Disclaimer I don't own Harry Potter.
Writer Notes: Thanks to my beta HGranger89 and thanks for all the positive feedback.
Severus shook his head to dispel all memories of his unpleasant encounter with Black. At long last, sweet vengeance was in his grasp and he refused to let the deranged man sour his moment. He could even be awarded an Order of Merlin for single-handedly dragging Black back to Azkaban. The potions master allowed a small smirk to grace his face as he strode down the corridor intent on confronting Dumbledore. No doubt if Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley had not found him yet, Filius had.
He assumed the old man would be glued to the side of his precious Potter in the Hospital Wing and he strode with purpose through the corridors on a mission to confront the Headmaster and gloat that he had been right about Lupin all along.
Severus arrived outside the Hospital Wing just as Dumbledore himself was exiting, closing the doors firmly and warding them shut.
"Good evening, Severus. You seem to be in a rather pleasant mood this evening," he said, his eyes twinkling.
"I have captured Black and locked him in the North Tower. I found him in the Shrieking Shack with Lupin. I knew he had been helping his old friend into the castle from the beginning," Severus said smugly, as he retold the evening's events.
Albus had been shocked and disappointed to hear that Remus had skipped his potion and had nearly killed Harry and his friends as a result, but it had been a mistake, and everyone was okay in the end he rationalized. "That is a grave error, but we must be grateful that everyone is unharmed," Dumbledore spoke calmly, "but Severus, my boy, it seems that you may not have all of the correct facts. Mr. Potter, Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley were quite convinced of Sirius' innocence."
Severus sneered, his lip curling, "and there are first years who come to Hogwarts believing Santa Claus is real. They are clearly confunded, Albus."
"I ran the diagnostic spells myself Severus; the children were not under a confundus charm."
"You testified twelve years ago at that mutt's trial that he was the Potter's secret keeper and now you're having doubts because of three thirteen-year-old wizards?"
"The facts have changed Severus, and there is new evidence to examine."
"Well then Albus, feel free to enlighten me," the man spat sarcastically."
"It would seem that after I performed the Secret Keeper spell, binding Sirius, he got cold feet, paranoid that he was the obvious choice as their best friend, godfather to Harry, Tom would kidnap and torture him for the information. Therefore, they transferred the position to Peter Pettigrew, thinking no one would suspect him. Peter was, in fact, a Death Eater and spy and framed Sirius. The man is an unregistered Animagus, a rat, he blew up the street, transformed and went to live in the sewer until he started posing as a pet in the Weasley family. Think Severus, that rat has been coming to Hogwarts since Charlie Weasley began Hogwarts ten years ago.
"Black confessed to killing the Potters while in Azkaban!"
"He feels incredible guilt for their deaths. It was his trust in Peter, but also his assumption that no one would ever assume Peter could be trusted with such information that led to James and Lily being discovered."
Snape was turning a terrifying shade of puce at the information. Black's cowardice, Pettigrew's betrayal and living as a rat for twelve years. Fitting animagus really, he had always been a piece of vermin as a boy.
The Headmaster cut off his thoughts with a stern warning, "You will not pursue this vendetta any further Severus. We all made poor choices when it came to James and Lily's lives. I advocated for you and kept you from Azkaban; I will now do the same for Sirius. Now, we will no longer discuss this matter as we have far more pressing matters to attend to."
"What. What could be more pressing than the capture and now supposed innocence of Sirius Black?"
Dumbledore walked over to a shelf in the far corner of his office and removed the sword of Gryffindor from its place of honour. "As you know, my time on in this world is coming to an end. I have been travelling, and I believe that I have found another Horcrux."
Albus extended his hand to the younger man, who grabbed it and with a crack they disappeared and apparated hundreds of miles from Hogwarts. An eerie sight met their eyes, on the mouth of a dark cavern, the black sea below them, waves crashing violently. The sky was dark and stormy, hiding the distant banks across the body of water. One slip and they could fall to their deaths, never to be found. Walking into the cavern, the Headmaster pulled out a small knife and cut his palm.
Face stricken, Severus exclaimed, "What are you doing?! Surely I …"
"Blood wards, of course, Tom would be so crass. I am already a weakened old man Severus. We need you healthy and strong." Albus flicked the knife, drops of blood falling onto the cliff rocks. The rock wall began to shake and opened.
Their wand light penetrated the thick velvet black air of the cave just enough so they could see in front of their faces. Severus stuck close behind the Headmaster, who seemed to know the path. As they moved deeper into the cavern, a chill went through his bones as if a Dementor were nearby. Eventually, the air became lighters, as they approached a lake and a hazy light shone in the distance, casting a greenish glow along the water. Severus was left to ponder how to cross as he stumbled upon a small wooden boat, not unlike those at Hogwarts.
The men climbed into the rickety boat, and it began to float towards the light of its own accord. Severus made the mistake of looking down into the lake and saw a body, lying face up just inches beneath the surface, his eyes open and misted. He closed his eyes and felt wretched for the poor unfortunate soul that had been dispatched by the Dark Lord.
They finally reached the glowing light and the boat docked on a small island in the middle of the lake. Severus scrambled out of the boat and onto the island before turning and grabbing Dumbledore by the elbow, pulling him out. In the middle of the land mass were skyline rays of light shining onto a crystal basin filled with a potion.
"Curious," Albus mumbled gazing at the basin, spying a locket beneath the potion. Memories flashed through Albus' mind as he saw a teenaged Tom Riddle with the large oval golden locket around his neck.
Severus failed to vanish, transfigure or charm away the potion. He was too cautious to summon the locket in case it touched his skin. He dared not curse either of them again after the ring. "The potion must be drunk Albus. It is the Drink of Despair. It will induce fear, delirium and dehydration."
Severus conjured a goblet, closed his eyes and took a few slow deep breaths, steeling himself for the pain. On the final exhale, he scooped the potion into the goblet and brought the cup to his lips. Before the liquid touched him, Dumbledore grabbed his wrist and pulled the goblet away.
"Severus let me do it."
"With all due respect Headmaster."
"If we have to decide who takes the risk, it should be the man with the least to lose." Albus gently took the cup from Severus, and stared at him with a serious expression, "Whatever this potion does, no matter what I say, no matter how much I fight you, promise me that you'll make me finish it."
Severus nodded solemnly in agreement, and the old wizard downed the potion as quickly as he could. Albus suddenly felt so tired, angry and sad. He was overcome with the guilt over Ariana's death returned almost as fresh as the day she died, and Albus' self-hatred rushed forward, squeezing his chest as he remembered his brother disowning him. Guilt gave way to anger towards these men in which he'd placed so much faith. Severus for being such a stubborn bastard to Harry and the other children, fighting him at every opportunity; Sirius for changing his well-laid plans and not telling the truth; Peter for betraying the Potter; Grindelwald for the pain and destruction he caused; Lupin for being so careless and forsaking his trust.
Following Dumbledore's orders, Severus bound the Headmaster's hands behind his back to prevent the man from struggling as he screamed nonsensically, cursing obscenities. The man began spewing vitriol at him, and it hurt to hear his mentor yell at him, unsure if it was the hateful words coming from his mouth were caused by the potion or if it was Albus' true feelings coming to light.
"You filthy death eater, you evil bastard you finds joy in making little children cry. I should have let you rot in Azkaban. You murdered Lily by running to your Master. Was it revenge for never loving you Severus? For marrying James and having a son?"
Severus silenced his mentor by pouring more potion down his throat. Repeating the action over and over until a strange and unholy sound echoed loudly throughout the cave. Whipping out his wand, Severus enchanted "Lumos Maxima." Illuminating the cave, he found inferi rising from the stagnant water.
As the bodies rose and approached, Severus grabbed the sword of Gryffindor and cut them down. Wiping the sword off on his robes, he rushed back to Albus and forced the last cupful down, releasing the man from his binds. As he looked up, more inferi rose out of the water and began swarming the little island. Realizing the sword would not be effective against such numbers, he sheathed it and gripped his ebony wand. There was only one spell he could think of that would defeat such a number, and while it was a dark spell, he was powerful enough to contain it. There was no fear that he and Albus would burn with the bodies. Summoning his magic, the fiendfyre swirled around the island, eliminating the inferi, the charred corpses falling back into the water's depth. Cancelling the spell, Severus grabbed the locket out of the basin and gripped Albus around the waist. The boat was a death sentence; sure there were still unharmed inferi in the lake, Severus focused and wrapping his dark robes around them, began to fly out of the cavern and onto the banks of the cliffs. Severus lay flat on his back, sweat pouring down his forehead from the fiendfyre combined with the exertion of wandless flight. Standing, he pulled Albus up and looking at the older man "Do you have enough energy to apparate us directly back to your office or shall I take us to the gates?"
Albus just silently extended his arm, and Severus grabbed it instantly. It was a rough apparition, given Albus' weakened state and when they landed in the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore's knees gave out. Severus gently sat him down in his chair and conjured a pitcher of water before pulling potions out of his voluminous robes.
"Thank you, Severus," he spoke weakly, "What would I do without you?"
Severus did not reply, sinking into the chair opposite the Headmaster and examining the locket still in his hand. Opening the clasp, a small piece of parchment fell into his lap. Unfolding it, Severus began to read the note out loud.
"To the Dark Lord, I know I will be dead long before you read this, but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more. R.A.B."
Severus' face twitched with anger as he tossed the locket across the room and glared at the note with barely contained rage. After all of that, they had nearly died for nothing.
"It seems we have an unknown ally," Albus spoke, his voice back to normal, despite the sickly pallor of his skin and the shaking of his extremities.
"And there's no way of knowing if they managed to destroy the locket." Severus groaned. What a waste of time and magical energy, forcing Albus to suffer for nothing.
"Very well, you're dismissed Severus, but I ask you to try to find out who RAB could be."
"You always ask for the impossible, don't you. I will leave some potions on your desk, and I will check on you in the morning."
It was hard to believe all that had happened in the last twenty-four hours and all Severus wanted to do was to collapse in his bed and attempt to get a handful of hours of sleep. As he left Albus' office to make his way down to the dungeons, he heard Filius Flitwick shouting in the Entrance Hall, chasing after the Minister of Magic with a group of Aurors.
"I swear Cornelius I saw Severus bring him in with my own eyes. He was locked in the North Tower, and no one else knew of the location other than myself, Severus and Albus." the small wizard cried.
"That's Minster Fudge to you Goblin," Fudge pointed his finger in Filius' face. Filius only smiled at the man's remark; he was proud of his heritage, and he wouldn't give Fudge's words any power. "Giving false information to the authorities is a crime."
"He's escaped," Filius said.
'Escaped?' Severus' upper lip twitched, his mind racing. 'Fucking Potter, he was sure of it.'
As Severus' seethed, the Minister spotted him. "Here he is, the man you claimed to have caught Black."
"What Professor Flitwick says is true Minister," Severus spoke coolly.
"Where is he then?"
Casting a tempus charm, Severus looked at the time, "Naught two hours ago, I locked him in a cell in the North Tower. Since then I have been in the Headmaster's office."
"He's escaped Severus," Filius eyes twitched with concern, "The cell door was blasted open. It looks like a bombarda."
"I've wasted enough time here!" Fudge stormed off through the entrance hall.
As the Minister stormed out of the castle with his auror guard, the small half-goblin wrung his hands in fear, "We should alarm Albus."
"He is in no condition right now Filius. I have just seen him off for the night. There's nothing to be done now if Black is truly gone. We will inform him in the morning."
Looking at Severus curiously, but not questioning the man, Filius agreed and made his way to Ravenclaw Tower while Severus sprinted to the North Tower, taking the stairs two at a time. As he reached the top of the Tower, he stopped dead in his tracks. It was just as his colleague had described, the cell door was blasted apart and lay empty.
Severus barely slept over the next week. When he managed, it was restful, full of flashbacks of Black and the werewolf. Severus found himself working all hours of the day; when he was not grading or teaching, he was researching RAB's identity.
One such night, his nerves were shot, and he pulled his wand, hearing a knock at the door. Shaking himself, he lowered the weapon and called out for the disruptor to enter.
Looking up, Severus was surprised to find Remus Lupin entering his office with a trunk in hand and a sad, awkward smile on his face. Standing behind the wolf was Dumbledore with a worried expression on his face.
"Yes?" Snape raised an eyebrow.
"Severus I have been thinking about what happened; it was a foolish, reckless mistake that could have cost Harry, Hermione, Ron and your own life, so I have decided to resign from my position as Defense Professor."
"Very well Lupin," Severus said confused as to why the wolf was bothering to inform him personally.
"Severus I would like you to assist Remus with moving into his new home," Albus asked in a tone that made it clear that this was not a request.
"And why would I do that?"
"Because I asked you." Albus smiled, "I'll come to keep the peace." He extended his hand and Severus very reluctantly grip the side of his robes.
They apparated to a muggle neighbourhood in Islington, where a row of dark brick townhouses stood. As they entered the home, Severus found the once handsome house to be in a sorry state as the wallpaper peeled from the walls and the stink of dust, moths and dark magic clung to the air. AS they walked deeper into the home, Severus found himself knocked to the floor as something hit him in the back.
"Leave, leave." The thing squeaked.
"Kreacher away with you!" snarled a familiar voice. The mangy house-elf named Kreacher reluctantly obeyed as Severus picked himself up off the floor.
"You brought him along? The voice, Severus recognized as Sirius Black's said incredulously. Turning around, Severus glared murderously at the Headmaster.
"You have a be fucking joking?" the men said simultaneously.
"You requested help, Sirius." Albus smiled, his blue eyes twinkling madly.
"Let's just get to it," Remus said trying to play peacemaker. There were several infestations of Doxies and Imps. The wall over the staircase was decorated with a row of shrunken house-elf heads mounted on the wall; charmed against removal.
Severus was busy clean the upper level and passed a glass case before doing a double take. Peering inside was the locket, Slytherin's locket, and standing next to it a small picture of Regulus Black. Pausing for but a moment, he ran to fetch the Headmaster.
The four men were now standing in front of the buffet, staring at the locket. Sirius was ready to give Kreacher clothes for daring to bring such a powerful and dark object into the home.
"Where did this come from?!" Black roared, raising a hand to Kreacher.
"Kreacher drank, and as he drank, he saw terrible things... Kreacher's insides burned... Kreacher cried for Master Regulus to save him, he cried for his Mistress Black, but the Dark Lord only laughed... He made Kreacher drink all the potion... He dropped a locket into the empty basin... He filled it with more potion..." Kreacher wiped his eyes as he continued his story, "Master Regulus didn't like that his master hurt Kreacher badly, and he demanded Kreacher take him to the Dark Lord's hiding place. Master Regulus drank the potion himself and was unable to fight off the creatures from the deep. He told Kreacher to return home and destroy the locket. Kreacher tried and tried, but nothing would destroy the locket. Bad Kreacher. Bad Kreacher."
The elf began slamming his forehead into the wall. Albus and Remus looked down at the sad, pathetic elf with pity while Sirius stood with his mouth gaping, stunned by the revelation that his baby brother had betrayed You-Know-Who.
"Kreacher we would like to help you fulfill Regulus last request." Albus spoke kindly, "but I need to collect something first." The old man disapparated and a few moments later returned with the sword of Gryffindor.
"Just get the thing out of here!" Sirius demanded as he stormed off to his room and violently slammed the door. Remus raced out of place to comfort his friend.
"You will help Kreacher fulfill Master Regulus' dying wish?"
"Yes, but the locket may cause damage to this house, do you know anywhere we could go to destroy it."
Kreacher will bring Headmaster Dumbledore," the house-elf said solemnly and reached out to grab hold of Albus and Severus' robes. They disapparated with a 'pop,' the trees surrounding them were quite tall - there was a fallen one close by, the trunk almost wholly covered by moss. A few large boulders, also covered by lichen and moss. They heard birds chirping in the forest, although the ones closest had fled.
Kreacher disapparated and returned half a minute later, holding the golden locket in his hands. The locket seemed to be struggling against him, judging by the jerking movements. Hissing and growling with pain, the house-elf finally dropped in on the ground, cradling his hand, which had been burned.
"Locket knows you can destroy it," Kreacher warned them, growling. "It burns hot. Destroy it, for Master Regulus, for Master's memory..." Kreacher placed the locket on a large stone.
Severus raised the sword of Gryffindor, though his movements were slow, like that sword itself had become heavy. Before he could make contact with the locket, a powerful force knocked them off their feet. The wind swirled violently and the animals scattered as the Dark Lord's evil, a black spirit was killed as its vessel was destroyed. The black spirit rushed them, and Severus froze on his knees as the vision shifted and Lily and James Potter stood before him, taunting and laughing at him.
"Snivellus, you poor, ugly pathetic git," they crowed before morphing into his parents sneering down at him.
"Fight it, Severus. Destroy the locket. You are stronger than Tom," Albus shouted. His mentor's voice fought through humiliation and hatred. Severus howled like a wounded animal and plunged the sword into the locket. It cracked, splitting in half and then suddenly, the air was cleansed, the spirit was gone, and it was easier to breathe.
Albus cast a detection charm on the locket and shook his head. "It's done. The soul fragment is gone."
"You filled Master Regulus' wish! Kreacher is happy; Kreacher is happy!" The elf shrieked.
"It is done," Albus sighed. "Well done, all of you. And thank you, Kreacher, for your help. Can you bring us back now?"
"Yes, Kreacher can!" the house-elf promised, snatching both Severus and Albus by the hand and apparating back to Grimmauld Place.
The Horcrux was gone. Perhaps the nightmare was finally over.