The cracking sound was the wooden stake piercing Severus’ skin. Sidia watched in a mix of relief and horror as fissures formed in his skin, little lines breaking apart. Severus let out one final scream as he literally fell apart, disintegrating.

The room fell silent once more, everyone staring at the two piles of dust on the throne room floor. Helena dropped the stake and sank to her knees, sobbing.

“After all these years,” she cried. “I’m finally free of ...