Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my original character, Yeva Parajanov, and the plot. Everything else belongs to the outstanding J. K. Rowling. I do not intend to violate copyright laws, or use her work for my own personal gain.
A/N: IMPORTANT! This is the edited version... I repeat... the EDITED version of "Sonata of the Spellbound." Sections have been removed in such a way that is unobtrusive to the storyline; however, if you wish to view the explicit version, go to Ashwinder at Even with the graphic details removed, this story is still rated M, meaning it contains situations that are only appropriate for an audience of 18+. That in mind... enjoy.
The light of a candelabrum gently flickered against the window, casting the surrounding room into chiaroscuro. A fire blazed in the hearth on the opposite wall illuminating the white marble floor. A small wooden clock marked the passage of time silently above the hearth, on the mantle. With its ivory walls and voluminous green window dressings, it overlooked the school's antique rose garden and was in perfect view of the Astronomy Tower. The yawning space between the enormous windows and the roaring fire was filled with the delicate resonance of a piano being expertly played. The vast room seemed to swallow its sole resident, whose identity seemed to share mystery with this room, the adjacent room to the resident Potions Master's bedchamber. It was one of the least visited, let alone known, places in Hogwarts Castle.
People only assumed that he chose to live in the dungeons. And in the same breath, they also would assume he spent his time there inflicting pain on unsuspecting students. Yet, anyone observing this scene wouldn't believe that such opulence and beauty could belong to such a harsh man - especially anyone who thought they knew the real Professor Severus Snape.
For someone who was believed to be sadistic and heartless, Severus, although he would never admit it, was truly very lonely. To him, loneliness was equated with life. And according to him, it was a life far more than he deserved. After all, his days in the company of Voldemort had removed all of the beauty he would have appreciated in this room, and therefore, all this comfort meant nothing. His despair, and the sureness of a dark afterlife consumed the sad thoughts he was left with.
He truly loved Dumbledore, and he could not believe someone would be capable of loving him as Dumbledore did. And Dumbledore loved him, because he knew Snape had a heart, even though no one else may have been able to see it. Severus believed that Dumbledore was the reason he stayed alive. And to an extent, that was true. He owed Dumbledore his life. He spied for the Order of the Phoenix, living the life of a Death Eater only with a greater risk.
Severus pounded out a dissonant chord and his breath caught as he angrily remembered his confession to Dumbledore. His pleading... his tears...
"Please, please forgive me, allow me to prove that I can be who you knew... please, Headmaster ... please..."
He fell to his knees before the old wizard, his own wounds oozing and the blood of his victims on his hands, as tears streamed down his face mixing with the salty red.
"I can spy, Headmaster ... for the light ... please, let me help ..."
The clock on the mantle violently struck seven, shattering what peace Severus had managed to gather around him. The feast was about to commence. Snape smeared a single tear from his face with his linen shirtsleeve. Forcing a sneer, he rose from the piano bench and cracked his neck and knuckles.
He muttered a curse as he was suddenly reminded of Harry Potter and his friends' return that night. At least it was their seventh and blessedly final year. He wouldn't have to put up with them much longer.
Taking a deep breath, he gave himself a once over in the full-length mirror leaning against the baby grand. He fastened the minute buttons on his overcoat and pant-cuffs with a flick of his wand. Sliding on his cloak, he sneered menacingly before turning swiftly away and striding toward the exit.
Before reluctantly exiting the portrait hole, he thrust his wand over his shoulder, extinguished the candles, and stepped through the enchanted painting. The giant portrait of Leonardo Da Vinci disappeared slowly into the ebony of the hall's wall, and Severus Snape made his way to the welcome feast.