Severus Snape A Soul Undiminished

Chapter 65 - Boathouse

It didn't take too long for Sirana to catch up with Grayson and her grandfather. They were in one of the towers of Hogwarts, along with several other members of the order and a few of the older students. They all stood clustered together, looking at the black sky, which was suddenly lit up with streams of fire and light coming from Voldemort's forces. There was an almost pleasant stillness in the air, and Sirana's eyes grew wide at the deceptive beauty of the fiery sky. They watched in silence until the battle started growing nearer, and then the fear started to settle in her gut.

The action started quickly, and there were several times amidst the battle that she'd found herself backed up against the others of their group as they fought to hold their ground. They were initially successful at warding off multiple attackers, but as the battle wore on, they became sorely outnumbered. She saw her grandfather waning fast, so she slowly worked her way towards the interior and parked him with other members who had made a makeshift triage for those who were injured. Her grandfather was an adept healer, and his assistance there would be greatly appreciated. It would also give him a chance to rest.

She motioned to Grayson for them to retrieve their brooms. They were both good flyers, ad they would be more effective if they were on the move. She knew Hogwarts like the back of here hand, so she took the lead when they were inside the building, and he took the lead on the outside. They darted in and out, surprising members of the Dark Army when their members found themselves boxed in and outnumbered.

Severus stood waiting in the boathouse, having answered the call from Voldemort. He had spoken to the Dark Lord a hundred times, but this time was the first he felt true fear of him. He told Voldemort that the Elder Wand answered to him alone, knowing the Dark Lord suspected the lie for what is was. Even though the Dark Lord was in possession of the Elder Wand, he was not the wand's true master. Severus knew that even he was not the wand's master, despite being the one that killed Professor Dumbledore, as it was Draco Malfoy who used the Disarming Charm to take it from its previous master. The Dark Lord stared unblinking into his eyes, trying to find the truth, which Severus know he must not reveal. He controlled his thoughts, feeling the Dark Lord trying to pierce his mind, and he adopted a casual post, as to not give anything away while waging a silent battle with the Dark Lord's mind. Only when the Dark Lord spoke of the Elder Wand's allegiances and Dumbledor's death at Severus's hand did Severus realize that the Dark Lord did not plan on allowing him to leave alive. He would not let his courage fail him in this final hour. He tried to keep any of this realization out of his link with Sirana. If she came form him, Voldemort would kill her too...or worse. He had also felt Harry Potter's presence nearby, and he was aware that he and his friends would be in danger if they tried to help. He was ready to face his ending alone. Knowing all of this, it still caught him by surprise when Voldemort slit his throat with the killing curse.

He wondered if anyone was ever truly prepared for death when it came. He had so much left to do...for Albus, for Potter, for Sirana. He had not fulfilled his last promise to Dumbledore, to tell the boy that he must die at Voldemort's hand in order to defeat him. As he fell, his mind did cry out for Sirana, and he cursed himself for his weakness. He knew he was dying, and yet the Dark Lord ordered Nagini to attack him as to ensure there was no chance of life for him. As Nagini struck him over and over, he did not cry out. He would not give into that weakness ad it could put Potter in danger if he came to is aid. He also refused to give Voldemort the satisfaction of hearing his pain.

When Voldemort left, he knew he would surely die. When Potter came to him, his hope that he could fulfill his promise to Albus was renewed. He gave Potter the magical tears of his memories..."Take them." They would also reveal his true self to him, and he felt his spirit eased with that knowledge. "Look at me," he said to Potter, wanting to see Lily's eyes in his once more...a reminder of what he had made his sacrifices for...it hadn't been in vain. He saw Lily in his eyes, telling him so, and once again he felt the familiar warmth come over him and cover him like a blanket of enduring love. It was done. He could give into the darkness now. He thought about Sirana and the gift that Lily had given him that had restored his soul. He felt regret, not for loving her, but for not living for her.

Sirana felt Severus's cry and knew he had fallen to Voldemort. She screamed, and Grayson was able to grab her and help her land as the shock had made her lose control.

"What is it?" he asked, holding her shoulders.

"It's Severus. I have to go to him!" she said.

"Go, quickly," Grayson said as he handed her her broom.

She flew as fast as she could towards him. He was still alive; she could tell by their link. Suddenly, she felt Voldemort in her mind, not talking directly to her, but to everyone at Hogwarts. She used all her will and experience from Severus's training to block him out. She could not lose her trail to Severus. She saw Harry and his friend leaving the building that she now knew was in. She landed, and ran as fast as she could to his side.

He was lying in a bloody heap against the glass windows, his limbs sprawled out amid his robes and cloak, left for dead. She grabbed his face, and she saw his throat and all of the blood. His eyes were closed, and he was starting to fade from her mind.

"Severus!" she cried aloud and in the link. She had to focus. If he were to have any chance at live, she would have to act quickly. She drew her wand, using Vulnera Sanentur, the counter-curse that Severus had taught her, to quell the bleeding. The bleeding stopped, but he had already lost so much blood. His face was white, and she could see that some of the wounds had been inflicted by Voldemort's snake. She drew he pack out of her jacket, hoping the general poison antidote that she had helped Severus brew would counteract any poison if it were present. She opened his mouth and poured it in, then held her mouth over his and blew in. She felt for his pulse, and it was there, but very weak. She pulled his head into her lap and forced herself into his mind. He was still alive...he just didn't know it yet.