[Disclaimer: HP and all that goes with it belongs to that lucky, brilliant lady in England. Wish I was her, but I'm not. Please don't sue. Adelaide is a product of my own twisted mind, however. Thanks!]

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Severus Snape entered his private rooms in the dungeon, heading straight for the fireplace. If any student at Hogwarts were to ever see his private domain, they would be utterly shocked. While Snape did reside in the dungeons, his rooms were anything but dank and dingy though popular belief would think otherwise. The floors were polished black marble, save for the bedroom, which was carpeted in a lush emerald. Shelves lined the sitting room, and more were in his study-filled with everything from Ancient Greek philosophers to Northern Renaissance authors to 19th century 'modernist' writers. A dark green couch and a leather chair sat near the fireplace, with a dark oak coffee table separating them. But as Snape hurried past all this, he paid no mind to it all. He was intent on the fireplace and a specific person with whom he needed to speak. He took a handful of powder and threw it into the fireplace.

"Lucius Malfoy."

Snape waited for a few heartbeats, then Malfoy's head popped into the flames.

"Severus.my old friend. How wonderful to hear from you. I trust everything is well?"

Meaning, why the hell are you calling? School was not yet in session and so the conversation couldn't be about Draco, real or otherwise.

"Quite well, Lucius. I trust Narcissa and Draco are well."

Without waiting for an answer-because he certainly didn't expect one, and because Malfoy would soon get impatient, Snape continued.

"I wanted to let you know, I've put in a good word for Draco. He looks to be a promising candidate for Head Boy. Be on the lookout for a letter."

Like hell he was. In reality, the letters had already been sent out. Ernie Macmillan, the Ravenclaw seventh year, was Head Boy. And that insufferable Gryffindor, Hermione Granger was Head Girl this year. Lucius however, had apparently not heard the news yet that two mudbloods would be head boy and girl. He beamed at Snape, playing the proud father.

"We expect Draco to make an impact at Hogwarts."

[Oh, he has made quite the impact, yes], Snape thought. But he continued without pause.

"Also, I wanted to enquire.there is a new runes professor at Hogwarts this year."

"Ah yes, the young Lady Gentry. She is quite an up and coming figure in society."

"Yes," continued Snape, somewhat warily. But he had already considered his next words, phrased carefully on the remote chance that someone might be listening.

"How does the.board of Governors.feel about her appointment?"

"The.board.is quite pleased. We see her as part of the new generation, with more influence on the students than the older professors, and able to make a greater impact. If I am not mistaken, she is only four years younger than you."

"Five. And yes, she will be a welcome addition. No doubt the students will flock to her."

Snape considered the implications. A recruiter? A seducer? Why was she really sent here? They were the two youngest professors, by decades in fact. That could only work to her advantage...especially if people liked her. His questions were abruptly answered when Malfoy began to speak again.

"But do let her get acquainted with everyone first by herself, so you don't scare them off. You know how popular you are."

Lucius paused and looked to his left, as if listening to someone. Snape scowled at him for his last comment.

"Severus, do forgive, but our 'guests' have arrived for the evening. I must make sure they are comfortable."

Snape nodded, no longer afraid of the cruel smile that had settled on Malfoy's face. Perhaps because he was no longer on the receiving end of that smile, and no longer had to deal with what that expression foretold.

"Enjoy your evening, Lucius."

Malfoy's head disappeared without another word, and a scowl settled back onto Snape's face. Most likely, Malfoy's guests would be dead by morning. Lucky them, although they had one last night to live through. And a night could be a very, very long time. Snape rubbed his eyes, sunk into the leather chair and propped his feet up on the table. They, whoever they were, were probably muggles. Too many missing witches and wizards would be suspicious. Nobody cared about muggles, even the muggles themselves. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to fend off the coming migraine. Snape stood, and went into the study to search for his migraine-relieving potion. Talking with Lucius Malfoy nearly always seemed to cause a headache in some form or another. He rummaged through the shelves above the desk, and found a small vial with a clear liquid. Without a second thought, he uncorked the vial and swallowed it's contents, and fought off a look of distaste. Nobody should ever expect medicine to taste good, if it was to be effective, or so his grandmother had said. As the potion began to take effect, he plucked a book from the desk, and settled onto the couch, intent on reading and forgetting the evening's events.

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Parker sent word by owl that there was a Dark Revel taking place that evening. Once upon a time, Adelaide had asked her maidservant how she had come into the possession of such sensitive information. But, only one thing mattered-that the information was always accurate. And this time, it was more than just a date and time: she learned that neither her presence nor that of Severus' was required, because it might look suspicious, especially so close to the start of school.

[If I had known that teaching at Hogwarts would exempt me from the Revels, I would have applied ages ago.]

She was no green Death Eater, despite her youth compared to some of the others. From her early childhood, she had been exposed to the cruelty, the violence, the sex and the death that occurred at such parties. Her parents had hosted many, and growing up around them made her experienced and wise beyond her hears, as well as a victim. When the muggles ran out, Edward Gentry would let his guests have a go at the servants, and sometimes his daughter. As long as no one was irreparably harmed, of course. Parker had been spared mostly. While Adelaide couldn't escape, she would send Parker away on 'errands' or to visit her mother for the weekend. But now.now she was free from it all. Not the gathers, the audiences with the Dark Lord, or even the occasional Revel, but the constant violence and death that came at least once a month somewhere in Britain. Or France, if the Malfoys were left to plan. The Malfoys. Draco would be at school with her this year. And she'd be quite surprised if he wasn't brought into the Death Eaters before the end of the year. Following in his father's footsteps. Like they had all expected Ethan to do with their father. Until, at least, the Dark Lord had gotten him killed on a stupid mission. There was no way he could have survived. The Aurors knew what was going to happen, and they were prepared. But Ethan was the distraction to the greater plan, and so he was sacrificed. Sacrificed for the ultimate revenge of a half-breed, who had decimated a pureblood family without so much as a thought. And then, it had left her in an unenviable position: What does a noble family do when it's eldest and only son is killed with no heirs?

[Turn to the daughter, expect her to marry and make lots of pureblood babies], Adelaide thought bitterly.

Except.who to marry? That was the question. Instead of attending the Dark Revel tonight, she'd settle in and work on her assignments for the next week, in an attempt to rid her mind of the questions that had plagued her for years now. They had not been solved in that time, and it was highly doubtful that she would solve them in an evening. Perhaps a hot bath, and a walk through the greenhouse. And maybe, just maybe, teaching at Hogwarts really would turn out to be a blessing.

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[A/N: Thanks again to Rich, who sat patiently while I typed things up and sent them over AIM. And no, it isn't your imagination. The chapters are getting longer because a.) I have more to write about in a chapter now, and b.) I realized if I didn't start writing longer chapters, this would turn out to be hitting the fifty-chapter mark eventually. Lets hope it doesn't get past thirty-ish. As always, read and review. Merci!]