Heart\'s Journal

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Chapter 12: To Make a Truce
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Severus and Lissa entered the great hall for dinner amid more whispers this time speculating on whether Severus has lost his mind since getting married. Twice in one term he had dismissed a class early. It was obvious that Snape had gone off his rocker.

They took their place at the head table where Albus twinkled at them. \"Severus, I am sure that the students enjoyed being dismissed early but I have to make sure this is not going to be a frequent occurrence.\"

\"No, Albus I can assure you that it won\'t happen again.\" Severus said quietly.

Lissa blushed scarlet. \"I have to apologize Professor Dumbledore...the fault was mine.\"

\"Don\'t worry about it child. I realize that you and Severus have had precious little time alone with each other.\" Minerva said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “We understand what it is to be like to be newlyweds.”

\"Lissa, I would like to ask you for a favor.” Albus asked.

\"Yes sir?\" She asked tentatively.

\"Your power to enhance another\'s could be useful. I understand that you don\'t exactly have any love lost on Harry.\" Albus said matter-of-factly, \"I would, however, like you to get to know the boy a bit. Your help could give him the help he needs to defeat Voldemort.\"

\"Don\'t ask for much. Do you? Please take no offence, he\'s an ok kid but he really needs to grow up and realize that some of his heroes have faults and that Severus is not the villain in all this. Yes… Sev has his faults as well but, there are reasons for them being there and Harry and his bunch aren\'t helping matters. There has to be compromise on both sides and as long as they insist on viewing Sev in a black light and no other there will be none. Now, while I realize that I am likely preaching to the choir, you need to realize where I am coming from, as I seem to be the only one willing to put the entire deck of cards on the table. In fact, I think a good idea would be to get the five or six of us together and hash it out. Period. No one leaves till it is.\"

\"That is a very good idea, dear.\" Albus smiled. \"Severus will you collect Draco? And Lissa, the Trio? You can use the room just off the Hall.\"

Severus sent a look to Lissa saying that if they ended up killing the trio that it was her idea. He rose and went over to the Slytherin table and a moment later Draco was following him to the comfortable room off the Great Hall.

\"As you will.\" Lissa rose and strode purposefully to where the trio sat. Her approach, however, reminded them rather forcefully of her husband. She collected them and followed Severus to the specified room.

Severus and Draco were transfiguring more chairs when Lissa and the Gryffindors entered. Looking up briefly Severus scowled at the new comers but gave his wife a small smile.

\"Sorry... I wish I could help.\" Lissa said apologetically.

Harry looked at Lissa. \"Why are we here?\"

Lissa looked at him a moment. \"We are here to determine why we shouldn\'t just impale you on your own wand and cast an engorgement spell on it. Brat. Sit and you\'ll find out soon enough.\"

Draco smirked at the way Melissa Snape acidly spoke to the wonder boy.

Severus smiled, realizing yet again why he loved this woman. Catching her around the waist before she sat down he gave her a quick but thorough kiss.

\"Behave.\" Lissa gave Severus a mock glare. “Now, we need to hash out some things before any of us can move on.\"

\"What do you mean?\" Hermione asked quietly, \"I know we have our problems with Malfoy but you don\'t know us and we don\'t know you.\"

\"Miss Granger, Lissa knows you better than you think. Please be quiet and list" Se" Severus said with quiet steel in his voice.

\"She has a valid concern, Severus. I will not go into how or why right now but I know you all rather well but I also know you don\'t know me at all and what you have seen has not endeared me to you. Oh well. Deal with me as is kiddos. I will not lie to you. I will tell you it\'s none of your business but I will not lie to you. This is also a meeting for you to get to know Severus and me... and each other. You think you know each other? Think again. You know less than you think.\"

Harry watched Lissa with his emotionless green eyes. Hiding his emotions was something he had gotten quite good at the last couple of years.

\"To begin with, I was born Melissa Elizabeth Fendley in Johnson City, TN. I am 23 and newly exposed to magic. I have to be tutored here at the school so hopefully, one of these years I can catch up. Which reminds me. Hermione, would you mind helping me please? I would very much appreciate it when you have a few free moments.

“Ron, I love your father to death! He is such a sweet man as is your mother!\' Lissa was smiling thinking of the Weasley family and their loving family views. \'I truly envy you your family. Mine was...less than close. And oh-my-god, Fred and George! I am so hoping to meet them soon!

“Draco we have a truce. Now we need to work on a friendship. Give it a try why not?

“Harry. Where to begin... Hmmm. I understand your childhood a little better than most and I feel your pain in that aspect. I also know about you teasing your bully of a cousin, about his pet name at home before your fifth year. That was really cruel. They\'ve taught you well. Haven\'t they?\"

Severus watched closely as the trio took in the information Lissa had just given them. Harry just stayed quiet while Ron sputtered for a moment. Hermione gave Lissa a small smile and nodded. Draco smiled as well liking this woman more and more.

\"Draco has had a less than ideal childhood.... Does anyone think they could possibly try and see past his acting like a prick to find out what he\'s really like? Draco do you think you can put hostilities aside long enough to do the same? And if you think I\'m going to be anything but brutally honest about every last one of us...you\'ve another thing coming.\"

Severus smiled as Draco looked indignant for a moment then nodded, the trio all nodded though they all looked incredulous at her words.

\"Talk to me. It\'s your turn now...who wants to talk first?\"

Harry spoke up first, \"Ok I can see why we are here but why Malfoy?\"

\"Let\'s see...he doesn\'t want to be a Death Eater? As that is how he sees things, he will need friends or if not friends at least allies.\"

\"Doesn\'t want to be...\" Harry smirked, \"He probably is one and has given some cock and bull story. He is probably spying for his father anyway.\"

\"I suppose we can bring out the veritiserum. Is that really necessary Harry?\"

\"For Malfoy probably. It is just hard to believe that he would turn his back on his father just like that.\" Harry said with a snap of his fingers.

\"Oh no....Potter. If he gets it then so do we all.\" Her eyes narrowed and gleamed with a slightly evil light.

Severus\' eyes widened. \"Lissa...\" He said with warning in his voice. “There are things that can not be said.\"

\"Then just give it to them? This needs to be settled and we aren\'t leaving till it is. If we cannot come to some arrangement or whatever then it is going to be a very long night or better.\"

\"Just what makes you think you know my parents and what do you want with my brothers?\" Ron suddenly burst out.

Lissa just looked at Ron and began to laugh. **What a tension breaker! **

**Yes dear, what do you want with Weasley\'s brothers? ** Severus said teasingly.

Lissa looked wistful a moment. \"Maybe a replacement for my own brothers. My brothers never paid me any attention. They simply wanted me away from them as I was the youngest of eight.\"

Severus knew now that she probably understood Weasley better than any of them could. Being the youngest in a large family was difficult.

Ron\'s eye widened. \"Eight? What about your mum and dad?\"

\"My parents divorced as soon as I was out of the house. I had 5 brothers and 2 sisters and the youngest of them was seven years older than I. Your family is so loving and close that I envy you but, then again...I don\'t think I would know what to do with them if they accepted me into their extended family. I really do not doubt that they would, Ron. They are such wonderful people your family. With...the exception of Percy. Stupid git.\"

**Thank you love. I am probably handling this very badly but I am doing the best I know how. **

**Weasley is the hot headed one and you have I think broken through to him. You are doing fine. **

Harry looked back and forth between the adults. \"Ok what was that?\" Harry asked them.

Lissa looked at him curiously. \"What do you mean?\"

\"I\'m not sure but something just passed between you and Snape.” Harry looked to his friends, \"Tell me you guys saw it, too?\"

Hermione looked at Ron blankly and he returned the look in kind as they both looked at Harry. \"I\'m sorry Harry. I didn\'t see anything and I don\'t think Ron did either.\"

Ron looked at Harry apologetically. \"Sorry mate. Didn\'t see a thing.\"

Harry shook his head and turned back to Lissa and Snape, \"You were communicating some how, not with looks and not with words.\"

Lissa nodded. \"Very good Harry. We were. I\'m not sure if I should elaborate yet until you are more skilled in Occlumency.\"

When Harry started to protest Severus held up his hand, \"Wait a minute Potter, there are things happening that you don\'t know about. Things that would be very dangerous for certain people here if they were found out.\"

\"Honestly Harry, I would really appreciate it if you would have respect enough to call my husband Professor. If you feel you cannot respect him enough to use his proper title then respect his position enough to. He is deserving of more but I think he will settle for respectful courtesy. I know that I will settle for that for now.\"

Severus pinned the boy with a glare and softened his expression to a smirk when Potter merely nodded.

\"I don\'t know what your father\'s problem was with Severus, Harry. I do know that he and Sirius treated Sev abominably. There was no reason. I understand that your father settled down after marriage and became almost endurable. I really wouldn\'t know. I understand that your mother was a lovely woman who had a gentle soul even as she seemed to have a core of steel.

\"Your Godfather is one that I have a problem with. He simply will not drop the childhood rivalry with Severus. The first day he was back he came into Albus\'s office hurling insults at him. I.... kind of lost my temper with him. He should actually be glad I am so unskilled in magic else I likely would have hexed his balls off and had them stuffed and mounted. They would have looked rather interesting over the mantle and quite a conversation starter.\" Lissa smirks, eyes sparkling with humor.

Severus smiled at his wife and her twisted sense of humor. \"I\'m sorry darling but that would be one trophy that would be relegated to storage very quickly.\"

Lissa pouted a bit before smiling. \"Don\'t I get to have any fun?\"

\"Not when it comes to having to look at a piece of Black every day, no.\"

Lissa threw back her head and laughed.

Severus took up where Lissa had left off. \"Potter, your father and his friends hated me nearly as much as the three of you hate Draco. True we slung insults at each other as Slytherin and Gryffindors do, butius ius was usually the one who escalated things. Part of what sent me over to Voldemort in the first place was the way your father and his friends treated me. Lily was the only one who saw something else.\"

The Trio had sat in silence for a moment, and then realizing what Lissa had told them Harry shot out of his chair, \"Sirius is back?\" His eyes wide, \"How?\"

Lissa looked a bit surprised. \"Harry, I would have thought that he or the headmaster would have contacted you. He came back earlier today and there were some arguments. Sorry. I suspect that when you all thinned the veil for me to come through that he managed to come back as well.\"

\"Do you know where he is now?\" Harry asked with a hope in his eyes that no one had seen in a long time.

\"I\'m afraid not sweetie. Wish I could tell you but frankly even if I knew this meeting doesn\'t end till we have things settled.\"

Draco looked sullenly at Harry, \"And Potter has his fondest wish once again.\"

Lissa looked at Draco a little puzzled. \"What\'s wrong, darlin\'?\"

\"Potter Over and over gets his fondest desires handed to him. So he had a tough childhood,\" He crossed hid arms over his chest, \"He didn\'t have his father breathing down his neck since he was two years old, about taking the Dark Mark, being weak, being second best to a mud… muggleborn, not being good enough.\"

\"What is your fondest wish Draco? Don\'t ask why. I want to know, just tell me. Please?\"

Draco looked at Lissa trying to decide what she was after, before he answered the cold sneering facade that he normally wore dropped from his face leaving a sadness that was reflected in the surprised faces of the Trio, \"I want to be a teenager, with friends that really care that could careless who my family is or how much money I have. I want to be accepted.\"

\"Will you accept me as a friend Draco? I know I am not in your age bracket exactly but.... I’d like a friend too and quite frankly I find most of the Gryffindors scary as hell.\" She smiled at him then knowing how campy it sounded.

Draco gave her a small smile and nodded. He burned with the need to ask her how she had dealt with his father, his eyes slid to Professor Snape then back to hers.

Lissa smiled a knowing smile. \"Nope. Didn\'t happen. Nor will it ever. Your mother is a very sweet person by the way.\"

Draco\'s eyes widened, \"How? No one has ever defied him once he set eyes on her. It will make him only try harder you know.\"

The trio looked at the exchange with confusion.

\"I don\'t think so, Draco.\" Her eyes glittered dangerously.

\"How? I won\'t stop asking until you tell me.\"

\"Patience sweetie. Ok? I promise I\'ll tell you.\"

Draco sighed and nodded.

“Now, Harry. You need to grow up a bit and realize that you are not the only teens who lose things and you have not been doing this all alone from day one. Professor Dumbledore has made some mistakes with you that have been echoed by others. They should never have mollycoddled you and I will certainly blast the next person I catch doing it without a phenomenal reason.\"

**Severus, if he is old enough to be putting his life on the line then surely he is old enough to be treated as an adult. Yes? At least when not in classes? **

**Of course he is, I never agreed with the rest of them to keep Harry in the dark. It was too dangerous and it still is, but until we are sure that Voldemort cannot read his thoughts through his dreams there are things he simply cannot be told. **

** I know...I just think he needs to be told this by you. It would mean a lot and break down some walls. **

\"Potter if you want to be kept informed you must work with me again on your Occlumency training, with out it is simply just to dangerous to tell you things.\" Severus said aloud to Harry. \"Can you do this? Work with me again?\" Severus asked pinning Harry with a stare.

Harry scowled and finally answered with a clipped, \"Yes, Sir.”

\"Maybe I can help as well, Harry. I do know a few things that might help.\"

\"How well does she do, professor?\" Hermione was curious to know.


\"She does well enough to keep the Dark Lord out of what needs to be hidden.\" Severus answered yet again cryptically.

**Do you think we\'re making progress here? Harry seems to remain closed and uncommunicative. He\'s the one I\'m supposed to be getting friendly with... Breaking through to them all is a good thing but.... What the hell? **

There was strong banging on the door and a familiar voice called out. \"Harry! Harry are you alright?\"

Severus jumped up first; leave it to Black to interrupt. His presence would set everything back.

\"Black this is a closed meeting. You can see Potter when he is finished here.\" Severus called through the still closed door.

**I swear I am going to kill him myself and save Voldemort the trouble!!**

**Be my guest, dear. We might have to tell them everything so they understand, you are right this is taking to long. **

\"Sod off Snape! I want to see my godson!\"

\"Black!! How about *I* come out and you see *me*!\" Lissa shouted.

**We should probably try to bury the hatchet in... I mean with *him* as well. With his influence over Harry it could make this even more difficult. **

**I liked your first phrasing love. **

**So did I. **

\"Open the door Severus. If I open it I\'m liable to do something unfortunate.\" Lissa crossed her arms and turned away from the door.

\"Let me in there, Snape! I want to see my godson!\"

Severus opened the door but stopped a raccoon eyed Sirius with a hand on his chest. \"Black, if you come in here you are going to participate. The six of us are in here to come to an understanding as long as it takes. We are stuck here. If you can not abide by that then leave now.\"

\"What\'s the deal Snape? Why are you doing this? You don\'t care about Harry and never have! What game are you playing now?\"

\"Did Albus tell you nothing?\" Severus asked.

\"No game baka.” Lissa snapped. “Needing to work this out. Get your fucking ass in here! If you are going to continue breathing and getting in the way we might as well come to an understanding with you too!\"

\"Lissa dear do you think a demonstration is in order? It will give them an idea where all this is going, at the very least.\" Severus said to her as Sirius crossed the room and hugged Harry.

Hermione looked from one adult to the other. This was disturbing. She looked to Ron and scooted closer. Ron, for his part, was not thrilled about the conflict either but did appreciate that it brought Hermione closer to him.

\"What did you have in mind, my love?\" Lissa asked quietly, praying that they weren\'t moving too quickly.

\"I think they need to have an idea of what will be expected. They will persist in these petty differences until they have a better reason not to.\"

\"Proceed then. I will follow your lead.\"

\"She certainly makes a good Death-eater\'s wife. Doesn\'t she? Vicious yet obedient.” Sirius snarled. “Harry have they been treating you well?\"


\"Black if you persist in being difficult I will remove you. Now sit down and shut up.\" Severus said with barely controlled anger, \"If we could kindly have your attention we will show you what the point of this exercise is.\"

Severus took a small quartz crystal from his pocket and set it on the floor.

Feeling Lissa\'s power merge with his own he muttered the simple engorgement charm.

The intensity of her emotion poured forth into Severus as the crystal swelled to the size of a small car.

\"Was that suitably impressive or shall we see what this could do to a simple hex, Black.\"

Severus reduced the crystal to its original size then scooped it up and slipped it back into his pocket.

The four students were gaping in shock at what they had just seen. Hermione\'s eyes widened with her disbelief at what she had just seen. She finally managed so sputter a few words.
\"How? How is that possible? What happened?\"

\"I agree.” Sirius said quietly. “What happened?\"

\"Lissa has some magical talent but her true talent lies as an Enhancer.\" Severus said.

\"Those are extremely rare, Snape. Does You-Know-Who know?\" Sirius asked in concern.

\"Not yet and we don\'t intend him to. If he did he would kill me and try to force her to enhance his own power. What Albus proposed, and the reason we are here, is for Lissa to be an Enhancer for Harry. The Dark Lord grows more powerful and Harry will need an advantage to defeat him.\"

Sirius nodded. \"I hope you can help him Lissa.\"

\"I can help him better if I can get to like him.\" Lissa said with some tiredness in her voice.

\"Black,\" Severus said, \"You and I have never seen eye to eye, even being members of the Order we have never settled our differences. It is vital that this work. Your continued ins wis will not help matters between Harry and Lissa, they have to trust each other and form a friendship. That is the only way this will work.\"

\"The stronger I feel toward someone the more power I can lend them. Severus has unlimited power access and I am hoping that friendship will grow to love with the brat. Sirius...this needs to end. Now.\" She gently laid a hand on his arm.

Sirius almost jerked away but stopped himself. For Harry, Harry. \"I will try...for Harry.\"

\"Good enough.\" Lissa smiled and then looked to Severus.

Severus stared back, \"What?\"

**What do you mean...\'what\'? ** She smiled mentally.

\"Fine,\" Severus said rolling his eyes then walked over to Sirius. \"If you can stop the insults, Black, I can forget the past.\" Severus said offering his hand to the mangy dog he had hated passionately for so long.

Sirius shook Severus\'s hand a little unsure at first then more firmly before turning to Lissa. He released Severus\'s hand and extended it to her.

Lissa extended her hand to him for him to shake. He took her hand instead, turned it over and kissed the back of her hand on the knuckles while looking at her with unreadable eyes.

Severus narrowed his eyes, \"Black must you continue to be so insufferable. Lucius tried the same thing and he didn\'t fare well and neither would you.\"

**For the sake of all.... let’s look over it. We can take care of it our own way if he persists, love. **

**As you wish. **

**Are you upset with me over this? At least he did not kiss my palm. That would have been very blatant! Say.... what is it with the guys around here? In my own world I had little if any luck with guys and now, seemingly, because I\'m your wife...we have to beat them away with sticks. **

**I just don\'t understand it... but then I did choose well. **

**Why did you? I have carried my love for you for years. Yarelarely knew me and took a huge chance. Besides.... you didn\'t \'have\' to marry me, you know. I would have been yours regardless. **

**Darling, we still have hatchets to bury. You can interrogate me later. **

Hermione watched as the adults made their peace. \"Can we go now? It seems that we have all made a beginning and it is getting rather late. You adults may not be studying for NEWTS but.... we are. No offence.\"

**Interrogate? You want interrogation Severus Snape? I\'ll show you interrogation as soon as we get back to our rooms! ** Her mental tones were initially mock outraged then teasing.

**Darling, you forget what I am... I can take anything you care to dish out. Should we let them go now? **

**I forget nothing dealing with you love. The choice is yours. You know their subtleties more than I. It is my belief though that we have accomplished as much tonight as we can. **

Sirius tapped his foot impatiently looking to Harry in askance.

\"What is it Sirius?\" Harry asked with a little trepidation.

\"What\'s with the long stretches of silence? Is this normal for them?\"

\"Apparently it is, they have a telepathic connection of some kind.\"

\"Seems I need to go talk to Albus again. I assume that Moody knows Snape?\"

\"Knows what Black? That we are telepathic? I don\'t believe it came up. That Lissa is an Enhancer yes he knows he was one of the people we tested the power with.\"

\"Should I pester Albus for the results or are you willing to share?\"

\"In the spirit of friendship I\'ll tell you. It worked somewhat for Moody but almost not at all for Albus.\"

Sirius frowned. \"It should have been the other way around.\"

\"Nah. I love Moody to death.... kind of like a dad. Albus is sweet but...I can\'t make a connection with him somehow.\" Lissa shrugged.

\"Must be the Slytherin in you. No offence Snape. I\'ll see if she can come to the next Order meeting. There are a lot of things that need to be discussed.\"

Ron piped up this time. \"I think we need to be included this time.\" He was looking stubborn and yet unsure.

\"Yes, Black there is, including my new position with in Voldemort\'s circle. Actually Mr. Weasley I agree.\"

Ron looked a bit stunned for a minute before settling back down with Hermione.

Sirius looked at Severus. \"I don\'t think Molly is going to like this Snape.\"

\"They are 18 and things are going to come to a head sooner rather than later. Voldemort isn\'t going to wait for Molly to decide that they are old enough.”

\"I agree with you Snape. Surprised? Don\'t be. I was the one who wanted to tell them before. I was constantly stopped. This isn\'t going to be easy but.... I guess we\'ll muddle through somehow.\"

\"Between the three of us, the rest will back down. \" Severus said smiling. \"Draco, you have an opportunity here as well.\" Severus turned to the blonde Slytherin.

Draco looked determined. \"I will be where you are professor.\"

\"It is a lot to ask of you,\" Severus said slowly. \"Have you said anything to your father recently about not taking the mark?\"

Draco looked at Severus as though he\'d suddenly sprouted another head. \"Are you joking? I couldn\'t tell him that! He thinks I am still his darling little boy puppet! Did you expect me to place my life in that much danger? No. If necessary I will go the route you have but I would prefer not to.\"

\"I am going to ask you to make the most difficult decision of your life, Draco. Don’t give me an answer now. I want you to think it over. I want you to consider becoming a spy.\" Severus held his breath, and waited.

Draco remained silent a few moments. \"That is a really dangerous occupation Professor Snape. Give me some time to think. Ok?\"

\"That\'s a lot to ask of a kid. Don\'t you think?\" Sirius asked Severus. He was appalled that Snape would even consider such a thing!

\"That is fine Draco, take as much time as you need.\" Severus looked sharply at Sirius. \"No more than to ask Potter to have the weight of the wizarding world on his shoulders.

Sirius ran his fingers roughly through his hair. \"I know Severus! They just seem so.... young.\" Sirius looked for the first time as though he had just noticed how old he really was and it disturbed shook him to his core.

\"Sirius Black listen to yourself. They are old enough to know what the Order\'s plans are but too young to participate, of all the idiotic things.\"

Sirus gave a harsh laugh. \"They participate, Snape, whether we want them to or not. I know... I know what you\'re saying is right. It doesn\'t make it easier but... you\'re right.\" Sirius looked tired then and older.

\"What else can we do to shelter them is to send them all to an early grave.\"

\"I know Snape!\" Sirius growled out. \"Merlin\'s beard! I just agreed with everything you\'ve said and you still persist!\"

Severus smiled. \"Man, you were always an easy one.\"

\"Well,” Lissa said dryly. “That sounds familiar.\"

\"Hush there, witch.\" Severus said.

\"Make me.\" She challenged.

\"What do you mean easy? I never let you in my pants. Did I?\" Sirius lightly teased.

\"Bloody hell, I hope not.\" Severus said, “Careful there woman you just may get what you ask for.\"

\"Promise?\" Her eyes were smoky as she pushed to see how far she could go.

\"Oh please.... get a room!\" Sirius said disgustedly, teasing them both.

Severus just smiled. \"I believe this meeting is over and the \'children\' are getting a bit antsy to leave. I also promised Draco some time after dinner.\"

\"Yes...children.\" Pointedly looking at Sirius she shooed them all out. Harry was beaming madly!

\"I\'ll see you both in a bit?\" Lissa looked back to Severus and Draco from the door.

\"Yes my dear, unless you would like to stay. This is really your story to tell.\" Severus stopped her at the door.

\"I will only stay if I am wanted. I really thought though that Draco wanted some time with you alone.\"

\"What do you want Draco?\" Severus turned and asked.

\"Well, she supposed to be my friend so.... yeah. Stay Lissa.\"

She smiled as she came back in, closing the door behind her and gave Draco a hug.

Severus smiled. He hesitated to even think about it but could his life get any better?

Draco disentangled himself from Lissa still cautious. He wasn\'t sure if it was the idea of her hugging him that made him uneasy or Snape\'s possible jealousy but he was still not sure about it.

\"So what happened with my father?\" Draco asked quickly

**How much should I tell him love? **

**I am sure he will be getting an earful from Lucius anyway. Tell him everything after our performance. **

Lissa began telling the tale from when they left the grounds of Hogwarts leaving out very little. She wasn’t sure how he\'d take to his father\'s poisoning but told him nonetheless. She watched him all during the telling. There was a moment or two of silence afterwards. “Talk to me?\"

Draco sat in stunned silence. He didn\'t know what to say. \"Could you give my mother some of the second part? I worry about her.\"

It was Lissa\'s turn to look surprised. \"Certainly Draco. She is a friend after all. Do you have any.... questions?\"

\"I still don\'t understand how you were able to say no. No one else has, ever.\" Draco said, thinking about his own girlfriend last year who had given in to his father.

\"Draco...I\'m y buy but your father’s kind has never appealed to me. Ever. They\'re.... too good-looking? It is more a repellant than an allure. I guess I\'m not explaining this well.\"

Draco shook his head. \"It always seems that anyone who my father sets his sights on just falls into his bed with little fuss.\"

\"Well... I didn\'t and don\'t intend to. ‘Nuff said. I\'ll give you some of the second part as well. If you\'re interested I can teach you what I know of healing and poisons.\"

Draco\'s face brightened at that, \"Really? You would do that for me?\"

\"Sure...and you can teach me as well. There is so much I need to catch up on. Gods! This is going to be such a headache for a while. I\'d really appreciate the help and the friendship. Never really had one you know. Just never fit in.\"

\"I know how you feel. The other Slytherins only hang out with me because of who my father is.\"

\"Do you? Hmm. Always on the outside looking in, too weird even for the outcasts and weirdoes. Well, we all have our crosse bea bear... and then of all things the Gryffindors look at me like I\'m nuts when they try to get all pal-ly and I run.” Lissa laughed. \"They scare me like the Dark Lord never could.\" She giggled again.

Draco smiled then turned serious, \"Sir, what would spying entail?\"

\"Draco, it is not easy, you will have to become skilled in Occlumency, and you will have to take the Mark. I wish there was a way around that but...\" Severus shrugged. \"You would report to Dumbledore any findings you have made and upon returning from any Revels or meetings. Once a month you will make a report to the Order of the Phoenix.\"

Draco was silent for a long moment thinking the possibilities over.

Lissa put what she hoped was a comforting arm around his shoulders. \"It\'s ok sweetie. There\'s no rush.\"

**Severus.... Lucius will want confirmation soon. **

**Yes, I know but this is not a decision to rush into. **

**I know.... notice that I haven\'t rushed him either love.... but I worry about him...**

**Don\'t worry I will protect him the best I can. I think I have an idea. **

Draco looked up at the adults, \"I\'ll do it.\"

\"Are you sure Draco? Hun, I\'ll be so worried....\"

\"Yes, I’m sure. I\'m not like my father I don\'t want to kill muggles or mud... muggle-borns. I may not like them but I am not a murderer.\"

Lissa chuckled. \"I\'ll agree.... it’s too quick! Pester them all your life...that\'s what I decided.\"

**Severus.... how? When can we end this? I don\'t want this young life to end either literally or figuratively nor do I want to lose you! **

\"Draco, I believe I have thought of a way to keep you from the killing raids. Lissa told you of my new mark and the Position that came with it. I believe I will be able to keep you at Hogwarts as my assistant in creating the potions that are needed for the Dark Lord\'s many projects.”

\"That sounds like a good idea. I just hope that no one catches on.\" Draco said quietly.

\"Catches on to what? That the Dark Lord\'s Right Hand and Potions Master wishes to take an apprentice and wants to choose from the newly marked young Death-eaters. Draco, you will be able to get information from the others who will take the mark and who will be part of Killing raids.” The initiation was coming on them very quickly.

**Severus... what was the exact wording of the prophesy concerning Harry and Voldie? **

**Severus...does that mean that neither can die by any other means than by the other\'s hand? **

*I don\'t know love. It does seem that every time the Dark Lord has tried to kill Potter he has wiggled away virtually unscathed. **

**Does that mean then that if one manages to kill the other that the survivor is vulnerable? **

**Possibly**

Lissa\'s mental voice was quiet. **Then is possibly means that if all else fails... Harry can be used to kill Voldie by his own death. Don\'t be angry please.... it would be a last option but one that needs to be recognized. ** Her tones were very pained as she sent the words.

**That is true but Dumbledore and the others would never let it happen even to protect the greater good. **

**Unfortunately... I would. ** She could not hide the pain those words brought. She was so afraid it would come to that and she knew that they could not fail to do what was necessary.

**Well we will have to prevent that. **

**No kidding but I know you are practical enough to look at all the options like it or not. It isn\'t a thought I cherish! **

**Even so we cannot tell Dumbledore or anyone else. They will not be able to do what needs to be done, if it comes to pass. **

Lissa simply nodded then hugged them both. \"So...any other issues? Questions? Comments?\"

\"When I n I start Occlumency training? The initiation is coming quickly and I have to be ready.\" Draco asked, not realizing how much he sounded like Miss Granger when he was f wit with something new to learn.

\"Tomorrow after classes, with Mr. Potter.\" Severus said.

Draco nodded. \"Good night Professor, Mrs. Snape\" Draco said after giving Lissa another hug he left them alone.

\"He really is a sweet kid.\" She said smiling sadly and hugging herself a bit.

\"Yes, he is with the right influences. The longer he is away from Lucius then the nicer he is.\"

\"Look sweetie.... I’m not used to life here. I\'ve only been here.... what? A day and a half. Maybe. Two? I\'m not sure what I need to be doing right now or what you should. I\'m not trying to be clingy but I am out of my depth and trying to make a good show of it. Help me out here. Please?\" She\'d been holding back so much.... fear, nervousness, sexual need, frustration, inferiority, doubt and concern. She did not feel comfortable here not knowing her place and being so new. She simply hadn\'t thought it would be this difficult!

Severus gathered her into his arms and pulled her into his lap. \"You know anything you need, if it is in my power I will give it to you. \"

She wrapped her arms around him gratefully letting her worries slide away as she gathered comfort from him. \"I need you and I need peace of mind. You hardly knew me before you started loving me. Why did you take that chance? I\'m certainly not objecting but I am curious.\"

\"I don\'t know. I felt from the first moment you wrote back to me that you were the second half of my soul.\"

She was silent for a few minutes as she mulled this over. \"I don\'t suppose we could hide in here a while. Could we?\"

\"It would be better my dear to hide in my dungeons.\" Severus said with a lecherous grin.

\"What? Where you could have your way with me?” She sat up a bit looking mischievous. “I\'m not at all sure that I should.\"

\"Oh, I believe I can convince you.\" Severus said advancing on her chair.

\"No. I don\'t think you can.\" She said hopping up. She moved quickly to the other side of the room.

\"Oh no... ?\"He said stalking after her. \"Well then run little girl.\"