Time To Talk
Albus Dumbledore just does not have the time to talk to Severus anymore. But what he does not realise is that missing information might well be his downfall...
Three-shot. Evil cliff hangers? Me? Do not be ridiculous!
Dedicated to Piman for translating my first fic "Last Breath" into French for me! Merci beaucoup!
"Headmaster, I need to speak to you." He had followed him down a corridor, desperate to speak to him.
"Not now, Severus, I am a little preoccupied." The voice was nonchalant, a hand waving him aside.
He nodded, and stopped following, returning to his dungeons.
"Headmaster, it's important!" He was sure he was avoiding him.
"Severus, I have to finish this paperwork. Later, perhaps?" Once again, an excuse.
But still, he nodded and turned away.
By the end of the week, Severus Snape was fuming. How on earth did Albus Dumbledore do it? Ignoring him was not only insulting, but also dangerous. His whole reason for existence was to provide information gathered from the ever-powerful Dark Lord! And now, when he had worrying information, the Headmaster was not willing to listen to him!
He was beginning to feel worthless; a feeling which he did not enjoy or desire. Since rejoining the Light, at least his importance had been emphasised; his reason for living.
He stared out at a sky that was as bleak as his thoughts.
He turned away from the window in his dungeons, glancing at the clock. An Order meeting was imminent. How much he enjoyed their little gatherings. He watched the hand move closer to the twelve. On the hour, he had to be there. He would be late. Deliberately? Maybe so.
He was still stewing when he entered Grimmauld Place. He slipped along the corridor and into the dining room, happy to remain unannounced. Everyone else revelled in recognition; he preferred to be unnoticed.
The only man who smiled at him was Albus; blue eyes sparkled at him for a brief moment, and Severus felt his anger drain away. Maybe the man was just busy?
"Now, Albus has something he wants to speak about." Remus murmured, gesturing a hand to Dumbledore, who nodded and stood. "I am looking for volunteers to help on a research mission; one of my books refers to a "weapon" which I feel is worth investigating." He held up his hand to stem any interruptions, "I know. I do not normally turn to violent methods; however, I am more concerned at the damage that this may cause if it fell into Voldemort's hands." He paused for a moment, "It's a stone hidden in a cave in Dorset, which is in England; I'm concerned as many Egyptian myths refer to it as a "Life-Bringer"...it can bring spirits back from the dead."
Severus stiffened in his chair.
"Severus. Come closer, I must speak with you about an urgent matter."
"Of course, my Lord."
"This must not go beyond these walls, for now. When the time is right, we can involve the other members of our circle." A long silence. "Tell me what you know about the "Life-Bringer." Have you ever come across it in your research?"
"It is not familiar to me, my Lord."
"Then I need some research. It could balance the war in our favour Severus."
"It is not just a myth, my Lord?"
"Would I be asking you if I believed it was a myth, Severus?" Danger in the tone. "Carry out your research; and tell me your results when I next call for you."
He rested his head in his hand. This was not a good thing; he had reported back simple details to the Dark Lord, including its location. Which meant, of course, that the Dark Lord had organised an attempt to find the stone.
What worried him was that this meeting had been last night. The mission could only happen in the next few days.
He raised his hand to interject, knowing that he ought to inform Dumbledore of this.
"Sirius, you will help me?"
Was that infuriating man still ignoring him? He was the only one with his hand up!
"Of course, Albus, I am sure I can find some willing hands too. Hopefully we can find it before You-Know-Who hears of it." Sirius directed a harsh glare in Snape's direction. He had quickly lowered his hand.
"Very well, we shall start immediately."
He would not let this go ahead; it was not a trap, but it would soon turn into a massacre if Order members and Death Eaters were present at the same time!
"Albus." He had to use his Headmaster's name, rising from his chair. "There is something you ought to know..."
"Wait one moment, Severus, I just need to sort out these fine details with Sirius."
"Yes, Snivellus, you will get your turn in a second." Sirius sneered. Snape felt rage clench his heart, and he rested back against the wall, folding his arms with a dark stare at Sirius.
"Now, Sirius, you can lead the mission. You can go into the cave and find the stone. Bring it out, and then we can let this one lie. Hopefully it should be nice and simple." He waited for Sirius to nod.
Snape was still contemplating evil, cruel thoughts.
Finally, Dumbledore turned to him. "Severus." His voice was kind. "What did you want to say?"
Snape narrowed his eyes, looking at Sirius. So what if the mongrel was captured by the Death Eaters? That would make his job so much easier. He paused for a moment, before looking up to meet Dumbledore's blue eyes. "It's nothing. Nothing important, Headmaster. I apologise for interrupting."
He thought no further about the stone or its apparent life bringing qualities. He was not involved in the Death Eater mission and had no interest in being involved with the Order's efforts. He ignored the topic when it arose in the staffroom, and had almost forgotten about it.
Dumbledore popped by his quarters in the morning, long before breakfast, on the day that the two missions would coincide. "I came to see how you are. I know you have been avoiding me recently. Sirius said that you were angry about something? Would you like to enlighten me?"
Snape shook his head. That man! Things would be much better when he was dead. How he hoped Lucius did not go easy on him. "Nothing, Headmaster. It does not matter."
Dumbledore nodded slowly. "All right. Take care of yourself, Severus, you are beginning to look thin and tired..." He bid the man good day, and closed the door behind him.
Thirty minutes later, Snape made his way up to breakfast. He did not feel like eating...but he also knew that if he didn't, the Headmaster would be worried. But when he arrived in the Great Hall, he realised that Dumbledore was not dining with them. He sat down next to Minerva, who smiled wanly at him in welcome. He nodded in return, "Good morning, Minerva. Where is the Headmaster?"
She glanced at him, clearly preoccupied with her own thoughts. "Oh, didn't you know? Sirius has been called away from the Order, so Albus has gone to lead the mission to find something in a cave in Dorset. It sounds rather dangerous to me...but he would not budge. Said it was important."
Snape felt everything in his body freeze. "What?" He whispered. "Where is he?"
"At the cave in Dorset..." Minerva stared at him. "Were you not in the meeting...Severus, is something wrong, you have gone very white."
He grasped the table to stay upright. "Fine." He murmured. "I...I have to...go..."
And with that, he disappeared out of the Great Hall.
Damn him for being so selfish. How could he have done this? Now Albus Dumbledore was walking right into a nest of Death Eaters. It was all his fault.
He sprinted across the grounds, ignoring the incredulous glance from Hagrid standing outside his hut. He did not care. He needed to get to Dorset.
Reaching the Forbidden Forest, he stopped for only one moment. This was bad. Whatever way this was seen, this was bad. If the Dark Lord found Dumbledore there, he would realise that Snape had kept information from him. If Dumbledore found the Dark Lord there, he would wonder why Severus had not told him.
He was going to lose trust, no matter where he turned. He took in a deep breath and Disapparated.
He arrived at the cave. Sat outside, Lupin and some other Aurors were keeping watch. He charged over to them, "Who is in there?" He pointed at the cave.
Lupin stared at him, "Hello to you too, Severus. Alastor and Albus went in about twenty minutes ago. They don't expect to be much longer."
Snape shook his head, agonised, "You have to get them out!" He cried.
Lupin was confused, "Why?"
Severus turned to stare at the entrance to the cave, "Because there are Death Eaters in there..."
Lupin leapt to his feet, "What? Why didn't you tell us?"
"Remus!" Alastor Moody had exited the cave, "Albus says he will be five minutes. Then we can leave."
"No..." Snape shook his head, "We have to get him out..."
Remus was still gazing at him accusingly, "Why didn't you tell us?"
Before Snape could respond, there was a sudden, tremendous explosion from the side of the hill. He turned his head, only to see flames and smoke ripple from underneath the ground, and then a shockwave. Rocks thundered to the ground, showering the ground with ash and dust. He hid his head in his hands for a brief moment, waiting for silence to reign again.
Oooooh. Evil. Let's see what happens next! Please review if you have the time, I would much appreciate it! Update later this week.