"Look at the flying by the Slytherin Seeker! Severus is fast approaching the Snitch, Jude better hurry if he stands a chance!" Remus Lupin yelled into the comm as the whole school watched Remington and Snape speed after some invisible goal. "He has made a quick reputation of being the Miracle Maker this year with his fancy broom work. It appears that now, he's about to secure Slytherin's title as top team this year."
McGonagall glared at Lupin as soon as he finished the sentence but the boy merely shrugged. "It's the truth Professor."
"And perhaps its time the mighty Gryffindors accepted that." Julia Wyvern, head of Slytherin house mused. "Eh, Minerva?"
"Quiet you." McGonagall mumbled, glaring at the Potions Mistress.
Wyvern who served as Deputy Headmaster grinned and leaned over. "The heir of Akel Dama seems to have finally learned teamwork eh?"
Dumbledore leaned forward to watch the chase more closely. "Let us hope so."
He could clearly see the determination that was well written on the young Snape's pale face. He smiled ruefully. He was glad the boy seemed to be enjoying himself. There was very little the boy did for himself.
Severus was born into a legacy. He was the son of slain Aurors, the latest of a long line of a influential family and one of the richest. He was a kind of bred strength and intelligence. When he entered the school, he was already famous because of his family name. The Heir of Akel Dama was his nickname. He was to be the latest in a crown of jewels for the Snape name.
His father had been a charismatic hero and his mother, a breathtaking beauty. Severus had inherited neither the charisma or looks of his parents. He was highly intelligent, of course and far above many students his age. But he was also a silent boy, and not much for games or amusement. When he spent time with others he tended to hang around the wrong crowd and Dumbledore feared his companions. Severus had two handicaps against him; he was chose friends he thought his social status approved of and he had a legacy to fulfill Dumbledore doubted any boy could.
"He's going for it! He's going for it!" Jude was saying as he fly to Severus' side. "Come on, Severus. You're not going to make me look bad are you? I'm Prefect and a Remington- have mercy little Miracle Maker."
Severus slammed against Jude's broom. "Less talk, more speed."
"Right away."
With a sly grin, Jude got his broom to burst ahead of Snape. Jude began to prop himself to crouching on the handle, trying desperately to stay balanced and get the Snitch at the same time. The Snitch was just a hair away from the Gryffindor's fingers.
"Damn them all." Snape hissed knowing he'd never get pass Remington. Jude had a faster broom and a longer reach.
Suddenly Snape felt something ricochet off his back. Thrown off-guard, he struggle to steady himself. He was able to regain control just in time to see Jude peel off from pursuit of the Snitch and zoom off the other way.
"Gryffindor Chaser Remington is down! She's down! Slytherin Beater Peter Pettigrew sent her colliding with the Seekers before she crashed."
It was Lupin's voice, tense and frightened but forced to continue to announce the game as it happened.
"The Chaser doesn't seem to be moving."
Snape was only vaguely aware of these words. He was far to busy, focusing on the little gold ball that was moments from his grasp. Throwing his weight into a well planned-out move, Severus was able to get the added momentum he needed to reach the Snitch.
He never felt happier then the instance, he felt his hand close around the small, craved golden orb. He wished his father was there to see him.
"The Miracle Maker catches the Snitch for a hundred and sixty points. Slytherin wins!"
Severus saw his team mates surround him, dismounting and lifting him unto their shoulders. Santiago was beaming at him.
"You'd make your name proud, Snape!" He shouted over the cheers.
Silas Malfoy and his brother Lucius rushed unto the field with the rest of the House. The girls all cluttered about him, trying to catch him smile or make him blush.
Lucius produced a camera from his cloak. "Get together,"
The crowd let Severus down and parted to let him pose for a picture. He took two with his team before he was hustled away by Wilkes and Rosier. Avery smiled at him proudly as the circle of friends posed proudly.
Severus was still clutching the Snitch when the camera flashed.
"Our proudest moment yet," Avery said proudly. "The Hogwarts Illuminatti forever!"
"Here! Here!" Santiago shouted. "What do you say Severus."
But Severus's attention on a pool of red blood in the middle of the field. The Gryffindor team was huddle about the nurse as someone was being carried away.
"What happened?"
"Ah, that girl Chastity Remington isn't breathing." Lucius said casually. "She looks like she took a nasty blow from Peter. Hey Severus, where are you going?"
It seemed an eternity before all the chaos in the hospital wing calmed down. Severus had been there waiting in the hallway for hours, leaving only when Madam Wyvern sent him to her classroom to fetch various ingredients for healing potions. He had made several trips, each time recounting the recipes and knowing the teachers were getting more and more desperate. The Potions she was asking for did more harm then good and he could hear the incantations teacher's voices were making to keep Chastity alive. It was pass midnight when Dumbledore finally emerged, tired and worn out.
"Professor?" He jolted to stand at attention. "Is she?"
"She's alive, Severus but it was difficult. When she collided with you, it caused her to hit the ground head first."
"But she's ok, right?"
"She's blind, Severus. Only time will tell how serious it is or how long she'll...impaired."
Severus felt the world had suddenly gone black. He turned and began to retreat into the shadows.
"Go talk to her, Severus." Dumbledore said in a stern tone. When the boy turned around, his gazed soften. "That is why you came...go."
Gingerly he crept into the room were the rows of bed traveled from one end to the other. Chastity was sitting up, fingering what appearing to be a flute in the twilight. She turned her head when she heard his footsteps. "Who is it?"
For a second, he wanted to run. He shouldn't be there.
"Jude?"
"No."
Chastity leaned forward. "Severus?"
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be, it was just an accident." She set aside the flute and motioned to him. "Come here, sit besides me."
He obeyed, taking the seat right next to her pillow. He was surprised when she reached forward and took his hand into hers.
"So, I'll know where you are." She explained. She turned his hand over in hers and began to trace the lines of his palm. "Soft hands, gentle...not at all what I'd expect from a Slytherin."
"Not all of us skin little cats alive you know." He defended. "Nor do we spend insane amount of times getting Gryffindors in trouble."
Something remarkable happened then. Chastity Remington threw her head back and erupted into pearls of laughter that filled the silent room. She held tight around his hand as she filled the room with warmth.
"You're right." She said. "You don't. But you do continue to surprise me, Slytherin."
"Why?"
"Because until today, I never thought you deserved to be in Slytherin- Ravenclaw perhaps, or I even thought you would have made a fair Gryffindor but today you proved me wrong." She was caressing his hand. "Today you showed me you were willing to go after whatever you wanted, no matter who got hurt."
Snape excused himself shortly after she confided that in him. As he walked down the corridors of an empty he felt a rush of disgust. He had been fool hearty and narrow-minded. She was right. He had gone after what he wanted and paid no attention to the costs. He swore he'd never do that again.
And in his next breath, he'd swore he'd never play Quidditch for his House again.
