A/N: So... it's entirely the bunny's fault, not mine. The cute plot bunny went in this direction... and would not deviate. I'm sorry. In the next chapter, Severus's wife is revealed... /finally/ ;) Eileen's story, as is Severus's grandmum's story, are wrapped up. Thank you for reading. I'm hard at work on the next chapter.

Paying the Asking Price

Far from the happy family celebrating Christmas in Hogwarts' dungeons, the older Severus strode across the majestic floor of Gringotts towards the closest available goblin. He could feel the others' beady eyes on him, but continued forward. When he finally reached the goblin behind the counter, he felt himself start to relax slightly.

"Yes?" the goblin drawled, looking him over suspiciously.

"I wish to withdraw from my family vault," Severus replied, his voice steady and confident. When the goblin moved closer, likely to intimidate him he decided, Severus set the old black key onto the counter and flashed a faint smirk. "I believe you were going to ask for this, yes?"

The goblin's eyes remained on the black key several moments longer than necessary before it finally inclined its head. There was no doubt about it that the goblins were all stunned after seeing the black key. Then again, Severus had been banking on that reaction all along. He then watched the goblin snap its fingers and call over another.

"He'll take you to your vault, Mister Ashmore," the head goblin explained.

"Excellent." Severus held a hand out then to the other goblin, brushing off the use of the family name. "Lead the way." As they walked towards the carts, he fell in step with the goblin who would be accompanying him. He paused for half a moment and glanced back at the others who were looking on utterly stunned. "Is something the matter?" Severus asked brusquely, knowing perfectly well why they were all acting like that.

The goblin beside him choked for a second before he answered hesitantly. "No. Not at all, sir. It's merely been some time since someone from your family has been here. So, we had—with all due respect—considered your lineage to have, well, ended . . . extinct, sir."

Severus forced a scoff. "Yes, well, it's not. Now, how about we hurry up and cut the frivolous chit chat, hmm?" He noticed the goblin's sharp nod and quickly entered the cart.

As they zoomed off a few moments later to the vault, Severus found himself wondering for a brief moment if his past self had learned anymore about his father's side, namely his grandmother's family, the Ashmores. He supposed not, as the goblins seemed as shocked as ever by his appearance. The Aurors would learn it soon enough now, though. Of that, Severus had no doubt.

Water then suddenly sprayed across his face. The Thief's Downfall, he realized a moment later. He coughed momentarily, spitting up some of the unfortunate water that he had inhaled. However, the cart continued on its way before slowing to a stop soon after.

Once they had come to a complete stop, Severus handed the lantern to the goblin and then followed him up to the vault's door. With his back now turned to Severus, the goblin undid the intricate locks, his attention fully on his task. In turn, Severus's wand quickly slid into his hand.

"Imperio."

The goblin's hand instantly went limp and fell to its side.

"Take me to the Lestrange vault safely," Severus commanded.

When the goblin turned soon after and headed down the deserted corridor, the wizard felt his good mood increase. So far everything was going according to plan.

Thankful for Harry's information on what to expect, they reached the area guarded by the dragon soon after. Severus watched the goblin pull out two objects then before he started clanging them together, the dragon retreating in obvious pain and fear. He could see now why Harry and the others had freed the dragon. However, he couldn't be as kind to the creature as they had been. Not unless he wanted to alert the staff to the intruder.

"Open the vault," Severus ordered the goblin to do.

With one hand still clanging it the objects, the goblin pressed his free hand against the door, opening the vault a moment later. At the sight of all the bright shiny objects inside it, Severus shook his head. It was sickening to see.

He turned towards the goblin a moment later.

"Return to the surface now and tell no one about letting me into the Lestrange vault." He then ended his spell and watched the goblin head back to the cart without him. At hearing the growl of the dragon nearby, Severus stepped inside and caused the vault door to seal him inside. He flicked his wand lightly, the tip lighting up soon after. He then set off to work.

Originally, he had settled on using another Basilisk fang on the cup once he found it, but after ten minutes of searching and not finding the cup he knew his time was running out. There frankly was too much in the vault. He didn't have time to search for it any longer.

The longer he searched for it, the more noticeable it would be that he hadn't returned from the vaults. Someone certainly would notice that and come searching for him. It had to be here somewhere. After all, this is where Harry had said he found it.

Severus scanned the upper ledges for another few moments before he finally caught the twinkle of the reflected light near the very top. He drew in a deep breath and sighed.

If he attempted to climb up it, the Gemini curse would certainly take over.

"What am I doing?" he murmured to himself. He had always known it would come to this in the end. Closing his eyes, he rubbed his ring and tried to recall his wife one last time.

"You're utterly ridiculous, you know that?" he heard someone say behind one of the mounds of galleons. "Why must you always believe that death is the only option for you, Severus? Rather drama queen-like, wouldn't you say?"

His eyes flew open, and his head snapped towards the voice. He swallowed the moment he saw the ethereal ghost of his wife.

"We could be together again," she said softly, coming slowly out from behind the pile. "This isn't the only option, my love. You know this."

"I have to do this," he replied, his voice wavering slightly.

"Why?"

"Because no one else is willing to pay the asking price," he answered chokingly. "No one else is willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good."

She scoffed, rolling her eyes in her typical fashion. "The Greater Good. Who are you, Severus? Albus Dumbledore now?" She pointed towards the vault door. "None of them have ever given a damn about you. So, why the hell would you do this, pay this price, for them?"

He turned away from her and ran a tired hand down his face. She was an obstacle the Horcrux in the Hufflepuff cup had created. That was so very clear to him. And, yet, he couldn't help but let her distract him one last time.

"For you," he replied. "I would do this for you." He could hear his voice crack, but pressed on. "It wasn't enough time, not nearly enough. You spent your whole life loving me, and all I got was six months to return it. Six months. This . . . this ensures I get longer than just six damn months!"

"What if he doesn't listen to you, though? What if he chooses another woman instead?" She crossed her arms. "Then what? You'll come back here a second time and mess with the timeline again?"

"No."

"Why not? You say it's because of me you've altered all our lives. Why wouldn't you do it again, Severus, to get your happy ending?"

"Because it'll be better this time for everyone."

"Says you."

"YES! Says me!" he snarled, his temper taking over temporarily.

"You're not God, Severus. You don't get to decide for all of us."

"Harry's life will be better this time."

"Don't you mean Harrison?" she corrected, giving him a hard look. "Harry Potter died after all with his parents. There is no boy who lived in this timeline. You did that."

"He'll tell him about his parents."

"Oh? When? When he's about to die alone like you did?"

"Neville will grow up in a house—"

"Where his parents will be in constant danger as they are Aurors." She mockingly clapped her hands. "Bravo, Severus. I'm sure he'll be quite glad for the nights of endless worrying he'll experience."

"Black has been exonerated! He's alive this time! Free and hardly scarred by his time in Azkaban. I did that! Me, who hates that man with a passion."

"What do you want, Severus, a thank you? Sirius has no family whatsoever anymore. James, Lily, Harry, Reg . . . all of them are dead, and Walburga will soon be joining them as you very well know. So, what does he get out of this arrangement of yours? The guilt of knowing that his best friend and his family died? I suppose it's one way to make certain Sirius pays for what he did to you."

"No! He has Lupin. He's not alone!" Severus shook his head angrily. He had to stop. The Horcrux was winning, keeping him distracted from his task. The goblins surely had noticed he was missing by now. They likely were on their way to him.

"And what of Albus? He resigned, passing everything off to Minerva. What of him, Severus? By the way, bravo for goading him into heading to Albania. Just how exactly is he supposed to know which animal Voldemort is possessing exactly, though?"

"He'll figure it out."

"Or die trying," she replied with a listless shrug. "But I guess that would be acceptable to you as well, wouldn't it?"

"Enough," he begged.

"Face it, Severus. You haven't made any of our lives better. You've merely thrown more obstacles our way. Though, I warned you of that once, didn't I? Right after I decided to stop working on that theory of mine all together. What did I tell you that day? Oh. Yes. Time ought not be meddled with, as it will always become unpredictable."

"It worked, though. Your theory worked."

"For now," she agreed. "Though, I must ask. Why didn't you go save your mother, Severus? You know where she's being held, what sorts of things are being done to her, have been done to her. You could have rescued her. Saved your own mother. Yet instead you saved Sirius from Azkaban. Eileen would be so ashamed of you, I think. Choosing him over family."

"No. No. They'll find her. They've got Rodolphus. It's only a matter of time before he talks. She . . . they'll find her."

"No. I don't think they will, Severus. Not this time. I think this time she'll die in that hole, and it'll all be because you didn't think she was worth saving. She's your mother, Severus."

"Stop it. She's fine. They'll find her and rescue her."

"Your mother. The woman who gave birth to you. Who sacrificed her own happiness for you. Who gave you her own food when she knew you were still hungry."

"Please . . ."

"Tell me. Was this solely because she didn't believe you about Roger? Because we both know why she didn't believe you." His wife then scoffed. "What was it your mother said to you? 'We are always given a choice. It's what we do with them that matter.' Well, we see now what you did with your choice, don't we?"

He inhaled sharply, taking a step back instantly. This wasn't his wife. It was the Horcrux. It had to be. It couldn't be her saying these horrible things to him. It couldn't.

"You know I'm right, Severus." She came closer just a bit. "So, tell me. What's the point of all this now? You don't honestly think it's going to matter, you destroying the last Horcrux, do you? It's not going to make him feel any better to find out that his mother died in a hole, alone. It's not going to make a bit of difference either when that little boy learns that he's not really his son. So, really . . . what's the point? Unless . . . no . . . it's not glory, is it? You're not truly wanting to be worshipped, are you? Because no one will even know you did this. They'll find your body down here, wasted away to nothing, eaten by vermin, and unidentifiable. You'll be just another nameless face, Severus."

"You're wrong."

"Am I?" She shrugged. "You sealed yourself in here. You have no goblin to let you out. Even Harry made sure he kept the goblins around. Your spells, while they are powerful, won't penetrate the walls here. You can't Disapparate either. So, how exactly are you going to get out of here, Severus?" She gave him a faint smile when he stared back at her. "Once again, you didn't take yourself into consideration, did you?"

He turned away from her, looking towards the cup.

"There's no shame in letting that one Horcrux go. Of choosing to save yourself instead this time. I mean, Bellatrix certainly would need to visit her vault every now and then, wouldn't she? So, why not just wait? I'll stay with you. I always have in the past, haven't I?"

He closed his eyes once more. It would be so easy to give in to the Horcrux and surrender. He wouldn't be alone this time, trapped with no way out. She would be there with him this time.

"Let this one go, my love," his wife said softly. "You've done enough for them."

His wand trembled slightly in his hand. He had to control his emotions, but he was finding that to be difficult considering. He knew what he had to do. He had to end this once and for all, so no others felt the terrible pain he felt. A moment later, he drew in a slow breath, steeling himself for the end.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I know. Just rest now. It'll all be all right," she replied quietly.

His eyes then reopened, and his wand thrust up into the air directed onto the cup.

"Severus? What are you doing?"

"Ending this," he replied resolutely.

"No!"

But it was too late. The flames violently erupted from his wand towards the Horcrux-infected Hufflepuff cup. He heard and felt the terrible rumbling all around him as the uncontrollable fire sought out everything in its path, incinerating all of it. The thick black smoke surrounded him instantly, sending him to his knees in horrible coughing fits. A loud roar then rippled through the air before everything suddenly went black.

Where there once was extreme heat, there now was a cool breeze starting to filter around him. He inhaled slowly, the rich earthly scent filling his nostrils at once. A warm, gentle light then fell onto his face, eradicating the darkness from before. What in the world? He opened his eyes a moment later.

Blinking several times in disbelief at what he saw, he then raised his hands and rubbed at his eyes when the sight before him hadn't changed. He had died . . . hadn't he? He was certain he had. And yet there in front of him stood Hogwarts, majestic as always.

"I don't understand," he said quietly to himself. "Aren't I . . . ?"

"Dead?" a voice cut in suddenly.

His head snapped to his right instantly before he inhaled sharply.

"Oh, my sweet boy," laughed the older woman as she approached him slowly, her long robes trailing behind her. "You're special, yes, but not that special, Severus. Not even you can survive the Fiendfyre, I'm afraid."

"Mum?" His voice broke. She looked exactly how she did before he had returned to the past.

"Hush. There's no need for that," Eileen quietly chided, as if she had read his mind.

"You can't be dead. You were . . . Mum, you can't be dead," he pleaded, his heart aching.

"Oh, I'm not." She gave a quiet laugh. "I'm quite alive in the new future you've constructed."

"Then, how . . ."

She waved her hand. "It's best not to question these things, Severus. It'll only give you a headache. Much like how your father used to give one to me all the time." She then held a hand out to him. "Well, come on then. Take it already. Unless you think you're too old to hold your mother's hand, Severus?" She let her voice trail off as her familiar smirk took over.

He took her hand a moment later and walked beside her.

"What is this, Mother?" he asked after several minutes had passed by silently. He noticed the path they were taking led towards the entrance hall.

Eileen laughed softly. "I thought that'd be obvious." She then stopped briefly before she reached up and pressed her hand against his cheek tenderly. "I'll forgive you this time, seeing as how you're so very obviously exhausted. So strong." She ran her fingers through his hair lovingly.

Without warning, a few tears slid down his cheeks. He hadn't known just how much he had missed this. How much he had missed her.

"Shh," his mother soothed. "It's over, my beautiful boy. You succeeded."

"The Horcruxes?"

"All destroyed. He has no more anchors tying him to that world anymore."

Severus closed his eyes, instinctively leaning into his mother's hand. He had won.

"I'm so tired, Mum."

"I know you are." She then pulled his head down and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. "We're almost there."

It felt so peaceful to him, walking through Hogwarts' empty halls with his mother beside him. Her arm was around his waist, as his was draped around her shoulders. He leaned into her more than he was proud of as they ascended up the staircase. He couldn't help but chuckle, though.

"Just what's so funny there, young man?" Eileen's tone conveyed her playfulness.

"For so long, I thought it would be her escorting me there, Mum."

"Oh?" Eileen stopped instantly, her hands going to her hips. "You would rather your wife's company than mine? Well, now, I see where I rank on your list." She then shook her head. "Put a ring on a boy's finger and suddenly his mother isn't good enough."

"No, Mother. That's not it all," Severus argued. "I just thought she'd have been here, waiting for me. That's all."

Eileen then sighed loudly and dramatically. Severus was certain she was teasing him . . . mostly.

"I'm glad you're here, though." And he truly was. It was calming having his mother with him.

His mother's eyes darted to him as she frowned. "She was here, Severus," Eileen declared. "She's been watching over you ever since that day."

His eyes narrowed on her. "Then why—"

"Well, you know how silly she is sometimes." Eileen rolled her eyes, but Severus could have sworn (though, it could have been the exhaustion) that he had fondness in his mother's voice . . . and perhaps a bit of respect as well. "She figured I would be the better choice after what you've gone through with those nasty Horcruxes."

"Oh."

"Indeed." Eileen then turned away from him.

"You're not dead?" he repeated, suddenly unsure of himself again.

"No. I'm still quite alive in your new timeline . . . how the me from your timeline came to be here . . . well, when you're rested and can handle a headache, we'll get to that."

"Good."

She half-snorted. "After her death, you wouldn't even bother to see me, Severus. So, let's call it as it is, shall we?"

"That's not true."

"Oh, it very well is."

"No, Mother. It wasn't you alone that I didn't want to see."

She threw her hands up into the air. "That certainly makes me feel better, Severus, thank you."

"I didn't want to see anyone after that. Dad only saw me because he forced himself in, afraid that he'd never see me again."

"Do you blame him?"

"No." Severus shook his head. "He lost twelve years this time, Mum."

"Yes. And I lost twenty-two in our timeline. But let's not play the game of which parent suffered more, hmm? Since it is so obvious that I would win it."

"Then the Horcrux is right," Severus said quietly, glancing down.

"No. I didn't say that."

"I focused on everyone else, Mother."

"Enough. You knew Riddle's downfall would lead to my rescue. That was how it occurred in our timeline. You did nothing wrong, Severus."

"Do you truly believe that?"

"Yes. And so does your wife and the countless others you saved."

He sighed, not entirely believing her. Glancing upwards, he noticed the bright light ahead and stopped. "Mother?" He watched her turn back with a confused look. "I need to see it before I . . ."

"I thought you might." She held her hand out to him once more. He took it without any hesitation. The moment his hand connected with hers, their surroundings blurred for a moment before he saw two scenes projected in front of them in cloudy masses. The first scene was of his past self with little Harry and Tobias making a fort, which the little boy unfortunately kept destroying as soon as the two men could build it. He watched the three fall to the floor laughing a moment later, his younger self tickling the squirming little boy who shrieked with laugher. Satisfied with what he had seen, he turned and glanced at the next cloudy mass.

The second scene was of a forest with numerous woodland creatures racing about as Albus Dumbledore walked through the woods with his wand out. Severus's eyes remained on this one longer than the first. He needed to see Voldemort's death. To know it truly was over once and for all. He watched Dumbledore observe the animals as he continued forward, clearly looking for the animal that seemed out of place. When he noticed the red-eyed badger a moment later, Severus waited. Dumbledore struck soon after, a green light quickly enveloping the red-eyed badger that went limp instantly. Severus inhaled sharply, the cool air reaching the very deepest part of him.

"If it had been me, I'd have tortured the little bastard for a bit before killing him," Eileen quietly remarked as she stood beside her son looking on.

"As would I," Severus replied. He turned back once the scene faded, leaving only the staircase leading to the bright white light above. "Thank you."

Eileen smiled again. "Come here." She embraced him warmly, kissing both of his cheeks. "I am so proud of you, my baby boy."

He inhaled shakily before he returned her hug.

"Now, go," she said, pulling back from him. "Be with your wife and child."

His eyes narrowed on her, though, not moving an inch. "Aren't you coming with me, Mum?"

Eileen, however, smiled warmly at him. "No, Severus. I can't." She then glanced up towards the light where Severus could only now start to make out his wife's shadow as she waited for him. "I'll join you later, though . . . your father and I both will. I promise."

His eyes then closed as he understood her meaning. She was still alive.

"I love you, Mum."

Eileen smiled softly and nodded. "I love you, too, Severus. Now, go. Rest."

He headed up the stairs a moment later. He had succeeded. Every last Horcrux had been destroyed. There would be no second war. No return of the Dark Lord. Harry was safe, loved even. Severus had completed his mission . . . again.

"Are you planning on chiding me as well?" Severus asked his wife with a hint of a smirk.

His wife laughed, however. "No, love. Not this time." She held her hand out to him, the light kissing her skin radiantly.

He grabbed her hand a moment later, a familiar warmth flooding him.

"Let's go home, Severus."

With a quick nod to her, he walked with his wife, hand-in-hand, into the bright light. He could finally rest. Together, they faded a moment later, the light taking them.