Prove Me Right || Severus

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Prove Me Right || Severus May 30, 2014 13:31:25 GMT -8

Post by AVONA GRACE GIOVANNI on May 30, 2014 13:31:25 GMT -8

Riddle had been preening the feathers of a Feng Huang, it was stuffed. The delicate structure showed just how careful the Dark Lord was when it came to dealing with death, and the dark arts. Though she knew that this specific bird represented more. It represented life, rebirth and the feminine spirit. How that coralated with Tom Riddle was beyond her, but she knew he had a meaning for every precise action. Especially when she was given the orders to train Severus Snape in the arts of Occlumency. Avona never questioned why she was given the order she was, especially since she prided herself in the Legilimency field. Being an auror, head auror to be precise, it gave certain advantages when questioning a victim or felon. But by no means was she as good as Riddle himself and once Severus reached a certain point at blocking Ava out, he would graduate to advanced lessons with none other than the Dark Lord himself.

That was their goal. If Ava had seen potential within the mind of Severus Snape, she wa given the green light to go ahead and mark him. Like all the others waiting in-line for that sacred mark of darrkness, they had to go through rigorous tests in order to move on. But once that series of black lines were placed upon the flesh, the bearer has pretty much given up the entirety of their life to walk in the footsteps of Riddle.

So once the meeting was over, Avona immediately sent a letter to Severus telling him to meet her in her office at fifteen past seven. Luckily enough for her she had a location on school grounds. Putting her close to the action and not having to sacrifice her position. Sure she's already arrested a student, but he truthfully was found innocent on lack of evidence. Her job now was to watch Riddle and be certain that no moves were being made. So far, he's not made one move, he's barely lifted a finger.
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Prove Me Right || Severus May 30, 2014 22:14:19 GMT -8

Post by Deleted on May 30, 2014 22:14:19 GMT -8

“ thoughts are the shadows of our feelings – ALWAYS DARKER, EMPTIER AND SIMPLER ”
| Nietzsche

Severus Snape had been summoned, and so Severus Snape had appeared. At precisely thirteen past the hour, he stood outside the office of one Ms Avona Giovanni. The door swung open at his knock and shut behind him the moment he crossed the threshold. He swallowed down the lump in his throat. This was a test, one which he was desperate to pass. He would secure his future here; he would not be found wanting. Severus drew himself up to his full height, abandoning his usual slouch for a square-shouldered, straight-backed posture. Hopefully, it make him appear more confident than he felt. His heart was hammering, and he found himself wishing Lucius could be here at his back, but this was something he had to do alone. Snape was determined to impress this woman who would be his judge. She struck him as graceful, powerful, cool in her composure. Snape's jaw stiffened and he tilted his chin up, after the manner in which Lucius carried himself. His black eyes were searching but wary. He was here to learn how to shut his mind, it would be a poor start to display weakness.

Occlumency. He had read the term before, but to study the art was a great opportunity. It was thrilling to think he had been chosen for such a privilege, as much as it was terrifying to know that it was his mind which would be put to the test. On the one hand, he was being treated like more than a brainless pawn. It honored him that his trial was one of intellect and ability. Yet, if his mind was scrutinized too closely, he feared that his deepest secret would come to light – his feelings for Lily Evans. It was all the more reason to be glad the Dark Lord was not his tutor. He dared not imagine what he would be ordered to do if Lord Voldemort discovered such a powerful weakness. It would be considered a flaw, Severus knew that far too well. He could only pray that it would not surface in the course of his training and this test. And if it did, then he had better hope to convince this woman to be merciful. Perhaps that was an even stronger motivation to excel at Occlumency, to protect not only himself but Lily, too. Failure was not an option; he had to prove capable.

"Ms Giovanni?" He put on airs of gentility, just as Lucius had taught him. His tone was civil, respectful, but not subservient. He needed to show that he was worth the risk, equal to their trust. "It is an honor to be here."

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NOTES tiny edit for continuity

Last Edit: Jun 8, 2014 17:29:40 GMT -8 by Deleted

AVONA GRACE GIOVANNI

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Prove Me Right || Severus Jun 7, 2014 1:00:43 GMT -8

Post by AVONA GRACE GIOVANNI on Jun 7, 2014 1:00:43 GMT -8

The mind was a very powerful tool that needed to be kept sacred and unblemished. That was the way of the Giovanni. A family who brought up only the brightest of individuals, all Ravenclaw. Her son, her daughter, her late husband. Even her father-in-law. Luckily she too was a Ravenclaw, fitting the niche perfectly. Sitting at her desk when she heard the footsteps approaching, Ava didn't even need to breath to know who it was. Holding her emery board to her nails so began shaping them.

The footsteps stopped just at the entryway to her office and she didn't even give the effort to look up. "Take a seat Severus. I'll only be a minute longer." Finishing off her right hand, Ava switched legs and began filing her left, focusing on her thumb and moving quickly. "Occlumency. The act of magically closing one's mind against Legilimency. Which I just so happen to have excellent skills in. And from what Professor Riddle has told me, you're seeking to further your education against the dark arts." Finally she reached her pinkie, looked it over and pulled a bottle of clear coat toward her.

"Tell me Young Severus. Why are you seeking to further your studies in such an advanced field. No doubt you've got the grades to prove that you can succeed. I'm surprised that you weren't sorted into Ravenclaw with a mind as deep and knowledgeable as yours." Grinning to herself, Avona blew on her nails and finally looked up at him with a smile. Standing up, she leaned against the door, her eyes scanning up the entire foot and a few inch difference. "Please come in and take a seat."

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Prove Me Right || Severus Jun 8, 2014 18:07:40 GMT -8

Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2014 18:07:40 GMT -8

The flicker of a sneer plucked at his lips, but he quickly forced his expression back to something more neutral. He did not like the disrespect she was showing towards him, as if she had already written him off as a waste of her time. Giovanni had not so much as glanced in his direction and made no effort to return his polite words. It was galling, maddening even, but he must keep his temper. He would simply have to work even harder to make sure she saw just how worthy he was. He listened to her speak without interrupting. There was an almost siren-like quality to her voice, but rather than lulling him into a false sense of security, it somehow put him more on edge. Snape was equally unsure what to make of her off-hand compliment, if it could be called that. He was not certain that being anything other than Slytherin could be complimentary, but at least she seemed to be peripherally aware of his intelligence. Though not enough to make her treat him more courteously.

Finally, she looked up at him. He returned her smile with his proudest stare, determined not to relinquish all the power to her. Though he fiercely desired to learn from her, Severus had no wish to reveal his desperation. When she implored him a second time to sit, he obeyed in silence. His jaw was taut and his expression remained resolute. She finally deigned to pay attention to him, but he would not forget how laggardly it came. He surmised that, in her eyes, he was nothing more than an obscure Half-Blood boy. He would happily correct her opinion.

"A deep and knowledgeable mind is a thing worth protecting," he answered softly, turning her own phrasing back upon her. He was careful to keep his tone of voice neutral. "I'm eager to pursue anything that will help me do so. There's only so much that can be learned in the classroom, although I am deeply grateful to Professor Riddle for arranging this, of course."

Her move.

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Prove Me Right || Severus Jun 17, 2014 23:46:47 GMT -8

Post by AVONA GRACE GIOVANNI on Jun 17, 2014 23:46:47 GMT -8

Avona's intentions were one hundred percent meant to put him on edge and to throw his walls up. One eager to learn should always be shielded from the outside. That was the first step. He was already doing marvelously and that brought a slight smile to herr lips. Avona chuckled lightly and closed the door behind him.

"You've got that correct Severus. Our minds are the secret keepers, the databases of our lives and those we all connect with." Pushing her hair behind her ear Avona laughed softly and cleared her throat. "No need to thank either of us Young Severus. We would not be offering you our services if we did not have faith in your ability." Ava started up a tea kettle and pulled down the loose leaf Earl Grrey as well as a tea ball in the shape of an eagle head. She was, after all, a Ravenclaw.

Once the metal pot was placed over an open flame, Ava turned to her bookcase and pulled down a reptile skinned tome in a sickish green color. Ther were no words on the cover. The pages were thickerr than most books of their age and instead of print there was a very fine script scrawling across the sepia toned sheets. Shifting on her heels she set the book on the desk before him. "You're very correct about classroom learning, Severus. Since lessons in that setting arre regulated by the ministry, it is best to find those willing to help further the knowledge base. especially now that you are of age. Had you been one year younger I would not have been about to teach you in this way."

The kettle began to whistle and she fixed up two tea cups. "Before we begin I would like to know a little more about you. If you don't mind." She pulled out a notebook and elegant blue quill, dipping it into the ornate inkwell her late husband had given her as a gift. "Tell me, Severus, aside from protecting yourr mind and increasing your own personal knowledge. Why are you seeking out occlumency?"

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Prove Me Right || Severus Jun 18, 2014 18:42:23 GMT -8

Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2014 18:42:23 GMT -8

Snape was not particularly fond of her chosen pet name for him, 'Young Severus.' She continued to be patronizing, talking down to him like a child. The condescension undermined the words that accompanied it. He found it difficult to believe her sincerity, when she said things about having faith in him, when she treated him that way. Giovanni herself had admitted that he was of age, surely that meant he deserved to be spoken to as an adult. Inadvertently, his lip twitched in annoyance. But, finally, it seemed as though they were getting somewhere. After starting up a pot of tea, which he chose to interpret as a sign of some grudging respect (whether it actually was or not), she drew out an old tome for him. It was filled with tight, scribbling handwriting. He leaned forward for a better look, when she returned with a cup of tea for him and more questions.

Apparently, she was even going to take notes on his answers. Severus raised an inquiring eyebrow at her notebook. She almost looked like a reporter who had gotten a juicy interview. He did his best not to frown. At least she was taking an interest in him, he supposed dryly. He responded in a flat tone of voice. "Isn't that enough, wanting to know more and to be able to protect myself? Professor Riddle thought I could benefit from learning Occlumency, and I won't turn down the opportunity to do so. One never knows when this sort of thing might be useful."

Sev was not entirely sure what the point was in asking him these questions. Surely she could figure out why he was here, other than that it had been ordered... Any Slytherin would jump at the chance to get an edge. "You said you want to know a little about me, was there anything else in particular, ma'am?" he added, trying to sound a little more respectful. "I'm sure Professor Riddle could have told you everything you wished to know... Or that someone in your position could find it out by other means."

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Prove Me Right || Severus Jun 19, 2014 21:00:24 GMT -8

Post by AVONA GRACE GIOVANNI on Jun 19, 2014 21:00:24 GMT -8

Now, normally she would find his snarky attitude amusing. Right now she didn't find it in the least bit exciting. He was here to learn, from her, on note from the Dark Lord himself. That should have been enough information on her, that she was someone to be respected. As much as she wanted to get this over with, she was assigned and had to comply with Riddle's demands. "Look. I do have better things to do than to teach you Occlumency. I've many cases I am working on that do need my utmost attention. And I am giving you a block out of my week to focus on furthering your education, for personal enlightenment. So do you wish to learn or not? I don't need to deal with children trying to gain insurmountable power. So just answer my questions without questioning me." She quipped quickly and gave him an icy blue glance.

Life would have been entirely different. Easier. She wouldn't have been in this position if Roderick wasn't killed fourteen years prior. Avona used to be a virtuous woman with high moral values. Until her husband was murdered in cold blood. He kept her straight, kept her focused and made sure everything was on track. And now, here she sat on the wrong side of the war, Head Auror, a single mother of two children, twins none the less, and sitting on a family that needed to be reconstructed.

"Severus. I am going to be prying into your mind like an invasive parasite. I need you to empty your mind of anything that bears emotional value. As it will be used as a highway to your memories and all of your thoughts." She scanned his features and muttered the spell under her breath. Penetrating his mind searching for an open road, poking and prodding for a weak bulwark. "Drop all your emotion, all of it. It'll only hinder your ability."

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Prove Me Right || Severus Jun 20, 2014 19:48:32 GMT -8

Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2014 19:48:32 GMT -8

Like a flash of lightning, her tone had switched from one of indifference to one of annoyance. Snape flushed at her rebuke. He had clearly overplayed his hand. He had endeavored to show that he was more worthy than she had judged him, but instead he had come off immature and disrespectful. He let himself become too ruffled by her attitude toward him, which was far from his intent. He was still unaccustomed to the subtleties and nuances of courteous speech. With Lucius' help, he had risen far above his lowly origins in a working-class Muggle town, but it was obvious he still had a long way to go before he could command the type of deference that Malfoy managed so effortlessly. He swallowed, starting to feel unnerved again. He was blowing his chance. He attempted to smooth things over. "Forgive me, I spoke churlishly," he acknowledged with sincerity. He would not make excuses to her, for she had proved herself both perceptive and formidable.

He sat up a little straighter when she began to instruct him. He hung on her every word, letting her meaning sink in. Empty his emotion, surely he could do that. Severus spent most of his waking life repressing and shutting down his feelings. It was different to do so knowing that she would actively attack his defenses, looking for any weakness, but he would do his best. He focused his dark eyes on her clear blue ones and willed his mind to go blank.

The next thing he knew, Severus was alone in the dungeons. He was slitting open rats with the spell he had just perfected, and he swelled with pride. The scene dissolved. Now he was eight-years-old sitting in his kitchen while his mother dabbed a cool cloth on his black eye, blood matted in her hair. Then he was thirteen, walking down the lane on a sunny summer's day and his heart was racing in his chest. Abruptly, Snape became aware that he was watching his own memories flash past, and he knew exactly where he was headed to with such joy. No, he thought consciously, and something snapped shut in his brain. He was suddenly back in his body, kneeling on the floor of her office, none the wiser to how he had got there. He stood up, feeling shaken. He looked at her questioningly. Was that supposed to happen? Had he stopped her; had she seen everything that he had? He did not dare speak, but concentrated on quieting his quickened pulse.

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Prove Me Right || Severus Jun 22, 2014 16:29:06 GMT -8

Post by AVONA GRACE GIOVANNI on Jun 22, 2014 16:29:06 GMT -8

The room fell quiet as she focused. Reading into his very thoughts, riding the tidal wave of emotion in the everything that made him tick. She smiled happily at the sudden shut out. He was a natural and these lessons were going to end up being quick. "That was a mighty fine spell you've created. Sectumsempra was it?" The sound of his pumping heart filled her ears, but with her age she had learned to tune the song out. "Honestly, I'm surprised at how quickly you've caught on. Have you been studying up prior to our meeting? Even if you had and are somewhat skilled now, you're not even a fly to the mind of Riddle." Even Avona was not a match for him and she had nearly forty years on the man.

"Now. I know that we are here to just teach you Occlumency, but if you were able to push me out on the first try I am tempted to teach you a little legilimency." This was a risk she needed to take, if he had already pushed her out of his mind, there was hope. Pinching the bridge of her nose she thought about what to do next. If he successfully retained one of her memories she would be at risk.

"What you need to do is force your way into the mind. Find a soft place and keep prodding . Focus on something you know it will be difficult for that person to forget. Like with you I used Lily Evans." Avona wasn't going to help him in that sense. Severus needed to learn how to act on his toes and in a heartbeat. He needed to analyze the surroundings of the room and use what he thought would affect her most, and keep pushing. "Go on, cast the spell and break through. Find a hole and keep going." Ava spoke with a very calm matter and waited for his actions.

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Prove Me Right || Severus Jun 22, 2014 20:51:26 GMT -8

Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2014 20:51:26 GMT -8

Fear blossomed in his chest and grew quickly into unbridled terror as his instructor revealed how much she had learned from her prod inside his head. She knew his worst spell, which by itself would be enough to bring him down, should she choose to expose his foray into the Dark Arts. She was the head of the Aurors – the order whose job it was to prosecute practitioners of that type of magic. She could have him expelled; perhaps even imprisoned. But what was worse, far worse, than that – she let fall the two words that could utterly destroy him, 'Lily Evans.' Panic gripped his heart. He thought that he had broken away before Lily entered his mind, but perhaps she was just too much a part of him to ever hide. What would Giovanni do with her knowledge? By discovering his greatest weakness, she held a sudden, tyrannical power over him. If she really knew the depth of his feelings, then she would realize that a simple threat could make him do absolutely anything she wished. It did not matter that Lily had rejected him, Severus would die – even kill – to protect her. It had been a terrible, terrible mistake to agree to this. He realized that fact too late. Giovanni had found where he was most vulnerable, and now she held him utterly captive.

Severus exerted all the willpower he possessed to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground, instead of speeding off in flight. He worked to steady his nerves, forcing his mind to think rationally. He had more motivation than ever to get into her good graces now, and that was the only way he could safeguard himself against manipulation. By being useful and worthy, Giovanni would not need to use coercion to get her way. And, mercifully, she seemed inclined to put some faith in him at last. Slowly, his boiling pulse began to cool. He must use logic and reason, not allow himself to be governed by fear. He remembered what she said; it was his emotions that were the enemy.

In a calm voice (the steadiness of which surprised even himself) he replied, "No, I have never done this before. I've read about Occlumency a little, but never tried it... I'm sure there's much to learn. I'll do my best to try Legilimency, too."

He concentrated on her instructions and raised his wand. It was a little daunting to be facing down the Head Auror, but he steeled himself up. He whetted his mind for the strike. "Legilimens!"

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Prove Me Right || Severus Jun 22, 2014 22:39:29 GMT -8

Post by AVONA GRACE GIOVANNI on Jun 22, 2014 22:39:29 GMT -8

Vibrant blue eyes never shifted from the look of panic in her student. Avona was more like a bear with it's prey, she preferred to play with the snack before devouring it completely, and she wasn't done with Severus. Not yet, at least. The speed of his heart increased and the woman behind the desk simple lifted her tea cup to her lips watching on as he suffered within his own mind. Deducting by his actions, she was spot on to mention the girl's name. Not only did Avona see flashes of the redheads face she could smell the lingering essence clinging to his clothing, his skin and his mind.

Soon the tea cup hit the small floral saucer, edged with a cobalt and platinum ring. Everything about the woman rang blue. A sapphire wedding ring rest upon her left hand, the wiggle dress she fit so elegantly, a royal tone, all the way to her five inch pumps. Blue. "We won't just stop there. I'll teach you anything you need to know." Like a hot knife through butter her voice reverberated throughout her office. "It's a bit different, so I hope you're prepared for what you'll see."

Emptying her mind she closed her eyes and waiting hoping he would find the right track, the highway to her entire being. An odd sense of pressure began pounding and probing at dead ends, until finally. Avona let out a exasperated gasp as he found his way in. Fingers embracing the arms of her chair tightly, nails digging into the wooden ends, shavings falling to the floor.

Sitting in her office working over the paperwork noting Benjamin Myers' father. And the very much dead Michael Kieran. The door opened and she looked up to a sobbing wreck that was her daughter. Rolling her shoulders back, the thin eyebrow rose upon her head. "Mum... I'm...." The scene changed almost as fast as it came. "He's guilty you know Avona, you can't do this." Vincent's usual joking features were skewed with seriousness. As she forged paperwork and signatures. The case files for Rabastan Lestrange were open on the desk, wide open for Severus to read completely. Grand Theft, Necromancy, Murder, Illicit Trade of Forbidden Potion Ingredients and Black Alchemy. But the verdict? Innocent due to lack of evidence.

And then there it was. A tear started to form and fall down her cheek, as she was unable to break from his hold, he got her. "Rod! Oh god no. No!" She rushed to his side after she witnessed the spell she had cast being deflected and tearing through his flesh and bone. She could see it now the way the vividity of his azure eyes faded, the life he once held vacating his body. Avona reached forward and grabbed his hand pressing it to her cheek. "Please... don't leave, don't open the doors to the castle in the sky. Roderick." Blood coated her hands as his lifeless body fells against hers.

Snapping to attention she forced him out with great difficulty. "Get out!" She screamed and pulled her wand on him. Breath coming out in heavy waves as she about unleashed her all on him. Until she realized that he was just a student and dropped the ornate wand to the floor with a clatter. The same wand that killed her husband. "I'm so sorry, Severus." Avona swallowed looking at him as she sunk back into her chair and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

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Last Edit: Jun 22, 2014 22:47:19 GMT -8 by AVONA GRACE GIOVANNI

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Prove Me Right || Severus Jun 23, 2014 0:30:26 GMT -8

Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2014 0:30:26 GMT -8

There was something oddly exhilarating about loosing oneself in another person's mind. There was an element of control, influence... of domination that he savored. He slithered, snakelike, through her thoughts. At first it was like being a worm in a tunnel, blindly squirming his way down one path, then another, running into unseen walls of dirt. When, suddenly he found what he was looking for. Images burst vividly into life, from her head to his. Light, color and sound all took a moment to settle into his perceptions. He pushed further, delving into his curiosity and the black shadows of her brain. Darker. Deeper. And finally he found it – the chink in her armor, the wound still raw. When he pressed there, she fought. back Severus tried to cling to the vision, but it was slipping. With a physical shock, his conscious landed back inside himself. He swayed. Giovanni was screaming, brandishing her wand in a way that only meant one thing... She was going to make him pay for breaking in too far.

Gasping in an involuntary breath of air, he staggered backward. His own wand was forgotten in his hand. The look in her eyes was feral. It was like staring down a dragon. Then, as quickly as it had risen, the beast receded. She was human again, but Severus' fear did not diminish. Not only had he seen her anger, but as that emotion cooled in her, he reflect on the moments he had glimpsed. They were more frightening than her wrath. It was dangerous to have dug so far. He was now privy to some very dark and perilous secrets – not all of which were Giovanni's. She already had the fuel with which to destroy him, and he had just given her the spark of motive. Because she held Lily over him, he was powerless against her; but because he had gleaned terrible knowledge from her mind, she had a reason to hate him, to hurt him... or, at the very least, she had the self-interest to keep him quiet. He tried not to show his fear, but it was impossible to hide. Only his cold, dark eyes attempted to deny his terror; the rest of his body misgave him. The color had gone from his face, sweat beaded his brow, and his hands were trembling.

Several, long, tense moments of silence passed. He began to feel less shaken, a little bolder. More like himself. He took a step forward and knelt to retrieve her wand, which still lay discarded on the office floor. He set it gently on the desk before her. "I'm sorry," he repeated the words, because they were what he needed to say to her. She had as much as told him to look for places of pain and vulnerability, but Severus had never meant to antagonize her or push her to the point of tears. He did not quite know what else to say. Suddenly there was this profound, reciprocal insight between them, though they were strangers, and he her pupil. She knew more about him than anyone alive, and he wondered privately if he had also seen things no others had from her. It was disconcerting and deeply distressing.

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Prove Me Right || Severus Jul 14, 2014 22:33:55 GMT -8

Post by AVONA GRACE GIOVANNI on Jul 14, 2014 22:33:55 GMT -8

The silence that filled the air was deafening. Two heartbeats were filling her ears, the off beat pounding and pulsing into her head. A soft click had caught her attention and everything came reeling back to her. The ornate wand was placed softly on her desk, but the sound was a loud scream in a hollow room. Severus' words were just as such.

"Not a word will leak this room. If any of my secrets get out I will be sure that your life will be miserable." Clearing her throat, Avona took a step forward and gripped the handle of her teacup with acute accuracy. Severus now knew what fueled her anger, and what haunted her every dream. It explained the insatiable agony and mind gripping aggressiveness she held. Ava had to fight for something and this was the only way, even if she was forging documents and saving asses.

Flattening out the front of her skirt, she looked to Severus and took a deep breath. "Shall we continue? Or have you had enough today?" It didn't matter to her in the slightest, and she wouldn't hold it against him if he wanted to duck out early. Jet black hair curled over her shoulder as she looked on at him. "Severus."[/]b Ava's voice was quiet and unmasked of the emotion she normally felt. "If you need to talk to someone, about anything, and those that will hold your secrets to the grave. You are more than welcome to talk to me or even my cousin-in-law Vincent. Especially if you're having other issues. Not having an outlet will make it for other people to easily pry into your mind. Venting helps. Believe me."

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Prove Me Right || Severus Jul 19, 2014 13:40:36 GMT -8

Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2014 13:40:36 GMT -8

Misery, that was how she would buy his silence? His life was already miserable. It ought to have spoken volumes that the only bright spot in it was to throw himself into the cause of the Dark Lord. In the grand scheme of things, that was not much worth living for. In fact, it was as likely to get him killed as make him infamous, but Giovanni had seen for herself that he had precious little else to lose. Only one thing could make his life more wretched than it already was, and he hated to think that was the true meaning of her threat. The thought of her hurting Lily only to punish him stirred up a burst of anger in his chest. Yet, stronger than the rage was fear. A cold terror that she – a woman who had killed her own husband – might not hesitate to take his beloved from him forever. As quickly as his anger had bubbled up, he forced it back down. Surely, he reasoned, if he complied and kept her secrets, Avona would have no reason to target the girl he loved. She had to know that moving against Lily without provocation would be the fastest way to make him betray her. In short, they were in a stalemate. Besides, he could not truly blame her for threatening him. If their situations were reversed, and he was not a teenage student, he would have been damned sure to tell her to keep quiet about what she had seen in his head and his heart. His secrets were not as consequential as hers, perhaps, but they were no less poignant. Severus felt his troubles as keenly as any man could. He regarded Avona warily, making great effort to maintain a forced calm. His voice was a whisper as he answered her, "I won't say anything. You have my word."

He drew in a deep breath, letting the air steady his shaken nerves. "No, we can carry on." He knew that if he left now, effectively running away, it would only be more difficult to return. Snape did not believe in avoiding the hard things. Quite the opposite, he held fast to perseverance against all obstacles, whether physical, mental or emotional. His iron will did not permit anything to stand in his way for long. It would be far better in the long run to face this situation head-on. Only moving past his disastrous introduction to Occlumancy and Legilimency would make the experience bearable.

He was halfway through raising his wand, ready to go on the defensive once more, when she spoke to him again. Her tone was altogether different, and it unnerved him no less than her feral wrath – albeit in a very different way. She seemed sympathetic, and he was unsure what to make of that. His wand lowered again, betraying his perplexity. He believed in her sincerity, but he could not fathom the motive behind her offer of confidentiality. What had she to gain by listening to his problems? Perhaps it was as simple as what she said, that having an outlet would let him better hide his feelings... Yet, his pride rebelled at the notion. Surely he was strong enough, sufficiently in control of himself, to handle his own emotions. He struggled on the verge of speech; both wanting and not wanting to speak openly. His black eyes were sharp and mistrustful as he held her gaze. "Venting..." he spoke the word as though tasting it upon his tongue for the first time. "I'm not used to... talking about things. Doesn't it only make you feel more frustrated? Talking doesn't change anything. But you – you really find it helpful?"

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