Yeah so last time I was so hasty in uploading I forgot to write an author's note but this is my new story...and thats about it :/

Minerva frowned as she as she passed a very disgruntled looking Filch, who seemed more morose than usual. She had greeted him with a placid 'good night', and he had given her a brusque one in return, before stomping off down the corridor. By his discourteous look, Minerva figured that he hadn't caught a student, sneaking out of his or he bed. She would have gone off and caught the perpetrator herself but Albus had summoned her to his office out of the blue. The message he sent via owl was urgent and lacked the witty, childish tone that laced every note he sent and with what was currently going on the Wizarding World Minerva could only fear the worse.

Finally the proud, impressive, golden statue came into view and she went up the winding staircase before rapping twice on the door. A sober come replied through the door and Minerva entered the Headmaster's office. Albus, who, of course, was sitting at the grand oak desk, greeted her. Around the desk there were three seats, occupied by her colleagues, the other Heads of Houses, and a fourth one, vacant, that she assumed was for her. She could smell the anxiety once she stepped into the room. The tension and silence hung heavy in the air and Minerva felt as if she had hidden under a thick blanket a few minutes to long.

"Ah, Minerva, welcome," Albus greeted with a smile. Minerva noticed that usual boyish twinkle was missing from his eyes as she took the seat between Filius and Pomona while Horace was seated on the right of the Herbology teacher.

Albus cleared his throat and placed his hand on the desk.

"I'm sure you all are wondering why I've summoned you here at this time of night," he said, "and I will give you a legitimate reason. However, I'm afraid it isn't pleasant."

The atmosphere in the room became more serious and everyone shifted and sat up straighter in their chairs. Minerva's heart beat with anticipation.

"I'll be blunt," Albus stated. "But I'm sure you've noticed that some of our students are missing. Off to join the war."

There were some grave head nods and Minerva recalled the heartache, when she read a few letters from her cubs with the reason why she would not see them the upcoming year.

"But I'm afraid that some students, set on joining the Dark side of the war have not left us yet and some have joined…but have returned."

Pomona gasped, Filius clutched his chest, and Minerva just blinked while Horace stared off into space. The room had gone silent for a while and a few shocked and concerned glances were tossed about the room.

"Albus," Pomona choked out after news had sunk it, "you can't possibly mean-"

"That we have junior Death Eaters lurking about the halls of the castle? Yes my dear, I'm afraid that's what I mean."

Everyone sat there slowly soaking in the information like a sponge that had reached it limits. It seemed the war was already bad enough but now they had eager young Death Eaters crawling about like vermin through the castle. Minerva felt as if the world had stopped when she had heard the news. It was like she had lost all her senses and had just gone numb until Horace piped in and shocked her back to reality,

"But they're just junior Death Eaters, I don't see much of a threat," he stated with a chuckle although the situation was entirely humorless.

"Why Horace, I thought you'd be the least shocked," Minerva snapped albeit softly. "A Slytherin as yourself should know that they, being Slytherins also, would try to get some sort of promotion. Ambition. That's one of your traits, is it not?" Honestly, how could he be so daft?

"Exactly, Minerva, exactly," the headmaster cut in before Horace could open his mouth and embarrass himself even further.

"But, they're just young, inexperienced kids," Pomona said quietly, "The Dark lord couldn't have possibly sunk so low-"

"He can reach new depths, I'm afraid,"

"What do we do then, Albus?" asked Filius who had finally regained the ability to speak after winning the fight with the English language.

"We can only be careful, Fulius," Albus said to the Charms teacher, "if you see any suspicious activity be sure to report it to me. Don't try to interrogate the student on your own."

Everyone nodded obediently.

"That is all, you may go back to your rooms,"

Everyone got up from their chairs and headed for the door. Minerva, for one, could not reach her room any faster, desperately wanting to sleep the night away.

"Minerva, I wondered if I might have a word…" said Albus, right as she was about to descend down the staircase. Pomona, who was right in front of her, peered over shoulder at Minerva with a quizzical brow. Minerva shrugged her goodnight before turning back to Albus.

"Yes, Albus, what is it?"

He waited for the door to shut, before addressing the deputy headmistress.

"I think you'd better sit down, Minerva," he said using the same tone as before. Minerva was now worried. What more bad news could he bring? She re-occupied her chair and anxiously waited Albus' news.

"I have no way of correctly guessing which particular student could join the ranks of the Death Eaters," he started slowly returning to his seat as well, "but I can make a proper assumption." Minerva pursed her lips into two thin pink lines. She so desperately wanted to hold back the question that was trying to escape. She stared at Albus for a few seconds refusing to say anything and he stared back. He knew that that she was dying to know who and that it was only a matter of time. Her lower lip started to tremble and it seemed the question was inching closer and closer to her mouth, like water in a dam that was close to reaching its maximum capacity. Albus wasn't helping. His eyes were burning holes into her face, silently begging her to just ask the question, to share with him the secret, the burden of some dark secret they both knew she wanted to know and share as well. And finally the dam broke.

"Who do you think is a potential threat?" she said in one quick, breath. Albus' face remained impassive but Minerva could see the smile of exultant jubilation shining in his twinkling eyes. His eyes then matched the stoic demeanor of his face and Minerva waited for the name.

"I'm afraid it's Severus Snape,"

Minerva blinked once, twice, three times before making sure she had not heard incorrectly.

"Severus Snape?" she asked slowly.

"Yes, Minerva,"

"But-but he's so…quiet,"

It was a poor excuse, she knew but it was the only one she could think of. She was aware that he had an unusual fascination with the Dark Arts but in addition to the interest and care he gave to all his core subjects, she just assumed it was an overall fascination with all areas of magic.

"Ah, yes but still waters run deep, I believe is the phrase, and Severus Snape is deeper and stiller than the Black Lake,"

"But what lead to your suspicions? I know that Dark Arts might be his favorite thing about magic but he's never really…"

Albus got up and started pacing the space behind his desk.

"I've had a sharp eye on young Severus since he arrived here. I could see his brilliance, his determination to prove his greatness, but as he got older he mingled with all the wrong sorts of people. He was always in the medium between the light and dark side and now I fear he might be teetering over the edge of the wrong side, but I still see the potential to bring him back to the right side," Albus said turning to Minerva. He held that intense gaze on her that made Minerva feel a bit uneasy as if there was some abnormality or special powers she had that she was unaware of. "He just needs some persuasion…"

And then it hit her. Minerva frowned and she too shot up from her chair and looked Albus dead in the eyes.

"Albus," she hissed in a low whisper, "do you know what you're asking of me?"

"Yes, Minerva and that is why you are the perfect candidate for the job," he replied his voice just as low.

"Why not Horace? He is the boy's Head of House, it would look more natural if he did it!"

"My dear, you and I both know that Horace could never possibly even comprehend the full significance of this-"

"This absurdity that's what it is!" Minerva said indignantly. She turned away from Albus as the rage sizzled within her. A few seconds passed before Albus tried to convince her again.

"Minerva," Albus said quietly. "You know the capability of that boy. You know the things he can achieve, the things he's capable of. Just keep a closer eye on him, find out who he spends most of his time with and if he dabbles with the wrong sort of people…just try to make him see the right side of the world,"

Minerva's anger started to abate and the headmaster's words sank in. She had always admired Snape's intelligence, a bi envious such a sharp mind belonged in Slytherin. She also knew he could be vary dangerous at times. He had been in a few skirmishes with the members of her house and others and she knew that if they hadn't been intervened Snape would surely have won. Imagine what would happen if he had no restrictions? Miner turned slowly back around releasing a long sigh.

"Albus, do you realize the scandal is this ever got out?"

"That's why it will be out little secret,"

Minerva sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"All right,"

Albus smiled a little at Minerva but she did not return the favor. Instead she quickly retreated to the stairs but Albus stopped her before she could escape.

"Minerva you should know that value of your agreement," he said.

"I have an idea," Minerva replied bitterly, "Now if you'll excuse me I'd like to return to my room." She left the office and started back to her room. Minerva was so deep in thought she hadn't realized she had already returned until she was in her nightgown and curling up into bed drifting off into a troubled sleep that was plagued with all her worries.