Every time Severus Snape put on a Death Eater mask, he felt as if he'd lost a piece of his soul. The best he could hope for was to get through a meeting with minimal interaction with anyone else. It took an astronomical amount of power to mask the hatred he felt for the monster that sat at the front of the room.

If you could call it a room. A lair, in the basement of some undisclosed Muggle's home, the owner of which was not only unaware that his home was the headquarters of a murderous meeting but was also unaware of everything else, due to his untimely death moments before the meeting. Or perhaps the death was timely. It very much depended on your point of view, Severus thought, his mind wandering far from the conversation of exactly how many hurdles stood between the Dark Lord and world domination.

"Severus," Voldemort's slick voice oozed almost lazily from his mouth as he sat in the makeshift throne, "I require your assistance."

"Of course, My Lord," Severus pushed down the revulsion that tried to bubble up through his throat.

"I would like to see, for myself, what this prophecy says that has plagued my years. Dolores attempted to use Veritaserum on the bat who gave it originally, since the woman seems a bit… out of her mind, you might say. Didn't your son say she was a bit batty, Lucius?" He looked to the man at his right.

"Yes, My Lord." Lucius nodded. "Another example of Dumbledore's hiring prowess."

"However," Voldemort went on, not reacting to Lucius' sarcasm, "it appears that the potion is limited when the person genuinely does not remember information."

"There are no other formulas at this time, My Lord—

"Your potion-brewing is not what I require at the moment, Severus."

Severus often wondered why the Dark Lord used his first name. He had originally interpreted it as something akin to friendship. However, after spending more time in the man's presence, it was becoming clear to Severus that the Dark Lord used their first names for two reasons.

First, it relegated his followers to a submissive position every time he spoke. Your first name is what your father used. Your teachers. Anyone who had power over you as a child, while you called them by whatever was the appropriate honorific. Second, and perhaps the most chilling, it reminded them just how well the Dark Lord knew them. He knew their first name. He knew where they lived. He knew the names of their wives and children.

"Tomorrow night, Lucius and a small group, which I will choose in a moment, will be going to retrieve the original prophecy. However, since the prophecy can only be removed from its storage area by the person about whom the prophecy was made, I would like to attempt the removal without sacrificing one of my followers to madness. Therefore," he looked at Severus, "you will be in the group. And you will bring your daughter with you."

"My Lord," Severus tried to speak around the stabbing pain in his chest, "I assure you that the prophecy does not concern Elizabeth—

"So you have said," Voldemort held up a hand. "However, you have not proven to be as trustworthy as I would like. Lucius is arranging for the Longbottom boy to accompany the group as well. I'm happy to allow the boy to take the prophecy first, since his parents' word is far less worthy than yours." Voldemort's mouth twisted into something that resembled a smirk. "But just on the chance that you are… incorrect… I'd like the girl to be there as well."

"My Lord—

"I'm tired of your voice," Voldemort said lazily, raising his wand and pointing it at the Potions Master. "Crucio!"

*S*S*

"Elizabeth," Elizabeth heard Remus' voice through the blankets pulled over her head. At first, she thought it was part of the dream she was having, but the shaking of her shoulder did not fit in with the fantastic dive she'd just made toward the dream-Snitch.

"What?" She dragged her eyes open and the covers off her face.

"Get up," Remus urged, holding her shoes. "Hurry."

"What—

"Elizabeth," Remus interrupted, pulling the blankets the rest of the way off. "We have to go. Now. Hurry."

Shoving her glasses onto her face, she looked at Remus' face. It was clear from his expression that it was indeed an emergency. She shoved the shoes onto her feet, and pulled a robe over her pajamas. "Where are we going?"

"Not now," Remus waved off the question, stuffing Lunus and some dirty clothes from the floor into a bag. "Come," he started for the door.

Elizabeth followed him into the living room before turning back.

"Elizabeth!"

"My mirror!" She protested, sprinting back into her room and pulling the mirror out of the bedside table drawer.

"Elizabeth!" Remus called again, as there came a knock on the door. Elizabeth looked toward it, but Remus grabbed her upper arm and pulled her into the floo behind him. "King's Cross," he ordered, and Elizabeth felt the familiar feeling of being lifted and pulled through a tube of air.

"Elizabeth, Remus, thank goodness!"

Elizabeth looked in the direction of the voice and saw McGonagall, standing with Neville tucked tightly to her side.

"Hurry," Remus said, taking hold of Elizabeth's arm again, handing her the bag of her possessions so he could take Neville's arm in a similar fashion. "Thank you Minerva, but we have to—

"Go, go!" the Professor gestured. "I have to get back before I'm missed."

"Remus, what—

Remus waved off Elizabeth's question again. "Come, both of you." Looking about, as if he was sure that there were monsters lurking in the shadows, Remus lead them out into Muggle London before pulling them down a deserted alley.

"Listen," He said quietly. "We're going to apparate, but it's not a smooth ride with two passengers. We don't have time for you to be sick when we get there, so I need you to keep that in mind, alright?"

"Get where?" Neville asked nervously.

"Away from here," Remus said, pulling both teenagers as close as possible and apparating away with a sharp crack.

*S*S*

"Remus is trying to get Neville to stop hyperventilating," Elizabeth reported to Severus an hour later as he sat in an armchair in the living room of Headquarters.

"You should try to get a few hours a sleep," Severus said, shifting his focus from an undetermined point on the wall to his daughter.

"How long are we staying?" Elizabeth asked, ignoring the idea of sleeping after the adrenaline rush of the late night.

"It depends," Severus said simply.

"Do you need something for the pain?" Elizabeth sat on the arm of his chair.

"I'm fine, Doctor." Severus scowled, but put a hand on her back to steady her, making no move to shoo her away.

"What happened tonight?" Elizabeth asked, wedging one foot down between the cushion and the arm of the chair.

"Stop that," Severus tapped his hand against the side of her leg and pulled her off the arm of the chair and into his lap. "You're going to tear the fabric."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "I'm way too old to sit on your lap."

"I'm protecting the fabric," Severus defended.

"You're not going to tell me about tonight, are you?" Elizabeth laid her head on his shoulder.

"Not tonight," Severus shook his head. "Suffice it to say that you are in an increased level of danger right now."

"And Nevile?"

"Mr. Longbottom as well," Severus nodded. "We'll talk about the rest at a better time." He drummed his fingers absently against her leg. "How did your test go today?"

Elizabeth shrugged, "I'm just glad it was the last one. I don't want to write another essay ever again."

Severus laughed. "I think you may be off the hook until you have summer assignments."

Elizabeth groaned.

"Betsy?" Fred's voice came from the pocket of Elizabeth's pajama pants.

"What is that?" Severus looked alarmed as she dug the mirror out of her pocket.

"It's a two-way mirror," Elizabeth said. "Fred gave it to me. We can talk—

"Yes, I know what a two-way mirror is," Severus said sharply, taking the mirror from her. "Mr. Weasley?"

Fred's eyes widened in the mirror. "Yes, sir?"

"I need you to destroy your mirror," Severus said. "Right now."

"But, sir—

"Fred," Severus' voice was quiet, but urgent.

The use of his first name stopped Fred mid-protest.

"It's very important that there are no unmonitored communication methods to Elizabeth right now. We have to keep her safe."

"Yes, sir."

"Good." Severus set the mirror on the table near his chair and pointed his wand at it. "Expulso!"

"Dad!" Elizabeth shouted, horrified as her link to Fred burst into pieces.

"Elizabeth," Severus kept one arm firmly around her waist, "if the Dark Lord is looking for you, and he can't find me, or Remus, or Black, who do you think he goes for next?"

Elizabeth looked mournfully at the pile of glass shards. "You destroyed it."

Severus sighed, put his wand down, and wrapped both arms around her. "Hatchling, I promise that when this is all over, I will buy you a new set of mirrors. But right now, it's not safe for you, and it's not safe for Fred."

Elizabeth wanted to be able to follow the perfectly rational logic he gave. She wanted to know that everything was fine. She even wished that she could be mad at Severus for taking away her link to her boyfriend. She wished she could throw a teenaged-tantrum about the injustices of her father. But all she could manage was frustrated tears.

"It's alright," Severus assured gently, kissing the top of her head.

"What did you do now?" Remus asked, coming into the room and sitting heavily on the sofa.

"It's not a good night," Severus said softly over Elizabeth's head.

"Neville is asleep. It took 2 calming draughts and one that was I told him was for headaches, but was really to knock him out for a few hours."

"Minerva is contacting his grandmother?"

"Through Molly and a few other people. We don't want her contacted by anyone obviously-Order affiliated." Remus stretched his legs under the table. "Sirius should be back shortly with the Spinner's End things. I took everything I could from your room at Hogwarts." He looked at Elizabeth. "Is she asleep?"

Severus looked down to see that Elizabeth's face, while tear-stained, was relaxed, and her breathing had evened out. "I think so."

"What does she know?"

"Not as much as she'd like," Severus looked toward the door. "You said he would be back soon?"

"It doesn't take that much time to pack a house, Sev. Not when you have a wand. Why don't you put her to bed and get some sleep yourself?"

"She's too tall to carry," Severus shifted her into a more comfortable position. "Sometime in the last year she became all arms and legs."

"Are you a wizard?" Remus raised an eyebrow.

Severus scowled and waved his wand, levitating his child off his lap and toward the stairs, supporting her with one hand, just in case.

"Honestly, when you're stressed, you become a Muggle. Elizabeth does it too," Remus followed. "It must be a Muggle-born thing."

"I am not Muggle born," Severus said automatically, settling Elizabeth onto the bed. As he covered her with a blanket, she opened her eyes. "Sleep," Severus said softly, kissing her forehead. "Everything's fine."

Back downstairs, Remus started tea. "Everything is not fine," he commented, pouring water.

"It is certainly not," Severus agreed, lowering himself carefully into a chair at the table.

"You're moving like someone hit you with a couple dozen Blugders."

"I feel fine," Severus waved his hand.

"We can't stay here forever," Remus commented, pouring water over tealeaves.

"I'm aware," Severus leaned back and closed his eyes. "I'm looking for a place to hide them both until this is over."

"Elizabeth isn't going to like being hidden away."

"Then she'll have to spend her time in body bind," Severus said simply. "Lily has a friend in the States that might be able to keep them for awhile."

"They burn witches at the stake over there."

"Not recently," Severus smirked.

"You know what the other option is, don't you?"

"No," Severus shook his head.

"We could send her—

"I meant 'no', that's not an option," Severus said sharply.

"The blood wards—

"Remus."

Lupin threw up his hands. "Fine. Be that way."

"I will, thanks." Severus took waved off the tea. "I'm going to try to get some sleep. There's still time before morning."

"That's what I've been saying," Remus shook his head in irritation. "You're cranky when you're tired."

"I am not cranky, thank you."

"Just like your daughter," Remus continued, as if the other man hadn't spoken. "I should know better than to try to talk to you when you're tired and sick."

"I'm not sick," Severus grumbled.

"Just like your teenage daughter," Remus chuckled, dumping the tea in the sink. "We can talk in the morning."

"When did we get married?" Severus scowled.

"Lily left me in charge of keeping your head from growing."

"Well you're a gifted woman," Severus sneered, and went upstairs, collapsing in bed.

*S*S*

"You have no idea where she is?" Fred asked Ron, hovering outside the dormitory window on his broom.

"No. Snape came and got Neville in the middle of the night, and now all three of them are gone. Umbridge is teaching Potions."

"Well that's brilliant," Fred said glared at nothing in particular. "Next time you're close to her, just blow up whatever you're working on."

"Neville's not here, didn't I tell you?" Ron smirked. "Did you try mirror-calling?"

"Yeah, but Snape found out and said it was too dangerous."

"I don't know what changed in the last two days," Ron shrugged. "But you better get out of here before you get caught."

"I'm going. But I brought gifts," Fred handed his brother a bag with WWW emblazoned across the side. "Just in case you see an opportunity to do a little advertising. And to keep up the family name."

"She's probably at Headquarters," Ron said, taking the bag. "Did you check?"

"Last time I went to Headquarters, Sirius talked for 6 hours about his days at Hogwarts. The first hour was interesting, but seriously."

"You might have to risk it," Ron shrugged. "I can't go. Hermione sent an owl, but she hasn't gotten a reply."

"Where's Hedwig?" Fred asked.

"Still in the owlery, as far as I know."

"Thanks," Fred ruffled Ron's hair through the window and took off toward the owlery.

Ten minutes later, Fred, holding his broom under one arm and Hedwig under the other, appeared across the street from Sirius' house. Releasing the bird, who give an irritated hoot and shook out her feathers, he crossed the street and went through the door, careful to let Hedwig in behind him.

"Anyone here?" he called.

"Who's there?" Sirius' voice came from the kitchen.

"Fred," he called back, walking into the kitchen. "Is Elizabeth here?"

"As far as I know," Sirius answered. "You want a drink?"

"No, thanks," Fred said slowly. "Have you had breakfast?"

"I don't eat breakfast," Sirius shrugged.

"Is everything alright?' Fred looked around the kitchen, noticing several empty glasses.

"You ever been to prison, Weasley?"

"No, sir." Fred said, not sure where the conversation was leading.

"Sir," Sirius snorted. "No one used to call me that."

"You've earned the title, sir," Fred said quietly. "Your efforts in the war… your service to the Order."

Sirius shook his head. "I missed all those years, boy. And now people call me 'sir'. I have no family, no job, nothing. My youth is gone," he downed the two-fingers of whiskey he'd poured.

"No family?" Fred looked at him. "Elizabeth?"

Sirius shrugged. "I meant of my own."

"You have time."

"No," Sirius shook his head. "You have time, kid. My life is over." He ran his hand through his hair and went into the living room without another word, the door swinging shut behind him.

Fred stood in the kitchen, batting Hedwig's sharp beak away as she tried to nibble on his ear. "Bloody bird."

"My thoughts exactly," Severus said, coming into the kitchen. "An impromptu visit, Mr. Weasley?"

"Yes, sir. I guessed that Elizabeth forgot her owl."

"And how did you know we were here?"

"Ron guessed," Fred shifted uncomfortably. "If it's not alright, I'll go, Sir. I just—

Severus waved his hand. "Take her the bird, Mr. Weasley. And ask her to come down. We'll have breakfast."

Releasing the breath he didn't know he was holding, and took the stairs two at a time.

"Hey!" Elizabeth was just closing the door of her room. "Hedwig!"

The bird flew to her and perched on her shoulder, nuzzling her neck.

"Oh sure, you don't bite her," Fred rolled his eyes.

"Hello, beautiful," Elizabeth said, stroking the bird's head.

"You can pet my head if you want," Fred raised an eyebrow, leaning against the banister.

Elizabeth grinned and opened the door again, releasing Hedwig toward her cage before jumping into Fred's arms. "Miss me?" She asked.

"No, I have a new business," Fred hugged her hard. "Bird delivery."

"You are so talented," Elizabeth kissed him. "I'm sorry about the mirror."

"It's not your fault," Fred shook his head. "Don't worry."

"Fred," Remus emerged from his bedroom. "What are you doing here?"

"He brought Hedwig," Elizabeth turned in Fred's arms to look at Remus.

"Your dad says we're supposed to come down for breakfast," Fred said, putting her down.

"Good, I'm starving," Elizabeth started down the stairs. "Hurry, or I'll eat all of it."

"I'm right behind you," Fred said, letting her get to the bottom of the stairs before turning to Remus. "Professor?"

"I'm not a professor anymore, Fred."

"Yes, sir. I just… is everything alright with Sirius?"

Remus sighed. "He's talking about being old?"

Fred nodded. "His life is over, apparently."

"Don't worry about it. He'll come around eventually." Remus shook his head. "Until then, we just have to be patient."

*S*S*

Albus Dumbledore needed a new spy. It was disappointing, really, that the work he'd put into Severus over the years. The boy just didn't have what it took in the end. It was a shame that his loyalties had shifted.

Dumbledore sighed, putting his feet up in the makeshift shack he'd erected in the Forbidden Forest. He had to blame himself, if Severus had never found out that Elizabeth was his daughter, things might have gone as planned. But even after the Severus went back into the Voldemort's ranks, he was no longer spying for Dumbledore. That much was obvious. No, Snape had his own agenda.

Albus drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair, glaring at nothing in particular. He'd taken up residence in this place so he could be close to Hogwarts, to keep an eye on the key to this whole process. But it quickly became clear that Severus didn't think he was under the watchful eye of his adopted father. The boy had a gall to take Elizabeth out of school without even an attempt to contact him.

He wasn't very clever about it either. Albus could guess in a single moment where Severus had taken the girl. But it hardy mattered. No matter where Severus took her, Dumbledore must be sure that she fulfilled her destiny. Even if it meant… removing Severus from the equation.