Slowly Jana's eyes, began to regain life. Tonks placed her wand on the ropes and muttered, "Incisus." As if an invisible sword had been run through the, the ropes cut evenly across and fell apart, vanishing into thin air as they tumbled.

Jana opened and closed her hands, bringing them up to her face in a failed attempt to inspect them in the dim lighting. When she finally saw who it was that was cradling her head she shrieked and floundered about as if trying to protect herself from an assault. She pounded her fists at Snape's chest until she finally fell to the floor. She took two of her fingers and rammed them down her own throat in attempts to induce vomiting.

"It's a Licentia Elixir, you must keep it down!" Snape commanded, grabbing both of Jana's wrist tightly in his strong grasp.

"Severus?" Jana cried trying to find his face.

"Yes. You are safe," Jana stared at Professor Snape for a while until her breathing calmed. Eventually he released her hands. Jana looked around the room at all of them, in that sweeping round about way she examined everything.

"What's she doing here?" Jana finally exhaled upon noticing Tonks.

"She helped you! You tried to kill me just now," Harry explained, trying to defend Tonks in the process.

"What?" was all that came out of Jana's mouth as she continued to inspect her hands.

"Let's get you cleaned up...Harry, go to the hospital wing and have Madame Pomphrey check your hand," Tonks said, helping Jana to her feet. Dumbledore inspected the dagger before showing it to Jana.

"Do you remember anything?" Dumbledore asked gently, "you're not in trouble. We're just glad that you and Harry are safe."

"I tried to kill you?" Jana gasped, looking at Harry desperately.

"Not of your own accord. Someone put you under the Imperius Curse," Snape explained.

"What do you remember last, Jana?" Tonks asked cautiously.

"Antirrhinum," Jana whispered.

"Your herbology project?" Harry asked, "What did you do afterwards?"

"I don't even remember going to bed…" Jana replied distantly.

"We can asked Hermione if she remembers you coming upstairs," Tonks suggested. Jana just nodded and surprisingly followed Tonks out of Dumbledore's office.

Snape looked thoughtfully as Dumbledore before he said, "The boy has been gone, what, six days?"

"I don't think this has anything to do with McKeely or Tonks presence...Harry please get your hand looked at-"

"I'm fine!" Harry hated to admit it, but he was feeling similarly to Snape. Other than the altercation with Pansy Parkinson, Jana had remained safe when Christoph was at Hogwarts with them. "When will Christoph be back?" Snape and Dumbledore looked equally as surprised that Harry had asked such a thing.

"Did you have any dreams, Harry? Any visions?" Dumbledore asked. Harry shook his head firmly.

Luna did admit the three of them were up rather late, but returned to the Ravenclaw Common Room around midnight. Neville said that Jana had fallen asleep on the sofa mid conversation, and since he did not want to wake her up, he left her there. Neville felt guilty and responsible, but Hermione assured him that it was not his fault. She had fallen asleep much earlier than midnight so had not noticed whether Jana had been to bed or not. They tried to keep what had happened quiet, but word spread quickly. The rumors were plentiful, and many students were seen visibly avoiding Jana in class and in the hallways. However, the Slytherin students had a new, concerning interest in her. And Draco's antics only intensified rather than backed off.

"Did you really try to kill your boyfriend?" Draco laughed, taking a seat next to Jana in the library one afternoon.

"Shove off Malfoy," Ron growled, pushing his rucksack towards him angrily.

"What's the matter McKeely? Missing Christoph?" Draco continued. He offered Jana a pastille. She declined.

"We are studying," Hermione frowned, "is this for potions? I'm happy to take care of it for her-"

"Quiet everyone, this is a library," Tonks appeared with a wink. Draco eyed Tonks up and down and scowled at her before leaving the pastille for Jana on the table. He left quietly looking quite put off.

"You have to stop spending time with him," Hermione encouraged reaching for the pastille, "and don't eat that. It's probably poison." Jana slammed her hand down over the treat so strongly that the smacking sound of her palm hitting the surface echoed between the shelves. Hermione jumped. Jana quickly pocketed the treat before whispering, "That's mine."

Tonks and Jana appeared to be getting along better over the next few days. Perhaps it was in part of how scared Jana was of what had happened. She did not speak about it again. Despite everyone's best efforts, they were unable to figure out who put Jana under the Imperius Curse. Harry had passing thoughts that it was Draco Malfoy, but then put the accusation aside. He was a cruel bully, but was he evil? Tonks had been watching their behavior closely each day and reporting it back to Dumbledore and Harry. There was nothing to be suspicious about, and even Professor Snape added his vantage point from Advanced Potions.

Harry was disappointed that he once again could not attend the Hogsmeade trip. He approached Jana during breakfast the next morning to ask what she would like to do that day together, and was stunned to find out that Jana was attending the trip.

"Who signed your permission slip?" Harry gasped.

"Remus…" Jana replied blankly.

"This is ridiculous," Harry sighed.

"I'm sorry your aunt and uncle wouldn't sign...I can stay with you-"

"No, Jana, enjoy, please. Don't miss out on my account-"

"Good Morning!" It was Christoph and he looked put together and much too well rested. He pushed himself between Jana and Hermione.

"It's been a month, how are you feeling?" Hermione asked, being cordial.

"Well, Miss Granger, thank you. After my sabbatical I went to the ministry to take care of some things. I do enjoy teaching here, but I miss my old job," Christoph replied in an oddly friendly way, pouring Jana some juice.

"You don't look pleased to see me," Christoph said gently, looking at Jana closely. Harry wondered if he knew what had happened while he was gone.

"I am pleased to see you," Jana smiled, interlocking her fingers with Christoph's. He placed his other hand on top of the handshake.

"Can you forgive me? He asked, rubbing the back of Jana's hand with his fingertip.

"For what?" Jana asked sarcastically.

Christoph gently stroked Jana's face with the back of his hand before he stood up, "That's my girl!"

Against his better judgement, Harry decided to spend the day with Christoph since there would be little else to do. They took a stroll together on the grounds and discussed Quidditch in length.

"I thought for sure you weren't going to let Jana go to Hogsmede. Thank you for allowing her to," Harry added as they made their way to the Owlery.

"That was a decision made prior to my return. I don't agree with it, but it can not be helped. Remus signed the permission slip. Nothing can be done," Christoph replied. Harry was disappointed in his response. It seemed that little to nothing had changed. Christoph was surprised to see that his owl and a letter had already arrived for him at Hogwarts. He had just come in that morning. He assumed it was from work, but took a peek at it anyway. His expression quickly changed and he swore under his breath.
"Everything alright?" Harry asked, as they exited the tower.

"It's Steerforth...he's been injured...he's at St. Mungo's…" Harry offered to accompany him and they traveled by Floo Powder through Dumbledore's fireplace soon after.

Harry felt he had taken entirely too many trips to St. Mungo's for one lifetime. The white walls and bustling staff reminded him entirely too much of a normal muggle hospital for his own comfort. Then again, he did always manage to see a few interesting sights in the waiting room. This time sat a woman holding the hand of a little boy, who seemed to have sprouted wings and was shouting,"I don't want to get rid of them!", much to the annoyance of everyone else there: particularly the man sitting next to them, who appeared to have large jelly-like blotches all over his face.

"You didn't have to come, Harry," Christoph said, as they stopped at the end of the line that led up to the main desk. Harry pulled his gaze away from the waiting room. It's rude to stare! He could practically hear Hermione reminding him.

"It's fine. I wasn't doing anything today anyway."

When they finally got up to the desk, the receptionist explained he was on the Fourth Floor. Internally, Harry resolved not to get roped into visiting Lockhart again.

A man's voice called for Christoph as they headed for the staircase. The airy and shrill voice of the man did not quite match his appearance, which was very tall and quite muscular for a man with so much gray hair. Christoph just nodded at him and didn't say anything, staring at each other for a moment in silence. The man finally spoke with a throat clear, "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, Hippocrates, it's my brother, he's upstairs…" Christoph replied calmly.

"Ah…well I'll be sure he gets proper care," Hippocrates smiled, he then turned to Harry and shook his hand, "it's an honor to meet you." Harry gave a practiced smile.

"How's Pye?" Christoph forced himself to ask to be cordial.

"Learning day by day, and Jana?" At the sound of her name Harry felt as if his heart had stopped. It must have been Hippocrates who had cared for her after the accident...when Lupin nearly killed her as a werewolf...but they did not know that...

"She's doing well, she is at Hogwarts now with me, I am teaching magizoology there-"

"That's wonderful!" Hippocrates started, "and her vision, is it-"

"I need to see my brother, actually," Christoph cut him off, "thank you for everything." Hippocrates looked thwarted but politely bid them adieu. Christoph explained how relieved he was that Jana was not with them. He was certain they would not have managed to even get in the building had she come along but the site of Hippocrates would have sent her over the edge. Fortunately, there were no stray nurses to usher them around so they were able to go straight to Steerforth's room.

A nurse was just walking out, "Oh, you must be Christoph!" she exclaimed, "I'm so glad you were able to come. I'm sure he will be thrilled to see you."

"That I doubt, but thank you." Christoph said, and then paused, "Did you send a letter to our parents too?"

"Yes."

"Save your parchment next time. I don't think they'll be coming."

The nurse gave him a sympathetic smile, "Now, now. Hard times often bring families together!"

The room was as white as the rest of the hospital, with flowing white curtains and a tall window with a sunny view outside. Even the sheets and pillows seemed soft and designed for maximum relaxation. That didn't stop the writhing figure in the bed to the left from cursing.

Christoph crossed his arms, "It's jinxed so you can't get out until the nurses deem you're ready to walk. It's often used for uncooperative children." The figure stopped moving. Harry recognized the man from the paper, with the apricot hair. Now that the man's face wasn't shielded from the flashes of cameras, he could see that he was rather young and had such a grim look that Harry wondered if he was even capable of smiling. His grey eyes flashed when he saw Christoph.

"Who the hell asked you to come?"

"The hospital is obligated to contact your family."

"I have no family."

"Don't be like that, Steerforth. Not now," He pulled a chair that sat against the wall up to the bedside. Steerforth was apparently back to writhing around, "Why are you doing that?"

"Because I'm fine!" He exploded, "And while those damn harpies have me locked up in here, those Death Eaters are going to be harder and harder to find!"

"What Death Eaters?!" Christoph demanded harshly. "How many times have I told you how dangerous-"

Steerforth rolled his eyes, "I truly wonder, what's more painful? Being tortured under the Cruciatus Curse or listening to one of Christoph's lectures?"

"That isn't funny." Finally, Steerforth caught sight of Harry, who stood awkwardly in the corner.

"Well, Jana! Don't you look tall and manly?"

Christoph sighed. "Steerforth, this is Harry. Harry Potter."

"Yeah, I figured that. It's nice to meet you, Harry! I'd shake your hand but apparently I'm incarcerated.."

"It's nice to meet you too," Harry said, "Jana talks about you a lot."

"Does she? I figured Christoph would have prohibited my name from being spoken by now. I used to tease him when we were younger, you know? I always used to tell him that one day Jana's real brother was going to show up and steal her away! How ironic." Harry glanced at Christoph, but he didn't look back. "Anyway," Steerforth continued, "You're a legend amongst us Aurors. The Boy Who Lived! The infant who single-handedly defeated the most powerful dark wizard the world has ever known. Your story first inspired me to become an Auror when I was a young boy."

"And how grateful we are all for that," Christoph said, dryly.

"I used to think: if a little child could do all that, then why can't I? Christoph and I used to study Defense Against the Dark Arts together, believe it or not."

"I wisely realized that those studies would have brought us in a bad direction. I warned you stay away from them, and now look where you are!" Christoph rebutted.

"I'm fine!" Steerforth snarled, "And don't patronize me when you don't even know what happened!"

"What did happen, exactly?" Harry cut in.

Steerforth looked at him. "I'll tell you, but you must not tell anyone." Christoph crossed his arms and looked out the window, but Harry leaned in, intrigued. "Somebody at the Ministry is trying to conceal the truth about Voldemort-"

"Honestly August-"

"Don't you dare call me that..." Steerforth said sternly. "Even though we Aurors have given them direct evidence that Death Eaters are gathering. As have you, I know, Harry...I was trailing a few dark wizards. I had been tracing these guys ever since the incident at the Quidditch World Cup last year. It's obvious they were Death Eaters. They threw the dark mark up into the sky and everything, but the Ministry wanted to play it off as a harmless prank."

"Which it probably was," Christoph interrupted somewhere between his lips and the window he chose to acknowledge over his brother. Steerforth glared at him before turning back to Harry.

"Anyway, I caught these codgers on the grounds of Hogwarts. I think they were trying to find a way inside. That's when I gave chase. They ran into the forest and I'm going after them, and next thing I know I'm hit with a Stupefying Curse. When I came to…" He trailed off.

Christoph's attention was finally peaked and he leaned forward, "Don't say it if it's painful."

Steerforth just shook his head, "Voldemort," he croaked.

"He who must not be named-" Christoph corrected.

"I swear it was him- I couldn't see him very well, only in the background. But he was there. He said something in a low voice and one of the wizards asked me what I knew about them. I wouldn't say anything. I was under the curse for a half-hour before Mad-Eye showed up."

"Mad-Eye?" Christoph scoffed, "Such marvelous friends you keep!"

"That's one more than you have…" Steerforth noted taking a glimpse at him from the corner of his eye. He returned to Harry, "Apparently he caught onto the same trail I did. He didn't catch the wizards though and I don't know when Voldemort left. Early on, I guess."

"But you aren't sure. You don't know it was him."

"I couldn't see well enough. Aurors are already examining it in the pensive. But I… I felt it was him, you know?"

"You were frightened and in pain," Christoph dismissed.

"Damn it, Christoph!" Steerforth cried, "How long are you going to stay in denial about this?!"

"I wouldn't be in denial if there was proof, of which there is none."

"Voldemort is back! I'll say it again and a million times over! Voldemort is back! I'm in danger, you're in danger! Harry's in danger! Hell, Christoph! Jana is in danger! With her connection-"

"Remember your vow!" Christoph said more loudly than he should have, "And lower your voice." They all looked around to make sure there weren't any eavesdroppers, "Jana is safe. I have taken steps to ensure it myself."

"And what does that mean?"

"Oh, I don't know August, I've only been teaching at her school everyday, keeping an eye on her. You hardly bother with Jana anyway. When was the last time you even saw her?"

"I would see her more often, if I didn't have to see you too! And stop calling me that!"

"It's sad," Christoph stood up from his chair, "How you isolate yourself from the family."

"Family?! What family?! They disowned me, Christoph! They're the ones who pushed me away."

"I'm not talking about Liam! I'm talking about…"

"Us?" Steerforth sneered. "What us? This is the first time I've seen you in a year. And frankly, I would have been happy enough to go on another year and every year after that without the misfortune of laying my eyes on that priggish face of yours!"

"Listen to me. You're my little brother," Christoph paused as Steerforth huffed and rolled his eyes at the idea, "I know we have our differences, but we are brothers. I don't like to see you throwing yourself headfirst into dangerous situations that you're too inexperienced to handle."

"Drop it, Christoph. We're not brothers," At this, Christoph straightened up. "You don't even know what the word means. You don't care about me, you're concerned that I'm not under your control like Jana is. That's all you care about: control. That's all you understand about love."

For the first time, Christoph looked stunned into silence. The two men stared one another down as the air in the space between them thickened.

"Forgive my intrusion. I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you with my concern," then Christoph turned and left. He strode right out the door and they listened in silence for a while to his retreating footsteps.

"Sorry you had to see that fun McKeeley drama," Steerforth turned to Harry, with an apologetic look, "It's a travesty isn't it? The whole situation. I'm sorry your-, I mean, that Jana has to continue to suffer with him lurking around. I was hoping going to real school for the first time would rid her of him but alas-"

"If you want to save Jana from Christoph why don't you come to Hogwarts yourself?" Harry questioned brashly. Steerforth's lips parted as if to say something but nothing came out. "And another thing...Why have you been avoiding the Order? They've been trying for months to recruit you."

"Listen," He resumed, quietly. "I'd like to meet with you...and with Jana... Maybe in the Hog's Head tavern. There's… some things I think you should know."

"Like what?"

"We can't discuss it here," He squeezed his eyes shut, "Not right now. I don't know if I trust this place." When he opened his eyes again, he looked at Harry. "I'll contact you, okay? Once I can get out of here."

Upon arriving in the hallway, Harry could see Christoph had left without him and he started the solitary walk back to the waiting room alone. He wondered if he could trust Steerforth. He was an Auror, of course, and they agreed that Voldemort was back and gaining power. However, Christoph did not seem to want him around Jana. But then again Steerforth did not seem to want Christoph around Jana either. Perhaps Lupin would be able to tell him more.

"Why, hullo!" He flinched when he saw Miriam Sprout striding towards him. "You've come to see Gilderoy again, have you? What a kind child you are!"

Harry tried to suppress a groan.

After a short- but long- visit with Lockhart, Harry arrived back in the Gryffindor dormitory. Christoph sat in the armchair, reading an article in the Daily Prophet, though Harry wondered if he had absorbed a single word.

"Hey," He said.

Christoph didn't look up. "Hullo, Harry."

"What're you doing?"

"Waiting for Jana to come back." He tapped his foot anxiously. "She's been gone a long time, hasn't she?"

"She's with Hermione. She couldn't be safer." Harry looked at the clock, "I'm going to the library."

"Sounds fun." Christoph said, absently. Harry started to leave, but he paused at the doorway. Turning back around, he is watching the flickering flames in the fireplace for a moment before he said, "I'm sorry about you and your brother."

Christoph laughed to himself and said, "I'm not."