Chapter 11:

It happened like this:

Hermione had been absent from that lab for a few hours while Severus had remained, shuttling between the third potion and his calculations and notes on its properties. The problem with the potion was that, while the elements balanced in theory, their interaction appeared to need some sort of stabilizer. Severus was observing the potion in its stages, and analyzing each ingredient and its interaction with every other component in the mixture. His calculations were mathematically sound, yet something was apparently missing.

A rack of test tubes were full of the potion and its elements during different phases of brewing. Across the lab table lay various corresponding notations. In spite of the fact that Snape was a master of his craft, he found himself at an impasse. Not to be driven from his goals on this potion, he had decided to compile a list of supplementary ingredients to test, when suddenly his forearm burned. He sighed, hating to leave the potion at this stage in testing.

As he left the lab, Severus checked his watch: six o'clock. Odd. He exited Grimmauld Place and headed to the Apparition point, wondering as he turned in Disapparition, what his master could possibly want now.


Red eyes flashed within a skeletal face at Severus' arrival. Their owner looked down upon his kneeling servant, and began speaking in a high, cold voice.

"Would you care to explain why you were seen fraternizing with a known enemy, in Diagon Alley, for all to see?"

Ah. This was about Granger.

Severus bowed low from his position on his knees in respect as he began to explain, "My Lord, as you are fully aware, the Headmaster foists repellent activities upon me during the summer months."

"It's one thing to perform menial tasks for Dumbledore, and quite another to become affiliated with a Mudblood, Severus."

Snape paused. His Occlumency shields were up, naturally, yet he knew to tread carefully and not lie outright to his master. He would have to provide sufficient information and detail, without arousing suspicion, and without allowing his master to know that the Order had been spending its summer working on offensive strategy. Thankfully, there were no other Death Eaters present to note his back-pedalling.

"My Lord, over the vacation months, certain students are often under Order protection. Granger, the Weasleys and Potter are all to be escorted whenever they are out in the open."

"We've discussed this before, Severus, and the task has never really fallen to you. Get to the point, as I grow weary of your weak explanations," his master hissed in response.

"Very rarely I am appointed to ferry around the brats, as Dumbledore knows full well of our mutual loathing. Dumbledore does try to limit our contact, especially in public, as it would be difficult to explain. Recently, I was going to the apothecary, and the Mudblood in question had an errand to complete. Molly Weasley knew that I was set to leave for Diagon Alley, and I ended up having to take the Know-It-All with me."

"Any errand of importance?"

Severus schooled him features to be as scornful as possible, and levelled his voice into his most snide tone before spitting out the reply, "She was purchasing a gift for Potter."

Voldemort's tone was cutting as he retorted, "Ah yes, today is the day of that nuisance's majority! He has been a thorn in my side for far, far too long. Tell me, did she buy anything of interest?"

How to lie? If he was truthful, the Foe Pane would be useless. Voldemort would find sufficient defence against something of its like. What else had Granger bought Potter that he knew of?

"A homework planner."

Voldemort gave a cold bark of laughter. "This, from Potter's closest friend?"

"She really is insufferable, my Lord."

"Oh Severus, you always do have the most droll tidbits to pass on."

What was this, afternoon tea? He hadn't even been cursed yet, for Merlin's sake! Given the date today, Severus was getting a bit antsy, lingering in the Dark Lord's presence when his 'Master' should be utterly enraged, and remaining un-tortured was unheard of. Was something new afoot?

"Now tell me my friend, what of Potter himself? Any new plans? Does he know that his childhood home is no longer safe?"

"As we had previously discussed, the Headmaster was suspicious of what we may intend after Potter's majority. He may be an old, sentimental fool; but Dumbledore is no idiot. Potter has not been at home since the beginning of the summer vacation. He is safely ensconced at Headquarters, protected by the Order. He dare not remain with his relatives in such a vulnerable location now that his mother's magic has failed. "

"This is not unexpected." Voldemort broke off the conversation for a few minutes, seemingly collecting his thoughts before proceeding. Severus, already wary, remained exactly where he was kneeling, on the ground, before his master. He wasn't foolish enough to dare any gesture that may set off Voldemort's explosive temper.

Soon enough, the Dark Lord's attention returned to his spy. "I had other concerns, aside from Yaxley's report of seeing you in Diagon Alley that have been weighing on my mind. You've had a busy summer, and I don't mean by simply escorting students around London."

Severus held his shields in place, ready for a possible mental attack for information. His next move would be based entirely upon what his master knew, or what he thought he knew.

"It would seem that you have been quite occupied this last month, and have not been available to your friends. Does all this time amongst Mudbloods and blood traitors make you forget what appropriate company you should be keeping?"

"I'm sorry, my Lord, I don't understand."

He had pushed his master a little too far. Severus felt a Striking Hex across his face.

"Why are you not at Hogwarts?"

Ah.

Ignoring the welt that was sure to be rising across the left side of his face, Severus answered, "Initially, after term ended, I was at Hogwarts. Once the end of year business had been concluded, Dumbledore approached me and requested that available Order members relocate to Headquarters for the summer."

"That brings about two more questions for you to answer then, my servant. Why did he want you there, and why did you not tell me immediately?"

"This has been our first conversation since the request was made. I would have told you as soon as you called. The Headmaster made the request because Potter is at Headquarters all summer, and needs to be 'protected' during his stay."

"Surely Dumbledore knows that his charms and defences have held? Why would Potter need additional protection?"

"Quite frankly, he is a troublesome little idiot. The brat needs attending like an infant."

"I can see you are as fond of him as ever."

"About as fond of him as you may be, my Lord."

Voldemort laughed again, the sound of which was absolutely harrowing.

Severus' jaw clenched to hear his master's amusement. He quickly calculated an advantage and added, "Babysitting has been quite disruptive to my brewing. The children had a record-setting number of accidents this past year and I'll be stocking the infirmary for a good majority of the summer."

That would keep his master out of the Order's potion plans, for a time at least. With any luck, it would also keep the Dark Lord from ordering any 'special brews' in the foreseeable future.

"Which illustrious Order members will be given the glorious role of babysitter, aside from yourself?"

Severus quirked an eyebrow to acknowledge his master's blow. "The more senior Weasleys are in residence to keep an eye on their brood. The wolf and other occasional Order members are also in residence, although their presence varies from day to day."

"Like McGonagall?"

"It would appear that seniority at the school does count for something. She remains at the castle, attending to her duties as Deputy, whilst I am stuck with her Gryffindor whelps."

"If you are so busy at Headquarters, then how are you to spy on Dumbledore if you are not in the castle?"

"The Headmaster stops by frequently. And in the meantime, I am improving my own position, and trying to gather information based on the members in residence."

"Intrigued as I am by your words, I'll advise you to tread carefully as you explain."

"As I said, I am still responsible for creating potions for Hogwarts use. And as the task has been exacerbated by both the dunderheads at the school over the last year, and by the brats underfoot now, I've been assigned, "he said this contemptuously, "an assistant."

Voldemort glared until Severus added, "The Mudblood herself."

"How convenient."

"She's an acceptable brewer, if an insufferable person. Granger has been accustomed to my presence in the laboratory. I'm hoping to build up a rapport with her over the summer that would create a reliable, direct source to Potter during the school year. You are aware that the boy detests me as much as I do him. By creating a solid working relationship now with one of his closest friends and allies, while we are stuck together at Order Headquarters, I would be establishing a basis of trust."

"You do think in the long-term, my friend. But do you honestly believe that Granger will just pass you information willingly? From what I hear, that little Mudblood and Potter are nigh inseparable, and she is known to be fiercely loyal. Do you think this is really a viable plan?"

"Just think of the benefit to you, Master, if I could turn her loyalty toward me. It will take time, but that is the one thing I currently have in abundance. Like Dumbledore, she's a trusting fool. Add in her natural respect for authority figures and her desire to please; and you have created an unknowing informant. Brewers work on long and tedious potions. Eventually, the only way to break the monotony is to speak to the available company. Granger is an insufferable know-it-all, ergo; there is no possible way that she could keep her mouth shut. Give her enough time, and she'll be talking."

"This is all very interesting, Severus. Continue as you have been, and keep me abreast of any developments."

"I do have one possibility of getting more information along the school year, through this source. Granger is the leading candidate for Head Girl. If selected, we will most certainly be sharing certain duties and patrols during the upcoming year. I had originally raised my objections to her appointment, but was essentially overruled. I believe Dumbledore will select her regardless. We should have ample opportunity in the future for private discussions where I may glean useful information."

"You're an excellent spy, and a true Slytherin, Severus. But I warn you, if this plan fails, and you learn nothing, you will have wasted your efforts and my time."

"Of course, my Lord. If I thought the plan would not be successful, I would never have begun, and would not feel confident enough to speak of it to you."

"Look at me."

Severus steeled himself, and then raised his black eyes to the red slits of his master. Images flowed from his mind to his Voldemort's: Dumbledore, at the end of the term, telling Severus that he would have an assistant; then flashing ahead to the Headmaster throwing Hermione's name across his retreating shoulder as the 'obvious choice'; Hermione working herself to exhaustion over medicinal potions in the lab; Hermione, babbling "I should not have overstepped my bounds, but I was concerned for your well-being..."

"It would appear that you have already made headway with the girl. I should not have questioned your intentions over the summer when Yaxley and Alecto brought your absence at Hogwarts to my attention."

"Carrow and Yaxley?"

"You were unobtainable by Floo at Hogwarts and no owls could track you. Yaxley has been trying to contact you."

"Well, the Headquarters are secret-kept. Only those who know the location, or who have been sent Owl Post from that location could be reached by mail."

"Indeed? You come when called, that's all I really need to know at this time. But don't forget your friends, Severus. I'd hate for you to become accustomed to such unsuitable company as that which Dumbledore provides. "

"Carrow is a useless lump, and Yaxley, a fool. I have no idea what they would presume to want from me, and quite frankly, unless that are passing along your wishes, I don't particularly care."

"Yaxley is well placed within the Ministry, as you well know, and Carrow follows orders without complaint. You could have worse company, Severus. In fact, you do have worse company."

"Not by choice, my Lord."

Voldemort laughed before he moved along to a new topic. "And what of the old fool himself? What has he been planning with the Order?"

"Nothing of consequence. They wasted their time on trivialities, instead of planning their own defence, let alone any sort of offence. They are a useless bunch of Gryffindor fools."

"What sort of trivialities, Severus?"

"A birthday party, for Potter."


Now here he was, back from both the meeting and Potter's coming of age celebrations. Severus was lying across his bed at Grimmauld Place, every muscle in his arms and legs aching, both from brewing and from kowtowing to his dark master. After all the testing of potions over the weekend, followed by the meeting, and then having to put up with a party designed solely to fawn over Severus' most loathed student, the Potion Master's body was finally starting to protest. He had come upstairs to remove his cloak and grab a few parchments with equations on them for his work in the lab. The door was still ajar and unwarded when Severus had decided to flop onto his bed for a few moments to collect his thoughts before returning to his potions.

'Just a few minutes of peace before I go back to work...' Things had been a bit easier since he had come to Headquarters. Hermione was capable, and had slaved in the lab to pull her own weight with the medicinal potions. The potions master hadn't had to chug down the draughts to manage his workload. Yet, Severus found that today, he did not have his usual energy. Normally, even when exhausted, he would know what had to be done, and do it. Severus had drive. Where the flesh was unwilling, the mind was too busy, too ready to work until he literally crashed over his notes and grading. More often than not, he could be found asleep in the lab at four in the morning by Dumbledore.

Dumbledore, who completely took for granted that he could keep heaping role after role onto Snape. And Voldemort, who didn't care if his minions lived or died in his service, so long as he wasn't grossly inconvenienced.

It wasn't that he had had more roles designated to him over the last few weeks than he was used to; it was just that he needed a few days to get back on track. Snape was used to being a teacher, a Head of House, a spy for Dumbledore, a spy for Voldemort, a Death Eater, and a Potions Master. The only real addition was that he was an informal mentor at the moment to Granger. On the other hand, the amount of work she could do for him more than made up for him having to keep an eye on her and her work over the summer.

Snape was not a whiner. He believed in the British stiff upper lip, of brooding in silence, and of not dwelling on things he couldn't change. He was more than accustomed to exhaustion, and he probably brewed and imbibed more Invigoration Draught and Pepper-Up Potion than the rest of England combined. Thankfully, the potions did not have addictive properties, and by creating a slight variant of these potions decades before, Severus had refined each to last longer and be more potent than the standard dose.

Tonight, he was slipping. He had given nothing away to Dumbledore in the meeting (and there really was no immediate cause for alarm). But...usually around now he was at the school, tinkering in the lab, brewing, occasionally at meetings as his masters saw fit, but mainly keeping to himself. He missed the solitude. He missed Hogwarts, even. The quiet...the solitude...the lack of Weasleys...

Hell, he even missed having no reason to be targeted with a Striking Hex.

Severus threw his arm across his face and just let himself breathe deeply for a time. He wanted sleep so badly. Was it only this morning that he and Granger had squared off in the lab and each demanded that the other get some rest? Perhaps he should have taken more time instead of puttering in the lab.

Nothing moved in the bedroom but Severus' chest, rising with each deep inhalation of air, and lowering as it was expelled.

Brewing to finish, notes to rewrite, analysis to complete, Granger's library trips to organize, catalyst to find...

Even as he struggled to stay awake, his thoughts still spinning, Snape slipped into the arms of Morpheus and could do no more that day.


Hermione was currently far from Headquarters, and sleeping in the Room of Requirement with some friends from the DA. It didn't seem right to separate the current students and alumni into their houses, so after a quick word with Dumbledore, Harry had led his 'overnight guests' to the Room of Requirement, and wished for comfortable sleeping arrangements for a group of friends to use, after a night of talk and laughter. Aside from the residents of Grimmauld Place, Oliver Wood, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, the Weasley twins, Terry Boot, Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell, and Lee Jordan were all staying at Hogwarts for the night.

Neville was still grinning from all his dancing. For someone so clumsy in the lab, he was quite light on his feet. Neville loved to dance, and had clearly improved since the days when he stomped across poor Ginny's toes. Harry hadn't seen him so happy since the Yule Ball. There was just something with Neville and dancing! The younger Weasleys, twins included, had been busy that evening pranking other party guests, and George was still laughing at the expression on Oliver Wood's face when he had returned to his natural form after eating a Canary Cream. No one had told him about the Wizard Wheezes that were so wildly popular amongst the current student body.

Luna appeared to have taken quite a shine to Kingsley Shacklebolt during the party. Kingsley, having read the infamous Stubby Boardman article in The Quibbler back in Harry's fifth year found himself amused by Luna's anecdotes and pleased with her company. They were on their way to being fast friends. Luna had recounted parts of their conversation to Ginny and Hermione, who could only look at each other and try to reign in their laughter while expressing their opinions on the admirable Mister Shacklebolt.

Harry had shown his genealogy study to his friends, and they had spent a lot of time within the Room of Requirement talking about how much work the staff had put into it, and listening to Harry talk about his day with Dumbledore.

Some of the guests were rather shocked that Dumbledore had spent so much time with a student, even if they had always thought of Harry as a favourite. Hermione, realizing how odd it must sound to those outside of the Order, whom she may not have already spoken to earlier, smoothed things over by explaining that Dumbledore was Harry's guardian, so naturally, they would spend time together outside of school. Trusting Gryffindors that the majority of the group were, they all seemed to accept the information at face-value.

The night progressed with jokes and conversation. The company had shared some details of what they had been doing all summer, and for those who had graduated and started careers, there was plenty of news to share.

Ron made Harry blush furiously by pointing out that this was Harry's first real 'sleep over', as he had never had friends over to visit at his aunt's house.

"Well, unless you count when Hagrid crashed into our hut on the Isle of Wight." Following laughter form Ron, Hermione and Ginny, who knew the story, Harry had explained to his other friends that his aunt and uncle had him hopping all over Britain in order to avoid his Hogwarts letters, until the half-giant arrived and personally hand delivered a copy to Harry, rather like a court order being served.

"Muggles are so weird," Alicia had commented.

"Oh it's not Muggles, it's just my aunt and uncle!" replied Harry, leading to another round of laughter.

"I can't understand why they wouldn't want you to go to a great school, and get trained as a wizard," Katie asked.

"You've got me; they've always been like that."

Hermione smirked as she interjected, "Isn't it obvious? Your aunt is a Muggle, and had a talented witch as a sister. She was jealous Harry! She is jealous!"

"She hates magic, she couldn't be jealous."

"She hates being excluded; she hates not having what you and her sister had. It's really quite apparent."

"You know, I get what Hermione is saying, Harry. When you grow up and have really successful siblings, it's easy to feel left out," Ron added quietly.

Suddenly, a pink smoke cloud rose above the group. As it ascended toward the ceiling, it turned into water balloons, which began dropping on the gathering.

"Ahhhhhhh!" Ginny and Alicia cried as they were pelted with cold water.

"Sorry gang, but this was getting way too serious for a birthday party!" George added, laughing as his wand swished, and directed the smoke and balloons.

Harry and Ron dived at the mischievous twins, and began to wrestle with them, as their friends looked on. Lee laughed and joined the fray, which caused Oliver to jump in to help Ron and Harry, and before long, the entire group was involved in a wrestling-tickling tussle on the floor of the Room of Requirement, as shrieks of laughter echoed off of the walls.


Remus joined the students in the Great Hall for brunch the following day, along with several other suitable chaperons who were escorting the party-goers home. He had personally been assigned to return the Trio back to Headquarters immediately following the meal.

Once Ron finally crammed enough bacon in his stomach to qualify as an entire pig, the group had ascended the staircase leading to the Headmaster's office in order to Floo in private. Hermione was the first to throw the powder into the fireplace and return to Grimmauld Place, but she was joined quickly by the others. The boys were still laughing and chatting about the previous evening. Hermione quickly excused herself to go back to her research. Remus led the way to the library, and then asked Ron to give him a few minutes alone with Harry.

As the door closed, Remus turned back to face Harry and invited him to take a seat on the sofa. The buffet table just to Harry's right was overflowing with his gifts from the day before, which had been transported by an intrepid Order member earlier that day. Remus reached over and collected the ring he had given to Harry, placing it in his hands.

"I didn't have a chance at the party, but I wanted to tell you about this ring."

"I thought there may be a story involved, with the way you talked yesterday," Harry answered, a small smile on his lips.

"It's rather interesting that this ring was in my possession at all. Your father used to wear this ring all the time when we were young. His godfather, Bartholomew, had given it to him when he came to Hogwarts. I remember that your grandmother was a trifle overprotective of your father, and she worried about sending him away to school. Knowing how impossible she could be, Bart had this ring made for James." A sad smile was on Lupin's face as he recalled long-gone days.

"When he used to come home on holidays, your grandmother would look James over and wonder at the fact that he came back in one piece, with all the trouble we used to get into, and mind you, your grandparents got as many owls sent to them from the school regarding our antics as other entire houses would receive. He'd get back at the holidays and could always get her to stop fussing by reminding her that he had his ring with him all the time."

"So it kept him safe?"

"In part. The ring is enchanted with some strong protective spells. Bart was Head of the Aurors' Office, you know. He was a great man, and a powerful wizard."

"Then what else kept him so safe if not the ring?"

"He still had the Marauders to watch over him...and Lily to lecture him, of course!"

Harry smiled to think of the women in his family keeping James in line. It sounded a bit like Hermione and Mrs. Weasley, actually.

"Oddly enough, James lost the ring sometime after school. I don't know how or where, but Sirius found it, and was going to give it back to James. Things... happened, and he never had the chance."

Because of Voldemort. Neither man said it, but the accusation floated about them regardless.

"How did you get the ring?"

"Do you remember after your fourth year, all that cleaning that Molly had done before your arrival?"

"And after! The boggart, the pixies..."

Remus chuckled. "Yes, well, it was quite a mess when we got here. Molly gave me some items to look over for curses, to make sure that they were safe. I didn't get around to everything that summer, and later, after Sirius died..." Remus' voice trailed off, and he stared at his hands for a few moments until he regained his composure. "I couldn't bear to look at his things. It was like burying James and Lily all over again. Last year, I finally got my act together, and gathered what I had in my possession. I saw the ring, and I remembered it on your father's hand. He always wore it. I'm sure it's in the pictures you have of him, if you look. It just seemed...appropriate, to give it to you today, when the protection from your mother wore off. I know that if they could, they would always have looked after you, they would have wished for you to be safe. If the ring helps you at all, it's what James would have wanted most."

Harry was stunned. In spite of the fact that a huge part of him hurt, just knowing that the last traces of his mother and her magic were gone, it was also heart-warming to know that his parents touched his life still, long after their deaths.

"My first year at Hogwarts, after the fiasco with the Mirror of Erised, I met with the Headmaster and told him that Voldemort hadn't been able to touch me." Remus' face flinched at the mention of the dark wizard before Harry continued, "I saw them there in the Mirror, and all I wanted was to be with them. Later, when I was in the Forbidden Forest, with Dementors everywhere, my Patronus was a stag, for my father. Dumbledore told me two things, and I think of them every time I'm in danger: the first was that love leaves its own mark, as when we have been loved deeply, we'll have a protection forever; and the second was that the dead that we have loved never truly leave us, because we find them in ourselves."

Remus reached over and grasped Harry's shoulder. "Both are true. You went to the Ministry, and Voldemort tried to possess you but couldn't bear it. Whether or not you are under Lily's enchantment, or wearing James' ring is irrelevant, when you remember that your mother and your father live in you."

Remus took the ring from Harry's palm and slid it onto his finger, where it belonged. A perfect fit.


Author's Notes:

Hello everyone! I'm finding my way into connecting my broken up chapters into something resembling a more fluid plot. A lot of this due to my great beta, wellyuthink, who gives such terrific feedback. Even if she DOES think that the short form of Bartholomew should be 'Bert' instead of 'Bart' (you weirdo!)

I'm excited with this chapter and a few of the next ones that are starting to form now, because they're leading into the plot's purpose. You'll see more SS/HG interaction in the future as well.

To my reviewers, thank you so much for your comments. It's nice to get feedback on which plot points and interactions you thought were good and realistic, and it's great to even get suggestions that help me clean things up more in the story. So thank you very much, and please, go ahead and review!

Lastly, from my favourite part of this chapter, the scene with Lupin and Harry in the library: the two things that Harry mention to Remus that Dumbledore told him are (summarized) from HP1 pg, 216, and HP3 pg 312, both Canadian soft-cover editions.

I know this is a shorter chapter, but breaking off where I did felt natural. Thanks for reading!