You guys are amazing! Thanks again for all the reviews, they make it all worth it!

Read and enjoy!

Entering the school, Severus quietly made is way to Minerva's office and knocked.

"Come in, but you shouldn't be out of bed, regardless of what you need to ask-oh! Professor Snape!"

She had jumped to her feet with wide eyes.

"When did you return?" she asked.

"Last week, but Albus thought it best that I rest for a week before returning to my post. Where is he?"

She eyed him warily, deciding whether or not to tell him what was going on.

"He left earlier this evening with Potter."

Severus was stricken by the news. Where did Potter and Dumbledore need to be, together, outside of school?

"Very well, I'll be in my office."

Severus immediately headed to his classroom, hoping beyond anything that Granger had gotten over sitting outside the door every night, which it appeared that she had. His classroom seemed…cleaner. Apparently the substitute was a neat-freak, which only irritated him more. Heading to his office, he was happy to see that the room was relatively untouched. There were a few sheets of parchment on his desk, with handwriting he had once looked over on a twelve inch essay he had assigned.

Dear Professor,

I don't know where you are, Professor Dumbledore won't let anything slip, and I've practically been begging him. He only says that you are safe, and that I shouldn't contact you under any circumstances, so I suppose I'll have to sneak into your office and leave this for you, hoping that you see it at some point.

It's been three months, almost four, and not a soul has heard from you. Dumbledore says that you have personal business to take care of, which may mean you will not be returning this term. I know that's not true. When he says that, there's something that is not quite right in his eyes, which makes me nervous.

I still have your Christmas gift in my trunk, wrapped and all. Oh, and thank you for the book, I loved it. I've read it five times already and am about to start it again. I practice the Charms nearly all of the time now. Harry has become obsessed with this Potions book but I don't trust it, and Ron has all of a sudden gone Quidditch crazy, leaving me ample amount of time to my own thoughts, which is not something I really enjoy at the moment. So, I fill the time practicing the Charms in the book you gave me.

You're probably going to be angry at me, but I've begun having dreams again. They're not anything major, just flashes here and there, of the meetings that go on, but I haven't seen you in any of them. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I try so hard at night to keep my mind shut and my barriers strong, but I can't anymore. I have no one to practice with.

I spent the Easter holiday at Headquarters, mostly helping Remus out. The full moon fell then, and he was locked in the basement. I brewed some wolfsbane for him, and sat with him as he went through the transformation. Honestly, he was like an oversized dog so I wasn't scared of him. Tonks nearly lost it when I told her that, and told me never to do something so dangerous again. I told her I wouldn't, but that was just to stop her from yelling. Her and Remus have been acting strange lately, it's obvious that there are feelings involved. Remus seems to be fighting it, but Tonks is all for it, that much is clear.

Your replacement has no idea what he's doing. Honestly, I could teach the class better than he does. Most of the kids fool around by throwing things or setting things on fire, which causes him to go into a tantrum and clean the place top to bottom. He wanted your office, but Dumbledore refused, giving him an empty room at the other end of the school.

Even after four months, I still expect to walk in and see you glaring at us from your desk, but all I see is that man who likes to call himself a professor. I sneak into your office sometimes, because I have these feelings that you're going to step through the fireplace that night, but you never do, so tonight I have resolved to write you a letter being that I barely have anyone to talk to anymore. No one will find it, besides Dumbledore if he so chooses to visit your office, so I don't feel bad about leaving it on your desk.

I guess that's all for now. I hope you're safe while doing…well, whatever it is that you're doing. I think someone's in the hallway, so I better go.

Hermione

Severus looked a little farther down the page.

P.S. I got caught, after I left your room, go figure. I knocked over a suit of armor and got a detention from Filch. It was alright, I was with Hagrid.

Severus gently ran his finger over the impressions on the parchment before slipping the pages into his robes. Why did she have to do this? She couldn't just leave things alone and keep her distance. He was barely seated for more than twenty minutes when Flitwick burst into his office.

"Severus! Severus! There are Death Eaters! Here! In the castle! You must come!" the little man squeaked.

Without saying a word, Severus waved his wand and the small man fell to the ground. Calmly, but quickly, he made his way through the halls, and came face to face with Draco, being tailed by four Death Eaters.

"Good evening, Draco." he said coldly, looking around the group with indifference.

"You're back." the pale boy said with wide eyes.

"Yes, I've just gotten back, but I see that you're a little too busy for conversation."

"I-I have to get to the Astronomy Tower." Draco said pushing his way forward, the other Death Eaters splitting off and wreaking havoc on the school.

People were beginning to emerge from doors and pour into the hallway, with bleary eyes dressed in their pajamas. Severus quickly walked away, heading towards the Astronomy Tower. Draco was already there, cornering an injured Dumbledore. As Severus snuck up the stairs, he found Potter hiding out. A small creak under his foot caused him to whirl around, wand drawn.

Severus motioned to him to be quiet, and Potter lowered his wand. Potter trusted him because Dumbledore did. Too bad that was all about to be blown away. Climbing the remainder of the stairs, he emerged behind Draco, who quickly drew back.

"Do it Draco!" Bellatrix screeched. "Do it now!"

"No." Severus said, looking at her, to Draco, and then finally Albus.

What had he done to himself now? The man could barely stand on his own two feet, and his eyes kept darting to the floor, obviously looking at Potter.

"Severus…please."

Immediately Severus felt his mouth go bone dry. No. NO. He couldn't do it! He wasn't going to! He couldn't kill the man he had grown to look up to, the one who had helped him through the toughest time of his life, the man who had taught him nearly everything he knew. But he had promised him, despite his better judgment; he had promised he would do what needed to be done. Emotion welled up inside Severus Snape for the first time in nearly seventeen years, and he raised his wand to the one man who could help him in the world. His lips barely parted as the incantation rang aloud, exploding through his mind. The room erupted with green light, the old, wise man with a small smile on his face was thrown backwards, silently rushing through the darkness, and to the ground below.

No one moved.

Severus Snape had killed Albus Dumbledore.

He needed to leave. He had to get away from this place. Roughly he shoved Draco in front of him, nearly shoving him down the stairs. He distantly heard Bellatrix shout something, and ignored Potter, who was still hidden in the shadows.

"Go!" he snapped at Draco who couldn't seem to move fast enough.

The Aurors were there, fighting their way against the remaining Death Eaters, along with some students. Draco strode quickly in front of him, and Severus calmly followed behind, though he could feel his hands shaking at what he had just done. They were almost there, nearly away from the horror he had just committed…when a sudden bushy haired girl stumbled into the hallway, scrapes on her face and burns in her clothes. Draco was oblivious, slipping into the staircase without another glance, but Severus had stopped when she looked up at him.

Her eyes widened as her mouth fell open slightly. There were so many questions burning in those eyes. He had forgotten how beautiful they were. They simply looked at one another, before he slipped down the stairs, thinking about those wide, frightened eyes he had just left behind.

They burst onto the grounds which were darker now and cooling quickly. Bellatrix was in her element, blowing everything in her path away while cackling madly. As they approached the forest, he heard his name being shouted from behind. Draco pulled to a stop looking back nervously.

"Go!" Snape shouted, shoving Draco away.

Bellatrix turned also, a mad gleam in her eyes as Potter came barreling towards them. Before Snape could say anything, Bellatrix sent a curse sailing towards Potter, who, of course, didn't have his guard up. The boy went sailing through the air and crashed to the ground.

"No!" Severus cried, turning on Bellatrix. "He belongs to the Dark Lord!"

Not only that, but Severus had promised Dumbledore that he would protect the boy, after his mother was murdered. He was Lily. The boy was on his feet again, trying to curse him, when suddenly Severus heard his own spell fly from the boys lips. He sent Potter flying through the air and onto his back.

Severus told the boy that he was the Half-Blood Prince, before leaving him in the grass, in front of Hagrid's burning house. Even through all the chaos, stumbling down the steep slopes in the Dark Forest, Severus couldn't keep the image of her brown eyes from the forefront of his mind.

Once they had left the boundaries of the school, they Apparated to Malfoy Manor, where the events that occurred that night were relayed to the Dark Lord. Severus remained silent, thinking of white hair, green flashes, and questioning eyes.

"Severus, once again you have proven yourself a worthy follower." the Dark Lord said.

Severus nodded once, keeping his eyes down to the table. The meeting continued, and Severus did not say a word. When they were finally dismissed, Severus darted from the house and then down the drive, anxious to get away.

When he Apparated home, Severus collapsed in a chair, with a bottle of Firewhiskey, allowing his emotions to take over. For the first time since Lily Potter died, Severus Snape felt tears streaming down his face. He had killed his mentor, the one person he had in this world. He was gone.

Severus spent the next few weeks drinking and passing out on the floor. He didn't care about anything anymore.

Waking up one morning, sprawled out in the middle of the floor, Severus decided to retrieve the piles of newspapers that had collected on his stoop. Nearly three weeks had passed, Severus noted, looking at the dates. Each paper had a picture of Dumbledore on its front, causing him to throw them straight into the fire. He didn't want to read about his sins and have them forced down his throat.

Forcing himself to lose track of time, Severus simply existed, but did not live. He went to meetings, but did not speak. Time droned on, meaningless to Severus.

"My dear Severus," the Dark Lord said. "You're looking quite ill. I hope everything is alright?"

"Perfectly fine." Severus lied smoothly.

"Good, because I have some news that will be pleasing to you."

"My Lord?" Severus responded, finally raising his eyes.

"As a reward for all of your services, I want you to take the post as Headmaster at Hogwarts."

Many at the table gasped, and all eyes rested on Severus.

"I…I would be honored, my Lord." he replied bowing his head.

As if killing Dumbledore wasn't enough, Severus would now have to replace him. He'd have to face his colleagues again, and the students with their judging eyes. Normally, he didn't care what they thought about him, how they judged him. But this…this was personal. He didn't want people to think that he was a murderer. But he was, wasn't he?

The summer passed in a blur for Severus, not realizing how many days or weeks passed. He stopped looking at the paper in fear of seeing those bright blue eyes. Before he knew it, July was coming to a close. Deciding to journey out in the back alleys of Diagon Alley to distract himself, Severus ran into Mundungus Fletcher, the absolute worst member of the Order.

Not being able to resist, Severus peered into the man's mind, focusing on finding the Order meetings that he, himself, had stopped going to. He saw them all sitting around, not knowing what to do because their leader had fallen. The conversations inevitably turned to Potter and when he should be moved from his aunt and uncle's house. From the memories he was fishing through, they were planning on moving him when the trace was lifted. Severus would have to tell this to the Dark Lord, he was expected to have this sort of information.

Severus quickly planted the idea in the man's head to use Polyjuice Potion and use several Potters when moving to help hide the boy. Severus slipped into the shadows before the man even realized he was there. It was the least Severus could do in keeping his promise to Dumbledore.

So Severus told the Dark Lord of the news, and asked to be part of the group that was to surround the house. The Dark Lord had no objections.

The days seemed to go faster now, Severus dreading what was about to occur. Time seemed against him, and the next thing he knew, the day had arrived.

Early in the morning he reported to Malfoy Manor in order to receive his instructions. There were close to fifty people in the house that morning, all anxious to be given something to do. The instructions were clear: Kill everyone but Potter.

When nightfall came, they all made their way outside, where they were each given a broomstick.

"Remember, you are to summon your Lord if you spot Potter," Bellatrix hissed. "Now go!"

Brooms shot in the air, causing a whirlwind of dust and debris, and once the air was clear, Severus mounted his broom.

"I hope I find your little Mudblood. No doubt she'll be with him tonight, won't she?" Bellatrix chuckled before shooting into the air with a scream.

Severus followed, his heart in throat the entire way. He had always loved flying; it allowed him to leave his problems on the ground. But tonight as he flew through the freezing clouds, he couldn't help but glance over his shoulder every few minutes, feeling as if his problems were tagging along, following each of his movements. Thirty minutes later, dozens of hooded figures hovered silently in the air, waiting for a sign of movement.

They didn't need to wait long. A rush of wind alert them to the presence of Aurors. Severus was waiting, knowing that there would be decoys to distract the others. Sure enough, several pairs of people burst forward, and the vicious battle in the skies began. Severus immediately set off after one of the Harrys, attacking but making sure that he missed every shot. Dodging behind a Death Eater who was aiming at the back of Lupin's head, Severus shot a curse, knocking his wand from his hand.

"Snape!" the man roared, clutching his hand.

"You flew in the way!" Severus barked before whizzing past.

Where was the real Potter? Where were they taking him? How many had been killed already? Running through the possibilities Severus knew the most likely place for Potter to be after tonight was the Weasley's place, and no matter what, Severus was going there that night.

"The Dark Lord has Potter! The real Potter!" someone screamed.

Immediately the fight stopped as the decoys flew into the distance. Severus was relieved that the fight had ended, but he still didn't know the casualties. They all hovered in the air, at a loss for what to do. A sudden smoky form suddenly came hurtling towards them, rage pouring off of the figure in waves.

"Get out of here! All of you! I don't want to see anyone until I summon you. Now!"

They didn't need to be told twice. Brooms were zooming so fast through the air that they were nearly colliding.

Severus leaned close to the handle of his broom and darted towards the place where he knew Potter would be. Severus had always been a good flyer, interested in Quidditch since he learned about the sport and anxious to discuss it with anyone who would lend him an ear. But now wasn't the time to be thinking about Quidditch. Pushing his broom faster, the cold air bit at his face viciously.

In the cold dark sky, a question suddenly filtered into his mind: why did he want to go to the Weasley residence? Why did he really want to go to Weasley's residence? To find out if Potter had made it? Severus was sure that he had; so many people had stepped forward to ensure his safety. But there was another question, nagging constantly in the back of his mind, though he didn't want to admit it to himself. He just wanted to look, just to ensure himself, that's all. There weren't any feelings attached to this decision.

But why did he need to ensure himself? Why wouldn't the knots in his stomach go away?

Before he could ponder his thoughts much longer, he felt his broom shutter in his hands. Apparently he had reached the enchantments. Suddenly his broom stopped vibrating beneath him. Severus felt gravity taking over, his broom nothing but a piece of wood clasped in his hands now. He was forced to levitate himself to prevent dashing himself on the ground.

Even while falling he could see the lights of the Weasley house, and people standing in the yard. Gracelessly Severus crashed to the ground, stumbling on his feet for a few seconds, his broom forgotten on the ground. He could feel the eyes on his face before he even looked up.