Disclaimer: The setting of this story, and most of the characters are the intellectual property of J.K. Rowling, I lay no claim to them. However the characters of Malana Avonell and Schön are of my own creation and to these two, I do claim rights.
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The hallways were devoid of students, when Professors Snape and Avonell descended from Headmaster Dumbledore's office, for which Avonell was grateful. Snape was silent his body tense with anger.
"I'm no more happy about this then you are." She said quietly.
"No doubt," he growled back.
"I didn't ask for this assignment, although I understand why Albus has ask me." She added.
They walked in silence for a while.
"I must admit, you did have a knack these things. But as good as you were with Runes, you were always better with potions." She hoped the complement might cool him down some.
Snape didn't respond.
"I suppose he feels it would go faster with two of us trying." She finally concluded.
"That, or he expects that you will disappear before the job is complete." He shot back venomously.
"I didn't disappear." She corrected him calmly.
"No?" Snape turned his head to regard her. "You weren't here when term resumed after the Christmas holiday." There was desperate anger in his tone. "You had left while everyone else was gone."
"Is that what you believe?" she said stopping in her tracks.
Snape turned to face her.
"That things got a little out of hand and I just ran away?"
Student's voices came from an intersecting hallway, and before he could answer, Avonell grabbed Snape by the arm and pulled him into an empty classroom, closing the door behind them.
"You believe that I left by my own choice?" There was anger in her tone now.
"Yes." He hissed.
"I was exiled." She said through clinched teeth "The train was hardly out of Hogsmeade station when the Ministry of Magic was at my door demanding that I leave."
"That's not what they told the students when we returned." He snarled, moving away from her toward the front of the room.
"They threatened me, they threatened the people I cared about. What choice did I have?" she continued. "The Ministry was against my appointment here, they were against anything I did."
"You could have told me, you could have left me a message!" he bellowed, his fists clinched in rage, "I trusted you, I confided in you."
"I never betrayed that confidence. Anything they knew was purely conjecture on their part. Unless, of course, you confirmed their suspicions." She accused, following after him. "Damn it Severus, they wouldn't even let me say good bye to my own child!"
Snape rounded on her, his eyes cold dark pools of anger, his face contoured with rage.
"James said that I was the reason you left!" He glared at her, "He never missed an opportunity to remind me of that!"
"And you believe him? As much as that boy taunted you, you believed him?"
"I tried to find you. I sent owls, and they all returned with my letters undelivered!" His rage was near the point of exploding.
"I WENT HOME!" She bellowed back at him. Then paused a moment. When she spoke again her voice was soft, fatigue tingeing the edges.
"I went home, Severus. Back to the only place I could possibly call home at that time. There is no owl that can make that journey."
"Home?" his tone still dripping with anger.
"Yes." She said meekly. "Severus, my husband was barely cold in his grave when Dumbledore brought me to Hogwarts, I was estranged from my son. The only three people willing to give me the benefit of the doubt where you, Albus and Minerva, and none of you were in a position to stop the Ministry."
"You left me with nothing!" Snape growled.
"I tried. I left the dragon and ruby ring. I lied, I told them you have given me the ring as a Christmas present, and that under the circumstances, I felt it should be returned to you. It's not my fault they never gave it to you. They didn't give to Dumbledore until this past summer."
Snape's mind went back to the memory of that ring. Of the blood red ruby, held between two silver dragons. To the times he had held the ring, staring into it. To the sound of Avonell's voice leading him down into it's fathomless depths, washing away his fears and insecurities. He shook off the memory.
"I knew you'd be the one to know how to use that ring to reach me, to call me back. How was I to know they'd not give it to you? I can't change the past."
"NO!" he shouted, "Malana, I…"
"You what?" she cut him off, her anger returning. "You were 16 years old! By the grace of … what would you have had me to do?"
Snape didn't answer her; he just stood there, glowering at her.
"Look," she sighed, "I'm not asking you to forgive me. Hell, I'm not even asking you to like me, just tolerate me. Dumbledore's right, we are stuck with each other on this one. For the sake and duration of this assignment, can't we just call a truce?"
He turned away from her. She watched as he stood there, still rigid with rage. Slowly, very slowly, he relaxed.
"All right," he said without turning back. "A truce, but that's all."
"It's all I ask." She replied in barely more then a whisper.
"We start tonight?" he asked still keeping his back to her.
"No," she said slowly, "I have a student coming by my office after dinner. It would be better if we begin tomorrow. My classroom? We'll need a blackboard."
"Agreed." He answered sharply. With that Snape strode from the room leaving Avonell alone.
"Meow" came Schön's plaintive cry, form the floor near her feet.
"Angry is putting it mildly." She answered absently, "And just what are you doing out?"
Schön jumped onto a nearby desk, turned a tight circle, sat down, and squeezed his eyes. A second cat appeared. This one was a silver tabby.
"I should have known you'd have an accomplice." Avonell chuckled. "How much did you hear?"
The Tabby transformed back into Professor McGonagall, "Nearly all of it." She confessed.
"Well, at least I know were the resentment comes from." Avonell sighed, stroking Schön's velvet fur.
"He was devastated when you left." McGonagall added quietly.
"What did they tell the students?" Avonell wanted to know.
"Only that you had been called away, and would not be returning." The older woman answered.
"Did you know the truth?"
McGonagall shook her head, "Not at first. Dumbledore finally explained it to me, after the term had ended."
Avonell shook her head. "To quote Sir Walter Scott: 'Oh what a tangled web we weave,\When first we practice to deceive'." She sounded very tired
"Severus was seen leaving your office by a fellow student, that last night. No one really knows what happened, he has never said. So you can imagine the rumors ran from the ridicules to the scandalous." McGonagall explained, "There was even one rumor that had you murdered."
Avonell shook her head again. "I had no idea."
"He loved you, you know." McGonagall continued in a soft voice after several moments.
"Oh Minerva, he was 16 years old. What does a 16-year-old know of love?"
"He's not 16 any more."
Avonell drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"So everyone keeps reminding me." She sighed. "Wait a minute, you're not suggesting that he still thinks he's in love with me?"
"I don't know," it was McGonagall's turn to shake her head, "he's spent a lot of years hating you."
"So I've noticed."
"What did happen that night?"
"Nothing that needed to keep a secret." Avonell began. "But it is a difficult story and I'm tired and hungry, and I still have a student coming to my office this evening." She looked up at her old friend. "I promise, I'll tell you tomorrow."
McGonagall nodded understandingly.
***
The Great Hall was crowded with students. Harry, Hermione and Ron sat together at the Gryffindor table, slightly apart from the rest of the House students.
"So," Harry asked around a mouth full of chicken, "How was Professor Avonell's class?"
Hermione scowled at him for a moment.
"She has a sense of humor at least." She told him. "And she seems to know a lot about ancient writings."
"I would hope so." Ron chimed in.
At that moment, Professors Avonell and McGonagall entered through the main doors and walked toward the staff table.
"That's the second time I've seen her without witch's robes." Ron observed.
"What?" Hermione said turning to watch the pair walking between the house tables.
"She doesn't ware robes like the other teachers." Ron explained.
"Maybe they don't in America." Harry suggested. Still watching their progress.
"She did magic three times in class, without the use of a wand." Hermione said turning back to the table.
"Whoa," Ron breathed, "she must be pretty powerful not to need a wand."
"It was all simple stuff," Hermione shrugged. "Any witch or wizard can do simple things without a wand."
"We can't." Ron corrected her.
"Ok, any adult witch or wizard." She noticed that Harry was not paying attention; he was staring at the staff table. The two women had seated themselves and were talking casually.
"Harry," Hermione said sharply. "You're staring."
"I'm sorry." He answered automatically before turning back to his friends "what were you saying?"
"Professor Avonell doesn't use a wand." Ron filled him in.
"We've seen Dumbledore do that." Harry reminded them turning back to watch the staff table.
Avonell laughed at something Professor Vector had said to her and Harry smiled.
"He's got it bad." Ron whispered across the table to Hermione.
Hermione shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"I'm meeting with Professor Avonell after dinner." She said as a matter of fact.
Harry snapped his attention back to them.
"You are?" he asked.
"What, did you act up in class or something?" Ron teased.
"No," Hermione said indignantly, "I asked her a question and she told me to come by her office after dinner and she'd answer it." Hermione's brow furrowed. "Funny, I know she told be to come to her office, but I don't remember her actually saying it."
Ron's eyes widened. "Maybe you shouldn't go." He said.
Hermione gave him a contemptuous look.
"Ron and I could go with you." Harry added hopefully.
"I don't think so." Hermione replied authoritatively.
"You're out of luck, Harry." Ron whispered.
***
Avonell glanced at the mantel clock over the fireplace and frowned.
"I'll give her five minutes more, then I'm calling it a day." She told Schön.
The cat looked up from the seat of a chair by the fire and purred. Avonell returned her attention to the notebook computer and resumed her typing.
A minute latter there was a tentative knock on the office door.
"Come," Avonell said gently, closing the computer.
The door opened and Hermione Granger stepped inside.
"I'm sorry I'm late," she said closing the door behind her, "but Harry and Ron gave me a problem."
Avonell folded her hand on top of the computer and regarded the teen.
"What kind of problem?" She questioned.
"They wanted to come with me." Hermione explained walking over to the desk.
"You didn't want them to come with you?" Avonell said rising from her chair behind the desk.
"I just thought, well you weren't expecting them." The teen answered.
"Why don't we sit by the fire." The Runes Professor suggested.
Hermione took the chair not occupied by Schön. Avonell scooped up the cat and set him in her lap.
"Would it have been alright? The girl asked.
"Anyone is welcome to come to my office," Avonell began in a soothing tone, "whether you bring company is up to you."
Hermione thought about this for a moment.
"There is one thing I'd like you to understand, anything said in this office does not go beyond these walls. And that goes as much for me and for you." Avonell added. "So please feel that you can be open with me."
"I'm not sure I understand." Hermione replied softly.
"Would you like a cup of tea?" Avonell said, putting Schön on the floor.
The teen nodded. Avonell rose from her chair and retrieved a teapot from next to the fire. She produced two china teacups and poured, handing one of the cups to Hermione.
"There's sugar and milk on the table." She indicated the small round side table next to Hermione's chair. "Is it ok if I call you Hermione?"
The teen nodded.
"Hermione, do you know what a psychiatrist is?" The professor asked, her voice gentle and relaxed.
"That's a doctor who treats mental disorders." The girl responded.
"Well, that's part of it. In the Mundane world, I earn my living as a Psychiatrist." Avonell explained as she seated herself again. "And yes, I do treat people with emotional and mental disorders, but mostly I just help people get through difficulties, like a death of a loved one, or dealing with a bad situation. That sort of thing."
"Is that why you are here, at Hogwarts I mean?"
"No. That's my profession in the Mundane, or Muggle world. In the Magical world I'm an expert in ancient languages. That's why Professor Dumbledore asked me to come back." Avonell lifted her teacup to her lips and blew on the surface of the liquid before taking a sip.
"Now, that answers your question." Avonell continued. "Would you answer one for me?"
Hermione took a sip of her tea. "Sure."
"What's life like for you at Hogwarts?" The Professor gave the teen a smile. "It's been a long time since I was here and I'm sure things have changed."
Hermione smile broadly.
For the next couple of hours, they talk about Hogwarts, what had happened, about the return of the Dark Lord, and the adventure she, Ron and Harry had had.
It wasn't until the mantel clock struck 10:00 that Avonell broke the conversation.
"My goodness," she exclaimed softly. "I'd better let you get back to Gryffindor tower."
Hermione hesitated. "I'm going to get in trouble."
"No you won't," Avonell said getting up and moving to the desk. She removed a sheet of parchment from the top drawer and picked up a quill, "I'll just write you a note, and if you are stopped, it should keep you out of detention."
She handed the note to Hermione, who was eyeing the notebook computer.
"That's doesn't work, does it?" she asked.
"Yes, it does." The Professor replied opening the computer and swinging it around for Hermione to see its screen.
"But technology doesn't work at Hogwarts, there's too much magic." She blurted out.
"This isn't an ordinary piece of technology." Avonell explained. "It has no trouble with magic."
Hermione looked up at the older woman. "But I've never…."
"Never seen a Witch or Wizard use technology? Well, I think they're missing out. Muggles have been most inventive, and I don't understand why the Magical community isn't taking advantage of it." She paused, "And that, Hermione makes me an unpopular woman to most of the Magical community."
Hermione smiled. "Good night Professor." She said and left.
Avonell withdrew another sheet from the desk and wrote a second note.
"Schön," she called as she folded the note, "would you take this to Minerva for me? I've got a quick errand to run."
Schön jumped on to the desk and accepted the note. As he bounded toward the office door, it opened only enough to allow him to slip out, then closed again.
***
The first glow of the rising sun was defused by heavy mist. Professor Avonell stood by a window in her living quarters watching the morning dawn.
"Does Professor Avonell need anything more?" The young house elf asked from doorway.
"No, Izzy that will be all for now, thank you." Avonell said gently, giving the house elf a genuine smile. "You've done a fine job."
Izzy smiled in return. She was small, even for a house elf, and had darker sink then most. Her bat like ears, brushed the floor as she bowed, and her overly large amber eyes glowed with the complement.
"If Professor Avonell needs anything else, she will call Izzy?" the elf asked twisting the terrycloth towel she wore toga style.
"Of course. You honor me with you service." Avonell said turning to face the elf and bowing slightly.
Izzy giggled, covering her face in embarrassment. "You is too kind." She squeaked, and before the Professor could say more, she was gone.
"It's a shame that giving them proper cloths makes them so miserable." She said turning to the bed, where Schön sat.
The cat squeezed his eyes and meowed silently.
Avonell turned back to the window. She hadn't slept well that night, and they day promised to be a long one. She was beginning to regret having invited Minerva to join her for breakfast in her office. She sighed.
The mantel clock in the office chimed 7:00 followed by a knock at the office door.
"One time as ever." Avonell mused.
She and Schön moved into the office.
"Come," she called as she closed the bookcase.
Minerva opened the door and entered. "Good morning." She greeted her hostess.
"Please, sit down." Avonell told her as she moved to the chairs by the fireplace. "I hope you like bagels and cream cheese. There from my favorite Deli in Manhattan."
McGonagall smiled expectantly. Avonell knew how much the other woman enjoyed this New York specialty; it had been she who had introduced the Transfiguration teacher to them years before.
"How did you get them?" Minerva asked taking a seat.
"I have my ways." Avonell said loftily, giving her guest a quick wink.
The two women laughed lightly.
"I see you met with Ms. Granger last night." Minerva stated casually.
"Yes." Avonell said pouring tea. "She an inquisitive girl."
"And very bright. I expect her to be named Head Girl next year." McGonagall added with a hit of pride in her voice.
"I don't doubt it." Avonell said sitting back in her chair. "Although from what she tells me, she and the boys have been a bit of a handful."
McGonagall nodded.
"They have been through a lot." She sighed.
"That's part of why I'm here, Minerva. Albus has asked that I counsel that trio. I believe I've gained Hermione's trust. But I haven't been able to speak with Ron or Harry yet."
McGonagall took a sip of her tea, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Now you were going to tell me…" she began.
"About what happened the night before my departure." Avonell completed her thought. "You know that I was counseling Severus." McGonagall nodded. "What you may not have known was that I had begun to teach him some of the Sevlorian techniques."
Minerva's eyes widened. "No, I had no idea."
Avonell nodded and set her teacup down.
"He has an enormous amount of potential. I wouldn't be surprised if Professor Severus Snape was a male lineage descendent of Oquaar Rokux. But be-that-as-it-may, I realized too late that he had misunderstood my intentions." Avonell began.
McGonagall picked up a half of a bagel and began slathering on the cream cheese.
"Well, the night before the Christmas break… my son announced that he wasn't staying at Hogwarts for the holiday, he was going home with his best friend. What ensued was a pretty wicked argument. Ending with his declaration that as far as he was concerned, I was no longer his mother."
McGonagall gave her a sympathetic look.
"After he had left, I lost it. Everything seemed to be crashing down around me. The death of my husband, the demands the Ministry of Magic had placed on me, and my son's final words to me were just more then I could handle. I knelt down in the middle of the office and wept… Um that might be putting it a bit mildly, I was nearly hysterical."
Avonell paused for a long moment.
"I had been completely oblivious to the fact that someone else had entered the office. I just remember that someone had put their arms around me and started whispering to me."
"What did he say?" McGonagall urged her on.
Avonell shrugged, "Things like 'everything's going to be all right,' and 'you're better of without him.' I vaguely remember being told 'I won't let anyone hurt you again.'
"The thing was that I was so wrapped up in my own misery; I didn't pay any attention to who it was." She paused again, biting her lower lip slightly. "When I had finally cried myself out, I realized it was Severus holding me."
"What did you do?" Her old friend asked.
"What could I do? I thanked him for his kindness, made some excuse about needing to be somewhere else and sent him back to his dorm. I stupidly figured I could explain it all away after he returned from the holidays. But…I…never got that chance." She leaned her head back and covered her face with her hands. "God I acted so unprofessional. I was such a fool. It never occurred to me that…" She berated herself.
McGonagall sat forward and put a hand on Avonell's arm.
"Malana, you were under a great deal of stress." She soothed. "You had no way of knowing what the Ministry was about to do."
Avonell lowered her hands and smiled sadly.
