Were it not for the serious matter they had gathered to discuss, the gathering in the Heads' Common Room might have been a light-hearted evening spent amongst friends. After they had all made their way into the room, James lit the fire in the hearth, while Lily passed out the pumpkin juice that Peter had brought. James thought it a telling sign of the seriousness of the situation that Lily did not object to smuggled drinks and snacks from the kitchens being brought into the Head's Common Room.

James and Lily returned to the spots where their conversation had begun, the small sofa, and surveyed the friendly, although somewhat anxious or anticipatory, faces around them. Alice and Frank sat together in one of the large armchairs by the fire place; Aidan sat in the other, while Sirius, Remus, and Peter sat together on the larger of the two sofas. Lily began by recounting, for the second time that night, everything she had witnessed over the summer. She did not go into her suspicions, as she wanted to hear the unbiased views and immediate reactions and instincts of those around her. She did all this mainly for the benefit of the marauders, as Alice, Frank, Aidan, and most recently James, had all heard the story. Not surprisingly, Sirius was the first to speak.

"Well, I agree with what I am assuming is your unspoken assumption, Evans, Snape is clearly up to something, but what? And more importantly is it for his own means or for Voldemort's?"

"I wish we knew the significance of who he's targeting," Aidan said slowly. "I mean obviously Crouch is significant because of his father, but that would seem to be a reason for not targeting him. And as for MacNair, well I don't know a lot about him, other than that he's damn good at Care of Magical Creatures, but he just seems a completely random choice."

"I agree," Frank said. "Those two choices would almost seem to point to something innocuous. I don't think it is anything innocuous, I'm just saying that that's what would seemingly make the most sense, at least with MacNair."

"How so," James asked eagerly, leaning forward in interest.

"Well," Frank began, "as Aidan pointed out MacNair is good at Care of Magical Creatures. I don't take the subject myself, but I would assume that there would be some overlap with both Herbology and Potions," he said, glancing at Remus for confirmation.

"There is," Remus said with a nod and then elaborated, saying, "And even if he didn't have as much acumen in those subjects as with Care of Magical Creatures, he would need access to both plants and various potions in order to treat the animals and stuff like that."

"So, assumedly, any association between MacNair and Snape could be explained as academic." Everyone seemed to consider this for a moment, before Alice spoke up.

"But Snape approached MacNair, not the other way around."

"I suppose MacNair could have contacted Snape by owl, asked him to meet him in Diagon Alley, and Snape was merely approaching him once he arrived," Sirius said reasonably although he looked like he disliked the idea of giving Snape any sort of benefit of the doubt.

"I don't think Severus would agree to meet with him," Lily said. She had intended to keep quiet, but she recognized that as the person closest to Snape she had the most insight into his personality. "As far as I know he doesn't know MacNair, and Severus isn't the type to just go out of his way to help someone he isn't close with."

"Agreed," Peter said. "He's not exactly the warm and fuzzy type."

"More cold and greasy," Sirius said, before returning to the topic at hand. "If it's alright by all of you, I'd like to move the discussion to Crouch for a moment. I think, as we've all touched on, we just simply do not know a lot about MacNair. I'm not saying we're encyclopedias on Crouch, but I feel like we might make more headway on possible reasons for Snape to be targeting him. Does anyone have any ideas on why Snape is just creeping on Crouch and not approaching him?"

"It's like everyone has said," Peter began. "He's too well connected. Snape hangs around with people who have to at least be suspected by the Ministry of having Death Eater connections, surely he can't want to be drawing the attention of the Minister of Magical Law Enforcement, even if it is through contact with his son."

"Exactly," Aidan said. "I think that's what bothers me the most. Why bother with Crouch Jr. at all? It seems like it could only cause problems."

"Unless," Alice spoke slowly, still forming the idea that had just occurred to her, "he isn't planning on approaching him, his purpose is just what we've observed: reconnaissance."

"Why watch the son?" Remus questioned, "Why not watch the father?"

"Daddy Crouch probably has security," Sirius reasoned fairly.

"But what valuable information could he get by just watching the son?" Remus countered.

"Maybe it isn't information on the father he's looking for," James spoke up. "Maybe he's watching the son to learn about the son. I overheard mum and dad talking one day over the summer, apparently there has been an uptick in the use of the Imperious Curse, seems to me Voldemort would love to have an Imperious victim within the house of Minister of Magical Law Enforcement."

All eight students surveyed each other for a moment, all aware of the magnitude of what they were discussing, and frustratingly aware that the most they could do right now was hypothesize. They simply did not have enough information to successfully answer their many questions. When the alarm Lily had set, to alert them at ten minutes till curfew, sounded each of the students pulled themselves out of their thoughts and said their goodbyes. No one needed to be reminded about the need for discretion, and no one needed to be asked to keep their eyes peeled and their ears open, both messages were unspoken, yet heard and taken to heart by all present.

Seven Gryffindors and one Hufflepuff, the Head Boy and the Head Girl surrounded each by the three people they most trusted in this world, and because of that an alliance was formed. They did not know what was going on or what was going to happen, but in that moment they knew they could rely on each other.

"Alice, we need to talk," Frank said as he and Alice made their way back into the Gryffindor common room.

"I know," Alice said and she motioned for Frank to join her by the window in the by now almost deserted common room.

"I'm sorry," both Alice and Frank said at the same time, causing both of them to smile. Alice nodded for Frank to go first and so after taking her hand in his he said, "I love you, Alice. And it terrifies me to think that you might be in danger, but it became apparent when we were all gathered at Lily and James' room that pretty soon this war's going to touch us all, it's going to be fought by everyone, not just aurors. As much as I want to keep you safe, I know that that's not always going to be possible. You're a damn good witch, Alice, and you'd make a damn good auror, so if that's what you want to do then I support you."

Alice kissed him lightly on the lips before responding, "Thank you, Frank. I know you want to protect me, and I feel the same way too, but I know that whatever is coming I'd rather face it with you, than apart from you. I know I should have consulted with you about my sudden change in career plans, and not just foisted them on you without any warning, but I promise you it is something I've considered carefully. I would never do anything to jeopardize our future, Frank. Because that's what it is: our future. I'm not interested in any road that leads to a future without you."

Relieved to have what might possibly have been the most serious fight the couple had ever had behind them, they sat for a long time with their heads together, kissing, whispering in each other's ears, and at other times just sitting together enjoying being together once more.

The NEWT level Defense Against the Dark Arts class met for a double period every Tuesday and Thursday, first thing in the morning. And so as the second day of classes dawned, those select Seventh Years made their way into the classroom and prepared themselves for their seventh new DADA professor. It was a large class, possibly the largest of any of the NEWT level classes, which was surprising given the upheaval over the years due to the constant change in faculty. All nine of the seventh year Gryffindors had achieved the requisite score and were in the class. Aidan MacMillan, Dorcas Meadowes, Katie Finch and Donald Fletchley made up the Hufflepuff contingent in the class. The prefects, Terris Boot and Marlowe Fawcett, as well as Marnie Greengrass, Ludo Bagman, and Walden MacNair, represented Ravenclaw. And just as with the Gryffindors, all of the seventh year Slytherins: Snape, Rookwood, Wilkes, and Mulciber, Alodia Greengrass, Kira Selwyn, the elder sister of sixth year Slytherin prefect, Kennice, and the aptly named Obedience Pritchard, who seemed to make every decision in her life, including which classes to take, only after consulting her boyfriend, Augustus Rookwood. She did not know about Rookwood's true allegiance to Voldemort, or that he was still closely tied to Snape and the other young Death Eaters, she did not ask questions, she merely took him at his word that he wanted nothing to do with that crowd any longer, and therefore she had vocally declared she wanted nothing more to do with them either. Rookwood believed that she was perhaps one of the most convincing aspects of his cover story, being that everyone knew Obedience was a terrible liar, and everyone knew that Obedience always thought or felt how Augustus told her to think or feel.

Their professor, the newest in a long line of Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was Caradoc Dearborn. In his early thirties, he had turned his back on a promising career as an Auror to join the Order of the Phoenix and make his own way, away from what he viewed as the corruption of the Ministry. When Dumbledore had been unable to find anyone willing to take on the supposedly cursed position, he had volunteered, and now as he faced his first NEWT level class, he couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation.

"Welcome, my name is Professor Dearborn, and as I'm sure you are aware this is the second year NEWT level Defense Against the Dark Arts class. I notice that most of you have your books with you today, in the future, unless I indicate otherwise, those won't be necessary. You have, I know, a multitude of books that you are forced to lug around with you between classes, so not that one less book will make a huge difference, but at least I can sleep with a clear conscience knowing I did all I could to alleviate future back problems." There was a quiet murmur of appreciation, and several people giggled quietly at the small joke, to which Dearborn smiled appreciatively.

"However, let me make myself perfectly clear, just because I don't want you bringing your books to class, does not mean I don't expect you to read them. On the contrary, this class will have assigned readings that I expect you to have read, and taken careful notes on, before you come to class each day. At the beginning of class, I will answer any questions you might have, and then we will begin to practice. Theory is important, but the practical, particularly in times like the ones we are currently facing is imperative. I will teach you what you need to know to pass your NEWTS, but my overall goal in this class is to teach you what you need to know in order to survive. Tests are important, but living is even more important, you're NEWT score won't matter at all if you're not alive to do anything with it. So, are there any questions?"

No one spoke. James and Sirius were gazing at Dearborn with the respect they usually reserved only for Dumbledore and McGonagall. Peter was looked at Dearborn as if he found him to be one of the most awe inspiring people he had ever met, and Remus' hand was twitching towards his wand as if he could not wait to get started.

For her part, Lily was impressed with this new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, and shared Remus' excitement to get started. Her excitement was dampened however when Alice, who was sitting beside her, elbowed her slightly and nodded toward the large Slytherin contingent in the room. In spite of the fact that students from both Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were separating the large group of Gryffindors from the large group of Slytherins, Lily had no difficulty observing what Alice was directing her attention to. The Slytherins were going out of their way to appear bored. Kira Selwyn was reading Witch Weekly, occasionally passing it to Alodia Greengrass beside her to point out an interesting article or picture. Severus was reclining in his chair, curtain like hair drawn around his face so that it was impossible to tell whether he was paying attention or not. Wilkes, who was sitting next to Snape, yawned pointedly every few moments, whereas Mulciber, who was sitting by himself in the row immediately behind Snape and Wilkes, tended to sigh exaggeratedly every time Professor Dearborn, hesitated or paused.

Of the Slytherins, only Rookwood seemed to be paying attention, as he had kept his eyes glued on Professor Dearborn the entire time. Lily supposed that Obedience was also attempting to show she was paying attention, but as her eyes remained on Rookwood, Lily couldn't be quite sure.

After pausing a moment to give people a chance to ask questions Professor Dearborn broke them up into groups to review what they had learned last year, and allow him to move about the room and observe what areas might still need attention, and what areas the students clearly understood. With a swish of his wand their desks had disappeared leaving the students plenty of room to practice.

"Please use non-verbal spells as much as you can," Dearborn said before they began to work, "that way I can gauge how well you are all doing with them as well."

And so in groups of two or three they set to work. James and Peter were partners, James adeptly realizing that Peter probably could use with a bit of practice and Sirius would be likely to take the time to beat up on Peter instead. James knew he would get no such luck with Remus, whose skills at Defense Against the Dark Arts equaled James' own.

Daphne and Mary took turns silently jinxing each other while attempting to ward off the other person's curses. About 80% of the time they succeeded in blocking the unfriendly spell, but when one did get through both girls hurriedly apologize, sorry for inflicting any sort of harm, intentional or otherwise, for even a temporary amount of time.

Lily, Alice, and Frank had a good time in their group even though it was decidedly more difficult for them to keep from being jinxed or hexed as they had to defend themselves against two other people instead of just one.

By the time the class ended they had all managed to land several good jinxes on each other, as well as manage to silently repel even more. They were all in fairly good spirits as they made their way into the Entrance Hall, where Peter and Mary took their leave from the group and made their way to Muggle Studies, and Daphne, having not slept hardly at all the previous night, made her way back up to Gryffindor tower for a quick nap. She had been in the common room when Alice, Frank, Sirius, Remus, and Peter had all returned last night, and it had been fairly obvious they'd all spent the evening with Lily and James. The thought of Lily and James doing anything, even something as innocuous as hosting a joint gathering for their friends, was painful, and it had kept her up all night fretting. She had no desire to sit and watch them socialize together for the next hour or so until lunch.

The rest of them made their way outside to enjoy the nice weather during their break. Settling on their favorite spot by the lake, Lily and Alice reclined in the shade of the tree, while Frank, James, Remus, and Sirius sat by the lake and used their wands to cause stones to race across the lake.

"So, Dearborn seems like he's going to be good, yeah?" Frank said as he maneuvered his rock attempting to bypass Remus'.

"Seems like we finally have one who knows what they're doing," Remus concurred whilst urging his rock on.

"I was about ready to slap some Slytherins," Alice said waspishly.

"They were being downright rude," Lily said in agreement.

"Yes," said James with a big, exaggerated sigh.

"Putting me to sleep," Remus said, also mimicking the Slytherins with an overt yawn.

"Well, I think you're all being rather hard on them," said Sirius said with mock solemnity. "I mean look at it from their perspective. Why should they care about Defense Against the Dark Arts? They are the Dark Arts."

"Well that's just it though, isn't it," Frank said nodding in agreement. "Today in class was all about sending an unmistakable 'fuck you' to Dumbledore, Dearborn, and everyone else on our side. They want everyone to know that they don't care about learning to defend themselves because they're going to be the ones doing the attacking."

"It worries me that they are being that bold," Lily said after a moment. "It's almost as if they don't have to worry with subtlety anymore because they think pretty soon they won't need to hide at all, they'll be able to be out in the open."

Late Wednesday night, long after curfew, Snape made his way to the designated location where he had told MacNair to meet him. He was dressed, not in his school robes, but in robes of all black, which at this late hour made him appear as if he were almost part of the shadows. He moved quickly and quietly, ears peeled for any sound of Filch or Mrs. Norris, but he did not expect any. He had managed, quite cleverly in his own opinion, to replace Filch's Gilly Water with one laced with a powerful sleeping draught. The caretaker would by now be resting quite deeply throughout the night, and as for the cat, well it wasn't as if she could do any harm without her master.

He stepped around the corner and found MacNair waiting for him, as he had instructed. MacNair did not look as though he was particularly enthusiastic about the meeting. For the remainder of summer his contact and senior Death Eater had been Bellatrix. MacNair liked Bellatrix. She understood his love for pain, she had shared her talents, had opened his eyes to new methods of cruelty. After working with her it was hard to not feel a bit of let down as he now had to take orders from Severus, a student like him and in MacNair's opinion hardly anything special.

"You will reach out to the gamekeeper, the half giant, full oaf, Hagrid." Snape said in quiet, but firm, voice.

"Why is Hagrid important? And why me? I'm not exactly known for my people skills."

"It is imperative that Hagrid not be in Hogsmede on the day of the first Hogsmede weekend. He might not be very good at magic, but his being half giant gives some advantages; mainly his thick skin is resistant to curses. The Dark Lord would prefer to avoid any such complications. And as for why this assignment should be given to you," Snape said his eyes roving MacNair's face, giving the impression of an art dealer's unforgiving appraisal of piece. "Hagrid's great love is magical creatures, particularly the monstrous variety. You are an expert at pretending to care for such things. Work up a close friendship with him now so that when you ask him to stay with you and help you with a creature to be provided, neither he nor anyone else will ever be suspicious."

"Fine, I'll get to work on Hagrid. But I have one more question. What good is removing one barely functioning adult when Hogsmede will be brimming with teachers that weekend?"

Snape did not answer, but merely smiled his most condescending smile at MacNair, and although MacNair had no idea how, he knew at that moment that Hagrid would not be the only faculty member absent from Hogsmede on that weekend in October.

A/N: The next chapter should be up soon. I think it's one you all will enjoy (or at least be excited about) as it involves the Head Boy and Head Girl discussing their past issues with one another and dealing with some misunderstandings. XOXO Acciolove