A/N: The Unbreakable Vow scene is taken for the movie. This chapter is more of an insight into the puzzle that is Professor Snape.

-Vyncie

Part XIII

Upon entering his quarters, Severus Snape summoned his Penseive and extracted the memories and delve into them.

It was a dark and dreary day, the rain petted down mercilessly. The Potions Master sat in his study at Spinner's End, when he began to hear whispers just outside his the wall he sat against. Minutes later he heard shuffling outside his study door.

Allowing his Daily Prophet to fold in half in front of him, he observed the two women infront of him. Peter Pettigrew stood at the door waiting.

''Run along Wormtail.'' Snape snapped snarkily as he wished his wand aggressively.

''I know I ought not to be here. The Dark Lord himself forbade me speak of it.'' Narcissa Malfoy began in a soft yet controlled voice.

''If the Dark Lord has forbidden it you ought not to speak'' Snape stated as he looked toward Bella who was fiddling with something from his bookshelf. ''- put it down Bella. We mustn't touch what isn't ours.'' he sniped in a clipped tone. At this warning Bellatrix harshly put/down the object where she had first found it.'' Snape continued. ''As it so happens, I am aware of your situation, Narcissa.''

'You? The Dark Lord told you?'' The younger of the Black sisters asked in outrage, her eyes widening. Had it not been such a tense situation, it could have been called comical

''Your sister doubts me.'' Severus intoned in a sort of mocking tone. ''Understandable, over the years I've played my part well. So well, I've deceived one of the greatest wizards of all time. Dumbledore is a great wizard. Only a fool would question it.'' He finished just as Bellatrix snorted in disdain.

''I don't doubt you Severus.'' Narcissa spoke up, as she held her glass of wine to her lips.

"You should be honoured Cissy." As should Draco."

"He's just a boy." She stated, motherly love and instinct kicking in.

"I can't change the Dark Lord's mind. But it might be possible for me to help Draco." He said swirling the brandy in his tumbler around, mulling on all the possibilities.

"Severus." The blonde pleaded still with the air if aristocracy.

"Swear to it." She challenged him. Narcissa look up and dared Snape with her gaze. " Make the Unbreakable Vow." She rounded on him whispering in his ear. " It's just empty words. He'll give it his best effort. When it matters most, he'll slither into his hole. Coward."

"Take out your wand "Snape enunciated every word slowly, as if talking to a young child.

Casting the charm, three separate strands of golden wisp wound their way around Narcissa and Snape's intertwined arms. "Will you, Severus Snape, watch over Draco Malfoy as he attempts to fulfil the Dark Lord's wishes?"

"I will." The first one glowed bright yellow.

"And will you, to the best of your ability, protect him from harm."

"I will." The second band of golden mist sizzled in the alre4ady tense air.

''And, if Draco should fail, will yourself carry out the deed the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform?''

"I will." The final glow of the three threads dissipated and the two adults unclasped their hands. Each feeling the weight of their promise and life altering oath.

The next memory engulfed the Potions master, soon enough he found him standing behind himself looking onto the scene of Theodore Nott's parents begging for a Wizard's Oath. Apparently they had wanted protection for their son as well.

''In Life's name, and for Life's sake, I assert that I will employ the Art of which is Its gift is Life's service alone. I will guard growth and ease pain. I will fight to preserve what grows and lives well in its own way; nor will I change any creature unless its growth and life, or that of the system in which it is par, are threatened. To these ends, in the practise of my Art, I will put aside fear for courage,and death for life, when it is fit to do so- looking always toward the Heart of Time, where all our sundered times are one and all our myriad worlds lie whole, in That from Which they proceed.'' Snape recited as he clasped Theodore Nott Senior's hand in his, a fiscal bond formed between the two. Another bond not to be broken. Once broken can only result in the death of Snape. Another life promise made.

A think and heavy fog overtook the memory and launched the owner out of the Penseive. The Potions master mulled on his decisions over a pint of Firewhiskey.

Complex indeed.