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Coil of the Serpent	By : ladyofarundel Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 5327 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Part I
- 2-Part II
- 3-Part III
- 4-Part IV
- 5-Part V
- 6-Part VI
- 5
- 6
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Part VI

A/N: In the middle of writing this I caught the end of SS on TV—I do love how Neville wins the final points, but I hate that Dumbledore takes the House Cup away from Slytherin in front of the entire school—biased bastard. And on that note…

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dark brown violent oh gods blood-red frantic snarling oh gods gnashing glistening white terrible pain Tom! blossoming tearing searing blinding oh gods oh gods oh gods I’m going to die so sorry Tom i love you i love you oh gods im going to die—

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

’—very disappointed in all of you. Never in my time here at Hogwarts have I—’

Words, indistinguishable and unintelligible washed over him from afar, not quite penetrating the frosty haze enveloping his body and mind. The searing pain burning at the back of his skull and blazing hot fire across his back roared in his ears. He sat ramrod straight, unmoving and unblinking as if the rest of his body and mind, anything not touched by the agonizing flames, were encased in ice. Nothing existed beyond the intricate carvings of the Headmaster’s desk, not the bone-weary man sitting behind the desk, and certainly not the two recalcitrant boys on his left, until a hand fell heavy on his shoulder.

Severus flinched, eyes squeezed tight against the flare of pain.

’Mr. Snape?’

He opened his eyes and swayed slightly in his chair as the room seemed to spin off kilter.

‘Your attention if you will, Mr. Snape.’ The pressure on his shoulder lifted and he exhaled in relief, blinking as he struggled to focus on the world beyond the haze of fire and ice. He and the Headmaster were alone. The great wizard’s lips were pressed into a grim line.

’It’s been done, then, sir?’

’What do you mean, Mr. Snape?’

’The other boys, Black and Potter, they’re gone—has Black already been expelled, then?’ Gray eyebrows arched in surprise.

’I am afraid I don’t understand, Mr. Snape.’ No, it couldn’t be—Dumbledore wouldn’t, not when he could plainly see—Severus’s throat constricted.

’Expelled, sir. Surely you have expelled Black for trying to kill me!’

’Kill you, dear boy? Not at all. Merely a schoolboy prank mistakenly gone awry. Now, I am sorry Mr. Snape that you—’ His stomach fell and at last, stunned, he lifted his eyes to meet those of the man who defeated Grindewald.

’No! No you can’t—Professor, he sent me to my death tonight, and—’ Dumbledore raised his hands to silence the boy.

’Now, Mr. Black has assured me that he meant you no harm, and I hardly believe any of those boys could be capable of the malice you suggest. Now—’

’But, but sir.’ Severus’s voice broke. They had done it again, the golden boys of Gryffindor would get away without consequence. After all, what was the near-murder of a Slytherin to a man like Dumbledore? Nothing, he was nothing.

‘You would do well not to interrupt me, Mr. Snape.‘ Severus flinched at the coldness of the Headmaster‘s tone. ‘Mr. Black understands the gravity of his actions tonight and Mr. Black and Mr. Potter have returned to Gryffindor Tower.‘

‘Points, then? Off the quidditch team?‘ Dumbledore‘s face was beginning to grow blurry before his eyes.

‘Now Mr. Snape, you must understand the circumstances. What would it do to poor Mr. Lupin—your own friend—to reveal his condition to the world?‘ Severus stiffened.

‘Remus Lupin,‘ he ground out through teeth clenched in anger and pain, ‘is no longer any friend of mine.‘ Dumbledore seemed to consider him a moment and sighed in resignation.

‘I am sorry you feel that way, Mr. Snape, however I cannot permit you to speak of this night to anyone.‘

‘You would do nothing then? I was nearly *murdered* tonight and all you care for is protecting my murderers!‘ Severus struggled to his feet, knocking his chair backwards onto the ground. ‘No, I understand far too clearly, Headmaster. I understand the worth of a dirty Slytherin‘s life compared to that of one of your sacred Gryffindors. Not even a single point.‘

Dumbledore sighed as the boy ran from the office. He‘d let the boy calm down and then speak to him again, ensure he saw reason. Wearily he stood to retire to his chambers, idly waving the displaced chair back in its proper place.

It wouldn‘t be until much later the following morning that Dumbledore would notice the great amount of blood, still fresh, soaked into the back of the chair and pooled on the polished stone floor.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tom Riddle stifled a yawn as he took the final staircase to his personal chambers, plucking at the clasps and ties off his outer robes as he climbed. It had been a long night, tiresome and stressful, but his mind ached with the satisfying throb of intense effort well spent—tonight had been a very good night for the cause. One hand absently massaging the back of his neck, Tom pressed the palm of the other upon the gilded doors guarding his chambers, the doors giving way as he whispered the password in parseltongue.

He dropped his cloak over the back of one of the parlor‘s armchairs and rolled up the sleeves of his pressed shirt, tugging at the buttons. Gods, how he missed his Severus on nights such as these. The tumbler on the mantle called to him, but he turned instead to his bedroom, deciding rather to ease his mind by writing to his young lover. He had written Severus a long owl just that morning, but surely he could indulge—Tom froze mid-step.

Blood.

Pooled on the hardwood floors and soaked into the plush carpet at the foot of the bed. He jerked his gaze upward and sprang forward at the sight of the blood-soaked duvet and the curled form swathed in black laying perfectly still on the bed. Only one person had access to his chambers, oh gods, oh gods—

‘Oh gods, Severus—‘

Mindless of the blood he hastily took the final steps to the bed, and cautiously pulled away the mangled robes to reveal his love‘s face, drawn tight in agony. Oh gods, oh gods—grief and fear sliced through his heart and he sank onto the bed. He sought for a pulse with trembling fingers, the boy‘s skin far too cool against his skin, and nearly wept when it was there. Thank Salazaar, oh gods, oh gods—

Frantically he pushed his lover‘s long hair away from his face and urgently tried to wake the boy but it was no use. The boy‘s robes were torn as if—hot fury poured over his grief—if anyone had dared violate this precious—He had to do something, he had to stop the bleeding, his lover‘s life spilling onto his hands, he had to—he fumbled for his wand, cursing himself and his damned muggle-bred instincts. His knuckles whitened in the fierce grip he had on his wand—no one had dared, had they?

In one sharp wave Severus‘s clothing lay heaped on the floor—oh how many times had they used that spell here in this very bed? Murmuring soothing words he pulled Severus from the tight ball he was curled in, ignoring the tears slipping down his cheeks and joining with the rivulets of blood on his lover‘s body as he searched for the source of all the blood.

He couldn‘t help a strangled cry as he rolled the boy onto his stomach. The flesh of Severus‘s right shoulder was absolutely mangled, and long parallel gashes tore open the boy‘s back from his left shoulder to his lower back. The edges of each wound glimmered silver in the torchlight. The only blessing was that it seemed his love had not been violated as he had initially feared.

‘Oh Severus, my love—‘

Swallowing heavily, Tom pushed down all the fear and anguish and wild rage and focused on trying to save the life of his Beloved.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Poppy Pomfrey shrieked in surprise as Albus Dumbledore burst into the Hospital Wing, panting as thought he had run the entire way.

‘Poppy—where is he?‘

‘Mr. Lupin is right here, Headmaster.‘ She gestured to the sleeping form on the bed before her, the only occupied bed in the infirmary. ‘He is still sleeping, and I would ask—‘

‘No, Poppy. Severus Snape. Where is Mr. Snape?‘ Bewildered, she stepped around young Lupin‘s bed towards the frantic wizard.

‘In class, I would imagine. Albus, are you feeling quite alright?‘

‘Poppy, did Mr. Snape come to you for any reason last night?‘

‘No Headmaster, I had no patients until I went to collect Mr. Lupin—this morning he was in a state worse than I‘ve ever seen him. What is this all about, Albus.‘ The Headmaster sank heavily into the closest chair and Poppy rushed to his side. Never had she seen the man so visibly distraught.

‘Has Mr. Snape come into any trouble, Albus?‘ Receiving no reply she hurried on. ‘Such a sweet, earnest young man—such a shy young man—comes in every so often to assist me with healing potions. I can‘t imagine him breaking the rules or—did he fall prey to another one of that Black boy‘s foolhardy tricks? Why Black must always pick on that child—Albus, what’s wrong?’

’There was an—incident last night, in which Mr. Snape was a party. I—it appears I misevaluated the seriousness of the situation, judged too hastily, and I fear—I fear young Mr. Snape might have come to bear the brunt of my grave mistake.’ Dumbledore took a shaky breath. ’I have checked the grounds and the castle and cannot find him—my last hope was that he had come here to see you, for I fear—I fear the worst for young Mr. Snape, and it is all my own doing.’

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When he awoke, it was not to the scorching agony which had followed him to unconsciousness, but to warmth, and softness, and warm fingertips reverently smoothing his brow, using barely enough pressure to be felt at all. Severus tried to roll onto his back but he was gently restrained.

’Shh, stay still sweetheart. You’re still healing.’

Tom.

He sighed in relief—so he had managed to portkey to the Fen after all—and opened his eyes to see his lover, face drawn with worry and exhaustion. Tom lay down beside him, carefully resettling Severus so they could share the pillow, and the two lovers gazed at each other. Severus cleared his throat and offered a faint smile.

’Hi.’

Tom’s eyes filled with tears and, gently, he wrapped his arms around the smaller wizard and pulled him as close as possible.

’Oh gods, Severus, I thought I would lose you, I thought I had already lost you, when I first—there was so much blood and I—oh Severus, thank Salazar, I love you, I love you—’

Severus let his eyes flutter closed and contentedly lay in Tom’s embrace, letting his lover’s words of worry and love wash over him until finally Tom hesitated and pulled back slightly so as to see the boy’s face.

’Love? Was it a—’ Severus bit his lip, trying to swallow away his panic.

’It—a werewolf, one of the students, I—it happened so fast and I was so numb and didn’t even realize that I was—until I saw the blood, and I thought I wouldn’t make it to you Tom—I was so scared Tom, so scared I would never see you again—’ Despite it all, Tom’s heart leapt—Severus in his terror had thought of him, had turned to him for help. How he loved this beautiful, fragile creature in his arms. This time it was Severus who hesitated, eyes lowered away from Tom’s face. ’Tom? Was I—did he, I mean—’

’You were bitten, my love. The back of your right shoulder.’ Severus inhaled sharply and his full-fledged panic attack was staved only by the calming charm Tom quickly wove around him. ’Shh, Severus, listen to me, it’s alright—please, sweetheart, please just listen to me. He bit you but you haven’t been turned, love. You’re not a werewolf.’ Oynx eyes flew open.

’Tom—?’

The older wizard said nothing, only fingered the serpent pendant that lay between them on the pillow, the chain still clasped around Severus’s neck. Severus recalled Tom’s words to him on his sixteenth birthday. *You will always have the power of Salazar protecting you from your enemies, so long as you wear this, love. The serpent shall protect you from harm, for it is as loyal to you now as it is to me.*

’It saved me?’ Tom nodded solemnly. ’Then you saved me, twice over. I owe you my life, Tom.’

’Shh, none of that now. Can you tell me what happened?’ Tom helped him roll onto his side and began to cover his shoulder in more healing ointment.

Severus slowly began to tell the story, refusing to give names—much to Tom’s barely-concealed frustration—as Tom fussed and held him as though he could shatter to pieces any moment. He told him of the sharp increase of tensions in the house rivalries. Of his polite rejections of a certain boy’s advances (leaving out the details he knew would enrage his lover), of that same boy’s insane jealously over Severus’s friendship with another boy—the other boy’s own best friend—who unbeknownst to Severus was a werewolf. Of his own curiosity about the mysterious monthly illnesses and disappearances of his potions partner; of tonight, of the jealous boy’s prank, sending him into the werewolf’s clutches, just to be pulled back at the last moment by a third boy and his guilty conscience.

’Salazar’s sign, the medallion,’ Tom quietly interrupted. ’That was Salazar’s magic. He sent the boy to save you.’

The younger wizard slowly told of the aftermath in the Headmaster’s office, how Dumbledore had dismissed it all as an errant prank. At the revelation that the boys would go unpunished he felt Tom’s hands clench before he pulled away to angrily pace the room. Severus shrank slightly into the bedclothes—never had he seen Tom so angry, and while he knew his lover’s anger was not directed toward him, the pure fury that poured forth from the older wizard was frightening.

’That incompetent *fool* had finally gone too far—how dare he, how dare he do this to you. How blind the muggle-lover must be not to see one of his own students bleeding to death in his own office—how *dare* he treat you like this. How *dare* he swear you to silence while he lets your would-be *murderers* go free!’ Tom angrily moved to collect his wand and was only stopped by a weak hand grasping his wrist.

’Please Tom, no—Tom, you can’t say anything, please Tom, don’t do something foolish over me. Please Tom, just stay here with me—’ Tom knelt on the bed and took his hand.

’Oh, my sweet Severus, so loving and trusting, don’t you see? This was no schoolboy prank, and he bloody well knows it. Don’t you see how the venerable Albus Dumbledore would sacrifice your life to conceal his own mistakes? Can’t you see what danger you are in, what all the students at that school are in, so long as that man is in control? What if you didn’t have me to go to, Severus, or what if I had come home even one hour later than I did? Then those boys would be murderers in truth, and Dumbledore their willing accomplice in your death, my love. He would have left you to bleed to death in some hallway, alone, had you not come to me. And he places the burden on *you*, sweetheart? Can you not see how he has used you?’

’I know, Tom, I know—I said as much to him and he didn’t care, but, please—please just forget it ever happened, Tom, please—’ Severus shook in his arms and Tom’s heart ached at his lover’s distress until he gave in and reset his wand on the table.

’I won’t do anything, but only for your sake. I promise you my silence, Severus.’ He took his lover back into his arms and held him as he fell into an uneasy sleep. ’But I will never forget tonight, my love,’ Tom thought, ’and some day Dumbledore and his pet Gryffindors will pay for their crimes against you.’

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

With great reluctance Severus returned to Hogwarts several days later, a brief letter owled ahead to his Head of House to allay any panic over his disappearance. He had almost made it to the dungeons unnoticed, having timed his arrival for after all the other students would be asleep in bed, when he had the misfortune of running into the Headmaster himself.

’I have nothing to say to you, Headmaster.’ The boy avoided his eyes and held himself stiffly as though in great pain, which Dumbledore had no doubt he was. The Snape heir’s countenance was a sickly pale and so expressionless it sent a shiver down the older wizard’s spine. He only hoped whatever damage he had done to the boy could be repaired.

’Mr. Snape, I am so very sorry. Had I realized—’ The black eyes swung upwards and now bore into him with anger.

’But you did not, Headmaster. You just saw an insignificant Slytherin—or am I being redundant?—who *must* have done something truly malicious to provoke one of your golden boys to violence. I understand quite well, Headmaster, and I have learned my lesson. Next time I shall remember my error and give into Black’s advances and molestations—perhaps this time you’d prefer I willingly participate in my rape rather than do something to prevent it? For it certainly didn’t sit well with Black when I escaped his clutches the last time; in fact, it seems he was so *upset* that he decided to feed me to his pet werewolf. I’ll try hard to remember to sit still long enough for him to kill me next time. Let me pass, sir.’

Dumbledore was stricken—he had had no idea whatsoever that young Mr. Black had—sweet Merlin, how he had failed this boy.

’Mr. Snape, I—I had no idea, or else I would not have—’

’No, sir, you didn’t. Because you never even bothered to ask for my side of the story. After all, what’s the word of a filthy Slytherin against one of your Gryffindors. Now let me pass, sir.’

’Mr. Snape, please—at least let me escort you to the hospital wing and have—’ Dumbledore had reached out and grasped Severus by the forearm and the boy’s reaction was violent, flinging himself wildly away from the older man with a cry and pressing himself flush against the wall.

’Do. Not. Touch. Me. You have no right. Just let me pass, sir. Please.’ The boy’s voice broke on the final word but his face remained determined. Dumbledore stepped back and the boy visibly relaxed a degree, and began toward the dungeons, giving the Headmaster as wide of a berth as the hallway would allow. He watched the boy with a sorrowful heart, one last question burning on his tongue. It was obvious the boy had received treatment somewhere, but—regardless of the child’s state, he had to know.

’Mr. Snape, forgive me, but I must ask—did you receive the bite that night in the Shrieking Shack?’ The boy froze but did not turn around.

’You have your secrets, Headmaster, and I shall have mine.’

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Severus withdrew into himself for the final months of his seventh year, still opening up to his closest friends but avoiding any contact with those beyond his own house. His teachers, however, could not complain for if anything his grades had improved—were that possible—and he passed his NEWTs with marks far higher than anyone else in his year, including those of the Head Boy and Girl. Yet while they had no complaint over the quality of the Snape heir’s work, they all noted in staff meetings how quiet and troubled the young man had become, particularly in classes shared with the Gryffindors. As Lupin’s Head of House, Professor McGonagall had been notified of the incident involving the young Slytherin and grew particularly worried over the boy, prodding the Headmaster to speak to the tormented boy. The Headmaster refused, insisting that the boy refused to even acknowledge him and that he would get over it in due time; anyway, he was otherwise preoccupied with dealing with the sudden escalation of violence and fury unleashed by the Death Eaters and their Lord Voldemort.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

’Hello? Mother? Father?’

Severus’s voice echoed through the entrance hall of Snape Manor. He had finally finished Hogwarts, was a full-fledged wizard and top of his class to boot. He, Lucius, and several of their friends had decided to go out to celebrate and so he had written his parents nto to bother meeting the Hogwarts Express at King’s Cross (that had not gone over well with his rather sentimental mother, who had wanted photos of her baby’s final moments of school, but thankfully his father had intervened on his behalf).

Scooping his shrunken school trunk out of his pocket he set it carefully on the marble floor and returned it to its normal size, grinning as he relished his first free act of magic out in the ‘real world.‘ Quite satisfied, he dropped his folded cloak on the trunk before again calling out for his parents. He spun at the sudden *pop* behind him.

‘Bimby, are my parents home?‘

‘Young Master finishes at Hogwarts, congratulations, Young Master.’

’Yes, thank you Bimby. My parents?’

’Lord and Lady Snape tells Bimby they must call on Lord Snape’s sister and to tell Young Master they wills be home shortly.’ Thank the gods, that was a visit Severus was in no way upset to have missed. ’Lord and Lady Snape also tells Bimby to tell Young Master a surprise waits in Young Master’s chambers, and to give Young Masters this.’

’Thank you, Bimby. You may go.’ Severus took the small parchment roll and the elf disappeared with another pop. He quickly undid the seal and uncurled the paper: *Be true to your heart, our son.*

Curious, he pocketed the parchment and bounded up the stairs to his room, ignoring the twinge in his right shoulder from the sudden movement. He paused, breathless, at the open doorway of his bedroom. On the bed lay a small box, brilliantly wrapped to perfectly match Tom’s gift to him on his sixteenth birthday. Absently he fingered the pendant at the base of his throat.

’Oh, Tom—’

Quickly crossing to the bed he picked up the gift and tore at the paper—oh, Merlin. Inside the gilded box lay a platinum band, discretely encrusted with tiny rubies and emeralds. Tears filled his eyes as he tipped the ring to read the inscription: ’For Sweet Severus, my only love and only heart, in this life of the next.’

’Marry me, Severus.’

He spin, a hand clasped to his mouth as his face broke into a brilliant smile. There stood Tom, as handsome and dashing as ever in formal robes dyed the very shade of his eyes. The older wizard stepped forward and took the ring from Severus’s shaking hand.

’Marry me, bond with me—stand by my side for all eternity. I love you Severus, more than I had ever believed it possible. I never really knew love, or understood how one person could become the center, the heart, of someone’s world—until I met you. Spend eternity with me, my love, and I will forever dedicate myself to your happiness, and to making myself worthy of your gift.’

’Tom—I, my—’ The note left by his parents floated through his mind. ’My parents, they know? About us?’ Tom smiled and sat on the edge of the bed, pulling his lover into his lap.

’Yes—your parents granted me your hand in marriage, if you will have me. By their reaction to my asking, I suspect they’ve known for quite some time.’ Severus’s cheeks flushed crimson, but he smiled. Tom was proposing, oh gods, Tom wanted to be with him forever’

’You could have anyone in the world, and you choose me?’ Tom ducked his head down to nuzzle Severus’s nose with his own.

’Yes, silly boy. You’re beautiful, and witty, and beyond brilliant, and incredibly sexy, and you make something within me come alive that I never knew existed. Yes, I want *you* Severus, if you will have me.’

’Yes, Tom. Yes, yes, yes. Yours. Forever.’ He tilted his face upwards and Tom’s mouth came crushing down upon his and they kissed, Tom’s arms wrapping around Severus’s slim form. The broke apart long enough for Severus to watch as Tom slipped the engagement band and on his ring finger before Severus pressed his lover back on the bed, straddling his hips and leaning down to lick Tom’s ear.

’I think we need to celebrate.’ Tom moaned, his hands running down along his fiance’s back before moving to stop the wicked hand trying to sneak past his robes.

’Severus, love, you know we can’t here. Let’s floo to the Fen and—’

’My parents have blessed our relationship, probably know you’ve been fucking me for over a year, know you are proposing to me today, and happen to be away all day visiting my aunt—quite the coincidence, don’t you think?’ Severus smirked, grinding his hips and wrenching a gasp from Tom beneath him. ’I do believe that soundly defeats any of your excuses. I do believe they expect us to be—celebrating. And you *know* how I hate disappointing Mother and Father. Now shut up and make love to me.’

Severus smirked and Tom knew he was done for, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
TBC
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Coil of the Serpent