Disclaimer: I am not Matthew Stover or J.K. Rowling.

Sirius and Snape continue to fight on the overturned collection panel. It begins to get more dangerous, as they approach a lavafall.

Sirius drops from the cord and falls onto a floating platform in the lava.

Likewise, Snape drops down on top of a lava collection droid right in front of Sirius.

On London, Albus continues to crawl through the pipe. Finally, he drops down next to Granger, on his broom.

Albus. Into exile I must go. Failed I have.

Granger. Master Albus? Are you wounded?

Albus. Only my pride. [sighs] Only my pride.

On Fiendfyre, Snape advances on Sirius.

Sirius. I have failed you, James. I have failed you.

Snape. I should have known the Aurors were plotting to take over.

Sirius. James. Minister Riddle is evil.

Snape. In my point of view, the Aurors are evil.

Sirius. Well, then you are lost.

Sirius and Snape move through the lava river, still fighting.

Goodbye, old friend.

Snape. This is the end for you, Master. I wish it were otherwise.

Sirius. Yes, James. So do I.

Snape leaped onto Sirius' platform, and resume their duel.

The platform floats toward land, and Sirius jumps off.

It's over, James. I have the high ground.

Snape. You underestimate my power.

Sirius. Don't try it.

Snape leaps into the air. Sirius slashes with his lightwand. Snape loses his left hand, both legs, and his lightwand, which falls onto the blackened soil.

Snape looks up at his adversary.

Snape. Sirius . . . ?

Sirius. You were the Chosen One. It was said you would destroy the Death Eaters, not join them. Bring balance to the Magic, not leave it in darkness.

Sirius reaches down and takes the lightwand of the former James Potter.

Snape. I hate you!

Sirius. You were my brother, James. I loved you. I loved you, but I could not save you.

The Dark Lord's broom moves across the sky, alerting Sirius to Voldemort's impending arrival.

[aside] Albus failed. He might have died. He might have left me alone: the last Auror.

Severus Snape catches fire and screams with pure agony.

Sirius glances down.

It would be a mercy to kill him. I am not feeling very merciful. Besides . . . to climb down that black beach could cost me more time than I have. Another Death Eater approaches. [sighs and shakes his head] In the end, there is only one choice. It is a choice I made many years before, when I passed his trials of Auror Knighthood, and swore myself to the Aurors forever. In the end, I am still Sirius Black, and I am still an Auror. And I will not murder a helpless man. I will leave it to the will of the Magic.

Sirius turns and leaves Snape to die.

Sirius heads back to the Hangleton broomship. Percy and Hedwig step out of the ship.

Percy. General Black. We have Miss Lily on board. Please, please hurry. We should leave this dreadful place.

Sirius follows Percy and Hedwig onto the broomship. Sirius touches Lily's form.

Lily. Sirius. Is James all right?

Both Sirius and Lily mourn as Percy drives the broomship away from Fiendfyre.

Exit all.