Survival Bonds

Chapter 59: Sleeping next to my husband

For a long moment, I just stare at the dead body at my feet. I swear that I will uphold his wishes in regards to Severus's happiness and the death of Dumbledore. Nagini is curled next her deceased master's chest. I actually killed someone. It's a sobering thought. For a long moment I can't seem to move. I feel the intoxicating magic. The somber acceptance of what I've done.

I know that it had to be done, but I will not forget my humanity. I can accept that I have killed while still feeling a sense of sadness. It's like I can't move though. I feel frozen in this spot.

How am I really that different from this man. If my situation was different, maybe I would be suffering the same fate. Nagini looks at me and hisses in a painfully sad tone.

"What now master?"

"I don't know. There is so much to do. We have to round up the rest of the deatheaters and then I need to check on Severus. I have to stop Dumbledore." She slithers to me and when I pick her up she curls against my neck. "I will carry out your master's orders."

"Yes. You will. May I eat the rodent that changes into a human? He is plump and looks juicy."

I try to not laugh but ultimately I fail. All the tension. All the turmoil. It just melts.

"I think it's best if you refrain from killing an actual person. I think I'll need your help protecting Severus, and I do not want aurors to take you. For now, I think it's a good idea if we keep your existence as quiet as possible, but I promise that I will get you a nice juicy rat." I say in English. She nods reasonably satisfied.

When I leave the grand throne room, most of my army seems to be overtaking the few deatheaters that are still fighting. It's clear that they at least know that their master is no more. Masked figures are being restrained and aurors are making their way through. It was always planned to alert them... once I got what I came for. Nagini curls in my arms and I hiss lowly to calm her.

With all the death eaters either dead or subdued, my army begins congratulating themselves and checking to make sure their loved ones are safe. The aurors are transporting the deatheaters to Azkaban or a holding cell- depending on their level of danger and power.

And me.

I answer a few questions- confirm that Voldemort is in fact dead. I assure them that the snake I am holding is not a danger to anyone. Then apparate to the safe house.

Tom Riddle's body will be cremated and his ashes scattered because no villain deserves a marked grave. I have mixed feelings, but I understand why he's being treated that way. It was never him. Never completely him at least. There was always a puppet master in the shadows.

At the safe house, it's Draco who grabs me first.

"You did it!" He shouts excitedly then immediately eyes Nagini suspiciously.

"I'll explain about her later, but I trust that she's not going to hurt anyone. How did you already know that he was defeated?" He slowly shows me his bare left arm.

"I felt it vanish." I'm sure the other deatheaters that were taken in still had their marks. Did he revoke the mark on those that he felt were good? He's smiling at me and then his smile fades slightly. "Severus was worried."

"How is Severus?" I ask.

"I've forced him into a healing sleep." Poppy says touching my arm. When did she...? never mind. "He was exhausted and understandably he had not eaten." Draco looks away guiltily.