Ron clenched his jaw as he read the assignment one final time, hoping that he had misread it the first seven times. Nope. The words remained unchanged and he closed his eyes with a groan.

"Is there a problem?" He looked up to see his new boss regarding him closely, his eyes narrowed in scrutiny.

"No, Sir. Well – actually, is this correct? I mean, as in actually real? Snape is a greasy, nasty git but a werewolf?! I mean," he chuckled to himself, "Seriously? Someone's having a laugh –" as he raised his eyes from the paper to meet the cold hard stare of Senior Auror Belfer, the laughter died instantly on his lips and he swallowed nervously.

"You recently qualified from the Academy, Mr –" his eyes scanned the open portfolio on his desk, "Ah, yes – Weasley." His mouth pursed with distaste and he rubbed his face wearily as he tugged his glasses from his face. The chair scraped across the floor as he rose to his not insignificant height and straightened his already straight waistcoat. A gold pocketwatch chain glinted from the breast pocket as he moved. "That red hair should have been a dead giveaway. Weasley's are rather efficient at reproducing at a tremendous rate. Somewhat like rats, one might say." He bared his teeth in a menacing attempt at a smile.

"Sir –" Ron began.

Belfer raised a hand to silence him, "As you will have learnt at the Academy, you know that Aurors are held in the highest regard by our peers." He slowly edged around his desk, fingertips drumming a staccato beat as he moved, "only the very best make the cut. Which leads me to an interesting juncture." He stopped before Ron, his face so painfully close he could see the fine lines that crinkled around his eyes. Eyes that were an unnerving shade of violet and fixed unflinchingly on him.

"What. Are. You. Doing. Here?" he enunciated each word so sharply that each syllable hit like a bullet.

Ron swallowed and tried not to shrink away from the older man's searing glare.

"I, erm. I'm sorry Sir."

"Quite right, Weasley. Your scores were passable, by that I mean you did not excel at anything. You made the standard, that is all. I am unused to, average Aurors. But given the current situation, needs must." He spun round smartly and retook his seat, steepling his hands over his desk as he regarded Ron shrewdly.

"We do not joke, Weasley. Severus Snape is an exceptionally powerful wizard. He is extremely dangerous – you are aware he was once aligned to the Dark Lord? Dumbledore would have us believe he is a reformed character, that he is like any one of us. But I know that to be incorrect, in fact, I have it on good authority that Severus Snape is no more reformed than I am a dancing hippogriff. As you have read, many times, Snape has been infected with lycanthropy. He is now to be regarded as a great threat to both the wizarding world and the muggle world, second only to You Know Who. You are an Auror, believe it or not, and you will find, subdue and detain Severus Snape using whatever means necessary. Am. I. Understood?"

Ron gaped at him, still clutching the assignment tightly.

"Whatever means –" he stuttered.

Belfer snarled in frustration and he slammed his fist onto his desk hard, scattering his papers and upsetting his ink well.

"Whatever means, Weasley – do whatever you have to do to bring Severus Snape to me, preferably alive, but it is not essential. You are dismissed Weasley. Do not disappoint me."

As Ron closed the door quietly behind him he closed his eyes and took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to calm the frantic hammering of his heart. No sweat Ronald, you can bring down the truly intimidating, vastly skilled and utterly terrifying bat of the dungeon using your vast knowledge of spells and charms. It's not as though the man can craft his own dark spells, cast wordlessly and wandlessly – oh yeah, and he's now a werewolf too. No sweat.

XXX

He blinked several times as the room swam hazily into view. For the first time in as long as he could remember, he was able to open his eyes fully without suffering varying degrees of agony. He tested a swallow, and was again relieved to do so without pain. He was incredibly weak, but he felt that something had changed for the better. Either that or he was now so far gone he was oblivious to the pain. Was he dead? As if in answer to his internal question, a familiar voice broke the silence.

"Welcome back, my friend. You had us very worried for a moment," came Lucius's silken drawl. Severus tried to move his head to face him, but it felt leaden and he subsided back into the pillow with a soft groan. Lucius moved closer, his platinum hair swinging forward to brush against Severus's exposed arm as he leaned over to him. There was something akin to concern in his blue eyes.

"It was a close call. You almost died, Severus. Cissy was distraught – she hadn't left your side since I brought you here, but when you took a turn for the better early this morning I sent her away to rest – she was looking positively haggard."

Severus nodded mutely. Cissy. What had he put her through? He could remember very little of the past few days, small snippets of memory, nothing that formed any real sense to him at the moment. He hoped his memory would return as he regained his health.

"I must thank her for her care," his voice sounded rough, hoarse from lack of use. He tried to clear his throat but failed again. Lucius sensed his discomfort and pressed a glass of water to his lips. He took a few short sips and felt immediately soothed. "Thank you, Lucius. I am sorry for being a burden to you and Narcissa –"

Lucius waved him away, "Nonsense my friend! You are like family to us, Narcissa would not have had it any other way. You know she has somewhat of a soft spot for you," His smile faded as he spoke, and he gave the door a furtive look before continuing, voice lowered to a whisper, "Severus – the Dark Lord is coming. He is intrigued by your miraculous recovery and also somewhat…disappointed. I don't know how much you remember, but he was intent on performing some sort of archaic ritual to extract your magic – now that you live, I fear he will want some compensation."

Severus felt a rising sense of unease. "How do you suggest I compensate the Dark Lord for my unfortunate survival?" he hissed.

"You're the brains Severus! I am merely the beauty! You'll have to think of something, and fast! He does not do well with disappointment!" Lucius hissed in reply.

Severus nodded and closed his eyes. His mind was still in complete disarray and he was ill-equipped to demand such complex thoughts from it. He would have to rely on occluding Voldemort until he could make sense of his situation. He tried to push himself into a sitting position but snarled in frustration as his arms collapsed under his weight.

"Lucius, help me sit – I cannot receive our Lord like –"

His words were lost as the door swung open to reveal the man himself, arms spread wide in welcome, a wide, manic smile plastered across his face as he approached the bedside. Lucius flung himself at his feet as was his custom, and Voldemort ignored him, as was his.

"Severusss! How wonderful of you to join us once more in the land of the living!" Voldemort beamed his plastic smile about the room, nodding in encouragement as a number of his followers entered the room behind him. "Look Bella, doesn't our Potions Prodigy look improved? Greyback? I am most delighted, and…confused at the same time!" he let out a chuckle that held little mirth.

Bellatrix skipped merrily to Severus's side and leaned into his face, completely invading his personal space and filling his nostrils with her nauseatingly sweet perfume. He swallowed hard and tried not to gag.

"Sevvie!" She kissed him full on the lips before pulling back sharply, "You look like death but you taste delicious!" she squealed, "When you've finished resting you'll come and play again, won't you? You've been an awful bore lately." She pouted at him in mock sadness before letting out a mad laugh and twirling back to Voldemort's side.

"Our dear Bella is most anxious to have you back to full strength, Severusss. It's just as well I don't doubt my Bella's loyalty to me or I would be suspicious of your history with the lovely Black sisters! But first, there is something I must know." His merry tone faded and he narrowed his eyes as he moved closer.

"You see, you were mere moments from death. A most unpleasant situation, agonised and torturous, I'm told, and messy – very messy. Lady Malfoy was in a most distressed state – more than I would've expected for a mere friend..but I digress." He offered a sly smile and Severus felt his pulse quicken. He knows. "I won't lie, I value your skills my Shadow. But I was not prepared to lose them to death. Now that you live, I find myself, pleased yet also…disappointed." He began to twirl his wand between his fingers. "Because now those skills shall not be mine. It is regrettable. Yet, I believe some good may come of your survival."

"My Lord?" Severus asked.

"You have survived that which should have killed you. I do not know how this has come to pass, but I am most curious. Greyback," he looked over his shoulder at the hulking form of the Chief werewolf, "Tell me, is Severusss one of your kind?"

Greyback gave Severus a disconcerting smile as he sauntered over. The werewolf sniffed the air around him, moving ever closer until Severus could feel his hot, fetid breath whispering over his exposed neck. He was suddenly acutely aware of the furious throbbing of his jugular as Greyback leaned over him. A long moment passed. Suddenly Greyback snarled and fixed his eyes on Severus's before announcing to the room,

"He is cured! The lycanthropy has gone!" he growled.

Severus swallowed hard. Lycanthropy? What the hell had happened to him? Last time he had checked he was 100% wizard. An unfortunate one, but a complete one for certain.

"Excellent news!" Voldemort shouted out jubilantly. "You're the first to take the mark and survive a werewolf's bite – and I am very, very interested to learn how. You will recover Severusss, then you shall discover the secret to your survival and create for me a Strengthening Solution containing your blood. It can only make me stronger!" Voldemort gave him a deranged smile before turning to leave. He paused in the doorway and cast a look over his shoulder, "Oh, and Severusss – you are not to return to Hogwarts until I command it. Wormtail will obtain all that you require to complete this task."

"As you wish, my Lord," Severus inclined his head in submission.

"I've missed you, my Shadow." Voldemort offered as he swept from the room.

"Thank you my Lord, I am most honoured."

As the door swung closed again, Lucius finally rose from his knees and dropped back into the chair beside Severus.

"My man, you are royally screwed."

Severus closed his eyes wearily.

"Indeed."

XXX

Hermione twirled the empty potion bottle between her fingers, watching as the tiny droplets tracked their way down the glass. The colours really were incredible. How she had overlooked potions for other disciplines was beyond her now – now that she could see it for the art form it truly was. If Severus survived this, she had promised herself she would ask him for an apprenticeship. She wanted to craft potions the way he did, with grace and precision and brilliance. This was her world now, he was her world. She was startled from her reverie as she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Mione?"

She gently placed the bottle on Severus's desk and raised her weary eyes to his.

"You've barely said a word since you got back. What happened? How is he?" Harry sat on the corner of the desk and took up one of her hands.

Hermione took a moment to collect herself before attempting an answer, "It was the most difficult thing I've ever had to do, to leave him like that – there, with them." She whispered. "Oh Harry, he was so deathly ill, suffering terribly - I just don't trust them to care for him properly -"

Draco's head jerked up and he gave her a trademark sneer, "You've no idea what we will do for him," he spat, "He is safe with my family."

Hemrione scoffed. "Your family abducted a dying man from a hospital! I don't think I need to say anything else!"

Draco surged to his feet, alerting Lupin who was dozing against the wall and he reached out to restrain the young Malfoy.

"Hush Draco, this will not help Severus!" he pleaded softly.

"Tell that to Granger!" he spat, "Like she could be deserving of my Godfather!"

Hermione stood abruptly and strode over to face him, her face a mask of fury, "You don't know what I would do for that man!"

"I've got plenty of ideas on what you would do for that man, dirty Mudblood that you are! Only useful for one –"

She pushed her face into his, her eyes glinting with a cold rage, "Say that again Malfoy and see what happens, I dare you!"

"Is that a threat, Mudblood?" he sneered, giving her a firm shove in the shoulder.

Before anyone could stop her she pulled back her left hand and punched him squarely in the jaw, sending him sprawling back into Lupin who caught him awkwardly. As the younger man spat blood onto the floor, Hermione gave him a fierce look, "No Draco, it's a promise. Call me that again and you will see just how dirty this little Mudblood can be, Merlin help you!"

She turned on her heel and strode towards the door leading to Severus's private chambers. As she passed Harry, he reached out a hand to her but she shrugged it off.

"I need to be alone, Harry. But please do me a favour, let me know when Draco hears something, anything. I don't trust him." She gave him a weak smile before disappearing into the chamber and gently closing the door.

"She broke my tooth that little witch!" Draco complained as he pressed a hand to his aching jaw.

Harry gave him a pointed look, "You deserved it."

To Harry's surprise, Draco closed his eyes and nodded. In a small voice he said quietly, "She isn't the only one who cares for him, you know."

XXX

Greyback paced the room. That snake Snape was playing them all for fools! Yes, he could smell that he was clear of the curse, but he could also smell something else. Something altogether more intriguing – the scent of a woman, barely disguised by what he identified as Polyjuice potion. It was an unfamiliar female – not Narcissa, although he could certainly smell her all around him. No, this was someone new, someone different, and she had been here in this room, very recently.

He had heard rumours, that Snape had taken a Mudblood to his bed but he had not believed them. The Dark Lord's followers abhorred people of muggle descent, even young, willing females. Greyback thought Wizards curious creatures – choosing to shun a whole pool of eligible mates for the sake of their blood being mixed. As a beast, he would never pass by a willing mate. Even though he couldn't comprehend the reasoning, he knew the Dark Lord would be most interested with this bit of information and this could be the opportunity he had been waiting for; to bring Snape down and raise himself in the Dark Lord's favour.

Werewolves were not known for their intellect, but Greyback was pretty certain he could find a way to identify this female and that could prove to be very useful indeed. If he knew one thing about wizards, it was that they became very attached to their mates, foolish creatures, and were almost certain to come to their protection should they be threatened.

He had hoped to be able to get to Snape once the transformation had been complete and had relished the thought of asserting his authority over him. Like the Dark Lord, he was most disappointed that that opportunity had passed. No matter, he would get to Snape another way now that he had the perfect leverage.

He licked his lips in anticipation as he waited for his messenger to arrive. Oh how he was going to enjoy this!

XXX

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