After All This Time - Book 2

Twenty

Snape's POV 

"What did I do" I whispered into the empty corridor. As soon as Annalise's golden hair disappeared from sight, I turned on my heel and began descending the stairs to the dungeons.

Why do I always do this I thought to myself. Why do I screw up every good thing that comes my way. It seemed as though no matter what happened, I was just destined to be alone forever. As I threw open the door to my office, I noticed my owl sitting on my desk with a small piece of parchment attached to his leg.

"What now" I grumbled, snatching the parchment away before the bloody bird could peck at me. I quickly read the note before throwing it back onto my desk and dropping down into my chair. Lucius had written me that Voldemort wished to see Draco and Annalise the day after term had ended. If that wasn't bad enough Lucius had requested my presence, as well as theirs, at the Malfoy's annual Christmas party. The last thing I wanted to do was to spend my Christmas Eve in a room full of Death Eaters. I would have been much more content sitting in my living quarters by myself reading, but that wasn't going to happen.

I got up from my chair and walked over to one of the enormous book shelves lining the walls of my office. I quickly ran my fingers over various books, stopping on a large leather bound book with faint silver lettering on the side. The Dark Arts. I pulled the book from the shelf and took it back over to my desk. I began flipping through the pages, eyeing different spells and charms to teach Draco and Annalise before the term ended when there was a soft knock on my office door.

"Enter" I said lazily without even looking up from the book. I heard the door open and softly shut, followed by the quiet footsteps of whoever had just walked in. I didn't have any detentions that evening and looked up curiously at whoever had just entered my office. I had half expected to be met with the ghost of Draco or a teary eyed Annalise, but instead I was met by the glittering eyes of Dumbledore.

"Albus" I said cooly, containing any lingering emotions. "To what do I owe the honor?"

"I just ran into a rather upset Annalise Potter. Or rather, she ran past me. Do you happen to know what happened?"

My eyes darted back down to the book infront of me before I replied in my usual emotionless tone. "I wouldn't know. Boy problems perhaps?"

Dumbledore stood there silently infront of me for a few moments before walking over to one of the book shelves and examining the contents of it. "You know Severus, you have never been one to hide your emotions well."

My eyes shot up from the book to the old man now staring at me from across the room. "I do not know what you are talking about, but I can assure you that I am perfectly capable of controlling whatever emotions I do or do not have" I snapped, emphasizing the do not. A sparkle flashed in Dumbledore's eyes as he continued on, completely ignoring my previous comment.

"I trust that you will be instructing Miss Potter and Mr Malfoy before term ends?"

I glanced down from him to the note from Lucius which was still sitting on my desk, face down. How that man knew everything that went on in the castle, I will never know. I nodded silently and Dumbledore smiled at me before turning and walking from my office.

"Oh and Severus" he said lightly, turning towards me in the doorway. "It was not a mistake"

Before I could even ask what he meant, Dumbledore disappeared from my doorway into the castle. Crazy old man I thought as I continued flipping through the pages of the book.

Annalise's POV

I had spent the last few hours in bed under the covers, crying silently. Hermione had come in and checked on me, offering to get me some food from the house elves, but otherwise hadn't pressed too hard on the subject of me crying. As much as I wanted to talk to someone about it, vent my feelings, I was glad she hadn't pried. That was one thing I truly did like about Hermione, she knew when to stop and give someone their space. The other three girls in our room occasionally went in and out, none of them stopping to see what was the matter. I didn't know them that well though and had expected them to just mind their buisness anyways. Around 11, I decided that laying in bed and crying wasn't doing me any good and got up to get some fresh air. As I left the common room, my feet immediately took me across the castle to the stairs of the Astronomy Tower. I was so caught up in my own thoughts when I entered the tower that I nearly fell over when I finally noticed the tall figure standing just a few feet away from me.

"I'm sorry professor, I didn't see you" I said as my heart slowed in my chest.

Dumbledore gave a light chuckle before walking over to where I was standing. "It's perfectly okay Miss Potter. What brings you to the Astronomy Tower so late at night?"

"Sorry professor, I know it's past curfew but I just had a lot on my mind and couldn't sleep."

Dumbledore's sparkling eyes looked me over for a moment before he turned and looked out over the Black Lake. "I often frequent the tower when I have pressing matters in my mind also. The night air helps me to relax and regain focus."

"Oh I'm sorry if I interrupted you professor" I said looking over to him.

Dumbledore gave me a soft smile and turned towards the stairs of the tower. "Please do not apologize Miss Potter. It seems as thought at the moment, you need the tower much more than I do. Also," he said, stopping at the top of the stairs and turning to me, "have you happened to find the Room of Requirement yet?"

I silently shook my head no. Dumbledore emitted a small hmm before smiling at me again and disappearing down the stairs. He was quite odd at times, yet I could feel myself constantly hanging on to every word he said. I knew about the Room of Requirement that he had mentioned; it was where Dumbledore's Army had been regularly meeting. However, I didn't know where it was. I had never actually been to it, I just relayed any information I had to the trio which lately hadn't been much. I let out a long sigh as I sat down on the edge of the tower and let the wind whip through my hair. With a silent spell, a large white orb appeared in the air. I watched intently as my memories of the past few days played over and over in the air before me.

"He's not worth it" I whispered as I watched myself run down the corridor in tears. Seeing that image replay made my heart ache for him. He had made it clear that it was a mistake, that he didn't want to be with some silly little student, but I still couldn't help the pang in my chest whenever he crossed my mind. I waved my hand in the air and as fast as it had appeared, the white orb disappeared again. If he didn't want to be with me then I'd respect that and just let him be.