Chapter 2: The Vow
Summary: Dumbledore shows up at the infirmary for a little chat.
Severus woke up with a jolt. He could hear madam Pomfrey talking to someone in a hushed tone and he could tell she was irritated. He opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings. He felt disoriented and it took him a while to realize he was in the hospital wing. The first thing he noticed was the intense pain in his neck. He swallowed. His throat was dry. He tried to reach for the glass of water that he knew would be sitting on the bedside table, the result was pain shooting from his right arm to his shoulder and back. Severus moaned in pain, perhaps a little too loudly. Rushed footsteps approached his bed. He could vaguely remember something slamming into him and landing on a wooden surface with such force it broke. His eyes traveled to his bandaged left forearm. He recalled a broken piece of the wood tearing all the way through it. His breath caught in his throat when he realized he couldn't move his fingers.
"Don't worry dear. Soon, it will be good as new."
Severus's head shot up and he stared at the mediwitch as she filled a spoon with a blue potion and held it to his lips. Pain potion, a strong one he realized. Severus swallowed with difficulty.
"Here, drink some of this."
Madam Pomfrey held out a glass of water and helped him drink some of it, for which Severus was grateful.
"How are you feeling my boy?"
Severus look up and was greeted with the sight of a grim faced Albus Dumbledore. Severus frowned. He didn't like dealing with the old man at the best of times and the fact that the man's false sweetness and forced smile were absent made him apprehensive. Severus didn't answer the headmaster's question and just kept staring at him. Dombledore sighed and turned to madam Pomfrey.
"Please, give us a second, Poppy." he said. The command in the headmaster's tone was unmistakable.
The mediwitch opened her mouth as if to protest but seemingly changed her mind. "Five minutes. He needs his rest." she conceded.
"Of course, Poppy." murmured Dumbledore. He watched the woman leave and then after waving his hand and casting a privacy spell, turned his attention back to Severus.
Severus dropped his eyes and started picking at the edge of the blanket with his good hand. He knew what the old man was trying to do. He had felt his attempts at intruding on his thoughts on more than one occasion. Any moment now the accusations would begin and the headmaster would somehow put the blame on him.
"James has already told me what happened. I can't begin to understand what you were thinking, going into that tunnel. In the middle of the night no less." There was disappointment and annoyance in the headmaster's voice.
Severus finally looked up. "Black tried to kill me." he spat bitterly.
Dumbledore sighed again. His aged face hardening some more. "Mr. Black made an error and failed to consider the consequences. That does not excuse your actions." he said.
Severus felt bile raising in his throat. He focused on the bed curtains, glaring hard.
"The whomping willow was planted for a reason. The tunnel to the shrieking shack was never meant to be discovered by any of the students. We took measures to insure your safety. You, Mr. Snape should know better than to roam the school grounds after hours. If it wasn't for James' compassion and great show of courage, quite a few lives would have gotten ruined. James risked himself to save your life. You owe him a life debt."
Severus felt more sick by the minute. The headmaster's speech about James Potter heroism didn't help his growing resentment. This was not what he had anticipated that night. He remembered feeling triumphant and scared at the same time when he was moving along the blasted tunnel. Determined to show the marauders' true colors to everyone and prove himself. It felt as if years had past since then.
"I am assuming you figured out who the werewolf was." Dumbledore continued after a moment looking at him expectedly from behind his half-moon glasses.
"Lupin" whispered Severus. He could see the giant beast glowering and jumping at him, his yellow eyes glowing with bloodlust and his sharp teeth wet with saliva. Severus shot his eyes closed tightly, willing the image to disappear.
"Mr. Lupin is here on my invitation and he has proven himself a model student. If this information gets out, his chances of receiving a proper education would be slim. For that reason I would require a vow from you"
Severus opened his eyes at that. He had been half listening to the headmaster's banter about Lupin. "a vow?" he asked, truly confused.
"Yes, you will vow on your magic that you wouldn't tell a soul of Remus' condition."
Severus didn't response for a moment. He had always been intimidated by the powerful old wizard. But now, something had changed in him. He had experienced his own death and faced torture. Somehow the prospect of Dumbledore's possible punishment didn't scare him anymore.
"And if I don't?" he asked defiantly. Dumbledore didn't respond. He apparently hadn't expected this outcome.
"Are you going to expel me? It would only attract people's attention. Not the best strategy when you're trying to sweep something under the rug, is it?" Severus was shaking now, But did his best to keep his composure.
The aged wizard was truly angry now. His magic lashing from under the surface. It was nothing compared to Voldemort's burning rage, though. Severus rubbed at his bandaged arm absentmindedly.
"You will watch your tone, boy! You ARE taking this vow, I'll make sure of it. I would not let you jeopardize Mr. Lupin's life"
Severus gritted his teeth, his anger matched the headmaster's. "Did you make potter and Black take a vow, too?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
"James and Sirius would never betray their friend." Dumbledore answered somewhat calmer, confidence and pride lacing his words.
"Black already has!"
Dumbledore seemed taken aback and fell silent.
"Do what you want. I'm not taking any kind of vow or oath." Severus went on. He was swaying where he sat. He continued, trying and failing to keep his voice steady. "I am not planning to tell anyone about Lupin and you just have to take my word for it."
Madam Pomfrey was once again at his side.
"That is quite enough. You need to lie down." said the mediwitch sternly, all the while glaring at Dumbledore.
"Very well, Mr. Snape. But make no mistake, I will keep you to that promise." With that Dumbledore left.
Severus sat quietly and let madam Pomfrey fuss over him. He was drained and exhausted.
"How long have I been in the hospital?" Severus ask tiredly.
"Two days dear, tomorrow would be Tuesday. You need to stay here for a few more days. You still have a touch of fever, your left shoulder was broken and you had a few wounds on your right shoulder and your neck, these would take a couple of more days to heal. The worst one though, is your left arm. Like I said, the damage is not permanent but it would take some time to get better." Madam Pomfrey explained kindly. "Now, why don't you try to sleep for a while?" she added.
Severus nodded and closed his eyes. Soon he drifted to an uneasy sleep.
...
Albus Dumbledore sat heavily at his desk. The conversation with the Slytherin had left him drained and uneasy. It had not gone at all as expected. He had counted on the vow, figuring it would defuse the issue and solve all the problems. He was not used to being contradicted and not getting his way. He could not remember any of the students or his employees ever talking back to him. That boy just did not know how to control his tongue. Albus had gotten very close to unleashing his magic. He did not lose control like that very often.
Then there was the boy's comment about Sirius Black betraying his friend's trust. Albus has been counting on this specific group of friends. Sirius in particular had really impressed him with the way he had separated himself from his dark family and formed his own family of sorts. It showed great strength and courage on his part. It proved how important people's choices were.
Albus had always encouraged the marauders and showed his support in any way he could. He quite enjoyed the boys' wit and mischief. It reminded him of his own schooling. James and Sirius' talents in quidditch and transfiguration was impressive. James had just proven himself to be selfless and capable of heroic actions, two nights ago. Those were the main traits that Albus sought. Remus was studios and hardworking. It was obvious he was grateful for the opportunity provided for him. Peter also had some formidable trades. He was loyal and supportive of his friends and never left their side.
The comment about Sirius troubled him, however. He knew the boy was devoted to his friends, that much was obvious. But his actions the other night had been immature and irresponsible. Albus has never found it necessary to be firm handed in regards to any of these boys, but perhaps some form of discipline was in order. After all, he couldn't rely on Sirius in the upcoming war if the boy did not learn to think through his actions.
