When all the political attacks don't seem to work Tom Riddle decides to hit Dumbledore where it hurts the most- (no not the crotch, not yet, though he thought about it)-and take Hogwarts. Only, certain students are more intuitive then they should be, Tom is actually not bad at the whole teaching gig and Gryffindors keep causing trouble.

Severus' life sucks-no really, it does. Until Tom Riddle shows up and offers him a job, heals him and gives him a place to stay etc. All this would be fine if spying on Albus-bloody-Dumbledore wasn't said job. It would have been a nice, simple working arrangement, no messy emotions involved. But we know better. Nothing in the life of Severus Snape is ever nice and simple.

Lucius meets the Dark Lords green-eyed ...kitten.

Never let it be said Harry Potter has no Slytherin qualities...