DISCLAIMER: I am not JK Rowling. If I was, I would be living richer than the Queen of England and Dumbledore would still be alive. I write, as Luna says, "For the pleasure of seeing my name in print".

HBP SPOILER WARNINGS

I knew it was over the moment I drank that potion. An explosion of pain, yet through the pain perfect clarity that tonight was the night-the night I would make the ultimate sacrifice.

Images of Death Eaters rushed through my head-they were at Hogwarts, killing the students, the faculty…and at that moment I knew I was seeing the future. And the whole time, cup after cup of potion was tipped down my throat, intensifying the images with each cup.

And I knew what I had to do. I had to complete the circle that was made fifteen years ago, the circle that began with the Vow I imposed on Severus.

"Promise me, Severus, promise me that if Hogwarts is ever taken, you will kill me. For when Hogwarts is taken, I have no more power. Harry Potter is the only hope left, and it is very important that you of all people maintain your position as a spy. Promise me."

Severus had begged and cried that he not be the one to do it, but I knew that he must. I had seen it coming.

And tonight was the night.

A splash of water later, I was awake but weak. Inferi swarmed around me and Harry was trying to curse them to pieces, totally forgetting my instructions.

"Flagrate," I muttered, and a flash of light shot from my wand, a lasso of fire with which to deter the dark loving Inferi as Harry and I made our way to shore.

Harry did it. He passed the last test. He can easily get by without me.

As we arrived in Hogsmeade after some very bumpy Apparition, I looked up. And looking up, my fears were realized. The Dark Mark hovered over Hogwarts. The castle had indeed been taken.

"Harry…Harry," I whispered, feigning a poison-induced weakness. "I need Severus…get me Professor Snape, please, Harry."

The boy continued to stress his belief that I needed Poppy, but I knew only one person could carry out what needed done tonight.

And now, as I stand on the parapet of the Astronomy Tower, with Harry standing frozen under his cloak as to not interfere, it will happen.

I can see the trepidation in Severus's eyes, and the hunger for killing in young Master Malfoy's. This is not right, it needs to be Severus, he is the one.

And so I beg him.

"Severus…please…"

Malfoy smirks. He thinks I am afraid, that I am begging for my life. Silly boy, I think with some contempt for the power-hungry youth.

There is resolve in Snape's eyes now as he pulls out his wand. He knows what he must do. He promised not only me, but Narcissa, to do what he is about to do.

He raises his wand, arm shaking.

"Avada Kedavra."

There is a blinding flash of green light, and I can feel my soul leaving the grimy setting of Earth even as my body is blasted over the edge of the tower.

Death is but the next great adventure.