Thanks again to my beta.
I don't own the story or the characters. I just played a little with J.K. Rowling's characters.
Sorry for the long wait.
The hall of the castle seemed hollow and cold. Severus wondered if it had always been that way or if the castle had changed as well. He'd always found kids' laughter insufferable. He'd found them disrespectful and arrogant.
Severus had always been the good boy, working hard in his lessons and respecting the professors. He'd never dared to disobey the rules or play around as most of the students did. Despite everything he'd done, no one had seen his value. Those stupid brats had always been the best. They got everything he never had. Even professors preferred them.
Nevertheless, Severus didn't want to see those children suffering. He hated that he had to accept Voldemort's lap dogs around the school. Severus found the Carrow brothers quite annoying. He'd never felt more vulnerable. Only the day when he'd found Lily dead had been worse than it. He might have never said it aloud, but he had to take care of the school, for the sake of his fellow colleagues, for the sake of the students and even for the sake of the ancient building that carried so many of his lovely memories.
The looks he received were even harder to bear. He'd never been popular. People hardly loved him. Though, his colleagues had learned to trust and respect him. They used to ask for his advice. Sometimes, they would have little chats about unimportant things. Severus used to find those discussions useless and stupid. He was only being polite. Yet he'd always envied the ease they managed to entertain themselves.
Now everybody hated him. He was the traitor.
Severus tried to pretend he was unaffected by their harsh words. He pretended that he wasn't bothered by the way they looked at him or the way they treated him. Hatred, disappointment, frustration. That was all they had for him. Every day, until the end, Severus would have to make them think that he cared little for all those.
The former Potion Master – currently Headmaster- had lost any and all hope that one day he would regain what he'd lost. He would never be called Professor the way he'd been called before. Now, whoever was to use that name would lace it with disappointment and disregard. The name Severus would only be reserved for Death Eaters.
He swore that as long as he would have enough energy in his body, he would do anything to keep that school safe. He would fight until the end… No matter how close that end was. He would do that alone, if necessary.
The mark was there on the sky, vivid and threatening. It was a reminder of the danger that loomed in the dark.
The cold wind entered (removed 'to') his bones. He felt it in every inch of his body. He breathed in the coldness of the night and realized a strange tension, pressing painfully in his chest. The potions professor hadn't realized that presence before. The fresh air hurt yet relaxed him at the same time as it let his own thoughts run with the wind.
Severus watched the sky and wondered what the future would bring. Voldemort was out, hunting for the boy. Severus couldn't help but feel afraid. The Order had sworn to protect him, but Voldemort was strong, especially now. Severus knew that some wouldn't make it. Yet all he could do was to stay there and wait.
Soon the students would return to Hogwarts, but the castle wouldn't be the same for them. They would have to grow up. Too fast. Too harsh.
It was very early in the morning when he finally decided to head for his chambers. The castle was as empty and quiet as a graveyard. He was passing by his potions ingredient storage room when he heard noises coming from inside. He wondered who might be there. Fury would be little compared to what he felt towards the thief. Severus wasn't willing to allow anyone to steal from his supplies.
At first, he'd thought it was one of his students. Those kids would never stop to annoy him. But he remembered that they were still on holiday. Soon, he discovered he didn't know the culprit. It was a woman. Severus couldn't figure out if he knew her as she had her back towards him. Even though her big curls looked untidy and ruffled, the professor knew she wasn't an ordinary "thief". He couldn't see her clothes as she was covered into a long dark cloak, but the fabric of her cloak confirmed his first supposition.
She was so focused on reaching some of the numerous vials that she didn't notice his presence. Despite her high-heels, she couldn't reach out to the vials and so she had to stretch her body as much as possible. He kept watching her for a while.
"How you dare to steal from me?" Severus uttered, his voice firm and threatening. No matter how much things had changed at Hogwarts, he would never stop being the Potions professor. They were free to think whatever they want about him, but they should never think that he would ever allow some idiots to ruin his work.
Before she got time to recover from the shock of being caught red-handed, Severus had grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out of his potion store. The woman almost stumbled as she wasn't used to his pace. Yet he kept holding her arm firmly.
"Could you stop, Severus? I doubt you would walk so fast if you were wearing my high-heels on your feet."
The professor didn't bother to take a glance at her instead he kept going. The woman couldn't help but cry out, "Are you serious? Can't you just slow down? You definitely lack some manners." She had tried to keep her voice firm, but he could sense pain. He was happy. He wanted it to hurt.
Severus stopped only when he was sure that she was far enough from his supplies. He pushed her to the wall so he could see her face. It was Viper. But she lacked her red lips and her perfect makeup. She was as pale as he remembered her, but now she had drops of sweat on her face. Viper tried to take his hand from her arm and Severus startled as he felt her wet, cold, reptile-like touch on his skin.
"What are you doing here?" The professor demanded an answer. "What do you know about potions, you stupid girl?" He was furious. She might be Voldemort's new pet, but he wouldn't accept her presence there. He tightened his grip and dragged her further towards the exit. "You are going to leave. Now."
"No. I won't." Even if she said that Viper couldn't do anything to stop him from getting her out. She struggled to remove his hand from her arm. It was impossible. Severus was much stronger than she was. "Let go of me!" She cried out when she realized that force wouldn't help her much. "I'm not one of your students."
She didn't care that it was early or that people might sleep at that hour. He wondered why she had to cry out so loud when he was just some steps in front of her. Yet she kept being very noisy. He couldn't understand how on Earth someone could sleep in this school.
"Could you stop acting like one?" The Professor threw at her. "Is it really necessary to make so much noise?"
"Then stop!" Viper mirrored his tone of voice. "How am I supposed to explain if you…?" Her voice was weak and tired. Severus dragging her didn't help at all. "If you don't stop now, I'm going to be sick. Don't tell me I didn't warn you. You don't want your perfect clothes to suffer a terrible accident, do you?"
"Fine. Explain." He stopped instantly. He had to catch her as she almost fell due to his unexpected action. It happened so fast. Severus didn't realize when he put his hands on her back to steady her that she let herself fall into his arms. At that moment, she seemed weak and human. There was something in her eyes he couldn't figure out. Surprise? Gratitude? Affection? It didn't last long, though. Soon, she began to laugh.
"It seems I haven't lost my charm, have I, Severus? You men have a thing for weak women. However, I didn't think it would work with you as well. Who would have ever expected the cold potion master would fall for a stupid girl."
In that instant, he realized how stupid he'd been. For a moment, he'd forgotten who she was. All he knew was that she needed help. She wasn't the damsel in distress. Obviously, he wasn't the knight in shining armoire. Severus couldn't explain why he'd reacted that way. She was evil and he'd known it pretty well. He was supposed to be evil and cold as well. He shouldn't have bothered to help her. Instead, he'd acted like a stupid boy.
If he were to be honest, he'd never been in a similar situation before. How was he supposed to know what to do?
All he could do was hate her. At the moment, he really did hate her.
"I spend too much time playing the gentleman. Old habit." His voice was calm despite the fury he felt inside.
The sarcasm was obvious.
Before she had time to stand on her feet, he took his hand out from her and let her fall down on the floor.
An "oh" came from behind. The professor realized that they hadn't been alone. Some of his former colleagues had left their chambers as they'd heard the noise. Filch and Voldemort's two lap dogs came as well. They were starring from the distance.
Viper fell on her right arm and cried out in pain. She threw a glance at him. She seemed like a wild animal that had been cornered by a skillful hunting dog.
Severus had expected that he would find pleasure in having her hurt and humiliated. He didn't. Yet he wouldn't help her.
The pain in her eyes soon turned into mischief and she stood up, her left hand wrapped around the right one.
"You've hurt me." Viper accused the professor, not bothering to hide the pain.
"Never try to steal anything from me again. Don't think your "charm" will save you. Not even your Lord could, if you try it again" His voice was threatening. She didn't seem to be affected, though. "What are you doing here?" He addressed the professors.
Severus didn't feel good addressing them that way. He'd respected them: Professor McGonagall above all. Now, she was watching him with such disappointment.
Viper working him up had helped a little. At least he didn't have to fake his fury. He was furious at her for being able to trick him; at life for being such unfair; at himself for being so weak. The knowledge that he couldn't do what he really wanted to. Tolerating someone like Viper, like any other Death Eater, made him feel more powerless than any of his former colleagues. All he wanted now was to tell them that he wanted the same things as them.
The professors weren't eager to do so. They were curious to see how this would end. No one had ever dared to provoke Severus Snape. Viper had, though. No one would have ever expected to see him act so clumsy, either.
They didn't know if they should enjoy her being humiliated that way. She was evil. She'd repaid his moment of humanity with mischief. She deserved it, didn't she? But Severus was evil as well. He'd betrayed them.
The Carrows didn't know what to do. It was easy to deal with the students and the staff, but Viper was a Death Eater like them. Wasn't she?
Alecto was pretty sure that she'd seen Viper before during the first war. Viper had joined the Lord just days before his demise. No one had ever heard about her since that day. At least, that was what Alecto said. Amycus wasn't sure Viper was the same woman.
Severus watched as his former colleagues started to leave. He saw that the Carrows were still there, confused.
"I don't need your services." The Headmaster sent away the two. Severus was happy that he wouldn't have to pretend to be nice to them. Kindness wasn't a Death Eater's trait, after all.
The two brothers left, followed by Filch.
Viper was still there, waiting in front of him. Severus hadn't realized that she had come closer to him. He only heard a whisper in his ear: "My Lord?! Isn't your Lord, as well?"
Before he could say a word, she ran down the corridors.
He wanted to let her be, but he hadn't managed to send her away yet. She had to leave. She was too clever. He was convinced that Viper deserved the pain after all.
He'd seen her entering the girls' bathroom and he tried to enter as well. To his surprise, the door was locked. Severus opened it with a simple spell only to find Moaning Myrtle waiting for him. Viper was nowhere to be seen.
The ghost was in the mood for speaking. He tried to ignore her and look for Viper, but Myrtle kept getting in his way.
"Where is she?" He asked annoyed. The girl put on her innocent face.
"Who?" Myrtle made such a face that the professor was afraid she was going to flood the room any instant. "No one has come to see me for years. No one cares for Moaning Myrtle. But you came and you are going to stay with me, won't you?" The ghost asked in her flattering voice.
"Are you sure she isn't here?" He asked again. He'd already started to feel uncomfortable around that ghost.
"No. It only us. Such luck. Do you want to see my bathroom? I would love to show it to you." She added, twirling her pigtails. As he didn't seem to follow her, Myrtle went after him.
The professor internally cursed Viper.
"No. Thank you." It was awkward. He was pretty aware that the ghost was covering for that stupid snake. Myrtle was a horrible liar. "Why are you helping her? She's dangerous." Severus tried to reason with her. Myrtle was taken by surprise. Before she realized it, she shouted at him.
"You hurt her. You're no better than him." Myrtle covered her mouth instantly, but the damage was done.
"Who is 'him'?" Severus had already gone too far. None of it was his concern. His job was to spy on Voldemort and help Harry Potter from behind. It was not to chat with an old ghost. Whoever this boy was probably hurt her back in her time. He could already be old and grey by now. He could have grandchildren and have a wife, just as withered as him.
Myrtle didn't answer. He didn't care, though.
Viper finally decided to come out of her hiding. He saw her arm. It would have been difficult not to notice it. Drops of blood were trickling down on it towards her hand. She had numerous cuts all over it. Severus wondered what had happened to her. She understood his confusion and decided to explain.
"It was my mirror. I fell on the broken glass and got cut. You know. When you managed to accidentally drop me down." Viper emphasized the last sentence. Yet her voice remained calm. Friendly, even. "Could you heal it?"
Severus couldn't understand how she'd managed to get hurt so badly. He hadn't seen any shards, plus her explanation was kind of awkward. But, he couldn't find any better explanation. It was obvious that she hadn't done it on purpose.
"I will send you to Madam Pomfrey. She will know how to handle your injuries better than myself." Severus hoped that he didn't seem too human. She was Voldemort's favorite after all. It was quite natural to take care of her, wasn't it?
"I'm a bit dizzy. Could you…." Viper didn't finish her sentence. She grabbed him for support. She was pale and her hands were trembling. Yet she wouldn't let go of his cloak. The Snake-Lady watched him with wet eyes.
It seemed real. Severus couldn't imagine how she could be able to feign it. However, he'd fallen once for her lie. It wouldn't happen again. Plus, a Death Eater less was a good thing for the school and for the world.
"I will send a student to accompany you." His voice was neutral and cold.
All of a sudden, she let go of him. She watched him for a moment. Severus could have sworn he read sorrow in that fugitive glance. Then, she turned around and left the bathroom furious.
"Don't bother to accompany me. I know the way." She'd uttered before closing the door.
24.05.2019
