Death Eaters

Chapter 34: Up The Creek

I walked through the empty corridors, each step sending a dull ache through my thighs. My back throbbed, and down there... the soreness lingered. Still, I pushed on— because despite it all, it had been the best experience I'd had so far. Clutching Snape's book tightly, I finally reached the heavy wooden door to his office. I knocked—twice. When no one answered, I hesitated... then knocked again. The door swung open sharply, startling me. There he stood, draped in his usual all-black robes and flowing cape. His dark eyes scanned me coldly, one brow arching in that familiar, unreadable way.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, voice low— laced with curiosity and quiet intimidation.

I lifted the book, brows arched.

"Weren't you looking for this?" I said, my voice steady despite everything.

His gaze lingered on me, sharp at first— but then it softened, just slightly. His brow lowered, the intensity in his eyes dimming into something more controlled. Without a word, he stepped aside, silently inviting me into his office. I grinned and shoved the book against his chest as I walked past him. He scoffed, clearly irritated by my rudeness, but said nothing. With a sharp click, he shut the door behind us and swept across the room to his desk, all billowing robes and quiet annoyance. I took my time wandering, eyes drifting over shelves, jars, and the strict order of it all.

"How clean," I muttered, running a finger along one of the shelves. Not a trace of dust. I turned to him, smirking. "Been cleaning your office, have you?"

He didn't answer, just shot me a look as I sauntered over and dropped into the chair across from him— grin still in place.

"Where exactly did you find my book?" he asked at last, his voice low and strained— like he was holding something back.

"Eh, that old thing? Potter," I said casually. "Not sure to as where he actually found it, but... Not very Professor-like of you, is it?"

His jaw tightened. Just slightly. But I caught it.

"Well, I mean... it's not a very Snape thing to go leaving his things scattered around this old castle, is it?" I raised a brow at him, lips tugging into a smirk.

He didn't reply right away. Just stared, with his eyes squinting. That unreadable, calculating kind of stare he was infamous for. Then finally—

"Clearly," he said dryly, voice laced with sarcasm. "Though I doubt I'll make the mistake of letting you find something of mine again, Ms. Riddle."

I chuckled. "Of course, Professor Severus Snape." I said, matching his sarcasm with a grin. But then my eyes drifted to the clock ticking quietly beside him, and the moment shifted. The grin fades.

"Aight, jokes aside," I said, voice dropping. "I need to talk to you."

He raised a brow at me, that familiar mix of curiosity and quiet suspicion flickering across his face.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice low, controlled— but I could hear the edge of something else beneath it. Concern? Maybe. Or just that ever-present need to know everything.

I hesitated for a second. Just a second.

Then leaned forward, elbows on the desk.

"It's about... It's about you and Professor Dumbledore." I whispered out, my voice wasn't as steady as I wanted it to be.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I know about you and Dumbledore's plans. Everything. Every part of it." I leaned in, my eyes locked on his. "You're a spy, aren't you? A spy for Dumbledore? I heard you guys at the Astronomy tower. You absolutely have no idea how frequently I go there," For the briefest moment, his eyes widened— just a fraction. But it was enough. The thought of being caught, especially by the daughter of the Dark Lord? That was a nightmare for him, I could see it. I couldn't tell if he was panicking, or if he was already calculating how to twist my words, as he often did. But something flickered in his expression. Something raw. I waited. The silence between us stretched thick.