A Living Secret ~ COMPLETED

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 2 ~ The Death of Albus Dumbledore

Cloaked in darkness, Albus Dumbledore strode across the grounds of Hogwarts, Fawkes perched on his shoulder. He didn’t have his wand lit, but moved easily through the night, heading toward the Forbidden Forest.

As they approached the edge of the forest, Fawkes trilled at Albus, then took off, winging his way between the trees, heading in another direction as Albus entered the dread wood with a separate destination.

Fawkes flew silently, using his night vision to seek out what he was looking for. After about twenty minutes, he saw them, gathered in a herd and feeding. He landed on a low branch and let out a mellow trill.

The unicorns all looked up, snorting as they saw the Phoenix, flicking their ears back and pawing their hooves. The leader of the herd approached Fawkes, tossing its head, then stopping before the bird and lowering itself in a bow. Fawkes also bowed, then a conversation between the animals ensued.

Albus walked through the trees of the Forbidden Forest unscathed by any of its inhabitants. He was known even to the magical creatures that dwelled there. If there was one thing the wizard wasn’t…it was prey.

Albus continued to move through the forest until he came to a cave. He entered it, drawing his wand now.

“Lumos,” he said, the tip igniting. The sound of scuttling was all around him as he entered the domain of the Acromantula, which were enormous black spiders with the ability of human speech and a poisonous bite. They were a wizard-bred species that originated in Borneo, and one of the main reasons the ban on experimental breeding was put into effect. Hagrid was at the bottom of this particular clutch of spiders.

Hagrid had acquired one of the spiders in his third year and named him Aragog. The half-giant had hidden the spider in the cave to protect him when it was accused of killing Moaning Myrtle. Tom Riddle had made the charge, knowing full well a basilisk had done the deed. Hagrid was expelled and Aragog thrived in the cave for many years, mating with Mosag, a female of his breed brought to him by Hagrid, and fathering thousands of children. Not quite as large as him, but just as deadly. They too had the power of speech, but were not as intelligent as their sire, due to being raised in the cave.

They might not have been as intelligent, but every one of them knew better than to attack the tall, elderly wizard that walked into their midst. Albus put out his wand, able to see because of the glowing blue-green fungus that lined the cave walls. Above him and around him scuttled the spiders, lifting up their front legs and hissing “The Great One!”

Albus walked toward a large opening at the back of the cave and stopped.

“Aragog!” he called.

There was a sound of something heavy moving inside the opening.

”Who calls me?” a tired voice sighed.

”It is I, Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts," Albus said.

There was another great sigh, then the sound of something heavy moving toward the front of the cave. A gray-flecked spider the size of a small elephant appeared, all eight eyes white and sightless.

“Headmaster,” the spider said, lifting one leg in salutation.

”Aragog,” Albus said by way of greeting, “I have come to you concerning an important matter. May I have a word?”

”Yes,” the spider said tiredly, “But a short word. I am very tired. Very, very tired.”

Albus sat down on a large rock. Around him, hundreds of spiders of all sizes jostled about for position, climbing over one another and hissing. No one had been here other than Hagrid, and the two small ones that got away and they were all interested to hear what this wizard had to say. Albus gave them a moment to get settled. He was completely surrounded but felt no fear. When the noise of their settling in ceased, he smiled at the creatures benignly, then addressed their sire.

“Aragog, I am in need of your help and your protection,” Albus said to the spider.

”What do we have to do with protecting wizards? You have magic…you can protect yourselves,” the spider replied, settling down on its belly.

“Aragog, we have something in common, you and I and that is we are both not long for this world. However, if you and yours agree to help me, your days can be extended,” the wizard said.

The spider perked up.

“Extended? How?” Aragog asked, interested now.

“My familiar Fawkes is attempting to make the arrangement now. You will be provided with something that will allow you to maintain your life. Unfortunately, it cannot heal your ailments, but you will become stronger,” Albus said, “Are you interested?”

Aragog was silent for a minute or two.

“Yes,” the spider hissed, “Tell me what we must do.”

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An hour later, Albus was on his way back to Hogwarts. Fawkes met him at the forest’s edge, trilling happily. He landed on the Headmaster’s shoulder.

Albus smiled at him.

“Judging by your song, Fawkes, all must have gone well,” Albus said to him.

Fawkes let out another happy trill.

“Excellent! I too have been successful. All is in place now, my friend,” the wizard said, stroking the Phoenix’s crest with his good hand.

“All is in place.”

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Three days later Draco was in his room when he felt the coin he used to keep in contact with Rosmerta warm in his robes pocket. He took it out and looked at the message on it. The Headmaster and Harry were in Hogsmeade and had gone for a drink. That meant Albus was away from the school.

This was the perfect opportunity to put his plan in action. Draco hurriedly put on his robes, took out a long thin package from between his mattress and slipped it under his robes. He headed for the Room of Requirement.

Hours later, Severus was in the Potions office when Professor Flitwick burst into the room. The little wizard was red and panting. Severus could hardly understand him at first.

“Death Eaters! In the castle! Fighting! Need help!” the wizard panted at him.

Severus stood up, pulled out his wand and non-verbally stunned the Professor, who fell forward on his face, then placed a confundus spell on him as well. That should keep him out of the way. He strode out of the office to find Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood standing outside, staring up at him with frightened expressions. What the hell were they doing here?

“Professor Flitwick has collapsed in my office,” Severus said to the two witches, “Go take care of him while I go help fight the Death Eaters who have made their way into the castle.”

Hermione and Luna looked at him for a moment, then rushed into his office. Severus took off at a run, tearing through the castle. When he reached the main hall he could hear the faint sounds of battle on the upper floors and apparated.

The dark wizard’s heart was pounding as he reappeared on the floor that led to the astronomy tower. Neville was down, Ron, Tonks, Ginny and Lupin were battling several Death Eaters. Severus saw that the entrance to the Astronomy Tower was blocked, ran past the fighting witches and wizards and straight through the barrier. It was keyed to only allow those with the Dark Mark to pass. Severus bounded up the stairs, his robes whipping around him, praying he wasn’t too late to fulfill Albus’ last wish.

Severus burst through the rampart doors, his black eyes taking in the scene. Dumbledore was slumped against the wall and Draco had his wand trained on him. Fenrir, Amycus and Alecto stood behind him. Severus paused. He could feel Harry was present as well. Albus must have hidden him somehow and no doubt bound him, otherwise the idiot would be attacking right now, even though he was seriously outnumbered.

'We've got a problem, Snape,' said Amycus, his eyes and wand trained on Dumbledore, “the boy doesn't seem able…”

Suddenly Severus heard Albus say his name, pleading with him.

“Severus…”

His heart battering his chest and revulsion on his face at what he was about to do, Severus strode forward, pushing Draco roughly out of the way. The three Death Eaters fell back as he pointed his wand at Albus.

“Severus…please,” Albus said weakly, pleading with him to continue.

Severus focused on Harry, how his stupidity had led to this. Damn him. Damn that boy! His pale face contorted with hatred.

“Avada Kedavra!” he shouted, the green light hitting Albus with such force, his body was blasted up into the air and out of the Astronomy tower, seeming to pause for a moment, illuminated by the Dark Mark filling the sky behind him before plummeting from sight.

It was done. Severus Snape had killed Albus Dumbledore as he wished. The Potions Master had taken the life of the only man who ever fully believed in him. He forced his face to remain stoic.

“Out of here, quickly!” he said, grabbing Draco by the back of his collar and forcing him through the door.

They ran down the stairs and into the corridor which was full of dust, part of the ceiling collapsed, the battle still raging. Severus weaved his way through the fighters, pushing Draco ahead of him.

“It’s over, time to go!” the Potions Master shouted, turning the corner and disappearing. He had to get them all out of there before more people were hurt or killed.

He and Draco ran through the castle, Snape looking behind him from time to time and seeing no one. He and Draco bolted through the main doors and out on to the Hogwarts grounds.

They had gotten a good distance from the castle, and Severus saw Hagrid engaging a Death Eater who was firing spells at him that didn’t seem to affect the half-giant.

Suddenly a jet of red light flew past his head. Severus knew who fired the spell before he even turned around.

Potter.

“Run Draco!” he shouted at the blonde wizard, who disappeared into the night. Then he turned to face the boy he hated most in the world, hated because he was the reason he was forced to kill Albus.

“Cruc…” Harry yelled but Severus blocked the curse by knocking Harry down with a wand blast before he could complete it. Harry rolled to his feet.

Suddenly Hagrid’s house flared up into flame. The Death Eater had set it on fire.

“Fang’s in there!” Hagrid shouted at the Death Eater, cursing him.

Severus watched as Harry tried to cast the Crucio curse a second time. Again he blocked it.

"No Unforgivable Curses from you, Potter!" Severus shouted at him, his face contorted, "You haven't got the nerve or the ability!"

” Incarc…"Harry screamed, but Severus flicked away the spell easily.

“Fight back!” Harry shrieked at him, "Fight back, you cowardly…"

Cold rage filled the Potions Master. Coward? How dare the boy call him a coward when he had just killed the only wizard who cared for him and destroyed his reputation as a loyal member of the Order for the sake of the wizarding world…all to help Harry destroy Voldemort at a later date?

Severus was so enraged all he could do was fall back on what he knew would affect Harry the most. He was well aware the boy hated his father had been a bully. He saw it in his mind during their Occlumency lessons.

"Coward, did you call me, Potter?" Severus shouted, "Your father would never attack me unless it was four on one. What would you call him, I wonder?"

Enraged that Snape invoked his father’s name, Harry pointed his wand at him again, hatred on his face.

"Stupe…" he cried, the spell once again blocked by the hated Potions Master.

"Blocked again and again and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter!" Snape mocked him before shouting at the huge Death Eater behind him.

"Now come! It is time to be gone, before the Ministry turns up,” the wizard cried.

Harry made one more desperate attempt to strike Snape down.

"Impedi -" Harry cried, but then was struck by a horrible pain, falling over into the grass in agony.

Severus cursed as the young fool went down, hit from behind by the Cruciatus curse. The boy was going to get himself killed.

"No!" Severus screamed at the Death Eater, who stopped the curse instantly. "Have you forgotten our orders? Potter belongs to the Dark Lord! We are to leave him! Go! Go!"

Amycus, Alecto and Fenrir ran past him. Severus half-turned to watch them as they sprinted for the gate then turned back to seeing Harry teetering toward him, his wand extended.

"Sectum…" Harry cried and again the Potions Master blocked the spell, a spell he created. Harry was only a few feet from him now, and Severus could clearly see the hatred on his face, illuminated by the fire from Hagrid’s burning house.

Harry desperately tried again, concentrating on casting a non-verbal spell this time, hoping Snape wouldn’t be able to block it.

“Levi...” he thought

Severus could tell by the look in Harry’s eyes what he was doing. He looked into his mind and snarled at the spell he was attempting to use.

“No, Potter!” he screamed at him, enraged, blasting him with a loud bang so Harry flew back, his wand flying out of his hand. Furious, Severus strode forward and stood over him, his wand trained on the boy. For a moment, Severus actually felt like killing him.

"You dare use my own spells against me, Potter?” Severus snarled, “It was I who invented them - I, the Half-Blood Prince! And you'd turn my inventions on me, like your filthy father, would you? I don't think so! No!"

Harry dove for his wand but Severus hit it with a spell and it rolled away into the darkness. Harry turned back over, hatred, rage and contempt in his green eyes.

"Kill me then. Kill me like you killed him, you coward," he hissed up at the wizard.

Severus never wanted to hurt anyone as badly as he wanted to hurt Harry…he was the cause of all of this…the reason for Albus’ death.

"DON'T!" he screamed at Harry, barely able to retain control, his face full of pain, "CALL ME COWARD!"

Then, before he could stop himself, Severus slashed downward with his wand, cutting Harry across the face. Suddenly, Buckbeak the hippogriff appeared in front of him, slashing at him with his talons. Severus leapt back then began running for the gate, Buckbeak in hot pursuit, shrieking after him.

He had to get away from here…go to Voldemort and let him know that Albus was dead, and he was the one who killed him. Then the new deception would begin. What he would do, Severus had no idea…he’d have to wing it…find some way to bring Harry and Voldemort together. Hopefully, the boy would continue searching for the Horcruxes, find them and destroy them. By that time, he might have a plan.

His robes billowing around him, the Potions Master shot through the open main gate and the moment he touched earth outside the grounds, disapparated mid-stride.

Disoriented, Harry desperately tried to find his wand, but by the time he did, Snape was gone.

The murderer of Albus Dumbledore had escaped.

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A/N: I just had to do another chapter of this. I took the dialogue directly from the text of the Half-blood Prince and paraphrased what was happening, including what I thought Severus’ subtext would be when facing Harry. Thanks for reading. I will be doing a chapter of Song next.