The next week really did feel like a dream come true, though it made her feel sick when she thought about how she had achieved success. The edition in which her article was published was one of the most purchased editions of the Prophet in the past ten years. Letters started flying in about her work and all measly assignments were suddenly removed from her desk. Three big works were commissioned to her and she spent more time interviewing people all over England and Scotland than in the office. It was was exactly what she had been striving for since that day in her first year of Hogwarts. But it was ill-gotten gain and every time she felt a shred of joy, it melted away immediately.

"You know," said Mr. Cuffe as Gwen was getting her cloak on to go to the Ministry once again. "I might have you transferred to the Diagon Alley office soon enough."

The Gwendolyn of two months ago would have beamed at the idea of working in and moving to London. But now… "Maybe," she said with a shrug.

Having sex with Snape had distracted her for about another two days before her mind wandered back to Bill. He hadn't said a single word to her since New Year's. He was rarely at Grimmauld Place anymore, except for the meetings, so she had been told. She heard from Tonks that Mrs. Weasley was furious at him for what he had done.

"She doesn't like Fleur," Tonks had said over tea. "She likes you and she's upset Bill did that to you."

Gwen's group of friends, both from the Order and from work, were not particularly friendly towards Bill Weasley anymore either. Yet even so, she was avoiding Headquarters at all costs. She didn't want to see Bill or Snape if they happened to drop in. She didn't want to see Remus out of shame that he knew what she had done. She didn't want to Sirius because the lies she had written about him had given her some new success. She only saw Tonks twice, at a cafe down the street from the Ministry.

But as Gwen was walking out of the office, on her way to eat lunch before heading to London, she saw Remus Lupin. He waved her over.

"Hello Gwen," he said with a smile. "I don't believe I've seen you this week."

"Oh, well, you know, work has been busy," she said, almost coldly, not looking at him as she slipped on her gloves.

"There's no need for an explanation," he said kindly and she looked up at him now. "I was rather hoping I would run into you. Snuffles wants to see you tonight, if you'd care to drop in. I don't believe Tonks is free tonight, so it'll just be us two sorry old saps."

She felt her lips form a smile against her will. She did truly miss them. "You aren't saps. I'll come over after I'm out of work."

Remus beamed. "Excellent. I'll see you tonight." He then leaned in slightly and whispered, "Don't bring or mention liquor. I've just poured all of it down the sink. I think he's on the brink of becoming a full time drunk."

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Grimmauld Place was completely hollow that night when she arrived, besides Sirius and Remus sitting on the couch. Not a Weasley was in sight and all the Aurors were at work. So instead of drinking and playing cards, they were talking and eating the take away Gwen had bought on her way over. But while Gwen was able to speak with Remus quite freely, her eyes rarely met Sirius and she answered him as quickly as possible. After about an hour, Remus got up to use the loo and Gwen was suddenly fascinated with a button on her shirt.

"Where have you been, Gwennie?" Sirius asked sadly. "I've missed your company."

"I've been busy," she said quickly, pushing the button into the curve of her nail. It was smooth and round and red and shiny and-

"No, it's more than that. Is it Bill? He hasn't been here in the longest."

"I know," she said quietly.

"Then what's wrong?" Sirius begged. "You've been ignoring me and I ought to know why."

The thoughts of Snape and articles and lying and sneaking all began to dance through her mind at lightning speeds. She started twisting the button hurriedly between her nails. "I just feel awful," she said quietly.

"But why?"

She sighed and felt the tears beginning to well up. "I've wanted to be successful for so long," she whispered. "But not because I told lies about my best friend. And now, I can barely speak to you because of what I've done."

Sirius conjured up a box of tissues and Gwen took one and wiped her face. Suddenly feeling rather silly for crying, she hid behind the tissues, not wanting to look at him.

"Gwen, you were just doing your job. We know they're lies. I know you didn't mean it." He touched her arm softly.

"Everything's just been so hard," she said softly.

"I know. That's war." He sighed. "Last war, I didn't know how to cope with anything. I would just, you know, be with a lot of girls. I thought it would help." She laughed cruelly and roughly at the notion. "I guess you know what I mean."

"I do," she admitted, another pang of guilt hitting her at the thought of Snape, but she pushed it away. One day, he'd tell him. Today, they'd be friends. She looked at him and smiled. "Thank you for the tissues."

"Thank you for finally telling me what's wrong!" Sirius exclaimed and she laughed, genuinely now. He leaned over and hugged her warmly and when they broke apart, Remus was back.

"Gwen, I'll be extremely upset if you got the chicken soggy with your tears," Sirius said, easing the awkwardness Remus might've felt.

"Oh, sod off!"

She had missed her friend.

But the peace and tranquility did not last long, as is the case when secrets go uncovered. It was mid February, another cold winter night at Grimmauld Place, and she and her three friends were sitting around and talking in the sitting room late after work.

"My name is from King Arthur," she was explaining, after Nymphadora, Sirius, and Remus had explained their odd names. "See, my mother loved Guinevere and she wanted to name me after her, but my father thought it was too weird." She smirked. "Dad has never really liked to read. But my mother wanted me to be able to call me Gwen, so he settled for Gwendolyn."

"So your name is a compromise that kept a loving couple together," Sirius said brazenly. Gwen gave a fake little laugh and nodded, but wondered if Sirius had forgotten about her parents' awful demise. Tonks seemed to notice Gwen's slight discomfort.

"Sirius, I thought I saw a firewhiskey barrell downstairs," she said, standing up excitedly. "Shall we go look?" Remus opened his mouth to object, but Sirius had nearly fallen down with excitement at the word firewhiskey, and the two darted out of the sitting room to the cellar.

"Don't worry too much," Gwendolyn said kindly, seeing his worry. "I'm sure a glass or two of firewhiskey in a controlled setting won't do him harm."

He sighed. "I suppose you're right," he said, sipping his coffee. He then grinned. "Interesting story about your name, though. I suppose I'll have to add that to my list of rather interesting things I know about you."

"Speaking of that list…" She had been meaning to ask him about it, but hadn't had the opportunity to do so. Sirius was always around. "I've meaning to ask you… You haven't told anybody about me and Snape, right?"

"That's your business," he said, holding his hands up. "Your affairs with Severus aren't my concern. It's your choice who you tell. I just would, perhaps, suggest you do such things… well, not here."

"I know," she said with a sigh. "It was really spur of the moment and there wasn't anywhere else to go."

"Honestly, I was just more surprised to see you with him in any capacity. I didn't know you two spoke at all, let alone had any sort of… tension." Poor Remus looked terribly uncomfortable, trying to be understanding. It nearly made her laugh.

"We don't really talk... I don't think it would have happened at all had it not been for the Yule Ball."

"The Yule Ball? At Hogwarts? What do you mean?"

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"I'm sorry to bother you," she said rather awkwardly and he looked at her coldly, eyes narrowed. "It's just- there isn't really anybody here who isn't a teenager, incredibly old, or snogging in the corner. Would you mind if I sat with you?"

It had taken her about twenty minutes of silent debating in the corner to decide to approach the table where Snape sat alone. She hadn't seen her former professor since she had graduated, six years ago now. She had been a first year his first year teaching. She had never really received the sort of hate he usually directed towards Gryffindors when she was in school- she often flew under his radar and she would not have been surprised if he had not remembered her at all. But she was so bloody bored and besides the seventh years, Snape was the closest person to her age. So she had taken a risk.

"No, I don't mind." He said and she smiled sweetly and sat down beside him, putting her purse on the table and smoothing out her navy blue dress. "May I ask why you're here?"

"Rita Skeeter's been banned from the castle," she explained. "So I was sent instead. But there isn't much to write about and I'm not to leave until it's over, so I suppose I'm stuck here for a bit."

"That makes two of us," he muttered and she grinned. They had something in common.

"I take it you don't enjoy parties very much, Professor?"

"You're extremely observant," he snarkily said. She rolled her eyes- he was so awfully rude- looked around the room.

"The Weird Sisters are dreadful, aren't they?" She could not stand the sound of them and figured that perhaps Snape would like to complain with her. It seemed all he did was complain. But for a moment, he looked annoyed at her, until his eye caught something from the other side of the room. She glanced over to see what he was looking at, but saw nothing of interest.

"Indeed, dreadful," he said hurriedly. "How long have you worked with the Prophet, Miss O'Shea?"

She was surprised that he even cared- or was pretending to care. "About four years now." He nodded again and she looked again to the side of the room he had been looking at. He was so strange. The song ended and the crowd went wild.

"We're gonna change things up!" A Weird Sister screamed and she cringed at the awful, loud noise. "We brought along a guest singer straight from America and she's gonna sing a tune for all you lovebirds out there!" The crowd of teenagers roared as a skinny girl with a blue afro came up to the crowd. A calmer, yet still upbeat tune began to play and the girl started singing:

I never knew love like this before;

Now I'm lonely nevermore,

Since you came into my life…

"This is such a relief to my ears," Gwen said giving a sigh. The girl had such a smooth voice.

"Severus, it's so wonderful to see you being so social!" Gwendolyn turned back to see Dumbledore and McGonagall standing on either side of her companion, who looked disgusted and offended. Gwendolyn stifled a laugh.

"No, we were just-"

"You two ought to dance!" McGonagall said, grabbing each of their hands and bringing them near one another.

"No!" They both said loudly, recoiling their hands back. What the hell was going on? McGonagall gave a knowing glance towards Dumbledore. She then pulled out her wand, and did the motion of a vanishing spell and both Gwen and Snape stood up just as their chairs and table were vanished away. Gwen snatched her purse from the floor, almost defensively, and looked at McGonagall in shock.

"Fine, fine! We'll go!" Snape snapped, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the dance floor. She almost wanted to try and pull it away- she was holding Professor Snape's hand! This night had certainly become interesting- if not strange.

"Are you serious?!" She asked loudly, trying to be heard over the music. She wasn't sure she wanted to dance with him.

"Of course not, you stupid girl!" He hissed.

"You know, there's really no need for that," she shouted over the music but he ignored her They hurried past the dancers and snoggers alike towards entrance hall and she strained her ears to hear the commotion from students as they passed.

"Is that Snape holding a woman's hand?"

"Do you think he cursed her?"

"Ten galleons they'll dance. No, twenty!" She snorted.

They reached the large arching doorway between the Great Hall and the Entrance Hall and he let go of her hand. The air was much cooler here, the music not as blazingly loud. She leaned against the panel and sighed in relief. "I didn't think we'd make it out of that war zone alive!"

He looked out into the crowd. "Those meddling old coots ought to just go shag in the Room of Requirement and leave me alone!" Snape said, exasperated.

"Snape!" She exclaimed, laughing a little. "That's awful!"

"It's bloody true and you know it," he said in an annoyed tone. She had never heard her professor speak in such a tone. The girl continued to sing sweetly from the stage:

You are my sunlight and my rain,

And time could never change

What we share forevermore...

"I actually like this song," she mused. It was catchy and smooth. She almost…. Wanted to dance. She glanced over at Snape, looking as stoic as ever.

"It's bearable."

"And I would definitely dance if I had a more cooperative partner." He raised an eyebrow and looked at her.

"It's a pity you don't then."

"Indeed." Worth a shot.

Hagrid and Madame Maxime stumbled out of the Great Hall, rather violently. "Hello, Gwendolyn! Nice seein' yer here! 'Evenin' to you too, 'fessor Snape." Hagrid greeted.

"Hello, Hagrid," she said with a sweet smile and Snape gave a small nod.

"Hagreed!" Madame Maxime said in awe, pointing above Snape and Gwendolyn. "Your friends are under zee mistleetoe!"

Jesus Christ… The two of them looked up immediately. Of course they were.

"Well, they outta kiss, then!" Hagrid cooed.

"No!" The two of them exclaimed, yet again.

"Ah, c'mon 'fessor Snape!" Hagrid said grinning. "Gwen is a pretty girl!"

"That was never the question," Snape muttered and only Gwendolyn seemed to have heard him. She smirked. Watching Snape squirm to call her pretty was immensely satisfying.

"Do eet!" Madame Maxime shouted and she looked like she was ready to approach them and smash their faces together.

"Alright!" Snape said harshly. She blinked hard. Did he really just say alright? He approached her quickly, looking ready to get it over with, when he stopped, only a few inches away from her. He looked at her in a strange way for a moment. Maybe he was realizing what he was doing. "May I?" He said quietly, so only she could hear. She smiled slightly and nodded and he kissed her, pulling away immediately. Maybe it would've been considered a nice moment, if Hagrid and his girlfriend hadn't been standing there clapping and cheering. They stumbled away as Maxime pulled Hagrid into an unseen corner, possibly to snog him. "Forgive me, I just wanted them to go away," he said, still close to her, looking into her eyes. How strange. She gave him a small smile.

"It's fine,'' she murmured. It was a nice kiss, she had to admit. Not sloppy, not uncomfortably long. Just soft and sweet and to the point. Ha! She had kissed Professor Snape. She couldn't wait to tell Betty- how funny was this!

"Severus!" Her companion stepped away from her and turned to face a man who had just joined them. "You haven't introduced me to your friend."

"Gwendolyn O'Shea," Snape said quickly, looking uncomfortable. "Miss O'Shea, this is Igor Karkaroff. I'm sure you've heard of him."

"The Headmaster of Durmstrang, of course," she said, smiling sweetly. She shook his hand.

"Delighted, Miss O'Shea." Karkaroff said, giving her a disgusting smile. It took quite a lot of willpower for her to not grimace. "Severus, may I have a word? Outside, perhaps?"

"Of course," he said, sounding almost strained. He turned to Gwen. "Forgive me." She nodded and he and Karkaroff walked away from Gwen and the mistletoe. It was better off this way, anyway. That man was so rude.

"How strange," Lupin said. "Severus is an interesting man. Who knows his motives." She shrugged and took a sip of her tea. "But Gwendolyn, he didn't… you don't have feelings for him, do you? He didn't coerce you into sleeping with him?"

"Merlin, no!" She nearly spat her tea out. "I was the one who wanted to sleep with him."

The door to the sitting room slammed open and Tonks and Sirius entered, looking flabbergasted.

"You… slept with Snape?" Sirius asked, his voice dangerously quiet. She gaped at him.

"You were listening at door?" Gwen shrieked, standing up.

"You slept with SNIVELLUS? Of all people?!" Sirius shouted back. "There are millions of other men on this planet, Gwen!"

"You sound like a child, Sirius. This is none of your business!"

"So you did!" Sirius whispered angrily. "You slept with Snape?"

"I'm not answering to you!" she shouted. "Look at you! Shouting out people's business and attacking them in front of their friends." He looked at her, heated and panting, but did not speak. "The only reason this is any of your concern is because it happened in your house. But who I-"

"I'm sorry? You slept with him HERE?" Oh shit. He had just heard the last bit, then. "Am I the only one who didn't know this?"

"I had no idea!" Tonks squeaked from behind him. Sirius glared at Remus accusingly.

"But you did!"

"Sirius, this is Gwen's personal life, I had no righ-"

"SHE SLEPT WITH SNAPE IN MY HOUSE! HOW MANY OTHER GUYS HAVE YOU BROUGHT HERE?!" He was nearly rounding up on her but Remus stood up and glared at Sirius silently. Gwen stepped to her left and looked at her friend.

"You have no right to judge me!" she whispered furiously. "You told me in this very room about how you had sex with everyone last war and you told me you understood! You know " Sirius suddenly backed down, his demeanor changing. "It just happened to be Snape! It happened once and that was it."

Nobody spoke. Then Tonks whispered, "It's okay, Gwen. You don't need to apologize for sleeping with anybody."

"Thanks," she muttered roughly.

"It's Valentine's Day," Sirius said quietly, as though just realizing.

"I know," the other three murmured in unison. Without another word, Sirius shuffled out of the living room and up the stairs. Gwen looked at Tonks, her hair bright pinks and reds in honor of the holiday. Then she looked at Remus and remembered that Tonks saw in Remus what Gwen saw in Bill. Remembering Bill depressed her, again, and she sighed and picked up her purse and left Grimmauld Place.

At least Tonks and Remus deserved to have a good Valentine's Day.

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Mrs. Weasley decided to have a little breakfast get together, since she thought Sirius would enjoy some company. It was, Gwen had to admit, rather lovely. Mrs. Weasley made everything you could ever dream of eating. There were all types of sausages and bacon and beans on toast and oatmeal and eggs and hash. There was a huge kettle of tea on the stove and the breakfast warmed up everyone, even though it was still rather cold outside.

"Oh Merlin!" Remus shouted as Tonks walked into the kitchen to join them. She stopped abruptly, by the look on her face, confused. Remus was never so loud.

"What is it?" Tonks asked nervously.

"Sirius, look at her!"

Sirius looked up from the egg he was devouring and gasped. "She looks like Lily!"

"Lily?" Gwen asked.

"Lily Potter," Sirius explained. "Harry's mother. She had dark red hair and green eyes just like that." He gestured at Tonks, who did indeed have lush red hair and bright green eyes today.

"Well, I hope that is a good thing," Tonks huffed, sitting down beside Gwen.

"It is," Remus reassured her. "Lily was lovely."

Gwen noticed that Tonks lowered her head quickly, the red hair covering her now read cheeks. Gwen and Sirius grinned, despite the odd tension still between them- they were anxiously awaiting when Remus and Tonks would announce their courtship.

"But you know," Sirius said between bites. "Gwen reminds me of Lily."

Remus looked at her for a second and then shook his head. "I don't see it."

"Not physically. Her personality." Gwen felt awkward. She had never met Lily.

"I disagree," Remus said, holding his hands up. "Though Gwen is a very lovely person as well." They smiled at each other.

The front door slammed open and quickly slam shut again. Everyone winced, praying mentally that the portrait would not awaken.

"The Headmaster has left Hogwarts," Snape announced as he entered the kitchen.

Sirius's eyes flickered over to Gwen. "What?" Tonks shouted.

"What happened?" asked a very nervous Mrs. Weasley. Four of her seven children attended Hogwarts and Gwen could only imagine how nervous she must be

"Potter happened," Snape spat. "His little defense club was caught by Umbridge and the Headmaster claimed full responsibility when Fudge arrived. Fudge tried to arrest him and Dumbledore left..." His eyes fell on Tonks for moment in a very odd way, but he turned away quickly.

"He just left?" Gwen asked incredulously.

"Sounds like Dumbledore," Sirius said with a grin.

"I told you this group was a bad idea!" Molly shouted at Sirius, obviously terrified.

"Well, it's too late to do anything now!" Sirius countered.

"Where will Dumbledore go?" Remus asked, trying to break up the bickering. "Will he come here?"

"He told Minerva he won't be in hiding and he won't come here," Snape responded softly. It was the most bizarre thing. He looked at Tonks and then at the floor… and then back at Tonks. Nobody besides Tonks and Gwen seemed to notice

"Get out of here, Snivellus," Sirius barked at him rudely, breaking Snape out of stupor. He smirked at Sirius, but still looked rather uncomfortable

"Very well," Snape said, turning to leave. "I, unlike you, actually have important things to do for the Order."

"LIKE SUCKING VOLDEMORT'S ARSE!" Sirius shouted as Snape left, making Tonks break into uncontrollable laughter. "I hate him!" Sirius yelled, going into the cellar, in search of liquor that he would not find.

Tonks looked at Gwen. "Why was he looking at you like that?"

"What?" Gwen asked confused. "He was looking directly at you!"

"Really?" Tonks seemed surprised. "That was so strange… he looked so sad."

"I wonder why," Gwen said with a sigh, running her hands through Tonks's lush hair.

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Early the next morning at Hogwarts School, Dolores Umbridge stood in the entrance hall, waving at the cameras and smiling elegantly, as though she had become queen of the castle. Reporters from tiny little newspapers swarmed her for answers, but Gwendolyn stayed behind with her camera man. She was waiting for the question.

"Enough of this!" the toadlike woman screeched, her face matching the robes she wore. "Where is the reporter from the Prophet?"

Gwen smirked and walked through, watching as everyone moved out of the way immediately. "Gwendolyn O'Shea of the Daily Prophet, Headmistress," she said with the most charming smile. Umbridge mirrored it.

"Excellent! Come up to my office, Miss O'Shea, and we can have a lovely chat. The Minister is here as well."

"Wonderful, Headmistress," she said, beaming inside. The other reporters disappointedly wandered away as Gwen followed Umbridge into the castle.

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