"Language, Mr. Potter," Snape's dulcet tones came from behind the couch, scaring both of them.

Harry shot off the couch and spun around, "Sorry, sir."

The Potions Master huffed as he moved to pour himself a drink of scotch, "If only you could be that respectful in my class…"

"If only you would treat me as fairly in class as you do outside it…" Harry said, his heart racing like a frightened rabbit at his own daring.

"Touché," Snape responded, "But even you, Mr. Potter, should be able to understand why I can not. You do realize that you are not the only one under surveillance…?"

Harry paused and worked over what Snape was telling him. He then realized that, of course, Snape's Slytherins would report anything that happened. He wondered how tenuous Snape's position was. He knew the man walked a delicate line between Voldemort and Dumbledore. He conceded the point with a sharp nod.

"It is late, Mr. Potter, and Samantha will be leaving very early tomorrow morning."

Harry sighed, not wanting to say goodbye to Maggie, yet knowing he must. She stood and faced him, her hand coming to rest on his arm.

"You'll write to me?" she asked.

"As often as I can," he said, hoping his aunt and uncle wouldn't prevent him from keeping his word.

She walked him to the door, "I'll miss you, Harry."

"I'll miss you too." He bravely leaned forward and kissed her again, aware that Snape would be watching them. As he pulled away, he hesitated and whispered to her, "I love you too."

"Have a good summer, Harry," she said softly, her eyes brimming with tears.

"You too, Maggie," he couldn't use her assumed name at this moment. He quickly left before he found himself unable to do so.

-- --

"The summer will pass quickly, especially since you will be spending it studying."

She gave her father a small smile before heading into the bedroom to pack her things. She pulled her duffel bags from the drawer and packed her robes first. Glancing at her muggle clothing, she became uncertain if she would need it or not. Going out into the living room where her father was seated with a book, she sat on the couch, facing him. "Father?"

"Yes, Mag- er, Samantha?"

"Will I be able to wear my muggle clothing this summer, or only my robes?"

"I dare say you will want your muggle clothing… Do you have summer things?"

Swallowing, she nodded, "At the house."

"We should take a trip back there," he responded quietly.

"Yeah," she said, rather unenthusiastically.

"Go put your traveling cloak on and we will go," he said, rising and grabbing his own cloak.

A couple minutes later, Maggie was following her father down the lawn of Hogwarts towards the front gates. Once beyond the gates, her father pulled her into a hug and she felt the familiar pull of apparition. Feeling the ground beneath her feet, she took in a deep lungful of air and glanced around. They were in a very dark alley, but the street beyond was very familiar.

Walking side by side, they left the alley and walked the short distance down Oak Street. Reaching number 29, they approached the door and her father pulled a key from his pocket. Unlocking the door, he ushered her inside.

Maggie strolled through the front lawn of her sheltered house, followed closely by her father. Irrationally, she expected her mother to greet her when they entered the house. Instead, a silent, dark house greeted them.

Flicking on the lights, Maggie glanced around. Nothing looked different from when she'd left a week and a half ago. "I'll go pack my things," she said quietly.