Innocence

- Part One -

"Good morning, Severus. You look especially stiff and severe this morning." The clock on the wall greeted the potions master and got for its trouble naught but a sniff. Severus Snape had roused himself unnecessarily at an unnaturally early hour this morning, and was now sipping rather strong and bitter tea at the dining table in his flat on the outskirts of Bradbury, England. The legs of the beautiful walnut table at which he sat curved gracefully downward, its feet resting comfortably in the plush tan carpet. Unadorned as they were, they were carefully and beautifully made, showing a simplistic elegance that was evidenced in everything Severus Snape owned, as it was in the potions master himself.

Across from the table was a display case. Large silver knobs on the doors were its only decoration, and newly cleaned panes of glass, last night's labor and chore, revealed bottles of many styles. Hanging next to the windowed case was the clock that had so cheerily welcomed Severus. Its mahogany face was carved to show human-like features from with it had spoken. Twelve diamond-shaped sapphires framed its angular face, round which several rows of grooves were hewn into the wood, encircling the entire thing and containing small, silver balls, which marked the second, minute, hour, and the current position of the stars and moon.

Severus's simple but elegant eyes were looking toward the case and the clock, but saw neither. His gaze was deeper, farther, and his thoughts more remote than anything in that room. Today was the first anniversary of Dumbledore's death. Severus could still see Dumbledore's determined face, covered in deathly green light. The headmaster's last words still sounded in his ears, dead to his current surroundings. His eyes only saw the dark backdrop of the Forbidden Forest at night; his ears only heard Dumbledore's voice.

It had been a stressful night, one in which many lives were lost, many less fortunate than him, much guilt, much pain. They had fought that night, that night Snape was responsible for, the Dark Lord had risen and fought the Order. But before all that, before the bloodshed, before the duels, had been a conversation, one Severus still remembered. And wondered at.

"Severus, I must thank you again for your services," Dumbledore said kindly.

"It's the least I could do for what has been given me. All the same, I've put you all in grave danger, and I fail to see how - "

"Severus," the headmaster said a little more sternly, "You did what you had to. Voldemort was suspicious. I understand why you did it. Furthermore, you warned us of it. You are continuingly loyal. I thank you."

"But telling the Dark Lord shortcuts into Hogwarts, around the barriers -"

"It is done, Severus. It is better for us to choose the grounds on which we fight than for the enemy to choose for us. These, these," he motioned toward the forest, toward the lake and the grassy slopes, "are familiar grounds," Dumbledore replied, looking thoughtful. He was quiet a moment, then spoke again. "There will be a battle tonight. It is important for all of us to remember what we are fighting for, and, more importantly, remember who we are. Remember, Severus, that you are innocent."