Disclaimer: This story is for entertainment purposes and no money is
changing hands. I do not own any of the 'Harry Potter' characters.
Chapter One: The End?
He wished that he weren't alone now. Most of his life had been spent like this. Oh, his relatives had been there but they didn't care and so he had been alone then as well. Life had always been cruel to him.
He'd found happiness for a short time but it was lost now. The world thought he was a vicious criminal, thought he had murdered innocent people. He hadn't but they didn't want to know the truth. Now he was dying and no one would know the truth.
'Well, the guilty will know', he thought bitterly. 'Of course they will enjoy this'.
No the youth would just vanish from the world and become a scary story. None would think of the good he had done, that he had saved so many people so many times. He had tried to stay alive but his body wouldn't work any more. The blood around him was nearly the last in his body. His last wish was to have someone know he was innocent and tell it to him. Not one of those that had tortured him but someone that actually cared.
A twig snapped a short ways off and drew him from thoughts of the end. Perhaps his wish would be granted and he could even send the messages with them. Yes, he would hold on for a time and see if he could help someone again before the end.
Two voices reached his ears, he thought they were familiar but couldn't recall to whom they belonged. It didn't matter to him though, friend or foe he would say his farewells and let the pain finally end. His right arm still worked a bit so he shook a nearby bush and called softly in the rasping voice that was all he had left.
The voices stopped briefly and then two figures approached from amongst the trees. As he watched they became the one who had destroyed him and another he disliked. 'Well, they will be happy to watch me die and I can say my peace.' He thought as they approached. A smile formed on his bloodied face 'I may even be able to cause them one last problem before I die, that would be nice'.
His called out as they approached. "Good evening Malfoy. Hello Snape, fancy meeting the two of you here."
He nearly laughed at the look on their faces when he'd called to them. The constant pain prevented that, but he did smile.
The two approached the ruined body leaning against a tree. As they did their hands moved towards their wands. Preparing to defend themselves they moved slightly apart. The dark figure didn't move as they approached and all they heard from it after the greeting was slow rasping breaths.
Severus Snape cautiously responded to the situation, "Who are you and why are you in the Forbidden Forest?" It sounded foolish but he could think of no other words. He saw Draco glancing around nervously, looking for others who might attack.
The figure moved slightly emitting a slight hiss of pain. After several painful breaths the voice came again. "I'm just someone about to die that would like to speak a little. I have a few last things to say and do before I leave this world. The two of you are not who I wanted to see but then I've never been given much of what I wanted." There was a touch of humor in the voice now. It seemed that with each word it was easier to speak so he continued before his audience could interrupt. "Please let me say my peace. I don't think I have much time and what I have to say is important, to me at least. Draco, you won't be able to return to Hogwarts now. I have that last bit of power. That and you have murdered fellow students. The school has rejected you and will not allow you on the grounds. I suggest you leave the Forest as well. You will not be harmed tonight, but all will turn on you if you ever enter again. Your magic won't work here tonight so I suggest you start walking. The closest edge is off to your right."
The blonde boy started to become angry but heard his Teacher respond to whoever it was before them.
Snape was confused at what he had heard but didn't let that stop him from trying to find the answers he needed. "Who are you to pass such a judgement? None but the heads of house and headmaster may expel a student from Hogwarts. None have the power to decree what will happen within this forest. Who are you?"
The dark figure moved again, "Well Snape, I'll answer your questions but you must agree to carry two messages for me in return. The messages will cost nothing for you to deliver other than a bit of embarrassment. The answers to your questions will cost you a great deal though I think. Will you agree to my conditions? You must choose. Also, Draco really should leave now. The trees don't like him much and I don't know if I will be able to protect him for much longer."
Snape looked at the trees and saw that they seemed to be reaching towards his student. "Draco I can feel the hatred of the trees. Go to the main gate and wait for me. I'll be there soon."
Malfoy started at these words and looked around again. "You don't believe this fool do you? This must be an illusion. Let's just kill him and be about the Master's work."
Snape turned on his student, anger flashing in his black eyes. "You heard what he said. I believe what he said. Now go quickly. I'll meet you at the Gates soon, but I must hear what this one has to say. The Master will want to know." With that said he pushed his student towards the edge of the forest and turned back to the stranger before him. "I don't trust you, but if I believe what you say then I will carry your messages. You must know that others will be told whatever you say though."
The painful voice chuckled softly and then spoke. "It doesn't matter who hears what I have said. My messages are simple you have agreed so you will carry them. I don't trust you and never have, I trust to the magic here to bind our agreement though. I'll give the messages first if you don't mind. That way I know they have been passed on and my mind won't be troubled with any worrying."
Snape was troubled now. He could feel the magic working inside of his mind and didn't doubt that he would be forced to pass on whatever messages he was give. "Well stop wasting time and tell me what you have to say." Snape was growing concerned about what was happening. Powerful magic was being done and he had no idea what would happen.
The rasping voice drew Snape from his thoughts then, and what he heard nearly made him laugh. "You must tell Luna Lovegood that if she goes to the edge of the forest she will be met by a pair of Crumple-Horned Snorkacks will come to her. They will not be captured but they will allow her to study them and prove they exist. I spoke with them earlier and they agreed so she will have no problems." The voice stopped when Snape began laughing. Nothing was said until Snape got himself under control once again. "I suggest you join her and learn the Truth. They are real and powerful creatures of magic. You might wish to join the study as their fur can be used to create several powerful healing potions. The second message is much simpler. Tell, Hermione Granger that the rings are finished and she is bound by my blood shed to save her parents to deliver them. She'll understand the message, and it may be that one who thought of me as a friend will believe in my innocence and me again. It won't matter much when I've passed but it's a nice thought. Can you remember my messages?"
Snape stood looking at the person before him not knowing what to say. He would never forget any of the words he had or would yet hear but they confused him. He could feel the agony that this person was in yet the voice revealed none of it. There was talk of death but no cries for help. There was power in the body sitting before him, he could feel it fighting against death but the figure seemed resigned and unafraid of what it faced. "Yes, I will remember your words and carry them for you whatever else you might tell me. I don't know why, but it seems that I must do whatever you ask. What magic are you working here?"
The youth chuckled. "I'm not doing anything but dying. I am doing no magic this night. It may be that fate is going to grant me something I want for once, but I don't know. I'll answer your questions but slowly. I won't say my name right away but I think you'll figure it out. Now as to how I can banish Malfoy, it's quite simple. I am one of the students he has killed. He took me some time ago and tortured me for a long time. I don't know how long he held me but I was taken in the first week of August. He used my hair to disguise himself and others as me to kill a lot of people. After each attack he would describe what had happened while cutting and burning my flesh. As I would near death he would use magic and potions to heal my body, but the healing wasn't right. It caused pain and twisted my body. Now I have a shell, which will not work properly. At the end I didn't escape from him but was rescued by Hogwarts. The school is alive you know, it has a great deal of power. When it took me from my prison I asked it to help me save Hermione's parents. The school took me to them they were saved but I wasn't able to get all the way to Hogwarts. For the last two days I have been dragging myself there but I no longer have the strength to continue. So I will die here soon and none will no my last resting place but you, who hates me. Another clue, as to which I am, you hated me for fame I never wanted. I saved the lives of many because it was the right thing. I thought you were the one who wanted to steal the Philosophers Stone, I apologize for that but you seemed the most likely at the time. I never really liked you and I definitely never trusted I don't now, and doubt I ever would. I don't truly hate you though. I hate Malfoy but decided to leave it to others to punish him. I've never killed anyone and didn't want to die tonight with his blood on my hands. People have died for me and because of me, which I regret. I wish that none of them had died but nothing I do will ever bring them back." Snape was mesmerized by the voice.
He thought he knew who this was but couldn't bring himself to believe it. No, everything sounded true, but it would be too much to be HIS last companion. That one had caused to many problems, caused Snape so many troubles and pain. He hated that boy almost as much as the Master he now fought to destroy. No it couldn't be him, it would be too much to bear. The boy he hated giving him messages to bear before dying. No it couldn't be.
"So do you know my name now and why I can pass judgements on Malfoy. Well Snape, can you say my name now? All you have to do is say it and then you can leave and I can die. It will be over for me and I can finally rest. Hogwarts will be safe though the rest of the world may fall to Voldemort, and I will find peace at last." The voice shook Snape from his thoughts. He peered at the broken and bloody boy before him and felt anger rising.
"You want me to release you boy? No if my saying your name will give you a peaceful death then I wont speak it. You won't get that from me. I've been planning to torture you in the classes I was going to be forced to teach you and I won't let you ruin my plans." While speaking Severus Snape lifted the ruined figure of the boy who lived from the ground and began walking towards the grounds surrounding Hogwarts. "No I will not be robbed of the pleasure I had planned. You will live so I can torment you and punish each mistake you make" He knew the edge of the forest was near but couldn't see it because there were tears of sorrow and anger in his eyes now. He had caused this boy pain but the child didn't hate him. He had hated the boy but now felt his pain. The hatred was still there but he couldn't allow the boy to die either. He owed more than he had thought and the debt had grown each time he caused the boy some pain. There would be no repaying what was owed but he had to try and so he carried a blood covered broken body towards the school he served.
A voice came from the air around Snape and his burden. "Master of Slytherin place the child upon the chair before you. His life will continue but it is not known if his body will heal fully. Know that you are a true master of this school and shall be honored and remembered as long as it stands"
Hearing these words Snape paused and looked around himself. He saw edge of the forest was behind him and the grounds of the school ahead. Before him was a strange chair that was shifting form to lessen any pain it might give to the boy he carried. As he placed his student on the chair he heard a last few words. "You can't return to Voldemort. Malfoy knows you're a spy and plans to betray you."
As the words ended the chair floated towards the nearest part of the castle. Snape was amazed to see the chair and it cargo pass through a solid wall. Though shocked and tired from what had already happened during that night he set out to deliver the boys messages. As he entered the castle his voice could be heard softly saying, "Damn you Potter do I have to join your fan club now?"
Chapter One: The End?
He wished that he weren't alone now. Most of his life had been spent like this. Oh, his relatives had been there but they didn't care and so he had been alone then as well. Life had always been cruel to him.
He'd found happiness for a short time but it was lost now. The world thought he was a vicious criminal, thought he had murdered innocent people. He hadn't but they didn't want to know the truth. Now he was dying and no one would know the truth.
'Well, the guilty will know', he thought bitterly. 'Of course they will enjoy this'.
No the youth would just vanish from the world and become a scary story. None would think of the good he had done, that he had saved so many people so many times. He had tried to stay alive but his body wouldn't work any more. The blood around him was nearly the last in his body. His last wish was to have someone know he was innocent and tell it to him. Not one of those that had tortured him but someone that actually cared.
A twig snapped a short ways off and drew him from thoughts of the end. Perhaps his wish would be granted and he could even send the messages with them. Yes, he would hold on for a time and see if he could help someone again before the end.
Two voices reached his ears, he thought they were familiar but couldn't recall to whom they belonged. It didn't matter to him though, friend or foe he would say his farewells and let the pain finally end. His right arm still worked a bit so he shook a nearby bush and called softly in the rasping voice that was all he had left.
The voices stopped briefly and then two figures approached from amongst the trees. As he watched they became the one who had destroyed him and another he disliked. 'Well, they will be happy to watch me die and I can say my peace.' He thought as they approached. A smile formed on his bloodied face 'I may even be able to cause them one last problem before I die, that would be nice'.
His called out as they approached. "Good evening Malfoy. Hello Snape, fancy meeting the two of you here."
He nearly laughed at the look on their faces when he'd called to them. The constant pain prevented that, but he did smile.
The two approached the ruined body leaning against a tree. As they did their hands moved towards their wands. Preparing to defend themselves they moved slightly apart. The dark figure didn't move as they approached and all they heard from it after the greeting was slow rasping breaths.
Severus Snape cautiously responded to the situation, "Who are you and why are you in the Forbidden Forest?" It sounded foolish but he could think of no other words. He saw Draco glancing around nervously, looking for others who might attack.
The figure moved slightly emitting a slight hiss of pain. After several painful breaths the voice came again. "I'm just someone about to die that would like to speak a little. I have a few last things to say and do before I leave this world. The two of you are not who I wanted to see but then I've never been given much of what I wanted." There was a touch of humor in the voice now. It seemed that with each word it was easier to speak so he continued before his audience could interrupt. "Please let me say my peace. I don't think I have much time and what I have to say is important, to me at least. Draco, you won't be able to return to Hogwarts now. I have that last bit of power. That and you have murdered fellow students. The school has rejected you and will not allow you on the grounds. I suggest you leave the Forest as well. You will not be harmed tonight, but all will turn on you if you ever enter again. Your magic won't work here tonight so I suggest you start walking. The closest edge is off to your right."
The blonde boy started to become angry but heard his Teacher respond to whoever it was before them.
Snape was confused at what he had heard but didn't let that stop him from trying to find the answers he needed. "Who are you to pass such a judgement? None but the heads of house and headmaster may expel a student from Hogwarts. None have the power to decree what will happen within this forest. Who are you?"
The dark figure moved again, "Well Snape, I'll answer your questions but you must agree to carry two messages for me in return. The messages will cost nothing for you to deliver other than a bit of embarrassment. The answers to your questions will cost you a great deal though I think. Will you agree to my conditions? You must choose. Also, Draco really should leave now. The trees don't like him much and I don't know if I will be able to protect him for much longer."
Snape looked at the trees and saw that they seemed to be reaching towards his student. "Draco I can feel the hatred of the trees. Go to the main gate and wait for me. I'll be there soon."
Malfoy started at these words and looked around again. "You don't believe this fool do you? This must be an illusion. Let's just kill him and be about the Master's work."
Snape turned on his student, anger flashing in his black eyes. "You heard what he said. I believe what he said. Now go quickly. I'll meet you at the Gates soon, but I must hear what this one has to say. The Master will want to know." With that said he pushed his student towards the edge of the forest and turned back to the stranger before him. "I don't trust you, but if I believe what you say then I will carry your messages. You must know that others will be told whatever you say though."
The painful voice chuckled softly and then spoke. "It doesn't matter who hears what I have said. My messages are simple you have agreed so you will carry them. I don't trust you and never have, I trust to the magic here to bind our agreement though. I'll give the messages first if you don't mind. That way I know they have been passed on and my mind won't be troubled with any worrying."
Snape was troubled now. He could feel the magic working inside of his mind and didn't doubt that he would be forced to pass on whatever messages he was give. "Well stop wasting time and tell me what you have to say." Snape was growing concerned about what was happening. Powerful magic was being done and he had no idea what would happen.
The rasping voice drew Snape from his thoughts then, and what he heard nearly made him laugh. "You must tell Luna Lovegood that if she goes to the edge of the forest she will be met by a pair of Crumple-Horned Snorkacks will come to her. They will not be captured but they will allow her to study them and prove they exist. I spoke with them earlier and they agreed so she will have no problems." The voice stopped when Snape began laughing. Nothing was said until Snape got himself under control once again. "I suggest you join her and learn the Truth. They are real and powerful creatures of magic. You might wish to join the study as their fur can be used to create several powerful healing potions. The second message is much simpler. Tell, Hermione Granger that the rings are finished and she is bound by my blood shed to save her parents to deliver them. She'll understand the message, and it may be that one who thought of me as a friend will believe in my innocence and me again. It won't matter much when I've passed but it's a nice thought. Can you remember my messages?"
Snape stood looking at the person before him not knowing what to say. He would never forget any of the words he had or would yet hear but they confused him. He could feel the agony that this person was in yet the voice revealed none of it. There was talk of death but no cries for help. There was power in the body sitting before him, he could feel it fighting against death but the figure seemed resigned and unafraid of what it faced. "Yes, I will remember your words and carry them for you whatever else you might tell me. I don't know why, but it seems that I must do whatever you ask. What magic are you working here?"
The youth chuckled. "I'm not doing anything but dying. I am doing no magic this night. It may be that fate is going to grant me something I want for once, but I don't know. I'll answer your questions but slowly. I won't say my name right away but I think you'll figure it out. Now as to how I can banish Malfoy, it's quite simple. I am one of the students he has killed. He took me some time ago and tortured me for a long time. I don't know how long he held me but I was taken in the first week of August. He used my hair to disguise himself and others as me to kill a lot of people. After each attack he would describe what had happened while cutting and burning my flesh. As I would near death he would use magic and potions to heal my body, but the healing wasn't right. It caused pain and twisted my body. Now I have a shell, which will not work properly. At the end I didn't escape from him but was rescued by Hogwarts. The school is alive you know, it has a great deal of power. When it took me from my prison I asked it to help me save Hermione's parents. The school took me to them they were saved but I wasn't able to get all the way to Hogwarts. For the last two days I have been dragging myself there but I no longer have the strength to continue. So I will die here soon and none will no my last resting place but you, who hates me. Another clue, as to which I am, you hated me for fame I never wanted. I saved the lives of many because it was the right thing. I thought you were the one who wanted to steal the Philosophers Stone, I apologize for that but you seemed the most likely at the time. I never really liked you and I definitely never trusted I don't now, and doubt I ever would. I don't truly hate you though. I hate Malfoy but decided to leave it to others to punish him. I've never killed anyone and didn't want to die tonight with his blood on my hands. People have died for me and because of me, which I regret. I wish that none of them had died but nothing I do will ever bring them back." Snape was mesmerized by the voice.
He thought he knew who this was but couldn't bring himself to believe it. No, everything sounded true, but it would be too much to be HIS last companion. That one had caused to many problems, caused Snape so many troubles and pain. He hated that boy almost as much as the Master he now fought to destroy. No it couldn't be him, it would be too much to bear. The boy he hated giving him messages to bear before dying. No it couldn't be.
"So do you know my name now and why I can pass judgements on Malfoy. Well Snape, can you say my name now? All you have to do is say it and then you can leave and I can die. It will be over for me and I can finally rest. Hogwarts will be safe though the rest of the world may fall to Voldemort, and I will find peace at last." The voice shook Snape from his thoughts. He peered at the broken and bloody boy before him and felt anger rising.
"You want me to release you boy? No if my saying your name will give you a peaceful death then I wont speak it. You won't get that from me. I've been planning to torture you in the classes I was going to be forced to teach you and I won't let you ruin my plans." While speaking Severus Snape lifted the ruined figure of the boy who lived from the ground and began walking towards the grounds surrounding Hogwarts. "No I will not be robbed of the pleasure I had planned. You will live so I can torment you and punish each mistake you make" He knew the edge of the forest was near but couldn't see it because there were tears of sorrow and anger in his eyes now. He had caused this boy pain but the child didn't hate him. He had hated the boy but now felt his pain. The hatred was still there but he couldn't allow the boy to die either. He owed more than he had thought and the debt had grown each time he caused the boy some pain. There would be no repaying what was owed but he had to try and so he carried a blood covered broken body towards the school he served.
A voice came from the air around Snape and his burden. "Master of Slytherin place the child upon the chair before you. His life will continue but it is not known if his body will heal fully. Know that you are a true master of this school and shall be honored and remembered as long as it stands"
Hearing these words Snape paused and looked around himself. He saw edge of the forest was behind him and the grounds of the school ahead. Before him was a strange chair that was shifting form to lessen any pain it might give to the boy he carried. As he placed his student on the chair he heard a last few words. "You can't return to Voldemort. Malfoy knows you're a spy and plans to betray you."
As the words ended the chair floated towards the nearest part of the castle. Snape was amazed to see the chair and it cargo pass through a solid wall. Though shocked and tired from what had already happened during that night he set out to deliver the boys messages. As he entered the castle his voice could be heard softly saying, "Damn you Potter do I have to join your fan club now?"