Friday came unbidden and bittersweet.

He ran his fingertips longingly over the scarred and mottled desks of his classrooms, and the empty, dustless bookshelves. His eyes, though distant, glittered with reluctance as he briefly gave a speech in the Great Hall. The applause was sparse, but surprised. Several students had outrageously impertinent looks of joy on their faces. He tried to feel indifferent, but found that for once, it had failed him.

The man was being forced out, almost kicking and screaming. You could see it, the way his jaw moved, and his hands roamed restlessly over his utensils. The food all looked the same, and the professors all chattered happily indifferent amongst themselves. It was a typically normal day for him, with the exception that after this, he would not stride down to his dungeons to bully or belittle his students, nor would he continue on from that class to teach his seventh years, and from there his schedule would not go till 1:30, where he would pause to take lunch, and after that, he would discontinue his furious marking of papers.

Severus. You should eat, for today will prove to be taxing.

Dumbledore's voice sank like a blunt dagger through his blurry unconcious. He gave him a quick scowl, before shovelling unwanted, uneeded food between his lips. He made a face; his stomach refused to accept any more, as did his deadened tongue.

I have no wish to, Headmaster. I simply want to leave as quickly as possible.

He would not give anyone else the satisfaction of seeing his unhapiness of leaving. And partially, his words rang true, for he really did just want to be on the train and out of this place. It tugged his heart in too many directions at once. Better if he just sank into his seat and died.

Fine. As you wish, Severus. On a different (Severus noted he neglected to say lighter) note, you are to be escorted to the train station, and met by Analiese Ambruzzi. She is aware of your situation, but not the particulars, for I left that at your discretion. She will be showing you to where you will be staying, and where you will remain until I owl you.

He nodded, absorbing but not understanding. This was still a dreary nightmare to him. He had yet to awake.

How will she know who I am?.

Dumbledore gave him a sly smile, and gestured at his robes. Severus realised he had forgotten to remove his habitual uniform. He felt a twinge of blood in his cheeks.

Too soon, the plates had cleared themselves, and too soon Severus found himself rising, black and polished luggage in hand. Lupin and Black rose as well, though there was far less gloating in Lupin's eyes.

Good-bye, Professor, and good luck. I daresay I will even miss your dismal presence.

Lupin said this with a sly, and boyish smile, as he stuck out his hand. Severus glanced distastefully, and shook it. He also slipped the Wolfsbane recipe between Lupin's long fingers. Lupin nodded, knowing what it was before he had to unfurl it.

G'bye Severus. Hope I won't see your gloomy visage til this is all over.

Black stood, hands thrust as far as they would go in pockets as to avoid handshake.

And I wish to see you in hell before this war is over. Perhaps then you may tell me whether or not Azkaban is a correct comparison.

Severus noted, with a dull sense of glee, that Black's face looked shadowed. He cursed him beneath his breath, before retreating. And then, came the hardest leave of all.

I bid you to fare well, Severus. I have no doubt in your ability to escape danger. I promise you I shall see you before this ends.

Dumbledore's voice could not help but give him a meager crumb of hope. His eyes betrayed his gladness, however, for the cheery blue they usually gleamed was dispelled by a colour as melancholy as the bottom of the sea.
Severus nodded curtly at all, swallowing back what he hoped were either coughs or sneezes. So this was the end.

And Dumbledore watched, his heart growing heavier than it had in decades, his frail pupil growing smaller, smaller, denser and denser into the disappearing line where the sun had momentarily dipped to kiss the ground.
















A/N: Short, I know, and kinda of climactic. Anyway, I promise I won't kill him, it was just another aspect to what it would mean if he left. Hoped you all enjoyed it. Thanks for reviews.