The backlash of Hermione's words was palpable. The three professors reeled at the knowledge. Severus could see it on their faces how painfully difficult it was for them wrap their minds around what was their truth now and rid themselves of the truth they came into his house with.

Severus began to shrink inside of himself. Any confidence he had wavered, and he slouched against the wall. He was exposed in a way he had never been before with a room full of people staring at him.

"Severus..." Slughorn's voice was raspy, and his gooseberry colored eyes found the black.

Snape kept his face even, but his stomach was turning. Slughorn was a good man who prided himself on the achievement of his students, and Severus had been one of his best. His apparent betrayal of someone else Slughorn admired so, Dumbledore, had been crushing.

"Horace," Snape said curtly and was unsure what to say otherwise.

Ponoma spoke next, "You... How? Why?"

"How and why what?" He drawled, feigning boredom.

Flitwick said, "How did you manage all this? Why are you doing this?"

Snape shrugged and said coolly, "I've never been good at friendships, so keeping things to myself was quite easy for much of my life. When it came down to this final stretch, I couldn't go it alone anymore. Unfortunately, I am human."

"Why are you doing this? Spying? What's in it for you?" The Ravenclaw asked.

"Much," Severus said plainly.

"Such as?"

"My reasons are my own, Filius," Snape snapped.

Sprout said, "Oh, no, Severus, you can't do that. You can't expect us to just have these secrets unloaded on us and tell us nothing."

Snape bristled, "You know enough."

"We were friends," She pleaded.

Hermione cut him off before he could say something nasty about the past tense verbiage, "He has a debt he wants to repay. Plus, he isn't exactly keen on the idea of having a magical Hitler in control of the world." Oh, thanks, Hermione.

The witch furrowed her brow, "A debt?"

Hermione's eyes went wide as she realized she had said far too much. She glanced nervously at Severus.

I'm so sorry. I just wanted them to be kind to you. To understand...

Severus made no physical or mental acknowledgment of her apology.

Slughorn whispered, "Lily..." Snape's eyes sparked. Of course he knows. The Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff's faces changed from confusion to understanding as they processed the information.

They became somewhat bashful and backed away from Severus. Severus' jaw was set in rage, "Now that we have that out of the way... Any other prying personal inquiries?"

"Why would Dumbledore ask you to kill him?" Slughorn was wide eyed as he spoke.

Snape ground his teeth together and snapped his eyes toward Hermione, "Well, go on then, Miss Granger. You've been so forthcoming thus far," His voice was flat, but his eyes were flaming in rage. Go ahead.

"Dumbledore was working with a cursed magical object, and the curse transferred to his hand. Professor Snape was able to contain the curse to his hand for the time being, but it only gave him about a year. Draco Malfoy was commanded to assassinate Dumbledore by You-Know-Who, and Dumbledore didn't want to do that damage to Draco's soul, so he demanded that Professor Snape do it instead. You-Know-Who already expected him to do it should Draco fail anyway," She shifted back and forth on her feet and crossed her arms.

Slughorn nodded in understanding. Sprout spoke with shock on her face, "And he didn't care about your soul, Severus?"

Snape shrugged, "Never did."

Flitwick narrowed his eyes, "Snape, why did you pick Miss Granger to be your Secret Keeper?"

"Because I am friends with Harry, and the communication between us would be mutually beneficial," Hermione said.

It does not feel mutually beneficial at present.

Flitwick rubbed his forehead, "Merlin..."

The room was silent for a long moment. The air was thick with tension and uncertainty.

"We can trust you?" Ponoma questioned weakly.

"It would seem so," Snape said coolly.

"I'm so sorry, Severus," Flitwick said quietly.

"This is the path I chose many years ago. It has ended up quite a deal worse than I anticipated, I'll admit, but it was a choice I made," Severus said evenly.

Ponoma wiped a tear from her eye, "I'm glad you're still with us, Severus."

Slughorn sat in shock and Severus spoke directly to him, "Horace... I am sure this has been exceedingly painful for you, as my former House Head, but I hope that, in time, you can forgive what I have done. I hope for that with all of you," Severus was nervous now, and clenched his jaw.

"We will," Ponoma assured him, and Filius and Horace nodded in agreement.

"You are to be the new headmaster?" Slughorn asked.

"Indeed," He said, "I worry about all of your safety. As of yet, the Dark Lord has absolutely no reason to suspect me, but you must stay vigilant with your minds. The Carrow siblings are to serve under me as professors."

Slughorn winced. All of the professors in front of Severus were more than capable of defending themselves mentally and physicallly, but it was a great risk to bring anyone into this.

"We are with you, Severus," Horace said softly, "All of us. Until the end."

That rocked Severus to the core. He nodded and swallowed hard.

"This cannot change the appearance of our relationship with Severus at Hogwarts. We cannot meet with him privately. We cannot be friendly toward him. We cannot let on to anyone ever that we are still working together," Minerva said firmly.

The professors nodded, and Severus spoke, "I am sure it will be most difficult for you to act as if you hate me." Unfortunately.

"It will be," Ponoma said sadly, "My heart breaks for you."

Severus' hands trembled and he tightened his crossed arms across his chest.

Slughorn and Flitwick stared at him, and Sprout looked at the floor.

"Miss Granger will provide us with the necessary information. All the rest...Well, we must trust Severus," Minerva said.

"What of the students, Severus? Will they be protected?"

"As much as I possibly can. The Dark Lord despises the unnecessary spilling of magical blood. It is my intention to limit it as much as I can."

They nodded. The room was quiet again.

Severus opened his mouth, hesitated, and then spoke, "I am sorry. To all of you," His voice cracked.

Filius spoke, "You walk a dangerous line, Severus. That line requires many unsavory acts. Together, we must get you through this war so you can finally live in peace."

Horace said, "Hear, hear, my dear boy." Dear boy...

Ponoma's smile was sad, "We are with you."

I am not alone. I am not alone.