Chapter One

"Severus, I hoped you would be in your rooms."

Snape halted in the darkened hall and turned towards his headmaster.

Dumbledore clicked his tongue faintly. "Its quite late. Perhaps Pomfrey could give you something. A night of peace could be quite restorative…" he trailed off only to have Snape inquire abruptly.

"What did you wish to see me about, Headmaster?"

Silencing his concern, Dumbledore beckoned Snape to follow him down a dark corridor. They sat down silently on a large stone window ledge. Both men looked carefully up and down the halls. Snape ran his hand absently through his greasy hair. Both looked tense and moved their fingers nervously.

"What plans have been made?" Dubledore began gravely.

"Of course I'm not privy to all the Dark Lord shares, but his main priority is getting to Potter."

Dumbledore nodded knowingly.

"The Dark Lord feels that he is too well guarded here. He intends to chip away at his other protection; Privet Drive, Dragon Alley, The Burrow, Hogsmeade these are areas he believes he can work to his advantage. He is already working his mind on how best to move in these locations. I am to keep him abreast of Potter's whereabouts when he is not at Hogwarts. The Dark Lord insists I contact him immediately if he ever leaves school grounds."

"And now? During school holidays?"

"I am to keep track of Potter through you and the other members of the Order. If anything changes I am to make him aware." Snape paused and bit his lower lip. His next words were slow, apparently carefully considered. "Headmaster, Potter is in grave danger in Little Whining. The family he live with is too vulnerable and without them his protection will fail. I urge you to move him. Send him to the Weasleys' or let him stay at Headquarters."

"Severus, we can not risk voiding the charms I set up for his protection. You know he must spend time there, especially now."

Snape protested. "You are putting the family he lives with at risk."

Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "These are terrible times and a great number of people are in danger. Moving him would only endanger others."

"But if you placed him with wizards," Snape pressed. "They would have some resources to defend themselves."

I know when I left him at the Dursleys, 16 years ago that it was likely they would be in peril at some future time. It is, alas, unavoidable."

Snape looked agitated. "Unavoidable?!" He jumped to his feet. "This is Lily's sister!"

Dumbledore looked startled at first. Then he stared intently at his Potions Master's face, boring into his eyes. Snape quickly looked away then met the old man's eyes with a closed expression. He sat down heavily and settled in the silence.

Finally Dumbledore spoke. "Is this the only plan you know of concerning Potter?"

"He has intimated to some of his Death Eaters that he desires to exploit the mind connection further." Snape then added quietly. "As he attempted to do last term."

"Attempted successfully, Severus!" Added Dumbledore severely. "Which is an issue that merits much future discussion."

Snape's lower lip curled and he glared unwaveringly at his headmaster. "The Dark Lord has also assigned me another task." He said frostily.

Dumbledore watched him mutely.

Although he desired to keep a cool tone, Snape could not conceal his concern as he detailed Voldemort's plan to have Snape introduce Harry Potter to the Dark Arts.

"The Dark Arts…Yes, I see that's quite brilliant. I have had some fears. You will tell Voldemort that you are using the time set aside to teach Occlumency to instruct Harry Potter in Dark magic. You will, however, redouble your efforts to close Potter's mind to outside influences. Do I make myself understood?"

Snape nodded and made to go until Dumbledore put out an arm to stop him. "There is also some school business we need to touch on." He softened his tone. "You need to know that I've asked Remus to return as the DADA teacher."

The reaction from Snape was immediate and unpleasant. "L-L-Lupin" he sputtered in outrage. He left this school in disgrace after putting numerous parties, including his own students, in mortal danger."

"I know why he left," Dubledore muttered wearily. "You need not remind me. Just as I need not remind you that he resigned on his own terms."

"His own terms indeed! He's a werewolf! A dark, dangerous creature! No parent, no responsible person would have allowed him near a classroom once word of that slipped out."

"And it did slip out," Dumbledore continued acidly. "Quite surprising when one considers all the confidences you've' been entrusted with and have not let...(ahem) slip."

"No one Dumbledore, will allow that creature to teach here at any rate."

"Ah there you are wrong, Severus. That may have been true 3 years ago. But with Voldemort returned and poised to reclaim his position of power – to rain down violence and oppression as far as one can see – well petty prejudices suddenly do not seem so important. There is a real enemy now and families today want their children to be as well trained as possible – anything to keep them safe."

Snape seethed silently.

"Besides," said Dumbledore conversationally. "I need someone to keep an eye on Potter."

"That is my job," Snape hissed.

Dumbledore knitted his brews – he had not anticipated Snape protesting this.

"I've not taken an eye off Potter since he first crossed this threshold," he began haughtily. "And I have never failed to inform you the moment he steps out of line."

Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, but your, (shall we call it vigilance?) Has essentially eliminated the possibility of Harry ever coming to confide in you."

"It was I who discovered that Potter was dreaming of the Ministry through my interactions with him last term." Declared Snape proudly.

"Severus," Dumbledore chided with twinkling eyes "Forcibly breaking into someone's mind does not constitute a trusting relationship. No," he added seriously. "Remus has a rapport with the boy. And Harry needs connections to his father. Remus, it seems, is the only one now who can fill that need."

Snape's head began twitching and he became more agitated. He moved aggressively towards Dumbledore. "But his condition Headmaster. He's never been able to be fully involved in anything. He will not be able to even teach all of his classes – never mind the safety concerns. I'm not at all certain the staff will be amenable to such an appointment."

"Our excellent staff will be supportive of any teacher I appoint," said Dumbledore simply. "However, I am concerned about his teaching load combined with his work for the order. I am going to have him touch an abbreviated schedule."

Snape was indignant. "Headmaster, I carry a full course load of potions, am Head of Slytheran House, work tirelessly for the Order and must remain in constant contact with the Dark Lord and his followers."

"Your efforts are noted and applauded, but do not have any bearing on Remus' courseload. He will be teaching the preparatory students only. The sixth and seventh years will be preparing for NEWTS." Dumbledore watched Snape closely. It was not a pretty sight. Snape was muttering under his breath and watching the floor. "This year in particular the NEWT classes will be of vital importance." He continued.

Snape stopped muttering and looked up with interest.

"The teacher would need to be trusted inherently."

A strange fire began to burn in Snape's eyes. He leapt to his feet and much to Dumbledore's surprise, vigorously shook his hand. "The DADA position! It's what I've always desired – and that you are giving it to me now! I can truly show you where my loyalties lie. People will know I've changed."

"Severus, you don't have to prove your loyalty to me. I trust you."

Snape seemed infused with energy. "Albus, you can not know what this means to me. After all this time – I did not think that you would ever believe I was ready."

Dumbledore was taken aback by Snape's unexpected use of his name, he then looked deeply embarrassed.

"Actually Severus, I was not planning on having you take the class."

Snape looked crestfallen. "And may I ask why, Headmaster?"

A sigh from Dumbledore, "You know all too well the reasons. Nothing has changed. One day you may be ready, but it's not this year." He gave Snape a look, which clearly said "lets not go into this again."

Snape ignored the look. "I'm ready." He said through gritted teeth. "How long do you intend to keep me down in potions?"

Dumbledore was now angry. "I shall keep you in potions as long as I think it necessary! You are not ready! Even if it were an average year I couldn't give you the class – but with Voldemort returned its out of the question…And Newt level? With Potter and Longbottom? It's not up for discussion."

Snape seemed to have lost all restraint with the subject of the DADA position. He leapt forward. "I have stepped back long enough. Let me teach against the Dark Arts that I detest and that have ensnared so many. I know I am prepared! I know I am ready!"

Dumbledore drew himself, looming over Snape whose black eyes glinted dangerously. "Prepared? Were you prepared when you stopped giving Potter Occlumency lessons without my approval? Yes, I know about that – and your weakness nearly lost us everything – the eventual consequences were devastating enough. Sirius – a good man – no matter what you think, - and Potter…" he broke off. "Harry seems so far off now I can't reach him." Dumbledore leaned heavily against the wall. He was hurt by Harry's silence. Snape stared at him stonily, which appalled Dumbledore. How could he stand there so coldly?

"Not enough reason for you Severus?" He asked viscously. "Do we need to go back a little further? 17 – 18 years perhaps?"

Snape paled and his face twisted. He was clearly fighting for control, but Dumbledore was unable to stop himself; not now that Sirius' name had come up.

"I'm thinking in particular of a night several years ago! It was a dark night for you, but it became much darker for some. Didn't it?!" He moved in towards Snape. They were practically touching. "Look at me!" He commanded and Snape's eyes snapped to his face as if by force.

The two figures stood entranced; staring into each other's eyes. Dumbledore seemed to be radiating power. He actually shook. Finally, with a choked scream, Snape collapsed clutching his left arm. His face contorted as if in pain. Dumbledore immediately dropped beside him, every trace of disgust forgotten. He gently reached out to touch Snape's shoulder.

"Don't touch me!" Snape spat recoiling. "Don't come near me!" He uttered with loathing.

Dumbledore was stricken. "Severus," he started tentatively. "Please forgive me. I lost myself. I only hoped that by showing you that memory I could get through to you. I had no idea."

Snape was not listening. He seemed locked in his own head.

"I did not mean to cause you more pain. I only wanted you to see…I did what I had to do."

That brought Snape back. "What you needed to do!" He screamed, his voice tight with emotion. "Do you not think I see that scene played out in my mind a thousand times a day? That one and others – some worse! How many nights I've wandered these passages with no reprieve, - pacing, always pacing in the dark with no escape."

Dumbledore's silver head was bowed. "It does not have to be like this."

Snape cut him off. "I live with what I've done" he said emphatically and then in an accusatory tone "I don't hide in the Pensieve."

Dumbledore looked away.

Snape got to his feet and stood rocking in the corner.

"I shall be taking the NEWT level classes personally." Dumbledore said after a time.

There was no comment from Snape; his mind still focused on the memory he had seen.

Dumbledore bade Snape goodnight, regretfully in lieu of what had transpired. He turned and left but watched Snape unseen for quite some time. Severus never turned to go into his chambers but continued pacing and muttering, stalking through the corridors. It was with a heavy heart that Dumbledore prepared for bed that night. He put his wand to his temple, filling his Pensieve. When he finally laid down to rest it was with the uneasy knowledge that the man he had vouched for, his trusted ally was that very moment stumbling through the halls unable to flee the horrors in his mind. But his final thought was for a teen-age boy several hours away in a small house on Privet Drive.