A/N: Finally, another chapter! I have an idea of where this story is going, but if there's anything you guys would like to see feel free to let me know and I'll consider it.

Chapter 16

Professor Dumbledore's voice cut through the commotion and after a moment the room fell silent again. Harry was slightly impressed that Snape had kept his head raised through the anger of several Order members. Hermione was glaring daggers at Sirius.

"May I see the letter, Severus?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

"I don't know how it got in and I didn't respond," the younger boy said, handing the letter over without protest.

Harry watched Dumbledore's eyes narrow as he read the letter and noticed Hermione fidgeting next to him. Fred and George also seemed to know what was in the letter based on the looks they were exchanging.

"Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Severus."

Snape seemed to relax slightly at the words and nodded.

"Are you certain he's telling the truth, Albus?" Moody asked, eyeing Snape suspiciously.

"I don't know how Severus could have gotten a letter out unnoticed. Additionally, why would he bring it to us if he wasn't on our side? Like I've said before I trust Severus."

"I don't think the boy is telling us on his own volition. I think Granger's making him" Moody growled back.

Snape's shoulders had tightened up again, Hermione looked decidedly uncomfortable, and oddly the twins did as well. Even if Snape was only talking because Hermione or maybe the twins had made him, Harry couldn't entirely blame him, Harry didn't like going to adults either.

"Regardless Severus did still bring the matter to Miss Granger and she correctly counseled him to bring the matter to the Order," the Headmaster replied swiftly.

"I thought it best if adults were also aware," Hermione said.

Harry was quite sure Hermione wasn't being entirely truthful and that the Weasley twins had something to do with it and he doubted he was the only one thought so, but he certainly wasn't going to say anything.

"Is there anything anyone else has to add?" Moody asked his gaze lingering on the twins who shifted uncomfortably.

"Well," George began hesitantly glancing at Fred who looked equally conflicted.

"The twins found the letter."

Harry's mouth fell open at Snape's admission.

"I assured them that I had no intentions of replying. They thought I should inform the Order. I agreed that I would," Snape continued, his voice unnaturally calm.

"Knew it," Sirius said, and Moody looked smug.

"Why not come to an adult immediately, Severus my boy?" Professor Dumbledore asked and although he sounded calm Harry noticed a hint of anger.

Harry could tell Hermione desperately wanted to provide an answer, but didn't want to risk disrespecting the headmaster.

"He doesn't trust you and you don't act like you trust him," Harry said bitterly. He knew you couldn't always count on adults. He knew what it was like to be disliked by most everyone around him and he knew what it felt like to have Dumbledore not trust him, although, after the incident with Mr. Weasley maybe it was the best that Dumbledore was avoiding him.

"After the incident at Flourish and Blots I believe Severus feared how everyone would react, sir," Hermione added tentatively.

"Would this be a correct assessment, Severus?"

"Yes, sir," Snape replied quietly.

"Very well. I need to discuss another matter with you after the meeting and I may have more questions concerning this topic at that time. Now, we have Order business to attend to." The Headmaster gestured for the students to leave.

Harry wanted to argue, but Hermione was already tugging on his arm and he allowed himself to be led out of the room.

HPHPHPHP

Severus allowed himself a small sigh of relief as he exited the room. He'd been concerned Black or Moody might hit or hex him at first, but in the end it had gone alright. Granger and surprisingly Potter had been helpful. Although who knew what the Headmaster had planned for after the Order meeting. He could try to dig through his mind again. Severus shuddered. He'd managed to kick the old man out before, but he knew that the wizard was capable of hurting him if he wanted to. He was extraordinarily powerful and Severus was just a student.

"You could ask Severus," Granger said.

Severus was pulled from his thoughts at the sound of his name.

"You any good at chess, Snape? None of them can really put up a fight," Weasley said.

"I'm alright," Severus replied. He could beat the other Slytherins in his year and a handful of the upper years, but Weasley was fifth year and sounded quite good.

"Want to play?"

Granger gave him an encouraging look and Severus sighed. He supposed it couldn't hurt.

"Very well."

Weasley offered him white, but Severus chose to play black.

"You're doing much better than I ever do," Granger said after he and Weasley had been playing for nearly half an hour. Severus didn't even feel like he was doing that well. He certainly didn't have the upper hand in the game.

"Chess isn't her thing," Weasley grinned as his knight took Severus' bishop. The older boy was far better than he'd predicted. Better than he remembered Lucius being. Severus wondered if Weasley ever applied his aptitude for strategy in real life. Thus far he hadn't seemed to.

They played for another fifteen minutes and Severus could tell the end was near.

"Severus, could I have a word?" Professor Dumbledore asked as Order members poured into the room interrupting their game.

"Yes, sir," Severus said and then turning to Weasley, "you can pack it up if you wish you were a few moves out from winning I believe."

"Five," Ron said in confirmation. "We should play again. You're pretty decent."

Severus nodded and followed Dumbledore out of the room. He was somewhat relieved to find that Professor McGonagall was accompanying.

"We've decided that after Christmas break if we still haven't found a cure that you will attend Hogwarts as a second so long as you feel like you can keep since you'll be missing the first semester," Professor McGonagall said.

"I can manage," Severus replied firmly. There was no way he was going to do the second half of first year again.

"We will have you attend under an alias and have you under a glamor. We have also decided to have you stay with the Gryffindors," Dumbledore added.

Severus' stomach clenched and his fingernails dug into his palm. He still wasn't going to be able to escape the lion's den.

"Especially with the letter we must keep you away from the Slytherins for your safety," Dumbledore continued.

Severus couldn't keep the sneer off his face. The old man didn't trust him and how much could Dumbledore care about his safety if he was going to plop him into a house with people, he would never be able to get along with.

"Why not Ravenclaw?" he asked bitingly.

"We want you to be near people who know the truth and can help you such as Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall replied before Dumbledore could. "I know this isn't ideal and hopefully it won't be for long, but we want you to be safe. You can always come to me if you are having problems."

Severus nodded. He knew he didn't have a choice. They were informing, not asking. And Professor McGonagall did seem to genuinely care, but he couldn't be certain. She had been more fair than some professors, including the headmaster, but she'd still favored her Gryfindors. On the other hand she had been quite kind to him since he'd woken up in the potions lab.

"Is that all?" Severus asked.

"Yes, my boy. Just make sure you're vigilant at Hogwarts. I will tell the others to look out for any suspicious behavior as well, especially from Draco Malfoy."

Severus followed the two professors back into the dining room and sat quietly through dinner. Black and Moody shot him several suspicious glares, but for the most no one paid attention to him other than Granger, who managed to pull him into a conversation about the book she'd gotten him.

At long last Severus was able to escape to his room. It had been a trying day, but he'd managed to get out of it in one piece, which was something. Severus picked up the book Granger had given him, however, as soon as he opened it there was a pop. Hovering in front of him was another letter. His stomach dropped.

Dear Severus,

How are you managing? It dawned on me that you may not know how to respond. Simply say "Litteras mitta Lucius Malfoy" and flick your wand. I also realized that you may have been given inaccurate information by your current caretakers. They may have told you that your loyalty was with them, however, you were always ours. A true Slytherin you are, my friend.

Sincerely,

Lucius Malfoy

"Incendio," Severus whispered.

As he stared down at the remnants of the letter, he felt an icy cold overtake him. Who had he been loyal to? Did it really matter? No, he was royally screwed either way.