A/N: "Hello! This is a funny sort of place, isn't it?" (HP, movie #2, Professor Lockheart). Well, here we are at the near-end with one or two chapters left. I'm feeling rather sentimental right now, so bear with me. Again, thank you, all of you who have stuck with me, or for those of you who are reading my story after it is complete. You've made me feel so appreciated and I've loved reading your comments. :3 Please, I'd love to hear from you who read this months later, or even years later. I love all of you so so much, and I'm going to miss writing this story. Again, thank you for being here today, "in" this chapter.
Warning, this is a delightfully long chapter, around 5800 words. Please tell me if you think I should split it into two! I'd really really appreciate it!
So, I'm going to thank all my favoriters, alerters, and reviewers in my last chapter. If you would like to see your name there, please do one (or more) of those actions...And I'll check on this story often, so if you review after it's complete, I'll edit the last chapter and put you in.
Also, randomly, I updated the last chapter, and put in that Voldemort gave Silwen the use of her wand.
In this I quote part of Voldemort's, Bellatrix', and many other's dialog from HP 7. I don't own it. It is JK Rowling's.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: In the book and movie, they talk about the Elder Wand...I'm pretending that part didn't happen because Silwen destroyed it a couple months ago. ... Now poor Harry will have to buy a new wand instead of repairing his old one... :(
Now, without further ado, here's the second to last chapter...
Tears appearing again, Silwen made her way outside, keeping herself under a strong Disillusionment charm. She didn't want anyone trying to stop or hex her. However, she walked slowly; she had one hour to make her way there, why not take her time and do what she could? Feet taking her past bodies lying, she cast innumerable simple healing spells, going even slower when no one was around and taking more time to heal them in more depth. At first, all she saw was destruction; charred walls, shattered glass on the floor, streaks of blood mixed in. And bodies. Everywhere. So this is the price of courage, the desire for freedom, and the bond of loyalty to one side or the other. Carefully, she stepped over a pile of ashes, wondering whose ashes they were.
She looked around again and then started to notice the Great Hall becoming a second infirmary since the Hospital Wing was already overcrowded. People capable of walking were everywhere, tending to the wounded, hugging the crying. Silwen saw a Weasley girl, Ginevera, wrapping her arms around a crying student, holding back her own tears. There was hope here, as well as a tender feeling of care and mourning. Many sobs, especially from the Weasleys, bent over a specific body, sounded loudly, echoing through the school. Others, mainly adults, were piling up the dead in a respectful line so their faces were clearly visible. However, Silwen did not look at them. Right now, Silwen was in a very fragile state mind, seeing the faces of people she knew might shatter the little sanity she had left. So she remained an anonymous angel, helping while she approached the Forbidden Forest.
Outside, a large fire was growing, a strong stench of acid sweetness and burning bodies wafting towards her. In the firelight, she spied Edward, piling limbs and torsos into the flames. Edward Cullen. I'm glad you were able to get her back, thought Silwen, knowing Edward would hear. In a moment, Edward stood before her, and in another, the rest of the vampires she had come over, as well as several young men, half naked.
"Silwen Snape, this is my family. I'd like to introduce you to Bella, Alice, Rosalie, Esme, Emmett, Jasper, Carisle, and...Reneesme, my daughter. We even have a few werewolves, not part pf my family. This is Jacob, Seth, Sam, Quil, Embry, Paul, Jared, Colin, Brady, and Leah," Edward said cordially, motioning to each of the characters in turn.
"Are the others dead?" asked Silwen, her eyes wide.
Edward nodded and said, "Yes. And unfortunately, the Vulturi already know. They must have implanted something in one of them to keep track of them. When Demetri died, Aro decided to call us with a cell phone and tell us that he was returning. He should be here quickly to discuss matters with Voldemort. So we will be going, now. I'd prefer if they didn't find out about Reneesme. Good bye, Miss Snape." Edward held out his hand and Silwen shook it, shocked again at how cold it was.
Smiling she said, "Good luck, and...thank you. For helping."
Bowing in a small tease, the Edward and his family and...allies disappeared into the chilly night.
Crack, went a branch behind her. Whirling around, she pulled out her wand and nonverbally cast, "Immobilius!"
She heard a body fall to the ground and a voice curse. Smirking, she walked over to where the noise had come from and tripped over the body. Soft silk met her fingers, feeling like...an Invisibility Cloak. Potter. So he was going to die after all... With a flick of her wand, she took the spell off and helped him awkwardly to his feet.
"Sorry, you startled me," said Silwen.
"Do you always hex anything that makes a noise?" asked Harry calmly.
"When I'm at the end of my sanity, yes. ... You've finally seen the memories, then? Don't worry, I haven't."
"Walk with me for a bit? I'd like to approach him on my own," he whispered.
"All right, I'll walk with you to the forest's entrance and meet you later... Harry, you do know what you're doing, don't you?" she asked worriedly. "You're not dying just to save Granger, Weasley, and the others?"
"No," snapped Potter. Then quickly, he softened his voice. "Your uncle. I-I'm-I'm so sorry, Silwen. He-he left an extra memory inside him, talking directly to me. ... Is it true that you've been doing Occlumency since your fourth year?"
New tears started to flow, but Silwen responded in a smooth voice, "Yes, why?"
"...Occlumency can sometimes cancel out the effects of Veritaserum. He found out just before Voldemort discovered Snape's true colors."
Silwen stopped walking and stared at what she imagined was his face, her knees wobbling fiercely. "He-he never s-said. Never t-told m-me," she said in a broken voice. "Why didn't he say anything?" she sobbed, falling to her knees.
Bending down beside her, Harry answered, "Severus Snape didn't know if it would work with you. ... You consumed so much...But through various tests he preformed, he did discover that it was possible if your Occlumency skill was high enough. He thinks yours is." Helping Silwen to her feet, he patted her awkwardly on the back and continued, "Er, this is the forest entrance. I-I'll meet you at my death."
Her face still wet, she nodded, thanked him and continued. Smirking, she accio-ed Bellatrix Lestrange to guide her to the Dark Lord.
Furious at suddenly finding herself away from Voldemort, Bellatrix wipped out her wand. "Cru-"
"Expelliarmus!" defied Silwen, picking up the woman's wand. "If you take me to him, I promise to give it back to you, Bella."
Snarling, Bellatrix slapped Silwen violently on the cheek, catching the girl's wrists as she fell. "Pathetic little girl. I never did understand why the Dark Lord wanted you so much. In any case, he's quite happy to be rid of you now." Bellatrix snatched her wand back, also taking Silwen's, gripped Silwen's wrists and dragged her behind on the ground. "Silencio!" spat Bellatrix, not wanting to listen to the brat anymore. Bam! A jagged rock hat hit Silwen in the head, knocking her unconscious, much to Bellatrix's satisfaction.
Finally, Bellatrix let go and walked away, over to the Dark Lord. She handed him Silwen's wand and when Voldmort asked something, she pointed sharply over at the heap on the ground, Silwen. Voldemort smirked and walked to Silwen, turning her over so that she faced up, clearing her hair, face, and clothes of dirt and leaves with his own fingers. Slowly, he stroked her face with a, tracing the faint remnants of the slap.
It would be a pity to send her off so quickly. Particularly if she was sleeping. He had enjoyed watching her squirm, watching her eyes grow dim in submission. Part of him wondered at the constant battle she had always fought against him. No matter what he did, the girl seemed to spring back up after a short period of terror and depression. Perhaps he'd only lend the girl to Mr. Tick-Tock, have him train her into submission then take her back...
"Master of Time," said Voldemort silkily calling the Time Lord over, "I propose a change in my offer. If you break her spirit, I will give you part of my glory in reigning over this world."
Grinning, the Master strode over and dipped his head down. "Brilliant. I only like them when they have spirit to crumble. After that, they get boring and I usually abandon them in the Arctic once that happens...But the girl's blood is very useful and I might keep her longer..."
"I'd let you visit her, Master," compromised Voldemort, combing the girl's hair. In her sleep, Silwen shuddered, rolling away from the two of them who were crouching over her.
"I think we should have our fair share of the girl as well, Voldemort," came a new voice.
"Aro! What a surprise. Have you come to watch the Wizarding World fall after all?" asked Voldemort, standing.
In cold anger Aro spat, "No, Mr. Riddle. My vampires are dead. Right now, all of them are burning on the school's grounds. You are now indebted to me and as payment, I want the girl. Alive so I always have her blood supply."
Calmly, the Dark Lord faced Aro. "Might I suggest sending you ten vials of her blood every month?" he suggested lightly in a cold voice.
Aro approached the two of them and bent down to Silwen, taking her hand in his. With a jolt, Silwen woke up, meeting Aro's milky eyes and sharp smile. "Very well, Voldemort. I expect my first package on June 2nd." He let go of Silwen after smiling at her like she was his grandchild, and he too, disappeared like the other vampires of his kind.
Breaking the tension, Bellatrix walked over to the group. "My Lord. My Lord...An hour is almost finished. And no sight of Potter."
Abruptly, Voldemort rose, taking Silwen's hand and dragging her up with him. "We will deal with your future, later," he whispered into her ear, taking his hand out of hers and putting it around her shoulder, fingering her hair, reveling, for perhaps the last time, at her shudders and muted yelp. Bella must have Silenced her. Very well. "I thought he would have come. I expected him to come." The hand on Silwen's shoulder clenched, his nails drawing crimson crescents on her skin. "I was, it seems...mistaken."
"You weren't." Instantly, Harry was appeared. The Invisibility Cloak hidden somewhere, most likely.
"HARRY! NO!" Hagrid's voice broke the silence, echoing what Silwen wanted to cry out, even though she knew Harry knew what he was doing.
"NO! NO! hARRY, WHAT'RE YEH–?"
"QUIET!" screamed Rowle, one of the Death Eaters, putting a Silencio charm on Hagrid, cutting off the rest of the half-giant's cries.
Silwen looked around. So many had come here, in the front stood Narcissa and Lucius, both looked exhausted, war-torn, and defeated. Somehow, she had to tell them that Draco was alive.
"Harry Potter," Voldemort said in almost a whisper, yet still spitting fire. "The Boy Who Lived. Watch, little Slytherin, as he becomes famous for becoming The Boy Who Died." His wand rose, fingers wrapped soundly around it.
Several meters away, Harry stood there calmly, with a look of acceptance on his face.
"Avada Kedavra!" shouted Voldemort.
A flash of green light, and Harry Potter was dead, Voldemort unconscious on the ground.
Jauntily, the Master took Silwen's hand and started taking her away when Bellatrix shot, "Pertrificus Totallus!" at his back. Bellatrix rushed over sliced her knife over Silwen's finger and let a few drops of blood drop into the Master's mouth. Then, Bellatrix sealed the wound, pushed Silwen away and muttered, "Incarcerus!" at the Master, and took the Freezing spell off. "If I set you free, will you still go after the Dark Lord's slave?"
An insane grin on his face, the Master responded, "I'll not rest until she rests with me. I promise you that. I won't leave until I have her."
A snarl graced Bellatrix' lips and she shouted, "You'd kill the Dark Lord to get her? Jepordize his plans?"
Dipping his head, the Master licked an awry drop of blood off his lips, sneering. "I always get what I want. And I want the girl. I'm not leaving until I have her. Now unbind me, human, before I get angry!"
"Avada Kedavra!" screeched Bellatrix at the Master, wielding her wand like a dagger in the air.
The Master went limp in his bonds, the smirk looking now like it was pasted on, his eyes empty. Suddenly, he started to glow, yellow wispy mist leaking off him.
"Avada Kedavra!" screamed Bellatrix again, out of shock. Once more, she shrieked, "Avada Kedavra!" Just to be sure.
Yellow glow fading, and the mist evaporating, the Master lay still again. He's...dead, thought Silwen in revulsion.
Death Eaters circled around Voldemort, but she managed to weasel through when a hand grabbed her and drew her out again. Narcissa, who was holding Silwen's wand in her fingers. "Draco. Is he alive? Is he in the castle?" she whsipered, white with terror at the answer.
Hugging her, Silwen nodded twice into Narcissa's chest, not letting go as the frightened woman held her tightly, whispering a "thank you,".
Faintly, she heard Bellatrix order the Death Eaters to back away as she knelt beside him, murmuring something in his ear.
"My lord, let me–" began Bellatrix.
"I do not require assistance," said Voldemort, dusting his robes off. "Where is my little Slytherin? Silwen, heel," he ordered, watching as Silwen shakily walked away from Narcissa, back to Voldemort.
"That will do," snapped Voldemort, rising.
"The boy...Is he dead?" Silence. "Examine him. Tell me whether he is dead," he ordered, pushing Silwen towards Harry's body.
This was it. This was the time to use her Occlumency. As if in a trance, Silwen emptied her mind and went through the steps that Uncle Severus had taught her three years ago, steps that were now second nature. "Thank you, Uncle," she whispered, the Silencing Charm having worn off.
Kneeling down by Harry, she put a hand on his chest and, astonished, felt his chest rise and fall. "Thank you, Harry. I'll try to see if it works." She then regained her feet and walked over, concentrating all her energy on her answer.
"Dead," she said, looking into Voldemort's eyes, daring him to question her honesty.
"As well as the Master, my Lord," murmured Bellatrix. "I am sorry if you still needed him."
Voldemort cackled, smirking at both of the bodies on the ground. "You see?" he shouted at his Death Eaters and allies. "Harry Potter is dead by my hand, and no man alive can threaten me now! Watch! Crucio!"
Harry's body was lifted into the air, once, twice, and a final time. The small opening in the forest ricocheting with the scorns and jeers of Voldemort's followers mixed with Hagrid's grieving cries and Silwen's sobs of joy. She had...lied!
"Now," declared the Dark Lord, "we go to the castle, and show them what has become of their hero. Who shall drag thebody? No– Wait–"
The forest echoed with laughter again as Hagrid was set free, making the ground tremble.
"You carry him," murmured Voldemort. "He will be nice and visible in your arms, will he not? Pick up your little friend, Hagrid. And glasses–Snape, put on the glasses–he must be recognizable–"
Trembling, she retrieved Harry's glasses, repaired them with a spell and gently placed them on his forehead.
"Move. And Silwen, at my side, please. I wish for everyone to see where Severus Snape's niece places her loyalty."
"Y-yes, my Lord," she croaked, walking beside him, holding back her tears, still in shock of what she had done...and who she had done it to, deaf to the sorrow-wracked sobs of Professor Hagrid.
They walked forward, meeting centaurs who stood in the protection of the trees, despite Hagrid's angry accusations.
"Stop." Voldemort paused and magnified his voice. "Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone." At the word hero, he jibed his elbow sharply into Silwen's waist, smirking at her groan. "The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters and other followers outnumber you, and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman, or child, will be slaughtered, as will every member of their family. Come out of the castle now, kneel before me, and you shall be spared. Your parents, and grandchildren, your brothers and sisters will live and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together."
Silence met Voldemort's speech, and even Hagrid's sobs quieted to a dull roar. Nagini draped over the Dark Lord's shoulder, hissing triumphantly in her ear. Silwen jumped away, only to be pulled closer by Voldemort's arm.
"Stop."
From out of the castle poured the defenders of Hogwarts, staring at Hagrid and his burden.
"NO!" screamed Professor McGonagall. In response, Bellatrix laughed, glorifying at McGonagall's misery.
"No!"
"No!"
"Harry! HARRY!"
Ron and Hermione's shouts echoed around the Hogwarts entrance hall in broken sounds. However, their cries started the crowd off, screams, wails, sobs and cries, swears of revenge, insults flew from their mouths. But they were broken off.
"SILENCE!'' bellowed Voldemort, sending flashes into the air.
Slowly, gently, Hagrid lowered Harry to the grass at Voldemort's feet.
"You see?" cried Voldemort, walking back a few steps. "Harry Potter is dead! Do you understand now, deluded ones? He was nothing, ever, but a boy who relied on others to sacrifice themselves for him!"
"He beat you!" screamed Ron, red in the face, ruining the charm and letting the cries loose a second time.
Another bang sounded. "He was killed while trying to sneak out of the castle grounds," hissed Voldemort, relishing his lie, "killed while trying to save himself–"
Vengence racing through him, Longbottom pushed through the crowd and ran straight at Voldemort, only to be hit by a Disarming spell. He fell to the ground and Voldemort picked up his wand.
"And who is this?" he hissed, everyone still able to hear his words. "Who has volenteered to demonstrate what happens to those who continue to fight when the battle is lost?"
Ecstatic, Bellatrix responded, "It is Neville Longbottom, my Lord! The boy who has been giving the Carrows so much trouble! The son of the Aurors, remember?"
"Ah, yes, I remember," replied the Dark Lord, looking appraisingly at the blood-covered boy struggling to get on his feet.
Neville looked at Silwen, his eyes wide, seeing the fear and pain, the tear tracks on her face. "What are you doing?" he whispered, appalled.
"I'm his slave..." answered Silwen, but the Dark Lord put a hand over her mouth, drawing a sharp breath from her, and went on talking.
"Help me kill Nagini," mouthed Neville as Voldemort was distracted for a moment by something in the crowd.
"But you are a pureblood, aren't you, my brave boy?"
"So what if I am?" said Neville, defiantly, jutting out his chin.
"You show spirit and bravery, and you come of noble stock. You will make a very valuable Death Eater. We need your kind, Neville Longbottom."
"I'll join you when hell freezes over," spat Neville. "Dumbledore's Army!" he shouted, turning to the crowd, breaking the silence and receiving a cheer from the crowd. A cheer that died quickly.
"Very well," said the Dark Lord silkily. "On your head, be it," he murmured, dictating Neville's death in a quiet whisper. Voldemort flicked his wand at the castle, and waited until the tattered Sorting Hat flew to him and rested in his fingers.
"There will be no more Sorting at Hogwarts School. No more houses. The emblem, shield, and colors of my noble ancestor Salazar Slytherin, will suffice for everyone. Won't they, Neville Longbottom?" Flicking his wand again at Neville, who froze, he jammed the hat on the boy's head.
Small chaos broke out, but was immediately terminated by a handful of Death Eaters casting Silencio Charms. The hat burst into flames on top of Neville's head, and Neville remained stuck, unable to do anything. Silwen watched, terrified as the flames started to descend when pandemonium erupted.
"HAGGER!" shouted a giant, fast approaching, surrounded by centaurs shooting arrows at the Death Eaters.
In the corner of her eye, she saw Harrry disappear from sight. He must have used the Cloak, she thought.
In front of her, she watched as Neville rose to his feet, taking the hat off, drawing from it a silver sword with a rubied handle. Gryffindor's sword...A small Lumos spell went off in her mind. Adrenaline running through her veins, she pulled her wand out and shouted, "Carpe Retractum!" a rope emerged from her wand and she threw it around Nangini, pulling it towards Longbottom with every ounce of remaining strength that she had. The snake flew off of Voldemort onto the ground, right at Neville's feet.
With a swish, Neville let the sword fall on top of Nagini, blade down, slicing the snake neatly in two. Voldemort turned to her, and Neville, firing a spell that was miraculously deflected from an unknown caster. Above, flying creatures soared pecking at the giants' eyes, helping Grawp in fighting them.
The fight entered the Great Hall, havoc led by Peeves and an innumerable group of House Elves. Tears pricked at Silwen's eyes as she instinctively started to look for Lucie before remembering that Lucie...was lying in a grave at Malfoy Manor.
Standing at the wall, under another Disillusionment Charm, she watched, hexing every enemy she laid eyes upon from her apparent hiding place, right beside Voldemort, who wad dueling Slughorn, McGonagall and a tall, broad shouldered black-skinned man. She watched as Bellatrix almost killed the youngest Weasley, watched as the girl's mother step in, swearing, starting to duel Bellatrix herself with a cold fire in her eyes.
"You–will–never–touch–our–children–again!" Mrs. Weasly screamed while Bellatrix laughed.
A green light flashed, hitting Bellatrix in the chest. Bellatrix stared at Mrs. Weasley and...fell. Dead.
From his post, Voldmort let out a yell of fury and aimed a Killing Curse at Bellatrix's killer.
"PROTEGO!" shouted Potter, ripping the Cloak off him.
Jubilant, cheering, shouts rang through the Great Hall, dying instantly as Potter and Voldemort circled each other.
Relieved, Silwen sank to the ground, zoning out the conversation between Voldemort and the Boy Who Lived Twice. Random snippets protruded through her self-created quiet. "Accidents!" came a screech from Voldemort.
"You don't learn from your mistakes, Riddle, do you?" Silwen heard Harry Potter say.
"Is it love again?"
Again, Silwen let her mind rest, falling asleep until Voldemort began screaming, "You mean he was weak! Too weak to dare, too weak to take what might have been his, what will be mine!"..."Dumbledore is dead!"
Silwen's eyelids began to close until two simultaneous cries echoed through the hall.
"Avada Kedavra!"
"Expelliarmus!"
Voldemort's curse rebounded off Harry's, hitting him in the chest. Flying in the air then sprawling on the ground, the Dark Lord's body shriveled and paled. Voldemort was dead. Silwen lifted her Disillusionment Charm, looked at the fleeing followers of Voldemort, watched as the defenders swarmed Harry Potter, fell over and asleep.
Soft arms checked for a pulse, then wrapped around her, giving her a much needed hug. Tenderly, they picked her up and carried her to a private corner in the Great Hall.
"It's okay, Sil," said Draco holding Silwen to him, crying along with her, falling to his knees as she collapsed on top of him. "I have you and I'm not letting you go again." Sobbing into his robes, her arms wound around him, binding him to her. Everything was over. And yet, amidst the jubilant cheers, and royal feast she continued to cry, releasing her fear, pain, and grief in floods all over herself and Draco. Tears drenched his twenty galleon robes, fingers clutched and pulled at their hand-sewn strings, but Draco let her, drawing her in even closer.
All around them, people had started healing the wounded, taking care of their victorious dead, cleaning up the rubble of Hogwarts Castle when the feast was over. Trails of smoke rose into the sky out of the broken windows, looking like a rising phoenix from a distance.
A surge of empathy flowed through Draco towards Silwen, his beloved. She was so brave to stand up to the Dark Lord no matter how many lives he had taken from her. First Dumbledore's, second, her uncles, and lastly, her little elf, Lucie, a good friend of Dobby's. He loved the girl in his arms, and he told her so, murmuring in her ear and feeling her nod shakily, her retching breaths starting to become smoother. These tears, he realized, were the tears that she had been forbidden to cry, staying repressed inside her with building pressure for the past year, working as Voldemort's slave.
"You're free, Silwen.. you don't need to be scared anymore. And you're brave. So, so very brave," he murmured, his lips moving against the top of her head.
Gradually, her tears drained, and she lay limply against his chest, breathing lightly, exhausted. A soft night drew itself across the sky, quieting the commotion going on around the couple on the ground. Soon, a quiet embraced the couple, and in that quiet, the last drops of pain...ebbed away...letting Silwen find what she needed. Peace.
As she and Draco left the Great Hall, Neville stood up from his seat and shouted, "Everyone! Silwen Snape helped me defeat Nagini, told our friends in America about Voldemort's plans, and lied to the Dark Lord to protect Harry Potter! I think that she deserves at least one shout of 'hurrah' as thanks!"
The crowd obliged, standing up, yelling their appreciation, shooting fireworks with their wands, much to her embarrassed pleasure, holding Draco's hand for support while they walked through the applaud and toastings in her name.
"Sonorus!" she cast then said simply, "Thank you," and walked out, meeting Draco's waiting parents in front of the outside doors.
"Hey, wait!" called several voices, running up behind.
Silwen turned and saw River, the Doctor, Amy, Rory, Dr. Horrible, the Slayer, the Englishman and Eilonwy come towards her. "You go on with your parents," she told Draco, "I'll meet you at the manor."
Giving her a tight squeeze around the shoulders, he kissed her on the forehead and left her, walking over to his parents. She watched them walk down the trail out of sight, and smiled. Draco, her beloved, was alive. Alive and well.
"You have some explaining to do," said the Doctor, wiggling his eyebrows at her.
"The Master is dead. Bellatrix Lestrange killed him when he said that he'd risk the ruination of Voldemort's plans to get me. His body is in the woods. Thank you for your army, Doctor, Amy, Rory...River," replied Silwen hugging each of them in return, giving the best one to River. "Your TARDIS is upstairs somewhere. It was moved during the battle to somewhere more secure."
"All right. So group, let's go! Our work here is done, and Voldy's gone moldy so let's have some fun! Oh, and we need to burn the Master's body. Amy! Amy Pond, fighter extraordinaire! Don't let me forget that! It's very important!" said the Doctor, giving Silwen a warm hand shake while looking over at a snogging Amy and Rory.
"Shut up," said River, smiling at the Doctor, giving Silwen a last hug.
Waving good bye at her, the Doctor's group walked off, more people joining them within the next few minutes. The Doctor really did have a large crew left!
"Hi. I'm Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This is Giles. He knew Mr. Dumbledore and Mr. Lupin," said the petite blonde, holding out her hand.
Shaking it, Silwen introduced herself and asked, "What happened to the vampires? Drusilla, Spike and–" she stopped, seeing Mr. Giles shake his head.
"Spike and his girlfriend ran off. And the other one is...dead," responded Buffy, a blank expression on her face. An expression that Silwen knew all to well. Buffy loved Angelus. Angelus must have had a soul once, and must have loved Buffy back as well. ... Their fight had been very personal, and quite heated, she remembered.
"I'm so sorry," said Silwen.
"Er, thank you, Miss Snape for your message. It was quite helpful," said Mr. Giles, cleaning the soot off his glasses.
"Giles, let's go home," said Buffy.
"All right. Why don't you call up the Scooby Gang and we can leave?" said Giles, giving Silwen a hand shake and walking down the path, Buffy momentarily following, and lots of people following her.
"Xander! You said I was going to be PAID to do this! Where is my money?" she heard someone say to a teenage boy around seventeen years old.
"Anya, that was a lie. I lied to you so you'd come and help. Now let's go home..." replied the boy.
Silwen waved at them and then looked at Dr. Horrible, proudly.
"Dr. Horrible, I hope you were pleased with your weapons?" asked Silwen, impulsively hugging Dr. Horrible.
Grinning, the not so horrible doctor replied, "Um yes! Thanks for your idea. Oh, I have the really late results of the hair from our vampires."
"Oh?"
"Edward Cullen, according to the results is really human. He actually has a parasite inhabiting him, giving him the extra strength, speed and stuff. The only thing is, is that the parasite needs human blood to live on, hence creating a semblance of vampirism," explained Billy.
"And with the others?"
"Accoring to the tests, they are parasite free. I guess you could call them the 'real' vampires. Because, their genes are actually enhanced."
Grinning, Silwen thanked him, and said, "Er, Billy, how do you expect to get home?"
It was Billy's turn to grin and he responded, "Professor McGonagall offered me a job here. Muggle Studies. And I said I'd take it. I turned in my resignation form to Bad Horse a few minutes ago...So, me and my freeze ray will be staying here." He smiled at her as she congratulated him and returned to a table, finishing his plate of food.
Now, only Eilonwy remained.
"Snape."
"Tonks."
"Liar."
"I know! Isn't it great?" said Silwen, grinning excitedly.
"So how'd you do it?"
"I-Harry Potter told me something about Occlumency canceling the effects of Veritaserum. I only managed one word, but...I lied."
"Great! Now, I don't know if you saw the weather out side, but it's going to rain soon..."
Silwen looked through the doors, seeing a sun blazing victoriously in a cloudless sky then looked back at Eilonwy.
"Good. Send me a message patronus when it starts!"
"But Silly! It's starting now! Don't you see the water?" demanded Tonks, pushing Silwen outside. "Water is essential! You need water!"
Outside, the ground was dry, and still no clouds emerged.
"Yes...But I actually have somewhere to be, so I'll talk to you soon. And Eilonwy?"
Eilonwy let go of her friend, walked in front of her and asked, "Yes?"
"Thank you!" said Silwen hugging Eilwony. "Thanks for going with the twins. You brightened my day and...I'm so happy you're my best friend."
Then, before Eilonwy could react, Silwen scampered down the path under a Progeg Charm, and exited the school boundaries and Apparated to Malfoy Manor, a waiting Draco standing at the gate. She rushed into his arms, a single tear returning as she stood there, her head against his chest.
"Welcome home, Sil. That is, if you want to live here. My mother and father have agreed that you can since you don't really have a home anymore... And I have a question for you," murmured Draco, his lips brushing the top of her head. Silwen looked up at him, waiting, watching as he stepped away from her and knelt on one knee. Her eyes grew wide, and she watched as he held out his hand, curled around something small inside.
Slowly, he opened it. On his palm, glinting in the sunlight was a ring. A beautiful ring, slim, silver, with a green stone in the middle. His eyes dancing, Draco asked with blushing cheeks, "I love you, Silwen Astoria Greengrass Snape, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Smiling, Silwen responded, "If I still love you in three years." She walked over to him, and sat on his knee, leaning into him, breathing gently with her eyes closed. "Thank you for your offer to let me share your home, but I want to live on my own for three years, start up a business on Diagon Alley–a potion shop–and for three years be independent. You can visit me every day if you like either at my home on Spinner's End or at my shop once I have it."
Smiling, Draco nodded. "I can wait."
Author's Note: Any last words?