Betrayal
By Kawaii Chibi Shun
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter series is the intellectual property of J.K. Rowling. This is merely a tribute to her work.
Summary: Severus Snape is a traitor. The question, though, is what side he betrayed.
Author notes: A shorter version of this was originally part of a multi-chapter story I began writing. The fanfiction, "A Prophesized Path", was deleted (by me) while in progress for a variety of reasons. This is the much-improved independent one-shot version. I hope you enjoy it.
Dedications: Two good friends of mine are fans of Severus Snape. Unsurprisingly enough, they are also both fond of vampire stories. This story is dedicated to both of them.
"dialogue" 'speaking via Legilimancy' internal thoughts and memories
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Severus Snape was tired of running. Running from the Dark Lord's suspicions, from the Headmaster's disappointment, and now from the law.
Why did it have to be this way?
"Severus, please." 'Please, end this. I am an old man, and I am dying. The Order needs you alive, needs you as a spy against Riddle. Please, kill me.'
He shook his head violently, as though he could somehow dislodge the memories, the thoughts of both the man's final words and what came after. The flash of green, and then...
No.
He needed to...
Focus.
Albus's sacrifice would be in vain if he was stopped now.
There. The edge of the Apparition wards in place around Spinner's End. A squeezing sensation enveloped him, and a moment later, he was on a different Muggle street, Grimmuld Place.
A sneer overcame Severus Snape's features, as he thought of where he was. That damn mutt…
There was no more time left, the war had to end soon, else the whole Wizarding World would be forfeit to the Dark Lord's sinister ends. That couldn't be allowed to happen. To sacrifice even one person was terrible, especially to sacrifice Albus Dumbledore, but to sacrifice all of the progress made since the time of the Founders...unthinkable.
Hopefully, Albus made sure to document proof of my loyalty or provide some way to show them I am a spy against the Dark Lord and not for him, or this will end badly.
With that final thought, the Order of the Phoenix's finest spy stepped over the threshold, and deeper into the web of lies he had fashioned for himself. Into the web that protected him, and allowed him to help the one group that stood a chance to stop the Dark Lord's madness.
Long live the Order of the Phoenix. Like the legendary firebird, it shall rise from the ashes to protect those who cannot save themselves from those who aspire to rule through fear.
Fin
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Well, I hope you enjoyed this little piece. Perhaps I should clarify my dedication, though. My two friends are fans of Severus Snape, and are dead-set on the idea that he's one of the good guys. In the end, they managed to convince me, too. Well, we'll just have to see once the book comes out on the twenty-first, won't we?