| Granian
Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scotland, UK
Posts: 21,308
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Elijah Wilde
Graduated |  Farmer Carter | | Ama's Secret
Snapes second part: Quote: Chapter 2: Traces
Long before the death of Albus Dumbledore, before Severus Snape was locked up in his home with a weeping seventeen year old, a vow had been made.
Though, in truth it had hardly been a year before the above events occurred, but for Snape, it felt like a lifetime ago when he sat in the now dead headmaster’s office, not even a day after the Unbreakable Vow had been made.
“Severus, you wanted to see me?”
There he was, old, wise and twinkling eyes, but, what’s this?
Snape’s eyes fell on the old man’s hand. Blackened and rather grotesque looking, Dumbledore’s hand looked disease ridden.
“Albus, I—” he paused. He knew he shouldn’t but, that hand was so—it looked so painful. “What has happened to your hand?”
“Ah, yes… Well, I’ve recently stumbled upon a very interesting artefact that was in need of being…destroyed. The importance of the task, of course, outweighed the importance of my hand, although, I must admit I did not realize this would happen.” He waved his hand, a small, weary smile on his face. “I’m sure it’s past saving, however, I’m sure you could whip up a salve without any trouble, Severus, just to—lessen the pain?” he asked.
Severus nodded. He knew he would get no more out of the headmaster than that.
”Now, what was it you wished to speak with me about?”
Severus sighed, taking his seat. “Albus, I have some bad news.”
“Ah, but of course, for what is war without some bad news every now and then,” he said, barely keeping the bitter bite from his voice. “Tell me, Severus, what is today’s bad news?”
At that moment, Severus wished more than anything to suddenly disappear. Of course, in situations like this, when were you wishes ever granted?
“The soon to be sixth year Slytherin, Draco Malfoy, has been given a task by the Dark Lord. He has no choice in the matter, it is either this task or—death, for both him and his mother.”
“Oh, dear. I imagine Lord Voldemort has made the task rather difficult?” he asked, the worry in his eyes sparkling like stars.
Severus nodded. “Yes. He has been ordered to kill you.”
Dumbledore blinked once, leaned back in his chair, sighed and fell into thought. It took him a long while to reply. But when he did his tone was grave, though there was an edge of hope to it.
“I think it’s best if you speak with him, Severus. Perhaps you can discover his true feelings, perhaps he will want protection from—” Dumbledore sighed again, breaking off.
“Sir, there is more.”
“But of course. Go on.”
“His mother has asked me, if in the event that Draco is unable to perform this task, I’d perform it for him. I had no choice at the time but to agree to the terms, however, I cannot back out unless I wish to die. She has cast the Unbreakable Vow.”
Dumbledore, surprisingly enough, smiled at him. “Ah, a loophole.”
Severus baulked. “W--what?”
“Young Mr. Malfoy is not a killer. He may be a bit of a bully, a very mean bully, at that, but he is not a killer. You and I both know he will be unable to perform this task. However, you have been charged with… aiding him. I will not let you die, Severus, you are very important to this war, to the Order, whether you realize it or not. I realize there are those who do not trust you, but their trust is not what counts; my trust is what counts.
“I put my faith in you, Severus, that you will see to the fulfilling of this task. When young Mr. Malfoy is unable to kill me, you will step in and do the task for him.”
Severus must have gone temporarily mad and deaf. “Al-Albus, you can’t be serious—”
“No, I am not, he is dead.”
“This is no time to joke!”
Dumbledore sighed. “I know, Severus, but there is no way to fight this. Sometimes the only way to shed light in the darkness is to laugh. I am merely doing just that, although, I could also be laughing in the face of death,” here he laughed heartily, “while you Severus watch on, most likely thinking that I am indeed a crazy old codger.” He smiled a very benign smile and Severus suddenly realized that there was no arguing the man.
However, that did not mean he wouldn’t try.
“I refuse. I will not kill you.”
“So, you will die in my stead?”
Severus’ eyes hardened. “I would rather—”
“You are young and able. You can do far more for this war now than even I can. I do not have the capabilities; I am most certain that if I attempted to sign up for the Death Eaters, I would most certainly be denied and of course, that means killed. You however are able to do the things that most members of the Order cannot. You are a spy, Severus, and the information you have can help put a stop to countless deaths. My death, though tragic, I am sure, would be only a small dent compared to the number of deaths this war is going to see.
“I’m an old man, Severus; my time is coming to an end. I can feel it approaching fast and it does not take time off because a war has broken out. I will do what I can with the time I have left. There is much that Harry needs to know. I cannot die before I have taught all I can. I will make sure to be careful of young Mr. Malfoy’s attempts on my life, though, I do not see him a real threat; he is not his father.”
Severus could not agree more, but that was beside the point. The point was, he would not be murdering Albus Dumbledore.
“Severus, I know you do not want this, but you of all people know that we do not always get what we want. There is no arguing in the matter. You will kill me, even if I have to force you, you will. I may be old, but I am still powerful enough.” He smiled. “Now, then, a lemon drop?”
“Albus, this is no time for sweets! Or jokes! This is not a matter I want closed! I will not kill you!”
“Yes, Severus, you will.”
And he knew the matter was closed. But how could it be? He didn’t want to, he couldn’t do such a thing! But those twinkling blue eyes told him that a battle of wills was going to be pointless, Dumbledore would win.
Severus sighed, resignedly. “Y—you win,” he choked.
“As I knew I would.” Dumbledore smiled. “Now, a lemon drop?”
“No, no thank you, I—I need to go… rest.”
Dumbledore nodded, a small consoling smile playing his lips. “I know this will be hard for you, Severus, but trust me, you will be doing me a favour.”
For whatever reason, Severus found that impossible to believe. He nodded and in a swish of black billowing robes, he left the office.
Dumbledore watched him go. Once the door to his office was closed, he retired to his cabinet, retrieved his Pensieve and returned to his desk.
Some memories were more valuable than others, and Dumbledore knew that he would be needing this one again, though when he could not be sure. It was imperative that he left proof of this meeting behind.
He removed the memory of his conversation with Severus Snape from his mind and placed it in the Pensieve where it swirled within. The Pensieve was placed again in his cabinet and locked away for safe keeping.
Severus would need that when the time came for him to do the impossible. Dumbledore smiled a sad smile and looked up at the headmasters and headmistresses on the wall.
“My next great adventure…”
__________________
When I look into the
MIRROR OF ERISED
all that I see is
YOU
*wink*
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