Still Waters Run Deep

By Mnemea

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Pairings: (I loved the HP/SS pairing so this story is about their love. Enjoy!) HP/SS, HP/LM, HR/RW, DM/GW, NM/LM (and many others pairs later).

Summary:  Harry's lost more than just the battle when Voldemort springs a surprise attack on No. 4 Privet Drive. Will the wizarding war end there? Or perhaps the wizarding world will now be forever under Voldemort's brutal regime?

Thank you Suraiyah for beta my story.

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Chapter 2: While You're Sleeping

December 25 1996, 23:15 p.m.

An old wrinkled hand swept the ruffled raven locks off the sleeping boy's face gently. Harry had been asleep for nearly five months and he had only been able to visit the boy eight times during those months. Harry's condition had been stable for the last few weeks and he was now out of danger zone.

'I'm so tired but there is still much to be done. Yes! There was still is a chance to win. Thus plans must be made and decisions need to be carried out.'

He sat back on the chair next to small bed and stared at the sleeping form and sighed.

"Did I make the right choice, Harry?"

'How often have I asked myself that?'

He chuckled softly and continued talking to the boy as if he could hear him,

"Do you know that the wizarding world still mourns you? Your friends and professors, they have no idea that you're in coma. They miss you very much my boy. Please awaken soon Harry."

Albus Dumbledore stopped his speech and removed his glasses. He looked much older than he had a few months ago. At last his age was getting to him.

'I cannot tell you what is going on at the moment. There is a chance that you are able to hear me while you're sleeping and you need your rest. We're losing the war, child. As I've feared, Voldemort found a secret script of ancient spells that ensures him success in the war. Even Severus could not attain the information.'

He shook his head on his thoughts of Severus, who was much like a son to him.

'Severus, I never knew how much he cared for you child. It saddens me to see him like this. Haunted by your memories, no matter what I said he would not listen to me. So like you, he is. I had made a mistake with young Severus, but I'll not again with you. Yes, I'll even sacrifice the wizarding world for your happiness Harry. Rest child, I'll protect you.'

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Hogwarts, April 5 1997

"I order you one last time Severus, get out of here now." Albus' voice dangerously raises, not many have seen this side of him and would have quivered in fear at the old man, but not the taciturn Potion Master.

"No! I'll not flee like a coward. If this is the end, so be it." Severus defied his Headmaster's orders.

"Are you sure you are a Slytherin, my boy?" Albus mocked ruthlessly.

"It is my choice to end my life as I wish, Headmaster." Severus answered firmly.

Severus was too busy arguing with Albus to notice Tonks' wand pointing at him, until he heard a voice from behind,

"Petrificus Totalus."

"Thank you, Tonks. Take him with you." Albus responded tiredly at the frozen form of Severus.

"Are you sure Headmaster? I want to stay here too sir."

"No! You know your orders. Hogwarts will fall tonight and I want everyone to retreat." The Headmaster waved his hand to indicate that she was dismissed.

 The school was eerily silent, only a few selected old members of Order of Phoenix were left behind. They were sitting in the Staff Room, waiting for what they believed would be their final battle. Albus straightened up at the doorway,

'No matter what was the outcome is, I'm their leader. They need my strength.'

He walked into the room confidently and seated himself at the head of the table.

It was not long before they heard a loud bang. Albus found that the school's famed wards were lowered for the first time since that historic day that Hogwarts had been created by the four founders. Minerva held out her hand and patted his shoulder to comfort him, knowing how much Hogwarts has meant to him.

They all walked out to face their mortal enemies; each enshrouded in their own thoughts. They all had lived their lives to the fullest, and none would regret if tonight were to be their last.

Voldemort as usual made his spectacular entrance with his Death Eaters. He knew he would win tonight, but he wondered at what cost. After his victory over Potter, Voldemort became saner because his obsession in killing Potter had been completed and he gradually became his old self. His determination for the wizarding world's domination was once again his motivation.

"Ah Dumbledore, it has been a while, has it not?" He spoke as if they were discussing the day's weather.

"Stop this insane war, Tom. Do you believe that the wizarding world bows down to a mad man's schemes?" Dumbledore's eyes locked on to Voldemort, showing full pity for the man before him.

For the first few minutes, Voldemort's lava red eyes boiled and he would have liked nothing better than to eat the man alive, but suddenly he laughed. Even his Death Eaters were shocked at the sound and even more so at his reply full of pride,

"You're right Dumbledore, but no matter what, I'll achieve my vision. You'll be there to see it, mark my words."

"Attack!" Voldemort ordered his Death Eaters and the battle began.

Hexes and curses flew everywhere, as screams of pains echoed through the Great Hall usually filled with the chatter and laughter of students. The walls split and damage was everywhere, but could not compare to the injuries of the witches and wizards within. Hogwarts became the famous battlefield later recorded in History.

Finally, there was silence, as the Order of Phoenix was out numbered by the Death Eaters. They had no chance to win in the first place. Albus Dumbledore lay injured at the side of Minerva McGonagall, who bore several wounds herself. Albus was only grateful that the two most beloved by him were far away from here and that they were safe and sound.

"Round them up and get them a mediwizard to take care of their injuries." Voldemort ordered.

He walked up to his nemesis and smirked,

"You'll live to see I, Lord Voldemort, rule the wizarding world."

He laughed his evil laughter that was filled with malice and quickly swept out the Great Hall as if he could not wait for what happened next.

'Life cannot get any better than this.'

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Boudicca (Iceni village), January 26 1998

Severus' hands gripped onto the mantle of the fireplace as tried to be calm. The heat of the hearth had finally warmth him up of the winter day. He was even thinner than the last time they had last met at Hogwarts. Severus' eyes were still haunted and now added with bitterness as he gazed at the ex-Headmaster who sat not far away from the fireplace.

He did not see the cosy room but attentively studied the old man's face. Albus Dumbledore looked carefree; surprisingly his twinkling eyes were brighter then before and truly at peace. This made Severus angrier, wishing he could take whatever caused the happiness away from Albus.

'The man has no right to feel this way. Many have died for the cause and all fell for nothing. The Order of Phoenix is nothing more than a band of outlaws as it was pronounced two weeks ago.'

He recomposed himself in time and spoke calmly,

"You know why I'm here. If not, I shall get straight to the point. I resign from spying for you Albus. It is better I stop here before I say anything we both regret."

"Severus…" Albus began his speech but was stopped by the Potion Master,

He had a different speech composed for Albus but it no longer mattered. The man no longer deserved his loyalty. He had new plans for his life, a life that he can mourn peacefully.

"Goodbye, Professor Dumbledore." He swept out the room quickly, billowing his robes as usual.

Albus Dumbledore, closed his eyes and sighed.

'It may be for the best, dear boy.'

Albus heard a stumbling sound coming from the stairways and a voice rang clearly like the sound of a bell,

"Oops….Damn!"

Albus could not help but smile and it spread even wider when a figure stood at the doorway to the living room smiling brightly at him,

"Did you have a guest, Grandpa?"

"Yes but he left. Come here Harriet."

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London, April 2 1998

"My Lord, Master Snape wishes to speak to you." The man knelt and bowed his head, waiting for Lord Voldemort to reply.

"Send him in." Voldemort smiled, only a few of his servants he bestowed good thoughts upon these days and Severus Snape was one of them.

Severus Snape regally walked across the great marble hall, leaving many Death Eaters standing along it with eyes wide with jealousy. Finally arriving at Voldemort's throne, he knelt upon one knee before the Dark Lord, who he hated, but he knew such thoughts should be hidden away forever in the corner of his mind.

 "My lord, thank you for seeing me at such a short notice, but I wish to speak to you on a matter of import and hope that you'll grant my request."

"I've an appointment at the moment. We'll discuss it on the way Severus."

Voldemort left the room followed by Severus and the rest the servants trailing behind them.

"Well Severus, did you manage to control the French Ministry of Magic?" he voiced, grimacing as he remembered that it has caused him a lot of trouble during the past months.

"Yes, my Lord. However, that was what I desired to discuss with you, I wish to resign from the position."

Voldemort failed his step and turned to look at Severus surprisingly upon hearing the request.

'My loyal Death Eaters have annoyed me constantly with requests for higher positions, while Severus who has beem given the seat of the Head of France Ministery of Magic, the second most wanted position, wishes to resign? Unheard off!!  Especially for one a Slytherin by nature.'

"You know I can't give you the British Ministry, it is under Lucius's control." Voldemort laughed finally thinking that is the reason.

"I've no wish to fill Lucius's shoes my Lord, but now that your vision of a new world has materialized and any resistance against you is futile, you no longer have need for me that others can't fulfill. My only wish is to return to my research for Potions. Please grant my request, it is all I have asked of you, my Lord."

"True, you've not asked me of anything before and I know your great love for Potions. So be it, Severus. However, I'll summon you when I need you Severus. You're after all, besides Lucius, my most trusted servant."

He almost sniggered at that comment.

They walked in silence to the execution gallows where Severus came to realized where he was,

'Oh, joy.  I should have chosen to come another time instead.'

They walked to the sitting stand to sit down; Lucius was awaiting them with the other Inner Circle Death Eaters. They then noticed an old woman, who was held onto the stage,

"Final chance for your life. Pronounce your loyalty to Lord Voldemort." The executioner exclaimed, his comment ringing through the empty yard before them.

"No. Never!" She cried out bravely.

Severus recognised the woman in question, foolish Gryffindor, just like Neville Longbottom, her grandson. His eyes drifted on to another prisoner of war, eyes widening as he spotted Hermione Granger.

'What is that girl doing here? Damn! I must save the girl for if not for Harry, then at least in his memory.'

 "Isn't that Granger?" he asked Draco Malfoy, who looked a bit pale.

"Yes sir."

"The girl is good at Potions." He remarked and looked thoughtful as if remembering old days.

He knew he had attained Voldemort's attention. His eyes flickered to the Dark Lord,

"My Lord, it just came into my attention that I require an assistant for my research. If I may, I want the girl to aid me. Mudblood though she is, she was still the best student I had."

Severus' heart beat faster, hoping his Lord bought his words and gave into his request.

"I don't know. Surely there is one among the Death Eaters suitable for such a position."

"I'm afraid they're mostly incompetent in Potions, my Lord." Made a weeping statement.

Voldemort laughed at his answer,

"For all these years you have followed me and yet you've not changed one bit. It is after all a small request. Incompetence indeed!"

'For that moment he could get a glimpse of the old Voldemort, as the Dark Lord that he had once respected when he first joined the Death Eaters - someone who understood scholars and what the true vision of Slytherin should be, until one day his power hunger had clouded his judgment and his hates ate what remained of his soul.'

"Take the girl off the gallows and let her be told her of her good fortune." He gave the order to one of lackeys standing nearby.

After a great deal of groveling and thanks to the Dark Lord, Severus left to await his horseless carriage where Granger was waiting for her new master. She opened her mouth agape at the sight of him,

"Sir, Professor Snape. What are you doing here?"

His thin lips spread into a smile as the carriage took off.

TBC.

AN:

BOUDICCA Derived from British boud meaning "victory". This was the name of a 1st-century queen of the Iceni who led the Britons in revolt against the Romans.

The name that I have given to the little wizard's village where Dumbledore's estate is located is called Iceni, and the town/region called Boudicca. Although it is not important to the story but I wanted to believe that the people of Iceni after lost to Roman have fled to north of England and settled somewhere in the lowlands of Scotland. And this group people are druids/wizards of Wales of that turmoil period.

Finally, thank you to all who have reviewed my story.