Sanguis Ligare
by Aurora
Severus Snape was not an easy man. This much is true. But to say he is less than a man would be insulting and an utter lie. In fact, no man could be as honorable and loyal as he. His friends meant the world to him, though at times he felt never deserved them. He knew the real world was a hard place. He also knew all too well the reality of the war at hand and the evil amongst good like wolves in sheep's clothing. For he was the opposite: a sheep in wolves clothing. Every time Voldemort called he was there at his hems, kissing them and pledging his loyalty, then reporting to Dumbledore his findings when he was done. He had a double life in which he had to guard himself at all times. So he wore a mask. A cold and unfeeling one that sneered and snapped. He favored the sons of his enemies to keep the facade and tried to prepare the children for the hard reality they would face in time. It's not that he didn't care. In fact, its because he cared that he did not give in. He was horrible to them to make them angry with him. Angry enough so they would want to be better, to show him. The world would not be kind to them, and neither would he.
But alienating himself made him impeccably lonely. His only friends were the teachers, but even they weren't always allowed into his personal sanctuary. Somehow this loneliness served only to make him harder and more bitter. This year was no exception.
Harry Potter's 7th year at Hogwarts. What a year it would be. He knew Voldemort was planning an attack on Hogwarts. He also thought Voldemort knew of his spying for Dumbledore. He had to tread carefully either way. On top of that, fir her 7th year project, Hermione Granger was creating a potion to counter the Imperius Curse. It would prove not only to be an important creation, but a dangerous one. One he would have to aid in.
This year would definitely be something else.