A/N: And we are back! For a moment at least. I'm so sorry for the long wait between updates. I do owe you guys an explanation because it is possible that it will still effect me and my writing. I lost my brother a few weeks back and, while we weren't as close as siblings should be, it's really gotten to me. He and I did share a love for Harry Potter though. These books were one of the few things that tied all of my siblings together and because of that, it's been so difficult to come back and write this. Added on to the fact that these next few chapters will without a doubt be the most difficult to write anyway. With all of that being said, I do want to dedicate this story to my brother. He wasn't always a great person and we certainly didn't get along all the time, but I think he might have enjoyed the fact that I included him in something that the rest of my family doesn't know about.

If this chapter seems to be missing some important things, that's because I've gotten carried away at multiple points when I actually get down to writing. This one will definitely be split into two parts and possible even three.

This chapter ignores the retcon that took place in COG and keeps Minerva at her original birthdate in 1935. Which would put her growing up during the second world war at attending Hogwarts during the late 1940s.

Now that that novel of an author's note is out of the way, here we go!


Severus's stomach currently resided somewhere far below his feet. And his heart... that long abused organ hadn't worked properly in years anyway. Yet he still felt the slow creeping ache that spread through his chest making everything tight and breathing difficult.

Dumbledore's death was imminent.

And he would be instrumental in bringing the event into action. Fate it seemed head struck truly once more. Though the fickle being had never had much for him, Severus couldn't help but believe this time it had taken things too far. He couldn't kill Dumbledore. He simply couldn't do it.

But he had to. He had to protect Draco's soul from being torn apart like his own. Had to keep Dumbledore from suffering at the hands of those Death Eaters less merciful than himself. He had to make the Dark Lord believe his undying loyalty. He had to force the Order to hate him. All because he had to atone for the mistakes of his past.

Because if he didn't the Dark Lord would almost certainly win this never ending war.

Somehow Severus made it back down to his chambers after his conversation with the headmaster. The halls had been little more than a blur as he'd stumbled down to his quarters in the dungeons. Falling heavily into his favorite armchair, the Potions Master put his head in his hands. Thoughts swirled through his mind unable to form anything close to coherent. All he could feel was an overwhelming sense of dread and despair.

He had done everything he could to contain that wretched curse and prolong Dumbledore's life, but it hadn't been enough. Nothing he did ever was and yet, Dumbledore expected so much from him. Severus let out a dark laugh devoid of any humor. Fate truly did hate him.

The man the despicable boy he'd once been had run to when his world fell apart and he sought the only home he'd ever known. The man who'd done so much for him would suffer a long and painful death as the curse spread through the Headmaster's body – unless, of course, Severus managed it first. Severus's mentor, the person who'd given him a second chance at life, would be gone by this time next year. Most likely by Severus's own hand. No reconciliation or moral thoughts could help him cope with that.

A part of the tormented professor hoped that something else did the old man in before he could. That fate would find some way to intervene on his behalf for once. He'd still lose Dumbledore, but at least then he wouldn't be the guilty party. He wouldn't have to perform the deed.

Submitting himself to the fact that this would likely be the most difficult year of his employment at Hogwarts, Severus slowly pulled himself together. Certain actions would need to be taken within the next few months. He'd have to start distancing himself from Dumbledore and the other staff and Order members. Thankfully, his lifestyle of solitude and bitterness meant he wouldn't have much trouble in that department.

A few extra snide comments and belittling scowls could take care of that. Most of the staff and Order disliked him already, it wouldn't take much more to push them to hatred. There was only one chink in his brilliant plan.

Minerva.


"Severus Snape!"

Severus's blood turned to ice at the sound of that voice accompanied by the slamming of the staff room door. He hadn't heard his name used in such a tone in more than twenty years. And yet it remained ingrained enough for the sharpness to render him frozen on the spot. Minerva stormed over to his spot by the fire, anger swirling around her like a ferocious cloud.

"The Headmaster just informed me of a rather interesting new addition to the staff," she spat in a stern voice.

"Yes, I've heard that Horace will be rejoining us for the year," Severus replied with a calm he didn't feel. "I must say I was as surprised as you at Dumbledore's choice."

"You were surprised?" and wasn't that a trap of a question. "Imagine my shock when Dumbledore informed me of the identity of our new Potions Master."

Swallowing his fear, Severus directed his attention to the fireplace before answering. "Similar to my own I'm certain."

"Leaving you with what position, may I ask?"

He'd seen this conversation coming as soon as Dumbledore had explained his plan for this year's staff. He'd known Minerva wouldn't take it well. However, foreknowledge wasn't enough to actually prepare him for the moment. Thankfully, years as a double agent had left him skilled in the area of hiding his emotions. Fear and discomfort chief among those and the Transfiguration professor certainly frightened him at times.

"I'm sure you'll agree," he began carefully, "that it's about time we had a competent Defense professor at this school."

"Competent yes," she agreed. "You? Absolutely not. What are you thinking accepting this position?"

Knowing he would get nowhere with logic, Severus settled with a quip. "I was simply trying to save you from the headache of me butting heads with yet another new professor."

"And resining me to the headache of two new professors next year!"

Turning his full attention back to her, Severus attempted to placate the angry woman. "Minerva-"

He got no further.

"Don't you Minerva me Severus Snape," she snapped. Collapsing into her normal chair, Minerva swore loudly enough to finally scare those professors brave enough to have stayed through her initial onslaught from the staffroom. "Dumbledore has finally lost it."

"He's done no such thing," he sighed. But before he could finish his thought, Minerva continued her tirade.

"He's putting on of our best professors in a position that's been cursed for decades, I think that count."

"You think I'm one of the best professors?" Severus couldn't help but chuckle. "I'll have to try harder to dissuade you of that notion."

Minerva rolled her eyes before fixing him with a piercing glare. "You're competent at least," she quipped earning a snort from her counterpart. "But this is crazy! You should reconsider Severus. You're playing with fire here."

"Because taking such risks is so out of the ordinary for me?"

"This isn't a risk. It's a certainty."

Leaning back in his chair, Severus steepled his fingers under his chin. "It's a done deal. Albus needs Slughorn here and he needs a new Defense professor."

"Then let Slughorn teach Defense Against the Dark Arts!" She argued fiercely, causing Severus to raise an eyebrow and Minerva to relent on that point. "Or ask him to stay but not teach. Horace wouldn't snub such an arrangement."

"That still leaves us without a Defense professor," Severus countered.

"Then hire someone else!"

"Look at the bright side," he attempted. "I can't do any worse than Umbridge or Lockhart."

"You aren't funny Severus and looking at the positive side doesn't suit you." Minerva said though some of the fight seemed to have fled her presence. "I'm worried about you."

Once again Severus couldn't contain a snort of disbelief. "I'm spying on both the Order and the Dark Lord and you're worried because I'm teaching a new subject to teenagers?"

She dismissed his attempt at alleviating the danger involved with a swat of her hand. "People have died in this position at worst. At best they've left the school forever. I'd prefer if neither of those happened to you."

"As would I, but I've only taken the position for this year. We hope that such actions will offset the curse."

"And if it doesn't?"

Severus let that question hang between them. He couldn't answer her this time. In all likelihood his upcoming murder of the Headmaster would be what ousted him from the school by the end of the year. He and Dumbledore hoped that Severus wouldn't be forced from Hogwarts permanently, but by the end of this year everything at the school would change.

However, he couldn't say any of this to Minerva. She had a part to play as well and that part had to believe him a traitor. An odd stab of regret lanced through the former Potions Master at that thought. Minerva's trust and friendship meant more to him than he'd ever realized. Losing it would be tantamount to the grief he already felt for losing Dumbledore.

By the end of the year it wouldn't matter what he taught. He'd be completely alone once again.


The new term began both slowly and suddenly. For several weeks in the summer it felt as if the new term would never arrive. Anxiety and fear hounded Minerva's every thought. The Ministry had finally taken the threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named seriously, but they'd done so in typical political fashion. Sending out pamphlets in The Daily Prophet, decrying the study of the Dark Arts, placing Harry Potter back on his former pedestal, and reopening cases concerning those once accused of affiliation with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Early in the week Dumbledore had returned to the castle in rarely seen fury after being called to the Ministry over questions about his staff. Scrimgeour disliked the reinstatement of Slughorn, claiming that some of the man's connections were dubious at best and down right unstable at worst. However, the cause of Dumbledore's ire had been Scrimgeour's questions about Severus. The new Minister apparently recalled the professor's past with perfect clarity and had expressed concerns with the man's continued appointment at the school. Dumbledore had, of course, in no uncertain terms let the Minister know exactly how he felt about such suspicions.

Meanwhile, the wizarding world looked upon each other with suspicion and mistrust. The air of discontent had become palpable since Voldemort's announced return. And things would only get worse from here. Severus and Albus both showed signs of exhaustion far more often than usual. Minerva found herself spending less time with her closest friends than she'd have liked.

Albus seemed to be preparing for something big. He'd spent more time away from the castle this summer than normal. Yet whenever she confronted him about his absences, he would merely smile and tell her he'd been doing research on something big. Then he'd gone and gotten hurt and had become far too tight lipped about everything.

And then somehow those long weeks of fear and anxious waiting were suddenly replaced by the beginning of term. In the comfort of a normal routine, Minerva began to believe that things might finally even out. If nothing else, Hogwarts remained her home and in those who inhabited it remained her family. In those acknowledgements, Minerva found contentment.

The first Friday of term found the Transfiguration professor in her usual spot by the staff room accompanied by her surly drinking partner, a nice glass of scotch, and surprisingly little to gossip about. For once it seemed as if the term had begun without the dreadful amount of drama, she'd become accustomed to. Minerva found that she still retained enough anger at Severus and Albus over the new Defense position to be snarky and downright unpleasant with her long standing Friday evening date.

Severus reclined – borderline slouched – in his armchair as he rode out the storm that was Minerva's long lived temper. She'd allowed him to suffer her anger and disappointment for weeks, ever since discovering his rash and foolish decision to take the cursed position. Despite the vindictive thrill the professor took from his mild suffering, Minerva decided it was quite likely time to forgive him.

"I've heard you almost managed a full week without giving Potter detention," Minerva observed with a cheeky grin. Well almost time to forgive him.

Severus scoffed without turning his eyes to her. "Mark my words. That boy will be the death of me."

"You're far too dramatic for this early in the term," Minerva replied. "Please save your theatrics and overindulged drama for later in the term."

"Overindulged drama?" He scoffed. "Me? Please remind me who it was last year that confronted the old toad in front of the entire school when said toad attempted to dislodge a teacher you don't even like."

As he spoke, Severus's eyes never left the dancing flames in front of them. While he seemed to be present for their usual meeting and somewhat pleased by her teasing, something about her friend seemed off. As if he both longed to be here with her and yet couldn't stand her presence all at once. Perhaps she'd pushed too hard after discovering his and the Headmaster's bone headed scheme.

Berating herself, Minerva attempted more lighthearted teasing. "Well I can't let you have the spotlight all the time."

"Seeing as I detest said spotlight, you're more than welcome to it."

"Oh please, you adore the spotlight. You just prefer to be seen making the students tremor in fear and run away in terror. Let's not pretend that you don't."

Melancholy settled it's hold on the man beside her as he downed yet another full glass of her scotch. "It's for the best."

"Severus do lighten up. It's only the first week of term and at this rate you'll drink us both out of house and home."

"I thought that was the point of these little meetings."

"Only when you're providing the liquor and I'm doing the drinking."

That finally weaseled something close to a smile from him. "Yes you do a fine job of mooching the best of my liquor stores."

"Well after all these years, I think I've more than earned the right to steal liquor from you," Minerva remarked as she drained her own glass. "Don't think I've forgotten you're baiting with Umbridge last year."

"I'd be remiss if you had. Though I must say that I've yet to forget your decision to drag me onto the dance floor two years ago," Severus reminded her a slight quirk of his lips dispelling the dark mood for a moment.

Minerva might even have succeeded in drawing her friend from his troubling thoughts – heavens knew she'd had enough experience with such things at this point – but fate chose that moment to interrupt them.

"Severus my boy!" A booming voice called from the staff room entrance.

"Oh bloody hell," Severus hissed under his breath.

The large and poorly timed Horace Slughorn made his way across the lounge and plopped himself into the armchair beside Minerva. "And Minerva as well. Isn't this a pleasant sight."

"Good evening Horace," Minerva responded kindly, noting that Severus wouldn't be extending any such welcome.

"Evening yourself," Horace answered in a voice far too loud for the confined space. "I see you two are indulging in quite the night cap. My favorite way to end a long week."

"I'm sure it is," Severus mumbled beside her, quietly enough that the words reached only her ears.

"Care for a glass?" Minerva gestured to the glasses beside her in an attempt to cover the laugh that bubbled in her chest.

"Don't mind if I do," said Horace.

Seizing a glass in one large beefy hand, Horace poured himself a liberal amount. Smacking his lips heavily the man turned bright eyes on the two. "That's quite the year you've got there Minerva. Excellent. Just excellent. So what are you two gabbing about?" The over excited Potions Master asked as he downed another glass.

Doing her best to hide a scowl at the man's quick consumption, Minerva took it upon herself to carry the conversation. Hoping that keeping Horace talking would stop his apparent need to drain her bottle of scotch.

"Just the usual Horace. Gossip around the castle, Severus's love of frightening the children, new and old students, and their woes. Take your pick."

"I've heard rumor that Severus here is the most terrifying of the staff," Horace chuckled.

The man in question merely snorted and refocused his attention on the fireplace.

"Well someone has to keep the students on their toes I suppose. Ah to be young again," Horace continued wistfully. "What I wouldn't give to be fifteen again."

"I'd settle for my twenties," Minerva said. "These old bones don't move nearly as easily as they once did."

"And I bet you had fun in your twenties, now didn't you Minerva," Horace teased.

Blushing ever so slightly, the Transfiguration professor flashed a smile at her colleague. "A lady never tells. But I did have a good time. Those years after the war were special for the Wizarding world as well as the muggle world. It was liberating to be so young and finally free of the shadow of war."

"Yes, yes, good times. I remember being a little tyke during the first war. The parties afterwards, well I was a bit young to be attending them, but that never stopped me." Horace replied with a wink that actually made Minerva snort into her glass. "What about you Severus my boy?" Horace said turning his attention to the most dour member of their trio. "Would you go back and be a young man again? Not that you aren't still a young man I suppose."

Severus finally broke his night long vigil of the fireplace for a bare moment as he turned an odd gaze on the new Potions Master. Something Minerva couldn't quite place rested in his eyes in that moment. "No," he answered shortly. "I should think not."

Unaware of the dark mood that shrouded Severus, Horace persevered. "Seriously now, my boy. You're telling me if you could return to your younger self you wouldn't do it?"

"Not if I had to live in the present," said Severus, his voice clipped and turning towards anger. "Teenagers are idiots at best, and I was as dense as they came."

Horace turned to Minerva shooting her another quick wink as he poured himself a fifth glass. "Oh come now! That's simply not true. I remember our Severus as a young man, just like it was yesterday." While Minerva took note of the tension that appeared in her friend's shoulders, Horace remained oblivious to the dangerous territory he'd waded in to. "Such a studious young man and never met one quite as clever and quick as you, Severus. I'd wager you could've passed your NEWTs in Potions by third year. Absolute genius in the subject, I'm sure it's why Albus was so quick to hire you on."

"I'm sure," came the muted response. Severus's black eyes seemed to be bottomless pools as he glared at Slughorn.

"Had half of Slytherin house vying to be your partner in my class. Though I never saw a smarter pair than you and Lily Evans." Horace turned his eyes back to a captive Minerva. "Those two could run circles around the entire class."

Severus's entire demeanor changed in a moment. Had she not known him so very well, Minerva wouldn't have perceived the slight alteration in his body language. However, she'd spent many a night dissecting the man's tells. Minerva could sense the change that overtook him between one heartbeat and the next. All of this over the mention of one name.

"I'd forgotten you and Lily used to be friends," Minerva pried. She had completely forgotten that odd pairing which had so befuddled the staff for a few years.

"We were," Severus acknowledged his voice tight.

"But now that you mention it," she continued as memories she'd long forgotten assaulted her, "I seem to remember catching the two of you drinking stolen firewhiskey in the owlery that one time."

"Rarely saw one without the other for many years there," Horace added before Severus could comment. "That is until she found herself with Mr. Potter. Now there was a truly smart match."

In one swift motion that took both Minerva and Horace by surprise, Severus leapt to his feet. "If you'll excuse me," he said before stalking from the room.

His voice had been tight with some emotion that Minerva couldn't quite place. For some reason her young friend was hurting once again, and she had no clue as to why.

"Well more scotch for the two of us then," said Horace. For once even he seemed to realize that they'd overstepped some invisible boundary.

As Horace poured them each another glass and silence sank between them, Minerva couldn't stop her mind from wandering to Severus's odd mood.


The long corridors of the old castle merged together as Severus stalked blindly down them. He strode purposefully down each with no destination in mind. The only goal he cared about was stifling the memories that had assaulted him in the staff room. Having Lily sprung on him so suddenly left him defenseless to his own mind. Misery threatened to drown him even as hopelessness gripped him tighter.

Everyone he loved either turned from him eventually or died. In some cases both events occurred. People either figured out that he wasn't enough, or they died before they could discover that fact. Dumbledore had been the only notable exception to that rule and the old man would be dead by the end of the year.

The darkness that had ensnared him as a teenager now encased his world.

His memories seemed bound to lead him tonight as he soon found himself in the blessedly empty owlery. When they'd been fourteen, he and Lily had nicked a bottle of firewhiskey out from under Slughorn's nose. Thinking themselves beyond clever they'd escaped to an alcove hidden in the back of the owlery to enjoy their hard won wares. A small spot of escape that had belonged to just them. It had been a place where they'd could forget everything else and just be Lily and Sev.

As Severus found his way back to their spot the memories he'd been fighting since his flight from the staff room, overtook him.

"You're a bloody lightweight," he laughed as Lily leaned heavily against him.

"And here I thought you'd be the one who wouldn't be able to stomach the stuff," Lily teased as they passed the swiftly emptying bottle between them.

"Guess it's in my genetics," Severus said.

A somber quiet passed between them as Lily fought her way back to coherency. "You're nothing like him, Sev," she whispered.

"What if I am?"

Using every ounce of focus she had left, Lily turned to face her best friend. "Don't say that Sev. You're nothing like your father. You're brave and kind and… well just good. You'd never hurt me… or someone weaker than yourself. Not… not on purpose at least."

Despite her words being slurred by the alcohol that befuddled both of their brains, they meant more to Severus than she could ever understand. So much that he hardly dared to believe them. "Do you really believe that?"

"Course I do," Lily exclaimed as she leaned back into him. "I'm your best friend and therefore the best qualified to examine your deepest emotions and characteristics and besides all that I've known you longer than pretty much anyone else so I'm obviously you're best choice of people to give you the one hundred percent truth at all times…"

"That was a very impressive sentence there, Lily," Severus laughed.

"Yeah well I am a lightweight," Lily continued. "Seriously though Sev. I love you and I don't want you to ever think you're anything like him. You're better than that."

Unable to find anything suitable to say in response Severus pulled her into a tight hug. Burying his head in her hair he mumbled a quick "I love you too Lily. Always."

Now, alone with nothing but her memory to haunt him, Severus knew that his best friend had been so very wrong about him. He was every bit as cruel and vile as his father had been. Only he'd been worse. Lily's words that had so bolstered him on that day, taunted him on this evening.

Lily Evans had been so very wrong about him.


The staff room seemed far more solemn tonight than on other weekend evenings. Though the majority of professors had gathered in the room earlier to discuss the events surrounding Katie Bell's accident, most had cleared out as the evening hours grew long. Proving himself as stubborn as rumor predicted, Severus continued his vigil by the fireplace as he awaited Minerva's return.

As head of the young lady's house, it had fallen on her shoulders to report to the Bells and to ensure the girl made it St. Mungo's with the proper care. Having observed both the necklace and the girl, Severus knew the trip to St. Mungo's would be a lengthy one. He'd done everything in his power to save the poor girl, but her condition would be touch and go for several hours yet.

Rubbing tired eyes with the heels of his hands, Severus sighed heavily. It seemed as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders this evening. He and the Headmaster had already had a lengthy discussion about the implications of this act and who could possibly be responsible. He'd also been forced to send a report of Draco's failures to his other master. Under pressure the boy had acted foolishly and that wouldn't bode well.

But they would face that issue when they came to it. For now, Severus contented himself with waiting for Minerva's arrival. At least she would have information on Katie Bell and a fresh perspective on things that he so desperately needed.

Almost as if his thoughts summoned her, the Head of Gryffindor walked slowly through the staff room door. Haggard though she looked, Minerva dug up a small smile for him.

"How did I know I'd find you waiting here?" she asked as she sunk into the chair beside him.

With a flick of his wand Severus conjured a bottle with two glasses and poured them each a drink.

"Where else would I be at this time of evening?" he replied handing her a full glass.

"Most people would be sleeping," Minerva smirked. However she accepted the glass happily and drained it quickly enough to remove any of the usual bite that her snark might contain.

"Sleeping? How very dull of them," Severus quipped. "How is Ms. Bell?"

"As well as could be expected," said Minerva without looking up at him "She's stable and damn lucky, but other than that…"

Severus nodded dumbly, wishing there was something more he could do for his obviously distraught friend.

"She's lucky to have been found instantly," he agreed. "Had she been left for much longer, there wouldn't have been a chance to stop or even contain the curse. We should be thankful-" A quiet sob from Minerva stopped him midsentence. "Minerva?"

"She almost died Severus," said Minerva as she turned wide wet eyes on him. "She almost died while visiting Hogsmeade on weekend close to Christmas. Is this our reality now? We can't even keep the students safe within the boundaries of the castle on a supervised trip?"

Finding himself at a loss as Minerva turned closer to hysterics, Severus did the only thing he could think of. Moving his armchair closer to hers he placed an awkward hand on her shoulder and tried to bring her some measure of comfort. Before he knew it, his arms were full of a crying transfiguration professor who for some reason thought him capable of providing solace when needed.

"It's okay, Minerva," he said softly rubbing a hand across her back.

It had been so long since he'd done anything like this that he had no idea what to do other than mutter empty words and maintain loose physical contact. No one sought comfort from the bat of the dungeons. Not even tearful teenage students were foolish enough to break down in front of the Head of Slytherin house. And no one else would care to come to him for such affection.

Despite the dire situation that forced him into this awkward situation, Severus couldn't help the rush of emotion that swept over him as well. For the first time in twenty years he had an honest to God friend. Not a friend of convenience or happenstance like Lucius Malfoy, but someone who valued him enough to seek out his comfort. Someone who wanted to share their grief in private with him. Someone like Lily.

Even as warmth spread through his long abused heart, dread threatened to consume him. This wouldn't last and if he allowed it to continue he would just be prolonging the inevitable. By years end Minerva, along with everyone else, would hate him. It wouldn't matter that none of it was true or that he was acting on orders.

By the end of the year this friendship, like everything else meaningful in his life, would be little but dust.


Minerva had only agreed to attend Slughorn's little Christmas party in the hopes of swindling another dance from Severus. Heavens knew the young man needed a light moment and she did get so much pleasure out of watching him squirm in the spotlight. Earlier she'd seen her friend sulking around the fringes of the crowd, but he'd since disappeared.

Minerva had gotten caught up in a discussion with a former student and had lost track of the infamous potions master. Hoping against hope that she hadn't missed her chance, she began scanning the crowd once again. Just as she gave up any optimism of seeing him again, she caught sight of billowing black robes in a back corner. Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Minerva made her way through the throng to her drinking partner.

Schooling her features, she slipped beside him as he poured himself a glass of butterbeer. "Well if it isn't my favorite dance partner."

The effect was instantaneous.

"Absolutely not," he objected.

"Oh don't be a wet blanket," Minerva chided. Quietly she applauded herself on keeping her laughter carefully bottled.

Red began tinging the cheeks of the bat of the dungeons. Really if only everyone else saw this side of him, Minerva bemoaned to herself.

"I'm not being a 'wet blanket,'" he argued vehemently, growing redder as he spoke. "I'm refusing to be humiliated by you once again."

"Oh come on Severus it's only one dance."

"Absolutely not."

Certain to keep her voice low, Minerva pouted as she delivered what she hoped would be her trump card. "You face You-Know-Who on a regular basis and yet you're afraid of a simple foxtrot?"

"The Dark Lord doesn't force me to dance with him," Severus hissed quietly.

Minerva fixed him with a scowl that she generally reserved for misbehaving first years.

"You can glare at me all you like I'll not be capitulating this time."

Three minutes and several loud protests later, Severus once again gave in to her demands, cursing her every step of the way.


"I hear you had a good time at Slughorn's party Severus," Minerva taunted as he joined her in his usual seat by the fireplace.

"By Slughorn's definition of a good time or your own?" He sneered back obviously not in the mood for such banter.

Instead of reacting to his poor attitude, Minerva simply chuckled. If she'd learned anything about Severus Snape in the past fifteen years it was that you had to take his temper with a grain of salt. Especially here lately. Like Dumbledore, Severus had become far more cagey and closed off in recent months.

"If you're still angry that I forced you into dancing once again, then your ire is a cross I'm willing to bear."

To her delight something close to his usual mischief surfaced for the briefest moment. "If I got angry every time you attempted to publicly humiliate me, I'd never have a happy moment."

"You should inform both yourself, the student body, and the staff that you do in fact have happy moments," she quipped.

Severus merely snorted, the mischief from a moment ago slipping away as quickly as it had appeared.

"I hope you didn't give Mr. Malfoy too hard of a time after he crashed the party," she said in attempt to divert his mood. "Slughorn mentioned that he tried to gate crash the event."

Instead of bringing Severus out of his mood, her topic seemed to only bury him deeper into the enigma of his mind.

"The boy acted foolishly, I reprimanded him for his actions," he replied.

His words sounded true enough, but something about his demeanor screamed that he knew more than he was letting on. Then again, Minerva thought to herself, perhaps I'm just reading too much into it. Only one way to find out, she reasoned.

"There's something off about him here lately," she continued in her best nonchalant tone. "I understand he's distraught over everything that happened with his father, but still… Something doesn't seem right there."

If she'd thought Severus had been difficult to read before, it now became impossible to determine anything that might be going through his mind. Though Minerva prided herself in being able to determine the slight nuances of the difficult man's personality, she currently found herself at a loss. All of his well fortified walls were in place. This was undoubtedly the face he showed to You-Know-Who and his followers. Not even Order meetings saw such a façade from the former Potions Master.

Severus knew something, but for whatever reason he chose to hide it from her.

"It's undoubtedly difficult on him as teenager," Severus replied without missing a single beat. "Imagine being that young and having your father disgraced and then chucked into Azkaban. It's enough to unsettle anyone let alone a sixteen year old kid."

"Fair enough," Minerva conceded, but she refused to stop fishing. "Did Dumbledore tell you about Potter's suspicions?"

The sneer that marred his face in response felt far more natural and normal. "Yes, the Headmaster informed me of Saint Potter's concerns."

"And?" she prodded when he remained silent.

"And what?" asked Severus. "Potter has a well known and long standing vendetta against Mr. Malfoy. Any accusations made by him in this situation are certainly unfounded wouldn't you agree?"

"Of course," Minerva responded slowly. She hadn't missed his evasion of her question and she had a gut feeling that she needed to press this issue further. "However, Potter has never been one to cry wolf."

Severus's eyebrows went straight to his hairline at that remark.

"You don't count Severus," Minerva snorted despite herself. "You antagonize him enough to warrant a little questioning. But Mr. Malfoy on the other hand has been acting odd. I'm rather worried."

Again Severus didn't comment. Instead he turned his attention to the blazing fire.

"You know something don't you," Minerva guessed, tired of dancing around the subject.

For several minutes Severus didn't acknowledge her comment. When she'd reached the point of believing that it was simply a lost cause, he finally turned back to her.

"It's best for you to stay as far away from this as possible Minerva," he said, fixing black eyes that held none of their usual familiar warmth on her. "As a friend, I'd advise you to leave this alone."

With that, Severus excused himself from the staff room leaving Minerva far more confused and worried than when she'd first entered.


For the second time this week, Minerva found herself on evening patrol. However, this evening she at least did not find herself alone as she roamed the expanse of the castle. Dumbledore had insisted upon having aurors present at the school during his frequent absences this year. The Headmaster seemed to hope that increased Order presence would add an extra layer of protection to the school.

Not that Minerva could argue such a point. Having someone she trusted to watch her back on nights such as these certainly made her feel more secure.

Yet tonight she had been saddled with patrolling the corridors with Alastor Moody. While she held no dislike for the man, he wouldn't have been her first choice of partner. The ex-auror was as clever as they came and he knew his stuff, but he was also paranoid. To the extreme.

Alastor had insisted that they check, double check, and triple check every nook and cranny of their route. When Minerva had attempted to persuade him there was little sense in disassembling each suit of armor every time they passed, he'd shouted something about constant vigilance and had rechecked said suit of armor. By midnight the Transfiguration professor had resigned herself to an uneventful night of constant vigilance.

Rolling her eyes as Alastor stuck his wand into a mouse hole, Minerva willed the clock to move a bit faster. Just when she thought the evening couldn't get any duller, hurried footsteps sounded at the end of the corridor. Alastor came to his feet with the agility of a much younger man and had his wand at the ready before Minerva could even raise hers.

From the depths of the dark hallway emerged Severus with a young Mr. Malfoy at his side. Both wore long dark robes and gave the impression that they were in a hurry to get somewhere.

"Severus," Minerva greeted cordially.

"Minerva," he replied, though his eyes remained fixed on Alastor.

"Didn't realize it was your evening for patrol Snape," the ex-auror growled in a voice that heavily implied suspicion.

Severus and Malfoy's eyes narrowed as their expression pulled into identical scowls directed at Alastor.

"It's not," said Severus. "However, Mr. Malfoy here has earned himself detention this fine evening and is fortunate enough to be serving it with me."

Alastor kept his expression neutral. "The boy has detention at this late hour?"

Had she been anyone else, Minerva wouldn't have noted the tension that lined Severus's shoulders at Moody's questions. However, at this point, she'd known the Potions Master long enough to recognize the minute signs of distress that he hid so well from others. Something was wrong.

While Minerva made these observations, Severus didn't hesitate to answer Moody. "There are certain potion ingredients which grow in the Forbidden Forest and can only be picked in the proper moonlight. Mr. Malfoy is lucky enough to have been assigned detention on the perfect night for harvesting said ingredients. Since it is the weekend, the Headmaster gave me permission to keep him up for this punishment. Apparently, exhaustion tends to keep some students out of trouble."

Severus turned his gaze upon her as he spoke. Despite his light tone, the dark look he shot at her relayed the apparent importance of his necessary departure. Something wasn't right with this situation, but she had to trust that Severus knew what he was doing.

"Well don't let us keep you," Minerva said, stepping aside to let them pass.

"Thank you, Minerva. Alastor." With a nod at each of them, Severus and Malfoy stalked away into the night.

Alastor's gaze followed them until they turned the corner and disappeared from view. Minerva had the distinct impression that his other eye would continue following them throughout the castle.

"Something not right there," he growled as he turned his attention to Minerva.

"It's just detention, I'm sure."

"With that one? Not likely," Moody snorted.

Minerva wasn't certain that she liked the suspicious gleam in Moody's eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I don't trust him."

That much is obvious, Minerva didn't say. "Why not."

"Once a Death Eater always a Death Eater."

"Dumbledore believes he's changed."

"Which is why he has a small amount of grace from me. But it doesn't mean I have to trust him."

Minerva weighed her next words carefully. "I'll admit that Severus has his rough spots, but he's a good man underneath it all."

"He's a turncoat," Moody insisted as if that explained everything. At Minerva's blank look, he continued. "Snape turned on those he once claimed as friends, who's to say he won't do it again."

Silence snuck between them as they continued their patrol as a heavy feeling settled in the pit of Minerva's stomach. She'd come to view Severus as a close friend, someone she could trust without question. And though she refused to believe Alastor's assertions that Severus was guilty of something, doubt had found the smallest amount of purchase in her mind. Despite every intuition that screamed Severus felt the same pull of friendship that she did, Alastor was right. The man had turned on such friends before.

Such thoughts left a bad taste in her mouth, but the truth behind them couldn't be denied.

A/N: Thanks for sticking with me and I hope you guys enjoyed! I don't know when we will have another update but hopefully it will be soon. Thanks for reading and as always I'll see you guys in the next chapter!