Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all his friends (and enemies) are the brain-child of J.K. Rowling. I'm just borrowing them. Exclusive ownership belongs to JKR, Arthur A. Levine Books and Scholastic Inc. Jane Sinclair and all additional characters belong to me. You belong to yourself.


Came the last night of sadness

And it was clear she couldn't go on

Then the door was open and the wind appeared

The candles blew then disappeared

The curtains flew then he appeared

Saying 'don't be afraid'

(Don't Fear) The Reaper, Blue Oyster Cult

Chapter Seventeen – Don't Fear the Reaper

where Jane meets Voldemort and Severus behaves nobly…

"So, this is her?"

The tall sinister-looking man in flowing black robes surveyed her unabashedly, his malevolent eyes raking over her, seizing her up, trying to glean her most hidden thoughts, her darkest secrets. The red glint sparkling in Voldemort's dark eyes promised nothing good, and Jane shuddered. The Dark Lord exuded power and an aura of evil surrounded him like the garments he was wearing. She finally understood why people feared him. Moreover, he looked exactly as he had in her nightmares, and once again, a sense of déjà vu came over her.

He gestured at her with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"This… slip of a woman?" His question was directed at someone standing behind her.

Jane turned around. Gordon Grant stood a few steps away from her, looking at her with unconcealed hatred. He nodded curtly.

"Yes, my lord," Grant verified.

"This," the Dark Lord inquired again, scrutinizing her once more, "is Dumbledore's secret weapon? The witch who would dare escape my Death Eaters and defy me? Her?"

Grant nodded again.

Voldemort deliberated for a moment, tapping a long pale finger against his lips. "How… interesting."

He circled her once, assessing her one more time.

"Incredible," he finally said. "You don't look dangerous…"

Jane sighed. "I'm not…"

"…but then again," he continued, ignoring her, "looks can be deceiving."

She didn't know how to respond to that.

"I wonder," Voldemort mused, "what Dumbledore saw in you."

He stepped closer and searched her eyes. Jane immediately averted her gaze, but he was already invading her thoughts. Without warning he slipped into her mind and probed her memories. Jane struggled against his ruthless invasion and prevailed. Gradually, she pushed him out of her mind, hoping fervently that he had not glimpsed her deepest secrets.

"I see Severus has taught you well," Voldemort finally remarked, retreating from her mind. "I could use someone like you, Miss Sinclair…"

"You mean my secret," Jane corrected him.

Voldemort did not seem to mind her interruption. His bloodless lips pulled into an amused smile. "Subtlety isn't lost on you, Miss Sinclair, and you are spirited. Your uncharacteristic bluntness is rare and rather… refreshing. Follow me, and you shall be part of something great, something beyond your imagination – a new world…"

Jane shook her head. "I like the world as it is. I have no wish to change it."

"Deny me, and…" He shrugged carelessly and pointed his wand at Grant.

Without warning, the Death Eater collapsed to the ground. Voldemort stepped over the dead wizard without sparing him a second glance and approached her. He extended his hand towards her.

"Follow me, Jane," he repeated softly, "and I'll give you anything you desire."

"I have everything I desire," she told him tersely.

Voldemort studied her for a moment. "Not everything..."

He waved his hand through the air and conjured Severus' image, which dissolved almost as quickly as it had appeared. Jane's heart skipped a beat. Severus had looked tired and worried. Had he been worried about her?

"Ah, yes… Severus…" Voldemort nodded knowingly, watching the play of emotions on her face. "A good servant… and an even better spy."

Her head shot up. "He's not a…" Jane quickly clamped her mouth shut, but her emotional outburst had already betrayed her.

The Dark Lord chuckled. It was a high-pitched creepy sound that sent shivers down her spine.

"I hope, for your sake – and Severus' – that you are a better lover than a liar."

Jane looked at him mutinously, but the wizard just chuckled again.

"I am beginning to understand why Severus has taken such a liking to you."

She looked at him questioningly, but he only laughed. "You didn't know?"

Her body betrayed her again. A faint blush spread over her cheeks. She should have known. Severus wasn't a man of many words. Instead, he let his actions speak for him. In his own way, he had cared for her.

"Silly woman, a man like Severus does not risk his life on a whim. He even went to Azkaban for you, hoping to keep you safe, to keep you hidden from me."

Voldemort noticed Jane's surprise.

"Oh, yes, Miss Sinclair, I knew. I knew of you even before Severus went to Azkaban. He hid his thoughts very well, but, you see, even he was powerless against me. I secretly slipped into his mind and saw how he felt about you. I knew that you would be the key to unlock his knowledge… and vice versa. It's rather poetic, don't you think?"

When Jane didn't answer, he continued. "Even after his time in Azkaban, Severus thought he could divert my attention away from you, if he kept his distance…"

He broke off and stared out a window, lost in thought. Suddenly, he whipped around.

"But enough of this." He raised his wand. "You will tell me your secrets now…"

Jane shook her head. "I'd rather die."

The dark wizard smiled. "That can be arranged."

He lazily pointed his wand at her. Jane's body immediately began to writhe and contort as the agonizing pain of the Cruciatus Curse hit her.

"The secret," he prompted calmly after several minutes.

"No," she panted, her body still reeling from the after-effects of the Cruciatus Curse.

He aimed his wand at her again. Excruciating pain shot through her, through every fiber of her being. The Dark Lord watched her dispassionately.

"No?" he queried softly. "Maybe this will convince you."

Voldemort raised his wand, and Jane felt her throat constrict. All of a sudden, she had trouble breathing.

"The secret," he prompted again.

"No," she choked out defiantly.

"No?" He twisted his wand slightly. "I think… yes."

Jane clawed helplessly at her throat. The blood was pulsating in her ears and her lungs burned, unable to release the gas contained within. Stars danced before her bulging eyes, but she determinedly fought the urge to surrender.

"My lord Voldemort," a lazy drawl suddenly sounded from the doorway.

The Dark Lord looked up from Jane's contorted features and smiled in welcome.

"Ah, Severus," he greeted his spy jovially. "How… nice of you to… drop in."

Jane's world turned black.

---

Both men stared at the unconscious woman on the floor.

Jane's face was bruised. From previous experience, Severus knew what Voldemort and his Death Eaters were capable of, but it appeared they had rather held back. Still, Severus had to fight the urge to kill everyone who had dared lay a finger on her. He did not meet the Dark Lord's eyes. It was imperative that he acted as detached as possible. Voldemort could never know of their… relationship. However, it was more difficult to ignore her than he'd imagined, and he had to muster all of his self-control to cloud his mind against the Dark Lord's inquisitive stare.

"As you can see," Voldemort informed his servant with a sweeping gesture, "I finally have Jane Sinclair in my power. Something you were unable to accomplish."

"I was ready to bring her to you," Severus explained smoothly, "had Grant and Bellatrix not taken matters into their own hands and interfered with my plans."

The Dark Lord fixed his servant with his intense gaze. "They did my bidding. They know how to please their lord."

Severus sneered. "Yes. And their impatience has made them careless. By killing an innocent underage wizard, they have managed to draw a lot of attention. The Ministry has sent its best Aurors after them, and I have no doubt that they will manage to track them here. It is only a matter of time."

Voldemort studied the man before him for a while. "And how do I know that you haven't revealed my whereabouts to the Ministry already?"

Severus shrugged. "I have always served you well, my lord, and I have never given you reason to doubt my loyalty."

"That is true," the Dark Lord agreed. "However, you have disappointed me, Severus."

"I have?"

"You deliberately shielded Jane Sinclair from my gaze. You hid her from me."

A muscle began to twitch in Severus' face. He realized that Voldemort knew of his deception and feverishly thought of a way to buy more time.

"My lord," he began, "I…"

The Dark Lord waved him off. Once more he stared down at Jane's still form.

"She is somewhat fetching," he conceded pleasantly, "if one cares for the forthright type."

He moved to Severus and threw his arm around the younger man's shoulders. "I can understand your attraction to her."

Voldemort felt Severus stiffen. "Yes," he confirmed with deceptive calm, "I know. In fact, I have known of your… liaison for some time. It was quite… interesting to watch."

"Let her go," Severus said quietly. "You no longer need her. I know why Dumbledore chose her. I know her secret. It is me you want."

The Dark Lord's lips pulled into an amused smile.

"You always were too smooth, too composed. You never let your emotions determine your actions…"

His face hardened. "Until now." His arm dropped to his side and he turned away.

Severus immediately felt for his wand, but before he could draw it, Voldemort had whirled around, his wand at the ready.

"You always were a good servant, Severus," the Dark Lord informed him, "even if you did play for both sides…"

Suddenly, the doors banged open, distracting him.

"My lord!" Bellatrix Lestrange came rushing into the room. Panic was written all over her face.

Voldemort's head spun around. "What is it?" he hissed impatiently over his shoulder.

"Aurors, my lord," she panted. "We've been discovered."

The Dark Lord looked at Severus, whose bland face betrayed nothing.

"You must flee, my lord," Bellatrix implored him, hurrying to his side.

Noises of a fight – shouts and screams, crashes and bangs – grew loud. Bellatrix looked towards the door, where flashes of light illuminated the dark corridor beyond. She tugged impatiently at his arm. "They must not catch you."

Voldemort had his wand still trained on Severus, but indecision sparkled in his eyes. "How many?"

The distraught witch shook her head. "I don't know. Too many."

Lucius Malfoy, recently escaped from Azkaban, appeared in the doorway. His normally meticulous white-blond hair was disheveled and blood trickled down his face from a cut on his forehead. He clung to the doorjamb for support.

"My lord," he shouted over the growing noise. "We are being overrun. We need reinforcements."

A stunning spell hit him from behind and he was propelled into the room. He came to lie facedown a few feet from his master, knocked unconscious by the force of impact. Suddenly, a throng of people pushed through the door. Aurors and members of the Order were mercilessly raining spell after spell upon the remaining Death Eaters. Voldemort cursed and grabbed hold of Bellatrix's arm. He pressed one long pale finger to the brand on her skin. Moments later his army of Death Eaters Apparated and immediately set out to defend their lord. They quickly descended upon their enemies, driving them back and down the stairs. Voldemort would have Disapparated and left his minions to their fate, had he not caught a glimpse of a certain dark-haired, green-eyed bespectacled wizard. His mouth twisted into a triumphant grin. He shook off the hysterical witch clinging to him and headed into battle.

---

As soon as the Dark Lord's wand pointed away from him, Severus had rushed to Jane's side. He bent over her and quickly felt for her pulse. A wave of relief swept through him, when he felt it throbbing strongly against his finger. He reached under his robes and retrieved a vial of Rejuvenating Potion. He poured the purple liquid into her and, cradling Jane to him, waited for her to regain consciousness.

He didn't have to wait long. Only moments later, her eyes flew open.

"Eewww!" she complained, sticking out her tongue in disgust.

She looked around, and he watched her eyes grow wide and the blood drain from her face as she recalled where she was. For a moment, he thought she would faint again. Her gaze fell upon him, and confusion registered on her face.

"Severus?"

"Shh," he soothed her. "Don't talk."

She coughed. "Severus, what are you doing here?"

He helped her sit up, but kept his arm around her shoulders. "Saving you," he told her matter-of-factly. "Now, do be quiet."

Severus pulled out another vial and held it to her lips. "Here, drink this. It'll help your body heal and regain its strength."

Jane obediently swallowed the green liquid and leaned back. Her throat was sore, but she could not remain silent. She grabbed the front of his robes.

"Severus, Colin Creevey is dead."

"I know," he said quietly, stroking her hair comfortingly.

"It's my fault," she told him dully.

"No, it isn't," Severus countered grimly. "But now is not the time. We need to get out of here. Do you think you will be able to walk?"

Jane nodded. He helped her to her feet, but her knees gave way and she clung to him for support. He scowled at her.

"Just give me a minute. I'll be OK in a moment."

Severus was still holding her, frowning doubtfully.

"I… I can stand," she assured him moments later. "Really."

"Good," he said. "Come on, then."

At that moment, a handful of Death Eaters stormed into the room, closely pursued by Arthur Weasley and two Ministry Aurors. The Death Eaters outnumbered their opponents and quickly gained the upper hand. Severus muttered an oath. He had to help them. He turned to Jane and grabbed her shoulders.

"Jane," he told her sternly. "Stay here. Out of harm's way. Do you understand?"

She nodded.

"Good girl." Severus briefly caressed her cheek with his thumb. Then he drew his wand and joined the fight.

Jane watched him as he quickly disposed of the Death Eater cornering Arthur Weasley. Pride surged through her. Was there anything he wasn't good at? She doubted it. She glanced towards the door. Severus had told her to stay put, but she had to go after Voldemort. Dumbledore had been convinced that she was the key to Voldemort's destruction. She had to trust in the wise wizard's vision and follow her instincts. She retrieved her wand and clutched it tightly in her hand. It was now or never. Jane hurried out the door and along the corridor. She had to step over several bodies until she finally made it safely down the stairs. In the entrance hall and adjoining rooms, wizards and witches were fighting each other with deadly determination. Not ten feet from her Molly Weasley was being crowded by two Death Eaters. Jane attacked, drawing strength from the knowledge that Severus had come for her. She mattered.

The two women quickly fought off the Death Eaters, knocking them unconscious, and Jane went on in search of Voldemort. She found him all too soon. He casually disposed of several wizards as he made his way towards Harry Potter. The young wizard was battling a witch, Bellatrix Lestrange. His back was turned to Voldemort and he never noticed the dark wizard approach. Jane shouldered her way past several dueling couples, until she had a clear view of Voldemort. She aimed her wand to stun him, but missed. She muttered an oath and tried again. This time, he was thrown off balance.

Voldemort spun around to face the person who had dared attack him. Gathering her courage, Jane stepped in his path and raised her wand. When he recognized her, his mouth twisted into a cruel sneer. He would enjoy killing this woman who had thwarted his chance to kill Potter. Now she would pay. But first, he would make her suffer. His spell hit her wand, instantly pulverizing it in her hand. Her skin was still tingling from the particles embedded in her flesh, when another spell threw Jane off her feet. She watched in horror as Voldemort slowly advanced on her. He stepped closer until he finally stood over Jane, his wand pointing at her face. She lay at his feet, unarmed, and the Dark Lord was gloating.

"I admire your determination, Miss Sinclair," he grinned maliciously, "and your fearlessness. Not many have dared to face me as you did, but none survived…"

Jane met his gaze defiantly.

"Such spirit," he chuckled. "Are you sure you don't want to join me and my Death Eaters?"

"Quite sure," she answered dryly.

"Pity," he shrugged indifferently. "But to be expected…"

He lazily pointed his wand at her. Her body immediately began to writhe and contort as the agonizing pain of the Cruciatus Curse hit her once again. He did not wait for the curse to wear off. Instead, he pointed the wand at her again – and again. She screamed until she thought she could scream no more. Mustering her last ounce of strength, she gave voice to her pain as she had so many years ago.

"EXSANGUINARE!"

A shudder went through Voldemort, and for a moment he looked down at her in astonishment. The skin over his cheeks began to split apart in neat red lines. Blood, so dark it almost seemed black, began to ooze from the cuts and trickle down his face. He raised his hands and studied them curiously as more cuts appeared. Jane watched him, a sense of vindication washing over her. But then, to her horror, Voldemort suddenly smiled. He shook himself like a wet dog would and when he looked at her again, the cuts were gone, his skin intact again.

"Nice try," he applauded her, his reptilian features distorted into an ugly grin. "But now, it is my turn, Miss Sinclair. Now, you die."

Jane steeled herself, but his attack never came.

"NO!"

Severus had killed the Death Eaters he'd been battling and, realizing Jane had left, gone in search of her. He was now rushing towards them to save Jane. He placed himself between Jane and the Dark Lord, shielding her with his body.

"Severus," Voldemort acknowledged him calmly. "So, this is how it will end?"

Severus merely shrugged. "We cannot choose our destiny."

"Destiny…" Voldemort slowly shook his head, something akin to regret in his eyes. "I never would have thought that, in the end, you would be brought down by a woman… There are much worthier causes to die for, Severus."

"There are certain things I regret, Voldemort, but this is not one of them."

"I'm glad to hear it."

From her position on the floor, Jane watched the ensuing duel. Voldemort aimed at his former servant, but Severus was ready for him. A silent dance of death ensued as the two men began to duel, casting spell after spell at each other. Severus was feigning and attacking lightning quick, like a snake. He struck and withdrew. He dodged and countered, but Voldemort matched his every move. Jane propped herself up to watch. Severus was fighting the Dark Lord – for her. He'd placed himself between her and the dark wizard, shielding her. Just as he had in her dream. Jane frowned. Too much of her dream had become reality already. This house, Voldemort's appearance, the fight – too much had come true to be considered coincidental. The implications sent her heart racing – in her dreams Severus had died…

Jane painfully scrambled to her feet, determined to look for a weapon. She had to help Severus somehow. She couldn't let him die. Not now. Not after they had finally found each other again. The battle was still going strong. It was chaotic and loud – utter madness. Jane saw Remus and Tonks fighting back to back. She recognized several more members of the Order, fighting Death Eaters left and right. Flashes of light shot from numerous wands, and Jane had to dodge several errant spells. Her gaze fell back on Severus and Voldemort. Severus had just managed to counter a particularly powerful spell, but he stumbled. The Dark Lord grinned triumphantly and took aim. Severus was still struggling for balance and he would not be able to defend himself. The realization hit her suddenly, and she immediately knew what would come next. Before she could do anything, Severus was hit by Voldemort's spell, fell to the ground and moved no more.

"SEVERUS!"


Lost and Found © 2006 by MMHG