Science and Magic

by MrsRJLupin

Cecilia Frobisher is a muggle who has been employed by Dumbledore to work on a potion for Harry to defeat Voldemort. What happens when she is forced to work with Snape? There is a completed sequel to this fic and 3/4 through the last story as of April 18. Feel free to download the audio from my Youtube Playlist: MrsRJ Lupin (a space between RJ and Lupin)

25. As One Door Closes

DISCLAIMER: ALL OF THE CHARACTERS AND SCENARIOS BELONG TO JKR AND/OR WARNER BROS.

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And now the game was over, both sides decimated by exhaustion, scattered over the board in unfathomable entropy. Dawn broke over the Northumbrian landscape whereupon the castle of Hogwarts stood proud. But, which side has won? What are the losses? What is the verdict?

The observer has a deal of a job now to work out exactly what is now going on for there are many wizards walking around, talking to one another, pointing, writing and scurrying off. These are the victors of this battle who are now undertaking the tedious task of accountancy.

But be under no illusion, the triumph has not been without sacrifice; those heralding a glorious victory are in addition, nursing the wounds of loss.

And as one wizard approached another, pointing to a piece of parchment that another had given him a third silenced them all by pointing ahead. To one of their number stumbling into view holding in his arms a body…

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Sirius Black staggered through the tunnel that led from the Shrieking Shack with Cecilia Frobisher in his arms, down from the hillock where the Whomping Willow stood before making his way determinedly towards the plain of battle.

The first to notice him walking towards them was Bertie Griffin, who pointed his presence out to Arthur Weasley, both of whom withdrew their wands: too many Death Eaters had escaped that night to risk the unchallenged approach of a mysterious figure through the early morning misty rain.

"Sirius!" declared Arthur, when they recognised him and he looked in horror at Cecilia's ashen-skinned features. "What happened?!"

"I have to get her to Poppy," he said quickly, striding past them. "There's a chance that she may still alive."

In his wake came other wizards of the Order, following Sirius up through the gates and into the courtyard of the deserted castle; the students and staff had been evacuated home by Aurors from the Ministry the night before and Sirius clung tighter to Cecilia's body ignoring the many calls for explanation by more wizards as he strode purposefully through the main doors of the school and up the wide staircase.

They had gained quite a following by the time Sirius had reached the hospital wing; the sight of one of the Order's more controversial members carrying the lifeless body of the muggle member he once attempted to kill was of far more interest than wondering which of the five sightings of Voldermort they should follow up.

And more of a scene unfolded as Sirius marched towards Madam Pomfrey who, after indicating where he could place Cecilia's body declared that she was beyond her help.

"But she is alive!" Sirius rounded the bed at the far end of the hospital upon which he had laid Cecilia gently. "You have to do something Poppy!" The crowd of Order members had grown now, taking in Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Professor McGonagall.

"…take her to St. Mungo's…"

"…probably to fragile to move…"

"There's nothing I can do with a muggle!" reaffirmed Poppy, who looked distinctly harassed by the invasion of her hospital. She looked over at Cecilia again; took in her ghastly features and filthy appearance, her blood-spattered face, ragged clothes and torn skin, shaking her head in emphasis. Around them the wizards murmured amongst themselves as she looked her over critically.

"Does Dumbledore know about this?" Arthur Weasley, looking around the wizards, almost a dozen in total.

"He's at the Ministry," began Bertie, glancing at Kingsley.

"I can floo him," replied Kingsley Shacklebolt, "he'll need to know that she's – "

"That she's what?" Sirius turned on Shacklebolt quickly. "Dead? Because she's not…" He trailed off as he felt Poppy's hand on his arm.

"Tell me in detail, Sirius. How did she gain these injuries?" Sirius turned from the crowd and looked at Poppy, agitatedly and the nurse waited for a response.

"What?" he said, confused.

"You say she's still alive…it would be useful to know. And – " She turned at the ever-growing congregation, "it would be useful if you were to leave me to it."

"Madam Pomfrey, we could." Alastor Moody shuffled closer to Cecilia, scrutinising her with his mad eye before looking at the healer. "But seeing as we all saw her face Voldermort, in the guise of Snape, I should add – "

" – which means she must have taken polyjuice potion – " another wizard at the back chipped in. Alastor shot the interrupter a look before looking back at the nurse.

"…and before that, the Cruciatus curse…" said someone else.

"…she didn't look well the last time I saw her, neiver…"

"She disguised herself as Snape and faced Voldermort," Sirius looked at Madam Pomfrey and then back to Cecilia urgently. "A potion. And – "

"…probably stress from teaching those children of ours; bloody stupid to ask someone like her to take on a classful of them with everything else she had to do…"

"Okay, okay stop." Poppy Pomfrey held up her hands in desperation and she straightened her cap and smoothed her apron in an attempt to convey a more professional air. "Will one of you just give me the facts? Please?" She turned to Sirius.

"You brought her here, Sirius. I understand that she took polyjuice potion and faced V – Voldermort. And that she was tortured. Anything else?"

The hospital wing went quiet as the wizards listened raptly to Sirius Black tell the tale of the last eight hours in Cecilia Frobisher's company.

"…and that's when I brought her here, Poppy," he concluded, noting the look of paling horror on the witch's face. Then Sirius looked back at Cecilia as Poppy began to shake her head.

"I…I have to admit, I don't know how to treat her." Poppy cast her gaze upon Cecilia again as stronger early morning rays beamed in through the stained glass of the hospital wing. "My only hope will be to make her comfortable once I've examined her. Now, if you'll all excuse me – "

"Make her comfortable?!" Sirius snapped back furiously, but Arthur Weasley put a hand on his shoulder and he stopped his would-be advance, looking round at him. Madam Pomfrey nodded firmly.

"All we can do it wait – "

" – like the last time." All eyes turned to the wizard who had spoken behind them and the wizards parted like a shoal of fish as he hobbled towards them. Even severely injured Severus Snape looked formidable and he advanced on Sirius hotly.

"What did you do this time, Black? How is it that you brought her here like that and that she is now lying there – " he made to move his arm in her direction but Sturgis Podmore stepped in front of Snape as he wobbled back and forth before seizing the bedframe and gripping on tightly. As he did so, his gaze lingered on Cecilia for perhaps a second longer than was necessary to assess her injuries.

"Don't be hasty, Severus," Podmore began. But Sirius had turned and began to bear down on him.

"These injuries, Snape, were caused by her taking a potion. Do you know what she tried to do?" Mutely, Snape shook his head.

"I'll enlighten you. She took polyjuice potion and became you and then once you'd scarpered last night and she faced Voldermort on her own – " Sirius broke off as he looked with relish on Snape's confused features but before he could continue, Madam Pomfrey interrupted.

"Enough! There has been enough. Severus," she turned to look at Snape, who was still holding the end of the bedframe. "Return to your bed; you are still far from well. Gentlemen, and…ladies," she nodded towards the watching crowd, acknowledging Minerva McGonagall Elspet Banks who was straining to see at the back. "I need to examine my patient, for you believe Sirius," she turned to face him, "that I can still save her life. Now," she surveyed the wizards as one, "if I am to do that I need to examine her alone."

Folding her arms to underline her insistence, she glared at the audience who began to back in towards the door; Sturgis Podmore holding out his arm to assist Snape back to his bed around the corner of the hospital wing until finally all had left the nurse with her patient. Well, nearly all.

"You too, Sirius," Poppy added, looking along his line of sight to where he was staring. "You did the right thing, you brought her here."

"Poppy, what can I do? What could I have done? She refused to tell me anything…" Madam Pomfrey held up a hand and shook her head sadly.

"I will tell you this now Sirius; if she has suffered the Cruciatus curse then she will more than likely have severe internal injuries. Which will mean it is unlikely she will awaken…" Sirius looked at her aghast.

"But…she recovered before…" his voice trailed off as the nurse nodded slowly.

"I know, and she was lucky to have done so. But I'm afraid," she continued, looking sadly at Cecilia's immobile form, "you would have been too late in any case. She took polyjuice potion of her own free will; she knew what she was doing. Even without the spell injuries I don't think there's much you could have done that would have made a difference…"

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Four days after the Great Battle, as it was being dubbed, the still-deserted castle was playing host to the Order of the Phoenix while they continued in their work, in collaboration with the Ministry of Magic, with the specific objective of capturing Voldermort and the rest of the Death Eaters.

Inside its cold walls or, more specifically the common rooms the members of the Order who had elected to remain buzzed to and fro between the grounds of the castle and the Great Hall (where temporary desks had replaced the long house benches) and, when evenings came, to the Gryffindor common room.

Underneath an invisibility cloak which, it has to be said, has seen a lot of action since it has come into Harry's possession as a first year, three student wizards huddled close together. One of them pressed his ear against the door in order to catch as much of the meeting that was being held by the remnants of the Order of the Phoenix.

Hermione shifted further forward, trying not to stand on Ron's foot and handed Harry what looked like some flesh-coloured string, nudging him to gain his attention as he craned his head towards the door.

"Thanks," he whispered, before placing one end into left ear and trained it on the conversation in the Great Hall again before handing two other extensions to Ron and Hermione. Inside, Dumbledore was chairing the meeting, the first since the Battle and, having informed the Order of the role of the Ministry in the hunt for Voldermort was now allowing for others to speak, adding to the information already supplied.

Around him sat wizards in various stages of health. Sturgis Podmore was nursing a swollen ankle and sported a large bandage round his head; Kingsley Shacklebolt looked on, quill shaking whilst taking minutes; a spell had damaged his nerves and he was having trouble controlling the quill as it looped the information which had been discussed jerkily onto the parchment. Adjacent sat Mr Weasley, his leg covered in a bandage and his left arm in a sling, and was looking every so often over Kingsley's shoulder.

"Now that we have discussed the Ministry's role may I be the first congratulate us all on our outstanding achievement last week as I open our first meeting outside Grimmauld Place." Dumbledore surveyed the wizards, who were grouped around on chairs near the centre of the Great Hall, looking at each one in turn and nodding before continuing. Many of the Order looked at one another, confused. One or two began to clap; applause which broke off almost as soon as it had begun.

"Apologies Kingsley, for Elphias Dode, who is recovering in St. Mungo's from a rebounding stun performed at point blank range; to Remus Lupin who is otherwise engaged on Order business and Severus Snape, who is still recovering in the hospital wing."

The wizards amongst them exchanged glances before looking back at Dumbledore, waiting anxiously. They had not been expecting a meeting yet for there had been no clear leads and nothing, as far as they were able to ascertain, had brought them any closer. As it stood, the information had been patchy and some did not fit or make sense.

"I expect you are all wondering why I have organised this meeting this afternoon when I realise we have nothing solid as yet to work on." Mrs Weasley nudged her husband swiftly in the side and one or two others opened their eyes in surprise. Even Minerva McGonagall looked slightly taken aback.

"My objectives are clear: I wish us to clear up misunderstandings that may be clouding our work with the hoped-for outcome that Lord Voldermort will be captured in his weakened state and brought to justice." Stroking his beard into a point, he glanced at Minerva McGonagall and nodded, and she got to her feet and approached Dumbledore, standing next to him as the wizard sat down on a large wooden chair that stood before them.

Professor McGonagall sounded a little nervous when she began to speak; this was the first time that the three students eavesdropping the conversation had ever heard a tremor in her voice and behind the thick wooden doors Hermione shuddered.

"The Battle was long and we, that is to say us, we suffered at the hands of our enemy. In the end victory was ours and with the help of further Aurors from the Ministry we were able to capture and send for imprisonment eighteen Death Eaters. Seven were killed in the course of the night and the remaining five are still at large." She glanced at the scratching quill that Kingsley Shacklebolt was guiding carefully.

"Yes, Molly?" Dumbledore looked at Mrs Weasley's raised hand, raising his eyebrows and nodding and Molly glanced around nervously.

"That's the same number as we lost, isn't it?" Around her there were shuffles and whispers, and nods of confirmation.

"Indeed. We lost seven of our number." Dumbledore looked deliberately at each member as he spoke.

"Seven good wizards whose lives we will give meaning to with our new mission!" Bertie Griffin got to his feet unsteadily, his high-pitched voice ringing out around the Great Hall. At his hearty declaration the people around him began to murmur their agreement, nodding and whispering; many were shocked to see Minerva so visibly un-nerved and she looked across to Dumbledore. The great wizard returned her look and nodded slightly before rising to his feet. As he did so Minerva sat hastily back down.

"The spell acted as it did for Harry when he faced Voldermort as a baby. In conjunction with the potion, the effect was a replica of Lily Potter's motherly love for her son at the time when he needed her most of all. Voldermort was very much damaged by the spell, more so than sixteen years ago but he is not gone."

Under the invisibility cloak Ron nudged Harry. But he needn't have; Harry was only too clear about what he had just learned. In his heart of hearts he knew that he would know when Voldermort was gone and that little part of him that he shared with the terrible wizard was very much alive.

"I'll be frank, fellow wizards, if Cecilia had not put her life on the line his severe debilitation would not have come about. Voldermort escaped, however he was incapacitated by the potion she made. I believe her actions were a result of our demands that the potion be rushed to meet our timescale." Sturgis Podmore raised a hand and Dumbledore nodded in his direction and the wizard smiled round the group.

"Is there any news of her Dumbledore…Minerva? Of Cecilia Frobisher?" He looked between them questioningly. Minerva rose to her feet again slowly.

"I took the liberty of speaking to Poppy Pomfrey before tonight's meeting. Cecilia Frobisher has been unconscious for five days with no sign of any improvement. In her professional opinion Madam Pomfrey believes that we might have to admit she will never come to."

"We need to inform her family!" Sirius got to his feet and loudly addressed the Order but Sturgis glanced at him before looking again at Minerva McGonagall.

"Can she be specific about Cecilia's injuries, Minerva?" The witch nodded her head.

"The potions she took, the polyjuice, which had been modified to extend its efficacy – "

– Hermione gasped sharply making Ron jump. He looked at her quickly before rubbing her arm soothingly –

" – and the Veritaserum that we witnessed Lucius Malfoy force upon her, in the appearance of Severus. Both have had adverse effects upon her health causing the unconscious state in which she is now. However it was the internal injuries that she suffered physically at the hands of the Voldermort which has exacerbated the damage to her body tissue."

"But…she survived last time," said Bathsheba, in a slow, high-pitched voice, and some eyes fell uncertainly on Sirius. "Isn't she likely to survive this time?" Minerva shook her head as a low undercurrent of noise began. She waited until it had died down.

"Poppy believes the polyjuice potion acted as a slow-releasing toxin, destroying her internal organs and in addition, the torture at the hands of the Death Eaters…" she glanced quickly at Sirius who was now holding his head in his hands.

"Was this fate likely to have happened to Harry? He took the potion, after all." Kingsley Shacklebolt raised his hand to indicate that he was now contributing.

Harry held his breath. He felt fine now, and even then, after taking it. The battle had been ferocious, much worse than he had imagined and he had even fought a few Death Eaters before being elbowed out of the way and to the back of the advancing Order, finally being taken to the hospital by Minerva McGonagall, spending the night there under the relentless care from Madam Pomfrey, being asked questions and poked and prodded before being unceremoniously released in the morning when his bed was required for the vast array of injuries being sported by many of the Order.

"It would seem that by Cecilia's act of self-sacrifice was designed to prevent Harry from taking it. He has succumbed to few ill effects however his aim is somewhat off and spells he has subsequently tried to perform have been affected adversely – "

Outside the Harry nodded in confirmation at Hermione and Ron who were staring at him demandingly. Indeed, it seemed that any spells he cast had now taken on a life of their own, the most interesting of which had been a refracted "Accio" charm which had resulted in Percy Weasley flying over the banister of a first floor staircase almost landing on top of him and chaotically unfiling the Order's sighting reports that he – Percy – had spent three hours previously filing and cross-referencing, but this had improved dramatically as the week wore on.

" – however it would seem at present that there is no reason why these effects should be permanent." Minerva folded her arms to indicate that was all se was prepared to say on the subject and sat down hastily.

"Then can we suppose that if she had had time to complete the potion using Lily's DNA to its fullest effects the potion would have been perfect?"

This time Sirius got to his feet and turned to Kingsley, his expression less forthright than it had been earlier that evening. All the Order were looking at him now, including McGonagall and Dumbledore.

He had barely spoken to anyone on the subject of Cecilia Frobisher since he had brought her to the hospital wing early that Sunday morning, ignoring calls for information and issuing rude rebukes when challenged. Whatever he had to say everyone was sure it would be significant.

"Time was not what she needed. It would seem she didn't take the sample from Godric's Hollow. Cecilia informed me of this before she d – " one or two of the wizards staring avidly at him widened their eyes in anticipation, " – before she became unconscious. Therefore she chose to carry on without it, thus acceding to our request."

For a few moments, both within the Great Hall and without, silence took on a new meaning. Not only were particles of matter around them immobile, they began to shrink in a kind of anti-silence in response to the bombshell, as if to anticipate and accommodate the unavoidable shift in understanding.

"She planned it!" exclaimed Mrs Weasley in horror, breaking the silence loudly. "She intended to give up her life…we must have treated her so badly she thought there was no other way…!" She turned to her husband, raising her hand to her mouth and Arthur hugged her close in comfort as around them the rest of the Order began to speak.

"…no, Molly…"

"…she did not think that..."

"…not all of us treated her badly…"

"I should have told someone," whispered Hermione urgently to Ron, as Harry continued to stare at the wall in fixed concentration on the conversation they were hearing. "When she told me how she was feeling! I could have helped! I could have told someone about the notebooks and they would have read them and known…!"

Molly looked up to Arthur, tears in her eyes and added, "…and now she won't ever know how brave we think she was!"

"…yes, that is certainly true…"

"…a tragic end for the muggle…"

"…just like Feaodor the Ferocious in the Middle Ages…"

Hermione looked at Ron, giving him the same horrified look that Mrs Weasley was giving Mr Weasley.

"They're talking like she's dead!" she whispered, her voice choking up and Ron took her hand.

"She's not," he began reassuringly but Hermione opened her eyes wider in astonishment.

"How can you say that?! You've seen her; we all have! She looks like Cedric looked when Harry brought him back last year!"

"Shhh!" Ron instructed urgently, nodding towards Harry as he turned from his concentrated eavesdropping.

"Well you were the one who said it," said Hermione accusingly, but her tone was cut with emotion and this time Harry touched her shoulder comfortingly before jumping to alertness again as they heard Dumbledore's voice.

"Alas, it would appear so. She fought exceedingly well and with fierce bravery. As did we all here, the results speak for themselves." He surveyed the members slowly who were now back in their seats listening to the head of their Order address them with fond solemnity.

"Nearly all of the Death Eaters are behind bars at Azkaban, many sporting injuries better than your own. Indeed, Remus Lupin took a great big bite out of Lucius's leg…"

"Bravo!" shouted someone from the back of the group.

"…and I do not believe that Barnaby Wellington will be able to participate in the many sporting events which require the use of his wand arm." At this there was a round of applause; some were on their feet and cheering.

"May I ask, Dumbledore, where is Remus this evening?" The question came from Dumbledore's left from an elderly Order member who had initially opposed Cecilia's joining of the Order.

"Ah, Agnathea," replied Dumbledore casting a serene look on the owner of the Apocethary in Diagonalley, Miss Boutes. "Indeed, indeed." He took his gaze over the whole Order again as hush descended. Agnathea Boutes had reminded them of Remus Lupin's absence and it was beginning to unnerve a few of them.

"This brings me to the most vital piece of information that information I need to share with you all which makes pertinent the information that Cecilia Frobisher managed to acquire and share with us before Christmas, both regarding the potion and the history thus associated." He glanced around the group again. One or two were exchanging worried glances.

"I have the permission of Remus Lupin to share his role in the business with the Order. I ask you to excuse my repetition if you are already aware of some of this information but I wish you to all be fully aware of this which I should, in truth, have shared with you six months ago. It is time, witches and wizards, to allow it to be exposed in the open. It must be a secret no longer."

For a good few minutes the silence was deafening. The wizards, as a man, said nothing but shuffled on the assembled bench looking at Dumbledore and waiting for him to speak.

"The Reciprocator movement, as founded by pure blood wizards in the eighteenth century, has survived – illegally – for the past two hundred years. Raymond Lully, whose work was so prominent during the twentieth century and was murdered at the goblin riots in 1956, was almost the last of the movement to collaborate with muggles in projects for our mutual benefit. His mistake, which led to the involvement of Voldermort, was to recruit Oswald Avery, who as we know, one of his first followers, also a Death Eater whose son Voldermort murdered before the battle."

There was mutters amongst the Order; Avery's notoriety as the cause of the goblin riots was huge and it was well known that Avery junior had followed in his father's footsteps.

"Lully appointed him to the research of genetics in the 1930s however his trust was betrayed, and when he realised this he hid the work of all the Reciprocators with his best friend." Dumbledore saw a hand raised and he nodded to Charlie Weasley who appeared to be shaking; his dragon-tooth earring oscillating slightly as he looked at Dumbledore.

"So his work was lost?" Charlie raised his hand automatically. "All of the Reciprocators' work?" Dumbledore shook his head.

"Lost? Not at all, Charlie. We all know of "Mysterious Mythology"; indeed there is scarcely a wizard household that had that as a staple story book nor a wizard who has been entertained by its tales. However a copy that contained the most recent and pertinent work was that entrusted to John Lupin, a few weeks before Lully died." There was a mumble which grew rapidly from the Order. Dumbledore raised his hands for quiet.

"His son, Remus Lupin, has consented for me to share this information with us, not least due to his incapacity for his condition."

As he spoke, Dumbledore withdrew his wand, allowing a stream of silvery light to emanate from its tip. Like Sirius's memory which he had showed Cecilia in the darkness of the Shrieking Shack, this wisp formed itself into the shape of a screen, larger than that of Sirius's and the wizards turned to face it, knowing that a memory would shortly be replayed for them from Dumbledore's mind.

Without warning, Remus's face flickered into view. He appeared to be sitting in Grimmauld Place, at the kitchen table again, is face tired and worn. Dumbledore said nothing and allowed the Order to view the memory.

"I remember when I became a werewolf," said Remus, speaking to Dumbledore as if he was speaking to a video camera. "And now I will tell you all now about Raymond Lully, and how my family is involved." He swallowed carefully and the pause in his monologue prompted many of the Order to wonder whether he was swallowing down deep-seated emotion.

"I was eight and my father had just finished reading to me Gimelda. I fell asleep with the book I my arms as I always did. Father had promised to keep it safe for Lully but he indulged me, retrieving the book from my room later. One night he entered and Fenrir Greyback was in my room – " Remus broke off. This time he definitely was holding onto emotion; the strain on his face to maintain composure was almost too much for a some of the Order to bear and one or two wizards had turned away rather than watch.

"…Greyback growled at me to hand over the book but I refused; I was defending it for Father. The clouds changed and transformed. Then he bit me, but still I would not release the book. Father came in and saw him off…"

Remus trailed off and looked to the floor, his unkempt hair visible to all and for the fourth time that evening shocked silence reigned as Dumbledore redirected the fading silver stream of memory back towards his head.

The children under the invisibility cloak looked at one another aghast. Though they had not seen Remus in the memory they had heard what he had said, and the information Dumbledore had imparted before. Not knowing what to say to one another they re-inserted their extendable ears and continued to listen.

"So, you are saying that the information contained specifically in Remus Lupin's father's copy of Mysterious Mythology contained the information needed by Cecilia to form the basis of the Universal Link? And you needed a scientist from the muggle world to sort out the important facts before we made the potion for Harry?"

As one, the Order turned to member on the second bench, mouths fell open in awe. Dumbledore smiled serenely.

"I always knew you were a very perceptive student, Tobias," he nodded towards the thin, pale-haired Auror close to the back. "Your succinct summary is indeed the point I was looking to make, and exactly the reason that I wrote on your school leaving report that any future employer would be barking mad not to employ you over any other applicant." The member Tobias blushed heavily, recalling Cornelius Fudge picking up on this at his interview for a position of Ministry Auror. "However I did not count on Mrs Frobisher's emotional attachment to the lad, and to many of us."

"Where is Remus now?" asked Molly Weasley, an air of panic in her voice.

"With the child. On guard lest Greyback, one that we did not capture, discovers her whereabouts and decides to go after her again. Besides he insisted."

"How is the little girl?" pressed Molly. "She was placed with Cecilia's family following the death of her parents, wasn't she?" Dumbledore nodded slowly and looked from Mrs Weasley back to the Order as a whole.

"On the day before the battle, Lupin discovered that Greyback had discovered her. He found Freya Mitchell hiding in Mrs Wells's house, under the bed, with the book. Under Bellatrix Lestrange's orders he was to retrieve in so he broke into her bedroom – "

"Heavens…! The girl…!" Molly Weasley put her hand to her mouth in horror.

"…is absolutely fine; Remus got there just in time and I believe Greyback will be a while recovering from the one that you, Bill – " Dumbledore looked across at the eldest Weasly child, " – managed." Bill Weasley beamed with pride: his jelly-legs jinx had allowed him to inflict a rather effective Stun, which had sent Greyback into the Forest where he was chased by a herd of Cenataur.

"...the house he burned to the ground however. Mrs Wells, Miss Amy Wells and Freya Mitchell have been visited by the Befuddlers who modified their memories. They now believe that they have lived together for the last nine years in the cottage near Inverness since the birth of the girl. They are now under ministry protection, and ours of course."

"They should be told of Cecilia," declared Mrs Weasley firmly. "They are the only family she has…" At her words the Order began to mutter to one another, debating the situation.

"Yes Molly, they should, but it is far too dangerous at the moment with Greyback and some Death Eaters still on the loose. And Voldermort. He is injured severely, however he will seek revenge as soon as he can get it."

"Then Lupin should be told of Cecilia," insisted Mrs Weasley, this time imploring Minerva McGonagall. "If what you told me earlier is true, Sirius – "

Heads looked sharply between Molly and Sirius wondering exactly what Sirius had told her but before Sirius had a chance to reply the door to the Great Hall swung opened. Past the students, who had only just managed to get out of the way and had shuffled back from their vantage point Snape hobbled determinedly.

He looked dreadful; far more than usual. He must have had a chance to change since Fred and George had carried him to the hospital wing but, other than that he looked like they had found him, bruised and battered; hair bedraggled and ungroomed sporting what looked like undesigner stubble on his face.

In his hand was a walking stick, like a large version of a wand and he leaned on it rhythmically as he made his way towards the assembled Order. Behind him, just before the door closed of its own accord, Hermione, Harry and Ron, still shrouded from view under the invisibility cloak, sneaked into the Great Hall.

"Severus! We weren't expecting your presence to this meeting." Minerva smiled weakly towards her colleague but before he could reply, Molly Weasley was on her feet.

"Is there any news, Severus? Of Cecilia?" She stared at him desperately, waiting to sigh with relief but he shook his head, ignoring the fact no-one had asked how he was.

"She is the same." He cast a look at Sirius. "Which is to say her physical injuries have much exaggerated the effects of the potion. She is not likely to recover. It may have been a different matter had she been brought to Madam Pomfrey directly…" Sirius was on his feet now, rising to Snape's inflammatory words but then, to the surprise of all present, bowed his head looking embarrassed.

"I didn't know," Sirius replied, "I thought it was just physical injuries..." Snape curled a lip in loathing.

"Interesting Black, considering the fact that every time you and she have been alone in each others' company you have been attempting to carry out her assassination. Convenient, wouldn't you say, if she died in your care...of her injuries?"

His lip curled further as he watched Sirius step towards him, feeling inside his robe for his wand and Snape placed a hand on the table, holding himself up.

"Gentlemen," began McGonagall, but Dumbledore put a hand on her arm.

"…to think we drove her to suicide, Severus," continued Molly Weasley, her distraught words reverberating loudly around the Great Hall. "That was what Sirius said; he remarked that at every opportunity when she could have gone home, she chose to remain with us." There were mutterings of agreement from the wizards that echoed Molly's distress.

"And you should have completed this!" declared Sirius, taking another step towards Snape. "Apparently you knew that she hadn't got what she needed from Godric's Hollow?"

All eyes were on Snape at this revelation and both the Order and the eavesdroppers, who had pressed themselves against the furthest wall, watching events unfold, gaped at him. Snape fixed Sirius with a hateful stare.

"It may have escaped your notice Black, that unless Cecilia can complete her task in its entirety she will find another way of doing it." He narrowed his eyes as he looked at Sirius. "And her choice to sacrifice herself Sirius was her entirely hers. I believe there's a lesson in that for both of us."

The Great Hall imploded into silence. Time stopped still as the wizards, including Dumbledore, waited for the next move. Instead of flying at Snape, which many expected, Sirius stopped and lowered his withdrawn wand.

"Yes," he agreed, looking at Snape. "I came to realise she was actually right. I was horrified when Harry informed me he had cursed her. I told him to watch out, but he ignored me. That was when we believed that she had Lily's sample." Snape shook his head slowly.

"No. She didn't. You are right, I did know. And I allowed her to carry on for I took the potion to check its safety for your godson."

Harry nudged Ron in amazement. Surely it wasn't just him who had noticed the shift in the conversation. No longer were they sniping at one another; information from both wizards was being imparted without either laying the blame on the other.

"I know," said Sirius. "I do not know how you managed to work with such a headstrong and determined woman as Cecilia Frobisher for the last seven months, Snape. I mean she was so resolute that she was not to be helped she picked a fight with me to divert my attention from her condition, until it was too late." He continued to stare at Snape and in turn, Snape returned his stare to Sirius.

"But you kept her safe. In the Shrieking Shack. You thought to take her away from harm." As Snape spoke steadily Sirius shook his head. Around them the Order continued to gape.

"I thought to take you from harm. She was masquerading as you, if you recall." Snape nodded slowly. "She told me about your family," he continued.

"Did she now? And why would she do that?" From their position Harry could see Snape's knuckle whiten over the end of his walking stick.

"Because of the less than admirable way I treated her when I believed she was you. And, I assume, because she believed she was going to die."

"Hm," said Snape, holding Sirius's gaze.

"From what she said about your parents I can understand why you'd want mine," he conceded, continuing to look at Snape. Snape said nothing for a moment, before tipping his head in acknowledgement; his hair falling forward briefly.

"Any other last words?" prompted Snape, his voice even and steady.

"We spoke about Henrietta," continued Sirius, nodding his head slowly, "I'll admit now before all here, I was actually wrong. I shouldn't have interfered. She would have been happier with you, rather than the fate she suffered because of me, Severus."

The room stopped moving. It was unheard of for Sirius to call Snape by his first name.

"Also, thank you for taking the potion. If Harry hadn't been so headstrong, you could have saved him the trouble…" Snape said nothing. He stood, still bandaged and stiff, at one side of the table. Then Sirius walked past Dumbledore and towards Snape, repocketing his wand and keeping his eye fixed on the wizard.

"And I apologise for my behaviour about your father when we were at school. It was wrong of me to project my feelings of resentment about my family onto you. Now at least I know some of them turned out all right, that we have it in us to change. Mrs Frobisher showed me that."

Now this was the limit for most of the wizards there, who felt their mouths fall open and gasp aloud in undisguised shock and disbelief, including Hermione who, standing covered her mouth quickly. Many turned to one another, unable to take in what came to pass next as Snape extended a hand in Sirius's direction.

And no-one was more surprised than Harry, holding onto Ron's shoulder for support when, before their very eyes Sirius took it.

88888888

Harry retreated to the common room as the Order began to file out of the meeting with Ron and Hermione, Ginny and the twins. The meeting had lasted a further hour during which the wizards had discussed the most efficient methods of following up the enemy with the objective of recapturing them.

The students were tired and they'd occupied their usual places on the sofas; Hermione and Ron on the smaller sofa, Harry next to Ginny next to the twins on the other. The twins and Ginny were dying to hear of the details of what they had missed of the meeting but the common room soon became populated with the wizards and witches who had been in the meeting.

"We're off," said George as the wizards began to swarm in. "I don't think we can stand another night of reminiscences."

"Yeah," said Fred, rolling his eyes. "There's only so much of Dad telling tales of their capers at school, and mum shushing him – "

" – and correcting him, making it sound like humorous misunderstandings – " George nodded towards their father, who had begun a tale of night-time wandering with Sturgis Podmore, their mother re-editing the more rule-breaking of parts.

"Where to?" hissed Ron as the twins headed towards the portrait hole.

"Kitchens," they mouthed to him and their brother nodded. Kitchens was code for them visiting Cecilia in the hospital wing.

It took a long time for all six of them to get to the hospital wing from the common room; when they were sure they were free of adult presence Fred, George and Ginny stopped walking when they heard parts of the story, imparted by all three at various intervals, requiring clarification for the more unbelievable parts.

When they were finally at the doors of the hospital wing, Harry, and the Weasleys pressed their backs against the adjacent wall as Hermione looked at them.

"What?" she asked innocently, knowing what the answer would be.

"Your turn, Granger," replied Fred, grinning. "This time tell her that Hagrid's rash has spread all over his body and she'll need double the calamine that she did last night."

"Has it?" asked Harry, out of interest. Fred and George had been inflicting chronic but harmless diseases on Hagrid in order to create a diversion so they could get in to see Cecilia. In all, the children had been allowed to see her legitimately for an hour since she was brought in but in actual fact they had been in each evening, talking to her as well as amongst themselves, telling her information that was happening in the muggle world that they were gleaning from the muggle studies books or reporting the progress of the Order on capturing the Death Eaters.

"Yep," replied Fred mischievously. "That'll teach him to scoff all of our Malady Mixtures."

"Ate a whole two pounds," added George, shaking his head. "It'll be a good couple of hours before she comes back."

"At least, considering the side-effects," remarked Fred, trying to stifle a smirk.

Once Hermione had entered and, five minutes later Madam Pomfrey had swept past them, clearly agitated, all six students crept across the floor of the general hospital room and through the second pair of double doors which led to the hospital wing's intensive care room.

"Where did you three get to this evening when we were listening to the Order meeting?" asked Harry, when they had all pulled chairs around Cecilia's bedside in the darkness.

"Lumos," said Ron and Hermione, who then leaned over and placed their glowing wands, like lanterns, at the end of the bed.

"We came here," said Ginny quietly. The twins nodded.

"We asked about Cecilia; though wasn't too hard to pretend to care," added George, sadly.

"She doesn't look any worse," said Harry, looking across her translucent features as Cecilia Frobisher lay motionless under the covers. At least Poppy had tended her he thought; she was now in a nightgown and it looked as if the nurse had brushed her hair. The bruises on her face and arms were beginning to yellow, which meant that she was still alive, however there appeared to be more of them each evening they visited and, though Harry hadn't mentioned it to the others, spots of blood on the sheets.

"But she doesn't look better," replied Fred and they all looked at her, lying unconscious before them.

"At least it's not our fault this time," commented George. He and Fred nodded at one another before looking back at Cecilia.

"Malfoy's in here somewhere," said Hermione conversationally.

"It's his own fault, the idiot," replied Ron, scornfully, "he nearly wet himself when he saw a real Death Eater meeting." He smiled between Harry and Hermione proudly.

"I got him fair and square. He nearly died when he heard Mrs Frobisher say he was highly intelligent, stamped his feet when she insulted his father. Almost wept...almost wept when precious Daddy attacked her with the Cruciatus curse. Even he couldn't stand that, the weed."

"That's 'cos of us," said George, looking at Fred and nodding with satisfaction. "When we brought Snape back, when we thought he was Cecilia, we got Goyle and Crabbe good and proper – "

"He was planning to get her, the git," added Fred, nodding at George.

"Gave you quite a shock when we realised it was actually the real Snape," said Fred, laughing at his brother, "I mean, when you told him he was the best teacher that had ever walked the halls of Hogwarts…" he nudged George, who had begun to turn red.

"Shut up!" he hissed darkly.

"And when you kissed him!" Fred added, grinning at Hermione, Ron and Harry.

"I thought it was her...!" moaned George, mortified. "And it was you that told him he was the best teacher that had ever walked the halls!"

"Oh, blessed heart!" exclaimed Fred, clutching his brother's arm dramatically.

"She's our sort of chap," added George looking at Fred.

"For Queen and Country – " they broke off, looking past Ron and at their sister. Ginny was crying.

"Ginny," said Hermione kindly, as she got to her feet and pointed at her chair. Ron moved into it and sat down as Hermione sat in his and put a comforting arm around Ginny's shoulder.

"I was so horrible to her," she sniffed, pulling out a lilac handkerchief from her jeans pocket. "Those things I said…"

"Forget it," said Harry, quietly. "Sirius has managed put the past behind him by the sounds of it. You should too"

"But then if she doesn't wake up and she dies - " moaned Ginny through irascible sobs.

"Then…I'll go to Azkaban for murder," said Hermione softly, patting her hand.

"No," said Ron. His brothers and sister, and Harry watched him owlly as he took Hermione's hand in his. "You did what she asked. You did it for a friend," he looked across at Harry, who nodded on agreement. "You are a very loyal friend, Hermione." Then Ron got to his feet again and placed something next to Cecilia.

"What's that?" asked Harry, confused.

"Well," began Ron. "It looks as if Malfoy was earwigging on us when we made your potion, Harry and he decided to do a bit of rearrangement of the Muggle Studies classroom…" Hermione looked at him in alarm.

"You mean to say that Malfoy did that? The place looked like a hurricane had been through it! Your mum and dad have just spent the last four days sorting it out." Ron nodded in conformation.

"He stole this," he continued, gesturing towards "Magic and Muggles" that he had just pulled out of his robe. "I think he twigged that she wasn't a squib and was going to tell Daddyo." Grim looks passed over their faces at Ron's words; none of them would put it past Draco Malfoy.

"What about the rest of her stuff?" asked Hermione. "Were your mum and dad able to rescue much?" Ron shook his head sadly.

"All her books, her notebooks with the Link in he chucked on the fire, the git. And the potions he tipped away, let all the animals out, basically had a right old time." The children nodded.

They had seen the devastation for themselves three days ago when Mr Weasley called in Ron, Harry and Hermione to take away the Muggle Studies textbooks. It was from these books that they had been updating Cecilia with information from the muggle world.

"Have you got it?" asked Ron of his sister. Ginny nodded and handed him the book. The cover had a burn mark on it but the pages were neatly filling themselves with muggle news.

"Anything new?" asked George, curiously. Ron shook his head, thumbing back a couple of pages before looking at the last one, as words were appearing letter by letter.

"Go on, read it out," prompted Harry, looking over his best friend's shoulder. "Yesterday was quite interesting."

So Ron read out the next couple of pages' worth of news to Cecilia, while the others listened in silence. When he had finished, they added their own comments before Hermione filled the unconscious Cecilia in with the news that they had heard downstairs.

"…and Snape and Sirius shook hands," she finished, nodding slowly, looking at Cecilia before turning back to Ron. "I can't believe it's going to end like this!" Hermione exclaimed, her emotions spilling out. This was a surprise to all present for she had recounted the information earlier so calmly.

"Why did she do this to herself? I trusted her when I made that polyjuice potion and she took it herself!" Hermione got to her feet and gestured angrily in the direction of the Forbidden Forest as she spoke. "However does she expect us to behave sensibly when she, our teacher, does that? I don't think she's a very good role model…" She trailed off and Ron took her hand, pulling her back down into her lap.

"I think she's brilliant," replied Ron, looking at her again. "I mean, putting herself in the way of danger rather than letting anyone else do it…" He looked at Harry, who was on his feet looking at them all strangely.

"I still can't believe she made it without mum's sample; she chose to die rather than take a bit of mum or risk the potion she had on me." The others nodded.

"She was intelligent," said Fred, looking at his twin.

"She told us not to follow her – " George nodded at Fred.

"If we hadn't – "

" – it might have been too late…"

"It might be too late for her already," sniffed Ron and it was his turn to receive a hug from Hermione.

"Don't talk about her in the past tense," chided Hermione quietly. "We have to hope. And," she looked around her friends, pausing to gain their attention, " I've made a decision: when I've got my NEWTs I'm going back home and studying science." She nodded at them, her voice calm; she had clearly given it a lot of thought.

"I've got to think of the other part of my life too. Like when you were helping Professor Snape when she disappeared, Harry, it all fits. I asked mum to send me a science book, and I'm beginning it all. And – " Hermione looked across at Cecilia, "…if…when she wakes up, I will ask her to teach me..."

The young witch fell silent, dropping her head. Around her, her friends exchanged looks of incredulity; Hermione, who had spent the last five years proving that she was as good as any other witch or wizard now wanted to learn muggle science. Was there really no end to her talents?

"Right," said Fred, as the school bell tolled midnight. "Madam Pomfrey'll be back in a few mintutes; we'd better get back.

And so, with reluctance, but with promises of their return the six young wizards left Cecilia in the hospital wing.

88888888

The summer's day heat radiated around her. Cecilia looked towards the face of the sun and smiled. Her journey was taking her down a long country lane, towards home. She felt happy; she would see her family again, and she defied anyone not to be happy with weather such as this. Just a bit further down the road before her lay a green field, with cows lazily grazing. Her house lay across the field, so she looked for the stile she knew was round the corner.

As she looked, some gulls circled overhead, and she could hear their wings beating as they flew. No stile, she realised, and proceeded further down the lane, looking for another means of access. As she walked, a sudden chill bit the air. The hedge seemed to grow taller around her, and cirrocumulus clouds flicked across the sun.

How can I get in, she thought, and a faint hint of unease struck her. The mocking cry of the gulls seemed echo all around as she hurried back up the country lane and, as she surveyed the field she had seen before, her heart sank as its area increased beyond sight before her eyes….

…now she's running…along a beach, through the sand…the atmosphere is calm, the waves are lively lapping at the shore…it is most idyllic and peaceful. The sand is soft underfoot but Cecilia barely notices, as she hurries across it. She can't find them; where are they? Are they still here? The waves roll up the shore, and Cecilia searches the horizon. And then she sees them; Mum and Amy are waiting for her …there on the other shore...Freya is waving…and Libby too. And they're calling out to her…desperately wanting her help…screaming for her to come and rescue them…

88888888

"I never thought I would find you in the muggle studies classroom."

It was early in the morning, around three o'clock and Snape was holding up a pinkish draught to his wandlight, which he had poured into a boiling tube. At the sound of someone entering he turned and fixed his narrowing eyes from the solution to the interloper.

"Sirius. I never had you down for creeping around the castle at night; I thought all the Order were staying in Gryffindor tower." He continued to watch Sirius as the wizard picked his way through the debris that still littered the classroom over to where Snape was working. It had been decided that, until Cecilia either recovered or died no decision would be made about her possessions and as such Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had stacked what looked salvageable on her desk and left the rest as it was.

"So it's actually the post of Muggle Studies teacher you've been craving all these years then, rather than Defence," continued Sirius, scanning the miscellany of objects, tools and potions laid out on the table, some glowing evanescently under the light of Snape's wand.

"Was there something you wanted, Sirius?" Snape glanced back at the pinkish solution in the tube before setting it down in a rack; although they had come to a truce it was obvious that old habits of mistrust still ran high.

"Everyone's really worried about Cecilia; Poppy has just been to see us and informs us that she is getting worse…"

"Really?" Snape's tone was one of well-practiced sarcasm and he folded his arms emphatically.

"You don't seem that bothered." He leaned casually against the table, glancing at Snape. After a couple of minutes Snape picked up a handful of hemlock leaves and began to destalk them.

"Continue."

"She did all this?" asked Sirius distractedly, "I remember the muggle studies classroom to be such a drab, boring place. Even after James and I livened it up." Snape glanced quickly at Sirius, who seemed to be reminiscing rather than being provocative. He nodded politely.

"It would seem the new style of teaching suits the students. None of my house, I must add, but Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs. Many seem to have developed good logic and thinking skills over the past few months." Taking a pestle and mortar Snape began to pound away at the leaves, their structure yielding as he worked them.

"Four days," continued Sirius, watching Snape liquefy the leaves. "She woke up the last time after four days."

Snape said nothing. He put down the cauldron and picked up a base solution, before tipping half of it into another tube. The green liquid seemed to ooze rather than flow and he threw a look in Sirius's direction as the other wizard watched him add the pink liquid that he had been holding earlier.

"What would you say, Sirius if I were to tell you I have here a potion which, should the consumer take it, could allow him the power to reverse the injuries akin to those sustained by Mrs Frobisher? On a cellular level?"

Sirius stood straight and continued to stare at the potion.

"That?" he asked uncertainly.

"I've been working on it for a good many months; I anticipated Mrs Frobisher might come to some difficulty again the longer her collaboration with wizards endured – " he cast a long look at Sirius.

" – however I did not anticipate the difficulty would be of her own doing." He handed the tube, which had begun to shimmer in the light, to Sirius and he held it carefully, as if it were about to explode at any minute.

"What does that potion do, Severus?" Still holding the potion, for potion was what it was, and crossed to the bench where, up until a week ago, Cecilia herself worked feverishly, and examined the contents of the cauldron.

"It will heal her. I intended to bring the idea to the Order meeting tonight however I believed I would be outvoted because of the risk of further damage. The potion must be ingested and a spell performed." Snape stepped back and allowed Sirius the indulgence of examining the ingredients on the bench before continuing.

"At best, the wizard performing the spell could further harm or even kill Mrs Frobisher, should the energy of that wizard be slightly askew." He eyed Sirius as he continued to inspect the ingredients, "but this must be balanced with the possibility, the extremely high possibility that she will not recover."

He folded his arms and took a step back, waiting for Sirius to respond. At length, he turned to Snape and held aloft the potion.

"Three questions," he said, glancing between the potion and ingredients.

"Go on…"

"Why do you believe the Order would object to it being performed?"

"Because I have already spoken to Dumbledore and he believes that is the way vote would fall." Snape continued to look back at Sirius, as he had done that evening.

"Are you convinced it will help her?" Sirius returned the firm look. Snape nodded.

"Yes. I am."

"And Dumbledore, is he happy with this?" Snape glanced at the potion once again before looking back at Sirius.

"He believes it should be democratic. He also believes that more than one person will depart our world should Mrs Frobisher die." Sirius smiled slightly at Snape.

"Good old Dumbledore," he commented, handing the potion back to Snape. "But why are you telling me this?"

"I believe that is four questions, Sirius," Snape growled quietly, "but I will ignore your inability to count." Crossing over to the table and reseating the tube in the rack he opened up a small wallet, bound by cord.

"The most stable energy field is of a pure blood wizard," he continued, carefully extracting a few strands of dark hair from the collection that Cecilia had filed neatly therein, holding it out for Sirius's inspection. "That is to say, should a pure blood wizard perform the spell it will yield a higher efficacy. I merely chose the easiest and most effective method of manufacture…"

88888888

…she was searching for something; the moor she was standing in was growing darker, and she was aware of the shape behind her, following her. She continued to walk across the moor, looking for something…someone…but couldn't quite remember what for…or who… She had a nagging thought in the back of her mind telling her she knew she shouldn't have been there, and her mind chided her for ignoring the warnings…

…The thing behind her was getting closer; the padding behind her making her heart race slightly, and she looked round for a weapon. The dusk settling in round her as she went made the moor appear inhospitable; one or two lights many miles ahead kept her focus. Her mind began to race; it wasn't a matter of if the beast behind her would attack, but when and, no sooner had she thought this, its pace increased, jumping to one side of her. Cecilia turned to run, but was prevented from making much headway by two extruding basalt outcrops and the animal, something of a huge black canine bared its fangs and backed her into it. Her mind was blank with fear, she knew she couldn't run and there was no-one about. The animal backed her further towards the rock face, saliva dripping from its protruding teeth and a wave of terror washed over her…that was it, the end…she was done for. But then, someone jumped in front of her, holding out their hands to ward it off…instead of warding them off…the animal and the person...they stepped aside, the person held out their hand, and she felt the urge to take it…

88888888

The school clock tolled five when the Weasley twins watched Remus hurry hastily across the landing of the second floor and into the hospital wing only to return two minutes' later. He noticed the twins but said nothing, holding his head aloft as he could manage and striding past them. The expression on his face was one of determination and he did not turn when George called out to him urgently.

With speed Fred and George followed him down onto the ground floor, watching his pace pick up as he headed towards the south corridor, towards the Herbology classrooms, glancing behind him every so often at the twins.

When he finally did slow down, Lupin turned and waited for the twins to catch up with him and as they approached they saw an expression of utter devastation on his face.

"D…don't you want to see her?" asked Fred cautiously when they had stood in the darkened corridor for what seemed like an age. Lupin shook his head vehemently darting a look between the twins.

"She did all that…became Snape…tried to fight Voldermort…" The words coming from Lupin's lips weren't questions, more like statements of fact and both boys nodded in agreement.

"But you don't want to see her," said George, repeating his brother's question.

"Others care about her…" his voice tailed off and Lupin looked at the dark blue sky, tinged with a faint line of paleness indicating dawn to be on its way.

"They didn't know that was she was going to do that – " George leaned forward and looked at Lupin. "I think it's heroic…"

"And Sirius said that she said she loved you, Professor," added Fred, looking at his brother. "That's got to be worth a visit. And we know a thing or two about love," he added.

"That's right," replied George. "We know quite a lot."

"In order to make a successful relationship, you need to be able to talk," said Fred, looking downcast when Lupin looked back at him, smiling a little at their attempts to cheer him up.

"We're not joking," protested George, knowledgeably. "Stick with us and you're bound to come out all right."

Remus Lupin looked between the twins, smiling wanly. You couldn't help liking them, even if you were at the depths of despair. It would be like kicking a pair of playful puppies.

"Thank you for the information, lads. I'll give it due consideration."

And with that he turned and began to walk purposefully down the corridor heading towards the Herbology gardens. The twins followed him cautiously, watching as Lupin made his way towards an ornamental marble bench that sat in the centre of Professor Sprout's prizewinning display of posing pansies. He slumped heavily onto it, a look of utter misery washing over his face before holding leaning forward and holding his head in his hands.

From behind the pillars that were shielding them from view Fred and George crossed over the well-manicured lawn and sat down one on either side next to the bedraggled wizard, exchanging looks of confusion as Lupin sat unmoving, in silence. Eventually he turned to the twins and spoke, his voice cracked and his face red.

"I appreciate your concern, gentlemen but really, I've got nothing to offer Cecilia Frobisher…" He stopped when he saw Fred shaking his head.

"Can we ask," Fred began.

"…do you love her?" George looked at him expectantly as Remus turned to look at him.

"What?" he replied, finding it difficult to keep up with the conversation. "Do I – do I love Cecilia Frobisher?" He exhaled and laughed aloud for a second before glancing at both young wizards again. "Well, seeing as you've asked, then…yes," he nodded, "I love Cecilia Frobisher."

"Ah, well that makes it easier," replied George, nodding at Fred as Remus turned to look at him in confusion.

"Sorry?"

"Our advice," clarified Fred gravely.

"Indeed," nodded George.

"You see, I don't know if you've noticed, Remus old chap, that George and I are not exactly our mother's favourite children." Fred leaned towards Remus conspiratorially, as if sharing top secret information. "She appears to have a large blind spot for our qualities," he added, nodding as if that made things clearer. Remus stared blankly at Fred.

"What Fred is trying to say," continued George "is that we are not what mother expected, but we love her, and she loves us. We all just have to make the best of it," he concluded, nodding wearily.

"And we can see you're potty for her; Cecilia that is, not mum," said Fred, "so it is our opinion that you ignore the rubbish about doing what you think is right and just go for it." George said nothing, nodding in agreement.

Remus felt the misery of the last week ease slightly and he smiled at the twins once again as a cool morning breeze, heralding the morning sunlight bristled the croaking conifers.

"Yes," he agreed, looking between them again as a small breeze tousled his hair. "I am, as you put it, potty for her."

"Well, in that case we feel we must warn you," added George, leaning towards Fred as his brother got to his feet, winking at George, "it's only fair – "

"Warn me?" repeated Remus absently.

"Yes," agreed Fred as George got up too. "Warn you that if you leave it too late with Mrs Frobisher then we'll have no choice but to make our move," he continued, grinning at his brother. Remus nodded slowly. Somehow, looking at life from the Fred and George perspective was quite insightful.

"Thanks lads," he said wistfully as they departed, "I'll bear it in mind."

"Night," they added, retreating slowly back towards the corridor.

88888888

…and as Cecilia reached out her hand, she felt…warmth. Not only on her face, but also running up her arm as if she had been bathed in warm water. Behind her eyelids the brightness of light beyond made Cecilia's senses come to life…

And then, just as she was about to open her eyes someone took Cecilia's outstretched hand and held onto it.

"F…F…" she tried, and the person next to her squeezed her hand in response. Cecilia could hear the person talking, their voice becoming louder and higher pitched as she tried again.

"Poppy!" she head the person next to her call shrilly. In a voice that she recognised. Cecilia opened her eyes and Minerva McGonagall looked back at her.

"Cecilia, my dear! Oh my, this is marvellous! Poppy!" She turned her head towards the door and Cecilia made to shift up the bed, but McGonagall turned and squeezed her hand.

"No, don't try to move – Poppy! " She turned her head again to call for Madam Pomfrey. "Yes, I expect it does hurt," Minerva added when Cecilia winced in pain.

But why am I here, Cecilia thought. The last thing I remember was…the Shrieking Shack, and…Sirius. I've taken enough potion to kill me three times over and…the Cruciatus curse…

…why am I not dead?

"Just lie still dear, and I'll try to get Poppy," said Minerva, looking kindly on her as she shifted uncomfortably in the hospital bed. "I'm so glad I was here, Cecilia; you've no idea how worried we all were and – " she broke off as the door to the intensive care ward swung open and, still holding Cecilia's hand Minerva got to her feet.

"Poppy, I – oh, it's you Hermione." Minerva glanced in Cecilia's direction. "Well, don't just stand there girl! Go and fetch Madam Pomfrey!" Hermione followed the line of sight that Professor McGonagall had just taken and put her hand to her mouth when she realised Cecilia's eyes were open.

"Don't just gape, girl! Go! Now! At once!"

Within ten minutes around the now very exhausted and very awake Cecilia came visitors as well as Poppy Pomfrey. First to arrive, even before the nurse herself, who had gone to treat Hagrid's boils, was the Weasley clan with Harry and Hermione.

All nine of the family clambered round Cecilia, oo-ing and gasping in wonder at her recovery, asking her how she felt, filling her in on events that had taken place in the castle that week and equally congratulating and condemning her on her bravery or stupidity in facing Voldermort whilst Mr Weasley described the battle in all its detail.

Cecilia listened politely, feeling like an interloper in the midst of her visitors, not knowing what to say or do. From her perspective, from her aching head as she lay propped up on the hospital pillows she felt distant from Mr Weasley's words as they floated around her, not really connecting.

"We are so glad to have you back with us, safe and well," Mrs Weasley concluded, when she felt Mr Weasley had said enough and she sat back down and Ginny got to her feet. The young girl stood nervously as her parents and brothers watched her closely.

"I…I wish to apologise, Mrs Frobisher, for the wrong I have done you," she began, her face flushing scarlet and tears springing to her eyes.

"Forget…it," managed Cecilia, trying her best at a smile towards the young girl, not bad when it felt like her whole mouth had an overgrowth of grass which was in dire need of a mow. And the mood lightened to the Weasley twins giving her another comic about which Cecilia reiterated the boys' talent.

"See mum, Mrs Frobisher thinks our talent is excellent," George replied as Mrs Weasley scoffed.

"And she's a teacher," added Fred, glancing at Cecilia. She was about to reply when, to her relief Madam Pomfrey swept into the intensive care room, gaping at the fourteen people around Cecilia in horror.

"What is the…what's going on here?!" she asked sternly and she gazed to where Cecilia was lying, eyes open in bed.

"Out!" she demanded, pointing towards the door. "I have a patient that needs my attention. You can come back later."

Reluctantly Cecilia's visitors left her with the nurse and, when the room was empty Poppy's stern expression changed to one of astonishment.

"Cecilia…how are you feeling?" she sat down on the chair that Minerva McGonagall had just vacated, looking her up and down. Cecilia nodded, trying not to let the pain show on her face but feeling relieved that she was now alone.

"Like before when I took a potion," she clarified, before Poppy Pomfrey had the chance to ask her. "Aches…pains…general feelings of urgh…" The nurse nodded in agreement and she threw off Cecilia's blanket, before examining her.

"I…I don't understand…with the damage…all I could hope was to make you comfortable…" She shook her head in disbelief again before adding. "But you are awake, you are alive. And that is the most important." Cecilia nodded. Her head felt much lighter than it had done a few moments ago and she felt like she wanted sleep…

…when she reawoke, the shafts of sunlight had shifted further round to the right and they bounced off the stone walls to Cecilia's left as she opened her eyes…

…in disbelief at so many people round her bed. The Weasley family were close by her, as was Professor McGonagall. Many wizards from the Order sat and stood to her left and above, hovering just behind them were Harry and Hermione.

"Welcome back," Cecilia heard someone say to her left and she turned to see the smiling face of Sturgis Podmore, his bowler hat perched on his head in the same manner as she remembered it when he was at the Christmas Ball. Cecilia smiled back in his direction.

"Good to see you," murmured other wizards who had appeared to be waiting for her to respond before saying anything.

"…hope you're feeling better…"

"…nice to see you…"

Cecilia smiled at them as she looked at each and every face working her way from Sturgis on her left to Mrs Weasley on her right, who patted her hand gently.

"We all wanted to see you, dear," she clarified, looking at Cecilia's overwhelmed expression. "The Order," she reiterated.

"Thank you," she said, looking at the wizards again, searching their faces for the one amongst them Cecilia hoped would be there.

"Don't mention it," replied Kingsley, who was standing just beside Arthur Weasley. "It is us who should be thanking you." Next to him, pushing her way through, was Madam Pomfrey, looking distinctly harassed.

"And now I'll thank you to leave Cecilia to rest," she concluded, looking round at the wizards, some of whom dropped their heads obediently, clearly trained to the nurse's voice. "She will be in here for a while to recover so you will have plenty of time to see her…" Poppy's voice trailed off as the wizards parted to Cecilia's left and gliding between them was Dumbledore, dressed in his usual red cloak, his hair longer and whiter than ever.

"Perhaps they can stay for a few minutes longer while I speak to Mrs Frobisher?" He pushed up his half-moon spectacles as he looked at Poppy.

"Oh, if they must," she replied, defeated. "But no more than five minutes," she added, pushing between Kingsley and Bertie Griffin.

"My dear, you look dreadful," Dumbledore smiled serenely at Cecilia as he sat on the end of the bed and smiled faintly.

"And I must say that is a complement considering what you have been through; we are all very pleased with the result. Voldermort is defeated in all but bodily form, and you are with us again."

"Hear, hear!" came a voice from the foot of Cecilia's bed.

"So it only leaves me to say thank you on behalf of every muggle and wizard in this land for the courage and bravery you showed last week, last month…in fact every week and month, and every day that you have been with us – ah, don't interrupt," Dumbledore held out a hand to hush her, "I have spent a long time on this speech and do not wish it to be interrupted.

"Sufficed to say we here are all very pleased with your miraculous recovery." When he finished, he beamed at the audience around Cecilia, who burst into applause. Dumbledore got to his feet and leaned towards her, patting her hand.

"When you are better, my dear, then we will discuss matters of work," he whispered. "Now, you must concentrate on becoming well. Tomorrow will come soon enough."

And with that, Dumbledore turned to the Order, instructing those who were on duty to accompany him back to the Great Hall.

When most of the wizards had left, Cecilia turned and smiled at Mrs Weasley who was still sitting to her left with the rest of the Weasleys around her, Harry and Hermione closing the gap behind them. She was about to open her mouth when Harry took a step forward, grinning.

"Thanks, Mrs Frobisher, for being so brave," he began, looking at his feet. "I wasn't that brave, in the battle – " Cecilia fixed him with a determined look and Harry stopped speaking.

"You took the potion," said Cecilia quietly. "You believed. You were prepared to do what was necessary, Harry where I on the other hand, did not, which put you in danger."

"Yes, I know about mum's sample," replied Harry quickly. "And you did what you thought was right." Cecilia smiled at him muzzily.

"Then we're still friends, Harry?" she asked, ignoring Mrs Weasley's pleas for her to remain vertical and pushing herself up the bed with some effort. Harry's face brightened.

"Still friends," he confirmed. "Which reminds me, are you two still friends?" He looked at Hermione and then at Ron, both of whom blushed shyly, nodding vaguely.

"Then that's settled," said Mrs Weasley in a tone of finality. "We're all back to friends, and – " Molly paused, as she saw Fred and George look at one another uncertainly.

"We're not too sure," said Fred, looking at George and frowning. "We don't think we're friends."

"Merlin, don't be so silly," retorted Percy, casting them a supercilious look. "Of course you are."

"We're not," replied George, "we're undecided about whether we should tell mum about – "

"Tell me about what?" insisted Molly Weasley in undisguised annoyance. "Come on, spit it out." Fred and George looked uncertain again and George nudged Fred in the ribs.

"Come on," said George, looking at his brother, then rolling his eyes. "Ok, I'll tell her. Mum," he began, looking at his mother. "We have something to tell you. When we finish school we are going to use our talent to make a great deal of money." He glanced at the comic that he had placed next to Cecilia on the table before back to Molly Weasley.

"We'll stay on and do our NEWTs but you must accept what we want to do for a career…" He trailed off as Mrs Weasley's face began to grow red and she screwed it up into a ball, advancing on them.

"Now look what you've done!" hissed Fred, nudging George. Every pair of eyes was on the twins. But to their surprise Mrs Weasley burst into a smile and stood before the twins.

"My sons," she began, hugging both of them in her arms, their heads resting on either shoulder. "I'll be happy whatever you do in life as long as you are happy," she finished, releasing Fred and George.

"Now I hope you are very satisfied, young lady," Molly turned and looked at Cecilia, a tone of light rebukefulness entering her voice. "You have quite an influence on my husband and children…" she continued, smiling widely at Cecilia. "And I must say, all in all, it is a good one. Now, we must not press on more of your recuperation time; I can see you need your rest." Cecilia nodded in agreement. "We'll be back soon," Mrs Weasley added, turning to the children, who waved and whispered their goodbyes.

And almost as soon as Cecilia watched the door swing shut behind them she sighed with relief, grateful that she was alone at last.

It wasn't as if she didn't appreciate her visitors, but she had a uneasy feeling in her stomach which, until she could work out what it meant, left her wanting the company of her own thoughts. She turned to look at the opposite wall, watching as the shadows played on it before closing her eyes and pulling the sheet and blanket around her, yielding to sleep.

And in the fading consciousness of her mind Cecilia's thoughts lingered on only one wizard now and on his conspicuous absence…how she wished he would be sitting there, right in front of her, when she woke up again…

…a few minutes after Mrs Weasley and the rest made their way downstairs, another pair of wizards entered the hospital wing, creeping through the empty day ward and opening the door to the intensive care before peering round the door.

Sirius held the door open so Snape could see Cecilia, her eyes closed, turn in her sleep. He winked at Snape who narrowed his eyes automatically, before nodding in agreed satisfaction.

Night came…

…when he was sure that she was asleep and everyone had gone Remus Lupin crept into the hospital wing. In the only occupied bed he heard Cecilia breathing rhythmically as she slept, curled up on her side facing him. Her face glowed in the waning moonlight and Remus winced automatically as he registered whence the luminescence originated.

Sleeping silently, Remus approached her, watching her move gently in her sleep, her soft, butternut-coloured hair spilling all over the hospital pillow. Remus stopped and stared at her for a long time, watching as she turned in her sleep, as she stretched out, as her breathing pattern changed.

He wanted this for the rest of his life, to look at her as he remembered her at Christmas, sleeping next to him, contented.

Eventually, longing gave way to weariness and he pulled up one of the wicker hospital chairs to the far side of Cecilia's bed, looking at her lovely features and began to whisper to her as she slept, his voice sounding horribly tinny against the sandstone cladding.

"I always wondered what it would feel like to love someone like I love you," he began, watching her move around in her sleep. "I left you because I was scared of your reaction. I couldn't bear it to end as it so often does with people. And I didn't want your pity." He sighed and moved his chair closer to Cecilia's sleeping form.

"I like to be liked; I am susceptible when someone shows me anything other than contempt. And I wasn't honest with you."

On the table next to her he placed the brooch he had given Cecilia at Christmas. The light from the waning moon played on its facets as it sat, boasting its beauty to the darkened hospital room.

"My grandmother's," he clarified, glancing at the brooch. "She was a muggle like you; it was her brooch. That's how Dad got involved with Raymond Lully. She died before I was bitten…I'm so glad she never got to see me like this." He glanced back at Cecilia again, bending close to her face and planting a kiss on her cheek. She stirred a little and he backed away, watching her intently.

"Cecilia, I'll make you a promise. If you still want me…if you will still have me faults and all," he reached down and took her hand. "If you promise you accept me because you love me, then I will never leave you again."

88888888

"It was foolish to talk of the Reciprocators, Dumbledore, very foolish indeed!" Cornelius Fudge paced around Dumbledore's desk, his hands clasped together behind his back as he looked towards the floor every so often, and shaking his head. "They exist as a legend in the old time…which has long since gone! There is no such thing!" Fudge's last few words were emphasised sharply and he poked his finger rhythmically as he spoke. Dumbledore looked at him evenly.

"My very dear Minister," replied Dumbledore, returning to his chair after a tour of his office, which took in Fawkes, the books on the shelf (which he casually realphabetised as he ignored Fudge completely), the floo link from his fireplace and the former heads of the school. Now he looked impassive and steepled his fingers thoughtfully, hoping that Fudge would take it upon himself to leave shortly following his already hour and a half consultation with Dumbledore.

"I believe I am living proof of the contrary. I am the very last Reciprocator and as a result of a highly successful collaboration we were in a position to defeat Voldermort last Saturday." Dumbledore smiled as he watched a smirk of triumph pass over Fudge's face.

"But he was not defeated; he is still at large. And besides the movement you speak of is against the law!"

"It is," agreed Dumbledore. Fudge gave him an incredulous look, before continuing to pace before his desk, looking at Dumbledore every so often as if he was looking to catch him at something.

"Hogwarts is a well-respected educational establishment; she cannot stay at the castle!"

"Indeed she cannot," agreed Dumbledore, watching Fudge turn and glance at him furiously.

"You have another two days to sort out, Dumbledore," he added forcefully.

"Then let us hope that the recovery process is speedy, otherwise my staff and colleagues will believe me unbelievably cruel to despatch an employee, who uncovered the Universal Link and faced Voldermort alone, out onto the streets with no care…" Fudge stopped pacing, and turned slowly, his eyes narrowing at Dumbledore's comment.

"I do not suggest that," he replied stiffly.

"Then we are agreed that her fate is in my hands, especially with Voldermort." Dumbledore got to his feet and began his circuit of the office again; tonight Fudge did not appear to be in any hurry to leave.

"That is a point to be proved, though I cannot deny that your returning the students to their families at such a time as this was extremely foresighted, Dumbledore. Now at least we should be able to get this matter sorted out so they may return promptly also."

Dumbledore turned and paced back towards his desk, smiling politely at Fudge.

"I want the Aurors gone from the castle by tomorrow," he began to count down on his fingers a mental list of things he wanted done.

"Yes, I believe some are still in the grounds. One or two were sent to Madam Pomfrey for treatment for injuries from my edgestones." Fudge looked at him darkly.

"It is clearly shortsighted to underestimate the power of old magic," he added, a twinkle forming in his eyes.

"Second," continued Fudge, clearly determined not to be swayed from his list, "that when the muggle, Mrs…Mrs…"

"Cecilia Frobisher," prompted Dumbledore patiently.

"Yes, yes, that's right," added Fudge, looking uncertain, "when Mrs Frobisher recovers that you can assure me you do not hold ideas for her to return to complete your objective." He stared at Dumbledore, willing the headmaster to argue. Instead Dumbledore took a few steps towards Fawkes again, tickling the phoenix fondly by its comb.

"Would you like to meet her, minister? I am sure she would not mind in the least being visited by the most powerful Ministry official we wizards hold dear."

Fudge stopped in his intended continuation to press his point, looking at Dumbledore as if the headmaster had just offered to put cyanide in his tea.

"To answer your question Cornelius, when she is of full health I will offer her the position of muggle studies teacher, which I do not believe is under direct control of ministry. Indeed it is an honorary position, the prime objective of which wais to offer choice and an all round balanced education to our young students."

Fudge stopped and Dumbledore looked at him again, his face beginning to turn purple. Eventually he nodded, and squeaked a "yes" of confirmation at Dumbledore.

"How fitting then that a muggle should deliver it, who has done these things and has experienced life hitherto as a muggle herself." He smiled again as Cornelius Fudge shook his head.

"However brave she is, Dumbledore, a muggle she remains."

"Yes indeed, and that is best for all our sakes. When your Aurors have finished I will kindly inform them they are to return to the Ministry. Now, if you'll excuse me Minister, I have a wizard to locate."

88888888

The early morning sunlight crept slowly across the walls of the hospital and Cecilia opened her eyes. It was funny how she seemed to be suffering more from aches and pains this morning than she had done the day before and she turned over in bed to find a more comfortable spot.

At first she did not notice Remus Lupin, asleep in the chair at the far side of her bed and when she did notice something it was a large brooch that was perched on the table next to the bed, shimmering and sparkling in the sunlight. Not just any brooch. The one that Remus had given to her at Christmas, if she was not very much mistaken; the one she'd returned to him.

Cecilia's eyes were drawn to him slowly, as if in a dream; that if she did anything other than savour every inch of the man sleeping soundly next to her he would disappear from sight. He was here, by her side. He was here…like she had wished for…

With bleary eyes she watched him sleep, his chest rising and falling rhythmically; his fair hair dishevelled and unkempt, falling all over his face. His long arms and legs; his hands curled around one another loosely.

Cecilia made her way and looked at his face; there was an ugly great gash across the left-side of his face which, even though it looked a few days old, seemed very deep. Her mind drifted to the scars she had seen across his back, on his arms and legs, when he was with her at Christmas. It made perfect sense; if he became a werewolf once a month then these scars were a result of injuries caused because of that.

Cecilia's mind began a journey of analysis, wondering whether she was actually awake, wondering whether she had strolled into one of her own dreams of longing where Remus Lupin wanted her and was there for her. Wondering whether it was all real, and if it was then whether what he had to say to her would be what she wanted to hear.

She continued to daydream idly, staring at him, and taking in her favourite features of him as she repeated these thoughts, like a looped tape and it wasn't until Remus's voice stirred her thoughts that she realised he was awake.

"Cecilia," he began, rubbing his eyes and yawning.

"Remus," she replied, smiling at him faintly.

They continued to stare at one another until finally they spoke at the same time.

"The twins told me that – "

"Sirius told me that – "

Cecilia stopped, waiting for him to continue. When Remus sat back in his chair she continued.

"Remus, don't leave me. Not again." Her voice was quiet and sombre, but Cecilia could also hear panic there too. "I don't care if you are a werewolf." Remus continued to stare at her, reaching down for her hand and looking at her carefully.

"Nor you me. I don't know what I would have done if you'd died out there." He smiled and stroked her hand and Cecilia smiled too.

"I wish you'd explained at Christmas; I wouldn't have cared. I'll learn how to make your potion if I have to; just never leave me again…" Her voice trailed off as she noticed a dark shadow crossing his features. Remus cleared his fault.

"You can accept me…you can love me?" Cecilia looked at his face which was now picked out in desperation and she looked enquiringly at him.

"There's no question; you could have told me at any time and it would not have made any difference to how I feel about you – "

She broke off. She had no choice; Remus was kissing her hard and firm, pressing his lips determinedly to hers. Cecilia traced her hand down his face as their kiss escalated in passion and intensity, and she felt the deep-cut scar upon it. Remus broke off, looking directly into her eyes.

"Hazards of my breed," he began, almost apologetically and tried to turn his face from her but Cecilia turned his head back to her before stroking it lightly. "I'll heal," Remus added, smiling at her.

"As will I," she replied as happiness, like a river of liquid gold, coursed down the back of her neck and began to spread all over her body. He loved her; he wanted to be with her. And he knew now that he loved her too.

"Er-hm." A cough behind Cecilia made her jump and Remus loosed her from his embrace, looking past her as a look of worry crossed his face. Madam Pomfrey walked around the bed and Cecilia smiled, not caring how annoyed the nurse would be. Poppy Pomfrey cast her a small smile before frowning sternly at Remus.

"Visiting time begins in an hour, Mr. Lupin although I can understand why you'd want to get here before the rush."

"The rush?" Lupin looked confused, equally so as Cecilia.

"Oh yes," Madam Pomfrey replied, rolling her eyes impatiently. "I have had no end of wizards asking me when they can see you, Cecilia, when you'll be well enough to help them with their work, whether you'll be well enough to teach them how football works! Indeed!"

She shook her head and Cecilia felt a tinge of happiness crown the glow of joy that she was already feeling and Remus grinned at her.

"Now, I must ask you to leave, Mr Lupin; I need to examine my patient. Her recovery, however remarkable, must be carefully monitored; heaven knows what else she may have suffered – " Remus gave Cecilia a forlorn look and Poppy Pomfrey folded her arms.

" – you may return in ten minutes Mr. Lupin, that is my final word."

After that, Remus refused to leave Cecilia's side the whole of that day, even with a seemingly endless stream of visitors who wanted to talk to her.

In between their visits, Remus found time to speak of Freya, assuring her that she was safe with Cecilia's sister and mother in a house in Scotland, with their family being completed by the intermittent presence of a black cat, who was actually Bathsheba in disguise.

In return Cecilia told Remus of an ideal muggle studies curriculum; what she would introduce if wizards and war and her acceptance were no object. She told him that it would consist of the industrial heritage and power of muggles, include visits to the muggle world to gain valuable experience and include a good measure of muggle history, geography, politics and sport.

Remus told her to wait until the war was over and there was no reason why such a well thought-out scheme wouldn't work though she shouldn't attempt to run before she could walk. Cecilia nodded. She had yet to decide what she would do now the door to the muggle world was closing behind her but for once decided to put her indecision to the back of her mind.

They discussed other things too, such as Tonks and how she would take the news of them Being Together, the difficulties they might face as a muggle and wizard together, his lycanthropy and her desire to continue her research into the Universal Link.

And later on that afternoon, before their solitude was to be interrupted for the fiftieth time that day Remus Lupin confessed to Cecilia that he had only twice in the last seventeen years had paid employment; the two occasions that he was a teacher and as a result he was far from rich.

"Neither am I, Remus," she replied, stroking the back of his hand as he held hers, "so you'll have to cope without champagne every morning for breakfast." He returned her smile with a weak one of his own and she felt a lurch in her stomach.

"That's not what's worrying you, is it? Just answer me," she prompted, as Remus opened his mouth to deny it.

"I am worried about that," he conceded, looking at her with his watery blue eyes. "But I wanted to know…if we're together...that is to say…" Remus swallowed and looked down before looking at Cecilia again.

"What are your plans? Do you wish to return to the muggle world? Because if you do, I'll come with you – " He broke off and Cecilia raised her hand to his lips.

"You need to be here; you need to be close to this. Wherever you need to be, Remus, I'll be there with you."

And with a sigh of relief, Cecilia saw his face lighten, as if a burden had been lifted. That was what was worrying him, she thought to herself as the doors behind them swung open.

"My family's house is in Cumbria. Father chose it following my Bite because of it's remoteness…"

"Sound's perfect," replied Cecilia as the next pair of visitors walked swiftly across the stone-flagged floor, arguing with one another as they made their way towards Cecilia.

"Moony!" Sirius Black's voice changed to one of surprise and he broke off from his heated discussion with Severus Snape about the merits of voiceless spells versus potions and grinned at his friend. "Nice to see you've finally plucked up the courage, old thing," he continued nodding towards Cecilia. "And a good choice too…"

"…yes," replied Snape, looking at Cecilia critically. "Anyone that could perform the miracle of mediation between Black and I is surely worthy of you, Lupin." Although his words sounded harsh, the tone that usually accompanied them was different and Cecilia looked between them, feeling an expression of awe overcome her features.

"Yes," nodded Sirius, glancing at Snape, "I'm beginning to appreciate Severus's contribution towards the hunt for Voldermort in an altogether different light." He looked at Snape. "It means I don't think you're going to turn us all over to him," he clarified belittlingly. Cecilia said nothing, but continued to look between them, her mouth beginning to open.

"Indeed, Sirius," replied Snape coolly. "And I am beginning to realise that your motives are not solely self-driven. You care for more than yourself and those whom you care for," he added, in an equally patronising tone.

"You are a clever scientist," whispered Remus, leaning towards Cecilia and stroking her hair. "I've never heard them this civil."

"Just wanted to check you're well," continued Sirius, his beautiful eyes sparkling as he drew up a chair next to where Remus was sitting. "And you are – " he gestured towards the chair and Snape looked at it. "Come on, Moony. I think the potion-makers have a few things to discuss. And there's something I need to talk to you about anyway."

Remus was reluctant to go and leave Cecilia on her own but between them she and Sirius persuaded him that he would benefit from a bite to eat in the Great Hall. Once they had left Snape moved swiftly and quietly to take not the seat Sirius had placed there for him but the one closer to Cecilia.

"You look dreadful," he intoned, his face drawn and pale and he scrutinised Cecilia analytically before looking back at her face.

"You too, " she remarked, his face covered in scars. "Worse than last time; worse than ever I've seen you." Snape said nothing, glancing past Cecilia and at the copy of "Magic and Muggles" that was still residing on the table next to her bed, and on the comic that the Weasley twins had made for her.

"So we did it," she continued, following Snape's gaze. He turned to look at her, his eyes narrowing.

"You did it," he replied, "but not quite. It's not quite as perfect as we thought…" Snape watched as Cecilia's face fell. "What I meant to say was that we need to work again on the potion because the situation has changed."

"We?" Cecilia gave him an astonished look. "You seem to have it under control if you know how you can adjust it." She felt her words fall dead in her throat.

How much she longed to be back in the muggle studies classroom, working on the potion. And at the same time with equal fervour she wanted to be as far away from this magical castle as she could, with Remus, building a life, as they were beginning to discuss that very afternoon.

"Why did you take potion?" Snape asked suddenly.

"Why did you? I did it because I was foolish, Severus," she replied softly, the words taking on a bitter edge.

"No, I'm foolish," replied Snape, "I should never have underestimated you. You saved me as well as Harry..." To her silent questioning Snape stuck out his left arm, and unfolded his palm, before rolling up his sleeve. Cecilia looked down at the horrible mark that was cut into his skin, the snake writhing as if it was under his skin.

"The Dark Mark has burned, Cecilia," he began, looking at her carefully. "He has summoned my presence on more than a dozen occasions…he summons now. But…" Cecilia looked into Snape's eyes, which were shimmering softly in the early evening light and he reached down and took her right hand in his left, "there is no pain. No sickening agony. I suspected what you might do, Cecilia and it compelled me to act foolishly."

Relief. That was what Cecilia was detecting in his gaze and she returned the look with a smile.

"I have never been more impressed with your work than when you were showing me the potions last year," she replied, her pride finally allowing her to speak honestly, though she knew she would not admit it to another wizard. "Magic truly is better than science; we know this from the mutation in gene. Magic is higher after all." Snape shook his head.

"Not in the least; I am proud and privileged to have worked with you, Cecilia. Another successful muggle-wizard collaboration, I feel."

"We each have qualities that have been more than the sum of their parts. Magic has been the subject and science has been able to explain it. A gestalt situation – " Cecilia broke off, withdrawing her hand from his and trying to move up in the hospital bed and Snape leaned over to help her, pulling her further up in the bed.

"Thanks," she added, trying not to let the nagging pain show on her face. "At least when I get out of here and get some long walks in I'll feel like I'm feeling better."

"Nothing like the Northumbrian mountains," commented Snape and Cecilia darted him a guilty look.

"No indeed. And I am sure the when Dumbledore redesigns the Muggle Studies curriculum he will be sure to incorporate some mention of the Universal Link, and perhaps even link it to potions. Whoever the next teacher is may not know any science, but you know enough." Cecilia was aware she was gabbling but it seemed the only way that she could get out what she wanted to say to Snape without him trying to change her mind. Silence reigned for a few moments while he took in what she had said.

"You…do not want to continue our research? I am most disappointed..."

"You can't use that voice on me; I know you better than that, Severus Salazar Snape – " She smiled and Snape did too.

Then to Cecilia's surprise he leaned forward to kiss her on the lips and she inclined her cheek in his direction. The peck was brief and when he pulled away Cecilia was sure Snape was blushing.

A cough behind them made Cecilia turn and Remus was smiling at her. Nodding his head towards him and smiling briefly at Cecilia Snape got to his feet before leaving them alone.

88888888

Two days later practically everyone had been to see her. Poppy and Snape both believed that, ironically, her cells had become immune to potions because of the Veritaserum that she had imbibed at Grimmauld Place. Snape had gone on to add that it was this immunity which prevented her from dying from the potion, proved that muggles and wizards are only separated by genes.

Mr and Mrs Weasley had brought her flowers that changed hue according to the mood of the conversation and Mrs Weasley had gone on to add that Tonks had told her to let Cecilia know that she was going out with a muggle by the name of Nick Smith whom she had met when she had gone with her to the muggle world. This news had astonished and delighted Cecilia and the small amount of guilt she was harbouring for her relationship with Remus evaporated quickly.

In addition, the children had visited, bringing with them all manner things and the twins had even informed Cecilia that should she change her mind about Remus then they would be more than happy to step in. Throughout her time there, Remus had barely left her side, much to Poppy Pomfrey's annoyance but to Cecilia's mind it was as wonderful as it could be.

And then, three days after Cecilia had become conscious again she received Dobby-delivered instructions that she was to see Dumbledore as soon as she was able that day in order to discuss her work. She had replied that she would come immediately, slipping out of the hospital and back to her own room, hoping that the overexcited Dobby would leave her be once she instructed him to take the message back to Dumbledore.

Now Cecilia had made her way up the steps to the top-most tower and she knocked as loudly as she could on the door which opened almost immediately. Before her, Dumbledore's office opened out as she had remembered it and in front of her the wizard himself stood, and to his right, Snape.

"Ah, Mrs Frobisher," said Dumbledore, sitting himself back down in his chair and gesturing to another before the desk. "Come in, come in," he added, watching her walk slowly towards them.

"I see you are up and about," he added, smiling in her direction and Cecilia returned it, before smiling to her left at Snape who nodded in acknowledgement. Then her eye rested on a book on the table.

"Mysterious Mythology," confirmed Dumbledore, looking between her and the battered volume. "Remus Lupin's old book; we recaptured it."

He gestured towards the tome and Cecilia took it, gasping aloud at its condition. There was a burn mark directly through its front cover which had penetrated right through to the back. Many of the edges of the pages were destroyed, as if it had been thrown repeatedly at a hard surface. And, to her further alarm, some of the pages were actually gone, only a charred strip of paper telling the tale that they had once been bound there. She knew there was a name for this effect; Remus had told her.

"Why does this happen?" she asked, showing Dumbledore the pages between which others had been destroyed and the headmaster looked at carefully.

"Books do that when they feel in danger such as in the hands of a very powerful foe. It is a self-preservation mechanism. Biblioinflamore," he added, nodding slowly "Which brings me on to why I asked you to come to see me."

"You wish to discuss my work," replied Cecilia cautiously. Dumbledore nodded.

"The secrets contained therein need to be revealed to the world. I will not entrust this task to anyone but the very best and when you return I believe it will not be a vast amount of work for you to complete even however complicated the research behind the Link."

He paced back towards his desk, picking up a quill pen and looking at the nib. Cecilia watched him, her brow creasing in incomprehension.

"But you have my research notes, you have them, Severus; the job is done." She turned to Snape, a hint of panic entering her voice.

"Indeed, I instructed Dobby to give them to the headmaster," agreed Snape, nodding slightly and Cecilia turned back to look at Dumbledore.

Instead of replying the wizard gestured his right arm towards the desk and at a pile of what looked like grey ash interspersed with shards of white paper and cotton-backed hardcover. Cecilia felt her heart sink at the thought of all her work destroyed.

"…unfortunately and accidentally destroyed in a case of mistaken loyalty, so I am led to believe by a Slytherin student who was concerned for the welfare of our muggle studies teacher."

As Cecilia opened her mouth to ask for further details Dumbledore turned and gave her his full attention.

"I don't think I actually thought through what I did, Professor," said Cecilia quietly, looking down and shaking her head under Dumbledore's foreboding stare.

"No, you were ill-prepared." Dumbledore folded his arms and took a few steps in her direction. "You put yourself and others in danger which is not a very good start to your first job in the wizard world. But, by happy chance that it seemed to be what was required to overcome Voldermort." Cecilia looked back up and Dumbledore was smiling.

"He's gone?" she asked in exclamation, looking between Dumbledore and Snape. "How wonderful!" But Dumbledore shook his head sadly.

"He is not defeated although I believe he has suffered permanent damage. I was able to attack him myself but only for a short time, leaving him powerless, yet he is still alive and that is a worry, but for now the worry is my own."

"And…if I go…go home? If I leave to go to the muggle world? I do not want my memory to be erased."

"Out of the question;" chuckled Dumbledore, smiling at Cecilia. "Indeed, how will my muggle studies teacher be able to continue with no recollection of her surroundings? Especially if she were to carry out that and the research into the new potion that is being investigated by Professor Snape. And as much as we tolerate the ministry I would not like to have to share the Universal Link with Cornelius Fudge until I have no other choice, something which he would dearly like to have in his possession."

Dumbledore waved a hand over her decimated pile of notebooks and, at once they vanished. Cecilia continued to stare at the empty space where they had been for a few moments. She wanted to work, she knew that. But Remus had to agree. And it couldn't be right now.

"I will consider it Professor, cannot promise anything. Remus and I – "Dumbledore held up a hand.

"Indeed," he replied, nodding slightly. "I understand Remus Lupin has organised a place for you both to stay?" Cecilia nodded, ignoring Snape staring at her. "I speak for the Order when I say that we couldn't be happier for the both of you." Cecilia smiled as Dumbledore nodded again.

"And I understand you are travelling by train there?"

"Tomorrow, yes," nodded Cecilia. "Madam Pomfrey said I was well enough to leave the hospital permanently now," she added cautiously.

"Might I say that you are wearing a very beautiful brooch, Cecilia," Dumbledore continued, nodding in her direction as he handed her the remains of Remus Lupin's copy of "Mysterious Mythology. Cecilia said nothing as she took it from him, merely smiled again. At last, she felt that she was being accepted.

"Well, if there's nothing else, might I suggest a walk in the Northumbrian countryside before you leave," added Dumbledore softly, "the mountains are beautiful at this time of year." Cecilia smiled at him as she held the book close and turned, nodding to Snape before looking in the direction of the door.

"Should you need anything, Severus and I will be in contact," Dumbledore called as Cecilia opened his office door and she nodded again before closing the door behind her. Snape and Dumbledore exchanged looks.

"The remoteness of her location will be advantageous once the ministry begin to look for her," said Snape, looking in the direction of the fireplace.

"Indeed," replied Dumbledore, following his gaze. "And that two people are so happily in love with one another. I have to admit, I have never met anyone like her before Severus, and I've met a lot of people."

"Hm" replied Snape, still staring into the fireplace, "she is marvellous. Though I must say, headmaster that I believed your judgement to be somewhat myopic…" he looked at Dumbledore and away from the hearth. Dumbledore smiled knowingly.

"Sometimes people become what you least expect."

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It had been ten days since Cecilia Frobisher had taken the decision to face Voldermort and she was in her room in the teachers' quarters packing her belongings. The wardrobe, which still stood before the fireplace, rocked back towards the sandstone cornices as Cecilia delved into the back of it retrieving the last of her clothes.

There, she thought as she pulled out a yellow summer dress – the yellow summer dress that she had been forced to wear on her first ever visit to Hogwarts because it was all that was available; the one that went with the lemon knitted cardigan which had been the item she had thrown behind her just before her hand had alighted on the summer dress. She had got all her things now; there was nothing left in any cupboards or drawers in the room that she had called her home for eight months in this magical school.

Cecilia got to her feet and closed the wardrobe door, looking at the pile of things that she still had to pack. It would never fit in the bags she had and she scrutinising the items she wondered what she could safely leave behind, that she wouldn't miss.

The summer dress certainly, and the revolting cardigan; one or two other items of clothes that had been ripped or otherwise ruined – they could go. Cecilia wandered through the jumble of clothes separating those items that were still acceptable, those which she wouldn't mind wearing if she were to visit her mother and be guaranteed that no comment would pass and folding them into a pile onto her bed.

The science books, ones that she had had since she was a teenager and a teacher where she had added her own personal notes in the margin over the years; Snape might want those, or at least the next muggle studies teacher. Besides, it would only be if she came back to Hogwarts that she would need them again and Cecilia paced over to the books, looking over the titles before stacking them neatly onto her desk and writing a note to Dobby instructing the house elf to deliver them to the potions classroom.

Looking round again the pile of her belongings looked far more manageable to be transported by train and whatever she needed she would be able to buy in muggle shops, no doubt. Cecilia sat on her desk chair as her mind drifted to the future and the arrangements she had made.

She was going to Remus's family home; she would be contacted by Dumbledore and Snape about teaching and research work but she wouldn't return to Hogwarts she would remain with Remus…she was going to live with him…

For the thousandth time since she had woken up with Remus Lupin asleep next to her Cecilia thought how lucky she was. She was leaving to live with the man she loved – the wizard she loved, Cecilia corrected herself, but that wasn't the issue. She was going to live with Remus and share her life with him. That was enough to make anyone happy.

She looked back at the summer dress that she had discarded just now. In jeans and a sweater Cecilia didn't feel particularly dressed up for such a momentous occasion and she looked back at the summer dress, wondering whether she would get away with it. With another cardigan, perhaps?

Cecilia made her way across to the items of clothing that she had initially discarded and picked up the dress, holding it by the straps to her shoulders and she winced a little as she moved her arms. Even though she was much better these days although she had a few aches and bruises for which Poppy had insisted on giving her some cream.

Would this do, she thought, looking at the creased fabric critically. Was it better than jeans? Her mind skipped on to the plans they had made the day before and what she would be wearing became insignificant.

Once Cecilia had packed she would meet Remus by the entrance to the courtyard, beyond the teaching classrooms, and then they would get the train from Dovetown to Penrith before taking another train, a local branch line to a small village deep within the Cumbrian mountains. Remus had explained they would then have to floo the final 20 miles after that because there was no public transport to his home.

Cecilia smiled on recalling this part; Remus had asked her over dinner the night before. The Order were enjoying a rather hearty stew in the Great Hall and he had become quite quiet and apologetic over the fact they must floo and it had taken Cecilia a few minutes to convince him that it didn't matter.

She turned and threw the dress back on the floor. It didn't matter if they had to floo; she didn't care. If she had to tolerate temporary sickness in order to get to where they were going to live, then it was a small cross to bear.

As Cecilia strode over to the clothes she was definitely taking with her there was a knock on the door and Hermione pushed it open carefully. Cecilia smiled when she realised who it was.

"Come in," she called, welcomingly. "Mind you don't trip over those," she added, gesturing towards her unwanted clothes. Carefully, Hermione picked her way over to Cecilia, returning the smile.

"Good morning, Mrs Frobisher," began Hermione, looking around the room. "Gosh, this does look different without your things in it." Cecilia nodded, gesturing towards the chair for the young witch to sit on. Hermione shook her head.

"No thank you," she added, "I'm not here long. I just came to say goodbye, Mrs Frobisher and thanks. Thank you." She smiled, looking round the room again nervously and Cecilia put down a sweater that she was beginning to fold, frowning.

"Why are you thanking me? It is you who I should be thanking, Hermione. Without you – "

"Without me you wouldn't have nearly died," interrupted Hermione quickly, looking at her feet. "Without me you wouldn't have had the Ron problem." She looked directly at Cecilia and held her gaze. "I'm thanking you for two things; one for not hating me because of what the polyjuice potion could have done and the other for showing me how wonderful the muggle world really is."

Cecilia said nothing for a moment and continued to fold her sweater, tucking it down the right-hand side of her case.

"You are exceptional, Hermione and I doubt there is anything you couldn't accomplish if you put your mind to it."

"Including science?"

"Including science," Cecilia confirmed, watching as Hermione's face changed from worried resignation to animated joy.

"Then would it be all right if I were to owl you? Only I've been reading Ron's encyclopaedia and I'm sure I'm beginning to understand it!" Cecilia nodded, picking up the last of her sweaters and began to fold it too.

"So you're really going," continued Hermione, watching Cecilia put the sweater on top of the rest of her clothes and close the lid of her case and she smiled and nodded at the girl.

"Did you know he was a werewolf?" asked Cecilia as she zipped it closed, swinging it into an upright position onto the floor. Hermione nodded.

"Everyone did; at least us students and the Order, which amounts to the same thing. And it doesn't bother you? It would me…" Hermione put her hand to her mouth, realising she had probably gone too far. Cecilia shook her head.

"No. I love him. It doesn't matter what shape he is."

"And you're going to run off together," Hermione continued, clearly pleased that Cecilia wasn't annoyed.

"Run off?" Cecilia laughed lightly and shook her head. "No, we're not running off, Hermione. We're not ashamed of our relationship." Cecilia glanced past Hermione as her mind began to drift towards Remus again. "I'm so proud of him...of everything...I just wish I knew more about...the Marauders...about Remus when he was younger...about wizards in general…but I suppose that doesn't really matter..." She looked back at the girl, who appeared to be taking in everything that Cecilia was saying in awe.

"No. I'm not ashamed, Hermione. I'm going to walk through Hogwarts grounds with him; I want the world to see how much I love him – "

Just then there was another knock on the door and Mrs Weasley entered. She glanced critically at the mess of abandoned clothes on the floor, taking in Cecilia's suitcase and bag before looking at Cecilia herself.

"You're packed then," she asked, smiling and Cecilia nodded as Mrs Weasley closed the door behind her.

"Just got to get some things from the muggle studies classroom and then we'll be off." Cecilia saw a look pass between Hermione and Mrs Weasley and she waited politely for Molly Weasley to say what she obviously wanted to say.

"I wanted to ask, Cecilia, before you go," she paused, looking at Cecilia's case again before directly back at Cecilia. "Are you moving too fast, dear? It's such a change you know, for a muggle. Just ask Tonks's father; it took a lot for him to get used to living with Andromeda's ways. And you'll have…other things to consider."

Cecilia's mind instantly flashed up an image of Libby, talking her through difficult decisions when they were much younger. Devils' Advocate.

When she was sure that Molly Weasley had nothing else to say on the matter she turned from the slowly pinking witch and smiled at Hermione.

"Tell me honestly, Hermione, is it such a change to live in the wizard world?"

"Honestly?" Cecilia nodded.

"No." Hermione shook her head, grinning happily and Cecilia smiled too.

"I just wish I could do something with that, though; I've nothing nice to wear really; I was hoping that would do." Cecilia gestured in the direction of her unwanted summer dress and Mrs Weasley stooped and picked it up, handing it to her.

"What's wrong with it?" she asked as Cecilia held it up again and Cecilia shook her head sadly.

"Everything! The bust bit's too big; it's yellow; the straps are horrible and it's too short. I don't know what possessed me to buy it, to be honest," Cecilia added, annoyed.

"Well, it's no Emaness, that's for sure," replied Molly Weasley, looking at it critically. "Hermione?" She glanced at the girl, who had pulled out her wand.

"Venierum Regium," said Hermione, and flicked her wrist. Suddenly, Cecilia's dress began to lengthen, becoming calf length and the hue darkened to a deep orange-red. At the same time, the material at the bodice reshaped itself became a halterneck fastening.

"I really don't know how I'm going to do without magic now, I'm so used to it," Cecilia remarked, shaking her head in awe at the dress. "Two minutes and we'll see how great you really are, Hermione," she added, smiling broadly at her.

"When do you leave?" asked Mrs Weasley, admiring Hermione's transformation as Cecilia reappeared wearing the newly-altered dress, which was perfect, from the bathroom shortly afterwards.

"I'm meeting him in the courtyard at one," replied Cecilia, retrieving the cardigan, which now contrasted wonderfully with the dress and put it on just as the school clock tolled one doleful sonoration.

"Half an hour then," replied Mrs Weasley, stepping over towards the door and opening it for her as Cecilia swung her small bag over her shoulder and listed up her suitcase and smiled fondly at her. "Good luck, Cecilia."

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It seemed strange to Cecilia to be walking around the castle as she herself. Making her way down the grand staircase above the Great Hall the thought occurred to her, for she was now no-one else, not a squib or a witch or a remarkable scientist. She was not pretending to be something that she wasn't. And somehow that thought was a liberating one.

Out through the main doors Cecilia strode, out into the spring sunshine, which irradiated her face and made her pause for a moment as a cirrocumulus cloud bobbed along in the mild breeze caught her eye before crossing the courtyard and towards the classroom corridor.

Just a box of equipment to go, and she would be ready. Ready to meet her Remus and start her new life. Cecilia made to turn the handle of the large oak door putting down her suitcase when she heard a loud booming voice by her ear, causing her to jump, violently.

"Hello, Mrs Frobisher," Hagrid intoned, his voice back to normal, compared to the last time he had addressed her and he picked up her suitcase easily in his right hand.

"Hagrid!" she smiled, looking at his large, jolly face and unkempt beard. "How are you?"

"How are you, more's the point," Hagrid continued, taking her bag from her shoulder and holding that too in his right hand. "Why didn't yer say? Why didn't yer ever tell me? If I'd known 'bout what yer was planning, I would 'ave – " Cecilia raised her eyebrows as Hagrid trailed off.

"You'd have tried to stop me, Hagrid because that's the wonderful person you are," Cecilia replied, turning the ring on the door and opening the latch. Hagrid frowned.

"…and wouldn't I 'ave been right to do so, Mrs Frobisher? A little muggle as yerself faced Voldermort…? Un'eard of!" Hagrid shook his head, his beard flapping in the breeze lightly. "I'd never 'ave believed it meself if I 'adn't seen it wi' me own two eyes…"

"You fought in the Great Battle?" asked Cecilia, surprised. "I thought you weren't aloud to use magic?"

"Well, under the circ'mstances Dumbledore thought it would be more dangerous if I didn't, seein' as 'ow I was there, like. Brought a couple'a Death Eaters down, I did," he added proudly.

Hagrid then proceeded to tell Cecilia the whole thing, from him seeing her as Snape running past the hut right up until his hunting round the Forbidden Forest, retrieving Death Eaters in the early hours of the morning afterwards from the Centaurs as Cecilia made her way to the muggle studies classroom to collect the equipment that she had thankfully boxed and tied with string earlier that morning.

"So you'll be meetin' old Lupin in a bit," he added conversationally as he accompanied Cecilia back out into the courtyard.

"One o'clock," said Cecilia, turning towards the archway that led towards the grassy quadrangle which the classroom windows overlooked, and above, Gryffindor tower. "Thanks for carrying those, Hagrid," she added, feeling a shiver overcome her.

"Over there," she pointed a finger towards the fountain as they made their way onto the grass. Hagrid said nothing as Cecilia glanced at him, nodding slightly and smiling.

The ornamental fountain that stood in the centre of the lawn looked glorious in the spring sunlight, its verdigris coating shimmering prettily. Hagrid swung down her suitcase and bag from his right shoulder onto the grass and placed her string-tied box next to it.

Cecilia looked round at the deserted surroundings, at the sandstone-clad buildings, at the stained-glass window that had been her place of work for so many months; at the tower where some of the students slept…some of her students and a tear welled in her eye.

"I'm going to miss being here, all in all," she commented, smiling at the giant and Hagrid grinned back, bending his knees and lowering himself to her level.

"Well, I dunno 'bout anyone else, Mrs Frobisher, but I'll miss yer. I'm sorry fer the assumptions I made of yer, and – " he broke off as Cecilia shook her head.

"It's OK," she replied softly before gasping as Hagrid hugged, squeezing her so tightly that Cecilia was sure she would suffocate and when he finally let her go her face felt face felt so hot that she was sure that she was the same colour as her dress.

"And 'e's meetin' yer here?" Cecilia nodded, as the spring breeze, bringing the fragrance of early flowers with it, blew her hair around and she chided herself for choosing to wear it down.

"It's a shame I never got to go down to the Forbidden Forest," Cecilia commented as another gusty breeze flitted around, "that's where my car ended up when I came back after Christmas with Severus."

"Ar, down with the spiders," replied Hagrid, knowingly. "I seen it; Aragog's family were usin' it for an 'ouse, I'm afraid, Mrs Frobisher," he added and looked surprised when Cecilia laughed lightly for a moment at the irony.

"I fer one am glad yer never made it; otherwise I might 'ave 'ad a bit of explainin' ter do to Dumbledore if the Centaurs had got to yer first and yer'd been killed – at least it'll be a bit quieter without 'avin ter follow yer everywhere an' keep yer safe…"

Cecilia wheeled round in astonishment as the school clock tolled once in the distance. Dumbledore had asked Hagrid to follow her? He nodded guiltily at her.

"…even onto the muggle trains…only you gave me the slip in Sheffield…couldn't keep up with yer when you went hike-hitchin'…"

And to his astonishment, Cecilia began to laugh, louder and harder than before. To think…Hagrid…following her by train…looking out for her all these months…

"Well, I've got to get on," said Hagrid, smiling at Cecilia and turning towards the stone archway. "Best o' luck," he added, raising a hand and waving in her direction. "Bye, Mrs Frobisher."

Cecilia watched Hagrid stride away towards the archway and, as he passed through it a spring breeze flitted past her, tousling her hair again and a feeling of anxiety replaced the mirth she had just been experiencing.

Now as she stood there, alone with her belongings Cecilia realised that it was past one o'clock. And she had a strange feeling that she was being watched…

...above, from the window of the Gryffindor tower the students, past and present, peered down, watching Cecilia fold her arms against her dress as a brief chill breeze whipped past her once more.

"He'll be here in a while," Hermione heard herself say, glancing at Ginny, who was biting her lip in anticipation and the twins and Ron, who were staring down avidly.

Behind her Mr and Mrs Weasley looked over her shoulder before exchanging a look of uncertainty and behind them stood the rest of the Order, silently still.

"Yes, he'll be there," said Harry, reassuringly, touching Hermione on the shoulder, before registering one of them turning and dashing towards the portrait-hole. "Hey Sirius," he called, "where are you going…?"

…Cecilia looked around her for the dozenth time, her eyes resting on the gate that led down towards the Owlery that they had spoke about passing on their way to Dovetown.

A few more minutes, Cecilia told herself, folding her arms and trying not to let the demon of worry take up residence in her mind. It was only ten past one; he'd be here in a few minutes…

…and past the Owlery, they would take the lake path around the castle onto the main track that led out onto the moor. The walk to Dovetown, which would only take them a few minutes, was far shorter than the one to Hogsmeade and in this weather it would be glorious….

"…he's not coming!" exclaimed Ginny aloud, turning crestfallen to look at her mother, "he'd be on time otherwise, wouldn't he…?"

….at the same time as Ginny spoke, Cecilia picked up her small handbag that she had put next to her other belongings and reached down to take the handle of her suitcase…

"…you might be right," said Hermione softly…

…now her small bag before seizing the box of lab equipment by the string…which Cecilia felt leave her hand…

"You're going without me?" Remus, his pale eyes shimmering in the sunlight smiled softly at Cecilia as she spun round in surprise. Dropping her things, she threw her arms around the surprised wizard's neck, kissing him firmly on the lips, oblivious of the round of applause that was coming from Gryffindor tower.

When she broke off, he kissed Cecilia lightly on the nose before flicking his wand over her belongings, disapparating them. Cecilia smiled, saying nothing, before taking his outstretched hand.

From their position, sprinting over through the archway, Harry and Ron watched them walk over the grass towards the gate and they upped their pace to catch them up. When they realised that they were following, Cecilia and Remus stopped, smiling as they neared.

"Thank you, Harry," said Cecilia, smiling at him kindly when they caught up with them. "I've never seen a child be so brave." Harry opened his mouth to say something, but instead turned and grinned at Ron.

"We just wanted to say that we couldn't imagine our favourite teacher being with anyone else, Mrs Frobisher," he added, grinning at Remus.

"Why, thank you," said Remus, returning the smile, "and I do appreciate your thinking that I am your favourite teacher…" He stopped when Ron and Harry exchanged glances.

"No," said Ron, beginning to glow red. "We meant Mrs Frobisher."

Before any of them knew what to say, Cecilia looked past the boys at another figure, also approaching at speed. As Sirius neared, Cecilia felt a nervous twinge in her stomach. Apart from the one brief visit in the hospital, she had not seen Sirius Black since the Shrieking Shack.

Yes, she concluded hastily. It was the fact that he had the results of her near suicide…that she was feeling uneasy and embarrassed.

"I couldn't let you leave without apologising profusely for my actions," began Sirius, looking at Cecilia intently and pushing between Ron and Harry. "It was Harry who showed me the error of my ways, and my friend – " Sirius looked at Remus, smiling at him.

" – Moony. I am so happy," he stuck out his hand, waiting for Remus to take it and then shaking it firmly before looking at Cecilia.

"You look beautiful," he added, leaning towards her and kissing her firmly on the lips.

"None of that now," warned Remus jovially, and Sirius broke off, "I know where that can lead." Cecilia began to blush as she glanced at Sirius, noticing Ron and Harry exchange looks. He still had it, she thought before looking back at Remus, but he's not mine...

"…especially…" Remus paused, looking back at Cecilia before bending a knee. She felt her mouth fall open as he took her hand, stroking the back of it tenderly.

"…if she consents to be my wife…"

Together, the three onlookers gasped in surprise. None of them could believe what they were witnessing, none more so than Cecilia herself. She continued to look at Remus, a small smile creeping onto her lips.

"Yes," she said softly, looking into his beautiful blue eyes. "Yes, Remus, I will marry you."

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Sirius, Harry and Ron strolled slowly back across the lawn once the East gate had closed behind the couple, past the ornamental fountain and towards the archway that led into the courtyard.

"Bad luck," said Harry as Sirius glanced back towards the gate. He noticed Harry wink at Ron and began to take an interest in the weather.

"Warm, isn't it, for so early in March," he replied, noticing a smile form across his godson's face. "Sorry, what? Cecilia?" He looked at Harry in confusion, shaking his head. "She wasn't my type anyway," added Sirius quickly.

Harry said nothing as Sirius strode ahead; he knew his godfather slightly better than Sirius suspected and he and Ron hurried to catch up with him and they strolled over the cobbles of the courtyard.

"I suppose you are free now, and clear of all charges?" Harry added as Sirius opened the main door of the castle.

"Hm?" He smiled at Harry softly. "Oh yes. Yes, I am. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some Order work to continue with…"

Harry turned to look at Ron as Sirius made his way towards the Great Hall, noticing his friend's downcast expression.

"Bad luck, Ron," said Harry sympathetically as they made their way up the staircase and along the first floor towards Gryffindor tower. "I think she's Moony's well and truly."

"It doesn't matter," replied Ron as a group of students, past and present, stepped through the gap of the Fat Lady's portrait. "As it turns out she wasn't my type either," he added, catching Hermione's eye as they neared them.

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