Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Vulpes	By : Relevant_Peach Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 8819 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters described here. I make no money from this work.

Chapter List
- 8
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“Severus.” He heard Albus’ voice coming from far away, as though he were underwater. A hand on his shoulder, and Severus looked up, unaware that he’d sunk to his knees onto the wet ground.

“He’s gone” Severus whispered. “He doesn’t have his wand”

“We’ll get him, Severus. Please stay calm”

“But he’s defenceless, and it’s all my fault” Severus thought he might weep. He savagely bit the inside of his cheek to keep the distraught howls at bay.

“Come. Let’s summon the Order”

They returned to the Castle, where an elf brought tea, and spelled Severus’ clothing dry. Within a half hour, Albus’ office had welcomed Minerva, Kingsley and Tonks, Bill and Charlie Weasley and their parents, and Mad-Eye.

“Thank you for coming.” Albus said. “As you may have heard, Harry was abducted from the Forbidden Forest about thirty minutes ago. He was taken while in his animagus form, by someone who was disguised as Severus.”

“How do we know it wasn’t Severus himself?” Mad-Eye asked, his magical eye rolling to glare at Severus.

“I was standing with the real Severus at the time.” Albus said dryly. “I assume that the captor was using Polyjuice Potion. With Severus’ work as a spy, it wouldn’t be difficult for Voldemort to have obtained a hair from him”

“Do we have any information about where he’s been taken?” Bill wanted to know.

“Nothing official, but the Dark Lord has been using Malfoy Manor as his base of operations for some time now. It is likely that Harry was brought directly there. The Dark Lord has become increasingly paranoid as of late, and holds Harry directly responsible for the lack of progress in his objectives. I have no doubt that he will torture Harry, but he will also not want to wait long to kill him.” Severus’ voice was bleak, and it hurt him to speak. “And we are wasting time sitting here”

“Yes, Severus, but we need a strategy”

“A strategy won’t do us any good if Harry’s killed before we get there” Kingsley said blandly. Molly flinched, her eyes filling with tears.

“Snape, can you apparate using the Dark Mark?” Moody asked.

“I believe so, but Lucius has also keyed me into the wards. Since I’m Draco’s Godfather, I’ve always had rooms available for my use, and access to the Manor.” he admitted. “It’s possible that I can apparate us into my quarters. The only person who could strip my access to the wards is Lucius, and he might not be home. Or, in the excitement, he may forget.”

“Severus, this plan might be very risky to your safety.” Albus said.

“Fuck my safety. Are we going?”

Dumbledore sighed. “Yes”

“Good. Drop the wards”

“Severus…”

“Drop them. I’m leaving now. Anyone who wishes to come may come via side-along apparation”

The entire room, stood as one. With a sigh, Albus muttered an incantation to temporarily remove the wards and allow them to apparate safely.

While the terror roiling in his belly didn’t lesson, Severus was glad to be doing something. He ensured that everyone had hold of him, and focused on his destination.

Before long, they were standing in a tastefully designed sitting room. “Where are we going?” Mad-Eye asked.

“I’m uncertain whether Harry will be in the dungeons or whether the Dark Lord has decided to bring Harry into the drawing room. It’s hard to say which Death Eaters he has summoned. The Dark Lord doesn’t usually call me during term time unless there’s something very important. I imagine that this would be the sort of thing he’d make a spectacle of. For that reason, I suspect that he’s planning to let Harry sit in the dungeons for some time to toy with him”

“Well then, let’s go” Tonks said.

“I believe it’s more prudent for me to check first. I will disillusion myself and confirm Harry’s location. I will return, or, if needed, send my Patronus to advise you where he is. Stay here.”

Severus cast the disillusionment charm and cast a quick look at Albus to ensure that he was hidden properly. Albus nodded and said “Be careful, my boy”

“Stay quiet” he answered, and quietly opened the door to the hallway. Luck was with him, as it was deserted. Severus made his way to the dungeons as quickly and quietly as possible. He could hear what awaited him long before he saw it. Laughter. Gasps and faint little whimpers. Steeling himself for what lay ahead, Severus rounded the corner. Harry was in a cell, wrapped into a tight ball to protect his stomach and head. He’d transformed into his human form at some point, and his thin back was littered with whip marks and bruises. Severus felt his heart twang again, but he occluded, and breathed, and forced himself to remain still and look, and listen.

Harry’s torturers were efficient, cruel, and very obviously enjoying their task. Severus recognized them, to his dismay, as Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange. Bellatrix’s madness was evident in her wild laughter, and she was methodically striping Harry’s back with thin incisions. Her glee overtook her at one point, and she did a terrible little dance step before leaning in close to Harry’s face and cooing “Little Potter. No one to save you, no one to know where you’ve gone. Betrayed by the traitor, Severus Snape. Our Lord will end him and you together. Foolish little Potter to believe that he could have a life, that he’d survive against our Lord”. Her howls of laughter had little impact on Harry. His face appeared utterly expressionless.

“Move, Bella” Rodolphus grunted, and punched Harry, hard, in the back of the head. Severus stifled a scream as he watched awareness leave Harry’s face when he lost consciousness.

“Rodolphus!” Bellatrix shrieked. “You fool! You’ve knocked him under, you idiot! Rennervate!” Harry came to with a gasp, registering his torturers presence and setting his face into a resigned mask. “Cruci-”

“Watch it, Bella, Our Lord wants his mind steady for the morning. He won’t be pleased if you’ve robbed him of his final victory, in front of his followers.”

“Hmph” Bellatrix pouted and flounced into a corner. She occupied herself with conjuring sharp little stones and flinging them at Harry, every time it appeared as though he were about to slip into unconsciousness again.

Rodolphus eyed him speculatively. “He’s awfully pretty” he said.

“If you touch that filthy half-breed, you’ll never share my bed again” Bellatrix snapped.

“You dare threaten me, witch?” Rodolphus stalked over to her and grabbed her hair, pulling her hair back to bite savagely at her throat. “You need to be taught some manners, little girl”

With a bellow of rage, Bellatrix exploded into fists and claws and feet as she fought back against her husband. The scuffle grew more heated, and eventually, they were rutting against one another, mindless of their prisoner.

For a brief, mad moment, Severus considered simply darting in and grabbing Harry while the Lestranges were…occupied, but it was too great a gamble. Not, Severus sighed, that he had any idea other opportunities he’d have, but if he were caught now, he’d be dead, the other would-be rescuers would remain trapped in his bedroom, and nobody would save Harry. Severus had done many difficult things in the past fifteen years a dual-agent, but he’d never felt more cowardly than at that moment, helplessly watching as Harry drifted back into unconsciousness. He did risk a simple mild healing spell, confident that he could cast it silently. It wouldn’t do much to lessen Harry’s agony, but it couldn't get much worse. Silently promising his return, Severus turned back the way he came and returned to his room, feeling wretched.

The would-be rescuers that were inhabiting his quarters were impatiently awaiting his return. “Well?” Molly asked, her voice frantic. “Is Harry here?”

“He is. He is being tortured by the Lestranges, and I overheard that they have been instructed to keep him alive until the morning, when all of the Death Eaters will be summoned to witness the Dark Lord as he ends Harry’s life.”

“Is he alright?” Bill asked quietly.

“He is…alive” Severus said softly, and had to look away from the sympathy that he saw in Albus’ eyes.

“Oh Harry” Tonks sighed.

“Why would Voldemort-” Charlie started, and Severus winced at the sound of the Dark Lord’s title. “keep Harry alive any longer than necessary? Surely he realizes that the risk of a rescue party grows for every moment Harry is here”

Severus shrugged. “Arrogance, partly. The Dark Lord has allowed himself to believe his own narrative, and it’s unlikely that he’s thinking clearly. He has been growing increasingly unstable of late. In addition, some of his followers have begun to doubt him. This would be a significant way to demonstrate his power.”

“So what’s the plan, then?” Moody asked, taking a long swig from his flask.

“Now that my deceptions have been uncovered, Lestrange mentioned that the Dark Lord would be using this opportunity to kill myself and Harry. It’s likely that he’ll summon me along with the rest of his followers using the Dark Mark. When I’m called, it will be a trap, and I will be punished and killed as well.” Severus gave a thin smile. “It is to be hoped that I will be able to get to Harry and give him the Portkey to get him back to Hogwarts.”

“And what will we do?”

“It is likely that, when I am summoned, Voldemort will want to address his assembly prior to punishing me and killing Harry. If he simply casts the killing curse the moment I arrive, he will lose an opportunity to demonstrate to the Death Eaters the cost of disobedience. For that reason, I expect that will will have a small window of time for you to gather in the Throne Room, under disillusionment spells, and prepare yourselves”

Nods around the room suggested that the other members of the Order agreed with the plan.

“Then, we will need to create a distraction. Albus, you might wish to reveal an illusion of yourself and whomever is closest to Harry should make sure that they get him the Portkey while the confusion is highest…”

The team spoke long into the night. Nobody seemed particularly interested in sleeping, and the plan was vague, at best. While the other Order Members discussed, argued, gave opinions, Severus sat quietly. He knew best that this was a suicide mission. They would be outnumbered by a factor of at least a dozen to one. The Death Eaters were unhesitant in casting the Killing Curse, and with odds such as these, there could be no plan that would guarantee any of their safety. Much as he hated to admit it, they would simply have to go in, fight hard, and hope for the best.

As dawn approached, the conversation faded, and everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts. Albus’ voice was quiet as he said “I am grateful to all of you for joining me on this mission. I wish that circumstances were different, and that Harry were safe, in the Castle, but as he isn’t, I’m very proud to be fighting alongside you. In case there is any doubt whatsoever as to our mission, let me be very clear: Above all else, Harry must be rescued. This is not a mission to kill Voldemort.”

Mad-Eye gave a snort of disbelief. “If you think I’m going to squander an attempt to kill that bastard, you don’t know me well enough, Albus.”

“Allistair. Please. Because you have all trusted Severus and I by joining us on this mission, I will trust you with a terrible secret. Voldemort has been splitting his soul, and depositing it into various objects to protect his mortality”

“Horcruxes?” Moody seemed uncharacteristically shocked.

“Yes. As long as any of these objects remain, Voldemort cannot be killed. I have been working, along with Harry, to locate and destroy these objects. Currently, only one remains.”

“Well why don’t some of us go find that? We could destroy it, and then kill Voldemort while we’re here!” Tonks said, her hair glowing bright pink.

“We know where it is” Severus said flatly. “Fifteen years ago, when the Dark Lord cast the Killing Curse in Godric’s Hollow, the spell rebounded, ripping a portion of his soul and depositing it into the only living creature present.”

“Harry…” Molly’s voice came out in a low moan, and she buried her head into Arthur’s chest.

“Yes.” Dumbledore confirmed softly. “Harry is Voldemort’s last Horcrux. There is a ritual that will remove the Horcrux from him, but it must be performed at the full moon. For that reason, we must not attempt to kill Voldemort today. It will gain us nothing. Do you understand?” Dumbledore looked around, meeting each person’s eyes until he was convinced that they agreed.

He gave them all a soft smile. “Now. I am prepared to lay down my life for the goal of rescuing Harry. Severus, you know where I keep my journal. Within that journal, lies the ritual that will remove the Horcrux from Harry. If I do not survive, you must continue where I left off.”

“Headmaster. I do not expect to survive this mission. I urge you to share the information with someone else.” Severus and Albus met gazes, and finally, Albus smiled. “Very well. If Severus or I do not survive, Fawkes will assist whomever can make it back. The password to my office is ‘Harry’.” He continued. “I cannot guarantee your safety tomorrow, as I’m sure you know. For that reason, some of us may wish to step aside. Arthur, Molly, you have children to think of. Perhaps they are better served if you return to the castle and choose not to enter the battle”

“Harry is our son” Molly said firmly. “I would lay down my life for any one of my children, and he’s no different. If it comes to it, our children will have each other”. Arthur nodded agreement.

Severus regarded the two eldest Weasley children. “You are both barely of age, and no one would fault you for stepping aside.”

Bill glanced at Charlie, then firmed his gaze toward Severus. “He’s a Weasley, sir. We’d be here if it were Ron…Harry is no different”.

“Dora?” This time it was Mad-Eye who spoke. “This goes far above and beyond your duties, girl.”

Tonks smiled, her expression a little feral. “He’s our best hope of ridding the world of what Voldemort stands for. If he’s taken, all is lost. Plus, he’s had a terrible go of things. He deserves a better life than this. He deserves a future”

The rest of the assembled group seemed insulted to be asked whether they were willing to die to save Harry. There was nothing more to be said.

It was shortly after nine when the Dark Mark on Severus’ arm pulsed and burned as though touched by a hot poker. Severus stifled a gasp, and rose to his feet. “It’s time” he said quietly. “Be careful. It is absolutely critical that no one knows of your presence.”

Albus laid a gentle hand on his arm. “Severus.”

“What is it?” Severus couldn’t look at him.

“It will be alright.”

“If it’s not,” Severus said quietly, “tell him that I wasn’t rejecting him. Tell him that…” he broke off, feeling the telltale prickle of tears in the back of his throat.

“Tell him yourself” Albus said, a hint of a chuckle in his voice.

“Good luck to us all” Severus said, passing out Portkeys and sweeping out of the room. There was a crowd of Death Eaters making their way to the Throne Room when Severus slipped unnoticed into the hallway. He followed the crowd, his cloak and mask already on. Standing in the midst of the crowd, he strained to see whether Harry had yet been brought in. It was difficult to see, and Severus didn’t want to attract any attention, so he stilled.

As the Death Eaters finished assembling, kneeling silently in rows before the throne, Voldemort regarded them all. “My faithful army” he said, his high thin voice filled with distain. “Assembled so prettily here. You make the Dark Lord proud. And to reward such loyalty, I have a little…treat for you all.” Voldemort stood, his gaze on the door. “Bring him!” He commanded.

Bellatrix and Rodolphus entered, dragging Harry between them. He was nude, covered in cuts and bruises, and one eye was completely swollen shut. The Lestranges threw him onto the ground and although Severus thought he heard a stifled whimper, Harry was mostly silent.

Gasps and shouts of glee filled the room, as the assembly realized that Harry Potter lay on the floor in front of them. Severus’ hand tensed on his wand. Voldemort’s thin lips curved into a parody of a grin. “Yes, my faithful, the great Boy who Lived lies broken before you.”

He stepped down from the pedestal where his throne sat, and casually circled Harry, his robes billowing behind him. “Would anyone like to see the great Harry Potter cry before I kill him like his filthy parents?” Cheers echoed through the room. “Sit up, boy” Voldemort commanded. Harry ignored him. Voldemort grabbed him by the hair and pulled him into a sitting position. “Nasty, disobedient little creature, aren’t you? How disappointed your disgusting Mudblood Mother would be at your lack of manners.”

“Fuck you” Harry said evenly.

Voldemort eyed him speculatively. “Maybe” he agreed. “But later. Crucio!” The spell rippled through Harry’s body, causing him to twitch, and scream. It went on, and on, and Severus’ desperation grew. Soon, Harry’s mind would be destroyed. There’d be nobody left to save. Again, his hand tightened on his wand, but just then, Voldemort abruptly ended the spell, causing Harry to crumple to the ground.

“Oh, Harry Potter” he mused. “I am going to very much enjoy killing you. But, alas, there is other business to attend to before the celebration.” He casually waved his wand, and thick ropes appeared out of thin air, tightly binding his prisoner.

“Now, my very faithful servants, I have upsetting news. One of your number has turned against us and has been spying, a member of the Order of the Phoenix, while spending time in your houses, bowing to your Lord, and making a mockery of what we stand for. Where are you, my little turncoat? Where, oh where is Severus Snape?”

Another gasp went through the room as the Death Eaters absorbed the fact that Snape, one of Voldemort’s inner circle had been betraying them all. It was time. Severus leapt to his feet and raced to the front of the room. At the same time, he saw that there were numerous other movements in his peripheral vision. An enormous flash of fire appeared to his right, and Dumbledore appeared, resplendent and powerful looking.

While the Dark Lord’s attention was diverted, Snape grabbed Harry and cast the spell to remove the ropes before he dragged him to his feet. Harry’s brilliant eyes opened and he looked at Severus. At first, his gaze narrowed, and he looked disgusted, before something changed in his features, and a look of peace settled on his face. He continued to gaze at Severus, the one eye that wasn’t swollen shut burning brightly.

Now that the assembled Death Eaters were aware of what he was doing, spells began to arc through the room at him. He put up his strongest shield, seeing that the members of the Order were also casting shields on himself and Harry. Dumbledore was at his side before he knew it. “Go,” Albus whispered “Use the Portkey quickly before they raise the wards. I’ll take care of him”

Severus wanted to argue, but knew that his chances to save Harry were dwindling. He lowered his shields in order to activate the Portkey, but just as he did, the coppery green light of the Killing Curse arced through the air towards them. As the portkey swept them from the room, the spell hit Harry, who transformed into fox form and went limp.

Severus landed in Albus’ office, panting, Harry lying lifeless in his arms. His eyes had fallen shut. “Rennervate” he muttered, as he ran as fast as he could through the Castle. The journey to the Hospital Wing had never seemed so long. Severus’ breaths felt like knives in his lungs as he sprinted towards his destination. He couldn’t bear to look at Harry. He was certain that he was dead, but he wouldn’t look, couldn’t look. As he stumbled through the doorway, he screamed “Poppy!”

The Mediwitch cried in alarm as she took in the dishevelled man and his battered cargo. “What’s happened?”

“Please. Please! Killing curse” Severus gasped.

Poppy took the little bundle from Severus, her face crumpling in despair. “Oh Severus” she whispered.

“Please. Please, Poppy” he begged.

She laid Harry’s still body on his usual bed, and examined him closely. Severus slumped to the ground. He’d failed. Somehow, the gods continued to laugh at him, and his own worthless body continued to draw air while Harry was gone, to say nothing of the brave Order members who entered the chamber of the Death Eaters to save him. Very quietly, and with little fanfare, Severus promised himself that he would remain to bury Harry’s body, and that of whichever of his comrades they were able to reclaim, and then he would drink a goblet of poison, and end this stupid, pointless life once and for all.

He was too distraught for tears. They too would come later, when he was able to finally face the multitude of sins and misdeeds that had made up the life of Severus Tobias Snape. His fingernails dug into his palms as he clenched his fists, willing himself to get through hearing the words that he’d hoped he would never have to hear.
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