This chapter contains exerpts from JK Rowling's original works - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter Twenty-seven - The Lightnin-Stuck Tower, page 541-556 (UK version) and Chapter Twent-eight - Flight of the Prince, page 557-569. All you recognise as hers, well... is hers and I in no way wish to claim otherwise.
What Severus experienced on that fateful night...
Chapter 13 - The Vow Fulfilled
Severus was feeling drained and was at a loss to explain the woman's behaviour. He was sure he had made it clear how dangerous and unpredictable the situation was, and had also thought he had stressed the need for her to stay within the walls of the safe-house. Upon reflection he decided he must not have explained it properly to her. But even still, Phoebe appeared to be very intelligent and had even proven herself to be extremely insightful, so why she gone and done something so thoughtless and damaging, Severus could not understand.
Severus took a seat in his armchair, thinking about the woman and the events of the previous few days. Perhaps it was the shortcomings of her being a Muggle, not realising the extent of the threat that was currently gripping the Wizarding world. Perhaps it was this that had prevented Phoebe from seeing what a huge risk she was taking by going into Hogsmeade.
Severus had just sent the house-elf back to Cauldron Lane with the selection of books for Phoebe. 'This would keep her occupied,' he thought, she would be less inclined to wander from the safety of the cottage if she had something to do. He had to keep her safe, it was important he knew that he could concentrate on his other duties without needing to worry about Phoebe.
But worry he did, not simply only for her protection but for the woman herself, she was important to him for some reason even his mind could not put into words and he felt obliged to ensure she was… content - this was the other reason he had carefully chosen a selection of books which would give her a greater understanding of the world in which she was now existing… his world.
'Well,' he decided, 'the message about the danger she was in seemed to have sunk in now.' Phoebe must have been terrified, as he had felt her shake in his arms for a good ten minutes, many hours after the events in Hogsmeade had taken place.
His conscience squirmed a little at this thought, perhaps she was shaking as a result of his show of anger this evening and the consequences it had produced. He had not meant to hurt Phoebe, but did that excuse him? His temper could even have endangered his unborn child and he was thankful that both Phoebe and the baby appeared to be fine.
Severus had always been extremely successful at controlling his emotions, however he had never seemed to have so much invested in them before becoming involved with Phoebe. This game was changing and Severus needed to adapt to the shift in the rules.
Tomorrow, Severus would face Draco and learn if the boy shared any of his mother's suspicions. Just how much had Narcissa discussed with him about Phoebe and her connection to Severus? He would also need to inform Dumbledore of Phoebe's escapades and further complication regarding Narcissa and Draco first thing in the morning, as the Headmaster was not available this evening.
The man ran his hands over his face: he felt weary. His added burden was encroaching on his already limited time. Although, as nothing would be resolved tonight due to the Headmaster's absence, Severus went to his office to complete the grading of Second year essays, the topic; Werewolves. Over two hours later, after completing the marking, the man momentarily rested his head on his desk top. He would close his eyes for just a second. He felt exhausted; all the extra pressure, all the extra worry…
Severus was woken from his slumber with a start. Someone was pounding on the door of his office, calling desperately for him. Immediately he was wide awake, leaping to his feet as the knocker burst through the door.
"Filius… what is it?" he said to the tiny Charms Professor.
"Severus… there are… Death… Eaters!" said Professor Flitwick, clearly out of breath, "Upstairs… near the… Astronomy tower, we… need your… help!"
Severus froze. 'Already?! It was happening already!? But the Headmaster is not even here!'
"Of course," he said to tiny Professor Flitwick, leading the way to the door. Suddenly he thought, Filius cannot be allowed to follow, he would only get in the way. He withdrew his wand and turned on the Charms Professor, stunning him with a spell. 'At least this way he will be safe,' he thought.
Exiting his office door, he discovered two students; Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood. 'Potter's friends? What in Merlin's name were they doing here at this time of night? Of course, keeping an eye on him. Potter must have told them to observe his every move whilst Dumbledore were absent, but… how could Potter know Dumbledore was absent?' It was a puzzle Severus simply did not have time to answer.
Thinking quickly, Severus told the two girls to check on Professor Flitwick, "He seems to have collapsed… stay with him," he said, as he ran from the dungeons. 'Two more out of harms way,' he thought, with a small amount of satisfied relief. He continued running down the corridor, making his way up to the Astronomy tower, trusting he was not too late.
As he approached the corridor, off which led the stairs that ascended to the highest tower, Severus heard the commotion of the battle ahead. He gripped tight to his wand and rounding the corner he saw a number of the Order of the Phoenix members, and even students, engaged in battle with a few Death Eaters. There were a number of casualties lying motionless on the ground, but Severus could not concern himself with them - he had a job to do. He recognised the stairs was blocked by a curse, a curse he knew only those with the Dark Mark burned onto their forearm could pass through. Immediately he sprinted up the stairs, passing through as though the curse were not there. The mark on his own arm seared painfully, however he did not flinch and for once in his life he felt thankful for his decision many years ago to be inducted into the Dark Lord's ranks.
Emerging through the door at the top of the stairs and onto the tower ramparts, Severus took in the scene… an obviously weakened Dumbledore cornered, wandless, with four Death Eaters including the blood soaked, untransformed werewolf by the name of Greyback, surrounding him. And Draco Malfoy standing at the forefront, holding his wand on the Headmaster, preparing, Severus knew, to murder the old wizard. 'How had Draco managed it? It was an almost foregone conclusion that the boy would fail in the task set for him by the Dark Lord, yet here he was.' Perhaps Severus had underestimated the blond teenager.
"We've got a problem, Snape," one of the Death Eaters announced to him, "the boy doesn't seem able…"
Relief spread through Severus, he could fulfil his duty without challenge, wondering briefly whether he could even diffuse the situation.
Then Severus heard the Headmaster's voice, "Severus…" he spoke softly. The dark man's eyes darted to the old man struggling to remain upright. Dumbledore was pleading to Severus, pleading for him to follow through with the difficult request of many months ago, knowing that if he did not complete Draco's task and protect the boy, Severus would… die.
Severus walked forwards, roughly pushing Draco aside. The other Death Eaters fell back as he silently took command.
Mustering his hate of what he was being forced to do, he stared into the face of the old man.
"Severus… please…" Dumbledore spoke again, staring back at Severus, begging for his compliance. Severus delved into the old man's mind, something he would never have attempted under any other circumstance, and there on the surface he found the memories that sealed his fate. Drinking a green poison - determination, the knowledge of Death - calm acceptance. Arguing with Severus, insisting there is no other way. And the treasured words of loving encouragement long ago spoken - Be strong, Severus, be brave… for me… for all!'
'Do it now,' Severus demanded of himself, and he raised his wand, pointing it straight at the only man who had ever fully trusted him… cared about him, and the hatred boiled over as he spat the lethal words.
"Avada Kedavra!"
He watched as the green jet of light left his wand, striking the Headmaster in the chest, blasting him into the air, causing him to fall backwards over the battlements and out of sight.
"Out of here, quickly," Severus said to the remaining Death Eaters, grabbing Draco by the scruff of his neck and forcing him through the door to the staircase. He had to get the Death Eaters out of the school as quickly as possible, preventing them from inflicting even more damage than they already had. As he made his way down the stairs, pushing Draco ahead of him, he remembered the blood covering the werewolf. His job done, he now allowed his mind to wonder with horror just who exactly had been his victim.
"It's over," he shouted to the Death Eaters remaining in the downstairs battle, "it's time to go!" He had to remove the danger from the school and prevent any more harm befalling the remaining students and staff - it was the least he could offer the Headmaster now. Severus sprinted with Draco to the end of the corridor and rounded the corner.
"To the grounds, Draco, we will Disapparate at the school boundary!"
"We could go through the cabinet…" Draco began to explain, slowing down.
"We do not have time to argue, Draco!" Severus spat, interrupting the boy. "Run!"
The teenager and Severus made their way as fast as possible down to the Entrance Hall, passing a few students who had left their beds to investigate the commotion. Severus ignored them all, urging Draco to pick up the pace upon entering the grounds.
A little under half way toward the school boundary, Severus noticed Hagrid emerge from his hut, passing a tethered Hippogriff and heading for the castle. 'Stay inside you fool!' he thought pointlessly to himself.
A minute later, Severus saw a jet of red light soar past him within inches of his head. He shouted out , "Run Draco!" and turned to face his attacker. Harry Potter was approximately twenty yards away and he was raising his wand for another attack. Potter never did trust Severus, the boy could only have assumed Severus was always on the Dark Side, but it had to be this way for now. The time would come when Severus would rectify this, but there was much to be done between now and then.
"Cruc…" the boy began to yell, but Severus blocked the curse, knocking the teenager backwards to the ground before he could complete it.
Potter rolled over, scrambling to his feet. "Cruc…" he yelled again.
Severus blocked the spell again, sneering at Potter's pitiful attempts. Who did he think he was dealing with? Severus had had many years experience with the most unsavoury members of the Dark Side - he was not about to be bettered by a teenager. It took a great deal of skill to even execute those particular curses the boy was attempting.
"No Unforgivable Curses from you, Potter!" he shouted. "You haven't got the nerve or the ability…"
"Incarc…" the boy attempted again with a different spell, but Severus deflected this one also, with exceptional ease.
"Fight back!, Fight back, you cowardly…" Potter screamed at him.
Severus had no intention of fighting back, he allowed himself to taunt the boy, but never wanted to harm him. He was too important in the overall plan. But the teenager was now accusing Severus of cowardice! This boy had no idea of what Severus risked losing, or of the courage it took for him to follow through on Dumbledore's plan. Potter had the arrogance of his father before him.
"Coward, did you call me, Potter?" Severus shouted, "Your father would never attack me unless it was four on one, what would you call him, I wonder?"
"Stupe…" Potter attempted another curse.
"Blocked again, and again, and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter!" sneered Severus, as he blocked the curse again. When was this boy going to learn what it will take to defeat the Dark Lord? Such elementary skills were what had kept Severus alive for so long, this boy had so much to master before he could even attempt to take on the Dark Lord, as Severus knew (having heard the prophecy now in full) he one day would.
Severus yelled at the Death Eater that was now attacking Hagrid, "Now come! It is time to be gone, before the Ministry turns up…"
"Impedi…" the boy shouted once more, but before he completed the spell, the Death Eater Severus had just yelled to aimed the Cruciatus curse at the teenager. Harry Potter was now writhing on the ground in complete agony.
"No!" Severus roared, "Have you forgotten our orders?" Severus quickly invented the excuse, "Potter belongs to the Dark Lord - we are to leave him! Go! Go!" He breathed a sigh of relief when the Death Eater did not question him, obeying the order he barked at him immediately.
"Sectum…"
Severus could not believe his ears, Potter was now trying to use his own inventions against him. He flicked his wand and the curse was repelled yet again, however rage was now welling within him.
"Levi…" Potter tried again.
"No, Potter!" screamed Severus, livid, all reason leaving him. Severus aimed a non-verbal curse at the boy, knocking him backwards, his wand thrown from his hand when he landed. Severus approached the teenager. He had just been trying to help the boy, yet Potter continued to attack him, insulting him by using the spells he had invented himself as a teenager, just as the boy's father had done many years before.
"You dare use my own spells against me, Potter? It was I who invented them - I, the Half-Blood Prince!" Severus admitted, knowing Harry had been using his old potions text, his secret childhood title written within. "And you'd turn my inventions on me, like your filthy father, would you? I don't think so… no!"
Severus hexed Harry's wand out of reach as the teenager dove for it.
"Kill me, then," said the boy, rage and contempt showing on his face, "Kill me like you killed him, you coward…"
"DON'T CALL ME COWARD!" screamed Severus, completely out of control, his own guilt contributing to his rage. Slashing at the air with his wand, he whipped Harry across the face with a curse, sending the boy crashing again to the ground.
Suddenly the Hippogriff which had been tethered at Hagrid's hut, flew at Severus, slashing at him with it's razor-sharp claws. Severus staggered backwards, involuntarily dropping his wand to clutch at his shoulder which was searing in pain where the beast had made contact. He turned and ran toward the school boundary as fast as he could, still holding his badly injured shoulder, hearing the Hippogriff right behind him screeching in earnest. As he passed the gates, he Disapparated with a swish of his cloak a mere instant before the creature would have caught up with him.
As Severus Apparated, he stumbled, collapsing onto one knee. The pain was almost unbearable, but he must remain focused, he was nearly there. The only place he could picture in his mind when he Disapparated had been seventy-seven Cauldron Lane… Phoebe's. It was his only true sanctuary now and in the raw emotional state he was in just now, it was the only place he would be safe.
Severus forced himself to stand, making his way to the door, knocking hard, then leaning heavily on the door frame. The house-elf did not answer the door immediately, so he knocked again. He noticed he was shivering a little and a sharp pain in his shoulder snatched his attention. He began to move away his hand that was supporting it, but found his fingers were sticky with his own blood. He groaned as the slight movement resulted in even more pain which made his head swim, so he reapplied the pressure to his wound sucking in deep breaths.
The house-elf had still not answered Severus' insistent knocks, so several more times he pounded on the wooden door becoming more and more desperate until he heard movement on the other side. 'Merlin, was the elf going to get it this time,' he thought brutally, desperation clouding his thoughts. Severus' legs were now feeling weak, his mind becoming hazy and his head was starting to feel faint, but he gripped hard to what clarity he retained until finally the door was opened… by Phoebe.
"Severus!" Phoebe exclaimed, noticing as the light fell on his face that the man did not look well at all. She opened the door wider for him, steadying him when he staggered inside.
Phoebe went to hug him but stopped when she noticed that his usually immaculate cloak and coat were shining oddly in the light.
"What is this… what happened?" she asked, reaching her hand out to touch the liquid that was staining the fabric. As she brought her hand back in front of her face, she saw that her fingers were covered in deep red blood. Looking again she lifted Severus's hand away from his shoulder, at which he cried out in pain and clutched at her arm fiercely, and Phoebe saw where the material had been torn in a number of places. Severus's face was now extremely pale and suddenly the man collapsed to his knees. Phoebe grabbed at him to try and break his fall, but this only resulted in her being dragged to the ground along with him.
"Severus… oh Christ… Severus, what happened?!" she asked fearfully, her hand cupping his cheek, trying to get him to look directly at her. But his face wore only an expression of frightful pain, and she knew he could not explain anything to her in his condition just now.
She had to do something to help him, and immediately Phoebe began to undo his coat to inspect his wounds. "Severus… oh my God, these cuts are so deep," she said in astonishment, as she had pulled the coat back far enough to see some of the damage.
"I need to get your clothes off, Severus," and Phoebe proceeded to remove Severus' cloak and coat completely. The man permitted her to do so, flinching and moaning gruffly as she moved his arm on his injured side to allow the coat to slip off. Phoebe noticed that the faint tattoo she had seen on Severus' forearm was now a dark black and astonishingly vivid against his pale skin. The skull intertwined with a snake was clearly visible through the remaining white shirt material and she wondered briefly what that meant, she had never seen a tattoo behave like that before.
Both garments Phoebe removed from the man were soaked in red, Severus had lost a lot of blood. Finally she ripped away his shirt, exposing the lacerations for her to examine properly. Blood was still flowing, but it seemed to be fairly slow now. Looking back at his exceptionally pale face, she wondered to herself whether that may be because he didn't have much left within him. After another good look at his wounds, she swallowed feeling utterly useless, he needed a surgeon to help him, not simply first aid - there really was nothing she could do for him.
"Severus... you are going to have to heal yourself," she said quietly to him, "these cuts are too deep, I don't think there is anything much I can do."
"I can't…" he whispered, his laboured, shallow breathing scaring Phoebe, "I-I dropped my… wand," he explained, his voice sounding strained. He was visibly shaking now, and every breath was accompanied by a soft whimper she instinctively knew he could not prevent. His injury was extremely serious and it was likely he could die if he did not get help soon…
"Oh… shit," she whispered to herself, a little overwhelmed, then suddenly pulling herself together she reached over and seized a cushion from the couch.
"Lie down, quick, before you fall down," she insisted, helping him to ease himself to the floor, placing the cushion beneath his head. "Erlin!" she called out, loudly. Maybe the house-elf could help… or get help at least! When he did not respond, she stood and went into the kitchen.
"He's not here..." she said aloud, completely at a loss of what to do next and she began to panic. She turned in circles swearing to herself, trying furiously to get her mind to settle on a course of action - Severus needed her, he was bleeding to death!
"I need Erlin," she decided, "Erlin!" she yelled out, hoping that wherever the house-elf was, he would hear her… but the elf did not materialise.
"Shit!" she swore, trotting back into the sitting room, "Severus… how the fuck do you summon him?" she spat in frustration, retuning to kneel at the man's side.
"With my wand…" he whispered, his voice now fainter than before.
Phoebe's blood ran cold. "NO!" she shouted, "no…" she repeated more softly, beginning to sob, not knowing what to do. She clutched his hand in hers and forcing his attention onto her in desperation, she pleaded, "Severus… please, I love you… tell me what to do."
A loud pop was heard from the kitchen and the house-elf appeared in the door way.
"Erlin, thank Christ!" Phoebe blurted, her tears flowing, "Severus is hurt.. you have to help him… please!"
The house-elf hurried to Phoebe's side, inspecting Severus' injuries, "I can heal the wounds, Mistress, do not worry. Please stand aside," Erlin requested, immediately performing the magic which began knitting the deep gashes together.
Phoebe gladly shuffled out of his way, moving to Severus' other side to reassuringly take his hand. When the last wound was closed, although the fresh scar was still visible, Phoebe breathed a little easier. At least Severus was not going to lose any more blood… but he was still extremely weak.
"I need… a blood restorative… draught," Severus muttered, "and Dittany."
"But... where am I supposed to get those from?" Phoebe asked, convinced Severus must be a little delusional.
"Erlin… can get them... from my private store cupboard… at Hogwarts," the man answered, his breathing laboured.
Phoebe was very concerned for the man lying on the floor. His breathing indicated he was in a precarious condition. She moved closer to him, rubbing her hand on his uninjured shoulder, "Erlin will have Professor Dumbledore get them," she assured him, but Severus became agitated.
"No! Get them… directly from my... store cupboard," he said, with some difficulty.
"Talk to... no-one, Erlin," he insisted, with what little effort he had left.
"Okay... okay, he will… shh!" Phoebe agreed, so that the man would calm. "Go, Erlin," Phoebe said, nodding toward the house-elf. She watched as the house-elf stood and disappeared with the customary pop.
Severus felt cool to Phoebe's touch, so she left the man's side to gather a few blankets, then spread them over him. He was resting with his eyes closed when she returned to kneel at his side once more, taking his hand in one of hers. Watching his chest carefully, Phoebe kept a good eye on the man's breathing pattern as she waited for the house-elf to return. Severus was so pale. Phoebe reached out her free hand to brush a few stray hairs from his face. Then, noticing she was still covered in his blood (though it had dried on her skin), feelings of shock and fear that this man was in fact mortal even though he was a wizard, hit her hard.
"Not again…" she whispered pleadingly, "I can't lose another…" taking a shuddering breath, fighting the tears that were threatening to fall.
She felt the man squeeze on her hand, "Severus? What is it?" Phoebe asked, concerned.
"I'll be fine… don't fret," he whispered, "I will live."
The tears spilled from Phoebe's eyes regardless of her fight against them. She hadn't meant for him to witness her fear and panic, she knew it was just an irrational reaction born of her past tragedy. She brought his hand to her cheek, "Shh, Severus," she said to him, "I'm just being stupid, rest… I know you will live."