The long awaited next chapter. This one is long, a little odd, but long. For your reading enjoyment…

silentC: Do you fall down a lot when you snowboard? Are you just beginning or are you experienced? My friend is dating some famous snowboarding guy. I think his name is Shawn. I think.

Harry and I were resentful for a few days. But when you're someone's' bodyguard, it's really hard to stay mad at them. Eventually, he came around. Or I came around; depending on whose side you're on. Of course, Ron and Hermoine stayed neutral, like Switzerland. No wonder we're always going to rescue them.

I spent some more time with Black and Lupin. They aren't bad guys, really they aren't, even Black, a man I was trained to hate since the Downfall. More so since I was sent for Harry, since no one in America seems to know that he was cleared.

Well, we'll clear that up. It was time for me to give my status report. I sat by the fire in the middle of the night, awaiting my fate. Soon, the Head Agents' head, a one Mr. Jordan Brown, popped into the fireplace. His name is very fitting. He's very brown and, like the river, not very big. "Dobbins," he barked, looking me up and down, "you look like shit."

"Well, joy. I did have a cancer attack but Severus is here, so it's all good," I moved my hands around while I talked, to let him know I was okay.

He didn't look convinced but continued anyway. "If you insist. Now, how's Potter?"

I rolled my eyes, "Oh, he's fine. And just to let you know, Sirius Black was cleared at least two years ago, you poo head. How come you didn't know that?"

"No one told me," he said without looking concerned at all at hearing Black's name. Like he knew all along. "Well, have you killed the SOB yet?" In America, we didn't call Voldemort anything like those stupid names they have here. We just called him "the SOB" since that's what he was.

I glared at him, "Does it look like I've killed him? I can't even find him let alone kill him," I paused for a moment. "Wait, I did see the Dark Mark today. Sent Hogsmeade in to an uproar."

Brown looked up and slightly curious. "Really? I'll get someone on that. Johnson! Get me a report on a DM sighting for today!" A shadowy figure in the background ran faster, juggling paper as he went. Brown picked at his fingernails as we waited.

Soon, Johnson came and thrust a piece of paper at Brown. Feverishly, the head read the report. "Yeah, there was a killing in London. A wizard, he doesn't have the balls for a muggle yet but soon. That ain't too far from Hogwarts, you better be on the look out, babe." And that was the end of that. His head disappeared, leaving me alone with the fading fire. He was ever the optimist.

I sighed and pick myself off the ground, heading vaguely in the direction of my room. Suddenly, a door off the common room flung open and out stepped now other than Harry Potter. I stared at him as he turned around and looked me in the face. "Is that Hermoine's room?" I asked pointing at the door beyond.

A flush came over his face and he nodded, but looked away. I slowly let my finger drop, watching him, eyes narrowed. "Well, okay then." And I walk on, leaving him in stunned silence. I had closed the door on my room before he finally caught up.

"You aren't going to tell Snape, are you?" he asked grabbing the door before I could close it. I pulled him in and snapped the door behind. Severus and Hermoine had asked for complete silence, not to breath a word of their relationship to anyone. I couldn't let him stay in the hall saying stuff like that.

"No, I'm not going to tell Severus," I walk past him and sit on the edge of my bed. "I'm here to save your life, not end it." I know Severus, he's jealous. Telling him would end not only Harry's but my life too. Harry smiles at me, obviously relieved.

He runs his hand on the back of his neck, just at his hairline. "What are you doing up so late?" he asks as he moves to sit down next to me. I turn to face him, swinging my feet up on the bedspread.

I brush it off, "Status report. Nothing big. Just found out where he is." Harry's eyes grow wide. "Don't worry," I put a reassuring hand on his arm, "he's no where near here." I lied for his safety.

He looks down at my hand and moves his fingers in between mine. With his free arm, he pulled me in to a close hug. I let my head drop on his shoulder and hugged him back. Lightly he kissed my neck, like dust trickling down my side.

***

Okay, time for some more background before we go headlong into what comes next. This may surprise you, but I've never known a man before. And I'm not talking Pleased-to-meet-you know, I'm saying the Biblical know. Hell, I haven't even been kissed yet. Don't laugh; it's hard being the best. Work is my life; I can't just go all femme fatale on everyone's ass. All right, back to the story.

***

I sighed. He whispered in my ear, "You're the greatest," and pulled away. I was stunned. Was this supposed to happen? He got up, opened the door, saying, "Sweet dreams," over his shoulder, and closed the door behind him. Leaving me to stare in complete wonder at the blank door. All I can say is... Wha?