A/N: I apologize for being two days late posting! I just started a new job and things have been crazy around here. Forgive me! Lol. Thank you so much for the reviews. You guys have honestly been great. Okay, I'll stop rambling. Here is chapter two.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter Two - Truth and Duty

"I don't know, Headmaster!" I said, frustrated at the old man before me. I had explained to him what Miss Granger had told me only moments ago, and now he was asking thickheaded questions. For all the mans brains, he truly could act ignorant. "All I know," I said, trying to regain some of my self-control. "Is what she said. Nothing more, sir."

Potter eyed both of us, and spoke up. "Tonight?" Potter asked, looking at me with his vivid green eyes. "What are you doing tonight, Professor? I know you won't be at Grimmauld."

"I don't see how it is any of your business, Potter, but I'll be at the Slytherin mansion," I said, pacing between Potter's chair and Dumbledore's desk. "No one knew about where I would be except for Dumbledore, the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters. Miss Granger shouldn't have known."

"Maybe she doesn't, Severus." Dumbledore said quietly. "Maybe she just said it to throw you off guard. Or perhaps she assumes you will be at Grimmauld tonight."

"She didn't like it when you broke into her mind, Professor. She might have just said it to get you off her back."

I looked between Headmaster and student. This was unbelievable! Miss Granger supposedly knew nothing outside of what Potter and Dumbledore told her, and yet, here she was, practically waving the knowledge that she knew about the Celebration Ball in my face, and the old fool and the Boy Who Lived couldn't understand how dangerous it could be having her know about it. I growled under my breath. How could she know about it? She didn't know I wasn't going to be at Headquarters. Could she have just been referring to Grimmauld, and was just telling me to be patient to throw me off like Albus and Potter said? No. That didn't explain why she was so powerful in Occlumency...

"Potter, did you teach Miss Granger Occlumency?" I asked.

"No, sir."

I stared at the boy a moment, then turned to the Headmaster. "She had me out of her mind in seconds, Dumbledore." I said. Dumbledore's eyebrows raised. "Only you, Potter and the Dark Lord himself could hide their minds that well from me." I paused. "She must have been taught by one of you, because I would have never had the patience to teach her."

Potter and I looked at Dumbledore. "I have never spoken to her about it, Severus."

"She couldn't have taught herself. There is no possible way she could be that powerful and that proficient in Occlumency on her own." I said, my voice low.

We looked at each other. It was then I noticed an alarmed look in Albus' eyes. I had long informed Albus of the Dark Lords plans to introduce his daughter at the ball tonight. Was there a connection to his daughter and Miss. Granger? No. There couldn't have been any possibility that Miss Granger could have had such sensitive information. Only the most trusted in the Order knew of her existence. Potter didn't even know, and wouldn't until the meeting tonight at Grimmauld. I opened my mouth to speak, but a searing pain shot through my left forearm at that exact moment.

"Damn!" I cursed through clenched teeth, clutching my left arm tightly. "I have been summoned, Headmaster, I will see you next week."

I stood, turned on my heel, and I was gone.

"Ah, Severus," a smooth voice said behind me. I spun around. "You're here."

"Lucius," I replied, acknowledging the man before me and adjusting my robes, looking around. "Where is our Lord?"

"Attending our Lady," the blond said, tapping his cane against the marble floor. "I was told to wait here until you arrived, and then watch the entrance. Our Lord wants everyone to be here before he introduces his daughter."

I nodded, looking up at the sound of footsteps coming down the spiral staircase.

"Severus?" She greeted me with warm smile, holding out her hand as she came to meet me.

"Narcissa," I said, inclining my head to the lady, taking her hand and brushing my lips against her fingers. "I have not seen you in many months. How are you?"

"As well as can be expected, Severus," Narcissa said, her lips tight. "The Dark Lord wishes me to tend his daughter tonight, until she names her personal servants. I am off to fetch some of my personal fragrances from my rooms. I cannot be long."

"Of course," I said. Snobs. The Malfoy's give such a bad name to the nobles that are pure-blood. I rolled my eyes mentally. "Let us not keep you."

Narcissa nodded and acknowledging her husband with only a glance, left.

"The actual ball will be starting in thirty minutes minutes," Lucius said, watching his wife leave with his cold, grey eyes. "Shall we go stand by the door, dear friend?"

"Of course."

As we reached our posts, my mind had already slipped to that of Miss Granger. What was she hiding? And what was she planning?

"Good evening, Maverick, Iris," I welcomed the brunette, shaking his hand.

"Good evening, Severus," said Maverick Parkinson, his dark eyes bright under his silver mask. "I see we are rather early."

"Not at all," I said politely, waving it away with my hand. "The Dark Lord has yet to arrive."

Mentally I was growling and rolling my eyes. I hated this simpering shit. The most powerful pure-blooded families would be here tonight. Some of them would even be old nobles of some of the royal European families. Unfortunately, the most powerful families would be the family Malfoy, the family Snape, and the family Lestrange. The head families always hosted in place of the Dark Lord when he had business to attend to. In other words that meant that tonight it would be Lucius and myself that would be responsible for things until the Dark Lord arrived. Since Bella and Narcissa were helping Lady Riddle, and Draco be would apart of the ceremony.

I nodded to the Parkinson's to go on as the Goyle's appeared behind them. Most nobles liked the attention they got being rich and powerful. I was one of the few that didn't. Being the last Snape of a line that had been strong and powerful for centuries, it was my duty to act as an entire family unit. Go to all the balls, all the weddings, all the parties. It got old, and I had had about enough of it. The strain and the pressure of finding a wife and starting a family so I could continue the Snape family line was growing as well, especially when my fellow aristocrats would inform me they knew a "nice girl that would be a wonderful mother and house keeper." I had no desire for a wife. I had gotten sucked into the Death Eaters circle at quite a young age, and when I had turned to spy for the Order I had no wish to risk the safety of a wife and children. I had hoped to start a family when the war had ended. Instead, the war had been prolonged by the Dark Lords return and the prospect of me starting a family started to become very slim indeed.

The woman I marry, if I married at all, would be my choice, and my choice alone. Others were not going to assume that they could choose for me. That included the dear Headmaster. On top of it all the aristocrats and Death Eaters assumed that I wanted the "nice girl that would be a wonderful mother and house keeper." Yes, she would have to be a good mother. I had every intention of continuing my line, of course. However, I was not going to have the trophy wife all my fellow nobles possessed. I wanted someone who could at least think for herself. Who would question me and debate with me, not one that will bow to my every whim.

"Severus?"

I snapped back to reality, turning and looking a Lucius.

"That would be all of them, I believe," Lucius said. "Wormtail should be introducing the last of them now." He paused, and turned to me, looking down at his watch. "Narcissa should be here any second. You're escorting Bella, am I correct?"

I gritted my teeth subtly and nodded. "Since her husband passed last month, I thought I would, since I, myself, am without a wife."

Lucius grinned. "You never seemed to me to be the one to get married and settle down, Severus. The women been hounding you even more lately, I have noticed."

"Have you?"

"Who was it that tried to win your affections last week? Phillipa Flint?"

I growled in response, pulling the cuffs of my jet black, dress robes down.

Lucius laughed. "I apologize, dear friend. The women love you, you might as well resign yourself to it."

"I pray I have no advances this night. One night of peace would be ideal," I murmured, making the blond laugh again.

"Depends on if Bella stays close to you or not, and if Lady Riddle doesn't take an interest in you." Lucius pointed out.

I glared at Lucius.

"You're the most eligible bachelor in Britain, Severus," Lucius said seriously. "You're just going to have to face it. The likelihood of Lady Riddle asking about you is more than high. Women want your money and your influence in the magical community. They would be daft not to see it. How you have gone this long without a wife, I will never know."

"That's precisely why I ignore them all, Lucius," I stated, catching Bella and Narcissa with the corner of my eye as they descended the stairs. "I can't stand a gold digger."

"But neither are you looking for a wife," Lucius pointed out. "The women will keep trying to get your attention, especially since your forty-fifth birthday is coming fast. You know the noble law?"

"Yes, Lucius, I know the noble law, and I am not yet 41."

A man must be married by the age of forty-five. A woman must be married by the age of twenty-five. The noble law can kiss my-

"Good evening, Narcissa, Bella," Lucius' voice interrupted my thoughts and I hurriedly echoed the greeting, taking Bella's arm. The two women were dazzling. Narcissa was dressed in a halter-top, midnight blue dress, that flowed around her ankles. Diamonds sparkled against the dark fabric, making it look like the night sky. Her hair was up in a French bun, and her make-up as cool and crisp. The sapphire and diamond choker around her neck added to her beauty, bringing light to her sky blue eyes. Bella was in a bright red dress, that was also a halter-top, but it had a low back with four pieces of cloth connecting at the back with a diamond pendant as the cloth flowed to the floor. Her black hair hung down in curls, and her make-up was smoky. Both women were beautiful, but neither were my taste.

Lucius and Narcissa led the way towards the double doors that led to the Grand Ballroom. Everyone was inside now, and Lucius and Narcissa would be next down the flight of stairs.

"Lord Lucius Malfoy and his Lady, Narcissa Malfoy." Wormtail announced to the crowd below. Lucius and Narcissa began to walk down the stairs, acknowledging the crowds cheers with small smirks.

I ground my teeth. I had forgotten about the talk escorting Bellatrix would ensue. I could hear it now, "Now, I understand why he didn't marry sooner. He was taken by Lady Bella, but he couldn't woo her, because of her marriage to the late Lord Lestrange." "I wonder if they planned Lord Lestrange's death." "I wonder when they'll marry."

"Relax, Severus," I looked down at Bella, she was smiling serenely at me, as we waited for Lucius and Narcissa to reach the bottom of the stairs. "You're among friends here."

I let a small smile grace my lips. "Of course, Bella."

When she looked away my gaze went directly to Wormtail, who was standing only mere feet away, and who was smiling broadly at me. I glared at him in warning, panic rising in my throat. I couldn't have unnecessary attention put upon me. I had enough being one of the richest and one of the most powerful nobles. I didn't need any more attention then I already had.

"Lord Severus Snape, escorting Lady Bellatrix Lestrange." Wormtail called.

I sighed with relief, glad I wouldn't have to kill one of the Dark Lords favorites. Bellatrix and I descended the green marble steps, nodding and smirking at the applause and cheers we recieved from our fellows.

"See, it's not so hard, Severus," Bella murmured next to me. "Walking down the stairs and getting cheered for our loyalty to our Lord."

"I would have to agree, Lady Bella," I murmured back.

Once we reached the bottom, Lucius and Narcissa met up with us, shaking off Mr. and Mrs. Crabbe.

"I suppose we should make our way to our seats," Lucius said, his arm around his wife's waist. I nodded in agreement, and we made our way to the host and guests of honor table.

The Grand Ballroom, was decorated like the rest of the mansion, black marble. But it had a likeness to the Great Hall in many ways. It had the same ceiling that mirrored the sky, high windows, the table at the end where the staff would sit. The only differences were the black marble, the silver snake columns around the perimeter of the room, the stairs at the entrance, and of course the balcony above the stairs.

The head table was set for seven tonight. Since the Dark Lord would sit in the middle, and Lady Riddle to his right, Lucius would sit to his left, then Narcissa, then Wormtail. On Lady Riddle's right would be Bella, then myself.

I pulled out Bella's chair, and after making sure she was comfortable, I sat down myself. I looked around the enormous ballroom. My position couldn't have been more perfect. From where I was sitting, I could see where Lady Riddle would enter as well as where she would be seated, and I could tell if anything out of the ordinary happened. My mind wanted so desperately to go back to what Miss Granger had said to me only a couple of hours before, but I had to keep my mind on my work. Spying for the Order.

"I heard you helped Lady Riddle prepare for tonight," I said smoothly, turning on my Lucius like charm that usually had women starry eyed in the matter of moments. It was disgusting how easy it was.

"I did," Bella replied, smiling at me and looking up at me through her lashes.

"Do you think she will suffice? Will she live up to our Lord's standards?"

"I'm not sure," Bella said sipping her champagne. "She is stern, head-strong and bold, but there is a certain innocence about her. Like she hasn't faced the real world yet."

"Isn't that the way the Dark Lord wanted it?" I asked, my eyes darting between the doors at the other side of the room and Bella. "For our Lady to be innocent until she was out of school, and of age?"

"Correct..." Bella said, letting the word roll off her tongue. "But I didn't detect any fire in the girl, Severus. There was no excitement in her eyes. Only nerves and fear."

"That's only natural. Not many people have your bravery when it comes to such celebrations, such ceremonies."

Bella tilted her head, as if pondering something. "I think I know her..." she said after a moment.

"Hmm?"

"Lady Riddle, there is something familiar about her, something I can't place," Bella turned to look at me, tearing her eyes off the opposite wall.

I furrowed my eyebrows, studying her closely and leaning forward. "Why do you say that?" I said resting my forearms against the table.

I thought I saw a tinge of color come to Bella's cheeks. Damn. Maybe I'm too good.

"I don't know," Bella said, looking away. "Her hair, the way she held herself, the way she held her wand... I don't know. It just seemed familiar."

I moved back slightly, not wanting to pressure her. "Is she like her father at all?"

Bella nodded. "Very commanding in presence and in tone," Bella smiled. "He taught her well over the years, she has our Lord's talent. She will make him proud."

I smirked. "Good."

Before I could ask another question, another voice interrupted. "Bella, could I have a word?" Narcissa was at her sisters side, hovering over her shoulder.

"Of course, Cissy."

Bella got up and moved a few paces away, smiling at me once more before turning her full attention on her sister.

I let my mind slide back to my conversation with Potter and the Headmaster. They had said neither of them had taught Miss Granger Occlumency, and I certainly hadn't. The most powerful Occlumens known to the wizarding world was the Headmaster, the Dark Lord, Potter and myself. Potter had said he hadn't, and for some reason I didn't doubt that. Potter wanted to keep his friends out of war as much as possible. That was well known. The Headmaster had said he hadn't either, and I couldn't see him lying about such a thing. There would be no logical reason to teach her anything of the sort. That left the Dark Lord and myself. I knew I hadn't taught her. The thought would never have crossed my mind. So that left the Dark Lord and yet there was no reason for him to so. He would sooner kill her on site for being a Muggle-born and a friend of Potter. It didn't make any sense. Why would he need her anyway?

That's when it all fell into place. My heart started beating like crazy until my vision became blurry. Flashes of memory went through my head in blinding flashes. My conversation with Miss Granger, her unexplained talent in Occlumency, the Headmasters face when he heard the news, the Dark Lord being the only other person who could have taught her such fine skills, Lady Riddle's appearance tonight.

That's when Wormtail's voice boomed throughout the ballroom, "May I introduce our Lord and Master, the Dark Lord and his daughter, our Lady and Mistress, Lady Riddle!"

We all stood together as the two figures appeared in the doorway. The Dark Lord in his usual black robes, and his daughter, Lady Riddle, by his side. They began to walk slowly, and purposefully down the marble staircase, both looking extremely regal with their heads held high, smirks playing on their lips and emotionless eyes. Applause broke out, and I felt Bella slip back into her place beside me. No one cheered, I noticed, but the glittering eyes and sneers of satisfaction scattered the Grand Ballroom.

Once Lord and Lady had gotten down the stairs, they were easier for me to see, and it was then that my eyes fixed on the woman at Lord Voldemort's arm.

She was wearing a gorgeous gown of dark green, that was strapless and showed her curves and bust beautifully. Her skin looked smooth and glowed with warmth and health, and her brown and gold curls framed her face wonderfully. She was beautiful. After I cleared my head of such an odd thought I realized that my hunch was correct, that I really had pieced the puzzle together, but that all of that didn't matter now.

Miss Hermione Granger, Know-It-All, former Head Girl of Hogwarts, was presently on the arm of her father, Lord Voldemort. I looked at Lucius. His eyebrows were raised, and he looked over at me with surprise and disbelief. Was it true?

We continued our applause until the Dark Lord had sat down several long moments later. It startled me when I felt her breath on my neck, the whisper of her dress against my robes, the radiating heat between her hand and mine.

"Didn't I tell you?" she whispered. "All you needed was patience."

And as suddenly as she had come, she was gone, and was seating herself beside her father.

My heart was racing. Granger was Lady Riddle and the Headmaster had suspected it. Damn that man! I knew he had known something.

"Sit," the Dark Lord ordered in hushed tones that carried throughout the large room as the clapping died away. Everyone did as they were told, all eyes fixed on their Lady. "Today is a special day." he said. "Not only because my daughter will be joining our ranks as second in command-" There was applause here. "But we also have six others joining our noble cause." He motioned to the figures at the front table for them to stand.

Six of my former students stood up to greet their own applause. Millicent Bulstroad, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini. I could practically feel Lucius, Narcissa and Bella's pride as their son and nephew stood.

After the applause died down again, Lord Voldemort continued to speak. "Before the Ordination Ceremony begins, let us eat." And just like Dumbledore would've done, the Dark Lord clapped his hands twice and food appeared before us.

After about an hour, when everyone had eaten their fill, and my stomach had officially felt like the Giant Squid had decided to move in, I had had time to think over this new problem while Granger, Bella and the Dark Lord talked. What if Granger was really on her father's side? What if her friendships with Potter, the Weasley's, the Headmaster, Lupin, McGonagall were all fake? What if she turned me in and the Order no longer had a spy on their side? This posed a serious problem. If she was on her father's side she had enough information to destroy the Order and kill more than half its members, including me. I shook my head. That couldn't have been possible. She had known of my loyalties for some time now. She had plenty of time to tell her father about my true allegiance. Her friendship with Potter and concern for the Order seemed genuine enough. So, why had she not informed anyone?

My thoughts were jarred from this topic as the Dark Lord clapped his hands again and the remainder of the food disappeared.

There was a puff of smoke, and Lord Voldemort was on the other side of the host table. "Come forward," he ordered the seven candidates.

My seven former students stood and made their way to stand before their Lord, I noticed all but Lady Riddle looked terrified. The Dark Lord made a hand motion, calling for Lucius, Bella and myself. We stood behind him, wands out, ready to do our part in the ritual.

"Hold out your left arm," the ballroom heard him hiss.

They all did as they were told. My eyes would not move from Miss Granger. Her boldness and confidence threw me. I thought her gaze caught mine for a moment, but another look told me I was wrong.

"Do you swear, upon pain of death, that you will hold your Master's secrets as you would your own?" Bella hissed, pointing her wand at Granger's wrist.

Seven voices said together, "I do."

Flames shot out of Bella's wand in a long red and gold strip, wrapping around each wrist and binding them together, so they couldn't move or think twice about their choice. All but one winced in pain.

"Do you swear, upon pain of death, that you will do your Master's will, even at a moment's notice?" I said, pressing my wand against the crook in Miss Granger's elbow.

The seven voice rang together, making the ballroom sound empty. "I do."

Another strip of flame wrapped itself around the seven's elbow, steadying their arms for the next two parts of the ceremony.

"Do you swear, upon pain of death, to keep your loyalty secret from all unless your Master tells you otherwise?" Lucius said, touching the tip of his wand to Miss Granger's forearm.

"I do."

Five out of the seven let out a scream. The green beam of light pierced their skin, shaping itself into the figure of a snake. Granger and Malfoy didn't make a sound, they didn't move.

"And do you swear, upon pain of death, that you will remain loyal to me this day forward?" the Dark Lord growled, his wand against Granger's flesh.

"I do."

Six screamed now, as a silver flash nearly blinded all in the Ballroom, forming itself into the shape of a skull.

Once the ceremony was over, and we could all see clearly again I looked down to see Pansy and Millicent, along with Gregory and Vincent, passed out on the black marble floor. Draco and Blaise were on their knees, cradling their arms, their faces screwed up in pain. Miss Granger was the only one that was still standing. She sneered down at her peers and looked back up at her father her chin raised up proudly.

Without breaking eye contact she kneeled, getting on her hands and knees. Finally dipping her eyes down in respect she took the hem of the Dark Lord's robes in her sure fingers and brought them to her lips.

Applause and cheers broke out throughout the Ballroom, and I had never felt the urge to throw up more ever. Either she was a brilliant actress or she truly was faithful to her new found father. I took another glance at the father and daughter couple as they made their way arm-in-arm to their seat. Granger was smiling at her father as he murmured something in the girls ear. She patted his arm fondly and replied, earning a sneer in return. The Dark Lord's eyes flicked over and his ruby met my onyx. A shiver went down my spine as a quickly retreated my gaze.

My cover was about to be blown, I just knew it.

A/N: Teehee. Severus is sweating. I think it'll be good for him. Don't you? :) Next chapter will be up ASAP!