Life Changes and a Spy is Born

Voldemort was in a terrible mood and Wormtail was not making it any better by keeping him waiting. He gave specific instructions on what to do. The stupid rat was to intercept Severus from where ever he was and come back with him; it was as simple as one snapping their fingers. Now he had to call in another follower to find the rat. It was times like this that he regretted letting the dementors kiss Crabbe and Goyle Sr.

Parker was a good man, but he didn't have the ruthlessness that his old minions had. At least he hadn't ruined his relationship with the Malfoy family. Draco was still following the doctrine that his father had raised him on, and in a few days he would be joining the Death Eaters and taking his father's place. Narcissa seemed not to care what her son was doing the same attitude that she had with her husband's activities. Crabbe's and Goyle's sons were still up in the air.

What is taken that idiot so long! "Parker, go find out what is taking that imbecile so long to come back with Severus. Lucius is everything ready for the exchange later tonight. I think the book might have the key to purifying the wizarding world, and leading us to victory.

Parker flooed into Snape Manor using the secure room that was set up for all death eaters. He first went down to the potion lab, then up to the bedrooms in the family wing, Severus' personal study, and visitor study. Finally he checked the parlor areas not finding anyone where he thought they would be. Wormtail was laying on the floor stupefied.

"Enervate. Pettigrew the Dark Lord has been waiting for you to show up with Severus. He sent me to find out what is taking you so long to get back to head quarters. Now I find you laid out on the floor stunned; does this mean that Severus got away?"

Peter was not actually afraid of Parker, but knew that if the Dark Lord found out that Severus got the better of him he would be in big trouble. Severus' message could wait, and the Dark Lord would believe that he did not disable all of Severus' wards and traps. "No that is not what happened at all. I forgot about some of the wards and was stunned as soon as I used this fireplace. He likes to change which one we are to use too often, and I just got mixed up. Let's go. I need to report back to the master."

Peter had forgotten one thing about not giving Voldemort the message. Severus knew of the business deal the Dark Lord had going down later the next day. Severus' house elf woke him early that morning with his daily schedule book ready to be reviewed. He read through the pages and saw that the potions that were requested by the Dark Lord for trading was due that afternoon. He knew that he still had some time before Voldemort found out that he had been a traitor, and knowing Wormtail he would lie to get off with a lesser punishment.

A chat with his godson should prove enlightening to figure out what Voldemort needed the potions for. First, a shower and then he would eat breakfast. Draco was not known to be an early riser. While waiting until a decent teenage waking hour he thought over what Dumbledore might have the Order do.

"Wormtail! What took you so long as Snape Manor? I told you to report back by midnight if Snape did not show up."

"Ma…master, I am sorry master, but I must have tripped one of his house protections. One minute I flooed in and the next Parker was enervating me." Wormtail immediately was on his knees when the Dark Lord started questioning him. "He may have come back, but I doubt it. He is probably working on the potions for next evening, and that is why he did not know what was happening with Potter."

Voldemort was silent thinking about the sniveling rodent's report. I was a very surprising that he had a clear and rational thought…that actually made sense. Still there was the off chance that Severus had returned to his home, and that called for punishment. "You may be right about Severus that was quite the list that I gave him, and he does have his duties to Dumbledore." Peter gave a sigh of relief. He had avoided punishment… "Yet, you still failed because you are not sure of whether Severus returned or not. Crucio!"

As Wormtail flailed helplessly on the floor in pain Voldemort, Lucius, and Parker spoke of the meeting planned for the next day. It was decided that Draco would be sent to visit his godfather later that evening to see the progress of the potions that were needed. Also to sound out Severus about just what had happened on with Potter earlier. Draco would also help package the potions so that the delivery of them would go smoothly.

Peter joined them shortly after he woke up from passing out. He was given another assignment…one more conducive to what was he was actually good at. Once he left Voldemort sure that the rat was a spy for Dumbledore told of how the meeting was not scheduled for the next night, but in fact that night. The false information was to see if any of the Order members showed up at the false meeting. It was agreed that they would still send Draco, but he would be sent now and not the next day. The book that they were trading the potions for was very powerful. It would unlock the secret to Voldemort's dream of purity for the wizarding world.

Severus knowing of the change in plans, and also that the set up was for the next day he took care to alert Albus. The potions were ready, and so were the dummy potions. They looked, smelled, and seemed correct until the user took the potion. It was one of his greatest accomplishments to date. Only a true potion's master would be able to tell the true nuances of them and realize that they were indeed fakes.

He made sure that he had at least a "test" sample of all of them so there would not be trouble during the exchange. Those are the ones that he hand wrote the labels so as to be able to identify his samples. Albus Dumbledore arrived just as Draco stepped out of the fire. Draco turned around and immediately disconnected the floo connection knowing that his father would try to listen through the floo opening. He nodded to Dumbledore, and waited until the silencing and secrecy spells were done before reporting.

"Father, Parker, and Voldemort are up to something big tonight," Draco started out immediately. "I was sent to help Severus package some potions for the Dark Lord, and to see why you did not report the occurrence that happened with Potter. Pettigrew gave us a good excuse, and I say we run with that. You were holed away working on your potions, and Professor Dumbledore didn't see the need to disturb you. I think you should also add the he gave you some potions to make so that the Dark Lord won't be overly suspicious."

"Thank you Draco for the report. Now Severus what was it that you wanted me to come down here about?"

"Apparently, The Dark Lord has figured out that there is a spy, and he does not believe that it is me. I am beginning to think that he believes Peter is the leak, and with the lie that he told today about my status. It will be easy to set him up to fall. Wormtail is the only inner circle member that was told that he meeting is for tomorrow night. If we send some aurors or Order members to the rendezvous Voldemort will take care of the rest for us. Then my son will have some closure over his godfather's death. Don't worry about the safety of our decoy's they will not be harmed. He only wants two Death eaters to watch and see if anyone shows up. Nothing is to be done to the force that shows up.

About the exchange later today…the "buyer" is trading a case of potions for a spell book that the Dark Lord has been searching for. There are six different potions, and twelve of each type. I made a sample of each potion that I will put into a separate case for testing. These are the only correct potions in the whole lot. I doubt the man is a potions master, because these potions though dark are not very hard to make. Supposedly, the book has a book that will end the war, and give the Dark Lord's side victory.

Parker and I are going to the exchange; I will be the only one to handle the potions and he will retrieve the book. Once the potions are checked and approved. It would be best for an ambush, and we take possession of the book. This way I retire as planned. Parker we take captive, and we will leave little evidence of what happened. Tomorrow will still go as planned, and Voldemort will believe that Parker or I betrayed him. The only problem that may occur is he may use the mark to retaliate. I don't want to leave Harry so soon. So we need to figure out a way to cut it off to make it seem as if I died."

The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes grew, and he smiled with a knowing light. "I have already thought of that little problem we have with the mark Severus. We need another person whose mark you would be more willing to wear. Preferably another parselmouth to overpower the other mark; with careful casting, and some intensive planning the Dark mark can be negated and changed into something else. Do you know or have anyone in mind Severus?"

Things moved quickly after that on both sides of the war. Draco opened the floo again, and theatrically told the Headmaster good-bye. He and Severus staged the next bit because they knew that more than likely someone was listening. "Draco what are you really doing here? I am not giving you private lessons in potions. It's a good thing that I had one of my old potion lesson books out, and had just set up some cauldrons for making new potions…"

"I know that I was unexpected, but father has sent me to check on you for tonight. I am to also help package the potions."

"I see… well come with me. They are all done; I was just finishing bottling the last potion when Dumbledore showed up. It seems that Mr. Potter has done something again, and his house wards fell. Now, on top of everything else I have guard duty at his home all summer with your cousin Nymphadora. How am I supposed to get any potions work done? I still have to have to finish restocking the infirmary, and those two potions the Headmaster needed still need a bit more brewing time. I must send your father a letter expressing my thanks in sending you."

Lucius smiled, and listened to his son and his godfather talk about the mundane. Actually it was more like Draco followed Severus' instructions, and listened to his complaining. He knew his answer, and had some more information for the master. Disconnecting the floo he went to his Lord to report.

Voldemort was well pleased, and happy that even though Wormtail was correct. He still had a reason for punishing him, and the potion's master was too busy completing his assignment that Dumbledore did not disturb him about the Potter matter. Severus had made him even more euphoric with the fact that his potions were given priority, and Dumbledore had no clue.

He would call Severus later after the little business meeting tonight. Having Draco get extra lessons, and maybe have the boy start an apprenticeship would be a good calling for the boy. He had the Malfoy pride, and with that came delicate handling. Yes, things were working out for the good of all. He called for two new recruits to come to him as he made plans to flush his traitor out. He thought about the orders he sent with Lucius to give Draco to pass on. He didn't want the Potter boy touched by Severus. It was better to build Dumbledore's trust.

Severus returned to Privet Drive after Lucius came to retrieve his son for a quick errand. Severus knew that Draco would be getting his mark now that he was seventeen. More than likely it had something to do with that. Draco would return in two hours, to help transport the potions to the meeting.

The house was quiet, and Dobby could be seen in the living room doing some dusting. He asked the little elf where he could find his family at, and if things had been quiet while he had been gone. Severus was directed to the classroom, and assured that things had been well. Approaching the classroom he heard a lot of laughter, and Luna and Harry working on theory, as the Headmaster had not contacted them yet about using magic out of school so it was theory first, and potions until then.

Harry was telling a funny story about the levitation spell, and Mr. Finnegan's eyebrows. As the laughter died down Severus grasped the point of the story when he reverted back to pronunciation being very import as well as wand movements. Dudley face was resolved into playful seriousness as he used what looked like a plain stick shaped into a wand, and recited wingardium leviosa, and swished and flicked like a pro. After repeating it five times correctly Luna decided that he had the spell down, and they continued to go down the list of spells she had prepared.

Luna looked at her list, and was about to start when the sound of someone clearing their throat stopped them. "I see that you are not wasting any time with training, and catching up. I am proud of you three for taking the initiative. Luna and Dudley please continue. I need to speak to Harry please."

Harry nodded to Luna and Dudley and left the room. The lab Severus requested was nearby, and they went there to talk. After they were comfortable Harry cheekily started goading his father, "What's up Pops?"

"Pops? What a disgusting thing to call me. You may address me as Dad, Father, Da, Fa, and Papa. Any of those are considered dignified, but Pops is definitely not one of them. Now to the reason as to why I asked to speak to you. As, you know that I am terminating my service to the Dark Lord. Voldemort will be able to harm me through my mark… maybe even possibly kill me. Professor Dumbledore believes that he has found a way to cut of the effects of the Dark Mark, but we need your help. The spells require someone I trust to mark myself, and a parselmouth.

I know that our relationship is new, but I would really appreciate it if you would help free me from the mistake I made earlier. The headmaster assured me that the spells are long, but not draining. I still have to do one more thing tonight, and then as soon as it is finished we would like to change the mark." Showing his uncertainty for the first time since he started; he looked into Harry's eyes. "Well…what do you think?"

A smile broke across Harry's face. "What do I think? It's brilliant. You would not have the mark anymore, and maybe a few things at school can change for the better. It also works well into some of the plans I wanted to talk to you later on. Just think in less than twenty-four hours you will be free. I will create the mark; I just need one thing from you… a copy of the Snape coat of arms.

Hermanus Snellville stood in the shadows holding a book the Dark Lord coveted. He knew that he was getting the better bargain of the deal. Some of the darkest potions brewed by Severus Snape, and he was going to make sure and test a sample of each potion to make sure there were no tricks. The Dark Lord was known for double crossing. One soft, and one loud pop was heard, and three voices suddenly broke up the silence of the alley.

"A bookish man reaps many rewards." Parker stated looking into the shadows for anything that wasn't supposed to be there.

"But only if the man leaves his books once in a while." He stepped out of the darken alcove, and looked at the Death Eaters. He showed them the book, and Severus brought out the sample kit. He tested each sample potion on the many rodents around them, and then helped Draco set the crate down. Once Draco finished he touched the portkey that he was told to use once his role was finished. He reported to the Dark Lord that the potions were well received, and that Severus was about to check the book for a spells as instructed when he left. He was dismissed to prepare for his induction the next night. The task with Severus and Parker was his last requirement task.

As soon as the hidden Order members saw young Malfoy leave they struck. All three were stunned, and Harry and Dumbledore stepped out of from the invisibility cloaks they both owned. Casting wards, and more privacy bubbles they started the chanting to change Severus' mark. Voldemort was calm, and any minute now he would have the book. A strange cold feeling stole over him, and he knew that one of his Death eaters was gone. Checking the source it seemed that Severus was no more. "NOOOOO!"

Dearest Girl,

My Godfather has died, and a betrayal has been committed. Tomorrow is my party, and I will be announcing my future plans. How do you feel about potion master? All things considered everything went as planned; the next steps are already in motion. A spy is born.

Your Boy,

Draco

A/N:Well. Here it is and in less than two weeks. Please review and tell me what you think. I have already started on the next chapter, but I am going out of town for the next 2 weeks, so no computer for me.