Life Begins Anew

A/N Many thanks to ExperimentalMe for the wonderful reviews. This is an extremely long chapter.

Chapter 76 The Serpent Survives And The Nation Returns

Minerva wearily made her way to the Headmaster’s office thinking of the outcome of the takeover. They were extremely lucky as only one hundred students were hexed severely enough to require advanced healing. The ten healers that Dilys’ sent had certainly enabled most to be quickly healed and released back to their house, leaving only twenty to heal in the infirmary.

Severus Snape. She knew that he could kill without remorse and yet he only used hexes. Decidedly nasty hexes, but none life threatening all the same. Maybe it was because of the vows he had to take to protect the students when he became Headmaster. That had to be it as she always suspected that he held himself back in check. Yes, that must be it as there was no other explanation for his actions.

And Sara Snape. The information she had was that after battling the hall for a full twenty minutes she clapped her hands and knocked everyone out effectively ending any battle. She knew that she was loyal to their cause and must have done it to escape because of her ties to He-who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

She walked into her office and sat down in exhaustion as she continued to ponder the events as she fell into a deep sleep at her desk and began to dream.

She found herself in her office and noticed two witches and two wizards in the garb of ages past watching her with interest. She recognized the Founding Four: Helga Hufflepuff, Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Godric Gryffindor.

“Headmistress Minerva McGonagall.” The Founding Four intoned together.

Godric strode up to her and grabbed her hand. “Lioness you have done well in taking back the school and I am proud of you.”

Rowena spoke out. “Yes Minerva, but you are not destined to be the true leader of the school. One will come that will lead this school out of the darkness of these times.”

Helga looked to her as she watched the shudder of relief from the Headmistress. “Soon all will be revealed. We do not recognize the Board of Governors any longer as we will choose the next leader of this school.”

Salazar looked to her and sighed. “Gryffindor will lead once again though it will be because of the sacrifice of one of my House that enables it.”

Minerva looked to Salazar. “Sara Snape?”

“Sleep Minerva McGonagall and remember that you are no longer under the Board of Governors but this school only.” Salazar answered.

Minerva woke up remembering the dream. She stood up and looked to her ring for a moment feeling a sense of relief as she made her way into her bedchambers.

&&&&&&&&

Sara found herself kicked out of her brother’s mind and looked to her brother’s diagnostics. They were all in the green but found that she could not move as she was so weak.

“Slightly, remove the IVs and the tube from his neck.” She weakly commanded, watching him as quickly removed them.

“Bootstray conjure up a bed and place them both together. The danger has passed.” She muttered as she felt the embrace of her impending death. The overdose of the potion was beginning to take effect on her as she watched her wizard follow her command and came back to hold her hand in his gloved one as she forced a breath out, shudder and die.

She looked to her body as Bootstray picked her up and left the room to take her to her chambers. She felt DEATH’s strong disapproval as she turned and addressed the figure. “Don’t give me that look DEATH!” She snarled out. “He is needed and you are the puppet master in this. Merlin, I do not feel sorry for him as I cannot travel to the Veil myself. You are so hypocritical.”

DEATH watched as Sara’s translucent form left the chamber to find her body.

&&&&&&&&

Lucius read the response of his parchment from the rogue Headmistress as he growled out in frustration. The Board of Governors no longer controlled the school according to her letter. The castle selecting its own leader? Absurb! Who would it be? He sighed as he pressed his mark to call a meeting with the Dark Lord.

He arrived and bowed down before him. “Rise Lucius. What have you found out about the school?”

“My Lord, I have a parchment stating that the school is selecting the next to lead Hogwart’s and will not acknowledge any that the Governors select. It specifically states that Headmaster Snape does not return. My Lord did he survive?” Lucius carefully asked.

“It is none of your concern Lucius as I know you have issues with him. Forget them. Send a message to McGonagall asking her to meet with you and get a feel for the situation. Report back when you are done with your task.”

&&&&&&&&

Hermione looked to her husband’s 17 year old form as the bright light closed before him. “You pulled me back from the brink?” Looking to her in disbelief.

“Yes I did Severus. There is still so much for you to do yet.” Hermione softly told him. “The Wizarding world needs you and so do I.” She told him as she grabbed his hand and looked to him intently. “We are bonded and I am yours”

The surroundings changed into his bedroom at Spinner’s end.

“You are a hallucination witch!” He snarled as he grabbed her robes and stripped her as he admired her body. “The box makes me feel that I am yours but I do not believe it. I think that I would remember a witch that I was bonded to.” He watched her intently and noticed that she did not try to cover her body.

Hermione Divestoe’d his robes and looked at his seventeen year old body as she lightly ran her hands on his chest that was free of scars. The torture that he had been subjected to put him in the far recess of his mind to the time he was seventeen. It seemed that he had no memory of what had happened to him in the past twenty years.

“Oh Severus, in the world outside of our minds you are much scarred. It makes no difference to me as I love you.”

“Prove it.” He snarled out.

“Gladly.” She replied as she pushed him onto the bed and kissed him passionately as he hesitatingly rubbed her breast and looked to her, waiting for the expected revulsion.

“Kiss me Severus.” She whispered huskily into his ear.

Severus looked to the demanding witch seeing the fire in her eyes as he quickly complied. He did not remember her and was willing to take what was offered before the witch changed her mind.

He roughly spread her legs apart and entered her, not giving the witch a chance to back out. He shuddered as his entire length was fully sheathed within her and then began to move within her at a rushed pace. On the fifth stroke he shouted out unexpectedly as he came into the witch, spilling his seed deep within her.

Hermione whispered to him as she felt the pull of leaving his mind. “I love you Severus Snape and I hope that you remember that.”

Hermione slowly became conscious as she noticed Slightly looking to her intently.

“Be still Hermione.” As Slightly quickly examined her. Everything was well except that the witch was exhausted. “Go to sleep Hermione. Professor Snape is resting comfortably and you should get some rest as you are exhausted as well.”

Hermione did not reply as she fell into a deep sleep knowing that pulling her husband back from the Veil was the right thing to do.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Lord Malfoy waited at the castle gates and pulled his winter robes closer to him. It was cold and it irked him that he was waiting on the Headmistress. He had been very clear about the time and he realized that his wait was on purpose.

He saw the form of the Headmistress make her way to the gate and stood waiting, not bothering to open it. “Headmistress.” He growled out. “It is cold out here and I wish to speak to you in a proper setting for a meeting.”

Minerva looked to Lucius. “If you have rights to this school Lord Malfoy all you need to do is open the gate and we will go to a proper meeting place.”

His hand touched the gate and was tossed back ten feet. He picked himself up and angrily strode back up to the gate.

“It seems the castle does not recognize you Lord Malfoy.”

“This school defies the Ministry.” Lucius snarled to her. “You are the cause of this.”

“Lord Malfoy, I do not control the castle. It says that the proper head of this school will be arriving soon. Tell your master that though he controls the Ministry he has no control over Hogwarts now. Good day!” Minerva primly told him as she turned and made her way to the castle.

She had to find a replacement for the Defense class as it was so desperately needed now. She thought out a name and felt the castle’s acceptance at her candidate. She hurriedly made her way up to the castle to pen out her request.

Lucius cursed as he turned and Apparated away to report his findings.

&&&&&&&

Hermione woke up beside her husband and noticed that she had been stripped of her clothing in the night.

“Do not raise your fur Lioness as I was the one that removed your clothing.” Sara told the young witch noticing her distress as she approached her.

Hermione said nothing as she pulled down the covers to reveal her husband’s torso and noticed the angry red recently healed injuries across his chest.

“Do not look any further Mrs. Snape. His body is completely covered in them. The Dark Lord did not take his failure lightly as he had some plans for the school. I can tell you that in my long life I have never seen injuries so extensive that did not result in death.”

Sara felt watched as she looked down and saw her brother look to her. “Penseive and water.” He croaked out hoarsely.

Sara glanced to Sassy and nodded her head to the house elf.

Sassy arrived back with the pensieve as Sara filled a glass with water and handed it to him.

“Sara look to this and see if there is any information that we can pass on.” Sara dipped her head into the penseive as Severus reached for his wife and held her back as she tried to join his sister.

“No Hermione. There is no need for you to see it.” He ordered as he pulled her to him.

“But Severus…”

“No, there would be no good for you to view it.” He harshly told her as he held her firmly in place.

“I travelled to the far recess of my mind to keep distant from the Dark Lord’s torture and lost myself. You brought me back from the brink of death?” He asked

“Severus, about that…” Hermione started.

“Yes wife I was a virgin at seventeen and full of hatred and distrust. Surely you saw and felt that. And I am no better twenty years later.” He thought for a moment. “Well I am not a virgin.” His snicker turning into a groan of pain as he laid himself back down onto the bed.

Sara finished viewing the pensieve and sat down in a chair beside the bed and looked to him. “Severus, we will talk later about you memory of the event. I admit that I am very concerned. Hermione, you must go back to Sanctuary. Slightly has told your group that you are away to complete a task that would benefit them.” She stood up and looked to the couple. “That salve needs to be applied to his entire body once every four hours. Sassy has bonded to you so call upon her for anything you need.”

“There are a few tasks that I need to complete before I go to Voldemort to report my brother’s miraculous recovery.” She looked at her brother one last time with a look of awe before leaving the chamber.

“Sassy.” Hermione timidly called out.

Sassy appeared and grasped her hand excitedly. “Heir of Prince, I’s be of service.”

Severus felt turmoil in her mind for being bonded to an elf. After all, he remembered hearing about her failed attempt at promoting elf rights.

“Err; can you bring us thick beef broth and cold orange juice?” Hermione stuttered out to the excited elf.

Sassy immediately disappeared to fulfill the request.

&&&&&&&&&

Bootstray followed her into courtyard fighting his revulsion as he caught up to her.

She felt his confusion along their Bond. “You are repulsed by me Bootstray?”

Botstray cursed. “I do not understand Sara as I love you with all that I am.” He angrily growled out.

“Poor wizard. It is because of my marriage to the Dark Lord. If you only had an interest in just the carnal side, then there would be no problem. I advised you to move on.” Sara coldly told him as she left him looking to her in disbelief.

Marriage to Voldemort? He had a Potions Master to talk to.

Sara arrived at the castle gates and placed her hand upon it as she silently pushed forth her request. She felt the castles acceptance and disillusioned herself and Apparated in the Great Hall.

She saw that Minerva was at the podium addressing a hushed student body. “Students, tomorrow is Monday and classes will resume. There will no longer be any mail coming in or going out as the castle recognizes a siege status. The first time this has happened in the long history of this school. I will attend to any complaints from your parents that are addressed to me.” She heard the angry shouts from the students and held up her hand, silencing the hall.

“Headmaster Dumbledore once told you that doing the right thing is hard. You must think upon that and find where you stand in the scheme of things. We are in dark times and are no longer safe. The castle will do its best to protect you, but at the end you are responsible for yourself, your beliefs, and doing what you feel is right. Please think upon that as you enjoy your meal and the rest of your weekend.”

Minerva took her seat as the students began to eat, not talking to one another. She looked to Slytherin and watched as they whispered back and forth. Most took the news well, but looking to Crabbe and Goyle, they were visibly upset.

Sara noticed this as well as she turned and Apparated into the Headmistress’s office to await her.

She sat down at the desk as her stomach rumbled. After all she had not eaten in two days. She noticed a plate of eggs and sausages appear along with cold pumpkin juice and began to tuck in. She also saw a parchment flare up and began to read it. So, Minerva wanted Bootstray to take over her classes.

She finished her meal and silently watched as the Founding Four appear.

“Headmistress of this school, what do you have for us?” Rowena asked of her.

Sara looked to the witches and wizards. “I bring news of a dire threat and wish to know if it is possible.”

“Headmistress Peverell, place your hand upon the stones so we may know of this danger.” Rowena told her.

Sara walked up to the wall and did as she was bid. She felt the castle absorb her memories of her brother’s torture.

Godric cursed and looked to Salazar. “You created that spell?” He shouted to him.

Salazar looked to him unfazed as he replied. “It has taken me a millennia to change. And yes, I am proud I left it because the mudbloods of our time were unacceptable. But you must commend my heir for being resourceful enough to find it.”

“Is there any countercharm to remove it?” Rowena asked.

“None as when I left I was quite angry of you three getting together to force me out. Oh, the fickle Fates!” Salazar growled. “Imagine my disappointment of finding that I was bound to you three in death and coming back to the castle.”

“Shit!” Sara exclaimed.

“While a poor statement for one in your esteemed role, a very true statement it is.” Rowena drily replied. “We will warn the true leader of this school.”

Sara watched as they disappeared and saw that Minerva had entered her office looking to her in surprise. “How did you get in here?”

“Minerva, the castle has an affinity for me and I merely wanted to tell you that Bootstray will accept your request to teach Defense.”

Minerva nodded to her and asked. “All is well?”

Sara looked to the witch and saw the true concern in her eyes. “Nothing that a glamour or two will not disguise. Plan One Alpha has been has been engaged and soon you will be contacted.” She grabbed Minerva’s arm and removed the last hold of Voldemort’s spell. “You are a free Minerva to do the planning that you need to do. I will visit Kingsley and Lupin and do the same shortly.”

Minerva silently watched as Sara disappeared from her office.

&&&&&&&&&&&

Bootstray angrily entered the chamber of Professor Snape and looked to the wizard lying in bed. “She is married to Voldemort?!” He shouted.

“Yes Bootstray and she had no choice. I am sorry.” Severus replied. He felt sorry for the assassin as he knew that he truly loved her. “The Dark Lord used dark enchantments upon her and I imagine you are feeling them.”

Bootstray nodded to him as he angrily left the room. He had the words of a squib priest to think upon.

Hermione was startled as the angry wizard strode passed her as she opened the door to Severus’s room.

“Is everything alright Severus?”

He sighed as he patted the clear spot on the bed indicating that she should sit and began to speak.

Hermione looked to her husband as he finished. Sara Snape married to Voldemort and bearing his heir? And his requirement to kill her if needed?

“Merlin!” Hermione exclaimed. “How much more does Fate think you can take?”

Severus chuckled at her outburst. “I suppose wife that it is fair retribution for what I have done in the past. But enough of this chit-chat of my continuing sacrifices. Grab the gold chain on the table.”

Hermione complied and watch as the chain changed into a vial of potion.

“This potion was created from your First Blood Hermione.” Severus looked to her intently as he continued. “It will bring anyone that has been killed by the Dark Lord or his minions back to life. There are five doses in there and I would be foolish to expect you to save it for use on yourself only. But I command this of you Hermione. You will save one dose for yourself and brief Potter and Weasley to give it to you if needed. Swear to me witch as my sacrifice will be in vain if you died in the Final Battle.”

Hermione glared at him as she acknowledged his command as she felt the majiks swirl around her. “I will save a dose for you.”

“Wasted potion Hermione as I will go to the Dementors and that is a fate worse than death. If I am dead you will leave me dead. Swear it! I do not desire to experience The Kiss.” He demanded.

Hermione looked to him angrily and stated “I will not.”

They began to argue and suddenly stopped as they noticed Sara observing them.

“Hermione Slightly is waiting to return you back to Sanctuary. You must go now.”

Severus hissed out to his Hermione. “This is not finished and you will obey me wife.”

Severus watched as his witch angrily left the chambers. He knew that she would do the right thing in the end, even if it was against what she believed was right. For the first time in his life he was thankful for Gryffindor loyalty.

Sara waited for a moment for her brother to calm down, using the silence to run a diagnostic spell. It showed the wizard in perfect health. She lifted up his nightshirt and saw the new thick red scars covering his entire chest, covering the older scars. “I’m afraid that these will never fade Severus. You are a victim of very Dark magic. Wounds that you received are never survived from.”

Severus noticed Sara looking at him with amazement as he realized her unasked question. “You wish to know what it is like to see the Light.”

“Brother, I have died so many times that it is like taking a shower in the morning or doing your morning rituals. Imagine going through death and feeling everything, except that there is no reward in the end except that you remember dying. You get up and just continue on as before.”

“The Light promises you peace.” He whispered huskily. “And it is so beautiful. It pulls, beckoning to you. It whispers of something greater than what you are. I now understand your views of the Veil.”

“Do you regret Hermione pulling you back from it?” She asked.

He thought for a long moment and replied. “No, I still am needed. What I fear now is that if I see the Light again before the end, nothing will stop me from entering it. It is like lusting for something that you cannot obtain, but it is there waiting for you. It always waits for you.” His body shuddered as he continued. “But the promises of once you obtain it….” He closed his eyes for a moment remembering the emotion and looked back to her.

Sara looked to him for a moment wishing she could understand the obvious deep truth that her brother decided to share with her. “Thank you Severus. I know that if I see the Light I will finally be free from my curse. I always felt that there was something missing.”

She looked to him for a moment. “I am going to arrange for the Nation to return to Hogwarts. Voldemort will attack the school as soon as the word is out. He was going to wait until end of year to pull the magic of the school to him and take over the world using a spell that Salazar Slytherin created to undo the school when he was forced to leave.”

Severus motioned for her to continue.

“That is why you were beaten to the brink of death as your forced departure threw all of his plans awry. He was very vocal in his disappointment as he tortured you.”

Sassy entered the room with the healing salve as Sara turned away. “I need to inform the Dark Lord of your miraculous recovery.” Changing her robes into that of the Inner Circle and placing her mask upon her.

&&&&&&&&

Slightly arrived back to Sanctuary with Hermione and noticed that the other occupants were battling one another in the dueling room, the fallen ones standing at the wall watching the remaining witches and wizards as Bootstray refereed the contest.

Harry and Justin were soon left on their own circling on another warily. Justin suddenly fell down and shouted out in pain and Harry dropped his shield and rushed up to help him.

Justin Fitch Fetchley pointed his wand and shouted “Expliarmous!” as Harry’s wand flew from his hand. He laughed as he stood up. “I can’t believe you fell for that.”

Harry looked to him in embarrassment as he realized his mistake.

Bootstray walked up and announced Justin as the winner as the rest of the group cheered. He silenced the room. “I am sure that Harry will not show such compassion when fighting a true foe. Everyone did well in this exercise. Dinner will be served soon, so take the time to clean up.” He walked over to Slightly and they both left the room.

Harry looked up and noticed Hermione had arrived and ran up to her and gave her a hug. “Merlin Hermione, everyone was worried when we woke up and found you missing. Then Slightly explained that you were away to finish a task that Headmaster Black had assigned you.”

Ron walked up and hugged her as well. “I’m glad that you’re back. Everyone was worried for you.”

“Let’s go to my room so I can tell you everything that has happened.”

She told them of bringing her husband back from the brink of death and the fact that Sara had mentioned a concern about something that she saw as she watched the memory of his beating.

“Voldemort used Dark Magic when he tortured Severus. Most of his body is now covered in thick red scars and even Sara does not understand how he survived the beating.”

“Blimey Hermione.” Ron said. What do you think happens next?”

“The Final Battle.” She simply said as her two friends held her as she began to sob.

&&&&&&&&&&

Voldemort stood up from his throne as he watched Sara began to bow. “Stop, you need never to bow to me again.” As soon as he laid his eyes upon her he felt his darkness wanting to join her. His plans had changed and he needed her Darkness to help him overcome the castle. He grabbed her hand and felt her darkness calling to him as he examined her memories of the past two days.

“Muggle medicine Sara?” Voldemort asked with disgust in his voice.

She looked to him with a dark lust. “My Lord you said to save him if I could and I needed to use magical and muggle means. He should be well enough for service to you in one week’s time.”

“I sense your darkness calling and as my plans have changed I am going to give it to you. We will consummate our marriage now.” He stated as he led her to his bedroom.

Her darkness filled her completely as she stood next to the bed and looked to his red eyes with hunger.

Voldemort chuckled as he removed her mask revealing her scarred face from his previous torture of her concerning Amycus. “You are not to be scarred no longer as you have redeemed yourself.” Placing his hand upon her face as the scars faded.

Sara shuddered as Voldemort slowly removed her robes. “Get into the bed.” He commanded.

Quickly removing his robes he crawled on top of her and entered her without warning as his hand tightly gripped her Mark as he began to fuck her in Ernest muttering an incantation in a language she did not recognize. “Our Darkness joins.” He muttered.

Sara felt the burning along her Mark and ignored it as she felt a dark joy as he entered her, meeting his deep strokes as she felt and smelled the blood flowing from her.

Voldemort looked to her eyes as he felt their darkness combine as he released into her. He pulled himself away and looked to her. “Now go back and attend to Severus. I still need him for the time being.”

She felt her dark soul singing at the joining as she dressed and left his chambers. She laughed as she Apparated into her brother’s chambers.

Severus was reading in bed when he heard his sister’s laugh as he grabbed his wand and held it out as he saw the red eyes of his sister looking to him. “Avada Kedevra!” He shouted as he watched his sister fall down dead before him.

“DEATH.” She whispered out. “I have consummated my marriage and I am tied to him.”

DEATH appeared and looked to her. “Unexpected Little One but it benefits you in the end.”

Sara snarled out. “Then why do I feel the pull of the Darkness within your realm?”

DEATH looked to her in shock. “Little One can you not contain it?” The Darkness never followed one into his realm.

“My death helps me, but I do not know how long I can control it.”

DEATH grabbed her hand pushing the coldness of death into her as the Darkness fled DEATHs presence, watching her eyes turn back to normal.

“But I do not understand how the Darkness is here in my realm. Clear your mind Sara so I can see what Voldemort has used upon you.”

DEATH looked to her eyes intently as she pushed the memory of the consummation forward in his mind. He recognized the incantation as there was not a language that he did not understand. While it one of the Darkest spells in existence, it would not affect the realm of the dead if used on a normal witch or wizard. But with her Bond to him. If she asked anything while she was in a dark state, then DEATH would have to comply. And if Voldemort realized this? Voldemort’s desires was to overcome and control death and if he realized Sara’s bond to DEATH, then it would be the end of everything.

DEATH looked intently to her. “You must listen to me Sara and listen well. You will surround yourself with those that can kill you with no questions asked. You must recognize when the Darkness is beginning to take you over and you must be killed. You will come to my realm and I will push the Darkness back.”

Sara looked to DEATH. There was something left unsaid here. “Of course DEATH. That is what you told me before.” She looked down at her dead body as she noticed the naked form of her brother crouched beside her, his wand pointed at her neck as he continued to wait.

Sara took a deep breath and pushed his wand away. “Severus, thank you for your actions, but I really do not need to see your bits so close to me.”

Severus jumped back and cursed as he covered himself in a blanket. “It seems that you are normal now Sara.” He hissed out.

Sara stood up. “Brother, I am pushing the Final Battle. “ She stated as she Apparated away.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Minerva suddenly awoke and was compelled to go to the Great Hall. She entered it and gasped out in shock as she recognized 43 missing muggle-born students as Harry approached her.

“Professor McGonagall, we have returned.”

Minerva saw Hermione Granger looking to her as she shouted out “Miss. Granger you are alive!” fainting from the appearance of the student that she thought was dead.

The muggle-born wizards and witches surrounded their Transfiguration professor and as Hermione knelt down to attend to the witch.

AN: Final Battle is next