Disclaimer: No, I don't own this. Let me know if you do find out that I own it though… royalties would help me pay for uni.
Written in the Stars
By: RaNdOm Hp FaN
"Is it written in the
stars
Are we paying for some crime
Is that all that we are good for
Just a stretch of mortal time
For some God's experiment
In which we have no say
In which we're given paradise
But only for a day…"
--"Written in the Stars" from Aida. (no, not mine
either, but an awesome accompaniment to this fic.)
Part One: Memories and Regrets
A lonely figure walked the cemetery that housed the dead heroes of the Order of the Phoenix. Most of the names meant little to him as he passed them. Certainly, he had known these people… fought beside them, even if he had hated them. They were narrow-minded, prejudiced and had hated him regardless of his actions; if they had ever known of the love he held for one of his former students, they would both have been ostracized, if not banished completely.
So, silently, Severus Septimus Snape stalked between the gleaming alabaster sepulchers, and paused one by one at the markers of the three people he missed the most. The first was the one person they never thought they would lose. Albus Dumbledore was stronger than either life or death, so it seemed. They were wrong.
Albus Dumbledore died protecting Harry Potter, allowing the boy who lived to strike the final blow. He was the man who had saved Severus' life in the first purges, given him a job, trusted and advised him. And now he was gone. He owed the man much, but not everything.
Albus Dumbledore
December 25, 1842- June 24, 1998
"Death is but the next great adventure…"
Beloved Headmaster, Mentor, Friend
Hero
"I've come as promised Albus. It's over. I haven't been arrested, due mostly to Minerva's stubbornness… The purges will not be pretty this time around. Not with Fudge in prison too. McGonagall received the position as Headmistress, as you requested, and she has asked me to be Deputy Headmaster. I tried to refuse, but you know how stubborn she is. One would think that you encouraged it," he said, disapprovingly. "I don't think I ever said thank you enough for all you did for me, Albus. You taught me; you saved me from my enemies and myself. I only hope that I can touch one life the way that you touched thousands. Goodbye, old friend."
The cemetery was empty, not because of the lack of love others showed for its occupants, but because it was so early in the morning. Snape had wanted to be alone. But even he could not escape his memories. Or his regrets.
The next headstone was one that he had picked personally. Another spy for the Light. But only 18 years old.
Draco Lucien Malfoy
March 17, 1980-June 24, 1998
Slytherin, Seeker, Godson
"Death is only the beginning…"
"Hello, Draco. I have missed you. It's so quiet here without you." He scoffed goodnaturedly. "It goes without saying, there were times these past 7 years that I thought you'd never shut up." Severus knelt, brushing the words gently. "I'm so sorry, Draco. For leading you to this. Killed by a vampire. Being a spy. You were only a boy. What was I thinking?"
"You are aware that should you disobey Lucius on this matter, you will not merely be disowned, but your life placed in jeopardy," Snape said, lifting a stern eyebrow.
16-year-old Draco Malfoy stood proudly in front of his godfather's desk. His shoulders were squared and his chin lifted in defiance. "I know. But I also know that I have no desire to serve Voldemort, nor acquiesce to Father's wishes."
It was true… in recent years, Draco had become his own man. Independent and ambitious. But along with those two attributes had come two more: defiance, and stubbornness… Those would serve him well, once his father let go. "If that is your decision, Draco, I must insist upon your transfer. I know of a school of magic in Canada that would be happy to have you. Your safety would be assured there. I will speak to the Headmaster on this matter."
Draco's proud façade melted into an air of shock. "What?" he choked. "No, Severus, I can't leave!"
"If you stay, you will lose your life. If you leave England, you at least have a chance. A chance, may I remind you that does not exist for you in Britain as long as Voldemort still holds sway over your father. And I cannot protect you. I am unable to do so," Severus stated more harshly than he had intended.
"Because you're a Death Eater?"
"No. Because I am a spy, Draco. I conduct espionage for the side of Light, on the activities of Voldemort's allies," he explained gravely.
Draco's jaw dropped. "You're joking."
"You don't know how many times I wish that I were. And outside these walls, no one knows what I do. Especially your father. I… can't let them use you against me. So why can't you go?"
Draco's fingers fumbled with his left sleeve, and he pulled it up to reveal the Mark.
Severus' heart plummeted.
"I was marked on my birthday. I cannot leave, Severus. But I never chose this. So what am I supposed to do now?"
"I'm sorry. It should have been me, child. You were so brave, I almost mistook you for a Gryffindor. I miss you. Your courage, your support, your charm, your wit. I wish I could have gone before in your place. I'd have died for any of my Slytherins you know? If only you would have listened to me, you may have been unhappy, but at least you'd be by my side now." Quietly, he pressed his forehead to the stone marker. "But you're not. I hope you found the peace you sought for," he said, his voice cracking. "Good bye, my dragon."
Severus pushed back and stood, feet nearly faltering with his first step. There was one last person to see, and it would be the hardest. Looking at his feet, he saw that the grass here was green…
But that day, the fields were covered in blood and littered with the bodies of the dead.
He looked up. Tonight, it was clear. You could see every star in the sky…
It was raining the day of the battle. After closing Draco's lifeless grey eyes, Snape looked up, to see a dark cloaked figure near where he had last seen his teenage companion. He raced toward it, wand drawn. It was one of Voldemort's ilk… one of the vampires, like the one that killed Draco. Face contorting in anger, he raised his wand and shot a bolt of green light at it, knocking it away.
Snape raced to the body and fell to his knees, wiping soaked ebony tresses from his eyes. "Shit."
His student's wand was snapped, and he lay limply on the ground 6 feet from it. Blood soaked the grass, pooling from gaping wounds in his chest and a slash across his beautiful throat. His breathing was erratic, and his eyes were tightly shut.
"Oh, my love," Severus said, his voice cracking.
The teen's eyes fluttered open. A weak smile came across his face, as blood dripped from his lips.
"Gods no," he said, taking the boy into his arms. He stared into the expressive eyes of the one he loved. And all Severus could see was a mixture of love, joy and pain. All he could hear was the ragged breathing of his only love.
What had they done to deserve this? For the first time in his life, Severus was happy… and his lover was too. Voldemort was defeated, and now they were going to be separated again. "It can't happen this way…"
Soft fingers rested lightly upon the Potions Master's lips. "Shh." It was soft, barely audible, in the battle field, but it carried the weight of the ages.
Severus took them from his lips and wrapped them tightly in his hand.
The teen's breathing became more erratic and the teen's face looked like porcelain as the blood drained from it. His lips became purple, fading to blue, and Severus' heart broke.
The dying man's eyes closed. "I… love…you… Sev," he rasped. He then gave two final breaths and then his hand went limp as he did not breathe again.
Tears fell freely and Snape sobbed, ignoring the burning fires, and groans of the wounded. He held his fallen angel… now an angel in truth… and with trembling fingers, he traced a faint lightning bolt shaped scar.
TBC…
This fanfic wasn't inspired by Aida, by any means, but the example of tragic love exists both places. Anyways, let me know what you think. And thanks to my awesome beta Katy999. The coolest beta I have ever had.
RHF