No own, no money, no sue, thank you for the attention.

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Are We Negotiating?

The young man was sitting on the sandy floor in a corner of the dark chamber, picking up tiny stones from the ground and throwing them at the opposite wall. And this was what he had been doing for almost thirteen hours now. He was in his early twenties, his clothes were dirty and tattered and streaks of his black hair were hanging down in front of his eyes. These eyes were empty and simply staring at the wall while he kept concentrating on the question how much longer it would take him until he would run out of stones to throw. From the dungeons around him he heard low moaning sounds. At least the screaming had stopped. He had been taught how to deal with the presence of Dementors but now, having been here for two days already, he slowly began to feel their influence stronger. When he heard the sound of the key in the lock on the door he didn't even look up. The greenish light from the corridor cast a long shadow onto the ground in front of him, someone stepped inside and the door fell closed again.

A voice said.

It was a soft and warm voice. A voice he had heard before, often before. Still it took him a moment to figure out whose voice this was.

What leads a man like you to a place like this, Dumbledore? He whispered and slowly raised his head a little to catch a glance at his visitor.

The old wizard replied and sighed. Just how...

How did I come to this. The younger man interrupted him. How did I end up here. He was muttering in a very monotonous voice, staring at the wall again while trying to take the words the headmaster had prepared for him right out of his mouth. Haven't you always told me what a talented student I was? How good I was with potions? Why did I do this?

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. Well, so we both know the question. What about an answer? He said calmly. What did Voldemort have to offer?

Severus didn't say anything. Instead he concentrated on listening. He knew if he only listened hard enough he would be able to hear the rain fall. Dumbledore wouldn't give up too easily though. He stepped towards the younger man, stood in front of him and folded his arms in front of his chest. What was it, Severus? He asked again but this time his voice sounded cold and angry. Fame and glory? Power? Money? What was it?

More than only that. Severus muttered, looked up at him and smiled coldly. Respect. Appreciation of what you are and what you can do without consideration of your family or the house some rotten old hat sent you to.

So whenever he tortures or kills one of you, you call that respect? Dumbledore said in a soft voice.

What did you come here for? Severus asked curtly.

To see if there's something I can do for you.

Sure there is, just get me out of here.

You know I can't.

You can't or you won't?

Severus smiled coldly. He muttered. Pity. Because I might actually have something to offer in return.

What could that be?

What sort of information? Dumbledore asked.

Information that might help you to safe the pitiful lives of some of your former Gryffindor students. Severus said and glanced up at him out of the corner of his eyes.

The old wizard remained silent for a few seconds. Are we negotiating? He then asked.

So what do you want? He asked, turned away and took a few slow steps through the small room.

You know what I want.

I can give you your life.

A life within these walls is worse than death. Get me out of here and I will tell you what I know.

Dumbledore took a deep breath. I will need time. I'll be back tomorrow. After having said this he walked to the door, it opened a little and as soon as he had stepped outside it fell closed again, leaving the young man alone in his dark prison.

Severus was truly surprised. It had been so obvious that his position in this negotiation couldn't have been weaker. He had regretted offering Dumbledore this deal as soon as the words had left his lips and had expected to be told that if he really had any information there were other ways to make him tell. Maybe Voldemort was right. Maybe the old man was really losing his mind and had simply forgotten that it would be oh so easy to make him do or say anything he wanted. He picked up another tiny stone and threw it against the wall. He wondered whether Dumbledore would really return. A terrified scream that would have made him shudder had he heard it for the first time echoed through the dungeon. Severus leaned back and took a deep breath. Another scream shattered the silence.

Just shut up and die, you bloody maniac! He shouted in return but the only thing he got as a reply was another scream. He leaned over to the side, let his body fall to the ground, covered his ears with his arms and closed his eyes.

He didn't get a lot of sleep that night. The man continued screaming and at a time which Severus reckoned to be about midnight he would have killed him with his bare hands for a few minutes of silence.

By the time they came to get him he was already sitting in his corner again and throwing stones. They entered the room without making a sound and now that they were coming this close he could barely fight the cold fear creeping up inside of him and draining him of all life anymore. Their gray long fingers grabbed his arms, pulled him to his feet and dragged him along the corridor. He didn't try to walk, he didn't even try to keep his head up. Only when he smelled fresh air he looked up but the bright sunlight stabbed his eyes like a dagger and he quickly squeezed them shut again. The Dementors seemed to have reached their destination, at least they suddenly let go of him and he dropped to the ground at Dumbledore's feet and when the old wizard stared over at the Dementors they quickly turned away and left. Dumbledore looked down at his former student with pity in his eyes. He had seen too many of his children end up like this.

Stand up. He said in a low voice.

Severus tried to but after having neither eaten nor slept for three days now he was already satisfied with being able to sit up.

How do you feel? Dumbledore asked. He only snorted in return. Listen, Severus... I had to ask a lot of people for a lot of favours to get you out of there. In return I expect you to tell me everything you know and to keep to my rules.

And what rules would that be? He muttered and glanced up at him, the sunlight still hurting his eyes.

From this day on I'm responsible for you. This means you will come to Hogwarts with me, you will not set one foot out of the castle on your own and you will not use any harmful magic. Spells will be put on you to ensure you will not have problems with keeping to these rules. The headmaster explained.

You call that freedom?

It's your choice.

Severus didn't really have to think about his offer. He knew that if he wanted to live he didn't have a choice. I suppose we have a deal.

Dumbledore gave him a kind smile and held his hand out to him. Severus hesitated for a second before he took his hand and let him pull him back to his feet. So do you really have any information for me? The old wizard asked.

You doubted it but still you helped me?

Severus arched an eyebrow. They might call that man wise but he definitely wasn't very good when it came to negotiating. It's Potter and Lily. Voldemort believes that their firstborn child will cause his downfall. He'll try to kill them.

Dumbledore nodded. Thank you. He said. I will make sure measures will be taken to prevent this. He reached out and seized the younger man's arm. I will take you to the castle. He said and looked deep into his eyes. This is your second chance, Severus. I'm glad I can offer it to you and I hope you will use it. He said in a very serious voice while staring straight into his eyes. Severus found it hard not to turn away. He didn't want to have to look into those eyes anymore. But never forget one thing: if you put only one toe out of line you'll be back here before you can even say a word.

Yes, sir. Severus whispered.

Dumbledore nodded and the two wizards disappeared.

They apparated outside the castle grounds and walked up across the meadows in silence. Severus didn't feel comfortable seeing this place again. He hadn't been here ever since he had finished school and actually he hadn't wanted to ever return.

Did I mention we're looking for a new teacher? Dumbledore said eventually.

No, sir.

Potions, actually. The old wizard said. Would you be interested?

I beg your pardon?

You have the talent. Dumbledore said. And it would at least keep you busy. So?

Severus hesitated for a moment. Of course I'd be interested. He then replied and when he looked up at the castle again he smiled to himself. He had never considered being a teacher here but thinking about it, it might actually be a hell of a lot of fun.

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I wrote this as a complete short story but then realised I might actually have a few ideas on how to continue this so I decided not to write the words 'the end' yet, so please let me know if you like it and if you think it's worth being continued or if I should rather type those two words below the last paragraph.