I grumbled as he led me to somewhere I didn't recognise, "Aren't I Verita to you now, anyway?"

"Only when need be," Severus replied, anger clear in his voice.

I scoffed but he wasn't paying attention. He never was unless his own life was in harm's way.

"That is untrue," he growled, turning to me, "Was I not trying to protect you back there?"

I frowned at him and ignored what he'd said, "Stop reading my mind."

"This way, Miss Winters," Severus said, ignoring me as well.

We walked into a small, dark room which I figured was his quarters. He chanted a few spells before sitting in one of his chairs.

I did the same without being asked.

"You have to relay false information," Severus ordered, "You-Know-Who cannot know anything about them, Miss Winters."

"Well, I don't know anything either and I don't plan on it," I informed him, "So, I lie completely?"

"He can see you," Severus stated.

"So?"

"You'll have to act it."

"Why are you so cold?" I mumbled. "Why are we doing this? This whole lie?"

Severus stared at me blankly as I continued, "Why can't you actually like me?"

"Miss Winters, that's inap-"

"Shut up!" I yelled, standing up. I tried to leave the room but got shot back.

"You've put up barriers?" I asked, dumbfounded. "What are you planning to do with me?"

Severus sighed, eyes glancing out the window, to me, then back out. He looked across the Black Lake.

"It seems that even though we ourselves are living as a lie, you still seem to be a prominent truth, Verita," he muttered.

"What the hell does that mean?" I frowned, "Tell me!"

"You are true to yourself, Miss Winters."

"What?" I said.

"You may leave."

"Severus, I-"

"Leave."

I felt tears prick at my eyes. This was the first time he had been so cold with me.

I must have gotten lost somewhere between with this lie. And that's all it was - a sick lie. I knew it was, too. But could I help thinking that I wanted it to be real?

I left quietly. I waited outside for him to call me back, to apologise, to come after me. He did nothing.

So I just walked on. It was probably past curfew, but I couldn't be bothered to check.

I didn't stop walking until I realised I was lost. And I was lost somewhere that didn't look like Hogwarts.