Disclaimer: I do not own these characters - they are the property of J.K. Rowling.

Note: This story has turned out super angsty - lemons are planned, but there is a ton of build up until then. I also don't know how it will end yet. . . you have been warned. I also like to play with the character of Severus Snape so in my stories he will always differ a bit.

Update Sept 4 2016: I merged the first two chapters as was suggested to me a while back and added a few small things. No major changes so if you have not read it go for it and if you have, there are just less mispellings and some more description!

Chapter 1: A Tough Job

Severus Snape pulled on his jet black Death Eater robes in disgust. He had warned Albus about the sinister things that would happen this afternoon and still no change of plans. The old man knew the Death Eaters were to attack Hogsmead on the Hogwarts Orientation Day Trip for first year students, he knew their lives would be at risk - and yet the old codger was going to let it happen. Severus had been on the verge of pleading with Albus, the trip was so predictable as it happened every summer on July 25th. The seventh year Prefects with the Head Boy/ Head Girl would introduce the first year students to Hogwarts and Hogsmead getting them ready for the school term - there would be no teachers, they would be exposed. The Headmaster's words were still annoying clear in his head, "Sometimes difficult decisions must be made for the benefit of the greater good, Severus. We need to mobilize people in our favor..."

As if I need to be lectured on that of all subjects, Severus snorted to himself.

Though he was generally disposed to indifference, particularly when it came to death, the thought of allowing Death Eaters free reign against children had made him grit his teeth, turn on his heel and leave the Headmaster's office with haste, his robes billowing behind him, his fists balled up in more than anger. It was no secret to him that years of working as a double agent had stolen from him any sort of remorse, regret, guilt or disgust when it came to death and killing. He had been hardened, his soul blackened, and he was indeed indifferent – it had kept him alive all these years. The last nine months he had taken a "sabbatical" from teaching at Hogwarts, officially for some continuing education in Potions in Romania, unofficially he had been called to do Voldemort's bidding in the south of Scotland. That included death, torture, the general destruction of lives, people, innocence and yet this particular attack that Voldemort was planning for today weighed heavily on him.

Hogwarts and the surrounding area had been his home, his sanctuary from an abusive family life, it still was in many respects a refuge– any attack on it was personal and close to home. He could do most anything for the Dark Lord, he had committed many unforgivable sins in his name, but this was one chipped away at whatever bit of soul he felt he still had left.

Severus slid his heavy silver mask over his face and took a deep breath. He was damned if something happened to a Hogwarts student – his enemies in the Order would deem it his fault for not preparing them properly, and he was damned if he didn't go through with it – the Dark Lord would consider it a weakness and something to be exploited.

He was being pulled into two directions by two opposing forces, a nasty game that could not last forever. Even more present in his mind was the decree of the Dark Lord, that all of his inner circle were to find wives by the end of September. The creature was already thinking about a second and third generation of Death Eaters, which made him groan in disgust. By the second week of school he would not only have to have all of his lesson plans in order, placate both of his masters, find some time to decompress but also have a good lead on a bride. He was not kidding himself, he had an affect on women yes, but finding somebody he could stand for any length of time, even the rest of his life in that timeframe would be impossible. Albus had been silent on that topic as well, with that damn twinkle in his eye and this air of knowing… of knowing something he didn't. He clenched his teeth in anger at the thought of that twinkle.

It was with that image of the old wizard that Severus apparaited bewilderment and despair his only companions.

Hermione Granger looked once more in the mirror before she hurried out to meet her group of students. It was her seventh year at Hogwarts, she was Head Girl and had just been recently inducted into the Order of the Phoenix. It was a lot to take in, particularly for a young lady of 18. In many ways it was bittersweet, induction into the Order meant that she could now work in an official manner towards the downfall of Voldemort. It also meant acknowledging that there was a war going on and saying goodbye to her childhood. She had lost some friends already in this war, and she knew it would get worse before it got better. This year was bittersweet and would typify what it meant to fight for something, to give up part of your life in the hopes that the future would be better. It was for this reason that she was running behind, to steal one final look at the Hermione she knew and to find the strength to be something more, something to serve the greater good.

Had any of the witches or wizards in her year been standing next to her in that moment they would have had to look twice, as she had blossomed over the summer break. Hermione had grinned as many boys in her neighborhood began to take notice of the bushy haired bookworm, turned ravishing young lady. Her father teased her saying she had had a prolonged "ugly duckling" phase – she just laughed. Though as with every joke there was a small hint of truth to that statement. Hermione had never been a vain girl, she had not that the luxury of girls like Lavender Brown, relying on her brains to make her stand out and to build her self-confidence from. As she ran down the castle stairs pulling her cardigan on over her shoulders her hair flying in her face, she couldn't help but smirk at her new found femininity wondering casually how she might now combine all her assets.

Her unruly hair was now tamed with only 10 more minuets work in the bathroom in the morning. It was curly and fell over her shoulders in soft ringlets. Her eyes, the color of amber with gold flecks were large and bright, they set off the tender and soft features of her face. She had grown into a proper woman, she had curves and a muscular body. She had trained in self-defense until she started at Hogwarts, continued as best she could alone at the school and then trained intensely while on school holidays. It was a Muggle thing, nobody would understand and she had always found it best to keep it quiet. It was good to have an ace in her sleeve, particularly as Harry and Ron seemed to have a knack for getting them into the most bizarre and complicated of situations.

Making it to the small group of first year students she was responsible for only two minuets late, Hermione brushed her hair from her face and tried her best not to seem out of breath, "All right first years, gather 'round."

She did a quick headcount and was pleased to see twelve sets of eyes staring back at her.

When did they get so young? She thought to herself. Well this shouldn't be a tough job.

She smiled broadly and continued, "We will be going to Hogsmead as part of your Orientation process. Now everybody find a partner, you will be responsible for him or her to make sure they don't wander from the group. Is that clear?"

There was no response, just wide eyes – she took that as a yes.