An Unforgettable Love Story

Chapter 3

There was a light knocking at Professor Harven office door. She was so lost in her work she almost didn't hear it.

"Enter."

Without glimpsing up from her papers, she said, "Can I help you?"

"More than you know."

The voice produced a sudden fear to her body. She had not heard Severus speak in eighteen years, but she could still distinguish the frosty echo within his voice. She struggled not to gaze up, but curiosity got the best of her. She glanced up and caught sight of his eyes, so intimidating to most others, but so intense and magnificent to her.

One way or another, she choked up the words, "What are you doing here?"

He smirked just a little.

"It seems that we are now employed together here."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I am the potions master here. And yet again it seems, someone else has obtained the position I originally applied for. But for the first time, I am not so beside myself about it."

Snape walked over to Clytemnestra, and slithered his hand it would seem, down her the edge of her cheek. She never thought she could the way he touched her so much. But a certain thought immediately made her push him away.

"Wait, you're a Death Eater. You work for Voldemort. What are you doing at Hogwarts? Why are you here? What about Dumbledore? Does he know?"

His expression seemed deadened.

"I was a Death Eater. You were not the only one who turned from The Dark Lord. There were others, when he fell that is, that never came back. He has been searching for them. He wants them dead."

"You left? But why? I thought that was everything you wanted. You always said the world was better off without mudbloods and half-breeds."

Snape looked at her, obviously hurt.

"I am so sorry I brought you with me. I am sorry I made you go through that with me. But I have given it up. Dumbledore knows. He trusts me."

Snape looked into Clytemnestra's eyes. They were no longer dead. In fact, she looked as if she had learned the comfort in food. Although she was not overweight, she did look bigger than when he last laid eyes on her. A tear moved slowly down his face as he brought to mind that night. She caught a glimpse of that tear, and she was aware of what he was thinking about.

"Severus..."

"No, do not speak. I am not worthy to hear your voice. I believe I should depart now. I should not have come to you."

Clytemnestra realized she was crying, and began to gradually pull herself together.

"You are right. Please leave. I think it best we avoid each other at all costs. We should keep any association we must have strictly professional. Do you consent to this?"

In his heart, he did not, but not wanting to upset Clytemnestra, he said, "Whatever it is you desire, I promise to go along with you, come what may."