Disclaimer: I do not own the song "Pretty Rave Girl" or Harry Potter or X-Box 360 and Halo 3. They belong to I Am Xray or DJ S3rl, JK Rowling, Microsoft Corp, and Bungie respectively. 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.

Warning: This chapter contains mentionings of bisexuality, attempted suicide, and violence. If you disapprove then just don't read.

Chapter 7: Safety Net

After she was through screaming, Severus and Braeden got up, showered and got dressed then Apperated to the American Bureau of Magic New Orleans Field Office. Her boss, Branch Chief of Undercover Field Operations Morris J. Scott, greeted them and escorted them to his office. He was not very pleased with having an angry father and worried mother sitting in his office. He had not planned on this happening at all. Besides his best agent and the Brit were about an hour late, so even he was getting a bit on edge. "Briefing first, but let these people know that you two are alive. It'll keep me from being hexed into next week. Besides, it's not on the to-do list," he ordered in a gruff voice as they walked to his office.

"Yes, sir, sorry about that," she responded "It won't happen again, promise." Severus nodded in absolute agreement, worried that they were both in major trouble with her boss. They walked in and saw Narcissa sitting in a chair crying with Lucius trying to console her. Both Braeden and Severus cringed when they saw this. "I'm so sorry, Sevi…" she whispered to her friend as she reached for his hand. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently. She looked up at him, softly smiled, and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek. Then she sighed, let go of Snape's hand, and walked up to her parents. "Mum…Papa..." she said softly trying not to cry.

"My baby!! Oh thank you, sweet Brigit!! Are you okay? Are you hurt?" cried a very relieved Narcissa as she rushed to hug her daughter. She looked at Braeden making sure she didn't see any bruises or cuts.

"Yes mum…It took longer than I thought…I'm sorry…I didn't mean to…" Braeden whispered softly as her hair changed to a very pale blue.

"You both had us scared to death, Braeden," Lucius calmly said, "Charlie's outside…I might join him…I think he's taken up smoking…He's been worried about the both of you…even more than we have…He had to come over to the Manor just so Molly and Arthur didn't have to worry about him running off to find you two."

"Papa… please don't be mad…" pleading Braeden biting her lip. She was worried that he would be mad at her for not letting them know that she and Severus were okay.

"Not mad, sweetie, just worried…I don't think we could bear losing you…not after what we all went through after losing your momma and daddy…"Lucius whispered as he hugged his daughter tightly. He looked up at Severus and asked, "Did anyone hurt her?"

"Luckily no…She missed a dose of her meds and tried to talk and started coughing…It took awhile to get it under control…A bit longer than normal…"Snape replied with a straight face. He hated lying to his best friends but he couldn't just very well say, "Not sure about that but she was spaced out a bit and then she and I were starting to go at it when the handheld went off." It just wasn't very tactful and plus Narcissa was in the room. He would talk to Lucius about everything later, alone. Plus he had to get advice on how to handle his feelings that he had about Braeden. It was starting to confuse and distract him.

They heard a man clearing his throat. They turned and looked it was Morris. He sighed and said, "This is good and all but let's get back to the matter at hand, shall we…" Everyone nodded in agreement. "Well let's debrief in the staff room…Braeden, you parents can wait here in my office," said Morris as he was leaving the room.

"Yes, sir," Severus and Braeden replied and followed him out of the office and towards the staff room down the hall. Narcissa and Lucius were glad to know that their daughter and Severus were alive. The debriefing took about three hours, but all the necessary intel was given. Thankfully for the both of them, the part about the hotel and what happened afterwards was left out. When they got back to his office, the chief told them that they were free to go and that their work was greatly appreciated. Morris also ordered Braeden to take at least two months off. She was not happy about this. Actually, to tell the truth, she was absolutely pissed off. She voiced her protest to the chief and everyone including her parents could hear her. "We are this close, chief… this fucking close…no fucking way…I'm deputy chief of undercover field ops…my group needs me, damn it...Only pussies take the day off…" she yelled as her face turned red as well as her hair. Everyone was in shock at the sight of the normally quiet seraph showing her anger.

"Braeden, language…" warned Lucius as Narcissa gasped at her daughter using such rude language. They never realized that she had such a temper.

"Sorry dad, but it's not fair," she replied as she pounded her fist on the desk, "I refuse to take time off!"

"Those are your orders…" growled Morris, "It's in your best interest to take time off."

"That's for desk jockeys, not aurors, sir…" Braeden shouted.

"Braeden…" said Lucius giving her a warning look hoping she would just accept the offer.

"Dad, not now…" she started "FINE!! FINE!!!WHATEVER! I'll take the time off!" she yelled as she stormed off.

"Thank you, Chief Scott, she certainly needs to rest after this," said Lucius to Morris as he, Severus, and Narcissa exited the office. Severus went on ahead outside to talk to Braeden and Charlie. Narcissa ran to catch up to him. He slowed down and waited when he saw her running towards him.

"Sev, you are more than welcome at our place tonight as well. Charlie will also be staying with us," offered Narcissa. Severus thought it over and decided that maybe this was the chance he needed to talk to Lucius alone to see what he needed to do. Lucius caught up with the two as they were talking.

"I think I'll accept that offer, but I can only stay for a few hours. I have quite a number of potions on stasis to tend to, including Braeden's throat potion. Luce and I do need to talk alone though on some things," Severus answered as he looked at Lucius.

"Of course, Sev," smiled Narcissa, "Draco will be happy to see you." Lucius smiled as well but was worried about his friend. He figured that it had something to do with his daughter and the young Weasley boy. He knew already how his dark headed friend felt about his daughter. He could always tell by how Severus acted around the younger couple. When the three walked outside, they saw Charlie trying to talk to Braeden. They were talking in-between hits on cigarettes.

"Are you okay? I was worried," Charlie said as he tried to put his arms around her, "Is Sevi okay? They didn't hurt you two did they?"

"He's okay…I'm fine…I'm pissed off to hell and back, but fine," Braeden responded as she pushed him away. Severus felt sorry for Charlie as the younger man looked at him in the eyes, distressed.

"Your parents invited me over since I was a nervous wreck…Draco and I were playing chess when Lucius flooed the Ministry to get a hold of the ABM…It took Draco, Lucius, and Narcissa every ounce of sanity to keep me from using a port key to go to New Orleans to find you and Sevi…If I would have lost you two…If I lost you…" he said nervously as he turned to look at her.

"I'm not staying with them. I'm staying here," she stated staring into the darkness.

"No you are not young lady. You are coming with us," Lucius ordered. The young couple both jumped when they heard his voice. They didn't hear the three walking up to them until Lucius started to speak.

"Papa…I," Braeden protested and she put out her cigarette. Charlie patted her shoulder and Severus gave her a sympathetic look.

"No…not after the scare that you gave all of us…" replied Narcissa worried that the younger woman would try to continue her work alone with her boss not knowing.

"Yes ma'am…" Braeden said defeated. Charlie put out his cigarette as well and everyone gathered around.

"Come, let's go home," said Lucius as he held up the port key, a small teddy bear. Everyone touched the port key and was transported to Malfoy Manor. Narcissa was talking to Charlie and Braeden about what to do tomorrow after breakfast. Severus and Lucius went to a far corner to talk alone.

"I don't know what to do anymore, Luce," Severus whispered, "I feel so torn and lost…"

"It's okay. I know that you love her. I even know that you have developed a bit of a friendship with Charlie as well. I also know that you want Braeden to be with Charlie… You sure you want that? You could tell them the truth," noted Lucius as he patted Severus on the shoulder.

"I want her to be happy…I also want him to be happy…He's in love with her…She's in love with him…She just comes to me for comfort…but she goes about it the wrong way. I won't lie to you, I want her so badly…but I'm willing to give her up and let her go…to let them have a life…I love Braeden that much…I always have and always will…Please don't tell anyone…" Severus said softly with pain in his voice.

"I won't Severus, I promise…But you should talk to them…" Lucius whispered as they walked towards the others. Just then Draco came running down the stairs and bolted towards the group. He started hugging everyone. He was grateful that everyone was okay, especially his sister and godfather. Suddenly he remembered what he wanted to tell the slightly older redheaded wizard.

"Hey Charlie, I figured out how to get the X-Box 360 to work!" exclaimed Draco as he pulled Charlie upstairs to his room, "Come on! You promised that you would play Halo 3 with me!!"

"Go have fun, Charlie…glad it's you and not me…" said Braeden smiling as Charlie looked at her helplessly. Narcissa doubled over in laughter at the sight.

"Sev, why don't you and I go and join them. It's actually quite an impressive game!" said Lucius as he and Severus walked after the two young men. Narcissa and Braeden looked at each other and smiled. They were glad that men were going to bond over a game.

"I'll get one of the elves to get those boys some snacks…" laughed Narcissa. "Twink!" she called loudly. an elf appeared with a pop.

"Yes mistress?" the elf squeaked at Narcissa.

"Please bring the men some snacks to Draco's room please…" asked Narcissa in a sweet tone.

"What would the mistress like for Twink to bring them?" the elf asked in a squeak.

"Let's see, some cold sodas, Chocolate Frogs, and butter popcorn, please…" replied Narcissa.

"Yes mistress," Twink squeaked.

"Thanks Twink," Narcissa said as the elf Disapperated with a pop. She turned to look at Braeden. "Do you want to join the boys?" she asked. Braeden shook her head. "Are you tired, sweetie?" she asked hoping that that was what was wrong. Again Braeden shook her head. "Are you mad at us for making you stay here?" Narcissa asked praying that her daughter wasn't mad. Braeden shook her head again once more. "What would you like to do?" Narcissa asked, worried about her only daughter.

"I don't know…" Braeden softly replied, "I…"

"I have a brilliant idea!!" smiled Narcissa, "Let's go to your room, listen to music and talk!"

"Okay, mum…" smiled Braeden softly as the two women walked up the stairs to her bedroom. When they got there, Braeden couldn't believe her eyes. Her room looked like she had been living there all along and had never left. The walls were a soft shade of lilac, the furniture was the same dark wood as the rest of the house, and there was even a dark colored hardwood floor. Narcissa and Molly made sure the bed linens matched the walls and Charlie made sure her posters and photos were hung up in frames. Severus had set up a small potions lab in one corner. Hermione made sure she had several bookshelves for her small personal library. Lucius and Arthur even made sure that she had a small stereo system for her handheld to dock into and play music. Fleur and Ginny made sure her clothes were neatly put away. Percy and Bill made sure she had a personal floo set up. Draco, Ron and Harry even wanted to help by setting up a desk for her laptop. She turned to Narcissa with tears in her eyes and gave her a hug. "Thanks mum…" she whispered as her hair turned pale pink, "I love it…very much…"

"I asked Fleur what your room in her apartment looked like…she said that you were basically living out of a suitcase and sleeping on the couch…" Narcissa noted.

"Yeah…I don't like settling down anywhere…too much pain…"said Braeden softly as her hair darkened to black.

"Well for at least for the next two months, you have a safety net… But I want you to stay for longer than that…" Narcissa whispered as she hugged her daughter again. "What do you want to listen to?" she asked.

"How about some of my music for the rave club? I can still work there right?" asked Braeden as her hair turned to red with blonde.

"Club Luminos? If your dad agrees, then yes. Only if he agrees. And sure as long as it's not too loud," smiled Narcissa. Braeden smiled and put her handheld onto the stereo docking station. Her favorite song, "Pretty Rave Girl", started to play. Narcissa laughed and stated "That is so definitely you!" as Braeden started to dance. The boys could hear the music down the hall and went to see what was going on. They couldn't believe what they were seeing...Narcissa and Braeden were dancing around the room. Lucius and Snape just rolled their eyes while Charlie and Draco laughed. Narcissa looked at the boys, started to laugh and said "Sorry it's so loud!"Braeden laughed as well.

"It is fine dear…I take this as a request to go back to Club Luminos…"said Lucius as he looked at Braeden and smiled.

"Yes sir…if that's okay…" she asked hoping that he would say yes.

"Of course dear…if that's what you want…" smiled Lucius.

"Yes Papa, I really do…" as she hugged Lucius tightly "Thanks…"

The days went by slowly for Braeden. She worked at Club Luminos on the weekends. She played X-Box 360 with Draco, Ron and Harry during the day. Fleur would receive extra tutoring in English from her in-between rounds of X-Box 360. The family would go over to the Weasleys' house for dinner most nights. Sometimes the Weasley clan with Severus, Harry, Hermione, and Fleur would come by the Manor for dinner. Severus would even visit alone from time to time as well. She made potions to stock up the medicine cabinet. Most of her time was spent in her room listening to her music. Charlie would visit but he would hear the music through the door and would wait but after three hours would get up and leave. Lucius and Narcissa noticed and talked to Severus, Arthur, and Molly about the situation.

"They need to talk to each other, we all know that," said Lucius.

"I know, but Luce…He's scared of hurting her," replied Molly

"I agree but I can't have her showing up at my place begging me to be with her…I can't take it anymore…"Snape responded, "I fear that I may give in…I want her to be with who she truly wants and I know it isn't me…She sees me as her friend…and that's all I ever want to be…" Lucius noted the look of sadness on his friend's face. He knew how Severus really felt about Braeden and knew Severus was denying his true feelings. He wished his friend would just admit to how he felt. Lucius sighed at the thought.

"Our boy does need to do something, Molly, or he'll lose her," noted Arthur. The others agreed to that statement.

"Isn't he in Romania right now?" asked Narcissa to Arthur and Molly.

"Yes but he's been coming home more often because of her. I'm just glad to see him more than just holidays," smiled Molly. Arthur nodded in agreement.

"She's good for him and he's good for her…"stated Severus as he looked down at his hands.

"I just wish that they would realize that…" said Lucius as he looked at Severus. He was worried about the potions professor.

"Don't the kids start school soon?" asked Narcissa as she thought hard.

"Yes, but…oh I get it…The five of us can take the kids to get supplies and let them have some time alone…Perfect!!!" squealed Molly.

"I don't know…" said Arthur and Lucius as Severus continued to look down at his hands. But it was too late Narcissa and Molly had already started to make plans.

The end is drawing near. One chapter left to go! Thanks for those of you who have read this story. I'm starting writing a sequel 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!