A/N: Hey, everyone! Just wanted to start off by saying thank you for glancing at my story and even more thanks if you actually read it! This is a romance between Draco and my OC (Emma), but there's a lot more pairings. This story begins in OotP and will end sometime shortly after DH. My story is AU but I have kept pretty close to canon. Pairings will include OC/OC, (one-sided)Snape/Lily, Snape/OC(friendship, mostly), Remus/OC, Remus/Tonks (under certain circumstances), Harry/Ginny, Ron/Hermione, Luna/Neville and probably more I'm forgetting. I am a huge Snape fan and I tried my hardest to keep him in character, but I think that sometimes I may have strayed, for this I apologize. Also, if you think my OC's are mary-sues and it bothers you: feel free to tell me, but don't expect me to completely change them. I'll be the first to admit to some Sue-ish tendencies, but I felt like they benefit the story. I love criticism, and I love feedback but flames are not nice. I don't want to hear them and I probably won't even read them all the way through. If you have questions about the plot or anything feel free to ask, I love talking to my readers! Enjoy!!

Music:

Full Moon – The Black Ghosts

Prologue

A Plan Most Kind

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love."

-- Mother Teresa

The Grimauld Place kitchen buzzed with conversation and the sounds of chairs scraping the wooden floors. The Order of the Phoenix had just completed their weekly meeting, and although some members were missing, it was very close to a full assembly. To avoid suspicion, witches and wizards left in small clumps of three or four at a time; the Order was always precautious. They had every reason to be in these uncertain times. Professor Severus Snape usually left with the first departure group with Professors Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagal; this time however, they all had stayed behind. Dumbledore and McGonagal chat with some of the departing company, but Severus stayed seated, merely observing. He felt a presence next to him and looked over to find Riley Lupin sitting in the seat next to him.

The woman smiled at him, and when she did he was brought back to the days they spent together at Hogwarts. It almost urged a smile of his own out, but he simply nodded his head to her. Her blue eyes shone with curiosity and a hint of worry though her expression was impassive. She bit at her nails almost nervously as she waited for all the inhabitants to leave; she too sat silently and observed. A witch bid her goodbye and she stood to hug the woman and wish her a safe journey before sitting back down. Several people called goodbyes to them, and Riley returned the sentiment, but Severus simply nodded. The woman was fidgeting slightly, and she was becoming impatient.

Finally there were only six people in the room; Molly and Arthur Weasley left to check on their children and then retire for the night. Dumbledore sat at the head of the table, his pale blue eyes twinkling, a small smile upon his face. To his right was McGonagal who seemed her normal stern self if not a little tenser, and next to her sat Sirius Black. The Azkaban escapee looked to be of a healthy weight a year after his break out, his hair was still long and unruly but it looked like he attempted to make himself somewhat approachable. Remus Lupin sat next to his wife, taking her hand into his in a way that was almost subconscious; it was just right. Severus' eyes flickered to their joined hands before he looked to the eldest man there.

"You are all no doubt curious to the reason for this private gathering." He said pleasantly.

"Mmhm." Riley had hummed while everyone else nodded their heads.

"Severus, as all of us know, is a double agent for our orginization and his mission is one of great importance." Dumbledore informed them.

The well-known information seemed to irk Sirius, and Riley smiled at Severus almost proudly, but the dark haired man stayed impassive. "What does that have to do with us?" Sirius asked.

Dumbledore continued, "Having someone deep within the Dark Lord's coterie so we may predict and retaliate against his advances is quite vital to the protection of that which we hold dear, but there is something that I have found to be just as vital." He paused, keeping all of their attention. "I also find that the prevention of recruitment to Voldemort will help us greatly. There are many young adults who are being forced against their will to join Voldemort." He paused; his twinkling eyes sad, "I have no intention of leaving these poor, young souls behind."

"How are we going to be able to help these kids?" Riley asked.

"Ah, but it is not any of us in this room who can." Dumbledore said, a mischievous twinkle in his eye as everyone looked slightly baffled, "We need someone close to their age, someone who can easily make their way into the lives of those who do not believe they have a choice and convince them otherwise." He said, "There is only one person I see fit to do this job, and that is Miss Emma Lupin."

The old man let that settle in and it was a wise choice. Riley was frowning at the man; her mind working full speed but her emotion was not evident. Remus exhaled a little and slouched back into his seat, the man already looked older than his forty years of his age but when this information settled on him it seemed to make him look so much older. Sirius Black's eyes never left the old man's face as he considered his nieces place in all of this, while Severus tried to figure out his own relevance in the situation. McGonagal looked anxious and sympathetic at the same time while Dumbledore was patiently waiting. Riley looked to Remus and then back to Dumbledore, it took a moment but she finally spoke.

"Go on."

"As her parents you have every right to decline her involvement, and she has every right to decline if it is her wish." He clarified, "Severus, you also have the right to decline; there will be no hard feelings if any of these circumstances come into effect." Severus' eyebrows knitted together, and Dumbledore continued, "Riley, you and your brother are pure bloods; you were raised in a pure blood household and although you chose to leave that life behind you still made your mark." He paused, "Many of the pure bloods know of your history…" He trailed off as he looked at Severus and Riley, but continued on when she blushed slightly, "I would like Emma to file for emancipation from the both of you, but since Wizarding laws only allow emancipation if there is a new adoptive guardian to care for them, Severus will become her legal guardian. She will live with him under the pretense that she does not agree with her parents' way of life and wishes to live up to her pure ancestry." He paused, "Emma is a kind and loving girl, she is capable of doing anything she puts her mind to and I believe she can save many lives."

"You want her to live with Snape…" Sirius began. "And consort with those pure-blood brats and try to convince them not to join the Dark Lord?" He frowned, "These children have been raised to think Voldemort is their own personal deity, there's no way she could convince them other wise."

"That isn't what he wants from her, Black." McGonagal said, "Nearly half of the Dark Lord's followers are poor helpless people who are afraid for their lives and the lives of their family…Albus simply wants Emma to convince the younger ones that the Order can help them."

"Nearly half." Scoffed Sirius.

"Nearly half is a big number compared to the followers we have." Riley said, and her brother was shut up by this truth.

"Severus, let us first ask if you would be willing to take Emma in?" Dumbledore said, "She would be under your protection; you are already doing much for the Order, it is understandable if you do not wish to add to your workload."

It was silent as the black haired man considered, "Miss Lupin is a decently behaved student, and it is true many new recruits to the Dark Lord are unwilling. I believe this mission is an important one and would be honored to assist in any way."

"This isn't just assistance," Sirius nearly spat. "You're talking about my bloody niece among those blood thirsty snobs!"

"Sirius…" Riley sighed a little, and he backed down. "How dangerous would you say this assignment was?" She looked to Dumbledore and then Severus.

"I do not intend to have her join the Dark Lord's ranks in any way." Dumbledore said, "She will consort with his followers and their children. All I want from her is to bring those who do not wish to join to us for protection and when the school year starts to keep an eye out on the happenings among the students."

"It is still dangerous," Severus said. "Loyalty is something the followers take seriously. Harm could come her way were she found out, and suspicions would be raised."

Dumbledore nodded, "It is a heavy burden to take on." He admitted, "But this is an important issue and I figured it could not hurt to ask."

"May we have some time to consider?" Remus asked. "We understand the headiness of the situation, but…she's our daughter."

"Yes, of course," Dumbledore nodded. "You know how to contact me when you make your decision." He stood from his chair, "It is getting late, and Minerva and I will be retiring, good night."

The group said their goodbyes to the elder couple as they left. After that they sat in silence for a while. Riley's legs shook up and down at a rapid pace and she could not decide whether she was going to run her fingers through her hair or bite her nails nervously. Remus rubbed her back in an attempt for comfort and Sirius was glaring at Severus. It was not something unusual, and Severus did not even seem to notice. The noises of the house that would normally be drowned out were exceedingly loud and the sound of Riley's feet hitting the wood floor were even louder. Remus stood and made Riley stand, before turning to Severus.

"Will you be staying tonight, Severus?"

"Yes, I believe I will." Severus replied, "If you wish to retire I am well aware of my room's location."

"Come on, love." Remus said quietly.

"Goodnight." She called softly.

"Night." Sirius called, and Severus nodded.

The two left the room and their footsteps as well as mumbled words could be heard for a few moments after. They had already begun discussing their decision and their night was far from over. Sirius and Severus were alone now, which was not a regular occurrence. The fact the two did not like each other were not only well known, it may as well have been a law of nature. Severus seemed lost in thought and Sirius seemed to be trying to read his mind. Both of the black haired men looked into the other's eyes and their seemed to be a mutual concern in their eyes. Sirius knew Severus cared about his little sister, and in an underhanded way he cared about his niece. Not because of who his niece was of course, but because of who her mother was. Still, Sirius felt the slightest hint at compassion. Severus stood to go to his room, and Sirius stayed still. The standing man went to walk away, but Sirius stopped him suddenly.

"Snape," He said calmly, standing from his seat.

Severus looked at him, "Yes, Black?"

"If this falls through…" He began, "You had better go to hell and back to keep my niece safe or you'll have a vengeance come down upon you that makes Voldemort seem like a fluffy bunny."

Severus' eyes narrowed and he paused before responding clearly, "Your threat was unnecessary, Mr. Black. I already intended on doing so."

A/N: There was the prologue! The first chapter will be up soon hopefully, my beta is going out of town and so getting the chapter to and from her will be difficult. Thanks to whispered angels, my muse/beta. Please review!!

-- Star Tweak