Deception
Severus Snape sat at the head table, looking completely dumbfounded as he watched the blonde woman walk towards him. She pulled out her chair and took a seat as far away from him as possible. She brushed the wrinkles out of her dress as she patiently waited for her plate to arrive.
She shouldn’t be here…she can’t be here.
He couldn’t help but stare. She looked exactly as she had the last time he saw her. Her dark skirt fit a little more loosely, he noted…her tan vest was clean and free of blood. Her long, golden hair almost looked healthy.
Dumbledore smiled warmly at the woman before bowing his head slightly and raising his goblet, toasting her return to Hogwarts. The young professor stood, addressing her students. She apologized for being absent at the beginning of the school year. She said she had contemplated resigning, but her heart ached for her to return. She thanked Dumbledore for allowing her back. The current professor seemed a bit chuffed, but would likely get over it - he’d be paid for the whole school year regardless, since the headmaster was breaking the contract.
Severus continued to gawk at her. Minerva elbowed him in the side. “What’s wrong with you Severus?” she hissed. “You’ll make the poor lass uncomfortable staring at her like that.” The potions professor just shook his head - squinting his eyes as his brain tried to solve the enigma that was this woman.
He continued to watch her over the next few weeks. She seemed normal enough, from a distance. But Severus could feel her magic pulsing around her. At times, the air almost crackled with her power. The woman had never been that powerful before. Her temperament was poor; she often yelled at the students and gave them detention. She seemed to be losing energy quickly as well, often canceling her late afternoon classes and missing out on dinner.
Come to think of it…he hadn’t actually seen her eat anything since her arrival. He knew something was wrong. He knew his memory of her was accurate. He knew without a doubt that she was gone.
So how was she here?
He had mentioned his concerns in passing to the headmaster and to Minerva. They were both in the order, surely Albus had informed Minerva of his report on the woman after that fateful night. Her death tore at his consciousness and filled his dreams with nightmares - her pleading eyes…her screams…the look of betrayal. Albus wouldn’t believe him…no one would. But this woman…this professor… was dead.
He had enough. He climbed the staircase, asking the gargoyle for entrance to see the headmaster. He strode through the door, finding the old man seated behind his desk.
“Ah, Severus. I was wondering when I might see you again. What is on your mind?”
“Why did you allow her to return? Surely you remember my report… You know what happened that night. What aren’t you telling me,” he growled at the headmaster as he demanded his answers.
“There is nothing to tell, Severus.”
Snape scowled and started pacing the room. “Charity Burbage is dead , Albus. I do not know who that woman is, but it is not her. I witnessed her death myself. Hell - so did you! I gave you the memory!”
Albus just shook his head sadly. Severus felt like he was losing his mind. Why wouldn’t anyone believe him? She was a monster!
He quickly left the headmaster’s office. His cloak billowed behind him as he strode through the corridors. He’d find her and prove to everyone he was right. He burst through the muggle studies classroom, eager to find her. He looked up and saw her wand drawn; he quickly drew his own. He saw a burst of red fly from the tip of his wand, as a purple one flew from hers. He felt the burning pain as it hit him.
When he awoke, he was chained to the wall, his wand nowhere to be found. Nothing looked familiar, but the dank smell and cold moisture led him to believe he was in a dungeon somewhere. He shook his head to focus on the figure that was gliding towards him. He laid eyes on his old friend, knowing all was about to be revealed.
“Who are you…really?” he whispered. His throat was raw from screaming and he needed water - how long had he been held here? Was anyone looking for him?
The blonde woman just smiled at him before whispering “ finite”. Severus’ eyes grew in fear. He couldn't help but feel a bit smug as he got his answer. He was right, after all - Charity Burbage was a monster.
“Why?” he rasped, staring at the skeletal creature that stood before him. She was an inferi, no doubt.
“You betrayed me. You looked me in the eye as he killed me, Severus. I cried for you, I begged for you. but , you cold bastard…you did nothing. Now it’s my turn to do nothing. I shall let you rot down here, Severus. The Dark Lord has been made aware of your deceit - I made sure of that. It was a condition for my return, after all. He’d let me walk between both planes - not quite dead, not quite human. He reanimated me…he let me keep my conscious thought; my….humanity. But I’m not quite alive either…am I? I suppose I really am a monster. But you know the best part, Severus?” Charity leaned in closely to whisper in his ear.
“No one believes you.”
