Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Bound	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 126122 -:- Recommendations : 15 -:- Currently Reading : 31
Disclaimer: JK owns HP. Not me. I also don't own any quotes you might recognize. I make no money doing this, I just get the plot bunnies to quit interrupting my sleep.

Chapter List
- 21
- 22
- 23
It had been two weeks since Hermione had read the message from Melody in her journal. It felt like it had been a year. The days dragged by and Harry was even more cautious now. She could hardly blame him since Draco was present for his extra lessons. She’d tried explaining that Snape had extracted a vow of silence from Draco but Harry wasn’t buying it. He’d taken to unfolding that map every time he was seated when he couldn’t visibly locate Draco. She’d gotten a little further on her spell but now she needed to get her hands on the map to run a few tests.

Harry wasn’t about to part with it. One night, fed up with having to sneak around to see her husband, she’d turned into a bird and flown into his dormitory. She saw him place the map under his pillow with a sticking charm and an alarm ward. There was no way she was going to steal it without waking everyone up.

Her only refuge had been the room of requirement. She’d placed a tracking charm on Harry to let her know when he’d fallen asleep. Then she’d transform into the bird and fly there to meet Draco. It was exhausting but at least they finally got a good night’s sleep. Having Draco hold her in his arms was a comfort now.

Snape’s attitude had mellowed only by a fraction and he no longer picked on her and Draco. In fact, he seemed to ignore them except for when their lessons rolled around. They worked on the potion when Harry and Ginny were there and they worked on dual casting and sharing magic when they weren’t. He’d even taken them out to the forbidden forest to work on their apparating. He’d cautioned them not to show improvement in the classes too quickly. They could successfully apparate now but they weren’t licensed and it was unheard of for someone to get it so quickly.

When the lessons started, she merely stared at the hoop, hoping no one noticed her lack of concentration. It was so tempting just to do it and be done with it. Draco agreed but reminded her that they needed to keep a low profile. She just sighed sadly and kept up her charade.

“What are you always sighing about Mione?” Ron asked with his mouth full of scone.

“What?” She asked, wrinkling her nose in disgust as particles of food dropped out of his mouth.

“You’re always sighing and you have that faraway look on your face. I mean, it’s bloody depressing.”

Hermione huffed. She found that her attraction had faded for the redhead quite nicely now. She merely shrugged when she saw him and Lavender sucking each other’s faces off. It was rather gross, really. “I’m sorry I’m ruining your mood Ronald. If it bothers you that much, I’ll try to disappear next time.”

She shook her head in annoyance and stalked out of the Great Hall. She was actually ravenous, having had quite the workout this weekend and not just between the sheets. Draco had taken it upon himself to further her combat training and had knocked her on her arse none too lightly. It was only a small comfort to know that he felt each and every one of her falls.

She felt Draco sigh heavily and tell her to meet him in the ROR. She trudged up the stairs to the room she’d come to both love and hate. Draco had finally located all the spells to fix the cabinet but was holding off until the last possible minute. They were still working on the theory of Merlin’s potion and had yet to start brewing it. That would take place today.

A few minutes passed as she sat on what she’d come to think of as “their” bed. It never ceased to amaze her that when they needed to be together, the room always produced this quaint little flat-like setting. Draco walked in, unshrinking a few trays of food and a carafe of hot coffee.

“Thanks,” she said softly as she bit into an apple. “Apparently, I am a downer.”

“You always light up my life,” Draco said softly.

“You are such a suck up,” Hermione teased affectionately as she picked up her coffee. To her surprise, Draco had fixed himself a cup as well.

“So, brewing starts today, yeah?” He asked nervously.

She nodded. “Merlin I hope we can get this right.”

Draco nodded this time. “You aren’t the only one. Godfather suggested testing it out on a niffler first. I agree.”

Hermione grimaced. She didn’t want to perform tests on a defenseless creature but agreed that they would need to before they tried it out on the headmaster. They also had yet to master a shield powerful enough to block the killing curse. Snape had started out with them shielding a flobberworm but they’d failed every time. It was frustrating.

“We have got to figure out how to steal that damnable map from Potty. I’ve got to get more than four measly hours of sleep a night.”

Hermione frowned at his derogatory nickname but she had to admit that the lack of sleep was getting to her. She couldn’t sleep properly without her husband and Harry seemed to be part vampire himself, staying up until the early hours of the morning and waking up hours before breakfast just to check again.

“Maybe Professor Snape can help us? He could stun him long enough for me to grab it off of him,” Hermione said. Normally, she would have detested the idea but she was getting desperate.

“Not a bad idea. I’ll slip it to him after class today. Speaking of which,” he said, looking at his wrist watch. “It’s about that time. Let’s head there now and see if we can catch him early.”

Hermione nodded and they both headed down to the DADA classroom. They were about ten minutes early which would give them just enough time to run their ideas by Snape and let them settle into class before everyone else arrived. However, when they walked to the class, they noticed that the door was standing wide open. That was highly unusual. Snape preferred it closed whether he was in or out except for the five minutes before class when everyone showed up. They walked in warily, looking around to see anything that might be amiss.

“Wow, you two have absolutely no regard for stealth do you?” A feminine voice carried across the room. They froze. That voice was too familiar. A cloaked figure sat at Snape’s desk, her feet planted firmly on top of it. She wore biker boots with chains for decorations.

“Who are you?” Draco asked, taking charge.

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” the woman said softly as she rose to her feet. She grabbed a white cane from beside her and walked out from behind the desk. When she was a few feet in front of them, she let her hood fall. Strawberry blond hair fell around her shoulders.

Hermione squeaked and fell back against Draco. It just couldn’t be. Draco’s eyes went wide and his breathing turned shallow.

“Hey kids,” Melody said softly. “Long time no see.”

“That’s impossible,” Hermione said, furious tears in her eyes as she drew her wand. “Who are you?”

Melody chuckled. “There’s the warrior I expected. You had me disappointed there for a minute.”

“Answer the question,” Draco barked viciously as he too raised his wand.

“Ah, I’ve woken the sleeping dragon,” Melody said cheerfully. “It really is me guys, plain old Melody. You haven’t forgotten about me have you?”

“Melody is dead,” Hermione said softly.

“Correction,” she said, making a motion with her hand to the side. “Melody was dead.”

“No,” Draco said, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Would you like some proof?” She asked, genuinely curious. The couple nodded. “Alright then. Ask me something that only Melody Bach would know.”

Draco smirked. If this was the real Melody, he could honestly ask her almost anything and she would know it. Still, he chose something that he knew she would have only seen with her vision. “How many scars are on my back from the Sectrumsempra curse?”

Melody snorted in amusement. “That is a fucking awesome question. You are a clever Slytherin after all. The answer is none. The curse used on your back is the same one that hit Hermione on her torso, right between her tits.”

“Oh my gods,” Hermione breathed as tears cascaded down her face. “It is you, but how?”

Melody smiled softly. “Have you ever met anyone immune to the venom of a vampire?” They shook their heads in confusion. “Well, now you have. After we quit breathing, Alex apparently went ballistic and bit me after I had explicitly told him not to. Philippe begged him to bite Harmony too. Well, it didn’t quite work out. Fate was rightly pissed off I guess, unwilling to give us immortality. After all, having magic, special gifts, and immortality would actually make us invincible which is a crime against nature.

So, as a reward for our recent good deeds and an acknowledgement of the love we were bestowed, we were granted our lives back. That doesn’t mean that being injected with venom wasn’t fucking painful. We actually had to endure the entire curse. However, when we came to at the end, we weren’t undead. The venom healed us completely.”

She took off her sunglasses and showed them her eyes. They were the most beautiful color of jade and sparkled merrily. She smiled widely. “You two are very good looking you know. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to see faces again. I’m pretty sure I cried for a week solid after I woke up.”

“You can see now?” Draco asked dumbly. It was the only thing he could process. Just this morning, he was certain the woman standing before him was dead.

“Oh yes, that and more,” she said excitedly. She waved her hand in an elaborate motion and all the chairs in the room spun in a circle. “I’ve got my magic back! Somehow, the ritual held and I’m not pure but I can use it.”

“I don’t understand,” Hermione choked out. “How?”

“Told you that magic was unpredictable,” Melody shrugged. “Actually, the fates gave Harmony a message. Did you read my last entry in the journal?” Hermione nodded. “Well, fate apparently agrees. We were allowed our lives back on one condition.”

“What?” Hermione breathed.

“That we actively seek love and companionship. The fates are pretty fed up with us, as you can imagine. They want insurance that our gifts will be passed down, and of course by that I mean that the first baby that pops out of my sister will be female with a twin right behind it and they will be bestowed with our gifts.”

“Will you lose yours then?” Hermione asked curiously.

“Not for a very long time,” Melody said jovially. “But we’ll be charged with walking a very tight rope. Works for me.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Draco asked softly.

“Well, the first week I spent burning in agony. Like I said, vampire venom is fucking painful. We begged them to not tell anyone until we knew what we were dealing with. The second week, I spent crying because I got my eyesight back. The third week, well I was busy you see, fulfilling the request of the fates.” She held out her left wrist. On the inside was a tiny yellow Celtic knot.

“His is indigo, the lucky bastard.” She grimaced. “He is ecstatic, of course. I honestly am very happy. Still, he has eternity and I don’t so he’s decided to end his life when mine ends. I’m not okay with it but I understand.”

“Where is Harmony?” Draco asked, looking around the room.

“I suspect that Philippe has tied her to the bed and refuses to let her out. I actually snuck out when Alex went hunting. He’ll be furious when he figures out I’m gone but he’ll be stuck until nightfall so I have a little time.”

Hermione frowned. “Does he not want you to help us?”

“Of course he does, he’s just not sure I’m completely healed yet. You have no idea how fucking paranoid doctors can be about their patients, or their wives.”

“Why didn’t you just wait for him?” Draco asked.

Melody smirked. “Watching vampires fight is very sexy but I don’t wish to see my best friend try to kill my husband because he was following my orders.”

“You could have owled,” Draco growled.

“We could have, but saying ‘oops we made a mistake’ isn’t exactly convincing on paper is it? It is especially not convincing to one very paranoid bat.”

“Why do it in front of an entire class then?” Hermione asked.

“Two reasons. One, I am a fucking coward and he can’t kill me in front of a class full of pupils. One death is enough thanks. Two, I’ve been appointed as a guest professor by Albus Dumbledore. I owled him yesterday to test the waters before I returned. He believes I have rare insight into the nuances of defensive spells. I’m not really sure where he got that crazy idea but there you go.”

“So you’re here to teach us?” Hermione asked excitedly.

“Of course! I think I have quite a knack for it, don’t you?” The couple nodded enthusiastically. “Excellent. I am also going to help Sev teach Harry and Ginny as well. Albus said they weren’t faring very well. I’m sure some of that is my fault. You must know how sorry we are. We never meant to cause anyone pain.”

Hermione brushed a tear away and hugged the vibrant woman. “I’m just glad you’re back.”

“It’s good to be back.” Melody said softly.

“My godfather is going to kill you,” Draco said, shaking his head as he accepted a hug from Melody.

“Well, I did bring him a gift. Hopefully it will soften the blow a bit.” She said, pointing to the far corner of the room.

Celeste in her wolf form leapt from the corner and jogged over to them. She yipped happily and wagged her tail as she licked the couple’s hands affectionately. Then she growled at Melody and trotted back to her corner.

“Celeste is cross with me for putting her mate is such distress. Hell, I’m cross with me. Lord knows that man didn’t need any more stress or reasons to be a complete bastard.” She shook her head and sighed sadly. “I only hope he forgives me.”

“You had no control over whether you died or not,” Hermione said indignantly.

Melody chucked. “Oh how I have missed you two. Now, these damned castle walls are so heavily charmed I can’t see through them very well but I think your classmates are fixing to arrive. You’d better take your seats and act like nothing’s wrong.” She swung her stick around and whistled a tune as she plopped herself back into Snape’s chair and propped her feet on the desk. She put her hood back up, her glasses back on, and crossed her arms.

“Oh yes, because a strange cloaked woman sitting behind the desk of the most spiteful professor in the castle as if she owns it is completely normal,” Draco said sarcastically.

“Well, I have to make an impression don’t I?” Melody chuckled and waited for the rest of the class to file in. They all shot her bewildered looks as they took their seats. Everyone was chattering about the strange person sitting behind the professor’s desk.

“Maybe it’s a substitute?”

“Snape’s going to be livid.”

“Maybe he’s been sacked.”

“Maybe he died.”

“We aren’t that lucky.”

The clock dinged the time and the class quieted, waiting to see what the mysterious figure behind the desk would do. Melody cleared her throat and spoke up. “You’re regular professor has found himself detained for a few minutes. I have taken the liberty of awaiting your arrival. I am Professor Melody Bach and I will be teaching you in addition to Professor Snape.”

“Melody Bach, isn’t that the woman Snape was with over the holidays?” Harry whispered in Hermione’s ear. She nodded curtly and returned her attention to the front.

“I’m sure we’ll all have a great time and if you keep your mouths shut and your ears open, which I can tell that most of you aren’t doing, then you’ll learn a great deal. Any questions before we’re joined by Professor Snape?” Melody drawled.

A few hands shot up just as the door burst open with a crack. Snape stormed into the room and stopped just a few feet from his desk, a deadly glare in his eyes. Everyone put their hands down and froze, tense and excited to see how the great bat of the dungeons would handle this.

Melody merely sat back in her chair a bit more. “Riddle me this and riddle me that. Who’s afraid of the big black bat?” She drawled slowly. Those in the class who got the reference guffawed loudly and those who didn’t still found it funny and sniggered softly.

Snape sucked in a breath when he recognized her voice. He raised his wand menacingly which silenced everyone. “You have two seconds to identify yourself or I will hex you.”

“Only two?” She asked innocently as she drew her hood back, letting her curls flop out. His wand faltered but he valiantly kept his mask in place. “It takes me that long to bat my eyes.” She said putting emphasis on the word bat so he could hear it.

“Impossible,” he spat.

“Oh, it really does take me that long.”

“You are supposed to be dead,” he whispered

“Apparently I am not,” she said softly.

“Prove it,” He said, his tone deadly.

She sighed and snapped her fingers. Celeste leapt out from her hiding spot and jumped up on the desk. The wolf whined and laid down, rolling over on its back and exposing its belly in a sign of submission and apology. Snape blinked and lowered his wand to the wolf’s eyes.

“Oh now Severus, you wouldn’t hex the poor pup. After all, she was only following the orders of her master. She’s been very obedient, although entirely too crabby.”

“This proves nothing,” he said.

“You are quite the untrusting snake, aren’t you?” She asked softly.

“Your proof, madam,” he snapped.

She sighed and took her feet off the desk, picking up her cane. She walked over to him, her back facing the class and took off her shades. He inhaled sharply but only Hermione and Draco noticed. She leaned in to his ear and whispered softly. “It’s me Sev. I’m so sorry but it’s me. You know I’d never put you through that intentionally. You’re my bat after all. I’ve got until nightfall at home to explain it to you, I promise. Please.”

She stepped back and warily looked at her ex-lover. His eyes were blank, his face in a mask of indifference. Tears sprung to her eyes and she took a quick breath to stop them from falling. She opened her cloak, revealing a button down shirt and jeans. She undid the middle button and slid the shirt open just a bit, revealing a small circular scar right above the bra line in between her breasts. It was the scar from the core ritual.

Snape closed his eyes slowly and reopened them. His face was still the same indifferent mask as before but his eyes went a bit soft for a fraction of a second. He stepped backwards and stalked over to the wolf, who was now cowering on the desk. “You and I have some business to settle,” he hissed menacingly and turned back around to see a class full of bewildered students.

“Well, I assume you’ve all met Professor Bach.” Snape said snidely and a few brave students nodded. “Seeing as how I have just been informed that she will be teaching you on an intermittent basis, I had prepared a lesson on vampires. However, since the headmaster is so interested in her sharing her knowledge, perhaps I should turn the class over to her.”

Melody snorted. “Oh no, you go on Professor Snape. I’d really like to hear this lesson.”

“I’m sure you would,” He growled and she smirked. “Turn your books to page 546.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hermione could hardly wait to see Melody again. She’d noticed that the quirky American and her blood father-in-law weren’t present at lunch. She could only guess that they were having a very long chat. Hopefully, Severus would forgive her for something that was beyond her control. It was a miracle that she was still here.

“So, is it true?” Ginny whispered into her ear as they sat down to dinner. “She’s alive?”

Hermione nodded happily. “It’s a miracle. I can’t wait for you to see her again.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s going to help you and Harry,” Hermione whispered.

“Really?” Ginny squealed. Her lessons with Snape hadn’t gone very well at all. Hermione nodded.

“What are you on about?” Ron asked as he plopped down at the table.

“Nothing,” Ginny said sharply.

“What’s got your wand in a knot?” Ron asked. About that time, Lavender plopped herself down in his lap.

“Hi Won-Won!” She gushed and gave him a rather sloppy kiss.

Ginny winced and leaned over to whisper in her ear. “That is what you were pining over?”

“He’s a good guy,” Hermione said softly. “Well, kissing technique notwithstanding.”

Ginny gagged. “I’d say you came out with the better deal.”

Hermione giggled happily. “I think I did too!”

“Think you did what?” Harry asked, popping down beside them and looking around to see if Malfoy was in the dining hall.

“She picked the best boyfriend ever!” Ginny piped up, delighting when Lavender scowled at her. Hermione tried desperately not to guffaw.

“What did the marvelous Sam do this time?” Harry asked distractedly as he unfolded his map.

Hermione blinked stupidly. Uh oh.

‘Tell Potty I’ve given you a very thoughtful and very private gift,’ Draco thought to her. Unable to come up with anything else, she went with it.

“Mmm.” Harry said after a moment and then sighed when Malfoy came strutting into the dining hall, putting away the map.

Hermione shook her head in exasperation. She was going to get that map from him one way or another. Ginny shot her a wink, letting her know that she was in. Dinner wasn’t going fast enough.

“So, more tutoring with Snape tonight?” Ron asked innocently.

Hermione huffed. “That’s Professor Snape, Ron.”

“Yea, whatever. So, it’s tonight right?” Harry nodded. “Good luck with that then. He didn’t look at all happy to see his girlfriend today. What was all that rot about her being dead?”

Hermione shrugged. “A mistake?”

“Well, mistake or not, she sure tamed the greasy git pretty fast. I was sure we’d see a good fight.”

“He wouldn’t hex her,” Hermione snorted.

“Trust me, Snape’s not above hexing a blind woman,” Ron argued.

“Blind?” Neville asked, having overheard the conversation.

“Yea, she’s as blind as a bat. She ran right into the back door over the holidays.” Ron popped off.

Hermione mentally smacked her forehead.

“You mean you’ve met her before?” Seamus joined in the conversation.

“Sure,” Ron said, stuffing his mouth with a biscuit. “Snape brought her over on Christmas day. She’s right barmy she is, got a mouth on her too. She got really sick so he actually carried her to the loo. Then when she was done, he carried her back down. She threatened to cut his bits off if he didn’t set her down.”

“Really?” Dean asked, having leaned in to listen.

“Really! So, he sat her down and she fell to her knees looking for that white cane she carries. He told her to get up and she said she was sure he preferred her down there. I swear she said she loved his, erm, well his bits too much to kill him.” Ron flushed slightly.

“So they’re like, lovers or something?” Neville asked quietly.

“I guess so. Why else would she say that?” Ron shrugged.

“Well, he didn’t seem too keen on her this morning,” Seamus chuckled.

“Well if he thought she was dead, I imagine it was quite a shock. It would explain why he was even worse when he came back from hols,” Neville reasoned.

Everyone at the table nodded in agreement.

‘Damn. He isn’t as thick as I thought he was,’ Draco thought.

‘Neville is particularly bright Draco. He’s just shy, not to mention terrified of your godfather.’

Draco chuckled. ‘Best get going sweetheart. I’d like to get there early to see if they are both in one piece. They could have hexed each other into the next century by now.’

Hermione stifled a chuckled and excused herself from the table. She shot Ginny a meaningful glance before she left. Hopefully the redhead could distract Harry long enough for them to get to the classroom. She dashed out of the hall and ran down to the DADA room. She only had to wait a moment before Draco was by her side. The classroom was eerily silent as they knocked timidly.

“Enter,” Snape drawled.

When they walked in, they saw Snape reading out of Merlin’s potion’s journal. Melody was across the room, sitting at one of the desks and patting Celeste who was whining miserably in her lap. “It’ll pass sweetheart,” Melody said softly.

“What happened?” Hermione blurted out before she could stop herself.

“Old bat brain missed me and got her with a gut twisting curse,” Melody said softly. “It’s been reversed but the pain lingers.”

“Why did you decide to throw hexes?” Draco asked. He had the greatest sympathy for Celeste right now, having been a victim of that curse more than once.

“The bat has an anger management problem,” Melody said softly.

Snape snorted. “You asked for it.”

“Possibly,” she conceded. “But Celeste didn’t.”

Snape sighed. “I’ve already apologized. What more do you want me to do?”

“Stand still while she hexes the fuck out of you,” Melody sneered.

“You’re aim has never been that bad godfather,” Draco said slowly.

“And it wasn’t this time. That damned woman decided that Melody didn’t deserve that hex and jumped in front of it.”

“She doesn’t!” Hermione snapped. “It wasn’t her fault she died! What was she supposed to do?”

“Tell me she was alive,” Snape growled.

Melody sighed. “This is getting us nowhere.” She gingerly scooted Celeste off her lap and placed her on a soft feather bed she’d transfigured from a nearby desk. She walked up to Snape and yanked the book out of his hand, handing it to Hermione. Then she jerked him out of his chair and dragged him to the middle of the room. Finally, she knelt down in front of him, her head bowed, her palms facing upward.

“Now, are you satisfied? Our blood bond ended with my death Sev. You hold absolutely no sway with me anymore and yet here I am, surrendering. I am sorry. I never meant to hurt you, honestly. It killed me to think I would have to leave you. Come on Sev. You know I love you.” She sniffed a bit, trying to hold back tears.

Snape stood there for a few minutes, his face a mask of indifference. Finally, his façade cracked and he placed a shaking hand on her head. “Why can I never stay mad at you?”

Melody looked up, grabbing his hand and pressing her cheek into his palm. “Somewhere down deep inside that cold heart, you love me just a little bit.”

Snape snorted. “I am glad you’re back, if for nothing more than to teach that dunderheaded Potter how to focus longer than two seconds.”

“I’m sure it couldn’t be your excellent teaching methods,” Melody growled as she got up off the floor. She stood up and gave the dour man a hug, breathing in his scent as if she were trying to memorize it. He allowed it until there was a knock at the door. Motioning for her to leave him, he called for them to enter.

Harry and Ginny walked into the room cautiously. They didn’t know what to expect. Melody chuckled loudly. “Well Severus, you’ve managed to scare them right good and proper.”

He growled and stormed over to his desk. “Miss Granger, same task as always. Potter, Miss Weasley, you’ll be working with Professor Bach today. Maybe she can get through those thick skulls of yours.”

A tinkling sound filled the air. “Uh oh,” Melody whispered. “I’m so busted.” She took out a small compact mirror and opened it up. “Hi Harm,” she said in a strained voice.

“Oh you are so dead when you get back here.” Harmony’s voice rang out. It sounded much stronger now.

“No thanks,” Melody said lightly. “Once is enough really.”

Harmony chuckled. “How is he?”

“As big a bastard as ever. You didn’t tell me he stopped washing his hair,” Melody said, causing Snape to glower at her.

“I tried not to look that close,” Harmony joked. “Seriously though sis, Alex is going to filet you when you get home.”

“I doubt that but I bet it won’t be pleasant.” Melody sighed. “Where is he?”

“Right now? In the basement, carving a tomb out with his bare hands.”

“That bad huh?”

“Worse. He and Philippe got into it earlier, called Celeste a traitor and told him she wasn’t welcome to come back.”

“He did not,” Melody hissed angrily.

“He did. Philippe being Philippe, he hit him with a light hex. He only singed him a bit but I think he got the message.”

Celeste whined slightly from her pillow. Melody sighed sadly. “Harm, you walk your happy little ass down to that basement right this minute and give him the mirror. I have a few choice words I’d like to say to that leech.”

“Leech, eh? This ought to be good. Give me a few minutes and I’ll call you back.”

Melody snapped the compact shut, nearly breaking it. “The nerve of that-“

“Trouble in paradise?” Snape drawled.

“Oh Sevvykins, he hasn’t learned what my full wrath is like, but you remember, don’t you?” She asked menacingly.

Snape actually paled. “I remember all too well,” he said softly and walked over to the work bench with Draco and Hermione.

“What’s she like?” Draco murmured.

“Let’s put it this way,” Snape drawled. “The Dark Lord would be hard pressed not to fear her.”

Draco whistled. “Remind me never to piss her off.”

“Exactly,” Snape said softly. “Now, how far have you gotten?”

“We’re going to start brewing tonight,” Hermione answered softly. “We’ll need your help though. The ingredients are supposed to be prepared mere seconds before they are introduced and there are a fair few that need to go in at the same time.”

“Very well, let me read over the recipe and we’ll get started.” Snape picked up the journal and covertly kept an eye on the seething redhead who was currently pacing back and forth while two stunned Gryffindors looked on in amazement.

The tinkling sound rang out again and Melody flipped the compact open. “Hey sis, he’s right here. You owe me big time.”

“I do Harm, thanks,” Melody said softly. “Alex, you had better start explaining your fangs off right this second or I’m going to rip them out of your head.”

“Why should I have to explain?” Alex’s voice rang out. “I’m not the one that disappeared without explanation in the middle of the night.”

“I left you a note,” Melody said tersely. “I told you I had to do this and you blew up. When are you going to learn that I am not a china doll in need of a glass case?”

“When you stop breaking.”

Melody smiled grimly. “I promise I won’t be breaking any time soon.”

Alex huffed. “Damn you and your cute fucking smile.”

“Well, I’d say the same but I’m staring at a blank wall.”

Alex laughed. “Next time, take me with you. Please.”

“I did this for two reasons you know. I have no wish to see you fight my best friend.”

“You think he’ll win?” Alex growled.

“Actually I rather think you’d both be wrapped up like mummies and missing your balls when I got done with you two,” Melody growled.

Alex audibly gulped. “I think I like my balls right where they are, thank you.”

“I figured. Now, are you going to grow the fuck up and apologize to both Philippe and Celeste for being a complete asshole or do I need to come over there?”

Alex sighed. “Fine. Celeste, I’m sorry. I know you were just following orders. Next time, just hex her and come get me.”

“ALEXANDER LEE!” Melody screamed and the mirror went black.

“Oh I’m going to rip those fangs right out of his fucking head,” she seethed and snapped the compact shut.

Snape, who was desperately trying to hold back his mirth, burst out into chuckles.

“That’s enough out of you bat boy or I’ll hex your nuts off before you can blink.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” he growled ineffectively.

Melody screamed in frustration. “Oh he makes me so mad sometimes.”

“Mmm and you want me to share in this joy?”

Melody sauntered over to him and whispered in his ear. “The worse the fight is, the hotter the makeup sex is.”

Snape dropped the book he was reading and she chuckled. “Alright, enough of this shit; time to figure out why Harry Potter has such trouble with concentration.”

Harry was currently standing in the middle of the room with his mouth hanging open. Ginny was beside him but she was just observing with casual interest. After all, she’d spoken with the strange American woman before. She blushed slightly when she remembered what else had happened that night.

Melody smirked at her, obviously knowing where her mind was. She frowned when she saw that Harry was still standing there gaping. She waved her hand in front of his face. “Earth to Potter, come in Potter!”

“You’re a vampire?” He squeaked.

Melody laughed heartily. “Have you ever heard of a blind vampire, Mr. Potter?”

He shook his head. “You said you’d rip his fangs out…”

Melody sighed. “I will too if he insists on treating me like an impertinent child. I’ve had enough of that to last me a lifetime.” She glanced at Severus and then turned back around to face him.

“I don’t…” Harry shook his head. He was having trouble making everything compute.

Melody pinched the bridge of her nose in a very Snape-like move. “Wow Potter, you’re proving Sev right and that is impressive. Let’s just spell it all out shall we? First off, it isn’t polite to eavesdrop on other’s conversations. It’s rude and also downright dangerous sometimes. Alex is most definitely a vampire which is why I happily listened to Severus’s lecture this morning. However, it is entirely possible for vampires to associate with us mere humans. Does that solve everything?”

“I thought you were with Snape,” Harry murmured.

“Professor Snape and I are exactly as I introduced us, friends. Now, do you have any more irrelevant questions before I crack your mind open like an egg?”

Harry narrowed his eyes. “Why are you here?”

“To teach you Potter, why else? Dumbledore himself appointed me for this task. It might have escaped your notice, but you aren’t the only person opposed to the scaly lord. I’d like to know that the damned Chosen One was adept enough to face him.”

“And how are you going to accomplish that? You’re blind, are you not?”

Melody snorted. “I may be blind Mr. Potter, but I’m not crippled, nor am I an idiot. I was trained by the very best and I exceeded them. I suggest you shut that smart little mouth of yours and pay attention. You might learn something.”

“So you’ve mastered Defense of the Dark Arts?” Harry asked slowly, not trusting the woman, especially since she was associated with Snape.

“I have,” Melody said, narrowing her eyes. “Perhaps you need proof then Potter? Not too trusting, are you?”

“I’d prefer to see for myself, thanks,” Harry said snottily.

“Very well, have a seat,” Melody snapped and waved her hand. Harry immediately flew back into a chair. His eyes widened in shock and a bit of fear. “Miss Weasley, if you’d be so kind as to have a seat.” Ginny nodded and sat beside Harry. “Celeste, mind if I rough him up a bit?” She asked the wolf who raised her head and howled pitifully.

“Ah Severus, you’ve not made many friends have you? Care to indulge Mr. Potter in a little demonstration? Apparently, seeing is believing.”

“Rules,” Snape drawled as he put his book down and stalked to the middle of the room.

“Hmmm, how about old times Sev? No wands, no words, and no holds barred. I won’t even use magic, just my trusty stick.”

Snape snorted. “Your trusty stick my arse. You think I don’t know it’s been charmed with a repelling spell?”

“Oh I’m sure you know. I just think you’re too chicken to try it.”

Snape hissed and Melody smiled. “I think I’m going to enjoy this. We can even start out with hand to hand combat if it pleases you. I haven’t gotten the chance to beat the fuck out of someone in a while.”

“Very well,” Snape drawled. He removed his teaching robes and his over coat, leaving him in a white button down and trousers. “Ready?”

“Not quite,” she said jovially as she removed her cloak. She waved her hand and the sounds of heavy metal music filled the air. “Now then, just like old times.” She crouched into a defensive stance and motioned him forward. Four teens looked on as their normally reserved professor took a few steps and jumped into a flying kick.

Melody blocked it beautifully and delivered a few punches of her own which he matched. Hermione had a feeling he was holding back because she knew he was faster than that. They fought hand to hand for a few minutes before breaking apart. Melody used her foot to lift her stick from the ground. Snape smirked and shot a few spells at her. She twirled the stick and blocked each and every one, managing to hit one back to him which he blocked.

They continued on this way for the better part of ten minutes, Melody blocking every single spell he threw at her. After a particularly close call with a balding hex, Melody called out for a magical duel. She dropped the stick and started throwing dozens of hexes in succession. The room swirled in colors and sent Hermione into a rather vivid flashback of a time not all that long ago when she was locked in a similar duel. Draco covertly held her hand in a show of support. He remembered that day all too well.

Suddenly the two stopped and looked over toward them. They hastily separated before Harry noticed. “How’s that Potter?” Melody panted.

Harry shook his head in amazement. “How?”

“You are a phenom you idiot. You have no idea the potential you’ll have when you are fully trained. Now, there is one more thing you’ll be able to do if you will buckle down and focus.” She nodded toward Severus. “Are you up for this? I’m sure we can find a way to take it down without jeopardizing my morals.”

Snape narrowed his eyes. “I believe so. Are you certain that this is wise?”

“He needs to see Sev. He needs to have a goal. What would be the ultimate motive for you?” She asked softly. Snape closed his eyes and nodded his head.

“Fine, but Potter’s mind is as airtight as a sieve. He could find out.”

“Then that is another goal we will try to reach, perhaps the first one,” Melody said. “Potter, what you are about to see is secret. If the Dark Lord were to find out, you and all of your friends would be demolished in a half second. Do you think you could apply yourself to protect your friends?”

Harry frowned. “I’d do anything to protect them.”

“Good. Mr. Malfoy, front and center,” Melody snapped. Draco stepped forward cautiously. She stood up on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “We’ll shield, you cast the killing curse.”

“No!” Draco said, horrified that they would even attempt such a thing.

“Not on us, dear,” she said comfortingly. “We’ll use a worm, okay?”

Draco shook his head, trembling. “It could rebound.”

“It could. That’s why I suggest you hit the dirt the second you let it fly. You up to it?”

Draco debated a bit. He desperately wanted to see how it was done but he was terrified of the repercussions. He glanced over at his wife who was looking at the desk pensively. She was just as torn as he was.

“Where’s that Gryffindor bravery?” Melody whispered into his ear. Hermione heard it and looked up, fire in her eyes.

He smiled. “Done.”

“That’s my boy,” she said affectionately as she mussed his hair. He protested and she chuckled. Nothing annoyed him more than someone messing with his hair, well anyone except his wife. She could keep her hands in it all the time. Hermione blushed and turned around to grab a flobberworm. She carried it over to Snape’s cleared desk.

“Alright Potter,” Melody said, looking over the classroom and nodding her head. “You and Weasley come over to the side of the desk. Kneel on the floor a few feet from it and do NOT move.” She watched as they complied. “Sev and I will be on this side. Granger, you place the flobberworm on the middle of the desk and step behind Malfoy. Malfoy, you cast and be ready to get the fuck out of the way.”

Everyone took their positions and took a deep breath. Harry and Ginny looked on curiously, unaware of exactly how deadly this experiment could turn out. Melody looked over at Celeste who had limped behind a desk and was looking out cautiously. “Sorry my friend,” she said softly to Celeste as she grabbed Severus’s face and kissed him chastely. They glowed a brilliant gold for a second and she pulled away, nodding.

“This will work. I can feel it. On three Malfoy: One”

Draco took a moment to center all his hatred on that flobberworm. He let it fill him up.

“Two.”

He readied his wand and prepared to aim to the off side, the one opposite Potter and Weaslette. If the shield worked, it would bounce off and miss everyone. If it didn’t, it would skid off to the corner and most likely miss them as well if it didn’t hit the worm. It was the least risky move.

“THREE!”

He took a deep breath. “AVADA KEDAVRA!” He screamed and quickly ducked down, taking Hermione with him.

“PROTEGO!” Melody and Severus bellowed and watched in fascination as a brilliant golden shield enveloped the entire side of the room, including the desk, themselves, and the now terrified students kneeling on the floor.

Seeing that the shield had been bigger than they’d intended, Draco instinctively threw up his hand to protect himself from the curse that bounced off of it. “PROTEGO!” He and Hermione screamed in unison and watched as a brilliant white shield formed in front of them, causing the curse to bounce again and hit the wall, shattering a portrait of a woman shrieking in agony from the cruciatis curse.

“Holy Fuck! Everyone okay?” Melody yelled out.

“Yeah,” Draco yelled back. Hermione echoed his statement. Shaking, Ginny squeaked out her answer and Celeste howled her affirmation.

“What in the bloody hell was that?” Harry screamed.

“That, Mr. Potter, is what you’ll be capable of once you’ve completed your training,” Snape drawled.

“He threw the bloody killing curse!” Harry said, enraged. He stumbled to his feet and ran toward Malfoy, his intent clear. He bounced off the golden shield and landed on his arse.

“I asked him to,” Melody said, exasperated. She stretched up and kissed Snape again, deeper this time. After a few minutes, they glowed brightly. Lifting their hands in unison, they took down the shield. She released him, panting. He merely crooked an eyebrow and smirked. She snorted and smacked him lightly in the chest. “What I didn’t ask him to do was erect a shield of his own to block the curse. You two did it!”

The couple was shaking in fear and excitement. They’d done it! They were so happy they forgot where they were and started to hug each other. Luckily, Harry’s temper got in the way.

“He could have killed us all!” Harry shouted and ran towards Malfoy again. This time, the white shield threw him all the way across the room. He landed harshly against the stone wall with a dull thud.

“Damn, that’s some shield,” Melody wheezed. “Good luck taking that one down for a while.”

The couple tilted their head and tried to drop their shield. It stayed right where it was. They tried again and again but up it stayed.

“Is there some kind of trick to it?” Draco asked, frustrated.

Melody grinned maniacally. “You should listen more closely. History will have to repeat itself for that thing to come down until you’ve gotten the hang of it.”

“What? What do you mean history has to repeat itself?” Draco asked confused.

Melody giggled. “I’m sad you’ve already forgotten my story.”

“Story?” Draco whispered. Hermione’s eyes widened comically when she realized the story Melody was referring to. When she and the professor had thrown up that shield the first time, they needed to connect to take it back down. Connect, of course meant have sex since they weren’t bonded. Draco sniggered when he caught her thoughts.

“Little slow there, eh Malfoy?” Melody chuckled.

“Yes but the situation is a little different, don’t you think?” Hermione asked softly.

“It is, but it’s the quickest way. Don’t you agree?” Melody grinned.

“Not the safest way right now,” Hermione mumbled.

“Agreed,” Snape said. “Therefore, go back to the original exercise and wait for the balance.”

“That’ll take hours!” Draco groaned.

Snape quirked his brow. “Well then, you’d better get started.”

Draco huffed and sat down heavily at his desk. They had a potion to start on.

‘We can do this Draco,’ Hermione thought softly. ‘Just concentrate.’ He hummed his agreement and they started working on balancing their magic through the bond. After all, how many times would he get a chance to shag his wife in a battle? She smirked and nudged his shoulder playfully.

“Now Potter, scrape yourself off that wall and get up,” Melody said, not sparing a moment’s time.

Harry got up gingerly and shook his head to clear it. He’d been knocked for quite the loop. “What the fuck?”

“Language Potter,” Snape snapped. “Surely you know better than to run headlong into a powerful shield.”

“I’ve never had one throw me through a room before,” Harry said balefully.

“Now you have,” Melody said lightly. “Are you ready for your occlumency lesson now Potter?”

“What?” He asked, puzzled.

“Good grief you idiot boy,” Melody said exasperatedly. “Did you process anything that happened just now beyond the fact that Malfoy cast a deadly hex?”

Harry blinked a moment and then it dawned on him. “Wait, you blocked it,” he said, looking at her in awe.

“No, Professor Snape and I blocked it. It’s called dual casting and that is your ultimate goal. If you are successful, you can block the killing curse Potter.”

“Wait, Malfoy blocked it too,” Harry said, the wheels in his brain turning rapidly.

“No Potter, Malfoy and Granger blocked it together. I would absolutely love to tell you how but you’ve got to master occlumency first,” Melody said. “Now, shut down your mind and concentrate.”

She gave Harry about three seconds to gather himself before she struck. “LEGILIMENS!” She yelled and entered his mind so forcefully he was pushed back into the wall. His entire life seemed to fly past him in seconds. She pulled back, disappointed. “That wasn’t even enough force to hold back an infant!”

“You didn’t give me a chance!” Harry wheezed.

Melody huffed. “Do you honestly think You-Know-Who is going to bow and tell you his deepest darkest fantasies while you prepare yourself?”

“No,” Harry spat. “He can’t get in my mind though. He couldn’t stand it.”

“He couldn’t stay in your mind Potter. That doesn’t mean he can’t enter it briefly. It only took me thirty seconds to reveal an entire life’s worth of secrets. What could he find there in that amount of time to destroy you with?”

Harry’s eyes widened. He knew she had seen absolutely everything he was trying to hide, his obsession with Malfoy, his budding interest in Ginny, and his anger and frustration over being the Chosen One. If Voldemort were to learn any of those things, he could use them against him, especially Ginny.

“Now you’re getting it Potter.” Melody sighed and walked over to him. She grabbed his shoulder and frog marched him over to Snape’s chair and pushed him down into it. Then she knelt in front of him. “I want you to pay extremely close attention to me right now Potter because what I say next could save your very life. Listening?” Harry nodded.

“Good. Now, occlumency might sound like a huge waste of your time right now but trust me, it’s not. The Dark Lord and Professor Snape aren’t the only master Legilimens out there. It’s not a common gift but it isn’t rare at all. I’d say about half the Dark Lord’s minions are proficient enough to crack your walls. With just the knowledge you have in your skull right now, they’ll send out a party to capture Miss Weasley, her brother, and Miss Granger because they are your weaknesses.

“They’ll follow with the rest of the Weasleys and your werewolf friend. They’ll pick your allies apart one by one until they can either find you or crack you. Do you have any idea what they are capable of? For fucks sakes Potter, he dispatched your parents with a careless flick of his wand. Dumbledore tells me he offed his own dad. That kind of callousness can’t be reasoned with, it can only be destroyed. Think about it.”

She stood up and let Harry think about everything for a minute. She walked over to Ginny and pulled her up off the floor. “You okay?” She asked gently and Ginny nodded, still shaking. “It’s a bit scary at first but you’ll get used to it. Sev tells me you can separate out your magic?”

“Yes,” Ginny said softly. “I can cast with either side but I can’t get it to balance.”

Melody smiled brightly. “Well, it seems like you’ve fought half the battle already. Balance is so much harder for a phenom to achieve. It’s why most of us try to find our balance match. Potter is yours. Still, you need to try and cast with as much balance as you can for practice. You two won’t always be together.”

“I’ve never felt balance before,” Ginny said softly. “How do I achieve something I’ve never had?”

Melody smiled. “Weeeell, we could show you what balance feels like.”

“How could you do that?”

“You get to kiss Harry while he’s awake,” Melody whispered.

Ginny shook her head and blushed profusely. “No, I couldn’t.”

“Yes you could,” Melody said a bit fiercely. “He’s awake now and trust me, he wants it. Bad.”

“Really?” Ginny asked, her eyes narrowing in contemplation.

“Oh yes. I saw it all there in his thick little skull. I say you hitch up your big girl panties, walk over there, and take it.” Melody eyes flashed in delight.

Ginny smiled wickedly. She was really starting to like this woman. Looking over to her again for confirmation, she took a deep calming breath and nodded. She glanced at Snape who was trying to hide his smirk behind his hand. Hermione and Draco were watching her with baited breath and smiling wickedly. Harry was staring at the desk, deep in thought. Apparently, Melody had finally gotten the message through to him.

She fought back her nerves and walked up next to him. She’d had a crush on him ever since she was ten years old and she was finally going to get a real kiss. Taking a deep breath, she spun the chair around and grabbed Harry’s head. His eyes widened as she planted her lips over his. At first, he was too shocked to move but a few stunned moments later, he kissed her back, fervently. A feeling of calm and euphoria settled over them and they glowed a soft white light.

Melody nodded and walked over to Severus. She nudged him and he put his arm around her. “Thank you,” he breathed into her ear and squeezed her tight to him.

Draco took that opportunity to grab Hermione and bestow her with a scorching kiss. They flared brightly and thought about dropping their shield. He let her go, hoping that no one had caught them. Luckily, Red still had Potter by the lips and she was showing no signs of stopping.

“That was a shortcut.” Snape cut across their thoughts. “You won’t get those in battle.”

“We’re not in battle,” Draco said softly.

“Miss Weasley!” Snape said sharply, causing the two kissing students to jump back from each other and look at him sheepishly. “Did you feel it?” She nodded. “That calm is what you’re trying to achieve, not the nervous rawness you normally feel. Do you understand your task now?”

“I think so but it’s going to be hard to recreate it,” Ginny said thoughtfully.

“Then that is your task for the night,” Snape said.

“And yours, Mister Potter,” Melody drawled, “is to find a way to keep me out of your mind. I believe you have an even greater reason now why you should?”

Harry looked at Ginny in awe. He’d never felt like that before and he’d be damned if anyone was going to take that away from him. He wasn’t sure about this Melody woman but she seemed to genuinely want to help him. He nodded. “I think so.”

“Good. Now, we’re going to go back to the basics because I saw your first lessons. You need a better base than that. Dumbledore tells me you can resist the imperious curse. How quickly can you throw it off?”

“A few seconds, thirty or so I’d guess,” Harry said, remembering how Voldemort had made him fall to his knees before he’d thrown him off.

“That’s pretty good. Mind if I check?” Melody asked innocently. Harry had but a second before she shouted “IMPERIO”.

‘Kneel before me Harry.’

He heard her voice ring out in his head loud and clear. The fuzzy calm settled over him. Wait. Why should he have to kneel? “No!” He shouted and stood back up. He’d barely cocked his knees.

“Very good Potter. That was 25 seconds. Think you can knock it down to a full block?”

“I bet I could with a bit of practice,” Harry said confidently.

“Good. We’ll do that now,” Melody said softly as she threw the curse again.

Hermione and Draco walked over to the workbench with Snape to start on the potion. Ginny had drifted off into a far corner to work on balance and Melody was drilling Harry again and again to help him throw off the imperious curse. They utilized this time to start the potion. All their ingredients had been laid out carefully and put under a stasis charm to preserve them. They worked out a system so they wouldn’t waste a second of prep time.

Before they knew it, hours had flown by and it was near midnight. They were done with the first stage of the potion. It had to rest until Wednesday night. They cleaned up their area and observed the others. Ginny was glowing softly but not quite her normal copper color. She was more of a diluted color. That meant that she’d gotten a bit closer to balance but she was extremely tired. Snape motioned for her to stop and she nodded thankfully and came back to the front of the class where Melody was still drilling a drained Harry.

“We’re down to one second Potter,” Melody said softly. “Think you have a total block in you tonight or are you going to be a pussy?”

Harry growled. “Just do it.”

She threw it one last time but the curse fizzled when it hit him. “HAHA!” She screamed and bounced around in circles. “You did it. A complete and total block of the imperious curse! Excellent!”

Harry collapsed on the ground in exhaustion. “Are we done now?”

“For tonight. We’ll work again on Wednesday. You did so well tonight Harry,” she said, her tough façade dropping.

“We didn’t work on my occlumency,” Harry said, confused. “I thought that was the whole point.”

“Oh but we did. You see Harry, Severus was right. Fighting off the imperious curse uses the same basic principles as occlumency. You want them out of your head. You naturally want to fight off the imperious because you have the instinct of a fighter. You want to be in control of your own life, an understandable trait and so you fight harder. Next time, we will work on refining that will to keep someone out of your head. One skill will build upon another.”

“I guess I understand,” he said softly.

“Good. Now, I want you to practice occlumency using the same techniques you did tonight every chance you get Potter. Ginny and Hermione both are able to help you with it. Welcome their help. Dumbledore also told me to remind you that you have another task as well. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.”

Harry nodded and narrowed his eyes at Malfoy who was reading the next step in the potion. “I still don’t think it’s a good idea for him to be here.”

“You let me worry about that,” Melody said softly. “You worry about you Harry and stop worrying about everything else so you can concentrate on what is important.”

It was clear Harry wanted to protest but Melody crossed her arms and glared at him. Seeing she wasn’t about to budge, he nodded and picked himself up off the ground. Ginny looked at him shyly and he grinned. They had lots of things to discuss it seemed. He grabbed her hand and started out the door. Snape slapped a pass in his hand but motioned for him to don his cloak. He and Ginny made their way back to the common room after Hermione assured him she’d be there in a bit.

“Well,” Snape drawled after they’d left.

“Oh Sev,” Melody breathed. “I think this just might work. He’s very talented, you just have to learn when and how to push.”

“How long?”

“I’ll have his occlumency up to snuff in a week I should think. Well, enough to keep the Dark Bastard out of his thoughts and dreams from afar at least.”

“Thank you,” Snape said with genuine honestly.

“No problem batty. Now, I’m sure he’ll be looking for this,” she said, whipping out the Marauder’s map.

“How did you do that?” Draco asked puzzled.

“I’m a magical pick pocket,” Melody supplied innocently. “Cast the spells you need and get it back to him as quickly as you can. I have a feeling you’re never going to be above his suspicion Draco, at least until the war is over.”

“What else is new?” Draco snorted.

“Well, it’s been awesome and it was amazing to see you all again but I have an aggravated vampire to get home to and it’s night fall.”

Snape once again broke his normal character and embraced her tenderly. Saying nothing, he let her go and gave her a tiny smile.

“I missed you too, bat. Shall I give Harmony your ill wishes?”

“Do,” Snape said, a glimmer of mischief in his eye.

Melody giggled. “Celeste?” The wolf raised her head and howled mournfully. “Still hurting huh?” The wolf nodded.

Snape sighed. “I have procured some blood for emergency purposes. If you can transform back into yourself, I’ll administer it. You’ll probably have to stay the night. You may do so in my chambers.”

The wolf nodded and stood up, contorting into the beautiful woman they’d rarely seen during their holiday. They couldn’t forget how fierce of a fighter she was though. Hermione shuddered when she recalled those pearly white fangs glistening with blood.

The woman that emerged from the wolf was hardly that woman though. She looked pale and sickly. Draco swore she’d probably lost a stone or more. Her eyes were dull and her hair was limp. She had the look of someone who hadn’t slept in ages.

“Merlin woman, what on earth has happened to you?” Snape snapped in alarm.

“Grief, Sev,” Melody said softly. “I’ll leave ya’ll to it then. Until tomorrow.” She took out an old tin cup out of her pocket and waved. She disappeared in the blink of an eye.

“What in the bloody hell did you have to grieve about?” Snape growled as he absentmindedly scooped Celeste up and walked down the aisle of desks.

“I watched them die,” she said softly. “I watched them burn. Then I was told I wasn’t allowed to tell you.” Her eyes rolled in the back of her head and she fainted.

Snape sighed in exasperation. “You two lock up when you’re finished with that map.” With that, he stalked out the door, Celeste in tow.

AN: You guys are so smart I gave you an extra long chapter. You didn't honestly think I could kill my two favorite OCs did you? *grins evilly* Thanks everyone for your reviews; they keep me going. Now, a simple poll: Should Severus wear more crazy outfits or should he remain batlike forever more? Review and cast your vote. As always, let me know how I'm doing and if you find any errors. Love you guys!
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