Esprit de Corps

Chapter 17

Severus Snape was in trouble. He knew that the Dark Lord had sent his minions after him, for he hadn't Apparated to Shrieking Shack directly; he had waited around to learn a bit more about his Master's plan. He realized that he didn't have enough time to warn Dumbledore...and if he didn't get hold of Potter, Lord Voldemort would kill him.

Foolish boy! Damn you! Who asked you to leave? He thought fiercely, feeling very angry with Harry for having put him into this mess. He Apparated inside the Shrieking Shack, still fuming, and hoping against hope that Potter had had enough sense to leave the place before he arrived there. He had to get there before the other Death Eaters, at least.

Harry looked up when the soft 'pop' of someone's Apparition reached his ears.

"Professor Snape?" he asked, shocked.

"Foolish boy! Do you know how deep in trouble you are?"

"But...how did you know I was here?"

"The Dark Lord, Potter, knew that you're here, and he has sent me to get you. And he has sent the remainder of his troop behind me to make sure that I get you to him."

It was only then that Harry noticed that Snape was in his Death Eater robes and the white mask was protruding from his pocket...

There was a series of 'pops' in the vicinity. No other Death Eater had dared to Apparate inside the Shack.

"You have to get out of here," said Snape.

"But they'll kill you!"

"Won't be the first time you got someone killed, Potter," said Snape, sneering.

Harry stood up and wiped his eyes.

"Not anymore, Professor. You will take me to him."

"Typical Gryffindor idiocy. Run to Hogwarts, Potter. That is your only chance."

"No. You won't die for me, Professor."

"Look, Potter," said Snape angrily, "I don't give a damn to your stoic heroism. You have to go back to Hogwarts. Now!"

"No. You will take me to him."

"Imbecile! You're not ready to face him yet!"

"I don't care!"

"Of course you don't! You walk around with a death-wish - too foolish to heed your own life. Why do you think others have to die so that you might live? Because you can't take proper care of yourself!"

"Do you think I don't know that?" Harry hissed.

"Then, for Merlin's sake, Potter, RETURN TO HOGWARTS BEFORE THEY COME!"

"No, Professor. Not this time."

Harry walked up to Snape, and before the Potions Master could understand what was happening, the teenager grabbed his teacher's wand hand, pointed the wand at himself and said, "Stupefy!"

Snape was livid with anger as Harry collapsed at his feet. He was also surprised at the brief flash when Harry had grabbed his arm. He felt something on his wrist and saw the red blossom that had appeared there.

"Good job, Severus," came a voice behind him as he picked up the limp form of Harry Potter, "let's get him back to Master."

The Potions Master turned to see his fellow Death Eaters standing there. He nodded curtly and Disapparated with Harry in his arms.