None of this has been edited or added to, I am simply reposting this under a different format- separating it by years as the books are. I thought it would work better than the short, choppy chapters I originally posted.

Of course, I own nothing but my own ideas. Everything belongs to the great J.K. Rowling.

She took in a deep breath before surveying the horrors laid out before her. Dead, bloodied bodies littered the floor.

I did this…

Damn him for making her into the monster she had become. Voldemort. She shuddered as memories of her "training" threatened to surface.

She quickly disapparated and appeared in front of an already-gathered mass of Death Eaters in their hideous masks and tangible fear of their Master. Voldemort himself approached and said, "I trusssst you have completed your task to my ssssatisfaction." She knew the hidden threat behind the seemingly cordial words.

She had learned what happened to you if you failed, or even if you caught him in a bad mood. It wasn't anything she wanted to particularly remember.

"Of course," she replied. "I live only to serve you, my lord." It was a practiced reply that came easier than she would have liked.

"Exccccellent," he hissed. The delight in his voice put her on edge. "You have done well, my daughter."

She woke up in a cold sweat, to someone shaking her gently. Severus Snape was staring into her eyes, trying to see if she could hear him saying her name. Slowly she became aware of his insistent voice calling to her, "Maryn, can you hear me?" She used it as an anchor to bring herself back into reality.

"What happened, Severus?" She asked.

"I found you, alone and shaking, in your classroom." He replied. "I'm guessing you collapsed. What did you see? I heard you saying… his name."

So it was just a nightmare, or vision. They had become more and more common recently, after the 11 years since Voldemort's demise. They were also getting worse.

"Thank you, Severus," She said. "You may go now."

He took one last look at her face, seeing if she was really alright. Severus knew she wasn't, but she was shutting him out and there was nothing now for him to do. He cast one final glance at Maryn, sitting with her head in her hands and trying to calm down. This vision or flashback had left her visibly shaken. The tall, usually sarcastic Potions Master said quietly, "Maryn, he's gone. He won't hurt us anymore."

Comforting Voldemort's daughter. I would have never imagined it 11 years ago.

"I know, Severus," she snapped. "Now leave me with my past. It's bad enough without you standing there to remind me of it."

And I wonder why I even try

He then adopted the cold, emotionless mask that he wore for everyone but her and Dumbledore, their common savior, and walked away.

Maryn looked around the quiet, empty classroom. My classroom. It was only 6 years ago when Dumbledore offered her a position at Hogwarts, offered her some redemption.

She taught Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts, a class only Dumbledore himself could put a student into. She knew the devices and techniques used in dark practices, but she also knew how to defend against them. Dumbledore had helped her figure out a curriculum, which also taught the dynamics and use of some dark spells. It was usually required to know how to use a particularly complex spell before you could stop or reflect it. She had to walk a fine line when determining exactly what to teach, and it depended on the student and their aspirations. Dumbledore always had his reasons for putting a student in her class. Dumbledore has reasons for everything.

Most people had been skeptical of his surprising decision to make her a professor, but that was because of her age. I was only 21, anyway. Only those in the Order of the Phoenix knew her heritage and past. They especially didn't approve of Dumbledore's appointment, saying she was too dangerous and uncertain. Except Snape. Dumbledore had known different. Snape had shown him different.

Lightning flashed in the sky overhead as a dark figure stood on the edge of a cliff, ready to jump. It was raining. Maryn looked up towards the heavens and smiled grimly. Fitting, for it to be storming when I am trying to kill myself. I hate storms. She heard footsteps behind her and didn't even turn; she knew perfectly well who it was. "How did you know I was here, Severus?"

He chuckled at her uncanny awareness of her surroundings and said softly, "You used to come here to recover after your training sessions when you were a child. Later on, it became your healing place following being punished. Or when he let one of the more cruel Death Eaters have their fun with you, trying to teach you some submission."

She grimaced at the memories he referred to. After five years, she still found no lessening of the pain associated with them.

"You used to follow me" she said, allowing a trace of affection to enter her voice. "You taught me how to heal myself, and heal others. There were times when I had to heal you after meetings."

"Yes, there were," he replied. "Your mother was a gifted healer. You learned quickly."

She gave a small laugh, devoid of mirth. "Just as quickly as I learned to kill."

Severus didn't respond with anything for a moment, gathering his thoughts. This was a precarious situation, as he was dealing with a young adult who had only known death and destruction, and pain most of all. He could save her from killing herself, but it wouldn't be easy. Finally he said, "You had no desire to kill. You did what you did because you had to. There are things worse than death, and your own father held them over your head to keep you obedient. I don't blame you, because I know the truth. You hated it. Every second of it."

Severus looked at her, with tears streaming down her face. She made eye contact with him and held it until she had to look away, trying to blink back more tears. "I thought no one cared enough to notice," she said. Her voice was rough, broken.

He signaled to someone behind him, and Maryn flinched involuntarily. She hadn't heard anyone else coming.

Dumbledore walked up to the trembling young woman and put his hand on her shoulder. She shifted away from his touch, bristling. "Why did you bring him here, Severus? I don't want anyone's help." the wall she had thrown up to hide her vulnerability was almost tangible.

Dumbledore sighed. Snape had warned him this wasn't going to be easy. However, she needed to know there were people who did care, and could help her piece herself together. Even after all she had seen and done.

"I am only here to help you, Maryn. There is hope for you. There is always hope."

She scoffed. "Like I said, I don't want your help." After a second of thought, she said, "Are you going to stop me from jumping? I am sure you're aware of why I am here."

"Yes, I am. And no, I am not going to stop you. You must make your own decisions. I am simply offering you an option."

Maryn blinked in surprise. No one had ever given her options, let her decide for herself.

Dumbledore smiled, already knowing the reason behind her reaction. "The question is, Maryn, are you going to stop yourself from jumping?"

She could feel both their eyes on her; calculating but not judgmental. She had never met anyone like Dumbledore before. Could he really help her? Then again, it's not like I have anything to lose.

Severus trusts him. That much was obvious. Perhaps he really could help her, but only if she didn't jump. I… I guess that's settled, then.

She turned to Dumbledore, determination written across her face. "What kind of option are you offering?"

He smiled. "I have a proposition for you. How would you like to be a professor?"