November 12th, 1976

—S—

Severus,

Lad, when we began our correspondence as such, never once did I think it would be laden with such heavy topics. Of your lady, your academics, perhaps even the mundane from time to time, but not talk of Death Eaters and the Dark Lord and selling your soul for a chance at an education.

Your grandmother had informed me that my tuition is still available, having never been spent despite my being disowned. She says that no grandson of hers will fall to his knees and beg to be given what should have been his right as a Prince heir.

As for the followers of the Dark Lord: do what you feel is right. With so few true Potion 's masters out there, we cannot be particular. If you must, think on your father when speaking of muggles, I'm sure that will supply adequate inspiration to muster through conversations with the lot of them.

If you can, see your grandmother during the holidays. She deserves to lay eyes on you in more than a mere picture.

-E. Prince

The pleasure at seeing his mother's name, her proper name, on the parchment was nearly as strong as seeing that he did not need Lucius Malfoy or anyone else to cover the cost of his tuition.

And the letter, though late, arrived in time for him to be able to face Slughorn's dinner. Should Lucius be there, he didn't have to worry about being further tempted by the thought of an easy answer at the cost of himself.

Though he did have to worry about Slughorn practically displaying him like a trophy.

It was on a whim that Severus submitted his notes on crushing a sopophoros bean as opposed to slicing it, thought he had been tempted to do so with a couple drops of liquid luck. In the end, he decided it was an absolute waste of a perfectly good potion, and the likelihood that anything would come of it would be nil.

He was very, very wrong.

Mr Hicklepunk of potions quarterly thought Severus was quite inventive, and while he was certain that the young student's methods would not be received well, it was precisely the kind of thinking that they longed for in their commentaries and suggestions. He was going to publish it in the winter quarter, and he claimed to have written Slughorn to praise his skills as a professor. Severus nearly laughed at the notation but thought it best to allow all to pretend it was as it seemed.

He had yet to tell Hermione, waiting to have to magazine in hand to show her, and Slughorn had blissfully kept it to himself. But he was called on more frequently in potions class and used as a measuring stick to which all the numpties were to be measured by. It was getting more than a bit annoying.

He tucked the letter in his bag, preparing to head over to meet Hermione at her table across the Great Hall, and spend the time before Slughorn's social event with her.

"Mr Snape," Professor McGonagall said as she came up to him, appearing stern and sounding a bit miffed. "If you could come with me for a moment?"

The others at the table looked at him with pity and confusion, though he merely nodded at McGonagall before standing and following her out the Hall. He caught Hermione's eye on the way and shrugged when she seemed just as confused as he was as to why McGonagall was calling on him.

Once they were out of the hall and half way up the stairs, McGonagall relaxed a fraction.

"I'm sorry to pull you away from Hermione as I'm sure you were planning on spending some time with her before you were confined to Horace's office for the evening, but I'm afraid you were requested."

"By whom?" He asked.

"Professor Dumbledore." She replied.

"What would the headmaster want with me?" He asked, his shields going up and locking in place as his apprehension took over.

"I'm not sure, Severus." She said quietly. "But if it's any consolation, Alastor is there as well."

"Not Professor Scamander as well, I hope." He said through clenched teeth.

"No. Though I must say why the two of you don't seem to like one another …."

"I have a knowledge of the dark arts she believes no one my age should have. Unless, of course …."

"Say no more." Minerva said as they came up to the gargoyle. She spoke the name of a sweet, and the statue moved aside for them.

When they entered the Headmaster's office, Severus noted Professor Dumbledore was seated in his chair behind his desk, Moody standing off to his right.

"Thank you, Minerva." Dumbledore said. "That will be all."

"Albus, you can't ask me to act the stern professor to a well-behaved student, dragging him to this office, and expect me to leave." She countered.

"I'm afraid it's Order business, Minerva. And what's more, I need my deputy on patrol with Horace's gathering taking place this evening." Dumbledore countered.

What did he mean by "Order" business? Looking between the Professor he trusted and the one he did not, Severus was quite near asking for McGonagall to stay simply to be a witness. But then again, Moody was in the room. Moody, who he trusted and trusted him.

He certainly didn't relax, but when McGonagall asked Severus with nothing more than a look if he wanted her to stay, he gave an indication that it was alright. She left, but still seemed entirely too weary as she did so.

When the door closed, Dumbledore put on the genial grin that had always irked Severus to no end and gestured to a comfortable looking chair on the opposite side of the desk. Severus took it hesitantly, sitting rigidly, quietly.

"Lemon drop?" The headmaster offered, and Severus shook his head.

Dumbledore nodded. "Mr Snape, Alastor here has told me that you are being courted."

Severus raised an eyebrow at Alastor who said nothing but gave a reassuring upturn of the lips.

"Something tells me that you don't mean Hermione Granger." Severus said.

"No, I do not. But it's good you mention her, actually. You see, I'm not sure you have all the facts. I know you had an accidental gander into her mind last year, and she asked me not to Obliviate you afterward."

That was news. He supposed, though, in the aftermath of the incident, it became a footnote in comparison to affirming that their relationship was intact.

But Severus made no reaction, and Dumbledore nodded once before continuing.

"However, what you saw was not a full scope of Miss Granger herself. I know that Slytherin's have a strong sense of blood purity within the house, and I'm afraid what you may not realize is that Miss Granger lacks the qualities those of your house look for." And then, as if Severus was completely stupid, Dumbledore peered at him over his half-moon spectacles and said, "She is Muggleborn."

It took everything Severus had not to roll his eyes as the headmaster. "Given that I'm a halfblood, I don't pay much mind to blood status."

"No?" Dumbledore asked, and Severus felt that needling in his mind of someone attempting to poke around. He gave nothing, even as the headmaster's presence became more obvious.

"Give it up, Albus." Moody said, his smirk growing wider. "That boy ain't letting no one in if he doesn't want'em."

"I believe you are quite right, Alastor. Mr Snape, I would like an honest answer from you, if I could. Were you ever planning on joining Tom Riddle's Death Eaters?"

"Considering the last group of openly supportive students were expelled or placed on permanent detention, it would be stupid of me to admit if I were. However, while it may have seemed an option at one point, it would have been merely for the access and privilege that were denied me for nearly four years of my education."

"And if the opportunity were still to present itself, if those of his inner circle had wanted you, would you not take it?"

"No."

"Why not?" Dumbledore asked, tenting his fingers. "Pardon me for my assumptions, but I don't foresee power or prestige being easy for you to obtain without connections."

"Perhaps I do not seek power or prestige." Severus said through his teeth, knowing it was only a half lie but his indignation was getting the better of him. He was already earning the latter, and by his own merit. His own knowledge and research. Power … it had been a dream, once, when the marauders were always against him. But since Lupin and he became friends, and Black called a truce, the other half of the irksome foursome had withheld physical retaliation.

"Ambition is a trait of your house." Dumbledore said.

"Ambition and power do not equal the same thing." Severus snapped.

Dumbledore smiled, "I suppose it doesn't. So, perhaps, you should think on this: what would you do to protect Miss Granger? To keep her safe? I'm sure she is doing a fine job while here at the school blending in with the purebloods, especially as she was sorted into Gryffindor, who typically do not bother with such notions."

Severus' nostrils flared as every news article, every piece of information the school had tucked away on Dumbledore's past and his association with Grindelwald flashed through his mind. He read them all, knew without a doubt that Dumbledore was not at all the saintly Gryffindor, champion of muggles that he had appeared to be.

"But when she is out there in the Wizarding world, working for the ministry, how well will she be able to keep things quiet? How long before she is pegged as the muggleborn she is, or worse, the traveler she is? What are you willing to do to keep her safe?"

"She doesn't need to worry about that." He said immediately.

"Doesn't she? She let you slip through and into her mind, do you believe she is strong enough to keep it from everyone?"

Severus did something he instantly regretted: he flinched. He wasn't sure if Hermione was strong in her abilities and merely let him in because she trusted him, or if she wasn't as good as she should be.

"There is a secret society, Mr Snape, known as the Order of the Phoenix. Our goal is, simply put, to stop Tom Riddle. There is, however a small problem in that we usually cannot prevent the casualties that occur. What we need is someone who can feed us information."

"And you wish for me to do so?" Severus asked.

"It would be ideal, yes."

"And you believe it will be that simple?"

"No, I don't believe it will be a simple task at all. To get that information, the information we need, I would need you to become one of them."

"No." Severus said.

"You are catching their eye," Dumbledore continued, ignoring his vehement denial. "If Lucius Malfoy is inviting you to parties, and is willing to sponsor your education, then it means he is likely receiving encouragement to do so. I admit, I would have preferred Mr Black for the task, with his family's close association to Riddle already established, but I don't believe he'd be able to keep cover as well as you may. With your already being in Riddle's former house, a favorite of a pureblood I am very certain has connections to him."

"I have already given my answer." Severus said, raising his voice slightly and not at all backing down when Dumbledore glared.

"Severus," Moody growled out, and Severus had nearly forgotten he was in the room. He beckoned for him to stand, then hobbled toward the door. He opened it, gesturing for Severus to go through, and then followed. He didn't even give a backward glance to the headmaster as he left.

"Lad," Moody began once they were alone. "The thing is this: we need ya. Now, Dumbledore may think you're like all the other Slytherins, but I know better. Ya'd have made a good auror if you weren't so keen on pursuing mixing a bunch o'stuff up. But the fact of the matter is, that's already getting ya where we need to be." He leaned in and whispered, "Ya don't need to go in too deep. Keep those walls up, keep quiet, and ya might find people talk. When ya see Malfoy tonight, ask about the Masters."

"But I have another way." Severus said quietly. "I don't need Lucius."

"Great ya got the money, but ya still need someone ta teach ya. Much as I hate to admit it, most'a the ones you'll want are ones we're keeping tabs on."

Severus nodded, considering Moody's request.

He was good at making himself unobtrusive, unnoticed, forgotten. It's likely how he survived childhood, and likely how he survived being less than pure in Slytherin. And he wanted a good master, not someone like Slughorn who would merely parade him around for having a good idea. He wanted to be challenged, immersed, fully bathed in the role of apprentice so when he emerged from his tutelage he knew it was because he learned whatever could be taught, and was ready to discover more on his own. And, admittedly, while he could likely gain a list from Hicklepunk, Lucius seemed to have already looked in to the best of the best.

"I'll see what I can do," Severus said, denying the pride he felt when Moody clapped him on the shoulder and beamed.

"There's a lad. Now, get on with ya."

—S—

Severus smirked to himself as he realized the Marauders would never actually want to be associated with him.

Potter and Black were off on the other side of the room chatting up athletes and trying to look impressive, their backs turned toward him. Even Lily was doing her best to keep her distance and appear, for all intents and purposes, like she didn't even know him.

Fine by him, Severus hardly needed the wealthy gits and the known Muggleborn to suddenly want to rub shoulders with him in case someone from Lucius' circle was there.

His eyes darted around the room, taking in all the alumni that were already there, not seeing anyone of consequence to him, nor anyone he thought would be in with the revered or feared Dark Lord. At least not until Lucius himself came in.

Severus watched as the aristocrat did his very best not to sneer outright at Slughorn's boisterous greeting or attempts to introduce him to a young, Hufflepuff muggleborn Slughorn was certain would find a place high in the ministry. He merely lifted his chin and looked down on the average, sandy blonde girl, and turned away from them both with what looked like a barely polite departure. Lucius went to the bar first, glanced Black and hesitated before curling his lip in disdain and searched the room.

When he found Severus, he immediately came up to him.

"Finally, someone of quality at this pitiful excuse for a gathering." Lucius said as he shook Severus' hand. "I wonder if Horace is trying to pollute his status with all these Mudbloods?" He glanced about. "I'm quite glad you have truly found them beneath you."

Severus shrugged, swirling the butterbeer in his cup. "I'm beginning to find most people are."

"Yes," Lucius said, a glint in his eye that Severus didn't like. "There is a rumor among the ministry that an old, pureblood family that was set to die out has quite suddenly found themselves… with heirs."

"The Prince family, I will wager." Severus guessed.

"Indeed. I must say, when I was able to report such a rumor to our esteemed … leader, he was most pleased indeed. Your stock is growing, my friend. Your mother casting off your muggle father, re-claiming her proper name, it is just elevating you in his eyes. He is becoming desperately eager to meet you."

"It's not as though I can shed my muggle father's name, so the pureblood line would only continue in that way: blood."

"Even so, I would so love to have you and Hermione over for that soiree I told you about. He will be there, and when he sees you with a lady of a pureblood line …."

"All I wish, Lucius, is to have a mastery in Potions, and with luck, Hermione as my wife. I have no desire for power."

"No?" Lucius asked suspiciously. "Or is that the influence of your new … friends."

Severus felt the flare of panic in his gut as Lucius' gaze darted to Potter and Black.

Keeping calm, Severus arched a brow at the man he'd long respected and admired. "I'm afraid I know not what you speak of."

"Really? How interesting. I spoke to Regulus Black on my way here, and he says he's found his elder brother constantly at your side. He wasn't sure what to make of it, of course, but he was hopeful that it meant Sirius Black was finally beginning to see the error of his ways. Is that the case, Severus, or is there something I should know now?"

Severus gave a genuine snort of amusement, "I can assure you, Lucius, that Black, Potter, and I are not friends. While they do not harass me in the way they used to, it is merely because one of their own has a greater desire for Hermione's company than theirs. Likely, he's merely waiting for the moment I fuck up beyond repair. But at least for now I can walk the halls without needing a shielding charm around my person."

Lucius smirked, reached into his robes, and pulled out a sheet of parchment. "I'm happy to hear that." He handed the parchment to Severus. "I'm glad to hear of your inclusion into your proper family, and the likely tuition it grants you. If you find your grandmother is unwilling or unable to assist you, we can arrange something. For now, though, I would like to give this to you. A list of masters in your field. There is a slight issue, however."

"Which is?" Severus asked, already knowing he wasn't going to like the answer.

"They all have either taken on as many apprentices as they would allow themselves, in the middle of multiple apprenticeships and will continue to be so for another four years or would need you to begin by the summer."

Severus' heart dropped in his stomach. "I still have at least another year here."

"What's keeping you here? I hardly believe you would stay for a girl."

Severus chose not to answer that.

"She's academic, is she not? I cannot see you wasting your time with anyone who couldn't keep up with you. I'm sure she'd understand if you were to test out early."

"Why do you want me to do this, Lucius?" Severus asked. "You seem to be more keen on this than you should be."

"You've drawn attention to yourself, Severus, in the best possible way. Why not take advantage of it?"

November 14th, 1994

—H—

She has just settled down for a cup of tea when she heard the floo flare behind her. Sighing, Hermione turned, expecting to see a ministry official with a fresh request for calculations, and was surprised to find a disgruntled looking Sirius coming through, followed closely by Remus.

"Cries himself to sleep each night, thinking of his dearly departed mother." Sirius spat, slamming what was likely his copy of the Daily Prophet down on the coffee table on top of hers. "That witch is asking for a world of hurt, making him look weak as she did."

"So, you're not at all put out by the comment of his 'notoriously deranged and incredibly dangerous godfather's willingness to do anything to protect him'?"

"About as much, I'm sure, as you are by his supposedly womanizing ways. And I quote," He said, snatching his paper back up. "But Harry's sad, tragic past when paired with the bad boy air his living with former Azkaban inmate godfather has afforded him, has made him extremely popular with the ladies. Close friend, Colin Creevy, says Harry is hardly ever seen without his trio of lovely witches: Ginevra Weasley, Luna Lovegood, and Aurora Snape."

Hermione waved it off and rose from her desk chair at the far end of the sitting room. "Colin Creevy, from the best of my knowledge, wasn't so much a friend as a fan of Harry's. Not to mention that I'm fairly certain anyone who believes, for a moment, that Severus would allow Harry to even look at his daughter with romantic intentions, is certifiably insane."

"I'm actually quite surprised there's no mention of the Malfoy boy in the papers." Lupin said as he sat himself on the sofa.

"I believe that would be Narcissa's doing." Hermione smirked. "A few years back, I recall, Skeeter was escorted out of the Manor by wand point. I quite honestly have never seen Cissy look quite so … frenzied. I'm fairly certain there was a threat made should the detestable woman ever dare write the name Malfoy again."

Sirius looked perplexed as Remus shifted in his seat.

"Cissy?" Sirius said. "Are you really on a nickname basis with her? A Death Eater's wife?"

"I am a Death Eater's wife, you may recall."

"No, you aren't." Sirius countered.

"For all intents and purposes, Sirius, I am. He is marked-"

"He never chose it." Sirius interrupted.

"And therefore, he is. Whether Severus wanted it or not." She sighed. "And … and it's …."

At Hermione's inability to say the thing that she denied terrified her, the lump in her throat one entirely of her own making, Remus got to his feet. He crossed the room, stepping around Sirius, and gently took her shoulders in his hands.

"What is it, H?" He asked softly.

She could feel her eyes stinging with the tears she refused to shed. It wasn't a done deal, not yet. The numbers said there was still a chance, about sixty percent, but still…."

"Severus' mark is darkening." She managed to get out, her voice harsh and barely above a whisper. "I went to see him last night, to show him the new figures. His mark is getting darker, and the last time it did that, we both believe Voldemort was on the cusp of returning."

"How?" Sirius asked.

"I'm still trying to figure that out in between my true work and running figures for Severus." Hermione sniffed, a slight smile gracing her lips. "For the first time in twenty years, I don't know everything. There is no stating facts and seeing if I have a response or not. And it comes at a time when, well, let's just say that Alastor Moody is very much not himself."

"What do you mean, Kitten?" Sirius asked.

"He acted as if he didn't even know me." She replied. "I had run into him, last night, on my way up to see Min. He as stalking the halls, probably on duty. Had Severus not mentioned beforehand that he thought something was off, I'd have likely went right up to the man with a warm greeting and an embrace. As it was, he stopped and stared at me, asking what the hell I was doing there and if I was from the ministry."

"That does sound off." Remus agreed. "Have you mentioned it to Albus?"

"Quite honestly, no. Whether or not Severus has, I am not sure."

There was quiet for a moment as the three of them stood around, and there was something of unease in the air that only grew as the minutes ticked by. Confused, Hermione turned to Sirius who seemed resigned and a bit dejected. He turned and quietly strolled to the fireplace, not to use the floo it seemed, and studied the photographs there.

"Hermione," Remus said, squeezing her shoulders that she hadn't fully realized he still had a hold of. "If … if it becomes too much, playing the Death Eater's wife once more, and this time with children, I …. I want you to know that, well."

"Remus, not this again. Please." Hermione said, gently taking his wrists and taking a step back. "I love him. I have always loved him."

"Perhaps not always," Remus said with a touch of amusement.

"Okay, well, I certainly didn't have a crush on my Potion's Professor at fourteen, but I did love my best friend at fifteen. And I understand how difficult it must be for you to comprehend how that can be enough to stay with him, especially knowing who I was to Harry. But I beg you to let any hope that I will one day decide I can't do it and leave him go." Dropping her voice, she added, "There is someone who loves you and has loved you for a very long time waiting for you to realize that you love him, too. Someone who I know you found comfort and peace with before our worlds fell apart. You know the truth now, Remus. All of our truths."

Remus looked like he was about to argue, and then stopped himself. He stood completely still before her, seeming to try to come to grips with things, when the front door to the cottage opened.

"Mum," Leo's voice called. "I'm home."

Before Hermione could respond, Leo walked into the sitting room and stopped, staring at Sirius who stared back at him as if it was the most terrifying site he'd ever seen.

"Aren't you a murderer?" Leo asked with a tilt of his head, not at all afraid.

"Might be." Sirius said.

"I know a couple kids at school that -"

"Leonidas John Snape, you will not finish that sentence. Just because you don't like a few of the kids at school does not mean you can speak of hiring a hit wizard, seriously or otherwise." Hermione snapped.

Leo merely rolled his eyes and came toward her, dropping his bag behind the sofa as he had. "They are dunderheads, the lot of them. I thought being put in advanced placement was going to be better."

"Yes, well, it is what it is. Do you have homework?"

"No."

"Fine, then. I left you a few biscuits in the kitchen, and then you may sequester yourself in the library, if you wish. I will be there later."

"Are we going to see Dad tonight?" He asked.

"No." She told him with a smile, fully anticipating the groan of discontent from her little man.

"I want to go to Hogwarts!" He yelled as he went off into the kitchen.

As Leo left the room, Sirius declared, "That's just disconcerting!"

"You were looking at the pictures on the mantel, Padfoot. How caught off guard could you have been?"

"I had thought they were of Severus as a child." Sirius countered. "Blimey, I had glimpsed your daughter at the Burrow when I went to retrieve Harry, but she is such a mix of the pair of you."

"Yes, well, if it helps at all, Severus isn't best pleased that Leo is such a copy of him either. Except, of course, when it comes to personality. We have very little doubt he will be a Slytherin."

Sirius snorted and shook his head, glancing at Remus. "Perhaps we should leave you to enjoy time with your son. I merely needed to rant with someone willing to listen over the Skeeter article."

"I told you before there is not much that can be done about it, and if Harry is bothered by it, he will tell us." Remus sighed as he headed toward the floo. "And as Hermione pointed out, anyone who would dare say anything against Aurora will likely get a hex or worse, so the believability is quite lacking."

Sirius shook his head, watching Remus move to the fire place, take a pinch of floo powder, and step inside. He called for Grimmauld place and was gone.

Sirius stared at the spot for a moment before turning to her with a sad smile. "Nothing changes, does it? It's been twenty years, and here we are. You are still separated from your husband for most of the year, and I am still pining after an idiot who is holding out hope that you will suddenly have had enough."

"Give him time." Hermione tried to console. "The reality of everything is still fairly new, and you two are still adjusting to not having Harry around."

"Perhaps we are, Kitten." Sirius said. "If you need to talk about anything, know I am always there for you."

"I know, thank you." Hermione said, giving him a tiny wave as he eventually followed Remus back to the Black residence.

November 24th, 1994

—A—

She, Draco, and Ginny headed up to the champion's tent, the three of them looking about to see if anyone would notice. Draco had been the first to note a few Beauxbatons girls heading in the general direction, and then he pointed out a couple Durmstrang boys coming out of the tent before finding a spot in the bleachers. It was Ginny who suggested they go up and show support for Harry, not caring a lick of anyone bothered to go say something nice to Cedric.

"Everyone's wearing those stupid pins. He gets enough support." She had half snapped, causing Draco to smirk.

"I'm not going," Neville said. "We're not supposed to."

"I'll stay here with you," Luna had said. "Besides, someone will need to make sure our spots don't get taken."

So, the trio set off, and while Aurora was pretty sure they'd be in trouble if they were caught, it seemed worth it when she noticed Cho Chang and a couple other girls slink off.

Draco marched in like he was meant to be there, giving a nod to Krum before finding Harry sitting off to the side and trying to look small.

"Scared, Potter?" Malfoy asked, a slight lift of his chin.

Harry snorted, and while there was a fearful spark in his eye, he smirked. "You wish."

"Not really," he said. "I put a bet down with the Weasley twins that you'll survive, and at least place third."

"You bet?" Aurora asked him, crossing his arms.

He smirked, "Don't think I didn't see you set your allowance in that jar, Snape." He taunted back.

She blushed, because she hadn't really meant to bet at all, thinking it ridiculous.

But then Fred had teased her, saying if she really though Harry would make it, she should prove it with her Galleons. She'd put down one: Harry survived. It was actually quite sad how many people seemed to think he wouldn't, or he would be drastically hurt in the process.

"If it makes you feel better," Fred had said, "We think he'll make it through, too. Just thought it would be fun for the Harry supporters to profit like the ones against him have."

"And if he does come out scathed?" She had added.

"This is the bloke who defeated You-Know-Who. This will be a walk in the park for him."

Well, she hoped so. But seeing the arena hadn't been promising.

"You talked to Sirius, right?" Ginny asked. "He said how to beat it, didn't he?"

Harry gave a mirthless snort. "We got cut off. No one's supposed to floo the common rooms as it is, but even waiting until bloody past midnight didn't help. Ron came down, and it sorta ended the conversation before we got to that point."

"You'll do alright." Ginny said with absolute confidence. "Youngest seeker in a century, chosen one, easy peasy, yeah?" She said, getting Draco to smirk.

"Yeah." Harry nodded. "Easy peasy."

"That's the spirit, Potter." Draco said, giving him a clap on the shoulder just as a shutter sounded behind Aurora. She turned, and sneered at the woman who wrote her, Ginny, and Luna out to be no more than a trio of airheads who thought Harry a god.

"Oh look. At. This." The horrid woman said, glancing at Aurora and then Ginny. "Please, girls, go on. Give Harry an embrace, show him how much you care before the big event."

"I think not," Aurora said. "And just wait until my father hears about this little interruption."

Skeeter frowned, glancing at Harry and Draco as they both started snickering. Even Aurora had a hard time keeping a straight face after running the words through her head again.

"But it's forbidden love, star crossed, even. The daughter of the infamous Severus Snape, and the Chosen One."

"Sounds ghastly." Ginny commented, earning Skeeter's instant attention.

"It would to you, wouldn't it? The sister of Harry's best friend, who pined for him and did everything she could to get his attention when she first came to Hogwarts."

Ginny blushed deeply, and Aurora suddenly found her wand in hand and a hex on her tongue.

"You have no business here. This tent is for champions and friends." Viktor Krum said as he came right to Ginny's side, standing just in front of her., arms crossed. He looked quite foreboding, and, eerily, reminded Aurora of her father in a way. His nose wasn't as big, but still quite large, and his hair was cropped to nearly nonexistent, but the coloring was all there. Even the eyes were black.

She wondered, firstly, if maybe there had been some Bulgarian in the family on her father's side. Secondly, it struck her that, had Hermione Granger remained at Hogwarts, she'd have likely had a crush on Viktor, considering who she'd fallen for before.

"No matter," Skeeter said with a conniving grin. "We've got what we wanted." She turned, waving her camera man to follow her.

"We should leave as well," Draco said, looking back to Harry. "Don't die out there, Potter."

"Try my best, Malfoy." He replied, barely able to smile back.

The trio left the tent just as Dumbledore and an entourage appeared.

Aurora looked around as they headed back to the stadiums and was startled to see her mother and brother in the teacher's box flanking her father. Leo caught her eye and waved, smiling when she gave a little wave back.

She wondered her mother had done the Arithmancy numbers for the outcome, and if that's why she didn't appear as nervous about the event as Aurora would have expected. Or if that's why she'd brought Leo to what might potentially be a blood bath. As she, Draco, and Ginny found their spots between Neville and Luna, a canon sounded.

This was it.

—A—

"Told ya he'd make it," Fred said, coming up to Aurora with jam tart, offering it to her with a grin.

She took it, narrowing her eyes at him as she did so. "What's it do?" She asked.

"Make you sound like Harry's egg." He teased, and she knew he was.

"Fred," She said in warning.

"Didn't do a thing to the jam tarts. Why would I offer you one we hexed?" He asked, and Aurora was genuinely perplexed. A moment later, Neville sprouted yellow feathers. "Ah, there, though. Canary Creams. George and I invented them. Seven sickles each."

"Explains the yellow feathers trailing out your room at the burrow." Aurora snickered, taking a bite of the jam tart. Fred was watching her, making her nervous that her skin was about to go red, or something temporarily awful.

She chewed, swallowed, and waited.

Nothing.

"Don't trust me, Snape?" Fred asked, twitching his brows.

"You? Never." She replied, making him chuckle more.

"Probably wise." Fred nodded sagely.

"Oi, Fred," Lee Jordan called from the other side of the room. "Stop flirting with Snape's kid and get over here, will ya?"

Aurora was pleased with herself that she didn't blush at the implication, and merely smirked when Fred rolled his eyes and joined his brother and best friend.

"So, you know, right?" Ron said when his brother was gone. It surprised Aurora to discover he was talking to her. "You know I warned Harry, yeah? You believe me? You believe it was me how actually wanted Harry to know Hagrid was looking for him? Not Neville?"

"Why should it matter what I believe?" Aurora questioned.

Ron had the decency to look a bit shame faced. "'Cause you were one'a the ones who believed 'im. You and Gin, Luna … Malfoy. Saw the way the git was straining himself not to join us when I went to view the results with Harry. Saw how he caught up with him outside the tent. Just … you and he, you're sorta … well, not a Hermione replacement, but …."

"Ron," She started, lifting a hand to get him to cease. "I'm not … Hermione." She said, nearly slipping and saying just what Hermione was to her. "I'm not your best friend, or even your good friend. You've treated me like fubberworm mucus since we met."

"Yeah, sorry 'bout that." He said, bowing his head. "Truly. And I feel like a need to make it up to you somehow. You and Gin and Luna. 'Cause, well, Hermione's gone, and if she were here, well, she'd have stuck by Harry. And I know I'm a git for not doing so, so save that bit. But I'm glad he had someone."

"Noticed you didn't mention Draco in that bit."

"Prat needs to make it up to me. Bloody awful he was. Still is." Ron glowered.

"Give it time, I suppose." Aurora shrugged.

"Yeah, well, anyway … thanks."

Aurora considered, for a moment, holding all the mean, spiteful, hateful things Ron had said and done to her over his head and not taking the olive branch he seemed to be trying to extend. Maybe he realized that Harry really didn't need him, and he realized if he wanted to save his friendship he had to be a bit more welcoming to the other friends in Harry's life.

"Yeah, well, I didn't do it for you." She said not unkindly, and Ron gave a little smirk. He rejoined Harry, who was now discussing the egg with Neville, and Aurora let out a heavy sigh.

She'd had enough socializing for the night and decided now that Ginny had went to investigate what the twins were going to Lee and a couple other sixth years, she would slink off to bed.

Thanks once more to all the readers, favoriters, followers, and reviewers. gglnsc, HGranger89, BlueWater5, Chelsea always, lia. , smurfgirls, TheShipperOfTheCrystalBallroom, and LFA, thank you all for leaving word.

More coming soon.