Disclaimer: Don't own nothing not even a smidgen. All works owned by J.K. Rowling Bloomsbury paperbacks and a few others.
Summary: A gift has arrived to none then Severus Snape and due to reasons, will not accept it. Will Dumbledore be able to persuade him to keep it to open his heart and trust before it's all too late? 1st ff be nice RR
Love and Trust of the Heart
Chapter 2- The Present
Severus Snape stood amongst the hooded figures in the circle.
"Severus Snape! Crucio!" Voldemort's malicious voice rang in his ears before being hit by excruciating pain. Severus fell to his knees, he refused to scream, before eventually been taking off the curse.
"Where were you at my rebirth?" Voldemort spat. "How dare you return and face me without answering my first call!? Crucio!"
Severus felt like his insides were on fire. He could feel bruises rising and cuts opening, stinging painfully. Severus bit his lip from screaming. He could feel blood seeping through from is lip. Severus was unsure on how long he was under the Cruciatus curse. He wasn't sure how much longer he could last. After what seemed hours he was taken off the curse. The pain made no difference being on or off the curse. He lay before Voldemort twitching.
"One would think you are a traitor."
"My lord," Severus said as humbly as he could through the pain, "Forgive me, will you let me explain my reasons."
Severus stated carefully, trying to risk another dose of the Cruciatus curse.
"Always a careful speaker aren't you Severus,"
"I wouldn't want to offend you my lord."
Severus looked into the eyes of Lord Voldemort on his knees.
"Go on Severus, tell me, what have you been doing with yourself? If I don't find it interesting I will kill you."
"After..." 'How am I to word this...?' "Your cunning plot to make believe that you had truly fallen, and arise unexpected."
Severus saw Voldemort smirk nodding for him to continue.
"The ministry began to round up your loyal supporters, placing us on trial. I myself knew you had not fallen as everyone believed. I started to see your plan, and I knew you would want the boy Potter. I begged with Dumbledore for mercy. I finally won him around and he kept me out of Azkaban. I took my chances and worked along side him, waiting for you to rise again. Over the years I began to gain his trust. Using my talents in potions, I have been keeping close eye on Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter, as my position as potion master. I am your closest server to enemy lines other then Lucius who is a member of the school board." 'What else?' "I am Head of Slytherin House. For years, I have been persuading Dumbledore to let me to teach the defense class in hoping to teach the Dark Arts secretly to students. So for your return the young new followers were trained properly. Though I have not yet succeeded, I don't think he trusts me enough. Two years ago, I rescued Wormtail out of a sticky situation, involving Sirius Black and the werewolf. He knows Wormtail is alive master. Last year when Barty Couch arrived as the Dark Arts professor he told me of your plans for Potter. I had helped Barty greatly, by keeping Dumbledore's suspicions off target. He was deeply concerned when the Goblet of Fire pulled Potter out as fourth competitor. Knowing Barty well master, would I be correct that he did not inform you of me working along side him. When you called master, Dumbledore had already great suspicion of me, I had to stay behind, so I could help you my lord for future reasons."
Severus stared at Voldemort in the eyes not blinking, using the same technique used when faced to face with hippogriffs.
Voldemort turned his back, 'he seems to have bought this.' Severus did not dare rise until told so.
"Severus you are faithful deatheater. You may rise. Let Severus be an example to the rest of you, the act of true loyalty."
"Thank you master," Severus said rising slowly and stepping back into the inner circle.
Voldemort gave them different orders; Severus listened intently to Voldemort's instructions to fellow deatheaters. Severus noticed a silver arm on that useless fool Wormtail, Severus guessed it was to kill the werewolf Lupin. Lucius and fellow ministry workers were to gather information on ministry movements. Voldemort had sent a small group of deatheaters to find Karkaroff. Voldemort stood in front of Severus, "No doubt that meddlesome old fool is starting up his little order again, and I want you Severus, to find out as much information as you can without revealing your position."
"Yes master,"
"Any of your children are to keep close watch on Potter and report anything strange."
Severus gulped slowly, 'Slytherin students, must warn Albus right away.'
"You are dismissed until our next meeting."
Severus staggered back onto the grounds of Hogwarts, where he was met by an anxious Albus Dumbledore. He coughed slightly revealing blood. He felt a strong grip guiding him.
"Severus child," he could hear relief in Albus' voice. "I was worried."
"I'm fine," Severus hated it when Albus would get all concerned.
"Fine! You call this fine," Albus, said sternly, "I'm taking you to Poppy."
Severus struggled out of the old man's grip. "No, you will do no such thing. I am going to my chamber to rest." Severus snapped. He didn't dare look at Albus now, one look in those eyes and Severus would be defeated.
Albus tried to place an arm, to help him walk, but Severus pushed it away. "I'm fine, I can look after myself. I am not a child."
"Severus, I-"
"Look Albus," Severus sighed, "I apologise, I just want to go to my chambers and rest. I have my own storage of potions there. I'll be fine," Severus said as they entered the castle.
"Come see me when you're ready then," he heard Albus reply.
Severus walked to his chambers down in the dungeons; he flung open the potion cupboard, grabbing the necessary potions. He took the first vial and drank deeply, relief hitting his body instantly, all his aches and bruises and cuts began to ease in pain. He could feel his body relaxing. He walked towards his four-poster bed placing the other two vials on his bedside table. Severus sunk onto the bed sitting massaging his forehead. He could feel the potion doing its course. He struggled taking off his shoes. Severus then took the yellow potion for his headache. Severus was too tired to change out of his clothes and took the last vial a dreamless sleep potion. He felt his body instantly fall back, his head hitting the pillow, as Severus was succumbed by sleep.
Severus awoke to the sound of a soft gentle familiar voice calling his name, and was shaken slightly.
"Severus, come on child, I want you to eat."
Severus groaned, without opening his eyes said, "There is a reason why I put wards up around by chambers, Albus."
Severus got a chuckle from Albus. Severus tried to roll over to go back to sleep.
"Severus you can go back to sleep after you have eaten something," came a firm voice of Albus that left not room for argument. Severus' nostrils were suddenly filled with the aroma of food.
Severus turned his head to the right direction and opened one eye, to be faced by Albus sitting a chair with a tray of food floating beside him.
"You just couldn't help yourself could you," he growled. Before Severus could say anything Albus was up and helping him sit up, adding extra pillows.
"Albus-"
The tray of food was placed over his lap. Severus wasn't all that hungry as he saw the large amount that was on the tray.
"Eat!"
"Albus I'm not all that hungry."
Albus just held out a knife and fork, with a stern glare.
Severus made the mistake of trying to stare down the old man, and failed miserably. He sighed in defeat and irritation taking the knife and fork. He caught Albus smiling, obviously pleased with himself. Severus just glared at the man. Albus returned to the chair as Severus just stared at the food in distaste. He really wasn't hungry. He felt Albus' eyes watching him. Severus slowly began to eat. After a couple of mouthfuls, he did not feel Albus' intense stare upon him. Severus turned to Albus holding a photo frame. There was only two photo frames on his bedside table, one was of his father, mother and himself and the other of Sabrina and himself, when they were younger.
"What's Sabrina up to now days Severus."
"I don't know, I haven't heard from her in years, ever since she ran off with that- that meddlesome, insufferable, despicable idiot fool Hunter," Severus spat with hatred.
Albus just nodded in approval. It took Severus a couple of minutes till he couldn't eat any more. Severus pushed his plate away from him, exhausted.
Albus nodded his head in approval, and removed the tray. Albus summoned a house elf that took the tray and disapparated.
Severus had been fighting to keep is eyes open. He noticed he had suddenly became extremely drowsy like he had just taken a...then it dawned 'the bloody man drugged me.'
"Rest Severus," Albus said softly.
"Humph, no thanks to you," Severus' voice started out gruff and snappish but ended with a yawn.
"I want you fully rested and healthy by my standards not yours."
Severus slid down under the covers; there was no point in fighting a sleeping potion.
"How did you become a Gryffindor?" Severus replied resignedly as his eyes drooped and drifted to sleep.
"Rest well Sevvie,"
Albus replied quietly as he walked out Severus' chambers, replacing the wards up around Severus' chambers and left silently.
