Even If You Are An Inch From Death

Severus





This time Harry willingly moved onto the fourth curtain, not that he wanted to watch as another one of his friends were executed without the right of death, but because he was no longer able to watch the suffering of Remus. Once again Voldemort had used the obvious weakness of his friend and used it against him… just like Ron… just like Hermione.



The tears covering emerald eyes wouldn’t stop.



The curtain was drawn aside and Harry regrettably looked up to see the contents of the next cell.



Once again a trio of Death Eater’s had set up the equipment for the next execution. This time a huge cauldron, much like the one that had assisted in Voldemort’s resurrection back in Harry’s fourth year, sat over some burning logs, the water (or whatever was inside it filling it to the brim) bubbling madly. Off to the side Harry saw Severus Snape suspended by a thick scratchy rope by his wrist, toes barely brushing the ground. The Potions Master had also be devested of his clothing… ALL of his clothing, not even allowed the dignity that Ron and Remus had been given. This must have been the punishment of traitors.



While the Death Eater’s fought with a struggling Snape, Harry listened as Voldemort started talking again.



“I’ve been particularly looking forward to this execution,” Harry could tell that the eerie smile was back. “It is anther means of death that was once used back in the old days by muggles. I think it is very fitting for the Potion Master of Hogwarts to die this way,” Voldemort chuckled again, “well, not die, per se… well you get the gist now, don’t you Harry?”



Harry kept his gaze away from Voldemort’s direction, unfortunately, instead, having to look at Snape who now had the Unicorn Blood pumping through his veins, just like all the others.



“What do I have to do, Voldemort?” it was barely a whisper and Harry was surprised the Snake had actually heard him past Hermione’s screams, Ron’s gasps, Remus’ thumping heart and Severus’ profanities.



“I’m sorry, Harry. I don’t understand.”



Harry cringed at the thick mocking tone the words held. He turned to face the Dark Lord, his shackles feeling heavier then ever.



“What do I have to do, Voldemort, for you to stop this unnecessary torture on my friends?” Harry was glad that he had found the strength somewhere to say those words without sobbing.



“Unnecessary? No, I don’t think this torture is unnecessary. It is providing me with great entertainment…”



The Snake was purposely ignoring his question.



“Voldemort!”



He chuckled, again, for the five thousandth time that night.



“You want to know what you have to do to stop this, Harry? Well to find that out you’re going to have to wait until we finish with all seven curtains. I am particularly looking forward to the next curtain, even more so than good ol’ Severus here.”



Harry could only guess whom he was referring to.



“Please, tell me now. I’ll do anything.” Harry hated to say it, but he didn’t know how much more he was going to be able to handle of his friends being executed.



“Hmm, a tempting offer, but you will find out eventually – when we are finished – and right now you WILL watch the show I have planned for us.”



With that Voldemort grabbed Harry’s head and mashed his face into the glass, forcing him to watch what was happening to Severus.



There was a wave of one of the Death Eater’s wands and the rope hoisted Severus up further. Being the sort of man Severus was, he knew exactly what the bubbling cauldron was there for, though Harry refused to believe it. But was that what Voldemort meant when he said that this would be a fitting death for the Potion’s Master?



The rope moved Snape across with it so that his toes were inches from the boiling liquid, steam and splashes causing Severus to hiss from the burns. Then, slowly, he was lowered into the cauldron, screaming in agony as the boiling liquid spilled over the edge.



Harry began scream himself, banging his fists onto the glass, hoping that this would stop them from cooking the man who had saved his life on countless occasions. Though it didn’t seem like it from an outsider’s point of view, but Harry and Severus had become very close in their fight to defeat Voldemort, that seemed useless now, the Potion’s Master had taught Harry many helpful curses and other forms of protection during arranged training sessions.



Severus gurgled as his entire body was plunged under the water, wrists still bound, and boiling liquid filling Severus’ mouth as he tried to keep screaming, not being able to register that his mouth should be closed.



“I actually had a lot of trouble deciding how I wanted Severus to suffer, Harry. It was between this – being boiled alive, or forcing a multitude of his own potions down his throat. I think it would have been fun to watch any resulting explosions blow his stomach into hundreds of little bits of red and force him to watch as the rest of his vital organs slip out of the gaping hole. But I think my final decision is just as fun…”



Severus managed to breach the surface of the water and take a gulp of air.



“Can you just imagine it, Harry? What Severus must be feeling as that boiling water slowly cooks him from the outside in? How Severus’ skin is turning bright red before blistering and pealing off in layers? How the heat is filling up every opening of his body, ears, eyes, nose, mouth…”



Harry knew he would about to go insane if he had to listen to may more of the psychopath standing behind him giving him this continuous dialog. To block it all out Harry began to bang his head forcefully onto the thick glass, attempting to break either one and find some sort of relief. But his wish was short lived when he was prevented from continuing due to the spidery hand holding his hair again.



“Stop it, or you will miss the other three.”



Voldemort didn’t release him and Harry watched as Severus was hoisted out of the water for everyone to observe the damage so far inflicted before being mercilessly dropped back into the cauldron.



The screams had stopped.



Harry fell to his knees as he watched his mentor boil in the cauldron, just like so many potions the man had made in his life. He knew by now that Severus’ vital organs would no longer be functioning, the heat cooking through his body. Now only the Unicorn Blood was keeping him alive, just like the others.



Harry listened as Severus gurgled before both he and Voldemort moved on.