Becoming Familiar with a Man of Misery

Chapter 20 ~ And in Parting…

When snakes, specifically King Cobras began to come up missing, Muggle authorities all around the world were stymied. Zoos, refuges, private owners and laboratories were all being robbed of the dangerous reptiles at an alarming rate.

When snake charmer Habib Sahmudra awoke one morning to find the body of a man with the face of a skull stretched out beside his empty, toppled snake basket, he notified the local authorities and head Brahma, who immediately proclaimed that half-demons were upon them, attempting to steal their beloved cobras, and that every snake be bathed in milk and sprinkled with haldi-kumkum to protect them. This was easier said than done, but the people put forth their best efforts any way. The snakes were less than appreciative.

At Voldemort’s stronghold, crate upon crate of writhing, angry cobras were piled near the laboratory doors, and Peter Pettigrew was a complete wreck trying to milk them all without being killed in the process. The fat little wizard started stunning entire crate loads and quickly milking and tagging the venom samples.

Severus and Hermione, both under guard, were up to their elbows in snake venom, creating elixir after elixir and testing them against the signature spell to no avail. The Dark Lord’s next feeding had to be within the next forty-eight hours, and the despot was coming to the conclusion that his demise was upon him. He made plans for an elaborate, mandatory good-bye celebration where he would name his successor. This announcement was the subject of much debate among the deatheaters. They would all be sure to be there for this changing of the guard.

Hermione and Severus were to keep working up to the last minute. They would be brought out in the final moments. How they would meet their demise was unknown. Yet the couple put on a good show, working hard, several brewings occurring at once. The guards who reported back to the Dark Lord assured him the pair seemed to be making every effort. Both Severus and Hermione were exhausted. They averaged only about four hours of restless sleep each night. Stamina and pepper-up potions kept them on their feet for the most part. Severus’ tremors had stopped, and Hermione changed his bandages twice a day, letting her fingers linger on his strong shoulders a bit longer than necessary. Severus was aware of her extra attentions, but said nothing. It might be that was the only contact she would ever have with him.

Hermione was not able to find a way to speed up the process, and she made no true effort at creating a spell to extend Voldemort’s life. Even if he killed her, she would have comfort knowing he would soon follow. Severus watched the witch work. Although they were stalling, Hermione was still quite interested in the elixir itself, and did all manner of experimentation on it, testing its properties. She commented over and over on his brilliance in having discovered such a powerful potion as she worked with it.

Of course, Severus hated that he had created the elixir, since it kept Voldemort alive and powerful, but his ego was stoked quite a bit. Hermione would not give undeserved praise, and her fascination with his work was quite satisfying to him, though he wouldn’t admit it.

Soon, the final night was upon them, and no suitable substitute had been found. Hermione convinced Severus to give her wand back, and she cast altered repelling wards around both of them when the guards were otherwise occupied. The wards would not stop physical contact, but would repel most spells, except Unforgivables, which would probably be what the Dark Lord would use on them.

Deatheaters were arriving to the stronghold in droves. There would be no muggle entertainment tonight as it was to be a somber occasion. The arrivals were slightly dismayed to find that their wands were collected by Peter Pettigrew and two other burly minions of the Dark Lord, and piled next to the seated despot.

Voldemort sat on his throne, dressed in splendid black robes, embroidered with snakes. He was sullen and brooding as he watched his servants fill the throne room. That they would live while he was cast into utter darkness was a great injustice. One Dark Lord was worth the whole of his army in his estimation. Severus had failed him, and he was finished. But his death would be remembered. He’d make certain of that. He was already feeling the tingle that announced his need for the elixir, and a feeling of extreme tiredness. He fought it off. Finally, when all the deatheaters had gathered, he sent for Hermione and Severus.

Both of their wands were taken, and they were led out and stood in front of the throne, among the other deatheaters. Severus was surprised they weren’t singled out. What was the Dark Lord up to?

The Dark Lord raised his hands and quieted the milling throng. Every eye was upon him. With effort he raised his thin body up out of the throne and stood up to address them.

“My faithful servants. Tonight you have all come to witness the extinguishing of the wizarding world’s brightest star and hope. Because of Nagini’s death, I am unable to continue, due to no substitute venom being found. All of you put forth your best efforts to try to save me, and I find that most commendable. Yet still, you have all failed me.”

Several hundred heads hung in shame.

“Be that as it may, my passing is imminent, and as in such cases it is fitting to name a successor to continue my cause and my dream.”

Here Voldemort paused and looked around the crowd.

“Before I continue, are there any among you that still retain wands? If so, please turn them over to Peter now. Due to the nature of my announcement, it is deemed best that all be disarmed so no unpleasantness will occur when I reveal my choice.”

There was murmuring, and several wands were passed to Peter, who carried them to the large pile of wands next to the Dark Lord’s throne and deposited them there. Then he stepped back.

Severus looked at the pile of wands and got a bad feeling. A very bad feeling.

Catching hold of Hermione’s hand, he moved them back into the crowd. Hermione looked at him with her eyebrows raised but followed him in. The guards watched them tensely for a moment but when the couple stopped, they relaxed. The two weren’t going anywhere. The guards were also wandless at this point. Every wand except for Voldemort’s was in the pile.

The Dark Lord’s eyes raked over the crowd. Then he pointed his wand at the pile and it burst into flames. A collective gasp went up from the crowd.

“You all are no longer in need of wands. I have searched and searched for a successor, and have found no one suitable among you. You are all servants. There are no leaders in your ranks. Instead, I have chosen to bestow a great honor upon you. You will all accompany me into the next world, where we will again rise to power!”

The deatheaters all stood around staring at him. What did he mean, ‘next world’ and ‘rise to power?’ Had the Dark Lord gone mad?

Voldemort turned to Peter Pettigrew.

“My most trusted servant…I send you first to prepare the way for me. Avada Kedavra!”

The Dark Lord hit Peter with the killing curse, and the fat wizard crumpled to the floor, his eyes staring up at the ceiling sightlessly.

The Dark Lord turned to the crowd.

“Don’t worry,” he said, smiling broadly, “You won’t have to come one by one. I have adapted the curse to send you in groups.”

He made an intricate pattern with his wand, then cast the curse at the deatheaters standing directly in front of him. The green light enveloped about a dozen of them, and they fell to the ground dead. The Dark Lord staggered a bit. He was getting weaker

Pandemonium broke loose as the Dark Lord fired the curse again, killing several more of his servants, including the guards that had been watching Hermione and Severus.

Screams erupted as deatheaters found they could not apparate, and people were trampled in the mad rush to get away from Voldemort, who was walking about, killing them at his leisure, but becoming weaker and weaker with each blast of power he issued. His magic was running out but he had killed over eighty deatheaters so far. His Otherworld army was growing.

Hermione and Severus were separated, Hermione jumping up to see if she could locate the wizard over the fleeing crowd, and rushing out of the way when the Dark Lord turned in her direction and fired the curse. He missed her, but caught four other unfortunates.

Hordes of wizards and witches were trying desperately to break through the doors surrounding the throne room, but they had all been warded shut. Some were crushed to death against the doors by the surging crowd behind them. Voldemort was very weak now. His red eyes shifted and he saw the Potions Master with his back to him, looking for Hermione.

“You will come too, Severus,” he gasped.

With a great effort, Voldemort pointed his wand at the Potions Master and whispered the curse. A pale green light burst from his wand and shot toward the unsuspecting wizard, who was just beginning to turn around.

“Noooo!” screamed Hermione, diving at Severus and knocking him out of the way, the blast catching her fully, bathing her body in its deadly glow.

It stopped as Voldemort collapsed, dead.

Hermione fell to the floor.

All around her fallen body deatheaters were sobbing and screaming. She was stepped on twice. Then came the sounds of apparation. With Voldemort dead, his anti-apparition spell faded and everyone fled. The throne room was empty except for Severus, Hermione, Voldemort and the bodies of the dead.

Stunned, Severus stared down at the witch.

“No,” he breathed, dropping to one knee, “I said to withdraw from me, witch…but not like this. Not like this, damn you. You silly little fool.”

Severus lowered his head to Hermione’s breast and listened. He lifted his head, his eyes wide in disbelief.

There was a faint, very faint heartbeat. Hermione wasn’t dead. Yet.

Severus scooped the witch up into his arms and disapparated back to Hogwarts.

Maybe she could be saved.

Then he could kill her himself for being so stupid as to take the Killing Curse for him.

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A/N: Damn Voldie. Wanted to take them all with you eh? Hermione. You are insane, woman. Insane. Please review.

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The Burning Pen

Becoming Familiar with a Man of Misery
by Ruth Solomon

The story content is adult in nature and can contain graphic sex and violence. Those under the age of 18 are asked to leave this site immediately. You are not welcome here. The author is not responsible for those under-aged who view these works.

CHAPTER 21

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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