After a couple of days taking the Dreamless Draught, Taranis felt like herself again. Full of energy one morning she breeched the subject of a girls night out with Madam Hooch. Xiomara thought it'd be a great idea and said that she'd spread the word to Minerva, Poppy and Sprout and since it was Friday, they could head out to Hogsmeade after dinner. The thought of this energized Taranis the rest of the day, she hadn't realized how much she'd longed to get out of the castle. Not that it wasn't great here, but after two months with no reprieve, a break sounded wonderful.
Dressed casually in jeans and a light sweater she found the girls waiting at the front entrance and they headed off. Once at the bar they sat at a rear table and ordered drinks.
"Oh dear, I'm never sure what to order," said the quiet older Professor Sprout.
"Tequila sunrise is good," offered Madam Pomfrey.
"I'm partial to margaritas myself," Minerva suggested.
Xiomara grinned, "Saffron I think you'd love a blow-job."
They all laughed, and Taranis said, "no what she needs is some sex on the beach, maybe even wild sex on the beach," grinning.
"Sounds perfect Taranis, is that a drink or an offer for a date?" Sprout said with a wicked gleam in her eyes.
"I haven't been on a date in more than three years, can you believe it?"
"I'm not sure I've had sex in thirty!" said Xiomara who was elbowed in the ribs by Minerva.
"Lets not forget that man from the carnival dear."
"Oh yes, two heads are better than one I always say."
"Has it really been three years Taranis?"
She nodded. "I used to play in a band until a few years ago, you meet a lot of guys that way, but since then I've pretty much just stayed home and buried myself in research."
"Well we shall have to see about that. Finally we have an attractive young woman to live vicariously through and we can't just sit here and do nothing can we ladies?" Minerva asked the others who chorused answers of 'nos'.
As they sat sipping their drinks, they discussed men, "what do you like in a man honey," they asked.
"Well, I guess I like one with a lot of confidence, I don't want a man I constantly have to build up do I?" they shook their heads, "intelligence also, someone as smart as myself is good. Ah, a hard diligent worker, someone I can trust and who'd be faithful. A man needs a sense of humor and a quick wit to match my own, but not too nice either, I hate it when a man falls all over me so no one spineless. Tall dark and handsome works too. I'm the kind of person who needs a lot of personal time, quiet time so no one too gregarious or needy. The most important thing is that I'm drawn to him you know, someone who can make me tremble when he's close, a man that can light me on fire and weaken my knees with a kiss."
"Do they make men like that?" Questioned Minerva.
"I haven't met one yet," Taranis sighed, "there is someone I think is kind of cute though."
"Who?" the ladies said in unison.
"Severus," as she replied Sprout spit out her drink. Poppy seemed to be having a coughing fit as Minerva gaped at her and Xiomara laughed. "What?" she said. "You don't you think so?"
"Oh dear it has been a long time if Snape looks good hasn't it? Surely we can find someone better suited to you, a little more cheerful perhaps?" Saffron added.
"Confidence he has though, he's got the tall and dark thing too. I've always wondered what he'd be like in the sack."
"Xiomara!" Poppy exclaimed.
"Don't you think he's elegant though, prim and proper"- Taranis started.
"Does he drive you wild with his kisses?"
"Oh no! We haven't" -
"He's too much of a stiff shirt dear, not the type of man who has that sort of relationship you know. It's interesting how we women tend to gravitate to the least likeliest of candidates isn't it?" Minerva commented.
For the next few hours they cheerfully discussed men and their combined lack of social lives as they drank themselves tipsy before heading back to the school. They entered giggling and chattering loudly and headed down the hall.
"Ladies it is the middle of the night and you are cackling loud enough to wake the dead," said the voice as it rounded the corner and Snape came bearing down upon them, arms crossed on his chest and brows furrowed.
"And so we 'have' Count Dracusnape," Taranis replied as the others giggled and held onto each other for added support. "If you are going to drain us dry, I would suggest that you start with Sprout, as we were just discussing, 'she' has had entirely too much sex on the beach." The all started into peals of laughter and Snape's black looked fixed upon them.
"Wild sex," added Poppy.
They started to walk down the hall when McGonagall snorted, "you're the one who thinks he's cute," rather loudly.
"Minerva!"
"What?"
"You said that out loud!"
"I did not!"
"Fraid you did dear," Xiomara helped, patting her friend on the arm, nodding her head.
Taranis looked over at Madam Hooch, "is he still there?"
"Yep."
"Thanks a lot Minerva I have to see him tomorrow you know. That swelled head of his probably won't even fit in the room anymore," she giggled, "never hear the end of it. I'm gonna tell everyone how you had the hots for that simpy . . . ," Minerva tried to put her hand over Taranis' mouth so she couldn't finish but she turned her head to the side in time to spit out, "Lockhart, and he doesn't even have a thought in his head anymore. Go Weasley!"
"Hmpf," The elder lady straightened out her clothes as they continued down the hall leaving one very intrigued potions master.
The next day Severus was not expecting Taranis to arrive at breakfast as early nor as cheerful as she had. He was still musing over being referred to as 'cute'. One usually used the term 'cute' when referring to kittens and small children. In all his years he was certain he'd never heard that term used in reference to him. He rolled it around in his mind for a while, why not gorgeous or handsome or some other more masculine term? Even Dracusnape had been more appropriate than 'cute', he scowled.
"Morning Sevs," Taranis smiled as she plopped down next to him and grabbed some bacon off a plate.
"My name is Severus or has the overabundance of alcohol you consumed last night erased your memory?"
"Comparing me to Gilderoy Lockhart are you? How could you insinuate something so horrible Professor?" She responded trying to look hurt bit not suppressing a smile, "or perhaps you really admired him and that was a compliment?"
"The man was a fool, an absolute imbecile and I have absolutely no respect for him whatsoever I assure you," he snarled at her, "but I am glad to see you feeling yourself this morning." He watched her pour another cup of coffee and sip it as she relaxed.
"Mmm, hey how about I stop by your place at 11, that be ok?"
"Fine."
After spending most of the morning grading papers, she thought about Harry Potter. They'd met in the hall on her way to her rooms and she'd asked him to stop by this evening. She wanted to talk to him privately about his scar and the history behind it, but she wasn't sure exactly how to go about it. Just before 11:00 she headed down to Snape's office. The door was open and she walked in to see him reading a book. "Hey," she said as she strode over to him, "reading something interesting?"
"Just some complex potion recipes, I doubt they'd interest you."
"Hmm," she eyed the book, thinking that the old volume really did interest her a great deal.
"Excuse me," Dumledore stood at the door, "there is an emergency meeting of the Order of the Phoenix and I must ask that you come with me immediately."
"Of course," the Potions Master replied, "I'll see you at dinner," he spoke to Taranis.
"Professor Aislin's presence is also required Severus."
"What? Since when is she a member of the Order Albus?" Snape scowled.
"Since we need her help," he placed a hand on the other man's arm before it was pulled away, "come then, follow me."
Taranis wondered what The Order of the Phoenix was, but she supposed it would all be explained in time. "Cherry Gumdrop," took them past a large stone gargoyle and into Dumbledore's office where they went through a side door and into a larger room. There were about a dozen people here she saw, most she didn't recognize. Minerva was here as was Harry Potter. Also present was a red-haired man and woman who suspiciously resembled Ron Weasley and a few other men and women. She unconsciously went to the back of the room and sat next to Severus when she noticed a man watching her and turned her gaze to him. His scraggly white hair and scarred face were not as noticeable as was the fact that one eye was swiveling in its socket like a compass. Taranis flinched at his stare, it felt as if he could see right into her soul before she was startled out of distraction by a voice.
"That is Alistair 'Mad Eye' Moody, he used to be an Auror and yes, that is a magic eye he has had since the other was lost in battle. Not much to look at." Severus had obviously noticed her stare.
"Too much to look at I'd say, and people say you're scary. Yeesh," she sat back in her chair as Dumbledore began to speak.
"Last night the Ministry was broken into by a group of Death Eaters, Malodious Carbuncle was injured and is at St. Mungos," the crowd gasped in surprise and shock, "fortunately a complete recovery is expected. The Death Eaters managed to steal something and I had been afraid they would try, but unfortunately Cornelius Fudge failed to listen to my fears once again." Dumledore was silent for a moment before he continued, "what they took was the book of Merlin." Taranis gasped in shock and stiffened, she could feel Snape's eyes on her and looked to see that he also understood the gravity of the situation. The others looked confused as to the meaning of the book until Dumbledore finished explaining. "You all know who King Arthur was I'm sure, and the story of how his knight, Percival went in search of the Holy Grail? Percival did indeed find the Grail and brought it back to Camelot. Arthur having the Grail, was as you understand, a very dangerous thing. There were many who sought its powers to heal the sick and the mortally wounded and so Arthur put Merlin to the task of protecting the chalice, finding a safe place where none could reach it. Merlin worked toward a potion that would melt the chalice into a liquid form and could be called upon to reform when needed. Much to Merlin's misfortune, witnesses say, as he was performing the act his beard somehow got into the mix and he was liquified with the Grail. I'm sure you've all heard the exasperation of 'Merlin's beard?". The other's nodded in silent contemplation of his words. "Merlin documented his work in a book, his last book, and that is what the Death Eaters have stolen and will it seems attempt to resurrect the Grail. If they achieve this, they will use it to bring Voldemort completely back to power." The people around her began to chatter as she sat quietly. "Fortunately I have a copy of this book in my possession and my intent is that we beat them to the chalice. We must work together as always to achieve this. Hagrid has already left to assure that the wards around the Aisle of Avalon are intact. As he will need to stay there for several months at least, Remus Lupin will assume his classes," he inclined his head toward a thin, pleasant looking man. "As to the resurrection of the chalice, we are fortunate enough in our time of need to have two of the world's finest Potions Masters at Hogwarts at this time."
Taranis watched the confused looks on the faces around the room as they slowly settled over Snape and onto her. Shit! She thought as she looked over to Severus whose look of fury was washing over her.
"What?!" He interjected, "if you are referring to Miss Aislin, she is a Defense instructor!"
"Ah Severus," the headmaster started, "Taranis was actually a Potions Master at Stormhaven you see, and as that position was already filled here. . ." he spread his hands in acquiescence, " the Defense post seemed the logical choice as it was available. I am confident the two of you will make a most formidable team."
Snape was not convinced! Granted she knew a thing or two about potions, but she was too young to have the extensive knowledge that he had amassed and he'd rather work alone than be hindered by her 'help'. He looked to where she sat rigid, with a look of determined confidence on her face as she met his eyes, challenging him to protest. Filled with fury he sat in silence, cursing the both of them for hiding this information from him! Send her back to America then, he fumed.
"I ask that each of you keep your eyes and ears open for any information that may be of use and report it to me immediately. You may go," everyone began to rise and head to the door, "Severus, Taranis if you would stay please.
The others filed out until only the headmaster, Severus and Mr. Moody remained. She stood there awkwardly, looking at the floor until she was shocked into focus by Alistair's raised voice.
"Dumbledore!" He demanded, she couldn't look at his eyes long as they focused on her, feeling dizzy from the movement of the magic one. "What is that?" said the man as he pointed to Taranis . . .