Monday, October 18th 1999

A few days later, Minerva was sitting in Dumbledore's office again when the door of the office opened again and James and Lily walked in.

"You wanted to see us, Professor," James said.

Dumbledore nodded and motioned for them to sit. They did and he went into the story of his night at the Hogshead, interviewing potential candidates for the Divinations Professor position, a year ago.

"It seems that, unbenounced to me, an intruder was listening in and heard part of the prophecy," Dumbledore said. "He brought the information back to his Lord and he believed that either Harry Potter or Neville Longbottom was the boy mentioned in the prophecy."

"That's why Alice and Frank were attacked," Lily whispered.

Dumbledore nodded. "The informant told me that after the attack, You-Know-Who marked Harry as the Chosen One."

"Harry..." Lily said, looking over at James. James took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Wait," James said, looking very confused. "This man who overheard you... he told You-Know-Who and then came back and told you that Harry was his target?"

Dumbledore nodded making Minerva frown. "Albus, who is this informant?"

"At present that is not important," he replied. He turned back to James and Lily. "What is important is that the two of you are in great danger. I would suggest moving somewhere safer and using the Fidelius Charm. I would more than happy to be your Secret-Keeper."

"Okay," James said. "Okay, we can move back to Godric's Hollow. Into my parent's house. That will probably be safer than London."

Lily nodded. "Yes."

Minerva was still looking at Dumbledore with a frown. She wanted to know who this informant was. She did not agree that it wasn't important right now. "I agree," she said, "that we should take precautions. Lily and James, you two should go to Godric's Hollow but how can we be sure that this informant of your's is trustworthy, Albus? He was obviously working for You-Know-Who just a little while ago!"

"Who is he, Professor?" Lily asked.

Dumbledore closed his eyes for a second before sighing and saying, "Severus Snape."

"What!" James exclaimed angrily, standing up quickly. His eyes were wide and he looked absolutely furious. "Snape! He hates us! How could you trust him?"

"Professor, I know Snape. He has proven himself to be untrustworthy on multiple occasions," Lily said almost frantically. "I would not share Order secrets with him or trust the information he provides if I were you."

"I trust Severus," Dumbledore replied. "I had my doubts the same as you but he proved himself. In the week since he brought me the information on the prophecy, he also gave me information that led to the arrest of many Death Eaters and even the death of a few. People I had once thought were his friends."

"He turns on everybody!" Lily exclaimed. "I don't trust him. Please, sir, listen to me. I've seen what he's capable of. Don't tell him Order secrets. We already have a leak problem in the Order don't bring in another."

"Lily, I assure you -"

"No," James said. He grabbed Lily's hand and pulled her up. "We will go into hiding. We will keep Harry safe but if this is the kind of people you keep your trust in, Professor, I cannot in good conscious make you the Secret-Keeper protecting my family. Sirius would rather die than give us up and he's planning on going into hiding as well after they found his flat last week. We'll make him our Secret-Keeper. Come on, Lil."

With that they left the office, slamming the door behind them. Dumbledore sighed and looked at Minerva for reassurance but she just glared at him.

"Just because I have not stormed out of here as well doesn't mean I approve of this," she snapped harshly. "All the work we've done, Albus, could be all for naught if we put our trust in one wrong person! We are in a very precarious position and one wrong move can bring this all tumbling down."

"I trust Severus, Minerva. I know you don't understand but I do. And I believe that if you meet him, you will understand why I do," he replied calmly. "You will meet him this Saturday. You will be seeing a lot of him from now on so I suggest going in with an open mind."

"I don't want to meet him. He was a Death Eater, Albus! How many people, how many Order members, friends, family, do you think he killed or watched die?! I don't want to meet him and I don't want him anywhere near Hogwarts!"

"Minerva, you will meet him and afterwards we can discuss this further," Dumbledore said with finality. "If you recall, Horace is planning on retiring and Severus had quite the gift for -"

"No!" she exclaimed, standing up quickly and slamming her hands on the desk. "Albus! You want that man around children! He is a Death Eater!"

"He is no longer a Death Eater."

"But he was!"

He was starting to get angry now too. He stood up too and in a louder than normal voice said, "We have all done things -"

"Not those things!" Minerva yelled. "You are putting everyone here at risk! All the students! All the people that came here thinking you would keep them safe! They trust you! Not Snape!"

"Minerva, that's enough!"

"Is it! Because you seem to think that -"

"I said enough!" he yelled, uncharacteristically harshly. She stopped, taken aback by his tone. He stopped too. He sat back down and she followed suit, putting her head in her hands. Her and Dumbledore's relationship had been feeling a lot of strain recently. The pressure of the war and Dumbledore's more and more outlandish ideas were driving a rift between them. He sighed, feeling the tension too. "I apologize. That was childish."

"I apologize as well," she said with a sigh. It was getting harder and harder to make up after a yelling match but she respected him and did not want to lose him as a friend so she was able to swallow her pride. "I am sorry that I implied you did not care about everyone staying here. I know that you do."

"Please understand that I would not be bringing Severus here if I didn't one hundred percent believe that he was safe to be around," he said.

"I know," Minerva replied, "but don't you think that you're bringing him in too soon. Albus, I know Horace retires this year but everyone's still on edge from the Hogsmeade attack and the Longbottoms' attack. They're not ready to forgive this man right now. They need time."

"More time will only bring more attacks. There will never be a good time, Minerva," Dumbledore said. "They may not be able to forgive him right away but I'm sure in time they will come around too. Your meeting is this Saturday at nine in the Hog's Head. You can discuss all you like with him then. He may have some questions about the position that you will be able to answer and you can have him sign the documents that needs to be signed."

Minerva glared at him. "And if I don't show."

"That will be your prerogative," he replied simply. "Severus will be there waiting for you if you do choose to keep the appointment. He will leave his wand with Aberforth to make you feel more comfortable."

Minerva didn't respond. She got up and quickly left the room.

Saturday, October 23rd 1999

Minerva grumbled as she threw her papers into her desk and looked at the time. It was almost time for her meeting with Severus Snape and she still hadn't decided whether she was going to go. She still didn't want to be in the same room with this, probably, murderer but at the same time if Dumbledore trusted him there must be a reason why. Minerva sighed. She didn't want to speak ill of her ex-student but she didn't know what to believe right now. She supposed if she met him she would be able to decide for herself.

She, James, and Lily were not the only ones who took issue with this recruitment of Snape to the Order. Alastor Moody almost started a duel in the Headmaster's office when he found out. Sirius and Remus had both come by to try and convince Dumbledore that this was a bad idea. Amelia and Emmeline had been fuming after their meeting with Dumbledore. No matter how much they tried, Dumbledore did not budge. He still insisted that Severus Snape was trustworthy and that he had faith in him.

"Ready to go?" Lucy asked, coming out of the private room with her backpack on her bag. "Tonks is waiting."

Minerva sighed. She had set up for Lucy to stay the night with the Tonks's just in case she decided to go. She stood up and nodded. "Yes, love," she said. "Let's go."

"Mum, are you okay?" Lucy asked, frowning at Minerva. She noticed her mother was acting quite strange.

"Of course, love," Minerva said, giving her a small smile. She held out her hand. Lucy furrowed her brow but took her mother's hand.

They walked out of the office and towards the classroom the Tonks family had taken over. While they walked Minerva thought about what she had to do. She had to go meet the Death Eater, didn't she? Oh, sorry, ex-Death Eater. She hadn't left the Hogwarts grounds in a very long time and she was a little worried about going into Hogsmeade since the attack last month.

They made it to the classroom door and Minerva stopped Lucy before they went in. She kneeled down and took Lucy by the arms. "Alright, my darling," she said. "I expect you to behave for Mr. and Mrs. Tonks."

"I will," Lucy said with a smile.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Minerva said. She sighed and pulled Lucy into a hug. "I love you, darling."

"I love you too," Lucy said, starting to get worried again. "Mum, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, I'm okay," Minerva said, still hugging Lucy close. It wasn't like she was about to leave the safety and comfort of Hogwarts in favour of a war torn town to meet a, maybe, murderer.

Lucy frowned. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Oh, just some work," she said. She pulled away and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you soon, love."

"Bye," Lucy said.

Minerva got up and they knocked on the door. Minerva dropped Lucy off and headed out. She wrapped her travel cloak close around her and walked out into the cold. She walked through the grounds, saying a quick hello to Hagrid as she walked by. She made it to the gate and walked through.

"Hello, Alastor," she said. "Hello, Elphias."

"Minerva," Moody grumbled. "What are you doin' so far from Hogwarts?"

"I'm going into Hogsmeade."

"Why would you do a thing like that?" Elphias Doge asked with a shocked expression on his face. "It's still unsafe out there."

"I know, Elphias," she said with a sigh. "I'm meeting a friend of Albus's. Don't have much of a choice in the matter, I'm afraid."

"Yer not goin' to meet with that Snape fellow, are yeh?" Moody asked. "Don't like him. Gives me a bad feelin'. Don' know what Dumbledore's thinkin'."

"I am meeting with him," Minerva replied. "I'll see for myself what he's like and come up with my own opinions accordingly."

"Very open minded of you, Minerva," Doge muttered. "Better than I could do right now. And it's probably a good thing you didn't let Moody know where you were meeting him."

"Ha! Like I couldn' find yeh two if I wanted," Moody muttered.

"I should go," Minerva mumbled. "I don't want to be late for my engagement."

"Be careful, Minerva," Doge said, face softening slightly. "Wand at the ready at all time."

"Of course," she replied, giving him a little smile. "I'll see you both soon."

With that she headed down the dark path towards Hogsmeade. The cold winds chilled her to her bones as she walked. She pulled her cloak closer around herself at an attempt at warmth. As she walked she felt a drop of water hit her from above. She looked up in time to see the rain start to pour.

"Excellent," she muttered to herself as she lifted her wand up and used it to create a water umbrella above her.

She kept walking and made it to the small town. The streets were empty and the lights unlit. The darkness felt encompassing and suddenly Minerva began to worry that someone may be hiding in a dark corner waiting for her. She looked around the rubble that was still lying around. She saw the Three Broomsticks only half standing. Wood and stone rubble lying beside it. The shops around it also had parts of their buildings blown out. The Ministry did not have the time and resources to rebuild a village that had a high risk of being attacked again. The village was mostly empty now. Most of the residence had evacuated either to Hogwarts or other towns deemed much safer. The once buzzing, warm streets was reduced to nothing more than dirt and rubble.

Minerva made it to the Hog's Head and walked inside. The bell rang. Aberforth Dumbledore looked up from the bar and gave her a look. "Minerva."

"Aberforth," Minerva replied.

"You're later than expected," he grunted, looking back down at the glass that he had been cleaning. "Thought you might not be coming at all."

"Well, I came," she muttered. "Is he here?"

He nodded and pointed at the stairs with his thumb. "Room 4D."

She nodded and walked up the stairs. As she walked she heard voices coming from the room she was meant to enter. The walls of the Hog's Head Inn were definitely thinner than thin.

"She's not coming, Dumbledore. I told you she wasn't going to come."

"It's only been a few minutes, Severus. I'm sure she's on her way."

"Why would she come here? She hates me."

Minerva sighed and knocked on the door. The voices stopped immediately. The door opened and Dumbledore smiled at her. "Ah, Minerva. I'm glad you decided to come."

"Albus, I am cold, I am wet, and I am tired. May I just sit down for a second," Minerva said, already feeling very annoyed. All she wanted was to be in her warm bedroom listening to Lucy tell her about her day.

Dumbledore stepped aside and she walked into the room. She saw Severus Snape standing in the corner. She looked him over as he glared at her. That's something that hadn't changed. She didn't think it would have been a Transfigurations class without Snape scowling at her from the back row. She felt a pang in her chest. He looked thinner, weaker, and more tired.

Minerva sat down in an armchair and looked at Dumbledore expectantly. He smiled and motioned for Snape to sit down too. He pushed himself off the wall and walked over to sit across from her.

"Well," Dumbledore said. "I will leave you two to it then. I'll send Aberford with some of his finest scotch. I'll see you back at the castle, Minerva."

Minerva gave him a look but he just gave a little bow of his head and left the room. Minerva turned back to Snape, crossed her legs and waited for him to make the first move. He, however, made no move to begin a conversation. They sat there in silence for a long time before Aberforth came in without warning. He grunted a greeting and set the tray with a bottle of scotch and glasses on it on the coffee table between the witch and wizard. He left and Minerva leaned forward wordlessly to pour herself a glass. Snape did the same. They leaned back in their chairs and stared at each other once more.

Time passed and Minerva couldn't take it anymore. She downed the rest of her scotch and said, "Are we just going to sit here staring at each other all night?"

"Days if we have to, I suppose," he mumbled, looking down at his glass.

"I can't sit here for days with you, Mr. Snape," Minerva muttered, leaning forward and pouring herself some more scotch. "It may be news to you but I have other more important things to attend to."

"Right," he replied.

More silence.

"Alright," Minerva said, sitting up straighter in her chair. "I believe that you do not like me, Mr. Snape. Well, I don't like you very much at present either. So we can sit here, staring silently at each other or you can tell me whatever it is you have to tell me or ask me whatever it is you have to ask me. Then I'll have to sign the paperwork and we'll both be on our way."

There was a long pause. Minerva sighed. This was a mistake. She had all but given up and was about to stand when Snape spoke.

"You knew my mother, Professor," he said suddenly, shocking Minerva. She did not expect this. She expected everything from hateful silence to angry yelling but this, she had not expected this.

"I did."

"So you heard what happened to her."

"I did," she said again. "A shame. She was a very bright witch."

"So, you can't blame me for my views of Muggles," he replied, looking up at her finally.

Minerva frowned. "Not all Muggles are the same. Just as not all wizards are the same," she said. "Most Muggle men would not dare raise a hand to their wives."

"Right, you would know," he muttered. She glared at him. He shook his head. He was supposed to be civil. He had promised Dumbledore he would be civil. "Uh," he tried. "How... how are the kids?"

She raised her eyebrows at him. "I know you don't care so I won't bore you," she replied, not wanting to tell him a thing about Lucy, Daniel or Nina. "Let's talk about what we're meant to talk about. You were a Death Eater. Why are you here now? You believe what they believe so why change sides now?"

He calculated his response carefully. "I do not believe what they believe."

"You do not believe that Muggleborns and Half-bloods are less that Purebloods," Minerva asked with a raised eyebrow. "You do not believe that wizards are greater than Muggles."

"I will not lie, I may have believed that at some point in my life and I may still believe it to an extent," Snape replied, "but I do not wish to be aligned with the Death Eaters."

"So you're a supremacist, just a moderate one," Minerva muttered, leaning back in her chair.

He glared at her. He was trying but she didn't seem to be trying back. He leaned back in his chair and looked away. "Have you not changed any of your own views since you were seventeen?"

Minerva sighed. He was right. People's views tended to evolve over time but not everyone signed up to kill people because of their prejudiced beliefs. "So you expect a job and a pat on the back for changing your genocidal views? A job with children, no less."

"I do not expect anything," he snapped. "I've never expected anything from anyone. All I did was come to Dumbledore to tell him that the Dark Lord was after the Potter's baby."

"After being the one who told your Dark Lord about the prophecy in the first place!" she exclaimed.

"A choice that I have come to regret."

"What did you say to Albus to make him believe you?" she asked haughtily. "Because so far I do not see what he saw. You have never cared for James Potter or any of his friends and you and Lily had a falling out if I remember correctly so why would I believe that you care about their son?"

"The boy is just a child."

"And how many children have died before now that you just ignored?"

"Fine! I care for her," he yelled angrily, glaring back at her. Minerva stared at him. He sighed and looked down at his glass again. "I care for Lily Evans," he continued, softer and more sincerely. "I have since the day I met her. I knew that he would kill her and I asked him not too but he doesn't care. So I came to Dumbledore to ask him to protect her."

"So you don't care about the child," she said glaring at him. He did not respond. She slammed her cup down on the table and stood up. She needed to get away from him before she did something she would regret. She walked towards the window. "And he wants you around children."

He stayed on his chair, watching her carefully. She stared out the window at what was left of Hogsmeade and sighed. "Last month a horde of Death Eaters attacked Hogsmeade, killing sixty two people. Were you in that group?"

"No."

"I don't know what to say to you, Mr. Snape. Albus has hired you. He trusts you so I assume that he must believe your story."

"You do not."

"What's it matter if I don't?"

"Well, Dumbledore said that you would probably be dealing with parent complaints more than he would be."

She didn't respond.

"I also would like for you to believe me."

She turned and looked at him. "Why?"

"I respect you," he replied.

"I never got that impression while you were my student," she muttered.

"I do and I did then too. I was just young and stupid."

"You are still young."

"And stupid."

She sighed and turned back to the window. He was so young. Too young to do the things that they may have made him do. She took a deep breath and without turning around whispered, "I believe you."

She turned around and looked at him again. He didn't smile but he looked very relieved. He closed his eyes and nodded. "Thank you, Professor McGonagall."

"I believe you, Severus, and I will do what I can to protect you from angry parents and Order members. I will sign my name to your word but if you ever do anything to prove me wrong, if you ever do anything to bring harm to anyone at Hogwarts, I will find you and kill you personally. Do not take this lightly. This is not some empty threat. I am deadly serious so do not test me."

He nodded. She walked back over to her chair and picked up her bag. She pulled out the documents that he needed to sign and walked him through them. She also answered any of his questions about the position, there weren't many. Afterwards, she packed up her things and got ready to leave.

"You may not be one anymore, but you were a Death Eater so I have to ask," Minerva said, "do you know who the spy is in the Order?"

"Dumbledore asked me the same thing," he said, picking up his own travel cloak and putting it around him. "I do not."

"He still thinks you're a Death Eater," Minerva said.

"He does," Snape replied.

"How?"

"He thinks I am lying to get into the Order so that I can help him."

She looked at him for a second before shaking her head and looking away. "Well, he has a spy in the Order already. Can you find out who it is?"

"I will try," he promised.

Minerva nodded. "I will deliver your papers to Dumbledore and I will see you at Hogwarts next year," she said. She looked out the door and was about to leave when she decided to say what she wanted to say and turned back. She reached out and put a hand on Snape's arm. He flinched slightly but didn't pull away. "If you need anything... help making your lesson plan or... another bottle of scotch... let me know."

With that she left without waiting for a response. She quickly bustled down the stairs. She said a quick goodbye to Aberforth, getting only a grunt in response, and left the bar. She raced through the dark town back to Hogwarts.

Author's Note:

Snape is a very complicated character to write and I hope I did him justice. I'm still on the fence with his character in general but whether or not he is good, he is definitely an interesting character.

My story is getting very close to coming to an end. I think the next chapter may be the last. I thank everyone for reading it and I really hoped you enjoyed it. I've never written this much before so I appreciate the support.

That being said, though this story is coming to an end, I have written other stuff in this au following the actual books. I've started writing Lucy's life during the events of The Philosopher's Stone book I don't know if you guys would want to read it but if you would let me know. Let me know if you would prefer it be posted in it's own story or in further chapters of this story. Leave a review letting me know what you think and if you'd want more.

Also! I wrote another short story about Minerva so if you're not sick of me yet and want to read more of my stuff while you wait take a look! It's called Seven Children and it's about a twenty one year old Minerva, three years after marrying Dougal McGregor. I'm actually quite proud of it and would love to hear what you guys think! Thank you so much for reading all my work, I really appreciate it!