Chapter 26

Tara burst into Madame Hooch's equipment room, off the Quidditch field. She was crying and needed someone to talk to. She had known something was up with her, but figured Tara would talk when she was ready to.

Madame Hooch had gotten the gist of what was happening; that Tara had seen The Dark Mark on Severus, and didn't know what it was when she saw it, but then read about it, and didn't know what to do. The advice over and over was to talk to Dumbledore, who was clear on what had happened.

"Why don't we go to the Three Broomsticks for a few drinks?" Madame Hooch suggested. "You know, I've got to teach you to fly soon," she remarked.

They situated themselves and had two large goblets of wine and Tara expressed how afraid she was. Madame Hooch shook her head, watching her younger friend light yet another cigarette. "From what I understand, Severus was cleared as a Deatheater. He was spying for our side in the first place."

"A spy?" Tara asked.

"Yes. Only Albus Dumbledore knows all of the details. I suggest you talk to him. He should fill you in--it's always been sort of a hush hush thing, but you are to be Severus's wife after all..."

"I don't think so. Not now!"

"Oh Tara, give it a chance! Dumbledore would not have a Deatheater teaching classes at Hogwarts if there was a problem, believe me."

"But I read all of those terrible things...and the way he speaks to Harry--it just all makes sense!"

"You know how he is with his students...."

"But he seems to really have an in for Harry! Oh this is so awful. This sucks so badly!"

Off in a corner of the tavern, Severus watched in silence. M had spotted him, but Tara hadn't, and M took measures to keep it that way. M silently acknowledged him, and kept talking to Tara, who was chain smoking, and clearly near hysteria. Severus wondered how he could ever make it right.

The next morning, Tara woke up and felt such a pain in her head. She also realized there was a cool cloth on her head as her eyes fluttered open. Oh no...

"Drink this..." a velvety voice purred.

"You've come to poison me?" Tara croaked.

"I think not!"

She closed her eyes, feeling a glass pressed to her lips. She drank down the cool, soothing liquid, and then fell back into a dreamless sleep. She awoke several hours later, feeling refreshed. She got out of bed and checked her e-mail. An urgent message from Dumbledore awaited her. She replied and he wanted to see her as soon as she was able to.

She showered and dressed, and had a morning smoke before going to see him. Food seemed to be the last thing on her agenda. She went up to his office and went to knock on the door, but just as she was about to knock, the door opened slowly. Inside, Dumbledore sat at his desk, and Snape was sitting in an adjacent chair. Her eyes widened and she turned to flee--but then suddenly, she couldn't move. She was being turned around--and saw that Dumbledore had his wand pointed at her.

"We need to talk," Severus told her.

"I need a smoke then," she said.

"Come in. You can do that in here," Albus said. Tara made a face "but it stinks--" she started. "No, it's allright. We have magic to expel it remember?"

She nodded, and took out a cigarette and put it in her lips, then looked for a lighter. Something grabbed her eye and she saw Severus raising his wand, and he lit her cigarette for her, giving her a dangerous look.

"Thank you," she said exhaling. "So, what is this about?" she asked, visibly shivering. She was so frightened and began to shake, and couldn't stop.

"Don't be afraid," Dumbledore told her. She quickly looked at Severus and at his left arm, which was covered, of course, by his sleeve, and back at Dumbledore again.

"Why not? I've been reading a book...The Deatheaters. Everything I've read...why is he here?" she asked, as if Severus wasn't even in the room.

"It's a long story. Severus, do you want to start, or shall I?"

Severus started. He began telling her of the dark times, first account anicdotes of what it was like back then...and Dumbledore reinforced what he was telling her. Then they got to his involvement and how he became a spy at 'great personal risk'. More recent events were spoken of; the terrifying fact that He Who Shall Not Be Named once again had a body and was gaining strength.

"The thing is, I am probably near the top of his list to be killed. I need to be very afraid," Severus told Tara, who was wide-eyed. She took out another cigarette, which he lit for her. Whatever Albus had put into the air to dissipate the smoke was working great. "It's important for you to know that your future husband is in grave danger," Dumbledore told her.

Tara didn't know what to think. She had been so terrified that he was a Deatheater...and now he was in danger because he posed as one and was really a spy for the good side...she didn't know what to think....other than terror. Definitely terrifying in either scenario.

They all sat for a long time and she emptied her pack of cigarettes, and coughed. "I have never done that before," she finally said, making a face. "So, what now?" she asked both of them. It was clear she was no longer filled with loathing, but was rather pensive.

"Well, that is up to you. I should have told you a lot sooner, but things moved so quickly, you didn't have a chance to learn about history," Severus told her.

She sighed, feeling herself filled with longing for him, then made a face. "I stink now..." she said, realizing she had smoked about 5 cigarettes in a row and probably reeked. No one said a word. "Tara--I don't care. I just want you back with me...if you'll have me. You just need to know...my life is in danger..."

All at once, she was in his arms, and he was caressing her face. She couldn't see...she was crying so hard. Albus was thrilled.

"Seems all is well between you two again. Now go. Get out of here. As muggles say, go get a room already!"