Holly was impatient, but she was determined to wait as Dumbledore had requested of her that night at Shell Cottage. All the following week, she had attended class. In the evenings, she went to Severus's office for her mock-detentions. What she spent most the time doing down there was homework. Occasionally, Severus requested she make simple potions for the Hospital Wing. Burn Paste. Pepper Up. Wide Eye. Skin Renewal. All of which he meticulously checked before sending to Madam Pomfrey.

The truth was, Holly was irritable and hurt because Dumbledore was ignoring her. At first, she had assumed she was being overly emotional as Severus always claimed. Holly had asked Professor McGonagall to pass on the message that she wished to see the Headmaster one afternoon after Transfiguration class. And she had been informed that the Headmaster was rather busy and unable to see her unless the news was urgent, in which case Professor McGonagall would give him whatever information was needed. Holly had gritted her teeth, but politely ended the conversation with the Deputy Headmistress and her Head of House rather quickly.

Two days went by before Holly had approached Severus about wanting to speak with the Headmaster. She had made sure to complete all her homework during that night's detention. She had made sure to wait until Severus had stood from his desk, completely finished with his own paperwork, before she asked if he would escort her to Dumbledore. Severus had looked at her with a peculiar expression and whispered, "He is indisposed right now. Is this about the Dark Lord?"

"No." Holly bit out, slamming her books into her bag. She tore her glaring eyes away from Severus and muttered, "No. Kind of."

"Is there detrimental information you must give to him, Holly?"

"No." She sighed, tiredly. Holly shook her head, "No."

"He is steadily being treated for his Cursed injury as well as dealing with Order business. The issues are pressing, as you well know, and his Headmaster duties are being handled by the Deputy Headmistress now more than ever. I trust you will stay silent about this information I have given you, yes?"

Holly had swallowed heavily and whispered, "Yes."

Although she had attempted to visit Dumbledore's office days before, he had not been inside. Again, Holly found herself standing outside his office the next evening during dinner. Holly had found out, rather irritatingly, that the password to the Headmaster's office had been changed once again. She trekked halfway to the Great Hall, with the intention of at least pretending to eat beside her friends, when she abruptly stopped walking. And turned the other way. With a quick, heavy stride Holly made her way outside.

The night was cool, although not freezing. Still, icy fingers caressed the bare skin of her arms. Holly made her way through the sloping hills of Hogwarts' grounds. She stayed within the shadows and nimbly made her way to the Quidditch Pitch. Since her Firebolt was in the dormitory, Holly grabbed an old Shooting Star from the broom cupboard and made slow, lazy laps around the pitch.

The night sky was dark, incredibly dark, on this side of the grounds. The stands rose in an oval shape all around her, seemingly like shadowy monsters. Holly felt some of the restlessness ebbing away as she flew. The old broom was rickety and randomly pitched downward as if it would fall out of the sky. Holly was never one to fear falling, but stayed much lower to the ground than she usually would. The last thing she wanted was to be found with broken limbs upon the morning and have to deal with an irate Severus or McGonagall.

As the early evening grew later, Holly's bare fingers grew numb. Her body had begun to tremble slightly with the cold, yet she remained on the old broom. The dread she had been feeling was there to welcome her like a heavy cloak as she leaned her body forward and began to head for the ground. A flicker of light caught her eye.

She could smell burning wood and just barely see a dim orange glow nearby Hagrid's hut. No doubt he was sitting around a fire, enjoying the night, and likely drinking from a tankard of whiskey. For a moment, Holly felt extreme longing. She missed Hagrid's rumbling voice and booming, jolly laugh. She missed his bone-crushing hugs and his tooth-breaking rock cakes. She decided, right then and there, that she would visit Hagrid.

After disposing of the Shooting Star, Holly made her way to Hagrid's hut. He lived at the edge of the forest, which meant a long walk, but Holly didn't mind. She knew that Ron and Hermione were likely wondering where she was. They would assume she was with Severus, as she had told them rather angrily about her enforced babysitting-detentions. She had not yet told Sirius that she was spending time in Severus Snape's office. Every single evening. Alone. Guilt rose up and nearly choked her, but Holly pushed it away.

There was nothing she could do if Dumbledore insisted Severus watch her every move. Holly chewed on her lip as she walked, kicking over rough stones as she drew closer to the hut. She knew, truthfully, she liked solitude with Severus. As much as he angered and confused her, Holly knew there was relief in ending her night with the smell of him in her nose and the sight of him at his desk, gracefully writing on parchment. With a sigh, Holly cast a Patronus.

She stared at the shimmering stag that stood before her. Holly whispered, "I'm fine. I haven't left the grounds. Just want some time to myself."

She watched, hands stuffed in the pockets of her trousers, as the ethereal form disappeared into the night as if it had been swallowed up. The woodsy smell grew stronger as Holly trudged on. She could hear the deep baritone of Hagrid's voice as he talked to his bloodhound, Fang.

Holly smiled as she came upon them. Hagrid was wearing his usual moleskin coat with a long, woolen brown shirt underneath. In one massive hand was a large wooden tankard, which he slurped from quite loudly. He was sitting on a stump the size of a small car and beside him, curled up at his equally large feet, was a grey dog. Fang had a droopy face and a pitiful whimper, but now his big tail was thumping and he was occasionally letting out howls as Hagrid sang an old song terribly off-key.

Fang noticed her, nose twitching and tail thumping rapidly. He yipped in excitement and stood up, bounding across the yard to her. Holly laughed, bending down and taking a series of drool-worthy kisses. She was grimacing and wiping drool across her robes when Hagrid turned big eyes her way.

"Oh!" He boomed, "Holly! Wha' 'er you doin' 'ere?"

"Hey, Hagrid." She replied breathlessly as she stripped her cloak off and began wiping at the foam and drool on her arms.

"Fang!" Hagrid called out, "Down. Down, boy! That's a good boy."

Holly walked toward her friend, offering a smile now that most the drool was on the cloak and not her skin. She tossed the cloak to the ground and sat on the side of the stump. Hagrid beamed at her, quickly trying to hide the tankard from her sight.

Holly laughed, "Hagrid, you can drink in front of me. I'm not eleven anymore. I think I know Firewhiskey when I see it."

The giant male blushed bright red across his hairy cheeks. He stuttered, "Y-Yeah. Makes sense, 'suppose. Seventeen an' all. Wha' you doin' out 'ere so late?"

She sighed and looked at the fire, which was crackling merrily just a stone's throw away from them. Holly said, "Dunno. I was bored and wanted time to myself."

"Ah," Hagrid nodded, "Foggy head. Happens in times like 'ese, Holly. I get like that me'self. Ain't nothin' better than the sky and fresh air for it."

She took a deep breath and replied, "You might be right, Hagrid."

"Classes goin' well?" He asked, taking a large slurp from his tankard.

Holly shrugged, "Well enough. Maybe."

Hagrid shook his head and chuckled, "You sure are smart, Holly, but ye act like you ain't. Man like Dumbledore, he knows talent, I reckon, an' you are that. Talented an' smart, you are."

There was a pause. Holly smiled sadly and whispered, "Thanks."

Hagrid clapped his hands together, startling Holly, who jumped and looked at him with wide eyes and an amused smile. He asked, "You hungry?"

Her stomach growled and she nodded. "Sure."

"C'mon inside. It's cold out, ain't it? I have a real treat for ya. Made a new batch a' chocolate muffins."

Holly was inside, munching on a thick and slightly undercooked muffin twenty minutes later when there was a brisk knock on the hut's door. Hagrid, who had been sitting across from her at the rickety table, set his tankard down with a mighty thump and mumbled, "Who could that be at this time a' the night?"

Holly took a hasty sip of tea and shuddered as the sour drink went down. She was unsure what Hagrid had put in the tea, but though it best that she not find out. Hagrid went to the door, opening it cautiously. There was a beat of silence and then Hagrid's tense body relaxed. He brightly said, "Professor! Didn't expect you. Come in, come in. What can I do for ya?"

Holly felt her stomach sink as a tall wizard clad in black stepped into the small hut. He sent a sharp, assessing glance in her direction before turning back to Hagrid. He firmly said, "I have come to collect Miss Potter."

"Ah, right." Hagrid turned to her with a sheepish grin and a shrug. "I told ya, Holly. Hope she ain't in too much trouble, sir?"

Severus raised a single dark brow and dryly stated, "As difficult as it may be for you to believe, Hagrid, the girl is known for causing mayhem. So much so that she has to be watched on a near constant basis, though I can assure you as much as I detest tracking her down, Miss Potter has been in far deeper trouble than she finds herself in tonight."

Hagrid was frowning. He said nothing, but eyed Holly once more with a sheepish expression. She stood up and slowly made for the door. She stopped long enough to give Hagrid a one-armed hug and said, "It's okay. I'll see you, Hagrid."

And then she followed Severus out the door. He walked just a step ahead of her, but remained silent. They trekked up and over grassy slopes. Holly finally huffed, "I was fine where I was."

"You were near the forest." He snapped back immediately, "That hardly counts as safe. You know there are dangerous creatures as well as a boundary line for Apparation within there. Hence the name, Forbidden Forest."

"Wasn't much danger sitting in Hagrid's hut." She mumbled and pulled a trembling hand through her unruly hair. His voice was as cool as the night air when he replied, "You wish for an argument and I will not give one to you. Each time I find myself thinking you have begun to outgrown such immaturity, you prove me wrong."

"Oh, give it a rest." She snapped, feet halting and fists going to her hips. Her chin jutted out as she glared at him. "I'm suffocating in that damned castle. I'm trying to wait until Dumbledore can speak to me about the Cup. I'm trying to deal with Ron and Hermione dancing around one another, giving each other googly eyes. Ron is scared she doesn't want him and she is scared she will lose him like she has her parents. I don't know how to help either of them. I keep putting them in danger."

She felt her eyes burn as she whirled away from and began to pace. She ranted, "I'm tired of Zacharias Smith and his pushing. Tired of him staring at me. All I have to distract me from it all is homework, which I've managed to finally catch up on, so now I'm just thinking. All the time I'm thinking. I hate it. I hate this war and I hate that Dumbledore is hurt. I hate that George was hurt. I hate that my best friends were hurt and it was my fault we were caught by those Death Eaters. I want to talk to someone, but everyone is so upset as it is. I can't even speak to Sirius because I made a promise and I've broken it. I'm nothing more than an idiotic liar just as you've told me time and again. I'm pathetic."

There was a long pause as Holly's chest heaved. Her breath puffed out in white clouds. She was blinking rapidly, once more facing the expressionless face of the tall, pale form of Severus. He quietly asked, "Are you finished ranting or would you prefer to carry on?"

Holly snorted, but said nothing. Severus asked, "What is this nonsense about Zacharias Smith?"

She groaned and blushed. "Nothing. Nothing. I'm just…overly emotional. As usual. I just need sleep. I'll head to my dormitory."

She began walking briskly, but Severus kept stride easily. He looked ahead as he said, "You will answer my question."

"What question?" She muttered, walking on.

Severus hissed, "Do not play dumb. It insults both of our intelligence."

"You insult my intelligence weekly." She snapped back, shouldering open the doors to the main entrance of the school. It was dark and cold inside, except for the few torches flickering with orange flame. He followed her from the ground floor up. It wasn't until they were on the fifth floor, waiting for a staircase to move, that she sighed.

"I'm going to my dorm. You don't have to follow me. I know the way."

"I find that statement questionable seeing as how you seem to conveniently get lost within these very walls on a regular basis." Severus coolly replied.

"What's the big deal? What do you want, huh?" Holly asked hotly.

"I want an answer to my original question." He sneered, "What has happened with the one named Zacharias Smith?"

Holly mumbled, "I told you it was nothing."
"It did not sound like nothing. In fact, you were dramatically declaring the situation as far more than nothing."

"Why do you care?" She grumbled and paused. Her heart skipped a beat and she told herself not to, but the whispered word left her mouth anyway. "Jealous?"

Impossibly dark eyes met her stare. One eyebrow twitched slightly, but otherwise his face remained blank. She saw him swallow before he quietly said, "What you suggest is absurd. The question was asked entirely because your welfare is a direct reflection of my duty."

She flinched, shoulders hitching to her ears for a split moment in time. She croaked, "Severus…I…I didn't mean that."

"Perhaps not." He replied crisply, "But the words I spoke were truthful. Return to your dormitory immediately. Do not exit your bed until morning."

"No, Severus." Holly sighed, turning as he began walking away. She wanted to say more, but had no idea what she could say. She watched him round the corner and melt into the shadows. For a long time, Holly stood in the empty corridor and shivered.