Potions Dungeon - Expert Brewers Classroom, 4/11

[Severus Snape]

Severus had sulked the entire way. Once again he was a pawn on someone else’s chess match.

He felt like he was being pulled between different forces. Here he was, a Slytherin Guard members, tormented by Gryffindors. He was being controlled by the posioner from the ball, the teachers supporting him to analyse the results. Malfoy was pulling him in a different direction with his loyalty to the Guard. And then there is the poisoner, the one that had attacked him and stolen his memories. And now he was the symbol being used in a Slytherin power struggle. Really, was he doomed to be the victim forever?

“In here.” He muttered to Dolohov. The Russian had always slightly intimidated Snape. Severus knew a lot about the dark arts, but the stuff Anotnin knew and used frequently was almost criminal. No wonder he got on so well with Malfoy.

“I know where we’re going.” ‘Toni replied. They both slipped into the ex-classroom that Slughorn had put aside for the brewers to use.

Snape put his things down on a table, but found Toni still shadowing him.

“I can manage thank you.” Severus sneered.

Toni smirked and stepped back. “You’re welcome.”

Snape glared at him, before gathering together the things that he would need.

[Severus Snape]

“Time to go.”
Severus tore himself away from his cauldron. He’d completely lost track of the time, in fact, he’d completely forgotten that Dolohov was there he was that absorbed in his work.

He looked over his shoulder to where the dark haired Russian had been sitting on a desk for the past three hours. Only once had another person stopped by, another Slytherin, one of the lower Guard members, Snape didn’t know his name, he’d had a short conversation with Dolohov before leaving again.

Snape was staring at Dolohov, “I’m sorry?” he asked with more spite than question.

“Meeting, pack up your toys.”

Snape’s eyes narrowed, toys, how dare he.

Dolohov was a man of few words, but what he didn’t say, he made up for with looks. He simply looked at Snape as if daring him to do or say anything to contradict him.

His lip curled in distaste, but he decided He’d already had too much conflict for one day. Hating himself bitterly he started to pack away his ingredients and start cleaning up all his equipment.

Dolohov had moved to the door, a darker shadow against the stone wall. Severus noticed his wand was drawn, it was a characteristic blocky wand of the eastern Europe.

“They taught you to be a good guard dog at Durmstrung, didn’t they.” Severus said spitefully as he moved to pack away the spare ingredients. The other boys constant vigilance was making him uncomfortable.

“Better than being training in cowardice you’ve received here.” Dolohov replied in a heartbeat, “Malfoy doesn’t want us to be late, hurry up.”

“Couldn’t possible disobey Lord Lucy now could we.” Severus said under his breath.

Antonin’s head snapped around, “I’d be very careful what you say Snivelous, “I’d hate to fail at my job of protecting you because I cursed you.”

“You’d try.” Snape whispered quieter. He turned around, “I’ve got what I need.”

“Excellent, now get moving.”