Given the current state of things, Clianthe was willing to bet that something was coming, and coming fast. Every day Draco looked more exhausted and more secluded from everyone else. Snape too was becoming more anxious, bit by bit. Not that most people would notice. Clianthe however had a gift for noticing things that others did not, especially when it came to Snape.

Even just the air felt heavier than it used to. Whispers aroused where none had been before. People were frightened. Or was she just imagining it? It had been a long time now since Clianthe and Amara had gotten word from their parents, but that did not necessarily mean anything; it could simply be safer that way. However, for that to be true wasn't it safe to assume that the world was becoming more dangerous? So there was cause for worry.

Well, what can be done about it? Clianthe asked herself. I have a responsibility to look after my sister, but what more can I do? I would gladly join a war to show those Death Eaters just what I think of them, but what is there to do? It's not as if there have been any battles to take part in, just dark times. How do you fight a shadow and a whisper?

A whisper... and indeed Clianthe felt she could hear whispers, and... giggles?

"Miss Tselios!" Clianthe's head snapped up as she remembered where she was.

"Yes, Professor Snape?"

"Can you answer the question?" asked Snape uninterestedly, not even bothering to look at Clianthe.

"And what was the question again, sir?" responded Clianthe softly, ignoring the increased whispers and giggles of her classmates.

"If you had been paying attention, you might know. Please refrain from daydreaming in the middle of class Miss Tselios, it is most unwise." Snape looked out over the rest of the class.

"Silence," he ordered with his usual drawl. Absolute quiet fell over the classroom.

"Now, continuing on..." he began.

Once more Clianthe lost her concentration and returned to her own musings. After all, she was familiar with the day's lesson, so it's not as if she needed to pay attention. Therefore she would rather spend her time thinking about things that mattered, instead of focusing on the Professor that she knew she shouldn't be thinking about.

After the events of Christmas Day, Clianthe felt unsure around her Professor. She felt absolutely humiliated and devastated. Clianthe had confessed her feelings, and she had been sure he felt the same, but then the way he treated her... the way he spoke to her... She would rather not think about it if she didn't have to. She certainly wouldn't be staying after class any more. Was he still upset at her? Clianthe wasn't sure. Clianthe felt like crying every time she so much as looked her Defense Against the Arts Professor in the face. Of course, she wouldn't, but the feeling was rather uncomfortable and distressing.

"Miss Tselios..." droned an exasperated voice. Clianthe's eyes snapped directly to Snape's face.

"Yes Professor?" asked Clianthe innocently.

I can answer any question about this unit, she thought smugly, So just let him try and call me out for not paying attention.

"Class has been dismissed."

Startled, Clianthe glanced around briefly and found that the class had indeed emptied out.

"Ah..." she murmured. "Pardon me Professor. I'll just be going now then..." Gathering her things quickly, Clianthe began to leave, her heart pounding furiously at finding herself accidentally alone with Professor Snape.

"Miss Tselios." Clianthe paused in her hurry out the door and closed her eyes to calm her anxious spirit.

"Yes sir?" she replied.

"Please turn and face me when addressing me Miss Tselios," Snape ordered. Clenching her teeth for a moment in frustration, Clianthe turned around to face him, presenting him with her usual calm smile.

"Yes sir?"

"Come here. Sit," he commanded as he seated himself behind his desk. Despite her confusion, Clianthe walked up and sat on the desk where she regularly sat after class.

Please God don't let this be about me almost kissing him...

"How did the cut on your hand heal?" he asked bluntly. Clianthe blinked in surprise, thrown off balance by his abruptness. After a moment she realized what he was referring to. This question was alright, for all it required was a factual answer. Clianthe could easily control her feelings, or at least shove them aside for the moment. That's what she told herself, but she still had trouble fighting her nerves and embarrassment. After a moment she collected herself enough to give him an answer.

"It's an innate healing ability that I have. Well, I've practiced a lot over the years to strengthen it to the point it's at today, but I've always had a small talent for healing," explained Clianthe.

"Can you heal only yourself or other people as well?" asked Snape.

"Oh I can heal anyone to an extent. Humans and animals, anything living that's injured," she said proudly. Snape's eyes seemed to glaze over a bit as he considered this.

"Tell me Miss Tselios, what are the limits of your... talent?"

"Well, I'm not entirely sure to be honest. I don't generally come across very serious injuries. I can do serious burns, dislocations, and breaks. I know that much."

Snape digested this and sat quietly for a moment, just thinking. Clianthe wondered what he could be thinking about so intently. Did he need to be healed in some way? He seemed fine.

"Why do you ask sir?" she asked gently. Turning his attention back to Clianthe, Snape replied,

"I was merely curious. That is not something one sees often. Thank you for your time Miss Tselios."

Having been dismissed, Clianthe gathered her things once more, feeling confused and somehow sad that it was time for her to go.

That's ridiculous! She scolded herself. Why do I feel sad? I didn't want to see him today in the first place!

"Oh! And Miss Tselios..." began Snape abruptly. Clianthe's heart beat quickly just at having been stopped from leaving by him again.

"Yes sir?"

"This ability of yours... it's very impressive. I commend you," he said with a soft smile.

Even Clianthe who knew him so well was not used to the sight of this smile. The warmth of his smile and praise swept through her fiercely. She could not help but beam at her Professor.

"Thank you sir," she said gratefully. With that, Clianthe sauntered from the room. The smile would not leave her face. Not only had she been graced with Snape's rare smile, but he had praised her talent as well. She had never been so proud of herself, and she could sometimes have quite an ego. Clianthe felt that she had earned Snape's respect long ago, but now to be praised by him was a greater gift than she could have asked for. She felt like she was bursting with joy and pride, all thoughts of her humiliation having been banished from her mind.

In order to keep herself from acting strangely around others, Clianthe headed out to the grounds. Laughing gaily, she strolled into the Forbidden Forest, her arms swinging freely. Absentmindedly, she began to hum a lighthearted tune. After a few minutes, Clianthe paused. There was something she had heard that felt off... The normal sounds of the forest made it hard for Clianthe to concentrate. The leaves rustling, the birds calling... What was there that didn't belong?

There it was. A bird was cawing softly, but the sound was coming from the ground, not up high like the rest of the birdcalls.

Following the sound, Clianthe found a bird- a hawk- lying on the ground. When Clianthe reached it, the bird hushed and looked at her. The intelligent eyes that stared at her made the hawk seem almost human.

"Are you injured?" asked Clianthe softly. The hawk only blinked. Examining her patient a bit more, Clianthe saw that one of its wings was in fact broken. At once Clianthe's heart began to hurt for the hawk. Treasuring nature and its animals like she did, it killed her to see any creature in pain.

"Hold on, don't worry. I'm going to make it all right," she reassured the animal as she reached out and touched the wing as gently as she could.

Focusing her power, Clianthe watched as the wing quickly mended. She smiled in relief as the hawk hesitantly hopped to its feet and tested its wings. As it did, Clianthe's eyes were drawn to a splash of color on its other wing.

"That's odd," she murmured aloud, "You have an orange feather on your wing."

The bird cawed, as if in agreement. Clianthe chuckled and stood up.

"Well, I wish you the best of luck," she said politely. Clianthe had no more than turned away and taken a few steps when she heard a thud and the rustling of leaves behind her.

"How did you do that?" called a voice from behind her. Clianthe spun around in shock. The hawk was no longer there, for in its place stood a young man that she recognized from several years ago.

"Percy Weasley?" she continued incredulously. "You're an animagus? Oh... that explains the orange feather."

Percy chuckled a bit as he brushed leaves off of his clothes and bright orange hair.

"It's a recent development, being an animagus. Request of the Minister of Magic. To help keep an eye on things and such. Don't tell anyone, please Clianthe," he requested.

"I won't, don't worry," assured Clianthe.

"Really though, how did you do that?" Percy insisted.

"It's just something I've been able to do all my life," answered Clianthe. I can't believe I'm having to explain this twice in one day, she thought in amusement.

"What are you doing here?" she continued.

"Ministry business," was Percy's reply. "I only phased back to ask how you'd done it and to say thank you. Well... I must admit, it's also nice to see an old face from Hogwarts. We were never close friends, but we ought to have been. I'm sorry we weren't. Perhaps someday we can become better acquainted."

"I'd like that," Clianthe agreed.

"Anyway, I've got to be going. I've been here for quite a bit longer than I should have," he said.

"Alright then." Percy shifted his feet a bit, thinking.

"Look Clianthe, do you come here often? To the Forest I mean."

"Every so often, yes. Why do you ask?"

"Well... I'll probably be coming around here again, for work and all that. I hope we run into each other again," Percy said. His posture seemed stiff, but he wore a kind and genuine smile.

Clianthe nodded and grinned.

"I'll see you later Percy."

Without a sound, Percy disappeared and the hawk returned once more. Clianthe watched as his bird form soared off into the sky. Suddenly inspired, she latched onto the lowest branch of a nearby tree and hauled herself a decent ways up. Looking out over the forest, she felt powerful from her spot high above. As if the whole forest was hers to command. It was a thrilling feeling.

This has been a good day, she thought with a content smile.