Updated March 2008

Er…. The disclaimer I always forget! I hope that you can all follow this, each of the scenes are actually happening at the same time as each other. I hope this becomes self-apparent as you read it. But I thought I had better warn you all now. Anyway… here goes…

Meg was almost ready to leave. She had spent most of the night, writing three letters. The first was for Dumbledore, apologising for leaving him with no notice; and one to Neville explaining she was sorry she had to leave but something had happened that she could no longer ignore. She wished him every success in the future and thanked him for being her friend.

The third letter, to Snape, was the hardest to write. It had taken three attempts before she was satisfied with it. And even then she hadn't been able to express completely what she wanted him to know. She looked over it again now before sealing it up.

My dearest Severus,

Where do I begin?

You were right. There has been something wrong for awhile now, but I've tried to deny it, tried to hide it. But after yesterday's lesson with Neville I can't pretend everything is okay anymore.

It seems that the illness my mother had, I have too.

Things have been getting progressively worse for quite awhile now. It started just before Christmas with little things. But yesterday was the last straw. I cannot stay here if it means I am a danger to anyone else. Which it would appear that I now am.

Neville and the students around him could have been seriously hurt because of me. I have had to take my head out of the sand and face this. Although in truth all I have wanted to do is curl up into your arms and hope it would all go away. But it hasn't, and it won't.

I shall be going back with Jack. He is aware of what is happening to me and has said he will stay with me.

All I ask of you is the look after yourself. I love you so much it breaks my heart to go, but I cannot let you feel some "misguided obligation" towards me. This year has been the best of my life. The memories you have given me I hope to keep.

You told me today that you have treated me badly. You have and you haven't. When you let the person inside you show I have felt special. You made me feel beautiful and wanted. And for that I will always thank you. I know you don't love me and I would have been content with just being in your arms and your friendship. But it's no use wishing for the moon.

I want for you to remember me as that "royal pain in the neck" as you often called me, remember me in the way you like me most, but please don't hate me for leaving like this. I can't do this any other way.

Jack called me selfish for running out without telling you I was going. And I suppose in a way he is right. I'm selfish because I don't want to see anything on your face that could taint the memory I have of you now. I want to remember the way you would look at me and hold me as if I was the only thing in your life worth holding.

A part of me will always pretend that I was the only thing worth holding in your life.

I'm sorry for everything.

Please take care of yourself, Severus.

I will love you always and forever.

Megan

She closed the letter up, wiping the tears from her face; it didn't say anything about the pain she was feeling in leaving him, or the emptiness that had taken residence in her soul.

She set the letter on the table along with the other two and turning to her box on the floor took a deep breath and picked it up.

Her door was slammed open, banging back against the wall. She dropped the box in surprise and fear. Half of her hoped it was Severus, all decked out in a black suit of armour brandishing a potion bottle in his hand that would miraculously cure her. And half of her hoped it wasn't him.

It wasn't.

Knights in shining armour just don't exist anymore.

Jack looked slightly breathless, his face flushed with running.

"Hold the 'Dear Johns' sis!" He shoved a piece of parchment into her face. "And don't go anywhere 'cause you and I need to have a long chat about your lousy attitude. Sit and read this, I have to go and rearrange lover boy's face." He disappeared slamming the door shut again.

Meg blinked, her brother usually was a human whirlwind but she hadn't seen him quite so flustered before.

She looked down at the paper in her hand. It was a letter that had been owled to Jack, she read the first few lines and sat down heavily. Her brain unable to take it in at first; it changed everything.

He,y Jack!

Got that information you wanted. Black threads in a pensieve are definitely not due to brain disorders. Toby, you remember him don't you; lad that threw up in the punch bowl at our first year Yule Ball? Well, he makes them, so I owled him, that's why it's taken me so long to get back to you. Sorry!

Anyway, he says that black threads in an otherwise silver or other coloured thread is a sign of dark magic. He said that it could be someone who has been casting dark magic or it could be someone who's had dark magic practised on them. Hopes this helps. What's up anyway? Never known you to be so hyper. Well, not so hyper as this! Oh by the way, say hi to your sister for me.

Need anything else, just owl me.

Rodney

She felt relief flood through her so strongly her hands were shaking as she re-read the letter again. Tears dripped own her face. She wasn't going mad!

She looked back down at the paper through blurred vision.

Relief left her instantly as the implications seeped through her tired brain. She wasn't going mad because someone had been using dark magic on her. And she knew instantly who it was.

Dean Rider. Dean, bloody, Rider.

Ice trickled down her spine as the full implications sank in.

How could she have been so stupid? But he had been exceptionally clever. She had never seriously thought he would try anything. Didn't think he was that unbalanced. She remembered Severus asking her if she thought he was a threat and she hadn't. But then she hadn't realised he was insane. Insane in the need for revenge.

He had thought this thing through; Meg could see it now. He was obsessed with making her pay for his sister's death and he had been willing to take this as far as he could.

She shuddered as anger shot through her. Hot anger that had her on her feet and out the door, the paper dropping to the floor.

How dare he do this to her? How dare he play with her mind and make her so close to… she swallowed hard. If it hadn't been for Jack, she would have ended everything.

Jack! He'd gone rushing up there. He had no idea how clever Dean was; or how strong he was. She remembered Severus telling her about the class he'd sat in on; a shudder went through her. She had to get to them before Jack got himself seriously injured, or worse, kill Dean and end up in Azkaban.

"Just you wait, you evil bastard!" Jack banged the door shut behind him. "I'll rearrange your face so much even your own mother won't know you." He muttered to himself as he began to take the dungeon steps two at a time, careful to miss the trick one.

He broke into a run; he'd already checked Snape's rooms before looking in on Meg. He would try the staff room next. He knew it was the holidays but an anti-social psychopath like Snape wouldn't exactly be cheering the students a merry good morning in his common room.

He half registered his name being called, but he kept going intent on making Snape pay.

He reached the staff room door skidding slightly; he caught the handle to stop himself from falling and banged against it heavily. He straightened himself and moved to open the door.

Snape had heard the bang from his chair by the fire and got up to see which particular student needed points deducting for falling over outside the staff room and making a real din in the process. Annoyed, he flung the door open and was surprised to see Jack standing there; his face completely red with anger.

"You are a complete and utter bastard," he hissed and before Snape could even register his words, Jack had floored him with a right hook to his nose. Blood poured from Snape's nose, dripping down onto his robes, but he didn't even register it as Jack came forward, his face contorted with fury.

Jack stood over the sprawled form of Snape, his wand drawn and pointing at Snape threateningly. His long black hair covering his face in much the same way as Snape's did. Except where Snape's was lank and greasy, Jack's was clean and well kept.

"You really are something, aren't you? You've been screwing with my sister and now you're going to pay," Jack spat down at him, not in the least concerned about the cold fury behind Snape's black eyes. Even with blood coming form his nose he managed to sneer contemptuously at Jack.

"Put the wand away, Jack," a soft voice spoke from behind him.

Jack felt the tip of a wand digging into his back; he grimaced at Snape, before lowering his wand and stepping off from Snape.

He turned and saw Remus looking very worried; his wand drawn and still pointed towards Jack. He and Minerva had been coming through the corridors on their way to breakfast when they had seen Jack go tearing past them towards the staff room. They had followed; concerned at the look on his face and the fact that he had ignored their calls.

"Megan is old enough and responsible enough to make her own decisions as to whether she wants to sleep with me or not," Snape informed him coldly, his eyes chips of hard black stone. He dabbed at his nose and felt the blood trickling down his chin.

"Rich, coming from a man who used to rape for fun," Jack hissed, totally ignoring Remus now. His vision was blurred with red where he was so angry with the man in front of him.

Snape was on his feet; his hand curled around Jack's throat before either Remus or Jack could react. He slammed him into the wall; his face a mask of rigid fury. His blood smeared over Jack's throat but Snape didn't notice and Jack didn't care

"I have never, never forced myself upon a woman," he hissed. "And I would never force myself on Megan."

Jack couldn't get the words past his closed throat; his own hands tearing at Snape's fingers; again drawing blood that went unnoticed.

"Let him go, Severus," Minerva's sharp voice came from behind him.

Snape squeezed before letting his throat go. He stepped back, his body held tightly with anger.

"I don't give a damn about other women. It's Meg I care about and you have been screwing with her royally, and I don't mean between the sheets! You seriously thought you could get away with it, didn't you? And you so damn nearly did!" Jack's control snapped once more and he flew at Snape.

They crashed to the floor, Jack squeezing Snape round the throat, yelling at him; one hand moving to grip his robes.

"You've been mucking with her mind, haven't you?" he roared down at Snape.

Snape hissed and brought his hand up smacking the younger man on the side of his head, making his ear ring. He used Jack's momentary discomfort to shove him violently to the side, bringing his wand down form his sleeve and pointing it at Jack who was gripping his ear.

Jack heard Remus come up behind him and not taking his eyes from Snape's face he backhanded Remus and sent him across the room.

Minerva cried out and Jack felt bounds wrap around his hands.

"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Snape got to his feet, red marks around his throat, his robes crumpled. But his composure didn't waver once. His hair was mused and sticking to the drying blood on his face, his eyes wide with anger.

"Yes, you do," Jack spat at him, his hands now bound behind his back. Minerva had left to fetch Dumbledore, leaving Remus standing behind Jack; his fingers testing his chin gingerly where Jack had caught him.

"Well, why don't you tell me anyway." Snape began to pace in front of Jack. He had a horrible feeling that started in his stomach and crept up his spine.

"You thought that you'd get away with it, didn't you? Thought you could muck with her enough to just send her over the edge. I just want to know why? Why did you have to do that to my Meg? What has she done to you?" Jack was still incredibly angry, his wrists straining at the ties.

"I have done nothing to hurt, Megan." His thoughts turned towards Neville briefly, he'd accused him of the same thing. He suddenly felt as if he'd been extremely stupid, as if he'd been blind and was only now beginning to see.

Jack tugged once more at the bonds and gave up.

"I'll make sure you rot in hell for this Snape, even if I have to drag you there myself. You might be able to hide in this damn school for now. But you watch your back. I'll expose you to every last Auror. You'll go to Azkaban where you belong for this one."

Remus stepped forward slightly, frowning at Severus.

"Jack, why don't you tell us what you think Severus has done," he said it quietly, his eyes went to the younger man kneeling at their feet. His face was angry but Remus could see the panic behind his eyes as well as the anger.

"He's been driving her crazy, making her think she was going mad like mum did," he said it quietly; his accusing eyes never left Snape's dark unreadable face.

"In what way?" Remus probed, starting to get really worried now.

"I don't know exactly how he's been doing it, but he has," he snapped.

The door opened and Dumbledore came in with Minerva. A grave expression on his face, he looked every one of his years as he looked from Severus to Jack.

"I'm afraid it would appear I have been rather remiss." He shook his head and with a flick of his wand Jack's bonds were loosened.

Meg walked quickly through the castle, her boots clicking on the floor. There were few students about; most choosing to lie in bed and sleep.

She made her way to his room, using her wand to open his door in much the same manner as Snape entered his classroom. The door slammed back on the wall, but his rooms were empty.

She let out her breath on a hiss and turning walked back the way she'd come, not even stopping to close the door.

She thought back over the past two months. Everything that he had done to create the effects of losing her mind. A shiver went down her spine when she realised how close he'd come to succeeding. She had truly believed that she had lost everything. He had manipulated her into believing that the lapses of memory were the symptoms of impaired brain function.

It also sank in that it was possible he was responsible for her injuries. What else had he done? Horror filled her as she thought over the times she'd lost almost an hour, not knowing where she had been or what she had done. Frightening and horrifying images filled her mind. She'd been completely at his whim; at the whim of a man so clearly insane it turned her stomach.

She rounded the corner and went up into the classroom, her wand clasped in her hand ready.

"Professor Kincaid. I'm sorry, but I really don't have the time; I've been helping Neville…."

Megan looked with a sinking heart at where Neville was sitting pouring over star charts. What in the world was he doing up out of bed so early in the morning; and on holiday?

"Neville, please leave," she said, her voice icy cold. "You have all next term to learn about star charts. Go down for breakfast."

Neville looked up in surprise and rose to his feet.

"Sit down, Neville. Professor Kincaid doesn't realise how delicate this is." Dean waved his hand at Neville.

"I don't care at this moment if Orion was riding the tailbone of a crocodile. Neville please get out. NOW!" She spoke the last word so forcefully that Neville tipped his chair back in his nerves.

"Oh, dear!" Dean flicked his wand and the trap door slammed shut. "You really don't have much faith in my inner eye, do you?" He calmly locked the trap door with his wand.

"Don't you dare hurt the boy." Megan advanced towards Neville, putting herself between him and Dean.

"This is between you and me, leave Neville out of it."

"I can't." He shook his head. "You made friends with him, he was going to be a useful tool in pushing you closer to that edge you're dangling at. Besides… he's here out of his own free will. You insisted on dragging him into it. I can't have him running straight to Dumbledore. Incidentally, how did you find out?"

"My brother Jack," she said quietly, her eyes watching his every move. She didn't fancy her chances in a duel with him. She'd never been that fast with her wand and she didn't doubt he'd be anticipating her trying to hex him. She would just have to take her chances on Jack getting here soon.. Where was Jack anyway?

"Jack? Your brother is here?"

"What? Has your inner eye let you down Dean?" Meg's voice dripped with venom.

"So he found out it was Obliviate, did he?" he mused, twirling his wand in his fingers as he watched the two of them. Neville was sweating heavily now. Meg was more composed, but then he had expected that.

Meg realised that he knew she would come up here this morning, why else would he get Neville here so early. She was beginning to think there was definitely more to this whole inner eye thing than she'd given credit for.

"How did he find that out? It's practically impossible to detect."

"A pensieve. He found out from my pensieve."

"You don't use one," he exclaimed slightly surprised.

"I do now. Thanks to Professor Snape." She smiled nastily at him, desperate to keep him talking, she was just praying he'd let his guard drop slightly. Or that Jack and Severus would come bursting up through the trap door.

"Oh Snape, bloody Snape, I should have known he'd stick his enormous nose into things," he snorted. "Still, I suppose he'll be charging up here soon enough. Best get on with it."

"Wh… wh… what are you going t...t…t…to do?" Neville was shaking as well as sweating now.

Meg watched as Dean took his eyes off her for a moment. But it was all she needed. She drew her wand out and threw a strong binding charm at him.

He turned and laughed, completely unaffected.

"Merlin, this gets so tedious. Here we go again! Your wand won't work around me. I enchanted it. There. Any questions?"

Meg gasped and stared at him in true horror. She was defenceless against a completely insane, clever and clearly volatile man. Her eyes flicked to Neville and back to Dean, she licked dry lips and tried desperately to hide the shake that had taken her hands.

"Give me your wand, Neville. Nice and slowly, bring it out of your robe now." Dean held out his hand to the boy.

"I don't have it.." squeaked Neville nervously. "I forgot it."

"Oh, Neville, the only boy in the school with a Remembrall and you still can't remember things." Dean tutted and looked at Neville in disappointment.

"How you ever got past your first year here I'll never know. A squib, that's what you are; nothing but a squib. It's only the kindness of that old fool Dumbledore that you're still here! His greatest weakness; he's blinded by kindness, thinks everyone is worth a second chance." He strode forward, glaring at them both.

"But you!" He dug his wand point into Meg's chest deeply. "You aren't even worthy of breathing." The undisguised hate on his face contorted it, making him look ugly and old.

"Get away from me!" she hissed.

"No. You're going to pay one way or the other, you're going to purify that soul of yours once and for all… there's one passage in the bible that has always struck me… an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."

"My soul is fine. Yours, however, doesn't exist."

"You're right! You stripped my soul away when you took the life of my sister. You took my whole life when you took hers. Nine years I've waited for this and I'm not going to let anyone get in the way."

"I never meant for it to happen, I never meant for her to die. But she did, and you need to let her go, Dean."

"Don't you lecture me about what I need or don't need!" he spat and slapped her hard across her cheek, her head snapped to the side, tears sprung to her eyes from the pain.

Neville seemed to come to life; he stepped forward, his face white and pasty.

"Don't!" He tried to step forward again but Dean brought his wand hand around and smashed him in the chest with his closed fist. Neville went flying backwards, crashing into the desks. He fell heavily his head smacking on the corner of the desk.

Meg reacted the instant his wand left her chest. She brought both hands up to shove violently on his chest, he stumbled backwards.

Meg brought her boot up and knocked his legs out from under him.

He crashed down losing his grip on the wand. Meg watched as it slid across towards the Neville, who was unconscious, a nasty gash on his head.

Meg lunged for it at the same time as Dean. They collided as he brought his fist up and into the side of her neck. She screamed in pain as he knocked her sideways, his hand closed over his wand.

He brought it up and yelled at her.

"Crucio"

Meg felt the fire consuming her veins as she writhed in agony. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before. Pure hot pain filled every nerve ending, she screamed as the torment poured over her.

He ended the curse and the initial agony left her. But every nerve in her body was still painful; every area of her ached and twitched as if she'd been shot through with electricity.

He came to stand over her, his face contorted in pain. His wand pointed at Neville.

"Get up!" he shouted at her and kicked her when she didn't move.

"Get up or I'll kill him where he lies!" he spat and kicked her again.

Meg was crying now, tears pouring down her face; tears of pain, tears of fear.

"Get up and get over to the window. We're going to find out just how good at flying you really are." He laughed cruelly.

"And remember, Megan, one wrong move and Neville will never open his eyes again."

Meg stumbled to her knees, pain racked through her, her hands curled into themselves like claws. Her hands felt as if the skin had been taken off them. He watched her with a sadistic grin as she struggled to her feet, only to fall as the pain in the soles of her feet was too much for her weight.

"You can crawl; might even be entertaining." He laughed.

She just wanted to curl into a ball and never feel again, but Neville was helpless. She had to think, had to get it together enough to get them both out of this.

"If I do as you say…." She started to cough and blood seeped from her mouth. "Will you let Neville go?"

"I might." He laughed and it sounded as insane as he actually was. "then again maybe I won't. But if you don't… well the outcome is a surety!"

"I hope you burn in hell!" she hissed, more blood spitting onto the floor.

"Most probably, do save me a seat down there, won't you?" He flicked towards the window with his wand.

Meg closed her eyes and dragged herself towards it; praying that Jack and Severus would be just at the bottom of the ladder now. Or even just opening the trap door, either would suit her just fine…

Dumbledore helped Jack to his feet. Snape was standing there, his thoughts clicking into place. Icy coldness washed over him and settled into his heart.

"Rider!" He spat and turned towards the fire.

"What?" Jack was rubbing his wrists glaring at him; he clearly looked as if he could jump on Snape again.

"Where is Meg now?" asked Remus.

"In her study," Jack muttered and watched in surprise when Snape thrust a handful of powder into his fire and called her name.

"Her fire is not lit," he swore and rushed out of the room, Remus close on his heels.

"Rider?" Jack looked at Minerva and Dumbledore who had motioned for him to follow.

"Dean Rider has been teaching divination here since the start of the year."

"What?" Jack almost exploded. "Sarah's brother?" He ran a hand through his hair and picked up speed till he fell in with Remus.

"What the hell is he doing here? Who the hell let him teach here? Didn't she tell you about Sarah?"

"She told me," Snape replied, his robes flapping round him as he took the steps down to the dungeons at high speed. He almost collided with Malfoy on the way down.

"Get out of my way, idiot!" roared Snape, picking the boy up by his collar and bodily lifting him to the side.

"Sorry…sir?" Malfoy was struck at seeing the teachers all racing down the stairs. The dried blood still smeared over Snape's chin.

"Sir?" he called out and Snape held up his hand without even stopping.

"Not now, Malfoy!" he roared.

He shrugged and turning almost collided with Minerva as she came sweeping down with Dumbledore.

"Merlin!" He jumped out of the way in time. "Where's the fire?"

Snape stopped outside her room and flung the door open.

He was momentarily taken by surprise at the sight of her room so bare. His eyes fell on the box and he glared before turning around and pinning Jack with a steely glare.

"Where would she have gone?" he demanded.

"I gave her the letter Rod sent; she'll have put it together and gone to find him." He groaned as it sank in where she was.

"Of all the insufferable, idiotic things to do!" Snape lit the fireplace with his wand and stepped forward to floo as close to the Divination classroom as he could.

"Won't the fire be lit in the classroom itself?" asked Jack taking a handful ready to follow Snape.

"Dean put it out," Remus explained; Snape was still muttering wildly about the crass stupidity of Meg as he disappeared.

Jack stepped into the fire, closely followed by Remus and Dumbledore. Minerva stayed to dispel the crowd that had gathered after Malfoy had alerted half the Slytherins that something was up.

Snape made his way to the trapdoor leading into the classroom above and finding it locked, blasted it with his wand.

"Oh, way to go Sherlock!" Jack spat at him. "Alert that nutter we're here. We may as well go and order a bloody coffin now. He'll kill her soon enough if he knows you're on the way!"

"Severus knows what he's doing," Remus said trying very hard to sound convincing when the thought had crossed his mind too.

Snape was up the ladder and into the room before Jack could reply.

Jack scrambled up after him, closely followed by Remus and Dumbledore.

The room was empty, only one window was open.

Jack groaned and rushed forward. Images of seeing Meg sprawled far below filled his head.

Snape went white and was beside Jack in an instant.

He couldn't loose her now. The sight of her empty room and the knowledge that Dean had been trying to kill her had made him panic. He had seen her lifeless body in his minds eye and it had almost made his heart stop beating. He had realised then just how much he loved her; just how much he'd give to keep her safe.

He would die for her. He would die with her if he had to. But he'd never let her go again.

Dean levitated Neville's body and sent him out the window.

Meg screamed and tried to grab him.

"Ah, ah, ah," he mocked her. "Don't distract me or try to get my wand or precious Neville will be seeing how well he bounces still."

Meg cursed him as she dragged herself to her feet.

Neville was floating flat on his back inches over the edge of the thin ledge that ran around the tower.

"Get on to the ledge and keep going round till you can slide down onto the next ledge. I'm not waiting for lover boy to get up here and ruin things."

Meg's mind snapped into sharp focus, oh dear Merlin, Jack had thought it was Snape that had been hurting her; they might never get here.

She shook her head as she inched over the sill, she wouldn't think past the moment; had to keep her senses about her.

The pain had eased considerably but Meg had continued to act as if she was in great pain thinking it might give her an edge over him. She looked down and nearly fainted. They were so high the Quidditch loops looked like lollipop sticks on the ground.

She clung to the edge and biting her lip made her legs move over the edge. She clung to the rough stonework, a sweat breaking out.

"Move!" He nudged her with his foot. She began to slide along. Although the ledge was about three feet wide, she kept as close to the wall as possible, unable to let herself look down. She kept her mind on Neville; she had to find a way of making sure he would remain safe.

"Please, let Neville go back in, I'll do what you want, I promise."

"So touching… What devotion! Shame you didn't have such devotion for my sister."

"I loved your sister. I will always love her."

"You love yourself you mean… stop! Stand there!"

She stopped and turned. He laid Neville onto the ledge and bent forward to step over him.

Neville's hand shot upwards and he gripped the wand in Dean's hand. Sparks burst from the end, blasting the stone work behind them. Meg hadn't been the only one keeping up pretences.

Dean was taken by surprise and he lost his footing. He slipped over the edge, taking Neville with him. He lost his grip on the wand in an effort to catch something to save himself. It slithered across the ledge just stopping before it fell over too.

"NO!" Meg screamed and sank to her knees leaning over to see.

Neville and Dean were clutched together; Neville's robes were caught on one of the stone gargoyles that decorated the walls of the tower. He looked up at her, fear stark on his face as he cried out to her.

"Hang on!" She yelled and leaned over. But it wasn't enough.

"Accio broomstick!" She yelled and almost fainted with relief when a broomstick came flying out of the open window. She snatched his wand and then got on the broomstick and without even thinking, stepped off the ledge and brought it level with them but out of Dean's reach.

"Dean, let go off Neville," she cried out.

"Are you out of your mind; you'll let me drop," he yelled at her, clutching tighter to Neville, whose robes were close to ripping anyway.

"I won't let you drop, I'll levitate you to the ledge, it's only about fifteen feet down… You must let go or you'll both fall!" she screamed at him. "I can't do the spell with both of your weights, now let go!"

She was so scared, fear coursed through her. But she kept her eyes on Neville who had his eyes closed, his mouth moving rapidly as he found god.

"Dean, let go…" she yelled again, not certain she'd be quick enough to catch either of them if the cloth gave way, which she was pretty certain it would.

Dean suddenly launched himself off Neville. The sudden movement was too much strain on the cloth and it tore. The last thing Meg heard was Neville scream as he plummeted down to the ledge below. She couldn't look down, because Dean had caught the end of the broomstick and was hanging on with his hands.

"Neville!" She screamed and tried to let the broomstick down to the ledge, but his weight on the end was too much for her control and she began spiralling down getting faster and faster.

Dean suddenly yanked at her leg and pulled her off the broomstick, swinging himself up at the same time.

Meg screamed as she dropped, her hands scrambling to keep hold of the broomstick but her hands found nothing as he swerved sharply away from her, watching as she fell backwards slightly, her legs and arms scrambling for purchase on something that just wasn't there.

Meg realised instantly she was too far out to hit the ledge Neville was on.

She was going to die and there was nothing she could do.

"You did this!" Jack cried at Snape. "She told you and you didn't even think…" He shook his head at Snape, his eyes glistening with tears.

Snape ignored him and clambered out the window, stopping only to shrug out of his robes and frock coat.

"It's not over yet!" Dumbledore stepped up to Jack and laid his hand on his shoulder.

Jack shrugged him off and began to climb out after Snape.

"Damn right it's not!" he bit out.

Remus gave Dumbledore a worried look and followed the other two men out the window.

Snape was on his knees looking over the edge; despair on his face as he pointed his wand towards the ground. Remus followed his suit and began to mutter the same spell that Snape was casting, a catching spell; he could only hope that it would slow her descent.

Jack could do nothing but watch as his sister fell threw the air like a rag doll, head over heels, arms and legs at odd angles until she hit the ground unmoving.

Neville had never felt so much pain before, it filled every pore and he knew both his legs were broken, along with a few ribs by the feel of it. But the pain that was worse was the pain of seeing Meg fall.

He slid his wand down his sleeve and leaned over the edge. He'd lied when he'd said he'd forgotten it. He had been going to use it first chance he'd got. But he'd been knocked out and his chance had gone. But he wouldn't fail her again.

He muttered the only spell that came into his head; a cushioning spell, he peered down, muttering the enchantment over and over. Praying harder and harder, he'd have no idea if it worked. Not even sure if he had the words right. It probably hadn't worked. Neville and charms were like Neville and potions.

He watched until she hit the ground and then he laid his head on the stone ledge and cried.

He was sure he'd failed again.

Meg blacked out half way down… the sensation of falling and the realisation she was going die horribly was too much for her brain to cope with. Cold, black darkness overwhelmed her making her body limp.

Neville was levitated over the edge; but he took no notice as he gripped Remus arm.

"Did it work? Did it work? I tried so damn hard to cushion her fall but my spell… I said it over and over… is she…?"

Snape's head snapped up as he heard Neville's words. Snape had never moved as fast as he did then. He didn't give Dean another thought; he didn't even acknowledge any of them as he got to his feet and going back to the window climbed in.

He vaguely heard Dumbledore asking him something as he lit the fireplace with his wand and stepping into it he called out Filch's office which was on the ground floor.

He stepped out to a very surprised Filch. But he ignored the man and dashed out of the door.

Snape very rarely ran anywhere. But he did now. He was certain it was no good. No one could survive that fall and he wasn't enough of an optimist to think that his and Remus' spell casting had made any difference, but hope had filled him when he heard Neville's words. If only they had been several seconds sooner; if only he'd made her tell him what had been going on. If only he'd gone on his gut instincts and watched Rider more closely. If only she had trusted him enough to talk to him.

Tears almost blinded his vision, but he couldn't let them fall. Not now, not yet.

He was almost afraid to turn the corner of the grounds that lay under the astronomy tower so many feet above him. But he did; and he saw her face down on the grass.

"Megan," he whispered his head dropping forward as he rested his hand on her head; he was aware that there was very little blood, although her arms and legs were at painful angles.

"Megan?" he spoke her name more clearly, hope sparking to life in his dead heart. He hardly dared to breathe as he listened closely, his ear pressed close to her face.

He heard the tiniest of noises from her. He quickly felt for a pulse; he sighed as her pulse under his fingertips was regular if not a little slow.

He suddenly realised how she survived. The ground underneath her was soft and springy, Neville's spell had worked, and along with the catching charms it had saved her life. And his too.

A/N: This isn't the end as you've probably guessed but it seemed easier to end it here for now as the next chapter is going to take me awhile.

I just wanted to explain a few things to everyone who has been kind enough to leave reviews encouraging me of late about who I should be writing for.

You all are, of course, right when you say that I should write for me.

And I was, in fact I started writing this because I wanted to have a story where Severus did what I wanted him to do… I wanted him to find someone whom he would fall in love with, but someone who was willing to take him the way he was. Not expect him to suddenly wash his hair every day, or stop the sneering and smart talking.

But I have to admit that recently I have found it very hard to write.

My better half, who keeps an eye on my story and the reviews, told me to listen to myself. He knew what the trouble was … (after six years together he knows me better than I do). I'm not very confident with my writing. So, what happened was I began to lose a bit of faith in my story and started to worry more about what people would think ( I think that sometimes I get completely out of hand, my imagination can really get out of control sometimes!).

Anyway, what I'm rambling about here is this…. I appreciate everyone's comments and advice and reviews. I have even used some ideas (Remus would never be here otherwise and he's going to play a big part in kicking Severus up the backside soon!) but I have to stop worrying whether the story goes your way and let it go mine. Sorry if this sounds harsh. I don't mean to be and I don't want you to stop reviewing and leaving notes of advice etc. They mean an awful lot to me. This is the first story I've really worked on that other people have seen. And I got unbalanced (even more so than usual!) but I've learnt from my mistake I hope.

Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive. It was hard for me to believe at first that other people enjoyed my ramblings as much as I enjoy writing them! ( I still find it hard to believe.)

Have a nice day wherever you are!