When Rhea saw Snape, she had a general idea that some things would probably not remain hidden. *Damn that old bee, not even a contract can bind you, you just wait—I'll find time to go to Nurmengard for sure.* Looking at her teacher's gloomy face and that terrifying atmospheric pressure, Rhea decided to confess whatever she could first, primarily to soothe her most beloved teacher's emotions.
"Teacher, I think I have some things to confess to you. I hope you won't be angry," Rhea said defensively, casting a protective barrier with a wave of her hand, and looking pitiful.
"Ha! I also assumed that Miss Rhea Walker would have something to say to her humble, pitiful teacher," Snape said coldly, his brow twitching when he saw the casual barrier Rhea had just set up.
"Well, I didn't mean to keep it from you on purpose! It's mainly that you never asked, either! Let me think where I should start... Ah, I can see a part of the future. The future Voldemort will be resurrected, but the savior Harry Potter will eliminate him just like the prophecy says. Although the end result is good, the process will cost the lives of many people—Dumbledore dies, Lupin dies, Sirius dies, and many, many others die. I was so terrified that on the day you met me last year, I contacted Mr. Dumbledore. I told him everything I knew, and I would provide appropriate help whenever Mr. Dumbledore needed it. I believe that after a year of getting along, you also know that my powers are somewhat special, and I cannot intervene too much in the savior's mission to save the world. Please believe me, I just wanted to minimize the casualties." At this point, Rhea accidentally made eye contact with Snape. Snape froze for a fraction of a second before recovering, but Rhea simply assumed her words had shocked him.
"Should I extract my memories for you? Then you'll know the general course of the future," Rhea said cautiously.
"No need. I don't have that much curiosity. I believe that once Dumbledore has his plan fully worked out, I'll know all the specific details of the future. Besides, Dumbledore said that after Christmas, you are to go to his office with me." With that, Snape walked stiffly back to his bedroom. He recalled everything he had just seen through Legilimency. He couldn't believe that it was he who killed Dumbledore, and even worse, that Harry Potter's child after his death was actually named after him—this was utterly intolerable. Merlin only knew how much effort it took him to suppress the anger raging inside him.
He wondered if Rhea's arrival was meant to change everyone's future, or if... He didn't dare think any further, because he knew Rhea. Although she got along pleasantly with every professor, he could perceive the indifference in her eyes; only when facing him did she seem like a child—a child who relied on him and trusted him completely. He didn't fear death; he could read that smile at the moment of his death—it was a smile of ultimate relief and release, knowing he had protected Lily's child. But right now, he was a little afraid. He was afraid that Rhea would cry once he was no longer by her side; he knew all too well the feeling of losing someone important. He had received too much shock today, but seeing that he had fulfilled his mission, he felt an unprecedented sense of ease, to the point where he went straight to bed and fell asleep. When he woke up, it was already 11:00 PM. His throat was dry and scratchy, and as he stepped out to find some water, he found Rhea still sitting in her original spot, without having moved at all. Seeing him come out, as if she knew he was thirsty, she stood up and poured him a cup of warm water.
"Teacher, you won't drive me away, will you?" Rhea looked at him pleadingly, like a helpless child.
"No, I won't. I'm just a bit shocked. I only took you on as a student because your talent for potions is truly monstrous," Snape said calmly. Fearing that Rhea wouldn't believe him, he reached out and pulled Rhea into a hug; he didn't want this poor girl to wear such an expression.
"Teacher, Rhea was so scared that Teacher was going to drive Rhea away! Rhea felt like The Millennium Earl and Merlin were both going to abandon Rhea, and Rhea's world was collapsing... Fortunately, you didn't drive me away," Rhea said through heavy sobs, after freezing for a moment.
"Teacher, are you hungry? Rhea will cook for you," Rhea said after crying for a while. Even though she really didn't want to leave her teacher's embrace, she was afraid she would indulge too deeply, afraid she wouldn't be able to stop herself from confessing her feelings.
"I'm not hungry. But if Miss Rhea doesn't leave her pitiful teacher's embrace right now, my clothes might be ruined beyond saving," Snape teased with a rare smile.
"Merry Christmas, Teacher," Rhea said, touching her head sheepishly as she faced Snape.
"Merry Christmas, Rhea," Snape replied.
After exchanging Merry Christmas wishes, both returned to their respective bedrooms—one eager to escape out of sheer embarrassment, and the other with a multitude of matters still demanding careful thought.