The Cell

Chapter 16: Reluctant mending

A/N: This chapter contains excerpts from The Deathly Hallows.

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"They're all yours Remus, Minerva needs me on the front lines," Kingsley said, handing off Ron and Harry to their former professor on the third-floor landing.

"Alright lads, where are we headed?" Remus asked as Kingsley sprinted away, noting that they were both covered in soot and Harry was clutching his scar.

"The diadem is destroyed," Harry said in a pained voice. "That just leaves Voldemort and the snake. I checked his head, they're in the Shrieking Shack."

Remus sighed and wiped a hand across his forehead. "Of course they are... I swear, when this is all over, I'm burning that bloody building to the ground."

The trio turned and headed down the staircase. They ran past the great hall and out the front doors, not seeing, behind an overturned bench, two figures bent and passing potions back and forth over an unconscious witch with flaming red hair and a gash on her forehead.

They skirted the edge of the building and headed toward the Whomping Willow, watching as several Order fighters cast patronuses to drive away a swarm of dementors approaching over the grounds in the distance.

Ron quickly levitated a stick, directing it to a root near the base of the tree, thus freezing it's thrashing limbs upon impact. Remus cast silencing charms on their feet and they raced forward, dropping into a dirt tunnel.

As they approached, soft voices could be heard coming from within the shack. The three men bent low to peer through the wooden slats.

"Why doesn't it work for me Severus?" inquired a cold, hissing voice.

"You have performed extraordinary magic with this wand My Lord, in the last few hours alone," Snape placated.

"No – no, I am extraordinary, but the wand resists me."

"Tonight, when the boy comes, it will not fail you. I am sure of it. It answers to you, and you alone."

"Does it?"

"My lord?"

"The wand, does it truly answer to me? You're a clever man Severus, surely you must know. Where does it's true loyalty lie?"

"With you, of course, My Lord."

"The Elder Wand cannot serve me properly because I am not its true master. The Elder Wand belongs to the wizard who defeated its last owner... you killed Dumbledore, Severus. While you live, the Elder Wand cannot truly be mine. You've been a good and faithful servant, but only I can live forever."

"My lord –"

"Nagini, kill."

The snake struck at Snape and Harry had to bite his tongue in order not to yell out. He felt Remus clamp a tight hand on his shoulder. A second later Voldemort apparated away with Nagini and Harry, Ron and Remus barreled forward from their hiding place, Harry reaching Snape first.

Snape gripped his wand and held a shaking hand up to his temple, blood pouring from a jagged lesion on his neck.

"Take them," he gasped, drawing out silvery strands of memories. Ron conjured a vial and handed it to Harry.

"No, you don't get to die, you great greasy git, you're going to answer for what you've done," Remus snarled, setting to work attempting to heal Snape. While Nagini's bites were venomous, as long as Snape didn't bleed out, he could be kept alive long enough to receive an antidote – much like Arthur had two years prior.