Severus Snape hated having to visit Diagon Alley. Not only was it always noisy and crowded, but students were constantly accosting him. " Oh look, Mum! It's Professor Snape! Professor, how was your summer? Did you go on Holiday?" He usually just made whatever passing comment would make them go away faster.

A place he liked to go even less, if that were possible, was Knockturn Alley. While it was more quiet and solitary there, too many strange memories returned to him there. There was a time when knockturn alley had been a weekly shopping spot for him. Back when he served the dark lord, he proudly marched down the grimy cobblestone streets, collecting items of dubious intent. Now, he turned his head when the haggard store owners recognized him. Thinking back on how oblivious he had been was sickening.

Unfortunately, some of the more eclectic elements of his potions cupboard were running low, so he had to make the detour before meeting with Dumbledore at the Leaky Cauldron. Severus had just passed the dim sign at the Alley entrance when a stray flier smacked him in the face. The wind must have a sense of humor, because he was now nose-to-nose with none other than one of his old schoolyard rivals. Sirius Black was frothing at the mouth in manic laughter. Severus felt that the flier did him justice, finally exposing his true colors to all the people who once fawned over the twisted man.

He smirked as he crumbled the flier and tossed it. Yes he had recently heard of Black's miraculous escape. While he was furious that he had wriggled out of yet another fitting punishment, Severus had already made up his mind. If Black's destination was Hogwarts, he would be the one to round him up. He could just imagine the look on his face as he dragged him to the dementors. Not to mention the look on Fudge's face. Yes, the minister would reward him handsomely for fixing Azkaban's embarrassing mistake. This thought lifted Severus's spirits and he made his way to the apothecary.

With his goods in hand, Severus hurried back and nearly missed a strange sight in the window of Bourgin and Burkes. In fact, he only happened to glance that way because that worm, Mundungus Fletcher was taking a beating from an old hag whom he had duped for 10 galleons. Even stranger than that sight, though, Severus saw his old friend Lucius Malfoy. The wizard had a woman backed into the corner of the shop. This woman was not Narcissa, who was likely assisting Draco with his school shopping. This woman had straight, dark brown hair and wore a pair of round spectacles. She wore rich blue robes that cinched at her waist. Lucius leaned over her, bracing his hand against the wall. Whatever he was saying, the woman held her tongue. She looked pale and sick. He reached forward and twirled a strand of her hair. Her brows furrowed and she spoke.

Lucius's back tensed and Severus was shocked to see him grab her neck and hold her in a tight grip. While cruelty was not unusual from Lucius, Severus was used to seeing it come from the tip of his wand. A new low for him, he was resorting to muggle violence. Interesting. Severus was about to enter the shop to try to calm him down, when the woman closed her eyes and nodded in agreement. She was giving in. He released her and ran his thumb from her chin down to her collar bone. A shiver ran through the woman. Severus suspected it was out of disgust. This truly was a side of Lucius he hadn't seen before. The man grasped the strand of her hair again and swiftly cut it with a flick of his wand. He tucked the hair into his breast pocket. Oddly, he seemed to be done with her because the woman ducked around him and walked quickly to the door. Severus had no time to react, so like an oaf he stood there and made eye contact with the woman. He noticed a tear trickling out of her eye. Her face reddened in shame because what he had seen showed plainly on his face. He turned and strode away. This was just another secret to file away. His old habit of keeping tabs on death eaters didn't die with the dark lord.

Back at the Leaky Cauldron, Severus spotted Dumbledore sitting at the far end of the bar peering over his long nose at a piece of parchment. He took the stool beside him. The bartender turned to him questioningly. "I'll have a Quintin Black."

"Aha, Severus! Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, I trust you have had a restful summer?"

"You said you had a request for me, sir?"

Dumbledore paused a beat as the bartender placed Severus's drink in front of him. Wisps of smoke wafted out of the glass, but he waited to take a drink. Something in Dumbledore's expression told him he was going to hate this request.

"You will remember, of course, an old schoolmate of yours, Remus Lupin? Ah-yes I take it you do. Well he will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this year."

"WHAT. Surely you are joking Dumbledore. I know you are aware of his condition. No parent is going to agree to sending their child to school with a werewolf! The very idea is absurd. And aside from the obvious, he can't be qualified-"

"That is quite enough Severus. I'll remind you that Remus Lupin was top of your class at Hogwarts. He has gone on to study dark arts extensively, and I daresay he gained plenty of experience as part of the Order on top of that. I am asking you to put aside your childish rivalry, for my sake. You owe me as much, Severus. As it is, there are few who would agree to taking this post."

"I would gladly-"

"I know Severus. As we have already discussed, that is out of the question."

Severus's face flushed and he struggled to fight down the old resentment. But something was nagging at him.

"Is that the request you had for me?"

"I suppose that is a second request. The reason I asked you to replenish your potions resources is for a request that will require more of you, I am afraid."

Severus felt a sinking feeling as he thought of the specific ingredients he had collected. It was starting to make sense.

"I need you to brew a wolfsbane for Professor Lupin. Each month."

Just then Dumbledore lit up out of his seat in recognition. "Professor Milwood, over here! Come join us!"

Severus turned around and could not hide his surprise. Somehow, this woman had a way of pulling his emotions to the surface. The woman from Borgin and Burkes plastered on a smile and gave no indication that she recognized Severus. She must have pulled herself together to meet Dumbledore.

"Audrey Milwood, please allow me to introduce you to the potions professor at Hogwarts, Severus Snape. He will be your faculty mentor to help you settle in for your first year teaching with us."