Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and other related characters. They belong to JK Rowling. I do own the plot and the American OCs. Besides if I did I would quit working for the state government. The characters may/may not be OOC, so deal. The title came from a line from the Sara McLachlan song "Possession" that sounded appropriate.

Thanks go to Jessalynvix for helping with this story as well as the others I have written. I hope that this one gets more that 3 fracking reviews! I have two stories that don't even have reviews.

Warning: This chapter contains possible mentionings of mild violence and cursing/foul language. If you disapprove then just don't read.

"After I Wipe Away The Tears"

Chapter 1: Ground Control to Severus

It was a typical Friday night during the war at 12 Grimauld Place. The war in America was over and had been for months. The small American force that came to help was a very welcome relief. Braeden Gryffindor was now interim director of the American Bureau of Magic and had insisted that they assist the British to prevent the war from coming back to them with a vengeance. Most of the Order as well as some of the Americans were gathered around the coffee table by the floo planning the next mission. Charlie Weasley as well as two others had gone to Romania to try to gather reinforcements. They had been gone for about a month or so by this point. His absence had started taking a toll on his family and friends. Braeden seemed to have taken it harder than anyone. She had become very moody, distant, and dangerously quiet. Of course Charlie's absence had affected Severus as well since they were close but he was seemingly staring off into space instead of being moody. This night was no different as he and Septima Vector sat at the table towards the back of the drawing room while Braeden sat with the others looking at maps and planning the next move.

"Are you even listening? Professor? Hello? Professor Snape? Do you have the list for me? Severus? Earth to Severus? I kind of need that list…" asked Septima as she frantically waved her hands in front of the potion master's face. He was completely ignoring the Welsh brunette and was focused elsewhere. That elsewhere being the pretty American sitting on the arm of the couch.

"Oh…um…yeah…here…" replied Severus as he handed Septima with a list off of the table. He didn't even notice which list he had handed the woman. His eyes never left their fixed point of the pretty former student. Septima looked at the list and sighed.

"Um, this is Molly's grocery list…This isn't the list I was asking for…" responded Septima as she showed the dark haired man the list he had handed her, "Weren't you listening…"

Everyone in the room heard what was going on and stopped to turn and see what was going on. What they saw was Septima trying to get Severus out of an apparent semi-catatonic stare that was fixated on the red headed seraph before she had turned around to see what everyone was staring at. As soon as the red head turned around and his ebony eyes met her violet-green eyes for half a second, his head hit the table with a thwack with the words, "Bloody fucking shit" coming from his lips. Everyone was starting to become concerned with Severus' behavior at this point. He had been like this since the Americans came and the others were worried that their newly gained aid would leave. Braeden had enough of the distraction and disruption as she got up and grabbed the rather large and thick book that sat on the coffee table near "Mad Eye" Moody. The room grew deathly quiet as all eyes were on the seraph as she walked towards the table. She slammed the book down and Severus picked his head up as he turned to look at her. She looked utterly pissed off beyond all belief. Everyone felt pity for the potions professor as he bit his lip in fear.

"You. Me. My office. Now…" she ordered as she pointed to a small soundproofed room that Sirius allowed her to magically add inside the drawing room. Severus went into the room as she followed behind him and slammed the door behind them.

Thanks for those of you who have read this story. I'm starting writing a sequel to "Pretty Rave Girl" titled "Remember Two Things" and it'll deal with Braeden and Charlie's relationship. Please review!! I like reviews!!! I crave reviews!!! Thanks goes to Jessalynvix for all of her help!