Chapter 11

Through The Tunnel!

Snape and Harry slithered along what seemed like an endless underground corridor, until finally the ceiling rose up high enough for them to become human again.

"Reversos!" Snape hissed, and in a flash, the professor and student stood back in human form.

"Where to now?" Snape asked.

"You're the older and wiser one." Harry said.

"But you are the hero of Hogwarts." Snape pointed out. "So lead the frickin way already."

Harry stole ahead the dank passage, Snape in step behind him. It sounded like there were a lot of snakes hissing up ahead, but Harry dismissed it as tricks of the wind. BIG MISTAKE!

They entered a cavernous room where thousands of snakes swarmed across the floor in front of one snake high up on a platform... Al.

"Welcome, Missster Potter. And Sssserevus Ssssnape, what a pleasure."

"Who are you?" Harry demanded, raising his wand.

"It'sss a shame you can't recognize me even now." Al hissed. "After all we've been through, I thought you'd be able to tell me apart from the crowd."

As Harry watched in terror, the snake grew, it's color darkened, and in a puff of smoke, Lord Voldermort himself stood before them, as a young man in a black cape.

"Do you like it, Harry?" he asked, gesturing to the cape. "I told you I wanted one, didn't I?"

Snape was frozen with fright.

Voldermort stepped down from the platform and walked towards Harry. He raised his finger, and Harry's scar erupted in pain, causing him to cry out.

"Oh, I'm sorry! Did that hurt?" Voldermort clucked with amusement. "Please forgive me!" He raised his finger again, causing the same reaction. "Oops, I did it again! I played with your scar... ahem! I've spent too much time among Muggles. Anyhow! I know why you're here."

Voldermort snapped his fingers, and the wall behind him flooded with light, revealing two prisoners chained there. One was a middle-aged woman that Harry did not know, but the other...

"Jane!" Harry cried, running forward, but Voldermort instantly summoned a swarm of snakes to bind Harry's limbs together.

The sight of the other woman did something strange to Snape's face. "How... how DARE you!" he roared, sending a crimson bolt towards the sorcerer. Voldermort stood and admired his cape as the bolt bounced harmlessly off.

"Wondering who she is, Harry? Have a seat and I'll tell you."

After Harry and Snape were secured in chains, Voldermort began speaking.

"Firstly to you, Harry, he who would have destroyed me... I must say you have quite a lovely girlfriend. In fact, I did say that when we met in the field." He chuckled. "What did you say her name was? Jane Argyle? Such a lovely name. Too bad she must die."

Voldermort turned to the struggling girl. "Tell me, Jane, how come you were not allowed to come to Hogwarts at first? Why did your mother forbid it?"

Snape bowed his head.

"Yes, Serevus feels the guilt." Voldermort said softly.

Harry had no clue what the guy was talking about.

"It seems as though young Potter wants to know who the other lady is." Voldermort said. "An old friend of Snape's, I'd say. A rather close friend. Isn't that right, Serevus?"

Snape spat on the ground.

"What are you talking about?" The woman screamed. "I don't know that man! He's so unkempt and dirty!"

Voldermort laughed. "As you say, bitch. Anyway, moving on, I'm glad you fell into my little trap, Harry. Because not only do I get to kill you..." He placed his icy hand on Jane's face, "I get myself a new toy."

This was waaay too far.

"No you fucking don't!" Harry raged, and he broke free of his chains and whipped out his wand. He conjured the strongest spell he could think of, and cast it at Voldermort. No effect.

"Come on, keep attacking." Voldermort jeered. "Try to hurt me!"

Harry cast spell after spell, all with no effect. Finally, he tried a last-ditch plot.

"Okay, big guy, you win." Harry tossed his wand on the floor. "Come on, kill me."

"Such a good boy." Voldermort cooed, approaching Harry. "So understanding that sixteen years will not prevent his fate."

Holding his breath and trying to drown out Jane's screams, Harry waited for Voldermort to blast him.

A blast came from the Dark Wizard's wand, and it engulfed Harry. Harry felt a surge of warmth, but instead of falling to the ground in chunks, he felt the warmth bounce off him and hit Voldermort.

"Noooo! Not AGAIN! Why God? Why???" Voldermort screamed as all his power was sucked from him once again. "You little bastard! I'll be back one day!" And with his last ounce of strength, he Apparated from the room.

Harry freed Snape, then ran to Jane and untied her.

"Harry... you saved me." She said quietly. "You... Harry Potter... the one I love... I feel so much love for you..." suddenly she winced, as if struck. She shakily stood up, and there was soemthing different about her.

"Jane? Are you okay?"

"That's not my name, Harry." She said with a warm smile.

"What??"

"You don't recognize me at first sight, like we said we both would?" she whispered, putting her arms around him. "You saw me come out of Flitwick's office, right? Snape had him put a memory charm on me so I would forget our little... chats."

Harry gasped. "Laura???"

"The one and only!"

"Oh my God!" Harry hugged her tightly, having never been given such a pleasant surprise in his life.

"And what did you say you would do when we first met?" she said, with a gleam in her eye. With the same gleam, he kissed her, finally being in the arms of his dream girl.

After a long, loving kiss, Harry turned to where Snape was talking with the other woman.

"Do you know her, Snape?" Harry asked, his arm around Laura.

"Of course he does." The woman said. "He's my former husband."

"And MY mother." Laura chimed in.

"What what WHAT???" Harry cried, his eyes boggling.

"Yes." Snape said gruffly. "This is Anita. We were married for several years, had this beautiful daughter... but our ways seemed to be too different, and we had to separate."

"But Serevus," Anita said, "I only left you because I thought you had no respect for anybody but yourself... especially women. But you risked your life to save me and our daughter, so I think..."

"You think what?" Snape croaked, about to cry.

"I think I'm ready to give it another go."

After a moment of stunned silence, Snape and Anita embraced.

"Isn't that sweet." Said Harry, watching with a grin.

"And just think," Laura whispered in his ear, "One day, he'll be your father-in-law."

"GACK!!"