Harry Potter and the Wandmaker of Avalon

Part 6

Chapter 5

"I thought it would be for the best," Dumbledore told Harry in a sad tone. "You see my boy, I'm getting on in years and my magic was becoming weaker. It happens sometimes with wizards as they age. I was not fit to keep these students save during the war."

"So you faked your death? Wait, did Snape know you faked it?! I saw him kill you!" Harry asked as he got closer.

"Severus is adept at wordless magic Harry. The spell you saw that night was nothing more than a simple green coloring spell hitting me. He could have uttered anything while casting that." Dumbledore explained. "He knew of my plans and him 'killing' me would solidify his position in Voldemort's ranks. I just didn't plan on this happening."

"But you're hand. The curse, you were dying," Harry said as he then looked at Dumbledore's hand that was supposed to be blackened. It looked healthy now and Harry wondered just how much of Dumbledore's act had been an illusion. Then it clicked, Snape must have cured Dumbledore at some point after he fled the castle since he knew the old Headmaster was still alive.

"Severus' position should have avoided this outcome......" Dumbledore said gravely. "The Elder wand should have been without a master,"

"But you didn't count on Draco disarming you nor Voldemort murdering one of his closest thinking he was the master of the Elder Wand." Harry finished. "Professor, maybe there is a way to bring Snape back."

Dumbledore looked up suddenly and Harry could see several unshed tears in the Headmaster's eyes. It seemed Dumbledore was closer to Snape than Harry had thought. "What do you mean Harry?"

"Somehow I became the Master of Death. I saw Death himself on the battlefield just minutes ago. Maybe there is a chance...." Harry uttered. Just as Harry said that Death materialized next to them causing Harry to scoot back and Dumbledore's eyes to widen.

"Master," Death greeted again.

"C....Can you help us?" Harry asked looking at Death and then at the prone body of Snape. "Snape was one of the bravest men I knew. I shouldn't have an end like this."

The skeletal face of Death stared at Harry before uttering "I cannot reverse his time Master even if you were to order me. He has no lifeforce left."

"But the Resurrection Stone...." Harry was about to utter and then he thought back to what had happened in the story of the three brothers. No, the Resurrection Stone shouldn't even be used. The professor would return as a vengeful shade only then. He looked down for a moment and thought 'This can't be how it ends for Snape.'

"Master," Death spoke again. "Though I cannot return his lifeforce I can grant a boon. All I ask that you consider destroying the Elder Wand."

"A boon? And why the Elder Wand?" Harry asked perplexed.

"Being under a Master would tilt the balance of Life and Death and the world itself. Even as a Greater Entity I fear what the future may hold if a Master over Death was decreed. As for Tom Riddle, he prolonged his life using the foulest of magics. He has eluded my hand for far too long and I am grateful to finally have his soul in my possession today. There is still much of the lifeforce he had accumulated available though it dwindles by the second in this realm. I shall grant that as a boon. His injuries won't be healed but he will live again. Whether he survives those injuries though is all up to him." Death decreed as magic set to work.

-------End Flashback------

Snape and Harry Apparated to Hogsmeade and boarded a Thestral-drawn carriage up to the castle. A few carriages were in front of and behind them. "So Hermione knows of the plan as well," Harry casually stated.