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"You lied to me. All along, everything, it was all lies," Damian hissed at Anya, hurt. He vaguely took note as she took a step back, almost crashing into the wall as she cowered.
"Do you even care?" He added, then rushed off without waiting for an answer down to the end of the hallway. He couldn't believe it. It had all been an accident and he was sure if he hadn't accidentally caught a glimpse into her mind during Occlumency training when Professor Forger paired them for practice, he would have never found out the truth. All of the Forgers were just big, fat liars and he had fallen for their trap like a stupid little fly in a spider web.
Anya simply watched him go, she'd follow him into the hallway the moment he ran out but she felt weak, dazed. Her weakened legs gave away under her and her knees landed sharply on the cold dungeon floor. She was so overwhelmed, so exhausted, so everything that she didn’t think she could even cry for everything she'd lost and could never hope to recover.
"You shouldn't be angry at them. For all that they've lied so much, they're somehow the most disgustingly genuine people I know," Severus said as he sat on the cold dungeon floor in the corner of the hallway where Damian had been hiding. He'd searched for the guy after he was sure Anya was ensconced in her parents' arms instead of silently sobbing on the cold dungeon floor. He knew they'd have questions about what he knew of it all later, but for once he didn’t mind the idea.
"What?!" Damian exclaimed, startled. He had his head buried in his knees and looked up in surprise.
"They're really the nicest people you'll ever meet… Too darn nice that I'm surprised they're not all Hufflepuffs…" Severus said, not even looking at him. He leaned against the wall to get comfortable, knowing this was going to be a long conversation and cast a Silencio so no one would hear them. As an afterthought he cast a warming spell so that they wouldn't freeze.
"Yeah, well, they can also clearly outsmart any Ravenclaw and are slyer than any Slytherin too, what's your point?" Damian hissed out.
"Oh, is that the problem? Your ego got hurt?" Severus taunted then sighed.
"I was angry at first too, you know? More at myself than them, to be honest. I was frustrated that I fell for their little tricks… Especially because they had taken my opportunity to be the Prince Heir. But then I realised all that they were doing and sacrificing to keep us safe and how I really didn't want to have to play in that world of politics if I could avoid it. As is, between your dad, Riddle, and our insane Headmaster, I don't think we'll even be safe from an imminent war…. So, after I thought about it more… Well, I couldn't help but feel pity for them, especially Anya. Did you know that outside themselves and my mother, no one knows any of their secrets?... Well, at least not that they knew," Severus added, as he passed a hand over his hair. It was getting too long, about to reach his shoulder. He'd have to get a haircut soon or it would become unmanageable.
"What?" Damian asked, still confused and dazed before shaking himself out of it.
"Wait, then how do you know?" he questioned.
"I accidentally overheard them once, after the incident last year when I was hiding out at their place. They somehow forgot to put a silencing spell -probably didn't realise I was in my room at that moment, honestly- and I got enough of that conversation to know the truth," Severus shrugged.
"Now will you let me explain the whole of it, or will you keep wallowing in your self-pity?" Severus asked, annoyed.
"You're one to talk," Damian snorted but leaned back and allowed him to explain.
"Damian, I'm so, so sorry," Anya whispered, submerged in tears as he crossed the picture frame into their common room. By now, everyone else had gone to sleep but she remained awake hoping to catch him to apologise.
"You're sixteen," he whispered back instead of a proper reply. He looked pale, clammy.
"Y-yes," Anya frowned in surprise. How had he found that particular bit out?
"Oh stars, Anya, how have you been doing this when you're so young?" Damian asked, sounding pained. He missed a step and Anya caught him in her arms but his bigger frame caused them both to fall on their knees to the floor.
"Damian, what's the matter? Are you hurt?" Anya asked, frantically searching everywhere to see if there were any injuries.
Damian didn't reply but buried his face on the side of her neck and held her close, "No, I'm sorry Anya, I'm sorry you've been enduring so much. That you've been so alone. But I promise I won't leave, never."
Anya felt her tears fall more freely at his words, her body shaking as she sobbed and hid her face against his shoulder. Somehow, she knew he wasn't lying. No, her tears weren't of sorrow but true relief. Finally, he knew it all and she wasn't alone anymore.