wl_mods (wl_mods) wrote in wizard_love, @ 2008-02-29 18:56:00 |
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Entry tags: | *fic, charity, snape |
Special delivery for blackcoyote
Title: Regret Does Nothing Now
Author: winterthunder
Recipient's LJ name: blackcoyote
Rating: Soft R
Pairing(s): Snape/Charity
Word Count: 1506
Warnings (if any): Character death
Authors notes: I hope you enjoy this, blackcoyote. It’s not exactly what you were asking for, but it’s never good to fight the bunnies. They bite back! :D
Thanks to my lovely beta, D. As to the disclaimers, not mine, all of age, no profit made, etc. Some of the dialogue in the final section is pulled verbatim from DH.
By the last year of the second war, Severus had grown used to hiding his surprise. Not that Charity’s capture was that much of a surprise. The Dark Lord had not exactly hidden his displeasure at the activities of Hogwarts’s Muggle Studies professor. Her fate had likely been sealed even before Severus had managed to pass her a warning.
*
It had all been Dumbledore’s idea, of course. The man may have been a genius, but that did not keep him from being a meddlesome old bastard who had far too much time on his hands after the first war had ended. He had unilaterally decided that Severus had carried his torch for Lily far too long and then taken it upon himself to search out a likely replacement. Never mind that he rather liked his torch and that he’d never spared a second thought for Charity Burbage; Severus never had been able to talk Albus out of anything.
*
“It’ll be a healthy change for you, Severus. You spend too much time in the dungeons- you should get out occasionally.”
“I like my dungeons just fine, thanks."
“Come now, Severus, the war is over and you performed admirably, surely it’s time to start thinking of the future?”
“I don’t need you to help me plan my future, Albus.”
“Ah, perhaps not. But I’m not seeing much planning from you, my dear boy. You need someone to interact with, someone who’ll pull you out into the world, even if only down to Hogsmeade for a drink on occasion.”
“But I don’t want-“
“I’ll be sure to introduce you after the next staff meeting.”
*
And so he had found himself standing awkwardly next to Albus, unsure of what to do with his hands as the Headmaster explained ever so smoothly that he’d had some unexpected work come up and he couldn’t give her the tour of the castle that he’d promised, but that Severus had graciously agreed to take his place. Severus somehow managed to bite back his bark of laughter at the word ‘gracious’.
It was a pity, Severus thought as he studiously avoided looking up at the figure rotating soundlessly above the table. He could admit, to himself at least, that she’d grown on him over the years.
She was tolerably intelligent, despite her fascination with Muggles. After the initial disastrous castle tour she had not run with her tail between her legs as he’d expected her to. Instead she’d continued to put herself in his path, teasing conversations out of him after staff meetings and then, later, as they dined in the Great Hall each morning. Her ideas forced him to think on his feet, and he found he rather enjoyed that. He told her nothing important, of course, but the longer it went on the harder it became to beg off each time she suggested they might want to do something more.
She was also tolerably- all right, perhaps a bit more than tolerably- good looking. Tight body, large tits. He may have been run ragged between two masters, but he was still young and there was only so long he could go without noticing things like that, after all. And she’d certainly hinted that she was willing, though he certainly couldn’t fathom why.
And so, in a moment mixed with resentment, rebellion, submission and desire, he accepted her invitation to her rooms for a late night cup of tea and left the next morning having fucked her bent over her easy chair, pushed up against her bedroom door, on the rug in front of her fireplace and propped against the headboard. One night became two, two became three and before he knew what had happened they spent more nights together than not.
He never understood exactly how it worked out- she had every right to ask questions that he couldn’t answer but she never did. Perhaps Albus had pulled her aside at some point. The man certainly knew, based on the twinkling glances he shot them when they left together after falling into a debate in the Great Hall. Albus never said anything more, however, and Severus was grateful for that.
*
Things continued as such throughout the peace and into the second war. The other professors might have noticed, Severus thought, but no one ever said anything and he took care to keep things quiet. He wondered from time to time why Charity never asked more of him. Weren’t women supposed to want fancy dinners and pretty baubles and displays of public affection? Lily had certainly seemed to enjoy the sickening displays Potter had showered on her. And yet Charity never asked and Severus wasn’t about to bring the subject up. It was enough that she was willing to spend the night with him on a regular basis and a bonus that he didn’t want to hex her every time she opened her mouth. She wasn’t Lily, but she was much more accessible, and he had no intentions of messing things up by voicing things easier left unsaid.
*
Severus stifled his sigh as Charity’s blank eyes rotated past him once again amidst the raucous laughter of the assembled Death Eaters. He’d tried to warn her. More than once he’d wondered if her high profile defenses of Muggles were a result of his actions. Dumbledore’s death had obviously put a bit of a crimp in their relationship and it was only after he’d fled the school that those editorials had started appearing. He’d ignored the first and the second, but after the third appeared he’d slipped into the castle and to her quarters in the middle of the night. He’d intended only to leave a note, but instead he found her curled in her chair with a cup of tea, staring into the fire. She started and grabbed for her wand.
“What are you doing here?” she said, brandishing her wand in his face. He put his hands in the air.
“I came to warn you. Your editorials.” Her wand lowered somewhat, but was still trained on his heart.
“What about them?” Her voice was guarded.
“They’ve attracted the attention of the Dark Lord.”
“And? Someone has to stand up to him.” Her eyes carried the unvoiced accusation- ‘Obviously you’re not.’
“You’ve no idea what you’re playing at, Charity.”
“Don’t call me that! How can you talk, you bear his mark!” Severus felt frustration rise within him. Why did she have to protest now, of all times! The rational part of him protested that she had no reason to trust him, but he was trying to save her life, damnit!
“You’re going to get yourself killed if you continue with this. And don’t think I can help you. I’ve already done more than I ought.” With that he turned on his heel and strode out, making a point not to look back. He’d tried once, and that was all he could risk.
*
“Do you recognize our guest, Severus?” Voldemort asked, pulling Severus from his memories. He checked quickly to make sure that his mental barriers were still in place before raising his eyes briefly to Charity’s now struggling form.
“Ah, yes.” She’d recognized him, he knew, and he carefully tamped down all feelings. He’d tried to warn her and yet she had persisted. Regret would bring him no benefit now. Best to save it until later.
“For those of you who do not know,” Voldemort was continuing, “we are joined here tonight by Charity Burbage who, until recently, taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.”
Tears were streaming down Charity’s face as she rotated around to face Severus again.
“Severus… please… help me…” He made no move to do so.
“Silence,” said Voldemort. “Not content with corrupting and polluting the minds of Wizarding children, Professor Burbage has taken to writing impassioned defenses of Mudbloods for the Daily Prophet. Wizards, she says, must accept these…” Severus tuned out slightly, his one concession to his relationship with the woman hanging above him. Foolish though she may have been, she’d been a constant in his life for nearly 15 years and he would not listen to the rant that would precede her death.
As she revolved to face him once more and Voldemort raised his wand, Severus took a chance. Even years later, he wasn’t sure why. It was foolish to risk anyone in this room making a connection between him and Charity and he could do nothing to save her life. But Voldemort would be focused on the spell and the remaining Death Eaters would not be monitoring his mental activities. He raised his head and let his eyes lock on hers for the briefest instant, just long enough to push the message into her consciousness and pull back before the curse hit.
I’m sorry. Her eyes widened. He saw her breath catch. And then-
“Avada Kedavra.”
He’d reformed his mental barriers before Charity had hit the table, and as Nagini slithered forth to claim her meal, Severus turned away.