Without a Trace

Author's note--OHH MY GOD! FINALLY! Snape was being a rat bastard, but I finally cracked him and poured out his story. I hope that it is satisfyingly evil to those of you who are dying for his take on things. :)

And WOW yet again, this story is going places I SO didn't expect, and I'm just praying that I haven't overlooked something (to make it contradict) so I eagerly await your questions and observations. haha I think, right now, I'm too close to the story to be able to see what makes sense and what doesn't, so if you think you found something that doesn't completely add up, PLEASE mention it!

Also, the middle part of this is in italics because it's (more or less) flashbacks, from Snape's point of view. Except for the note from Draco, which I HAD in italics and then had to change to regular text to distinguish it from the italics of the flashback.

Apologies for the delay (yet again...I think that's becoming my mantra)

Edit: (for returning readers) Per Night's suggestion, I changed the "Glamours" to "Polyjuice Potion" at the end of this chapter (you'll see where).

For new readers, ignore this because you'll read it as "Polyjuice" anyway! lol

Edit: For returning readers, apologies! I first typed "2am" for England's time, when it is 8pm in New York City, which is wrong because there is only a 5 hour time difference between Great Britain and New York. Since it is most definitely 8pm right now (when this scene is taking place) that means it is 1am in England, not 2am.

(I was counting in Oklahoma time, not East Coast time, I think. My bad)

For first time readers, apologies, please ignore this. It now says 1am and *swinging small watch on a chain back and forth* You know nothing about my mistake I am hypnotizing you so that you don't remember that I made a mistake

Wait, not working? *sigh* Okay, okay, just continue reading! :P
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Without a Trace

Special Features: Snape's Side

Spinner’s End, 1:30am 5th July

Severus Snape had never been more pissed off at a non-Gryffindor in his life. Gryffindors were nothing but trouble, the lot of them…maybe minus Hermione Granger, who should have been a Ravenclaw. Snape held no lost love for Gryffindors, stemming from his own Hogwarts rivalry with one James ‘I’m-better-than-you’ Potter and his little slew of Gryffindor butt-buddies. The greasy-haired Slytherin didn’t actually KNOW what their sexual preferences were, but he wouldn’t have been surprised to find out that they preferred ‘alternate’ lifestyles. Except for the fact that James Potter had then married Lily Evans, so if nothing else, the annoying prick swung both ways. He was getting off-topic.

The object of his newest bout with rage was none other than Blaise Zabini, the stupid fuck-up who was boning his godson’s wife. He wasn’t happy about it, but he secretly felt as if Draco was getting his ‘just desserts’ for his wife to be shagging his best friend. He didn’t even want to think about who else Draco had shagged…Severus called on his Occlumency skills to focus on the mix-up. Pansy had just called Blaise, twittering some nonsense about her son being missing. But a ransom note? Severus was under the impression that Graham Spaulding and Narcissa Malfoy had no intention of returning Draco’s son, and truthfully, he didn’t care. He had tried his hardest to protect his godson, and Draco spit in his face. Not literally, but Severus saw the difference in Draco’s eyes at Lucius’ funeral. Pansy had been standing by his side; they made a lovely couple, even though Draco didn’t announce the formality of their relationship for another month. Snape was drifting again…

* * * * *

It all began with Dumbledore. Albus fucking Dumbledore, the man who Snape had trusted even when he extended trust to no one. The Gryffindor who encouraged the Slytherin to be strong and cunning in the face of Potter Senior’s taunts. The leader of the Order who accepted Snape’s plea for sanctuary after the greasy-haired young man had taken the Dark Mark and realized too late that he didn’t agree with Voldemort after all. The man who had been the only one to see Severus Snape cry and not mock him for it, but rather to impart strength in his quiet way until Severus was no longer vulnerable. It was all of this that had kept the spy going through the hardest times and endeared Albus Dumbledore to him.

The only person in the world that could make him think twice about his loyalty to Albus Dumbledore had been Draco Malfoy, and the newborn infant had no idea the power he wielded at such a young age, just by being born. Lucius and Narcissa had asked Severus to be their only son’s godfather, and if Severus had had ANY sense at all, he would have refused and hexed them for even THINKING such a thing. But noooooo, he visited Narcissa in the hospital and had lost his mind for a second when she shoved the small, writhing bundle into his hands…and he made the mistake of looking into the blanket.

Yes, the infant had been crying silently (as all newborns did) and Severus figured that he just had that effect on children (which proved to be true as well). Draco Malfoy, the Malfoy Prince, was born with a small shock of perfect white-blonde hair, just like his parents. He was tiny and wrinkled and, and…helpless. That was what struck Severus to his core; two Death Eaters had just brought a helpless, vulnerable, impressionable child into the fucked up nightmare that they called reality. Even before they asked, he was suddenly smacked with a fierce desire to protect that innocence. And then he agreed.

He watched Draco grow into a beautiful, if spoiled rotten, child, the true product of his parents. He was stoic, cold, and strong. Severus, at that point, had been a spy for the Order among Voldemort’s ranks for quite a few years now, but his first loyalty was to Draco, whether the child realized it or not. He knew exactly what the boy’s destiny would be; he was the son and godson of three Inner Circle Death Eaters, the Malfoy heir, and assuredly a Slytherin. He would become a Death Eater, and that broke Severus’ heart for the boy to experience the violence and trauma that had made him turn to his old Headmaster for protection. Dumbledore had given him a job as Potions professor at Hogwarts, and he had used this to his advantage, convincing the Dark Lord that he would be a much more effective (if preoccupied) spy. It also gave him the chance to keep a close eye on Draco.

Sorted into Slytherin like Severus knew he would be, his blood boiled for two reasons. One, James Potter’s son was in Draco’s class…Gryffindor, just like HIS father. Two, James Potter’s son irked the fuck out of his godson. Severus knew the blonde could fight his own battles, and for that reason, he tried to confine his intense hatred for Harry James Potter to his physical similarity to James. It was bad enough that the prat had inherited his father’s intense magic, but when Dumbledore started spouting bullshit that Harry would be the ‘Savior of the Wizarding World’ (and therefore, would save Severus…just as James had done so many years ago), Severus didn’t think he could stand it. He began picking at every little thing Harry did, taking points from Gryffindor in his own perverse justice. In spite of it all, Harry not only thrived, he managed to continue to get under Draco’s skin, no matter how many times Severus advised his godson to just ignore the green-eyed git.

Lucius brought Draco to the boy’s first Dark Revel, and Severus seemed to be the only one who innately knew the horror the child felt. He was screaming on the inside, blaming himself for not being able to protect the boy as he had sworn to do. That was when he went to Albus, pleading with him to help Draco, to spare him from his life’s path. The gibbering Gryffindor had promised to ‘speak with’ Draco, but Snape wasn’t sure that he ever did. Albus certainly didn’t pull any miracles out of his proverbial hat like he did for his Golden Boy, and because Draco was worth a thousand times more than that useless scar-headed brat to Severus, he began to resent his closest friend. Dumbledore failed to protect Draco like he protected Harry, in Severus’ mind, and that was unforgivable to say the least. It was then that he had turned against the Order; he maintained his current position as spy for both sides, not truly aligned with either, as he watched Draco’s initiation into Voldemort’s ranks, impotent.

He envied the boy’s task: kill Albus Dumbledore, but he was fearful for what aftereffects murder would have on Draco. Narcissa asked Severus to swear an Unbreakable Vow, and he had, gladly. Truthfully, he was glad when Draco refused to kill the old coot, and Severus Snape looked down at his former friend, his face twisted in revulsion and hatred, and whispered the Killing Curse that flashed a sweet green. He feared for Draco, but he felt avenged to have been the one to end Dumbledore’s wretched existence, and the fact that it seemed to break even Harry Potter only made Severus smile more (when he was alone, of course).

* * * * *

That night, he had taken Draco to the Order’s safe house, thinking that if Remus or Minerva saw how traumatized the blonde was, they wouldn’t be able to refuse to save him from the wrath of the Dark Lord that was surely coming. Severus had a severe dislike for the werewolf; he WAS, after all, one of Potter Senior’s closest friends, and while he never actually made fun of Severus like the others, he didn’t say anything to stop it either. But he grudgingly admitted that Lupin was an admirable werewolf who, ironically, protected children. If anyone, Lupin would help Draco; Severus was sure. The boy hadn’t spoken a word even to Severus; he realized the rest of the Order would be at Hogwarts for a while longer, protecting the children from the Death Eaters Draco had let in. The young Malfoy refused to eat and simply paced in the drawing room, away from the screaming portrait of Mrs. Black, who was fuming that a filthy traitorous half-blood should have access to her house.

Severus called for one of the house-elves to bring Draco food, and the nervous thing stared at the blonde boy, twitching, until Severus yelled at it to go. It popped away and returned post-haste with a large tray of Draco’s favorite foods. Severus never ate at the Black house, purely on the not-so-paranoid assumption that the Order members (minus Dumbledore) didn’t trust him; he didn’t put it past them to try to slip something in his food, and so he refused to eat there. It was only then that Draco looked up and spoke.

“Dobby?” His voice croaked, unused since last he screamed.

“Yes, yes, former Master Draco, sir, Dobby is here,” it squeaked. Severus never bothered to learn the house-elves’ names, but Dobby had been sent here earlier in the evening by Harry Potter as the attack on Hogwarts began. Once this information had been ascertained in a thoroughly annoying round-a-bout way (Snape seriously considered Legilimizing the stupid thing), Dobby made the only helpful suggestion of the evening: a Muggle television and DVD player.

According to Dobby, after Harry took control of Number 12 Grimmauld Place, he had had Muggle devices stored in the ‘play room’ (as Dobby called it) on the fourth floor. The murderous ghoul that had haunted the bathroom on that floor was pacified and could even be described now as ‘friendly’, even though it still had trouble sharing the remote sometimes. Severus, being half-Muggle-born, knew what a television was, and he explained to Draco how it worked. It was kept on the fourth floor so that Mrs. Black’s portrait wouldn’t hear it (even though they could have continued to cast Silencing Charms on the room, it was just better this way so that there were no slip-ups). The ghoul’s current favorite DVD (Draco wrinkled his nose at such a crass term) was “Phantom of the Opera”, and Draco had shrugged, plopping down on the comfortable couch beside the ghoul.

Once Draco was occupied, Severus returned downstairs to wait for the remaining Order members to return. The boy had wandered back downstairs the following morning, looking bedraggled but happier than the night before. He had fallen asleep on the couch halfway through the second time watching “Phantom”, and apparently the ghoul had watched it all night over and over. (Draco would later buy the soundtrack and listen to it often.) He had shown up about half an hour before Order members started popping in.

They were sitting at the table, having tea, when Remus Lupin had shown up, cut, bleeding, and completely worn out, staggering under the weight of an unconscious and badly-mauled Bill Weasley. He was followed by Ron, who went immediately to Floo his parents, and Draco made his escape upstairs as the ground floor of the house quickly filled with concerned Weasleys. That commotion had barely been taken care of when none other than Harry bloody Potter arrived with Minerva McGonagall. He appeared listless, not speaking or looking at anyone. Severus’ lip curled in disgust (although inside, he was gleeful at finally seeing a broken Potter; it didn’t matter which one it was). Draco had dared to venture down the stairs, since the Weasleys had taken off to St. Mungo’s to be with Bill, leaving Remus, Harry, and Minerva at the house.

Severus had begun speaking with Minerva about Draco when Harry’s head shot up and his eyes focused. He had reached around wildly for his wand for about half a second before advancing on Snape, actually having the gall to shove the taller professor into the wall before Remus grabbed a hold of his cub.

“YOU!” Harry screamed, sick with rage. “You killed Dumbledore!”

Severus had no idea how Harry knew that, but he couldn’t deny it. Minerva and Remus both looked at him in shock. It was then that Draco stepped into the room, speaking up.

“He did it because I couldn’t,” the blonde said, hanging his head. “I was tasked by the Dark Lord, and I failed.” No one spoke for a minute, but Harry’s piercing green glare swiveled from Draco to Snape and back several times before resting on Snape.

“Murderer!” he hissed, struggling against Remus, but the werewolf was more powerful.

“Calm down, cub,” he said, holding Harry in a bear-hug until Harry, worn out from the futile fight, broke down again, crying shamelessly against Lupin’s torso, obviously agitated that his mentor was gone for good.

“Get out,” Minerva said evenly, glaring at Severus. “You are no longer welcome here.”

“I don’t care about myself,” he growled back. “I can handle my own against Voldemort’s wrath. Protect Draco, though. He needs somewhere to stay until Hogwarts in the fall.”

“Protect the son of Death Eaters who was supposed to kill our leader?” Minerva repeated disbelievingly. “I do not think so. Both of you, out. Now.” Remus was concentrating on Harry and didn’t realize what was going on until Severus left, black robes swirling, grabbing Draco who was gaping at Harry, slamming the door on his way out.

* * * * *

Severus Snape, at this point, knew that he was banished from the Order for good, and that it was just him and the boy now, until Voldemort found them. He Apparated them to his house in Spinner’s End, pacing the dusty floor, wracking his brain to figure out a plan. Something wasn’t adding up, and suddenly the answer became clear to Severus. Dumbledore had been the Secret-Keeper for the Fidelius Charm. Number 12 Grimmauld Place was set with wards, stemming from the charm, that allowed ONLY Order members to come and go. Draco was not a member of the Order, and yet, they had no trouble getting in. In fact, the house itself was readily visible when they arrived! The charm was broken when Dumbledore died, and the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix was unprotected! At this juicy revelation, Severus began to shake with anticipation and glee. Surely for this information, the Dark Lord would trade Draco’s life. It would not remain unprotected for long, however, and Severus instructed the blonde to remain until he returned.

He appeared before Lord Voldemort, knowing the monster would be furious at the failed attack on Hogwarts. He was right, and he just managed to choke out that Dumbledore had died before Voldemort cut off his air supply for good, causing the Dark Lord to fall back. Severus didn’t want to admit that he had done it, but Narcissa, stupid bitch that she was, asked directly. Her pale face lost all color when Voldemort announced, quite calmly, that Draco would be put to death, though Snape wasn’t sure if it was from fear for her son or the shame his failing brought to their family. As it turned out, the latter. Voldemort was scary when he was angry, but if he was so angry as to be calm, lesser mortals would have soiled their pants. Severus had a proverbial ‘ace up his sleeve’, however, and when neither Lucius nor Narcissa threw themselves at the Dark Lord’s feet to beg for mercy for their son, Severus spoke up, offering information in exchange for Draco’s life.

Pacified and intrigued, Voldemort agreed to spare Draco for the location of the Order’s headquarters, and he quickly gathered a team of Death Eaters to follow Severus to Number 12 Grimmauld Place. The Death Eaters were very upset to realize that the house itself had been moved, and they—Severus included—vented said rage on the other occupants of Grimmauld Place, splitting into two groups and working their way to opposite ends of the street, one group taking Number 11 Grimmauld Place and the other starting at Number 13, until there were no Muggles left alive, before returning to Voldemort’s lair. (The Muggle police never did solve the case; it was chalked up to a modern copycat of ‘Jack the Ripper.’) Voldemort did graciously agree to keep his end of the bargain and spare Draco’s life, provided he took the Dark Mark that afternoon. Sick with indecision, Severus had gone back to his house to retrieve Draco, but the blonde was gone. A note was left for him on the chair where Draco sat:

Professor Snape—see you this fall at Hogwarts (hopefully). Thank you for saving my life, and I’m sorry to have caused so much trouble.—Draco

Needless to say, Voldemort was not a happy camper when Severus returned empty-handed. Instead of killing Snape on the spot, like the Potions professor expected, Voldemort ordered him to purchase several dozen sets of china and spent the summer hurling precious teacups and saucers at the black-haired man, only to have them shatter on the stones behind him as he dodged. He made several attempts to find Draco, only to run into dead end after dead end, until the summer was over.

* * * * *

Surprisingly, Minerva McGonagall kept Snape on as the Potions professor for the following year at Hogwarts, as an attempt to ‘bury the hatchet’ as she put it in their conversation, even though he was never again trusted with the location of the Order. Severus had pounced on his godson as soon as the blonde stepped off the train, dragging him to his office and demanding to know where the young man had been all summer. Draco had gone from Snape’s house to Gringott’s (right after Snape left) where he had removed nearly all of his family’s money and disappeared. Well, ‘disappeared’ meaning ‘opening his own Gringott’s account that had nothing to do with his family’s account, renting a room at the Leaky Cauldron, and using Glamours to disguise his appearance’ until Hogwarts opened back up.

It was a good thing Draco had fled because when Severus explained the new deal to Draco (take the Dark Mark in exchange for his life), Draco refused. He was very adamant that he would NOT leave Hogwarts, that Voldemort could not touch him here, and that the Death Eaters could go ‘shove it up their asses’ if they thought for one second that Draco would be dumb enough to join their ranks. Snape let that insult go, considering Draco had just spent roughly three months among the Diagon Alley street trash, and personally, he was proud of his godson for not making the same mistake he did, even without Albus fucking Dumbledore’s help.

Voldemort had not been pleased when Severus relayed THIS new bit of information, but Narcissa’s face had turned an unhealthy shade of purple. Lucius was ready to go to Hogwarts and drag his son out by his hair, but Severus convinced him that the Ministry and the Order had posted Aurors round-the-clock, and it would surely be a ‘futile attempt that could result in the loss of one of our most influential brethren’. At least now Severus had until the following June to figure out a plan to protect Draco, that was rendered unnecessary when Harry Potter killed Lord Voldemort on the winter solstice, just before Christmas. Severus hated the rush of gratitude he felt for the brat; Harry Potter had finally done something right, but that didn’t last long. Draco didn’t return to the Manor, even after Voldemort was dead, and by the tenth day (New Year’s Eve) he had sent Severus to look for his blonde child.

He had a much easier time of finding the young man this time. He had strolled into Slytherin’s common room, looking happier than he ever had, but Severus had been up all night searching for him, and the grin that nearly split Draco’s face in two prompted Severus to Stupefy him. With the blonde unconscious, logic had returned, and Severus realized that he couldn’t exactly find out where Draco had been, but the professor wasn’t in the mood to hear what had put the smile on Draco’s face. It was so much easier just to look into his mind…

That was the moment Severus Snape lost all hope, faith, and trust in Draco Malfoy. He watched as his godson kissed the only person Snape hated as much as Dumbledore and it had been a betrayal, in Snape’s eyes. Everything Severus had endured, protecting Draco, flashed before his eyes, and the anger returned full-force at seeing how he had been repaid for his suffering. He wanted to lash out and hurt Draco the way he felt Draco had hurt him, so he tied the brat to the couch, woke him up, and Legilimized him again so that Draco would know that Severus knew. When he saw the full extent of what Draco and Harry had done, the greasy black-haired man was positively livid. He had slapped his godson across the face and taken the boy to the Manor.

Lucius didn’t believe Snape at first and looked into his son’s mind for himself. He was beside himself with anger and had launched into an everlasting tirade about pure-blooded nonsense (producing heirs and such), but it was when Lucius was lecturing Draco on the appropriateness of it all when Severus had been inspired on how to divert Draco from his path of sodomy. Draco didn’t know that it had been Snape’s idea to use the cane, even though Lucius was the one to present it to Draco and have the first ‘go’ at him, while Severus explained what the purpose of such violation was. Once Draco had stopped screaming at being penetrated roughly (during Severus’ turn) he had used an Engorgement Charm on the snake’s head, which had gotten the boy making noise again.

Lucius, not to be outdone, had Engorged it twice, satisfied when he was the one to make Draco cry ‘enough’ and swear to stay the hell away from Harry Potter. Severus was also duly impressed at Lucius’ idea to scandalize his son and Potter in the newspaper. After Lucius died and Narcissa sent to Azkaban, it was up to Severus to keep an iron fist clamped on Draco’s neck (so to speak), and he was encouraged when Draco announced his new relationship with Pansy Parkinson, his fellow Slytherin, the following month. Severus kept in contact with Narcissa as soon as she was sent to Azkaban (while he himself was spared because he was ‘on the side of the Order’ and just ‘pretending to be a Death Eater’. Dumbledore’s death had been deemed an ‘unavoidable tragedy’ and Snape hadn’t been charged) and as soon as classes let out, Severus began to help her plan an escape.

Narcissa also begged him to threaten her son, which was easy to do anonymously since he had moved into the Manor after graduation. She approved of Pansy, but Narcissa’s heart was poisoned against Draco. Snape had also found other former Death Eaters who were happy to assist in threatening the traitor. Blaise Zabini showed up shortly after the Malfoy-Parkinson wedding, incensed that his best friend married the woman he loved, and ripe-minded for revenge. He had proved extremely useful in threatening Draco, as well as assisting in the brainstorming of Narcissa’s escape.

After Pansy gave birth, she called upon their friendship of old, and suddenly Blaise wasn’t so interested in threatening Draco anonymously anymore. He realized that Pansy loved him, and not Draco, and he was reluctant to cause her worry for her new son’s life. He convinced Snape to desist with the threats, encouraging the man to look into where Harry Potter had gotten off to, if Snape so dearly wanted to make someone’s life miserable.

Two and a half years later, Pansy and Blaise were still going strong, and Severus Snape hit the jackpot, having found the perfect way to ruin Harry’s new life in New York, America. He got in touch with one of Harry’s boss’ old nemesis, Graham Spaulding, and talked him into plotting to kidnap Harry’s twin girls and bringing them to England for Snape. Four months later, Severus called Graham again to say that the plan had changed drastically, and Graham was more pleased with the new plan to kidnap a beautiful blonde boy. He was looking forward to meeting the boy’s grandmother, who desired to meet Spaulding because they could cause terrifically horrible pain as a team. Blaise shot his mouth off to Pansy right after one of their sex sessions about Narcissa, but Severus dismissed it as irrelevant.

The escape plan needed both Blaise and Severus to execute, and it couldn’t have gone more perfectly. Using Polyjuice Potions, Blaise had posed as Harry Potter and Severus as Kingsley Shacklebolt, and they had basically walked into Azkaban under the pretense of questioning Narcissa Malfoy due to new evidence in her case. Narcissa was a perfect actress, feigning sickness and even a convincing faint. Ever the ‘noble Gryffindor’, Blaise had demanded that the prisoner be taken to St. Mungo’s for treatment because ‘even a prisoner doesn’t deserve to suffer with sickness’ and Snape, as Shacklebolt, had put on a good show of being ‘convinced’ by Potter. It had been so simple, really, and they escorted Narcissa out of Azkaban and straight to Heathrow Airport, putting her on a plane for New York.

* * * * *

And now something was going haywire in America. Severus couldn’t get a hold of Graham Spaulding; the git’s mobile phone was ‘no longer in service’ and he had no other contact number for them. As long as none of them did anything stupid, Severus was pretty sure this would all blow over.
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Chapter notes:

1. just as James had done so many years ago This is a reference to Snape's time at Hogwarts as a student, being taunted by James Potter and the other Gryffindors. Sirius Black had convinced Snape to go into the Shrieking Shack one night while Remus Lupin was in full werewolf mode (without his Wolfsbane Potion, so Remus was also lost in the madness of the werewolf--whereas with the potion, he would have been able to control it better). Just before Snape went in, James Potter appeared and stopped him, effectively 'saving' Snape's life because Remus would have either killed Snape or bitten him, and then Snape would be a werewolf. (Got this from the HP Lexicon website...great site!)

2. his face twisted in revulsion and hatred Direct quote from the canon by JKR, according to the HP Lexicon.

3. while he never actually made fun of Severus like the others, he didn’t say anything to stop it either Taken from the page about Remus Lupin on the HP Lexicon.

4. Muggle television and DVD player Alright, how to explain this? Obviously Harry knows what a television is, since I'm sure the Dursleys had one even if he wasn't allowed to watch it. Hermione would also know what it is, since she's Muggle-born, and I think she suggested that Harry get one in order to help everyone cope with the seriousness of the war and all. To everyone's surprise, it served to pacify the ghoul as well. Snape, also being part Muggle, knows what a television is as well, even if he tries to forget his childhood before Hogwarts. The ghoul demands a new DVD about every month or so; Hermione is usually the one to go pick it out, since she's the only one who has ever really SHOPPED for Muggle products before, which is why the ghoul has ended up with a collection of documentaries, 'elite' humor, and chick flicks. Ron has gone with her a couple of times, though, so the ghoul also knows the typical American Pie references, as well as (*groan*) Napoleon Dynamite and .

5. Draco would later buy the soundtrack and listen to it often While he lived in Diagon Alley, he would venture out into Muggle London, and he learned a lot about their products.

6. The charm was broken when Dumbledore died This is not canon. This is one of the unknowns from after HBP, however, and I made up my own stuff after this (about the Secret-Keeper, changing the Unplottable location, and even about Remus and Minerva being able to move the physical house...just go with it lol j/k If it's really that unbelievable or whatnot, I'd like to know. Or if it's a good "different" plot twist or whatever you think...)

7. he himself was spared because he was ‘on the side of the Order’ and just ‘pretending to be a Death Eater’. Dumbledore’s death had been deemed an ‘unavoidable tragedy’ and Snape hadn’t been charged It's entirely possible (but not proven) that Snape could have bribed someone at the Ministry as well, even though he clearly doesn't have the kind of money that the Malfoys do. But I also needed a reason why Snape is still on the outside while Narcissa was locked up, so I hope this seems plausible to you.


Author's note--At first, I thought I made a mistake, but I worked it out. I wrote "Stupefy" when I was thinking "Body Bind" but I made it work...I hope.

Also WHEEE isn't Snape just BAD? It's probably a good thing I didn't write this yesterday because he'd be dead right now...and then we couldn't hate on him! :P

Okay, one small potential 'contradiction' that I would like to clear up: Lucius dies in February and Draco goes with Pansy in March. However, he tells Harry that 'they' are still on his back and breathing down his neck (in The Conversation) but Lucius is dead and Narcissa in Azkaban. Draco was referring to Snape, primarily, but he was still feeling the after-effects of his father's and Snape's punishment, so he feels that, even though his father is dead, he's still "out there" and watching for his son to screw up...plus it's only been a month since Lucius died, and Draco wasn't 'used to' it yet.

(I remember when my grandmother died about three years ago...my mom's mom...my mommy would still refer to her in the present for a long time, even after she died, and she would tear up and cry every time she corrected herself, so I think it takes time for it to sink in that the person is gone, and that wouldn't have happened to Draco in a month, hence why he still refers to Snape as 'they') I hope that makes sense!

And (cue organ music) we find out that Little Mr. Blaise isn't QUITE as innocent as we had hoped! Is Pansy? Mayyyyyybe...but then again...mayyyyyyybe not! ;)

Two quick edits (for my returning readers):

I finally figured out which French phrase I wanted Narcissa to say to Draco on the video tape (in Six Hours Missing (Part 1)) so if you're just dying to know, I will be fixing it as soon as this is posted!

I added another deleted scene to that chapter of Special Features. It's at the very end and it's called "Regrouping". I hope you like!

WeasleyWench--I know what you mean! I'm glad Lucius is dead right now, or I'd definitely be killing him! Snape deserves some MEAN shit to happen to him, too! I know what you mean, and I hope they get to fuck him up, too! (Jack, Danny, and Martin would probably be more than happy to help as well, even though they don't know the greasy git! haha)

I'm glad you thought that scene was believable...while I was watching it, I was like..."should I"...and then I did. Thanks for your review! **HEY** How'd your interview thingy turn out? (Or should I not ask? *looking around whistling* Who asked what now?)

thrnbrooke--Thanks! Aww, if we killed Snape before this chapter, we never would have seen the REST of his evilness! And I'd say NOW we could kill him, but do you know how disappointed the team would be? haha I'm working on it, though.

liquidvamp--Heya! Woo, the hot sex brings out all the reviewers! lmao Cool!!! Let me know how it goes with him, will you? I had a brilliant time with Vector...I was there for about two years, and after that, I feel like I should never be unemployed (in the US) because--if absolutely nothing else--I can always go back to Cutco. I don't want to be a salesperson for the rest of my life, but it'll always be there for me *just in case*. And for a control freak like me, that's some security! lol It's not a job for everyone, but if he has any questions or anything, feel free to ask!

Danine--Thanks! I'm glad that the good stuff helped you unwind from work! hehehe I like ending on a happy note (unless I'm ripping y'all's hearts out with a cliff-hanger...but those are for the episodes, not the bonus stuff!) so I wanted to put the 'bad' stuff first and then finish on HOT SEX! :D

Night--Lucius is dead...how much more of a punishment can you get? *ponders* haha I'm punishing him in my other fics, though...if THAT makes a difference (not really, I don't think). As for what is going to happen with the couples...RAFO lol (Sorry, I really do hate saying that!) "That" night is coming still, I promise. But I hope you enjoyed this chapter with Snape, since you were the one who inspired me to write it by asking for it. :D

And I can't tell you how many times I went back over my notes and previous chapters, muttering things to myself like, "Does this contradict something I've said earlier...I know that if I do, Night will catch it." or "Oh, I better throw this line about why they did it this way in here, or else Night will come up with an easier solution that I didn't think of, so I have to explain why they did it this way." Isn't that great?? I love it! You keep me SO focused! THANKS

EmeraldGrey--WOW you reviewed twice!! Thank you! hehehe I do that sometimes (review before I even read the chapter) *giggles* Nice to know I'm not the only one! Thank you...yes, I am done with travelling for a while! *whew* I love travelling and all, but a full month of being gone EVERY WEEKEND was really taking it out of me!

*gasp* I'm so flattered you're reacting like this! I'm guessing it was the part about Draco (and not even the hot man lurve) that had you gripped? Thanks for trusting me with your heart! I know you guys do that, and I try not to break/shatter them (often)...if I broke you guys too much, you'd stop coming back! *fine line between angst and death* haha I hope the sex stuff helped to glue you back together!

KLS--Thank you! I'm glad you liked it! I hope you still think Lucius and Snape are realistic and all, since we find out more about Snape (at least) in this chapter...little bits about Lucius, but mainly Snape.

Jan--It will be mean and painful...I'm ready to kill Snape as well (but not till it's time) Glad you liked the sex! hehe I might have to do some research, actually, for that, since Ginny and Harry WERE married in England...would they be able to get divorced in the States or would they have to go back to England...*opens Google and drowns* haha

and "update soon"...*sigh* I don't think there is a phrase that instills more guilt in me than this one! But it's okay; I know you guys want more, and I'm doing the best I can but the guilt helps motivate me! lol Thanks for your review!

devilfancy--Oh wow, thanks! Apologies for being 3 chapters behind on my reviews of "Up the Duff"! I will get to it, I promise! (Not enough hours in the day! Grr) PS LOVED "Tented"!!!! SO ADORABLE and I will review it! LOL

Another fic recommendation, people: "Tented" by devilfancy (and I'm not doing that just because you recommended mine or anything...I love recommendations, and so I hope people don't mind me recommending stuff to them either!)

HPDMkawii--Trust me, acting like a kid isn't a bad thing! (haha Well, I'll be writing Parker and the twins soon, so I better get to practicing!) Shoot you? But but then you can't write me the awesome reviews! haha *wink* *pulls out water gun and shoots you* THERE! Wish granted AND you can come back to review later (and get revenge...I mean, review again!) ;) Hey, that's not a bad idea for the kiddos...hmmmm Thanks for your review, and I hope you get to feeling better!

Harry's boxers--Hey! Obviously I love it if you review, but it's your choice and you do it when you want to, so thanks for reviewing now! I'm glad you like it. You live in Scotland?? I live in Ireland! lol I went to Edinburgh between Christmas and New Years with my mom and my sister, and we had SO much fun! The Castle was AMAZING! (If that's not where you're from in Scotland, apologies...it's the only place I've visited, but I'm SOOOO coming back to see Loch Ness!)

It's interesting to see how the different procedures are carried out in different countries...I'm sorry that you know about it firsthand, though! *hugs* The nurse/doctor and rape advocate in the US are usually women, too (but not always) Greasy git offed...still working on that, but I hope you come back! :)

chantalmalfoy--Awwww thanks! That makes me feel slightly less guilty about these delays! Yeah, I think I've got one more chapter of extras before we jump into the continued episode! (and the last chapter will include hot sex...even if the episode itself doesn't!) Thank you for your review!