The Last Command

"Master." Severus bowed low before Voldemort.

"Severus. You brought the boy?"

"I did, my lord."

"He has proven himself unworthy; he could not complete the task I assigned him."

"My Lord, he would have, had I not come upon him at the last minute. In my haste to see the job completed, I did not give him the chance. Draco had already weakened Dumbledore. How else would I have been able to defeat him with one blow?"

"Is what you say the truth, Severus? The other witnesses feel that he would not have."

"But of course, My Lord. I could never lie to you." Severus looked him straight in the eye.

Voldemort smiled. "Of course, Severus, of course. You realize that your disobedience will not go unpunished."

He closed his eyes and bit his tongue to keep from screaming through the Cruciatus.

******

Severus stood in his laboratory looking over a cauldron.

"Professor Snape? Can I help you?" a tentative voice came from the doorway.

"You may; if you cease using that name, I'm no longer your professor."

"Sorry, Severus." Draco came into the room and grabbed a knife, as Snape pointed him to a jar of something sluglike that needed slicing.

Draco hadn't spoken much since they had arrived at Spinner's End, and Severus was starting to get worried. The boy had never been known as the silent type.

"Draco, is there anything you need to talk about?"

"I...thank you."

"Whatever for?"

"You saved my life...from The Dark Lord. I could have died, and you...you saved me."

"I did nothing more than you deserved. The Dark Lord was asking too much from you. You are, after all, just a seventeen-year-old boy-- and barely at that, marked or no, you were not prepared to kill one of the greatest wizards of our time."

"One of?"

"Of course. Surely you don't think that he was greater than The Dark Lord himself?"

Draco looked down at his slugs. "No. I just...thank you," he added quietly.

"Mr. Malfoy ... Draco ... at this point in your life, you are many things. However, I do not think you wish to add 'murderer' to your resume."

Draco put down the knife, and stared straight at Severus. "How often do you openly question The Dark Lord in this way?"

Severus almost winced, remembering his bout with the Cruciatus. "How often do you openly question me in this way?" he asked dangerously.

Draco had the decency to look cowed. "Sorry, sir...I...I think I'll go now," he whispered, and he scrambled from the room.

Severus stared at the door Draco just went through, shook his head, and sat heavily on a stool. Albus, I had you to turn to. Draco has no one... I cannot help him, I am NOT you. Just then smoke reached his nose, and he turned to see Fawkes sitting at his workstation. Running my life from beyond the grave now, Albus? he thought, as he took the scroll from the Phoenix.

The second it was gone, Fawkes disappeared in a burst of flame, and Severus opened the letter.

Dear Severus,

I only hope that it was indeed you who ended my life in the end. I do not wish for Draco to have that on his shoulders as well. I feel that I must apologize for putting it on yours. Severus, I have watched you grow from an abused, if brilliant, child to an abused, if brilliant, man. You did what you had to do to survive, from day one, and in the end, it led you to turn to the one thing I dreaded.

You always had a determination; a thirst for knowledge, that I was afraid could never be satisfied in dealing within the laws of the Wizarding World. However, in a school as large as Hogwarts, the Headmaster cannot devote all the time he wishes to all his students. Alas, my lack of attention to you did indeed turn you down the Dark path. I cannot tell you how delighted I was when you came back to me. In the end, I still think I failed. It should never have come to the final decision you had to make, and nothing I say or do can make it up to you.

Dear boy, you must teach Harry. You must teach him everything he has yet to know. Draco, as well. More than his life and their lives are at stake. The fate of the world rests on Harry's shoulders. He is indeed, The Chosen One, and you MUST earn his trust. I trust you to do what needs to be done.

Farewell, good friend.

Severus's hands shook as he looked at the piece of parchment in his hand. He had an almost uncontrollable urge to hex something. He took a deep breath and steadied himself within a few seconds as only a skilled Occlumens can do. Albus, you know not which you ask. After the other night, I doubt he will trust me as far as he can throw me.

He felt a headache starting behind his eyes, and he rubbed the bridge of his nose. How does one earn trust through mutual hatred? he pondered. He stood and went over to his shelves, grabbing a bottle of headache draught and downing it in one gulp. And where do I start with Draco? He is marked, there is only so far one can go back from that point. I should know. He rubbed his forearm absently, as an idea came to him.

"Wormtail! Draco! I need you to come to my lab, now!" he called through the door.

Two figures appeared shortly thereafter. Severus said, "I must speak to The Dark Lord. Do not allow anyone into the house in my absence. If I find anyone has been here, you will be severely punished. Do I make myself clear?" They nodded hastily. "Good, then I am off." He Disapparated before Draco and Wormtail could question him.

He made his way into The Dark Lord's lair, and bowed as low and gracefully as he could. "My Lord, I have a perfect opportunity for you to remind blood traitors where they stand...and perhaps get Harry Potter in the process."

"Speak, Severus, I will be the one who determines how perfect it is."

"Yes, Master. The oldest Weasley boy will be marrying this summer. They are to be wed at the Weasleys' residence, and Potter will surely be at the ceremony and reception--without much protection."

"Severus, why have you not told me of this before?"

"I sincerely apologize, my lord; in the wake of Dumbledore's death, I had completely forgotten about it. I came the minute I remembered." He braced himself for another round of Cruciatus, and looked up, stunned, when he heard a deep laughter above him.

"Yes, Severus, I can see how that could trump any thoughts of weddings. Very good, Severus, very good."