Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own a thing. Would love to be the proud owner of a Snape, but JK Rowling got there first. She owns all of the characters, settings etc. But you knew that.

This chapter includes a lot of dialogue, but don't worry, some proper action will begin happening in the next few chapters! Snape is being very, very open in this chapter, but I hope he's not too out of character. I promise the next chapter will be a lot better. I just had to put some information in this one before I continued with the story.

-Chapter Seven Werewolves and Revelations -

Snape dropped swiftly into the car in the corner of Jane's room. "As I was saying at the café, there's something you must know about me," he breathed, staring at Jane who was sitting on the edge of her bed. "Before I tell you though, there are some things you must understand. Firstly, Professor McGonagall bought up the subject of a war yesterday at your Sorting Ceremony. You may have wondered what she was talking about, and I'll do my best to explain. To cut a long story short, the wizarding world is engaged in a war against a group of people called the Death Eaters, and their leader...the Dark Lord. We don't speak his name; that is how much wizards fear him. You'll find plenty of books about the Dark Arts in your bookcase here. Anyway, there is also a group called the Order of the Phoenix. Professor McGonagall and I are members of it. Albus Dumbledore used to be before he died, as well. He was the one person the Dark Lord feared. Now that Dumbledore is gone, we are all worried that the Dark Lord will reign once more. He and his followers are ruthless; they care for no one besides themselves. They kill and torture. Sixteen or so years ago, the Dark Lord fell from power, due to a boy named Harry Potter. He is the bane of my life. He attends Hogwarts at the moment. The Dark Lord attempted to kill Harry, but failed, and lost his power. He has regained power now though."

Jane stared, wide-eyed. If she had known about wars and Dark Lords, she would have thought twice about entering the wizarding world. After thinking for a moment, she quietly asked, "What has this got to do with you though? And my father?"

"It has everything to do with myself and your father. Do not be alarmed, but...when I was younger, and much more foolish, I was a Death Eater. When I finally came to my senses, Dumbledore took me in here, but as a child growing up, I was fascinated with the Dark Arts. I did not have many friends, and for some twisted reason, I thrived on the look of fear in the eyes of people I hated when they found out that I was a follower of the Dark Lord. As for your father...he was a Death Eater too, and, I regret having to say this, but he still is. When your mother said that he was a bad man, she was entirely correct. Rodolphus Lestrange is a particularly nasty Death Eater. His wife - your step mother – is called Bellatrix Lestrange, and the Dark Lord has always been particularly fond of her."

After a loud gasp escaped Jane, she whispered, "My father, a Death Eater? And I have a step-mother? And...you were a Death Eater, and yet they still let you teach here!"

Severus raised an eyebrow and then proceeded to glare at Jane. "Yes, they do let me still teach here. And before you look down your nose at me, Miss Dashwood, I'd like to point out that Slytherin, the house you are in, just so happens to turn out the largest number of Death Eaters, though it's not something I'm proud of. I'm sure you'll eventually learn from the Gryffindors that it is not nice to be judged without getting to know a person first."

"I'm sorry, Professor," Jane murmured, though she too was glaring slightly.

"You're forgiven, Miss Dashwood. "There is something else I must tell you, though. Dumbledore requested - when the Dark Lord began to regain strength - that I should present myself to the Dark Lord as a Death Eater still. It is complicated, but it basically involved spying on the Death Eaters for the Order, though the Death Eaters believed I was spying on the Order. Just before the summer holidays began, the Death Eaters worked out that I was not on their side, and they put me under a curse named the Imperius curse. This meant that they were in control of my actions. Once again, I do not wish to alarm you, but it was I who killed Dumbledore. Thankfully, a wizard named Remus Lupin managed to catch me as I fled the scene, and after a bit of a scuffle, he worked out that I was acting under a curse. I owe him a lot; if he had not worked it out, I probably would be dead now."

"You murdered someone? And yet Professor McGonagall chose youto teach me, of all people? She genuinely believed it was safe to leave you alone with a student? You're sick. Sick and twisted!" Jane shrieked, leaping from her bed, flinging the door open, and running along the corridor in a desperate attempt to get as far away from Professor Snape as possible. She did not know where she was heading, but she did not stop for a moment to determine whether she recognised where she was or not. Before she knew it, she was outside Professor McGonagall's office, several staircases up. She stopped for a moment to take in some air, but when she saw the flurry of Professor Snape's robes approach her from round a corner, she hastily dashed off again, not looking back to see how close he was to her.

As she was getting worn out, Jane slowed down her pace to a fast walk, and as she turned a corner, she noticed a man approaching her. He wore shabby robes and his light brown hair was laced with grey. He had a kindly yet tired look about him, though she still did not want to have to speak with him, so she hid in the shadows of the wall as he passed. For a few moments she waited, eager to carry on running, but not wanting the man to notice her presence.

"Remus!" she heard Professor Snape's worried voice cry. "Have you seen a girl of about 16 pass you? Dark red hair, big eyes, quite tall, skinny?"

A hoarse voice laughed in a kind way and replied, "No, why? Scared the new student away, have you Severus?"

"Yes, well, sort of. What are you doing here?"

"Professor McGonagall owled me asking whether I could come to the school to speak with her. She just offered me the Defence Against the Dark Arts job...apparently she's finding it impossible to get anyone, so she's reached the point that she does not care if half of the parents don't want a werewolf teaching their children. I've accepted, of course. I haven't got a clue what I'm going to tell Tonks," came Remus's response.

"But what about the horcruxes!" Snape retorted, obviously very flustered.

"We found and destroyed another one yesterday. Kingsley is going to help Tonks from now on."

At this moment, Jane sneezed exceptionally loudly, accidentally alerting Snape to her presence just round the corner.

"Follow her!" Snape roared to Remus. They both dashed speedily around the corner after Jane. After a minute-long chase, they finally caught up with Jane, who stopped and looked sheepishly up at them.

"Hello. You're Jane, aren't you?" said Remus genially as he attempted to catch his breath.

"Yes, she is," Snape cut in. "I don't think she likes me much."

"She wouldn't be the first," Remus joked.

"Why thank you, Remus. Seeing as you're a lot more popular with students than me, could you please look after Jane and see that she doesn't escape, please? I'm not feeling particularly good...I think I need to rest." Snape spoke almost in a whisper. He certainly didn't sound too good.

"Of course, of course. I'll take her out onto the grounds for a while." Remus waved good bye to Snape and ushered Jane along the corridor.

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I'm really not at all pleased with this chapter, and I might rewrite it, but I'm not sure...I'll wait for some feedback first.

Tara- Thanks so much for the reviews! What you said really, really cheered me up. I feel so flattered! And yes, I update the story a lot lol, probably because I have no social life:P

Porcelain Prayer – Thanks for your review, I'm really glad you like the story, it means a lot to me!