A/N: Don't Panic.  I will not let Snape leave Moria until he has proved his worth. And I will not leave everyone feeling cheated of a decent Snape fight. Thanks Zardiphillian for reviewing Chapter 9, and by your review and much nagging from my little brother, we will see Snape doing something flashy. Well, flashy is such a strong word… Anywayz, basically what I'm saying is, the Balrog ain't dead yet. In fact he's very much alive and angry. And so is Snape.

Disclaimer: I do not own any Harry Potter related material in this Fic. That belongs to J.K. Rowling and her beautiful people. And Lord of the Rings stuff belongs to J.R.R Tolkien and his beautiful people. And the Don't Panic reference belongs to Douglas Adams and his beautiful people.

I have a feeling this Chapter is going to be more dramatic than funny. I hope it reads ok, because I do find it extremely hard to write seriously, although I feel the story needs it for the plot to unravel. ~Please~ review this if you have the time and tell me how you think I did, especially Snape's scene! Thank you so much ^_^xox

**

Hermione whispered hoarsely to Ron,

"Gandalf was meant to fight and kill the Balrog…"

She watched as the creature drew itself up to its full height and crack (A/N: the oh so amazingly cool and I want it!) fiery whip, Snape still staring down after the falling wizard. Ron shrugged,

"Snape was a Deatheater, I'm sure he can handle himself."

"I'm not so sure that he's in the right…state of mind…" Hermione replied quietly.

**

Snape watched until Gandalf fell out of sight, with a crazed look on his face. Behind him Hermione had started screaming and the hobbits were wailing like 3-year-olds. Raising his head slowly he saw the Balrog growling at him. I have my wand, thought Snape dizzily, I have my power, I have my magic, I have my strength, I have a way… He glanced round to see Frodo hugging onto Strider. If I could, if I could only have the Ring… I could make myself… Master of this accursed place…

Echoes of everything that had happened the last few weeks resounded through his head, everything that had ever been said to him back at Hogwarts, all the abuse and disrespect, all the loneliness and the pain… all the wasted years. And here, here was his one chance to rule. To be worshipped, to be feared, to be in control. To break away from all that was, leaving him with only things that will, can and…Snape thought as he lifted his wand, SHOULD be…

"IMPERIO!"

Snape shrieked as he pointed his wand at the Balrog. Hermione screamed out to Snape to stop whatever he was doing, but her voice seemed to be so far away in his mind. He knew what he had to do, and he was going to do it.

The Balrog's red eyes fluttered for a moment, then it screamed and grabbed at the company with its long, flaming fingers. Snape turned and watched as the others were trying to run away. Hermione was in tears and fumbling blindly to find her wand, but having difficulty as it was caught in her pocket. Somewhere inside him, Snape could hear himself telling him to stop what he was doing. But he couldn't. He had to have the ring. He had to own it. The Balrog was now nearing Frodo. All he had to do was grab the runt… grab the runt and bring him to ME…Snape hissed inside his head.

Hermione pulled her wand out, hands shaking with fear, and her legs feeling like jelly. She stood up as firm as she could and looked past the demon to see Snape standing only meters away. His eyes were transfixed on Frodo. Hermione's eyes widened - suddenly she realised what was going on, it all made sense. The ring was overpowering him! It had sensed Snape's lust for revenge and for power, and had manipulated him into doing what he was doing now.

"EXPELLIARMUS!"

Hermione yelled, her wand blasting Snape's wand out of his hand. Snape flushed with a sudden fear and realisation of what he was doing, what he had done. He fell forward in exhaustion and anger at himself. Hermione rushed over to him and collapsed down onto her knees to help him up.

"Professor?"

She handed him his wand, and tried to disguise her terror and her tear-stained face. Snape took his wand gratefully and murmured,

"I'm so sorry…I couldn't stop myself…"

He looked up to the Balrog and the frightened company who it was advancing on. Snape's eyes narrowed in a rage and he screamed forcefully,

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

There was the expected flash of light, and for a brief moment the red glow of the mines turned green. The Balrog stopped dead in its tracks, and then fell backwards down the deep and endless chasm that Gandalf had fallen down. Or been kicked down.

There was a shocked silence. Snape couldn't face looking at any of them, and his hatred for the company members flowed back into his bloodstream. He rebuilt the stoney wall of his face.

"30 points from Gryffindor for hexing a teacher's wand!"

He spat at Hermione. (Although he felt bad afterwards as he noticed her tears.)

Right on cue, the hobbits 'oooooed' at Snape's point deduction, but not half as cheerfully as they would have normally done. But I suppose to be fair to them; they did just lose a close friend. A ninny, in Snape's opinion, but a friend nonetheless.

**

"Wow." Whistled George through his teeth, "That was, well, pretty dramatic."

"Pretty humourless." Replied Fred.

Professor McGonagall tapped them both on the shoulder, causing them to drop The Book. She grinned happily,

"Pretty…exactly what I bet on?"

"Ah." The twins said at the exact same time. Fred scratched his head,

"Well, you see Professor…about the, um, winnings -"

"They will be on my desk by 6 o' clock tonight." Professor McGonagall stated. Then she flashed them a tight-lipped smile and walked off.

Fred and George shuffled their feet slightly as they saw a crowd of happy-looking Ravenclaws coming towards them, talking about them winning on their bet.

"Damn…When do we tell everybody that we have no money?" whispered George.

"Once we've safely arrived in Australia." Fred said with a worried look.

**

The God of Muggle Fiction (and Sardines) sat glaring at Dumbledore. Dumbledore smiled weakly and offered the god a glass bowl,

"Sherbet lemon?"

Dumbledore said hopefully. The god glared even harder through his thick glasses and said slowly,

"Albus, Albus, Albus."

"Mugfic, Mugfic, Mugfic?" Dumbledore answered uncertainly.

"Severus has just thrown Gandalf down the Mines of Moria. Severus has just tried to take the ring off Frodo by controlling the Balrog. I am *not liking* Severus, Albus. Do you understand what I am telling you?"

"Um…to tell you the truth Mugfic, I have absolutely no clue as to what you are talking about. I was too busy playing with this snow globe." Dumbledore held the snow globe up and giggled happily. The god stood up and hit the snow globe from Dumbledore's hands, letting it fall onto the floor and shatter. The god continued,

"Albus, because of the stupidity and ignorance of Severus, you *will* pay a price. Something of great value to you will be taken away, and I do not mean to Disney Land."

"NO! Not my sherbet lemons!"

Dumbledore said, nearly in tears. The god looked at him in befuzzlement, then said,

"No… not your sherbet lemons. I mean something of even greater importance!"

Gasping Dumbledore grabbed at the Sorting Hat,

"Not Sorty! He's my only friend! He sings me songs!"

"NO!" bellowed the god, "Not that old hat either! I mean…," The god added a lovely drum roll effect at this point, "…HARRY POTTER!"

"Oh." Dumbledore thought for a moment, "Do I know him?"

The god sighed exasperatingly and disappeared in a puff of smoke muttering 'Forget it!' - leaving only the scent of sardines to remind Dumbledore of his presence.

**

A/N: Ok, so I did my best at the Balrog scene. I hope it's good enough for y'all! The next chapter won't be so heavy; it should be back to my normal 'humour' – if you could call it that. Lots of love dearies, Keep smiling – until next time!

xox