House: Slytherin
Class: Astronomy
Type: Standard
Prompts: Fox (Animal), Threatening Someone (Action)
Word Count: 1066
Rating: T
Warning: Minor mentions of drinking and violence.
AN: Set in the early fall of the third book, before the Dark Lord returns.
"And if I ever hear of you slinking around here again I will make sure there won't be a next time," a low voice growled as the sun sank beneath the horizon.
The man in the doorway shouted an aggressive curse and Severus's ankle exploded with pain. The door slammed, echoing through the muggy evening. The air was still for a moment but soon filled by the sound of grass crunching underfoot. Severus Snape limped away from the house. A heavy sigh escaped his lips and he sat down in the grass, removing his left shoe. His ankle was swollen, painted with shades of purple and black. In a soft, low voice Snape murmured a spell that took away some of the pain, but a break caused by a curse would need more than a simple spell to heal.
From a small flask in his robes, Severus sipped a small amount of some vile, muggle-brewed alcohol. It burned his throat and warmed his stomach as he prepared for what he had to do next.
Standing on his wounded ankle, he winced. Already the spellwork he had done to numb the pain was wearing off. Gritting his teeth, he spun around and felt the familiar feeling of compression across his chest. He stumbled when he arrived at his new destination and hurriedly sat in the tall grass. There, now he was nearly completely hidden. He wasn't entirely sure where he was, for the time being, he was just trying to put distance between himself and the man who shattered his ankle.
At the sound of Snape's arrival, a mother fox started. She whirled around, trying to detect if her kits were in any danger. From her den, dug in the long grass, she spied on the intruder. The mother fox could tell the man was injured but she wasn't ready to put her guard down. About four feet away from her home, the man was sitting down, head buried in his hands.
Weeks of pent-up frustration broke forth as Snape shredded handfuls of grass between his trembling fingers. He was sick of Albus' sneaky plans, tired of all the deception, and regretting the path he chose. His thoughts faded back to the dreams he used to have about raising a family and growing into a strong and confident man, far different than the shunned young boy he had been. But all of that ended after Lily died and he turned to the darkness.
In some respects, Albus had saved him. Because of the headmaster, Severus was offered a purpose and a chance to protect Lilly's only living kin but the weight on his chest and the stabbing pains in his ankle told him there were better ways to redeem himself.
That evening Severus had been snooping around the homes of some well-known Death Eaters trying to find information for Albus. Even in his early days as a Death Eater, many of the members had questioned his loyalty. When he was found outside the Goyle residence it only furthered suspicions.
The fox rustled in the grass, altering Snape that he was not alone. Cautiously, the fox pushed her head through the grass, making eye contact with Severus. He stared into her black eyes, unsure why the dainty animal was showing such unusual behaviour. Her auburn fur glowed red in the last dregs of daylight and Severus reached out a hand towards her. Frightened, the fox retreated.
Suddenly feeling dizzy, Severus lay back in the grass, eyes shut, letting the cool evening breeze wash over him. The Death Eaters were right to question his loyalty. It certainly didn't lie with the Dark Lord, but he didn't want to be loyal to Dumbledore either. Just the thought of letting his devotions lie with the elderly headmaster made his stomach turn. Albus was a brilliant man, but a scheming, and oftentimes unreliable one as well.
The pain in Snape's ankle was quickly becoming unbearable. He allowed himself another swig from his silver flask before attempting to stand up again. Suddenly the fox appeared before him once more. His heart felt connected to the small creature. Frightened and small, both trying to live without harm. They were hunters, scavengers and killers, but they were just trying to survive.
'"Goodbye," he said gently to the creature as he apparated away.
Back on familiar grounds, Severus limped towards the gates of Hogwarts, expecting Albus to meet him there. When that did not happen Severus quickened his pace, only to be intercepted by the headmaster, strolling across the walkway without care. His hands were busy unwrapping a candy but once he noticed that Severus was injured he took on a slightly more serious attitude and helped the Potions Master to his chamber.
"Madame Pomfrey will be with you shortly," Albus informed Severus as he shut the door.
Severus cursed under his breath. How he loathed being Dumbledore's spy.
Early the next morning, before the sun had peeked over the horizon, Severus rose from a fitful sleep. Madame Pomfrey had healed his broken ankle as best she could, but concluded the only way it would heal was the muggle way; wrapped in a cast.
He had dreams about the fox. They were back in the tall grass and the fox showed him her kits. She trusted him. During the dream, Severus had been shrouded in a layer of anxiety, worried the fox would die before his eyes at any second. But that wasn't how it went. She showed him her kits and rested her nose against his palm.
The dream had left Severus feeling empty and haunted by his own choices. Through all the twists and turns of his life, he had isolated himself. He felt too dangerous to pursue new friendships and anyone who was currently acquainted with him disliked him because all they knew about him were half-truths and lies. All that left him with was his position as Dumbledore's pawn. Cursed to forgo pursuing a life that would make him happy and instead devote his time to helping a man whom he did not like and protecting the son of the woman he loved. Severus felt like his existence was empty, but with no other choice, he pulled a parchment and quill from his nightstand. With his wand lit, he began to prepare his report for Dumbledore. There wasn't anything else he could do.