Chapter 1

Regrouping

Annoyance.

If you had asked Severus Snape what emotion he was experiencing at this moment, he would have identified annoyance. Only this was more than the general annoyance he experienced from everyday life.

He was annoyed with the assemblage of wizards who, by his account, were all mixtures of cowardice and hate. He was annoyed with the fact that once, long ago, he had been exactly like them. Now more than ever, he was unsure how he was able to breathe the same air as all of them. He hated that he had just given them information that would help them in any way. He wished he could have lied about when they were moving Potter, but that was a risk Severus could not take.

A long and miserable groan drew Severus away from his thoughts.

"Wormtail," he heard the Dark Lord call without any real interest, "have I not spoken to you about keeping our prisoner quiet?"

Severus glanced over as the little coward sputtered out a response to Voldemort's question. Severus closed his hand into a loose fist, his annoyance once again coming to the forefront of his mind.

Voldemort was asking for someone's wand.

Severus felt annoyance at the eager expression on Bellatrix's face. He knew that no one wanted to part with their wand, but Bellatrix was so dedicated that she might have been the least reluctant to part with a wand. Her devotion was repulsive.

Voldemort instead called on Lucius for the task.

Severus looked over to Draco, watching his reaction. The boy seemed calm. Much more stoic than he been only a year ago. Back when being so close to the Dark Lord caused him to tremble ever so slightly.

It was then, watching Draco, that Severus nearly drowned in his annoyance.

After that night - after the astronomy tower - he and Draco had regrouped and talked about the situation. Severus explained and Draco forgave telling Ms. Granger the truth. It was necessary. There needed to be no animosity or resentment because they were heading to war. There needed to be trust and understanding. Or at least whatever was closest to closeness as was possible between the professor and student turned colleagues.

The annoyance Severus was experiencing was at fate and the situation in which it had placed them. Though the young man was not ordinarily compelled to share with Severus, Draco did volunteer some information.

"She loves me," he said disbelievingly. "I... it's more than I could have ever hoped for. She loves me. I have to protect her. I'm going to fight... Because against all odds, she loves me."

Severus cursed fate daily for the repetition of history. But he would not allow either one of his students experience his pain.

"My Lord," Bellatrix's voice cut through his thoughts, "it is an honor to have you here, in our family's house. There can be no higher pleasure."

Draco's face remained unchanged as the Dark Lord scathingly spoke of Tonks and Lupin getting married. Severus wondered if Draco had even been paying attention to the conversation when the Dark Lord called for Draco's attention.

"What say you, Draco? Will you babysit the cubs?"

There had been nothing more comforting to Draco than the inscription on the face of his pocket watch. He had been tracing the words carefully and discreetly since the meeting had convened.

"I always will."

He never knew those three words could evoke so much emotion from him. They brought him the greatest sense of comfort. They made him hate himself more than anything else he had ever hated in his life.

She had been right there, not five steps away. She was right there. She loved him. And he didn't take her and run like he had so desperately wanted to for months. It happened too quickly and his opportunity had passed. But then what felt like a lifetime later, he felt a familiar warmth. She had found his note he had written right after he realized the Death Eaters were coming. And she still loved him.

He had been tempted to write back a message, but he did not want to take any risks. He had to be smart. He had to see her again... Outside of his nightly dreams where he relived their year together over and over again.

Draco had been tracing the inscription when Voldemort called for his attention.

"What say you, Draco? Will you babysit the cubs?"

His hand froze and Draco shifted to meet Voldemort's red eyed gaze. "It would take a lifetime to clean myself of that filth."

Almost the entire table erupted in cackles and shrieks finding the response hilarious. His father was still looking down at the table, trembling the same way Draco had a year ago when Voldemort first took up residence in their home. His mother looked... disappointed... disenchanted? He knew that she had noticed the changes over the past months and that she was concerned, however she never made it known to Draco. She could not bring herself to say the words out loud, no doubt fearing that someone might question his family's loyalty.

"Ah, a very true point you have made, young Draco," Voldemort flashed a sinister smile. "Now, moving on." Draco watched as the Dark Lord used his father's wand to draw a groan from the woman who had been suspended above the table like a decorative ornament. "Severus and Draco, I'm sure you recognize our guest?"

Both men exchanged glances and gave nods of affirmation.

"Yes... Professor Burbage taught the children of witches and wizards all about Muggles... how they are not so different from us..."

"Severus... please... please..." she pleaded shakily. Draco's gut wrenched and he felt grateful that she had called out to Snape rather than to him.

"Silence," said Voldemort as Draco watched him flick his father's wand again to silence Professor Burbage. "Not content with corrupting and polluting the minds of Wizarding children, last week Professor Burbage wrote an impassioned defense of Mudbloods in the Daily Prophet. Wizards, she says, must accept these thieves of their knowledge and magic. The dwindling of the purebloods is, says Professor Burbage, a most desirable circumstance... She would have us all mate with Muggles... or, no doubt, werewolves..."

Draco had noticed the atmosphere change in the room. Glancing around the table, it was clear all of the other Death Eaters had also picked up on the change. Their expressions ranged from fearful to eager as they waited for Voldemort's next action.

Draco had read the article, many of the Death Eaters had so that they could all discuss how revolting the notion was. The article resonated with Draco and had compelled him to imagine a life with Hermione.

Professor Burbage was crying. He blinked in an attempt to avoid her tearful gaze, and instead was met with an glimpse of an imagined child he dreamt of having with Hermione.

"Avada Kedavra."

The image of Hermione holding a newborn baby was blasted away by the green light of the Killing Curse.

"Dinner, Nagini," Voldemort said softly.

A/N: Hello all! Here is the first chapter of my reimagining of Deathly Hallows. This is a sequel to my story "Repetitive Folly". Thank you to all who followed that story! It feels good to get back into the swing of things, and I hope you all enjoyed this first chapter. I have the first few chapters mapped out, so I'm hoping to get another update done within a few days. Thank you all for your dedication and support! I love you all!