A Taste of Hell

Omnem credem tim tibi diluxisse supremum






Omnem
crede diem tibi diluxisse supremum
Believe that each day which breaks is your last

Dumbledore sat next to Snape's bed, his face a stony mask. Snapuirmuirmed under
the headmaster's gaze, and couldn't bring himself to meet his eyes.

"I wasn't trying to kill myself.." he said for what felt like the
hundredth time.

The older man continued his silence.

"Please believe me Albus," Snape mentally cursed himself at the
pleading tone that crept into his voice, "I was drunk.. I just wanted to
get the mark off.."

Finally Dumbledore lowered his gaze and let out a tired sigh. For the first
time since he had known him, the headmaster began looking his age. Snape turned
away, unable to stand the expression on Dumbledore's face.

Lovely, he thought bitterly to himself, All you're good for is
disappointing people.

"Severus.." Dumbledore began, and Snape steeled himself for the words
he knew were coming. "It might be prudent if you take a break from
teaching this year. Maybe keep low for a while.."

Even though he suspected that it would come to this, it still hurt.
"No!" he hissed, lunging forward, ignoring the dizziness that
threatened to overwhelm him.

Dumbledore looked up at him, and Snape gladly met his eyes, his gaze filled
with hurt and defiance. Finally the headmaster shook his head and chuckled
softly.

"Maybe, I spoke too soon," Dumbledore sighed. "You'll have to
forgive this old man for being too overprotective. I only have your best
interests at heart."

"My best interests?" Snape snarled, "By keeping me locked away
doing nothing? We all know how well that technique worked with Sirius
Black!"

At seeing the stricken expression that flashed across Dumbledore's face, Snape
felt the anger drain out of him. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said
that."


"Its quite all right Severus," came Dumbledore’s tired reply.
"It seems that all my good intentions as of late, seem to be blowing up in
my face. Well.. You know what they say about good intentions anyways.." He
chuckled mirthlessly. "At any rate, I'm glad you don't want to give up
your position. I know I wouldn't be able to find a Potion's Master anywhere
near your caliber."

The headmaster stood up abruptly. "Now, if you will excuse me, Severus.
You need your rest, and I have some matters to attend to." With that
Dumbledore exited, leaving Snape in the empty infirmary.

 

18
years earlier….
sp; sp;

Severus felt his
heart clench in his chest as he, Malfoy and Karkaroff entered a safe house
somewhere deep in the bowels of Knockturn Alley. The two older men, were
laughing their fool heads off, totally unconcerned about the fact that they had
a horde of aurors on their tail.
Severus flung himself into a chair glowering at Malfoy, who was pulling
out bottles of alcohol from an old cabinet that appeared to be well stocked. It
looked like Malfoy used this saouseouse in a regular basis. He handed a full
bottle of expensive brandy to Severus, who raised an eyebrow in question.

 

“Just a drink
between friends,” Malfoy said with a sly grin, “And a way to kick off tonight’s
festivities.”

 

“I was under the
impression that we already had our ‘festivities’ for the night.” Severus stated
with a scowl before grabbing the bottle.

 

“Ahh, but that was
business, and I think after a long night of doing the Dark Lord’s work, we
deserve a little pleasure…”

 

Severus felt the
hairs on the back of his neck stand on end at the tone of Malfoy’s voice. He
broke the seal of the bottle and took a swig, relishing the warmth that settled
in his stomach, as he watched Malfoy walked to the far corner of the room and
opened a door. It revealed a small prison like room, with three huddled figures
inside. Three young women, with large frightened eyes. A sick feeling of nausea
washed over him andswalswallowed another mouthful of brandy to keep his bile
from rising.

 

Malfoy reached into the room and pulled one
of the girls out by her hair. She cried piteously and struggled until he
slapped her hard across the face. “I thought we might need a little
entertainment after tonight’s Muggle baiting. There’s enough for everyone, and
rooms down this hall,” Malfoy chuckled. “Help yourselves..”

 

Karkaroff smirked
and pulled another of the girls out, one who apparently had no fight left in
her, and dragged her down the hall. Malfoy looked at Severus expectantly, but
the younger man averted his eyes and
took another swing of brandy.

 

“I’m fine right
here, thanks,” Severus muttered as he sunk deeper into his chair. Malfoy gave
him a piercing look for a moment before shrugging, as if it was no consequence.
He used his foot to close the door to the small room, trapping the remaining
girl inside, before dragging his girl down to a back room.

 

He really didn’t
know how long he sat there, listening to the cries and screams of the women,
but it feel like eons.