A/n: I've gotten an amazing amount of response! I can't say what's going to happen with any relationships. If you have any comments, questions, criticisms, etc., please review!

Chapter 4: The Library and the Daily Prophet

The following morning came. Hermione buried her nose in a book (101 Counter- Jinxes For All Occasions) and gave a rather loud sniff when Harry sat down at the table. Ron helped himself to some toast, and immediately began talking about different Quidditch moves that the Chudly Cannons had used in their last match (one in which they had lost, 230-10, but Harry didn't have the heart to mention this to his friend) with Harry. Severus sat down, and nibbled at some toast half-heartedly, looking distracted.

After Severus had eaten about half of his toast, he cleared his throat loudly.

Hermione looked up. "Yes?"

Raising an eyebrow, Severus said, "I thought you knew where some old Daily Prophets were. It is Saturday, so it seems like the best time to venture to the library." his face was blank, but Harry heard the slight tremor of anticipation that worked it's way into Severus's voice.

She nodded and closed her book. "Coming?" she asked Ron and Harry.

"Yeah, sure." Ron replied simply.

"Yeah... Hermione," Harry caught her eyes with his own before continuing, "I'm sorry. About yesterday, and... you know."

Hermione smiled at him. Behind her back, Severus scowled.

)()()()()()()()()()()(

"Ah ha! Here they are!" Hermione exclaimed, grinning. "Sorry, I just got a bit over-excited... won't happen again..." she added quickly, seeing the elderly librarian glaring at her from the front of the room.

Severus smiled slightly, the edge of his lips curling up just a little. "Thank you, Hermione." he said softly, picking up the first Prophet. Harry, Ron, and Hermione watched apprehensively as he began to leaf through its yellowing pages.

Several headlines jumped out at Severus, and he caught snippets of the stories before continuing to turn the pages.

You-Know-Who Attacks! Adam Beamsley mourns the loss of his father, mother, two brothers, and sister, all of whom where killed as You-Know-Who attacked their house without warning. All that was left of the house was rubble...

Counter Jinxes To You-Know-Who's Favored Curses The most popular is the Imperious curse, which has been used to make people....

Recent Spottings: Where is You-Know-Who? A list of places where You-Know- Who and his followers have been spotted last, ranging from...

Severus sharply inhaled as he found something he was looking for:

Dumbledore Testifies For a Death Eater

Yesterday, Albus Dumbledore, respected head of Hogwarts School, surprised many when he showed up and testified at a Death Eater hearing.

Severus Snape, 25, was apprehended several nights ago after aurors were called to the site of an attack. The rest of his fellow Death Eaters had already disapparated, leaving him behind as he lingered for reasons unknown. Aurors stunned him, and held him captive until he could have a trial..

"He was, indeed a Death Eater," Dumbledore explained, "but before [You-Know- Who]'s downfall, he rejoined our side, becoming a spy for us, at great personal risk."

Severus Snape was unavailable for comment.

"I don't give a hoot what Dumbledore says, I just won't feel safe with that man on the streets. A toadstool can't change it's spots." says an agitated reader.

Tryphanae Gems, 32, was able to comment on her experience with Snape. "He tortured my husband!" she says of an incident occurring over 2 years ago. When asked about this, Dumbledore said simply, "It is regrettable, but he made a wise decision in coming back to us. He has a deep remorse for all that he did when he was a supporter."

Snape was still unavailable for comment, preferring to tell the reporter to "bugger off".

For More Trial Results, Turn to Page 16.

Severus stared at the article. His eyes were constantly drawn back to "He tortured my husband!" . At last, he gave a shuddering sigh, his shoulders slumping.

Someone tapped his shoulder, and he turned around to find Harry holding out another edition of the Prophet for him. "This has something on you being employed..." Harry murmured.

Swallowing the lump of foreboding that had risen in his throat, Severus reached out (with a lightly trembling hand, Harry noted) and grasped the paper and began to read.

Dumbledore Too Trusting?

Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, may have gone too far by appointing Severus Snape, 26, as Potions Master.

Severus Snape has a notorious past. He was a Death Eater during the reign of You-Know-Who, but came back to our side before You-Know-Who's downfall. Snape acted as a spy for our side, giving valuable information attained at Death Eater meetings that lead to the capture of several powerful Death Eaters.

DOES THIS MAKE HIM TRUSTWORTHY WITH CHILDREN?

Many readers and parents say no.

"I met him!" says Aaron Limser, "and he was horrible! Very bad temper, that one."

Despite the growing amounts of parents seeking alternate magical school to send their children too, Dumbledore insists on employing Snape. "I have complete faith in him." Dumbledore tells our reporters, smiling fondly at the scowling Snape (who refused to comment). "Severus has always excelled at Potions; it's only right that he get a chance to teach the subject he loves," adds Dumbledore, "Children will attain a top-level education in Potions with Severus as a teacher."

Alternative Magic Schools, Page 4

Severus glanced at the picture below the article, which showed his adult self standing next to Dumbledore. Severus studied himself, his eyes lingering on the elder Snape's flashing eyes and rigid profile. Shivering slightly, Severus put back the papers. After putting them back in order, he turned to face his three companions, all of whom seemed to be watching him with their breath held.

Opening his mouth, he prepared to thank them for showing him to the old Daily Prophets, but all that came out was a sort of a strangled sob. He closed his mouth tightly, clenching his jaw. Severus could feel unwanted tears welling in his tightly shut eyes, burning them.

Harry leaned over an put a comforting hand on Severus's shoulder, and Hermione put her hand over Severus's cold hang. Ron lingered in the background, making sure no one came over to see this show of weakness from their former teacher.

(concludes chapter 4)

a/n: Thanks for reading this far, please review!