Hello fellow readers, I do hope you enjoy this story. It takes place during the Seventh book of Harry Potter during the war. Although, this is what is happening at Hogwarts, not with Harry, Hermione, or Ron. This does have a romance between Minerva and Severus Snape. Severus may come out to be a bit fuzzy and soft, but I will try to stick to his cold and calculating ways. Anyway, enough with my endless ramblings and on to the Story.

Severus's Point of View

Severus struggled to regain his full consciousness of his surroundings after his hasty apperation. The world at first seemed to be a slurring whirl of black and grey. Soon; however, he realized he was in Godric's Hollow. The large stone grave markings stood up tall, casting a cool, calculating shadow that sent a chill up his spine. It was night and the stars were shining clearly through with the harvest moon seeming to touch the horizon teasingly, casting an orange eerie glow about the ground. He realized that he was in formation with his fellow death eaters. Voldemort stood at the head of the group slightly higher than the rest, casting a cold stare at them all.

He looked at him, careful not to meet his eyes. He was called there, but he knew better, for the dark lord has killed death eaters for smaller offenses than that. "So, I see you all have... made it your duty to be here tonight. Some out of fear rather than loyalty, but here non the less." Voldemort hissed in his eerie voice with dark overcasts laced in his words. Some of the other death eaters flinched slightly at his recognition of motives. Voldemort waved his want to remove their masks to everyone else. Vincent Crab, Gregory Goyle, Bellatrix Lestrange, Amycus Carrow, Alecto Carrow, Lucius Malfoy and his son, then of course Peter Pettigrew. Severus tried to hold his usual mundane stare and keep his emotions under control.

"Now, Severus," Severus started slightly at the call of his name in the serpentine tongue of his master. "I have an important job for you to show for your immense loyalty to me." Voldemort had a very demented, crooked grin on his face. Not unlike the one he would get while torturing muggles. Severus got a feeling that sent a shiver down his spine, giving him the chills. Severus bowed as low as he could without kissing the ground that he was standing on, which happened to be a rather old grave.

"Whatever you will, what do you wish of me master?" Voldemort gave out a loud guffaw that almost resembled a dying crow's last screeching breath. He walked up close to Severus, which in turn, Severus looked down at the ground to not offend him.

"Ah, my loyal servant. I need you to replace the former headmaster at Hogwarts. You will be my eyes and my ears in Hogwarts in case Harry should return." Severus bowed low. Voldemort smiled at this. Severus knew that even though Voldemort thought him loyal, he also doubted everyone that served him. It would not take much to turn the tables and have him sent to the ground screaming under the cruciatus curse.

"As you wish my lord." Severus replied as he slowly rose from his lowered stance. Voldemort walked back to his rightful place at the head of the pack and with a swirl of his robes turned back towards the group. "Amycus and Alecto, you shall be professors under Severus's authority. Do what he tells you as long as it does not compromise our position." Voldemort hissed at them. They nodded and bowed low. "Lucius, from now on we shall be meeting at your house. You have a hold in the ministry and no one would suspect."

Lucius bowed slightly, leaning on his staff. His old body wouldn't bend as it used to so he was just glad he could serve him and get back into his good graces. "As you wish, my lord." He replied in a loyal voice. Severus snickered to himself. Just wait until his wife gets wind of that one. She will be furious. Severus thought to himself. Ah, the silent pleasures he took from others' problems. Voldemort addressed the group one last time.

"Now, we will meet at Lucius's as soon as I address your marks. You shall come immediately without delay." With that Voldemort apperated with a black swirl of his robes, followed by all of his followers. Severus did the same, arriving at his humble cottage in the woods.

The stone seemed to glow in an eerie manner as the harvest moon shone upon the jagged surface, reflecting the dull orange. A rather crude wooden front door marked the entrance to his home. He walked slowly to the front door and drew his wand out of habit. He slowly opened his door with his wand ready for any intruders. Working as an agent for the dark lord and for the former Headmaster of Hogwarts was indeed a risky business.

He whispered a the lumous spell to illuminate the rooms one by one. The glow cast many shadows about the room. There were bookcases jammed packed with knowledge from where to find ingredients to tips from the top potions masters of the century. He lit a candle on the table to leave the room completely illuminated. An old leather couch and armchair stood on the floor next to the table forming an L shape in the room with the bookshelves behind the couch. A door that led to the kitchen stood on his right, while the door to his bedroom straight ahead.

Severus opened the door to the kitchen first and lighting the candle. Cast iron pots and pans dangled above the sink on a rack and drawers and cupboards adorned the kitchen. A modern day stove and refrigerator also stood tall in his kitchen, but the coast was clear. He walked into the bathroom which was through the kitchen, which was also empty. He backtracked in front of his bedroom door. He slowly opened the creaky door.

It seemed to whine in protest as he opened it wide and poked his wand inside. It too was empty. Severus began to pack his things that he would need as headmaster, including the letter of rights that Albus had given him a week before he was ordered to kill him. It was his wish to find a worthy headmaster. Severus made a silent vow to protect the students and teachers as best he could while also doing the dark lords bidding.

After packing all of his things he went to sleep, awaiting the morning where he was to arrive at Hogwarts and start the year, hopefully, on a good note.

Minerva's Point of View

Minerva arrived at Hogwarts a day early to Hogwarts as usual. This allowed her ample time to get ahead in her work before the school year. She carried her suitcase up the stairs at a rather slow pace and into her room across from the transfiguration classroom. She was unsure if she should take over Albus's duties or not this year. She decided she would leave it up to the rest of the staff in all fairness. She had enough work on her plate anyway. She suddenly heard a crash in the entrance hall. She quickly walked down the staircase to find Severus Snape standing there with suitcases.

Oh, the nerve of him! Killing her beloved Albus and now showing up here after the fact?! Minerva thought as she drew her wand. As she did so; however, she found her wand no longer in her hand, but across the room and in a corner opposite her. Severus was holding his wand out to her, aiming for her chest which seemed to clench with fear. She hid her fear and let anger overtake her instead.

"You have no right to be her Severus!" Minerva shouted down at him, knowing that she was the only one in the castle at the time besides her attacker. She walked bravely down the stairs a little further until she hit the ground floor. She stood a foot from the tip of his wand. Severus shifted through his robes with his other hand and brought out a piece of paper. Minerva instantly recognized Albus's seal. She took a step back in surprise and took the paper offered to her.

It read the following:

To Whom it may concern,

I, Albus Dumbledore, endorse the holder of the letter as the rightful heir to Hogwarts of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He will indeed take over a headmaster in the best interests of this school. He will overtake all the duties and responsibilities associated with the tittle as well as the wellbeing of the students in the school's care. He was handpicked by myself and I believe that he will indeed be the best fit for the tittle.

Yours Truly,

Albus Dumbledore.

Minerva began to redden, not out of embarrassment, but out of anger. "This means nothing to me. He couldn't have known you were such a monster!" Severus stepped closer with his wand still pointed to her chest. Minerva's heart staggered in fear, but her features showed nothing but anger and defiance. He looked at her with almost a pity, but his face remained unchanged from his emotionless looking state.

"Don't make me do this Minerva." He warned her. He did not shout, but he did make it clear in the tone of his voice that he would have to hurt her if she did not let this go. Minerva backed down slightly, relaxing her stance. She still glared at him with that stubbornness that she was always known for. Of course, she did not believe that he deserved anything, but who was she to argue with a man holding Albus's rights to the tittle, let alone a man with a wand trained on her.

"Fine, you are headmaster, but don't expect me to like it." Severus nodded and reluctantly relaxed his wand but keeping it in his hand. He took his suitcase upstairs to the headmaster's quarters and office. He preferred the dungeons, but it did come with the tittle. He opened the door to his new quarters and found a portrait of Albus Dumbledore hanging there. He smiled at Severus with a familiar grin.

"Why did you pick me Albus, why?" He asked the portrait, knowing he was actually gone and this painting to be just a portrayal of his feelings and thoughts. The photo of Albus smiled and chuckled in a way that almost infuriated Severus, but he kept his cool.

"I knew you would be the perfect person for the job. You are a double agent against the dark lord and one for me with the students in mind. Anyone else would have been killed and the students made unsafe. And I knew you would take care of Minerva for me." Severus chuckled at this. Indeed she was a lovely woman, untouched by Albus, but certainly fancied by him. She looked to him as a father figure though, so there was no romance built, but rather a father daughter relationship. Severus began to unpack and then went about preparing for the school year ahead that started in the morning.

I do hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Many more are to come, and this will be one of my longer stories. More than likely this will span over the whole year and a little more. Please let me know how I am doing with a review. Keep in mind that this is the first chapter and the plot is just beginning. Also, you should kind of understand what is going on if you read the last book.

To be continued...