Emerald and Onyx [A Severus Snape Fanfiction]

1

Severus’ boots reflected the early morning sunlight as they sat propped on his desk, his legs crossed at the ankle. He scanned the pages of the day's issue of The Daily Prophet, his eyes shifting across the story that graced the front page. MORE TOWNS BURN AS DARK LORD CONTINUES HIS SEARCH taunted him in large bold letters. The small photo of a burning residence continued its repetitive loop in the center of the page. He gritted his teeth and his head fell back against the cushion of the high backed chair. The deep green leather sighed under the weight. Dark hair fell in soft strands on either side of his face, hanging just below the neck of his black cloak. He rubbed his forehead before running the hand over his face, a sigh escaping him.

A knock came from the large wooden door across the room, he untangled his feet and shifted them to the floor,  folded the paper gently onto his desk and entwined his hands together on top of it. “Enter,” He droned. His deep voice pinging off the walls of the office. A moment later the door swung open, its golden handle knocking into the bookshelf behind it and causing the books to quake. 

He couldn’t help but roll his eyes as a large man with shaggy black hair entered the room, muscles bulging under the tight black shirt he wore. A thick scar ran the length of his face, from his hairline to his chin, a sneer across his thin lips. His left hand wrapped tightly around the bicep of a middle aged man, dragging him in his wake. The man’s eyes searched his surroundings, the fear only growing. The man wiped a sweaty palm across his torn lilac shirt. 

“Was told to bring him to you,” said the scarred man. He thrust the shaking man forward, his face emotionless.

“Thank you, Simmons,” said Severus as he waved a dismissive hand.

The man collapsed to his knees as the closing of the door echoed through the air. He clasped his hands together in front of him, pleading at Severus’ feet. His words were garbled nonsense as the tears that had been forming in the corners of his eyes started to trickle down his thick cheeks. “Please. Please.” Finally some cognitive words tumbled forth. He took a small step with his knees as Severus leaned against the massive oak desk, his hands propped on the edges, fingers tapping softly on the underside. 

“Do you have any information about the whereabouts of Harry Potter?” Severus shoved off the desk and approached the man, staring down the end of his hooked nose at him, arms tucked neatly behind his back.

The man's eyes flickered with fear as he averted them. Severus heard a soft mumble but the words fell to the floor where the man was now staring. Severus reached into the pocket of his cloak and produced his wand, placed it under the man's chin and forced their eyes to meet. 

The man trembled, his fingers fumbling together in front of his gut. That fear shimmered in the tears still falling from his pale blue eyes. Severus produced a small vial from his robes, tipping it lightly onto the man's lips. His mustache jerked as he sniffled and the drop disappeared into his mouth. “Now, I’ll ask once more. Do you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Harry Potter?” 

“No. I don’t know anything,” said the man in a cracked voice. 

“Hermione Granger?” Severus began to walk slowly around the man, his wand still pointed at his neck as he moved.

“No. I swear I don’t know anything and neither does my family.” The man broke into sobs, his hands flying to his face. His deep gasps seemed to take up all the air in the room.

Severus pointed his wand at the door and it flew open with a loud creak. “Simmons!” He bellowed. His voice echoing off the empty walls of the corridor outside. The scarred man appeared in the doorway immediately. “He’s useless. Send him on his way.” Severus turned on his heels and returned to his desk as Simmons plucked up the sniveling man. 

The sobs gave way to wails as the door snicked shut behind them.