Snape kneeled before the headmaster on top of the aptly named hill. Both their robes billowed in the hot August breeze that seemed reluctant to fade even at night. The headmaster's eyes were calculating as Snape waited for his judgment.

"Anything Severus? I would save them without your offer, because it is the right thing to do. Something you seem to have trouble grasping. However, since you have offered I would be remiss to not take advantage of it. Come. Let's talk some place where it is easier to stop prying eyes and ears."

Snape swallowed and stood up. "I… My house would-"

"No, my old knees are asking me for my chair, and experience is telling me that this will be a very important conversation. One best had where wards and charms have been laid with care." Said the man, not showing a bit of his age or the fact that his knees might need a chair.

Severus swallowed but nodded when Dumbledore held out his hand. The need for subtlety and alacrity were great, and apparating somewhere he'd never been to was liable to cause unwanted problems. He stepped forward and allowed himself to be grasped tightly by the arm, but still kept as far from the wizard as he was able. There was a distinct possibility he would appear in a place surrounded by enemies, waiting to chain or kill him. If they found he was undead as well… He didn't want to think about the fate that would await him.

There was a tug and both wizards vanished, appearing moments later on Albus' doorstep.

"Odd, I meant to land inside. Ah well." Dumbledore let go of the shaking man and unlocked the door with a wave of his wand before he stepped inside. With another wave the amber light of his home brightened and illuminated a bright hallway adorned in silver fleur de lees on salmon wallpaper.

Dumbledoore stood aside to allow his guest entry, for what would obviously be a long and broken conversation.

Snape just stood there.

"Well? My time, while abundant, is not infinite."

Snape looked imploringly at the skies, and then at the headmaster, before admitting defeat.

"I… require you to invite me in." The words were quiet, and full of shame.

"I just did. Why would…" There was a pause and then a look of anger crossed the old man's face, quickly followed by pity, which vanished in turn. "Was this forced upon you?"

Severus nodded, unable to meet the old man's gaze, hating the pity he had seen there briefly. He didn't deserve it, and he certainly didn't need it.

"Oh my dear boy, come in."

Snape quickly entered the house, his eyes darting back and forth looking for any sign of danger. He could find none, but that did not lessen his anxiety.

Albus led the broken man through the pink entryway to a yellow and gold sitting room. The chairs around the small tea table were red velvet with a paisley pattern surrounded by gold leafed wood.

Dumbledore sunk into a dark green armchair and sighed. After a moment of repose he looked at the unnerved man and nodded. "You must be tired, would you like something warm to drink?"

At this the Snape recoiled, nearly hissing his dissent, his face a mix of horror and disgust.

Dumbledore paused, not reacting to the display, then nodded in understanding.

"Of course, my apologies." With a wave a pot of tea appeared on the table anyway, and began to pour a cup for the old headmaster.

Snape stood awkwardly for a moment before sitting, his hands grasping his robes so hard that the already pale skin on his knuckles turned white. The man's heartbeat was the same as when they had met on the hill. It had not changed all night. Snape shifted his weight from foot to foot, unnerved by how calm the Headmaster was. It was unnatural. For once he and the red mist agreed, there was no meal here. Not now.

Dumbledore ignored the man's obvious tension and sipped his tea for a moment, taking a second to add milk and sugar after the first sip. After a few minutes he set the tea cup down and looked at the man across from him who seemed near to tears he was so distraught.

"I want you to work for me, as a spy."

Severus' head snapped up at that, eyes wide with shock. Surely the man wasn't serious.

If the headmaster noticed the Death Eater's expression, he did not show it and merely continued his exposition. "If we are to protect them, I shall need information, something I am currently lacking. You will play the double agent, and provide me with information."

"How… how will I conceal the fact that I am working with you? Owls, messages, meetings, all are things that can be traced, discovered. Let alone disappearing periodically to meet with you. It would be obvious, I will be killed and then be quite-"

"Because you will be working under me, providing your 'master' with just enough information to 'prove your loyalty.'" Dumbledore picked up the cup and calmly took another sip of tea before continuing. "I want you to come work at Hogwarts, as a teacher."

Snape looked at the headmaster, incredulous. "Ridiculous!"

Dumbledore shook his head, and smiled. "Not at all my boy. It would explain to Trelwany why you were eavesdropping for one, you were looking for interview tips."

Snape tensed at the reminder of his involvement in Lily's current situation, but quickly turned his stress into a sneer. "You actually hired her?"

"A real prophet is hard to come by, Severus, and I'd like to have her near, just in case there is a second prophecy. Besides, she is quite knowledgeable in her craft, if not adept at doing it at will." He set the saucer down and templed his fingers in front of him; his eyes looking over his half moon spectacles expectantly. "Now, as a teacher you could 'spy on me, use this as an excuse to-"

"They will never believe you've accepted me, imparted important information." Snape interrupted.

"My boy, what do they say of me? 'A doddering sentimental old fool' is the common phrase I believe?" He said with a slight smile. "If you play the repentant party, as you actually are in a way, would they not accept you tricking me into taking you in as a charity case? Besides, if you feed them information that is actually true, they'd have to believe you. As a member of the Order of the Phoenix you'd have access to such tidbits, as well as an excuse to stay out of the limelight."

Severus Snape hesitated, unable to find the words he wanted. What the man was asking, he had to be mad! There was no way it would work, he'd be found out and killed. Still, he had promised, and if working with another insane master gave Lily… and her family… one more day to reach safety, it would be worth it. Right?

With a shaky breath he shifted in his seat and held his head in his hands, eyes looking blankly at the ground, hidden behind strands of long unwashed hair.

Dumbledore seemed unconcerned with his guest's mental crisis. "I have faith in you, my boy. You came here tonight, against what I must believe was all your common sense, to try to help someone you love. Despite that love being unrequited."

Snape ignored the comment. The Headmaster was obviously testing him, trying to find out how well he could control himself, how much he wanted this. Besides, there were more important points to discuss, like a possible catch in the plan. He raised his head for a moment, trying to find the strength to continue discussing this impossible scenario. Finally he sat up straight and collected himself. If he were going to go through with this, it had to be worthwhile. If he was going to help, actually help and not simply rot in Azkaban, he wanted this farce to have at least a chance at success.

"But why would I apply for the position in the first place? It would be seen as dangerous by some, stupid by others, and suspicious by nearly every witch or wizard who knows me."

"You'll take the job because Voldemort ordered you to, of course."

Snape flinched at the name. "But…he hasn't. And offering suggestions to my Lord is… risky to say the least."

"He is not your lord any longer Severus, don't refer to him as such."

"If I'm going to be in his presence, I'd rather not get into the habit of calling him something that will get me killed." Snape commented irately.

"Fear of the nam-"

"We can discuss our various idiosyncrasies related to what we call the He Who Must Not Be Named, later." Snapped the recently defected Death Eater. " The more important question at hand is how am I supposed to get him to tell me to work at Hogwarts!"

"Perhaps mention wanting to spy on me specifically, it is well known how much he hates me. Make a show of organizing plots and plans. Make lists where he can see them. Severus, it is now your job to figure out how to plant the idea in his head. But do it quickly. The interviewing season is almost over and I only have two open positions."

Snape put his panic aside for a moment at the prospect of shaping his future years to perhaps be at least slightly pleasant.

"Which positions are available?"

"Defence Against the Dark Arts and Potions."

"I think Defence-"

"No. Potions. You will apply for both however."

"Why not? I would be much more adept at-"

"Severus, the position is cursed." Said Dumbledore matter of factly.

Severus exhaled angrily. "I highly doubt that."

"It is. Trust me. If you're to be a spy for me, I'd like you to be around for more than a year."

Snape sank further into the chair, weary with all the information, disappointment, and new possibilities. New problems and challenges popped up as each facet of his future was exposed.

"And… his legilimency? He's one of the most proficient legilimens in the world. I was barely able to hide my considerations of tonight from him. If he ever probes just a bit further than normal…"

"But barely a success is still a success, Severus. You yourself are highly proficient in occlumency, it is a well known fact. Practice, you will be fine." Albus said assuringly as he patted Snape's knee.

Snape sighed as he successfully fought his want to flinch away from the man's touch, resigned to his fate but with one more problem to throw at the headmaster.

"And my… affliction?"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in the light. The sight was familiar to Snape, but he still couldn't decide if it boded good or ill.

"Severus, as the youngest ever Potions Master at Hogwarts, I'm sure you can come up with something. You have an entire summer to experiment after all."

Snape woke. He sat in an iron chair in an empty room. The cold manacles on his wrists his only company.

He laid his head back and looked up at the blank ceiling, the iron chair pressing painfully into his neck. His silent sobs added no echoes to the quiet chamber.