Fic: Peace at Last Short/Gen/Sad
Jul. 8th, 2007 03:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
zephyr_macabeeFiction: Peace at Last
Rating: G
Warning:SAD! Character death
Rating: G
Warning:SAD! Character death
The final battle was fought on the Quidditch field at Hogwarts. After Voldemort fell, the remaining Death Eaters fought on out of desperation or insanity, but finally all was still. As the weak light of dawn pushed the shadows back, Harry Potter started his search.
He found Snape at the center of a circle of dead Death Eaters. His robes were shredded, stiff with blood. His limbs were twisted, but his face was curiously peaceful, as if he had just laid down to rest after a difficult but satisfying day.
He had never expected to find Snape alive, Harry reminded himself as a wave of grief washed over him. He owed Snape a great debt and now there was no way to pay it back.
Well, there was one small thing he still could do for him. Sending a Patronus message to the castle, he bent to his task.
A shattered tree he transformed into a catafalque to bear the body. A shred of cloth became the silver-grey velvet coverlet, embroidered with serpents at the corners. Banishing the filthy rags he murmured the spells to straighten the limbs and cleanse the skin and hair. He conjured splendid dress robes of dark Slytherin green with silver trim and a myriad of silver and black buttons down the front. As he worked, survivors began to gather around him, whispering their thanks to the two men who had saved their world; one living and one dead.
Harry used Wingardium Leviosa to place the body on the catafalque. He smiled, thinking of the day he learned that; his first spell at Hogwarts.
When everything was to Harry’s satisfaction he cast a strong Preserving charm over the body. The catafalque was raised to shoulder height and eight of the fighters formed up to carry their fallen comrade across the field to the castle. Harry walked ahead and the remaining survivors fell in behind. The procession moved with measured tread up to the doors of Hogwarts where Headmistress McGonagall stood.
The stairs were lined by an honor guard; Hogwarts students and Hogsmeade residents who had taken shelter at the school. The few remaining Slytherin students lined up beside the bearers to escort their former Head of House into the Great Hall, where a pedestal awaited to receive the bier.
A private funeral was held; the efforts of the Ministry to co-opt the event were thwarted by McGonagall and Shacklebolt. The attendees heard the story of Professor Snape’s bravery and sacrifice from the one who knew it best. Albus Dumbledore’s portrait, recently awakened, delivered the eulogy.
Afterwards, the procession formed again and the body was brought outside to a spot quite near Dumbledore’s tomb, by the lake. The catafalque was lowered carefully to the ground and the Headmistress cast the spell which incinerated the body, just as has been done for Dumbledore. This time a black marble tomb appeared, marked with Snape’s name, the years of his life, and one more line: Despite us, he saved us; may he find peace at last.
He found Snape at the center of a circle of dead Death Eaters. His robes were shredded, stiff with blood. His limbs were twisted, but his face was curiously peaceful, as if he had just laid down to rest after a difficult but satisfying day.
He had never expected to find Snape alive, Harry reminded himself as a wave of grief washed over him. He owed Snape a great debt and now there was no way to pay it back.
Well, there was one small thing he still could do for him. Sending a Patronus message to the castle, he bent to his task.
A shattered tree he transformed into a catafalque to bear the body. A shred of cloth became the silver-grey velvet coverlet, embroidered with serpents at the corners. Banishing the filthy rags he murmured the spells to straighten the limbs and cleanse the skin and hair. He conjured splendid dress robes of dark Slytherin green with silver trim and a myriad of silver and black buttons down the front. As he worked, survivors began to gather around him, whispering their thanks to the two men who had saved their world; one living and one dead.
Harry used Wingardium Leviosa to place the body on the catafalque. He smiled, thinking of the day he learned that; his first spell at Hogwarts.
When everything was to Harry’s satisfaction he cast a strong Preserving charm over the body. The catafalque was raised to shoulder height and eight of the fighters formed up to carry their fallen comrade across the field to the castle. Harry walked ahead and the remaining survivors fell in behind. The procession moved with measured tread up to the doors of Hogwarts where Headmistress McGonagall stood.
The stairs were lined by an honor guard; Hogwarts students and Hogsmeade residents who had taken shelter at the school. The few remaining Slytherin students lined up beside the bearers to escort their former Head of House into the Great Hall, where a pedestal awaited to receive the bier.
A private funeral was held; the efforts of the Ministry to co-opt the event were thwarted by McGonagall and Shacklebolt. The attendees heard the story of Professor Snape’s bravery and sacrifice from the one who knew it best. Albus Dumbledore’s portrait, recently awakened, delivered the eulogy.
Afterwards, the procession formed again and the body was brought outside to a spot quite near Dumbledore’s tomb, by the lake. The catafalque was lowered carefully to the ground and the Headmistress cast the spell which incinerated the body, just as has been done for Dumbledore. This time a black marble tomb appeared, marked with Snape’s name, the years of his life, and one more line: Despite us, he saved us; may he find peace at last.
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no subject
Date: 2007-07-10 02:11 pm (UTC)Sniff...tissues!
(Okay...now I need a happy stroy. Get to work!)
no subject
Date: 2007-07-11 12:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-22 08:42 pm (UTC)