So tell me... How many of you guys were expecting this? Review, please? I intentionally leave it open at the end... I'm not going to post the next chapter until tomorrow (June 12th), so... Review, please?
Aimee
Harry was listening each time Voldemort came to his father, whether it was in the dead of the night or well past sunrise. Afraid of transferring his pain to Harry, Severus avoided thinking of him at these times. Instead, he concentrated on Lily with all his might; he didn't care if she was dead, he knew she could hear him somehow.
Severus wasn't a religious person, by all means. He believed in the facts of true science, not the rubbish most Muggles fed themselves in hopes of finding answers. (A/N: This is NOT a crack at religion, just how I think Severus would see it as.) However, the day Voldemort admitted all, he wished he truly had a God to pray to.
It came without warning; without expectance. He was in his bed one moment, sleeping as peacefully as his past allowed him to. The next, he was sitting across from Lord Voldemort, his face beaten and bruised. Wondering for a moment how he had managed to sleep through a beating that matched up to the physical pain he felt, the memory of being hit repeatedly can flooding back to him. Unable to resist temptation, he slowly raised his gaze to meet that of his Lord's.
"Severus, you have deeply disappointed me." Voldemort murmured. "I have recently been informed of your true loyalties, and I am in deep distress."
Severus was shocked; he knew of no Death Eater that knew of his allegiance with Dumbledore, unless…
"Forgive me, my Lord. I only thought it best, for Dumbledore to trust me and for Har – "
"ENOUGH!" Voldemort bellowed, "I have heard enough of this to last me a lifetime. I have found a servant more faithful than you, Severus. Despite his blunders, Wormtail has proved himself worthy in informing me of whom I should trust and whom I should not. You, Severus, were under the category of traitor. I myself did not believe this until I saw you were housing Harry Potter – He may not be of Gryffindor descent, but his life took nearly fourteen years off of my own. Explain."
Severus took in a deep breath, "My Lord. Albus Dumbledore – your sworn enemy – had the knowledge of Harry being my son far earlier than I had known. He wished for me to take care of him. In fear of blowing my cover, I quickly obeyed. To the public, it would look strange indeed if I did not take part of my now proclaimed son's life, especially after he changed his appearance and name to match those of what they would have been, had it not been for James Potter. It was merely a cover up, My Lord."
Voldemort waited for a moment before he spoke. When he did, his voice came out in a rumble of rage. "I do not believe you."
Severus' eyes widened as he lifted his wand, muttering "Crucio!". Pain exploded inside of Severus, reaching from his toes to the tip of his ears and everywhere in between. He couldn't speak; however, he could think.
Harry… Get Dumbledore… I need help, he'll know where to find me.
A moment later, a frantic Harry responded; What's wrong? Where are you? Are you ok?
Don't worry about me right now, just get Dumbledore and HURRY.
Yes, Dad.
What seemed like hours later, but was perhaps only minutes in disguise, Severus felt the death grip of the curse release him and he was once again able to breathe properly.
"Now tell me the truth."
Severus stood silently, his lips pressed together. He could take the physical pain… he had to. Voldemort waited for a few minutes before renewing the Cruciatus Curse on his once thought faithful servant. This lasted for forever, it seemed, and no matter how much Severus tried to resist, the pain kept on coming.
He was vaguely aware of two new presence. Assuming they were Death Eaters there to do their master's bidding, he squeezed his eyes shut and refused to react to the immense pain shooting down his spine. Moments later, however, the pain stopped and he could hear clearly now.
Screams of agony not coming from him… Screams that sounded so familiar… Too familiar… He opened his eyes and nearly screamed himself at the sight in front of him.
Harry was lying on the floor, twitching and screaming in great pain. Severus looked up at the green light evicting from Voldemort's wand and saw Dumbledore there, wand poised and pointed up at Voldemort.
"Stop. Now." Dumbledore's usually friendly blue eyes were alive and filled with rage. Before Severus had time to react, a red beam of light shot out from Dumbledore's wand and struck Voldemort in the neck. Slowly but surely, the curse was lifted from Harry's withering body and ended. Almost at once, Harry stood up, shaking like mad but brandishing his wand bravely.
"Harry…" Severus mumbled weakly. "This is not the time to be playing hero."
Dad, I don't care… the bastard killed my Mum… I'm going to kill him…
Harry, leave Voldemort up to Dumbledore… You'll never be able to survive.
Why can't you trust me, just this once?
Because you're my son and I'd rather die than see you hurt.
Dad, please, trust me.
HARRY, NO! You will not… Please, I beg of you… Do not.
Harry didn't get a chance to respond, however. Voldemort had regained control of his actions and quickly turned to father and son, both of whom were pale and shaken. Before either had time to react, he raised his wand and screamed those fatal words:
"AVADA KEDAVRA!"
A burst of neon green light shot out of his wand and hit his target with such force it threw both parties backwards. It was instant; he was gone before either of the two left had any time to react.
With numb shock, the two left looked at each other with horror sketched across both of their faces.
In less than a moment, he was dead.