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

A/N: The Fidelius Charm is probably described as working slightly different here than in the books, so please bear with me.

Chapter 13

The next day Severus awoke with a start. He could not remember why he had set his clock that early at first, but slowly, the reason came back to him.

He quickly showered and dressed. He then pulled his Death Eater robes on. However, before he placed his mask on his face, he began to go over, in his mind, what he was about to say and do.

If he had to admit it to himself (not that he would, of course) he would have to say that he was slightly scared. He trusted Dumbledore completely. It's just that he had been doing this for so long on his own, it was going to take a while to get used to outside help. Then, of course, there is the fact that he was about to take his deceivery up to a whole new level with the Dark Lord. One mistake and he would be dead. He imagined Lucius and Bella both would beg to deliver the final blow.

Steadying his nerves, readying his mind, and firming his shields with practiced ease, he placed his mask on then dis-apparated into nothingness toward his 'master'.

Voldemort was sitting at a table conversing (or flirting, one could never really tell) with Bellatrix Lestrange and two other people when Severus appeared at his feet.

"Stand Severus. You have news?"

The hissing of Voldemort's voice made Severus have to repress the usual shudder.

"I do, my Lord, but I wonder if we may speak alone?" Severus bowed again before looking up to where the Dark Lord could study him.

After a moment, he turned to the other three people in the room and said, "Leave us." Severus smirked at Bella's highly affronted look. He had often wondered before now how her husband felt being second best next to the Dark Lord.

Once they had left, Severus was allowed to sit in his usual chair at the table.

"My Lord, I have successfully managed to acquire the Potion Master's position at Hogwarts, however ... there was one slight problem." He let his voice show some well calculated disgust.

"Go on."

Severus could feel the Dark Lord's anger slowly rising for it was well known that he did not like problems.

"It seems that the arrogant old man knew where my true loyalties lie." He let his ire rise purposefully. "I spent the greater part of two hours groveling at his feet, begging for his forgiveness."

Voldemort stared at him, probing his servant's mind as spoke to gauge his truthfulness.

"Trust me, my Lord, it was not an enjoyable thing. My thoughts were to get back to you as quickly as I could. I still have no idea how he even found out whom I served." His voice grew to a whispering menace. "Then the old man looked at me and told me that I could have the job if I agreed to spy on you."

The Dark Lord's eyes flickered open in a momentary shock of surprise.

"I was about to tell him that I would rather spend my time in Azkaban with the Dementors when I had a thought ..."

Severus and Voldemort talked for hours. It turned out that he was pleased with his servant's quick thinking. They discussed many things and made many plans.

Several times during the day, people would apparate in to bring the Dark Lord news and most of the time they would ask to speak to their master alone. Each time, the request was denied. At one point, Bella attempted to re-enter the room. It took all of Severus' willpower and strength to keep the amusement out of his mind and off of his face as he watched her get sent away again.

"When you begin your work, you are not to come to me unless you have important information or I otherwise summon you directly. It would not be ... prudent for you to appear less than loyal to that meddlesome old fool. If you are gone from the castle too long, to often, he will fire you and then I will need another way to spy on him. The information you have already brought me is useful, especially concerning the Potter's. I would like to keep you there for as long as possible."

Severus bowed. "Of course, my Lord."

It was evening before Severus went back to Spinners' End. After dinner, he checked on his potions. Then he picked up a book to read, but yet again, his thoughts strayed to Lily.

Meanwhile ... sort of

Albus was sipping on his tea, trying to get rid of his headache. He could take a potion that would relieve it instantly, but he hated the taste of it.

He had met with the Potter's that morning to inform them that they were in an incredible amount of danger. It did not go as well as he had hoped it would.

He did not tell them of the prophecy. In hindsight, he was sure that if he did, it would have made things a lot easier, but for the moment, he did not want anyone to know its full contents.

"James, you know that I would not tell you that you, Lily, and the baby were in danger if it was not true."

James Potter was pacing around Albus' office, very upset.

"You could have told me alone. Lily doesn't need to hear these things."

Lily was holding Harry, who at the moment was sleeping. She narrowed her eyes at her husband. "James, I am a grown woman and your wife. I have as much a right to know as you do. Albus was right in telling us together. Please sit down so that we can discuss what we're going to do."

"Do? Lily I am NOT hiding from that mad man. I'm not afraid of him!"

"James, please sit down!"

James finally sat in a chair beside of his wife and son.

"Now, as I was saying, I was told by a source ..."

"Who?" James interrupted.

Lily sent a reproachful look to her husband which made him shut up. Honestly, if that look had been sent toward the Headmaster, he had to admit that even he would have closed his mouth. He knew that Lily was a fierce woman to contend with when angered.

"I am not going to give away my source. Now, according to this person, you are being targeted by Voldemort directly. I want you, Lily, and Harry to be placed under the Fidelius Charm"

Lily made a strangled noise in her throat. "Is it that serious, Albus?"

Albus nodded. "It is." He knew that Lily would understand the gravity of the situation at the mention of that particularcharm as charms had been one of her best subjects at school.

"Lily? What is it?"

Lily sighed. The Headmaster nodded at her to go ahead and explain it.

"The Fidelius Charm is very complex. When it is activated, our house, which is already unplottable, would be hidden from everyone. Voldemort himself could have his nose pressed up against our living room window but he would still not be able to see us nor get to us."

"That doesn't sound bad ..." James found himself mumbling.

Lily continued speaking. "However, there is a catch."

James rolled his eyes. "Isn't there always?"

Lily was beyond frustrated with him but she continued her explanation. "The charm requires a secret keeper. For example, if we made Albus our secret keeper, only he would be able to get to us directly."

Seeing that James was about to interrupt again, she rushed on to explain. "Now, if Albus was to tell our address to Sirius, he would be able to come and visit us, but Sirius would not be able to tell Remus or anyone else the address. Only Albus would have that power.

"Now, if Albus were killed, then everyone he told our address to, in turn, becomes a secret keeper themselves."

"She's right. Also, while you are under the Fidelius Charm it really is best to not leave your house. It would also be best to not let anyone other than your secret keeper know the address. If anyone follows the keeper close enough coming into your place, it's like they were told directly, and while that person still could not speak the address, they could apparate someone else in with them."

James, letting his Gryffindor pride get the best of him, finally spoke after a moment. "I will not become a prisoner in my own home. I will not let my wife and son become a prisoner in their own home. I say, yet again, I will not hide from that mad man. I can protect our family perfectly fine on my own."

Albus looked frustrated.

Lily, on the other hand, looked like she was going to throttle James.

"Let's go home and discuss this. Surely Sirius, Remus, or even Peter can talk some sense into you."

"NO!"

James and Lily both started and looked up at Albus.

"I cannot make you go into hiding, but I must tell you to not speak to anyone, and I mean anyone about what we have discussed here today. Not even to your friends nor to the other members of Order. I am not supposed to know that you are being targeted and there are more than just your lives at stake with the information that I have told you today."

Lily and James both nodded in agreement. They would not discuss this with anyone. At least, not until Albus told them that they could.

"Please, go home and discuss things privately. I will support you in whatever you decide, but remember, I want to protect all three of you."

"We'll let you know. Let's go Lily." James helped his wife and son up out of the chair and together, all three floo'd back to their house.

Finally giving in, Albus went to fetch the potion that would relieve the tension in his head.

"I hope Severus had more luck today than I did," he muttered to Fawkes, his Phoenix.

Fawkes let out a low musical cry. The Headmaster headed back toward his desk to get some more paperwork completed. He still needed to go to the dungeons and have the castle make Severus' living quarters. The school term was fast approaching and he knew that his new potion master would be moving in the next day.

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