Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any character thereof.

Chapter 7

The next day, he made an appointment with Albus Dumbledore.

He applied for both the Defense Against the Dark Arts job and the Potion Master's job. He figured this way he might stand a chance of at least getting one of them.

After the interview, the Headmaster stared at him for a few moments before informing him he would let him know within a couple of months, which basically meant before the start of the new term in September.

As he left the castle, he scowled. He knew that he would be punished for not having news right away to present to his master.

He started to tell Dumbledore that he was a Death Eater trying to take down Voldemort from the inside, but he wasn't sure if he would be believed. For all he knew, admitting to that would lead to him being taken directly to Azkaban, the wizard prison. He shuddered involuntarily at the thought.

Two days later, he found himself in the Hog's Head with Lucius Malfoy and another Death Eater named Goyle. They were drinking, but Snape wasn't really in the mood for merry-making, so he nursed his Fire Whiskey just to keep the others from staring at him strangely.

Malfoy was asking Snape if he had heard anything from Dumbledore yet when a woman walked in that made both Death Eaters laugh out loud. Severus turned around to see what they found amusing and saw a woman with the biggest pair of glasses on that he had ever seen in his entire life. She also had numerous shawls around her shoulders and was wearing green robes. The entire effect made her look like a large insect.

This person was Sybill Trelawney. She talked to the barman and then came and sat at a table near where the Death Eaters were currently sitting. As she drank her drink, she overheard Malfoy resume his complaining about how long it was taking to hear from the Headmaster.

At this point, Trelawney poked her head around the corner and asked what post he had applied for because that was why she was there.

Before Snape could answer, Goyle told her to bug off.

Trelawney huffed and then proceeded to go up to her room.

About 20 minutes later, all three men did a sharp intake of breath. Albus Dumbledore had just entered the pub. They watched as he talked a little to the barman before he proceeded up the stairs.

Lucius looked at Severus. "Follow them. See what you can find out. If you get caught, you can always say you just wanted to know if the Headmaster had reached his decision yet."

Severus did not like this idea one bit, but nodded and proceeded up the stairs.

However, Lucius followed him. (No doubt to make sure he did what he was told.) He had hid himself in the dark shadows of the corner and watched as Severus put his ear to the door. This did not make Severus happy because now he actually had to listen in. Occasionally a word or two could be heard in the hallway even without the need of his obvious method of eavesdropping.

Dumbledore and Trelawney conversed for about 40 minutes when he heard the Headmaster get ready to leave. However as Severus pulled away, he heard Trelawney's voice ring loud and clear through the door.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ..."

More would have been heard, but at that moment, the bartender grabbed Severus around the collar and threw him down the stairs. There was such a commotion that the rest of the prophecy was drowned out.

Severus was actually glad for that. However, since Malfoy heard what he had heard, he would have no choice but to report this. He waited outside for Malfoy and Goyle to join him. As he waited, he readied his mind. He didn't want to have to do this, but if he didn't, he would be killed.

Upon seeing the two leave The Hog's Head behind him, they all dis-apparated toward the Dark Lord's hide out.

Upon appearing in front of him, they all bowed and kissed the hem of His robes, keeping their eyes cast downwards until they were addressed.

"Stand. Now, to what do I owe this visit?"

Lucius started to speak what he had heard but Voldemort cut him off. "Severus, you speak."

Malfoy sent a look of pure loathing at Severus. He hated that Snape was more trusted than he was.

"My Lord, we were in the Hog's Head when Dumbledore came in to interview someone for a post at Hogwarts. I listened in on their conversation and I overheard a prophecy concerning you that I think you should know." Severus allowed his mind to be probed by the Dark Lord so that he could sense no treachery.

Malfoy was never able to withstand the probing which was probably why Severus was more trusted.

"A prophecy. Concerning me? Very well. What does it say?"

Snape repeated what he had heard and to say the Dark Lord was livid would be an understatement. "I'm sorry, my Lord, I didn't get to hear the rest of the prophecy because I was discovered shortly after she started to speak. I was thrown out of the bar, but Lucius was behind in the shadows. It's possible he heard what I did not."

Lucius paled. "I'm sorry, my Lord, but there was such a racket going on in the process of Snape getting thrown out of the building, I heard no more than he did."

"Very well. I'll have our contact at the ministry keep an eye on births that happen at the end of July and then I shall end this threat before it even becomes one. You have done well, Severus. I'm very pleased. How goes the assignment I gave you?"

"I interviewed my Lord, but I'm afraid I won't know for a couple of months. I will continue to ask the Headmaster about his decision. I will not fail you."

Voldemort looked Severus over. "No, I don't believe you will. You three are dismissed."

A/N: 7/29/11 - Edited words and such ...