Sorry this took so long I was without my muse for awhile. Please pardon the spelling mistakes I have yet to get in touch with my Beta. Please review! This chapter will be short but I promise more are on the way...Keep reading.
Severus sat in his quarters through the weekend enjoying the solitude for the moment, his home was quiet and clean as he sat down on the couch and watched the flames of the fire. 'As much as they try to make me good…I am not. I have spent too much of my life being evil and following evil.' Severus thought sipping his fire whisky, his thought turning from his past to his present. 'I have no future to speak of…Father was right in that regards.' He knew that he had to work with the Order and with Harry to get him to trust and accept his role in the war. Sipping his whisky Severus sighed, there was no helping him he was damned.
Severus as he went to check on Harry, unsure why he was drawn to the boy except that he knew something about abuse and a familiar hatred burned in his veins at the thought of his aunt and uncle. Keeping behind a curtain he visually checked on the boy, knowing that his presents would not be welcome he quickly turned to leave, as he turned he walked straight into Dumbledore's grinning face. "I'm sorry Severus. I didn't realize you didn't hear me." He said, his blue eyes twinkling. Severus quickly regained his momentum and slipped the impassive mask over his face before responding, "I was just here to check up on Potter." He explained trying to slip past the headmaster.
"Harry, how are you feeling?" Albus asked drawing Severus forward towards the boy's bed, keeping his smile.
Harry looked up in surprise to see both Dumbledore and Severus striding towards him, "I'm fine sir…A little sore but otherwise alright." He explained watching the silent by play between the two as Dumbledore drug professor Snape to a nearby chair. Out of respect for Albus, Severus reluctantly sat watching Potter eye him cautiously as if he were a deadly snake.
"That is wonderful news Harry…I have just spoke with Remus has managed to pull your trunk and owl from the Dursley's and bring them here." Dumbledore continued, unhindered as Harry and Severus eyed each other.
"Thank you sir." Harry said quietly watching Snape he could see in his mind
Darkness with only the moonlight surrounding the professor's body his face stern and angry as he stared down at Harry. He could feel pain but somehow knew it wasn't from his professor…
"Harry, are you okay?" Albus asked watching green eyes blur as they stared at Severus, then suddenly come alive and stare at his visitors again. Severus had leaned forward, wondering if Harry had regained his memory.
Harry mentally shook himself as he came back aware that both men were now staring intently at him, "Sorry headmaster…I must be more tired than I thought." He said weakly trying to grasp the fleeting memory without success as it disappeared into the void.
Albus smiled gently, "Of course. You have been through some trying times in the last few weeks. Get some rest Harry we will talk later." He said pulling himself up out of the chair. Severus followed suit almost reluctantly before giving a slight nod to the headmaster and heading back to his quarters.
The house was old and smelled slightly of mold as they made there way towards the chamber. Each covered head to toe in a black cloak with a white death eater mask attached firmly to there face. Because they had spent so much time together each of the death eaters could easily identify one another as they all paraded confidently into the next room their wands placed away as custom dictated. Lucius walked in dropping to kneel before Voldemort his head lowered in reverence before rising and taking a step to the side an allowing the next death eater to follow suit. Once the practice was done and all heads were bowed did the master speak, "Remove your masks." None hesitated, the tension in the air palatable as they stripped themselves of the masks. "My loyal death eaters…You stand before me ready at my call." Voldemort announced looking over his subjects with his crimson eyes. "I believe I may have found a way for us to get into Hogwarts and retrieve Harry Potter." The statement brought the room to attention as all the death eaters leaned forward in anticipation. Within hours battle plans were drawn and teams were made, Severus gave information on the strengths and weaknesses of Hogwarts and the surrounding areas, enough to keep him from trouble knowing that Voldemort watched him the most for any signs of disloyalty. Trying to quell the chill that kept running down his spine Severus pretended not to notice as the group huddled around and made plans. "I will call to you again when the time draws near…" Voldemort said excusing them from his sight, "Lucius remain behind."
Severus knew better than to try to remain when he was not asked. Punishment was harsh for those who disobeyed. After a momentary hesitation Severus bowed low to Voldemort before sweeping from the room with the rest of his clan. Once the room was empty and the doors shut behind did Voldemort speak, "Lucius come here." The dark lord commanded. Lucius wasn't eager to get within wands reach of his master but quickly complied bowing low at Voldemort's feet. "You have caused me considerable grief since my return." He started, taking out his wand he turned it over in his hands fully aware that Lucius flinched at the sight of it.
"I am most sorry my lord." Lucius groveled bowing even lower, praying that he wasn't going to get punished.
Voldemort didn't speak immediately, seemingly enjoying the silent threat his proximity made. "I will forgive you Lucius…Rise now." He said evenly watching relief flicker in his servants eyes as he came up to his knees. "However, your loyalty will be tested…"
Severus apparated to the Forbidden forest eagerly taking off his cloak and mask before sighing in relief when they fell from his body, "I take it the meeting did not go well?" A voice asked, Albus stepped forward watching his potion master grimace and lower his wand.
"Albus, unless you want to become dead I really do ask that you announce your presents to me in a less frightening way." He growled tossing his cloak to the ground and taking a steadying breath.
Albus smiled, "I am sorry Severus, my intention was not to scare you." He said drawing closer waiting for Severus to speak about the meeting. The potion master waited until he felt at calm again his eyes gazing out at the lake. They stood in silence and Dumbledore wondered if he had been asking Severus too much.
"Voldemort believes he has found a way into Hogwarts…He wouldn't go into detail but told us to be ready. I had to give up some defensive information otherwise it would look too suspicious on my part." He accounted rubbing his hands over his face. He could feel the start of a headache and gritted his teeth in frustration.
Dumbledore only nodded, "I will ask the teachers to be on alert…We can't raise too much suspicion by asking the Aurors to be on hand but I will let the Order know to be on call."
Severus debated on telling him about Lucius but then declined it would only lead to questions about whether Voldemort truly believes that Snape was one of them. Staring at his mentor he was surprised to see how old Albus looked. The sudden throbbing of the headache cut off that particular train of thought as he gathered his things, "There is nothing we can do but wait it out and see what happens." He explained eyeing Albus, "Let us give into your eternal optimism and leave this for another day."
Albus chuckled lightly beside him as they fell into step heading back to the castle, "I believe you have optimism Severus buried deep within you." He said trying to get a rise out of the potion master.
Severus turned to the professor shorting his long stride to accommodate the headmaster, "I believe you are a fool to think that I have anything left for this war but distain and hatred. I do not believe that having hope will move mountains or dispel the enemy." He said with distain.
"No, hope won't do that….But hope can give the little bit extra that may just win this war." Headmaster explained walking through the gates at Hogwarts and directing them to his office, "The Order is here and wishing you to give a summary." Severus sneered feeling the headache pound a little harder, but reluctantly followed the headmaster, "Severus we are all on the same side." Albus chided gently watching his friend sneer but reluctantly follow the headmaster into his office. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley was there and Remus, Mad Eye Moody, Tonks and the rest of the order. "I am sorry we took so long." Albus said taking his customary seat behind his desk, giving a sharp look to Severus before sitting. Severus wrapped his arms around his chest and leaned against a darkened wall willing the headache to disappear as every one got settled.
For a moment the office was silent as all eyes turned to Severus waiting for his report and after a minute Severus began, "He seemed to think that he has a way into Hogwarts. He refused to go into too much detail but I had to give up some minor offensive information to keep my place. I think it will be soon maybe towards the beginning of the holiday before all the children are removed from here." He explained, rubbing his forehead as he spoke.
"What information did you give up about the castle?" Remus demanded from the sidelines, anger ringing in his voice at the thought of vital information given away.
"I gave away some of the defensive positions….ones that can be modified without me giving away the fact that I'm a spy. I have already told the headmaster and he agrees with me." Severus snapped, feeling the bubble of hatred rise in his veins. The headache only deepened and black spots appeared before his eyes but still he held on and patiently told himself to wait to pass out until he was safe in his quarters.
"I don't like the idea of you giving up defensive positions to the enemy especially when we don't really know whose side you're really on." Mad Eye sneered leaning against the fireplace and watching the potion master.
Severus didn't respond he could tell the headache was changing and it would soon take his consciousness if he didn't hurry and get out of there. "That is all I have to report." He said finally refusing the bait and turning from the room. Albus seemed to understand that he was in pain and nodded he consent for Severus to leave the meeting and retreat to his quarters. Walking swiftly Snape managed to lock the door on his quarters before the apex of the pain finally hit him and his vision turned black as he fell to the ground.
Molly waited for the rest of the Order to file out and return back to headquarters before raising her question to Albus, "Is Professor Snape alright? He looked pale when he returned?" She asked sitting in one of the chairs in front of the desk. Albus frowned, his blue eyes saddened as he considered the question.
"I think that it's taking a toll on Severus in more ways than one. I am worried about him myself because I know what kind of heart he hides from the world and that in working for Voldemort what it must destroy each time to be near such an evil." Albus explained, "I fear that too soon he will have to choose between being a spy and working for the Order."
"You think he's in danger?" Molly asked.
Albus nodded, "With him being guardian to Harry I fear he will have to stake his life on this battle in order to keep Harry safe. I just hope he has the strength."
His dreams began with panic as he found himself standing in Hogwarts classroom, a sense of foreboding in the air as he looked at the empty room. Looking around he couldn't hear anything, the silence deafening as he stood alone. Taking a step forward Severus felt pain flare up his right forearm as the room spun, gritting his teeth he rolled up his robes to expose the painful flesh now throbbing. Blood began to seep from the edges of the mark creating an effect as if the dark mark was crying. Swallowing down the cry of pain Severus remembered Dumbledore and stumbling to the door he knew he had to reach the headmaster quickly. The heavy door opened and Severus gasped in shock as the rest of Hogwarts stood in rubble around the frame of the door. Black clouds rolled in the sky giving the eerie effect as he stumbled out of the room and into the destruction. Heavy stone lay scattered around him, and smoke filled the air making him cough, raising his robe to his face he tried to filter out what he could before pressing on. The walls were partial and you could see into the Quidditch pitch and down the courtyard as Severus stumbled over wood and stone towards the headmaster's office. Stumbling over debris Severus fell to his knees next to a pile of wood, pushing off the ground his mark scorched again causing him to hiss in pain and lean against the wood for support. The wood felt different and frowning Severus started to touch the pile knocking the bigger pieces off a dull set of eyes gaped out at him. Stumbling backwards Severus hissed as he fell on his ass again in fright as the eyes continued to stare up at him, 'Get a hold of yourself' Severus ordered commanding his hands to stop trembling. Steeling himself for what was to come he crawled back over to the pile and began clearing the pieces away until he recognized the face, 'Mrs. Granger.' Her lifeless eyes staring up at him as blood trickled down the corner of her mouth. Working furiously he managed to clear off the rest of her body cleared reaching her stomach Severus felt his body rebel as he realized that he could see right through her chest. She had been blasted by a dark curse and died almost instantly Severus reasoned stopping, reaching up he gently brushed his hands over her eyes and closed them for the last time. Taking off his cloak he gently laid it over her body and stood silent as he prayed over the fallen, taking a moment to gather himself he turned once again to the direction of the headmaster's office and felt the scene change. Student lay on the ground before him, body to body there eyes wide with fixed horror as they lay dead, as far as Severus could see bodies lay strewn on the ground it must have been the whole student population. Swallowing a sob Severus walked past the bodies trying not to look into their lifeless eyes as he moved forward. Suddenly Severus stopped his heart jerking in his chest as he recognized the blue eyes staring up at him, rushing over to them he pulled stones and wood off the body until the face was revealed as Dumbledore. Sobbing Severus reached down and gathered the headmaster into his arms, tears pouring from his eyes as he cried out in pain for the loss of the man he thought of as a father.
TBC...
Thank you all for your wonderful reviews I really appreciate them all. I am sorry this is a short chapter but the next will be longer promise.