Fairy Cheese - Glad you found it entertaining. Love the pen name!

A/N: Next chapter sooner, I promise!

*

*

Experatan Na Hearadh ~*~

*

*

Marlina looked wistfully at Remus as she and Noah prepared to leave for the week long holiday. "I'm going to miss you," she said, standing close to him.

"It's only a week," he reassured her.

"Won't you miss me?" She asked, teasing him a little.

He shrugged and was rewarded with a punch in the arm. "Ow! Of course I will." He knelt down and tousled Noah's hair. "I'm going to miss both of you."

Noah frowned. "Then why don't you come with us?"

Marlina and Remus looked at each other for a moment, and then she spoke to her son. "Maybe next time, Noah." She said. "Remus has things he needs to do also." She didn't really want to have to go into the explanation as to why it was not a good idea for Remus to accompany them to Noah's paternal grandparent's home for a visit.

"Oh." Noah was still disappointed. He hugged Remus. "See you in a week!"

"Have a good visit with your grandparents, Noah." Remus said and then stood to speak with Marlie again. "Have a good trip." He said softly. "Be very careful, and send me an owl if you have any problems at all."

"I will." She agreed. "And you two behave yourselves at the Council. You've both caused Lorien enough grief already."

Remus smiled at her mischievously. "Since when do you worry about Lorien?" He asked.

Marlina smiled sweetly at him. "Since she gave me the scoop on where you got the dragon."

Remus's face dropped. "She told you?"

"I managed to convince her to." Marlina replied. "I think you'd better be nice to me for a while."

"I'm always nice to you." He said.

"Yes, but I think you should be especially nice to me now."

"And why is that?" He asked, pulling her a bit closer to kiss her goodbye.

Marlie kissed him back and turned to leave with Noah in tow. "Because if you aren't, I might just have to tell Lorien about the bedtime story. You know, the evil blonde which that turns into a dragon at will?"

Remus knew she had him and shrugged. "Very well. I shall do my best."

"Bye Remus." Marlie said with a sly grin.

"See you in a week." He replied, and then watched her disapparate with Noah.

Damn. He was beginning to think that encouraging Marlie and Lorien to get along was not such a good idea. It was becoming obvious that they had no problem joining forces against him if needed. Remus finally smiled, relieved that his current lady and his former one were becoming friends as well.

*

*

*

*

*

Just when Snape thought the prospects for the week ahead couldn't get any bleaker, the headmaster called him to his office to discuss Draco Malfoy.

"Severus, I wanted to ask your opinion as to whether or not we should let Draco remain here at Hogwarts over the break." Dumbledore said. "It appears at this time that he does not wish to return home, which I take as a good sign, but I'm not sure that it's a good idea to leave him with minimal supervision for a week."

"Surely you don't think he'd cause any problems for the school?" Snape asked.

"No. I don't, but I feel as though we might just be turning the tide as far as Mr. Malfoy is concerned, and I'd like to keep the pressure on him," the headmaster replied.

"What do you suggest?" Snape asked tentatively, fearing what the answer might be.

"I thought it might be wise if he were to remain under your supervision, Severus."

The Potions master scowled.

"Really, Severus. You seem to have the most influence with the boy at this point, and you also seem to read him best. I really think it might be a good idea if he were to accompany you on your journey." Dumbledore might have had the slightest hint of amusement in his tone.

"My holiday is turning into a bloody field trip." Snape growled.

Dumbledore smiled. "So I've heard. Surely one more won't be that much of a problem?"

"I'm not really getting a choice about this, am I?" Snape asked bitterly.

"Not really," the headmaster said in a most pleasant way.

"Fine." Snape grumbled.

The headmaster smiled. "I'll inform Draco of his holiday plans."

*

*

*

*

*

Arial Sinistra was unhappy. She had made a full recovery after the night of the party and mangabey attacks, but at present it didn't seem to matter. Her life was one giant mess.

She was unhappy that her plan to drive Severus away from Lorien had backfired, and she hated the fact that she was now in debt to the healer and the Potions master for saving her life. To make matters even worse, the woman went out of her way to be exceedingly pleasant when they encountered each other in the hall, and it drove Ariel nuts.

On top of that, it appeared as though her fellow Slytherin was actually quite taken with the woman, and as much as Ariel disliked Lorien, she knew she would incur Snape's wrath if she so much as looked the wrong way at the witch. THAT, was not something Sinistra wanted to contemplate dealing with.

Speaking of incurring wrath - hadn't Lupin threatened her if she didn't play nice? Her plan to rid the school of the werewolf professor had failed miserably as well. Not only had the entire staff ended up worried about Remus Lupin's safety while he was running loose, the events from that night had ended up driving Marlina back to Lupin's arms, and they now seemed closer than ever.

Ariel frowned. She couldn't get rid of him and she couldn't have him. The problem was she still wanted him, and she realized she was no longer walking the line that divided infatuation and obsession. She had long ago run full speed and hurdled the fence into that realm. It was the reason she continued to play the dangerous game that she had started, and it was the reason she was so miserable every time she saw him.

She was willing to risk everything to have him, but she hadn't come across the way to do it yet. Well, she would. Ariel swore that she would.

*

*

*

*

*

The morning that Lorien and her male traveling companions were to leave for the Nemorosi council, the three Gryffindors arrived at her rooms first, and she didn't hesitate to accost them verbally the moment they set foot in her door.

"Ok. I'm glad you're all here, so I can lay down the rules before Severus arrives." She looked meaningfully at Sirius. "Rule number one. You will all do your best to be polite and civil to him at all times." She saw Sirius start to say something and she cut him off. "I have already advised him of the same."

Sirius closed his mouth to continue listening.

"Rule number two." Lorien continued. "If at any point you feel the need to make a smart remark or cutting comment, you will refer to rule number one." She glanced around at Remus as well this time.

"Rule number three. Well, it's not really a rule.... If any of you do anything to make a scene, or provoke him, or stir up mischief at his expense in any way while we are at the council, consider your ass toast....dragon toast to be specific." She looked at all three Gryffs this time. "Got that?"

Three murmured yes's answered her.

"Good." She said sternly, and then she brightened and smiled sweetly at them. "Now, I think that this will be an interesting trip. I'll be very glad to have you all at the council with me, and Harry? I think we'll have to ask Perth about that summoning, right?"

"Right!" Harry replied, ignoring the questioning looks from his godfather.

All four looked at each other when the knock came at the door and Snape entered. His gaze swept around the room and he spoke slowly with an obvious effort to keep his tone civil. "Good morning to you all."

Harry spoke up first. "Good morning, Professor." He said politely.

Remus nodded. "Good morning, Severus."

Sirius locked gazes with Snape for a moment and then finally decided to comply with Lorien's request. "Morning." He said stiffly, but with no trace of hostility.

Lorien gave Sirius a look of approval and then spoke again. "This trip should take a good part of the day. We'll be apparating in jumps and take a portkey later on, but I'm afraid that there'll be a bit of walking involved, and I can't tell you where we're going until we get there. Security issues of course."

They all nodded, understanding the threat that faced most of the Nemorosi, especially the witches. They would have to be careful not to draw attention to themselves.

"Well?" She looked around the room. "Shall we go?"

She was about to lead the way out the door, when another knock came. Lorien opened the door and found Draco Malfoy standing in the hall. "Draco, how can I help you?" She asked.

"I'm ready." He answered tersely.

Lorien looked at Severus questioningly.

"Didn't I tell you?" Severus asked. "It must have slipped my mind. Mr. Malfoy shall be accompanying us as well." He took at least a small amount of satisfaction out of the fact that he knew Black, Lupin and Potter would all be annoyed by Malfoy's presence.

*

*

*

*

Sirius, Remus and Harry walked across the school grounds together as they made their way to the point at the boundary where they'd be able to disapparate. Sirius was explaining the finer points of apparation to Harry, who had not yet acquired his apparating license.

Draco walked alone behind them, and Lorien walked still a few paces behind, conversing with Severus. "I got an owl back from Perth, and he's expecting all of us. He's glad that you're coming with me."

"Really? And why is that?" Snape asked her, leery of the fact that the man knew so much about him from Lorien, but that they'd never met.

"He appreciates the fact that you're looking out for me, and he thinks it's good that all of you will be at the council."

"I see." Snape replied.

"And, he's looking forward to finally meeting all of you. Especially you, Severus." Lorien said with a sly smile.

Draco turned back and looked pointedly at Snape and made as if to gag himself.

They reached the boundary, and Lorien spoke to Sirius and Remus. "Are we ready?"

They nodded and cast tracing charms in order to follow Lorien when she disapparated. Harry would go with Sirius for the time being.

"Very well. Follow me," Lorien said, placing a hand under Severus's elbow. They disapparated and Remus went next with Draco, followed by Sirius and Harry.

*

*

*

*

Several jumps later the group stopped for a few minutes to rest and take in the scenery near the huge lake that stretched out before them.

"We've got two more legs by apparation, and then we walk a ways to pick up a portkey." Lorien advised the group. She led them north and west again twice and then they regrouped once more. Finally they came to a point on the ocean and began looking for the portkey.

"What sort of thing should we be looking for?" Asked Harry.

"It won't be the usual muggle trash," Lorien replied. "but it'll still be something that not many people would want to venture over to and pick up."

"Like that?" Remus said, pointing to a large dead bird laying on the ground.

Lorien grinned. "Exactly like that. Let's go."

When the group finally let go of the dead bird carcass, and looked out over the ocean from the top of the cliff they stood upon, Lorien addressed the group. We're almost there," she said. "Exsperatan Na Hearadh."

Draco rolled his eyes. "English, please?"

Lorien smiled and started down the path before them. She called back over her shoulder. "Welcome to Harris island."

*

*

*

*

*

Perth Taber watched the group that had arrived make its way through the scrub and short trees at the bottom of the hill they had just climbed down. He had been expecting them, and he monitored their progress as the first ones cleared the brush.

It was easy to know who Harry Potter was. The boy would have been easy to recognize even if he hadn't been forewarned. He didn't know about the other blonde teenager. They walked along a short distance ahead of the two men that followed.

Ah, that would be Remus. Taber immediately recognized the werewolf from Lorien's past descriptions of him, and he felt as though he liked the man already.

Taber's eyes went to his companion. So, was this tall, black haired man Severus? He looked like a pleasant enough fellow, although Perth was surprised at the way he was conversing easily with Lupin. He carried a bit of wariness about him, but still, not as bad as Taber had feared. Perhaps Lorien knew what she was doing.

His thoughts were interrupted as Lorien herself cleared the trees accompanied closely by a tall figure in black robes, and he frowned. He obviously had been mistaken. There was no question that the man that now shadowed her was Snape, and Taber found himself making an effort to keep an open mind.

*

*

*

Harry had come to a complete halt when he made it to the clearing at the bottom of the hill, and stared at the animal before him. Draco, Remus and Sirius made it to where Harry was standing, and looked at each other.

"Coincidence or security?" Sirius asked.

"I'd say security." Remus replied as he eyed the large roan hippogriff looking back at him with the same interest.

"I'll deal with this," Sirius volunteered, and stepped forward to approach the winged beast. He kept steady eye contact and bowed low, but was startled when he heard Lorien call out from behind him.

"Sylvani! Perth, it's so good of you to come to meet us." She walked directly past Sirius who was straightening up and flung her arms around the feathered neck. An instant later she was standing with her arms around the neck of a man in green robes with steel gray hair.

Sirius looked at the pair, at Remus, back at the pair, and then at Remus again. "I thought she said Taber was a horse?" He whispered to Lupin. "Didn't she say stallion?*"

Remus was amused at his friends surprise. "Well, tell me, Padfoot, what exactly do you call a male hippogriff?"

Sirius rolled his eyes, making fun of himself. No one should know better than he that male hippogriffs were also called stallions.

Lorien released Taber and placed her hand under his elbow, escorting him to her companions to introduce them. She looked at Harry first.

"Perth, this is Harry Potter, the student I've been telling you about." She said. "Harry, this is Perth Taber, my teacher."

"Nice to meet you, sir." Harry offered his hand.

Taber shook hands with Harry. "Lorien has told me that you've been making great progress with your studies. I look forward to seeing what she's taught you." He smiled warmly at the teenager.

Lorien then introduced Draco. "Perth, I'd like you to meet another excellent fifth year student, Draco Malfoy."

"How nice that you've come to visit on your holiday, Mr. Malfoy. Welcome. I hope you enjoy your stay with us." Taber said.

"Thank you." Draco answered a little stiffly.

Lorien indicated Sirius. "Perth, I'd like you to meet my good friend, Sirius Black. Sirius, this is Perth Taber."

"Ah, a fellow animagus. Lorien speaks very highly of you, Sirius." Taber said.

Sirius shook Taber's hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Remus was next, and Lorien placed her hand on his arm as she spoke. "Sylvani, this is Remus Lupin. Remus..Perth Taber. I've looked forward to introducing you two for so long."

Remus spoke first. "It's an honor to meet you, sir. Lorien has told me so much about you."

Taber didn't hesitate at all to shake the werewolf's hand. "Welcome, Remus. I feel like I already know you from everything Lorien has had to say about you."

"Are you sure that's a good thing?" Sirius quipped from nearby, and the two men smiled at each other.

Lorien finally turned to Severus and drew him forward. "Sylvani ator, may I present Severus Snape. Severus, my mentor and dear friend, Perth Taber."

Severus nodded and shook the man's hand. He inclined his head slightly and spoke cordially to the older man. "Ben ilyan, Sylvani ator. Quen amican converath."( How nice to meet you.)

Taber looked slightly surprised for an instant, but then returned the man's eloquent greeting. "E ben ilyan aca, Elixani ator. Exsparatan Na Hearadh." (And good morning to you, Potions Master. Welcome to Harris Island.)

Lorien saw the way Sirius and Remus were looking at each other and rolling their eyes as the other two men exchanged pleasantries, and she shot them both a stern warning look. They instantly straightened up and she returned her attention to Perth.

Taber addressed the group. "I'm glad you all had a safe trip. We have a bit of a walk ahead of us, so we might as well get started." He looked from one person to the next. "If you'll all be so kind as to follow me?"

He lead them across an open field and once again down an incline of open rock, dotted with scrub and low growing plants. He indicated a spot in the distance that they were headed for, and dropped back to speak with Lorien for a bit as the group walked.

"I trust you had no difficulties?" Taber asked.

"No, none." She confirmed.

"Good. How is it that this particular group managed to accompany you?" He asked, knowing the history between the three men.

She sighed and gave a brief explanation.

"Interesting." Taber observed. "I'm glad that I've finally gotten the chance to meet your friends, Lorien. I should like to spend some time talking with all of them. Especially Severus," he said with a glance in the black robed mage's direction.

Lorien looked at her mentor quickly. He seemed to be sincere, and she hoped that the two of them might get an opportunity to get to know one another a little. She was sure that it would put Perth's mind at ease if he could speak with Severus one on one for a while. At least she hoped it would.

Taber spoke louder to address Harry and Sirius who were in front. "Make for the side of that hill over there," he said. "See that hut?"

Just visible on the next hill, camouflaged in the scrubby brush was a small thatch roofed hut, and the small band walked in that direction.

Perth spoke to Lorien again. "Would you mind making sure that they don't go in until I get there?"

She nodded and was about to ask why he wouldn't get there when she did, but refrained from asking her question when she saw him turn and walk towards Severus. She wasn't sure what he was up to, but she complied with his wish and hurried to catch up with the others as they neared the hut on the hill.

*

*

*

*

*

A/N: * In WW&S, at one point Lorien laments the fact that whatever her animagus form might be, it's scaly and not something more appealing like a bird or like the beautiful roan stallion her mentor transforms into. I never said 'horse'. ;)

*

*

Harris Island, for those of you that weren't aware, is in the Hebrides, off the Scottish coast. Na Hearadh is actually the old Norse name for the island. Any discrepancy between the island description and actually geography is due solely to the reader's unfamiliarity with anything but the muggle parts of the island. ;)

*

*

*

Challenge update: Sita has put together a little adventure for the boys that covers all the challenge requirements. Go check it out but beware of Death Eaters wearing swastikas and loud plaid pants together! Eeeww!