Warning: There's some slash in this chapter! There's going to be much, much more. I'm writing this character by character. Each chapter deals with different characters, unless everyone's in the same place for some reason.
Dedication: For Bob, for supporting me and standing up for me today.
Author's Note: Okay....so we keep the omniscient third. I can't seem to break it. I tried without it, and I just didn't like the flow of it at all. It seemed choppy, and just not right. So we go back to the original POV. And anything that was foggy is cleared up here.
End of All Hope
Severus and Remus
"They aren't going to listen to you." Remus had followed, silently, after Severus. The council meeting had affected him deeply. Now he stood, door closed behind him, trying to make Severus see reason.
"They have no choice." Back turned, voice leaving no room for argument. The scents of herbs and darkness filled the room.
"They don't see it that way." Calm, persistent. He would not let this go.
"Then I will make them." Turning, black eyes dark and alert. "We have come too far to give up now."
"No one gave up. You were the one..."
"Were you at all listening to me?" His voice rose in anger, thin lips an irritated line. "Have you looked at Black lately? He has given up, he simply won't admit it yet."
"He's in mourning." Desperately attempting to remain calm, unaffected. "We all are. It's unavoidable."
"There is no time to mourn." Words not spoken in anger, but almost sadly. "Do not think I do not regret the boy's death, I do. But wasting time mourning him...we must strike. We cannot afford to lose time now."
"Severus..."
"Do you remember, the first war?" The potions master leaned back against his desk, now calm and placid, as though discussing weather. "I do. I fought on both sides, and I can assure you...had their side suffered a loss such as this, he would allow no break in his movements. And if our spies are to be believed, they are planning to deal us a grievous blow."
"We have already been dealt one!" Voice starting to rise.
"Why can none of you see this? You are looking at this personally, not tactically. We lost one. That is hardly a grievous loss. And Voldemort does not even know the boy is dead...at least if we are to believe our spies. We must use this to our advantage."
"But harry was..."
"A boy!" Eyes flashed, anger running high. "An extremely lucky boy, but that is all!"
"You're right." Defeated. Remus slumped into a chair, body collapsing as though all his strength were gone. "You're right. And I think the reason we're all against you, is because we know it."
"It is human nature." He sat as well, content now.
"Is that why I'm the first to see the light?" A gentle insult, one met with a small scoff.
"Perhaps. I've no idea how you canines see the world. Save that you, personally, are an incessant optimist."
"That, too, is human nature." A soft smile. "Severus...do you really think we can win this?"
"If all goes according to plan, yes." He nodded, eyes staring somewhere beyond Remus.
"I hope it does." His voice took a different tone, lighter, soothing. "You were very impressive."
"Thank you." Severus steepled his hands, eyes returning to focus on Remus.
"You commented that you doubted all of us are going to make it out alive." It was a simple fact, stated with no fear.
"We aren't. Even if we win, there is no way we will all survive." A shrug.
"What are my chances?" Accompanied by almost a small smile. "By your calculations?"
"Your chances?" Eyebrows shot up, taken aback by the question. "I've no idea. Considering your nature, however, I would not be surprised if you offered yourself up as sacrifice."
"Oh?"
"You've been dying for your chance to play martyr for as long as I can remember, Lupin."
"If I die, I'd at least like it to be for a good reason." Slim hands smoothed out the wrinkles in his robe, not nervous, the opposite of in fact.
"We all die eventually." Severus shrugged. "I am not even certain of my own hances."
"You'll survive." There was a warmth in his voice. "I know you will."
"Mmmm. Your faith in me is astounding."
"Since you're so certain you're going to die, what do you plan to do?"
"About what?" Severus cocked his head, regarding Remus intently.
"In general. Aren't you going to make your life worthwhile? Seize whatever opportunities present themselves? I know I am..." His voice was eager, animated.
"You may as well simple bend over and present yourself Lupin, for all the subtlety you're displaying."
"Oh?" Heat rose in his cheeks, and he looked to the floor in shame. "Was I that obvious?"
"Yes." Slight amusement.
"Well? I'm offering myself, if you'd like me."
"How romantic."
"You were never one for romantics, Severus."
"Quite true." The potions master sighed, black eyes regarding the werewolf. The wheels of his mind were turning, and it seemed as though he were appraising the other man.
"I'm not asking you to love me, Severus." But the odd note in his voice betrayed him. He was not asking, but he was hoping.
"And I am not saying that I will." It was careful ground on which the tread now. "But I will not turn you out of my bed, if that is the place you so desire."
"I've already made it known that I'd like you as a lover." The words were chosen carefully, neutrally.
"Then it is agreed." Severus nodded. "But do keep in mind, Lupin, that your status as my lover makes no difference when it comes to battle."
"I know." He nodded, understanding in full. How could one be selfish, in the face of such odds? He could not ask for anything less, and wouldn't. "I just want to find what joy I can, where I can."
"And you take joy in me?" Another scoff. "I believe you are quite daft."
"So be it." Remus shrugged. "I'll be waiting for you, tonight." He lowered his lids, amber eyes staring hungrily at the potions master.
"Why wait for tonight?"
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