Elisus - Chapter 7
I am working on each of my stories in turn in terms of plot and updates - for those of you so patiently waiting for Bumblebee Blood and Tricks of the Mind, they are under consideration at this very moment. I am a different writer now, and my old plot lines no longer meet my expectations in terms of standards, however, I am making breakthroughs. Thank you for the dedication you wonderful and amazing readers are showing this story - it is still difficult for me to write! Yours, SS19
Severus was a flurry of activity as he gathered belongings and provisions that would hopefully get him and Albus to the safe haven that was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It would be the holidays now, so there would be few members of staff. Severus was not sure where this sudden bout of confidence had come from; perhaps because Albus had given him explicit permission, or perhaps because he realised when he was beaten…and Severus always knew when he was beaten.
"My boy…you cannot win the game…any move you do means I can force checkmate."
Severus was still staring at the chessboard.
"Severus, it has been thirty minutes since I played. You know you are beaten, you just have to admit it to yourself…" Albus smiled genially at him, "I do so love beating you, child."
Severus had the decency to look up, and glare, and then glare some more. "I let you win."
"Of course you did…"
He had left Albus on the floor of the bedroom. It had seemed rather pointless moving him to the bed…and Severus was aware that when his Headmaster woke, he would not be aware of who Severus was, and Severus could not stand that pain right now. When at Hogwarts, he would research, and he would read, and he would find the cure or the counter curse, and he would save Albus, and then Albus could be Headmaster again and Severus could…
He paused, mid packing a spare set of robes into his bag. He was not sure what his purpose was, now the war was over; would he be allowed to stay as a Potions Master? That was all he had been good at, beyond spying and lying. Maybe now, now that everyone knew he had sacrificed himself for Harry Potter and bore the scars to prove it, he would command more respect and student scholars would be more willing to learn from him. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge, he enjoyed inspiring others…he did not enjoy teaching Gryffindors…
"Severus. You cannot take points from Gryffindor students just because they are Gryffindors. That is not how the system works, there has to be a reason…"
"Believe me, Headmaster, there is always a reason. Always."
He would not think on that now. That was a thought process for another time. The present moment was about getting Albus to Hogwarts in one piece.
"Are you going somewhere?" Albus' voice at the door. Severus raised his head, and faked a smile, "No, Albus. We are. We are going home. To Hogwarts. Like you asked. Like you wanted."
Albus Dumbledore had never viewed Severus with suspicion, but there it was again, like a shadow in the room with them. "I do not wish to go."
"Albus." Severus stood slowly, hands out before him. "I can no longer treat you - but at Hogwarts, there are books that can tell me how to help you - how to cure this curse - you must let me try."
"No, Snape. I do not wish to go anywhere with you." Albus' tone was considerably firm, bearing in mind the wizard was weaker than Severus had ever known him. "Albus…I'm sorry…but you don't have a choice. I am going, and you are coming with me." Severus took a step nearer, "You know I am stronger than you, right now. You know I will do what I must."
Albus contemplated him, leaning heavily on the door frame. "I am aware. You have already hurt me." He gestured to his head, and Severus winced, "That was an accident, Albus, I didn't mean to."
"Really." The older wizard continued to watch him, "So I am your prisoner then, if you feel you can take me where you please."
"For Merlin's sake, Albus, stop being a stubborn bastard - I am trying to get us help!" Severus' voice raised in volume and intensity, wishing he could shake the older wizard into consciousness.
Or into submission…
He closed his eyes to ward the voice away. "Albus. I just want to help."
"Perhaps." Albus responded. "Or perhaps you would like to dispose of me and return to your master."
"I am already with my master." The words had tumbled from Severus' lips before he had paid them true heed, considered them, and stopped them. He shook his head, "I am out of ideas, Albus. You need proper help, and I am going to get you to that, whether I have to stun you to do so." He took a step toward Dumbledore - Albus raised his hand and Severus faltered. He suddenly felt the presence of magic in the room, "Albus, you cannot cast magic with any control - do not do it. Just let me take you to Hogwarts, and then we can repair you, we can fix you, and your essence will return and…"
"I said no."
Severus held out his hand too, fingertips bare centimetres from Albus' fingers, "I can cast wandless magic too Albus, please do not force me to."
Albus held his gaze, "Did Voldemort teach you that?"
Even after all this time, the name still held its power and Severus flinched, "No. You did." Albus had taught him almost all he knew. "Please, Albus. Please. Let me take you to Hogwarts. I promise that is what I want to do - I promise on my life - Albus, please."
This was not the real Severus, although Albus admitted it was a convincing act. The fear and grief seemed so genuine on a face Albus thought he knew as well as his own - except he had never seen Severus so emotional. His Severus was not like this; his Severus was cold and emotionless and impassive and faced difficult situations with poise and stoniness. He did not cry. He did not show emotion. "I have said I do not wish to."
He could see Severus' fingers shaking. Was it right that Severus could do wandless magic? His captor seemed confident it was the case, seemed on the verge of doing anything to seal Albus' fate.
"You are leaving me no choice, Albus…" Severus - the man with Severus' face - his voice was carrying a tormented undercurrent, syllables pronounced harshly and with a higher pitch than what usually caressed his tone. "Please…"
Their fingertips touched, perhaps involuntarily on Severus' part, and certainly not voluntarily on Albus' part - and Albus couldn't stand the deception. The magic welled up inside him and a mere second later, the glass in every window or door or portrait or cupboard smashed into shards that targeted his captor. Severus, true to his word, protected himself with a wandless Shield Charm and the pieces collapsed to the carpet - but he was clearly surprised and stunned.
Albus, on the other hand, was exhausted and collapsed further into the door frame, slumping down it to his knees. Suitably incapacitated, or so he wanted Severus to believe, he kept his eyes on the ground as the younger wizard surveyed him and then disappeared into the next room.
Albus knew what for.
Snape wanted his wand.
Albus did not have his wand. Snape had taken it from him. Yes, he did not deserve the use of his beloved Severus' first name - this…apparition…was not the boy he loved so much. He raised his head just slightly. He would not be unarmed, not against a dark wizard who was clearly serving the other side.
He reached out one hand and pulled a shard of the glass with a considerably sharp edge to it towards him. It would be enough to cut a throat, if Albus so needed. He did not know if he had the strength, but he could conserve it.
He tucked it into his nightshirt, out of sight of the prying eyes of his captor.
When the time came, he would strike.
When the time came, he would kill this captor, and he would be free.
When the time came, he would get his revenge for Severus.
