Kassandra Bauer and the Deathly Hallows. (Book 7)

Chapter 41: The Tragedy of the Prince.

Harry remained kneeling at Snape's side, simply staring down at him. I looked at the vial. 

"I don't understand." Ryan said. "Snape knew all along that I was Wedjat. So why didn't he confront me about it? Why didn't he tell the Carrows? Why didn't he target Sophie, or Parvati? It doesn't make sense." 

I shook my head. "And what did he mean by acting on Dumbledore's orders?" I asked. There was so much I didn't understand. And according to Snape's last dying breath... it was all in this vial. Would this explain everything? "That's a question this vial can answer." I repeated in my head. 

I looked down at our dead Professor. As much as Snape treated me and my friends so cruelly in school. As much as he belittled me and made me cry. As much as I despised him and wanted to kill him myself for what he did to Dumbledore that night right in front of me. As MUCH as I wanted to hate him with all my GUTS... I just couldn't. And I didn't know why. Was it because so many had died tonight already? Was it because I pitied him as he was killed by the Snake? Or was it something else? I just shook my head. 

Ron looked down on Snape's body. "May the hidden one, greet you. The Lord of the Duat awaits." He said. 

"Best of luck to you, Snape." Ryan also knelt down. "I wish we parted on better terms." 

Quite suddenly a high, cold voice spoke so close to us that we all jumped up. The flask gripped tightly in my hands. I thought that Voldemort re-entered the room.

"Now what's going on?" Hermione asked. 

"You have fought..." Voldemort said. "...valiantly. Lord Voldemort knows how to value bravery." 

What did he know about bravery? Nothing!

"Yet you have sustained heavy losses. If you continue to resist me, you will all die, one by one. I do not wish this to happen. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a loss and waste." Voldemort continued. "Lord Voldemort is merciful. I command my forces to retreat, immediately. You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured." 

It was a trick! It had to be!

"Harry Potter, I now speak directly to you. You have permitted your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait for one hour in the Forbidden Forest. If, at the end of that hour, you have not come to me, have not given yourselves up, then battle recommences. This time, I shall enter the fray myself, Harry Potter, and I shall find you, and I shall punish every last man, woman, and child who has tried to conceal you from me. Starting with that woman: Kassandra Lydia Bauer. One hour." 

My eyes widened. "Well... that's a little bracing." I commented nervously. 

Ron, Hermione, and Ryan shook their heads frantically, looking at Harry. 

"Don't listen to him." Ron said. 

"It'll be alright." Hermione added wildly. "Let's- let's get back to the castle, if he's gone to the Forest we'll need to think of a new plan-" 

"Yeah..." I agreed. "We'll go find Ethan. "He'll... he'll know what to do." 

"Come on. Let's roll before Voldemort comes back." Ryan suggested. 

She glanced back at Snape's body, then hurried back to the tunnel entrance. Ryan and I followed her. 

Harry gathered up the Invisibility Cloak, looking down at Snape. And Ron and Anubis were by his side. "I don't know how to feel, Anubis. I guess shock at best. At the way he was killed, and the reason for which it was done..."