Chapter 2
A woman screaming, A child crying, A mad man's laughter.
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Eerie Silence
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“Shit! SHIT! SHIT FUCK SHIT!” Severus runs as fast as his body will allow him. His lungs claw at him in protest. Severus slows, he rests his hands on his knees as he desperately tries to catch his breath. Now is not the time to rest, he’ll keep running, this pain is nothing compared to what he’ll feel if he does not get there in time.
He approaches a cute cabin. The cabin of James, Lily, and young Harry Potter. It’s completely silent, unnaturally so. There is no hum of cicadas nor a single chirp of a bird. Severus immediately feels uneasy. As he creeps closer he draws his wand, he should be difficult to notice, especially considering his choice in clothing (all black from his massive cloak to his work boots.)
“Fuck!” The door was open- not even open, completely blown off of its hinges. Snape runs into the house, it was a complete wreck. There were gashes on the walls, burn marks on the floor, and glass from the windows everywhere. His boots crunched as he continued forward only for him to nearly fall over at the sight of James… James’ lifeless corpse. “Oh Merlin!! Oh- James, what did he do to you?” James’ eyes are completely fogged over and his mouth is ajar, as if he were screaming in agony. Severus tore his gaze away and ran past his body and up the stairs not even trying to be quiet.
“OH GODS! LILY!” Severus wailed. He lifted her body and cried. He cried for what felt like hours, days even. He cried till he heard it echo.
An echo, one just as sorrowful as his own though this one was full of fear as well. He turned towards it. “Harrison?” Shit, he completely forgot. This poor little boy must have witnessed everything. The boy had a large wound across his forehead. Like the roots of a tree or a chain lightning escaping from clouds. He also, oddly enough, had a patch of pure white hair right above the wound. Severus lifted the child. “Your eyes are like Lilys… I’ll bring you to Dumbledore. He will assure your safety, child.”
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“No! Absolutely not!”
“Severus, calm yourself. The boy has nowhere else to go.”
“I refuse, I will not be taking that boy in. I am far too busy. As I’m sure you know, considering the fact that YOU hired me, I am a teacher. What am I to do with the boy during the school days.”
“That is simple, he’ll stay in your quarters.”
“My- MY QUARTERS!? But- what- that is surely not allowed?!”
“Sure it is, it’s happened many times before.”
“I still refuse, have Minnie take him.”
“Severus… She has offered of course, but she just does not have the energy to care for a eight year old. Anyways, I feel you are the best person for this… Particular… Issue.”
“…The wolf can’t either… What is wrong with his current living situation?”
Dumbledore grimaces
“The boy was… Abused. Minerva found him with many gashes along his back, most likely from a whip. His caretakers refused to heal him. They will most certainly scar.”
Severus gapes
“You- You lie.”
“I do not.”
Silence
“Fine.”
“…”
“I will take the boy. He has far too many scars as it is.”
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