Severus could feel his heart pounding with anticipation as he approached the library. Where would he be? He wandered through the stacks quietly. As he reached the very back, a figure emerged from a dark corner. Of course he would be in the darkest part of the library.

"Master, how did you get here?"

"Shh!" Riddle looked around. "That's not important right now. I need to know if you're in or out, Severus."

"My lord--"

"Quit addressing me as your superior, Severus. We don't want to draw attention."

"Sorry, it's just that this is so sudden."

"I'll give you all the time you need."

"Yeah, that's great and all, but I don't feel like I'm any good at this."

Voldemort sighed impatiently. "Severus, you come from a strong dark family. This should not be so difficult."

Severus stared off for a moment.

"Look," Voldemort laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'll be here at Hogwarts to offer any guidance my young followers might require."

Severus's eyes widened with shock. "What do you mean?"

"I'm the teacher of a new subject here. Alias Caligula Ahriman, professor of Sex Magic and Theory."

"Couldn't have picked a less atrocious name?" Severus frowned, then smiled. "You're serious, though? And Dumbledore has no clue?"

Voldemort smiled arrogantly. "Of course not. Severus, you could be great. Help me take out the mudbloods."

Severus nodded in thought.

"Just give it a think, okay?"

*******************

In History of Magic, Severus could hardly concentrate. His mind was a million miles off until he heard Professor Binns's monotonous voice call out his name.

"Severus Snape, your partner is . . ." He traced a finger across a parchment. "Lily Evans."

Severus's heart skipped a beat. It seemed now that things had gone too far. He had involved Lily with himself too much to act with casual indifference. He had no choice but to continue carrying out Voldemort's plan.

Binns scribed a list of topics on the blackboard. "Everyone pair up with your partners now and begin choosing your topic."

Severus rolled his eyes. The topics were less than exciting, to say the least. Before he could consider walking over to her desk, Lily was beside Severus, slamming her books down next to him.

"I'm not going to pretend that I'm glad you're my partner, Snape. Frankly, I wonder why I ever bothered being civilized to you."

Severus took a moment to assess the situation. "Look, Lily, I'm having a rather difficult time--" Lucius's glare cut his words off.

Lily looked at Lucius curiously and then a thought came over her. "House politics?"

Severus cringed. He feared he had given too much away. "You could say that."

They sat in silence for a moment. Severus, absorbing all things involving Slytherins and Voldemort. Lily, wishing she could figure Severus out. She was not going to be pushy with small talk as she had been before, she decided. No, Severus would come into his own. Before they could find it in themselves to speak, class was being dismissed.

"Look, meet me in the library after dinner," Severus said quickly before James and his entourage made their way over.

Lily nodded in acknowledgment as she handed her books to James and left.