A/N: The long awaited confrontation with Albus! Someone mentioned Snape being a non-titled or pureblood name. Yeah, as of MidnightSun Sev is a pureblood and the Snape title is older than the Prince one. One more chapter and an epilogue after this update. We're almost done…wow.
Chapter 38- The Midnight Sun
Rial Salazar Black stood alone on the balcony of his rooms, looking out over the sea. The complete Custodis Pondera had met just two days ago and everything was going according to plan. Rial had been uneasy all morning and he didn't know precisely why. This irritated him more than it should; he disliked a lack of control over his surroundings and emotions. Staring at the vast expanse of water he felt a small smile of pure joy work its way over his face.
It was mid-January. Just the day before his father and Severus had announced their engagement. Remembering all of the effusive and genuinely delighted reactions could make anyone smile. Sirius had been grinning from ear to ear; Severus of course had a smaller, smug smile on his lips. However, Rial's own smug grin had topped even that of his former Head of House.
He had already known about the engagement. The week before Severus and Sirius had told him. Severus had proceeded to ask if he could complete a blood adoption with Rial. When he'd gazed at his father with quiet indecision Sirius had been quick to reassure that he would be perfectly happy if Rial wanted it. It had not taken Rial very long afterwards to make his final decision.
Closing his eyes he took a long, deep inhale of the crisp, salty air. As of last Thursday evening he was officially Rial Salazar Severus Black, the son of Severus Snape and Sirius Black. While Sirius intended to drop the name of Black, Rial kept it as his born heir. When his fathers eventually had a child of their own he or she would carry the Snape name and title.
Opening his eyes Rial decided to take a walk. As the weather was a bit cool he stopped at his rooms to gather one of his cloaks. The Black villa had expansive acreage surrounding; there was even a small lake at the far edge of the property. It was to this lake that Rial decided to make his daily expedition. As he moved out onto the well-worn path that leads to the lake he breathed in deeply and let out an explosive sigh of pleasure. Italy was beautiful, even in the winter. Though it was mid-January the air was only comfortably brisk.
They were close enough to the coast that he could hear the gulls flying above the sea. It grew dimmer as he walked however, replaced by the softer chirping of wintering birds and the whispers of the grass under his shoes. As he walked he debated with himself, trying to decide what to do with his future once the war was over. This was a conversation he had been debating many times, he had several courses of action for his future.
One option was becoming a Healer. His knowledge in Potions would come in handy for that field, as would his abilities in Charms and Transfiguration. Transfiguration had never been his best subject, but he had achieved an Animagus transformation, considered one of the most difficult branches of the subject. Plus it appealed to him, helping to save lives instead of taking them.
The other that fascinated him was the Experimental Potions Division at the Ministry. Potions truly was his favourite subject, it was one thing that he and his newest parent shared in common. He had mentioned the topic to Severus; he had seemed delighted that Rial was seriously considering a field of study that included the art of Potions. It of course meant another 3 years of intense study at Riley's Institute of Magic or another college-level magical school, but Rial wouldn't shy away from something because it required a little work.
He shrugged lightly to himself. He was only after all in his 6th year; he had time to consider this yet. While Rial was realistic he refused to acknowledge the possibility that there wouldn't be a future waiting for him. Albus Dumbledore may be considered the most powerful wizard in the world now that Voldemort was dead but Rial knew there was no other alternative but for him to defeat the man. He was a Slytherin and failure was not an option.
When he heard the crunch of gravel under his feet Rial came back to the present and eyed his surroundings. He stood on the shore of the lake already, another couple of steps and he'd have walked into the ice cold water. Shaking his head he laughed softly at his absent-mindedness. If he kept going this way he'd end up like the idiotic Xenophilius Lovegood.
Instead he backed up a couple of feet and gazed at the still water. With the way the sunlight was reflecting over the trees the water reminded him of a vast Pensieve. Still and silvery coloured in the afternoon light, vague images swirled over the surface. It was hypnotic in a way and very peaceful. Rial had always loved water; he had waited longingly for the storms and rain as a child, laughing in pure, innocent delight when his patience was rewarded with a downpour or a thunderstorm.
In a way it made his Animagus form not so surprising. The storm phoenix was the harbinger of the fiercest storms, after all. A sign of the changing times as well, it had usually been seen swooping in and amongst lightning bolts and rain. As water was seen as the purest element it was also considered the 'Lightest' of the phoenixes at one point, until some idiotic pureblood who thought like the late James Potter had seen it on a battlefield where the 'Light' had suffered one of their worst defeats and called it an ally of the Dark.
Deciding that he was a bit bored, Rial started searching around for some smooth, flat rocks. He had gathered four of appropriate size and shape and was just looking for another when a rustle caught his hearing. He froze, setting the rocks down and shaking his wand loose of the holster. He looked up just slightly and saw a pair of boots just peeking out from under an ungodly bright purple robe with gold swirls.
He slid the wand down a little further into his hand. No one he knew dressed like that, most of the Slytherins would rather be dead then caught in that awful shade. He smiled to himself a bit grimly. So this was the reason for his unease all day. Strangely, he was glad that he was alone this time, though it may be a good thing to notify the others.
Rial straightened up slowly, keeping his center of balance to where he could dodge a spell if necessary. He was unsurprised to meet a pair of half-moon glasses and a pair of icy blue eyes. He stared arrogantly back at the wizened face of Albus Dumbledore, withdrawing his wand fully and crossing his arms over his chest. After a long moment he drawled, "Since you're not attacking me yet, want to explain how you found our location at long last?"
Albus smiled. The expression would have been benevolent if every etched line of his face hadn't indicated a cold ruthlessness. "I must congratulate you on staying hidden so long, but child, did you really think you could outwit me? While I may have considered Nymphadora Tonks a bit too obvious for a spy, I decided just a few weeks ago that it was worth placing a Tracking Spell on her. It was ridiculously easy; she always has been quite clumsy."
Rial clapped his hands sardonically. "Well done, you finally found one of our spies. The least important I might add, but you did find one. Can you hazard a guess as to the other three?"
The blue eyes momentarily widened at the news of a total of four spies, he had only guessed three. "Regulus Black was a given, but I had to leave him there. A spy in the Unspeakables isn't worth giving up for any reason. Once Nymphadora was identified I can guess William Weasley as well. After all, the pair are engaged and she is unlikely to be able to hide this sort of thing from him."
"Can you not think of the last?" Rial mocked, smirking. He didn't know exactly what was making him taunt the man, but the longer he got him to talk about his plans the better.
Albus' eyes narrowed, he obviously disliked Rial's tone. His gaze turned contemplative and he thought for a long moment. After a few idle moments had passed he shot a sharp look at Rial and said, "I forgot your House for a moment, child. Your mother was the last spy?"
"Lily Evans is not my mother. I am the son of Severus Snape and Sirius Black, not an upstart Muggleborn witch," Rial shot back. More calmly he said, "But yes, she was the last. Held under a contract of course, I will never again trust her."
"You hold a long grudge, child."
"My name is Rial Black, Albus," Rial shot back. "So, what's the grand plan for the 'greater good' going to be this time?"
"Your insolence is an irritating trait, boy. But I see no harm in telling you I'm here to kill you, Rial Black. You've been causing trouble ever since you came to Hogwarts. Had James Potter not lost his temper and been ignorant to the fact of your rising accidental magic, you would never have set foot in the school. Instead I've been forced to falsely inform the Ministry that Severus and Lucius are still active Death Eaters. I certainly never expected you to meet your real father, or for Sirius to develop a spine for the first time in 16 years."
Rial bristled. "My father has never been a coward, Dumbledore. As for him 'developing a spine' as you put it, have you ever considered the fact that he was perhaps waiting for the opportune time to act? And are you really stupid enough to believe he's going to come back to you after you kill me and get Severus killed or Kissed?"
"Crucio!" Rial dived to the side, falling on the rocks. The curse flew overhead and he rolled swiftly before standing again, wand in hand.
He gazed at Albus with a coldly furious expression on his face. "Hypocrite! You preach your 'Light' personality to the rest of the world and at the same time you'd use an Unforgivable on a 16-year-old?"
"It is an unfortunate but necessary action. Just like neglecting to mention Severus has been a spy for the last 18 years. You may as well give up, after all I am the man who defeated Grindelwald."
In answer Rial snarled slightly and flung a nonverbal Cutting Curse that just narrowly missed Dumbledore's shoulder. The old wizard dodged and regarded Rial with a slightly unsettled expression. "You are not one to judge others, Black. Or was that not an illegal curse you just used?"
Rial sneered. "It may not have been, but I never said I was a Light wizard Dumbledore. I tend to consider myself firmly neutral. As far as being able to hold my own, it was I who killed James Potter, not Bellatrix. I would think I have to magical power necessary to hold my own against you."
For the first time in their confrontation Albus looked rattled. "Expecto Patronum," Rial whispered, sending his silvery wolf Patronus to the villa. It would take some time for the Patronus to arrive and it was impossible to Apparate inside the wards around the villa.
"It was cast with Bellatrix Lestrange's wand. You don't have the power necessary to cast with another's wand, boy. James Potter said more than once you were barely above a Squib."
At the mentioning of the dead Auror Rial's poisonous green eyes narrowed into slits. "You relied on him far too much, Dumbledore. He refused to acknowledge my power just as he refused to acknowledge me. He knew very well I could wipe the floor with his precious Zachary if I wanted to. As for being cast with Bellatrix's wand, my father was more than willing to let his hated cousin take the fall for an Auror's death."
Their battle continued, furious and swift. They were two well-matched opponents, similar magical strength making up for the difference of one in the prime of his life and the other well beyond that indefinite point. Blasting Hexes, curses, jinxes, even charms were used in ways their developers had never intended. Eventually however, time began to provide the edge. Rial's youth and vigor had become his greatest asset and Albus Dumbledore had begun to tire.
The intensity and power of his spells began to dissipate and yet he continued onward. For the first and last time in his life, Albus Dumbledore felt fear. It crawled through his tiring limbs, seizing at his aging heart and fragile lungs. He had badly underestimated Rial's power and control over his magic, blinding himself to the truth by hiding behind his own greatness. Drawing a huge amount of power to himself he gathered the will to cast another spell and incanted, "Destrucio!"
The destroyer hex flew at the ground in front of and around Rial Black, plowing into the earth and rock and erupting skyward with the force of a volcano. Though the younger wizard had flung himself sideways, he was still caught in the aftermath and flung to the grass ten feet away, winded and temporarily stunned.
Feeling his triumph near, Albus strolled over to the downed wizard, summoning the young one's wand for good measure. He was unable to resist the urge to gloat a bit before Rial died. He stared victoriously into deep green eyes and said, "So this is how it ends, young snake. The power of the Light triumphs yet again over incredible odds. Tell me child, how does it feel to stare death in the face? I have yet to meet that shadowy figure; if I have it my way it will be a while still."
Rial's eyes narrowed and suddenly a very smug expression crossed his face. "You'll have to tell me, as I won't be meeting him yet."
There was a soft 'pop' and sitting on the grass was a gorgeous bird with silver, white and blue plumage. A Storm Phoenix, Albus' mind provided through his shock. The last magical creature animagus had been Salazar Slytherin himself. To all reports he'd been a Basilisk.
His stunned mind was too slow to react as the Phoenix lifted off the ground with a slow downbeat of majestic wings. It reached out with long talons and gripped one of his wrists. Suddenly Albus recovered and began to struggle, but the blasted bird had caught his wand hand. A soft 'crunch' caught his ears and he turned his head just in time to see Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape, Sirius Black and Lucius Malfoy. They stared at him and the Phoenix with startled, astonished eyes.
After that the only thing Albus felt was pure waves of pain as the phoenix burst into flames. Albus' own arrogance brought about his death in flames of white and blue. The only things left when the flames eventually dissipated on the wind were his wand and half-moon glasses. The so-called greatest wizard in the world was dead at the hands of a child whose strength of magic he'd completely ignored.
A/N: The end of Albus. Next chapter is the aftermath of his death and the return of the Custodis Pondera to England. After that is the epilogue in its own chapter. What do you think of Albus' end? The Destroyer Hex is mine, btw. It's basically the darkest form of a Blasting Hex that exists.