The Professor

Severus left Dumbledore’s office with a mix of feelings. He was angry and he was…what was that feeling? It hadn’t settled with him yet what it was he was feeling at the moment. Joy? Excitement? A strange flutter had developed in his stomach and was beginning to effect the rest of his body every time he thought of Chloe. The mere mention of her name sent this sensation racing through is entire being.

He resigned himself to the idea that he was unable to go on the hunt for Bellatrix. He really didn’t feel all that up to it anyway. But it made his blood boil that Harry Potter would be the one to do it. Potter had done his duty and defeated the Dark Lord, with a little help from everyone else. He would need their help to find Bellatrix and dispose of her. How would they dispose of her? Did he really want to be there? Or did he really not want Harry stinking Potter to succeed where he had failed?

That was probably right on.

Severus was getting older. His once jet black hair now showed tiny tendrils of gray. His face was aged beyond his years. He could blame that on an extremely stressed lifestyle of double agent and running from the ministry for a year.

But now…

It seemed that even though he was bed ridden for days, on the verge of death, one night with her filled him with more life than his cumulative years here in Hogwarts. But what was it really? Was it physical? Was it a relationship? He didn’t have the energy to delve further into the enigma that was their blossoming relationship. Who cares?

He was happy for the first time since he could remember.

He settled into his desk and realized that given the past twenty-four hours, he really didn’t care if Potter did Bellatrix in. Maybe Dumbledore was right. Perhaps he had played his part and now would be the time to bow out gracefully. He tried and had failed. It still stung his pride, but pride is such a fragile thing by itself. If he was at all concerned what people really thought of him, he would never leave his rooms. He didn’t have much, but he had a few people whom he considered friends. A good job. And a roof over his head. Potter had fame, had power within the magic community, had his name in almost every book about wizards and witches.

What else did he have, sitting here in his dark room, rewrapping his injured hand?

He had Chloe.

Severus sat back and closed his eyes and enjoyed the flush that filled his body once more. Yes…he would spend the time he had left concerning himself with one person and one person only.

And for the first time in his adult life, it wasn’t himself.