Chapter 20: A Conversation

Ailing Red Rose / Ailing Red Rose

Severus groaned at the unfailing sound at his door. He had already waited five minutes and it had still not stopped. So he got up and opened the door, slowly.

"Professor," she stated. Severus stared at her.

"Ms Granger."

"Um…"

"Please, do go on."

"Well."

"Yes?"

"I wanted to say, hello."

"Hello?' he glared at her.

"Yes."

"Goodbye Ms Granger," and he made to shut the door. But she pushed back with enormous force. "Is there something you wished to say to Ms Granger?"

"Call me Hermione," she stared up at him, eyes wide.

"No."

"I said I'd call you Severus," she challenged.

"And yet you didn't," he said.

"I was nervous," she blushed.

"Nervous, at coming down to the evil Slytherin's lair in the dead of night?" Hermione really looked worried now.

"I don't think your evil," she said, while looking at her shoes.

"I am."

"No, you can't be," she said; now pleading with her eyes.

"I hate to interrupt your fairy tale dreams, but Ms Granger, but I most certainly am evil, and plan to remain that way," he towered over her.

"They're not fairy tale dreams! You worked for Dumbledore, you fought for the light!"

"I killed and tortured as well."

"Because you had to! Because of Dumbledore!"

"Because of a unrequited love."

"No! It wasn't just for lily! You have morals!" Severus's eyes narrowed, and a frightening scowl appeared upon his face.

"Who told you about her?" he demanded.

"No, no nobody," she said, realized her mistake and tried to take step back, but Severus had her by the wrist now.

"Who? Potter?"

"No," she said, struggling.

"WHO?" he yelled.

"Nobody."

"Somebody had to have," he said, his voice now turning silky and dangerous.

"Bellatrix Lestrange," she whispered. Severus's eyes now became slits.

"Bellatrix Lestragne? And how do you expect me to believe you were ever in confidence with her?" he growled.

"I overheard her, speaking with Voldemort, when they had me locked up. Something about your love of the mudblood Potter," Severus interrupted her,

"Do not use that term in my presence!" he yelled.

"I'm sorry! But, she said something about a Potter, and Harry isn't muggleborn, and you certainly aren't…erm…homosexual….so I knew it had to be his mother, Lily. When, I talked to Dumbledore later, he only confirmed my beliefs. I'm sorry." Severus released her, and walked over to his leather armchair. He did not speak. Hermione ventured into his room.

Ailing Red Rose / Ailing Red Rose

AN:

I only just realized that my writing name is aillingredrose instead of ailingredrose. So, please just think of it as the latter.

Hope you like the chapter, I know I'm not the greatest on updates, sry

Please review!!