Chapter 10 – By-Law 476

'I tell you, I don't think I've ever seen Dumbledore so pissed off. His eyes were practically spearing Snape with ice daggers.' Ron Weasley chuckled.

'Ronald!' The shill voice of Hermione Granger scolded as the other Gryffindors around them laughed. 'You shouldn't talk about the Headmaster like that. It's disrespectful.'

Ron rolled his eyes and leant back in his chair, lifting the front legs off the floor and tilting it at a precarious angle as he continued ignoring the books and half finished homework that lay out on the common room table in front of him. They had all hurried there after the events of breakfast, eager to talk about the interrogation the Snapes were probably still sitting through.

'I don't know why though.' Seamus Finnegan said, reaching out a shoving Ron on the shoulder, causing him to almost topple the chair backwards. 'So what if he's got the same scar. He can't possibly be the Boy-Who-Lived. He's older, and completely different looking. Besides, Harry Potter's parents were Gryffindors, their son would never have become a Necromancer, or married a Slytherin.'

'And the pictures of the Boy-Who-Lived when he was a baby show that he has green eyes, not black.' Dean Thomas offered.

Hermione, looking rather irritated that the talking was disrupting her studies glared at them all. 'Are you wizards or not? There are ways to change eye colours and features, you know.' She snapped sarcastically.

The boys all exchanged sheepish glances.

'Well I don't really care who he is.' Neville Longbottom spoke up, reaching for a Herbology text. 'I just hope Dumbledore kicks both of them out. They scare the crap out of me…and that Gabriel is even scarier than the Professor. I mean just look at when he yelled at his own father?'

This comment brought a fresh round of laughter that caused Hermione to huff loudly and grab her books. 'When you finish acting like idiots I'll be in the Library. You do realise we have NEWTS in six months, don't you?' She didn't wait for an answer but flounced out of the common room, growling as she heard the seventh years laugh as she left.

Her mood calmed by the time she reached the library and quickly set her things down and started to work. But as the minutes went by she found it harder and harder. The expressions on the faces of the Snape men and Draco Malfoy this morning showed quite clearly there was more to the story than just a matching scar.

Her mind continued to tick over as thousands of thoughts raced through it and eventually she downed the Transfiguration text she was working on and headed for the Restricted Section. She would solve the riddle of Gabriel Snape if it killed her.

It was well past lunchtime, when the house elves had produced a succulent array of cold meats and cheeses for the three occupants to eat that no one had touched, and it was now beginning to grow dark outside. The onset of winter shortening the days considerably

'Lucius, you won't be able to return to Him now. Not once this comes out.' Severus said firmly as he sat in the parlour of Malfoy Manor.

'Severus.' Lucius started but Narcissa cut him off.

'Severus is quite correct darling.' She agreed, patting his forearm in a soothing manner. 'We hid the Boy-Who-Lived. The Dark Lord has been alive for several years now and you never told him. Even you will not survive such a breach in loyalty.'

Lucius stood and paced before the fireplace, an action that Gabriel so often copied that it brought a slight smile to Severus' eyes. 'Luc, this isn't up for debate.' The potions master resorted to a nickname he hadn't used in ages to get the man to understand. 'He almost killed me. He won't make the same mistake twice. There will be no second chance, no miracle potion for you. He will make sure it's completed and it won't be swift.'

Lucius sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. 'I just hate not knowing what he's doing. It scares me.'

'I know.' Severus said quietly. 'It scares me more that Gabriel is now going to have to face him.'

'Surely not.' Narcissa gasped.

Severus lent forward and rested his elbows on his knees. 'When the truth comes out, the wizarding world will demand for their saviour to help them. Gabriel can hold out, he won't care what they want, but I know the Dark Lord will be incensed that he had Harry Potter nearby all that time and never knew. He will not wait. He will all but demand a confrontation.'

None of the three knew quite what to say after that statement and after a rather pregnant silence Severus rose. 'I should be getting back to the school. I don't trust leaving Gabriel alone for too long.'

'Of course.' Narcissa said, rising with him. 'Please give him our love, tell him we are here if he needs anything.'

Severus embraced her tightly. 'I will.' He promised.

Lucius crossed to his desk reached inside, drawing out a small box and handing it to his oldest friend. 'Give this to Gabriel. It's a Portkey that will get him out of anywhere, even a warded Ministry holding cell.'

'Or one of the Dark Lord's.' Severus finished staring intently at the blond aristocrat.

'Yes.' Lucius said quietly. 'It's tied to the trigger stone here and will probably collapse the wards if he has to use it but wards can be rebuilt. Our family would never be the same if something happened to Gabriel.'

Severus opened the box and stared at the simple platinum ring inlaid with an opal, his mind awash with the power contained within the seemingly simple piece of jewellery, and the depth of feeling his best friend obviously had for his son. 'Thank you.' He breathed out, knowing just what it would cost the Malfoy family if Gabriel ever had cause to use the Portkey.

'Watch over him, Severus. Draco too.' Lucius murmured embracing him before tossing some floo powder into the fire.

'I will. Hogwarts. Potions master's rooms. Password dragonwort.' He called out and disappeared into the flames.

When he stepped through the floo he found Draco and Gabriel sitting side by side on the sofa. Gabriel's expression was distant and Draco held his hand tightly within his own and continued looking at him in concern.

'Gabriel?' Severus said hesitantly and his son looked up. He smiled when he saw his father standing there.

'How were Aunt Cissa and Uncle Luc?' He asked, standing up and pulling Draco with him before wrapping an arm around the blonde's waist.

The potions master smirked. 'How do you know I was seeing them? I could have been off having a torrid affair with some wealthy married witch.' He drawled tartly.

Gabriel raised an eyebrow as Draco snorted. 'Today? Of all days? Besides, the only witch you actually put up with is Aunt Cissa and knowing Uncle Luc as I do? Good luck with that.'

Draco laughed out loud at the indignant expression on his godfather's face. 'I put up with Minerva…and Poppy.' Severus stated firmly.

Draco was snickering so much by this point he had his head buried in Gabriel's shoulder. 'I'm not even going to go there.' Gabriel murmured with a hint of a smile.

Severus rolled his eyes, pleased that Gabriel seemed to be in a better mood after his sleep. 'How do you feel?' He asked carefully.

Black eyes studied black before Gabriel nodded. 'I'm okay.' He offered. 'It's a little strange. We spent so long hiding everything…from everyone…and now sooner or later everyone is going to find out.'

'I gather you read the note I left you regarding the Council?'

Gabe nodded. 'Yes. Thank you. That alone has stopped me panicking about what might happen.'

Severus reached out and cupped his son's cheek. 'You do realize that it is not only the Council as a whole that holds sway with the Ministry.'

The dark haired boy frowned, glancing down at Draco in confusion. 'What Uncle Sev means,' Draco explained. 'Is that you are the Snape family heir, and I was the Malfoy family heir till we were bonded. Now you are and that means you have two seats on the Wizingamot. There are not many members that hold two seats, particularly not within the upper tier.'

'Oh.' Gabriel murmured, thinking over what Draco said. He'd somehow forgotten that as the magically strongest wizard in the line he automatically became the heir, even in the Malfoy family. According to Gringotts he'd become the Snape heir on his eleventh birthday, much to Severus' amusement at the time. He could just imagine the look on Lucius' face when he would have received the owl from the wizarding bank telling him the same thing the day after he and Draco had bonded.

As if knowing exactly what he was thinking Severus smirked at him. 'He had to know it was coming.' He told his son. 'But that didn't mean the look on his face wasn't hilarious all the same.'

Draco snorted again. 'I can just imagine.'

'Indeed.' Gabriel said with a grin.

Severus let out a laugh and patted Gabriel on the shoulder. 'Speaking of Lucius and Narcissa, they asked me to give you this.' He held out the box.

'Oh, so you were with them, after all.' Gabriel drawled taking the box and ducking the smack his father aimed at his head.

'Mouthy brat.' Severus muttered fondly.

Gabriel smirked and opened the box, his eyes widening. 'No.' He said firmly, his smirk fading instantly.

'Gabe, you don't even know what it is.' Severus started.

'Yes, I do. It's a Portkey. A strong one too as it's tied to the wards of Malfoy Manor.' Gabriel's posture was stiff and Draco shook his head as Severus opened his mouth to speak. He took the ring from the box and let the box drop to the table nearby as he turned to his husband.

'Gabe, listen to me, and listen carefully.' He said slowly, lifting Gabriel's right hand in his own. 'You may never need this, never use it, but none of us want you to be without it.'

'But Draco, if I use this…everything….the wards…'

Draco slipped the ring on Gabriel's finger without him even seeming to notice and then cupped his cheeks. 'Yes, the wards will fall, but Father has things in place for that.'

'But what about the muggles? Hell, what about the Ministry? The Manor would be plottable again.'

Severus eyes widened at the profanity but Draco ignored it. 'Yes, it would, but wards can be rebuilt, Gabe. You cannot.'

The potions master smiled as Draco repeated almost the same words his father had done only a short time before.

'But Dray, I.'

'Don't fight me on this, Gabriel.' Draco interrupted him firmly and the use of his husband's full name stunned the veela into silence. 'Father wanted you to have this because he loves you. You cannot refuse him. The same as you cannot refuse my request that you wear it.'

Gabriel looked down at the ring on his finger and sighed. 'I will wear it but I won't promise to use it.' He agreed.

Draco raised an eyebrow. 'Oh you'll use it.' He said knowingly. 'Once you realize that I will be able to feel whatever is happening to you, and that if you die, so will I.'

Gabriel's eyes widened and his expression became horrified. 'I…I didn't know. I would never have.'

The blonde Slytherin shook his head. 'Yes, you would have. Because I'm your mate and you love me.'

'Yes.' The reply was instant and unequivocal.

Draco smiled gently at the admission. 'I knew, Gabe. I told you I knew exactly what I was doing and I meant it.'

Gabriel nodded but it was clear that he was still hesitant and Severus decided to add one further comment. 'There is one more thing you should be aware of.' He murmured and Gabriel looked to him. 'Don't wait until the last moment to use that Portkey, Gabriel. Particularly if you're with the Dark Lord. If you do you will be in no state to help rebuild the wards or get away before He tracks you down.'

Gabriel stared at his father before nodding slowly. He understood. There would be no use waiting till he was almost dead or he could end up Portkeying away to an unprotected manor only to blackout on arrival and be back in exactly the same situation. The Dark Lord would try Malfoy Manor straight after Snape Manor anyway. He glanced down at the ring again and nodded firmly. 'I understand.' He whispered and both Severus and Draco let out an inaudible breath.

'Good, now how about some dinner.' Draco said briskly. 'I don't know about you but I'm starving.'

Gabriel snorted and kissed him gently. 'You're always starving.'

'And I promised Councillor Rivvens that I would make sure you ate more.' Severus told him causing Gabriel to roll his eyes. It was nothing he hadn't heard before. 'Are you right to eat in the great hall?'

Gabe nodded. 'Yes, I won't hide away as if I've done something wrong. That would only add fuel to the fire.'

'And then Dumbledore would win.' Severus added.

Gabriel nodded. 'Yes. And I can assure you that that will not be happening.'

The potions master smiled indulgently at the young man. He really was a wonderful boy. 'Come along then, dinner will have just started.'

There were certainly a lot of looks in their direction when the three swept into the great hall but as per usual Severus just sneered and Gabriel and Draco ignored it. Gabriel escorted Draco to his seat, kissing his hand and bowing low before rejoining his father on his way to the head table without seeming to break stride.

Gabriel barely glanced at the Headmaster, just enough to register the shock on the old man's face. 'Obviously thought we were going to hide.' The teenager murmured to his father as they sat down.

'Indeed.' Severus returned making a small motion with his fingers. Gabriel read it correctly and cast a localized silencing charm even as he reached for some chicken pie. 'Be very careful. The wizard to the headmaster's left is Alastor Moody.'

'The Ex-Auror?'

Severus nodded and placed some vegetables on Gabriel's plate, earning him a doeful look. The potions master gave the young man a pointed look of his own before speaking. 'Yes. I imagine he's here to watch you. He has a magical eye that can see through pretty much anything.'

Gabriel glanced down the table to find Moody's magical eye trained on him even as the real one continued scanning the hall. 'Looks like I may have to re-ward your rooms, Father.' He murmured, turning back and cancelling the silencing charm when he saw Moody speak gruffly to Dumbledore and the headmaster frown. He placed a hand on his father's to stop him from speaking.

'Charm's down.' The teenager murmured almost inaudibly. 'I believe the Auror could see it. Or at least he seemed to know something was there.'

'Apparently he can see glamours and such things.' Severus offered quietly.

'He's going to have a field day with me then isn't he?' Gabriel gave a whispered chuckle.

'Just be careful.'

'I always am.'

'Do not let your guard down outside our rooms.'

'I never do.' The seventeen year old promised.

The continued the meal in silence and both rose just before the end, collecting Draco and nodding in greeting to Blaise and the others before sweeping from the hall. Making it down to their rooms without being accosted and after Gabriel spent an hour reinforcing the wards around the room, adding several more that were keyed in Parseltongue, he and Draco retired to bed.

The next few weeks passed very quickly and surprisingly quietly for Gabriel and his family. Although none admitted it, all were nervous in the mornings that they would wake to find the whole story splashed across the Daily Prophet but nothing was forthcoming.

Gabriel spent an inordinate amount of time in the potions lab. It too was heavily warded and he felt safer there. Moody had taken to suddenly appearing out of a classroom or from behind a tapestry whenever Gabriel roamed the halls and if it wasn't the Ex-Auror it was the headmaster who would try to speak with him, leaving Gabriel no other option than to remain tightly closeted in his rooms, coming out only for dinner which was the only meal he would now take in the great hall.

Draco was a constant source of calm for the young veela. With only a month or so before Christmas it was far too cold to be out by the lake and even with warming charms the horrible sleet that preceeded a good fall of snow was just horrible to wade through. Instead the two boys would spend hours sitting by the fireplace, working through homework, in Draco's case, and reading, in Gabriel's.

Gabriel's back was still hurting him and Severus finally called Poppy down to have a look. The medi-witch conducted every test she could think of but the only thing she could come up with was that he must have strained it. She gave him a muscle relaxant and a pain killing potion and he felt much better.

One evening several days later as he was stretched out in front of the fireplace one evening, Draco sitting on him and massaging his back, he felt a sharp pain sear through his head.

His gasp of pain had Draco off him in an instant and crouched at his side, turning him over onto his back. Gabriel pressed the heel of his hand tightly to his forehead. He could hear Draco and his father calling out to him but aside from the pain in his head all he could concentrate on was the feeling of sheer euphoria that was surging through him.

'Gabe!' Draco's yell broke through and the feelings faded leaving Gabriel gasping on the floor. 'What the hell was that?'

Gabriel shook his head, trying to clear the fuzziness that was clouding it. 'Riddle, I think.'

'Are you alright?' Severus' voice was full of concern as he grasped Gabriel's upper arms and lifted him, depositing him gently in a nearby chair.

Gabriel nodded. 'Yes.'

'What happened?'

Gabriel calmed further as Draco sat next to him and took his hand in his. 'My head hurt at first, like the night it appeared but then I was swamped with these other really strong feelings. He was happy. Riddle was insanely, deliriously happy. I think that's why I felt it. The emotion is so foreign to him that his subconscious shoved it away down this link. I shudder to think what could have made him so happy.'

'We will probably find out soon enough.' Severus murmured with a calm he certainly didn't feel.

'Gabe?'

Gabriel looked at his mate who was now perched at his side and gave him a wan smile. 'It's alright.' He said soothingly, reaching up to gently trace his fingers down Draco's cheek.

'Why don't you two go and get some rest. Tomorrow is another day.' Severus pointed to the clock to show that it was in fact quite late but as they stood a small owl knocked on the tiny window high up on the far wall. Gabriel flicked his wrist and it opened, allowing the bird to fly into the room and land on his shoulder.

'Hey Fenela.' He murmured scratching the owl's chest. 'What have you got for me?'

The owl let out a hoot and held out its leg, allowing Gabe to take the piece of parchment and unroll it.

Gabe,

It's been a month since Audrey died and we have waited for you to call for us. We understand why you didn't come to the funeral but we know you must want to say goodbye. We know that deep down you are still hurting and to that end your Praesidiums will be at Hogwarts tomorrow at dawn to escort you to her. No one else will know but the six of us. There will be no danger to others.

We will not take no for an answer. You need this Gabriel. You know you do.

Carlisle.

Gabriel read the parchment over several times, his eyes filling. How well his friend knew him. He'd thought of Audrey every day since it happened. He'd skipped the funeral, knowing the Dark Lord would have been looking out for him and not wanting anything to spoil that moment for Audrey's family. He'd written to both her father and Carlisle and explained why he wasn't going and had received a heartfelt letter from Mr Haversham but nothing from his friend.

Obviously they had been waiting for him.

'What is it?' Draco asked hesitantly.

Gabriel looked up and sighed handing his mate the piece of parchment and waiting.

'I'm going with you.' Draco said a moment later.

'Going where?' Severus asked before Gabriel could open his mouth.

Draco handed his godfather the parchment and turned to Gabriel. 'You will need me there. The praesidums will keep us safe. There is no risk.'

'There is always risk, Dray.' Gabriel said softly.

Severus read through the note and warred with himself. Part of him knew that the young Arcadian alumni that had been his son's closest friend at the school was right, but the other part was screaming at him to keep his son close.

'I don't know.' Severus said after a moment's hesitation.

Gabriel placed a hand on his father's arm and gently pried the piece of paper from his hand. 'Carlisle is right, Father. I need to say goodbye. I need to thank her.'

The hesitation continued. 'I know.'

Black eyes studied black. 'I will be careful.' Gabriel promised.

The potions master visibly swallowed and bent his head, laying a gentle kiss on Gabriel's cheek. 'Do not dwell too long.' He whispered before turning on his heel and disappearing into his bedroom.

'I'm still coming.' Draco said firmly and Gabriel nodded yes, even as his expression said otherwise.

It was a somber group that met Gabriel and Draco the next morning at the doors to the entrance hall. The sun was just peeking over the horizon tinting the sleet and frost covered ground an odd blue. Nothing was said as they headed out of the school and across the grounds towards the edge of the wards, unaware of a set of blue eyes watching from the tallest tower, Draco's hand held tightly in Gabriel's as the Mage led the way.

Dumbledore watched the odd group in silence. They thick heavy cloaks hid their identities but the headmaster would have laid money on who they were. He also had some idea of why they were here. He sighed heavily and decided that the time might just be right to have another chat with his potions master.

With this thought in mind he headed out of his tower and down to the dungeons, knowing that without doubt that if the son was up then the father would be too.

The group landed just under a large tree that sheltered the far side of the graveyard and looked around them. In the distance Gabriel could see the large house that Audrey had grown up in.

'Gabe.' Carlisle voice was soft and the young man glanced at his friend who gestured for him to follow. The group walked almost soundlessly across the snow covered ground and stopped in front of a very new headstone. First Carlisle, then Araluen, and finally Lennox, Dorian and Griffith knelt before the grave before rising and moving to stand a short distance away. Draco gave Gabriel's hand a firm squeeze of support before releasing him and moving to join them.

Gabriel stopped him before he went too far. 'Stay.' He whispered hoarsely. Draco stopped and nodded as Gabriel turned back to Audrey's grave. He moved several steps closer before dropping gracefully to his knees, staring at the snow that covered her. Tears filled his eyes as he reached out and pushed his hands through the snow until he could touch the earth beneath. He could feel the earth thrumming with magic and it tugged at him.

This was the real reason he hadn't come. This magic he could feel streaking through the earth to his fingertips and the smell of death that surrounded this place. If he'd come here so soon after Audrey's death he knew he would have struggled not to delve into the side of Necromancy he had promised himself he never would. His incredible desire to have Audrey with him once more may well have started something he couldn't finish. He knew with every fibre of his being that if he'd raised her she would have just been a shell, it wouldn't have been Audrey, but the wish just to talk to her, hug her, see her just one more time would have been too strong.

So instead he'd waited. Let the pain of her loss fade slightly so he wouldn't do something he'd regret.

'I'm sorry.' He whispered, lowering his upper body until it rested almost on the ground. 'I miss you. You were so brave for me. I hope one day I can repay that favour…somehow.'

He felt a warmth rush up from the ground into his fingers and then throughout his entire body and he knew. He knew she had finally passed over. She'd been waiting for him.

That thought brought more tears to his eyes and he let them fall unheeded as he straightened up. 'Goodbye.' He breathed.

He felt Draco come and lay a comforting hand on his shoulder and knew his mate could feel the conflicting emotions still roiling through him. He rose and turned to see the blond looking up at him in sympathy. Draco too had tears running down his cheeks which Gabriel quickly brushed away before hugging him tightly, feeling Draco's arms wind tightly around his waist.

'Dray.' Gabriel breathed into the thickly cloaked shoulder as a shudder ran through him.

'Excuse me, Gabriel?' A hesitant voice broke through the silence around them and Gabriel and Draco broke away to find a tall dark haired man standing between them and the praesidiums.

'Mr Haversham.' Gabriel said stiffly, bowing low before taking the man's hand in his and shaking it gently. 'I am truly sorry for your loss.'

The man gave him a small smile. 'And yours too I have to say.' He replied. 'Audrey loved you very much.'

Gabriel's mouth thinned. 'And I failed her.' He muttered looking away.

Mr Haversham stepped forward and grasped his shoulder. 'You cannot save everybody all of the time, young man. Audrey would not want you blaming yourself for what happened.'

'She gave up her life for me.' Gabriel scowled.

The man seemed untouched by the display. 'She obviously thought you were worth the sacrifice.' He went on calmly. 'Did you know that she valued your friendship very highly? She knew you were an incredible young man and she was touched that you treated her with such respect. You wouldn't believe how proud she was the day the Council called on her. When she found out it would be you she would be guarding over it was like her purpose in life was finally fulfilled. I've never seen her so happy.'

'Please, I can't do this now.' Gabriel pleaded softly, guilt beginning to eat at him as he tried to move away from the wizard who grabbed his shoulder tighter.

'People die, Gabriel. It is a fact of life. People will make decisions that might be wrong. It was Audrey's decision to join the others and watch over you, and she was a very smart witch. If you continue blaming yourself for her death then you not only remove the blame from Tom Riddle, you question her decision, and she knew she'd made the right one.'

Gabriel swallowed heavily before nodding. 'I understand.' He said softly. 'Thank you.'

Mr Haversham looked deep into his eyes before smiling. 'I'm glad you came.' He murmured giving Gabriel's shoulder a final squeeze before letting it go and stepping away. He said nothing further but just nodded to Carlisle and the others before turning and walking slowly back to the house.

Gabriel watched him go, waiting until he saw him go inside and turned to his friends. 'Thank you too.' He whispered giving them all a wan smile.

'He's right, Gabriel.' Dorian said honestly. 'There are going to be many times we are all in danger and you have to realize that this is the life we choose, not matter the outcome.'

'Yeah, we chose this path because we believe in you.' Lennox placed an arm around his brother's shoulders.

'We know the risks and we have evaluated them against the benefits of being a part of something so important.' Griffith added, the triplets completing the conversation as if one person.

Gabriel sighed and drew Draco tighter to his side. 'I know, but that doesn't make it any easier.'

'Come on, we should get you back to Hogwarts. We have lingered here long enough.' Lennox said firmly and Carlisle nodded in agreement.

'Yes, are you ready?' Carlisle asked his friend. Gabriel nodded and wrapped his arm around Draco and apparated them both away, the praesidiums quickly following.

'Thank you all, so much.' Gabriel said as the group of five escorted Gabriel and Draco to the entrance hall. There were a few students around on their way to breakfast that glanced at them in curiosity but Gabriel ignored them all.

'We're here for you, Gabriel.' Araluen offered as one by one they hugged him tightly.

The witch and the twins walked slowly towards the edge of the wards as Carlisle pausedjust a moment. 'Don't be hesitant to call for us, Gabe. No matter what the reason.' The young man said quietly.

Gabriel smiled at his friend. 'I won't.' he promised. 'Thank you again.'

The five praesidiums left Gabriel and Draco at the castle doors and the two seventeen year olds turned to head slowly down to the dungeons.

'Very early to be wandering about the grounds, Snape.' The gruff voice of Alastor Moody caught them before they'd gone more than a few steps.

Gabriel sighed heavily and turned to look at the old Auror. 'I don't believe that it is any of your business as to what time I choose to get up or go out, Mr Moody.' Gabriel said firmly.

'Perhaps not, Snape, but do you really think the Headmaster would be all that happy to find out that you took a student off school grounds without permission.' Moody retorted.

Gabriel stiffened and glared at the man but Draco stepped in front of the veela, placing a calming hand on his arm and sneering at the older wizard. 'I think you will find, Moody, that under Ministry By-Law no 476, Gabriel is my guardian and, as such, has every right to take me anywhere he damn well pleases.'

His snarky comment finished, the blond Slytherin slid his hand down Gabriel's arm and clasped his hand, tugging quite strongly until they disappeared down the stairs out of view of the Auror who was studying them both rather intently, his head cocked to one side and magical eye spinning wildly.

Gabriel stopped just before they reached their rooms. 'Merlin's beard.' He whispered, his face suddenly draining of blood.

Draco turned to look up at him in confusion. 'What?'

Gabriel swallowed heavily. '476.' He breathed.

Draco frowned. It took mere moments though, before he realized what he'd inadvertently let slip. By-law 476 applies to magical creatures in general….and veelas in particular.