Chapter 1 - It's the end of the world as we know it.
"Avada Kedavra!" The words of the Unforgivable curse rang out over and over from Death Eater throats across the courtyard.
Minerva McGonagall ducked as a bolt of green light felled the Auror to her left. A pall of smoke hung over her head, rolling in waves from the burning towers of Hogwarts.
"Minerva, here!" called Xiomara Hooch, from behind a stone pillar, "Quick now, they've got your range!"
In a flash Minerva transformed into a tabby cat, and dashed for the safety of the stone.
Twenty meters, ten - almost there -
A black robed form appeared suddenly, directly in her path. She swerved to avoid the pointing wand but it was too late.
"Crucio," said the masked Death Eater softly.
Minerva writhed and yowled as the Cruciatus Curse boiled along her nerves. After a few moments she fainted.
Voices.
There were voices.
McGonagall opened bleary eyes and tried to focus. She found with dismay that she seemed to be bound upright in a chair.
"Ah, Professor McGonagall, how good of you to join us." A hand seized her chin and jerked her face upward. She winced as her glasses were placed none too gently on her nose.
She was facing a stone wall.
"Don't look so terrified Minerva," said a voice at her side, "After all, your friends are here with you." A black robed figure stepped in front of her, and she recoiled in disgust from the pale face and slitted eyes.
Voldemort.
"Would you like to see them?" asked the Dark Wizard.
McGonagall flinched as fingers seized her shoulder and spun the chair on its legs.
"A rather sad little batch of rebels you were, don't you agree Professor?" hissed Voldemort.
"Oh Albus," said Minerva, quietly. "Not you."
Directly before her, Albus Dumbledore sat, bound tightly to his own chair. Blood streaked his white hair and beard, and he looked oddly like the Muggle legend of Father Christmas. Several empty chairs sat to his left.
The old wizard tried to smile through swollen lips.
"A pleasure to see you among the living Minerva," said Dumbledore.
"I'm glad you feel it is still a pleasure Albus," said Voldemort. "But I believe that feeling will change." He smiled triumphantly, "You have lost."
"The battle for Hogwarts still rages," said Dumbledore firmly.
"The pawns still fight, indeed," sneered Voldemort, "but I have captured the King and Queen, the Knights, and what is more important - " He strode to the door and threw it open, gesturing to someone in the hall beyond.
" - The mudbloods' messiah."
There was a clatter as several Death Eaters entered the room, dragging the battered and unconscious forms of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley.
The children were dumped in a heap in the center of the floor.
"Tell me, Albus," said Voldemort, "Do you still believe you will win, when word goes out even now that the famous Harry Potter has fallen at the side of his professors and friends?"
Dumbledore closed his eyes and said nothing.
"The Aurors will not stop until they find us," spat McGonagall.
"Ah, your famous Aurors," said Voldemort pleasantly, turning to face the dark haired witch.
"Led for this final clash by the Unspeakables, the best of the best - " He trailed off with a cold smile and walked swiftly to the door.
"Let's see one of them then."
With a jerk he opened the heavy oak slab and motioned to someone outside.With his attention on the hall, McGonagall tried desperately to return to her Animagus form and dash for the open door. Despite her repeated attempts, she remained distressingly human.
"I believe you are familiar with Xiomara," said Voldemort. He stepped aside as two Death Eaters propelled a staggering Madam Hooch into the room.
The Quidditch mistress walked uncertainly, nearly tripping over her own feet several times as the masked wizards shoved her toward a chair. Once seated, she was secured firmly with a wave of Voldemort's wand. She stared vacantly about; her golden hawk's eyes ringed with purple-black bruising and her nose a flattened disaster.
Minerva gasped as Voldemort seized the other woman's right sleeve and tore it away, exposing the entire upper arm.
There, from shoulder to elbow, was the mark of an Unspeakable- an inverted crimson question mark burned into the flesh.
"Fool," sneered Voldemort, shaking his head at McGonagall's expression. "Did you never wonder why a retired world champion Quidditch Beater would be forced to seek employment as a coach of children?" He wound his fingers though Hooch's short hair and pulled, meeting her vacant eyes with his own.
"Xiomara could have had a coaching position with any team in the world, couldn't you my dear?"
Madam Hooch muttered incoherently and the Dark Lord released her head with a shove.
"If only she hadn't been assigned to Hogwarts by the Ministry, waiting for the day that a certain boy arrived. Waiting to protect him." Voldemort laughed roughly and knelt to face the half-conscious woman.
"Well, the day has come and YOU HAVE FAILED!" shouted the Dark Lord. "All of your plans, your wards, your schemes have come to nothing! Dumbledore has been toppled, the boy is mine!"
Hooch recoiled instinctively in her seat, trying to turn her face as the wizard raised his voice.
"You are all mine," whispered Voldemort.
Dumbledore shook his head. "And what do you plan to do with us, Tom? Kill us to prove that you have indeed won?"
"Do not use that filthy muggle name!" said Voldemort. In two steps he reached the old wizard's side and slapped him across the face.
"Tom Riddle is as dead as the mudblood who gave him life," said Voldemort. "But I do not plan to kill any of you, even if you beg me, on your knees."
Dumbledore sat silently, blinking as a trickle of blood meandered from his split lower lip.
"Why keep us then?" asked Minerva. "Why not just kill us while you have the chance?"
"Vengeance," said Voldemort.
"And that will make it all right then?" said McGonagall. "We are tortured, like a boy pulling the wings off flies, and everyone will just queue up to follow you? I think you overestimate your own popularity," the elderly witch sniffed.
Lord Voldemort chuckled. "Ah, Minerva, still the wit." The Dark wizard ran his fingers slowly across the woman's neck.
"Did you know how much I hated you, even in school?" said Voldemort. "Bloody noble-minded Gryffindor bitch." With a cruel twitch of his hand he pulled McGonagall's hair from it's long pins.
Minerva shivered as the mass of dark curls cascaded down her back.
"You pitied me, and I loathed you for that," said Voldemort, idly toying with a long lock of hair.
"I never pitied you," said Minerva. "I worried for you." She shivered again as Voldemort allowed his nails to trail across her chin. He hesitated for the merest sliver of a second, then slid one hand to slowly stroke her rope-wrapped breasts.
McGonagall writhed in her seat.
He wouldn't do it. Even he couldn't, not in front of the children.
"Please, don't - " she managed.
"Oh, but I will," sneered Voldemort. "Here, with your friends and your boy savior. And do you know what?"
Minerva turned her head to avoid Voldemort's slithering tongue as he lapped slowly across her face and ear.
"Not one of them will be able to save you," said Voldemort softly.
"It's not Minerva you hate so deeply," said Dumbledore from across the floor.
Voldemort turned slowly, eyeing the old wizard.
"Do go on," he said.
"You have hated me for years," said Dumbledore, "And now you have won. I am completely in your power. Leave her alone. Here I am, do what you would to me, but leave her alone." The old wizard's face was white and drawn but his voice did not shake.
"I will not fight you," he added. "I will do whatever you ask of me."
"Albus, no!" said Minerva.
"Would you get on your knees for me old man?" said Voldemort. "Would you be my toy?"
"If that is what you asked," said Dumbledore; his voice low. "And if it meant you would not harm the others."
"Ah, the famous Gryffindor nobility," said Voldemort mockingly. "While it pains me to disappoint you, I have no intention of changing my plans. I have waited far too long to let dear Professor McGonagall know my feelings." He paused for a moment, turning his head towards a sound outside the room's open door. "Never fear, Albus. You will have your turn. Alas, however, you all have to wait. I have other duties to attend to at the moment." The Dark Wizard strode for the door, but paused as he reached the open portal.
"Someone will be in to tend your wounds," he said over his shoulder. "It would be a shame if any of you died of your injuries before I have had time to know you better."
With a last chuckle he was gone.
"I'm so sorry Minerva," said Dumbledore, "So sorry."
Heavy tears spilled slowly across Professor McGonagall's cheeks.
"It will be all right Albus," she said, sounding very much as if she were lying.
There was a clinking sound at the doorway, and both teachers jerked. Across the room Xiomara Hooch moaned.
Severus Snape entered the room, bearing a large tray loaded with potions.
"Severus!" gasped Minerva.
The shallow-skinned man kicked the door closed and placed the tray on the floor. Moving rapidly, he stooped to check the still unconscious children for signs of life and to drizzle fluids through their slack lips .
"Severus, what - " began Dumbledore.
He was abruptly silenced with an upthrust hand.
"No time Albus," said Snape. "Be silent and listen." Swiftly he chose from the vials he carried and began to administer the liquids to his co-workers. Xiomara Hooch could only moan softly as the potions were dripped into her unresisting mouth.
"Voldemort will return quickly," said Snape. His eyes were like coal, his face a mask of horror. "I am giving you all healing potions and skele-grow, but there is no antidote to Veritaserum, and he will surely use it."
"Do we have a chance, Severus?" asked Minerva, her Scottish brogue trembling.
Snape stared at her for a long minute. "If there was no hope," he said in a soft and deadly tone, "I would be giving you hemlock, and saving a final dose for myself."
From deep within the recesses of his robes, Severus pulled two small vials. He held them up so
McGonagall and Dumbledore could see.
"Amataeus Syrup and Felinus Potion," said Snape, "For you Minerva."
McGonagall paled. "I understand the Felinus," she whispered. "He's done something to stop me from transforming, and it will allow me to change despite whatever spell he's used." She gulped for air. "Why Amataeus?"
Snape's eyes burned into her own. "Because when he returns it is you he will begin with, and I only have one dose."
Minerva gagged.
"If you are so injured that you can think of nothing else, what good will transformation do?" said Snape. He pushed the vials to her lips and she gulped the bitter liquids quickly.
Dumbledore said thickly, "I have never seen Amataeus used, but I understand the effects. Any wounds obtained during - during - intimacy will close rapidly."
Snape nodded, his gaze still locked with McGonagall's. "Protecting the drinker from serious injury during loveplay." The wizard paused, then said "Or rape."
Minerva sniffed miserably as tears ran down her cheeks.
Snape went on relentlessly. " But with it you will survive what he does to you. And when he is - distracted, you will change, and I will open the door. His confusion as you change will slow him, but only for a few seconds at best."
Minerva looked desperately ill. "He will kill you," she said.
"I will fight," said Severus, "and I will buy you time. Outside of the castle is a rubbish heap, and on top of the heap, almost totally hidden in a box, is a Muggle drinks can. It is red, with white script that reads Coca-Cola."
"A port-key," said Dumbledore.
"Indeed." Severus smiled tiredly. "When he told me to bring the potions, I had an idea of who this room held. I have been prepared for this for a very long time."
"But where will I come out?" asked Minerva, craning her neck to wipe her face on her shoulder.
"You will be at the Ministry, in the Unspeakable's debriefing room," said Severus. "Someone will await you there, arrangements were made to combat the fall of Hogwarts and the capture of Dumbledore as soon as I began this cursed spying."
"I will bring help," Minerva said. She seemed to want to say more, but words did not come.
"I will hold him off as long as I can," Severus said flatly, "but I'm tired, and at best you will have 10 minutes. I will free Albus and the others as you run, but even together there will not be much time." He ran his fingers through his lank hair and nodded over his shoulder. " If you are lucky, and fast, you may save the children."
Minerva said, "Then everything is not lost after all."
"We can fight," said a small voice from the floor.
Severus Snape whirled to see Harry Potter and Hermione Granger sitting shakily upright. Ron Weasley groaned, then pulled himself slowly to join them.
"Do not be a hero, Mister Potter," Snape snarled. "No matter what you see or hear. If you gain his attention at the wrong moment it will be you rather than I who dies, and wouldn't that be sad."
"I would rather die fighting than to sit by while everyone else I loved was killed by that dirty coward," Harry said defiantly.
Ron nodded in agreement, then bit his lip. "I'll fight too," he said with determination, "Only - only, I wish I could see my mum one last time before I - you know." His voice broke and he hid his face in Hermione's shoulder.
Snape walked briskly to the children, and knelt beside the shaking red-head.
"Mister Weasley," Snape said, gently turning the boy's tearstained face to his own. "I will kill you myself should you ever repeat this, but right now, I wish your mum was here." He smiled awkwardly at the child, then turned at the feel of a light tap on his shoulder.
"Professor Snape," Hermione said firmly, "May I hug you?"
Severus stared at her in confusion.
"Miss Granger, have you taken leave of your senses?" he asked.
"No Sir," she said quietly, "but since we're probably all about to be killed, I should think you would want something warm to be the last thing you felt."
Severus Snape swallowed hard, then hung his head.
"If you wish, Miss Granger."
Hermione scooted quickly to his side, and tentatively wrapped her arms around his neck and shoulder.
"We never really hated you," she whispered in his ear. "Potions was always my favorite class next to Arithromancy."
Convulsively his arms came around the slender form, and the tall man buried his face in her curls.
"I will not let this happen," Snape whispered, "I will not let you see this, not let it happen to you, not if I can stop him."
"I know," the girl said quietly. She stroked the man's tightly clenched back and neck.
Shaken, the potions master gave the girl one last squeeze before he stood.
"If I am wrong," Severus said in a dead voice, "if he chooses to begin this horror with someone other than Minerva, or - " He swallowed roughly, his blind gaze fixed on the flagstones. "If he asks me to assist him, everyone must wait until I give a signal. I must have clear access to the door, and he must not be between Minerva and the opening. Do you all understand?"
"It seems to be our only chance Severus," Albus said.
Snape stared around the small room, his eyes lingering on each pale and battered face.
"Understand, what I may have to do," he rasped.
Shuddering, the potions master seized the empty flasks and vials and dashed from the room.
There was a long moment of silence.
"Children," Dumbledore said at last, "no matter what happens, if you have a chance to free yourselves you must go. Do not wait for us."
"No Headmaster!" Harry said fiercely. A shock of hair fell over his eye and he quickly flipped it away. "We won't leave you!"
"You will indeed Mister Potter," Professor McGonagall said angrily. Better herself, or Albus, than any of them. Thank Merlin they were not awake to see her cry. "If we can save the three of you, then we have not failed utterly. You better than anyone should know that you are - "
Harry's squawk of protest was silenced by Hermione.
"Shut up and listen!" she said urgently. "Footsteps!"
"He's coming," moaned Ron.
The door swung open.
"Avada Kedavra!" The words of the Unforgivable curse rang out over and over from Death Eater throats across the courtyard.
Minerva McGonagall ducked as a bolt of green light felled the Auror to her left. A pall of smoke hung over her head, rolling in waves from the burning towers of Hogwarts.
"Minerva, here!" called Xiomara Hooch, from behind a stone pillar, "Quick now, they've got your range!"
In a flash Minerva transformed into a tabby cat, and dashed for the safety of the stone.
Twenty meters, ten - almost there -
A black robed form appeared suddenly, directly in her path. She swerved to avoid the pointing wand but it was too late.
"Crucio," said the masked Death Eater softly.
Minerva writhed and yowled as the Cruciatus Curse boiled along her nerves. After a few moments she fainted.
Voices.
There were voices.
McGonagall opened bleary eyes and tried to focus. She found with dismay that she seemed to be bound upright in a chair.
"Ah, Professor McGonagall, how good of you to join us." A hand seized her chin and jerked her face upward. She winced as her glasses were placed none too gently on her nose.
She was facing a stone wall.
"Don't look so terrified Minerva," said a voice at her side, "After all, your friends are here with you." A black robed figure stepped in front of her, and she recoiled in disgust from the pale face and slitted eyes.
Voldemort.
"Would you like to see them?" asked the Dark Wizard.
McGonagall flinched as fingers seized her shoulder and spun the chair on its legs.
"A rather sad little batch of rebels you were, don't you agree Professor?" hissed Voldemort.
"Oh Albus," said Minerva, quietly. "Not you."
Directly before her, Albus Dumbledore sat, bound tightly to his own chair. Blood streaked his white hair and beard, and he looked oddly like the Muggle legend of Father Christmas. Several empty chairs sat to his left.
The old wizard tried to smile through swollen lips.
"A pleasure to see you among the living Minerva," said Dumbledore.
"I'm glad you feel it is still a pleasure Albus," said Voldemort. "But I believe that feeling will change." He smiled triumphantly, "You have lost."
"The battle for Hogwarts still rages," said Dumbledore firmly.
"The pawns still fight, indeed," sneered Voldemort, "but I have captured the King and Queen, the Knights, and what is more important - " He strode to the door and threw it open, gesturing to someone in the hall beyond.
" - The mudbloods' messiah."
There was a clatter as several Death Eaters entered the room, dragging the battered and unconscious forms of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley.
The children were dumped in a heap in the center of the floor.
"Tell me, Albus," said Voldemort, "Do you still believe you will win, when word goes out even now that the famous Harry Potter has fallen at the side of his professors and friends?"
Dumbledore closed his eyes and said nothing.
"The Aurors will not stop until they find us," spat McGonagall.
"Ah, your famous Aurors," said Voldemort pleasantly, turning to face the dark haired witch.
"Led for this final clash by the Unspeakables, the best of the best - " He trailed off with a cold smile and walked swiftly to the door.
"Let's see one of them then."
With a jerk he opened the heavy oak slab and motioned to someone outside.With his attention on the hall, McGonagall tried desperately to return to her Animagus form and dash for the open door. Despite her repeated attempts, she remained distressingly human.
"I believe you are familiar with Xiomara," said Voldemort. He stepped aside as two Death Eaters propelled a staggering Madam Hooch into the room.
The Quidditch mistress walked uncertainly, nearly tripping over her own feet several times as the masked wizards shoved her toward a chair. Once seated, she was secured firmly with a wave of Voldemort's wand. She stared vacantly about; her golden hawk's eyes ringed with purple-black bruising and her nose a flattened disaster.
Minerva gasped as Voldemort seized the other woman's right sleeve and tore it away, exposing the entire upper arm.
There, from shoulder to elbow, was the mark of an Unspeakable- an inverted crimson question mark burned into the flesh.
"Fool," sneered Voldemort, shaking his head at McGonagall's expression. "Did you never wonder why a retired world champion Quidditch Beater would be forced to seek employment as a coach of children?" He wound his fingers though Hooch's short hair and pulled, meeting her vacant eyes with his own.
"Xiomara could have had a coaching position with any team in the world, couldn't you my dear?"
Madam Hooch muttered incoherently and the Dark Lord released her head with a shove.
"If only she hadn't been assigned to Hogwarts by the Ministry, waiting for the day that a certain boy arrived. Waiting to protect him." Voldemort laughed roughly and knelt to face the half-conscious woman.
"Well, the day has come and YOU HAVE FAILED!" shouted the Dark Lord. "All of your plans, your wards, your schemes have come to nothing! Dumbledore has been toppled, the boy is mine!"
Hooch recoiled instinctively in her seat, trying to turn her face as the wizard raised his voice.
"You are all mine," whispered Voldemort.
Dumbledore shook his head. "And what do you plan to do with us, Tom? Kill us to prove that you have indeed won?"
"Do not use that filthy muggle name!" said Voldemort. In two steps he reached the old wizard's side and slapped him across the face.
"Tom Riddle is as dead as the mudblood who gave him life," said Voldemort. "But I do not plan to kill any of you, even if you beg me, on your knees."
Dumbledore sat silently, blinking as a trickle of blood meandered from his split lower lip.
"Why keep us then?" asked Minerva. "Why not just kill us while you have the chance?"
"Vengeance," said Voldemort.
"And that will make it all right then?" said McGonagall. "We are tortured, like a boy pulling the wings off flies, and everyone will just queue up to follow you? I think you overestimate your own popularity," the elderly witch sniffed.
Lord Voldemort chuckled. "Ah, Minerva, still the wit." The Dark wizard ran his fingers slowly across the woman's neck.
"Did you know how much I hated you, even in school?" said Voldemort. "Bloody noble-minded Gryffindor bitch." With a cruel twitch of his hand he pulled McGonagall's hair from it's long pins.
Minerva shivered as the mass of dark curls cascaded down her back.
"You pitied me, and I loathed you for that," said Voldemort, idly toying with a long lock of hair.
"I never pitied you," said Minerva. "I worried for you." She shivered again as Voldemort allowed his nails to trail across her chin. He hesitated for the merest sliver of a second, then slid one hand to slowly stroke her rope-wrapped breasts.
McGonagall writhed in her seat.
He wouldn't do it. Even he couldn't, not in front of the children.
"Please, don't - " she managed.
"Oh, but I will," sneered Voldemort. "Here, with your friends and your boy savior. And do you know what?"
Minerva turned her head to avoid Voldemort's slithering tongue as he lapped slowly across her face and ear.
"Not one of them will be able to save you," said Voldemort softly.
"It's not Minerva you hate so deeply," said Dumbledore from across the floor.
Voldemort turned slowly, eyeing the old wizard.
"Do go on," he said.
"You have hated me for years," said Dumbledore, "And now you have won. I am completely in your power. Leave her alone. Here I am, do what you would to me, but leave her alone." The old wizard's face was white and drawn but his voice did not shake.
"I will not fight you," he added. "I will do whatever you ask of me."
"Albus, no!" said Minerva.
"Would you get on your knees for me old man?" said Voldemort. "Would you be my toy?"
"If that is what you asked," said Dumbledore; his voice low. "And if it meant you would not harm the others."
"Ah, the famous Gryffindor nobility," said Voldemort mockingly. "While it pains me to disappoint you, I have no intention of changing my plans. I have waited far too long to let dear Professor McGonagall know my feelings." He paused for a moment, turning his head towards a sound outside the room's open door. "Never fear, Albus. You will have your turn. Alas, however, you all have to wait. I have other duties to attend to at the moment." The Dark Wizard strode for the door, but paused as he reached the open portal.
"Someone will be in to tend your wounds," he said over his shoulder. "It would be a shame if any of you died of your injuries before I have had time to know you better."
With a last chuckle he was gone.
"I'm so sorry Minerva," said Dumbledore, "So sorry."
Heavy tears spilled slowly across Professor McGonagall's cheeks.
"It will be all right Albus," she said, sounding very much as if she were lying.
There was a clinking sound at the doorway, and both teachers jerked. Across the room Xiomara Hooch moaned.
Severus Snape entered the room, bearing a large tray loaded with potions.
"Severus!" gasped Minerva.
The shallow-skinned man kicked the door closed and placed the tray on the floor. Moving rapidly, he stooped to check the still unconscious children for signs of life and to drizzle fluids through their slack lips .
"Severus, what - " began Dumbledore.
He was abruptly silenced with an upthrust hand.
"No time Albus," said Snape. "Be silent and listen." Swiftly he chose from the vials he carried and began to administer the liquids to his co-workers. Xiomara Hooch could only moan softly as the potions were dripped into her unresisting mouth.
"Voldemort will return quickly," said Snape. His eyes were like coal, his face a mask of horror. "I am giving you all healing potions and skele-grow, but there is no antidote to Veritaserum, and he will surely use it."
"Do we have a chance, Severus?" asked Minerva, her Scottish brogue trembling.
Snape stared at her for a long minute. "If there was no hope," he said in a soft and deadly tone, "I would be giving you hemlock, and saving a final dose for myself."
From deep within the recesses of his robes, Severus pulled two small vials. He held them up so
McGonagall and Dumbledore could see.
"Amataeus Syrup and Felinus Potion," said Snape, "For you Minerva."
McGonagall paled. "I understand the Felinus," she whispered. "He's done something to stop me from transforming, and it will allow me to change despite whatever spell he's used." She gulped for air. "Why Amataeus?"
Snape's eyes burned into her own. "Because when he returns it is you he will begin with, and I only have one dose."
Minerva gagged.
"If you are so injured that you can think of nothing else, what good will transformation do?" said Snape. He pushed the vials to her lips and she gulped the bitter liquids quickly.
Dumbledore said thickly, "I have never seen Amataeus used, but I understand the effects. Any wounds obtained during - during - intimacy will close rapidly."
Snape nodded, his gaze still locked with McGonagall's. "Protecting the drinker from serious injury during loveplay." The wizard paused, then said "Or rape."
Minerva sniffed miserably as tears ran down her cheeks.
Snape went on relentlessly. " But with it you will survive what he does to you. And when he is - distracted, you will change, and I will open the door. His confusion as you change will slow him, but only for a few seconds at best."
Minerva looked desperately ill. "He will kill you," she said.
"I will fight," said Severus, "and I will buy you time. Outside of the castle is a rubbish heap, and on top of the heap, almost totally hidden in a box, is a Muggle drinks can. It is red, with white script that reads Coca-Cola."
"A port-key," said Dumbledore.
"Indeed." Severus smiled tiredly. "When he told me to bring the potions, I had an idea of who this room held. I have been prepared for this for a very long time."
"But where will I come out?" asked Minerva, craning her neck to wipe her face on her shoulder.
"You will be at the Ministry, in the Unspeakable's debriefing room," said Severus. "Someone will await you there, arrangements were made to combat the fall of Hogwarts and the capture of Dumbledore as soon as I began this cursed spying."
"I will bring help," Minerva said. She seemed to want to say more, but words did not come.
"I will hold him off as long as I can," Severus said flatly, "but I'm tired, and at best you will have 10 minutes. I will free Albus and the others as you run, but even together there will not be much time." He ran his fingers through his lank hair and nodded over his shoulder. " If you are lucky, and fast, you may save the children."
Minerva said, "Then everything is not lost after all."
"We can fight," said a small voice from the floor.
Severus Snape whirled to see Harry Potter and Hermione Granger sitting shakily upright. Ron Weasley groaned, then pulled himself slowly to join them.
"Do not be a hero, Mister Potter," Snape snarled. "No matter what you see or hear. If you gain his attention at the wrong moment it will be you rather than I who dies, and wouldn't that be sad."
"I would rather die fighting than to sit by while everyone else I loved was killed by that dirty coward," Harry said defiantly.
Ron nodded in agreement, then bit his lip. "I'll fight too," he said with determination, "Only - only, I wish I could see my mum one last time before I - you know." His voice broke and he hid his face in Hermione's shoulder.
Snape walked briskly to the children, and knelt beside the shaking red-head.
"Mister Weasley," Snape said, gently turning the boy's tearstained face to his own. "I will kill you myself should you ever repeat this, but right now, I wish your mum was here." He smiled awkwardly at the child, then turned at the feel of a light tap on his shoulder.
"Professor Snape," Hermione said firmly, "May I hug you?"
Severus stared at her in confusion.
"Miss Granger, have you taken leave of your senses?" he asked.
"No Sir," she said quietly, "but since we're probably all about to be killed, I should think you would want something warm to be the last thing you felt."
Severus Snape swallowed hard, then hung his head.
"If you wish, Miss Granger."
Hermione scooted quickly to his side, and tentatively wrapped her arms around his neck and shoulder.
"We never really hated you," she whispered in his ear. "Potions was always my favorite class next to Arithromancy."
Convulsively his arms came around the slender form, and the tall man buried his face in her curls.
"I will not let this happen," Snape whispered, "I will not let you see this, not let it happen to you, not if I can stop him."
"I know," the girl said quietly. She stroked the man's tightly clenched back and neck.
Shaken, the potions master gave the girl one last squeeze before he stood.
"If I am wrong," Severus said in a dead voice, "if he chooses to begin this horror with someone other than Minerva, or - " He swallowed roughly, his blind gaze fixed on the flagstones. "If he asks me to assist him, everyone must wait until I give a signal. I must have clear access to the door, and he must not be between Minerva and the opening. Do you all understand?"
"It seems to be our only chance Severus," Albus said.
Snape stared around the small room, his eyes lingering on each pale and battered face.
"Understand, what I may have to do," he rasped.
Shuddering, the potions master seized the empty flasks and vials and dashed from the room.
There was a long moment of silence.
"Children," Dumbledore said at last, "no matter what happens, if you have a chance to free yourselves you must go. Do not wait for us."
"No Headmaster!" Harry said fiercely. A shock of hair fell over his eye and he quickly flipped it away. "We won't leave you!"
"You will indeed Mister Potter," Professor McGonagall said angrily. Better herself, or Albus, than any of them. Thank Merlin they were not awake to see her cry. "If we can save the three of you, then we have not failed utterly. You better than anyone should know that you are - "
Harry's squawk of protest was silenced by Hermione.
"Shut up and listen!" she said urgently. "Footsteps!"
"He's coming," moaned Ron.
The door swung open.
