It didn't take long to finish the potion with the two of them working together. They left the cauldron to cool and went out into Snape's outer office. Freddie dropped into her usual chair in front of his desk and, for a moment, she felt like a student again. She smiled across the desk at Snape as he sat down. He gave her a quick smile in return.

"Would you like some tea before we have to go outside?" he offered.

"Sure."

Snape called for Noelle to bring them a pot of Blend #36. When the house-elf returned with the tea he leaned across the desk to pour Freddie's cup before pouring his own.

"I think this is my favorite of your tea blends," she told him after taking a sip of the spearmint and honeysuckle flavored brew.

"I know," he said with a small smile. "It will help keep us alert while we patrol the grounds, but not so invigorating that we can't sleep tonight."

"Will I be...sleeping here again?" she asked carefully, not looking up at him in case the answer was no.

"I would like that," he answered softly and she did look up at him then. His eyes were warm and brown, but also intense as he gazed at her. Suddenly tea was the farthest thing from her mind and she wanted nothing more than to be in his arms. She stood up, placing her teacup on the desk, and walked around to him. He tilted his head curiously as she approached, but then set his cup aside and opened his arms to her. She settled herself in his lap and he embraced her. She kissed his cheek then buried her face in the crook of his neck, letting the scent of his skin and the warmth of his body soothe her soul.

"I want you to be careful around him," he said softly, after holding her close for several minutes. It took her a minute to realize who he was talking about.

"Lupin?"

"Yes. I don't trust him and you should not either. Just be careful... and I don't want you anywhere near him on the night of the full moon."

"He won't be dangerous. Don't you trust my skill as a potion maker?"

"Of course I do, Winifred, but promise me – nowhere near him. You can never be too careful."

"Alright," she agreed. "I see no reason why I would be near him. He's supposed to just pop in, take his medicine, and leave."

"Good," he said, tightening his grip on her possessively. "If he ever does anything to you...or says anything to you..."

"He won't," she said soothingly. "I'll be perfectly safe."

"One wrong word from that dog and Dumbledore can find himself a new potion-maker."

"Everything will be fine, Severus," Freddie said, kissing him gently until finally he relaxed his grip on her and sighed softly. "Our tea is getting cold."

She started to get up but he pulled her back to him and kissed her once more before letting her go. She was still grinning from the kiss as she sat back down in her chair and picked up her teacup.

A short while later the pair left Snape's office and headed towards the Entrance Hall. It was not quite 10 o'clock yet and when Freddie heard footsteps she quickly shifted into her Animagus form. Snape glanced at her with an eyebrow raised, but she disappeared into the shadows as a pair of Slytherin girls rounded the corner.

"Good evening, Professor Snape," said the taller of the two girls.

"Miss Barker, Miss Bates," he acknowledged, glancing at his watch. "Ten minutes until curfew."

"We're on our way back to the Common Room now, sir," Barker said. "We won't be late. Come on, Emma."

The girl grabbed her friend by the hand and the two hurried down the hall. They passed a few more students in the dungeons and the Entrance Hall, all hurrying to make it back to their Common Rooms before the curfew bell. Nobody noticed Freddie slinking along behind Snape in her kneazle form and by the time they reached the door the grounds were deserted.

"It's so peaceful out here," Freddie said after she'd shifted back. Night had fallen and stars were appearing in the dark sky. It was a warm night but a comfortable breeze ruffled her hair as she followed Snape along the path towards the gate.

"Let's hope it stays that way," he said and she nodded in agreement.

"Do you really think anyone would try to attack Hogwarts? It's like the safest place in the world," she said as they walked.

"You can never be too careful," said a voice from behind them. Freddie jumped and spun around, wand in hand, to find herself facing Albus Dumbledore. He was wearing dark blue robes and had a somewhat somber expression on his face, but his blue eyes still twinkled when he saw her. Snape glanced down at Freddie with a smirk.

"You didn't hear him behind us?" Snape asked. Freddie felt her face flush and she scowled at him, shaking her head. She hadn't been paying attention. She'd been enjoying spending time alone with Snape, walking through the pleasant night.

"Constant vigilance, Miss Gray," Dumbledore said kindly, but then his face grew serious again. "While I hope that no harm ever befalls anyone in this castle, it is not always within my power to stop these things from happening."

"We must do what we can," Snape said with a slight nod.

"I am glad to see you were able to join Severus on patrol this evening, Miss Gray," the headmaster said. "I prefer not to have my people on patrol alone, but Severus always prefers working alone. I thought this would be a suitable compromise."

It was Snape's turn to scowl, this time at the headmaster, and Freddie chuckled softly.

"I'm glad to do whatever I can to help, Professor Dumbledore," she said honestly.

"I am grateful for that, Miss Gray. I hope there are more young people like you out there," he said, gazing off across the grounds. Then he checked his watch. "I'm afraid I must be going. I'm counting on the two of you to keep an eye on things."

"Yes, headmaster," Snape said.

"Where are you going?" Freddie blurted out before she could stop herself.

"Winifred," Snape hissed at her.

"It's alright, Severus," Dumbledore chuckled. "Curiosity is not a sin. As a matter of fact, Miss Gray, I am on my way to check out a possible location for our headquarters. It shouldn't take more than a few hours, but I don't want anyone to know I am away from the school or where I have gone."

"Of course. Good luck, sir," Freddie said to him.

"Thank you, Miss Gray. Severus," he said with a nod. Then he Disapparated with a small pop, leaving the two of them alone.

"Whoa, I thought you couldn't Disapparate on Hogwarts grounds?" she asked, looking up at Snape.

"Being the Headmaster comes with special privileges," he answered. "You should not have asked him where he was going, it's none of our business."

"He didn't seem to mind," Freddie said with a shrug. "He could've lied or told me off."

"Usually he says he's off to buy a pair of socks."

"What?"

"That is Albus' way of saying 'none of your business'," Snape said with a faint smile. "Why don't we walk down to the lake, then circle back around the greenhouses to the fence."

"Sounds good to me," she agreed.