Bottom of the Ninth
He'd had the feeling for a while, the one that said the end was coming closer and closer. But this, thought Severus as he flew away from the castle, this is definitive proof that the end is coming. I will have to come back soon. I must make sure the children are safely evacuated. I had hoped that it would not take place here, at Hogwarts, but I know that most of the hopes I had about this war have been dashed to dust. He stopped outside Hogsmeade, he wanted to be close enough to the castle that he could rush back if need be and defend the children. But then he felt his Mark flare up and he knew that the Dark Lord had been called and he knew that there would be no going back now because the first person the Dark Lord would want to see upon his arrival would be him and he dreaded the meeting more than he had any other. "I must wait as patiently as I can, the end is near, I can feel it." And soon enough, he felt the summons, it was personal, meant only for him. Severus also knew that the Dark Lord was close by, within walking distance. And so, he began to walk. He turned down the familiar streets, ones that he had seen for over twenty years, and he remembered what they had been like before… All too soon he reached his destination. How ironic, he chose the Shrieking Shack. I suppose it is only appropriate considering…Lily…I'll be seeing you soon. What was that phrase you told me once? The one you picked up from the telly? Ah yes…I am a 'dead man walking.'