Invenio Veritas
By Penpunk
Disclaimer: The usual.
Chapter 26: All Hope is Taken
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The darkness and density of the eerie forest that surrounded the outside of the Deatheaters meeting place was broken up by two flecks of light dancing through the trees. Severus and Sirius made their way through the woods, wands alight, coming closer and closer to the house. A tense silence rested between them but both were too preoccupied with finding Harry to notice. As they came upon a brief clearing, Severus extended an arm, catching Sirius in the chest and stopping him from continuing further. Sirius turned and looked up at Severus.
"I think it would be a good idea to come up with some kind of plan before we barge in there," said Severus in a deep whisper. "I think we'd be hard pressed to think of anything in there."
Sirius nodded, falling deeply into thought.
"What is the most likely situation once we get in there?" he asked. "How will they react to you?"
"I don't know," said Severus with honestly. "If I had gone by myself, they would have just taken the ring and killed me. With you here, who knows."
Worry etched across the faces of both men. Neither had even the slightest idea of what was going to happen nor did they carry much hope. But to each, they had nothing to lose. Both lived for Harry. Both would die for him.
"So what's our plan?" asked Sirius after a while. Severus' brow furrowed in thought.
"Well, if I take you in bound, I can try and negotiate with Voldemort. I don't think he'll try and kill me right away in that situation. I can try and prove my loyalty somehow but I truly doubt he'll go for that. All we need to do is stall for as much time as possible."
"Create some chaos of sorts?" asked Sirius. "That way one of us can try and escape with Harry?"
"Chaos is our last resort. We don't know what kind of situation we're walking into. We'll see where talking gets us first. Maybe the man will miraculously keep his word and let Harry go. If that happens, you'll have to leave with him. Transform if possible."
"What about you?"
Severus sneered slightly.
"Black, I'm as good as dead. I've been disloyal and now I have to face the consequences."
"So you're giving in just like that? Not that I care one bit, but what about Harry? He'll be devastated."
"But he'll be alive. That's all that matters to me."
"What good is that if you're dead? You can't do that to him."
Anger flashed across Severus face as he grabbed Sirius by the front of his robes.
"What choice do I have? There is a slim chance that any of us are going to get out of there alive. I could care less about myself. I'll only be getting what I deserve."
Severus let go of Sirius' robes roughly, throwing him back slightly. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. Sirius smoothed the front of his robes but did not retaliate.
"I'm only saying that there is always hope," said Sirius after a moment. He looked up at Severus who was trying to avoid his gaze. "Listen to who this is coming from Snape. I was in Azkaban for thirteen years. In a place where all happiness is sucked from you. All hope is taken. Yet I remained hopeful that one day I would get out. I knew that I would. There is always hope."
Severus looked to the ground before nodding and looking back up at Sirius.
"Let's go."
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The fog that had temporarily covered Harry's consciousness slowly dissipated as the Veritaserum wore off. He was still lying in the middle of the room he had been in before. He could see shadows in the corners of the room. More Deatheaters. Voldemort was again sitting, Wormtail cowering next to him. Malfoy was speaking to Voldemort quietly, taking quick glances at the boy lying on the dusty floor.
Harry cautiously looked around, trying to formulate some kind of escape. There was one door directly behind him leading into the room. He counted the Deatheaters in the room which came to twenty-three. There was no way he could get out the door with twenty-three armed men surrounding him.
"Well Mr. Snape, or should I say Mr. Potter? Which do you prefer?" said Voldemort with a wicked sneer. "I must say, this comes as a great surprise to me. To think, my number one enemy is the son of one of the best Deatheaters I've ever had. Ironic, isn't it? And what a double team you two made. You both almost had me fooled, you know. But not quite."
Voldemort let out a quiet and harsh laugh before standing up and walking over to Harry. He pulled Harry up by his quidditch robes and stood him up on both feet.
"Come now, you want to be somewhat presentable when your father comes," said Voldemort as he brushed some of the dust off Harry's robes. Harry's scar seared with pain again as Voldemort touched him. Voldemort smiled as Harry grimaced. "Oh, surely it isn't that bad."
Voldemort took one finger and ran it along the side of Harry's face, causing the boy to cry out with immense pain. Voldemort laughed as he continued to do it. Harry tried not to scream too loud but the pain was too much. Voldemort motioned for Wormtail to bring him a chair, which he sat Harry down into. Harry tried to steady himself as the pain subsided, but a hot burning sensation was still ripping through his head. With a flick of his wand, Voldemort tied Harry to the chair.
All heads turned to the door as steps were heard in the stairwell. The old house groaned as the intruders walked down the hallway. A cruel smile crossed Voldemort's face as he placed a one hand on Harry's shoulder and held up his wand with the other.
Sure enough, Severus stepped into the dimly lighted room, prodding "Harry Potter" in front of him, bound. The smile on Voldemort's face grew even more evil.
Severus pushed Sirius roughly forward into the middle of the room. Harry cringed under Voldemort's touch still but his face grew pale at the sight of Sirius. He tried to yell out to both of them that Voldemort knew but at that moment, Voldemort gripped his shoulder roughly, bent down, and whispered harshly in Harry's ear, "Tell them and they die right here in front of you."
He stood up straight once again and faced Severus.
"Severus," he said quietly. "I thought I told you to come alone."
"I know my Lord but after receiving your letter, I've decided to return to your side full time and I thought I'd bring Potter as a sort of peace offering."
"A peace offering?" said Voldemort with a laugh. "I'm afraid you'll need much more than my nemesis to make up for your mistakes Severus. You've been disloyal and now you must pay."
"I know my Lord," said Severus sadly. He locked eyes with Harry who was having a hard time keeping his composure. He looked painfully back at his father. Severus' heart cringed at the sight of his son.
Voldemort pointed his wand as Severus. Severus braced himself for the oncoming curse but Voldemort took the tip away from him and pointed it at Harry.
"Crucio."
Harry gripped at the chair, his nail clawing the graying wood of the old chair as the curse racked his body. His back arched and teeth clamped together as pain engulfed his senses. He screamed out in pain. Severus rushed forward to Harry but was restrained by a large Deatheater who held an iron grip on Severus, disarming him and wrapping a beefy arm around his long neck. Sirius was held back in a similar manner as he tried to help Harry. Voldemort laughed as the two struggled to get away from their captors. He took the curse off Harry, who slumped down in the chair as much as his restraints would allow.
"I came here and brought you the ring," yelled Severus as he struggled to grab the trinket out of his pocket. "You said Alex would be let go."
"I did say that," said Voldemort as he brought his wand tip to his chin in thought. "And I am a man of my word dear Severus. As soon as I get the ring, Alex will be let go. And since you are giving me the source of power I've searched for for years, plus my enemy, I may even spare your life."
Voldemort nodded and the large Deatheater let Severus out of his grip. Severus grabbed the ring from his pocket and handed it to Voldemort. Voldemort gripped it in his hand and smiled at Severus. He then nodded and the large Deatheater put Severus back in the death grip.
"Now let Alex go," said Severus as he struggled with the large man. Voldemort rolled the ring between his forefinger and thumb as turned back to Severus and smiled.
"Now now Severus, I made you a promise," said Voldemort calmly. "And I would let Alex go, but-."
"You said you would let him go!" shouted Severus as he lunged forward. Sirius was similarly struggling with the Deatheater holding him back.
"And I had every intention to," said Voldemort with mock sympathy. "But the fact is, Alex isn't here."
Severus stopped struggling.
"What are you talking about?"
"I must say, you had me fooled. I admit it. But I'm sure it would have fooled anyone. I mean, who would ever suspect that Alexander Snape was actually Harry Potter?"
Severus' face grew very pale as he quickly glanced from Harry to Sirius.
"What?" he said with a shaky voice.
"Oh, don't worry Severus. Harry told me everything. Under the influence of Veritaserum of course," Voldemort dragged a finger along Harry's cheek once again, causing him to cry out, the pain in his head exploding. "It wasn't until I saw that he couldn't stand to be touched by me and that a certain lightning bolt-shaped scar on his head started to bleed that I put everything together. And it makes sense. You have a son that comes out of nowhere, you won't let him be marked, and he so easily gains the trust of 'Harry Potter.' Now tell me Severus, so I can figure out the rest of this puzzle, if the real Harry is sitting next to me, than who is this?"
Voldemort pointed his wand at the struggling Sirius. The Deatheater holding him brought him forward to stand before Voldemort and Harry. Voldemort examined him carefully before taking his wand and saying a string of spells. A glow emanated around Sirius for a few moments before fading away. Sirius, without the guise of Harry, was now standing in front of all.
"Sirius Black," said Voldemort with a sort of satisfaction. "We finally meet. I've heard so much about you. Mostly from Wormtail here."
Voldemort pointed to the rat-faced man behind him, who cowered at the mention of himself. A look of menace crossed Sirius' face. He lunged forward toward Wormtail but was still being restrained.
"You miserable little rat!" cried Sirius as be battled against his captor. "This is all your fault. Everything that has happened has happened because of you!"
Sirius struggled against the Deatheater still as Voldemort laughed. Wormtail began to wring his hands in nervousness and backed away from Sirius and Voldemort.
"Well, you are a fiery one, aren't you?" said Voldemort with amusement. "Almost makes me wish that the rumors of you being a Deatheater were true."
"I would never sink to such a level," said Sirius as he got dangerously close to Voldemort's face. His teeth were bared and a deep growl was coming from his throat. This only made Voldemort smile even wider.
"I was going to kill you," said Voldemort as he got even closer to Sirius' face. "But you have spirit. I think I could find some kind of use for you. How does that sound?"
Sirius said nothing but instead spit into Voldemort's pale, inhuman face. Voldemort wiped off his face casually with his black robes before turning his wand onto Sirius.
"Come now, is that anyway to treat you future master?" Voldemort let out an evil laugh as he set the Cruciatus curse on Sirius, who writhed with pain. The Deatheater holding him dropped him to the floor and allowed him to roll around on the dusty planks as the curse racked through his body.
Harry watched his Godfather struggle on the floor. The burning in his head was becoming unbearable and he was fading in and out of consciousness. Severus noticed this and yelled out to his son.
"Harry! Stay with me Harry. Come on, look at me. Open your eyes and focus away from the pain," said Severus as he continued to fight with the large man holding him. Harry blinked rapidly to keep his eyes open and focused them on Severus. He tried to follow his father's words and strained to suppress the pain in his head. He could barely hear the encouraging words over the pounding of the pain.
Voldemort finally took the curse off Sirius. He motioned for the Deatheater to pick him back up.
"Now, Mr. Black," said Voldemort, "shall we repeat that little episode or are you going to try and resist still?"
Sirius simply stared at Voldemort as he hung slightly from the arms of the Deatheater.
"I'd like an answer Mr. Black," said Voldemort impatiently.
As all eyes were turned to Voldemort and Sirius, no one saw a small black cloaked figure walk up behind Harry. Harry could feel the presence behind him and discreetly he turned to see who it was.
"Keep looking forward," whispered the man. Harry recognized the voice as Wormtail's immediately as he turned his head to the front again. Wormtail took his wand and severed the ropes binding Harry to the chair. He then took the ropes and wrapped them loosely around Harry, to appear as if he was still bound to the chair.
"Don't get up yet," he whispered. "You'll know when to go. Run for your father and the door. Good luck and consider this a small payment on the debt I owe you."
Harry sat stunned as Wormtail moved away from him. He looked over to his father, who had seen the whole thing. Severus stood stunned as well. Both turned to Voldemort and Sirius once again as Voldemort set the curse on him for a second time.
"If you are going to continue to resist, Black, I see no reason to keep you here. Say goodbye to your friends before I end your miserable existence," Voldemort held his wand towards Sirius as the Deatheater threw him onto the floor once again.
"You won't kill him," said Wormtail as he stepped in front of Voldemort and put himself between the wand and Sirius.
"What did you say?" hissed Voldemort.
"You won't kill him. . . I won't let you," said Wormtail, sounding significantly less brave then just a few moments ago.
Voldemort stared at Wormtail for a few moments before laughing loudly.
"Well well well, look what we have here. A rebel in our midst. And why shouldn't I kill him?"
"B-b-because he's an in-innocent man and. . . and m-m-my f-friend," said Wormtail timidly. He started to wring his hands furiously before taking out his wand and pointing it at Voldemort. This made Voldemort laugh even harder.
"You don't have the guts," sputtered Voldemort through the laughing.
"I do so," said Wormtail. His wand hand began to shake violently.
"You can't even hold your wand on me you miserable little worm," hissed Voldemort as he stepped closer to Wormtail. "I guess I'll kill you first. Pity really. You were one of the more loyal. Oh well."
Wormtail turned his head and looked down at Sirius, who was lying on the floor, stunned by the actions of his former friend.
"I'm sorry Padfoot. Forgive me."
Sirius looked at Wormtail for a moment before giving him a quick nod. Wormtail nodded back before turning and facing Voldemort.
"Aww, how touching," said Voldemort. "Avada Kedavra."
With a green flash, Wormtail's lifeless body fell to the ground. Harry knew this was the time he was waiting for. He jumped up from the chair and turned towards Voldemort, holding one hand out.
"Stupify!" yelled Harry. A red blast of light shot out and hit Voldemort square in the chest, sending him backwards and away from Sirius. Harry ran towards Severus, who was able to fight free from the Deatheater holding him.
"Come on, we need to get out of here," yelled Severus as he recovered his wand and began cursing Deatheaters running towards him. Harry tried hard to dodge beams of red light being aimed towards him as he shot back, his wandless magic training finally becoming of use.
"Sirius!" shouted Harry as he saw his Godfather struggle to stand. The curses laid on his body had depleted much of his energy as he fought to get to Harry. Harry ran over to him, dodging falling Deatheaters and cursing other ones. He came to Sirius, grabbed his hand, and started to pull him towards the door.
"Harry, go!" yelled Sirius. "Don't burden yourself with me, I'll be fine."
"No Sirius, I can't leave you," said Harry as he pulled harder. Suddenly, Harry was grabbed from behind by a Deatheater. Sirius, mustering up as much energy as possible punched the man hard in the nose, causing him to let go of Harry and fall backwards. They started once again towards the door, running towards it, dodging curses left and right.
"Snape! Come on, let's go!" shouted Sirius as he and Harry passed him. Severus sent one more curse before following Sirius and Harry. All three ran for the door until Harry heard a shout from behind him. Sirius and he both turned to see Lucius Malfoy holding Severus by the neck against a wall, the tip of his wand jabbed into his throat.
"Impressive Potter."
Harry turned back toward the door and saw that Voldemort was standing in the frame of it, his wand out, aimed at Sirius and Harry.
"Very impressive," continued Voldemort as he backed up both as he walked forward. "Wandless magic for someone of your age is unthinkable. Very impressive."
Voldemort cursed Sirius once again, knocking him out cold on the floor.
"He will be dealt with later. I don't need anyone else messing up my plans for you two," Voldemort grabbed Harry by the front of his robes and threw him against the wall next to Severus. "Ah, those that scheme together, die together. That will be all Lucius."
Lucius stepped back from Severus but kept his wand aimed at him as he took his place behind Voldemort.
Voldemort reached into his pocket, pulled out the ring, and slipped it onto his finger.
"I figure that before you die, you should see the coming of my new magnificent power. That way, you'll die knowing that I'm close to bringing all of humanity to its knees. Lovely last thought, isn't it?"
Voldemort began to speak the incantation to unleash the power of the ring.
Ash nazg durbatulûk,
ash nazg gimbatul,
ash nazg thrakatulûk
agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.
A bright flash emitted from the ring. It slowly faded and everyone watched Voldemort to see the result. Voldemort, who had his eyes closed, slowly opened them and looked down at his hands. His face slackened. He pulled off the ring and held it out to Severus. In his hand, was a muggle peach ring candy. One that Severus had taken out of Dumbledore's candy dish.
The rage on Voldemort's face was clearly evident. Severus looked down at Harry, who was looking up at him with fear.
"What is this? Your idea of a joke?" said Voldemort as he threw the ring at Severus. He backed up and extended his wand at Severus and Harry. Severus reached out and pulled Harry into his chest.
"How touching," sneered Voldemort. He let out a cold and merciless laugh before saying the two words that were to seal the fate of father and son.
"Avada Kedavra."
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Hey everyone, thanks for hanging in there. Sorry for the wait.
I'm not sure I'm exactly happy with this chapter. That's one of the reasons it's been so long since I updated. Hopefully, you'll all like it.
I think that there will be one (possibly two) more chapters after this + an epilogue to be included in this particular fic and one that is going to be a sort of miniature fic follow-up/sequel (two or three chapters or so). I have to thank Luna for that idea. Brilliant! Anyway, I hope you all had a lovely holiday. Thanks for the reviews!
I have also started a yahoo group to notify when I update so anyone who wants to join is welcome!
Oh yeah! I almost forgot! The little ring thing is the ring spell from Lord of the Rings. I thought it was a good incantation for Voldemort's ring since that whole part of the plot reminded me of LotR anyway. That, and I didn't feel like making anything up. =)