Planning for a Better Future

Chapter One

Snape's Return

Hogwarts

Early Morning

There were no students around when Severus Snape entered the castle. The train had taken them home for the summer yesterday. He had meant to be here to see them off, however he had to finalize his affairs and arrange transport. It was hard to believe it had been less than two weeks ago the castle had been attacked and all of his plans changed.

He left his luggage in the entry and made his way to the great hall, where the remaining staff would be enjoying breakfast. He was greeted by Minerva and Poppy, as he sat in an empty seat. "Where is Horus? If I remember correctly, he generally spends the entire meal at the table, he does hate to miss any gossip." Severus asked.

"Oh, he quit right after the foreigners left." Said Minerva. "He said he had agreed to teach in a school, not fight a war."

"That one always was a bloody coward." Poppy added. "Professor Binns has decided to stay on indefinitely."

"Oh?" Severus asked.

"Oh, yes. He passed away one afternoon, and then he got up and went to finish teaching his lessons." Minerva said. "Are you here to stay or just for a visit?"

"I think I have returned. I may have to leave again at times, to keep an eye on the situation." He said with a sigh. "Albus kept his end f our bargain, so I must as well. I am a man of my word."

"Will things be alright unguarded?" Minerva asked with a glance at the others. She was the only one at the table who knew where Snape had been the last couple of years or why.

"Yes, there are other completely capable of taking care of it. I am also intending to pop in once in a while to ensure nothing has changed."

"Very well. Welcome home Severus." She said with a smile and other around the table all nodded and smiled as well.

Once, he would have doubted their sincerity. He still did in a way, but he wasn't bitter about it as he once was. He had grown and learned from his mistakes. It was enough to know that he was going to do whatever it took to keep everyone safe moving forward. Perhaps one day, if he tried had enough, he could ease some of the darkness he imprinted upon himself when he was younger.

Albus Dumbledore entered the hall then and nodded to Snape. He was glade to see the potions master had returned. For a while he had worried the younger man would stay away in the face of Dumbledore's weaknesses. He had made terrible mistakes in his time of mourning. He had allowed his grief to consume him and grew careless. It was now time to repair the damage.

He needed the others to regain their faith in him and his ability to lead should they stand any chance in preventing Voldemort's return. As it was Snape and possibly McGonagall had learned far too much from Elric, and worse, Snape believed Elric's version of events. It was a terrible blow to have nearly lost Snape's loyalty. Seeing the man here today gave him hope that perhaps it wasn't beyond repair after all.

After breakfast, Snape returned to his rooms. They had been left the same in his absence. His luggage had been moved into the room while he was at breakfast, and his desk had next semester's schedule on it as well as the student list. Snape sighed heavily. He enjoyed teaching, and his time with the students. He did not enjoy his roll as a double agent.

He did not enjoy having to interact with Lucius Malfoy and pretend they were friends after everything that had happened. He certainly did not enjoy that he would have to interact with Dumbledore and convince the man that Snape still had any faith in him whatsoever. Had it not been for his time abroad. Had it not been for Elric explaining Dumbledore's intent, who knew how long it would have taken for Snape to see through the mask of lies?

He was certain that was what bothered him the most, and a large part of him wished he could just wash his hands of the whole affair and take up a post at the Xerxes Academy instead. Perhaps one day, if the child attended the Academy instead of Hogwarts he would, but until then, he needed to keep up appearances.

He unpacked, and looked over his class list, before heading up to the rest of the castle. Everyone was still a bit shaken from the attack a few days ago, and on edge. Who knew how the parents were going to react once the children told them about what had transpired? Snape knew that both Roy and Ed had been annoyed with Dumbledore's refusal to send the children away when the threat was made. He was annoyed himself, as were the other Heads of House.

He was still musing when he met McGonagall in the hallway. She seemed to be waiting for him and smiled as he approached. "No one is around to overhear us at the moment. I thought I would ask after the child. I'm sure you've seen him recently."

"I have, He's well." Snape said, unable as usual to say much beyond what would be easily discovered by picking up a local paper. She nodded, well aware that he had taken a vow. She had guessed it shortly after it had been done and couldn't find herself angered by it since it did help to keep the boy safe. After all, Snape could not be compelled to say anything about him this way, even if their enemies were to torture him.

"Dumbledore suggested a visit once you are settled in. He said it wasn't urgent." She added. "Your time abroad suited you, you seemed more relaxed than usual."

"I believe I shall miss it." Snape said with a nod. "Though it is entirely possible I may at some point plan to spend a holiday there."

"I can see no harm in such a plan. We should have tea this afternoon. In my office. I would like a chance to catch up with you."

Snape agreed, before excusing himself and making his way up to Dumbledore's office. The man was waiting for him at his desk, and smiled when Snape entered, gesturing for Snape to sit. "I know I have a lot to make up for, the last couple of years I have truly failed in my duties as the leader of the Order and Headmaster. Moving forward, I intend to put these duties first above all else."

"Should you manage to accomplish that goal, it would be pleasant to work with you again sir." Snape replied with a nod.

"About the attack. You said you had arranged help, then the Death Eaters arrived. However, did you get them to agree?"

"I didn't get them to agree to anything. They already had encountered Dante and had an ongoing disagreement. I simply informed them where she would be and when. They did the rest on their own."

"Dante. I find myself grateful that nightmare is over. She was a distraction from the true goals."

"She is also the reason you stepped away from the bottle. Perhaps it wasn't entirely bad for her to have made her threats. She was never going to get anywhere near the children. Not with the Alchemists involved."

"You do have a lot of faith in these men."

"I've seen them in action. So have you now. What they did there? Edward and Alphonse were acting as backup. As was Mustang. You still haven't seen what they can truly do. "

"Which of course is the most you can say on the matter."

"Of course. I assume there was a reason for this meeting beyond speaking in half riddles?"

"Ah, yes, forgive me. It seems my memory isn't what it used to be. Pitfalls of age."

"Pitfalls of fire whiskey." Snape said before he could stop himself. Luckily, Dumbledore chose to take that as a joke.