A/N Hi, This is my unbetaed version because I haven't heard from my beta yet. I've decided I made you all wait too long. So if there are mistakes please be nice about alerting me to them. I haven't yet decided if I'm going to make HBP a part of my fic. This chapter can let me go either way. Let me know what you all think.

Chapter 7: A Question of Loyalty

Harry only put her down when she was back within the confines of the house. He was thinking of what this might mean for him. He did not want a repeat of last years hearing. Ginny was the first person they saw, "Here, Hermione drink this," she said passing her a vile of liquid.

"I wouldn't drink that if I were you Hermione," Ron said carefully.

"Why shouldn't I?"

Ginny rolled her eyes,"because, Professor Snape left it for you."

"That's right," Ron added a little more loudly, "you don't see him sticking around. That obviously means he-"

"Needed to alert the Headmaster of what was happening," cut in Remus wading into the conversation. Ron looked like he was chastised and closed his mouth rather then continue the argument, "further to the point he did make the Wolfsbane Potion for me an entire year without tampering with it."

Ginny sat talking to Hermione in their and Amber's room. Hermione said, "I know what you mean Gin. Who has the right to say if any of us are loyal or not… I trust you but the only person who trusts Professor Snape is Dumbeldore. He just isn't the type of person who gives us a reason to trust him."

Ginny broke in, "I know but there must be something, and it must be pretty important for the Headmaster to overlook the fact that he was a Death Eater."

"It looks like the question of loyalty is the hot topic of conversation at the moment," Amber said airily as she walked into the room, "First the boys and now you two. I'm guessing the topic of conversation is Professor Snape as I heard "the fact that he was a Death Eater" I thought so. Oh, your mum wants you in the kitchen to help her."

"Why dose she always want me to help!" Ginny said exasperatedly getting up tossing her hair.

"Because if you don't Tonks will. I mean, we love her and all, but she can be a tad bit on the clumsy side."

"Enough said I'll see you guys later."

Severus Snape had hoped to stay well clear of the celebration but Albus would have none of it. He was unfortunately going to be there. A more pressing issue on his mind was the security of headquarters after Luscious' little expedition earlier that day. Another question that lingered was where his loyalty would lie if it seamed Dumbeldore was loosing the war.

He had been pondering these questions once it was evident Voldomort would be stepping up his campaign to control the wizarding world. There were two options open to him. The first was to do the Griffendor thing and stay loyal no matter the outcome. He was a Slitherin after all and that part of him could not put himself in danger as long as there was another option.

Oh, yes and there was always another option. If he was careful then there was no reason why he couldn't switch over at any time. He did not want to be stuck on the loosing side. Some might have thought he did not care who won. Severus had his own opinions on who he wished to win. Wishes and reality did not always coincide and Severus knew that all too well.

He entered his fireplace with these questions still unresolved. He could always think while he was there. It wasn't as if he was going to be doing anything…

A/N I know this was short but I wanted to get this to everyone as soon as possible. Let me know what you think!