Author's Note: This was a really difficult chapter to write. As you will notice, Tom goes through many different stages, emotionally. This is all a part of his complicated mind process. He has very impulsive emotions. One minute he is so thrilled that things are going well and the next he is frightened to death. Hope you enjoy

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all rights and characters belong to J.K Rowling. I am simply having fun with my imagination. Thanks

...Tom looked up at the night sky again and then sighed heavily. There was no alternative. It was the only way to achieve his ultimatum.

"Go and find Severus," he told Lucius finally. "Bring him to me..."

CHAPTER 48: THE BATTLE OF HOGWARTS PART 2

Tom remembered the first time that he'd met Severus as though it were only yesterday. A young lad, fresh out of Hogwarts, he waited in line with the other prospective Death Eaters. "Severus Snape" he said, when Lucius had asked for his name. And when Tom administered the Dark Mark onto his arm, he looked him in the eyes and did not display a shred of pain or discomfort. He was the perfect servant Tom could have asked for.

When the war was at its height, Severus became one of Tom's most trusted servants. He performed splendidly on those midnight rallies down in Diagon Alley. He was the one who'd warned Tom about the prophecy. He was the one who applied for the teaching post at Hogwarts so he could spy on Dumbledore for Tom. He stuck by Tom all those years during his exile. He stayed true to his word and got on Dumbledore's good side. And then, when Tom needed him, he came right back to him and fulfilled the essential task that Tom needed fulfilling: Dumbledore's murder.

But there was a small loophole in fulfilling that task, which Tom had to admit he'd overlooked. Killing Dumbledore meant that Severus became the owner of the Elder Wand. Its allegiance lay with him, not Tom. It was he who killed the wizard that acquired their wand's allegiance, not he who stole from. Therefore, the Elder Wand belonged solely to Severus Snape.

He heard a swift movement behind him—almost like a swishing sound—and drew the Elder Wand again. Lucius had been gone for a while and Tom was beginning to wonder what was taking Severus so long. He did not regret this decision one bit. Servants came and went. He knew that well. He did feel disappointed that it had come to this. After all, Severus was one he would always remember. But in the end, having to choose meant that only one could live forever. And that one would be Tom.

"You wished to see me, my lord?" said Snape's cool voice as he entered the little boat house.

Tom turned around to face him. He studied him for a moment, and then smiled softly. Over in the corner, Nagini hissed.

"I am beginning to have doubts, Severus," said Tom, coolly. "I am not ashamed to admit it—I am beginning to worry."

"What about, my lord?" said Snape.

"This," said Tom, raising the Elder Wand.

"The most powerful wand in the world is giving you doubts, sir?" said Snape, incredulously.

Tom chuckled lightly and nodded.

"I suppose I called you here tonight because…you are my most trusted and loyal servant. I thought you could talk me through this."

"Of course, my lord," said Snape, automatically. "Exactly what is it you are worried about, sir?"

Tom thought for a moment.

"I do not believe the Elder Wand has sworn its allegiance to me, Severus. I believe it is doubting me—refusing to perform to the best of its ability. I believe it is challenging me and defying me simply because it can." He paused, rotating the wand between his long fingers. "Why doesn't it work for me, Severus?"

"My lord," said Snape, waving his hand over this nonsense, "You have performed extraordinary magic with this wand in the last few hours alone."

Tom shook his head right away.

"No," he said. "No, I am extraordinary. But this wand resists me—"

"—There is no wand more powerful," said Snape, as-a-matter-of-factly. "Ollivander himself has said it. Tonight, when the boy comes, it will not fail you. I am sure of it."

Tom slowly drew himself up to Snape's face and studied his black eyes. He would surely miss him. He really would. But no matter how much Snape tried to convince him now, Tom had already made up his mind. He was going to kill him and then he was going to kill Harry Potter.

"It answers to you and you only," Snape added, moments later.

For a while, the two men simply stood in the darkness, eyeing each other intently. Snape looked to be calm and composed, whereas Tom was rather curious. He watched as Snape occasionally glanced over at Nagini, who was slithering in the corner over the wooden floors, and hissing violently in Parseltongue at Tom. The battle outdoors was completely muted there in the boat house, so Tom had no idea what was happening or which side had the advantage. He did not know who was yet alive or dead. He only hoped it was none of his main Death Eaters. Despite everything, they were good to him and he looked forward to celebrating with them after the war was over and the boy was dead.

"Does it?" said Tom, finally, in barely more than a whisper.

Snape frowned.

"My lord?"

"The wand," Tom clarified, now slowly beginning to move around Snape. "Does it truly answer to me?"

Snape did not turn to face him, but remained frozen to the floors, allowing Tom to stand behind him.

"You're a clever man, Severus. Surely you must know." He paused and walked around again, standing by where Nagini was settled. He then turned on his heel to face Snape. "Where does its true loyalty lie?"

"With you, of course," said Snape, his hands behind his back as he spoke. "My lord."

Tom smiled benignly and then took a slight step forwards.

"The Elder Wand cannot serve me properly, Severus, because I am not its true master." At this, Snape frowned, looking more confused than ever. Tom paused, wondering whether Snape could have known about this after all, or not. Nonetheless, he continued. "The Elder Wand belongs to the wizard who killed its last owner." At this, Tom took another step towards Snape, who remained glued to his spot. He lowered his voice, now tender and hoarse. "You killed Dumbledore, Severus. While you live, the Elder Wand cannot truly be mine."

This time, Tom saw a kind of shadow cross Snape's face. Or at least, it definitely darkened. He was coming to the realisation that this was it for him. Tom was sure of it. Feeling incredibly disappointed, he took another step towards Snape who, even now as he lowered his hands to his sides, remained rooted to the spot.

"You have been a good and faithful servant, Severus," said Tom, and he meant it fully. "But as you know from long ago, my life's ambition has been to conquer the world. And so it is with a heavy heart that I must say goodbye to you tonight, once and for all, because...only I can live forever."

"M-my lord?" Snape managed to say, but Tom decided to spare him any more torture and end it quickly.

With a swift flick of the Elder Wand, a gash of blood erupted from Snape's throat and he fell to the ground.

"Nagini," said Tom, in his perfect Parseltongue. "Kill."

It happened very quickly. Nagini was fairly full from her feast with dear old Pius Thicknesse, the now former Minister for Magic, but she still seemed to have room for one more. She did not necessarily feast on Snape. In fact, she seemed to go easy on him, perhaps sensing the bit of disappointment that Tom was feeling in this unfortunate decision. She only bit Snape a couple of times and when he was splattered in his blood, she stopped.

Tom stood there for a moment, eyeing Snape's seemingly lifeless body. He could not deny that he would miss him. But it was what it was and it had to be what it had to be. There was no alternative.

"Come, Nagini," said Tom, softly, and the two disappeared from the boat house in one quick movement.

They landed with a light thud atop of the cliff again. Tom felt slightly nostalgic and brushed this feeling off immediately. He glanced around the darkness and found the Hogwarts castle barely standing anymore. Tom sighed.

"My lord?" said Bellatrix, who was eyeing him with curiosity. "Is…is everything alright, my lord?"

Tom glanced down at the Elder Wand and then back up at the castle. He now had the Death Stick fully in his command. There was no more need for unnecessary drama.

"Call it off," he announced.

The crowd of Death Eaters behind him gasped collectively.

"My lord?"

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Are you sure, my lord?"

Tom chose to ignore them and deliver the message himself via possession once again:

YOU HAVE FOUGHT VALIANTLY BUT IN VAIN. I DO NOT WISH THIS. EVERY DROP OF MAGICAL BLOOD SPILLED IS A TERRIBLE WASTE. I THEREFORE COMMAND MY FORCES TO RETREAT. IN THEIR ABSENCE, DISPOSE OF YOUR DEAD WITH DIGNITIY. TREAT YOUR INJURED.

HARRY POTTER, I NOW SPEAK DIRECTLY TO YOU. ON THIS NIGHT, YOU HAVE ALLOWED YOUR FRIENDS TO DIE FOR YOU RATHER THAN FACE ME YOURSELF. THERE IS NO GREATER DISHONOUR. JOIN ME IN THE FORBIDDEN FOREST AND CONFRONT YOUR FATE. SHOULD YOU DO SO, I GIVE MY WORD THAT NO OTHER LIFE WILL BE LOST ON THIS NIGHT. IF YOU DO NOT GIVE YOURSELF UP, I SHALL PUNISH EVERY LAST MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD WHO TRIES TO CONCEAL YOU FROM ME.

Tom sighed happily as the last effects of his echoed whispers vanished. He looked around at his Death Eaters who did not seem to understand the meaning of this message.

"Come, my Death Eaters," he said, softly. "Join me in the Forbidden Forest. We shall wait."

The procession of Death Eaters moved slowly from the cliff and into the woods. They marched in unison and in complete and total silence. Tom was at the front, followed closely by Bellatrix, Avery, the Malfoys, and the rest of the main group. They were soon joined by the hundreds of Death Eaters departing from the castle. The two groups collided and almost instantly, there was a swarm of whispers. Who had died? What had become of this room or that person?

From what Tom had overheard as he continued to lead the large group into the depths of the Forbidden Forest, Greyback was among the many from their side that had perished. Remus Lupin, the werewolf he had changed himself, was also dead, along with Narcissa's and Bellatrix's blood traitor niece, Nymphadora Tonks. One of the dozens of Weasley children had also died. Tom sincerely hoped it was Harry Potter's friend. But no matter; if it wasn't, he would make it soon enough.

They continued to walk through the woods, proceeding to the shades of darkness. The battle had taken an abrupt halt, and so none of the screaming and burning of fire from before could be heard now. Behind Tom, the Death Eaters continued to share notes on who had survived. According to their calculations, several of the giants that had participated in the battle were also defeated. The dementors that had so kindly joined in on the battle after just a few hours were driven away by a powerful curse that none of the Death Eaters recognised.

"Where is Severus?" Tom heard Narcissa wonder aloud.

"Last time I saw him, he was marching through the Great Hall," said Rabastan Lestrange. "He looked like there was someplace he needed to be."

"There was," confirmed Lucius.

Tom blocked out the rest of the reports (and Lucius' explanation about Tom's request to meet with him in the boat house) and instead concentrated his mind on something even more important.

Harry Potter was going to meet him in the Forbidden Forest in less than an hour. They were finally going to have that duel that Tom had been looking forward to for 17 years. At long last, it was all going to be over and Tom was going to show to the rest of the world just how powerful he was and that no one—no one could defy or defeat him. Feeling immensely proud of this, he took every step with determination and resolution. He was not going to let anybody take this dream away from him…not now. Not ever.

The Death Eaters finally reached the heart of the forest where a large hairy figure stood rooted to the spot. It took a moment before Tom realised what it was. He laughed at the Death Eaters' shrivel attempts to tie the thing up and flicked his wand, adding brand new ropes to the figure's arms, legs, and large neck.

"Evening, Hagrid," said Tom, casually. "Nice night, no?"

Hagrid slowly lifted his head and revealed a heavily bruised face amidst a bucketful of tears. Tom's smile brightened. He turned around to look at the sea of Death Eaters who looked completely and utterly exhausted. Gaining his approval with a simple nod, they sat down. They were tired. They were worn-out. They wanted to go home and begin the celebrations. And soon, they would be able to do all of this.

Tom slowly paced around Hagrid, keeping the Elder Wand firmly in his hand. Nagini followed his every step and occasionally hissed into the silence of the forest.

"I've always loved this place," said Tom, happily. "Hogwarts—it was my first real home, you know."

Hagrid was still and silent as a wall, though Tom did not doubt that he was listening to his every word.

"I remember the first time I saw you," said Tom, in a light, casual tone. "You were—still are—the ugliest thing that'd ever crossed my path." A few of the Death Eaters gathered on the ground nearby let out chuckles. Looking amused, Tom now addressed them instead. "He was lurking about the Slytherin side of the castle. I was a prefect at the time and so I demanded to know what he was doing over on that side. It took me some time but I eventually figured it out…breeding ugly, useless creatures, were you? You were always an odd one. I never liked you. Never."

Hagrid took in these words without answer. He did not move. He did not weep. The tears seemed to be falling at their own accord. He remained still and waited for Tom to kill him. But Tom was nowhere near finished with his speech.

"You know, I always took pride in everything I accomplished. I never had regrets. Never. But now, I must admit I feel a little bit of sorrow that I did not kill Dumbledore." He paused, a sick smile crossing his face. "It certainly would have made things much simpler."

"H-how do you mean, m-master?" wondered Bellatrix.

Tom sighed heavily and pulled on the hood of his cloak. Twas a chilly night.

"I mean that if I had killed Dumbledore in the first place, things would have been different."

"How so, master?"

"Well for one, Severus would still be with us."

The Death Eaters took in these words absentmindedly, not completely understanding their full meaning. Smiling to himself, Tom continued.

"Tonight, we will take over Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But tomorrow, we will take over the whole of the wizarding world…FOREVER!"

At this, the Death Eaters cheered and roared in applause. Tom beamed at them. Indeed, it was going to be quite a victory.

Suddenly, Hagrid began to protest something and Tom waved the Elder Wand and shut him up instantly. He whimpered and resumed his position, staring at the ground and crying. Without another word, Tom walked away. He stopped by a tree a few feet away from the others, his back firmly to them. He did not want them to see the excitement in his eyes just yet. So many times he had come close to this moment and so many times, it had been taken from him. He had been thwarted by Harry Potter for far too long and he was not going to let anything take this moment of glory away from him once again.

The hour seemed to drag. Time was a dirty little thing and it was not at all in a hurry. After a while, the Death Eaters had stopped talking and resorted to mending their minor injuries or picking at the grass in boredom. Tom closed his eyes and concentrated on the sounds around him. He could hear the pitter-patter of animals up in the trees…the casual rustle of leaves moving in the brief wind…he could hear the occasional Death Eater sigh heavily…he could hear hearts beating rapidly and slowly… he could hear Nagini somewhere in the distance, hissing violently. Tom sneered. He had specifically told her to stay close to him, and she was purposefully not listening.

Feeling restless and impatient, Tom turned to face his Death Eaters.

"You," he said, simply, to a blond-haired man sitting at the front. "Yaxley."

Yaxley got to his feet, moved towards Tom, and bowed low to him.

"Go and have a look around the perimeter for the boy," said Tom, lazily.

"Y-yes, master," said Yaxley, and he was off.

Tom turned his back on the rest again and closed his eyes, the Elder Wand rotating slowly in between his fingers. Any minute now—any second—Yaxley would return. The boy would be at his side. He would bow before Tom and ask him to spare his life. The Death Eaters would laugh. Tom would point the Elder Wand right in between those hateful emerald green eyes, and he would say Avada Kedavra. It would all be over…any minute now.

And yet, the minute become five minutes which then became ten minutes. Tom kept his eyes firmly shut. He swore that the next time he opened them, he would be facing Harry Potter. It was not going to happen any other way. He waited. Years of exile had made him an expert at the art of waiting. He knew well by now that one only achieved what they set out to achieve if they learned how to wait. He had had to wait all those years at Hogwarts. He had had to wait all those years that he'd lived above Borgin and Burke's. He had had to wait all throughout the first war and now the second. But after tonight, no one would ever again question his powers. After tonight, there would be no more waiting. It would be the start of the rest of his timeless life.

A twig snapped somewhere in the distance. Tom almost heard Hagrid's head snap up in between the ropes. Someone was coming closer. Could it be…?

"No s-sign of him, my lord," said Yaxley, re-entering the clearing.

Tom stood with his head bowed, his skeletal hands folded over the Elder Wand, his eyes still shut. Nagini lay in a heavy coil at his feet. Tom nodded, unmoving. He felt Yaxley brush past him. He waited a few more long minutes and then, at long last, he opened his eyes and looked at the emptiness before him.

"I thought he would come," he said, in a very, very low voice. No one said a word. No one moved. "I was, it seems…mistaken."

"You weren't," said a voice Tom recognised instantly.

Tom grew instantly white. He lifted his head and the hood of the cloak fell off, revealing his snake-like face. His scarlet eyes instantly found the boy in the distance, moving slowly into the clearing. All of the Death Eaters gasped and jumped to their feet, looking bewildered and excited for what they knew was coming. The boy stopped, keeping a fair distance between himself and Tom. Beside Tom, Nagini hissed with excitement. All of the eyes of the Death Eater's shifted from Tom to Potter, standing at the clearing's edge.

"HARRY! NO! WHAT'RE YEH DOIN' 'ERE!"

Tom heard one of the Carrows kick Hagrid and he fell silent. The boy remained standing and watching Tom. Tom could not quite make out his expression. Was it fear? Anxiety? Fatigue? Deciding that it was an unimportant detail, Tom straightened up.

"Harry Potter—the boy who lived," he said, in a very light and calm voice. "Come to die."

Tom slowly raised the Elder Wand and pointed it directly at the boy. The boy did not reach for his own wand. He stood still, weak, and defenseless. There was no one to die for him this time. There was no magic left to save him. He was officially Tom's prey. Tom smiled as 16 years' worth of memories since he'd know the boy swam through his mind.

"Harry Potter," he'd said in the undergrounds of Hogwarts. "We meet again."

The boy had stared at him with intense fear and confusion. It had been the first time that he'd faced his nemesis since that fateful night all those years ago.

"Voldemort," he'd said in a frightened voice.

Tom smiled as he watched the boy now, his Elder Wand pointed with his unshaken hand.

"Why suffer a horrific death when you can join me and live?"

"Never!"

The memory vanished and replacing it was a fleeting image of the boy standing in the Department of Mysteries, panic-stricken, and pointing his wand at Bellatrix.

"You know the spell, Harry."

"So weak…so vulnerable…"

"You're the weak one, and you'll never know love or friendship."

Red and green jets of light collided, causing explosions of erupting light and millions of sparks. Tom shook his head violently again and concentrated on the grown boy standing across from him in the forest clearing. This was it. This was the moment he'd been waiting for, for so long.

"There is no good and evil, son."

The image of that underground chamber flashed before his eyes and he was once more on the back of old Quirrell's head, facing a frightened looking 11-year-old boy.

"There is only power and those too weak to seek it."

Tom smiled.

"Together, we'll do extraordinary things."

Suddenly, a man for which he had not a shred of respect appeared before his eyes and smiled in a sad sort of manner.

"THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN DEATH, DUMBLEDORE!"

The echoes of the whispers from the past filled Tom's ears now. He frowned.

"NOTHING WORSE THAN DEATH! NOTHING!"

"You call this thing here my downfall, do you?!"

"So weak…so vulnerable…"

Tom shook his head again and the voices, the whispers, and the images came to an abrupt halt. The Death Eaters vanished from his mind. They were no longer in the forest. It was just him and the boy standing across from him, awaiting his death. Tom gripped the Elder wand more tightly in his hand and sighed deeply.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

The green jet of light shot out of his wand at top speed and hit the boy square in the chest. At the exact moment that he fell to the ground, Tom felt a stab in his own chest, as though he'd just had a dagger go through him. He winced at the terrible pain of it and, just as quickly, felt his knees buckle beneath him, and the delicate Elder Wand slip from his fingers as his eyes slowly flickered and everything went black.

The next chapter is going to be LONG and quite interesting, I hope. It's one of my top favourites. The title? "The Orphanage Again". Stay tuned!