**Disclaimer: I told you, J. K. Rowling is nicer than I am, so of course these characters are hers, but the plot is mine.
**Reviews:
**A/N: I actually wrote this right after I wrote Chapter 12, but what fun is a cliffhanger if I post the next chapter right away? Bwa ha ha.
Corrupt
Chapter Thirteen
Innocence Spared
Slumping over, the unidentifiable body of Paxia Devastarium was truly, and finally, lifeless. Voldemort's final shield against Harry Potter had been defeated, and Harry, streaked with tears, sweat, dirt, and blood- now writhing with hatred- knew this.
In a physical attack, none which had ever been known by the detached fighters which wizards are- those who use magical, as opposed to physical, force- Harry rammed into Voldemort and sent him reeling backwards. Taking down Lucious Malfoy as he fell, both men met their end as Potter enlisted in Severus' assistance to lift the cauldron that had wrought so much turmoil and evil and pour its contents over their bodies.
The shrill screams echoed long into the night. If one listens hard enough, it is said that their cries curse the sky when the wind blows through the trees, and that their struggles hit the clouds forming thunder.
The entire crowd began to fade, in disbelief and fear at what they had just witnessed. Each hooded observant fled into the night, to hide in the Slytherin tower, to pretend it had never happened, to feign innocence in the dawning day. Slowly, all that was left were the blood soaked, dead bodies of Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy, the shaken Severus Snape, and a lonely, fatigued Harry Potter, who had witnessed the murders of his greatest school rival, destined rival, and lover. Holding the same weapon with which he had saved the muggle world with, Harry pressed the glass to his wrist.
"Stop," cautioned Snape. So this is why she saved him. Because Voldemort needed a way to kill him, and she knew that she would be his vehicle. She gave up her life to Voldemort. She gave up her virginity to Snape- for Voldemort. She gave up her soul to Harry- for Voldemort. And now she had given her body to mixed blood as a way of killing that same Harry Potter- for Voldemort. Looking at this boy, ready to kill himself because of what his own life had called him to do, Severus knew that this wasn't over.
Paxia's blood was that of Draco and Hermione- it wasn't her own. Their smeared bodies were tainted with themselves. If it were true, if Paxia was right in her suspicion that they had known each other more intimately, then a spell to infuse the spilt blood into their corpses would prove successful, because they had already shared other forms of bodily fluids, and their bodies would not reject it.
"Absorbere Vitalis."
A mystified Harry looked on as life was absorbed back into their bodies. Taking progressively stronger breaths, their beaten forms took on an air of innocence. Severus and Harry removed their forsaken robes and covered the two with them, wrapping them, and carrying them back to Hogwarts- Harry with Hermione, Severus with Draco.
The walk was long, but the Dark Forest isn't as isolating and complex when you have a dawning day filtering through its leaves. Passing Hagrid's home, they knew they'd found their way out- and both felt more relieved than words do justice to say.
*****
Breakfast in the Great Hall continued on as usual. Gryffindor, Raven-claw, and Huffle-puff tables made on with their usual topics of conversation. Slytherin table, however, had not the appetite to eat, or the courage to feign confidence. None spoke. Hermione and Draco were dead for all they knew, and Paxia was killed by Harry Potter, who had destroyed the man they once knew as Lord Voldemort. Their scars remained, though more as a painful reminder of the past than an attachment to their leader.
The doors opened, and all heads turned as Harry Potter limped into the Great Hall, being supported by Severus Snape. Silence permeated the room, and as they held the doors open, Draco and Hermione, looking like hell, but alive none the less, made their way down the center aisle, followed closely by Potter and Snape. Dumbledore rose, and made his understanding clear.
"Though what our students engage in outside of Hogwarts is none of my concern, when it infiltrates our walls and threatens the lives of the students we have been entrusted with, it demands the attention of the faculty. The lives of Slytherin were in this way threatened by the faction known as Death-Eaters, a faction promoted by our own Severus Snape. I hereby decree that our potions master is no longer employed by our institution, and all privileges he has ever attained here are permanently suspended. Furthermore, it should be noted that this faction, led by Lord Voldemort, is no longer in existence, since Harry Potter has fulfilled his prophesied destiny and destroyed the Dark Lord himself. For this, Harry Potter will be considered a legend and historical figure to all who should be made known of the existence of Hogwarts, Witchcraft, and Wizardry. For this, Harry Potter will join Severus Snape in suspension of privilege and titles. Finally, Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy, who, for lacking perseverance and integrity chose the easier road to follow and attempted initiation into the cult of the Death-Eaters, will seek comfort in each other when I am through suspending you as well. The four of you have barely made out with your lives, and I am ashamed to consider myself one of the many that attempted to teach you the obvious boundaries of what dictates Black Magic from White Magic."
Albus Dumbledore stupefied his students and colleague with his words. They had defeated Voldemort, sacrificed themselves for the good of muggles so that the world would never need to know about the existence of the Dark Lord, and now they had all been expelled?
Hermione began to cry. She couldn't stand anymore, and Draco held her to him. Harry took Draco's shoulder in his hand, and they shared the weight of the girl together. Snape looked from the three, to the headmaster, and back again. He should have known that following Voldemort would lead to nothing but isolation. He turned to leave. Tonight he would pack, and Hogwarts would be a distant memory.
"In spite of your atrocious disrespect for this school, disregard for the rules we've established here, and dishonor you have cast upon Slytherin House, I grant to Severus Snape the position of Assistant Head Master. With your expertise, and experience in the Dark Arts, I am putting my trust in you that you will use your knowledge to our own good and advancement. The position is yours Severus- if you feel you can look to me as a leader, if you feel you can convert to the 'other side' of magic," Dumbledore spoke truly. He didn't fear Snape, after all, the discovery that Granger and Malfoy were alive simply because of his knowledge- both into their personal lives and his own of magic- put his heart to rest.
"I would be honored," Severus whispered. The bitterness remained, but this was a moment of sheer surprise, and he couldn't muster any form of insolence if Voldemort himself came back and forced him to.
"To Harry Potter, with honor and prestige comes responsibility. It is your responsibility to undertake Gryffindor House. Not as a student, not as Head Boy, and not as a Prefect. But as an example. Your position is here, amongst the faculty, as a colleague. Your education and personal gifts prepared you for the fight of your life, and Hogwarts would be blessed to have you in our midst to educate us in the same manner of spirit and strength."
"Yes, Headmaster," Harry bowed, stunned. But Dumbledore was right- there was nothing left for Harry at Hogwarts, but to teach the future generations of witches and wizards how to defend themselves when rendered magically defenseless. It was a skill one acquires as a muggle living with other muggles. And he was ready.
"To Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy. Your union is a most potent one, as I am sure you have come to realize. What you have yet to realize is that this very union will produce the next leader of Slytherin House. A pureblood as powerful as a Malfoy, who for the longest reign served Voldemort as nearly next of kin, with the only pure muggle ever to have been sorted into Slytherin House has its own powerful reverberations, repercussions that will define our future. May you serve your purposes well, as you bring the muggle world and magical world together as one. God speed."
Hermione and Draco looked at each other, and in that instant, Hermione took his hand in hers, and pressed it to her abdomen. Welcome to the future.
**Reviews:
**A/N: I actually wrote this right after I wrote Chapter 12, but what fun is a cliffhanger if I post the next chapter right away? Bwa ha ha.
Corrupt
Chapter Thirteen
Innocence Spared
Slumping over, the unidentifiable body of Paxia Devastarium was truly, and finally, lifeless. Voldemort's final shield against Harry Potter had been defeated, and Harry, streaked with tears, sweat, dirt, and blood- now writhing with hatred- knew this.
In a physical attack, none which had ever been known by the detached fighters which wizards are- those who use magical, as opposed to physical, force- Harry rammed into Voldemort and sent him reeling backwards. Taking down Lucious Malfoy as he fell, both men met their end as Potter enlisted in Severus' assistance to lift the cauldron that had wrought so much turmoil and evil and pour its contents over their bodies.
The shrill screams echoed long into the night. If one listens hard enough, it is said that their cries curse the sky when the wind blows through the trees, and that their struggles hit the clouds forming thunder.
The entire crowd began to fade, in disbelief and fear at what they had just witnessed. Each hooded observant fled into the night, to hide in the Slytherin tower, to pretend it had never happened, to feign innocence in the dawning day. Slowly, all that was left were the blood soaked, dead bodies of Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy, the shaken Severus Snape, and a lonely, fatigued Harry Potter, who had witnessed the murders of his greatest school rival, destined rival, and lover. Holding the same weapon with which he had saved the muggle world with, Harry pressed the glass to his wrist.
"Stop," cautioned Snape. So this is why she saved him. Because Voldemort needed a way to kill him, and she knew that she would be his vehicle. She gave up her life to Voldemort. She gave up her virginity to Snape- for Voldemort. She gave up her soul to Harry- for Voldemort. And now she had given her body to mixed blood as a way of killing that same Harry Potter- for Voldemort. Looking at this boy, ready to kill himself because of what his own life had called him to do, Severus knew that this wasn't over.
Paxia's blood was that of Draco and Hermione- it wasn't her own. Their smeared bodies were tainted with themselves. If it were true, if Paxia was right in her suspicion that they had known each other more intimately, then a spell to infuse the spilt blood into their corpses would prove successful, because they had already shared other forms of bodily fluids, and their bodies would not reject it.
"Absorbere Vitalis."
A mystified Harry looked on as life was absorbed back into their bodies. Taking progressively stronger breaths, their beaten forms took on an air of innocence. Severus and Harry removed their forsaken robes and covered the two with them, wrapping them, and carrying them back to Hogwarts- Harry with Hermione, Severus with Draco.
The walk was long, but the Dark Forest isn't as isolating and complex when you have a dawning day filtering through its leaves. Passing Hagrid's home, they knew they'd found their way out- and both felt more relieved than words do justice to say.
*****
Breakfast in the Great Hall continued on as usual. Gryffindor, Raven-claw, and Huffle-puff tables made on with their usual topics of conversation. Slytherin table, however, had not the appetite to eat, or the courage to feign confidence. None spoke. Hermione and Draco were dead for all they knew, and Paxia was killed by Harry Potter, who had destroyed the man they once knew as Lord Voldemort. Their scars remained, though more as a painful reminder of the past than an attachment to their leader.
The doors opened, and all heads turned as Harry Potter limped into the Great Hall, being supported by Severus Snape. Silence permeated the room, and as they held the doors open, Draco and Hermione, looking like hell, but alive none the less, made their way down the center aisle, followed closely by Potter and Snape. Dumbledore rose, and made his understanding clear.
"Though what our students engage in outside of Hogwarts is none of my concern, when it infiltrates our walls and threatens the lives of the students we have been entrusted with, it demands the attention of the faculty. The lives of Slytherin were in this way threatened by the faction known as Death-Eaters, a faction promoted by our own Severus Snape. I hereby decree that our potions master is no longer employed by our institution, and all privileges he has ever attained here are permanently suspended. Furthermore, it should be noted that this faction, led by Lord Voldemort, is no longer in existence, since Harry Potter has fulfilled his prophesied destiny and destroyed the Dark Lord himself. For this, Harry Potter will be considered a legend and historical figure to all who should be made known of the existence of Hogwarts, Witchcraft, and Wizardry. For this, Harry Potter will join Severus Snape in suspension of privilege and titles. Finally, Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy, who, for lacking perseverance and integrity chose the easier road to follow and attempted initiation into the cult of the Death-Eaters, will seek comfort in each other when I am through suspending you as well. The four of you have barely made out with your lives, and I am ashamed to consider myself one of the many that attempted to teach you the obvious boundaries of what dictates Black Magic from White Magic."
Albus Dumbledore stupefied his students and colleague with his words. They had defeated Voldemort, sacrificed themselves for the good of muggles so that the world would never need to know about the existence of the Dark Lord, and now they had all been expelled?
Hermione began to cry. She couldn't stand anymore, and Draco held her to him. Harry took Draco's shoulder in his hand, and they shared the weight of the girl together. Snape looked from the three, to the headmaster, and back again. He should have known that following Voldemort would lead to nothing but isolation. He turned to leave. Tonight he would pack, and Hogwarts would be a distant memory.
"In spite of your atrocious disrespect for this school, disregard for the rules we've established here, and dishonor you have cast upon Slytherin House, I grant to Severus Snape the position of Assistant Head Master. With your expertise, and experience in the Dark Arts, I am putting my trust in you that you will use your knowledge to our own good and advancement. The position is yours Severus- if you feel you can look to me as a leader, if you feel you can convert to the 'other side' of magic," Dumbledore spoke truly. He didn't fear Snape, after all, the discovery that Granger and Malfoy were alive simply because of his knowledge- both into their personal lives and his own of magic- put his heart to rest.
"I would be honored," Severus whispered. The bitterness remained, but this was a moment of sheer surprise, and he couldn't muster any form of insolence if Voldemort himself came back and forced him to.
"To Harry Potter, with honor and prestige comes responsibility. It is your responsibility to undertake Gryffindor House. Not as a student, not as Head Boy, and not as a Prefect. But as an example. Your position is here, amongst the faculty, as a colleague. Your education and personal gifts prepared you for the fight of your life, and Hogwarts would be blessed to have you in our midst to educate us in the same manner of spirit and strength."
"Yes, Headmaster," Harry bowed, stunned. But Dumbledore was right- there was nothing left for Harry at Hogwarts, but to teach the future generations of witches and wizards how to defend themselves when rendered magically defenseless. It was a skill one acquires as a muggle living with other muggles. And he was ready.
"To Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy. Your union is a most potent one, as I am sure you have come to realize. What you have yet to realize is that this very union will produce the next leader of Slytherin House. A pureblood as powerful as a Malfoy, who for the longest reign served Voldemort as nearly next of kin, with the only pure muggle ever to have been sorted into Slytherin House has its own powerful reverberations, repercussions that will define our future. May you serve your purposes well, as you bring the muggle world and magical world together as one. God speed."
Hermione and Draco looked at each other, and in that instant, Hermione took his hand in hers, and pressed it to her abdomen. Welcome to the future.