Hell

By BertaS

A/N: This sat for several months in my unfinished thoughts file as the idea for the first four paragraphs. Then Deathly Hollows came out and it became a way to offer Severus Snape a second chance. I know that the characters are a bit OOC but I think death or near death experiences would change anyone. Besides that's how I want them. BertaS J

Hell

"Oh Merlin," the man groaned, "I die and the first person I see, is you. I've gone to hell haven't I?" The man on the floor sneered as he glared up at the other man.

Sirius Black shrugged, "Don't bitch, they sent my Mother, to do my orientation." He held out his hand to assist the Potions Master to his feet.

"Ew," Severus Snape shuddered and curled his lip as he ignored the hand and stood on his own, "I suppose I should offer my…" he paused briefly to searched for a word other than sympathy, "condolences."

Black grinned, "It could always be worse. Albus is around here somewhere." He waved around in a non-directional way, "Foisting those disgusting sweets of his on any unsuspecting soul he can find." He made a face that involved sticking out his tongue and making a retching sound.

Snape shuddered even harder, "This is definitely Hell," he mumbled as he brought his hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. He wasn't sure it was supposed to be possible to get a headache when you were dead but he always developed one in Black's presence.

"No, not really." Black shook his head, "This is just a way station. Souls come here first." He moved his hand almost pointing this time, "They decide at the ticket counter where you will go. Sometimes they let you come back and work or to greet and escort special people. That's what the Dumbledore is doing."

Snape took in his surroundings for the first time, it was familiar, almost like the train station where one went to catch the Hogwarts Express. Benches and seats scattered around the rather large open area with train tracks to either side. There were kiosks with what appeared to be travel brochures, periodicals and muggle style televisions scattered around as well as the ticket booth that Black had indicated.

"Seems rather busy." Snape frowned at the lengthy lines, there seemed to be quite a lot of familiar people stood queued at the three open ticket windows.

"Yeah, but," Black looked at one of the telly's, "I think it's going to get worse. Probably get quite crowed and hectic pretty soon."

Snape looked at the telly that Black seemed fascinated with. He was astonished to see Potter was in the forbidden forest apparently in the process of confronting the Dark Lord. He was incensed that the little brat didn't even have his wand out. He saw the flash and the screen went killing curse green.

Snape and Black both turned to the area where Snape had arrived. Black smiled, when he saw Dumbledore move into that area and with a twinkle vanished.

Snape noticed others arriving and immediately head to the ticket booth with no assistance. "Black, why do I need special attention and why hasn't Mister Potter arrived yet?"

Black sighed, "You, Severus, have a choice that they," he waved his hand, "don't have. You can go back. You did get the bezoar into your mouth and that ruddy snake missed the carotid artery."

Snape's mouth hung open, and he blinked several times, "What about Potter?"

Black looked at the still green screen of the telly and shrugged, "That apparently has not been decided yet. My guess is that they sent Albus to talk to him in private."

Snape pondered, Did he truly wish to go back? To return to face what he had done? The only answer he could come up with was, maybe, but not if the Dark Lord was going to win.

"How long before I have to decide?" He ask looking around again, his gaze settling briefly on the green screen of the telly.

"The sooner the better." Black stared at the telly and almost whispered, "I wish I could go."

Curiosity got the better of the Potions Master, "What do you mean?" He frowned wondering why he even cared.

Black shrugged, "I didn't get here as you did, or as they," he swept his arm around at all the dead souls, his eyes stopping on one of the couples caused him to pause, "did." He swallowed hard as he turned his attention back to Snape, "I, while corporeal I am neither alive nor dead. Falling through the veil as I did, means that I can go nowhere, neither back nor forward." He seemed to gather himself together as he gestured to either side at the trains just pulling in. "You must decide now."

Snape scowled at the couple that had caught Black's eye, "I will return if Potter does. He may need… someone." He also didn't like the looks of either train. The one was all bright and shiny blue, silver and gold. The other was so soot begrimed that it was impossible to tell it's original color.

Sirius had a pained look on his face as he watched the couple he had noticed earlier, Remus and Tonks fell in to line arm in arm, "Yeah, good. For what is worth I want to thank you for saving Harry all those times. And to say," he took a deep breath, "I'm sorry for the way we… I treated you. Tell Harry…"

Snape nodded and then groaned in pain as he rolled on to his side choking on the bitter tasting stone in his mouth. His hand automatically searching in the pocket of his robe for the blood replenishing potion and the general healing drought that he knew was there.

Finite Incantatem

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this. I know that some of you will say this is a great beginning of a new story however there really is not any more.