A Careful Consideration of LoyaltiesThanks for the feedback: Marauder3Moony, Katharina-B, AmnarJoey, Lameth Mornefea, JessieRose, blurbird161221, duj, Cheezit, allegratree,Luna Project, Possum132, Candelblaise, SBR

Responses:

Godric's Hollow: Hagrid only says the house was "almost destroyed"... Okay, you got me, I just forgot that detail. I saw one interview where JKR said the reason why it was Lily's death that protected Harry and not James' was because Voldemort gave her a choice while James was simply fighting for his life because Voldemort would have killed him regardless. Then she immediately goes on to say a mother's instincts would have made the choice pretty much a given. So I wanted to play with the scene a little to try to differientate James and Lily's positions a bit more in my own mind. So James dies in a state of denial, never quite believing that he really was going to lose the battle, thus it's not a scarifice. Lily, on the other hand, has the space and the mind-set to recognize that the situation is hopeless.

Regulus Black: Regulus' middle name is not listed on the family tapesty in OotP, however he does have an uncle Alphard and as a reader I wouldn't be at all surprised if that was his middle name, it's just too late for new characters to be introduced into the series. But in Harry's place I'd be focusing on the memories of VoldemortDumbledore shared with him, not on someone who was mentioned in a casual conversation.

Harry and Snape: I'm giving Harry a bit of a blind spot with regards to Snape. It's only been a few weeks since he watched Snape kill Dumbledore while he begged for his life (Something that is hugely OOC for Mr. Death is Just the Next Adventure, which makes me certain that whatDumbledore was asking for had nothing to do with sparing his life.) What Harry saw had a hugeemotional impact, and it happenedvery night Harry learnedof Snape's involvment in his parents' murder. In OotP Dumbledore talks about wounds that don't heal to excuse Snape'sinabilityto see that Harry is not James, by this point I think Snape has inflictedseveral of those sorts of wounds on Harry. If Snape, who I consider to be themost intellegent character in the series, can be blinded by his emotional responses I think Harry can be excused for a similar failing. On the other hand, Harry is much less embittered...

Draco's lack of knowledge: I simply couldn't see it being safe for Snape to keep Draco around unless he had could get some sort of a leash on him since HBP proved that Draco can be dangerous. I also couldn't see Draco agreeing to the oaths Snape drug out of him in the first chapter unless Snape had some leverage.

duj and Luna Project: Thanks for the corrections. I've up dated the previous chapters to reflect them.

Disclaimer: Characters and setting are the property of J.K. Rowling, I'm just borrowing them for a little non-profit fun.


Draco stared at the mountainous piles of books Snape and Wormtail were laboriously carting into the living room with a look of dismay. "What's all this?" he asked.

"You did say you wanted to help," Snape replied and Draco knew his fate was sealed. He recognized the look his Professor always wore before assigning some horrendous homework assignment that only Granger could find interesting.

Reluctantly Draco picked up a few books and glanced at the titles. "Genealogy records, biographies, what the hell?"

"I want you to trace the Ravenclaw line of descent," Snape said. "The biographies all claim to be about her descendants, but don't waste your time on the pretenders. Once you've verified a relationship look through their story to see if there are any trinkets passed down as proof of heredity. I need to learn what became of those trinkets."

Draco looked at the books again. "You expect me to go through all of this?"

"Do you have something better to do?" Snape asked. "Perhaps you would rather be amusing the Dark Lord."

Draco grimaced and started sorting the books by publisher's date. "I want to help with going after Potter, not by playing librarian," he complained to himself.

Wormtail dropped another armload of books on to the floor and earned a scathing glare from Snape. "I'll have him know I can too read," the man muttered under his breath, so lost in his own thoughts that he failed to notice Snape's disapproving look at his mistreatment of the books.

Draco overheard Wormtail's grumbling and grinned; he was still above some people.

In the week that followed Draco all but papered one wall of the living room with genealogy charts. On an hourly basis he wished for a dicta-quill to take down his notes for him but he did enjoy the multicolored muggle writing devices he'd founded stashed in the back of a drawer.

He used black for the main line, orange for bastards, green for individuals who's heritage was questionable, brown for squibs and over it all gold lines ran tracing the movements of Ravenclaw's possessions. Knowingly Draco had left the red pen alone and sure enough Snape's spidery scrawl quickly found it's way into the margins of Draco's work, filling them with the Professor's often caustic commentary:

"This is not an exercise in time-wasting. Forget the shield, you know very well where it is – or you should, you walked by it every time you passed the entrance to Ravenclaw's tower."

"A crystal ball? Ravenclaw? Mr. Malfoy, really."

"Have you found mention of a pewter brooch in the shape of a raven?"

"You'd think this was an assignment for school," Draco complained to himself. If there was one thing Professor Snape actually liked about teaching it was sharpening his tongue on his students' papers. Even with the Slytherins Snape had made their essays bleed.

Draco's sulking fit ended abruptly when he noticed one of Snape's research journals lying on the desk. To the Slytherin boy's mind that was practically the same as Snape reading it out loud to him. With nary a moment's hesitation Draco was across the room and thumbing thought the journal.

The diary – LV's first Horcrux.

His practice run? Left in Malfoy's keeping. Created with the death of LV's muggle father – AD supposition. He forgets the murder of the Hufflepuff girl, Myrtle. A practice murder for his practice Horcrux?

AD believes there were no murders between Riddle Sr. and the holder of the Slytherin locket and HH's cup. A long time to hold SS's signet ring.

Myrtle – the diary

Riddle Sr. – the ring

LV gained the ring the night of Riddle Sr. murder – Horcruxes can be made with little ceremony simply the willingness to do murder and to tear one's soul asunder is sufficient.

Was a Horcrux made the night Potter and Lily died?

Ring – found within Gaunt's abode

AD believes the locket to be in the cave where young Riddle tortured muggle children before coming to HW's.

Significant items, significant deaths, significant hiding places.

AD gave Potter Jr. LV's history – clues to locate the Horcruxes.

Seven part soul.

Six Horcruxes

The diary

Mother's Slytherin locket

SS's signet ring

HH's cup

RR ?

GG ?

AD asserts Gryffindor's only heirloom is safe. Proposes Nagini as an alternative Horcrux. Seems very certain.

Snake is LV's familiar – tests for dark magic pointless.

Ring, Diary and Locket set aside, hidden. Nagini kept close.

Old man's murder insignificant; a muggle of no import – first kill of LV's ruturn? -no that's Jenkins. AD suggests haste to complete 7PS.

Waited and schemed for a year to be revived with Potter Jr.'s blood. Waited while Fudge acted the fool. No haste. Murder doesn't fit; subsequent behavior doesn't fit. Still AD rarely incorrect.

Draco heard a key in the door and hastily slammed the journal shut. He put his hands behind his back and stared intently at his own diagrams.

Narcissa Malfoy burst into the flat. She slammed the door behind her then dropped onto the couch laughing like a young girl. "Oh Draco, you should have seen their faces!" She exclaimed. "Crabbe and Goyle tried to follow me after my little visit with your aunt so I went to the muggles' indoor market and took the levitator as Severus suggested. They stood there for ten minutes trying to figure out how I'd disappeared from an empty room without magic and never once thought that the room might have moved." Narcissa shook her head. "Who'd of thought muggles could be so clever?"

"Mother?" Draco asked in a disbelieving and scandalized tone. This exuberant woman was a far cry from his refined, coolly elegant mother.

"Don't look so shocked dearest," Narcissa said. "One cannot grow up with your Aunt Andy and Cousin Siri without being influenced. It was always ever so much more satisfying to get your own back rather than to go running to the elder generation, even if Siri and Bella never did seem to realized when they went too far in our little wars."

"But…"

Narcissa took pity on her confused son. "Your father wouldn't have approved," she explained. "The Malfoys have always been such a small family. Lucius was the only child in his generation and he was raised to be so focused on the family name. When we were younger I thought he was terribly stuffy compared to my sisters, cousins and I, but he was a very good catch. I adapted to his idea of a proper wife: deferential and decorative – I know we're in terrible danger but, oh Draco, I haven't had such fun in years!" Narcissa laughed again. "They looked like such fools standing there with their mouths open watching the muggles disappear before their eyes, too scared to step inside for themselves to see how it worked."

At that Draco's expression turned sulky. "I never even get to set foot outside," he complained.

"What you're doing is important," Narcissa assured him. "Once Dumbledore's forces fully engage the Death Eaters you'll have more freedom, be patient."

Narcissa made some room at the table then found parchment and a quill and started jotting down notes.

Draco opened his mouth to ask his mother about Snape's journal but a warning tingle in the back of his mind reminded him of the oath Snape had made him swear. With a frustrated sigh Draco went back to his own research.

Sometime later Snape arrived.

"I had tea with Bella," Narcissa said. "Even Azkban hasn't completely destroyed her love of talking about how close she is to the Dark Lord."

"And did you learn anything of use?" Snape demanded impatiently.

Narcissa tapped the list she'd been making with a long, well-manicured fingernail. "Raids the Dark Lord personally oversaw. People he took particular delight in killing… Unfortunately Bella considers everything she was involved in to have been of up-most importance to her lord. I wonder if Rodolphus encourages her infatuation or if he's just too fearful to object to it."

"The list is sufficient," Snape replied. "Do you have any connections among His first Death Eaters? It's his early kills I'm most interested in."

Both Snape and Narcissa stiffened minutely. Draco caught the movement and glanced toward his mother's forearm, Narcissa nodded. She traded glances with Snape. "Shall we arrive together then?" Narcissa suggested as she extended her hand to him.

Snape hesitated for a moment then took her arm. Draco felt a touch of relief as he watched them leave, that gesture did not come naturally to his Professor.


'It was one of those meetings,' Snape thought with a quickly repressed touch of annoyed disgust.

The various Death Eaters milled about aimlessly while they waited for the Dark Lord to make his grand entrance. It had been half an hour since their summons and they might be here for the entire night waiting upon Lord Voldemort's pleasure.

A Death Eater came when he was called and didn't ask why. A prior assignment from the Dark Lord was the only acceptable excuse for failure to answer a summons and even then one ran the risk of being punished for failing to be prescient enough to arrange one's life to comply with all the Dark Lord's whims. And since his return Voldemort's whims had been capricious indeed.

Snape had noted the changes in the Dark Lord even back during the years before his first defeat: the increasingly open sadism, the paranoia. Now he recognized the changes as evidence that Voldemort had still been in the processes of tearing his soul to pieces back then. But those changes were nothing compared to the ones seen in Voldemort upon his return. Now all the masks had been cast aside and the monster ruled over them openly. The madmen who had escaped Azkban didn't care; they'd lived under the thumb of monsters for well over a decade. The rest of the Death Eaters were simply in too deep. They knew that the only way out of Lord Voldemort's service was through the grave.

In truth being summoned just to wait for hours was the least of the complaints one could make about serving the Dark Lord. Still when He was present Snape dared not even think such thoughts so he took advantage of the opportunity to be irritated while he could and besides Snape's personal abhorrence of anything resembling a social function made these gatherings particularly irksome.

However attending one with Narcissa Malfoy was an experience. She obviously saw it as an excellent venue for nurturing their cover story. Narcissa was subtle about it. She didn't spend the whole night hanging off him, but somehow she was always nearby, always slightly within his personal space. It was disconcerting. When she spoke to him she'd lay her hand on his arm and there were a dozen other causal little touches. In her efforts to imply that they were lovers Narcissa was assuming an unheard of degree of intimacy with him.

Snape had been a spy for almost half his life but he'd never taken on a role so foreign to his personality before. He'd been a solitary and sullen child and as an adult his harshly abrasive manners kept everyone except Albus Dumbledore at arms length. Oh there'd been a few dates, most; ironically enough; arranged by Lucius Malfoy after he'd been ordered to recruit the angry and outcast teenager he'd been back then. Some of those had even evolved into one-night stands, he wasn't completely inexperienced, but never into a relationship. Snape couldn't remember the last time anyone had felt free to ignore the intangible boundaries he erected around himself the way Narcissa did, even Albus tended to respect his dislike of personal contact.

Snape worried that he'd given the game away because he couldn't seem to stop himself from being startled every time Narcissa touched him, but in the end it turned out to be to their advantage.

"I can't believe Snape's still refusing to give up the brat," he overheard Avery remark.

"You've seen Narcissa Malfoy," Nott said.

Avery shook his head. "I wouldn't have thought Snape to be the sort to lose his senses over a woman."

"Too smart?" Crabbe commented.

"Too cold to care," Rodolphus Lestrange disagreed. "It's not like he can chop her up for one of his potions. You remember what he was like in school Bella; his little war with the Gryff's was the only thing outside of his books that held his interest."

Bellatrix laughed. "My little sister has a way of getting what she wants. She'll survive Lucius' misjudgments, just watch. She might even keep my nephew alive."

"Who cares about that stuck-up brat," Goyle said. "He treats my boy like a damned lackey."

"Has little Gregory the brains to be anything else?" Bellatrix asked sweetly.

Goyle glared at her. "Your sister has her ways alright; it's called being a whore."

Bella smiled in a way that promised bloodshed later.

"I still don't get Snape," Crabbe interrupted. "Hell, I'd be tempted to give up my kid after the first fifteen minutes under the Cruciatus."

Nott snorted. "Watch them. It's been a long time since a woman's been interested in him; let alone one like a Narcissa," he said. "She's not only…"

Bella cleared her throat.

"Lovely," Nott corrected himself. "She's from one of the oldest bloodlines in Wizarding Britain…"

"And Snape's the son of a squib and a muggle," Goyle said.

An hour later Snape was smirking behind his mask while Goyle screamed. The idiot should have known better then to indulge in gossip while under the Dark Lord's roof. Not that Goyle would ever realize what he'd said wrong. Lord Voldemort had done a much more thorough job of burying his roots than Snape had.


Draco paced back and forth within the confines of his room as he considered what he'd learned about Snape's goals since their escape from Hogwarts. And the only possible conclusion that made sense made absolutely no sense whatsoever.

Loyal Death Eaters didn't go poking around in the Dark Lord's secrets. A loyal Death Eater wouldn't have needed to research You-Know-Who's Horcruxes because Snape would have been told about them if the Dark Lord wanted him to know. And how the hell did someone like Snape lose a duel to a student unless he was trying to lose? Especially considering he should have had the element of surprise on his side.

Only, no one but a true Death Eater would have killed Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore was the only one Lord Voldemort feared. He had been the light side's only real hope of victory, or he should have been except for their inexplicable fixation on Potter. Even if Snape were only out for himself and he'd killed Dumbledore because he'd been backed into a corner the choice had been made, he'd cast himself in with the Death Eaters, surely there was nothing to gain by trying to stay on the fence now.

It didn't make any sense either way and thanks to that stupid oath Snape made him swear Draco couldn't even talk to anyone about it.


After the meeting ended Snape and Narcissa left together. As they walked out the door Narcissa laughed and made a comment she intended to be overheard about it being 'a lovely night for a stroll.'

Once they were sure that they weren't being followed Snape asked "To what extent have you taken Bellatrix into your confidence?"

"I haven't since that night," Narcissa replied. "Her loyalties are divided. She's fanatic about the Dark Lord but she doesn't want to see Draco dead. Did you know she wants Draco to take the Black family name?"

Snape grimaced; to him Black was synonymous with Sirius Black.

"Lucius is utterly disgraced and Bella believes it might be enough to appease the Dark Lord if Draco simply repudiated his father, that way Lucius would lose his heir without Draco losing his life. Beyond that Bella truly does want Draco to carry on the Black name and bloodline; he's the family's last chance. Andromeda and Sirius' names were burned off the tapestry; they don't count to Bella's way of thinking. Our father's name died with Regulus and his bloodline will die with Draco unless he is saved. Last year Bella found out she'll never have children of her own, not after being subjected to the conditions in Azkban for so long. And you know how difficult it was for me to carry Draco to term; I miscarried twice before Lucius asked you to look into solutions too – unorthodox- for the healers at St. Mungo's," Narcissa continued. "Bella may not value Draco as a person but he is the Black family's only heir."

"And what exactly does that buy us?" Snape asked.

"She came with me to secure your help; protesting all the way true, but she came," Narcissa said. "Her loyalty to Draco is second only to her loyalty to the Dark Lord."

"You are aware that isn't good enough," Snape said.

Narcissa sighed. "Yes, I know. Bella still believes that the Dark Lord can be reasoned with or appeased. That is why I don't confide in her any longer."


The day after the meeting Draco was sprawled inelegantly on the couch at the flat with a heavy biography propped against his knees. He scanned the book for any mention of the brooch he was certain Damien Ravenclaw had passed on to his great, great granddaughter Prudence Morrison. As Draco skimmed through the book his eyes occasionally flickered toward the table where Snape was sifting through the Death Eater gossip collected by Narcissa and Wormtail.

Draco glanced at Snape one last time then set his book aside and wandered across the room with an exaggerated casualness to lean against the edge of the desk.

"Is there something you need Mr. Malfoy?" Snape asked shortly.

"I figured out what we're doing," Draco declared.

"Pray tell," Snape replied without interest as he went back to his task.

"Well these Horcrux things are real important to the Dark Lord and Potter's after them. We know that but you haven't reported it so the Death Eaters aren't doing anything official about it; it's just us. We'll figure out where the Horcruxes are hidden then we can intercept Potter when he inevitably ditches the rest of the Order to play hero. We swoop in at the last minute, kill Potter, save the Horcruxes and we're back on the Dark Lord's good side."

"It seems I've been overrating the value of painful experience as a teaching tool," Snape sneered at the teen. "Do you honestly believe that the Dark Lord rewards his followers for succeeding where he has failed? The only reward the person who kills Harry Potter will receive is the privilege of taking his place on the Dark Lord's list of enemies."

"But He wants Potter dead," Draco argued. "He tried to kill him when Potter was a baby as well as damn near every year we've been at school."

"You truly are a fool," Snape said. "He has failed repeatedly to kill Potter. The person who accomplishes what the Dark Lord cannot may very well start to think that they are capable of deposing him. Did you honestly believe that my punishments have been about your or about losing his spy? He has been reminding me of my place. Do not confuse the Dark Lord with Albus Dumbledore, Draco. He does not encourage strength and independence in his followers, only fear and subservience."

Draco stared at Snape as if the man had just charmed his hair pink. "If you think Dumbledore's so great why'd you kill him?" Draco exclaimed.

Snape's face twisted with pain and rage. He backhanded Draco viciously. The force of the blow knocked the teen off his feet and into the wall. The impact knocked a number of books off a shelf a few feet away from where he hit. Draco slid to the floor and stared at his Professor with wide, frightened eyes.

Snape doubled over in pain. His hands flew to his temples. "It was for his own good," he muttered. "I was only trying to protect him from his own stupidity." His fingers curled into claws as he crumpled even further. "Yes, all right, I did harm, but a lesser harm. Remember the intent: Protect him from the Dark Lord; moronic thoughts only get him killed."

Draco straightened slightly. He gingerly reached up to touch his rapidly swelling cheek. "Your oath still counts," he realized. "You made me think it was over once…" Draco remembered what had set Snape off in the first place and didn't say once Snape had killed Dumbledore.

"He faltered, can't kill, like Regulus. Remember Regulus, protecting Draco from that," Snape muttered to himself. Slowly he relaxed as he made peace with the terms of his oath. He staggered across the room and dropped onto the couch.

Draco pulled himself off the floor. "You hit me!" he accused angrily. His body was tense, poised to dodge or fight.

Snape stared at Draco tiredly. "Slytherins should leave stating the obvious to Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors."

"You tricked me into swearing those damned oaths," Draco continued. "I thought you could give me to Him if I didn't do what you wanted."

"Yes. It is much easier to protect foolhardy children from themselves when they're kept on a short leash," Snape said dryly. "Not that Albus would have agreed. Giving Potter that damned cloak, he practically invited him to break the rules."

"You're really on their side!" Draco exclaimed. "But why the hell would you –"

"It was not my decision. Rest assured, if it had been up to me it would have been you and I who died that night," Snape stated coolly. "I would advise you to remember that and not to attempt to take advantage of my oath. There are things I value more than my life."

"You really are on their side." Draco repeated. "With the Gryffindors and everything. Do they know that you're on their side? Why would you side with them when they're going to lose?"

"Yes, I am against the Dark Lord," Snape confirmed before Draco could repeat himself for a third time. "Your unexpected competency forced both Albus and I's hands; there is no one living who can vouch for my actions that night. Their cause is not a hopeless one and even if it were I would prefer to die on my terms than to live on – on Voldemort's."

Draco's mouth dropped open at Snape's use of that name. He pulled out a chair and sat down. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because your oath prevents you from repeating it and because you need to hear it," Snape replied tiredly. He tossed Draco his wand. "Your position is not unlike your cousin Regulus'; he couldn't stomach death either. You have no future under the Dark Lord's rule. Bellatrix taught you Occlumency, you must know the rudiments of Legilimency as well."

Draco stared at his wand as if it might bite him. "What about the Aurors?"

"I would rather risk a single spell in this house than to leave you thinking such moronic thoughts. As you can see an unbreakable oath is not a foolproof measure. Given what you now know, I believe that it is essential that you truly understand what it is that you've pretended to aspire to for so long," Snape said. "You might be many things, but you aren't a murderer. Even if you were able to convince the Dark Lord to overlook his anger at your father, taking his mark would be nothing less than signing your own death warrant. Cast the spell Draco. I want you to see your future as a Death Eater."

Hesitantly Draco raised his wand. Snape stared directly into his eyes. "Legilimens." Draco said softly. After a moment his face turned green, he dropped his wand and ran into the bathroom.

Snape stood in the doorway and watched the blonde lose his last meal. "Like you, your cousin Regulus balked at killing. Once he understood what the mark on his arm truly meant he tried to back out. It took him a very, very long time to die."


Interlude – The Resident Conspiracy Theorist

After Bill and Fleur's lovely, hopeful wedding. After Tonks caught the bouquet. After Remus managed to escape the rest of the Order's teasing and Molly's not-so-joking questions about when they were going to set a date. After a reception with some of the most delicious food Harry had ever tasted. After Fred and George were scolded soundly for testing one or two of their inventions on the newlyweds…

"Now we all trade lists," Hermione instructed. "You all did remember to list people who didn't have a middle initial listed didn't you?"

Ron glanced away and Hermione rolled her eyes. "We'll add those names later," she said. "Harry, you need to pay particular attention. You've seen all those memories about Voldemort, look for anyone mentioned in connection with him. We'll start by checking those names out."

While the six teens traded lists Hermione turned to Luna. "That's were you come in; you've got access to all your dad's files. He might have something the rest of us wouldn't find in the Diagon Alley Wizarding Library."

Luna nodded. Beside her Neville timidly raised his hand. "I'll be helping Luna," he said. Hermione smiled and nodded, without thinking she caught Ron's hand. Ginny glanced at Harry who was sitting on the other side of the room from her and bit her lip.

"Regulus Black, do you think he might be related to Sirius?" Neville asked a few moments later.

"He was Sirius' younger brother," Harry said. "Sirius told me that he was Death Eater."

That caught Hermione's interest. "Do you know what happened to him?"

"Voldemort," Harry replied.

"He really should be one of the first people we check out," Hermione said.

"I don't know," Harry replied. "When Sirius mentioned him he sounded sort of – well, spineless. Professor Dumbledore didn't take those traps lightly and who ever took the locket must have gotten past them just to defy Voldemort. That doesn't sound like the person Sirius described."

"I still think we need to look into him," Hermione said. "Sirius' judgment was a bit biased sometimes."

"He was right about Snape wasn't he?" Harry shot back.

"It was very nice of Professor Snape to tell you about the Horcrux at Godric's Hollow," Luna remarked.

"Snape wasn't telling me, he thought I already knew," Harry snarled.

Luna stiffened and drew away from him.

"I agree with you that it makes sense for Voldemort to send someone after the goblet," Hermione told Harry. "It even makes sense that he'd have waited this long. Who knows what being disembodied did to his brain? He might have forgotten all about it until Snape reminded him of its existence… But Luna still has a point. Snape all but came out and told you about the goblet Harry. And he didn't fight very hard to get it back either."

"Forget it Hermione; he slipped up and then the coward didn't want to stick around once Remus and Tonks came," Harry stated forcefully.

"Snape's been a double agent for pretty much the whole of his adult life," Hermione argued. "It doesn't make sense that he'd just slip. And I know you're the best at Defense in our year, but you watched Snape in class last year even if he doesn't explain things well he obviously knows what he's talking about and is good at it. In a one-on-one duel you should have lost Harry."

"Why are you defending him, Hermione?" Harry shouted. "He killed Professor Dumbledore! He killed my parents! He killed Sirius! Don't you get it? He's evil! Besides there was something wrong with him at Godric's Hollow," Harry finished in a quieter voice.

"I was just playing the devil's advocate," Hermione said defensively.

"Oh, the muggles got that one all wrong," Luna interjected. "Dark creatures don't hire attorneys; attorneys are dark creatures."

Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione exchanged a look that plainly said 'She's crazy," and the tension in the room dropped noticeably.

"What about your parents, mate?" Ron asked after a moment. "I thought Wormtail was the one who betrayed them. I mean your dad and Snape hated each other."

Harry sighed. "Snape was the one who overheard Trelawney making the prophecy and he's the one who told Voldemort about it. They wouldn't have needed a Secret Keeper if not for Snape."

Neville turned pale and looked like he was going to be sick. "Snape? I've been in his classes for six years and he's the one who…"

Harry nodded grimly.

A long silence descended over the group

"You said it seemed like there was something wrong with Snape?" Hermione asked, then rushed to add. "It's not that I care, but I hadn't heard anything about the Aurors spotting him or him being injured that night at Hogwarts, it might be a clue as to what he's been up to."

"He looked liked he snuck out of the Infirmary Wing ten minutes after Madam Pomfrey prescribed a week of bed rest. That's probably why I was able to hold my own until Remus and Tonks chased him off," Harry admitted. "I didn't see anything obvious wounds, he could have been sick, maybe it's his conscious getting to him. By Merlin, I hope what he did to Professor Dumbledore is eating him alive."