_____________________________________________________________________
Interlude of the Past
____________________________________________________________________
People always wondered how he came to his position. And they never expected the answer. There were many stories that cropped up to explain it away. From being the Lord's bastard son to being his whore. The nicer ones painted him as a cruel heartless shadow desiring nothing but blood. There were always ones who were determined that it was his desire for revenge. And the fools who believed it was his skills. No one ever believed he attained his position through jealousy.
Of course he never told anyone alive. Only his Lord knew for certain, even if he encouraged some of the baser theories.
Jealousy is a powerful thing. Able to take you far beyond mere revenge.
He had entered the ranks because of revenge. And enjoyed every moment of it. But he was jealous. Not of any of the Death Eaters, but of the enemy. His Lord knew that and cultivated it at every chance.
He had reached the top of the ladder quickly. And was ready to bring the world to his Master's feet at any moment when disaster struck. But by that time he had already made an allegiance, or at least part of him, with the enemy. Albus Dumbledore. That was an interesting scene. Especially since the old fool knew nothing of his other mask.
At one time Severus Snape and the Dark Prince were separate entities. Both serving the same master. Both sharing the same experiences. But each controlling a different side of the mask. Barely recognizing that they were one and the same, but always knowing without one the other would not remain.
It was Severus Snape who went to Dumbledore. The Dark Prince was dormant at the time and said nothing. That did not mean he knew nothing of the encounter. But what Severus Snape did was of no concern of the Dark Prince. Or at least neither considered it so at the time. But times change.
The scene with the Hogwarts's Headmaster was not pretty. There was no sob story to tell. No tear swept confessions from a bleeding heart. No begging forgiveness for events that he would never change. But it was definitely not pretty. He hated to remember.
* * * * * * * *
"Severus, what brings you here at this time of night?" the Headmaster asked from his bed. He knew it was long past the witching hours of the night. It was the perfect time to get things done.
"I needed to speak with you," he said from the window. The window was quite large, enough so he could stand on the ledge without contorting his tall frame. The Headmaster had cleverly sealed his rooms from any sort of visitors, the unwanted sort. The broom he had come upon had long since fallen unnoticed. He let it, not allowing himself a simple way out.
He had stood in the open window for a long while, waiting for the Headmaster to make the first move. He would have waited for dawn if he had to. He was mask-less, making to show to hide his identity. Hiding would not do for what he had planned.
"So you are the one letting in the night air." How did the old wizard manage to sound undisturbed? To the point of sounding oblivious? Severus had never really understood the man. Had never really bothered. Though he would need to eventually if he was to survive. "Come in, my boy, it sounds as if you have come for something important." The bearded wizard slid from under the covers and pulled on a dressing robe. He was walking to his study before Severus stepped from the ledge, before that point the wards would not have let him.
The old man was sitting behind his massive desk, waiting. There was a slight wave inviting him to sit, but Severus declined. He wasn't in the mind set to have a friendly conversation over a cup of tea. Of course he wasn't in the mind set to do much else than what was needed.
"What is it that you needed to speak with me about?" Dumbledore began when it was clear Severus would do no such thing.
"There are a few things you need to be aware of, sir. But first, I believe this belongs in your keeping until this evening is over and things are concluded." The Headmaster never saw the movement. Perhaps there was no real movement, just a soft spoken word heard through his own ears only. His wand rested unassumingly on the desk. Dumbledore slipped into confusion and out in less than a blink of the eye.
"And why should I be in possession of this?" The Headmaster already knew, somewhat, why.
"If I must answer that question, Headmaster, I might as well return it to my holster and take my leave."
Dumbledore nodded. "Very well. What should I be aware of, Severus?"
Severus swallowed before he began. He had never thought it would be so difficult. He didn't speak at first. Words would only confuse the situation. He rolled up his left sleeve and waited.
He didn't wait long.
The old man, spry as ever, had leaped up and Severus was now looking down the point of slender shaft of oak. The desk was no longer a true obstacle.
"Explain yourself!"
"What is there to explain, Headmaster," he answered hollowly. "I am as I appear. What more do you wish to make it?"
"Why?" the wizard before him sounded weary, not through exhaustion, but through experience.
"What answer would you have me give? That I was seeking power? Knowledge? Revenge? I already had the knowledge. The power was inconsequential. Revenge? I could have easily found another way. A more direct way. Jealousy."
He enjoyed the long look of disbelief followed by shock. He doubted if anyone had ever stumped the Headmaster before. It was much like proving yourself greater than anticipated to the Lord. But this was different. He was proving nothing. He merely gave an answer never heard before.
"Why are you here?" The wand never hesitated.
"Must I repeat myself, Headmaster," he said disdainfully. "Reseat yourself and I will come to that." Oddly his request was honored. Through the wand never was put away. "You should know by now that your beloved Potter's time is running slim. He has already made himself an enemy of my Lord Voldemort, and shortly will cease to exist. Whatever project you have him working on will cause him no end of trouble.
"Also the war with the Ministry is only begun. If you are to warn your dear, dear friends who are about to loose their lives to the mayhem, do so immediately. I cannot tell when the strikes will begin. Terror and chaos are mere samples of what is to come." Severus basked in the heated gaze of the Headmaster. Finally a rise other than the ordinarily benevolent twinkle that always graced his eyes. "Beware of direct attacks on the pathetic excuse for a Minister, they will come."
"Severus, sit down." It was his turn to be confused. He had already declined and was now ready to leave. "Sit down before I force you to." The next moment he was bound to a simple leather backed chair that appeared from nowhere. He wasn't panicking yet. Perhaps it was a mistake to come in person. He wondered if fear had entered his eyes yet. He doubted it, but there was no telling.
"As it is, Severus, I have no way of trusting you except for the fact that it appears as though you have come of your own volition. Perhaps you would be so good as to answer some of my questions before you run off to your Lord and Master and inform him of this little conversation. Though I have no qualms with turning you over to the Ministry for their inquiry, I can promise that mine will be less painful if you cooperate. The Ministry has no promise of that."
Severus felt his mouth dry up as if it had been filled with cotton balls. How could he have been stupid enough to allow himself to fall.
"Why are you doing this?"
"You expect me to answer a question I can't even answer myself. I am here, isn't that enough."
"Do you not want Voldemort to succeed?"
"If my Lord succeeds, if will happen. What I do has no consequence in that matter."
"The lives you are trying to save will serve a drastically different end should they live and not die. You, unlike the other confessions we have received, know information that could change the course of the war. I want to know if you are loyal to Lord Voldemort, or are in the process of defecting."
"I will not defect. I am my Lord's." He doubted if the Headmaster knew the Dark Prince was surfacing.
"Then why are you telling me his plans?"
"My Lord's plans are fairly obvious if one knows where to look. Besides I am not ready for the game to end."
"You think this is a game?"
"Life's a game, Headmaster. A game where no one knows if they will come out alive. I intend to play until I die. And if I must take matters into my own hands to ensure it remains enjoyable, I shall do so."
"Should I trust you?"
"You should trust me with your life, other than that, I wouldn't advise it."
"Why is that?"
"I do not kill my superiors."
"And who is on that short list besides myself?"
"My Lord Voldemort," he smiled. Severus would have had to include Lucius Malfoy, but not the Dark Prince.
Dumbledore nodded as if that was what he was expecting. The interrogation lulled while the old man leaned back to think. This really was a ridiculous situation. He should have been gone by now. Perhaps giving his wand to the Headmaster was a mistake. Though he was certain if he had not the repercussions would have been worse.
"Very well then," Dumbledore said sitting forward. "I suppose the question is, do I turn you in to the Ministry or let you return, provided you agree to certain terms?" Severus didn't say a word. "Of course the terms would be of my devising and be an all or nothing choice. You do understand, Severus, that without those I would have no reason to trust you." Snape nodded. "Now as for the terms. One is for you to swear your loyalty to me and foreswear your loyalty to Voldemort."
"I will not!" He struggled against the bindings for the first time that night. The Dark Prince was cursing Severus for his lack of planning. "I am his and nothing will change that!" But the Dark Prince would concede Severus. Should Severus defect he would have the perfect opportunity to spy on Dumbledore. It was just the leverage the Dark Lord needed.
"Severus, you came here to inform me of your master's plans. If you did not intend to betray Voldemort, then why are you here."
The Dark Prince quieted, leaving only Severus Snape. The Dark Prince knew this was an excellent and fool proof way of infiltrating Dumbledore's close knit group of followers. But it would be on Severus's head.
"Severus, answer me truthfully. Why did you come here?"
Severus stilled and avoided eye contact. Why had he come? He couldn't answer himself, what made the Headmaster think he could answer him? He surprised himself. "I needed to."
"You needed to do what?" Dumbledore prompted. This was not how things were suppose to go.
"There are actions that will take place that you know nothing about. Actions that will change the course of the war. Change the course far more than I desire it."
"And by coming to me, you intend to change it according to your designs?"
"No. By having you change the course, it gives my Lord the opportunity to redirect his actions to one more suitable."
"Are you going to tell me what these actions are?" Severus hesitated. "I see, you still are loyal to Voldemort. If you want to redirect the course of this war, then you need to change allegiance." He looked up, involuntarily. Dumbledore was still seated behind his desk, fingers steepled under his chin, looking down through his spectacles. "Now, I'll ask you again. Will you accept my terms and denounce Voldemort or will I call the Aurors?"
He sat statue still as he pondered his choices. He didn't doubt he could handle any number of Aurors Dumbledore would call. Returning his wand to his hand only needed a soft dark spell and a moment of inattentiveness from the Headmaster. But hadn't he come here to warn the Headmaster. Surely doing so had already breached a level of loyalty to his Lord. Perhaps he could pull out of this alive and sane.
Bowing his head in shame and resignation, he said, " Yes, I will accept your terms."
* * * * * * * * * *
The Dark Prince had all but rejoiced when he had heard the terms. Severus would provide information to Dumbledore as a double operative. The Dark Prince had gone immediately to the Dark Lord to inform him of the situation. And the Dark Lord was pleased.
At that time the Dark Prince and Severus Snape were separate. But time and experience merged them into one. The Dark Prince was always awake now, watching what Severus was doing, saying, behaving. In turn Severus became more aware while the Dark Prince took control and reported to the Master. This process was gradual. But at some point before the Dark Lord's first fall, the Dark Prince began to question, however subtle, the ideals his Master embodied. At some point he started to agree with Severus Snape.
During the time of rest, before the Dark Lord's rebirth, the Dark Prince lay dormant, passively watching through Severus's eyes. He saw things more objectively in respect to Dumbledore. And came to respect that wizard as greatly as he respected the Dark Lord.
But now, after pledging his fealty to the Dark Prince, Severus Snape became one in the same with the feared Fallen Angel. There would be a new battle over loyalty before the war was through. Whichever side won his allegiance permanently would likely win the war. He had no delusions of his prominence. He was well aware that he could command the Dark Lord's horde to suicide if he felt so inclined.
At the moment, neither Severus Snape nor the Dark Prince knew where he would go when the time to define the lines with out the blur.
Interlude of the Past
____________________________________________________________________
People always wondered how he came to his position. And they never expected the answer. There were many stories that cropped up to explain it away. From being the Lord's bastard son to being his whore. The nicer ones painted him as a cruel heartless shadow desiring nothing but blood. There were always ones who were determined that it was his desire for revenge. And the fools who believed it was his skills. No one ever believed he attained his position through jealousy.
Of course he never told anyone alive. Only his Lord knew for certain, even if he encouraged some of the baser theories.
Jealousy is a powerful thing. Able to take you far beyond mere revenge.
He had entered the ranks because of revenge. And enjoyed every moment of it. But he was jealous. Not of any of the Death Eaters, but of the enemy. His Lord knew that and cultivated it at every chance.
He had reached the top of the ladder quickly. And was ready to bring the world to his Master's feet at any moment when disaster struck. But by that time he had already made an allegiance, or at least part of him, with the enemy. Albus Dumbledore. That was an interesting scene. Especially since the old fool knew nothing of his other mask.
At one time Severus Snape and the Dark Prince were separate entities. Both serving the same master. Both sharing the same experiences. But each controlling a different side of the mask. Barely recognizing that they were one and the same, but always knowing without one the other would not remain.
It was Severus Snape who went to Dumbledore. The Dark Prince was dormant at the time and said nothing. That did not mean he knew nothing of the encounter. But what Severus Snape did was of no concern of the Dark Prince. Or at least neither considered it so at the time. But times change.
The scene with the Hogwarts's Headmaster was not pretty. There was no sob story to tell. No tear swept confessions from a bleeding heart. No begging forgiveness for events that he would never change. But it was definitely not pretty. He hated to remember.
* * * * * * * *
"Severus, what brings you here at this time of night?" the Headmaster asked from his bed. He knew it was long past the witching hours of the night. It was the perfect time to get things done.
"I needed to speak with you," he said from the window. The window was quite large, enough so he could stand on the ledge without contorting his tall frame. The Headmaster had cleverly sealed his rooms from any sort of visitors, the unwanted sort. The broom he had come upon had long since fallen unnoticed. He let it, not allowing himself a simple way out.
He had stood in the open window for a long while, waiting for the Headmaster to make the first move. He would have waited for dawn if he had to. He was mask-less, making to show to hide his identity. Hiding would not do for what he had planned.
"So you are the one letting in the night air." How did the old wizard manage to sound undisturbed? To the point of sounding oblivious? Severus had never really understood the man. Had never really bothered. Though he would need to eventually if he was to survive. "Come in, my boy, it sounds as if you have come for something important." The bearded wizard slid from under the covers and pulled on a dressing robe. He was walking to his study before Severus stepped from the ledge, before that point the wards would not have let him.
The old man was sitting behind his massive desk, waiting. There was a slight wave inviting him to sit, but Severus declined. He wasn't in the mind set to have a friendly conversation over a cup of tea. Of course he wasn't in the mind set to do much else than what was needed.
"What is it that you needed to speak with me about?" Dumbledore began when it was clear Severus would do no such thing.
"There are a few things you need to be aware of, sir. But first, I believe this belongs in your keeping until this evening is over and things are concluded." The Headmaster never saw the movement. Perhaps there was no real movement, just a soft spoken word heard through his own ears only. His wand rested unassumingly on the desk. Dumbledore slipped into confusion and out in less than a blink of the eye.
"And why should I be in possession of this?" The Headmaster already knew, somewhat, why.
"If I must answer that question, Headmaster, I might as well return it to my holster and take my leave."
Dumbledore nodded. "Very well. What should I be aware of, Severus?"
Severus swallowed before he began. He had never thought it would be so difficult. He didn't speak at first. Words would only confuse the situation. He rolled up his left sleeve and waited.
He didn't wait long.
The old man, spry as ever, had leaped up and Severus was now looking down the point of slender shaft of oak. The desk was no longer a true obstacle.
"Explain yourself!"
"What is there to explain, Headmaster," he answered hollowly. "I am as I appear. What more do you wish to make it?"
"Why?" the wizard before him sounded weary, not through exhaustion, but through experience.
"What answer would you have me give? That I was seeking power? Knowledge? Revenge? I already had the knowledge. The power was inconsequential. Revenge? I could have easily found another way. A more direct way. Jealousy."
He enjoyed the long look of disbelief followed by shock. He doubted if anyone had ever stumped the Headmaster before. It was much like proving yourself greater than anticipated to the Lord. But this was different. He was proving nothing. He merely gave an answer never heard before.
"Why are you here?" The wand never hesitated.
"Must I repeat myself, Headmaster," he said disdainfully. "Reseat yourself and I will come to that." Oddly his request was honored. Through the wand never was put away. "You should know by now that your beloved Potter's time is running slim. He has already made himself an enemy of my Lord Voldemort, and shortly will cease to exist. Whatever project you have him working on will cause him no end of trouble.
"Also the war with the Ministry is only begun. If you are to warn your dear, dear friends who are about to loose their lives to the mayhem, do so immediately. I cannot tell when the strikes will begin. Terror and chaos are mere samples of what is to come." Severus basked in the heated gaze of the Headmaster. Finally a rise other than the ordinarily benevolent twinkle that always graced his eyes. "Beware of direct attacks on the pathetic excuse for a Minister, they will come."
"Severus, sit down." It was his turn to be confused. He had already declined and was now ready to leave. "Sit down before I force you to." The next moment he was bound to a simple leather backed chair that appeared from nowhere. He wasn't panicking yet. Perhaps it was a mistake to come in person. He wondered if fear had entered his eyes yet. He doubted it, but there was no telling.
"As it is, Severus, I have no way of trusting you except for the fact that it appears as though you have come of your own volition. Perhaps you would be so good as to answer some of my questions before you run off to your Lord and Master and inform him of this little conversation. Though I have no qualms with turning you over to the Ministry for their inquiry, I can promise that mine will be less painful if you cooperate. The Ministry has no promise of that."
Severus felt his mouth dry up as if it had been filled with cotton balls. How could he have been stupid enough to allow himself to fall.
"Why are you doing this?"
"You expect me to answer a question I can't even answer myself. I am here, isn't that enough."
"Do you not want Voldemort to succeed?"
"If my Lord succeeds, if will happen. What I do has no consequence in that matter."
"The lives you are trying to save will serve a drastically different end should they live and not die. You, unlike the other confessions we have received, know information that could change the course of the war. I want to know if you are loyal to Lord Voldemort, or are in the process of defecting."
"I will not defect. I am my Lord's." He doubted if the Headmaster knew the Dark Prince was surfacing.
"Then why are you telling me his plans?"
"My Lord's plans are fairly obvious if one knows where to look. Besides I am not ready for the game to end."
"You think this is a game?"
"Life's a game, Headmaster. A game where no one knows if they will come out alive. I intend to play until I die. And if I must take matters into my own hands to ensure it remains enjoyable, I shall do so."
"Should I trust you?"
"You should trust me with your life, other than that, I wouldn't advise it."
"Why is that?"
"I do not kill my superiors."
"And who is on that short list besides myself?"
"My Lord Voldemort," he smiled. Severus would have had to include Lucius Malfoy, but not the Dark Prince.
Dumbledore nodded as if that was what he was expecting. The interrogation lulled while the old man leaned back to think. This really was a ridiculous situation. He should have been gone by now. Perhaps giving his wand to the Headmaster was a mistake. Though he was certain if he had not the repercussions would have been worse.
"Very well then," Dumbledore said sitting forward. "I suppose the question is, do I turn you in to the Ministry or let you return, provided you agree to certain terms?" Severus didn't say a word. "Of course the terms would be of my devising and be an all or nothing choice. You do understand, Severus, that without those I would have no reason to trust you." Snape nodded. "Now as for the terms. One is for you to swear your loyalty to me and foreswear your loyalty to Voldemort."
"I will not!" He struggled against the bindings for the first time that night. The Dark Prince was cursing Severus for his lack of planning. "I am his and nothing will change that!" But the Dark Prince would concede Severus. Should Severus defect he would have the perfect opportunity to spy on Dumbledore. It was just the leverage the Dark Lord needed.
"Severus, you came here to inform me of your master's plans. If you did not intend to betray Voldemort, then why are you here."
The Dark Prince quieted, leaving only Severus Snape. The Dark Prince knew this was an excellent and fool proof way of infiltrating Dumbledore's close knit group of followers. But it would be on Severus's head.
"Severus, answer me truthfully. Why did you come here?"
Severus stilled and avoided eye contact. Why had he come? He couldn't answer himself, what made the Headmaster think he could answer him? He surprised himself. "I needed to."
"You needed to do what?" Dumbledore prompted. This was not how things were suppose to go.
"There are actions that will take place that you know nothing about. Actions that will change the course of the war. Change the course far more than I desire it."
"And by coming to me, you intend to change it according to your designs?"
"No. By having you change the course, it gives my Lord the opportunity to redirect his actions to one more suitable."
"Are you going to tell me what these actions are?" Severus hesitated. "I see, you still are loyal to Voldemort. If you want to redirect the course of this war, then you need to change allegiance." He looked up, involuntarily. Dumbledore was still seated behind his desk, fingers steepled under his chin, looking down through his spectacles. "Now, I'll ask you again. Will you accept my terms and denounce Voldemort or will I call the Aurors?"
He sat statue still as he pondered his choices. He didn't doubt he could handle any number of Aurors Dumbledore would call. Returning his wand to his hand only needed a soft dark spell and a moment of inattentiveness from the Headmaster. But hadn't he come here to warn the Headmaster. Surely doing so had already breached a level of loyalty to his Lord. Perhaps he could pull out of this alive and sane.
Bowing his head in shame and resignation, he said, " Yes, I will accept your terms."
* * * * * * * * * *
The Dark Prince had all but rejoiced when he had heard the terms. Severus would provide information to Dumbledore as a double operative. The Dark Prince had gone immediately to the Dark Lord to inform him of the situation. And the Dark Lord was pleased.
At that time the Dark Prince and Severus Snape were separate. But time and experience merged them into one. The Dark Prince was always awake now, watching what Severus was doing, saying, behaving. In turn Severus became more aware while the Dark Prince took control and reported to the Master. This process was gradual. But at some point before the Dark Lord's first fall, the Dark Prince began to question, however subtle, the ideals his Master embodied. At some point he started to agree with Severus Snape.
During the time of rest, before the Dark Lord's rebirth, the Dark Prince lay dormant, passively watching through Severus's eyes. He saw things more objectively in respect to Dumbledore. And came to respect that wizard as greatly as he respected the Dark Lord.
But now, after pledging his fealty to the Dark Prince, Severus Snape became one in the same with the feared Fallen Angel. There would be a new battle over loyalty before the war was through. Whichever side won his allegiance permanently would likely win the war. He had no delusions of his prominence. He was well aware that he could command the Dark Lord's horde to suicide if he felt so inclined.
At the moment, neither Severus Snape nor the Dark Prince knew where he would go when the time to define the lines with out the blur.