Dolohov raised his glass in a toast, the red wine sloshing up the sides. 'I hear congratulations are in order.'

Narcissa dabbed at the corners of her mouth with her cream coloured napkin; a token gesture as her food remained untouched. 'Whatever for?'

'It appears that our dear friend Severus has restored himself in the eyes of our Lord,' Dolohov explained, smirking over his glass. 'He has granted him a high position in the new world order.'

She placed the napkin back down on her plate, an air of boredom around her. 'I was unaware you had fallen out of grace in the first instance, Severus.'

Severus leaned back in his seat, his arm resting arrogantly across the back of his chair.

'Well don't keep us in suspense,' Lucius drawled, running a finger along the top of his own wine glass.

'Severus is to be made the new Headmaster of Hogwarts. Quite fitting, wouldn't you say?'

Towards the end of the table there came a choking noise. Severus narrowed his eyes at Draco, who was spluttering into his cup. A fist came down onto the table, making the boy jump.

'You fucking snake.' Nott stood up, his face a deep shade of purple.

Dolohov placed a hand on his arm, urging him back into his chair. 'Sit down before you embarrass yourself,' he laughed.

Severus slowly raised an eyebrow. 'Correction, I was a snake. But you see I can no longer hold my position as Head of Slytherin.'

Notts glared at him murderously from across the table. 'That post should have been mine. I'm the loyal one. I was there for the return of the Dark Lord. You bastards are all cowards.'

The muscle under Severus' eye twitched. 'And yet I seem to recall your failure at the Department of Mysteries. How could you possibly be trusted to run a school full of children when you clearly can't follow simple orders.'

'Enough, Severus,' Narcissa warned.

He swirled the wine around in his glass before finishing its contents, a smirk playing in the corner of his lips. The evening had been dreadfully tiresome. He longed to get out of his bloody robes and settle down in his favourite chair at Spinner's End with a book. But, since it looked unlikely that he would partake in any desired activities anytime soon, he would do the next best thing and try to piss off as many Death Eaters in a single night as he was able to.

It was the little things.

'Well I for one think it's an excellent choice.' Lucius offered. 'Severus is well known for his strict hand and well-deserved punishments. Isn't that right, Draco?'

Draco's eyes darted between his father and Notts before dipping his head. He picked up his fork and began poking at the last of his dinner. 'Yes, father.'

'You forget you're not the only one with a child at Hogwarts,' Notts huffed.

'Ah yes, Theodore,' Severus responded cooly. 'Decent at Transfiguration and Charms, though his Potions marks were so dreadful even Slughorn refused to let him into his N.E.W.T. class. If only the boy applied himself a little more. But I suppose the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, in that regard.'

Notts gripped his goblet tightly, his knuckles white. 'Theo tells me your classes are near impossible. He says you've never given a student an Outstanding on their essay. I think that says more about your teaching style than my son's academic achievements.'

Well that wasn't entirely correct. He had awarded Granger several O's on her last few essays. But he would take that secret to the grave, and he was fairly certain she would never tell a soul, less she explained how her marks had dramatically improved year on year.

'Draco, is this true? I would hate to hear that you've been receiving a less than desirable education. Perhaps we should look at transferring you to Durmstrang,' Lucius jeered, leaning his elbows on the table. Dolohov's grin was practically wolven.

'Professor Snape has always been fair in his gradings. I've always managed to get top-marks in his classes,' Draco preened.

'Don't brag Draco,' sniffed Narcissa. 'And I know for a fact that little Mudblood girl has managed to beat you in Potions every year.'

Severus' stomach clenched painfully.

Draco stabbed viciously at a sausage. 'Well, she won't be able to finish her education now, will she? The Dark Lord banned Mudbloods from Hogwarts.'

'Ah ah,' Dolohov teased, a glint in his eye. 'Tell me Severus, is it true the Dark Lord has allowed Mudbloods to study at Hogwarts? Surely you must be outraged.'

'If the Dark Lord wants to grant leave for Muggle-born students to continue their studies, then who am I to disagree?' Severus told him calmly.

'And that doesn't bother you,' prodded Dolohov, 'teaching lesser wizards.'

'If the student in question keeps their head down and is bright enough, I fail to see blood status as a prerequisite to learning.'

'How diplomatic of you.' Dolohov rubbed at his beard and nodded to himself. Severus wanted to reach across the table and smack the grin off his face. 'Unless of course it's because our new Headmaster is the product of a Muggle himself.'

Draco apparently couldn't keep his thoughts to himself, his mouth dropping open. 'You're a Mudblood? But you're the head of Slytherin.'

Severus rolled his eyes.

'Don't be ridiculous. Severus is a Half-Blood,' Narcissa explained impassively. 'Just as the Dark Lord is. We'd do our best to remember that.'

'Yes but he's the Dark Lord. You think you're above all of us, but you're no better than the Mudblood scum you teach,' Notts grunted.

'I'll remember that the next time you secure a post as the Head of Hogwarts, shall I?' Severus responded. 'And I dare say it, but you could learn a thing or two from some of those Mudblood scum, as you call them. They're far more intelligent than you give them credit for.'

Dolohov cocked his head to the side, all humour gone. 'Are you suggesting that the Mudbloods are better than us?'

'What I am suggesting is that we do not rest on our laurels. Muggle-borns are stronger than we give them credit for. There are survivors from the first war who will fight twice as hard to ensure their legacy continues to live on. There are students with a fire in their bellies, ready to give up their own lives so that others may be free.' He recalled Granger as she stood ready to duel against him; determination making her cheeks rosy and eyes vibrant. 'Their sense of justice makes them dangerous.'

'Dangerous as flees,' Notts scoffed.

Severus leant forward on the table, his chin resting on his knuckles. His eyes glittered. 'You think so? I seem to recall you were beaten by a student yourself, were you not Antonin?'

Dolohov's lip curled back over his teeth in disgust. 'The next time I see that little Mudblood bitch I'm going to make her scream.'

Heat washed over him, making his fingers twitch and his heart pound.

'I'd like to take a crack at her,' Notts commented. Severus went deathly still. 'She sounds like a feisty thing if she was able to give you a run for your money. They say she took down Rowle the night you killed Dumbledore.'

From across the table Lucius caught Severus' eye. Lucius tilted his chin back, the gesture minute, but the air was sucked from Severus' lungs.

Lucius knew.

They had been friends for long enough that Severus could read his emotions as though he were looking into a mirror.

'I doubt either of you will get a chance. I'd be surprised if the girl is still alive,' Lucius said airly, his eyes still trained on Severus. 'You can't walk away from a curse like that. Unless of course, she's had access to the best potions money could buy. Or a Potions Master.'

The nail of his finger dragged across his palm. 'Dumbledore was never interested in her beyond providing the standard duty of care. He considered her disposable, and as such her care was limited. I was never asked to produce anything more than the basics.'

Lucius drummed his fingers on the table, clearly considering Severus' answer.

'Then her time in this world is coming to an end,' Dolohov stated, 'and all the better for us. It's one less person to protect Potter.'

Narcissa sighed dramatically and stood. 'And here we are again, discussing that wretched boy.'

Dolohov stood with her and offered her his arm. 'Too right, my dear. Shall we retire to the lounge? I have an excellent collection of 13th century artefacts Lucius tells me you'd be most interested in.'

Her nose wrinkled but she took his arm without another glance at her husband. Lucius breathed heavily through his nostrils as he watched them go.

Notts chuckled and put a hand on his shoulder as he walked past. 'I've seen his collection. It's just a load of tat, if you ask me.'

Lucius kicked his chair back with a growl. 'Come Draco.'

Draco remained in his seat long after Lucius had left, fidgeting with his knife. Severus folded his hands neatly in his lap and waited. After a long meal the silence was a pleasant break and he was in no rush to return to the others. He had noted that for the most part Draco had remained silent throughout dinner, only speaking when spoken to.

It was a far cry from the arrogant child Draco had been. Instead of presenting an air of confidence, Draco appeared as timid as a mouse. The other Death Eaters would never respect him.

Draco's gaze flickered up to his. 'Do you think he'd let me go back? To Hogwarts I mean.'

'I presume you don't mean your father.'

Draco shook his head. 'No.'

Severus studied him. 'You're not a trained fighter, but you could be. You have a knack for spells and you're a brilliant flyer.''

'I know,' conceded Draco. He put down his knife and straightened the left cuff of his robes. 'But it's my final year. I want to take my N.E.W.T.s.'

The innocent hope in Draco's voice cut through him. He recalled a similar feeling not long after taking his own Mark. Like a child who places a hand over their eyes and pretends they can no longer be found.

'There will be no exams. I very much doubt we'll live to see the year through.'

A line appeared between Draco's brows. 'You don't think the Dark Lord will win?'

Severus glanced towards the open door. Dolohov had no house elves, but rather employed a house-keeper; a young, half-blooded woman who was undoubtedly told to keep an eye on the house guests. 'I think the Dark Lord will go after Potter,' Severus clarified, choosing his words carefully. 'He has learned from his mistakes. He will stop at nothing to ensure Harry Potter is dead, and we are nothing but pawns in his game.'

Draco shuddered violently. He opened his mouth but closed it with a snap, returning to playing with his knife.

'Out with it.'

The boy kept his focus on the table. 'Do you… do you ever think about what we did? About that night?'

Severus's eyes darted to the door again and the shadows that darkened across the floorboards. 'No.'

Draco scratched the back of his neck, uncomfortable with the topic and yet clearly yearning to speak up about it. It was not the time or the place. Severus wasn't in the mood to play therapist.

'I know he was already dead, but I can't stop hearing it…' Draco sucked in a shaking breath. 'The noise after he...'

'Put it from your mind,' Severus commanded, pinching the bridge of his nose. 'Go home now, Draco.'

'But my father–'

'I will take care of him.' When the boy didn't move, Severus added, 'I will speak to the Dark Lord about your return, if that is what you wish.'

Severus wandered out into the night, embracing the cool evening breeze as a break from the insufferable heat. Pulling a packet of cigarettes from inside his robes he lifted one to his lips and lit it with the end of his wand.

'I thought you'd given up that Muggle habit years ago.'

Lucius stepped out of the shadows. Severus took a drag from his cigarette and surveyed his old friend properly for the first time that summer. The time in Azkaban had not suited Lucius; the man had lost some considerable weight and his once-envied blonde locks hung limp on either side of his face.

'I believe that's why they call it an addiction,' Severus replied dryly, handing the cigarette to Lucius before producing a new one. Lucius coughed after inhaling, making the corners of Severus' lips quiver with amusement.

'I'm tired, Severus.' Lucius stood at the low stone wall overlooking the garden. 'I had naively hoped that once the Dark Lord came into power everything would calm down. All I want is a quiet evening alone with my wife and son, not attending a dinner party where everything I say can be held against me.'

Severus cast an eye around the dark garden. It was unlike Lucius to talk so candidly, particularly in surroundings where anyone could be listening. He joined his friend at the wall, staring down the lawn at Dolohov's rose bushes.

'It appears you're not the only one who is a little naive this evening… Your son wishes to return to Hogwarts,' Severus explained.

'I'm aware. He could do anything he wanted and yet he still wishes to act as a school boy.'

Severus snorted. 'That is because he is still a school boy.'

'He's seventeen. He's a man now,' Lucius protested, aggressively flicking the ashes from his cigarette. 'You know as well as I do that if he goes back they'll eat him alive. By the time he returns most pure blood families will know about our family's downfall with the Dark Lord, even if they don't know the particulars. He'll be seen as weak.'

He didn't disagree. Return to Hogwarts or stay by the Dark Lord's side… either way Draco would not have an easy life ahead of him.

'I will have the Carrows watch over him,' Severus assured him.

'Alecto and Amycus? I presume they weren't your first choice,' Lucius inquired, his eyebrow raising. 'They're nearly as violent as Dolohov. Though, far less intelligent. I don't envy you.'

Severus stared at the glowing embers of his cigarette end, the smell of tobacco taking him back to summers filled with red hair and freshly cut grass. As quickly as the memories surfaced he shut them down

Draco had asked him if he thought about the night Dumbledore died.

Truthfully, it was the only thing he could think about. The events of the entire evening replayed in his head like a film, the details still crystal clear from Granger's scream when he broke into her mind to the half-second when Dumbledore realised he could not escape the Killing Curse. So many choices had been made and now he had to live with the consequences.

History appeared to be repeating itself.

Lucius' foot brushed against his. 'Knut for your thoughts?'

'Does it not play on your conscience that we are raising children to become soldiers?'

Lucius turned around, his elbows resting against the wall as he peered at Severus closely. 'I wasn't aware you had a conscience.' He took a final drag of his cigarette before crushing it under his boot. 'No. It doesn't. Nor do I regret the many lives I have taken. I assume Draco has been whinging again this evening.'

'Perhaps.' He shrugged a shoulder and gazed out again across the lawns. 'Perhaps I too have grown tired.'

Lucius chuckled. 'Have you come to surprise us all, Severus? Do you long to spend your evenings at home with a lady love?'

The image of Granger sitting on his sofa at Spinner's End, the old tartan blanket over her legs and a thick book in her lap was so vibrant, so visceral that he placed a hand against his stomach to steady himself. A deep ache settled in between his breast bones.

'Don't be daft,' he told Lucius, his voice thick.

Lucius rubbed his face; a poor attempt to hide his smirk. 'My apologies, I shouldn't mock. Unlike the rest of us you've always been so… steadfast in your work. You couldn't possibly be swayed away from your duties by a woman.'

Severus could feel the flutter of Granger's pulse under his fingers. He swallowed thickly. 'What is it that you want Luicus? I doubt you came out here to assure your son's safety.'

'I thought that was obvious by now.' Lucius casually brushed at the front of his moss-coloured robes. 'Tell me why you killed Thorfinn Rowle.'

The blood in his veins turned to ice at Lucius' bold accusation. He forced himself to feign indifference. 'What makes you assume I had anything to do with his death? If you recall, I was rather preoccupied that night.'

'I was there when they brought in the bodies,' Lucius told him by way of explanation. 'Yaxley witnessed Gibbons being struck down by one of Rowle's stray Killing Curses. A pity, but such things happen. Rowle on the other hand…' He tilted his head to the side. 'There were no witnesses.'

Severus slowly raised an eyebrow. 'Precisely.'

'His injuries were quite distinct. Perhaps not to everyone, but I was there when you developed that curse.'

'The same curse that injured your son,' Severus countered.

Lucius pinched his lips together, his jaw clenching. 'Yes Potter's work, I understand. I always wondered how he managed to find such a dark and dangerous spell. It's not exactly included in A Standard Book of Spells.'

Severus took a steady drag of his cigarette before flicking it over the wall. He let the smoke out slowly, taking satisfaction in the way Lucius' fingers tightened at his side. 'I don't know what happened to Rowle, and frankly I don't care.' He folded his arms into his robes and pushed off from the wall. 'The Dark Lord has witnessed the events of that night through my own memories. Surely you're not suggesting that anyone could deceive the Dard Lord, are you Lucius?'

Lucius gritted his teeth, giving him a caricature of a grin. 'No. Never.'

'Good,' Severus nodded. 'I would hate to see your loyalties pulled into question, dear friend.' He clapped a hand onto Lucius' shoulder as he passed, before pausing at the door. 'There are a lot of students at Hogwarts. It would be far too easy for one to slip through the cracks, wouldn't you agree?'

He noted how Lucius' fingernails bit into his palms. Severus smirked and returned indoors before Lucius could issue another word.

The afternoon sun cast low shadows across the lawns as Severus stood at the gates of Hogwarts. The castle loomed before him, the windows dark and lifeless. The building which had been his home for over two decades appeared hostile and cold. Despite the pressing heat a cool shiver ran down his spine.

For the first time that summer the full weight of what had transpired fell unto him, making his heart heavy and his throat burn. He had never wanted to see Dumbledore dead. Not really. The knowledge that the world was missing its figurehead for everything that was just and good was a terrifying reality — one he wasn't so sure he wanted to be part of.

He always valued himself for being a realist… it's what kept him alive after all the years spent being both the hunter and the hunted. But now things were bleak, and the knowledge that the fate of Britain's Wizarding World currently sat with a nearly seventeen year old boy… Well. It wasn't looking good.

The Dark Lord's army was growing, the number of followers since Dumbledore's death increased. Those who had remained neutral throughout the first war finally found themselves swayed. After all, who wanted to be on the losing side? Even if they disagreed with his ideologies, the Dark Lord gave false promises of protection for those who supported him. Without control over the Ministry or Hogwarts, the Light had been forced to disband across the country.

Severus had allowed himself to feel a sense of relief over the thought of returning to Hogwarts. He longed for his damp, dark dungeons; his books and his potions lab. He wanted to hide himself away like a creature of the night and bury himself in his work until everything burned down around him. But as he stared up at the castle, his gaze drawn towards the Astronomy Tower, he recalled the promises he made to a dying man in the middle of the night.

He wasn't ready. He wasn't ready for the responsibility of caring for hundreds of students in any normal year — students he didn't even like. Severus wasn't called to shape bright young minds, teaching had never been one of his greatest passions. He had been forced into the whole professor thing before he had a chance to even think about a possible career path. And now he was expected to care for those students which he hated, to cradle them through a war?

Muggle-born children whose families had been murdered in cold-blood but allowed to stay at Hogwarts as part of their reformation. Teenage students who had witnessed the events of the war unfold and were now mature enough to pick a side; who yearned to fight yet had no other choice but to to play school and pretend to act obedient.

This is what you deserve.

Severus walked slowly down the cobblestone pathway towards the castle, his muscles tensing with every movement.

He didn't want any of it.

Dumbledore's death had cut him off from the very side he continued to work for. He was an agent, silent in the field without his handler. He would have no friends. No allies to watch his back or lend an ear. The war outside would be nothing compared to the hostile environment he would face inside Hogwarts.

Severus stood in the courtyard before the grand oak entrance doors, his feet frozen in place. Like a man condemned he waited his turn for the gallows.

This is your fault, remember?

What was the alternative?

Who else could be trusted with the lives of so many young wizards? At least he could give them some semblance of safety in the storm. At least he could try to give them a taste of normality.

Severus rolled his shoulders back and straightened his black robes. He allowed himself one tiny moment of pain before pushing open the large doors and stepping out of the sunlight and into the Entrance Hall.

As expected, the current four Heads of Houses stood in a neat line, waiting for him.

If Hogwarts was the gallows, they were the judges and executioners.

Horace Slughorn, Pomona Sprout, Filius Flitwick and Minerva McGonagall were dressed regally in robes of their house colours, their faces impassive. They were an impressive and intimidating sight. His chest tightened, forcing his breath to quicken. He swallowed once before willing himself to meet Minerva's gaze.

The anger and loathing in her green eyes further twisted the knife in his gut. She stepped forward and a rush of tension crackled around them.

'Who goes there,' she asked, her voice hard and steady. It echoed through the empty Entrance Hall, commanding attention.

His tongue touched the back of his teeth. 'It is I, Severus Snape, born of Tobias Snape and Eileen Prince.'

Quiet surprise etched across her brow, as though she hadn't expected him to respond. It was a test he had just passed, and it had thrown her off kilter. Perhaps she had expected him to show up and disregard hundreds of years of tradition. But the Dark Lord was firm in his guidance that they would do things right by Hogwarts. Regardless of how Severus came into power, they would protect this singular moment in time.

A breath passed between Minerva's lips before she spoke again. 'We stand as witnesses for the Four Founders, who built this school over one thousand years ago as a refuge for young minds. What is your business here today?'

Severus straightened his spine, his chin tucking down towards his chest. 'I have come to accept the position as Headmaster of Hogwarts, should the Founders allow it.'

He didn't miss Pomona's sharp intake of breath, as though she hadn't considered it would be entirely possible they could reject him.

'We will allow it,' Minerva agreed at last, her face giving away nothing.

She stepped back in line as Horace stepped forward, coming to stand in front of Severus. The usual jovial light had gone from the man's eyes and Severus had the urge to press into his mind. It had surprised him that Slughorn hadn't chosen to join the Dark Lord at long last. Like the Malfoy's, Slughorn only ever acted for himself in a sense of self preservation. The fact that he had chosen not only to stay with the Light but had accepted the position as Head of Slytherin spoke volumes.

'Will you promise to act as an example of leadership and ambition? Will you guide your students to achieve their highest potential?'

Severus gave a sharp nod. 'I will.'

Horace opened his right hand to show a large silver key embossed with a snake. Severus raised his open palms in a sign of servitude, in which Horace placed the key. It was far heavier than it appeared, and with a tiny nod of his head, the Head of Slytherin stepped back.

'Will you promise to act with wisdom. Will you nurture a love of learning in your students and support them through their academic journey?' Asked Felix.

Again, Severus nodded. 'I will.'

He bent low for Filius to place a bronze key embossed with an eagle on top of the first. Filius did not meet his eyes before rejoining the line.

Pomona stepped forward, her face ruddy and burnt from the sun. Her eyes appeared glossy and red, and Severus got the sense that she had been pressured into attending. 'Will you promise to act patiently and justly in all things? Will you remain loyal to Hogwarts, its caretakers and its students.'

Severus' gaze flickered towards Minerva, whose nose was scrunched in displeasure. 'I will,' he vowed. Minerva gave a small noise of disgust as Pomona placed a graphite key in his hand.

Minerva stepped in front of him again, her posture rigid and her shoulders squared. She raised her chin, the cords visible along her neck. 'Will you act as a role model, showing courage and bravery even in the face of danger?' Before he could respond, she added, 'Will you promise to protect the students of Hogwarts until death?'

Severus swallowed thickly. That wasn't part of the official script.

He bowed his head. 'I will.'

She all but threw a golden key with a lion on top of the pile. Instantly the four keys burned, black smoke billowing out of them as though they were on fire from within. Severus watched in fascination as the animals shifted and tangled around each other until they had formed the Hogwarts crest, the keys moulded into one. When the smoke cleared, Minerva snatched it from his hand. Digging into her robes she produced a long golden chain which she began to thread the key through. She appeared to hesitate for a moment before lifting it around his neck.

'Then go forth, Severus Snape, Headmaster of Hogwarts.'

The four Heads of Houses bowed low to him, and Severus dipped his head in return. When Minerva straightened, the spell around them had broken; her duty to carry to ceremony now complete. Her face twisted into an angry snarl.

'This changes nothing,' she hissed, 'you are no Headmaster of mine.'

As she moved away, Severus caught her elbow, his fingers deliberately digging in. He peered down his nose at the maternal woman who had watched him grow from a lost little student into a man, his heart pounding wildly. 'This key around my neck says otherwise. I have been appointed Headmaster of this school by the board of governors, just as Albus Dumbledore was, and the Headmasters before him. I have every right to be here, and as such you will treat me with the respect I deserve.'

Minerva snorted. 'Let us not kid ourselves. Is that the same board which is currently under control by He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named?' Her eyes blazed. 'You disgust me, Severus Snape. We know what you did. You can't hide from your sins here.'

She wrenched her arm from his grasp, her robes sweeping behind her as she stormed off across the Entrance Hall. He let her get halfway up the marble staircase before he called to her, his voice no louder than a murmur. 'Professor McGonagall?' She froze. 'You will find that I am not as tolerant as my predecessor.'

Minerva glared at him over her shoulder. 'You will never be half the man he was.'

Severus tucked the key inside his robes, where it sat warm and heavy against his chest. A reminder that beyond the smoke and mirrors, his place was with the school first and foremost. A jerk of his head dismissed the others, and he quickly fled down the stairs to the dungeons. The musty smell of cold stone enveloped him, welcoming him home. There in the dungeons he could pretend everything was just as if it always was. It was no different than any of the other start of term.

Except it wasn't. Everything had been entirely turned upside down.

The key that had been around Dumbledore's neck when he was flung from the Astronomy Tower assured him of that.

Author Notes:

Thank you for all your continued support and encouragement for my little fic! :)

Playlist:
The Noose, A Perfect Circle