A/N Five days, ten chapters! A record, for me at least.

Whitehound: yes, I realise the last chapter didn't explain the 'why' but I wanted to keep that for this chapter, and leave it to Snape to find out.

Azkaban Prison.

"I don't want to be here why did I come here oh Merlin I just want to scream and run back home while I can why did I come here…"

Trembling from head to toe, Severus waited for the gates to Azkaban to open. He had quietly petitioned, and immediately received, permission for a visit.

To his immense relief, there were no Dementors in sight, only a guard. He was led to a small secure room not actually part of the main building. The room looked pleasant enough, more like an interrogation room at the Ministry then the cell he'd spent over three years in. His palms were sweaty. He felt a cold hand gripping his intestines and twisting them around, lazily tying knots.

A sound at the door made him look up. Three Guards brought in Alastor Moody, the man he'd come to see.

The Guards dumped him rather unceremoniously on a chair that resembled the one in the Ministry courtroom. This one too, had chains that bound Moody to the chair immediately.

"So, you have come to kill me," the Auror growled, looking strange, for some reason, without his magical eye, "Figures. Only a Slytherin would attack a bound and helpless man."

"I'm not here to kill you," Severus replied, remembering how Harry had said those same words to him years before. He held his hands under the table. He would NOT let that man see them tremble. He would NOT show weakness, even though he felt ready to faint…

"I am only here to ask you why," he stated, pleased that his voice at least, sounded calm.

"Why? Because you were a Death Eater. Because you got a second chance. I didn't want you to get any credit for grovelling at the Dark Lords feet as a spy while others died, fighting REAL battles."

"I assure you that the battles for a spy might be less clear, but there none the less."

"Save your drivel. You took his Mark and you should have died that day. But you got off, the first time, and I was going to see too it that it would not happen again. When I heard of Lucius' plans, I knew your role as a spy was over. You were useless and worthless. I could finally dispose of you."

"Then why not hand me to the Ministry?"

"Don't be insane. Dumbledore would have gotten you out like last time. Even Potter would have fought for you. I could only get to you by taking away your protection from Dumbledore. And it worked. At first. If it weren't for that interfering brat. I hatee to admit it, that was one thing you were right about. That boy is just like his father, can't keep his nose out of things that don't concern him."

"You gave Albus the quill and with that the potion."

"Yes. The only way that stupid old fool would ever believe you'd betray him. If it weren't for Potter…"

Severus got up and left the building, the prison, the island as fast as his feet would carry him.

At the floo point on shore he hesitated. He took a handful of powder but thought for a while before releasing it.

"HOGWARTS, HEADMASTER'S OFFICE."

Dumbledore's wards alerted him that someone was about to enter through the floo. When the wards identified the unexpected visitor, he gasped and barely managed to grant permission to enter before he froze. The flames turned green and the man he'd never thought to see again stepped out.

"S-Severus," the Headmaster eked out.

For a long time, they said nothing else. Then the Potions Master sighed.

"I can't promise anything. I know the potion caused you to act the way you did. That doesn't change the fact that it will take me a long time to get over it, if ever. It probably will never be like before. But I think…I suppose I am willing to try and see if there is anything salvageable from our previous relationship. That is, if you want to…"

Dumbledore couldn't help the tears that ran down his face again.

"There is nothing I would want more then that, Severus. I thought…I thought I had lost you for good."

"Part of me IS lost for good. Some parts of me have probably changed for the better a bit. The rest I have yet to figure out."

"What made you change your mind about me?"

"Harry showed me in his pensieve what happened at the meeting yesterday. I needed more answers so I went to see Moody. And then I came here."

"You went to see Moody? Why?"

"To ask him precisely that. Why. He hates me, he says, for having been a Death Eater. I can understand that. He hates me for getting another chance, for getting off after the first war. Apparently he swore not to let me get away with it. When he found out my spying days were about to end, he set me up. Killing Molly in the process."

"But…why did you come here?"

Severus hesitated. "Because of what he said," he admitted, "because he said he had to take extreme measures – and believe me, Traitor's Liquid IS an extreme measure – to get you to stop protecting me. He…I heard what he said yesterday…about…" he trailed off.

Dumbledore slowly approached him.

"About what?" he asked gently.

"About how you loved me like a son. How I would have died for you. I had forgotten much of that in Azkaban. Those were my only happy memories, so the Dementors took them immediately, before I managed to close my mind to them."

"I did love you like a son. I still do."

Severus glanced up before directing his gaze to the fire again. "I know. It's just hard to believe that. But on some level, I must, or I wouldn't be here…"

"Is there…any hope…that you can forgive me someday?"

"I think I already did that. It's the forgetting that is so hard to do."

Dumbledore reached out as if to grab him into a hug, but checked himself and withdrew.

Severus bit his lip, frowned, and then stepped forward to awkwardly put his arms around the headmasters' shoulders.

Dumbledore, after the first shock had worn off, hugged him back, and the once familiar feeling and scents triggered many good memories in the Potions Master's mind that he'd thought were lost permanently.

After a few seconds, Severus drew back. Dumbledore yearned to hold him longer, but he had to let his son set the pace. This was already so much more then he had thought possible. A month ago he had said his farewells, believing he'd never see his son again. Forgiveness and a fresh start had seemed impossible.

"I have to get back," Severus said, "Harry and Draco will flay me alive when they find out I've been to see Moody. If I stay away longer they'll tear down half of Britain to find me."

Dumbledore chuckled. "They care about you. I'm sure they'll restrict themselves to a few lectures."

Severus nodded. "Yes, it's not really THEM I fear. But Dobby…I shudder to think what he's going to do to me."

He smiled slightly. "I'd like to rejoin the Order, if that's ok with you." Upon receiving a stunned nod, he took some floo powder.

"I'll see you at the next meeting, then."

With that, he returned to the manor.

"You went to Azkaban," he heard Harry's voice as soon as he Apparated back from the guardhouse to the main building.

"I am aware of that, Mr. Potter. However, I escaped several months ago."

"You went to see Moody," Harry ignored his 'fear inspiring potions master' act.

He had folded his arms over his chest and had an angry look on his face. Next to him, there was a house elf in the exact same position. Had Severus not been aware of how fierce Dobby could be, he would have been on the floor, laughing.

"Professor Snape should not have done that," the elf growled, "Harry and Dobby were worried. Professor should have asked Harry to come."

"I didn't want him to," Severus said stubbornly, "I had to do this myself."

He hesitated. "I wanted to confirm some things…before I went to Dumbledore."

Both inquisitors lost their stern facade and eyes widened. Harry smiled.

"I also rejoined the Order."

Dobby was about to say something, but Harry held him back.

"That's good news, Severus. But please, next time, at least warn me. I nearly fainted when I couldn't find you, checked the floo and saw that you had gone to Azkaban."

"I thought the Boy Who Lived would have stronger nerves then that," Severus sneered, before giving his promise.

Harry grinned and bustled him into the dining room for lunch.

Many Order meetings later, they were ready.

As the day approached, they were tense, but felt they had done everything in their power to be prepared. Severus had brewed several other potions, along with Bill Weasley. He had trained and regained a lot of his previous strength. Harry had duelled with him several times to see if he was in good enough shape to fight, and concluded that he was probably better then several of the other Order members.

The Ministry was empty. Ministry workers trying to floo or Apparate to work had found they were being blocked. At the Entrance Hall, the Order was awaiting the attack.

Thirthy Death Eaters. The scouts at the Apparition and Floo points had reported the number of attackers quite accurately. And there, grinning like mad, surrounded by the others, was Voldemort, with Lucius Malfoy at his side. Harry nearly heard Draco growl next to him.

"No one at home?" the Heir of Slytherin hissed, amused, "have they fled before us?"

"Not at all, Tom," answered the voices of Dumbledore and Harry, as they stepped up with the rest of the Order, over fifty strong. Severus took his place in the ranks.

"Sssseverussss," the man hissed, "my little traitor. And what has it brought you? Azkaban. None of them trusted you."

Severus said nothing.

"Do you see now, child, the truth of my words? There is no good, there is no evil, for indeed they hurt you as much, or perhaps worse then any curse I could have thrown at you. There is only power. They do not appreciate you, Severus. I will give you another chance. Another chance at greatness. I forgive your sins against me and I will take you back into the Inner Circle. Come over, and rejoin me."

Severus stepped forward.

"Yes, they did hurt me," he said softly, "they did betray me." He looked over his shoulder to see the faces of some in the Order contract in fear.

"Even now they do not all trust me."

Voldemort smiled. "Then come back to me. You have given me no reason to trust you with your betrayal, yet I'm willing to place my trust in you again."

Severus returned the smile and took a few more steps forward.

"Lucius betrayed me," he said, turning his smile at his former friend.

Voldemort looked upon him fondly. "I understand that is hard to forgive. What do you want?"

Severus stopped and stared at the floor, apparently deep in thought. Then he looked upon his former Master imploringly.

"My Lord," he began uncertain, continuing when he saw the immensely pleased look on Voldemorts face when addressed with that title, "Will you make Lucius swear an Unbreakable Vow that he will never raise his wand against me, or attempt to betray me, ever again?"

Both the elder Malfoy and Voldemort gloated when they realised that this was their chance to get back the most gifted Death Eater of all.

"Yes," they both replied eagerly. Wormtail came forward. Voldemort took Lucius' hand.

"Do you, Lucius Malfoy, swear that you will not raise your wand against Severus Snape, or do anything to cause him harm?"

"I swear it."

"Do you swear you will never again betray him?"

"I swear it."

The oath was sealed.

Severus bowed.

"Thank you, my Lord. I must confess something. Before I was a Death Eater, before I was a spy, I was something else."

The Dark Lord looked intrigued. "What?"

A content smirk appeared on the Potions Masters face.

"Before anything else…I am a true Slytherin," he said, stepping back into the Order ranks.

Voldemort's eyes burned with anger. "You Vowed to join me!"

Severus laughed. "I did no such thing. I swore nothing. I wasn't even involved in the oath Lucius swore, but thanks to you, MY LORD," he said mockingly, "Lucius now cannot do me harm without dying himself." The Death Eater yelled in frustration.

"But, you were right," Severus said, "There are no clear lines between good and evil. Good came from your ranks," he indicated Draco,

"and evil has come from ours." He grimaced as he thought of Moody's betrayal.

"But I have chosen my side, and I will never join you again!"

"ATTACK! KILL THEM ALL!" Voldemort shouted, insane with rage.

The Death Eaters stormed up to the Order, curses flying. Quickly, the fight broke up in groups.

Neville and Draco ended up at the far end of the room, battling Bellatrix. Remus Lupin, growling, had taken on Wormtail. The Death Eater was no match for the trained werewolf, and it was soon over.

Harry, meanwhile, was facing Nagini.

"You will not kill my master," the snake hissed.

"And why not?"

This clearly confused the snake.

"Because…because…just because! You will not kill my master. He told me about muggle kind. That they lock us up in cages. He will protect me."

"It is true. I rescued a Boa Constrictor from one of those cages once. I wouldn't let that happen to you."

"You rescued one of my kind?" The snake's confusion grew ever larger.

"Yes. He wanted to go back to Brazil, so I set him free. His guards weret…unhappy," Harry recalled. The snake hissed in distinct laughter.

"I like you, Harry Potter. Perhaps you are not so despicable after all."

"You don't need to serve anyone, you know. He wanted freedom. Why don't you take yours? Go wherever you want to go. Perhaps, visit my friend in Brazil."

"I think I will. How do I get out of here again?"

"I will cast a spell to send you to Brazil," Harry said. He raised his wand and cast a complicated spell. The snake disappeared.

Severus laughed when he saw Lucius Malfoy approach.

"You can't kill me without dying yourself, Lucius."

"I can still take you with me," the Death Eater sneered. He overlooked the battle field. It wasn't going well for them. The Order was well trained and seemed in perfect form. Some of them moving with dexterity he had never thought possible.

"LUCIUS!" Voldemort yelled, "Don't attack Snape!"

But Lucius, blinded by rage, whipped out his wand. "Avada Kedavra!" he shouted. The green light shot at Severus, who was blocked by a body. Suddenly an arm took his and he was yanked out of the way of the spell. He looked up to see Dumbledore.

"Old fool," Lucius hissed, paling, "You will pay for this, if it's the last thing I do."

Dumbledore's shield held most of the Crucio, but still made him fall to the ground.

But before he could curse the old wizard, Severus growled and leapt, transforming in mid jump. A black lion threw itself at the elder Malfoy, bit down on his wrist and tore his hand, and wand, right off.

Malfoy staggered back, eyes opened wide, the one remaining hand clutching his heart, the blood from the stump spraying his robes.

"Bloody…Vow…" he managed, before falling backwards, dead.

Voldemort seethed. "Felis Caedus!" he hissed at the lion, standing protectively over the Headmaster.

In the blink of an eye, the lion was gone and a wolf had taken its place. The spell hit it, causing no more then a tickle.

Dumbledore had managed to get up.

"Crucio!" Voldemort threw at the wolf. He missed spectacularly, since the wolf suddenly was gone completely.

Voldemort decided this just wasn't his day. He had expected triumph, but from what he could see, the battle wasn't going well for him. He saw the Potter brat disposing of his snake and then making his way over to him, not bothered by the many curses that hit his shields.

"We will continue another day," Voldemort hissed, summoning the remaining Death Eaters and disappearing.

Harry growled in frustration. Dumbledore put a hand on his shoulder. "It went well, my boy. Your time will come. He won't be able to get away every time."

The Order had begun to collect dead and captured Death Eaters. The healers moved in to take care of the wounded.

Three Order members were dead, four more severely wounded. Among them Neville, who had managed to kill Bellatrix, but not after taking several curses that would keep him at St. Mungo's for several weeks at least. Draco got away with a broken arm and a few bruised ribs.

"Were is Severus?" Dumbledore asked Harry in a panic, "I can't believe what he did…he transformed in a lion and then a wolf and then he just disappeared…"

Harry looked around. "Severus!" he called.

They both startled when the Potions Master appeared right in front of them.

"Are you ok, Albus?" he asked.

"I am, but what about you? You disappeared!"

Severus grinned. "Oh no, I was really close." Harry rolled his eyes. The relief began to wash over him.

"What did you change into?"

Severus shuffled his feet. "A flea," he admitted, "I jumped out of the way of the cruciatus, straight into Albus' beard."

Dumbledore looked at his beard in alarm. Harry roared with laughter.

"We won," he said, then looked at the three bodies covered in cloaks. "No more juniors in battle, Albus," he said, voice tight, "not before they are thoroughly trained."

He walked away.

"He gets like that after every battle where we lose someone," Dumbledore sighed. Then he put a hand on the potions masters' shoulder. "You saved me, my boy."

Severus smiled. "You saved me first."

They saw their tired friends being joined by Ministry personnel who took over cleaning up.

"Well," Dumbledore said, "It seems I have some reports to write."