Succumb (A Severus Snape Fanfiction)

|chapter seven|

Warning: Mature Content

Unlike every other beginning of the year feast I had attended, there was a perpetual gloom that hung in the air. Severus hadn't bothered with decorations, the only to be seen was the enchanted ceiling above us. Aside from a few smug Slytherins, most of the students seemed nervous. It was unusually quiet. They spoke in hushed tones, many of them huddled closely together as they took turns sneaking glances at Severus in the Headmaster's chair.

He looked cold and uninterested as he glared back at them. He was once again Professor Snape, vile and feared. I bit down on my bottom lip and suppressed a smile. Seeming to sense my staring, he turned his head in my direction with an arched brow. I looked away quickly, suddenly finding it even harder to keep a straight face. Instead, I kept my gaze locked onto the empty goblet in front of me until the first years were brought in.

In place of Hagrid, Amycus Carrow lead the trembling newcomers into the Great Hall. There were far less than usual, which I was sure had something to do with our presence in the school. Amycus smugly made his way to the table, causing my stomach to drop as I realized that the only available seat was right next to me.

I didn't care much for Amycus or his sister Alecto. The Carrow siblings truly were vile. They were smug, prejudiced, and oozing with hatred. I didn't bother hiding my sigh of disappointment as he slid into the empty chair, turning to face me with a smirk. "You look quite lovely this evening, Kathryn."

I gave him a sidelong glance and rolled my eyes before once again directing my attention back to the students. Seeming to be unsatisfied with my disinterest, he reached out and placed his hand over mine. "Oh come on now. Why must you always play so hard to get? I say we skip this little game and go straight for-"

"Not interested," I interjected, my tone clipped and bordering hostile as I yanked my hand from his grasp. He hadn't bothered me much until he learned I would be returning to Hogwarts. Perhaps he thought his slimy behavior would somehow win me over, that he would somehow be able to lure me away from Severus. I would have felt a bit sorry for him if it wasn't for the fact that he was a complete and utter git.

"Oh, right. Rumor has it you're fucking Snape again. It's a shame for such beauty to go to waste. I wonder if he is as dull in bed as his personality? Or is there an animal beneath all of those buttons?" Amycus whispered.

"Tell me, Amycus. Do you want me to hurt you? Both you and your sister seem to be under the impression that you are untouchable now that you have been given these new positions, but rest assured that if you so much as lay one of your small, pathetic little hands on me again, I will not hesitate to gut you. In fact, I will quite enjoy the bloodshed," I hissed under my breath.

"The Dark Lord would surely punish you, girl. You may be his little pet, but not even you are free from repercussion," Amycus hissed back, though there was a flicker of fear in his eyes. If there was one thing that was clear about Amycus Carrow, it was that he was a coward despite how he carried himself.

"Oh, I count on it, but every moment of pain I endure, I will smile because it will mean that I wiped that smug look off your face," I replied with a glare before turning my attention toward Severus who was now standing.

The quiet chatter along the Great Hall seemed to cease instantly as all eyes fell onto him. I couldn't blame them, he did look rather intimidating.

"Good evening.. students. Tonight we begin a new year here at Hogwarts," he began monotonously, his words slow and drawn out as he gazed along the room. "Let us begin by welcoming the new additions to our staff. Professor Alecto Carrow has taken the title of Deputy Headmistress as well as the new Muggle Studies professor, and Professor Amycus Carrow has taken the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Now, Professor Mcgonnagal will call all first year students forward to be sorted." I had asked him not to mention my return during his speech, which he had thankfully respected.