Chapter 13: Don't Fear the Reaper
(or 'Forever Autumn')

Snape flopped into his battered armchair. This time he had been able to avoid Voldemort's fiery temper, some other sod had fallen to it. He had found it very hard to concentrate fully tonight, his mind had been elsewhere… mainly in the gutter.

He groaned and reached down to pull of his shoes, he saw someone sitting in the opposite armchair. "Oh it's you." He said casually, "here to dump me again?"

Alastor grinned, "lightening never strikes twice."

Snape removed his shoes and slumped back into his chair. "Oh… god." He muttered, closing his eyes.

"Frustrated?"

He opened one eye; "you've been talking to Professor Flitwick."

Alastor stood, and moved slowly towards Severus, "I have." He confirmed. "And I don't think that potions masters should be frustrated." He leaned down and kissed Snape.

Snape allowed himself to become absorbed, forgetting his surroundings. "The door." He murmured.

Alastor didn't pull away, merely raised his wand and locked the door. "Done." He slipped his arms around Severus' waist and pulled him into a standing position; he pulled him into a tight embrace. "Ummmm… I take it that, that's not your wand."

Severus grinned, "perceptive."

"That's why you love me." Alastor slid his hands into Snape's shirt.

He shuddered, "you've got cold hands!"

Alastor kissed him again, "well… Professor, we'll soon sort that."

"We certainly will… professor." Snape took Alastor's hand and led him into the alcove where his bed was situated. It didn't matter that his bed was only a single…

* * *

Ron and Hermione were the only Gryffindor's still up. It was way past midnight, but the fire was still burning strongly and the house elves had generously provided mugs of warm hot chocolate.

"Have you told him yet?" Ron asked after a few moments of silence.

"I don't know how to." Hermione stared into the flames, the warm mug clutched tightly in her hands. "I mean, it's not like it's any of his business, but I er… well you know how he is."

"Yeah… You could always wait until the papers announce the wedding?"

Hermione snorted into her hot chocolate, "that's likely to be worse."

"Probably."

They laughed.

"You guys still up?" Harry Potter asked as he arrived on the stars.

"We were just finishing up," Hermione muttered, "want a marshmallow?"

"No thanks." Harry wandered over and plonked himself into a nearby chair. "So… what were you talking about?"

"Nothing." Both Ron and Hermione said.

"You can't just have sat here and talked about nothing!"

"The topic of 'nothing' is quite vast." Hermione teased. She drained the last of her hot chocolate. "Right, I'm done."

"Come on Herm, what were you talking about?"

Hermione looked at Ron who nodded in encouragement. "I'm getting married." She said softly.

"Really? To who?"

"Viktor."

"Viktor Krum?!"

"Of course! I've not been seeing anyone else called Viktor have I?!"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

She shrugged, "don't know."

"So you told Ron? Great, that's just great Hermione!" Harry snapped.

"What the hell are you on about?"

"I thought you were my friend! But no, you go running to Ron w---"

"Oh shut up." Hermione snapped and stormed off.

Ron looked straight at Harry. "Well done."

* * *

The next morning Snape woke up, his arm draped casually across the body of his lover, Alastor. He lay there watching Alastor's chest go up, and down with a regular rhythm.

"Are you watching me sleep?" A sleepy murmur emitted from Alastor.

"Yes." Snape replied with a soft smile. He kissed Alastor softly on the neck.

"Um…" He smiled back at Severus; "boy am I glad you're not a vampire!"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh nothing." Alastor sat up, "although, if you were a vampire, you could suck my blood any time… and you'd probably do a damned good job as well." Snape playfully hit him with a pillow. "Hey, that was a compliment!"

"I know." Snape moved on top of Alastor.

"What time is it?"

"Just gone six."

"You got to be up at seven?" Snape nodded, "well then… that gives us plenty of time."

They both grinned. Snape bent down to kiss Alastor, but almost immediately they were interrupted by a sharp knock on the main door. "Sssshit!" Snape gasped, almost falling out of the bed.

"I'll get in the shower." Alastor assured, making a dash for Snape's small bathroom. Severus threw Alastor's clothes into the bathroom and then grabbed a pair of trousers and a sweatshirt for himself.

"Just coming!" He called as whomever it was knocked again. He staggered over to the door, pausing only to hear Alastor turn the water on. "Yes?" He asked, finally getting round to opening his door.

Draco Malfoy stood there, looking slightly puzzled. "Can I help you?" Snape asked.

"Who's in the shower?" Draco asked curiously.

"Professor Daker." Snape replied, glancing over his shoulder, "you wanted me I take it?"

"What's Professor Daker doing in your shower?"

"I presume he's getting washed, now can I help you?"

"Can't he do that in the teachers bathroom?"

"He could, but he's a little shy." Snape leaned on the door; "can I help you?" he asked again, fed up with Draco's questions.

"And, how come your door was locked?"

"Because it was! Draco it's none of your damned business, so either tell me why you want me or go back to bed!"

"Oh, sorry, erm, I've got a medical this afternoon---"

"If you want to get out of it, no way. Every person in the graduating year at Hogwarts has to have a medical."

"I know, I wasn't trying to get out of it. What I wanted to say, is that… well, it's at the same time Potions is… and…"

"Yes you may miss my lesson."

"Thanks, I promise to catch up."

"No problem."

Draco grinned at him and was about to walk away, "oh… er, you do know your fly is wide open, don't you?"

* * *

Severus Snape almost bounced into Dumbledore's office that morning. "Good morning, Poppy." He said merrily, picking up Dumbledore's medical chart, "and how is the patient this morning?"

"You're in a good mood." Madame Pomfrey observed.

Snape grinned back at her, "I know."

"Going to worry a few people."

"I know." Snape smiled at her and looked down to read Dumbledore's chart. "Wait…" He said suddenly, "what's this?" He pointed to the newly added information.

"He… he had another heart attack late last night."

"Christ…"

"It was only mild, but… well, Severus I doubt he'll last much longer." Pomfrey was close to tears.

Snape put down the chart, "Poppy, whatever happens, you did your best." He gave her arm a gentle squeeze.

She smiled softly back at him, "thank you. He's awake if you want to see him, but he's a little… distracted."

Snape handed the chart back to Pomfrey, "that's alright. What I need to tell him isn't good, probably best if he doesn't know, save him worrying about me or anyone."

"Is it about Him?"

"Unfortunately."

"Makes you wonder how such a good man could turn bad."

"He's just pissed with life, society… everything in general. I doubt he can remember his original cause." There was an awkward silence, "right… er… I'll got and grab some breakfast…."

* * *

"You going to watch the Quidditch?" Seamus Finnigan asked as Ron Weasley flopped down beside him at the breakfast table.

"Don't know." Ron shrugged, "maybe."

Seamus looked at him, "even if Gryffindor were still in the tournament, we'd have no chance of winning."

"Got a point there, Seamus." Ron prodded his bacon. "I don't understand it. Harry used to be… nice. He was friendly, kind and thoughtful, he thought more about his friends than he did Quidditch… I… I just don't see how he's ended up like this."

"Lack of parental influence in his life." Neville muttered, "sorry, couldn't help listening."

"That's okay, Neville." Ron looked at him, "you really think that, that it?"

"Probably. I mean, from the way he talks about his aunt and uncle it's easy to see that they never gave him any attention, then bam! Suddenly he's thrust into a world he knew nothing about, and where everyone knows about him. He starts to get attention, and then after a while he starts to feel that he needs attention. He has to be the centre of attention and the spotlight, otherwise he feels worthless."

Seamus and Ron starred at Neville, "you ever thought about psychiatry for a career?" Seamus asked.

"Me?" Neville laughed, "nah."

"I'm being serious! That was a damned good assessment."

"You really think so?" He looked at their serious faces. "I… I don't know. I really want to do Herbology."

"You still can. I bet Herbology is a great thing to know about for doing medicine in this world. You still have to do medicine before specialising in psychiatry."

Neville thought for a moment, "maybe."

* * *

Draco Malfoy stood nervously outside Madame Pomfrey's office. He had never had a medical before, sure he'd been in the hospital wing for injuries (usually very minor) but never a full medical.

The door opened and a young nurse exited, she looked down at a chart and then looked up at him. "Ah, you must be Draco." She smiled at him, "I'm nurse Weaver."

"Where's Madame Pomfrey?" Draco asked nervously.

"She's busy I'm afraid, don't worry you're perfectly safe with me." She moved out of the doorway, "come on in."

* * *

"Why the hell do I need a medical?" Harry grumbled as Professor McGonagall passed down the lines of seventh year Gryffindor's.

"You're not special, Mr Potter, every seventh year has to have a medical examination." McGonagall replied; she sounded very tired.

"Why though?"

"Because you're all of age where certain diseases and medical conditions start to make themselves known. It's also a private consultation between you and the nurse, where you can ask about any health concerns or just advice."

"But---"

"No more on the matter, Mr Potter. You cannot get out of the medical."

Ron looked down at his appointment time, "all right! It's when we're in Divination!"

Hermione grinned at him, "going to ask her permission?"

"Are you kidding?! Of course not! She won't miss me, and hey, if she does – I got an excuse." Ron held up his appointment card.

* * *

When the bell for break sounded, there was almost a mad rush for the schoolyard. Everyone was beginning to have enough of the lessons, and the sun, once again, was shining brightly.

The seventh years exited their Transfiguration lesson discussing the test that McGonagall said she was going to surprise them with at some point over the next week or two.

"Pity she didn't give us a clearer indication of when." Hermione moaned.

"I'm sure you'll do fine," Ron looked around, "hey, Herm? Could you mind these for a moment?" He held up his books.

"Sure, why?"

"I really gotta pee!" Ron replied, handing her his books whilst dancing slightly on the spot.

Hermione laughed, "if you were that desperate you should have asked McGonagall!"

"I doubt she would have let me go, be back in a second!" Ron dashed across the hall to the boy's bathroom and collided with Professor Daker emerging from the bathroom.

"Whoa!" Daker said, catching hold of Ron.

"Sorry." Ron replied sheepishly. "Er… sir? I really gotta go."

Daker grinned and stepped aside, allowing Ron to shoot past him. Hermione laughed, "boys eh?" Daker said.

"Act all tough, but not got the guts to ask to be excused." Hermione replied with a grin.

"We certainly haven't, Hermione." Daker said, once he recognised her voice.

"You sound relaxed." Hermione commented.

"You try holding it for two doubles!" Daker laughed. "No, I'm joking. I had a good night's… sleep for once."

"Been having diff--- OH!"

Daker blushed slightly, "well… I'm only human…"

Before Hermione could reply, Ron emerged from the bathroom. "Boy, does that feel better!" He replied with a relieved grin.

"Here's your books." Hermione handed over his books, "wait… did you wash you hands?"

"Course I did…Anyway, wouldn't make difference, they are my books."

"Ah, but Mr Weasley, if you don't wash your hands you could transmit infections… Plus, it's the sign of a gentleman, and women got for that, don't you Hermione?" Daker said.

Hermione grinned, "yup."

"Anyway… I'm off to sort out some paperwork for my next class… Ravenclaw sixth years, not a handful, but I swear they ask more questions than is natural!" Both Hermione and Ron grinned as Daker took his leave.

"He's weird!" Ron commented once Daker was out of earshot.

"Why?"

"He acts more like a friend, or an older brother than a teacher." Hermione laughed.

"Signs of a good teacher I suppose, if you can related to your students."

"Yeah… wonder if any of it will rub off on Snape?" Hermione had to bite her tongue to prevent herself from snorting. "What's so funny?" Ron asked, looking slightly confused.

Hermione grinned to herself, "nothing."

"Oh really?"

"Really." Hermione looked up, "race you to that oak tree!" She shot off suddenly.

* * *

Neville Longbottom spotted Ginny Weasley working on something in the common room. He knew what he wanted to do, but for some reason he suddenly felt afraid… what was she going to say? Would she say yes? Why was he even doing this! Nervously he forced himself forward.

"Hi Neville." Ginny said with a smile, looking up from her work. Neville found himself turning red, he thought Ginny was the most perfect person in the world, with that smile… and the way she was kind to him and everything! "Neville?"

"Oh… er…" He was suddenly lost for words. "Erm…" Ginny sat patiently watching him. "Do you… do you want to go out some time?" He closed his eyes ready for the rebuff.

"Sure."

Wait? Did she just say 'sure'?

"What?" Neville asked desperately wanting to make sure he had heard right.

"I said, yes I'd like to go out with you."

* * *

Hermione and Ron slumped under the oak tree. Ron was flicking through a Quidditch magazine, fanaticising about the broom he was going to buy when he had enough money. Hermione, however, was sprawled on her front with her university application in front of her.

It said in the prospectus that overseas students could either use an 'Understanding Spell' to help them understand the lectures and lessons, or they could learn Russian. The university said that the second option was more preferable than the first. Hermione was quite good at learning languages, when she wanted to. She had thought about taking a year out of studies; learning Russian would be a good way to spend the time. She had decided that she could go and live in Russia for a year in order to get used to the climate and learn as much of the language as possible.

"Earth to Hermione!" Ron called.

"Um, what?" Hermione stirred and looked back at him.

"Bell has just gone, time for Potions."

* * *

Several minutes after the bell Severus Snape entered his potion's lab, and almost did a double take. Every single one of the Gryffindor's (bar Harry Potter) was sitting, in silence, in the right place. It was usual for the Slytherin's to act that way, but never in his long teaching time at Hogwarts had he known any other house to be dead on time for his lessons!

"Well, this is a turn up for the books." He commented as he put his briefcase down next to his desk. "Did Professor McGonagall bribe you all?"

A few people looked offended that Snape had even asked such a question – weren't they allowed to be early once in a while?

"Today you are not going to be working on your projects, as I am sure you are all aware several people are out on medical examinations, and I'm sure that a few more of you have a medical at some point during this lesson. If that is the case please show me your card before leaving." He turned towards the blackboard, "for your NEWTs you will need to know how certain ingredients affect a potion, and in what way and why they do this." He turned back to the class, "this will involve quite a lot of calculations, and I don't expect a lot of you to understand at first. This is also perhaps the only part of the course where some mathematical understanding comes in." Quite a lot of people looked uncomfortable with the idea of maths. "Although, we will not be studying that until much later on in the course."

* * *

"I wonder where Harry is." Hermione said as they left Potions. "I've not seen him since this morning."

"Me neither… who cares though? With a bit of luck Harry will stay out of the way for the rest of the day." Ron replied. "Anyway, I'll catch you later, I've got my medical."

"Good luck!"

"Thanks!" Ron called as he hurried towards the hospital wing.

* * *

"Professor Snape."

Snape looked up towards the open door of his office, "good afternoon Mr Krum." He replied, "please come in."

Viktor Krum did so. "I vas vondering if I could speak to you about ze conditions of my apprenticeship."

"Certainly."

"Vill I 'ave to take any extra English lessons?"

"No, that shouldn't be a problem, your English is fine. I was a student teacher here with a slightly heavy foreign accent."

"Zat ist good. Also… Herm-oh-nee."

"She will have left."

"I know, but vould she be allowed to wist me during ze holidays?"

"I should think so."

"Good… And, vere vould I be living? I know in ze school, but vere…"

"Well," Snape thought for a moment, "as you will be doing a potions apprenticeship, it is most likely that you will have a room near me in the dungeons."

"Thank you." Krum replied. "I 'eard about Professor Dumbledore… I hope zat he ist alright."

"So do I, so do I."

* * *

"Professor Daker?" Hermione put her heard round the door to Daker's classroom. "Are you busy?"

"No, not really, Hermione." He answered looking up from some papers, "just marking homework."

"I've only got a few moments before I need to be at the hospital wing, but I was wondering if you could arrange some sort of rehearsal for the band?"

"Yeah, I suppose that would be good." He thought for a moment, "I'll try, Hermione, but no promises, it might be hard getting everyone together… well, yes me and Severus are easy enough to get hold of, but Remus Lupin will be a little harder."

"Thanks, sir."

"You're welcome, good luck with the medical."

"Thanks!"

* * *

"Hermione Granger?" Nurse Weaver asked. Hermione instantly stood up. "Want to come through?"

Hermione followed the nurse into curtained area of the hospital wing. She was now feeling a little apprehensive about the entire thing.

"If you want to just jump onto the bed," the nurse said, "then we can get started." She pulled up a chair. "I'm Nurse Weaver, by the way."

At this Hermione grinned, "like ER."

"Ah yes, like Dr Weaver from ER, although I assure you I'm just as good as her, but better with my bed side manner." The nurse smiled at Hermione.

"You're muggle born?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, I am." She smiled again; "right I'm just going to ask you a few questions."


Hermione nodded. "Ok."

* * *

"Krum!" Harry shouted as he saw Viktor Krum make his way across the entrance hall.

Viktor turned round at the sound of his name and he watched as Harry Potter sped towards him. "Harry." Viktor smiled slightly.

"What's this about you marrying Hermione?"

Slightly taken back, Viktor thought for a moment, "vell… yes ve are getting married."

"And why are you leaving Quidditch? You had such a great career ahead of you!"

"Harry, Quidditch isn't really a career. Quidditch vas somezing I just did. I never originally intended to make a career from it. I alvays vanted to do somezing like Potions. Teaching maybe."

"Yeah, but the money! The fame! How could you give that up?"

"Money and fame aren't everyzing. There are more zings. Like love and happiness. A Quidditch career ist short, you can't just focus on Quidditch your entire life. You need other zings, education is helpful, means if somezing goes vong zen you have somezing to fall back on." Harry stared at him, "if you could excuse me, I have to get back."

* * *

Ron sat in the library trying to come to terms with the results of his medical… it stung to know that in a matter of minutes everything he wanted had been taken away. He hadn't felt up to going to Defence against the Dark Arts.

"Mr Weasley."

Ron looked up and met the cold eyes of Severus Snape.

"Could you perhaps explain to me why you are not in your lesson?"

"I have flat feet." Ron managed to mutter.

Snape was slightly confused, "and what does that have to do with going to your next lesson?"

"Nothing." At that moment Ron burst into tears.

"Mr Weasley… please." Snape said gently; slightly alarmed. "There is no need to get upset, all you need to do is go to your lesson."

"I can't work for the MLED now…" He sobbed (MLED – Magical Law Enforcement Department), "I really wanted to work for them…"

"I'm sure you still can."

"I can't! I've got flat feet."

Feeling somewhat sorry for Ron, Snape sat down opposite him and handed over his handkerchief. "That certainly isn't true. There are several officers in the MLED who have flat feet…"

"But they all work crappy desk jobs."

"No, not all of them. Some of them work on special teams that remove curses etc…"

"Really?"

"Yes, really." Snape took a breath; "do you have an interview with them?" Ron nodded, "you can ask them regarding flat feet then. It isn't anything to worry about, and if you are really bothered I am sure that you could get some professional medical advice."

"Thanks." Ron managed.

"Now, blow your nose and go and dry your eyes. What lesson are you supposed to be in?"

"Defence against the Dark Arts." Ron replied before blowing his nose.

"Alright, I'll speak to Professor Daker and tell him that I was talking to you about your project."

* * *

"How'd your lesson go?" Professor Sinistra asked as Professor Daker flopped into an armchair.

"Oh, not too bad. I was missing three students, as well as Harry Potter." Daker replied.

"You're not going to led him back in?"

"Well, that's really up to him. To be honest, I don't think I want him back." Daker leaned forward, "although everyone deserves a second chance."

Professor McGonagall walked in, she seemed very tired and no one could blame her. She had been spending a lot of the nights with Albus Dumbledore. There had been a time in her life where she could have left her current husband and moved in with Albus. Albus was a kind, caring man, and Minerva found that she cared for him very much. The only problem was that she cared for her own husband as well.

"Everything okay?" Sinistra asked as McGonagall made her way quietly to the coffee jar.

"Yes, thank you Annie." Minerva replied.

Snape entered carrying a large bundle of papers; "sometimes I wish I didn't set so much damned homework." He grumped as he dropped the pile with a THUD onto the coffee table. "Oh, Alastor? Ron Weasley was with me during your lesson, I needed to speak to him about his project."

"That's okay, Spike…" Daker replied.

"Sorry I couldn't do it at any other time."


"No, really, it's okay." Daker thought for a minute, "Spike, do you have Remus Lupin's address?"

"I think so, why?"

"I think we should all get together and start organising this concert."

"We should."

"What concert?" McGonagall asked.

Snape turned to her; "you know the end of school ball that we always organise for the seventh years? Well, this year, Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom decided they would organise it. Since they were doing some research on Hogwarts' past for the yearbook they thought it might be pretty interesting to get the old Hogwarts Band together again."

"Great." Professor Flitwick said, "a chance to hear you sing again!"

Snape blushed.

"Hey, do you need a drummer?" Professor Sinistra suddenly asked.

"Yeah." Daker replied, "know anyone?"

"Well… yes, I used to play drums."

"You did?!" Snape sounded very surprised at this, "when did you start playing?"

"Started at university, joined a band just to earn some money, we were pretty successful." She grinned at them, "what? Never met a female drummer before?"

* * *

That evening, Neville Longbottom and Ginny Weasley sat out on the steps to the entrance hall together. It was a very beautiful night and Neville had not been able to think of a more beautiful place to take his beautiful date. Luckily the night itself have been beautiful.

"Beautiful isn't?" Ginny asked him.

"Yeah." Neville replied absently. "When I was really little, me and my dad would sit and watch the night from the attic." He paused; he had never spoken about his parents with anyone before.

"You live with your grandmother right?" Neville nodded. "Sorry if this sounds… rude, but what happened to your parents? Are they dead?"

"Worse."

"Worse than dead?"

"Yeah." Neville looked at the ground. "My dad was an auror, he put some of You Know Who's men behind bars, some of the top guys. You Know Who got pissed, and… well, he sent people to the house."

"Oh god."

"I was three at the time… I can remember some really loud bangs from the front door. My parents came running into my room, my mum just picked me up and started to hug me really tightly. My dad had his wand out. He said he was going to see, my mum tried to persuade him not to… There was this crash, and my dad rushed down the stairs… he… he met a hoard of Death Eaters… they," Neville swallowed, he had never had a chance to tell anyone this before and for some reason he really wanted to tell Ginny everything, he was sick of hiding it. "They put the Cruciatus curse on him… I heard his scream, and people laughing. My mum panicked and told me to get in the wardrobe and not to get out whatever I heard. I'd only just got into the wardrobe when these men in dark clothes and masks forced their way into the room. They… they said something, and then my mum just dropped to the floor. She was screaming and writhing in pain… I just stood there, watching through a crack in the doors. One of them started to smash up my room… then there was more footsteps, and more flashing lights – a load of aurors came in. They started casting curses and spells… some of the Death Eaters got away, some were killed and others were taken prisoner. One of the men… he found me… and, and they took me to my grandmothers." Neville's face was wet with tears, Ginny could only watch as he poured his entire heart out. "My… my parents are in St Mungo's… they're alive, but, but they don't recognise me."

"Oh… Neville." Ginny hugged him tight. Suddenly she no longer felt sorry for Harry Potter – Harry Potter didn't have to suffer as much as Neville obviously did. It must have really cut Neville up, watching Harry strut around and get praise and be famous…

Neville clung tightly to Ginny and sobbed into her robes. "I love you." He said through his tears.

* * *

"Remus!" Sinistra hugged him tightly as Remus Lupin clambered of his broom.

"I came as soon as I got your letter." He kissed her.

"We need to talk."

"Sure."

Remus sat down. "I really love you, Remus… and… and I've never felt like this about a man before. You're the first man I've let love me, you're the first man I've loved since… well, since I was at university." Remus looked like he was going to interrupt her, "no, let me finish. Remus, I want to spend my life with you, and I don't just want to be your live-in-lover, or your girlfriend."

"Annie, I've explained that we can't get married…"

"I did some research, in special cases the ministry allow… allow werewolf suffers to marry."

"But this isn't a special case, Annie."

"It doesn't have to be a special case! If we can get witnesses to say that you are perfectly save when under the influence of the Wolfsbane potion, and that you are a loving, caring, man, then we have a case."

"Annie, no!" Remus looked at her face, "I love you too, but… but there is no way we can marry." Sinistra burst into tears. "Annie, I'm sorry." He tried to comfort her, but she pulled away. "Annie…"

"Don't touch me!" She snapped, "you say that you love me, but you won't fight for the right to marry me… you have the same rights as an ordinary human being."

"Not according to the ministry."

"We don't have to get married in this world, we can get married in the muggle world. I know a small registry office in London… A muggle registered marriage carries the same weight in this world."

"No… Annie, no." Remus shook his head sadly. "It's not that I don't love you… it's… I just don't feel ready to get married yet."

"Perhaps you should leave."

"Annie, I'm really sorry…"

"Get out of my life, Remus Lupin."

* * *

Draco Malfoy sat in the dimly lit Slytherin common room – his textbooks and other oddities scattered about him.

"Draco?" It was Vincent Crabbe.

"What?!" Draco snapped back.

"It's really late, are you coming to bed?"

"No! I've got… I've got stuff to do."

"Come on Draco, you can't keep working like this."

"Crabbe, the exams are only eight months away! I'm no where near starting some of my coursework."

"Draco, quit panicking, you're going to be fine."

"I am NOT panicking!"

* * *

"Poppy…" Dumbledore gasped suddenly. "Poppy… I… I can't breathe."

In an instant Madame Pomfrey was on her feet checking Dumledore's pulse. It was weak; she looked at him concern lining her features. "I'm going to give you something to help with that Albus." She managed.

"Than… thank you."

* * *

"Yo, Neville." Harry Potter called from an armchair in front of the fire as Neville and Ginny re-entered the common room. "Been having fun?" He grinned at them.

"Push off." Neville spat.

"Hey, can I help it if you're bitter because you'll never be famous?" Harry said sarcastically. Neville turned to face him. "Aww, was I right?"

"I'm warning you, Potter." Neville said though clenched teeth.

"Really. And what can you do?"

"Piss off, just… just piss off." Neville managed as he turned to walk away.

"That's right, baby, walk away. You can't handle it. Me? I can take anything," he advanced slowly on Neville walking cocksure and confident. "But you, you're a push over."

"Leave him alone!" Ginny screamed, close to tears.

Harry turned on her, "you keep out of this."

"He hasn't done anything!"

"I know; this is fun, I can see how Malfoy gets a kick from this."

Neville knuckles were slowly turning white as he clenched his fists, trying to keep his rage from taking over.

"You Neville are a push-over, and you'll always be a push-over." Harry had turned back to tormenting Neville. "You know why you're a push-over? It's because you've never suffered."

That was it, Neville snapped. Everything played out in front of him in slow motion. He saw himself swing at Harry Potter, he saw Harry Potter fall to the ground, he heard Ginny's screams pounding in his ears but nothing seemed to make sense. He felt himself thrown to the ground, and he found his fists punching hard at any part of Harry's flesh they encountered. Next, he was aware of strong hands pulling him off Harry – everything snapped into real time.

Neville was crying violently and struggling against whomever had him in a tight grip. He saw Harry lying on the ground, also crying, covered in blood. Other people were gathered round the edge of the room, staring at Neville in shock.

"Let got of me!" Neville screamed.

"CALM DOWN!"

"Get off me!"

"Neville, calm down!"

"Please… let go of me!"

"Neville! Look at me, look at me!" Snape held Neville in front of him. He was bent down to Neville's eye level, "look at me in the eyes." Neville found himself focussing. "Deep breaths…"

Professor McGonagall stood stunned at one side of the room comforting Ginny. Ron looked furious, although whom he was furious at was another matter. The moment McGonagall had heard the screaming, she had rushed straight into the common room. Realising that she could not pull the fighting pair apart, she had sent someone immediately to get Snape. Snape was quite seasoned in pulling apart fighting kids.

Neville had finally managed to get his rage and breathing under control, he looked at Snape and then burst into another flood of tears. "Shhhh." Snape pulled him into a hug and allowed the distraught boy to cry into the cotton of his dressing gown.

"Isn't anyone going to do something about him!" Harry said breaking the silence, "he's insane! Tried to kill me…"

"Oh shut up!" Snape spat.

* * *

An hour later, Professors Snape and McGonagall were sitting in the staff room, both were shaken.

"Here." Snape handed a cup of black tea to McGonagall. "It'll make you feel better."

"Thank you." She replied, whipping her eyes.

"You alright?" He asked sitting down next to her on the sofa.

McGonagall sighed, "I think so… I don't think I've seen anyone that upset in a long time."

"Um, the kid is pretty shaken up. What are you going to do?"

"I don't know… I really don't know, Severus." McGonagall took a sip of her tea. "What have you put in this?" She asked, wincing slightly at the strong taste.

"A little bit of brandy…"

McGonagall laughed, "thank you."

"No problem… If you want my opinion, which I'm sure you really don't want to hear; I think you should get a psychiatrist to speak to Neville – I think he really could do with someone to talk to."

"And Harry?"

Snape shrugged, "for once I don't think expulsion would help… To provoke another person like that… He needs help."

"I appreciate it Sev, and… and I think I will take your advice." She touched his arm, "are you alright?"

"Like you, a little shaken… but, well nothing I can't handle."

"I'd best let you get back to bed… Harry Potter is my problem."

Snape stood up, "alright… are you sure you're going to be fine?"

"Yes, go, go on."

He smiled gently at her, touched her once again on the arm, put down his coffee cup and then left the staff room.

* * *

The next evening, the school was still buzzing with talk of the previous night's events. Teachers were having difficulty keeping their classes quiet, and many did more shouting and more point deduction than they had done in a long time.

"You okay, Ron?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, thanks… Apart from the fact I really want to murder Harry. He's really hurt Ginny."

Hermione touched his hand gently, "I doubt they will let Harry stay after this."

"I hope they lock him up, I mean… did you see Neville? God, I thought that Snape was going to burst into tears and McGonagall was going to collapse."

"Sounds weird, but I hope Snape's alright… I keep getting the feeling that he's been though what Neville was experiencing."

"I know what you mean… You think McGonagall is okay? We've not seen her at all today."

"I think I saw her going up to Dumbledore's rooms."

"Jesus, that's really the last thing she needs." Everyone knew that Dumbledore had not improved since the day he had collapsed in the Great Hall.

* * *

Snape, McGonagall and Daker sat in Albus Dumbledore's now vacant office. They all knew that Dumbledore couldn't hold out much longer – Snape had some experience in emergency muggle medicine and he was helping Madame Pomfrey in case Dumbledore got into any difficulties that magic couldn't solve. McGonagall had been up there almost the entire day, and Daker was visiting.

They were sitting in complete silence.

"Minerva… you look like hell." Snape said, breaking the silence; "Albus is stable, and I don't think his condition will change dramatically for a couple of hours – why don't you get some rest?"

"I'm fine." McGonagall replied.

Daker took a breath, "you know, Severus is right… you really should get some rest."

"Thank you, but I don't need two… boys telling me what I can and can't do!" McGonagall snapped.

"Alright, we…we were just making a suggestion."

"Well don't."

At that moment, Harry Potter burst violently through the doors to Dumbledore's office. "I want to see Professor Dumbledore!" He demanded.

"I don't believe you are in a position to make such demands." Snape said icily, standing to incercept Harry.

"Yeah, whatever… I need to see him."

"I'm afraid that even you cannot see him."

"What? I got important information."

"That still does not give you access."

"It's alright, Severus." Madame Pomfrey said from the open doorway to Dumbledore's bedchamber. "Mr Potter can see Albus for a few minutes."

Snape looked at her for a minute, before reluctantly stepping aside. Harry walked past him, and before entering Dumbledore's bedchamber sent a nasty look Snape's way.

"Bloody kid." Snape muttered before sitting back down. "Was James ever that bad?

"Er… not that I remember." Daker replied.

"All boys go through a self-centred phase." McGonagall murmured.

"Usually around twelve or thirteen though."

"As far as I am concerned, Potter's always been a self-centred brat." Snape said with little compassion.

"I can remember hearing that kids who are self-centred and suffer from attention defects are often lacking a positive or parental-type influence in their lives." Daker said with some thought.

"Where'd you hear that?" McGonagall asked.

"I think it was an episode of ER." They all laughed.

"My youngest wanted to go into medicine because he thought everything on ER was 'cool'."

"I like the character interaction myself… You have to love the occasional Romano, Weaver, Greene confrontations." Snape said.

"Liar," Daker turned to McGonagall, "he has a crush on Noah Wyle."

"I do not!"

"Then why have you gone pink?" McGonagall teased.

"Severus!" Pomfrey said frantically, "you'd better get here."

* * *

"He's tachycardic." Snape replied, "we need to get his pressure down."

Harry stared at Dumbledore, only a moment ago they had been discussing the information Harry had brought to him (Dumbledore didn't know about the Neville Longbottom incident yet.) and here he was, fighting for his life.

Almost the minute Snape had stated what needed to be done, Pomfrey was casting some sort of spell on Dumbledore. "No good, he's arresting."

"Harry, I think you'd best wait outside." Pomfrey said, looking over her shoulder as she leaned over Dumbledore's body, trying to cast another sort of complicated sounding medical spell.

"I want to say." Harry replied meekly.

"Oh god, Severus I've lost his pulse."

"Damnit!" Snape spat.

Pomfrey looked up frantically, "Severus, the spell isn't working." She stared at him helplessly. She knew little about muggle resucitation methods, and right now she was at a loss with what she was supposed to do. She was normally on the ball regarding the treatment of her patients, but when it came to someone she cared about she froze.

"Don't stare at me! I'm not a doctor!"

"But you… you…"

"Poppy, you're a nurse, help your patient!"

"I---I can't." Poppy sobbed, backing away.

"Poppy please." A tearful McGonagall begged.

Seeing that he was not going to get anywhere, Severus thought fast. A couple of years back, for some reason, he had joined St John's Ambulance service, just to keep himself occupied during the summer. Almost immediately, he started the muggle resuscitation procedure he had been taught.

A roll of thunder thundered menacingly outside, and the heavens turned from the beautiful blue to a dull grey glow. The rain lashed the windows with fierce compassion.

Snape stepped back. "What? You're stopping?" Pomfrey gasped.

"He---he's been gone to long." He managed to stammer.

"Severus, no…" McGonagall gasped.

"I'm---I'm sorry."

Daker reached out and took McGonagall's hand, squeezing it in some sort of comfort. Madame Pomfrey managed to pull herself together. "Time of death…"

Before she could give the time, a huge bolt of lighting lit the sky and the room with a brilliant glow, and a cold, heartless laugh.

"Well done, Severus." Voldemort stepped into the middle of the room, applauding his Death-Eater. "Quite a performance, don't you agree, Harry?"

Harry swallowed and looked straight at Voldemort. His scar no longer hurt him now.

"What do you want?" Snape said.

"I should have thought that was quite simple." Voldemort casually walked up to his Death-Eater. "My, dear, dear boy, you are a talented potion maker…and spy." He seized Snape by his collar. "I should kill you know."

"Leave him alone!" Daker snapped, stepping up behind Voldemort, his wand held in front of him.

Voldemort laughed and turned, "ah yes, the auror who had the stupidity to try and get in the way." He took a casual step towards Daker, "unfortunately, as you should know, a blind person cannot do magic."

Harry stared at Daker – Daker was blind?

"That's where you are wrong." Daker replied in a low voice. He raised his wand, "you've got two options, Voldie, you can either die here, or you can die in Azkaban without your soul."

Voldemort laughed, "I have no soul."

"Everyone has a soul…even you."

"Really?" Suddenly, Voldemort blasted Alastor across the room. He had not spoken a word of magic, it must have been true about Voldemort being one of the most powerful wizards of all time. Harry watched as Daker hit his head sharply on the corner of Dumbledore's desk before falling limply to the floor.

"No!" Snape shouted.

"Oh I wouldn't worry… I didn't kill him." Voldemort replied. "I wouldn't want to harm my potion maker."

Snape looked over at McGonagall and Pomfrey who were holding each other tightly and trying to keep as far into the corner as possible.

"Why are you here?" Snape asked.

"Elementary my dear Severus, with Albus out of the way, and needless to say I didn't have to lift a figure, I think it's time I finished my task."

"Leave Harry alone."

"Sorry old man." Voldemort brought out his wand, turned and started to advance on Harry. "You have been very interesting this year, Harry."

"Get away from me!" Harry shouted. He had no form of protection, he had no wand on him.

"You know, I don't have to kill you. You could just join me."

"Join you?"

"Yes, join me. Your father, young and naïve joined my services, and then discovered that he was a coward. Shame really, he was a brilliant young wizard, and that wife of his was very, very delightful."

Harry stood staring at Voldemort. "You're lying." He gasped.

"'Fraid not. I believe that you could be a very powerful wizard one day… with a little training."

"I'd never join you."

"Funnily, that is exactly what your potions master said. Although, you should know, Harry, that no one resists me for long." He turned to Snape, "isn't that right Severus?"

"Leave him alone." Snape stood his ground.

Voldemort ignored him and turned back to Harry, "how would you like to be one of the greatest living wizards of all time? How would you to see your parents?"

"My parents?"

"Yes, your parents. I know a way of bringing them back. I can give you what you have always wanted, a family."

"Don't listen to him Potter!" Snape called.

"Imagine it, Harry." Voldemort placed his hands on Harry's shoulders, "imagine waking up in the morning, going downstairs to the smell of frying bacon cooked by your mother, to be greeted by your father sitting in his favourite armchair by the fire reading the newspaper?"

"You're lying…"

"No, I'm not. Join me Harry and I can give you anything."

"And if I don't?"

"Two simple words, Harry, that's all it will take."

Harry looked cautiously over to where Snape stood – he looked defeated. He looked over to McGonagall and Pomfrey stood terrified in one corner and then to the lifeless body of Alastor Daker.

"What will happen… to my friends?"

"Your friends?" Voldemort laughed, "are they really your friends?"

Harry thought of all the times he and Ron had argued this year, about all the times he had wanted to apologise… about all he had wanted for this year. His so-called friends had ruined it, no one had wanted to talk or listen to him. If he joined with Voldemort he would have a chance of proving them wrong, of proving them all wrong.

"One word Harry." Voldemort said placing his wand on Harry's left forearm. "Just say the word and I will take you away from all this."

Harry looked down at the wand, and then up at Voldemort. "Yes." He said, sure of what he wanted to do. "Yes I will join with you."

Voldemort smiled, "I'm glad you saw sense." He raised his wand to place his Dark Mark upon Harry's arm…

"EXPELLARMOUS!" There was a flash, and Voldemort's wand was blasted out of his hand. He turned fuming towards Snape who stood a few feet away. He picked up Voldemort's fallen wand and broke it in two. "Oops." Snape said somewhat casually.

"Snape!" Voldemort fumed.

"Oh I am sorry." Voldemort glared at him, "go on, blast me to pieces with your superior powers. Oh, that's right… You can't." Snape took several steps towards Voldemort.

"You bastard."

"No, I'm afraid that adjective is more suited to yourself."

In a flash, Voldemort lunged at Snape. McGonagall screamed as she saw Voldemort pull out a knife. Snape, however, had seen the knife and was desperately trying to pull away from the sharp blade that was threatening to impale him. In a frantic move, Snape twisted Voldemort's knife hand round, there was sickening crack and he dropped the knife. In a flash Snape seized it and managed to pin Voldemort down.

Harry stood staring, watching. He had believed Voldemort was all-powerful, and here a man who was much shorter than he was and weighed considerably less was overpowering him.

"Go on, kill me." Voldemort said as Snape sat poised ready to plunge the knife into his ex-masters heart.

"No… no, Tom." Snape said softly. "I'm not going to stoop to your level." With that he threw the knife to Harry, "here, souvenir." Snape stood somewhat awkwardly and went over to where Alastor lay, now conscious.

"You coward!" Voldemort shouted.

"Yeah, yeah." Snape replied, not looking back.

There was another flash of light and several aurors dressed in dark clothing appeared. Immediately the surrounded Voldemort with their wands out, muttering various charms to blind him.

Snape pulled Alastor to his feet without even looking at the gaggle; he appeared not to hear Voldemort's shouts.

"Nice work." One of them said to Snape.

"Really?" He replied, getting Alastor to lean on him so that they could walk out of the room.

Harry, McGonagall and Pomfrey all shocked from the events they had just witnessed stared after them. "I was supposed to defeat him…" Harry managed to say.

* * *

It wasn't too long before the whole school knew of the defeat of Voldemort. Snape was being regarded as a saviour and Harry as a traitor – it hadn't taken long for them to find out that Harry had almost joined with Voldemort and as usual, no one wanted to hear his side of the story.

"You're missing all the fun." Alastor said entering Snape's dark office. A party had been arranged to celebrate the defeat of Voldemort and the rounding up of all his Death-Eaters.

"I don't feel like it." Snape replied.

"You alright?"

Snape took a breath, "yes I'm alright. I'm not a hero, you know?"

"Course you are."

"No… no, heroes are perfect people who… who are normal. People who haven't had the guts to stay on one path and have whimped off when things have got the better of him. People who inspire other people, people who are muscular and handsome… they're heroes."

Alastor laughed, "who told you that?"

Snape shook his head, "no one."

"Well, in my book a hero is someone who is brave enough to stop another without stooping to their level. A hero is the most unlikely person and like it or not, you've saved this world from persecution from an insane egoistical maniac."

"Tom Riddle wasn't a maniac… society screwed him over and he got pissed."

"I was talking about Harry Potter."

Snape laughed, "sorry, I know, I'm being an idiot."

"Being an idiot is okay, being a fucking idiot isn't." Alastor hugged Snape. "So, what about it? Coming to enjoy the party?"

A/N: Taddda! That's my out-of-character ditty over with. Maybe next time I'll write something that is more in character… although you have to admit, out of character is very fun to write – you can make them do almost anything! Don't worry, there is a little add on in the form of the epilogue that might be fun to check out. Um, you know, before I shrank the front of size 10 and changed it from Times New Roman to Verdana, the story (in Word format) was 27 pages long… now it's 21. Title references 'Don't Fear the Reaper' by The Blue Oyster Cult, and 'Forever Autumn' from Jeff Wayne's musical 'War of the Worlds' (HG Wells). Sorry about Snape being medical… I've been watching waaay too much ER!