She arrived back safely last night, just after dusk and she came straight to my office to let me know, for which I was grateful.

She interpreted correctly my anger was my way of showing concern and she wasn't angry at me for hating Black. She didn't mention him; she knew I didn't like to hear about him, never mind the time they had spent together alone this afternoon. Instead she sat me down on the sofa and put my hands in hers and she said something like this:

"Severus, I care for you more than I care for myself and I don't think you could ever understand just how much you mean to me. I realise it must be hard for you to see me with Sirius, or to see me going off to meet him, but I trust Sirius with my life. I have known him only a few months, but I know more of him than he knows. I am the only person in this entire world he can rely on to look out for him at this moment, and I won't let him down. I realise I would be so concerned and probably act the same if it was you going out there to meet someone, but I need you to trust me on this and I need you to trust my judgement."

My fists had closed tight but she prised them open and linked her fingers through them. Her hands were so small compared to mine.

"I hate feeling so… powerless, and having no control over your safety, it makes me angry at him, at you, and at myself for allowing you to go."

She turned my face towards hers with a soft hand and she kissed me again. This time I wanted to be lost, I wanted to forget everything except her, and I pushed her back against the sofa, kissing her neck, her lips, her-

There was loud knock at the door. I swore and she groaned. I went to get up to answer it, but she held me there for a split second and kissed me, almost as if she wanted to ensure I was only thinking of her. She needn't have worried: I couldn't get her out of my head. I forced myself to get to my feet and I walked over to the door, redoing the top button of my robe. She hid in the kitchen.

I flung open the door, so angry at the interruption. I was all set to bite the head off of whoever it was but I had to stop myself when I realised it was Minerva. I swallowed the urge to curse her.

"severus, I am so sorry for the intrusion but Barty Crouch is here from the ministry, he says he would like to talk to the senior members of staff about an event next year, he's in Albus' office at this moment."

I glanced back into the room, screaming insults at Barty and Minerva in my head. "I'll come now." I stepped through the door and shut it behind me, following her quickly up the steps and trying to clear my head.

When I arrived at Albus' office, the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, Barty Crouch from the department of magical co operation and Ludo Bagman, whom I know used to play Quidditch were all waiting for us, with Albus standing behind his desk smiling.

They had come to inform us that they wished to reinstate the Triwizard Tournament, an event joining the three main magical schools from across the world, Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. They were here to ask Albus if we would hold it for the first year.

They spent about an hour talking about new rules alone and I confess my mind wandered. I'm sure it is great news for the school, it shall get us noticed again, and will build magical bonds between other countries.

However I was not happy to learn that Igor Karkaroff was now head of Durmstrang School. He is an old acquaintance I do not wish to meet again. Barty shall be organising the entire event, and he plans to hold it next year. I confess myself interested, I did not pause at the end of the meeting to say goodbye. I swept from the office and hurried down to the dungeons as quickly as possible.

She was waiting for me; of course she was waiting for me. She was lounged out on the sofa reading a copy of 'Wuthering Heights' a novel I'd had on my bookshelves somewhere but had never read. She looked up and put her book down when I entered, the corner of her mouth twitching into a smile.

"colloportus" I muttered, locking the door. She smiled even more. "now where were we?"

I loved waking up with her, especially when I awoke first. Then I could just lie there and watch her sleep. Watch the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest, feel her hot breath on my chest. I brushed a piece of hair from her face and she stirred, her eyes flickering open sleepily and she smiled when she saw me, leaning up onto her elbows. She kissed me lightly.

"hello."

"hello" I replied smiling back and stroking her arm with the tips of my fingers. She nestled her head on my shoulder and shut her eyes again. I watched her for a while until I noticed the clock. "Athena" I whispered.

"mm hmm?"

"it's half nine, lessons begin in half an hour…"

"uhh" she grumbled, sitting up and combing her fingers through her hair. "do you have a lesson?"

"I don't, but I know you do. Plus, I have to go and see Albus. I'll make some coffee."

With tremendous effort I turned my back on her and went into the kitchen. I was just boiling some water when I heard the shower running from the other room. I couldn't help smiling again. I sat down with a mug of coffee on the sofa until she emerged dressed in bottle blue robes. I offered her coffee but she said she had to get to class. She took the invisibility cloak from her bag and I kissed her before she disappeared under it. "see you around."

The door seemed to open and close by itself, and she was gone.

I took a shower myself and went up to Albus' office. His first question was curious, "have you informed Athena about the tournament?"

I frowned, sitting down, "not yet, why?"

He shook his head and got up, looking agitated. He walked over to the pensieve and drew a silver thread from his forehead and lowered it gently in. He watched something for a moment and then muttered to himself,

"it doesn't make sense! There must be a connection!"

He turned sharply away and sat down opposite me.

"now are you going to explain?"

He shook his head. He really is most infuriating sometimes, and why did he ask about Athena? What did she know?

"I take it you heard yesterday about Igor Karkaroff?"

I gave a brief nod, my expression still stony.

"I don't trust him being here. You will keep an eye on him next year?"

"of course."

"thank you Severus." I stood up to leave but he stopped me for a second.

"would you tell Athena to come and see me as soon as possible please?"

"I imagine you're not going to tell me the reason?"

"you imagine correct."

I scowled.

"the time will come Severus."

On my way down I stopped a first year.

"wait." Was all I said and he spun around looking terrified- it was brilliant.

"take a message to professor Finch for me." He nodded quickly. "tell her professor Dumbledore requires her presence as soon as possible. Got that?"

He repeated it in a quaking voice and then hurried off. I thought it would be best for us not to see each other in lesson time, with students present.