Chapter 23

AN: Ta da I'm back. I can't believe it has been over two years since I last updated. I am so sorry about that, my life was manic. I got a new Job, worked more hours and I had a thousand other things going on. I guess in all that I lost track of time. But hopefully I'm back now. I don't know how regular I will be updating. On the subject of this fic I just wanted to say a big thank you to all of you that have reviewed, favourited and liked the past 2 years. It really does mean a lot. I hope that those of you that are left will accept my apologise for the massive gap. Now let's see if I remember how to do this.

By the time Dumbledore and Snape remerged from the room, the ball was in full swing. The soft elegant music had been replaced with rock music. The elegant dancers were now jumping up and down screaming and laughing. If Snape where in a different place he would of enjoyed seeing such happiness in one place, not that he would ever show it though. However he was in a horrible position. Kill a student or potential get killed. He didn't know what to do but then he remembered what Madame Maxime had offered him. He half smiled to himself looked round the room slowly walking towards her, keeping an eye out for Dumbledore. If he was going to do this he had to be careful and cunning. Luckily those two things he had become an adept at over the years.

Once he was sure Dumbledore was distracted Snape made his move. He slipped in next to Madame Maxim who was talking to Hagrid.

"Excuse me Madame Maxime my I talk to you in private for a moment?" Snape asked making sure his tone subtle showed how important it was that he talked to her.

Maxime got the hint "Of course Professor. Excuse me a moment Hagrid" she said politely. The half giant nodded and smiled as Maxime left him, followed by Snape. Once they were out of the hustle and noise of the Main hall and in a quiet classroom, Snape finally broke the silence "I was wondering if your offer was still available, if so I would like to take you up on it." He said this was a massive decision and a huge risk, on both Snape and Harry's part. However it was the best option he had.

Maxime nodded "Of course it is still open. I will fill out the paper work tomorrow" She said kindly. However she knew something drastic must have happened for Snape to make such a decision. Her curiosity peaked she asked her question "What promoted such a change of mind are you ok?" she asked

Snape sighed he should have guessed that was coming "I was asked to do something I could not do. Something that was unthinkable and wrong. I may be many things but I'm not as heatless as I seem." He said solemnly.

Maxime wished she could say she was surprised by that, but after seeing what she had seen so far, she could see something really bad. She wondered if she could get more out of Snape "Let me guess a certain headmaster wanted you to do something, to a certain Beauxbatons student." Maxime asked she feared the answer but she had to know, how much danger her students were in. At first Snape didn't say anything he just nodded. Hermione was a good kid, she didn't deserve anything that had happened to her.

After a few minutes he took a deep breath and decided to tell Maxime exactly what and happened, he would be betraying Dumbledore, but Snape saw for the first time in a while; that such a man did not deserve his loyalty.

"Dumbledore wanted me to appear as if I was helping Miss Granger ad make a potion for her, but alter it so it lasted half the time and paralyzed her. A tragic accident" he said shaking his head "He wanted me to kill a girl and why? Because she wouldn't be his pet or follow his orders." He added a small tear rolling down his face. Maxime handed him a hanky chief. He accepted it "And what worse I was actually considering it." He said finally pain his voice.

Maxime sighed and shook her head. How di Snape, a good man end up working for such a horrible one "It does not matter now. What matters is you have the bravery to stand up to him and do the right thing. We will deal with Dumbledore in time." She said simply.

Snape was startled "How could you say that. I just told you he wants me to kill one of students and you want to let him be." He said shock and anger in his voice.

Maxime raised her hand "You misunderstand me. I want to catch him red handed. I want to build a case against him so strong that he cannot crawl out of it. For that to work we need time, to build it. So I want you to do me a favour. If that is ok?" she said

"Of course what is it?" Snape asked seeing what Maxime was getting out.

"I want you to carry on as usual. To help Hermione with the potion but make it work perfectly. Act like you are on board with Dumbledore. Then when it fails make sure you have something on you to record what happens. That will be a start. Can you do that for me?" she asked

Snape could see what Maxime was getting at. When Dumbledore found out Snape disobeyed him he would be furious. Dumbledore was already teetering on the edge, having failed to deal with Hermione. Then having Snape turn on him, he might actually finally crack. Sure Snape would be in danger but nowhere near as much as he would be in, if he were alone. After all Snape was very good at playing the ally to the enemy. It almost seemed to sweet, using the skills he had learned from Dumbledore on Dumbledore He was safe now, protected by French law and Beauxbatons. All he had to do was play along. A piece of cake for him. He looked at Maxime and nodded "Than let's get on with it" he said his tone not so dark.

Maxime smiled "In that case. Professor Snape, would you accompany me back to the ball." She said offering her hand.

"Of course headmistress" Snape said offering his arm. For the first time in a while Snape could see the light at the end of the tunnel. He had gained a whole knew appreciation for the headmistress of Beauxbatons. He could see she was a cunning and smart woman, who would protect her students no matter the cost. That was something Snape could appreciate and he too would protect his new students, the students of Beauxbatons. But most importantly he would protect Miss Granger and by extension protect harry by removing Dumbledore and freeing harry from his control.

AN: there we are the first chapter in two years done. I hope you enjoyed it. As always I would love to hear from you all to see what you thought of it. I'm a little rusty after so long. So I hope it wasn't to bad.