𝙻𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚍 II SS/HG ✔️

Christened on Tuesday

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Severus Snape stood before a fifth-floor window. The January breeze tangled in his hair. His many layers of robes and frock coat guarded him from much of the chill. From here, he could see two small figures exit the front gate. Outside of Hogwarts's protective perimeter, he watched the taller figure, Albus Dumbledore, offer his hand to the smaller one: Harry Potter. Severus stressed to Albus that he should not over-exert himself lest he exacerbate the curse on his hand. Yet he just saw Albus lead their side-along Apparition.

He did not know the purpose of this excursion. Neither did Minerva. They only knew defence of the school fell to them. Minerva was to keep the others from realizing Albus had left the premises.

Severus turned from the window. Draco had retreated into that strange room—most people didn't know it existed. Severus certainly hadn't until Dolores Umbridge's little Inquisitorial Squad had blown it up to nab Potter and his self-described 'army.' Draco had been skittish all term, even more so this week, so the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor tailed him extra carefully.

Severus did not know the particulars—along with his Occlumency keeping Severus out of his mind, Draco had kept his lips sealed on how he meant to do it—but the secret room had something to do with murdering Albus. From what he could gather, the Dark Lord entrusted Bellatrix to use a gentle hand to guide her nephew through his first Kedavra. A few sources thought Fenrir Greyback would accompany her so he could relearn the layout of the school.

Severus was not ready to murder Albus in Draco's stead. He'd had all these months to think on his Unbreakable Vow to Narcissa and was no more at ease with the idea than when Dumbledore had first theorized this exact outcome.

At the other end of the corridor, he saw a door open. Draco's blond head peeked through.

Severus's blood froze.

Blasted idiot boy, he raged in his head as he all but sprinted towards the Room of Requirement.

Greyback turned his head, nose-first, towards Severus. His yellow eyes raked over Severus as if searching for the best places to bite. A few other men exited the secret room before the door faded back into brick.

"You are far too early," Severus hissed.

"Aurors were 'bout to shake down Borgin and Burkes," Greyback growled more than said.

Bellatrix ran her hand along the smooth stone on the corridor walls. Her black hair curled into jagged spikes dripping over her shoulders. Draco followed in a twitchy manner. Though they were the same height, he tried to make himself small.

"Dumbledore has not returned," Severus said, annoyed that he had to spell it out for them.

Bellatrix stopped at the head of the stairs to turn to him. "What's done is done. We still have the other."

"The other?" Severus asked. Draco looked as lost as Severus was.

Greyback and Bellatrix smirked.

"Oh yes—our lord does not want Draco to go without his first slaughter," Bellatrix laughed.

Severus felt his hand twitch towards his wand. Surely the Dark Lord did not expect Draco to kill him?

"Who?" Draco asked, face paler than usual.

"Don't worry, Draco—Auntie will be with you every step of the way." She dug her talons into both of his shoulders to push him onwards down the staircase.

Greyback scowled over his shoulder at Severus. "Keep your brats out of the way. Wouldn't want a first-year watchin', would we?"

Severus followed. They passed the third-floor where Pomona would be; the second-floor where Filius would be; Minerva was in Albus's office, and they had no need to go there since the headmaster was gone. They ignored the Great Hall and turned towards the dungeons.