A House Where No One Leaves

by Ritual Union

Severus Snape prided himself first and foremost on his ability to stay calm in the most dire of situation. He was always able to maintain his sense of control. His sense of character. But of all the things that had moved him to the state of fury that he was currently in, of all the people that could possibly awaken the comatose state of his heart, it had to be Him.

2. Aggravated

oOo

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Chapter Two, Aggravated

"The boy is being starved for God's sake," Severus said, pacing at the front of the Headmaster's desk. It had been a month and a half since the end of term, a month and a half since Severus had been tasked to trail the Headmaster's favorite pet. "Why have you not taken him away from that place? He'll die of starvation before the start of term. Which, might I remind you, is only a few weeks away?"

"Severus, I had not realized how much you've grown to care for 'the boy,'" Dumbledore said with an infuriating twinkle in his eyes.

Severus narrowed his eyes dangerously. "I am merely observing and stating facts. Do not twist my words around. If you wanted someone to worry about the state of your favorite student, then you should have sent someone else to guard him! Send the werewolf! For all that I care, I'm surprised you even chose me to guard that insolent brat."

"We cannot take him away from there, Severus. As you know, Harry is safest where his mother's protection will hold. Until the age of seventeen, Harry will always be safe there," Dumbledore said firmly. Severus, having heard this countless times before, merely scowled. It seemed, as always, there would be no changing the man's decisions.

Dumbledore sat calmly at his desk, his hands folded neatly on top of it. "I trust you, Severus, to do whatever it takes to protect him, however much you think badly of him."

Severus didn't bother to answer, it would only earn him a headache trying to argue with the man. Instead, Severus turned the direction of their conversation, "Headmaster, have you taken your potion?"

The headmaster glanced down his half-moon spectacles, at his hands which were still clasped. His right hand had blackened and shriveled, the result of the curse on Marvolo's ring. "I have. And forgive me for having to ask you that I am in need of another set."

"I'll have it ready tomorrow morning."

With that, Severus excused himself and left the office, walking down the spiraling staircase, his black robes billowing in his wake.

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oOo