A/N: Two chapters after this one. Some of the loose ends will be tied up in the next few weeks, while others will remain for future years. Have to keep somethings so you'll all come back. For those of you celebrating this coming week ... Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, and Happy Kwanzaa. If there are any celebrations I missed, I do apologize, but rest assured I send you all greetings of happiness, health, and love.
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During the remainder of the spring holiday, Severus found himself laughing more than he ever had. The reason was a certain blonde witch whose petrification pushed what he had brushed off for months into something real. The wizard reflected on many things during the increasingly rare times when he was alone. The most prominent thought was when his feelings shifted and how he was one of the last to know.
He didn't see it happen and when she was removed from his life, Severus found himself missing Aurora more and more. Their relationship wasn't physical, it was intellectual and comfortable. She would often slip into his quarters on nights when neither were required to do rounds and talk about everything.
Severus told Aurora more about his time as a student than anyone else knew. The only others who knew the full extent of the stories were happily out of Severus's life. One had been dead for a decade and the second lived on a private island with no escape.
Aurora was shocked to hear how Severus suffered as a child and when his time at Hogwarts offered him no comfort she wrapped herself around him. It had been years since Severus was held with such affection and he was selfish enough to soak up her warmth. Those evenings started very early in the year and Severus thought them to be secret. That was until the cold day when the warmth he started to crave had been viciously taken from him.
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It was a week after the attack, in fact it was the following Saturday when Severus had an unexpected visitor. The knock was so familiar and for a moment Severus thought it was Aurora. Of course it wasn't, but it was Minerva who immediately grabbed the crestfallen wizard in her arms.
A lifetime of repressed emotions erupted from the wizard as he clung to Minerva for dear life. After some length of time, Severus started to lessen his hold and Minerva guided him to the couch. After making the wizard sit, Minerva summoned the bottle of firewhiskey and two glasses. The pair sat in silence sipping their drinks while Severus came to terms with what had happened.
"How did you know Minerva? How did you know you needed to prepare me before saying it was Aurora? I … I didn't even know until after she was gone." The witch actually laughed at the question and swallowed the rest of her drink.
"It wasn't difficult really. Aurora wasn't subtle about her attraction and the ghosts like to gossip. Once Baron saw Aurora sneak down here early in the year, the ghosts set up a watch on nights when neither of you did rounds. I was informed a few weeks ago, actually all the ghosts did was confirm what I knew." Minerva poured herself a second drink and topped off Severus's glass. When Severus didn't say anything Minerva continued with her dialogue.
"I had thought Aurora's feelings weren't returned. In all my years, I've never met anyone who can mask their true feelings, their emotions quite like you, Severus. I only caught a glimpse once, it was a few days after the school year started and I was walking through the halls when I saw the two of speaking in an empty hallway. I was curious and stayed in the shadows. The conversation was obviously related to the school and you were telling her about some of the secret paths we use during patrols." Severus remembered the conversation, it was a turning point for his relationship with Aurora.
"She thanked you and before she turned to leave she placed her hand on your arm. She left and surprisingly you remained. Your eyes lingered on her path until she was well and truly away before shifting to look at your arm. I don't know if you realized it, but as she was leaving your other hand covered the spot." Severus shook his head, he hadn't realized what he'd subconsciously done. He just remembered feeling…while focusing on the particular memory Minerva mentioned, Severus hadn't realized he started to talk.
"I don't remember much after she left. I knew my feelings had shifted a bit from thinking of her as a coworker to something more, something else I couldn't pinpoint. That was the first night we met to talk. That was all we did on those nights. We talked about our families, childhoods, education and masteries. She asked millions of questions and I found myself unable to not answer her. She found great humor when I compared her to Hermione in that regard."
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Severus looked around his quarters noting how quiet it was. The quiet was something he relished, but now he craved something warmer, something softer, something he believed he'd found. His memories continued to play and Severus found himself remembering the day he decided to first visit Aurora at St. Mungo's. It was difficult for him to witness Aurora's unmoving and frozen form. She was full of life and energy, not cold and unseeing. Luckily the healers had been able to close the eyelids of the victims, Severus wasn't sure he would have been able to remain if he could see her unresponsive blue eyes.
That evening Severus remained until well after visiting hours were over telling Aurora about what had been happening at the school and how Minerva and the ghosts, at minimum, knew of their friendship. Severus talked about his lunch with Regulus and what had been mentioned about someone fancying him. Severus admitted to immediately denying he liked anyone. In the quiet of the room, Severus continued to explain how he'd decided to talk with her that evening wanting to put a name to this unknown feeling.
Over the next weeks and months, the staff at St. Mungo's often found the feared potions master asleep next to the petrified witch. No one ever approached and only made loud noises outside the ward to ensure the man was awake to do as he needed. Severus never discovered what the staff had done for him.
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While Severus was coming to terms with how he viewed the quiet now; Aurora found herself shying away from times when she was alone. She had spent her entire time petrified silent. She tried to talk to herself, but that was boring. When the healers and medi-witches would do their rounds they never spoke to her only about her. The only time she found relief were when Severus was at her side. At first she felt guilty at how exhausted Severus seemed to be and how he would fall asleep every night. She would feel his head on her pillow and the soft puffs from his breath.
It was worse on days when Severus didn't visit, she would lay and think about how warm she felt when he was there. Aurora knew her infatuation with the man had morphed and after his first visit, she knew Severus felt the same. It was a relief of sorts and maybe after she was unfrozen she would think back on this event and find some positives in it. But right now all she wanted was to be next to Severus and be able to hold him because the wizard needed a good hug.
Her happiness almost exploded when Severus talked about finding a distributor with mandrakes meeting his high standards. She sighed in relief as he laid his head next to hers. The wizard promised on his magic to get the waking potion made. He needed back in her arms. The witch could only silently agree.
Aurora knew she couldn't be alone in the short term and maybe not in the longer term either. She had been offered a room at Malfoy Manor at least until school resumed and she accepted without a second thought. Severus told her she was welcome to stay at his home, but the Manor was much nicer. Aurora noticed a sadness when Severus spoke of his home. "Stay with me here. We don't have to change or rush our relationship, just being near you is a comfort I can't be without now. You spoiled me at the hospital. I can't sleep without you now."
The remainder of Aurora's request was whispered into the neck of the man. He thought for a moment and knew he needed to be strong for her. He also would give her whatever she wanted. Severus understood Lucius in a way he never had before. "Of course I'll stay. I'll mention it to Lucius as a courtesy."
They left to pick up some clothing for Aurora and returned to the Manor. Only Lucius and Narcissa were aware of the extra person sleeping their home the final week of the children's break. Those unaware of the sleeping arrangements found nothing odd for Severus to be at breakfast and stay beyond the children's bedtime.
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During the final days of break, Hermione turned her focus to her schoolwork and made what she thought was a reasonable timetable for the rest of the term. It was a bit more than her first year timetable, but her classes were more difficult this year. She didn't feel it was too much, but would show her mum and Narcissa to make sure they agreed. And maybe she'd discuss it with Aurora. Hermione found the professor was an exceptional listener and often had very good suggestions.
Hermione and the boys hadn't discussed the castle or beast during break, they found themselves accepting the adults were doing all they could. The children also found the new school very comfortable in an unexpected way. Hermione thought an announcement would be made about the victims once they returned to school. Having Aurora around and seeing Frank when the Longbottoms visited a few days after the victims were awakened, the children tried to ignore the elephant in the room. In the meantime her plan was to focus on what she could impact and that would be her schoolwork.
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On the last Friday morning of Neville's spring holiday, Frank Longbottom sat on the back porch swing with his wife. After having explained Amelia's proposal the couple took the week to think through the implications. On one hand the wizard wanted to ensure the creature was gone and what was better than to be one to slay it. On the other hand there was his family. Seeing just how broken Neville and Aggie looked nearly made the man cry. While he was petrified, he listened as each member of his family came and spoke about whatever was on their mind that day. After hearing Neville break down and admit how helpless he was, Frank knew he couldn't put himself at risk any longer.
"I don't know what to do Alice. You and the kids are my life, but this could be the last thing I do for the betterment of the wizarding world. If I do this I've decided on my conditions. I know Amelia will agree since it keeps me at the Ministry but if she doesn't agree, it's not like I actually have to work. Tell me what you are thinking. Please love."
Alice Longbottom kept her focus on the gardens and orchards that stretched behind their home. "I honestly don't know. I know how I feel about it but I know you and you'll regret not doing this. I can't let my fears take something so important away from you." Frank pulled Alice closer and inhaled her scent. He had missed it while at the hospital and found himself trying to move toward it while frozen.
"I will wait to see what they have planned and if it is too dangerous, I will step back. I can't do this to my family again. You are more important than anything to me." Alice was more than happy with the arrangement. Both would give up the world for the other and the only reason it hadn't occurred was how well they compromised.
"That sounds good Frank. I think Neville wanted to talk to you about some man-things as he called them. He really stepped up while you were at the hospital. Agnes was her usual self and it was great to see how Neville stood up to her. He needed reassurance after the fact, but I am so incredibly proud of him."
The couple watched Neville as he tended to one of the ancient rosebushes on the property and Aggie as she ran circles on the grass with the family dog chasing her in excitement. Frank knew whatever the decision would be, he would make damn sure he didn't leave his family until death itself came for him.
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After having lunch with his family, Frank arrived at the Ministry and was met with individuals saying how glad they were to see him back. It was a nice feeling but after fifteen minutes and not getting any farther than the middle of the atrium, Frank began to nod and move a bit more briskly to the elevators. Eventually making it and escaped to the floor where the DMLE was housed. He had already seen most of his coworkers so he didn't receive any sort of special welcome, just the normal waves, nods and hellos. Normal was good.
Amelia watched Frank enter and wondered what he had decided. She only hoped she would have her second around beyond today. "Frank, I have a few minutes, let's talk." Amelia entered her office and found Frank closing the door before sitting in the chair beside Amelia. This wasn't an employee employer talk, this was a catch up of sorts. A discussion on the future was the most likely topic.
"Hello Amelia, I have an answer but wasn't sure if you wanted to start off with that or explain what you've all planned a bit more." Amelia always appreciated the way Frank never was one for idle chit chat. With a wave of her hand, she motioned for Frank to begin. She was right, the odds of Frank remaining in the corps were unlikely. But she was pleased to hear he was willing to stay at the Ministry.
"So you have decided to wait until we've discussed what we plan to determine if you will be the individual to slay the beast. Either way you'd like to move to another department where dangerous field work wouldn't be a requirement. I can understand your perspective and am sad you will be leaving our ranks. I had hoped you'd be the one to replace me." With a little shrug the pair laughed.
"No, even if I had stayed, I don't believe I would have taken over for you. I think Robards would suit better for this role, he's better at the political stuff. Then there is Dawlish, he enjoys both aspects of the job as well. Shacklebolt also has great potential. I would almost put him above the others, but he is still quite young and has the ability to learn much from the other two. I don't know where my interest lies now, but with the size and number of departments in the Ministry there must be somewhere who'd want me." Amelia already had a half dozen ideas with almost all of them having approached Amelia about Frank at some point in the last year alone.
"We will figure it out, but now let's discuss the real reason you are here." As Amelia went into what had already been decided, Frank would chime in with a thought here and there. This was why Amelia would regret losing Frank, his perspective was just slightly different and always made the end result better. After a few hours and a modification of the plan, Frank agreed to be the one who would metaphorically face the creature.
Before heading home that evening, Frank contacted Lucius and the pair planned to meet at the "new" school before visiting Hogwarts.
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Sophie and Minerva nervously waited for the two Regents at the main doors to the school. They would floo to Sophie's office at the castle and allow Frank a little time to get a feel for the sword. Neither witch knew Amelia asked Frank until now, but hoped the wizard hadn't been pressured into doing this. Both watched Neville over the course of his father's petrification and knew if Frank were to not return the family would be beyond broken.
"Minerva, I'm not sure about this. Wouldn't be better to just put some explosives in the chamber from the lake entrance and let that take care of it?" Minerva, who laughed at the image, just shook her head.
"No Sophie, I think the Ministry would prefer the castle to not be damaged but with this alternative, maybe destroying the old thing wouldn't be the worst idea. I suspect the sorting hat would agree. Oh, speaking of, I know the thing is going to be chatty today. The speed the children are sorted has bothered me for years and how the castle is set up, unless the children take the initiative, there is little chance for interactions with other students. Severus destroyed those separations so easily and the children took it all with barely batting an eyelash. The hat going to gloat, I know it and am not sure I can handle it." Both witches were now laughing and the tension in the air was slightly less when the men arrived.
Having had taught Frank, Minerva walked up and hugged the man. It may not have been appropriate but in this moment, Minerva couldn't have cared less. "Frank, I know I saw you after you returned home, but I am so glad to have you back." Frank, who was a touch embarrassed, returned the hug lightly and acknowledged Sophie. Lucius, who was never a man to be left out, decided to interject a bit of humor.
"Minerva, I've never been hugged like that as a student, parent or Regent, what's Frank got that I haven't?" Lucius may have swung his hair and smiled at his former professor.
"The list is too long Lucius, just too long. But since we are now here, maybe we should get to what we need to do?" The group arrived at Sophie's office and from there used the floo network to access Sophie's office in the old castle. As for the sorting hat, Minerva was right. The old piece of felt sang about the glories of children playing together, how his opinion hadn't mattered even though it was correct and just how nice it was to not have a sword jammed in its mouth. Minerva simply ignored the hat while the others chuckled.
The group cleared a large space in the office, allowing Frank to spend a couple of hours getting used to the weight and how it felt when he swung it. Lucius watched the cardigan wearing auror with a smile. He'd never seen it personally, but others had mentioned how the demeanor of Frank Longbottom changed depending on the situation. Lucius could see it now, while Frank wasn't as shy as Neville, the elder Longbottom seemed to come into himself at this moment. There was a distinct sense of strength and righteousness settled over Frank's being as he lifted the sword. Minerva watched the scene and came to a surprising conclusion, the only clue was a quiet murmur 'true Gryffindor' before focusing again on how well Frank handled the sword.
The Sorting Hat was on its shelf watching the man swing the sword and as time passed his movements were more contained, more controlled, stronger, accepting the connection between himself and the sword…the hat watched and saw the sword's sole previous owner with each swing and decided to give the true Gryffindor some pointers on how Godric used it.
It seemed poetic for him to see the sword once more swung by someone who had a connection. The old hat also knew its own time was coming to a close. One of the last things Rowena did before her own end, was to tell the hat about the day its job would be complete. Rowena stated when Godric's sword was passed to the one who was destined to command it, the sorting hat will have completed everything it was designed to do and fade away. It was for the best, nothing is intended to last forever.
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When Frank returned that evening he found his family in the sitting room enjoying Neville's last couple nights at home. Frank took the spot next to Alice and watched his family. After a short while, Frank noticed how the children seemed to move closer the longer they remained in the room. Alice must have noticed it as well when he heard her sigh in sadness. It was only then Frank came to a stark realization.
"I think there are some things we need to discuss as a family." Frank sat on the floor resting his head against Alice's legs and pulling his children next to him. "I had never realized how much my job affected everyone. Your mum and I were talking this morning before I went to the Ministry. We've decided my life as an auror is over, I'm leaving the DMLE. Starting today I'm taking a sabbatical." The children looked to their father with surprise and Neville's smile showed his comprehension at what his father wasn't saying.
"The majority of my time away will spent with all you. Neville, Mr. Malfoy has already set everything up with the headmistress and you'll floo home Fridays and spend a day or two before returning for the week. When I return to the Ministry later this fall, I'll need to do a final few things in the auror department and then I'll be in a new department with no field work. The schedule is simple, nine in the morning to five in the evening, Monday through Friday."
Aggie jumped up not knowing exactly what her daddy had said, but she knew its meaning. "You're not going to sleep for so long any more?" Frank shook his head and held his arms open for his daughter. The little witch jumped into his lap. Frank looked to Neville whose eyes had gone glassy.
"Nev?" The boy only pulled himself closer to his father and held him close. "I'm so sorry Neville. You shouldn't be the head of the family, I'm not ready to give you that title and I hope you don't want it just yet." Neville shook his head and burrowed a bit deeper into his father's robe. "Good, I will say, from what everyone has told me Neville, you represented the family extraordinarily well and I'm so proud of you. I will be proud of you and Aggie forever. Always remember that Neville."
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When Sunday morning dawned the children of Hogwarts were prepared to start their final term. The air of security at Kings Cross was something no one realized was missing until it returned. Parents hugged their children before sending them to their find their friends. The children returned their parent's hug and took off before turning and giving their families a final wave. They would return to this place in a couple of months and begin their summer holidays.
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The arrival at Hogwarts Station No. 2 was easier this time and the students quickly lined up to catch a coach. When the carriages arrived at the school the students were ushered into the hall while the elves ensured their trucks and familiars arrived safely to their respective dorms. The small group of second years who knew what was to come, selected a table closer to the professor's table and waited for the rest of their friends to arrive.
Hermione turned to look at the students and noticed instead of single colors at the smaller tables, they were filled with students from the same year with a mixture of ties. The witch hadn't expected the shift from relying on only housemates would so quickly change to relying on friends. When the last of the students entered the hall, Sophie moved to the front and waited until the final conversations faded into silence.
"Welcome back everyone. There aren't too many announcements this time. I want remind everyone the final weekend for this year's quidditch teams is scheduled for two weeks from yesterday. Saturday will pit Gryffindor against Ravenclaw while Sunday's match will be Slytherin against Hufflepuff. I wanted to mention, not that you probably need to be reminded, Sunday's match will decide which house claims the cup. Whichever house wins Sunday will have the cup in their house until next year. The best of luck to all the teams and I would love to see the entire school out for both games to send our seventh year players off in style."
The hall erupted into cheers and chants of the various houses before Sophie was able to regain their attention. "Two final things, I am incredibly pleased to welcome our own Transfiguration professor, Aurora Messerly, back into the fold." The hall was silent for only a moment until Aurora appeared between Minerva and Severus. The students began to cheer more loudly than they had for the quidditch teams. Having Aurora back would mean the waking potion was a success. It also gave some of the students the hope they would return to the castle next year.
When Sophie started to wave at the students they calmed and looked to the headmistress with an almost uncontrollable sense of anticipation. "As you can see the waking potion was a success and we have our own Professor Snape thank but before we do that, there is one final announcement. I would also like for you to welcome back another missing member of our family." With a flick of her hand everyone's attention turned to one of the tables in the middle of the room. Colin Creevy smiled nervously as the room erupted once again in cheers. As the students from the nearby tables welcomed the muggleborn back with handshakes, hugs and slaps to the back, the professors watched from the high table.
Aurora watched as Colin was welcomed back to the fold like a conquering hero, but she was still overwhelmed at the cheers she received. She hadn't been at the school incredibly long before she was petrified and the reaction she'd received was more than she'd expected. In fact, it was what one of the longer tenured professors would have received, but not for her. "They like and missed you Aurora, everyday I would get questions on how you were. You'll find Hogwarts students are quick to accept if the new person has the support of someone already trusted. The students knew you had my support and saw how you interacted with the rest of the staff."
Aurora sniffed a bit until a handkerchief was pressed into her hand. The man at her side smiled before adding his own thoughts. "I was the same way my first few years. I thought I would have to teach for decades before the students would respect me for my knowledge instead of just being scared. During my second year I came across a young Gryffindor crying behind one of the suits of armor. The boy had mistakenly used the wrong ingredients and not only did his cauldron explode, but as the potion landed in other cauldrons they exploded as well. He was so embarrassed and then his housemates began to berate him. I admit my reaction wasn't the best but I still feel good about it. The rest of the class got a week's detention of cauldron scrubbing for how they treated their housemate."
Minerva shook her head at the memory. "But the boy who caused it, he was given an additional assignment to explain what happened and why the ingredients reacted the way they did. This one act, seemingly behind the scenes quickly spread to the other students. In the end, the entire school knows Severus is a person who will stand up for those who need it." Minerva had actually been quite proud of Severus that day and ended up adding an additional week of detention to the students from her house herself. Aurora smiled and looked to Severus, who was now ignoring Minerva in favor of scowling at some of the students near the professor's table. Aurora waved to the table of second years who excitedly waved back.
"You're not giving those children detention Severus, they are only waving to me." Again Severus realized the truth in Lucius's words, His happiness really was wrapped up in the smiles of Aurora.
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The two weeks leading up to the final match weekend had gone by surprisingly quick. Before Hermione knew it, she was wrapping herself in her scarf and heaviest cloak before pulling a beanie on her head. She had studied one extra hour every other day and was exactly where she wanted to be in order to enjoy the next two days of games. Hermione looked at the bed next to hers and saw Daphne putting her gloves in the pockets of her cloak. "Ready Hermione?" At the witch's nod, the girls walked out and toward the common room. And found three young wizards waiting, Draco, Blaise and Neville were huddled discussing their thoughts on the day's tilt. Harry, Theo, and the other second years who were playing left for the pitch two hours earlier to get prepared. The rest of the Gryffindor second years must have already left for the stadium as well. There was a distinct lack of noise related to two Gryffindor particular wizards. Seamus, who would have left with the team, was generally just a loud kid and his best friend Dean had become deeply devoted to quidditch.
"Let's go, I don't want to sit at the top of the bleachers, it will take forever to get out once it's over." Draco grabbed Hermione's hand and the pair were followed by the remaining second years. The stands were almost completely full but the small group was lucky to find seats saved for them. Turning to Dean, Hermione thanked him before sliding into the seat next to where Draco would sit momentarily.
The match was a bit less exciting than either of the teams wanted but Dean still lost his voice screaming for the lions during the ninety minute game. Hermione still likened it to the football games she watched with her father, at least this game didn't have bonus time. She smiled at Draco who had spent the match focusing on the two pairs of beaters. Both teams beaters were second years and Marcus wanted to add a seeker's perspective to his schemes and so Draco spent the entire game watching and commenting on what they were doing. Pleased his the captain respected his thoughts this much, Draco wasn't going to miss a thing. While his focus was on the game, his hand remained entwined with Hermione's and every so often he'd squeeze her fingers. She'd giggle lightly and return the gesture.
As the game continued, Draco noticed the beaters only had a few moves and there were a limited number of combinations in what they could do. When the game had been going for thirty minutes, Draco split his focus between the beaters, in case they did something unexpected, and Hermione. The couple discussed a number of things including if Draco was nervous about the game tomorrow, he wasn't at the moment but maybe later. If Severus would do something when the student rumors of his relationship with Aurora reached his ears, probably not but none of the children in Malfoy Manor were going to mention anything for fear of detentions until the end of term. If either of their parents had mentioned anything about what was going on at the castle, no from both of them. When Harry caught the snitch, those in scarlet cheered loudly while the group in blue moaned. Once both teams were on the ground the whole stadium cheered for the two teams.
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Sunday morning was a bit warmer and the students were slightly less bundled than the day before, Hermione's hat and gloves were in here pocket. Similar to yesterday, Hermione and Daphne were met by the boys who weren't playing that day and as a group they made their way to the stadium. Also similar to Saturday they found Dean had saved a bunch of seats, this day with the help of Seamus. Again Hermione thanked her friend and sat in the same seat only this time Harry was next to her.
Draco was standing just behind the locker room and was able to see where his friends were seated. Hermione in the same seat as yesterday with Harry sitting on side and Theo on the other gave the blond wizard one less thing to worry about. As he began his warm ups, Draco's mind drifted into the special zone where quidditch was his only focus. Taking his last couple breaths of fresh air, Draco grabbed his broom and met his team as they exited the locker room.
Marcus looked to his young seeker and saw him focused, it was really all Marcus hoped to see. While the 'puffs had the school behind them, Marcus truly believed his snakes were the better team. It would be down to how the teams reacted when it counted. His team had one other second year in the line up besides Draco. The girl was quite the chaser and hopefully it might throw the 'puffs for a short while.
Marcus's plan had worked better than he thought. Not only were the badger beaters unsure about sending bludgers her way, their chasers didn't attack the quaffle with quite the same ferocity. While the 'puffs were staggering to find their footing, the Slytherin team was taking advantage and scoring as many point as possible. They wanted to give their seeker a cushion. He was a second year against an older wizard who'd been in these types of games before.
Draco was so focused on finding that little bit of gold he did't notice the crowd cheering the goals scored or when a bludger came quite close to his head. The only person to break into a portion of Draco's game was the opposing seeker. Not having seen Cedric make any move, Draco released a breath knowing they were still on equal ground. While goals continued to be scored, Draco slowly circled the pitch until something caught his eye. It wasn't gold but Hermione's bracelet. She was waving wildly at him and when she knew she had his attention, she subtly pointed straight up and to the right. Looking in that same direction Draco saw what she was trying to tell him.
Draco suddenly was ascending faster than he ever had. His focus never wavered from the little wings of the snitch as they began to flutter in preparation to escape only to calm once it felt the flesh of the wizard who caught it. Draco sat on his broom with the snitch in his hand and finally heard the cheers around him. Before he started his descent Cedric appeared beside him.
"Great catch Draco. I hadn't seen it until the moment you caught it. You guys deserve the cup, this team is stacked and looked almost professional compared to the rest of us." As Cedric began to turn he stopped and looked back. "I'm the captain next year, expect a tougher time if you want the cup again," With a cheery wave, the 'puff joined his team on the pitch.
"Malfoy, come on man, we are waiting for you!" With his team waiting, Draco joined his teammates for a celebratory fly around before landing and congratulating their opponents for putting up a good battle. The new chaser, one Pansy Parkinson, was celebrated with the rest of the team. Draco hadn't been totally sold on her addition but couldn't deny how well she flew. He had never seen it growing up, and wondered what else he didn't know about his other childhood friends.
That night at dinner, the Slytherin team was announced as the winner of the house cup and awarded five hundred house points as a result. While the dorms and tables were gone, the students still represented their houses and the battle for the house cup was almost as intense as the quidditch cup.
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After the final match, the students quickly fell into their daily routines with their thoughts slowly turning toward the exams signaling the start of summer. Hermione noticed how the fifth and seventh year students were more intent in their habits than the other years and was reminded why when Draco dropped in the seat next to her. "Harry'll be here soon. Needed to nap." Draco's eyes fluttered shut and his head hit the table with a thunk. Shaking her head, Hermione moved him into a more comfortable position with her cloak under his head and studied on her own for a bit before Harry showed up.
"You look slightly better than Draco but it was almost too close to call. Why are you both so tired?" Harry stretched a few times before sitting across from Hermione at the table she'd commandeered in a quiet corner of the library.
"OWLS, Severus set up some study sessions for his fifth year classes, we were invited to attend. It was intense. I think we held our own but we were at it until curfew and then again first thing this morning. After four more hours, they moved to the session on transfiguration and we left." Harry's head started to lean precariously to the side before he began to fall to the floor. Hermione transfigured on of Draco's quills into a pillow and got it under Harry's head before it hit the ground.
"That was quite impressive, 50 points to Gryffindor for saving your friend from a most certain concussion." Hermione smiled as Aurora sat in the seat most recently next to Harry. "I assume their naps are a result of the study session Severus mentioned last night?"
"Yes, they didn't mention them to me so I was unaware until Draco showed up and immediately fell asleep. Harry showed up just a few moments ago and didn't last much longer than Draco. I need to set them down and talk about being over zealous." Aurora let a laugh escape at Hermione's deadpan comment. "I take it Professor Snape has informed you on my tendency to go overboard?"
"Yes, but his intensions were pure. He liked the idea of having a second set of eyes on you." At Hermione's narrowing eyes, Aurora tried a different angle. "He is fairly confident Sophie is going to allow students to be advanced as the professors see fit. That means I'll be teaching you three next year with the incoming fourth years. He wanted me to really get to know you each before taking over from Minerva." This Hermione accepted as reasonable.
"I'm sure that wasn't the only reason, but I'll accept it. According to Draco I need as many trustworthy people looking out for me as I can get. I don't think it's quite that bad, but I am a bit naive on a lot of things in this world. I've come to rely on the Malfoys to help guide me." Aurora saw the girl Severus had described. She was incredibly intelligent but was one to accept a lot of things on face value.
"I'd given them another thirty minutes and if they don't seem wake, send them to bed and start again after lunch. Studying when this exhausted is pointless, good luck and I'll see you later." Hermione glanced at the clock and decided to check on them at eleven.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
A/N: I thought Severus (and you all) deserved a little insight into how the Severus/Aurora story unfolded. Since it wasn't important to the plot until now, it wasn't mentioned. ;).