"Harry?" Snape's voice was plainly incredulous. "What are you doing here? The master said you'd turned on us." I sighed, considering how to answer him. After leaving Ginny and Remus, I'd apparated straight to Voldemort's stronghold. I'd been extremely lucky in not getting caught yet, but getting to Voldemort would be easier said than done, and to do it I'd need help. Which was where my old Potions teacher came in.
Severus Snape was one of Voldemort's most trusted servants, but I'd gotten the impression, several times, that his loyalties were not with the man he called master. I had berated myself for being three kinds of a fool for not telling Voldemort of my suspicions, but I was thankful now that I hadn't. Perhaps two years with the Dark Lord had not entirely erased my loyalty to the only life I'd ever known.
"I'm against Voldemort," I said shortly. "I need your help. I could just put the Imperius Curse on you and go about my business, but I'd prefer you to help me of your own free will. You with me or against me?"
"With you, naturally. But I still hate you, Potter."
"I know, I know. You wouldn't be Snape if you didn't hate me. It's kind of reassuring that some things never change."
"Yeah, well, this isn't exactly the time for a chat. What do you want?" I laughed softly.
"Well, who would have thought that one of Voldemort's most trusted servants would be so eager to help his worst enemy? Will wonders ever cease. But now to more serious business. I need you to get Voldemort out here, preferably unarmed."
"You'd attack an unarmed man? That's not the Harry Potter I knew."
"Two years with Voldemort would change anyone," I said darkly, and he winced.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. It's certainly changed Weasley." He suddenly seemed to realize what he'd just said, and his expression was almost fearful. Not that I blamed him. Those years as a Death Eater had changed me beyond what even I would have believed possible, and for all he knew, I could pull out my wand and curse him on the spot.
"I'll do what I can," he said, to cover the awkward silence. "But he doesn't usually go anywhere without his wand, so be ready."
"Wait," I said quickly. An idea had suddenly occurred to me, and if I was really, really lucky, it might not get me killed. "What if I was your 'prisoner'?" Snape frowned as he considered the idea.
"Might not be such a bad idea," he agreed. "But there's the little problem that if you're my 'prisoner', I'm gonna have to explain how I caught you."
"Relatively easy," I said casually. "Stun me, and then call Voldemort. Take my wand with you as proof, then, when you come back, just bring my wand with you."
"Man, you're good at this," he said admiringly. I grinned.
"What can I say? I'm gifted. But you better hurry. And for heaven's sakes, don't get Lucius Malfoy involved in this, if you can help it. He's probably not feeling very happy with me, since I gave him that punch on the jaw."
"You're the one that put that awful bruise on his jaw?" Severus laughed. "Oh, too bad I wasn't here when that happened. I would've loved watching."
"All right, it was a bit more fun than it should have been," I admitted, "but we ought to get this done. Hurry up, will you?"
"Just don't murder me for this one later, okay?" He didn't wait for my answer, but I heard a bit of regret in his voice as he said the spell. "Stupefy!" It was the last thing I remembered before darkness closed in on me . . . .
* * * *
"Ennervate," snarled a harsh voice, and I opened my eyes. I immediately wished I hadn't. Tom Riddle--better known as Lord Voldemort--was leaning over me, and his expression was anything but pleasant. I propped myself up on my elbows and surveyed him for a long moment without speaking. Voldemort finally broke the silence.
"So," he said, pacing back and forth in front of me. I still didn't make a move to get to my feet. "So," he repeated, looking so much like Uncle Vernon that I almost burst out laughing.
"So what?" I quipped.
"So what?" he growled, sounding utterly furious. "Here you are, Potter, in my castle, under my control, and you can ask 'so what'?"
"Yeah, that about covers it," I said coolly. I admit it was a stupid move to deliberately provoke him like that, but a kind of recklessness had come over me, and I no longer cared what he could do to me. It didn't matter. I'd made my choice, and since there was no going back, why not have fun in the meantime? The look on Voldemort's face was priceless, after all, and I knew that he was used to having people begging for mercy, not derisively sneering at him the way I was.
"On your feet," he ordered.
"Why? Don't you believe in kicking a man when he's down?" He glared at me, his eyes narrowed dangerously, and I got to my feet slowly.
"Well, apparently the mighty Voldemort does have some principles," I mused. "And there I was thinking you were entirely ruthless. Stupid me." He hit me. He was surprisingly strong, and I was entirely taken by surprise. I had expected him to curse me, but I had never expected him to be that openly furious. I had never expected . . . I didn't know what I had expected, but whatever it was, it hadn't been that.
"So, Potter, will you underestimate our master now?" sneered a voice from behind me. I whirled around to see Snape standing there. Despite his harsh words, I could see concern in his eyes, and I nodded slightly, to let him know that I was okay. At least for now. He was holding my wand, and I breathed a silent sigh of relief. Everything was going according to plan.
"Normally I would not do this so quickly. Or easily. But I admire your courage, Harry, so I'll do this now." I turned to face Voldemort. His wand was pointing at me, and I instantly understood what he was about to do. Snape knew as well; a slight expression of panic crossed his face. I snatched my wand from Snape's hand and said the two words that changed my life forever.
"Avada Kedavra!" There was a brillant flash of green light, and that was all I needed to see. I heard someone say a spell, and I fell into merciful blackness.
* * * *
"Harry!" I opened my eyes, then closed them again as a wave of dizziness washed over me. I tried to sort through all that had happened the last few days, but just thinking made my head hurt, so I stopped trying to figure out what had happened to me. I'd find out soon enough.
"Harry?" It was a question this time, and I recognized the voice as Lupin's.
"Moony?" I mumbled, trying to sit up.
"Oh, if you must," Sirius grumbled, and helped me sit up. I was hurting in places I didn't even know could hurt, but I desperately needed to know what had happened, and I told them that.
"Are you always this stubborn, Potter?" Severus Snape walked over to the bed, wearing his usual (and very annoying) smirk.
"Yes," I retorted.
"Well, did you have a death wish when you last encountered Voldemort?"
"Not in particular."
"Then you certainly came close," he observed. "Too close." There was a moment of silence, and I wondered how close to dying I'd really been. But in a way, I wasn't sure I wanted to know. Or at least needed to.
"You defeated Voldemort," Snape informed me. "Lucius Malfoy, the devious scum, hit you with a curse just after his master's defeat. Lupin and Sirius and Ginny showed up right after that with the rest of the resistance, and we managed to defeat them and keep you in one piece. You've been unconscious for two days. Ginny's been extremely worried. Lupin and I finally convinced her to get some sleep a few hours ago; she's still asleep. I daresay she'll be happy to see you when she wakes up, though."
"Yeah, she probably will be. So. . . Voldemort's really gone?"
"Yep. Feels weird, doesn't it?" Sirius sighed. "Voldemort's supporters are all in Azkaban, and maybe we can start rebuilding the world Voldemort wrecked."
"Maybe. Listen, guys, I'm gonna take a nap, okay?"
"Yes, of course, Harry," Remus said contritely. "We'll go, to let you have some peace." He dragged Snape and Sirus out the door, leaving me alone in the silent room.
So Voldemort was really gone. The idea was unbelievable to me. I had lived my life in fear of that monster, and I couldn't get used to the fact that I would never have to worry about him anymore. I didn't think I'd ever really let go of the fear that Voldemort had forever instilled in me, just like I couldn't let go of the pain that Ron had turned to the Darkness we'd fought for so long.
I, too, had surrendered to Voldemort, but I had returned to the Light Side, and managed to forever conquer the man who haunted my nightmares. But would destiny be denied? Or would I spend my entire life looking over my shoulder for the demons of my past? Could I rebuild my shattered life, or would my hatred for the Darkness that had almost conquered me drive me to the brink of insanity, as it had so many others? Could I forgive myself for not being there when my friends needed me the most?
So many questions, so few answers. But with my friends beside me, I could face whatever destiny held in store for me.
A life forever altered. A destiny forever changed.