Kurtfan – Many thanks! Keep the ego-feeding coming. Lol.

Sannikex – Not to worry, there's plenty more to come. Heh heh heh.

AddisonRae - *Licking lips* There's just something about a Potions Master with a delicate touch, isn't there?

Shahrezad1 – Don't we all believe that there's a marshmallow core buried deep, deep, DEEP inside that blonde little devil? Don't you fret, Draco still has quite a role to play in this tale. As for Sev, he's a good man – gone bad – gone mostly good. Lol. And he'd go very nicely with these luscious chocolate brownies SOMEONE gave me. Yum yum. Oh, and Voldie? He's coming. Bwahahahaha.

Peikkolapsi – Many thanks! Those sort of comments always mean a great deal to me, since I happen to think a good story can't be enjoyed if it's poorly written. Keep reading (and flattering!)

Chapter 13

When Sonora woke in the morning, it was to the discovery that there were few things in life more pleasurable than waking with a man wrapped around you. She lay still, soaking in the warmth and comfort of a heavy arm pinning her in place against a strong, hard body behind her. She smiled, eyes closed. She'd certainly been right about Severus being stronger than he looked. Whatever he did to keep from running to fat, it worked. Sonora had no complaints in that department.

Her head was tucked under his chin, his face buried in what had to a hopelessly tangled mess of hair. Sonora resisted the urge to squirm as she recalled precisely what had resulted in the tangle.

Just then, the body behind her stirred. "You're awake," said a deep voice in her ear. "Stop pretending to be asleep."

Sonora giggled. "Or what?"

The arm over her waist lifted, and she found herself rolled onto her back, Severus propped above her on one elbow. "Or this," he growled softly, and bent his head.

~~~~~~~

Severus wasn't quite sure how he'd managed to make it through the day without his face cracking into a foolish smile. Instead, he'd had to growl and snap at his classes as usual, sending third-years cowering as he swept down rows to inspect cauldrons. And all the while, on the inside his heart was jumping and doing cartwheels.

Sonora did not help, either. Following lunch, she seated herself at her desk in the classroom and proceeded to spend the entire afternoon marking papers with a smug little smile on her lips while Severus tried desperately to ignore her. it was a difficult task, especially since her smile reminded him distinctly of one she'd smiled last night as he'd…

Once again, Severus had to scowl as his thoughts jumped away in the wrong direction and turned back to where Carla Boggs, third-year Hufflepuff, was in the process of attempting to blow them all back to the dark ages.

"Miss Boggs!" he thundered, resolutely turning his back on the too-smug temptress at her desk. "Are you trying to kill us all?" Seeing the proper amount of cowering begin made him feel better. He could control this thing called love that had wrapped itself around his very insides. He could.

~~~~~~~

Sonora was surprised she got as much marking done as she did, distracted as she was by Severus stomping around glaring at students all afternoon. It made her want to laugh, knowing all that bad temper was a cover. She resisted the urge to wince as he callously needled a student for not measuring correctly. She'd developed the strong suspicion that most of his harshness with the students was an act, designed to keep people away from him and from seeing who he truly was. Well, most of it, she thought with good humor, remembering various bad-tempered moments he'd turned on her over the last few months.

Sonora realized she was staring down at the last paper somewhat blindly, and hastily set it with the others on her desk. She glanced up at Severus to find him in the back of the room, glaring at the backs of students heads. He looked up, as if he could feel her gaze, and for a bare second, his eyes burned into hers with all the heat and intensity she remembered from last night.

Sonora could feel herself instantly begin to blush, and so she quickly turned her head away and made a grab for her crutch. She hobbled off to her office, thinking it was just all too new and dangerous for them to share a space in public. At her office door, however, she turned to glance back at him only to see a self-satisfied smirk on his face. Why, that sneaky… she thought, shooting him a glare back that only widened his smirk. He'd done that on purpose.

Sonora dropped into her office chair with a huff. And then she smiled. She'd get him later.

Cheerful once again, she reached down and unlocked the door where her notes were kept. She set them on the desk and summoned one of the books she still had out from the library. She had work that should be done, she thought, and now was as good a time as any to work on it.

~~~~~~~

Severus was just entering the Great Hall when he caught the whispers. "… said that Dumbledore would announce it at dinner… wonder if it'll be like last year… another ball, can you imagine?"

He felt his heart sink and for the first time today, his scowl was real. Damn and blast. He hated balls. Students began giggling incessantly, paid even less attention in class before, and you inevitably got a whole new wave of teenaged hormones washing over the whole school.

Sonora was already at the head table, chatting lightly to Professor McGonagall as he approached. She gave him a smile that always made his chest constrict as he approached. Severus yanked out her chair, as had become his habit.

"Have you heard yet, Severus?" she said as she settled into her seat. "Apparently there's to be a Yule Ball."

Severus grunted as he dropped down to sit himself. "Another bloody ball. Just wonderful," he groused.

Sonora turned to look at him, corners of her mouth turning up. "What? You're not a fan of balls? Somehow I never would have guessed," she said.

Severus shot her a glare. Sonora had taken to baiting him recently, and while secretly he enjoyed every minute of it, he didn't feel it would be good to encourage her. Merlin knows what she might come up with next, if he did.

"Students go mad over a ball," he told her. "Hormones and dates and a definite lack of attention in class. A total waste of time."

Sonora's smile deepened as she looked at him. Drat. "I know, isn't it romantic?" she said, before turning back to her plate. Severus restrained his groan. Great, just great. Something told him this Yule Ball was going to be trouble for him.

He resisted the urge to let his lips twitch. Then again, trouble could be fun, if it was with Sonora.

~~~~~~~

Sonora stood in front of her class of fifth-years and gave them all a warning smile as the period wound down. "Professor Snape and I have decided that your final examination this year will be conducted in pairs." A murmur swept the room and she could see Mr. Thomas in the back looking over at Mr. Finnigan with a look that meant trouble for her.

"However," she continued, pretending not to notice as students looked over at each other, trying to silently catch friends' eyes. "We will be selecting partners for you. You will not be working with someone on your final that you have spent a great deal of time with in class." Faces instantly fell, Mr. Longbottom among the farthest. She couldn't blame him, the poor boy knew he struggled with the subject and was always clearly grateful for the help Miss Granger gave him.

"You will not need to bring anything to class with you, save your supplies. The recipe will be provided for you," she said, leaning back against her desk. "Are there any questions?" Surprisingly, there were none, not even from Miss Granger, who was currently whispering furiously with Mr. Weasley in the back of the room. "Then in that case, let me simply remind you that the Yule Ball is after all the finals have been completed and to prepare accordingly," she said in a dry voice.

Some students snickered, and then the bell rang, ending class. Students began to get up and chatter as they left, and Sonora had to raise her voice to be heard. "Mr. Potter! Mr. Malfoy! A word, please, before you leave." The volume of conversation in the class dropped dramatically for a moment before resuming more eagerly than ever as Sonora made her way around her desk to sink into her chair.

She waited until all the other students had left, Mr. Weasley clearly reluctant to go, judging by the scowl on his face. Miss Granger finally had to take him by the arm and yank him out the classroom door.

Sonora then turned her attention to the two boys standing stiffly in front of her desk, standing as far apart as possible while still being close enough to hear her when she spoke.

Sonora studied them both. "I asked the two of you to remain behind because I wanted to give you a word of warning," she said. She folded her hands on her desk. "I have assigned the two of you to work as partners for the final examination."

Mr. Potter's jaw dropped at that, although he snapped it back up fairly quickly, and Draco went even stiffer. Sonora resisted the urge to sigh. "Over the last few weeks, gentlemen," she said into the tense air, "I have seen a marked improvement from both of you. I have not had to reprimand your behavior once. As I am attempting to keep pairs from being completely mismatched for this exam, the two of you are a logical match."

Now she fixed first one, then the other with her best gimlet stare. Which admittedly wasn't as good as Severus' or Professor McGonagall, but it got the job done. "I am telling you now, so that you may accustom yourself to the idea. I don't want the peace of the last few weeks shattered by an unfortunate incident during my final."

Both boys were still stock silent, and Sonora resisted the urge to sigh. "That is all, gentlemen." They turned to stiffly leave, and she thought better of it. "Actually, Mr. Potter, stay another moment. Mr. Malfoy, I'll expect to see you tonight after dinner."

Draco gave a jerky nod and a muttered, "Yes, Professor," as he exited the classroom. Sonora looked over to where Harry Potter was standing, posture saying for him just what he thought of having to work with his archenemy.

Sonora looked at him for a long moment before deciding just what she was going to say. "Mr. Potter," she said quietly. "Do you know why I have paired you with Mr. Malfoy?"

Mr. Potter looked at her, eyes very green and shuttered. Heavens, this boy was as good as Severus at hiding what he thought, she thought in amazement. Perhaps she should have paid more attention to all the Harry Potter gossip that swirled about him. "No, ma'am," he said.

Sonora leaned forward. "Harry," she said, slipping into using his first name, "you of all people know about Draco Malfoy. You were there when this happened," she said, gesturing down at her leg. "And I have no doubt you know what the terms of his continuance here at Hogwarts was."

He gave a stiff nod. Sonora studied him. "Tell me, Harry, how do you feel about Draco's probation?" He looked uncomfortable and she gave him as gentle a smile as she could. "Don't worry, just tell me."

Mr. Potter seemed to struggle a little, before sighing and looking straight at her. "I think it really stinks, Professor," he said bluntly.

She kept her eyes on him. "What part? That he's still here or the terms themselves?"

"Both," he said, and then looked frustrated. "Which makes no sense."

Sonora relaxed, just a bit. "Actually it makes perfect sense, Mr. Potter," she said, sitting back in her chair.

He gave her a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it's perfectly natural to think that someone who could act as Mr. Malfoy did should no longer be allowed to continue as he had before," she said, propping her chin on one hand. "I certainly was angry enough to want to do some very nasty things to him." He smiled at that, clearly knowing what she meant.

"But at the same time, I also can look past the action itself to the reason behind it," Sonora went on quietly. "And there, Harry, I can see that there is a boy who did not really understand what he did. And so I can look at his punishment as all the more severe for Mr. Malfoy's having to remain here and face the consequences."

Mr. Potter was silent a second. "So Draco's real punishment was having to… face the consequences," he finally said.

Sonora nodded. "I think you understand." She dropped her fist and looked at those carefully guarded green eyes. "And no one can argue that Mr. Malfoy's particular punishment is not a fun one. In fact, it would probably be a cause for real pity in anyone who was not as universally disliked as he is."

He was caught between agreeing with her and clinging to his deep-rooted dislike of the other boy. "Harry," Sonora said gently. "I am not asking you to suddenly like Draco Malfoy. Particularly since he is not very likely to suddenly consider you a bosom friend." There was a faint curl to his mouth at that. "All I am asking of you is to give Mr. Malfoy the chance to prove himself. He has had neither need or opportunity to truly do so before."

Mr. Potter's eyes suddenly flashed with humor, and Sonora caught her breath. Oh yes, she could see how this boy could inspire the kind of friendship she'd sensed around him and his two friends. And, she thought with an inner laugh, he would break hearts with those eyes someday. "I won't hex him or anything, Professor."

Sonora smiled back. "Then I should be able to sleep easily and imagine all my students passing with spectacular grades," she said. He grinned back at her, a look that made him so mischievous and adult while being so young at the same time. "Go on, go to dinner, Mr. Potter," she said and watched with amusement as he beat a hasty retreat.

~~~~~~~

"You did WHAT?" Severus said, nearly dropping the bowl of mashed potatoes in his plate.

Sonora gave the potatoes a pointed look. "What part didn't you understand? I have assigned Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy to complete their final together."

Severus stared at her a long moment, quite simply shocked. He knew Sonora was trying to ease Draco's way, and was trying to teach respect even where there was no liking, but still… "There won't be a classroom left," he muttered, dishing her some potatoes. "Good god, we'll be lucky if we can find all the pieces of them when it's over. Draco'll be expelled!"

Sonora shook her head as she reached for the platter of brisket that was being passed down the table. "No, I think you're wrong," she argued, and he resisted the urge to pull his hair. "Draco has kept a very firm grip on himself these last few weeks, and Merlin knows he's had ample temptation to retaliate."

Severus had to admit that was true. Nearly every day, Draco had grimly made his way to his classes, covered in various hexes. He'd managed to ignore taunts and ridicule from other students, particularly the Gryffindors. But Severus had kept a close eye on the boy, and could see the strain was wearing on him. Draco was having to go from very little control to near perfect. He wasn't sure how long it would be until Malfoy simply cracked.

"Plus," Sonora was continuing in her most persuasive academic voice. Personally, he found her other persuasive techniques much more to his tastes, he thought with a smirk. "I think Mr. Potter may still surprise you."

Severus grunted, feeling any good mood he'd had going evaporate at the damn name of Potter once again. "I am amazed that Potter hasn't pulled something yet," he muttered.

Sonora shook her head as she began to eat. "I don't think he's going to," she insisted. "I spoke to him after I told the boys they would be paired together. He's not a stupid boy, Severus, and I believe Professor Dumbledore is right, he is one with a great deal of heart."

He snorted, stabbing at his brisket as if he could take it all out on the piece of meat. "I am so damned tired of hearing about that boy and how wonderful he is," he muttered under his breath.

"Tough," Sonora said beside him and Severus resisted the urge to flinch. He hadn't thought she could hear him. She sounded irritated. "I get the impression he's more than a little tired of it, as well. I refuse to judge him from heresy, just like I refuse to judge you."

As always, thoughts like those made Severus soften. "You're too damned good," he said softly. "Why do you even bother with me?"

He caught a glimmer of a smile out of the corner of his eye. "You're cute," she said blandly and took a bite of her dinner while Severus struggled to smother his laugh.

~~~~~~~

Severus waited until Sonora was deeply asleep, curled down in his bedcovers like a child, before slipping from his bed. Quietly he pulled on just his pair of sleeping pants before sneaking out into the dark Potions classroom.

He stepped over to the cauldron he'd kept simmering in a corner for the past few weeks. Sonora had asked him at one point what he was working on, and he'd put her off by saying 'a project' and left it at that. She hadn't prodded, but he knew she was curious.

Severus lifted the lid and tested the warmth of the pale pink liquid inside. Still not right. Dammit, he cursed silently. He had not been able to find anything else that might protect her. Just this, and it was so arcane, he wasn't sure it would work. The last recorded successful brewing had been nearly seven hundred years ago. It was rather arrogant of him to assume he could succeed where generations of masters had failed.

Severus gritted his teeth. But he would succeed. Because he could not face the idea of the alternative. Once more, he summoned the book from its spot on the bottom of the shelf. Flipping it open, he laboriously translated the Latin, struggling with the words chosen and their meaning. Did the creator have to write in riddles? It was the last verse that was giving him so much trouble.

Where one truly loves, shall come no harm

Safety shall embrace the lov'ed one

As lover's heart will protect and charm

And from injury keep when strength be done.

Severus scowled at those lines. They meant a missing ingredient, he was sure of it. But what, he wondered for the millionth time. There was really no clue given.

He slumped down to sit in his desk chair, staring at the page. Where one truly loves… he loved her, he knew. It sat inside him and just craved to be let out. It was like nothing he'd ever known or dreamt before. It was light and joy and a terrible pleasure, and he hated having to keep it locked away for her safety. He wanted to claim her as his own, in front of everyone.

Safety shall embrace the lov'ed one… well, that was the whole point, wasn't it? Something she could use to protect her from the evil that stalked him.

As lover's heart will protect and charm / And from injury keep when strength be done. This was what his eyes kept returning to. Severus sighed and looked away from the open book. He was starting to fear he would not be able to find the answer, not before he needed it. He kept feeling he was riding a wave of luck that he had not been exposed before now, that Sonora had not been targeted as his weakness. True, he had been very careful, but how could one completely hide such a feeling?

Idly, he twirled his wand in his fingers, eyes dropping to the book again. Protect and charm… then Severus stiffened. Of course. It suddenly made sense, such perfect sense. Elegantly simple and tremendously complicated at once.

He realized his heart was pounding, and took a deep steadying breath. Then he raised his wand and laid the tip against his chest. "Habeus mea cor," he said.