Fatal Affair

Chapter 37: The Killing Curse

"I am getting tired of being interrupted!" Bellatrix shouted as Severus Snape stepped through the door. 

Severus's eyes swept over Nova's body, checking for injuries. "You're still alive," he said slowly. 

"Not for long," Bellatrix said. 

"Bellatrix," Severus said as he took in everyone present in the room, "this is my job, please, allow me." 

"Traitor!" Nova shouted. She tried to lunge towards Severus as she wanted to hit him, push him, cause him any kind of pain, however Lucius held her around her waist, stopping her. "You're a liar! You dirty, evil, coward!" 

"Nova, calm down," Lucius whispered. 

"How could you!?" Nova continued shouting, fighting against Lucius's grip. "I trusted you!" 

"Let her go Lucius," Bellatrix said. "I want to see what happens." 

"Bellatrix, you aren't helping," Lucius shot back. 

"Let me go, Lucius!" Nova tried prying his hands off of her waist, but to no avail. She stilled. "I won't touch him, just let me go."  

Lucius loosened his grip and Nova took the opportunity to hurl herself at Severus. She pushed him hard and he took a step back, steadying himself. She tried to swing her fists at any part of him she could reach but he held her wrists tight. She managed to beat his chest a couple of times before he held her tighter. 

"Are you done?" he said through clenched teeth, clearly holding her with difficulty. 

Tears started falling down Nova's face. "I hate you," she whispered. 

"That's fine," Severus said. "However, you are wasting your energy. I do not think you have a wand, you cannot defend yourself. So please, stop hitting me." 

"Let me go," Nova said, looking Severus in the eyes. She wanted him to see her pain, to understand what he had done to her. 

"I will if you stop hitting me," Severus explained. "Nova?" 

Nova turned her head slightly, refusing to answer him. He let her go and she took a step back. 

"Do it, Severus," Nova said, watching him. "Kill me." 

"Nova, I-" Severus stopped himself. He looked at her, showing no emotions on his face. 

"You are all so weak!" Bellatrix exclaimed. "The Dark Lord was right, Severus. You are incapable of carrying out this task. Do you care for her so much that you are willing to disappoint the Dark Lord?" Severus didn't answer, continuing to look at Nova. "She does not want you, I'm afraid. She wants Lucius for some reason that I cannot fathom. Hmm," Bellatrix circled around Severus, stepping beside Nova so he would look at her. "This reminds me of another girl who did not love you back." Severus's face went rigid, his jaw clenched. Nova turned to look at Bellatrix. "Nova is a reminder that you are unlovable, Severus." 

"Bella," Narcissa said softly, as if begging her sister to stop. 

Bellatrix moved to whisper into Severus's ear. "You feel that anger? That hatred? Feed off of it, allow it to control you. Take it out on Nova. It is her fault that you do not feel loved, it is her fault that your love is unrequited. Hurt her the way that she hurt you." 

Severus's facial muscles twitched, his eyes narrowed. "You have it all wrong, Bellatrix," he spoke as he looked at Nova. "I never loved Nova. You are wrong. Your words do not fuel me because I feel nothing towards her."

Nova flinched.  

Bellatrix took a step back. "Then you will have no trouble killing her." 

Severus lifted his hand, palm facing upward. Bellatrix reached into her cloak pocket, pulling out Severus's wand. She placed it into his open hand.

He gripped his wand, holding it up and pointing it in Nova's direction. Bellatrix cackled as Nova took a step back.

"Lucius," Severus said, continuing to only look at Nova. "Hold her still." 

"Severus," Lucius said, shock flickering across his face, "you cannot be serious right now." 

"Since when have you cared for her safety, Lucius?" Severus asked. "She has only been a toy to you, something to play with when your wife was away. Do not pretend you care now." 

Lucius hesitated then grabbed Nova's arms, pinning them behind her back. 

"Lucius, really?" Nova asked, turning to look at him. "After everything that's happened between us, you're going to let him kill me?" Nova's voice shook with panic. "You told me you'd look for me, remember? You said if I disappeared, you'd find me. I thought you cared." 

Lucius stared at his wife, avoiding Nova's eyes. "I'm surprised you let that fool you." 

"Lucius," Nova said quickly, fear rising in her body. She tried pulling away from him. "Look at me! You're just as much a coward as Severus." 

This was clearly the wrong thing to say. Lucius's grip tightened and he looked down at her, anger in his eyes. "I can't protect you anymore." 

"You never protected me!" Nova shouted, the words burning her throat as she said them. An acidic taste resided in her mouth.  

Nova turned herself, trying to kick at Lucius but he wrapped his arms around her, limiting her movements. 

Severus opened his mouth to speak. 

"No!" Nova shouted as a last attempt to save herself. 

Her attempts were futile. Severus uttered the words, forceful and clear, "Avada Kedavra!"