Hi All,

This time please forget the canon completely, and if I seem evil, well, I apologize and hereby promise to make it up for you within two chapters as long as you're all into some lemons - we deserve to finally have those as musch as Snape does, I guess.

Harry Potter belongs to Rowling and whoever she'd agreed with, not me, I only enjoy to write for the joy of it and definetely making no money while doing so. Oh, and all quotes from the original text - be them straight or paraphrased - are bold.

I LOVE the reviews! Please send more!

Chapter 42. Gryffindor idiocy

Flying disillusioned had a peculiar quality to ease him into a deceptive sense of freedom. A few hours before dawn, invisible, relying solely on his prowess in the darkness between the sky and the ground, Severus almost felt as if he could follow his instincts. As if he was allowed to escape from his binding past and promises as easily as he did from gravity and decide for his own content. Of course, when he saw the Hog's Head underneath and knew why he came here, it was sobering enough to bring him down to earth.

The meagre locks and wards on the empty Inn fell effortlessly, and Severus stepped inside. Predictably, Aberforth came down the stairs soon enough, angrily questioning him for his intrusion.

"I need to talk to him," – Severus only replied. Aberforth understood whom he was looking for only too well.

"You're mad," – he pronounced, "but you may go to hell with him, for all I care!" He turned away to leave him but stopped when heard a reply:

"Unfortunately, it looks like I will," – Severus admitted without enthusiasm. Then, as a last resort, his sarcasm kicked in: "I came here for directions."

Aberforth seemed grudgingly amused. At least he shook his head staring at the floor and snorted before he blurted out the Wizarding Bank's name. "He's at it now. At least he'd said so," – he peeked at the intruder for one last time before, with another shake of his head, he retreated upstairs.

Severus Apparated to Diagon Alley only to suddenly feeling the weight of the day. The silly body wanted rest and nourishment; however, he had no time for the mundane now…. Time…. With gratitude, Severus cast the Locumtotum spell, just to walk onto the wizarding main street with awareness coming after a long undisturbed sleep and a freshly healed hand.

It had been a while since he'd last seen the most famous avenue of Wizarding Britain this late an hour. Now he recalled how wisely he'd used that wasted fraction of a second because not even the most respectable wizards and witches knew Diagon Alley after sunset the way he remembered. It was nothing like the peaceful shopping area of daylight.

The Night Alley turned most shops into bars and pubs, card rooms, and gaming dens, something the average wizard avoided all his life. The breaches between the respectable shop buildings broadened after twilight, and now different houses used the precious space along the road which led with its cobblestones more smoothly into Knockturn. Although this part of the main street was still cleaner and more secure than the other side with its low-key poison hells, potion breweries, and the infamous Smuggled Goods Trade Market.

All in all, it was tempting to recast the Disillusionment Charm, but the crowd was thick enough that he would have crashed into some gang or another in his transparent form, so Severus decided against it. He just put on his most foreboding look and mixed with the drunken visitors of the area. He hadn't been around this time of the day since his misspent youth, and now he found he needed to accustom himself to the changes.

The Gambler's Groove, which used to be Mulciber's father's favourite place, now became some pub, illuminated with strange bluish lights that highlighted the colour of the brews it offered in the different potion phials by long, strangely clean white tables. The Wizard's Cave he used to like, and which used to be known for its exceptional temporary forgetfulness potions, had become an indecent house advertising private dance shows with veelas and played questionable music under the name of The Quirky Keeker. The changes made it challenging to even recognize the district.

Severus found the Potioneer's Portion at its rightful place still offering its liquors and propped up beverages probably for Lucius's satisfaction, and tonight for Severus' comfort. He didn't wish to purchase but the sheer fact he found something familiar was enough for his peace of mind.

If there was a sight that didn't change when the Diagon Alley turned in for the night, it was the Bank's majestic building. By daytime, Gringotts shone out of its surroundings with its imposing white marble walls. In the Night Alley, vibrating lights painted those walls with the shops' and pubs' advertisements and colourful lights reflected on the marble in all colours of the rainbow. He didn't come to see it, but two years earlier he had heard some hushed voices about watching the Quidditch World Cup as a shadow show on Gringotts' marble walls in the night. That must have been a bash, even if he wasn't that much into sports.

Of course, the bank was closed now. For hours, by this time. He wouldn't have gone inside if he could, for Severus wasn't familiar with Dumbledore's plan. He wouldn't risk getting too close, so for lack of a better idea, he leaned his back onto a lamppost and waited.

About half an hour passed, perhaps a little less, without much more than lingering on the street and watching the populace, when a strange noise grumbled low from the earth under Severus' feet. First, it was so silent most didn't even notice. Then it became louder but most still seemed to believe they had only drunk too much. By the time the silent grumble turned into a distant thunder and the earth began to shake under his feet, Severus was convinced he heard repeated detonations.

The people around now stopped and looked puzzled. As the detonations were approaching from underneath, becoming more and more discernable and separated by the minute in Severus's opinion, the passersby were discussing some prank or another, hoping to prove themselves cunning by not falling for "the show".

Severus looked up at Gringotts, and for some seconds he thought he saw a man levitating above the Bank. Then the man disappeared, and a thick flare of fire took his place. Severus was reminded the gossips he'd heard about a dragon that allegedly guarded the chambers under the building. He slowly and unobtrusively started to retreat from the bank's proximity, never taking his eyes off the building.

Within less than twenty steps he saw another flare and then the ugly face of a very old ridgeback emerged above Gringotts. A long thorny neck followed it, and even one unimaginably wide leather wing turned out when the dragon roared shaking the glass and sending the crowds around him into a panic before the dragon got pulled back to its place.

When the consecutive smaller flares and shakes of the ground resulted in applause from the passersby, Severus marvelled at the idiocy of the average wizard of his age but didn't object. He turned away from Gringotts, and to make his escape, he strode down back towards the Leaky with fake nonchalance, until a familiar voice sounded by his side:

"Hullo, Severus, I've never thought I would see you here!" Albus Dumbledore wore his usual face of polite curiosity, and his usual garb, which seemed surprisingly adequate for the Night Alley, and he jovially walked up beside him. "What say you about sharing a drink?"

"A drink," – Severus repeated walking on, acting as if the Headmaster ambling by his side wasn't at all extraordinary.

"I admit I find myself in a rare need of one,"- Dumbledore nodded with a smile.

"Are you all right sir?" – Severus asked without looking at him.

"Well, my little finger is quite sore. Here, you see, on my left hand. I'm afraid it's even reddened. Don't you find it discoloured? What do you think?"

Despite the Headmaster's worried tone, Severus couldn't believe the issue was too severe. However, he spared a glance at the hand. It seemed mildly burnt.

"Seems a small price for pulling such a stunt, sir," – Severus deemed. As they slowly walked towards the Leaky, he turned his head to the side to take a last look at Gringotts'. The lights played on the marble walls as if nothing had happened.

"I cannot say I have any idea of what you might refer to," – the old wizard chuckled. "If you'd never found a teapot exceptionally hot, you haven't yet aged enough to forget when you'd ordered them."

"Teapot, sir?" Severus couldn't contain himself. "And here I thought you merely touched a hot cup."

"Extremely hot, if you ask me," – Dumbledore nodded. "But I cannot imagine you came all this way just to discuss my small inconveniences."

"Actually, sir, I came to discuss a major inconvenience, but I doubt any of these pubs are safe enough to satisfy your thirst. Why don't we relocate our talk to more familiar territory?"

"Do you think my brother won't find a reason to goat this time?"

Severus shot a significant glare at the Headmaster and Disapparated without dignifying this with an answer.

When they arrived with two silent pops to the Hog's Head, Aberforth was waiting in the taproom.

"Finally," – he sighed as if he was worried for his brother's well-being. At least the Headmaster must have thought this was the case because a surprised but rarely seen happy smile spread on his face as he sat by a table.

"No need to worry, I have to say it was a good idea indeed," – he produced a broken cup with Hufflepuff's insignia from a fold of his voluminous robes and sat down with some pride. "The novelty even eased me into feeling a trifle younger. However, Aberforth, we've been talking about the strong need for a drink, if you care to humour us."

In a show of rare brotherly care, Aberforth poured without a word.

Severus watched the curious expression of relief on the Headmaster's face as he emptied his firewhisky and leaned back by the counter with a sigh. Impatience began to overwhelm him. Potter was under the Dark Lord's attack and Sage was either in custody or in life-threatening danger. He had no time for niceties!

"That makes two, sir,"- he reported maybe a tad abruptly. "I came in search for you after I destroyed that diadem of Ravenclaw's, which in fact proved to be another Horcrux. However, we are not yet done, sir. Potter received an attack from the Dark Lord against his mind, and although he says he is Occluding, I have no doubts about the eventual outcome of the intrusion."

"Why, Severus, you indeed have the capacity to ruin any spark of a good mood. You don't even stop and rejoice in your success with the artifact or Harry's apparent accomplishment. You are to be praised for that, I'm sure."

It was easy to dismiss the approval knowing how much of Potter's achievement he owed to Sage. Sage… who should at least be safe for her contributions – Severus thought wistfully and began pacing aimlessly to rein in his building anger.

"While rejoicing, we still need to find a way to eliminate that snake, sir. And Potter's mind is not the safest bet still, to say the least," – he grumbled and only added when he saw the old wizard wanted to further placate him: "Even the boy understands that the Dark Lord will not stop before he breaks down his defences, and you would let him stay among his peers!"

Now he finally got Dumbledore's attention, but the Headmaster seemed more annoyed than worried.

"We've been through this, Severus, only once too many times since the beginning of the school year. You've always underestimated Harry's abilities, and I cannot–"

"I doubt he is a threat to his peers any longer," – they heard Aberforth softly interject. "That dry witch came in about half an hour ago, shortly after your spy departed. She wanted to reach you."

"Minerva?" – the Headmaster looked up surprised. "Why would she come down here?"

"Well, your golden boy seems to have vanished, brother, at least she'd said so. She'd also told me she's lost some other kids from different houses. I'd gathered she was afraid they went somewhere they had no place to be."

While the Headmaster answered his brother, Severus couldn't hear them any more. He only stared at the air horrified and unblinking. His mind replayed his last conversation with Potter in the Ravenclaw room:

"The boy has always been in danger. The difference is, that this time he may understand what and whom he risks with his endeavours,"- he remembered telling Minerva.

"I do," – Potter quickly replied. "I haven't forgotten. But if he will break my defences anyway, shouldn't we… I don't know… do something against him? At least we know what he is doing right now and what he expects–"

Severus remembered cautioning him, but Minerva was the one who replied, so he had to directly ask the boy.

"I will shield my mind," – that's what Potter promised. Not staying away, not keeping his friends safe. He promised he would shield his mind because he knew he couldn't hold it up forever.

Severus cast Tempus without giving a thought to his surroundings. It happened about half an hour ago, and now they only had a little more than three hours before dawn. And with the dawn – his thoughts raced further – would come a worked-up Pink Toad and another school day when the boy couldn't move undetected or focus on emptying his mind! It was so rare that Severus understood the boy, it almost felt peculiar. However, he understood Occlumency and knew for a fact that Potter wasn't ready for distractions while his mind was under attack.

He's most likely fled into battle. Did the Order know? At this point, the Dumbledores' agitated discussion about a Patronus Aberforth apparently received moments before their return from the Night Alley slowly broke through Severus' thoughts.

"Lupin sent a Patronus?" – he jerked his head up. "How did he know it?"

"Well, it seems that the boy stepped through the fire in search of his godfather at Grimmauld. I have no way to know about his stupid little followers, aside from what your colleague told me. There are some, who disappeared shortly after," – Aberforth explained.

"But you say Remus' Patronus only mentioned Harry,"- the Headmaster lamented, watching his brother.

Aberforth nodded.

"I don't see the relevance," – Severus impatiently pointed out. "We have Potter and some other miscreants probably already heading to the Ministry. They could very well have arrived by now and the Dark Lord must have been waiting. Exactly how many of our people could be at Grimmauld this late at night?"

"That's hard to say," – the Headmaster sighed. "I doubt there were more than Sirius, Remus, and perhaps dear Nymphadora at the Headquarters. Maybe Alastor, if I remember the schedule correctly."

Severus nodded before he strode to the door, but Dumbledore's voice stopped him:

"You are the last person to go there, Severus, we are relying on your services in the long run, as a member of Voldemort's circles. We should strengthen your station and not ruin it by a mindless rush."

"The last thing I remember I was to slay a snake, sir, so your Champion could end a war…"

"We're just not there yet. Tom doesn't know his Horcruxes are mostly gone, he–"

"Not yet?" – Severus finally let his anger have the better of him. "You should be glad, Dumbledore, I finally follow your child-hero and his plan, who believed it was time to finish this. If I can, I will," – he thought of his promises and Sage. He could only hope that someone would help her escape if he couldn't' survive this… The Headmaster must have not shared his views.

"You cannot," – he warned. "Only Harry –"

"Blast your sacred child!" – Severus now lost the rest of his patience. "You gave force to a Prophecy the Dark Lord was foolish enough to pursue, and I am the only one to blame for both of your harebrained idiocy for nothing! Sweet gods, Dumbledore, I wish I knew! I wish I wasn't tempted! But it's all for naught because you're both into the madness of this all-consuming gigantic chess game! Well, here, Headmaster, I give you notice. You will sacrifice a knight tonight. Or a bishop. I'm sure I was running to and fro enough to be one, but I cannot follow this madness any longer. I only hope–" - Severus thought about Sage and realized he couldn't make himself beg for a witch's life once more. Not here, anyway.

Oddly, the Headmaster kept his calm yet. He observed Severus through calculating eyes for a few seconds before he addressed him in a placating tone: "You cannot end this, my boy. Not yet. Even if you try, the last piece of Tom's soul is embedded in Harry, and even if you uncover our small advantage, you cannot overthrow him until they're both alive."

"Has it occurred to you, to kill instead the evil?" – Severus felt as if he took a page from Aberforth's book, but he couldn't care any longer. Truthfully, there weren't many things he would give a fig for anymore. "If they cannot live in the same world, as you say, why not finish with Riddle?"

"Harry is the only one to defeat Tom as he's once already–"

"Lily Potter defeated the Dark Lord! – Severus roared. "Not an infant, it was adult magic! Ancient, ingenious, and lucky" – he bellowed with sudden fervour. "Not you, Dumbledore, not a child," – he went on, "and sure as hell, not someone like me! It was all her! Her magic, her faith, her power!"

"And would you step into a deathly curse as she did, given a chance?" Dumbledore's voice was dripping with doubt, but Severus didn't hesitate:

"You know I would," - he only gulped when he realized what he said in his haste was true. Severus went on more quietly: "So you'd have at least a decade to bring up their child before he'd return. I hope you would do it as you should. Teach him, make him stronger, instead of blindfolding him into obedience and a supposed service to the world!"

He didn't wait for another bound of arguments, he felt he'd already lost enough time. Potter stepped through the Floo almost an hour ago by now, it was reasonable to believe he'd arrived at the Ministry already.

What he wasn't ready for was the effect the night had on him: as if sobering up by stepping into the fresh air, Severus Snape suddenly realized that he'd just defied his masters. Knowing already that he would leave his station, both of them.

There was no chance to survive this night any more. Even if this capricious fate decided against the odds, he would surely go to Azkaban to lose his soul there to a hungry Dementor. He would sooner commit suicide, but Severus wisely decided to leave this problem for the next day.

No, tonight he would finally follow his instincts, even if this was the last thing he did. The surge of fear gave place to sudden peace within a few steps. If tension leaving his body made his limbs suddenly tremble, he couldn't help that. He tried to swallow more air with hitching breath and conquer the momentary weakness when the Inn's backdoor opened, and a still visibly grumpy Aberforth Dumbledore stepped through.

"You're crazy," – the old wizard informed Severus. "But not as crazy as the others who believe in him," – he gestured with a nod towards the Hog's Head.

Severus didn't reply. He was glad about his limbs finally calmed down with the rest of his system, and he enjoyed the deep breaths he could take again.

"Here," – Aberforth held out his fist and Severus reached for whatever he gave him by reflex. A matt black stone slipped onto his palm. He stared up at the old wizard with surprise, but Aberforth just shrugged.

"My brother's an idiot, but his juju might still work… or do something, at least. Just give it to that boy for luck!"

Severus slowly nodded and slipped the stone into his pocket.

"There's a witch captured in France" – he risked mentioning, unsure of the response.

"I remember," – Aberforth nodded. "You wish she was free."

"If I can't–" Severus hesitantly began but Aberforth reassuringly nodded before he could truly gather his thoughts. "Thank you," – he finished instead and Apparated away.

.

The Ministry's Entrance Hall was silent and empty at this hour. The marble and the golden statues were hidden shadows in the dim light, giving an eerie feeling, which matched perfectly with Severus' inner landscape.

It was a strange mix of guilt for defying Dumbledore's wishes, the rebellious sense of freedom after finally disobeying both his masters, bone-chilling fear, and a curious little vine of desire climbing through that all, reminding him how much he wished to see that witch again… Severus shook his head to clear it. Discipline. He would not be any help to anyone in this state of mind.

He Disillusioned himself and let his mind sink into the chill the Dark Lord taught his followers to serve his whims in raids. He would swear it even modified his pulse, his temperature, his way of walking or taking a breath. It was familiar and almost comfortable. His thoughts instantly turned to something useful.

If Potter went through the Floo straight to Grimmauld, he should be here even if the wolf tried to contact the Headmaster or gather forces. Severus didn't imagine for a second that the mutt would keep to his place. It was harder to count on the timing of the boy's followers. He was reasonably sure they couldn't Apparate. Which left the mutt, the wolf, the boy wonder and Miss Tonks with whoever they could find at three in the morning against – knowing his luck, probably the Dark Lord.

Severus worked his shoulders looser as he passed through the Hall to the elevators. Black must have thought the same, even if Dumbledore talked to him since he left the Hog's Head. Severus had a strong hunch he wasn't the only one to defy orders tonight… wouldn't it be nice if the Dark Lord's cohort did the same?

An amused grin formed on his face as soon as he finally made a plan. His wand moved quickly, removed the Disillusionment Charm, transfigured his robe into his Death Eater garb, and a spare quill became his mask. This farce would never deceive the Dark Lord, but Severus theorized the trap must be at the Department of Mysteries, and the leader tonight should be Lucius to regain his standing. The throwbacks were convenient for the Order, but the fellow knew very well that he'd worked too slowly… he wouldn't bother to look through his camouflage.

By the end of the thought, Severus was already in the lift, silently cursing the noise as he descended to the lowest level of the Ministry. The corridor felt unnaturally silent. No guard from the Order, no Ministry guards or Unspeakables. He also couldn't feel the wards, which meant that Lucius must have already done a good job but he couldn't see any of his brethren either…

"Hominum Reve–"

"Are you out of your mind, Snape? What the hell are you doing here?"

Oh, Shite, he would recognize this screech from a thousand.

"Good evening to you too, Bellatrix," – Severus smoothly drawled. "Or is it morning already?"

"You shouldn't be here," – the witch hissed, and she must have moved in her anger because her Disillusionment Charm shimmered by the wall.

"Perhaps," – Severus acquiesced. "But I will not discuss it with you. Unless, of course, if our lord entrusted you with the leading of this operation, in which case–"

"He did not," – Lucius' Concealment Charm dissolved, and the wizard shook his blond hair behind his back, stepping to the front. Looking at his tired face Severus contemplated just how long they must have been stranded here that night. Perhaps Potter's mind held up just long enough to cause a flicker of hope…

"You were not supposed to even know about this," – Avery stepped forward, his Disillusionment Charm also shimmering away.

"Do you believe that?" – Severus turned to him with menace. "Now, what was my station at Hogwarts again? Oh, collecting word and watching the boy, as I recall."

"Our lord wished to be called after we entrapped the boy tonight," – Lucius told. "We would have given up already if He wasn't so sure the child would come." Severus could hear the impatience in Lucius' voice, understandable after probably hours of waiting.

"I learned from his Head of House that the boy attempted to repel the Dark Lord's influence. After I've met him, I knew he wouldn't succeed and came here to be of assistance."

"To reap the glory for others' work," – Bellatrix hissed.

"For caution, he won't come alone. Potter contacted the Order," – he answered softly, choosing to look at Lucius.

"Then we'd better wait inside," – Malfoy decided. "Our lord will guide him to the Hall, but they don't need to return from there."

With some grumbling, Yaxley, Macnair and Goyle revealed themselves and joined Avery in a doorway, starting toward the depth of the Department. Bellatrix and Crabbe already moved to follow them when they all heard the lift moving again.

"Quickly," – Severus instructed holding the door, and the others obliged, although Bellatrix grudgingly. He caught Lucius' shoulder as soon as the other two entered the door. "Don't kill anyone," – he whispered into his oldest friend's ear. Severus imagined he didn't make much sense, but with their fellows waiting and the lift descending he had not much time to spare for explanations.

Malfoy's stare was first only puzzled, then outright suspicious. Perhaps this wasn't his best plan, after all, Severus thought, but there was no place to retreat. "Just friendly advice," – he finally shrugged, and pushed Lucius through the door, replacing his Disillusionment Charm mid-step.

All blended in with the walls of the rounded room at the moment Potter entered with Black, Lupin and Auror Tonks. Severus was waiting for the rest of their crowd, and a few heartbeats later Mad-Eye joined them too. Unfortunately, he let the door close behind him, signalling there were no more from the Order to come. Severus presumed the Headmaster had alerted others too but it would take time before more arrived. And time they did not have.

Potter kept to his godfather and spoke in a colourless voice as he recalled his dreams for directions. It was only too plain to see how much he tried to focus on keeping up his feeble Occlumency. Severus would have sworn under his breath had those attempts not also protected him and Sage, and though they were meagre, he was obliged to appreciate them. Which felt admittedly strange. However, if the Dark Lord broke through the boy's defences, he would be the first to know with a burning left arm calling for the traitor to suffer his due.

The little group of the Order's pride rushed through one of the doors in the rounded room, which Bellatrix marked as soon as it closed behind them. The room spun around but they silently and invisibly followed. The coming quarter of an hour was spent much in the same manner, Potter opened doors with confidence, rushed through, and all the friends and enemies followed. Severus lagged behind both groups, counting the shimmers in every door before he entered last. The Hall of Prophecies seemed monumental, even more, depressing than he'd remembered seeing it in Podmore's mind.

"I know it's there, he made me see it," – Potter cried out and ran forward among the rows and rows of crystal balls with Black and Lupin on his heels, while Mad-Eye and Miss Tonks cautiously watched their back and sides. They proceeded so much more slowly that the Death Eaters couldn't risk getting close enough to see what the boy was about.

"Here, I knew I would find it," – they all heard the boy's voice from afar again.

"Wait, Harry, are you sure you want to do this? Don't you want to hear it first?" – Lupin protested, and Severus lifted invisible eyes towards the ceiling.

"If there's no Prophecy there's no reason Voldemort to keep up attacking my mind!" – Potter figured.

"Let him, Remus, we've been through this. If–" – Black's voice lost in a sudden crash, which was soon followed by a hoarse feminine voice chanting:

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches–"

"You worthless little git, your task was to retrieve it!" – Bellatrix shrieked, and her stunner already flew towards Miss Tonks, even before her Concealment Charm failed.

On that sign, the air filled with hexes and curses, some glanced off of Shield Charms, and hit different crystal balls, others rebounded or destroyed the floor where a second ago Mad-Eye stood. Severus could hear Lucius silently cursing under his breath even in the cacophony of unknown seers' eerie voices relaying to the world again their ominous words. The rows holding crystal balls lit with the half-translucent figures of different pasts, predicting futures that either already arrived or were held off forever.

He knew he couldn't step in. Showing himself at this point would ruin all his plans, not to mention it would destroy the slim possibility of being of assistance. Thus, when Malfoy threw his covering charm away, signalling the others to attack as Mad-Eye and Miss Tonks backed towards Potter and his two half-wits, Severus stayed concealed and behind, looking for something, anything to turn the tide.

Yaxley's curse cut the Hufflepuff's leg, just above the ankle, Severus supposed her Shield Charm must have had its limits. Now Avery and Crabbe simultaneously duelled with her, while Yaxley sought out Mad-Eye. His curses rebounded off the wizard's shield yet.

The truly worrisome was Bellatrix's and Macnair's obvious intention to wedge Potter into a corner, at the moment only held back by Black taking his cousin under his wand, and Potter's surprising skill and confidence in dueling.

Lupin cut his way through to his Auror, and managed to engage Crabbe's wand in battle, giving a chance to Tonks against Avery, but no one seemed to notice Goyle, who made his way silently on the far side to get behind the boy. Severus swallowed against the sudden urge to use his wand. Anything he cast would betray him, and the direction of the bolting hex or curse would also show his place, however….

The rows of shelves behind Black and Potter shook, then collapsed onto each other. The containers tilted, crystals shattered, and finally, the shelves fell towards Goyle, who soon found himself buried under hundreds of broken Prophecies, and a tumult of seers preaching above the shreds and dust. The first shelf that tilted also pushed the next row, and that pushed the next one until the Hall was similar to a giant line of dominoes collapsing on each other, making both Death Eaters and Order members flee. Severus pulled his magic back to him as soon as his legs left the threshold behind. Goyle didn't emerge, and the door closed behind them.

Severus tried to take stock of the damage while the others continued to fight. Miss Tonks' leg wasn't bleeding anymore but judging by her moves it must have still been tender. Lupin escaped with shards of crystal sticking out of his shoulder, but his wand-moves weren't slower by the inconvenience. Black yet held up and shielded Potter as much as he could, although he allowed the boy more opportunity to duel than Severus would have liked it. Mad-Eye stood tall and deflected the Death Eaters' curses left and right, commanding his friends to fall back as quickly as they could.

Potter was closest to the door and tried to open it up for their retreat. Curiously, Lucius didn't try to stop him. Severus noticed the uncommon number of stunners that left his wand to no avail, and he would have sworn he saw the colour of a Stinging jinx leaving his wand. It seemed as if the blond wizard only produced a flow of hexes to deter his enemies, all the way mumbling under his breath what seemed profuse swearing.

Avery received a stunner from Mad-Eye's wand, and now Yaxley targeted the tall Auror. Crabbe developed boils in his duel against Miss Tonks, but it didn't stop his wand from moving his fastest. Macnair was deep in a battle against Lupin, crying out insults to breach the werewolf's shield by breaking his focus. Yet the Marauder held up against the dark wizard, who called him a half-breed and an animal, but his expression got darker by the second.

Bellatrix finally got through to Black and Potter, goading her cousin and yelling at Lucius about his incompetence as a leader, Severus saw Malfoy's eyes squinting with loathing.

Potter worked the last door open and yelled to the others to quickly get through. Tonks was the first to oblige, sending a strong Confringo against Crabbe, which couldn't penetrate the wizard's Shield Charm, but blinded him with the light show of the impact.

Lupin couldn't handle the double distraction, and Macnair's Cutting Spell finally got him, thankfully weakened by Mad-Eye's hastily thrown up Protego, which at the same time, unfortunately, made the tall Auror vulnerable to Yaxley's Confundus. Miss Tonks and her bleeding wolf grabbed him by the collar and pulled him out to the corridor.

Black, momentarily distracted by the commotion behind him, couldn't see Bellatrix's stunner and Killing Curse, which the witch sent at him in rapid succession. He had the presence of mind to deflect the stunner by sheer reflex, but all seemed lost when his body lifted in the air and fell backwards – peculiarly, in an orange glow.

While Yaxley, Macnair and Crabbe ran after the Order members and Potter to the corridor, Bellatrix turned to Lucius with rage. Her curse had just blasted a part of the wall to brick dust in a green flash.

"Coincidence," – Malfoy shrugged apologetically. "Go, get him!" – he added, and the witch huffed, then touched her wand to her left arm.

"Enough of your amateurish mistakes, brother," – she spat the word with contempt.

Lucius' eyes widened with horror, but all felt the message she'd sent to the Dark Lord. Bellatrix rushed after the others, cackling with mad glee.

"If I survive this, Snape, it'll be you I'm going to kill," – Lucius mumbled to the seemingly empty room before he followed her.

Severus had no time to contemplate his apparent influence on Malfoy, although if he had, he probably would have thought it was much greater than he would have ever expected it. It was clear the old friend hated every minute of this night, and with abundant reason. However, this wasn't the time to think, and Severus hastened to the door before it closed on him, to find himself in the rounded room with uncounted doors.

As soon as he entered and the door closed behind him, the walls spun around them, without any markings showing on the doors. When the dizzying rotation ended the hexes and the curses began to fly. Which way out? – Severus looked around helplessly.

"We don't know the way!" – Miss Tonks cried out as if she replied to him, giving voice to everyone's concern on both sides.

However, it was impossible to stop and figure out any solution with Bellatrix and Yaxley busy running down the unsteady Tonks, the confused Kinsley and the bleeding Lupin. Lucius got his priorities better and ordered Crabbe away from the fight to search for the right door instead.

Black returned his cousin's enthusiasm and Potter stood his place too, alternating Shield Charms with Disarming Spells as it was his wont. Primitive like a peg, still efficient -. Severus felt the sudden temptation to send them both stunners just to spare each of them Bellatrix's next attempt to kill when one of the doors suddenly opened on the far end, and a bunch of kids flooded the room.

Lovegood looked surprised, which didn't stop her from promptly hexing Macnair. The Nose-elongating Jinx must have been something the dark wizard haven't encountered in about thirty years or so. Weasley appeared by her, yelped, and sent out a stunner – probably only led by his sudden fright. Ginevra Weasley grabbed the perplexed Longbottom in the doorway and hurled him aside for cover.

"Hermione, hold the door!" – Potter yelled out with surprisingly quick thinking, grabbed Mad-Eye by his robe and pulled him toward the door. Granger's Protego covered him, while his hastily cast Expelliarmus disarmed Yaxley, whom Weasley promptly stunned. Almost five years of joint mischief finally paid out.

"Get out!" – Lupin roared and pushed Miss Tonks towards the door. "Padfoot, come!" – he shouted, apparently breaking the mutt's war rage.

Bellatrix was to follow her prey, but Longbottom got her with a Tripjinx from behind Miss Weasley's shoulder. The young witch seemed to have preferred Lucius' approach and kept a steady flow of hexes from her wand, thus protecting them both by the doorway. They attempted to cover for the others' retreat, but neither could see Crabbe at the far end of the room, who sent a Cutting Spell, slicing open Black's shoulder on his way out.

All made a run for the door, Lucius' and Crabbe's hexes battered Granger's Shield Charm behind the Order members until the young witch had to back off. Macnair was upon her, but Black deterred him with a well-placed punch on his enlarged nose.

The mutt tried to close the door on the Death Eaters but couldn't from Lucius' hex. Macnair, Bellatrix, Lucius and Crabbe pushed through the closing door. Severus rushed after them, and just managed to stumble through the threshold to be last.

The kids with the Order members were already running up the corridor to the lifts, followed closely by their enemies, now less confident and doubly outnumbered. Severus heard the room rotate behind him, and knew they only had limited time before the temporarily knocked out Avery, Yaxley and Goyle would follow.

Lupin got to the lifts and held the bars of one of the cabins, and the younger members filed in. Severus tried to count from a distance: Miss Lovegood, Miss Weasley, Longbottom, Granger….

Weasley stopped before the lift and looked for Potter. who played courteous with Miss Tonks. Thankfully Lupin had the presence of mind to push them both inside and shut the bars as soon as Weasley jumped in behind them. Someone must have pushed the button because the next moment the lift began it's slow ascending toward the Entrance Hall. A small relief.

Crabbe, Macnair, Bellatrix and Malfoy did their utmost to stop the rest in their tracks. Mad-Eye seemed to have recovered his bearings, but both he and Lupin were profusely bleeding. Even Black's shoulder looked bad. He still tried to herd them to the second lift, with Lupin shooting rapid hexes above his head. Malfoy legged behind, but the others gained upon them.

Shite, this didn't look good, - Severus suppressed a flow of curses, and the first two stunners left his wand from behind his "friends". Lucius fell without a word, Crabbe stumbled through his body and hit the floor, but his hastily shot curse lit Severus' Shield Charm, showing his whereabouts in the corridor. Macnair looked perplexed, but Bellatrix understood the treachery in a blink.

"Snape, you filthy coward, I knew you were a traitor!"

She left her cousin and his friends for Macnair and searched the corridor with her eyes. Severus stood still, knowing she would never see his Disillusionment Charm shimmering in the dim light. In the meantime, Crabbe gathered himself and tried to attack Black. In vain. Shielded by Lupin, Mad-Eye held against Macnair, and the mutt sent Crabbe a vicious Cutting Spell, which sent Crabbe into screams when his damaged wrist couldn't hold his wand anymore. Then Lupin's Confundus made him run down the corridor, forgetting about the lifts and his previous goal.

"Hominum Revelio" – cast Bellatrix with glee, turning back Severus' attention to his problem. It was nothing short of what he expected and dismissed his charm before the revealing light bubble could reach him, thus winning a fragment of time by the element of surprise to cast a silent Legillimens and look for Bellatrix's next move.

Severus avoided sinking deep into the witch's mind, it always had an ominous quality anyway, but the surface gave away enough hostility and the first few intentions before Bellatrix recognized the attack.

"You dirty bastard," – she cried out and pushed the inquiring mind from her own. "I knew it! I knew–" – before she finished, her wand already emerged for the Killing Curse, and Severus Engorgio-ed floor tiles for cover. Bellatrix's curse blasted them into shreds and it gave Severus a moment to send a Confringo pounding into her shield, then a nasty skinning hex aimed at her legs. He shot both of those while ducking low, and as a third, he put up a Shield Charm, just to repel the witch's answering curses, one of them his creation from his misspent youth.

"You dare to use my own spell against me?" – Severus roared, this time truly angered, and let his magic roam free for the second time since he'd entered the building. It washed along the corridor, raw and undisciplined, it only had intent and aim. He watched Bellatrix fall backwards and fly into the wall between the two lifts, then changed direction and shut the bars on the Marauders' cabin, which soon began its ascent towards the Entrance Hall.

When Bellatrix lifted her wand, weak from her fall, Severus was ready to finish this with a Sectumsempra but he heard the rotating of the room behind them, and then the door opening to the corridor.

The wand thought in his hand, and Severus only thought about Langlock, his still roaming magic obliged and silenced the witch. With quick thinking, he picked the wand from Bellatrix's hand before Avery and Yaxley ran up to them on each other's heels. Severus stepped into one of the lifts, and they quickly followed, Yaxley with a questioning glance at Bellatrix.

"What happened to her?" – he asked, pushing the button for the Entrance Hall.

"Black" – lied Severus smoothly with a shrug. He tried to hide the witch's curvy wand in his robe's sleeve, but Yaxley eyed him with suspicion.

"What exactly did happen again?" – Yaxley repeated, making Severus contemplate his chances if hexes began to fly in the small cabin.

Then Avery grumbled about nasty kids and half-breeds, which eased the mood a little before they heard the noises from above their heads. The lift approached a battle ongoing, and Yaxley wasn't surprised when Severus renewed his Disillusionment Charm.

Avery jerked his head like a warhorse, but Yaxley pushed him aside, boldly wanting to be the first to hurl himself into whatever fight. The first words Severus could make out of the cacophony sounded in Molly Weasley's voice:

"Not my daughter! Minerva, help me!"

Severus rushed out of the lift and stepped aside by the wall as quickly as he could after the bunch of stunners aiming at the cabin volleyed into their combined Shield Charm and dissolved. He searched the Hall impatiently, trying to make sense of the situation up here.

The Dark Lord had indeed arrived. At the moment Molly Weasley, her daughter, Minerva, and Miss Tonks tried to delay him. It was surreal, as was the rest:

There was Travers, currently engaged in battle by no other than Luna Lovegood. Granger shielded her, while the Ravenclaw hexed and jinxed with rapid succession. Weasley sometimes chimed in, but he was also preoccupied with Gibbons, who tried to get their backs. If it wasn't enough, Longbottom was the one who eventually stopped him.

Severus scanned the room for the others… there! The wonder-boy had just ducked to avoid the elder Jugson's curse. Rolling to his side, he managed to disarm Avery. Bill Weasley was closest to him, deflecting Nott's curses, but peeking towards his mother and sister time and again. Nott was better than to get distracted. Severus was tempted to step in, but then he saw Yaxley attacking Lovegood and Granger from the other side, even Greyback galloped towards them, but Lupin thwarted his way. It was a bold move with his injuries, no wonder he cried out for Mad-Eye's help. However, the Auror already fought within an inch of his life against Dolohov. Black tried to shake off Macnair to assist his friend, but it seemed harder than he'd thought.

Finally, Mad-Eye Shacklebolt separated from the crowd and swooped down on Greyback, Arthur ran to his son's help against Nott, and the younger Weasley reached Potter, so they could get Jugson into a crossfire.

On the verge of entering into battle, Severus faced the silliest question of his life: By which side? Because if he revealed his true alliance now – be it tempting as it was – he would never reach Nagini. The snake lay in waiting by her master's feet. Keeping up the façade, which this time meant his Concealment Charm, Severus took the long route around the Hall to get closer to them.

"Severus, my servant, could this be you?"

As soon as he heard the ominously sweet tone, Severus felt his Concealment Charm fail and his still freely roaming magic encountered another but recoiled. His Occlumency clicked into place without conscious thought.

"My lord," – he bowed without giving a thought to Minerva's bewilderment, which almost cost a limb for the witch.

"What could possibly be so important that made you so bold as to abandon your post?" – Voldemort asked as if he was not duelling with four witches at the moment.

Severus' eyes turned toward the snake, but he swallowed his fear. Suddenly the brass gates chimed with a new arrival, and the Dark Lord's attention failed for a split second. Enough for Miss Weasley to send him a Bat Boogey Jinx with typical Gryffindor boldness, which Voldemort deflected only at the last moment. Severus didn't know if he recognized the jinx, but the Dark Lord's magic roared up to a level it was an almost visible shimmer in the air, and the four witches flew back without him uttering a word.

"Seems I have an engagement of more importance," – Voldemort spat to Snape with contempt. "I have no more use for you like this. Nagini, kill!"

Severus saw Dumbledore's figure sailing through the battling crowd and the Dark Lord lifting his wand at him, he also noticed for a second that Potter and Weasley finished with Jugson, and now ran towards Voldemort, before Snape transfigured a sword from his Death Eater mask. Then he felt the snake's weight knock him off his feet. He tried to swing the sword, but its edge slipped off the snake's silky dry skin. Nagini drew back her head to attack, and Severus swung again, the sword crashed, and he found himself grabbing a broken quill.

Shite. He'd never been good at following his instincts. He should have learned already that whenever he'd tried he screwed up everything around him.

The fangs hurt like nothing he'd ever felt before that moment. They tore through skin and muscle, reached a vein and he could feel the venom mix into his blood. His vision blurred but he thought he heard footsteps, and a distant cry… he didn't recognize the voice… then somebody shouted triumphantly… not Potter… not the Dark Lord….

Severus suddenly realized he wasn't ready to die before the snake.

"Locumtotum vocatur!" – he rather thought than uttered the spell, unable to speak any more.