This Chapter is posted right after Chapter 9, please read that first.

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Here is my second upload of the day. I am pleasantly surprised at the time I have on my hands at the moment.

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Chapter 10

Severus Snape was walking down the corridors of Hogwarts in a very bad mood. He just healed Albus Dumbledore and all he got in return was more instructions from the old wizard. So Dumbledore wanted him to keep it quiet? Snape knew that he would never keep it quiet, he would never agree to sit back and watch as the world teetered and crumbled before Lord Voldemort. Severus promised himself that he would never stop working against the Dark Lord since the day Lily died. He envisioned clearly the last time he every let himself break down. That was on November 2, 1981; Snape remembered as if it was yesterday, he remembered visiting Lily's grave, he remembered staying there for hours just crying, he remembered getting up and leaving. He was a different man when he left the cemetery that day. He was heartbroken, but he vowed vengeance, he wanted peace knowing that Lily was avenged.

Severus Snape was never an impulsive man however. He knew it would take years, decades possibly before the Dark Lord came back. He realized that he could never work against Voldemort in open. He was always proud of being in Slytherin, a cunning and dangerous man. This was when he paid a visit to Dumbledore. He first accused the old wizard of not protecting Lily Evans, he told Dumbledore that he should have been more careful, yet all he received in response was that Lily and Potter put their faith in the wrong hands. This was when Dumbledore mentioned Harry Potter, how the one year old boy survived, how he was now the beacon and the focal point of hope for Voldemort's complete destruction.

If there was one thing to respect and admire about Albus Dumbledore is the man's perseverance and determination. Dumbledore, like Snape, was never fooled about Voldemort's apparent death. In fact, the old man knew that the Dark Lord will return. What Severus did not know was that Dumbledore though of him as indispensable. Who else would bring Dumbledore the information on Voldemort? Who else would risk his neck and lie to the most powerful Dark Wizard in history?

As Severus walked down to the dungeons, he had an epiphany. Did he need Dumbledore as much as Dumbledore needed him? Of course not. Over the years, Dumbledore relied on Severus more and more. Snape knew that his responsibilities grew infinitely three years ago, the night the Dark Lord returned. But it was only now that the Potions Master realized that he lost the need in Dumbledore that night. He could have left after that night, he could have stopped spying, he could have opposed Voldemort without Dumbledore's instructions. His name was cleared by Dumbledore, but he risked Azkaban again by spying. The biggest issue as Snape now realized, was his need for revenge. Severus Snape had never broken a promise; Lily was still not avenged. But now that Dumbledore is no longer the Headmaster, Snape saw no need in staying here at Hogwarts.

Snape sped up towards the dungeons. It was lunchtime, so he did not have a class. He knew that he had to leave before the hour was up. Where would he go? He knew that he would report to the Dark Lord, but that could wait until the next day. Snape feared that the Dark Lord would want to see him by his side at all times now, but he hoped to convince his master that he could track down Harry Potter. Voldemort did not understand why Harry Potter did not return to Hogwarts this year. Snape guessed that Voldemort's next task for him would be trying to find out the reason why Harry Potter chose to exile himself.

But how would he find where Potter is? Draco was evidently with the Boy Who Lived now, they were untraceable. And this is where Snape stopped almost hitting himself in the head for his stupidity. It was so simple, of course. Almost breaking into a run, his black robes billowing behind him, Snape burst inside his personal potions lab. He immediately took out his wand and waved it at his smallest cauldron, made of pure gold, igniting a fire underneath it. Moving towards the cauldron, Snape waved his wand again. Several potion ingredients were in his hands now. He did not remember feeling this feverish ever when he made a potion.

He began adding water, bringing it to a gentle boil. Next were scarab beetles, lacewing flies and horned slugs. At that exact moment, Minerva McGonagall decided to make her entrance inside. Snape silently cursed himself for not closing the door.

'Severus, you are here.'

Snape didn't reply for a moment, stirring the thick potion before him.

'Yes, but I am about to take my leave.'

McGonagall was not altogether surprised; she has been expecting her deputy to depart eventually. She thought about telling Dumbledore, but the man was hardly seen these days. 'Where are you going, may I ask?'

'Away Minerva. Don't try to stop me - I should have done it years ago.'

The Headmistress merely nodded. She knew Snape had three doors now - he could try finding Dumbledore, he could stay at Voldemort's side, or he could just take off on his own.

'How was your meeting with Fudge?' Snape asked, now adding unicorn hair, Wiggentree bark and asphodel to the simmering mass.

McGongall sighed. 'It's the third time this month that he called me. He wants to know where Dumbledore is. Really got on my nerve today.'

'I think he may be under the Imperius.' Snape muttered absentmindedly, stirring the potion gently.

'He is not. I checked.'

'How did you check? Surely he didn't consent...'

'I stunned him Severus.'

Snape looked at her with raised eyebrows. 'You stunned the Minister of Magic?'

Not even slightly concerned, McGonagall answered calmly. 'Don't worry I erased his memory.'

Severus looked mildly impressed. He did not think Minerva had the daring, but the witch surprised him more and more as the days went by. 'So your diagnostic charm revealed nothing, not even a trace of Imperio?'

McGonagall nodded grimly, now watching Snape add Acromantula Venom, dragon blood and honeywater to the blue potion. 'What are you making Severus?'

'My escape route.' Snape answered cryptically. 'When I leave here, I do not intend to comeback. I presume you understand this?'

'Yes. I do not intend to tell Albus anything about you. Have you seen him lately?'

'No, I have not.' Snape thought it best to lie for now. 'I think he should be visiting you soon though. I suggest you report your finding on Fudge.'

Snape took out a silver dagger. Ignoring McGongall's sharp intake of breath, Snape cut his own wrist, letting a few drop of dark red blood into his potion. The potion was now complete, shimmering pure white.

Snape once again looked at McGonagall, healing his cut. 'Please tell Dumbledore that I deny his request of me. I will continue reporting to the Dark Lord, but I will be unavailable. If he insists in meeting me, telling him to send me a Patronus, that never fails.'

McGonagall nodded for the third time. 'Good luck Severus. I do wish you the best.'

Snape looked into the Headmistress' eyes. 'Thank you Minerva. I do hope we meet again.'

McGonagall sniffed, turning around. Snape's absence would be felt by both students and staff, as well as her. She never really appreciated her colleague's skill and resourcefulness. The Animagus witch now worried about Death Eaters infiltrating, or even attacking Hogwarts. Severus would not be here to help her deal with danger. Yet the Headmistress understood, she trusted her Potions Master, if he says he is leaving then he must have a very good reason to.

Snape heard the door close. Sighing slightly, Snape poured the potion into a goblet.

He now has the means to find one Draco Malfoy.