Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything related to Harry Potter. But, think for one second, wouldn't it be GRRRRREAT? For just a little peice of that pie...sigh I don't even have regular pie...let alone mondo cool Harry Potter pie...man...
Prologue
Severus Snape stood astonished in the office of the great Albus Dumbledore, unable and unwilling to believe what the man was saying. What he was asking.
"Headmaster," Snape began uncertainly, "You can't possibly…I couldn't…no…" He felt all the old familiar feelings rushing back at him, like torture. Fear. Confusion. Powerlessness. How many years had they been his only companion? When other children were playing with toy wands and making mock potions with cold tea and pumpkin juice, young Severus had been hiding away under his bed, studying by the light of a Muggle contraption he had paid seven sickles for in Knockturn Alley. A flashlight, he was told.
Those books had been his salvation. At first, he devoured the ancient texts and crumbling books "borrowed" from his grandfather's study. Horrible spells, dangerous potions. They gave a little boy power. Power to protect his mother, protect himself. End the reign of his tyrannical father, Tobias Snape. Then…
The headmaster interjected his thoughts. "Think, Severus. You made the Vow. You cannot break it, and walk away. This is the only option…" the old man sighed. "You did what you had to do, and now I must do the same."
"Concisely put, Headmaster, but you cannot believe that the words to take your life will ever pass my lips. I understand what the Vow entails. It is obedience to the wishes of the Dark Lord, or death. I merely chose death as the preferable option." Calmly, Snape sipped the tea his mentor had served, wondering if the old man realized that he poured a hefty amount of brandy into it while he busied himself with his ever-combustible bird, Fawkes.
"How very selfish of you," Dumbledore commented, causing Severus to snap out of his distracted reverie.
"Selfish?" he began angrily, "Selfish? Because I choose not to deprive the wizarding world of its only savior? Who will save them if you are dead?" Fire lept up in his belly…the insufferable man…did he not see? Why must he always be so damned noble?
As always, Albus Dumbledore was calm and composed. "Because, child, you are their savior," Severus let out an impatient growl. "It is your information that allows us to stand triumphant. It is your work that allows us to stay one step ahead. It is your sacrifice that keeps the Order of the Phoenix alive."
"Headmaster, I will not be the death of you.."
Dumbledore smiled sadly. "Have you forgotten so soon your promise? You once swore to obey me, Severus. To trust that what I asked of you served a better purpose, no matter how difficult. You are a man of your word. I know that you will do what is right, in the end."
And with those heavy words, the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry began chatting about a Muggle contraption Arthur Weasley had told him about, one that brought light in the way a wand did, but by clicking a button. A flashlight, he called it.