***A Meeting with the Headmaster***

"Severus, this sounds really serious. You need to tell someone."

Severus turned to Lucy. He had never seen her look so grave. Lessons were over for the day, and together they had come to sit on their favourite hollowed-out log by the lake. The sun was almost set as the sky turned from crimson to deep purple and the first stars were beginning to mirror themselves in the black pool.

Lucy had asked him about Lucius Malfoy and Severus found himself expounding more in that subject than his new apprenticeship. He had told her about Avery's veiled threat about Professor Myers and Lucius Malfoy's all but open invitation to join the Death Eaters.

"Who am I going to tell, Lucy?" Severus said in exasperation, not realizing how hard he was clenching her hand. "Dr Myers' office is next to the Muggle Studies classroom. I have no reason to be there. Avery will suspect."

"He's our head-of-house, Severus. You have every right to see him about anything. Tell them Myers called you in to see him." Lucy said.

Severus shook his head, knowing that an overt meeting with Myers was a bad idea. "No, they will all still want to know why I'm meeting with him. You don't understand. Ever since I started Hogwarts I haven't been able to take a piss without my dorm mates asking why."

Lucy scoffed softly. "Nosey bunch, aren't they?"

"You have no idea," Severus said dryly as he stared off into the lake.

"Is that why you cast that spell? So no one would hear us in case they're sneaking about?"

Severus nodded.

He and Lucy sat in silence until the sky was almost as dark as an ebony blanket covered in diamonds. Sitting there quietly with Lucy, he had almost forgotten about his cares. He could have sat there with her, contently, forever, that is until he was violently jerked out of his reverie.

"Come on," Lucy said as she tried to pull him up by his arm.

Severus was caught too off-guard to protest and he allowed Lucy to drag him along. This was becoming a habit. Severus wasn't sure if it was annoying or endearing. "Where are we going?"

Lucy stopped abruptly. She cast her own spell to make sure no one was about, but she still whispered, "I'm taking you to Uncle Albus."

Severus looked about frantically, praying her spell worked. "Uncle Alb….we can't just march into the headmaster's office," he practically hissed. "That's worse than Myers."

Lucy rolled her eyes and said in a more normal tone, "Don't be such a Gryffindor, Severus. Of course we aren't marching into his office in front of God and everybody."

Lucy marched off. Severus blinked and then hurried to catch up with her before she was lost in the dark. "There's no reason to insult me."

Once Severus had caught up with her, Lucy asked him to take her hand—not that she really had to ask. They adopted a more casual pace to their walk and by the time they reached the castle, no one was taking any special notice of them.

Severus was relieved when they passed the gargoyle sentinel that guarded the headmaster's office and casually strolled towards the dungeons. He was a little surprised when they passed the secret door to the Slytherin common room. As they had already passed the potion's labs and Dr O'Conner's office, there was only one more place they could be going. They kept walking until the corridor came to an end. Lucy stopped in front of an unassuming oak door arched by stone and practically hidden in the shadows. She silently placed her small hand on the doorknob. The knob glowed yellow and the door opened without a password.

The warm, inviting sitting room that Severus visited for the second time that day was in stark contrast from the damp and dark dungeon corridor they just emerged from. There was already a roaring fire in the hearth casting dancing shadows on the beige walls. A large brown leather Chesterfield and two plush burnt orange arm chairs faced each other in front of the fire. A woven carpet with exotic Native-American patterns covered the otherwise cold, stone floor. A large leather ottoman pulled double duty as a tea table.

Lucy stripped off her school robe and tossed it over one of the chairs. She stood at the opening of a short corridor and shouted, "Daddy! Are you home?"

A disembodied female voice called back, "He's monitoring a detention right now, Lucy. What do you need?"

Severus was so nervous, he was beginning to itch. It was one thing to have a quiet lunch with Lucy when no one else was home. It was quite different to be in the small chamber when her parents were home and doing whatever private things they might be doing privately. It felt too personal. He didn't like the idea of invading the O'Conner's sanctum, especially with his problems.

Lucy ventured down the corridor and opened the first of two doors on the right. "Mama, it's important that we see him. Severus needs to talk to Uncle Albus. It's pretty urgent."

Mrs O'Conner emerged from the room and looked quizzically at her daughter and then at Severus. "Why didn't you just go to his office? You know the password."

Severus' gut flipped as Lucy turned back to him with an apologetic look. She turned to her mother again and said, "It's a bit complicated, Mama."

"Then why don't you and Mr Snape have a seat and explain it all."

"I'm sorry for the intrusion," Severus said as he sat next to Lucy on the Chesterfield. He was taken by surprise when Lucy unabashedly took his hand in front of her mother. He was even more surprised when Mrs O'Conner said nothing. Severus couldn't remember being as nervous in his life when he watched Lucy's mother summon a tea service from the small kitchen.

Mrs O'Conner poured out and quietly offered Lucy and the Severus tea. It was all Severus could do to keep his hand from shaking as he accepted the cup. When Mrs O'Conner finally did speak, she asked in her lyrical voice. "So, why do you need to see Albus?"

Severus wondered if it would be better to let Lucy explain, but he found his voice when Lucy squeezed his hand in encouragement. "Mrs O'Conner…are you aware of..." Severus wasn't sure how to approach the subject. After all, the O'Conners were American. How could Severus explain Lord Voldemort? "Have you...have you heard of Death Eaters?"

Mrs O'Conner gasped. She obviously had heard of Death Eaters. Her normally soft, turquoise eyes intensified as they met Severus'. The look on her face morphed from shock to grave concern. "Say no more. Wait right there," she said as she arose from her chair. Severus breathed a sigh of relief but he was still jumping in his skin. He put his tea cup down before he spilt its contents over the O'Conner's furniture.

After three Floo calls, one to the headmaster, one to Dr O'Conner, and one to Professor Myers, Mrs O'Conner quietly summoned Severus to the Floo. "Lucy, I want you to stay here while I take Mr Snape to see Albus."

Lucy's eyes immediately flashed in protest. "Mama, why can't I c…"

"Not now, Lucy." The uncharacteristic sternness in Mrs O'Conner's voice instantly silenced Lucy and Severus felt a pang at Lucy's downcast disappointment. In a voice that brokered no more protest from her daughter Mrs O'Conner said, "You are to stay here until your father and I return. Don't venture out of our chambers and do not go to your common room without our say so. Do you understand, Dear Heart?"

Lucy looked resigned as she nodded. "I won't go anywhere, Mama. I promise."

Mrs O'Conner reached to Lucy and turned up her daughter's chin so Lucy had no choice but to look her in the eye.

"I dare say you won't go anywhere without knowing what's going on with Severus," she said with a knowing smile. Lucy smiled wanly at her mother but the smile didn't reach her eyes.

Lucy settled herself on the couch as Mrs O'Conner escorted Severus to the Floo. He took a handful of sparkling green powder that Lucy's mother offered him from a painted porcelain box. Just before he called out his destination Lucy called out. "Trust him. Tell him everything, Severus."

Severus wasn't accustomed to Floo travel yet and he took a slight stumble as he stepped onto the carpet. Growing up in the Muggle world never offered many opportunities for Floo travel and his mother never had their Floo connected. To his embarrassment a hand reached out and caught him by the shoulder. He looked up to see the concerned face of Professor Myers.

Professor Myers had maybe ten or fifteen years on Dr O'Conner. Severus supposed that in his youth, Professor Myers might have been considered handsome. His once dark hair was only a shade from silver. He was a taller, slimmer man than Dr O'Conner. Although his dark eyes weren't cold, they also expressed a no-nonsense attitude that Severus respected. His expertise may have been a subject that most Slytherins either could not or refused to understand, but the wizard was by no means a pushover.

"Careful there, Mr Snape," Professor Myers' said. His voice was still deep, but had obviously lost some of its youthful richness.

"Thank you, sir," Severus answered respectfully. He hoped the civil response would hide his embarrassment.

Once Severus found his bearings, he managed to get a look around the room. Despite the occasional detention with Professor McGonagall, Severus had never committed an offence that warranted a visit to the Headmaster's office. It was a large, circular room. High on the dark panelled walls, above shelves that held almost as many books as the library, were magical portraits of past headmasters. Many seemed to be sleeping, but Severus was quite certain that more than one former headmaster cracked open an eye. One headmaster, dressed in Slytherin green and silver robes made no pretense of his interest in the proceedings and eyed Severus keenly. Hogwarts had its fair share if Slytherin headmasters in the past and at first Severus hadn't been certain which one it had been. Once his eyes adjusted to the dim light in the room Severus could finally read the name at the bottom of the portrait—Phineas Nigellus Black.

For some reason, despite the fantastical nature of the silver whirring instruments, some making odd noises, other emitting puffs of smoke, and the volumes of books that reached from floor to ceiling, Severus wasn't surprised by the room. It was almost exactly how Severus imagined the Headmaster's office would be.

Even wearing lustrous midnight blue, watered silk robes, the Headmaster was an imposing figure standing behind his ornate desk. But the most fascinating aspect of the room wasn't the portraits, rare tomes, or even the mysterious magical instruments, but rather the enormous, majestic crimson bird that stood perched behind the headmaster. Severus had read much about Phoenixes and knew as much as anyone could ever know from a book. Seeing one up close and personal, however, was quite frankly a magical experience, even for a wizard.

"Mr Snape, do have a seat," the Headmaster offered as he lowered himself into his own chair. Severus hadn't noticed Mrs O'Conner step through the Floo. She was already seated in an armchair next to Dr O'Conner. Professor Myers had already sat down leaving Severus with the empty chair between his Potions Master and Head of House. Severus sank into his chair quite sure he had never felt so small. He knew he was surrounded by very powerful Magi. He was quite certain that the headmaster was probably the most powerful wizard to come about in over a century. The situation would have been intimidating even to the most brave and reckless of Gryffindors.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Severus replied, hoping he didn't sound as nervous as he felt.

After offering Severus a sherbet lemon, which Severus politely refused, the headmaster went straight to business, which relieved Severus immensely. "Esther tells me you have some concerning news?"

Severus took a deep breath and shifted in his chair, as if he had been somehow sitting on his courage. As important as it was to confide in an authority figure, Severus couldn't help but feel like a traitor to his house mates and to Lucius. But damn it, Severus was tired of being dragged into their intrigues and he wasn't about to do something he would regret for the rest of his life. For once, everything was going well for Severus and he wasn't about to let Lucius Malfoy jeopardize everything he had worked so hard for.

Severus thought of Lucy and all of the possibilities the future might hold with her. He thought of what she wanted him to do and he could feel a newfound strength and determination. "Yes sir. I was approached by Lucius Malfoy this afternoon. He…he is trying to recruit me into Lord Voldemort's Death Eaters."

When he found the nerve to say the words, they poured out like a flood. It was a metaphor Severus found apropos. Once he had said them he could physically feel an enormous relief of pressure as if flood waters had broken a levee.

He heard Mrs O'Conner quietly gasp, "Oh my," as her husband reached out and squeezed her hand.

Professor Myers leaned in towards Severus and said in his brogue, "Are you certain about this, Mr Snape? That is a very serious accusation. Are you sure you did not misunderstand him?"

A flash of anger snapped through the Headmaster's eyes and he looked as grave as Severus had ever seen him. Severus only hoped that anger was not directed at him. He wished there was a way he could hide, but he could only hope to sink into his chair and make himself into a smaller target.

"No sir, I did not misunderstand him," Severus replied shakily. "He was quite direct. He was disappointed that I had accepted the apprenticeship with Dr O'Conner. Lucius had planned to introduce me to Vol…You-Know-Who at the Malfoy Christmas Party. If he was impressed enough by me, he would offer me an apprenticeship and his Mark. If you need proof, I have the posts Malfoy sent me over the summer. He wanted me to burn them, but I kept them instead. I turned down his invitation," Severus added quickly.

There was definitely angry tension in the Headmaster's shoulders as he arose from his chair. He looked intently at Severus as he released a long exhalation through his nose. Severus thought the Headmaster was going to say something but the instead turned to his Phoenix and began stroking its plumage. Severus could see the Headmaster's shoulders relax before he spoke.

"Are there others who have been invited to this Christmas Party?" the headmaster asked.

Severus nodded, "Nearly every Slytherin boy fifth year and over," he admitted. "Avery, Mulciber, Wilkes, Rowle, even Black—they all have said they intend to take the Mark then. I don't know of anyone else from other Houses, but it seems likely."

"I see," the headmaster said gravely.

"There's more," Severus added quickly. "They insinuate that they have inside information concerning the disappearance of Professor Llewellyn and that Professor Myers could be targeted next."

"I'm certain they just said that to scare or impress you, Severus." Mrs O'Conner was trying to be reassuring, but Severus heard the nervous undertone in her voice.

"Normally, I would agree with you, Esther," Professor Myers said. "But it so happens that the fathers of the very boys he mentioned are known backers of You-Know-Who."

"His name is Voldemort, Andrew—but you are right," the headmaster said. "There could be as much truth to these claims as fiction. But rest assured, measures will be put into place to insure your safety. Thank you for confiding in us, Mr Snape. You may well have saved your Head's life."

Severus wondered if that was the end of the meeting. The headmaster seemed to think so but the other adults weren't leaving.

Dr O'Conner arose. He stood behind Severus chair and put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you going to leave it at that? This is serious, Albus. This boy could be in real danger."

Severus swallowed hard. Why couldn't his own father be as protective of his well-being?

"He won't be as long as he isn't perceived as a threat," said the headmaster.

The room became deadly quite with the exception of Severus' heart pounding in his ears. He wondered if the adults could hear it too.

"NO!"

The trifecta of simultaneous protest coming from the O'Conners and Professor Myers came so quickly and loudly, Severus nearly jumped out of his seat.

"You cannot suggest turning a mere teenager into a spy!" Mrs O'Conner proclaimed.

"I'm afraid the enemy has already done so," said the headmaster. "And if we want to keep apprised of his movements, we must do the same. I have already recruited the eyes and ears a few select students, but none are in so advantageous a position as Mr Snape."

Now Severus was getting way too uncomfortable. "Wait…wait, Headmaster. I don't want to be involved…in any of this. I don't want to be a spy." All Severus wanted was to start his apprenticeship and spend his free time with Lucy. Was that really too much to ask?

The headmaster sighed. "Unfortunately, Mr Snape, it seems your House mates have already involved you, like it or not."

"Well, I don't like it," Severus said. He hated that he sounded petulant to his own ears. Apparently, a normal life was too much to ask.

"I don't like this either," Dr O'Conner said in agreement. "And what of Lucy? I don't like the idea of her staying in that dorm with future Death Eaters."

"I'll see to it that the wards around her dorm are strengthened and an Elf followers her closely when she's alone. She'll be protected. " Professor Myers assured.

Severus was beginning to sweat now. He didn't think Mulciber and Avery would actually want to hurt Lucy to get to him. But what if they didn't have a choice? She might not be safe anywhere at Hogwarts. He could no longer contain his rising panic. "Dr O'Conner's right, Headmaster. Lucy has to be kept safe…if…if…"

"What's wrong, Severus?" Dr O'Conner asked. "Has one of them threatened my daughter?"

"No. It's just that…it's just…" Severus couldn't bring himself to say it.

"Dick, Severus and Lucy are courting." Well—apparently Mrs O'Conner didn't have a problem saying it. But how did she know?

"What? When did this happen?"

Dr O' Conner didn't sound particularly angry, but Severus sunk himself further into his chair, nonetheless.

"Lucy told me last week, dear. She wanted to tell you herself but was afraid it would hurt Severus' chance at his apprenticeship. I told her she had until Saturday to tell you or I'd do it for her."

For a moment, Dr O'Conner stood in stunned silence. Severus really wished he knew how to Disapparate. "Well..…ahem…I seems as if I'll have to have a little talk with them soon. But at least he's a sensible young man. Aren't you, son?"

Now Severus was stunned. Dr O'Conner had just given his approval his relationship with Lucy. But he also heard the tacit warning. Severus was still slow to rise in his chair. Just in case his mentor changed his mind and Severus had to make a quick getaway.

"Well, it seems we have the answer to keeping both Lucy and Mr Snape safe," The headmaster said cheerfully. "And if you and your mentor are willing Mr Snape, it can put you in a perfect position to glean information from the other side without risk of taking the Mark."

Severus had to stop and think for a moment. His dorm mates were already feeding him information whether they realized it or not. The only way he could get away was to leave his dorm and that wasn't possible without raising suspicion. If feeding that information to the headmaster kept someone from getting hurt, Severus was going to do it. He was a part of the game, as the headmaster said, like it or not.

"It doesn't seem as if I have much of a choice," Severus said.

"Yes, you do," Dr O'Conner said. "I can get Severus enrolled in OU in the Athens. My former colleague, Dr Grady, would be more than happy to take on Severus. I'd go myself, but I haven't been here long enough to buy out my contract."

Severus had to admit, the offer was tempting. The school in Ohio had one of the few magical colleges in the world and it was the best. Muggles had no idea that the prestigious university also known as the 'Harvard on the Hawking' held a secret College of Magic. But leaving Great Britain would mean leaving Lucy and leaving behind…."Thank you, Dr O'Conner. I'm honoured, but I can't leave behind my mum."

Severus was afraid if he left the Isles behind, his father would once again turn on his mum, and Severus wasn't about to let that happen.

Dr O'Conner patted Severus on the shoulder. "I understand, son." To Severus' relief, he did not sound disappointed.

"You said, Mr Snape wouldn't have to take the Mark, Albus," Professor Myers said. "You know if given the chance Malfoy will put Mr Snape in a position where he won't have much of a choice."

"I assure you, I have a plan that will insure that Tom Riddle erm… Voldemort, will see Mr Snape as more valuable without a Mark and Lucy, as well as the rest of the O'Conners, will remain off limits to his followers."

Professor Myers looked highly sceptical as was Severus. Dr O'Conner and his wife looked simply curious. "How do you propose that?" asked Professor Myers.

"Simple, we let slip that Lucy is my niece. I am the last wizard in the world Riddle wants a direct confrontation with and thus far he has kept his activities ambiguous enough that I cannot justify a direct confrontation. However, he knows that if he or his followers were to involve my family—especially children…well…let's just say he doesn't want that to happen."

Severus understood perfectly what the headmaster was getting at. "So you're saying…Vol…Voldemort will see Lucy as my way of getting to you."

The headmaster smiled wryly. "Exactly. And you would be hard-pressed to explain away the presence of a Dark Mark to your girlfriend."

"But if I wore long sleeves how would she know…" realization dawned on Severus like a bludger to the side of the head. He could feel the heat rise in his face like a lit furnace. "But, Sir…we're not like…I haven't…I wouldn't…"

Dear Merlin! Lucy's parents were sitting right next to him and the headmaster was suggesting that Severus and Lucy were intimate. Severus wanted to just die right now.

"Calm down, Severus. I know you and Lucy are innocent." Severus turned towards Mrs O'Conner and saw complete trust in her eyes.

"However, teenagers tend to speculate, warranted or not," Dr O'Conner added. "As much as I would like to protect my daughter's reputation, these sorts of assumptions tend to eventually come along in the minds of teenaged boys. They will think what they will. I hate to say it and I don't want to break up the family, but perhaps it would be better if Esther were to take the kids and go back to Charleston."

"Dick, No!"

Severus felt his heart fall out of his chest as Lucy's parents argued. He was going to lose Lucy anyway.

"I won't break up the family," Mrs O'Conner protested vehemently.

"I don't see that we have much of a choice, dear," Dr O'Conner countered. "You heard what I said. We can't afford to buy out my contract and that decision isn't Albus'. It belongs to the Board of Governors. With Lucius Malfoy on the board I doubt I'll have many sympathetic ears. I'll get there as soon as I can. I'll bring Mr Snape and his mother along if I have to. You'll all be safer back home. "

"Not necessarily," the headmaster interrupted.

Dr O'Conner and his wife turned towards the headmaster. "How do you mean, Albus?"

"The farther your family is from my reach, the closer they will be to his. It will be hard for me to protect them from so far away, but easy enough for him to send an assassin to cause an unfortunate accident. Lucy's relationship to Mr Snape is already known to the students and it can't be undone. If Lucy were to leave, it would be easier to threaten Mr Snape with her safety and back him into a corner he cannot get out of. Your family will be safer here."

The silence in the room was deafening whilst Dr O'Conner seemed to think hard on what the headmaster just told him. It made Severus want to babble inanely about the weather or some such drivel just to break the uncomfortable silence. Finally Dr O'Conner nodded then turned to his wife. "I'm sorry, Esther. I should have never have taken you away from home."

"Silly man, my home is where you are." Mrs O'Conner stood on her toes and kissed her husband softly on the cheek. Severus had to turn away from the intimate moment. He wondered if he would ever have a relationship that close, even with Lucy. He doubted it, but it was nice to imagine.

"Either way," the headmaster continued back to the old subject without pause, "Voldemort does not see the best in humanity. He sees innocence as a weakness and you are by no means weak, Mr Snape. He will not want to chance that you and Lucy aren't…close. He will not ask you to take his Mark, only that you feed him information."

"I'll break it off with her!" Severus shouted. He could feel a hole burn in his gut and he was finding it hard to breathe, but he would do it if it meant keeping Lucy safe.

The headmaster shook his head. Severus wished he could shake the ridiculous smile off his face. "I'm afraid it wouldn't work. At least not for long. Not if you still have feelings for each other."

Severus knew the headmaster was right. Lucy could spot insincerity a mile away. She'd suspect something was wrong rather than believe Severus suddenly wanted to break up.

Severus did not like it. It was obvious the O'Conners did not either. But Severus wasn't in much of a position where he had much of a choice. "I suppose you're right. But I really don't like the idea of being the one to let this slip," Severus admitted. "I promised Lucy I'd keep her secret. I'll have to ask her first."

"I think for now it might be a good idea not to say anything to Lucy," the headmaster said.

"Albus, as much as I'd like to keep Lucy away from all this intrigue, she is a smart girl. She'll know something isn't right, and I don't like the idea of you using her without her knowledge." Mrs O'Conner said. "She has to be told something."

"Oh, Lucy will know everything in due time, my dear. Keeping a secret from Lucy is almost as hard as keeping one from you." Severus could have sworn he saw the headmaster wink as he smiled at his niece. "But she'll be more convincing if she doesn't know what's going on as of yet."

"And what do you propose to have my daughter do without her knowledge?" Dr O'Conner asked darkly.

"Why, she's going to tell Slytherin House that I'm her uncle, of course."

Severus couldn't help his cheek when he said ironically, "That's highly likely."

He knew how tightly guarded Lucy kept that secret and she wasn't about to let it slip easily.

Rather than rebuke Severus, the headmaster smiled impishly. "Trust me, Mr Snape."

Hi guys, I'm back. It's been a long time. Unfortunately, it has also been a very sad time. After a long decline in his health, my father passed away three weeks ago. It's a loss that still feels quite raw. Writing about Lucy's daddy has been quite therapeutic, though. So I dedicate this chapter to my dad and all the great dads out there.

Missyann