A falling star blazes a bright trail before diminishing to leave vast, empty darkness.
Two men, one mature, one adolescent, watch its demise. The man inwardly likens it to his life. The boy silently wishes upon it.
‘I’ve tried,’ says the man, more to himself than conversationally, ‘To be too much to too many.’
‘I know the feeling.’
The response whirls the man round. He faces his counterpart. ‘Do you?’
‘I’ve failed all my father’s expectations. I try too hard and fall from his bloody favour each time I speak. Sometimes …’ He stops, anger and hurt evident, sentence unfinished.
‘I see.’ And he does. Although not a father himself, this is the familiar ground of his own past. He shrugs and folds his arms. His well chosen words have deserted him momentarily. His outer aspect is standoffish. Inwardly he sympathises to the point of compassion. But he’d die before show it.
‘Fall from favour,’ he repeats. ‘Let me define a fall, young Draco.’ The voice has lost its bitter edge and is now sad.
‘I had a friend and mentor. He treated me like a son. Over the years I fell in love with the concept of him as a replacement father. Yes, I can say that I loved him as a son would a father. A good father at that. In his quiet way he shaped and redeemed me. I had my second chance.’
On the horizon another star falls from its lofty height, this time unnoticed. Snape outpours, Draco listens to tales of his mother, horcruxes and unbreakable vows in astounded silence. Snape feels a weight fall from his heart and conscience. For a moment he is free of the burden he has chosen to shoulder. Uncharacteristically his eyes are wet as he faces the young man.
‘I formed the words. I watched him tumble over then drop like a stone. I felt like I was responsible for ending the last piece of redemption I could ever have.’ With that confession, he stands, drawing his wand and pointing it at his companion’s forehead.
The boy is terrified.
‘Obliviate!’ he shouts. Draco looks momentarily blank. He drops to the floor in surprise.
‘Dormus!’ he commands and the boy falls into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Sleep does not come easily for his guardian. Snape watches the sky as another falling star rushes to oblivion.
He wishes upon it.
Wordcount: 400 spot on! Fandom: Potterverse Characters: Draco and Snape
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A falling star blazes a bright trail before diminishing to leave vast, empty darkness.
Two men, one mature, one adolescent, watch its demise. The man inwardly likens it to his life. The boy silently wishes upon it.
‘I’ve tried,’ says the man, more to himself than conversationally, ‘To be too much to too many.’
‘I know the feeling.’
The response whirls the man round. He faces his counterpart. ‘Do you?’
‘I’ve failed all my father’s expectations. I try too hard and fall from his bloody favour each time I speak. Sometimes …’ He stops, anger and hurt evident, sentence unfinished.
‘I see.’ And he does. Although not a father himself, this is the familiar ground of his own past. He shrugs and folds his arms. His well chosen words have deserted him momentarily. His outer aspect is standoffish. Inwardly he sympathises to the point of compassion. But he’d die before show it.
‘Fall from favour,’ he repeats. ‘Let me define a fall, young Draco.’ The voice has lost its bitter edge and is now sad.
‘I had a friend and mentor. He treated me like a son. Over the years I fell in love with the concept of him as a replacement father. Yes, I can say that I loved him as a son would a father. A good father at that. In his quiet way he shaped and redeemed me. I had my second chance.’
On the horizon another star falls from its lofty height, this time unnoticed. Snape outpours, Draco listens to tales of his mother, horcruxes and unbreakable vows in astounded silence. Snape feels a weight fall from his heart and conscience. For a moment he is free of the burden he has chosen to shoulder. Uncharacteristically his eyes are wet as he faces the young man.
‘I formed the words. I watched him tumble over then drop like a stone. I felt like I was responsible for ending the last piece of redemption I could ever have.’ With that confession, he stands, drawing his wand and pointing it at his companion’s forehead.
The boy is terrified.
‘Obliviate!’ he shouts. Draco looks momentarily blank. He drops to the floor in surprise.
‘Dormus!’ he commands and the boy falls into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Sleep does not come easily for his guardian. Snape watches the sky as another falling star rushes to oblivion.
He wishes upon it.
Wordcount: 400 spot on!
Fandom: Potterverse
Characters: Draco and Snape