Severus Snape A Soul Undiminished

Chapter 61 - The Astronomy Tower

Severus made himself some dinner, but he barely ate. He poured himself a glass of brandy instead. As the night drew on, his mood darkened. He poured himself another
drink and went to sit in his chair. He could hear his clock, and his own breathing, and the pops and cracks of the stone building as the temperature grew colder in the night. He suddenly felt alone. He reached out with his mind, trying to touch the link he and Sirana shared. It was there, and he could feel the connection between them, like a silvery thread. Now, it seemed tenuous, like it would snap if he pulled too hard. He felt dread settling in his gut. A wave of comfort suddenly washed over him as he felt Sirana reach out to him through their link, and he found comfort that she would be safe from the events that were on the brink tonight. He rose, slowly making his way from his chambers at Hogwarts, uncertain if he would ever return.
Severus had felt the darkness approaching as well, and he stood, gazing out at the sky. When Severus went to the Astronomy Tower later in the night, knowing that the Death Eaters had come to make sure Draco followed through for
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the Dark Lord, he saw Harry Potter below the scene. Severus wordlessly reassured him, asking for his silence, knowing that he wouldn't understand what was about to happen.
Severus then went up to face Dumbledore, and he knew it would be the hardest thing he's ever done.
"No," he said. He saw Draco, who had his wand trained on Dumbledore, struggling with the impossible choice before him. He saw Albus's face, which held the courage and wisdom of a man who had already made his choice. When Albus looked at him, he felt it to his soul, and he knew he would see this vision for the rest of his lifetime.
"Severus...Please," Albus said. Before he could change his mind, Severus sent the killing curse, and Albus fell from the tower to his death. He was numb. The time had finally come and passed. He had kept his promise to Albus Dumbledore, and now, Albus was gone forever. He closed down his brain and just moved, grabbing Draco, who was standing in shock. When Harry Potter attacked him outside of Hagrid's hut, he felt the culmination of his life come to a head, and he revealed to Potter that he was the Half-Blood Prince. Even that admission seemed distant, as his past paled next to all that had come to be. His path was forever changed, and he wasn't yet convinced that any of his soul remained.
Sirana noticed the mood at dinner. The two members of the Order they were expecting hadn't showed up yet. Molly finally told everyone to eat, and she would save their dinner for them if they came. It was late into the night when they
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Te Astronomy ower
finally showed. No one was asleep, as the mood of the house held a foreboding that hung like a fog over them. Sirana had seen them before, and she knew they were key members in providing intelligence for the Order. Their eyes were wide, and they seemed out of sorts. Arthur and Grayson talked to them in low tones before they joined the group. It was Arthur who broke the news—Dumbledore has been killed. Sirana covered her face with her hands, her tears running freely. She wasn't the only one devastated by the news, and she heard the sorrowful cries from around the room. Dumbledore was beloved by many, and the wizardly world felt lessened by the loss of such a powerful, respected wizard. Sirana had always felt as if Dumbledore was more than just the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and she had envisioned him as a Patriarch for the magical community. Now, she had no idea how they could possibly move past the unfathomable loss.
"They're not sure who did it. Severus's name was mentioned, along with Draco and Bellatrix. Hagrid's house was torched. No one else was harmed," Arthur said, looking at Molly, knowing she would be worried about their children.
One of the men spoke up. "Now, with Dumbledore gone, we believe that the Ministry of Magic is the next target—and the Ministry of Magic decides the fate of Hogwarts. We must not lose the Ministry to him."
Sirana had heard Severus's name and tried to focus on the rest of what was said. How was he involved with Dumbledore's death? She looked at her grandfather, and his eyes held fire for
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her. She remembered what he had said about trusting Severus, and it seemed so long ago. Had he known something even then? Had Severus? She couldn't bear not knowing, but she had no way to find out. They all decided to sleep on it and discuss their plans in the morning. She finally fell asleep, not knowing if she had the courage to face tomorrow.