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Chapter 30 Built This Way

Albus paced angrily. He had been doing that so much more lately. “Insolent…” His fuming tone dropped off a bit, eying Harry. Sirius sat next to the boy, who was still upset about being dragged out of his bed. “You didn’t know about his plans last night?” the Headmaster asked, slamming himself into his chair. “He didn’t…”

“No, sir. He was just gone when I woke this morning.” Harry felt as if he was testifying in a criminal court. He mused that had that been true he could invoke the right to not speak against his spouse. It made the young man uncomfortable to see his mentor this angry.

“Sirius, did you…” Albus’s voice shook with rage. He was losing control of his troops. If he could not retain command he would surely lose the war. “Did you know anything of this?”

“Absolutely not, Headmaster. I’ll have you notice that I remain at the castle, as I was instructed.” The man grinned inwardly. He and Snape may have put aside their differences but that in no way meant that he couldn’t revert to petty tattletaling for his own amusement.

“Harry, did he tell you when he’d be back?” Dumbledore leaned forward. Potter was hiding something and a small part of Albus could not blame him.

“No.” Harry lied. He didn’t feel as if a week had been realistic. Whatever Snape’s plan was, he was sure that it would take much longer.

“Well, I can’t find him.” Albus shrugged his shoulders in disgust. “It seems that your bonded has made himself untraceable. Fawkes wasn’t even able to locate his whereabouts. Only dark magic would…” He stopped, gathering his composure. “I don’t know what it is that Severus is up to Harry, but I’m hesitant to believe that any good will come of it. In the meantime I’ll ask that you return to the Gryffindor common rooms…”

“Headmaster, please…” Harry begged. He didn’t want to leave his home. “Couldn’t someone come stay with me? Sirius and Remus could transfigure the couch into a bed or…” His eyes were frantic.

“Perhaps it would be best not to take him from his home Albus. He feels safe there. Remus and I would be more than happy to stay until Snape gets back from this latest flight of fancy.” Sirius didn’t feel it to be beneficial for Harry to be uprooted once again and what fun it would be to see Snape’s face when he returned to find them in his rooms.

“Very well. You are to move in at once. I don’t want him left alone.” Dumbledore rubbed his temples. “You may both go.” He waved his hand, dismissing them. Harry swallowed thickly as he descended the spiral staircase, what had Sev gotten himself into?

*** *** ***

(BREAK)

The air was bitter and unforgiving as it lashed Snape’s face. He growled at the snow that stung his eyes as he looked down upon Snape manor. “The home fires are burning.” He whispered into the night. The lights from the manor slightly lit the grounds, casting ominous shadows on the ill-twisting trees that lined the manor walls. Severus stood on the side of a jagged bluff over looking the manor and the frigid waters that crashed on the rocks below his unwelcoming childhood home. He took in the smell of the icy salt water. Sev squeezed his eyes shut in remembrance of years past, how he loathed the ocean. Snape listened as the furious waves cracked into the battered and ragged peaks; they delivered their lashings with roaring malice. He detested this place, every noise, smell, taste, and feeling. The winds burned his skin, the musty smell of the wet rock caused his gut to turn on itself, and the salt dried his mouth. This had never been home. His heavy black robes billowed behind him in the fierce gusts on wind coming off of North Sea. His hair blew wildly behind him as he once more ran his gloved hands over his robes, feeling for the vials he had carefully placed in his many pockets. His wand was tucked within the easy reach of his front hem. His dark eyes narrowed as his heavy black boots began to climb down the rocky summit. He didn’t falter, even in the dead of night, he moved with a sense of deadly grace. Snape descended the final bit of the hill with practiced ease and didn’t bother to hide his approach upon the manor. He strode confidently up the main pathway directly to the front door. His features were ablaze with rage as he used a nonverbal bombarda to blow the steel doors off of their ancient hinges. The deafening explosion echoed through the cold stone passageways. The splitting of metal resonated what sounded like shrill painful screams forcing their way into the home. Splinters of wood and bits of metal crashed to the floor, announcing his entrance. The winter winds ambushed the large fireplace and many torches that adorned the entrance hall, bringing with them darkness and a menacing chill. The Potions Master remained steady in a dead calm. He stood in the main entrance just long enough to draw his wand before venturing through the clouds of dust his arrival had caused to waft down the forsaken corridors.

“He’s not here.” A gruff voice asserted from the doorway to Snape’s left. Corvus spat at his brother. “You’ve no business…” He wasn’t allowed to speak.

“Imobulus.” Sev murmured, barely raising his wand. His brother’s body defied him, remaining perfectly still. “I’m not here for him.” Hatred flashed in onyx orbs when an orange stream of light sent the restrained man flying into the sitting room. Severus lowered his wand, walking purposefully into the center of the gothic seating area. He levitated Corvus into an arm chair. “For once Marius will come last.” His voice was almost inaudible through the fury. He flicked his wand behind him before lazily turning to greet his father.

“I had wondered how long it would take my wayward son to return home.” Theolonus didn’t struggle against the binding. “Marius or no, whatever you’re searching for you’ll not find it here. You’ve taken it all away already. We’ve incurred the wrath of the Dark Lord, Severus. Nothing you can do can compare.” His voice cracked at the memories.

“And yet you’re still breathing!” The professor snarled, his face mere inches from his father’s. “What I’m searching for father…oh what I’m searching for…” He drifted off, turning angrily to his brother. “I told you!” Snape’s voice thundered, shaking portraits awake on the walls. “I gave you fair warning! You were to stay away from us!” The shouting dropped off to a composed whisper. “I was perfectly clear that if you forced our paths to cross I would show you both the mercy that you deserve.” Severus carefully pulled the gloves off of his hands, flexing his fingers. His movements were methodical, he tucked his gloves into his side pocket and adjusted his robes.

“All of this over a Potter.” Corvus wretched at the name. “A bloody Potter.”

Snape moved with inhuman speed, pulling his brother’s head back by the hair, spit splattered the burly man’s face as the younger man boomed. “That Potter will be the last to carry this God forsaken name! That Potter will end this line Corvus because after him it will be lost.” He smiled at the thought. “Most importantly that Potter was your last hope. What Marius stole from him…what he…had we been unprovoked Harry would have never allowed any action to be taken against you. He would have fought for you! Instead he had to watch you snatch him away from his home…from me. You’ll never be able to pay for that. There isn’t penance enough. Still I find myself wanting…needing…one might say hungering for some form of retribution.”

Snape’s glacial tone frightened his brother. He’d never seen the man this angry. All of their years together on the frontline of Voldemort’s war Severus had gone through his duties with little emotion, never taking thrill from violence and mayhem. He had preformed his duties coldly. However the professor’s eyes were anything but cold on this harsh winter’s night. They burned with a passion Corvus and Theolonus had never viewed. The unwavering revulsion that overtook his features was petrifying. “…And then it came to me. I was holding Harry in my arms, watching the way he viewed the world. He believes it to be full of goodness, of innocence. I’ll give him that world and it can’t exist with people like you.” He did not raise his voice. He spoke with a cool anger seething just under the surface. “Avada Kadarva.” It was barely a sigh and Corvus slumped forward, falling out of his chair. The life had been taken so easily. He hadn’t flinched. Tension left his body as the spell left his wand. The words flowed easily from his lips, comfortable from all of the years of their use. Snape paid his deceased brother no mind as he stepped over the corpse, closer to his screaming father.

“Severus! Severus think this through! I’m your father! You’re family! I raised you after your dear mother passed. I cared for you son, I provided you with a home, this home. Look around you; don’t you have good memories here?” The eldest Snape was frantic after viewing such an unnerving demonstration apathy on his son’s part. He never thought that the mild mannered boy would grow into this.

“Good memories?” Severus laughed at the thought. He circled the aged Persian rug that he had once tortured Frank Longbottom on. “Memories huh, Dad? I remember this fireplace. I remember being seated around it at Christmas.” He glared at the mantle. “I remember Atheena thumbing through a book on muggle artists. I remember the ferocity in your eyes when you realized what it was. I remember Mother healing the burn you inflicted in the palm of her hand with a ruby-red poker. I remember her sobbing as she listened to the crackling sound her treasured book made as it was incinerated.” He strode about the room. “Or the room below this…that one was a riot wasn’t it Father?” He tapped his foot on the floor. “I can still hear Marius scream. You held him down, forced him to watch as Voldemort burned the mark into my forearm. He was terrified wasn’t he?” Snape chuckled at the irony. “I recall Mother’s frail, pregnant body tumbling down the grand staircase, very much like a rag doll, you at the top smiling. She had just told you that The Dark Lord would never enter the same home as her children. She didn’t shed a tear as she pushed herself up from the floor to go make your dinner!” He paused to compose himself, not willing to allow his father see a rise in his emotion. “But I suppose by then the beatings were rather old-hat weren’t they? They were for all of us, the pain, the never-ending stream of ‘pure-blood’ rhetoric. My most prominent memory from our happy home though father…and it is a good one, I assure you. I remember watching you with Mum. She had just given birth to Marius, the nannies had ushered him away. I had crept out of my bed, I wanted to see her. You were sitting next to her on the bed. She was begging you…” He stopped, kneeling down in front of a shaking Theolonus. “You must know where this is going old man. You paid her plea no heed. The streak of green light left your wand hitting her in the heart. You had a drink and cigar after killing your wife. Atheena and I spent that holiday in the dungeons because we cried at mother’s funeral, your beating rivaled that of Voldemort’s Father.” Severus pulled two vials out of his coat. “You appear to be ill at ease Father. Am I causing you alarm? After all, this is what you raised me to be. No weaknesses, no remorse. I did learn that well from you. That belt was particularly practiced at ingraining those values deep inside of us, wasn’t it?”

“I did my best. Your mother was…she was in the way. Voldemort knew the way of things Severus. I was creating a better world for my children. I always acted in your best interest. We had to protect our blood.” The eldest Snape paled.

“Curious thing about your blood, Father. I was researching a text written around Salazar’s time. It detailed a potion, blood magic as it were, Now I’ve gone over the translation more than a sufficient number of times, you know how I enjoy being thorough and I was having trouble with one ingredient until I realized just what it was. ‘Life of the Dead’. I’m sure that means nothing to your feeble mind. The blood of the dead, Father. Your blood will finally do some good. Your blood will save Harry Potter.” Severus stared into his father’s eyes. “Being the eldest in our line, your blood will allow me to brew a potion that will imbue me with the ability to tie into any member of the line. I’ll be able to find Marius on a whim because it’ll be his lifeblood flowing through my veins. I am brilliant.” Snape’s lips curled into a thin smirk.

Theolonus trembled. “Surely you don’t mean to…”

“Kill you? I most certainly do. I should have done it long again.” Severus uncorked the vials. “Anything you’d like to say?”

“You’d do all of this for him?!” His voice boiled with venom. “A man who's forced to love a beast like you? He was probably relieved to share Marius’s bed! You’re an embarrassment, a freak. No one could ever love you Severus! Especially not The Boy Who Lived!”

“That’s what makes it all worth it you, obsolete bastard. I’ve known love, I’ve known his. And it’s because of you that I get to continue. Take solace in that. You did do one thing for me before you died. Goodbye, Father.” The light flickered quickly. Scared eyes closed and a heavy body fell into the Potion Master’s arms. He guided it to the ground. Rolling back the sleeve of his father’s robes he sliced a small incision in the man’s right wrist. He watched, feeling nothing, as his Father’s blood filled the two vials. Snape glanced at his Father and brother once more before quickly departing from the manor.

*** *** *** (BREAK)

“This is cozy.” Sirius lazily flopped down on the transfigured bed that now sat in the middle of Harry’s sitting room. The red and gold blankets clashed roughly with the room’s otherwise dark décor.

Harry sat cross legged on the couch. “Thanks again you guys, for staying I mean. I didn’t want to go up to the tower. The dungeons grow on you don’t they?” He glanced around at the shadowy room.

“It’s not worth mentioning, Harry. You should be able to stay in your own home, in spite of Snape’s idiotic exploits.” The man frowned in disapproval.

“Sirius…” Potter chastised. “He’s doing what he thinks is best. He’ll be back soon.” Harry hoped.

“You do need to lay off of him Padfoot.” Remus exited the bathroom. “You’d have done the same had I allowed it. You should have heard that fight Harry.”

Lupin grinned at the boy and ruffled his hair

“I did.” Harry laughed. “There’s a terrible echo down here.”

“Have you heard from our resident Deatheater-turned-super-hero?” Sirius bit into a sandwich.

“No. The letter he left just said not to worry about him, that he knew what he was doing and if I needed him his owl could find him. I’m not foolish enough to approach that hellish bird, so I’ll only be in contact with him if there is an emergency. He’ll be back whenever he’s finished with this plan of his.” He absent mindedly twisted the ring on his finger.

“You miss him.” Lupin teased. “You miss him terribly; it’s all over your face.” The werewolf nudged Harry with his foot. “James Potter’s son pining away for Severus Snape…had anyone even suggested it…” He chuckled a bit. “You do know not to worry correct? He’ll be fine.”

“I know…well I know in my head. It’s just…is he stronger? His magic, is he stronger than Marius?” Harry was concerned.

Sirius squeezed his godson’s shoulder. “There are many different measures of a person’s magic Harry. The sheer power of it? They’re evenly matched. Both hold a disadvantage over the other. Severus can draw power from love, where Marius has none. Though Marius has mastered spells and curses that none of us, including Snape, would hardly read of. They’re equally cunning and knowledgeable. Marius is selfish, where Snape is fiercely loyal. If they come up against one another where you’re concerned…” He drew a breath, and Harry grew scared. “…Marius wouldn’t stand a chance.” The boy sighed in relief. “Though I would imagine it to be an epic battle, I’d quite like to see it.”

“He’s doing dark magic though right? Dumbledore said…” Harry picked nervously at his nail beds.

“I’m sure he is. Dark magic is incredibly useful. You only lose yourself in it when you’re of weak mind. Severus can cast a dark spell and lose nothing of himself. He knows who he truly is.” Remus assured him.

“Some of it is rather fun.” Sirius grinned goofily. This comment earned him an elbow to the ribs. “I mean…” He coughed. “If I remember from my errant youth, don’t condone such behavior now, I’m an adult, a professor, no taste for dark magic at all…” He eyed his partner to see if he had managed to redeem himself. He hadn’t. “My, look at the time. I think I’ll retire. Goodnight to you Harry. Sleep well.” The man moved to his side, crawling under the blankets.

“Night you two.” Harry moved to his bedroom door.

“Goodnight Harry.” Lupin smiled, switching off the lights.

Harry paced his bedroom slowly. Running his fingers over Severus’s side of the bed, the book he had been reading, the door left slightly ajar on the potion master’s wardrobe. The Gryffindor finally settled himself in the seat below the small slit window; he could see the snow falling in the moonlight. The room was cold without his bonded. Harry closed his eyes, wishing Snape well. “Come home to me soon, Severus.” He whispered towards the night sky.

*** *** *** (BREAK)

The night found Severus in a tiny room of a backwoods country inn. His eyes were fixated on the potion brewing in front of him. He paid no mind to the time as he emptied the vials of his Father’s blood to the already scarlet liquid. He stirred carefully, counter-clockwise, his attention never wavering, even as exhaustion threatened to over take him. His gaze flickered over to the black leather and steel bound book to his left. When the mixture reached a full boil the professor reached for the same blade he had used to slash Theolonis’s skin. Without further thought he ran the knife across his palm. Ruby droplets fell slowly into the cauldron. “The blood from whence I came, so shall I return. The elder’s life taken by the son, blood that binds us together, blood that now rests to my rule alone.” His voice remained neutral as he recited the Latin incantation. At the last word spoken the potion began to spin wildly within the confine of pewter. A black tar like substance twisted with the red. Severus ignored it as he readied a vial. The liquid screamed as it came to halt, its crimson color now translucent with a gaseous black tint. Snape methodically ladled a portion of it into the crystal vial and forced a stopper into the opening. He removed the cauldron from the fire and carefully cleaned up his work area, placing all of him implements into a shrinkable trunk. He appeared satisfied when there was no trace of him left in the room. Sev situated himself on the bed, casting a silencing charm and a binding spell on all but his right forearm. The man squeezed his eyes shut for a mere moment, reading himself for what was to come. The implications of the potion ran through his head once more. He’d always know where his siblings were, he’d be able to sap their magic, and allow them his. He would, at will, know their moods, thoughts, actions. He would hold the ability to end their lives at any moment. They would be essentially his puppets. Severus cogitated for a moment that Atheena would surely try to murder him when he was found out. It didn’t matter. This would allow him to find and kill Marius. It would be one less threat to Harry. That was all that was important. Snape pursed his lips to the vial and drank quickly. It tasted strongly of blood and a kind of sickening bitterness. It felt as though he was swallowing crushed glass. His body began to fight against the restraints as the potion invaded his bloodstream. His grunts and growls could not be heard past the bed. His dark features twisted in pain, flashes of Marius and Atheena flooded his brain. Severus focused on blocking it all out. He shielded his mind. Swearing to access the knowledge on his terms only. The sheets below him were soaked in sweat after only a few moments. His eyes were bloodshot from the strain of his muscles. Increasingly larger chunks of information forced themselves into his mind. In agony he finally allowed himself to cry out. It was the last noise Snape made before he lost consciousness.

*** *** *** (BREAK)

“Atheena?” Hermione was at the woman’s side when she suddenly slumped against a cobblestone wall that ran along the parameter of a manor that Voldemort had used as a stronghold. “Are you alright? What’s wrong?” She eased the other woman to the ground.

“I’m fine. I’m fine. I just got…lightheaded.” Atheena rested her head in her hands, willing the spinning sensation to stop. Ron’s eyes shifted back and forth between the woman and the surrounding area, keeping guard. “What a miserable feeling.” The eldest Snape tried to joke.

“Atheena your magic is fractured.” Hermione stated. “It’s fuzzy, like its all jumbled.”

“Oy! You have to stop with all of this bloody new bad mojo rubbish. You’re starting to be a right scary bint…new powers…our lives are never going to be normal.” Ron yelled in a whisper.

“Well, I’m sorry Ronald. It seems to have stuck after that spell I did on Bellatrix. Besides that’s of no consequence now. Atheena I think we should apparate back.” Hermione’s tone held worry.

“No, I’m…” Atheena rocked her head back and forth. “Oh, I feel like I’m back in college…” She let herself curl onto her side. “Damn purple sunshine tabs.”

“What is she going on about?” The redheaded boy questioned.

“Don’t worry about it Ron.” Granger snapped. “Atheena, I’m taking us back, something’s wrong.”

The reluctant professor shook her head in agreement. She shuddered as she felt the earth move below her. Her world was trembling. “Ok. I’ll take Atheena. We’ll apparate to the front gate. We have to get her to Pomfrey right away. Atheena, how are you feeling?”

“…Like I should be lighting incense, listening to Bob Marley and holding onto the floor so that I don’t fall off.” Hermione grabbed Atheena’s hand.

“Do try to not throw up when we’re apparating…I don’t know what will happen.” Hermione grinned and before Atheena could contest they were whooshing away to Hogwarts.

*** *** *** (BREAK)

Marius slammed his glass down on the bar in front of him. He violently shook his head when the spinning sensation caused the pub to whirl about. A chuckle escaped his lips as he waved the matron to pour him another round. He downed it quickly and pulled a tailored leather coat around him, tossing a bill at the woman he exited the creaky doors. His breath left him in white clouds as he snickered his way down the street, taking time to turn in several circles, staring up at the starry sky. His cackle rung out in the frosty air. “You had balls after all big brother.” Marius hummed as he opened the door to a small flat. He twirled around the sitting room to the rhythm of the nauseating feeling in his head. He embraced his intoxicated state, calling out. “You’ve made it to my league Sevi dearest! Now…come on, let’s play.” His last words were a seer. He fell into a plush sofa and lost himself in a fit of hysterical laughter.

*** *** *** (BREAK)

Severus’s eyes shot open, his head clear. He bolted into a stand, feeling revitalized. “Alright, Marius. You want to play do you? Well, baby brother let the games begin.” Snape seized his cloak and rushed out of the room. His face determined, he knew exactly where Marius was. Tonight would end it. The dark man apparated right outside of the door. He didn’t notice the bitter cold. He was warm. Vengeance flowed through his veins.

*** *** *** (BREAK)

Harry leapt out of bed, running to his godfather’s side in the other room. “Sirius! Sirius!” Potter shook the older man awake.

“What is it Harry? What’s wrong?” Both elder men had jumped from their bed, looking around the room wildly for the threat.

“I don’t know…I felt something…something bad…it’s…” Harry was interrupted.

“Dumbledore wants everyone to the hospital wing.” Ron burst through the doors, his cheeks red. “The whole Order. He wants us all together.” He explained after they were already on their way. “Atheena…something’s wrong with her…we don’t know…” The four of them crashed into a room full of people.

“Nice of you all to show. But I’m fine now…really.” Atheena sat irritated on a cot. “There’s no need to fuss about it.”

“What was it? I felt…” Harry was stopped when Atheena squeezed his shoulder.

“I’m sure it’s just a bug.” She lied. Blood magic held a distinct feel. She knew that there was peril within her family. She could sense Severus’s magic. It was dark.

Rachel kissed her partner's head and placed her hand on the small of Harry’s back. “You probably just had a nightmare.”

“Atheena, you’re sure…” Albus paced at the foot of the bed. “It wasn’t something magical.”

“No, Headmaster. I’m sorry that you got everyone out of bed for this. I’m tired. I probably just picked up the flu…working in the school around all of the children.” The eldest Snape was very convincing. She didn’t flinch when Dumbledore stared into her eyes. Her mind remained blocked.

“Very well. Sorry to have woken you all. Everyone may return to their rooms.” Albus turned and left in a rush.

“We’re going to get some sleep Atheena. Will you be ready to leave in the morning?” Hermione stood, yawing.

“Yeah, we’ll go after lunch. Thanks you two for getting me back so quickly. You really are remarkable wizards.” The professor smiled kindly at Ron and Hermione. They hugged Harry quickly and hurried off to get some much needed rest.

“While we’re up we’re going to go grab a snack. Do you want to come along Harry?” Sirius took a step towards the door, Remus on his heels.

“No…I’m beat. I’ll meet you back in the rooms.” Potter answered.

“I’ll see him down there and wait until you get back.” Rachel offered. “Gimpy isn’t going anywhere.” The woman laughed at Atheena.

“Thanks Rach. We won’t be long.” Remus ushered his husband out. Harry and Rachel followed closely.

“So what’s really going on?” Harry demanded as soon as they entered the dungeon corridors.

“Severus. He’s done blood magic. Theena doesn’t know what spell or even what kind but blood magic spells drain the magic of everyone in the bloodline the moment that they’re cast. That’s what you felt. Atheena assured me that Sev is ok so you don’t need to worry but you can’t tell anyone. He’ll have to explain his actions…blood magic is…”

“Illegal.” Harry finished. “That soul mate of mine…not to keen on the laws.” Harry grinned and opened the door for Rachel. “He's always made his own rules.”

Rachel sat down next to Harry on the couch. “You’re holding up okay? You’ve got the hounds to keep you company but you’re alright?” She questioned the man she was proud to call a friend.

“I miss him. That’s only natural isn’t it? I want him to come home safely but I guess that’s not really a question. I understand what he did; it’s just that we were just starting to get on the right track. Things were starting to get good…I wish he could have stayed longer. I will be a lot more comfortable with Marius out of this world.” Harry laughed at the obviousness of his statement.

“That makes all of us.”

*** *** ***

(BREAK)

“I wouldn’t cast that curse Sevi.” Marius didn’t bother to turn around when his brother entered his sitting room. He sat his glass of brandy down and lit a cigarette. He could feel his magic disappear.

“I wasn’t going to kill you using magic.” Snape’s voice was icy. “And I’ll require some answers.” Severus took long steps to stand in front of his brother.

“I am your answers.” He answered simply. “Killing me…well, that may have dire consequences for your beloved. Do you really think I would have left him in your hands without some kind of insurance policy? Really big brother, you taught me much better than that.”

“The Mark.” Severus shook his head knowingly. “You tied a spell to it.”

“Oh, sorry you haven’t made it to the bonus round!” The profane man laughed wickedly. “Pop Quiz Sev, double or nothing…what happens when you split immortality? Tic tock tic tock.” Marius sang, leaning forward, meeting his brother’s glare.

“Marius you are not in a good spot to be rambling on. You’ll not find me in the mood for your games.” Snape kept his wand aimed.

“He’s healing slowly isn’t he? Not quite back to his old demi-god self? Odd don’t you think? The answer by the way, is a considerably weaker immortal. Of course not even I could take that immortality away from him, but he was so nice to share. It’s a good feeling isn’t it? Knowing you can’t be killed? Well technically speaking of course I can be…you won't do it though. You kill me Sevi..you kill half of his new powers. Also, for the record, I can't be killed my physical means any longer. I’ll never find it in my ability to repay our dear Harry for his generosity. So Severus it’s in your best interest to keep me alive and well. What’s the use of his immortality in battle if a sword goes through his gut? He’d be down for weeks.” Marius stood, eyeing his brother. “What’s next on this our adventure of ours?”

Severus was dumbstruck. What could all of this mean? He couldn’t kill Marius without hurting Harry. The man could be bluffing. What if he wasn’t? Snape couldn’t test it without risking Harry harm. What if someone else got their hands on him? Marius wasn’t well loved. He had to act quickly. “I will find a way to kill you. I swear it.” Snape growled before his enraged fist laid out Marius cold on the floor in one swift blow. Snape’s hands pulled his brother up by his shoulders and hurled him into a wall. Marius landed in a heap as cracked plaster rained down on him. No laugh escaped his lips when Severus’s foot connected with his jaw, causing him to sail back onto the large rug. “You’re an abomination Marius! Fight back! Where are those ever witty retorts?!” The elder Snape began furiously kicking the weakened man at his feet. Bones cracked, skin split, blood poured. “You ruined him! You ruin everything you touch. I’ll make you pay Marius. I’ll end this and you’ll feel everything that my bonded felt. I’ll make sure you feel as hopeless as he did!” Sweat poured off of his brow as he regained his senses. His brother lay at his feet, a bloody mess left unconscious from the fury behind the beatings. Severus shivered when he had to grasp the man’s hand. He shook with anger as he apparated them back to Hogwarts.

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