Severus thought he had heard a faint knocking sound at his door. Severus had awoken in his armchair, not quite sure what time or day it was. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand before opening them to see a discarded whisky bottle on the floor and half a bottle remaining by his feet. He hadn't even used a glass. Could he even remember returning to his quarters after his meeting with Dumbledore? He definitely didn't remember this. He tried to excuse his behaviour by reminding himself of the news he had heard, that Voldemort was making it in his best interest to position students within Hogwarts that were working for him to spy on Harry. He felt Severus wasn't doing a very good job. It occurred to him that he was working with Dumbledore far too much these past few months, and his 'services' to the Dark Lord were in their few. He needed to work harder to prove he was 'worthy' of Voldemort to keep his cover.

The knocking sounded, this time a little louder and Severus knew he wasn't hearing things. As he stood, there was a shrill ringing in his ears and his head felt it had be sliced in two. He stumbled towards his door, not caring that he was swaying and staggering, obviously still a little drunk. He casually waved his wand in the direction of the door and it promptly opened just as Severus reached the doorway.

Potter, was stood in the hallway.

"Yes?" He asked, impatiently, choosing to shield his room from the boys prying eyes. No doubt he could smell the stench of bourbon on his breath as the words came from his mouth.

Harry looked a little startled, but tried to remain collected.

"I've completed the essay." He said quietly, taking in Snape's untidy appearance with his inquisitive stare.

"Well done," The Potions Master replied sarcastically, sneering as he spoke. "Hand it to me during lesson, Potter, like always."

"It's just-" Harry shifted his feet. "I have a meeting with Dumbledore in half an hour and that means I won't be in class to hand it in." Snape's eyes widened and he ducked his head back inside to glance at the clock on his mantelpiece. It was one in the afternoon. He had missed two classes this morning. He snatched the essay from the boy's hands.

"Did you knock before?" He asked, curiously and Harry shook his head before leaving Snape alone in the hallway. He quickly glanced in both directions before retreating back inside. How could he have let himself get in this state? No doubt, Dumbledore had been to check up on him earlier, and now he was due for a 'is everything okay?' type conversation with the bloody man. He attempted to tidy the space in the living room before drinking his potion and heading down to the dungeons.

At least Potter won't be there, he thought, gladly.

Harry had actually believed Snape had been taking more care of himself, he had grown to truly believe it. But, after their last conversation, he was beginning to worry again. He wondered whether or not to tell Dumbledore what was happening, but he had a feeling Dumbledore already knew.

"So, I want you to make sure you only speak to those you trust, Harry." Dumbledore was surveying him through, the crooked glasses perched on his nose. Smiling, like he always does. Harry felt he should say something.

"Sir-" But, Dumbledore had raised a hand as if to silence him, still smiling he gave a small chuckle. "If you wish to inform me of Professor Snape's unruly time-keeping, then I must say I am already fully aware." The smile had slipped from his lips. "Though, I must admit, I feel it is getting a little worrying-" Dumbledore looked as if he had said something he shouldn't have. "- Anyway, I assume Ron and Hermione will be waiting for you in the Great Hall for supper, I must say I'm most looking forward to eating some of that Shepherd's Pie!" And with that as an invitation, Harry stood to leave and Dumbledore escorted him out of his office.

Severus had endured a grueling lesson with the sixth year class, he was even beginning to get impatient with his own Slytherin students especially the likes of Crabbe and Goyle who couldn't brew the most simple potion without it turning into a full scale catastrophe. He wondered how they had ever managed to get this far, to the NEWT level.

He wandered aimlessly around the castle, and out onto the grounds. It was bitterly cold and the sky was turning a murky purple as the sun was setting. He stood for a while and inhaled the cold winter air, looking out over the lake. He knew he would have to face Dumbledore eventually and explain why he had missed the morning teaching, and Severus couldn't even be bothered to invent a plausible excuse. All he could think about was having a drink, and that worried him. The more he thought about having a drink, the more worried he became and the more he needed a drink to extinguish that feeling of dread and worry. And he hated himself more and more. He left the grounds and decided to mark some overdue essays back in his office, with a drink to help of course.

He had barely marked one sentence before he felt agitated and headed for his stock cupboard. He grabbed the nearest bottle of Firewhisky and yanked the cork from the top with his teeth. He drank straight from the bottle, feeling less numb and stressed as the liquid burned his throat and calmed his nerves. Where this feeling of being nervous came from, he hadn't a clue. He grabbed a glass and found himself topping it up after every mouthful and soon, the bottle was nearly empty. He had scarcely marked half of the second-year essays. That faint knock at the door sounded and Severus cursed under his breath as he had forgotten about going to see Dumbledore… And he had had a drink. Cursing loudly, he reluctantly opened the door for him, avoiding his smile and those pale blue eyes that were full of concern and care.

"Severus." He spoke quietly, but Severus couldn't bear to look at him.

I'm so, so, so, so sorry that I have been neglecting this story. I hate myself for it! But I promise with alllll my heart that I'm back and I'm definitely going to complete this story. I have a plan. BOOM. :3 So, yes. Don't give up on me just yet ;)
Hope you all like it! The next chapter will be the conversation between Snape and Dumblefore then it'll leaaaap forward to Harry leaving for Christmas, and there'll be a plot turn ;)

Thank you all of you for sticking with this!