The Curtain Falls
When he looked at the old man again, it was without agitation.
"I spoke in anger and haste, Headmaster," he said quietly. An impulse took him down to a knee. "Do not feel sorry, Headmaster. I've always known this to be my ending. How many have I killed and tortured in my Death Eater days? I don't know. I didn't count. They were insignificant to me then.
"These crimes must have a reckoning; Blood must be paid in kind. I myself demand it. I cannot rest till it's done.
"I see all of this now, because you gave me the chance to see," he continued somberly. "Whatever your intentions, I am ... grateful. Whatever your intentions, know that I forgive you. So let me be the cobblestone that paves the road to the Dark Lord's defeat. Let me be useful, at least."
The old man gazed at him softly with eyes full of tears. "Please believe me, Severus. I never intended that lie. When I saw you suffering before me, I saw myself in you. I would have ended myself that day, long ago, if my brother hadn't stopped me.
"What use would your dying be, he shouted, then I would have both sister and brother dead. Go make yourself useful so she didn't die in vain!
"I knew I had to give you a purpose to live, even if that purpose was a lie. I thought that with time, you would forget Lily Potter. True, when I met you on the hillside that night, my opinion of you couldn't have been lower. But time and time again I tested you, and you passed with courage and skill. My regard for you grew; I wanted you to live, to learn. Indeed I have been fortunate to have you by my side these years."
He shrugged wryly. "I've already told you. I will follow your plan with the boy."
"Yes, it is true. Please believe me when I say I've hidden the truth from you all this time, not because I didn't trust you, but because I wanted to protect you. The burden was mine to bear, and mine alone. You have been through so much. I thought if you could remain ignorant, happy, if you could enjoy a few more years of peace, I could make up for what I would have to put you through when Voldemort returned.
"But when Harry told me you'd made the Unbreakable Vow, I knew we had reached the endgame. You must not, Severus, never - not that way, it rends the soul. You must know I wish you to kill me. My wish, my sacrifice. And poor Harry. I've never wanted this burden on you either. If men must die, I wanted the crime fall upon my head, and mine alone. But time is running out - because of my own vain folly! I have no choice but to place this burden on you. Please, forgive me."
"It's Potter you should seek forgiveness from," he replied coolly, "I've already told you. My ending shall be as I desire - as I deserve."
"No! You are better than you believe yourself to be. No! Do not!" - the old man gasped - "I see it in your face - do not! You must let Harry choose. It must be his wish, his sacrifice. If I know him, he will willingly offer himself -"
"Still playing god, Headmaster?" He sighed in exasperation and stood up. "I've no such faith in the boy. Don't worry, I'll drag him kicking and screaming to the Dark Lord if I have to. No, stop! I don't wish to continue this conversation further.
"We will not speak again. But we will meet one last time."
As he walked through the doorway, he paused and glanced back at the old man. "Remember, Headmaster. My choice. Not yours. Mine."