Nothing in the world of Harry Potter belongs to me. I'm just playing in the great J.K. Rowling's sand box. Thank you.

Alright everyone. Sorry for the very disconnected cliffhanger! I promise, it's the same story and it'll make sense, so don't give up on me yet. Keep reading and keep letting me know what you think! Even when I do something crazy.

It's another short one, but I didn't want to keep y'all hanging too long. I hope you enjoy as we delve deeper.

Chapter 11 – Enter the Death Eater

May 24, 1995

Severus lay crumpled in a heal, sobbing uncontrollably when Minerva arrived through the floo. Greatly concerned, she instantly settled herself on the floor next to him, pulling the distraught wizard into her embrace. Slowly, she rocked him back and forth, whispering words of comfort to him.

"It's alright lad. Whatever it is, it will be alright," she told him.

Slowly, Severus came back to himself, still clearly upset, but more coherent.

"Now, what is this all about?" the older witch asked him.

Rolling up his sleeve, he displayed the prominent and obviously irritated dark mark on his left forearm. Minerva gasped in shock.

"He's so close to coming back and Albus doesn't think that there will be any way to stop him this time. Now, it's just a waiting game and by the fact that the mark is irritated and painful without prompting, for the first time since it was applied, we won't be waiting long," Severus explained.

He paused, ducking his head behind is long black hair to avoid her gaze before admitting.

"Albus suggested I prepared and create a memory of my Hermione's death to show the Dark Lord because he knows that the question will come up. The hope is that it will cement my loyalty to the cause after so many years. He, uh, suggested I make Remus her killer."

"Oh," Minerva uttered in shock.

It had been hard enough on both of them to pretend that their Hermione had died, more so on Severus as her husband, since it was lesser known that she had raised the witch. However, the thought of fabricating the image of her death, not only by the hands off one of their closest friends, but at the mercy of a werewolf, was devastating.

"Let me see," McGonagall insisted.

Severus stiffened in her grasp.

"You don't want to see her like that. Fake or not, it is still a memory I created. My ability with the mind magics and ability to create realistic enough memories to fool the greatest Legilimens was part of the reason I was selected to spy among the death eaters. It will feel entirely to real," he explained.

"I want to see. I want to help and support and I cannot without having all the information," she said, before adding to lighten the mood. "Besides, I cannot imagine suitable punishments for our esteemed headmaster if I do not witness all the crimes he had committed."

Severus slumped again, clearly giving in to the older witch. Producing a vial from his robes, he pressed his wand tip to his skull and withdrew the shiny strand of memory, depositing it into the vial. He passed it to his mother-in-law, tears reappearing, not wanting her to see the horrible death he had needed to produce for her draught.

Gently, she took the vial, setting it on the closest surface, and then encouraged the younger man off the stone floor. Once she had deposited him in his chair, she took the memory and followed it into his pensive.

What had felt like hours later to Severus, but in reality, had only been moments, Minerva emerged, stumbling backwards into the couch. Seated haphazardly on the couch, she was clutching her chest and had tears streaking down her face. After quite a long time of silence, she asked.

"The fight with Albus?"

"Real words between us. Crafted for the purpose of making me despise the light even more, after he had insisted on the circumstances of her fabricated death. The key to making memories is to use as much real memories and adjusting them to fit," Severus explained, slipping into his lecturing tone.

"That man has a pile of sins several mountains high to atone for when all is said and done," Minerva muttered, still clearly shaken from seeing her daughter mauled.

"Indeed, he does," Severus insisted. "But in my role as spy for the Death Eaters, I must be above reproach and have an answer for everything."

July 1978

"Damn it all, we've lost too many of our own recently and only managed to capture a single death eater," James Potter declared with anger. "We need some kind of advantage over them! Benjy, Dorcas, and the Prewett brother will have died in vain if we don't find a way in!"

The Order of the Phoenix sat in the main room of the Hogshead, silent and contemplative after James' passionate declaration. Aberforth stood behind the bar, wiping it down with a questionable rag, pointedly staring at his brother. Alastor Moody sat in a chair by the door, ever vigilant even though the entrance was warded and locked up tight. He rubbed his aching leg, the fairly new wooden attachment, courtesy of Voldemort, hurt like hell. The rest of the room was filled with various members, settled into little groups.

After a time, all eyes turned to their leader. Dumbledore sat near the fireplace, fiddling with a small tin of lemon drops. Ignoring the stares, he popped one in his mouth, thoughtfully sucking on the sour treat.

"We need a spy and there's only one Slytherin in this room, so the choice is obvious," stated a rather subdued Sirius Black.

The normally arrogant and loud Gryffindor slouched in his chair, his messy black hair partially covering his scowling face.

An immediate uproar followed his words. Hermione and Minerva were the first to their feet, shouting down the marauder. The Longbottoms, some of the older members, Alastor, Lily, Remus, and even James himself objected to the idea. Chaos had broken out over the room, though, no one had noticed that Severus Snape had nothing to say in his own defense.

"You can't send him into that viper's nest."

"He might be a snake, but he is one of us."

"We don't sacrifice our own."

"Silence," Dumbledore demanded.

Heads turned his way before one by one they returned to their seats, Hermione being the only one still standing.

"We're losing people constantly and you want to just throw one of our own to the death eaters!" She shouted at Sirius. "He may be a Slytherin and you may not like it, but he is my husband and I'm not about to let him walk willingly to his death."

With his wife on the verge of hexing one of her friends, Severus gently grabbed he wrist and pulled her down into the chair beside him, wrapping his arms around her.

"Do anyone have a better idea? Snape may not be my favorite person, but we've put most of the childish school pranks behind us. I don't want to see him die any more than I want to lose anyone in this room, but we are floundering and blind," Black insisted.

"I think that is enough for today. The idea had been thrown out there, but nothing will happen unless Severus agrees. Let him think about it and we will bring it back up at next week's meeting," Dumbledore determined. "Now, before we depart, a wand oath from each of you that the details of this meeting will only be discussed with members of the order and in secure locations."

The gathered members agreed, swearing on their magic before everyone stood up and prepared to depart. Some of the members immediately moved to the fireplace, flooing away. Others gathered in groups to chat. The Longbottom's approached Severus, Hermione and Minerva.

"Don't pay Sirius any mind, mate," Frank Longbottom said, patting Severus on the shoulder. "We'll figure something else out."

Severus just nodded, taking Hermione's hand and leading her towards the fire. Tossing the floo powder in, the disappeared to McGonagall Manor, in the most north east corner of Scotland. Minerva walked out of the flames shortly after the newlywed couple.

"Mr. Black was completely out of his mind," Minerva insisted.

"Let's leave it for now," Severus ordered softly. "We all need some sleep."

Later that night, Severus entered the room he shared with his wife from the bathroom, wearing only black lounge pants hung low on his slender hips, his long hair still slightly damp from his shower. Hermione sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard, with a book in her hands.

Severus crawled up from the foot of the bed, laying so that his head was laying in her lap, his arms wrapped around her. Marking her page, Hermione closed the book and set it on the nightstand. Gently, she ran her fingers through his hair, smiling as he hummed in appreciation and closed his eyes.

"What are you thinking about?" She inquired softly.

"That we don't have any other options," Severus admitted, sighing heavily.

"We have other options, Severus," Hermione insisted, tears starting to gather in her eyes.

"Fine," he conceded. "We don't have any other good options."

His wife stayed silent, her hands stilling in his hair. Slowly he sat up, sitting cross legged on their bed.

"I'm still friends with Lucius, Evan, Corban, Rabastan, and Regulas. Fredrick Avery and Grayson Mulciber are dogs, but consider me a friend. No one outside of the Order knows of my involvement since I my job is to make potions. They remember the bullying I received from the marauders during school. Aside from my marriage to you, I have no suspected involvement with the light. Since Minerva is a half blood and no one know that you're adopted, it is considered acceptable," Severus explained, looking into her eyes.

Tears started to fall as she listened to him. She knew that he had made up his mind and that she wouldn't be able to sway him.

"I want to help make our world safe," he told her, pulling her into his arms. "It will never be as long as Voldemort and the Death Eaters are ravaging it. I want a home of our own, I want to watch your stomach grow big and beautiful with our child, watch our children grow up, and I want to grow old with you."

"And you think that the way to accomplish that is to join his ranks?" Hermione spat, angered by him using the life they had envisioned together as an excuse. "If he even suspects that you are a spy, he will kill you, painfully. Aside from that, his people torture, rape, and murder people."

"It is mostly dogs like Avery, Mulciber, and Dolohov that do that. I have talents that he needs, much like my position here in the Order. And he won't suspect me," Severus responded.

"It's rumored that he is the greatest Legilimens ever. I know you are a talented Occulmens, but do you truly believe you can match him?"

"Yes, I can match him and more. I can do this, love," Snape insisted.

"I don't want you to do this," Hermione admitted, nuzzling into his neck. "I can't lose you."

Severus sighed deeply, holding onto his witch. He knew that he was the only one that could infiltrate Voldemort's ranks. He knew that they needed a way to counter him. He had lost many friends in the last few months and wanted to avenge them. However, he also knew he couldn't say no to his witch.

"Alright, my love. We will just have to find another way," Severus answered.

Hermione relaxed in his arms, her lips grazing his neck briefly before she started kissing her way down his chest. Severus responded eagerly, laying her down on the bed, lips clashing down upon hers in a desperate struggle to forget.

After their lovemaking, he laid on his back, staring up at the ceiling, with his witch wrapped up in his arms. He would have to talk to Dumbledore soon, let him know his answer, so that they could consider other options.

Sleep evaded Severus that night, so he simply held Hermione, running his hands slowly up and down her bare back, nuzzling and kissing her hairs, while wishing the war would end soon, so they could really start their life together.

"Have a seat, my boy. Would you care for a lemon drop," Dumbledore offered, gesturing to the bowl of round, yellow sweets on his desk.

"Thank you, but no, sir," Severus responded, sneering at the offering.

"Then, what is it that you wanted to discuss?" Albus inquired.

Severus fidgeted in the luxurious wing backed chair before the Headmaster's desk. After his talk with Hermione the night before, he had figured that he had better speak with Dumbledore right away.

"I wanted to let you know, that I thought long and had about the yesterday's suggested. Hermione and I discussed it and I cannot be the spy," Severus admitted.

"I'm disappointed to hear that, my boy," Albus told him, using the tone he would when disciplining students. "The number of Order deaths had been increasing rapidly, but little progress in rounding up and stopping the Death Eaters. Our only hope is to have someone on the inside to feed us information."

Snape slouched in the chair and bowed his head, feeling much like he had every time he and the marauders had been presented to the Headmaster after getting into a fight or trouble. He could feel the disappointment rolling off the powerful wizard that he respected greatly.

Dumbledore could see the young man before him struggling with the decision. He didn't dare attempt to slip into his mind, knowing that Snape's defenses were phenomenal and any attempt would be immediately detected. Albus needed to keep Severus pliable and willing to do whatever it took to gain approval, not on the defensive. The Headmaster's twinkling blue eyes bore into the top of his head.

"It is quite a shame. You have all of the right connections and talents to be a great asset to Voldemort. He wouldn't even think twice about your involvement, simply welcoming you into his ranks," Albus said. "I had thought that you were strong enough to do what needed to be done. For the greater good."

"I am strong enough," Severus insisted, his features hardening in a look of pure determinations.

"Then maybe you would be willing to reconsider? The Order needs you," Dumbledore insisted, playing on the need to fit in and be valued he knew the young man struggled with.

"Yes sir, I will do this," Severus insisted, all thought of Hermione's pleading for his to decline ignored.

"Good!" Albus praised him. "I think you should go see your Slytherin friends this evening. The sooner you can invade his ranks, the better. Your contribution will be crucial to victory for the side of light."

Severus nodded, departing the Headmaster's office with a feeling of purpose and acceptance. He would seek out Lucius. The Malfoy heir had been trying to sway him for months now. A few drunks together and this time, Severus would agree with his not so subtle hints and accept his offer.

The interior of the tavern in Knockturn Alley where Lucius had suggested they meet was as dark and dingy as the alley itself. Severus was surprised that the young Malfoy would even step foot into a place like this, but he immediate saw the man's platinum blond hair in the back, corner table, even before being beckoned toward him.

Seating himself at the dark, corner table, Severus was surprised by the shot of fire whisky that had been slid towards him by the primped and polished wizard beside him. Throwing back the shot, he set the glass back on the table and grinned.

"Good to see you, Lucius. Though, I'm surprised by the location. It seems beneath you," Snape sneered.

"Well, the upside to questionable establishments such as this one is the privacy," Lucius explained, with a quirk of his lips. He tossed back his own shot of whiskey and waved at the bartender for another round. "Drinks are on me tonight, my friend. It's been too long since we've seen each other."

That it has. How is Narcissa doing?" Severus asked politely, tossing back the next shoot immediately as it was poured.

He would never let it show, but he was incredibly nervous and hoped the drinks would help settle him. Severus needed Lucius to court him tonight. If Severus seemed too eager, he'd give away the game.

Lucius waved for the waitress to just leave the bottle, pouring another shot for the young wizard himself. Tonight, he had a task to accomplish and failure was not an option. The Dark Lord had been admiring Snape from afar for a while. Tales of his talents and skills had reached Voldemort's ears for many years while Snape had been in school. The knowledge that the poor young man had been offered an apprenticeship for free immediately after his graduation had made him impatient for the Slytherin to join his ranks. Lucius needed to convince him tonight.

"She is doing well considering. We just had another miscarriage last month, but she is managing," Lucius admitted, hoping being vulnerable would help his cause. "Father is very sick and the Healer's don't believe he will recover. The pressure to produce an heir is even greater now."

"I'm sorry to hear that, my friend," Severus said, trying to console him, while taking another shot.

He was on his fifth shot now in such a short time, his head was starting to feel quite heavy, but his purpose was still in the front of his mind.

"I hear congratulations are in order however. Married and accepted as an apprentice in potions all in such a short time. I'm sure you're still reeling and reveling in it all," Malfoy said with a scandalous smirk.

"Yes, it's been a lot, but also everything I've wanted," Snape admitted.

His mind briefly turned to Hermione and her begging him not to do it. Severus hadn't had the time or the courage to tell her that the plan had changed. Things would be put in motion before they had a chance to discuss it, but it was all for the greater good, so he pushed his feeling of betraying her to the side. He was doing this to protect her and the life they dreamed of.

"Between you an me," Snape said, leaning in conspiringly. "Slughorn is accelerating my apprenticeship. He wishes to retire as soon as possible. So, a job at Hogwarts is already in my lap."

"Teaching, really?" Lucius asked. "You could be leading the field of potions in no time with your talent. Research and patenting new and improved potions is the way to go. You could make some very powerful friends with your skills."

Knowing the Lucius was dropping the bait, Severus took it.

"Oh, I wasn't aware that he had noticed me," Severus responded.

"Not noticed you? Between potions and spells you've created, you're a popular topic. He could provide you with the opportunities for true greatness. It doesn't matter that you're a half-blood, your skills are widely known throughout Slytherin house. He could use someone like you," Lucius told him, heaping on the praise without over doing it. "Let me take you to meet him. Let him show tell you about the new world he envisions, the power he will bring to wizarding kinds."

Severus stayed silent for a moment, staring deep into the nearly empty bottle of fire whiskey on the table, as if contemplating it. Reaching out, he poured the rest of the bottle into his glass, then tossed it back quickly. Turning back to Lucius, he sealed his fate with three words.

"Sure. Arrange it."