Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.

Original A/N: Thanks to MaeSilverpaws1, who is beta-ing this story.

Chapter One Hundred Sixty-Two

Lost

Severus Snape had arrived at the house with a feeling of dread. In the past, a summoning this late from the Dark Lord never meant anything good and he knew that the news wouldn't be good now either. The house was filled with people, the Death Eaters that the Dark Lord had gathered this year, either by freeing them from Azkaban or just by appealing to people that would follow him. The numbers had grown practically every day and Severus knew how easy it was to fall into the trap of going over to the Dark Lord and be lured by his words.

Severus focused his mind as he entered the room, knowing that any slip in his control could be detrimental to him. He took his seat at the middle of the table feeling uncomfortable as the other Death Eaters watched him walk into the room and sit down.

"I'm glad you are able to join us," Voldemort said and Severus flinched again. The tone was chilling and he knew that the Dark Lord was not please with him.

"I came as quickly as I was able," Severus said, hoping it was just the fact that he was the last one to show up that had displeased the other man.

"I was just telling the others our plan of attack tomorrow," Voldemort went on to say, his cold red eyes boring into Severus. "But I think they have heard everything that they need to know," he added after a pause and Severus heart started to hammer in his chest. Again he was hoping that he was just very late, but his instincts were telling him that this wasn't the case. The other Death Eaters got up, some looking at him with impassive expressions, others not looking at him at all as if afraid to do so. Bellatrix Lestrange smirked at him.

"What do you wish me to do?" He asked swallowing down his fear; his only chance was to remain composed.

"Lately I've had a feeling," Voldemort said, ignoring his question. "Things have not gone as smoothing as they should. Order members showing up in places that they had no business to be. Take Diagon Alley for instance. I've notices a considerable increase in the frequency Order members have come and gone there. Something of which had not happened until I talked about a planned attack there."

"My Lord …" Severus had tried to say something but he found that he couldn't find the words.

"For the last month I've been worried that one of my Death Eaters might be a spy," Voldemort went on to say and Severus knew it was over. As useless as he knew it was he tried to get up, preparing to fight, but he couldn't move. He was frozen in place by some magic that he hadn't detected. "I wasn't sure who it was at first. What servant of mine would be foolish enough to betray me? I asked myself. You being so close to my greatest enemy were on the short list of my suspects, but I hadn't known for sure until now that it was you. You were the only one that I told about my plans for Diagon Alley.

"I do have to admit that you are very accomplished at Occlumency, even now you are keeping most of your thoughts from me. But I can see the cracks and it will only take a little effort to break it all together," Voldemort said looking into his eyes. "I'll be glad to pull out the secrets you might hold. I have several questions that need to be answered particularly about why someone would have gone into the Lestranges' Vault. Try as you might Severus, I can now see the fear in your eyes and you will tell me what I want to know."

Severus could feel the other man penetrating his mind, working his way through the half truths that he had built up to fool Voldemort in the past. This time, however, they did nothing to help him; the subtle lies were no longer of use so he conjured up the blunt shield to protect his thoughts.

"Why are you fighting so hard against me," Voldemort said. "You, above all else, should understand how pointless it is to try and stand against Lord Voldemort. I will get everything I want from you. Fighting will only make you suffer more."

Severus knew it was true. He knew that he would be tortured before he was killed in a brutal way. The more he fought, the worse it would be. And really, what did he have to fight for? It was all over, everything he knew would soon be in the hands of Voldemort.

"What do you know of the cup that I left in the Lestranges' vault?" Voldemort asked as he searched for himself for the answer in Severus's mind. Severus knew that Voldemort's anger was rising as the search became painful and his mind opened more and more. He still tried to block his thoughts, but it seemed to do little good. It didn't matter in this case though, because he didn't know what had been in the vault, Dumbledore hadn't told him …

"I see; it seems that Dumbledore did not place his trust in you." Voldemort said with a disguised looked. "All I see in your memories are the plans to break in without even knowing why. I had hoped that you would have my answer ready for me. But you're knowledge is considerably less than I was hoping for."

Severus had no idea what Voldemort was looking for, but he spent hours having Voldemort invade his mind extracting the pieces of whatever it was. Severus slumped uselessly against the wall, chains wrapping themselves around him making sure that he wouldn't be able to move. Voldemort didn't seem to care whether Severus was conscious or not, as he talked to himself.

"The diary had been destroyed by that brat, Lucius wasn't punished nearly enough for that," Voldemort said to himself. "I'll make sure to rectify that after the attack tomorrow. I knew the ring had been taken from where I had left it but it is now confirmed that Dumbledore destroyed it along with Snape and that Werewolf. The Werewolf must know the value of the ring; it would probably be prudent to capture him or Black. I owe Black for killing Nagini. I need to learn how many have been destroyed …"

"My Lord," Bellatrix Lestrange said walking into the room. "It's nearly time."

"I see," Voldemort said looking annoyed. "Should I just kill him now?"

"I don't think he's suffer enough, My Lord," Bellatrix answered, and Severus could hear in her voice the torture that she was envisioning doing to him and he almost hoped that Voldemort would just kill him.

"Yes, that is true," Voldemort said. "And I had not yet learned all that he knows. I supposed keeping him alive for now will suffice."

"Besides, we can tell him all about the kiddies that we killed," Bellatrix cooed and Severus raised his head. "Aw is Snapey awake. Don't you like what you are hearing? I can't believe that you actually bought that we were going to make a full scale attack at Diagon Alley. What statement would that make? But Hogsmeade, when all those kids are heading home. Think of the carnage! The devastation of everyone! It will be brilliant! And there's nothing you can do to save them."

And really there was nothing he could do at all.

O

Over the last year James Potter had felt like a burden to everyone. He often heard the others discussing about having to have someone here all the time to watch him. He knew valuable members of the Order were made to stay home and watch him because he wasn't capable of being left alone. He hated it, but at the same time even though he was clearly a burden he wanted to stay at Grimmauld Place. He didn't think he could stand the idea of ever going back to St. Mungo's.

Then a few months ago Lorie Green, one of the Healers that had watched him had started coming over and he felt a little better. He knew that he was no longer causing problems for the order members with needing a babysitter. However, he wasn't really sure how this had effected Lorie, as all she would tell him is not to worry about it. He had a feeling that she wasn't working at St. Mungo's anymore as she seemed to be there almost every day, and he knew he was the reason for that.

With Lorie there, he no longer felt like a burden to the Order, but he was able to notice that most people didn't seem to pay attention to him at all. They would talk about their missions or plans as if he wasn't even in the room and it just seemed to point out his ineptness. He felt like he was just part of the wall and not something that could actually talk and think for himself.

That was how he had learned about the attack on the Hogwarts's carriages in Hogsmeade. He hadn't been in the room; Remus would have talked to him if he had. He had been about to go upstairs when he had heard Remus and Tonks talking and he wouldn't have stopped but he heard the message from Dumbledore.

James sat down on the stairs, unable to breath. There was an attack. Harry was being attacked … Harry was vulnerable as all of the Order members or other adults had not been near the carriages when the attack happened. James had heard of his son's ability to protect himself, to get out of life threatening situation, but he felt sick all the same.

"James?" Lorie said some time later as she was coming down the stairs to find him rocking back and forth. She knelt in front of him to look in his eyes and asked, "James what's the matter? What happened?"

"A-attack," James was able to sputter out the word along with, "H-harry."

Lorie didn't need to hear more than that to understand to problem. She was able to get him to sit on the couch but he still felt as if he was being crushed by the panic that was filling him. It was hours before they would learn what happened, which was hours after the actual fight had ended. No one seemed to realize that he might have been worried and on the brink of insanity.

"James?" Emmeline said noticing him on the couch, the smile that had been on her face was fading as she looked at him. He got up and placed his hands on either side of her shoulders.

"Harry? Sirius? Remus?" James shouted out the names unable to ask the question properly.

"You knew of the attack," Emmeline's looked of confusion changed to horrified and added, "Everyone's okay. I'm so sorry James, we had no idea you knew about the attack or I would have come home sooner …"

"They're okay?" James said, the tension in his body relaxing a little.

"Yes, everyone is okay! Better than okay! It's over James! It's all over!" Emmeline said, her excitement returning with a vengeance.

"What are you talking about?" James asked not understanding. He looked at Lorie to see if she knew what Emmeline was talking about but she looked confused too.

"Voldemort! James, Voldemort's dead," Emmeline said earnestly.

"He's …" James felt numb upon hearing that news not really able to comprehend it. Could it possibly be over?

"How?" Lorie asked, and though James didn't have the time to think of the question, he was glad she had asked it.

Emmeline told them what Sirius had told her about the final moments of the battle. About how Harry had handed himself over because he had to die in order for Voldemort to be able to die. James nearly had a heart attack at that but Emmeline kept reassuring him that Harry was safe. That Harry had survived another Killing Curse. That somehow Lily had saved their son again.

Emmeline went on to tell them how Sirius had fought against Bellatrix Lestrange but might have been killed if it wasn't for Harry's friends. How Sirius was able to kill Bellatrix only to have to fight Voldemort, this time with the help of Remus. Then out of nowhere, Harry had disarmed Voldemort and Sirius and Remus were able to kill Voldemort.

"I came here because we're going to be staying at Hogwarts," Emmeline said after she was finished with the story. "Sirius wanted you there but after what he saw he couldn't let Harry leave his sight. He's been watching the crowd bombard Harry all day."

"You want me to leave here?" James asked, he had not stepped foot out of this house in months and now she wanted him to go to a big party.

"I think it should be fun," Lorie said. "You don't have to worry."

James smiled at her, she always seem to know just what to say to make him feel better. He turned back to Emmeline. "Was anyone else hurt … McGonagall or Kingsley or anyone?"

"McGonagall was injured when she helped Sirius make it through the Death Eaters but Madam Pomfrey said she will be okay. As you know I was on the platform with Kingsley and Moody and they're both okay, but Hestia was pretty badly injured. She went to St. Mungo's, but I think she's going to be okay. I have heard that some had died but I haven't heard who …"

"What aren't you telling me?" James asked as he could detect some nerves in her voice.

"It's Snape," Emmeline sighed. "He went to a Death Eater's meeting last night and he hasn't been seen since. We have no idea what happened to him, we have tried to look at the places where the Death Eaters might have met but we don't know where he is. Dumbledore said that Snape was unable to tell him where they meet, because it's under a charm. None of the Death Eaters we captured will tell us."

"I need to go," James said.

"Yes, we should go to Hogwarts …" Emmeline said.

"No, not there," James said. "I …" he couldn't say where he was going, or say anything about the place. He had been to one of these places … a place where he had been tortured and made incomplete.

"I'll go with you," Emmeline said, after seeing him struggle for a moment, but James shook his head.

"You can't," he said sadly, he knew that he wouldn't be able to go there with anyone else. You had to know of this place before you could get in. "I don't know if this is the place, but I have to try it."

"James," Emmeline said uncertainly.

"He was the one that saved me," James said. "Maybe I could finally do something useful."

"How are you going to get there?" Emmeline said.

"I'm going to need a wand," James said.

O

Severus mused about the number of people he had seen in this exact predicament that he found himself in. Chained to a wall and left to wonder what torture they would have to endure until they would finally be killed. He had to witness this time and time again, knowing that he could not save any of those people. Once you were in this place, there was no chance of escaping.

Even after knowing this, after hours of worrying and waiting for the next round of torture his minds started playing tricks on him. He started hoping that somehow the Dark Lord would not come back. That no one was going to return. He was sure that was just the Dark Lord's plan. He loved giving people hope that help was coming knowing full well that he was going to kill them. It was foolish of Severus to fall into that trap.

But his thoughts had been full of Harry dying … of failing Lily once again … of other students dying at the hands of the sadistic monster, Bellatrix. He thought that perhaps The Dark Lord would kill Draco Malfoy because of his anger with Lucius. He thought that Dumbledore or McGonagall or Flitwick or Sprouts or any other of his colleague would be killed trying to save what was most precious to them. And he was stuck here where he couldn't help.

So he was left with the choice of thinking about how utterly useless he had been in the end, or he could hope that somehow the impossible happened and the Dark Lord was defeated. Which meant that he would never be found.

That was when the light entered the room, so blinding that Severus eyes still burned even after he closed them. He could hear someone walking towards him … he tried not to shudder … tried to control himself, but he knew that he was failing at that.

"It's okay," a voice said. A voice that he had never in a million years expected to hear in this place.

Severus opened his eyes but he still had trouble seeing in the bright room when he had been left in darkness for most the day.

"Funny ah, that I would be the one to help you seeing as our roles were reverse last time," the man said as he worked on freeing Severus from his chains.

"How …?" Severus asked as the man's face came into focus and revealed none other than James Potter. "How are you here?"

"I was supposed to die here," James answered breezily.

"But," Severus started, feeling as if this was an illusion as this all seem too surreal to be true. However, when James didn't say anything more, didn't try to explain what happened but just help him leave the room, and then the house, he felt himself believing it was true. Hope was a deadly thing in this house of torture, but he was hoping right now as his old rival helped him escape. He was hoping that this was all over and he was going to be saved.