Disclaimer: The usual. None of the characters are mine, their all JK Rowling's, but I'm not using them for profit, so it's all ok.
A/N: *Ducks the flying brick* Sorry about the wait. Exams will be over next week so here's the next chapter, which I wrote between study. Hopefully I'll be able to finish this in the next few weeks. Thanks for being patient. :)
Fic starts here:
"You disgusting bitch. I spend - "
"Shut up, Julius, shut up – just – please - "
"I spend all my time working, trying to make a living for us… LOOK AT ME WHEN I SPEAK TO YOU… you pathetic whore… What the hell I saw in ever saw in you I don't know. All I want is a wife who will cook for me when I come home from work, is that so much to ask? And I come home to this… what the hell do you call this? I swear, I would not be surprised if you were trying to poison me. Well? What have you got to say for yourself, what?" Daddy started smashing the plates and Mummy just kept crying. Daddy laughed. "That's right, just stand there and cry. Cry like the baby that you are." He laughed again. "Look at you, just like the boy. Exactly the same. Do you know whose child you are, Severus? You're your mother's. A mother's boy."
"Leave him out of this – "
"I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP!" Daddy hit Mummy again and she started screaming as blood came out of her nose –
"Severus!" His eyes snapped open. "What is it?"
"Nothing, I – " He must have fallen asleep in the hospital wing. Thank heavens Cho was the only patient there.
"You're sweating."
"Am I? I'm sorry."
"No, it's alright."
"Listen, I better go. Madame Pomfrey will be here shortly."
"Well… thankyou for coming."
"It was my pleasure." Snape kissed Cho impulsively before quickly exciting the room, wrapping his cloack around himself as he did so. Upon reaching his own room, he ran a hand through his hair and sat down at his desk, hoping to complete some marking before breakfast. No sooner had he done so, however, than a large brown owl flew in through the window. He sighed.
"I knew I'd see you at some point." He snatched the note from the owl's leg and read through the short note:
Remember the hangover potion alright? Keep the next few weeks free. More than your life's worth to miss this one, too. Surprise awaits the loyal ones.
Scowling, Snape set the note alright with his wand. Throwing the burning paper to the ground, he stamped on it and made sure no writing was visible. He then turned to the owl.
"There will be no reply."
*****
Breakfast, as it usually was, was a silent affair for Severus. This morning, however, the silence was tinged with anxiety as he waited for the chance to speak with Dumbledore alone. He glanced up and, seeing Cho's friends staring at him, looked back down, embarrassed. He knew damn well what they were laughing about and preferred not to think about it. There were too many fascinated with his sexuality for his liking.
"Headmaster?"
"What is it, Severus?"
"I received word this morning."
"Then it begins." Dumbledore sighed. "Did he say when?"
"In the next few days. I will be on the alert."
"Very wise. We must proceed with caution… yes, indeed." He turned to look at Snape with his eyes suddenly twinkling. "I presume you slept well last night?" Snape hesitated. He had been stupid not to realise that Dumbledore would know.
"I know it was wrong, I'm sorry."
"There is no shame in love and no reason to fear it, even in your case, Severus. My only concern is one of safety – for yourself, and Miss Chang."
"You mean people might think she's doing this to get good grades?"
"Yes, there is that factor, as well as the question of what would happen to you both if Voldemort or his followers found out about your true intentions." Severus flinched slightly at the name, but attempted to conceal it.
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Discretion. Nobody must know about this, no student, no professor, no ghost. I trust you, Severus. I know that your relations with Miss Chang have nothing but honourable intentions. Something like this however, could prove dangerous… very dangerous. Silence is the key."
"Yes, sir."