Chapter 1: The Beginning

            The early summer sun was setting, fading from a misty blue grey to streaks of pink and lavender.  Crickets were singing and through the open windows of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry the scent of freshly cut grass wafted down the empty corridors.  But in the dungeons of the school, there was darkness, the only light coming from torches on the walls.  The scent of grass was nowhere to be found, instead the odor  of dampness threatened to overpower the senses.  The only occupant of the large office chamber was a dark haired man, who was seemingly oblivious of the meager surroundings.

            Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master of the school, sat on a leather sofa, leaning back as though completely relaxed.  Light from the torches revealed his gaunt face to be of an unhealthy pallor.  His clothes, black trousers and a collarless black linen shirt buttoned to the neck held the damp chill of the dungeons at bay.  A casual observer would initially think the man to be posed, one long lean leg propped onto the other knee, his right elbow resting on the arm of the chair.  On the nearby side table, rested a crystal glass one third full of an amber liquid.  Next to the glass was a dark colored wooden wand, lying almost carelessly on the table.

            The scene was, as one might imagine, a most lonely one, almost eerie in it's austerity.  The most unnerving thing about this particular scene, however, was the silence.  There was no ticking from a nearby clock, no rustle of papers.  The man never moved a muscle and one would need to look at the rise and fall of his chest to check for breathing, as no sound was audible.  As the flames flickered, his eyes might be noted to be closed, however, the tension in his jaw, the stiffness of the limbs dispelled any illusion of sleep.

            A sharp rap on the door echoed through the chamber, and the man was on his feet instantly.  His black eyes were now narrowed and alert, the wand ready in his hand.  From a standing position, a tremor could be seen, not the coarse kind that comes from fear, but a fine one, noticeable only now that he was upright.   He made no motion toward the door.

            "Severus-!" a crisp Scottish brogue called from the other side of the door.  Professor Snape still did not move, just stood there waiting.  The knock sounded again, this time more insistent. 

            "Severus-!  The meeting is to begin in ten minutes.  I know you are in there, are you all right?"  The man crossed the chamber quickly in four graceful strides and pulled the door open just as the elderly Scotswoman raised her hand to knock again.  Professor McGonagall, the Transfigurations teacher lowered her hand.

            "I see you haven't left yet", she scolded mildly.  "Since I was down in the dungeons, I thought you might want to escort me to the staff meeting."  She said it as though she normally walked through the dungeons, despite the fact that she had no reason to be there, and her invitation to escort her was said in the tone of voice that brooked no refusal.   If Professor Snape could be considered to have any friend on the staff here at Hogwarts, she would be the only one, other than Headmaster Dumbledore, who would fit the description.  Professor Snape was known to be an impatient man, and one whose brusque demeanor made almost everyone feel ill at ease.  Despite he fact that the two heads of house often argued about almost anything and it was unlikely that they would have ever associated with each other outside of the castle walls, in here they had forged a sort of bond.

            Professor McGonagall knew Professor Snape's dark secret.  It was because of this secret that she had sought him out today, as he had only this morning been released from the infirmary.  For almost two decades, Professor Snape had been a spy in the ongoing war against the Dark wizard Voldemort.  Each time the Snape went to meet with Voldemort and his followers, better known as Death Eaters, he came back to the school in worse shape- both emotionally and physically.  Voldemort was a vicious man, though man might not be an appropriate term for him.  He had ordered the death of hundreds of people, raped and tortured others, and encouraged others to do likewise.  His followers had done his bidding, and though Snape had found the idea repugnant, the belief that any information  he could glean  would benefit the resistance against Voldemort was worth it.  So, he continued to attend the meetings, continued to watch as the ranks of followers to Voldemort grew both in number and level of viciousness. 

            During Voldemort's first rise to power, many followers had come to him to court favor, seeking riches, influence, or power. Some had come fearing they would be killed themselves if they resisted. Others in the wizarding world had chosen to commit suicide rather than be captured by Voldemort's followers.  However, many  risked their lives to fight valiantly against him, and about 15 years ago, his power broke.  Voldemort had come to witness the death of two well known in the resistance and their only child.  James and Lily Potter had fought valiantly, but had been murdered.  When their son, Harry was about to be killed by Voldemort and the curse was cast, it rebounded on its caster, and Voldemort's power had been broken.  As a result, Harry Potter became a household name, and the wizarding world worked to rebuild their lives and their community.

      But like a poison in the air, the dark side didn't disappear.  They continued to wreak havoc, albeit more in the background.  New Death Eaters continues to be secretly recruited, becoming feared for their depravity and a love of torture, more so than their predecessors had been.  And then, almost three years ago, the unthinkable happened.  Voldemort  had been returned to full strength.  Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, had refused to believe it initially.   His attitude of feigned ignorance was singularly unhelpful.  When told by Harry Potter, now a student at Hogwarts, about Voldemorts return to power, Fudge had declared the boy deluded.  Even Fudge, however, could not ignore what had been happening in the recent past.  He had been virtually declared ineffectual by most of the wizarding world when it was acknowledged that Fudge had known about the murders of several Muggles(nonwizarding people) by Voldemort, but had done nothing.  When wizarding families began to be targeted, Fudge tried to intervene, but it was too late.  He had lost the trust of the community and the ministry was so overrun with Death Eaters, that any plan would be useless-  secrecy was impossible.

            Hogwarts had thus become the last sanctuary in Britain for wizarding children.  Though several parents had chosen to send their children to schools overseas to keep them safe, many still trusted Hogwarts and its charismatic headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore had been one of the leaders of the resistance during Voldemort's first rise to power.  His continued commitment to the community had given him more influence and respect than Fudge himself, a fact that caused much tension between them.

            Two weeks ago, the unthinkable happened.  During a Death Eater meeting, Snape had been accused of being a spy.  This was not the first time it had happened; it was a common tactic among the Death Eaters to accuse each other of treachery in an attempt to court favor with Voldemort.  However, this time, the accuser, Lucius Malfoy, had been believed.  Wave after wave of curses had seared Snape's skin, hexes forcefully embedded into his flesh.  The pain had been excruciating, and Snape had collapsed in agony.  Voldemort had ordered the death of the Potions Master, but just as the curse had been about to be cast, Snape had Apparated to the gates at Hogwarts with the last of his strength.  He had been discovered by Hagrid, the half giant groundskeeper, and had spent the last two weeks in the infirmary.  His role as a spy over, Professor Snape had lost faith.  For so many years, he had endured the tortures of both himself and others, for the sole reason that he felt he was helping to make a difference.  However, in his mind, he was now useless to the cause, and all the sacrifice had been for nothing. 

            Looking at Professor Mc Gonagall with a heavy heart, Professor Snape absently offered her his arm.  As she took it with a rare smile of surprise, the two professors headed down the corridor to the staff meeting.

            The staff room was an exercise in controlled chaos.   Staff were milling around, chatting as they waited for the meeting to start.  Professor Snape took his customary seat, and bit back his irritation as Professor Remus Lupin, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher sat down next to him, accompanied by a large shaggy black dog.  Lupin looked excited.

 "You know, Harry signed up for the summer session.  I am so happy that he will be here, his life at his aunt and uncle's is just dreadful.  I think that Ron and Hermione will be here as well.  Harry just wrote me, and said that Hermione is a nervous wreck.  She hasn't been able to get any of the books for class as she doesn't know what  she will be taking."  Remus Lupin had been a friend of Harry Potter's father, and had forged a bond with Harry when he had returned as a teacher.  Snape rolled his eyes in exasperation.

" Don't delude yourself, Lupin.  Potter will be here because he can't stand losing the hero status he has at school when he is living at home during the summer.  Weasley can't manage to tie his shoelaces without Miss Granger giving him directions and Potter giving his approval.  As for Miss Granger herself, I am amazed that Madam Pince was able to pry her off the chairs in the library to get her to go home in the first place.  I had hoped to spend a quiet term doing research.  Instead, I am to be tormented by her hand waving and know- it- all attitude for the entire summer.  I can only hope that I will have no contact with them; as they will undoubtedly want to be in the same classes, there isn't an icicle's chance in hell that Weasley will come into my class unless under direct force."  Lupin raised his eyebrow in surprise at the venom in Snape's voice, and the dog at his side began to growl.  As he started to say something else, the glare sent his way by Snape caused him to close his mouth with a snap.

Snape was rubbing his forehead, trying to ease the sharp pain that was threatening to split his head in two.  The Dream Team-Weasley, Potter and Granger.  What a nightmare.   Potter and Weasley had at least enough sense to stay out of his way, but Granger was another story.  For six years now, he had to deal with her constant hand waving in his class. She was extremely intelligent, and had great potential.  But her belief that books held all the answers and that other people's opinions were fact instead of opinion irritated him constantly.  It was the sam e mindless following that he saw at Death Eater meetings; Voldemort would stand and spew the most ridiculous vitriol about wizard superiority and the need for them to take their place as rightful commanders of the world.  It was laughable, except that people were swallowing it in droves. Granger would not be the type of person to turn to the dark side intentionally, but her arrogance, her belief that she held all the answers was a definite liability.  He knew only too well the isolation that came with that sort of intelligence, and how desperate some people were to have that sense of belonging. Her self- righteousness and her inability to see past the pretty images painted by propagandists could be her downfall.  Right now, however, she was not his concern.  With any luck, he would not have to tolerate her at all this summer.  That would be grand.

At that moment, Headmaster Dumbledore stood to begin the meeting.

"As you are all aware, this year we will be having an optional summer term.  There are two purposes for this.  First, and most importantly, it will provide sanctuary here at Hogwarts for those who seek it.  Over one third of our students have lost at least one parent to the current war, and it is our job to help them in their time of need."  He looked over his half rimmed glasses.  " Second, this term will give students time to prepare themselves for the outside world.  We have had to cut many of the practical lessons to make way for ones that will help people in times of war, things like dueling, and protection charms.   As a result, many of our students are unable to go out and function as effectively at University and in the home.  Also, for those who require a slower pace, there will be remedial lessons in most subjects to help students catch up with their peers, and ready for the autumn term.  Only 30 students signed up for this term, but I am confident that the extra personal attention will benefit each student tremendously."

"Finally, before we close this meeting, there is one last issue I wish to discuss.  Due to the attack on Hogsmeade last week, Professor McGonagall and I do not feel we can keep the students safe on the Hogwarts Express, nor can we necessarily trust leaving Portkeys lying around.  As such, we have made the following decision.  Each instructor will have a group of students they are assigned to pick up.  They will take the Floo to the nearest terminal, and use Muggle transport to pick up the students, particularly those of muggle parentage.  Each of you will be equipped with a Portkey, and at the assigned time of 12:00 pm, they will all activate to bring both yourself and the students to the gates of Hogwarts.  I have made a list taking into account distance between the students homes and personal preference, although I know some of you", here he looked at Professor Snape, who groaned silently, "may not be happy with your list.  This cannot be avoided."

Dumbledore sat back down and Snape had a sinking feeling in his stomach.  Not Potter, please not Potter, he thought.  Professor Lupin glanced quickly at the list and smiled broadly.  As he reached down to pet the dog, he said quietly, "We get to go get Harry, Snuffles".  The dog barked and licked his hand.  Snape rolled his eyes.  He was one of the few staff who knew "Snuffles'" true identity.  He was really Sirius Black, Harry's godfather, in animagus form.  Sirius and Snape hated each other with a passion, starting back when they were in school together.  However, Snape tolerated Sirius, partly because he kept Potter out of his hair, and partly because Dumbledore had told him trusting that Snape would keep the dog's identity to himself.  Also, it had to be said, watching his enemy walk around on four legs and being forced to eat moldy dog biscuits from Hagrid was immensely satisfying.  Taking the sheet of paper from Lupin, he looked down the list for his name.  Then looked again.  Furiously, he stood up and stormed out of the room, and slammed the door behind him.  Curious, Lupin picked up the sheet and looked, fighting back the urge to laugh.  Under Professor Snape's name was the following assignment:

9:30 am Hermione Granger:  Islington, London

11:30am Susan Bones: Henley-on- Thames