Severus was a man with few regrets. She just happened to prod at the very little he had, causing him to blow. As Elizabeth continued to speak, he maneuvered his wand out from its holster and placed it out in front of her chest. His wand’s tip aimed for her heart. She wandered past him and circled him like prey, but his narrowed gaze followed and wand remained at the ready. It seemed as his threat of a curse was nothing to her though, frustrating him to no end. Just like Quarrel, she did not want him as her enemy. Indirectly because of Severus, the vessel for the Dark Lord had succumbed. Even if there was truth in her words, he refused to acknowledge the honesty within them. The halfblood just listened silently while his anger boiled.

As she progressed, he remained quiet. A cold expression stared back at her. Not only did she believe her cowardly independence was helping her along the way, but Elizabeth thought that she was best option for Ellie. Truly, that was not correct. Someone isolated for so long was only go to delay their demise, not completely remove it’s chance. Without proper training, the girl would succumb to her enemy’s power.

Through the door came Ellie. As she mentioned her intent to return to Hogwarts, Severus’ sneer returned. ”Very well,” came his taunting coo in the direction of Elizabeth, but his words were soon to fade as she continued. Her intent was clear as day to him. Before Snape could prevent her from speaking, the words had already left her lips.

His wand lit. ”Langlock.” If successful, her tongue would fly upwards and stick on the roof of her mouth. Elizabeth wouldn’t be able to talk till he released his curse. Snapping, he attempted to throw her back against the wall with ‘expulso’ and corner her. He prowled up to her position, his unused hand laying on the wall in a fist. If she wanted a reply and a reaction in front of the child, she would receive her wish instead of his stone cold silence. ”You know very well what happened,” he growled. ”They’re dead.” Severus grew nose to nose with her, his pointed nose flaring up as he did so. His mouth pulled over to her ear. ”Just as you will be.” The whispered words rolled off his tongue, covered in mischievous venom and with very serious intent. ”I offer you safety and you bring me disappointment, Elizabeth,” he continued in a mischevious tone. Severus was intentionally keeping quiet for those last two lines as it prevented Ellie from knowing his bitter intent.

Severus pulled away. His head craned, testing her. Black strands of hair fell over his eyes, unlikely to bother him until he regained his sanity. ”You’re a coward, just as you said. While you have remained alive in the shadows, I too have prevailed,” he challenged. ”If you believe that hiding in the dark in fear of fighting for a noble purpose is a better example for her-“ A pale hand gestured towards Ellie. His other hand remained still with a wand in its grip. ”-then so be.” A flash of fury appeared in Severus’ gaze. ”Consider yourself the anecdote.” His sneer widened. ”And that result can very much change depending on your willingness to comply.” That was a threat to anyone who was willing to read inbetween the lines, but to Ellie it might just seem like he was referencing the fact that they were in an unguarded clearing with little wizarding experience, which could result in their death. Rightfully so, he wanted to preserve her innocence. If he could sway her to his side of the argument, perhaps she would be safe. Unlike with this mongrel.

”While I may have the dark mark, it is hidden underneath my sleeve for a reason.” His wand lowered. With his free hand, he rolled up his sleeve to expose the mark many feared. The tip of his wand wavered over the snake twisting throughout the skull, causing its content to blow faintly. ”My foolishness has reamed me of pleasure many times, enough for me to realize it’s effects after Lily’s death and Sage’s own disappearance.” While some parts of working with the Dark Lord he did not regret, especially within the times in his late adolescence, the negatives had begun to rack up over time. The death of Lily and burden of her child caused him to change. Even so, Severus Snape deserved no pity. ”It may appear as if I side with the Death Eaters, but that is dishonest. I serve Dumbledore loyally.” No one could walk the line like he could. That’s why Dumbledore had taken advantage of him as a double agent when possible.

His spells begin to fade. Soon enough, Elizabeth would be able to speak and move freely throughout the room. ”If you do not wish to receive my assistance, I will leave the premise.” Dark eyes moved over towards Ellie. ”I told Ellie I wouldn’t leave her astray though,” he enthused, ”-despite her thinking otherwise before I could finish.” A small smirk graced his lips momentarily. If she couldn’t see him out then, why would she bother this time? Ultimately, her decision could of been impacted due to the novel information Grey presented, but Severus hoped that it hadn’t.

//mobile blegh

//My heart just dropped. Holy SHIT, yours was great too. I was going to fall asleep for the night and wait till the morning, but I don’t think I can!!

All along, Ellie knew. Severus’ eyes squinted partially, staring down at the child. His sleeve rolled back into place helplessly. No longer did he have to bear his mistakes to their general view of the two, as the one he wanted to sway over had already known. By her knowing, the death eater expected a revolt and uncertainty, but there was none of that. The mark to others signifies him as a threat. To her, Severus was just another man who’s mistake turned into the story of a tragedy. He had to give credit where it’s due.

The situation unfolded. Elizabeth was most obnoxiously appalled by her ‘daughter’s decisions. She practically broke down after the truth was revealed, blaming him for the death of his sister. Though not proven, the woman seemed to know something that he did not and decided to lead him on. Ellie tried to reiterate her hopes of Sage being out there still. Coincidentally, he still felt as if he wasn’t sure either. Whether his sister was roaming throughout the world or burrowed in the ground was up in the air. It seemed as if Elizabeth was only using persuasion to sway her child back into her arms but failing to realize that it only pushed Ellie further away. Eventually giving up, the woman left considerably. ”What would Sage think of you now?" ”Strong-willed, unlike you,” he wanted to respond with as the door slammed, but held his tongue. ”You raised a girl to be independent, yet you doubt her decision.” It was better to let things simmer before Elizabeth flared up again.

Ellie turned heel on him, begging for him to be by her side. Severus didn’t have to pause, as he already offered her shelter previously and was intent on his plan. ”Gather your things, we will leave straight away.” That said, he turned back to table and grabbed a quill off of it, along with a piece of parchment. The man began to write a short note.

”Elizabeth Grey,

If you are ever willing to accept our help, which you did not desire previously, you’re welcome to come to Hogwarts as long as your mindset has changed.”

Severus wanted to add that she would need to kiss the tip of his boot, but due to time constrictions, he moved past it.

”I assure you’ll be safe. Please consider this option in the future.

Severus Snape...”

When finished, he adhered the note to the wall with a spell that prevented her from removing it. With the time he had, that was the most shame he could inflict.

//time skip or a nice lil chat in the woods about that happened momentarily (then a skip to preparations)??? whatever works for you, this is your rp/plot + mobile againnnn

//Don't you worry about it. I was tired too, so it was for the better.

The vile intrigued Severus. Not only has Dumbledore shown him the art of extracting and indulging into memories, but Snape had gotten quite good at it. He knew that he had no business taking a look at Elizabeth's property... but he didn't care. The woman abandoned her only love and disregarded his sister. If he wanted to invade her privacy, he most definitely would with delight. Though he could not do it now. Mentally he made a note to grab it's contents away from Ellie and return before she noticed it's disappearance.

As they walked in silence, after about an hour later, the quiet broke. 'Thud!' A yelp left the girl. Dark robes whipped around, turning on Ellie. His lanky fingers reached out for her, but she did not see and continued to stare down at the ground. Instead he lowered to her level. Dark clusters of hair fell forward as his pointed nose lured over her. Eyes of resent stared down at her, curious at what she had to say. Even so, he figured that he already knew what she was going to ask... And he didn't know the answer to it.

"I..." Severus winced. "... Do not truly know." If only he knew. That was a question they both wanted to delve into and would soon discover the answer for. In the meantime, they were in the dark. "I assure you I played no part in my sister's- your mother's- death whatsoever." He would continue on, but he knew that even he would be repulsed by the next words to leave him. "But I cannot assure you that she is alive," the Death Eater would of explained. Truly, he couldn't though.

//I don't mind at all! I actually quite enjoy it.

//I'll give it a try! Is that how stuff went down(like the last time he saw her)? I'm a biiit confused.
//HopeWings has permission to powerplay/roleplay Severus for me b/c this is their plot and need to direct it wherever(note for anyone reading lol)

Severus's gaze landed upon Dumbledore as they arrived. By his side stood McGonagall with a pitiful smile and her usual drapes, pointed hat and all. Snape did not like the attention that had been already pointed towards him as if Ellie was an accessory on his hip. He his expression just remained cold, almost annoyed. "The girl no longer has a home," he drawled. "She needs a place to stay."

Minerva straightened out, considering offering the girl a place to stay. Obviously no one wanted to stay with that wretched creature called a man, but Ellie's attachment to him was already surpassing that thought. For now she just looked over at Dumbledore. Perhaps he had a plan.