Chapter 16

Harry stared unwavering at Ann. His green eyes were full of controlled fury.

"Harry," began Ann, but Lupin cut her off.

"You should wait outside, Harry. I'll be with you in a second."

Ann and Harry continued to stare at each other. Harry took one step into the room, ignoring Lupin's command. "Did you set me up yesterday?" He asked.

Ann looked down at the ground, her face burning with shame.

Harry nodded, hearing the truth in her silence. "I should have listened to Ron and Hermione. They were right all along."

"No," protested Ann. "Not all along."

"You're nothing but a liar," said Harry a little louder.

"Harry, enough," interrupted Lupin. "This isn't helping either of you."

"You're right, professor," said Harry turning away. "I'm done." Without a backward glance he left the room.

Lupin sighed deeply and looked at Ann. Her shoulders sagged in defeat. "He's just upset," Lupin said softly.

"Maybe, but he's right."

"Ann, I'm sorry but we have more important things to take care of right now."

"I know," said Ann.

Lupin pulled out a seat and gestured for Ann to sit next to him. She sank slowly into the chair and looked sadly at Lupin. "Draco Malfoy is meeting with a Death Eater to get us into you-know-who's service."

"Oh Ann," breathed Lupin.

"I'm sorry," she said so softly he could barely hear her.

"Why?"

"I wanted to get back at my father."

"By joining Voldemort?"

Ann shrugged. "I thought... I mean I wanted... I don't know what I was thinking. I just wanted to make him pay and I thought if I joined the Death Eaters I could bring Dumbledore proof of what he really was."

Lupin shook his head. "You've made a mess, that's for sure, but it's not the end of the world. I think you should go talk to your father."

"What do I do about Malfoy?"

"Tell him you're out," said Lupin simply.

"I tried," said Ann. "He said it was too late."

"It's not too late," smiled Lupin. He stood. "Come on, let's go find your father and talk to him. We'll figure this out together."

Ann stood and gave Lupin a small smile. "Thank you," she said softly.

Lupin returned the smile and led her out of the room.

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Professor Severus Snape was pouring himself his second glass of Ogden's Fire Whisky and it wasn't even noon. He sipped the lukewarm liquid and felt it slide, burning, down his throat.

The morning's Daily Prophet was lying open on his desk. As he stared at the pictures of his daughter in the arms of Potter an overwhelming rage filled him and he threw the glass he was holding against the stone wall above the fireplace. The fire hissed and spurted as the liquid dripped into it. Snape followed the glass with the paper, getting a grim sort of satisfaction at seeing it burn.

He watched the paper crinkle and turn into black ash and finally disappear into the flame. He couldn't help but feel angry at Mary for leaving him with a teenage girl to deal with by himself. He was disappointed with Ann and when he thought about Potter he felt nearly apoplectic with rage. But more than anything, he felt like a complete failure as a father.

As he stared at the fire, he was startled when a head suddenly appeared.

"Severus, are you alone?"

"Yes Headmaster," said Severus standing up and moving closer to the fire. "Is anything the matter, sir?"

Professor Dumbledore lowered his voice. "I'm sorry to have to ask you to do this, but I need you to get in touch with Lucius Malfoy."

If he was surprised by Dumbledore's request, he didn't show it. "Has the Order received some new intelligence?"

"I'm afraid they have. It appears that my worst fears have come true. Voldemort is recruiting students."

Snape stiffened. "Are you sure? I've heard nothing about this."

"Mundungus overheard some known Death Eaters at the Hogshead."

"Mundungus?" Said Snape skeptically. "He's been wrong before."

"True, that's why I want you to pay Lucius a visit. Severus, I don't need to tell you how important this is. If the Board of Governors finds out that students are being recruited into Voldemort's service they'll close the school down."

"I understand, sir. Do we know who the students are or how many of them there are?"

"No," said Dumbledore. "I was hoping you could find that out from Lucius."

"I'll do my best. When do you want me to leave?"

"Immediately."

Snape nodded.

"I'll be returning to the school shortly," said Dumbledore. "Good luck, Severus."

"Thank you, sir."

With a pop, Dumbledore's head disappeared.

Severus immediately grabbed a handful of the floo powder hanging to the right of the fireplace and threw it into the fire. He stepped in and said clearly. "Malfoy Manor." He closed his eyes against the whirling nausea that was the floo network and before he knew it, he was tumbling out into one of the Malfoy's many fireplaces.

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Professor Lupin knocked lightly on the door of Professor Snape's office. Ann was standing next to him looking as if she wanted to run. When he got no answer he knocked again. "Severus? It's Remus. I'm here with Ann. We want to talk to you?"

Ann cleared her throat uncomfortably. "Father? Open the door."

After a few more seconds, Lupin opened the door a crack. "Severus?" He opened the door a bit wider.

"He's not here," said Lupin.

Ann let out a deep breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "What now?" She asked.

"We wait, I guess," said Lupin shrugging.

"I guess I can go back to my dorm room," said Ann quietly.

"That's probably a good idea," said Lupin. "Why don't you stay in your room until your father or I come to get you."

Ann nodded in agreement. She walked away, but turned suddenly.

Lupin looked at her, but she didn't speak. "Was there something else?"

"No, um... I just wanted to say thank you."

Lupin smiled softly. "You already did."

Ann sighed. "It just doesn't seem enough. Not for what I've done."

"People make a lot of mistakes in life, Ann," said Lupin. "Trust me, this is not the worst you'll ever make."

Ann smiled. "That's not a particularly comforting thought."

Lupin laughed.

"Still," continued Ann. "I've never been very nice to you and you're treating me better than I deserve."

"No," said Lupin. "I'm not."

Ann smiled again and then turned and left.

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"Severus," said Malfoy walking to meet one of his oldest friends and extending his hand. "What brings you here."

Snape smiled grimly. "I felt the need to escape Hogwarts for a couple of hours."

"I understand," said Malfoy smirking. "Can't be easy trying to teach at that school."

Snape worked to control the muscles in his jaw.

"The riff raff that mudblood lover Dumbledore let's into that school. If it weren't for Narcissa, I would have pulled Draco out years ago."

Snape nodded in agreement.

"Although I understand from Draco that your daughter is now attending."

"She is," said Snape simply.

Malfoy eyes glinted. "Draco tells me that daughter of yours, Ann, right?"

"Yes," said Snape trying to keep the suspicion from his voice.

"He tells me that Ann's quite the little spitfire," said Malfoy.

"She's certainly inherited much of her mother's strong will," agreed Snape.

"I wouldn't blame that all on her mother, old friend," said Malfoy. "You forget how determined her father can be when he sets his mind to something."

"Perhaps so," said Snape.

Malfoy regarded Snape. "You can't hide it from me."

Snape looked at Malfoy questioningly.

"Regardless of the flimsy excuse you've used, I know why you've come Severus."

Snape worked to control his expression.

"Those children of ours will be the death of us," said Malfoy smiling.

"What?" Asked Snape before he could stop himself.

"I don't know how often I've told Draco to keep his nose down while he's at that school," Malfoy sighed. Then he smiled evilly. "Although I must say I am proud at what he's managed to do right under Dumbledore's fool nose."

"I'm not sure what you're getting at Lucius," said Snape.

"They tried to keep it from us," continued Malfoy in a proud reverie. He seemed not to have heard Snape. "Draco should have realized that very little goes on among our people that I am not aware of," he bragged. "Goyle came to me almost immediately to tell me that Draco and Ann were trying to join the Death Eaters"

Snape paled. "Ann," he breathed, not wanting to believe what Malfoy was saying.

Malfoy chuckled. "Kids, they never listen."

"You must be mistaken, Lucius."

"No, I'm not," said Malfoy smiling. "I guess you didn't know."

Snape cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Ann is not always forthcoming."

"So it would seem," said Malfoy.

"Apparently, neither is Draco," said Snape with a trace of irritation on his voice.

"Yes, well, you know how boys can be," said Malfoy proudly.

Snape turned away angrily. "I better be getting back to Hogwarts," he said walking to the fireplace.

"Severus," Malfoy called after him. "Don't tell me you disapprove?"

"I do," said Severus. Then he took a deep breath remembering himself. "Our work is too important. We shouldn't have to be encumbered with children."

"They're of age."

"Ann only just turned sixteen. She is still in her sixth year."

"Severus," said Malfoy grabbing his forearm. "I shouldn't have to tell you. Our numbers were not what they once were."

"I am aware of that, Lucius," said Snape through gritted teeth. "But she is my daughter. I will decide what is best for her." He turned and grabbed some floo powder and threw it into one of the fires.

"The Dark Lord is aware of their interest."

Snape froze and a cold chill passed over his body. He didn't turn to face Malfoy. He knew he could never hide the fear he was experiencing. Without a backwards glance he stepped into the fire and said clearly. "Hogwarts."

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Author's Note: Ok, I know it's unforgivably short, but this seemed like a good place to stop. Can you ever forgive me for the cliffhanger. Thanks to everyone for the reviews.