"Severus, Minerva, a moment please."

The rest of the professors exited the office leaving the three of them alone.

Dumbledore turned to Snape, "How is Miss Artemis doing? I got your message that she had been attacked."

"Considering all she has been through recently, very well." Snape said, trying to sound impartial.

"But how did you know she had been confronted by a Boggart?" asked Minerva.

"I heard her scream from my own rooms, when I arrived she was huddled into a corner as the boggart spoke to her." He decided not to reveal what he had seen, and was grateful when neither asked for more details.

"It's a good thing you did, the Apprentice's quarters are not equipped with the same protective charms as the dormitories. We would have had no way of knowing there was an intruder." replied Minerva.

Snape inclined his head in acknowledgement, not trusting himself to say anything that wouldn't reveal what else had happened.

"How has her apprenticeship been going?" questioned Dumbledore.

"She is a talented teacher and potioneer. We were due to start brewing a new antidote for Veritaserum before she was called to assist with the second task."

"I must apologize for that Severus, her assistance was necessary, and I am afraid I will have to call her to assist in the preparations for the Yule Ball as well."

"You mean she will not be allowed to continue as my apprentice?"

"No we aren't saying that Severus," Minerva jumped in. "But she won't be able to spend as much time in her duties as we had hoped."

"Minerva has actually thought of a way for Lyria to make up the lost time with you. Silvanus was due to be her advisor next semester, but after working with her during the task he has insisted there was nothing more he could teach such a talented witch." said Dumbledore. Snape's interest was piqued.

"We thought maybe she continue on with you for another semester. Perhaps she could even take over a class to further improve her teaching skills." added Minerva.

Snape tried not to let on to his excitement, "I believe that would be a favorable arrangement for both Artemis and myself. She enjoyed teaching and with her taking a class I could spend more time on my own research."

"Yes but Severus she will still require your guidance."

"Of course Headmaster."

"Minerva will you confirm the decision with Miss Artemis?" asked Dumbledore. She nodded and Snape turned to leave.

"Severus, one more thing."

Damn.

He turned as nonchalantly as he could. "Yes Headmaster?"

"Has Artemis spoken to you about her time at the Ministry?"

Well that was unexpected. "Vaguely, she spoke about a few incidents she observed but nothing more." Noting the concerned glance that Minerva and Dumbledore shared he began to walk back to the desk. "Why? Is something wrong?"

"That remains to be seen." The wizard nodded to Minerva who began speaking in a worried tone.

"We have been unable to learn anything about her position at the Ministry."

"What do you mean? I thought this was a joint internship of sorts."

"Well initially the position of apprentice at Hogwarts was offered to Lyria outside of her work at the Ministry, but when she accepted an official from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement sent a letter to myself that stated her position would be in conjunction with her position at the Ministry. No other instructions were attached, simply that they would be monitoring her progress."

"Who sent the letter?"

"It was not signed, only stamped with the seal. We haven't heard from them since and all of our inquiries about Lyria's time at the Ministry have resulted in few answers."

Dumbledore added "We were hoping she had spoken to you about what exactly her position was."

Snape shook his head, confused "No she hasn't."

"And now she seems to know about projects being conducted within the Ministry, seems suspicious of them, strange for a girl that had one day hoped to work there." responded Dumbledore tentatively.

Snape's face lit with rage "Albus you cannot seriously be implying that she had something to do with-"

Dumbledore raised his hand, "No Severus I am not stating anything of the sort. However I do think she will be able to help us find out what's going on. See if you can get her to talk about it, she may be our only hope."

Snape nodded and moved away once more before realization hit. "Headmaster,"

"Yes?"

"One of the forms Lyria's boggart took was a man that works for the Ministry."

McGonagall's face paled, "Are you sure Severus?"

"Yes."

"How do you know?" she questioned.

"I'm not sure, he is familiar to me. I know not from where. I am just sure he works for the Ministry."

"Very well…" said Dumbledore, his face turning serious, "If you remember anything else about this man inform me immediately."

Lyria spent her day tending to frightened students, helping them with their homework, and traveling from one common room to another. The work kept her mind away from the events of last night and also helped her to avoid Snape.

She had avoided answering his questions about the other form her boggart had taken, but knew he would ask again. Lyria desperately hoped to avoid answering.

Snape looked everywhere for Lyria, even asking a few students if they had seen her, but each time he got to her last reported location she had gone. When dinner came she arrived late and tried to avoid his eyes. Severus was beginning to worry that he had made her uncomfortable last night and this morning, but the blush that rose to her cheeks and the smile that teased her lips when he finally caught her eyes dispelled his worries.

Lyria was definitely avoiding him, but not because of their… their what? Was it an interest in each other? A relationship? Snape resolved to ask her about that too, if he could just get a minute with her.

Lyria left dinner early and exited out the teacher's door.

"That's it, I will have to knock on her door again." thought Snape.

As students and teachers alike exited the Great Hall William Pendragon gave a small wave to a group of Hogwarts girls that were giggling as he passed them, they all sighed. He gave them one last smile before continuing down the corridor.

Even with everything going wrong Oh how he loved being back at Hogwarts.

It was his home away from home, his domain, and soon he would be back for good. He didn't want to have to betray the old wizard, it would be much easier to have his support, but alas Dumbledore would have to be disposed of.

All William had to do was wait until the end of the Triwizard tournament, then his efforts would be rewarded with the teaching position and his future in the new order would be secured. All he needed now was that beautiful, powerful woman by his side.

Lyria had been more resistant to him than he had expected. When she had first been described to him, he thought he would have no trouble charming her. A loner, quiet but powerful, ambitious and resourceful, she was the perfect combination of Gryffindor and Slytherin not dissimilar from himself.

His instructions had been clear,

"I am going to let her take the Hogwarts position, she will think she's escaped, but when the tournament is moved there it will be your job to bring her around William. We will need her support. You must gain her trust, her favor. Shower her with attention and she will not resist. She has grown accustomed to being overlooked. A rose with too many thorns will be avoided, no matter how beautiful the flower. She may be powerful but she is just a girl. Once she favors you play to her ambition, she will come to us eventually."

Yet still she resisted him! He had tried so many different things, no woman had ever scorned him this way.

Then there was Snivellus, quite the unexpected obstacle. He thought that once he revealed the truth about Snape's past to her, it would to drive her away. Once she knew about Lily, Lyria would certainly fall to him, he would be waiting there to catch her and support her. He was able to make some headway while they worked together, but the events at the last task as well as their recent behavior indicated that his attempt had not been successful. Lyria had still called out to Snape instead of him. The potion's teacher had then proceeded to remain by her bedside as she recovered. Now they were walking around Hogwarts chatting, even displaying affection at the meeting.

"That wimpy dungeon bat is nothing compared to me!" He thought angrily.

And now Lyria was onto them, surely it wouldn't be long until she put the pieces together.

He shook his head. She was a foolish girl, if she didn't come to him she would miss out on a wonderful opportunity. Not just to be with an actual man instead of the young potions brat, but to be a part of a new wizarding order in Britain.

Perhaps it was time to confront her… And Snape, well, once he knew the truth about Lyria he may not be as interested. If that still didn't break them apart then maybe he would write to his friends at the Ministry and ask for some more dirt on Snape.

Snape turned to head down the corridor towards the Dungeons and William saw his chance.

He started to walk towards Snape and when the man's eyes fell on him he saw rage. Perfect.

"Hello Snivellus."

"What do you want Pendragon." He spat.

"I just wanted to give you a fair warning."

"Warning?"

"Lyria will be mine. I suggest you stay out of my way."

Snape scoffed at him and William continued. "You have no idea what you're dealing with Snivellus. That girl isn't what you think she is."

"No?" Snape said tauntingly.

"No. Obviously she doesn't trust you as much as you think. If she did you would know why she's so dangerous."

"What do you mean?" His sneer remained in place but his eyes betrayed curiosity.

"Ever wonder how she got so far in the Ministry right after she graduated from Hogwarts? How she knew what the Ministry was doing this morning? Ever wonder why she suddenly fled to Hogwarts? Honestly Snape you're daft. I bet you don't even know her name."

"Her name is Lyria Artemis." Snape said sternly.

"Are you sure?" Pendragon smiled wickedly. "You may have stayed away from the Dark Arts, but not everyone can."

Snape realized then that Pendragon didn't know he had been a Death Eater, which was good, but heightened his concern.

"As I understand it, Hogwarts teachers aren't fans of those involved with the Dark Lord."

Snape stayed quiet and let Pendragon speak, he was revealing valuable information and no matter how angry he got, he wanted to see what else William would reveal.

"And how would you know who's involved with the Dark Lord?"

Pendragon spluttered for a moment before he responded. "When you're as respected a Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor as I am you know these thing. Also I was an Auror after all."

Snape almost laughed, he looked like an arrogant child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Besides, I don't answer your questions Snivellus. Just think about what I said." and with that William strutted down the hall.

Severus definitely needed to talk to Lyria Artemis.