Where Your Loyalties Lie - {Severus Snape x Reader}

-87-

After few minutes of staying on the floor on my knees, I have stopped sobbing and got up on my feet while holding the dear niffler in my arms like a baby. Without a word, I walk right in front of Snape while keeping the gaze down. He immediately knows what to do and gently holds onto my shoulder to use the Apparate spell to transport us back in Hogwarts - into my chamber. The touch of his hand is so light and careful - almost as if he's too afraid to touch me. Like I would physically break like a glass if he'll put more pressure. As soon as we appear into the room, with shaky steps, I walk beside my bed and lay Sniffy onto it. He looks so peaceful. Like he's sleeping. The tears once again raises up on my (e/c) eyes.

For a moment in silence, Snape watches me other side of the room as I'm looking down to the niffler. Then, he walks beside the nightstand and gently places my wand on it, fully aware I could just grab it and cast any spell on him if I'd like to. My eyes shifts to the wand and I clench my hand into a tight fist. There are so many emotions going on inside of me right now. Sadness, rage, disappointment, bitterness... You name it. Snape stands there for a moment. Almost like waiting for me to grab it. But I just look at the wooden stick with tired eyes and do nothing. Eventually, I turn my head away from the wand and whisper under my breath:"You can leave now.". Snape's lips apart, but ends up closing it and does as told. Immediately, when I hear the door closing after him, I break down crying again and collapse on my knees beside the bed.

When the morning comes, the Sun start shining bright. Like there is no care in the world. That's the thing about this world. It keeps on going, even yours has stopped. With heavy heart, I put Sniffy into dark wooden chest that I found, and went to the garden with Dongy. Without using any magic, I dig a deep hole to the ground and place the chest in it. After that, I take a small pause to take this all in, hands covered in soil. It's so quiet. Only the sound of birds somewhere in the distance are singing. Dongy comes stand next to me as I'm on my knees in front of the grave:"Dongy is terribly sorry of (Y/N)'s friend. Dongy wishes there was something he could do to ease the pain.". Without taking the eyes off the grave, I whisper:"Me too.". There are no more tears left to cry. Or at least that's how I feel at the moment.

After a while, I raise my gaze up in the distance, thinking how much Sniffy loved running around this garden when we first came here. He was so happy. Before throwing soil on the little chest, I kiss tip of my two fingers and place them on the chest:"Goodbye, love.". I'm gonna miss you. After the tiny funeral, Dongy and I exchange few words about what has happened lately in the castle. The new semester will be starting in two weeks. Wonder how that's going to go. Now that Dumbledore is gone, our new Headmaster will naturally be Minerva. There is no doubt in my mind. She's going to do great. But there is still the sad feeling lingering on us all. Or at least most of us... Soon enough, Dongy and I go our separated ways and I start walking back to the chamber. I'm actually having this inner battle if I should quit and head back to the Muggle world. It's been on my mind quite a while now. I feel so torn. About everything.

Just when I'm about to make the last turn that'll leads to the hallway the chamber is, I see familiar dark figure other side of the hallway. My heart skips a beat when my (e/c) eyes meets with the black ones, but I keep my composure. No one knows Snape was the one who ended Dumbledore's life - nor they knows how he is indeed a Death Eater who serves Lord Voldemort, so none of the staff has payed attention as he walks around the school. And for some reason, I still can't bring myself to tell anyone about it. I must be mad because of that. "Ah, there you are. I was looking for you." Snape finally speaks. "Hm, congratulations, you found me." I let out in cold manner and walk past him. The Potions Master stands still as he turns to my direction:"I came to inform you the new arrangement.". Without looking back I scoff:"You quit?". "No, actually... I came to inform you about the position of the Headmaster." he keeps the calm and monotonic tone. Huh? My legs immediately stops themselves. What he means by that?

Then, I turn around to look at him:"Which is?". Snape stays quiet as he stares back to me. The silence is enough for me to realize what he means. My head starts shaking on its own:"No. You're lying.". "The Ministry has spoken. Minerva is fully aware of this change as well by now." he reply. I take a step back and inhale thru my nose before answering:"...Then consider me quitting.". The look on Snape's face won't budge, like he was waiting me to say something like this when it came clear to me he's the next Headmaster of Hogwarts. Enough said, I turn my back on him and head to the chamber. "(Y/N)." he calls out calmly, but because I won't make any gesture of stopping, he comes after me. When I hear his footsteps approaching, I speed my own steps:"Leave me alone.". But he won't stop coming after me. "Stop for this instant." he orders.

I ignore him and quickly open the door to my chamber, ready to slam it right in front of his face. But as expected, he's far too quick and managed to put his hand onto the door, preventing me to shut it. My head snaps up to him with stern glare:"No! I'm leaving! I've made my mind.". My words angers him and without a word, he pushes himself thru the door, into the room. "No!" I reach my arms to push him back, but Snape grabs side of my arms with both hands and starts walking forward, forcing me to walk backwards. I try to make resistance:"No! Let go of me!!". Snape won't say anything. He only grits his teeth more and keeps pushing me deeper into the room. "STOP!" I yell. Back of my knee hits the edge of the bed and I fall down to sit on the it. Snape now holds onto my shoulders and has his head down, like he's trying to collect his own thoughts. "I quit! I won't..- I'll pack my bags and leave this instant." I cry out. "I'm afraid I can not let you do that." he finally speaks. What?!

Looking up to him with half anger, half confused manner:"What are you talking about?". Snape raise those dark eyes on me that are piercing thru string of the black hair:"Your dismissal is denied.". My eyes widens out of shock. How can he say something like that?! I then shook my head and slap his hands off me:"Says who?". He straightens up his back to look at me head high:"Me - as the Headmaster of this school, and as your boss.". Too stunned by this, I just stare at him baffled:"A-Are you even hearing yourself?!". No answer. I shook my head again and got up from the bed to walk past him, ready to grab my luggage and leave:"You've gone mad. You can't keep me here by force.". "No. I can't. But... I'm sure your beloved aunt-Ruby and her husband -William wouldn't be too happy, if they'll get visitors once you have stepped your foot out of the castle.". What..?

Immediately I stop what I'm doing eyes wide. Then sharply turn to him:"Are you threatening me?". "I'm pointing out the obvious." he shrugs somewhat carelessly. Narrowing my eyes on him:"You're bluffing.". "I wouldn't test my luck, if I were you..." he answers smoothly. For a moment I stare at the man in front of me, trying to sink all this information in. "Who are you?" I finally ask, my voice almost sounding like a whisper. No answer. He just stares at me while having his hands behind his back. "Tsk." I turn my head away from him as a sign for him to leave the room for this instant. "So we have come in common agreement. Good." he hums and starts heading out. Can't look at him anymore, so I keep my gaze away as he walks past me. "Oh, one more thing..." he suddenly says. I turn to him with bored look:"What?".

Before I can react, as soon as I turn to face him, he puts something around my neck. "What the..-?!" I jolt back, and quickly glance down. It's a long chained necklace of somekind that has glass ball end of it. I frown while examining the piece of jewelry:"What the heck is this?". "A Remembrall." he answers bluntly. The times he has joked about I'd need one comes to my mind. A spark of joviality visits me, but quickly pressed the feeling down and start taking it off:"I don't need..-", it won't come off. "What the..-?!" I frown confused and try to take the necklace off, but it won't get over my head. It's not tight. It's not heavy. It just won't move anywhere when I get it on my eye level. "What the hell?!" I struggle. It's enchanted! "It won't come off until you have learned how to use it... Properly." Snape simply says while watching me. Giving him stern glare:"Use it properly?! Wh-what that supposed to mean?". I didn't know Remembralls had that kind of feature. Then, without another word, the Potions Mas..- Headmaster, leaves the chamber. "Hey!! You can't leave me like this!" I yell after him, but for vain. What the hell?!