Love is Chaos Part 2 of A Light in the Dark (Severus Snape x OC)

Chapter 16: Endless Possibilities

The weather was changing; the warming air mixing with the darkness in the sky, a constant reminder of Voldemort's impending takeover. Severus walked along, reflecting on everything that happened and worrying about everything that would happen.

"Tom is gaining power, Severus," Dumbledore told Severus, the grimness emanating in his tone. "It's only a matter of time before the Malfoy boy tries to kill me again."

"Are you worried he'll succeed?" Severus asked dryly. "I don't think you have to actually worry about him being successful, given his track record."

Dumbledore scoffed. "What if he succeeds? What if he really damages his soul?"

"Do you even care?" Severus asked quietly. "You've watched him destroy himself with guilt. You say you're worried about his soul, but can you not see the damage that's being inflicted on him at this very moment?"

"Just keep an eye on him," Dumbledore told Severus. Severus felt irritation ripple through him. Dumbledore claimed to care for his students and yet, he was so willing to let Draco destroy himself with guilt and worry.

Severus rolled his eyes as he walked down the hall, an annoyed sigh slipping from his lips, trying to push Dumbledore's words out of his mind, but he couldn't ignore the truth in them, the possibility in them.

The time was coming.

Severus ignored the pit in his stomach and went to his classroom, knowing class was starting soon. He swung the door of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom open, his figure dark and imposing as it usually was, and strolled to the front of the room.

As Severus taught in the dimly lit room filled with macabre portraits on the walls, he heard footsteps approaching the room. He turned towards the sound, seeing Neville Longbottom, a look of fear in his eyes as he waited for Severus to acknowledge him.

"What is it, Longbottom?" Severus's voice boomed across the room, causing Neville to freeze for a moment before taking a small step closer.

"Prof-- prof--" Neville choked out.

"Spit it out, Longbottom!" Severus barked, quickly losing his patience.

"Professor Dumbledore is asking for you to come to the hospital wing as soon as you can!" Neville spat out before scurrying off.

Severus stared at the space where Neville once stood, wondering why Dumbledore wanted to see him in the hospital wing. "Don't forget that your essays on resisting the imperious curse are due next class. Class dismissed," he said flatly before he walked out, heading for the infirmary.

As Severus got closer to the infirmary, he heard arguing radiating from it, but he couldn't make out what was being said. When he arrived, he found Dumbledore, Madam Pomfrey, Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter standing in front of a bed. His footsteps caused them all to turn and look at him, and for a brief moment, he felt relief seeing Dumbledore standing, and not injured from a pathetic attempt on his life by Draco.

But that relief was short lived.

"What's..." Severus trailed off once Ron shifted, enabling him to see that Laura was in the bed.

Severus stared at her for a moment before his eyes drifted to Ron and Harry, his eyes practically lighting with fire. "What did you two do?" he asked darkly, enunciating every word very clearly, menace lacing each word like venom.

"We didn't do anything!" Harry told him, his voice sounding panicked.

"We didn't! We swear!" Ron chimed in, making Severus roll his eyes.