His raven hair blew about his face obscuring his view of the courtyard and forbidden forest below. It was mid August so the air was void of the idle noise that filled the castle when students were present. He enjoyed looking out from the astronomy tower, it gave him the best vantage point of what had been his true home for the past 24 years. This was his favorite time of year, as he was able to spend most of his days experimenting and pursuing interests for personal study free from the interference of dunderheads.

However, this summer had been interrupted by the actions of both light and dark. Severus found his perch atop the astronomy tower gave him the most clarity when he needed to gather himself, and this was gathering himself was becoming more pressing need. The role of double agent was an exhausting one. His occlumency shields were now always in place, he couldn't risk a slip up for either of his masters. But up here, in the unusually warm Scottish breeze above Hogwarts, the potions instructor could feel like he was his own master, if only for just a couple moments.

With the Dark Lord once again gaining followers, Severus had been called regularly to the extravagant Malfoy Manor over the past few months. After the initial apologies and excuses to his dark lord about his inability to join his brothers that night in the cemetery, Snape had been the subject of a fair number of cruciatus curses. He now found his hands to shake on occasion. His arm muscles began minor spasms as he held on to the tower's railing. He found he rather enjoyed the tremors as they were constant reminders of his plight, only adding to his conviction to see the downfall of the Dark Lord. Thankfully, the after effects had dulled so the tremors didn't typically impede his brewing schedule. And a tight brewing schedule it was. With the assumption that more healing potions would be needed as tensions rose, along with the general well-being concoctions that came along with the role of Potions Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Snape was feeling stretched thin. Classes hadn't even started yet he thought dejectedly. He knew he wasn't the only one to have been taking on additional roles this year.

A week ago he found himself sulking into the Grimmald Place waiting for the Order of the Phoenix meeting to begin. He decided it best to hideout in the Black Family Library where he could avoid the cheery countenance of the Weasley family and their numerous offspring. He held a lot of respect for the parents of the Weasley clan, yet he still felt uncomfortable by Mrs. Weasley's doting presence in the kitchen. She never failed to mention his slender "must be starving" build. He quickly turned the handle to the library as he heard the conspiring tones of the Weasley twins coming down the hall. In his hurry he hadn't noticed that the library was already occupied.

To his surprise he found Dumbledore and the Granger girl in what seemed to be the tail end of an important discussion, for when he entered they both went silent as if caught.

"Come in my boy, have a seat. Miss Granger and I were just finishing up."

The girl on the dusty and worn upholstered chair across from the elderly wizard appeared nervous as she tucked a golden chain into her robes.

"Erm, hello Professor." She looked up at the dark wizard before she continued.

"Thank you, Headmaster again for this. I will keep it under control." She stood and brushed the imagined dirt from her muggle jeans before she made a hasty escape, nodding to the pair of wizards as she closed the door behind her.

"What will Miss Granger be maintaining control of Albus? Her incessant hand raising or her unruly group of miscreant friends?"

"Now come now Severus, she is the brightest witch of her age. Why must you give her so little credit. In fact, her thirst for knowledge reminds me of another student of years ago."

The potions master shook his head, ignoring the reminder of his embarrassing youth. He grabbed a book from the nearest shelf of vast Black Family collection, that he was sure Sirius took for granted.

He found he couldn't focus on the printed words. He was curious what the headmaster would want with just one of the "Golden Trio". Although, Albus was correct she was one of the most promising students he had seen, her attachment to remaining pair of the trio was rather frustrating. But he couldn't let on to Albus that he actually approved of a Gryffindor. He recalled the moment he shared with Granger over a year ago.

She had the nerve to come to his office and after werewolf incident and… thank him. He was infuriated in the moment as the three had once again, escaped punishment for their breaking of rules. And even more for dragging him into the mess to save their asses. Yet one of them had the sense and decency to thank him. He was taken aback, and in his surprise he had almost let out a small smile as he said "You are welcome, Miss Granger."

She had then slipped from his office as quickly as she had entered but not before wishing him an enjoyable summer.

Severus couldn't help but feel touched by her gratitude. He had truly reacted purely out of instinct, jumping in front of the transformed Lupin to defend the students. It felt good for his actions to be acknowledged. It also felt foreign.

Now what would Dumbledore want with the witch just starting her fifth year?