Chapter 2

Severus Snape was the undisputed supreme lord over his dungeons.

He knew every shadowed place by heart, every dip in the rough stone walls; hidden passage ways opened only for him (and of course Dumbledore), and the walls almost seemed to allow him to perceive what they themselves saw in secret.

The only place Snape truly felt secure was in his dungeons. They seemed to cloak him in their shadows, and he revealed in the peace they offered.

The familiar surroundings of well stocked potion closets, scoured-to-gleaming cauldrons, severely organized and carefully labeled potions; everything filled his strained mind like a calming balm.

At least they did, when he was alone.

During the school year, only some places in his dear dungeons could offer him the serenity that his frayed nerves craved.

The rest of the places were covered with children, running, shouting, blowing things up; basically reeking havoc in a place where silence should be reign supreme.

This is one reason why Severus was always followed by storm clouds and his ever present caustic sarcasm; although, one could argue, that that was basically the foundation of his true nature, only aggravated by circumstance.

I tell you this so you can understand that when alone in the peace of his dungeons; Severus Snape was free to be himself.

Yes, he was still caustic with his harsh temper, biting sarcasm and dark humour; but a sense of calmness could be found in his rhythmic potion making and ordered movements. Here, in his comfort zone, he was allowed to have emotions, allowed to feel pleasure at the distinct art of potion making.

So, during the summer months when the castle was free from the crawling vermin spawn of countless mindless adults, Snape could always be found in the dominating silence of his dungeon laboratories, only the gentle thrum of the spelled burner underneath a cauldron and the soft bubbling of a boiling potion being brewed could be heard.

This is how Dumbledore found his most loyal friend after his unnerving encounter with their mysterious guest.

Snape was engrossed in the process that he loved so much, his ever present pitch robes cast aside on a table, his cotton black shirt slightly unbuttoned at the top, leaning over a vivid blue, bubbling potion carefully stirring counterclockwise.

So enthralled was he, that he failed to notice Albus's presence.

So, when said Headmaster gently cleared his throat effectively breaking the trance like silence over the potion master, he was disappointed to see that the only recognition Snape gave at being surprised was a slight tick of an eyebrow and twitch of a finger holding his stir spoon.

"You are absolutely no fun to sneak up on Severus, my friend. I dare say that your control is simply stunning." Albus chuckled softly as he watched his colleague finish stirring his potion, turn the heat down, then casting a backward glance in his direction, give a grunted "Hn" for a reply.

This only served to amuse the Headmaster more and a delightful grin set about his old features. If there was one thing he loved, it was teasing his dark and brooding Potion Master. Even so, now was not the time for games, no matter how much fun they were. He came here for a reason.

Severus, detecting the change in his mentor's demeanor, hurriedly finished what could not wait, then turned to give Dumbledore his full attention.

"Severus…I have some bad news. I find this rather hard to believe myself, and would be somewhat hard pressed to if I had not witnessed it in the flesh. Now, before anymore of that, do you remember what I told you a few days ago, after we found the girl?" Dumbledore inquired in a somewhat bewildered voice, before it evened out with seriousness.

"I remember being told that small waif of a girl was extremely powerful, and would be horridly dangerous if left in the wrong hands. You told me to be always on my guard," at this he sneered, as if he was ever NOT on his guard, "and to brew this," he gestured toward the now almost pale lavender colored potion, "just incase you needed to have her body rendered motionless for an undetermined amount of time." He concluded, with no obvious emotion in his voice or eyes.

"Yes, very good, but…what else did I mention to you?" Albus prodded gently.

A somewhat curious look crossed Snape's features before being wiped away back into his emotionless façade. "You mentioned that she may be older than she looked and that she had most likely been exposed to things of such intensity that she may have lost her mind. Also, that out of anyone still in this castle right now…" here he paused, looking strangely at his headmaster, just like the first time when he was told this; he still found it very hard to believe, "most likely she would only respond to me."

"Yes, well, now that that is fresh in our minds let me tell you why I am down here. I was checking on our patient when…she happened to wake up. Well, she sort of woke up I should say. She looked to be caught in the throws of a terrible nightmare, and her eyes seemed to be looking inward rather than outward." Here he stopped, trying to formulate the feeling of despair that just seemed to be wafting in waves from her distressed form when he witnessed her waking.

Severus, now slightly uncomfortable with his headmaster's uncharacteristic loss of words, and his apparent bewilderment of the situation, nervously cleared his throat.

Although no outward sign of his agitation showed, Snape was beginning to get rather impatient with the old man in front of him.

Dumbledore snapped out of his musings, at the harsh cough, then slightly nodded his apology and began talking once again.

"Ah…now as I was saying…the girl, there was an aura about her that spoke of so much despair and such child-like fear, I could not keep my resolve of not going near her bedside." He stopped as he saw Severus jerk his head up slightly, alarm apparent in his eyes.

'Dumbledore could not keep his resolve? That is rather curious…' he thought to himself while staring pointedly in the headmasters eyes.

"Did she hurt you sir? Is everyone still alright?" Snape spoke quickly, trying to figure out why the idea that Albus not sticking to what he thought was best was so upsetting. Dumbledore appeared to be in perfect health; somewhat bewildered, which was a new thing for Snape to see, but otherwise the same bumbling headmaster that reeked of kindness and sincerity and power.

"No, no dear boy I am perfectly alright as is everyone one else. Well, actually…I take that back. Our guest, well, she is no longer here so I can not comment on her health as I am not sure myself." Albus replied in a somewhat amused tone, the twinkle coming back into his pale blue eyes.

Snape's eyes widened. "What do you mean she is no longer here? I distantly remember you stating that if she were to leave and be found out by Voldemort or anything that had less that pure intentions there would be sever ramifications!" he bellowed out his growing frustrations. 'How could Dumbledore look so bloody calm when the entire tilt of the scales in the upcoming war could be completely thrown off?!'

"Yes, I remember telling you that, and I can assure you that I did not forget. Which is why I am appointing you to a very important task." Here he paused, making sure he had his caustic friends complete attention. "I want you to go get Harry Potter from the Dursely's and then, together, go look for her. I believe that at least one of the two of you should be able to reach out to her and get her to trust you. Oh, and Severus, make sure to tell Harry not to touch her when you find her (and I have no doubt that you will); apparently she does not care for physical contact."

With that understood Dumbledore turned on his heel and practically flounced out of the dungeons leaving a severely shell-shocked Severus Snape in his wake.

AN: No, I am not sure what pairings I will do yet. I can tell you however it won't be Ron for I don't particularly care for him. Suggestions are always welcome. Hope you like it