Snape swept his gaze over the students as the practiced shields by throwing stinging hexes at each other, he knew it was going to look suspect for him to ask Mirrim to stay behind for no reason but couldn't think of a reason he couldn't make plausible without being unethical and hexing her partner. Luckily she managed to get knocked over by another student and effectively hit Snape himself with a stinging hex.

"Miss Hallows! You will stay behind and maybe explain to me how you missed your target so spectacularly."

"Yes sir." Mirrim glared at the boy who'd knocked her over, he shrugged a little helplessly.

"Sorry." He whispered. Mirrim nodded and continued practising with her partner.

When the bell rang, Mirrim received quite a few sympathetic looks as she walked up to the desk, Snape waited until the door closed before he turned to Mirrim.

"I think we had better talk in the office Miss Hallows." Mirrim frowned.

"The office sir?"

"Yes Miss Hallows, the office." Snape said with a touch of irritation in his voice. Mirrim followed Snape into the office, slightly confused as to why he hadn't just given her a detention then dismissed her. Safely ensconced in the office, away from any eavesdroppers Snape turned to Mirrim.

"I didn't ask you to stay behind for punishment Miss Hallows, your misfire was a happy accident."

"What do you mean sir?"

"Miss Hallows, I need to talk to you about your father."

"Oh. Did Alex ask you to?"

"Actually the headmaster did, though if he hadn't I've no doubt Alex would have brought it up. Before we start, would you prefer to have Professor McGonagall here?" Mirrim thought for a moment, and then shook her head.

"No thank you sir I'm fine." Snape nodded then sat down opposite Mirrim.

"I understand you are unsure whether or not to tell Professor Lupin." Mirrim nodded again. "Do you mean to keep your secret forever?"

"No I just, it will change things and I don't know how he'll react." Snape sighed, counselling teenage girls was not something he did for a good reason.

"Miss Hallows, I cannot tell you what to do, it is your secret and your decision, but I can tell you how I told Alex my secret." He inwardly cringed, his relationship with Alex was private, but it was the only way he could think of to help. Mirrim nodded and sat a little straighter, giving him her full attention, which made him even more uncomfortable. Snape took a deep breath.

"I knew I should tell Alex before...we were intimate." He didn't look at Mirrim as he spoke. "When I felt we were close to that stage, I told her I had something important I needed to tell her and that she should let me tell her everything before she said anything." He paused and glanced at Mirrim who nodded. "I told her everything then let her absorb it and we talked about it for awhile and it only succeeded in making us closer."

"So...you think I should tell him?"

"That's not what I meant Miss Hallows. Your secret is different to mine and yours and Lupin's relationship is different. All I mean is it is better to be straightforward and frank. When you feel it is time to tell him, tell him everything all at once and be prepared to talk about it afterwards. It won't be an easy conversation but it's one the two of you need to have if your relationship is ever going to last." Mirrim nodded and smiled slightly.

"Thank you Professor."

"You're welcome Miss Hallows. Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?" Mirrim shook her head.

"I don't think so."

"Very well, you may go." Mirrim nodded and left, a lot on her mind. As Mirrim left, Snape looked down at his left arm and closed his eyes.

"Damn you Riddle!"

A/N Sorry it's short but wanted to upload it and it's now 3am! More soon!

ER