Athenakitty: Of course, I certainly hope so, gotta love the kitten, what makes you so sure it was Snape, dunno, and there is no way in the Nine Hells Snape would let him back with the Dursleys.
Sela: Gotta love H/Hr
Lilana-Suger: I love any and all things Native American. I love to use things like that. And was it bad last chapter? I was kind of half-asleep.
Lei Dumbledore: Here's more.
Charma1219: Thank you very much! And of course I'll read your fic. I'd love it no matter where it went. Well, let me revise that…as long as Severus and Harry maintain a father/son relationship, I'll love it.
Calm Serene: How did they do it? Hehe
Chaser: Updating soon!
Lee Lee Potter: had is the key word in that sentence.
Pineapplehead: Was that one imaginary?
Alecatq: I love happy endings…but it's not always easy.
Ms. Issus: How indeed?
Takari4ever7: Having a Native American heritage is useful sometimes…like with the animal wisdoms.
KC: One of the best? Thanks!
Tanny: Sleep more
Wolfie Jr: Sinister indeed…good guess! Puppy bad in potions classes, but wait!
Canimal: I used to hate them too, but I read Severitus', and now I can't get enough of them. I've seen a lot of fics where they either both accept it and become a happy family in a day and a half, or they both deny it, or one denies it, and it's a huge mess. I was going for something different, I'm glad you liked it. And coyotes are noble animals, in the Cherokee tradition anyway, as are mountain lions. Hmm…Hagrid is still on his mission. I don't think convincing giants after they'd been persecuted and exiled for years would be the easiest thing (not to mention he has to find them first), and no, we never find out who Valiant is, that's the point of the Underground. No one, not even each other, knows who they are. Once someone is initiated, all their memories are wiped. It's really quite interesting.
Tantz: Snape, though a spy, is still a pureblood and was raised much like Draco. Though he may not hate Muggles and Muggleborn, he would still be very closed off around them.
Moon Sphinx: Gotta love…sorry for being so sappy.
Lady Lightning: *smiles* thank you!
Stayblue: Thank you for reading, and of course I'm going to continue!
Ok, here it is: the moment you've all been waiting for. It was a great place to put this part of the story. Consequently, this means the story is on the home stretch, winding down to the ending. I'd like to take this time to thank those that have stuck with me through this thing. I'll name y'all in the final chapter, whenever that is.
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Harry let go of his father's hand and was about to run into his room when he realized they were nowhere near Hogwarts. He shot around to ask his father, but Snape was nowhere to be found. Instead, a short balding man stood there, evil grin plastered on his face.
"Wormtail!" Harry said, backing up. "But –"
"But nothing, boy! You thought you were so high and mighty. It was quite easy to pinpoint your location once you were away from all that protection. We merely waited for the right moment. Being an animagus myself, it was rather easy to tell your little Mudblood friend what to do, so as not to draw attention to myself. Master will be so pleased." As if on cue, Harry's scar exploded, sending searing pain through his head.
"Mr. Potter, so nice of you to grace us with your presence," the Dark Lord said, hissing in Harry's ear. "It was so nice of Dumbledore to allow Severus to use his special means of transportation." Harry scrunched his face in thought, then snapped his eyes wide. They had apparated from the dungeons!
"But that's not –"
"Possible? It is indeed, when you know where the pockets are. You see, Mr. Potter, there are certain places all over those grounds where it is indeed possible to Apparate out. How else would Severus be able to come to me so quickly when I call? The barriers won't let you back in, but of course, you didn't know that. Though none of that matters now." Harry's scar began to burn greater as Voldemort pressed his wand into the Dark Mark and Harry was carried out of sight. Wormtail cast a silencing charm on him, taking his wand from inside the pocket of his slacks.
Harry watched as Death Eaters winked in, bowing before their master's feet. Harry recognized his father immediately, the fear present in everyone else's posture as he strode through their mix to get to the Dark Lord. He bowed on his knees and kissed the man's robes.
"Master," he stood, backing up but remaining at the front of the pack. Harry struggled against the magical bonds that held him, but to no avail.
"My faithful servants," he hissed, "I now have solid proof of the betrayal against me." Severus paled behind his mask, "Severus, come forward." Shakily, he stepped forward amidst murmurs of the others. Severus hit his knees, knowing what was next.
"What is your bidding, Master?" A sharp kick to the ribs was his answer, and he inhaled sharply at the pain, but did not cry out. Another kick to his temple dislodged the white mask.
"You weak, pathetic fool! Did you think that I would not discover your treachery? Did you think you could hide in the midst of my faithful followers and continue your espionage?" When he didn't answer, Voldemort smiled, "You may be wondering this concrete evidence I have, no? Wormtail!" he snapped his fingers, and Wormtail emerged from the shadows, a bound and gagged Harry Potter trailing him, fighting for all he was worth. Snape's eyes locked with Harry's, and he apologized silently. A few of the other Death Eaters started forward at the sight of their hated enemy, but Voldemort stopped them with a hand.
"You see Severus, it was only a matter time before I discovered your little secret. Now, instead of torturing you, I will torture him. You will watch as your son writhes in pain and anguish, as he cries out for you to help him." Voldemort brandished his wand, and immediately, he and Harry were transported to a large room. Severus was chained to the wall, while Harry stood in the middle of a large cage. The Death Eaters entered, wands in hand, and Wormtail and Voldemort strode over to Harry.
"Here is your wand, Mr. Potter. Let's see how well you stand up against all my Death Eaters." Harry grasped his wand firmly, and when Voldemort turned around, he narrowed cold eyes on the Dark Lord.
"Aculeatus!" Green light shot out, and Wormtail leapt in front of the Dark Lord. The curse hit him full blast, sending him into pain filled convulsions and his screaming filled the room. Severus turned his eyes to Harry, expecting to find a frightened child, but Harry's emerald eyes were cold and hard. He tried calling out to the boy, but he couldn't be heard over the screaming. Wormtail finally fell unconscious, but remained on the ground, twitching. Voldemort turned with a malicious grin on his face.
"Well, well, Mr. Potter, that is something I did not expect from you. Might I commend you on a perfectly performed curse? And attacking your enemy while his back is turned…tsk tsk, how very Slytherin of you." He merely laughed and snapped his fingers, letting his Death Eaters take over.
"The rules are quite simple, Mr. Potter. You must survive. To make it more, hmm, fair, I'm only allowing five of my followers at a time in the cage. Oh and Severus, do enjoy yourself," he called out beyond the cage. Severus bowed his head, feeling something cool contact with his chest. The stones!
~Harry, can you hear me?~
~Yes~ his face betrayed nothing as he faced down several white masks.
~I'm going to help you, but you have to pay careful attention to the spells I tell you~
~Okay, I'm ready when you are~ Harry tightened his grip on his wand, steeling himself.
~Jump!~ Harry did, and a beam shot under him; they were trying to trip him. ~Use the Aculeatus on the one on your right!~ Harry whirled around, directing his wand fluidly.
"Aculeatus!" The green light flew, and Death Eaters dove. The three on the floor struggled to get up.
~Lentesco! Now, on the three on the ground!~
"Lentesco!" Goo shot from his wand, sticking the three to the ground firmly.
~Behind you!~ Harry whirled and ducked in time to avoid a flying tackle. The Death Eater rolled up and turned around, charging at Harry. ~Ferito!~
"Ferito!~ The ball shot forth, impacting the man square in the chest. He flew back into the cage, his body making a sickening thud as he hit the ground. And then there was one, Harry thought wryly.
~Don't count on it~ He whirled at his father's voice to find four more entering the cage through a small opening. He took a quick glance outside the cage. He spotted Snape chained to the wall, and about 20 more Death Eaters waiting their turn. The four rushed toward him, wands drawn, and he steeled himself.
~Circulorae! Gather them together!~ Harry cast the spell, and it was as if an invisible lasso tightened around them. It even drew in the spare, and all five were struggling to get free. ~Now, stupefy them~
"Stupefy!" The mass fell unconscious on the floor, and a dry chuckling was heard from the top of the room. Harry squinted into the light and saw Voldemort watching on from something that resembled the Top Box at the Quidditch World Cup. Harry shook his eyes clear of the light just as five more entered the cage.
~He's starting to send in the more experienced. He's weakening you for the fight against him~ The voice in his head sounded lost, almost hopeless, and his eyes became as cold as his father's had once been.
~I'm not giving up, so don't you give up. We'll get out of here~
~Always the hero, eh Potter?~ Harry allowed himself a small smirk, which, when coupled with his eyes, made him look almost as malicious as Voldemort. The Death Eaters became wary, and instead of attacking, began circling the boy.
"Get him!" Voldemort hissed, and two of them strode forward, waving their wands. Light shot forth, and Harry threw up the first thing that came to mind.
"Referio!" The light bounced back, nailing three of the five, and Harry watched in disgust as they began melting in front of his eyes. Their screams of agony entranced him as he stared, unable to tear his eyes away from the gruesome sight.
~Harry, focus! They're coming!~ Harry blinked, ripping his eyes away from the horror and turned them to his remaining attackers. ~Fulmenis, and stand back!~ Harry backed up a little till he felt the cage behind him. ~Get away from the metal!~ He took one small step forward and yelled the spell. A crack of thunder was heard before a lightning strike bolted from the ceiling, sparking the cage. The Death Eaters standing around the cage were blown back, all having been shocked into unconsciousness. Only then did Harry realize they had closed in and were all grasping the cage, cheering their peers on. The remaining two looked at each other before hearing their master scream in outrage. They decided to make him proud and charged Harry. Harry thought to an old text he had read in the library during the summer, and closed his eyes. Summoning all his energy, he brandished his wand.
"Ablegatio!" he screamed, and the two Death Eaters stopped dead in their tracks. A low rumbling was present beneath the cage, and Harry's eyes widened. Perhaps that was a little much, he thought to himself. He quickly cast a flying charm, but the entire cage began to sink.
~Harry! Listen to me. I'm going to tell you an incantation, but you have to repeat it exactly. When performed correctly, you will be able to walk through walls~ Harry nodded, indicating he was ready. He drowned out the screams of the sinking men, who were being swallowed up into the floor. Harry rose to the top of the cage and paid close attention to his father.
~Maceria Conficio~ Harry waited, but upon realizing that was all, he took a deep breath and repeated it. He floated to one of the sides of the cage, and was astonished when he reached out. His hand passed right through the bar, and he quickly sent his whole body through. He floated over to the ledge his father was on, and he set himself down.
"Finite Incantatum!" Harry felt his feet firmly set on the ground, and he moved to Snape's side, prepared to undo the shackling. As his hand touched the shackles, a voice cried out, and he was thrown back against the wall.
Both father and son watched in horror as the Dark Lord Voldemort strode toward them, wand in hand, eyes gleaming madly.
"Now, Mr. Potter, you suffer and die, while your pitiful
father watches." With a word, Harry's
form flew to the Dark Lord's feet.
Severus watched as the Dark Lord towered over his son. He'd faced a lot of horror in his life, but
he didn't know if he could watch as the life was tortured out of Harry.
He shut his eyes, hoping that maybe he could drown it all out before he, too,
died at the hands of the Dark Lord.
Voldemort smiled and waved his wand again, and Snape eyes flew open, his
head turned to the fight.
"Oh no, my dear Severus, you shall watch as I take from you the only life you have left." And with that, he turned to the Boy-Who-Lived, determined to strip him of the title once and for all.