Neville Longbottom- The Boy Who Lived

Teachers Pet

Chapter 2- Teachers Pet.

Severus Snape's P.O.V

Why does life despise me. It takes away the one girl I have ever loved, then gives her to my enemy. The one who hates me, the one who I hate. James Potter. Oh Lily, why did you chose him? Oh look, it's Dumbledore. I wonder why he's going to the hog's head. I guess I could stop for a drink... Take my mind off of these matters... Hold on, I paused at the door to the run down pub, peering inside before entering. Dumbledore wasn't stopping for a drink, he was leaving the main pub and going upstairs, to where the bedrooms are held. Cautiously, I opened up the door to the deserted pub, sitting at the bar for a drink before acting upon anything in my mind. But I don't want to drink too much, that wouldn't be good, the Dark Lord would not appreciate that. I subconsciously rub my left forearm where my Dark Mark is. I shook my greasy, strait black hair out of my eyes, to meet an unexpected sight. I thought for a short second that Albus Dumbledore was serving me. But of course it wasn't, it was only Aberforth.

"What can I get you sir?" He asked, clearly about my drink.

"Oh... Uh... One Firewhisky please." I replied not really listening to my answer, I was deciding what to do about Albus. A stray goat ran across the bar randomly, it must belong to Aberforth, he was know for looking after goats. I think that I will have a drink then head up and see if I can hear anything from the room that Albus is in. At that point, Aberforth sloshed my drink onto the counter, I payed, mumbled my thanks and headed to a secluded table, near the stairs. I took a sip, and my throat burned. I forgot how strong these drinks are. I carried on gulping down my drink, until it was practically all gone. It took about 10 minutes, so I had better head up before Albus leaves again. According to rumors, Albus Dumbledore is the only person that The Dark Lord is afraid of. And despite all the times The Dark Lord denies it, I still believe it true. I think it is better if Aberforth didn't know where I was going. So I waited until he disappeared behind the bar to make my move. I snuck up stealthily, trying not to be seen or heard by anyone, as that wouldn't help. Only one problem... Which room was he in? I had to listen to each room, listening for the unforgettable voice of Albus Dumbledore. And finally I heard it. He was... Interviewing someone?

"What is your experience with these jobs?" Dumbledore asked someone from inside the room, it must have been for the job at Hogwarts. This candidate wasn't sounding promising. I was about to leave when a noise sounded from inside of the room, it resembled a chicken being strangled. Then a creepy voice arose, one I haven't heard before.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches,

Born to those who have thrice defied him,

Born as the seventh month dies,

And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal,"

I was listening so intently that I didn't notice the footsteps from behind me. I was grabbed by the scruff of the neck and shoved onto the opposite wall.

"What do you think you are doing boy?" Asked a clearly very annoyed Aberforth. Crap. I hadn't anticipated this. "Didn't anyone tell you it was rude to eavesdrop? How dare you in my pub, and everything. I will throw you out as soon as..." He didn't get a chance to finish his sentence as I shoved him off me and tried to make a run for it, but he was too fast. He restrained my arms behind my back so I couldn't move. Then the door that Dumbledore was behind opened, and obviously, the old coot was there, staring me up and down with his half moon spectacles.

"Severus?" He asked, not even raising his voice. That made this situation even more embarrasing. He wasn't angry. He was disappointed. The tension was building rapidly, I could feel it radiating out of my body. I decided to leave here. I hope The Dark Lord appreciates this. With a loud crack, I apparated away, leaving Dumbledore standing there, stunned.

***

"Ah Severus, you have returned." A high cold voice floated down from the drawing room. Good. The Dark Lord was here. "Where have you been Severus?" He asked me, so I apparated into the drawing room, with a loud crack, falling into a low bow. I needed to show respect to my Lord.

"Good afternoon My Lord. I payed a visit to Albus Dumbledore My Lord." I replied, trying to sound respectful. He was an important man who could kill me in an instant if he thought it neccessary. I looked up at him, recieving a shock. He was worried, he was never worried. "Is everything OK My Lord?" I asked, scared of the outcome, the pain that may be coming in my direction.

"Why Severus? Why were you visiting Dumbledore?" He spat the name with disgust.

"It wasn't intentional My Lord. I noticed him going into the Hog's Head pub in Hogsmeade, so I followed him. He went up to the rooms, so I followed him. At first, he was interviewing someone, a lady I believe, and I think it was for the Dinvintation post. I was about to leave, when I heard something... Unsettling. The lady's voice changed, became raspy. I think she made a prophecy. About..." I paused, not sure whether I should tell him or not.

"A prophecy about who?" The Dark Lord questioned, sounding almost bored. I waited until he looked up at me expectantly, I knew if I didn't tell him, he would no doubt torture me, maybe even kill me.

"You, My Lord." He almost fell off his chair.

"Is it good or bad?" His voice betrayed no emotion, but it was like that most of the time. I didn't say anything, but bowed my head in front of My Lord. "Recite it to me. NOW." He commanded.

"Yes My Lord:

The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches,

Born to those who have thrice defied him,

Born as the seventh month dies,

And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal."

"It has to be the Potters." He stated blankly. Panic rose up in my chest. I know Lily is pregnant, and he is due in July. She wouldn't let her son die without her dieing first. No! I almost screamed it in my head. I need to keep calm. Who else has defied The Dark Lord three times? There is only one. The Longbottoms.

"My Lord?" I asked cautiously, hoping to God this plan would work. I am not a religious person, but I hoped he would work with me this time.

"What Severus?" He snapped, making me recoil, scared of his tone.

"Maybe... Maybe it isn't the Potters." I am glad I am a skilled Legilimens, if he read my thoughts I would be snake meat.

"Of course it is Severus." He stated plainly, my heart sinking as he said it. But I have started this now, I may as well finish it.

"What about the Longbottoms? They are also expecting at the end of July, and have defied you three times. They are clearly the stronger family, pureblood as it is, not a half-blood family, therefore wouldn't their child be more of a threat?" I hoped he would listen to my reasoning, that he would believe me and go after the Longbottom's instead. It was a shame that a child had to die, but as long as Lily was safe, I could live with it.

"That makes sense Severus, thank you. We will go after the Longbottom's as soon as he is born." And with that my heart restarted, and I left, with a slight, not very noticible, skip in my step.