PROLOGUE

The dungeon was dark and damp when Severus Snape returned there, two qualities in a room that he openly welcomed. However, the air was also stuffy and confining, most likely related to the fact that he had just come from a much larger dungeon established in the Malfoy estate, and this one, being miniscule in comparison, gave him no comfort from what he had just heard that night.

::Flashback::

Upon entering the Malfoy's dungeon, Severus knew something was odd. Many of the Dark Lord's cronies were gathered, but not the Lord himself. He knew that he might never be invited to another Death Eater gathering with Voldemort. His betrayal was known all too well. However, Lucius had no idea of said betrayal, so often invited him to his own little dark gatherings. His nerves were on end due to the black-robed wizards currently congregating in whispers. Quick glances were directed towards Severus as he made his way through the crowd. Something was up, he knew; something that involved him.

The thought made his skin crawl. If what happened meant the Dark Lord planned to be rid of him, what would happen? Would he be cursed? Would he be killed? What would become of the Order without him passing on information?

Though his insides were turning, Severus' composure reflected nothing but a calm, almost disinterested look, which in truth made his looks even more menacing. He had grown his hair out three inches from its original length, enough so that all but one strand in the front could be pulled back. He found that doing so made his hair healthier, no longer limp and greasy looking from constantly being over smoking cauldrons. His skin, though still incredibly pale, had a healthier glow due to Dumbledore's nagging about his health. Other than that nothing else seemed to be different. He still wore his trademark black robes, though they were slightly thinner. He had the same composure, the same scowl, the same disinterested drawl in his voice.

"Severus!" A stark blonde head made its way through the crowd, contrasting greatly with the black from the room. Lucius Malfoy came forth, followed by his self-praised son, Draco. Severus sighed inwardly. Here it comes.

"Severus, we've a new member joining us. Draco tells me she went to school with him." Lucius stared into his old friend's eyes. "Oddly enough, she was in Gryffindor. What do you make of this?"

Severus turned names over in his brain. Who could it possibly be?

"I don't approve," Lucius continued, ignoring his own question. "Muggleborn, I hear."

Still, Severus had no idea. "Where is she?" he asked.

"With McNair: I'm to take you to her. I believe you're to be her instructor." As they walked through the room, Severus pondered something that didn't make sense. Why would Voldemort have friendly ties with a muggleborn?

"Are you sure it is wise to leave McNair with such precious cargo?" Snape drawled, trying to ease his mind.

"McNair has explicit instructions from My Lord not to touch the lady, and even he knows better than to go against such orders."

Lucius opened the door to a larger room, and Snape walked in. McNair was standing, talking with a woman, a woman he recognized-

As Hermione Granger.