Half an hour later, both boys were released with a promise not to discuss their possible arrangements until otherwise told and Lupin was sent to report to Filch. Severus had nearly worn a hole in the carpet from his agitated pacing.

"Those," Snape said sharply, "are the worst candidates I can think of. A werewolf and a death eater!" Minerva and Albus watched, equal parts amused and confused.

"Severus, you're already treating them like they're Slytherins." McGonagall pointed out. "Enforcing Dudley's diet- don't think I didn't notice! And keeping an eagle eye on Harry like You-Know-Who himself is about to swoop down on him any time."

"But the Dark Lord might be about to attack at any moment." The spy replied tightly.

"And you are the best dueler in Hogwarts, save Fillius and Albus!" The cat animagus continued like Snape hadn't spoken.

"Would you- Albus, stop twinkling- consider my position."

"You still live in Cokeworth, don't you, my boy?" The headmaster interjected. "A muggle neighborhood would do Dudley good, I think."

"I'm a spy!" Severus cried suddenly. "Fostering those two brats would put that at risk!"

"I'm certain you could think of something." Dumbledore said, waving his hand like he could physically brush away the Slytherin's concern. He took off his glasses and cleaned them with a flick of his wand. "Or they could stay with Remus. With you making Wolf-bane potions for him it would be more than safe-"

"He's gone." Minerva sighed. Albus pushed his glasses back over his nose, glancing around.

"When?" He asked, jovially puzzled.

"I didn't see. I blinked." She replied dryly.

Severus didn't attend dinner. He didn't attend breakfast on Sunday, either. Albus, luckily, seemed to understand his potions master's need for space and allowed it, just this once, my boy. By lunch, Snape had reached a decision.

"If another approved applicant isn't found by the end of term, I will take in Potter and Dursley for the summer." Severus said softly, not looking up from his salad. "No-one will know about it."

"Of course, Severus." The headmaster patted the spy's hand gently.

"Only because I owe Lily."

"Yes, my boy."

The rest of the lunch was spent in silence.

The next two weeks passed quickly. Dudley was still a mess at potions (almost as bad as Longbottom), Lupin was still an passive-aggressive little shit, and Harry still attracted trouble like a dragon to gold. The Dark Lord only intruded once or twice, and was swiftly reassured. Severus tried to think of a reasonable excuse for housing his master's worst enemy and a muggle, but came up dry. In the end, he decided to hide as much as he could, and depend on his sharp tongue if it came to it. It was the worst plan he had ever made, he thought, and blamed Albus entirely. In the darker hours of the night, locked in his rooms by paperwork, Severus didn't think he'd survive much longer.

Soon, Halloween decorations sprinkled the magnificent school, adding to Snape's melancholy, and his temper. The headmaster pulled him aside and gave him permission to skip the feast, if he promised to attend the next few dances as an teacher escort.

Halloween was spent searching old books and raiding the library on how to destroy Dark Artifacts. Of course, he still didn't know where or what his master's Horcruxes are. The spy's concentration was disturbed by a broken sob.

Severus glanced around the abandoned library curiously. The sound was coming from a sheltered nook behind a statue of an unknown witch. Peering around the corner, he was surprised to see a first year crying into his hands. He recognized the messy mop of hair as Potter. Severus cleared his throat and pulled out a handkerchief from one of his many pockets.

"Why aren't you at the feast, Mr. Potter?" The professor asked, not unkindly, pressing the fabric into the boy's tearstained hands. Harry sniffled, wiping his face.

"Hagrid said my parents were-" Potter folded the handkerchief and blew his nose. "On- on Halloween. I don't think I should celebrate, sir." He looked down at his knees and continued, barely audible, "An' I started thinking about if they hadn't been-"

Severus couldn't think of the right thing to say, so he said what felt right. "No, perhaps it is not right to celebrate. You have every right to grieve." Potter looked shocked for a moment, then miserable. "But don't forget that the living need you more than the dead." He warned. The brat frowned, expression ranging from anger to deep thought.

"You're right." He said reluctantly, wringing the handkerchief in his hands. "Should I go to the feast, sir?"

"I wouldn't."

Would all students please return to their dorms. Albus' voice rang through the empty castle. Potter jumped to his feet, looking nervously over at Snape.

"What's happening?" He asked fearfully.

"Stay here, Mr. Potter." Severus ordered. He pulled out his wand, sending a patronus to Dumbledore. The spy padded silently out of the library, searching the halls. After a few moments, he decided to guide Potter to the Gryffindor tower before looking for the rest of the staff. As soon as he entered the library, a horrible shriek reached his ear.

"Professor, help!" Potter screamed, scrambling from underneath a table to hide behind Snape's legs. Chasing the first year was a massive troll dragging a crude club as long as the spy himself and twice as thick.

"Sectumspempra!" The cutting spell shaved a few layers of scum off the troll's algae encrusted nose. Cursing, Severus shoved Potter further back, pushing the stunned brat to the exit while dodging and deflecting the troll's heavy swipes.

"Reducto, Sectumspempra, Forbaerne!" The last spell shot a spurt of fire into the beast's chest, burning hair, skin and nearby books. Severus could almost hear the angry squeak of a murderous librarian. A second reducto cracked the troll's armored hide, spraying acidic blood over the library's expansive collection.

The troll clipped Snape with a wild swing of it's grubby hand, spinning the spy into a book shelf that collapsed, pinning Severus momentarily and leaving Potter defenseless.

"Leave him alone!" The Gryffindor yelled, raising his wand. "Wingardum Leviousa!" Despite mispronouncing the incantation, the troll's foot drifted away from where the troll meant to put it. Unbalanced, it tipped over.

Onto Snape.

"Oops." Harry muttered.

Note- the library scene was inspired by/stolen from a great little ficlet whose name I unfortunately can't recall. If the author of that story miraculously reads this story, I would like to commend your abilities. If you have any issue with my use of your plot bunny, please PM or review this story and I can remove it or give you proper credit.

Also, Forbaerne is a fire spell from Merlin. Let's just say Old Magic is the ancestor of witchcraft and wizarding.