—————S—————

Severus,

Lad, when we began our correspondence, never once did I think it would be laden with such heavy topics. Maybe we'd discuss your lady, your academics, maybe even the most mundane from time to time, but not about Death Eaters and the Dark Lord and selling your soul for a chance at an education.

Your grandmother informed me that my tuition is still available, still untouched despite my disownment. She says that no grandson of hers will fall to his knees and beg to be given what is his right as a Prince heir.

As for the Dark Lord's followers: do what you feel is right. With so few true Potions masters out there, we cannot be particular. If you must, think of your father when speaking of Muggles, I'm sure that will supply adequate inspiration to muster through conversations with them.

If you can, see your grandmother during the holidays. She deserves to lay eyes on you in more than a picture.

E. Prince

The pleasure of reading his mother's name, her proper name, on the parchment was nearly as strong as reading that he did not need Lucius Malfoy or anyone else to cover the cost of his tuition.

And the letter, though late, arrived just in time for him to face Slughorn's dinner. Should Lucius be there, he didn't have to worry about further temptation.

Though he did have to worry about Slughorn displaying him like a trophy.

Severus had submitted his notes on crushing sopophorous beans as opposed to slicing them on a whim, though he'd been tempted to do so with a couple drops of Liquid Luck. In the end, he decided it was a waste of a perfectly good potion, and he thought that he wouldn't be lucky enough to get published again.

He was wrong.

Mr. Hicklepunk at Potions Quarterly thought Severus was quite inventive, and while he was certain that the young student's methods would not be received well, it was precisely the kind of thinking that they wanted in their commentaries and suggestions. He was going to publish it in the winter quarter, and he said he'd written to Slughorn to praise his skills as a professor. Severus nearly laughed upon reading that but didn't dissuade Mr. Hicklepunk from doing so.

He hadn't told Hermione yet, deciding to wait until it was published to show her, and Slughorn had smugly kept it to himself. But he called on Severus more frequently in Potions class and compared everyone else against him. It was getting more than a bit annoying.

He tucked the letter in his bag, preparing to head over to meet Hermione at Gryffindor table to spend time with her before Slughorn's social event.

"Mr. Snape," Professor McGonagall said as she came up to him, appearing stern and sounding a bit miffed. "If you could come with me for a moment?"

The others at the table looked at him with pity and confusion, though he merely nodded at McGonagall before standing to follow her out of the hall. He caught Hermione's eye on the way and shrugged when she looked just as confused as he.

Once they were out of the hall and halfway up the stairs, McGonagall relaxed a fraction.

"I'm sorry to pull you away from Hermione, I'm sure you were planning on spending some time with her before going to Horace's office for the evening, but I'm afraid you were requested."

"By whom?"

"Professor Dumbledore."

"What does the headmaster want with me?" he asked, his shields locking into place as his apprehension increased.

"I'm not sure, Severus," she said quietly. "But if it's any consolation, Alastor is there."

"Not Professor Scamander as well, I hope," he said through clenched teeth.

"No. Though I must say, the two of you don't seem to get along..."

"I have a knowledge of the Dark Arts she thinks no one my age should have. Unless—"

"Say no more," Minerva said as they came up to the gargoyle. She spoke the name of a sweet and the statue moved aside for them.

When they entered the headmaster's office, Severus noted Professor Dumbledore seated in the chair behind his desk, Moody standing to his right.

"Thank you, Minerva," Dumbledore said. "That will be all."

"Albus, you can't ask me to act the stern professor to a well-behaved student, drag him to this office, and then expect me to leave."

"I'm afraid it's Order business, Minerva. And what's more, I need my deputy on patrol with Horace's gathering this evening."

What did he mean by 'Order' business? Looking between the professor he trusted and the one he did not, Severus was quite tempted to ask McGonagall to stay as a witness. But then again, Moody was in the room. He trusted Moody. Moody trusted him.

He certainly didn't relax, but when McGonagall asked Severus with a look if he wanted her to stay, he indicated that it was alright. She left, but still looked wary as she did so.

When the door closed, Dumbledore put on the genial grin that irked Severus to no end and gestured to a comfortable-looking chair on the opposite side of the desk. Severus sat rigidly.

"Lemon drop?" the headmaster offered, and Severus shook his head.

Dumbledore nodded. "Mr. Snape, Alastor here has told me that you are being courted."

Severus raised an eyebrow at Alastor, who said nothing but gave a reassuring upturn of his lips.

"Something tells me that you don't mean Hermione Granger," Severus hedged.

"No, I do not. But I'm glad you mentioned her, actually. You see, I'm not sure you know all of the facts. I know you were in her mind accidentally last year, and she asked me not to Obliviate you afterward."

That was news. He supposed, though, in the aftermath of the incident, it became a footnote in comparison to affirming that their relationship was still intact.

"However, what you saw was not the full scope of Miss Granger herself. I know that Slytherins believe in blood purity and I'm afraid what you may not realize is that Miss Granger lacks the qualities those of your house look for." And then, as if Severus were completely stupid, Dumbledore peered at him over his half-moon spectacles and said, "She is Muggle-born."

It took everything Severus had not to roll his eyes at the headmaster. "Given that I'm a half-blood, I don't pay much mind to blood status."

"No?" Dumbledore asked, and Severus felt that needling in his mind. He gave nothing away, even as the headmaster's presence became more obvious.

"Give it up, Albus," Moody ordered. "That boy ain't letting no one in if he doesn't want 'em."

"I believe you're quite right, Alastor. Mr. Snape, I would like an honest answer from you, if I could. Were you ever planning on joining Tom Riddle's Death Eaters?"

"Considering the last group of openly supportive students was expelled or placed on permanent detention, it would be stupid of me to admit that I did. However, while I considered it an option at one point, it was only for access to privileges denied to me because of my blood status and lack of wealth."

"And if his inner circle wanted you, would you accept?"

"No."

"Why not?" Dumbledore asked, tenting his fingers. "Pardon me for assuming, but I don't foresee you obtaining power or prestige very easily without certain connections."

"Perhaps I do not seek power or prestige," Severus ground out through his teeth, knowing it was only half a lie, but his indignation was getting the better of him. He was already earning the latter, and by his own merit. With his own knowledge and research. Power ... it had been a dream once, when the Marauders hunted him. But since he and Lupin had become friends, and Black had called a truce, the other half of the irksome group hadn't bothered hexing him.

"Your house is known for its ambition," Dumbledore said.

"Ambition and power are not the same thing," Severus snapped.

Dumbledore smiled. "I suppose they aren't. So, perhaps you should consider this: what would you do to protect Miss Granger? I'm sure she is doing a fine job at school blending in with the purebloods, especially amongst the Gryffindors, who don't dwell on such notions."

Severus' nostrils flared as every news article, every piece of information the school had tucked away on Dumbledore's past and his association with Grindelwald flashed through his mind. He'd read them all, knew without a doubt that Dumbledore was not at all the saintly Gryffindor, champion of Muggles he appeared to be.

"But when she is out in the wizarding world, working for the Ministry, how well will she be able to keep her secret? How long before she is pegged as the Muggle-born she is, or worse, the traveler she is? What are you willing to do to keep her safe?"

"She doesn't need to worry about that," he said immediately.

"Doesn't she? She let you slip into her mind, do you think she is strong enough to keep others out?"

Severus did something he instantly regretted: he flinched. He wasn't sure if Hermione was strong in her abilities and had let him in because she trusted him, or if she wasn't as strong as she should be.

"There is a secret society, Mr. Snape, known as the Order of the Phoenix. Our goal is, simply put, to stop Tom Riddle. There is, however, a small problem. We cannot prevent the casualties that occur. We need someone on the inside to feed us information."

"And you want me to do that?" Severus asked.

"It would be ideal, yes."

"And you believe it will be that simple?"

"No, I don't believe it will be a simple task at all. To get that information, the information we need, you need to become one of them."

"No."

"You caught their eye," Dumbledore continued, ignoring his vehement denial. "If Lucius Malfoy is inviting you to parties and is willing to sponsor your education, then it means he is being encouraged to do so. I admit I would have preferred Mr. Black for the task, with his family's close association to Riddle already established, but I don't think he'd be able to keep cover as well as you. As a Slytherin and a favorite of a well-known and respected pureblood, you are the perfect candidate."

"I have already given my answer," Severus said, raising his voice slightly and refusing to back down when Dumbledore glared.

"Severus," Moody growled out, and Severus had nearly forgotten he was in the room. He beckoned him to stand, then hobbled to the door, making it clear Severus should follow him. He didn't even look back at the headmaster as he left.

"Lad," Moody began once they were alone, "the thing is: we need ya. Now, Dumbledore may think you're like all the other Slytherins, but I know better. Ya'd have made a good Auror if you weren't so keen on pursuing mixing a bunch o' stuff. But the fact of the matter is, that's already getting ya where we need to be." He leaned in and whispered, "Ya don't need to go in too deep. Keep those walls up, keep quiet, and you'll find people talk. When ya see Malfoy tonight, ask about the Masters."

"But I have another way," Severus said quietly. "I don't need Lucius."

"Great ya got the money, but ya still need someone ta teach ya. Much as I hate to admit it, most o' the ones you'll want are ones we're keeping tabs on."

Severus nodded, considering Moody's request.

He was good at making himself unobtrusive, unnoticed, forgotten. It's how he'd survived childhood, and how he'd survived being a half-blood in Slytherin. And he wanted a good Master, not someone like Slughorn who would parade him around for having a good idea. He wanted to be challenged and be fully immersed in the role of apprentice. And, admittedly, while he could probably get a list from Hicklepunk, Lucius had probably already looked into the best of the best.

"I'll see what I can do," Severus said, ignoring the pride he felt when Moody clapped him on the shoulder and beamed.

"There's a lad. Now, get on with ya."

—————S—————

Severus smirked to himself as he realized the Marauders would never want to be associated with him.

Potter and Black were on the other side of the room, chatting up athletes and trying to look impressive, their backs turned to him. Even Lily was doing her best to keep her distance and appear, for all intents and purposes, like she didn't know him.

Fine by him. Severus didn't want the wealthy gits and the known Muggle-born to rub shoulders with him, especially if one of Lucius' acquaintances was also in attendance.

His eyes darted around the room, taking in all the alumni, neither seeing anyone of consequence to him nor anyone he thought supported the revered Dark Lord. At least not until Lucius came in.

Severus watched as the aristocrat did his very best not to sneer at Slughorn's boisterous greeting or attempts to introduce him to a young Hufflepuff Muggle-born he was certain would succeed in the Ministry. He merely lifted his chin and looked down at the girl and turned away from them with what looked like a barely polite departure. Lucius went to the bar first, caught sight of Black and curled his lip in disdain. When he looked around the room and found Severus, he immediately came up to him.

"Finally, someone of quality at this pitiful excuse for a gathering," Lucius said as he shook Severus' hand. "I wonder if Horace is trying to degrade his status with all these Mudbloods? I'm quite glad you have truly found them beneath you."

Severus shrugged, swirling the butterbeer in his cup. "I'm beginning to find most people are."

"Yes," Lucius said, a glint in his eye that Severus didn't like. "There's a rumor in the Ministry that an old pure-blood family that was dying out quite suddenly found themselves... with heirs."

"The Prince family."

"Indeed. I must say, when I reported such a rumor to our esteemed ... leader, he was most pleased indeed. Your stock is growing, my friend. Your mother casting off your Muggle father, reclaiming her proper name, it is just elevating you in his eyes. He is desperately eager to meet you."

"It's not as though I can shed my Muggle father's name, so the pure-blood line will only continue in that way: blood."

"Even so, I would so love for you and Hermione to attend the soiree I mentioned. He will be there, and when he sees you with a lady of a pure-blood line..."

"All I wish, Lucius, is to have a Mastery in Potions and Hermione as my wife. I've no desire for power."

"No?" Lucius asked suspiciously. "Or is that the influence of your new ... friends?"

Severus felt a flare of panic in his gut as Lucius' gaze darted to Potter and Black.

Trying to keep calm, Severus arched a brow at the man he'd long respected and admired. "I'm afraid I don't know who you're referring to."

"Really? How interesting. I spoke to Regulus Black on my way here, and he says he's seen his brother constantly at your side. He isn't sure what to make of it, of course, but he hopes that Sirius has finally begun to see the error of his ways. Is that the case, Severus, or is there something I should know?"

Severus gave a genuine snort of amusement. "I can assure you, Lucius, that Black, Potter, and I are not friends. While they don't harass me like they used to, it's only because one of their own has a greater desire for Hermione's company than theirs. He's waiting for the moment I fuck up beyond repair. But for now, I can walk the halls without a shielding charm around me."

Lucius smirked, reached into his robes, and pulled out a sheet of parchment. "I'm happy to hear that." He handed the parchment to Severus. "I'm glad to hear of your inclusion into your proper family and the tuition it grants you. If you find your grandmother is unwilling or unable to assist you, we can arrange something. For now, though, I would like to give this to you. A list of Masters in your field. There is a slight issue, however."

"Which is?" Severus asked, already knowing he wasn't going to like the answer.

"They all have either taken on as many apprentices as they can, are in the middle of multiple apprenticeships and will continue to be so for another four years or would need you to begin by the summer."

Severus' heart dropped into his stomach. "I still have another year here."

"What's keeping you here? I hardly believe you would stay for a girl."

Severus chose not to answer that.

"She's an academic, is she not? I cannot see you wasting your time with anyone who couldn't keep up with you. I'm sure she'd understand if you were to test out early."

"Why do you want me to do this, Lucius? You seem keener on this than you should be."

"You've drawn attention to yourself, Severus, in the best possible way. Why not take advantage of it?"

—————H—————

She had just settled down for a cup of tea when she heard the Floo flare behind her. Sighing, Hermione turned, expecting to see a Ministry official with a new request for calculations, and was surprised to find a disgruntled Sirius, followed closely by Remus.

"'Cries himself to sleep each night, thinking of his dearly departed mother,'" Sirius spat, slamming his copy of the Daily Prophet on the coffee table on top of hers. "That witch is asking for a world of hurt."

"So, you're not at all put out by the comment of his 'notoriously deranged and incredibly dangerous godfather's willingness to do anything to protect him'?"

"About as much, I'm sure, as you are by his womanizing ways. And I quote, 'But Harry's sad, tragic past, when paired with the bad boy persona he has acquired from living with his former Azkaban inmate godfather, has made him extremely popular with the ladies. Close friend, Colin Creevey, says Harry is hardly ever seen without his trio of lovely witches: Ginevra Weasley, Luna Lovegood, and Aurora Snape.'"

Hermione waved it off and stood from her desk chair at the far end of the sitting room. "Colin Creevey, to the best of my knowledge, was more Harry's fan than friend. Not to mention that I'm fairly certain anyone who thinks that Severus would let Harry even look at his daughter with romantic intentions is certifiably insane."

"I'm actually surprised there's no mention of the Malfoy boy in the papers," Lupin mused as he sat on the sofa.

"I believe that's Narcissa's doing," Hermione explained. "A few years back, Skeeter was escorted out of the Manor at wand point. I quite honestly have never seen Cissy look quite so ... frenzied. I'm fairly certain she threatened Skeeter."

Sirius looked perplexed as Remus shifted in his seat.

"Cissy?" Sirius said. "Are you really on nickname basis with her? A Death Eater's wife?"

" I'm a Death Eater's wife."

"No, you aren't," Sirius countered.

"For all intents and purposes, Sirius, I am. He's Marked—"

"He never chose it," Sirius interrupted.

"And yet he is one. Whether he wanted it or not," she sighed. "And ... and it's ..."

At Hermione's inability to say the thing that she denied terrified her, Remus got to his feet. He crossed the room and gently took her shoulders in his hands.

"What is it, H.?" he asked softly.

She could feel her eyes stinging with the tears she refused to shed. It wasn't a done deal, not yet. The numbers said there was still a chance, about sixty percent, but still...