Man, I am soooo behind on all this "Wrock" stuff, but I'm LOVIN' IT! *ahem* Sorry. On with the story!
It was the same every night. Severus Snape hated the nightmares, yet they returned all the same. Even a Dreamless Sleep potion couldn't keep the darkness from enveloping him. Even now, as he closed his eyes, he could feel the cold wind cutting through him.
His hands shackled to the walls, the many wounds he had accumulated over the past months suddenly bleeding afresh once more. He blinked his long hair out of his eyes, glaring at his captor.
"How long do you intend to continue this?" He asked. The hooded figure chuckled humorlessly.
"Until you give in to the truth."
"There is no truth in what you say," Snape replied harshly.
"Is there not?" The figure stepped closer, a silver knife glistening in his hand. He rested the edge of the blade against Snape's cheek. "Every time you refuse to accept, another cut you receive. Wouldn't it be much simpler just to join me?"
"I'm not like you. I've changed. I'll never go back- Ah!" Snape gritted his teeth as the blade bit flesh, drawing blood. The hooded figure smirked from behind the mask, flicking the red droplets from the knife.
"Oh, you will. Trust me."
Snape shook his head, fighting against the pain. "Never."
"Never is a long time…"
"So is always," He replied, allowing himself a small smile. His captor hissed at the word.
"It's been almost 16 years. Get over it," The man spat. "'Always' is just the lie you tell yourself to prevent the guilt from taking over."
"You know nothing," Snape seethed. His captor chuckled once more.
"I know everything, especially about you."
"Is that so?"
The man nodded, taking a step back. "Yes, it is." His long, spindly fingers carefully reached up to remove his mask.
Snape felt his blood run cold, finding himself unable to breathe. As the Death Eater mask fell to the ground with a clatter, the man pulled back his hood to reveal the familiar, sallow-skinned face leering at him.
"No…"
Snape stood before him, head held high in triumph. "I'm afraid so. Oh," he laughed, "Did I scare you? You shouldn't be this surprised."
Snape shook his head, not believing what he was seeing. "No, no, that's not possible…"
"It is very possible." The other Snape smirked, playfully dangling the knife from his fingertips. "That is how I know… how I know you will say yes."
"No, I- I've changed…"
"Have you?" The other Snape leaned in close, his mouth nearly touching Snape's ear. "I don't think you really have. Why, look!"
Snape glanced at his arm, where the Dark Mark had begun to glow. He grimaced, trying not to meet his double's eyes. The other smiled, then snapped his fingers. The chains disappeared, and Snape fell to the ground. His double held out his hand, the Dark Mark on his forearm glowing as well.
"Come on… there's no point fighting yourself."
Snape looked up, staring into the cold black eyes. "I… never…" He swallowed, feeling a strange sensation on his face. He realized they were tears.
"I… never… changed…"
He grasped the man's hand, standing. His double smiled, nodding, then disappeared into the darkness.
Snape faced the opposite side of the room, which was now being illuminated by candles lining the walls. His expression hardened, his hand clenched around his wand.
"I'll never change."
He turned on his heels, abandoning the light and striding boldly into the darkness.
"Lord Voldemort awaits…"
Whether Snape has actually turned or he's just really good at lying to himself, you be the judge. Hope you enjoyed and, as always, please review!
