Chapter 3- The Second Loyalty

[A/N Molly, Shannon, if you're reading this, I apologise for the joke later on in this chapter. I had to get one in somewhere.]

One week earlier

Snape found himself in his study in his home in Spinner's End, pondering over the events of the last three weeks. The death of Sirius Black, the day that Cornelius Fudge abdicated his authority as Minister of Magic, and how he was in turn replaced by one Rufus Scrimgeour, a man whose consistency was doubted by Snape, an avid supporter of Cornelius Fudge. After all, anyone who did not support Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, was a friend of Severus Snape. He then thought of Bellatrix Lestrange. Bellatrix had come to Snape after murdering Sirius. This still troubled Snape, as he wondered why Bella had came to him of all people, instead of going to a member of her immediate family. Snape then experienced goosebumps after recalling the sweet, soft lips of Bellatrix, touching his, and holding her in his arms. It was truly magical, but was it enough? Snape yearned for more. I must see her, Snape thought to herself, I need Lily. Wait, Lily? NO! Bellatrix!

Whilst he was consulting the angel and the devil on his shoulders, a tawny owl flew through the window grasping a letter with its beak. Oh shit, thought Snape, as he saw a familiar crest which was drawn onto the owl's body, it's a Hogwarts owl, and this must be serious.
Snape cautiously opened the letter, and recognised the handwriting of Albus Dumbledore in emerald ink:
Severus,
I require your assistance with a most severe matter that I face. I have sustained an injury and, as an expert in Potions and the Dark Arts, I would like you to venture to the castle as soon as humanely possible. I shall temporarily lift the enchantment which prohibits Apparition into the castle so that you can come directly to my office. I expect to see you promptly.

Yours faithfully,

A.P.W.B Dumbledore

Snape read the letter several times to make sure that Dumbledore was deadly serious. Snape regarded the fact that Dumbledore trusted him greatly, and remembered everything that Dumbledore had done for him before. Snape put on his travelling cloak and stepped into the hall. Before he forgot, he shouted to his newly appointed servant, Peter Pettigrew:
"Wormtail?" bellowed Snape, "I'm going out. Do not break anything, and if there isn't food on the table when I come back I'll kick your arsehole in!"
Snape laughed as he considered the incredulous insult he had just thrown Wormtail's way, and Disapparated on his front doorstep.

A matter of seconds later, Snape found himself inside the office of the Headmaster of Hogwarts, who was slumped in his chair at the writing desk.
"Albus!" exclaimed Snape, who was taken aback by the sight of the greatest wizard who ever lived, semi-conscious and vulnerable.
"Severus," slurred Dumbledore, whilst holding up his right hand, which was denatured and darkened, "Help me."
Snape wanted to ask what was wrong, but as he escalated the three steps which took him closer to Dumbledore, he caught sight of a ring which had a stone cracked down the middle, and the sword of Godric Gryffindor lying beside it.
"Oh my God! One moment, Albus, I'll go down to the dungeon and conjure something up. Stay with me."

Ten minutes later, Snape returned with a goblet full of thick golden potion.
"Drink this, Albus," he said, in a low voice.
Snape pointed his wand at Dumbledore's injured hand and began to whisper incantations, in what was almost a serenade.
"I'm sorry Severus," muttered Dumbledore, "I did not think the curse which the ring contained would have affected me this badly."
"It's a wonder that you've returned, Albus," growled Snape, "That ring has done a severe amount of damage to your hand, the curse inside it is one of extraordinary power. Why did you even put it on?"
Dumbledore grimaced with pain.
"You're right, it was most foolish of me. The temptation was overwhelming."
"Tempation?" thundered Snape.
There was no reply.

Dumbledore examined his hand as though it were an artefact on display in a museum.
"Thank you, Severus. You have been most impeccable. How long will the curse take to kill me?"
"I estimate a year, Albus. The potion will contain the curse to your hand temporarily, but it will spread," Snape replied, a hint of anger still in his voice, a hint which mixed with sympathy.
"I am fortunate enough to have you, Severus," Dumbledore smiled, at the prospect of having a year to win.
Snape stormed down into the lobby of the office.
"Do not ignore me, Severus," cried Dumbledore, "You know as well as I do that the Dark Lord wants me dead at the hands of Draco Malfoy."
Snape returned to the desk and sat down at the seat which Harry Potter usually occupied. He scowled and said:
"Nobody expects Draco to actually kill you, Albus. The Dark Lord is taking his anger out on Lucius for failing to retrieve the prophecy. It would torture Lucius and Narcissa to see Draco pay for his father's mistakes."
"So, the boy has just as long to live as I do, then," Dumbledore said, frowning, "I presume that if Draco fails, Voldemort will seek your assistance, just as I have done tonight."

Snape just looked at Dumbledore, for he was lost for words.
"You must be the one to kill me, Severus, in order for Voldemort to put all of his trust in you."
"Do you think Voldemort foresees a time when he will not require you to serve him at Hogwarts?" continued Dumbledore.
"Yes, for he thinks he will have the school, soon," replied Snape, finally.
"If that is the case, then do I trust you to protect the children of Hogwarts, at all costs?"
Snape nodded as if his head thought for itself.
"You must pretend to help the Malfoy boy in order to figure out what exactly he is planning to do. You're his favourite teacher, it seems."
"I have friends within the family," said Snape, as Bellatrix crossed his mind, "But Draco seems to think I have replaced Lucius."
"Just try, Severus, I am confident that you will do what is right."
"One question," said Severus, raising his finger, "If you are dying already, why not have Draco kill you instead?"
"I do not want to be held responsible for Draco's soul being maimed, just like his master."
"Oh, that's all well and good for Draco!" Snape shouted, once again losing his cool, "Has it crossed your brilliant mind that I have a soul too?"
"Do not raise your voice, Severus," said Dumbledore, calmly. " You know yourself what damage will be done to your soul if you assist me in death. I only ask this favour of you because I know that it is a certainty that I will die, just like it is a certainty that those two Slytherin girls who speak of Pigfarts are sure to get nowhere if they think better of a different school from Hogwarts."
"Yes," said Snape, "That Green girl is particularly worrying."
"But we digress," said Dumbledore, "I must say that I prefer to die quickly, as opposed to being killed by either the werewolf, Greyback, or Madam Lestrange, who likes to play with her food."
Oh yes she does, thought Snape, erotically, as he nodded curtly to Dumbledore, as his blue eyes pierced Snape's black eyes in a way that Snape had never seen before.
"Thank you, Severus," said Dumbledore, as Snape disapparated back to Spinner's End.

Snape collapsed into his armchair in his living room, and clutched his chest for he was breathing frantically. How could he kill Dumbledore, the man who had given him a job, and defended the allegations that he was still a Death Eater, and had trusted him more than anyone else in the wizarding world. Other than Bellatrix Evans of course, or Lily Lestrange. Snape's head was a mess, and he decided to sleep on everything he had said, thought and done that night. He decided to go no further, and crashed out on his armchair...