Chapter 28 (hideout)

                                    

                                          
After breakfast, they found themselves sitting in the living room. There was little to no talking between them and if they did talk, it was an exchange of a few words asking if the other wanted tea. (Y/N) made herself comfortable on the black, leather couch with her feet stretched in the length and her head against a pillow and eyes closed. Severus sat crossed legged in the armchair, leaning back with the Daily Prophet in his hands, blocking (Y/N)'s view into seeing his face. 
                          
'So,' she began trying to break the silence and ease her boredom. 'How was your time at Hogwarts at my age? I can imagine it was very different back then.' She quickly closed her mouth to stop herself from talking. Maybe she shouldn't have brought back such a sensitive subject because everything about Severus' past wasn't very bright and he would usually be snarky every time she said something about it. Not to mention that one time he exposed himself in front of her about his scars. That was still something he hadn't spoken about yet.
                          
'Don't see why that's any of your business,' he replied coolly, still not lowering the paper. 
                          
'I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought that up.' She opened her eyes to look at Snape's direction and saw he shifted in his chair like he was uncomfortable. 
                          
'You know. I don't know if I ever said anything about it but you truly helped me through rough times. I just wanted to thank you for that.' 
                          
Severus finally lowered his paper so that his face was visible and she stared back in the onyx eyes. 
                          
'And pray tell, what did I possibly do to help you through things?' He spatted the last words out and glared at her, not believing anything (Y/N) was saying. How could Severus had helped her, he didn't even do anything and only made her life a living hell. He ruined her by making love with her and took advantage of the girl's idiocy. She wasn't old enough yet to know what was right and wrong. He knew once she grew up, she would realize what she had done and would be disgusted by Severus, never wanting to see him ever again. 
                          
'You helped me with the problems that I had.' She hesitated. 'You made me feel less alone and you cared about me. You saw when I wasn't doing well while no one else noticed. You helped me realize that it's okay to feel down sometimes and that people make mistakes. I just felt like no one understood me back then but you did and you didn't even look at me differently after finding out I cut. I told my best friend one time when she found out and every time I saw her, she looked at me with disgust in her eyes and eventually, she stopped hanging out with me. When you showed me yours, it made me feel more normal and accepted.' 
                          
Severus merely lifted his eyebrow and shifted in his armchair again. 
                          
'That so-called friend, was foolish for letting you go.' (Y/N) waited for him to say more but it seemed like that was all he had to say so she stared back at the ceiling and closer her eyes once more. 
                          
The fireplace started to lit green and (Y/N) jumped up from shock. Dumbledore was now standing with them in the living room and Severus stood up greeting him.
                          
'Severus. Good to see you.' His blue eyes were twinkling just like always and he had a warm, welcomed smile on his face. 
                          
'Likewise. Could I offer you some tea?' Severus' voice was dripping with annoyance and a bit of sarcasm
                          
'That won't be necessary. I won't be staying for that long.' He sat on one of the empty chairs and (Y/N) followed the motion while Severus remained standing on his feet. 
                          
'How are you today (Y/N)?' She wanted to reply with a: I'm fine but got interrupted by Severus. 
                          
'We all know why you're here Albus. Can you cut to the case?' He rolled his eyes and wanted this conversation to end as quickly as possible. 
                          
'Yes. The situation we are currently in isn't making this any easier. As we all know we still have a war to win and we definitely wouldn't want to attract any more Death Eaters as we already do. (Y/N) would be in danger if they found out she was alive and Severus, you would lose your trust that you gained. Which is why I made the decision to keep (Y/N) hidden and under protection from you.' He turned towards Severus to indicate that you were meant for him. 'That means (Y/N) will be staying in your chambers at Hogwarts. Of course, it isn't the safest plan and Hogwarts isn't the best option but we were informed that the Dark Lord assigned his followers to search through your house.' 
                          
Severus' mouth fell open. Was he implying that the girl was staying in his chambers in Hogwarts! That would be the worst option ever. 
                          
'This is absurd Albus! We can't let Miss (L/N) be at Hogwarts. Do you have any idea how dangerous and risk taking that is? Not to mention it is extremely inappropriate for me to have a student there,' he yelled, hands thrown into the air. 
                          
Dumbledore nodded in understanding, already knowing that he was going to react this way.
                          
'I completely understand but we don't have a choice. She won't be attending any classes of course and we can't let other people know she's still alive.' 
                          
Suddenly (Y/N) began to join the conversation. 
                          
'Headmaster, I don't want to doubt your decisions but are you sure this is the best idea?' 
                          
'I'm afraid this is all we can do at the moment. It won't be for a lifetime, just until Voldemort is defeated. I hope you two understand.' 
                          
She nodded and accepted that this was the only thing they could do. The Death Eaters were going to search this house so she couldn't stay here and even though Hogwarts wasn't the safest, it was all that they had right now. She would have to stay locked up into the private chambers of Severus and live with him, only for a while and nothing more. She could manage that. 
                          
'I have better things to do than protect her Albus.' He wasn't lying. Severus always had his hands full to Voldemort and completed his tasks as a double spy. It was exhausting to live up to the expectations Dumbledore and Voldemort both had. 
                          
'I know you do but it's not permanent. (Y/N) is going to be fine staying at yours as long as nobody knows she's there.' 
                          
With that, Dumbledore stood up to let them know he was done arguing and Severus gave in. 
                          
'I will expect you two tomorrow in Hogwarts. Enjoy the rest of your day.' The blue eyes switched between (Y/N) and Severus and he stepped in the fireplace to floo back again.