Disclaimer: All the characters belong to J.K. Rowling apart from a few I have made up.

Author's Note: Okay then this is chapter 4... I'm having real problems with my grammar and stuff at the minute so please don't kill me.... It wasn't my fault... I was unaware.. :) Right then I've been told to warn people that this is a long chapter so you have been warned,.... It's very long for me anyway. I hope you like it and please please please review it because I am addicted to them and I don't get enough, as before if you think it needs roasting on an open fire say so but please, consider what you write. I'm very sensitive and stuff.. Well not that sensitive.. Lol! As always I do not like being flamed but if it is necessary then do what you gotta do. I hope you don't though, oh look I'm babbling........... Read on.

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When everything is turning upside-down the only question you can ask yourself is, why?

Darkness of the Recurring Dream

A figure of medium height, slender, dressed in black stood surrounded by mist at the edge of the lake. The moonbeams shining down on her haloing her graceful head. Her dark eyes were filled with the light of the moonshine in the darkness. She rolled her head backwards feeling the wind blow over her face wiping her hair out behind her. It looked like dark waves of ebony caught in the tide. It was Raine. Her black robes caught by the wind made her figure clear. Every curve her body possessed was being displayed by the wind as it pushed the cloth closer to her. The silver rays lightened her hair sending silver streaks into it. The mist surrounded the lower half of her body. He could feel himself walking towards her but she just stood wistfully allowing the wind to blow over her like she was reading the particles passing over her face. He wanted to call out to her but nothing was happening. Suddenly she looked at him raising her right hand out in front her, palm flat. It had some kind of symbol on it. She then quickly raised her other hand to the opposite shoulder her hair twisting slowly in the direction that her face was pointing sending wisps over her face. She looked at him wide-eyed and fearful.

"Stop!" She shouted before she disappeared into a cloud of silver smoke that dissolved into the mist and was blown away by the wind.

He snapped back into life. He was in the middle of the great hall. Stark was starring coldly down at him. Her green eyes showed no sign of concern as she turned away and walked slowly to the exit of the Great Hall.

There were muffled sounds around him. He sat up sharply and looked around. The sixth and seventh years looked at him with deep concern.

"Class dismissed!" Stark shouted standing by the exit waiting for them all to leave. There was a muffled silence as the confused students left the Great Hall.

Snape sat up rubbing the back of his head feeling slightly confused. Only a few Slytherins looked back at him trying to see if he was all right. Mainly- the sixth year girls. He had been in the Great Hall all the time yet he had seen Stark by the lake. Madam Pomfrey had already left.

"What happened?" He asked sounding like he had just woken up.

"You lost consciousness," she said coldly. It felt like ages to him. She looked different to earlier; her complexion was pale as normal, only the bruise was gone.

"How long ago?" He asked as he slowly unsteadily rose to his feet.

"About five minutes ago," she said as she picked up her wand from the floor.

"What did you do?" He asked rubbing his head again.

"You ran at me so I tripped you. You fell and landed headfirst. I had to turn you over to make sure you could breathe. You're quite heavy you know," she said not really paying attention to him. She was using her wand to change into her normal black robes.

"I'm going to my office," he said going to leave the Great Hall.

"I was told to send you up to the hospital wing - Madam Pomfrey wanted to check you didn't hurt your head too badly. She had to deal with Mr. Longbottom, he fell badly on his wrist, might be sprained so we thought it best that as soon as you woke up I sent you to her." Raine was clearing away all the mats from the hall with gentle flicks of her wand.

"I don't need to go. I'm fine!" He snapped feeling a little wobbly.

"Go there now Severus!" She barked. "Or do I need to escort you there?"

"No!" He snapped turning towards the hospital wing and shooting her hate filled looks as he disappeared around the corner.

Raine smiled to herself as she saw him thunder off round the corner.

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The next few weeks were nothing to write home about. Raine's lessons were getting more and more interesting as the weeks went on. She would walk around the room and check they were doing the correct things. While she would do this the odd person she walked past would stand up a completely out of the blue declare something outrageous. They were getting used to the idea that no secrets were secrets when she walked by. Some of them would run out of her lessons because they were so embarrassed by what they said. There was no explanation, all she had to do was walk past and there would be one less secret between them.

"I love Professor Snape," Pansy Parkinson shouted while having a quiet conversation with Millicent Bulstrode whom burst into laughter before admitting to the same thing as the dark witch glided by her as well.

"I do not want to know about your sordid thoughts Miss Parkinson. Miss Bulstrode - keep it to yourself!" Stark snapped trying not to laugh but feeling deeply sorry for the man. The whole class burst into laughter.

"Professor Snape?!" Ron shouted completely bewildered.

"That will do everyone," Stark said softly. "I'm sure they feel bad enough already," the corner of her mouth twitched as if a smile was trying to climb up her cheek.

"Excuse me!" Pansy said trying not to cry and pushing Stark out of the way as she made to leave the classroom.

"I hope you will be coming back! You have homework!" Raine said as the door was slammed behind an extremely emotional sixth year. Everyone watched Stark's expression - it didn't change.

"Back to work everyone! I want you all to know what to do when you come across a boggart- revision. You must know! It is very important. I do not keep dangerous creatures in this classroom!" She glowered at Malfoy who quickly hid his face in his work.

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It looked like the dust was gradually lifting from their Potions Master but no one had really paid too much attention to what he looked like. Only the odd admiring looks he got from Pansy and a couple of other Slytherin girls. As far as they were concerned he was just the normal boring Snape who was just looking slightly tidier than normal. His hair was looking cleaner and less greasy. His complexion no matter how pale was not affected by this change. His teeth were not looking so yellow and they appeared to look slightly straighter than they had been. No one had noticed due to the subtlety of the changes- no one seemed to care.

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The month of October drew on and once a week Snape and Stark would take a Muggle self defence class. He could actually notice the changes. He was becoming stronger. After the initial weeks he noticed that he could do a lot more and that she wasn't being quite as harsh as she had been the first week, she gave him warning as to what she was going to do and what he should do to stop her. It became a lot easier and he found he actually enjoyed himself.

The end of October was approaching and with it Halloween. The school was filled with happy faces on that day – all anticipating one of the best events they had to really get to know each other, deeply. Ron and Hermione seemed more eager than anyone else; they kept smooching at each other and holding hands as they walked to lessons. But before the party, lessons still had to be attended and the day generally went well for everyone- Stark even seemed more relaxed than normal. The feast was spectacular. The Great Hall was filled with smiling people, even Snape managed to find his smile that evening.

Dumbledore made a small speech before the students as was customary, then quickly the hall was filled with music- as most of the elder pupils scattered to all corners of the hall and began to dance or converse- they did what young people did so well.

Most of the staff remained at the top table.

"Would you like to dance Albus?" Stark asked smiling sweetly, Dumbledore smiled back.

"I'd love to," he said holding out his hand to her. "Shall we?" She took his hand and they went to the middle of the hall and began to dance happily to the music. Snape remained in a sombre mood, watching as most of the staff went to dance and remained seated as he watched all the people in the hall have fun. It was passing him by yet again. But only because he was allowing it to.

When the second song had finished Stark and Dumbledore returned to the staff table. She looked at Snape in a happy sort of way trying to awaken the smile again. He smiled briefly then returned to his normal expression of- keep away from me or face my wrath.

Stark went and sat with Professors McGonagall and Sprout who were talking about the term in general. Snape looked at her trying yet again to figure out what he had seen in that dream, she now sat with her back to him oblivious to his stares. He just couldn't take his eyes off of her - no matter how hard he fought it they kept finding their way back to her beautiful form. His heart was rushing in his chest. Stop it! He thought. She pays no attention to you! - His mind was telling him. She might want to dance though. A little ray of hope was flashed in his black eyes. He stood up, slowly - trying not to draw attention to himself and approached her cautiously.

"Raine.. I was wondering if you would like to dance?" He fumbled waiting for her response. She stayed silent, McGonagall and Sprout were eyeing him over the rims of their goblets waiting for the response as well, like hungry vultures for gossip.

"With you?" She said softly taking a sip delicately from her goblet not bothering to turn her head at him.

"Well yes," he began to feel very agitated; McGonagall and Sprout lowered their eyes in unison to look at their drinks and quietly sipped them – still listening intently.

"Why? You don't have any rhythm," she said smirking, slowly turning her whole body to scan his shape with her dull eyes. He was beginning to feel ashamed of himself and couldn't stop his head automatically looking down at his shoes. He felt almost stripped bare, as if she were looking into his soul so much so that he had to turn away. Then Professor Sprout and McGonagall suddenly burst out laughing, almost dropping their goblets in their laps, they tried to force their laughter back inside but it had happened now and the damage was done to Snape's heart. He could feel his face burn scarlet as she went to speak again, completely ignoring the fact that the senior witches were gasping and crying with disbelief behind her. "Sorry Severus. I have... to go and wash my hair." Raine brushed her wisps back and gave one tiny glittering smile at Snape before floating out of the hall watched by all the sixth and seventh year boys. And Snape.

"Are you feeling okay Severus?" A familiar voice of one Professor Sprout pulled him back to reality. The misty clouds that had drifted round his vision abruptly left as he turned a sharp sneer on the annoying witch.

"Fine!" He barked sweeping out of the hall like an angry viper.

"What put a bug up him?" McGonagall asked trying to sound innocent.

"I don't know but there is something strange happening to Severus Snape," her friend replied grinning and taking another swig of the drink.

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Severus walked from the Great Hall feeling like a complete idiot. She's done it again, he thought. You can't trust her to even be nice to you in the slightest. Ice Queen! His mind was having a conversation with itself. You would think that at least someone would know it was your birthday wouldn't you? Not even Dumbledore remembered and you don't even care. You're getting older Severus and you can't remain the way you are forever. Washing her hair?! What lies! He couldn't believe he was thinking these things. It wasn't as if he liked her was it? The truth was he didn't know anymore. The truth was becoming a stranger to him and ever since the first day he had pretended to return to

Voldemort's side he was never allowed to breathe a word of his fears to anyone, he wanted to be released but he couldn't; one fraction of failure and he was back where he started, a worthless man who was capable of the most despicable things, he didn't want to be that man again. The first time he returned he wasn't exactly seen but he didn't tell Dumbledore that he was too fearful to return to his side. When would his chance return again?

There was a light clicking on the floor of the dungeons. He couldn't quite make out what they were from as he entered. He was the only one that ever went down there. Why would there be a second set of footsteps. Snape drew his wand and slid it up his sleeve ready to use if necessary.

A black hooded figure stormed up the corridor of the dungeons. Robes of black that he recognised. The same robes worn by the Death Eaters. A sign would be sent a way other than the dark mark, he hoped seeing the figure. Was it an apparition of his death or the one that would guide him to it? Snape looked at it thunder struck as he knew what he must do. He expected it to stop as it reached him but it kept going, but Severus also knew the dungeons better than anyone and cut the racing figure as it reached the corner of the second corridor parallel to the one that he had just been in. He forced the powerful being against the wall in an effort to get its attention – and of course, to shock them into submission.

"Have you come for me?" He growled coldly putting on the Death-eater-Snape voice, then in an instant before a flat hand had hit him firmly in his chest, he caught sight of the dark eyes within the hood which grew darker in his pupil's fixed hold. The force was strong enough to throw him against the wall, knocking him unconscious as his head smacked against the jagged rocks of the dungeons wall.

The figure sped off as fast as it had got there. Snape was left in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the cold wall. It must have been the sign that woke him - the dark mark was burning brightly on his left fore arm. But then he realised he couldn't get up, still winded, he felt that the world was spinning around his head. He knew that was a death eater only he didn't know who. He thought he knew all of them since he was made one among his friends... an average sized hooded figure. There must be others now, he thought as he steadily rose to his feel brushing off his robes. He headed for the secret passage that lead to Hogsmeade behind a sliding door when a stone was pressed rightly, he didn't think anybody else knew about this. He strode down a long flight of stone steps and after ten minutes of darkness – lit only by the glow of his wand – he reached level ground. Snape walked on until he could see the slightly lighter exit of the tunnel that opened out and up a small steep bank, very much like a fox's den. Now out of Hogwart's grounds he was able to disapparate to the heals of the Dark Lord.

He looked about him to see all the other Death Eaters. The one he had seen before was not there. It was a paralysing sight. A tall ropy figure dressed in black, horrific facial features that made him want to wretch, bright burning red reptilian eyes piercing through what he thought was hidden away deep within him. He had forgotten Voldemort's ability to see through anything.

"Severus Snape!" The voice screeched. The slits of his nostrils opened and closed with every thin breath they took. Snape felt the fear surge through him as his name was spoken by the hideous figure standing in front of him. He felt himself falter, but on command he went to his knee as was expected of him. "Why did you not respond to the call of he Dark mark?" Snape closed his eyes as he expected to be killed there and then.

"Master... I was making sure that Dumbledore suspected nothing," his voice was slightly trembling.

"You know that I know you're lying." Voldemort's voice cut through the air.

"I wouldn't lie to you master. Does the Dark Mark not bind me to you?" Severus replied gaining a stability in his words. "I can be of great help to you, I am on the inside of Hogwarts and can tell you all that goes on." The words were now pouring from his mouth like wine. "In order that I create such an elaborate picture for you, surely I must be on the right side of Dumbledore - or at least appear to be." Snape kissed the dark robes of the creature standing before him. When he had mentioned Dumbledore the other Death Eaters seemed to fidget and became uncomfortable until Voldemort spoke again.

"You are a smart man," Voldemort hissed drawing back his wand. "Crucio!" The voice screeched and Snape was drawn into a world beyond pain. His form was writhing - screaming in agony. Snape's blood ran like boiled water round in his veins, his heart was pumping it ceaselessly round his body and he couldn't do anything about it – it seemed to be never ending, when would he die? Would he be forever in this pain? Struggling to preserve his strength, Snape could again see Raine by the lake like he had witnessed in that dream. This time he was getting closer, though the symbols were not yet clear enough for him to quite recognise, but her eyes - blazing like they were on fire cut through the darkness and settled onto his. Snape was slowly losing the picture and fazed back to the gut wrenching pain, his breath kept holding out steps away from death, gasping and stuttering he opened bloodshot eyes and curled up feeling the last bit of his strength being torn from his heaving chest.

He screamed: "Stop!", with a last desperate plead in the remains of what he had left of a voice. It was followed by a sharp jolt of pain in his left forearm that disappeared as quickly as it had come. A fuzzy white cloud fogged his view as all thought of the present left his mind, he spun around in a whirl of wind and fizzled into non-existence. His violently shaking body calmed, or rather – broke off into silence and froze in deep agony.

"Finite Incantatem!" Voldemort's voice rasped. The pain eased. And then got worse as his mind came back to full awareness. "Still weak as ever," the voice hissed coldly as he was kicked away from the heals of the Dark Lord by Lucius Malfoy. The pain seared through him to the bone, a heavy pressure planted on his aching skull throbbed and pulled his vision back into place. Then he was ordered to wear the black robes as all the other Death Eaters did, by what had just happened - they had accepted him again.

"Return to me immediately when the Dark Mark burns again!" The voice hissed sharply like an angry snake. The Death Eaters disapparated leaving Snape trying regain his strength to walk back to Hogwarts.

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A couple more weeks passed where nothing happened. Snape was his normal self even though he had more of a burden on his shoulders to bare with having to deal with Voldemort and students cocking up potions. Dinners were interesting as he had said nothing to Raine since she turned him down flat. She was not saying anything to him either, it was a two-way thing. Neither of them wanted to say anything. Snape felt guilty for liking her a bit - even if she was a caustic bitch, and Raine didn't like the idea that she was being eyed up by a snake - not that she found it too unpleasant. She had been in Slytherin herself and she had known him even if he didn't recognise her. She often thought of the look on his face when she punched him for being rude. It gave her a private laugh as she could pin point the exact expression he had when her fist was just about to hit him. She was right to teach him Muggle self defence, he was crap at judging people's responses and this would help him. There hadn't been a class since Halloween though - there was normally one a week but since they hadn't been speaking Raine decided it was better to let his temper cool down before starting the classes again. After three weeks had passed Raine decided it was more important that the students took the class rather that she didn't talk to Severus, so she decided to begin lessons again. With the help of her partner.

"Snape?" Raine said in a quiet voice. She had no desire to incur a massive argument between them today - she had a headache.

"What?" He snapped.

"We have to take that class again soon," she said trying not to draw any attention to the incident prior to Halloween.

"Really? What do you want me to do about it?" He said seeming like he wasn't going to help with it any more.

"I need your help," she said in tone that made him feel like she hadn't really wanted to say it.

"When?" He asked seeming uninterested.

"Some time soon. Like tonight. The students are getting really annoying they keep going on about it," she added.

"I think I might be washing my hair," he said lazily.

"Look Snape!" She snapped. "No matter how much I may have hurt your pride or crushed your ego it does not mean you have to behave like an ass!" She raised her voice slightly. "Besides, I don't believe you'll really wash it – don't want to break tradition now do we?"

"I believe you may have told me something like that last time you tried to insult me. I really have got to wash my hair though don't you think?" He said not bothering to look at her and taking a bite of his pumpkin pie.

"Yes you need to wash your hair but now is not the time. Try half term when you'll have long enough to wash all the slime out of it!" She stamped her feet under the table and twisted her whole body away from him, Raine was becoming highly agitated now but allowed herself a glance quickly over her shoulder to his smirking face. Snape watched her with great amusement as she narrowed her eyes and flared her tiny nostrils. She couldn't lay a finger on him in front of Dumbledore and she knew it. He could see her anger in the way she drank her pumpkin juice; she drove the goblet up to her mouth and forced the drink down with one large gulp.

"Okay. I'll see you later then Professor Stark," he said with a sneer. She actually laughed at twisted back round to sit on her chair normally. It didn't seem to bother her that he had been an ass, her mood had changed so fast. The agitation on her face was changed into a smile that didn't seem to be forced or there to make him feel stupid – even though it did make him feel stupid. His sneer was quickly dropped for a schoolboy's smile. What are you doing? He thought to himself forcing back the sneer. Maybe she didn't notice, he thought hopefully.

"I will see you later okay," Raine spoke softly with a hint of annoyance in her tone as she left her seat. You're messing him around are you not? Her sub conscience told her as she got out into the entrance hall. No, was the answer she kept giving herself. There is no way I could feel anything for him, he has all the wit and charm of a piece of cheese. Or at least that was what she forced herself to believe.

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"Today you are all going to learn about attacking, so Professor Snape is going to do a little sparing with me," she said looking at him a little more lightly than she normally did.

"Are you ready Professor Snape?" She asked him. Snape stood with his right arm in front of him - elbow bent so that his forearm was going to be the main driving force. Raine stood seemingly unprepared as she shouted, "Begin!"

"Are you sure?" He asked, as she stood calmly and lazily like a person waiting for the bus. She nodded. Snape moved his legs forward, sharply knocking her in the face with his forearm. She closed her eyes and fell gracefully to the floor. Snape watched her as if the world was moving in slow motion, she hit the floor with little sound.

"Are you okay Raine?" Snape asked going to her side. Before he knew it her knees were brought up and had hit him in the back sending him over her onto his face and chest on the crash mat. She did a dainty back flip and landed on his shoulder blades softly so as not to brake them in her land. But Snape was not as much of a pushover as he had been at the start of the year, he flipped over sharply and made her lose balance, she cart wheeled upwards again as Snape jumped to his feet as if she had predicted the very moment of his action. "That was dirty," he muttered smiling at her despite trying to look angry.

"That all you've got?" She mocked as he went to strike again. She laughed then leapt gracefully into the air twisting her hips, bringing her legs in a sort of wheel up and round like an arch onto his chest, he dropped back but before he fell to the will of gravity he reached out, grabbed the following left leg out of the air in mid spin and forced her to the ground so he had her pinned on her back with her stretched out leg being held onto at the foot by Snape.

"Get out of this if you can," he said coolly quickly dropping and holding her down with his forearm to her throat.

"Okay," she whispered through an awed gasp as she somehow managed to fish her legs up and round his throat pulling him onto his back, she replaced her legs with her thighs and tightly wedged her shins on his arms.

"Let me go..." He choked closing his eyes from the tempting view out of respect of the woman who was sitting on his chest.

"What was that?" She said with great amusement.

"Raine!" Madam Pomfrey insisted. Suddenly the world popped back into existence for Snape – he had completely forgotten that he was only being a teaching partner in a self defence class, the sudden embarrassment of how he had acted and how close Raine's... erm... lower body had been so close to his head in front of all these students made him rise abruptly to his feet as Raine stepped off.

"Very well," she said smoothly to the panicky school nurse.

"...... That was very good Raine," Snape muttered gasping for breath.

"You did ask for that one Severus," she said quietly. "Okay everyone. None of that display I think. I would like to see you all use the blocking techniques I have taught you and a few punches. Nothing over the top please - we already have one injury this evening," she said looking at Snape rubbing his back.

Shortly after when everyone was enjoying the chance to beat the hell out of their worst enemies - namely Harry who had Malfoy trapped in a headlock - Snape suddenly felt the stomach churning sensation of pain washing a wave of fire through his arm. He resisted the urge to clasp it instinctively and slowly sidled out of the great hall as if nothing had happened at all. Raine, watching intently noticed Snape's slight flinch in his right hand as if he reluctantly stopped it from performing a quick move, she watched his dark eyes falter for a moment and then pretended that she hadn't seen anything by turning her head away - but she still watched out of the corner of her eye. Snape left quickly and discreetly, Raine knew exactly where he was going...

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Author's Note: Well what did you think? Please review it.. Please. :) If anyone would like to look over the chapters and beta read for me then please email me and I'll see what I can do.... I have some stuff I want to run by people, many people. I think I should shut up now. I hoped you liked it.

I.C. Fire

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