Chapter Eighteen

It was March.

March 1, exactly four months after Billy and Dahlia and their two year old daughter had been killed, and it still hurt. Four months since Severus had last seen Hecate, Sydney, Jude, and...

Her…

God, he missed them.

No…it's best not to think about such things…

Snape pushed back his homesickness and returned his full attention to the world around him. It was still unsafe for him. Voldemort had been ever watchful of his lost Auror. Severus had continued to gain respect and remain alive, without divulging Auror secrets.

But Voldemort was getting impatient and frankly so was Jacqueline. It was beginning to get dangerous for Snape to remain so ambiguous in his loyalties. As Voldemort pointed out deftly, he couldn't play on both sides. Snape had to admit, he admired Voldemort's prudence but worried that the Dark Lord was tiring of their little game.

Luckily Silas had brought up Snape's talents with Potions and the Son of the Morning could get away with making poisons and antidotes for the Death Eaters. Alchemy Snape, as Silas called him, had his uses.

"Bicorn horn, boomslang skin...see if you can find some knotgrass." Snape counted off the ingredients he needed replenished.

Jacqueline made a face of clear distaste. "You and your potions."

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. He gave her a deep, collected smile. Jackie playfully nudged him. "Silas! Come help me get the mad scientist his boomslang skin!"

"Coming, coming." Silas called. "Sev watch Pyxis for me."

Severus nodded. He turned his attention to the busy store. He liked Diagon Alley. There was always business about, and always something or somewhere to hide in. Small corners and dark byways only added to the fun.

"Uncle Severus, buy me this!"

Severus turned his attention to Pyxis Malfoy, Silas' son whom Severus had dubbed 'Pixie boy' on account for Pyxis love for anything shiny and any mischievous act. At seven, Pyxis was a standard Malfoy. Small framed and quick, he had soft gray eyes, fair skin and golden blond hair. His mother was Narcissa Malfoy. She was trailing behind her son, walking with her brother-in-law Lucius. Severus chose not to notice Lucius' stolen looks of affection towards his brother's wife.

"I'll buy you the world, Pixie but not a broom, not just yet."

"You sound like dad." Pyxis chided, running off to find another treasure. As he retreated, he bumped into a passerby. Severus smirked before making an attempt at an apology, reaching down to pick up the discarded broom.

"Never watch where y'all going, do you?"

Severus looked up, taken aback by the voice from his past. "Sydney?"

Sydney Van Ness gave him a small, private smile. "Hello old friend."

The Auror reached down and helped Snape up. Both men exchanged a look of shock and affection. The Van Ness family had been Aurors almost as the Snape had been. That shared history had always made Severus and Sydney closer then they were to Jude and Billy. Sydney had been the closest thing to a leader of the squad and that weight of authority had quieted him. Severus had understood and respected that silence just as Sydney accepted his. It had been a mutual respect that had given birth to a deep friendship.

Severus embraced Sydney for a small eternity that ended too soon. He pulled away and studied Sydney. The past months had not been kind. Sydney had lost muscle tone and weight. His shaggy dark hair was graying but his eyes were still alive, and ablaze with passion. The time apart melted away, and seeing Snape meant the world.

"Have you eaten?" Snape asked.

"I don't trust British food."

"Neither do I." Severus said. "But there's a great ice cream parlor down the way."

"Ice cream!" Sydney laughed. "I haven't ice cream since," His eyes twinkled softly. "Lead the way, Brit."

"Pyxis!" Severus called.

Lucius and Narcissa stopped him. Narcissa gave him a reassuring smile. "Go ahead, we'll watch Pyxis."

"See you tonight." Lucius said.

Sydney's pose faltered as he caught sight of Lucius. Snape caught it and reach over, grabbing his arm and walking towards the parlor. They found a corner near the back and slipped into the table, ordering. Sydney had the banana split and Snape, ever the purist, had a simple one scoop of chocolate and almonds. They spoke in low tones about senseless things first, about the gossip of Hecate, of Malachi's ever-present temper, the drama of Jude and his girlfriends, to whether or not Victoria Hawke and her life long lover, Albus Dumbledore would ever get married. It was only when empty ice cream dishes littered the table and Sydney was attacking his second serving of melted chocolate that Severus finally got the courage to ask about him.

"And how are things there, Syd?"

"Honestly?"

"Please." He said, leaning back in his chair. "If I don't hear it straight, I'll go mad."

Sydney exhaled and became ten years older. "The mole inside Hecate is doing more and more damage everyday. We've lost seven Aurors and four Hit Wizards to the Death Eaters because they were already waiting for them. There's talk of the IWC stepping in with new leadership. Can you imagine? A bunch of politicians trying to show us how to fight the Dark Arts?" He exhaled angrily. "The Ministries are getting nervous. England and Germany want us to be shut down, America is calling for the Kaga to begin taking a bigger role in the way things are run."

"The Kaga?" Snape exclaimed. "What does Fay and Smith think about this?"

"Smith is loosing his edge. He's getting tired and frankly…I'm worried about him Alex."

Snape regarded Sydney coolly over the table, digesting the news. Hecate Compound was a fully autonomous entity. It assigned Aurors to work under different countries, under their respective Ministries but Hecate itself had the final say on the matters. It was the Compound that decided what was lawful and what wasn't. But the mole was compromising Hecate's sovereignty, showing the world that Hecate could no longer function without outside leadership. If the International Wizardry Confederation forced Hecate to bow to their will, Hecate would lose most its power. He might not have agreed with Hecate tying his hands with the Death Eaters but he feared what untrained, scared politicians would allow.

Just like the matter with the Kaga Companions. Severus had never quite agreed with their existence but part of him understood they were a needed evil. The Kaga were witches and wizards who are trained to assume another's identity in instance of death, disappearance, or other extreme circumstance.

Snape himself had dealt with them on a regular basis in Hecate. He was even friends with the leader of the Kaga, a man everyone called Auberon Fay and he had even took one as a lover, which was not uncommon. The Kaga's connection to the Aurors was legendary. They often worked side by side and romantic relationships were almost as common as the assumed names. Snape smiled gingerly, thinking of his companion, inhaling and briefly missing the scent of Jasmine before becoming aware of Sydney's eyes on him.

"She's fine by the way." Sydney whispered, reading his mind. He turned back to his drink. "She's still Malachi's familiar and we talk everyday."

"Tell her…" He began to speak but thought better. It did not do to dwell on dreams. He looked up and smiled. "Call her Angel for me. How's Jude and Chastity?"

"Ah, the Remington clan, they're doing great."

"Send Chastity my love, alright?"

"I will, I promise."

"So who are you here with, Syd?" He asked. "I doubt you'd come to Diagon alone."

"I came with Amissa. She's picking out a dress and doesn't trust anyone but the tailor here."

"Why so much fuss over a dress?"

"Because it's going to be a wedding gown." Van Ness said, sheepishly.

"Are you serious?" Severus smiled. "Oh Sydney, I'm happy for you. Congratulations."

"Thank you, but that's another reason I'm here." He looked up earnestly. "I want you to be best man, please."

"Syd, you know I would have loved too…but right now I'm working on things. Important things and it could be bad if I'm seen…"

Again Van Ness seemed to read his mind. "With Aurors? Is that why you're hanging around Lucius and Silas Malfoy?"

"Don't start, Sydney."

"You read the reports the same as I, Alex and you know them better. Tell me the truth, why are you keeping company with them?"

"Who's asking the Auror or Sydney?"

"Both."

"I don't have to answer either."

"Severus, listen to me. I'm worried about you. Come home, back to Hecate." Sydney rose with Severus, tugging his cloak on. "You know what Silas Malfoy is, even if we can't prove it yet."

"Aw, Syd, you're worried for me, I didn't know you cared."

"Don't be coy with me Rouge." He said sternly. "Look, you're playing a game with people who are older and wiser then some punk 20 year old who thinks he a god."

"Afraid I'll dance with the devil?"

"You are dancing with the devil, and you know what? He doesn't change for you, in fact, he changes you. And mark me Severus because you will get tainted. Are you willing to make that gamble?"

"I already have." He shrugged on his coat. "See you around, Sydney."

"I lost them too, you know." Sydney said suddenly. "I lost Billy, and them too. So did Jude and her. You weren't the only one." He sighed. "And I can't bear to lose you too. Please Severus, I'm begging you. Come home."

He smiled at him. "One should never have anything worth begging for Sydney." He tapped Sydney on his cheek. "That none perish, remember?"

Van Ness pulled him into a tight embrace. "Just make sure you don't perish, ok?"

"You won't lose me, I swear it."

"I hope so."

Snape bowed slightly, paid the tab and walked away from the ice cream parlor. He was unaware of his friend's eyes following him down the street till he was lost behind the waves of milling people.

"I'm getting too old for this crap. I need to retire, go buy some plot of land in Utah and raise Granian horses and chickens." Sydney 's voice could be heard down the hall and Jude could tell from its tone and his volume that Van Ness was dead drunk. "That's it! I'm leaving! Where's Amissa?"

Jude shook his head, pouring two glasses of Whiskey, one for him and the other for Sydney. He took one in his hand, downed it and had the next raised and waiting for Van Ness to when he entered. "Hard day?"

Sydney sank into his chair. "I saw Severus today."

"Alexander?"

He nodded.

"Well? Where is he? How is he doing and most importantly, when is he coming home?"

Sydney leaned forward and buried his head in his hands "I don't think he is."

"Merlin," Jude exclaimed. "Are you sure?"

"He was with Silas Malfoy. You've read the reports regarding him same as I have." Sydney snorted angrily. "Same as Severus has."

A long pause. "Does he know about the investigation…about what we're facing over here?"

"He knows about the IWC moving in and the Kaga but no…not about us."

"Sydney, you should have told him."

"And what was I going to say to him? Oh yeah, Sev by the way not only did you lose your family, and partner but the IWC and Internal Services suspect you of being the mole and that everyone who knew you from your old school-mates to your superior officer and his Companion are under investigation because of guilt by association? Oh yeah, by the way, I'm also facing Azkaban because I won't denounce you?"

"So, you still believe he's innocent."

"Of course I do!" Sydney exploded. "Alex is my friend, my partner. I trust him with my life. I can't believe it." He exhaled, his shoulders slumping. "I didn't want to loose him."

"What if he's already lost?"

"Don't even think it."

"Oh like it hasn't crossed your mind?" Jude asked suddenly, looking angry. He rose from his seat and leaned heavily on his knuckles. "Van Ness, open your eyes and think! Billy is dead. Dahlia is dead. Dora is dead. And somehow magically he's the only one from that family still alive?! Where was he that night? You read the reports concerning their attack, hell you wrote them and you knew Dora! She was afraid of the dark, afraid of strangers. The house was sealed. How could Death Eaters enters the house with all those safe-guards and how come Dora never cried out?"

"I don't know…"

"Don't know or won't face it?"

"Fuck you, Jude." Sydney said, flexing his fist as if ready to strike. "Snape isn't a traitor!"

"Look at Dora and tell me that!" Jude screamed passed he's tears.

"I will have no more of this." Sydney shouted back, tearing pass the desks to stare down Jude. He looked ready to kill. "You will not accuse him of this."

"Then, why isn't he here?" Jude countered. He looked worn, tense and tired. "Why isn't he here to defend himself? Why isn't he here to mourn or be there for his squad?"

"Shut your mouth, Jude or I'll do it for you!"

"Are you going hit me now? In defense for a man who didn't even care enough about his squad to stay when they needed him most?"

"Van Ness! Remington!" Barked the voice of Malachi Smith. "At ease, now."

Both Aurors turned towards the door where Malachi stood, looking fierce and deadly. There was a woman behind Malachi, dressed in the slate gray uniform of a Kaga Companion. She was resting against the wall, looking placid. Malachi strolled forward, stepping between them. "Enough of this. I've just come from Hawke's office. She's been meeting with Fay. They've come to a decision concerning your squad, and believe me when I was against it but I have no choice but to obey."

"What are you talking about, Malachi?" Van Ness asked, eyes narrowed in distrust.

"A Kaga Companion has been assigned to replace one of your squad members. I'm sorry."

"Who?"

Malachi turned behind him and motioned to someone waiting outside the door. A man entered, looking like a ghost come to visit. He wore his hair dyed black and shoulder length, accenting his sharp jaw and incredibly intelligent brown eyes. He was already wearing an Auror's uniform and his movements were perfectly honed to resemble the man he was replacing. For a moment, he merely stood there, waiting.

"You're shorter then Alex." Sydney deadpanned. "And his eyes are darker."

"The height we can't do much about." The Kaga answered. "But a simple charm will correct the eye color."

Jude was frowning. "What's your name?"

"Alexander Rouge."

"Your name before you were assigned." Sydney tilted his head. "Something Hecate…what was it?"

"Actually, I'm not full Kaga. I chose to become one. My name before I underwent the training was Jean Andre Lafayette. In fact, I went through training with Severus." He smirked slightly. "Gave him his last name."

"Charming." Sydney hissed. He looked at Malachi. "Don't want to play nice with this one, send it back."

"Behave." Malachi countered. "His assignment was beyond my control and your orders are clear. Help him in anyway possible. I'll see you in evening briefings." Malachi turned and left, followed closely behind by his familiar. Sydney and Jude turned back to the Kaga and watched him for a long time.

"I'm never calling you Alex." Sydney said curtly. "Other then that, welcome to my squad. What's left of us anyways…"

"Glad to be here." Lafayette remarked and pulled up a seat. Jude returned to his and poured him a drink.

A cool midnight air greet Jude as he pulled up his collar and waited for the devil to show up. Soon enough, he saw the image of a cloaked figure, walking towards him. He sucked on his cigarette for courage. As the figure approached, hands went to the hood and removed it to reveal the face of the intoxicating Jacqueline Eames. She smiled at him and extended a hand that he kissed.

"You said you had information for me, Remington." She said, softly. "What is it?"

"You said you wanted to know if they did anything involving Severus' departure from the Aurors. They did. He was replaced, his identity was given to a Kaga."

"I thought those creatures were only brought in case of death only."

"Apparently, Hecate believes he's as good as gone."

She lifted her head and blew into the air, watching as it froze on the air. "He won't take that kindly, the Aurors are his life. All he's been preparing to do since he was a boy." She smiled. "It's going to destroy him."

"Isn't that what you wanted?" Jude asked scornfully. "To destroy him?"

"I don't like your tone, Remington." She whispered, smiling. "Don't tell me you're getting second thoughts?" She laughed. "It's a little late to be a good guy, Jude."

"Shut up Jackie."

"Don't try and start the right thing, Remington. You've not the practice."

Jude ignored her and pivoted on his heels, walking back to his home. Jackie watched as the man crushed the cigarette under his heel before continuing. She didn't trust the Gryffindor. He's conscience was beginning to bother him and that mean she was soon going to loose her mole within Hecate. She doubted he would betray her anytime soon but if his better judgment kept nagging at him, he would soon begin to seek redemption. She couldn't allow that to happen. It would deprive Voldemort of his chief spy.

Still, she thought with a cool smile. Perhaps Jude could prove useful. If he did decide to "return to the light," she could easily reveal him as the man who betrayed Severus' family. That could prove to be a final push for Snape's metamorphosis from Auror to Death Eater and perhaps something…more.

"Good home, Jude." She whispered, contently. "And kiss your loved ones goodnight."