Another chapter for y'all! Thanks, once again, to all who reviewed. I'd like to thank Just A Penniless Writer for her help. I hadn't realized I'd been changing tenses. In English, I was never good at that sort of things. I'm going to need those pointed out to me. I've put my e-mail in my settings, so if someone could e-mail me with examples, I'll change that as soon as I can. One of my reviewers pointed out that Snape and Dumbledore are Legilimens. I explained that, but it might not be a very good explination. I tried, and for the sake of the story, that's all I'm going to put. I'll explain it better in a later chapter, but for now...it'll have to do. Sorry about the mistakes. This chapter is unbetaed as well. My computer sucks, and so does my e-mail. It wont let me get my story up onto it.

Remember, this is in Snape's POV.

Chapter Four

"Potter! Weasley!" I barked at the idiotic Gryffindors.

They turned defiant and innocent looks my way. I snorted. As if I couldn't see right through them. The stupid boys have been a pain in my arse since the moment he showed up, strutting around like he was better than everyone else, just like his father. It hadn't helped that Dumbledore dismissed all his rule-breaking and let him go without so much as a warning. I'll be damned if they get away with it on my watch.

"Dention for the next two nights. There is no fighting in corridors, either at Hogwarts or here." They scowled darkly at me before turning back towards there friends and no doubt slandering his person. I turned my eyes toward the Slytherins and saw them smirking gleefully towards the angry Gryffindors. No doubt they were the one to start the altercation, but I showed favoritism. Sometimes I got sick of it all and just wanted to award points to Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw (never Gryffindor) just for the hell of it. Sighing, I pinched the bridge of my nose before facing forward once more.

"Tired, Severus?"

"Lupin. Kindly stay out of my business."

"Sorry. Hadn't meant to pry. Just trying to make conversation in an otherwise boring situation."

I snorted.

"Regardless, please refrain from speaking. My head feels like it's about to explode." I turned away from the werewolf and waited impatiently for the students ahead of me to make their way into the Great Hall. Bloody hell, these kids are slow. It's a wonder they make it to class on time. Fighting the urge to just hex the students out of my way, I concentrated on the slip of ceiling I could see through the open doorway and the sound of many voices talking. The ceiling, apparently, was charmed much like Hogwarts ceiling was. The noise coming from beyond the doorway was almost deafening. This isn't helping my headache much.

Biting back a growl, I pushed to the front of the students and walked through the doorway ahead of them all. Lupin followed from behind. The students parted way for me, leaving Lupin safe to follow behind without a problem. I bit back a comment about dogs following their masters. I doubt he'd understand the comment. Werewolves are related to dogs, after all.

The room was as large, or perhaps larger, than the Great Hall at Hogwarts. The room had large tapestries (A/N: I think that's what those were...they showed them in the movie, anyway) displaying the Aries Houses, just as Hogwarts does. There were four tables, vertically place like Hogwarts as well. The Head Table was place horizantally along the far wall. I located Septimus quickly, as he was the only member wearing all black. He was sitting at the far end of the table, scowl in place. A person would have to be blind not to see we were related. I scanned the tables, looking for suspicious-looking people. I noticed that a young lady at the table, fifth from the right, staring at me, before glancing at Septimus. Septimus, meanwhile, was staring at the young woman with a peculiar look on his face. What the hell is that about?

I was distracted when the Headmaster stood up and started to speak. I forced my attention onto the Headmaster, but keeping my senses alert. The Headmaster was overweight, with a kind, round, pink face. The man spread his arms wide, beaming in a stupid manner, as he twinkled (Oh God, another Dumbledore) happily.

"I'd like to be the first to say, welcome to Aries School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. My name is Headmaster Tubby. One fact that I'd like to share with you all is that I love cupcakes, and my pink tutu is very tight." The students of Aries groaned and laughed. Apparently, Tubby was very much like Albus."Professor Greenwood shall go next with the introductions." He nodded towards a slightly over-weight woman with a too-large smile. My lips curled in disgust.

My mind wandered as it always did when I was bored. The past summer had been more trying than normal. The Dark Lord had been very happy about something this past summer, but I was unable to figure out what. Being the Dark Lords favorite had been no help to discovering the cause of his happiness. He had promised to tell me when the time was right. The war was coming to a point. We had more Order member's now than when we did during the first war. The Dark Lord was also gaining followers at an alarming rate. If things did not slow down soon, we very well could find ourselves outnumbered.

My attention snapped back when the witch my cousin had been staring at stood up. She was pretty, with her clear blue eyes and curly brown hair. She smiled sweetly, and began her speech.My name is Professor Field. I teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. I'm muggleborn, and I love to play tennis." Tennis? What the blazes is Tennis?

A man next to her stood up and began. He was good looking in the dark sort of way. "My name is Professor Matthews. I teach Arithmancy. I love to read, and my favorit subject is, of course, Arithmancy." The females (both Hogwarts and Aries) seemed to melt as he began to talk. I rolled my eyes. Stupid blighters.

Septimus stood up next, but before he could breathe a word, Headmaster Tubby broke in. He and Dumbledore both twinkled my way before Tubby spoke."Professor Carce here is related to your dearly beloved Professor Snape! How about that?" I sent a glare that if the world had been fair, would have burned right through his forehead. Alas, to my dismay, it didn't work.

"My name is Professor Carce. I teach Potions. I'm Head of House B, which is equivalent to Slytherin House. I detest stupid children that cannot work. My apprentice is..." He glanced towards someone in the audience for a second before continuing on."Hermione Granger."

BLOODY HELL! What the fuck-

My mouth dropped open and my eyes widened as slender girl stood up towards the front of the far table. Even from this distance, I would recognize the silly know-it-all even though she had grown into her body, and her hair had been tamed (amazingly!). The girl smirked in a way that would have made any Slytherin proud. "Bloody Hell." A student whispered from somewhere behind me. I think it was Weasley. I, for once, paid no mind to the insolent little shits.

"YOU'RE a Slytherin?" Malfoy asked disbelievingly.

The girl sent a sweet smile his way before before commenting,"Of course Draco. What else would I be? There is no house quite like Slytherin. Everybody...worth knowing...is in Slytherin." Septimus strode forward to stand next to the girl, and six students stood up and surrounded her.

"She is my apprentice. I would be most...displease...if I hear of any problems she has. We wouldn't want me displeased, now would we?" Septimus said, using his Snape voice. It was clearly a threat, and the Hogwarts students, recognizing the tone, stepped back a step or two. I had managed to get my face blank again, which is good because the chit looked directly at me. I felt a flash of anger at the traitor, before again gaining control of my feelings. The chit then had the audacity to raise an eyebrow, wink, blow me a kiss, and smile sweetly. I glared in anger at the girl, and she glared back, matching the hate and coldness in mine.

When we first discovered the girl was a traitor, it raised a lot of questions. Why hadn't she told the Dark Lord about me? Did she believe I was actually working for him? Or did she tell him, and he decided to play with me? There was no solid proof that I was a spy for the Dark Lord, just as there was no proof I was a spy for Dumbledore. At least, no public proof. Dumbledore had gathered evidence of my loyalty just in case something should come up.

The girl looked towards McGonagall and Lupin next. I took the time to study the girl. She was rather tall for her age. She was slender, but not sick looking. She had filled out in all the right places. Her hair had been tamed, and her complextion was smooth and clear. She met every hostile gaze with a look of contempt and hatred so strong that most looked away. Her belly button ring winked in the light, and the tattoo on her hip just barely showed. The girl was slightly tanned, so the black of her clothes did not give her a washed out apperance. Miss Hermione Granger had grown into a strong, powerful, angry woman. She was proud and defiant, as you could tell by her stance (back straight, legs slightly apart, arms crossed). She looked ready to take on all of Hogwarts if need be.

I watched as she said something to Septimus, and nearly gapped like a first year at first seeing magic when I saw Septimus smile in return. Dumbledore, Lupin, and McGonagall all reacted much the same. Septimus never smiled. He was a true Snape in that respect. What could he be smiling about? What the hell is he doing associating with her anyway? She's a traitor! The two continued to talk for a few more seconds before Septimus walked back to his own seat, and sat gracefully down. The girl and her friends sat down as well. Headmaster Tubby made some comment, but I didn't hear what it was. I was watching the girl talk to her friends, laughing and joking like she didn't have a care in the world.

Albus gave a discreet sign and Minerva and Lupin followed to gather around Septimus' chair.

"Septimus, what the hell is going on? Why are you apprenticing the traitor?" I'd never heard Lupin sound so angry.

"I'm not apprenticing a traitor. She's innocent." He said the words softly, as though he was speaking to a particularily stupid child. This seemed to create more anger and confusion than anything else.

"How can you be so sure?" I questioned.

"How can you be so sure she's a traitor? Granted, I haven't known that girl as long as you all have, but I'll bet anything I know her better than any of you. She's not a traitor. Believe me, if anyone would know, it'd be me."

"We have ample evidence against her, Septimus. We have enough proof to prove she-" Albus began, but Septimus interupted. I have never seen him so adamant about something.

"She didn't do it. I would know."

"How would you know? Hmmm? What has she done that could dissolve her of all guilt?" Minerva snapped.

"When I've returned from meetings, she's always healed me. She's never been to a single meeting either, I know her well enough to know her way of speaking and her mannerisms. She hasn't told a soul about my meetings or the conditions I've returned in. She has not tried to bribe me either. She stands up for people who aren't brave enough to stand up for themselves. She's never hurt anybody for the hell of it. She will hex someone, but only if provoked. I have the feeling that some of your precious Hogwarts students would do the same."

"That doesn't explain the fact that there is evidence-" Again, Septimus interupted in a un-Septimus like way. Septimus was more likely to just stay quiet and ignore you until you gave up trying to convince him.

"I don't care. Think what you want. But I know for a fact she's innocent."

What made him so sure she was innocent? I glanced towards the Aries Slytherin table and saw her watching us, a slightly worried look on her face as she watched Septimus. Why is she so worried? And what is her relationship to Septimus? It seems a bit more friendly than a student/teacher relationship.

"It doesn't matter anyway. You must stop letting her heal you, and you must stop talking about your meetings. You're becoming a liability to the Order. Traitor or not, she is not part of it. She can't know anything about it. Stop talking about it, break off the apprenticeship, and stop the friendship." Dumbledore commanded, gazing sternly down at my cousin. My cousin glared up at him, anger etched on every bit of his face.

"There's no need. I quit. I'm not going to be your lap dog anymore, Albus. I wont be your spy any longer if you make me break off the apprenticeship or give up her friendship." He glared at the rest of us, daring us to contradict him in anyway."If that is all, I wish you to leave me in peace to finish my dinner."

I was in shock. Spying meant as much to him as it did to me. We were both obsessed with righting our wrongs...for him to give up spying, he must care about the girl a great deal. And he must be sure she's not a traitor. Or else the girl is good enough to fool a spy of twenty years. Albus stood up to his full height and looked Septimus in the eye. "Well, dear boy, we will talk more later." Albus stessed the word will, making sure Septimus knew that Albus was serious. Albus turned and walked to his seat, smiling in a grandfatherly way towards the students. I took my seat next to Albus. Minerva was on his other side, and Lupin was next to me. Discussion about Septmus' attitude towards Miss Granger was the subject of the tables discussion. I merely listened, taking note of tones and what was being said. I only looked up when one of the Aries teachers approached our table a while later.

She stood a little behind Albus' chair, and spoke quietly, yet authoritatively.

"My name is Bertha Peabody, if you didn't hear me before. I overheard part of your conversation about Septimus and Miss Granger. I thought you should know, there are rumors going around. Rumors about them. I don't know if there true or not. There are rumors going around that Septimus and Miss Granger are sleeping together. I know for a fact, as I've seen it with my own eyes, that Granger and all her friends spend a lot of time down in the dungeons. I've even seen Granger's friends in Septimus' priavte rooms. He also lets them call him by his first name."

"Are you certain?" Minverva asked, shocked. A student calling her teacher by her first name? Said student and teacher having a sexual relationship? I cast an eye towards Septimus. He was watching the chit discreetly, as to not draw attention. He isn't taking his eyes off of her...could what this woman is saying actually be true? I narrowed my eyes and studied Septimus' face. His face was blank to other, perhaps, but to a trained spy it seemed full of emotions. There was concern, humor...and affection?

"Completely. I'd swear under Veritasium. I've heard the students calling Septimus by his first name, and vice versa. When they were in his private rooms, they acted like they belonged there. Lounging about, getting into his things, talking back to him. They even argued with him about potions, and as he's an expert on potions, it seems very disrespectful and foolish. Miss Granger and her friends are always down in the dungeons, whether it be his classroom, private rooms, or lab."

"Hmm...interesting. I think that Septimus and I will be having that talk sooner rather than later. Perhaps tonight would be an ideal time." Albus commented quietly, watching Septimus watch Granger. I sipped my wine from my goblet. Granger is a traitor. We have Order Member's witnessing her sending mysterious owls to people, who we don't know as she wouldn't tell. Granger would disappear up in her room for hours on end, and when someone would go up to her room to fetch her, the room would be empty, the window open. She had snuck out. Where had she gone?

She had been caught listening in on secret conversations, overhearing things she shouldn't have. Some member's have even gone as far as to say that she tried to harm them. The incident where Granger had used the fireplace to lit a fire. When the meeting was over, Lupin had tried to put the fire out. If Shacklebot hadn't been there to tackle him, he'd of been burnt to a crisp. When we had tried to use Legilimancy, we found our efforts rebuked. We couldn't enter her mind, it was like slamming into a stone wall. (A/N: This is what I meant up above. This statement will be explained better in a later chapter.) When we tried to spike her drink with Veritasium, it didn't work. It was like nothing was affecting her at all. How could that be? Has she built up a tolerance for it?

"Well, now that we're full and sleepy, let us now go to our rooms. Professors Peabody, Greenwood, Timely, and Strippe will escourt you to your rooms. Peabody will take the Gryffindors, Greenwood the Ravenclaws, Timely the Hufflepuffs, and Strippe the Slytherin's. As to Aries students, make the Hogwarts students feel welcome, be helpful, and have a good nights sleep. My mother was a hamster, and my father smelled of elderberries. Good night, everyone."

With that, all the Aries students stood up and started to stampede towards the doors at the other end of the hall, still talking, laughing, screaming, fighting, and throwing things. Granger and her friends were some of the last few out the door, talking in low voices about Merlin-knows-what. The four Aries professors quickly gathered up all the Hogwarts students, divided them, and walked out the side doors. I turned towards Headmaster Tubby, who was conversing with Albus.

"I shall personally show you your rooms. Follow me please." Tubby commanded before sweeping out the door. He's as much a dunderhead as my students are."The classrooms have all been enlargened to accomodate the new students. The transfiguration teachers will work together in the same classroom, as will the DADA teachers, and so forth. I'm sure if you find the teacher of the same subject as you, they will be most happy to help you settle in."

It was forever before all the teachers were gone. All that was left was Albus, Tubby, and myself. Tubby turned towards me and smiled fondly, as though I was one of his students. He's going to offer me a damn lemon drop. Tubby reached into his pocket and pulled something out, which was wrapped in what looked like plastic (A/N: Is saran wrap plastic? Ah well, I'm talking about saran wrap here.) Holding it out before me, he inquired softly:

"Cupcake?"

I grimaced, before shaking my head no.

"Well that's too bad. You look like you could use some fattening up. Anywho, I figured that because you and Septimus are related, and that you teach the same subject, it would be great to give you the rooms next to Septimus'. There's even a door to connect the two rooms. I hope that is alright, dear boy."

"That is fine, Headmaster. I'd really like to retire now, unless, of course, you wish to continue talking about nonsense?" I snapped, beginning to lose my patience. Honestly, could meddling old headmasters not leave me alone? Could they not stop calling me 'dear boy'? I wasn't a boy! What was it with them? Tubby simply smiled beneignly before replying.

"Of course my dear boy. You must be very tired. Follow me." With that, he swept down the hall. Upon entering the dungeons, the torches on the walls sprang to life, casting flickering shadows on the walls and ceiling. It was as cold as it was in the Hogwarts dungeons, a fact which I was happy to notice. I'll be damned if I'm going to sleep somehwere unbearable hot, and someplace near people. I like space...and dungeons have it. I walked down the hall before stopping next to a portrait of a ballerina. The girl in the picture spun around once before inquiring, "Password?"

I looked at Tubby. He stepped forward and said, "He is to set a password. These are to be his rooms for the duration of his stay." He looked at me, before saying, "I'm going to go inform Septimus of your residence." He turned and walked away.

"The password is belledonna." I snapped. The girl winced before swinging open. I walked into my rooms, and noticed that they were as cold as the hallway was. The rooms were done in mostly dark colors. There were splashes of white and silver, but otherwise the rooms were perfect. There was a wall filled with empty shelves, waiting for me to unpack my precious books and fill them up. There was two chairs, a loveseat, and a couch before the fire. A door to my left showed a bedroom. A door next to the bedroom led to the bathroom. There were two doors on my right, and from what I could tell, one led to a small kitchen, and the other to a rather spacious lab. The portrait behind me opened once more, admitting Tubby and my cousin.

Septimus looked rather angry at being dragged off to come see my rooms. He sent a glare towards the me and Albus.

"I hope, dear cousin, that this meets with you approval?" He snapped, his lips twisted into a snarl.

"They will do." I said silkily."For now." I added, pleased with the scowl sent my way.

"Then there is no need for my being here."

"Actually, Headmaster Tubby informed me that the rooms were connected. Where is that door?" I asked, feigning politeness. Septimus turned slowly, face blank.

"It's in the bedroom. That door has always been locked, and I ask you to keep it that way." He replied.

"Yes, of course. Wouldn't want to walk in on you and your...students."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? Severus, if you try any bullshit, I promise you I'll rip you goddamn throat out!" Septimus snapped. Tubby looked, quite frankly, shocked. I, however, was part amused, part worried. Amused at his reaction, and worried because of it.

"Calm down now. I didn't mean anything by it. I just meant that if you were to be entertaining any...friends, I would dearly hate to interupt you." I said calmly.

"You've been talking to Peabody haven't you? That nosy bitch! Herm-Miss Granger and I are not sleeping together. Yes, we are close, but she is my apprentice. I'm close to her friends as well, but that doesn't mean anything."

"Just how close are you, Septimus?" I stepped closer to him, putting a questioning look on my face.

"Close enough to where I know she's innocent. Close enough to trust her with my life, my secrets. Close enough to be comfertable in her presense. And we aren't sleeping together, if that's what you wanted to know." He replied, eyes flashing dangerously. He's fiercly protective. This doesn't bode well. "Besides, it's not your place to question me, Severus."

At this point the Headmaster finally broke in. "Not his, maybe, but mine. Tomorrow after all the classes our finished, please meet me in the Headmaster's office. We have a few things to discuss." He looked at Septimus over the rim of his glasses, managing to look stern. Septimus nodded in agreement, before saying his 'goodnights' and leaving. I turned towards the Headmasters and raised an eyebrow.

"Right well, it seems you don't need our assitance anymore. We'll be leaving now. Goodnight Severus, pleasant dreams." Albus stated before going out the door. I snorted. Pleasant dreams? Not likely. I turned back towards the room and sighed. I really didn't want to unpack now. I eyed the bed, before looking down at my bags strewn across the floor. I'll unpack tomorrow. I'll feel better as soon as I get a little sleep. Stripping down to my boxers, I threw my pants, shirts, socks and shoes to the side of room before climbing into the bed. The bed was warm, soft, and comfortable.

I soon fell asleep, dreaming of dark figures and of Miss Granger's cinnamon eyes peaking out from behind the hood of the cloak.

Phew. This one took a while. There's a story behind Tubby offering Snape a cupcake. It's not in anyway related to the story though. I need your opinions once again. I've been trying to decide if I should have sex in this story.If so, how graphic should it be? I dunno...maybe I should just be extremely vague...Thanks to all my reviewers, you've been great! Thanks to Elena, I noticed that too:) Snape/Hermione pairings, in my opinion, are the best. I use to read Draco/Hermione, and Sirius/Hermione, though. I suppose I just go through these phases...Anyway, I hope this chapter was good, and I'll try to update as soon as I can. One last thing. The Awakening of a Royal, is that a SS/HG story? Could someone explain briefly explain what it's about...I didn't get very far in, and I was confused. It might not of helped that it was 2 in the morning and I was tired...I know, I know, excuses excuses! Lol. Right, I'm definitely going now.