Survival Bonds

Chapter 63: Another interview

Severus is like liquid next to me. Any resistance he once felt seems to be nonexistent. It's different than the first time we sat on this couch. Everything was calculated to give the illusion that we were happy together.

His body limply presses against my side. His arms are crossed as if he were preparing for battle, but at the same time he is relaxed against me. The quill is floating next to the reporter. She's already begun asking questions and though most have been left up to me to answer, Severus's presence has been calming. I feel more stable with him next to me. I feel more secure in my choices.

I'm reminded that I have something to protect.

I'm asked every question imaginable about my battle with Voldemort. She expected a thrilling play by play and her eyes were more than a little confused when I said that there wasn't a battle.

"But he is dead?" She asks probingly.

"Yes. I killed him. The creation of Voldemort was due to the unfortunate circumstance that he was put in. He was once a misguided half blood that dangerously wanted to be accepted. He was talented and was proving to be a promising wizard. Unfortunately, someone corrupted him. I'm afraid that person is the real villain. And I'm afraid until that person is brought to trial for his crimes, this war will never end." Severus squeezes my hand comfortingly. "I have already mentioned my distrust of Albus Dumbledore. At the time, I knew that my reservations about the man were not unfounded, but I did not know the full extent that he contributed to this war. He parades as an honest honorable man, but really he is a master of deception."

"These are some very serious accusations. Certainly no man is perfect, but he has done a lot of good for the magical world."

"And he has done a lot of bad. Including sexual misconduct with underage students, conspiring and aiding the young Tom Riddle in opening up the chamber of secrets- which he would not have been able to do on his own. He stole Tom Riddle's magical inheritance that he obtained from being the heir of Slytherin. He took in a child that is no longer alive. That child was the heir of Hufflepuff. Dumbledore himself is the heir of Ravenclaw. And I am the heir of Gryffindor. Dumbledore has the magic of every founder except Godric Gryffindor. I don't know what his end plan is, but he is a villain living among us parading as a hero."

"Severus Snape, do you have anything to add." Her quill is writing as fast as it can. She's no longer interviewing us looking for gossip. It's like her eyes have changed. She's focused on every word that we are saying.

"My adoptive daughter was taken from me because Albus Dumbledore did not believe I was a fit guardian. Most of my life there has been a puppet master pulling the strings and I have always been easily manipulated by those that I trust. Perhaps it's why I make it a point to trust as few as possible. I came from a very abusive home and I wasn't accepted by my peers because I was different. I became a death eater because I felt it would be a place where I could belong. I didn't understand fully what I was agreeing to until it was already too late. By that point in my life I had already been violated sexually. Voldemort took an interest in me and because he was powerful and because no one had ever wanted me, I was flattered."

He pauses to gather his thoughts. Exhaling to calm himself he continues. His voice sounds restrained.

"I told Voldemort that I did not feel comfortable being in an intimate setting because of my past experiences. I know now that he had a very similar existence and maybe he was using me as an outlet. His partner hurt him as a way to show their warped affection and he did the same to me. I did come back to reality and realize that this wasn't an organization that I should be a part of. I became a spy for Dumbledore. He continued to send me into the pit of snakes because he knew I would be a valuable informant. Voldemort was in love with me. He was cruel and hurt me in more ways than I can express, but he did love me. Albus Dumbledore knew that even if I was found out, I would never be killed. He exploited Voldemort's weakness."

I squeeze his hand and he smiles at me.

"The first war ended. My sister asked me to take in her child. My sister detested magic and since her daughter was gifted or perhaps cursed with magic, my sister did not want her own child. I will keep my adoptive daughter's identity anonymous because she is now happy with her own parents that love her very much, but I was once her sole guardian and Dumbledore took her from me. He fed off of my own fears of inadequacy as well as my love for my little princess. What parent that truly loves their child would refuse their baby a better life. A better life with two parents that will care for the child more than you ever could. I don't know how right or wrong he was. I wonder if his intentions for taking my daughter from me were just so I would have one less thing in this world that I love. One less thing that loves me."

He squeezes my hand tightly.

"Albus Dumbledore is not a good man. He has turned a blind eye to heinous acts, and I couldn't begin to mention everything today. I don't even know the full extent that he has done, but I know if the magical world continues to trust him, then the magical world will quickly return to a much bigger war."

"Thank you for comment." Her face is grave and I know she at least believes us. She gives us a weak smile. "Let us discuss lighter topics now. I had personally always believed that you did not like children. Can we expect any children in the foreseeable future."

"Severus and I have talked about it, and though we are divided on the subject of children, we do both agree that will not have any children until we are sure they can be brought up in a world that is not as full of turmoil." She nods. Severus and I have only talked about it briefly. I know that I certainly want children, but Severus is mixed on the topic. He isn't completely against having children, but I think he lacks trust in his own abilities. He's mostly kept quiet about what it was like raising Megan on his own, and he's stayed tight lipped on all the things that Dumbledore brainwashed him about.

He didn't simply say 'hey you aren't a good parent I'm giving her to better ones.' I get the sense that this was a long process of constant beratement. I remember seeing Niffy smiling at Megan and then immediately patting Severus's head.

Yes, there was happiness. He was excited to see his Princess after so long, but it was more than that. The fear that I expected to disappear... didn't. When we went back to our room, he was shaky. He was anxious- more than before. Wen Wen came to check on us and was cooing softly at him. The things she said were enlightening. Phrases like 'You aren't a bad person.' 'You do deserve happiness.' 'She does want a relationship.' She smiles at him the entire time repeating these phrases like she was trying to counteract the past.

When we laid down, he curled against me. He was raw from emotion, so I didn't even try anything intimate. I just turned towards him and wrapped my arms protectively around him.

"Alright that's our story." She says upbeatedly. The quill falls into her hand marking the end of the interview. She puts down her papers and takes off her glasses. "This is off the record." She says in a much different tone. "Since the last time I interviewed you, I have done a lot of research on Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. I believe that he may be working with officials in the ministry because I've seen that there were many charges placed on him that were dropped and never brought into the public's eye. I have a brother in law- a real sweetie- that works at the ministry and he's able to sneak me some records. Granted we have to be careful because it is illegal for him to share some of the information with me that is not in public records. I never use the information for articles because that would put him in danger of losing his job, but it does point me in the right direction for stories a lot of times. I will do what I can to find more proof against him as well as ascertain the members of the ministry that are loyal to old dum dum." She smiles like a cat at us. "Off the record of course, but I'm a bit biased towards team Potter-Snape. Or would it we Snape-Potter?"

Severus is laughing lightly beside me. "I've never had anyone on my team before."

"I don't know how I can thank you for all this." I tell her relieved that we have at least one more on our side.

"Just keep giving me stories and when you two do eventually have kids- I demand that their picture appear in my article first before anyone elses."