Severus Sighs

Title: Invisible Hero
Author: sweetmelodykiss
Rating: PG
Pairing: None
Genre: Gen
Time Line: OotP
Word Count: 914
Summary: Severus is always there, behind the scenes, trying to put the wrongs to right.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters herein. J.K. Rowling owns all the characters. No profit is being made from this story, and no copyright infringements are intended.
Written for severus_sighs challenge: canon!Severus, the one that lives in my heart.



The room was dank and musty this far down in the dungeons. No one ever ventured here anymore. This was where the more malevolent ghosts of Hogwarts liked to hide. It could be quite frightening down in the deep dungeons. It was so silent. The beating pulse of Hogwarts was the only sound heard thrumming in the blackness. The thumping of the castle's heart always soothed Severus. He liked it down here. Severus felt in his element when the restless spirits crept near and reached out to touch him with their spidery tendrils.

"Severus, I know this is difficult, but I trust that you will follow my instructions while I am away." Dumbledore said in hushed tones.

"Of Course, don’t I always?" Snape huffed.

"Yes, my boy, you've done an excellent job, but we cannot let our guard slip now, especially with Umbridge in charge of Hogwarts."

"I know all of this, Albus. I also know about Potter's little army. If he gets caught there will be hell to pay."

"I am counting on you to see that Harry is not discovered until his mission is accomplished."

"You have my word that I will delay the inevitable for as long as possible. I have subtly tried to dissuade Draco and his cronies from joining forces with Umbridge, but Malfoy is his father's protégé and stubborn in his pursuit of Potter."

Albus raised an eyebrow. "Do what you can, Severus. The Dark Lord must be exposed."

"Yes, Headmaster, you may be assured that I will do whatever it takes."

"Excellent," Dumbledore twinkled as he Disapparated out of the dungeons.

Severus shook his head. Leave it to Dumbledore to break his own rules, but he supposed the Headmaster didn't really have a choice. With Umbridge skulking around every corner, Albus couldn't risk being discovered inside the castle.

~~~~~~

Severus saw the red, angry lines dotting the boy's hand, but not only his. Others had them too. Severus seethed inside, rage threatening to spill forth and explode against Delores Umbridge, but that could not happen. Severus had a job to do and he would not jeopardize his position, but he could help in his own way, Severus thought, as he stealthily laced the food with analgesics and healing potions.

Umbridge almost went wild when all of her quills suddenly burst into flames. Severus snickered to himself when he heard the news. He had sincerely promised to look into the incident on Umbridge's behalf, never batting an eye as he trudged off obediently to investigate the matter.

Umbridge had her nerve, ordering him to hand over all of his Veritaserum. That would be the day, when Severus Snape took orders from the likes of Delores Umbridge. Apparently, he'd been lax in his brewing of the potion. He had very little to spare, but he promised that he would start brewing more right away. Snorts. He assured the old witch that it was top on his list of priorities.

Severus felt a twinge of guilt. The boy looked at him beseechingly. He knew exactly what Potter was talking about, but he didn’t know what he could do about it.

Severus headed for his quarters in a swirl of robes. He needed to talk to Albus right away. This was an emergency. Severus tested his secure Floo connection once more before Fire-calling Albus. Discretion was the better part of valor, in his opinion.

"Should I go, Sir? Severus asked.

"No! Do not leave Hogwarts. This is all a trap, Severus. I am on my way and the Order has been alerted."

"As you wish, but I fear for Potter's life. He is determined to get himself killed."

"He will be protected. I promise. This time I need you to take care of Hogwarts. Umbridge is out of control. Using Veritaserum on the students is outrageous. I must go now, Severus."

"Yes, Sir, and be careful."

~~~~~~

A black shape crossed the grounds and vanished into the Forbidden Forest. Severus wasn't going to leave anything to chance. Umbridge had to go, and the sooner the better. He'd built a certain rapport with the Centaurs over the years, and he knew he could count on their assistance if needed.

A part of him still thought that he should be in the thick of the fight, but if nothing else, he could work behind the scenes for the good of the cause.
~~~~~~

The boy looked at him with revulsion, but Severus never flinched. He had become accustomed to taking the blame for things that were beyond his control, and this was no different.

"He will get over it in time, Severus," the old man placated.

"Yes, and what about Black? I suppose he will get over it as well. As I see it, dead is still dead."

"It was a regrettable loss, but Sirius has his own reckless behavior to blame for it. There was nothing you could've done to save him. No need to feel guilty over something you were not involved in."

"No, Sir, I never do," Severus growled and walked away.

Albus looked after the dark wizard with sadness. He would change things if he could, but Severus was destined to be the invisible hero. Fate had conspired against Severus from birth. It was a tragedy because he deserved so much better from life. Sadly, there would be many such losses in the future, and Dumbledore would sacrifice everything to make sure that the destruction of the Dark Lord came to fruition.