As previously mentioned I own none of the persons, places, creatures, or things that you recognize. (J. K. R. does) I do however own Starch, and I will be introducing some of my other "pets" later on. And a BIG thank you to my beta reader Sara A.

THANK YOU!!!

Chapter 3:

Carefully rising to his feet, Severus closed his eyes (as much to keep from seeing the effects of his next words as to focus on what had happened). He was unnerved. "You sent me to that friend of yours at St. Mungo's. I can't- he ran several tests. He couldn't keep all of them as confidential as we wanted. He had to apply for some sort of permission to run some of them." 'It was stupid to continue the tests I should have just left. Now things are out of control and everyone around me will get hurt. Again.' He released a breath that sounded more like a hiss.

Albus could sense the battle going on within the silent figure before him. A sudden, unexpected fear began to claw its way up from where he had banished all thoughts of the time before. 'It can't be…' thought the now deeply worried headmaster. 'No! We covered our tracks too well. There was never even a true investigation.' Dumbledore's thoughts turned to his accomplice 'I have to contact Alastor as soon as possible. If he still has connections we might be able to stop this. Before its- NO we will stop it, we must.'

Drawing a deep breath (that ended with a traitorous rattle,) Snape continued in an urgent whisper, "They arrived as I was leaving. Five wizards with the question mark on their collars." His voice now held an edge of confused fear, "Five of them? They asked for me, by name. Why would they want me? Now?"

Too uncomfortable to continue, the most dreaded professor Hogwarts had ever employed, turned away ashamed of his own fear. Close to panic and unable to ignore the fear radiating from Dumbledore, he made another move that both troubled and reassured his confidant. Silently crossing the room he sat at his desk and began grading the first assignment that this year's First Years had turned in.

"I will leave you to your work," the words of parting had a question in them, which Severus understood from prior use.

"Yes," he tried to reassure the older man, "I'll make the appointment."

@--'--,-------

On their way to Gryffindor Tower, silence was strictly observed.

Hermione was trying to decide which books in the library would most likely have useful information. 'I could start with the diagnostic medical text, but I don't know what other symptoms he might have. Then again I could start with the medically related dark arts section- but that's restricted…'

Harry's mind was still trying to process the idea that anyone could have that kind of stuff in them. 'How could he still try to show up for breakfast?' "Mudwump," he muttered to the Fat Lady.

With a slight tisk at his tone she swung away from the wall to let them pass. Upon entering the common room they didn't head for the warmth of the fireplace. A few queasy sideways glances were all it received. The only other sign that was given that any of them were aware at all of their surroundings was when Hermione slowed long enough to pick up a large throw pillow.

Making their way to the corner by the stairs that lead to the boys' dormitory, they entered a recess that had been invisible before. This was their secret. The room had wards on it that allowed only people who knew it was there to enter. Here in 'The Closet', as they had dubbed it, Harry kept his invisibility cloak and the Marauders' map. Ron kept his second and third emergency stashes of candy. And Hermione had, without the knowledge of the others, hidden her diary. It was a place to share secrets, and plan practical jokes.

"Ok, we need to talk about this." Harry started their first meeting of the year.

(The Corsairs had been established at the end of their fourth year. The name was an obvious play on his father's gang, and he had taken the role of group leader, but neither of his friends minded. It kind of made sense.)

With a great deal of enthusiasm Hermione began telling them of her ideas… "So either way I think we should go to the library on our next study hall," Her suggestion was not well received.

Harry groaned, "I didn't plan to spend my first week back locked up in the library." There was a longer than expected pause then, because Ron did not add his usual disgruntled comments. Two pairs of eyes turned to him but he still seemed too preoccupied to notice. "Ron?" Harry hesitantly spoke.

Still no response. He seemed to be in deep thought. Or shock. But a slight cough from Hermione brought him out of the stupor he had been in.

"I think we need to get to class," was Ron's first voiced thought since they had left the dungeon.

"Oh my goodness! Guys we're late for potions!" Hermione shouted. Jumping up off the cushion she had brought in she ran to the picture/door closely followed by Harry and Ron.

~

"…AND ANOTHER twenty points from Gryffindor for interrupting my class with your silly excuses." Professor Snape was not happy.

Hermione flushed from running, and embarrassment moved to stand beside Neville at his cauldron, while Harry and Ron took the last available station and set to work.

As he paced up and down the aisles Snape tried to calm himself. 'Dumbledore will make the announcement when the time is right. Until then I have to contact Starch and see if he can fit me in soon.'

The rest of the period passed in the same vein. Snape taking points from Gryffindor for Parvatti's sneeze and Harry's having dropped one of his scrolls in the hall. Everyone was left frazzled just trying to survive the double period. As the students scrambled to escape though, Ron paused as he moved past Snape's desk. His friends saw the look he directed at the glowering professor and were reminded of his strange silence earlier. It almost looked as though he was about to say something to Snape, but thinking better of it hurried on with the rest.

When he was once again alone Severus let go of his internal controls enough to acknowledge the full implications of that look. 'He knows! I must stop him,' began the chant in his mind. He repeated over and over until he couldn't stand the silence of the dungeons any longer, 'I have to get some time off and contact Starch. I couldn't kill the boy. The Headmaster would not like that.'

*And you promised not to kill any students.*

'BLAST! But Dumbledore could keep him quiet. Him and his friends.'

Chapter 4:

After their last class was over Harry and Hermione had planned to confront Ron, both having figured out that he knew more of what had happened than either of them.

"We have to see the Headmaster guys," Ron beat them to it.

"Is this about er, Professor Snape?" Hermione hesitated to ask.

"Yah, I don't know much about it. But from what my father told me," he paused, "it's real serious."

With that said they went to try and find Dumbledore. As they were leaving the common room however they were met by…

"Professor McGonagall," Hermione brightened. "We were just on our way to see Professor Dumbledore. Do you think he could speak with us, now?"

Minerva raised an eyebrow at this request. "I was sent by the Headmaster to bring you to see him." Her statement was taken well by everyone - except Ron. He actually paled at it. The four of them walked quickly to the gargoyle that marked the entrance to Professor Dumbledore's office. "Ton Tongue Toffee," Minerva grimaced at the latest password Albus had come up with. 'Those Weasleys and their joke shop.' She led them up the spiraling staircase and paused at the door.

"Do come in Minerva." They heard the Headmaster's voice from within.

Upon entering they saw that they were not the only ones who had been invited.

"Professor Lupin," Harry greeted his favorite teacher with a smile.

Hermione was silent however, seeing the strange assemblage set off a train of thought in her head. 'Professor Lupin, Professor McGonagall, Harry, Ron, and me. What could possibly involve all of us? Well its obviously to do with Professor Snape's, er, problem. I wish I had time to read those medical books.'

"I have called you all here to speak with you about something that is of a rather sensitive nature." 'I hope he gets here soon. I can't tell them without his permission. It would destroy his trust in me.' The Headmaster paused and offered tea to buy some time.

"What is this 'matter' that has brought us all together?" Lupin queried, his curiosity also having been awoken.

But before Dumbledore could reply there was a soft tap on the door. 'Just one tap. It's his habit.' Albus smiled to himself remembering the many times he had almost missed that one soft tap that told him he was needed. "Come in Severus." he said confirming Ron's fears. "Severus please sit down and calm yourself."

Dumbledore's gentle tone would have been reassuring, if he had been talking to anyone else. But the potion master had never responded to anything like 'everyone else'. So it came as no shock to Albus when this small courtesy caused Snape to begin pacing his office in the same way he did in his classroom.

"His father," Snape began, his voice had a raspy quality to it, "is in the Ministry. Arthur was a First Year when Professor Cooliage died. He," now a long thin finger pointed at Remus, "will not be affected at all. They," he swung around to indicate Harry and Hermione, "are utterly uninvolved with any of this." He was forced to pause for a breath, and slight cough.

The Headmaster took the opportunity it provided to interrupt. "Severus, I have called a meeting. Of only the people who are directly involved or affected. And I will tell them, under the strictest confidence," he paused and passed his eyes over the group, waiting for each person's nod promising silence, "about the situation, as we know it. Will this be acceptable?"