Disclaimer: See Ch. 1
Ch. 4 – On My Knees For You
Sage glanced up from her Transfiguration homework quickly, her crystalline blue orbs meeting a pair of onyx eyes. She smiled slightly, recognizing the harrowed face. The face frowned down at her, causing her smile to vanish.
He gestured for her to follow him to the back of the library, deep into the stacks. They walked silently, trepidation creeping up on Sage.
"Severus?" She asked, her voice filled with something akin to worry. "What is it? What happened the other night?"
"I did it." Those three words were said with such a tone that she wanted to crawl away from him, her head bowed.
"N-no. Please, Sev, tell me you're lying… You couldn't join him… You're a good man." Sage whispered, her eyes shining with tears. "Why would you join him?"
"I had no choice."
"Yes. You did." Sage took his left hand in her own, pulling up his sleeve to reveal the Black Mark on his forearm. "Gods, Sev…"
"Oh, quit it. Quit looking down at me from your marble pedestal…" Severus spat. "Do you mean to tell me that you've never once thought of joining Voldemort?"
"Frankly, I've never got the appeal. Acting as lap dog to some dark wizard just for power? I prefer to earn my power, thanks." Sage spoke, angry creeping into her steadily rising voice.
"Lap dog? I am no one's lap dog. I did this out of self-preservation."
"Oh, self preservation? Like there's no one to help you? Like my family wouldn't have taken you in… my family, or any other family that knew your parents. Gods… You couldn't swallow your dignity to ask my father for help. No, you went to Lucius fucking Malfoy?!"
"Miss Cartonis! Mister Snape!" A harsh voice called from behind them. They turned quickly to see Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore standing there. McGonagall had on an angry scowl, while Dumbledore simply stood there, the ever-present twinkle in his eyes dancing. "Language!"
"Now, now, Minerva. Be calm." Dumbledore smiled. He gestured to Sage and Severus. "Would you two please follow me to my office?"
Severus' stomach felt as if he'd swallowed a chunk of ice, turbulent and suddenly dead. He glanced at Sage, whose expression matched how he felt. He fought to keep his anxiety off his face, barely succeeding.
"Yes, sir." They both stated, Sage's head bowed, Severus' standing tall and stoic as ever.
Dumbledore left the library with Severus and Sage in tow; Dumbledore attempted small talk while they walked, but finding two angry teenagers to be bad conversationalists, gave up quickly.
"Mackinaw Island Fudge." Dumbledore spoke, as they reached the stone gargoyle. Severus quirked his eyebrow at the odd password, a grim smile approaching his serious face as he turned to Sage. She merely looked at him blankly before walking into Dumbledore's office.
Dumbledore sat down behind his large oak desk and motioned for them to sit down in the two chairs in front of him.
"Mr. Snape. Miss Cartonis. Is there anything that you would like to discuss with me?" Dumbledore looked at them over his half moon glasses. He turned his attention to Severus. "There have been rumors of your sneaking out…with Mr. Malfoy.
"Now, Severus, I know that because of recent…developments…with your family, you've been under a lot of stress. But sneaking out with your fellow students will not…"
"Professor!" Severus interrupted. Sage rolled her eyes at Severus' small outburst. "Yes, I've been under stress, but this is really no one's business. I've not been sneaking out, I've not done anything wrong, so kindly leave me to my own designs."
Severus stood up and swept out of the room, his robes billowing behind him. Sage stared down at her hands for a moment before glancing up at the aged headmaster.
"Sir?" Sage whispered, avoiding looking him in the eye.
"Yes, Sage?"
"I… I mean… Severus, he…"
Dumbledore simply nodded.
"I-I can't say. I'm sorry, sir." Sage stood up silently and walked out the door, glancing sadly back at Professor Dumbledore. "I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry, too, Sage." Dumbledore mumbled, clasping his hands in front of him on his desk.
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A/N: Yes, this is a short chapter. Yes, it sucks. But it's been sitting here halfway done for a while now, and I felt I should update.
A/N 2: This chapter is dedicated to Rowan Arkenson, the only reader of this story to come back for more. You rule. : )