At long last! An update! I apologise for the wait, I've had a bad bout of writer's block. Have been trying to focus on my other stories that I have yet to post here, and have had problems posting to Occlumency.

Katha: Here's your update! Hope you enjoy! I'm working on chapter 22 as we speak!

Chapter 21

Grace had been utterly exhausted after the previous night's escapades and had slept until 10am. Upon entering the kitchen for breakfast, she noticed Sirius was grinning widely at Evelyn who kept turning away in embarrassment. This show of emotion seeped into Grace as though it were her own. Evelyn noticed her sit down and smiled at her. She looked very flushed.

"Are you alright? You look a little peaky," Evelyn commented.

"I'm fine, just a little tired," replied Grace.

"Have you taken your insulin this morning?"

"No why?"

"How could you forget?" Evelyn was immediately on her feet.

"Calm down. I don't need them anymore."

"What are you talking about?" said Evelyn confusedly.

"Since getting my powers I've not had to use a single dose of insulin. I don't really understand it. It just went away," she said shrugging her shoulders

"Are you sure?" Evelyn was less than convinced.

"Yes. Not a single one in two months."

"Ok, then why do you look so flushed?"

"Perhaps we should talk elsewhere," replies Grace rising from her seat and walking to the door.

Evelyn frowned but followed her anyway.

They went into the sitting room, which conveniently enough was empty. Grace sat down and waited for Evelyn to do the same before telling her about what had happened last night.

"What's wrong?" Evelyn asked.

"My empathy has reached astronomical heights," Grace replied.

"I don't understand,"

"Evelyn, whatever you and Sirius were doing, I felt it as though someone were doing it all to me!"

Evelyn went wide eyed.

Surely not? How could she have felt that? she thought.

"How is that even possible?" she asked, clearly shocked.

"I think my empathic abilities are growing along with my other powers. It's more than just emotions. It's physical sensations."

"This could be dangerous," Evelyn admonished.

"You think I don't know that?"

"You need to get those powers under control," Evelyn warned. Grace breathed in deeply. "On the bright side, at least now you'll be able to sense Snape's feelings." She reasoned. Grace looked at her incredulously.

Grace, Evelyn, and the students returned to Hogwarts via the Knight Bus. Once again, Grace and Evelyn were both glad to be off the bus and on solid ground.

They both trudged up to their rooms dragging their bags behind them. Evelyn mumbled goodnight, even though it was late morning, and left Grace standing in the hall. She then dragged her bags into her room and placed neatly on the bed was her lost Sai. Next to it was an old book bound in red leather and inscribed with gold lettering. She picked it up and read the title –

Advanced Astral Projection by Gloria Swift.

She opened the cover and a letter fell out. She immediately recognised the handwriting. It was from Snape.

Miss Huxton,

I took the liberty of retrieving your lost weapon from The Forbidden Forest. I also decided that, given your inexperience with your newfound abilities, you would appreciate this text more than I. It should help you control them more efficiently.

In regards to my actions on Christmas Eve, I must confess I had not analysed the situation thoroughly. It was not my intention to surmise that you were indeed inclined to procure feelings for Lupin. It is also not my place to interfere if this is the case. The drives you invoke in me are highly unusual and unexpected, though more recently, are not unwanted. For the first time in a long time, I felt afraid of losing something before I even had it.

I don't expect you to forgive my actions. I simply needed to inform you as to why I reacted they way I did. I will understand if you wish to remain colleagues and nothing more. Merlin knows that I have never warranted forgiveness or understanding regarding my past actions. I would not expect you to extend the same courtesy to me that Professor Dumbledore does.

I only wish that I could have curbed my feelings before inflicting them upon you.

Severus Snape.

She folded the letter and placed it back in the book. She contemplated writing a letter in response, but thought better of it and went down to the dungeons to talk to him directly.

She approached his office with apprehension. She knocked and entered, not giving him time to ask who was there.

He was seated at his desk, as usual, and was scribbling hastily on a piece of parchment. He seemed to do that a lot. He glanced up and stopped his hand over the parchment when he noticed her standing in the doorway.

"Thank you for retrieving my Sai," she stated.

"It seemed a shame to leave it there to rust." He tried to sound indifferent.

Grace could feel his heart pounding in his chest. It was the first time she'd ever felt him become nervous and not be able to control it.

She stepped into the room and shut the door behind her. Snape kept his head down, staring fixatedly at his parchment as Grace made her way to his desk. She held the old book in her hands as she approached and removed the letter. She tentatively placed the book down in front of him.

"I appreciate the gesture and the help, but I can't accept this," she said quietly.

Snape picked up the book and looked straight into her eyes.

"I have no use for a tome like this. I surmised that it would be beneficial to you," he replied.

"Yes it would, but I couldn't possibly keep it. It looks so old,"

"It is. It's actually one of a kind. I have procured many rare volumes over the years. This is simply one I have no use for. I'd rather it be used than sit collecting dust." He set the book back down and turned back to his parchment.

"Well, if you are sure?"

"I am not one to make decisions lightly. Keep it."

Grace felt a little cut off. He was sounding as if the letter he'd written meant nothing. As she pondered this thought, she tapped into his emotions again. They were betraying his appearance. The mere presence of her was making his hands shake.

He suddenly threw his quill down in frustration and stood up.

"Grace, are you going to stand there all night? I am rather busy." His eyes flickered with his concealed passion.

Grace opened the letter and held it up to him. He stared at it for a few moments.

"I got your letter," was all she could muster.

"That much is obvious," he breathed.

They continued to stare at each other, neither knowing what to do or say. They were at an impasse. Grace lowered the letter and looked down at her hands. She looked up with sorrow written all over her face.

"Where do we go from here?" she whispered.

"I don't know," Snape replied honestly.

"Why is this so complicated and confusing? It shouldn't be this hard," Grace said shaking her head.

Snape moved towards her and took hold of her shoulders. She looked up at him, feeling overwhelmed with passion, lust, love, and sorrow. He had a similar look in his own eyes, of being overwhelmed by his emotions. He couldn't stand it any longer. He had to give in to these impulses or he feared they would totally consume him.

He took hold of her face and softly pressed his lips to hers.

As he kissed her, he felt her legs give way and he had to grasp hold of her waist. She took the opportunity to throw her arms around his neck, dropping the letter, as he plunged his tongue deep into her mouth.

After several minutes of heated kissing, he pulled back.

"It's not the right time," he breathed.

Grace looked incredibly dejected and frustrated.

"It's never the right time!" Grace sighed.

"It will be. I don't want this to be the way we make up after a fall out,"

"Why not? It's a hell of a way to make up," Grace smiled. Snape smirked.

"Be that as it may, it should be the perfect time, the perfect moment,"

"Nothing is ever perfect, Severus," Grace said shaking her head.

"No, but it should be as close to perfect as we can get." He stepped further away from her.

Grace sighed in defeat. She collected the book and picked up the letter she had dropped. She walked to the door and stopped when she grabbed the handle. She turned round and smiled at him.

"You will come to the New Years party wont you?" she asked.

"Perhaps."

With that, she turned and left.