Chapter 61

Severus and Grindelwald landed with a thud on hardwood floors. The Potion master was quickly bound with ropes by Gellert, who stood up and rummaged through a chest.

The man had a wild look in his eyes when he came back and yanked Severus up into a seated position before trusting fabric into his bound hands. "Take this," Gellert ordered, and Snape, momentarily stunned, kept a hold on the silky fabric.

"And this," Gellert then said as he chucked a black prism-shaped stone at Severus's lap.

"That should probably do it," the madman announced as he wandlessly summoned Severus' wand from where it had rolled on the floor. "I've read the legends about this wand," Gellert continued. "The Pendrago-AAH," He dropped the wand as the handle seared his palm.

"It tends to do that," Severus stated while looking rather amused despite the situation. "At least it has good taste in who to trust."

"You know, I am actually going to miss you," Grindelwald stated nonchalantly. "Your sarcasm and wit made me actually like you. Never in my imagination would I have ever thought you were related to the Pendragons. Now also a Master of Death. If I had found out sooner, I would have ditched Albus's body long ago,"

"Master of-," Severus froze and then took a good look at the fabric he was still holding onto. It was a cloak of some type.

"Harry Potter's invisibility cloak," Gellert explained. "Not hard to get after I made Sirius my slave.

"The resurrection stone. Imagine my surprise when I found it in the destroyed Gaunt ring in the Department of Mysteries. Those fools didn't know the treasure they had," he mocked.

"Your magical power level is quite to my liking, add to that a powerful magical background, and ownership of a wand that could rival the Elderwand, not to mention newly immortal," Geller smirked. "You should feel honored to be my next vessel."

"You are insane," Severus deadpanned.

"The prophecy was quite clear.

For he who holds the Master of Death,

Shall wield dominion with each whispered breath.

"That prophecy was void when Potter died!" Severus growled.

"I know, but I thought. Why can't I make my own Master of Death?" Gellert smirked.

"Harry,"

"Severus, there is no law that states that one reality can't have multiple Masters of Death. Once I take over your body, not only will I wield your power, but a Deity will do my eternal bidding as well. What more could I ask for?"

"Braincells for one," Severus scowled. "If you are so hellbent on taking over my body, then why haven't you done it yet? You and I both know Harry would stop at nothing to track us down."

"You needn't worry about him ever finding us. The wards on this safehouse are stronger than Azkaban," Gellert announced confidently. "Layers upon layers of Dark wards that would make any Ward Master tremble."

"If you are so hellbent on taking my body, then why haven't you yet?"

"Patience, Severus. Unfortunately, the ritual can only be performed every 48 hours. Only 24 hours to go before I put you out of your misery."

"Well, that's good to know," A familiar voice stated, causing both Severus and Gellert to turn their heads towards the right corner of the room.

There Harry stood, wand out with Death floating menacingly behind him, scythe drawn. Quite a sight they made, and Severus flushed slightly at the display of power Harry was showcasing.

The Potion Master could have sworn that Death had looked in his direction and actually winked, but Gellert's surprise at their appearance was quite a sight to see.

"The wards!"

"Are nothing to a Deity," Harry tilted his head slightly. His eyes were still black as coal, no hint of those green irises anywhere.

"I still have Severus AAHHHH!" Gellert screamed when Death liberated his wand arm, which had been pointing at Snape, from his body.

"Normally I would banter and give my opponent a fighting chance," Harry announced "Though you not only pissed me off but also Death."

"I wanted kinky smut not a damn kidnapping!" Death roared in their minds while pointing his scythe at Grindelwald. "My Master has ordered your demise and exclusion from the reincarnation cycle, and I wholeheartedly agree!"

"No! Wait! I!" But Grindelwald's attempts went unheard as grey fire surrounded him, engulfed him, and turned his soul to ash in a matter of minutes. All that was left was Kingsley's body, which had slumped to the ground with a thud.

"Is he?" Severus asked, though he did not speculate to who he referred.

"Both Grindelwald and Kingsley are gone," Harry answered as he bent down to untie him as color came back into his eyes. "I figured his family would at least want a body to bury,"

"Right," Severus said tightly as he exhaled. "So it's over?"

"Yes," Harry stated. "Now I take you home and wrap you in a burrito blanket. The Aurors will be here in a few minutes,"

"The Hallows…" Severus motioned towards the cloak and stone.

"I agree. We better take those with us," Harry muttered as he untied his lover. He had completely forgotten about the cloak and had no time to retrieve the stone from when the Ministry destroyed the rest of the Horcruxes.

"I have to ask, because Grindelwald was convinced of it, but am I a Master of Death now? Immortal like Harry?"

"No, but you could be," Death stated. "These two Hallows swore their allegiance to my Master the moment he entered this reality. Only the Elder wand acknowledged all three of you. Grindelwald, who had managed to keep possession of it up until you disarmed him, and Harry, whose claim as Master was also strong. You are not immortal, but you could be. As official consort to my Master, you would be given the same privileges."

"I see," Severus stated.

"Severus, do you want to…"

"Harry, perhaps this is a discussion we could have at home?" Severus asked. "I would rather not be swarmed by Aurors."

"Right… uhm…" Harry offered his arm as they apparated away.

"This does it right?" Death, who had been left alone as his Master swept his lover to safety, turned towards a dusty mirror. Fate's visage appeared in it, and she nodded.

"I will not control this part," she stated. "The ending is all up to free will."

"Now come back. I will need to repair the rips you made in reality," she stated impassively. "Also, your sisters have found a great use for that soul you've been using as a stressball. Diana calls it Soul Ping Pong."

"Now this I need to see," Death said as he raised a figurative brow on his skeletal face.