Chapter 100. Paper Ship

The Westminster Palace, once the grand heart of the British government, was shadowed by the ruthless presence of Voldemort and his ally, King Arthur Alter. Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy cautiously made their way through the corridors, trying not to attract attention.

Semiramis walked silently alongside Snape, her golden robes billowing, reflecting the rays of light streaming through the high windows. Her gaze was fixed into the distance, but occasionally she would cast quick glances at her silent Master. She felt the deep-rooted loyalty to Lily within him, like an eternal flame. And yet, in the depths of his dark eyes, she caught glimpses of loneliness and sorrow.

As they walked through the dark corridors, led by Snape, Semiramis was once again presented with a majestic image from a distant past. She recalled the royal palaces of Mesopotamia - golden walls, tall columns, luxurious gardens where she loved to spend time.

As the ruler of Assyria, Semiramis could boast of many accomplishments - she founded new cities, built fortified walls, established trade, and cultivated the arts. It seemed like an entire empire worshipped her. And yet...internally, she often felt lonely and unrecognized.

Opulent clothes, precious jewels, power and wealth - all of this brought her praises from her courtiers and flatterers. But none of them saw in her a great ruler capable of overcoming any difficulties and leading the country to prosperity. To them, she was merely a gateway to riches, an object to be used for their benefit.

In the depths of Semiramis' soul, she yearned for simple human warmth. Love. Recognition not only of her strength, but of her personal qualities. Now, serving Snape as a Servant, she sometimes caught glimpses of understanding in his gaze, almost like an alliance. And this almost made her heart flutter, igniting a flickering spark of hope. But she had tasted too much pain on her life's journey, and she no longer held any special hopes for a brighter future.

Semiramis shook her head slightly, banishing the memories. The time of past greatness had passed. Now, she had the task of helping Snape and Draco, opposing Voldemort and his twisted version of King Arthur. Perhaps, in this new path, she would find the emotional warmth and understanding that her heart craved. But she could not see a future for such a world.

Snape led them through the grand halls, trying to immerse himself in thoughts of the past, when he had seen this palace in the times of King Arthur - the true King of Britain. But memories of Lily relentlessly haunted him. Her smile, her laughter, her selfless love that had changed his life. He felt the agonizing pain of her death, and it prevented him from moving forward.

Semiramis broke the silence with her beautiful voice:

"Master, allow me to tell you something."

Snape stopped and looked at her. Understanding was reflected in her eyes.

"I know that the pain of losing a loved one will never fully go away. But to try to live only in memories is to lose yourself completely. I see how much you suffer and how you try to remain loyal to her memory. But Lily would not want you to be trapped in eternal sorrow."

For a moment, Snape seemed vulnerable. But then his face became impassive again as he spoke:

"Don't make me feel something I have no right to."

Semiramis saw pain in his eyes, and it touched her heart.

"I'm sorry, Master. But remember, I will always be by your side as a loyal friend."

They continued their silent journey through the majestic corridors.

Semiramis gently sat down on a stone bench, her rich clothing rustling softly. Draco stood a little way off, peering attentively into the darkness of the corridor.

"The Dark Lord awaits us. We must hurry", Snape said, wrapping himself in a black cloak.

"This place... it has changed beyond recognition", Semiramis sadly surveyed the hall with tall windows.

Snape only nodded silently. Something painful flickered in his gaze.

"Voldemort and Arthur Alter will never be able to grasp the true power that once reigned here", she continued bitterly.

"True. It's frightening to see what they have done", Snape frowned. "Not long ago, the real king Arthur ruled here. Before..." he didn't finish his sentence.

Semiramis nodded in response. She had heard much about Arthur from Snape, about his greatness and selflessness. What happened to change the once noble king? Will the same fate befall her? And what happened to Moriarty and Dantes after they refused to obey their Masters? But now is not the time for questions.

"It's a pity that the true glory of these places is lost forever", she sighed.

"Nothing lasts forever. Sooner or later, everything comes to decay."

Snape slowly stood up from the bench, his black cloak billowing, revealing glimpses of the dark mantle underneath. His usually impassive face trembled for a moment, pale lips curved slightly in a bitter smirk.

"Will you follow me, Liberator?" he asked quietly, looking down at Semiramis. His dark eyes met her bright, resembling two bottomless abysses, shining like two moons in a clear midnight sky.

Draco, leaning against a stone column, chuckled softly. There seemed to be mixed notes of mockery and distrust in his chuckle.

A light stream of twilight penetrated through the narrow windows of the corridor, casting soft shadows on the faces of Snape and Semiramis. Severus, as always, was clad in a strict black cloak, giving his pale face an almost grim shade. Framed by unruly strands of hair, his dark eyes and sharp cheekbones gave the appearance of the professor an ominous and gloomy look.

Semiramis was the complete opposite. Although the main color of her attire was dark, a deep burgundy, her outfit was generously adorned with golden embroidery and gemstones. Long chestnut locks cascaded down her shoulders, framing a face with elongated pointed ears, typical of elves. Her eyes gleamed with a bright honey-gold color, shimmering in the subdued light.

When their gazes met, an invisible spark seemed to ignite between them. Severus' piercing gaze seemed to penetrate through, as if trying to delve into Semiramis' innermost being, to know her feelings and read all the secrets of her soul. But the faithful Servant was inscrutable even to the skilled Legilimens and did not rush to reveal her cards. Yet, she responded to him with a calm and open gaze, not lowering her lashes. An almost imperceptible hint of a mysterious smile played on her lips.

Their visual contact seemed to last an eternity, as if they were carrying on a silent dialogue, not needing words. Draco, standing nearby, felt a shiver run down his spine from the tension of the moment.

Semiramis did not look away, continuing to stare Snape straight in the eyes. She felt a cold shiver run down her spine, almost imperceptible, but enough to make goosebumps rise on her arms. There was something more in his question than just words. It was as if he was offering a much deeper alliance.

She slowly rose from the bench, straightening her shoulders. Her royal robes rustled softly, revealing the gleam of golden jewelry. Semiramis took a step forward, closing the distance between them.

"Yes, Severus," her voice was calm and firm. "I will follow you, wherever you lead. For the past and the future."

For a moment, a ringing silence seemed to hang in the room. Draco lowered his gaze, hiding a barely noticeable smirk. From the outside, their dialogue almost looked like a pledge of loyalty. Semiramis looked into Snape's eyes for a moment longer, then gently took his hands, ensuring the sharp cones attached to her wrists couldn't cut him. She continued to study his face, as if trying to see something in it. Whether she found what she was looking for remained unknown, as she didn't show any emotion. But when Snape placed his hand over hers, she didn't resist. Only when he released her hands did she briefly lower her gaze before raising it again.

Finally, Snape nodded almost imperceptibly, and some tension between them seemed to dissipate. There was a flicker of relief in his gaze. At that moment, an unspoken bond of alliance, filled with understanding and trust, formed between Master and Servant.

"Very well. Let's go," Snape turned around and led the way towards the corridor.

Semiramis followed him, her steps light and graceful. Perhaps, in that moment, something awakened in their wounded souls - a timid spark of understanding and trust, ready to ignite brighter.

Semiramis followed him, confidently stepping on the stone slabs. Even in this place tainted by Voldemort's presence and the corruption of King Arthur, they maintained their resolve to continue their journey, despite all obstacles.

1

Voldemort paced irritably in his office at Westminster Palace. Outside, twilight was falling, reflecting the Dark Lord's grim mood. He felt like control was slipping away from him. The cursed Muggles with their pathetic protests! And that mysterious ally in the lion mask, whose motives Voldemort could not understand.

"It's time to put an end to this!" he hissed, curling his thin, bloodless lips in a semblance of a smile. "Or maybe we just... hm... hit them with curses from above? That might calm the others down."

"Pointless and merciless," a quiet voice came from the shadows. Arthur's figure sat still, only his golden eyes gleaming through the helmet slits. "Violence will only inflame the flames of hatred."

Arthur contemplatively studied the pattern on his chainmail glove, lost in thought. Outside, as the dusk deepened, the lights of the disgruntled city began to glow.

"It's pointless," he finally said. "Any violence will only fuel their anger even more."

He looked up, his golden eyes gleaming through the slits in his helmet.

"I propose an alternative – we shower the city with gold! Let them forget the reasons for their discontent. What do you say?"

Voldemort sneered, his thin lips twisting into a mocking smile.

"And where will you get enough gold to shower the entire city?"

"We'll print the necessary amount," Arthur replied impassively.

Voldemort's smirk widened, and he even chuckled softly.

"Do you even realize what will happen with inflation once you print millions of galleons? And what will the goblins at Gringotts say? They already barely agree to cooperate."

Arthur paused for a moment, deep in thought.

"The goblins... right. We can't afford a goblin uprising right now. We'll have to negotiate with them to print additional money in exchange for certain concessions. In the worst case, we could try to displace their leadership in the bank and install more loyal goblins. Although it's risky... Anyway, we'll have to keep the economy under control."

Voldemort sneered and arrogantly turned to the window, showing his contempt for the idea.

"After such insane suggestions, I refuse to talk to you! I'm tired of your pointless noble gestures."

Arthur merely shrugged indifferently in response.

"Any alternative is better than mindless violence. At least it's an attempt to solve the problem peacefully."

Arthur turned his head. The face hidden behind the mask turned towards Voldemort.

"Hey, are you offended or something?"

Voldemort continued to stand, proudly straightening up, looking out the window and ignoring Arthur. He sighed and said with a hint of irony:

"Is the great Dark Lord sulking because of criticism now? I didn't expect such childishness."

Voldemort swiftly turned around, his eyes dangerously flashing.

"Don't you dare talk to me like that! My methods are much more effective than your naive ideas," he gritted through his teeth. "Or have you forgotten how you begged for mercy last time? You were just lucky to be stronger this time."

He clenched his fists, trying to contain his anger. Arthur, however, remained unruffled.

"Power can shift to other hands at any moment," he calmly stated. "I wouldn't boast so much if I were you."

There was silence, and then Voldemort's voice broke the quiet.

"Noble knight on a white horse... You are incorrigible."

Arthur sighed quietly, disappointment evident in his posture.

"My ideal of knighthood is truly dead," he said bitterly. "All that's left is the attempt to make this world a little bit better. Even if it's among the ashes of hope."

His words sounded like an epitaph to something very dear. For a moment, silence reigned.

"If it weren't for having to join you in this accursed alliance, I would have remained true to myself and my ideals!" Arthur said bitterly. "It was my fatal mistake."

Voldemort sneered contemptuously.

"And now what? Will you whine and complain? You have only yourself to blame for getting involved in this, great King Arthur!"

Sarcasm was evident in his voice.

"In my past life, I was a respected knight, a UN security adviser. And now I'm forced to hide behind a mask and seek the Dark Lord's support for power. But I believe - these are just temporary difficulties. I will prove that I am worthy of the glory and respect I once earned. My methods may now raise questions."

Arthur straightened proudly in his chair and his voice took on an authoritative tone.

"No matter what, I sit on the throne. And as long as that's the case, you must obey my decisions as your King."

Voldemort sneered in a malicious grin and chuckled softly.

"Well then, what does my King command? I eagerly await your wise instructions!"

His tone was clearly sarcastic.

"As Prime Minister, you are responsible for stability in the country," Arthur reminded him. "We're in the same boat, and if you sink us, we'll both be screaming 'Mutiny!' together."

He tilted his head slightly in his helmet, looking straight at Voldemort.

"So we need to act together, find compromises. In this shaky boat of turmoil, we are two people - and we can't escape from each other."

"Why is it you..." Voldemort muttered quietly.

Again, silence reigned, and then Arthur raised the cursed Excalibur before him. He studied the round runes on his sword for a long time before they lit up with a mysterious dark flame, and then he spoke again.

"I think we will find common ground. And if anyone dares to object - let them bear the blame."

And in that moment, his sword glowed with a menacing fire.