Title: Goidte Chuimhneacháin, pt 10

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September was slowly passing, each day bringing the school further into their studies and school work slowly pilling up from each of the teachers. Xenophilius, Lily, Sariah and Severus each earned ten O.W.L.'s; earning only one exceeds expectations in divination and the rest being outstandings. Sariah had thought that she hadn't done well in history of magic, but she was pleasantly surprised to see the "O" on her report card.

Their sixth year was difficult while preparing for N.E.W.T.'s in their seventh year. Each had a meeting with their personal head of house to talk about education and career opportunities. After the schedules were created, each student noticed that some of the classes became smaller because some didn't have the marks to continue in that class or it wasn't in their career path.

Professor Sprout was excited to learn that Sariah wanted to continue on in Herbology wanting an apothecary of her own someday and together they planed her schedule for the next two years. She'd opted out of divination, feeling that she didn't have the right talent for it. She had earned the marks to continue in all of her other classes and was happy with the outcome.

Professor Slughorn, apparently sang praises to Severus during his meeting with the slightly off kiltered potions professor. Severus had also dropped divination finding that – like Sariah – he didn't have the necessary qualities for the class. The professor had suggested and offered to help Severus look into different apprenticeship programs to find the master that he'd work the best with before the end of his sixth year.

Lily had said that the meeting with Professor McGonagall was illuminating. The pair had talked about Lily's future and while Lily was still unsure as to what she wanted to do, McGonagall had suggested that she go into charm research or creating charms. Lily decided to drop care of magical creatures – something that Sariah and Severus would possibly need for their future careers – and decided to stay in divination.

Xenophilius was a different story as he hadn't told Sariah, Severus or Lily what Professor Flitwick had to say to him. They just knew that he was going to be in Care of Magical Creatures with the twins, Divination with Lily and the other NEWT level classes with the trio. His girlfriend and he were getting along fabulously and while Xenophilius tried to make time with Severus the pair seemed to grow apart.

"So how's it going?" Sariah asked her twin as he was tutoring her on the potions that they had been studying that week. They often did this, they would study defense, transfiguration, and history of magic together – Lily or Xenophilius helping them in charms when they needed it, her helping them in Herbology and Severus helped her in potions. It was something that kept their friendship together when the school seemed to want Sariah and Lily to separate themselves from Severus and him from them.

Severus looked up from the simmering cauldron before answering, "I have nearly gotten it, but I'm missing a particular plant."

Tilting her head to the side, plants were her thing. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Possibly." He nodded. "I need to study the effects before I want to add that ingredient." He continued seeing her nod. "You will be the first I ask when I'm ready for it."

Smiling she teased, "I'd better be."

It was several days later that Severus came to Sariah with the plant's name. "Belladonna? We have some in our potions kit." Sariah said confused.

Severus shook his head, "-we only have the essence of it. That's not adequate for this potion."

Nodding her understanding she looked up at him and said, "-okay."

Later at lunch, Sariah approached Lily. She'd been really careful to hide her battered flesh, but she knew Ari had seen it and she greatly appreciated the witch because she didn't ask about it – even though Sariah knew the questions were boiling under the stubborn Hufflepuff's skin. "I need your help."

Lily looked up, feeling the marauder's watching the exchange carefully. "Alright, what is going on?" She asked softly.

"Severus needs belladonna." Sariah whispered. "I think I might know where the plant is growing, but I can't see very well." Her voice was growing softer with each word.

"But it's poisonous." Lily said glancing around briefly. "That's why we only have the essence of it in our potion kits."

Sariah replied, "Severus says that he needs the roots to make the paste and that essence of belladonna isn't enough."

Lily was silent for several long moments before she nodded. "Okay, so what do you need me to do?"

A gracious smile appeared on Sariah's face, the first the redhead had seen in a long while. "Be my eyes." She answered. "We'll go when the moon is full; we'll be able to see the plant better. It's very rare, but the flowers should still be in bloom and will make it a bit easier to find."

Lily nodded. "There's a full moon tomorrow night."

"We'll go then."

The next evening, they set out just after classes ended and while the staff and students were at supper feeling that it should be taken care of as soon as possible with as little chance for interruption. They donned their cloaks, having changed into long sleeves and pants for the journey into the forbidden forest; they quietly headed out into the early evening chill. The wind was softly blowing, each witch keeping a watchful eye out for professors that might stop them.

Sirius was walking along side of Peter out of the great hall, talking about the full moon with the other wizard. "Tonight it's just going to be us with Moony." He said softly. "James has an early detention with McGonagall and will most likely not make it out until later."

"What'd he do now?"

Sirius laughed, "-he got caught with a Zonko's product that he was going to give to an unsuspecting second year."

Peter laughed along with the dark haired wizard that he idolized. "Snape's coming." He informed the gray eyed wizard. He was hoping that his two friends would come out of the funk that they'd been in lately, but Remus insisted that they needed time.

"What's that, Peter?" Sirius said loudly getting the attention of the two wizards in the hall. "Remus and Lily?" He continued before the shorter wizard could reply. "A secret rendezvous you say?"

Peter hissed, "-what are you doing?"

Sirius' gray eyes twinkled in silent humor at the paused step that the surly wizard had at the mentioning of Lily and Remus. "Inside the Whomping willow?" He gasped as if Peter's hissing was what had been said. "I didn't think they knew about that location and about the knob at the base of the tree." Whistling lowly he chuckled, "-better them than me, you know? You need one long stick to keep yourself from being knocked out by the tree."

Once the two marauders rounded the corner Peter turned to Sirius who was staring straight ahead. "What'd you do that for?" He said. "You know he'll go and do what you said and you know what he'll come upon."

"Relax Wormtail," Sirius returned. "He won't make it that far into the tunnel to see Moony."

"You don't know that!" Peter yelled. "I thought you liked Lily." He added softer.

"Lily who?" Sirius sneered.

Peter shook his head. "You know who, Padfoot." He turned towards Flitwick's classroom. "We should tell Prongs."

"Why?"

"To make you see reason!" Peter hissed angrily.

"C'mon Wormtail, it's a prank."

"On who?" Peter countered. "Lily or Snape?"

It wasn't much later that Sirius, Peter had left him in favor of seeing the charms professor for help with his charms assignment, ran into James who was heading towards the common room. "Prongs."

"Pads." James greeted. "You look like you've been up to something." He continued. "Get caught in a broom closet again?"

"You get caught once," Sirius muttered causing James to laugh, "-and they never let it go." Clapping his friend's back he told him about what he'd done earlier to Snape.

"Are you insane?" James exploded.

Shocked by the reaction he asked, "-what do you mean?"

"Remus is down there, to turn into a werewolf, Pads." James replied slowly. "And you told Snape how to get down there – he'll see Remus in werewolf form." Without waiting for a response he took off towards the stairs and ran towards the Whomping willow. He could see Snape's dark figure approaching the tree and sped up. He had to stop Snape from seeing his best mate, knowing that Remus in werewolf form was frightening.

"Out of my way, Potter." Severus snarled when he saw the wizard in front of him. "Lily is in there with the mutt you're trying to protect and I will not let her be hurt by another marauder."

"Lily's not in there!" James protested trying to continue to block his path.

"And you expect me to believe you?" Severus growled. "The wizard that hurt my sister?" He was slightly pleased to find the hurt on Potter's face at the mentioning of Sariah. Pushing his way around the broad shouldered wizard he grabbed a stick, putting it on the knob at the base of the tree halting the tree's movements and started to enter the secret entrance before he was pulled back and after he heard the snarling sound of a wolf from within the tree.

"Get back to the castle!" James ordered before entering the tree, closing and charming the door as he turned into a stag on the inside.

Shocked Severus sat there for several long moments before rushing back to the castle.

"Are we close?" Lily asked softly. She never liked the feeling of the forest – its name having a big part in that – but she didn't really like it in the day time when they had care of magical creatures. There was just so much about the forest that wasn't known by the wizards nearby.

"Just a little further." Sariah promised. They'd been out here for what seemed like hours already, the moon having moved higher in the sky showing that it was well past supper and nearing curfew. They had to be careful of not only the groundskeeper but also of the things that lived in the forest.

Not too much later, they found the plant hidden behind a large tree and in the mists of an oddly shaped bush; its dark purple flower and the dark green of its leaves caused it to stand out slightly. Both witches got to their knees and pulled out their supplies, both put on the dragon hide gloves and used muggle nose plugs to help keep them from smelling the odor of the roots. Sariah held open the large bag that they were able to procure while Lily set about digging up the roots of the aged plant per the directions of the herbologist in training.

Within moments, the plant – roots and all – were placed in the bag which was sealed with a ribbon before being placed inside a small box which was charmed to remain closed until Severus, Lily or Sariah opened it. Neither were sure what would happen if magic came in direct contact with the plant and weren't willing to risk it. Putting their things away they heard the distant howl of a wolf causing them to look up at each other.

Quietly, and as quickly as they could, they made their way back to the part of the forest where the castle was on. They'd had to go into the forest several meters before they were able to find the plant and now were slightly regretting on coming on the night of the full moon. The light of the full moon, shone brightly in the sky – obviously not as bright as the sun – lighting the path in front of them through the canopies of the tall trees.

At the edge of the forest they glanced around, both aware that there was no way to protect themselves if there was a werewolf near by – as there were no spells strong enough to deflect the animal. She'd read that a lot of stupefy curses can stop a dragon – but only a lot of spells all at once – but she suppose if it came down to it, she and Lily could each spell it at the werewolf. She just hoped that they wouldn't.

They made it the castle safely, each breathing a sigh of relief until they spotted the headmaster, Severus, Potter, Pettigrew and Black just on the other side of the entrance hall. "Severus?" Sariah whispered before rushing to her paler than normal brother. "Severus?" She said again standing next to him. "Are you alright?"

"Miss. Snape." Headmaster Dumbledore cut in. "Miss. Evans." He greeted the other witch. "If you two would join me in my office, there are several things we need to discuss." His statement left little room for argument and the six students followed behind the aging wizard.

End pt 10

Author's Note: I'm so very sorry this has taken me so long to update! My muse took a slight vacation as RL grabbed me with its vicious hands. I want to thank everyone who has taken a chance in my story and have either left me reviews, have asked for update notices and who have added my story to their favorite's list. It means a lot to me!

Blitz-gurl-42 – Thank you for your thoughtful review! I'm glad you're enjoying the story! Let me know if you have any suggestions, questions or concerns!

Dreamsb223 – Thanks for the review! Sorry for the delay, I'm hoping RL will unclench its tight grasp on me now that my muse has sorta come home, which is why I quickly posted this chapter after reviewing it.

BookWorm2534– Thanks for reviewing! I'm hoping to get back on a regular updating schedule so hopefully my dry spell has passed *crosses fingers*. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the ones that come in the future. Thanks for adding this story to your favorites! Please feel free to PM with any suggestions.

Mrs. Shawn - Thank you for your review! I'm glad you're enjoying what's been written so far. Different is good sometimes, gets us out of the normal types of stories. I hope it was worth the wait.

Thanks again to everyone else. I do accept constructive criticism as it'll help me become a better author.