Fidelitas

Chapter Three

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Draco was pensive. He had taken the Floo from Hogsmeade to a village close to Malfoy Manor, where he had been picked up by the carriage and was presently on his way home.

He was thinking about Snape.

Having gotten over his initial shock at Draco's statement, the professor had talked to him, somewhat guardedly, about what he had done. Draco, unsatisfied, had asked for more detail, at which point he had been dismissed and sent home.

Ever since his conversation with Lucius Malfoy, Draco had given considerable thought to his future. His father seemed to think that it was a given that he would become a Death Eater, but Draco had been anything but sure. He did not respect muggles, but that did not mean he wanted them murdered in cold blood. At Hogwarts though, it is anything but easy to be a Slytherin, with everyone certain in their belief that they were all guaranteed to end up as Death Eaters. In Draco's opinion nothing could be worse than having one's fate in someone else's hand. He could never understand how Lucius, proud and unbending, could so degrade himself as to be the servant of Voldemort's whims, could make himself bow down to someone and hand over any and all control over his own life.

And all for the power that Voldemort promised. Yet Severus Snape, a Slytherin to the very core, had voluntarily renounced Voldemort and any power that he offered and had served good, at great risk to his life. Draco could never be like Lucius, but he could at least understand his motivation. Severus Snape, on the other hand, was a mystery.

He replayed his conversation with the man.

'What made you do it sir? Your potions skills must have been valuable to Him, why did you leave?'

'Fidelitas . . .'

'Loyalty?'

'That is all that matters in the end, Draco. Loyalty. And faith.'

That was all he had volunteered on the subject.

Draco was no fool. Born into wealth, he had been raised by tutors and house-elves. Severus was the first person he had ever respected and looked up to. When he had realized that Snape was on the Light side, Draco had been shocked, then confused and forced to think about his own loyalties.

Was Dumbledore really different from Voldemort? Didn't it all amount to the same thing - handing over control over your life? After the duel with Voldemort, Dumbledore might even have to relinquish his leadership of the Order! And what if . . .

His thoughts came to an abrupt halt as the carriage stopped at Malfoy Manor. Draco stepped out of the carriage and went inside.

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'You must be joking, Albus!'

The Headmaster looked at Snape, who was standing beside him, shocked and incredulous. 'They would never trust me! And why should they? For all they know I'm a Death Eater!'

Albus and Severus were in the Hospital Wing, awaiting the next meeting of the Order. Albus smiled wryly. 'Just about every Order member saw you save me with their own eyes. Those who didn't, have already heard of it. Therefore, not only do you possess minute knowledge of the Dark Lord's plans, strategies and inclinations, you have also proven your loyalties without any conceivable doubt. You are the obvious choice to lead the Order in my absence. I wish it had not come to this, but I do not seem to have another option.'

'I assure you, Albus, they would never trust me!'

'Severus, how many times do I have to tell you? Stop berating yourself! Of all our members you have probably done the maximum for our cause. Without the information you provided, the Order might not even have survived this long! If it gives you that much pleasure to be a martyr, do continue to think that none of them like you, but at least they respect you!'

Snape would have been shocked at the unusual harshness in Albus' voice had he not known the current situation. Everyone always underestimated Minerva's calming influence on the Headmaster. Severus was very concerned about Albus, his only 'friend'; how would Minerva's death affect him?

'There's something I have to tell you Albus.'

There was no reply. Severus sighed, and continued.

'Yesterday, before the students left, Draco and I had a little conversation. His father intends for him to become a Death Eater. Draco, however, has some other ideas.'

Albus looked surprised. 'He wants to join us?'

'Not exactly. While he doesn't sound convinced, he is considering the "merits" of being a spy.'

'If he isn't sure, why was he speaking to you?'

Severus shifted uncomfortably. 'I'm damned if I know! According to Draco, Lucius asked him to talk to me, about becoming a Death Eater. But when he saw me save you, he started thinking about his loyalties.'

Albus looked closely at Snape. 'Does that mean his loyalties lie with you?'

Severus looked up sharply. 'Why would you say that?'

'His father was Voldemort's right hand man, his family is steeped in the Dark Arts, and we have always expected him to follow Lucius' footsteps; yet he sees you working for the Light side, and he immediately starts considering his future. Does that not say anything to you?'

'No, Albus it says absolutely nothing to me!' said Severus severely. 'Besides, for all we know, he might end up a Death Eater anyway.'

'We had always thought so, you might remember.'

'But the boy is talented Albus. His potions have always been excellent, and he is as shrewd and cunning as they come. He would be a good spy.'

'This is interesting Severus. Very interesting.'

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