Chapter 43: Dungeon Bat Out Of Hell

Unknown Location, Elsewhere...

Severus Snape found himself on what appeared to be land and got to his feet rather quickly. His body had been put through the ringer, but he had been alive. His trademark back attire had been covered in dust and had been just as tattered as anything LeStrange had been wearing. The Potions Professor dusted himself off and took in what passed for surroundings. Whatever the darkness didn't hide was seemed to be chunks of broken earth floating freely with a sickly gray-green backdrop. The air in this place had been thin in addition to the rancid scent of decayed flesh and rotted soil. The stench had not been as unbearable as one might have expected for the Potions Professor to have to endure. His profession saved him from much of the discomfort this world had provided.

The large chunks of earth had been a lifeless gray color and seemed to go on for miles and the emptiness of this place seemed to stretch on for miles. He moved slowly not trusting his footing to this strange place. The last thing he had remembered was Hermione's voice in his mind. It appeared that she had sensed that there was something wrong with him and it cause her to become worried. He smiled despite the situation. She was truly an amazing young witch.

Even here in this forgotten wasteland of no where she had managed to reach him. The Potions Professor had been pleased to find that his emotions had been freed from that curse that LeStrange had placed upon him but it was little comfort when it came to addressing the predicament he found himself in now. He still had unfinished business with Rodolphus LeStrange.

Snape had been sure that LeStrange had fallen somewhere nearby and he had to be on his guard. He had no idea if his magic would work in whatever world this was. He had remembered dropping his wand back in the wizarding world when the wave of the curse had brought him to this knees. He remembered that LeStrange did not have his wand either.

At least we have one small favor granted.

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The Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts...

Hermione had been searching everywhere for Professor Lupin. She searched all around the castle and still had not been able to locate him. She had been told that Professor Lupin left Hogwarts with Professor Snape and Lucius Malfoy. She thought that this had been strange but she had a feeling it all had something to do with Sebastian. Hermione made up her mind to speak to The Headmaster about this. She made her way inside and had been surprised to see a very frantic Lucius Malfoy along with Professor McGonagall, Lady Hamershal, Draco Malfoy, Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter all speaking with The Headmaster.

Apparently, Harry had a bad feeling about Professor Snape and came to tell The Headmaster as well. Draco had been nearby and he heard Harry asking about Professor Snape. Ron had tagged along with Harry and all three boys ended up in the office. Lucius had burst through the doors frantic telling The Headmaster that something had happened to Snape. He had been unable to exactly describe what had happened but Harry understood what he had been trying to say. Lady Hamershal appeared on her own just in time to see

Lady Hamershal had enlightened everyone that Snape and LeStrange had been dragged into a portal to a world that whatever demon LeStrange summoned belonged. Out of the two wizards that went through the portal, Snape had not been bound to that world and could return home uninhibited with help, but the demons would not assist him without making some type of deal.

"Can we save him?" asked Hermione worried beyond belief.

"Yes." replied Lady Hamershal. "But for that we will need the Room of Requirement.

Ron had been lost at Snape went through a portal.

Draco was extremely upset. His father had to keep him from losing his temper in The Headmaster's office.

Harry believed that Snape would make it.

If anyone had been able to come out of this alive it would be The Potions Master.

Hermione couldn't help the tears that fell down her cheeks as she thought about everything the man had been through and now to end up in a realm of demons. It all seemed so unfair. There was no way that she was going to let him stay stuck in that place.

Whatever she needed to do to help bring him home the Gryffindor witch decided she would do it.

"What do we have to do?" she asked steeling herself.

Lady Hamershal smiled at the young Gryffindor witch. She had truly cared for her son even if she had not really known just how much. The young woman would be a wonderful edition to the family.

"You, Miss Granger must enter the Room of Requirement first." replied Lady Hamershal.

Hermione looked at The Headmaster. He had been oddly silent for much of the discussion. His blue eyes had been twinkling and he gave her a warm smile.

"Everything will be alright." he assured her knowing all too well why Lady Hamershal suggested Hermione enter the room first.

Hermione looked over at Professor McGonagall.

Her head of house nodded in agreement with The Headmaster.

Harry smiled knowing exactly what the others had known as well. Draco had not understood why Hermione was the key to bringing his godfather home but he was all for it if it worked. Lucius had been silent. He had been more focused on trying to sense if Snape had been alright. He had been more upset about Snape being pulled through the portal than he let on.

Dumbledore put a hand on the younger wizard's shoulder.

"He'll be fine, Lucius." the older wizard assured him in a pleasant tone.

The senior Malfoy nodded trusting The Headmaster's words.

If this had been any other situation he would have been the first to question why he felt so confidant in this strange plan. Still, strange or not it was enough to give him hope that they would get Severus home.

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Unknown Location, Elsewhere...

Snape had made it to some strange part of the rather large chunk that he had landed on. He had not gotten far when LeStrange jumped out of nowhere and tried to wrestle him down to what passed for a ground. The Potions Master flipped LeStrange onto his back and the derange wizard scrambled to his feet and launched at him again. Snape countered delivering blow after blow to the older LeStrange brother's face knocking him onto the ground. Blood had been everywhere but it had all seemed to be coming from LeStrange. Apparently he had still been suffering from the effects of Snape's final hex.

The Potions Professor dodged a few of the deranged wizard's attacks and countered with as much finesse as he had when he was casting a spell with his wand. LeStrange continued to launch himself at his enemy like wild animal, rabid and out of control. He snarled at Snape while he tried to claw at his pale flesh.

Snape managed to get his hands around Rodolphus' neck and immediately started trying to choke the life out of the miserable wretch. Both wizards lost their footing and collapsed into what appeared to be dust on the huge chunk of earth that they occupied.

"WHY WON'T YOU DIE!?" shouted LeStrange frantic.

"I could ask the same of you." said Snape coolly. "Conditions in this wretched place would improve significantly if you were to EXPIRE!"

The Potions Master continued to try and strangle the volatile LeStrange.

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The Room of Requirement, Hogwarts...

Lucius Malfoy had been staring at Lady Hamershal for what seemed like the longest time. She had been right about her information thus far, he had only hoped that she would come through for her son once more. If this plan worked then they could bring Severus home in one piece. Lady Hamershal had instructed Hermione to step through the room first. Whatever they needed to get Severus home would appear when she entered the room. Hermione had been confused by this but she had wanted to bring The Potions Master home.

The room shifted until there was absolutely nothing in the background with the exception of a large mirror with clawed feet and a golden frame with some sort of inscription engraved into the thickest part of it's frame. Harry's green eyes widened and he looked at Dumbledore who smiled at him. The young wizard had known now for sure that they would bring Snape home in one piece. Lady Hamershal had been impressed with how quickly the boy caught on.

"Alright, Miss Granger." said Dumbledore calmly. "All you have to do is approach The Mirror of Erised."

Hermione looked at him confused.

"The Mirror of Erised?" she asked. "T-The Mirror of Desire?"

Dumbledore smiled.

"Exactly, Miss Granger." he said pleasantly with his blue eyes twinkling.

Draco and Ron looked at each other seeming to be the only two out of the loop as even Lucius Malfoy caught on to what was about to happen.

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Unknown Location, Elsewhere...

LeStrange tried to gouge Snape's eyes out, but the Potions Master had been much stronger. Snape delivered a blow to the deranged wizard's jaw and he collapsed onto the chunk of earth. Blood had still been pouring out of his battered body. LeStrange glared at Snape unable to move any longer. He had been so filled with hatred that he had not taken his own predicament into consideration. He was now utterly helpless and bleeding out in the realm of a demon he made a deal with for his immortal soul.

The deranged wizard broke into a hysterical fit of laughter.

"I may not be able to destroy you physically Snape, but at least I will not be in my physical body while being trapped in a demon realm." he taunted.

Snape glared at him.

"Go on and give in already!" he said. "Listening to you ramble is worse than hell itself!"

LeStrange continued to laugh although it had become low as his energy became expended.

Snape sat down a distance away from him and tried to catch his breath.

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The Room of Requirement, Hogwarts...

Hermione took a deep breath and walked over toward the mirror. She still had not understood why they were making her approach the mirror alone but it was worth a shot to save Professor Snape. He had done so much for her and the wizarding world, not to mention Harry. The was no way he deserved to be trapped forever in some demon realm. The young Gryffindor witch closed her eyes. She could not reach Sebastian but she knew that Professor Snape could. If anything had been wrong with Sebastian, she was sure that Professor Snape could save him.

All she had to do was get Snape back to Hogwarts.

Hermione approached the mirror and the image of Professor Snape appeared on the other side. Lady Hamershal smiled when she saw the image of her son appear on the other side of the mirror. He had looked a little worse for wear but he had been alive. The room seemed to open a sort of portal with the mirror providing a focal point to find the Potions Master's location.

The bushy haired Gryffindor witch's amber eyes lit up as a portal appeared and Severus Sebastian Snape fell through. He had been in a state of shock as he scrambled to his feet looking around at everyone. Hermione had been so happy that she ran over to him and jumped into his arms. Snape caught her amazed that she had been real. The force of her run knocked him back down to the floor but he didn't seem to care.

"Miss Granger." he said in almost a whisper.

The Gryffindor witch hugged him tightly as she burst into grateful tears. Snape was back and it looked like where ever had been wrong with him had been over as well. Snape looked up at everyone that had gathered who cared about him. Both Hermione and Snape got to their feet as Draco ran over to him not at all ashamed of looking like a baby in front of Harry and Ron. Snape surprisingly returned his Godson's hug.

"Draco." he said pleased to once again be looking into the boy's hopeful gray eyes.

Lucius had walked over next. He had no idea what to say to his long time friend. So he settled for whatever McGonagall would do.

"Severus, don't you ever scare me like that again." he said trying not to let on how he really felt.

Snape gave him a rare smile.

"I'll work on that." he replied understanding his friend all too well.

Dumbledore grabbed Snape and pulled him into a warm fatherly embrace.

"Welcome home, my boy." he said with his blue eyes twinkling.

Snape nodded.

Harry smiled at Snape. Green eyes meeting obsidian with understanding once more.

"Welcome back sir." said Harry pleasantly.

"Potter." said Snape. "Why am I not surprised?"

He smirked at the boy.

Ron had been stunned by all of it. The greasy bat of the dungeons had just come from what looked like hell. His mind didn't seem to process it. If this had been some sort of joke he would have been the first to find the humor in it but it had not been a joke it was a terrifying turn of events that sent chills down the red head's spine like during the days of Voldemort.

McGonagall walked over to Snape and pulled him into another embrace. Snape could feel the usually strong witch's tears seeping into his tattered frock coat. He had not known how to respond to this. Lady Hamershal simply nodded in her son's direction. Snape returned her nod and everyone made their way out of the room of requirement.

The Potions Master had returned to Hogwarts and he had been in one piece.

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LATER...

Head Girl Room, Gryffindor Tower...

It was late and Hermione had been in bed when she heard the familiar voice of Sebastian Prince in her mind once more. She had felt almost as much relief at hearing him as she had in seeing the Potions Master return from that awful place. She had been almost sure that something bad had happened to him.

{Are you sleep Gryffindor?} he asked.

{"No."} replied Hermione. {"Where did you go?"}

{There was a matter than couldn't be helped.} he replied.

{"Well, I'm glad you're back."} said Hermione.

{Me too.} he replied.

{"Did you know that Professor Snape was in trouble when you told me he couldn't help?"} asked Hermione.

{Yes.} replied Snape.

{"He's back now."} said Hermione.

{I heard.} he replied. {Thanks to you.}

{"All I did was look in the mirror."} she replied.

{Now you want to be modest?} he asked playfully. {Insufferable Gryffindor}

{Stop poking fun, Slytherin Git} she said. {"I was scared out of my mind."}

{You are one of the bravest people I know.} he replied. {A true lioness of Gryffindor}

{"If I didn't know any better I would say that you just complimented my house."} she said.

{Slytherin still rules.} he replied. {I am merely grateful to know such a beautiful and fearless witch.}

{"Stop you're making me blush."} replied Hermione.

{What I wouldn't give to see that.} he said amused. {I love you.}

{"I love you too."} she replied.

{Get some sleep, witch} he said.

{"You too, wizard."} she replied.

Hermione closed her eyes and drifted off into a quiet sleep. As the witch slept the image of her kissing Severus Snape had come into her mind. In all the excitement of what happened to him, the Gryffindor witch had yet to realize that The Mirror of Erised had shown her, Potions Master Severus Snape in reflection of her greatest desire instead of her boyfriend Sebastian Prince.