McKay (scribbulus_ink) wrote in time_of_storms, @ 2006-02-04 17:59:00 |
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Entry tags: | chronological, snape |
Severus: September 26, 1997
Original poster: black_cauldron
Music: Comfortably Numb, by Pink Floyd
There was someone outside Severus' hiding place. This most likely was not a good thing.
Standing inside the Wizard's hole, next to the magically warded portal that lead to the basement of the house, Severus drew his wand, feeling the tingling alert of his wards. It wasn't Bellatrix, at least - he had set a very special ward for both she and Lucius - but Severus was not in a social mood. He wasn't even particularly anxious to see Narcissa, for all that he owed her; any reason that she might have to see him no doubt would involve subjects that Severus had no desire to become involved with.
Perhaps someone had merely broken in to what seemed to be an empty, innocuous cottage, not knowing that there was a wizard hidden in the basement. In which case Severus could safely wait until they were gone, since no Muggle could find the Wizard hole. But if it weren't a Muggle, if someone had actually come looking for him, Severus knew he could be in a great deal of trouble. His only hope was to strike first, fast, and hard.
He could hear someone moving around outside, and his dark eyes narrowed with anger. He had a rather inappropriate proprietary feeling about this place, despite the fact that it was rightfully Lucius' property. This had become Severus' sanctuary, his and Lupin's. The only place where he could feel safe, the only place he could be himself without having to wear a mask and be on guard, wondering who would be the next person to try to kill him. That someone had invaded it infuriated him, and Severus knew that he would kill to defend it, if he had to; there was quite literally no safe place for him to go.
The footsteps in the cellar stopped; Severus could hear the intruder breathing raggedly, a sound almost like a sob, and he blinked in surprise. Perhaps it was a Muggle, then, a lost person seeking a sanctuary of their own. Severus felt a slight tug of sympathy, which he immediately dismissed with a scowl. Association with Lupin must be making him soft... he didn't have the time or the resources to care about anyone or anything but himself.
And Remus, a voice added in his head, and Severus' scowl redoubled.
If it were a Muggle - no guarantee of that - all Severus could do would be to wait for the person to go away. It was too much of a risk to show himself, even if he could Obliviate the person. No, the safest thing was to wait it out, hoping that whoever it was would get bored or feel better or whatever people without magic did in such situations.
But then the person spoke, and Severus stiffened. It was his name...
"Professor? Professor Snape? Are you here?" a voice asked, and Severus could have snarled in frustration, as his mind whirled. It was Draco! Had Narcissa sent her son, then? Had Severus' hideaway been exposed after all?
"I don't know if you're here, but... I've been looking everywhere for you. Something Mother said made me think she might have given you a place to hide, so I've been going to all the Malfoy and Black properties. Please, Professor, if you're here, I need to talk to you! Please! I need your help... you're the only one who can help me!"
This was a surprise, and Severus mulled it over. The Malfoy and Black holdings were extensive, and if Draco had been Apparating to each of them to seek Severus out - without even a guarantee that Severus was even at one of them - that spoke of an extreme desperation. Either that, or an almost Gryffindorish level of futile hope.
The question was, however, what Severus should do about it? Draco's situation was precarious, there was no doubt of that, especially now that Lucius was back. Draco hadn't been the one to kill Dumbledore as the Dark Lord had ordered, which had meant that Lucius had spent extra time in Azkaban in punishment. Lucius was hardly the forgiving sort, and combining his ambition with Bellatrix's was a dangerous concoction indeed. Particularly if Draco were thinking the treasonous thoughts that Severus had become more and more convinced that he was.
It was dangerous and foolish to get involved. Draco was most likely going to die in this war, a pawn with no power of his own, a victim of the pride of his family and the power-mad greed of Voldemort. Severus knew he couldn't save Draco, that he would be mad even to try. There was too much at stake, his position was too precarious, and he placed not only himself at risk, but Remus as well. To become involved was nothing but utter folly, and Severus knew that if he did so, he would no doubt end up regretting it to the end of his short and miserable life.
None of which stopped him from heaving a put upon sigh, lowering the wards, and stepping out to confront Draco, crossing his arms and glaring at Draco with a scowl which had flayed the skin off students for decades.
It was hard to say why he did it. Perhaps, in part, it was the small debt he felt he owed Narcissa. Perhaps it was the fact that Severus really had tried to save as many of his Slytherins as he could, to turn them from the path that he had once - to his great regret - followed. It might even have had something to do with the fact that Severus, a very long time ago, had come to Albus Dumbledore, uttering words that had been if not similar, at least like enough in intent that Severus recognized the desperation which lay beneath them. There was something about his own position many years ago and Draco's position now which Severus could not deny, although even as he looked at the sight of a bedraggled, miserable Draco Malfoy, he reminded himself that he, Severus Snape, was certainly no Albus Dumbledore.
"I am no longer a Professor, as you very well know!" he snapped, already regretting his stupid, weak impulse as he stared at the younger wizard, who was as miserable looking as Severus had ever seen him. Draco was pale, his hair mussed and unkempt, his robes wrinkled and streaked. It was a sad state of affairs, given Draco's dedication to looking like a well-groomed doll, but Severus crossed his arms, gripping his wand up his left sleeve and preparing to Obliviate Draco if he found it necessary. "You have one minute to explain your presence here."
Severus left the threat of what action he would take if Draco's answer displeased him unspoken. Draco wasn't stupid; he would know that the stakes for which Severus was playing were high enough to kill for. Even if the death in question were Draco's own.
The younger wizard's silvery eyes were clouded and dull, and he looked at Severus with something that might almost have been entreaty. It was not a normal expression for him, for a face more used to petulance or arrogance than supplication. "I need your help, Pro... Severus," he replied, swallowing hard. "I know... I know what my aunt did to you. The Cruciatus attack. I think she's going to try it again, and this time... this time I think she's going to try to kill me, too."
Severus' eyes widened at that, and his mind churned over the implications. What Draco said implied that they were both in a great deal of danger, and he reached out, grabbing Draco by the arm and hauling him into the Wizard hole before he could think about the decision. He needed to get to the bottom of this immediately, and outside of his sanctuary it was far too dangerous.
Whether it was equally as dangerous to bring Draco in... well, that would just remain to be seen.