Severus let out a relief sigh and watched as Draco's face turned into horror. He had killed Albus Dumbledore.
'Draco! Draco, look at me!'
Severus stepped in front of the boy, preventing him from looking at the body and forced him to look him into the eyes.
'Draco, you did what you needed to do. You made the right choice. You saved your family. Look at me, Draco,' said Severus urgently.
Draco's eyes finally settled on his professor, full of tears.
'We need to get you out of here, go get your things and come back as soon as possible. Don't speak to anyone, am I clear?'
'Yes, sir'
He looked lost. He was just a child after all. Draco walked out of the potion's lab and started to run in the corridor leading to the Slytherin dorms.
He couldn't stop. He knew that if he stopped, he would start thinking and he would regret it. The tears in his eyes made the world around him blurry, but he didn't stop running until he was in front of the entrance.
'Pure and Loyal'
He crossed the Common Room, looking at his feet to avoid talking to anyone. Not that people would want to talk to him anyway. This year had been so stressful for him, people have been avoiding him. It only made it easier for him to have available time to work on the Cabinet.
In his dorm room, Draco quickly pulled out his wand a start packing, levitating objects and clothes, shoving them in his trunk unfolded. His clothes would be wrinkled. He would fix that at home. It's not like he was going to wear his Hogwarts uniform again after tonight.
He closed his trunk and glance one last time to his dorm before leaving. This room had been his refuge for the past six years. A safe space where no Gryffindor could come to humiliate him.
Packing must have been therapeutic in a way, because he could feel he had a better grasp on his emotions by the time he made it back to the potion's lab door.
Severus waited until he couldn't hear Draco's steps in the corridor before starting to move. He cast the Levitation spell on Dumbledore's body, checked if the corridor was empty and walked toward the exit of the dungeons, the body still following him.
After two minutes, he opened the door of a cleaning supplies cabinet and shoved Dumbledore in it. Argus would find the body tonight. He always had students clean something as a detention. He only hoped that no student would see that. Seeing the dead body of your headmaster could be a traumatizing experience for a child. That was not something he wanted to be exposed.
He quickly made his way back to the potion's lab. He would need to pack too, but not too much. He didn't want to raise suspicions on his departure. For now, only Draco had to leave, and Severus would have to stay behind for a while.
Before he could decide what to pack first, Severus heard a knock on the door and opened it. Draco was back with his trunk. With a quick look, he realized that his professor must have hidden Dumbledore. But why? They wanted everyone to see that the old fool was dead!
'Do you have a way to evacuate the school in case of emergency?' asked Severus.
Oh… Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to hide Dumbledore. It would give him time to get out of the school. He really didn't want to end up in Azkaban. He didn't have any way to leave, that wasn't part of his plan. He quickly tried to think of something.
'I could use the Vanishing Cabinet. People are supposed to come through it tonight to attack the school, but I can use it to go to Borgin & Burkes.'
'Good. You will do that. And hold the Death Eaters. Tell them I will report and give my testimony of you accomplishing your mission to perfection as soon as I can.'
'You are not coming?' asked Draco.
'No, I will make sure that everything goes well after you leave and then join you, maybe tomorrow.' Draco looked ready to panic again when he heard that. 'Draco, don't worry. Everything is going to be okay now. You did well and your family is safe. But I need to make sure that mine is too.'
'Yours?'
'Yes, now go to that Cabinet and immediately report to the Dark Lord. Tell him what happened and that I am staying behind to gather information. Tell him, the Order will be disorganized but my cover is not blown yet.'
'You have a family?' asked Draco, still surprised by that piece of information.
'Yes, now go.' Severus pushed Draco toward the exit.
Draco was shoved out of the lab and began to walk out of the dungeons. Running would bring too many eyes on him and he couldn't let anyone delay him. Whatever Severus did to buy him time may not hold long enough if he was stopped by someone.
Draco walked fast and decisively toward the seventh floor, crossing path with a few Gryffindors but completely ignoring them. Now was not the time to gloat, he needed to make sure he was safe. That should really be the Slytherin's motto: 'Save your own neck'.
He past the entrance of the Room of Requirements, located the Cabinet and entered it. With a swish, he felt magic buzz all around him and calm down. He then opened the door and was greeted with the sight of his Aunt Bellatrix. And his only thought was "Safe".
He's been having more and more visions of Severus Snape from his Horcrux. The one that was in Harry Potter.
It didn't make sense. Why would Harry Potter be spending the summer with Severus Snape. If it was the case, then surely Severus would have given the boy to him! Right?
When he started to see Wormtail in the visions too, he knew that this took place during the last summer of the boy's existence. The last blow came in two different visions. The first one was a reflection of what should have been Harry Potter in a mirror. Instead, he was looking at a younger version of Severus Snape getting his hair cut by a chatty hairdresser. The second one was a conversation. That's when all the pieces of the puzzle clicked together.
Severus had helped Potter escape the surveillance of Dumbledore's little order, concealed Potter's identity, by making him his clone and adopted the boy as his brother.
Betrayed. By the mother, and now by the son. He should have known better than trust him. He should have known that Severus would protect the brat. After he had begged so much for the mudblood Lily Potter, he should have known that Severus would betray him for the brat.
He had been careless. But he wouldn't be again.
Severus would pay with his life this time.
Dinner went smoothly. No one had been too worried about Dumbledore's disappearance; they were used to it by now.
Severus looked at the students in front of him. All so innocent and naïve. They didn't understand what the world would become. Their wake-up call would come. Soon.
Severus was conflicted tonight. He had pushed a young man to kill. That didn't sit too well with him. But he couldn't take that murder either.
If he had killed Dumbledore himself, he would be on the run, and Sebastian too. And Voldemort could have decided to kill the Malfoys because of Draco's failure. But with Draco making the final blow, everyone was safe. And he was once again free from any Unbreakable Vow.
'You seem worried, Severus. Is everything okay?' asked Minerva McGonagall, noticing her colleague's facial expressions.
'One of my students is missing. He always comes for supper, never missed one in his entire time at Hogwarts,' answered Severus. Planting doubts on Draco early would stir the blame away from him.
Minerva had a small laugh.
'If only people knew how the dour and frightening Severus Snape looks out for his little snakes,' she said, smiling. She was one of those who really trusted him to be on Dumbledore's side. She really thought that he was an honorable man, after all those years taking care of his students. 'Don't worry, Severus. This student of yours is probably just catching up on some late assignment.'
'Mr Malfoy has always given his assignments on time.'
He continued to eat his green beans. This meal had a taste of freedom to him. He was free from his Vows, free from Dumbledore. And soon, he would be free from his prison too: Hogwarts.
He used to see the castle like his home. But after all those years of forced teaching and absolute control over him, he needed to go. He still loved the castle, but he needed to walk out of the gates, and know that the next time he would be crossing the borders of the school again, it would been on his terms.
And he was ready for that moment. As soon as Draco Malfoy left his lab, earlier in the day, he had run into his quarters to pack. Now, the looked ready to host the next potions master, and all the cabinets were empty. He had left the potion's lab untouched, thinking that this way, he could still receive people without raising questions about an early departure from the school.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow Severus would be free.
He only had one Master left. This one he couldn't get rid of; it would be signing Sebastian's death.
Finally, Argus came into the Great Hall, running to the professor's table. He whispered something into Minerva's hear and they both bolted out of the room.
Students started whispering among themselves. What could have caused such a reaction in there, usually cold-headed, Deputy Headmistress?
Soon enough, dinner was over, and students started to walk back to their Common Rooms. Severus waited until all his Slytherins have left before standing and following the last ones.
He calmly entered the dungeons and spotted a pale Minerva and a weeping Argus standing near the cleaning supplies cabinet.
'What's happening, Minerva?' asked Severus with a convincing worried tone.
'Severus, do you know if Mr Malfoy has returned to his Common Room?' asked Minerva.
'No, but I can find out. Why?'
'Just go check Severus. Please.'
'Of course.'
Severus went to the direction of the Slytherin Common Room and asked a few students when was the last time they saw Draco.
All answered that they haven't seen him since lunch. Perfect.
On his way back, he quickly stopped at his apartments to shrink and pocket his trunks. It was nice to know he wouldn't have to leave anything behind. His emergency bag was nice but there was nothing personal inside.
He quickly made his way back to Minerva and Argus.
'No one has seen him since lunch. His friends are worried about him' The last sentence wasn't true, but it would add a more personal touch. 'Minerva, what's happening?' Severus cast a glance at Argus, hoping that Minerva would understand his unspoken question.
'It's Albus. I think Mr Malfoy killed him' said the Deputy Headmistress with sobs in her hardly controlled voice.
'What? What are you talking about?'
Minerva opened the cabinet's door, sobbing. The body of the once great Albus Dumbledore was lying among the mops.
If a jury had been present this day, they would surely have congratulated Severus for his actor performance. The surprise and horror of the situation was painted all over his face.
'Minerva, it's… I don't…' stuttered Severus.
'He is the only student missing Severus. For now, he is the main suspect.' Minerva sight and continue. 'Argus, stay here please, don't let any student see him.' Argus nodded, still weeping, and blowing his nose in a dirty handkerchief. 'Severus, follow me to my office.' Severus nodded.
They made their way to her office, in silence. Severus was trying to think of the best moment to leave. Making sure that everybody's attention was somewhere else would be perfect. He needed to strengthen his alibi, showing good faith, and then he needed to go before the Aurors came. They would immediately think that he was the culprit and, judging from two years prior with the Crouch fiasco, he might be kissed on sight, inside of the school.
And even if the didn't think that he had somehow killed Dumbledore, his judgement made him bound to Albus Dumbledore. He was out of Azkaban only because the man was his caution. With him dead, it would take long to the Aurors to put him in jail, even if he was innocent.
When they arrived in the office, Minerva showed one of the tweeds covered armchairs.
'Take a seat Severus, I won't be long' she said, making her way to the fireplace a grabbing a handful of Floo Powder. 'Ministry of Magic, Amelia Bones' office.'
Severus didn't stay in the armchair. Amelia Bones was the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Which meant that Aurors would come blazing through the fireplace in no time.
That was it. His moment. He quickly exits the Transfiguration office and walk down a couple of stairs and made it to the courtyard. He saw a few students and ordered them back to their Common Rooms, pretending to do his usual rounds, being his nasty self.
From the courtyard, he made it to the Entrance Hall, and out through the front door of the school. He walked as fast as he could to the entrance gate, passed it and Apparated away.
He reappeared near Spinner's End. He walked calmly down a few streets. When he arrived at the corner of Spinner's End, he checked the streetlamp. Still broken. This neighborhood wasn't taken care of by the city's council. Why would they waste money on them, they were poor and always voted for the same losers come election day.
He walked down his street and into his house. It was oddly cold and empty. He got used to be with Sebastian in this house.
He quickly packed his books in his extended pouch, the one he used as an emergency bag. He then cast a few cleaning spells and conjured flat sheets to cover the furniture. He had a feeling he wouldn't come back in a long time, and neither would Sebastian.
He gave one last look at his childhood house. He had so many memories here. Mostly bad. From his parents yelling, to his forced isolation during the summer. The only good memories he had were related to Sebastian, his clone brother.
This decision of helping him escape the war had been the best of his life so far. He was discovering the joys of a family. One that cared about you, that asked how you were doing and if you were all right every time you would speak to them. And he was proud of his brother. Proud of the man he was turning into.
Severus left his childhood house, closed the door, and walked away without looking back. His last Master was waiting for him.
He was in the dining room when the return of his Death Eaters was announced. It was too early for them to come back from their attack on Hogwarts, something must have happened, and he knew that it wouldn't be anything good.
He had been in a foul mood all day. Since he discovered Severus' treachery. Whoever failed tonight was going to pay.
The double doors opened, revealing a young man, blond as can be, followed by Fenrir Greyback, six masked Death Eaters and a very joyful Bellatrix Lestrange. It was truly a strange sight to see this woman dancing from one foot to the other all around her nephew. Said nephew clearly looked uncomfortable at the display.
Soon, Voldemort's red eyes were looking at the trembling blond kneeling in front of him.
'Draco Malfoy. Seeing you this early in the night, I am thinking that I should call for your parents. They will be so disappointed by your failure,' said Voldemort.
It had been months since the last torture session. His new emotions, especially the guilt, wouldn't let him torture people. It wasn't that he didn't try. He did! But he didn't see the joy in it anymore, and the guilt of the pain he inflicted wouldn't leave him for days after that. So, he simply stopped torturing people. It wasn't worth the trouble anymore.
'It will not be necessary, my Lord. I have completed my mission and killed Albus Dumbledore,' said Draco gathering all of his Pureblood upbringing to control his voice.
'Bellatrix, did you see the headmaster dead?'
Bellatrix stopped smiling.
'N…No, my Lord. But Draco told us that Snape was there.'
'He will come tomorrow to testify, My Lord,' added Draco. He didn't know he needed to do it in front of witnesses but now he was glad that his favorite professor had been here.
'Snape, hum? Tell me what happened, then,' ordered Voldemort.
'I discovered last year that a Vanishing Cabinet in Hogwarts was linked to the one in Borgin & Burkes, in Knockturn Alley. When I arrived at the school this year, I located it but it needed a lot of repair. I wasn't reliable enough to travel. A few hours ago, I finished to fix it. I sent a message through it, saying that the attack would be for tonight but when I walked down the stairs, I saw him. I saw Dumbledore. He was going to the dungeons, so I followed him as he entered the potion's lab. When I came in, he was talking to Professor Snape.'
'And what was our dear Severus doing in the potion's lab? He is teaching the Defense Against Dark Arts this year. Why would he be working on potions?' asked Voldemort.
'I… I don't know, my Lord. Maybe he missed potions? Or maybe he was working on a new potion? I know he does that sometimes, I used to help him gather ingredients for his experimentations.'
'Hum… continue.'
'Dumbledore tried to talk me out of my mission, but I am loyal, my Lord. I knew I could do it. Professor Snape petrified him before he could stop me, and then I killed Dumbledore. I did it, my Lord,' said Draco, trying to convince his Master that his was worthy and his family didn't need to be tortured and killed.
'And where is Severus Snape now?' asked Voldemort with his whistling voice.
'He… He said he was staying behind to gather information about an order that was disorganized. He hid to body too. To give my time to get out of the school.'
'Did he?'
Draco swallowed with difficulty. Now was the moment of truth. Would his Master believe him, or would he torture him and kill his parents?
'Go with your family, young Malfoy. You spoke the truth and you have pleased me tonight.'
Draco let out a relieved breath. He did it! They were safe!
It was already late when he finally arrived at Malfoy Manor. He could feel that the wards around the property had been reinforced. In fact, he was sure that the only thing the let him pass through the gates was because he had been authorized on the grounds. Anyone else would have been pulverized.
Severus let out a relieved breath. He did it! They were safe!
Sebastian would need to go in hiding with his emergency bag, but no one knew he existed in the Ministry, and the Dark Lord had nothing against him, so he wasn't in any real danger. He would be able to communicate with him and maybe they would be able to meet during the summer.
He missed his brother.
Looking up, he could see that only two windows were still giving light to the garden. One was the Master bedroom, currently occupied by the Malfoy family. The other was the guest apartments, claimed and reserved only to the Dark Lord. They must be celebrating. Each for their own reasons.
He, himself was pulled between his sadness and his joy. He was sad to have lost a man that had been a protector to him, even if the war changed him into a monster. And he was relieved to be free from said monster. And from the two Unbreakable Vows he had ever made. The last thing standing on his way to unconditional freedom was… his own father.
He would have to make do with this situation for now, and simply rejoice in the knowledge that he was closer than ever to be a free man. Even when he had half of the Aurors Office looking for him. The other half, busy looking for the youngest Malfoy.
Severus made his way to the building and up the stairs. For once, he was in no rush, he could take his time to go upstairs and meat with his last Master. His father.
He knocked on the door and waited for the authorization to come in.
'Come, Severus. Come.'
Severus opened the door, made in way inside the small living room, closing the door behind him. Just like last time, he couldn't bring himself to kneel in front of the man who abandoned his mother to her terrible fate.
'My Lord,' said Severus, bowing deeply, hoping that would be enough.
'Crucio'
Apparently not.
Severus could feel each of his joints and bones screaming in pain. It was unbearable.
Voldemort was furious. No. He was so beyond furious, he didn't even know a name for that. He could feel his heart breaking. The pain of being betrayed was unbearable.
'You betrayed me, Severus.' Voldemort released Severus from the curse.
'Never, my Lord' Severus was barely holding his Occlumency shields to keep his lie from being discovered.
'DON'T – LIE – TO – ME!'
'My Lord, please. I –' started Severus.
'You betrayed me when took that Potter brat, and you chose to hide him from me instead of bringing me the boy. CRUCIO!'
Something broke inside of him. He could feel tears gathering in his eyes. He wiped them with rage and lifted the curse again.
'I trusted you' said Voldemort in a quiet voice, while Severus tried to catch his breath. 'I trusted you enough to keep the secret to my immortality. I trusted that you wouldn't betray me. You were the only one, Severus.'
Severus gathered his thoughts quickly. He knew. He knew about his involvement in Harry Potter's escape. Someone must have found a clue. Something he didn't think about.
He needed to know what else Voldemort knew, but most importantly, he needed to make sure Sebastian would be safe.
'My Lord, I am begging you, whatever you have found me guilty for, please do not hold it against my brother. He is a good young man; he is doing so well since last Christmas. Whatever my faults, they are mine only. Please, my Lord, I…' Severus begged again and again.
Voldemort tuned out Severus' litany. Last Christmas? That was impossible! Potter should have died during the ritual, last Halloween. Why would the youngest Snape be alive, since he was supposed to be dead?
For a moment, Voldemort doubted. Maybe the visions had another meaning. They were so disorganized; it was hard to make sense out of them sometimes. Or maybe the brat found a way to survive. Again.
That would be more like that boy. Always finding a way to survive when he should be dead.
And Severus obviously knew where the Potter boy was hiding.
He quickly though of a plan. He would trick Severus into thinking he was safe and get him to divulge the location of his precious brother. Yes. He would work around the details of this plan later. For now:
'Give me one good reason to spare your life, and the life of your brother', said Voldemort.
Severus began to panic. What would be enough to forgive the fact that he hid Harry Potter from the world?
Nothing.
Unless he could come up with something truly… Suddenly, a memory came into Severus' mind. Maybe, THIS would be enough. It was a huge bet. One that could destroy their lives or save them. Maybe both.
With a trembling hand, Severus pulled his emergency bag from his pocket. Still under the menacing wand, he pulled out an old children book.
'This. Read this and you should find a reason to spare our lives', said Severus, holding the book out to Voldemort. 'Just know that Sebastian is not only my brother, but he is also my clone. We share the same parents, mother and father.' Voldemort took the book. 'If this isn't enough to save my life, at least leave him alone. He hasn't done anything wrong. He is just a child.'
Voldemort glanced at the book: The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Really? With a sight, he pointed his wand to the kneeling man. A Bewitched Sleep charm later, he was alone in the room, with a sleeping traitor at his feet.
He called a house-elf and ordered it to bring Severus to the cells under the drawing room of the Manor. He would let the traitor stew a little before going back to him and try to make him talk.
He looked at the old book in his hand. He had never taken the time to read any magical fairy tale. Maybe this reading would be distracting him enough to calm his aching heart. Betrayal was painful. Now more than before. Those new emotions were changing him more than what he expected.
He sat in his armchair and opened the book at the first page.
My sweet Severus,
…