"Are you sure you're up for this?" Asked Remus.

The match was due to start in a few minutes and he stood anxiously looking at Severus. Severus, for his part, was trying not to appear tired or pained in any way.

"Of course," he stated confidently. 

"I'm surprised Madam Pomfrey let you do this," commented Nathalie from where she was leaning against the furthest wall.

"Well, I'm a favourite of hers," he said, shrugging.

He wasn't really sure, if he was honest, why she'd agreed to it. She hadn't looked happy about it but neither had she mentioned any intervention on Dumbledore's part, which was always good news.

"That's true," said Remus, "but only because you're in the Hospital Wing every few weeks."

"It's not that often," Severus scoffed. "Maybe five times in three years. You're in there more."

Perhaps an unwise thing to say in front of Nathalie, but she didn't cotton on.

"That's not a good thing," she pointed out. "You shouldn't be proud of it."

"Listen up!" Shouted Bradley suddenly, cutting the conversation short.

The whole team swivelled round to look at her.

"We're on in a few minutes," she continued. "Now, everyone, this is going to be a short match since Snape has places to be. Chasers, aim to get as many goals as you can in the space of about ten minutes. Snape, you've got the exciting job. Peel open your eyelids and catch that Snitch in the shortest time possible, as long as you're sure that we'll win."

Everyone nodded that they understood. Bradley came towards Severus.

"Now, Snape," she said quietly, "I know this is hard, but please, whatever you do, don't fall off your broom. This match doesn't have to be dramatic, just quick. Got it?"

"Loud and clear."

Luckily, the conditions were quite a lot better than the last match. Fate seemed to be shining on them. The news of Severus' appearance in the match had spread like wildfire throughout the school, but the commentator still made a point of mentioning it.

"Woah, we've got Snape on the Ravenclaw Team! May I remind all of you that Snape, a third-year, sent three Death Eaters to Azkaban only last week_"

There came a pause as Professor McGonagall attempted to wrestle the microphone from the commentator. Thankfully, the commentator's attention soon came to the match, and an intensive one it was.

Severus had never seen the Chasers so focused. They worked seamlessly as a team to set up goals and the Beaters worked just as hard to ensure that none of the Chasers, or Severus, ended up bludgeoned. Nathalie scored shortly after two minutes had passed and Remus after five minutes. However, they were playing against Gryffindor and Olivia Johnson, Lily and Potter on the other team were just as focused about getting the Snitch. By the time fifteen minutes had passed, the score was thirty-forty with Gryffindor in the lead. All Severus needed to do was catch the Snitch before Gryffindor won one-hundred-and-forty more points. 

An easy enough feat, if Severus had been up to his usual standard. But Severus was beginning to feel seriously dizzy, resulting in rather severely minimised eyesight. His unused muscles began to cramp and Severus saw that his hands, which had stopped shaking after multiple pain relievers, had begun to shake again. He either had to catch the Snitch now, or he'd have to end the game by fainting and falling off his broom.

By more luck than judgement, Gryffindor's Seeker Victor Frobisher saw the Snitch before Severus. Embarrassing if he'd been capable as he normally was of seeing a tiny, flying ball but useful for the current situation, as Severus could make out the bulky seventh-year. Severus' knuckles whitened on the broom handle; he'd be damned if he didn't at least make an effort. He urged the school broom on, and held on for dear life as it actually obeyed his commands. His vision was shorting out, everything was going grey, but suddenly there was the feeling of the Snitch in his hand.

Somehow Severus ended up back on the ground; possibly a feat that could be attributed to either Remus or Bradley, as they were suddenly stood next to him, holding him up.

"Well done, Snape," Bradley said breathlessly.

"Off we go back to the Hospital Wing," Remus commented, and Severus didn't protest.

*

Severus had a blurred recollection of getting back to the school; at least, he was pretty sure he didn't pass out before he collapsed on the immensely comfortable bed. When he awoke, however, he had a visitor.

"Severus."

"Mr Fortescue?" Severus asked, squinting at the slightly blurred figure.

There was a creak as the larger man settled in the nearest chair.

"You can call me Florean, Severus."

"Why are you here?"

Fortescue chuckled humourlessly.

"I find out that the son of one of my closest friends almost died putting three Death Eaters into Azkaban and you're confused about why I'm here? This isn't the smart boy I've been told about - Albus said you were intelligent."

"Everybody seems to know about that," Severus grumbled.

"Why shouldn't they? It was both a remarkable feat and a heroic one. Enjoy the praise while it lasts."

"The praise isn't worth it if my actions get me killed," Severus stated bitterly.

"Most actions will get you killed in the current climate," Fortescue pointed out idly. "There's no point trying to second-guess everything. Live your life in the present. The future is for Seers or fools."

He winked.

"And, from my experience, Seers are usually fools as well."

Severus sighed.

"I suppose my mother never told you about me."

Fortescue gave him a sad look.

"I'd heard rumours about your existence but Eileen never made contact with me before arriving out of the blue at the ice cream parlour."

"So you're here, why? Did Dumbledore ask you?"

"Albus told me you would want me to be here."

"As an unwelcome reminder of what I've lost?"

"No. As a reminder of what you've still got."

Fortescue looked him directly in the eyes and smiled sadly as Severus glanced away.

"So skittish," he murmured. "I always thought Eileen did look like a deer trapped in a Lumos Maxima that day in Diagon Alley. You look like her."

"The fear or the features?"

"Both."

"So I should be glad that I showcase the fear a dead woman once showed?"

"Fear means there's something to be brave about, Severus. And, what your mother did, was the bravest thing anyone ever did. Be brave for the people you care about, Severus."

"Even if they can't see that I'm being brave for them?"

"Emotions aren't always seen. Sometimes they're just felt."

Severus hoped the last statement was true as he felt particularly emotional and really hoped Fortescue couldn't see. 

Everything hurt and he missed his mum, but, if one random man said everything would be okay, then Severus believed him.

After all, he couldn't see the future. Only the past and the mistakes which had been made before. Mistakes which would definitely never be made again.

*****

A.N. I'd probably call this another filler chapter. If it hadn't been for @Cassie20052 I never would've remembered about Quidditch or Bradley anyway. xD

But I hope people like the fact that I haven't totally forgotten about Fortescue. Hopefully he won't be another forgotten character. 

Thank you so much for reading and please give me any criticisms you have. Us writers need all the help we can get. :)