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.

----------------------

The ceiling of the Great Hall reflected the telltale signs of the impending mid winter storm brewing outside.  Hundreds of floating candles and the torches in their brackets and the glow of the many fireplaces along the walls did much to dispel the gloom.  January was drawing to an end, and winter held the grounds of Hogwarts in its icy clutches, forcing the students to spend all of their free time indoors these days.

Professor Snape sat at his place at the staff table idly watching the students as they entered the Hall for lunch.  A clutch of Ravenclaw girls were milling about near the huge oak doors leading to the Entrance Hall, talking and giggling amongst themselves.  But they fell into silence, all eyes turning, as Madam Pomfrey, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Avonell crossed the threshold into the Great Hall.  The girls watched in silence as the Professors and Healer passed, deep in their own conversation, the girls following their progress with great interest.

One corner of Snape's mouth curled, as he took in the girl's sideways glances before huddling together and whispering to each other again.  He had heard the whispered rumors from both the students and staff alike.  There was a definite thickness about Avonell's abdomen now, and many were talking is hushed tones of how she had 'let herself go'.  He chuckled to himself, let them gossip, let them speculate, it wouldn't be long now before there would be no further need for such nonsense. An arrogant prideful smile played across the Potions Master's face as he watched the three women draw nearer to the staff table. Yes, let them have their fun now, they would all be put in their places soon enough. Avonell glanced up at him as just before she turned toward the end of the table where she sat, one eyebrow rising ever so slightly above the other, a silent hello.  He narrowed his eyes at her, marveling at how much she could communicate to him with just the smallest twitch of a facial muscle, or a slightest flick of her eyes.  If anyone else had known how to read these expressions, if anyone else even thought to look for them, they would have known that there was more to their relationship then met the eye of the casual observer.

Snape glowered at Professor Dumbledore, as Avonell seated herself at the far end of the table, the older Wizard never seeing the look of distain the younger man had just given him.  He resented the request, no it had been an order, that they not openly acknowledge their marriage.  Dumbledore had refused to allow her to take name of Snape, pointing out that it would be too confusing for the students if there were two Professor Snapes on the staff.  The Headmaster had not even permitted her to sit beside him at the table for meals.

Damn, he hated this.  For three months now they had had to deny their relationship when in public, not that there would have been many who would have believed he was capable of such affection.  But it frustrated Snape to no limit, to have to continue to treat his wife like any other Professor at the school.  Not to be able to put an arm around her during a Quidditch match or give her a quick kiss on the cheek when they met in a hallway, where anyone might see them.  Hell, he couldn't even smile to her now.  No, he was expected to ignore her when passing her, or shoot her dark glares, just as he would anyone else.

This was in complete contradiction to half the argument he had given Dumbledore back at the beginning of November, when he had presented his case to the Headmaster, asking him to permit them to be married.  Well, he allowed himself a self-satisfied smirk, that would be changing soon, very soon.  Another month and the child growing within her would be unmistakable and then Dumbledore would have to let it known that the two were husband and wife, and he could drop this insane charade.

The only consolation to all of this was that at least she was in the company of the only other person to know the truth about the child, Professor Minerva McGonagall.  Avonell and McGonagall were close friends and his wife had taken the Transfiguration Teacher into confidence the night they had been wed.  Madam Pomfrey as well as Professor Dumbledore still believed the baby to be the result of a brutal rape at the hands of the Dark Lord nearly three months ago.  The truth was, and this gave Snape pause to smile fully, the child was his.  Conceived three days prior to the events of Halloween night when Voldemort had been led to think that he had conceived an heir in her.

Turning back to his plate, he continued to watch his wife out of the corner of his eye.  Still engaged in conversion, she absently reached out and turned over the wine glass in front her, before taking up the water goblet.  This move had come to be known to the general populace that she would not be partaking in alcohol that meal, not that she ever did, but it also had a meaning to them.  To husband and wife it meant that she was ok, that all was well with mother and child.  If she had simply moved it aside, it would have been cause for concern.

That's right, he thought to himself, she had had another appointment with Madam Pomfrey, that morning.  Good, that meant that things were going as expected.

The women's conversation was interrupted as Avonell suddenly drew a sharp breath, automatically placing her hand on the swelling in her belly.  She smiled warmly, a slight pink rising in her cheeks.  Pomfrey asked her something urgently, in hushed tones, and Avonell's response was slight nod, as she lovingly stroked her hand across her stomach.  Snape suppressed a grin, needing to appear uninterested in the goings on at the other end of the staff table, but he knew what had just happened, the baby had moved.

He was going to be a father, he shook his head, it still seemed somehow unreal to him.  He Severus Snape, the most disliked Professor of any student who had ever sat in one of his potions classes, and they all had taken potions, a family man.  He looked up at the assembled mass of students filling the Great Hall, what did he care what they thought about him?  He had never cared before.  But that was changing.  Searching down the Gryffindor House table his eyes settled on one boy in particular, a raven haired, green-eyed adolescent sitting with his two best friends completely oblivious to the truth.

If they were to allow you the memory Potter, he mused to himself, what would you do to know you were no longer alone?

***

Professor Snape removed a long hollow glass rod from its wooden box, and examined the hash marks along its surface.  Satisfied he turned back to the worktable and the caldron of gently swirling sliver-blue liquid.  Beside the caldron a dozen tiny glass vials waited to be filled.  Dipping the tapered end of the pipette into the caldron, he placed the other end to his lips and slowly, carefully drew the liquid up to the proper measurement.  Using his figure to stopper it closed, he raised the tip out of the potion, pausing to allow the excess to slither off the exterior of the rod.  Snape held the pipette up to eye level and checked the amount, before taking up the first vial and inserting the tip into it.  As he removed his figure from the end, the liquid drained into the vial, a small amount remaining in the tube.  Placing the end back to his mouth he gave a very small puff, expelling the last drop of potion into the bottle.  He pressed a stopper into the mouth of the vial and held it up into a shaft of sunlight spilling in from a window.  The liquid within swirled sliver and blue, reminding him of more of clouds, then fluid.  It shimmered back at him and he allowed himself a smile.  It had taken nearly every moment of his free time over the last three months to develop this potion, but it would be worth it, he knew that.  Pressing the stopper one last time, he slipped this first vial into a pocket of his robes, then set about the task of filling the remaining bottles.

As he placed the last of the filled vials into a wooden box for safekeeping a voice spoke to him out of the shadowy darkness of the far corner.

"Keeping yourself busy I see," Lucius Malfoy's smooth drawl cut through the quiet like a flash of lightening in a dark sky.

"How did you get in here?" snarled Snape as he turned to face his old friend.  At least they had been friends at one time, very close friends, maybe a bit more then close friends.  But Malfoy had abused that friendship countless times, and Snape no longer considered this man as such, it now teetered on the edge of pure hatred.

"I have my ways," Malfoy said coolly stepping from the shadows, sunlight glinting off the silver snakehead handle of his walking stick and shimmered in his silver white hair.  "I've just come to check on — things," he added looking down his nose at Snape.  He gave a slight toss of his head to clear a lock of his hair from his face, wondering if the move would have the same effect it had had so many years ago.

"Avonell, is still pregnant, if that's what you mean," answered Snape in a low growl, as he picked up the box containing the vials and moved to place it into a desk drawer.  It unnerved him that anyone had gotten past his wards, let alone this insufferable excuse of a man.  Even his wife had never gained entry to his office without his permission.

"Have there been any . . . complications?" continued Malfoy smoothly advancing on Snape with a slow self-assured stride.  He gave the younger Wizard a half smile.  It would be so easy for him to press the issue, to seduce this man, as he had once done with the boy.

"None," answered Snape dryly turning to face him, steeling himself against any threat Malfoy might try.  Malfoy could no longer intimidate him and he wanted to make that perfectly clear.

"What have you been brewing?" Malfoy asked casually changing the subject to draw Snape off his guard.  He reached out as if to open the drawer where Snape had just placed the box of vials.  Instinctively, Snape seized him by the wrist, moving his hand away from its target, slowly, deliberately.  He narrowed his eyes looking fixedly back into those cold gray eyes.

"It's for Madam Pomfrey," growled Snape menacingly, increasing the pressure on the other man wrist.

Malfoy looked at the hand holding him in it's vice like grip.  It hurt, but he wasn't about to let Snape know that.  He pulled this hand toward himself, looking back to meet the chilling black eyes of the Potions Master's.  "I was watching you," he told Snape in a low almost whispered voice.  "I've never seen a potion like that before."

"No, I don't doubt that you have," hissed Snape venomously,  "But I can't imagine you being interested in the Healing Arts."  He dug his fingers into Malfoy's flesh, and tried to pull him away from the desk, but the older man resisted, smiling as if this were nothing more then a casual conversation.  Malfoy returned his gaze to his wrist for a moment then back to Snape's face, an expression of deep longing gracing his pale angular features.

"Ah, Severus," he paused breathing a small sigh, "there was a time when your touch was much more . . . loving."

"THAT," snapped Snape angrily, his eyes narrowing still further, his features hardening into an expression of disgust, "was a very long time ago, Lucius." He let go of Malfoy and moved away from him.  That facet of their relationship had ended even before Malfoy had left Hogwarts.  It seemed like a lifetime ago, and Snape had no desire to revisit it.  He turned back to Malfoy, making no attempt to disguise his disgust and hatred.  "I suggest you leave," he added silkily, "I'm expected elsewhere, and it wouldn't do for me to be late."

"I must see Avonell before I leave," Malfoy drawled icily moving toward the door, ignoring Snape.

"That would not be advisable," said Snape smoothly, stepping into Malfoy's path, blocking his way.

"And why would that be?"

"One thing you may not be aware of Lucius," continued Snape evenly, meeting the other man's pale gray eyes.  His mouth curled up on one side.  He knew Malfoy had never experienced the affliction of Kurr, and was almost tempted to introduce him to the drug's insidious effects.  "When under the influence of Kurr, one is still aware of one's surroundings.  You," he moved in closer, glaring coldly at him, "didn't ware a mask, no one did.  Avonell knows who was there, as well as what was done to her," he let his voice trail off into silence, holding the man's gaze and drawing himself up to his most menacing presence he could.  "My word will have to be enough."

Malfoy didn't flinch.  He remained perfectly still for several heartbeats, and then looked away.  "Yes, that is a problem," he murmured softly.  "Very well Severus, I'll not see the bitch – this time."

Snape stiffened, his hand automatically dipping into the pocket of his robs and closing around his wand.  Malfoy swept suddenly from the office.  In his wake, Snape allowed himself to relax.  Knowing that if Malfoy had entered his office once without his permission or knowledge, he would surely do it again, he returned to the desk drawer and removed the box he had just placed there.  He would have to find a safer place for this.  It had taken too long to develop, too many hours of frustration and failure, he could not risk loosing even one precious drop of this potion.

***

Professor Snape reached the top of the stone steps to the dungeons, just as Professor Avonell stepped from the last step of the stairs leading up out of the Entrance Hall.  She glanced in his direction quickly, her expression uneasy as she stepped beside her.  With a light touch to the small of her back, he directed her away from the flow of students toward the Great Hall for dinner.  Retreating toward the far corner, away from the huge double doors and the house tables beyond, Snape swept the Entrance Hall with his gaze.  Satisfied that they were not being watched he turned to Avonell.

"Lucius Malfoy was just in my office," he spoke softly so as not to be overheard, still watching for prying eyes among the students.

"What did he want?" asked Avonell barely moving her lips. 

Snape gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head and moved to face her, placing himself between her and the crowd of students.

"I've just said something very nasty to you.  Hit me." he whispered, his face contorting into an evil sneer.

"What?" her voice was louder then she had meant it to be and a number of students stopped and turned toward them.

"I suggest you make it convincing," continued Snape under his breath, "we are being watched."

With blinding speed Avonell cracked him hard across the face, her eyes narrowing, her stomach lurching violently.  Their eyes met for one brief moment, tears welling up in Avonell's eyes.  Perhaps this was just a bit too convincing, he thought, but she suddenly pushed past him and stormed across the hall and through the doors into the Great Hall before he could react.  He followed her with his eyes, rubbing his jaw, seeing Draco out of the corner of his eye, he swept after her, his robs billowing around him.

Avonell turned sharply in front of the staff table and headed toward her end of the table.  At one look at the expression on her face, both Dumbledore and McGonagall got to their feet as she stormed down the table.  Still moving quickly her step faltered.  She staggered forward putting a hand to the side of her neck, then crumpled to the floor.  The room fell into shocked silence as Snape broke into a run.  Dumbledore and McGonagall reached her first, the Transfiguration Teacher dropping to her knees beside the stricken Avonell.  She wasn't unconscious, but from the expression on her face and the growing splotch of discoloration on her neck , Snape recognized the symptoms, Kurr.  As Dumbledore and McGonagall lifted Avonell to her feet, something dropped from her fingertips.  The Headmaster cast a pained look in Snape's direction as they half carried, half led Avonell toward the antechamber at the front of the Hall.  Snape bent down anad swept up the object Avonell had dropped, careful not to puncher himself with the tiny dart's sharp point.

Snape followed the others into the antechamber and slammed the door behind him, shutting out the student's shouted questions.

"What's wrong with her?" asked McGonagall quickly, turning to Snape with an accusatory look.

"It's the drug," answered Snape indicating a chair.  They eased Avonell into the chair and Dumbledore turned to face him.

"What is the meaning of this!" demanded the Headmaster sharply.

Snape glared at him, "I didn't drug her Albus!  It was this, a blow dart," he snapped, holding up the dart.   McGonagall took it from him gingerly, "be careful, there's still enough on that thing to do you no good."

He was fumbling in the pocket of his robes now; searching for the vial he had filled a short time ago.  God he hadn't lost it, had he?  His figures closed around the cool glass and he relaxed, pulling it out.  The sliver blue liquid swirled within the bottle as he pried the stopper out franticly.   He moved to the chair and lifted Avonell's lolling head.

"Drink," he whispered, pressing the vial to her lips and tipping the fluid into her mouth.

She swallowed, her face screwing up into an expression of severe distaste. She convulsed once then turning away from him and leaning over the side of the chair she retched violently.  Snape straightened up and replaced the stopper, as Avonell turned back to him, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Dear sweet God that's the most vile . . ." she trailed off her eyes wide, her mouth opened in astonishment as she looked up at him.

"Would one of you like to explain what's going on?" demanded Dumbledore sternly looking from Avonell to Snape and back.

Not taking her eyes off Snape she grinned broadly, "An antidote?" she breathed, "Albus, Severus has done the impossible.  He's found an antidote to Kurr," she giggled, and jumped to her feet, flinging her arms around Snap's neck, and a quick kiss, "I suppose that is why they put the word Master in you title." She chided softly.

"Severus?"  Dumbledore questioned, "How?"

Snape stepped back from her, shrugging in almost a humble manner, a very slight blush showing in his face.

"I still had the sample form Halloween," he told them, "it was just a matter of trial and error."

Dumbledore regarded the Potions Master with great pride.  He always held that he had made the right decision to place Snape in position of Potions Master and not Defiance Against the Dark Arts, and this proved he was right.

"This gives up an advantage," informed Avonell, "now that we have an real antidote, Kurr is no longer a threat."

The door opened and Madam Pomfrey entered quickly, a mass of students was visible beyond the door for a brief moment. 

"What's happened?" the Medi Witch asked, "Everyone is saying Professor Avonell collapsed."

"Every thing is under control Poppy," assured Dumbledore, "but it would be best if you checked her just to make sure."  He turned to McGonagall and added, "Minerva, why don't you stay.  Severus, come with me."

When the door to the antechamber was opened, Harry was at the front of the knot of students waiting outside.

"What happened?  Is Professor Avonell alright?"  Harry asked urgently, trying to see past the two men, for a glimpse into the room beyond, but Snape closed the door, before he could see anything.

"The professor is fine," Dumbledore said calmly putting a hand on Harry's shoulder.  "Why don't we finish our dinner?"

 Harry glanced up at Snape, searching for some sign of reassurance, though he wasn't sure why he should find it there.  Snape kept his expression placid.  Would the boy understand the signals he used with his wife?  Was it possible that Harry could perceive the meaning?  Snape took the chance and contracted the muscles around his left eye very slightly, not enough to actually produce a wink, but just enough to suggest it.

Harry nodded and looked back to Dumbledore before returning to the Gryffindor table.  He had been slightly surprised to receive any confirmation from the Potions Master, yet he had seen it clearly.  He glanced back, over the heads of the disbursing crowed as Snape moved back to his seat, now sure that his suspicions were correct, that Snape did care about Avonell.

***

During the first week of February winter seemed to be giving up, the sun had been strong and the air warm.  The first weekend of the month was a Hogsmeade weekend and the students had been excited by the promise of good weather for the day.  But the capricious hand of Mother Nature had dealt another blow and by mid morning it had begun to snow again.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville, bedraggled and cold, headed back to the castle well ahead of the other students.  By the time they had traveled halfway up the gravel path leading from the gates of the school, there was at least two inches of snow on the ground.

"Why couldn't it have waited until this evening," complained Ron bitterly as the approached the stairs to the castle.

"Oh Ron," Hermione sighed exasperatedly, "I don't think it started snowing just to annoy you."

Any further argument was forestalled by what sounded like something halfway between a scream and laugh.  The four exchanged quick looks among themselves then turned toward the direction of the sound, all of them trying to be as stealthy as possible.  There was another shout, and as they rounded a corner of the massive stone walls of the school they were met with a sight they hadn't anticipated.  Diving for the cover of some nearby shrubbery they watched the scene unfold.

The back of Professor Avonell's dark blue velvet cape was splattered with snow where she had been hit with a snowball.  She was brushing snow from the back of her neck, were a second one must have found it's target, her expression half accusatory half playful, as she turned to face the other figure.

"Somehow I find two rouge snowballs hard to believe," she was saying, although they had to strain to hear her.  A few feet away Professor Snape stood casually, his hands clasped in front of him.  Form where he was Harry, he could see Snape's wand concealed from Avonell, behind his forearm.

"Couldn't tell you where they came from," Snape replied evenly, as she approached him still brushing snow from the back of her neck.

She came to stand toe to toe with him giving him a look of playful disbelief.  But Snape gave no reaction; he just stood there looking down at her.  Harry concentrated a moment and extended his hearing towards them, wanting to hear everything.

"Well," Avonell drawled slowly, "if you say so."  She began to turn away from him, but suddenly shouldered him in the chest.  For a split second, Snape flailed trying to maintain his balance, but she pushed again and he fell back onto the ground with a snow muffled thump.  Avonell swiftly dropped to straddle his waist, pinning his wrists with her hands.

"Couldn't tell me where they came from, huh?" she chided softly, nodding to his hand holding the wand.  "And I suppose you had nothing to do with them either?"

"Well," chuckled Snape, "you were such an enchanting target."

"Uh huh," she breathed as she tilted her head and began to lower her face too his.

Harry swallowed hard as he watched her slowly close the distance between them, their mouths opening slightly, Snape's eyes closing in anticipation of what surely was going to be a kiss.  Glancing at his companions, he found them similarly transfixed by what they were witnessing.

A low rumbling, like thunder, or that of a jet plain passing low overhead, split the calm air.  Avonell's head snapped up, her face a study in terror.  She swung off Snape and stood in one graceful, fluid motion, turning to face the Forbidden Forest in the distance.  Snape too returned to his feet, putting his hands on her shoulders and looking puzzled in the direction she was starring.

"Malana?" he asked, "what was that?"

"He's here," crocked Avonell, "he's come to kill me."

"Who? How do you know?" Snape's voice betrayed both his confusion and concern.

"Nefra," breathed Avonell not taking her eyes of the forest.  "He's Rrokka Kiy I can feel him, I can sense him."  She started to move away, but Snape pulled her back.

"You don't understand," she pleaded with him, "he'll kill everyone at the school if he's given even the slightest reason."  She turned back to face him.  "He's evil and chaotic Severus, maybe even more so then Voldemort."

"If you think I'm going to let my pregnant wife . . ."

Harry didn't hear any more.  The last three words Snape had spoken struck him a cold icy blow that seemed to penetrate to his very core.  He realized the other three were starring at him.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked, apparently none of the others had heard what he had.  Harry gaped at them, unable to repeat the words.

"Look!" Neville squeaked, pointing a shaking figure.

All four looked back.  Avonell and Snape were at a dead run, headed unmistakably toward the Forbidden Forest.  Avonell, despite her shorter stride, was pulling steadily ahead of Snape.  Harry watched, knowing he had to do something, but unable to formulate any coherent thought.  This wasn't good he knew that.  Nefra or Nefru, had been the one in his dream, the one who seemed to want Professor Avonell destroyed. 

"Neville, find Dumbledore!" snapped Harry turning back to his friends, "Ron, Hermione, round up as many teachers as you can.  Bring them all to the forest, there's going to be trouble."

"Harry," started Hermione in protest.

"Don't argue with me!"  Harry returned hotly, "Just do it!"

"What are you going to do?"  Ron asked in a high voice, starring wide-eyed at his best friend.

"I'm going to follow then," he told Ron as if this should have been self-evident.  "Now move, Avonell could be killed if we don't hurry!"

Without another word Harry sprinted across the lawn after the two Professors, leaving the others to do his bidding.  Hermione grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him in the direction of the front steps, Neville needed no such urging.

***

Avonell penetrated the edge of the Forbidden Forest first, well ahead of Snape.  Several feet into the trees she stopped and looked around, trying to slow her breathing.  She had never been in the forest before and these were not the best conditions for a first foray into the unknown, but if Nefra was here, she hand no other choice.  She drew a deep breath, letting it out slowly, willing her hearts to slow their pounding.  Snape skidded to a halt beside her and also scanned the area.

"Where to?"  He managed to say between gasps.

Avonell held up a hand to quiet him, and closed her eyes.  Magic was thick here and it seemed to close in around her threading to suffocate her.  With great effort she extended her senses trying to locate her nemesis.

Snape leaned forward, his hands on his knees fighting for breath.  Calmly she reached out and placed a hand on his back and his breathing eased.  For several minutes the two stood unmoving.  Harry concealed himself behind a large tree trunk knowing Professor Avonell was extended and praying that she wouldn't realize he was there.  If she knew he had followed them, she would surely send him back to the school.

At length, Avonell opened her eyes and blinked.

"This way," she whispered, pointing toward the center of the forest.  She took a step in that direction, but Snape held her back.

"At least take this," he said pulling a small vial of the Kurr antidote form his pocket.  "Only take half, it will keep the drug form taking effect."

Taking the vial, she swallowed half of its contents, shuddering as she did so, fighting down the nausea it caused as it swirled in her stomach.  Snape took the vial back and drained the remaining potion himself.  Gathering her cape around her, Avonell started off as swiftly as possible, followed closely by Snape.  Harry followed, moving from tree to tree trying not to be seen or heard.  But the Professors were so intent on what lay ahead, that he needn't have worried.

The further into the forest they moved the denser the trees became, until at last the canopy over head blocked out nearly all of the sky, casting the forest floor into deep shadows.  There was little snow on the ground now, but the dense tangle of roots made the going slower.  After nearly a half an hour of picking their way arduously through the Forest's undergrowth, the trees suddenly gave way to a large level clearing.  The Professors stopped just inside the tree line and Harry hid himself in the hollow formed by tow massive tree roots.  His breath caught in his throat as he caught sight of what stood in the clearing.

The ship was huge, the size of a small house.  Its dark gray metallic surface seemed to absorb the sunlight, giving it an ominous appearance. It stood there on three massive struts reminding Harry of some strange sleeping beast.

"He came in cloaked," whispered Avonell, "I'm surprised he was able to land in all this magic."

"Your technology works," observed Snape calmly.

"True, but it's designed to," she replied softly.  "And it took a hell of a long time to develop."

There was movement near one end of the ship.  Harry hoisted himself up for a better look, careful not to expose himself too much.  Both Snape and Avonell drew their wands and moved into the clearing.  A tall muscular man stepped out form around the ship.  He had to be 6-2 or 6-4 in height, his long brown hair and swarthy skin shown in the light of the late afternoon sun.  His brilliant blue eyes flashed dangerously, as he smiled revealing a perfect sent of white teeth.  He wore a gray sort of uniform, which was trimmed in gold, nothing like the image Harry had seen in his dream, if indeed this was Nefra. Two other men similarly dress followed this man, but they were not nearly as large.  All three were carrying what Harry could only guess, were weapons.

"My dear Kiy'youn Avonell," the first man purred in a deep mellow voice. He opened his arms as if he expected her to embrace him, "How good of you to welcome me personally."

"This is no social call, Nefra," Avonell answered coldly, taking a step closer, but Snape moved quickly to restrain her.

"Ah," Nefra purred again, "you have a champion among these – Wizards," he pronounced the last word as if spitting poison form his mouth.

"They are our legacy, Nefra," Avonell spoke calmly but forcibly.  "You should not speak so ill of them."

"Yours perhaps, but not mine.  But you will find that I too have friends among these people as well," he informed her with malevolent sneer.  With that a fourth figure stepped out of the forest into the clearing several feet from the Professors.

This new comer was obviously a Death Eater as it wore the expressionless white mask and black hooded robes of Voldemort's followers.

"Lucius Malfoy," growled Avonell venomously her entire body tensing in anger and hatred. "I might have known he'd send you."

The Death Eater snorted in amusement before slowly removing his mask and lowering his hood.  "Perceptive as ever, my dear," Malfoy returned arrogance dripping form ever word.  He turned to Nefra and continued deliberately, "leave the wizard to me.  I have a score to settle with Professor Snape.  He called me a Sis'sharr."

Avonell turned her gaze to Snape and smiled.  "Did you really?" she asked with mocked astonishment, "Hmm, men have died for lesser insults then that, Severus."

There was a flurry of movement as the two Wizards swung their wands to point at each other and shouted, "Expelliarmus!"

Blinding light flashed from the tips of each wand and both Wizards found them ripped form their grips.  Snap's wand landed with a soft thud, only inches from where Harry hid.  Malfoy's was caught by one of Nefra's men and tossed quickly back to the Dark Wizard, who immediately cried "Crucio!" pointing it back at Snape.  But Snape was able to deflect the curse, sending it off into the trees.

"ENOUGH!" bellowed Nefra, his voice echoing in the clearing like the roar of a lion. "There will be time for that latter!"  He leveled the weapon at Avonell, "tie up the Wizard, and take her wand." He ordered grinning at the two of them.

His two minions approached Snape and seized him roughly, forcing his hands behind his back.

"Please allow me," Malfoy drawled smoothly, stepping closer and uttering a binding charm.  Ropes appeared around Snape's hands and torso, as he was forced to the ground.

To Harry's surprise Avonell tossed her wand aside and took another step toward Nefra.

"That won't work in here," she warned him icily.

Nefra grinned wider as he pulled the trigger.  Nothing happened. His grin faded into an expression of rage as he tossed the useless weapon aside.  Before anyone else could react, Avonell swept her arms upward shouting a word Harry didn't understand.  But as she did this, a shimmering semicircular wall sprang up around her.  The grin returned to Nefra's face as he did the same, his wall joining hers to enclose the two of them in a circle nearly 20 feet in diameter, the walls bending down to form a glibly shimmering hemisphere.  His men charged forward, but were repelled back as they hit the shimmering.

"Then my Kiy'youn I will kill you with my bear hands," Nefra glowered.  He made a motion as if throwing something, "Jusraalph!" he bellowed as a sphere of green light shot from his hand and sped towards Avonell, but she simply waved her hand and the sphere changed direction in mid flight and hit the shimmering, splattering in a shower of brilliant shards before disappearing all together.

"You know I'm stronger then you," she replied dryly, "in a duel Arcane you don't stand a chance."

Nefra's men as well as Malfoy stood transfixed watching the battle within the hemisphere.  Unnoticed by them, Harry raised himself up and reached out for Snape's wand.  But Snape saw the movement.  Twisting around his eyes met Harry's for a moment, and he frowned sternly at the boy, giving him a quick shake of the head.  But Harry couldn't remain uninvolved, he drew his own wand and pointing it at the Potions Master whispered the counter spell and the ropes binding Snape melted away.  Swiftly he tossed Snape's wand back to him and stood.

"Petrificus Totalus" Both Snape and Harry shouted at the same time, as if it had all been prearranged.  Both of Nefra's men went rigid and dropped to the ground.  Malfoy whirled on the spot a wild look on his face, as Snape leveled his wand at him.

There was a deafening crack from with in the circle making them all jump.  In the split second of confusion, Malfoy slipped back into the cover of the trees.  Harry charged after the Dark Wizard, but Snape moved swiftly to intercept him.

"There's nothing he can do now," he muttered to the youth as they helplessly turned back to watch the battle before them.

Inside the hemisphere the battle had continued.  Avonell aptly avoiding everything Nefra had thrown at her.  In frustration he charged her.  Harry watched in astonishment as Avonell stepped into his charge and with a twist caught the man and flipped him easily.  Nefra hit the ground with a loud thump, but jumped back to his feet in the blink of an eye.  They circled each other looking for an opportunity to strike.

Avonell spun, kicking out her right foot, contacting Nefra in the center of his chest, knocking back to the ground.  But as he got to his feet again he was holding a sturdy branch in his hands.  He swung it wildly at her, hitting her hard in the stomach.

"NOOOO!" wailed Snape in anguish lurching forward as Avonell doubled over with the blow, but Harry caught him by the arm and pulled him back.

Nefra had turned at the sound and Avonell took the advantage and hurled herself at her opponent.  He hit the ground with a loud thud, landing face down in the leaf litter of the clearing.  Avonell dropped down, pushing on knee into the small of his back and wrapping one arm around his neck, pulled him up, bending him painfully at the waist.  Nefra grabbed at her arm, just as she placed her hand at the side of his head and pushed sharply.  A sickening crack filled the air and Nefra, eyes wide mouth opened went limp. Everything seemed to stand still for a moment, before Avonell let the lifeless body slump back to the ground.  She stood and staggered backwards a few steps as Nefra's half of the shimmer vanished.  Crossing her arms over her stomach, Avonell fell to her knees, crying out in pain.  

Snape broke Harry's hold as Avonell's half of the wall faded away and rushed to her side.  There were voices in the distance now, and Harry turned towards them recognizing them as Dumbledore's and several of the teachers.

"Over here!" he shouted searching for sight of them.

As Snape knelt beside her, Avonell looked up at him, tears streaking her face.  She tried to speak, but was only able to utter a feeble squeak.

"The baby?" whispered Snape, now able to hear the approaching crowd.  "How badly are you hurt?"

She shook her head slowly casting her eyes downward.  She was quaking violently now and she let herself slip sideways to sit on the ground.  "I've killed," she croaked painfully.  "Oh God Severus, I've killed."

"You had not other choice," he tried to comfort her, taking her into his arms, no longer concerned who might see them.  "He'd have killed you if you hadn't."

"You . . .you d-don't under . . . s-stand . . ." she stammered, trying to push away from him, her words causing her more pain, "our . . . our c-child . . . i-is a . . . a . . . he-healer."  Her last words had barely any breath behind them, and for a moment he wasn't sure he had heard her.  She lifted her eyes to his for one brief moment, before they drifted shut as her body relaxed into total flaccidity.

"No," breathe Snape miserably, cradling her to his chest, fear taking a firm grip on him,  "no, this can't be."  Tears burned in his eyes as Dumbledore, McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey burst into the clearing, followed by the rest of the Hogwarts faculty.