When All is Lost One is Found

Chapter 73: Enough: Part 1

When All is Lost, One is Found

Author: Rinoaebastel

Chapter 73: Enough: Part 1

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than writing practice. JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.

AN: This story may contain scenes taken from the Harry Potter movies and books, but it's not exact dialogue, just rewording of dialogue or omission. It is not marked.

He waited until he heard the doors shut before turning his regard back to the teens at the bed.

"What was... that?" Slughorn asked, stunned at Granger's actions.

"Confidence," Snape said with a stern voice. "Miss Brown overstepped her boundaries in terms of respect to her fellow student."

"And she didn't?" Brown said, aghast.

"She only responded the way anyone would. I suggest that you spend the rest of the month giving Filch some company." He wished he could extend that to Potter as well, but he knew a few people in the room wouldn't agree, and he didn't have a reason as of yet to deal a detention out to him.

"That's not fair! She's a murderer. I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't put the poison in there after—"

He growled out. "Another month."

So dull.

So predictable.

So bloody stupid.

"But Professor—"

"And the next month too," he stated. "If you keep going Miss Brown, so will I."

The girl looked at McGonagall and he almost laughed. Granger was her precious student and she had been ostracized long enough. The old witch had been suffering for her and worried for months. "You heard him," she said.

The girl slouched. "All right, Professor Snape."

"We should take our leave and let them relax. They have had enough stress today and giving all of them detentions won't help," he said but didn't take away the punishment already given. His blue eyes moved to him. "Severus, please study that poison and find the source."

His words were there only for show. Both of them knew who the source was.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed Minerva's lips tightening. The old woman was still left out, and she always would be until both of them were dead. Perhaps beyond that as well depending on what Dumbledore prepared before his death.

He doubted that his true work would ever be known, but he'd be dead so it didn't matter. Right now, he only cared if Granger knew the truth. She was his true support. Not the headmaster, not the Order. Just her. Just that young witch with immeasurable intelligence and a mind full of questions.

"I will, Headmaster."

He bowed his head slightly and watched as everyone left. When he was sure Pomfrey was back in her office, he glared murderously at the three children in the room.

"You're a terrible, pathetic friend, Potter."

"But I...she..." He looked down at his lap and fisted his hand in his robes.

He wanted to shake the boy until he lost what little brain cells he had, but he forced himself to turn his back to them. He took off walking before the boy got a chance to respond. He'd had enough of their excuses and of Granger suffering at the hands of those fools.

He paced quickly through the halls, his robes billowing behind him. There were only a few students in the halls now, so he was able to quickly navigate the areas while being lost in his thoughts. As much as he didn't want to, he needed to fix the situation. Not only because Potter and his brainless friend would need her, but also because she needed to stop being miserable. He wasn't enough, and he'd be dead soon even if he were.

A lump developed in his throat and he swallowed. His lips formed into a snarl that would scare anyone in his way. A few months ago, thinking that wouldn't have bothered him. He'd been perfectly fine on his own, and being the most hated teacher in Hogwarts had been a pleasure.

He enjoyed pressuring his students to get the best out of them. He wanted them to achieve something in their lives. Of course, not all of them would, but it would bring a hidden pleasure for him to see those that did. It had in the past at least. He likely wouldn't see this new group graduate. He wouldn't lie and say he didn't' enjoy being cruel to some of them, but it mainly was a necessity to make the Dark Lord see him as completely evil.

For a long time, he thought he was. Until that witch entered his life. Now he wanted to be her guide, her supporter, and he wanted to protect her.

His lungs started to ache and he felt a stab in his chest. He slowed down, but someone watching wouldn't have been able to tell it.

He got to his office door and realized something that made his blood boil and made emotions he didn't want to understand swarm him.

He wanted to be enough.

AN: So strong and so broken at the same time...And some ideas are trying to invade his mind...Well, hope you liked it and let me know what you think. See you on Wednesday!