The Hog's Head was a sketchy place. It was not located on the main street of Hogsmeade where many students would be strolling around and buying random junk. It was dark and dirty, and smelled like goats and goats' blood. The owner didn't really give a damn who came and went, just as long as no one got into any fights. Patrons to the pub varied greatly; it's not uncommon to see a hag or two sitting in a corner.

In other words, I liked it.

My bottle of butterbeer was a grimy as the windows, but it tasted perfectly fine. I leaned back in my chair and propped my sneakers on the table. The owner rolled his blue eyes at me and went back to cleaning a dirty glass with an even dirtier rag. I wanted to smirk at him but feared I would probably get kicked out for smiling. I glanced at the door when it opened. A squat woman with a very dark, very long veil walked in and sat down in the corner. When I realized it wasn't Umbridge under the veil I tipped my bottle toward her in greeting.

The door opened again, and the trio from Gryffindor walked in. They looked around with wide eyes before spotting me. Hermione whispered something in Harry's ear then lead the way over to me.

"Thank you for meeting us, Talis," she said, sitting down on the chair next to me.

"It's not a problem, but why the hell would you want to come here?" I took a swig of butterbeer. "It's kind of dark and dirty for your tastes."

"That's why I chose it."

I nodded thoughtfully. "Fair enough." I smiled at Ron as he took his place by Hermione. Harry glanced at the chair next to me. I knew he was having an internal battle about whether to risk sitting next to me and giving away our secret or sit somewhere else. He closed his eyes for a second then took the chair next to me. "I don't bite, you know," I teased with a wink.

A light blush brought color to his pale cheeks. "Shut up, Talis."

I snickered playfully. "Be careful, Potter. I am a teaching assistant." His blush darkened a bit. "Hey, bartender!" I called to the old man behind the counter. "Four more butterbeers, please." I fished in my pocket for the coins I'd need and paid the man when he brought us our drinks. "Thank you," I said politely, to which the man only grunted before turning away.

"You know, I bet we can order anything we want here." He looked at teh bartender's retreating back. "I bet that bloke would give us anything. I've always wanted to try firewhisky."

"You are a prefect, Ronald," Hermione snarled. Her temper impressed me.

"Temper, temper," I scolded her then turned to Ron. "Firewhisky's not as great as others say. It has 'fire' in its name for a reason." I blinked at him sympathetically as he played with his beverage. "You'll have plenty of time to try new drinks when you graduate."

"Who's supposed to be meeting us here?" asked Harry, leaning forward slightly to look at his female friend. His movements caused his leg to brush against mine slightly. I could feel the heat of his skin through our jeans.

"A few people," she answered, glancing at the door. "I told them to be here about now."

The words no sooner left her mouth when the door opened. Neville was the first to step into the dingy pub - I would have awarded his points for his bravery - with Dean Thomas and Lavender Brown not far behind him. The dreamy-looking blonde Ravenclaw from the Hogwarts Express - Luna Lovegood - followed them. Cho Chang, another Ravenclaw, and one her friends walked in nervously. The three Gryffindor Quidditch Chasers, Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet and Angelina Johnson were chatting quietly amongst themselves when they entered, and two younger Gryffindors whom I didn't know and appeared to be brothers followed them inside. The Hufflepuff prefects Ernie MacMillian and Hannah Abbot, along with two of their Hufflepuff friends joined us. Three Ravenclaws, and Ginny and a Hufflepuff marched through the door. And finally the Weasley twins with their buddy Lee Jordan walked in. I was surprised by how many students wanted to be a part of this group. I withdrew my wand and summoned more chairs to the table. Once everyone was seated, Fred and I got butterbeers for everyone.

"You're that teacher's assistant, aren't you? What are you doing here?" asked Hannah as I handed her a beverage. The other students looked at me, waiting for my answer. A few of them actually looked nervous about me being part of their group.

I shrugged and offered her a gentle smile. "I'm here because I don't agree with the way that Umbridge is teaching you and treating me as I were a damned animal. She's trying to teach you Defense Against the Dark Arts in a wussy way. And she's not teaching you about Dark creatures that you may run into some day. Does that answer you question?" I asked politely.

Hannah nodded, a heavy blush on her face.

I returned to me seat next to Harry and almost, almost didn't notice the jealous gleam in his eyes. What was he jealous about? I was just talking to - Oh. . . I inwardly laughed to myself. Harry Potter was jealous because I made a girl blush. Wow. . . I never pegged him as the jealous type.

"Hi, Harry," Neville greeted with a beaming smile. "Hello, Mr. Creary."

"Hello, Neville," I said with a tip of my bottle. "How are classes going?"

"Very well, thank you." His eyes brightened. "Snape is not picking on me as much since I let him use Trevor to test a potion."

I nodded with a smile. "I'm glad you're doing better."

"Well. . . er. . . hi," started Hermione, clasping her bottle of butterbeer tightly. "Everyone knows why we are here. . . We need to be taught Defense Against the Dark Arts. . . and Umbridge is not doing a good job. I thought it would be. . . easier to take matters into our own hands. We need a teacher. . . And I thought Harry and maybe Mr. Creary could treach us."

I nodded encouragingly at her.

Hermione showed her appreciation by smiling slightly then returned to addressing the other students. "We need to be taught Defenseive spells the right way because - " she paused to take a deep breath " - Voldemort is back."

Several of the students let out squeaks and squeals at the sounds of his name. I didn't even flinch but looked at Hermione expectantly. She looked as if she was about to faint from speaking his name, but her voice was calm. "It's what we need to do. And if you are going to join, then we need to -"

"Do you have any proof that You-Know-Who is back?" asked the Hufflepuff Chaser aggressively. Was this guy really a Hufflepuff? That temper is worthy of Slytherin.

Hermione looked baffled. "Dumbledore believes it - "

"No," the Hufflepuff interrupted, "Dumbeldore believes Potter."

"Who the hell are you?" Ron snarled, fisting his hands.

"Zacharias Smith," he growled back. "And I believe we should know why Potter says He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back."

"That is not why we are here and -"

Harry piped up from beside me. "It's okay, Hermione." He looked at the aggressive Hufflepuff. "I saw him come back. Dumbledore told the whole school what happened. If you don't believe Dumbeldore, then you don't believe me. I'm not going to waste today convincing people."

I reached under the table and gently patted his thigh. It was the only way I could show him that I was proud of him for standing his ground.

"Dumbledore never gave us details on how Diggory died, just that You-Know-Who killed him and you brought back his body." Zacharias narrowed his eyes at the raven-haired teenager. "I think we all whould like to know what really - "

"If you've only come here to talk about Cedric's death, then you are wasting our time." I could tell Harry's fury was building. "I do not want to talk about Cedric. If that's all you came here for, then clear out."

No one moved, not even Smith to my surprise. I knew Cedric's death was something that was going to be brought up - it was inevitable. I squeezed Harry's leg a few times to comfort him then released my grip. I knew it was hard for him to talk about Cedric's death. Not many of us have seen death before our eyes. And once you have have seen it, it's something that can not be forgotten easily.

A faint picture flashed in my mind. A man and a woman standing under a cherry tree that was in full bloom. The man had a full head of dark brunette hair and light brown eyes, and deep scars on his exposed face. The woman's blonde hair was in a braid that fell over her shoulder and touched the top of her left breast, and light green eyes glittered with happiness as she gazed up at the man. Both were in dress robes and a beautiful red rose was nestled behind the woman's left ear.

Another image took the first's place. The same man and woman were laying on a wooden floor in a heap; the woman was draped over the man. There was no blood or marks to prove that they were stabbed or strangled to death. But their unseeing eyes were stretched wide as if something had surprised them right before they died. A young boy with dark brunette hair was kneeling beside the bodies, tears streaming from his acid green eyes. His head was thrown back, mouth opened in a scream of terror and agony.

Mother. . . Father. . .

"Is it true that you can produce a Patronus?"

The voice broke through the picture, bringing me mercifully back to the present. The speaker was one of the unknown Hufflepuffs. Her question was directed at Harry, who answered with a somewhat defensive "Yes."

"A corporeal Patronus?"

"You don't know Madam Bones, do you?"

The girl smiled at the name. "Yes, she's my aunt. I'm Susan Bones. She was at your hearing at the Ministry. But is it true? That you can produce a Patronus, a stag?"

I looked at Harry. I didn't know he could produce a Patronus, a full-bodied one. That was advanced magic. It took me a whole year just to produce mine.

"Yes, I can."

"I never knew you could do that!" said Lee Jordan, impressed, from his seat between the twins.

"Mum told Ron not to say anything about it," said Fred.

"I bet he appreciated that," I said with a soft chuckle.

"One of the portraits told me that you killed a basilisk with the sword that's in Dumbledore's office," said one of the students; I didn't know his name.

"Yeah, yeah, I did."

"In our first year he saved the Sorcerer's Stone from You-Know-Who," Neville added.

"Don't forget all the tasks he had to overcome in the Triwizard Tournament," said Cho with a bright smile at Harry. "He had to get past merpeople and dragons."

The students around the table let out impressed sounds. I held my tongue and kept my hand to myself when it started to squirm back in the direction of Harry's thigh. I knew of some of the things he had done, but I was thoroughly impressed with his courage. I'm glad the Sorting Hat placed him in Gryffindor; not all of us have that kind of bravery, even when it is forced upon us.

"I actually had a lot of help," said Harry in a quiet voice.

"You didn't have help with the Horntail," said another Hufflepuff. "That was some awesome flying skills."

"And no one helped you against the dementors over the summer," said Susan.

"You say you had help with this stuff," Smith growled. "Are you trying to weasel your way out of teaching us this stuff."

"Why don't you shut your mouth," Ron snarled loudly. "There's an idea."

Zacharias went on the defensive. "We are here to learn from him. Now he's telling us he didn't do any of it."

"That's not what he said," Fred hissed.

George withdrew a very interesting-looking metal instrument from a bag by his side. "Would you like to have you ears cleaned out?"

"Or any other part of your body," said Fred. "We're not really picky about where we stick this."

Zacharias opened his mouth to retaliate, but I stopped the argument by slamming my half-empty bottle on the table. The dusty sound got everyone's attention, and several of them looked a bit scared when I narrowed my acid green eyes. I've glared at myself in the bathroom mirror before, and I frightened myself; some of these students were almost shaking. "Shut the hell up," I said through gritted teeth. "Harry did have help with some of these problems, but not for all of them. There's no shame in asking for help when you need it. Why the hell do you think I am here?" I directed the question at Smith. "Yes, I am a teacher's assistant, but Ron, Hermione, and Harry asked for my help in putting together this meeting and, possibly, this group. If you have a problem with that, then, by all means, don't let the door smack your ass on the way out. But if you want to learn some useful skills, then shut the hell up and pay attention." I narrowed my eyes further. "Do we have a problem?"

Smith shook his head, fear in his eyes. A few of the other students also shook their heads, even though I was not talking to them. I nodded once and took my feet off the table. "Good." I picked up my butterbeer and took a drink. "Now, Hermione, will you please continue?"

"Y-Yes, Mr. Creary. Um. . ." She glanced around nervously. "Moving on. . . are we agreed that we would like to be taught by Harry?" No one objected. "Okay, the next question is how often we should meet."

"We need to make sure we can still have Quidditch practice," said Angelina Johnson. The other Quidditch players, save for Harry, nodded in agreement.

"I believe we can find a night that suits everybody," said Hermione. "But this stuff is very important. We are learning how to handle Dark wizards, and creatures," she added with a glance in my direction. "I do not know how the Minister could appoint such a. . . dunder-headed teacher to teach us at this crucial point of our lives. The Ministry is in denial about V-Voldemort's return and gave us a teacher who does not want to teach us defensive spells." Hermione turned her pretty brown eyes onto me. "Mr. Creary, is there anything you would like to add?"

All eyes were on me. I wasn't squeamish about being stared at because students look at me every school day. "I believe the Ministry has some crazy idea that Dumbledore is using students as a private army. That is why Fudge appointed Umbridge as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. She is being used to spy on Dumbledore, and us." I nodded to Hermione and settled back in my seat.

"Thank you, Mr. Creary," she said, calmer now that I had said what she couldn't. "Now," she continued, addressing the others, "we need to find a place to hold our meetings."

"What about the library?" offered Katie Bell.

"Madam Pince wouldn't appreciated students practicing spells in the library," Harry replied.

"We'll think of something, Hermione," I promised.

Hermione turned to her bag and withdrew a piece of parchment and a quill. I saw something spark in her soft brown eyes but decided not to question her. "I think everyone should write their name down, so we know who was here. I do not think we should talk about what we are doing. If Umbridge was to find out. . ." She shuddered lightly as she trailed off.

Fred slid the paper toward himself and put his name down, a goofy grin on his face. George and Lee followed his example before passing it on. Some of the students signed eagerly and others looked as if they were about to take a giant leap off a cliff.

"If Umbridge were to find this," Ernie fretted, "we could lose our prefect status." Was he really that worried about losing a damn badge? "I don't want to be punished for something like this."

"Do you honestly believe I'd leave this lying around?" Hermione snapped.

Once everyone signed the parchment I reached for it and signed my name at the very bottom. I even added a little heart for the hell of it; I could hear a few snickers as I passed the parchment back to Hermione.

"Is that necessary, Mr. Creary?" she said with a playful huff.

I shrugged and smirked. "I thought it would brighten your day."

Hermione smiled then stowed the parchment and quill back in her bag. I tipped my now empty bottle at the students as they left the Hog's Head. I rounded up all the bottles that were left on the table and tossed them into a trash can that was meandering around the pub on stubby metal legs. I heard a grunt of appreciation from the barkeeper. I rose to my feet and stretched. "Well. Better get back to the castle."

The sunlight burned my eyes which had become used to the dark pub. I raised a hand to shield them as we walked to the main road of Hogsmeade. The students who had just left the Hog's Head didn't pay much attention to us as we made our way back to the castle. It was as if they were trying to prove that they were taking the silence seriously.

"That Zacharias is a bit of a wart, isn't he?" grumbled Ron between swigs of butterbeer.

"I'm surprised he showed up," said Hermione. "I was telling Ernie and Hannah about the meeting and he overheard. He may seem like a wart, but I think the more people the better. And if Ginny wasn't going out with that Michael Corner, I doubt he nor his friends would have shown up."

Ron spit out his mouthful of butterbeer. "She's what?! My sister's going out with. . . Michael Corner!" His nostrils flared, and I took a step away from him. I heard redheads could get very nasty when irritated. Stereotyping, I know, but I've seen it happen before.

"They met at the Yule Ball during the Triwizard Tournament. They've been going out since the end of last year." Hermione paused to look at some quills that were on display. "I need a new quill," she muttered to herself.

"Which one was Michael?"

"The one who was holding her hand."

"I don't like him." Ron glared at his bushy-haired friend. "I thought Ginny fancied Harry?"

I glanced at Harry but he wouldn't meet my gaze.

"She used to, Ron, but she decided to not pursue him. She still likes you though," she added to Harry. "That's why she isn't so shy around you. So. . . what about Cho?"

I almost choked on my spit. During the meeting I had noticed how the pretty Ravenclaw would cast glances at Harry then look away when he looked in her direction. It was part of Flirting 101: The Awkward Stare and Look Away. I've known of several girls to do that to me when I was busy doing that to the blokes in my year.

"What about Cho?" asked Harry.

"She couldn't keep her eyes off of you."

I hummed quietly to myself but managed to disguise it as a small cough. I turned away from the trio of younger teenager and started toward the castle. "I'll see you guys later."

"You're leaving now?" asked Hermione incredibously.

I paused and glanced over my shoulder at her. "Yes, I have lots of things to do, like sort out which creatures need to be talked about and whatnot." I continued along the path. Harry's eyes bore holes into the back of my head. I could almost smell the smoke and singed hair. Hearing that Cho was staring at Harry was a bit unnerving, I'll admit, but I can't let it bother me. I know that Harry said he didn't want to use me as an experiment, but in reality that was all that I was: an experiment for his sexuality. I can't take it personally if he likes someone else, especially if that someone else is the opposite sex.

But why does it feel like my heart is being torn open?

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I had not expected Umbridge to assert her dominance over the school right away, but I guess fate had other plans. Her newest movement to overpower the school was on one of the notcie boards by the Great Hall. All school organizations, teams, clubs and whatnot had to receive permission from the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts. Any students caught being involved with a group without permission was to be expelled from the school. For a fleeting moment I was relieved that the new decree - number twenty-four - would not affect me in any way before worry for the students set in. Hermione's idea of Harry teaching a group of students Defense Against the Dark Arts could come to a screeching halt if we did think of something quickly.

I wanted to hex the paper, turn it into a paper airplane, and have it blow raspberries as it followed Umbridge around the castle. My hand twitched toward my wand's sheath on my thigh. I couldn't go through with it, no matter how badly I wanted to. Instead I turned on my heel and headed toward the dungeons. Snape was expecting me for his next class with the fifth years.

The door to the dungeon was open and I slipped inside. Snape was sitting at his desk at the other end of the room, quill scratching furiously at a piece of parchment. He looked up when I shut the door, greasy-looking hair swaying with the movement. "Welcome to the dungeons, Mr. Creary."

"Thanks for letting me help you out," I said, walking down the aisle between the rows of desks. "What are we working on today?"

"Strengthening Solutions," Severus replied. "The fifth years' potions should have matured over the weekend."

"Have you taught them how to make that pink death potion?" I set my bag on a small desk beside Severus's. "Because if you are, then I am leaving."

A small smirk appeared on his pale face. "We discontinued that potion after that incident."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Lucky bastards," I muttered.

"Language, Talis," Snape warned as the door opened again. He looked past me at the newcomer and his black eyes narrowed almost dangerously.

I twisted around and just barely managed to hide my snarl as a familiar squat, pink-clad figure shut the door. I exchanged an angry glance with Severus. "What is she doing here?" I growled just loud enough for him to hear me.

Severus rose to his feet and walked toward the other professor. I thought he was ignoring me until he motioned to a piece of paper on his desk. I glanced down at the note. It was a notice from Umbridge about when his inspection would take place. I rolled my eyes. I swear Umbridge knows what class I am going to be assisting so she can crash it and keep an eye on me. What did she think I was going to do, go wild and tear up the place? Kill a student or two? I may be wild, but I'm not savage.

I ignored the glare Umbrdige shot at me as she settled down on a chair in a dim corner. Severus walked to the door and I took my place at the desk. I felt Umbridge's gaze burn the side of my head, but when I turned to look at her, she glanced away. One of these days I'll catch her on her own and no one would be able to hear her scream.

The students filed into the classroom looking distracted, though some looked upset, especially Neville. I made a mental note to check up on him after the class. Severus closed the door, and the whispers automatically disappeared into the cold air.

"You will notice we have two guests today." Severus gesture to Umbridge, and I felt a twinge of satisfaction when more than a handful of the students glared at the teacher, who just smiled sweetly. "Professor Umbridge and Mr. Creary will be here for the today's session. We will be continuing with our Strengthening Solutions. Your mixtures should have matured over the weekend, provided they were correctly made." He cast a glare at the Gryffindor side of the classroom. "Carry on. If you need help, Mr. Creary will assist you."

The first part of the class was rather uneventful. I answered questions, helped with measurements, and gave instructions on how to stir the concoction correctly. The Gryffindors seemed more appreciative of my help than the Slytherins, but after fifteen minutes of getting everything wrong, several of the Snake House reluctantly asked for help. Every now and then I could feel those emerald eyes staring at the back of my head, and almost hear the younger teenager's voice asking me to look at him.

"This class seems to be beyond the normal level."

I straightened up from helping a Slytherin and looked around until I spotted the toad. She was standing beside Severus, who was inspecting Dean Thomas's cauldron. "I wonder if the Strengthening Solution should be taught to fifth years. Perhaps the Minsitry should remove it from the syllabus." I knew that was her way of insulting Severus and getting his attention. "How long have you been teaching here?"

"Fourteen years," Snape said, black eyes almost blazing with disgust at being questioned.

"You applied for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post? But you were unsuccessful?"

"Obviously." Snape crossed his arms over his chest.

The distinct scent of burning rubber reached my nose and I coughed. Distracted, I could hear the rest of Umbridge's questions. I followed the foul stench and almost regretted it when it lead me to Harry's cauldron. "What the hell did you do?" I muttered, low enough that Umbridge could not hear me.

Harry looked at me with those emerald eyes. "I don't know," he answered honestly.

I sighed and withdrew my wand from its sheath. "You won't be able to reverse this with potion ingredients." I glanced over my shoulder to make sure no one was watching then waved my wand over the cauldron. The scent vanished and the potion darkened to a dark turquoise. "There. Tell Snape you accidently added four drops of salamander blood."

"Thank you," Harry breathed. I noticed his hand was twitching a bit.

"Is your hand hurting you?"

"No," he replied in a quiet tone. "It's something else. . ."

"Mr. Creary!"

I rolled my eyes and swiveled on my heel. "Yes, Professor Snape?"

"I want you to stay behind and help me clean up. Class dismissed," he hissed to the students, who quickly packed up and left. Harry cast a worried and upset look at me over his shoulder but followed his friends out the dungeon door.

"Thank you for letting me join your session, Professor." Umbridge let out a rather girly, but very annoying giggle. "You will get the results of your inspection in ten day's time. Have a lovely day." She didn't even look at me as she exited the dungeons.

"Can I hex her now?" I asked when the door slammed shut, leaving us in stony silence. I walked over to Severus and looked up at him. "C'mon, Severus. You know you want to do it as well."

Severus huffed a bit. "As much as I would like to, I can not jeopardize my job. She would have us reported to the Minister and removed from Hogwarts before we could blink." He pulled his wand out of his cloak and waved it once, cleaning up any spills the students had left behind. "Damned students."

I shrugged and went to pick up my bag.

"How are things going for you, Talis?"

I paused, startled, and looked at the Potion's Master. It's not often he asks something that personal, especially out of the blue like that. For a few moments I was speechless, then I found my tongue. "Not as great I'd hoped," I admitted. Severus was someone I trusted, even when I was his student.

"What's happened now?" His voice said he was bored, but his black eyes said he was, to some extent, curious and worried.

"I'm worried Umbride is going to find out my secret," I muttered.

"Which one?"

"Either one," I replied. "I already know how she does not like half-breeds. But I don't know how she'd take having a homosexual teaching assistant in the school."

"Do not forget about our Headmaster. He shares one of your secrets."

"I know, but it still worries me. I don't have the respect or support from the Wizarding World like Dumbledore has."

Severus moved to his desk and sat down in his chair. "What else is the matter?"

I hesitated. I couldn't give my newest secret away, but maybe I can get some advice without blowing it. "I. . . I've met someone. He's a great guy, smart and funny. . . all that mushy stuff." I couldn't give too much away. "But he's not. . . like me." I drew in a deep breath and released it through my nose. "He says he wants to be more than friends with me, but how can he when he doesn't fancy males?"

Severus looked at me with narrowed eyes. There was no hint of disgust or anger, just guarded worry. "He could be bisexual," he said after a few moments. "One who could have relationship with either gender."

I wanted to hit myself on the head. How could I have forgotten bisexuality? I've been so caught up in the heterosexual-homosexual war that I forgot about the bisexual part.

"It's not uncommon for witches and wizards to be of this sexuality." Severus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose briefly. "I suggest you talk to whomever this man is and figure out where your relationship, if you have one, stands."

"I may do that."

"Good. Now get out of my dungeons. I have more classes today, and I don't have time to be giving relationship advice to a teaching assistant." He made a shooing motion with his hand. "Have a good day, Mr. Creary."

I shouldered my bag. "And you as well, Professor." I walked toward the door but paused half-way there. I glanced over my shoulder at the Potion's Master; he was already studying a piece of parchment. "Thank you, Severus."

Severus nodded without looking up. "You're welcome. Now go."

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I found my prey after dinner. He was leaning against an open window, breathing in the evening air. The underparts of his eyes were a bit red and swollen; he had been crying.

"Hey, Neville." He didn't even look at me as I leaned against the window next to him. "Everything okay?"

The younger teen shook his head.

I furrowed my brow a bit. "Want to tell me what's wrong?"

"It was Malfoy." His voice with quiet but filled with anger. I was surprised such a gentle boy could speak in such a way. "He said some things today. I lost my temper."

"I never knew you had a temper," I said, half in jest. "What did he say?"

"He. . . He. . . He made fun of my parents!" he burst out before punching the wall beside the window.

"Oh, Neville." I reached out a hand and rested it on his shoulder comfortingly. "Don't let Malfoy get to you. I know that's hard to do, but he just wants to get a rise out of Gryffindor." I paused then sighed. "I know about your parents, Neville."

His head whipped around so he was looking at me. I almost winced at the possible whiplash. "Y-You do?"

I nodded. "I heard about them when I was hanging about the Ministry looking for a job. Lestrange got a hold of them and altered their state of mind. But they didn't give in." I looked into his soulful brown eyes. "They are perhaps the bravest people I have ever heard of." I patted his shoulder gently. "And I believe you can be just as brave as your parents. Keep your head up and don't let anyone drag you down. I know you have the makings of a great wizard, Neville." I smile at his surprised face. "For your parents bravery and yours, I am going to give Gryffindor fifteen House points. Keep it up, okay?"

Neville gave a watery smile then returned to looking out the window.

"If you ever need someone to talk to, Neville, know that I am always around." My hand slipped from his shoulder. I glanced at the fading sunlight then continued on my way down the corridor.

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I know Snape was a little OOC, but, hey, it's a fanfic. I wanted him to be a supportive father-like figure to Talis.

ww1990ww - I was going for a more dominant Harry. I prefer him like that, instead of being a little whiny, bitchy person. No offense to anyone who has created Harry like that in their fanfics. The harem stories are not really my thing, but I do enjoy an MPREG story every now and then. :) Some of them are nicely written.

jukebox56 - To be honest, yes I do. :) I sniff the air almost everywhere I go, though I do it discretely. And thanks. I had an image of Talis attacking Ron in my mind and fought with myself for an hour about how to write it.

WritersLife3 - Thanks, but I don't have very many friends in real life. I have a hard time making friends because I am a gay transsexual, and not a lot of people can see passed that to the real me. I use a lot of sarcastic wit and can be a bit. . . what's the word. . . insane? :} Spoiler: Blue Jacobs may appear in one of the next chapters in a flashback. He may make an actual appearance later on, but I haven't decided anything yet.

Hope everyone likess this chapter. Questions? Comments? Ask/comment away. I don't bite. :)