Stand By

Harry took a stumbling step back as his eyes took in his surroundings. The portkey lay at his feet, useless. Voldemort had made sure he wouldn’t leave once he was there.

    In the distance, Harry could see the moon reflecting off the rolling water. So, they were near either the ocean or a lake. Of course, Harry had never been to either and had no clue where the closest was, so that fact was useless.

    Behind him was a dark and forbidding forest. He could just hear the loud screech of animals from inside it’s murky depth. It sent a shiver of dread through his body, making him intensely regret his decision to come.

    “Harry,” A harsh, hissing voice called to him.    

    “Voldemort,” Harry said softly, trying to ignore the fear pulsing through him.

    “I knew you’d come. You’re such a good boy.” The hissing voice was coming closer now, and Harry was surprised to find his scar was no longer throbbing. In fact, it wasn’t hurting at all.

    “Where are you?”

    “I am everywhere.” It seemed as if he was right on top of Harry, but he still could not see him.

    “I’m here. Let’s just get this over with,” Harry’s voice was far braver sounding then he felt.

    “Rush, rush, rush. Take time to enjoy this, love.” Harry grimaced at the endearment. Coming from Voldemort, it sounded like a curse.

    “I’d rather not.”

    “Very well. First, throw down your wand.”

    “And go unarmed? No bloody way,” Harry shook his head firmly.

    There was a soft murmur of air, and suddenly, a wand appeared before him. Cautiously, Harry took it, casting a few experimental spells. “Now will you put it aside? After all, we don’t want a repeat of last time.” Fighting back memories, Harry gently put his wand down, clutching the new wand tighter.

    “Where are you?” Harry repeated the question after a moment of silence.

    “Here.” A soft pop was all the warning Harry had before Voldemort appeared before him. “Why so anxious? Miss your dear mum and dad? Can’t wait to see them again, can you?”

    Harry didn’t answer. Instead, he readied himself for attack. Voldemort’s thin lips spread into a sickening grin. “You’ve learned much since last year, my boy,” He whispered to Harry, “But then again, so have I.”

    Without warning, Voldemort hit Harry with Crucio. Hot pain coursed through his body, ripping scream after scream from him. When he finally was released, he hovered on the brink of consciousness.

    “Hurt, love?” Voldemort practically purred. Harry moaned in response. “Then I give you a choice.”

    With a flick of his wand, Voldemort lifted Harry to his feet. The boy swayed dangerously, but remained standing. His vision was blurry with pain, but he could see something in the distance, quickly coming towards him.

    The world suddenly came into focus. Two death eaters, both wearing masks, were hovering beside Harry on broomsticks, a limp body held up between them. At Voldemort’s command, they released their burden, sending the body crashing to the ground with a heavy thud. They quickly apparated, leaving the brooms to fall useless to the ground.

    “Who?” Harry managed to ask.

    “A lying, traitor,” Voldemort answered, rolling the body over to reveal Severus Snape. He was paler the normal, and a thin stream of blood was streaking down his cheek from a cut above his eye.

    “Let him go!” Harry cried.    

    “I will, on one condition.” Harry nodded weakly, urging him on. “You. I will send our dear potions-master back to safe little Hogwarts if you agree to stay, without fighting back.”

    “Fine,” Harry agreed, knowing he was Snape’s best chance.

    “Excellent.” Voldemort muttered something, his wand pointed at Snape, and the man slowly began to wake.

    “My lord…” Snape began, breaking off in a harsh cough.

    “Now Severus, none of that. We both know I haven’t been your lord for a very long time. Lucky for you, Gryffindors are far braver then they are smart.” At that, Snape managed to glance behind him, to where Harry stood.

    “You idiot,” He hissed at Harry.

    “I wouldn’t be so rude to the boy who just saved your life, Severus.” Snape looked up at Voldemort quickly. “He has agreed to trade his life for yours. I shall send you back to that old fool safe and unhurt while Potter stays here.”

    “No…” Snape shook his head slowly.

    “Yes. Now it is time for you to go.” With another flick of his wand, Voldemort lifted both Snape and a broomstick. “I do assume you can still fly, right?”

    “Let the boy go, Voldemort,” Snape growled, somehow managing to stay balanced on the broom.

    “Snape, shut up. Just go,” Harry took a shaky step towards him.

    “I must agree with the boy,” Voldemort hissed.

    “No. Let him go,” Snape said firmly, “I’m not leaving without him.”

    “Not leaving without him?” Voldemort smirked. “Crucio!” Snape winced, waiting for the wave of pain, but it never came. A scream of agony from beside him caused his eyes to fly open.

    Harry lay on the ground, writhing. His face was screwed up tightly, tears streaming down his face. Snape felt his heart lurch at the sight. “Stop!” He cried.

    “Ah, but see my dear boy, you said, you wouldn’t leave without him. And the only way I’m letting him leave is dead or insane.” Voldemort’s red eyes lit up with a malicious hunger as he watched the boy.

    “God damn you!” Snape slid off the broom. Voldemort laughed as Snape’s legs collapsed beneath him. The momentary distraction was enough for the curse to lapse. Harry fell silent, save his harsh, panting breaths.

    Casting one glare at Voldemort, Snape managed to drag himself to Harry’s side. Gently, he pulled the boy’s head into his lap, noting the blood streaming from his lip where the boy had bitten through it.

    “Can you hear me?” Snape cried, searching the glassy emerald eyes for signs of recognition. “Please, Potter, come on.” When Harry simply moaned and curled into himself, Snape let out a low growl.

    “Problem, Severus?” Voldemort asked.

    Ignoring the man, Snape tried again. “Harry, can you hear me? I need you to answer.”

    “No more touching….owww…please…” Harry moaned.

    With a flick of his wand, Voldemort tossed Snape aside. “Enough of this. It is time for this boy to meet his fate.” Snape watched in horror as Voldemort raised his wand once more, aiming it at Harry’s chest. “Avada Ked…” The rest of the curse was lost as Voldemort was suddenly thrown back.

    Breathing a sigh of relief, Snape tried to stay conscious. Exhaustion racked his body, but he knew he had to stay awake long enough to make sure Harry was safe. A sudden flash of movement caught his eye.

    A young, blonde witch was kneeling beside Harry’s limp body, gently cradling him. Behind her stood Remus Lupin, looking for all intents and purposes, ready to kill. More witches and wizards stood behind him, all wands trained on Voldemort.

    “Thank Merlin,” Snape sighed, before sliding into oblivion.