Disclaimer: Not mine.
A/N: Depending on how you read into it, could be some hidden spoiler. I wouldn't know. I only write the damn things.
He waited, listening to the scratch of a quill on parchment. The otherwise quiet room seemed more daunting than usual, the pile of ashes on Fawkes' perch not improving how he felt. He watched as Dumbledore rolled the parchment and tied it to the awaiting owl's leg. It hooted once before flying through the partially open window.
"I'm sorry, Severus. Urgent letter from the Ministry." He fixed his companion with his blue gaze.
"Lost as usual, I presume."
"Well, Rufus does like to consult with me, seeing as we not only have a few hundred young witches and wizards, but we also have--"
"Potter. Stupid git's making a fool of himself over that boy."
"Come now, Severus. You know he means more than you let on."
The old professor had him beat again. Dammit.
There was an awkward silence between the two, at least, it was for Severus. He hated being in the Headmaster's presence, under those eyes. It was almost worse than the Dark Lord's. Because Dumbledore's eyes held so much trust in them. That's what really sickened Severus. That the old man trusted him. And it scared him too, though he would never admit it, out loud or to himself even.
"If Draco doesn't succeed with his task, you know what you must do, right?"
He looked at the professor. He hated him so much. "Yes," he replied, close lipped.
"Severus, will you? Or are you just trying to please me with the correct answer?"
"I will not do it."
"If you don't, Draco will be killed, as will you. You must."
"No." It was simple enough. He wouldn't kill him. All those ways he had thought to torture the old man over the years for silly little things, but when asked, he couldn't.
Dumbledore sighed. "I should have known you would refuse." He looked away, the sparkle gone from his eyes. Severus realized it hadn't been there for a long time now. "A long time ago, I took you in. I saved your life, for I thought that you were good, so to speak. I thought that you were trustworthy. And it turned out to be one of the better decisions in my life, despite the criticism I still receive over employing a former Death Eater. You not only were an excellent Potions Master, but you brought the Order information we never would have gotten else wise. And no matter what I asked of you, you did it. No matter the consequences for yourself. No matter the physical pain, or the mental agony, or the heartache."
He faced his younger companion. "I'm asking this of you, Severus. If Draco cannot fulfill his task, you must fulfill it for him. Not only for his life, but for your's as well."
Severus looked at Dumbledore, hating the man with every inch of his mortal body. How could he ask such a thing? How could he ask such a thing when Severus cared for him more than anyone else? How?
"I will not kill you, Albus." I'll die first, he thought, though he dared not say it.
"Then you'll have to ensure Draco does, though I wish somehow you could save his soul."
"He'll kill eventually. If not you, someone else. Someone weaker. You cannot save him." He knew the words cut deep by the look in Dumbeldore's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Severus."
He knew it was time to leave now. The tone in the old professor's voice gave it away. Time to leave, time to say goodbye, though not aloud. He stood, his chair scraping the tiniest bit on the floor. He stifled a flinch and looked at Dumbldore one last time before he turned and left, fleeing that horrible room. To the safety of his dungeons. Away from those eyes.
As he lay in bed that night, he knew he'd carry out Dumbledore's request. Despite his refusal, he knew he would. No matter the physical pain, or the mental agony.
No matter the heartache.