Chapter 12

"Bloody Hell!" I shout in frustration as I read the results of Albus's latest lab report, throwing it down on to my desk angrily.

"No improvement?" Severus asks from his place on the cot, recovering from his latest treatment session.

"None whatsoever!" I growl. "I just don't understand! Every type of treatment I have tried has utterly failed! I wasn't expecting to hit upon a cure right away, but I expected some kind of impact!"

Severus sits up, despite the evil eye I cast his way to express my disapproval of this action, and makes sure he has my eye before responding. "Eleanor, remember who it was that cast the curse upon the ring. As much as I loathe the monster, I must admit he is indubitably an evil genius. He has done more research into the Dark Arts than anyone I have ever seen, and I would not be surprised if this curse was of his own design. You shouldn't be too hard on yourself for your lack of progress."

"I know," I, admittedly, whine, "but I've never been good with failure, and especially not when a life is on the line. I just wish I had some clue from these results. If any areas had improved, or even worsened, in response to any of the treatments, at least it would give me a hint as to what we are dealing with. As it is, the only thing I have to go on is your potion and the original symptoms. I figured since the effect of the curse is degenerative, similar to the Cruciatus, that it might function similarly, but the transfusion with the metamorphmagus cells didn't even make a dent. I've tried healing spell based treatments, nothing. Even the Phoenix tear based potion we tried didn't stop the damage. I'm running out of ideas," I admit miserably.

"Don't tell me you are giving up? That isn't the woman I know," he chastises lightly with his signature sardonic look.

"Of course not!" I fire back indignantly. "I've never given up on a patient and I don't intend to start now, especially given the cascading repercussions that Albus's recovery would have." I can't help but put additional pressure on myself this time, knowing that if Albus isn't cured he will be all the more willing to sacrifice himself for the cause, and Severus will most likely be the one wielding the metaphorical knife. I can't let that happen, no matter how many sleepless nights it takes to devise the proper treatment. Both of these men have given too much of themselves already; I can't let this curse rob them of their very lives. "I think I'm going to Floo call my Mum and tell her I can't make it for Christmas break this year."

"Are you certain? I know how important your family is to you," Severus asks, a hint of bitterness in his voice that I can tell he is trying to conceal. I know this stems from his own turbulent and abusive family life, and after the abuse my mum and I endured for the first decade of my life, I can hardly blame him.

"Yes. I know they are going to be disappointed, and I was really looking forward to spending time with them, but that's life when you are a Healer. It isn't the first time I have missed a holiday and I am certain it won't be the last," I admit sadly. "We have to focus on the big picture and prioritize things; if we don't find a cure for Albus it could cause us to lose this war, and then thousands of people could die. I think that is worth sacrificing one more Christmas with my family," I shrug, trying to downplay the anxiousness I feel about having such a pivotal development resting upon my shoulder.

"You know, this doesn't necessarily have to be all or nothing," Severus says after a pregnant moment of silence. "Perhaps you can't spend the entire two week break with your family, but I am certain you could take Christmas Eve through Boxing Day off from your research to spend the actual holidays with your family. After all, the last thing I need is your brother after my head, once again," he deadpans.

I can't help but chuckle at the thought of the most feared professor in Hogwarts, and a former Death Eater to boot, fearing the wrath of my 14 year old Hufflepuff brother. "Perish the thought," I smirk once I have controlled my laughter. "In that case, I guess I had better go along with your plan, then. The only problem is, if I go home for Christmas Eve through Boxing Day, I won't get to spend any of the actual holiday with you," I say a touch shyly.

"Trust me, you won't be missing much," Severus retorts factually. "I spend my holidays keeping the dunderheads that stay here in line, and working on potions. I do not actually celebrate the holiday in any capacity, short of being forced to attend Christmas dinner with the rest of the staff that remains onsite," he explains with a roll of his eyes and obvious exasperation. "Besides," he adds as he drops his voice, even though we are alone and under the protection of Silencing charms around the room, "with the Dark Lord having returned I need to be available at all times should he call."

Honestly, I suspected this would be the case, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't disheartened by it. As much as I loathe it, the holiday season just lends itself to being together with loved ones. I have always shied away from the "spirit of the holidays" but now that I finally have the man I have always dreamed of, I admit I had juvenile fantasies of cozy cuddling by the floo with a cup of hot chocolate on Christmas Eve, putting the star on the top of the tree together, and waking up in one another's arms on Christmas morning. As it stands, I couldn't bring my loved one home to my family even if he didn't need to stay at Hogwarts for his duties, since that would expose our relationship and endanger both of us, plus my family.

Still, I can't complain; compared to where Sev and I were at this time two years ago, I have gained so much. If anyone had told me back then that I would be in an actual (albeit secret) relationship with the man I have loved since I was a teenager, I would have thought they consumed too much eggnog. After all, it wasn't long ago around this time of year that Severus had a violent meltdown over our mistletoe induced kiss. Thankfully, Albus learned his lesson and has not hung any mistletoe this time, (figures, the one time I am LOOKING for an excuse to kiss Severus in public!) but that hasn't stopped him from giving Severus and me knowing looks with those damn twinkling eyes of his each time he sees us near a doorway together.

"Do you understand, El?" he asks me, breaking me out of my tangent of thought.

"Of course, Sev. I don't hold it against you; I know how vital it is to maintain your cover. You know I've never put much stock in Christmas anyway," I shrug insouciantly.

"I know, it is one of your many admirable qualities," he replies with a smirk as he smoothly slides to my side and wraps me in a tight embrace before taking the remainder of my breath away with a mind-blowing kiss.

"Well, if that's your way of making it up to me that is more than acceptable recompense," I haughtily answer back with a matching smirk.

"Oh that wasn't enough to make up for you putting up with dating Scrooge incarnate," he says lightly. "That was just a preview. I will truly make it up to you tonight," he purrs. "Unfortunately, right now we should focus on the curse before we get distracted any further."

"You're right…much to my frustration. Let's get to work."

"Ah, Eleanor! I was hoping to run into you!" Professor Slughorn calls out from down the hall just before I get into my office after my final class of the day.

"Horace, how are you," I reply politely, trying to cover my annoyance at his inopportune timing.

"Very well, my dear, very well. And you?" he jovially responds as he shuffles his way to my door.

"I'm fine, though I am rather busy. I have a potion steeping for a treatment that I really must attend to," I explain as I wordlessly unlock my door and begin pushing it open.

"Ah, of course. Genius such as yours never sleeps. You know, if I had any idea you would develop into such an accomplished marvel of medicine I would have invited you to participate in my Slug Club when you were a student."

"Thanks…I guess," I throw out, moving into my office and watching with dismay as he follows me. "I'm sorry, but I really must go now."

"This will take but a moment. I can come in and assist, if you would like. Potions are my specialty, after all," he suggests smugly.

Oh sweet Merlin, no thank you! Don't get me wrong, Slughorn is…fine, as far as potions masters go, but I damn well know that he can't outshine Severus' potions expertise, and he has been working hand in hand with me since I started looking for a cure for the curse affecting Albus. Plus it is obvious he is just trying to cozy up to me because I have "become someone" now and he thinks he can add me to his little collection. "No, thank you. I appreciate the offer, but Healer- Patient confidentiality demands I keep this to myself."

"That's unfortunate. I would have loved to assist you with your little project. Anyway, I came by to invite you to my Holiday Party. It's on the 20th at 7:00pm in my office. Everyone who is anyone will be there, naturally."

"That's…very kind of you, Horace. I'll check my schedule and let you know. Good evening," I manage as I, somewhat rudely I admit, close the door in his face. I know it isn't great manners, but the potion I am working on really is exceedingly delicate and if I don't get it off the heat in the next minute it will spoil and then two weeks worth of work will be down the proverbial toilet. Plus, I really don't want to go to that pompous party!

I get to the potion in the nick of time, taking it off the heat and giving it the requisite 20 clockwise stirs before adding the final ingredient; a suspension of Levodopa and Carbidopa, a muggle medicine combination commonly used to treat degenerative diseases that target the brain and nervous system. It is unusual to mix muggle pharmaceuticals with wizarding potions, but at this point I am ready to try the most out of the box ideas to devise a cure to the curse affecting Albus. The downside to this course of action is that muggle medicines take some time to build up enough in a person's system to be effective, so it will probably take about a month to discern if this treatment is working or not. That means that I probably won't know if I need to start over again at square one until Christmas break concludes. It isn't ideal, but all I can do is wait.

"You can't hide in here forever," Severus chastises as he Floos into my lab on December 20th. "Trust me, I know. I have tried to hide from this egregious affront to dignity in every nook and cranny this castle holds. Sooner or later, Albus will find you and force you out, just as he did to me."

"You don't know that for certain. Perhaps he will give me a pass since I am working so diligently on his cure," I retort, straightening up to portray more confidence in my assertion than I feel.

"Mm, and perhaps I shall retire from teaching and spying to become the Queen's foremost fashion advisor," he quips without hesitation. "But since both of those scenarios have approximately the same likelihood, you might as well save yourself some stress and change into your dress robes now."

I admit that I pout at Sev before petulantly putting my stirring rod down with slightly more force than is necessary. "Way to crush my dreams, Sev," I complain as I remove my lab coat, knowing when I have been defeated.

"That is what I do best," he smirks. "Just ask my students."

I glower at him but put a stasis spell on my potion anyway and begin cleaning up and securing all of my volatile ingredients.

"Not to be accused of being an optimist, but there is one silver lining to this despicable situation," Severus leads, knowing I will take the bait.

"And that would be?"

"We get to endure the social torture together."

"Hmm, that is true. You know what they say, 'misery loves company' so it looks like tonight we will be miserable with each other."

"Eleanor, if you continue with this effusive praise I may just blush," he deadpans. "Now stop stalling and move that beautiful arse into your quarters to get ready. I refuse to endure Slughorn's brown-nosing by myself, not to mention the assault of all the little brats in attendance at his party."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm going," I say flippantly as I make my way to my room to change. As little desire as I have to attend Slughorn's Christmas Party, I know it is part of my duties as a Professor. Some fortunate bastards get to just do their usual patrols, but a few lucky souls get to play babysitter at the soiree, and Albus informed me that Horace requested me personally to be one of those people. Oh joy! Ugh, I didn't even enjoy parties when I was a teenager, what makes anyone think I want to attend one now that I am an adult? Especially considering the importance of the research I am doing now, not that I can tell Sluggy about that, why do I have to waste my time hobnobbing with people I couldn't care less about?

"El, I am going to head down so that it does not look suspicious, us arriving together," Severus says through the door to my quarters. It is cute how he stayed out in the lab instead of following me in here. After all, it isn't like I've got anything he hasn't already seen…and touched…and tasted. Oh Merlin, now I've gotten myself all hot and bothered thinking about it! Damn it, El, stop that. There is no time! I suspect that is precisely why he didn't join me in my rooms as I changed; if he had, we most likely would have been exceedingly late to the party!

"Ok, I'll be there soon, I promise!" I shout in reply.

"You had better be," he warns in that dark, stern tone that make me melt every time. Damn that sexy man!

With a shake to clear my head of my lascivious thoughts I summon an emerald green dress robe from my closet (one of the three in total that I own), toss it on, and then do a few quick spells to do my hair and put on a tiny bit of makeup. The finishing touch is the silver and emerald necklace that my mother handed down to me. It belonged to her father's mother and I remember her telling me how furious my grandmother was that my grandfather gave it to my mum instead of her. Serves her right, the prejudiced old bitch! Plus, it complements the sweetheart neckline and color of the robes quite nicely. I don't usually get dressed up, but it is a formal party, and even if we can't show it publicly, I do like the idea of giving Severus something to look at throughout the night. With a final glance in the mirror I stow my wand and emergency potions in the hidden pockets I had built into the robes (hey, you never know what could happen and it is always better to be prepared) and I am reluctantly on my way.

The door swings open before I even get within a foot of it and I am immediately (and enthusiastically) greeted by Horace. He pulls me into his office and starts parading me around like a prized show dog, introducing me to everyone in earshot. I try not to blush as he says I am "the best curse specialist in all of wizarding medicine" (I never did learn how to take a compliment) and I try not to scowl too obviously when he follows that up with a line about he "taught me everything I know" about potions (because apparently the 4 years of Advanced Potions and 2 years of Medical and Experimental Potions I took while getting my Mastery in Healing don't count). Just as I fear I am about to lose my composure, my savior arrives in the form of a 16 year old near-sighted boy. I would be lying if I didn't admit that I feel bad for Harry, and a bit guilty using him as a sacrificial lamb to sneak away to my freedom from Horace's spotlight, but if I stay and lose my cool it won't end well for anyone. I soothe my guilt by promising to create a diversion in five minutes if the poor boy hasn't found his own way of escaping by then. Seeing that Harry has brought Luna as his date, though, gives me hope that my intervention will not be necessary. Ms. Lovegood is an intensely innovative, curious and bright girl who has little knowledge of, or perhaps little care for, social standards and niceties, so I can imagine she will find a way to extradite Harry one way or another.

"Tossed aside for our local celebrity hero?" Severus purrs into my ear from behind me, taking advantage of my distraction and his well-honed stealth to catch me unawares.

"Tragically, yes," I respond with an overexaggerated sigh of despondence. "To think, for a moment I almost believed I was special." I manage to hold onto my poor acting for a moment, but soon can't help but to break into a smirk. "I feel bad leaving Harry to the lions, but honestly if I had to listen to Horace gush one more time about how his 'excellent guidance led me to my current greatness,' I may have exploded.

"Psh, that man couldn't lead a niffler to a galleon, let alone take credit for leading you to your current station," he sneers, making me want to kiss the disgusted look off of his face. With that thought, I realize how close I am standing to him, so I clear my throat and take a step back to a more platonic distance. He takes a hasty look around to make sure no one is paying us any heed, then leans in slightly to whisper to me.

"You look exquisite in those robes. You are going to get it tonight for teasing me like this when you know I can't ravish you here," he purrs.

I look up at him coyly and take a sip of the pomegranate punch that Horace gave me when he shuffled me inside, making sure to lick my lip slowly afterwards to catch a stray drop. He growls at me just as Melinda Bobbins walks by, scaring the poor girl into squealing and hurrying away. I can't help but laugh at that, nearly spitting my drink out and definitely obliterating any sensual mystique I had just built up.

"On that note, I should probably do my duty and go intimidate more small children," Severus reluctantly points out.

"True. Go scare the kiddies, I'll catch up with you later, Professor," I insinuate. I watch him walk away for a moment, then start to circulate to actually do what I am there to do, chaperone. I notice Sybill seems to have started the party early as she is already on the wrong side of tipsy, and I make a mental note to make sure she gets back to her rooms safely tonight. Other than that, the only issues I need to address are an over-amorous young man who seems to be stalking Ms. Granger, and an older Ravenclaw student trying to spike the punch with Merlin only knows what.

The party is winding down a bit when there is a commotion near the entrance. I move in to investigate and see that Argus has an annoyed and affronted looking Draco Malfoy by the arm.

"Unhand me you cretin," the blond spits venomously as he pulls out of his grasp.

"What's this all about, Argus?" Horace asks, his cheeks rosy from his "secret" supply of brandy.

"Found this one tryin' to sneak in, Professor," Filch explains with pride.

"I was not, you lying little-"

"Now now, my dear boy, its quite alright," Horace breaks in magnanimously. "You can stay if it means that much to you."

Draco looks like he is going to explode at this point, so I am relived when Severus makes his way over to the boy. "A word, Draco," he asks as he gestures to the hall, even though it is clear that it isn't a question.

Draco looks like he is about to argue but Severus gives him the Glare of Messy Death and the boy resentfully follows the Potions Master out of the party. I am sorely tempted to follow, but I know I need to stay in the party to supervise the students, and I also realize Draco would not appreciate my presence seeing as he barely knows me. Still, I can't shake this awful feeling of foreboding that Draco's presence at the party has something to do with his task to kill Albus. If only I knew how the two tied together!

A few minutes pass before Severus returns to the party, clearly aggravated by his conversation with young Malfoy. He looks at me decisively and I know that whatever extracurricular activities we had planned for the evening have been derailed. Whatever happened in the hall, it did not go the way Severus wanted it to, and I can only imagine what transpired. There's nothing to be done about it now, though, so I will just have to wait until after the party to sate my curiosity.

Thankfully since most of the party attendees are students under the legal age of 17, the party wraps around 9:30. I escort Sybill up to her quarters, trying to pretend that I understand what she is saying (something about Centaurs, dirigible plums, and the Hog's Head), and leaving a Sober-Up potion on her nightstand. With that complete, I make my way back to my quarters, erect my wards, then immediately floo to Severus's rooms. As suspected, he is angrily pacing with his fists tightly clenched at his sides.

"What happened with Draco?" I ask without preamble, knowing he will need to vent whatever is on his chest before we can move on with our night. Truth be told, I am glad this is the case. For so long Severus has had nobody that he can talk to about all the things he goes through and all the challenges he faces. He has had to be an island, alone in the middle of a storm for so long, keeping everything bottled inside until he explodes. Its really no wonder he has been known for his short temper with the students. It has taken quite a lot of time and patience for him to get to the point where he feels secure enough to confide in me, so I appreciate it all the more each time he does so.

"That pompous little twit!" he seethes. "Here I am laying my life on the line for him, risking everything I have sacrificed and worked for over the past twenty years, in order to protect him, and is he grateful? No! He has the audacity to accuse me of 'trying to steal his glory!' Do you believe that? Pft, glory! That just shows how little Draco actually knows about the Dark Lord. There is no glory, no accolades, no rewards, not with that twisted psychopath. The only "reward" a Death Eater ever gets is a slight break from being tortured, if he is lucky! And if Draco actually does manage to pull off his glorious task, the entire Wizarding world will vilify him and make him public enemy number 1! All Draco can see is the Dark Lord's victory; he thinks he will win and then he will be exalted. He doesn't understand that this is a fight he cannot win. No dictator remains in power forever, and the rest of the world will not stop fighting the Dark Lord, even if he does gain power. Besides, if the Dark Lord achieves his aim and rules over the Wizarding community, we will all just be his peons. All we are to him is disposable pawns to step on and sacrifice at will. I wish that bloody fool boy would open his eyes and see that! You'd think the fact that his precious Dark Lord is letting his father rot in Azkaban would be proof enough, but apparently youthful idiocy knows no bounds. A fact I know all too well…"

"Severus, I know you are frustrated with Draco's attitude, and with the situation in general, but whether Draco knows it or not, whether he appreciates it or not, you are doing everything in your power to help him, and to stop him from getting into the same situation you did at his age."

"That's just it, though! I have failed! He is already marked and enslaved to that soulless monster! He has been brainwashed into believing his lies and I am too late to save him. Even if his soul does not get tarnished by murdering Albus, the Dark lord will make him do any number of equally horrible things, forever condemning him to the same fate as mine," Severus laments, giving up his pacing and sitting solidly upon the couch.

"You haven't failed. Just because Draco has been marked doesn't mean he is doomed. You saw the error of your ways, Severus, there is nothing that says he can't too. And I know what you are going to say, but if we can defeat Snake Face before he has a chance to drag Draco in too deep then we can still save his soul and prevent him from having this one poor decision haunt his as it has haunted you. We can do it, Sev. We have Albus, and the Order, and each other. Plus, I know you aren't a fan of Harry's, but you have to admit that kid has self-sacrificing hero complex in his blood. He won't stop until the threat to his friends is gone, no matter what it takes. Its like you said, people will never stop opposing the Dark Lord, and people like you and I, we aren't quitters. You didn't have anyone in your corner when you mistakenly turned to the Death Eaters, but Draco does. He has you, and even if his teenage pride won't let him admit it right now, he knows you have his back. Now, instead of lamenting teenagers and their attitudes, how about we change out of these stuffy dress robes, throw on some comfy pjs, and settle in for the third part of Hitchhiker's Guide on the wireless?"

"That sounds like an excellent plan; with one minor addition. Between the shedding of your sexy dress robe and you putting on your comfy pajamas, I am going to pound you through that mattress. What do you say?"

"I think that is a capital addition to the plan," I smile, happy to see his run in with Draco has not ruined Severus's mood for the evening.