Title: Return
Rating: K
Beta: Gwendolyn James
Word count: 446
DISCLAIMER: I only own some cookies that I want to share.
Many of them thought he was gone, except for one who believed he was going to return. Severus Snape sat in front of his desk thinking about what had happened that night at Hogwarts. He had killed the best wizard of all time. He had killed Albus Dumbledore, the only person who believed in him, who trusted him enough to give him the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. But he had betrayed the Headmaster's trust.
"Severus, do what you think is right." Dumbledore had told him once. "If Voldemort wants me dead, so be it."
"But… Headmaster..."
"Severus, I believe you do not need to be told twice what to do. If that's what Voldemort wants, we shall grant him his wish."
Voldemort's wish was granted. Dumbledore was dead. But Snape knew that Dumbledore had an alternate plan. He always did. Snape knew that an Unforgivable would not work unless the one casting it truly wanted it to work. And deep in his heart, he didn't want to kill the Headmaster. However, he was forced to do because of the Unbreakable Vow.
What a stupid thing to do, making an Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa Malfoy because her annoying prat of a son was too chicken to do the task he was given. Why on Earth had Snape agreed to do it anyway?
Ah. He had done it to maintain the little trust they had for him. Not that he cared about it or anything. It was Dumbledore's wish... or order. "Do what you think is right." And accepting the Vow was the right thing to do. He didn't need to experience the Dark Lord's wrath once more. He had experienced it more than once on various occasions.
He was an outcast now. With Dumbledore believed to be dead, no one would believe his side of the story. Well, perhaps only Lupin, but he always had a soft spot for everyone.
A light in the room caught Snape's attention. He looked up to see a white figure smiling at him.
Snape stood up and smiled.
"Welcome back, Professor."
"It's nice to see you again, Severus," the old Headmaster replied.
For the first time in the last few weeks, Snape felt relieved. He was going back to Hogwarts. He was going to regain the trust of the Order. That is, if they trusted him before. Snape knew that Dumbledore's return was going to give him a hard time with Voldemort and the Death Eaters, but he didn't care. He had more important things to care about, like getting back his desired teaching position for a start. The rest would have to wait until further notice.
Teh Fin