Chapter Two:

October

Days turned to weeks, and those weeks formed a month, and sometimes Severus could go a few hours not even thinking about the fact that there was a living being growing inside of him. He continued to do research, but he found few things he didn't already know and consider already. He wouldn't start 'showing' for another two months, at least.

In the mean time, the curse would transform the body with the least amount it needed to produce the child. It had already done the biggest change the night the spell was cast. Being male; his body was forced to grow a womb. That had been the unbearable pain the days following the spell, his body slowly growing the needed part. It had been much worse than re-growing a limb, for it had to push his innards and twist them mercilessly to shove the foreign part inside.

Thankfully, there would be no other physical changes, besides the obvious stomach growth in a few months when the baby would start growing out. The thought of his body changing in such a way made him want to heave (he couldn't have morning sickness yet, right?). Though the lack of some other changes in his body he had feared were a relief to Snape, it would be a double-edged sword when the birthing arrived. If he had the proper canal, than he wouldn't have had to be gutted like a fish, but he once again reminded himself he had no options. The child would need a caesarian, with Snape fully conscious, to be removed from said womb, and apparently, he read, the womb would be removed at the same time. That seemed completely disgusting and unbearable to the usually unswayed potions master, but he once again reminded himself he had no options. Snape was haunted by the fact that this seemed to be the phrase that would follow him for the rest of his life.

He didn't hear much from others about the pregnancy, as it was obviously meant to be a secret. Dumbledore didn't speak of it outside of his office, and Snape had only been called once, when the headmaster informed Snape that Madam Pomfrey would be informed of his condition in the coming months, probably mid-November. Snape reluctantly agreed to this, even though he personally thought it was unnecessary and dangerous. However, he didn't doubt that Dumbledore knew what he was doing, and just went along with it.

As far as Lupin and Sirius where concerned, Snape hadn't heard from either them at all. Of course, Snape preferred it that way. He didn't ask any specifics, but the potions master was led to believe through minor observation during the Order meetings that they shared a bed and lived together, as could be expected. Homosexual couples were not in any way rare in the wizarding world, it was less taboo most likely because homosexual couples could produce children just as easily, so it was never an issue. Though Snape didn't know any of these couples personally. Than again, Snape made it his mission not to know many people personally.

One other thing he noticed, just casually, was how the werewolf silenced when Black entered the room. Or how the mans hair was greying and his robes torn, while Black, who had no access to the outside world, still had fresh clean roes, almost looking new. One would believe that in a relationship like the ones they were meant to have, Black would at least pay for a robe for his lover from his quite lucrative family fortune. Not that Snape was one to judge relationships...

In the weeks where no one spoke of what was happening with Snape's body, the only reminder he ever received was from Lucius, who was sending him letters almost daily through their private owls, which did not fly into the morning breakfast or to the owlery, but where trained to go down one of the chimneys, which were never lit and only large enough to fit small owls, and find Snape's room. Lucius was of course worried that someone would stumble on the letters, and the clever man had found a track around that in a pretty ingenious way. Then again Lucius had always been a tricky bastard.

Sev,

Draco tells me that you've yet to sit down in any of your potions classes. Maybe it would be a good idea to rest? A friend of mine believes that you're going to tire yourself out mid-day if you don't. Don't forget you are looking out for two now.

~Lucius

Snape raised his eyebrow as he read the note, not sure what to make of it. He knew who the 'friend' was, Voldemort, he wasn't dense, but why would either of them be bothered by his walking? The potions master always had to keep an eye on students during class, thanks to all of the imbeciles. Surely it would be much more suspicious if he suddenly started taking naps mid-day.

Lucius,

I don't see why you are concerned. Many books on the subject agree that the thing inside of me will deliver better if I stand as much as possible. As far as your son goes, it's clear to me he knows much more than he should on the subject of my current condition. I'd also be obliged if you stopped referring to me as 'Sev', I've never liked it and you know that.

~Severus

Snape knew that it wouldn't make much of a difference to ask, as Lucius had been calling him 'Sev' for nearly thirty years now, but it was worth a mention. Suddenly, all the strange looks Draco sent him in the past few weeks made sense...

He sighed as he began to tie the note onto the leg of the owl. He had no idea what it's name was, but to make up for that he found a bowl and filled it with water for the thing. Snape had never been one for owls, or cats, or dogs... Really he found most animals took a harsh disliking to him, so he never became close with any. Once the owl went on it's way, the potions master sat back down at his desk. It was noon, but staff where not required to sit at the lunch table if they had better things to do, which Severus claimed he did.

Well, in his mind it was a very important thing to have a half-hour away from anyone who was foolish enough to 'talk' to him, and by talk he meant rant to him about any minor annoyances or chat his ear off over minor achievements. Also, lately he'd become a bit queasy around food. He assumed this was what all the woman he'd ever been unfortunate enough to hear from about pregnancy had called 'Morning Sickness'. He didn't find it to be a problem, however. He'd yet to actively be sick at any time, and was already working on altering the potion women used to work effectively on males. If people spent a little less time complaining and a little more time doing it their damn selves, he was sure a lot of minor problems could be solved just as easily.

For the next half-hour Snape spent his time grading a few papers, homework from his last class. The incompetence of these students was baffling. Not even the Ravenclaws could tell him the answers to some questions. Even the simple application of a bezore was seemingly impossible for these students to grasp, except for a precious few.

His Griffindor/Slitherin sixth year classes were after lunch, and Severus couldn't hate a time of day any more. You would hope, at this stage in their education, that he could trust the students to not bollocks things up as badly, but unless he paired Neville with Granger the class would explode every single day. It was a win-win for Snape to place them together, however, because he kept Longbottom from blowing up the entire school, and was able to knock a few points off of Granger's score.

To prepare, Snape started brewing another attempt of his morning sickness potion. Although he was confident that he had enough willpower not to evacuate the contents of his stomach onto his students, he'd much rather not feel like he was about to through his entire class. The potion was actually quite simple, mostly just quite a bit of brewing and waiting. It wouldn't be actively finished until about ten minutes into the class. Students started to file in early, and Snape groaned inwardly at still being there. He should have judged time better and made the potion in his private lab fifteen minutes ago. He moved to his next plan and just ignored them.

When it was time to begin class, he magically put out the fire and left the potion to cool itself. After that he went onto teaching, a very complex potion appearing on the board, one he hoped even Granger would have problems with. He resisted the erg to smirk when he told the students the potion was apt to explode if brewed incorrectly, the look on their faces, even most of the Slitherins, was hilarious.

They started their brewing, and Severus checked on his own potion. It was still in the experimental phase, but he trusted his skills well enough, he knew it would be fine for him to take it. He quickly swallowed the blue/purple elixir, actually enjoying the almost-fruit taste. He wished male pregnancies where a bit more common, so he could publish the potion one day. Not any time soon, but Severus did plan to publish all of his own potions before his death. Those who weren't talented enough might have a problem with the complexity of his brews, but any who could handle them would find his potions much more effective than any of the others in print.

He noticed that the bushy-haired Griffendor girl was staring at him, and snapped at her to get back to work before Longbottom blew up the classroom. After a few silent moments, Snape started feeling well enough to pace the room and make sure no one was going to kill themselves, or others. Not that he would have really viewed it as much of a loss to society, considering most of his students...

It seemed that not many people where doing completely horrible, though Snape refused to correct them unless they were about to blow themselves up. No point in helping a student pass when they didn't ask, and none of these children ever did. As he passed Draco's desk, however, the Malfoy raised his hand. This was odd, because Draco was actually very good at potions. Being one of the only types of magics that underaged wizards were allowed to take part in, added to the fact that Severus had been around Draco's entire childhood, made the boy a natural who almost never asked questions. People thought he favored Draco because he was the head of Slitherin, but really, it was Draco's talent that Severus favored. A silent talent, unlike Miss Granger who had to wave her arm around like an imbecile whenever she knew an answer. Severus leaned onto the table a bit to hear the boy better in a classroom filled with simmering and, in cases where children were failing, boiling and a high-pitched whine.

"Sir, which direction are we supposed to mix the potion?" he asked. Severus was dumbfounded for a second, before blinking.

"Clockwise, as you should always know unless the instructions state otherwise." Snape replied with a tone. Why would Draco ask such a silly question? He'd known the answer since he was six. And then Severus saw it, a note that Draco was currently actively pushing towards his hand which was on the desk. Snape rolled his eyes slightly and took the note. Well at least he wouldn't have to have the boys mind checked. Or maybe he'd still have to, if the Malfoy heir honestly believed that this was a clever way of conveying a message.

Assuming that the note was perhaps a last-minute message from Lucius, Snape walked back to the front of the class before opening it.

Professor, try to sit down today, it's a three-hour class.

Snape groaned at the ridiculousness of all of this, and continued pacing as he was. Draco was watching him even closer now, and the potions master swore that the boys eyes rolled when Severus threw the note into the wastebasket. Honestly, the Malfoy family must treat their wives like glass when they were with-child. Severus was perfectly fine walking around, it was only just barely the second month! He wouldn't even start to show until December, at the earliest.

Miraculously, no one exploded from the potion, though the only ones turned in half-decent where Granger and Malfoy. Snape felt a feeling of smug satisfaction seeing that Potters was a sick greenish color, when the potion was meant to be shimmering red. If he weren't a cocky fool and paid attention, he would have cut the ox tongue properly and it would have been fine. While the students where bottling their potions, Severus made a point of not sitting down (which he would normally do once class was done).

"Mister Mafloy, would you kindly spare a moment after class?" he asked very sternly, crossing his arms over his chest. Draco nodded and continued packing up with the others, but hung back when they left. When he didn't say anything, Severus did. "I have yet to understand why your father confided the information of this with you, but I assure you my health is no concern of yours."

Draco immediately shook his head and looked up at Severus with eyes the potions master didn't even know the boy had. Strong, willing, and not an ounce of fear. Usually a determined face like the one he had on now would at least be ebbing anxiousness, as Draco was always worried he would mess up, but now it did not.

"No sir, it is every concern of mine." he said strongly. "I took an unbreakable oath with my father, that I wouldn't let you come into harm. I plan to keep it."

Severus groaned and closed his eyes as if he had a headache, knitting his eyebrows together slightly. An unbreakable oath, over him? It was ludicrous.

"Why in the world would you do that, Draco?" he asked, his voice less formal now.

"Why would you agree to any of this?" the Malfoy questioned back almost immediately. Severus sighed and kept his eyes closed, though he forcefully relaxed his muscles.

"You, of anyone, should know that there was no possible way for me to deny this."

Draco's face darkened for a moment into a more red complexion before fading back to it's normal pale, pasty colors. Yes, they both knew that Draco knew everything about the Dark Lords ability to get what he wanted. And Draco would most likely keep experiencing this first-hand until he was old enough to leave, or another boy struck the Dark Lords fancy. Draco lowered his head and stared at the lip of Snape's robes for a minute, and Severus actually felt a twinge of guilt for bringing up such a horrible thing, not that he hadn't gone through it himself.

"Professor... I'm going to keep you safe. No matter what, I'm going to. You can get mad at me, lower my grade, anything you want, but I'm going to make sure you don't hurt yourself." he finally let out in a whisper.

Severus sighed himself and clenched and unclenched his fists a few times before his reply.

"I will do nothing to your grades, Draco. I will point out that so far there is nothing to stop me from running my classes as I always have." he said calmly.

"You assigned a potion that could explode! You think that's safe?" Draco asked, looking upwards sharply before realizing this was inappropriate and continuing with his head lowered.

"Once again, I am not in any serious condition."

"Not yet. But you will be."

Snape rolled his eyes.

"Fine. Then until then, I shall expect you and your father to keep your noses out of my business, do you understand?" Severus asked in a very dangerous tone. Draco nodded slightly. "Very well, you may go."

After the Malfoy left, Snape sat heavily in his chair. This was going to spiral out of control. Too many people knew about him, about this, and more would. Dumbledore, Lucius, Sirius, Lupin, Draco, soon even Pomfrey would be aware. It was starting to become more of a blow to Severus' pride than anything else...

A few more days passed with no real merit. Lucius and Snape kept trading notes, most of them arguing about the latest news of Draco's blood bond. Lucius seemed to think it was appropriate to have someone looking out for his friend, but Snape found it to be completely the opposite. He couldn't seem to get through a class without Draco silently begging him to sit down.

For Merlin's sake, Lucius, you do realize I'm only a month in, yes? Have Draco buy a book about pregnancy, he has the money. I'm not a piece of glass, and I'm not going to break by walking around my own damn classroom.

After the potions master sent that one, the Malfoy heir seemed to calm down a bit, obviously his father passed along the message.

That night, Severus sighed as he realized he had a meeting for the Order to attend to. Thanks to a very persuasive argument of 'I'll kill everyone in the room', Dumbledore promised Severus that he would not mention the pregnancy to anyone who didn't absolutely have to know about it. This meeting was more of a formality, but Snape still felt the need to attend to make sure Dumbledore held true to his promises. Normally the potions master would skip such frivolity, but he didn't have to attend the dinner, just listen to the headmaster yap on for about twenty minutes on how nothing much has changed, and give a small, encouraging speech.

He doubted that people ever knew how predictable they were, not that he was any less predictable... Perhaps he was just more of a hypocrite. He sighed at this thought as he stepped out of the grounds of Hogwarts with a feeling of dejavu. He would appieriate to Black's damn house, where he was less than unwelcome, and end up hating every goddamn unnecessary moment there. If he weren't so concerned about people finding out about the situation he found himself in, Snape would certainly not attend.

Once he arrived at the front steps of the large dank house, he entered rather unceremoniously. Severus found no reason to announce his presence, which should have been expected from someone as seclusive as himself.

The house was just as homely as Severus remembered. It really did remind him of the house he grew up in, with his mother. Dark, surrounded by evil objects and a general disturbing aura. It put people off, but Snape pretended not to be affected. On some level, he wasn't. Being a slave to the Dark Lord, he had to be used to those things. He started towards the sitting room, where all of the Order's meetings took place, as it was spelled to keep prying twins from being able to eavesdrop. Unfortunately, the anti-eavesdropping spells only worked when the door was shut, and some poor fool had left it hanging wide open as Severus went by. He caught Madame Pomfrey's voice and stopped in his tracks. Pomfrey was a member of the Order, but normally did not attend the meetings.

"Remus... I can't keep these a secret anymore. This time was much too much." she said. Severus knew he shouldn't eavesdrop, he was above such things, but he couldn't stop himself.

"I know. He's just... He hates this house, he hates being kept here." Lupin said, his voice sounded distraught. "He doesn't mean it."

"This isn't just another lecture. I'm going to Dumbledore." Pomfrey said in an abrupt reply. Her voice was just as stern as if she were talking to a student.

"Don't do that. He's a busy man, and I am not a child." Lupin replied just as sharply, though it sounded odd in his soft voice. It was followed directly by a painful-sounding moan, and Pomfrey sighed. "He is just stressed, and recently even more so..."

"This is not up for discussion, Remus. You could have been killed this time. They have locked men up for doing much less than what he is doing to you."

This is when Severus stopped listening, pulling his body backwards and deciding it was time to stop 'over hearing'. He could guess what was happening in that room, and it was not something he wanted to know about. He wished he had some sympathy for the werewolf, really, but abuse happens, and he wasn't exactly surprised. Sirius had attacked him so many times, it really wasn't unexpected that he would attack his lover just as easily.

He didn't see Pomfrey leave, but he heard the use of a fireplace and floo powder. Severus stayed in the hallway for a moment longer until Dumbledore showed up, and then he followed the older man in. He didn't make any mention of the conversation he'd heard, but did notice that Lupin was more battered-looking than the last time he'd seen the man. If this was how he looked like after Pomfrey had already cared for him, he could only imagine how bad the beating must have been.

No one else seemed to notice, however. If Snape hadn't overheard the conversation between the two, he doubted very much that he would have noticed, either. Lupin always looked quite disheveled, there was a point were people just didn't want to be considered 'rude' for pointing it out.

During Dumbledore's little pep-rally, Sirius stumbled in, obviously drunk. He took a seat right next to Lupin, and to the werewolf's credit, he didn't make and visible sign of what had transpired. Sirius was quite obviously surprised when he saw Lupin, and Severus figured he didn't know about Pomfrey's little visit. Once again, Severus was the only one who noticed these things. He was good at watching people, much worse at the interaction. Years as a spy helped him read people very well.

Finally after a long, tedious speech about how they were the good guys who will always prevail, Dumbledore dismissed the group and Snape stood up. If he were a better person, he would have stayed. Maybe checked to see if Lupin was alright, or at least make sure Sirius was passed out before he left (not that it seemed it would take long, he was already so drunk). But unfortunately he wasn't that good a person, he didn't feel much sympathy for someone who stayed with a person who was abusive (let alone defending them), and he felt a dire need to relieve himself thanks to his body's recent changes. He went straight to the fireplace and took a handful of floo powder before he heard his name being called.

"Severus!" The black-haired man turned, to see Lupin, smiling a soft smile. He was an odd one, at least. One would think a good beating would at least keep the smile off of his face, at least for a few hours. "I wanted to ask how you were fairing."

Snape rolled his eyes in annoyance at the question. When did everyone start caring about his welfare? Sure, it was only three people so far, but that was much more than he was used to. Last he checked most people would have celebrated if he were to drop dead. But, the rational sided of his mind knew that Lupin wasn't concerned with him. It was the child everyone was fussing over.

"I am fairing just fine." he said, with a bit more bite to his voice than he intended. He figured he should at least try to go easy on the pitiful man, but he couldn't help himself. He was simply used to being the way he was. Lupin's smile faded, if only for a moment before he managed to perch it back on.

"You know, we're here if you need anything..." he said kindly, and Severus could not help but wonder what 'we' he was referring too. If he was including Sirius in the count, he was far off.

"That is not necessary." Snape said quickly, raising a hand. He had to hold back his anger, he wanted to snap at Lupin to mind his own damn business. He had agreed to become their surrogate out of necessity, not choice. The last thing Severus needed was more false sincerity. He didn't leave Lupin time to respond. "I have papers to grade, I don't have time to stand around and chat."

He left immediately after that, not wanting to have to speak with the werewolf any longer. He flooed himself straight to his office, and then sat down and took a deep breath. He didn't get his moment of peace very long, however, because he had to run to the bathroom as soon as he was relaxed. This would all take a much harder toll on his than he believed, and not because of the child.

A few days past rather uneventfully, Halloween was coming, and Severus locked himself into his dungeon even more often. He hated the holidays, and so chose to ignore them completely. The only occurrence Severus took any notice in was that his scar was starting to burn. It always would sting for a few days before a meeting, even if the meeting was planned ahead of time. It was rather irritating, but he had grown used to it, his arm always numbed after some time. His classes were going as planned, and Draco wasn't hovering around him nearly as much, though he was still rather annoying. He would come up to him after class, offering him fruits and vegetables, telling him to be careful, asking him how he was sleeping. It was so irritating. Trying to resolve the issues through his note exchange with Lucius was completely useless, he completely disregarded it to most degrees.

Snape didn't think much about it when Dumbledore asked him to come to his office one day after dinner. He could only assume he was going to get some information about what he needed to find out, as if it was that easy. He gave all the information he could acquire, better than anyone else could possibly get, and yet... He groaned at the idea of going to a meeting before his meeting, but he managed to pull himself out of the safety of his room to see the other man.

To his surprise, however, they weren't alone in the office. Remus Lupin, clad in his usual baggy, worn attire, was sitting in one of the two chairs positioned in front of Dumbledore's strong oak desk. He didn't bother asking, he knew eventually he would be told what was going on.

"Have a seat, Severus." Dumbledore said, motioning towards the empty chair. Severus nodded and did as he was told, subconsciously gripping his wand, as he often did when he felt nervous or anxious. "I wanted to tell you the good news personally."

Severus immediately rolled his eyes. He'd had quite enough 'good news' from Dumbledore lately...

"Remus is going to be coming back to the school, this year as an assistant, and next year he will be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!"

The black-haired man groaned inwardly, keeping his face stoic. Of course, he was being passed over again, even if he was more qualified to teach the class. Why tell him personally? Adding insult to injury was never Dumbledore's style, unless... Oh God no.

"And who will he be assisting?" Severus asked, his intuition correct as Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"Well, you." he said simply. Snape's jaw set and his eyes narrowed. Albus didn't give him the chance to object, hurrying. "Given your condition, Severus, you may actually be needing help in the coming months. This arrangement works well for both you and Remus."

Snape raised his eyebrows, his mind working to put the pieces together. Remus must have left the damn dog, he had nowhere else to go, and now he was stuck with him.

"Regardless, it's not up for discussion. Remus will be moving down to the dungeons, with you. His room and your room will neighbor each other." Dumbledore let on, and Severus' hands clenched.

"I will not-"

"Not up for discussion." Dumbledore repeated. The potion-masters eyes darkened and his fingers became even whiter than they already were. He didn't want some werewolf sniffing around in his rooms, his home. "I understand you might view this as a hindrance right now, but in the future, I assure you it will be beneficial for you."

Snape's jaw stayed clenched as he waited for this to be over. He was so tired of being told what to do, with no regard to what would happen to him, or how he felt. Next to him, Remus looked almost expressionless, which was odd. Usually the blond was smiling at least a little bit... Severus felt as if something bad had happened, something much worse than the night of the Order's meeting. Maybe another beating, perhaps something much worse, all Severus knew was the feeling was there. He looked up at Dumbledore, his eyes not trying to hide his inner anguish.

"Seeing as I have no say, I'd like to be dismissed. I have a meeting tonight." he said darkly.

Albus nodded, looking over at Remus and smiling.

"All of your things are in your new room." he said to the werewolf, while Snape was already leaving. He was so angry he could barely believe it himself. The term 'when it rains, it pours' came to mind. It seemed he couldn't go more than a week without another one of his rights being trampled on for more 'good news'.

It was dark when he finally ended up using his portkey to arrive at the meeting place. Like usual, it was a different location than the ones prior, so no one could try to guess where they were. Everyone was unmasked, this being a casual meeting. Lucius and the others all bowed their heads when Severus arrived, and he looked completely thrown off. He was well-respected with the Dark Lords people, but not so much that they would bow their heads for him.

"Ssseveruss." he heard, and quickly turned towards Voldemort himself. "Come, you will ssssit besside me."

The potions master looked at the... thing, quite bewildered. He'd never heard such an odd request from the Dark Lord, but he would be a fool to deny it. A chair had been placed next to him, and Severus took it awkwardly. He felt so odd, sitting down when all the others were standing, but he knew why. Voldemort was under the impression that he wasn't sitting enough, and Severus could take three guesses who gave him that idea. He glared at Lucius through most of the meeting. Voldemort was a charming man, if you didn't look at him. There was a reason he was able to gather so many followers, and it wasn't just fear. He was a silver-tongued snake, and the longer he spoke the more rallied his men were. As usual, Severus was one of the few who didn't react.

It wasn't as if he ever reacted in the past, even when he was actually a member of the Dark Spies, he didn't exactly react. He just watched, and now he would just keep watching. If he changed, people might be suspicious. He went on and on about purity, about the disgusting mud-bloods, about a pure-blood world... Everything they'd heard before. Dumbledore had his speeches, and Voldemort had his. They were both just as dull and pointless, in Severus' eyes. Sitting down just made him feel more lethargic over the entire process.

Towards the end of the speech, to Severus' surprise, his name came up in the speech. He had been paying attention, on some level, but at his name he twitched a bit. The Dark Lord went on about sacrifice, and how he was a hero to their side, and so on. Snape bowed his head politely but said nothing. All he could do in laugh a bit on the inside, realizing that he was treated with much more respect by the side he wasn't even actually part of than the one he really was.

Of course, to get that respect he still had to degrade himself, follow orders, and sacrifice his very body to a cause he didn't believe in, never believed in to be honest. The only reason he joined up, when he was a pathetic lanky child, was because he wanted to be a part of something. The Dark Lord offered him a purpose, a place in the world, back when he had absolutely nothing to his name. No family, no friends, he was even hated by his fellow Slythrins. He shook out these thoughts when a man grabbed his shoulder. Voldemort. If you could call that a 'man'.

"Where are you, Sseverus?" he asked.

"Sir?" the potions master asked right back, raising his eyebrows. Voldemort gave a smug disgusting smirk and dismissed the group. He disappeared first, leaving the rest in a pool of darkness.

Severus stood up and kept his balance, but felt the room spin slightly. Lucius must have seen this, because he was by his side in mere seconds, hand on his shoulder. Severus pushed the hand away bitterly.

"Sev, you have to start eating more." he said, but didn't make a move to touch his friend again, though part of him wanted too. Lucius always craved Severus. The potion-master was just blissfully unaware of this fact.

"And how do you know about my eating habits?" the dark-haired man asked spitefully, suspecting the younger Malfoy.

"Everyone knows your eating habits, or lack thereof..." Lucius mumbled. One by one the other Death Eaters were going off on there ways, all dissiperating at different times, some walking off for a few miles first, so no one would know where the meeting had been held.

"My business is none of yours." he snapped back, rolling his eyes. "Now would you leave me alone? I have to get back to the school in time to grade some idiotic papers and at least attempt to get a few meager hours of rest before I must wake up and deal with them all in person."

"Ever the optimist..." Lucius said while rolling his eyes, used to this sort of thing. Severus had never been Mr. Sunshine, but Lucius never gave up on him. He was somehow unattainable, and that was why Lucius Malfoy wanted him so badly.

"I'm teaching the next generation, and they are by large a pack of rabid, mindless animals. I would like for you to stay optimistic when you see this every day." Severus replied, but in the corner of his mouth, a hint of a smile.

"Because before you became a teacher, you always looked on the bright side?"

Severus rolled his eyes and decided it was time to go home, he had much to deal with. He had a new 'teachers assistant' to train. Also he had to assume he had to create a wolfsbane potion regularly again... The entire situation was troublesome. He apperiated back to Hogwarts, just outside the circle that kept him from doing so within, and walked back to his rooms alone in the darkness. He was very much used to this.

What he wasn't used to was being watched. He knew he was, Severus had a sense about these things. He even knew who was doing it. Harry Potter, that arrogant boy who thought he was above all the rules. He glanced around, but knew he wouldn't be able to see the boy. He could only hear the quiet footsteps, feel those bright green eyes glaring at him like a maggot. Even though he was completely aware that Snape was on his side, the potions-master knew that the boy would never believe it. He'd do anything in his power to prove that Severus was the evil one, even when the black-haired man saved the boys life on more than one occasion.

He sighed off the feeling, sure there wasn't much he could do about it, and kept heading towards his dungeons. The moment he reached the stairs he could feel the suffocating presence on the werewolf... It was warm. Severus always had to start a fire in his bedroom the moment he got inside to keep his thin body from shivering, but in the room down the hall, a fire must have been roaring for some time to heat the entire floor. He didn't even have to see the mutt to have him inferring with his life. Sure, it just saved him a step, but that did not mean it was welcome. He locked himself in his own room as soon as possible, reminding himself that at least he still had his own 'home' as it were. Three rooms that were just his own. A large sitting area, his equally large bedroom, and his personal bath, but the fact that only a hallway separated him from others still angered him.

He used to have the entire floor to himself... He groaned and fell into his bed, ignoring the papers he was supposed to grade tonight. He would get to them in the morning when he had to teach those moronic first-years. For now, all he wanted was sleep.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait, but after almost losing almost the entire story when my computer broke, I decided to stop saving the next chapter and just put it up. I hope to have another chapter up soon! Thank you for all of the nice reviews, I'd love to read more! Also, I was going to ask if anyone would be interested in being a beta reader for me! Please tell me! Thank you!