Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling nor do I own anything Harry Potter-related in this story.
Author's Note: Well… yeah, sorry, it's been awhile. And this is short but chapter 6 will come soon.
5. BEQUEATHING
He stood at the edge of the doorway next to Dumbledore, head in his hands. He could deal with a torturous life, but a torturous afterlife, as well?
Dumbledore looked down the hallway.
"Severus," he said.
"I want to die," Snape said, his voice muffled by his hands. "I want to die."
Dumbledore looked through his half-moon spectacles at the man collapsed on the floor, his cape a swirl of black around him. He seemed to be drowning in it, a sea of blackest black.
"Severus, please," Dumbledore extended his hand. "Let me help you."
"I don't want your bloody help," he shook his head. His voice wavered.
"Severus," Dumbledore said harshly. Snape looked Dumbledore dangerously in the eyes, trying to mask the true fear he felt.
Snape finally stood. He was slightly trembling, hoping Dumbledore wouldn't detect it. But he knew nothing got past Dumbledore.
"You dug this hole for yourself. Through that door," Dumbledore pointed, "is the way out."
Snape looked through the door and down the hallway. Dumbledore urged him through.
"This is where I leave you," Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling. He started to close the door with a smile. "You will know what to do; you always do."
Snape had a pleading look in his eyes as he watched the door close.
"Oh, and Severus?" Dumbledore paused, only his eye visible through the crack between the door and the frame. "This is perhaps the only time that I will say that revenge is necessary."
His blue eye twinkled as he softly shut the door.