Chapter 12

A/N Well here's another chapter as promised. Thank you SO MUCH for all the feedback! We appreciate it more than you know.

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Covered in Bruises: We appreciate any comments we get because it means you took the time to read our fanfic but we don't think you read it very carefully, we never said this story was going to be exactly like JK Rowlings version. Also, when has Snape ever believed that muggle borns were inferior and "should be destroyed"? I never remember reading about that in the books either. Lily has every right to be outraged at him being a part of the Death Eaters, but he was never happy being a Death Eater. I hope this cleared up some of your confusion.

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Severus slipped into his black traveling cloak and stepped out the door where he proceeded to disapparate on the spot. He appeared on a familiar hillside where the Hogsmeade village could be viewed from a great distance. No one from the village would be able to see Severus though, and he took a great comfort in that. It would not do well for people to see his speaking with Albus Dumbledore, there would be consequences for the both of them if they were to be see, Severus knew that.

Still, it was a week since he had received the letter from the old man and he would not miss his one chance for information. He waited some-what patiently upon the hillside for his counter-part to arrive, only pacing a little bit. He was waiting, just waiting.

A loud pop made him jump and instantly grab his wand but upon expecting he discovered it was only Dumbledore, and he lowered his wand and cautiously approached him.

"You have information for me?" Severus asked, trying to hide the plea in his voice.

"Yes, I do." Replied Albus, and Severus waited, "You told Lily." This was not a question of Severus nor a source of information, and Severus became annoyed.

"Yes." He replied curtly.

"And yet you told me as well, curious, curious…" Dumbledore pondered.

"You said you had information, have you lied to me? Is this, instead, a meeting to question my actions and judgement?"

"Of course not, I do have information for you, though I don't know of how much interest it really will be of you."

"I want to know it anyways, I want to know everything, anything, you can tell me. I want to know what is going on. I have been in the dark for the past week in worry, not knowing what was happening and what was going on. I want to know everything."

Dumbledore took a moment, gave Severus a piercing look, and began again.

"Very well, I have information. So far I have informed no one of your… alliance with me, the Potters, and the Order of the Phoenix. I think it would be unwise to inform people of this because this is top secret and could easily become catastrophic if it were to come out. For all of us." Dumbledore began.

"There is a spy, Dumbledore, in the Order. And they have informed the Dark Lord of your measures of protection."

"Do you have any idea of whom it could be?" he questioned and Severus shook his head. "Well, make sure you find out.'

"Of course."

"Also, there is Potions job open at Hogwarts this year and I think it would be wise of you to take it. That way you would constantly be under my protection and your Master would think he had inside leads into our plans." Severus thought about that for a minute. The Dark Lord trusted him now more than ever. If he got a job at Hogwarts, his master would not question his loyalty even for a minute. He would be more free than ever to help Lily.

"I'll take it," Severus replied confidently. Dumbledore half smiled at him.

"Very well, I will make sure to owl you the information you will need to start the position in September." They both sat in silence for a moment before Severus got up the courage to ask.

"And...how are Lily, James and Harry?" he questioned. "Are they safe? Did the charm work?" He hadn't been called by Voldemort for an emergency meeting and none of the other Death Eaters had said anything, but he still had to ask.

"Yes, they are still safe, and I hope they will continue to be. And that's where you can help me. What I want for you in return for me protecting Lily, James, and Harry is you becoming a spy for us. I wish you to inform me of everything Voldemort tells you, and I will give you some true and semi-false information to make him believe you are working for him and only him. And no one must know. Not the Death Eaters or, for everyone's protection, anyone in the Order, including Lily."

"But sir," Severus started slowly. "The Dark Lord is the world's most powerful legitimist. How do you expect me to keep this from him?"

"Don't give him a reason to suspect you. But I do have a plan. If Voldemort should ever ask you where you are getting your information, you shall tell him that you have slowly gained my trust and have convinced me that you have changed sides. Your supply on information shall keep him less suspicious on the whole ordeal. Also, I cannot tell you anything that would be catastrophic if Voldemort found out, so I cannot give you all the information I have. In the company of your fellow Death Eaters, simply refer to me as the source you have discussed. That is how you will keep this from the most powerful legitimist in the world."

Severus had become worried. Of course, the plan made sense and in all probability would work, but Severus would have very few true allies. One to be exact. He would be safer at Hogwarts, safer from his old ways and accomplices, but he would have no ones complete trust if he agreed to this. Same if he disagreed.

And he couldn't tell Lily any of it.

He knew that was for his protection as much as his and also made perfect sense due to Dumbledore's undeniable logic. His new strategic position made him uneasy. But he couldn't refuse the new position. It was too important and he was the only man who could do it. And it would help save Lily, which had been his only concern lately.

Dumbledore had silently watched Severus as he wrestled with his choices, courage, logic, and loyalty. Severus looked straight into the old and wise man's expectant eyes and opened his mouth.

"I will do it. In return for you helping Lily and her family or not, I would do it either way. Just promise me that she will stay safe." Severus half pleaded with the old man.

"I promise."

And with those two words, a new relationship was formed between the two men as they strived for the same goals. With those two words, lines became blurred and broken.

Those two words changed everything.