Snape's Redemption
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
25
Views:
34,714
Reviews:
335
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
25
Views:
34,714
Reviews:
335
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Prologue
In case you haven\'t yet realised, I own nothing and I\'m making no money. It\'s all JKR\'s.
Prologue – October 1981
The two figures stood dispassionately watching the writhing, begging man on the ground before them. The emerald phosphorescent glow bathed them all, making the fair haired of the three resemble a sylph escaped from the Forbidden Forest. The other two were as dark as the water surrounding the small island of rock they were on and the glow was completely absorbed by their black locks. Their faces, however, were another story and none could fail to note that the green light actually improved the sallow skin of Severus Snape.
“No…no…please don’t make me. I don’t want to,” moaned the figure, curling up at the feet of the two standing. “I’ll be good forever. Make it stop.”
With a fluid move, Snape dipped the small skull he was holding into the basin, filling it with the emerald liquid.
“Yes, yes,” he sneered. “Drink this, Regulus, and it will stop for good.” And crouching he forced the liquid down the throat of the supplicating man.
“How much longer do we need to be here, Severus?”
Severus glanced up at his companion whilst holding onto Regulus’ head, ensuring he did not turn away from the skull.
“Until it’s done, Lucius. But please, if you are bored,” here Snape’s lip curled in derision, “do feel free to leave.”
Lucius looked back at the black lake behind him which was completely calm. Shuddering slightly he turned to Snape who had stood to once again fill the skull.
“I think I will wait,” he stated. “Just to make sure that you fulfil the mission.”
Snape snorted and, ignoring the pleas of Regulus, filled the skull once more. Lucius moved over to the pedestal and gazed in. The basin was nearly empty.
“One more should do it,” he announced cheerfully. Regulus, who had been released by Snape as he moved to refill the skull, rolled towards the voice.
“Save me,” he moaned beseechingly to Lucius. With a look of disgust on his face, Lucius crouched down and gripped Regulus’ chin in his hand, forcing the wretched man’s eyes to meet his own cold, grey ones.
“Save you?” he hissed. “A worthless, filthy blood-traitor like you? A traitor to the Dark Lord? Just be thankful we found a use for you before we kill you! Your death will be … may be … a little less painful as a consequence.” He stood suddenly, pushing Regulus back onto the cold flat rock, and met the black eyes of Severus Snape. For a moment, Lucius felt as though he was looking into the depths of the traitorous lake surrounding them.
“And what does that make us?” Snape questioned silkily, retrieving Regulus and feeding him the last of the potion.
Dropping his gaze and drawing out a handkerchief, Lucius wiped his gloved hands, ridding himself of the touch of Regulus.
“My dear Severus,” he drawled. “I am as I always have been.” He paused as he carefully folded the linen square and replaced it in his robes. Meeting Snape’s eyes he continued, “A Slytherin.”
Snape snorted and withdrew the skull from Regulus’ lips.
“Water,” Regulus begged and clutched at Snape’s arm. “Please, I need water.”
He was ignored as the other two sized each other up.
“Which means?” Snape questioned.
Lucius gazed at him, his eyes reflecting none of his inner thoughts. Then, a decision made, he dipped his head and spoke.
“You cannot dare to cast aspersions upon my character when you too are here, Severus. But as to my … decision … I can only say thusly. Narcissa cannot have any more children. Having Draco almost killed her and has weakened her magical powers immensely. I must be available to protect my family and to ensure the family name continues.”
“So,” drawled Snape, “you do not believe in the Dark Lord’s cause anymore?”
Regulus’ moans for water continued to waft between them.
“Of course I do and I know that you do, my Prince.” Lucius watched with satisfaction as Severus flinched at that moniker. “But I do not believe that he can overcome the Prophecy, or what you told me of it. Are you sure you do not know more? You really do not know who made it?”
“I have said so previously, have I not?” Snape spat out. “Dumbledore’s damn brother threw me out before I could see who it was!”
“As you have said before.” Lucius looked at Severus intently. “Nevertheless, my family must come first and this,” he gestured towards the bowl on the pedestal, “should help me. That is, if it is as powerful a tool against the Dark Lord as you say.”
“It is,” Snape responded curtly. He reached down and grabbed Regulus by the scruff, hauling him upright and forcing him to meet his eyes. “You will have your water once you retrieve the locket and replace it with the other. Do you understand me?”
Regulus sobbed piteously, jerked his head in acknowledgement and stumbled towards the bowl.
“Wands out?” queried Lucius. Snape raised a sardonic eyebrow, withdrawing his from his sleeve. Both turned towards the dark lake.
Behind them, Regulus removed the locket and replaced it with another, shaking and crying continually. Once the fake locket was placed in the bowl, it refilled with the emerald liquid, rebathing the men in its eerie glow. Screaming with the horrifying belief that he would have to drink another bowlful, Regulus reeled back and pushed his way between Lucius and Severus.
Severus swore loudly and grabbed him before he could pass through the fire he and Lucius had conjured to protect them from the Inferi. Wrenching the locket from his hands, Snape then pushed Regulus through the flames and pocketed the Horcrux.
The flames hid the Inferi from Severus and Lucius, but the sound of flesh being torn from Regulus’ body as he desperately tried to reach the quenching water was enough evidence for them to know what was happening. Lucius calmly pulled off one of his gloves and inspected a nail. Severus crossed his arms and glared at the protective flame wall. Regulus’ screams had turned into piteous gurgles.
“That’s the blood bubbling up from his lungs,” Lucius informed Severus. Severus glared at him.
“I am aware of that,” he snapped.
“Of course you are,” said Lucius condescendingly. “You are, after all, the Potions’ Master of Hogwarts.”
Snape’s lip curled as Lucius smirked.
“We’d better retrieve the body,” Lucius continued, “and place it somewhere … significant.”
Severus nodded and motioned with his wand, forcing the flame wall outwards and pushing the Inferius back into the lake. He then pulled out a bottle from his robes, presenting it to Lucius. Lucius took it and downed the contents, shuddering and gagging all the while.
“This is the most horrible feeling,” he stated once he had recovered from the bitter aftertaste. “No magic whatsoever.” And he frowned as he tried to levitate what was left of Regulus with no result.
“It won’t last long,” Severus reassured him as he drew the circle of fire around them once more and headed towards the small boat moored on the side of the Island. Lucius glared at Snape’s back as he manually lifted the corpse of Regulus Alphard Black over his shoulder. Dumping him into the boat, Lucius and Severus climbed in and calmly stood on the broken bones and quivering flesh that had once been their brother Death Eater.
They reached the other side with no further incident, the Inferi being kept back by Snape’s fire, and using some of Regulus’ blood (which to Lucius’ disgust was seeping through his expensive robes), crossed into the outer cave. Severus looked outside, noting that the tide was coming in but had not yet flooded the crevice in which the cave was situated. He did not relish the thought of having to wade out to a boulder to Apparate. Looking behind him, he smirked at the image of Lucius Malfoy carrying what was once a human over his shoulder. His fair hair had turned red where it had come into contact with his burden and a dripping trail of blood spilled from his soaked robes.
Lucius looked up and saw Snape smirking. Frowning he hurried forward and tried to dump the body so as to splash Severus with some of the blood or even a piece of dislodged flesh. Failing that, Lucius stretched and felt his magic return. Whipping out his wand he proceeded to clean himself, unaware of Severus’ sardonic gaze.
“Before we go, my brother,” he ground out sarcastically, “you never said why you were here. You, one of the Dark Lord’s most … fervent followers.”
Twisting to try and clean a persistent blood clot on his back, Lucius almost missed Snape’s whispered answer.
“Redemption.”
Turning quickly, Lucius found Snape’s wand pointing between his eyes. The instinctive movement to protect himself was not enough as Snape shouted “Obliviate!”
Moments later the area was empty save for the diving seagulls, who were desperately trying to collect as much raw meat as possible before the sea stole it from them.
Prologue – October 1981
The two figures stood dispassionately watching the writhing, begging man on the ground before them. The emerald phosphorescent glow bathed them all, making the fair haired of the three resemble a sylph escaped from the Forbidden Forest. The other two were as dark as the water surrounding the small island of rock they were on and the glow was completely absorbed by their black locks. Their faces, however, were another story and none could fail to note that the green light actually improved the sallow skin of Severus Snape.
“No…no…please don’t make me. I don’t want to,” moaned the figure, curling up at the feet of the two standing. “I’ll be good forever. Make it stop.”
With a fluid move, Snape dipped the small skull he was holding into the basin, filling it with the emerald liquid.
“Yes, yes,” he sneered. “Drink this, Regulus, and it will stop for good.” And crouching he forced the liquid down the throat of the supplicating man.
“How much longer do we need to be here, Severus?”
Severus glanced up at his companion whilst holding onto Regulus’ head, ensuring he did not turn away from the skull.
“Until it’s done, Lucius. But please, if you are bored,” here Snape’s lip curled in derision, “do feel free to leave.”
Lucius looked back at the black lake behind him which was completely calm. Shuddering slightly he turned to Snape who had stood to once again fill the skull.
“I think I will wait,” he stated. “Just to make sure that you fulfil the mission.”
Snape snorted and, ignoring the pleas of Regulus, filled the skull once more. Lucius moved over to the pedestal and gazed in. The basin was nearly empty.
“One more should do it,” he announced cheerfully. Regulus, who had been released by Snape as he moved to refill the skull, rolled towards the voice.
“Save me,” he moaned beseechingly to Lucius. With a look of disgust on his face, Lucius crouched down and gripped Regulus’ chin in his hand, forcing the wretched man’s eyes to meet his own cold, grey ones.
“Save you?” he hissed. “A worthless, filthy blood-traitor like you? A traitor to the Dark Lord? Just be thankful we found a use for you before we kill you! Your death will be … may be … a little less painful as a consequence.” He stood suddenly, pushing Regulus back onto the cold flat rock, and met the black eyes of Severus Snape. For a moment, Lucius felt as though he was looking into the depths of the traitorous lake surrounding them.
“And what does that make us?” Snape questioned silkily, retrieving Regulus and feeding him the last of the potion.
Dropping his gaze and drawing out a handkerchief, Lucius wiped his gloved hands, ridding himself of the touch of Regulus.
“My dear Severus,” he drawled. “I am as I always have been.” He paused as he carefully folded the linen square and replaced it in his robes. Meeting Snape’s eyes he continued, “A Slytherin.”
Snape snorted and withdrew the skull from Regulus’ lips.
“Water,” Regulus begged and clutched at Snape’s arm. “Please, I need water.”
He was ignored as the other two sized each other up.
“Which means?” Snape questioned.
Lucius gazed at him, his eyes reflecting none of his inner thoughts. Then, a decision made, he dipped his head and spoke.
“You cannot dare to cast aspersions upon my character when you too are here, Severus. But as to my … decision … I can only say thusly. Narcissa cannot have any more children. Having Draco almost killed her and has weakened her magical powers immensely. I must be available to protect my family and to ensure the family name continues.”
“So,” drawled Snape, “you do not believe in the Dark Lord’s cause anymore?”
Regulus’ moans for water continued to waft between them.
“Of course I do and I know that you do, my Prince.” Lucius watched with satisfaction as Severus flinched at that moniker. “But I do not believe that he can overcome the Prophecy, or what you told me of it. Are you sure you do not know more? You really do not know who made it?”
“I have said so previously, have I not?” Snape spat out. “Dumbledore’s damn brother threw me out before I could see who it was!”
“As you have said before.” Lucius looked at Severus intently. “Nevertheless, my family must come first and this,” he gestured towards the bowl on the pedestal, “should help me. That is, if it is as powerful a tool against the Dark Lord as you say.”
“It is,” Snape responded curtly. He reached down and grabbed Regulus by the scruff, hauling him upright and forcing him to meet his eyes. “You will have your water once you retrieve the locket and replace it with the other. Do you understand me?”
Regulus sobbed piteously, jerked his head in acknowledgement and stumbled towards the bowl.
“Wands out?” queried Lucius. Snape raised a sardonic eyebrow, withdrawing his from his sleeve. Both turned towards the dark lake.
Behind them, Regulus removed the locket and replaced it with another, shaking and crying continually. Once the fake locket was placed in the bowl, it refilled with the emerald liquid, rebathing the men in its eerie glow. Screaming with the horrifying belief that he would have to drink another bowlful, Regulus reeled back and pushed his way between Lucius and Severus.
Severus swore loudly and grabbed him before he could pass through the fire he and Lucius had conjured to protect them from the Inferi. Wrenching the locket from his hands, Snape then pushed Regulus through the flames and pocketed the Horcrux.
The flames hid the Inferi from Severus and Lucius, but the sound of flesh being torn from Regulus’ body as he desperately tried to reach the quenching water was enough evidence for them to know what was happening. Lucius calmly pulled off one of his gloves and inspected a nail. Severus crossed his arms and glared at the protective flame wall. Regulus’ screams had turned into piteous gurgles.
“That’s the blood bubbling up from his lungs,” Lucius informed Severus. Severus glared at him.
“I am aware of that,” he snapped.
“Of course you are,” said Lucius condescendingly. “You are, after all, the Potions’ Master of Hogwarts.”
Snape’s lip curled as Lucius smirked.
“We’d better retrieve the body,” Lucius continued, “and place it somewhere … significant.”
Severus nodded and motioned with his wand, forcing the flame wall outwards and pushing the Inferius back into the lake. He then pulled out a bottle from his robes, presenting it to Lucius. Lucius took it and downed the contents, shuddering and gagging all the while.
“This is the most horrible feeling,” he stated once he had recovered from the bitter aftertaste. “No magic whatsoever.” And he frowned as he tried to levitate what was left of Regulus with no result.
“It won’t last long,” Severus reassured him as he drew the circle of fire around them once more and headed towards the small boat moored on the side of the Island. Lucius glared at Snape’s back as he manually lifted the corpse of Regulus Alphard Black over his shoulder. Dumping him into the boat, Lucius and Severus climbed in and calmly stood on the broken bones and quivering flesh that had once been their brother Death Eater.
They reached the other side with no further incident, the Inferi being kept back by Snape’s fire, and using some of Regulus’ blood (which to Lucius’ disgust was seeping through his expensive robes), crossed into the outer cave. Severus looked outside, noting that the tide was coming in but had not yet flooded the crevice in which the cave was situated. He did not relish the thought of having to wade out to a boulder to Apparate. Looking behind him, he smirked at the image of Lucius Malfoy carrying what was once a human over his shoulder. His fair hair had turned red where it had come into contact with his burden and a dripping trail of blood spilled from his soaked robes.
Lucius looked up and saw Snape smirking. Frowning he hurried forward and tried to dump the body so as to splash Severus with some of the blood or even a piece of dislodged flesh. Failing that, Lucius stretched and felt his magic return. Whipping out his wand he proceeded to clean himself, unaware of Severus’ sardonic gaze.
“Before we go, my brother,” he ground out sarcastically, “you never said why you were here. You, one of the Dark Lord’s most … fervent followers.”
Twisting to try and clean a persistent blood clot on his back, Lucius almost missed Snape’s whispered answer.
“Redemption.”
Turning quickly, Lucius found Snape’s wand pointing between his eyes. The instinctive movement to protect himself was not enough as Snape shouted “Obliviate!”
Moments later the area was empty save for the diving seagulls, who were desperately trying to collect as much raw meat as possible before the sea stole it from them.