Twelve
2nd May 1998
‘You have your mother’s eyes…’ Snape mutters thickly.
‘Professor… Professor.’ Harry says, desperately trying to stem the flow of blood seeping through his fingers. Snape’s eyes leave his and glide to the other side of the room.
‘You came…’ He smiles.
Harry had never seen the Professor smile before. Not like this anyway. Perhaps a cruel smirk, a twisted sneer, a bitter curl of his lip, or a sarcastic turn of his mouth. But he looks genuinely happy now, at peace. Harry wonders who he imagines he sees in the moment of his death, but doesn’t have time to dwell on it. There is a battle going on outside and he needs to see what Snape thought was so important to show him on his death bed.
~~
‘You called.’ Morpheus smiles, but then his expression falters, and he looks to his left. ‘No. Sister no, it is not his time!’
‘Sorry brother, but it is.’ The young woman smiles wistfully.
‘No. He is too young, has hardly had a chance at a life for himself yet.’ Morpheus crouches next to him, his face angry, but Severus can only smile.
‘Not going to go back on our deal now are you?’ He raises a brow.
‘Severus…’ Dream murmurs, stroking his cheek.
‘It’s time.’ Death says, holding out her hand.
Severus takes it, and holds onto Morpheus’ arm too, just to make sure he does go where he had been promised.
‘You’re not what I expected.’ He comments to Death.
‘What were you expecting? All skeletal and a long cloak?’ She laughs.
‘Well the cloak certainly. Potter has certainly made use of his piece, though I’m sorry to say I cannot say good use always. And I apologise I was unable to bring your wand, nor the stone.’
‘Ah, that’s alright.’ Death shrugs. ‘I wrote those off as lost a long time ago. ‘Sorry they’ve caused your world so many problems. I used to be rather more impatient and impulsive; now I just wait until people are ready. Everyone comes in the end right?’
‘The Dark Lord…’ Severus frowns.
‘Oh, don’t worry about him.’ Death smirks. ‘That wand has a few tricks in it yet. He’ll get what’s coming to him in the end. Everyone does.’ She says rather light heartedly.
Severus is not normally one to simply take someone’s word for it, but one could hardly argue with Death herself.
‘Now, I’m told the two of you made a deal?’ She tilts her head.
‘Yes.’ Morpheus intones, looking at Severus intently. ‘Though I’m not sure I held up my end of the bargain. So if you wish to move on…’
‘I want to come home.’ Severus murmurs, holding tight to Morpheus’ arm. He feels somewhat ashamed, and terribly vulnerable to be practically begging like this. But it has been the only thing keeping him going all these years.
Morpheus’ face searches his for a long moment, then he smiles.
‘Time for tea?’ He says.
‘Hmm. I should say so.’ Severus responds.
~~The End~~
~~*~*~~