- Chapter 6 -

The Talk

"Okay, so....what next?"

Giles looked at Willow with an almost helpless expression.

"Well, Willow, there really is nothing we can do at this time. As I said, the prophecy must be seen through. We can safely say that Willow is correct in her assumptions that she, Severus, and Lupin are indeed components in the prophecy. And as much as it pains me to say, Severus is right in saying that Mr. Potter is indeed the lion."

At this comment, Willow moaned in disappointment and buried her face in her hands. Unfortunately, in doing so, she totally missed the worried look that Snape shot her. Although Lupin did not.

Hmmm, now that's interesting. The werewolf thought to himself.

Giles placed a comforting hand on Willow's shoulder and continued.

"Now, Willow, from now on, you must be within the presence of anyone within this room at all times. Is that understood?"

At this, Willow lifted her head and looked at him. A hint of a smirk on her face.

"Um, Giles. All times? I mean, I love you and everything, but, I'm not sharing my bed."

Giles turned bright red at this comment and commensed to sputtering.

"W-well, yes. O-o-of course. Er, what I meant to say was, any other time, uh, aside from bedtime, that is, you should stick close to one of us."

Willow just grinned at him. "I understood what you meant, Giles. I just had to ruffle your feathers. You know, for old times sake?"

Giles smiled then too. "Oh Willow, what am I going to do with you." And pulled the red head into a fatherly hug.

At this, the other occupants of the room just smiled. Or rather, Dumbledore, McGonagall and Lupin smiled. Snape just sort of sneered loathingly.

Releasing the redhead from his embrace, Giles looked to McGonagall. "Minerva, could I talk with you privately for just a moment."

The woman looked surprised by the question, but simply nodded.

"Very good. Albus, we will talk later. Remus. Severus." Giles said, nodding to the men and once more giving the red head a brief hug.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. Willow." McGonagall said, before preceeding Giles out the door.

"Bye Giles. Professor McGonagall." Willow called after them.

After Giles and McGonagall left, Dumbledore rose from his place behind the desk.

"Well, I imagine you three have a few things you wish to discuss amongst yourselves, so I believe I will leave you to do so." And with that, Dumbledore quickly left the office before anyone had the chance to protest.

After the door closed the second time there was nothing but silence for a long time. And then Willow spoke.

"Sooo....you're a werewolf?" She asked, directing her question to Lupin, who looked surprised.

"Well, I was infected when I was just a child." He simply replied.

Nodding at his answer, Willow then turned to Snape with a look that simply said Spill it, mister.

Snape raised an eyebrow at the look. Clearly she wanted an explanation, but he was a bit apprehensive to give one in front of Lupin. Finally, he let out a sigh of resignation and began to tell the tale.

~*~

Two hours later

Willow, Snape and Lupin exited the headmaster's office and began their descent down the staircase. Once at the bottom, Lupin quietly told them good day and then turned to head off to his chambers, but Snape followed Willow until they came to her portrait entrance. Willow mumbled her password, then turned to look at Snape.

"Thanks for walking me back." Willow mumbled.

"Not a problem." Snape replied in a low voice.

For a minute they just awkwardly stood there, looking at one another, not really knowing what else to say, but not really wanting to leave each other's company. The conversation they had just had, had somehow brought them closer. She understood everything that had drove him to join the Death Eaters. And she also understood what made him turn back. And likewise, he understood her.

"Well... I guess I'll see you at dinner?" Willow asked softly.

"Where else would I be, you silly girl." Snape replied in an uncharacteristically unsarcastic tone.

Willow blushed a little, then replied. "Oh, okay." Then before she knew what she was doing, she shot up on tiptoe and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"See you then." She said, and quickly retreated into her room. Deftly shutting the door on a bewildered Snape for the second time in two days.

~*~

Remus Lupin was deep in thought as he walked back to his room. He did not know what to make of the discovery he had made during his, Snape's and Willow's conversation in the headmaster's office.

They are attracted to one another? Surely the girl has better sense than that.

But then, he was now reassessing his opinion of the former Death Eater himself. After hearing all the facts, he had no other option but to, if not understand, then to sympathize.

And the poor girl. All the things that had happened to her. Losing someone close to your heart was a terrible thing. But to lose someone so brutally as she had was unthinkable. No wonder the poor girl had snapped.

Remus just thanked God that she had had a really good friend to help ground her. To bring her back before she stepped over the line completely. It was unfortunate that Snape had not had someone there for him. He wondered that maybe if HE, or any of the other Mauraders had taken the time to look past the rivalries of their houses. If they had attempted to befriend Severus. Then maybe one of them could have brought him back as well.

But no, Snape had had to have a real eye opening experience before he had turned back to the light.

And Remus Lupin had to settle for the comforting thought that, it wouldn't have made a difference what him or his friends should or should not have done. It was over, and Snape was back on the side of the light. And so was Willow.

But for how long?

That disturbing thought was promptly stamped down as soon as it had arisen. He would not let Voldemort get to her. And he was confident in his assuption that Severus Snape would die before letting the Dark Lord within a hundred feet of the girl.

~*~

TBC...