Witch Hunt

18

Kate set down the newspaper, nibbling on a bit of toast as the Potions' Master walked into the small sitting room of his chambers. He fell into his armchair his fingers wrapping around a scalding mug of tea, prepared just how he liked it. Katherine knew him just a little too well after so many years.

She waved her bit of bread at him, gesturing to the paper. "How quickly you've invited me back into your bed, Professor. Is your wife already finished with you?"

He narrowed his eyes on her, holding back a sharp retort, but just barely. "Insufferable woman,"

She smirked at him, her eyes gleaming wickedly. "Aw, did Hermione hurt your ickle feelings, Snivellus? Was she not appreciative of your attentions? Didn't want to marry her most hated teacher?"

He had half a mind to toss the teacup at her head. His eyes trailed along her body as she stood across from him, leaning against the other chair. She was wearing his robe, the sash was loose causing a plunging neckline that revealed many of her scars. Kate shifted her weight, unable to stand still as he ogled her. Not that she wasn't used to his ogling.

She tossed the newspaper at him and watched as he caught it between two fingers. He had a knack for it, she couldn't deny that. "Have you read it yet? It says we're three in your marriage. That the future Madam Snape is but an intruder,"

The man in black scoffed. "You'd like that, wouldn't you? Anything to ruin my potential happiness,"

Her fist slammed against the armchair. "Damnit, Snape! I only wanted what was best for you. Are you really so blind and full of hate that you would expect the worst from me again?" She demanded, rounding on him. Her face was going red, her scars becoming more prominent on her flushed skin. "I am not my brother!"

She leaned on the armrests of his chair, her face leaned in mere inches from his own. He set aside his cup of tea and leaned in as well, their noses nearly touching. "No," he murmured, his voice dark and his jaw clenched tight. "Your brother was not a convenient hole at my disposal, available to me with the snap of my fingers."

Outraged, she spat in his face. With lightning speed, he reached out and grabbed her throat. His spindly fingers wrapping around her and squeezing, crushing her windpipe. She gasped, searching for breath and he gripped her harder still. Standing slowly, he kept one hand on her while lifting the other to swipe away the spittle from his face. "Are you quite finished?" He asked.

Her eyes burned with tears, though she refused to let them fall. She would not cry in front of him. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing how his words affected her. She clawed at his hand until he relented his hold somewhat. He watched beads of blood erupt from the thin scratches and noted that it was oddly... numb.

She swallowed thickly and kept her eyes on his face, boring into him. "At least someone wanted you. Even if it was just for your cock," she growled, her voice hoarse. She swatted his hand away and stumbled backward as he released her. She rubbed her raw skin and coughed, gasping for air. "Gods, I hate you. You would never treat her this way."

He sighed and held out his hand, stinging now from the many scratches. She eyed it warily from where she sat on the ground, yet slid her fingers across his palm all the same. She stood slowly, snatching her hand back as soon as she was steady on her feet. He ran a hand through his hair, his eyes sliding shut as he breathed slowly. "Wouldn't I?" He asked no one in particular.

Kate shook her head, something in her large brown eyes akin to pity made him want to throw up. He had been violent with her and she felt sorry for him. "No, you foolish man," she said sadly. "You would cherish her. Love her. You would kill for her, I am so certain of it."

His eyes narrowed and he nearly contested her statement, though the woman cut him off. "Severus, she is ten times the witch Lily ever was. Given more time, she might just love you too."

He caught her fingers, idly spinning the cuff at her wrist. "I cherished you once," he murmured.

Kate lifted a hand to cup his cheek and offered him a wistful smile. "Oh, my darling," she breathed. "I am but prized elk. A trophy. I could never hope to be your equal, nor would I aspire to be. I despise you most profoundly."

Snape nodded. "You're right," he conceded. "I'll be the death of you, Potter."

An owl flew in through the chimney and soared through the room, a tightly rolled scroll of parchment was dropped onto the coffee table and the bird went back up the Floo.

The Potions' Master felt his stomach sink at the sight of the familiar Ministerial seal. He reached out for the scroll and unrolled it, reading through it once, twice.

He swore loudly and tossed it at the witch before him.

She frowned. "Where are you going?"

"To save my marriage!" He called out, slamming the door shut behind him as he disappeared.

Kate shook her head, confused, and looked down at the parchment. "Oh fuck."

'Professor Severus T. Snape,

You are hereby informed of the dissolution of your required marriage to Hermione J. Granger. In light of your involvement with Katherine E. Potter, you have been allocated an additional seven (7) days to marry.

Well wishes,

Rosabelle Fink, family liaisons department.'