Taranis stopped Harry in the hall the next morning to explain what had happened with his godfather. "Harry I'm afraid I over reacted a bit, and I was hoping you could tell him I was sorry, you know explain," she drifted off, "I guess I'm not a romantically inclined person." Harry who obviously had no idea what she was talking about, looked at her unsurely. "I'm sure he'll explain, and I think we were both in the wrong, just tell him for me ok?" Harry nodded and walked off, glancing at her over his shoulder once.

While Taranis and Snape were making progress in their work, things were moving slowly. As they left the great hall after dinner one evening, she started, "I'm going to stop by my room and grab a book on the way," the potions master did not respond, but followed her in to her rooms.

They were spacious but scarcely furnished and comfortable he noted, and began to look around as she went into the bedroom.

"And who are you young man?"

Snape turned to see a picture of a man, sixty or so years old. He had long white hair and beard and was wearing a blue wizards hat embellished with gold stars. "Severus Snape, Potions Master here at Hogwarts," his eyes narrowed at the old man, "are you by any chance Merlin?"

"Why yes," he responded and puffed up his chest a bit, "heard of me have you?" Severus nodded, "I knew a Snape once, lets see, Constance Snape as I recall, lovely woman, any relation?"

"I believe so, that was after all a long time ago. I understand you to be Taranis' grandfather."

"Hm, yes, I am fortunate to have such a lovely granddaughter at that. Alas, a man in her chambers, I never thought I'd see that, well, except for that Murphy boy, but he doesn't really count you know. Interesting indeed, she has spoken quite fondly of you," he said with a glimmer of a grin.

Taranis came out of the bedroom, "can't find that stupid book," she looked to where Severus stood in front of the picture, "you two had better not be talking about me, Gramps, you'll have nothing but the dark side of the wall for company if I so much as hear"-

"I wouldn't say a thing?," he said looking around as if there was no one else in the room, " no sir not me."

"Hm, Severus can you look over on the book shelf, and see if there's a muggle biology book?" She left as he nodded and went over to the shelf.

Some very old and interesting books here, he found her collection was almost as extensive as his own, perhaps she'd let him borrow a few of them later. One small thin volume caught his eye and he pulled it out. There was no title on the cover, so he opened it to find a book of poems, he began to read:

Tinkling sparks of light overcome darkness

Spilling over the edge of the abyss

Standing under the waterfall

Reaching into the massive emptiness

Trying to pull from this place

The essence of light

The essence of dreams hopes and fears

Powerful is the one who is able to

Overcome the power in this darkness

To overcome the beat in black

That lurks in our minds

A chill went through Severus as he searched the book for some indication of where it had come from, finding none he read another poem.

Ruler of men come upon us

Wishing his deeds rightfully done

Demanding, demeaning the people are screaming

Fear in their hearts

Death in the dark

A savior from hell, ring a sinners bell

Doers of good hide in the hood

Look to the east 'tis the great beast

Unto the war, fought once before

Taranis came back out, "did you find it?" she asked coming over to him.

"Who wrote these?" He asked, these were the dark writings of someone in a painful existence. He could very well imagine these same words coming from himself. Her father perhaps?

Taranis paused, looking at the book, "I did."

Severus was startled, but his features did not reveal it, "may I ask when?"

"A few years ago."

"These are not sappy love poems in here," was the comment he made as he held the book up.

"I was going through a rough time, and I'm not the mushy lovey-dovey type Severus."

"May I borrow this?" he asked even as he began to put the book into his pocket.

Taranis shrugged her shoulders, "be my guest if you're into that depressing sort of thing." She stooped and opened up the closed doors at the bottom of the case and began rummaging there, "Oh, hey, there's a trunk by my bed will you try there?" she asked, not looking up.

Reluctantly Snape entered her bedroom, he was uncomfortable being in here for some reason, so close to where he knew she lay each night. I wonder what she wears to bed, as he bent to open the trunk, he noticed a patch of grass on the far side of the bed. That's odd, the floor is gone. She was a professor after all, one would think they would have not left her room in such a state.

His gaze shifted to the large four poster bed. Perhaps I should have bedded her after all, he sighed, she had become more than a colleague to him, a friend. She has made it known that she has certain romantic feelings for me, he thought, yet while I desire her, I'm not sure if I'm capable of the sort of emotional attachment she deserves. His mood darkened, if Voldemort was aware that he cared for her, she would be in danger, she could easily be used as a tool against him.

He shrugged as he bent to the trunk, coming out empty handed a few minutes later.

"Damn, I was sure I brought it with me, oh well, I'll look for it later, lets get to work."

Soon it began to snow at the castle. Oh I love the snow, Taranis thought, it just seems to wash away all of your worries. With a smile she bundled up and headed outside, marveling at the winter whiteness. In the courtyard she began to roll a snowball when Harry and Ron came up and asked her what she was doing.

"Why I'm making a snowman of course, want to help?" The boys chipped in and they were soon joined by Hermione, Ginny and Luna. Shortly after she was putting on the finishing touches as the others were starting on the second snowman when she heard a familiar voice.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" came Snape's growl. "May I remind you I am a professor? How dare you mock me you"- his thought was cut off by a snowball slamming into his chest.

"Stop being a nasty old git Severus, I made him. Isn't he gorgeous, he looks just like you," Taranis said grinning up at the man, "and we're making everyone, so don't get your panties in an uproar." She noticed her helpers appeared a bit worried, "if you want to help you're welcome to make mine. I'm sure Draco and his boys would be glad to help," she motioned to where the three stood, Draco with a smug look on his face.

Severus scowled at her for a moment before he motioned with his thumb for the boys to come and help him. Taranis and the others were distracted as they were working on Dumbledore when Snape tapped her on the shoulder, looking quite smug.

"Finished so soon," she asked and at his nod followed him to the snow sculpture of her. There she stood with a crown, scepter and full dress robes of a queen. Taranis burst out laughing. It was several moments before she was able to speak again, "that is rich Sevs, but a crown? I'm only a princess after all, a mere tiara would have sufficed.

The Christmas formal was coming up soon and Taranis and Xiomara went to Diagon Alley for a few hours to shop. They each found lovely pant suits quickly and decided to relax over a cup of coffee.

"So I hear you have some friends coming in for the party." Ximara commented.

"Yeah, my old band, Dumbledore thought it would be a great idea to have them play and I can't wait to see my old friends. You, are going to love my friend Colin," she said with a grin.

"Is he hot?" Madam Hooch inquired.

"Smokin."