Much thanks to impatient griselda, who critiqued my Latin.

I…Alone

Sometimes, I don't understand people. Take Dumbledore, for example. Sure, he's magnanimous, courageous to no end, and yet, still he fails when his people need him most. He was their hero…for a time. Now, they are left with bitter despair. Other people, like Lucius, I would respect, if they were just a little less fanatic. While I agree that Muggle-borns are a disgrace, aren't most of us half-bloods? Indeed, only a true fanatic would curse us half bloods as if we were the disease causers, and not those morbific Mudbloods.

Now, my Dark Lord, he I can sympathize with, if not understand (for who can be completely sure of his genius?). To be completely dedicated to a goal, in his case, to cheat death, now that is a true hero. To be immortal, and to stop at nothing. Many call us despicable, but let's see who is left when all their heroes are dead. Let's see Dumbledore save them then. You must forgive my mordant tone; I cannot help the sarcasm that leaches into my voice. For you see, I am he. I am the slayer of the Great Fool. I alone could do what even the Dark Lord dared not to try. I alone dared to slay the dragon. And then, I alone brought the word of my victory to my Master. The very news of it seemed to…seemed to…revivify him, yes, I could see new life and energy in him with my own eyes. His speech was filled with animation that night, and the spirit in his voice was something we had long missed. His reaction reaffirms what I previously thought – I am the greatest of the Death Easters. Do not mistake my words, I am not the Dark Lord's peer, for none can be his equal, but I am above his underlings. I alone have risen higher, for I alone slayed the dragon, the greatest Fool of all times. I alone have proven my worth.

I alone….

I alone feel true pride in my actions. Everything previous to this mile marker seems torpid, emotionless in comparison. For only in having such a brush with death can one's own vitality be known. Indeed, what is life if there is nothing to which it can be compared? Some would question my seemingly blackened conscience, but I fear it not. In this walk of life, the one filled with darkness and power, one cannot be hesitant. Morality is relative, and the company I keep, there can be no pause to figure out what is right or wrong. Among the Death Eaters, you are either right, or you are dead. I choose to live.

So now I beg you, answer this; who are you to decide if I am right or wrong? I did only what was expected of me; in fact, I had no choice. Not only was I bonded by an Unbreakable Vow, it was what my Master would have required of me. And all know, if my Master, the Dark Lord, says that it is so, then it is so. If he decides that two and two should not be four, then the answer is five. In this case, the answer was the life of an arrogant hero, who has greatly pained my Lord and Master. I alone was able to supply this answer.

It is interesting; to this day I have not broken my school motto. Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus. No, I am yet to tickle a dormant dragon; rather I have slain it while it slept.

I alone have done this. I alone am Severus. I alone am he.

Draco Dormiens Trucidaui.