The Precipice
"Professor, I can't- please understand, I can't," Rigel took a deep breath, probably frustrated with being so incoherent, "I don't want to put anyone- especially you, in any more danger and it would be really bad if I told you where I currently live, like, I can see no way it can't go wrong-"
"Breathe, boy," Severus said, "I merely asked in case you needed help but were too foolish to ask for it." And because I want to know if you're living well.
"Sorry that I can't tell you," Rigel said quietly. He looked the part, so Severus didn't press much further.
"I admit I had a few more questions," Severus said casually, "Would you be amenable to answering them?"
Rigel gave a cautious nod, "Yes, sir."
"The idea for the long lasting Polyjuice," Severus said, and saw him relax, "who came up with it?"
But Rigel had stiffened once more, "What do you mean, sir?"
"Miss Potter claims credit for it," Severus said dryly, "and yet it was you who proposed the idea for the preservation oil using amber stone."
"It was a joint idea." Rigel said, and something felt off when Severus looked at his face. Then Severus realised. He wasn’t meeting his eyes, rather, Rigel's grey pupils were fixated on Severus' forehead, in an attempt to disguise the deflection. It might have worked, Severus thought, if he wasn't looking so closely.
He is lying to me again.
Why, on something like this?
At least he feels guilt for it.
But since when did the bar drop so low, that guilt of lying was enough?
Another thing he would have to mend, once lying and hiding from the world was no longer a compulsion. He felt as though the boy was on a precipice; at the delicate edge where a snap of the precarious branch he stood upon would lead him to utter breakdown. Maybe to death. But what Rigel didn't realise was that until he didn't look down, he would feel like he was flying through the air. Such was a life with lies. Severus' experience had taught him as much.
But Rigel would not break. Of that, he knew. The boy who stared down death countless times and showed his ingenuity through it all, the boy with a passion so bright Severus thought it could fuel the stars– he wouldn't break. Not if Severus had anything to say about it.
He didn't understand.
How?
When they were smiling and catching up just hours ago, how could it have devolved to this?
Severus thought he'd been blind before. That he hadn't known that Rigel was an imposter was a reflection of it. But this was simply too much.
Potter and Lily had asked for a moment with Rigel. Severus would have left them to it, despite the sour taste it left in his mouth, had it not been for the panicked, almost pleading look that flashed across Rigel's eyes.
Help. Please.
He placed a hand on his shoulder firmly.
"We would like to talk to him alone, Snape." Potter said, "You have had time to discuss personal matters. I hope you can extend the same courtesy to us."
I would, if Rigel would not be trembling, Severus thought quietly.
"I shall leave if Rigel wishes me to," He said neutrally.
At that Rigel gave the slightest shake of head, and Severus' choice was made. If he wanted him there, for whatever reason, well, Severus wouldn't be the one to abandon him.
But why is he so troubled?
As far as Severus knew, the only interaction directly between Harriet Potter and Rigel had been when he would pass on the potions tutelage he received from Severus. He was aware that Harriet had been more involved in the ruse than was revealed, but he'd thought of it only in the aspect that she was closer to Rigel. Why did the Potter family want to talk to him? Surely Harriet hadn't revealed anything?
She wouldn't. Rigel trusted her, Severus was sure. He relaxed minutely until he saw the hint of pain in Potter’s eyes.
"Does he know?" James asked, and the words were meant only for Rigel.
"...Know what?" Rigel said quietly.
He just stared at Rigel.
"A minute, please." Then he grabbed Rigel by the arm and took off with him.
Severus and Lily exchanged glances. Well.
What to do now? He couldn’t get the fear in Rigel's eyes out of his head. Should he follow? He mentally rolled his eyes. It was Potter. Of course he should.
Severus took a step back to see Lily mirroring him, only forward.
There was a sad smile gracing her lips, "You should give them some time."
Severus narrowed his eyes, "On what accord? I doubt Potter has anything pleasant to say to the boy who was an accomplice in a scheme that had his daughter living alone in the lower alleys. You saw Rigel: he was afraid."
Lily flinched at that, "Severus, there's something you need to know about-"
She stopped. For a moment Severus was confused, but then he saw her pendant. It was glowing faintly.
"No." She said softly, then a little more panicked, "No, Harr—"
And she swept past Severus and ran in the direction Potter and Rigel had gone.
And once again, Severus had questions.
Only this time, he wouldn't rest until he had answers to every. single. one. of them.