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Well I hope you like this chapter. At first I wasn't very content with it but I rather like the end. Anyways, keep reviewing please!

Snape awoke suddenly, his breath catching in his chest as the Dark Lord's red eyes pierced through the gloom. Like glowing embers in the cold fireplace, he yanked his hand away from the restraining rope held around his wrist and reached for his wand only to discover he was tied to a tombstone and a snake was biting him, it's painfully sharp fangs embedded in his flesh.

'Severus. Severus.'

A gentle voice called softly across the graveyard, hardly audible above the downpour of rain. He blinked the drops out of his eyes, but when he opened them again saw only shining zaphires staring at him in concern.

'Professor Dumbledore.'

He managed to gasp as memories flashed through his mind. He had been discovered. Black eyes roved around to confirm his suspicions that he was in the Hospital Wing. He lowered his eyes in shame and humilliation, attempting a frown but finding he was too exhausted to keep faking. An alien throbbing in his arm made him divert his eyes towards his limb and a snarl formed in his lips as he saw the thin cord. His eyes followed it up and saw the half empty plastic bag. He yanked the thing out of his arm fiercely.

'Severus! Don't do that. It's for your own good.'

Dumbledore was struggling to remain in control of his emotions, his face as sober as Severus' had been moments before.

'I will not be fed like a wounded animal Headmaster.'

Severus replied coldly. Albus sighed in defeat. Seeing the all too familiar iron doors once more closed to any contact, now adorned with thick iron chains bound by a large lock. He rubbed his tempels in frustration and pain.

'Severus. You have not been eating properly. In months it seems and I only regret not having noticed before. Now, you are weakened by this and your insomnia and, since you are unable to nourish yourself sufficiently quickly as needed we have been forced to administer it in this way.'

He gazed at the man as he brought himself up to a sitting position, a remarkably cold expression on his face. There was pain in his eyes even as they attempted to freeze him. Snape bared his teeth and threw the tube on the floor, all the time staring intensely at Dumbledore. He had tried to force himself not to care for the man, not to love him as the father he never had. For always something seemed to drive him away from the people he had cared for. Not that he had cared for many. But now...now Dumbledore had seen his weakness. And all those who saw one's weakness were a threat. Possible traitors. And Albus had already seen him once, bare of every shield he set before him. But at that time he had not really cared for the old man, when he had returned to the Light after hiding in the Darkness. It would not do to hand one's enemies a list of one's fears and weakness. He would once more have to distance himself, for he would not suffer to be betrayed once more. Anyways, he was not worthy of the man's love.

Dumbledore could almost see the iron doors rattling for a moment, as though wishing to open. Only to bang shut with a clang. He sighed once more and banished the ruined feeding device, knowing the only way he would get Severus to put it on once more would be stunning or drugging him. Something he most certainly was not about to do.

'Well...you had better keep resting.'

Snape blinked, he was dying inside. Those loving eyes, full of pain. He was drowning in the blue ocean. His lips pulled into a tight line, and he did not answer, for he felt that if he opened his mouth a terrible wail would escape him. He was angry at himself too, for letting himself fall like that. He was not destined to be loved, cared for, nor to care for anyone. And now Dumbledore was just hurting him more. He would have preffered to go back to Voldemort than to keep looking at those haunting blue eyes. He could not remain here. He was cured and well. Better retreat as soon as possible behind his fortress, locked forever till he was granted enough mercy to depart from the world.

He swung his legs from the bed and forced himself to stand, though he was still in pain and the exhaustion was not completely lost. Before Albus could grab him he had rushed to the door, his head was spinning but the clenching sensation in his heart was less bearable than the unsteady state.

'I would prefer to sleep in my own quarters.'

He declared in a tired whisper. Dumbledore watched him with a frown, and sat unmoving. For he knew the young man would not get very far before he collapsed. Swinging the door open with effort he stepped outside, his eyesight dimming and breath coming short. He fainted.

Madam Pomfrey came in as she heard the noise of someone falling. The Hospital Wing had special wards all around to alert her if any patient was leaving without her permission. She should have supposed something like that would happen. Snape had been in her care few times, though she had a feeling he had needed it more, but everytime there was trouble. Always the same reticence at being taken care of.

Dumbledore once more took the man in his arms and set him back on the bed. He pushed a strand of greasy black hair tenderly and again made himself comfortable beside the bed.

'Always the same. Will he ever accept treatment without complaint?'

She muttered angrily and her scowl deepened as she noticed the clever device was gone. Poppy glared at Dumbledore, knowing it had had to be him who had banished it, for Severus' wand was in his keeping.

'I would like to know the answer as much as yourself Poppy.'

Albus whispered softly, more to himself than to the healer. Shaking his head and realising he was being he rude he turned to face her.

'He took it off. You know how stubborn he is. I do not want him to be suffering.'

He confessed as he noticed where her eyes were lingering.

'You shouldn't have. He fainted didn't he? Of course he did. Hasn't eaten in days. He'll get himself killed.'

She muttered angrily and strode foward. Her wand pointed at the man she jabbed it at the crook of the arm once more, though she did not bother to set up all the parafernalia. And contented herself with letting the river of liquid issue from her wand directly into his veins. It was safer this way, slower, but at least he would not be able to stop it. His body seemed to pull it from her by itself, it's crave for survival stronger than the one his mind had. Albus puller her wand away and she frowned at him in surprise, a questioning glance. But he only shook his head and pointed at Severus who was stirring. The frown in his face seeming accusing, as though he knew what they were doing. He woke up abruptly and grimaced as he saw Pomfrey standing over him. It seemed he would have to stay. He saw her wand dripping the transperant liquid he had seen in the bag before and the lines around his mouth tightened.

'There is not need for this Pomfrey. In fact, I refuse it. And may I remind you an adult patient has complete authority over the treatment he wants to receive? Touch me again and I will personally make sure you are led to trial.'

The woman's eyes opened wide in shock, but after a few seconds she assumed an annoying stance. Pursing her lips, anger and contempt clearly visible in her eyes.

'Fine. Please leave then.'

He raised an eyebrow then swallowed. Glaring at her. The interfering woman! he thought noticing how she was glancing at Dumbledore a smile playing on her lips. He grit his teeth, sucking in his cheeks in thought. He was startled at the cry issuing from Pomfrey and the alarmed look of Albus' face. He snarled.

'I'm afraid that decision lies upon the school's Headmaster.' He glanced at Dumbledore questioningly, an eyebrow raised.

'Please leave us Poppy. I wish to discuss this with Severus alone.'

She left sputtering like an angry goose. Making Severus smirk at his small victory.

'What would happen if I were to allow her to force you away?'

'I would struggle to my feet and crawl to the dungeons if need. But I will not be force fed in this way.'

'You're ill Severus. Nobody likes it but you must stop avoiding things like that. Pretending you can send them away by shutting yourself in and scowling at the unjust world.'

Snape gasped. Dumbledore managed a small smile to himself, even if it was bitter. Severus had been treated to badly all his life, he hated to treat him like that. But sometimes people who had been subject to pain and harsh treatment only responded when they we adressed likewise. Still, he had breached the wall. Broken the chains, even if it were with burning fire.

'Avoiding things?'

His voice a deadly whisper. But it was always said that those who played with fire got burned.

'If I am such a coward I will simply go back to Voldemort, perhaps he will succeed in ending my cursed and worthless existance one and for all.'

Dumbledore closed his eyes in pain, Severus' words a deadly poison he had been brewing for himself for years. He remembered with grief how he failed to notice all the things amiss in the pale greasy haired boy, till he had ended in his office like one of the haunted. And still he had failed him again. Snape licked his lips, savouring his words. Caring no longer for cover, for hiding those suicidal thoughts always hanging on the edge of his mind. Perhaps this was the time to give in to his long desire. No. He closed his mouth with a sigh, he was not worthy of such grace.

'Forgive me Headmaster.'

'I love you Severus. I will not let you die.'

Severus' eyes darkened.

'You do not. For you continue to deny me what I have been wishing for all my damned life. I will add you to the list of those who consider my existance too important for their own matters and my life too trivial to care to notice it is nothing but a well of misery.'

His voice had begun a shaking whisper to end as a snarl, tears threatening to spill as his self controll slipped past him like water through cupped fingers.

'I will not allow you to die because I believe you deserve a chance to know happiness dear boy. Do you not see? I fight for all those who deserve to live! To know the real pleasure of life. You still have a chance Severus, to enjoy the life that has been denied to you.'