The Ten Year Hex [Severus Snape]

3

Hogwarts looked the same as it did all those years ago when she had walked its halls. Severus stood beside her as her memories flooded back. She had been found in these halls often, usually attached to a boy in the alcoves. Severus placed a hand on her shoulder as Dumbledore made his way down the grand staircase, she shrugged him off. "Don't fucking touch me," she spoke through gritted teeth that were hidden behind a forced smile.

Severus retracted his hand as Dumbledore approached. The old wizard took Jynx's hand in his and patted it gently. "It's good to see you again, Miss Masters!" His eyes twinkled as they locked with hers. "Please accompany me to my office." He gestured toward the stairs.

Severus followed behind them as Dumbledore asked her how her life had been since leaving Hogwarts. The same mundane questions anyone would ask of someone they hadn't seen in a very long time. Jynx's eyes took in the school that at one time was such a big part of her life. She had made friends and enemies here.

A girl who fancied one of the boys Jynx had dated had cornered her in the courtyard. The girl attacked her with tears in her eyes, causing boils to form all over Jynx's body. In retaliation Jynx had cursed the girl with fish lips, they both spent several days in the hospital wing and a week in detention.

When the three of them entered the Headmaster's office, the hair on Jynx's arms began to stand. It was as if the air were electrified. "Sir, why were you looking for me?" she asked.

Dumbledore laced his hands together in front of himself, the long sleeves of his burgundy and gold robes hid them from sight. He drew a long breath, "Voldemort has been gone some ten years now, but I feel he may return. I want you to read me." He held himself high as he always did, but with his admission he seemed to shrink.

"Sir, I'm sorry to disappoint but I don't read wizards anymore."

"Yes, so Severus mentioned. My dear, you no longer follow the Dark Lord, am I right?"

Jynx lifted the sleeve over her left forearm, the serpent and skull no longer marred her skin. Now it lay buried under the starscape of a night that would forever be etched into her memory. The constellations that tattooed the sky that night now did the same to her flesh. Two silhouettes laid on a bed of dark grass, their hands woven together between them. "No sir."

Severus leaned closer, his dark eyes tracing over the details of the art. She wondered if he would notice that it depicted the exact night sky they laid under when they had both confessed their feelings, before everything crumbled beneath them and the world wrenched them apart.

Dumbledore nodded his head. "I cannot force you, but I will plead."

"I really don't think it's wise, when I was forced-"

Dumbledore held his hand up, "Which is why I will not force you," he said slowly. "You are welcome to stay here in the castle while you decide or you may return home. I think it would benefit us all if you decided to help."

The old wizard's words were heavy, as if the weight of the world had been placed on her shoulders. "I will consider it," said Jynx as she turned to leave his office. Her feet moved swiftly with the need to get away from the castle, from the Headmaster, from Severus.

Her pace didn't slow until she emerged from the large front doors of the building. The Black Lake glittered in the moonlight and the forest was as ominously shadowed as always. She wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing her hands up and down them to bring some warmth. A quick warming charm made the trek toward the gate much more tolerable. The thick chill of night now skirted around her, but couldn't touch her.

As soon as she was off the Hogwarts grounds she apparated. Her flat was still full of light and her suitcase lay discarded on the floor. She blew out the candles that still burned, thankful they hadn't started a fire.

She let out a deep breath as she collapsed onto her bed, the thick comforter welcoming her. She didn't even burrow herself under the sheets before sleep took her.