall and thin, but above all he was petrified. Draco Malfoy was shaking uncontrollably under the guiding hand of the Dark Lord. The pale boy winced as the bone like fingers squeezed his shoulders. Severus could feel it in his stomach, the bubbling sensation of being nervous and scared out of your mind. Your fight or flight sensor has already made its decision, but your feet aren't moving and you begin to panic.

All the thoughts he had been trying so hard to suppress were slowly pushing their way through his mental barrier. Flashes of the young Hermione Granger mucking around in her room and smiling up at him played behind his eyes. His hands tingled with anticipation, twitching with the want of a wand between his fingers. He couldn't know; they had been so careful.

Draco, behind his darting eyes and sweaty palms, looked sorry above all things. The boy had taken the mark about a month ago to please his father. He hadn't been there for the ritual and Snape still didn't know how he had gotten out of the castle. Suddenly the boy looked straight at him, Severus could feel it, there was a sword hanging over his head and it was about to be dropped.

"It'ssss sssuch a sshame that poor Draco was taken ill just recently," Voldemort's snake tongue causing his eerie lisp, "Had to ssskip hiss last meal at Hogwartsss sso his dear mother could retrieve him."

The sword fell.

All the puzzle pieces finally fit and suddenly a flash of red came towards him. He wished it was green, but he would never be so lucky. At least if it was green he wouldn't have to face anyone, he wouldn't need to see Hermione's face as she cried for him. His chest exploded with pain as his bones rattled in their joints. He fell to the ground but managed to catch himself as he tried valiantly to maintain some dignity.

"You thought you were sssmart, didn't you?" The monster began to circle its prey. "All these years of hiding your true identity and it all comess tumbling down because of her."

Laughter echoed around him, but Severus was too busy focusing on centring his magic and blocking out the pain. He would need to be quick if he wanted to make it out alive.

"A Mudblood as well, isn't she?" Voldemort was getting closer, but Severus kept his head down as if still recovering from the curse, "This sssong iss getting old don't you think?"

The mocking tone only made it harder to focus and he could feel his efforts slipping.

He needed to live. For the first time in his life Severus Snape felt the need to stay alive. He needed to see her one last time, even if he only lives long enough to tell her that he cares.

Another flash of colour sent him rolling across the floor; a puddle of black. His left arm was burnt and bleeding next to him, that was his Dark Mark being viciously removed. A third curse caused him to slide a bit further; the crowd moving out of the way as his body fought to stay awake. The laughter of the creatures surrounding him sounded like the ambient noises of a twisted jungle.

The pain that seemed the ripple through his body made him cry out, but his cry was cut short as another hex hit his face. His vision flashed and he was sure he was seeing stars. Trying to move his head proved to be difficult as it felt like it weighed a tonne. Several more curses and hexes hit him square on; all of which were designed to hurt. He would know, he had made most of them.

Severus tried to speak, but only blood pooled from his mouth.

"I'm ssso ssssorry," Voldemort cupped the space where his ear should be; "I couldn't quite hear you."

With more effort than he'd ever admit, Severus stood, clutching his arm and bent over in pain. He spat as much of his own blood onto the floor and then looked into the eyes of a mad man.

"You will never win," He stood a little taller, "Kill me if you must, but she will never let you see the light of another day if you do."

More flashes of the Hermione he once knew; head strong, smart and loyal. The Hermione he had been given the chance to know even better; cheeky, defiant and a tornado of destruction."

"Ssshe could never dream of…"

Severus let out a bark of laughter, "what? She could never dream of being a match for you?"

The Dark Lord suddenly lunged forward and grabbed the front of Snape's robes and holding him upright. His hand squeezing Snape's features.

"Sssshe iss nothing like me." He fumed.

Shaking himself free, "That's exactly the point." Severus smiled because at that moment he realised something; that Hermione will be the downfall of the man before him.

Voldemort released Severus as if he had been burnt, but his scowl soon turned into a twisted grin. As Snape tried to remain upright, the insane, shell of a man stepped forward.

"Sseveruss, I feel you may have changed my mind," A few quiet disagreements could be heard. "I have chosssen to let you live."

He turned his back and walked several paces away from the slowly dying man.

"Run. Run and hide so I can come and find you and your precious child," The Dark Lord turned back around to face Snape, "And the thingss I will do to her Ssseveruss, the way sshe'll sssscream your name and beg you to sssave her. I want you to live ssso that you can ssit there knowing that you can do nothing! I will be her every nightmare!"

Voldemort slinked a few steps forward and whispered, "I will claim her and I will make you watch as I tear her apart."

The rage that had built itself quickly soon bubbled over and Severus sent a curse flying. It was quick and unexpected, hitting its target square on. As Voldemort recoiled, holding his face as a deep red liquid trickled between his fingers while Severus Apparated away. He could hear the shouting, but it soon faded as he jumped all around Europe to avoid being followed.

By the time his feet landed at the edge of the same wooden gate that lead to the Burrow, he was on his last legs. Tumbling through the magical barrier he could feel his heart skipping beats as he forced himself to keep going. He had been away for hours and had crossed several time zones to make sure that no Deatheater followed him back here.

The sun had slowly started to rise and Severus took a moment to appreciate its beauty. He could make out the sounds of Molly Weasley starting breakfast coming from the open kitchen window. As he lent against the small stone wall that circled the area, Severus took a quick look at his arm. There was a lot of blood, but most of it had dried and it was painful to move the now stuck material of his shirt. Using the last of his dwindled power, Severus healed as much as possible before carefully walking back to the house. He could feel his organs failing as the internal damage started to show its self.

Never in his life had a path seemed so long, but he kept moving, fighting his own dying body to see her. If someone had told him at the start of the year that he would come to love and care for Hermione Granger he would have killed them in fear of catching their insanity. Now, it was his need to see her one last time that kept him going. There was a trail of blood that none too slowly dripped behind him. Reaching up, he placed his hand on the door knob.

As he opened the door he collapsed. A strong hand helped him back to his feet and he came face to face with his childhood foe. Remus managed to get him into a chair just as Molly came bustling in with food and a coffee. Severus knew he didn't look good, but his didn't expect the older woman to drop everything at the sight of him. The coffee cup smashing brought the people sleeping upstairs down to investigate. Upon seeing their Professor covered in blood, Harry ran to get a cloth and Ginny raced back upstairs to make sure Hermione didn't see him.

Severus could hear Hermione arguing with Ginny, but it was when she started crying did he find the strength to stand. He shot out of the chair, snatched the wet cloth from Harry and wiped his face as he stumbled up the winding staircase. He threw the now red cloth to the ground and he relied heavily on the banister to keep him upright. Remus begged him to stay seated, but he would have none of it. As he came to the landing he could see Hermione on the floor crying with Ginny trying to comfort her. He lent against the wall and slowly slid down until he was sitting next to the crying girl who was yet to notice him.

"What's all this noise for?" He asked, his voice box screaming at him to stay quiet.

"Sev'rus!" Hermione lunged forward and crashed into his broken body.

He refused to show her how much pain he was in, or the fact that his punctured lung was making it very hard to breathe. Instead, he held her tight and gently brushed her soft curls away from her face. He savoured the moment; locking it into his memories. Despite his best efforts, his eyes slowly closed as he listened to his own ragged breathing.

"Where did you go? Why did you leave me?" The young girls' questions would not be answered and instead fell on deaf ears.

"Sev'rus?" Hermione asked, "Why aren't you talking? Sev'rus?"

He could hear the words, but they seemed so far away and he mouth didn't want to move. His body slumped and the last thing he saw was Remus pulling his Hermione away as she screamed his name. The noise faded and everything went black.

Ok, ok, I know. Cliffhanger. But I needed to keep you coming back. There will be no promises made and no guarantees; what happens, happens.

Bring on the rage!

-Captain Zex