Disclaimer: Harry Potter world and characters belong to JK. Rowling.

English is not my native language, so you will probably notice many weird grammar mistakes. This fic is in process of being beta-read, so please forgive my mistakes, and tell me about them. It will help me improve.

To Toby: thanks for your constructive criticism. The grammar mistakes (Stuff-staff) will be addressed soon, it is just that publishing was my priority at the moment.

To LemonWoolDropSocks: thankyou for your reviews, they really encourage me to keep writing.

To everyone else: if you read this story, it would be very appreciated if you leave a review. It will help me improve and encourage me to keep writing, it is only some seconds to you and a big help for me.

For this chapter I have these questions: Are the situations described at Hogwarts humorous? Does the insight I give in Snape's thoughts help you understand the character and his motivations? Do you think the Snape-Katia relationship has chemistry?

Thanks for reading. Here goes the chapter.

PROFESSOR SEVERUS SNAPE. POTIONS MASTER.

"There are some people who consider healing potions as a branch on their own;" was explaining Severus to the silent classroom, "however, I locate them in the altering human's body group, and so do Libatius Borage, Sean Prince and the latest research of… Yes?"

"Professor. Can I go toilet?" Asked a blond eleven years old girl, her arm pointing to the ceiling, and innocence in her eyes.

Snape stopped dead, that's what you got when you teach a bunch of brats, they can't even focus their attention in the important classification of potions.

"No, you can't." He tried to return to his lecture.

"But I'm peeing."

"Ok, go!"

It was his second day as Potions Master, and he thought he couldn't last a week. For sure he was not as stupid when he was eleven. Actually, he reflected, he couldn't remember being such a dunderhead in his whole life.

"Professor, what are we going to do with these cauldrons? Cooking?"

God helped him! Watching out for Lily was being far more complicated than he had expected. After the hilltop meeting, Dumbledore had granted him a post as part of Hogwarts staff. In part, so that Snape could apparently fulfil the role Voldemort had assigned him. In other part, and this was the most important one, to have a connection with the Dark Lord, someone who would be able to provide first hand information on Death Eaters movements, and pass the convenient information on Dumbledore and the order. In other words, spying. That's what Severus Snape had become for Lily's shake, a traitor to his comrades, a spy of the worst class. And yet, despite of his mean little job, he felt completed, his actions provided some relief for his guilty heart. Sometimes he would think back on the friends he was betraying by working for Dumbledore, however, it was difficult to find in his heart such friends. Surely there was Lucius, who had helped him so much, but Malfoy had his own ways of protecting himself, it was not that easy to condemn a Malfoy, money served for something after all. And thinking twice he knew Lucius would have done the same if he was in Severus' place. Aside from Malfoy, the images of Avery and Mulciber become vague in his mind, blurred by all the times they had thought in themselves first, and let Severus down.

And then it was Katia. Her memory perturbed him and didn't allow Severus to sleep at night. She was strong and wise in some aspects, but tremendously innocent in others, undoubtedly she would be one of the first to fall, in the case his job was successful and led to the Dark Lord falling. The image of the two of them hugging in the tent appeared before his closed eyes, and made him feel nearly as bad as he felt when he realized he had put Lily in danger. Wasn't something he could do to prevent Yekaterina from being harmed?

Walking through the corridors of that school, which had been the centre of all his hopes, and all his despair, made it look as if the Dark Lord was nothing but a distant menace, like in the times previous to him joining the Death Eaters, something he would have to face in the future. Only this time it didn't seem to him like the best option. Teenager Severus Snape had been so sure of where his loyalties belonged. Pushed forward by the Marauder's bullying, the way ahead had looked immensely clear. Now, twenty something Severus Snape realized his way had been layered with several options, ones better others worse, but not only an archetypal glory or hell he had contemplated when younger.

He stared at the kids before him. Most of them were muggle-borns, and thus, had no idea what a potion was, the same way Lily didn't know much about magic when they met. Thinking of her, he started explaining them what they were here, with similar words as the ones he has used with Lily so many years before.

Lunchtime finally arrived, and Snape headed for the staff room. McGonagall was in the entrance, and Severus hesitated.

"Come in Severus, it won't take long, just a couple of schedules to arrange and we'll go for lunch."

"Yes, professor."

"Don't call me professor, we are colleges now, just address me as Minerva." She replied with a warm smile.

"Ok, err… Minerva." What she couldn't understand was that just a couple of months earlier, she was the enemy and he was supposed to shoot death if confronted with her in a duel.

The meeting was brief, but for Snape it seemed to take an eternity, he still couldn't get used to be surrounded by his former teachers, and not being given detention or evaluated somehow. He seated stiff in his chair, guarding as if he bewared an attack. The same happened at mealtimes he had to make a conscious effort to direct his steps away from the Slytherin table, and go sitting with the teachers. Severus eat his meals in a permanent state of tension, knowing himself an easy target for the Marauders due to be higher than the students and was startled when the attack never come.

Walking through the corridors was not easier. Severus kept searching among Gryffindors for Lily's dark red hair, and cursed interiorly when he didn't find her. In those moments he would hear the comments from the students.

"He looks like a Death Eater."

"I heard he is a Death Eater."

"Don't be stupid, Dumbledore would never hire a real one."

"Have you seen his robes?"

Well, it was true. He wore the major part of his Death Eater robes, but just because they were comfortable, the belt for the wand was really handy, and the breastplate was really protective. Although protective of what Severus could not tell.

A couple more of lectures in the afternoon and he would be free to retire to his chamber. Being the Head of Slytherin house had its advantages. His quarters, with a private entrance trough the second floor and after a big tunnel were a big room, with an enormous sumptuous four posted bed with silver decoration and emerald green curtains, illuminated by the trademark Slytherin green light coming from skylights on the ceiling. His private bathroom was equally luxurious, with big crystal panels that gave the user the impression of being in a small hot water swimming-pool inside and aquarium. From one corner of the room he could enter, through a tapestry to Slytherin's common room.

There he managed the students under his charge, he was proud of them, but this task had unexpected difficulty. He still remembered the first time he had addressed his students.

"Come on, Sev, don't be like that, rolling joints in the common room is not that bad, we know you were very fond of it yourself." Had told him the seven years. Snape couldn't avoid blushing in that occasion. It was true, as these boys knew very well, as they have met him as a student when they were in their first years.

"Yes, you can overlook it, you know, we are mates and so." Continued another.

"No, we are not mates, I am your teacher, and the Head of Slytherin house, and from now on, you'll follow my rules or attain to the results. Did I make myself clear?"

Severus knew Slytherin people, he had won the battle, but that didn't mean he won the war. They would try to get him another day. That was all.

Gryffindors were different but not better. Boisterous, arrogant and stubborn they resisted his authority, disregarded his rules and thought nothing of his intellect and his many academic merits. But they paid for it, of course they did. Severus Snape saw a Potters and Blacks in every active Gryffindor student, he spotted Lupins in silent kids, and Pettigrews in many inepts. And he punished them all. He was a man now, and wouldn't tolerate any insubordination, those brats would know who Severus Snape was, he would extricate all the Lupins, Potters and Blacks, even the Pettigrews of the pupils under his charge. Points fled to the lower part of Gryffindor sand clock as quick and frequently as snark comments left the potions master's lips. Embittered, Severus would make them pay for the hopes of a better future he had lost, for his years of solitude and unhappiness. His wrath had no limits and extended to Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff as well in an attempt to fill in the hollow within him.

A couple of weeks had passed and Severus found himself at the headmaster's office, sitting in front of Dumbledore. The old wizard was questioning him about the information he had on the Death Eaters plans. Unfortunately he had no new for Dumbledore, and the man seemed suspicious, as if he thought the young wizard he had given a second chance to, was deliberately keeping information from him. Troubled, Snape left the room with only the promise to use all his contacts to gather as much information as he could. The only problem with this, was that Voldemort usually forbid his Death Eaters to give intelligence on what they were doing. Asking anybody about his mission was taboo, and they used to avoid the topic when in social events because it would mean either being rude, or being exposed to accusations of treachery. The one who asked could also find his own persona in danger, as he will be suspected of spying.

Now, Severus would have to endanger some of his comrades and himself for his new mission and loyalties. Alone in his luxurious room, he scrutinized all his contacts and got to the painful conclusion that the easiest to get information from were also his dearest.

Those fatal thoughts still accompanied him when he arrived to the next Death Eater social evening. This time, he noticed, it had took an effort for him to be invited, the Dark Lord, didn't liked a man with such a vital position wandering among less qualified fellows.

Katia's presence at the party ironically contributed to calm his nerves, clearing his mind for the task at hand. With decision, he joined Avery and Mulciber in the cocktail, after the usual formalities he inquired.

"So, how is the Dark Lord doing with his new goal?"

"Sorry, what do you mean?" Asked Avery. Severus was quite sure he should have understood the question.

"I mean how is he making use of the information I provided him with." Snape pressed on.

"You know he never explains himself." Avery answered evasively.

"Fine, if you are that poorly informed I may address someone else." Retorted Snape hoping to spoil Avery's self-important personality.

"Look, the Dark Lord is very private about that issue in particular. It seems he values very much the information you gave him. He has dismissed the ones who volunteered to help him, and in confidence I will tell you that he doesn't want you bringing the topic to conversations either."

"Has he stated that personally?" Said Snape troubled, abandoning pretenses.

"Not with that words, but he refused all suggestions to go to you in search of more information about the prophecy." This time it was Katia who spoke.

" I see." It was the moment to drop the matter, realized Snape. "I'm hungry, perhaps some cocktail?"

"Sure, you have to try this." Said Katia, dragging him away from Avery and Mulciber. "Tell me if it is not the best thing you have ever tasted." She put something like black eggs on a piece of toast and tried to introduce it in his half opened mouth. Her eyes were sparkling with illusion.

Snape grabbed the piece of toast the best he could, trying to avoid the black eggs which were leaking from the toast, to dirty his robe more than they had already done.

"Caviar, I suppose?" Asked Severus rising an eyebrow.

"Correct, there is even better quality ones, but this one is not bad." She said nodding. Then she could not stop herself from adding proudly. "One of the many treasures my country has to offer."

Severus ate in silence, looking at her over the toast, with a smile in his eyes.

"Not too bad." He conceded smirking.

"Hmm, it is more than that. You just don't want to acknowledge something your country lacks."

The sudden moment of relax, made Severus feel guilty, he shouldn't be enjoying himself, when Lily was in danger. He turned to her decided to say goodbye for the moment, and head to another people to resume his job.

"Being a Death Eater must be difficult." Stated Katia, suddenly stern. "Always following commands, many times blindly, fearing the Aurors, fearing the Dark Lord." She looked at him inquisitively. "Who do you fear most, Severus? The men who protect their lives, or the wizard who has no limit in his hunger for power?"

Severus did not know what to answer, it was a very strange and direct question, and Katia was piercing him with her icy blue eyes. Severus wondered if she was a Legilimens. Panic got hold of him, thinking she had discovered his new allegiances. His many years of hiding his emotions and controlling his demeanor came in his aid.

"That depends, on the Dark Lord's mood and the quality of the Auror." He said with a touch of humour.

She frowned, still eyeing him.

"I think," she spoke slowly "people defending what is dear to them is a pretty human reaction, easier to deal with. A solitary man wanting all, is a bit scary, you never know how much will be enough. Black holes absorb everything, including what is nearer, actually the nearest go first…"

Severus was utterly unnerved. Those were big words, worthy of big punishment if heard, and Katia was pronouncing them in a ballroom full of people. He glanced around and noticed the grey dog, Northernfist, standing by Katia. He swallowed and tried to speak but he didn't know what to say.

"Is… Is he… up to something." Finally managed to whisper.

She took a couple of toasts with caviar.

"He likes to know the terrain beforehand. Has been making contacts, a weak piece in the chain." She muttered hastily before eating her toast.

Snape could barely swallow the toast, his mouth was dessert dry.

Severus made it to the party the best he could. Katia stayed with him most of the time, speaking politely but with as few real interest in the party as Snape himself. Northernfist stayed with them much to the discomfort of the guests. Katia caressed his soft head, and so did Snape to his own surprise finding the presence of the animal comforting.

When he finally returned to Hogwarts, he went straight to tell the Dumbledore.

"ah, I knew it!" Said the old man, looking at the same time triumphant and defeated.

"You knew it?"

"We have known for some time now that there is a spy among our lines."

"What are you going to do?"

"First of all warn them. We believed something close to them had been filtrating information. Now our suspicions proved true, there is a spy, and it is probably some of Potter's friends."

Snape thought for some minutes.

"Lupin, he is a werewolf, always distant in the shadow, he has a mind of his own."

"He is a likely candidate, but we shouldn't close any possibility."

Dumbledore stared at the young man in front of him. He looked deeply anguished.

"Stay calm Severus. This is the last bad new I give you, I promise. The next will be better."

But it wasn't. On Halloween that year, Dumbledore was forced to give Snape a new that killed a part of the young man. Forever.

END OF THIS CHAPTER.

To Toby: thanks for your constructive criticism. The grammar mistakes (Stuff-staff) will be addressed soon, it is just that publishing was my priority at the moment.

To LemonWoolDropSocks: thankyou for your reviews, they really encourage me to keep writing.

To everyone else: if you read this story, it would be very appreciated if you leave a review. It will help me improve and encourage me to keep writing, it is only some seconds to you and a big help for me.

For this chapter I have these questions: Are the situations described at Hogwarts humorous? Does the insight I give in Snape's thoughts help you understand the character and his motivations? Do you think the Snape-Katia relationship has chemistry?

Thanks for reading