A/N: Another chapter...I think this story has been neglected by me in favor of the other one...but I think I'm finding my stride with it...and am excited about where it is heading! Would love to hear thoughts as always. Going to work on the Love at Your Darkest next for those that read that too.

Chapter 10: The Anniversary Part 1

"Sev," Andromeda's voice was quiet as she spoke his name. They had gone out almost every night until Severus returned to Hogwarts and then after he returned, they managed either a Friday or a Saturday at Hogsmeade each week for the past two months.

But this particular night in March, they both had work to do, so Severus suggested a quiet night at Hogwarts with a bottle of wine while Andromeda filled out paperwork and Severus graded his fifth year's essays. They worked in easy silence, both enjoying the companionship, but Andi was undeniably unable to focus completely on her work this night.

"Yes?" Severus didn't look up, instead marking up the exam he was working on with a flourish that would cause any student to shudder…and hope to Merlin it wasn't their paper he was destroying which such a zeal.

Andi looked at the way he was grading with a smile, "This is what gives you such a reputation…that poor child."

"A fifth year is hardly a poor child…and this happens to be a student that is capable of far more. Even as Headmistress, Minerva is coddling her Gryffindors and Aurora is not much better as their head now," Severus grunted, with frustration. But then he looked up, "For the record, I'm not overly harsh and I can assure you that I take no sadistic pleasure in this."

"I know that," Andi gave a small laugh. "Sev, I have to talk to you about something…"

"You look nervous," Severus commented with a frown. "What is wrong?"

"I just wanted to know if you have talked to Sarah recently," Andi said.

"Um," Severus's frowned deepened, "maybe we floo called last week or it might have been the week before. I'm having a hard time getting ahold of her. She's been busy. The aurors are running her into the ground but I didn't really anticipate otherwise. Why do you ask?"

"I ran into her at the ministry yesterday," Andi said, "And I have to say, it was a little awkward. It feels like I'm lying to her. And she is my family too, so it's putting me in a bit of a situation. I understand that it hasn't been that long, but it has been two months of us seeing a lot of each other, so…" she frowned, "And we've kissed, so…" she paused, remembering their first kiss. He was so sweet and gentlemanly, and clearly nervous which endeared her more to him. She knew it meant something, but now she was doubting. Was she reading the whole thing wrong?

"Andromeda…" Severus's voice was low.

"I mean…this isn't platonic, is it?" she asked, "My feelings are growing rapidly, Severus, so if you have doubts and that is not what you want, please just tell me."

Severus banished the papers to the other room and then stood with his wine to sit next to her on the sofa. He took a sip of the wine and then put it on the coffee table. He reached for her hand, kissing it briefly before putting it on his knee, "Not what I want? I'm not keeping this close to us because I'm ashamed of you…or what is going on between us. But, I just need to know this is right…"

"For whom?"

"For you, Andromeda," Severus said. "I know you care about Sarah and I like that you have taken such an interest in her. She needs to have this tie to her father's family and I would never want to interfere with that."

"I understand that," Andromeda searched his eyes, "Are you worried of how she will react?"

"I am unsure of her reaction. We have never been here before…Sarah and I. I don't want either of you to get hurt. I want to protect both of you in this."

"But surely, she wouldn't begrudge you happiness," Andi said, "she loves you so much."

"I don't think she truly would," Severus said, "but Sarah and I have had our rough moments these past seven years and the wounds that she was left with growing up without Sirius Black…Andromeda, you have no idea."

Andi looked sorrowful, "Sirius's inprisionment was hard for all of us…I can't imagine how it was for Grace and Sarah."

"And then what I did to her as well after killing Dumbledore, and what she went through at the Dark Lord's and Bellatrix's hands…she mustn't feel like I don't need her anymore since I have you…or that she can't come to me if I am busy with you…and you mustn't feel like you aren't important either…" he turned them so he could put his hands tenderly on her face, "but I'm afraid if I tell Sarah, it will put pressure on you to ensure that this works and I don't want you to feel that pressure, Andi, not if you aren't ready for more."

"I don't know what I'm ready for," Andi said, "but my feelings, Sev…they are getting deeper…and I'm scared. And then I feel like this is such rubbish of me to feel so scared of something that is so wonderful between us!"

"Shh," he kissed her tenderly, "I know. But there really is nothing to fear here. We both have our wounds from the past that we have to content with Andi. It's natural for that to be disconcerting."

"Yes, indeed. There is also a rather big hippogryph in the room," Andromeda murmured, reluctantly pulling away as he kissed her more passionately, his hands moving up and down her sides.

He studied her, "Sex?" he asked, his voice even.

She nodded.

"Whenever, Andi…" Severus said, cautiously.

She inclined her head, "Sev, I'm a grandmother."

Severus couldn't help but laugh.

"It isn't funny," Andi defended herself.

"I'm sorry. Do you think you are too old for sex?" he asked, that blunt fashion that Andromeda was now so used to.

"And that's not what I meant…well, not exactly."

"Andromeda," his voice turned gentle, soothing almost, "if your sister hadn't gotten involved, I'd be a grandfather as well."

"Yes, but Sarah is years younger than Dora was."

"It doesn't matter."

"And if you date someone even a few years younger than me, you could still have children."

"I have a child. You've met her. You said that she's sweet, remember?"

She ignored his sarcasm, "But you always said you wished that you had her all along."

"Of course that is true, but…" Severus frowned, "it's not about whether or not I could have children with you, Andi, it's simply that I want to be with you. That you accept me…even for who I am. That's so much more important to me than your age." He shifted and the moved his hands to her shoulders, massaging them gently, "Listen to me. I do wish I had Sarah from the start. But I will be content with grandchildren one day…and get to see them from the start. And I'm sure I'll be forced to be uncle or godfather or grandfather or some sort of rubbish to Potter's future children…"

"You act like that is such a burden," Andi chided.

"No," Severus shook his head, "Harry and I are finding our peace and he has grown so much in the past two years. Just, what I am saying is that there will be loads of kids around…but I'm not innately paternal…it took so much practice and Sarah just brought it out of me so I'd be more than content with my grandchildren…"

"Okay," she laughed. "I do think you are innately paternal, but that is another matter."

He shrugged, "I'll be innately grandfatherly, then…"

She laughed again, "As long as you are sure that isn't an issue for you."

"Trust me," Severus said, adamantly, "no issue here. So what is this really about?"

She pursed her lips, "That."

He flicked her cheek, affectionately, "that's awfully close to a pout, Andromeda."

She pulled off a full pout.

"Adorable," Severus said, dryly.

"I thought you would appreciate that."

"Immensely. You have great pouting abilities, though maybe a scowl would be more appropriate."

She scowled for him and he chuckled. "That reminds me of how you looked when you were my solicitor."

Andi couldn't help but laugh, "I have to be tough, Severus, to succeed in my field."

"And I concede that you are quite good in your field. I'm indeed grateful that you are," Severus said. "Do you know what you are also good at?"

"What?"

"Changing the subject," Severus rubbed her leg, "Tell me what you are thinking."

She bit her lip, "Ted and I were married."

Severus looked at her quizzically, "Yes, I know."

"Twenty odd years of sex with just that one person and you get used to that person and it becomes familiar, but only in the best, most intimate ways…"

"I understand that," Snape nodded, seriously, "It makes perfect sense."

"Yes," she affirmed, reaching for her wine and taking a sip, "And I never ever wanted to have sex with anybody but Ted after I started and…then you come along and all the sudden…"

He raised an eyebrow, "All the sudden what?"

"I think I want to, but…I don't know," she let out her breath. "I was so much more appealing as a twenty year old."

"You are appealing now," Severus assured, "And if it makes you feel better, it's been years of celibacy for me so the fact that you have even had sex in the past few years, is a vast improvement over my sorry plight."

Her mouth dropped opened, "but didn't you…" she became fluster, "I assumed…I mean you were a death eater so didn't you…?"

"I couldn't have, but I didn't," Severus said, quietly, "And he didn't understand my complete celibacy, but he wouldn't force me to take a woman that I didn't want. The others were so sex driven and depraved. I wanted no part in that. Even the Dark Lord would get frustrated with his followers over that. His focus was always on Bellatrix…occasionally Narcissa and then…" Severus's look turned excruciatingly raw, "he must have a sexual preoccupation with members of your family."

"Oh, Severus," Andi's look was so compassionate, "What you must have gone through when he was making all those plans for her…"

He nodded, "I shudder to think what would have happened, but let's focus here. What do you want?"

She lowered her eyes and then raised them to meet his, "I want us to explore everything there is to explore about this relationship. Just as long as you know that I feel completely upended at the prospect…"

"Andi," Severus smoothed down her hair, "does all that mean that you would you like to spend the night tonight?"

She nodded.

"That's good," he smiled at her.

"You do know, I like it so much when you smile. It's so rare and then you do…and it's…wonderful."

Severus actually blushed in response to that declaration.

"Sev!" Andi laughed, "I embarrassed you. You are always so stoic with your emotions."

"I let my shields down with you…you and Sarah."

"I'm honored," She said, sobering up at the seriousness of his words and the implications of them. She loved that their relationship was different for him.

"No, it is I that is honored," Severus said, leaning down and kissing her. He kept it short and then pulled away, "Call Remus and tell him that you won't be home so he won't worry."

She cringed, "Won't that just be announcing our intentions?"

He shrugged, "We are all adults here, Andromeda," he looked positively wicked, "in fact some of us are grandparents."

She smacked him on the arm, "Watch it."

He chuckled.

She stood, "And is it inappropriate for you to have company in your quarters at Hogwarts?"

He stood, "Minerva knows we have a relationship and she whole-heartedly approves. The students don't have access to my quarters, only Sarah is allowed in by the wards."

"Okay, then," Andi said. She floo called Remus quickly (who to his credit acted like it was the most natural thing in the world for her not to come home) and then turned back to Severus, who had resumed grading his papers.

She reached for her wine, "Come along then, Sev, before I lose my nerve."

He banished the papers aside again and stood and strode over to her with such a determination. He took her arm and led them to his bedroom.

"Take another sip," he told her.

She took a few more sips and then he took her wine and then placed it on his dresser.

"Sev…" Andi's voice was hoarse.

He smoothed her hair down again, "Your hair is positively wild at times, Andi."

"Like Bella's," she said it was such a forlorn tone that it caused Severus to pause.

"Does the resemblance bother you?"

"Well, yes," Andi admitted.

"Why?"

"Everyone sees Bellatrix and sees this woman made uglier by her maniac darkness…even Sarah and Harry did a double-take when they saw me."'

Severus twisted the end of her frizzy hair, "Well, you can tell that you are sisters, but you are much prettier than Bella was though," Severus said, "in fact, I think you are quite enchanting." He pulled her in for a hug, holding her against him, "I don't want you nervous or scared," he murmured, "but I must confess, I am a bit nervous myself."

"You are always so steady, Sev," She sighed. And then she pulled away, "Let's just be nervous together, shall we?"

And his only reply was a kiss, followed by much more…their nervousness quickly fading away as other emotions took over.

March turned into April. Sarah and George were busy following leads on Yaxley, but so far none had materialized. In late April, Robards held a meeting.

"We are advising Hogwarts to send the students home for a mini-holiday on the anniversary of the great battle," Robards said. "They leave tomorrow."

Sarah's forehead creased in worry, "Have there been threats?" she asked.

He plopped down a parchment in front of her, "Recognize the handwriting?"

"I'm pretty sure that's Yaxley's handwriting," Sarah said, "I have looked at enough evidence to know." She turned to George, handing him the parchment. "What do you think?

"I agree," George said.

"Indeed," Robards said, "And it is a clear threat to Hogwarts on the anniversary of the last battle. That's three days from now."

She looked at the parchment again, studying the threat. "It won't be at Hogwarts," she said.

"I happen to agree," Robards nodded, "What are you thinking?"

"Voldemort never advocated threatening magical children because he believed them to be the future of our race…so, I have to believe to truly honor Voldemort, it will be another attack on muggles."

"Good, Black," he praised, "I want you and George to go back over the files yet again…see if you can find any connection with any muggle villages…"

She nodded, "Yes, sir," she and George both said.

"We are going to send the students home as a precaution. The professors will have the choice to remain," Robards said. "It will also force them to look elsewhere in case we are miscalculating. Black, Weasley, I'm counting on you to figure this out."

"Yes, sir," they said as Robards left them.

"So," Sarah turned to George, "I've been thinking about this for months now."

"Yeah…"

"Nobody has seen him so either he is in hiding and hasn't been out very much, which is what we have been assuming or he has been polyjuicing it."

"Polyjuicing it?" George asked, amused.

"Yeah, and if he is polyjuicing it, then those ingredients, they are some rare enough that they wouldn't be found in a normal potions store. "

"So, he has to have a supplier. Let's trace the suppliers. Do you have a list?"

"No, but I know who will be able to help us with this," Sarah said.

"Snape?"

She nodded, "Will you come with me to Hogwarts?"

George closed the file, "Let's go. We'll tell Lupin."

She stood, "Sounds great."

"Sorry to bother you in between classes," Sarah said, as George and her stood in Snape's office. She looked around, "I haven't been here in a while."

"Me either," George said, "And it usually wasn't good when I was here."

Sarah laughed, "I'm sure of that."

"I don't have much time," Snape said and then gestured to them, "Sit and tell me what I can help you with."

"Thanks," Sarah and George sat in the chairs in front of his desk and Snape sat on his desk.

"We will get straight to the point," Sarah said, "We think that Yaxley might be using polyjuice potion…"

"Or as Sarah so aptly calls it, "Polyjuicing it," George interjected.

"Polyjuicing it? I won't even comment on that as your former potions professor," Snape raised an eyebrow, "But I am curious. Why do you think that, Sarah?"

"All of our leads have fizzled out," Sarah smoothed down her skirt and crossed her legs, "I feel like to stay so hidden, he must be taking on a new identity…and polyjuice could do that. But some of the ingredients are hard to procure…like the…" her voice faded off as a memory flooded her…she knew all about having to procure those rare ingredients.

"Like the powered horn of a bicorn and shredded horn of a boomslang that you stole from me…" Snape said, dryly.

George turned to her, "You stole from Snape? When?"

"Ah, just second year," she waved off. "Years ago."

"Second year!? Bloody hell, you were such a bad arse."

"And got my bad arse properly walloped for it," Sarah blushed, "but that's not the point. The point is that they are hard to procure…if he is making enough polyjuice to hide out for this year, well, then…some suppliers demand for those ingredients must have gone up."

Snape frowned, "That would all be true, but would Yaxley be able to brew that potion?"

"Hermione and I did as second years…" Sarah pointed out.

"Yes, but you and Ms. Granger were infinitely brighter than Yaxley…still," Snape mulled it over, "he wasn't a bad brewer, so perhaps…"

"We don't have any other leads," George offered, "and this seems like a different angle we should try."

"We need to pinpoint a location for him…and that can help us figure what Yaxley's anniversary target will be," Sarah added.

"Yaxley is behind the threat?" Snape asked, worried.

"We believe so," George said, seriously.

Snape reached for his quill and scribbled on his parchment, "I have three names for you…but getting them to talk might be difficult."

He sent the parchment to her and Sarah caught her. "Brilliant, thanks, Dad."

"Yeah, thanks Professor," George added and Sarah handed him the list.

"Weasley, can I have a minute with Sarah?" Snape asked.

"Sure," George nodded, "I'll just wait outside."

"What is it?" Sarah asked, concerned by his worried look.

"I haven't seen you in months, Sarah Grace."

"I know," Sarah said, apologetically, "And I'm really sorry for that. Things are just swamped."

"All I ask is for you to check in at least once a week…then at the very least I will be assured that you are still alive."

"I'll do that. I promise."

"And a dinner every once in a while wouldn't be too hard on you."

"Okay, Dad," Sarah laughed. "I get your point. I'm sorry."

"You are too thin," Severus studied her, "You have been eating, haven't you?"

She shrugged, "Sometimes I forget."

"You need your strength for this job, Sarah Grace. Three meals a day."

"Okay, three meals a day," She nodded seriously. She went over to kiss his cheek, "I'll be better about checking in with you. I promise."

"Good," Severus patted her arm, "Now, go on. And for Merlin's sake, be careful, Sarah."

She got to the door and then turned around, "You look really good, Dad," she mused, "any reason for that?"

"I eat three meals a day," Snape didn't miss a beat.

She laughed, "Point taken yet again. Love you."

"Love you too, little girl."

"Don't be too hard on those first years. I'm sure they are not all dunderheads."

"Off you go," Severus gestured to her.

And when she left, he sat down, tapping his fingers on the desk. He knew he had to talk to her and soon…but he would let her get through hunting down Yaxley…after the anniversary of the last battle. She had to remain focused on her task ahead…her life depended on it.

"Nothing?" Sarah asked, aghast, "but this is our last name. We only have two more days, George!"

"I didn't say it was nothing," George said, "I think it could be something, but I think that maybe you should try this one."

"I think I should have tried all of them," Sarah countered, fiddling with the string to her cape, "but okay."

She opened the door to the shop, her cape trailing behind her, "Hello," she called out taking her hood down.

"Look, I told your partner, I don't know anything," a voice snapped at her.

She looked up to meet the eyes of a man in his late thirties…fair haired, blue eyes, rugged and undeniably handsome.

She paused, "You aren't what I expected," she said, bluntly.

The man froze and then smiled, "I never am," he said, wryly.

"Yes, well," She strode forward and extended a hand, "I'm Sarah Snape-Black."

He paused again from where he was counting coins, "I knew you looked familiar." He reached out his hand to shake hers, "Your reputation proceeds you…"

"My reputation as an auror?" Sarah dropped her hand.

"No," he turned to begin to stack boxes, "I don't care about that nonsense. Your reputation as being the best brewer to come out of Hogwarts in a century."

"Hum, I didn't realize I had that reputation," she said.

"I helped grade the N.E.W.T exams," he confessed, "and Headmistress let it slip that the most brilliant one was yours. Is Severus still in the dark about that?"

"Um, yes," She frowned, "you aren't going to tell him are you?

"I took an oath of confidentiality," he said.

"May I look around?"

"Sure," he nodded, "Just don't touch anything."

"Honestly, I'm not a first year," she exclaimed, sarcasm dripping from her tone.

He raised an eyebrow, "I thought you wanted information."

"I do," Sarah said, "but I'm not going to weasel it out of you by being nice and flirting with you."

"Do you even know how to flirt?"

She shrugged, "I guess you'll never know," she tossed her head.

He laughed and gestured her on.

She strolled around the shop, looking at each of the ingredients and then turned to him, "Do you have a piece of parchment and a quill handy?"

He looked at her, wearily, but conjured what she needed. She took it to the counter and then scribbled a list of ingredients on the parchment. She folded it and handed it back to him, "A proposition."

His eyes never leaving hers, he unfolded it and then his eyes dropped to scan the list. "I would have to wait 6 months for this to be of any benefit for me."

"Well, yes," She acknowledged, "but it would be a benefit…a rather good financial investment."

"And how can I know that you can do this?"

"Well, we are doing it together," She said, "And I was trained and raised by Severus Snape."

"Liquid luck," he marveled, "how do you know that I even have information for you?"

"Gideon," she put her hands on the counter and lean forward, "May I call you Gideon?"

He nodded and she leaned over to whisper in his ear, "Your eyes. They are haunted. And they mirror my own. And I have a feeling I know who did that to you. And if that is true, then certain types of people may still come to you…for supplies…for discretion…but I don't think you fully believe in it…which is why your eyes are haunted and not simply indifferent to it all."

"You are so perceptive," he murmured.

"One of my many charms," she straightened, "And another benefit of being raised by the master of perception. What do you say?"

He studied her a few moments and then extended his hand, "Is this your way of flirting with me?" he asked, his mouth curling up in amusement.

She laughed, a genuine laugh that reached her eyes, "I was never much good at it. Also a product of being raised by Snape, though I guess it's more of a hinderance than a benefit."

"I wouldn't say that," Gideon held her hand, "Tell your friend to come in and wait in the shop. This will take a while and the days are still chilly."

"Great," she turned on her heels to go talk to George.

"I have the ingredients here and the cauldron," Gideon said. "What else do you need?"

Sarah came out of the lavatory, her heels clicking against the floor. She had braided her hair in two braids to get it out of her face.

"Some sort of apron or something," She said, pushing up her sleeves.

He summoned one from the hook, "It's going to be huge on you,"

"No matter," she said, twisting the tie twice around her waist. "Now, maybe juice the squill bulb and I will go ahead and ashwinder egg and horseradish and heat."

They worked side by side, step by step, until finally, Sarah added the sprinkle of common rue and stirred vigorously and expertly.

"Now, here's the rub," she murmured. She reached for her wand again, "Are you ready?" she asked Gideon.

"This spell is complicated," Gideon said, "Are you sure you can do it? If you can't it's going to explode on us."

"Relax," She raised an eyebrow, "You do know the Dark Lord thought me to be incredibly talented…so talented he wanted me to have his evil spawn babies."

"I heard something like that," he said, "Go on then."

She closed her eyes briefly then opened them. She made a figure eight over the cauldron, "Felixempra"

The whole cauldron lit up brightly as her spell met it and they waited with baited breath. It stayed lit.

"When the light goes off, then it's ready. Six months," Sarah said, swiping her wand to carefully move the cauldron to a safe shelf and then swiped her wand yet again to create a protective spell over it.

He nodded, "Thank you."

"Let me help you clean up."

"No, no," he waved her off. He cleared his throat as Sarah untied the apron.

"Go on. What do you know?"

"I never see him, but he has been ordering powered horn of a bicorn and shredded horn of a boomslang for the past 11 months, since the battle at Hogwarts. I think he could be your man. I deliver it to an address in Surrey."

He reached for the parchment and quill. He folded it up and extended his hand, "Here you go."

"Gideon," she looked at his eyes, "thank you."

"You're welcome, Sarah," he said. "But of course, you didn't get this from me."

"Of course, not," she said with a nod. "We have two days to the anniversary."

"I wish you luck," Gideon said, "but I have to warn you, I made a delivery last week and from the place it just looks like he brews and then leaves for some place else. I don't know how much it will help."

"There could be clues there of where his target will be," she said, "any bit helps at this point. Time is of the essence."

"I'm glad," he told her honestly, "and for the record, I think this whole auror thing for you is rubbish. You need to be in our field."

She gave him a wry smile, "I know. Some days I agree with you. But duty calls," she reached for her bag and left him in his lab.

She met George in the shop.

"Merlin, that took forever," he said, "Do you have it?"

She nodded and handed him an address.

"Let's go then," George said with a nod, "and good job."

The address didn't lead them to much, but Sarah and George spent the next day sorting through the evidence. It was the morning of the anniversary and they were both exhausted.

Sarah paced across the floor of the abandoned home. "Wait a minute," she said as the floorboard creaked yet again. "Give me something to crank this up."

"You think there is something there," he asked.

"Yeah, it's slightly lose. Maybe."

She cranked it up and then swiped her wand, "Lumos."

"What is it?"

She smiled, "It's a hairbrush."

"A hairbrush."

"We need to do a DNA spell."

"Sarah, those results takes hours!" George said.

"Yes, but," she turned to him, "I am believing the owner of this hairbrush probably is no longer living, but they have property somewhere. Maybe in the country. Property that a certain death eater can stay at and plan his next move."

"We are running out of time," George said.

"I know, but what else, can we do. He'll make his move at dark since that was when the battle occurred…and probably late at night. He'll want to properly avenge his master's death. So, we can catch him if we can get there in time."

"It will be dark," George said.

"I know," Sarah said, shortly, "not the most ideal time to try to capture him."

"All of this seems like a gamble," George said.

"What other choice to we have?" she asked, waving her wand for the DNA spell.

The spell took them to a wooded property in the moonlight. They had called in and Robards told them to go scope it out and use their locket if they needed back up.

Sarah took a breath. "Are you ready?" she asked.

"Let's go," George said, confidently, his wand extended.

They snuck around until they reached a small clearing.

"Friends," Yaxley was standing on a podium in his formal death eater robes. "Tonight, tonight we avenge the Dark Lord's demise. Tonight, we take it out on the…bitch…." he spat the curse, "who did this to him."

Sarah's eyes scanned the clearing. Ten to fifteen death eaters.

"She bewitched him…ensnared him…spat on him…and now she is his heir…to our kingdom. This is our duty…to destroy her…friends, are you with me?"

Cheers erupted.

"George," she murmured, "What are they talking about?"

"I do believe," George glanced at her, "they are talking about you. This is a trap."

"It can't be a trap," she said, "it was way too hard for us if it was a trap."

"Tonight, we go…to that village of the traitors…tonight we destroy Snape Manor and the village that surrounds it."

"Call for back up," Sarah said, urgently. "We can't take them all."

She waved her wand, putting anti apparation charms around the clearing, but not around the woods. "We have to keep them in the clearing." But her wand movement caused her to back up slightly and it was precisely at the moment the crowd had grew quiet so they could hear the crackle of her charm and the twig snapping.

"I do believe we have visitors, friends," Yaxley said, a light shining in their direction.

"Sarah, duck," George pulled her down but not before they could see her.

"And how fitting that the bitch came to us. Kill her and then we will go on to Snape Manor."

Sarah backed into the woods, away from the clearing's edge.

"George," she gasped.

"They'll come. We just have to hold them off."

Spells began firing at every direction…curse after curse.

"It's a bloody ambush," Sarah said, deflecting them and using her shield shields, trying to push them back, but there was simply to many for them.

"We just have to wait," George yelled, "deflect and wait. Try to stun and capture." The managed to stun four of them, but there was still simply too many…fifteen against two didn't make for good odds for success.

"They are going to kill us while we wait!" She squealed and for a moment, her mind flashed back that fateful night one year ago. She could almost feel her son kicking in her stomach. She could hear Fred beside her, his breathing in her ear.

She turned to George, who was still trying to stun the death eaters. "They're coming," she said, her voice distraught.

She heard the manic laugh and Bella was coming through the door. "Fred, she's going to kill you!" she screamed and then pushed George aside, waving her wand with a fury.

The fiendfyre curse was strong, potent and took them all by surprise.

"Sarah, stop!" George said, but she stood her ground, fixed as her dark magical fire consumed everything in it's path, including the trapped death eaters, whose screams terror filled the air, but soon there was only ashes left.

George wrestled with her, her wand dropping. "Stop! Bloody hell! Sarah, stop!" he squeezed her.

She was breathless, her eyes shining from the use of dark magic.

"This isn't you!" He held her tight. "This isn't you!"

Then, she realized what she had done.

"Merlin, help me," she whispered, aghast.

She was horrified. She had yet again chosen to do what he would have when threatened. She killed and destroyed…because that is what he taught her to do.

"I'm going to be thrown in Azkaban. Sacked," her knees shook and George held her steady by her arms.

"No," George said, "We are allowed to use dark magic under certain circumstances. We were being threatened and they were going to kill us."

"I'm going to be thrown in Azkaban. Sacked," She began to tremble, her braids shaking as she did, "You were right before…I'm just like them."

"Sarah, no," George pulled her into his arms, "I was so wrong then. You are nothing like them. Nothing."

"Tell them the truth," she said, her eyes dull. She backed up away from the clearing…and into the woods.

"Sarah, what are you doing?" George asked.

She extended her hand and her wand flew up into it.

She apparated away without another word.

She made her way through the halls of Hogwarts, tears streaming down her eyes.

She was a horrible person. Awful.

Truly awful.

Evil.

Dark.

Just like him.

She stood at the entrance to Snape's quarters. She needed Snape. He would know what to do. He always knew. And he always helped her sort everything. He was always so stalwart with her…a rock…and she needed that now, because she was completely shattered…her heart in a million pieces over what she did tonight. The truth…the one that she suspected all along…that truth was made clear tonight…Voldemort had altered her heart in undeniable ways. And as much as she could try to fight the darkness for the light, she would turn to the darkness when she needed it the most.

She tapped her wand against Snape's door and it swung open.

It was dark in the living room except for a faint light coming from the bedroom.

She flicked on the light with her wand as she stood in the middle of the living room. "Dad!" she called. "Dad! Are you here?"

There was a rustle of activity and Snape appeared in his dressing gown. "Sarah? What is it?"

She frowned, her wand limp in her hand, "I didn't think you would be in bed already. What time is?"

"9 o'clock," Snape studied her, aware of the tears that were still flowing down her face and the hair that was falling out of her braids. There was some sort of black residue on her forehead and cheeks. "What has happened? You look awful." He went over to rub the black off her forehead. He studied it on his fingers and then smelled it, "Is this soot? Was there a fire?"

"Are you ill?" Sarah asked, her mind racing. She took a step back from him. She chewed on her thumb, staring at him. She frowned more, "You are never in bed at 9 o'clock. Are you sick?"

Snape ignored her question, "Why are you crying?" he demanded. "And why do you have soot on your face? What has happened?" his voice turned urgent, "Sarah Grace, focus!" he snapped at her, trying to get her out of her trance. "What has happened?"

Through her tears, her eyes wandered around the living room and settled on a bag…a pretty blue paisley printed bag. She had seen that before.

Snape saw where she was looking.

He reached for her wrist, turning her back towards him.

She shrugged him off. Her mind kept turning…she had seen…and admired… that same bag before when she hung her coat up on the hooks in… Andromeda's cottage.

"Sarah," Snape reached for her again, shaking her firmly, "Focus for me, now."

"Do you have company?" her voice caught, ignoring his instructions. "Oh, bloody hell, Dad, I'm sorry." Her face reddened. "Merlin, is everyone shacking up besides me?"

"Watch your language," he admonished and she backed up from him. "I wanted to tell you about this earlier, but we kept missing each other."

"Really, I just saw you two days ago. I asked if why you looked so good. Now, I know. Shagging is really good for your complexion, Snape."

"Sarah, don't be crude," he snapped, "And it's Dad"

"It's Dad whenever it is convenient for you…when I agree with you and make the choices you want me to make."

"That is utterly unfair and you know it," Snape said, his voice low.

"Really?" she cried, "Truly?"

"Yes, it is," Snape said, firmly.

"Andromeda?" She asked, sniffling. "Is it Andi?"

Snape eyes met hers. "Yes."

"Is this something…" she swallowed hard, "new?"

"I don't owe you an explanation of my private affairs."

She backed up more, her legs bumping against the couch, "How long?"

"Since January," Snape said, resigned.

Her eyes grew wide, "January?!" Bloody hell, Dad! January?!" She exclaimed in disbelief. "Is it serious?"

Snape held her eyes and nodded. "Quite."

She shook her head in disbelief and and then turned and made her way to the door, "I should have never come here."

"Sarah, wait," Severus moved quickly and blocked her path, "What has happened? Something has happened for you to come here looking like this. Is everyone alright? Is it Potter? Weasley? Granger? What has happened?"

She licked her dry, cracked lips, "It doesn't matter."

"Clearly, it does. Do you need help? Are you in trouble?" Severus pressed, "Sarah Grace, please tell me. I can help you. You just have to tell me. Whatever it is, we'll work it out."

Her shoulders slumped forward, "You have lied to me…kept this truth from me…since January. It's May now. How could you do that?" she cried. "It's more…more of the same shit that I put up with from you for years."

"Sarah!" Snape snapped, "I don't have the monopoly of secrets in this family."

"Now, that is entirely true because I have learned from the master in that regard," She snapped back, "Now, excuse me." She maneuvered around him.

"Where are you going?" Snape asked, aghast. "You can't just leave like this."

She turned, "I'm an adult. I can do whatever I want. Please tell Andi I said hello and I might need a solicitor soon. I'll be in touch."

"Black!" Snape's tone compelled her to stop again, "What have you done?"

She shrugged and kept walking, leaving a shattered Snape behind.

"I didn't expect to see you again tonight," the door opened wider for her to enter.

She turned around. "I'm sorry to bother you."

"No, it's not a bother," he said as he began to clean up the bottles and trash from the coffee table. "Sit."

She sunk down on the couch she was so familiar with. "Do you have some fire-whiskey?" she asked.

George raised an eyebrow, "Yeah."

"Are you offering to share?"

He gave her a smirk and then conjured two shot glasses and a bottle. "After the two days we've had together? Absolutely."

She smiled at him and then she knew…she had come to the right place.

A/N: Please review…she's so spiraling…and if you would believe it, Sarah's night gets worse.