Your Protector ✦ A Snarry Fanfiction

Chapter 4: Ventus

Chapter 4: Ventus (Snape's perspective)

Snape spent the rest of the day glowering at the empty wall in his classroom, his thoughts anywhere but on his teachings. Harry Potter kept fluttering through his mind, especially the look of defeat when he had given the boy detention. Snape knew that Harry was suffering, not as he suffered of course, but everyone's pain was different. The harsh words he said were out of frustration and embarrassment, and he knew he shouldn't have reacted in that way. He was a grown man after all, and Harry was only a teenager with a whole lot more baggage than anyone could ever deserve. Not that he felt bad for Harry.

Snape knew he had to speak to Dumbledore. There was no way he could continue to live like this. His anger and hatred towards Harry was affecting his ability to perform at his best. He still had to ensure that the dark lord believed that he was on his side, and that he was doing everything he could to put Harry in danger. He absentmindedly traced his fingers across the dark mark that covered his forearm. Every so often he would feel a burning sensation indicating that the dark lord was growing stronger by the day. He also knew that if he disobeyed any orders, the dark lord could cause him unimaginable pain.

Standing up from his desk at the end of the day, he decided to visit Dumbledore's office. He had to tell him to find someone else to watch over Harry. His past with James and Lily was all too fresh in his mind, even after all these years. Harry was just a constant reminder that he was never good enough, and it was clouding his judgement.

Finally arriving at Dumbledore's office, he knocked once before entering. What he didn't expect to see was Harry seated in a comfy armchair, glaring harshly at Snape from across the room.

"I hear there has been some trouble recently," Dumbledore said to no one in particular as Snape made an attempt to move back out of the room. But one look from Dumbledore and Snape decided it would be better to stay. Neither Harry nor Snape spoke, both realizing how silly this must have looked, running to Dumbledore to solve their problems.

"Why are you here, Potter?" Snape finally broke the silence. Harry said nothing back, instead averting his gaze elsewhere. Snape knew that Potter had not told Dumbledore about his little mistake that morning as Dumbledore seemed very calm.

"Severus, take a seat," Dumbledore said as he flicked his wand. A chair slid out of a corner of the room and slid next to Harry's. Snape gave Dumbledore an incredulous look before shaking his head and moving the chair further away from Potter.

"So what seems to be the problem?" Dumbledore asked. Snape suddenly felt like a child again, being scolded by the headmaster for something he had not done.

"I can't do this!" Harry blurted out as he glared at Dumbledore. "I don't want to be treated as though I'm being punished for every move I make." Harry turned to look at Snape, but Snape kept his eyes forward, his face impassive.

"I will not live with this insufferable brat," said Snape. "He obviously wishes to put himself in mortal danger for no apparent reason other than the fact that he thinks he's invincible. I will not waste my time on someone who deliberately disobeys my requests, your requests headmaster."

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "Is this true, Harry?"

A faint hint of red covered the boy's cheeks and he suddenly looked abashed by his actions. Finally Snape thought, but kept his mouth shut. He didn't need any more scolding from Dumbledore or any more glares from Harry.

"Yes," he finally said. "But it honestly wasn't a big deal."

"I know this is a big change for you, but it's for your own safety. It's for the safety of your friends as well. Snape is only doing his job, the job I asked him to do specifically because he is the best," Dumbledore said with a stern tone in his voice, and he turned to face Snape. "And you, Severus. This task is a difficult one, and it will test every bit of patience you possess. But you cannot take your anger out on Harry. You both need to learn to control your tempers, or things will get out of hand."