Thanks to: Pilas, Prongs1, Beseeched by Locomotives (thank you!), idril.tinuviel, RAiNbOwGrL22.
Chapter 2
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster, I have to deal with something. Please excuse my absence from the school. As I am sure you will not find a competent teacher for my replacement, I recommend Professor Hallie Ackart. You will find her in Marseilles. Do not warn her of your arrival. I apologize for any dire inconvenience. Tell Miss Ackart I expect her to drill some sense into the students, to look out for Longbottom and if she dies I will come back and torture her myself (she will understand the latter).
Severus Snape
Potions Master
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
---
Hallie would be fine, though she had the tendency to be soft on the students. Severus was more concerned about the rumors that would stem from his sudden disappearance, only three weeks after the beginning of the school year. That was bound to begin a whole new round of gossip in the grape vine. How Snape hated the nosier students.
He didn't plan on informing Albus of the letter. That was something he'd rather keep on a personal level. Especially when the subject matter was as... unusual as it was.
The reply was short and simple.
---
Dear Severus
Take care.
Albus Dumbledore
---
The old man worried too much, Severus sneered, he wasn't stupid. But then, this was potentially dangerous. More than potentially, there was chance he could get himself into some deep trouble.
Snape strode through the darkened halls, he knew where the veil was, and he also knew that he was not welcome here, the ministry would arrest him if he was caught. When he reached his destination a shiver ran down his spine. Severus almost wanted to touch the veil, though the consequences were far beyond their worth.
Gold slithery words began to appear as if written on the veil itself.
--You've come for him--
The stupid thing was playing with him. Severus was too smart, though, to refuse to speak to the veil. After all, like Riddle's diary magic objects often had hidden brains.
--He pines for you--
Strange, he couldn't imagine Black pining for him. The man was too... independent. Besides, it was slimy Snivellus to Black, what was there to pine for?
It seemed Severus did not have to speak at all.
--He misses the arguments, the competition and the view--
How entirely inappropriate. The nerve of the thing!
"How am I meant to bring him back?" He asked, his voice slightly gruff with embarrassment.
--If I told you, it would be too easy--
"Stop playing with me!" Severus found it was going to be far too easy to lose his temper at the veil. He hated feeling out of control.
--Follow him, I won't stop you--
What a stupid idea. Kill himself for something unsure? Not in his agenda.
--If you manage to find him, you win. If you don't... you figure it out--
He cursed himself for being tempted. What did Black mean to him anyway? So, he got a stupid love letter. That didn't mean he had to risk his life.
Only there was something...
"Fine."
The veil was cold and it swept over him like flowing water. It was only when he stepped out into the barren hills with gray skies that he realized that he had been very rash.
Chapter 2
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster, I have to deal with something. Please excuse my absence from the school. As I am sure you will not find a competent teacher for my replacement, I recommend Professor Hallie Ackart. You will find her in Marseilles. Do not warn her of your arrival. I apologize for any dire inconvenience. Tell Miss Ackart I expect her to drill some sense into the students, to look out for Longbottom and if she dies I will come back and torture her myself (she will understand the latter).
Severus Snape
Potions Master
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
---
Hallie would be fine, though she had the tendency to be soft on the students. Severus was more concerned about the rumors that would stem from his sudden disappearance, only three weeks after the beginning of the school year. That was bound to begin a whole new round of gossip in the grape vine. How Snape hated the nosier students.
He didn't plan on informing Albus of the letter. That was something he'd rather keep on a personal level. Especially when the subject matter was as... unusual as it was.
The reply was short and simple.
---
Dear Severus
Take care.
Albus Dumbledore
---
The old man worried too much, Severus sneered, he wasn't stupid. But then, this was potentially dangerous. More than potentially, there was chance he could get himself into some deep trouble.
Snape strode through the darkened halls, he knew where the veil was, and he also knew that he was not welcome here, the ministry would arrest him if he was caught. When he reached his destination a shiver ran down his spine. Severus almost wanted to touch the veil, though the consequences were far beyond their worth.
Gold slithery words began to appear as if written on the veil itself.
--You've come for him--
The stupid thing was playing with him. Severus was too smart, though, to refuse to speak to the veil. After all, like Riddle's diary magic objects often had hidden brains.
--He pines for you--
Strange, he couldn't imagine Black pining for him. The man was too... independent. Besides, it was slimy Snivellus to Black, what was there to pine for?
It seemed Severus did not have to speak at all.
--He misses the arguments, the competition and the view--
How entirely inappropriate. The nerve of the thing!
"How am I meant to bring him back?" He asked, his voice slightly gruff with embarrassment.
--If I told you, it would be too easy--
"Stop playing with me!" Severus found it was going to be far too easy to lose his temper at the veil. He hated feeling out of control.
--Follow him, I won't stop you--
What a stupid idea. Kill himself for something unsure? Not in his agenda.
--If you manage to find him, you win. If you don't... you figure it out--
He cursed himself for being tempted. What did Black mean to him anyway? So, he got a stupid love letter. That didn't mean he had to risk his life.
Only there was something...
"Fine."
The veil was cold and it swept over him like flowing water. It was only when he stepped out into the barren hills with gray skies that he realized that he had been very rash.