Been a while, I know this sounds horrible, but it took me SO long to write this chapter, longer than I ever expect about 6 hours and I don't know why, I just…didn't agree with anything. So I spent all that time on the chapter and I still don't like it, but oh well.

Chapter 19

Serving Two Masters

Hermione had not finished the potion; it was in its waiting period. It had to stand for 24 hours. She cleaned up and left the place as she had found in. Quickly she scribbled a note to Professor Snape:

Professor,

The potion is in its standing stage. Thank you for trusting me to be able to complete it, I truly appreciate the learning opportunity.

Hermione Granger

12 Grimmauld Place

"A liquid memory/" was the first think that broke the silence after Dumbledore told his story.

"Yes," he sighed, "whether or not I can believe it…I can not tell, I'm not sure myself,"

Moody growled deep in his throat, "you know for yourself, Albus, liquid memories are almost impossible to fake,"

Albus exhaled slowly, he was hoping no one would bring that up, "He was a Water Demon, Alastor, we have no idea of his power, he could have easily created that for all we know,"

A silence followed that statement, "I say we ask him….Albus?" Molly was known for her trust in their brooding spy.

Alastor growled again, "Good idea, I say we hunt him down and force him to take Veteriserrum, and then we'll know if he's telling the truth,"

A murmur of agreement spread through the room, except for the horrified looks on Hermione, the Weasley's, Harry and Minerva's face.

Albus closed his eyes sadly, why had it come to this?

"Alastor," he spoke softly to quiet the crowed, "you know I am totally against such actions," he emphasized the latter words forcefully, "clearly, Molly did not mean force him to talk, but ask him. I trust Severus with my life; he is a loyal servant to our cause. I will not tolerate him being treated like a slave to the Order,"

Moody muttered something incoherently except for the words, 'deserved to be a slave' and 'traitor.'

………

Severus felt himself hit the ground without really feeling it, "it would seem, Severus," Lucius hissed, "that your punishment during our last little meeting was not enough," Lucius swung his cane and it connected with Severus' already wounded back.

"Lucius," a voice stopped him from connecting again, it was Voldemort "Stop Lucius, I think he has learned his lesson," Severus did not move from where he lay in a puddle of his own blood, "take him to my personal house elves and have him healed, Lucius,"

Severus could see the disgusted look without even looked, Lucius grabbed him by the upper arm and pulled his light form up and roughly pulled him away from the cell.

………

Hours later, Severus could be found, comfortably stretched on a warm couch his wounds healed, a fire warmly crackling, but he knew he couldn't stay where he was, this had happened to him before. The Dark Lord would expect him to be gone by the time the meeting was over, and judging from the amount of time that had passed it was soon.

Besides the Order was expecting him, his other master was waiting for his report.

………

Slowly he made his way to the door of Twelve Grimmauld Place, wincing every step or so. The wounds might have been healed, but he still had the pain. He reached the door and straightened himself and put on his mask, a blank expression crossed his eyes, and a sneer plastered itself across his lips.

He pushed the door open with a bang and stalked in, he got looks almost immediately after entering the kitchen. So he was dressed a little different (black pants, long sleeve black shirt and a look dark green cloak, not his traditional robes) big deal.

"Albus," he said coolly, glaring at the gawking audience who in turn instantly looked away, afraid of the icy stare.

"Severus," he responded, he motioned for everyone to have a seat, Severus still didn't move, his eyes traveled over the group, briefly resting on Harry and Ron then lingering over to Hermione, he nodded slightly, telling her he received her note and she read it as he appreciated it.

"The Dark Lord was not pleased with the fact that I had not provided the perfected potion," there was no response so he continued, "he again extended my deadline another week, He has warned me that there will be…consequences…if the potion is not complete,"

"Probably deserve it…" Moody muttered so everyone could here.

Severus shot him a disgusted glare, a cold sneer playing across his lips, "I would think by now that you would be over, old grudges, Alastor," he hissed dangerously.

Moody growled at him, "shut up, Snape, we know what you are planning,"

………

Hermione closed her eyes as soon as the words left Moody's mouth. Yet no recognition of what Moody was talking about crossed Snape's face, which was a good sign for his innocence. She wouldn't believe that he would betray Dumbledore.

"Excuse me?" his question was smooth, no tremor in his voice, just utter confusion and amusement.

"Moody…" Dumbledore said warningly, but really making no effort to try and stop Moody from verbally attacking Snape.

"You heard me, Snape, we saw the liquid memory, where you were plotting with Voldemort to poison Dumbledore, and we saw the whole thing."

A look of utter astonishment crossed his face, "you out of your mind," he said calmly, he flicked his eyes to Dumbledore who still wasn't doing anything, "and I see you believe this also, don't you Albus, my trustworthy master," the betrayal in his voice was evident. He narrowed his eyes, black orbs glistening in anger and hurt.

Hermione glanced around the room, no one was stepping up to defend him, and the Weasleys' just looked down avoiding his gaze.

Moody pulled out his wand and the room went into an uproar. Snape had his wand out in a flick, a curse already on his lips, they both shot off one, and they collided together and shot to the ground. Instantly others had their wands out and ready, Tonks, Lupin, Bill, and Charlie shot curses and Snape, he managed to dodge them all.

Dumbledore jumped to his feet, still not doing anything.

"PORTEGO!" Snape cried above the roar. A shield popped up around him and all oncoming spells bounced off forcing Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Ginny to dive under the table were the Twins were already cowering.

"Give it up, Snape," Moody barked at him, "you have 6 wands on you, you can't move with a shield,"

Hermione knew also that Snape had no chance.

Slowly she crawled out from under the table, ignoring Harry and Ron's protests.

"WAIT!" she finally managed to cry out when Moody was about to shoot another curse.

The room froze to stare at her in disbelief. Snape studied her with a raised eyebrow.

Taking a deep breath Hermione walked to the middle of the room, "according to the code of Damonmuil, you can not harm a master if the apprentices of that said master are present and in condition of giving an opinion and stopping the attack." He soft smirk spread on Snape's lip and he nodded her slightly on, "in this case, a couple weeks ago Harry, Ron, and I, swore under oath as Professor Dumbledore are witness to be apprenticed under the Damonmuil Code to Professor Snape, Professor Snape can not be harmed because Harry, Ron and I have something to say about it."

The Order turned to Dumbledore eyes wide, "is this true, Albus," McGonagall stuttered out, "and you didn't tell me?"

Hermione felt the soft breath of magic as Snape's unbelievably powerful shield went down. Moody growled, yet again (it have become a habit of his) "I can't believe this, Albus, you would trust this traitor with the lives of three students?" he roared at them, a curse left his lips and connected with Snape's chest, he flew backwards and hit the wall, hard, biting back a cry of pain as his already swore back was agitated, "Expelliarmus!" Snape's wand landed in Moody's hand and they watched him cautiously, "now who is in control, traitor?

Moody grabbed his upper arm and nodded to Charlie and Bill who grabbed him, no one seemed to notice they he didn't fight. Hermione watched with horror before she found her voice, "you can't do this, it's against the code, and you can't!" she snapped at them in terror.

"Ms. Granger," Snape hissed at her, "Keep your mouth shut, before you get yourself in more trouble,"

"But…" he silenced her with a glare.

"Dumbledore?" Moody was actually asking for permission.

"Severus," Dumbledore said softly, "I know of no other way, to get them to trust you,"

"No, Albus, you can think of no other way for you to trust me,"

Moody smiled and placed the tip of his wand on Severus' temple, "Accio memories," and the torture of his past began.

End Chapter 19

Well there you go. I know you really wanted the action to start so I tried; I have so much trouble starting this kind of stuff. But I will update soon. Or try to anyway.