Year 7 Part 2 (chapter 36)

Word count: 1.5k

Warning: Suicidal thoughts and mentions of death and not eating

Severus quickly found out whether he would see Y/N again or not.

He did.

He's currently at the very place he never expected to be seen at ever again - he's at Hogwarts, specifically inside the Great Hall. The new school year is just about to start.

However, one important person is missing - Albus. They still need a new Headmaster.

Severus was sure it would be Minerva as she is the Deputy Headmistress - however, it's the person he least expected it to be.

It's himself. The Dark Lord has announced Severus Tobias Snape as Headmaster of Hogwarts.

All the students are currently seated, looking at the staff table. Unfortunately for Severus' sanity, in front of the staff table is one of the people he hates the most - it's the toad, Dolores Umbridge.

Or Umbitch, as Severus really wants to call her right now.

The horrendous woman has been assigned to announce the new Headmaster, much to Severus' dismay.

He doesn't want to do this, he doesn't even want to be here. Alas, he has no choice.

Everybody in the room looks sad, some even angry. Which Severus expected.

He dares to take a glance at Minerva. The woman looks at him in disbelief, she yet has a sad look on her face. She's probably trying to understand why Severus did what he did, but can't find any logical explanation.

Severus sighs to himself. If only he could tell her...

He looks at the Slytherin table where Draco and Y/N are. Draco looks horrified and scared. Y/N looks scared as well, she's however too busy cheering up her friend.

It doesn't work, though. Draco never wished for any of this to happen, and now he's a part of it. Reluctantly, but still a part of it.

At the Gryffindor table, three particular students are missing. Potter and his friends are hiding from the Death Eaters, probably hunting for the Dark Lord's Horcruxes.

After a long moment of silence, the toad gains everybody's attention.

"Ahem, ahem. Welcome to yet another year at Hogwarts. This year will be much different from the previous ones - your lessons will follow Ministry-approved approaches, and you will, of course, get a new Headmaster. First, I would like to introduce you to your new Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers - Alecto and Amycus Carrow" she states as she gestures to the Death Eater siblings.

They both rise from their chairs, smirking evilly at the frightened students.

"And now, for your new Headmaster - Severus Snape" she declares, giving her annoying little girl-like laugh.

Severus refuses to stand up, he refuses to look at anyone. It is rather difficult, though - he can feel people's confusion, people's anger.

As he looks at Y/N, the girl offers him an encouraging smile. If she hadn't been here, he would probably have left in an instant, not caring about manners.

He doesn't want to be Headmaster. He would rather die.

"That was all. I do hope you will enjoy your new and different year" Umbridge says, laughing once again. She then leaves the Great Hall.

All that can be heard is silence.

When everybody looks at Severus, expecting him to say something, he sighs. Is this a punishment from the Dark Lord? It surely feels like it.

As Y/N offers another encouraging smile, the new Headmaster slowly rises from his seat. He clears his throat.

"As you heard Dolores Umbridge say, this year will be... different. Professor Slughorn will continue as the Potions Master while the Carrows will teach Defence Against the Dark Arts. Before I let them say a word, I must warn all of you... If you know where Harry Potter or his friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, are located, you are to tell immediately. The Dark Lord must know. That was all" Severus says, immediately sitting down on Albus' seat- his seat.

The Carrow siblings rise from their chairs again, giving all the students a nasty smile.

"Like the new Headmaster just said, my brother and I will teach you children Defence Against the Dark Arts," Alecto starts.

"Yes, and if you do not do as we say, you will be punished" Amycus states, chuckling evilly.

Minerva and the other teachers' faces turn pale. They probably have an idea that these 'punishments' won't be harmless to the students.

"We will make sure you are trained to serve the Dark Lord. Once he kills the Boy Who Lived, you all have a choice - to join our side, or to die a painful death. It's your choice" Alecto says, giving an evil smirk.

All the students look scared to death, especially the first-years who have just been sorted. Hogwarts was supposed to be the best time of their life, not their worst.

"You may start eating now" Severus declares, putting an end to the Carrows' speech and starting the feast.

Once food appears on the tables, nobody seems to eat much. They have all lost their appetite as they are dreading what kind of teachers the Carrows will be.

Well, one thing is for sure - they won't be nice.

--

A few weeks later, Severus is in the Headmaster's office- well, his office. He hasn't even been Headmaster for a month, yet he already hates it.

Every morning, he dreads waking up. Every evening, he dreads hearing the Carrows' daily report of what's going on inside and outside of Hogwarts.

He dreads mealtime, in fact so much he has stopped showing up. He even stopped eating for a few days, hoping he could die of starvation.

Much to his dismay, the house elves started to show up in his private chambers after two days of no food. They now bring breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Severus has an idea who's asking them to do this. The only person who seems to care about his wellbeing.

Y/N.

He wishes he could talk to her, but being a Headmaster, Severus has a lot of work to do. Much more than being a teacher, and this time, he can't ask for her help. He can't ask for her company.

If he did so, he would need an excuse since the Carrows know everything he does. And he's sure any excuses would get her in trouble...

Severus buries his face in his hands, frustrated. He feels so hated, so alone. He doesn't know how much longer he can take this...

Just then, an owl flies into his office. Not just any owl, it's a very familiar brown owl.

It's Y/N's owl.

The bird lands on his desk, tilting its head at him. It then nuzzles his arm rather gently, trying to cheer him up.

Severus sighs. He almost wants to say he feels grateful for the owl's company. However, he just wishes it was Y/N...

He suddenly notices something tied to the animal's leg. It's a letter.

Raising an eyebrow, he immediately grabs it as he starts reading it.

--

"Dear Headmaster,

I hope you are well and that your work isn't too much of a burden for you. If you ever find yourself in a stressed position, I will gladly help in any way I can.

I do hope you don't mind the house elves bringing you food, I must admit I am concerned about your health. We do not want our Headmaster to fall ill.

Best regards,

Y/N Y/L/N"

--

Severus sighs. The Carrows have been checking who sends and receives letters. They read them as well, which must be why Y/N has chosen to be so formal in her letter.

He can't even reply as he knows they will read it.

Well, now there's no doubt who sent the house elves to give him food.

He tries his best not to let any tears fall. He's really touched that she cares about his health enough to go through the trouble of making sure he gets food, as well as going through the trouble of sending him a letter.

He holds it close to him. This is their first way of communication since the day he killed Albus...

Just then, Severus hears footsteps approaching.

"Quick, leave!" he tells the owl.

Nodding its head, the owl nuzzles his arm once more before flying out the office in an instant.

Just as it's gone, the Carrow siblings enter.

"Well, it seems like a few students will get punished. Some Gryffindors had this in their possession" Amycus says as he puts a vial on the desk.

It's an Amortentia potion.

"Very well, I will make sure no one will get their hands on it" Severus assures them.

Nodding, they both leave to punish the students. As they do so, Severus sighs in frustration. How could anybody be so stupid to have this in their possession?!

The Carrows did warn one morning that no one, except for Slughorn, Poppy and Severus, were allowed to be in possession of potions. And it doesn't matter how harmless they are.

Severus looks at the potion for a while. He needs something familiar, he doesn't care if it's someone who's dead. He doesn't care how much it will pain him.

This is his only way of comfort right now.

He slowly opens the vial, taking a sniff. He however raises an eyebrow in confusion. He doesn't smell Lily.

He can't put a word on it, but it's something familiar, something he has smelled quite often...

What is it? Or rather, who is it?