A/N: With all the characters from the HP series that I've borrowed for the summer, it's getting a bit crowded here at my house. We were managing just fine earlier but now I've got weird aromas wafting up from the basement where Severus has been brewing who knows what. (I think it was the wolfsbane potion last week.) And my poor dogs run for cover whenever Remus walks in the house. Somehow lemon drops and butterbeer keep popping up on my shopping list. Gotta go reinforce the lock on the back bedroom door. Full moon this week. Here's the next chapter...

A Walk by the Lake ~*~

Remus and Lorien continued their walk around the lake, hand in hand.

"Want to know what else I did today?" Lorien asked. "I met with Harry for a while this afternoon."

"Harry? He's not sick is he?" Remus asked in a concerned way.

"No, not at all. He came to me asking questions about the Nemorosi and wandless magic," she told him. "Remus, the boy has absolutely remarkable talent."

"There's no question that he has amazing potential. You tried some wandless magic?" He ventured a guess.

"Yes. After about half an hour of talking to him and working with him he was summoning a quill and performing the lighting charm sans wand."

"Really?" Remus asked. "That's very impressive. Are you going to do more work with him?"

"Yes. This week," Lorien answered, and then she gave him a knowing look. "Speaking of impressive..."

Remus looked at her questioningly

"I hear that Harry isn't the only one that can do wandless lighting spells, Professor Lupin."

It took Remus a second to catch on, and then he smiled, a bit embarrassed.

"See that, you're doing wandless magic and you swore on the full moon that you'd be out hugging trees for me. We'll make a Nemorosi wizard out of you yet." Lorien was amused at the thought and laughed.

Remus and Lorien paused at the water where the path dipped down and widened a little, and sat together on a large rock.

"So what else do I have to do?" he asked her teasingly.

"Do?" she asked.

"If I wanted to be a Nemorosi wizard." Remus added. "Tell me more."

Lorien looked into his gray eyes. "You're curious about it?" she asked.

"I'm curious about you." He kissed her briefly.

"All right. It's difficult to know where to start," Lorien began. "We believe that nature includes all the energies, forces, phenomena, and essences of life and magic, and we believe that we must respect and love nature as a provider of these things."

"Is this where the tree hugging thing comes in?" Remus teased.

She nodded and laughed a little. "Of course we don't actually worship trees, but they are an important symbol of nature. Many different types of tree have different magical properties, and it the properties the wood possesses can enhance certain type of spells or magic. It's part of why certain wands choose certain wizards."

Remus pulled his wand from his robe and handed it to Lorien. "So what do you think?" he asked.

Lorien examined the wand and nodded. "It definitely suits you. This is Rowan, right?"

Remus nodded.

"The wood of the Rowan aids in protection from enchantment and control of the senses from beguiling...rather appropriate for the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts." She handed the wand back to Remus.

He nodded. "So, go on with what you were saying," Remus encouraged Lorien to continue her lecture.

Lorien smiled. "I'm not boring you?"

"No, I'd like to hear more," he said.

"Ok. Are you familiar with the Asdruara?" she asked.

Remus thought for a moment and then began to slowly shake his head. "I don't think so."

"Sorry. That's the Nemorosi term. You probably have heard of an Elvenstar?"

"The septagram? Yes. It symbolizes the seven directions right? North, east, west, south, above, below and within," Remus answered.

Lorien was impressed again. "Very good, but in this case the Nemorosi Asdruara represents the foundations of our abilities. Earth, air, fire, water, life, light and magic. Our magic derives from each of theses elements, and varies according to the type of spell, and the individual witch or wizard. For example, I think my own strengths derive more from the intelligence or enlightenment aspects of air and the assertive or energized aspects of fire, and my focus is obviously life since I'm a healer."

Remus stood up and pointed his wand at a small rock. "Accio." It flew to his hand. "So, what do you think my strengths would be?" Remus asked her. He hurled the rock across the water and watched it skip over the surface a few times.

Lorien considered what she knew about Remus's abilities and personality, and thought quietly for a minute.

"I think your focus is obviously light, and your strengths would be courage and willpower of fire, and patience and centeredness of earth."

"Very interesting, Mistress Lorien." Remus skipped another rock a few hops. "What a shame that Sibyll thinks you won't be around long enough to teach me any more."

Lorien laughed at him as he threw a charmed rock this time that skipped about twenty times.

"So, when exactly is it that you're supposed to kick off then?" he continued to joke.

"Oh, I don't know. Any day now I suppose," she answered with shrug and a smile.

Snape was in the middle of grading third year potion essays, when he'd finally had enough. He slapped the quill in his hand down and pressed his palms to his eyes. He was tired, but had been edgy all day. His hand went unconsciously to his left forearm as he thought about the fact that he would be summoned any day now. He dreaded the thought, but dreaded more the thought that he wanted to back out. He loathed the part of himself that was afraid. He had to do this. He had to take the chance. The advantage gained by possibly having someone in Voldemort's inner circle out weighed the risk, especially since the risk was only to himself.

He rose and began to pace. Tonight was going to be one of those nights that sleep proved to be an elusive companion. The arguments for and against going when summoned raged on in his mind. He needed to clear his head.

Snape snatched up the black cloak that hung near the door and headed out of the dungeon. A walk in the crisp air should help.

He paused but a moment and then decided that he would follow the path that skirted the lake. It was long but well-worn and Snape set out at a brisk pace along the banks that rose and fell along the water.

He forced his mind blank as he walked and tried to focus instead on the slight sounds the water made as it rhythmically lapped at the bank's edge. The night breeze tugged at the long black cloak and raven hair.

He had finally succeeded in banishing the turmoil in his brain when he caught a new sound a short distance away. A small splash. A woman's laughter.

Snape was perturbed at first at having his peaceful reverie disturbed, but his annoyance turned to curiosity when he realized that the voice he was hearing belonged to Lorien.

His thoughts went to the Nemorosi witch. She had annoyed him at first, but then she had stayed to watch him work that night in the dungeon. And of course she had stayed for the longest time last night while he had enjoyed speaking with the woman. What on earth was she doing out here? Wait...there was someone else.

The other voice was male. 'I wonder...'

Curiosity led him closer to the spot where he could hear them talking. Snape crept stealthily forward to the large rocks that sat on the crest of the next dip in the path. From his vantage point he could look down without being seen. It was Lupin with Lorien.

Lorien was seated on a large rock facing Lupin, who was summoning small rocks with his wand and then skipping them on the water's surface. He could hear most of their conversation now.

"...exactly is it that you're supposed to kick off then?" Lupin was saying.

Lorien laughed. "Oh, I don't know. Any day now I suppose."

Lupin whirled around to face her.

"Any day! It could be any minute!" He was laughing as well.

Snape rolled his eyes. Whatever they were talking about it was of no interest to him. Let them sit out here being ridiculous. He was about to turn around when a quick movement from Lupin caught his eye again.

Lupin had reached down and grabbed the blonde witch by her arm. He yanked her to her feet as she laughed.

"Any minute I tell you! Quick, before you expire!"

The werewolf sharply pulled the amused woman to himself.

'What on earth?' Snape frowned as he watched from the top of the path, but a moment later realization dawned on him.

'Lupin's going to...no...he couldn't be...'

Lupin kissed Lorien.

Snape's eyes went wide and he ducked back around the rock.

'So it isn't just a bunch of gossip between Sprout and Sinistra.'

He ventured a peak back down the quiet path.

Lorien's arms were around Lupin's neck and they were engaged in a very intimate embrace.

Severus had seen enough, and whirled back up the way he had come. He snorted to himself. "Get a room."

He stormed back around the lake, furious that he couldn't find even a little peace and solitude on his walk.

At least that's what he told himself.

Snape slammed open the door to his rooms and flung the cloak from his shoulders to the back of a chair.

"Damn Gryffindors!" he cursed aloud. "Always causing trouble! Always an annoyance!"

He focused his anger on Lupin. "Pathetic werewolf!" He spat the words.

He was angry that he'd been robbed of his peaceful stroll. Furious that his much needed reprieve had been disturbed by that man. He grabbed a bottle from a large bookcase and hurled it across the room. It exploded into a hundred fragments of glass.

He stood there, by the bookshelf, hands on his hips, head back, eyes closed, willing his breathing to slow. He hadn't gone off like that in a long time. Over something so stupid at that. He told himself it was because he was tired, because he was under duress. He told himself it was because he hated the werewolf anyway. He tried to tell himself that what he had seen didn't matter and it was merely an...inconvenience. He was excellent at lying to himself, he'd done it so much in the past, but this time he was having trouble hanging on to the excuses.

His breathing had returned to normal and he opened his eyes and made his way to the fireplace. He sank into the chair and stared at the one like it across from him.

A small, bitter smile played across his lips. "Not going to be able to fool yourself about this, are you, Severus?" he sneered.

He closed his eyes again and leaned his head back against the chair.

Lupin had kissed her and he didn't like it.

He didn't like it at all.

It was early in the week when Lorien met with Harry again one evening, and together they decided that they would work on a wandless version of the shielding spell that Harry knew. Lorien picked up a cup of tea she'd been drinking and lead Harry into the medical ward where there was more room.

"Ok, Harry. First let me see the shielding charm with your wand."

Harry drew his wand. "What am I going to be shielding myself ag... Defendo!" Harry broke off and yelled the charm as Lorien hurled the hot cup of tea at him unexpectedly. It was deflected an instant before dousing Harry and smashed on the floor.

Harry looked at her wide eyed as she stood there laughing.

"Sorry," she apologized with a grin. "I just wanted to make sure you were on your toes."

"I am now." Harry felt the adrenaline in his veins.

"Actually that was quite fast, Harry. Shall we try it against a spell now?" she asked.

"Ok. Do you think...Defendo!" Harry abandoned the rest of his question and yelled the command word as Lorien gestured at him and red light flashed off of an invisible barrier in front of him as he defected the hex. He looked at her, still a little frazzled but smiling. "What was that?"

"Minor stunning spell," Lorien answered. "Had you been slower you would have just been knocked on your backside for a moment. Are you ready to try it without the wand?"

Harry grimaced a little. "I guess so." He handed her the wand.

Lorien took it from him and looked it over carefully this time. It was Holly. "Hmm. Balance, directness, and resolve to fight if the cause is just," she said, mostly to herself.

"Sorry?" Harry asked, puzzled by her words.

"Your wand, Harry. These are the magical enhancements of the wood."

"You know about wand making?" Harry asked, surprised that the witch that practiced wandless magic would know about the craft.

"No, I know about trees," she laughed. "On occasion the Nemorosi utilize the magic inherent in different types of trees. I was speaking of the characteristics of holly. What's in the core of your wand, Harry?"

"A phoenix feather," he replied, curious to see what she would say about it.

" Strength and valor. A formidable combination with the holly," Lorien observed.

Harry frowned and looked puzzled. He was thinking of the owner of the counterpart to his wand.

"What is it, Harry?" Lorien could see that something was bothering him about what she'd said.

Harry looked at her for a minute and then finally decided to tell her. "Voldemort," was all he said.

Lorien tipped her head and looked perplexed.

"His wand has a the only other feather from the phoenix that mine came from," Harry explained. "Why would such an evil wizard have a phoenix feather if it lends the wand strength and valor?"

Lorien explained her take as a Nemorosi witch on the situation. "Harry, strength and valor are positive, desirable qualities, but not exclusively good qualities. There's no reason why a wizard can be evil, but not be strong and brave."

Harry was uneasy with the thought, although it made sense.

"Are you ok? Do you still want to do this?" Lorien sounded concerned.

"Huh? Oh, yes. Definitely." Harry's attention came back to the task at hand, and he smiled a little sheepishly.

Harry got knocked on his backside the first few attempts, and Lorien realized she needed to give him a different approach as she helped him to his feet again.

"Here." She gave him the wand back. "Hit me with one. I need to think this through for a moment." She stood ready. "Go ahead, it's fine," she said reassuringly when she saw him hesitate to hex her.

"Ok," Harry said and pointed the wand. "Stupefy!" he yelled.

Lorien swept her arms out and then brought them together quickly in front of her, almost as if she were drawing curtains closed. The hex never touched her.

"Ok. I have it. Your best bet is an earth-spell to defend yourself," she told him.

"Sorry?" Harry had no idea what she was talking about.

"Earth, Harry...ground, rock, mountain...all stable, enduring and unmoving. You need an unyielding shield to protect yourself. I want you to refocus your attempt, and picture a solid stone wall in front of you." Lorien directed.

Harry finally caught the gist of what she was saying and tried it again, and this time when she hit him he staggered back a little ways without falling.

"Good! Again. Really think about the wall and picture what it would look like and feel like in your mind. It would be hard, unmoving, cool and rough to the touch. Ready?"

Harry nodded and tried to conjure the image she had painted of the wall for him. Just as she let the hex fly his concentration was broken by Remus walking into the medical ward, and Harry was knocked on his tail again.

Remus smiled at Harry and walked over to help him up. He spoke to Lorien when Harry was on his feet again.

"You're so bored that you need to hex more students so that you'll have something to do?" He grinned at her.

"Very funny," she said. "You're interrupting a lesson." She pointed for him to step aside. "Ok, Harry. One more time."

Remus stepped quietly to the side to watch.

Harry readied himself and could almost feel the wall that he was picturing as she let the stunning spell fly. It never touched him when he swept his arms together.

Remus looked quite surprised. "Harry! That was amazing!"

Harry looked pleased as well and spoke to Lorien.

"So, the shielding spell is always an earth spell?" he asked, sounding excited about what he'd learned.

Lorien shook her head. "Against a stunning spell, but not for everything."

Harry frowned. This was more complicated than he'd hoped.

"Here. I'll show you one other example. Professor, could I have your help?" she asked Remus.

"Of course." He drew his wand and stepped nearer. "What would you like me to do?"

"Would you hex me with a flaming spell?" she asked him.

"I'd be happy to, dear," he said politely.

Harry stifled a snicker.

Remus pointed the wand at Lorien and uttered the spell. She quickly threw her hands out in front of her palms up and drew them up in front of her as if she were scooping something up. The flames flashed around her and never touched her.

Lorien looked at Harry. "Water spell," she said. "You could use an earth spell to block it, but you still might get burned a little."

Harry and Remus looked at one another and Remus spoke. "I think she knows a thing or two about this that we don't."

Harry nodded vigorously. "I think you're right."

Lorien shook her head and smiled at the two. "There is still plenty that I don't know as well. It's important to always continue to learn."

She then spoke as if she were lecturing again. "Labor diligently to acquire knowledge, for it is power."

"Sorry?" said Remus and Harry simultaneously.

"First of the Seven Precepts of Merlin," she smiled, "but that's another lesson."

A/N: The Elvenstar is real, the name asdruara is just one of those ancient Nemorosi terms. In addition to the interpretations of the symbol provided by Remus and Lorien, it evidently is also viewed by some to represent the inner and outer elements: earth, air, fire, water, and heaven, earth and self.

The scene where Severus goes back to his rooms and pitches a fit is one of my favorites so far. Lorien talking to Remus outside the door at the full moon is the other.