Chapter Twenty Eight
Avada Kedavra
I scarcely saw Severus after that; he was very busy trying to run that school. He did visit as often as he could, and I always avoided answering his questions about the prophecy. It had taken so long to repair our relationship, and I truly feared what might happen if I told him my suspicions. So I changed the subject every time it came up.
My spirits sank into such a state of melancholy that Lucius insisted on visiting every day. I think he privately feared that Rabastan might have become violent towards me. A logical assumption to make, I suppose. I had grown up with a violent father, and had even considered marrying a violent boyfriend. I was touched by my cousin's obvious concern, but it did not help me to feel any better.
Little Angelica was just eleven weeks old when Severus contacted me. I had almost forgotten the two-way mirror I had given him, mere hours before Dumbledore had died.
"He's here, Alysia. The other staff have forced me out, fearing treachery. I do not think they can hold him off for very long, so I am going to stay and do everything I can. Please stay home tonight," he pleaded.
"I can't just sit here, not knowing," I muttered anxiously, as I tried to rock little Angelica to sleep. "But what am I going to do? I can't take you with me, and your father isn't home right now. Damn, he's probably there, too, and everyone else who might have been willing to watch you will be there; I'm sure of it." I sighed and paced the room, trying to decide what to do. Finally, I made up my mind and walked calmly to the fireplace, my baby still in my arms. I practically shouted my destination, before allowing the flames to engulf me.
"You!" a hysterical voice shrieked. I stepped nervously out into the room to see Andromeda Tonks pointing her wand at me. Her hand trembled violently, but she lowered her wand when she saw what I was carrying.
"Please, Andromeda, help me. I just need you to watch my daughter for a while. If something happens to me, I expect my husband or brother will collect her. I can't stand not knowing what's going on," I pleaded. Andromeda's expression softened and she gently took the child out of my arms.
"I love you, my little Angel," I whispered, choking back tears as I gently kissed my baby's forehead. I knew there was every chance I would never see her again, and my heart broke at the thought.
"Thank you," I barely even whispered to Andromeda, before turning into darkness.
Hogwarts School was a chaotic mess when I arrived. Everywhere I looked, I saw people duelling. There were bodies all over the place, simply lying where they had fallen. I jumped as a hand touched my shoulder.
"Good God, Lucius, you bloody scared me!" I exclaimed. Lucius frowned at me.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"Where is Severus?" I asked, choosing to answer his question with one of my own. Lucius pointed anxiously behind me. I spun around and saw that he was pointing at the Whomping Willow.
"The Dark Lord sent for him," he muttered grimly. I ran as close as I dared, hiding in shadows. An icy breath on my neck told me that Lucius had done the same.
"Why aren't you at home, Alysia? You could be killed!" he hissed.
"Don't you think I already know that?" I demanded harshly, not taking my eyes off the tree. I frowned when Voldemort eventually appeared from the opening. I expected Severus to follow soon after, but he did not. Biting my lip, I rose to my feet, only to have Lucius pull me down again.
"Are you crazy? What are you doing?" he whispered as Voldemort passed us.
"Something's wrong," I muttered. Pulling my wand out, I made a dash for the tree and raced through the passage as fast as I could, calling for Severus all the time.
"Severus, where are you?" I yelled as I reached the Shrieking Shack and began to climb the stairs. I looked fearfully into every room until I finally spotted a pool of blood seeping under one door. My eyes widened as I pushed it open and I almost screamed at the sight that awaited me there.
Severus lay still on the floor, blood flowing profusely from his neck. His black eyes stared blankly at the ceiling. I raced forward and knelt over him, dropping my wand in my shock.
"Severus? Severus, answer me!" I shouted, grabbing his shoulders. No response.
"Damn it, Severus, this isn't funny!" I scolded, my despair increasing rapidly. Still nothing.
"No! This can't be happening! Severus, please, snap out of it!" I begged. My throat was becoming constricted as cold, harsh reality began to set in.
"SEVERUS!" I screamed, for all the good it would do. I could not deny it any longer. My brother was dead. Voldemort had called him up here, only to kill him. That knowledge brought such a rage into my veins as I had never experienced. Voldemort had taken my friends, and now he had taken my own flesh and blood. At that moment, I didn't care anymore whether or not I survived. My only regret was that my daughter would never know me, but I knew Rabastan would raise her well. I couldn't bring myself to contemplate the possibility that he, too, might never make it home. He had to still be alive. I couldn't bear to think anything else.
And so, with nothing but cold hatred burning within my chest, I traced Voldemort's footsteps, following him deep into the Forbidden Forest. I held my wand tightly, listening for any sign of him, until I finally heard someone speak.
"No sign of him, my Lord," they said. I did not recognise the voice, but I knew perfectly well who they were talking to.
"YOU BASTARD!" I yelled, running forward, my wand aloft. "YOU KILLED HIM! I'LL KILL YOU!"
I didn't see Voldemort move his wand, but I didn't need to. I saw the green light speeding towards me. I saw the surprise in Voldemort's face melt into terror as he seemed to realise who his target had been. And the last thing I ever saw was the horror in Rabastan's eyes, before I crumpled to the ground and the world around me turned black.
My eyes were clamped shut. I could feel soft grass beneath me, which meant nothing at first, until I remembered that the area of the Forbidden Forest I had been in before was almost barren. I slowly opened my eyes and lifted my head, trying to take in my surroundings. The place seemed vaguely familiar, but I could not seem to recognise it. I was nowhere near Hogwarts; of that I was certain. I got to my feet and turned slowly, staring around me.
"It's rude to stare, you know," a familiar voice stated quietly. I spun around, startled, and saw, much to my amazement, that Severus was walking up to me, grinning from ear to ear.
"What the... how is this possible, Severus? You're dead," I pointed out. Severus shrugged.
"Yes, I am," he said simply, but did not explain further.
"But then, does this mean... am I dead too?" I asked hesitantly, even though I thought I knew the answer. Severus gave me an almost pitying look.
"I'm afraid so, Aly," he answered. I swallowed hard. I just didn't want to believe it. My thoughts were disturbed by a harsh cry. I turned and spotted something utterly repulsive on the ground, a few feet away from where we were standing. At first I thought it might be a baby, but it was horribly disfigured.
"What is that?" I demanded quietly, recoiling from it.
"You cannot guess?" Severus asked. I turned back and saw that he was looking curiously at me.
"Did you know what he did to me?" I mumbled. I thought I saw a fleeting shadow cross my brother's face, but it was gone so quickly that I couldn't be sure.
"I suspected," he replied grimly. "It was the only thing I could think of that might explain why he seemed so keen to keep you out of harm's way, and why he reacted the way he did whenever anything threatened you."
I risked another glance at the baby-like form. It was still whimpering piteously. Repulsed, I turned away.
"Alysia? Severus?" a voice behind me asked. I spun around and saw Mum standing there, looking slightly surprised.
"Mum!" I cried, running up to her and hugging her as tightly as I could. "I've missed you so much!"
"I missed you too, honey," she answered softly, returning the embrace. After what felt like many lifetimes, I pulled slowly away from her, and saw that her eyes were glistening happily.
"Let's go," she murmured, taking my hand.
