Disclaimer: None of it is mine. All the credit belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Well, sorry it takes so long.  I really have tried to update sooner, it's just very hard to do. Thank you to those of you who reviewed. So sorry about the length of the last chapter. This one will be much longer, I promise. It is has to be to get this part of the story out. For those of you who read my previous story "To Wish One Could Forget," Isabella Snape is back. The story of her and our dear Potions master may have changed, but she is still the love of Severus' life.

So, sit back, and enjoy the new chapter I have made for those of you who love romance. (And for those of you who don't, don't worry, there's betrayal and action in it to, so just hold on." Enjoy! And don't forget, as always, to read and review after reading. (Your feedback helps me to write my story to your desires, so please, click that little button at the bottom of the page, and just write a few words to let me know what you think. Okay?)

I think I'm going to try a new writing style for this one. Tell me what you think.

Chapter 13: The Potions Master: Part II

Something that many people seem to forget is that dreams are not only the fiction that our mind, but some are also memories. Ask Harry Potter, who often did not wish to sleep for fear that when his eyes closed and his body slept, his mind would make him relive the deaths of Cedric Diggory and his dear godfather, Sirius. Snape had a similar problem, although not as often. Sometimes, when he had had an unusually pleasant day, he would have dreams of the happiest time in his life, and then wake up all the more sad than when he had fallen asleep.

One may wonder: Well, what does Snape dream about? And to be told the truth, that is a most wonderful question. No one can know for sure the exact dreams that he had; not unless you yourself know Occlumency, and can intrude a human mind. But a few people know when Snape, yes even Professor Severus Snape, was happy. It was a long time ago, and yet not so long. To Harry, it would be considered a lifetime ago, although to someone older, just a few short years.

It was over twenty years ago that he first set sight on those beautiful, ocean-blue eyes. They seemed as bright as a morning sky, and as crystal blue as the ocean. She was of medium height, and the clothes she wore accentuated her figure in a very complimentary fashion. She was wearing a dark blue dress, that went below her knees. Strange for a witch to be wearing a dress in a wizarding village, but this woman could have worn anything and gotten away with it. Her smile lit up the entire room. Her hair fell on her shoulders in waves and curls of dark brown. And the moment Severus saw her, he was in love.

Severus Snape was one of those people who tried to play himself off as tough in front of people, but when it came to approaching girls, he was very nervous. His palms became sweaty, and he often lost his voice. It never mattered who the girl was, he would completely freeze up. But for some reason, when he saw this girl, he felt courageous, like he could take on the world. He strode up to her, thinking that if he moved too slow, he would lose her. Her head turned slightly as he came near, but she said nothing, only silently seemed to look him over.

"Hello," he began. 'Great, Severus, now what?' his voice chided.

"Hello," she answered. Her voice seemed to sing that one simple word. Her voice was the loveliest he had ever heard, and it echoed sweetly in his ears. Her voice carried a slight accent that was not of the United Kingdom, but it was not distinguishable as to where she was from, as it was so faint.

"I couldn't help but to notice you across the room," he said honestly. "You are very beautiful." Even he was surprised at his audacity.

"Thank you," she blushed, turning slightly. "Who are you?"

"I'm Severus Snape. May I have your name?"

The girl seemed to hesitate, then said, "Isabella Baio."

"You're Italian, then?"

"Yes, originally. I have lived in England for the past year and a half, but I do originally come from Italy. This is my first time visiting Hogsmead, though."

"Would you like a tour?"

Isabella looked at him carefully, as though not sure what to think of him. "I would enjoy that very much," she said, her face lighting up with a smile. Snape extended his arm, and she took it, as though it were long ago, where a woman often walked arm in arm with an escort. Severus could not help but to feel comfortable with her arm wrapped around his. It was not often a woman showed interest in him.

They walked around the entire town, talking about their lives. With Isabella, he felt he could be completely honest, even though he had just met her. He told her of his home life, a subject which his closest friends did not even know many details about. He also learned a great deal about hers. What he didn't tell her was of the job he had committed himself to lately.

"You should like to see me again, yes?" she asked, as he walked her back to the place she was staying that evening.

"Umm, yes," he said.

"Then tomorrow, at noon, you come and pick me up, and we have lunch together. Si?"

"Alright. I'll see you then." And as he walked away, Severus felt that he could walk on air. Suddenly, a sharp searing pain shot out of his arm, and he knew that he had to leave. Appearating to a small field not far from a muggle village, he saw other death eaters who had already arrived. They stood in a small circle, waiting to receive their instructions. Snape looked around, but didn't recognize the shoes that his father normally wear. (Shoes were the only distinguishing marks on any death eater.)

"My loyal followers!" the familiar voice hissed to the crowd of death eaters, and all heads turned to where Voldemort stood waiting for them. "How pleasant of you to join me for a little fun. You see, there are muggle loving witches and wizards living in this village. I want them dead! Lord Voldemort will show those fools what happens when they chose sides against him! Now, go!"

There was a large murmur of agreement and evil glee as the death eaters strode in their great number into the village. Over the next two hours, the small muggle village was destroyed; the death eaters not only killed every last muggle, they took anything that appeared to be of value, then burned the rest to the ground, and sent the dark mark up above the destroyed village. The only people left were now sitting in the middle of the ring of death eaters. In that group was a family, a mother, father, and two children who appeared to be about the ages of seven and twelve. Along side were two wizards and another witch. The whole group consisted of what Voldemort considered to be "muggle lovers". Snape recognized two of them as fellow classmates. Behind his mask, though, they could not recognize him.

The witches and wizards were tortured and killed according to their "crimes". Snape actually enjoyed this part: the killing. Voldemort was also pleased at the creative poisons and potions Snape came up with to torture the captives. And Snape was quite pleased with his position. A short time ago he had joined the ranks of the death eaters, and already he was among the Dark Lord's most trusted followers.

After the raid, Snape returned to his lonely and large home at Snape manor. His parents were probably already asleep. Thinking of getting a late meal, Snape entered into the kitchen to find something, rather than summoning a noisy and bumbling house elf. Those filthy creatures never seemed to know when it was a good idea to be quiet.

Snape pushed the kitchen door open, and stopped dead in his tracks. For there, standing in front of him, was his own father, with blood dripping from his hands onto the floor. Not far away lay a knife, covered in blood. The blood had the look as though it were beginning to dry, but Snape's father just stood there, eyes blank and confused. His head slowly turned in Severus's direction. Seeming to snap out of whatever reverie he had been in, he turned to his son and said, "You clean it up!" then stormed out of the room. Severus strode farther into the room, and looked around. There, long dead on the floor, was his mother. Her glazed eyes stared into his, although she did not see him. Snape did not hear the scream that escaped from his own lips. Scooping the knife up that lay on the floor, he ran after his father.

Snape Senior, seeing that his own son was heading toward her, turned and ran. Severus was quicker though, and when he had caught up with him, stabbed his father in the heart. As his father sank onto the floor, Severus had one question. "Why? She was the only person who ever loved me."

"I was ordered to!" Snape senior gasped. "The Dark Lord commanded her death, and I obeyed."

"But why?"

"She was a traitor, Severus. But you wouldn't understand my reasoning. It was…for…honor." And with that, Severus's father died. Severus sank down onto his knees near his dead father. Was that really it? Had Voldemort commanded his mother's death without telling him? Was Voldemort so paranoid that a small, weak woman would be a threat to him? Severus buried his face in his hands and sobbed. There were no real tears, but the emotion was real.

Nearly an hour later, Snape climbed the stairs to his mother's study. There she kept anything that was important that she didn't want destroyed. There was a blocking charm on that room to keep her husband out when he become angry. Oftentimes she would sleep in that room, to avoid him trying to beat her as she slept. Snape went to the desk, and pulled open the desk drawer. Sitting on top was a letter addressed to him. He opened the envelope, and read the letter contained inside:

My Dear Severus,

I fear for my life, and so I write you this letter, in case I cannot tell you these things myself.

Not long ago, soon after you joined the ranks of the death eaters, I joined the ranks of a secret organization aimed at defeating Voldemort. Your father must never know, for he is so involved in the works of his "Dark Lord." But you, my son, it is not too late for you. Your heart is not as black as his.

I have worked to put your father away. Maybe then I could talk to you and try to win you over. But I fear your father will kill me first. I think that it has been discovered what I do in my spare time. I know that Voldemort will want me dead soon.

Should you decide that you do not really want to aid in the death of innocence, head my words: You can do so much good for the light side. You are skilled, my Severus. Do not let false dreams of power and glory get to your head. It is all lies. You may be Voldemort's favorite now, but it will not last. His favor changes with the wind.

Come to my side, my dear Severus. Your father is just like the rest of them. Do you really want to spend your life in the company of those so like the father you have hated?

Should you make the decision to change sides, you know who to contact. I have always talked of this person in favor. I will not write his name, for a precaution, in case this letter is found by someone other than you. Take this note to him, and he will trust you. I speak often of you, and he knows who you are.

Remember, my son, that I always will love you, just as mothers do. Forgive my deceiving you, but there was no other way. Do not let your father know of anything I have written to you.

In Love,

Stephanie Snape.

Snape put down the letter in shock. He couldn't believe it. Twice more he read through, but the words stayed the same. His mother had been on the opposite side. Was it really so much better there? Should he stay on the side he was on, or follow the advice of his mother, who had been the one truly honest and loving person in his life?

a/n: well, that's all for now. I wanted to get this chapter out to you asap. The next chapter, The Potions Master: Part III, will tell what happens next, and explain more about Isabella Snape. Please R/r. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!