Chapter Three:

November

For the next few days Severus did a very commendable job avoiding Remus. They both had their own areas, and the werewolf actually seemed to respect that. In classes, Remus was quiet and mostly just sat on the side while Severus was teaching. When the children brewed their potions, he would help with the rounds. Sometimes, Severus even sat down. He was actually starting to feel dizzy or tired at times, which he'd been expecting. Thankfully, his morning sickness was not as bad as some others. He was not completely immune, he wasn't so lucky, but it only struck in the mornings for the most part, which was actually unusual. Morning sickness usually effected a woman an entire day, from what he'd read in pregnancy books and heard from eavesdropping. Then again, the first time the damn thing stuck, Severus made a large batch of potions to fight against it. He had to take a new one every morning, because it was not effective long-term, but it was safe for the thing, so he had no other choice. More potent ingredients could have been harmful.

Every day seemed to get more and more depressing for Snape, mostly molding together in what was usual and some things that were a bit unusual (but soon became usual). No more meetings, for the time being. Or at least none that Severus was meant to attend. The Order probably met several times, he did note Remus came and went some nights... These were meetings only for the people that were truly trusted, Severus had to assume. He knew that Dumbledore trusted him, that was no question, but the others were not ready to accept that "the greasy bastard" had actually switched sides, even after a decade. Severus was on a need-to-know basis with the Order, giving all the information he could obtain on Voldemort and his whereabouts, while only getting scraps in return which were barely enough to appease the Dark Lord. He could barely count the numbers of times he'd been put through the Cruciatus because he had only sparse facts to give to the dark. Even worse when Dumbledore gave him half-true information. It didn't happen often, but when it did Severus could only pray for Crucio, because the non-magical punishments Voldemort could dish out could be a thousand times worse.

Now, however, Dumbledore was positive that the next time Voldemort saw him, there would be no physical punishment as a response. He was so sure that The Dark Lord would care more about the 'heir' than punishment. Severus wasn't so sure, but arguing with Dumbledore was usually a fruitless endeavor. For his next meeting, Severus was given even less information than normal, and he was dreading it. Even he knew there were ways to hurt a person without using magic, and still avoid hurting a child inside...

The only rest, the only respite that Severus received were the moments late at night. He could read, shower, do whatever he needed to get away from his crushing experience. Lupin was quite at nights, and he wasn't bothered by the other man. Sometimes the wolf would try to talk to him, invite himself over or ask if he needed anything, and Snape usually just snapped a quick 'no' before closing the door.

Classes were going fairly well, besides the fact that Lupin was never specifically trained with potions. He was practically as bad as the children half of the time, but after the first class, he seemed to at least realize he was and stayed out of the way. Instead, the werewolf watched for mistakes rather than correcting them, and studied the potions master. Snape felt the dark eyes on him all through class. Combine that curious look with Potters Dirty one and Draco's worried one, and Snape felt as if he was a performer onstage rather than an instructor.

It was after one of these days that Draco stayed after class again, this time without Snape asking him to do so, which through the potion-master for a loop. Lupin, who was still gathering his things before leaving for lunch, looked up. Severus waved him off, and the two Slythrins stood in silence until the Gryffindor left the room. Once the door closed, Snape turned and walked towards his desk.

"Worried about my health again, Draco?" he asked, looking down. He rarely used the boys name in school, though outside he did often. Draco blushed and nodded.

"You... you still aren't eating much, but that's not..." He shrugged and looked at the chair Lupin had been sitting in moment ago. "Why is he here? Is he spying on you?"

Snape's eyes brightened. Clever child. He shook his head and smirked slightly.

"Perhaps, but I don't pay him much mind, you shouldn't either." he said, letting Draco believe whatever he wanted to believe. Draco gulped and nodded. Severus got the distinct impression that something was on the boys mind. "Is there something else?"

Draco nodded and looked down, which led Snape to believe this was going to turn into some sort of guessing game. However, Severus didn't like games and refused to put up with such nonsense.

"Out with it, child." he snapped, used to treating Draco like a small child. Draco gulped again and shook his head, but spoke nonetheless.

"How did you do it, Professor?" He asked. For a moment Snape had no idea what the boy meant, but then the fair-haired child spoke again. "My father was... so proud when Voldemort chose me, the way he chose you, but..."

Severus closed his eyes, sighing. He knew what Draco meant now... Back when he was a child, only fifteen years old, he and all the other soon-to-be Death Eaters had to stand in a line. Voldemort checked each child, until he got to Severus. He didn't know what he did to deserve the Dark Lord's 'special' attention. He was no better looking back then than he was now. All he'd ever had going towards his 'beauty' was his lithe body, and that was something no one had ever seen under his lose robes. No one, that is, except Voldemort. Severus had spent years trying to forget that night, and the many nights that came after. Just as he was getting sucked back into his memories, Draco spoke.

"I hate it. I can't... I can't do what he asks anymore. It's... It's humiliating and..." he said, and Severus cut him off. He could tell the blond was about to cry, and knew Draco would rather he not let him. The blond took a deep breath and nodded. "Did you... When did he stop with you?"

Severus shook his head and sighed.

"It took many years. Until he found another. And then you." he said truthfully. Draco bit his lip, hard. It turned white and Severus gestured for the boy to sit down. "Have you... told your father?"

The blond shook his head and looked down. Severus saw the pain in the boys eyes, as he saw often. His heart went out to Draco, but he didn't know how to stop it. He hadn't been able to get away until... Suddenly the potions master realized the advice he had to give.

"Draco." he said sternly, and the boys head snapped up. "He's never going to stop... Ever."

Draco blinked and wrapped his arms around his thin shoulders. Too thin. Just like Severus was back then... Then again, he was still about the same weight... The older man had never noticed the similarities before. Not so much in the face, Draco was much more attractive, given his fathers fine lips and eyes, his mothers beautiful skin, he was a fine catch. No, their bodies. Lithe, almost worryingly so, and pale.

"But... He stopped with you." he said. His voice sounded strained, and begging. Severus shook his head.

He couldn't talk about this. Not in a million years. He'd done such a good job suppressing those years of his life. It was how he became so good at ignoring other peoples pain... Because so many people had ignored his own. But how could he turn around and ignore the young Malfoy's? Draco was coming to him for help, and Snape knew there was nothing for him to do. Draco used to call him 'Uncle Severus'... Not that he let that go on past the age of five, even with Lucious' goading...

"Look at where I am." The potion-master said grimly, turning towards the chalkboard. He couldn't face Draco while saying this. "Carrying his child, letting him use my body for his bidding... How is what you are doing for him any different?"

The silence that followed let Severus know that his point was sinking in. Maybe, just maybe, showing his weakness here would help his... successor, of sorts, in the long run. Maybe Draco might actually be able to get away. He could only pray he was right, or at least that he was doing something right.

After Draco had left- quickly and quietly like a startled animal; Severus was about to leave when he noticed a pile of papers sitting on a desk. They were the ones he'd asked his new 'assistant' to grade. With a sigh, he started grading the most recent papers from the idiotic first years. He knew their ignorance was the fault of either their parents or the fact that they were born into muggle families, but finding so many mistakes in papers that were meant to be simple was disheartening. That was why he'd tried to pawn them off onto the wereworlf. How hard was it to find out the importance of timing in potion-making? It was the most essential part! He sighed and kept grading, his pen barely flicking whenever he marked a wrong statement. When he heard the door of the classroom open, he peeked up to see Remus standing, looking a bit squeamish. Though the man had seemed that way ever since he'd come back to the school. He hid it well around the children, especially those Griffindor brats he loved so much, but Severus, in his abilities to pay attention to the things others wished to hide, had noticed his twitching.

He had not only noticed the small twitches here and there, but also bigger things. As is common in potions class, that very afternoon there had been a small, loud POP when a student put their beazor into their mixture too soon. Severus didn't miss the teachers 'assistant' flinching and pulling back, as if about to be attacked. Since that, Lupin had been behaving even more like a frightened animal than usual.

"Do you need something?" The potions-master asked. Lupin nodded and walked over to his own desk, chatting along the way. Even when frightened, he was still trying to make conversation.

"I left behind those papers you wanted... Oh. I'm sorry." he said, when he noticed the papers were on Severus' desk, half-graded.

"It's alright." Severus assured the werewolf, though he made sure to leave the sincerity out of his voice.

"No, it's not. I'll take care of the rest."

Snape looked up, but didn't argue and stood up. He didn't leave the room, however, he just went to his own cauldron. He had expected Remus to take the papers and leave, but instead the werewolf sat down and started reading the paper that Severus had been grading.

"Don't let mistakes pass just because they are Griffindors." the teacher warned, summoning a fire underneath his cauldron. Remus looked up and shook his head.

"Of course not." he replied solemnly, but Severus saw a sneak of a smile on his face. He had a suspicion the man wouldn't be quite as strict as he would be, but he was also sure that he wouldn't let any true mistakes pass his notice.

A few minutes passed in an almost uncomfortable silence, though Severus pretended it didn't bother him half as much as it really did. He simmered his potion, which was already a brilliant blue color with stripes of other shades flowing along while he mixed it. Severus always loved the amazing colors potions could make, and even after years of making them as a specialty he had yet to find a perfect color to bore him. The colors his pupils managed to produce, however...

"What are you making?" Remus finally asked. Another pathetic attempt at conversation, which the werewolf had been doing fairly often. Severus usually just ignored it, but in a small, very quiet classroom, that would be even more rude than he was used to being.

"A morning sickness potion." he answered simply, not looking up from the boiling blue, which was starting to slowly fade into a royal purple color. Lupin stayed quiet for some time, and Snape was grateful for it. He rolled up his long robe sleeves so he could chop the wormwood into a fine powder to keep it from literally killing him when he ingested the potion. Robes were not the best attire to wear while creating a potion, but Snape wasn't about to wear muggle clothes in public.

"Has that already started?" Lupin asked, his eyes moving down to Severus' middle, which made the potions-master feel rather uncomfortable. He turned to get something unnecessary off the shelf to break the eye contact.

"Slightly." He answered.

"So... Why do you want to teach defense against the dark arts?" the werewolf suddenly asked. Snape could tell by his voice that he was trying his very best to make the question sound casual, which made the potions-master wonder about his ulterior motive.

"Why do you ask?" he replied calmly. Polite conversation was something Snape grasped very well... He just considered it below him more often than not. He looked up, knowing his black eyes would be able to force the truth out of Lupin if he were planning to lie.

However, Lupin just blushed very lightly and shrugged, and his awkwardness brought Severus a bit of sick pleasure. The same feeling he got when he called on a student who was quite obviously not prepared for the question.

"Well, you seem to enjoy making potions..."

"I do." Snape replied quickly, cutting the werewolf off. "Which is why I take absolutely no joy in teaching it."

Lupin looked up curiously, but Severus refused to continue speaking without being prompted, his thin fingers still chopping the wormwood. Minced was not fine enough. He noticed Lupin staring at his wrists. It was probably the most of Severus' skin the man had been exposed to since childhood. Thinking of that, however, made his face flush a bit and he tried to concentrate on his work. The last thing he needed to think of was exactly how much skin Lupin had seen back then, when that damn Potter; Potter Senior, of course, would charm him into the air. Fortunately, he didn't have to think on that memory for very long. Remus spoke up again, done being puzzled by the potion-masters response and, after being unable to figure it out on his own, decided to just ask.

"Why wouldn't you, if you enjoy it?" he asked.

Snape thought for a moment, arranging his words in the proper way before issuing his response.

"Students don't respect potions. To most, they see it as something tedious, and when they are bored, they destroy things. They forget an ingredient or stir too much, making the entire hour a waste." he replied.

Lupin glanced over at Severus, realizing that the potions-master was very much serious. He didn't want to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts because he liked them... He just took potions too personally. The werewolf smiled at this, but quickly brought his lips back into a neutral state when Severus glared at him.

"I suppose... I always felt the same way when it came to potions." Lupin admitted, looking down at the cauldron Severus was currently working over. "I was a top student, but... Potions never quite appealed to me the way they did for you. Even back then in class, you were always furiously taking notes, going above and beyond..."

'I had to take notes on what the teacher and book had bollocked up.' Severus thought, but Lupin continued uninterrupted.

"Then, and now really, you always made your brews look so much more, well.. beautiful than any of the other potions I've seen." Lupin admitted, and Severus nearly froze in his stirring. He didn't, of course, the potion required that he not stop for another forty seconds. He didn't look up at Lupin, though if he had he might have caught the light blush which painted the other mans cheeks. As it were, he assumed Lupin was simply mocking him.

"When a potion is made correctly, it almost always reflects the beauty of fine execution." he said quietly, as his inner counting made it up to forty and he set his stirring spoon down onto the counter. His potion was simmering, the faint yellow glow it had acquired while stirring was fading away, leaving a metallic-looking fuchsia in it's place. Snape was pleased with how it turned out, and went to fetch some vials, ignoring Remus once more. "Unfortunately, most just don't appreciate putting in the effort when a sloppily-made potion can work, though not half as well."

Remus nodded and looked back down at his papers, a look of thoughtfulness crossing his tired features. Severus ignored this as well, and just stuck to bottling his potion. This was enough for at least three weeks, if he needed it daily. He still wasn't sure how often his sickness would strike, only that his potion seemed to last for twenty-four hours.

"I wonder... will Dumbledore still let me have my child, do you think?" Lupin asked, causing Severus to nearly drop the vial he was filling.

He had yet to really think of the thing in his belly as a 'child', much less the child of Remus Lupin. But it was true, was it not? The werewolf had ownership of it. As far as Severus knew, none of the teachers had asked about Lupin and Sirius, trying to be polite to the young man. More than likely Dumbledore had informed them, and Snape was not considered. Not that Severus minded this, he made it clear he had no interest in gossip whatsoever.

"Your blood runs through it's veins. I doubt there is a reason he would keep it from you." he said solemnly, his voice losing any of the softness it had held when he was speaking of potions. Lupin probably heard this, because his body language sunk down and he lowered his head to look at the papers he'd finished grading.

"My blood. Werewolf's blood." Lupin replied. "We were going to raise her... or him, I suppose... I was hoping for a girl... In secret, together. But now... Now it's just me, and... and it's illegal for a werewolf to have children."

Severus rolled his eyes and looked away stubbornly.

"Don't ask foolish questions." he snapped as he put the cap on the last vial and set it on his holder with the rest of them. He turned to leave. "I'm going to retire now, make sure you put the papers away."

And with that, Severus turned and walked out of his office, without a second look at the werewolf who seemed to be staring hopelessly at the mans dark robes as they billowed behind him. Once Severus made it to his quarters, he slammed the door with a flick of his wrist and started the fire with only a glance. Wandless magic. He could only use it when he was feeling especially angry, however.

Why did he have to feel sorry for that damn dogs leftovers? Lupin knew what he was getting into, starting a relationship with someone like that. And why should Severus pity him?

'Did Remus ever lift a finger while those two devils tortured me?' he thought as he began to unbutton his robes, casting aside his feelings of sympathy.

His fingers, thin and dexterous, made quick work of the small buttons that would take others quite a while to release. His robes were the old-fashion type, which weren't used anymore because they were thought to be too cumbersome by most. They kept his frail body warm and hid it from the prying eyes of others. He wore them even in the summer now. About four years prior, The Headmaster had made a note on how thin Severus was looking and had seemed intent on making sure his potions instructor was healthy, making Severus' life a living hell for two months before the potions-master put an end to it.

With a small sigh, Severus changed into his sleeping robes, which were lighter and made of silk to keep from binding when he trashed about in his nightmares. He slipped between his blankets and closed his eyes, trying to force himself into sleep.

Several times during the night Severus ended up waking up for no good reason. Usually when this happened, he was just fine after walking around for a few minutes and going back to bed, but that wasn't working. And then, like clockwork, his arm started burning the moment the sun rose to summon the Death Eaters to a meeting that night. It was pointless. There was no reason for his arm to start burning so early, and so strongly. There was nothing he could do to stop it, either. He knew that well. No ingredients he tried could create a potion to help with the pain. Once he had created a lotion which he applied directly to the mark that worked well, but the pain was only twice an unbearable once it wore off, and the lotion half as affective when applied again.

He had to put up with the pain, which was only the start of his annoyances. He could hear Remus humming through the wall of his bathroom, his water refused to run hot enough to get him to stop shivering, and he was already feeling queasy. Everything seemed bleak, bleaker than usual even for him, and he just tried to force himself to get along with his day. By noon, he'd already snapped at as many students as he normally would in a week, barely recognizing the difference between his own house and others. What was the point? They were all idiots, so what did house really matter to him? Very little, when he was as annoyed as he was now.

Finally, the nighttime came. Snape wasn't sure if he were relieved or even more annoyed. Now he would spend another night listening to useless babble, and his migraines were acting up. He took a potion of his own make, and it worked wonders obviously, but that still didn't make him feel any better. They had always been exceedingly painful. He sighed, holding his head in his hands as he left his room.

"Severus?"

The potions-master looked over with a mostly annoyed reaction, seeing Lupin leaving his bedroom as well.

"I'm in a hurry." he said quickly, and the werewolf nodded, but followed behind him. Severus had the distinct impression that Lupin knew exactly where he was going.

"Did you know Draco is speaking to Dumbledore?" the raggedy man asked, and Severus turned abruptly. Remus held his hands up slightly, and smiled a bit. "I don't know what about, I swear."

Severus rolled his eyes, hoping that he knew what Draco would be discussing with Dumbledore and what it might lead to. Draco having a safe haven here, staying away from all of the Death Eaters, staying out of this whole mess from now on. He could only hope...

"You're going to a meeting, right?"

The potions-master looked over with a perplexed expression and then finally nodded.

"Yes. And I have to be outside of the grounds. Soon." he said sharply, in a tone that Remus took to be slightly threatening. "Now, if you'll pardon me."

He left Lupin behind and went up the stairs, to the courtyard. Once again, he felt a twinge of annoyance, this time at how far he had to walk before he was out of the schools boundaries so he could go to the meeting. It was cold out already, snow would be coming soon. He gulped and wrapped his arms around his stick-thin body, his heavy cloak feeling suddenly like a sheet against his bones. He felt his blood turning to ice, but the moment he was outside of the boundaries, he suddenly felt a warmth. He almost... almost smiled. The meeting would be inside today.

"Ssseveruss!" he heard a familiar voice hiss, and Severus looked up. He was one of the few who ever met Voldemort's eyes. Perhaps it was because he was so respected, or because he was one of the only few who would put up with the fear that overtakes a person when they meet those inhuman features.

"My lord." he said, bowing his head slightly. He saw the others, and today there were no masks. It made things a bit less disturbing, at any rate.

"Come, sssit." The Dark Lord commanded, motioning to a chair right by where he was standing. Severus always sat close to Voldemort, but he couldn't help but notice his seat was much nicer than those the others had. He sat, not making a mention of his better accommodations. "We have much to dissscusss."

Of course, that was an exaggeration. If truth be told not much discussion was taking place at all, just a speech on how they were right. At one point Severus heard his name mentioned. Once the actual planning was taking place, Severus tried to seem just as bored as usual, while listening to every last word to give the information to Dumbledore. Once the meeting was over, once again Voldemort made him stay.

"Ssseveruss... And you as well, Luciusss." He said, and for a moment the potions-master wondered why Voldemort always attempted to say their names so often when he obviously couldn't do it well. The Dark Lord made eye contact with Severus while Lucius walked closer. "I've been hearing about you. You haven't been eating well."

Severus tilted his head and crossed his arms.

"I eat in my rooms." he said quietly, wondering if Draco had volunteered the information or if Lucius had. He cast an angry look at his friend for good measure. Lucius didn't respond to it.

"That won't do." Voldemort said, waving his arms. "You need to have others sseeee you eat."

Severus raised his eyebrows and Voldemort shook his head.

"You will be... exxpanding over the nexxt few monthss." he said, and Severus knew that if a snake could smile, he was seeing it now. "And if you do not have a reassson, others will become ssusspiciousss."

"I can hide the pregnancy with a glamor, if need be." Severus said, leaning back. "Gaining weight is unnecessary."

"Any child with a wand can dissspell a glamor!" Voldemort snapped, jumping up and grabbing the back of Snape's head. It made the man cringe. "No, Sseveruss. You mussst do thisss for me."

Severus bit his tongue, wanting to spit at the man. Voldemort seemed to have read his mind, even though that was impossible. The elder Malfoy had his arms behind his back, looking intrigued at best. The Dark Lord had always been more physical with Sev, and he punished everyone for talking back.

"Yesss, I know you are proud of your body, pet. Sssso thin, ssso perfect. But you'll do thisss for me, you musst." he said, and Severus tensed. "It'sss an order. Eat, eat more than you would have in your life. You must look natural... for at leassst the firsst monthsss. Your diet could hurt my child, afterall..."

Voldemort leaned in, his grip still firm on the back of Severus' head. Tears were actually springing to his eyes involuntarily thanks to the pain. Finally, he nodded and was released.

"Good child." Voldemort said, still with that small, lipless grin. "Who knowsss? Perhapesss you'll enjoy it. Luciusss, make sure your ssson hearsss the newsss. He must watch and make sssure the promiss isss adhered to."

Lucius nodded, and watched as Severus lowered his head, hair falling down to cover his face. He knew that he could never enjoy this order. Already, he felt like vomiting. Moments later, Voldemort was gone and Lucius was at his side, checking to make sure his friend was alright. Barely eating, constantly being punished, he knew that Severus was weak.

"Are you alright, my friend?" he asked in a whisper, as if Voldemort were somehow still listening. Severus shook his head angrily. "I'm sorry... This is too demanding..."

"Don't think I don't know what you're truly sorry about." Severus replied bitterly, turning away from Lucius. The blond sighed and shook his head.

"I'm not... You can lose the weight, after the child is born." he said uselessly, but Severus caught the blue eyes scanning his robes.

"You weren't about to have me anytime soon anyway." he snapped at his friend. "Stop looking so pathetic."

Lucius lowered his head and sighed.

"Fine. My first question was unwarranted. You obviously are not alright." he sighed, used to Severus' outbursts when he was truly upset. "Will you be alright?"

Severus sighed and shook his head.

"I don't know. I'm tired." he said quietly, and then turned away. "I can't stay out any later. Goodnight."

He was gone in a moment, and Lucius was left alone.

When he arrived back at the castle, Severus leaned up against the nearest tree he apperiated by, almost falling down. His eyes were still blurry from his hair being nearly ripped out of his skull, and even though he would refuse to admit it, one or two of the tears lingering on his eyelids were probably not from any physical pain. Severus had spent his entire life trying to keep this one thing about himself bearable. He knew his face was all wrong, his hair was greasy, and his demeanor was probably the worst of it; but with his body, he made up for it. He was thin, and whenever someone laid him down, they knew that they would appreciate that, at the very least. If he threw that away, what would he have left?
He managed to finally push himself away from the strong tree, wiping his moist eyes and convincing himself it was just a knee-jerk reaction to the pain on the back of his head. So much for his migraine potion working, his head already hurt twice as much than it had in the first place. He should probably have considered himself lucky that no Forbidden Curses had been used. Half-staggering, he started back to Hogwarts, wanting to just lie down before his classes the next day and pray that his head would stop pounding by morning. However, the second he had made it to the door, Minerva was waiting for him.

"Severus! Thank goodness. You're later than usual. And your robes..." She said, still remaining proper even while brushing his shoulders. Severus pulled away sharply, reminding the woman that he did not like to be touched. "My apologies. Dumbledore sent me to ask you to come to his office before anything else."

Severus rolled his eyes and shot a bitter look at the other instructor. He knew he shouldn't have, because it wasn't her fault. The Headmaster seemed to never actually need sleep, so why should he care if others did?

"Right." he finally said, shaking his head. "Thank you, Minerva. I'll go now."

He turned sharply to the left and watched from the corner of his eye as Minerva turned and went in the other direction. He almost let out a sigh and than started up the stairs. With each step, he felt the promise of a warm bed move further and further away. Once he made it to Dumbledore's office, he chose a random muggle treat he'd heard about. Butterscotch, thankfully, was the right answer.

Another damn flight of stairs before Severus finally saw Dumbledore's smiling face. Of course he was smiling, Severus thought angrily, he didn't just receive the worse news of his life. Severus was so busy glaring at The Headmaster, it took him several moments to even realize the young blond boy who was sitting in the chair between the two adults. It wasn't until Dumbledore nodded at Draco that Severus looked at him, and saw how pale the boy seemed.

"Draco?" he asked quietly, and then knelt down. He wouldn't kneel for many children, but Draco was an exception. "Draco, are you alright?"

Draco gulped, and then nodded.

"Y-you never told me..." the young Malfoy whispered in a hurt voice. It seemed raspy, as if the boy had been holding back tears once more.

"I know. I'm... sorry. I couldn't tell you." Severus said, standing back up. He looked up at Dumbledore expectantly. "What is going on?"

The Headmaster moved across the room and sat down across the desk, motioning that Snape should sit next to Draco. Under any other circumstance, he probably would have stayed standing, but his legs felt suddenly weak and he consented. He collapsed into the chair, his eyes still on Draco. He noticed the boys hands were shaking, but Dumbledore's voice made his eyes dart up to the man.

"Draco came to me tonight. He confessed to becoming a Death Eater." the older man said, his voice purposefully slow. Severus nodded softly, and held back the erg to actually comfort Draco by taking his hand. "He... came for you, Severus."

The potions-master turned his head back to Draco, who nodded softly.

"I... I p-promised to keep you safe. I promised." he said, and Severus bit his tongue to keep from snapping at the child that the blood bond he made was unnecessary and idiotic. "His child will kill you... Or it would have if..."

"You told him?" Severus asked knowingly, and Dumbledore nodded.

"You've been... for years you've been..." Draco whispered and gulped. Severus nodded and noticed Draco was trying to look him in the eyes. Severus avoided the clear blue orbs expertly.

"A spy, for the side of good." Dumbledore said. Draco let out a half-empty laugh, and Severus could understand. Draco was in the same position he had always been. If both sides treat you badly, which is the good? "And now, Draco has volunteered to do the same."

Severus was on his feet again in seconds. He was tired, his legs very nearly gave out beneath him, but he forced himself to stand. He glared down at Dumbledore and shook his head.

"No." he said sternly. The headmaster looked up at him over his moon-shaped spectacles and then to Draco.

"It was Mr. Malfoy's decision." he said quietly. Severus gazed sternly at Dumbledore.

"Draco is a child! You will not put him in that much danger!" Severus said, as loudly as he could. Draco, who had been sitting in his chair; quiet and pale, shook his head and looked up at his professor.

"I'm not a child." He said, his voice oddly calm and stern.

"You are barely eighteen." Severus snapped, glancing over at the blond for barely a second. "A child, who should have never been dragged into this in the first place. Albus..."

Dumbledore looked up, not used to hearing Severus say his name. Usually, he was 'Headmaster', 'sir', or 'professor', almost never 'Albus'.

"You can not allow this. Give him sanctum here, let him live at least one year of his life without being a part of this." the dark-haired professor said quietly. Draco bit his lip and just shook his head again.

"I can do it! I know some things that you don't..." the boy said, looking at the ground with sad eyes. "My father tells me things, and... The other kids. I can get information you wouldn't find by yourself."

Severus turned, looking over at the sad, thin boy. He gulped and shook his head. Dumbledore stood as well, though much more calmly than Severus had.

"I'm sorry, Severus, but we need as much information as we can acquire. And Draco would not be in as much danger as you, he is not expected to know anything of the Order." he said quietly, and Severus' wrists clenched tightly. "He may be helpful, and he's willing."

"I won't sit quietly while you feed an innocent child to the wolves!" Severus practically growled. His tired body nearly fell, and Draco must have noticed because Snape felt a hand on his arm and when he looked over he saw the young boy looking up worriedly. Severus shrugged off the hand angrily.

"Severus..." Dumbledore sighed, lowering his eyes. "Draco and I have been speaking for many hours now. He knows the danger that comes with this chance, and he is willing. The decision is made."

Severus bit his tongue, glaring angrilly at Dumbledore.

"Yes. The decision is always made. One wonders why you even call me up to you in the middle of the night." he said, the bitterness in his voice practically solid matter. The headmaster must have felt it as well, because he took a step back.

"It is quite late, isn't it?" the older man asked with a smile. "We can discuss this further in the morning. For now, if you could see Draco back to his room...?"

Severus sighed and nodded, his frustration bubbling in his soul. He and Draco left the room in complete silence, which they held until the were able to reach the side of the dungeons where the Slythrin dorms were kept.

"Professor... I'm sorry." Draco finally whispered and Severus looked down at him.

"You have nothing to apologize for. Things worked out well for me, you're the one who has put yourself in much more danger." he said, looking over at the guard of the Slythrin rooms, a statue this year, one of a partially nude, very evil-looking woman. "Notcurn Avanti."

The statue moved aside and Draco looked in.

"I needed to make sure you stayed safe. The Dark Lord... He doesn't care about you, he is sure you'll die when his child, well, I guess that things child is born." Draco said, saying 'thing' like he were spitting out dirt. The potions-master smiled bitterly.

"Don't speak of such things in the halls. Go to sleep. We will speak in the morning." Severus said hauntingly. Draco nodded and went through the door, looking tired and small. Severus watched until the passage was closed, before turning to walk into his bedchambers. He had little trouble getting to sleep, his body worn and hurting, even his personal problems did little to stir him.

Hey guys. I'm really sorry, I actually finished the chapter nearly a year ago, but... I kept waiting for the person who said they would beta-read it for me to... well, beta-read it. She never did and it got to a point where I forgot I ever wrote it in the first place. I found it in my sent box a few weeks ago, which is actually REALLY great because my computer has died. So anyway... Sorry for the lateness. I really was hoping to keep up on this more since last time.