I need a beta if anyone is interested, please e-mail me (the e-mail is in my profile) thank you!
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Severus appeared quietly at the hospital wing. Seeing him enter the room, Harry and Ron got up to leave.
Severus glared at them. "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, you two don't need to leave so quickly."
"I asked them to, Professor." Hermione said weakly.
Severus sneered and gave Harry another cold glare, but Harry didn't glare back like he expected to. It gave Severus a moment to wonder why. Madam Pomfrey also left for her office and closed the door. Severus scowled at the emptiness as he walked over to the bed Hermione sat in. "Miss Granger, what do you need me here for?"
Hermione shifted her weight a little and took a deep breath, he's here, right here in front of you. If you don't ask him now, you might never get the chance.
"Professor, may I ask why you came back to Hogwarts?"
"Excuse me?"
"After what had happened, none of us expected you to come back…" Hermione looked down at the bed sheets; she could feel the courage that had just built itself up flowing rapidly out of her.
"That's none of your business why or how I came back, Miss Granger." Severus snapped.
After a few minutes awkward silence, Severus then said, "Did you get hurt last night because of wanting to ask me this very question?"
"Yes, Professor."
Severus sneered, "Well, you wasted your time. Not to mention you also got hurt."
It's still worth it. Hermione thought to herself, taking a first step is better than doing nothing.
Severus then turned himself around, "If you will excuse me, I have class in another hour."
Hermione watched him leave. When the door clicked shut, Hermione sighed slowly. It was definitely not as simple as it had sounded. Snape wasn't the type of person who would answer personal questions that came out of a student. Especially not a Gryffindor know-it-all.
It was noon; Hermione could hear the footsteps of students entering the Great Hall for lunch. Maybe it was better that she was here in the hospital wing. After all, she did get the special chance to ask Snape about what had bothered her for days. However, things are much more complicated now. Not only does Hermione have to worry about finding the answers from Snape; she also had to be extra careful, for Voldemort is finally out to hunt for Harry. Worst of all, he wasn't alone.
Hermione had forgotten to tell Professor McGonagall that she saw a few Death Eaters standing around 20 meters away from Voldemort and her. She finally remembered the look on Draco Malfoy's face. That cold stare with a smug grin on his pale face, he seemed exhausted and much weaker than before. However, his pride in being a pure-blood and a Death Eater never left him. Hermione knew that she should tell Professor McGonagall at once about what she just remembered. She tried to get out of bed, when her head started to throb. She whispered an "ouch" and got back on the bed obediently. She told her self that she'll tell anyone who comes to see her next time, even Snape.
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Severus sat down on his couch back in his office. He rubbed his temples and closed his eyes. So why did he come back to Hogwarts? He was after all, the murderer of Albus Dumbledore. Severus sighed, he never expected himself to come back to this school either. He had it all planned out when he ran away with Draco and the other Death Eaters. When a letter came to him one night.
Narcissa, Bellatrix and Draco were all at his place in Spinners End. The four of them were discussing about what to do next after all those incidents. Severus had gotten up to fetch a cup of water for himself when an owl had swooped down from the sky and landed on the window of his kitchen. He realized that it was a farm owl coming from Hogwarts as he took the letter from its mouth. It hooted and flew away after Severus gave it a look. The moonlight had shown that the letter wasn't maroon; he felt a wave of relief as he exited the kitchen.
"What is that?" Draco said as he walked up to Severus, trying to read the letter in his hands.
"It's a letter…." Severus pulled it out of the envelope, "from McGonagall…"
Narcissa glared at the letter. "Why is she writing to you at a time like this?"
Severus shrugged as he flipped the letter open, it read:
Severus, I found out a letter in Albus' office saying that he wants you back in Hogwarts to remain as the Potions Master. He also said something about you having some kind of resolution about the future, he didn't make it clear. Since it is his order, we must respectfully obey. I look forward to see you at school. Minerva McGonagall
Draco caught a glimpse of the letter and sneered, "They want you to go back?"
"What?" Bellatrix looked up at him and Severus.
Narcissa didn't say anything; she simply continued to stare her son.
"I suppose it is essential." Severus said as he folded the letter and placed it in his pocket.
Draco frowned and said skeptically, "Why are you still following the orders of Dumbledore? He's dead!"
"He may be. However, the letter McGonagall found was written beforehand. Hence, the power of Dumbledore's orders still exists."
"I advise you not to go back, Severus." Naricssa finally spoke, "Draco isn't going back. Most certainly not, since he accomplished his mission."
"That's not how it works for me. I have to suffer despiteful glares of those students since I killed their headmaster! But orders are orders. Besides, I can continue to spy there."
"Have you asked permission from the Dark Lord?" Draco said as he sat back down on an arm chair.
"I'm quite certain that he'll agree with me." Severus stated with a placid tone.
Bellatrix gave Severus a glare. "What else is there to spy on? Harry Potter? You knew clearly enough how pathetic he was during our attack. He couldn't do anything but watch his beloved headmaster die in your hands."
"There's far more things I can tell the Dark Lord than Potter's actions." Severus said tartly, "You're simply ignorant of the concept that there's other things he cares about."
Bellatrix stood up and grimaced at Severus. Her hand was about to reach for her wand in her robe, when Narcissa suddenly took hold of her wrist and pulled her back down to her seat.
"Enough, Bella. Severus knows exactly what he's doing, keep out of it."
Bellatrix sneered as she shook her sister's hand loose and turned her head away in disgust.
After an uneasy moment of silence, Draco slowly said, "You know sir, the Dark Lord plans on going to Hogwarts to kill Potter."
"So I have heard." Severus nodded as he took a sip of water. "I don't recall him saying when?"
"A while after school starts, I suppose. He wants me to go with him." Narcissa had a proud look on her face when her son announced the news.
"Really?"
"But I can only hex whoever sees us though." Draco sighed in disappointment.
Severus let out a small chuckle, "That's actually good enough. After all, you can follow by the Dark Lords side. It's quite an honorable privilege."
"Your Father would be so proud to hear that." Narcissa smiled at her son.
Severus opened his eyes again. That's the answer you wanted to hear, Miss Granger. He got up from his couch and let out another sigh. The clock on his wall stroked one as Severus left his room for Potions class.
Disclaimer: see chapter 3
A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long for me to write. School work got in the way… But I'm glad I finally updated I guess I sort of answered the question on why Severus went back to Hogwarts. But there's more to it, I only wanted to get the question out of everyone's head. I think this is my longest chapter…? By the way, I hope everyone can review more. I know I'm like, SUPER far from the romantic parts everyone's probably dying to see xD Have patience though, it's coming! Don't worry ;) Also, I have over 1000 hits on this story, yet I only have 12 reviews…. sobs It doesn't hurt to give a few words of advice or personal comments, does it?