"What do you think are the chances that we can slip in without anyone noticing?"

Severus looked at Remus and rolled his eyes. "Somewhere between zero and none," he replied, almost casually. "Don't worry about it. I'm almost always late to these things and Dumbledore has yet to kill me." Flippant though the comment was, though, Severus was a bit concerned. True, he was often late, but it was usually because he was detained at a Death Eater summons, not because he was enjoying an after-dinner cognac with a couple of Muggles.

Taking a deep breath, Severus reached for the door, and opened it quietly, ushering Lupin inside. As soon as they were in, he mused that they probably should have donned their robes again, but it was too late, as they'd already been spotted. "Professor Snape! Professor Lupin! Everyone's been worried sick!" Hermione Granger suddenly looked taken aback at what she'd said, and looked almost fearfully at them. Severus ignored her, brushing past her into the kitchen.

"Apologies for our tardiness," he said, taking his place at the table and silently willing Lupin to keep his mouth shut. Dumbledore's look lacked some of its usual patience, but he didn't comment.

There were already more than twenty members assembled, perhaps the first time that Snape had ever seen the entire Order at once. As his eyes skimmed over the faces, he couldn't help but think that perhaps they were stronger than he'd realized. Shacklebolt and McGonagall were unquestionable assets, as was Moody, though it was only begrudgingly that Snape would admit that. Arthur, Bill and Molly… and, he realized with a start, the rest of the Weasleys. Without the red-haired family, there would be no Order, really, though he'd not realized it until just now when half the assembled had that famed red hair. He couldn't even doubt Fred and George's use, and, if Ron was still too young, at least he wasn't prone to going off to get in trouble by himself. Diggle was an idiot, plain and simple, but there was always a need for additional bodies who could fight, and even if he was a simpleton, Diggle could fulfill that roll. As could Mundungus. They were the Crabbe and Goyles of the Order, and Snape couldn't help reliving the words that he'd heard Malfoy say. Thugs are useful. Useful, but of questionable loyalty. Or, more accurately, of questionable capacity to determine where their loyalties lay. Arabella Figg, Hestia Jones, Emaline Vance… not one of them was a witch whom Snape knew anything about, but Dumbledore obviously trusted them. Of course, Dumbledore had made mistakes before, as well. Tonks. She fell firmly into the category of unquestionable loyalty but highly questionable skill. A frown touched his lips as he suddenly realized that she wasn't much younger than Aislinn. And, Bill was probably the same age as Aislinn. Gryffindors, the lot of them. He wondered if anyone had told them about her.

"Well, since we're all here now," Dumbledore leveled a harsh look at Snape, and the only redeeming grace was that it was divided between him and Lupin, "we can begin."

As was often the case, the meeting began slowly, with everyone reporting what they knew, which, in most cases, was questionable. Tonks and Bill both reported potential interest from other witches and wizards, and Severus found himself hoping that the meetings being arranged with Dumbledore would show these new people to be worthy; their addition would swell the Order's ranks to nearly forty. Moody had a new conspiracy theory (no surprises there) and Arthur was slowly amassing the proof he would need to bring about an inquiry within the Ministry. The most promising and heartening news came from Shacklebolt—hopefully, there would be three more Aurors in their number soon.

The reporting skipped past the children, and eyes swiveled towards Snape and Lupin.

"Nothing to report," Snape replied, suddenly wishing he'd told Lupin not to mention their adventures in Diagon Alley. Luckily, Lupin echoed his statements, though not without a brief glance in his direction. Such a shoddy liar.

Moody was watching them thoughtfully, and Snape braced himself as the ex-Auror's mouth opened, but he was saved an argument by a voice from the other end of the table.

"We have something to report."

Groaning inwardly, Snape glanced down, and his suspicions were confirmed. It was Hermione Granger, who seemed to be the one of the children who was least afraid to speak up in the presence of the adults.

"Yes, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked neutrally, though with a guarded patience that made Snape wish Hermione would sit down. Dumbledore was obviously not in the mood for foolishness.

"We—Harry and Ron and Ginny and I—have been talking, and we think that there are some other students who would help…"

"No." Snape was glad his wasn't the only voice of protest. It had been spoken in such unison that it was hard to pick out who all had spoken, but he thought there were at least four of them, and Molly was one of them.

"Why?" Hermione shot back. "Just because we're young doesn't mean…"

"You are too young to be here!" Molly protested. "I'm not going to be party to more children being put in danger!"

"We're already in danger!" This time it was Harry. "Do you think that Voldemort—" there was a general sense of breaths catching in throats as Harry said that name "—is being so picky? How many Hogwarts students are Death Eaters?"

"None." Snape answered that quite distinctly. "The Death Eaters were all chosen before any of you were born. There are no new ones." At least, none he knew of for sure. Though he wasn't stupid enough to believe that there was no recruiting taking place, but that was neither here nor there. That's exactly the point, though, isn't it?

"Well, he has followers! Malfoy and Crabbe and Goyle and…"

"And the Dark Lord is not going to entrust them with anything. They work under the orders of their fathers. Or, more precisely, Draco follows his father's suggestions, often unwittingly I'm sure, and Crabbe and Goyle do what he tells them to do. There are no Death Eaters at Hogwarts save me."

"But they do agree with him," Hermione interjected, "They terrorize the rest of us and…"

"Sit down Miss Granger. This is neither the place nor time for tattling on the school bullies." Snape commanded, and she moved to sit, but then seemed to change her mind.

Dumbledore suddenly held up a hand. "I, for one, would like to hear which students you are considering before we continue to argue the principle of this matter. I am afraid, Severus, that though I agree with you in principle, there is little room for such nobility in times of war."

Hermione sat down then, and she and the others exchanged glances. It was Harry who stood then, and unfolded a bit of parchment from his pocket. "Neville Longbottom," he said, avoiding looking in Snape's direction. "Luna Lovegood. Anthony Goldstein. Lee Jordan… well, he isn't really a student anymore, but…"

"Bring me that list, Harry." Dumbledore said, holding out a hand. After another hesitation in which Harry and the others exchanged glances, Harry edged towards Dumbledore and placed the parchment in his hand. Dumbledore read over it, then read over it again. "These are the students who joined you last year in learning the Defense Against the Dark Arts on your own, correct?"

Harry nodded, looking a bit nervous, then lifted his head defiantly. "And some more who joined this year."

"Why are you continuing that club, Mr. Potter?" Snape asked softly. "Last year, it was… inadvisable but understandable. This year, your Defense teacher, while no expert, is at least competent. Why does this club of yours continue?"

"Not now, Severus," Dumbledore said placatingly, handing the list to McGonagall. She held it so Snape could read it too, and Lupin joined them.

"Longbottom," Snape muttered. "And Luna Lovegood. For pity's sake, could you find more…"

"Severus…" There was a warning tone to Dumbledore's voice. Dumbledore and McGonagall exchanged glances, and something silent passed between them, then Dumbledore looked to Lupin. "What do you think, Remus?"

Lupin grimaced and sat down. "I don't like it," he replied. "I agree that they're too young and too innocent, and there are names on that list that…" he shrugged. "But, at the same time, some of those students have proven themselves already, more than once. You-Know-Who has already made it clear that he doesn't believe the students to be off-limits, so perhaps we do need a more proactive approach."

Snape sneered. "I wouldn't trust half those students to show up for an exam if no one was prodding them every step of the way. I certainly can't say I'd trust them to be useful parts of this assembly, or, worse still, to not blab everything they hear to their classmates."

"They didn't tell about the DA!" Ginny protested suddenly, ignoring the look her mother shot her.

"Before we continue to argue, let us take a vote," Dumbledore suggested. "All those in favor of discussing the possibility of allowing students to join with us?" Six hands at the foot of the table immediately shot up, and, after a brief look, two more. It was hardly surprising that the eight youngest members would entertain such foolishness, but luckily they did not make a majority. After a moment, though, much to his horror, Snape watched as Moody lifted his hand, and then Lupin his. McGonagall and Shacklebolt were next, followed by Hagrid, of all people. Which meant that eleven of the twenty-three were willing to listen to this nonsense. "It is settled, then," Dumbledore said softly, "for I am also willing to listen to the discussion. From both sides. I must note that this was not a vote to allow the students to join us, but merely to spend time discussing it. The decision is still unmade. Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, do you wish to begin by explaining to us how you think we will benefit from the inclusion of students into the Order?"

The two of them looked at each other, then Harry began speaking, cautiously. "Well, sir, we've been practicing. We may not know all the spells yet, but we're working on it, and we're learning, and when the Order needs people, why can't we be as good as anyone else?"

"Besides," Hermione said, sounding decidedly more confident, "since we're all so young, you can train us how you want us trained. And we'd all be terrified of disobeying because…"

"Because you're students," Snape offered. Hermione nodded. "And if it isn't the Headmaster who tells you to do something?"

"We know who we can trust!" Ron said indignantly.

"Do you?" Snape asked softly. "Madame Hooch?"

Silence.

"Professor Flitwick?"

Silence.

"Madame Pomfrey? Professor Vector? Professor Sinastra?"

Silence on all accounts.

"I think I have made my point."

More silence, then Ginny spoke softly. "Are they all supporters of You-Know-Who?" she asked.

Dumbledore smiled gently. "We have no reason to believe that, Ginny. But we also have no reason to believe they aren't. Professor Snape was merely making a point—it is hard to know who we can trust and who we cannot."

Snape sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "The world does not divide neatly into good and bad," he said, just barely loud enough to be heard at the other end of the table. "But when you're young, it certainly seems to. I do remember that much."

He felt a hand on his arm, and glanced at McGonagall who was smiling sadly at him.

"But what's the difference between us not knowing who we can trust and no one else knowing?" Ron asked.

"Because, if Professor Flitwick tells you to do something, are you going to argue with him?" Minerva asked pointedly.

Ron's mouth worked soundlessly. Hermione seemed to recognize it as the trick question it was.

"There is too much at stake," Snape pointed out. "Far too much."

"But why are we more likely than anyone else to…"

"Because," Lupin said, surprising Snape, "You are in an atmosphere where you are expected to obey your teachers. But let's move on. I think you've lost that point, Hermione, and continuing to argue will only weaken any other points you might have."

"Harry already made our points," Hermione said quietly. "We can help, and the only reason you won't let us is because we're young."

Snape scrubbed a hand over his face. "Look," he said softly, "there is so much at stake here. Your courage is admirable, but… one slip. One little slip, and it puts lives in danger. Now, I will admit that I have my reservations about you six, but the Headmaster was right—those are resignations born of principle. I've seen you all covering for each other, and I know that you know how to keep secrets from the rest of the world. You may share them with each other, but no one else ever knows. But Longbottom? He forgets where he left the list of passwords to the Gryffindor Common room. I can't tell you how many times I have found that list in my classroom and destroyed it on your behalf. Luna? She's believe the world was flat if someone told her that with a straight face. Some of these names…" he picked up the list again. "Lee Jordan, yes, I could see that. There is no one else on this list I think I could trust."

It was an exceptionally long speech for Snape, and it seemed to make an impression on everyone, including the students. Harry still protested, though. "You could trust them," he insisted. "You could trust them with…"

"My life?" Snape asked softly. "The lives of everyone else here?"

Hermione looked up suddenly, as though understanding were dawning in her eyes. "It's too dangerous," she said softly.

"Hermione!" That was a chorus from Ron and Harry, and they looked at her as though she were a traitor. She shook her head firmly, though.

"Plausible deniability," she said softly.

"What's that?" Ginny asked.

"If someone, like Neville, were to be tortured, could he resist telling what he knew?" Ginny looked like she wanted to protest, but seemed miserable enough to know she couldn't. "All it would take would be for him to stick up for Professor Snape one time when someone was complaining about Potions… and the whole school would know…"

Very good, Snape thought appreciatively.

"But we don't…"

"But we're not Neville. Or what about Michael Corner? If you break up with him, what's he going to do? Or take Cho. We thought we could trust her, but she told Merietta and Merietta told Umbridge and…"

Hermione trailed off, looking miserable, as did Ron, Harry and Ginny.

"Professor Snape is right. It was a lousy idea."

Snape grimaced. "It wasn't lousy," he said softly, standing. He walked to the end of the table and crouched in front of them. "Ideas are never lousy. Just ill-advised sometimes, or not entirely thought out. That's why we bring them up here before acting on them."

Lupin had joined him and took Hermione's hand. "You keep those ideas coming," he whispered. "We've all had ideas shot down here."

Hermione looked like she might cry, and that was one thing Snape didn't think he could stand. He turned away and abruptly returned to his seat, still thinking.

"Perhaps we should take a small break," McGonagall suggested. "Or do we need to vote on this?" There was a general murmur of negation, and a shaking of heads, and one by one, the members drifted away. Snape remained seated, mulling over the things that Hermione had said. He was vaguely aware of the whistling of tea kettles as water was brought to a boil, and he barely glanced up when Tonks put a cup in front of him, the liquid sloshing over the side of the cup, and then sat.

"That was very good of you," she said softly.

"What?" Severus asked, mopping up the spilled tea.

"Explaining it like that to Hermione."

Severus shrugged. "I really don't want to discourage her," he said softly. "I just want them to realize that it isn't a game."

"I think they know that." She squeezed his arm, and then moved back to her own seat, leaving him to stir his tea slowly, still thinking. When everyone had returned, and the meeting was called to order again, he was still thinking.

There was more talking, more discussion of something, but it passed him by entirely until he suddenly heard from the other end of the table, "Earth to Severus. Come in please."

His eyes popped up, and he realized to his embarrassment that everyone was looking at him. Including Tonks, who had her fingers curled and held up to her lips, though if it was a joke, it was one he didn't get. Harry and Hermione seemed to, though, which led him to believe it was another Muggle reference. "Sorry," he muttered.

"Dumbledore asked if there was anything else," Lupin said softly.

Snape nodded. "Actually," he came to a decision and put down his spoon, which he just realized he'd still been stirring his tea with. It had to be the best-stirred tea in all creation. "Yes, I think there is. Though I'm not sure it concerns everyone."

"Can you tell me the basics?" Molly asked, standing, "So I can decide if I need to stay or if I can start dinner."

"It's more to do with Hermione's and Harry's suggestion from earlier," he replied. "It's mostly a matter for those of us at Hogwarts."

Molly nodded. "I'll catch up later then. Is everyone staying for dinner?" Several of the members made their excuses, and, by the time all was done, only sixteen were remaining. As the group broke apart, Lupin gestured for the students to join them at the head of the table, and everyone clustered around.

"I've been giving your suggestion some thought," Severus repeated, "and I'm suddenly not so sure I'd recommend dismissing it out of hand. I'm not suggesting bringing the students into the meetings," he said hastily, "but suddenly I'm wondering if there isn't a better way of doing some of what we've been doing."

"What do you mean?" Moody was the only one who wasn't affiliated with Hogwarts who was left around the table; Shacklebolt, Tonks and Bill had all drifted away, their heads together, discussing something.

"The more of us there are, the easier it's going to be for someone to turn," Snape said simply. "When there were only half a dozen of us, it would have been too risky, but there are… what, twenty five now? That's a lot of people to be trusting."

"I'm not sure I'm following you, Severus. What does this have to do with the students?"

"Only this: there are—what?—thirty students on this list," he indicated the parchment, "and though I don't think it's wise to include them in the Order's business, perhaps they should be privy to certain information from within the Order. Perhaps they can function as a separate, but related group. We can have Hermione and Harry and the Weasleys instruct them, pass select information to them, and…"

"To what end?" Moody asked. "I don't like passing information to students."

"Then perhaps they can pass information to us. I don't know. It just seems that there is a need and..." he trailed off, frowning. "Ron was right about one thing—the Dark Lord is recruiting among students. He isn't fool enough to trust them yet, but he is cultivating his next crop of Death Eaters, and students are easy prey."

"So you're suggesting we cultivate our own crop, so to speak?" McGonagall asked. "I don't see any harm in investing in the future."

"And it's more than just cultivating a crop," Severus said softly. "How many students have been lost over the years because they… slipped through the cracks, so to speak? Perhaps that is where this gathering can be of real service."

"I don't understand," Hermione said, frowning. "You want us to take students who would support You-Know-Who and turn them to our side? How do we do that?"

Severus shook his head. "No, Miss Granger. I want you all to befriend students who are lonely and… outcasts. The ones who are at a high risk. There are many of them. Many in my own House. Give them knowledge that there is an alternative for them. The Dark Lord preys on those who don't belong anywhere."

Harry was biting his lip and watching Severus quietly. Severus studiously ignored him.

"You want us to be friends with Slytherins?" Ron asked incredulously. "I can't believe it! They're…" he trailed off at warning looks from the adults present.

"We are not all evil," Snape said firmly. "But all Slytherin students are at high risk. I can tell you which ones are at the highest risk. They are purebloods, though, and their parents often agree with the Dark Lord, whether they are actual supporters or not. For example, there is a First Year named Amber Carlisle."

Dumbledore's eyebrows raised slightly, but Snape went on.

"She asked me if the Sorting Hat ever makes a mistake. She doesn't think she belongs in Slytherin, she thinks most of the Slytherins are 'mean' in her words. But her parents are pushing for her to further solidify a relatively new Pureblood line. She will fall victim if there is no one who can help her stand up to the pressures. And there are Slytherins all over the school who are in the same position."

"I know who Amber is," Hermione said softly. "I helped her in the library a couple of weeks ago."

"So, you think that if these students had more friends… if they had the protection from cliques and bullies that are inherent in schools…" Lupin said, his eyes locked on Severus, "That they would be better able to resist?"

Severus shrugged suddenly. "It was only a suggestion. And included in that suggestion is one to bring new people to the Order in similar groups; groups that are not privy to our council, but who pass information and to whom we pass information through existing members. Members who would be their peers. Tonks and Shacklebolt could be liaisons to other Aurors, for example. Bill and Tonks to other young witches and wizards. Bill to Gringotts and financiers. McGonagall to teachers at Hogwarts—how long have we thought we could trust Flitwick and Pomfrey?" he asked suddenly, "but we don't know, so we don't dare approach them. But if they only know of one member of the order…"

"They have less information to relay on," Minerva said softly, "and it is easy enough to track it."

Moody was nodding slowly. "I can't say it's a bad idea," he finally admitted. "And it gives us increased numbers to work with, without jeopardizing all our identities."

"And it keeps us from splitting this kitchen at the seams," Remus added, with a grin. "It was a little crowded tonight."

Severus snorted. "I can't say I didn't think of that, either."

"I think perhaps you are right. We shall suggest it the next time we meet. Meanwhile, Severus, is there anything more you wish to tell me?"

"Yes," Severus replied. "A fair bit more."

"Then come along."