Authors Note: I'm trying to find my write-jo again. Hopefully I'll be able to update more often again!

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters. Severus Snape would not have died if I did, of that much I can assure you.

He sat at his desk looking over the journal that lay before him. They had been corresponding for weeks now. Months really if he thought about it. They no longer used titles and most often their notes were simply signed with a letter. Dare he admit, even to himself, that he may just consider her a friend? That term was one he seldom used and yet he found that he would tell her just about anything she wanted. Which is precisely what he was currently forming the words to do.

How were her friends? He couldn't very well tell her they were a pair of bumbling idiots without her. Ginevra was a poor substitute even if she was intelligent, they were closer to finishing their goal that much was sure. He spun the black quill between his fingers. He wanted to tell her he was going to die, that much was certain. He wanted to admit he was afraid of it for the first time in as long as he could remember. This...friendship had changed things. Given him a will to live, but the Dark Lord was growing increasingly more agitated. There wasn't much for Severus to report most days which left him at the end of a wand writhing on the floor in pain. Drawing a breath he dipped his pen into the inkwell and began writing.

H-

I wish I had more to tell you. Your friends seem to be getting closer to accomplishing their goal. I still have no firm idea as to what it is, and I don't dare to ask you because you will tell me. Miss Lovegood and Longbottom were captured...again for her it seems. I am hoping to help them...but I am uncertain if I will be able to pull it off. I am not a favourite of his of late and have no favours to ask.

He paused in his writing as he contemplated things. Pinching the bridge of his nose he put pen to paper once more.

Winky will be bringing the batteries you requested along with your usual groceries. I won't bother to ask what they are for, I dare say I don't wish to know. She is still the only one we can trust to keep this secret, of late she's been asking to stay with you but it's far too dangerous for her to disappear completely.

There are other matters I wish to discuss. Doing so through this is not a preferred method but it will have to do. I fear I won't be long for this world, not with how things are of late. I wish to...thank you… for our correspondence. I shall endeavour to stay alive of course, for the first time in a long while I feel the desire to do so, I have instructed Poppy that she is to take up correspondence with you much more regularly should I expire. When this is over, if I should be gone you will have...I have left… there is a will held in trust that shall explain things. I am being summoned now, I will try and write again tomorrow.

-S

He shrunk the notebook and tucked it into the small pocket inside his waistcoat. It was one place he knew it would be safe, no one would find it even if he perished and his clothes were searched. Drawing a breath he left through the dark passageways, many only known to himself and 'that meddling old goat' as he preferred to refer to Dumbledore these days and out onto the grounds and just beyond before disapparating and reappearing at Malfoy manor.

The meeting seemed to drag on. He feigned indifference at the announcement that Miss Lovegood was once again a guest in the basement. Though this time she was accompanied by Longbottom. He was supposed to return when summoned to 'interview' them. A task he wasn't looking forward to. He knew he could get them out...but it would be the end of him if he did. When he returned to the school he trudged towards his quarters. He knew Dumbledore would be waiting for him. He knew that he would want memories, and he knew the old man would most likely tell him to tamper with memories and try to 'convince' Voldemort to let them go. It wouldn't work this time. She had been caught too many times already. The only thing that kept him upright was the warming of the now tiny journal against his chest. She had written back.

It was nearly three hours before he left Severus alone. Pouring himself a healthy measure of firewhiskey he pulled his coat off and threw it over the back of a chair, loosened his collar and unshrunk the journal. Dropping down into a worn high back chair he let a sigh pass his lips as he flipped through the pages absently.

S-

Don't you dare think about dying on me! Do you understand? Aren't there potions you can make? You're still taking anti-venom right? Carrying some with you? Blood replenishing potions? I know they won't stop an Avada but please tell me you're doing something to at least protect yourself somewhat. Please Severus. Please tell me you have something planned?

-H

He let the journal come to rest on his lap as he rested his head back against the chair. Tipping back the firewhisky he grimaced as it burned all the way down. Summoning his quill with the flick of his wrist when it landed in his palm, he set the glass down on a stack of books and contemplated an answer.

H-

I do have a small kit in my breast pocket, same place your journal is usually located. I have a portkey on me as well. A few actually to different places. I cannot guarantee my outcome. Miss Lovegood and Longbottom have been caught...again for her. I mean to get them out but it may mean my life is forfeit. I have been able to get her out in the past but I will be the only one allowed to see her this time...as the traitor has not yet been found in the past escapes. I am tired. I don't wish to go...but I don't know what will happen. I will do my best to continue breathing.

-S

He didn't bother moving from his chair for bed. He'd be up in a few hours anyways. No point in going out of his way. Closing the journal he shrunk it again and returned it to his pocket. He would keep it safe, as if it were the very woman in question he was concealing. Sleep found him faster than he anticipated and he was quite nearly late for breakfast in the morning. He had a bit of a new determination driving him. The will to live.