Yes, she's dead. I'm sorry, but I decided when I wrote this fic that she would die. This chapter here is whyI labled this fic as a Sev. fic, please leave feedback...if you don't hate me for killing Celeste. Only one chapter left.

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Albus Dumbledore surveyed the young man before him with eyes that were uncharacteristically somber. Severus Snape could not bring himself to look into those eyes. It had taken Severus a great deal of self-will to seek out his former headmaster, but now that he was with Dumbledore, his resolve was beginning to crumble away. Standing before Dumbledore, Severus felt his insides burn with guilt and shame. Dumbledore would no doubt send him straight to Azkaban, if that was the case, Severus could do little to help himself, Dumbledore was far more powerful than he was.

But Dumbledore did not pull out his wand to curse Severus; on the contrary, he offered him a seat. Severus hesitated, then sat down. The two men were silent for some time, finally, Dumbledore spoke.

"I understand it isn't easy for you to come here, Severus," said Dumbledore, in a remarkably kind voice. "But I'm very glad you did."

Severus looked up at the older wizard briefly, then looked back down at his knees. They were in Dumbledore's office at Hogwarts; it had been a few years since Severus had been in that office, on that occasion Severus had been in a towering rage, now he just wanted to cry.

"Professor," said Severus, his voice croaking, "I, well I'll understand if you turn me over to the ministry, but there's a few things I'd like to say first."

Dumbledore said nothing, but looked at Severus over his half-moon glasses, as if encouraging him to continue. Severus cleared his throat.

"I, well," Severus paused, then plunged on. "I can't tell you how terrible I feel, most people don't know this, but Celeste and I were once very good friends. Losing her has changed everything. I didn't kill her, but deep down I feel responsible. If I hadn't been working for the Dark Lord, things would have been different; I could have been working against him instead of helping him grow stronger."

Severus stopped speaking, his throat was becoming constricted and he was finding it difficult to hold back the bitter tears that were fighting to escape. Dumbledore sat silently and waited for Severus to go on.

"Regulus Black was the one who killed her," said Severus, spitting out the name, "He's dead now, it won't be long before they find his body, after that, Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange will know exactly what's happened."

"Well then," Dumbledore said suddenly, making Severus jump. "We'll have to come up with a story so that they won't suspect you."

"Excuse me?" said Severus, at a loss to understand what Dumbledore meant. "What do you mean, we?"

"Severus," said Dumbledore, rising from behind his desk and walking around to stand in front of Severus. "I have no intention of turning you over to the Ministry of Magic; on the contrary, I'm going to make you an offer. I realize that at the moment, your grief for Celeste and the guilt you feel has driven you to seek me out, but I also know that after those feelings have lessened somewhat you will not feel so kindly towards the idea of spending time in Azkaban."

Severus was rather taken aback to hear that Dumbledore was not going to turn him in, he looked at the old man quizzically. "What kind of offer?" he asked.

"I understand from Minerva that you have learned the art of Occulmency,' said Dumbledore.

Severus nodded, he had been taught Occulmency by his uncle when he was sixteen, and Minerva McGonagall had thought it a brilliant idea. No doubt she had just been pleased to hear he had spent that summer productively.

'I'd like you to join the Order of the Phoenix," Dumbledore went on, "I would like for you to return to Voldemort as a spy."

Severus flinched at the Dark Lord's name and looked up at Dumbledore in surprise.

"You want me to join the Order?" said Severus in amazement. "After what I've done, what I've been?"

Dumbledore nodded. Severus continued to stare at him, utterly bewildered, he had never imagined forgiveness would ever be extended towards himself, but it was there, shining it the eyes of Albus Dumbledore.

-

Severus apparated into the garden and stood a moment, staring at the wooden tree house. He wanted desperately to climb inside and block away the rest of the world like he had done when he was younger. But ignoring the world was no longer an option. Severus sighed and knocked on the back door.

A woman opened the door; it took Severus a few moments before he realized it was Minerva McGonagall, the woman he had come to see. Her face was drawn and her proud shoulders drooped. Her eyes widened as she saw Severus, but she stood aside to let him in.

Severus entered the kitchen; they had not spoken when he had brought Celeste's body. Severus had been too full of rage; Minerva had been struck dumb with grief. Minerva closed the door behind him and they looked at each other in silence. Severus was the first to speak.

"I've been to see Dumbledore," he said softly, "I'm now a member of the Order."

Minerva nodded, but did not speak. Severus chanced a look into her eyes and saw, not anger or hatred, but tenderness. This was too much for Severus. The tears he had been holding back in Dumbledore's office burst forth.

"Oh, Minerva," he cried, "I'm so sorry! I was too late, too late!"

Minerva stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.

"I know that Severus," she said softly, "I understand. I don't hate you."