FicWad

Disclaimer.
J.K Rowling went out one day so I took her characters out to play.
We ran around, they laughed with glee,
All this fun and she works for free!

A/N
My first fic, Please read and review.
Thank you for reading my story. I know some of you are enjoying it.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

"Put her down over there." The Mediwitch indicated a bed at the end of the ward. She bustled over to the cabinets, pulling out potions and crystals, along with a special wand.
Snape placed Phaelan on the bed indicated, taking a moment to smooth the hair back off of her face. He stood back when Madam Pomfrey approached.

"Have any of you noticed anything before this? Did she say anything? Act strangely?" Poppy was firing off the questions, as she worked diagnostic crystals to read Phaelan's aura. She watched for changes in colour or intensity within the crystals. "Well?" The barked command caused the teachers to relate what they had observed.

"From everything I can see, she has suffered a shock which has overwhelmed her body's ability to compensate." The Mediwitch was still puzzled. "Heartbeat doubled, shallow breathing, fever and sweats."

Tutting to herself, she shook her head, but came to a decision. "Severus, help me." Poppy indicated he should approach. "I need to get some Pepper-up Potion and fortifying potion into her."

"Open her mouth, Severus," Poppy ordered. She placed 10 drops of Pepper up potion in Phaelan's mouth, followed by 10 of fortifying potion. Phaelan swallowed and coughed.

"What was that? It was vile." Phaelan was conscious, though her eyes were not yet open.

"Lay still, lass. You need a moment for the potions to work," Poppy ordered.

Her eyes finally fluttering open, Phaelan gazed around herself. "Where am? Who hit me on the head?" She lifted her hands to rub her face; Snape lowered her back to the bed.

"Have you ever experienced anything like this before, Phaelan?" Poppy sat on the bedside to look her charge over, much as a Muggle doctor would.

"No, never," the patient answered. Looking around at the others, Phaelan was as confused as they were at her collapse.

"Tell me what you were feeling before you fainted?" The Mediwitch had procured a scroll ready to make notes.

"I was excited. I'd not seen any of you cast spells like that before." She smiled remembering the experience. "I could feel the magic on my skin, like static electricity; I could smell the power in the air." She closed her eyes. "Severus, When I touched you, there was...I felt a surge of heat or power, from inside. It felt as though I had to run or exercise - anything to get rid of all this excess energy."

"That was when I cast Immobulus for the last time." offered Snape.

"Have you felt this at any other time since you've been here, Phaelan?" Poppy asked.

"Yes or at least something similar, when I signed the contract with the Headmaster and Severus." The young woman looked at the Mediwitch at her side. "What's causing it? I won't have to leave will I?" Phaelan realized she didn't want to loose the wonders she had found.

"Don't worry child, you'll be fine. Just don't go trying to hold the hand of a Wizard while he's casting a spell." Madam Pomfrey patted her hand and rose off the bedside.

Phaelan was indignant, "I wasn't trying to hold his hand. Severus, tell them," she entreated.

"Save your energy, Phaelan. Once they get an idea like this in their heads, their imagination gets carried away." Snape glowered at the three older folk. "Merlin knows they've lived vicariously through me for years."

"Well, I think you may return to your rooms safely for tonight, Phaelan," advised the Mediwitch, "but I'll see you back here before breakfast tomorrow for a full check up." Poppy made to turn away but remembered and turned back, "And no running." She raised her eyebrow for emphasis.

Phaelan rose from the bed and turned coming to full military attention. "Aye, aye ma'am Madam Pomfrey, Ma'am!" She snapped a salute at the Mediwitch.

"Well, it's high time I got some respect around here." Poppy secretly smiled to herself, as Albus and Minerva chuckled.

Snape walked Phaelan to the door of her rooms and bid her good night. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday morning dawn was overcast in London. The rain had stopped and forecasters had promised sunshine later in the day.

Harry woke up and donned his glasses to look at the alarm clock. Still early, but time he was up to get ready for Ron. Rising from his bed, Harry walked to the front bedroom with the ensuite bathroom. It belonged to his aunt and uncle. Looking around, Harry winced at his aunt's taste in furniture. Mounds of pillows, in a garish floral with a matching duvet, adorned each of the oversized single beds. They had obviously long since given up sleeping together. 'Good thing,' thought Harry 'I might have been short one aunt after Uncle Vernon rolled over on top of her.'

Harry decided he and Ron would move into the front room. There was no fun having someone stay if they slept in separate rooms. You couldn't lie awake in bed late into the night talking about anything and everything. Harry just remembered, 'Must owl Tonks to see if she or Lupin could come and help clear up before the family from Hell returns.'

Harry turned to go back to dress for the day. Ron would be there shortly and summer would really begin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun was trying to peak out of the clouds over the Burrow. No one had risen and gone to the kitchen yet, that Ginny could hear and she was in no rush to get up. She had written to Tom in her journal last night, before she packed it, telling him about her summer plans. She hoped he would be pleased that the lessons he had taught her, about how to pleasure a man, would soon be put to the test. She heard that Muggle boys liked to experiment. The boys in her school were all talk. When it came down to business, they all backed down. Even the Slytherins she encountered were clueless. Maybe Hermione was ready for some practical experience as well. Ginny smiled and looked forward to summer really beginning.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Phaelan was sound asleep when Polly began tapping her arm.

"Miss needs to wake. Miss, the Hospital Mistress has sent Polly to wake you."
Getting no response, the elf jumped on the bed and knelt beside the sleeping Muggle.

"Miss, you must waken for Polly." The elf was shaking Phaelan's shoulder.

"Bug off Ali, I don't have the duty," muttered the groggy navy pilot.

"Oh dear, what shall Polly do?" The little elf began pulling at her scraggly pony tail in distress, looking around for a solution to her problem. Her round elfin eyes widened at the sight of a water pitcher, still half full, sitting on the small table beside the bed. Polly moved cautiously towards the foot of the bed and jumped off, allowing only her nose, eyes and ears to appear above the mattress. Watching the still sleeping form, Polly summoned the pitcher and floated it over the tousled head of her Muggle. With a snap of her fingers, Polly caused the glass pitcher to disappear, leaving the water to douse the woman in bed.

"Whatthefu?" Phaelan started awake, sitting straight up gasping for breath. Her hair, face and shoulders were sodden. She looked around her room for the culprit.

"Who did that? Where are you? Wait till I get a hold of you?" An incensed Phaelan, crawled out of bed and stalked around the room. She stopped at the sight of a terrified elf, standing in the corner twisting her tea towel. "Did you do it, Polly?" Phaelan gave a glower worthy of Snape in the direction of the little elf. The elf nodded. "Why?" asked Phaelan in a very soft voice that hid her annoyance.

"Please Miss. Polly had instructions from the Hospital Mistress to bring you there, now." With a forlorn expression she explained, "Polly tried to wake you softly, Miss, but I couldn't. Oh, Polly has been a bad elf, bad." The tiny figure began pulling on her ponytail so hard; she was pulling her hair out.

Seeing the elf's distress, Phaelan was immediately guilty at her temper. "Polly, no, stop that; Stop!" She grabbed the elf's hands. "It wasn't you Polly; I was lost in a dream. You didn't do anything wrong." Phaelan sighed, "You said Madam Pomfrey wanted to see me now?"

"Yes miss, now. Right away." nodded the elf.

"OK, I'll just have a shower and brush my teeth...." Phaelan turned to go to the bathroom.

"Oh no Miss, the Hospital Mistress said right now. No shower, no teeth, no getting dressed, no bathroom..." The elf gave Phaelan a sheepish look.

"Not even, you know..." asked Phaelan. The elf sadly shook her head and grabbed a bath robe for Phaelan.

"Alright, let's get this over with." said Phaelan as she followed the elf out the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the great hall, Snape, Dumbledore and McGonagall sat at breakfast discussing the events of the previous evening.

"You know," began Minerva, "some of her symptoms remind me of what we sometimes experience when the students first come back to school. When your body isn't used to magic flowing around you in great quantities, it leaves you feeling weak."

"Perhaps Minerva, it may be she is just sensitive and requires a strong draught to keep her strength up until she becomes accustomed." offered Dumbledore. "What do you say Severus?"

"I agree with part of what you say, Headmaster, but it still doesn't account for her reaction to my casting of the spell while in contact with her." Snape frowned in concentration. "I remember reading something about a similar situation but I don't recall the text." He raised his eyebrows, "I'll need to do some research."

The Headmaster nodded. "When do you plan to visit Diagon Alley again, Severus?"

"I had thought in the next week or so; why?" asked a suspicious Snape.

"I believe our new teacher needs to purchase some robes and become accustomed to our form of commerce. Perhaps she might accompany you? It would be safest after all." Dumbledore always managed to make an order sound like a request.

"Perhaps, Headmaster, if she deigns to be seen with me," agreed the encumbered Potions Master. Just another duty he thought. "I had thought we should connect her fireplace to the floo, Headmaster."

"Yes, that would be a good idea, I think. We'll arrange it." agreed the older man.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, in the Infirmary, Phaelan had been changed into a long white gown and moved to an examining table.

"OK, now say Ah," instructed the Mediwitch.

When Phaelan complied expecting the usual, she was surprised to have her mouth held open and her tongue, teeth, cheeks as well as the back of her throat swabbed. She coughed, gagged and spat almost simultaneously. "What was that for?" she demanded.

"We need to check for oral contamination," came the brusque reply.

"Can I go to the bathroom?" asked Phaelan who was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable.

"Not yet dear." The Mediwitch was mixing something into a beaker. It fizzed and became a violent crimson colour. She then divided the solution equally between three other beakers. Into each, the Mediwitch put a drop of something else from three other bottles and then diluted the first to about a cup of liquid. The second beaker was diluted to about a gallon and the third again to about a cup.

"What are the potions for?" asked Phaelan, she really couldn't drink anything.

"Diagnostic examination," came the answer. "Come and stand here please?" Poppy pointed at a spot on the floor.

"Poppy, I really don't think I can drink anything right now." quipped Phaelan.

"Alright then, you won't have to." the Mediwitch motioned towards the counter to summon the gallon of potion. With a wave of her wand, Phaelan's gown was gone.

"Hey!" Phaelan exclaimed, "A little warning in future."

"Shush! Arms over your head, please," came another sharp instruction. Phaelan sputtered as the cold liquid was poured over her. She gasped and crossed her legs.

"Uncross your legs please." another curt instruction as the Mediwitch approached.

"Poppy, I really have to go," Phaelan pleaded.

"That's a good girl. You'll be alright for a few more minutes, dear."

'Good girl, my ass, if I leave a puddle on your floor.' thought Phaelan.

"Alrighty; one last bit. Lie down and turn on your left side for me, curl up and grab your right knee." the Mediwitch went over to the counter one last time.

Strange instructions thought Phaelan, until she felt what the Mediwitch was about to do.
"What are you doing?" Phaelan heard the panic in her voice.

"Just relax dear, it won't hurt and you can go to the bathroom in ten minutes or so." Poppy wielded the rubber tubing to deliver the last of the potions.

"Oh no!" Phaelan cried.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Breakfast was over in the Great hall and the teachers rose to go about their day. Snape went to his dungeons, to get a selection of potions Poppy had asked him to brew for her, and made his way to the Hospital wing, basket in hand. As he entered he heard the muffled cursing and arguments between two women.

"Poppy are you here?" called Snape.

"Over here Severus," the Mediwitch answered.

"I have those extra potions you asked for. Where would you like me to leave them?" he asked, as he approached the curtained area.

Phaelan heard his voice just outside the curtains. "Severus Snape," she yelled, "take one step past those curtains and you're a dead man. I swear."

Severus stopped short, not sure what to do. Poppy stuck her head out to see the wizard standing there.

"We're a bit indisposed at the moment. Could you leave them in my office for now?" she requested.

"Alright." He turned to her office but noticed the bottles left on the counter. "Poppy, not the Triple Crimson Concoction?" at her nod, he just shook his head, "You're a cruel woman Poppy Pomfrey."

"It's the best all round diagnostic we have you know that Severus. Now run along." The Mediwitch shooed him away.

"Poppy!" Yelled Phaelan, "Now!"

Leaving the potions in the Mediwitch's office, Snape beat a hasty retreat.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ron Weasley, will you hurry up. Arabella Figg is expecting you." Molly yelled up the stairs at her youngest son. "Honestly, you'd think he didn't want to go, the way he wastes time, Arthur." She turned and saw the elder Weasley sitting at the kitchen table reading the Sunday paper and sipping tea. "Arthur!" Molly finally yelled to get his attention.

Startled, Arthur jumped out of his chair. "Yes dear, what can I do for you?"

"Tell your son to get a move on. Its gone quarter to twelve and he's expected at Noon." Molly turned to continue bustling around the kitchen.

"Come on son, get a move on, that's a lad. We've got to get you out of here." called Arthur.

"Coming Dad," came the answer. Ron looked in the mirror one last time. He thought he looked thoroughly Muggle. Grabbing his trunk, he made his way downstairs. Scrabbling around in his pocket, he brought out a scrap of parchment. "Mom, can you give Ginny this? It's Harry's phone number. Tell her to have Hermione call tonight."

"Alright luv. Are you ready?" Molly asked.

"All set." replied Ron as he walked to the fireplace to grab a pinch of Floo Powder. "I'll send an owl as soon as I'm settled. See you." Throwing the powder into the fireplace, Ron announced his destination and was gone.

At Arabella Figg's home on Wisteria Walk, the flames in the fireplace turned green.

"Look Mr. Tibbles, we have a visitor." She picked up her cat and waited for the newcomer to step through the fireplace.

Ron's feet touched down on the hearth and he stepped out to see Arabella and her cat waiting for him.

"Hello Weasley junior, you're a bit early. Mr Potter isn't here yet. Would you like some tea?" She shuffled off in her signature tartan slippers towards the kitchen.

"No thanks, Mrs Figg, I'm alright." Ron grimaced, looking around at the feline presence in the room. They all seemed to be looking at him. "Did my dad mention that I had a job on Diagon Alley?" he asked.

"Yes he did," she answered," and I think it's a nice thing that you want to be independent. Far too many of your pureblood wizards living off the good graces of their families these days, if you ask me. When I was young you'd never see an up and coming ..."

"Yes Mrs Figg," Ron interrupted, "Thank you. It's just, I'm staying with Harry for a bit and he doesn't have a fireplace you can floo from. So, I wanted to know..." he was in turn interrupted.

"Yes, yes, your father said. I don't mind if you floo from here; if you could just pick up a few things for me, now and again, from Diagon Alley. It's hard for a body in my place to get around you know." She started shuffling around looking for something.

A knock was heard at the door and Arabella shuffled off to answer, followed by an entourage of cats.

"Hello Harry, your friend is here already." Arabella announced as she ushered Harry into the living room.

"All right, Harry?" smiled Ron.

"All right, Ron; are you ready to go?" beamed Harry.

"Too right, mate." answered Ron, grabbing his luggage. "I'll see you Monday morning, Mrs Figg, thanks again," he called over his shoulder, as he followed Harry out the door.

"Come on, we'll drop your stuff off at the house and then Head to the Precinct for lunch," said Harry, leading the way to Privet Dr.

"Alright mate; you know what you're doing." Ron followed Harry down the street.

"I thought we'd have lunch at McDonalds and then rent some video's to watch, when we get home. I've put up some stuff in the fridge, so no need to go hungry mate." Harry looked at his friend who was acting, for all the world, like a stranger in a strange land.

"Cool. Who knew they'd have a Scottish restaurant in Little Whinging." Ron was amazed. Harry just laughed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione watched the clock hands creep ever closer to 1:00 pm. She was in the living room pacing in front of the fireplace. Her father was sitting on the sofa, comfortably engrossed in his Sunday papers, while her mother puttered around the kitchen preparing lunch.

"Hermione, can you take this out to the table for me love?" called Susan Granger.

Hermione huffed and trotted to the kitchen, "It's almost time mum," she grumbled, "I want to be there when they come through. Dad'll never notice the fire change." She grabbed the tray of crudités and ran back to the dining room.

"Hermione, the flames have changed." called Geoffrey and pulled his feet out of the path of his daughter's excited entrance.

The first feet to appear wore jeans and trainers. "Ginny!" shouted Hermione as she stepped out into the living room. The two girls hugged as if they had not seen each other in years instead of days.

Next to arrive was Molly Weasley, who stepped out from the hearth dusting her clothes. She looked around the comfortably appointed home before spotting Hermione and pulling her in for a hug.

"Hermione dear, it's so kind of you to invite Ginny for bit of a holiday; and your parents too." she added looking at Geoffrey and Susan.

The final visitor was arriving. Arthur stepped out of the hearth, bearing Ginny's trunk.

"Geoffrey, Susan so good to see you; Hermione love." Arthur shook Hermione's parent's hands and gave Hermione a peck on the cheek.

"Oh, I almost forgot," said Molly.

She pulled out her wand and a package from her handbag. Waving the wand over the package she enlarged it but when she finished she noticed the light in the hallway went out along with other small lights in the room. The music which had been playing in the background also ceased.

"Oh dear, what have I done?" exclaimed Molly.

Arthur looked annoyed. "Molly, I told you about using your wand." He was clearly embarrassed.

"Not to worry, Arthur, it's only a fuse or two. Before we knew Hermione was a witch, she would take out a light when she sneezed. Come on, I'll show you how we fix it." offered Geoffrey. He knew the fascination Arthur had with electricity and wanted to take the blame off of the poor woman.

"Come on, lets go to the kitchen for some girl talk." offered Susan. "What have you there, Molly?" she asked as led the way to the back of the house.

"I made a custard pie for a sweet. I feel so silly now that I reduced it. Arthur did warn me." Molly's embarrassment was palpable.

"Molly, it's really alright. I'm just so glad to have met another mother who has a witch for a daughter. I have many questions." Susan immediately put Molly at ease. "After lunch the girls can go for a drive and we'll send the boys to the pub. What do you say?"

"Sounds lovely, Susan. I haven't had a chance for a good chin wag forever." smiled Molly. 'These Muggles aren't really any different at all.' she thought.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dinner at Hogwarts, found Phaelan sitting at the table with her left hand firmly supporting her head. She was playing with the pasta dish offered for dinner. Dumbledore noticed her despondency and was concerned with her mood.

"Phaelan, I have some news that might cheer you," he started, hoping to raise her spirits, "Professor Snape has agreed to escort you to Diagon Alley, to purchase what you need to work at the school. You'll have the chance to see our mercantile world as well." He gazed at her over his glasses, wondering why there was no reaction. "You should have a key to your vault on Monday, so you can arrange to transfer money between your bank and Gringotts"

Phaelan looked up at the smiling old man with a glum face, before looking at her plate again. Her attitude had not changed and so he tried his trump card.

"We've deposited an advance bonus into your account for your use, 250 galleons should get you started, eh?"

"Whatever," was her reply. Looking around she asked, "Where is Snape?"

"Off on some business," hedged Dumbledore. He didn't yet want her to know about the Death eater meetings.

At that moment, Severus strode in the doors to the Great Hall and headed to the table.

'Ah, Severus; so good of you to join us." welcomed a relieved Headmaster.

"Forgive my delay, Headmaster. There is some news I will relate later." Snape said, as he swept into this customary seat.

Looking to his left, Snape noticed a depressed Muggle playing with her food. She was tinted crimson from head to toe and, he knew from experience, her insides felt like they had been kneaded by a troll.

"I see you survived your ordeal, Phaelan," Severus teased.

"Fuck off Snape," was Phaelan's response.

Giving up all pretence of eating, Phaelan looked over at Minerva and asked. "Where is your library? I'd like to get some material on Wizarding history, besides the book you gave me." Considering what else she might need, Phaelan added,"and maybe something on the science of magic, you know.... measurements, quantitative and qualitative analysis and so on."

Minerva looked alarmed and glanced at Dumbledore. "Ehm. I'm sure we have such books, but our librarian is on vacation..." she dithered.

"I'm sure we can persuade one of the professors to accompany you to the library tomorrow, Phaelan." offered Dumbledore much to the young woman's irritation.

"Maybe I'll take a walk to the village in the morning. I could use a change of scenery." Phaelan dropped the idea into the middle of a lull in conversation.

"I think Madame Hooch was going to the sports shop tomorrow, so you might accompany her," smiled Dumbledore.

'Alright, that is about enough. I am not a child. I can determine where and when I will go somewhere and I don't need a baby sitter. Why do you keep treating me this way? Ugh."
She stood and left the hall to walk outside.

As Phaelan stewed outside beside the fountain, a small figure joined her.

"Professor Flitwick, "she acknowledged.

"You appear restless my dear," he said.

"I'm used to doing things, being independent. I feel that when I try to assert myself, the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall try to smother me." She began to pace to and fro.

"You know, when I came to Hogwarts as a student," began Flitwick, "it wasn't so immediately evident I was different. As time went by however, I didn't get any taller." He looked to see if he had her attention; he did.

"I had to carve a niche for myself, so I looked to see what else made me different, other than my height." the small man smiled to himself. "I was the best tutor in Charms and Runes the school had seen in many a year, not to mention the Sickles I earned."

"Miss McKenzie, find your niche. The others cannot help that they see you as weaker than they and so seek to protect you. Your true challenge will be to prove your value in an area they cannot challenge. You are not a witch, but you have strengths they don't understand, of that I am sure. Find your time and demonstrate them." The small man smiled and returned to the castle leaving Phaelan to her thoughts.

After a time, Phaelan walked back through the great entrance, intending to spend some time organizing some possible lesson plans. As she approached the stairs she heard a voice.

'If you choose not to look like a boiled lobster, I might be able to help." From out of the shadows, the dark figure of Severus Snape appeared.

"You really should go into movies you know, you'd scare the shit out of the audience." observed Phaelan.

"I save the best show's for my first year students," he quipped. "Come." He beckoned to her and she followed him into the depths of the dungeons. "I have a small library you might like to peruse."

Entering the dungeon realm of the Potions Master, Phaelan felt she truly had arrived in an enchanted place. It fit all of the imaginary descriptions of a magic castle; dark, mysterious and not a little frightening. Torches flared to life as they approached, only to extinguish once they had passed. Turning to walk along a different hall, Phaelan encountered her second ghost; The Bloody Baron.

"Good evening Baron, "greeted Snape, who at the quizzical look of the ghost, introduced Phaelan. The ghost then gave a lecherous leer while still looking at her. "Take that look off your face, Baron. She is a colleague," hissed Snape, at which the Baron simply bowed and left.

"He doesn't say much, "observed Phaelan.

"It might appear that way, but there will be gossip in the castle tomorrow, mark my words." He turned his attention to the entrance to his personal quarters and led her in.

The room was easily three times bigger than hers and was appointed with a green leather living room suite. It felt and looked very masculine.

Along the wall facing her, the room had been converted into a small library.

"Wow," she said, "this place is something else. Perks for the head of house?" she wondered.

"Yes." he answered, "Please sit down." he indicated a chair by the fire before walking into another room and returning with a large phial.

"When you draw your bath tonight, use this instead of any of the other bath oils provided. Use half tonight, and half tomorrow morning. It should get rid of the stain for the most part."

"Thank you. I really feel like a freak looking like this." Phaelan looked at her hands.

"You're not really a part of Hogwarts, until you've been the subject of Madame Pomfrey's Torture chamber of Healing. I should know," he quipped, his eyebrow lifting. He strode to the book stacks and began to pull down several volumes.

"These should get you started on what you're looking for. Admittedly, they are elementary books, but I'm sure you will breeze through them ,ready to advance in a few days." He set the books on a table in front of her.

Phaelan wondered why Severus had sought her out, as he turned to a sideboard with a tray holding decanters and glasses.

"Sherry, Miss McKenzie?" he offered.

"Yes, thank you," she replied, "but why Ms. McKenzie again?" Phaelan wondered about the formality in address now.

He came and sat across from her.

"I was called to a meeting with the Dark Lord and his followers earlier this evening. They know you're here," he stated.

Phaelan pondered on what he said and Dumbledore's solicitous attitude at dinner. "That's why he didn't want me to go to town alone." she concluded.

"Quite." responded Snape, looking into the fire. "I told you that when word got to Gringotts, the news would spread quickly. You're probably safe in Muggle areas, but, in Wizarding enclaves, it would best to be accompanied." He considered what he would say next and decided against delicacy. 'Straight forward for our mercenary Muggle' he thought.

"There are some among the Death eaters, who have designs on you. Their tastes range from rough to extreme sadism; the famed Marquis de Sade, took lessons from their type." his face mirrored his disgust. "I had to....put distance between you and myself in my thoughts this evening. Changing how I thought about you was the safest.

"So, this is how you dealt with it. Turn me into a stranger again?" asked Phaelan, feeling oddly sad at the thought.

"Yes at first. However, in an attempt to push aside their temptation to seek you out, I left them with another idea." He wasn't sure how to say this either so he continued on as before.

"I left my Death Eater brothers with the idea, I had convinced the Headmaster to hire you as a ...diversion for my recreation." Snape downed his sherry in one swallow. "My fuck toy," he stated bluntly.

Phaelan sat stunned, sure that if she were not already dyed in that colour, her face would be crimson. Snape stood and walked to the sideboard, grabbing the decanter of sherry to bring with him, as he came to sit beside her. He topped up her glass before continuing.

"Phaelan, look at me." He placed the decanter on the table and hooked a gentle finger under her chin, pulling her face up. "Look at me. I do not now nor will I ever consider you as such."

Snape had never spoken to anyone like this, let alone a woman, but he continued. "I have seen your thoughts and felt your despair. You have struggled with self doubt, as have I. We both seek an answer to a question we have not asked but have felt the urge to search for."

Phaelan was becoming lost in his darkness and compelling presence. It would be so easy to be lost in his depths.

Taking a deep breath, she sat back. Slowly, she reached for her drink and took a deep quaff. "If the danger is as near to me as you say, there are a couple of things I would like to get from my flat in London. When can I get there?"

"You will be on the floo network tomorrow." Snape pulled back as he answered.

"Will you come with me?" She asked

"I can't tomorrow, perhaps Minerva?" he suggested.

Nodding, she stood. "I'd best go. How do I get back to the hall from here?" Taking the books, Phaelan headed to the door.

"No need, take the floo." He indicated the fireplace.

"How?" she asked, approaching him.

Severus gave her the instructions and then grabbed the sherry to follow her. Phaelan had not thought he would be coming and was startled as he appeared from the green flames.

"I had thought to give you this. You might enjoy a drink while you soak," he handed her the sherry. "And, I thought you might like to know how to place a password on the floo to your room." He cocked his eyebrow at her suspicious look.

Phaelan then laughed. "Thank you, the sherry is most welcome and yes, I would like to put a password up.

After showing her how to set the password, Severus turned to take his leave.

"I'll see you at dinner tomorrow evening; I have other business all day tomorrow. Good evening, Phaelan." he grabbed the floo powder ready to leave.

"Thank you Severus, for everything. Sleep well." She watched as he nodded and stepped through the green flames to his quarters.