Chapter 6: Severus

One cannot imagine my astonishment when I realized that I was actually enjoying a conversation. And with Miss Granger, no less. I always knew she was intelligent, but I had never considered her to be someone I could discuss anything with. She was just a loud, show-off child. Yet, here I was, trading knowledge with her, like a colleague. It was a new sensation, and I found myself wondering what it would be like to have someone to talk with more often….

Pulling myself from my thoughts, I realized she was asking a question. "Pardon?"

"I asked if you would like a bit of lunch. I know it's a little early, but I find myself eating at unconventional times. Sometimes, I forget about eating altogether if I'm involved in my research. Alvar always chastises me about being too thin. I'm not crazy about letting a house-elf do things for me, but I gave up my dreams for S.P.E.W. long ago." She stopped talking and chewed on her lower lip, something I had see her do many times during her years at Hogwarts.

Ah. The nervous, rambling girl was back. It amused me how someone so sure and steady about work could be so shy about normal conversation. Yes, she was still very young. I hesitated, unsure of what to do. On one hand, it was nice to be in the company of another person. On the other, I would be in the company of another person, which I was not used to.

"Not today, Miss Granger, I have other duties to attend to." I noticed that her face fell with my answer, which puzzled me. Surely she didn't desire my company? I felt the sudden urge to let her know that it was not her fault that I wasn't going to stay, but I held my silence. It would not do to get too close to anyone.

"Yes, sir." She started organizing the notes she had taken over the past hour. "I suppose then, I'll let you get to your duties." She put the notes in an orderly pile, her movements very stiff.

Yes, she was upset. Interesting. And if she kept up that infernal "Sir", I was going to go mad; it was too reminiscent of my role as her professor. If we were to be working together, I needed to differentiate between the woman she had become and the annoying adolescent that I had taught at Hogwarts. "As I said last night, I do have a name and you would be doing me a tremendous favor by using it. The 'Professor' and the 'Sir' make it hard for me to remember that you have grown up.

She grew quite pink at this, and her teeth worried her lower lip some more. "I will try…Severus. It's just quite an adjustment for me. I also have a first name, as you well know." She stood there, looking at me expectantly.

I wasn't about to play her game. "Well, I guess we will both have to make adjustments then. Now, if you will excuse me, I must go." She moved aside and let me pass. It was odd that I actually felt a twinge of guilt at leaving her alone again. This inner conflict of emotions was very unsettling for me. Frowning, I made my way to the door. Once outside, I wondered who I should contact first.

The decision was taken out of my hands as the mark on my left forearm began to burn, ever the reminder of what I had become. Wincing, I Apparated to the Dark Lord's side, preparing myself and my mind for the confrontation.

"Severus. You are quite prompt." Voldemort's red eyes and face appeared before me. "There have been many in our group who say that you are a traitor. I, however, insist that you are loyal to me." His eyes felt as if they were burning into my skin.

Bowing in front of him, I spoke. "I am delighted, My Lord. You know that I would never betray you." I noticed there were no other Death Eaters with us, making me realize that he wished to see if he could find anything against me.

I carefully wiped my mind of all but the information I wished him to see. I raised my bowed head and looked at him. I could feel his mind probing, like an invader in my brain. Slowly, I allowed the thoughts and information I wished him to know to push through.

"It has been some time since I last saw you." Silence followed as he sifted through my thoughts. "You are assigned to watch the Granger girl? That could prove most valuable to us." His face twisted in what passed for a smile on his face, but looked more like a grimace. "I knew that Dumbledore had hidden her away. It is fortunate for us that you have her within your grasp."

I had expected as much. "I knew you would be pleased, My Lord. It is always in our best interests to have dealings with someone so close to Potter. Especially one with so much…promise." I knew that in order to keep her safe, he must believe that he could use her later. The Manor was unplottable, and Dumbledore had performed the Fidelius charm, making himself the secret keeper. Unless he chose to divulge the information to others, as he had me, it was still hidden. I did not have to concern myself with Voldemort trying to obtain the information from me, for I could not give it to him.

"I have heard that the Mud-blood is bright," he said scathingly. "I think it would be in my best interest to let her be…for now." He looked searchingly at me. "You would do well to work with her, since it has been quite some time since you've contributed to our cause. It's been a concern to me, and I do not like having to question your loyalty."

I steeled myself for what was to come. The curse hit me like a thousand burning pokers, causing my body to go rigid. One never grows used to such pain. A cold sweat broke out on my brow and I fell to my knees. I would not make a sound. I refused to give in to him. My ears rang as his sick laughter filled the air. "I do so enjoy seeing you fight, Severus. It's tiresome always having people begging me to stop." He muttered "Crucio" once more.

"See that you find a way to make yourself useful. I would dislike having to repeat what has happened in your past." His red eyes glowed as he thought back to that night at the Snape Manor.

"The Death Eaters will be attacking more Muggles tonight. Nothing enrages that old fool more than when we assault the innocent." With that, he left me.

Sickened at the reference to what he had done to my mother, I pulled myself to my feet. Sometimes, I feel it would be so easy to revert to the dark side, to just give in. Then, I think back to her, the only one who had loved me, and my resolve to end this strengthens.

More attacks would mean more deaths. It was providential that my status as a spy prevented me from attending most raids. I had done many terrible things in my lifetime, so the opportunity to be neutral appealed to me.

Still a little stunned from the pain, I Apparated back to the Manor. "Incendio". I kneeled in front of the fireplace, looking into it. I only hoped Dumbledore would be there. Thankful when I saw him through the fire, I spoke.

"Headmaster, I just returned from a meeting with the Dark Lord. There are to be more attacks." I sank into a chair to collect myself.

He wasted no time in answering. "Severus, I believe we should meet. Please bring Hermione with you." His eyes did not hold their customary twinkle. "There is something I need to discuss with you both."


A/N: I know it has been a while since my last update. It wasn't for lack of having this chapter done. I am trying to space them out better. I only have one more written after this one, and haven't had time and/or motivation to write more yet. Our little one is due in less that 6 weeks, so I've been consumed with that. LOL I promise not to desert you all though. I will finish this story.

Thanks again to Judy and Jennifer for being the wonderful betas that they are.

Thanks to those of you who have left reviews. They mean a lot!

Disclaimer: JKR owns them all. I just like to play with them once in a while.