Authors Note – When I first joined, I was actually rather disappointed to have nothing to publish. But I wanted to wait until I had an idea of what I wanted to write before I started and I wanted it to be something I could put my heart into - something I really wanted to write. So, it's been a few months but here it is! My first piece. I really hope you enjoy it, and it would honestly make my day if you left me a review.

I'm going to say here and now, just to avoid any confusion later on, this will not be a slash fic.

Disclaimer – not mine, as disappointing as that fact is.

Never Again
Prologue

Number twelve Grimmauld Place was as unwelcoming as ever, Severus Snape observed as he crossed the threshold. It wasn't simply because the old house was the current home to his current arch nemesis, Sirius Black, but the hallway smelt musty and damp, Severus' footsteps causing clouds of dust to rise from the grey carpets. It appeared that the cleaning efforts of Mrs Weasley had not yet reached the hall, Snape thought as he made his way towards the stairs to the kitchen. It was unlikely, in his opinion, that the ancient house would ever be fit to live in.

As soon as he was half way down the flight of steps, the noise hit him. It sounded like a meal in the Great Hall at Hogwarts, judging from the sheer volume, although Snape knew that it was only the Weasley family and assorted Order members in there. He felt his top lip curl at the thought of them all sitting safely there, no worries about safety, no anxious waiting for a summons that could come at any time, no stress of maintaining strong mind shields...

The noise, however, dropped as soon Snape entered the basement kitchen, his robes billowing behind him. The older children and most of the adults present didn't stare but Black and a lot of the younger teens gaped at him, mouths hanging open. Snape felt his gaze settle on Potter, who was seated between Granger and the Weasley girl, opposite Black. His green gaze betrayed the shock he was feeling and Snape could tell he would demand to know why Snape was there. Potter had always been so predictable, Snape mused, whilst noticing the boys pale face and the way his scar stood out against his white forehead.

The foolish child had probably been up until all hours, Severus observed as he noticed the dark smudges under Harry's eyes, indicating fatigue. He must been fooling around with Weasley and his godfather, not caring about the fact he has been using magic outside of school and breaking one of the most important laws. He had always shown little regard to rules, just like his father before him...

Snape's train of thought was interrupted by Molly Weasley descending on him and shunting him towards the table, despite Severus' fierce glower.

"Sit down, Severus, have some food... We've got plenty and you're early – Dumbledore won't be here for another hour or so," Molly told him, piling a plate high with roasted chicken and vegetables, placing it in front of him. "Help yourself to bread and something to drink."

"Dumbledore told me the meeting started at six," Snape said to her in a low voice, irritation colouring his tone. He had a long list of potions that needed brewing for Voldemort, and he would be most displeased if Snape didn't get them done. An extra hour in his lab, working on them, could have done him the world of good but no, thanks to Dumbledore Snape is stuck at Grimmauld Place with some of the most loathsome people in the world. This thought makes irritation prickle beneath Severus' skin.

Molly only clucked sympathetically as she bustled away, her attention diverted to her two twins, who were clearly planning something with Mundungus Fletcher. Severus scowled as he stabbed his fork viciously into his dinner. It didn't stop him from lifting a slice of chicken to his mouth, however. Sometimes, with so much pressure, Severus didn't have time for things like meals. Unhealthy, he knew, but there were other things of more importance. Yet the smell of Molly's cooking had awaked his sense of hunger and he was content to eat as long as no one tried to involve him in any kind of conversation with him, especially not one of his students.

Harry, on the other hand, seemed to rapidly lose his appetite, pushing his plate away. Severus noticed the movement out of the corner of his eye, unwillingly wondering what the boy was up to now. He also seemed to think that Severus was deaf, judging from the way he leant into Granger and over the table to Weasley number six.

"What's Snape doing here?" Harry asked, causing Severus' hand to clench into a fist under the table. He had to take a deep breath before spearing a carrot, fighting the urge to make a sarcastic remark at the boy. Did the child really think that he would just not come to headquarters because he was also a Death Eater? Or maybe Potter had simply forgotten that Severus was fighting on Dumbledore's side too?

"He's a member of the Order, Harry," Hermione replied, in a far lower voice than Harry. Severus had to strain to listen, uncaring of the fact he had stooped as low to eavesdrop on the trio's conversation. "Why wouldn't he be here?" Her tone reminded Severus of Minerva slightly – he had to work to keep the smirk off of his face at this thought.

Just then, McGonagall herself arrived, wearing a green Muggle dress. Most of the current Hogwarts students started at seeing their head of house dressed in this fashion and, Severus did have to admit, he had been most amused the first time he had seen her without her usual pointed hat. He hadn't, however, gaped as much as Harry and Ron were. Anyone would have thought that Minerva had grown an extra head.

"Oh, good, Severus, you're here," were the first words that left her mouth as she headed directly for him. She shook her head at Molly's offer of food, sinking into the empty chair besides the Potions Master and leaning in so that no one could overhear their conversation. "Albus thought you might have been summoned by You Know Who."

"No," Severus said with a frown, pushing his half-empty plate away from him so that he could face McGonagall properly. "I haven't received anything – my mark hasn't even tingled. Why did he think that?"

"I didn't ask," McGonagall admitted, shooting a worried glance in Harry's direction. "Sometimes it's best not to with Albus, unless you want some confusing riddle or obscure Muggle quote thrown at you." Severus nodded at this, not interrupting so that McGonagall could continue. "He seemed to think he was rallying his followers."

"Possibly only those he needed," Severus murmured, more to himself than to his colleague. He took another sip of water, wondering why Voldemort hadn't called Severus to his side. It made him distinctly uneasy that he may have fallen out of the favour of the Dark Lord, which could prove fatal.

Severus allowed his gaze to wander down the table, taking note of who was present. Apart from Potter and his ever-present friends and irritating godfather, Lupin, Tonks, Mundungus Fletcher and all of the Weasley family – with the exception of Percy – were there. So they were only waiting on Dumbledore and Shacklebolt, Severus thought. He sighed as he turned back to McGonagall, a question ready on his lips when the door banged once again.

Dumbledore strode in and Severus saw a look of surprise briefly cross the Headmaster's face. So, Dumbledore wasn't expecting his presence at the meeting either. Severus raised an eyebrow calmly, clasping his hands on the tabletop.

"You're early, Professor!" Molly cried as Dumbledore descended into the kitchen, his lavender robes floating behind him. "Eat quickly, quickly, we need to have this meeting, Fred, George, will you take the children upstairs..."

"Now, now, Molly," Dumbledore said with a serene smile, taking a seat at the head of the table. "Let everyone finish their dinner before we begin."

Ron took this as an excuse to tear another chunk of bread from the loaf in the middle and conversation resumed. Dumbledore smiled at the way Ginny leaned against Harry, her eyes heavy with tiredness, before turning to Severus with a look of bemused interest upon his features. He begins to construct steeples with his fingers before he speaks.

"So, Severus, you have not received a call from Voldemort?" Dumbledore's tone was polite and neutral, a little like he was enquiring about the weather. Severus glowered at him, his face twisting at this ridiculous question.

"Would I be here if I had, Albus?" Severus shot back, his tone icy.

Before Dumbledore could respond in any way, a white Patronus in the shape of a lynx bounded into the room, through the heavy stone walls. It landed in front of Dumbledore to deliver the message in Kingsley's deep, reassuring voice that, for the first time in Severus' memory, betrayed a hint of fear.

"Albus, Voldemort knows the location of Headquarters and he's sending Death Eaters. You all need to get out now and-"

The rest of the message was lost as Severus, Arthur, Bill, Lupin, Sirius and McGonagall rose, the Patronus disappearing after a few seconds. At that moment, an almighty crash made the house tremble, the crockery sliding and several plates crashing from the table and to the floor. The second crash, moments after the first, was more violent and sent most of those still seated to the ground. Severus looked over at Harry quickly, checking that the boy wasn't doing anything rash. Knowing Potter, he would run into the street in some kind of bravery or an attempt to prove himself. Harry hadn't done anything reckless yet, however - he had his wand at the ready, and his other arm tightly around Ginny's shoulders. The girl no longer looked tired; her wand was out and they were both looking towards the door with wide eyes.

"They're trying to get through the wards, Albus," McGonagall said in horror, her knuckles becoming white as she clutched her wand.

"And they will succeed within several minutes," Dumbledore informed them. He had not drawn his wand as everyone else had; he was surveying the scene like one might look on at a Quidditch match. He didn't seem panicked but he couldn't be accused of being calm either.

"We need to get everyone out then!" Molly cried in horror, snapping to attention. Severus glanced at Dumbledore again, irritated by his lack of reaction. If the Death Eaters were going to descend surely he must show more emotion than this, especially since the precious Boy Who Lived was present.

"Indeed, Molly, we do," Dumbledore agreed and, if Severus hadn't know better, he would have said that the Headmaster found the situation slightly amusing. "Alright, then, everyone, we need to evacuate. But there is the, ah, delicate issue that we cannot Apparate until the wards are down, so-"

He was cut off by several protests, all of them demanding to know how they would know when the wards had been broken and why they couldn't simply Disapparate. Another quake shook the house. The effect was instantaneous – Bill seized hold of Ginny, who looked upset to be parted from Harry, whilst adults took hold of their children in a similar fashion. Sirius had a tight grip on Harry's shoulder when Dumbledore shook his head, gently pulling Harry away from his godfather.

"I'm sorry, Sirius, but you need to go with Remus," Dumbledore informed him softly. "You're on the run – I can't risk you or Harry. Neither of you would be protected enough."

"But where will Harry go?" Sirius demanded, looking around. "You have all these plans in place, all the safe locations for everyone else, but what about my godson?" His anger made his voice rise and his eyes flash, giving him the impression of a mass murderer. Severus smirked at the fact that Sirius wasn't getting his own way until Dumbledore turned and propelled Harry towards him.

"Severus will take Harry," Dumbledore announced to the room. Ron and Hermione looked horrified and their expressions were mild compared to the ones worn by both Harry and Snape. Severus thought that Harry looked rather like a child who had been told that Christmas was cancelled although he knew he wasn't in any state to judge, as he was appalled as Harry was.

"Take the boy where, Albus?" Severus hissed at him, danger flashing in his eyes as yet another spell hit the wards and made a particularly violent tremor run through the house. A crack split the chimney breast accompanied by a crunching sound that made Hermione and Ginny shudder. Even Tonks clutched Hermione's shoulder a little tighter.

"To your home," Dumbledore informed him and there was definitely a smile on his face at this point.

"No!" Severus cried, realising belatedly that he and Harry had screamed the same thing at the same time. He shot a deadly look at the boy, warning him to be silent. Harry scowled back, folding his arms across his chest. "Headmaster, you cannot be serious," he implored Dumbledore, making no move towards Harry.

"On the contrary, Severus," Dumbledore said, pushing the stubborn teenager closer to the potions master. "I am completely serious. You are the person who can provide the best protection for Harry with the added bonus that no one will expect you to be caring for him given your difficult past."

Another, more violent, ripple tore through the house, all of the members in the kitchen lurching unsteadily. Harry staggered slightly, almost tripping over a chair, and Severus instinctively grabbed him by the back of his jacket. Harry coughed at the way the material caught at his throat and struggled to right himself before his air supply was cut off. Severus quickly release the boy, anxious not to keep a hold of him.

"They're almost through," Dumbledore observed, removing his wand from his sleeve. "You all know the emergency locations I gave to you in case of an emergency. Be ready to Apparate immediately."

"Please, Professor, think about this," Harry begged from where he stood, next to Severus. He looked at Dumbledore with wild eyes, but the Headmaster didn't meet his gaze and Severus didn't miss this fact. How odd, Severus thought, that Dumbledore wouldn't meet the gaze of his golden boy.

"Professor Snape will care for you, Harry," Dumbledore said, adjusting his robes and ignoring the distressed glances exchanged by Harry and Ron. "If you need anything at all, Severus, floo me. You know where to find me. And remember to set up some stronger wards around your home - stronger than what you already have."

Severus met Dumbledore's gaze, shaking with anger at the situation. How dare Albus foist the Potter brat on him for the remainder of the summer? How dare he? Severus had better things to do than to babysit the son of James Potter for Merlin's sake! However Dumbledore knew just how to convince Severus.

"For Lily," the Headmaster mouthed silently over Harry's head and Severus found himself clamping a hand down on Harry's shoulder with force. He saw Harry's open look of shock at this gesture but, wisely, chose not to comment. Severus felt his entire body tense as they waited, all of them standing rigid with a strong hold on their charges.

There was a loud crash upstairs – the door had been kicked in. Severus felt the magic of the wards dissolve, breaking like threads in a spiders web as the Death Eaters destroyed the protection that had been in place for years. He didn't know how they had managed to get through, as it should have been impossible, but Severus wasted no time by thinking of that. Immediately he spun on the spot, keeping firm hold of Harry as they Apparated away. Before they Disapparated from the kitchen, both of them heard a scream rip through the air before they were gone in a swirl of black robes.

Authors Note (ii): So, this acts as a kind of prologue to the story. I hope you enjoyed it and I'd be ever so flattered if you liked it enough to favourite/alert, but please don't do so without leaving a review for me, please!