A/N: So this is the long-ago promised sequel to Shades of Black. It would probably make a whole let more sense if you read that first.

I have to dedicate this to Lauren who, when being told that there this fic involved a lot of angst, reminded me that you've gotta love a bit of angst. And there is angst -in fact, there's angst everywhere!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters... all I own is the way I've mushed them all together in the wizarding world (which I also don't own)

I hope you enjoy, anyway! Feel free to let me know :)

x

The aftermath of the events surrounding Dumbledore's death had been a blur. No one seemed quite sure what to think or how to react to the news that it had been Severus who had murdered the headmaster. Regina was convinced that those who were slowly becoming her friends and confidants would immediately turn against her, especially as it was no secret that her mother, Draco and Bella had all been involved in Dumbledore's death.

Emma played a huge role in convincing the other members of the Order of the Phoenix that Regina had not been to blame. Many arguments had broken out between the witches and wizards who seemed to hold not just Regina's, but also Henry's, future in their hands. Finally, with support from surprising quarters, the members of the Order decided to believe that Regina had not betrayed them or Dumbledore.

They did ask one thing, however; that Regina remain close to the Death Eaters in an attempt to stay one step ahead of them and their plans. Emma was furious that her friends could suggest something so dangerous to the older woman. She refused point-blank to even consider the fact that Regina should do what was asked of her. The brunette witch, however, agreed to do as she was asked, knowing that they needed every advantage they could scrabble together.

That was how, three weeks later, Regina found herself striding up the long driveway of her sister and brother-in-law's manor. She chewed the inside of her cheek nervously as she made her way quickly towards the house, wondering what kind of reception she would receive from those inside. From what the Order had managed to discover, Voldemort had taken up residence at Malfoy Manor since the events at Hogwarts and Regina was nervous as to whether she would make it out of the building alive.

"Gina?" Narcissa's voice met her ears before she had even placed her foot on the first step that led up to the impressive doorway of the grand house. "Is that you?"

"Ciss…" The younger woman smiled warmly, relieved to see that her sister looked the same as she always had. "How are you?"

Narcissa exhaled sharply and pulled her younger sister into a tight embrace. "I'm better now that I can see you're alright. Mother said that you'd had a disagreement about Henry and I was worried…"

Regina arched an eyebrow. "A disagreement? What did she tell you?"

"She said that she went to collect Henry from Ravenclaw Tower, but you refused to let him leave with her. She inferred that you had come to some sort of agreement about where Henry should remain and under whose care."

Regina's other eyebrow rose to meet the first, staring at her sister with a look of undisguised astonishment. "Did she now?" She mused thoughtfully. Clearly Cora hadn't shared the entirety of their exchange with her elder daughters, presumably embarrassed that Regina had got the better of her.

"Regina?" Narcissa frowned in confusion.

"How are things here?" The brunette asked, changing the subject abruptly. "Word has it that Death Eaters have successfully infiltrated the Ministry."

With a nod, Narcissa turned towards the Manor and the sisters began walking inside. "We have Pius Thicknesse, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, on side. I believe that the Dark Lord plans to remove the Minister for Magic from his position and replace him with Thicknesse before long."

"So the Ministry will be under his control." Regina nodded slowly. "And what of Hogwarts?"

"Severus is to become Headmaster." Seeing her sister's arched eyebrow, Narcissa chuckled. "I thought you would be pleased, dear."

"I am."

"You don't seem it."

Regina shot her a look. "I am presuming things are set to change drastically at the school. The Dark Lord will no doubt want to provide a presence at the castle. What is the plan?"

"I don't know, Gina." Narcissa told her truthfully. She led the way through the entrance hall and paused with her hand on the ornate bronze handle to a door behind which there was an unnecessarily long dining table. "The Dark Lord has gathered many of his most loyal followers here for a meeting. Bella is here… and mother. We are waiting on Severus for news."

"Lead the way." Regina instructed firmly, holding her head up high.

With a final, sisterly squeeze to her hand, Narcissa opened the door and strode confidently to her place between Lucius and Bellatrix at the table. Every single Death Eater in the room turned their gaze on Regina, eyeing her with a mixture of interest and suspicion. The witch noticed her mother's eyes narrowing, but ignored her and focused her attention on the wizard sitting at the head of the table.

"My Lord." She murmured, bending her head deferentially. "I apologise for my absence over the last few weeks. With the events at the castle… there were several awkward conversations that I needed to have."

"Regina…" Voldemort tilted his head slightly, fixing her with an appraising gaze. "Severus tells me that you have escaped the suspicion of those who remained at Hogwarts after Dumbledore's death."

"I have, my Lord." She agreed calmly. "It wasn't easy, but I have managed to convince them that I played no part in his death and knew nothing of the scheme."

There was a long pause and Regina knew that Voldemort was looking for any hint that she was lying. She held her ground, looking almost defiantly back at the wizard as he stared at her. She could sense the tension in the room as the other witches and wizards wondered what was going to happen.

Finally, Voldemort smiled and flourished a hand towards the free seat beside Draco's. "Excellent, Regina. You will prove very useful within the school. Join us, now…"

Bowing her head again, the woman strode along the table, not meeting her mother's eye and settled herself beside her nephew. Draco glanced sideways at her and she sent him a small, reassuring smile, squeezing his hand beneath the table. Then she forced her attention back to Voldemort as he began to talk.

Instead of listening, however, Regina found herself morbidly fascinated by the slowly revolving figure of a woman in the air above them, as though she were suspended by ropes. It took several revolutions before the witch realised that she knew the woman. Her stomach clenched violently as she locked eyes with Charity Burbage, Muggle Studies Professor at Hogwarts. Charity's mouth opened and closed wordlessly, silently pleading with Regina to help her. Feeling sick to her stomach, the brunette witch forced herself to look away, her fists clenching in her lap beneath the table.

"Yaxley. Snape." Voldemort greeted the two men who had just entered the room, causing Regina to snap her head round so quickly she almost cricked her neck. "You are very nearly late." As the men both bent their heads in greeting, Voldemort raised a hand. "Severus, here. Yaxley – beside Dolohov." Severus didn't glance at his best friend as he made his way to the seat Voldemort had indicated for him. Once he was settled beside the Dark Lord, the wizard spoke. "So?"

"My Lord, the Order of the Phoenix intends to move Harry Potter from his current place of safety on Saturday next, at nightfall." Severus informed him. Regina narrowed her eyes a little, knowing that the information Snape had given was correct.

"Saturday… at nightfall. Good. Very good. And this information comes–"

An expression crossed Severus' face that was somewhere between irritated and uncomfortable. "From the source we discussed."

"My Lord." Yaxley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention to him. "My Lord, I have heard differently." When there was no response to his claim, he continued. "Dawlish, the Auror, let slip that Potter will not be moved until the thirtieth, the night before the boy turns seventeen."

Severus smiled. "My source told me that there are plans to lay a false trail; this must be it. No doubt a Confundus Charm has been placed on Dawlish. It would not be the first time, he is known to be susceptible."

"I assure you, my Lord, Dawlish seemed quite certain."

"If he had been Confunded, naturally he is certain." Severus reminded them all. "I assure you, Yaxley, the Auror Office will play no further part in the protection of Harry Potter. The Order believes that we have infiltrated the Ministry."

"The Order's got one thing right, then, eh?" One of the Death Eaters, someone who had thus far escaped Regina's notice, chuckled.

"My Lord," Yaxley continued, "Dawlish believes an entire party of Aurors will be used to transfer the boy–"

"Regina? What have you heard about the matter? When will Potter be moved?"

Everyone started as the Dark Lord's gazed snapped round to the witch. Regina straightened herself in her seat, her eyes locking with his. She thought quickly; disagreeing with Severus would be dangerous for her friend, agreeing with him would be disastrous for the Order. "Severus is correct, my Lord. Potter is to be moved on Saturday."

Voldemort nodded and returned his attention to the wizard seated on his right. "Where are they going to hide the boy next?"

"At the home of one of the Order. The place, according to the source, has been given every protection that the Order and Ministry together could provide. I think that there is little chance of taking him once he is there, my Lord, unless, of course, the Ministry has fallen before next Saturday, which might give us the opportunity to discover and undo enough of the enchantments to break through the rest."

The conversation continued, back and forth, as Voldemort drew information out of his Death Eaters as to the state of the Ministry and whether luck would be on their side. Regina leant back in her chair, soaking up as much as she could to relay back to the Order on her return. When Voldemort asked for a volunteer to surrender their wand to him, Regina sat as silently as the rest, unwilling to part with her wand under any circumstances. She felt a pang of sympathy for her sister and nephew as Voldemort selected Lucius', feeling nothing for the man himself.

Regina's lip curled with distaste as Bellatrix and Cora fawned over the Dark Lord, anger sparking in her eyes as Voldemort mentioned Nymphadora's recent marriage to Remus Lupin. The witches couldn't distance themselves far enough from Andromeda and her family, claiming that none of them had set eyes on them since Andromeda had been disowned. Regina and Narcissa remained quiet, the former because it was a lie and the latter because she, given the chance, would happily reunite with her older sister.

Still fuming, Regina clenched and unclenched her fists as Voldemort drew their attention to Charity Burbage, still revolving above them. As he taunted her, the Professor called out to both Regina and Severus for help, reminding them that they were friends. The Death Eaters jeered at her desperation.

Silence fell, however, when a flash of green light accompanied his quiet utterance of the killing curse and the woman fell heavily onto the polished table top. No one spoke as Voldemort urged Nagini forward, encouraging her to feast on the corpse.

Regina left the dining room quickly once Voldemort dismissed the assembled Death Eaters. She was hoping to escape before she got caught by anyone, not wanting to be drawn into conversation, especially with her mother.

Luck was not on her side, however, as she felt a hand on her arm before she managed to completely descend the steps that led to the long walkway back to the gates. Turning sharply, she found herself looking into the dark eyes of her oldest friend. For a moment she stared blankly at him, before a sigh escaped her lips and she smiled weakly.

"Sev…"

"Come, Gina."

He took her arm gently and guided her along the gravel towards the cast iron gates. He flicked his wand expertly and they stepped through. As soon as their feet touched the ground on the other side, Severus Disapparated and Regina felt the familiar swirling sensation in her stomach that accompanied the movement.

She found herself at the end of the road that led to the small, dingy house that Severus had lived in since he was a teenager and he and his mother had finally escaped his father. Regina had been to Spinner's End many times with Severus, but never ceased to be disgusted at the state of the street. She assumed, from the numerous broken windows and boarded up doors, that Severus was the only remaining inhabitant and even he only resided there during the summer. She couldn't imagine what it would be like in the middle of winter.

Letting them into the house, Severus waved his wand and lit the oil lamps around the room, illuminating the dingy space so that they could see. Regina exhaled sharply, seeing at once that her friend hadn't been taking care of himself since she had seen him last.

"Severus, are you alright?" She asked gently as he poured each of them a generous amount of Firewhisky.

"Are you?" He shot back at once.

They gazed at each other for a moment, before smirks found their way onto both faces and the pair settled themselves in the threadbare armchairs. Silence reigned between them for a long while, as both Regina and Severus gathered their thoughts. The witch couldn't believe that her friend could have switched back to serving the Dark Lord so quickly and Severus was unsure as to where Regina's loyalties truly lay.

"Severus…" Regina started, breaking the silence. "Why did you tell them when Potter is being moved?"

"The Dark Lord requires information. If I am to be able to keep up the pretence of most faithful Death Eater, I must provide him with accurate information that allows him to achieve results."

"But… the boy?"

Severus frowned. "The Order will be informed, of course, allowing them time to prepare for attack." He glanced away quickly. "But not by me. I assume that the knowledge that it was I who killed Dumbledore has reached their ears."

"It has."

"And no doubt most are saying they always believed I was a traitor?"

Regina swallowed thickly. "They are, Sev."

He nodded sharply. "I suspected as much." Standing, he moved to refill their glasses, setting the bottle of Firewhiskey on the table between them. "It is just as well. With Dumbledore gone, you are the only one aware of my double agent role. To everyone else I am simply a murdering traitor."

"Don't, Sev." Regina pleaded quickly, shaking her head. "I can't bear it."

"You must, Regina." He ordered sharply. "For Henry's sake you must play your part well." As she stiffened at the mention of her son, Severus reached out and squeezed her hand. "You will return to Hogwarts, will you not?" Regina looked up in surprise and he smiled. "The Dark Lord wishes me to be Headmaster. There will be a few changes, but I wish you to return with me and to take the role of Head of Slytherin."

"Surely Slughorn–"

"No, the Dark Lord wants you."

"But, I…"

"You will not, however, be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts." Severus continued, ignoring her interjection. "In fact the subject itself will no longer be taught. The Dark Lord desires it to be replaced by teaching of the Dark Arts themselves. It is his wish that we teach the students how to use dark magic, rather than simply defend themselves against it."

"That is madness, Sev!" Regina exclaimed, looking horrified. She couldn't stand the thought of Henry using the type of magic that would be expected of him in such a class. "I won't do it!"

He shook his head. "I'm not asking you to. The Dark Lord has instructed Amycus Carrow to teach it. His sister is to teach the new and improved Muggle Studies curriculum."

Regina screwed up her face in disgust at the thought of the Carrow twins teaching at Hogwarts. They had been in the same year as Severus and her at school and even then there had been something disturbing about them. She shook her head.

"Severus…"

"Gina, please."

There was a long pause as she took in his expression. Then she relented. "What am I to teach?"

"Arithmancy," he replied, "and Advanced Arithmany Studies to the N.E.W.T. students who are deemed suitable."

Regina's eyes widened. "Severus!"

"Don't tell me you aren't capable, Regina. You got an Outstanding in your Advanced Arithmancy Studies N.E.W.T."

"Fine." She sighed, wafting a hand at him and draining her glass. "Fine." Then she frowned. "What about Professor Vector?"

"I… persuaded her… that she would be wise to take retirement." Severus said shiftily. Seeing his friend's glare, he shrugged. "She was lucky it was I who visited her. Others have far more unpleasant ways of persuasion."

"Who else have you persuaded to leave Hogwarts?"

"Only a few of the staff… I assured the Dark Lord it was better to keep most of them. However, certain teachers had to go. Mary Margaret Blanchard, for example." He saw the expression on Regina's face and reassured her quickly. "No harm has come to her, I assure you. But in these times it wouldn't be wise to have someone at Hogwarts whose husband is an Auror, would it?"

"So, Aurora's gone too?"

"Quite."

"Emma?"

"She is to remain as Charms Professor." He sent her a sideways look. "I assumed you would prefer that?"

Regina sighed and shook her head, not commenting on his assumption. "This won't go down well, Sev."

"I know." He agreed quietly. "But what can I do?"

Squeezing his hand, Regina rose from her seat. "Very well. I'll mention that they know about the plan to move Potter, although I won't mention where they heard it. They don't need to know that part."

"Gina… do not put yourself in a difficult position to protect me." Severus urged, following her to the front door. "I'm not worth it."

She fixed him with a hard glare, before leaning forwards and pressing a kiss to his cheek. "You are to me."