Team Cauldron Entry (FIC): "The Gates of Dark Death Stand Wide" By IvyLady Title: The Gates of Dark Death Stand Wide Author:ivylady Team: Team Cauldron! Genre(s): Literary Prompt(s): Underworld, Last Hope Rating/Warnings/Kinks: PG; Highlight if you wish to know: * pre-slash, character death (sort of)* Word Count: ~10,200 Author's Notes/Disclaimers/Betas: I do not own any of the Harry Potter character. I make no money from this work of fiction. I would like to thank torino10154 for the several brainstorming sessions that lead to the development of this story. I'd also like to thank curia_regis for going over my mistakes several times (it's a much better story because of you!), and mimiheart for the title and quick betas. Also, thanks to ladyjayvee for giving me a reader's perspective and brainstorming ideas for an ending. Much love to my teammates on Team Cauldron for all their help and encouragement. Team Cauldron: Brewing Gold!
Summary: Even in death, Severus cannot escape his vow to protect Potter. A Snarry take on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.
It is easy to go down into Hell; Night and day, the gates of Dark death stand wide; But to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air – There's the rub, the task. Virgil, The Aeneid, Book VI, line 126
Through me is the way into the woeful city, through me is the way into eternal woe, through me is the way among the lost people. Justice moved my lofty maker: the divine Power, the supreme Wisdom and the primal Love made me. Before me were no things created, unless eternal, and I eternal last. ABANDON ALL HOPE, YE WHO ENTER HERE! Dante Alighieri, Inferno, Canto III
~*~
Wizards and witches liked to think that their magic was a gift from within, a mindset that enabled them to tap into an unharnessed power that was present in everyone, but that was not so. There were spirits from which all things magical arise. The spirits of magic were the children of Gaea, Mother Earth, and each had a specific purpose. One made the sun rise while another made the sun set. Others made the rivers flow and the winds blow. These spirits performed all of the routine and mundane events that Muggles and Wizards took for granted. The spirits were all around, but most would never see them.
Humans, in their inability to perceive others outside of themselves, personified these spirits, giving them the human qualities to which they could relate. Instead of spirits, the humans made them gods and gave them dominion over all of the things that they could not understand. The spirits did not mind; they rarely interacted with humans and cared little what the creatures thought of them. In fact, some of them thought it quaint the way the humans explained nature. The spirits did humor the humans, however. On the rare occasions that they appeared to a mortal, they took upon themselves the likeness that the mortals ascribed to them.
So it was that on the night of the battle of Hogwarts, when Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, Savior of the Wizarding World fell into the depths of the afterlife, one of the spirits was there to greet him. Harry was supposed to land at Kings Cross and meet Albus Dumbledore, but a bribe to a certain spirit diverted his path to an enchanted forest. Hermes was not the most ethical spirit, but he was the most expedient and that is why Persephone used him. It would take the others some time to figure out what had happened to Harry Potter, and by then, her plan would be in motion.
~*~
Persephone, the mistress of the Underworld, had first seen Harry Potter several years earlier. Harry was still a child then, working outside in his Aunt Petunia's garden. It had just turned spring, and though there was a chill in the air and frost on the ground, Petunia insisted that he weed the garden so that she could get a jump on planting. She had wanted all the neighbors to be envious of her garden and had meticulously planned every plant for that year. Persephone was wandering about, bringing the renewal of spring with her when she saw Harry, barely more than a babe, shivering in the dirt and she took pity on him. With a wave of her hand, she enveloped Harry in warmth.
As Harry moved his frozen hands in the hardened dirt, he felt heat all around him. Pausing, Harry looked around fearfully for his aunt or another tormenter, but no one was there. When he turned back to his task, the weeds were gone and the ground aerated. Harry was shocked and kept looking around to see who had helped him, but he never saw anyone.
Persephone made sure he would not see her as she continued on her journey.
~*~
Now, she cradled the young man in her arms, carrying him easily. Since she had seen him years earlier, Persephone had watched Harry from the shadows, knowing that he had to die in order to kill Voldemort. She pitied him, and wanted to make his life easier, so she hatched a scheme to snatch him from the afterlife and give him a chance at happiness. Smiling down at her charge, Persephone caressed Harry's cheek. He moved into the touch and snuggled into her chest like a baby, breathing in her scent. She walked through the forest until she reached a blooming meadow with a cottage at the far edge of it. Persephone continued walking, waving her hand to open the door of the cottage.
"Poor child," she whispered to him as she laid him on the bed. "You are so young to have endured so much. You have no hope for yourself and act only out of love for others, yet you do not believe there is love for you."
Persephone carded her fingers through Harry's unruly hair. Harry sighed contentedly.
"So starved for affection; so eager for attention. Do not fret, my child. Nothing will harm you here."
She covered Harry with blankets and kissed his forehead. "Rest, and be well. He who loves you will be here soon to share your load."
With those words, Persephone left Harry to his rest. She stopped to ask her attendant spirits to watch over the young man and alert her when he awakened before she continued on to her castle. She had to inform her husband that they had a guest and would be having more soon. Hades would not be pleased, but Persephone knew just how to work him. Besides, he owed her whatever she wanted for taking her from her mother and keeping her in darkness for six months of the year.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
He was surrounded by white clouds.
That was the first thing that Severus noticed upon waking. Actually, he first realized that there was no sound. Years of spying had conditioned him to wake silently, maintaining his heartbeat and breathing rhythm. Severus lay still, trying to figure out where he was and if he were in any danger. When he heard nothing for ten minutes, he cautiously opened his eyes, glancing around. What he saw shocked him.
All around him was nothing. Where he lay was a sheet of whiteness that extended as far as he could see. Severus stood up, shaking his head and touching his neck. The bleeding, venomous wound from Nagini was no more. In its place were raised, diamond-shaped scars. Severus ran his fingers over the healed skin, familiarizing himself with the new marks on his flesh. He felt a jolt of awareness pass through him as he touched the marks. In that moment, Severus figured out he had died and his soul had passed on to the afterlife. He rubbed the scars again, hoping to gain more information about where he was and what was happening to him, but he felt only the jolt of awareness. He did not know what the strange feeling was, but he could not dwell on it.
He needed to get moving, but he could not figure out which way to go. Wherever he was—and he had no idea how he had gotten there—was a barren, white wasteland.
Just as Severus picked a direction and started walking, he felt himself sucked into a vortex. If he had managed to stay conscious, Severus would have marveled at the fact that he did not splinch himself.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When Severus awakened again, he was sitting on a bench and twinkling blue eyes stared down at him. Albus Dumbledore stood in front of Severus smiling at him.
"Hello, Severus my boy," Dumbledore greeted cheerfully.
'Damn,' Severus thought. 'I should have known he'd be waiting for me.'
Severus nodded and said, "Albus."
Dumbledore's smile grew even larger at being acknowledged. Severus could only wince. Whenever Albus was inordinately pleased to see him, it meant that the former Headmaster had some harebrained scheme or other that was likely to get Severus killed.
'At least I am already dead,' Severus said to himself. "Where am I?"
"King's Cross," Albus replied, "or at least the closest thing to King's Cross in the Underworld."
"Why? I died. I bled to death on the floor of that sodding shack where Lupin failed to kill me," Severus said, bitterness lacing his words.
"Now, Severus…" Albus started to say but was interrupted.
"No, Albus," Severus said bluntly. "I won't do it!"
"Severus," Albus started again, patiently. "I need your help."
"Of course you do," Severus grumbled. "No one else is foolish enough to carry out your plans."
"Now, now, do not be so pessimistic. You don't even know what I am going to say."
"Whatever it is, it cannot mean anything good," Severus replied.
"Harry Potter is missing, and Voldemort has not been defeated," said Albus.
"So after all of our sacrifices, your perfect little Gryffindor couldn't complete the job? Why am I not surprised?" said Severus with a sneer.
"Severus," Albus began.
"No!" interrupted Severus. "I refuse. I have done everything you've ever asked of me, Albus. I've spied, killed, even died for the cause. I have more than made up for my mistakes. I have given up everything for you and your forgiveness, and if Potter was stupid enough to get himself killed before he killed the Dark Lord, there's nothing I can do about it. I plan to spend whatever afterlife I have doing what I want. No, Albus. I will not be silenced. I am dead, and I shall do as I please."
"But you aren't dead, Severus, and you have a chance to live," Albus told him.
Severus whipped his head toward Albus, staring at him in disbelief. "What do you mean that I am not dead?"
"You are in Limbo, the place between Life and Death. Most people who reach this place go on to the Land of the Dead, the realm of Hades, but some are allowed to return to Earth. You, Severus, have that choice. You can remain here and depart on the next train headed toward the Hall of Judgment, or you can search for Harry and earn a chance to live again."
Severus thought over Dumbledore's words. As much as he was prepared to die, there were still things he wanted to do. Having been involved in war and its aftermath for all of his adult life, Severus had very little opportunity to travel. He had never given into the pleasures of the flesh, and as much as he heard about them, he wanted to experience a meaningful relationship, not just sex. Unfortunately, his premature death put an end to those plans, but here was Albus offering him another chance to live. Even for a man like Severus Snape, it was very tempting to take.
But there had to be a downside. Albus had offered him redemption before, but the price had been his soul. Severus was forced to kill the one friend he had in order to secure the war for the side of Light. The tear in his soul that occurred after he uttered the Killing Curse had only been healed when he died. Severus did not know if he was ready to sacrifice himself again.
"What do I need to do?" he asked warily.
"I need you to travel to Hades and retrieve Harry Potter," Albus told him.
Severus looked at Dumbledore. It was obvious from his expression that Albus was steeling himself against Severus's reaction. Severus did not disappoint.
"Are you bloody insane?" Severus yelled. "Hades is the most dangerous place in existence – even Voldemort dared not trespass there. It is filled with all sorts of horrible creatures: giants banished there after their defeat at the hands of the gods; sightless, winged black horses that make thestrals seem tame; and basilisks everywhere. How in the hell do you expect me to find Potter amongst all of that?"
"I know it will be difficult, but Harry needs you," said Dumbledore.
"Why me?"
"The two of you share a bond. Haven't you ever wondered why you always knew when Harry was in danger?" Albus asked, coming to sit next to Severus on the bench. "The magic that linked you two was more powerful than I could have imagined when you swore your oath. Every time you saved Harry, the bond strengthened so that now anytime he is in trouble, you will be able to find him."
Severus was shocked. He had always secretly thought the Potter brat would manage to rid the world of Voldemort, if only because he refused to die. Every year, someone had tried to kill him, yet the boy still lived. If Potter were missing, that did not bode well for the Wizarding World. Of course, Severus would never let Albus see his concern. The man would only find a way to use it against him.
"Where exactly am I going?" Severus asked.
"As far as I can tell, Harry has been taken by the Queen of the Underworld, Persephone. She intercepted him just as he arrived here in Limbo and took him with her. None of my contacts have been able to breach her wards and reach him. To get there, you will have to head down the Stygian Road until you come to the River Styx. Then you'll need Charon to ferry you across to the Elysian Fields. Persephone's home is located somewhere in the northwest of the Fields."
'Somehow, I don't think this will be as easy as Dumbledore wants me to believe,' Severus thought. Outwardly, he asked, "How do you expect me to retrieve the boy?"
Albus fidgeted, not looking Severus in the eye. "You were a spy in the war against Voldemort for over twenty years. If anyone can slip inside the Hall of the Dead, it is you. No one else has your expertise."
Severus studied Dumbledore: his face, his posture, and his words all screamed deceit. There was something that Albus was hiding. Whatever it was, Severus would know before he left.
"What are you not telling me, Albus?" he demanded.
Albus sighed. "Iris, the messenger goddess, arrived with a missive from Persephone not long before you arrived. Persephone has become quite attached to her young charge, so I doubt she will let him go easily. Be very careful, Severus. You will only have three days before both you and Harry become permanent members of the Underworld."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Barely an hour later, Severus found himself on the road. Albus had given him a bag filled with bread, cheese, and water, instructing him not to eat anything else, lest he remain in the Underworld. Albus also gave him a charmed knife and a gold coin. Severus did not have his wand, and even if he did, it would be useless on the creatures in the Underworld. The knife, on the other hand, could be used to channel spells or slaughter enemies. The gold coin was to ensure his safe passage across the Styx. Albus also gave him an hourglass with exactly seventy-two hours worth of sand. It would display the number of hours remaining, turning red when only two hours were left.
Just as Severus was about to leave, Albus gave him a warning. "Take care, my boy, and pay attention to your surroundings. The Furies have gotten wind of your presence here and are very angry that they were denied their vengeance. They will be after you."
Severus walked as quickly as he could. There was not much light to guide him. The road was little more than a path with overgrown woods and other vegetation on either side. Strange noises emanated all around him, and Severus dared not dwell in one place too long. After he had walked for four hours, the forest thinned and the road emptied into a quiet valley. There was some light, and Severus could see more forest ahead of him, but he was tired, so he thought to stop and rest.
As Severus was resting, he noticed a change in his surroundings. The noises of the nighttime creatures had quieted, and there was an unnatural stillness in the air. Severus hastily packed his bag and armed himself with his knife just in time. As he stood up to leave, he heard the first faint slithers in the dark.
"Damn, basilisks," he muttered to himself.
Severus knew it was futile to run. He cast a protective shield around himself and hoped it was enough to slow down the creatures so that he could kill them.
The attack came swiftly. The first basilisks launched themselves at Severus, bouncing off his shield. Severus chanted furiously, holding the knife in both his hands. Power erupted from the weapon, spewing a dark red light all over the glade. The smell of burning flesh met his nose, and the hissing increased to frantic shrieks. Severus continued casting spells, but he could tell that his shield was weakening. The basilisks continued to attack his shield, their venom sizzling against the magic.
Severus could feel himself weakening. He knew there were potentially hundreds of snakes, but his strength was failing him. As he sank to his knees, ready for one last spell, Fate stepped in.
"Repello serpentius!" a voice yelled.
The snakes hissed and shrieked as their bodies were vaporized.
Severus looked up, ready to either thank his savior or fight him. His jaw dropped in shock.
"You!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Ah Severus, what have you gotten yourself into this time?" Regulus Black asked, with a laugh.
"You're dead!" Severus exclaimed.
"Still very observant, aren't you, Severus?" Regulus said, rolling his eyes. "Yes, I am dead. You happen to be in the Land of the Dead. Is it really shocking that you'd see me here?"
Severus was still trying to process this new development.
"Really, Severus. I thought you were the smart one of the bunch."
"Shut up, you arse," muttered Severus.
Regulus only laughed. "You're lucky I got here in time. Those snakes were getting ready to have you for dinner."
"Yes, well, thank you," Severus said grudgingly. "What are you doing here?"
"Saving you, you prat. Dumbledore mentioned that you might need some help on your trip, and taunting Sirius was getting boring, so I volunteered to come," Regulus told him.
Severus studied Regulus for a minute. "You may have been dead for more than twenty years, but I can still tell when you're lying. Why are you actually here?"
"I may have...er, that is...there was an incident...I didn't know she was his granddaughter," Regulus muttered, looking down at the ground.
Severus laughed, long and loud, something he had not done in years. "You haven't changed at all. Whose granddaughter did you defile?"
"Hades's."
Severus only laughed harder.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After gathering their belongings and cleansing the area of the stench of battle (Regulus told Severus that he didn't want to know what would be attracted to the aftermath, and from the look in Regulus's eyes, Severus agreed), the two men started along the road.
"Dumbledore did not tell me you were coming," Severus mentioned.
"That's because you weren't supposed to know. I was only supposed to follow you and make sure you got to Potter, but when the basilisks appeared, my cover was blown," replied Regulus.
"It seems odd that so many of the creatures were together at one time," observed Severus.
"Normally, I would say it was odd. Basilisks are very solitary creatures, so for them to congregate and attack in such a way is unusual," Regulus said. "However, basilisks also happen to be the familiars of the Furies, so I'm not surprised they came after us. Let's hope that's the worst surprise we get."
"Why did Albus send you?" Severus asked.
Regulus looked Severus in the eye. "He wanted someone who knew how things work around here. He also wanted someone who could put up with you."
Severus ignored the insult. "Why do they want me?"
"You know why, Severus. The Furies are after you to take vengeance for the crimes you've committed. They don't care that you're the only one who can retrieve Potter or that without Potter, the Dark Lord will win. Voldemort is a problem for the living. You, on the other hand, are here in their domain, and they will have their vengeance, no matter the reason for your actions."
Severus wanted to protest his innocence, to explain that everything he had done was for the good of the Wizarding World, but the look on Regulus's face showed him that it would not matter. The Furies would have their revenge.
Severus said nothing, thinking about Regulus's words. The two men walked in silence, hastening their pace.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
An ear-piercing shriek was the only warning they received.
Severus and Regulus had been walking for a couple of hours when a loud wail shattered the calm around them. The men turned around, looking for the source of the sound. What they saw terrified them. Three winged creatures that looked like hags with nests of basilisks for hair were flying straight at them. The creatures each had a staff in their hand that they used to cast spells at Severus and Regulus.
"Move!" Regulus shouted as a burst of light hit where they had been standing.
The two men sent spells at hags' wings, knocking them to the ground.
"What are they?" Severus asked as he sent a spell at one of the creatures.
"The Furies. They've found us!"
Severus had faced much danger in his life without so much as a flinch, but he was terrified of the three creatures in front of him. The Furies—Alecto, Megaera, and Tisiphone—were the goddesses of retribution. Alecto was the eldest and most dangerous. Known as the unceasing one, she would chase her victims to the ends of Heaven, Hell and Earth, never relenting until most were driven mad. Megaera, the grudge holder, would fuel her sister Alecto's revenge, whispering poisonous words about the criminal's transgressions. Tisiphone, the goddess of retribution, was often covered in blood as she carved up the bodies of the accused.
'I should have told Albus to do his own dirty work!' Severus thought as he dodged an attack from Alecto. 'Of course, the Furies would be mad at me. I have done some nasty things in my time.'
"We're going to have to do something else, Severus. I can't keep this up," Regulus yelled, furiously battling against Megaera.
Severus looked around to see if he could get close to Regulus, but Tisiphone, had teamed up with Alecto against him. His moment of inattention cost him. Alecto sent a fireball toward him. Severus jumped out of the way, falling hard onto the ground. The bag that Albus gave him fell out of his hands and rolled away. Severus could not worry about it as Alecto and Tisiphone started chanting and waving their arms in his direction. He hastily muttered a shielding spell and said a prayer to whoever was listening that it would work. The blast of blue light came barreling toward him, but dissipated against his shield. The two Furies screamed in rage that their spell had missed. Severus paid little attention to them or the blood coursing down his hand as he cast another binding spell.
"It is hard to think when there are two insane hags trying to kill you," Severus sniped.
"I don't care! I don't particularly feel like spending the rest of eternity with these ghouls after me, so hurry up and do something!"
Severus ducked, a fireball just barely missing his head. Trying to maintain his balance, Severus quickly ran through all the spells he knew that might be useful in this situation. None of his Dark Arts spells were useful as the hags seemed to gain energy every time he landed one of them, so he had to think of something else.
The knife slipped in his hand. Severus looked down and saw a small pool of blood underneath him from where he had cut himself while casting spells. Looking at the knife, he suddenly had an idea. Muttering an oath under his breath, he cast his spell.
"Sanguis connexium!" Severus shouted.
The blood running down his hand turned into a bright red energy that lashed the sisters together and anchored them to the ground. Their shrieks filled the air as they struggled to get out of the binding, but the blood held them fast. It was a temporary binding, though, and Severus could see the strain their resistance was putting on the spell. Soon, the Furies would be after them again.
"Let's go!" Severus shouted to a shocked Regulus, gathering his scattered possessions. In his haste, Severus did not see that the gold coin had rolled behind a rock.
The two men hurried down the road, trying to avoid the increasingly angry goddesses. Behind them, Severus heard the Furies shriek in victory as they escaped Severus's spell. The men pushed themselves to run faster, hearing the beating of the Furies' wings and the hissing of their hair. Just when Severus thought the Furies would capture them, he felt them turn away.
"Orestes," their sibilant voices hissed in unison, "we have found you."
Severus mentally thanked the Fates for allowing Orestes to cross his path. The Furies had a hierarchy of vengeance, and Severus, because of his crimes, was high on the list. Orestes, however, was higher. Matricide did not sit well with the Furies, and Severus was thankful for that. He continued to run, wanting to put more distance between himself and the Furies, knowing the hags would be quite busy for some time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The two men seemed to walk forever. They were reluctant to stop after the incidents with the basilisks and the Furies, so they made good time. In a little under twelve hours, they were almost at the River Styx.
"We should probably rest here," Regulus said. "I think we've put enough distance between us and them for now. Besides, you'll need your strength dealing with Charon and his hell hound."
"I'll need my strength?" Severus asked, confused. "What about you?"
Regulus rolled his eyes. "Severus, I'm dead. I've already crossed over the River Styx, so Charon will take me to the other side without any problems."
"Bloody wonderful for you," Severus complained.
"Hey, I'd much rather be in your shoes. You at least have a chance to return to life. I don't."
That shut up Severus. He sat against a tree, stretching out his legs and trying to relax. He quickly ate some cheese and bread and drank some water before leaning back with his eyes closed. He did not realize he had fallen asleep until he felt someone shaking him.
"Time to go," Regulus told him. "We're making good time, but I have a bad feeling about the river."
Severus said nothing. He felt the same.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Before the two men could reach the banks of the river, a large three-headed dog jumped into their path, all heads barking and snarling at the intruders.
"Whoa, nice doggie," Regulus held his hands out as he slowly backed toward Severus. "We're not going to hurt you."
Cerberus growled low in his throat, baring three sets of teeth.
"We just want to pass," Regulus said, trying to calm the dog.
Cerberus advanced on Regulus.
"A little help here, Severus," Regulus snapped, looking behind him.
Severus was busy patting his pockets.
"Great, I'm about to be eaten, and the hero is too busy looking for his keys," Regulus complained.
"Ah ha!" exclaimed Severus. "Here, Fluffy!"
The three heads turned their attention from Regulus to Severus. The noses sniffed the air, looking at Severus inquisitively, before the dog bounded over to the Potions Master. Cerberus jumped on Severus, knocking him down, and three tongues licked his face.
"Hello, Fluffy!" Severus laughed, startling Regulus. "Would you like a treat?"
The dog rolled over on its back, all three tongues hanging out.
"I guess that's a yes," Severus said, throwing the dog a handful of dried flobberworms.
"Fluffy?" Regulus said in disbelief. "You know this thing?"
"Yes. He is the dog Hagrid procured to protect the Chamber of Secrets several years ago. As I was often patrolling the area around the chamber, the dog became friendly with me. I would bring him dried treats from my lab," Severus said, blushing in embarrassment.
"I don't believe this," Regulus muttered. "This is insane."
Severus played with the dog for a few minutes before getting off the ground.
"Fluffy, it was nice to see you again, but we need to leave. Would you please escort us to Charon? It is most important that I see him."
The dog barked once and walked toward the riverbank.
Regulus could only shake his head in disbelief.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Who dares pass?" asked a grizzled man with long gray hair and piercing blue eyes.
Regulus said nothing to Charon, but looked him in the eyes. The old man studied him for a moment before nodding his head. Regulus got on the boat.
'He reminds me of Dumbledore. Must be one of his ancestors,' Severus thought. "I do," Severus replied.
"Do you have the fare?" Charon demanded.
"What is the price?"
"A gold coin," Charon replied.
Severus searched the bag Dumbledore had given him, finding nothing but food and water.
'It must have fallen out during the fight,' Severus thought. 'What will I do now?'
He searched his pockets in vain, knowing that they were empty, but hoping to find something. All he had was his knife, his food, and some potion ingredients.
"I do not have a gold coin, but I have..." Severus started.
"Then you shall not pass," Charon interrupted.
"It is imperative that I get across the river!"
"Then you must pay the fare," replied Charon.
Severus looked around hopelessly, finding nothing. Regulus shook his head, indicating that he had no money. Severus sighed. If he did not get across the river, he would not make it to Persephone's palace where Harry Potter was. If he did not retrieve Harry Potter, all of his sacrifices would have been in vain because Voldemort would take over the Wizarding world. Knowing he had to cross the river, Severus realized what he had to do. Before either Regulus or Charon could say a word, Severus had jumped into the River Styx.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The water was freezing cold. Severus thought he would pass out from hypothermia. It was a cold unlike any he had ever experienced. His body felt sluggish and his heartbeat slowed. He could feel the blood slopping through his veins. Funnily enough, he could breathe.
'That's odd,' he thought as he filled his lungs with air.
A flash of white drew his attention. Severus swam toward the light, entranced. He could feel his body warming as he neared it. He reached out a hand to touch it, and felt himself sucked into another place.
~*~
Severus found himself floating near a window next to a house that he had only seen in ruins. Inside, a man and a woman played with a young child.
"Look at Mummy's big boy," Lily Potter cooed. "He's walking, yes he is."
A young Harry Potter grinned, proudly showing off his four baby teeth, as he toddled from his father to his mother.
"That's it, baby. Come to Mummy," Lily encouraged. "Just a little more."
Harry grinned even harder and picked up his pace as he ran the last few feet to his mother. Lily swept up her baby into a hug.
"I knew you could do it, sweetie!" she exclaimed, covering Harry's face with kisses.
James Potter walked over to his family, enclosing them in his embrace.
"I told you, Lily. I knew our Harry was fine. Just because he's late to walk doesn't mean anything's wrong with him," James stated, smiling at his son.
"You were right," Lily told him, still smiling.
"Our Harry's walking and to take on the world, isn't he?" James said, ruffling his son's hair. If only he knew how true those words were. The calendar on the wall said October 30.
"Lily," Severus whispered, reaching out to her, but touching air. He wanted to warn her, to tell her to take Harry and run, but he could not. Lily, his friend, his love, would be dead in a little more than a day.
As Harry giggled and basked in the love of his family, Severus once again saw the white light and felt himself drawn elsewhere.
~*~
When he arrived at his next memory—for Severus had quickly worked out that the river was acting like a Pensieve—he was in Surrey, in Petunia's backyard. Severus's lip curled. Petunia Evans Dursley, or Tuney as he and Lily used to tease, was one of the most miserable people he had ever encountered. Severus could only hope she had grown out of her bitterness.
He saw Potter first. He was older, school-aged if Severus had to hazard a guess, and all the happiness and joy that filled him with his parents had been replaced with emptiness.
"You little freak! You'd better have all your chores done before Vernon comes home or there'll be no supper for you," Tuney snapped.
"Yes, Aunt Petunia," Harry replied, already starting on the weeding.
"I wish I weren't your aunt. Stupid sister had to go and marry your drunkard of a father who killed them both in a car crash. Too bad you didn't die too, then I wouldn't be stuck with such a worthless freak."
Severus cringed at the words, but Potter seemed unfazed. He accepted his aunt's casual cruelty as if it were nothing new and kept weeding the flower garden.
"Tuney, you miserable bitch," Severus muttered.
~*~
Severus was whisked away before he could attempt to use his magic on Tuney. He had always known she was a spiteful bitch, but to treat the child of the sister who plainly adored her in such a despicable manner was beyond the pale.
Severus watched Harry as he walked to school.
"Hey, Dudley, it's your freak of a cousin," Piers pointed out Harry scurrying toward school.
"Stupid freak," Dudley said. "Mum said we can't go to the Carnival until this weekend because that Figg lady won't be able to watch him until then. I wanted to go tonight!"
"We should make him pay," Dennis grinned.
The boys took off after Potter. Potter, hearing them coming, started running, but tripped and fell. As the boys were closing in on him, Harry closed his eyes and wished he were somewhere else. When he opened his eyes, he was sitting on a tree branch and Dudley and his friends were flat on their backs. Harry smiled to himself, not knowing how he got away, but feeling rather clever.
Severus could not help comparing the Marauders to Harry's cousin's gang. Both were filled with needlessly cruel spoiled brats who tormented others because they could. Instead of feeling vindicated that James Potter's sins were visited upon his son, however, Severus felt sympathy for Potter. The poor child had not known the love his parents and was thrust into a situation over which he had little control.
~*~
Next, Severus found himself inside the house in Little Whinging wondering which memory of Harry's (and he was Harry now—anyone who could survive such cruelty from his relatives deserved Severus's respect) he would experience. Severus was inside a small, cramped cupboard that seemed to be filled with old junk. He could not understand what he was supposed to learn about Harry in such a place.
"Get into your cupboard, you freak! Your freakishness cost me a huge promotion," Vernon Dursley thundered.
The door opened, and his whale of an uncle bodily shoved Harry into the tiny space. The door slammed shut, and the sound of multiple locks clicking into place was heard. Harry walked over to his mattress and pulled a small, ragged bear from underneath it.
"I wish I were somewhere else," Harry said, holding the bear close to himself. "I wish I had died with my Mum and Dad."
Severus wanted to enfold Harry in his arms, but he knew the scene he was seeing had already happened. Still, he reached out his hand to smooth Harry's hair. For some reason, he made contact with the lightning bolt scar instead, and Severus felt a jolt of awareness flash through him.
~*~
Severus traveled through many more scenes, but those were more familiar episodes that had happened to Harry after he attended Hogwarts. Severus felt Harry's fear as he faced the Troll his first year; he felt Harry's pain as most of Harry's friends turned against him when they figured out he was a Parselmouth; he understood Harry's anger at Lupin for not checking on him all those years. These feelings and more poured into Severus as he visited scenes of Harry's life from Harry's point of view.
Severus was also shocked to find out that Harry had a crush on him. Well, not him really, but his younger self, the Half-Blood Prince. Severus felt weird in a good way, knowing that Harry thought that way about him. Before he had time to examine his feelings, however, he heard a watery voice.
Severus looked up and saw a magnificent woman floating in the water in front of him. She was dark haired and dark eyed, dressed in a brilliant white robe. She carried an owl and a shield and looked fierce. Severus felt humbled to be in her presence.
"Do you understand, my child?" Athena asked.
"Yes, Goddess," Severus replied with a bow.
Athena handed Severus a scroll. "Take this. You will know when to use it."
"I thank you for your kindness."
"You are welcome, my child. Go to him, he needs you. Know that if you can bring him back to the living, he will be victorious."
Before Severus could say another word, he was whisked away from Athena and out of the River Styx.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
On the riverbank, Regulus was fiercely shaking Severus, trying to wake him.
"Wake up, Severus! Don't make me have to resuscitate you! I don't like kissing men," Regulus said, shuddering.
"It's good that I woke up, since you were about to perform mouth-to-mouth," Severus replied. "I certainly don't want your lips anywhere near mine. Who knows where that mouth of yours has been?"
"Very funny, Severus," Regulus said sarcastically. "I thought you were dead for a minute. What kind of fool are you that you jump into a magical river? Charon almost upset the boat, cursing your name."
"If he had taken me across, I would not have needed to jump into the water," Severus told him. "Anyway, it was an enlightening experience."
"Yeah, well your enlightenment, oh great Buddha, has cost us twelve hours. I thought you had drowned!" Regulus exclaimed. "I would have gone after you, but Charon did some weird spell and kept me bound to the boat. We waited in the middle of the river until you surfaced."
Severus was in a daze. He could not believe he had been in the river that long. It seemed like an hour at most, but then he thought of all the scenes he had seen, and realized that it was quite conceivable for so much time to pass.
A long-suffering sigh pulled Severus from his thoughts.
"Come on, Severus. We've already lost one day. We have to get moving," Regulus said, looking down at the hourglass. Severus looked at it as well and saw that one-third of the sand had fallen into the bottom.
Looking at their surroundings, Severus realized that this side of the river was much more pleasant than the other side. They were still in a forest, but the trees were not menacing and there were birds singing. The feel of this area was much calmer, more peaceful. Severus breathed deeply and felt some of the calm wash over him. He turned and looked at Regulus, who was looking at him strangely. Severus knew he was acting odd, but he could not explain it.
"Let's go," he said to Regulus, not answering the man's questions.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So, how long have you been in love with Potter?" Regulus asked after they had been walking in silence for an hour.
"What?" Severus spluttered.
"Come on, Severus, this is me. I know I've been dead for over twenty years, but I'm still one of the closest friends you have, which is rather pathetic when you think about it. You have this look in your eyes that I've only seen once before, directed at the boy's mother," Regulus said, grinning. "Like mother, like son, right Severus?"
"This place must have driven you insane, Regulus Arcturus Black, as I can assure you that I have no such feelings for Harry."
"Oh, Harry is it? And all three of my names? You must be in love," Regulus teased, jumping out of the way of Severus's elbow.
"Idiot," Severus muttered.
"Seriously, Severus, you must have some feelings for him. Why else would you be on such a fool's errand?" Regulus asked. "Everyone knows that very few who willingly enter the Underworld actually get out alive, let alone bring someone with them. The odds were against you. Add to that the fact that the Furies are after you, and you have to admit that it's not too far-fetched for me to think that you're in love with him."
Severus did not reply. He was too busy thinking about what Regulus had said. Was he in love with Harry Potter? Severus did not think so, but he also knew that he had a new-found appreciation for the boy after all he endured. Severus could understand Harry's fierce independence after the boy practically raised himself, and Harry's reliance on his intuition made sense when it had served the boy so well in the past.
A poke from Regulus brought Severus out of his introspection.
"And you're not even listening to me," Regulus complained.
"Yes, I was. I just did not deign to respond to your drivel."
"Whatever," Regulus said rolling his eyes. "Anyway, as I was saying, we have about six hours of walking before we get to the river Acheron."
"Another one?" Severus asked, dismayed.
"Don't worry. You won't have to jump into this one to rescue your damsel in distress. There is a small raft there that will take us over. We should try not to stop until we're near the river because we'll need to rest for a quite a while afterward. Persephone's palace is not too far from Acheron, but who knows what we will run into trying to get into her domain."
"Potter is not my damsel in distress," Severus protested.
Regulus snorted. "Really Severus, do keep up. Potter is your lover and the only question you should be asking is whether you want a spring or fall wedding."
Regulus was not fast enough to miss Severus's elbow jabbing him in the ribs.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
They made it to Acheron just as Regulus said they would. Regulus persuaded Severus to eat and sleep, telling him that Severus needed his rest more than he did.
"After all, I'm dead," Regulus reminded him. Severus had nothing to say to that.
Severus managed to find a comfortable position on the ground and quickly fell into a deep sleep. He dreamed of fire and Harry. Before he could figure out what was going on, Severus came violently awake. Regulus had placed his hand over Severus's mouth.
Severus immediately woke up and crouched next to Regulus. He could hear a buzzing in the air that sounded like it was coming from the road. Quietly, the two men stole deeper into the forest, hiding in a thick grove of trees, just avoiding being seen.
A huge swarm of miniature dragons descended upon their resting place. The dragons had deep purple scales that reflected the scant light and blood red eyes that promised death. Severus shuddered looking at them.
"What are those things?" Severus asked.
"Draconites. They're the scavengers of the Underworld and minions of the Furies. Alecto must have sent them after us, knowing that they would be drawn to the scent of death around us. Be very still. They have poor hearing, but their eyesight and sense of smell are excellent. We're lucky it's rather dark, or else we'd be dead."
"I am damn tired of this nonsense," Severus muttered.
Regulus did not hear him. He was too busy chanting. As the draconites circled above them, smelling them but not seeing them, Regulus chanted and slowly moved his hands across the ground. Suddenly, a huge fireball burst from the ground, engulfing the herd. Severus was impressed.
"Brilliant!" Regulus crowed. "I've been wanting to try that spell for ages."
"Glad I could provide you with fodder for your experimentation," Severus said, his face perfectly serious.
Regulus just grinned. "We're almost there, and while I wish we had more time to rest, we need to move. If those draconites have found us, you can believe that the Furies are not too far behind."
Severus agreed, and gathered his things so that they could leave.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Crossing the river Acheron was nothing like crossing the river Styx, but if anyone had asked Severus, he would have said that he preferred the Styx. When Severus and Regulus arrived at the river, there was a small raft and a pole for them to ferry themselves across. Severus looked askance at the raft, thinking that it was too convenient for the raft to be there, but Regulus hopped on and took up the pole. After much cajoling and name calling, Severus finally boarded the raft.
He wished he hadn't.
Severus now knew why Acheron was called the river of woe. As they crossed the river, Severus could see the faces of those who he had loved, calling him to join them. There was his mother, looking as she did when Severus was young, before life and her drunkard of a husband had beaten the beauty out of her. Regulus had to pull Severus back from touching the water.
"If you touch it, you'll never leave here," admonished Regulus.
Severus shook himself, telling himself not to look at the water, but he could not help it. He looked again, and he saw Lily, her red hair cascading around her face, her green eyes smiling at him. She beckoned to him, and while it was painful, Severus did not go to her. His chance with Lily had passed, and whether he loved Harry or not, Severus reasoned that he owed it to himself to start living in the present, and not the past.
After what seemed like an eternity, Regulus guided the raft onto the Acheron's other bank. Severus gratefully debarked.
"We're almost there," Severus said. "I can feel it."
And he could. The bond, a warm feeling in his chest which Severus had never recognized, directed him to walk away from the river. The farther he got from the river, the more soothing the sensation in his chest.
"Yes, we're in the outer rim of Persephone's domain. We should be there..." A shriek sounded, interrupting Regulus.
"They've found us," Severus yelled. "Run!"
The two men ran straight ahead, occasionally throwing curses behind them to keep the Furies from gaining, but to no avail. They zigzagged and crisscrossed terrain, hoping to make it to shelter, but there were no trees or buildings anywhere near them. They ran for what felt like hours, their bodies pushed to the brink, before they finally reached safety.
"Ladies," a melodious voice called, "why do you pursue he who is a guest to me?"
"He must be punished, Persephone," the Furies hissed. "He has committed crimes innumerable."
"I know this," Persephone replied. "Yet he is a guest here, and has a most important task ahead of him. Do not trouble him further lest you wish to suffer the same fate as Atlas."
The Furies hissed with outrage. "We have done nothing wrong! We demand vengeance!"
"This man is vital to the above world, and he cannot finish his appointed task if you three are chasing him all over the Underworld. If you leave him alone, he will bring one that you can torment for eternity."
"Who?" the Furies asked.
"The wizard called Voldemort," Persephone informed them.
Hisses and shrieks sounded at the Dark Lord's name.
"That one has done much evil," Alecto murmured. "He must be punished."
"You are right, sister," Tisiphone and Megaera agreed.
"Return now to your cave, and I will forget this incident. If you do not, I will make you shoulder the burden of the world for a cycle of the moon to see what one such as Severus has had to endure."
The Furies were not pleased, but they knew that Persephone would follow through with her punishment. "Fine. We will leave. If he does not deliver the Evil One, however, we will not let him rest."
"Agreed," Persephone said. The Furies departed.
Severus turned toward the goddess, bowing and keeping his eyes on the ground. "Thank you, Lady Persephone."
"Do not thank me yet, Potions Master. The hardest part is yet to come," Persephone said, turning on her heel.
Severus and Regulus followed her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Severus had never seen such a beautiful dwelling, and it was only a summer cottage. Persephone had led Regulus and him into an antechamber filled with plush cushions and food.
"Eat, for you will need your strength. Do not worry, Potions Master, this food is not enchanted. You will be able to leave this place if you complete your task. Rest for a while," she commanded. Neither man dared disobey.
Severus ate like a man starved. He was heartily tired of cheese and bread after only two days, and he happily tucked into the fresh fruits and meats the goddess had provided. Regulus, as usual, was making a pig of himself, stuffing everything he could grab into his mouth. When the two men had eaten their fill, they laid on the cushions and rested. Severus only meant to close his eyes, but he fell into a deep sleep within minutes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Severus awakened slowly, his body reluctant to leave slumber. He was slightly disoriented, until he stretched and touched a silk pillow. Then, he remembered where he was and what had happened in the last three days. Severus looked around the room, realizing that he was alone. Getting up from his resting place, Severus walked around the room, admiring the tapestries on the wall.
When no one came into the room after half an hour, Severus left the antechamber and walked around the cottage. It was large, more of a manor than a cottage, but it had an intimate feel to it. Severus thought it was a very comforting place, and if this was where Harry had spent the last couple of days, he was in good hands. Severus peeked through the doors along the main hallway, looking for anyone who could tell him of Persephone's, Regulus's or Harry's whereabouts. He found no one.
Finally, Severus came to the last room in the hallway. He opened the door and gasped. There, in the middle of the most luxurious bed Severus had ever seen, lay Harry Potter. The boy's eyes were closed, his coal eyelashes resting on his rosy cheeks. Severus had never seen the boy look so innocent, so relaxed, so lovely. He wanted to gather Harry in his arms and keep him in this beautiful place where nothing could harm them.
"He looks so innocent, yet his eyes have seen and his hands have done that at which most men would cringe. The savior of your world is this fragile man-child who has had more put upon him than he can bear," Persephone said, causing Severus to jump.
"Yes, he has," agreed Severus.
"Will you watch over him? Protect him from the evil that wants to possess him?" Persephone asked.
Severus looked in her eyes. Somehow, he knew she wasn't asking about whether he would physically protect Harry so much as she was asking if he would care for the young man's well-being.
"Yes, I will."
Persephone's green eyes stared into Severus's soul. "Will you lay down your life for his?"
"Yes," he answered, without hesitation.
"Then you may have him," Persephone said. "I know of that which awaits you and he when you return. If I could, I would keep him with me as my child, bestowing upon him immortality, for it would take an eternity to right all the wrongs in his life."
She moved to tuck the covers around Harry. "But, I cannot keep him. The evil that has reared its head must be destroyed, and unfortunately, it has been decreed that Harry is the champion who will defeat it."
Severus felt immense guilt at her words. It had been he who had relayed the prophecy to the Dark Lord.
A hand on his cheek brought him out of his melancholy thoughts.
"Do not despair, Potions Master. You have played your part well and done what was foretold. Now, you must finish your job."
"What must I do?" Severus asked.
"You must return to Limbo with Harry walking behind you. You cannot look behind you to check if he is there. You will have to rely on your faith," Persephone told him.
Severus felt dread envelop him. He had never had faith in anything except the regularity of beatings he received from his father and the taunting he received from the Marauders.
"I do not know if I can do this," he confessed.
"You must," Persephone insisted. "If you do not, your world is doomed."
"Please excuse me," Severus said, heading toward the door.
"Do not tarry long," he heard as he walked away. "You are almost out of time."
Severus ran outside. The hour glass showed there were only four hours left.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sitting amongst the fragrant blooms of Persephone's garden, Severus's decision seemed ridiculously simple. He had already undertaken such a huge task based on the word of Dumbledore, so why was it so hard for him to believe that Harry would be right behind him?
"You don't have much time," Regulus said, sitting down next to Severus.
"I know."
"You know, Severus, your problem is that you think too much. You're sitting out here analyzing whether a goddess will keep her word, when you just need to act. Sometimes, you're too Slytherin for your own good. You have to act like a Gryffindor."
"Preposterous!" Severus exclaimed.
"You know I'm right," Regulus said. "You're going to have to go with your gut on this one, Severus."
Severus turned away from Regulus. "What if I'm wrong? What if he is not behind me and I doom the Wizarding and Muggle worlds to Voldemort?"
"You won't be wrong, and Harry will be right behind you."
"Harry now?" Severus smirked.
"Well, I've talked to him, and he's not that bad, although I think you could have done better. Merlin, his hair is atrocious," Regulus joked.
Severus laughed.
"Come on, old man, get up," Regulus said, grinning.
"I'm not old!"
"You're older than me. I'm forever eighteen."
"Yes, you are," Severus said, as if realizing that for the first time. "I have missed you, Regulus."
"I know you have. Who else would listen to you gripe about everything?" Regulus said with a smile.
Severus glared.
"Don't look at me like that. You know it's true."
Severus snorted a laugh.
Regulus laughed with him. "I'm glad I could make you laugh one last time."
"What do you mean?" Severus asked.
"This is where we part. I can't go with you past here. You have to complete this last task on your own," Regulus said.
Severus wanted to protest, but he realized that his leap of faith would be meaningless if he had someone watching out for him.
"You're right," Severus said, turning to leave the garden.
"Goodbye, Severus. Take care of yourself."
"Goodbye, Regulus. Until we meet again."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Severus found his way back to the antechamber where he awakened.
"You have decided then," she said. It was not a question.
"Yes."
"Here, take this." Persephone handed him a box. "It will prove more useful than your old one."
Severus opened the box to find a gorgeous wand. The minute he felt it in his hand, he knew the wand was for him. Even though he could not use it to do magic in the Underworld, he could feel himself bonding with the wand.
"It is oak and willow for your wisdom and flexibility, with a heart of draconite and basilisk fang, for your fierceness and determination," Persephone explained.
"Thank you," Severus said, bowing deeply.
Persephone brushed off his gratitude.
"Come," she said. "It is time."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Persephone guided Severus to the edge of her domain.
"Here is where your test begins," she said. "From now on, you cannot look back until you reach Limbo. If you do look behind you, Harry Potter will be lost to your world forever."
"I understand," Severus told her.
"Take care of him, Potions Master."
"I will," replied Severus.
With great hesitation, Severus turned away from Persephone and took a step.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
If there was one thing of which Severus was certain, it was that if Albus Dumbledore were not already dead by his hand, he would kill him. Severus could think of nothing more excruciating than having to trust the word of someone else on blind faith. Many times he caught himself about to turn his head to look backwards as he walked through the forest toward Limbo. He strained his ears to hear of any sound Harry could make as he boarded the raft to cross the Acheron, but Severus heard nothing.
Desperate for a distraction, Severus began to talk. He told Harry of his journey through the Underworld, of how he saw memories of Harry's childhood. He told Harry about Acheron, and the ache he felt at seeing his mother, whole and healthy again. He spoke of his childhood, of his friendship with Lily and its horrid ending. He even spoke of his reasons for joining Voldemort, which largely centered on the lack of recognition he received from his teachers and Dumbledore and the torture he suffered at the hands of Marauders. Severus talked more than he ever had in his life. He needed to fill the stillness with something other than his thoughts or he knew he would fail.
When they reached the river Styx, Severus again strained his ears for any noise from Harry, and again he heard nothing. He kept talking. Charon gave Severus a funny look, but Severus did not know if it was because he had jumped into the river before or because he was talking to himself. Severus found that he did not care what the ferry master thought.
Once he ran out of stories to tell, Severus started reciting recipes. He commented on the required freshness of the ingredients and subtle changes that would make big differences in the outcome. He also talked about problems he was having with his current research. Just as Severus was about to start listing ingredients and all of their various uses, he saw a light ahead.
"Almost there, Severus," he muttered to himself. "Do not mess up now!"
Severus was almost hyperventilating when he arrived at King's Cross. He kept his head down and did not look up until he reached the bench where Dumbledore was seated.
Albus stood up from the bench and embraced Severus. "Well done, my boy. Well done."
He had made it! Severus did not dare look behind him, half-afraid that Harry would not be there. He felt Albus loosen his grip and gently push him away. Severus slowly turned his head to look over shoulder, and there was Harry Potter, alive and well. He sagged in relief.
Albus stepped back and allowed Harry to approach Severus.
"I know it wasn't easy to come get me. Thank you, Severus," he said, not looking Severus in the eyes. The Potions Master noticed a blush on Harry's cheeks and blushed himself.
"I was only doing what was necessary, Potter. No need to thank me," Severus replied.
"You're wrong, Severus," Harry told him, finally looking Severus in the eyes. "It was a big deal. You walked through Hades for me and you didn't have to. No one's ever done something like that for me before."
Severus felt decidedly uncomfortable talking to Harry about what had just happened, so he tried to change the topic. "Who gave you the right to call me Severus, Potter?"
"With what we've just been through, it seems ridiculous for me to call you anything but Severus," Harry explained.
"Preposterous," Severus blustered.
"If you say so," Harry replied, a small smile on his face.
Severus could not understand why Harry kept staring at him. He felt uncomfortable, vulnerable almost under Harry's gaze.
Albus smiled broadly as he saw his two favorite pupils interacting. It seemed that they had come to an understanding, which is exactly what he had hoped would happen while he was alive. Of course, from the looks of Severus and Harry, they would need a gentle push in the right direction. Fortunately for them, Albus had just the plan. If his idea happened to defeat Voldemort and bring Severus and Harry together, well it was all for the best.
Clearing his throat, Albus smiled and broke the awkward moment. "Now, my boys, I do believe we have a Dark Lord to defeat."
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