Severus quickly ducked behind the ancient bookcase, cursing silently when his arm had the displeasure of colliding into it. The footsteps that had a gentle surreptitious tempo were now erratic and loud as Filch's raced over to his Severus' hiding spot. Severus became quiet as the glow from Filch's lantern came closer and closer until it could almost hurt his eyes. Creeping closer into the darkness the young Slytherin waited patiently and anxious for Filch to leave. Forever and a day later the caretaker lowered the lantern back to his waist.

"Come, my sweet," he purred to Mrs. Norris who meowed back in response. The odd couple slinked back into the darkness as Filch muttered to himself about "misbehaving students" and the "sweet cries that would ring throughout the dungeons".

Only when he was in total darkness again did Severus remove himself from behind the bookcase and released a breath he didn't know he had held. He rubbed his sore arm periodically while he gathered up the books he had been reading and stuffed them into his book bag. He had been more and more in danger of getting caught by Filch every time he snuck around and staying longer and longer was not improving his chances so he decided to call it a night. He twisted expertly through the bookcases that formed a perplexing path. Spending most of time here, Severus could weave through the bookcases with his eyes shut, or total darkness in this case. Finally reaching the doors that led to the corridor he exited the library protectively carrying the books from the Restricted Section as if they were his own.

Severus quickly made his way to the dungeons without any troubles and after muttering the password he swiftly made his way to the common room. Without stopping he briskly ascended the stairs and headed straight for the dormitory. He was welcomed with the snoring of his dorm mates that reverberated around the room, a sign to him that they were fast asleep since a long time ago. The pale light of a few lit candles offered insufficient light so he wasn't able to see the tall figure lurking near his bed until Severus collided with the stranger.

Severus quickly drew his wand in surprise and pressed it against the intruder's neck. The stranger stepped forward and Severus lowered his wand immediately. With long blonde hair tumbling down his shoulders, an over-confident smirk on a sharp angular face and two steely blue eyes that flashed with amusement it was evident who this was.

"Lucius," Severus greeted returning his wand to his pocket, "What brings you here at this time of night."

"Good night, Severus," the older wizard replied coolly. His eyes landed to the pile of books that were sprawled out over the floor that fell from Severus bag. Lucius picked one up and flicked through it aimlessly. "Sill studious I see."

Severus grabbed the book back. "Why are you here, Lucius?"

The blonde Slytherin chuckled lightly at his friend's question.

"Classic Severus, always to the point. Let's talk somewhere more private shall we?"

He walked further out of the shadows, past the younger wizard and continued down to the common room with Severus quickly in tow. Once they reached the common room Lucius faced Severus and gave him and all knowing smirk.

"Severus, do you remember that favor you had asked of me last summer?"

Severus nodded slowly as the realization of the Lucius' reason for coming was becoming evident. There was a small tingling feeling in the middle of his chest due to the anticipation of what was to come.

"Well I pulled some strings and perhaps I've gotten what you requested,"

"Perhaps?" asked Severus with a frown. "What do you mean by perhaps?".

Lucius smiled and reached into his robes pulling out a crisp sheet of folded parchment held together by a thin black ribbon.

"This Severus," he stated in a low voice, "this is your favor. The only thing you need to do as what's written on this," he waved the paper around for emphasis. "You do this, and you'll become one of us." Lucius' voice was getting softer with each word that Severus was leaning in to hear. His eyes had gone colder but still flashed with excitement that was being transferred to Severus and his heart pounded with more anticipation. "This, can lead you to the path of greatness, you so desperately want to walk. You do this and you'll be free, from the life you've always loathed." His voice high and shrill and the words were tumbling out of his mouth. The tingling in Severus' chest spread to his legs and he felt as if they could give way any second. "This can make you prove your skills, the skills that no one knows you have. You can prove to everyone your greatness!"

Severus snatched the parchment out of his hands, unable to contain himself any longer and ripped at the ribbon. He unfolded the paper while Lucius stood back, watching Severus' excitement, quite entertained.

Severus's onyx eyes scanned the paper impatiently. It was a letter address to him and he read it quickly. His brow furrowed in confusion and he re-read the words making sure he wasn't imagining things. He looked up at Lucius who had an amused smirk on his face.

"What does she have to do with anything?" Severus asked Lucius eyes narrowed.

"You'd be surprised," Lucius replied. "She's been in more involved in the war that most and it's attracted the attention of the Dark Lord."

"Because she's close to Dumbledore?"

"Precisely. He thinks that she could be a powerful force in the war and maybe has a high position in the Order of the Phoenix,"

"And…?"

"And your assignment is to find out whether she is or not and everything else about her involvement in the war,"

Severus let out a short laugh although the situation was quite humorless.

"You want me, a student, to find out the personal dealings of a teacher, at a time of war?"

Lucius nodded. "This is what you wanted Severus, to be a spy. You must learn to infiltrate anything and anyone. Even a teacher,"

"And one of the most powerful witches of the time," Severus muttered bitterly.

"True, McGonagall is very powerful, which is why the Dark Lord wants to know her true involvement with the war. Report everything, who she sees, where she goes, what she does. He wants to learn everything about her."

Severus shook his head. To even fathom the thought could get him expelled, but acting it out could land him in Azkaban or he could even be stripped of his wand and exiled to the Muggle word. The very thought made him shudder. Lucius, sensing Severus' hesitation, placed and arm around his friend's bony shoulders.

"If you succeed, Severus, you will no doubt be a member of the Death Eaters,"

"And I fail I will be imprisoned,"

Lucius was now growing impatient.

"You asked me to get you inducted into the Death Eaters, Severus. Everyone must pass a test to be included,"

"I doubt they were this serious," Severus snapped.

"Anyone could kill or torture a stranger, but espionage, that's a challenge, so you must get the most challenging task to be awarded a higher position,"

Severus let out a sigh and stared at the letter again, glancing at Lucius every once in a while.

"Alright," Severus said. "I'll do it."

Lucius smiled.

"Excellent,"

Lucius stepped closer to Severus. "This obviously, is quite the task, and my lord in understanding. He will give you to the end of the year to give a full report…you do this Severus and you shall become one of us."

Severus nodded impatiently, refusing to open his mouth afraid the words that would surge out of his mouth. Severus shrugged of Lucius' shoulders, wanting nothing more than for him to leave. As if sensing his agitation and impatience Lucius took his leave.

"Goodbye, Severus," Lucius said. I will return to see how you are doing,"

With a dramatic sweep of robes, Lucius exited the common room, leaving Severus alone with his thoughts. They started to give him a furious headache so Severus tucked his assignment into his robes and reversed his steps back to the common room and immediately crawled into bed, lulled to a light uneasy sleep with Lucius promising words of a better life.