Title: The Last Stand
Rating: R
Warnings: Rated accordingly for scenes of graphic violence, language, scene of sexual nature, and scary plot-bunnies. OooOooo.
Characters: Severus Snape, Remus Lupin, Voldemort, Original Character Nicole Harris, Trio, Weasleys
Pairings: SS/OC, RL/NT, HP/GW, RW/HG
Summary: In an effort to grow stronger the Order takes in old friend Nicole Harris and once enemy Severus Snape to defeat Voldemort's forces and lead Harry to a successful end of evil. In the struggle for good against evil challenges arise that may bring harm to the cause. (HPB spoilers)
Author Note: I've been working on this plot line for nearly 3 months and now I finally find myself ready to share it with you all. I hope you all enjoy and please do leave reviews. I need your support to continue writing this.
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London, England
The morning breeze blew in through the open window. A few loose sheets of paper ruffled on the desk in front of the window. A vase, empty of the beautiful life it once held, showed the time that had passed since the room had been inhabited. A thick layer of dust could be carved with the trace of a finger and that is exactly what the man did when he approached the desk.
"She's been missing for how long?" He asked a trace of disbelief still in his voice. He could've sworn he had just seen her yesterday. She has the effect on people…hard to forget.
"Nearly four weeks now…her brother reported her missing. He…he lives in a hospital outside of Derby. Seems he's suffering some sort of mental problem. Went on about something magical…" the young officer said.
"What did you say?" The detective stood stiff and turned to the young officer.
"Said his sister was taken by 'them'…uh, lets see…" the young officer flipped through a file at hand. "Here. Death Eaters…a Dark Lord had found out of her 'treachery'…sounds like-"
"It can't be…" The detective went pale and turned to the window. "That is what she meant."
"Meant what? Sir, I'm not following…"
"I should've known…Peters, she acted so strange. She came to me the morning she supposedly disappeared and told me such a sweet goodbye. She kissed my cheek and told me to be safe."
"Sir, you bring this point up so late in the investigation…"
"Peters, you did not know her. She was the most loving, smart, and kind woman…I thought nothing of it. I was off to Nottingham to see my Mum…I thought she meant me well…for the trip." He moved to the window. "She meant for her trip. She said goodbye forever."
"So…you know where she is?" Peters asked.
"Yes. She is back in her usual lifestyle…"
"What's that Sir?"
"A magical lifestyle Peters…magical…"
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"Remus you can't believe this…it is…it just isn't right." Arthur Weasley reasoned in the small kitchen they gathered in. "It doesn't make any sense. I don't see.." Arthur stammered for the right words.
"How it would be the right thing?" Remus said frankly. "I thought the same Arthur but…Severus was bound to Draco by the Unbreakable Vow. Dumbledore knew this and he knew in his heart that Severus was of better use to the Order than he was…Arthur, Dumbledore asked-told- Severus to kill him. If Draco hadn't done it correctly…the Killing Curse he would've killed himself possibly. If Draco died, Severus would…he did it under orders."
"And you believe this woman? A woman we hardly know!" Arthur was red in the face and anger rattled his voice.
"I do know her Arthur…we were…"
"I understand you two know each other, but she hasn't been in the Wizarding World in nearly a decade. How could she…Remus I know you are wiser than this." Arthur said, calming and sitting in the chair across from Remus.
"She knows things that could benefit our cause Arthur. She is a magnificent witch. Could have been an Auror but when her father and mother were murdered and her brother…she found this lifestyle too painful to live in." Remus could remember the warm air that drenched his face at the funerals.
"Then why has she come back now Remus? Do you not find it odd?" Remus looked at Arthur through gray eyes and looked to the door. "Remus?"
"She was approached a little more than a month ago by a Death Eater at her work. She told me he, the Death Eater, let her know that there would be so much more destruction to her 'Muggle Hell.' She came to me two weeks ago. She said it was time she stood and fought…she wants to end this as bad as we do Arthur." Remus said, his face serious and his voice grim.
"Why come to you?" Arthur voiced the question aloud, though he had not meant to.
"Because they nearly killed her brother and she said she would fight to the death to protect her brother…and everyone else." Remus stood. "This is a smart move for us. She is so much more capable then us…especially because she was able to get in contact with Severus more than once."
Remus moved to the closed kitchen door. Arthur stood quickly. "And how are we to know she isn't working for the Dark Lord?"
"It took me one second to cast away my doubts of her allegiance…she wants to the Dark Lord to suffer…she wants revenge for her parents death, her brother's destruction…I want her to get that Arthur." Remus opened the door and walked into the dark hallway illuminated slightly by a flickering candle.
"I trust your decision Remus…I just hope it goes as planned."
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Within the bare room a cloaked woman paced. Her breath fogged the air as she awaited Remus. She felt her feet go numb. How long had she paced the room? Before she could come to a conclusion the door opened. Remus stood in the doorway,
"You're accepted Nicole." Remus stepped towards Nicole and touched her arm. "I had no doubts though." She looked up to him. Her blonde hair framed her oval face and her blue eyes glazed with relief. "It's alright Nicky." She fell into his arms and whispered her thanks.
"I know I owe you so much." She said, her eyes tearing up. "What of Severus?" Remus grimaced and took her arms in his hands. "Where is he?" Nicole turned from his gaze. She knew where he was, but she couldn't say. She wanted to help and she wanted their trust but she knew if she gave up Severus' location he might be… "Nicole?"
Nicole pulled away from his grasp and to the window, boarded up only on the bottom panel. She felt his eyes on her and she closed hers…she felt Severus in danger. She opened her eyes and looked up into the sky. "Red moon?"
"A red half moon…evil is aroused at this hour Nicole. Where is Severus?" Remus said, urgency driving his voice to rise.
"I…" Nicole took a deep breath. "I will get him for you Remus, but first…you must promise me he won't be hurt." She turned to him and looked for a sign of consideration. He shook his head…he agreed.
"I will be back in the coming hour. Wait for me." And in that moment she was gone, soaring to the outskirts of a rubble-like village. She felt the night air fall on her face and she raced quickly to the house on the darkest side of the village, near the forest. She approached the house and knocked on the door three times and stepped into the moonlight. She awaited his face in the ashy window. In a matter of seconds there his face was, sullied with sleeplessness and frustration at his state of being. He quickly opened the door and let her in.
The room was dark and cell-like. Its walls were covered in notes he had made. Plans, people, events…anything he could think to write down. All he knew…he took her into his arms and held her. She felt his breath on her neck and she felt her heart thump louder, pounding in her ears.
"I knew you were alright…" He said to himself as if he had doubted himself before seeing her. "I knew you'd be okay."
"Severus we must leave now." She said uregently pulling herself back. "Grab everything…we need to go."
"Why?" Nicole moved to his candle-lit desk and began to pile papers. "Nicole!" He said, grabbing her arm and pulling her toward him. "Tell me what is going on?" He pleaded…he had changed so much since he gone off the charts from the Death Eaters weeks before.
He had found Narcissa in Bulgaria hidden away in a stony mansion unheard of to any other. He gave Draco to her and said for them to stay there till the war was over and Voldemort was gone…Narcissa found peace in Bulgaria and Draco followed suit. He was not a Death eater like his father…Since he left Narcissa and Draco he has avoided the Dark Lord and his followers. His killing of Dumbledore had driven him into a deep depression…
"Red half-moon Severus…" Nicole said looking into his black eyes and moving a few strands of hair from his face. "Danger is near and we must go." Severus placed his hand on her cheek and brought warmth to her body. She closed her eyes. Severus drew her close to him and breathed her in. "I…" She didn't know what to say.
Severus lifted her chin and pressed his forehead to hers. "Shh…" He replaced his hand to her cheek and began to draw his lips close to hers…
A sudden brief noise outside brought them back to the dark room. They looked to the window for movement, to the door for a sign of someone… "We go now." Nicole whispered. Severus nodded in agreement and flicked his wand packing several papers into a air-tight pile and pressed it in a leather wrap from the table. Putting the papers into a black trunk he looked to Nicole. "Fireplace?" he mouthed to her. She nodded and pulled a bag of Floo Powder from her robe. Tossing some into the flames she made him go first. "Servintine, Severus." Severus looked at her with wide eyes. "Go." She hissed.
Severus stepped into the green flames and, "Servintine," and he felt his surroundings blur. Next thing he knew he landed in the fireplace of a large ballroom. Moving quickly he awaited Nicole. Moments later she appeared. "Servintine Nicole?" She nodded while dusting herself off.
"Servintine," she stated matter-of-factly as she strode by him to the next room. "Come." She motioned for him to follow.
Severus felt his stomach turn as he looked at the door. Light spilled on the floor and voices drifted to him as if on a cold breeze. "Remus, we're here." Nicole stood in the doorway and looked at Severus in anticipation.
"Severus." Remus appeared next to Nicole and looked at him as if he truly were a mirage. "Come." He said swiftly exiting Severus' sight. Nicole walked towards Severus and took his hand.
"I…Nicole…I can't go in there." Severus wasn't afraid but uneasy of the guilt he would receive…as if his last few months hadn't been anything compared to this.
"They know Severus…I'm with you." She squeezed his hand, let go and strode into the next room. Severus closed his eyes and opened them in defiance. With trunk in hand he walked into the next room, awaiting his judgment.
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AUTHOR NOTE: I really hope you liked this first chapter. I forgot how much I've loved fan fiction…I am back finally.