You, Harry, Ron, and Hermione rush to the boathouse, picking your way forward, moving quietly through the eerie light. You stop within the safety of the shadows. From there, you watch as Voldemort steps into view and extends his wand. In the silvery, shifting light, it looks almost alive.

All of you stay silent. Voldemort is speaking to Severus Snape, his voice smooth and cold.

“Where, Severus? Where does its loyalty lie?”

Snape looks away from Nagini, meeting Voldemort’s gaze.

“With you, of course, my Lord.”

Voldemort studies him for a long moment before finally speaking again.

“The Elder Wand cannot serve me properly, Severus, because I am not its true master. The Elder Wand belongs to the wizard who killed its last owner. Ollivander was quite explicit about that. You killed Dumbledore, Severus. While you live, the Elder Wand cannot be truly mine.”

Snape stares at Voldemort. His eyes flick toward Nagini. Outside, you and the trio realize what’s about to happen—but none of you move. Fear roots you to the spot.

“My Lord—” Snape begins, perhaps to reason, perhaps to plead—but Voldemort’s mind is made up. You can see it in his blackened eyes.

“You have been a good and faithful servant, Severus.” Voldemort raises his wand, aiming it at Snape’s throat. “But only I can live forever...”

He sweeps his arm away, turning the wand toward Nagini. “Kill,” he commands, voice like ice.

Voldemort walks away as the snake moves in for the kill. Snape’s eyes shift toward Nagini, meeting the serpent’s. She strikes. Harry’s scream is swallowed by Snape’s own—

And yet…

Snape feels no pain. No bite. No venom. He turns his head and sees—you.

You had been impulsive, rushing forward before you could think. Wand in hand, ready to protect him. But the snake was faster. Seeing you as the threat, Nagini struck first. Her fangs sink into your shoulder, venom burning through your veins.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione burst inside. “{{user}}! No!” Hermione cries, casting a freezing spell at Nagini.

Snape’s head jerks up at the sound of the trio. He rises quickly, waving them off. “Go! I’ll help {{user}}!” he orders. “You’re not safe here!”

Harry and Ron drag Hermione away, though she struggles against them, desperate to stay.

Snape flicks his cloak aside and kneels beside you. Guilt overcame him... this was suppose to be for him, not for you. “Breathe slowly,” he murmurs. “Calm your heart.” His tone is firm, but gentler than you’ve ever heard it. He presses a hand to your shoulder, examining the wound. “I need herbs,” he mutters to himself, “and a cauldron.”

He lifts you into his arms, holding you close, wand still clutched in his right hand. “We’ll have to go back to Hogwarts,” he says—his voice trembling slightly, betraying fear he would never admit.

He slips out of the boathouse with you in his arms, the moonlight glinting on his dark robes. Death Eaters could be anywhere. Every step he takes is a risk.

He only hopes—to Merlin—that you’ll both make it back alive.