Crucible (джен)

What if Severus Snape had always cared for the son of his late beloved? What if all the hate and prejudice he'd shown toward him all those years had been established by Albus Dumbledore, who had been playing his spy and the Golden Boy like pawns on his chessboard? The night when Snape is ordered to deliver the Sword of Gryffindor in the Forest of Dean, Ronald Weasley fails to show up in time to dive after Harry. Hence, the Death Eater is left to compromising his cover to save him. But what happens when the boy returns to consciousness and takes in the sight of the slimy murderer of his late mentor?