Author's Note: I think – can't promise obviously – that fairly soon, I'll be rather freer, able to update more regularly than I've been doing so. Sorry for the relatively slow pace of updates this far…

duj – I actually rather agree. Though, I think a lot of it honestly derives from her socialization, those that the structure of the school, the dynamics of the Houses and all keeps her around. That sort of thing subtly changed her mindset over time – well, both of theirs I suppose to be fair – and drove them apart. Actually something I'll be touching on somewhat later on. As with anything though, it's all a matter of one's point of view I suppose.

Nutters4Potter – Aye. Well, I suppose I haven't really devoted much time to her interactions with the Gryffindor girls (other than Lily obviously); the Marauders are … fairly interested in her. But yeah, maybe I'll add some of that in to the story itself where the arc allows for it. Thanks for the suggestion.

And once more, thank you VERY much to all of my faithful subscribers/reviewers. You're the inspiration to keep me writing this.

September 2nd, 1976

"So what'd you and Gyllen talk about after class?" The other four were already badgering Severus with questions nearly the instant he entered their shared dormitory. "And what'd she have to do with it...?"

"Dueling club," Snape replied drily waved it off wearily. Already the conversation was too draining. He wasn't even sure why. Normally he'd love to relish in his newfound position of respect and power but… he just felt … off… "Some new club they're starting here. We both got picked as team captains for our Houses."

"Oh?" Avery asked, sound rather disappointed. "That's it…?"

"Yes, that's it…" What an idiotic question. What possibly more would he expect? Dumbledore had hired Gyllenkrok – and even if he seemed … refreshingly better than any DADA Professor they'd ever had before, that was still the case. Even with their apparent disagreements on some issues – possibly even thinly veiled contempt on Gyllenkrok's part towards some of Dumbledore's… philosophy; well, Snape could hope at least – in his position, Gyllenkrok couldn't do too much.

"Oh. We were hoping he'd have you two duel to the death or something… So you could get rid of that filthy little…"

"No…" Snape cut in sharply, not wanting to hear Avery finish… that… He passed it off well enough as genuine contempt. "Though I admit that would be enjoyable, I don't think the school administration would think much of that, now would they…?"

"What the hell is up with her anyway?"

"Isn't it obvious…?" Snape replied drily. "Have we ever had a 'new student' before, in all the years we've been here? And the way Dumbledore introduced her…" a strong loathing in his voice at mentioning the older wizard's name, "It's obvious to anyone with the slightest bit of intellect that she's working with him… What for, I can't exactly say at the moment. But, I presume… Dumbledore suspects us to be working in line with the Dark Lord. No definitive proof of course – I've been careful enough there – or he'd have certainly expelled us all years ago. So, growing frustrated with such, he brings her into the picture. To infiltrate, spy on us… Might not even be coincidence the she was the best duelist among the Gryffindors, so we'd be House Captains together…"

"Want us to deal with her, Snape?" Rosier offered, putting a fist in his other hand and twisting, as if to suggest wringing someone's neck.

"No, no…" Snape sighed, "Nothing like that… Nothing so crude. Thing is, this all works both ways… If we – well, I – can expose her for the filthy spy she is; all the illegal things she's certainly already done – at Dumbledore's behest… That should be enough to get that old fool sacked. Frankly, I don't care what you do to her. I just need her well enough to be observed. Hex her all you want, just leave her intact. Leave destroying her for me. Understood…?"

Strange as it might sound, that was actually a quite merciful sentiment considering the circumstances. It wasn't like Rosier would literally kill her. Even he wasn't that stupid – or probably competent. And, a very good part of him wanted to deal with her. But, it was personal. He wanted to do so himself. And not in such a crude way as they likely would. And, in some tiny way… maybe… if she actually had been genuine in saving him earlier. Whatever tiny modicum of a hint of guilt he might otherwise feel. Well, they were more than even now; now that he'd called off the others. Well, sort of… At any rate, it was enough to destroy even the slightest thought of being indebted to her. He was free now to hate her fully, and hopefully the others would stay out of his way.

"Fine…" Avery said, obviously not pleased with Snape's … orders, but knowing better than to question him if it were a matter involving the Death Eaters. "So anyway. Think you could help me on the essay we have for potions?"

"Let's see it…" Snape shook his head a bit derisively; but in all honesty, he was glad that, if nothing else, the topic had moved away from that. It was … a complicated enough matter already without them getting involved.

September 3rd, 1976

The day so far had been strangely quiet. There had been classes, but there were no duels, no insufferable spies stealing his secret formulations in potions. Snape and Hermione – and worse yet Lily – had had Ancient Runes together earlier in the day, but the class was a lecture in structure, so it left for mercifully little interaction. He had been in more danger of dying from sheer boredom as the professor droned on and on about material he'd already read over the summer – what else was he going to do after all, stuck alone with just a muggle for company – than any possible altercations happening there.

In fact, nothing at all had happened that day until early into dinner, several owls came flying into the room, bearing letters. Nothing that unusual in itself. One of the owls flew down to the Slytherin table, dropping a letter in Severus's lap. How odd. He hadn't been expecting anything. He'd yet to send a letter to Lucius after arriving at Hogwarts; he'd been too … distracted to do so. Though, come to think of it he really should. Especially now that it looked like Dumbledore had escalated his rather heinous plans, and had enlisted the direct support of a supposed student.

Maybe Lucius had written first though? Maybe something had happened or there was some important task he wanted Severus to undertake on his behalf there at Hogwarts or…? Anxiously, he tore the letter open, trying not to draw too much attention to himself in doing so. He supposed it probably would be smarter to open the letter later in private if it were from Lucius than risk… others seeing it. But really, there wasn't much practical harm that could come of such. Anyone in Slytherin who had any wits about them knew that Lucius wrote to Severus and vice versa. Hell, Dumbledore himself probably knew as much; but there was nothing illegal about that on the surface of things, so there was nothing he could do about it. And Lucius was quite intelligent; he'd never write anything … incriminating in his letters. Enough of course to inform Severus what task he ought to perform, but never enough to place either of them in danger of penalty if by some chance their correspondence was intercepted by some unfriendly parties.

A momentary look of disappointment came across the Slytherin male's face though when he opened the letter. It … wasn't Lucius's handwriting. That was for certain. The Malfoy heir had a rather elegant, cursive script, and this was hastily written, hardly even legible scrawl. He had to squint at parts to even make the letter out:

Severus Snape,

I'd ask that you keep the contents of your message to yourself for the moment. Don't want everyone in Hogwarts knowing after all. There's something I'd like to go over with the House Captains for Dueling Club now that I've determined the four of you. We're meeting tonight, half past midnight, top of the Astronomy Tower. Don't be late, and once more, obviously, tell this to no one.

Sincerely,

Professor Argentum Gyllenkrok.

Though disappointed that it wasn't from Malfoy, the letter did seem to pique a certain curiosity in him. Snape's impressions of Gyllenkrok were already significantly better than any previous professors of DADA – though that wasn't necessarily saying the much. In some ways, they held matters in common. Both seemed to have little tolerance for idiocy, both seemed unsatisfied with the … limited knowledge afforded of the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. Maybe only if … if he and Lily had gone to Durmstrang instead of Hogwarts. The Dark Arts – she'd … understand them better. Not have such an irrational fear of them. She wouldn't have left him she… He sighed heavily, trying to shake away the thoughts.

He was at Hogwarts, and so was she. In opposite Houses. He'd just have to make the best of what fate had given them. Either way, he'd get her back in time… he was sure of that. He'd have to. He couldn't imagine living like … this … forever.

It was indirect but… as he'd already considered, Dueling Club could help with that. Both in getting him some positive attention in her eyes once more and training him for the war ahead. The war he'd have to survive, and fight valiantly in. So… in the end of things, when there was lasting peace at last. He'd be strong, powerful, respected. And she'd be his again.

Damnit. Why couldn't he think of anything without it reminding him somehow or another of her. It was like his mind was deliberately making connections with everything just to torture itself more… For now it was just dueling club. A chance to practice his spellwork, and humiliate some arrogant Gryffindor vermin – that spy of Dumbledore's most of all. Whatever Gyllnekrok had in mind for that night, he'd be interested in finding out.

Hermione too had gotten a letter of course. The same nearly illegible scrawl telling her to be at the Astronomy Tower at 12:30 for some "secret meeting" that night. Honestly, it made her a bit anxious. Did Dumbledore even know about this? Was this even sanctioned…? At least it was coming from a Professor, not a student; someone with some degree of authority. But still, Hermione wasn't even sure if she could trust him after what she'd seen in class…

Well, there was no good reason not to go she supposed. It'd look odd, possibly even cause problems if she didn't show up. And… she'd already said she'd be the House Captain, and well… she didn't like the idea of backing out of her responsibilities. Even if this made her feel a bit uncomfortable. Just… why did it have to be so late, so secluded? There was something clearly suspect about it all…

And annoyingly, the Marauders hadn't even been giving her time to think. She'd have thought they might have backed off, thought less of her after the incident of the other day. But most peculiarly, it seemed to have almost the opposite effect. They hadn't been in class with her earlier, but the four of them had made almost a beeline to swarm to her during dinner.

James had been particularly annoying going on and on about the upcoming Quidditch game, and it was really starting to wear on her. Sure, she had as much House Pride as any other Gryffindor but… James was really starting to come across as an incredibly arrogant prat. She almost wondered if the Sorting Hat had made a mistake and he really belonged in Slytherin. There was a lot of cognitive dissonance seeing someone who looked and sounded so similar to Harry acting so … opposite of everything he tried to be. Maybe, probably, he'd change with time. She was probably being a bit harsher on him than was just but… He was a Gryffindor. His actions reflected poorly on the House as a whole, hurt all of them by association.

Yet as soon as the damned letter arrived, a sudden silence fell over them. Four pairs of eyes stared at her intently as she read it over. "So what you got there, Hermione?" Sirius asked in a irkingly smooth tone.

"A letter." She replied flatly.

"Well yeah, but who from?" Merlin, did he have no conception of privacy?

"A Professor. About a meeting for Dueling Club." She nodded, folding it up and putting it in her bag. She knew better than to divulge the time and place to them. For all she knew they might show up and try to cause a scene, and she'd be the obvious one to blame. The last thing she wanted was to give Gyllenkrok a reason to hate her…

With varying degrees of excitement and trepidation, Severus and Hermione had awaited the first meeting of the Dueling Club that evening. The Astronomy Tower was some good distance away from the Slytherin Dormitories, so Severus had left at fifteen or so past midnight, not wanting to risk being late. The castle was eerily dark and quiet that night; it almost reminded him of all the times he used to sneak off at night in years past to see… No, damnit, he couldn't think of that right now. It certainly didn't help though that his destination would essentially require him to walk right past the portrait of the Fat Lady…

He'd made it up the stairs without seeing a single living soul. The paintings had mumbled a bit as he walked by; he even thought he might have seen a fleeting glance of one of the ghosts, but other than that he was alone. Absolute silence except his footsteps and the pounding of blood in his eardrums.

Hermione had waited until nearly the last minute to leave her dormitory – wanting to ensure that the Marauders didn't see her leave; couldn't possibly follow her. If they caused problems for her again, especially in regards to academic matters – well, Harry might never be born in lieu of what she'd want to do to his father…

Not long after leaving the Fat Lady's corridor, she too found herself at the entrance to the Astronomy Tower. Alone with just Snape. How… incredibly awkward. Hadn't the letter said that Gyllenkrok had picked a House Captain from each of the four Houses. So … where were the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff ones? Their names weren't specifically mentioned, and she hadn't been paying specific attention to which students from those Houses had happened to get a letter to posit a guess. But surely they'd be getting there soon, wouldn't they…?

"Umm… hello…" Hermione managed an awkward wave, still clenching her teeth as she spoke. She… supposed, if … they were going to be working together in this club on … some level. Well, they should at least make efforts to be … civil. Even if it was a disingenuous effort. A bit irritatingly, he didn't even bother to respond.

Then, somewhat to their mutual, unspoken relief, a set of footsteps approached. An adult from the sound of it. Presumably Gyllenkrok. Good. Now … whatever they were going to do could be done for the night. Hopefully the other two captains would arrive, and each of them could deal with them instead of each other. That was the silent, unspoken consensus at least. They didn't need words to communicate as much.

But… as the figure approached… it … wasn't Gyllenkrok. Nor a captain of either of the other House teams. "Students out of bed!" Even twenty years earlier, Hermione recognized and cringed reflexively at that voice.

"We're here for a club meeting." Snape retorted sharply, Hermione was still breathless.

"Oh?" Filch demanded in an equally acerbic tone. "So why is it just the two of you standing here?"

"Look…" Snape replied drily. "Me and … her" a bit of venom in his voice at drawing reference to Hermione, even in defending himself, "And a Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were chosen as House Captains for Dueling Club. And Professor Gyllenkrok wanted us to meet here at the Astronomy Tower tonight. It's all here in the letter…"

Rather irate, Snape shoved his letter into Filch's hand. That… had been smart, Hermione had to begrudgingly admit. Rather foolishly in hindsight, she'd left her own still folded up in her book back in her dormitory. If it hadn't been for Snape, she'd have no proof at all of her innocence.

"Hmm…" Filch considered, his eyes narrowing as he held the letter up to his lantern to read it over. "So where's Gyllenkrok and the other two students, hmm?"

"I… don't know…" Hermione spoke this time. "But I got the same letter and, that's why I'm here too, sir… Can we please just wait for them? I'm sure they'll show up, and this will all just be a misunderstanding…"

"Not bloody likely. Don't know how dumb you think I am, but I've heard 'em all… I suppose you think since you're new here, you don't have to follow our rules? Well, I'll set ya straight there. The two of you, let's go see Gyllenkrok in his office. See what he has to say about this all… And if you lot are lying to me…"

Severus and Hermione both shot glances somewhere between confusion and outrage at Filch, but both knew better than to fight the issue. Surely… this was all just a misunderstanding. Maybe Gyllenkrok had gotten caught up or… Well, at any rate, he'd obviously sent them the letter so… He'd be able to vouch for them. They couldn't possibly be punished with a professor backing them.

So, rather dejectedly, the two followed silently after Filch down the flights of staircase until they finally came to Gyllenkrok's office. The door was closed, but the light pouring out underneath indicated he was still present within. Well… that was odd… Shouldn't he have already been up to the Astronomy Tower by now? Certainly it was past 12:30 already.

"Come in!" Gyllenkrok called shortly, putting down a book on his desk as Filch and the two students marched in.

"I caught these two wandering in the hallways." Filch informed the professor.

"And why is this a matter of my concern?" Gyllenkrok frowned, narrowing his eyes. "I do hope you have a reason of some actual importance for interrupting my reading…?"

"Well, sir…" Filch blinked, taken a little aback. "They said you had a meeting they were waiting for."

"What 'meeting'?" Gyllenkrok demanded sharply. And with those two words, both Severus and Hermione's hearts and hopes of getting out of this intact sank. "I didn't schedule any meeting for tonight…"

"It's… the letter!" Hermione protested, pointing to the letter in Filch's hand desperately.

Wordlessly, Gyllenkrok wrenched the thing from Filch's hands, milling it over for a second or two.

"I don't know what sort of foolishness this is, but I didn't write this… Dueling Club isn't meeting until Wednesday of next week."

"Right, well, one of these malicious miscreants must have written this, then…" Filch sneered, closing the door to Gyllenkrok's office behind him as he marched the two of them out "Thinking they'd be real clever. Thinking they could fool me. No one fools Filch. Detentions for the lot of you for a week, for a month, for a year!"

Severus glared murderously at Hermione for a moment. Had she done this to him…? But… admittedly, that didn't make much sense. She'd been just as much a victim to this as he had… What the hell was going on? Hermione though… thought she had some idea. Of at least what had happened. It was … eerily similar to an incident that had happened, First Year, also involving "dueling" past hours.

However different, opposite the might otherwise be. However strongly they might otherwise hate one another, Severus and Hermione now had one thing in common: They both had the strongest desire to hex into oblivion whoever had written those damned letters.