14. Cursed, sacrificed, gone

A/N So, the end is near, I hope you have enjoyed the journey so far. ^_^ Thanks ever so much for reading, I had never dreamed someone would actually continue with me. LOL

The wound on his shoulder was not deep, but bleeding severely. The bite marks were throbbing, and he was certain it was the end. Ron closed his eyes and waited.

Dumbledore kept his eyes closed. Listening intently, he tried to make out what was being said outside his cell. The words were muffled, but he could recognize the voices.

This was most unexpected, he mused, as the voices moved closer. Oh, Cornelius, why did you not come to me? We could have come up with some solution.

Spinning, Hermione Disapparated.

"Impedimenta!"

"Sectumsempra!"

"Avada Kedavra!"

He was falling. Faster and faster he flew, air rushing past him. I must be dead, he mused. Not an entirely unwelcome thought. The light was bright, too bright, so he closed his eyes and inhaled slowly.

Dead people do not breathe.

Shite.

He cast the non-verbal spell just in time, stopping his fall and hovering a few inches above the ground.

"You cannot kill someone who's already dead. Did you not know this?"

"I assure you, dear Headmaster, that I am well aware of the limitations of spells."

"Oh, Tom, what a waste. What terrible, terrible waste. You could have been something extraordinary, someone great. Instead, you've become a ghost, an evil spirit, half a man, half a shadow, all terrified of dying."

"I am the Dark Lord, invincible, immortal, indestructible! Your pathetic attempts have been in vain; I am victorious, as we speak, your lapdogs are being taken captives, and the Potter boy will be brought to me shortly. You have lost. I do not know, nor care, why you are still alive, but it matters not."

"But it does matter. It is all that matters. As I have died, so will you. As I move along, you will be trapped in limbo."

Dumbledore raised his arms, opened his palms, and let the spell loose. From the tips of his fingers, pale figures emerged. They took form, growing, and moved towards Voldemort. A terrified scream was cut short as the victims reached their murderer. And then, the Dark Lord was no more.

Severus felt his Dark mark tingle. Looking at his left forearm, he saw the tattoo eat itself, the snake swallowing the skull, then itself. As white as snow, his skin was once again untouched.

Crying, Hermione knelt beside Ron.

Where the hell am I? Severus wondered. His surroundings were unfamiliar; no signs of humans - muggle or wizard - could be seen. The air was cool, the land hilly. No roads, no houses, nothing. Still somewhat upset from his fall and the disappearance of his mark, Severus decided against Apparating. It would not do to Splinch himself. And since he obviously had not Apparated where he was supposed to in the first place, he could not be certain where he would end up. There is something very odd going on, he thought to himself.

"Accio wand!"

Not a leaf was stirred.

"Bloody buggering staff of Merlin, I have lost my wand!"

The birds above the moor flew higher as the man below them used some choice and clever words. Quite loud words, indeed.

Albus Dumbledore watched silently as his nemesis was devoured to the last bit. "So ends the life of one Tom Riddle, who, in the end, was only a man."

The figures glowed. Their feast had given them a pinkish hue, and they looked very much alive.

"Now it is your time, Albus. We gave up our rest for you, now you give us our price." The shapes of people long dead surrounded the Headmaster. Dumbledore took the hand of one of them, and faded away.

Ronald Bilius Weasley woke up slowly. The first thing he noticed was the warmth; the next, his stomach rumbling. The latter made him stir, which in turn caused his wound to ache, and him to moan.

"Oh my baby, you are awake!" Molly exclaimed. Covered in his mother's kisses and tears, Ron decided it best to wait a little longer for food.

Limping, Severus reached his destination. The angry squirrel still followed, but kept his distance. "I do hope you don't have rabies", Severus said to the animal. The squirrel gave no answer.

Walking hadn't been half bad. Even the rain had been almost pleasant. But getting bitten by a rodent defending its nest – now that was another thing. The said rodent had no babies in the nest, and thus, had been following Severus for the past hours.

The small village had but few houses, but Snape was certain he'd be able to find one with a phone. Taking the remaining steps, he opened the door to the pub.

"G'day, can I get you anything? A pint?" The barmaid was all smiles and cleavage, and Severus hid his smirk as he sat at the counter. They don't have many visitors here, I'll wager, he mused, as he ordered a half pint and took a gulp. The lager was watery, but he was thirsty as well, so he just drank gratefully.

"Might I use the facilities? And would you possibly have a telephone I could use?"

As the girl pointed the right direction, Severus realized his error. He did not have any money with him, and without his wand, he was not certain of his abilities with spell work. Knowing he had no choice, Severus made his way towards the lavatory, passing the payphone on his way. A moment later he exited the toilet, walked to the phone, and tried to cast a non-verbal spell. The receiver glowed, rattled, and was still once more. Lifting the receiver, Snape pushed the correct combination, and waited. As he heard the line open, he spoke softly: "It's me. Can you find out where I am, and how to get away from here?"

Harry, Ginny and Hermione were sitting at Ron's bedside. Ron was propped up and eating heartily, while Hermione recounted her version of the rescue mission. Tonks had sustained a small cut and was currently arguing with Molly; the metamorphomagus was not in favour of visiting St. Mungos.

"So that's when I arrived, saw you, and ran to you immediately. You were just lying there; I was so scared we were too late."

"How'd you find me?" Ron wanted to know. Taking a sip from his goblet, he looked at Hermione expectantly.

"George and Fred found you", Harry answered. "They took their brooms and used some new invention of theirs, and spied on the pack."

"And there I was, wondering if you'd forgotten me. You took your time, you did", Ron grinned, already looking much better.

"Ron, we came as soon as we could", Hermione protested. "We needed a plan, and with all the other stuff going on, it was a miracle we managed to come up with one that worked so well and got as many people to participate."

"Take it easy, 'Mione, I'm just joking. All's well that ends well, right? I'm here, alive, and stuffed – what more could I ask?"

The looks the other three exchanged made Ron's smile vanish.

"All is well, right? Harry? Gin? Herms?"