A/N: Thanks to my beta, Amortentia in my Veins fir the fantastic beta work.

Well, this is it... the confrontation with Voldemort...

Chapter 27

"I'm going with you," Hermione insisted.

"Maia, we've already talked about this over and over again. I must go alone."

"Why?"

It was Friday and Severus was about to advise Voldemort that his treasured Horcrux was in jeopardy. The potion had been given to Regulus already, and he had distributed it to their allies. The Order also had the potion as well. They were ready. They had already stationed themselves, Disillusioned, around the property and outside the gates. Several were in the house awaiting Voldemort's arrival.

"Severus, there's no reason you should go alone."

Severus' mouth formed a thin line before he spoke. "It will seem more credible if I go alone. I can advise that you are guarding the Horcrux while I report. Besides, he will punish me. I don't want you hurt, especially with the baby."

Hermione huffed but lost some of the tension in her shoulders. "I suppose that me watching over the Horcrux makes sense."

"And it may save me a Cruciatus or two of the many he will cast on me."

Hermione pulled him to her and hugged him around his neck tightly. "Please, Severus, be careful. Come back to me."

He nodded imperceptibly.

"Well, isn't this sweet!" Sirius Black crooned. "The happy couple saying their farewells."

Severus was about to snap at him, but Hermione beat him to it, extracting her wand and having it pointed at Sirius' jugular within an instant.

"Listen, Sirius, you will play along or go home. We need to be united for this," She pushed the wand further into his neck. "Do you understand?"

Sirius drew back a step and raised his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay. I was just joking," he said slyly.

She stepped in closer to Sirius and glared at him, her face as close to his as possible without their noses touching. "You're not funny, Black. Now control yourself."

She turned back to Severus, ignoring Sirius completely.

"You should go. I have the strengthening solution for when you return."

He nodded and Disapparated. Appearing at the Dark Lord's compound, he immediately advised that he had urgent information for his Lord. Within a few minutes, he was bowing before Voldemort.

"Rise, Severus. Why are you here?"

He rose but didn't make eye contact with his master. "My Lord, the Order has found out that I am hiding your locket. They will probably attack within the hour."

The Crucio came swiftly, and Severus found himself writhing on the floor. After a moment, the curse was lifted.

"Rise," Voldemort demanded.

Severus struggled to his feet.

"Look at me."

Severus' eyes met Voldemort's, and he felt him invading his mind. The story they had created came to the front of his mind for Voldemort's viewing. He saw Severus and Hermione in Diagon Alley, chatting quietly. They were searching for something to strengthen the wards around the hiding place in the library. They were standing in front of the furniture shop, discussing adding another wall of shelving in front of the original.

"It will ensure that the Dark Lord's object will not be found," Hermione said. "He will be pleased with us."

Severus nodded. "Yes, we should purchase it. We can shrink it and have it installed within the hour. We cannot risk someone finding out that he has hidden something in our home."

At that point, Severus sensed something near him. Without saying a word, he cast a Finite Incantatem behind him and Frank Longbottom appeared right behind them.

Frank's eyes grew wide, and he Disapparated before either Severus or Hermione could cast any more spells.

The Dark Lord withdrew from Severus' mind.

"You fool!" he screamed. "How stupid could you be discussing my locket in public!"

"My Lord!" Severus said deferentially. "We thought we were alone! Please, I know the Order will amass and be at my home soon. I came as quickly as I could!"

"Not quickly enough!" Voldemort said with a sneer. The Crucio hit Severus again and held. On and on it went, as Severus, who had fallen to the ground, writhed in agony. Finally, it let up, and Severus was left gasping for breath.

Voldemort stepped in front of him and bent low.

"Your haste is the only thing that has saved your life temporarily. If the Order gets my locket, both you and your wife will die… painfully. I must amass my army now. Go back to your house and help your wife get ready for battle!"

"Y… yes, m… my Lord," Severus chattered through his shaking body. Struggling to rise, he shakily got to his knees.

"Severus, now!" Voldemort cried, raising his wand once again.

Severus struggled to his feet and Apparated away quickly. He returned to the house and collapsed onto the floor. Hermione was waiting for him and rushed to his side. His tremors hadn't subsided in the least, and she worked to help him swallow the strengthening potion. He laid back, shaking a little less. His hands came up, and he held his head as he lay there.

"Severus," Hermione whispered as she stroked his chin. "What can I do?"

He shook his head slightly and groaned. Hermione looked at him worriedly. Making a decision quickly, she laid her hands over Severus' chest. She thought a silent spell and a blue light surrounded both of them. When it dissipated, Severus dropped his hands and took in a great breath of air. Hermione collapsed onto his chest, and his arms came up and surrounded her.

"Maia, what did you do?"

"I researched and found a spell to transfer some of my strength to you."

Severus' eyes grew wide. "The baby."

Hermione lifted her head. "is fine," she finished. "I made sure this spell wouldn't harm him."

Severus moved gently to a sitting position, cradling Hermione to him.

"Thank you, love. I don't think I've ever felt this strong so soon after being hit with a Cruciatus. I believe I am strong enough to join in the fight."

He helped her stand. "Can you fight, Maia?"

"I will be fine in a minute or so," she advised.

"Okay, but you'd better be right. By the way, the Dark Lord said he'd kill us if the Order gets his locket."

Hermione laughed. "He can try," she said valiantly.

Severus kissed her. "We should take our places."

Hermione nodded. They moved to the library.

"He'll be here soon," Severus said to no one in particular, as the room seemed empty, however, he knew there were Order members in each corner of the room, and two floating around somewhere within. Severus and Hermione took up their positions in front of the bookshelf with the fake Horcrux.

They knew that Voldemort would Apparate here by himself. He wouldn't want anyone else to know about his Horcrux. The other Death Eaters would appear on the outer grounds of the estate.

They didn't have long to wait. Voldemort appeared suddenly right in the library.

Both Hermione and Severus bowed low in deference to their Lord.

"Rise," he demanded. "Move out of the way," he said curtly as he neared the bookcase that held the locket. Quickly he moved the shelving and lowered the wards. He removed the locket and looked at it. His head snapped up at Severus and Hermione, and his wand was drawn on them.

"What is this deception?" he demanded.

Severus arched an eyebrow but said nothing.

The Dark Lord sneered at them. "This isn't my locket! What have you done with it?" he screamed, shaking the locket in Severus' and Hermione's faces.

Severus smirked at him then. "It has been destroyed," he revealed, "along with all the other Horcruxes you created."

Voldemort screamed in earnest then. "Nooo!" he cried, raising his wand to strike down Severus.

Hermione shot a stunner at him, as did everyone else disillusioned in the room. Voldemort flew across the room, slamming into the wall and fell to the floor, unconscious. The six Order members revealed themselves. Dumbledore, McGonagall, James and Lily Potter, and Frank and Alice Longbottom appeared almost simultaneously. They all gathered around Voldemort with Severus and Hermione. Dumbledore bent down and removed Voldemort's wand.

"Kill him!" Severus snapped at Dumbledore.

Albus held his hand up. "I think you should do it, Severus."

"Me?" Severus asked incredulously.

"Yes, you have sacrificed the most. You should be the one to end him."

"Wait," Hermione said.

Everyone looked at her. She took a deep breath.

"I've been researching."

Severus huffed. "Of course you have, Maia."

"I found a spell that will ensure that Voldemort can never come back again. You know… just in case there's something else that we haven't found. I'm sure we got everything, but…" She shook her head. "I just want to be sure, you know? We never want him emerging again."

"What spell is it, Maia?" Dumbledore asked.

"It's…" She hesitated. "It's not a pretty spell, Albus."

"Go on," Albus urged.

"Maia," Severus urged, as he rubbed her arm. "Please, just tell us."

"There's an ancient spell that not only kills the body, but also the soul. There is no going to the beyond. The person ceases to exist in any realm."

Everyone looked at each other. It was one thing to end a man's life, but to damn him so horribly that he would never exist in any form was something else.

"I know," Hermione said. "I know," she whispered again.

At that point, there was a great explosion from outside the house. Everyone looked to the window. The grounds had literally exploded where the Death Eaters were, throwing many of them to the ground, and some even across the lawn. The Order and the spies, all cheerfully glowing green, were fighting valiantly and were making quick work of defeating Voldemort's followers.

Regulus and Lucius took down two masked figures and immediately took down another two in quick succession. Sirius and Remus stood back to back, shooting spells at anyone who wasn't glowing. Hermione watched as a spell narrowly missed Remus. Peter Pettigrew threw his Death Eater mask aside, facing his friends, his wand pointed at them. The look on Remus' and Sirius' face was one of incredulity. If Pettigrew hadn't been struck from behind by Marlene McKinnon, he would have cut both of the men down. He slumped to the ground. Sirius sneered at him and sent binding ropes to surround his body.

The group in the house came back to the matter at hand, turning back to the unconscious man lying on the floor in front of them.

"We should do it," James said. The Longbottoms nodded as well.

Minerva piped in then. "But do we have the right to make that kind of decision about someone's life? It's too much!"

"Lily, what do you think?" Albus asked.

Lily's lips thinned. "Normally I would say this is the most heinous thing we could do. But, I think Maia has found a solution to keep us all safe."

Albus looked to Severus.

"What say you?" he asked.

Severus looked down at Voldemort. Rage filled his face, and he sneered at the man lying on the floor. Hermione took his hand and squeezed it. He looked to her, and then to Lily. His eyes were riveted to her as Hermione waited for him to decide what he wanted to say. Finally, he shuddered and turned to Dumbledore.

"I have seen what this man is capable of doing. I have seen his thirst for power, and what will happen if he is not stopped now. He must be killed, obviously." He sighed. "I think that it would be better if we used this spell. We need to ensure this madman will never return."

Albus stroked his beard and looked at Voldemort. "I think if we decide to do this, we need to be unanimous. Minerva, would you rather we didn't do this?"

Minerva looked to the ground. She stooped down and looked at Voldemort. "It seems like such a waste," she murmured.

"He brought this on himself, Professor," Severus said vehemently. "He wouldn't think twice about sending you to the same fate if he knew about this spell."

Minerva sighed and straightened back up. She looked to Severus, then to Hermione and her gaze circled the group, her eyes finally settling on Dumbledore.

"Do it," she said quickly and averted her eyes.

"You're sure?" Albus asked her.

She sighed. "It's the only way to be certain he won't return."

Albus looked at Hermione. "Maia, can you perform the spell?"

She nodded. Albus looked to Severus then.

"Let's get this over with, then," he said.

Hermione turned to Severus. "You must perform the killing curse after I say the spell four times. The words are 'Animam perdere in aeternam.'"

Severus nodded quickly and pointed his wand at the Dark Lord. At that point, the man on the floor began to stir. His eyes opened, and he pushed himself up onto his hands.

Hermione began to almost sing the spell, waving her wand in an infinity pattern. "Animam perdere in aeternam. Animam perdere in aeternam."

Severus continued to train his wand on the Dark Lord as Voldemort's eyes grew wide. His hand reached out to Severus, shooting a wandless spell at him. Minerva flicked her wand quickly and shielded Severus from the spell. Voldemort cried out in fury as he crashed to the ground again. He began to writhe and scream in agony.

Hermione continued chanting the recitations of the spell while orange light streamed from her wand and into Voldemort's body. The screaming became almost unbearable as Hermione chanted louder and louder. Suddenly, the screaming and writhing stopped as Severus cried "Avada Kedavra!"

Voldemort's body stilled in death, then began to fold in on itself. It became smaller and smaller, continuously wrapping itself into a smaller and smaller ball. In an instant, it had disappeared.

Magic charged the air, and everyone looked frazzled. Severus lowered his wand and grimly looked to the space where the Dark Lord had been. He heaved a great sigh and looked up at the circle of Order members.

"It's done," Hermione said simply. "He's gone forever."

At that point, both Hermione and Severus gasped and grabbed their arms. A sharp burning pain hit them where the Dark Mark was. Severus pulled his sleeve back as he grimaced at the pain. Hermione lifted her sleeve too, and they both looked incredulously as their Dark Marks disappeared from sight within a few seconds. They looked at each other as they both gave a surprised yet relieved laugh.

"It's gone!" Severus cried as he ran his fingers over where the Mark had been. "We're finally free," he said a little softer.

Realizing where he was and who was surrounding him, Severus seemed to gather himself together. He drew his sleeve back down and holstered his wand. Without looking at anyone, he walked out of the library not saying another word.

Hermione stared after him before coming back to herself, eyeing the group, and rushing out of the room to follow him. She heard Dumbledore telling everyone else to head out onto the grounds and help however they could. People rushed past her as she caught up to Severus, who was now standing before the stairway, looking up at it. She reached out and placed her hand gently on his shoulder.

"Severus?"

He said nothing.

"Are you all right?" she asked.

When he finally spoke, his voice was low and gravelly, almost broken sounding. "I killed him," he said simply.

She squeezed his shoulder. "You were magnificent."

His head snapped around to look at her. "I killed him!" He frowned. "I killed a man. Not just any man, but the man who I had originally looked up to, who has enslaved me for several years."

"I'm so sorry, Severus. What can I do?" she asked.

He turned away from her as he began to gasp for breath. "I've done terrible things, but I have never taken a life." His hands clenched into fists. "I am mortified, yet exhilarated all at the same time. There was a power in the death curse that I hadn't expected. Almost a satisfaction in finally getting even with him."

He turned back to Hermione. His eyes pleaded with her. "Do you think I've destroyed my soul?" he asked in a whisper.

Her hand came up to cup his cheek. "Oh, no, Severus. No, no, of course not. You were protecting our world. Aurors sometimes have to kill. They don't lose their souls, my love. And Harry, he did just what you did in my time, as you know. Do you think he destroyed his soul? You saw my memories."

"No, of course not, but he never spoke the Unforgivable. The killing curse came from the Dark Lord's own mouth."

"It's really not any different. You were doing it in self-defense of everyone," she soothed.

"But I'm…"

"You're what, Severus?"

"I'm damaged, Maia. I've done terrible things."

"Nonsense," Hermione countered with a huff.

"Was your Potter ever swayed by the Dark Lord?"

"No, but…"

"He could see how evil he was. I couldn't! I'm so damaged I can't even see evil when it's staring me in the face. I'm not squeaky clean like your Potter. What's to say that I haven't irreparably damaged my soul by killing the Dark Lord?"

Hermione frowned at Severus. "You're being ridiculous," she admonished. "And that is a very unusual thing for you, Severus. You have to see that you're worrying about nothing."

"Maia, you don't know that. You have to admit, I'm damaged."

"I'll admit that you are a powerful wizard who made a mistake when you were young and impressionable." She stepped closer to him. "Severus, he's more subtle in this time, disguising his evil so it doesn't seem to be as vile as it truly is."

Severus frowned at her. "Don't!" he said as he lifted his finger to her. "Don't make excuses for me. I knew what I was getting into. You know how I was, Maia. You heard me spouting off about him."

"Yes, I did, and I've heard you spouting off against him as well! Severus, please. Your initial feelings over Voldemort and having killed him and possibly losing your soul are not interwoven with one another. All that matters is that you have done a heroic thing by finishing him. Look at everything and everyone you've saved! Because of you, Harry will have both of his parents. Frank and Alice Longbottom have their faculties about them. Marlene will live as well as the Prewett brothers. We don't even know what other good things will come of what you have done."

Severus looked into her eyes. His hand came up, and he caressed her cheek. He sighed heavily. "You're right, of course. I just…"

"I eternally banished his soul, Severus. Have I damaged my own?"

Severus searched her eyes. "Of course not. What you did was necessary. You could never damage your soul because of that."

"The same argument goes for you. Remember, Severus, killing someone, no matter how well-founded, my love, is never easy. You cast an unforgiveable. Your innocence is gone but not your soul. It's all about the intent, my love. Your intent was to protect, not to destroy. That's the key." She placed her hand on his chest. "Your soul is fine. It's still in here, completely intact." Hermione looked into his eyes. "It's okay for you to mourn having killed him."

He regarded her seriously, and Hermione could tell he was mulling over all she'd said. Finally, his mask that he always wore in public fell away and a look of devastation came over him. Severus pulled her to him, and his arms surrounded her. He buried his head in the crook of her neck. She could feel his tears and heard his sobs as he let everything erupt from him. She rubbed his back gently, offering him comfort as he released his emotions. She murmured nonsense to him as he continued to release his pain. She wasn't sure how they eventually wound up sitting on the stairs, but when he pulled away, there they were.

"I apologize," Severus said.

"No need," Hermione said simply.

Severus tried to wipe his face without calling attention to it. Hermione smiled inwardly at him. She reached out and grasped his arm.

"All right?" she asked.

Severus nodded. "We should join the others. For all we know, they've mucked everything up outside, and the Death Eaters have prevailed."

Hermione snorted. "I sincerely doubt that. We have the house and grounds on our side, don't forget, and when our Dark Marks disappeared it hurt quite a bit. I'm sure all of the Death Eaters were affected by that."

Her voice raised slightly, directing her next remarks to the mansion. "That was an amazing maneuver you did out on the lawn, using the exploding grounds to attack the Death Eaters," she said. "Thank you."

The lights blinked on and off twice. Hermione smiled. Severus stood and extended his hand for her.

"Let's go see if there's even anything to do."

They exited the home and gasped at what they saw. All the Death Eaters had been apprehended and were bound together in small groups. The Order and Death Eater spies stood over them, guarding them so that no one tried to escape. Aurors had arrived, the house had let them through the wards, and they were gathering up the Death Eaters one by one and Apparating away with them.

"Looks like we missed all the fun," Severus said with some sarcasm.

"Thank heavens it's over. It doesn't look like anyone was hurt beyond repair," Hermione countered.

They moved over to the side of the lawn, where several Order members were being treated for various injuries. Hermione rushed over to Professor McGonagall, who was having a large gash on her arm mended.

"Are you all right, professor?"

Minerva looked at Hermione. "I will be fine, Maia. Please, call me Minerva. You haven't been my student for almost a year."

Hermione smiled at her. She looked over to see Severus talking to Lucius, who also had some minor injuries. She went over to them. Regulus had just joined him as well. Severus embraced Regulus, patting him on the back.

"I'm glad neither of you were hurt badly."

"Thanks to your residence, Severus. It blocked our brethren at every turn. It kept the Death Eaters from being able to Apparate away after the Dark Lord died." Regulus answered heartily.

"I saw a pretty intense explosion earlier, but both of you are talented with a wand."

"Of course we are," replied Lucius. "We'd be dead otherwise."

Severus chuckled as Hermione shook her head.

"Always the braggart, Mr. Malfoy," she said with a smirk.

"I'm only speaking the truth," he shot back, also smirking.

"Lucius," Hermione said. "I'm glad you weren't hurt. I don't know how I'd survive without your jibes."

Hermione amazed herself by actually meaning it. She knew what Lucius Malfoy was capable of in her future. She also knew that his heart hadn't seemed to be in it for a couple of years before the end of the second war. This Lucius was less jaded but still dangerous. She frowned quickly as she admitted he'd always be a prejudiced bastard, but overall, he wasn't as bad as she thought he'd be. She had meant what she'd said.

She turned to Severus. "Come on, there are others here that could use our help."

He nodded to Lucius and Regulus, and they turned and moved to the next group of injured. They spent the next hour helping with injuries and seeing people slowly being hauled away by the Aurors. Some left on their own, as the battle was finally over. Severus and Hermione crashed against each other when, finally, the grounds were empty of people save Dumbledore.

"Well done, Severus and Maia. Without your help, we would not have been able to defeat Voldemort and his followers. Our world is indebted to you, Maia, for coming back in time so we could take action against this threat before everything got out of hand."

Hermione blushed. "It only made sense to take care of him now instead of waiting. It was so much harder in my future." She didn't say that it had been Dumbledore who had made their job all the harder by not telling them anything, but she knew it wouldn't change his attitude, so she kept quiet.

Dumbledore took her hand in his and covered it with his other. "In any case, Maia, thank you." He looked to Severus. "Thank you too, Severus. You have been invaluable to the cause as well. I must apologize for thinking ill of you while you were at Hogwarts. You have been valiant since you came to me asking to spy for us."

Severus' head bent low so he could hide behind his hair, but Hermione saw the small smile on his face. She reached out and squeezed his hand. He gave her a side glance and smirked at her.

"I shall take my leave of you. I'm sure there will be reports to file at the Ministry, so I will probably see you sometime in the future." He bowed his head to the two of them and Apparated away.

Hermione threw her arms around Severus once Dumbledore had disappeared.

"We did it," she cried.

"Yes, we did," he agreed.

He pulled back and cupped her cheek with his hand. His eyes met hers. Handling her as if she'd disappear if he let her out of his sight, his lips touched hers and she felt the relief in his tender kiss.

He slowly pulled away unwillingly and ruefully gave her a smile. "I'm exhausted."

"Me too," Hermione agreed. "I think we should take advantage of that massive tub in our bathroom and have a good long soak."

Severus smiled at her, holding out his hand. She took it and wrapped her fingers in his. They made their way back to the Manor's entrance.

"Look, Maia, the grounds are healing themselves already."

Hermione looked around and noted several holes had already been patched up. Some of the larger craters from explosions were filling themselves in slowly. She smiled.

"Good," she said as she watched everything renewing itself. "I'm glad the grounds will be restored quickly. I was worried that the mansion had overextended itself."

"Come, let's restore ourselves," Severus said as he tugged on her arm.

Hermione sighed with exhaustion and relief as she followed him into the Manor and up to the bath, which happened to be waiting for them, filled with scented bubbles. They looked at each other gratefully as they stripped off their clothes and climbed in, settling in each other's arms and relaxing in the inviting warmth of the water.