Freddie stopped by her dormitory to get the vial of dew she had hidden there, the Death's Head Hawk moth chrysalis, and a few other items. She left the castle, venturing out into the cold night air, looking around for Snape. She didn't see him and she wondered if he'd really show up. There was a chance he'd passed out after she left his office.

The sky was cloudless and the moon was shining brightly over the grounds. She didn't see anyone out and about. Ziggy streaked past her, taking off across the grounds.

"Where are you going?" she asked curiously. "We don't need to go far."

The kneazle ignored her and Freddie was forced to chase after him. She was surprised how quick he was for something with such short legs. He didn't stop until he reached the tall stones of the sundial garden. There he stopped and stretched, digging his claws into the ground.

"Crazy butt," she said, shaking her head. "I guess here is as good a spot as any."

She looked around once more, then took an empty phial out of her pocket. She pushed the folded up mandrake leaf to the front of her mouth then spit it into the phial. She ran her tongue over the empty spot in her mouth. It felt odd, like a missing tooth. She uncorked the vial of dew and poured it into the vial with the leaf. Next she needed a hair from her own head.

"You might want to remove the enchantment from your hair first," said Snape's voice, causing her to jump so bad she nearly dropped her vial.

"Jeez," she said as he stepped out from behind one of the monoliths. "What are you doing?"

"Waiting for you," he said. He approached her slowly and Freddie felt frozen to the spot. He reached up, his fingers brushing her cheek, sending a rush of warmth through her...then he plucked one of her hairs. He held it in the palm of his hand, still standing almost uncomfortably close to her, and pulled out his wand.

"Finite," he murmured and the hair he'd plucked resumed its natural black color. "Here you are."

"Thanks," she said, her throat feeling strangely dry. She took the hair from him carefully and added it to the vial. She added the chrysalis next then corked the vial.

"Now what?" Snape murmured, gazing down at her. His dark eyes seemed solid black in the moonlight.

"I have to keep it somewhere away from the sunlight until the next lightning storm," she said. "And I have to come out at sunrise and sunset every day until then to repeat a spell."

"I see," he said softly. "I think your kneazle is taking care of the first part for you."

Freddie tore her gaze away from him to see Ziggy was digging a hole beneath one of the stones. She turned away from Snape and took a few steps towards Ziggy.

"Is that for me?" she asked the kneazle. He meowed loudly and stopped digging, sitting down to groom his paws. Freddie squatted to put the vial in the hole, then covered it with the dirt. She patted it down hard, then put a spell on the spot that would keep anyone from disturbing it. She stood up and gasped to find Snape standing so close to her. He smirked and his eyes flicked from her face down to her chest.

"I like your new jacket," he said softly, brushing the material with his fingertips starting at her waist then sliding upwards. He grasped the front of her jacket, pulled her to him, and kissed her. His tongue touched hers and Freddie felt her knees go weak as heat spread through her body. She could taste the scotch on his breath. She forced herself to pull away, her back hitting the stone behind her.

"W-what are you doing?" she asked, swallowing heavily as he took a step closer to her.

"What I want to," he said, his voice a low throaty growl. "What you want to."

"Here?" she asked, glancing towards the castle. He followed her gaze and blew out a sigh, letting go of her jacket. He took a step back and stood there for a beat, just looking at her. Then he whipped out his wand so quick that Freddie flinched. He paused again and looked at her curiously.

"Are you scared of me, little girl?"

"N-no," she said. "You just startled me and..."

"And what?"

She shrugged and he continued to stare at her, his gaze boring into her. She licked her lips before answering.

"And I don't know what you're doing," she murmured.

Snape chuckled softly, a smirk playing on his lips. He tapped her on the head with his wand silently and she felt a cold sensation trickle down her back. It took her a split second to realize he had placed a Disillusionment Charm on her and she was now invisible. He grabbed her again and this time moved his mouth to her ear, his lips brushing against the curve of her ear.

"Follow me," he said quietly, then he turned and strode away.

Freddie hurried after him, unable to help the grin that spread over her invisible face when she realized they were heading for the gate. She glanced back to see Ziggy was hot on her heels, his eyes focused on her invisible form. I guess kneazles can see through Disillusionment Charms, she thought to herself.

As soon as they reached the other side of the gate Snape grabbed her. Ziggy had a split second to jump onto her shoulder before they Disapparated.