Talks will cease, and now, they have

The end was near, Severus could sense it. It was the 2nd of May, 1998, and today, the world as they knew it would end. Either the Dark Lord would be vanquished, or He would reign eternally as a murdering dictator. Either way, it was time for Severus to go quietly.


He took a step back when the battle started. He would not be forced to show his true allegiance. Not yet. Instead, he helped the Order when he could, discreetly, and even, although he did not know it at the time (and never would), prolonged the life of a valuable friend.


Remus had been foolhardy, reckless. He had been casting charm after curse after hex in order to keep his wife, Nymphadora, safe, and he had been so busy that he'd ignored the Death Eater creeping up behind him.


Severus had not saved the werewolf heroically. He had not gone in guns blazing, as either Potter would have done. He did not twirl his wand as the idiot Black had. And he certainly didn't do it in the hopes of recognition. Severus Snape had simply, very simply, stood behind this particular Death Eater, under the cover of darkness, and cast the Killing Curse. 


The Death Eater had crumpled with a mundane finality, and Severus considered his vow to Lupin fulfilled. They'd saved each other's lives and, with that, Severus could attend to Lord Voldemort feeling as if he'd finally done what he needed to.

*

Lord Voldemort was calm when Severus entered the Shrieking Shack, but Severus of all people knew that the peaceful aura exuded from the wizard was a deception. Tom Riddle was seething and his anger would most likely be taken out on the unfortunate headmaster.


"I think I have the answer."

Severus had stayed mostly silent whilst Voldemort contemplated the disobedience of the Elder Wand.

"Perhaps you already know it? You are a clever man, after all, Severus. You have been a good and faithful servant, and I regret what must happen."


"My lord_"

But the Potion Master's plea was not in true desperation. He had known for a while that when Voldemort came to Hogwarts, he would bring Death to Severus.


"The Elder Wand cannot serve me properly, Severus, because I am not its true master." He knew that anyway. He had got the confession out of Draco long ago, of Potter disarming him of his wand. "The Elder Wand belongs to the wizard who killed its last owner. You killed Albus Dumbledore. While you live, Severus, the Elder Wand cannot be truly mine."

"My Lord!" He protested, feebly raising his wand. The act must go on until the very end.


"It cannot be any other way," Voldemort continued. "I must master the wand, Severus. Master the wand, and I master Potter at last."

Severus saw the swipe of a wand, heard the hiss of Parseltongue, and felt the brutal jaws of Nagini encase his head and shoulders. He fought unconsciously to get the great beast's body off him, but it was a battle in vain, that Severus had known he could never win.


"I regret it," came the cold voice again.

Severus wasn't even sure he could feel the pain; everything was so cold, and blurred. It reminded him, for a strange instant, of a time long ago when Petunia Dursley had comforted him  whilst he'd been in the throes of a panic attack, outside in the freezing temperatures of the Evans' front garden. She'd been Petunia Evans then, but the sentiment was the same.


Was he imagining things, even as he saw Petunia's nephew bend over him, face filled with an emotion that, to another man, may have been recognised as concern? Severus seized the figure's robes with the little strength he had left, trying to see if the figure was real. How could it be, if an ethereal silver blue liquid was gushing from his body, his eyes, ears and mouth? It wasn't blood, whatever his deoxygenated brain might think.


But the robes were real, felt real, and green eyes gazed into his.

"Take... it... Take... it..."

Lily would know what it was. She knew everything. His clever, beautiful friend. The friend that was never more than a friend.


Severus Snape didn't register the flask that Hermione Granger thrust into the shaking hands of Harry Potter. He didn't notice the liquid being taken from him. He was gazing ahead, at the green eyes, thinking of all the things he could now say to the one he loved.


"Look... at... me..." He whispered.


Lily Evans smiled, her green eyes boring into his, and even as Severus Snape's hand thudded to the floor, releasing its hold on her son, she lifted it back up, and held it tight.


"You said we'd be together a very long time," the young man whispered, white face filling with a jubilance not seen for a while. "I corrected you."

The angel simply smiled, the hold on him never ceasing.

"Not a very long time," he said grinning.

The angel looked sideways at him.


"Always."

*

Minerva felt herself slowly crumble after she had listened to Harry's speech to Voldemort.

"Minnie, what's wrong?" Pomona whispered, reaching for the older woman's hand. The three heads of houses had gravitated towards each other during the speech, as Minerva had been battling the very Dark Lord that now lay dead on the flagstone floor and been forced away, writhing in pain.

"Severus," she breathed, her eyes staring blindly ahead.


She heard the Herbology teacher's breath hitch as she heard the name uttered. Filius stiffened next to them.

"He said he killed him, three hours ago."

Filius remained sensible, even as Pomona held back tears.

"We must wait while the others grieve," he said simply. "Not many will believe Potter's story, that he was never V-Voldemort's." It was the first time the little man had said the name, and he quivered whilst looking round in undisguised fear.


And so they waited.

*

They waited until everyone had left, bar the teachers of Hogwarts, and then they looked for him. Poppy and Minerva were the ones who entered the Shrieking Shack to find him, and laid him gently onto a stretcher to be brought out into the light.


Argus removed his hat in silent respect.

Rubeus dug the grave, beneath the Astronomy Tower where his love of both Albus Dumbledore and Lily Evans-Potter could now be made clear.

Rolanda clasped his hands together as was his customary position.

Aurora pressed a lily into the newly-clasped hands.

Cuthbert said haltingly, "Severus." The only name he'd ever remembered.

Firenze looked up at the stars and said they looked bright in honour of the soul that had been reunited with them.

Wilhelmina straightened out his limbs, settling him into a comfortable position.

Septima washed away the blood.

Sybill commented that his life lines were 'in order'.

Irma tucked The Half Blood Prince's textbook under one arm.

Horace, who had been reinstated as professor long after the incident with Severus, put Felix Felicis under the other.

Filius cast many complex protective charms to ensure that the grave would go forever undamaged.

Pomona smoothed down the wrinkled frock coat.

Poppy stitched up the wounds on his neck.

And Minerva.


Minerva smoothed back the greasy hair, and kissed his forehead. Then she watched as Rubeus laid Severus down in the grave, and tears finally dripped down her face as the dust rained down. 

But at least_ at the very least, Severus Tobias Snape was home. And home was where he would stay. 

Forever. 

Always.

*****

A.N. In Salazar's name, I've finished! This is the first story, whether on Wattpad or not, that I've ever finished, so excuse me whilst I feel very proud of myself.


Now, thank you's:

@Cassie20052

@CharaXFNAF

@Skarly_Cyan

@ObskurerName

@JKRHero

These wonderful people have all made several of my days by commenting, voting and generally being lovely people. Please follow them, and then they'll be as nice to you, I hope!


So, my works:

Always - which I got many of my ideas from for this story. This is in fact the shorter version of Always, which is the entirety of Severus' long and convoluted life. However, Severus Talks was slightly different in some respects, so do read Always!

Severus... Reformed - the unofficial sequel to Always, it covers the second life of Severus Snape, and includes a successful relationship with Lily... and Remus!

A Little Trip Through a Diary - a Tomione fic where Hermione falls through Tom's renowned diary and makes herself known to the sixteen year-old version of the Dark Lord.

The Purist - a Dramione fic where Hermione and Draco's relationship continues after Hogwarts. Not for Ronmione fans! XD

Beneath the Covers - a mainly Dramione fic which features Harry and Ginny, Blaise and Padma Patil, and many more, I'm sure. I've recently planned this out, so it now has a plot as well - yay!

Redemption - yet again a mainly Dramione fic which features Nevma and Blinny! This has also been recently planned so is back on track!

The Potion Master's New Glasses - this was finished but, due to many (like three) pleas for more, it will be continued in the near future.

Following the Unknown - this was also finished but will be continued as a Hermione and the Philosopher's Stone-type thing. Dramione, too, of course.


And that's that, for now! Hope to see you reading my other works!!! 

Thank you SO SO MUCH for reading this! :)

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