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!

Please remember this story was started prior to HBP and is entirely AU. There are fifty plus chapters and it is not yet finished. I am editing it to make it better, (I hope).
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The moon had risen over Hogwarts, as Phaelan and Snape made their way from the gates to the front entrance. As they walked up the stairs, Phaelan paused and looked at the sky.

"Come, we should see Dumbledore. He may have had word from the Auror's regarding the attack tonight." Snape opened the front doors and indicated the way to the Headmaster's office. As they approached, they saw Minerva talking to a tall black man, both looking stern.

"Snape, you're looking decidedly Muggle tonight," the tall man greeted the Potions Master.

"When in Rome, Shacklebolt," Snape retorted with a sneer.

Turning to Phaelan, the Auror offered her a brilliant smile. "Who is the lovely lady at your side, Snape?" he asked, as he reached for her hand to brush her fingers with a kiss.

"This is Miss Phaelan McKenzie, our new professor of Muggle Studies, soon to be Order member. Phaelan may I present, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Auror and ladies man. Steer clear."

"Ah Snape, ever the flatterer. McKenzie....I'm not familiar with that family. Are you Muggle born, Miss McKenzie?"

"Oh worse, Mr. Shacklebolt, I am a full blooded Muggle and an American to boot." Phaelan smiled, as she extracted her hand.

At his astonished look, Minerva stepped in, "Let's get to the office, Kingsley. We'll explain Phaelan later." She turned and gave the password to the gargoyle.

As they entered the office, Dumbledore was in conversation with someone on the floo.

"Alright, then; find out what you can, Arthur, and get back to us. Be careful." Dumbledore ended the conversation and rose to greet the four people in front of his desk.

"It is a sad evening, my friends." the old man greeted. "It appears Tom has decided to divide and conquer."

"Yes, the Death Eater's tactics have changed." agreed the Auror, sitting down solemnly with a world weary sigh.

"Severus, were you privy to any planning?" asked the old man.

Snorting, Snape answered," Obviously not, or else I would not have been in Kildarachan when they struck." He turned his back to the company to look out the window and crossed his arms much as he had when Phaelan had first met him.

"How have the tactics changed, Mr. Shacklebolt?" asked Phaelan.

"Normally, attacks on Muggles, Muggleborn or their sympathizers, are concentrated in one town or neighbourhood." explained the Auror. "Tonight we had one attack in Kildarachan Scotland, one in Belfast, one in Chelsea and one in a remote farm in Wales." He frowned in consternation. "It makes no sense."

"It's a diversion," offered Phaelan. At the looks from her company she continued. "The attacks are designed to weaken resources by causing them to be spread thin on the ground. I'll bet something else happened during these raids we've just not figured out yet; something important to His cause."

"Have you any evidence at any of the scenes to suggest why there were four attacks tonight, Kingsley? Any kind of pattern you can see?" Dumbledore inquired.

"The only thing each of the victims had in common was their interest in insects. Two, the one in Belfast and the one in Kildarachan, each raised hybrid African Bees. The victim in Wales was breeding Billywig's in captivity, quite successfully. The attack in Chelsea has us worried, because we can't account for the father of the family." Kingsley sat back and scratched his chin thoughtfully.

"This is the part of the puzzle that has us most befuddled. The parents were Muggles who had two witches attending Hogwarts; Genevieve and Rebecca Faubert."

"Ravenclaw, both of them," Minerva interjected automatically, as she fought back tears. "Second and fifth years; bright, beautiful children. Filius will be devastated."

"They're not dead, Minerva. We took them to St Mungo's. They appear to be in a magically induced coma. We're not sure what caused it yet." The Auror advised. "There in lies the mystery you see. The girls mother was handled with the customary disgusting dispatch and cast aside as rubbish. The girls are alive and their father is missing."

"What do you know about him, Shacklebolt?" asked Snape.

"He is an entomologist. He holds a chair at the Imperial College London, teaching in the department of Bioengineering."

Phaelan bit her lips. What would a Wizard need a Muggle scientist for, especially one in such an innovative field? Dumbledore noticed her expression.

"Phaelan, is there something you wish to share with us?" asked the Headmaster, looking at her over the rims of his spectacles.

"What, if anything, do Wizards know of genetics, specifically gene splicing?" Phaelan asked.

"Interspecies breeding has been practiced for a long time by wizards. Our magic allows us to create environments for disparate creatures to procreate successfully, if not wisely. Hagrid can give you several examples of poor judgment," answered Snape, remembering the Blast-ended Skrewts of a few years back.

"If that's the case, why would you need a Muggle to do the work for you?" wondered Phaelan aloud.

"When you breed two creatures of different species, you cannot determine the outcome, prior to the hatching or birth of your new hybrid. The characteristics of the created creature are left up to chance, at least for the first generation," advised Dumbledore.

"Then someone wants to be very specific in the outcome of producing a Bee - Billywig crossbreed," offered Snape. "The Muggle professor has been kidnapped and his children are hostage to the successful outcome of his study."

The quiet of the office spoke to the understanding of the people there. This was the dawning of a new day in their war. Muggle science was being added, in an attempt to rid the Wizarding world of Muggle influence.

Dumbledore adjourned them a short time later and bid all to think on what had been learned. As she left the office, Phaelan put her hand on Severus sleeve to hold him back.

"Can we go for a walk?" she asked.

Smiling at her alone, Snape transformed his Muggle jacket into familiar robes. Offering his arm, he led them back to the front doors and out. Phaelan looked at the night sky, clear and sharp away from the city lights. They made their way into the Rose garden, to walk among the fragrant blooms in the mild summer night.

"I haven't been outside at night here since the time Remus took me for a walk to the lake. It's very beautiful."

Snape had preferred not to remember that particular evening. It had not been one of his better played strategies. Placing his hands on her waist, he pulled her backwards to rest against his body, then wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"The night holds great danger and beauty, like you," he whispered in her ear.

"Severus Snape, you're just trying to distract me from remembering how you acted that night," laughed Phaelan. She took his hands in hers and wrapped them even tighter around her.

"You were acting like a jealous suitor, when you had neither right nor reason to. I didn't feel anything more than friendship for Remus. He's really not my type. Remus is a nice man." She leaned her head back to rest on his shoulder, while she looked at the sky. "I like dangerous men. Men who can match me risk for risk; who like to live on the edge."

"Some of us have no choice about taking risks and living on a precipice, Phaelan. You did." Turning his head to smell her hair, redolent with the scent of the shampoo he had created for her, Snape asked, "Why did you choose to live the way you do?"

"To feel alive, to feel as if every day counted," she answered, "It didn't turn out quite as I planned, but I have had some small victories along with the losses. That is more than many can they've achieved in an entire lifetime."

Looking up once more, Phaelan noticed a star moving across the sky and pegged it as a satellite. She wondered what other Muggle artefacts orbited above the school and what they would see if they were to look. Filing the thought away for later research, she turned in his arms to face him.

Smoothing the front of his robes, she found they were open, ready for her to slide her hands inside and up to touch his chest covered only by the thin polo shirt.

"You hide so much beneath these robes," she whispered. She looked into his eyes as her hands wandered up to his shoulders, only to slide down to pass over his chest, taking a moment to brush his nipples through the thin fabric.

Hitching his breath, as Phaelan touched his chest, Severus pulled her towards him roughly and heard her breath quicken. Sliding one arm around her waist under her jacket, Severus reached up to slide his fingers into her hair at the back of her head and pull back firmly.

Looking into her eyes to see desire mirroring his own, Severus breathed one word, "Phaelan," before pulling her into a deep embrace. He felt her hands slide around his waist and drop lower to pull his hips closer to her.

Phaelan pulled him forward, until his growing erection was tight against her belly. As Phaelan felt him lengthen and harden while she massaged his buttocks, her own excitement grew. Moaning into his mouth, Phaelan felt her arousal preparing her; making her wet; her clitoris engorged.

Severus could smell the scent of her arousal; feel the urgency in her kiss. She was his for the taking. Taking his hand out of her hair, he slid it slowly down the side of her face, down the front of her neck to touch the edge of the tank top. Sliding his hand down and to the side, Severus cupped her breast and rubbed the hardened nipple through the fabric; just now realizing she had no bra on. Suddenly, an inner voice spoke to him, 'Not like this, our first time cannot be like this. Make it right for her. Make the offer properly; she is worthy and deserves no less.'

"Phaelan," he groaned, pulling out of the kiss, "Phaelan, we must stop now. I can't go further..." she muffled his words with another kiss, pulling his lower lip into her mouth.

"You must stop, I don't have that kind of strength, woman. Stop. Please." Putting his hands on her shoulders, Severus pushed her away.

They stood facing each other; breathless and flushed from their desire. Severus still held her away at arms length, as he tried to recover.

Phaelan was still fully aroused, though confused by his action. There had been no question in her mind of what they each had wanted. "Why, Severus? I thought you wanted me; I thought we both wanted this? Why do you push me away? What did I do wrong?" She stood trembling before him, thinking she had done something to hurt him, committed some grave breach of witch's etiquette.

"Oh, Phaelan, you silly woman, can't you see the evidence before you? You fill my dreams. I think of you constantly, when we are apart. Your scent in a room is enough to excite me." He shook her gently as he spoke. Releasing her, he walked away several paces before facing her forlorn face once more.

'You deserve more than just a quick shag in the garden," Snape began, as he paced.

"Come to my room, the bed is big enough for two," Phaelan responded.

"I don't want to slip around in the night, like some randy adolescent." He gestured to the sky with his hand.

"Stay the night, two nights or let me stay with you. We're adults, we don't need permission." Phaelan was becoming annoyed.

"You're wrong; we do." Snape stopped pacing and turned back to her. "You deserve the same respect and consideration given to any pureblood witch. I won't allow anyone in this castle, or the Order, to think otherwise. We may have roles to play, for the good of the cause, but I will not compromise my beliefs for anyone." He appeared to be talking as much to himself, as to her.

"What the fuck are you talking about, Severus?" asked Phaelan, now weary as well as frustrated. She crouched down, wrapping her arms around her knees and dropping her head forward.

Coming forward, Severus reached down and pulled Phaelan to her feet. Looking into his eyes, Phaelan saw a look of determination in his face.

"Phaelan, do you have any living older relative?" Snape asked.

"Did you drink something I didn't tonight, Severus? Did you pop a pill or inhale something when I wasn't looking? What are you going on about?" Phaelan was now totally bewildered and a little annoyed.

"Answer the question, Phaelan, please." Snape looked as open and earnest as Phaelan had ever seen him.

"No, just me; I have no contact with any of my extended family," she finally answered.

"Other than the US Navy and Hogwarts, are you answerable to any higher power?" Snape continued to look into her eyes.

"No." Phaelan was becoming a little uneasy about the questions.

"Do you look upon me with favour?" Snape asked, almost timidly.

"Why are you asking me these things?" Phaelan's apprehension was growing. At Snape's look, she answered his question, "Yes."

"Come, I will see you to your rooms," Snape announced, suddenly the formal Wizard again. Holding her elbow, Severus led her out of the Rose Garden.

The couple didn't speak as they walked to Phaelan's portrait entrance. When they stopped in front, Severus turned Phaelan towards him.

Pulling his wand out, he pointed it at the portrait, "Loquiturus In Camera; she won't hear us now."

"Then I'll say good night, Severus, it has been an interesting evening," Snapped an aggravated Phaelan, as she made to enter her room.

"Wait, Phaelan, I know I've managed to hurt you again." Taking a breath to compose his thoughts, Severus continued. "It would have been so easy just to give in to my lust, to your desires. Make no mistake, I ache for you. I've had thoughts of you every night since you arrived." He watched for her reaction.

"Why do you insist on everything being such a production?" Phaelan demanded, as she turned once more to face him. "If you have some kind of an agenda, at least put me on the mailing list." In an unconscious likeness of Snape, Phaelan pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingers.

She sighed. "I'm in the minority here. It's my job to fit in to your society, follow your customs, as best I can. It's as if I'm missing something in your message... I care about you, Severus. I care very much, do you understand?" her voice trembled, as tears began to flow. "I haven't been with a man for a very long time. You are the first man I have wanted in so long." She hung her head, letting the tears fall.

Closing his eyes, Snape was afraid to speak. Reaching out to touch her hair, he remembered a poem his mother loved. It reflected nothing of the reality of her miserable life with his father, but he supposed it was what she might have hoped for, as a young woman, yet unwed.

He began to recite:

"Come to me in my dreams, and then
By day I shall be well again!
For so the night will more than pay
The hopeless longing of the day.

Come, as thou cam'st a thousand times,
A messenger from radiant climes,
And smile on thy new world, and be
As kind to others as to me!

Or, as thou never cam'st in sooth,
Come now, and let me dream it truth,
And part my hair, and kiss my brow,
And say, My love why sufferest thou?

Come to me in my dreams, and then
By day I shall be well again!
For so the night will more than pay
The hopeless longing of the day."

Phaelan listened to his voice gliding like silk; soft on her senses for her ears alone.

Reaching out to cup her chin, Severus turned her face to look at him.

"Trust me for once, Phaelan. It will all come clear very soon, I promise." He waited for her response.

"Do I have a choice really, Severus?" she replied. "I trust you on faith. Please don't let it be a false promise. I couldn't bear it."

Severus smiled the smile he reserved for her alone. "You can't yet imagine what your trust will bring. To be honest, the full impact of your declaration cannot be known until the Light is victorious. But then, my Practical One, you shall fully appreciate your decision today. On that you have my solemn oath."

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was early Sunday morning, when Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks, apparated to the playground near Privet Drive. Looking around, they made sure no one had seen their odd appearance, before setting out on foot to pick up Harry from his uncle's home.

"What time are the miserable lot due back, Remus?" asked Tonks.

"Harry said he expected them before teatime today. I think he wants to make sure he's well out of the way before they arrive," answered Lupin.

"Well, it's the last time he has to spend his summer here, poor love. 'Spect he'll be happier living at Grimmauld Place," observed the young Auror.

"Perhaps Tonks, but it's also the end of his school days this year. It was hard to be Harry as a child, how much more difficult will it be as an adult?" Looking up at the road sign, Lupin indicated they should turn left, "This way."

As they walked up to the house, both noticed the green bin liners lined up in front of the garage. Lifting a brow, Remus indicated the door. Tonks knocked and waited. A minute later, they heard a bang and muffled shouting through the door. As the door opened, they saw Harry nursing his knee and Ron fighting with a white owl, trying to put it in a cage.

"Watcha, Harry. Did you hurt yourself?" asked Tonks, as she entered the house.

"Hello, Tonks, Remus. We've been trying to clean up a bit," answered Harry, as he closed the door.

"Merlin's beard, Harry, what happened to this place?" asked Lupin, as he looked around what must have been the kitchen. Tonks was in the living room, surveying the disaster from that point of view.

"Harry, did you have a party?" Tonks asked, already knowing the answer.

"Eh, yeah; just a few of the DA. You know; butterbeer, pizza, crisps and stuff." Harry shrunk back into the corner of the kitchen.

Holding up an empty bottle labelled, Schmirnoff, Lupin asked, "Butterbeer?"

"We didn't mean it to get like this, Remus, honestly. Some of the upper six, from last year, brought their own stuff along and...." Ron's voice faded out, as he winced under the knowing glare from Lupin.

"Can you help us? Please? I have to get things back to normal, before the Dreary Dursleys get back," pleaded Harry.

Scratching his ear, Lupin looked at Tonks, while suppressing a smile. "Well, I suppose a party like this imposes its own punishment. You both get the bathrooms to clean the Muggle way and you can wash the floor down here. Now hop to it."

After calling a relieved thanks over their shoulders, Ron and Harry ran up the stairs.
Pulling out their wands, Tonks and Lupin got started cleaning up the quagmire left from the previous evening's festivities.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Ginny dear, are you ready?" called Molly Weasley up to her daughter's room.

"Coming, mummy," answered Ginny, as she packed everything she would need for school, as well as for her stay at Grimmauld Place. Looking around, she saw her special jewel case. It called to her. Since leaving Hermione's, Ginny had tried to stop using the knife. She had managed to stop cutting as much, but now they were going to be with Harry and everyone else. How could she manage? Trying not to think about it, Ginny packed the jewel case in her trunk and locked it.

"My trunk is ready," she called and then, stepping aside, watched as her mother levitated the trunk out the door and down stairs with a simple spell.

"Come along dear, I need to get to the other house before lunch, so we can get to the market." Molly hustled her daughter along. "Harry's coming tonight and I think he deserves a nice home cooked meal."

Smiling at her daughter, Molly walked to the fireplace to floo the trunk to Grimmauld Place before them.

Ginny returned her mother's smile, as she always did, but her inner self cried. 'Always Harry dear, he suffered so, because of Voldemort. Brave Harry, who must be protected at all cost; the boy who lived. You never asked mum; not then and not since.' No one asked Ginny what Tom Riddle said or did to her. No one asked, whose blood the messages were written in. They just patted the nice little girl on the head and told her how brave she was. Have a piece of chocolate.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hermione had created a list for her parent's security program. She went over it again in front of her mother.

"Okay Mum, you know how to floo to Hogwarts and you have the password created for you and Daddy, right?" began Hermione.

"Yes, dear," answered Susan.

"You have the port key in your office at work and the safe room Kingsley made, in the closet in the X-ray room."

"Yes, dear," Susan replied.

"I'll call every day from my mobile; Dumbledore's made a spot in the back garden, at Grimmauld Place, that will let a signal in or out. Let's say two o'clock everyday. Try not to miss the call, or I'll worry."

"Hermione..." Susan tried to speak.

'Now, make sure you and Daddy wear the charms I made for you. If anything should happen, I'll be able to track you. And the locks, don't forget the special spelled locks Professor Snape put on the doors and windows. You need to touch them everyday. I'll remind you when I call."

Hermione made a notation in her note book.

"Hermione..," said Susan, a little louder.

"Maybe I should call twice a day, that way I can remind you just before bedtime." Hermione stuck her pencil into her hair.

Loosing her patience, Susan raised her voice to a shout. "Hermione; just who is the parent here? Stop worrying yourself into a tizzy!"

"I'm scared, mummy. I'm scared for you." Hermione looked at her mother, as she tried not to cry again. Hermione had cried every night, since Snape and Shacklebolt had visited.

Pulling her daughter into a hug, Susan Granger wished she could kiss the tears away and tell her little girl, mummy and daddy would make everything all right. The Grangers were now all too well aware of the threat of this Voldemort. The mother had to settle for letting her grown up little girl know how much she was loved.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phaelan was in Snape's dungeon class, taking temperature readings on various liquids, as Snape cast various charms and hexes on them. One beaker filled with Pigs blood was becoming obnoxiously coagulated and smelled worse than it looked.

"What was that last one you cast?" asked Phaelan, making notes based on her observations.

"Relashio," answered Snape, as he pushed his hair behind his ears for the umpteenth time
that morning.

"Why don't you either grow it, or cut it?" suggested Phaelan, who was beginning to find the repeated action annoying.

"What?" asked Snape, not sure what she meant.

"Your hair," she answered, as she flipped the ends of his blunt cut with her fingers. "You keep moving it out of your face. Don't you find it a bother? It looks like you cut it yourself."

"What's wrong with cutting your own hair?" Snape asked, a little peeved at her comments.

"For a start, it looks like you hacked it off with a knife," she commented.

"I did," he answered defensively, "It was a sharp blade."

"Don't you have a hairstylist in Hogsmeade?" Phaelan asked.

"I don't patronize establishments that like to primp and pamper me like some kind of fop," he snapped in reply.

Phaelan began to snigger, trying to picture Snape sat in a barbers chair, while some fey effeminate popinjay pranced around him, offering hairstyles.

"What's so funny?" scowled Severus.

Stifling her giggles, Phaelan answered, "Nothing."

She was saved from having to explain further, by Dumbledore's entrance.

"I'd hoped I'd find you both here. Phaelan, your letter from the ministry for your licence just arrived. You are scheduled for your exam," called the Headmaster, as he walked towards them holding a letter.

"When is it?" she asked.

"Today, Monday at 2:00 o'clock," he replied, handing the envelope to Phaelan.

"When you said, short notice, you weren't kidding were you?" asked Phaelan, metaphorically.

"According to the letter, it's the only opening available, but between us, I think Minister Fudge is trying to discredit you."

"Are you ready, Phaelan?" asked Snape.

"I'd better be," she replied.

"Good. Severus, please accompany Phaelan to the Ministry this afternoon." With a nod, the Headmaster left them alone in the dungeons again.

"Gonna tell me how to dress properly for the good of the Wizarding public again?" she asked, with a raised eyebrow.

Looking back at her through lowered eyelids, as he leaned forward over his desk, Snape answered in his best school master tones. "One day, I will take you across my lap, pull down your knickers and spank your arse cherry red for your cheek, madam."

"Ooooh, tell me when, Professor Snape and I'll find a school uniform, two sizes too small, for your...delectation. I look forward to spending another detention with you," she said breathlessly, as she gathering her notes and instruments.

Reaching across the desk, Snape tilted her head towards him and kissed her. "Be ready to leave by one o'clock and wear your robes."

"Yes sir, I'll be ready," she whispered in reply.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Snape and Phaelan arrived at the ministry by floo a little after one o'clock. They made their way to the reception desk. After lining up, for what seemed like an hour, they were next.

"Miss Phaelan McKenzie, for an appointment to sit a licensing exam, for teaching," announced Snape."

"Wands please," requested the bored guard on the desk.

Snape pulled out his wand and placed it on the scales on the desk. The guard looked at the reading and made a note on his log book.

"Now you miss." He looked at Phaelan.

"I don't have a wand," she replied.

"You're trying to bring a Muggle in here Professor? That's highly irregular."

"Yes, never the less, she is expected." Snape affected a bored tone, as he passed over her letter. "Here is her letter for the appointment."

The guard read the letter, then turned to call over his shoulder, "Charley, come 'ere."

The two guards hemmed and hawed over the document for several minutes, before sending off another letter and getting a reply.

The guard came around the desk. "Take off your robe, Miss, we need to conduct a search."

"What do you mean?" Phaelan demanded.

"Be still and obey your betters or..." Snape snapped, hoping she would understand as he flicked his eyes beyond her.

Hearing his tone and noticing his attention drawn behind her, she obeyed. The man took his time patting her down; even sliding his hand up under the skirt Snape insisted she wear, to feel the space between her legs. Her face became crimson in mortification.

The guard leered at her, as he returned to his side of the desk. He turned to Snape and said, "She's clean. You can sign for her, Professor. You must have her with you at all times. Don't leave her alone." He passed each of them badges to wear.

As they walked away, Phaelan hissed at Snape. "That bastard copped a feel."

"You don't get many perks on that job," he remarked, with a sneer.

Phaelan glared back at his snide answer, to see him slide his eyes to the side. Another man stood leaning against the wall with an identical look on his face, save for a patch worn over one eye.

"MacNair, you're looking well," said Snape.

"A little good food and decent surroundings put things to rights, soon enough. I see you took your pet out for a walk, Snape. Is she house broken yet?" asked MacNair.

"We've not yet finished the preliminary training and I have no desire to permanently blemish her skin. She is to teach after all; there can be no evidence..." drawled Snape.

Turning Phaelan to face him, he grabbed her by the nape of the neck. "You will pass and pass well, or there will be consequences. Am I clear? Do not embarrass me or your pert little breasts will bear a bruising you've not yet bourn and you will service me unto your exhaustion."

Keeping her eyes down, Phaelan meekly replied, "Yes sir."

Snape released her and pushed her towards the exam room door.

"I've heard she submits to you willingly, Snape. What's it like to have your personal torture whore in Hogwarts; how did you get it by the old fool?"

"Her contract belongs to me, for everything outside of teaching. I bought her from an American Squib, who served in their Navy. He was retiring with his wife, to some exotic locale, and she wouldn't take kindly to his sex slave coming along."

Smiling knowingly at MacNair, he continued, "She even provides intelligent conversation, when I remove her gag."

"You always were a strange one, Snape. See you later." MacNair shook his head, as he walked away.

Snape turned and took Phaelan through the door into a room fitted with tables lined up as a classroom. There was no one else there yet.

"Who was that?" Phaelan asked, still trying to calm down from the incident in the hall.

"Walden MacNair. I hadn't known he was released from Azkaban, let alone have his job back in the Ministry."

He looked over at her. The things he had just said about her and to her, stuck in his throat, threatening to sicken him. It may be an act, but he still had to look at her and make the words sound convincing.

"You did well in front of him, Phaelan. I'm sure he was convinced." Snape tried to put a positive spin on the meeting; tried to alleviate the pall of indecency hanging in the air.

"Yeah, Oscar winning, I'm sure. Look, let's change the subject. What are these exams like?" she asked.

"Like any other, I suppose. Oh, I almost forgot, here." Snape reached into his pocket and pulled out a phial of potion. "You might need this. The quill and parchment are charmed to prevent cheating. I had thought they may pull some energy out of you."

"Thanks." Phaelan took the phial and put it in her own pocket. After a long moment of silence, Phaelan turned to Snape and touched his arm. "Severus, I know when you talk the way you do, in front of You Know Who's servants, that it's just an act."

"I have my reputation to uphold, madam." Snape stood with uncommon humour in his eyes. At that moment the door opened to admit the proctor.

"Miss McKenzie?" The ancient woman looked at Phaelan over the rims of her horn rimmed glasses. Phaelan nodded. "Take a seat please. You sir, may sit at the back of the room." She pointed to where Snape was to go.

"You may begin," ordered the old witch, as she turned her hour glass.

Taking a deep breath, Phaelan began.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday morning, found the usual breakfast company sitting around the table in the great hall. With a fluttering of wings, half a dozen owls entered, bringing the post. Flying over her, a horned owl dropped a letter onto Phaelan's head. Thoroughly bemused, Phaelan picked the letter off the floor, the first she had ever received in this manner.

"It's from the Ministry of Magic," she said to her company.

Opening the letter, she found a small card with her picture (when did they take it?) and a certificate. The accompanying letter gave her results.

"What on earth does an 'O' stand for?" she asked.

"Well done, Phaelan, you received an outstanding on your Teacher's Certification," congratulated Dumbledore.

"Thank you," she responded, still reading the letter. "Does the Minister of Magic visit every newly certified teacher?" she asked.

"What?" Snape grabbed the letter from her hand to read. "Phaelan, what did you do?"

"Nothing!" she replied, studiously avoiding Snape's glare coming from her right. "Nothing much; really..."

"Phaelan?" He lowered his voice to a dangerous tone.

"Well, I made sure I read every question over twice. That's my usual habit writing an exam. Then, as the Headmaster suggested to me, I tried to answer each question as it had appeared in the Handbook." Phaelan grabbed her juice hoping the questions were finished.

Dumbledore regarded Phaelan from the left. "Madam, stop prevaricating. Cornelius Fudge does not visit Hogwarts to congratulate a new teacher. What was on your test paper?"

Phaelan felt like a very small slice of cheese, in the centre of a very large and powerful sandwich. Phaelan swallowed, and said quickly, before they could squash her. "Every question asked for personal examples and opinions. I expressed my opinion on every question. That's all."

She closed her eyes and waited for the axe to fall. On either side of her, Snape and Dumbledore sat speechless, staring at her. Across the table, Hooch, who had been silent until now, snorted and burst into laughter, hugging herself, as she rocked to and fro in delight.

Minerva stared at Phaelan, and uttered, "Oh my."

The rest of the table simply looked at her in awe. The tiny Muggle who dared call Fudge an idiot in writing.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The school was under renovation, which meant the requisite wizards and witches were participating in the renewal of the spells and charms that held it together. It was decided Phaelan should move to Grimmauld Place, for safety.

Phaelan packed one of her larger bags with what she needed for her stay at Grimmauld Place. Meeting him at the front doors, Phaelan walked to Main gates to apparate to Grimmauld Place, with Severus. The two travelling together, in such a manner, was becoming a habit; comfortable. Phaelan tended to linger in his embrace after they arrived at their destination, to inhale his earthy scent and bask in his warmth. Snape didn't complain.

Looking at the street, Phaelan only saw the rundown working class houses the Muggles lived in. Severus showed the address of the house to Phaelan. As she looked up once more, 12 Grimmauld Place revealed itself. Shaking her head, Phaelan gave herself a reality check, thinking 'This stuff is becoming way too common place in my mind.'

As they entered in the front door, Phaelan saw a pleasantly plump woman trying to cover what was obviously an example of one of the moving portraits Phaelan had become familiar with. With a great deal of shouting and cursing, on the portrait's part, the curtain was finally drawn.

"Hello, Professor Snape. Sorry for the noise. Hermione arrived just before you," explained the woman, as if it clarified the problem.

"Mrs Weasley, this is Professor McKenzie, our new Muggle studies teacher," Snape announced to the woman, who seemed to rule the roost.

Phaelan smiled at Molly. Molly looked less than pleased at Phaelan's arrival.

'Hello, Miss McKenzie. Why don't I show you to your room?" At that Molly turned and led the way upstairs.

Looking at Snape, Phaelan shrugged and followed Molly to the attic space she was assigned. Looking around, Phaelan thought she'd never been reminded of her place more bluntly than at this moment.

"I hope this is alright, Miss McKenzie. The other rooms are all taken by the children and normal Order members," said Molly, as she bustled about the room.

"Normal as in witch or wizard, Mrs. Weasley?" offered Phaelan.

"No! No, I mean the current Members. You've not been admitted as yet," answered Molly, with a little guilt in her voice.

"The accommodation is fine, Mrs Weasley. Thank you for inviting me to your house," said Phaelan, to appease the situation.

"It's not mine, dear. It belonged to Sirius Black." Molly smiled sadly. "Come down when you're ready. Everyone is meeting in the kitchen."

Phaelan had read everything on the recent history of Harry Potter and Voldemort. She knew what had happened to Sirius and it's repercussions with Harry.

'Why is it always children, God; why do we do this to them?' Phaelan sent a silent supplication to a God she had stopped worshipping as a child.

Leaving her belongings in the bag, she made her way down, following the noise of voices to find the kitchen. As she entered, Phaelan felt she had gate crashed a convention of red headed people. Spotting Arthur Weasley across the room, Phaelan tried to make eye contact. Suddenly, from her right side, Phaelan heard a voice with a heavy Australian twang ring out.

"Well, who is this beautiful Sheila and why haven't we met before now?"

Turning to the voice, Phaelan saw a tall blonde man, with fashionably spiked hair, flash a blinding smile in her direction. Looking over, Arthur saw Phaelan standing apart from the rest, appearing lost.

"Miss McKenzie, so good to see you again," began Arthur, as he moved towards her. "Everybody, can I have your attention," Arthur called, to get the attention of the company.

The crowd quieted and turned to face Arthur.

"Everyone, I'd like to introduce the newest member of Hogwarts faculty, discovered by Remus and myself. May I present, Miss Phaelan McKenzie, United States Naval Reserve, now Professor of Muggle Studies at Hogwarts."

"You know, Fred, I think we left Hogwarts too soon."... "Too right, George. We should have stuck around to see the change in scenery."..."The quality of teaching has definitely taken an upswing."..."Do you think Dumbledore would let us come back?" The twin speak dialogue was answered with a smack on the back of the head, for each of the Weasley twins, from Molly.

Going around the room, Arthur introduced the entire Weasley clan present, (everyone but Percy), Nymphadora Tonks, Sturgis Podmore, Harry, Hermione and the visitor from Australia, Sean Gillhooly. Remus Lupin was there, as well as the Auror, Shacklebolt.

"Alright you youngsters, upstairs we have things to discuss," ordered Molly, as she shooed Ron, Harry, Ginny and Hermione out the door.

"But mum, we'd like to get to know our new teacher," whined Ron.

"Yes, I'll bet you do, Ron Weasley, I saw your face. Off with you," Molly rebuked her son, as she closed the door.

The four bodies leaving left a little more room. Phaelan found a seat on a bench, only to find the Australian jock squeeze in on one side of her and Charley Weasley on the other. At that moment, Dumbledore and Snape entered the kitchen. Remus vacated his chair at the end of the table for the Headmaster, while Snape walked to the corner, to lean in the shadows.

Looking over, Snape saw Phaelan sandwiched between a Weasley and the Australian bugger. As Phaelan glanced at him, she saw him scowl and understood why. Feeling a little uneasy at the jealousy evident on his face, Phaelan stood quickly and walked to his side. Her quick departure caused Charley and Sean to suddenly bang shoulders. They looked up, to see Phaelan standing close beside the Potions Master, who in turn looked back at them and quirked a one sided grin of satisfaction.

The meeting went over the recent Death Eater raids, and it turned out Sean had been sent from Australia, to help in the investigation. Towards the end, Dumbledore called Phaelan over.

"Phaelan, I have not discussed it with everyone here and not everyone is aware that you are a Muggle."

"Crikey, mate. What's she doing here, Headmaster?" exclaimed the Australian.

"Miss McKenzie will be training our young people in many things, besides Muggle studies, Sean. I rather think you would be impressed with her abilities, if you were to come to know her." Dumbledore stared down the young man.

"Arthur, Severus if you please?" requested Dumbledore. Opening a cabinet, Molly withdrew a statue of a Phoenix cast in pure gold and handed it to her husband. Arthur placed it on the table before the Headmaster.

"Phaelan, you have had to become accustomed to a great deal in your short time with us. You have opened our eyes to our world and made us appreciate gifts we had come to take for granted, rather than treasure. Thank you." He smiled gently at Phaelan and nodded.

Standing behind her, Snape urged Phaelan over to stand before Dumbledore, who now had the Phoenix in his hands.

"Place your hands on the Phoenix, Phaelan," Dumbledore instructed.

As she followed Dumbledore's request, Severus and Arthur stood on either side of her and placed their hands on her shoulders.

"Con Flamen expurgo et flammis adjunctĭo induratus," intoned the old man, solemnly.

Phaelan felt warmth spread from her shoulders through out her body. There was a slight tingling on her left arm. Dumbledore took her arm and turned it over. As he did, he revealed what appeared to be a tattoo of sorts bearing the image of a Phoenix. As Phaelan looked about the room, she observed everyone else, who held up their arms showing the same mark.

"Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix, Phaelan."


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A/N

The poem quoted by Severus

Longing

"Come to me in my dreams, and then
By day I shall be well again!
For so the night will more than pay
The hopeless longing of the day.

Come, as thou cam'st a thousand times,
A messenger from radiant climes,
And smile on thy new world, and be
As kind to others as to me!

Or, as thou never cam'st in sooth,
Come now, and let me dream it truth,
And part my hair, and kiss my brow,
And say, My love why sufferest thou?

Come to me in my dreams, and then
By day I shall be well again!
For so the night will more than pay
The hopeless longing of the day."

Matthew Arnold (1822-1888)

"Con Flamen expurgo et flammis adjunctio induratus' - a very rough translation

With Flames be cleansed (or purified) and flames enduring bind together.