"So how do you like your classes?" Severus asked Eliza about a week after the term began. They were having a late-night snack in the headmaster's office, and her schoolbooks were littering the table around them.
"No better than usual," she replied bitterly. "I wish I didn't have to keep up these stupid pretenses."
"It is irritating," he smirked, meaning that they had to keep their relationship secretive.
"And Professor Carrow makes you look tame," she huffed. "Five feet on the cruciatus curse. Before you know it he will have us using it."
"Don't doubt it," Severus told her seriously. They don't call the class Dark Arts now for nothing. The dark lord is training potential followers. He knows few good-hearted wizards have the strength to use dark curses."
"Well watch me," she sneered.
"Speaking of which," Severus sighed, "What have you decided to do?"
Eliza popped a pasty in her mouth and began chewing, "Img 'onna joing 'em" she said told him around a mouth full of sweets.
"Ok, first of all, that is very unladylike," Severus told her, wrinkling his nose. "And second of all, it sounded like you saidyou were going to join him."
Eliza took a sip of tea to stop from choking. After composing herself, she told him simply, "I did."
"Care to explain that further?" Severus questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm not really going to join him. I am just going to make him think I am," Eliza rolled her eyes.
"You think you can fool the dark lord?" Severus asked sternly.
"Well you do such a fine job, it seems possible," she retorted. "And yes, I can. But I need to go no earlier or later than November," she told him seriously. "Otherwise my plan may backfire."
"And your plan is?"
"Look, I still haven't worked out the fine details yet, but I need to warn you, someone is going to die," she told him seriously. "If you don't want to be around for that, I understand."
"I will probably have no choice, but who is it you plan on killing, just out of curiosity?" he asked confused.
"Whomever the dark lord asks me to."
Suddenly Severus understood completely. "That might actually work," he considered.
"Okay, yes, I'm brilliant, can you keep teaching me this rubbish now," she pointed to the pile of books. "Because you know, it's going to be so useful for me."
"Haven't I already taught you this before?" he teased her.
"Oh, you are a riot," she replied irritably.
"I can't help it you find me so distracting," he smirked.
Eliza playfully smacked his arm.
"Ow," he told her smiling, rubbing the sore spot. "Careful."
"Then stop pissing me off," she laughed, and then stiffened at the sound of fast approaching footsteps. "Someone is coming," she whispered.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door. The two shared a panicked look, and quickly separated, cleaning up the mess around them. Eliza was hastily shoving her books in her bag while Severus made his way to the desk. She was just about to reach the door when Severus called, "Enter."
The door swung open to reveal a very tired, and angry Minerva, who stormed into the office, "Don't let me interrupt," she said sarcastically. Eliza, upon seeing who it was, casually sat back down on the sofa.
"I'm sure you are not ignorant of the fact the slytherin students feel they have free reign over the school," Minerva said resentfully.
"Have you spoken to their head of house?" Severus replied, unmoved by her angry outburst.
"Indeed I have. He suggested I speak with the headmaster. Slughorn will not make a move without you backing him up; will you please tell him to discipline his students? We all know they will not take orders from anyone else but you Slytherins," she spat, giving Eliza an icy look. "Half my students are in the hospital wing!"
"Thank you for sharing your concern," Was the only reply Severus gave. Minerva knew she was going to get nowhere else with him. She stormed out of the office and slammed the door behind her.
"You know, she has a point," Eliza told him, walking over to him and hopping up on his desk.
"There is little I can do," he told her shrugging. We must all keep appearances."
"Well, it appears as though she still loathes me," Eliza sighed. "Did you see the way she looked at me? Everyone in the order believes me to be a traitor. Even Tonks will not reply to my owls."
"That's the life of a spy," he told her simply. "And don't forget, I'm a killer. In their eyes I am the worst kind of traitor. You chose to stay associated with me, and Minerva made sure to inform the order."
"Then I guess it's just us," she reached out for him to pull him a little closer. He kissed her wrist, and pulled her off the desk.
"Don't sit like that, its too tempting," he smirked.
"That was the point," she whispered in his ear.
...............................................................................................................................................
It was just before Halloween when Severus had his sleep disturbed by a pounding sound. He groaned, quickly dressed, and stumbled out of his bedroom and into his sitting room, where the pounding became louder. He walked over to the door and yanked it open.
"Yes!" he barked, to see a very startled Alecto, and an irritated Elizabeth, whom the former had grasped by the arm.
"Headmaster, I am so sorry to bother you at this time," she began.
"As you should be," he seethed. "What is it you could not handle yourself?"
"Normally I would give such a noble student from Salazar Slytherin's house a break," she emphasized to Eliza, who rolled her eyes. "But when I caught this young student out of doors, by the forbidden forest, she spoke- out of turn," she stated, somewhat unsure.
"What did she say?" Severus asked, intrigued.
Alecto stuttered, and did not want to repeat Eliza's words. "Well?" Severus said impatiently. Finally Eliza growled.
"I told her to leave me alone and go back to fucking her brother, I'm sure he's waiting for her," Eliza spat. Snape's eyes grew wide in surprise, and Alecto raised her hand wand to Elizabeth.
"That won't be necessary Professor Carrow," Severus told her, lowering her wand arm gently with his hand.
"It won't do any good, I already tried! This little Brat keeps blocking me!" Alecto said in a rage. "I expect something to be done about her!"
"Sure, sure, she will have detention with me," Severus brushed her away. "Thank you Professor, now if you don't mind, I have some choice words to say to Ms. Parker."
Aecto sauntered down the hallway, still fuming and muttering to herself. Severus waited for her to completely disappear before pulling Eliza into his rooms.
"Are you crazy!" he yelled at her. "What on earth were you trying to do?"
"I'm sorry," Eliza said exasperated. "But she was really pissing me off. She had it coming. Did you know that she used the cruciatus curse on three Gryffindors today?"
"I heard something about it," he sighed.
"Do you know why?" She seethed. He shook his head.
"Because a group of slytherins surrounded them in class and set fire to their essays, in front of her."
"So then why did she punish them?" Severus questioned.
"For not turning in their homework," Elizabeth spat. "This is getting out of hand."
"I am not saying I don't agree," Severus motioned for her to sit. "But what were you doing outside the castle?"
"I was thirsty," she said darkly. Severus stiffened.
"Look, usually I am completely fine, but once I've had a taste, it's harder for me. I sort of have to wean my way off again," she explained. "You don't have to worry, I won't harm anyone. I was just looking for something in the forest, like a deer or bear. Something non-magical, I know better," she assured him, when she saw his look of concern.
"So how did you do?" he asked, swallowing hard. He looked positively nauseated.
Eliza laughed. "I think it would be better for you not to ask. You look like you are going to be sick."
"Well, I'm really trying," he told her, still slightly green.
"And I appreciate that. This is not something that happens often, so try not to think about it," she smiled, shaking her head.
"But you said you were going to have to kill again," he pointed out.
"Its true, this year might prove to be a bit more difficult than I thought," she sighed. "But honestly, it won't be a problem."
Severus leaned in to kiss her, but then backed away at the last second, wrinkling his nose. "I want to kiss you- but," he couldn't say the words.
"I know, I know, I'm disgusting," she rolled her eyes. "I wasn't messy," she whined.
"Oh merlin, I don't even want to think about that," he gagged.
Eliza snorted and stood. "I think we both could use some sleep. I'll come see you tomorrow for my detention," she laughed.
They said their goodbyes and Eliza stole out of the door. She had made it about halfway down the corridor before she heard someone's wheezy breathing, coming from the end of the hallway. Eliza sighed, and braced herself as she made her way towards the noise.
.........................................................................................................................................
A/N: Hope you liked the chapter! Thanks again for your reviews, and I hope to update soon. Any Q's, feel free to PM me.