Severus Snape sits in his new office, the many portraits staring back at him with undisguised contempt. He was not one of them, not truly, having won the position through conquest that was not his own. Worse than that, it is only through nepotism and connections, proximity even that he is chosen, his magical and educational prowess barely even factors in the Dark Lord's decision.
And even that will be short-lived he supposes, albeit completely unsurprising given who the Dark Lord was up against. Shaking his head, Severus recalls himself adamantly explaining to Albus what a mistake it was to involve the boy, his godson, in his plans. He had seen the darkness in the boy, untapped and raw, and combined with his power and his genius…it's a terrible combination indeed.
Even as Severus stood witness to the unbreakable vow between his 'nephew' and the holder of his leash in Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, he once again warned the older man not to go through with it, and when he did, he knew that life as it once was, was over.
Severus was not surprised when Draco won their…quite frankly terrifying duel, nor was he when the Malfoy heir killed the headmaster, mostly due to being privy to his 'agreement' with the Dark Lord. He wasn't even surprised when said boy turned on the Dark Lord, rejecting his heavy-handed recruitment tactics, usurped him, and took his power for himself.
What did surprise Severus Snape was the state of Theodore Nott, his godson's second-best mate, but with a bit of research, he learned of the boy's betrayal and that left him surprised as well, but for a different reason: surprised that the Nott heir went through with the betrayal, and even more surprised that he still draws breath.
"Send in Mr. Potter." He drawls out, his latest appointment catching up to him in record time, and nearly catching him off-guard. What catches him more off-guard is the sight that suddenly greets his eyes: the athletic frame, the confidence in his gait, the untamed black hair, the glasses, unwarranted arrogance that practically radiates from the boy, and the look of determination on his face. James Potter has been reborn and now sits before him, his life in Severus' hands, his future, his…
Grinding his teeth and clenching his hands, he forces down those emotions, the fury, the want for vengeance, the glee at finally holding all the power in this relationship, because the boy before him is not the boy with whom he feuded for so long. And one thing proves that so definitively. No, it's not his scar, which will be fading soon enough with the Dark Lord's demise, but his eyes, her eyes, Lily green with the same resolution and fire that she once held.
While a painful reminder that Potter had won, having swept Lily off her feet and away from her rightful place by his side, it was also a pleasant reminder of what was. Of course, that comes with its own mind-shaking reminder that he let her die, but a quick closing of his eyes and an exhale of his breath is enough to dispel such thoughts…for now.
Master of Occlumency that he is, he faces the Potter scion with a blank face, only his sneer and look of derision visible.
"You wished to see me, Mr. Potter?" He speaks in his usual drawl, hoping this isn't about what he thinks it's about. The boy nods, still looking determined, but also lost, unsure of how to broach the topic it seems. "Well then, enlighten me, Mr. Potter. What is so…urgent, that you felt the need to see me not days after being appointed to my new…position." The Potter boy flinches at those words, no doubt furious and saddened by Albus' failure and subsequent murder, and that does make Severus smile, internally of course.
"I…Professor—" The boy starts, looking down at the ground to gather his thoughts and his confidence.
"The correct term is Headmaster, now Potter, as we are both aware."
"Professor." He asserts once more, hands gripping the side of the chair he sits in. "I believe in him, sir. Dumbledore would never—he will come back, so excuse me if I don't use his position in vain." The two wizards stare each other down for a moment, the tension in the room palpable, hot, enough that a single spark will start a raging inferno that would make Fiendfyre seem like a blizzard.
"Very well then, Mr. Potter, if you insist…ten points from Gryffindor for failing to acknowledge me properly." He suppresses a smirk at how the Boy-Who-Lived is clearly riled up at the perceived injustice. "Now, if you will? Some of us have work to do Mr. Potter." The boy matches his gaze once more, foolish as any accomplished Legilimens could pick him apart for such a move, and Severus is beyond accomplished.
"I believe that Malfoy had a hand in the headmaster's…" The boy stops and looks down again, gulping as he stops himself from admitting the truth.
"You believe?" He questions the spawn of his enemy, eyebrow raised.
"Yes. I don't have proof but…I just know he did it, sir. And…and the headmaster always believed in you, so I thought…" The older wizard cannot help himself with the easy set up.
"Yes, I would like to think that my faith in myself has been well-rewarded Mr. Potter. Bu—"
"You know what I mean, sir." The nerve of this troublemaker, this fool, this…brat to cut him off. Snape glowers at the boy in front of him, itching to grab his wand and curse the clone of his greatest enemy.
"Ten points from Gryffindor for cutting me off." He takes a more simple approach to revenge and revels in seeing the boy practically cringe as he does. Sufficiently angered, Potter begins breathing deeply, trying to control himself. And he does, to his credit, something that Severus so desperately wishes he failed at. The chance to put the boy in his place…It will have to wait unfortunately, at least, in that manner.
"Ten more points from Gryffindor for wasting my time." He packs on the consequences, for Potter will learn. "You will find, Mr. Potter, that you are not special. It is a well-known fact that Draco Malfoy had more than a mere hand in the former headmaster's death. He alone will claim as such." Potter perks up, as if he found an ally, someone to aid him in his asinine quest, foolish boy.
"Then—"
"Ten more points from Gryffindor for interrupting me and wasting even more of my time, Mr. Potter. I do so loathe to take points from the prestigious house that you belong to, but you keep forcing my hand, Mr. Potter." The boy seethes in silence this time.
"Nothing to add? Nothing to waste my time with?" He gives the shaking boy a look of disdain, before continuing. "Good. Now, as I was saying, even Mr. Malfoy himself will admit to killing the headmaster, Potter, and I am insulted that you think I need you to bring it to my attention." He stops to lick his lips.
"Despite the disregard for my station and disrespect that you have shown me, I will offer you some advice, Mr. Potter." For Lily. "Stay away from Draco Malfoy. He has not been punished for a reason, and it is likely that he will continue to go unpunished for the foreseeable future." He then smirks slightly, letting go of his suppression. "Sound familiar, Potter?"
"No, sir." The boy shakes his head, daring to defy his headmaster once more. For once, Snape ignores it, intent on delivering his message.
"Heed my warning Potter, and avoid confrontation with Mr. Malfoy. If he can kill Albus Dumbledore, the greatest wizard since Merlin, imagine what he will do to you." He lets it sit for a moment, hoping the gravity will get to the boy he swore to protect. "You are dismissed."
As the boy storms out of his office, Severus sits back with a heavy sigh of exasperation. Potter is a headache, almost as much as his dear 'nephew' and godson, and with his current position, he can't afford to deal with such issues.
He's not sure how Albus did it, especially while holding three other high-level positions, but being headmaster is hard work and not nearly the glamorous station that it's hyped up to be. Magical prowess need not matter when the position is all paperwork and meetings, and deep down, Severus will be glad when someone comes and relieves him of his duties…one way or another.
As they say, there is no rest for the weary, and it is proven when his next appointment makes its way to his office. Closing his eyes once more and centering himself, resetting his mind and emotions, Severus Snape prepares himself, letting Potter and his frustrations wash over him and through him, stored to be dealt with at another time.
Opening his eyes, he lays them on the boy in front of him, the boy who could be called his apprentice, (though mostly as a formality as he was every bit Severus' equal in every way outside of Potions), the boy who might be the Wizarding World's only hope of calming the rampaging demon, the raging dragon, that is Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini. It is up to him to guide the dark-skinned boy as he has throughout the years, but now, his work is all the more crucial due to his godson's more recent grabs for power.
The questions are many and they are frightful. When will Draco stop? Will he stop? What will he do next? Is the Ministry his target? Or perhaps another country? Does he wish to conquer the Wizarding World? Or will he branch into the Muggle World as well? All questions left unanswered, and one of maybe two people who could answer them, sits across from the desk from the headmaster.
Of course, that brings his thoughts to the other person who could maybe have a chance, the Weasley girl. He has to suppress a sneer at the thought, as unlike the bond between friends, Draco's interest in her could be but a passing fancy, or she could be a mere number in his many conquests, and it could even be a façade of sorts, though he's not sure what for. But Blaise…Severus himself has seen the kinship between the two, and as shown with Nott's continued life, Draco takes that very seriously.
A sigh escapes Severus' lips, drawing the attention of the boy in front of him, which he waves off. Where did he go wrong? Where did he fail his precious godson for him to turn out like this? Could he even protect Lily's boy from him? Thinking back to his most recent conversation and to the…carnage and terrifying nature he witnessed in the epic duel between his godson and Albus Dumbledore, he realizes that no, no one can protect anyone or anything from the self-proclaimed Dragon King.
Escaping the ever-growing reach of Draco Malfoy is as likely as breaking one of the fundamental rules of magic. It is as impossible as unassisted magical flight. And with that thought, a small smile tugs at his lips.
