It was surprising how quickly Mr. Weasley transformed into Severus Snape, wearing odd muggle garments. Snape took out his wand, and drew from his neck to his feet an invisible line in the air, as his usual black robes replaced his muggle attire.

'I'll kill you!' Screamed Harry, drawing his wand threateningly. 'You killed Dumbledore!'

'Oh, you too are in on my little secret. Tell me, Potter, do you know the full extent of his death? Do you know why I, such an accomplished wizard, would murder one of my few superiors? For power? I had enough at the time. Out of hate? No, the only person I hate is now dead. For Draco Malfoy? Partially. To save my own life? Precisely.'

'Loads of good it did, you only extended your life a few more weeks.'

'You never, precious Potter, have been on both sides of the fence. You have never experienced lie after lie after lie.

'The instance around Dumbledore's death began last summer, around this time. Voldemort had given Draco Malfoy his task, to kill Dumbledore, to earn his way into the Death Eaters.

'It was shortly after that Narcissa Malfoy showed up at my door, pleading for me to save her son. It was there I made the Unbreakable Vow with her.'

'You could have said no' Harry sneered.

'And betray myself to the Death Eaters? No, Potter, I made the Vow out of fear of being thought "unwanted"

'School was back in, and I kept an annoying close eye on Master Malfoy. I went to Dumbledore, explaining the predicament. Taken aback, he told me to follow through when the time came, for both Dumbledore and I knew the boy was too weak to perform the task.'

'So whose side are you on?'

'I myself did not know the answer to that question until the day after Dumbledore's death. I knew the Order would never take me back after I betrayed their master. I returned here, shaken and beaten.

'The next morning after the death, Voldemort asked for a private audience with me, where I was informed that my services were no longer needed. I didn't follow orders, Draco Malfoy and no other were to perform the task, so I fled with my life.

'And for the last month, I have been working alone, gathering a minute group of rebels and outcasts, awaiting the day Voldemort would be overthrown.

'And so Potter that is why I have brought you here. You must return to Hogwarts and act as my spy.'

'No.' Harry murmured. 'You expect me to work for you?'

Snape stood up, waved his wand, and Harry flew against the wall behind him. Picking himself up, dusted himself off, drew his wand, and silently said 'EXPELLIARMUS!', as Snape's wand flew into his outstretched hand.

Snape sank to his knees, clearly beaten. 'Potter, I surrender. Please, Potter, show me mercy. Like your mother did. My ways have changed.'

'Why, Severus? Give me one good reason not to kill you right now.' Harry snapped, walking over and sticking both wands into Snape's throat.

'Because I know what the final Horcrux is. And I know the general location of the others.'

'You have my attention.' Harry relaxed his grip.

'Not so fast.' Snape said.

'You lied!' Harry realized, his face contorting and his grip tightening. 'You told the truth up to where you want my help! You brought me here to kill me and earn your way back into the Death Eaters!'

'Indeed.' Snape said, a look of dark glee crossing his face. He grabbed Harry by the throat, taking back his wand, straightened out digging his wand into Harry's chest.

'Stupefy!' He muttered. Harry blacked out, and Snape let his limp body fall to the ground.

Retrieving quill and parchment, he wrote the message:

I have the boy.

I write this in a pen spattered with fresh blood, my blood.

The darkness covers the earth. No one can stop its destructive power. We must now kill or be killed. And I failed to kill. Except for myself.

I have done what was to be done, and now must take myself out to save those around me.

Do not give in.

I love you, my darling, my dearest. Your hair around me, the taste of your lips, you will know first of what has been done here tonight.

Marlena, I love you with all my heart, until death stops it. Til the end.

The darkness blurs my vision, and you rose, you are the sight upon my dying eyes.

I have given myself to you, to the end.

I want you.

I need you.

I love you.

For love cannot last.

R.A.B.

Join me in my death, Marlena.