Chapter Text
Severus opened his door on the incessant knocking and was somewhat surprised to find the youngest Weasley male standing on his doorstep. He scowled at the redhead and was disappointed when the stubborn Gryffindor didn’t cower even the slightest bit.
“Why are you here?” he sneered.
“Because he isn’t in pain,” the younger wizard shrugged. “It took a lot, but I finally figured out why. You worked so hard to make him fall in love with you. You can’t tell me that didn’t affect you somehow.”
Severus frowned. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I’ve done my duty by your friend. Leave me to my peace.”
“Forgive me, but frankly I think that’s bullshit,” Weasley said boldly. “How much peace can you have, knowing you broke the heart of the man you love? How much peace can you have, after breaking your own heart?”
Severus scoffed. “Haven’t you heard? I’m heartless. Nothing there to break.”
“I don’t believe that. And I don’t think you do, either.”
“Leave me be.”
Severus made to close his door, but Weasley stopped it with a surprisingly strong hand.
“He’s going back, you know,” Weasley said softly. “We’ve tried to talk him out of it, but... You did something to him last year. I don’t know if you bewitched him, or if he’s just a glutton for punishment, but he’s going back next year, to be your apprentice.”
Severus scowled. “There’s a special place in hell for liars, Weasley.”
Weasley scowled as well. “Not as special as the place they’ve reserved for you, Snape. I don’t know what Harry sees in you. Personally, I hope you burn in hell for what you’ve done to him, but he finally let someone in, so I’m here on his behalf. You have no idea the torment you’ve wrought on him. Not even Hermione and I have gotten as close to him as you did last year. As far as I know, no one has earned that place you so easily destroyed. So, yeah, I hope you burn in hell for what you did, but before that happens, you should know that you finally won. You finally broke him.”
Severus used all his strength to slam his door in his former student’s face. He leaned his head against the rough wood and realized that there was a terrible tightness in his chest. He couldn’t catch his breath, and as he turned and slid down the door, he buried his head in his hands and wished for death.