Author's Note: Thanks for all the lovely reviews everyone, they made me really happy! I noticed I picked up a few new readers as well, welcome. J Alright, I won't keep you waiting any longer. Here's the next chapter.

~LilReporterGirl

The next morning, I awoke with a smile on my face. Snape had his arm around me and I was now facing him, my face buried in his chest. I wanted to wake him up by kissing him but when I looked up at him his black eyes were already open and he was looking down at me, smiling.

"This probably was not a very good idea," he said, still smiling.

"No, probably not," I agreed.

"This must never happen at school…and you can never tell anyone."

"Agreed."

"You must employ your powers of Occlumency around Moody and Dumbledore…especially Dumbledore."

"Of course."

He smiled and leaned down to kiss me.

"…We do have to go back to Hogwarts today," he said after a minute.

"Why?" I asked, "It's the holidays."

"Someone will notice if we aren't at lunch. Albus will notice."

I sighed. He did have a point. I made my sad puppy dog face.

"Wh-…We could come back. Tonight. If you want," he said slowly.

"If you want," I said.

He nodded. Still we lay there, not wanting to let go of our time together.

"We have to get up eventually," he said, "…You should take a shower and change clothes."

"You mean put on clothes," I said with a smile.

Finally I got up. I was completely naked. My dress and undies lay discarded on the floor. I smiled at Snape, who was watching me with lust-filled eyes. Then I made my way to the bathroom, without bothering to put on clothes or grab any to put on after I had showered.

I stayed in the shower for a long while, somewhat hoping Snape was going to join me. When it became obvious he wouldn't, I washed and stepped out of the shower. I made my way back to my room, dripping wet, but Snape was no longer there. My bed had been made and may dress lay folded on the bed, my underwear on top.

I dressed in Muggle jeans and a t-shirt, then made my way downstairs where Snape in the kitchen. There was food on the table which he had summoned. Neither of us ate much. I was too happy to be hungry and he seemed content just to stare at me. He wasn't smiling or frowning, but his gaze was soft and I could tell he was pleased as well.

Finally we stopped putting it off and we Disapparated back to Hogwarts together with Snape holding my hand. We appeared outside of the gates and he squeezed my hand before releasing it. It was cold and snowing and no one was out on the grounds, so Snape did not make me apply a Disillusionment Charm. We walked up to the castle slowly, careful not to stand too close together, though I was cold and found myself wishing he would put his arms around me. I glanced at him quickly. He smiled somewhat sadly, then made his face go blank as we entered the Entrance Hall.

It turned out we were just in time for lunch. I told Snape to go into the Great Hall first and then I followed a few minutes later, careful not to look up at the staff table. I sat down next to Brandi and Alex, who immediately began bombarding me with questions.

"Where did you go last night?" Brandi asked.

"You never came in," Alex added.

"You left with him didn't you? We saw you dancing-" Brandi said, smiling.

"Then you both disappeared."

"Did you do it?" Brandi asked in a loud whisper.

"Shh," I said to them, glancing around until I was sure no one was paying attention, "I can't tell you. Seriously. We would get in major trouble."

"Oh my gosh, you did," Brandi whispered, "I'm so psyched for you."

"How was it?" Alex asked, eyes wide.

"Amazing," I sighed. They both grinned.

I smiled, unable to help myself.

After breakfast my friends and I went down to the Common Room. We sat around the fireplace and talked.

"So how did your nights go?"

"I danced with Draco," Brandi said triumphantly.

"And the Weasley boy kissed her goodnight," Alex added.

"Ew, dude, Malfoy? Why?" I asked.

"He's sexy as hell."

"He's a creeper. Just like his father."

"Some would say Snape is a creeper," Brandi pointed out.

"She does have a point," Alex said.

"Touché," I said.

Later that night, after everyone had gone to sleep, I got out of abed and dressed in a short black skirt and a green satin top I had borrowed from Brandi. I put on warm boots and Snape's cloak so that I would be warm outside. As I started to leave to dormitory, Alex lifted her head and looked at me.

"Have fun," she said, smiling sleepily at me.

"I will."

I cast my Disillusionment Charm, then made my way silently to the Entrance Hall where Snape was waiting for me. He said nothing but linked his mind with mine when I came out of the dungeons. I could immediately sense his lust - he wasn't exactly trying to hide it but he smiled rather nervously at me, looking rather embarrassed. I smiled, completely turned on.

I followed him, invisible and silent, out of the castle. He quickened his pace as we walked across the grounds and I jogged after him. As soon as we were safely outside the gate, he put his arms around me and we Disapparated.

We appeared in my bedroom and I immediately pushed him back onto the bed, kissing him hungrily. I could feel his already-hard dick against my thigh. I kissed him slowly and began to undo the buttons on his shirt. As I did this, he undid my cloak, which slid to the floor. I stopped hissing him long enough to pull off his shirt. I rubbed his throbbing hardness through the fabric of his pants as I kissed him and his breath caught.

"Off," I said, tugging at his pants. He smiled slowly and stood. I stayed sitting on the bed. As he removed his pants, I noticed something.

"You have scars on your back," I said quietly. He said nothing but froze. I touched his back, gently running my fingers down the long, pale scars that ran vertically down his back.

He sat down with a heavy sigh.

"…I don't want to talk about it," he said softly.

I kissed his back gently. He shuddered pleasantly. I smiled and trailed kisses down his spine. His breathing became ragged and he turned to look at me, his black eyes filled with lust. I pulled him back onto the bed and leaned down to kiss him. He was fully erect and I could tell he was longing to be touched.

Slowly I trailed kisses across his jaw line, down his neck, his chest, his stomach. He spasmed beneath me as I kissed his stomach, but he didn't cum. I trailed kisses lower, licked him a moment, then stopped and went back to kissing his lips.

"That's not very nice," he said breathlessly, smirking.

"Oh is it? Am I being naughty, Professor? Maybe I need to be punished."

He let out a low groan and before I knew it I was on my back.

"You are so bad," he said, kissing me hungrily. Then he was inside of me. I moaned loudly as he pushed deeper. It felt so amazing, I almost climaxed. He pulled out slowly.

"No," I whimpered, grinding my hips against him, "Fuck me."

He moved in and out of me. Each time he pushed all the way in the passion intensified.

"Faster Professor. Fuck me, harder," I said, feeling very naughty.

"I love it when you do that," he groaned and thrust into me harder, "Say it again."

"Fuck me Professor. Cum inside me."

I let out a cry as he flooded me with his hot cum and I came as well, wrapping my legs around his waist to keep him inside me.

We made love passionately for three hours, both of us achieving multiple orgasms. We lay together, exhausted, and Snape put his arms around me. I felt his breathing slow and I thought he had fallen asleep until he spoke.

"I want to tell you…about the scars…but it's difficult," he said, "…I've never told anyone before."

"You don't have to."

"I want to."

He was silent again, then I felt him enter my mind. I opened myself to him.

"Close your eyes," he murmured. I obeyed.

It was almost like a dream. It was blurry at first, then came into view. A pale, dark-haired boy was bent over the floor, crying out in pain as a tall, angry man raised a belt to strike him again and again. A woman sat in a dusty corner, silent tears streaming down her face. There was a time she would have spoken out, told Tobias not to hurt him, to hurt her instead, but those days were gone. She was a broken woman now. She loved her child, but was just glad it wasn't her getting beaten.

Snape withdrew from my mind. My heart felt wrenched and I was furious at Tobias Snape. I put my arms around Snape.

"…Was he a drunk?" I asked quietly.

He nodded silently.

"…Ellen had a boyfriend once who was like that. The first time he put his hands on me she kicked him to the curb. …I felt bad though. She really loved him. I felt like it was my fault."

He said nothing, but held me tighter and kissed my forehead. We fell asleep in each others arms.

Snape and I spent every night of the Christmas holidays together. The last day before classes resumed we left Hogwarts right after breakfast and didn't return until early the next morning. Snape was adamant about not pursuing our relationship within Hogwarts.

"I can't even kiss you?" I asked while in his office before breakfast.

"No. We could both be in serious trouble. …Just wait until Summer gets here. We'll have three months together."

"We'll probably never leave the house," I said with a naughty grin.

The weeks wore on and the snow outside started to melt. Snape and I kept our relationship borderline appropriate with him giving me little smiles from time to time, when no one was looking and me "accidentally" brushing against him when we worked on Potions together.

One evening I snuck out after curfew. I had been feeling trapped and bored. The impending air of the second task had everyone on edge. I planned to take my broomstick and go fly over the forest, which usually made me feel better. I had just ascended into the air when I spotted something on the far side of the lake - two people - one had long white hair and a beard. It could only be Dumbledore or Father Christmas. The person standing next to him was dressed in all black and had pale skin. He was as easily recognizable, to me anyway, as Dumbledore was. It was Snape.

I quickly dropped back to the ground and stowed my broom away. I had applied my Disillusionment Charm so they couldn't see me… but it was only a matter of time before they realized I was there. They were both very capable wizards.

I was curious to see what they were up to, wondering, of course, if it had anything to do with me. I didn't much care if I got caught out after hours so I made my way quietly over to where they stood at the edge of the lake.

When I reached them, Dumbledore was kneeling by the water. He was speaking quietly in some strange, screeching language that I didn't recognize. Snape was standing beside him, looking bored, staring out over the lake. I couldn't see who or what it was Dumbledore was talking to so I took a few steps closer. My foot inadvertently stepped on a twig which snapped loudly. Snape whirled around, wand out, alert. Dumbledore, however, remained crouched a moment longer.

"Show yourself, intruder, or I will blast you to pieces," Snape snarled.

"Relax, Severus," said Dumbledore, slowly standing to face me, "The only intruder is Miss Cain."

Snape immediately lowered his wand.

"Olivia, please remove your Disillusionment Charm," the headmaster said to me.

"Yes sir," I said and obeyed.

"What are you doing out after hours?" Snape asked me, frowning.

"Couldn't sleep," I said simply, peering past him at the lake, "…Are those real Merpeople?"

"They are, "Dumbledore confirmed, "They are to play a vital part in the second task. …Perhaps you could be of some help as well, Olivia."

"Me, sir?"

"Yes. You see, the golden egg that each champion got in the first task held a clue that told them what the second task would be. Something dear will be taken from each champion and hidden at the bottom of the lake and will be guarded by Merpeople."

"Of course, Merpeople aren't the only thing in the lake," Snape added darkly.

"What can I do to help, sir?" I asked.

"You and Severus can brew a special potion we will need. You see, the thing being taken from each champion…is a friend. For instance, Ron Weasley will be taken for Harry Potter to recover."

"Ah. I didn't know there was a potion that would allow someone to breathe underwater."

"It is called Gilly Draught, "Snape informed me, "The effects last six hours."

"Which will be plenty of time. The champions will only have an hour to recover their person. We'll take them down the morning of the task."

"How are you going to get them to the bottom of the lake? Isn't it miles deep?" I inquired.

"I thought you could come in handy then as well. You undoubtedly know of the plant Gillyweed and its effects?"

"Of course."

"Well, if you could take it and assist the Merpeople in getting them down to the bottom of the lake…"

"That sounds dangerous," Snape said at the same time I said "That sounds fun."

Dumbledore smiled at us both.

"Ultimately the decision will be up to Severus, as he is your guardian," Dumbledore said to me, "If you don't do it, one of us will have to and personally, I'd rather not. The lake is cold and I am an old man. It would undoubtedly be kinder to yet a young person go."

"We'll have to talk about it," Snape said stiffly.

"Very well. If you will please excuse me," Dumbledore said, turning back to the Merpeople who were still floating in the shallows. He began to speak to them in the screeching language again.

"Is that mermish?" I asked Snape.

He nodded, then motioned for me to follow him a little ways away while Dumbledore talked to the Merpeople.

"Why are you out after hours? What if Moody caught you?"

"Psh. I'm not scared of that old codger. Besides, you didn't even know I was here."

"…Well, you should've at least let me know you were going to be out and about."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know I was supposed to report my every action to you," I replied somewhat coldly.

He was silent a moment. He looked almost hurt and I immediately felt guilty.

"I just mean I would like to know when you plan on putting yourself in dangerous situations so that I know to worry and hopefully take action to prevent you from getting in trouble. …I like knowing where you are. It puts my mind at ease."

"Severus," I murmured quietly, touched by his concern. At that moment Dumbledore stood and the Merpeople disappeared into the depths of the lake.

"It's all settled then," he said cheerfully, "You two can come to my office early the morning of the second task and administer the potion and, I think, assist me in getting the four "captives" down to the lake."

"Sounds like a plan," I said eagerly.

"Severus, why don't you walk Olivia back up to the castle?" Dumbledore suggested.

"I still need to speak with you, headmaster," Snape said somewhat dryly.

"You may come see me in my office after seeing Olivia inside."

"Very well. Come," Snape said to me. I caught his eye and smirked. He just shook his head.

Snape's POV

I rather enjoyed walking back to the castle with Olivia, despite that we walked in silence most of the way. As we got closer to the castle, she glanced at me curiously.

"What is it you have to talk to Dumbledore about?" she inquired. I sighed heavily. I considered not telling her - I didn't want her to worry - but since our Christmas break…well, I knew I could trust her.

"…It's not safe to talk about here. Come to my office."

"You're actually gonna tell me? Cool," she said with a grin, following me.

Olivia followed me into my office and I shut and locked the door. She flopped down in her usual chair and looked at me curiously.

"The thing I want to talk to Albus about," I said, rolling up my sleeve, "Is this."

I showed her the Dark Mark on my forearm that had been growing clearer since the Summer.

"What…what does it mean?" she asked quietly.

"I don't know for sure but… Albus thinks Pettigrew found the Dark Lord and is working on bringing him back to power."

"And what do you think?"

"Well…normally I agree with Albus, but…" I sighed heavily and sat down at my desk, "I don't want him to be back. You don't know what it would mean for me…"

I almost said 'for us' but didn't. I think she knew what I meant anyway though.

"You would have to go back… risk your life... Again."

"Probably…"I said tightly, "…You…you should go to bed. I need to talk to Dumbledore."

"I understand," she said quietly. She stood and approached my desk. She took my hand in hers and squeezed it tightly. I looked up into her emerald eyes filled with love and compassion and it scared me. I looked away quickly and released her hand.

Once she was gone I sat silently at my desk a while longer, thinking. The things I was feeling…they scared me. It was love…I was almost certain. And I didn't want to screw it up, as I was likely to do.

I took a few minutes, then went upstairs to talk to Dumbledore. I showed him the Mark, which was even darker than it had been when I showed him before, only a few months ago.

"We must wait and let things unfold," he said finally, "We know nothing for certain."

"But if he is back - if the Dark Lord returns…you want me to go back, don't you?"

"Not at first, of course. That would be too suspicious - "

"What if I don't want to?" I interrupted.

"Then Lord Voldemort would hunt you down as a traitor. Severus, you made a promise - what's caused you to change your mind?"

I said nothing.

"It's Olivia, isn't it?" he asked, smiling.

"Wha- I- …Yes," I admitted, "Before…Before it was just me. Now I have someone to care for…who depends on me."

"I have considered this, Severus. You are no good to Olivia dead…which is why you must keep up your façade."

"But what will I do? I'll have to tell Him about her, won't I?"

"It would be wise not to keep this a secret from him, yes...but don't worry about it now, Severus. There is no point in worrying about something that hasn't happened yet."