FicWad

.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 long time later, Phaelan and Severus lay looking at the flickering flames of the small fireplace in his bedroom. Phaelan lay in front of Severus, who had his head propped up by his bent arm so that he could look down on her face. Idly tracing her arm and breast, Severus thanked whatever deities had brought her into his life.

Leaning forward, he kissed her ear and was rewarded with a smile. It hadn't seemed possible a woman like this could want to be with him, yet here she was. So alike, yet so different from him; it was a surprise she was even interested in the dour teacher. To be fair, Severus had subtly flirted and hinted at his desire for a relationship almost from her second day in the castle.

"Did you know him?" asked Phaelan in a small voice, finally.

"Yes. He was following in his older brother's footsteps," he replied, understanding her question.

Phaelan rolled on to her back to look up into Severus face. "He would have killed you. I had no choice."

With a rueful smile, Severus raised a finger to her lips. "I thought I was supposed to be protecting you. I don't know why I should be surprised though. You are inclined to be practical after all."

Phaelan stroked his chest before letting her hands wander further down his body. Severus' breath hitched as her fingers touched his lower belly. Reaching over, he cupped her breast in his hand and pinched her nipple. She moaned as the pressure increased.

Bending down to nuzzle her neck, Severus turned to whisper, "When we met Lucius in Hogsmeade, you reacted to my hard touch in a manner I didn't expect. Do you prefer it to a gentle touch? " He started to gently bite her neck.

"The line between pain and pleasure is blurry sometimes. I like both but you understand it don't you?" Phaelan wondered as she stroked his hair.

Coming half over her body, he looked at her face. How did she know he wondered?

"Why do you say that, Phaelan?" Severus asked in a soft voice.

"It's why you keep returning, isn't it? At first, he broke you in gently, praised you for your willingness to accept his judgment. Then bit by bit the punishment escalates and your body reacts. First the pain and then your body rewards you with an endorphin rush. More pain, bigger rush." She replied before placing a kiss on his lips.

"I sometimes think you know me too well, Phaelan." He replied as he rolled away from her to stand and stretch.

"Funny, I was describing myself, Severus."

Sitting up, Phaelan regarded the dark man across the room. He was conflicted, that much was evident. Sometimes the truth hurt, but sometimes it could set you free or so went the old adage.

"Severus, come back to bed," called Phaelan. "There's nothing more we need to do tonight except be together. Let me touch you all night and breathe in your scent. Hold me while I sleep and let me wake with you in the morning."

Severus looked over to the woman sitting cross legged on his bed and shook his head. "Phaelan, why are you still here? Why aren't you running away in disgust? Any other woman in your position wouldn't want to be the same room with me, let alone sleep with me."

Phaelan rose and walked to him. She wrapped her arms about his waist as she had the day she had met the Boggart and held him close. Severus enfolded her in his arms and breathed in the scent of her hair.

"How can I run away from myself, Severus? I tried once." Phaelan murmured into his shoulder.

"What happened?" Severus asked.

Tilting her head back, she looked at him with a rueful smile.

"I came to Hogwarts and met you."

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Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil were sitting in the dorm assigned to the upper sixth girls in Gryffindor. The corner of the room where their two beds were situated looked more like a beauty parlour come fashion boutique than a school dormitory.

"That's it," declared Lavender, "I can't run any more. Look!" she pointed to a nasty red chafing appearing on the sides of her breasts.

"Me too," complained Parvati, "and I have an itchy rash all over them. What about you Hermione?"

Looking up from where she had been lying while studying, Hermione looked confused.

"What?" she asked.

"Do you have a rash or anything on your boobs, from running?" asked Lavender.

"No, just aching muscles." She replied. "Maybe I'm not big enough to have the problem."

Parvati snorted, "You're the same size we are. You just don't show it off properly, in those virgin white cotton unmentionables." Lavender giggled.

Scowling at her roommates, Hermione decided it was time for bed. As she undressed she pointed to herself.

"Note, a plain white bra with adjustable straps - no lace, no boning, hence, no trying to shove my tits up some guys' nose. Also, no rash, no chafe and no itch to scratch, like some female gorilla, Parvati," she sniped, as the girl opposite unconsciously abraded her chest through her nightgown.

"Piss off, Granger." Parvati snapped back.

"Don't forget, we've got a meeting after breakfast in the morning." Hermione threw over her shoulder as she got into bed and doused her candles.

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Waking early the next morning, Phaelan felt Severus arm over her waist, his hand resting on her belly. She felt something else nudging her from behind causing her to smile. Turning within his embrace, she faced Severus and lightly kissed his nose. With a small grunt, he twitched his nose in his sleep. Phaelan placed light feathery kisses his mouth to gently waken her lover from the previous night. Groaning and stretching as he woke, Severus was pleased to find the warm presence of his lady in his bed.

"Do you always wake so beautifully in the morning?" he asked as he pulled her towards him to nuzzle her neck.

"Ow." She laughed as his beard scratched her. "No, only when someone made me very happy the night before."

"Thank you for the warning," mumbled Snape, with something more than conversation on his mind. He began to stroke her body while she lay in rapture.

After a slow and gentle session of love, Snape made his way to the bathroom to draw a bath lightly scented with Ti. As he lowered himself in, Phaelan joined him to relax in the fragrant warmth.

"There's a DA meeting this morning. I think it's time to divide the group up," commented Phaelan.

"Do you seriously believe those children can organize themselves?" he asked.

"They managed pretty well before Dumbledore decided to organize them," she observed.

"And almost got themselves killed."

"You'll never be able to train them properly, unless you can get the idea of them being children out of your head."

"Easy for you to say, you've just met them. I've known them since they were eleven years old; watched the Potter boy and his clique get into trouble every year. Helped save their precious little arses more than once," he snapped, before fixing her with his gaze. "You try and get that out of your mind, madam."

"I wonder if they realize how much you care?" she replied softly, with a smile.

With a glare, Snape exclaimed "Bah!" before rising and stepping out of the bath.

After a few moments, Phaelan also got out and dried herself the Muggle way. Looking around, she noticed Severus' shirt he'd discarded from the previous day, which she promptly donned. Her own clothes had been vanished the night before. Making her way to his living room, she noticed a tray of juice, coffee and pastry had been delivered. Snape, sitting on the sofa, looked up from the newspaper which had also arrived, to see her wearing his shirt. He smiled as she walked towards him, the shirt tail not quite reaching her knees and the buttons left undone to show her cleavage.

As she made her way to the sideboard to get breakfast, Phaelan noticed the fireplace turn green just in time to duck behind the sofa.

"Severus, are you up?" asked Dumbledore's head from the flames.

"Yes, Albus, what can I do for you?" he replied.

"Can you meet me in my office in about an hour? Shacklebolt, Tonks and Lupin will be here. We need to discuss last night," requested the old man.

"I had planned on doing that at some point, Headmaster," he responded.

"Fine then," the headmaster replied as he canted his head to the side and added, "Good Morning, Phaelan, please join us as well," in a slightly louder voice, before nodding and leaving.

When Phaelan heard him speak her name, she grimaced in embarrassment from behind the sofa. When the old man had left, she knelt on the floor and leaned on the back of the sofa, looking at Severus.


"Does he know everything that happens around here?" she asked in a resigned voice.

"It seems so sometimes," Severus replied. "It helps when the ghosts, portraits and elves all belong to you.

At that moment, Polly arrived with a pop bearing an armful of clothes which she set on a chair.

"Polly has brought Miss a selection of clothes to choose from. Miss did not tell Polly you would not be home or Polly would have had something prepared for you this morning, Miss. Lucky Dobby stopped by this morning and told me. Now, is it a day for shopping or relaxing or perhaps a formal tea. Polly has a new hairstyle for you to try. Hmn, where is the bathroom Polly must...."

"Polly!" snapped Phaelan. "Enough. Are there exercise clothes and jeans in the pile?"

The little elf looked indignant, "No Miss."

"Well, fetch my usual Saturday clothes and exercise clothes, now." Phaelan ordered.

With a huff, the elf disappeared only to appear two minutes later with the garments requested.

"Thank you Polly, now take the rest back please."

Muttering about ladies and proper manners, the elf picked up her carefully selected wardrobe.

"Does Miss need a brush and hair tie?" Polly asked dully.

'Yes please."

With a snap of the fingers, the elf was gone and in instant later a brush and hair ties appeared in mid air where she once stood. They clattered to the ground.

"You've made your assigned elf very unhappy," observed Snape with a sneer.

With an answering sneer Phaelan went to the bathroom to dress.

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Phaelan and Snape arrived at Dumbledore's office with Lupin. The gargoyle opened to the password and the three made their way up to the office to meet the Auror's. As they entered, the old man was pouring tea and passing a plate of biscuits around.

"Just in time for tea; sit down all." Dumbledore indicated the assorted chairs around his circular office.

After declining the tea, Phaelan sat back, as Snape described the previous evening's events up to and including the death of Rosier, though not Phaelan's part in it. Then all eyes were on Phaelan.

"What were you able to discern, Phaelan?" asked the Headmaster.

"Well, as I said, I'm not an expert on life sciences; my specialty was Physics and Engineering. To my untrained eye, it appears that they plan to set up a laboratory to breed something in controlled conditions; at least partly. They also have equipment used to measure the qualitative properties of organic compounds." Phaelan looked at the others as she ended.

"Severus, do you understand any of this?" Dumbledore looked at his Potions Master.

With a sigh, Snape looked at the floor in front of the desk. He hated to admit when he did not know everything about a subject.

"A wet Chromatograph is an old method used to analyse liquid chemicals, whose properties are organic in nature. We've used it in Potions for generations. Our method involves allowing the solvent to evaporate from media where a sample of the substance has been dripped. Different organic solutions will evaporate at different rates. The media is treated with an indicator chemical which will change colour every time a different compound will reveal itself." Snape was silent for a moment then stood to walk to his customary window.

"A Spectrograph is similar but in our studies, the chemicals are burned and the flame colour observed. How the new instruments work, I do not know." he admitted.

Phaelan at least could help there.

"In the modern instruments, there are sensors which pick up the nuances Severus has spoken of and give measurements either digitally or as a graph. They are exceptionally sensitive."

Shacklebolt, who had been silent until now, took a deep breath. "If the gentleman they have held hostage is a specialist in genetics, then the breeding lab would make sense." Looking at the Headmaster he continued. "Our concern is, what is it that the breeding program will produce that will need to be measured in such a fashion? And if so, who now will they need to do so successfully?"

Lupin looked up with the same alarm that crossed everyone's faces.

"You think they might take another scientist and force them to work?" he asked.

Tonks nodded, looking uncharacteristically solemn. "Yes, love. It appears old snake breath is not above soiling his hands with Muggle technology to further his aims. We need a plan, Kingsley."

Shacklebolt nodded, "Let's get back to the Ministry and run this through the brains back at the office." Turning to look at Snape, he changed the subject slightly.

"It's a pity Rosier's dead, Snape, he was probably more useful alive. Then again, it was probably easier just to knock him off, than capture him." He commented snidely.

Phaelan stood, "The man was about to cast an Avada Kedavra on an unarmed man, there was no choice. You weren't there, so don't presume to judge."

Turning to the headmaster, Phaelan made her leave, "I have a meeting this morning sir, please excuse me." With that she left the office.

Dumbledore looked at the door the young woman left through. "Severus, I'm sorry that it came down to this. I know you do not take another's life with out cause, but to save Phaelan..." Dumbledore faltered at Snape's laugh.

"You sill, old fool. Have you so soon forgotten who you have employed? It was not I, old man, I had been disarmed. She stabbed Rosier in the back, then slit his throat and watched him die. She saved my life. I just cleaned up the mess afterwards." Snape passed a look round the stunned people in the room, before making a silent exit to follow Phaelan.

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As Phaelan approached the entrance to the Room of requirement, she saw two girls in front of her. Running to catch up, she was there when the door to the gym appeared. Entering without announcing herself, she was pleased to see the students working out on the various pieces of equipment. Hermione was surrounded by a few girls as she showed them a Muggle magazine. Frowning, Phaelan was about to interrupt, when one of the other girls opened a music box to fill the room with modern fast paced music and Hermione began to lead the girls in aerobics. Holding back a chuckle, Phaelan watched as the young witches tried to catch on to the unfamiliar dance like moves. She approved, but looking over at the male half wondered if perhaps they had better not hold Ladies only sessions for this exercise.

Severus entered the room shortly after Phaelan, followed minutes later by Lupin.

"What are those girls doing, Phaelan?" Mutter Severus in her ear.

"Dancercise," Phaelan replied with a smile. "It's a perfectly valid form of workout, in the Muggle world, for men and women."

Snape snorted in reply but kept his eyes on the girls.

"Reminds me of some dancing I saw in a Cologne Burlesque for Wizards," mused Remus. "The outfits there were a bit scantier," he added, as he too looked at the young witches.

"All right, you two, tuck away your testosterone. We're here to work. Quit ogling the girls, Severus or I'll give a demo in the Great Hall for everyone."

"You wouldn't dare," he retorted with a sneer and then retreated to a resigned look when she lifted her brow.

"Alright, everyone, can I have your attention," Phaelan called.

The ambient noise was such no one had really heard her. Snape was about to bellow an order to be silent, when he noticed Phaelan place two fingers in her mouth and blow. A piercing whistle cut through the noise and everyone stopped their activities.

"Now that I have your attention; thank you for coming this morning. I don't plan to meet every Saturday morning as a large group. What we plan to do today is break you down into smaller teams and appoint leaders. Everyone will have the opportunity to be a leader at some point, so don't take it as a slight if you are passed over today. Granger," Phaelan called up the girl she thought of as the executive officer; organization, planning and discipline being her forte.

"Will the following people please come forward: Susan Bones, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Neville Longbottom, Ernie Macmillan and Padma Patil. These are the people we have decided will be our group leaders to start with. We will pull names randomly, to form the groups. When you are assigned you will be given a training schedule to follow and assigned to a professor, who will act as a mentor for the group." Hermione looked at Phaelan who came forward.

"Thank you, Granger. You have noticed that Potter, Weasley R and Granger, have not been selected as leaders. They have other tasks to fulfil, but they will complete the same training you do. Professor Snape will be their mentor."

Phaelan heard gasps of 'Thank heavens' and 'better them' muttered around the room and raised her voice "Enough, I don't recall giving anyone leave to speak."

At that moment, Poppy Pomfrey stepped into the room with an armful of medical records. Lupin stepped forward to help her.

"Thank you for joining us, Madam Pomfrey. Now, I want the Ladies in the change room with me and the gentlemen out here with the other Professors. We will discuss training and any other physical concerns you might have. After, the groups will be divided up. Let's move, people." Phaelan ordered and walked to the change room.

As the girls assembled, she readied herself for the torrent of emotions she was about to have descend on her.

"Did you bring them, Poppy?" asked Phaelan of the Mediwitch, who had followed her in.

"In my pocket; I shrunk them," she replied, patting the side of her robes.

"Okay, ladies, here it is. All of you who are not on a Quidditch team, have skived off running at least twice this week. I thought I made it clear this was not an option. If you cannot keep to your commitment, speak up and we can get the Obliviate arranged." Phaelan paused and looked around the room at sheepish faces.

"All right. Brown, why did you miss running this week?" Phaelan crossed her arms.

"Ma'am, it hurts," Lavender replied. Several heads nodded in agreement.

"Muscle aches are common when you start to exercise. I'll teach you better stretching techniques and Madam Pomfrey can give you some mild pain relievers," Phaelan replied.

The girls still stood shuffling, sharing embarrassed looks.

"There's something else then, what is it?" Phaelan cast a look over the reddest faces.

Hermione stepped forward. "Yes, Granger." Phaelan recognized her.

"Ma'am, some of the girls have, ehm, problems with their bust." Hermione tried to phrase her statement diplomatically, but got snide looks anyway.

"Their bust; I see. " Phaelan turned and looked at Poppy with a secret grin.

"Okay everyone, shirts off," she ordered.

Looks of shock crossed the girls' faces.

"Oh come on, I've lived in a dorm. You'll see more boobs and backsides, of all shapes and sizes in the mornings, than you ever imagine existed, when you move in to communal dorms. Don't be coy. Shirts off, NOW!" Phaelan yelled.

As the girls complied, Phaelan saw the problem. "Push up bras, ladies; little horseshoes pushing up your dainty breasts for the pleasure of all the males at Hogwarts. Lovely lace layering luscious lemons to make you feel feminine, and scratch you to pieces." Phaelan was pacing now. "Propaganda propagated by the male media ladies."

"Now, I don't care what you wear to class or on your own time, but when you are on my time, you will dress properly." She announced as she pulled off her own shirt.

"This is a sports bra; not pretty, not lacy, but very comfortable and meant to be worn with or without a shirt. You will find that men, who are in the know, also find them very enticing." Phaelan indicated the Mediwitch.

"Madam Pomfrey has agreed to heal your chafing and rashes. She will also provide elastic bandages for you to use while exercising. Wrap them around your bosom and they will bind you comfortably." Phaelan watched as the girls were tended to as needed. At the back, she noticed Ginny trying to hide.

"Weasley, why is your shirt still on?" Phaelan asked quietly, not sure about the look on Ginny's face.

"I have no problems Ma'am and I ran every day," Ginny defended.

"I don't think I made the distinction when I gave the order, now shirt off." Phaelan fixed her with a look.

"Please, I don't want to. I'm alright really." Ginny began to back away; fear in her eyes.

"Ginny, why won't you take your shirt off?" Phaelan asked, suspicious of Ginny's behaviour.

"I can't," she pleaded backing towards the door. "Leave me alone." Ginny began crying.

Madam Pomfrey had, unnoticed, moved behind Ginny, who backed into the Mediwitch.

"Come along, dear, don't be shy. Let me make sure you're alright." Pomfrey lifted the hem of Ginny's t-shirt over her head before she realized what had happened.

Phaelan's breath hitched when she saw the cut marks.

"Get away from me. Leave me alone. "Ginny screamed as she tried to escape.

"Ginny, who's name are you writing? Why are you doing this?" Phaelan kept her voice low trying to calm the girl.

Pomfrey had turned to the other girls to calm them and keep them out of the way. Hermione tried to approach her friend, only to meet her wrath as well.

"Leave me alone. He made me feel important. He said I was special; his chosen one. No one ever asked; not even you Hermione." Ginny was still trying to move out of the room.

"Ginny, what do you mean? Why are you doing this to yourself?" pleaded Hermione as she approached Ginny trying to grab her in a hug. Ginny pushed her away with a violent shove, that sent Hermione backwards into the gathered girls.

Using the diversion, Ginny ran out to the gym. Severus had heard the shouts and was approaching as the girl burst out.

"Don't touch me. I am his, he said so. You never asked. Didn't you wonder where the blood came from? You never asked what he did or said. None of you!" she screamed, now hysterical.

"Who, Ginny? Who made you do this? Tell me his name?" Asked Snape in a gentle voice none of his students had ever heard before.

Ginny smiled at him. "You know him. Tom, Tom Riddle."

Ron came towards her, followed by Harry, both shocked at her appearance. Phaelan had come up to the distraught girl and tried to subdue her by grabbing her from behind. Sensing someone behind her, Ginny turned and lashed out with her fists and feet.

"Leave me alone. Don't touch me. I'm his." Ginny took all her anger, frustration and feelings of desertion out on the Muggle.

Phaelan tried to defend herself without hurting Ginny, but ended up rolling into a ball to protect herself. Severus finally cast a spell to bind the girl before she could hurt herself or Phaelan any more.

Ginny lay sobbing on the floor. Lupin ordered everyone back to their dormitories, with the instructions to return after lunch and speak to no one about what had happened. Poppy looked at Phaelan who waved her away to see to Ginny. Severus approached the crouching woman and went to his knees before her.

"What happened?" He asked softly, while looking at the bruises Ginny had inflicted on Phaelan.

Phaelan related what had transpired in the change room as Severus cast small healing charms to remove most of the marks.

"What happened to that girl, Severus? Why is she cutting and where did all that anger come from?"

"You know what happened to Ginny in her first year here?"

Phaelan nodded "Yes, I did read about it, but nothing was said about what happened while she was alone with the memory." Phaelan looked at her wizard.

"Did anyone talk to her? Help her recover mentally?" Phaelan asked, as Ginny was gently moved to the Hospital wing, with her brother and friends following.

"Her parents, I expect." He replied.

"Oh God, Severus, do you really think Molly would have been equipped to handle that alone? Ginny's been living with this all these years without help. It's amazing she's kept going this long." Phaelan looked at Ron who was pale and shaken.

"We'd better talk to Albus and her parents," She decided and allowed Severus to help her up. Wincing at the still sore muscles, Phaelan made her way to the office with Snape, reluctant to face Molly once again.

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Draco lay on his bed alone. Snape had offered him a private room in the Slytherin dungeons, as a privilege for being Head Boy. At first, Draco thought that his House Master was currying favour from an old friend. Now after having spoken to him in the garden, Draco thought perhaps he was given space for retrospection and contemplation.

Rising with the grace expected of one in his position, he approached the old roll top desk and opened it. There, contained within the aged furniture, sat a piece of technology incongruous in these environs. The shiny new computer was the latest toy his mother had purchased to please her only offspring. This was the latest adaptation of Muggle tools to Wizards needs and Draco embraced it. Logging on, Draco pulled out one of the many discs he had brought and wished once more he had the access to the internet he had at home.

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"What did you do to her? Why did this come on all of a sudden? She was alright before you started all this training, Headmaster; stupid Muggle ideas." Molly's angry laments were heard across the hospital wing.

Arthur Weasley tried to comfort his wife and make her see reason.

"Come now, dear; listen to Madam Pomfrey and Hermione. Ginny hasn't been herself. We were too close to see it." Arthur explained.

At that moment, Phaelan and Severus entered the ward. Molly saw the Muggle teacher and pounced.

"You! It's all your doing; trying to make children into soldiers. Putting all kinds of... things into their heads. Look what you've done." Molly yelled.

Arthur restrained his wife and pulled her into a tearful embrace. Poppy Pomfrey looked over the different groups in her domain and took charge.

"Right, everyone; into my office. No arguments, move now," she ordered as the pointed to the open door.

After everyone was seated, the stern Mediwitch stood to address everyone.

"I am going to speak and all of you will listen, is that clear. One word and I cast a silencing spell." She paused and looked around.

"First, nothing that Professor McKenzie has done so far could possibly have caused Ginny to act in the manner she did. Phaelan has set high standards and expectations for the young people in her charge, but nothing I repeat nothing that they cannot accomplish if they choose." She looked at Molly and the Trio as she spoke.

"Now Molly, I told you after Ginny's experience in her first year that she may have some emotional problems. Didn't you see anything?"

Looking at her husband for support, Molly thought back on the time after Ginny's first year.

"She cried a lot and there were dreams. I comforted her and it seemed to pass. She was going through that time for girls you know. It's always emotional...isn't it?" Molly felt the first stab of doubting guilt.

Dumbledore, in an unusual darkened mood spoke. "I think we've all done an injustice to Ginny. We gave only a perfunctory examination to what happened to her. With everything that transpired, we overlooked the real victim. I hold myself solely responsible." Looking over at some of his oldest supporters, the old man looked his age." Molly, Arthur I'm so sorry. I didn't look after your little girl. There is nothing I can do to change the past for her now. Please let us try to make her future right."

Minerva had tears in her eyes as she reached out to Arthur. Ginny had been in her house and her daughter's torment had not reached her notice.

Harry stepped forward, his mouth dry with guilt.

"Mrs Weasley, we, Hermione Ron and I, noticed something wrong with Ginny this summer. She acted weird. It's almost like she wanted to get in trouble." He paused looking over at his friends. "We love her, but we don't know what to do."

Phaelan looked around the room and thought back to the saying 'It takes a village to raise a child'.

"Poppy, what can your healers offer Ginny? Can she stay here?" asked Phaelan.

Molly looked horrified. "NO! She should come home where we can protect her; help her."

The Mediwitch understood, as Ginny's mother could not. Home was the worst place Ginny could be.

"We can have soul healers come to consult with her and she can keep on with her studies," replied the wise woman.

"Arthur, she's suffering, we can't desert her," sobbed Molly.

With a weight greater than he'd ever known sitting in his chest, Arthur made a decision.

"Molly, let's leave the professionals to their business. I think Ginny would be happier here than at home. I trust Phaelan and Poppy to help her through. She needs to stay here." He gently told her.

"She's my little girl, Arthur; my only one." Molly looked at her husband tearfully.

Arthur shook his head in negation.

"No, Molly, Ginny is not a little girl. Ginny is a young woman and we must let her find her own way, now. We can't kiss the hurt and make it disappear any more." Arthur rarely opposed his wife, but he loved his daughter enough to let her go.

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Phaelan had skipped dinner in the great hall to escape to her tower. The day's events had left her soul weary. She began to doubt her ability to pull these kids together. Laughing to herself, she recalled the looks on the faces of the DA, when she Lupin and Snape had gone to speak to them. In North America, it seemed everyone was aware of cutting, if not actually knowing someone who was a cutter. The small community of Wizards still looked upon mental disturbance as something to hide within a family. The teens had never heard or seen anything like this before and it scared them.

Sighing, Phaelan sat and closed her eyes. Breathing deeply, she fell into her pattern of relaxation to focus her thoughts. Silently, in the darkening sky, a figure flying on a broom approached the tower and hovered just beyond the open parapet.

Snape had felt the need to clear his head and resorted to the usual way he escaped; riding upon his broom. He hadn't seen Phaelan at dinner and he knew she was upset at the Weasley girl's breakdown. He took a chance and sought out her favourite tower, hoping he would find her. Smiling to himself, as he looked at the small figure in black sitting cross-legged on the tower floor, he thought they were so much creatures of habit he and she; predictable to themselves if none other. He floated closer to the opening.

"Knut for your thoughts?" he called, startling Phaelan from her contemplation.

Looking up, she saw him hovering in midair, casually holding the broom with one hand while leaning on the edge of the tower with the other.

"You know, in Muggle folklore, it was always ugly old women who rode brooms with their familiars, and they cackled and scared little children," teased Phaelan.

"Well, my familiar doesn't need a broom to fly and I am not an old woman. Some would say the other two are arguably accurate, however."

"More fool they then." She replied, "Why are you hanging around here?" she laughed at the image.

"I thought perhaps there was a damsel in distress in need of the comfort of a courtly admirer. Is there?"

"If there were, would you be the courtier offering comfort?"

"Perhaps, if you were the damsel in need of comfort."

"What manner of comfort do you offer sir?"

"Whatever comfort my lady desires, and is within my power to bestow."

"A soft word, a gentle hand, a warm embrace and perhaps a tender kiss?"

"So small a boon to ask, yet I readily will grant your wishes if you would but journey with me a while, safe in my arms."

"And if I should fall?"

"I'll never let you fall Phaelan."

His dark eyes sparkled, as he held out his hand to Phaelan. Smiling, she rose to join Severus at the opening. Helping her mount before him, he wrapped his arms around her as he had on the day she accepted his courtship. As he flew away, he was aware of her relaxing in his embrace. Her trust in him spread warmth through his being. She was the only person besides Dumbledore who placed such confidence in him and if truth be known, the only woman he had ever trusted to know his feelings. He liked the feelings she engendered.

The night was clear and dry, small clouds populating the sky like a flock of sheep. The couple flew across the loch, disturbing a flock of nesting ducks, who quacked their displeasure. Rising up the side of the mountains, they flew higher until they could see the motorway and Muggle town in the distance. Circling back, Severus brought them to the outcropping where they had made their promises to each other a short lifetime ago. Setting down softly, Phaelan left his arms and stretched her arms and legs.

"It's so beautiful here, Severus. I don't think I've ever seen the constellations more clearly." Phaelan remarked as she looked at the sky.

At her words he looked up. "I've always looked at the stars as something to be studied. There was never a reason to admire the view. Perhaps I needed someone to share it with."

"Were you always this romantic, Snape or did the symptoms just appear?" she teased.

"There was no place for anything but duty, work and study for as long as I can remember. There were compelling reasons not to be involved and since no woman who was interested was worth the effort, I didn't bother." He stated in a matter of fact tone.

Phaelan approached him as he leaned against the mountainside and pressed herself against him.

"Why me then; what has made things different?" She asked, curious to understand his motivations.

"You were different. Not just because you were a Muggle. You understand me; there's no need for evasion and no nagging voice asking 'Why' every time I'm called to do my job."

"When I went looking for a teaching job, I never thought I'd end up being a drill sergeant to a bunch of raw teens. I certainly didn't expect to meet a man like you, ever. You hide yourself very well Severus Snape. If your students ever saw the man I see, they would be stunned."

"I might say the same for you, madam. Now, what part are you about to reveal to me tonight?" smirked Severus as he captured her wrists and held them behind her back as her body pressed against him.

"I rather thought you saw everything last night, sir. What more do you want?" she asked in wide eyed amusement.

"What would a blindfold, soft silk rope and some toys suggest?" murmured Snape as he nibbled on her ear.

"You own adult toys?" asked an incredulous Phaelan.

"A variety for your pleasure, madam, and if you will, a way to remove unnecessary hair painlessly." He had now moved down to her neck.

The sensations passing through her body left Phaelan breathless and her knees weak. She felt her hair grabbed from behind and her head pulled backwards as Severus kissed her deeply.

"Severus..." she breathed as he pulled away. "What are you asking for?"

"For as much or as little as you wish to give and I offer the same. Stay with me tonight Phaelan. Let's share our pleasures as we desire them." Severus looked into her eyes filled with want.

Melting into the darkness of Snape, Phaelan whispered one word. "Yesss."

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

Summoning his broom Severus helped Phaelan to mount and took off to fly directly back to the castle. Lightly touching down, Snape turned to kiss his lady before they walked arm in arm to the entrance they had used the previous night to enter the dungeons. Unbeknownst to the couple, they were being observed from a tower by another courting couple.

"Hermione, did you see that?" asked Ron.

"Yeah," she replied. "I think it's very romantic." Hermione smiled.

"Bloody hell, Hermione, he's a pure-blooded wizard of a very old line. His family never has relations with Muggles," said an astounded Ron.

"Well, maybe he's seen the light, like another pure-blooded wizard I know." Hermione teased.

Ron frowned at her comment." Who's that Hermione? Do I know him?"

Hermione giggled, "Oh Ron, sometimes you really are thick. Who do you think I mean? How many pure-blooded wizards do I know that want to be with a Muggle?"

Looking back at the girl he loved, Ron frowned for a moment more. "You mean me?"

"Who else? You do want to be with me don't you, Ron?" Hermione asked as she played with his shirt collar.

"Hermione, you know the answer to that." He said as he put his hands on her waist and pulled her against him. "I don't know what you see in me honestly. I'm just glad you want to be with me. I love you Hermione. Maybe one day, you might feel the same."

"One day, Ronald Weasley, you might realize I do love you and stop putting yourself down. You are brilliant in things I am clueless in Ron, don't sell yourself short." She scolded.

"You love me Hermione?" Ron asked.

She nodded and leaned forward to place a kiss on his lips. As she kissed him, Ron pulled her into an embrace and for the first time kissed her fully, teasing her lips open with his tongue. The experience was new in their relationship and both were left breathless as the kiss ended. Ron pulled Hermione into a hug that she responded to warmly.

"Best get back to our tower Ron." Hermione decided after a short while.

"Yeah. Don't want to run into Filch. At least we know Snape's busy tonight." Ron smiled.

Holding hands, the young couple returned to their dorm secure in their feelings; knowing they could dream of a future together.