"She changed me
Completely
Now who have I been?
She broke me
So cleanly
Tell me what I am"
- Kat McCoy, The Break
"You can't be serious. I can't," Severus Snape's words died in the air, the silence completely repressive. Byanei refused to even look in his direction, facing out the window instead. He was subconsciously fascinated with her profile, and found himself staring. She was older than Minerva, for Merlin's sake…
But her complexion was beautiful, ivory and cream, with aristocratic cheekbones and a delicately shaped nose, full lips. There was a stillness in her that spoke of pain. In her eyes…
"Weren't your eyes silver?"
She smiled slightly, bowing her head before looking back at her own reflection.
"They have not been since we last met."
"Do not blame me for the consequences of your actions, Byanei."
The quiet of the room froze into an oppressive nothingness. She turned to face him, and for a brief moment, pupil met pupil.
*How strange- I don't remember this. You will not tell me her name, but I have loved her in my dreams all my life. And you, you, you… You took her away from me…*
He stood and purposefully strode forward, grabbed her by the shoulders, and slammed her back into the wall. Her head turned sideways automatically, and he grabbed her by the jaw and forced her to look at him, the plaster in the wall crunching with the strength of his grip.
"Where is she?"
"Who?"
"Ranistaka. Your sister. My soul. Where is she?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Blue met with black, breath to breath, hate to hate. Deep in the recesses of his mind, he saw Hell. Her sword. He heard her scream.
Without a word, he dropped Byanei, spun on his heel, and strode towards the door.
"Severus, stop!" Albus commanded.
"MY NAME IS NOT SEVERUS!" he roared, spinning in the doorway. Books, parchments, and plaster flew with the strength of his magic. He was all caviar and cordiality the next moment. "And though I thank you for your offer to allow me residence at Hogwarts, I must, regretfully, decline."
He disappeared from the door.
"I cannot keep them apart, if they actively seek each other." Byanei stood, shaken. "But I shall do my best. Hurry."
With that, she left, leaving Albus to the remains of his office.