This is the first fic I've actually dared to post... Yay for me!
(And now reposted because I found a big complication. Ten virtual ice creams to those who figure out my, now late, problem ;)
Anyway, this is written to the Through Masks and Mist Challenge, by Tsurai no Shi. It is also my very first try at a challenge, so I hope I manage to stick to the rules.
The characters doesn't belong to me either. They belong to J. K. Rowling, and Bloomsbury Puplishing Plc.
Well, try to enjoy!
White, hot, searing pain shot through every particle of Severus Snape. He didn't cry. He didn't scream. The pain was too great for either.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the pain ceased. Severus laid comepletely still for several minutes, just revelling in the fact that he was still alive. Then he started listening.
Someone was talking. He knew that voice. It gave him the creepes. He didn't know why. He just knew he should know why.
" – sssssee, my dear Death Eaterssss. Pain comesss to thosssse who doesss not obey Me."
Severus growned quietly. Voldemort. How he hated that man, that monster.
"Ah. Sssssseverussss. My child. I sssee, you are sssstill with us."
There was no answer.
"You failed me, Sssseverusssss. You dissssobeyed Me."
The former Potions Master kept quiet.
"Did I not tell you that it wasss the Malfoy-boy'ssss challenge to kill Dumbledore? Did I not order you to sssstay out of it? Hmmmm?"
Again, there was no answer.
"ANSWER ME!"
Severus slowly raised his head from the ground. His onyx eyes met with the red slits in Voldemorts face. Then, with a shaky, but strong voice he said:
"I live to obey. Master." The last part was added almost like an afterthought.
Voldemort held the DADA professor's gaze for a few more minutes. The Dark Lord was shaking in silent anger. In a deadly calm voice he pointed his wand at Severus.
"Crucio."
His whole life, Draco Malfoy had been thought that Malfoys did not, under any circumstances, cry. Yet, the teenager could not stop a few tears from running down his cheeks.
He had failed. He knew this. As a true Slytherin, he was disgusted with himself for having let Dumbledore, Dumbledore, talk him out of his brilliant plan.
Draco had every intention of following in his Father and Godfathers footsteps. There was simply no other way for him. He was born to be a Death Eater. He had looked foreward to it, even daydreamed about it. Yet, when the moment came... He couldn't do it. He was weak.
And now he was crying. Because of a few crusiatus', a broken wrist, and quite a few days in a dark cell. Draco Malfoy was truly disgusted with himself.
Severus woke up shivering. He didn't know where he was, or how he got there, but he did know the place was dark and cold.
Every muscle in his body ached when he tried to move. He could feel several wounds rip themselves open again. The blood was warm against his bruised skin.
It hurt just to breathe, and Severus closed his eyes, trying to lie comepletely still. It would only hurt him more to try to leave.
Not that it mattered. No, the DADA teacher wasn't stupid. He knew he was dying. He was severly hurt. The blood gathering in his mouth only confirmed his suspicions about inner bleedings. It was as good as over.
The idea itself made him want to laugh. To die. To be free. He had tried so hard to avoid his fate. Must be all that bad karma Trelawny constantly chats about.
Severus closed his eyes, hoping to escape this world quickly and as painlessly as possible, when he suddely heard something moving.
"Who's 'ere?" he managed to croak out. "Show you'self!"
He didn't know how he knew this wasn't another Death Eater that was going to take him back to the Dark Lord for another 'lesson'. There was no way to explain how he knew that, yet he did know. Not that it made him any more cautios. Why do I still care?
"Uncle Sev?" His Godson's voice floated to him. Severus could see a blurry, blond head above him.
"Uncle Sev? Are you alright?" The boy's voice trembled slightly. Severus could see that he, too, was bloody and bruised.
The older man spit out a great deal of blood before managing to croak out: "Wha' yo' do'n 'ere?"
"They just left... I don't know why. They just... Are you okay?" the blonde asked, sounding concerned.
"'urts," the professor answered. "'urts so mush."
Draco Malfoy looked worriedly down on his Godfather's face. He was boodyed and bruised almost beond recognition. But the big nose was no mistaking, even though it was obviously broken.
"Uncle Sev!" the Slytherin tried again. This time there was a hint of panic in his voice. If his Godfather admitted he was hurt... it was bad. The man had almost killed himself over his own stubbornness several times. It was not like him to give up. Yet Draco could see the resignation in the older man's eyes.
Draco swore loudly. The Death Eaters had left. They had left Draco and Severus to die. But both were still alive. And Draco was determined to keep it that way.
I'll be damned if I lose the only real family I have!
"UNCLE SEV!"
This seemed to shake the older man halfway out of his daze. He locked gaze with Draco.
"Is there somewhere I can take you? Somewhere safe?" Darco inquired. He certainly didn't know about anyone who would be willing to help them.
"Say'?" The DADA proffesor's voice had a definite slur to it. "Yea', say'."
"Where?"
"Muggl' to'n. Sull'y."
Muggle? Surrey? Why does that sound familiar? "Tell me where. I'll apparate us." As soon as the words came out his mouth, Draco knew that that was what he had to do. He had to double-apparate himself and his Godfather. And I'm already feeling dizzy from the bloodloss. Damn!"P... Pivlet..." Severus was slipping away.
"NO! Tell me where!" Draco Malfoy had never been so frightened his entire life.
"Privet Drive. Num'mer four. Four..." His Proffessor's voice drifted away.
"Privet Drive four, Surrey, it is then," Draco Malfoy whispered. And with a silent 'pop' he and Severus Snape disappeared.
Neither saw the sun climb it's way over the horizon.
So, my very first chapter over and done with! What do you think? Does it stink? Or does it have a future? You decide.
Oh, and Tsurai no Shi, I'm sorry. This doesn't quite fit the third reqirement of your challenge, does it? I hope it doesn't matter too much though, as this approch fits better with this particular story (that's my personal view, annyway..)
Reviews with constructive critisism is highly appreciated (especially on grammar and such!). And if someone wants to beta this fic, just say so, okey? Good.
'Till next time, then,
Dray-Marie