The weeks passed by as the cold crept in. The students and their professors got into a comfortable routine, marred by few disturbances. Kio settled into her new role with ease, avoiding Severus in the halls, at meal times, or on her late-night patrols that Dumbledore had insisted on during the second week of classes. Occasionally she would walk around with Minerva, Kingsley, or even Hagrid. During the days she would see Hermione Granger and her friends, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley. The latter two were not in her class, but she recognized Harry Potter well enough. He looked very much like his father, and she had known both of them her last time in England. Nice people they were. She also knew who Neville Longbottom was. He had his mother's face. The Longbottoms had been kind to her the last time she was in England as well. They were the members of the Order that had found her and taken her to St. Mungo's that fateful night. She was familiar with the Order as well, knowing that Dumbledore ran it and that Minerva was in it. In fact Kio was the Spanish liaison for the Order, as requested by Dumbledore. He had asked her a few years ago, when he reformed the Order.  She was more than happy to oblige, having suffered as she did. She worked on a need-to-know basis, since her job had required her to sometimes be in the presence of dark wizards who might or might not be international members of Voldemort's Death Eaters. She couldn't turn Snape in, however. "After all, Dumbledore must be aware that there is a Death Eater on his staff," she thought to herself as she corrected essays in her classroom one afternoon.

Soon enough the first Hogsmeade weekend came before Hallowe'en. Kingsley approached Kio after the staff meeting discussing who would stay and who would go.

"Hey, Kio, would you like to join me for a drink at the Three Broomsticks?" Surprised, she looked up at the tall, dark man with wide eyes, nodding with a smile,

"I'd love to Kingsley. That would be nice. I have never really been to Hogsmeade, so this will be fun." She felt eyes upon her as she accepted this invitation. Without turning she knew that Severus was watching. Looking at Kingsley she smiled her most charming smile and patted his arm.

"Thanks for inviting me, Kingsley. Now please excuse me, as I have some tests to correct."  With a toss of her curly brown hair over her shoulder, she headed out the door. Suddenly she felt a hand grab her elbow, the potion master's voice hissing in her ear,

"What do you think you are doing? Are you trying to make me look like some kind of fool?" She tried to ignore the pleasant shivers that raced down her spine, turning to face him. Coldly she wrenched her arm free from his grasp.

"What are you referring to, Professor? I am merely accepting an invitation to have drinks with a friend and colleague. As for making you look like a fool… I don't have to bother. You do a fine job of it yourself!" Turning on her heel she headed down the stairs away for the Headmaster's office, leaving Severus behind, his mouth open in protest and disbelief.

"It might help to let her know that you two are on the same side, Severus." A low wizend voice spoke quietly at his elbow. Snape jumped slightly, turning to face the Headmaster.

"Yes, I know, but she will never forgive me. I don't blame her, after what I said and did to her. I was rather nasty to her that night." He sighed. It was only to Dumbledore that he showed any of his emotions. Right now his face showed sorrow at his loss.

"Sometimes, Severus, it's not so much what you say, but what you didn't say. She doesn't understand what you do for the Order, nor does she know that you are a double agent. She still thinks you serve Voldemort, and him only. Even that night she didn't know what you did, only that you had a dark mark.

"Now this might just be the ramblings of an old man, but perhaps it is time to stop hurting yourselves, each other, and just talk, hmm?" Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as Severus nodded.

"Perhaps you are right. I at least owe her some kind of explanation. Now, is not the time, maybe in a few weeks. She is so angry with me, and I still have to figure out what to tell her. If you will excuse me, Headmaster, I must return to my office to administer a detention." With a bow to the Headmaster, he headed out of the office.

The day dawned bright and beautiful for Kio. As she got into some civilian Muggle clothing, a long woolen charcoal gray skirt, a red turtleneck, and some knee-high 2-inch (5 cm) heeled black boots she thought over what the day was bringing: a day off the grounds, drinks with Kingsley, a trip to Honeyduke's for some candy, some paper correcting, and decorating her room and her office for All Hallow's Eve.  Almost imperceptibly her thoughts turned to Severus. Blast him and his jealousy! She didn't need him to play Mr. Overprotective Machoman. Her and Kingsley were merely friends sharing some time, enjoying each other's company. Did he think she was going to take Kinglsey and just… She shook her head angrily. Why did thoughts of Severus always make her so angry? She wasn't going to let thoughts of him spoil her fun. She knew he wasn't going to head out for Hogsmeade at all, preferring the solace of his dungeon office to the fresh air and sunshine.

Kio was happy he was staying. After that episode in his office she had been avoiding him. She barely talked to him or acknowledged him in the halls. She had sat in the Great Hall and ignored him. The only time she could not escape him was at night, in her dreams. Her memories replayed their times together while she was sleeping, especially that night in his office. Cielos! How she wanted that man! Even with all his shortcomings, his arrogance, his cold demeanor, she still felt drawn to him.

Running the hairbrush through her hair, grabbing a dark gray scrunchie to match her skirt, she pulled her hair back into a loose ponytail.  "He's a Death Eater, and no good. I should forget about him," she thought to herself as she put on some eyeliner, mascara, blush, and some lipstick. Forcing herself to stop thinking about the Potions Master she grabbed her cloak, her moneybag, and a scarf, shutting the door behind her.

She met Kingsley at the entrance where the students were lining up. Out of the corner she espied Severus at the top of the stairs scowling down at her and Kingsley.  Feeling wicked she smiled sweetly at him, then placed her hand on Kingsley's arm.

"Shall we head out?" He nodded, smiling at her. He gently took her arm and placed it in the crook of his own, leading her out.  They walked off the grounds, following the students into Hogsmeade. Once they stood outside the Three Broomsticks, he opened the door for her, leading her to a table by the fire.

"How have your classes been, Kio?" he asked as Madam Rosemerta approached them.

"What can I get you, Professors?" she smiled at them. Kio grinned back ordering a glass of Cabernet while Kingsley ordered a firewhiskey.

"They are actually going well. The students are teaching me almost as much as I am teaching them!" She giggled as Madam Rosemerta left to get their drinks.

"Tell me Kingsley, have you made your plans for the Christmas holidays?"

"Not yet. I am thinking I might stay at the school with Dumbledore. He is a powerful wizard, but it never hurts to have some help around the holidays. What of yourself? Going back to Spain, are you?" He studied her in the firelight, the gold hoop at his ear flickering merrily. She laughed,

"As much as I want to go home, I believe this Christmas I will stay here. I have not spent Christmas outside of Spain before, so this will be a new experience for me. I... need to keep an eye on certain …matters and interests here, and I would love to spend the holiday with Minerva." He nodded, pulling out some sickles from his pocket as the drinks came,

"Matters such as Professor Snape?" She just stared at his knowing smile. "Don't worry about the drinks. I'll pay. It was my treat after all" She smiled her thanks and sipped her wine, trying to keep her hands steady.

"What do you know about Severus and me?" she asked him, her eyes narrowing slightly. He chuckled, sipping at his firewhiskey,

"My dear the whole Order knows what happened that night. Well the older ones do anyway. We, the younger ones, had to be filled in. Snape doesn't talk about it to us. He's rather private, that man." She stared at him. He knew of the Order! He included himself which meant that he was in the Order, too! Her mind struggled to comprehend all that he said. He had mentioned Severus not telling him, which meant… that Severus was in the Order too! Rayos y Cielos! She just sat there, mouth open in shock.

"Close your mouth, Kio, or flies will go in," Kinglsey chuckled at her facial expression.

"Did you not know that Severus was in the Order? He has been for a very long time. When he was with you, even. He has been playing double agent for over 20 years!"

Kio sat back in shock, suddenly so many things made sense to her. Pushing her chair back she abruptly stood.

"I am so sorry, Kingsley. You have brought something to my attention that I need to take care of. I really must postpone our plans." Hurriedly putting her cloak on, she ran out of the Three Broomsticks, making her way toward the school.

Yes I know it's long and boring, but I needed to build some tension. I'm sure you all could appreciate that. Sorry if the grammar and descriptions seems a little off, it happens when you RP too much.

Morning Fey, thanks for the encouragement as always! I hope this is still Snape-y enough for you, though it's really more about her in this chapter. I'm nearing the end, so you won't have to wait long!

Emolistic, keep reading my dear. I'm glad you are liking it!