Severus Snape had just had himself a rare old time. He'd decided to spend a some time in the tap room of the Three Broomsticks to celebrate a little if he was celebrating his newly acquired seven thousand galleons of having irritated Potter he wasn't quite sure, and didn't really care which. He was he knew well on his way when he meet a Miss Mary McDonald, a very pretty Gryfindor girl he remembered from school, she had been sitting alone and depressed when he decided to strike up a conversation. He'd discovered whilst on his travels that he when the mood took him, he had what his father had called "The gift of the gab." and he liked to use it too. After quite considerable practice he'd become rather good at picking up girls in bars. It had only taken a couple of drinks and a few hours conversation to get her back to his room. She'd only left twenty or so minutes ago. Needless to say Severus had made sure that she left with a smile on her face, even if she was walking a bit funny. Snape allowed himself a small smile at the thought. It was still quite early he knew the bar would still be open and he could continue with his celebrations, but he was tired and decided to get to sleep. It didn't take him long to drift off to sleep with the smirk still on his face.

Lilly had not been the first person that Frank had told about Severus and his whereabouts. At Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry Albus Dumbledore was giving some though to his the former student. He had never really stood out much, sure he got top marks in all his classes but apart from that he had been a little distant. Albus himself had always believed much like everyone else the Snape had been destined for the Death Eaters. He had actually been somewhat pleased when Lilly had ended her friendship with the boy believing him to be a bad influence, on an otherwise very promising student. It would appear that he had been wrong. That was quite remarkable in itself, it wasn't often the Dumbledore was wrong about anything.

"I think." He said to Fawkes as he stood up. "That I should pay Mr Snape a visit, to see where he really stands." his blue eyes twinkled. "After all he's proven to be a very powerful wizard, and we need all the help we can get these days." The Phoenix gave Dumbeldore a rather speculative look, for a bird. With that Dumbeldore swept from the room, heading to the village that lay bellow the castles battlements.

Not much later Albus arrived outside The Three Broomsticks with a "pop". Entering the cheerful pub which was filled with it's usual patrons it wasn't long before he caught the eye of Madam Rosmerta.

"Albus, what brings you here on a school night?" She asked as she greeted him with an affectionate hug.

"Ah dear Rosmerta, it is a pleasure to see you as always. Tonight however i am looking for one of your guests, a young man by the name of Severus Snape." He informed her.

"He's already ready went to his room I'm afraid Albus, he took a pretty young witch with him as well, but she's just left. If it's important then you can go up and see him, he's in room four." With that Rosmerta had to go and serve her customers.

Albus disappeared up the stairs and quickly found the room he was looking for and let himself in. The room was dark and he could hear the steady sound of breathing coming from the bed. As he approached the outline of the sleeping figure in the dark he prepared himself in case of attack, after all he was technically sneaking into a sleeping mans room. While he was quite prepared for magical attack when he reached the sleeping figure his hand stretched out to waken the man, what he wasn't counting on when it came was the punch in the face, nor for his legs to be kicked out from underneath him. He was sneaky and full of surprises this Slytherin he had to give him that.

"Lumos" a voice said and the room was lit from the tip of a wand.

Dumbledore found himself looking at the point of a very sharp sword and beyond that the dark face of Severus Snape.

"Headmaster?" Came the shocked voice of Severus, the shock didn't last long however. "Is it your custom to sneak into other peoples hotel rooms?" He inquired. He waved his hand vaguely and the candles in the room lit as the light from his wand faded.

Dumbledore coughed politely and looked at the point of the sword that was still hovering inches from his face. The sword was withdrawn and put away. With a wave of Severus wand he felt the pain in his face fade away. A hand was offered and Dumbledore was pulled to his feet.

"So Headmaster, why where you sneaking around in my room?" Severus asked not looking at all abashed about having punched the old man in the face.

"I was looking for you my dear boy."

"So why didn't you just knock on the door, instead of letting yourself in?"

"Ah Severus, where would the fun be in that?" the old man said with a twinkle in his eyes.

I wonder how the old codger does that damn twinkling thing Severus thought idly. "Where exactly is the fun of getting punched in the face sir?" he shot back.

"Ah do call me Albus, and point taken i think i will knock in future."

"Yes, so why did you come looking for me then?"

"I have of course heard from Mr Longbottom of your actions in Diagon Alley this afternoon. No small feat i think to kill five Death Eaters and capture two more. I have come Mr Snape to make you an offer."

"What kind of offer" Severus replied in a wary tone.

"I have put together an organisation for the express purpose of fighting the rising darkness. I speak of course of Lord Voldemort, we call ourselves The Order Of The Phoenix. I'd like you to join us."

Snape looked rather perturbed by this turn of events "I'll need time to consider it." he responded "I've only just returned and i still have things i have to do, find a job and so on,"

"Ah that brings us happily to my next offer for you. The auror i have had taking the defence against the dark arts classes is wanted back by the ministry and with the Christmas break almost over i need a replacement. I was wondering if you would take the job, for now."

If Severus looked shocked before he was utterly flabbergasted now. He was about to open his mouth and refuse, but stopped himself. Taking a moment to consider it. Well it would look good on the CV being a Hogwarts professor even if it was only temporary and he knew more about the dark arts than any of his old professors ever did. It could prove fun even.

"Yes, of course headmaster it would be a an honour to teach at Hogwarts." he said rather faintly.

"Glad to hear it! Do consider my other offer as well Severus." He said rising to his feet. "Now i must take my leave of you, i look forward to working with you Professor Snape." With a pop the old man was gone.

Authors Note - Thanks for those that have reviewd, keep them coming