AN: Sadly, I won't be able to post on Thursday since I have guests coming in from out of town. Hopefully this is enough to tide you over!
Thank you for all the support! It is deeply appreciated
The generals took longer to reach the dungeons than Severus had expected. When they finally arrived, there was a maniacal gleam in James' eyes and a haughty sneer on Sirius' face. Remus and Peter stood in the back, one on each side of the door, their expressions just as sinister.
"So Snivelus, you care for that pile of tin cans," James approached him with the bucket of water.
"Yes, I care for her deeply," Severus argued before his voice softened. "Perhaps more than I've cared for anyone else."
"You care for her even though she can never give you her heart?" If Severus couldn't see the sadistic gleam in Remus's eye, he would've sworn it was a genuine question.
"It makes sense," Sirius crept beside the prisoner. "Anyone with a real heart would know Snivelus wasn't worthy of it. That's why his only chance of romance is with a pile of tin cans."
Remus and Peter laughed in the background as Severus waited for James to get closer.
"Don't you dare insult him," Hermione snapped. "Even a heartless pile of tin knows he is far more caring than you ever will be."
"Wow, she has no heart and no brains," Peter replied.
"She has more of a brain than all of you have combined," Severus argued.
"Let's see how much that bucket of bolts cares for you once she's rusted over," James held up the bucket of water.
"She'll care as much for me as I care for this," Severus kneed James in the groin.
James let out a yelp two octaves higher than his usual voice. Severus caught the bucket before water could splash out. Sirius glared at him and held up his wand, "Sc-"
Severus knocked the wand out of his hand before punching him in the gut. Sirius gasped for air before tumbling to the ground.
Remus and Peter leapt into the cell to grab Severus, only to be slammed into the wall, one after the other. Severus raced out with the bucket of water, looking inside to see the water level. Thank goodness James had filled it just below the brim. He had more than enough water to defeat Molly.
"What are you three standing around for?" James yelled in a voice as high as that of a munchkin. "Get him!"
Severus raced to the top of the stairs and flung open the door. He glanced around and found a wooden chair. He propped it in front of the dungeon door before darting away, doing his best to run without sloshing the water.
If he remembered right, the Wicked Witch of the West's room was on the top level. He vaguely remembered being carried down the stairs, though how many flights he wasn't sure. No matter. He would find the Witch's throne room if it was the last thing he did.
Severus dashed through one hallway, then another. A few times he hid in the shadows to avoid a passing guard. None seemed to detect him, none so much as glancing in his direction. After running around until he was winded, he found a staircase. He caught his breath before running up.
A few times he glanced at the bucket. It was still full, or at least full enough for Molly. So long as he didn't need to throw it on anyone before reaching her, he could escape this predicament in one piece.
Molly's cackling echoed throughout the staircase. Severus winced. He couldn't wait to be rid of that noise. In this world Molly's voice had been obnoxious enough. In Oz, it was as excruciating as a Crucitas curse.
"Oh yes, that little gitty is as good as mine."
"Do not be so certain of that," Severus opened the door.
"Severus!" She screeched.
"No, it's the pizza delivery man." He deadpanned.
"Pizza delivery man?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Forget it. It's a muggle thing."
"Muggle?" She cocked her head.
"Never mind. Just focus on the fact I escaped your guards."
She sneered. "So you did."
Severus' stomach sank. Molly was calm, too calm around this bucket of water.
"Come closer my dear," she began in the same sweet voice she used when speaking with Harry in his world. "I was watching something quite enlightening, something which may capture your interest."
Severus remained where he was. She backed away from the ball, allowing him a better view. Within it was the image of a human Hermione in a human Ronald's arms. They laughed as they twirled across the ballroom. It took a few moments to register that she was wearing a white wedding dress, and he was wearing his best tuxedo. Ron whispered something in her ear, and she giggled.
The image in the ball switched again. This time, Hermione was holding a red headed child. Another red headed child of about two was bouncing around her knee. Ron leaned in and kissed her. They looked at each other, eyes glistening in what could only be described as true bliss.
"Don't they make a beautiful family?" Molly asked in a sweet voice.
Severus' throat constricted. She had everything she wanted, a child, a man who loved her, and none of it involved him. Once again, he was on the outside looking in on a loving family
"Yes, she's much happier with her than she'd ever be with an old, greasy git like you," Molly continued in a soft voice.
Severus' body grow cold as his throat constricted until he couldn't breathe.
"Admit it, you're not good enough for her," Molly continued. "You're too damaged, too cynical, too old. She was never going to love you, not the way you love her."
His stomach sank. As much as he hated her, she was right about everything. Who was he to fight it?
"There's no reason for you to fight me," Molly drew closer. "True love such as her and Ronald is inevitable. You can surrender now, or watch her in another man's arms for the rest of your life."
He remained rooted in place, her words sinking in.
"You know all about that, don't you." Molly's voice was little more than a whisper. "You watched Lily leave you, and now you're about to watch Hermione leave you."
Severus shuddered. She was right. Merlin she was right about it all…
"There's no point in fighting me. Just give me the shoes and everything will be fine. You won't feel any pain once I receive the shoes. You'll never have to see Hermione in another man's arms, not again."
Severus watched her approach him. His mind felt separate from his body, as if the events before him were happening to someone he was observing across the room.
"Just bend down, take off your shoes, and give me them," Molly replied.
Severus' mind flashed to all the conversations he'd had with Hermione since she'd been hired. Her eyes glistened more around him than they had with anyone else. Even in the foulest of moods, he could make her smile. Then there was the ball a few days ago. What had she been trying to tell him?
"She's left you," Molly's voice was harsher. "Give me the shoes and you won't need to live with the pain."
Tin Hermione had fought so hard for him, just as the real Hermione had fought to pry her way into his life. No matter how sharp and sarcastic he'd been, she was gentle with him, finally winning over with her genuine offer of friendship. Tin Hermione saw the good in him regardless of the circumstance, just as the real Hermione had. Neither Hermione was afraid to call him on his foul behavior, yet both had assured him they did not think less of him as a person.
Regardless of what happened, they were his friends. He needed to respect those friendships, even if it killed him.
"Come on Severus," Molly stood over him. "Give me the shoes."
"No."
"No?" She snapped.
"No," he replied in a stronger voice.
"You can't tell me no!" Molly screeched. "I'm only telling you the truth! You can't deny it! Give me the shoes!"
"No, I won't allow you to use Hermione against me, nor will I allow you to manipulate me into improving your fashion sense."
"What?" She screamed. "Hermione doesn't love you! I can take away that pain right now if you give me the shoes!"
"I do not know if Hermione is in love with me or not, but I refuse to jeopardize our friendship by being a dunderhead and abandoning her. I will be in her life so long as she wants me."
"She's going to leave you! Everyone leaves you! Your mangy little cat will leave you too!"
"I can't control that, but I can be there if she needs me."
"You're a fool, Severus! A dunderheaded fool!" She shrieked
"Oh for the love of magic shut up!" Severus shouted as he threw the water over her.
"AH!" Molly shrieked. "You cursed git! Look what you've done!"
Severus blinked as steam came from her body.
"I'm melting! Melting!" As the steam grew higher, Molly grew smaller, as her clothes sank lower.
"Oh what a world! What a world!" She screamed as she shrunk. "Who would've thought an old ugly git like you would destroy my beautiful wickedness?"
Severus kept his gaze on her.
She screamed again. "No! No! I'm going. Ahh! Nooo…" Molly's voice grew softer until no one could hear her whine. Her last screams were like a released untied balloon releasing its last gasp of air.
Once the smoke cleared, there was only a dress and a pointed hat where Molly had been standing. Severus poked her clothes with his foot, but not a sound was heard.
At long last, Molly was silent.
