𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐏𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐒

XI

Act XI.

Post Tenebras Lux

After the darkness, the light.

Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, former Death Eater turned spy, bane of all Gryffindors, and slimy git extraordinaire strode into the school's halls. His black robes billowed dramatically behind him, a dark scowl marring his features. Severus was beyond furious. He was fuming! How in all seven hells was he supposed to carry out this insane mission? How could he protect Draco when he was supposed to be luring him back into the bastard’s arms? And to kill him by the rites of Judecca? Severus shivered, appalled beyond words. He could never do that to his godson! He could never kill him, much less do it in a manner that had always disturbed him. That rite was by far Severus’ worst fear, one that dodged his step every day. After all, it was a very likely future for one who was embroiled in the game he was playing. It was the thing that terrified him the most, a haunting whisper that beckoned in his dreams and had him waking to his own horrified screams, trapped in twisted sheets and cold sweat. 

He’d be damned if Draco ever ended up living with the same fear, or had it happen to him in reality.

 
“Ah. Severus, there you are, my dear boy! Would you like a lemon drop?” A voice called out to him as he came striding down the hall.

Severus quickly turned around, his wand out, a curse ready at the tip of his tongue. “Headmaster! I swear, one of these days I’m going to hex off an appendage you can’t live without if you keep doing that!” he snapped at the cheery old man who was partially hidden and standing underneath an alcove. The damned bag of sweets was cradled in his right hand. Trust the old fool to catch him unawares whilst rambling on about sweets!

Albus just smiled at him and said, “Nonsense, Severus. I am sure you will be able to restrain yourself from removing any of my body parts without my consent.”

Severus snorted as he put his wand back into the pocket of his robes. The desire to use it on the old fogey was almost too much temptation to bear. Suddenly another wave of intense pain assaulted his side. It forced him to lean shakily on the pillar beside him.

“Severus? Are you alright? You don’t look so good, child.” Albus said in alarm. His lips twisted in a frown and his eyes were shining with worry as he approached the startlingly weak man.

“Well, thank you for stating the blatantly obvious!” Severus snapped. He pushed away from the column with a pained grimace. “It seems that the Dark Lord’s ministrations have taken a lot more out of me than I thought.”

 “Why are you headed for my office instead of the Infirmary, then? You know I would have sent you there first anyway, in your condition. Tell me why you have done such a thing.” Albus chided him as he guided Severus quickly inside his office a few feet away. Once there, he quickly ushered the pained man onto a couch he’d transfigured.

Severus scowled inwardly. Even now that he was a grown man, perfectly capable of taking care of himself, the headmaster still had the uncanny ability of making him feel like an errant child being called to the carpet. Perhaps it’s a headmaster’s requirement, he pondered idly. Nevertheless, he answered the man, “It is necessary for me to disclose my newfound information, Headmaster.” But before he could go on an all out full report of his meeting, the old wizard stopped him.

 “Severus, if you think I am going to let you spend the next few hours reporting to me while you’re still flat on your back with pain, you are sadly mistaken,” Albus rebuked him. “Now tell me, which potion should I get for you?”

Seeing that arguing with the stubborn old fool wasn’t going to get him anywhere, Severus sank further into the sofa in defeat, accepting his fate of being subjected to Albus’ cosseting, which was, to be honest, far worse than Poppy’s. “There is a strength restoring potion and a pain relieving potion in the left cupboard of my storage room.” He said dejectedly.