The Seven Deadly Sins

Summary: Sin and virtue: can one exist without the other? And to what end do they determine our final outcome? Severus ponders these very questions as he tries to determine exactly where he's ended up. Is love really the answer?

Disclaimer: The characters, settings, etc. of the Harry Potter series are not mine; they belong to J.K. Rowling and Co. I promise to return them when I am through. Well, most of them anyway.

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Chapter Two: The Seven Deadly Sins

His first thought upon waking, and feeling the soft bed beneath him, was that he must have avoided Azkaban somehow. He lay still, trying to determine if he were alone or not. Years of spying had taught him the virtue of caution. It had saved his life on more than one occasion in the past.

When he was sure he was alone, he cautiously opened his eyes and took in the sights around him. The events of the previous evening came rushing back. He was still in the Elysium room, wherever that was. Had it been only last night he'd arrived here? He couldn't be sure; time seemed to pass differently in this reality.

He wondered what enchantment had confounded him so much that he'd actually bathed, ate, and lay down in the bed without so much as a thought to his surrounding and how to escape them. While he had to admit he did feel refreshed, none of his questions had been answered, leaving him to wonder what to do next.

A note on the nightstand, his given name printed in old English on the front, caught his eye.

Fresh robes can be found in the wardrobe. Please join me in my study after you've dressed and had breakfast. There is much we need to discuss.

A quiet snort escaped the dark man. Much we need to discuss...I'll say. Who are you, and where the hell am I? And more importantly, how do I get out of here?

His stomach rumbled. The dinner last night had been heavenly, but that had been... Well, he wasn't sure how long ago he'd eaten, but his body seemed to think it had been quite a while ago. The smell of kippers and eggs reached his nose as his stomach growled again. Severus shrugged. He might as well eat. If the man had wanted to do him harm, he would have done so by now.

After breakfast and a fast shower, Severus opened the wardrobe; the inside could have been a duplicate of his own wardrobe. The same cut, tailoring, and color of his favored robes, right down to the buttons at the cuff, hung inside next to freshly pressed shirts and a new frock coat. He dressed with care, strangely pleased to have his usual attire made available to him.

A final glance at the note left him with a new question – Where was the stranger's study, and how did he get there from here?

Exiting the room, he looked up and down the corridor. There appeared to be only one room adjacent to his on the right, but to his left were at least a dozen or more doorways. Were these here last night? he wondered. He couldn't seem to remember. The corridor looked different with bright sunlight streaming in through skylights in the ceiling. He could see a door open at the end of the corridor. With no other plan in mind, he walked toward the open doorway.

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Severus stood in the hall, observing the room and the stranger seated behind the desk. The room was warm and inviting. Books lined the walls, a cheery fire burned in the grate; a massive desk – covered in manila files – dominated the room.

"Good morning, Severus. I see you received my note." The stranger gestured to a chair in front of his desk. "Come in and sit down. I trust you slept well?"

"Fine, thank you." The silence spun out between them as Severus watched the man shuffle the pages of a thick manila file marked, "SNAPE, Severus – Case #09011959-4-878-697-007"; curiosity gnawed at him as he wondered what information was in that file.

"Well, it seems we have a bit of a problem. Your sins and virtues seem to balance each other out. Now, normally, we would error on the side of good and go from there, but your spirit refuses to accept the finality of events. Well, that coupled with those mourning your loss. One in particular actually, but we'll get to that in a minute."

On closer examination, Severus could see the tabs on several of the other files on the desk, names he knew well – McGONAGALL, Minerva; WEASLEY, Arthur; GRANGER, Hermione; POTTER, Har... The last file was partially covered by another – DUMBLEDO... An uneasy feeling settled into his stomach as he looked at that last one. Albus, his friend and mentor, no matter what the circumstances, it still tore at him to know what had transpired.

The stranger watched the rare play of emotions that crossed the dark man's face. It was short work to follow Severus' gaze and know the cause of his distress. He restacked the pile of files, hiding Dumbledore's from sight. Clearing his throat, he spoke softly, "Severus, it never helps to dwell on that which we cannot change. You have atoned for your past sins. It's time to accept all that has passed and move on."

Severus shook his head. The sight of Albus' death still haunted his nightmares. "No, I haven't atoned for that one, never for that one. Just send me on to Hell, and let's be done with it, shall we? I'm tired of living with it...with all of it." He laughed softly. Just what he needed, he could feel a headache coming on. His head snapped up suddenly. He'd seen him die, but he had to be sure. "The Dark Lord is dead, isn't he? Please don't tell me Potter screwed that up, too."

"Yes, yes, he's gone for good this time. Haven't you looked at your forearm?"

Severus had looked at his left forearm, had stared at it for quite a while: his clear, unblemished forearm. No trace of the Dark Mark, the Mark he'd carried for more than twenty years, remained. He assumed it was just one more trick to lull him in compliancy for whatever was to come.

The stranger smiled. "It's gone, Severus. It's really gone this time." His manner turned brisk as he regarded the file in front of him. "Now, to the matter at hand...what to do with you."

"Who are you?"

"That's not really important at the moment."

"Mr Snape, I hope breakfast was to your liking? Would you like a cuppa?"

Severus turned, Katherine, the woman from the previous evening, stood in the doorway. Who were these people? Why was everyone so nice to him? Where was the fire and brimstone he'd heard about? "Yes, thank you." He turned back around to the stranger. "Fine. So now what...what do I call you?"

"I suppose you need a name. Humans are never satisfied unless everything and everyone has a name." The stranger sighed, shaking his head. "I suppose you can call me 'Al.' It's as good a name as any."

Severus' stomach had dropped – Al! He'd almost thought the man was going to say Albus. "Those files on your desk are all those people... Are they...?"

"Dead? No, we maintain files on everyone who exists, on all planes of existence. These were pulled since some of the information in them is pertinent to yours."

"Good." Severus breathed a sigh of relief. At least she was safe. "So, Al, what happens next?"

Al studied the page before him. Severus could see through the top portion of the page, the light making the paper semi-transparent.

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SNAPE, Severus – Case #09011959-4-878-697-007

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SINS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pride

09-01-1959 to the present

Severus Snape has been guilty of the sin of Pride on hundreds of occasions during his lifetime. A particular case in point is his speech to his students, innocent beings in his care who he is to mold into useful and accomplished individuals, whereas he states, "(sic)... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death...if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach. "

Excessive pride in his abilities is evident throughout his lifetime from a very young age.

Snape is guilty of placing his pride in his abilities above the feelings of others, even at the expense of their feelings.

Case in point: While both a colleague and fellow Order member, Remus Lupin has had to rely on Snape's brewing ability to provide him with a much needed potion, the Wolfsbane Potion. Snape is quick to put Lupin down and consistently remind him that he is one of few Potion Masters able to brew the delicate potion.

Case in point: Suspected one of his students, a young witch (Hermione Granger), had brewed a difficult potion (Polyjuice) and later having that fact confirmed when circumstances rebound on the poor girl. Snape was quick to berate the witch rather than praise her for her efforts, his pride not allowing him to recognize her brilliance since he himself was not able to brew said potion until his fifteenth birthday, and she did so just after her thirteenth birthday.

Case in point: Snape is unable to commend any student that is not of his own house, regardless of the ability of the student.

Case in point: His inability to befriend a young witch, who has had trouble making friends, much as he did when he was a student ...

(Additional case points are located in Severus Sec. DS1, page 193.)

Envy

09-01-1959 to the present

Severus Snape has been guilty of the sin of Envy throughout his lifetime, never more evident during both his school years and the years he taught Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger, envious of the bond between the three and feeding on his hate for the young man (Potter) who is an offspring of a hated rival (James Potter). (See Anger for further clarification.).

Case in point: Snape envied a group of students known as "the Marauders." Their friendship was of particular annoyance to him, so much to the fact that he used this envy, this hate, as a tool against the offspring of one of the group and, thus, against the friends of this child. Charges he had sworn to protect. (*Noted: "The Marauders'" actions against Severus Snape were of a mean-spirited nature, creating a reasonable doubt as to the extent the envy and later rage can be measured, but in no way sanctifies these sins.)

Case in point: It was his envy of one (Lucius Malfoy) that led Snape to join a group known as "Death Eaters." He later recanted his decision by going to Albus Dumbledore and worked diligently to correct this transgression and the multitude of others that resulted from this association.

Case in point: Upon witnessing a moment between two individuals (later identified as Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley) in a local village one week ago, Snape cast a Canary Transfiguration Hex on the young man. To Snape's credit, he did not seal the spell, thus allowing it to fade after the young man molted, but not before the young woman stood laughing at the young man, thus embarrassing him profusely.

(Additional case points are located in Snape Sec. DS2, page 256.)

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Severus remembered that last incident quite well. It had been a week before the final battle; he'd been traveling through Hogsmeade after meeting with Minerva at the Hog's Head Inn, using a glamour to disguise himself, when he happened upon the pair. It had been his understanding that they were no longer a couple, not that it should have mattered to him, but there was Weasley, in the most annoying voice possible, trying to persuade Granger to have one more go around with him.

It was all he could do not to cast the Killing Curse on the brat. He never understood what Granger had seen in the boy anyway. Pity, perhaps? He managed to silently cast a Canary Transfiguration Hex, smiling to himself when the lad turned into a giant yellow canary. The yellow feathers were a vast improvement over the red hair and freckles in his opinion. He was pleased when he heard Granger's laughing comment, "I don't think so, Ron. Not even if you turn yourself into a cuddly teddy bear. Why don't you find Luna and see if that line will work on her?"

"Can I turn to the next page, or haven't you finished reading yet?" Al's voice held a note of amusement as he watched Severus.

Severus coloured slightly. "I was, uh, interested in the type of information you gather there."

"Yes, I see. We list outstanding incidents in your life. Those that have the ability to shape who you are. Would you like to have a look at the next page?"

"May I?"

"Well, I don't see why not; after all, it's your life. You lived these moments. Here." Al pulled the next page loose from its binding and handed it to Severus. "I have a few notes to add on the next page. Let me know when you're finished."

Severus nodded as he looked down at the page, the top entry bringing forth emotions he hadn't experienced in years.

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SNAPE, Severus – Case #09011959-4-878-697-007

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SINS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gluttony

09-01-1959 to the present

Severus Snape has not engaged in the sin of gluttony to excess during his adult life. As a child he would eat to the point of overeating, but it is felt this was due to fear of his father (and the sporadic nature of when the meals were served) more than the actual act of gluttony.

Case in point (one of many during his childhood years): At twelve years old, Severus Snape ate half a chicken, hording the remainder and using a stasis charm to maintain freshness under the assumption his father would not provide another meal within a reasonable timeframe. The next meal was not made available to him for eighteen hours.

The above incident is but one of many that occurred during his childhood. The practice of hording food and overeating stopped when he reached maturity and was no longer subject to the whims of his father.

Lust

09-01-1959 to the present

Severus Snape has been guilty of the sin of Lust throughout his lifetime, though indulgence of this sin has been of both a solitary nature and an indulgence of the flesh. He is guilty of committing this sin on both a physical level (the human pleasures of the body) and on a more spiritual level (the lust for power and recognition as outlined in more detail in the section Greed).

Case in point: In order to satisfy his carnal desires, Severus Snape has been known to frequent various establishments located in a section known as Knockturn Alley. These encounters were sought for purely physical release and contain no desire to propagate his species.

Case in point: Severus Snape has been known, throughout his early years of schooling, to lust after a young witch, Lily Evans, who befriended him, and was later to become the mother of the child (Harry Potter) he took great pleasure in derogating. (*Noted: Let it be known that upon seeking redemption, Severus Snape did willfully attempt to save said witch, but his action were still viewed as that of a self-serving nature due to his desire to sacrifice the witch's partner. The witch's life was terminated as a result of actions beyond his control.)

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Severus groaned, running a shaky hand through his hair. Lily. He knew his feelings for her, coupled with his hate for Potter, would continue to haunt him. He'd never realized just how despicable his actions were until it was presented here in black and white. Al had mentioned a page containing his virtues. A page most likely blank if his sins were any indication. With a deep sigh, he continued to read; sure his life was at an all time low.

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Case in point: Severus Snape, throughout his professional career and in the privacy of his quarters, was known to lust after the wives of fellow Death Eaters as well as the women he met. While never pursuing these women, they composed various scenarios he was fond of mentally reviewing.

Case in point: In the past year, Severus Snape has centered his feeling of lust in the direction of one witch, a former student (Hermione Granger), of majority age, that has not been made aware of his feelings. While lusting after the witch continues to play a role in his mental process, the progression of feeling and emotion toward said witch (who it should be noted was a prime target for his anger during his professional career) has shifted from those he had previous felt. Some of these new emotions do indeed contain the desire to continue his line.

(Additional case points are located in Snape Sec. DS4, page 309.)

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Severus shook his head, Hermione. He did have feelings for the witch, feelings she would never know about. It was just as well. He was almost twenty years her senior and a pariah as far as the wizarding world was concerned. Better to let her live her life with someone who could make her happy and not taint her with his presence.

Silently, Al slipped the next page in front of him.

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SNAPE, Severus – Case #09011959-4-878-697-007

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SINS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anger

09-01-1959 to the present

Severus Snape has been guilty of the sin of Anger in the excess throughout his life. Indeed, it has been anger that has led to some of the most unfortunate decisions in his life. He has felt anger toward his father (who it should be noted was known to be a cruel and unfeeling human), anger at his peers (not associating well with those he was in school with), anger at his colleagues, anger at his students, and anger at life in general. While Severus Snape holds a tight reign on this emotion, his cutting words and petty actions have caused countless students and others to feel the wrath of his emotion.

Case in point: Created several spells with no other purpose but to inflict harm on others.

Case in point: Joined the Death Eaters in an effort to "even the score" with others of his association. (*Noted: Greed and the desire for power are closely related to this notation.)

Case in point: Experienced extreme anger when confronted with one of his previous school peers (previously mentioned as part of a group and listed here separately...Sirius Black) who was on the run from the authorities.

Case in point: Focused a great deal of anger and hate toward previously mentioned offspring (Harry Potter) of a hated peer (James Potter) and a student in his charge over the six years the wizard attended school, refusing to allow reason, or fact, to temper his excessive emotions. (*Noted: Should be stated that while he continuously harassed the wizard, he continued to save his life and worked toward protecting him from outside hazards at the same time. A true dichotomy of actions.)

(Additional case points are located in Snape Sec. DS5, page 481 and subsection Snape DS5a.)

Greed

09-01-1959 to the present

Severus Snape has been guilty of the sin of Greed in an excess amount throughout his life. During his formative years, he coveted the possessions and material wealth of those around him, one Lucius Malfoy in particular. It was this consuming desire to acquire untold wealth and power that led to the unfortunate joining of the group known as "Death Eaters" with a promise of fulfilling these desires. (*Noted: This culmination of desire did not come to fruition as the group was led by a megalomaniac [Lord Voldemort, A.K.A. Tom Riddle] that ruled by fear and destruction.)

Case in point: Severus Snape's desire for material wealth continued throughout his professional career, often jeering and belittling those in his charge whom he felt lived a more palatial lifestyle than he did.

Case in point: Severus Snape refused to acknowledge that the desire for excessive amounts of material wealth outweighed any spiritual gain he might have received from denying this sin.

Case in point: Severus Snape's many attempts to brew illicit potions for previously mentioned megalomaniac (Lord Voldemort, A.K.A. Tom Riddle) was to result in increased power within the circle of the group known as "Death Eaters" (who should be noted as followers of Lord Voldemort, A.K.A. Tom Riddle). When realization of this power did not come to pass, Severus Snape's fury was unmatched and resulted in increased harassment of those around him until events, as yet detailed, finally led him to seek redemption for his actions.

(Additional case points are located in Snape Sec. DS6, page 733.)

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"It seems fairly obvious from the brief bits I've read that there should be no question as to where my 'soul' or 'spirit,' as you keep calling it, should end up. Thank you for the tea and your hospitality. I'll be on my way now if you'll just point me in the correct direction." Severus straightened his cuffs as he stood, wondering just how hot Hell was and thinking it might be a good idea to shed his frock coat before he arrived there, if he was given the chance.

"Sit down, Severus. We're not through yet. There is one more sin to consider before we examine your virtues."

"You must be joking. Virtues? As if I actually have any. After reading all that, I can only assume you're planning on showing me a blank page."

"Actually, you were more virtuous than you realize, though you may have thought your sins outweighed any good you've ever done. In any event, we're not through yet."

Al placed another page before him. As Severus watched him bind the last page back into his folder, he noticed the opposite side grow thick with a full sheaf of pages, most likely the subsections referred to at the end of each section. He looked around for a thin folder, that which should contain his virtues.

"Severus? The page?"

"Right, sorry." He looked down at the last listing of his sins.

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SNAPE, Severus – Case #09011959-4-878-697-007

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SINS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sloth

09-01-1959 to the present

Severus Snape has been guilty of the sin of Sloth in moderate amounts throughout his lifetime. While not following any organized spiritual group, Severus Snape has been known to recognize a higher power (outside the realm of humanity) and respect that power as need be.

Case in point: Severus Snape has been known to shirk his duties where extreme physical labor has been required, luring some other individual to do his part instead.

Case in point: While taking up with the group the "Death Eaters" and one, Lord Voldemort, Severus Snape did hereby renounce any and all spiritual affiliation and pledged his belief in Lord Voldemort. It was upon forsaking this allegiance that he asked for, and was granted, spiritual absolution, thus bringing him back to spiritual balance once again.

~~~ The remainder of this page has intentionally been left blank. ~~~

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Severus turned the page over. "That's it?"

Al chuckled. "You're spirituality was never in question. Let's get you some lunch, and then we can review your virtues."

Severus glared at Al. "I can hardly wait."

-To be continued-

A/N: I was working on Dances when I took a break and saw a comment about the seven deadly sins versus the seven heavenly virtues. This short story popped into my head and refused to leave. Should be complete in four chapters total.

Chapter One: Reality Is Just A State of Mind

Chapter Two: The Seven Deadly Sins

Chapter Three: The Seven Heavenly Virtues

Chapter Four: What's Love Got To Do With It?

A grateful thank you to the wonderful Southern_Witch_69 for betaing this for me. The mistakes, however, are all mine.

Pearle