Authors Note: I was re-reading my story and I have come to this conclusion. I have totally destroyed Snape's character. It's just gone; I've replaced Snape with Ashitaka with out even realizing it. Don't worry I will finish this story, I just feel like I didn't do Snape's character any justice. Just thought you would all like to know that.

Chapter 32

Alliances

"So, let me get this straight, you are just going to waltz into the castle, not even sparing anyone a glance, march up to Dumbledore and say 'Oh Albus, it's been so long, I really still hate you for all that shit you put me through, but I thought I should let you know….Voldemort plants to attack Hogwarts in three weeks. Hope Potter's ready to face him, he's coming armed and ready to kill. Been nice talking to ya.' Oh that's brilliant, Jodiki, really dandy."

"Lea,"

"And then do you just plan to abandon them there, you can't just walk away from the school you taught at for 15 years, knowing half of them will probably be killed."

"Lea..." he was growing impatient.

"You have to at least stay and train them. Teach them something to protect them. Have the animals of the woods help."

"LEA!"

"What?"

Ashitaka rolled his eyes and took her hands in his, "Deep breath, Lea, I'm not going to abandon them, and it's highly unlikely they will even let me in the castle let alone near Dumbledore. They probably think I'll kill him, wait," he held up a hand to silence another one of her rants, "I will kindly ask Ms. Granger to retrieve Dumbledore for me and I will speak to him outside the castle. If he wants the help of the Demons, I will stay. If he doesn't want the help of the Demons…..well….I will probably stay anyway. I am not going to abandon them."

"Oh."

He released her hands and smiled, "I'm going tomorrow, too tired right now."

"Will you please let me look at your wounds?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No, so it would be in both of our best interests if you let me look at them. Then I will leave you alone."

He sighed, "Fine."

She carefully ran smooth hands over bruises and cuts. Checking for infection, poison, everything.

"I think this is a bit unnecc -,"

"Shut up and let me finish," she carefully placed a hand on his cheek, letting her magic detect anything she might have missed. He let out a content sigh when the pain in his ribs disappeared, closing his eyes as she added sleeping magic. When she was finished her hand lingered a few seconds, unnecessarily before she pulled away.

He opened his eyes and smiled, one of his very rare smiles, "Healthy?"

"Alive and kickin'," she smirked.

He stood from where he sat on the couch in her room, "Good night, Lea,"

"Night," her eyes followed him as he walked out the door and she couldn't help but smile.

………

Hermione woke up early like she always did. It was a routine habit of hers now. She dressed in silence, careful not to wake the other girls. She didn't need to bring anything with her. She decided long ago to keep her dagger and her horses' bridle and saddle at the clearing after a very uncomfortable confrontation with Dean and Seamus.

………

"Hermione what is that?" she had woken an hour later than usual and was surprised to see the two boys already awake and ready for school, "Is that a dagger?"

"Uh…"

"That's pretty cool," Seamus grabbed it, yanking from her grip, studying it carefully. He pulled it out of its sheath and began waving it dramatically; "I am the Lord of the Swords!" he created a deep bravado voice and waved the dagger above his head.

"Seamus, cut it out, I need that."

Dean snatched it from Seamus and swung it dangerously close to the furniture, "What are you doing with a blade anyway? They aren't aloud on school grounds."

"I...uh…bought it in Hogsmeade so I could send it to my parents. They collect; can I please have it back?"

They laughed and gave it back to her, thinking nothing of it.

………

After that particular encounter, she made sure to keep the dagger hidden away at the clearing.

When she reached the clearing, everything was eerily silent. No animals were out, the birds gone. She instantly grabbed the dagger from its hiding place and drew it silently, watching her surroundings, waiting for anything.

"I was wondering how long it was going to take you to get here."

Hermione jumped, spun around, and chucked the dagger out of reflex. The silver blade was stopped, caught easily between two fingers, and now she was defenseless, "Never throw a weapon, especially if you don't have another one to back it up,"

"Professor Snape?"

He smirked at her, raising an eyebrow. He was casually leaning against the trunk of the tree. One hand shoved into his pocket the other, holding the dagger casually, still between his fingers.

"Got pretty good aim there, kid," a female voice drew her attention away from the missing professor to Lea, who was squatting on the rock, smiling as cheerily as ever.

"I had a good teacher." Hermione shot back, "Can I have my dagger back now?"

She lunged for it…and missed. He had disappeared and reappeared on the branch above her, "Maybe. This is a nice little dagger, come in handy yet?"

"No and never will, unless I get it back." Herose an eyebrow casually twirling the blade between his nimble fingers.

He dropped it and she managed to clumsily catch the handle and slide it back into the sheath, "What are you doing here anyway?" she snapped. How dare he just show up here as if he wasn't missing the past 2 months 2 weeks and 3 days (not like she was keeping count or anything), "You haven't bothered to show your face before, so what do you want now?"

"Testy one, aren't we?"

"I want to get back to my training. You happened to disturb me." She turned his back on him, crossing her arms stubbornly over her chest.

"Ah yes, I heard about your training."

"How? The Unicorns tell you that, too?" she glared darkly at Vioree who looked away as if she wasn't watching the interesting encounter.

"No," that word startled her, because he was now right behind her, whispering in her ear, "A little eagle told me."

Her eyes went wide and she spun around, "That was you!" she stared straight into his cold black eyes and now saw the resemblance, "why didn't I see?" she looked down embarrassed, "wait….that was you."

He turned away and as he did, pulled up the human disguise, "I think we established that already." He pulled himself onto a black Arab stallion that was tied to a tree.

"You were hurt."

"You love pointing out the obvious, don't you?" From where he sat on the horse, he offered Lea a hand and she pulled herself on behind him.

"Why were you hurt?"

She saw him tense and clench his jaw, "Let's just say, Voldemort wasn't too thrilled with me."

She mounted Moonlight and followed them, "What are you doing here, sir? You never did tell me."

"I need you to do me a favor, Ms. Granger," she smiled, hoping it was something to do with Demons or their world.

"Anything."

"I need you to fetch Dumbledore for me." Her face fell….that was it…?

"Alright sir, but why?"

"I don't think he'd be too thrilled if I waltzed into Hogwarts right now….he'd probably kick me out."

………

When they were in front of the school, Severus dismounted and handed off the reins to Lea who smiled encouragingly at him.

"Go on, Ms. Granger, I'm waiting."

As she dismounted people started to stare at them, murmuring following her as she took of towards the school leaving an amused Severus behind her.

"Ms. Granger, what can I do for you?" she was breathing heavily as she swung open the door to his office, without knocking, of course.

"Professor Snape….he's outside…wants to talk to you," she took a deep breath to calm her breathing, "wasn't too happy either, Headmaster."

"Well, send him in; I don't see why he didn't come in himself. He will always be welcome here." He smiled at her, knowingly, "Go on and fetch him, I'll wait here."

"I wouldn't come in here either, sir, not after what you did to him. He says you or the rest of the Order is liable to kill him if he comes in unannounced. He will wait for you outside." And then she turned and left. Needless to say, she was still a bit angry with him.

When she was outside again she wasn't surprised when people began hounding her with question. Harry and Ron being the leader of the group, "What are you doing, Hermione?" They grabbed her arms and pulled her away from the rest of the group, into Hagrid's hut, "what's he doing here?"

She gently pulled out of their concerned grip, "He said he wants to speak with Dumbledore, remember the eagle I told you about?"

"Yes."

"That was him. He was on his way back from a mission for the Order."

They both cringed, he must have been in worse shape then they thought for him to seek help from Hermione, "What do you think he wants from Dumbledore?" Harry asked nervously, knowing this was a very touchy subject for Hermione.

"I wouldn't want to talk to Dumbledore, if I were Professor Snape, especially after what Dumbledore did to him." Ron nodded his head sternly as if to justify his point and Hermione smiled.

Ron blushed.

"C'mon, let's see if we can get down there."

Hermione poked her head out, most people had scattered, inconspicuously staring at Severus who was patiently standing in between the horses, back erect, hands folded behind him, underneath his cloak, "I think it's safe, let's move."

The trio made a run for it, no one noticed.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley," was Severus only reaction to there presence.

"Well, if it isn't the red-head and the dweeby looking one." Lea slid off the horse and extended a hand, "Lea Castel, Stewardess of the Four Worlds of the Demons, at your service." Lea then grabbed Hermione's arm and pulled her next to him, whispering loudly, "You never told me the red-head was such a cutey," she giggled and Ron blushed furiously, "especially when he blushes."

"He's too young for you, Lea." Severus commented from where he was watching Dumbledore, Minerva, Moody, Remus and Mrs. Weasley make his way towards them, "besides I think Ms. Granger has already claimed him."

Hermione and Ron looked at each other and then jumped apart with a yelp, realizing how close they really were, "PROFESSOR THAT'S NOT FUNNY!"

"Really? Put me in a stitch," his expression didn't change except for the smallest twitch of his lips, forming an amused smirk. So much for himsmiling more, Hermione thought bitterly staring at him.

By now the small part of the Order had arrived.

"Well, seems you finally come out of hiding, 'bout time, you coward," Moody growled darkly. Hermione noted no one stopped him.

Severus' smirk grew cold, "Still hiding behind your master, I see. And you're calling me the coward?"

Mrs. Weasley walked right up to him and through her arms around his neck, whispering in his ear, "I tried to stop him, I really did, Severus, I'm so sorry." Minerva walked up behind her and looked like she was tempted to follow Mrs. Weasley's lead, but contained herself, "My apologies, also, Severus, Molly….you can let go of him now,"

"Oh," and they pulled away standing off to the side between Severus and the trio.
"Headmaster Dumbledore," it was the first time he moved since they arrived and they weren't surprised to see the gracefulness that painted his formal bow, lowering his head, to show he meant no harm, "I only come as a bearer of grave news, and as an offering of help."

"You speak so formally, Severus, please, won't you come in?"

"I don't believe that is wise."

"Besides, Albus," Moody spoke up again, "don't want to taint Hogwarts with his foulness."

"Voldemort plans to attack Hogwarts."

The silence that followed was deafening and uncomfortable.

"When?"

"Three weeks, I offer you an alliance, Albus," he said softly, "an alliance with your race and mine. We can help you…..you can not fight this battle on your own."

Dumbledore looked down gravely, glancing between, the Golden Trio, Severus and Moody, this was a very difficult decision.

"Before you make your decision, Albus, I think you might want to know, whether you want our help or not, your still going to get it. I will not condemn this school and the students in it to death. They deserve a fighting chance."

"Can't we send the students home?"

"It is impossible. When the plans were made Voldemort set up barriers; to break them would cost many great wizards their lives. It cost many lives to make."

"Albus, if I may say something?" this was the first time Remus spoke up, "Severus, how do we know this isn't a trap? I trust you with my life, but after what we did to you, how do we know you haven't turned?"

Severus smiled softly, his eyes still hard, "Remus, if I had turned, you would have been dead two months ago." He said bluntly, "and if I had not killed you, my people would have and then they would have killed me. We do not tolerate traitors of the good, whether it is our own kind or one of another race."

They were all silent for a moment, "You leave me with little choice, Severus, and how is it you always manage to talk your way through something?" Dumbledore smiled, eyes gleaming.

"I've had a lot of practice," he turned and pulled himself onto the Black Arab in front of Lea, "We'll be back in a couple of days, I suggest you prepare the students," he turned his fiery gaze to Hermione and nodded, "Ms. Granger," then clicking at the horse headed off back into the woods.

It was interesting to see him go. He looked very casual on the horse and with Lea. As soon as the horse moved she grabbed onto his shoulder to keep form falling off. They looked very friendly towards each other and Hermione was beginning to suspect there was more than just a friendship growing between the two of them.

As soon as the two of them were out of sight Hermione spun around, glaring darkly Dumbledore, "Now you have no choice but to tell them what you've done." She snapped harshly earning a hard glare from Minerva and a cry of "Hermione" from Mrs. Weasley.

"No," she yelled, "they have to know now. Are you going to make Professor Snape tell, you do know he just can't waltz in here as a Demon and not answer anyone's question. He shouldn't have to be put through that. You should tell them. Professor Snape is risking his life and the life of his people for you and you don't even have the decency to admit your mistake and tell the truth. Then what kind of a teacher are you?"

"Ms. Granger, I understand you completely,"

"No. I don't think you do. I lived with those people; I ate with them, talked with them. Professor Snape is kinder than any one standing here. Don't you realize how hard it is for him to go back to Voldemort with no information because he won't ask you for any? He's tortured every time he goes back there for you."

Dumbledore sighed and raised his hand to silence, "I know Ms. Granger and I accept the graveness of the situation."

"And what does that mean, are you going to tell them?"

"Yes."

"You aren't, well-, wait…you are?"

"Yes, you are absolutely correct, Ms. Granger, I will tell the students everything."

"Everything?"

"Everything.

"Good, 'bout time some one listened to me." She nodded her head sharply to emphasize her point then looked down sheepish, "Sorry for exploding, Professor Dumbledore, don't know what came over me."

Dumbledore smiled, "it's alright my dear child, understood."

"You're just going to forgive her!" Moody stared at him in disbelief, "And accept help from Snape! You must really be out of your mind Albus, he's a filthy Demon, and he's not even human. She," he sent a sharp glare in her direction, "is probably in league with them anyway, plotting how they can destroy us. And you're just going to trust them!"

"Alastor!" Dumbledore said sharply, "maybe you didn't hear correctly. The school is going to be under attack. We need all the help we can get."

Moody growled deep in his throat before turning sharply on his heal, and wobbling off.

………

The Great Hall was a buzz of excitement, soon news got around that Snape was spotted with the Golden Trio and Dumbledore at the edge of the woods and questions and rumors had been flying ever since. After Dinner was through and the plates were cleared and replaced with the deserts Dumbledore stood and raised his hand to silence the hall. The response was immediate, everyone waiting for what he was going to say. Hoping it had something to do with the colorful rumors.

"As everyone by now knows, Professor Snape returned to us briefly this morning."

The buzz started again and Dumbledore was forced to clear his throat loudly to quiet everyone, "I'm afraid his leaving in the first place was entirely my fault as well…." He then went on to explain the foul actions the Order committed, revealing the fact that Snape was a Demon in the process.

The unnatural silence that followed was deafening.

The Slytherins were the only once that looked calm as the other almost looked…confused. Draco stood.

"Professor, if I may say something to you and the rest of the school," he shot dark looks at the snickering Gryffindors.

Dumbledore nodded his approval, a little shocked himself.

"The Slytherin already knew all of this. Since the return of the Dark Lord he told us his story, every year when the new first years came he told them. He told us he wanted to stop us form making the same mistake he did." When he was finished with his confession he sat.

The rest of the school looking as shocked as ever, "Well, Draco, thank you, that certainly gives me a better look at the situation at hand and now," he raised his hands again before the talking could even begin, "I have even graver news. We have uncovered the plans of the Dark Lord," he looked at Draco expectantly and he shook his head. There were no Death Eaters present in that room, "Professor Snape has been bravely acting as a spy for the Order of the Pheonix, risking his life to protect this school, wittingly hehas uncovered that in 3 weeks at dawn the school will be under attack. Now don't be alarmed, it will be a brutal attack, but we will be ready. I am afraid we are unable to send you home; we have been blocked out from the wizarding world. We will fight, we will stand up for he school and I pray all of you who are going to be allowed to fight will be ready and have the courage to stand up for Hogwarts." Just as he was about to sit down he added an after thought, "any one under the age of 16 will be guarded below the dungeons."

The uproar from the lower classmen was typical, shouts were thrown up at the head table in anger. Only 6th and 7th years were now aloud to fight, but Dumbledore should know. No Hogwarts student was going to listen to that rule.

End Chapter 32

Alliances

sigh

Final Word Count: 3344