Disclaimer: It's not mine, it's all J. K. Rowling's.
A/N: Annie Talbot and Machshefa are the lovely ladies who beta-read this fic! : :hugs: :
Chapter 11: Confirmation
Severus was somehow surprised when Granger's answer to his last letter arrived with the morning mail. He was dreading this letter, especially if it didn't contain the ring. It was too quick an answer, what could only mean that Granger was indeed too smart to be fooled and knew the ring was his.
With that in mind, as discretely as possible, he felt for anything that could pass for the ring inside the envelope, but found only smooth paper.
Damn!
Conscious of the Headmistress observing him thinking he couldn't notice, Severus schooled his expression to the usual blank countenance and decided to save this letter for later. If she'd figured it all out, he couldn't trust himself not to throw his breakfast on the students, or so was his excuse.
He clutched the envelope in one hand and lifted his coffee to his mouth with the other, trying to act normally. He eased the cup back on the table and used the free hand to take the fork and eat a mouthful of scrambled eggs. He did that twice, then left the fork for the cup again.
All very normal. All very controlled. All very him.
Except for the rough paper on his other hand and the unexpected weight on his heart.
He let go of any pretence that his stomach was taking the meal with grace and pushed the plate away. iStupid letter./i
"Revolting against the house-elves' cooking again?"
Severus groaned quietly.
"What will you eat if you start avoiding all they make, I wonder? Rosmerta's food?" Minerva insisted.
"I'm not in the mood, Minerva." He sighed.
"What are those letters, Severus?" Her voice hadn't the playful tone of before.
Severus continued to glare at random students, refusing to answer.
"I'm not trying to be nosy, but I have to ask. You've not been yourself lately, and I'm starting to worry."
He glanced her way out of the corner of his eye. "There's nothing to worry about, Mum."
She chuckled. "Then stop pouting and eat your meals, sweetheart."
He sighed again and knew it had done nothing to reassure Minerva.
"Who's tormenting you so, Severus? What's tormenting you? I don't like watching you retreat into your old self, into who you were during the war…."
He stood at that. "Then don't watch, Minerva," he told her before striding out of the Great Hall. On his way out, he took five points from a random Gryffindor without giving a reason.
Already in his office, he tore open the letter with anger. He held his breath and read.
Dear Professor Snape,
Do you really think me a fool? Did you really believe I would be satisfied with those half-truths? Well, think again!
She knows.
Who is this mysterious owner? I saw you and Voldemort there, but many more could have visited the place after I left.
She's not admitting, but she knows.
What curse is affecting the ring? I don't believe your fantastic tale that it's something only you saw in some obscure book. If you know the curse, explain it to me; I'm sure I have enough knowledge to follow your explanations, Professor. Also, take the opportunity to go into details on how you'll make the ring safe. I want the long, complete explanation.
And for the stunt of trying to fool me, you'll answer my bonus question. How did you survive Nagini?
The WHOLE truth this time, please.
Hermione Granger
Severus had read the rest of her letter as a blur of words, not really paying attention to anything written there. The first two paragraphs had been enough.
She knows.
Severus' fears were confirmed. He rubbed his eyes in a nervous gesture while walking to his desk. He let go of the letter and fell to his chair.
He had known it would come to this eventually. It annoyed him how this predicted development could make him feel so helpless, torturing him. He snorted at his own predicament. Life worked in loops for him, and now it was torture time, it seemed.
Granger knew the ring was his and yet she wanted him to admit it. She wanted him to spell his shame and humiliation for her with all the words. His head was starting to pound.
He stared at the letter resting over the fourth-year's essays. He took it in hand and reread it.
There was no point in postponing this. He prepared a quick answer, not resisting the temptation of trying to dissuade her from the truth again and not even worrying if his words read pathetically. He sent it before class and felt humiliated with the deeper corners of his heart exposed. If he had to bleed, he should at least have the comfort of the Claddagh Ring with him.
Coming next... The ring and its owner gain a new meaning for Hermione.