Never Asked For This
Chapter One: Only one to help
Severus Snape sat at his desk, grading the second year's potion history reports. Class had just let out for lunch ten minutes ago, and Severus knew if he didn't show up, Dumbledore would come to investigate. The insolent fool really got on his nerves. As if on cue, there was a soft knock on the door.
"Severus, I know you're in there." There was a short pause, before the man continued. "You can't ignore me." His voice was muffled through the thick oak door.
"If you know I'm in here, why don't you just saunter right in like you usually do!" Severus shouted. Now Albus Dumbledore had always been known to be an easy going man, but Severus had a way of being so surly, it brought out the worst in him.
Upset, Albus opened the door and stepped into the dour potion's classroom. Severus's face was impassive, but his voice dripped with sarcasm. "The enigmatic headmaster has come to save the day again, and will fail, once again. Give it up, old man, I did." He stood, walking into his private quarters. The door was left open, and Dumbledore could see Severus seated in an armchair near the fire, a glass of firewhiskey in his hand.
He entered the dimly lit room, slowly. "Severus." Dumbledore said plainly. Severus looked to his old professor. His expression was stoic, but you could see the pain in his eyes. Severus was adept to reading emotions, but not as good at showing his own. "Severus, please...I just want to help you...all the staff want to help you, but we can't if you keep pushing us away."
Severus snorted in annoyance, turning back to stare at the fire. " How could you possibly help me? You were the one that made her leave in the first place. You ordered her to go retrieve Potter, and it was a trap. Voldemort killed her because of YOU!" The glass shattered into a million pieces in his hand, cutting his flesh.
" Sev..."
"NO! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!" He balled up his cut hand, but let it unclench when it intensified his pain.
"It's not a matter of wanting to hear it, Severus Snape. It's a matter of needing to hear it."
"I never asked for this."
"No one did...but it still happened. And you are the only one who can help now."