Disclaimer: I don't own it. The powers that are J.K. Rowling do. I am borrowing the characters to twist them into my evil ideas. I do, however, own Chloe Fairchild and her parents.

Chapter One:

Chloe Fairchild paced back and forth across the study of her parents comfortable suburban home. England? They wanted her to travel to England of all places? And they wouldn't even tell her why! Her father had said something about doing someone a favor. She was an undercover agent for the American Ministry of Magic, for Merlin's sake! She didn't have time to be doing favors for eccentric old Englishmen!

"Chloe?" Richard Fairchild called from the door to the study.

"Dad, where are you sending me?" Chloe demanded.

"England first, dear, then on to somewhere in Scotland, where I'm not exactly sure."

"NOT EXACTLY SURE, DAD?"

"Sit down, Chloe. I'll explain."

Chloe sat. She sat, crossed her arms over her chest, and waited. Richard Fairchild sighed and sat across from her, staring into his daughter's scowling face.

"Chloe, you've heard of Albus Dumbledore from your mother, right?"

"Yes…" Chloe replied warily.

"He needs a favor."

"And…"

"You'll be flying to London, where someone will meet you, and then you'll go to him."

"That's all you're going to tell me?" Chloe hissed through gritted teeth.

"That's all I know. I expect you'll be receiving your instructions by owl from the ministry soon."

"The ministry?" Chloe repeated blankly.

"Yes. It's your assignment, Chloe."

"Oh, I thought this was a favor for you."

"I haven't even met Albus Dumbledore. I've heard he's a great man, though."

"I'll go pack." Chloe said, understanding her father's hints.

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Chloe stepped off the plane and into London's biggest airport. She looked around; no one appeared to be waiting for her. Chloe pushed through the throngs of hugging and crying families, and set her luggage down on a chair. A small parchment flew out of one of the zipped compartments on her suitcase and Chloe snatched it out of the air, making sure no one had seen.

Miss Chloe Elizabeth Anna Maria Fairchild,

One Albus Dumbledore shall give further details of your assignment to you. For the time being, please meet your escort at the counter of the airport bar. He will inform you and show you to the school.

Respectfully,

Carol Clark

Unspeakable Affairs Dept.

American Ministry of Magic

P.S. Order a martini.

School? What school? Forget that, must find "airport bar". Chloe set off. She stopped at a desk and was directed to the bar. She entered and was overcome by the smell of smoke and stale alcohol. Chloe fought the sudden urge to vomit and sat down at the bar. A dodgy looking bartender came up to her, slowly cleaning a glass with a rag.

"Martini, Please." in return, she received an odd look. Only a wizard would make me order a martini and nine a.m., Chloe thought.

"Miss?"

Chloe turned to watch a tall man clad in black slide onto the stool next to her. The man made no move to speak, so Chloe engaged him. He watched her through unnervingly dark eyes, calculating her as she spoke.

"Yes?"

"Who would order a martini at nine a.m.?"

Chloe's shoulders slumped. Not the informant. She was being hit on in an airport bar in London whilst drinking a martini at nine a.m. when she was supposed to be on assignment. Great.

"Why do you ask?"

"Seems like something Carol Clark would do."

Chloe nearly choked on her martini. She noticed a hint of amusement in the man's dark eyes that didn't reach his facial expression.

"Miss Fairchild, I Presume?" he asked, "Follow me."

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Chloe stood in a cluttered but comfortable circular office. A roaring fire filled the hearth, and an old man with a ridiculously long white beard faced her smiling benignly.

"Miss Chloe Elizabeth Anna-?"

"Chloe, just Chloe."

The old wizard's smile widened and he gestured for her to take a seat. Chloe sat down next to the dark man, and waited.

"I am Albus Dumbledore, and this is Severus Snape, whom I am sure neglected to introduce himself in his hurry to escape the muggle airport."

"Chloe Fairchild."

"Yes, excellent. Well, Miss Fairchild. You are here because we requested the best."

"The best for what, sir?" Chloe asked politely.

"We need a source of information from inside the school. Now that Voldemort has been defeated, some of the children's opinions are being made known."

"Death Eaters." Chloe said bluntly.

"Or their children." Albus nodded.

"So, how will I do this?" Chloe asked.

"You will enroll as a student." Albus said as if it were obvious.

"A student? I am twenty five years old!" Chloe said incredulously.

"A seventh year student, then." Albus smiled before placing a tattered old hat on her head, everything went black.

"Chloe Fairchild, a little ol to be a student. Not too happy about it either." a voice said in her ear, "hmmm….a brilliant mind, very quick witted, I see. Brave yes, but cunning. An undercover agent. Hmm, here to spy for the Ministry of Magic? Then it will have to be SLYTHERIN."

"Excellent." Albus smiled as he pulled the hat from her head, flooding her vision with light from the crackling fire once more.

"What is a Slytherthingy?" Chloe asked.

"Slytherin, is one of the four Houses. I am the Head Of House." Severus spoke for the first time.

"And he is your confidant." Albus cut in, "It will look suspicious if you speak with me often, Severus will be the one you report to."

"I am extremely confused." Chloe moaned.

"I'm sure you'll understand better in the morning, dear. Severus will show you to your rooms."

"My rooms? Will I be rooming with the students?"

"No, dear. We thought it best you had private rooms. We have told the students that you would find it easier to adjust to a strange new place that way, due to your background."

"You can say that again." Chloe muttered dryly.

"Miss Fairchild-" Severus began.

"Oh, yes!" Albus interrupted him, "You need and alias. Some of the more well-connected students might recognize your surname."

"And my given name?" Chloe asked.

"Let's see." Chloe felt the tattered hat being placed on her head again, and heard Albus explaining the situation.

"Hmm…"the voice said, "Chloe Elizabeth Anna Maria Fairchild…no, that wont do…" The next words were spoken aloud.

"Chloe Charisma Marianna Tanner."

"Hmm, interesting." Albus mused. "Well, Miss Tanner, Severus will show you to your rooms.