𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐱 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝚂𝚃𝙾𝚁𝚈

Chapter 22 - the War

The Shrieking Shack stood eerily silent, its creaking walls and rotting beams a perfect backdrop for the dark magic about to unfold. Inside, Severus Snape stood, his black eyes glinting with the heavy burden of the moment, knowing what was to come. The air was thick with tension, an oppressive force that made breathing feel like a chore. Yet Snape was calm, his mind focused on the plan.

From the shadows, Voldemort emerged, his serpentine features bathed in the cold glow of the night. Nagini, his snake, slithered at his feet, her forked tongue flickering in the air, sensing the anticipation. Voldemort's voice was soft, almost a whisper, as he began to speak, each word laced with a quiet, deadly resolve.

"Severus," Voldemort began, his red eyes narrowing as he fixed his gaze on Snape, "you have been most useful to me, a loyal servant. But the Elder Wand... it does not truly belong to me. Its allegiance lies with the wizard who killed its last master. Albus Dumbledore died at your hand, Severus. The wand knows this, and so it is to you that it owes its true allegiance."

This was the moment. His death.

Yet all Severus Snape could think of was her.

Adeline.

Voldemort paused, stepping closer, voice dropping to a chilling, intimate murmur. "But as long as you live, Severus, I will never be its master. The wand will never be truly mine. And so... you must die."

Snape's face remained impassive, but his mind was racing. He knew this moment was inevitable, yet hearing it spoken by Voldemort himself added a cruel finality to it. His fingers brushed against the inside of his cloak, feeling the small vial of Draught of Living Death he had prepared. The potion would soon begin to work, and all he needed was to survive long enough for the plan to unfold.

"Nagini!" Voldemort raised his hand, commanding the snake forward. "Kill."

The snake coiled, ready to strike. Snape didn't flinch.

The real work was being done in the shadows. Unseen, Adeline was there, concealed under a Disillusionment Charm, her wand aimed at the man she loved. She whispered a Protective Enchantment, a soft, unseen shield that would protect Snape from the full force of Nagini's attack. At the same time, she cast an Illusion Charm, ensuring that the effects of the attack appeared far more severe than they actually were.

Nagini struck with terrifying speed, her fangs sinking into Snape's neck. The illusion made it appear as though the venom was doing its deadly work, but Snape felt only a dull throb, the Protective Enchantment dulling the true impact.

The professor staggered back, collapsing against the wall, his body going limp as the Draught of Living Death began to take effect. His breathing slowed, his heartbeat faint. Voldemort, satisfied with what he believed was Snape's demise, turned and left the shack with Nagini, leaving his most loyal servant to die.

As the man lay on the floor, seemingly at death's door, Harry Potter rushed into the room. The boy's face was pale, eyes wide with shock and horror. Snape, feeling the last of his strength slipping away, managed to pull the small vial from his robes.

"Take... them," he whispered, his voice hoarse, weak. "Take... my memories... to the Pensieve."

Harry hesitated for only a moment before taking the vial, collecting the tears that fell from the professor's eyes. The effort was almost too much, but Snape knew this had to be done. With one final, rattling breath, he let his body go limp, the Draught of Living Death pulling him deeper into its false death-like state.

Harry, believing Severus Snape had died, clutched the vial tightly and fled the shack, driven by the urgency of what he had to do next.

The moment the door closed behind Harry, Adeline dropped the Disillusionment Charm, her form shimmering into view as she rushed to Snape's side. With trembling hands, she pulled out the antidote she had prepared, carefully administering it to him, watching with bated breath as Snape's breathing gradually returned to normal.