Second Chances



A/N: This chapter is for Sage and Snape, my very first reviewer!!! Thanks! Reviews really make one write faster. I never realized that before.
And Tina-Snape, yes, the incomplete sentences were intentional. Thanks to you, too.





Chapter 02: Decide Quickly!





Cold sweat ran down Severus' back.



It was over. No matter what he chose,Voldemort would carry out his plan, with his consent or with him as a captive. Either way, Hogwarts would fall. The realization flashed through his mind in the fracture of a second. The only thing he could do was try to escape.



His hand flew to the pendant on the chain around his neck, but nothing happened.



Voldemort's gaze darkened and Severus felt the blood drain from his face as he frantically gripped his wand, only to hear his former Master hiss: "Expelliarmus!" The fine ebony wand was torn out of his hold and landed in the Dark Lord's outstretched hand.



"Really, Severus, did you think I would not know the Portkey for what it is and allow you to keep it ready and functioning?
I am more than disappointed with you. Crucio!"



The familiar pain flooded him and send him to the floor, while Voldemort lazily rose from his throne and descended the few steps to the main hall. Looking down on Severus with disdain for several moments, the Dark Lord said in a cold voice:



"You are a disgrace to Slytherin. I offered you a place at my side and the only thing you can think of is running back to Dumbledore. But your dear Headmaster can't save you now, Severus. He will not even be able to save himself. "



He paused, deliberately extending the torture.



"Hogwarts will fall, thanks to your generous help, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.
Finite Incantatem."



Severus lay in a heap on the cold stone floor, trembling slightly. He had experienced the Cruciatus many times, but the pain was always as intense and overwhelming as the first time. He didn't know how long he had been under the curse, but in the timeless world of agony it seemed like an eternity had passed.



"Lucius."



The Dark Lord turned to the silver-blond Death Eater on his right.



"Break his wand. Then take him to the dungeons and make sure he will stay there. And don't forget the hair."



Malfoy bowed deeply.



"All will be done as you command, my lord."



Turning to the others, he ordered:



"Crabbe, Goyle, get him to his feet. It would be a pity if he couldn't get a last glance at his wand just because he's lying on his face."



Severus felt strong arms grasp him roughly and haul him up. Despite the pain it caused, he remained limp, gathering his strength for his last and only chance.



"Oh come on, Severus, look up. Surely you don't want to miss the sight?" Malfoy sneered.



Taking a deep breath, Severus lifted his head, carefully taking in the position of his wand in the other man's hands as well as the malicious smirk. When Malfoy shifted his grip on the wand, slowly starting to bend it, he released his remaining magical power and transformed.



The black panther slid out of the dazzled Death Eaters' grasp without effort and leaped at Malfoy. The blond was way too taken aback by the new course of things to fight him, and Severus had his wand back in no time. Shifting back to human, he croaked "Apparate!" just when the first curses came searing at him. He felt one of them, coming directly from none other than Voldemort himself, hit not his body but his wand, setting his hand afire with pain in the same moment the room started to fade around him.



Then he was gone.



***************



A/N: Well, that was a near miss. Will Severus manage to keep from splinching himself? Where will he land? And what will he do?
I already know, and you 'll learn, too... soon.



Greetings,
Scheckie



PS: I hate the way FanFiction.Net is changing my formatting... *scowl*