A/N: see disclaimer in chapters 1-12. Special thanks to Tempesta for being my beloved muse and beta reader.

Amanita: So, the Monkees aren't your favorite, eh? Well, Severus agrees with you, but Antonia felt the need to give you the finger. ; )

Tessie: I loved your surprise for me… It was beautiful. J

Katie Weasley: Angelina's time will come, but not in this fic.

Kris: I think if I'd have made Antonia mary-sue-ish, she'd probably reach up and bitch slap me.

Gryffindor: You just gave me the most amaaaaazing praise! Thank you so very much! blushes

Roll of honor is at the end of the fic

And now, on with the show.

***********************************************************************************************

He woke up to hear a scream. It took him a moment to realize that it was himself. The Dark Mark on his arm was blacker than the night and it burned painfully. "Antonia," he whispered, shaking his wife. "Antonia, wake up."

She blinked sleepily and looked up at her husband. "What? It's the middle of the night… You can't possibly be waking me up for sex right now," she mumbled.

He gave her a half smile. "I wish… The Master is calling. I have to go."

"I love you," she whispered. She kissed him gently and watched him slip out of bed.

"Tell Dumbledore that I've left. And don't leave the castle without Black."

She looked at him quizzically. "Sirius Black?" Her voice displayed her incredulity.

"Yes, Sirius Black," he replied, spitting the name out like it tasted bad. "I don't like the bastard, but he can take care of you while I'm gone."

She rolled on her side and watched him mournfully. "I don't need to be taken care of. I need you.

"Hey," he called softly as he tied his typical black robe around him. "I love you. And if someone else is around to take care of you and watch over you, I don't have to worry about you while I'm gone."

The Death Eater picked up his broom and stuffed his wand in his pocket. "Miss me, okay?"

A beautiful smile spread across her face. It was a smile filled with love and affection for him. That was a smile that would see him through the night with the other Death Eaters. "You know I will," she promised.

He tossed the floo powder into the fireplace and walked into the green flames. Then, he was gone.

He was alone in the north tower. Like a thief in the night, he launched himself on his broom and set out to Hogsmeade. Severus spent most of that time repeating in his head Don't look down, don't look down… The man was terrified of heights. (Why do you think he only refereed one quidditch game?)

Fifteen minutes later, he made it to Hogsmeade. He hid his broomstick behind The Three Broomsticks and disapparated.

He found himself in his place in the master's circle, crouching at the Dark Lord's feet.

"Tonight, my children, is a very special night," the Dark Lord announced. "Tonight, we shall overtake the Dementors and bring home Amanita and Bertrand Lestrange. They chose to go to Azkaban, rather than to betray or denounce me. Such loyalty must be rewarded." His air of righteousness and grandiosity was infectious among his followers.

To face the Dementors… he thought. Gods, how he was terrified of them. What, he wondered, would he hear when they came upon him? How long would it take him to go mad? He braced himself against the involuntary shudder that racked his body.

"Come, my children!" Voldemort cried, rousing his Death Eaters to great spirit. "Let us rescue your brother and sister, and bring them the glory that their loyalty has earned!"

The Death Eaters cheered madly, excited by the prospect of bringing two of the most exalted members of their family back to their midst.

Snape, however, forced his cheer, though he'd rather do nothing than rush back to Hogwarts and disappear with his wife and children… er, her children, he hastily corrected.

The Dark Lord droned on and on, endlessly, about the wonders of being a Death Eater, and seeing the wizard world be restored to its position of superiority over the muggles, the mudbloods, the muggle lovers, and everyone else who disagreed with the Dark Lord's manifesto . Severus, however, was wondering what it would be like to have a child of his own with his wife. Not, he amended, that her sons aren't wonderful children… and even learning how to finally mix a damned potion, but still…

"Let us go, and free my faithful supporters," he encouraged. "We shall bring the Dementors back to our side, for our aims are theirs. We shall make the Dark Mark the most feared and respected spell in the history of wizardry!"

The Death Eaters rose to their feet and apparated to the island.

* * *

Antonia rolled out of bed. It was icy cold this morning, and Hogwarts was bathed in snow. Christmas break approached, bringing forth new and happy possibilities. She was excited. It would be her first Christmas at Hogwarts, and her first Christmas as Severus Snape's wife.

She wanted to go to Hogsmeade today, with the rest of the students. Actually, she'd rather go to Hogsmeade and apparate to London, so she could bring home some Christmas presents for Severus and the children. She knew that this would be the best Christmas that she'd had in a long time.

The fae, however, were not enjoying the cold. No, the little buggers were shivering in the air before the fire, which was improving the temperature and burning out some of the dampness in the dungeon where she dwelled.

"You guys are a bunch of pansies!" she laughed. She summoned her dressing gown over to her, and slipped in on beneath the covers. She found it rather difficult to find amusement in anything, since Severus was gone, but she would try to be happy.

She dressed herself in a heavy robe the color of emeralds and put on her warmest shoes over a pair of thick, woolen socks. As soon as Antonia dug out her cloak, she remembered her husband's admonitions. She was not to leave the castle without Sirius.

"Damn," she cursed. What the Hell did it matter if she went out alone? After all, the Death Eaters were a little busy, right?

"You win, Severus," she said aloud to the empty air.

Antonia trudged up the stairs to go have breakfast in the Great Hall with the rest of the staff.

* * *

Severus heard the screams of the inmates, mixed in with their wails and sobs. There was, he knew, not much left of some of them. He could feel the happiness seeping out of him, and a cold misery being left in its place as they approached that desolate castle on the peak of the island.

A Dementor glided over to them, its breath rattling in its chest. Voldemort spoke. "We have come to ask you to return to our side," he announced. The Dementors had no effect on him. Perhaps that was because the Dark Lord himself was every bit as cold as those Dementors.

The lone Dementor lowered its hood…

"I think you will reconsider," the master hissed at the lowering hood. "I can do better than drive you off with a pitiful little Patronus Charm. I can destroy you."

The skeletal fingers slowly pulled the hood back into its proper place.

"Very wise of you, my friend," Voldemort hissed.

He turned to the Death Eaters. "Go, my children. Release those that would support me. The ones that will not? Let the Dementors have their way with them."

They scattered throughout the forbidding castle that was only spoken of with fear.

Oh, how Severus hated it here. He hated the thick stone walls, besmeared with dried blood and covered with a growth of thick, hairy mold. He hated the dampness that seeped through the stone, nearly into the very marrow of his bones. But the most torturous aspect of all was the loss of hope. What was it that Dante had written in The Inferno? What was that sign above the entrance as Virgil escorted the Pilgrim into Hell? Ah, yes… "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."

Dante, he thought grimly, must have been a wizard. After all, how could anyone so accurately depict the agony of those losing their very minds, as well as their very souls, without having witnessed it in a place such as this?

A Dementor approached him from behind. He could feel the monstrosity, the error of the gods, before he could see it. He couldn't help but hear the screams of those that he'd killed in the past. Severus felt himself drop to his knees. The uneven stones cut painfully into his legs. He pressed his hands over his ears, trying to block out the unearthly sounds of those death screams.

He dug deeply within himself, desperately searching for a happy memory. Something, anything… Antonia's smile, he thought. "Expecto Patronum!" he cried, pointing his wand at the horrendous creature now before him.

Out of the tip of his wand came a whiff of smoke… That smoke was changing to a shape… Antonia, a smoky and hazy Antonia, but it was her, none the less… She glided through the air to the Dementor, and then the Dementor let out a final rattling sound… She glided closer to it, not just driving away the Dementor but she was…

She was destroying it. The Dementor shuddered once more, and dissolved into nothingness. The only thing that remained of the Dementor was its foul black robes and its bony hands.

"I love you, Antonia," he said to the Patronus as she turned to him.

She smiled at him, love and affection mixed in with the breathtaking beauty of her countenance. Then, she disappeared.

* * *

Sirius Black joined the staff at the table for breakfast on the weekends. He was always happy to see Antonia when she strolled in the room.

"Good morning," she murmured pleasantly to the other professors.

"Where's Severus?" Dumbledore asked.

"He didn't tell you?" She'd certainly thought that he would.

A look of understanding crossed the headmaster's face. "Ah, yes. I am aware of Severus's absence."

The teachers all chattered about this and that, not really noticing Sirius's protective stance over the blond witch beside him.

"Sirius, please," she hissed. "Must you hover so?"

"I'm not taking any chances," he responded grimly.

She sighed. "Do you want to go to London with me? I have some shopping to do for Severus and the boys for Christmas."

"Antonia, you shouldn't even leave the castle!" Sirius replied shortly. The woman, he thought, is barking mad. Death Eaters on the march, and she wants to go shopping…

"I know you're worried about the big, bad Death Eater brigade." Antonia made them sound as harmless as the Salvation Army asking donations. "But, really, darling, I'm sure they're busy doing more dastardly things than trying to accost a shopping woman."

"I wouldn't," he said shortly. "Not when that shopping woman is you."

"I'm going shopping," Antonia announced in a voice that left no room for argument. "All that remains is to determine whether or not you wish to accompany me on my little expedition."

It was Sirius's turn to sigh. "Yes, I'll go with you. But that doesn't mean that I have to like it."

* * *

Severus pulled himself up to his feet, reprimanding himself for being such a ninny. To collapse before a Dementor… Ugh. He hoped that none of the other Death Eaters would hear of this.

He dusted himself off and resolutely forced his feet to move. Further into the dank misery of the prison he went.

He drew a breath, careful not to breathe too deeply. He was used to unusual odors from his potions laboratory; in fact, he often savored them. But here, the smell of fear, urine, and unwashed bodies permeated the air. And, to his dismay, the farther back in the dark corridors he went, the heavier the stench became.

In the cells, he found them. Yes, they were filthy, and their hair had grown shaggy and matted with neglect. Yes, they reeked to high heaven, and their eyes had taken on a vacant quality… But it was them. He had found the Lestranges.

Did he let them out, so that those two lunatics could wreak havoc on the world once more? After all, fourteen years in Azkaban couldn't have helped their dispositions… Or, did he risk everything and just kill them on the spot?

He closed his eyes and thought of Antonia. If he killed them, then he would be no better than the rest of the Death Eaters. Not only that, but the Dark Lord would kill them both for his treachery. If he let them out? Well, he could count on Black and Dumbledore to keep her safe. And, surely, Antonia would obey his instructions to stay on the grounds… Wouldn't she?

* * *

Antonia and Sirius walked through Diagon Alley together, his arm protectively wrapped around her. Of course, there was little to no danger of anyone recognizing her, so heavily bundled in cloaks was she.

"Do you know what you want?" Sirius pushed.

"I was thinking about a broomstick for both of the boys… Maybe a Nimbus 2001. I can't get them both Firebolts for Christmas without going back to work for the ministry."

"Broomsticks for them both? Okay. Anything else?"

"New robes, of course. And we'll have to stop by Honeyduke's and bring home tons of chocolate frogs for them," she smiled.

"Another time," Sirius said nervously. "I don't want to be out too long. It's bad enough we're out here at all."

"My children will not be deprived of Christmas just because Lord Voldemort is on the loose."

Gods, he was amazed at her. A woman so tiny and delicate should be docile, right? "Then I can go to Honeyduke's for you, once you're back at the school. You don't have to come with me for that."

She sighed. Antonia knew that she would have to pick her battles wisely with this man, and candy from Honeyduke's was not worth it. "And I think I want to get Severus some new vials for the potions lab… And whatever else catches my fancy for him."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "The man is a viscous bastard, Antonia. I will never understand what you see in him…"

"I love him. And that's enough. You've never understood, Sirius. You've seen us together constantly since June, and here it is, six months later, and you still question it."

He shook his head. "I suppose I always will. I know that you could do better…" I would take you from him in a second, Antonia. You've always meant something to me… Perhaps it's because you're the only one that ever refused me…

"I can't do better than a man that loves me," she replied firmly. Her tone left no room for argument, and the subject was closed.

They walked into the apothecary and were greeted by the smell of something resembling rotten eggs. She hated that vile smell that permeated all apothecaries of the wizarding world. But the treasures that were there for her to choose from made it tolerable.

She pointed out the crystal vials. "Look at the craftsmanship in that… I've never seen such a work of beauty…" She had to have them for him. "And that platinum cauldron… He'll never use it, but it's so very beautiful," she sighed.

She paid the gold for those possessions and requested that they be shipped to Hogwarts. Of course, the apothecary agreed.

"There. We've done that. We've ordered the brooms. Are we ready to go back to Hogsmeade?" Black pressed.

"Not yet," she replied, eying Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.

Sirius groaned. "You're going to take me dress shopping?"

"Yes. Of course, you are welcome to head back without me at any time…"

"No. We'll go dress shopping."

She smiled triumphantly as he walked into the shop with her, his arm still around her. He looked around him, carefully checking to see if any Death Eater wives were in the shop.

Mercifully, the shop was empty of any other patrons, save themselves. Antonia was eyeballing a set of silk robes, a beautiful ice blue color. "What do you think of those?"

Sirius swallowed tightly. "Why don't you try them on?" he suggested, his voice a little hoarse.

She emerged from the dressing room, looking all the more like a heavenly creation. The robes were slightly off the shoulder, tightly fitting her arms down to her elbows, where the silk flared out to bells. The bodice of the gown hugged her full breasts and clung to her tiny waist, where the material then fell down to her feet in a delicate pool of silk.

"You…" He cleared his throat. "You look beautiful."

She smiled. "You think so?"

"Yeah…"

Antonia looked at the price tag on the robes and squeaked. "No way. I like them, but not that much."

"Why? I've seen your robes. You've bought some outrageously expensive ones, before."

"Yeah, and I was a ministry official, then, too. I made the money to have those robes."

Madam Malkin bustled over to Antonia and gasped. "Good heavens, those robes were made for you!"

"Yeah, well, they weren't made for my budget. Not today, thank you," she declined politely, slipping back into the dressing room.

When she emerged, Antonia saw Sirius and Madam Malkin speaking in hushed tones. "Um, if I may interrupt the two of you, I do need to get some robes for my husband and children…"

When they left, her robe orders for her children and for Severus had been placed and paid for. Sirius put his arm around her and gave her a package. "I really thought that you deserved this," he murmured, watching her open it.

Inside the small box were the ice silk robes.

* * *

He swallowed. His heart was pounding in his ears… He raised his wand. "Alohomora!"

He heard the lock on the cell release. The door slowly swung open with a heavy creeeaaaaakk!

And they were there. Before him stood two of the most terrifying Death Eaters to fall under the grace of the Dark Lord. They didn't look too scary then, though. No, one would be too overpowered by the ghastly odor that clung to them to find them frightening.

"The Dark Lord has returned," Severus announced.

A maniacal cackle emitted from the witch. "I knew that our years of loyalty to the master would pay off." She stumbled forth, out of the cell that she shared with her husband. He staggered out after her.

Amanita… She had been a lovely woman with coal-black hair before she'd come to this hell hole. She was the prize of all Death Eaters with her flashing blue eyes and her rapier wit. Now? All those curves had left. She no longer stood to a glorious height that rivaled his own. No, she now stood rather hunched over, thin as a rail. Her black curls had grayed while in the prison. Now, it tangled down her back, rather resembling Spanish moss. The witch's blue eyes were vacant. Amanita Lestrange was now just a malicious shell of her own self.

He took in Bertrand, who was by her side. He no longer had his friendly-looking potbelly, nor did he have his old handlebar mustache. No, he was now thin, with no sign of that happy belly having ever existed. A thin sliver of drool trickled down the disgusting beard that hung from Bertrand's face. His hair, once a honey color, was now the color of iron.

Bertrand Lestrange would no longer be fearsome to anyone.

"Come, darling," she coaxed in her raspy voice. She held out a gnarled hand to her husband, and he took it.

It had been done. He, Severus Snape, had accomplished it. The Lestranges were free once more.

So, how was that for an ending? Write up a review and let me know what you think.

Oh, yeah… I've been meaning to do this for about the last fourteen chapters, but I thought I'd finally get around to crediting all the people/groups that Tempesta and I filched names from.

My Antonia: Willa Cather; Descent to the Maelstrom: Edgar Allen Poe; Breaking the Girl: Red Hot Chili Peppers; Beauty and the Beast: take a guess; There's Something About Antonia: variation of the movie There's Something About Mary; In Lover's Eyes: William Shakespeare's sonnet 55; A Simple Kind of Life: No Doubt; The Art of War: an incredibly old text by Lao-Tzu; Godfather Death and the Angel of Light: inspired by Terry Pratchett's characterization of Death; The Pride and Prejudice: Jane Austen… I think that about does it.

And the reviewers… thanks so much! Amanita Lestrange, Tessie, Alicia Johnson w&m_law, PotterLovingAsh, Katie Weasley, rushumble, Lindsay Beth, Kris the Intrepid Geek Queen (I love that name), Gryffindor, and Whitebears