Begin Again (Severus Snape/Student Love Story)

Chapter Fourteen: Things Unseen

I skipped down the endless hallway... it was pitch dark, why hadn't I turned on the light? I trailed my fingers along the edges of the bumpy wall as I advanced, which I knew to be lined with tacky beige and teal striped wallpaper, though I couldn't actually discern the pattern. Through some unnatural sense of knowing, I was acutely aware that I had traveled down this hallway a thousand times in my life; it was my hallway, in my house. But who had made it so long now? It had never been so long before. And where was the light?

Untucking my wand, I whispered "lumos" and giggled giddily, unable to remember if I was allowed to do magic outside of school. Oh well. The tip ignited at once, illuminating the familiar hallway. Only it suddenly felt less familiar, because I couldn't make out the reddish wooden door that I knew was at the end. It was the door that led into my parents' room; it had never been so out of reach...

I hummed lightly as I marched and marched down the never-ending hallway. On and on it went, the stripes on the walls blurring together as I made my way blissfully along, searching for the door. I wanted to see my mom.

The thought dredged up a sudden heaping rush of nausea unexpectedly, and my happy humming ceased.

Mom.

I needed to see her now. Now.

My careless flounce turned into a brisk race. I was panting, wand stretched out in front of me. The hallway stretched on forever, but I had to find its end. I needed her now. I couldn't remember why, but I needed her. I ran and ran, footsteps thumping on the carpeted floor, ignoring the fire that scorched my lungs and the lead that swelled my thighs.

"Mom!" I screamed in between rapid breaths. "Mom! Mommy!"

Finally, there is was! The door at the end of the hall, tiny in the distance but growing larger and larger as I drew closer. I was nearly there... I could almost touch the handle...

A metallic stench pierced the air, halting me instantly. Panic erupted in my chest as I saw shadows passing under the door.

"You're nothing more than a coward. I'd rather die than join you."

It was my mom's voice, hard and stubborn, unafraid despite her daunting words.

"Mom!" I thrust away the feeling of dread, refusing to acknowledge it, and jolted to open the door.

I twisted the knob back and forth. It wouldn't move. Locked.

"This is your last chance. You would have power... power like you've never known before..." said a second voice that I didn't recognize; a man's voice, deep and crackly.

I pulled at the glass knob furiously, pounding at the door with my other hand. "Mom!" I shouted again as I banged hard, wobbling the door on its hinges. But neither she nor the man seemed to hear me.

"Never," she spat. "Why don't you give me my wand and have a proper duel? Too afraid to fight with honor?"

Screaming for her over and over, I kicked at the door frantically, but it remained unmoving. Pointing my wand at the knob, I shouted a frenzied "alohomora!" but the lock refused to open.

"I've never had much time for honor," said the man, tone flat with boredom. "You made your choice. AVADA KEDAVRA!"

"No! No no no no!" I wailed as a green flash glowed under the door. I slammed my body into the door again and again, until my shoulder was pulsating with so much pain that the bone may have been cracking. 'Mom! Mom no! Mommy!'