A/N: Inspired by Brian Adams' Sound the Bugle from the soundtrack of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmarron. Erm. Angsty then happy Bittersweet. Basic storyline is:
Severus and Sirius are forced to work together/they fall in friendship or love/they get told the other is dead/sad/told from Sev's POV/ finds their not dead/happiness.
The great black stallion was breathing hard, eyes closed as he stumbled into the dark train car. Dumbledore, Remus, Molly, Mad-Eye, Arthur, the kids, and the rest of the Order of the Phoenix all cheered and let out whoops of joy.
One voice was heard above them all, Harry, shouting, "Professor Snape! You made it!"
The horse twitched slightly, then glanced up at them. His normally sparking onyx eyes were dull and full of pain, the loss shining clearly. The group quieted down into a shocked hush, and Dumbledore asked, "Severus? My boy? Where's Sirius?"
The horse's eyes glinted with a mix of grief, anger, and regret as he dropped his head with a hoarse nicker. "Do you…oh, Gods. No…he's not…he's not dead, is he?" Remus asked.
Severus looked up, forelock falling across his face and into his eyes like a dark mist. Slowly he nodded his head once, then again. "He's dead?" Nymphadora cried as a shocked horror fell over the small crowd.
The horse let out a pained whinny and turned away, resting his nose against the boards of the train car wall, breathing in the crisp night air as the train chugged along. The cold air allowed his heavy breath to be seen, and the white puffs of air flew back into Severus' eyes as he stared out into the night.
"How…how did it happen?" Harry finally asked.
Snape glanced back in their direction, obsidian eyes dull. Those eyes filled with emotion, and he suddenly turned away, letting out a deep, shuddering sigh. Snorting so his breath clouded his vision, Severus leaned against the wall for support and looked out into the night.
Sound the bugle now.
Tell them I don't care.
There's not a road I know, that leads to anywhere.
Without a light, I fear that I will stumble in the dark.
Lay right down, and decide, not to go on.
A shrill, mournful howl cut through the still night as the train finally stopped. Severus' head snapped up, onyx eyes wide and full of disbelief. The door of their train car opened, and the Order waited patiently as Severus was attached to a lead rope and led out of the small box.
Before the man leading Snape could get far, frantic barking interrupted the peace. Snape reared up, tearing the rope from the man's hand as he screamed at the top of his lungs.
Then from on high, somewhere in the distance
There's a voice that calls, remember who you are
If you lose yourself, your courage soon will follow
So be strong tonight.
Remember who you are.
You're soldier now, fighting in a battle
To be free once more
Yeah, that's worth fighting for!
Snape dropped back down and took off, full gallop. The Order peered curiously at him as he ran. Then, Hermione noticed Sirius. The man was running full speed towards Severus, laughing like a maniac.
Severus skidded to a stop as Sirius collided with him, arms around his thick, muscled neck. "Sev! You made it! Oh, Gods…they told me you were dead…they said you were dead…" Sirius said in an emotion-strangled voice, face buried in Severus' neck.
Severus whinnied, tugging Sirius close by resting his head over the man's shoulder. Sirius pulled away, grinning like a loon. "You're okay!"
Whooping with joy, he bounded up onto the great stallion's back. Severus reared up with a valiant battle cry, and took off back towards the Order, onyx eyes bright with joy and fire.