Snape's Struggle

Two mysterious-looking women appeared in the dilapidated Spinner's End, then vanished as they turned into an alley.

Only Snape remained in the room, sitting blankly before his desk. Just moments ago, he had made an Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa, with Bellatrix Lestrange serving as the caster.

He would become the one to carry out the Dark Lord's final order to assassinate Dumbledore.

That meant that he and Dumbledore would be like Voldemort and Harry Potter—only one of them could ultimately survive.

He sat at his desk, darkness veiling his eyes.

He often read here. It seemed to be a place reserved for self-reflection.

After Lily died, he had returned here when his heart had turned to ashes. Now that he faced another choice between life and death, he was here once more.

He had no particular attachment to Dumbledore. On the contrary, he was weary of, even resentful toward, Dumbledore's control over him.

Had he hardened his heart and remained a Death Eater back then, he might now have wholeheartedly wished to kill the greatest white wizard for the Dark Lord.

But Lily's death had left him guilty for the rest of his life. He had caused Lily's death, and now he had to protect Lily's child. Dumbledore was the only one with the power to do that.

After all these years as superior and subordinate, he could see that Dumbledore was a good man, even if he could be calm and objective to the point of cruelty.

A wrong choice had cost him the person he loved most. Now he faced another choice. Where should he go from here?

He watched Narcissa and Bella leave through the windowpane. The next moment, he stepped into the fireplace and arrived at Hogwarts.

This place connected only to his office. Leaving it,