Duty/Dilemna/Resolve/Atonement/Redemption

Title: Duty
House: Ravenclaw
Word Count: 100
Characters: Snape, Voldemort
Challenge: #85 (Redemption)
Spoilers: None
Author's Notes: A young Death Eater comes to an unsettling conclusion about his latest assignment.

---

"You're certain that it will not be detected?"

"Positive, my Lord. Neither magical nor Muggle means exist to identify this compound."

"Excellent." The Dark Lord tucked the vial away, making as if to leave. Then he paused. "One further question. Will frequent Transfigurations affect the poison's potency?"

Snape blinked. "They should not, my Lord..."

"Wonderful. Thank you, my friend. Your services are, as always, invaluable."

When Voldemort had departed, Severus cleaned up, his hands moving of their own accord. His mind was elsewhere.

He knew of only one living Animagus who opposed the Dark Lord.

He hoped he was wrong.



Title: Dilemna
House: Ravenclaw
Word Count: 100
Characters: Snape; Dumbledore, McGonagall and Sirius in flashback
Challenge: #85 (Redemption)
Spoilers: None
Author's Notes: Severus struggles with old memories and verifies his suspicions. (Refers to another hp100 drabble of mine, Just Another Day)

---

"Who can name the one un-Transfigurable element? Mr. Snape?"

"Lead?"

"Correct!" McGonagall smiled. "Ten points to Slytherin."

---

"Potter."

She didn't laugh. "Rest assured, that one will get his comeuppance. But first let's get you sorted out."

Her hands were gentle as she drew out one barbed quill after another; before long, he'd stopped trembling.</b>

---

"I trust, Severus, that I may rely on your discretion?" Dumbledore asked. He reluctantly agreed.

And McGonagall, standing beside Dumbledore's chair, radiated furious disapproval--not at him, but at Sirius Black.

---

Severus shut the Registry, feeling ill. The poison could be intended for only one person.




Title: Resolve
House: Ravenclaw
Word Count: 100
Characters: Snape, Dumbledore
Challenge: #85 (Redemption)
Spoilers: None

---

"Professor Dumbledore?"

The old magus turned and gave his former student a long, measuring look. "Mr. Snape," he acknowleged with uncharacteristic coolness. "I must say, I was at a loss what to make of your message. I sincerely hope this information of yours is important enough to warrant the risk we both take by meeting so."

"It is." Severus swallowed hard, keenly aware of the fate that awaited him if the Dark Lord learned of his duplicity. Explaining the poison's failure would be difficult enough. "Has Professor McGonagall fallen ill recently?"

Dumbledore's eyes narrowed. "What do you know about that?"




Title: Atonement
House: Ravenclaw
Word Count: 100
Characters: Snape, Dumbledore, McGonagall
Challenge: #85 (Redemption)
Spoilers: None
Author's Notes: Severus comes face to face with the consequences of his actions.

---

"Minerva, my dear..."

McGonagall opened her eyes, clouded with pain and weariness. "Albus...here to see me off?"

"Tsk. None of that, now. You have a visitor."

He stepped out from behind the Headmaster, steeling himself not to wince at his own handiwork.

"Why, Severus." The familiar, kind smile transformed her gaunt face. "What a lovely surprise..."

At Dumbledore's nod, Severus perched on the edge of her hospital bed, pressing a vial into her hand. "Drink this," he said, willing his voice steady. "It will help."

Their eyes met. She knows...

Endless heartbeats later, she uncapped the vial and drank.




Title: Redemption
House: Ravenclaw
Word Count: 100
Characters: Snape, Dumbledore
Challenge: #85 (Redemption)
Spoilers: None
Author's Notes: And the rest is history.

---

"Madam Pomfrey is at a loss to explain it." Dumbledore smiled, though without his usual sparkle. "I suppose it will be remembered as one of those inexplicable Hogwarts mysteries. Only you and I will ever know the truth."

"And Professor McGonagall," Severus murmured. "She knows. I could see it in her eyes."

"And yet she took what you gave her. Extraordinary judge of character, Minerva."

He nodded, still foundering inwardly.

"Not so clean and simple, is it," Dumbledore noted, "when your victim has a face?"

Somehow, that simple question brought everything into focus.

"I can't do this anymore," he whispered.