Work Text:
Professor Snape's office was located in the school dungeons. The air was chilly and gloomy as usual. There were shelves of books and potion ingredients in the corner of the room. Professor Snape was seated at his desk, eyebrows scrunched in frustration as he graded exam papers and students' potion lab reports.
There's a subtle knock that shifts his focus from those papers to the figure standing at his door. It was Myron.
"Professor? Sorry for disturbing you but I need your help."
Snape's eyes darted to the closed wooden door. A faint frown flashed across his face as he replied.
"What do you want?"
"My wand broke during my transfiguration class and Professor McGonagall told me to buy a new wand this evening, accompanied by you because you are my head house."
Snape glanced up from his work. His eyebrows raised slightly, although nothing else about him, not the expression in his flat eyes or the set of his lips, showed any change in his mood.
"How did your wand break..." He asked sternly.
"I break it when I cast pullus in the class, on Professor McGonagall's instruction of course."
Snape's eyes narrowed in suspicion. His eyebrows rose even further towards his hairline.
"How did you break your wand when using pullus? The spell is a simple one."
She shook her shoulder, indicating that she did not know the answer to that question either.
Snape looked at her for a few seconds, his lips compressing a bit more. Then he exhaled through his nose and spoke in a very clipped and severe tone.
"Well, come on then. Follow me."
She followed Professor Snape out of his office and down the dark hallway. His long, black robes stirred as he walked, the ends trailing slightly. His pace was quick and determined. He didn't look at her even once, instead simply marching onward as if he expected her to keep up.
There was a comfortable silence between Snape and the girl until they both reached Ollivander's shop. She knocks on the door twice before entering the shop, only to be greeted with no one in the shop. Snape's dark eyes scanned the empty shop. His expression grew even grimmer as he watched you look around at the bare displays and the vacant walls. His voice was a sharp and deadly hiss as he spoke.
"Where is Ollivander?"
"How should I know, professor?"
Snape was not accustomed to being spoken to that way. His right eyebrow rose further as he looked at her.
"Well, what do you mean 'you don't know'? I brought you here because I was under the impression he'd be here."
"Well, I also was under the impression that he'll be here as usual, sir."
She scanned around the shop, ignoring her professor's death stare. Snape was becoming increasingly impatient with your answers, it was evident in the way his breathing was quickening. He glared at you for a few moments longer before clearing his throat and speaking.
"Well, I suppose there is nothing we can do about that. You can stand around here and do as you please. I have work to do."
"Are you going to leave me alone here? sure Professor McGonagall would not be so pleased to hear this."
Snape's face grew more irritated as he glowered at you. He was not accustomed to being talked back to; or, in this case, even being talked to at all.
"Why should I care what Professor McGonagall thinks? I am certainly not going to babysit you. And yes, I am going to leave you here."
"No, sir. You are not going to leave me here."
Snape's brows snapped together, and his eyes narrowed. He was quite annoyed by the challenge, even though it did not surprise him. His voice was a low, stern whisper.
"What did you say?"
"I said, you are not leaving me alone here, out from Hogwarts' ground with Sirius Black on loose."
She repeated her words now very carefully, not wanting to attract any possible reaction from passersby. It is not her nature to talk to her professor in this manner, but for a Hogwarts professor to leave a student in Hogsmead with no wand is certainly unprofessional and childish.
Snape's breathing quickened as he listened in stunned disbelief to Myron's words, his eyes narrowing in fury. He was infuriated by her audacity and insolence. But, she had a valid point; it was incredibly childish and unprofessional for a Hogwarts professor to abandon a female student without a wand. He was very annoyed indeed, it wasn't even his plan to bring her here.
"Fine. Let's wait for him to return." Snape sat in the corner of the shop, and read a book that he always carried around.
Snape's facial expression was completely stone as he sat down on a small, wooden bench, the sharp lines of his cheekbones and chin were clearly defined under the dim light of the shop. He was reading the book 'Magical Plants of the World'. He was completely absorbed in his reading, and he didn't speak or even acknowledge your presence. She walked further into shelves full of dusty wand boxes and admired them one by one until the bell door rang and an old wizard entered. He is not Ollivander though, and he carried a basket of wandboxes.
Snape's eyes shifted, as he saw the old wizard enter the store with a wandbox; just who was this? The old wizard saw you both and nodded at you. He had bright, silver-grey eyes that twinkled in the darkness of the room. After a moment, Mister Ollivander enters the shop alongside the mysterious wizard.
"Oh, looks like we have a customer! Searching for a wand I supposed? Have a look around while I attend to this gentleman, young lady." Mister Ollivander said, patting Myron's shoulder before disappearing into his study alongside the mysterious old wizard.
Snape's attention remained fixated on the mysterious wizard with the strange, silver-grey eyes. He studied this stranger carefully, his eyes scrutinizing each detail; the wizard's clothes, his wand, his appearance, etc. He had a feeling that there was something about this strange wizard that he should know, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
"Sure, sir. Take your time." Myron responded politely before resuming her 'wand searching'.
Snape continued to observe the mysterious wizard, but something wasn't right about him. He was well-groomed and dressed neatly in a dark, black robe but his expression was calm and serene and he had not said a word, nor even made eye contact. Something about this man was odd. Snape's sharp eyes scanned the stranger's appearance; his dark eyes met the stranger.
As Mister Ollivander and the mysterious wizard disappeared from her sight, she turned to see her professor.
"Mysterious, is he?" She asked.
Snape looked up slightly as she addressed him. A faint frown flashed across his lips as he gave her a short, terse nod.
"I'd say he was..." Snape replied, his voice as cold and clipped as ever. It was apparent that his mind was still preoccupied with the mysterious wizard, as he stared straight through her at the door that had just shut behind the men.
A moment passed and she had not found a suitable wand yet, and clearly, Snape grew bored. Snape's eyes grew ever more impatient and bored as you continued to wander the shelves and browse through the various wand boxes. His lips compressed a bit more and a dull, dark scowl was stamped on his gaunt face. Snape was about to throw an insult to Myron but stopped when the study's door opened and Mister Ollivander walked the mysterious wizard outside.
Snape's eyebrows snapped back together as he noticed the two men walking out of the study. His brow furrowed in confusion, and he turned his attention back onto her; she still hadn't found the right wand? Wasn't this taking quite a long time?
"Ah, I'm sorry for taking too much time, young lady. Pray- tell me, what kind of wand are you searching for?" Ollivander spoke with his usual tone.
Snape continued to listen to the conversation as he grew increasingly tired of her long wandering around the wand shelves. It was clear from his expression and body language that he was becoming impatient, and he wondered why Mister Ollivander had addressed Myron directly instead of asking him.
"I- I am not sure which one to choose as every wand I touched sends shivers through my spine."
She felt discomfort and was partly disappointed that this wand searching was quite boring than the previous one she had. Seems like every wand here rejecting her.
Ollivander's eyebrows rose a bit, and he nodded his head politely as he listened to her speak. His face was neutral, he was not showing any sign of amusement. It seemed that she was feeling quite uneasy as she felt the different types of wand boxes and the strange feelings she felt seemed to be indicating that none of them were the right one for her.
"How about this one? My fellow wandmaker gifted me some of his works just now. How about you take a look."
Mister Ollivander guided her to a basket that contained five wand boxes in total. The wand boxes were beautifully crafted from Dragon's skin which added to its unique aura. Two in a faint purple color, another three in a dark brown color. Ollivander stood quietly beside her as she observed the 5 wand boxes, his hands tucked behind his back. He had a warm smile on his face gleaming in the dimly-lit shop. The man had a calming, reassuring presence and a sense of trustworthiness about his person. Snape still watched the two of them, completely unamused. He seemed to have completely lost patience with this situation, and he was finding it hard to wait much longer.
"Your fellow wandmaker? You mean the man that had just left?"
Mister Ollivander nodded. "Dmitrovich Konstantin, that's his name."
She nodded as she continued to examine each box. Surprisingly, none of the boxes rejected her, or accepted her. She let out a sigh. Ollivander's bright eyes twinkled as he continued to watch her examining the five wand boxes. His expression was friendly and calm, although the mystery surrounding both him and the other strange wizard had not entirely vanished. Snape seemed to be becoming more and more agitated with her slow inspection.
She opened the first faint purple wandbox, which revealed a jet-black wand. The finishing, well- quite messy but overall decent, at least to her. It certainly does not look like a wand that suited a girl. She got a massive uneasiness aura when she held the wand but said nothing. She tried to cast a simple Lumos but ended up sending hexes all around the shop. Ollivander remained calm despite the sudden display of chaos, and Snape looked at the scene with clear irritation. He was still sitting at the corner of the room, his eyes fixed on the scene, watching her intently.
"Oh don't worry about that, dear. How about giving another one a try?" Ollivander patted her shoulder gently as he reached out to another faint purple wand box in the basket. When she opened the box, a 10' light brown wand greeted her sight. It was gorgeous, with a carving tracing along the handle to the tip. The handle was coated by the dragon's skin, which was surprisingly soft to grip.
"Give it a try. Clear your mind, and cast Lumos again."
Ollivander watched her carefully as she held the wand in her hands. The wand itself seemed to emanate a distinct aura that felt calming and reassuring. Ollivander remained watching silently as she attempted the spell... and this time, she successfully cast a beautiful Lumos spell. He nodded in satisfaction, obviously pleased with the results. Snape still watched in silence.
Snape was still watching silently, and his sharp eyes were observing her. She had successfully cast a lumos spell the second time she tried. The wand she was holding seemed to have the right properties. Snape's expression was impassive as he observed her actions, and he gave a small nod of approval. It was quite likely that this was the intended wand for her, but he was awaiting the final verdict.
"As I thought, a Hawthorne would suit you, but as for the core-"
Ollivander examined the wand thoroughly but couldn't seem to guess what core his friend used.
"I am not sure though which core he used, but one thing for sure- you've found your wand. Congratulations, dear."
Ollivander had a knowing look in his eyes as he observed the wand she was holding, and he nodded in agreement. He was quite content with the outcome. Snape's sharp eyes scanned the wand and then turned to the store owner. He watched the two of them from the corner of his eyes, keeping a close watch over the scene. He seemed almost impatient, and his expression was becoming ever more serious.
"Then I will take this wand, sir. Thank you very much."
She reached out for her pocket to pay him but stopped at his gentle touch on her shoulder.
"Oh, no need to pay. Dmitriy would be pleased to know that his wand is in the brightest witch's hands as yours." He chuckles.
He was more than pleased to know that his friend Dmitriy's wand was in good hands. Snape's stoic face was still unchanged, and he seemed to be growing more and more intolerant of the conversation. His eyes darted back and forth between them both, his expression becoming ever more annoyed.
"If you are done there then let's head back." Snape rose from his spot and continued to walk out of the shop, robes flowing wild behind his trails. 'A bit dramatic' she thought. She thanked Ollivander again before catching up with her professor's track.
Ollivander's eyes continued to linger on her, as he nodded his head politely and sent out a warm smile. He seemed pleased with the outcome of the encounter and the sale of his friend Dmitriy's wand. Meanwhile, Snape walked out of the shop without saying a single word, his facial expression remaining stoic. He was not pleased with the situation, and he was seemingly ignoring her completely. She managed to catch up with her professor just in time.
"Why are you so fast?" She asked as she managed to keep up with his irritatingly fast pace.
Snape's pace remained unchanging, and he still refused to acknowledge her presence. He walked with a quick stride, and the tip of his long black robe fluttered about rapidly. She felt like he'd soon leave her behind, as his steps seemed almost as if he was sprinting. He was still ignoring her completely, and he remained silent.
"Professor, wait for me!" She was never an athletic type of person, and she was always short of breath even when walking short distances or when taking stairs. As she struggled to keep up with her professor's pace, she accidentally bumped into an enormous figure and stumbled down the dark alley. She lost sight of Professor Snape. She opened her mouth to call for her professor, but the figure blocked her gaze.
"Look what we've got here eh? A Hogwarts student? oh, and a Slytherins on top of that. The Dark Lord must be delighted." It does not take much time for her to recognize him. It was Fenrir Greyback. Shivers sent through her spine. A group of men started to gather around her. She whined in fear.
Snape had heard the shouts coming from the alley and he had turned around, only to pause his quick walking pace as he saw her surrounded by a group of men. His eyes narrowed as he witnessed the scene from afar, and he observed Greyback. The men surrounding you had malicious, wicked glints in their eyes; to them, a lone female student was prey to be taken advantage of, and Snape could see from their eyes, how they planned to torment you. Snape remained motionless, and he was trying to weigh his options.
She's struggling to break free from the group but to no avail. The strength of those men exceeded that of a human. She's trying to find a breakpoint where she eventually manages to knock some of Fenrir's underlings on the head with his elbow. It does not cause pain, of course, but enough to irritate them.
"You insolent little twat.." The man pointed his wand a few inches from her face, which froze her movement. She knows that having a wand pointed at one might not be a good thing. He could have hexed her. She knows that she needs to stay away from the man, but she's panicked. Her mind was blank. The man smirked. An evil smirk.
"Crucio."
The man's wand suddenly flashed in front of her face, and the crucio curse took effect. The man grinned wickedly, amused by the pain he was causing her. Snape was completely still, and he still kept his distance from the scene. Although she was being attacked and the crucio curse was quite painful, Snape still refused to intervene. He was still weighing his options, and he was unwilling to make any irrational decisions. One mistake might've taken her life away. The man continued to grin wickedly, obviously enjoying the sight of your torture.
The pain was unbearable. Amidst all the pain, she caught a glimpse of Snape's dark figure standing in the hallway. She mouthed him some 'help' but to no avail. She felt her consciousness begin to be taken away by the extreme pain.
Snape watched from further away as the man continued to cast the crucio curse. The man continued to maintain a twisted smile as he inflicted maximum possible pain. Snape's expression was calm, and his eyes remained fixated on the scene. It was clear that his reluctance to intervene still prevailed. Although he knew he should help her, his reluctance was taking the best of him. Her consciousness was beginning to fade. The crucio curse was becoming increasingly painful and impossible to bear.
Tears flowed down her cheeks like a river. She wonders why Professor Snape does not interfere. The pain was excruciating. She felt her consciousness began to fade as more and more crucio were thrown at her. At this rate, she might gone mad and die.
Or so, she thought;
Snape sighed heavily as he took a few steps forward, wand out. Suddenly a powerful hex was thrown the men on their backs. The source of power was unknown but she was no longer in pain she felt immense power to kill. To kill those men. She slowly stood up, battling the pain and numbness, and pointed her wand at the man. Her eyes glowed from blue to crimson red. Snape froze, knowing what would happen.
Snape was watching calmly, and he saw her standing up, with her eyes glowing crimson red. His sharp eyes observed her as she pointed her wand towards the man who was casting the crucio curse. Snape's eyes suddenly widened in fear, as he saw the man's men being sent flying with the power of your hex. He knew he needed to intervene immediately, or else she would destroy the men. His eyes darted towards her as he remained motionless, waiting to see her actions. The man was still grinning wickedly, watching the scene unfold.
"Kill.. kill them all.." She heard voices in her head.
Snape was watching you with sheer horror and surprise. The man in front of her was now trembling in fear, as he watched with a horrified expression on his face. Snape was still motionless, and it seemed like all the blood drained out of his face. He looked extremely worried and concerned about her. Seems like it's already too late.
Avada-
Snape's face immediately paled and his eyes widened with horror once again. He screamed at her, "Don't do it!" in an extremely concerned voice. The man in front of her stopped trembling on the spot, and his eyes filled with fear. He looked at her with wide and white eyes, as she began to chant. She felt her anger and hatred towards the man rising, and it overwhelmed her, taking control of her.
Snape was too late. One man has been killed.
Snape's breath was visibly shaken and fast, and his face looked completely drained of blood. He was trembling with shock and fear, as the man lay on the ground. The man's body was motionless, and he was completely unresponsive, dead. He was staring at her with wide and white eyes, as the realization of what she just did dawned on her. The other men's eyes were full of terror, and they were now backing away from her, terrified for their own lives.
Her eyes glowed intensely. A scary grin plastered all over her face.
'Kill.. kill..'
She pointed her wand towards Fenrir as he stormed ahead, bearing his sharp teeth.
Fenrir Greyback, the famous bloodthirsty werewolf, was charging towards her fiercely and aggressively. He growled and bared his sharp teeth in an animalistic manner. His eyes were bloodshot red, and he was furious. Her eyes were still glowing crimson red, and she pointed her wand towards him while repeating the same chant 'Kill.. kill..' over and over. It filled the hearts of the men with terror, as they all began to flee in terror and fear for their lives.
"Avada Kedavra." And Fenrir's body lay on the floor, motionless and cold.
The men were left completely speechless, as they looked at Fenrir's body on the floor. They all stood frozen with fear, as they tried to process what had just happened.
Snape continues to stand motionless as he witnesses another murder of the remaining gang members.
Snape could only watch helplessly, as the remaining men were all brutally massacred in front of him. Her eyes still glowed crimson red, and she continued to point her deadly wand at them, which sent them flying one after the other. Snape's face was now contorted with horror and despair, and he looked extremely distraught. He was completely helpless, and he was unable to do anything to stop her.
She finally met Snape's gaze. She walked slowly towards him as she muttered the words 'kill' and 'torture' endlessly.
Snape's eyes locked with her own as she walked slowly towards him with utter madness in her eyes. His eyes widened with pure terror, and he appeared utterly horrified. He remained motionless, his mouth agape, and his face was now frozen with terror.
"M-Myron.." He called out to her, hoping to pull her out of her psychotic self. Snape's voice shook, and he was struggling to speak steadily. He had taken a few steps back, still trying to distance himself from her. Her eyes finally seemed to change their color from crimson red to clear blue, and her behavior seemed to be normal again. She then looked at him, and she was completely unaware of what she had just done. It was as if her consciousness was taken away and another consciousness took over her body. Snape stepped forward and reached out for her.
"P- Professor- I-" She muttered a few words before collapsing in his arms.
Snape gently caught her before she could fall and he held her in his arms. He stood there in the alley while she fainted, and he did not move. His eyes were looking down at her, and he appeared very concerned over what had just happened. It was clear that he was relieved to see her alive, but he was still trembling slightly. Snape had not fully recovered from the shock, but he kept his eyes on her, while she lay motionless in his arms.
Snape casts a patronus, sending them to Dumbledore as he ought to know about this. A 12th grade Hogwarts student murdered several Death Eaters and a werewolf is not a common thing. The Patronus was sent in a flash of light, and it reached Dumbledore instantly. The wizard was quickly alerted of the situation, and he teleported without any delay. His appearance was extremely concerned and worried, as he saw the unconscious body in Snape's arms. Dumbledore's face was pale and shaken, and his eyes remained fixed on the scene with concern and dismay.
"W-what should we do now?" Snape's voice trembled with fear.
Dumbledore remained silent for a few seconds, thinking back and forth about possible solutions. His expression was very concerned and worried. This situation was incredibly precarious. It was apparent that the girl had some sort of possession or psychotic incident. The girl was completely unaware of what she had just done. Dumbledore's voice was steady and firm, but his facial expression revealed his hidden concern and fear.
Dumbledore finally spoke up and he remained calm despite having to give a harsh verdict.
"The girl must be sent to St. Mungo's Hospital for treatment. If it's a possession of some sort, someone there can easily remove it. If it's a mental breakdown, they will give her the necessary treatment. In both cases, the authorities there would be able to assess her condition and provide the optimal solution."
"The corpses? What about them?"
Dumbledore replied calmly, "Leave the corpses here. The authorities will take care of them. St. Mungo's staff will take care of the rest. For now, we need to immediately transport this girl to the facility, and see if it's a possession or a mental breakdown."
Snape nodded as he carried her in his arms.
Dumbledore watched on as Snape carried the girl in his arms. She remained entirely unconscious, and she was no longer in a psychotic state. The entire scenario appeared completely surreal to Dumbledore. It was hard for him to believe that this was a mere 12th-grade girl. The situation was undoubtedly one of the strangest he had ever seen, and the most shocking one perhaps. He remained concerned for the girl's wellbeing, and he watched with anticipation as Snape carried her and walked forward to the facility.
Snape walked through the corridors of St. Mungo's, with the unconscious girl in his arms. Her breath was shallow and infrequent, and Snape was extremely concerned about her. His eyes remained fixated on the girl, not wanting to look away from her face for a single moment. The staff was already aware of the situation as Dumbledore had given them a quick summary, so they had everything ready to proceed with the diagnosis and treatment. The doctor and nurses began to make their way to diagnose her.
The nurse took her first vital signs. Her pulse was faint, and her breathing was shallow. It appeared that she was going to be fine, but it was clear that she had experienced a traumatic event that had caused her consciousness to shut down completely. The nurse then moved on to check for any potential internal injuries, but nothing substantial was found. The doctor then stepped forward to examine the girl's condition. She was still unconscious, but her eyes appeared to be closed and relaxed.
"What happened to her, if I may ask?" The doctor tilted his head to Snape.
Snape was still visibly shaken by the incident. He replied with his usual demeanor, his emotions were hidden behind a veil of unresponsiveness and a cold expression. He answered the doctor's question bluntly, as his voice remained somewhat steady.
"The student encountered some gang members while she was alone. They tried to molest her and attack her with unforgivable curses. She lost her control with rage, and she lost her consciousness. She then unleashed an extremely powerful hex which killed all the men."
"U-unforgiveable curse? Which one is it?" The doctor seemed surprised but quickly covered by his professional tune.
Snape's face remained the same, and his response matched his usual demeanor, as he remained unperturbed. He replied in his usual cold manner.
"Crucio."
Merlin.. that explained it all. The doctor massaged his forehead and looked at the girl sympathetically.
The girl remains unconscious. Her breathing was getting slower and her pulse was growing faint. The doctor turned back to face Snape.
"I would like you to leave the room for a bit, Mr. Snape. I need to perform a full examination on the girl alone."
"Sure. Do as you need." Snape's eyes were still fixed on the unconscious girl. He was extremely worried about her. He nodded at the doctor's request and he exited the room, waiting outside for the doctor's examination to completely conclude.
After a while, the doctor exited the room. He looked at Snape. Snape was standing in the doorway. His face was the same as before, as he stood there expressionless while awaiting the doctor's verdict. His eyes were still locked on the door, as he waited for the doctor to speak. His patience wore thin, as he waited for the doctor's answer."
"She needed to be warded."
Snape kept his expression cold, but there was a glimpse of relief visible in his eyes. He nodded in agreement as he replied.
"I see. That would be appropriate given the circumstances. The poor girl has endured a great deal of trauma, and it's clear that she needs intense therapy and healing."
"But I am not sure for how long we will need her to be warded. I hope you pray for the best."
Snape's face remained unconcerned, as he replied in a monotone tone.
"I'm very hopeful that we have nothing to worry about. The girl is strong, and she will overcome this ordeal as well. But for now, she should be monitored closely until her condition improves. How long will she have to stay here?"
"I am not sure of that, perhaps forever? we don't know."
Snape's face remained stern and emotionless, but his voice was now filled with concern and fear. He raised his eyebrows in shock, and even a little bit of desperation could be seen in his eyes.
"Forever?! You're telling me that she might be in here forever?"
The doctor sighed deeply as he nodded.
"She's in a critical situation. We've lost her heartbeat almost 5 times in 10 minutes just now. Her body was so weak and very vulnerable that she needed proper care and medication. I hope you understand. Albus Dumbledore will be informed about this."
Snape's face visibly grew more pale as he continued to listen to the doctor's concerns. He finally began to process what was truly happening. He knew that the girl was vulnerable in her current state, but he wasn't expecting the condition to be this grave. His expression became more anxious, and he started to sweat a little. His tone of voice became increasingly desperate.
"Do you mind explaining why these things are happening? What is the cause of all these complications?"
"We are not sure yet, however crucio curses are known to torture one's body and soul to the point of breakdown. We are trying our best to repair what she'd lost here in St. Mungo's."
Snape's eyes grew slightly moist with fear, as he listened to the doctor's diagnosis. He became increasingly worried about the girl. His voice contained traces of fear and desperation, as his tone continued to grow more urgent. He was unable to express his emotions in his usual stoic manner.
"Do you... do you think... she will make it through this?"
"Depends on her will to live. It's just a matter of time-"
Snape's eyes narrowed slightly, but his voice remained as urgent as it was before.
"You mean, the girl's condition is entirely dependent on her willpower? That if she is strong enough, she will recover? Is that what you're telling me?"
"Indeed."
Snape's eyes widened, as he realized that the condition was entirely dependent on the girl's strength. A glimmer of hope appeared in these eyes now, as he was relieved, but his voice was still concerned.
"That means that if she's strong enough, she could recover from this completely?"
"If only she's strong enough, then yes. She will recover, but I can guarantee you nothing."
Snape's voice was still slightly anxious, but he looked more relieved now. The glimmer of hope was evident as he tried to keep his emotions in check. He nodded slowly, as he asked one last question.
"Can I see her?"
"Sure, just treat her nicely."
Snape responded with a simple nod before he slowly entered the room to visit the girl. He stood by the side of the bed, trying not to touch the girl's body while she was unconscious. He looked at her face, wishing he could do something to make this whole situation go away. He watched as her chest rose and fell unevenly in the dimly lit room. Each breath the girl took was loud and shallow. Her heartbeat was faint and infrequent. Her body was suffering, and he felt helpless.
It was his fault for not acting quickly. His faults.
Snape's eyes slowly looked down to the ground once again. He was beginning to blame himself for the entire incident. It was all his fault that the girl had gone through such a traumatic event. He kept blaming himself as he watched every single breath that the girl took. Although he was not the cause of the incident, he still felt guilty for her situation and the circumstances that led to her being here.
If only he had enough courage to intervene, she would not succumb to this state.
The regret and guilt grew stronger as he kept thinking about what he should have done. His eyes were downcast to the ground and his mind raced with negative outcomes and what-if scenarios. If he had only acted, the girl would have been much better. She might not have even needed to be here at all. These thoughts consumed his mind, and the blame on himself was growing. He began to hate himself for not doing enough. His regret and guilt grew stronger as he realized the direness of the situation.
Without him knowing, tears rolled his cheeks down to her palm.
Snape remained completely still as he continued to watch the girl take each breath. His eyes remained fixed on her face with concern. He felt as if the entire was his fault. His emotions spilled over, and tears began to stream down his cheeks. A few drops fell upon the bed next to the girl's palm. Sobs could be heard, coming from the bottom of his heart. The guilt was almost overwhelming and he felt himself break out into sobbing. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and he could no longer control his emotions.
Snape left the room. As he walked out, he tried to compose himself. He wiped away the last remaining tears, and he slowly took a deep breath. He wasn't aware of the movement of her fingers. He closed the door behind him, leaving the girl alone in the room. Her body remained unconscious, and it was clear that the situation was quite grave. But there was still the slightest movement in her fingers, which was a ray of hope for her chance of survival and recovery.
Since then, Snape's presence has become a regular occurrence at St. Mungos. For every day that passed, Snape would come in to visit the girl. He would read her books about Salazar Slytherin's adventures, hoping to inspire hope and strength in her heart. He would also talk to her about his days back at Hogwarts, and how close they were to war and conflict every single day. He wished she had been there as well, as his affection for the girl grew ever since. The girl's condition was still critical, but there was a slight sign of improvement.
The morning before the attack on Hogwarts began, he visited her once more. This time, he does not bring any books for him to read to her. Snape simply sat beside her and took her hand into his. He caressed her small hand and kissed it, long.
'I never noticed how small your hands were, Myron.'
His gaze rested on her unconscious yet troubled face. He's completely aware that he's not going to get any response from her, but continues to talk anyway.
"Today, they are going to attack Hogwarts. This night, to be exact." He paused with a light, uncheerful chuckle.
"What am I going do? well, I am not sure myself. Albus is gone, and so is the order's motivation. I can't keep going if this situation goes on. I might-" He broke into silent sobs as he held your hand tightly onto his chest.
Snape does not continue his words after that. He just let out a silent sob, which he had been holding for so long. From the moment James took away Lily from him, following her death and now protecting her and James' child, being a double spy to avenge her death and having to kill his teacher, mentor, and savior; everything was too much for him. Too much but he needed to remain a cold, stoic, and emotionless person to win this war. He gave so many signs, and yet none of them notice it.
Snape's tears continued to flow as he held her small hand in his larger hand. He gently caressed her small, soft hand, kissing it long and gently. He watched her face while she remained unconscious. Her face was distressed and she looked weak. His gaze became soft and gentle, as he continued to caress her small hand. His touch was the last bit of comfort she could feel in this world, and he was determined to give her that. For all the time she was in this critical state of unconsciousness, Snape remained by her side.
Little did he know, she was conscious all this time. Her mind was in an awake state. She heard all his stories about Salazar's adventures, Hogwarts' updates, and his double agent plans. She does not blame him for murdering Albus, instead, she understands him. She pitied him. As much as she wanted to stroke his hair, taking him in her embrace; she could not move a muscle. She can't open her eyes, no matter how hard she tries. There's nothing she can do other than let him cling to her hand and silently sob beside her. Each sobs pained her. Never crossed her mind that her professor who often wears a stoic, icy death stare and intimidating presence is in so much pain. Pain that he bottled up since his childhood.
Snape continued to sob silently beside her as he held her small hand in his. He didn't know that she was conscious and heard it all. As the hours went by, he continued to cry. He sobbed so hard that his voice broke, and tears continued to stream down his cheeks. There were traces of exhaustion in his expression, and his mood was completely despondent. He had kept everything bottled up for so long. And now he is finally letting go of all of his pain, trauma, and grief. None knew about all the sadness and bitterness he carried.
Snape didn't speak anymore. He was too occupied with his feelings and emotions, allowing himself to finally shed his cold and aloof side, at least for now. He continued to caress her hand in his. His touch was tender and gentle. He kept her hand on his chest, as he rubbed his thumb gently over the veins on her wrist. She could feel his heartbeat, which was beating quite violently and rapidly. It was evident just how much sadness he was hiding.
Moments passed, which he ought to leave. The Dark Lord must've sought him out by now. He must go back to Hogwarts. He placed his hand on her forehead, tracing her hair from root to end. He got the feeling that this was his visit. His heart sank just with the thought of it. But he's powerless. He does not want to leave. Can he stay here forever? Of course, he can't. He placed a light kiss on her forehead before letting out a heavy sigh and exiting the room.
She needs to wake up. She needs to stop him. But she can't even lift a finger. She needs to-
"Here you are, twat."
That startled her. She hears another voice. A familiar one, but she can't grasp whose voice it belongs to. The sound of heavy boots screeching on the floor itched her ears. Whoever this was, she got the feeling that he was not a good guy. Definitely.
"I've been searching for you. You killed Fenrir. Those werewolves, we have them wrapped tightly around our fingers, and with Fenrir being killed by Hogwarts' student, they all turned their back on us. This is all your fault. You've ruined The Dark Lord's plan. He desires you to be dead, hence I will be the one ending it. Sleep forever, princess."
It's Rookwood. He's the one who escaped that time, and now he's going to kill her to avenge his comrades. This is bad. She does not wish to die any sooner. She needs to wake up.
Avada Kedavra!
Rookwood's lifeless body meets the cold floor. Myron stares down at his body in shock. She just avada kedavra him. She woke up and immediately killed someone. That's her 6th kill. But to her surprise, she does not feel anything. Luckily Snape always places her wand in her other palm. She has no time to waste, as she stormed out of the St. Mungos, finding the nearest floo passage and floo to Dumbledore's office in Hogwarts.
As expected, the office was empty. Snape must gone out there, fulfilling his duty. She can hear screams and jinxes being shouted at each other downstairs. She looked through the window, seeing everyone battling for their lives, searching for Snape's figure out there.
Far in Hogsmeade, in The Shrieking Shack to be exact, there stood two figures; Severus Snape and Voldemort.
Snape standing straight, hands on his back.
"You have performed extraordinary magic with this wand, my Lord, in the last few hours alone."
Voldemort examined the wand it had broken down a little by him casting merely two simple curses.
"No. No, I am extraordinary, but the wand... resists me."
"There is no wand more powerful, Ollivander himself has said. Tonight, when the boy comes, it will not fail you, I am sure of it. It answers to you, and you only."
Snape shook his head. There's no way that The Elder Wand does not perform well. Voldemort looked him in the eye. Unless-
"Does it?"
Snape felt a shiver sent through his spine.
"My Lord...?"
"The wand, does it truly answer to me? You're a clever man, Severus. Surely, you must know. Where does its true loyalty lie?"
"I-It's true loyalty?" Another shiver ran down his spine, as a dreadful realization came about.
"Do you doubt the wand?"
"Oh no, no Severus. You misunderstood me. I do not doubt it. The Elder Wand cannot serve me properly because I am not its true master. The Elder Wand belongs to the wizard who killed its last owner. You killed Dumbledore, Severus. While you live, the Elder Wand cannot truly be mine. You've been a good and faithful servant, Severus, but only I can live.. forever."
***
Been lying on the bed for years making her legs weak. But there's no more time to waste. She pointed her wand out.
"Accio broom."
She flew with the broom she acquired to the Whomping Willow. It's the only way in and out of The Shrieking Shack. She casts a spell to immobilize the tree and flies to the passageway. 'No time to walk' she thought, as the passageway was wide enough for her to fly into. At the end of the passage, she could see Voldemort raising his wand in Snape's direction. Her eyes widened in horror as she cast a disarming charm, sending his wands far before landing badly on Snape's side.
Voldemort's wand flies away from his hand, and he looks in disbelief. The elder wand went flying towards the girl while Snape stumbled from the force. He looked completely surprised as he realized what the girl had done.
Snape could not believe his eyes. Is it her? It's her? It's her! She'd woken up!
"M-M-Myron?"
She quickly stood up and shielded Snape with his tiny figure. Voldemort let out a sarcastic ugly laugh.
"Saved by a woman? Pathetic."
Voldemort's mocking laughter and comment made Snape furious. He was completely taken aback by Myron's sudden awakening, but his heart became relieved when he saw her alive and safe. He pushed her aside with his arm. She was too close to Voldemort, and he didn't want her to get hurt or killed if something went wrong. She needed to be far away from Voldemort and this whole ordeal. She was still a little weak and dizzy from her awakening and wasn't in the right frame of mind. Now he would have to guard her and himself.
This time, Snape's going to protect her. He's not going to let her get hurt in front of him anymore. He's not going to lose her, not for the second time.
Voldemort let out another mocking and sarcastic laugh when he saw Snape protecting her. His cold and aloof persona disappeared completely when it came to Myron. Voldemort could sense how protective he was toward her, and it made him angry.
Voldemort summoned Nagini, his Horcrux.
"Kill."
Snape jumped in front of her, and the snake's venomous fangs struck his arm. The powerful venom rapidly spread, making him fall to his knees. He looked towards Myron, pleading with his eyes that she should save herself by retreating farther and saving herself. He didn't want her to see or experience his death. He was ready to die, but he didn't want her to see it with her own eyes.
"No.. NO!"
She had just woken up from her deep slumber, killed someone, and now had to witness someone she'd grown to care about over the past few years. Dying? No, not in her care. Not now. But she can't move her muscles. Her eyes locked in Snape's dark eyes. Snape mouthed her to go away. Tears fell to her cheeks.
"N-no.. professor, no.."
Nagini was ready to strike her but was being held by Voldemort. He seemed satisfied with the outcome and decided to leave it be. The girl looked too weak thus he decided that she was no longer a harm. He could not waste his time more as he fled with Nagini.
Tears spilled from Snape's eyes. He was determined to not let someone he cared for so much to see his dying moment. Her eyes were fixed on his, and he saw how much she didn't want him to die. He saw that genuine fear and distress, and it killed him. He couldn't die and leave her in such a condition. He fought through the poison that was coursing through his body. He stood up and fought through the pain and weakness to reach her side. She fell to her knees as Snape moved towards her. She took his head and rested it on her hips. She looked into his eyes closely and finally let out a cry as her tears fell onto his face as she looked down at him. He wiped down her tears with his unwounded hand with a forced smile.
"No, professor.. please, there must be something-"
"Shh- my time has come, Myron."
"No.." Her sobs grew louder.
Snape placed a soothing hand on the back of her head, caressing her hair with the warmth of his touch. His gentle and calming touch provided her a sort of peace, at the very least in the moment. His eyes were locked on hers. Their eyes remained on eye contact, even though the tears kept flowing. "Shh it's okay- everything will be fine. Do not waste your tears on me. I have lived too long.."
"Don't say it like that-"
Snape continued to run his fingers through her hair, and his touch was so gentle and comforting. He caressed her softly, as his fingers ran through the hair on the back of her head. He leaned toward her a little, so he could get closer to her. Their faces were inches from one another. He wiped away more tears that stained her cheeks.
"You need you live your life, Myron. Be on the right side. So you don't end up like me. You're no killer, you did only the right thing."
Snape sighed. He couldn't believe that in mere hours he would not exist any longer. It did not seem fair to him. He could tell by the tear-filled eyes in front of him that she was devastated by the thought of his leaving. This must have been the most difficult situation she has experienced during her time at Hogwarts. It was as if Snape had become the father she had always wanted, and now he was being taken away from her by unfortunate circumstances.
"I know, I've heard it. I've heard all your stories. The stories of The Mighty Salazar, and so on. I've been listening to it all those years. No one ever visited me, not even my mother. I am just a disgrace to her, a living burden, a- a killer.." Snape put his index finger on her lips, refusing her to continue her words.
"No, you are not. You did the right things." He assured her.
She was silent, not able to utter a single word. Snape could just see the guilt and grief eating away at her from the inside. She had so much guilt on her, and no one was there to comfort and reassure her. She felt abandoned and was a little hopeless. Snape sighed, as he placed a comforting hand on her cheek.
"Dear, look at me."
Dear. That's what her late father used to call her. For a moment, she thought she saw a glimpse of his father from the corner of her eyes.
"F-father?" She mouthed and that caught Snape's attention.
"Dear, live a graceful life. Do not live in regrets, nor dwell in the past. Do not become that shallow shell of yourself, living off like a puppet. You still have a long way to go. You have the potential. I believe in you, Myron."
Snape could sense her longing sense to be loved by a father. Her wish could never be fulfilled, as she never got to hold her father for the last time. It was a painful thought which broke his heart. He caressed her cheeks with care. Her eyes remained watery and her lips trembled. He felt her pain and heartbreak.
Her lips mumbled and repeated the same words over and over again between her sobs.
"F-father..? fathe-r.. father..f-f-father.."
Snape was taken aback a bit as he felt her lips repeatedly repeat the 'father' word. He held her close to him, and gently laid his hand on her back to provide some kind of support and comfort. Her sobs were not relenting, and she continued to repeat 'father' as if she was seeking some sort of comfort. He could tell that she was extremely saddened by her impending departure. Her entire world was collapsing in on her, and it was making it difficult to cope. She needed to be strong.
"E-everything's going to- to be a-alright-t, Myron.." He struggled to get those words out but managed. Maybe these are his last words to her. He could feel the venom crawl to his vital organs. This is the time. The time- He closed his eyes.
His body felt light, lighter than ever. A gentle light pokes through his eyelids. As he slowly opened his eyes, he was standing below a tree he and Lily used to play together. Albus Dumbledore standing beside him.
'Albus..?' He seemed confused.
Dumbledore smiled at him. It was the most comforting sight after a long time. It seemed like time had gone back in reverse, as he was once again standing before his younger self. The tree that he once used to sit under with Lily and her friends was right before him. He wondered whether it was real, or whether it was just an illusion. He stood there, mesmerized, and had that familiar feeling of peace once again.
Snape let out a chuckle. Albus looked at him with confusion in his eyes.
"So, I am dead. Is this heaven?"
Dumbledore smiled at him and shook his head. He had that reassuring and comforting look about him which Snape liked. After all, he was the person who understood Snape the best. Dumbledore had always understood him, despite the differences and flaws in their personalities.
"No, not exactly heaven, Severus."
Snape's brows furrowed.
"What do you mean, Albus?"
Dumbledore paused for a few seconds. It was clear that what he was about to say next wasn't going to be very easy. He looked at Snape with a caring and sincere expression, as they both walked along the path they once took with Lily.
"We are in a place beyond time, where the mind can comprehend and see the past, present, and future all at once. Here, anything is possible. Your soul and mind have been freed from the bonds of physical and time restraints, and thus you are in a realm where nothing can hold you back."
They walked until reached a body of water. The water is dark enough that one cannot see the bottom. Albus instructed him to take a look into the water, which he obliged.
It's him, Severus Snape in his office when Myron suddenly burst into the room with her N.E.W.T's exam results. She grinned happily as she showed him his grades. Surprisingly, she got an O for all her subjects, which curled Snape's lips into a proud grin. He then patted her back and congratulated her. He showered her with praise as she pulled him into a hug which he received happily.
"A-Albus, what is this?"
Dumbledore smiled, as he looked at the scene before him. There wasn't a better sight to behold for him right now. Snape and Myron were so close to each other, and the bond and trust they had developed between them was very evident. Snape was proud of her achievements and Myron was very happy to have him as her mentor and guardian.
"That Severus is the present, but also the future as it will unfold."
"Future, you say? No, it cannot be. After all, I am dead."
Dumbledore laughed a little, as he saw Snape's disbelief. He could tell how he was reluctant to buy what he was seeing.
"No, my dear friend, we are in a realm beyond time, where you can witness the future through your perception. What you see now in that water, is something that will become true for both of you. It is undeniable. That is the bond you share with Myron, and it is this bond which shall continue to strengthen with time."
Snape did not know how to stomach this information. 'Will become true for both of you' What does that mean? Albus tapped Snape lightly on the shoulder and began to walk away.
"Albus? Where are you going?"
"You do not belong here, Snape. At least, not now."
What nonsense are you talking about?
"Soon, Severus. You'll see soon."
And with that, his world began to spiral and darkness consumed him, once again.
Snape took a sudden deep breath, only to find himself in Myron's embrace. Myron, realizing her professor's pulse and warmth returned, her eyes widened in shock.
"Fa- I mean, Professor Snape? Y-you're alive?" She could not believe her eyes.
Snape remained motionless and silent for a long while, as he was processing what had just taken place. Myron held him close to her, her arms wrapped around him, and her body pressed firmly to his. He was still in a state of disbelief from what had occurred over the last few hours. His head was spinning at the suddenness of everything. At the moment, he was content to simply bask in the comfort of her warm touch. He placed his hand on the back of her head, caressing her softly. His hands were as light as feathers.
"B-but, how?" She asked in confusion
"I do not know either, Myron."
Snape remained silent for a few moments before answering. He looked at her and smiled, trying to console her and help her calm down.
"The powers that brought me back, I don't quite know how or what they did. All I know is that we have been gifted with a second chance. Let us not waste this chance." Snape said, his voice soft and tender. She just nodded and hugged him once more. She had lost her father years ago, and she refused to lose another figure close to being called father again.
Snape had never experienced the love and affection he was presently receiving from Myron. It was a new experience for him, and was something he had never been bestowed in all his life. Her affectionate embrace gave him a soothing feeling that he couldn't describe. It was this comforting feeling, that was making his own emotions well up inside him. He held her tight, caressing her hair and body. He knew that Myron had been deprived of familial care and affection for the longest time, and he made a mental promise to himself; To love and care for her like the father she deserved. He would be the one, who would hold her in dark times, be supportive in happy times, and give her the guidance she craved, and he would see to it that he protects her from every evil in the world.
And so, he promised that to himself.
Snape remained in her embrace, feeling warm and safe. Even though he tried to keep a hard and stern exterior, he couldn't help but feel his barriers crumbling. He felt a sudden sense of vulnerability as he felt his own eyes watering in her presence.
Never in his life, he would be such a doting parental figure. Even though he had never been a father, his heart felt a sudden urge to protect and to guide. He had never felt so close to someone like this, even Lily, whom he had loved. He had always seen her as his dear Lily, but hadn't been able to care for her the way he wished to. Now with Myron, his urge to guide and protect his dear student, was stronger than ever. It was the most intense feeling he had ever experienced until now.