Chapter 33 - Candice

Candice felt well rested when she woke up. However after all the events came rushing back to her, she desperately wanted to go back into her dreamless sleep. At the same time, she really wanted to know what Severus did to her uncle - if anything. She was scared that the chances that he let him live were very low.

Upon opening her eyes, she could just make out a hunched figure sleeping in the chair next to the bed. At first she thought it was Severus (and she felt a bit relieved that he wasn't off on a murder spree), but as her eyes adjusted, they also widened.

"Lyra!" the brunette exclaimed in surprise, startling the other awake.

Sleepy hazel eyes met the green, and her friend was instantly alert. Lyra jumped and wrapped her arms around Candice with force, squeeze the life out of her.

"Candyy! Surprise!" she shouted in her ear, making the btunette cringe, "Or it was meant to be... Except you decided to have a death wish!"

Candice blushed at the scolding, then her seriousness took over and she quietly questioned about her uncle's whereabouts. Lyra shot her a glare, and told her that Sirius had been dealt with by the Headmaster. Her heart clenched at the thought of her uncle back at Azkaban, but her friend was fast to reassure her that that was not the case and Dumbledore will talk to her about inform her in more detail.

Their conversation was cut short as the curtain was harshly pulled back, before Severus Snape stormed in with a scowl. His steps immediately halted as he saw she was awake. Candice bit her lip in her nervousness and his face softened before addressing the other person in the area.

"Miss Lomax, if you could excuse for a second..." he gesture out, and even held the curtains open for her.

Lyra hesitated, and glanced at the other girl for approval. Candice gave a shaky nod, and her friend whispered that she'll only be outside and left. The Potions Master shut the curtain and waved his wand to put up a Silencing charm before turning to his girl.

"How are you feeling?"

He slowly made his way to the seat Lyra previously occupied and lowered himself, never once taking his eyes of the brunette. Candice shrugged, not trusting her voice. She wasn't sure why she was anxious... Perhaps due to the fact that he had uncovered her deepest and darkest secret, and she didn't know if he now felt negatively towards her.

Severus gently picked up her right hand into his own, and caressed her pale skin. The girl was sure that he could feel her shake under his grasp, yet if he did, he never made a comment about it.

"Is h-he okay?"

The man's eyes flashed with a strong emotion Candice couldn't place, then he nodded.

"I'd rather he'd be six feet under, however Albus thought otherwise." he clipped, and the girl patiently waited for him to continue, "Shipped him off to the Potter spawn and he is to see a mindhealer on regular basis."

She noted the hatred in his tone, and had an urge to pull her hand back, but decided against it.

"P-potter spawn?"

"His godson." Severus said off-handedly, then gave her a curious look, "Surely he mentioned his treasured godson?"

"Harry? I've h-heard of him."

"Be honest with me Candice," he started again seriously, "What exactly is your relationship with your so called *uncle*?"

He spat the word 'uncle' making the girl flinch away. She tried to pull her hand back, though he held on, making her look back up at him.

"Talk to me. Stop hiding. Tell me what he did to you." he tempted surely and clearly.

Candice shook her head, and attempted to take back her hand once more. The professor held on to her tighter making her squeal in discomfort.

"Severus, y-you're hurting m-me."

His grip went loose and his hands slackened. For a moment he just stared at her in shock, then shook his head and ran a hand through his hair.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I just..." he trailed off, while her expression remained fearful as she cradled her right hand against her chest, "Candice, don't look at me like that, please. You know I'd never hurt you."

"Y-you just d-did."

Her voice sounded barely audible, even to her own ears. Goosebumps formed all over her, as she took her eyes of the man and moved her body further from him. She wanted to believe his words, although in that moment, her fight, flight or freeze response didn't allow her to think logically. Candice couldn't even get herself to look at him again as she asked if he could leave.

The Potions Master stood as those words left her mouth. He vanished the Silencing charm and exited with his black cloak stirring after him. She felt her heart beating in her throat as the last glimpse of his attire faded into the distance.

"Well he certainly didn't look happy." Lyra muttered as she reentered, "Did you call Potions the worst subject or something?"

Her joke was left in the past, as she noted her friend crying.

"Cand? Oh don't tell me he upset you! Might as well go after h-"

"D-don't." Candice said, wiping her fresh tears, "And f-forget what y-you saw. He l-left. End of."

Lyra tilted her head but remained silent. End of, the brunette thought, end of their relationship? Probably. He wouldn't want her after that. It was stupid for Candice to ever think that he would accept her as she is, even with her stupid fears, and idiotic past. Unwillingly, her eyes watered more, and she choked on a sob. Her friend wrapped her arms around her, and swayed them gently back and forth.

"So t-this is what a b-break up feels l-like?" she eventually mumbled, and Lyra pulled back.

"Break-up?"

Candice nodded, biting her lip once more.

"Oh girl..."

She was glad to have Lyra there. And she promised herself to never be fooled by that man again.

Severus Snape: Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House. And that's all he was to her. Nothing more.