Several weeks had passed. The snow that had covered the ground had turned to water and flowed into the lake. DiddleVon had gotten less small. Jane continued going to classes, spending her free time with Neville, Hermione, Ginny, the twins, and occasionally Ron. On Wednesday afternoons the twins helped her with her potions. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays Hermione helped her with everything else. On Friday evenings she spent her time with Snape.

She had become accustomed to her life at Hogwarts, however abnormal it might be.

She sat in the common-room with DiddleVon curled in her lap, book in her hand. She had been trying to read it for several days now, but her focus had been dwindling. In fact, her focus all around had been dwindling for the past week or so. She had felt nauseous all week. Trying to calm herself, she had gone for a run the previous night. She had pushed herself through the pain and made it to her tree to find herself incapable of formulating the thoughts swarming around in her head. She had stayed until sunset before running back up to her dorm, spending hours in solitude and fresh air, but to no avail. She still sat in her chair, with her cat curled up in her lap, unable to focus.

"Hey Jane." Called Hermione from behind Jane.

Jane turned to see the frizzy-haired girl make her way towards her, followed by Harry.

"Hey. What's up?" She asked.

"Actually, we're really busy. I know that I said that I would be able to help you with your History tonight, but I can't." She said, sounding sincerely sorry.

Jane looked between her friend and Harry, noticing the anxiety that permeated from both them.

"Okay. Not a problem. Is everything okay?"

"It will be, we just need a little more time in the library." She answered before turning and walking out the door, followed by Harry.

"If it were anybody other than Hermione saying that, I would say that Harry has found himself a girlfriend."

Jane turned to see Neville approach her, taking the seat opposite from her. At the sound of his voice DiddleVon woke up and purred at him. Neville leaned forward to pet him. Satisfied, DiddleVon fell back asleep.

"Not that he doesn't have enough to worry about." Neville finished his thought aloud.

The tri-wizard tournament. Of course. That's why Hermione couldn't help me.

"I'm sure that he would appreciate the critical sentiment." She replied to her friend, grinning.

"It can't be good that he's still doing research. It means that he hasn't figured out the challenge yet." Added Neville, looking after Harry and Hermione.

Jane's stomach did a flip-flop. Neville caught a glance at her, noticing her discomfort.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yes, of course. Just a little, umm, un-centered." She said, trying to explain the feeling to herself as well as him.

He looked at her, his eyes squinting.

"Are you sure?" He asked, his voice sceptical.

Jane suddenly remembered the burn on her arm, how scared and confused Neville had been. How scared and confused she had been.

"Yes." She lied.

Jane let herself into Snape's office early that evening. He wasn't there yet. Unable to focus and filled with an ominous anxiety, she had put down both the book and the cat and made her way down to his office, hoping to find him there. She had known as soon as she reached his door that he wouldn't be there – the knob had been locked.

She had manoeuvred her way through the locked door with the same ease as before, closing the door behind her. Looking around, the office seemed cold and empty with Snape actually in it. She pointed her wand towards the fireplace, flames appearing in the hearth. She wandered over to the shelves and selected an album, placing it on the gramophone and turning it on. Returning her gaze to the room that was now filled with warmth, light and music, it still felt empty.

She walked around Snape's desk, sat in his chair, opened the bottom drawer and pulled out the bottle and two glasses. She poured herself a drink and took a sip, rubbing her arms to try and keep warm while she waited.

At long last the door opened and Snape entered. As he walked through the door, he looked into the office, surprised by its being occupied. Turning to see Jane sitting in his seat behind his desk, he smiled.

"You're early."

"Yes. I am." She replied.

He closed the door behind him, locking it, and made his way over to stand behind her. As he drew nearer to her, his eyes narrowed.

"Why?" He asked, suddenly hesitancy appearing in his tone.

She looked up at him and wondered if she could lie to him.

"I was a little restless." She said, not lying, but not telling the truth.

"Oh," He said as he came to a halt behind the chair, "Come here then."

She leaned back as he placed his hands on her shoulders and began to rub them. She released a small groan as she began to relax.

"This is lovely." She said as his hands worked their way up her neck and down onto her back. "Thank you."

After several minutes of this, he spun the chair around so that she was facing him. He crouched down.

"Better?" He asked.

"Much." She said, languorously.

"Good." He said, leaning forward to kiss her.

His hand found its way to her cheek as his lips found hers, his tongue gently pushing its way into her mouth. She let him kiss her, but did not pull him into her. After a moment, Snape withdrew from her. He looked at her face, searching for something.

"What's wrong?" He asked, concerned.

Looking at his face, his earnest eyes that were surprisingly soft, she knew she could not lie.

"I don't know."