Alliance
A/N: Sorry it took so long. I had a second midterm in calculus... yeah... so I spent this entire week studying. That said, read and review!
Severus awoke groggily, squinting his eyes against the bright sun. His fuzzy mind registered he was not at Spinner's End, which thoroughly confused him for a moment. Gradually, the events prior returned, and Severus let out a relieved sigh knowing he was the only one inhabiting his body. He shuddered slightly, remembering the white-hot pain Voldemort's presence had caused him.
"Much sooner than I expected, Severus; how wonderful," Madam Pomfrey said distractedly, rushing to a cabinet for nutritive potions. "You've only been out for a day, luckily, but I would still feel much better if you drank this," she said, pushing the mustard yellow potion into his hand. Severus looked at the potion critically and downed it, spluttering against the taste.
"A sprig of peppermint would reduce that horrid taste, Pomfrey," he said, hastily pouring a cup of water from the carafe on the bedside table.
She bustled forward, her mouth tight. "I know, dear; that dratted Potions professor doesn't know what he's doing! I'm terribly sorry about the taste… I do believe I'm going to start brewing my own potions again…" she said, casting several quick diagnostic spells. Satisfied, she brought a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup and instructed Severus to eat it all so the potion wouldn't upset his stomach.
Just as Severus drank the last few drops (he would never admit it, but he missed Hogwarts' food) a very angry Albus Dumbledore burst through the door. Startled, Severus dropped the spoon with a clatter and braced himself for the worst.
"What in Merlin's name were you doing, Severus Snape?" Dumbledore thundered. "You could easily have been killed! Is this how you plan on avenging Lily's memory?"
Feeling as though he'd been slapped, Severus said nothing. His scowl returned and he leaned forward in the bed, shouting back, "This would likely not have happened if you would just let me find out what ties Voldemort to life! The blasted prophecy is not the only way it can end, Albus! You cannot possibly mean you're going to groom the Potter boy for murder! What does THAT do for Lily and James? They did not die so that their son would kill!"
"That doesn't mean you should place yourself in mortal peril!"
"LET ME KILL VOLDEMORT!"
A loud bang sounded, accompanied with a plume of smoke. A fuming Madam Pomfrey appeared as the smoke cleared, her wand pointed threateningly at the headmaster.
"IF YOU DON'T STOP BADGERING MY PATIENT YOU'RE LEAVING! I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE!" she yelled, moving to stand in front of Severus' bed.
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes, but conceded. "Come to my office once you're released, Severus… we shall discuss eliminating that wraith." He turned and stalked out as Severus and Madam Pomfrey both continued to glare. The door slammed shut and Pomfrey let out an explosive breath.
"The nerve of that man!" she huffed, clearing away the dishes. She stood back and looked at Severus pityingly. "Severus… you understand their deaths were not your fault, don't you?"
He snorted. "Had I simply ignored Albus' request… had I not mentioned the prophecy…" he said, trailing off. Madam Pomfrey pursed her lips disapprovingly.
"Had you not done anything, Lily and James would have said something to Peter, and they still would have died. It is not your fault, Severus; the blame lies with Peter Pettigrew… thank Merlin he died in that fire…" she said, pulling his sheets back. At his quizzical look, she said, "I know better than to keep you too long, Severus… and I expect you have some things to discuss with the Headmaster, after all."
Nodding a quick goodbye, Severus made his way to the Headmaster's office. He took a deep breath as he spiraled upwards to the door to compose himself. Hopefully, Dumbledore had calmed down since their…er, discussion.
The door swung open of its own accord and Severus walked in, wary. Dumbledore said nothing but motioned for him to sit on the other side of his grand desk.
"Lemon drop? They're a Muggle candy; I've grown quite fond of them," Dumbledore said calmly, holding a small tin out for Severus. Not wanting to start out on the wrong foot, Severus took one and popped in into his mouth, his lips puckering slightly at the acidic taste. "Now, Severus, what were you doing at the Ministry?"
"I went to see Voldemort. I hoped to gain information on why he's still alive." Severus said, hoping that telling the man everything would garner much-needed help. Dumbledore merely raised an eyebrow and leaned forward, interested.
"And? Did you learn anything?"
Severus shrugged and sat back. "I saw a glimpse of an old battered diary before he pushed me out… it must have been significant; he didn't try so hard to push out until I saw that particular memory."
"Do you think he wrote everything in that notebook?" Dumbledore asked, intrigued.
Severus sighed, "I hope so. Will you help? Will you help me find that diary, and help me bring Voldemort down once and for all?" He looked at Dumbledore steadily, his obsidian eyes burning with determination.
Albus Dumbledore gazed back, his eyes stony and unforgiving. Wordlessly, he stretched out a hand to shake, which Severus took.
"Yes," he said simply. "It is time Tom Riddle paid for his crimes against humanity."
