Oh my, it's been a while since I've updated this. I apologize to those who have been patiently waiting for this chapter. This chapter be a bit short, but I hope that you enjoy it.

...

Snape looked out as Medusa moved along. He insisted that she let him walk, but she would always counter that they would move faster if she held him. He felt guilty as he knew that the ground must have been hot against her underside. They had been traveling for hours and he knew that she had to be tired. He suggested that they rest for a bit, but she seemed rather reluctant to stop.

"Come now," Snape said softly, "you yourself said that Kimi is just fine. You must be tired, if not sore from the hot ground."

It was only then that she looked down at herself as he looked down as well, finally being able to. The lower part of her tail look blistered from the heat. He winced as he forced her to set him down. Muttering a spell, he doused her lower body with cold water as well as the hot ground. She sighed in content as she covered her tail in the cool mud. He smiled softly, glad to see he could be of some use to her. He didn't even comment as he watched the ends of her robes get muddy. He sat down on a rock after cooling it off.

"Where did you find Kimi?" he asked.

"She found me, actually," Medusa giggled sheepishly, reclining in her coils. "She sort of stuck... and we became friends."

He chuckled as that very much reminded him of Savanah and Izzy. "Gives you some sanity in your crazy life?"

She giggled some more. "I guess you could say that."

He sighed, "I don't know what I'm going to do."

"What do you mean?"

"When we find Kimi, I will have to go back..."

"Why not run?"

"I can't, I have two others that I came with who got turned into pigs. Plus, I signed a contract... I have no way of getting out of it."

"If you could get out of it?"

"I'll go back to my job as a teacher, and try and keep my promise that I made to someone... special."

"What promise is that?" She looked at him curiously.

"I promised that I would protect her son with my life. Now... now, I have no possible way of doing that."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I should have just left those two simpletons when Kohaku told me to go."

They were quiet for the rest of the time that they rested. Snape went willingly when she hoisted him up as she continued on. He didn't want to talk anymore as he grew heavily depressed by the thought of failing Lily. Medusa was kind enough to not force any conversation on him as she simply held him close. He didn't realize that he had fallen asleep some time afterward until she had gently pushed the hair out of his face.

"Ves, I do believe that we have arrived," she spoke softly as he lifted his head up and looked out to see a light bouncing toward them.

"I suppose that he is our guide," he yawned, grateful that she was gentle setting him back on his feet.

Their guide paused before turning and guiding them down the path from which it came. They followed it as they made sure not to let it too far out of their sight. After walking for a little bit, they came to a cottage. They walked up to it curiously and paused when the door opened.

"Come in," a voice said inside. Medusa and Snape glanced at each other. "Well, I don't have all day."

"Why does this all sound so rehearsed," Snape grumbled.

"Who knows?" Medusa chortled. "I... won't be able to..."

"I under-"

"Ves!"

"Wha-what?" Snape turned to see that Medusa had somehow shrunk down to a more manageable height, as in shorter than him. "Well now, looks like you'll be looking up to me."

"You're horrible," she hissed. Her body language was clearly reading that she was pouting as he smiled back and moved aside.

"Ladies first, Medusa," he said, gesturing to the door.

She looked at him in confusion as she went in. She paused at the door. "I don't want to trail in mud..."

"Oh my, you had been out in the hot sun, hadn't you?" An exact replica of Yubaba walked up to the door.

Twins, he mentally noted with wide eyes, but she is so much nicer.

After Zeniba had performed another spell, they both went inside the little cottage. It was much more homey than Yubaba's bathhouse. They looked around in awe.

"Please, please, come in," Zeniba said. "You must be exhausted."

"I can assure you that I am fine," Snape replied, "but Medusa, on the other hand..."

"Of course, you should rest, the both of you," she stated, "Please, stay for the night. Rest and in the morning, we shall discuss what you came here for."

Snape and Medusa followed Zeniba as she led them to a little room that was prepared for guests. Snape thanked her as she smiled up at him before leaving them be. He turned and smile at Medusa, who was getting comfy on the bed made for her. She did look quite exhausted, and her belly was still a bit blistered. He winced at the sight of them. He didn't wish to disturb her though as she was already fast asleep. Not knowing what else to do, he settled himself on the bed and looked up at the ceiling. I hope Potter isn't getting himself into too much trouble, he thought.

...

Snape: You're slipping.

MsN: I know! T^T

Alucard: Leave her be, now.

Chase: She is trying.

MsN: *slams head on desk* Fail...