Dumbledore's Betrayal

Chapter Three

Severus was sat in a corner of the dining room, trying to concentrate on the latest addition to his library, a book about uncommon plants. He was having difficulty, however, because some other members of the Order of the Phoenix were there.

It was not a complete meeting—Albus had, for some unknown reason, only summoned some of his soldiers to him.

Severus could not believe the trio that had turned up.

He had thought the taunting he had received at Hogwarts from the Marauders would be the worst he would have to suffer. He had been wrong.

Since then, Sirius Black, James Potter and their new Auror friend Alastor Moody continued to bully Severus. Especially because he had recently defected from the Dark Lord to fight for the light.

He had hoped that this would have generated some respite, but it meant that they did not trust him.

They had tested him when he had first joined the Order, little more than three months ago.

Perhaps they thought it would force him to run away. Severus was stronger than that. It had been the silent treatment, first. They ignored him. They would not answer his questions. They would not acknowledge his comments. It was so immature. That did not mean it had not hurt. But Severus knew that the alternative was much worse.

Then there was the challenging. They challenged everything Severus said. Anything he ventured, anything he said, they shouted down. Even if Severus was speaking the complete truth, they could still discredit it. He had begun to question himself, wondering if he really was speaking something truthful.

Things had cooled now to just hate. It was especially bad where Sirius and Alastor were concerned. They did not touch him—but that was because he was not worth touching. To them, he was scum.

It was hard enough as it was, knowing that the Death-Eaters had seen him as scum too.

"Does anyone else smell that?" Sirius announced suddenly, turning to Alastor. "Smells like Death-Eater scum to me!"

Severus looked up, "So mature of you, Black." He shot back, closing his book with a snap.

Sirius whirled to face him. "You do have a voice."

Severus stood up, "We are on the same side, Black."

Black crossed the room and grabbed Severus by his shirt, slamming Severus back against the wall. "Do not speak to me. You and I are not the same. You are a Death-Eater."

"I was a Death-Eater!" Severus replied angrily, "I fight for the light now!"

Sirius withdrew his wand and pressed it under Severus' chin. The other felt his heartbeat increase as he forced himself to continue to stare into Sirius' eyes. "I wonder, if we were to torture you, you would say the same?"

"Sirius." James murmured. "He's not worth it."

"I disagree." Sirius argued, "I think destroying him would do us all a favour..." He dug the wand in further, ignoring how Severus winced.

The door opened and Albus Dumbledore swept in. Severus felt a stab of relief—although he and the Headmaster did not always get on, he could at least keep the Marauders in check.

Except today, Albus ignored Sirius and simply strode straight past. If he had noticed Sirius threatening the other, he was not going to act.

Severus drew back slightly, casting a glance toward Dumbledore. Sirius saw who he was looking at and withdrew. He glared at Severus, "Later, Snape. I will find out if you are trustworthy." He spat at Severus' face, laughing when the other recoiled.

"Oh, he is trustworthy." Albus said suddenly, answering Sirius' comment. "Do not worry, Sirius. He is certainly trustworthy. He has no desire to go back to the Death-Eaters, do you, Severus?"

Severus, wiping his face, glanced toward the Headmaster. "No."

"I didn't think so. Not after what they did to you." Albus said—and his gaze was not kind. Severus stared at him. "Pardon?"

"I understand why you are so unsure, Sirius. Of Severus' loyalty. That is why I have summoned you here today. I thought, perhaps, I could show you the reason why I know I can trust Severus." He plunged his hand into his robe and pulled out a glass vial.

"What is that?" Severus asked, taking a step forward.

"A memory." Albus answered, not glancing at the other.

"Which memory?" Severus demanded, fear stifling his chest. This time, Albus ignored him completely.

Sirius and Alastor moved forward, intrigued.

"What sort of memory, Albus?" Alastor asked.

James had lingered on the sideline, casting his gaze at Severus, who had gone very white.

"An important one. A...turning point." Albus murmured. At that, Severus charged forward. "No! You cannot show them that!" He nearly made contact with Albus, but Albus simply looked at him and Severus found himself unable to move. "Headmaster!" He pleaded.

"Sit him down, Alastor." Albus ordered, turning his attention to the vial. "I should be able to project this correctly—if I remember right—we should all be able to see it."

Alastor's hands rested on Severus' shoulders, stopping him from leaping back up from his chair and grabbing the vial. "Please, Headmaster, not this." No one could see those memories—that was too much—

Albus crossed to Severus, leaning forward so he could murmur into Severus' ear, "I warned you. Do not make an enemy of me."

"Please, don't." Severus couldn't take his eyes of the vial, "No one should see these..."

"But it is important, is it not, for your allies to understand what made you turn from Voldemort?" Albus challenged. Severus raised his eyes to him, "No. Not...not that!"

"Have you reconsidered my request?" Albus asked, changing tact.

Severus shook his head, "No. You know I cannot do that."

"Then you give me no reason not to continue." Albus walked away.

"This is blackmail!" Severus cried, struggling against Alastor. "You can't do this!"

Albus did not respond. Instead he simply opened the vial and cast his spell.

It was a copy of a memory from a year before. Severus had, upon rejoining the light, allowed Albus Dumbledore entrance to his mind so the wizard could determine his loyalty. Dumbledore had insisted on making copies of certain memories. This had been the first of a certain period in Severus' life that he would like to forget.

The spell caused a strange, fog-like substance to fill the room for a matter of moments, before everything started to clear. On the floor, Severus could see himself. He had been unceremoniously thrown at the Dark Lord's feet. He had also sustained a terrible beating from two fellow Death-Eaters. His robes were torn, and his face was covered in blood.

Lord Voldemort stared down at his follower, "I assume this means that you have failed me once again, Severus?"

Severus looked up at his master. Blood dribbled from the corner of his mouth and he could not speak.

Severus remembered this moment—he knew exactly what would follow—his stomach turned and he cried out, "Don't!"

He could see Albus, watching the memory with a detached sense of disinterest.

Voldemort looked at the other two Death-Eaters. "Leave us." He turned his attention to Severus. "Stand up."

Alastor would not let Severus go—he would not let them see this! He could feel his heartbeat increasing tenfold, sweat dripping down his back.

He was remembering this scene.

"Stand up!" The Dark Lord pulled Severus to his feet and pushed him back against the wall. "Why do you fail me, Severus? Speak."

Severus coughed and spluttered on his own blood. "...Not enough time..."

"Do not give me excuses!" Voldemort had more strength than his servant, and he pounded his fist into Severus' stomach. Severus collapsed to the ground again with a moan.

Severus could feel himself getting angry, as he had been in the memory. How dare Dumbledore treat him like this? Who was he to show such a confidential thing to Severus' enemies? He tried to rein in his temper, but he was struggling.

Voldemort stepped over Severus and grabbed his hair. He raised Severus' face to they were looking at each other. "Pity. You had so much potential." He ran one hand down Severus' cheek. "So much potential..." He repeated. His hand moved lower, one nail gently scraping against the exposed flesh of Severus' throat.

"I feel that your mistake could be forgiven." Voldemort murmured. "Would you like that, Severus? The forgiveness of the Dark Lord?"

"Stop. Headmaster. Please stop." Severus pleaded.

"Forgiveness comes with a price. You must be willing to pay that price."

"And...what price would that be...my Lord?" Severus asked, voice trembling.

Voldemort smiled a hideous smirk. "I am sure you would like to know." He turned Severus over and let the back of his head hit the carpet. "Something...unique..."

Severus pulled himself from Alastor's grasp and charged toward the Headmaster. Albus raised his wand, and Severus stopped, "I will not watch this!"

"You need not say a single word..."

Severus, driven half-mad by the whispers in his head, threw himself not at Albus but at the glass vial. He crushed the glass beneath his foot and the memory disappeared. He turned to face the Headmaster. "How dare you?"

Albus turned to face him. "I planned to show our colleagues why you are trustworthy."

Severus was shaking. He was horrified to feel the tears burning his eyes. "Those are my memories—and you will not show them to anyone."

Albus turned his attention to the three Order members, who were watching the unfolding events with unreadable expressions. "Gentlemen, if you would not mind. I need to speak to Severus alone."

Severus glared at them until they left. He felt sick. He could still hear, in his head, the soft whisper of Voldemort's voice.

"It may hurt."

He felt his rage intensify, and beside him, one of the chairs cracked. He was shaking, uncontrollable in his anger. He could have killed Dumbledore—he was reaching for his wand.

Dumbledore grabbed both of Severus' arms and forced them behind him, pushing him against the wall. "Calm down."

"Get off me!"

"Calm down!" Albus bellowed, "You would not do well to enrage me, Severus."

Dumbledore was in Severus' personal space, he was too close, and for a wild moment, Severus thought it was deliberate. "Please let go of me."

"I am sorry that I have to use your memories in such a way, Severus. However, I must have ways to ensure your allegiance." His voice was hard—and the apology did not sound sincere.

"I have not reconsidered your request, Headmaster. You know why I have returned to you. I refuse to cause people pain."

Albus paused. "I am disappointed in you, Severus. However. I suppose I cannot change your mind." His tone lightened considerably, "I shall let you go."

He released Severus, who pulled away, straightening his robes.

"I do suggest you think on my request, Severus—I would not wish to force your hand." Albus called after him.

Severus turned. "Are you threatening me?" He murmured.

Albus simply raised an eyebrow. "Consider my request."

Severus turned and slammed the door.