Shit, I'm Falling For A Weasley || George Weasley

Chapter 72 - In which an unlikely alliance forms

For a second, it was unclear whether Severus was planning to retaliate. His eyes remained trained on the intruders, ears ringing with the warning his painted friend relayed. The hesitation in his actions gave the men an opportunity to step into his office properly, with one clearing up the rubble of mess they managed to make with their entrance.

The other whispers something to a person out of the Headmaster's view, but he knew the Weasley girl was probably the accomplice to this intrusion. With Ben's warning ringing in his ears, the intrusion of that Weasley boy, it takes a moment for Severus to remember that he has a job to do. One that relies on everyone believing that he's the enemy. Dumbledore left him with clear instructions with the Potter situation. He also fed Lily with more lies than truth, practically gift wrapping her to her death.

"Sev- please," Ben whispers from the portrait behind him as if he could hear in the inner turmoil spinning in his mind. Too long he witnessed his friend struggle with the burden of loss. First it was Emilia's, quickly followed by Evans', then the prophecy caught up on the both of them forcing them to choose between the truth and protecting Lily. Severus Snape may not be the kindest person in the world, far from it, he was a bully, but when it came to the people he cared about and called family - there was no one else Ben trusted more.

Coming to his own conclusion, the Headmaster straightens up, carefully obscuring the portrait from view as he swiftly moves to his desk. He never liked the twins, both gave him more trouble than good. But his Lily seemed to like them, perhaps the only reason he wanted to humour them.

"What are you both doing here? If it's to complete your NEWTs, allow me to save you some time- at Hogwarts, we now require students to have passed at least 5 OWLs to continue with NEWT education."

Both boys glance at each other.

"As if we'd want to co-"

"Lily is missing, she's in danger."

Severus meets the gaze of George Weasley, knowing that it was his curse that caused his face to seem lopsided. It was also the last time any reconciliation with his daughter would have been possible. His lips press together in a tight line as he leans back.

"Again, I ask you - what are you doing here?"

"You basta-"

"Fred," George grabs his brother's shoulder, his tone carefully controlled but the anger is clear in his eyes. "He wants us to attack first - don't give into his taunts." He continues in a low voice, but also aware that Snape could hear him. Fred struggles to compose himself, but as George steps in front of his brother, obscuring his view of the Headmaster, he lowers his wand.

Narrowing his eyes at George, a million thoughts run through Severus' mind, but at the forefront it was a sickening admiration for the boy's ability to choose Lily over revenge. A fact that may just save them all.

A small smile plays on his lips as he imagines his daughter's reaction to his thoughts.

"We don't have time to play your games. There was a Portkey, some sort of name tag and we can't find her. She would have Apparated back by now if sh- if ther-" George struggles with voicing aloud his fears, a notion that causes Snape to pale. Instead, he reaches into his jacket and pulls out Lily's wand, guilt coursing through his veins. Perhaps it was due to their fight that she became careless, or maybe she was trying to calm herself down to prevent herself from losing control, either way George Weasley knew he was responsible for letting her get so distracted.

"She's in danger, but we have no idea how to find her." Fred picks up, glancing at his brother with a worried look.

"And you thought to come to me," Severus says in a slow voice, but the taunting edge is no longer evident as he stares wide-eyed at the wand on his desk. The fear of what Ben said, the thought of Lily going to find the diamond without any knowledge of what that actually means; it's all too much for the Headmaster to bear.