Severus stood in the Headmaster's office, his arms clasped behind his back as he swallowed his temper; his face schooled carefully blank.

'It's been three weeks since Miss Bell was cursed.' Dumbledore stood by the window, staring out at the falling snow. There was an accusatory tone in his voice that set Severus' nerves on edge.

'Draco avoids me at every turn. He's clever — he travels in a group, never on his own,' he retorted.

'Come now, Severus, you mean to tell me you're being outsmarted by a teenage boy?'

He ground his teeth together. 'We're being watched. Anything that would rouse suspicions could tip plans into action far earlier than we accounted for.'

Dumbledore turned, giving him a sharp look over his half-moon spectacles. 'I was unaware. Watched by whom?'

Severus dug his nails into his palm. 'Slytherin students, mostly. Students of families who are sympathetic to the Dark Lord's cause. Whilst they may not be informed of Draco's quest, it would still be unwise for me to pay him too much attention.'

Dumbledore looked back at the window, appearing troubled by this. 'And we still believe the necklace was in fact given to Miss Bell by Draco.'

'I have yet to confirm it, but yes, I believe it to be the case.'

'Have you tried Legilimency?'

Severus blanched at the directness of the request. Given its rarity, there was nothing specifically in the school code that stated teachers couldn't use Legilimency on their students. All the same, they had agreed between them it would only ever be used in exceptional circumstances. Not that Severus always followed the rules. To have Dumbledore request it now was jarring.

'I have…' he replied slowly, choosing his words. 'However I believe Draco has received some training in Occlumency from his aunt. His mind is carefully guarded. Any attempts to break down his walls would cause him pain.'

Dumbledore sighed deeply and ran his fingers through his beard. Severus wondered how far he was willing to go in the pursuit of information.

'He is better prepared than we accounted for.'

'It means nothing,' Severus insisted. 'It's all a ruse to bait me. Bellatrix knows I would be going against the Dark Lord to interfere. She hopes my curiosity will get the better of me, forcing my hand.'

'Curiosity killed the cat, so the muggles say,' Dumbledore remarked absently.

Severus glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner. When the old wizard finally turned him, he noted the exhaustion written plain on his face. Dumbledore lowered himself gently into the great chair behind his desk, his blackened hand resting protectively against his chest. Fawkes gave a low cry.

'Does your hand trouble you? Shall I brew you a potion?'

Dumbledore held up his good hand. 'I'm fine, Severus, thank you. What troubles me are these events. A student in our care has been cursed. It was a stroke of pure luck that Miss Bell did not lose her life. You must find out what Draco is up to and deter his plans.'

Severus bit his tongue. What did the man think he was doing? It was a delicate situation that needed a gentle approach. He couldn't do anything that might provoke Draco, triggering him into doing something desperate or rash.

He dipped his head. 'I will try harder. Is there anything else you require of me tonight?'

'Yes, there is one more thing.' Dumbledore pulled a scroll of parchment out of the stack on his desk and set it in the centre. 'I have a few suggestions regarding your lesson plans. I've made similar requests to all professors.'

Severus unrolled the parchment and scanned its contents. 'You want me to teach more offensive magic.' He shook his head. 'Albus this goes above and beyond what is required for N.E.W.T.s. Why?'

Dumbledore regarded him. 'You know as well as I do what is coming. The students must be prepared.'

'If Hogwarts falls–'

'When Hogwarts falls.'

The muscle in Severus' jaw twitched. 'They are students. Not soldiers. It's not their responsibility to protect the castle.'

'No, you're quite right,' Dumbledore agreed sadly. 'But we do not know who Riddle will take down in his wake. It's our responsibility as their guardians to give them the means to protect themselves and each other.'

Severus remembered Granger's previous sentiment with a chill. 'Does Minerva know about this.'

'No more than the others. Minerva understands she must remain neutral above all else. She has her part to play, as do you.'

How could he forget. The part of the murdering spy. Severus' shoulders tensed – he needed to get out of there soon before he said something he would later regret. 'If you'll excuse me, Headmaster, it appears I have some rather urgent work to complete.'

Dumbledore braced his fingers under his chin, staring but only half seeing him. 'Of course. Thank you Severus.'

He swept out of the room, the filter on his mood slipping as he descended the spiral staircase. Too much. It was all too much. He was only one man with a finite number of hours in the day and an even slimmer amount of patience. Trying to serve two masters, both ridiculously powerful wizards. Both intent on destroying each other with blatant disregard for the casualties that would follow. And there was Severus, caught in the middle whilst trying to keep everything delicately balanced.

The pressure was too great and something was going to crack.

He was seething by the time he rounded the corner to his office. His chest clenched, his stride nearly faltering as he made note of Granger standing in the corridor. He hadn't expected to see her — he was nearly twenty minutes late for their lesson. He flew past in a swirl of robes, the hinges on his door creaking as he flung it open with more force than necessary.

'Get in,' he growled.

In all the years Severus worked with Death Eaters he had one simple rule that kept him alive: don't engage in mock duels when pissed. Both in the inebriated and emotional sense. It never ended well.

It was a simple lesson he'd learned as a cocky teenager fresh from Hogwarts who found himself training new recruits. Because he was talented. Because he was good at something and others took notice for once in his life. For once in his life he didn't have to hide behind anything or anyone. By putting on a physical mask he could discard the imaginary one he had worn for so many years and simply be himself. People saw him for who he was — they sat up and took notice of his achievements and it was exhilarating.

It was also a quick way to get the shit kicked out of him in more ways than one. Death Eaters, by nature, were ruthless beings. It was true they fought for a common goal but they were forever vying for the Dark Lord's attention. Sure, they played a good game of being sophisticated pure bloods during the day, but when night fell they would fight to the death just to prove they could.

He bitterly pulled at the clasp of his robes, tossing them over the desk before rolling up his sleeves. 'Why didn't you return to your common room?'

He spun to see her staring at him with apprehension, half poised by the door as if ready to make a run for it.

'You said you would owl if our lessons were cancelled, sir,' Granger replied, her voice trembling.

Foolish girl.

'We'll forgo our usual examination in favour of a skirmish. You may use any spell you've learned, verbal or non-verbal. The match will end when one of us yields or is rendered unconscious.' She flinched. 'Do you understand, Miss Granger?'

In the dim light he could make out her throat working as she slid off her own robes, laying visible her jeans and cream jumper underneath. 'Yes sir.'

He didn't need Legilimency to see the flash of fear on her face when she took up her space across from him. She shifted her body into her ready position and steadied herself with a breath. The determination burning in her brown eyes when she lifted her arms was enough to catch his breath in his throat.

For the first time Severus caught a glimpse of the warrior she could be. This little lioness in waiting who had spent the last few weeks hanging on to his every word, obediently listening as he dripped venom into her ears. The vision left his palms sweaty as he gripped his wand.

Every week she came to him, excited to demonstrate how much she'd improved. She absorbed every criticism he threw her way, re-shaping herself to fit his ideals. She was open and willing to become an instrument of his choosing. It was a dangerous notion, one a better man would disregard.

But Severus had never been the better man.

Between one breath and the next all his anger toward Draco and the Headmaster roared back to life. Damn Dumbledore, damn Narcissa and damn the Dark Lord.

He was not a marionette.

Without further warning he shot a stunning spell at her, barely giving her enough time to block him before sending another hex her way. She dodged it and looked up at him with those doe eyes in surprise. He allowed himself the relief of finally slipping into her mind. The heat of her emotions simmered just below the surface and he could taste how desperate she was to prove to him that she could do it. That she could be a worthy opponent.

Well, if the girl had a death wish, so be it.

Severus gave himself over to the fight, exploding into his fury like a lit fuse. His body twisted around her, laying blows until the sweat beaded down her brow. At every turn she met him, bouncing on the balls of her feet while she danced to his tune. He could identify the single second she shut her brain off in favour of her muscle memory. Gone were her moments of hesitation when she tried to think of a better spell. Instead she kept to the small arsenal he taught her, using the basics to her advantage.

She grazed him with a fire charm before he flung her back with a roar. There was an audible crack when her head hit the wall and Severus felt sick with himself. What was the point of it all? Training students with the pretence of defending themselves when in grim reality they could never hope of standing up against the Dark Lord. Their lives would be snuffed like candles.

Draco, Potter and Granger… dead before their bodies hit the floor.

Severus loomed over her, peering down at her prone form as she blinked up at him.

'Do you yield?'

She pushed herself off the wall into a standing position. 'No.'

Granger pounced on him, taking him by surprise as she drove him back.

Stupid girl.

Back and forth they went, the coloured light from their jets illuminating the jars along the walls like fireworks. Despite her brave attempt at taking the offence, it was only moments before he had her on her knees again. Her eyes flashed, determination giving way to anger. Her emotions always did bubble too close to the surface, making her vulnerable. It would be too easy to break her.

Couldn't Dumbledore see how he was setting them up as lambs to the slaughter? Their numbers were dwindling as the Dark Lord picked them off one by one, leaving only children in their wake. Children.

There was no way out.

'Every second you stand there is a chance for your enemy to cut you down. They won't give you room to breathe or tend to your injuries. Get up,' Severus snarled.

Granger glared at him. They rounded on each other, locked in their dangerous dance.

'The Dark Lord's followers will take pleasure in your pain. Every scream, every broken bone will be music to their ears.'

She ducked his hex, brushing back the hairs that had escaped her plait. He could see from the wild look in her eyes he was beginning to unnerve her. Good.

'They may have orders to keep Potter alive, but don't doubt for a second they'd let you live.'

Granger threw up her arms, blocking him. 'I won't let them take me.'

His next hex hit her square in the chest and she doubled over, panting.

'You wouldn't stand a chance,' he hissed. 'Damn it girl, yield!'

He watched in frustration as she wiped her nose with her jumper, leaving a small streak of red along the cream fabric. 'No,' she breathed. 'I know what you're doing. You can't scare me.'

Severus was on her in an instant, roughly grabbing her upper arms and pinning her against the wall. Her eyes grew wide with fear. 'They'll skin you alive, starting with your little finger. By the time they're through you'll be begging for a quiet death. It won't come.'

'Is that what you did?' She struggled against him, her breath growing heavier. 'Did you torture Muggle-borns?'

The second the words left her mouth she froze, her face pale. He fought to keep his own emotions in control, to render his mind blank. But as he watched the revulsion on her face it was clear she knew. She knew he was a monster.

His fingers reflexively dug into her arms. 'What exactly did you expect from a Death Eater, Miss Granger? Did you think we sat around having tea parties?'

'No, but — you changed sides,' she rasped, her eyes darting towards his left arm. 'You fight for Dumbledore now.'

Severus shoved her roughly, his nose inches from hers. 'I'm an agent of both sides. Don't ever forget that,' he murmured, his voice dangerously low. 'Not even Dumbledore would have the stomach for the horrors done by my hands.'

She shuddered violently. 'Sir please, you're hurting me.'

He dropped her arms as if burned and whirled away. This was a mistake. Silence echoed through the dungeon office.

'You did what you had to do,' Granger said at last. Her breath was a high whistle.

He raked his fingers down his arm. How naive she was.

'Why didn't you yield,' he demanded.

'I…' her voice wavered and he turned to look at her.

She was huddled against the wall like a wounded animal, her fingers smeared in blood from where she touched her nose. Her other hand rested on her chest as it rose and fell with laboured breathing.

Shit. Shit. He had pushed her too far.

Severus rushed past her, trying to put a tamper on his rising panic as he threw open the door to his private stores. If he had done the girl actual damage and she required medical assistance Dumbledore would be furious.

Stop and think.

He rested his head against the shelves, reviewing the situation. He hadn't used any dangerous spells against her, mostly a few offence charms that would knock her back or cause mild discomfort. She had hit her head fairly hard against the wall, so a concussion was possible but he hadn't noticed any other symptoms. She had been clutching her chest…

Her chest.

Of course— Dolohov's curse.

He could smack himself. Severus snatched two small vials from a top shelf. Returning to Granger he crouched in front of her and thrust the first bottle towards her.

'Drink. It will stop the pain,' he explained.

She warily looked at him before accepting it. 'Thank you, sir.'

He held out a hand. 'Give me your wrist.'

With a wince she wiped her bloodstained fingers on her jeans and placed her hand in his open palm. How delicate the bones in her wrist appeared as he gently placed his two fingers along her pulse. He could feel her heartbeat fluttering violently and sighed.

'Did Madam Pomfrey explain how the Fraendoment curse works?' He kept his voice even as he worked, pulling her sleeve back down before uncorking the second bottle.

She shook her head minutely. 'No. She didn't say what it was, just that there was a fair amount of damage.'

'In essence, yes.' He paused before handing her the vial. She downed it in one go, making a face. With a wave he vanished the blood. 'It's designed to crush your internal organs, causing extensive internal bleeding. It's not a pleasant way to go but it's effective and leaves no mark on the body.'

When her breathing slowed he helped her up off the floor, and with a hand on her elbow, steered her into a chair.

'That certainly explains the pain,' Granger said, rubbing her chest. 'I don't understand though. I thought I was completely healed now.'

Severus sighed, carefully watching her as he settled behind his desk.

'You were lucky to only receive a mild blow. We repaired some of the damage to your organs, but you can never fully heal a curse.' He leaned his elbows on his desk, noting for the first time that evening the purple smudges under her eyes. 'Even now you're at risk. Any over-exertion or direct hits to the chest and you risk heart failure if left untreated.'

Her eyes were glossy as she digested his words. 'But… why didn't anyone tell me?'

'Would it have made a difference?'

She considered it for a moment. 'No.' She took a stuttering breath, her finger tips ghosting down her throat and over her heart. 'So that's it, then? I can fight alongside Harry and Ron, but I'll always be one step away from death?'

He pushed aside the guilt burning in his lungs. 'Are we not always one step away from death, Miss Granger? Is that not why you requested these lessons?'

A faint smile touched the corner of her lips. 'Yes, I suppose that's true.' She pulled her knees up against her chest, curling in on herself. 'How do you know all of this? I feel like I could read forever and still only scratch the surface of everything that's out there.'

He studied the young woman across from him, suddenly struck by her maturity. It was a reflection of the change he'd seen in her. As he'd expected, the fighting had calmed the noise in her mind, giving her renewed focus and restraint that bled out to the other areas in her life. Her essays were still just as long, her hand still raising at every opportunity. But there was now a slight pause before answering, as though she were weighing her words carefully.

A sick satisfaction lodged in the pit of his stomach at the knowledge that her slight change in behaviour was his influence.

Granger chewed on a fingernail, staring past him at the wall. It was an identical expression he had witnessed on Dumbledore's face only an hour before.

'I can hear your thoughts from over here, Miss Granger,' he said sharply.

Her gaze flickered towards him and she rested her cheek on her knee. 'Sorry sir, it's nothing. I was only thinking about Katie Bell.'

'I'm told she will recover.'

'That's not it. I mean…' she unfurled herself, sitting up straight, 'I'm glad. It was awful. But sir, I wanted to ask. The necklace that cursed her…'

He ground his teeth together. 'Tread carefully, Miss Granger. I will not allow any slander of the students in my care.'

She flushed, pausing for a moment as she seemingly collected her thoughts. 'If she was under the Imperius curse, that meant she was supposed to take it to someone at the castle.'

Severus said nothing.

'I have a few theories.'

'Go on.'

She picked at her thumbnail. 'Harry's an obvious target, but we were right behind her coming back from Hogsmeade. She could have just turned back. So it's less likely. Dumbledore says You-Know-Who wanted Slughorn so that's a possibility, but why kill him? Then there's you—'

'If the Dark Lord wanted me dead he would have done it himself, I assure you. '

'Well… yes, but that's assuming the attack came from one of his followers. It's not common knowledge that you were… well —'

'A Death Eater,' he supplied, his tone cold.

She flushed. 'But what if someone did find out? Someone rogue?'

An uncomfortable feeling welled under his skin. 'I'm under no threat.'

'Then that leaves Dumbledore.'

Again he chose silence. Let her draw her own conclusions.

Hermione sat back in her chair, her brow furrowed.

'If you are feeling sufficiently well, you should return to your common room, Miss Granger.'

He fought the urge to open her mind when she looked up at him, her face clouded in concentration. He wanted to know what she was thinking.

She stood up, pulling on her cloak. 'Thank you, sir.'

'If your pain returns, you will inform me at once. I'll assess your health at our next lesson. Until then, you will rest.'

She nodded. 'Yes sir. Goodnight.'

Severus locked the door behind her with a flick of his wand before dragging his hands through his hair. He had forgotten just how observant Granger and Potter could be when they put their minds to it. Slughorn, Dumbledore or… him. The thought was unnerving.

It was entirely within the realm of possibility that someone could attempt to harm him over what he had done. Tensions were running high and people were beginning to act rashly. After the first war, Dumbledore had managed to keep his name out of the papers to protect the reputation of the school, but anyone in the Ministry could easily look up the records from his trial. It wouldn't take much digging.

But of course, the girl wasn't far off the mark. Severus needed to end this quickly before the trio of idiots discovered more. Draco couldn't hide forever.

Author Notes:

I will *try* to post weekly where I can, but if life gets busy I'll have to go back to twice-monthly. I can't wait for you to read chapter seven, it's definitely in my top favs!

Playlist:
The Hand That Feeds, Nine Inch Nails
Leta's Confession, Fantastic Beasts Soundtrack