I don't own anything you don't recognize, obviously, or I wouldn't be on a fanfic sight, I'd be making millions with sexy Severus Snape and Hot Harry Potter and all that. And don't try to sue me. I'm a necromancer. I'm Anita Blake on steroids. I'll raise Johnny Cochran from the dead and have him represent me, and make him do the Chewbacca defense. Do ya got me?
Johnny Cochran is dead, right?
Chapter One
The Dying Flame
Ember Twilight Tostare, half-blood witch of the gold-red hair like copper fire and hot, new star blue eyes, rushed down the stairs towards Snape's dungeon, her hand clutching convulsively at her belly in fear. She couldn't believe it, she just couldn't believe it. She had to tell Severus immediately.
Coming upon the hallway leading to Severus's office, she saw a fifth year with large, sky blue eyes, and the sixth year she knew to be Hermione Granger, of Harry Potter's acquaintance. "Excuse me," she cried frantically to the two young witches, dashing between them, and dashed into the office. Severus was standing over the unconscious- but thankfully still alive- body of Filius Flitwick.
"Severus!"
"Ember!" The Potions Master jumped in surprise when he saw her. "What are you... what are you doing here? You shouldn't be here, you should be in your room."
"Severus, I- "
"Ember, go back to your room," Snape said coldly. "You shouldn't be here."
"I need to speak with you, Severus. It's important. W-what happened to Filius? What did you do to him?"
"I Stunned him," Snape said quietly. Ember blinked and whispered, "But... but why?"
"He was in the way."
"But he's old! He could be seriously hurt-"
"What are you doing here, Ember?" Snape interrupted her, his voice full of ice. She nearly cringed, then mentally shook herself. She was being a ninny! Severus wouldn't harm her. He… he loved her.
He attacked Flitwick, her inner voice whispered in the back of her mind. He might attack you, as well. You don't know-
Bite me and go to Hell in a hand basket, she thought viciously. Severus loves me.
Who are you trying to convince? Me or yourself? The voice asked cruelly. She ignored it and focused on Severus.
"I need to talk to you," she reiterated, taking a step towards him, but then she swayed alarmingly. Oh, no, not again. This was fourth time this had happened to her! Dizziness overcame her, and when she took a step, trying to get to a chair before she fainted and fell, she staggered and began to dip, falling. No, no, she couldn't fall, she couldn't, it would hurt the... Strong arms caught her and scooped her up, setting her on top of a hard, black, wooden desk. Eyes like burning coals bored into her like needles, snapping her out of the gray fog of half-oblivion.
"I can't talk right now," Snape said ruthlessly, but he rested his forehead against Ember's, staring hard into her eyes.
"Why the hell not?" She demanded.
"I'm busy, I have things to do."
"But-"
"We'll talk later, Ember." He turned away, about to walk out of the office, but Ember grabbed his hand and tugged.
"Severus, this is important-"
"There are Death Eaters in the castle! I have to go, I'm needed." He felt her grip tighten on his hand as she swallowed, going paler. Her and Severus's thoughts raced through their minds, and when her grip on his hand tightened fractionally, he realized she was picking up on his emotions again. Damn her.
What is wrong with me?What is wrong with her?
I need to get under control She has never been this… clingy
or he'll think I'm just a before. What could she possible
hysterical female. Just breathe,have to tell me that cannot wait?
dammit, breathed, this is not theIs she ill? Is someone hurt? What
end of the world. Christ….is it? She said it was important….
"I have to defend the castle, Ember." Snape's voice was cutting in its iciness.
Ember's thoughts whipped through her mind quick as lightning. I have to help him if there are Death Eaters. I have to help defend the castle. But what about… what about…Albric? Her arm curled defensively over her belly and she bowed her head, suddenly fighting tears. What is wrong with me?
What the fuck is wrong withWhat is wrong with her? Is she
me? Why do I suddenly feel crying? Great, Severus, now look
like crying? It's because I'm… what you've done, you prat! Git!
oh, Jesus Christ, I can't evenBastard! You've made her cry.
think it. I'm pitiful. What will heWhy do you have to treat her so
do when I tell him? Will itcoldly? Because of your pride?
change anything?Your chilling demeanor? Do something!
"Ember?" Snape's voice, though still cold, had thawed a touch. She whispered, "One minute, Severus, that's all I'm asking." He jerked a nod at her, leaning against the closed office door, arms folded across his chest. "What's going on?" Wait, that wasn't what she'd been planning on saying. Damn, there went her mouth. "Why did you have to Stun Filius, at his age? What's happening? Where are you going? I saw Lupin and Tonks and Arthur, why are they all here? And besides all of that-"
"Minute's up," Snape said, and, straightening, turned to leave. Okay, now wait just a fucking minute! Ember's eyes turned a brilliant, feral gold.
"Severus! Turn around!" Her voice was like the crack of a whip, and Snape instantly stopped. The corner of his mouth twisted up into a half-grin. I'd wondered where the Valkyri had gone, he thought to himself, and slowly turned around.
"I am my lady's servant," he murmured dryly, giving a mocking half-bow.
"Severus, I have something wonderful I have to tell you! Though I…." She trailed off, suddenly uncertain again. What would his reaction be? What would he do? What would he say? "I'm not sure I… that I should tell you, you won't like it-" Her eyes had become their regular, heart-of-the-flame blue.
"Spit it out, Ember." Her eyes flashed gold again.
I'm trying, dammit! Have aWhat is taking her so long? Why
little sympathy! I'm about to doesn't she just say whatever it
tell you that you're the father is? What could it be to be tearing
of my unborn child and allher up so badly? It can't possibly
you can do is complain that it'sbe that bad, honestly. What kind of
taking me forever to spit it out.trouble could she have possibly gotten
I just don't want you to leaveinto that I wouldn't know about?
me, Severus, I love you.She must know she's worrying for nothing..
"I'm getting there! Don't pester!" She blew the bangs out of her face, and he casually reached out and tucked a strand of her lovely copper hair behind her ear. "Damn you, Severus," she said tonelessly, then gave a small, smothered scream of annoyance. "Why is this so bloody hard!"
"Just say it!" He shouted, his calm gone. The vein at his temple began to throb, which made him realize just how on edge he was. Usually Ember's difficulty in spilling out what she meant to say didn't bother him. Tonight's job was having a negative effect on his nerves. He instantly regretted his outburst when his fire-haired witch squeaked and turned wide, frightened eyes on him.
I'm t-trying, Severus. It's hard.Now look what you've done, you
I… I… he didn't mean to yell,went and frightened her with your
I know that. He's just on edge blasted temper? Apologize to her,
about something. And boy,hug her, something! Make it all right
this is not what I would'veagain before she leaves and you lose
picked to fix that problem.your last chance ever! Do something
I just don't want you to makebefore it's too late and you don't have
me get rid of the baby, or leave.anymore time. You've got only five more.
God, I'm such a wuss.minutes, do something, Snape!
Snape made the difficult and alien effort to bring down the walls he kept built up around his more tender emotions. He reached out to Ember, who hung back from him. He didn't blame her. He took her hand and pulled her into his arms, studying her face. His heart clenched when a tear streaked down Ember's cheek. He hadn't meant to make her cry, never that, never. Even now, her chin quivered, her mouth trembled until she bit her lip to make it stop. He knew she detested it when she cried.
"Forgive my, heart fire," he whispered, and kissed her upturned mouth once, gently, guiltily. When he pulled back, he immediately buried his face in Ember's thick, fiery gold hair, inhaling the sweet scent of lavender soap and lilac incense.
"It's okay, Severus," she said softly.
"What is it you have to tell me?" He asked, his voice muffled by her hair. She sighed, relieved. He was going to listen to her. Wait, that meant she had to actually get the words out of her mouth. Fuck. She whispered, "I... I have to tell you... I just realized... just found out... well, not just, I found out this morning, but I couldn't figure out how to tell you, or even if to tell, I just couldn't decide, but, oh, Severus, it's wonderful and terrible all at the same time, but you see..." She loves me, he thought, his mouth quirking into a grin with a bitter twist as he turned his wand to point not at the ceiling, but as Ember's back. She loves me and I am going to betray her, because I am the scum of the Earth, but she doesn't care about my past, and she won't care about what I'm about to do, but I can never come back to her after tonight, never, oh, Ember...
"I just found out that I... I..." She was suddenly to afraid to speak, for fear of what he would say. Would he accept her declaration, want it? Want a… a baby? Their baby? "Severus, I-"
"Ember?" His voice was muffled as he buried his face deeper in her thick, coppery hair and nuzzled her slender neck.
"Yes?"
"I love you," he said, and thought, Stupefy
"Now that that's over with," he said, adrenaline coursing through his veins, as he watched Ember being unconscious on his tiny green sofa, looking like the image of a sleeping angel, "I have a wizard to kill."
888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
Ophelia Onimous and Winter Ice Tostare, Ember's sister, watched from the curtained alcove in the Astronomy Tower as Draco Malfoy trembled so violently with fear that Ophelia was sure he would drop his wand. Ice flicked her blue eyes over to the raven haired beauty beside her and hissed softly in her ear, "Do something! They're your people!" She shook her head helplessly, and Ice turned her gaze back to Draco and the four Death Eaters surrounding Professor Dumbledore. If Ophelia would do nothing, she, Winter Ice Tostare, would have to. Never mind that she could barely pull off a simple Shield Charm. She had to help Dumbledore.
Just then, Dumbledore's eye caught hers, and he shook his head ever so slightly. In her mind, his voice whispered, "Do nothing, Ice. Do nothing. There is nothing to be done." Ophelia grabbed her arm in a fierce grip when the door to the ramparts burst open once more and there stood Severus Snape, his wand clutched in his hand as his black eyes swept the scene, from Dumbledore slumped against the wall to the four Death Eaters, including the enraged werewolf, and Malfoy.
As Severus scanned the room, he felt a niggling in the back of his mind. He immediately put up the walls of mental steel to keep out the psychic touch so like a burning flame. He didn't want that one in his mind, not now.
"We've got a problem, Snape," said the lumpy Amycus, whose eyes and wand were fixed alike upon Dumbledore, the boy doesn't seem able-"
But somebody else had spoken Snape's name, quite softly. It nearly broke the two girls' hearts. Ophelia damned her father to hell, and Ice damned her sister's heart. The voice was like a gentle roar in their ears, like phoenix fire.
"Severus..."
The sound frightened the girls beyond anything they had experienced all evening, starting from being attacked by Fenrir Greyback. Dumbledore was begging Severus Snape.
Snape said nothing, but walked forward and pushed Malfoy roughly out of the way. The three Death Eaters fell back without a word. Even the werewolf seemed cowed. Again there was that niggling in the back of his mind, the psychic fire slipping under his barriers to share his mind. He didn't want that one here, not yet. He couldn't bear it.
Snape gazed for a moment at Dumbledore, and there was revulsion and hatred etched in the harsh lines of his face. Hatred for what this man had made him, would make him, do in the name of the greater good.
"Severus... please..."
Snape raised his wand and pointed it directly at Dumbledore. The psychic fire, now alert and frightened and angry, slammed into his mind, trying to find his soul at its center, and only his monumental self-control kept him from staggering. He had no time now to force the ember of witch fire out. It would share this brutal, merciless death with him. Forgive me, my flame, my heart fire...
"Avada Kadavra!"
A jet of green light shot from the end of Snape's wand and hit Dumbledore squarely in the chest. Ice tried to scream, but it was smothered when Ophelia clapped a hand to her friend's mouth.
Severus nearly fainted when a voice in his mind cried out, "Nooooo!"And suddenly, the psychic fire was gone from Snape's thoughts, leaving his mind chilling cold and alone. In the dungeon, beside Hermione, Luna, and Flitwick, Ember's eyes snapped open and she shrieked once, terrifying both girls, before beginning to sob wretchedly.
They watched in silent horror, emerald eyes and pale blue eyes focused on the heart-breaking figure of their friend. For a split second, Dumbledore seemed to hang suspended beneath the shining emerald skull of the dark mark, and then he fell slowly backward, like a great rag doll, over the battlements and out of sight.
888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
It was just then that, back in the Tower, Fenrir began sniffing at the curtains that hid the Ophelia and Ice.
Ice struggled not to whip out her wand and start hexing left and right. It would do her no good. Let Ophelia handle it, her mind whispered. These are Ophelia's people, she can protect you.
"Mistress Ophelia?" Fenrir stared at the raven-haired, green eyed beauty in her robes of flowing white brocade silk, with her hair piled on top of her head but for a few strands escaping the style. The emerald and sapphire pendant around her throat flashed in the torchlight, its silver chain glinting in the light. The pendant with the SR intricately linked in its ambigram upon the surface of the green stone. Fenrir's eyes were caught on the stone.
"We're not here, Fenrir Greyback. Do you understand?" Ophelia hissed in a tone that brooked no argument. "You never saw either of us. Go now, about your tasks." Fenrir nodded and followed Snape, Draco, and the three Death Eaters out of the Astronomy Tower, followed swiftly, Ophelia saw, by none other than Harry Potter.
"Harry!"
He didn't turn, didn't acknowledge her at all. He sped after Snape.
888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
Harry Potter had just walked out of the Hospital Wing on the heels of McGonagall when Ember, sitting silently with the Weasley family, Hermione, Luna, Neville, some of the Order, Hagrid, and her sister and Ophelia, began silently to cry hot, bitter tears. She had never cried so often in her life before this night. Throughout the fight against Voldemorte and the Death Eaters, she had not shed a single tear. Now that Dumbledore was dead, Bill Weasley injured, McGonagall broken, and Severus gone, she was suddenly very, very tired and very, very sad. She could hold back nothing.
"I can't believe Sev- Snape would do something like that," Ember whispered, and everyone but Fleur Delacour and Mrs. Weasley turned to stare at her. "W-why would he... how could he... but he… he couldn't… Hagrid..." She whispered this last, her voice small and defeated, and though Hagrid looked as if the world was ending, he took Ember's small, slender white hand in his own and lifted her to her feet.
"Be back in a mo'," he said gruffly, and led Ember outside. He gave her his gray hankie, which she used to dry her tears. When she was calmer, he said, "Yeh didn' tell 'im, did yeh? 'E wouldn' a done tha' if'n he'd a known yeh was e'spectin'."
"He Stunned me before I had the chance. Took me forever to get it out of my stupid, fat mouth."
"Stunned yeh? Ta keep yeh from th' fightin', mos' like. Didn' have no 'arm ta tha' baby, did it?"
"No, no, the baby's fine," she said woodenly, her hand resting on her currently rather flat belly.
"Boy or girl?" Hagrid asked, a little frightened by the emotionlessness of her voice. She murmured brokenly, "A... a b-b-boy!" And she began sobbing again, clutching Hagrid's moleskin overcoat in her fists as she cried into his shirt. The half-giant of a man whispered soothingly, "There now, there now, tha's a goo' girl, i' 'll be alrigh, yeh'll see, there now. Shhh..."
"How! How! Hagrid, Severus is gone! The man I love is gone, he's killed Dumbledore and fled into the dark with the Death Eaters! How is it going to be all right!" When she had grown calm once more, Hagrid asked tentatively, "So, eh, yeh got a name picked out?"
"Yes," she said. "Albric Embrus." Hagrid thought about that, remembering that Albric had been Ember's nickname for Dumbledore. He thought that was kind of fitting. It was a nice name, and he told her so. "Thank you, Hagrid."
"Does… did Dumbledore know? Tha' yeh was e'spectin'? An' tha' yeh was gonna name the baby after 'im?"
"Yes. I told him at lunch."
"Yeh tol' me, yeh tol' Dumbledore, an' yeh didn' tell the dad?"
"I… I was working up to it. He'll find out eventually, though," she whispered, and she walked back into the Infirmary. Five steps more and she'd collapsed to the floor, her body ice cold and her eyelids fluttering madly as her face flushed with fever.
888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
Next Chapter
"I have two gifts for you and some advice. The advice is this: keep your lover closest to you, so that you may protect her. Do no push her away for her own sake. It is only more likely that she'll be hurt. Better that you keep her with you, like your two friends, Ron and Hermione. That is my advice to you, one green-eyed crow-headed half-blood to another." At this, she winked. Then, almost sadly, she slipped the ruby ring with its twin Gs off of her finger and held it out to him.
"Funerals are a drag, so here's something to cheer you up. My father gave this to me, to keep it safe. He figured that no one would think to see if I had it. Take it."
"W-why?"
"It's one of the thirteen Horcruxes of Lord Voldemorte, the signet ring of Godric Gryffindor."
888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
Much of the Snape killing Dumbledore scene is directly quoted from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. With pieces of original stuff interspersed.
Albric Embrus Albus + Wulfric and Ember + Severus
First three letters of the first name, last three letters of the last name.
Reviews are very much welcome and hoped for, be they praise or flames.