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Severus entered his rooms just past ten at Hogwarts, with a long sigh. It was week four of his never ending stay at Hogwarts, and he hadn't seen Voldemort for over a week. It was getting to him now, he hoped with every fibre of him, at every moment that Voldemort would have some free time to see him. He poured himself a drink, knowing that this might not be the case for another month if Potter didn't show. Downing the drink, he poured himself another, and then walked into the bedroom. Voldemort wasn't naked in his bed, as Severus had hoped. There was no sign of him. Sighing, he slammed the bedroom window he always kept open to a close, and shut the dark velvet curtains. As he got into bed, he felt someone new enter the school. And another. And another. He sat up, and hastily got out of bed, wondering if this was the night the battle would begin.
He pressed his fingers urgently to his mark, knowing Voldemort would arrive as soon as he could. In the mean time, Severus needed to find out if it really was Potter. Carefully, he stepped into his office, and down the main flight of stairs, and opened the door. From down the corridor, he could hear voices, getting louder. It was the Carrow's.
"Headmaster," Alecto began as they arrived closer to him, they were both gripping their right forearms tightly. "Our marks burnt-"
"Quiet," Severus snapped, glancing around them. He looked back to the pair, eyes narrow slits. "Potter has a need to be in the Ravenclaw common room. Tell Professor Flitwick I said you are to be let in," he continued, his voice low and quick.
"And if we catch him?" Alecto asked.
"You bring him to the Dark Lord. He shall be in the Forbidden Forest clearing you were shown. If he escapes you then take yourselves to the clearing, but I wouldn't expect a warm welcome." Severus smirked as the brother looked at the sister with a look of horror. From around the other side of the corridor, he heard more voices. "Go," Severus whispered to them, stepping behind the statue to hide. The Carrow's fled around the corner, and just in time.
This time the voice was McGonagall's.
"Who's there?" she called as she got closer.
"Severus?" Voldemort's voice filled his mind, but he couldn't be doing with that as well as McGonagall. Wondering if he'd been breathing too loud, and stepped out. "It is I." To his surprise, there was no one with her. His eyes narrowed for a moment before he relaxed.
"Severus, are you going to answer me?"
"The school is under attack, Headmaster," McGonagall said in her crisp, cool voice.
At that moment, Severus's bond mark burnt angrily, and he grabbed his arm instinctively, wincing from the pain. Voldemort must have been trying desperately to get through to him for it to hurt like that.
"Ah yes," McGonagall continued dryly. "You Death Eaters have ways of communicating."
Severus's eyes widened slightly, no one throughout the whole year had dared to say anything like that to him. But then, it probably meant that she was exceptionally angry, and was past caring. Slughorn, Sprout and Flitwick all rounded the corner panting, as if they'd been running, each slightly surprised at the scene in front of them.
"Minerva!" Flitwick squeaked. "The Carrow's have just gone crazy, they began torturing the students for no reason!"
McGonagall turned and looked at Severus, and suddenly the Headmaster knew this was going to become dangerous for him. Four angry gazes were turned onto him. And he smiled. Because he knew that this was the last moment he would be in this situation, for either better or for worse.
Hoping now to surprise them further, he turned, and jumped through the window, closing his eyes and covering his face to protect himself from the shards of glass, and flew off into the distance of the darkening sky. "I was preoccupied. I am on my way to the clearing."
"Shrieking Shack first, if you please, I have some business for us first."
Severus wondered if it was the sort of business he was going to enjoy, but he doubted that even Voldemort would want that just before a battle. He landed by the Womping Willow, carefully getting close enough to poke the knot. The tree froze, and he crawled underneath it, before he began flying at full speed down the corridor before he reached the Shack. "Is that you, Sev?" Voldemort called from upstairs. Severus shuddered, remembering the last time he'd been in here. The place was a wreck, bite marks and claw marks adoring every surface.
"Yes," Severus replied, walking up the creaking steps and into the first room on the left, where he could see a fire in the grate. "You should be careful lighting a fire in here. It's all made of wood."
Voldemort smiled, and held out his hands to his lover. "I've missed you." Severus took the hands, and stepped closer, and placed a light kiss on Voldemort's lips, before the older man pulled him close once more and kissed him passionately. "What were you preoccupied with?"
"McGonagall and some teachers. I told the Carrow's to go to the Ravenclaw common room and wait for him, we need to find out what happened there... I think Alecto turned into Bellatrix for a moment and began torturing the students when they wouldn't tell her where Potter was."
Voldemort nodded. "We can shortly. First, I have something I need to make clear to you."
"Of course," Severus replied with a nod, wondering what on earth it could be. Voldemort pulled Severus onto his lap, and cuddled him tightly in his arms. Severus tilted his head and kissed lightly down Voldemort's neck. "What is it?" he murmured.
"We have no guarantee of winning this," Voldemort began quietly. "Our chances are high, but there is no way of knowing at the very beginnings of something like this." Severus nodded numbly. "If, at the end of it, I am destroyed, you are to stay alive." Severus opened his mouth to complain, but Voldemort shook his head. "Do as I say. You will run, and hide, and stay alive, in full knowledge that I will return to you, merely as your lover. If I cannot win now, then there is no hope." Severus remained silent, but nodded all the same. "I love you, Severus," Voldemort continued in a whisper, his eyes fixed on his lovers. "We will be together, no matter what." Severus tried to speak, but found he couldn't find the words. Instead, he leant towards Voldemort once more, and kissed him hard. A few moments later, Voldemort pulled away, stroking Severus's hair lightly. "We need to go, love."
Severus nodded, and stood up, straightening his robes. He squeezed Voldemort's hand in his own, and they flew back to the Forbidden Forest together, only letting go of hands just before they landed. The many Death Eaters, giants and werewolves stood to attention instantly. "I shall make the announcement, my friends," said Voldemort. Severus glanced around them. They were standing next to each other in front of the fire that was in the middle of the circle of people. The giants sat down on the outskirts of the circle on huge boulders, and even then they were half the height of the trees. Bellatrix was kneeling to the right of Voldemort, back in the circle, and Lucius and Rodolphus were stood behind her, each leaning against a tree. The light was flickering, casting shadows over every object and person, and the sky had finally reached blackness.
Voldemort pointed his wand to his throat, and began to speak, his voice so loud Severus thought his ears would explode. There was no doubt that even Hogsmead would hear it. "Your efforts are futile. You cannot hope to defeat Lord Voldemort. I know that you have begun preparations for battle. I do not wish to kill any one of you, I do not wish for more magical blood to be spilt. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts, do not disappoint me. Give me Harry Potter, and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you shall be rewarded. You have until midnight." He pulled his wand away from his throat, and turned around to survey the circle, his eyes gleaming. "This is the first part of our battle," he said, his voice quiet. Severus suddenly noticed Nagini, circling in her cage, shining with the amount of protective spells, sat on a high rock. She was hissing angrily. "I shall not enter the battle. I shall wait here, for Harry Potter. You know what you must do, kill all in your way. And remember that Harry Potter is not to be touched. Prepare yourselves for battle." As Voldemort silenced, people began to talk amongst themselves. Voldemort turned to Lucius, Rodolphus and Bellatrix, and beckoned them to him.
"My friends," he said softly to the four highest members of the Death Eaters. "You will not enter this battle either. Nagini needs to be protected. We shall remain here, awaiting Potter's presence. If he does not arrive, then we shall fight." Bellatrix's eyes were dancing in excitement, Lucius was cool and calm, but Severus knew that he was terrified for his son still in Hogwarts. "In a few hours only we shall know. Let us hope our victory is a swift one." Voldemort glanced over his shoulder, and took off into the air, landing so he was crouched on the rock next to Nagini's cage, talking to her in soft hisses. Bellatrix grabbed Rodolphus's hand and pulled him into a group of trees slightly, and Severus knew exactly what they were going to be doing. They'd suddenly decided to become lovers again, and they were definitely trying to make sure the whole world knew it.
Lucius chuckled as he watched them vanish into the darkness. "Makes me wish Narcissa was here," he murmured.
"My lover is slightly distracted tonight," Severus replied, watching Voldemort with the snake. "I often wonder who he thinks more of, me or the snake."
"You," Lucius replied instantly. "He never stops talking about you whenever I go and drink with him."
Severus smiled in gratification. "Good to hear." He shivered slightly, and almost at once he realised that he needed to spend the last few precious minutes before the battle with Voldemort. For the first time, Severus was deathly afraid of what would happen in this battle.
"Go with him," Lucius murmured, seeing how his friends eyes had glazed over.
Severus could feel Voldemort's eyes burning into his own. He looked back, their eyes locking tight. "Do not be afraid."
"I try."
Severus took off into the air, and landed beside Voldemort on the rock. "There is nothing to be afraid of," Voldemort murmured.
"There is," Severus responded stiffly. "You know there is. Everyone knows there is. Bellatrix and Rodolphus have gone off to have their last shag."
"Severus..." Voldemort glanced around him suddenly frustrated because of the Death Eaters surrounding them. He grabbed Severus's arm and dragged him backwards out of eye shot from the people below them preparing for the battles ahead. "I cannot promise you anything."
"I do not wish for your promises!" Severus said quickly. "I just need... Something to keep me going through this..."
Voldemort stared deep into his eyes for a moment, before he leant forwards, and kissed Severus gently and lovingly, pushing him backwards against a tree, the frequency of his actions increasing quickly. "I understand," he murmured.
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"It's midnight," Severus muttered tersely into Voldemort's ear. He was leaning against a tree as Voldemort stood, watching his troops in their preparations. He nodded.
"My friends," Voldemort began to speak. The Death Eaters around them stopped their conversations and turned to watch, the atmosphere excited and tense. "The time has come. Enter Hogwarts and kill all in your way." The Death Eaters all began walking towards the school, and suddenly the forest was empty except for Lucius, Rodolphus, Bellatrix, Severus and the Dark Lord. Voldemort turned to look at Severus, his back to the others, an expression of concern on his face. "How do you feel?"
"Better," Severus replied, a small smile on his lips. Voldemort nodded, his expression loosening a bit. "Come here?"
Voldemort stepped towards Severus, and put his arms tightly around his lover. "I love you so much, Severus," he murmured. "If I win, I'll have done it for you."
Severus smiled over Voldemort shoulder, hugging tightly. He pulled back quickly though, he hated showing any form of affection to Voldemort in front of Bellatrix Lestrange.
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For what seemed like an eternity to Severus, they heard nothing of the battle, until Dolohov returned. He had a couple of cuts on him, but apart from that he looked unhurt. "Ah, Dolohov," Voldemort called, standing up. "How goes the battle?"
"Well, my Lord. Their resistance is crumbling. I doubt it will be long before it is ours," said Dolohov, with a small smile.
"Potter has yet to arrive..." Voldemort murmured, looking towards his lover, one eyebrow raised. "Your opinion, love?"
"Withdraw the troops and send out another announcement." Severus shrugged.
"We shall withdraw the troops," Voldemort said aloud, nodding to Severus briefly. "You may remain, Dolohov." Once again, Voldemort pointed to his throat with his wand. "You have fought valiantly, though you have suffered heavy losses. Lord Voldemort knows how to value bravery. If you continue this battle, I promise you, one by one, you will die. I do not wish this to happen. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a loss and a waste, one which I do not wish to see. My forces will retreat, immediately. You have one hour. Treat your injured, dispose of your dead. And now, Harry Potter, I speak, directly to you. I shall wait for one hour in the forbidden forest, and if at the end of that hour, you have not come to me, you have not given yourself up, then battle recommences. This time, I shall enter the fray myself, Harry Potter, and every last man, woman and child who has tried to conceal you from me will perish. One hour." He pulled away his wand from his throat, and walked towards the fire where he sat, staring into the flames. "We shall see," he murmured, and Severus took his place on Voldemort's right, where he knelt next to his Master.
"Potter will be here," Severus spoke quietly, knowing Voldemort's concerns were increasing.
"We'll see."
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"My Lord."
Voldemort opened his eyes slowly, and Severus stopped pacing behind his lover, turning to look at Yaxley who was stood before Voldemort nervously. The Death Eaters that lurked in the circle around them stilled, even the giants were silent.
"He has not come."
The Dark Lord nodded, and was about to speak when a voice to the left of them cut in.
"Yes I have."
Potter appeared from under that infernal invisibility cloak, letting it pool to the ground around him. Severus's breath hitched in his throat, knowing that this was the moment. If Voldemort could finally kill the irritating boy, they would have won. Voldemort stood up, slowly, stretching his limbs out like in a cat like way. "Finally," he hissed. "Harry Potter."
He drew out his wand. Severus felt his chest contract in fear as Potter drew out his own wand. Surely... Surely Potter couldn't have a chance against the Dark Lord? "I love you."
Severus closed his eyes as Voldemort's voice entered his mind. For a moment, he wondered if it was going to be the last time. He was about to reply as a jet of green light emitted from Voldemort's wand. A jet of red came from Potter's, which hit the killing curse and rebounded, hitting one of the nearby giants in the leg. The creature jumped, but nothing more, his eyes narrowed as he wondered what had happened. But it didn't matter, because the green jet hit Potter square in the chest, and he dropped to the floor.
He wasn't the only one. As Severus turned to look, Voldemort was sagging, falling downwards. Severus ran, and caught him in his arms, holding him tightly. "Hold on!" Voldemort seemed to be fighting to keep his eyes open, there was madness around them as the Death Eaters began to panic, Bellatrix was racing towards them and Lucius watched from behind Severus in confusion and terror. But nothing was that much in comparison to how Severus felt, his insides wrenched, and boiled in anger and sadness. Was he dead?
"I..." Voldemort's eyes opened fully, looking directly into Severus's.
"Love?" Severus frowned down at his lover, concern showing.
"Severus..." Voldemort muttered, squeezing his hand tightly. "Is Potter..."
Severus looked up, catching Bellatrix's eyes. "Check Potter," he snapped at her, and instantly the woman did as he said. Severus looked back down to Voldemort, who appeared to be sitting up, blinking at the light from the fire catching his eyes.
"He's dead!" Bellatrix screamed triumphantly, and Voldemort stood up, a smile appearing on his lips.
"You see!" he shouted, glee clear in his voice. Severus could hardly believe it. Potter was dead, they'd just as well won. "I have proved to you all that I am as strong as ever. I have killed my enemy." Brandishing his wand out, Voldemort levitated Potter into the air. "Come. We must show the world this, we must show them all that I am triumphant." He beckoned to Severus, who walked to his lovers side, smiling widely. The Dark Lord now only had one interest, that interest being him, Severus Snape. And it showed through his eyes, and he felt it through their bond. Carefully, Voldemort turned, and lifted his wand once more, summoning Nagini in her cage towards him. He took a moment lifting the protection, before his beloved pet slithered out across the ground towards her Master. They were hissing together in quiet tones as they steered themselves in their big group out of the forest, towards the main doors of the school. Once more, his wand returned to his throat for one last loud announcement.
"Harry Potter is dead!" he announced, that happy glee in his voice once more. "He was killed as he tried to escape the school, leaving you all here to fight to your deaths while he ran away. You are outnumbered, my supporters double your numbers. If you wish to live, come outside now, and kneel before me. There can be no more war. Any one who dares try to resist Lord Voldemort shall be slaughtered, along with every member of their family. Come out now, and you shall be spared, and you shall live and help us build this new and beautiful world for us all." Voldemort tore his wand away, excitement showing on his features. Severus couldn't remove his smile from his face, he'd never seen or felt Voldemort this happy.
Eventually, the remaining students and teachers emerged from the school, silently. As more people saw the Dark Lord, and Potter's body on the ground, the noise level grew, there were screams and wails from the crowd. Severus could see Weasley and Granger annoyingly still very much alive, along with Longbottom, but he didn't care. They couldn't defeat them now.
"Silence!" Voldemort bellowed, and instantly a wave of quiet hit the group before them like a great tidal wave. "You see! Potter is dead! Do you understand now? He was a mere boy, with luck on his side, always relaying on other people to come and rescue him! He is nothing compared to the greatness of my Order." Granger was crying again, Severus noticed as he looked back over the crowd. "Hogwarts is my own. It shall be changed, there will be no more sorting in this legendary school. Salazar Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts four should be, and will be enough for everyone!" With his wand raised high above his head, the sorting hat soared towards him. With another flick, it was on fire. The students were creating more noise, Nagini was hissing, the Death Eaters were laughing-
Voldemort spoke again. "Those who wish to join me, those who wish to survive can step forwards now, and you shall be rewarded." Every Slytherin stepped forwards, Draco among the group, walking proudly towards his father, where he stood, to the left of Lord Voldemort. A sprinkling of Ravenclaw's followed suit nervously, but that was it. To Severus's surprise, Professor Grubby Plank stepped forwards too and stood with some of the Ravenclaw students, as did Professor Vector. "This is a waste of magical blood," Voldemort continued, and Severus could detect a tone of sarcasm in his voice, though he doubted that anyone else would have known it well enough. "But so be it." He began to hiss in parseltongue, and from behind them, the army on Inferi approached. With one last raise of his wand, the people ahead of him were frozen to the spot.
Severus understood his last instruction.
"Kill all."
Severus didn't watch as many of his students were killed. He knew there would be none left, but he didn't wish to see. And clearly, Voldemort wasn't interested in watching. He pulled Severus close into his body, and kissed him roughly, clearly he didn't care that every single one of his followers was stood, fully able to see, behind him. As Voldemort pulled away from his lover, Severus could see happiness shining through him. "You're mine," he whispered, before he turned around, his arm still tightly around Severus waist. "I am the new Minister of Magic and Headmaster of Hogwarts," he announced, his voice loud and clear over the whispered that had broken out. "And Severus Snape is not only my Deputy, but my Consort. Tomorrow, we will undergo the Iniquus bonding ceremony." He turned around, and smiled at Severus, placing one more kiss onto his lips. "There will be a meeting at my manor instantly. Heal yourselves, and return. Direct those who have never been to a meeting before." He took Severus's hand in his own, and together they took off into the sky, and into their new life together.
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Do you think it's finished? Not likely! Honestly. There's two more chapters left.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go to sleep now, I have to be up in six hours! Doesn't it go to show how much I love you, my wonderful reviewers!?
Hope you enjoyed the destruction of Potter as much as I did.
-Excessively Complex.