Blood Moon

by fauxontherun

She never allowed herself to believe in second chances - monsters don't deserve them. After years in seclusion, a wizard from her past offers her the chance of a lifetime. When faced with death, heartbreak, and a prophecy unfulfilled, will she have what it takes to go on... or will she succumb to the Dark Lord's demands? (Slow-burn SeverusxOC / begins in 1993 with the end of CoS)

10. X

A/N: Happy New Year!

---

DECEMBER 1993

"Tea?" Georgeanna asked, stifling a yawn behind her hand.

Her eyes followed along as Severus moved silently about the laboratory and brushed his fingers over a row of bottles before curling them around the jar of minced dragon liver. He selected another vial containing thick, yellow-green Bubotuper puss. Returning to the workbench, he delved his hand into a basket of freshly picked herbs and retrieved three sprigs of Dittany. His fingers moved deftly along the stems as he plucked each leaf and formed a pile on the cutting board. With a wave of his wand, a knife rose into the air and began to slice the leaves into identical slivers. A flick of the wrist and the lids unsecured themselves from the jars. He poured the Bubotuber puss into a glass beaker and repeated the action with the minced liver. A seemingly casual wave of his hand sealed the jars and sent them returning to their home on the shelves, neatly setting themselves down with the labels facing out.

Georgeanna marveled at how flawlessly he worked. Each movement was calculated and precise; not a single action was completed that didn't have an exact purpose. His elegant brewing skills were so distracting that she nearly allowed her cup to overflow with milk, the dark liquid now a pale eggshell color. She stared ruefully at her ruined cup of tea and sighed before taking a tentative sip of the steaming liquid. It burned her top lip and her hand twitched in response, spilling the tea down her chin and onto the front of her sweater. "Oh, damn," she huffed. She set down her cup with a clatter and dabbed at the fabric with her fingers.

"Most people prefer to drink their tea," Severus's eyes flicked over to where she was seated at the opposite end of the bench, "not wear it."

She frowned at him. "Obviously that was my intention."

"To spill on yourself?"

"To drink it." She couldn't stop her eyes from rolling. She reached for the hem of her sweater and pulled it up over her head, revealing the white t-shirt beneath. Using her wand, Georgeanna traced over the stain and muttered a cleansing charm.

Severus came to a halt, his hands hovering in the air as he watched Georgeanna's brazen action. There was a visible inch of flesh above her trousers that was quickly hidden beneath her shirt when she lowered her arms. His eyes were drawn to the creamy skin of her forearms and traced upwards to her biceps, his gaze tracing the lines of scar tissue that curled up toward her shoulder and disappeared beneath her sleeve. There were several small scars around her wrists that were nearly faded completely. Georgeanna finished cleaning her sweater and held it out before her, a satisfied smirk gracing her full lips. Severus found himself wondering if he'd ever noticed the small dimple in her cheek when she smiled that way.

Sensing that she was being watched, Georgeanna shifted her eyes and caught Severus's stare. Neither of the two said anything in the moment that passed before she hastily pulled the sweater back over her head and fought to push her arms through the sleeves. Severus returned to his brewing and she looked to the stone floor as she smoothed her frizz and tucked her tresses behind her ears, suddenly finding the grout entirely captivating.

She sipped her tea again, finding it a bit cooler and much too sweet for her liking. "So, what will you be working on this afternoon?"

"You're looking at it," he muttered, his tone aloof. "The hospital stores need replenishing. If I intend to complete the inventory requirements before the holiday break, it's best to start now."

Georgeanna nodded, studying the ingredients spread out on the bench. "You're making Healing Potion?"

"Yes."

She noted the lavender and crocodile hearts. "And Calming Draught?"

"Yes."

"I assume you'll be brewing more Pepper-up potion as well."

He didn't answer but she could hear the drawn-out 'yes' in her head. Shuffling in her seat, she fought against the question dancing on her tongue but won against her self-control. "So, will you be going home for the holiday?"

Severus eyed her warily. "No."

"I see." She sipped her tea again, looking away from him and up to the large jar of Ukrainian Death Leeches on the topmost shelf. They lay dormant, gray, and unassuming. Severus hadn't mentioned his research to her again since the night one of the leeches bit her and she was curious as to how it was developing. "Have you made any new progress with the Armenian Flesh Eaters?" Georgeanna innocently batted her eyes at Severus's responding glare. Her lip twitched and she pursed her lips, battling the smile that desperately tugged at the corners of her mouth. She'd come to find it a small pleasure in coaxing a reaction out of the perpetually stoic man.

He ignored her while he tended to the Healing Potion and made her sit in silence while he stirred the solution and lowered the flame. She noticed that he was moving decidedly slower as she watched, whether it was for her benefit to follow along or simply to annoy her as it further delayed his response. "Not particularly," he began, waving a hand over the tabletop and clearing a space among the remaining ingredients. "The leeches are fickle creatures. It's proving difficult to elicit a relevant response from them without the sacrifice of a living creature." Severus slid a stool from beneath the bench and lowered himself onto it. Summoning a roll of parchment and quill set, he began making adjustments to the hospital inventory list.

"They reacted to me."

"Indeed, they did." He said nothing more, simply scratching away at the parchment and reordering his to-do list. The silence between them grew, only to be interrupted by the crackling flames and simmering potion, and Georgeanna wanted desperately to break it. She tapped her wand against the tea kettle sat on the tray before her and it began to steam once more. Busying herself by pouring a fresh tea into a second cup, she didn't notice Severus flick his eyes up to watch the graceful way her wrist bent as she tilted the kettle over her own nearly empty cup. She set the kettle down and didn't bother to add any additional milk to her tea. Debating on adding a cube of sugar to the second teacup, she shook her head and left it black. A swish of her hand sent the second cup and saucer floating gently toward Severus's end of the bench. It landed just in front of his parchment, not a drop spilled as the china rattled quietly.

With bated breath, Georgeanna watched as Severus eyed the teacup, the quill in his right hand continuing to move steadily across the page. He hadn't answered her initial inquiry as to whether he'd wanted a cup but she was anxious to see if he would accept it. The first time she'd found the courage to ask him to join her, he had scoffed at her and mocked that if she wanted to have a tea party, she'd better go find Lupin. The second time, he'd merely ignored the cup until it had grown cold and bitter. The third, Severus had picked up the cup, much to Georgeanna's elation, only to wordlessly vanish it with a sly grin.

This time, however, she noticed a slight twitch in the fingers on his left hand. She turned away, her back facing him as she feigned disinterest, and raised her cup to her lips. Drinking slowly, she felt the warmth from the tea as it traveled down her throat and filled her with heat. She closed her eyes and breathed in the herbal brew. Hints of mint and jasmine filled her nose, the flavor lingering on her tongue as she swallowed another mouthful. She sighed contentedly.

Her eyes wandered over the shelves on the back wall, glancing over the labels and the various contents housed there. There was so much to learn about the realm of potion-making. She'd decided that she'd progressed enough with Charms and Transfiguration to satisfy her lust for knowledge in a way that made her daily life that much easier and wanted to focus more of her attention on Herbology and Potions. Care of Magical Creatures had been one of her favorite classes to attend but that was before Hagrid had been beaten into submission by the Ministry of Magic and the Malfoy family.

Now that the weather had become frightfully cold and the students would be departing on the Christmas holiday, Pomona had agreed with gusto to having Georgeanna as an extra set of hands in the greenhouses. She'd decided that her only remaining task was finding a way to convince Severus to teach her how to brew potions on her own. He'd previously agreed to teach her potions but she'd done no more in the last week than gather and prepare ingredients. He hadn't yet allowed her to even stand before a cauldron. Lulling him into conversation with tea did not seem to be the trick to reaching her goal.

An idea presented itself to her as she turned back around on her stool. "Severus," she lilted, placing her teacup down and folding both of her hands together on the tabletop. "Since you've such a long list of potions to brew, perhaps… I could help?"

He studied her posture as she feigned innocence - hands on the table, shoulders straight, head tilted slightly to the left. He knew immediately that she was up to something. "I do not require any assistance."

"I know you don't need the help, but it would be a good opportunity for me to learn some brewing techniques without you having to set aside any extra time. You know, em, without having to go out of your way to teach me…" Her lungs ached for air, having rushed the entirety of her argument in a single breath. Heat flushed the back of her neck and she struggled to refrain from squirming beneath his impassive glare. She folded her hands more tightly together.

He looked away to complete his notes. Vanishing the quill and ink with a flick of his fingers, he tapped the parchment with his wand and shrunk it down to a third of its size. He took the time to roll it tightly before settling it within his jacket pocket. His eyes finally rose to meet hers and she gulped.

"I'll do my very best to keep up. I've been watching you work for the past few weeks and I think I've managed to understand the basics. I promise not to get in the way-"

"I'll allow it."

Georgeanna nearly bit her tongue as she halted in her hastily thought out argument. She had several reasons up her sleeve as to why she would make a diligent student, but it seemed as if she didn't need to make them now. "Really? You will?" Excitement bubble in her chest.

Severus sighed heavily. "I'm surprised you've managed to sit and work quietly for the past week. I hadn't thought you'd last a day." Her brow twitched at the insult and she opened her mouth to respond, only to be silenced as Severus tapped his fingernail on the brim of his teacup. "And for future reference," he said curtly, sliding the offensive item away, "I do not drink mint tea."

She looked at him incredulously. "Is that it? You could've just said so the first time I offered!" Georgeanna could not believe such a man could be so petty. But then again…

"You could have inquired yourself." He stood then and returned to his cauldron. "You've so obviously been waiting for the opportune moment to lure me into a false sense of pleasantness, only so that I would indulge in your request. Yet, not even once had you the thought to ask which flavor I enjoy before forcing that swill on me."

Georgeanna scoffed. "It is not swill… it's lovely. This is one of my favorites, actually."

"It smells like soap."

Her jaw dropped and she snapped it shut. "That's quite rude." Her lips pouted when she saw the satisfied look on his face. "Tell me, then, which tea is your favorite?"

Severus brought the flames back to life and stirred several times counter-clockwise. The potion began to boil immediately. He completed the recipe with two drops of fluxweed oil and a simple incantation. With his wand he extinguished the fire and cast a cooling charm over the cauldron, continuing to stir slowly until all of the steam had evaporated.

She waited as patiently as possible while he ladled equal amounts of the Healing potion into spherical vials. Her toes began to twitch in her boots. "You're not going to tell me, are you?"

"No." She didn't miss the twitch of his lip.

He was teasing her. She bit the inside of her lip as she roamed over the features of his face. There was a pleasant gleam in his eye but it quickly disappeared when he caught her watching him.

"Haven't you somewhere to be?" he asked, his voice matter-of-fact.

She glanced to the clock by the door and jumped to her feet. "Is it eleven already!?" She tapped her wand on the table and vanished the tea tray and both cups. "I'd completely lost track of time. Can I come back later?" She summoned her coat and scarf from his office, both objects flying through the open door and into her waiting hands. Hastily dressing for the frozen weather outside, she looked up hopefully at him.

"No, not tonight." Her heart fell slightly at his rejection. "You've been yawning all morning and I'm sure a day spent in Hogsmeade will do nothing if not exhaust you in your… current state."

She felt a blush creep into her cheeks. She didn't know why she still felt embarrassed about her condition when Severus obviously knew all about it. He was the one responsible for treating her symptoms both before and after the full moon. Even so, it never ceased to make her feel self-conscious when he commented on how tired or weary she appeared after a transformation.

"All right," she said, the disappointment evident in her tone. She wrapped her scarf more tightly around her neck and tucked the ends into her coat before buttoning it all the way up. She pushed the rogue strands of hair in her face behind her ears before brushing it back out to cover them. "Have a nice afternoon, Severus." Her legs felt heavy as she grudgingly made her way to the door.

She hadn't expected anything more from the Potions Master. "We will begin Monday night. That should provide you with ample time to pull yourself together."

Turning on her heel, she beamed at him from the doorway. "Perfect! I'll see you then."

Severus stilled at the sight of her. The smile that stretched across her face was one of pure radiance. One of her hands rested on the doorknob and the other toyed with the ends of her loose chocolate waves. The particular shade of blue fabric wrapped around her neck made her silvery eyes gleam in the flickering torchlight. She was a rather attractive female – not that he would say such things aloud.

He cleared his throat. "And do something about that hair."

Her smiled dimmed slightly but the demure look in her eyes made his stomach clench. "Of course." She brushed the locks behind her shoulder and waved as she backed away.

The laboratory was shrouded in silence. Teacups no longer clattered. The creaking of the wooden bench had stilled. The gentle tap, tap, tapping of fingernails on the tabletop was no longer there to distract him. Everything was peaceful and quiet as it should be.

Severus felt himself becoming annoyed with it. He looked over the ingredients on the workbench and counted the stock, adding up the inventory and running over what was needed for his next round of brewing. His eyes strayed to the space that had so recently been occupied. The strange feeling in his stomach returned and he inhaled sharply, the sensation making him uncomfortable.

"Bloody awful tea," he muttered, convincing himself that the smell alone was the reason for his discomfort. Severus bewitched the ladle to finish filling the vials and exited his lab through a hidden door, heading for his chambers. He could do with a short break before his next task and perhaps the change of scenery would rid his mind of the lingering image of rosy lips and sparkling gray eyes.

---

The stroll down to Hogsmeade was both beautiful and treacherous. Georgeanna had made it to the courtyard just in time for the group to depart. She walked the icy path alongside Minerva and Hagrid, finding herself slipping along the road until Hagrid came up beside her and offered his arms to each of the women for support. Looking around at the excited faces of the students around her, Georgeanna couldn't help but feed off of their joyful energy. She was greeted warmly by several students as they passed by her in their rush to get to Hogsmeade. Ron and Hermione stopped to talk to Hagrid for a few minutes and Georgeanna asked why Harry wasn't with them.

"He doesn't have a signed permission slip, unfortunately," Hermione answered.

Ron nodded along to her response. "S'alright, though. We'll bring something back for him."

They were quickly shooed off by their Head of House, still gripping onto Hagrid's tree trunk of an arm. "You'd best get a move on or everything will be nothing left by the time you arrive."

After the two scurried off, Georgeanna noticed a significant lack of red hair in the group. She looked around and searched the crowd for two identical heads of flaming hair only to find that they'd somehow managed to disappear along the way. She knew for a fact that she'd seen the Weasley twins in the courtyard. She'd had to scold Fred – or was it George – for calling her 'Georgie' in front of the other students. The boys had taken quite the liberty with her nickname, although she didn't mind them using it as long as there was no one else to hear it. Hoping that they weren't causing too much trouble wherever they were, she turned her attention to a group of Hufflepuff girls that were now beside her and asking which shops she was planning on visiting.

Georgeanna patted Hagrid's forearm in thanks before loosening her grip and letting him go. The ground had evened out and she didn't need the added assistance any longer. "I've still got quite a bit of Christmas shopping to do. Any places you'd recommend?" She walked the rest of the way with the girls, noting that they were nearly her height even though they were all fifth years.

Moira Fernbank, a lovely blonde with soft brown eyes, asked, "Who are you shopping for? That will determine where you should go and what you should buy."

Georgeanna thought over the list of prospective gift recipients. "My friends," she stated with a smile, quite pleased that she could now claim more than one even if some were only good acquaintances. There was Remus, obviously, and Albus and Minerva. She would surely get something for Filius and Pomona, even if it was only a small token of appreciation. She had a good idea of what to get for Hagrid. Rolanda was ever the difficult person to read and she found herself struggling to decide what she could possibly gift the silent, sporty witch.

A surly face with dark features flashed in her mind. Severus. She hadn't even thought of getting him anything. Would he even accept a gift from her? Was that too personal? They weren't friends, he'd made that clear on several occasions, but they were surely… something.

"Just friends?" chimed in Winnie Winship. "No boyfriend?"

The other girls giggled at the sudden turn in the conversation. Georgeanna felt her face redden but blamed it on the gust of frosty wind that pinched her skin.

"That's quite bold of you, Miss Winship." Georgeanna feigned a chastising tone that only made the girls giggle harder.

Dazzling lights drew her attention away as they finally reached Hogsmeade. Every shop and storefront window was decorated with rope lights that twinkled and glittered beneath the cloudy gray sky. Lush green wreaths and garland and red and gold poinsettias served to accent the fluffy layer of snow that covered every inch of the village. Somewhere out of sight, she could hear a choir of carolers. It was breathtaking.

One of the girls said something that she didn't quite catch. Before she could ask her to repeat it, she was distracted by someone calling out her name. A tall figure was making their way through the oncoming crowd. He was dressed smartly in a charcoal gray wool jacket, dark blue denim, and unscuffed brown snow boots. His curly black hair was mostly contained beneath a burgundy knitted beanie that matched the scarf wrapped around his neck. The entire ensemble was put to shame by the brilliant grin plastered on his face.

There were audible gasps beside her and she saw all four girls' jaws drop at once. Niall, on the other hand, didn't seem to notice anyone or anything besides Georgeanna.

"You made it! It's so good to see you." He went in for a hug but Georgeanna put out a hand to stop him, signaling that they should shake hands instead.

"Yes, em, you too. I hope you've been well." Her hand hung in the air before him. She discreetly nudged her head to the group of ogling onlookers and Niall quickly picked up on her unspoken request.

He shook her hand politely before dropping his to his side. "Are you ready to do some shopping? Heard there's a pretty decent sale over at Ceridwen's Cauldrons. I might know someone who can get you an employee discount." He winked at her and the action made the girls giggle and begin whispering among themselves.

"That's definitely her boyfriend," claimed Madison Mullaney. The others nodded their heads and looked back and forth between Niall and Georgeanna, the two now on display as a most titillating spectacle.

Deciding that she would simply melt on the spot if this continued, Georgeanna turned to the fawning students and mustered up her best adult voice as she dismissed them. "All right, girls, have a nice time! Try not to be late for the return trip." Getting the hint, the four girls waved and walked away slowly, lingering for a final glance at Niall.

Upon the departure of their audience, Georgeanna let out a breath that erupted into a cloud of vapor. "You're quite popular, it seems." Her mouth twitched into a good-natured smirk.

Niall grinned and looked down at his shoes, the toes of his boots buried in the fallen snow. "Well, I am devilishly handsome. My gran tells me so all the time." His eyes met Georgeanna's and they chuckled together. "Come on, let's get out of this weather." He placed his arm over her shoulders and led her further into the village.

They ambled down the main road together, Niall's hand secure but gentle around Georgeanna as he led her through the village. She was thankful for the additional heat his presence offered, her left side decidedly warmer than her right, but was acutely aware of the curious glances they were receiving from some of her students. Her ears perked up each time the children would catch sight of them, her name a whisper on the lips of the young, inquisitive spectators. Despite Niall's friendly chatter which would serve to distract her on any other given day, Georgeanna could not help but allow her attention to wander to the brewing gossip.

"Look over there! Is Ms. Earnshaw on a date?"

"That's the man from the cauldron shop. He's so fit!"

"Do you think they're 'together' together?"

"I thought she and Professor Lupin were an item? Guess not."

"Seriously!? How'd she manage to bag him? ... Must be better in the sack than in the classroom…"

The last comment had come from a particularly nasty seventh-year Slytherin, Agatha Something-or-other, who had been nothing but rude and disrespectful to Georgeanna all term. Without giving away the fact that she'd heard her comment, Georgeanna turned her head slightly to the right toward a window display that was in the general direction of Agatha and her cronies. The three girls were sneering at her with such malice that Georgeanna's shudder had nothing to do with the cold weather. Looking away, she shook her hair out to cover her ears and most of her face and quickened her footsteps away from the Slytherin girls.

Georgeanna veered to the right and led Niall into the very next shop they neared. They were greeted with the chiming of a bell and a rush of warm air. "… And that's when I told him, 'Sir, cauldrons are for brewing, not bathing!'" Niall chortled at the amusing conclusion to a story that Georgeanna hadn't heard. She felt guilty for being so distracted and ignoring him completely, but she covered it up with a polite laugh.

Niall looked around the shop and then inquiringly at Georgeanna. "Have you taken up a sport? You hadn't mentioned anything about that." He walked further into the shop and began inspecting the various Quidditch jerseys on display. "Are you a Chudley Cannons fan? Wait, let me guess… Appleby Arrows? No, Holyhead Harpies!" She had no idea how to answer his question. Thinking back to the posters she'd seen on the wall of Remus's childhood bedroom at his cottage, she replied with faux confidence that Puddlemere United was her favorite team. Niall's boisterous laugh echoed in the small shop. "Honestly? I never could've guessed that."

She took in the sights of the shop and walked around to better inspect the merchandise. When she rushed inside, Georgeanna hadn't realized she picked a sporting goods store. She browsed the shelves as Niall followed behind, commenting on this or that and explaining to her the stats of his favorite team, the Kenmare Kestrels. One of the displays was promoting a sale on weather-proof goggles. The advertisement boasted that the lenses were charmed to remain clear and fogless even in the worst rain, wind, and snow and would resist the glare of the sun. Lifting one of the pairs from the shelf, Georgeanna decided that such a thing would make a very acceptable gift for Madam Hooch.

She paid for the googles and as the two headed for the door, Niall slipped his arm around Georgeanna's shoulder once more. Georgeanna stilled with her hand extended to reach for the handle. "Niall," she started, considering how to phrase her next words. "Could you not do that today?" Seeing his crestfallen expression, she knew she could've said it better. "It's not that I mind! Really, it's quite nice but… I think us being so close is giving my students, em, the wrong idea…" She bit her lip and looked pleadingly up at him. She didn't want to hurt his feelings but she wanted to be the target of teenage gossip even less.

He nodded his head, curls bouncing even beneath his cap. "I get it. You don't want everyone to think we're dating. That's fine." He shrugged and smiled, although the calm aloofness didn't quite reach his eyes.

Georgeanna reached out with her empty and hand grabbed one of his. She squeezed it gently and sighed. "Look, I… I don't…"

Niall ran the pad of his thumb over her chin and used his digit to tilt her head back. "Don't." His finger traced the length of her jaw before dropping to her shoulder. "You don't have to explain yourself. If you aren't comfortable with physical contact in public, then I'll stop. Last time you were here," he paused, looking briefly out the window before continuing in a softer tone. "Last time I was foolish. I see now that you aren't ready." He let his hand fall away to his side, his touch lingering as it trailed along her sleeve on the way down. "I don't mind waiting until you are." He smiled hopefully at her.

His hand reached for the door and covered hers. The contact was so minimal but it triggered something in Georgeanna to pull her hand away sharply. She brought it up to her neck and fiddled with her scarf. What exactly did he mean by waiting until she was ready? Ready for what?

There was no time to ask him, and even less time for her brain to process the message he was trying to relay, for Niall pulled the door open and they were both slapped in the face by an intense rush of cold air and flurrying snow. He stepped through the door onto the busy street and looked back at her, silently waiting for her to follow along. His words left a heavy feeling in her chest as he led her further into the crowd.

---

Georgeanna paced the length of her office, from the door to her desk and back again, wearing down a trail on the floor in her state of utter bewilderment. The rest of her afternoon had been spent in a blur of shopping, hot chocolate, and attempting to decipher the rather confusing actions and statements Niall had left her with. He had followed beside her as she toured the shops, keeping ample distance between them as if they barely knew each other. He had refrained from walking too close and had not even offered a hand to steady her when she had suddenly been knocked over as a group of carolers toppled into her, causing her to stumble into the street.

Even though he kept up the conversation with his usual gusto, she couldn't help but feel that his coldness toward her was all her doing. She had asked him to limit the amount of physical contact, so how could she be upset with him for simply following her request? When the time had come for her to return with the students to Hogwarts, he had given her a half-hearted hug and walked away with little more than a bland, "See you around."

A brisk knock on the door startled her and she whipped around just as it opened. Remus stepped into the room and closed the door behind him, finally looking up at Georgeanna's rattled state. He was beside her in three large steps. Resting his hands on her shoulders, he spoke in a gentle tone as if she might break beneath his words. "What's wrong? Has something happened?"

She didn't know what to say. 'I told my friend not to touch me, so he didn't, and now I feel bad about it?' Shrugging her shoulders and shaking her head, she opened her mouth to speak and an unintelligible croaking sound escaped. She felt the tell-tale sign of tears pricking her eyes and looked down to the floor.

"Georgeanna, what on earth?" He ducked his head down to meet her eyes but she refused to let him see her. "Come here." He led her over to the couch and made her sit down beside him. Remus folded his hands in his lap and waited patiently for her to gather her thoughts. He hadn't seen her in such a state since she was a child and it brought him back to all the times he'd comforted her in his small tent at the werewolf compound. She was far too grown to lift and place in his lap; although, he wondered if physical comfort was something she needed in this moment.

He wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her into his side. Her head came to rest on his shoulder and, as soon as her forehead brushed against the material of his jumper, a flood of tears fell down her cheeks. Remus said nothing, only stroked her back in gentle circles, and allowed her to work her way through the events that had transpired that afternoon. She spoke when she could in between sobs and gasps, wiping her face on the scarf still wrapped around her neck. Halfway through her story, she had separated herself from him to peel off her scarf and coat, toss them onto the back of the sofa, and quickly reclaimed her spot at his side.

"… And he wasn't himself at all after that. I feel as if I've done something awful. Should I not have said anything?" She finally met his gaze, her eyes red and puffy.

He retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. It was soft and faded, more gray than white, and Georgeanna remembered the faded lace of Severus's handkerchief. She wiped away the remaining wetness from her cheeks and sat up against the back of the couch. Remus thought carefully over everything she'd said. He knew little to nothing about Niall personally but had matched his opinion of the lad with Georgianna's. Now, he was beginning to form his own.

"Certainly not." He brushed her hair back from her face. "If you're uncomfortable, it's perfectly within your right to say so."

"But he seemed so hurt."

"If he had asked the same of you, would you have been as upset?"

She thought it over and shook her head. Her hands fiddled with the handkerchief in her lap and she sniffled loudly. "I don't think so." She wiped her face once more. "Why is it so difficult to have friends?"

Remus guffawed. "Whatever do you mean?"

Georgeanna licked her lips. "It's just been so hard. The faculty is lovely but they're all so experienced and established and… older. Of course, I know I can always come to you but, sometimes, I just wish there were more people my age that I could learn from. I can't rely on you for everything." She shifted and brought her knees up, hugging them to her chest. "Niall is the only friend I have that's my age. He's been so kind to me and I feel as if somehow I've scorned him for simply being nice."

Remus ran his hand through his hair, mussing up the long strands. He inhaled and exhaled heavily. His eyes focused on the fireplace as his hand stilled on her back and moved to meet its match in his lap. Curling his fingers together, Remus leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "I think Niall is having a difficult time coming to terms with the boundaries of your friendship. It sounds to me like he's trying to be more than that." He canted his head to the side to look up at her.

Georgeanna had suspected quite the same. After their last visit together when it had been apparent that he'd wanted to kiss her, she had made herself scarce. This time, it had been the looks and comments from other people that had caused her to pull away. Perhaps it was less to do with Niall's feelings and more about her inability to deal with her emotions. She nodded her head, her chin still resting on her knees. "I think so, too." Her lips twisted into a tense, melancholy smile.

"Is there any part of you that feels the same? Even slightly?"

She thought about Niall and the time they'd spent together since first meeting that spring. He was handsome, charming, and constantly set out to brighten her day. He asked after her and made sure she was doing well. Each time they dined together he insisted that she try something new, whether a drink or food option, so that she could expand her palette. He took the time to explain things to her and answer all of her questions. Not to mention that he was a very good-looking young man. She couldn't deny that he had a striking face with his chiseled jawline and brilliant smile. His eyes were bright and always seemed to hold a certain gleam just for her. He was funny and sweet and kind – exactly the kind of man that would make a great partner.

"No," she whispered to herself. Despite all of his exceptional qualities, she didn't feel anything more than friendship toward him. "No, I don't." She sighed heavily and closed her eyes, pressing her cheek against the material of her trousers and closing her eyes. The fireplace crackled and the warmth of Remus by her side filled her with comfort and security. Georgeanna tried desperately to replace Remus's closeness with that of Niall's in her mind but the feeling shifted into one of uncertainty. It just wasn't the same.

"Then I believe you have your answer. Now, it's up to you how to move forward."

Her eyes opened and met the calm blue gaze of her oldest friend. Remus was so very patient with her. There was no hidden agenda, no ulterior motives, hidden behind his kind expression. Lately, she had been feeling that every step Niall took was in a direction she couldn't follow.

Another set of eyes flashed in her mind, far darker than the ones currently looking down at her. They were cool and calculating and guarded… and mysterious and magnetizing all the same. Georgeanna could picture the way the torchlight flickered in the dark pools, bringing new life and depth to the unreadable black orbs of the stoic Potions Master.

She blinked rapidly to clear her thoughts and pushed her hair back from her face. Her hand brushed over the scar on her neck and she traced over the marred skin with her finger for the millionth time. Whatever feelings Niall might have for her – friendship or otherwise – would surely vanish instantly upon him learning of what she really was. No one could ever love a monster.

"Ah, what do we have here?" Remus was leering curiously over the side of the couch to the corner where Georgeanna had stashed her shopping bags.

She leaped to her feet and began to gather them up as quickly as she could. "Oh, no you don't! Keep your eyes to yourself, Lupin." She hastily moved her haul to her bedroom and closed the door, effectively keeping Remus from any future snooping.

"Fine, fine." He rose from the couch and shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. "No peeking from me." His mouth twisted into the lopsided grin she was so familiar with and Georgeanna couldn't fight the smile that worked its way onto her face. "I don't know about you, but I could sure do with a spot of supper. Shall we?"

Georgeanna's stomach suddenly announced its hunger by way of a rather rude grumble. She placed her hands over her middle and chuckled. "I suppose I couldn't say no now. Em, I'm going to freshen up a bit first. Save me a seat?"

Remus nodded and made his way for the door. Before he reached for the knob, he turned back to her with a serious air. "Everything in life takes time, Georgeanna. Relationships most of all. Don't let yourself get beaten down into believing that you're alone. Friendships will come, I promise."

Her heart clenched at the sincerity in his tone. She raced over to him and threw her arms around him, pulling him in for a hug she desperately needed. He returned her affection in the gentle way he always did and Georgeanna breathed in his comforting scent. They broke apart after a moment, Remus heading downstairs and Georgeanna to her room to wash her face. His words reverberated in her head as she splashed the cool water against her face and dabbed at her eyes. Remus was right.

She wasn't alone. Not anymore.

---

There was not a single thing that could keep Georgeanna in bed a second longer. She threw off the covers and bolted to the window, pushing open the curtains to reveal the untouched blanket of freshly fallen snow glazing the Hogwarts grounds. The sun was gleaming over the treetops and brushing everything in sight with a thin golden sheen. A smattering of faintly twinkling stars was still present, overstaying their welcome as the new day dawned over the horizon. It was far too early to be awake, but she didn't care.

It was Christmas Day.

An excited shiver ran through her and she smiled so broadly that her cheeks began to ache. She skipped to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. A glance in the mirror convinced her to run a brush through her unruly locks and tame it in a simple plait. She exited the bathroom and wrapped her thick blue robe around her. Sliding her cold feet into a pair of slippers, Georgeanna retrieved the simply wrapped gifts that belonged to Remus and headed for his room.

An unexpected sight halted her steps once she'd reached her office. There on her desk was a neatly organized pile of gifts. She stared and blinked, and tilted her head, and stared some more. They were not the gifts she had wrapped the day before as those had been sent off with the house-elves to their respective recipients. No, these had come from somewhere else. She gently placed Remus's gifts on her coffee table and sat behind her desk.

Tears pricked her eyes as she looked over the small cluster and her heart became so full that she thought it would burst in her chest with all of the overwhelming emotion pumping through it. Her hands itched and her fingers twitched and she realized she couldn't wait anymore. The topmost box in the pile was elegantly wrapped in gold paper with a large red bow. She opened it carefully, restraining herself from tearing into it like an animal and destroying the beauty of the wrapping, and revealed within a soft woolen shawl printed in a red, green, and gold tartan pattern. She didn't need to look at the gift tag to know it was from Minerva.

The second box she chose was wrapped in blue and had a sprig of holly attached to the outside. Inside was a pair of brand-new dragonhide gloves from Pomona. Georgeanna was touched that the witch had remembered her saying she needed a new pair after tearing her second-hand gloves on a rather angry Snargaluff a few weeks prior.

Filius had gifted her with a lovely new set of never-smudge quills. Rolanda's gift to her contained a book on the history of Quidditch. There was a rather lumpy package that appeared to have been wrapped by someone with two left hands and Georgeanna was pleased to see that the contents within were neither poisonous nor dangerous – as she'd often come to expect with Hagrid. Instead, she found a large jar that contained a miniature ecosystem of leaves and twigs and a rather angry, green, stick-like creature. Georgeanna stared at the Bowtruckle and wondered what on earth she was to do with her new… pet?

The last of the presents were from Albus. She unwrapped the sparkling silver ribbon and dazzling purple paper dexterously. He gifted her with a variety box of sweets from Honeydukes and a bottle of amber-colored elf-made wine. Georgeanna looked over her new belongings and felt like the luckiest person in the world. Each gift was so incredibly thoughtful and she could only hope that everyone would enjoy their presents as much as she did.

Gathering up all of the discarded wrapping paper, a small red box caught her attention. There was no tag fixed to the outside. She held the parcel in the palm of her hand and wondered who it could be from. An improbable guess crossed her mind and she bit her lip hesitantly. Slowly pulling the end of the ribbon, Georgeanna held her breath as she lifted the lid of the small box. Resting on a bed of black velvet was a golden locket on a thin chain. Her breath caught in her throat. It was an incredibly beautiful piece of jewelry… but who would think to get her something like this? She lifted the necklace carefully and held the locket between her fingertips. The chain was delicate and cold against her skin.

Inside the box was a tiny folded piece of parchment where the locket had been. One hand still wrapped protectively around her mystery gift, Georgeanna unfolded the note.

"For my best girl. Yours, Niall."

Georgeanna's hand twitch and she nearly let the locket slip from her grasp. For the briefest of moments, before she'd opened the box, she'd dared to hope that Severus had gotten her something for Christmas. It was a silly thought and she had been proven wrong the minute she'd seen the locket. But Niall… she hadn't expected such a thing from him, either. This was far too expensive of a gift to accept, especially considering that she had only given him a pair of leather gloves meant for broom riding.

For my best girl. She stared at those four small words until her eyes burned and she had no choice but to blink them away, the letters blurring into an unreadable blob. She let the locket fall to the desk. It was a lovely gift. It was sweet and thoughtful. It made her feel incredibly confused.

She hastily picked up the locket and returned it to the velvet-lined box. Closing the lid, she pulled open one of the drawers in her desk and placed it inside, locking it away for later. Georgeanna inhaled deeply and stood to cross the floor and lift Remus's gifts into her arms. Her office was awash in the early morning light and she vowed to make the most of her day. It was her first real Christmas in over a decade and she was eager to begin the festivities.

The halls were barren and silent as she crept along the corridor leading to Remus's office. She pried the door open and peeked through. His fireplace was lit to a low flame and, as she suspected, the man himself was nowhere in sight. She let herself in and placed the gifts on the side table by the sofa. Silently, she tiptoed over to the door that led to his bedroom and pressed her ear to the wood. Hearing no signs of stirring, Georgeanna began to work.

Retrieving her wand from within her robe, she glanced around the room and picked a starting point. Wand at the ready, she whispered a number of charms that Filius had previously taught her, many of which were of his creation. From the tip of her wand emerged a long stream of glittering silver garland which she hung along the walls, the ledges of his shelves and bookcases, and over the mantelpiece. Another incantation created fluffy charmed clouds to form at the ceiling that gently snowed down over the room. The snowflakes flittered and swirled, only to disappear once they landed on the furniture.

She moved one of Remus's potted plants from his desk to the middle of the room and concentrated on transfiguring it into a large evergreen. She held her breath and raised her hands slowly, guiding the tree into being. Once it had nearly reached the ceiling, she flicked her wand and ceased the spell. With a swish and several well-placed flicks of her wrist, the tree was decked out in pinecones, red bows, and a large glowing star topper.

Georgeanna stepped back to admire her handy work. She was pleased with her spell casting and hoped Remus would enjoy the surprise. The Christmas tree reminded her of the holidays spent with her family and she desperately ached to see their smiling faces once more. On Christmas morning, her mother would be sitting on the couch, bouncing her brother on her knee, and singing carols softly. Her father would join in with a boisterous chorus and mix up the lyrics on purpose just to elicit the laughter of his children.

As she gazed upon the beautifully decorated tree, a cold feeling flooded through her. Her family's final Christmas together had been a solemn occasion. There had been no singing, no laughter, and no joy. Her brother had cried for most of the day and her poor mother hadn't the energy to soothe him, leaving the task to eight-year-old Georgeanna. At that point, they hadn't seen her father in weeks. She remembered looking up over the dreary stone walls and toward the barred windows far overhead, holding her brother and rocking him slowly, wondering if perhaps it was snowing.

A lump formed in her throat and she swallowed it down, suppressing her building emotions. She wouldn't let herself dwell on those memories today. There was nothing she could change about the past.

Replacing her wand inside her robe, Georgeanna turned and rapped on the bedroom door. There was no answer. She opened it slowly just wide enough to peek her head through. The room was surrounded by darkness, the curtains were completely drawn, but she could make out the lump on the bed that was proof enough her friend was inside. Needing no further encouragement, she stepped lightly across the floor to where Remus slept.

"Remus," she whispered, nudging his shoulder gently. The lump stirred but made no vocal response. "Wake up, wake up, pleeease." Her sing-song tone began to rouse him and he poked his head out from beneath the heavy comforter.

"Whazappnin?" He blinked his eyes, looking around unfocused.

She leaned over the side of the mattress and smiled broadly. "It's Christmas!" She bounced excitedly on the balls of her feet.

"It will still be Christmas in a few hours…" Remus argued, rolling back over.

Georgeanna huffed and began to shake his arm but he refused to budge. "I've brought you gifts," she bribed.

That seemed to give Remus enough of a reason to lift his head and look at her squarely. "Gifts, you say?" Georgeanna giggled and pulled his robe off of the hook by his bedpost. She tossed it to him, the material landing over and covering his head.

"I'll ring for some tea." She left Remus and headed back out to his office. Summoning a house-elf, Georgeanna requested a simple tea tray be brought up. She should have known by now that the word 'simple' was not in a house-elf's vernacular. The small creature returned with a tray laden with fresh fruit, breakfast pastries, and three different types of jam. She thanked the elf and set the tray down on the coffee table, sitting on the couch to prepare the tea. Going through the motions, Georgeanna felt the familiarity of the quiet mornings she and Remus had spent together over the summer. Of course, the breakfasts served at Hogwarts were far more gratuitous than the small spread they'd shared at Remus's cottage, but she regretted the lack of intimacy that could not be found in the Great Hall.

Lifting a cup of the steaming brew to her nose, she inhaled deeply the aroma of citrus and all-spice and felt a pleasant chill roll up her spine. She sipped the liquid carefully and let the flavor engulf her. It was bright and flavorful and awakened her senses. Georgeanna thought to ask Severus if he enjoyed this particular flavor combination.

"My word! Look at all this." Remus was standing behind her with his arms limply by his sides and his jaw slackened as he marveled at the merry décor. He reached out a hand to catch a snowflake and laughed as it disappeared in his open palm. "This is wonderful, Georgie. You're becoming quite the Charms master." He winked at her and took a seat on the couch.

"I wouldn't say that," she disputed, handing him a cup of tea and a blueberry danish. "But I am lucky enough to be able to learn from one."

"Well, you're much better at it than I. Charms has never been my strong suit." He took a large bite of the pastry and grunted appreciatively. He chased it down with a large gulp of tea.

Georgeanna set down her teacup and held out her hands. The gifts from the side table floated gently to her and she held them out for her friend. "Happy Christmas, Remus."

He quickly rid himself of his half-finished breakfast and wiped his hands on his robe before accepting the two packages. He asked if she'd like to open her present at the same time but she shook her head, eagerly awaiting Remus's reaction to what she'd gifted him. He unwrapped the first and chuckled at the box of assorted chocolate bars, expressing much gratitude as his stash was dwindling. She knew that Remus kept chocolate on hand to aid in the side effects of his transformations in the same way she often found herself keeping a small vial of restoration draught in her pocket.

The second box was smaller and Remus removed the lid with one hand and pulled out a long strip of fabric. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was a tie. It was a deep crimson color and was accented with shimmering gold embroidery in the shape of vines that branched of and sprouted bunches of leaves and intricately stitched roses. At the widest end of the tie was the Gryffindor Lion, the beast reared back on hind legs with its front paws displayed in a fierce pose. Just below the lion's feet were his initials, RJL, in a curled, loopy font. He admired the delicate work and traced over the shape of the lion with the pad of his thumb.

"Once a Gryffindor, always a Gryffindor, right?" Georgeanna whispered. She watched the expressions flit across Remus's face as he examined her gift.

His eyes were filled with joy when they met hers. "This is exquisite. It might have just become the nicest item I own. Wherever did you find such a thing?" He held the material up to the light and watched the way the gold shimmered in the sun.

"The tie itself is from a shop in town and the designs, em, I added those myself. I thought it would make it a bit more personal." She explained that she had been testing herself on expanding her knowledge of household charms and came across an embroidery spell. The incantation allowed for the use of a wand instead of a typical sewing needle to create whatever pattern the caster desired. She had been unsuccessful in controlling the connection between the magical thread and her chosen fabric, resulting in several snarls and knots and an incident where she had somehow tied her hands together. She had gone to Filius for aid and the Charms professor did not disappoint. A week of lessons later and Georgeanna had successfully completed Remus's tie.

He smiled proudly at her. "Georgeanna, I'm beyond impressed. So much so that I'm afraid my gift to you will lack in comparison." He leaned forward to reach below the couch and retrieved a box wrapped in parchment paper. She accepted it happily, a grin spreading across her face. She ran her fingers over the paper and pulled at the corners until the edges came loose. Beneath the wrapping was a box made of smooth, caramel-colored wood. It was simple in its design and had a solid weight in her hands. She looked up at Remus who was watching her with anticipation. She slid a finger beneath the silver latch at the front and flipped open the lid.

The room was filled with a beautiful chiming melody. Georgeanna gasped, holding the music box more tightly in her hands. The inside was lined with pale pink silk. In the center twirled a delicate porcelain ballerina figurine. She was no bigger than Georgeanna's thumb but the detail in which she was carved was absolutely stunning. The ballerina had a deep pink bodice and tutu and matching pointe shoes that laced up her calves. Her hair was painted a chestnut brown and was styled in a top bun. A tiny golden tiara rested atop her head and twinkled as it caught the sunlight. The song came to an end and Georgeanna closed the lid and reopened it, hoping to restart the music.

"There's a knob just underneath," Remus instructed, assisting Georgeanna in turning over the box and winding the knob a few times. When she opened the lid once more, the song played and the ballerina began to dance along by twirling around and around, her arms spread wide and her leg elegantly extended behind her.

Remus shifted in his seat. Georgeanna hadn't realized she'd been staring at the music box for several silent moments, basking in the splendor of her new gift. "Of course, you're much older now, but I remember you having liked such things before and thought that perhaps-"

"She's beautiful," Georgeanna interrupted Remus's explanation softly, securing the lid with a snap and flipping the latch closed. "This… this is absolutely lovely. I can't believe you remembered." She reached out and grabbed his hand in hers, holding it tightly in such a way to convey her elation. "It's just like the doll you made me at the commune. Thank you so much!" She pulled him in and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, the music box falling into her lap. Tears of joy pricked at her eyes. She was completely overwhelmed by his gift and felt like a small child once again, held securely in the arms of her most cherished friend.

She wiped her face on the sleeve of her robe and together, they settled back onto the couch and drank their tea. Remus entertained Georgeanna with stories from his childhood Christmases and later the ones regarding his holiday hijinks at Hogwarts. He was careful to leave out any mention of Sirius Black, although Georgeanna could hear his unspoken name in each of Remus's pauses and hesitations while reliving the memories from his teenage years. It pained her to see how truly close they had been as friends and felt that Sirius's betrayal of James and Lily had left scars of absolute devastation on Remus's life; those of which he was still attempting to recover from.

After spending the majority of their morning together, Georgeanna decided to leave Remus for now and allow him to return to bed. He had been yawning widely behind his hand and even though he claimed he was no longer sleepy, she could see through his politeness and took her leave. She had offered upon her departure to clear out the decorations from his office. Remus shook his head and refused, claiming that he rather enjoyed the winter wonderland she'd created for him.

Back in her room, Georgeanna dressed warmly in anticipation of the walk she'd decided to take. As cold as the weather appeared through her window, the wind seemed minimal and she wanted to take advantage of the lack of students on the grounds. She had found a home for her music box on the center of her vanity. She left the lid propped open so that she could see the ballerina figurine at all times, even when the dancer had stilled and held her pose in silence.

A quick trip to the kitchens left her pockets feeling heavy with wrapped cuts of meat and a few bits of roast chicken. She planned to seek out Snuffles and perhaps convince the dog to accompany her on a small adventure through the Forbidden Forest. The grounds were silent and her boots crunched over the freshly fallen snow as she followed the well-worn path past Hagrid's cabin and into the Forest. A thick cloud of smoke erupted from the CoMC professor's home and Georgeanna thought that after her walk, perhaps she would stop by and pay a visit. Hagrid had invited her over some weeks ago before the end of term and she had yet to take him up on his offer.

The naked branches of the trees reached up, up overhead and pointed their bony fingers toward the empty blue sky. Everywhere she looked was coated in white and the sunlight falling through the trees cast an eerie silver gleam over the shadows in the woods. The chittering and birdsong were silenced in the cold of the afternoon and Georgeanna found herself missing the sounds that accompanied the other seasons. Her breath created wispy vapor that surrounded her, the chill clinging to her hair and face. She wrapped her coat tighter around her middle and quickened her steps to the clearing she had dubbed 'Snuffle's Place'.

Georgeanna reached the fallen log and nudged it with her foot, noticing spots of rot and decay in the wood. She found a sturdy enough section and took a seat. The entire clearing was still and quiet and she closed her eyes, breathing in deeply and slowly. She could feel the solid ground beneath her feet and the life that lay dormant just under the layers of snow and frost. The frozen air hurt her nose and she rubbed a gloved hand over her face, the soft material now scratchy as it brushed against her sensitive skin.

She heard a rustling nearby yet still she remained unmoving where she sat, her hand covering the lower half of her face and her eyelids shut. She could feel another presence with her, moving silently closer and closer. A wave of hot breath caressed the exposed skin of her face. She lowered her hand to her lap and when she opened her eyes, there he was.

The large black dog was seated before her in the snow, looking up at her with a sincerity she didn't know animals could possess. His tail was wrapped around his paws, covering them with his fluffy fur. His ear flicked to the side and then stood straight up, joining its perky twin.

Slowly pulling her glove off, Georgeanna held out her hand in front of her with her palm facing out. The dog stared at it, sniffed it, and then tapped it with the tip of his nose. Georgeanna giggled and leaned forward to scratch the beast behind the ears. "Happy Christmas, Snuffles. Did you know that it's Christmas?" She ran her fingers through his thick black fur and down the side of his face, ending with a scratch on his chin. "Probably not, eh? Anyhow, I was hoping you'd come out and meet me. I brought you quite a treat."

She began to empty her pockets and arrange a display of food for her stray companion. Chunks of braised beef, roasted chicken, slices of cold turkey, and a portion of mashed sweet potato and boiled carrots. She had to hand it to the elves – they always gave her more than what she needed and, best of all, they never asked questions.

Snuffles began to eat heartily. He hesitated with the vegetables but Georgeanna insisted, lecturing the dog that they were just as important for animals as humans. When he looked up at her skeptically, she stated that she'd read so in a book. It no longer felt strange conversing with the stray and Georgeanna found herself prattling along and filling Snuffles in with the events that had transpired since their last get-together. She spoke of her private lessons in Transfiguration and Charms, and how she'd become better at handling the more vicious plants in the Herbology greenhouses. There was a growing curiosity within her to explore Astronomy and Ancient Runes although she had yet to speak with either of the corresponding professors. She had once thought to seek out Professor Trelawney to discuss Divination, but Hermione Granger had put her off the idea upon hearing of the girl's gripes with the 'useless' subject and the looney woman who taught it.

"Severus has finally agreed to let me brew potions on my own. I'm looking forward to trying my hand at it. It's all so fascinating. He's really quite brilliant…" Georgeanna rested her elbows on her knees and supported her chin on balled fists. She stared off into the woods as she thought about Severus in his lab, probably hard at work and oblivious to the fact that most normal people were celebrating the holidays. She wondered why he didn't leave the castle over the break and assumed that it was his duty as Head of House to remain on campus and watch over the few Slytherins who had stayed. Did he have family out there that missed him? Was he absent from outings with friends? He didn't seem to be the type of person who was close to many others but Georgeanna had witnessed him getting along with the members of the staff on occasion.

At her mention of Severus, Snuffles snorted loudly and appeared to roll his eyes in distaste. She must have imagined such a reaction, for the dog couldn't possibly have an opinion of the Potions Master. She continued with her thoughts and began to discuss her recent visit to Hogsmeade and the gift Niall had given her for Christmas. "I was a bit intimidated by Niall at first. He was so open and friendly right from the beginning… and I'd never had a friend my age before, you see. I was always with my mother and my brother growing up. My father was gone a lot, traveling for work and such, but I considered him a friend, too, I guess. Don't all children feel that way about their parents?" Snuffles grunted defiantly at her question. She looked down at the dog and watched as he devoured the last of his meal. He gazed at her as he chomped, his lips smacking loudly.

"Ever since he tried to kiss me," she added, standing up to stretch her legs, "I've felt as if there's something different about him. There's always a lingering feeling that he might try it again. I know I'm old enough – hell, most of the Sixth and Seventh years have more romantic maturity than I do – but it just feels… strange. I don't know what to make of it all." Georgeanna strolled through the snow, kicking up her toes and making divots in the unmarked ground. She paced in a circle and let her thoughts wander. "I should just tell Niall how I feel, but I don't know how I feel. I just… I just know that I don't want anything… like that."

She wasn't even sure what 'that' was. A relationship? A romantic companion? She continued to march through the snow and eventually, Snuffles began to follow at her heels. He turned where she turned and walked where she walked. "This is all so frustrating. Clearly, I'm not set out to deal with any of this, or I wouldn't be venting my vapid issues to a dog." Snuffled barked indignantly and Georgeanna turned to see him wagging his tail slowly from side to side. "No offense." She bent at the waist to pat him on the head. She inhaled and threw her head back, exhaling sharply. Squatting down, she wrapped her arms around her knees and looked levelly into Snuffles' black eyes.

The dog sat and tilted its head, meeting her stare with his own. There was such an odd aura around the creature that made Georgeanna feel equal parts curious and content with his presence. "Do you want to know a secret?" she asked, pulling her glove back over her cold, stiff hand. "Deep down, I know exactly why I'm keeping my distance from Niall. It's the same reason I can be friendly with people but… not have any real friends. Well, except for Remus, but he doesn't count." Snuffles shifted his paws and sat up further, grunting softly.

Georgeanna brushed her hair from her face, swiping the long braid that had fallen over her shoulder to behind her back. She lifted her head and pulled down her scarf, exposing the pale skin of her throat. "Do you see this here?" As if he understood her perfectly, Snuffles canted his head for a better view of the long scar that started behind her ear and disappeared beneath her collar. "I'm… I'm cursed." She adjusted her scarf and coat and pulled her hair back over, subconsciously using layers to hide her marked skin. "I'll never be normal and there's nothing to be done about it. I may not look like it now but I'm not the best person to be around on a full moon if you know what I mean." Snuffles blinked at her and licked his chops. She simply shook her head, rising to her feet. "Of course, you don't," she sighed.

The gaps between the trees had grown wider and Georgeanna realized she'd been walking toward the castle. They stood together on the edge of the forest, looking out over the devoid landscape. Everything was so peaceful in its emptiness. By the angle of the sun, she guessed that lunch would soon be served and surely even the latest of sleepers would be out of bed by now. Her mind wandered to Harry Potter. She had come to know more of the boy and his story during her time at Hogwarts. Georgeanna was captivated with how someone so young had managed to overcome such utter devastation and grow into a rather accomplished young man. She supposed he would be up in Gryffindor Tower with his friends, enjoying the holiday merriment.

A gust of wind blew over her and Georgeanna's entire body shivered. She heard Snuffles shake out his fur and knew that the poor thing had to be just as cold as she was. "I know you can't join me inside but I do hope you've got somewhere warm to sleep." Following through with a sudden idea, she unwrapped her scarf and shook it out. "Here," she said, loosely wrapping the material around Snuffles' neck and tucking in the loose ends. "You can keep it." She gave the dog a few final pats on the head and an ear rub before she bid him farewell. Halfway across the lawn, Georgeanna looked back over her shoulder to see Snuffles' silhouette in the tree line, his black fur accented by her blue scarf. She waved to her silent friend and continued trudging through the snow.

---

The remaining hours of the day had progressed far too quickly. After returning to the castle, she had left her office door open as usual and was glad to have had visitors stop by and wish her a Happy Christmas. A few of the remaining students joined her after lunch for tea and cakes. They avoided the speaking topics of lessons and the upcoming term; instead, letting Georgeanna be a part of what was going on in their personal lives.

Leslie Michaels shared with Georgeanna that her family dog had just had puppies a few days before.

Makayla Smith's older brother had gotten engaged earlier in the month and her family was planning a lovely summer wedding on the beach.

Jeremy Ross explained that he had decided to stay at Hogwarts over the holiday instead of going home because his younger brother was experiencing the Terrible Two's and accidentally setting things on fire with his temper tantrums.

Much to her surprise, Harry had even stopped by for a short time. He had originally been looking for Remus and, unable to find him in his office, Harry had come to peek in with Georgeanna to see if the DADA professor was with her. Even though she hadn't been the person he was seeking, Harry had politely stayed for a chat. He told her that he'd received a mysterious gift – a Firebolt, to be exact – from an anonymous source. He'd been thrilled to have in his possession the fastest broom on the market but the gift had struck Hermione as suspicious and the young witch had demanded that he abstain from using it.

Georgeanna expressed to Harry that Hermione had every right to be a bit skeptical, as it did appear rather strange that Harry would receive such an extravagant gift seemingly out of the blue. After Harry departed her office, Georgeanna decided that she would have to discuss the matter with Remus and ask if he had been the provider of the Firebolt. It would not be impossible with his new salary and his growing closeness with his old friends' son.

Later that evening after a lovely Christmas feast in the Great Hall, Georgeanna sat at her desk and stared pensively at the flat brown box in front of her. She had been glaring at the box and arguing with herself for nearly half an hour. This was no simple box. This particular parcel was meant for someone who more than likely would not want it. She had prepared a gift for Severus Snape and was far too nervous to give it to him.

The first and only time she had seen Severus that day was in the Great Hall during dinner. The four House tables had been vanished and replaced with a single, large round table. All of the staff and students had dined together at Albus's behest and the evening had gone pleasantly. The food had been excellent and there had even been the dissemination of Christmas crackers – something Georgeanna had never seen before. Each one exploded with a cannon-like blast as it was pulled open and would reveal a festive hat or gift inside. Severus had been rather displeased with the wide-brimmed, vulture-topped hat that had emerged from his cracker; although, Albus had been pink with glee.

Following dessert, the students returned to their Common Rooms and the staff remained for a quick nightcap at the influence of the Headmaster. Several small glasses had appeared filled to the brim with a deep caramel-colored liquid. It looked appealing and smelled of cinnamon and smoke. When Albus made his toast and drank his glass down in one gulp with the rest of the faculty, she followed suit without a second thought. Georgeanna had never had Firewhiskey before and didn't think she ever would again. The liquid had burned her throat on the way down and settled in her quite full stomach like a lump of lead. She had covered her mouth just as an unladylike burp surfaced and she dipped her head down, covering her blushing cheeks and face with her hair. When she finally looked up, Severus had caught her eye across the table and smirked.

Now alone, Georgeanna leaned over the desk on her elbows and glared at the box. She had kept it in her pocket throughout dinner in the hope that she would find the opportunity to give it to Severus without making too much of a scene. She didn't want anyone else to see the interaction as she'd had their gifts sent to their quarters via house-elf and thought that exchanging the gift in person would symbolize a closeness she knew they didn't share. There hadn't been a single moment during the evening that wouldn't have made the hand-off awkward or visible to everyone else. By the time the other staff members had bid each other good night, Severus had already managed to slink away and disappear to the dungeons.

Georgeanna sighed. She wanted him to have the gift regardless if he had anything for her in return. Which she knew he wouldn't. Why would he? He'd said often enough that he didn't consider them to be friends; never mind at the level where two people would happily purchase presents for one another. She flicked her eyes from the box to the clock on the mantle and back again. It was nearing ten o'clock. Perhaps Severus had gone to bed and she'd missed her opportunity completely? Fat chance. If she knew anything about him, he was down in the dungeons brewing potions or furthering his research.

She decided that a heartfelt gift exchange wasn't going to happen and settled for a hot bath instead. She let her body soak in the mix of steaming water and oils until her mind grew hazy and all she could think about was the comfort of her bed. Dressed in her nightgown and wrapped in her fluffy robe, Georgeanna sat down in front of her vanity and wound her music box. The chiming melody soothed her and calmed the last of her racing thoughts. A sleepy smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. She watched the ballerina spin round and round and grew dizzy with memory.

Her mind wandered back to the werewolf commune and the brutally cold winter where Remus had first given her a transfigured ballerina doll. She had loved it so much and wanted to keep it with her always, but she knew that doing so was a very dangerous thing. If Fenrir had found out that Remus had given her such a precious item, or if he suspected that she had made it herself, it would have ended badly for either of them. She closed her eyes and pictured the cozy interior of Remus's – James's – tent. She had spent countless hours within its shanty walls. James had been the only person brave enough to allow her to be close to him. Everyone else had been too terrified of Greyback's wrath.

Alone at the commune with nothing but her painful memories and nightmares, young Georgeanna yearned desperately for the comfort of her family. She would lie awake at night, choking back her sobs and fighting the echo of her mother's screams in her head. Her brother's cries. The sight of her father's body, cold on the floor. For months, every time she closed her eyes, all she could see were flames.

And then there was Fenrir.

The source of her pain had shifted from her internal torment to the external torture inflicted upon her by the malicious man. No matter where she attempted to hide, he would always find her. If she tried to run, he would be there waiting. His claws ripping into her skin. His teeth biting, gnawing, tearing. The force of his hands as they wrapped around her throat and squeezed until the blackness rose to consume her.

She pressed her fingertips to her eyelids, forcing the images back into the recesses of her mind. She swallowed down the disgust that was building in her chest. So many years had passed and she still felt herself falling into a pit of dread and unease if she thought of him. When she had faced the Boggart in the staff lounge, Georgeanna had truly believed that he had found her once again. If it hadn't been for Severus, she didn't know how the situation would have escalated or if she would have been able to face her greatest fear on her own.

Severus had never mentioned the events of that night to her after the fact. He had helped her to her feet and given her a calming draught before sending her off to her quarters. She had wanted so desperately to ask him to accompany her on the way back but had kept her request to herself. He had remained cool and collected throughout the entire ordeal. He had even called her by her first name in an effort to calm her down; the first time he had ever done so. He only referred to her by her surname before and after that night.

Georgeanna brushed her hair back from her face and tied it into a messy bun at the nape of her neck. Rising to her feet, determined, she walked quickly through her bedroom door, grabbed the box from her desk, and headed for the hall. Her feet carried her swiftly through the dark. She navigated the corridors using the low light of her wand, no longer listening to the voice in her head that told her to turn around and go to bed.

Once she reached the dungeons, her resolve wavered ever so slightly but she reached out for the doorknob of Severus's office all the same. She pushed the door open with a soft squeak and raised her wand higher, scanning the empty room as she let herself in. A faint light could be seen flickering beneath the door that led to his private lab. Georgeanna took a deep breath to prepare herself and rapped her knuckles gently against the doorframe. There was no response for several moments. Her hand shook as she opened the door and she didn't realize she was holding her breath until she stepped fully into the empty laboratory.

Exhaling, she balanced the small box in her hand as she crossed the floor and approached the workbench. A pewter cauldron was simmering over low heat, a stasis charm keeping it brewing at the correct temperature. The fireplace against the back wall burned just enough to see the outline of the vials and bottles on the closest shelves but left the remaining half of the room in complete darkness. She couldn't hear anything but the crackling of wood and her blood as it rushed in her ears.

She set the box down on the end of the bench where she knew Severus would easily find it. She pushed aside a few scrolls of parchment and made sure the gift was centered in his workspace. There was no way he could miss it. Satisfied that she had finally completed her mission, Georgeanna began to leave before she was struck with another thought. She had forgotten to properly address the gift. How would Severus know that it was from her if she didn't put her name on it?

Using her wand to aim the light at the row of drawers below the tabletop, she placed her hand on the knob of the one she knew contained the ink and quills. She tugged at the drawer and did not budge. She pulled harder but without result. Before she had time to realize that it was warded, a hand shot out from the dark and clutched her wrist. She gasped loudly; her startled scream muffled by the hand clamped down over her mouth.

"You'd better have a very good reason for being in here, Earnshaw."

Georgeanna gulped and slowly tilted her head to look up. The back of her head touched the column of Severus's throat as their eyes met in the dark. He was staring down at her with his fathomless black eyes and she smiled nervously up at him, her lips brushing against the skin of his hand. He removed his hold on her face, his thumb grazing the side of her jaw, and used his grip on her wrist to spin her around. He did not loosen his grasp even as they faced each other, their bodies inches apart. Her lower back was pressed against the bench and she had no room to move. One step forward and she would be pressed fully into the potion mater's chest.

"Explain yourself." His voice was somehow deeper and more luxurious in the dark. A chill ran up her spine and she couldn't seem to pull herself away from his gaze or figure out how to make her mouth move. He was still wearing his black jacket but the front was unbuttoned with his white undershirt exposed.

"I… I was…" Her tongue was too heavy to speak. Her lips formed the words but no sound escaped. She gulped in air to clear her throat and breathed in the scent of him. It was intoxicating. She could still smell the Firewhiskey on his breath. "I…" She blinked and finally managed to look away from his face, settling her eyes on the skin of his neck and tracing down the line of open buttons. His skin was pale and unblemished and caused a blush to burn across her cheeks.

His fingers wrapped themselves more firmly around her wrist, tight enough for her to remember that they were in fact still touching, and he lifted her hand so that he could see her empty palm. Severus sneered at her. "Luckily for you, I'm feeling particularly patient at the moment," he drawled, leaning down and closing the little distance between them, "but it will not last. Tell me what you're doing here. Now." His eyes scanned over her face, noting her panicky blinking and settling on her trembling lips. Georgeanna anxiously ran her teeth over her bottom lip and Severus inhaled through his teeth. His eyes bore into hers with a heat she'd never seen from him.

His face was so close to hers that she could feel his breath on her skin. "Are you stealing from me?" His voice was deadly quiet.

She shook her head quickly and pulled herself together to speak. "No!" she assured. "No, I was just…" She tried to stand up straighter and her leg brushed against his. "I thought you were sleeping and… and…"

"And?"

"Ibroughtyouapresent!" she blurted, the sentence coming out in an undiscernible rush. Severus narrowed his eyes at her. She cleared her throat and started over. "I brought you… a Christmas present." Too embarrassed to meet his eye, Georgeanna focused instead on the rise and fall of his chest. For the first time since meeting Severus, she realized that if she were to just lean forward, the top of her head would rest at his collarbones. He could completely engulf her with his height and… 'What's wrong with you? Get it together!' she chided herself. That line of thought had come from nowhere and left her feeling confused and a bit flushed.

Severus's hand on her wrist slackened but he did not release her completely. "What?" His tone was sharp.

Georgeanna managed to meet his gaze. "It's a gift. I wanted to give it to you earlier but I didn't know how." She raised her wand and cast Lumos wordlessly. Pointing the tip toward the end of the bench, she illuminated the small box placed there unassumingly. "I was just going to leave it here and go but…"

"But?"

"I forgot to put my name on it, so that'd you'd know who it was from. I was looking for a quill when you came in." She gently eased her wrist from his slackened grip and brushed her hair back from her face. "I didn't come to take anything. Honest." Georgeanna lowered her extended arm and the room fell into darkness once again. She faintly made out the silhouette of his face in the dim firelight. Neither spoke as they absorbed the situation in its entirety.

She toyed nervously with the ends of her hair. Severus had finally looked away from her and his attention was now focused on the small brown box. Georgeanna closed her eyes and opened them slowly, forcing her eyes to adjust to the dark so that she could better attempt to read his expression. It was all for naught as she could barely do so in broad daylight.

"You may go." His voice was soft, startling her when he spoke. She had been anticipating another tongue lashing or a barrage of insults for her actions. Instead, Severus stepped back and allowed her the space to leave. He refrained from further eye contact as she hesitantly stepped to the door.

She was just about to step into his office when he called out to her once more. "Do not let me find you in my lab without prior invitation again." His back was turned to her but she could hear the strain in his voice. "Do you understand?" His head shifted to the side yet he still did not look at her.

"Yes," she croaked. She waited for a moment in the doorway before taking off through the office and leaving the dungeons as quickly as she could. She did not stop running until she reached her room and she did not look back.

---

Severus waved his hand and the torch behind him flared to life. The small box on the bench was simply wrapped in brown parchment paper and had a red ribbon tied around it into a bow. When he shook it, nothing rattled. He turned it over and back again, examining the parcel for any sign of malicious intent. Raising it closer to his face, he sniffed suspiciously. Nothing.

He pulled the end of the ribbon and watched as it unfurled. Deciding to just get it over with, he lifted the lid and peered inside. A swatch of fabric rested within. Severus lifted the material from the box and tossed the bottom of the box onto the bench. He unfolded the item and held it out, examining the gift in the light.

It was a square of lush emerald green fabric – a handkerchief. The color was vibrant and the edges were accented with a swirling pattern in silver and black. Severus held it up closer to the light and found that the swirls were compromised of serpents intertwining with one another. He flipped the material over and saw that the imagery was embroidered onto both sides. The craftmanship was quite impressive.

He bit the inside of his cheek as he folded the handkerchief to place back into the box. His hands stilled as his eyes fell upon a small detail in the corner. In handwriting he had recently become familiar with were the initials, 'S.S.' His eyes traced over Georgeanna's loopy, childlike penmanship and his stomach filled with lead. Severus traced his finger over the stitching. She had made this for him.

He'd had to drown out the sound of Lupin gushing over his new tie at the dinner table. The werewolf had been so proud to show off Georgeanna's handiwork. Georgeanna had blushed and belittled herself, comparing her skills to that of a Fourth-year, but Severus could see through her modesty and glimpsed a peek of her pride at that moment. From what he could tell by the conversation, even though he had chosen to stay out of it, the gifts she had exchanged with the other faculty members had been store-bought. She had gone above and beyond to put a personal touch on her gift to Remus.

And she had done the same for Severus. The serpent detail etched into the fabric was delicate and precise. He wondered how long she'd spent on learning the embroidery charm to increase her skill to such a level. He could kick himself for even thinking such things, but Severus was rather impressed. It had been a very, very long time since he'd received a Christmas gift from anyone other than Albus, Minerva, and the Malfoy family. He closed the lid on the box and forced himself not to think too far into it. The girl was simply vying for his friendship in the same way she always had. No matter how many times he pushed her away, she always managed to find a way back to him.

He crossed the threshold of the hidden door that led to his bedroom. Tossing the box onto his bedside table, Severus sat on the edge of his mattress and removed his shoes. He hadn't thought of Georgeanna at all for the holidays; not in the same way she had been thinking of him. It was too late to get her a gift now. Christmas was over and it would be far too awkward at this point. Not that he wanted to get her a gift. Surely, she wasn't expecting anything in return… was she?

Severus sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. He refused to allow himself to think of Georgeanna any further. They were not friends. They were barely colleagues. When he awoke in the morning, everything would stay the same. He would continue to instruct her in potions as long as he deemed her a worthy student and she would continue to annoy him as she always managed to do. He would not get her a gift. They were not to become friends.

He knew he didn't deserve it.

---

A/N: I'm so sorry this took forever! Thank you to everyone who has been following and favoriting Blood Moon and waiting so patiently for updates. You are the best! I'm hoping that a long chapter might make up for the long absence. I did say that this is a slow burn and it will take a while for Severus and Georgeanna to get to a romantic place, but I want to stay true to the characters and their flaws (because clearly neither of them knows anything about romance lol).

Please leave a review and let me know what you think! How would you like to see the story progress? What characters, if any, would you like to see Georgeanna interact with?

Wishing all of you a very Happy New Year! May 2021 be better than the year we've had! Take Care - Faux