Last Act Of A Familiar

The tall, pale wizard sat at his desk, sipping at a glass of whiskey reflecting on what Albus told him.

The boy had to die. Raised for slaughter like a pig. He aided with the sword as commanded. Always as he was commanded when it involved the Headmaster. Even the blasted wizard's death by his hand which sealed his.

He placed the tumbler down, thinking of Potter's sidekicks. Mister Weasley, always a given, though his insight on strategy shown more than he ever expected of the boy.

Oh he knew that he would die. There was never a doubt after he killed the Headmaster. He had done some research on his own and knew Voldemort would realize he was the owner of the Elder wand after he found out about it.

Yet his thoughts drew to the muggle-born Hermione Granger.

Smart, focused. The girl, no young witch, incredible to think on her feet. The Trio's escaped from Gringotts on the back of the Dragon angered his Lord to no end, murdering all that was unlucky to be there. He rubbed the dull ache in his shoulders, courtesy of the Dark Lord. All of the Inner Circle suffered his wrath after that. He knew she was responsible for Potter's escape to Godric's hollow and the snake for her fellows would have never thought of it. It was all her.

But there was no escape for him. Just like Lily Evan's death, his was sealed as well.

A candlestick flickered on his dark, black, desk located in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts. The light flickered out, revealing the empty office with no portraits or the gadgets of the Headmaster he replaced. He pulled a blank parchment to him and dipped his quill before scribbling on it

After twenty minutes, he read what he wrote, pleased at words reflecting in his spidery sprawl. He folded it and placed it into an envelope, calling his raven Thanantos.

He gently caressed his Familiar's feathers. "Oh yes my friend. Our bonding is at an end and I will miss you, faithful one. There is one who needs to know. Take this and go away my beautiful raven. One year after my death, deliver it because you will know my friend."

The bird ignored the letter instead flapping at his chest until he wrapped his hands around his Familiar. He listened when the bird softly cawed out, knowing her Master's thoughts.

"Beautiful bird, you've always known me. You came to me in my Second year and we have always been together. Nothing can change my path Thanantos. Maybe you can change hers. Be there for her as you have always been here for me. Now go!" He commanded softly in his silky voice.

He released the bird from his long, pale hands and watched the bird leap on the desk and picked up the envelope and watched him.

"Go!" He whispered in a soft voice to encourage his familiar and watched the jet black raven fly off.

The dark wizard in menacing black robes stood and strode to a window and looked out into the inky blackness of the night.

Severus Snape sighed, seeing no hope as expected and moved to his bed chambers, ignoring the portrait behind his desk.

Undressing, he placed his robes neatly on a chair next to his bed and settled in. He was ready to go forth and die. Tomorrow he would meet his destiny.