This story will getting a little hot and heavy in a few chapters. It's going to contain some pretty dark stuff as well M rated content a little later on.
Hope you're enjoying it so far and I'll notify you at the start of chapters if they start to entail a darker genre.
...Disappeared in a mass of flames.
They landed forcefully in the dully lit room and scrambled to their feet. Immediately spells lit up the room and Snape cried out from the sudden attack.
Harry gasped and stumbled over blindly. "No! Stop!" he reached Snape and stepped out in front of him. The spells ceased and Harry found himself facing the shocked and angry faces of his teachers and friends. Mr and Mrs Weasly, Mac Gonagall Lupin, Hagrid, Ron and Hermoine and Mad eye moody.
Harry shook his head panting for breath " Don't attack him. He was only doing what he was told to do!"
"He killed Dumbledore Harry" Spat Mr Weasley.
Harry ignored him and turned around to face his frowning hooked nose x professor. Snape was gazing down at him tight lipped in anger, resentment and a little confusion even.
"That's what you were arguing about in the woods that night" Harry said. Snapes narrowed ever so slightly "He asked you do it. He knew what was going to happen that night didn't he?".
"What?" came Lupins impatient voice "Who was arguing with who?" Harry flinched. He felt for his fathers old friend. Harry knew it would be easier for him to blame the man he hated but it wasn't right.
"Why wit professor Dumbledore O' course!" Hagrid stepped forward eyes bulging. Harry nodded.
"He was working on Dumbledores orders. Snape had never turned to Voldemorts side, but that was what Dumbledore wanted us to believe". Harry finished and noted the sadness enter Lupins eyes.
"I don't understand" Hermione shook her head "Why would professor Dumbledore keep something this important from the order?" Harry knew, but he didn't speak. He and Snape exchanged knowing glances. None of the people before him knew of the real significance between Harry and Voldemort except him.
"Also" Harry said. He straightened up to address the order members. "We don't have to worry about Voldemort coming back anymore. Not after tonight anyway. If one of you strike him down he'll stay down this time". Before they had the chance to ask anymore questions Harry turned his body around to face Snape once more. Snape staring into his eyes suspiciously.
"I'll leave you to explain" Harry said "I've got one more person to visit before I end this".
Harry waited until he received the nod and a loud pop sounded in his ears before he disappeared into thin air.
Harry stood alone for a long time staring at the white tomb by the lake. Fawks had decided to perch herself there, like a beautiful flaming epitaph.
"It's almost done professor" His voice was drained of all emotion "You did it. I don't blame you for not telling me; about Voldemort, about the prophecy".
The silence broke and Fawks emitted a lamenting musical cry that echo around him. Harry smiled at her in fondness.
"I just have this last thing to do now and then it'll all be over" he whispered to himself. He stared out beyond the mausoleum at setting sun of the horizon, matching the color of Fawks plumage. He almost leaped out of his skin when Snape's voice reached his eyes.
"You can't it Potter" Harry turned around to see the professor standing behind him hands tucked into his sleeves. He lowered them to his sides as he stepped up to stand beside him.
Harry felt relief. His face held nothing of anger or hate now, just a mutual understanding.
"It has to be done, it's the only way. If he were to catch me..." Harry stopped, he needn't explain himself they both knew what was at stake.
Snape's gaze didn't waver and for the first time in his young life Harry saw a single tear form in his professors eyes. "I hope you can forgive me" he said, his voice still steady.
Harry nodded "And Dumbledore me, for not trusting you".
Snape took a controlled breath and turned his eyes on tomb. Neither said anything for a few moments and Harry knew it was fast approaching the time he left.
"Do you wish me to assist you?" Snape turned his eyes back on Harry.
Harry shook his head. Noting the relief on his teachers face he sigh. "It's something I have to do alone. I have to finish it, before he has time to make another one but I'll be counting on you all to take him afterwards. I need you all to work together and make it mean something". Harry was amazed by the steediness in his own voice. He was fighting hard to keep his composure. The idea of to his own death had filled him with a numb disbelief, but now it was nearing the time Harry began to feel a sense of clostaphobia close in all around him. This really was the only option they had.
"I have one more favor to ask" Harry spoke keeping his eyes on the horizon in front of him.
"Say goodbye for you?" Harry nodded. His brows knitted together and he found himself staring at the ground before him.
"I don't think I bear them" he admitted and he sensed Snape nodding beside him.
"Look at me" he did and he found himself staring into Snape's unreadable expression, the expression of the man he'd hated for the better part of six years. The awkward silence that ensued was not an uncomfortable one. There was no tension in either of their bodies, no hard feelings between them, just a sense of what was left to be done between them.
"I'm sorry..." He stopped as Harry shook his head.
"No, no sorries. Just respect for what had to be done to get us this far". Harry said and extended a surprisingly steady hand out to him.
For a moment Snape just stared at the hand before he took it and slowly pulled it towards him to hug Harry. Harry froze stiff as his face pressed against the ruff black material covering Snapes torso. "Where?" Came the quiet voice.
Harry felt the burning sensation in his throat threaten to overwhelm him. He pulled away from Snape and with two fingers squeezed the tears from eyes.
"Godric's Hollow" he answered. "This has to end where it began".
"Goodbye" there it was. The last time he would ever hear it and Harry turned on the spot and apparated just as the pained cry escaped his mouth.