The Servant

The jungle was silent. Traces of acrid smoke hung in the air. It had taken Harry over an hour to bring the magical blaze under control. His desperate shouts of 'Aguamenti,' had only fueled the flickering fire. Predictably, Stunning spells had been to no avail. It was the combination of alternating Freezing and Vanishing spells that finally extinguished the flames.

The limp body on the ground didn't stir. Harry peeled the burnt rags away and generously applied burn salve to the scorched flesh. Harry arranged his own outer robes over Snape. Hunting through the Potions sack, he wished he had attended that first-aid Healing course Hermione had been nagging him to accompany her to. He used a Swallowing spell to force some Pepper-Up potion down the man's throat. He followed it with various potions to relieve pain, regrow skin and ended with a Nutrient Potion.

Half a day passed, and Snape remained still. His pulse was faint, his breathing shallow. Harry didn't know what to do. Even his inexperienced eyes could discern the gravity of the man's injuries. He needed a Healer. Harry knew that if he were to Apparate Snape to St. Mungo's or Hogwarts, the man would be sent to Azkaban. He decided that while that would be a just fate, he could not risk doing that as he might not be able to Apparate himself back to his current location to finish his task.

It was growing dark once again. Fear gripped him as he wondered if Voldemort was aware yet of the danger his last Horcrux was in. Time was of the essence. He toyed with the idea of leaving Snape here and continuing by himself. After all, he had saved the man from the magical fire that had injured. Harry had done his best to heal him, and there was nothing more he could do. But Harry knew that leaving an unconscious man alone in the jungle after dark would be as good as putting a nail in his coffin.

The final Horcrux was in that cave, Harry mused. It would not be easy, but with intense concentration, he might be able to Levitate himself to the entrance. Harry was confident he could destroy the final Horcrux without Snape's help. Harry had paid close attention to the spells and potions Snape had used when they had destroyed the other three Horcruxes. He thought he could manage to replicate the spells, and he had found the necessary potions in the sack.

Why did Snape helped me destroy three Horcruxes? Harry questioned himself. He doubted it was truly just a last favour to Dumbledore. Perhaps Snape wanted a more equitable power distribution, and needed Voldemort to be less invincible.

A thought struck him. Voldemort would probably have just found out about his losses. By helping Harry destroy the Horcruxes, Snape had effectively raised the bounty on Harry's head. He had timed it so that he could present Harry to Voldemort at his most furious, thus gaining more trust and approval. A quick Obliviate would prevent Harry from disclosing the help he had been provided. Snape had all but cemented his place as the most loyal servant of them all.

He turned to gaze at Snape again. Idly, he marveled at the irony of the situation. He had longed to kill this man and avenge Albus Dumbledore's death. Now the man lay at death's door, but not by Harry's hand. Harry hadn't forgiven Snape for killing Dumbledore, and the thought of revenge was gratifying. The prospect of his impending betrayal could only add to that satisfaction.

Unbidden, Dumbledore's words echoed in his head. When you refrain from exacting revenge on one who deserves punishment, you leave that person in your debt... which may aid you when it least seems likely...

Harry scowled. Snape had as much as warned him that he would face Voldemort after reaching the final Horcrux. Which would be about now, thought Harry sourly. Yet, something prevented him from abandoning the man. Snatches of Dumbledore's letter crossed his mind. Do not regret showing mercy even to those who appear unworthy of it.... It is this that will defeat Voldemort... It is the key to the complete destruction of his soul...

Harry sighed. He was not powerful enough to Levitate another person to the entrance of the cave. He dosed Snape again, then settled down to wait beside the unmoving figure.