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"You are a ridiculously stupid girl."

The first words out of Snape's mouth when we reached the Headmaster's office were enough to lift me from my daze, but once I got my bearings, all I knew was anger. Dumbledore's environment was practically unrecognizable, with the exception of its circular enclosure. Things used to be interesting and somewhat cluttered in earlier years. True, I was only in there once, but the former headmaster probably maintained its unique style up until his death. Now, everything was bleak and dark. If not for the tall thin windows leading to the gray outdoors, I most likely wouldn't be able to see a thing. Snape fit right in with such a blackened room.

His statement enraged me, not just because of his heinous crime, but also due to the words being so recognizable. It was very common for him to talk to students like this while still a professor, myself being no exception. The fact that he was speaking to me like a normal teacher would speak to a misbehaving child was infuriating. He killed Professor Dumbledore, and he had the nerve to act like it wasn't a big deal? The sight of Dumbledore's portrait on the wall behind the desk nearly made me explode. But I was unable to calm myself enough to think of a response to the insult, so I looked at the dozing picture. However, the traitorous man obviously didn't plan on stopping there.

"Has your lack of intelligence turned you into a vegetable, Miss Ravensdale?" he asked, turning towards his desk to fiddle with a quill.

It still occurred to me that I wouldn't leave the room alive, but I couldn't hold back for another moment. If I was going to be killed anyways, there was no harm in speaking my mind.

"I'd rather be a vegetable than a spineless coward like you."

Snape's wand suddenly reappeared into his hand, and in the blink of an eye, he was in front of me. I impulsively backed up against a bookcase, startled by how fast this was happening.

"Always acting before thinking." His wand was pointed at my torso in an almost casual manner. "Second time today, isn't it? You must be an unusually lucky idiot to have survived this long."

"Shut up."

His eyes flashed in anger.

"What did you say?"

"I said, shut up."

I felt just as idiotic as he accused me of being for saying these things, but I couldn't help it. The adrenaline was messing with my common sense, and the mix of anger and fear didn't help either. But just seeing that I'd gotten to him satisfied me enough to keep going.

"If I had to repeat myself, then maybe you're the stupid one."

Part of me expected to be cursed for this, but it didn't happen. Instead, Snape put his wand away and gave me a condescending stare with those penetrating eyes; it felt like he could see right through me.

"So childish. I don't know why your little rebellion in Professor Carrow's class is a surprise. You've seen his teachings, but you obviously haven't learned what harm can be done to students who don't listen."

Why's he telling me this? Can't he just get on with whatever he'll do?

"Then again," he continued, intensifying his gaze, "you're likely too busy trying to be noticed by your silly friends."

"Wh…"

"You were truly willing to put yourself in harm's way just so Longbottom would shed tears at the sight of your gallantry?"

"You don't know what you're—"

I wasn't sure if he was reading my mind, or how he might be doing it, but it was reawakening my fear. No matter what it was, I had no desire to hear it, especially not from this man. I tried to inch away, but Snape quickly moved both hands to the shelves on either side of me.

"I knew you were stupid before, but this…you're more naïve than I thought."

"Stop."

As embarrassing as it was for him to say these things, I actually found myself wondering if it was true. Why had I done what I did in class? I was genuinely angry at the Carrows, but was that the true reason? Or was it as Snape claimed: an attempt to gain Neville's love by making myself a martyr?

No, I want him to be happy! I know he won't choose me if he already loves Luna…

I was too scared and furious to know what to think. All I could focus on was my desire to get away from Snape. Then again, he wouldn't allow it. Perhaps that was his plan, to break me down and humiliate me before putting me out of my misery. Still certain that I was going to die no matter what, I decided not to let him have the satisfaction of breaking me.

Despite not having my wand, there was probably something nearby that I could use as a temporary weapon. Without thinking, I summoned every bit of my anger and shoved at his shoulder. Once there was enough room to get by, I ran past him and rushed to the short flight of stairs leading to the desk.

"How dare you!" Snape snarled from behind me.

I didn't know how much time I had, so I laid eyes on a random metal sculpture on the counter.

It'll have to do.

But before I could think of using it, Snape was upon me. I hadn't even raised the object in attack when he sent it flying across the room with a flick of his wand.

"Go on, then," I growled, slightly disappointed at the sight of him putting his weapon away again. "Stop wasting my time and do it."

Any sane person would think I was mad to speak to him like this, but it had reached the point where I just wanted it done. I couldn't stand the idea of him drawing it out, and the fact that he was stalling only served to heighten my fury even more. Still, he did it nonetheless.

"You just won't learn, will you?" Snape was as calm as he ever was, but the dangerous black rage in his eyes made my heart thunder. "That's the problem with you and your fellow Gryffindors. You think disobedience is bravery, but all you're doing is focusing on your infantile emotions."

Something finally gave way. I was so tired of listening to him talk, and of seeing that miserable smug expression. Even before he killed the Headmaster, I'd wanted to beat that arrogant look from his face. Over six years of this dormant desire rapidly boiled over, and after balling my hands into fists, I swung. However, he must've seen the assault coming. In a matter of seconds, he'd snatched both of my wrists and halted them. I hadn't even processed what was happening, but once it hit me, his wand was at my throat and his free hand had grabbed my neck from behind. My body froze briefly before I struggled again.

"Let go!" I snapped, reaching up in an attempt to pull his arm back. "Let go of me, you traitor!"

But Snape didn't reply. He merely tightened his grip and pressed his wand even more harshly to my skin. It felt like a needle. No matter how viciously I attempted to get away, he was too strong. The inevitable began crashing down on me, and I closed my eyes, not caring about my frightened tears. I saw images of Belle, Mum, Dad, Neville, and the others flashing before me. Then, all of the tension left my body, and I was ready.

God, let him do it now. Please let it be over.

It wasn't. There was a loud pounding in my chest that proved so. But the wand continued pressing into my pulse, forcing me to lean my head back against his shoulder. Time seemed to have come to a stop. Then, I felt him speak into my ear.

"Your life could be vanquished in an instant, Miss Ravensdale. If I were to make such a choice, nothing would stop it." Part of me wanted to flinch away from his voice, but I was frozen. "You're powerless, so trying to fight against me, or your new professors, would be pointless in every way. Don't you understand that yet?"

Due to my panic, I was barely able to absorb what he was saying. I could only stare ahead of me towards Dumbledore's portrait. The man in the painting had woken up at some point, and now, he was looking at me with a great amount of concern. I shuddered to think of what else he'd seen happen in this room, even if he was just an enchanted object. But I didn't get a chance to imagine the possibilities.

"Now," Snape continued, lowering his wand hand, "I trust you won't make any more foolish choices?"

Just then, I felt something thin and long slide into the pocket of my robe.

My wand…

His wand was back at my neck in a flash.

"Are you deaf, girl? You are never to stir up useless battles again. Is that understood?"

My words were stuck in my throat, and not just because it was still in his grasp. This was shocking. He was actually going to release me? Or would he shoot a curse into my back once I looked away?

"Is that understood?" Snape repeated harshly, prodding at me with the wand.

All I could do was nod. Despite not being able to move much in his hold, he must've seen the gesture. Without a word, his wand went down and the other hand released me. The adrenaline in my body propelled me down the small staircase and helped me open the door wide enough to exit the room. I didn't even think to look behind me. I just ran, not stopping until I was back in the hallway that led to Gryffindor Tower. Once it sunk in that I was away from Snape, and that I was still alive, I slumped against the wall and wrapped my arms around myself. I didn't realize that I was crying until almost a minute had passed, but I didn't care. It was all too much to process. I just knew that for the moment, I was alive.

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