Author's note:

Wormtail isn't staying at Spinner's End in this story as Severus deserves some peace and privacy. I hope you enjoy!

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Year 6 Part 2 (chapter 30)

Word count: 2.1k

Warning: Unbreakable Vow and mentions of death

It's finally Thursday. Severus has counted each day, waiting impatiently. It will be nice to leave Spinner's End, even if it's only for a few hours.

Grabbing his cloak, Severus apparates to Diagon Alley. As he does so, he scowls when people bump into him. There are people EVERYWHERE.

He decides to immediately escape the crowd and heads inside the Leaky Cauldron.

He looks around before spotting two empty seats. He quickly strolls towards them, making sure to save the spot in front of him for Y/N.

He wonders when she will show up. He really hopes that she hasn't changed her mind.

Just then, a new customer enters the busy pub. It's Y/N.

He almost doesn't recognise her as she isn't wearing her school uniform. She's wearing a light green summer dress with black thin straps.

When she spots her Head of House, she smiles. "Hello, Sev- Professor Snape!" she quickly corrects herself. They are in public after all.

Smirking, Severus gestures for her to sit down. She immediately does.

"Hello, Ms. Y/L/N. Thank you for inviting me, it was most kind of you" he says, looking at her neck. He sees that she still wears her cauldron necklace.

"You are welcome, sir. I'm glad that you wanted to come" she says, giving him a shy smile.

Just then, the waiter approaches them. "Hello and welcome to the Leaky Cauldron. What would you two lovebirds like?" he asks, waiting patiently for their answer.

Y/N blushes while Severus coughs a few times. "She's my student, we are here to discuss the next term. I would like a firewhiskey. Would you like a butterbeer, Ms. Y/L/N?" he asks his flustered student.

The girl merely nods, too shy to say a word.

The waiter widens his eyes. "Oh, my apologies, sir! I thought... A firewhiskey and a butterbeer coming right up!" the man says, giving an apologetic look before hurrying to the bar.

Once he's out of sight, Severus clears his throat. "I apologise for the embarrassment, I do hope you still want your drink" he says, giving a concerned look.

He's sure that she wouldn't want to sit with him now that the waiter thought they were here as a couple. She's probably really embarrassed and disgusted by that.

Who would willingly go on a date with Severus Snape, the snarky Potions Master of Hogwarts?

Blinking a few times, Y/N gives him a reassuring smile. "Of course I still want to, I did invite you after all. And it's not your fault, I probably shouldn't have put on a dress today" she says, looking like she's second-guessing her outfit.

He shakes his head. "Nonsense, it suits you" he says, praising her outfit.

Y/N blushes at that. "Thank you" she mutters, shyly smiling at him.

The waiter returns with their drinks before immediately leaving towards another table. They continue talking after taking a sip of their drink.

"Oh, by the way, I tried to brew Felix Felicis. It was quite difficult, and I feel like it didn't turn out right. It's almost as if the instructions in the book were wrong" she says, looking a bit unsure.

Severus can't help but smirk at that. Smart girl. The instructions of Felix Felicis in the books are indeed wrong, which is why he used to write the correct way in his Potions book when he himself was a student.

Without saying anything, Severus conjures a parchment and a quill. He then writes down the correct way of brewing the potion.

Y/N looks at him curiously, probably wondering what he's writing down.

Once he's done, he hands her the instructions. "Here you go, try this method. I'm sure you will find it to make more sense" he tells her.

As Y/N looks at it, she nods her head. "This makes so much more sense! Thank you so much, sir" she says, smiling gratefully.

"You are welcome" he merely says, taking a sip of his firewhiskey.

They talk for a few hours, enjoying each other's company until Y/N notices it's almost dinner time.

"Oh, I'm afraid I have to go home now. I'm sure my father is worried" she tells him, giving an apologetic look.

He nods, understanding. "Of course, let's not keep him waiting" he says.

As Y/N is about to pay, Severus stops her. "Let me, I insist" he says before putting a few galleons on the table.

"Are you sure? It was me who invited you" she says, looking unsure.

"Absolutely, see it as a gift for blessing me with your presence" he says, the corner of his lips turning slightly upwards.

Blinking a few times, Y/N can't help but give him a bright smile. "And thank you for blessing me with your presence, sir. See you in September!" she says, waving before leaving the pub.

If he wasn't in public right now, he would be smiling. Today was a great day.

--

A few weeks later, Severus is preparing for the next school year. He's currently writing down the schedule for the sixth-years.

They will be brewing Amortentia, Felix Felicis and-

Before he can finish his work, a man appears in the small portrait over the couch.

"Headmaster Dumbledore wishes to speak to you. And could you please buy a bigger portrait? I can barely fit in here" he grumbles as he leaves immediately.

Severus huffs. Why did he agree to having a portrait for Albus to give him messages? The old fool could just owl him or apparate here himself...

Sighing, he reluctantly apparates right outside the grounds of Hogwarts. Once he's outside the Headmaster's office, he mutters the password and walks up the stairs.

"You wished to see me, Headmaster?" he asks once he enters.

He however widens his eyes when he notices Albus' hand. It's all black.

"What happened?" Severus questions, strolling towards him.

Albus gives him a sad smile. "I have been cursed, Severus. I located a Horcrux - Lord Voldemort's Horcrux, nonetheless. When I destroyed it, I was hit by a curse. Now, I know you cannot heal me as nothing can be done. I assume I have a year to live. But, I was hoping you could help slow down the curse" he says, reaching out his hand.

Nodding, Severus holds his hand while muttering a spell. As the spell does its magic, Severus gives the Headmaster a concerned look.

"Surely, something can be done? Anything?" he questions, referring to the curse.

Albus shakes his head. "No spell can save me, Severus. Which is why I have a favour to ask" he tells him.

Severus nods. "Of course" he says, waiting for him to tell what the favour is.

"You must be the one to kill me, Severus" the Headmaster says, giving him a sad smile.

The Potions Master widens his eyes. No, he can't do that! He won't!

Noticing his expression, Albus explains further.

"You see, as the curse hit me, I saw Voldemort. He was telling Mrs. Malfoy that her son, Draco Malfoy, must kill me to prove his loyalty and to restore his father's honour - which is why you must be the one to do it, Severus. I will only accept my death if it will be by your hands" he states.

Severus can't believe it. He has no idea how much longer he can take this!

"Has it ever crossed your brilliant mind that I don't want to do this anymore?" the Potions Master questions, looking frustrated.

Being a spy is taking its toll on him - he feels constantly stressed. If Y/N hadn't been helping him grading papers and cleaning the Potions classroom, he's sure he would have gone insane by now.

"I know, my boy. You will just have to hold on a bit more. Once the war is over, you will have peace" Albus promises him.

Severus sighs. He truly hopes that will be the case.

"Very well. But do know that I don't like this" he tells him, despising what he will have to do.

The Headmaster nods. "That is understandable" he says.

As Severus is about to leave, Albus looks at him.

"Oh, and Severus. I hope you haven't finished your teaching schedule yet. You see, there will be quite a few changes" he says, his eyes sparkling.

Severus looks puzzled as he leaves to apparate. What changes could the old, dying fool have made?

--

A few days later, there's less than a month left for the new school year to begin. Severus tries to read the Daily Prophet. He however can't seem to focus.

He can't believe what Albus has asked him to do - to kill him. How in Merlin's name is he going to live with himself if he does fulfil it?

His train of thoughts is interrupted as a knock on the door can be heard. Who could it be?

Putting down the Daily Prophet, Severus looks out the window to see who it is. It's Narcissa and... Bellatrix. What do they want?

Sighing, he opens the door to let them in. "Narcissa, Bellatrix... What a surprise. Come in" he says as they step inside.

Narcissa gives him a friendly smile. "I'm sure you are surprised to see us here... The Dark Lord himself forbade me to speak of this, but-" she starts before Severus interrupts him.

"If the Dark Lord has forbidden it, you are not to speak- Put that down, Bellatrix. We mustn't touch what isn't ours" he says, glaring at Bellatrix who is touching all of his belongings.

Huffing, Bellatrix puts down the book in her hands. Not just any book - the book that Y/N gave him.

He clears his throat. "As it... so happens, I'm aware of your situation, Narcissa" he says, an unreadable expression on his face.

"You - the Dark Lord told you?" Bellatrix questions in disbelief, looking at him suspiciously.

"Your sister doubts me. Understandable. Over the years, I've played my part well. So well, I have deceived one of the greatest wizards of all time" he says.

Bellatrix fakes snoring as if bored, not believing the Headmaster of Hogwarts is a great wizard. Well, he wasn't referring to him anyway.

"Dumbledore is a great wizard, only a fool would question it" he states, paying close attention to Bellatrix. She better not destroy any of his belongings.

"I don't doubt you, Severus" Narcissa says, sounding sincere.

"You should be, Cissy. As should Draco" Bellatrix states, walking around his home, inspecting everything.

Ignoring her sister, Narcissa looks at Severus with a sad expression.

"He's just a boy" she whispers, looking scared. She obviously doesn't want her son to become a killer.

"I can't change the Dark Lord's mind... But it might be possible for me to help Draco" he tells her which gains their attention.

"Severus" Narcissa says, looking hopeful.

"Swear to it" Bellatrix suddenly demands, making the two people look at her.

"Make the Unbreakable Vow" she dares him.

As Severus doesn't say anything, Bellatrix steps closer.

"It's just empty words. He will give it its best efforts, but when it matters the most, he will slither back into the hole..." she says as she circles him.

"Coward" she calls him, stepping away as she believes she has won.

However, she hasn't. Severus refuses to be called a coward.

"Take out your wand" he tells the blonde-haired woman, accepting the challenge.

Narcissa smiles after hearing his words. They grab each other's arm, preparing for the Unbreakable Vow to happen.

Bellatrix brings out her wand, pointing it at their combined hands.

"Will you, Severus Snape, watch over Draco Malfoy as he attempts to fulfil the Dark Lord's wishes?" she questions, starting it.

"I will" Severus says, no hesitation.

"And will you, with the best of your ability, protect him from harm?" she asks, waiting for him to back out. He doesn't.

"I will" he says, still no hesitation.

"And, if Draco should fail... Will you yourself carry out the deed the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform?" she questions, looking between him and her sister.

After a moment of silence, Severus answers.

"I will" he says, ending the Unbreakable Vow.

As the ritual is done, a bright light appears as it leaves a scar behind on their arms.

Looking at it, Narcissa smiles at him. "Thank you, Severus. I wouldn't know what to do without you. Hopefully I won't have to worry about cancelling his future engagement" she says before leaving Spinner's End.

Bellatrix looks at Severus for a while, giving him a suspicious look before following her sister.

As they do so, Severus looks puzzled. Is Draco already engaged? He wonders if he will be marrying Parkinson since the boy does seem to like her.

He then sighs, falling down on his knees. He's truly dreading the future right now...