Chapter 18

A/N We are so very very VERY SORRY that this chapter came out late! This week has been insane for both of us and yesterday I was volunteering all day and Bailey got sick so I am writing this while I am in class so I am SO SORRY if this chapter is awful.

Benvenue a Bikini Bottom: James does know because Lily said that he doesn't want anyone to know for her safety. He was just trying to protect her.

Amar 2: You will see :P.

Christine Dalen: It's a good thing to know that even when we don't write a ton, people still like it. Some weeks we are just so busy we struggle to find time to write but we make sure that we have a chapter for you guys.

Carrie: Snape and Lily 4eva! We should carve that on a tree lol.

Ranger: We're sorry if this sounds rude, but have you read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? Chapter 33 might interest you.

rain ravinlin: Thanks for the follow/favorite!

Severus was very anxious the next day. He was back at the castle and under Dumbledore's protection and watch, though he had no desire to break his promise. He was a traitor to the Death Eaters and he was distrusted by almost all of the Order of the Phoenix. He had nearly no one he could trust; only Dumbledore and Lily came close, but he still did not feel like either of them completely trusted him. He was alone.

No one in the castle trusted him either, not with the rumors circulating the castle and the suspicion everyone had if him. To top it all off, the Daily Prophet had found out about The Battle on the Hilltop and had printed an article on what they had heard had happened.

The War Against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named

Last night, Albus Dumbledore, current Headmaster of Hogwarts, was spotted battling it out with You Know Who, Dumbledore's now villainous ex-pupil, on top of the hilltop outside Hogsmeade village. While it is unknown why the two were there in the first place, those joining them were some of You Know Who's masked and faithful followers called Death Eaters and a collection of Dumbledore's other ex-pupils, among them was Severus Snape, the new potion master at Hogwarts. Why these people were gather and why is unknown but it is now clear, the war on You Know Who has begun.

Severus prayed that the article hadn't gotten out to the students, but he knew he couldn't hope for anything. He knew if he didn't show up for breakfast more rumors would start so he forced himself to get up and walk to the Great Hall. As he walked, he noticed the students were keeping a suspiciously large distance between themselves and him. Keep walking, he thought through gritted teeth. When he reached the entrance to the Great Hall he didn't allow himself a moment to pause because he knew it wouldn't help him.

The moment that he walked inside the Great Hall everyone the entire room stopped their conversations and fell silent. He pretended not to notice this and began walking up to the staff table. As he passed the students, they began to take up whispered conversations. Apparently, they had read the article in the Daily Prophet. At the staff table, the greeting wasn't much better. All of the teachers had that morning's edition of the Daily Prophet in front of them and were constantly glancing at Severus and Dumbledore suspiciously throughout the morning's entire meal.

Severus ate as quickly as he could, struggling to ignore all the stares and whispers the whole time. After a piece of toast and a glass of orange juice, he got up, nodded at his fellow teachers, and left for his classroom. On his way, he walked past a group of second years who quickly walked away from him and to the Great Hall. Once at his classroom, he went to his office and sat down.

After a moment, Severus realized that there was a letter sitting on his desk. He was filled with dread for a moment, thinking it was probably a complaint letter from a student's parents, but he then realized he recognized the handwriting and quickly opened the letter. He needed to hear friendly words from someone.

Severus,

I needed to send this letter to you to properly thank you. When I heard James talking to Dumbledore, I thought something had happened to you and I was so worried. You shouldn't have stayed at the Hilltop or had to battle You-Know-Who. Now you are in grave danger and it's all because of me. If things ever get too bad or dangerous for you at Hogwarts, you can always come visit me, as you know where I am living now. James will be fine with it, he is very thankful to you as well. I know you two never used to get along but in the state of our situations I am sure you both will be able to get over the past. He is my husband but you are my best friend. You are both very important in my life.

Also, I need to thank you for not telling everyone about me being pregnant. James is so worried about me and he doesn't want anyone knowing in fear that You-Know-Who or the Death Eaters will want to kill him or her. I have to admit I am a bit nervous myself.

I hope you are doing alright and I want you to know that you can still write to me anytime.

Stay safe,

Lily

Severus read the letter again and sighed in relief that he had at least one person behind him. Lost in thought, Severus jumped when there was a knock at his office door.

"Come in." Severus said, quickly putting away his letter. Dumbledore opened the door and walked into Severus's office, "Hello Albus." Severus greeted the headmaster.

"Hello Severus," Dumbledore greeted him, "I understand you have a class in a few minutes but I wanted to see how you were doing. That article in the Daily Prophet this morning did not put either of us in a very good light and the rest of the staff are not taking care to hide their suspicions. Some parents are not very happy with me right now as well, I have already received a howler this morning from one."

"I am doing fine, Albus, I'm used to not being well liked."

"Be that as it may, it is not an enjoyable position. I think your class should just about be here so I should go but I would like for you to have tea with me after dinner today. I wish to talk more thoroughly about your current position regarding Voldemort."

"That sounds fine." Dumbledore and Severus both walked out of his office and Severus entered his classroom. Instead of the silence he met at the Great Hall, whispers bounced around the room.

"Silence," Severus said and everyone immediately obeyed. "Now, turn to page 72 and continue working on the potions you started yesterday." Slowly, everyone began to get up and walk to get supplies. Severus sat down at his desk and watched them scurry about trying not to screw up.

"Professor, may I have a word?" Severus looked up to find Ethan Rosier staring intently at him.

"For a moment," Severus said, a sick feeling that he knew where the conversation was going. Ethan leaned in closer as if he was telling a secret.

"Is it true that you betrayed the Dark Lord?" he whispered. Severus blinked and stopped for a moment. Was he seriously just going to ask that? Instead of giving him a straight answer, Severus sneered at him.

"You should really evaluate your life if you believe what the Daily Prophet says." Ethan looked at him, appalled. "Now I would highly suggest getting back to work unless you wish to join the Gryffindors for detention." Ethan backed away from Severus' desk slowly walked towards his cauldron. Making a mental note to himself that he should reply to Lily after his classes, he got up and started walking around the class as they worked. It was going to be a long day.