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As the days passed, Severus found himself anxiously waiting for the day that term would resume. He wasn't going to lie to himself; Hermione was the sole occupant of his thoughts. He certainly wished that she was with Weasley for vacation and not home with two Muggle parents. If they were attacked, she'd be able to hold them off, but no doubt her parents would, at some point, be killed, and she taken. More than once, Severus caught his eyes straying to the ring which rested unimposingly on his finger. He almost wished that he'd feel the burning he was to feel if she sent him a message, to know that she was still alive.
Severus pondered Lucius and his son for quite some time over the days. How desperate was Lucius? What would he try in order to gain back the Dark Lord's praise? Anyone in that position would be liable to do anything. The thought made Severus squirm, his thoughts again straying to Hermione.
The holidays were drawing to a close, and Severus fully expected to be called to a meeting before he returned to Hogwarts. When he was summoned, he immediately Apparated while locking away his thoughts just in case the Dark Lord decided to probe into his head. Entering the Manor quietly, he saw Bellatrix standing against the wall, glaring at him. She had still not accepted his 'marriage', yet he couldn't help the twitch in his lip as he passed her. With a hiss she spat at his feet. He paused to look at her.
"How very unlady-like that was, don't you agree, Bellatrix?"
"I'll show you unlady-like, when I carve out that Mudblood inch by inch." she hissed with a mad gleam in her eyes.
"Touch her, and I can assure you, it will be the last thing you will ever do."
Without another word, Severus swiftly turned and headed up the stairs, entering the familiar room and taking a seat, making sure to keep his eyes down at all times.
"Severus." the cold voice to his right hissed softly.
"Yes, my Lord?" he answered automatically.
"I have a job for you, a particularly precious job."
Severus tilted his head toward the creature wearing black robes and the snake which fashioned into an odd scarf.
"I want you to go to Albania."
"Albania?" Severus asked, somewhat confused.
"Yes," the Dark Lord said quietly, catching the room's attention. "From there you are certain to meet some of my followers, who remained supportive even after my little mishap. I want you to go to them, and tell them that I require their services."
Severus pondered his newest task. This was surely going to interfere with his duty to Hogwarts, the Dark Lord would see that, wouldn't he?
"Your bride, of course, will be kept safe. No one will touch her, not even myself. We can't have the old man becoming suspicious so soon. Isn't that right, Bellatrix?"
The woman hissed and sunk into her chair.
"What of my post at the school?" Severus asked.
"You will not be returning to Hogwarts for many months, I'm afraid. The old man will have to find you a replacement for the time being. I need you here, Severus."
"Can no one else fill in?"
"No, I do not trust anyone else with such a delicate task. This is very important to me, and some here seem to be incapable of following orders."
Lucius flinched slightly.
"Very well, my Lord, when should I leave?"
"The day you are to return to Hogwarts."
"If I may, my Lord, I would like to leave early tonight, in order to feed the old man a believable story so he will not question my extended absence."
"Of course, dear friend, leave now if you must. I have finished with you for tonight. What a pity that you won't be able to join in our games tonight."
Severus gave a quick nod, and stood from his chair before heading towards the stairs.
"Well, Bellatrix, your attitude has been bothering me for quite some time," the Dark Lord hissed softly. "I think you will make a perfect subject for tonight's…games."
Severus stumbled down the stairs, anxious to get away before the screams began. Entering the night air, his thoughts began to race.
He would not be permitted to return to Hogwarts for quite some time, months, in fact. Immediately, Dumbledore must be informed of the task. If Severus did not complete this task, the Dark Lord would lose faith in him, and his position would be useless.
What about Hermione? No, of course he couldn't tell her. The less she knew about his…extra-curricular activities, the safer she would be if someone were to try and force information out of her. For months she would not practice Occlumency or Legilimency with him, and no doubt her defenses would weaken. She was certainly good when they practiced in the classroom, but she needed more practice to strengthen the skill. Severus would have to make sure to tell Dumbledore that she was not to know a single shred of what was going on. The only thing she was to know was that he was safe. Still, if he learned anything from looking through her mind, it was that she worried obsessively over things.
The minute Severus returned to Spinner's End, he sent his Patronus out to Dumbledore, requesting a meeting as soon as possible, so he wasn't surprised when his fireplace suddenly erupted in bright green flames.
"Hello, Severus, enjoying your holiday?" the elderly man asked while brushing himself off.
"I've had better."
"Indeed, you're more sullen than usual."
Albus took a seat settling comfortably into his chair, waiting for Severus to speak. In a quiet monotone voice, Severus relayed what the Dark Lord had told him. Albus remained emotionless, taking in the words and processing them slowly.
"Well, Severus, you certainly must follow your orders, there is no doubt about that. I'll find you a replacement and keep Miss Granger, well, Snape, at bay. I will need a list of the people who you convince to join Voldemort's cause."
Severus nodded, keeping his eyes away from Albus.
"I don't know how long I'm going to be gone." Severus said quietly.
"Yes, your absence will alarm certain people," Albus said, peering at him over his half-moon glasses with a twinkle in his eye. "But I'm sure that she'll try just about anything to find you."
"I wasn't talking about Granger, I was talking about being away from my post for an extended period of time." Severus growled in return.
"Regardless, your wife will certainly become restless at your absence."
"She's not my wife, I only agreed to this outrageous plan so she wouldn't be killed!"
"She cares a great deal for you, Severus. Even you, yourself have to admit that. What do you think she will do when I can't tell her where you are? I've got to say, Harry certainly has rubbed off on her. If there's any sort of mystery he's always trying to figure things out. I've noticed over the years that Hermione has picked up the same trait." Dumbledore turned to look sternly at him. "You cannot contact her with your ring."
"I'm not a fool, Albus, of course I wouldn't." Severus barked.
"Now the only thing we need to think about is how to distract Hermione for a few months."
"Distract? There's no distracting her." Severus snapped at the old man.
"And what do you purpose to do if she should show up suddenly in Albania?"
"How would she know I was there?"
"The Dark Lord opened a connection between their minds, and with you gone, no doubt she will all but abandon Occlumency, which would possibly open the channel back up."
Severus hadn't thought about that. What if she did show up? What would he do about it? Everything would be blown.
"I'll explain as much as I possibly can, she trusts me." he murmured, more to himself than Dumbledore.
"And when do you leave?"
"Tomorrow."
Albus remained silent then, staring into the flames, intently thinking. Severus fell back into his troubled thoughts, causing him to shift uncomfortably in his chair.
"Well, I suppose I'll leave you now. You have some loose ends to tie up."
Albus entered the fireplace and vanished in a burst of green flame. Severus allowed his body to slump. He honestly had no idea how much more of this he could take. And how was he going to tell her without incriminating her? She had to know something or she would inevitably try and play the hero. That would only cause more problems than were necessary. He couldn't possibly floo to her house and explain what was going on; she would begin asking questions, things he couldn't answer. And God help him if she started to cry. He was hopeless in those situations. There was only one other option: a letter.
Severus burst into his study, violently slamming things around. He'd write better if he was angry, not thinking about her. Dipping the quill deeper than necessary, he began to write, ink splattering across the parchment in some areas.
Granger,
You need to listen to everything I am about to tell you, it is far more important than it may seem. I will not be returning to Hogwarts when term begins again and I have no idea when I'll be returning. This does not give you permission to go looking for me - do you understand? I don't care if you have a dream where I'm being killed; you are not to leave school on a hero mission. I can assure you that I will be safe and if I should have to defend myself, I am more than capable of doing so. Do not reply to this message.
S.S
Before he reread the words, he had scribbled her name on the front of the parchment and attached it to an owl's leg. Well, that took care of that. Severus packed a small bag; he had no need to pack much, just some clothes and money. Locking up the house, he pulled the bag onto his shoulder and began walking through alleys and streets that mirrored each other nearly perfectly. If he hadn't lived here all of his life he surely would have gotten lost.
Severus paused for a moment, just to take a small hiatus. He knew he had told Dumbledore that he didn't leave until tomorrow, but the house was stifling him with thoughts that did nothing but distract him. At least when he worked he did so almost mechanically and without emotion. This mission would be good for him.
Apparating, he appeared in the small village the Dark Lord had often spoken about when he fled once he had lost his power. The buildings looked as if they were on the verge of collapse and the streets were strewn with litter. Severus continued to travel in the shadows.
A stray dog eyed him, expecting to be thrown a scrap of food, but Severus had none. The village seemed deserted, not a sound was coming from any building. Very few lights were on, giving the place a ghostly feel.
Pulling his cloak tighter around him, Severus approached a sign dangling about the door by a single chain, and badly worn. He could barely make out the words on it, except for one: inn. Pausing for a moment, Severus contemplated staying out in the streets for a night before shoving his way inside.
It was a bar, a dusty and deserted bar, with not a single occupant. The large man behind the bar looked up with large, droopy, watery eyes. Severus peered around, feeling the scowl deepen on his face before approaching the man, who was still staring at him.
"I'd like a room." Severus said coldly, staring the man down.
"What for?" he man replied in a gravelly voice.
"I have some personal business to attend to here. If you are not willing to give me a room then I'll happily go somewhere else." Severus said, keeping his voice crisp and low.
The large man looked Severus up and down for a few moments before grunting.
"Follow me."
Severus followed the man up a narrow staircase that entered into an even smaller hallway. Wobbling down the narrow passage, the man threw open a door, the last door, and stood aside.
"That'll be ten galleons."
Severus deposited the money in the man's hand and shut the door in his face. Well, he certainly didn't like this place, especially that man. No doubt he was the only one in the entire building. Staring around his room, Severus felt his heart sink even more. Taking stock, he found a single bed that looked stained, an armoire, containing a door that was barely hanging on, and a dresser, which looked as if it had seen better days. Peering into the bathroom, Severus was appalled by the sight of the dirty tile.
Pulling out his wand, he waved it once, and the room cleaned up nicely. Well, as nice as a room like this could get. Settling in, Severus began to map out his plan of action.
The next morning, Severus left his room early, making sure to cast a charm over his valuables, not only warding them, but hiding them from thieves.
Stepping out into the dreary morning, he began searching for the people Voldemort had told him about. Surprisingly, his first few targets agreed to join their side without much convincing, but most wanted things in return, mostly things containing monetary value.
"I'm sure the Dark Lord will happily oblige you, if you only ask him to." Severus said for what he felt was the hundredth time that day.
The feeble man in front of him looked at him suspiciously for a long moment, and Severus met his eyes evenly.
"What will I get out of this?"
"Your life."
The old man's face paled a little, and a few moments later, his name was added to the list of followers.
Severus worked for many weeks Apparating around Albania, searching for people, following them, and convincing them that the Dark Lord wanted them to be at his side. Most agreed out of fear, and many requested some sort of payment for their services, which the Dark Lord had anticipated. He was willing to pay each a small sum, but the moment they asked for more, he would kill them.
A few blatantly refused, accepting the fact that they would be hunted down by the Dark Lord and his followers, and most likely killed.
"I was stupid and naïve then," a young woman said, holding her husband's hand tightly in her own.
"And you are willing to put yourself, as well as your husband's life in danger?" Severus questioned.
"I don't care what she does, but she's not going back to that-that thing!" the man snapped, glaring at Severus.
"Please, darling, not now." the woman said gently, soothingly.
Severus noticed the immediate reaction to her words. The man leaned back, taking a deep breath before wrapping his arm around the woman's shoulders.
"I can't believe he would even remember me," she said quietly. "I remember brewing some potions for him, when he was weak…and to think I was aiding the darkest wizard of all time."
"Darling, we can leave, he won't find us, and we both know people we can go to if need be." the man said.
"You're married, are you not?" the brown-eyed woman asked.
Severus was startled for a moment, drawing back into his chair before clearing his throat.
"As a matter of fact, I am." he said, staring at her in surprise.
"Your ring, I noticed it when you came in."
Severus looked down at the gold piece of metal, which had remained cool for nearly a month, much to his relief.
"And your wife, does she know?"
"Know what?"
"What you are."
The woman spoke in a kind manner, not at all mocking him or sneering at him. Her eyes reminded him of…no, he couldn't go there – not right now.
"Yes, she knows." he replied shortly.
"I'm sure she's wonderful." the woman said with a genuine smile.
"And what makes you assume such things?" Severus asked coldly, noticing the husband looking slightly uncomfortable, and a little angry at his tone.
"She accepts you for who you are, and what you are. Not many people could do that so fully, she must be positively wonderful. I would say that I would like to meet her someday," her smile faltered. "But we may not have very many of those left."
Severus left the couple, purposely forgetting to add their names on the list of those who had refused, instead adding them to the list of people he'd failed to locate. The gold band on his finger seemed heavier that day, more prominent in his mind and thoughts than ever before.
Technically, he reminded himself, Granger didn't accept him, she just chose to deal with him in order to help her best friend. This whole entire ordeal was just a business transaction, with him just offering protection and guidance when needed.
Nearly a month and a half had passed, and Severus still found himself missing his classroom, but not for the teaching. His head was screaming at him that what he was feeling was entirely wrong, she was his student. To even feel a shred more than that was stepping over the lines.
And after this thought, his mind flitted to the night he left, the soft snowfall outside, and the warmth of her body. Severus recalled every curve of her person as he unashamedly pressed her against the door. The experience was heightened by the fact that she had kissed him firmly back. Her soft lips…he felt that he was losing the memory of them and their movements.
Perhaps it wasn't feeling that governed their actions, but rather the knowledge that he was leaving, for an undetermined amount of time and that he may be killed. It was a rash decision, based on the events lying ahead at the time. He wanted to stay there, in that horrible house, a place where he had no fear during meetings, or speaking to his leader. She didn't want to let him go. His wish to remain safe and her desire to keep him there created one of the most potent events he has had in twenty years.
Severus concluded that she was motivated by feelings, not he. Severus Snape didn't become tangled in a web of emotion. He was a man who kept his true self hidden under layers of lies. No young woman was going to distract him if he had anything to say about it.
So, for the next few months, Severus Snape chanted to himself repeatedly 'This is business, and I am the protection. This is business, and I am the protection. She is naive and has let her emotions get the better of her. She is naive and has let her emotions get the better of her.'
The cool winter air soon dwindled down as Severus traveled all over Britain, rounding up the numbers, informing Dumbledore of the names, and reporting to the Dark Lord the names of those who refused to join him. For all of these months, Severus had not been summoned to a meeting, and for that he was grateful. The strain of his job was etched onto his face, and his mind was straining to stay in check and alert at all times.
As spring rolled on and people began emerging from their houses after a harsh winter, Severus was losing himself in his task. He no longer desired to do what was assigned to him and missed the comfort of his own home. The Dark Lord seemed to sense the same thing, because after five long and tiring months, Severus felt his left arm burn with a familiar calling.
He Apparated to Malfoy Manor and let himself in quietly. Severus couldn't even be bothered to raise his eyes as he entered the room which was filled with soft whispers. They all fell silent, rustling filling the empty space as they all turned to look at him.
"My dear friend, you've lost some weight." the Dark Lord murmured in his airy voice.
"It is nothing, my Lord." Severus said, nodding respectfully to him.
"And what news have you?"
Severus pulled a list from his robes, and handed it to the Dark Lord. The red eyes flashed over the names, and Severus noticed his eyes taking on a brighter shine, the shine that makes one's blood run cold.
"Very good, Severus, very good indeed." the Dark Lord said nodding, with a cruel grin on his face.
"Thank you, my Lord."
"I suppose you are wondering what has been going on during your absence?" the Dark Lord said, lowering the list to the table.
"Yes."
"I have given Draco the task of killing Dumbledore, but the year is almost over and I'm afraid that the old man still lives, isn't that right, Lucius?"
Since the first time he entered the room, Severus lifted his eyes to Lucius Malfoy. His usually regal and snobby face had become withered and thin, his hair had been neglected, and it looked as if he had been crying recently. He'd clearly been having a rough few months.
"Severus, you are to kill the old man in the event that Draco cannot. I am under the impression that the attack is to be in a week. Perhaps the brat will have finally fixed the Vanishing Cabinet in the school."
A murmur rippled through the room for a moment.
"Not to mention Draco hasn't given up his obsession with that Mudblood. Oh, I've almost forgotten, Severus, that you have married the girl. I'm sure you will be most unhappy to know that Draco's thick skull has not fully processed that information yet."
Severus eyes lifted once more to Lucius, this time with a murderous glare.
"I thought I told you to back off, Malfoy?"
Lucius raised his eyes for the first time.
"And let the Mudblood alone while you gallivanted across the country? I think not. We could have gotten valuable information out of her while you were gone, avoiding your duty to your Lord." the man spat.
"And I see, once again, that applying your usual brilliance has failed once again at producing anything worthwhile." Severus snapped, wishing he could jump across the table and throttle the man.
"I'm just as brilliant as you are, Severus-"
"Yet you fail to apply those brains you hold in so high esteem." Severus bit out.
The room erupted into laughter, and Lucius grew red at the fact he had been humiliated in front of an entire room of Death Eaters.
"Come, Severus, you must return home and rest. You have worked very hard for me, and you certainly have not been avoiding your duty, contrary to what our dear friend here thinks." the Dark Lord said, staring directly at Malfoy.
Severus took his leave, arrived at Spinner's End, and sent his Patronus to Dumbledore, who arrived a few moments later.
"Well, it's certainly good to see you again, Severus." Dumbledore said taking a seat, sounding far too chipper.
Without saying hello, Severus launched into his story, detailing his travels and the meeting he had just come from. Albus looked completely unfazed.
"I just told you that Draco is going to kill you, and you act like I have said nothing." Severus snapped after a moment wishing for once that the old man would have some sort of reaction.
"I've known all year what Draco has been up to. But if he should fail, I assume you are next to take his place. Severus, remember the promise-"
"I remember!" Severus snapped. "It's not like what you're asking is easy!"
"I'm well aware, Severus, but it must be done."
They fell into silence, and Severus wished the Dark Lord would just kill him right there so he wouldn't have to be put through this any longer.
"You can return to Hogwarts when you are ready, but for now, I believe it is best for you to have a decent rest. You look as if you could use it."
"How have things at the school been?" Severus asked, trying to remove Dumbledore's attention from himself.
"Miss Granger did not take well to your absence, not that it was all that surprising. She asked me nearly every day if I had received word from you. Even when I did I didn't tell her. The poor girl has been through enough already."
"I didn't ask about her, I asked about the school."
"Yes, but they're one in the same." Dumbledore said smiling at Severus with that annoying twinkle in his eye that usually meant he knew something he was choosing not to share.
"Albus, what is going on between Miss Granger and I is simply a business transaction that is all, so you can stop looking at me like that."
Severus was at the end of his rope, and one more innuendo about the relationship between Granger and himself was going to push him over the edge.
"Very well, Severus, remain blind if you must." Dumbledore said before climbing back into the fireplace and disappearing.
Severus remained at home, reading and sleeping, ready to start work again after a week of rest. Wrapping his cloak tightly around him, he Apparated to Hogsmeade and began heading towards the school. The familiar winged boars that flanked the gates came into view, and Severus finally felt at home. He didn't realize how much he had missed the stone walls, shouting at kids and handing out detentions like it was Christmas, but here he was, back for the end of the term. He couldn't wait to see his office.