Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of J.K. Rowling's characters, sadly. This, however, is my own original work.

Chapter 1: The Calling

She held his hand as he exhaled his final breath. A white shadow fell over his blue eyes. 74 years old. Alfred Scriven. The 43rd one.

He was a small, slender man, grey in all aspects. A former spy for the Ministry of Magic, he had told her many stories in the last days. He told her of love, life, and, of course, magic. Their final conversation had been one that she would never forget.

"Have you loved someone?" He smiled up at her.

"I loved my parents very much."

"You know that's not what I mean." He waved his finger at her.

"No, I suppose I haven't." She straightened her mouth.

"Find someone who challenges you, who pushes you to be all you can be. Never give your heart away unless you're willing to lose it to someone else, forever." His eyes had twinkled.

"Do you really believe in that?" She raised an eyebrow. "Soulmates? Loving someone forever?"

"I've done it." He smiled.

She had slowly poisoned him, all the while using potions to him comfortable. She removed her hat, and grabbed the wizard's hand one last time. "Speed of Merlin." She whispered, and stole a tear from his eye. She tossed her gloves in the garbage and took one last look at the man she killed.

She closed the door behind her and picked up the phone from the wall outside. "It's done."

"Did you get what we needed?" A voice on the other end demanded.

"I have the recordings and the tear." She sighed.

"Place them in the envelope located on the desk."

"Anything else?"

"That will be all, Agent Linwood. Proceed to the apparition chamber."

She silently nodded, hanging up the phone. A buzzing sound indicated that she enter the chamber. She closed her eyes and opened them to find herself home. She sighed as the stuffy smell of the apartment filled her nostrils. She pulled a picture from her pocket, the one of Scriven that Maz had given her upon assignment, and placed it in a box with 42 others. She steeped a cup of earl grey and sat in her blue chair, numb. "You made this choice, Garnet." She reminded herself. Eventually, after finishing her tea, she retired to bed.

At four-o-clock in the morning, she was awoken by a bright light. In an attempt to block it, she pulled the covers over her head.

"Agent Linwood." A voice spoke from the other side of her bedroom. When she failed to answer, it called out louder. "Agent Linwood." Was this a dream, or was she hearing Maz's voice? The covers were suddenly pulled from her head. "Agent Linwood." The light filled her eyes.

She sat up, embarrassed. She pulled the covers over her chest, and peered at the clock. Rubbing her eyes, she finally responded. "Yes?"

"You are being sent on a new assignment. You will pack anything you should need for a long-term trip. Evander will stay and help you. Apparate to headquarters in ninety minutes." He got closer to her and squeezed her jaw between his thumb and forefinger. "Do not be late." With that, he disappeared.

Garnet looked over at the short grey-haired man that stood before her with tired eyes. "Five sets of black robes. Leave out another set, and the black and brown boots. I'll start with a shower." She stated.

Eighty-eight minutes later, she stood across the room from Evander, sighing. "This couldn't have waited until morning?"

"Afraid not, miss. You are to begin apparating now.." He smiled, his mustache curling with his mouth.

Garnet closed her eyes and concentrated, changing the room around her. Its lack of warmth gave her chills.

"Agent Linwood, glad to see you on time." Maz looked at his watch as he spoke. "Please, sit down." She took a seat across the glass table from Maz. "I'm sure you're wondering what I'm asking of you this time." She nodded curtly. "I have quite the task for you. One that cannot end in failure." He slid a folder across the table to her and clicked a button in his hand, turning on a projector screen. A picture of a man appeared on the screen. His clothes were dark, his eyes were dark, and his hair was as black as coal. Garnet was especially taken aback by the blackness that radiated from his eyes.

"That's.."

"Severus Snape." Maz interrupted her.

"I'm going to kill.."

"No. Not yet." Maz smirked at the idea. "As you well know, Snape is a Death Eater and loyal follower of the Dark Lord. He is also the professor of potions at Hogwarts and is severely trusted by Albus Dumbledore. This is of great advantage to the Dark Lord, as it gives him some control inside the Ministry."

"So.." Garnet raised an eyebrow.

"Severus is intelligent. Too intelligent. I question his loyalty." Maz smirked. "There is something off about him. If I could expose any sign of his disloyalty to the Dark Lord.." He trailed off, holding a fist in the air. "That would make me very valuable to him. I could even become the Dark Lord's right hand man."

Garnet opened her mouth to speak, but Maz moved in closer and violently clenched her arm in his hand. "Your assignment is to get on the inside. Spy on him. Gather all of the information you can. You will begin this school year as his potions apprentice. All of the details are in the folder and your information has already been sent to and confirmed with Hogwarts."

She scanned the front page in the folder."Maz..all of this information about me is accurate." She looked at him with a raised eyebrow once again.

"Exactly. You will keep a voice journal of your findings. You will be thorough and secretive. No one is to know your true motives." He narrowed his eyes at her. "Additionally, there will be no way for us to safely and discreetly communicate with you while you're there. You will receive disguised letters asking you to meet your uncle in Hogsmeade. From there, you will be able to discreetly apparate back here."

"You expect me to.."

"I expect you to learn to be a potions master and gain valuable information for me while doing so." He gave a greasy smile.

She sighed and looked down at her folder before looking up at him again.

"I suggest you read up and head to Diagon Alley and collect the supplies you'll need. Your train leaves at 11:00 AM sharp. Platform 9 ¾. No doubt you know that." He apparated away before she could respond.

She scoffed and opened her folder, studying the facts in front of her. Severus Snape. Born January 9, 1960. Spinner's End. Great Britain. Half-blood. Head of Slytherin House. "Seems like the typical Dark Lord follower to me." She sighed. "Why would this greasy man be any different."

Four hours later, she arrived with her cart at King's Cross Station. She closed her eyes as she passed through the wall, and opened them to see the train on the other side. She boarded, luggage in tow, and chose a seat. Thinking she'd remain alone, she placed her feet on the seat across from her.

"Excuse me." An Irish accent boasted. "May I sit across from you?" Garnet looked up at the red-haired girl, moving her feet to the floor. "Thank you." The girl smiled and held out her hand. "Mertie."

"Garnet." She returned the smile.

"Are you new? I haven't seen you around Hogwarts before." The girl shoved some jellybeans into her mouth and looked at Garnet quizzically.

"I'm not a student. I'm going to be Professor Snape's potion apprentice for this year." She smiled, attempting to conceal any sign of deceit.

"Willingly?" Mertie scoffed. Garnet kept a straight face. "Oh..Well, how old are you then?"

"Twenty-two."

"Ah, a few years since school. Did you go to Hogwarts, then?"

"No, Ilvermorny."

"Should have known by your accent." Mertie smiled. "I'm a seventh year myself. I'm guessing you'll be staying in Slytherin, then." Garnet shrugged in response. "I'm a Gryffindor. Snape hates the likes of me." Mertie smiled.

"So.." Garnet gathered her thoughts. "You asked if I willingly chose to be Snape's apprentice. Why? Is he strict?" Garnet pressed her lips into a straight line.

Mertie suppressed a laugh. "You've never met him?" Garnet shook her head. "Oh Merlin. I can't believe this. Strict?" She let out another laugh. "He's the greasiest, cruelest, and most downright rude man I've ever come into contact with. Aside from the fact that he's a brilliant potion master, I'm not sure that there is a good trait about him." Garnet gulped. "You're in for some fun, that's for sure."

A/N:

Hey everyone, this is my first published fanfiction. I've been writing for a while, but have always been too nervous to publish anything. Now, I'm taking the leap. Hope you enjoy!