The next evening the trio found themselves waiting for three Weasleys to arrive to the bathroom. Hermione was still blushing madly. Before they arrived they had been stopped by none other than Viktor Krum himself. He asked Hermione to the ball and all she did was nod numbly. They weren't surprised that they were the first ones to the bathroom though. Fred and George had to convince Ginny to make an oath of silence before bringing her.

It took less time than Fancy expected for them to come in.

"She made the oath!" George said happily.

"Yeah, all we had to say is we knew a way for her to go to the ball and she was in," Fred added smirking.

"Great, did you tell her anything else?" Fancy asked.

They shook their heads.

"Alright, I'll tell her. Ginny, I need your help. I'm sort of… Haley Potter."

To say Ginny was surprised was an understatement. She was absolutely floored.

"And I need be in two places at once for the ball. I need to be Haley but if Fancy doesn't show up everyone will know. So I was hoping you would disguise yourself and go as Fancy so I can be there as Haley."

Once Ginny got over some of the shock she nodded numbly.

"Your brilliant brothers came up with a plan. Hermione is currently brewing a Polyjuice Potion that you can take."

Ginny was now over the shock and slightly confused. "If I take Polyjuice Potion wouldn't that turn me into your true form, like Haley?"

Fred or George answered for her, "Actually Polyjuice Potion alters your DNA completely. The only thing that's actually yours is the mind. Haley or Fancy is a metamorphagus. If you turn into her you will be also. Plus it would be simpler if you went as Fancy instead of Haley. Haley is going to be the center of attention while as long as Fancy shows up no one's going to care what she does. Haley is going to be crowded by fans and her family. Which is why she needs to take two big, smart, and handsome body guards to the ball with her as her dates."

"And these two big, smart, and handsome dates would be?" Ginny prompted.

"Us!"

"Yeah, that will work," Hermione smirked, "You're two of those three things."

The twins glared at her playfully before Ginny asked, "What about me? I mean Fancy. Does she have a date?"

"That would be me if you don't mind," Neville stepped in.

Ginny smiled, "No I don't mind that at all."

"Great! Now don't worry about a dress Ginny. As a thank you I will pay for it but you can pick it out when we go to Hogsmeade. I need to get one for Haley as well."

"Our robes are simple and black. So you can get anything and it won't clash," Fred told her.

"So is mine, Ginny. So get whatever you like. Just tell me the color so I can get you a flower to match," Neville said causing Ginny to blush.

"Who are you going with, Hermione?" Ginny asked changing the subject.

Hermione blushed so Fancy answered for her in a sing song voice, "Viktor Krum."

"No way! He's turned down seven girls today!" Ginny stated.

"Because Her-my-oh-knee is the only girl on his mind," Neville said chuckling before she slapped him over the head, her blush deepening.

888

The next few days went quickly and the Hogsmeade visit was fast approaching. The evening before Fancy, Neville, Hermione, and Ginny were eating supper together talking about dresses quietly before Fancy fell off the bench when she was pushed aside by Ronald Weasley who was trying to get to Hermione.

"So Granger, it turns out there's a stupid ball coming up and I figured I'd take you."

Neville helped Fancy off the floor. "Thanks Nev," Fancy said straightening her outfit.

"No Ronald, I will not go to the ball with you," Hermione said irritably.

"What?! You're going alone?"

"No I have a date and I'd rather go alone than with you!"

"Oh please! Whoever asked you either wants an easy lay and you're desperate or they want to get to Potter through you. Now I'm gonna be honest with you. I want both. So does the other guy that asked you he's just not as open about it."

Before they could reply a stern voice asked, "Is there a problem here?"

They turned to see Snape.

"No, no problem Professor," Ron answered quickly.

Snape sneered, "Then why did Mr. Longbottom have to assist Ms. Peyton to her feet after you threw her to the ground?"

"Who's Peyton?"

"ME!" Fancy shouted.

"Oh, hey, didn't see you there," Ron said in a bored tone.

"Weasley! Two weeks detention! My office tonight six o'clock! Don't be late!"

"Detention! For what?"

"One week for shoving a girl around and another for speaking rudely to two young ladies! 5 point from Gryffindor for questioning me!"

Ron stormed off.

"Thanks, Professor," Fancy said quietly while staring at the floor.

"Don't mention it," was all he said before walking away with his robes billowing behind him.

Fancy sat down again and Ginny looked at her confused, "Why did Snape help you? He hates all Gryffindors."

Hermione shook her head, "He hates most Gryffindors. Professor Snape and Haley… Let's just say they've been through something and he's a little more protective over her than he would have been."

Ginny was confused but thought better than to ask. Fancy was so deep in thought that she didn't notice that Snape didn't take his usual seat at the end of the Head Table but instead stole James seat between Lily and Minerva. James didn't mind they often did this when there was something of importance to discuss. He just sat to Lily's right instead and listened to what he had to say.

"We should keep watch on Peyton again," Snape stated. That was all that needed to be said to get the staffs attention.

"You don't think..." Minerva started.

Severus shook his head, "I'm not sure. She has friends and she knows she won't be put in the system again. I told her myself that I'd take her in before letting that happen but… Something's wrong with her."

"I haven't noticed anything strange," Lily stated.

"You're not as close as we are. She didn't even look at me down there. She always seems stressed. She keeps checking over her shoulder as if someone is following her."

"Do you think she's hurting herself? Or thinking about it again?" Minerva asked concerned.

"I have no idea but I want her watched closer," Severus said and everyone nodded.

888

The next day Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Fred, George, and Fancy were all headed to Hogsmeade together. They went to a cheap thrift shop that Fancy often went to. Everyone else was going to get designer dresses but Fancy never saw the point. All these dresses needed were a little elbow grease.

Hermione was the first to find a dress. It was a beautiful red silk strapped dress. She wasn't sure about it but Fancy talked her into it by saying it would go perfect with the traditional Durmstrang suit that Viktor would be wearing.

Fancy had to let Ginny and Hermione in the dressing room so they could she how the dresses would look on both Haley and Fancy without anyone seeing her transformation.

"That's the one!" Ginny stated when she saw Fancy in a navy blue dress. It also had straps. It flowed to the floor beautifully and had a simple elegant beading.

"I agree. Fancy looks good in this one," Fancy said.

She opened the door and looked at the three stunned boys. "What do you think Neville?"

"Whoa!"

Fancy laughed, "I think your date agrees." She closed the door and started to put the next dress on.

"Um, Fancy?" Ginny squeaked as Fancy started trying on the next dress.

"Yes, Ginny?"

"I… um… I was just wondering… are you and Neville…?"

Fancy giggled as she looked at the pink dress she was wearing in the mirror with disgust before starting to remove it, "No Ginny. There is no Neville and me. We tease each other and stuff but no. If there was do you really think his parents would let me stay with them? No, he's a free agent. However if you are interested in him you may have to put up with our odd… relationship."

"What exactly is your relationship?"

"He's like my brother. Ever since I started staying with his family anytime he saw me have a nightmare or if I was scared or just couldn't sleep… He would either crawl into my bed and sleep with me or hold me until I calmed down so I could sleep or take me out for a walk where we would usually fall asleep under the stars. We aren't romantically involved but…"

Ginny nodded, "I think I get it. He sounds very sweet."

Fancy nodded, "If you really like him you have my blessing. However if you hurt him it's my duty to harm you in some way. Oh and please wait to kiss him until you get out of my body! That's just a disturbing mental picture!"

Ginny laughed, "Deal!"

Fancy turned into Haley and looked at the girls, "What do you think of this one?"

"It's beautiful!" Hermione nearly shouted.

She turned into Fancy before changing into her regular clothing. "Okay now Hermione I have the money for my dress. Since you're friends with Haley Potter it won't be too odd to assume she asked you to buy her dress if anyone notices. If the man asks just say it's for a friend. Okay I'll pay for Ginny's dress since it's supposed to be mine anyways. Oh and Ginny you can keep the dress after the ball. You're my size anyways."

888

The next couple weeks went smoothly. The potion was almost ready and the Christmas break was here. Fancy was sitting in her last class before the break. They were supposed to be reading Chapter Fifteen in their transfiguration textbook but Fancy had finished reading the entire book already so she decided to finish her transfiguration essay. It wasn't dew until after the break but she figured she would be busy this break and decided to try to finish her break homework as soon as possible.

Class was dismissed and Hermione and Neville were waiting for Fancy as she was putting her things away when Professor McGonagall approached them.

"Ms. Peyton, I was wondering if I could have a few moments of your time."

Neville and Hermione looked at Fancy confused but she just say, "I'll see you guys later." She followed Minerva into her office and sat down in the seat Minerva offered that was right beside her.

"Um… Professor… have I done something wrong?"

"Oh heavens, no, child, of course not. I just realized we haven't had one of our talks in a while."

"In about a year and a half," Fancy stated wondering what brought this on.

"Exactly, so I thought I'd see how you were doing," Minerva smiled at her.

"I- I'm good," Fancy said not meeting her gaze.

"What have you been up to?"

"Just hanging out with Neville and Hermione. I made friends with a couple other Gryffindors. At least I think we're friends."

"Who?" Minerva asked.

"Well," Fancy quickly came up with a lie, "After Ron pushed me over Fred, George, and Ginny apologized for his behavior." Okay so it wasn't a total lie. They had apologized for their brother but that's not when or why they became friends.

"Oh that's nice. Those three would be lovely friends," Minerva agreed.

Fancy nodded, "We all went to Hogsmeade together. Hermione and I needed to pick up dresses for the ball and Haley Potter had picked out a dress and asked Hermione to get it for her."

"Wait Haley Potter!"

Fancy nodded, "She went to the shops and found the dress she wanted. She gave Hermione the money and she paid for it so no one can trace the purchase back to her."

Minerva shook her head, "She is one smart girl. Anyway, about you, you're going to the ball?"

Fancy nodded, "Neville and I are going together. Just as friends."

"And the three Weasley's came shopping with you?"

Fancy nodded again, "Ginny wanted to see the dresses. She's not going because no one asked her and she's only a third year but she wanted to look around with us. I don't actually know why Fred and George stayed with us. I hope it was because they like us. We even went to Zonkos with them."

Minerva smiled at her sadly. Fancy had been through a lot and had a hard time making friends.

"I'm happy for you. Any other plans this Christmas?"

"No ma'am."

"Well, if I were you I would spare a few minutes Christmas day visit a certain Potions Master. He's been worried about you."

Fancy looked up at her professor finally, "I don't think he wants me to visit him."

"Why wouldn't he?"

"Sev- Professor Snape is known for hating Gryffindors. He was probably just nice to me so I wouldn't… you know."

Minerva wiped away a tear and shook her head before stating in a shaky voice, "No Fancy. Severus cares for you deeply. You're everything he respects. Smart, sophisticated, caring… He knew you needed help and was more than happy to help you."

Fancy nodded, "I- I'll visit him tonight."

Minerva smiled at her.

888

Fancy found herself sitting alone beside the lake after her talk with McGonagall. She sat under the old oak tree thinking about the night Severus Snape saved her life.

It was Halloween her first year at Hogwarts. She was still trying to come out of her shell a bit more. She was trying to speak with Hermione and Neville more. They were nice and both seemed to be lacking in the friend department as well.

Fancy was walking to the feast alone when she was grabbed from behind by four strong hands. They dragged her into the empty Muggle Studies classroom. When she finally saw her attackers she recognized them as seventh year Slytherins.

They had stripped, beaten, and touched Fancy. When they finally left she fell to the floor in tears. The boys where both seventeen so they left the school quickly fled on broom sticks.

When Fancy finally got the strength to stand up she pulled her clothes back on and left the classroom. She didn't know where she was going but just kept walking. Eventually she found herself in the Astronomy Tower.

She hadn't planned to do it but when she saw the rail she saw a way out. Cleo was gone. Her parents thought she was dead. She still hadn't really made any friends. No one would miss her. It would end the pain that those… monsters had caused her.

She climbed over the rail and stared out at the starry night sky. Fancy didn't hear anyone coming. She just took deep breath and tried taking a step forward. It was supposed to be her last step but two strong arms grabbed her from behind and pulled her back in.

All Fancy did was cry. She cried herself asleep on her Professors arms.

When she woke up she learned that Severus and Minerva spent the entire night at her bedside. They were the only ones she would tell her story to. When she asked Severus how he found her he informed her that Neville and Hermione had been looking for her and became worried so the staff joined the search. He also told her that whenever he wanted to be alone he would watch the stars and thought Fancy may have done the same.

Severus and Fancy had always been close after that but Fancy could never tell if Severus pitied her or not.

000

After supper, which Fancy hardly touched, she found herself outside Snape's Quarters. She knocked on the door lightly, almost hoping he wouldn't hear.

However moments later the door swung open to reveal her Potions Professor.

"Fancy," Severus breathed in shock.

"Um… hi… I… I c-can l-le-leave if… if you're…" Fancy struggled.

"No! No, I'm just surprised is all. Good surprised! Come on in," Snape said standing aside and letting her enter.

Fancy entered shyly. Severus led her to the sitting room even though she knew exactly where it was.

When they were seated Severus spoke first, "It's good to see you. It's been a while."

"I had potions this morning," Fancy stated turning red.

"You know what I mean. How… how have you been?"

"I'm good."

Severus gave her a stern look, "Fancy, don't lie to me."

"Well, I'm not great but I'm not going to… you know."

"What's wrong?"

Fancy shrugged, "I've just been thinking too much lately."

"Fancy…"

"No, Severus, I mean P-p-professor; I really am o-okay. I just... you know they got out right?"

Severus nodded, "Yes, I was informed. I had to help Dumbledore keep your name out of the papers again. With Lucius Malfoy's pull in the Ministry we actually had it made illegal to put your name in the paper on the subject."

"T-thank you."

"They're not coming here."

Fancy just nodded.

Severus grabbed the girl he loved like a daughter by the shoulders, "Fancy, I won't let them anywhere near you. I have people keeping tabs on them. If they come even close to Hogwarts you will be completely protected."

Fancy nodded but had tears running down her face. Severus hugged her tightly.