Maybe Claudius is right. Maybe this really IS madness…

The break in the weather gave Selene hope to be able to complete observations before it picked up again, so she stood in the observation tower, cloak wrapped around her, breath hanging in clouds around her, one eye peering into the telescope lens, one hand haphazardly scribbling notes for her to later transcribe. Every clear shot she had of the impending meteor shower was precious to her; one moment all would be fine, the next, a thick snow cloud would block the sight from her.

November snowstorms were frustrating at best.

Heaving a sigh as fat snowflakes began to drift in front of her view, Selene pushed herself away from the telescope, reaching for her notes, grateful she'd learned how to write straight without having to look. Hands on the stone windowsill, she breathed deeply, aware for the first time in an hour bone-chilling cold the air around her. The almost-full moon hanging in the sky told her she still had hours to go before dawn.

As she breathed again, a scent wafted to her. Cloves. Then a second, more familiar smell drifted in the air, and Selene turned, one brow raised. "Impressive. I don't believe anyone has ever managed to sneak up on me before."

Severus shrugged, a pair of mugs in his hands, holding one out to her. "It was actually fairly easy. I believe you were using some rather harsh language while scolding a cloud for getting in your way. I did knock, but you didn't hear me."

Selene took the cup from him, the deep aroma of fresh coffee making her close her eyes in momentary bliss before taking a sip, the rich boldness of the blend soothing her mild irritation. "Well, the cloud simply didn't understand the incredibly bad timing it possessed. I had just managed to focus on my sight when it did that." She took another sip of the coffee, feeling the warmth of the liquid go through her, before continuing. "And I must say, this is better than the wine I was planning to have. What brings you up here on such a retched night?"

"I wanted to return the favor." At her puzzled expression, he elaborated. "The wine you left on my doorstep the other evening." He actually shivered involuntarily for a moment. "And I thought the dungeons were cold…"

"The dungeons don't have wide-opened windows, though."

"The dungeons don't have windows of any kind."

"Then I fail to see the surprise in my tower being cold, when it would be the logical conclusion after observing open windows in winter."

"Your tower?"

"Yes, my tower. This is the Astronomy Tower. I am the Astronomy professor. Hence, my tower. Don't you refer to the dungeons as 'yours', on occasion?"

"Do you banter like this with everyone who brings you coffee at midnight?"

"Considering the fact that you're the only person who has ever brought me coffee, at midnight or any hour of the evening for that matter, I would have to say yes, I do."

"That's unfortunate."

"How so?"

"You're quite adept at the art of bantering."

Selene brought the coffee to her lips again, turning away from the man to quickly think of another retort. Morgan's lake, you silly girl, quit reading so much into all of this. He enjoys debating – you know that. It's not like you two have never had a conversation before. There's nothing hidden there, so stop acting like one of your silly simpering students.

Why did her conscience disappoint her so?

"You're not that bad yourself, truth be told." She set the mug down, gathering up parchment before it blew away, the breeze picking up from the windows, charming them all closed again, a heating charm warming the air quickly. "It's nice to have someone intelligent to debate with now and again."

The warm air didn't quite reach him.

Why are you so intent on looking for something that likely isn't there? A few conversations, some wine and coffee, and a pair of dances in front of the entire school does not mean there's anything there, you fool.

"So, what were you observing before the weather managed to pique your temper?"

Somehow, the question relaxed Selene immensely – discussions of her chosen field always managed to return her to some state of inner equilibrium. "There's a fascinating meteor shower coming into view over the next several days. I'm actually quite excited; I don't often get to observe one with such clarity from Hogwarts." She actually began referencing her notes, pointing to measurements and calculations on the parchment, having completely forgotten her company's lack of knowledge of astronomy. "It's the Leonids shower, actually. Rather unusual activity within it this year. Normally, rates are much lower and more infrequent, but this year, the number of meteors actually in view will be four to five times higher than years past. At least, according to my calculations. See here," she jerked one parchment from under the pile, pointing to an arcing calculation, "is the trajectories of the few precursor objects I was able to spot this evening. While normally, only a couple come into view before the shower's full intensity, the number tonight was actually the same as last year's peak activity…" Selene finally looked up, silent, her cheeks actually turning a slight shade of pink. "And you have absolutely no interest in this whatsoever, do you?"

Severus coughed slightly, trying to look less guilty. "Not a lack of interest. More of a lack of understanding on my part. I have to confess, I don't know much about meteor showers in general, so this discussion is, sadly, lost on me."

Selene looked sheepish as she gathered her papers up again, her enthusiasm slowly fading. "Don't apologize. I'd probably be just as lost if you took me down to your workroom and waxed eloquent over some complicated potion that I never heard of before." She gave him a wan sort of smile. "Different fields, different academic interests. Sometimes, I'm amazed we have much to discuss at all."

"We do have mutual interests in reading material."

She nodded. "True. Although I have to take your word on that, since I've yet to see your library."

"We could always rectify that."

Both of them stood awkwardly, the comment hanging between them in the air. The implied subtext echoing loudly in the silence.

Out of nowhere, they both began talking.

"On second thought, I need to be up in the morning to work on…"

"I should probably go work on these calculations so I'm not overwhelmed tomorrow…"

They exchanged a long, pointed stare, before Severus broke the renewed silence. "I'm glad you enjoyed the coffee."

"Thank you for bringing it."

She stood in the stillness of the room, watching his retreat, before sighing harshly, the sound echoing off the stone walls. Despite the chill and the snowfall, Selene wrenched open the door leading to the open observation desk, one hand reaching to undo the knot holding her hair in place, letting it fly free around her, the thick black locks tangling in the winter breeze, small white snowflakes settling in stark relief against them.

For once, she was grateful for the snow.

It made it easier for her to pretend she wasn't crying.

Usually, in polite civilization, feeling a sudden rush of desire to slap one's employer could be construed as destructive.

Selene told her inner voice to bugger off, as she stood in the Headmaster's office, hands on hips, glaring darkly at Albus Dumbledore. "I'm not sure whether to feel insulted or shocked right now."

"My apologies, Selene. However, you should have known I would need to ask questions like these soon."

"I thought I made this clear thirteen years ago when you interviewed me."

"A lot has changed in the world in thirteen years."

"I see that. Thirteen years ago, my word was enough for you."

"Selene, I only ask because…"

She stopped his words with a dark look. Which, for the moment, surprised Albus Dumbledore. Usually the only person who managed such a feat was his Potions Master.

Selene paced in front of him, her brown eyes locked on the man who'd managed to ruin her evening. "Then let me reassure you now. I promised thirteen years ago to never tell tales about anything I saw or heard in this castle to any member of my family, and that promise still holds true. Just as I don't ever tell you things I've seen or heard when visiting home. Morals versus ethics, remember?"

Albus Dumbledore held back his sigh, exhaustion still filling him like it did most days since Voldemort's return. "I remember, Selene."

"Good. Then you also remember that you promised me you'd never question my word, nor would you waste your breath trying to recruit me into your little coven of do-gooding witches and wizards. My only condition upon your ultimatum." Her words came out cold as ice. "Bad enough I'm reminded in letters from home how my brothers dislike my chosen profession. Worse still to have daily reminders of how I dislike theirs."

Albus nodded. "I understand…"

"Like hell you do." Selene snapped, her pacing ceasing. "With all due respect, Headmaster. Like. Hell. You. Do. You cannot possibly know how I feel, let alone understand the quandary of right and wrong in which I have found myself. Hard enough finding employment after the War, but to have to work for someone whose viewpoints conflict so strongly with my family's…"

Dumbledore let the words hang for a moment before replying. "You're right. I don't know how it feels to be caught between family and personal ideology. However, I do know that you've handled it admirably. And you're not the only person who has found work hard to come by after a war where dark pitted itself against good."

"That's prejudicial at the least, and you damn well know it."

"True. Both yourself and Remus Lupin prove that comment false. I apologize. I only meant that caution sometimes wins out over principles. After all, I do need to ensure the safety of my students and staff..."

He hadn't thought Selene's eyes could narrow further.

He was wrong.

"You dare to say that to me. After you hired a werewolf and let him run rampant on the grounds for almost a full year? He almost killed three students. Not to mention the Dementors that were allowed full access to the school. Or how about the complete witch hunt that's going on this school year, with an utterly unstable professor turning herself into a dictator and invoking carte blanche on the students. All of these things, which cause incalculable amounts of risk and harm , and you worry about ME endangering them? That's rich!"

"I'd like to state now that I didn't make any illusions to your directly placing anyone in harm's way."

"I should surely hope so, since it's been thirteen years and no one's figured it out except Pomfrey. And you knew what I was and who I was and where I came from when you hired me. If you were so damned worried, why hire me in the first damned place?"

"Because you're a brilliant astronomer and a talented instructor. Nothing else seemed to matter."

"Well, forgive me if that's poor consolation now." The words spat forth, venom coating them, as a dark rage seemed to boil inside her.

"Would the knowledge that you are not the only professor I'm having similar conversations with assuage your frustration?"

Selene's eyebrows shot up. "Not really, since I can only think of one other you would remotely have any qualms about. And since he's taught here longer than I, I would have to think your continued employment of him would indicate either a greater trust in his abilities, or supreme idiocy on your part."

Dumbledore smiled softly, a knowing and appreciative gleam in his overly-expressive blue eyes. "I should have known he would have told you about his past."

"He didn't. My brother did." She leaned against the desk, eyeing him closer. "As you should have known he would."

"As I suspected, but had no proof. However, in my defense, you have been spending more social time with Severus than anyone else in the castle, therefore I assumed that conversation had already arisen."

Selene pursed her lips. "First of all, contrary to popular belief, that 'social time' has not been as frequent as you intimate it has, nor has it crossed any lines of propriety. Secondly, he hasn't told me and I haven't told him. That conversation has not come up, nor will it, most likely. Chances are, he knows I know anyway. Unless he's a bigger idiot than I have proof of, and hasn't put two and two together."

"He may not have, all things considered."

"Why are we even discussing this again?"

"I just needed to know where your loyalties lay, that's all, Selene."

"I wasn't aware segueing into a fishing expedition about my personal life and subsequently related conversations with other staff members was actively correlated to my loyalties to your school and your precious Order."

"Anything that could affect this school and the impending war is my concern, Selene."

Fire burned in her eyes, the deep rich brown shading closer to black than normal, the passion in her words convincing him more than the actual content. "I have stayed neutral where the war and the sides in it are concerned for thirteen years, Headmaster. I will stay neutral for however long it takes for it to end. I will say to you what I said to all four of my brothers three years ago: don't make me choose sides– you may not like my choice."

Dumbledore took these words with his usual calm response. "That is all I can hope to ask for, Selene."

"Good." With a flurry of deep midnight blue robes swirling around her ankles, she headed for the door, flinging it open, crashing directly into a black-clad figure.

The scent of cloves told her immediately who it was.

Severus stared in a slight case of shock as Selene pulled herself away, eyes narrowed as she looked once more at Dumbledore before turning to leave again. "I take it you're here for your interrogation as well. Enjoy."

Her long black hair swung, unbound, behind her as she stormed away.

Dumbledore let out a sigh as the door closed again. "I'm afraid Professor Sinistra didn't enjoy our conversation."

"I'd be forced to agree." Severus quirked an eyebrow before settling into the chair opposite the Headmaster, looking across the desk. "What did she mean by interrogation?"

"Simply that I needed to ask her a few questions regarding the current political climate of the world in which we live. Just as I had to ask you."

A long silence filled the room.

"I wasn't aware her loyalty would come into question."

"Everyone has a past, Severus."

The comment hung in the air, almost tangible, both men simply staring at each other.

"Why do I feel as if I'm missing some relevant piece of information here?"

"Because you are. However, it's not in my purview to relieve you of your ignorance in this situation. Some things, Severus, are not mine to disclose to you."

"Is this to be another of those legendary cryptic evenings?"

"It depends."

"On?"

Dumbledore smiled casually, an expression which irked his former student. "On whether or not you plan to continue wondering about my conversation with Professor Sinistra, or if you plan to tell me what brings you here, considering I was under the assumption you would be off-grounds this evening."

One of these days, I'm going to get drunk enough to ask the man how he does that.

Without fanfare or flourish, Severus pulled out a packet of parchment. Letters, unsealed, with various handwritings on each. Dumbledore received them, silent, his eyes taking them in, the full weight of what he held slowly coming to him.

"How did you…"

"Don't ask. I can't tell you, and even if I could, you'd be happier not knowing." Snape's black eyes burned as he stared at Dumbledore, emphasizing the words. "But there you are. Direct correspondence connecting six Ministry workers to known Death Eaters, bribes clearly offered, everything spelled out plainly for anyone to read. Which, if I believe, was two workers more than you'd suspected."

Dumbledore folded them carefully, opening an enchanted drawer in his desk, settling the parchment inside delicately. Both men heard the drawer click shut of its own accord and vanish from sight. "Thank you, Severus."

The potions master rose and left the room without a sound. As usual.

Despite the late November chill, his feet took him outside, needing the cold winter air to clear his head. Whenever he completed one of these missions, Severus needed to be alone for a while. It never got comfortable, manipulating people in order to pay his penance for his sins. Every time he came back to the school, it only reinforced in his mind how many sins there really were.

His feet crunched in the snow, the wind whipped the bare trees, the waves on the lake lapped frantically against the ice-rimmed shores. The cold air surrounded him, numbing his skin, somehow soothing his conscience. Slowly, deliberately, he walked around the castle, the aching cold surrounding him.

It was the shadow he saw in the snow that drew his attention.

Something small, perched on the northern tower. Something waving around it, reflected in the moonlight.

His eyes traveled upward, seeing a woman on the outer ring of the Astronomy tower, standing near the edge, her long black hair whipping around her in the breeze.

Inexplicably, the sight did more to assuage his pain than the cold ever had.