Thanks to EVERYONE who have sent me encouragement and reviewed! Mademoiselle Morte, not to worry, Draco will get his just rewards.

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Chapter 7

Severus felt like he had been through a battle and come out on the loosing side. He had walked into the classroom and paused to needle Potter a bit, when he had looked up just in time to see Sonora turn her back to Draco. Almost in slow motion he had seen the boy's anger and intent, followed by his viciously aimed action. And then she had collapsed and it had been all he could do not to murder the boy.

Instead he had forced himself to ignore Draco in favor of the woman nearly unconscious on the stone floor. Something in him had broken at the sight of her gasping in pain, tears tracking down her cheeks. He had not been able to risk letting her out of his arms as he at carried her to the Hospital Wing. She had been too light, too small, and in agony.

And when he had laid her down on the bed, as gently as he had been able, her moan as her injured limb had been jostled had gone right through him. The ache in his chest had intensified as she had clung to first his robes, and then his hand as if he were her lifeline out of the miserable seas into which she had been tossed. He had not been able to move away if his life had depended on it.

Madam Pomphrey had been serious and quick and thorough, and Severus had not been able to stop the wince as she had bared the slender, pale leg, with its knee horribly bruised and swollen looking. He had understood what she'd meant when Pomphrey had requested himself and Dumbledore to hold Sonora, he'd known what was coming. And yet he had had to turn his face away to hide his expression as she had screamed and arched beneath their hands.

Now he sat and studied her unconscious face, her hand still determinedly clinging to his. And he had not been able to force himself to let her go, as he should. Dumbledore, with his keen eyes had not missed a moment, either, and after it was done, her leg returned to nearly normal, the weakness now permanently hidden inside, the headmaster had looked at him and soberly asked him to stay.

"I must see about Draco," Dumbledore had said, eyes heavy and grave.

Severus had remembered his role as Slytherin Head of House, and had reluctantly begun to stand, knowing he should be the one to bring the boy.

But Dumbledore had shaken his head and pressed him back into the chair. "I need you here," he had said. "I need to know that Sonora has someone watching her, ready when she wakes." A hint of a smile had come and gone in the old man's eyes, and Severus had had the horrible sensation that Dumbledore had known all the thoughts he'd struggled to hide for the past few months.

Then the smile had been gone again, and the headmaster's eyes were grave again. "Professor McGonagall will see to Mr. Malfoy. You were a witness, after all, Severus. I should like to keep your account separate from Draco's for the moment."

Severus had understood, and to tell the truth, had not really protested. After all, no part of him wanted to leave while this woman still lay vulnerable and unconscious.

Now his eyes dwelt again on her face, still and silent. Color was at least coming back to her cheeks and lips. Madam Pomphrey had stepped out a few minutes ago and his gaze was free to linger on the dark fringe of her lashes as they lay against her cheeks, on the gentle fullness of her lips, on how several long tendrils had slipped from her coiled hair to curl lazily about her neck.

Severus bit his lip, looking down. He had a problem, he finally admitted to himself. The masks he normally disguised himself with didn't seem to work with her. This woman had somehow pulled him in from the very first moment, and now he was afraid he would be unable to keep from risking them both.

He took a deep breath as Pomphrey came back in, muttering under her breath, still looking angry over what had happened to her patient. He would have to try to keep his distance and not let her know. His eyes fell again on her quiet face, and he let out his breath. He was fairly sure it wouldn't work, and he wasn't sure he wanted it to.

~~~~~~~

Sonora lay still, taking stock of her surrounding without opening her eyes. There were voices around her, and she listened.

"You don't have to stay, she'll wake up soon," she heard Madam Pomphrey's voice say.

"I will wait," said Professor Snape's grim voice. Sonora realized that she was still clinging tightly to his hand. Without giving it much thought, her fingers tightened on the security of his.

There was a brief pause, and then his hand gripped hers as well. "Professor Stone?" she heard him say.

Sonora took a deep breath and forced her eyes open. God, she felt weak. "I think you can call me Sonora now," she said, looking up into Snape's tense face, and trying to smile.

What looked like admiration flitted across his face before that odd look she'd seen once before settled in his eyes. "Of course," he said, as if it wasn't even a question. "You will call me Severus."

Sonora managed half a smile. "Of course," she echoed. She took a deep breath, and then forced herself to look down. "Well," she said weakly, "at least I still have a leg."

His grip on her hand tightened painfully for a moment before easing again. "No thanks to Mr. Malfoy," he said and Sonora resisted the urge to shiver at the icy fury in his voice. "I have tried to reach that boy. Perhaps expulsion will finally make him realize the consequences of his actions."

"Is that what Dumbledore will do?" Sonora asked, still looking at her leg. Madam Pomphrey was bustling around the room as they spoke in soft voices.

"It's what he should," Madam Pomphrey said over her shoulder. Sonora hadn't realized she could be heard by the healer. "That boy attacked a professor." The healer looked simply furious. "And now you'll have a limp for the rest of your life."

Sonora sat quietly, digesting that. The healer had said something along those lines before she'd passed out, but… She was a cripple, she thought. She would not be able to run, would always move awkwardly. Would she ever be able to return to the field? Would the injury always give her pain?

She sighed without realizing it until the grip on her hand tightened again, and she looked over at Snape. He was watching her face carefully, that odd look still lingering in his eyes. She'd have to figure out that look, she thought, feeling a trifle weak again as her eyes met his.

"Are you all right?" he was asking her.

Sonora took a deep breath and forced her head to clear. "Certainly," she said, with an attempt at a smile. She looked to Madam Pomphrey. "Am I allowed up?"

The healer bustled over. "I would've preferred you to sleep a while, but the headmaster needs you in his office first," she said, shaking her head. She handed Sonora her cane. "You'll need this," she warned. "And make sure you sit. Once you're finished, go straight to bed and take a Dreamless Sleep Potion. You're going to need your rest. It puts great stress on a body to heal such a severe injury, you know."

Sonora gave a faint smile. "I know," she said, and made a move to sit up. Before she could do so, Snape was there, reaching behind her to lift her up and gently swing her legs around. She gave him a startled look.

"Thank you," she said, grateful. Surprised, but grateful for the help, and feeling oddly shaky because it came from him. He silently handed her the cane, which had ended up in his hand somehow. Sonora gripped it in one hand and then attempted a joke. "I think I should find something a little more decorative, don't you? Perhaps one with a few goblins."

Snape did not say anything and she looked up to see that odd look still in his eyes. Sonora caught her breath, and then quickly looked down and took a deep breath. Slowly she eased to her feet, well aware that Snape's hands were hovering, clearly ready to catch her should she fall.

Gingerly she tested each leg, leaning heavily on the cane as she tried her weak one. "Well," she said ruefully as she felt the limb shake, desperately reaching for some sense of levity as his gaze burned into her head. "Perhaps this will make me look more scholarly."

Snape cleared his throat and she looked back up at the tall man. "Are you sure you're able to walk?" he asked. His eyes were back to being dark and rather inscrutable.

"'Lead on, MacDuff'," Sonora said, forcing one corner of her mouth up. "Dumbledore awaits."

~~~~~~~

Sonora was breathing heavily and Snape's hand was beneath one elbow, lending support by the time they gained the headmaster's office. "Hoarhound," Snape said and the door swung open. Sonora looked up at the last flight of stairs and groaned.

Snape made a move toward her. "Here," he said gruffly, reaching as if to lift her again.

Sonora quickly shook her head, feeling slightly nervous. "No, no," she said rapidly. His hands fell back and she glanced up to see his face, still and remote. "I, um, I need to prove I can do this," she said into the quiet hall, quickly turning her head to stare up the flight of stairs and not at him. "After all, this is something I need to get used to. You won't always be there to help me, Professor." Somehow she had not wanted to leave that look on his face.

"Severus." Sonora jerked her head around to find that odd look again as he looked down at her. "I told you my name was Severus," he repeated.

Sonora suddenly smiled then, a real smile, the first one she'd felt in a while. "Thank you, Severus," she said softly. "You have taken… great care of me."

He studied her as he looked down, and Sonora for the first time was very aware of the differences in their heights. She was a small woman, and now a crippled one. He was a tall and surprisingly strong man, judging from the way he'd carried her earlier. As she looked up, she was caught by the intensity of those dark eyes studying her in turn. They were almost frightening in their depth, she thought, suddenly a little breathless.

Severus gestured with one hand. "After you," he said.

Sonora blinked and turned back to the stairs. She took a deep breath and prepared to conquer them.

~~~~~~~

Sonora was very glad when they'd reached the top of the staircase, which seemed to shorten as they ascended. She would be surprised if it wasn't her imagination, and that were truly the case. After all, the castle was always full of surprises.

Nevertheless, she was more than ready to sink into an easy chair as the two of them entered the Headmaster's office. As she limped in, Dumbledore looked up from where he was sitting at his desk, writing on a piece of parchment.

"My dear Sonora," he said, quickly rising and coming around the desk. Snape guided her to one of the easy chairs set in front of his desk. As she sat, an ottoman appeared with a pop. "How are you?" Dumbledore asked, face and eyes serious.

Sonora looked up, intending to make some light remark to ease the tension she felt in this room, but found her eyes trapped by the blue of the headmaster's. "I… am angry," she admitted. "I'm tired, I ache, and I would like to do things with this cane that I'm sure are illegal."

Dumbledore smiled at her then, a slight lightening of face and mood. "You are not hiding from this, then," he said. "I'm glad. Your injuries will be easier later if you can acknowledge them now."

Sonora sighed as she lifted her leg to rest on the ottoman. "I know," she said. "And while at this moment I have a number of truly foul things I would like to do to Mr. Malfoy, I also realize that his was a foolish action of misplaced anger."

There was a snort behind her and Sonora looked to see that Snape had thrown himself down in another chair across from her. "That boy knew what he was doing," Snape said, face dark and hard.

Dumbledore sighed and returned to his seat. "Minerva has him right now, and will be bringing him up in a few minutes," he said, settling down to sit. "If you would, Severus, describe for me what you saw."

Snape's eyes flicked to hers before returning to Dumbledore's face. "I was walking into the classroom, having been in the library following dinner," he said, unemotionally. "As I did, I saw Mr. Potter engaged in splitting unicorn hairs and paused to have a word with him. I glanced up as I did, hearing Sonora speaking to someone on the other side of the room, and saw her turn away from Mr. Malfoy." Despite the remembered pain of what he was reciting, Sonora felt a warmth slide through her at the ease with which her name was spoken in his deep voice. "As she did, Draco looked furious and then lashed out with one foot, kicking her from behind."

Snape paused. "Sonora fell, and I sent Potter for Pomphrey."

There was quiet in the office as Sonora digested all he'd said. It matched what she recalled. Dumbledore finally sighed. "Sonora, my dear? What can you tell me about Draco's behavior?"

Sonora shifted a little in her seat. "Mr. Malfoy has been… troublesome in class," she said, trying to choose her words carefully, and not let her anger at the boy color her words. "I made very clear to all the students, particularly his class, that I would not tolerate a lack of respect for fellow students or teachers. Mr. Malfoy, along with Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, have all, shall we say, struggled with that idea."

Sonora shook her head. "I finally got fed up with merely taking points from the boys and assigned them detentions tonight after catching them disobeying my rule in class. Mr. Malfoy suggested that I couldn't give him detention as I was not a 'real' professor." She let her self give a slightly evil smile of satisfaction. "I was able to inform him that he was mistaken, and to present himself promptly after dinner."

She shook her head again. "Mr. Potter was prompt, and accepted his punishment as he should. Mr. Malfoy walked in late, and did very little of the work he was assigned." Sonora lifted one shoulder helplessly. "I admit to being at a loss now, of what else could be done for him."

Dumbledore shook his head. "Draco has never truly had to consider the consequences of his actions," he said quietly. "His has been a privileged and in a way, rather sheltered existence. I'm afraid Severus is right, he knew what he was doing. What I do not believe he realized is what would be the result of his actions."

Snape scowled. "He has been very critical of you," he said, looking over at Sonora. "As his Head of House, I have heard several diatribes on that subject." He grimaced. "I told him several weeks ago his anger was misplaced and that he should let it go."

Dumbledore looked regretful. "I do not see a great deal of choice in what I must do," he said, voice heavy. "And yet it pains me to expel him if there is a chance to reach that boy."

Just then there was a tap on the office door. "Enter," Dumbledore called. Sonora turned to watch the door swing open and a very pale looking Draco Malfoy walk in, followed by a stern Professor McGonagall.

"Headmaster," Professor McGonagall said in greeting, before looking over at Sonora. "Professor Stone, how are you feeling?"

Sonora managed a faint smile for the woman, seeing the honest concern in her eyes. "As well as can be expected, thank you, Professor." Then she looked at Draco.

The boy was standing, staring at a point on the wall and not meeting any of their eyes. "Draco," Professor Dumbledore said quietly. Slowly and reluctantly the student's eyes moved to meet the headmaster's. "You are here so we can decide on the punishment for your actions." The headmaster paused. "You deliberately and willfully attacked a professor, Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore said in a very grave voice. "You caused an injury that can never be repaired."

He was quiet a moment, then sighed. "The rules of this school are fairly clear. I should immediately expel you, Mr. Malfoy." Sonora watched as the boy's face went deathly pale, and then as he tried to shake it off, seeming to grasp for some of the sneering bravado he generally wore.

As he did, Snape snorted from the other side of the room. "I don't think you quite understand, Draco," he said in a cold voice. The boy looked at him. "Your actions were deliberate and of a serious enough nature that your father will not be able to stop an expulsion." Snape's eyes were dark and cold and seemed to be boring into his student. "And with your academic record tainted with such an act, against a professor, no less, there is no other reputable school that will accept you."

To Sonora's surprise, at that moment she felt nothing but pity for Draco Malfoy, as it became clear to him just what serious trouble he was truly in. "But… sir… my father…" seemed to be squeezed from him as he stared pleadingly at Snape.

Snape leaned forward in his seat. "I warned you, Draco," he said in a silky, icy voice, "to let go this ridiculous anger and learn some control. You chose to ignore my advice, and now must face the consequences." He sat back, face cold. "Your father will certainly not be pleased with your expulsion," he said quietly. And watching him, Sonora thought she caught a glimpse of regret.

Mr. Malfoy looked at Dumbledore, skin pasty and white. "Please, sir," he nearly whispered.

The Headmaster slowly shook his head gravely. "You have not left me much choice, Draco," he said heavily. As he spoke, Sonora saw his eye flit to hers.

Suddenly she had the sudden urge to speak out. "If I may propose an alternative, Professor Dumbledore?" Sonora bit her lip as all four turned to look at her, Snape and McGonagall with varying astonishment, Mr. Malfoy with fear and perhaps a touch of hope in his pale eyes, Dumbledore with calm expectancy.

"Yes, Professor Stone?" the Headmaster asked. "You certainly have a right to contribute to this decision."

Sonora studied the boy in front of her. He was afraid, she thought, probably for the first time in his life. She knew little about his home life, but from his mention of his father, she would assume his would not be a terribly supportive one.

"I propose we give Mr. Malfoy a second chance," she said slowly, keeping her gaze fixed on his pale, fearful one. At that, the boy's eyes filled with hope and relief. There was a muttered expulsion next to her, from one of the other two professors in the room and she held up her hand to ask them to wait as she held his gaze still.

"I suggest we place Mr. Malfoy on a strict probation for the remainder of the year," she said, watching him as she spoke. "He is here because he could not learn respect for his fellow classmates and professors. Therefore I suggest the terms of his probation be that he cannot be responsible for the loss of a single house point."

Draco's eyes got very wide as she spoke and he seemed to blurt out without thinking, "But that's impossible! If anyone else knew they'd…" He seemed to trip over himself as he realized he was speaking aloud.

Sonora kept her eyes and voice steady. "Indeed, Mr. Malfoy. The other students might very well attempt to take advantage of your situation. You wouldn't be able to retaliate, no matter what the provocation. Not by word, not by deed."

There was silence as the boy stared at her in horrified disbelief. Then Dumbledore cleared his throat. "It seems to me to be an excellent suggestion, Professor Stone," he said. Sonora looked over at him to see the barest hint of an approving twinkle in his eyes. "Providing Mr. Malfoy realizes the seriousness of his situation, you have allowed him the opportunity to make amends."

"If I might add a suggestion," Snape drawled from his chair. Sonora looked over at him in surprise. "I believe Mr. Malfoy would also benefit from spending time as an aide to Professor Stone. As he is now responsible for any future difficulties she might have, it seems to me only right that he spend, say, several evenings a week assisting her as she needs."

Sonora smiled just a little. Leave it to Severus to find a way to twist the knife, she thought with a little pity and some amusement as she watched Draco flush as his Head of House spoke.

Dumbledore spoke again. "Minerva? What is your opinion?"

Professor McGonagall tapped one toe against the rug. "I think Professor Stone has been far more generous than Mr. Malfoy deserves," she said sharply.

Dumbledore nodded at her before looking at the boy still standing in front of his desk. "Well, Draco?" he said in a quiet voice. "It is up to you now. You may accept the terms of your probation, or expulsion. Which will it be?"

Draco's mouth opened and then closed, and he seemed to be struggling in himself. He looked again to Snape, but found no encouragement from the teacher he used to consider an ally. Sonora found herself holding her breath, hoping as he finally looked back at the headmaster.

"Probation, sir," he said, voice weak.