A Potion For Everything (Severus Snape x Oc)

Acceptance

Severus couldn't have gotten out of the fire place fast enough. He felt sick to his stomach. He ran over to the desk and doubled over. His eyes were clouded by fresh tears as he dry heaved. The memories of what just happened running through his mind as he tried desperately to process.

He tried to walk. He had to get to the bed. He had a sleeping drought there. He had to let his mind process without it effecting his body so. He clinged to the cold stone wall as he went. But the feeling of her hand on his, the look in her eyes when she tried to break down his defences. How she looked when she let her mask fall. It broke him. What had he allowed to happen? What had he done? His legs went out just as he entered the bed room. And he crumbled to the floor.

The world around him spun. None of it felt real. How did he let this get so far out of hand? He was so hell bent on the rest of his life, allowing himself to be the victim so that others may survive but. Now he brought another into all this. And the worst part is. He couldn't be sure. He couldn't let down his defences around her to even ask if she was... Truly.. loyal...

And if she was. Then it was over for him.

He clenched his heart and doubled over again. He didn't want this. He didn't want any of this. This was too much. Dumbledore asked too much of him. He couldn't keep this up much longer. He was still human. Behind the mask. Behind the part he had to play. He was just a man. He couldn't hold it in any more. And he gripped the rug and screamed. Rocking himself, trying to push his body forward. He had to get to the nightstand by the bed. The bottle was so close and yet so far. He needed to sleep.

This could not be his reality.

There was a knock on his door that shook him from the prison of his mind. He went silent. Looking back towards the room he came from. Hearing the knocking again he jumped to his feet. Obsidian hair sticking to his tear wet face.

"Severus. Are you in?"

Of course. Severus quickly whipped out his wand and made himself presentable. "A moment, Head Master." He looked around the room. Grabbing the apothecary bag the witch had given him, tossing it into the bed room. Before rushing to the door and swinging it open. Stepping back to allow Dumbledore to enter. He did. Slowly. Looking over the professor as he did. His hands resting on top of eachother.

"I trust you had a good summer?" He spoke. Severus hated the way this man delighted in small talk. Dumbledore was here for a reason. And Severus would rather get things over with.

"I've taken... A wife." He said slowly. Sharply. To the point.

Dumbledore turned around. Genuine suprise on his face. "Severus..?! Congratulations! I.. well you never seemed like the type to me... Where is the good lady? Is she here?" He began to inspect the small quarters. Peaking into the bed room. Noticing the apothecary bag.

"No. She will be arriving on the train tomorrow night with the students." Severus said. No emotion in his voice.

Dumbledore pouted slightly in dissapointment. "Shame, I would have liked to meet her before tomorrows festivities." There was a moment of silence between the two.

"She will, likely need an escort when she gets here. I will be preparing in the great hall.. She's... Rather full of life. And may need to be.." Severus was trying his best to describe her lively yet, rather mad state of being. For all he knew, she would get here and... Walk off into the forbidden forest.

"Shall I, meet her at the station then for you Severus?" Dumbledore questioned. Extending an olive branch out to Severus. But what Dumbledore didn't know is that, this Olive Branch was burning at the end of it.

He nodded to the older man. Exhaling a bit.

"Well then that will give us perfect time to get to know one another, I suppose." Dumbledore smiled. Walking back to the open door that Severus had not moved away from. "I shall leave you to your evening ritual then." He smiled. Putting a hand on Severus's shoulder. Looking into his eyes. And saying nothing more before exiting. The door closing behind him.

Severus leaned against the closed door. Sliding down it onto the floor once again. Breathing heavily. His head in his hands. This was real then. This was his reality.