Redemption / DRAMIONE (COMPLETE)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

"Are you sure you're alright?" Minerva asked again, worried.

"I'm perfectly fine, Minerva," Severus replied. "Just a bit singed," he said, showing off his blackened fingers.

"Voldemort will want to kill you now," she said.

"I surmised as much," he replied sarcastically. "I've always wanted to kill him, it doesn't make a huge difference now that he wants to kill me as well."

"Fair enough."

*

They got to the Ministry via Portkey. The Hogwarts professors, now including Flitwick, Sprout, Hooch and Sinistra, plus any students of age who wished to fight in the battle against the darkness, took three Portkeys between them. Any Order of the Phoenix members who were not present took a Portkey from Grimmauld Place with Sirius.

They rushed through the Ministry. There was no way a crowd of them would get through to the Department of Mysteries undetected so Dumbledore posted Kingsley, Tonks and Moody to man the entrance and delay any unsympathetic Ministry officials, or indeed Death Eaters, who appeared.

But, as they entered the Prophecy Hall, Death Eaters appeared around them, black mist swirling like dust. Severus was strongly reminded of Voldemort's appearance inside of Potter's mind.

"We're under attack!" somebody yelled.

"We don't need the prophecy," Dumbledore whispered to Severus. "You know which prophecy it is, we both heard it."

"We didn't hear the end," Severus hissed back.

"I did," Dumbledore said, with equal force. "Destroy them, Severus. Destroy them all."

And Severus did what he had in Potter's mind. With a Reducto, shelves began to fall, ricocheting off and shattering on unaware Death Eaters.

"Severus Snape," came a hiss. "You blood traitor."

"You're a Half-Blood too, Tom," Dumbledore pointed out, mildly.

Voldemort snarled. He seemed more animal than human. Shards of glass glittered on his cloak but he ignored these.

"I was speaking to my former follower," Voldemort said, emerging from the shadows. "Soon to be my late follower."

He smiled evilly.

"I cannot allow that to happen, Tom," said Dumbledore, still standing in front of Severus. "I will not allow you to harm any of my students, past or present. This ends tonight."

And they began to duel.

*

Minerva and Severus fought back-to-back, with Draco and Hermione, and Remus and Sirius close-by. Further off, Ron, Hannah Abbott, Neville, Ginny, Blaise, Parvati, Padma and Lavender were protecting each other. It was remarkable how the houses had united in a time of crisis.

"Snivellus, I never thought I'd see the day," Sirius crowed triumphantly, dancing around as Death Eaters sent killing curses his way. "Voldemort hates your guts!"

"It's not all it's cracked up to be," Severus muttered, sending two screaming Death Eaters into a wall. "I hope Albus has it under control."

"So do I," said Minerva.

By under control, Voldemort was still snarling and Dumbledore was still talking to him, clearly getting on his nerves. It would annoy Severus, too, if someone was lecturing him while they duelled. It looked like a pretty epic fight but unfortunately no-one had time to sit around and watch. Already, dozens of bodies littered the floor. Severus just hoped none of them were his students, his colleagues or members of the Order.

*

Meanwhile, Draco and Hermione were proving their worth as the best students in their year. At least four Death Eaters had already been dispatched due to their combined skill.

Harry had disarmed quite a few Death Eaters, too, but it was the only spell he could use effectively.

Ron and Neville were having less luck, and quite often needed Ginny or Blaise's assistance to ensure they weren't wiped out by an errant curse.

Parvati, Padma and Lavender were having a great time slinging prophecies at any Death Eaters near them.

But, when there were only a few hysterical Death Eaters running around, it was time for Voldemort to exact his revenge.

Minerva engaged Bellatrix in a duel, which left Severus open to attacks. With a snarl of rage, Voldemort launched off a series of curses at him. He parried them for as long as possible, but he couldn't hold out for ever. He was tired from all the fighting, and Voldemort knew it. Their mental battle had taken a lot more of his energy than he thought it would.

With a cry, Dumbledore threw himself in front of Severus. He took the full brunt of the curses and fell lifelessly to the floor.

"No!" Severus shouted.

But he knew it was now or never.

"Expelliarmus!" he cried, and his voice was heard above all other shouts and weeping.

His spell struck with a ferocity and Voldemort's wand arced through the air. When it landed on the hard floor, it snapped cleanly in two.

Voldemort stared at it in amazement, and then at Severus. 

However, the events began to get even more bizarre. Bellatrix, having briefly defeated Minerva, shot a killing curse at Harry and the boy fell to the floor.

"No!" came several screams, including Voldemort's.

The Dark Lord fell to the floor clutching at his head. They could defeat him. He was defenceless. 

But the fight was no longer Severus' to win.

"Avada Kedavra!"

The voice seemed to come from nowhere. Draco Malfoy stepped out and the curse found its target.

Voldemort fell and his head hit the floor with a sickening crack.

He was dead.

*****

A.N. Voldemort is dead! The battle is over!

Thank you for reading and please comment! :)