Hogwarts'Professors/choice/bardiclog
Title Of Snape's Choice
Claim Hogwarts' Professors
Prompt 210. Choice
Summary A discussion between Snape and Dumbledore, after Snape has made a certain vow
Warnings Spoilers for HBP
Word count 582
Author's Notes Sorry I haven't posted in a while - real life keeping me busy and all.
“. . . and then I swore the Unbreakable Vow. You see where that leaves us, Albus,” Snape concluded.
Dumbledore folded his hands, leaned back in his plush armchair, and appeared to be giving the matter some consideration. But his blue eyes were still twinkling; he did not look as disturbed as Snape would have thought.
“Yes, indeed, I see where we find ourselves,” he replied finally. “Well, it isn't as though I haven't been expecting something of the sort - and I would say things are nearly in place.”
“So I refuse to do - what I said, and then . . .”
“On the contrary, Severus, you must do exactly as you vowed.”
“But...”
“No, we cannot afford to lose you, Severus, you are far too valuable for that. Besides, I thought you had always wanted to be the hero, and you'd certainly be saving Draco . . .”
“I don't want to play the part of hero for nothing, that's a foolish Gryffindor notion. Slytherins - Albus, I'll be hated, and you're the only one who's ever . . .”
“Now, now. You'll be a hero, and in time I'm sure you will find the respect and understanding you deserve - but there is a long and difficult path ahead of us now.”
“Albus, they all hate me already, I can't take any more of this, and you're the one they need, they look up to . . .”
“No, Severus. I am getting old, and slow, and the Order needs its younger blood now more than ever. You are stronger than you think.”
“But...”
“I told you, did I not, you and all the rest, that soon we would be forced to choose between what is right and what is easy?”
“Yes, but . . .”
“To avoid this task, and to die yourself, that would be easy.”
“And it's right to, to . . .”
“When I have given my permission, then yes, it does seem to be the only way. You must kill me, Severus, when the time comes, and leave no doubt about what you have done. You must carry on with the tasks assigned you, and most importantly, you must help Harry-”
“Potter hates me, and he'll hate me even more after I-”
“It is time to set aside personal feelings and grudges. You must help Harry continue the work I have begun, and assist him as well and diligently as you have me.”
“No, please, I . . .”
“I shall train him, and he shall be prepared to carry on when the time comes. Protect Harry, protect my students . . .”
“You don't realize how much you're asking.”
“But I do, and that is why I dare not place the burden on any I trust less than you. Severus, promise me that when the time comes . . .”
Snape's face hardened. “I shall do as you order me, of course, Headmaster.” He bowed, formally, and Dumbledore clapped his hands twice.
“Most excellent; I thank you, Severus, for your degree of loyalty to myself and to this school. Now, I must see if I can conjure up where my dear Professor Slughorn might be in hiding.”
“You're going to hire him for Defense?” Snape could not keep the shock and revulsion from his tone.
“No, I'm afraid Professor Slughorn will be back in his traditional capacity as Potions Master. Which means, Severus, that the Defense position is of course yours.”
Snape's mouth opened and closed several times, until finally he managed a petulant “Thank you,” before Dumbledore dismissed him and carried on with the business of preparing Hogwarts for the future - whatever it may hold.
Claim Hogwarts' Professors
Prompt 210. Choice
Summary A discussion between Snape and Dumbledore, after Snape has made a certain vow
Warnings Spoilers for HBP
Word count 582
Author's Notes Sorry I haven't posted in a while - real life keeping me busy and all.
“. . . and then I swore the Unbreakable Vow. You see where that leaves us, Albus,” Snape concluded.
Dumbledore folded his hands, leaned back in his plush armchair, and appeared to be giving the matter some consideration. But his blue eyes were still twinkling; he did not look as disturbed as Snape would have thought.
“Yes, indeed, I see where we find ourselves,” he replied finally. “Well, it isn't as though I haven't been expecting something of the sort - and I would say things are nearly in place.”
“So I refuse to do - what I said, and then . . .”
“On the contrary, Severus, you must do exactly as you vowed.”
“But...”
“No, we cannot afford to lose you, Severus, you are far too valuable for that. Besides, I thought you had always wanted to be the hero, and you'd certainly be saving Draco . . .”
“I don't want to play the part of hero for nothing, that's a foolish Gryffindor notion. Slytherins - Albus, I'll be hated, and you're the only one who's ever . . .”
“Now, now. You'll be a hero, and in time I'm sure you will find the respect and understanding you deserve - but there is a long and difficult path ahead of us now.”
“Albus, they all hate me already, I can't take any more of this, and you're the one they need, they look up to . . .”
“No, Severus. I am getting old, and slow, and the Order needs its younger blood now more than ever. You are stronger than you think.”
“But...”
“I told you, did I not, you and all the rest, that soon we would be forced to choose between what is right and what is easy?”
“Yes, but . . .”
“To avoid this task, and to die yourself, that would be easy.”
“And it's right to, to . . .”
“When I have given my permission, then yes, it does seem to be the only way. You must kill me, Severus, when the time comes, and leave no doubt about what you have done. You must carry on with the tasks assigned you, and most importantly, you must help Harry-”
“Potter hates me, and he'll hate me even more after I-”
“It is time to set aside personal feelings and grudges. You must help Harry continue the work I have begun, and assist him as well and diligently as you have me.”
“No, please, I . . .”
“I shall train him, and he shall be prepared to carry on when the time comes. Protect Harry, protect my students . . .”
“You don't realize how much you're asking.”
“But I do, and that is why I dare not place the burden on any I trust less than you. Severus, promise me that when the time comes . . .”
Snape's face hardened. “I shall do as you order me, of course, Headmaster.” He bowed, formally, and Dumbledore clapped his hands twice.
“Most excellent; I thank you, Severus, for your degree of loyalty to myself and to this school. Now, I must see if I can conjure up where my dear Professor Slughorn might be in hiding.”
“You're going to hire him for Defense?” Snape could not keep the shock and revulsion from his tone.
“No, I'm afraid Professor Slughorn will be back in his traditional capacity as Potions Master. Which means, Severus, that the Defense position is of course yours.”
Snape's mouth opened and closed several times, until finally he managed a petulant “Thank you,” before Dumbledore dismissed him and carried on with the business of preparing Hogwarts for the future - whatever it may hold.