Updated March 2008.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed this story! I never thought so many of you would like it! I hope you continue to enjoy it!
"The students are in their common rooms, so everyone is safe, we just need to spread out and catch them all," Dumbledore addressed everyone gathered in the staff room.
"We need to contain them in one area and then box then up again," came Sprouts eager voice.
"Gotta catch 'em all." Meg said in a funny singsong voice.
She received several strange glances from the others.
"What?" Minerva frowned at her
"S'okay, Meg's been watching too much Muggle Television again," Dean said helpfully.
Meg shrugged and muttered an apology; her glance went to Snape who just rolled his eyes at her.
"Well, it's quite right though; we do have to catch them all," Dumbledore said musing. "I haven't seen so many spiders since my last trip with Hagrid into the forest."
"How do you propose to catch them?" asked Snape from where he was leaning against the fireplace staring into the flames.
"We spread out. Cover as much ground as possible; fortunately Boggarts aren't the cleverest of creatures, they will in fact come and find us," Dumbledore replied stroking the hair on his chin.
"We can't let this continue past a couple of days," Minerva said sharply. "We have the outings and the Yule ball coming up. Not to mention Christmas!"
"Call off Christmas," Snape said suggested in his silky voice.
Meg snorted with laughter.
Several of the teachers were crying out in protest at his suggestion. He didn't raise his head but his eyes met with Meg's and she saw the glint of humour in his eyes. She grinned and looked away, not wanting to give his secret away.
"I think perhaps that might be a little drastic, Severus," Dumbledore rumbled, his own eyes twinkling, he did know Snape better than anyone in that room.
"Really? What a shame!" Severus stood up straight and sighed.
Minerva almost overloaded on that last comment. But Dumbledore cut of any reply by stating quite firmly that the sooner they got on the quicker it'd be accomplished.
He sent everyone off and Meg was unhappy to find she was with Dean and Snape.
They were sent down to the dungeons, as Snape knew that part better than anyone.
The three of them set off with a strained atmosphere.
Meg avoided both men and walked slightly behind them.
"Keep up!" Snape snapped as they entered the dungeons.
She pulled a face behind his back and felt slightly better at the childish response.
"Right, it splits into three here; Professor Rider you go right, Professor Kincaid left I'll take the centre one. Anyone gets into trouble, shout," he ordered and set off before they even had time to think about it.
"Is he always this dominant?" asked Dean looking sideways at Meg who was staring after Snape's disappearing figure in disbelief.
"I wouldn't know," she remarked quietly.
"How are you anyway?" he asked, obviously not caring, he just liked to see Meg squirm.
"Fine…." She didn't look at him just set off down her own passageway.
It grew darker as she got deeper; there were no windows here, only lit torches that hung on the walls at intervals. It was damp, dank and musty smelling. Meg would rather have been given anywhere than here.
She walked past storeroom after storeroom, all of the doors locked.
She could hear the others calling out Riddikulus several times. There was obviously Boggarts down here, but Meg hadn't come across any.
She tried the last storeroom in the passageway; it wasn't locked so she opened the door and went in.
"Luminos," she whispered, raising her wand to look round the room cluttered with boxes and packing cases.
Her eyes caught a form in the corner that, when the light hit it, rose up to full height. Meg froze, unable to move, unable to do anything as her wand picked out quite clearly the Boggart. But it was the form it took that made Meg freeze.
Sarah was stood in front of her, her face and hands deathly white, her skin bloated with water. Strands of weeds intertwined with her hair. Her eyes were open and staring, lifeless. Her hands were outstretched towards Meg.
She was floating a couple of inches of the floor. She was dressed exactly the way she'd been when she'd died. Meg couldn't move a sob tore from her throat.
"Help me!" Sarah's mouth moved slowly, water trickling from the corner.
The sudden words broke into Meg's fear and loosened her mind.
"Riddikulus!" she called out, but her voice was a squeak and not strong enough to have an effect.
"Found anything, Professor Kincaid?" came Snape's voice from outside.
Meg stumbled backwards slightly, just as Dean and Snape came in.
"Sarah!"
Dean went to move forward, stopped by Snape gripping his shoulder tightly.
Snape took control, he pulled Dean out of the room and raising his wand, went back in to shout 'Riddikulus', before gripping Meg by her collar and yanking her out.
He slammed the door shut, locked it and turned to the two stunned professors.
Meg was backed up against the wall; her eyes fixed on the door, her face white as a sheet.
Dean wasn't much better. He was shaking and had dropped to his knees.
Snape muttered angrily and crossed to Dean; he took his robes and pulled him to his feet. The movement brought Dean to his senses and he shook Snape off him. He glared at Meg and then turning walked back out of the dungeon.
"I'll get the box," he called over his shoulder, his voice like ice.
Snape moved slowly to where Meg was still staring at the door.
She felt so cold; she was shivering despite her thick robes.
"Look at me!" His dark voice seeped into her frozen mind.
Making herself respond to it was like crawling out of a very deep sleep. She finally dragged her eyes from the door to his. And the moment she looked into his eyes she felt safety wash over her, she felt his strength.
He stepped forward till he was right in front of her, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Professor Kincaid!" He spoke her name and she seemed to sag. He caught her shoulders and held her up.
"You need to get it together," he whispered, but she heard every word clearly, could hear them in her mind. It was almost as if he were inside her head.
"Rider will be back, possibly with others."
She nodded her rational thinking and teacher training kicking in. She straightened up and nodded, she shook her head slightly, refusing to think about what was behind the locked door.
"Yes, Yes, of course." She moved away from him and ran a hand thorough her hair still struggling to get it completely together.
He watched her as she moved away from the door slightly and took a deep breath.
"Sorry, I lost it a bit there," her voice still quavered.
"Why don't you go on ahead, I'll wait here," he said softly, his eyes narrowed at her.
She didn't really hear him her mind was racing. Her thoughts went to Dean; it must have been a shock for him. He'd been miles away at the time of the accident. He'd only seen her coffin lowered into the ground. He hadn't seen… she shook her head again harder.
"Right, go up and… yes, right," She wandered away from Snape, half of her forgetting he was even there as her mind fought to regain control over her thoughts.
By the time she'd got out of the dungeons and back into the main school, her composure had returned. Her thoughts were completely under control as she rejoined the others who were all gathered round at the foot of the main staircase.
Dumbledore greeted her with a big beaming smile.
"That went better than I hoped," he smiled. "Once the Boggarts in the dungeons are rounded up we can all get on with our lives."
Meg looked up at him sharply, but he'd looked away towards where Professor Sprout and Hagrid were carrying the boxes towards the dungeons.
"Well, much quicker." Dumbledore was very happy. "Let's all go to the staff room and wait for lunch. Classes can resume after Lunch."
Meg followed the others up to the staff room, on the surface she looked perfectly normal but underneath she was still hollow.
Having classes certainly helped keep Meg's mind busy. The time seemed to fly and it wasn't long before she was making her way down to the kitchens with Neville.
"Did you catch any Boggarts, Miss?" he asked as they began to set out his equipment.
Meg looked up at him quickly, but he was intent on setting his scales up.
"Not really, I had Professor Snape and Professor Rider down there; they seemed to find most of them." She turned to take the tea that Dobby had brought up, she thanked him and turned back to Neville.
He began weighing out ingredients and sifting them into his bowl. He was accurate and confident.
"Neville, what are your plans on leaving Hogwarts?" she asked sipping her tea.
"Um.." He shrugged. "Not a lot really… I was going to try and get into the Ministry if they'll have me!"
"What would you do there?" she asked quietly, maybe now would be the right time.
"I don't know!" He sighed and looked up at her. "There's not a lot I can do really; make their tea and cakes?" He grinned good-naturedly.
"Nev… have you considered becoming a chef?"
"What?" He looked puzzled.
"Well, I've never tasted food like yours. It's excellent! You could try and get into one of the cookery colleges and become a chef."
"A chef?" He looked astonished. "You mean a muggle job?"
"Well, yes," she nodded. "Nev, I really thought this would work, but to be perfectly honest with you, Potions isn't your thing is it?" She tried to be as gentle as she could.
"No, miss." She had expected him to be upset but instead he grinned at her.
"Galling, isn't it?" he laughed as he began to mix.
"What is?" She grinned back at him relieved he'd taken it so well. Neville really was growing up.
"Having to admit Snape… er, I mean, Professor Snape is right."
"Galling?" She laughed. "Impossible!" She winked at him.
"A chef? Do you think I could do it?" he asked uncertainly.
"Do you think you could do it?" she returned, watching as he set his spoon down to look at her.
"Yes, I do." He nodded. "I don't know the first thing about how to get in."
"Leave that to me, I have a friend who can get you a place somewhere, it wouldn't be anything like here, Nev; anything you do, everything you work at you'd have to do without magic. It would be your efforts, you wouldn't be able to rely on magic to help you out," she warned him, feeling very pleased for him.
"I think that'd be a relief," he muttered. "I've…. I've always resented being a wizard." He stopped blushing.
"Go on, Nev… what you say won't go any further," she prompted him.
"I know I'm no good. Things which are second nature to the others are very hard for me. You've tried really hard with me these last few months and I'll always appreciate that. But it's proved to me that I'm not supposed to be a wizard. Oh I'll always have that in me, I'll always be good at Herbology, but I'll never be like Harry or Hermione…"
"Nev, Nev, the world only needs one Hermione," she said dryly.
"You sound like Professor Snape then," he laughed and Meg glared at him.
"Well just watch yourself lad, I can glare just like him too," she mocked.
He put his rack of cakes into the oven and stood up.
"You know what, Nev?" she said reaching forward to scoop some of the cake mixture of the side of the bowl.
"What?"
"You're a great guy. A really nice person. I reckon you could be an outstanding chef. Or you could go far in Herbology, maybe even teach it one day? If there were more people like you in the world, Voldemort and the kind of people he attracts wouldn't have a leg to stand on!"
"But I wouldn't contribute much if something were to happen again," he said sadly
"You would; in your own way. Look at me. What could I possible do? If I tell you something Nev, don't repeat it."
"Of course not, miss!"
"I did find a Boggart down there today. But I was unable to fight it. If I can't fight my own imagination, my own fears, I won't be helping much either!"
"But you're a teacher," he stated obviously surprised at her admission.
"And?" She looked at him. "What about it? Nev, it' not what you are on the outside that counts, it's what you are on the inside. Be true to yourself. Know yourself! Do what you want to do; not what others tell you to do. Don't become a chef because I say so, do it because you want to; if you'd rather stay with Herbology then do that. But do what you want to! If you end up doing what others want you to you'll never be happy or any good at it; because your heart won't be in it!" She grinned at him "There, lecture finished."
He laughed, but she could see he was thinking hard about what she'd told him.
They were both still sitting there eating the cakes when Snape walked in.
"Longbottom, isn't it a bit late to be out of bed?" he snapped.
Neville jumped to his feet, all his earlier confidence drained away.
"Know yourself," hissed Meg into his ear as she stood up and leaned over him to reach another cake.
"Sir, I…." He swallowed hard, and picked up his bag.
"I was just leaving," he almost whimpered and then straightened up. "Thank you, Professor Kincaid," he said more strongly.
"No, thank you!" She grinned at him and patted her tummy.
He went passed Snape with his head high.
"Good night, Professor Snape, Professor Kincaid." And he left the kitchens.
Snape stared at the retreating back of Neville and then turned on Meg.
"What is in those cakes tonight?" he asked, sweeping his robes out to sit down.
"Nothing." She grinned and then winked at him
"What did you tell him?" he asked suspiciously.
"Only that if he ever felt intimidated by you, he should imagine you were completely naked."
"I beg your pardon?" he spluttered over a mouthful of cake.
"Relax, I was joking."
"I should think so!" he retorted glaring at her.
Meg sat back and watched as Dobby brought him his usual cup of tea.
Snape waited till the house-elf had gone again before looking intently at Meg.
"You surprised me today."
"How?" she frowned at him, wondering what he was going to say.
"I thought the Boggart would have taken Rider's form; not that of your friend." He watched her closely.
Meg paled slightly, but she was much firmer under control now than earlier.
"Why Dean?" she asked, trying to keep her tone light and even.
"Well, I would have thought that was obvious; he did mention killing you."
Meg looked at him and sighed.
"He said that nine years ago as well and he hasn't killed me yet. He was really distraught when you heard him talking to me."
"Defending him?" he queried; his head slightly to one side, his hair falling softly over his cheeks almost hiding his face completely.
"No," she shook her head. "If Dean had meant it I don't think he'd have taken nine years to do it."
"Probably not," Snape agreed and contemplated his empty pate.
"Cookery seems to agree with Longbottom," he remarked grudgingly.
Meg smiled slightly and slid another cake onto his plate.
He looked up at her and smirked.
"Trying to fatten me up?"
"I've come to conclusion that's impossible," she retorted, eyeing his thin frame.
"Yes," he agreed softly. "Although I've never quite eaten as much before as I have done in the last couple of weeks." He frowned at her. "I hold you totally responsible!"
Meg laughed and began clearing the plates into a pile for the house-elves.
"Leaving?" he asked quietly.
Meg looked up at him. He was watching her very intently with his eyes narrowed.
Meg swallowed. She suddenly felt very nervous. What was going to happen next? Would he want her to go back with him? The thought of repeating last night made Meg shift in her seat slightly, a blush covered her cheeks as she remembered with clarity just how easily he affected her, how quickly she lost control with him.
She was scared, uncertain. She slid everything into one area and with a shaky hand pushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes.
"I have… some marking to do." She stood up avoiding his gaze.
"So do I," he replied and stood up
Well, that was that, thought Meg, feeling disappointment race through her. She wasn't sure what she'd hoped he'd do. She should have known better than to expect him to ignore her, sweep her up into his arms and stride of with her. She was no romantic heroine, and he was certainly no Heathcliff.
She stepped back from the table and straightened her robes.
"Good night then," she said quietly, still avoiding his eyes.
"Good night, Professor Kincaid," he replied smoothly.
Meg turned and left the kitchens with as much dignity has her shaking body could muster. She felt like crying. She knew that,being an adult, if she'd wanted him she should have made it clear. He'd told her last night that it wasn't a one of thing. But then, she reasoned, that was before the event, maybe she'd disappointed him. Sure, it had been good for her. More than good. It made her knees weak just thinking about it. But she'd been no expert. Unlike him. She shivered as she remembered how he seemed to know exactly where to touch her, and how to touch her that had her whimpering in seconds.
It had been a first time for her. Not for him, which she had not been surprised at. He'd been extremely reluctant to talk about it though, which hadn't mattered at the time because talking had been beyond her anyway, but he'd insisted the lights remained out, he'd been very insecure about her seeing him which had suited her fine. Not that confident with her own body, she knew where he was coming from on that one.
By the time she gone from the kitchens to the study she had herself convinced it was all her fault. She'd been no good, something he'd rather not repeat. She sighed, sitting herself down and drawing the scrolls to her; she began to mark.
She sat quietly staring into space. She'd just marked Neville Longbottom's paper, which once again, smacked strongly of Hermione Granger's interference.
She'd have to talk to him about that. She didn't care how bad his work was, as long as it was his own. Getting help with spelling and grammar was one thing, but having help on the actual theories themselves was quite another.
She shook her head, sighed and set his paper to one side, separate from the others.
"Longbottom is surpassing himself I see," came Snape's cold voice from behind her.
Meg jumped, her quill splattering ink all over her desk.
"Severus!" She drew out her wand and cast a quick spell to clear up the ink. "I didn't hear you come in; did you even knock?"
"And I see Granger still can't help but interfere," he continued as if she hadn't spoken.
"Did no one ever tell you it's rude to read over someone's shoulder," she hissed pushing another paper over Neville's to stop him reading any further,
"Ah! Protective as ever," he smirked and moved around to stand in front of her desk. He leant against it, leaning forward till his face was close to hers. His hair swung even further forward, almost completely covering his face.
"Wouldn't you rather come back with me," he whispered.
Meg looked up at him; her mouth drying up instantly. She swallowed and lowered her eyes to her desk; she began to fiddle with her quill.
"Well, er, I have all this marking…" He silenced her with his finger on her lips.
"Not embarrassed, are you?" he whispered, smirking at her.
Meg blushed bright red and drew back quickly from his finger.
"Don't," she whispered, he was laughing at her, she could see it in his eyes.
"Don't what?" he murmured and ran his hand over her hair. He tugged at the band that held it back from her face. Pulling it loose he tangled his fingers through her hair.
"You have beautiful hair," he murmured.
"Severus… " She cleared her throat.
"Give it up," he muttered. "That's what you told me once; to just accept things." He ran his fingers down over her cheek and watched as she leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering shut.
"Accept this, Megan." He brought his other hand to her face and cupped her cheeks. "You can't control this anymore than I can." He leant forward and kissed her gently.
"Severus, I…"
"Insist on talking all the time?" he groaned and stood up straight. He took the quill from her limp fingers and placed it on the table.
He came around the desk and taking her elbows he drew her to her feet and began to lead her from the room.
"What are you doing?" she gasped, letting him lead her anyway.
"Taking you to my room, it's too late for marking." His hand slid down her elbow and caught hold of her hand firmly.
"Oh." Meg smiled and blushed all at the same time, making Snape grin evilly at her.
She wasn't going to let her mind or brain think too much about this. Just let it go where it was going and then deal with the results. A sudden thought had her stopping short with a cry of horror.
"What is it?" he demanded, his other hand going for his wand instinctively.
"I don't want to get pregnant!" The words flew out of her mouth.
He rolled his eyes at her and put his wand back before opening his door and pushing her gently inside.
"You won't," he murmured as she passed him.
"But, last night, I didn't even think about it!"
"No, you didn't," he smirked. "Fortunately one of us is more responsible."
"Hey!" She backed away, annoyed at his arrogance, "Now hold on just a moment!"
"What now?" he sighed, recognising she was about to get all riled up.
"Don't say I'm not responsible!" she snapped. "It's your fault!"
"How do you work that out?" he demanded incredulously.
"Well… you… if you weren't so…" She began to blush. "If you didn't… get me all worked up I might have thought; I think." She was confusing herself so she didn't think for one minute he'd have any idea what she was on about.
He smirked at her, advancing on her slowly; he knew exactly what she was saying.
"What you're trying to say, is that I get you so excited you can't think."
"All right!" She couldn't get any redder. "No need to be so arrogant about it!"
"Megan, Megan," he muttered her name. "It works both ways."
She stared up at him completely taken aback. Of all the things she thought he would say that hadn't been one of them.
He caught hold of her hands and drew her to the armchair; he sat down settling her on his lap.
"You have the same affect on me. If we're alone I have trouble keeping my hands of you. I have trouble keeping my hands of you full stop."
She turned slightly on his lap and wound her arms around his neck.
"But you were with it enough to protect us," she whispered.
He shifted suddenly, looking a little devious. He shook his head and, the usual sneer that played around his lips appeared. All signs of slyness had disappeared and had been replaced with arrogance.
"I cast a spell."
"When?" She frowned and slid her hand into his hair. She wound a strand of his hair around one finger.
"When you came back into my room the second time."
"Pretty sure of yourself, weren't you?" She arched an eyebrow at him.
He smirked and pulling his head to the side, freed his hair from her finger.
"I think you're a smug, arrogant, annoying, irritating, sexy man," she said completely honestly.
"Sexy?" his eyebrows almost disappeared. "Now I think you're under the influence of that damn cordial of yours!"
"Haven't touched a drop since, well, since that time you so gallantly came to my rescue!"
He snorted, his hands sliding inside her robes to search out the warm flesh of her back.
"Don't kid yourself, Professor Kincaid, the only person I was rescuing was me. The thought of teaching any more classes in that mess you made of my classroom was enough to make me willing to brew you anything to get you back on your feet and sober." He smirked slightly as his hand connected with her skin making her jump as his fingers began tracing patterns on her.
"Although I have to admit, the sight of you sprawled at my feet was very… ah… pleasing. You have no idea how annoying you can be."
"You're such a sweet talker, Severus," she pouted at him, her own hands creeping around to the top of the high necked coat he wore beneath his robes.
"I try," he replied dryly. "And what do you think you're doing, Professor Kincaid?" His voice had taken on a light teasing note, but his face was still very set and dark.
"Well, seems to me the reason you're so uptight is because you wear too much!"
"Oh, really?" His hands stilled on her back as her fingers began to nimbly undo the buttons on the coat.
"Megan," his voice became even darker and huskier than usual as her fingers brushed against his throat as she worked the black tie loose and began on the high necked white shirt under his coat which had most of it's buttons undone now.
"What?" She looked up at him.
"I'm not uptight. You are."
"Nah." She shook her head. "Nasty rumour." Her fingers stilled on his buttons and she looked up at him, emotions flickering across her face.
"Severus, I meant what I said; I think you're incredible sexy."
"Don't patronise me," he muttered, bringing his hands out of her robes to push them down her shoulders.
"What's this then?" she asked irked at his attitude. "Why would I be sitting here?"
"I've asked myself that same question already," he murmured, his face was controlled, his eyes narrowed.
"You can be incredible stupid, for such an intelligent man!" she huffed, her hands gripping his shoulders now.
"You've just contradicted yourself," he pointed out smoothly. "Besides I do own a mirror and I am capable of looking in it!"
"Oh!" She understood now, understood very well. "Severus, do you know what I see when I look at you?"
She could feel him withdrawing from her mentally and emotionally. She had no idea of what kind of past he'd had. She knew he was a Death Eater and had spied for the headmaster, but other than that, she knew nothing about the man whose lap she was sitting on.
She cupped his face, her hands curved around him gently.
"I see black hair that I'd like to wash." She let go of his face to run a hand through his slightly greasy hair.
"Makes no difference," he replied smoothly, coldly.
"Ssh! Don't interrupt me." She laid a finger on his lips and smiled at him.
"I like running my hands through your hair just as it is. It feels like silk. I see dark, dark eyes that sometimes can freeze me, and can sometimes make me feel scared. But sometimes, just sometimes, I see warmth and humour in them. Your eyes can make me want to loose myself in you completely." She traced her finger over his eyebrows and sighed softly, she really did love this man. Whoever he was, whatever he had been; unconditionally.
"I see a nose that's hooked." She traced her finger down over it. "I've always had a thing for your nose. I'll tell you why someday. And your mouth… " Her fingers traced over his lips down to his chin. She cupped her hands back around his face and looked into his eyes, which at the moment were regarding her very coolly.
"Your mouth… I just want to kiss your mouth." She leaned forward and brushed her lips over his very softly.
"I see you, Severus! And I find you very, very, attractive," her words came out on a sigh.
"I think…" He drew in a ragged breath. "I think you're delusional, but, like I said last time, I'm not going to question why you chose to be with me."
"Severus?" She bit her lip as his hands once more found their way into her robes and onto her skin.
"You know you said you had trouble keeping your hands of me? Don't try!"
He closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again her breathing hitched at the desire she saw there.
"I need you just as much," she whispered as her fingers once more began their task of undoing his buttons. "If not more."
"I doubt that," he muttered before kissing any rational thoughts from either of their heads.
Meg was on her way to the hall for breakfast when she heard crying. She imagined it was Peeves at first, but as she got closer to the source she realised it was a girl crying. She followed the sounds, all thoughts of her hungry stomach disappearing.
She'd left Severus at his desk, busy marking the scrolls he should have done the previous night, muttering about eating at lunch time.
She frowned as she found the source of the crying.
"Miss Weasley?" She watched as Ginny jumped, startled she'd been found.
"Prof.. Professor Kincaid!" She hastily began to scrub at her face with her sleeve.
"What's wrong?" Meg went to her, but didn't touch her.
"No… nothing, miss," she whimpered, before getting better control.
"Nothings don't usually make a person cry, Ginny," Meg pointed out softly.
"I… fell!" It was obviously a lie, but there was nothing for Meg to do besides accept it at face value. Unless Ginny was willing to talk about why she was crying; Meg had no right to pry.
"Do you need Madam Pomfrey to take a look?" she asked, noticing Ginny favouring her left arm.
"No, miss, just bruised."
"Bruised? Let me see." Meg caught a glimpse of bruising on her wrist before Ginny hid her whole arm in her robes.
"It's fine, I'm just feeling a bit upset."
"Where were you going?" she asked her kindly.
"Er… breakfast."
"Oh, so was I, come on then." She waited for Ginny to walk ahead. She knew something was more wrong than just a fall before she couldn't force the issue.
"Ginny!" She stopped her as they reached the door.
"Yes?"
"If you need to say anything, about anything, you know where my study is."
Ginny looked at her and Meg saw the tears fill her eyes again.
"Thanks," she muttered and almost ran into the hall.
Meg followed frowning slightly.
There were few people here at this time of the morning, but Meg liked an early breakfast, it meant she could always slip back in later if she wanted any more. She went to the staff table pleased to see she was the only one.
She helped herself to bacon and eggs and sat watching Ginny as she slid into a seat by Hermione, who as usual was sitting studying. She watched the older girl slip her arm around Ginny in concern.
The doors opened and Meg watched as Draco Malfoy came in. He was looking for someone that much was obvious. He looked over at Ginny and Hermione who hadn't noticed his arrival. He took a step forward, seemed to think better of it and turning went back out the hall.
Meg's eyebrows rose. What was Malfoy up to now?
She frowned, concerned now, if Malfoy was upsetting Ginny and she wasn't saying why…
"You're early Megan, my dear," came the headmaster's voice as he sat beside her and helped himself to some breakfast.
"You know me, can't stay away from the food," she laughed, all thoughts of Draco and Ginny put from her mind.
"Are you going into Hogsmede this weekend?" he asked her conversationally.
"Probably." She nodded. "There's a few things I need." She sipped at her goblet.
She made small talk with the headmaster as slowly, students and professors started arriving for their breakfasts. Snape entered the room last and slipped into his seat beside her.
"I hope you left some for the rest of us," he remarked coolly, his eyes on her already empty plate.
"Nope, ate your share already. Should have got here sooner; instead of being lazy and not getting up earlier," she teased him gently, winking at Filius Flitwick.
Snape snorted and began to fill his plate.
Meg looked up and watched the students, her mind went back to Ginny as she saw the girl get up and leave the hall. She watched in concern as a couple of minutes later Draco stood and left too, without his friends.
Meg was alarmed. She set her goblet down a bit hastily and spilt some,
"Please excuse me, I forgot something," she muttered and left the hall quickly. She walked through the corridors, knowing it would be sheer luck if she caught up with them. But then coming from one of the empty classrooms she heard crying and someone whispering quietly. She walked forward and stopped in the doorway, completely unprepared for the scene that greeted her.
Draco was sitting on one of the desks and Ginny was between his legs, crying hard into his robes as he held her tightly. His face was buried in her hair; her arms were wrapped around his waist.
Draco's head snapped up and his eyes locked with Meg's. He froze, his eyes narrowed, but he didn't let Ginny go.
"What's going on?" Meg asked quietly, slipping into the room and shutting the door behind her.
Ginny jumped back slightly, but still Draco didn't let her go.
"Miss, oh dear," Ginny started crying fresh tears.
"Gin. Come on, crying isn't going to help," Draco whispered, his hand rubbing her back softly.
"Draco?" Meg sat on the edge of one of the desks and waited. If she didn't sit on something she thought she might just collapse at the sight of Malfoy being gentle with someone.
"I love Ginny," he said, his chin rising slightly almost as if he was daring her to challenge him.
"And I love Draco," Ginny sobbed, her red rimmed eyes fixing on Meg.
"So, where's the problem?" Meg asked, crossing her legs and folding her arms, covering the fact that, at the moment, she could be knocked over with a feather. Malfoy certainly looked genuine, but she knew better than to judge by face value.
"There is no problem," Draco snapped.
"Right, so you reduce all your girlfriends to tears then, Mr. Malfoy!" She couldn't keep the sharpness from her voice, although her face was perfectly blank.
"I have not made her cry!" He declared hotly, as more tears came from Ginny.
"Pansy,!" muttered Ginny.
"Ah!" It became very clear to Meg with just that one word. "And I take it she gave you that rather nasty bruise?"
Draco looked alarmed; she'd obviously not told him that.
"She hurt you?" he demanded.
"Not much." Ginny pulled away completely. "She was just warning me away from you." She rubbed her eyes.
"What did she do?" he demanded, both of them forgetting Meg who was quietly watching the drama unfold.
"She just caught my wrist, that's all; just leave it Draco, please!"
"Why not talk to her?" Meg suggested speaking up. "If you explain that you …"
"It doesn't work like that!" sneered Draco. "There's the whole Slytherin/Gryffindor thing going, no one will accept it!" He crossed to stare out of the window.
"I'm well aware of the whole inter-house hatred thing that goes on here," Meg said clearly. "I was a Hufflepuff here for seven years."
"Then you know; it's just not done! House mixing, especially our two."
"Oh, for goodness sake," Meg snapped. "It annoyed me then and it annoys me now! This isn't Romeo and Juliet! If you two kids want to get together, ignore everyone else, who knows it may start a few more mixing. You've got the Yule Ball coming up. Draco, you pretty much lead Slytherin, you're head boy! Set the lead!"
"There's Ron too!" Ginny said softly.
"Yes, Ron," Meg mused slightly, she could see big problems ahead there. It was no secret how much Malfoy and Weasley hated each other.
"Well, whatever you decide, Pansy has to stop hurting you."
"Let me sort it out." Draco stepped in. "I'll talk to her."
"Do that Mr. Malfoy, because if it doesn't stop, I'll step in. Got it?"
"Yes, miss."
Meg stood up and walked to the door.
"Don't be late to class!" She called back as she left the room, shutting the door behind her.
Meg didn't trust Draco, not one bit. But what else could she do for now? Both of them had seemed genuine in their feelings. She considered telling Snape. It was probably worth his while knowing what Pansy was up to; he'd be able to keep an eye on her.
She went to the staff rooms, knowing he'd be there by now, coffee in one hand, head buried in a copy of the Daily Prophet in a vain attempt to stop from talking to anyone.
He was exactly as she thought he'd be. He was trying to stay out of a particularly heated conversation between McGonagall and Hooch about the Quidditch game coming up. She slipped into the seat beside him.
"Severus, can I have a word?" She asked quietly.
"Certainly, which particular word do you want?" He didn't lift his head from the paper.
Meg sighed in frustration.
"Not now, Severus," she snapped. "It's about some of your Slytherins!"
Snape sighed this time and closed his paper eyeing her with dark hard eyes.
"What have they done this time?" he sighed.
"Nothing, well, nothing I know, I think!"
Snape frowned and drained his coffee.
"As usual you're completely understandable," he sneered crossly.
"Just listen," she snapped, not seeing Dean come in.
"I am, so far I haven't understood a word you've said," he pointed out coolly.
"And you probably won't!" Dean sat opposite them. "I've known Meg a long time and I don't ever recall her saying anything sensible."
Snape snorted, a smirk played around his lips.
Meg stood up, her chair scraping across the floor.
"Fine!" She snapped. "I should have known better than talk to you about your blasted Slytherins anyway!"
She marched out of the staff room, aware the whole room had heard her outburst. But she really didn't care. Snape had been his usual annoying self, right when she needed him to listen to her. Then when Dean had arrived and made that nasty comment. She didn't really expect him to stand up for her. But it had still been nice to think he might. But he hadn't, he'd all but agreed with that infernal smirk of his.
She swept down towards the main area, intent of walking of her frustration before she went into her first class. She rounded a corner and smacked straight into Malfoy.
"Professor." He watched as she fell back, sprawled on her back at his feet.
"Malfoy," she snapped. "Watch where you're going!" she hissed.
"Sorry." He smirked and held out his hand to her. She took it and he pulled her to her feet.
"Malfoy, if I ever hear of you hurting, Miss Weasley, you'll regret the day you ever entered these walls! Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal." He smiled, revealing even white teeth. "I won't hurt her ever."
"Good! Make sure it stays that way!" She swept around him.
"Professor?"
She turned back to him, her eyebrows drawn together in a frown remarkably like Snape's.
"Thanks, for trying to help, Ginny. She likes you."
His words took her completely by surprise. He turned and sauntered of, hands in his pockets, whistling. She watched him still frowning, before she carried on to her classroom; thinking hard about what had happened. His last words had been spoken in a tone that made it clear he didn't trust her; but then she didn't trust him either. Time would tell; it always did.
"Hello, Angel of Death," came Dean's cold voice as she went into her classroom.
She hissed when she saw him sitting at his desk.
"What are you doing here," she snapped.
"Came to find out how your flying skills are these days."
"My flying skills? Why?" She was confused now.
"This outing, wouldn't want you falling off half way there, it can get kinda high."
"I can assure you, Professor Kincaid will not be falling off her broomstick on the way," Snape's cold voice came from behind Meg.
Rider laughed as he stood up slowly.
"That's good to know!" He moved past Meg, his eyes on Snape. "You really annoyed Snape up there, did you know that?"
"There's nothing unusual with me annoying, Severus, it seems to be a daily occurrence," Meg sighed wearily. She couldn't face having to battle with Dean; her head was really starting to hurt her
"Yeah, right." He laughed and ran his hand over her shoulder as he passed. "You were really good at annoying as I remember!"
"You'd better go before you miss your first class." Snape stepped forward.
Dean shrugged and with a wave of his hand left the classroom.
Meg kept her legs till she was by her desk. She sank into her seat and then looked up at Snape who was still stood by the door.
"Can I help you?" she asked him wearily, before turning to draw her outline toward her.
"What was all that about upstairs?" he asked her, his voice chilly and full of disapproval.
"I left you to it," she replied picking up her quill.
"I thought I'd seen the last of your amateur dramatics," he sneered.
It was enough to make Meg snap. She raised her head and gave him her own sneer.
"You'd better go before you miss your first class." She threw his earlier words back at him. "And shut the door on your way out please," she added and went back to the outline on her desk, her eyes unseeing.
Her headache was getting worse. She had seventh year potions followed by advance potions; enough to give her a headache on a normal day. She heard the door click and she sagged, resting her head down on the desk.
"Why did he have to come here?" she moaned, the coolness of the desk easing her head slightly. She was unsure what to do about Malfoy and Ginny. She could see things getting really out of hand if Ginny's hot-headed brother found out. The thought of Dean and the constant reminder of Sarah was always at the back of her mind. And now, he'd threatened her, granted it was very vague, but it was there; the threat that he might make her fall. She knew he probably wouldn't. He was too intelligent to risk his whole career and life for vengeance! But then he'd told her he was going to make her life hell. And he was. Give her the seed of doubt, plant it and let her do the rest of the work. She couldn't be absolutely certain he wouldn't try anything and that made her scared. More scared than she'd been able to admit to herself before.
She lifted her head wearily as the door opened and her students came in talking.
She stood and began the hard task of keeping them all quiet and working.
Lunch time saw Meg pouring a goblet of headache cure and downing it in one go. She was waiting for Neville to return after he finished Advanced Herbology. He came in as the potion began to work.
"What's up?" She could tell instantly he wasn't very happy.
"It's snowing again," he replied as if that answered everything.
"Don't you like the snow?" she asked him getting up from her desk to cross and lean against the one he'd sat down at.
"It's okay."
"Nev, what's up?" she repeated her question.
"I heard that the visit to Hogsmede might be called off because of the snow."
"Really?" That surprised her; it must be very heavy for them to cancel the outing.
"Yeah, and this, look." He handed her a single piece of parchment and Meg took it, realising this was the true source of his unhappiness.
She read it through quickly:
Dear Neville,
I'm writing to say that I'm not able to have you home for Christmas this year, your great uncle Bob has come to visit and we need the extra room. I'm sure you'll understand. I'll be sending your present by owl. Be a good boy and try to work harder.
Grandmother.
"Oh, Nev," she sighed and handed it back to him. "I'm so sorry!"
"I'm okay really. It just came and it took me by surprise more than anything!"
"You'll be staying here then, with us?"
"Yeah," he shrugged. "What did you want to talk to me about anyway?"
She sighed again and sat down at the opposite desk.
"Don't get me wrong, Nev. I'm not being hard on you; but you have to start writing some of these papers yourself. I'm not against getting help with spelling or grammar, but you really must try and work some of these theories out without Miss Grangers help. If you're hoping to get any kind of grade in your finals you're gonna have to rely on yourself only."
Nev bit his lip and nodded; for one heart stopping moment she thought he was going to cry, but he straightened up and smiled at her, albeit it was rather a watery smile.
"Yes, Miss." He sat back in his seat. "I get a bit unsure of what I'm doing sometimes."
"I'm not gonna line you up against the back wall, and hex you if you get a paper, or even if you get all of them wrong! As long as you try yourself; that's all I ask from you, Neville, that you do the best you can, not the best Hermione can do!"
"Sorry."
"Okay!" She stood up and grinned at him. "Let's go and see what kind of snow we're dealing with then, shall we?"
"Well, last time I looked it was the cold, white kind, Miss!" He grinned back at her.
"Cheeky brat!" She laughed and they headed out of the dungeons, unaware of Snape watching from the corridor.
"Ever made a snow angel, Miss?" came a first years excited cry as she came out onto the grounds.
"No, show me." She laughed and watched as seven or eight first years all got down on their backs and began waving their arms and legs, making snow angels.
They stood up and Meg was impressed.
"That's very good." She nodded.
"You try," they cried but Meg just laughed.
"If I got down there I'd never get back up I'm so old!" She laughed and moved away towards the courtyard. Neville said goodbye to her and walked of to find his friends.
There were a few kids having snowball fights and one or two were making snowmen.
She sat on one of the benches after clearing the snow off and sat and watched, vainly wishing for her own childhood again.
"I would have thought you'd be in eating lunch!" came the chuckle of Filius Flitwick.
She smiled at him as he settled himself on the bench beside her.
"Not hungry today," she replied, looking back at the children.
"Must be the snow," he agreed. "So how are you enjoying your first teaching year?"
"More than I thought and not as much as I thought," she replied softly.
"I know exactly how you feel, although I have to admit to it being many years ago now; but I felt the same. Some things I thought would be hard weren't and the things I thought I'd sail through I didn't!"
"Exactly!" She grinned. "I have to admit Slytherin is my biggest problem. They're a bunch of hooligans just waiting for me to slip up!"
Flitwick chuckled.
"It's never been any different!" He scratched his chin in thought. "I have never doubted why Severus Snape is Slytherin Head of House!"
"Too much alike?" she laughed quietly.
"Oh no, on the contrary, he's the only one who can understand them!" He looked at her and smiled. "Oh well, better be off." He slipped down on to the ground and then turned back to look up at her.
"I think you're coping admirably, especially with everything!"
"What do you mean?" she asked, feeling a coldness settle around her heart that had nothing to do with the snow.
"Well, the memories of Sarah for one thing, and having her brother here as well. Terrible shame that accident!" He shook his head and wandered off leaving a shell-shocked Meg in his wake.
Meg didn't know what to do, so she hid in her study. She locked the door and settled herself down on her chair with a blanket and her memories.
She had second year after lunch followed by the third years, but that wasn't for another hour yet.
Someone knocked softly on her door and Meg huddled deeper into her blanket, if she kept very quiet, they might go away.
She began to think they'd given up after the third rather louder knock, but then she heard the lock unclick and the door opened. Severus Snape glided into the room and shut the door behind him.
"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, annoyed he'd just barged in.
"I was about to ask you the same thing!"
"You can't just go round unlocking everybody's door like that!" She jumped to her feet, her blanket falling to the floor.
"I don't," he replied and crossed to stand by her desk. "I only unlock yours."
"Severus!" She was close to stamping her foot again.
"Stop whinging," he ordered coldly. "I was just making sure we weren't going to have a repeat performance with the cordial."
Meg's mouth opened and closed like a goldfish, she was overwhelmed with anger.
"How dare you!" she squeaked, she was so annoyed her throat had constricted.
"Well, I assumed that after Rider's little act you'd be feeling very sorry for yourself."
"You assume too much!" she hissed. "Get out!"
"No!" He shook his head. "I want to know how much of a threat you consider Rider to be."
"Severus! Just stop!" She was almost hoping from foot to foot in irritation now. "I'm not one of your students you can bully into complying! Rider… I mean Dean, is just trying to get me all worked up. But with you around he needn't bother, because you do the job all by yourself."
Snape glared at her before advancing slowly.
"That wasn't a harmless comment in your classroom earlier," he barked. "Just how badly do you fly anyway?"
Meg shook her head at him and put her hands on her hips.
"He was just getting a rise out of me!" she hissed. "Do you really think he'd be silly enough to risk his whole life just to get back at me?"
"Do you?" he countered her quickly.
"No, I don't!" she said firmly. "He's many things, Severus, but he's not an idiot." She sighed and turning went to sit back in her chair, her head aching again. "He gets enough revenge out of seeing me hurt," she whispered.
She sank down and picking up the blanket began to fold it carefully.
"And for that alone I could kill him," Snape hissed before crossing to hunch down in front of her.
"Megan. I don't want you hurt, in anyway." He took her hand and held it in his own.
"I'm fine." She reached out and stroked his cheek.
"You've always been volatile," he murmured. "But you really lost it in the staff room this morning."
"I'm not volatile!" Her eyebrow went up. "I just… I'm just tired that's all. And the snow gets me down."
"Have you considered a pensive?" he asked her softly.
"A pensive?"
"For your memories."
Meg frowned and shook her head, no she couldn't do that, watch them all again, see them all, have them somewhere where anyone could see them.
"I don't need that." She smiled at him and tried for distraction. "Will you kiss me?"
An eyebrow went up sharply at her request.
"You were spitting fire at me just a minute ago, and now you want me to kiss you?" he smirked at her. "Has anyone ever told you you're as changeable as the weather?"
"I'm a woman! It's my prerogative to be changeable!"
"Can't argue with that," he said and leaning forward kissed her softly.
"What about your lunch?" he asked her quietly after a minute or two.
"Severus, you're not my mother. I can look after myself." She grinned at him.
"I've seen no evidence of that myself yet," he snorted and sat back on his heels.
"Oh really," she drawled, slightly irritated.
"Relax," he instructed and stood up. "Are you going to hide in here or come for a walk with me?"
"Are you going to make me a snow angel?" she asked lightly, standing up and reaching for her woollen robe.
He snorted and didn't even bother to reply as he opened the door and waited for her to join him.
They were walking in the grounds when Snape spoke again.
"What were you going to talk to me about before you did your dying swan bit?"
"Severus, can I just say you don't have a great bedside manner. If you want someone to talk to you it's best not to insult them first."
"Bedside manner?" he snorted. "You never seem to complain."
She blushed red as she realised he'd picked her up wrong.
"That's not what I meant," she hissed. "I mean you're quite…"
"I know what you meant, so please; less of the character assignation and just tell me what Malfoy has done now!"
"How do you know its Malfoy?" she demanded. He flummoxed her at every turn and it annoyed her.
"It's always Malfoy with you," he smirked.
"Well, yes it is Malfoy… sort of. It seems he and Ginny Weasley are rather fond of each other." Snape stopped short in his tracks to stare at her as if she'd grown three heads.
"Malfoy and Weasleys' little sister?" he grated out in total disbelief.
"Yes, although Ginny isn't really so little; she's almost. And I can't believe that I know something about your precious Slytherins that you don't! Oh Happy Day!"
Snape was completely taken aback and ignored her sarcastic humour.
"The problem is Pansy," she carried on. "That and the fact that I trust Malfoy as far as I can throw him. And I've never won any weightlifting competitions!"
"Parkinson?" he looked down at her and frowned. "She knows?"
"Apparently, I'm not sure what happened; but Ginny ended up with bruising around her wrist. Malfoy says he's going to talk to Pansy. But I can see huge problems coming from this."
"If it gets out it'll be all out war between the two houses," Snape said quietly. "I suppose you gave them your blessing," he sneered mockingly.
"It's not mine to give," she corrected him. "However I think the rivalry between the two houses is a bit dated. I did say that maybe with Malfoy being head boy that things might change."
Snap snorted again
"How naive are you?" he demanded. "You attended this school, you know the hatred between the houses."
"Yes, but don't you think it should stop; but that's beside the point. The issue here is Pansy, I don't want Ginny getting hurt."
"A precious Gryffindor," he mused.
"Oh for goodness sake, Severus," she snapped. "Parkinson is built like a brick outhouse! She'd flatten Ginny and you know it!"
Snape snorted again in humour at her choice of words.
"If Ron finds out we can expect a few out of class duelling." Meg added.
Snape nodded and taking her arm turned her to lead her back in.
"I'll keep an eye on Parkinson. I can't do any more than that without making the situation worse."
"That's all I ask," she sighed. "Thank you."
"Should be amusing actually," he remarked as they entered the school again. "Interesting to see what kind of hexes we'll have to sort out. Might even let Potter and Weasley stew for a bit if the curse is particularly inventive."
"Severus Snape, you can be so heartless," she remarked coldly.
"Never suggested anything else," he replied dryly and turned to walk towards his classroom. He suddenly stopped, turned and came back to her. He leaned in very close till his mouth was beside her ear.
"My room, tonight, 7.30," he whispered and without looking at her walked off, his robes sweeping out behind him.
Meg's mouth dropped open. She quickly shut it and shaking her head walked to her own classroom.
"Insufferable!" she muttered.
A/N: A few more quotes slipped in, sorry! Thank you so much for being so nice about this story and, for asking me to write the "missing scene". I'm going to do the "missing scene" in a separate posting. I'm not sure how long it'll take me to get it done. Not long hopefully! Have fun!
P.S. I really wanted to add "and bring a friend" to the last words Sev says in this chapter, but I restrained myself! (Ah! Alan Rickman rules as Severus, but he knocks me out as the evil Sheriff of Nottingham!) ;-)
