Taranis felt much better after her nap in the forest, she'd been miserable over the last few weeks, lonely and dejected with no one to turn to, but seemed refreshed after her good cry and some sleep. She chattered cheerily with Remus over dinner, he'd been quite taken with Kiera and was interested to know all about her. After dinner she walked to the dungeons with Snape, thankful that he didn't embarrass her by mentioning her fit of tears, he seemed in fact quiet and a bit withdrawn himself. She tried to joke with him a little, but it didn't lighten his mood any.

"I'm going in to London tomorrow," she told him, "I need a pick me up and shopping always does the trick." She waited for some sarcastic reply, but getting none just shrugged her shoulders.

The next day Taranis found herself strolling Diagon Alley, she'd just come out of Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions with several new outfits and was quite happy with her purchases. Glancing around she strolled down Knockturn Alley and into Bourgin and Burkes where she roamed back to the book section. She blushed as she saw something that interested her, The Subtleties of Pain and Passion.

"What an interesting place to meet such and enchantingly lovely young woman," came a soft voice from behind her.

It was Lucious Malfoy, and he had blocked the doorway she noticed, that's just great.

"Quite eloquently put, hello Mr. Malfoy." He smiled, he was a very attractive man, and unfortunately she'd always been drawn to confident men.

"Please call me Lucious, and may I call you Taranis?"

"I would prefer Professor Aislin if you don't mind," what is it about this man, she felt as it he could look into her very soul, and yet he was so cool and aloof.

Eyeing the book he took it from her hands, "ah, interesting reading isn't it, if you had someone of my 'expertise' at your disposal Taranis, you wouldn't need a book," his voice droned in sexuality.

Unnerved at his closeness, and yet, not unappreciative of his interest, especially right now when she was emotionally weak, she felt openly susceptible to his many charms, albeit this was a man to be wary of, she thought as his hand gently brushed the hair from her face. Yes, he was a dangerous man, and that in itself was exciting.

"I find you quite an interesting young woman indeed," he drawled as his eyes raked her body, and his thumb brushed her lips.

Damn my body's reaction she thought as she heard a groan escape her lips. That was all the man needed to lean over and claim her lips and much to her dismay it was not at all unpleasant, after a startled moment she felt herself return the kiss. Excitement and anticipation filled her, to have such a man desire her, she wound her arms around his neck to deepen the long kiss. Her body felt alive with sensuality as his hand plunged into her shirt and he began to rub her nipple with his thumb. Oh this was heaven, she thought, Severus don't stop. Suddenly she was jerked back in to reality. While her momentary desire was real, this man was not Severus. Not the man she dreamed of having in her arms each night. Taranis what the hell are you doing? 'Shut up I'm enjoying a really good snog?' Well snap out of it, she said to herself.

Pushing herself away from the man and breathing heavily, "Mr. Malfoy, I have to admit I have sorely missed being kissed like that. I'm very flattered that you would take an interest in someone so insignificant as myself, and as tempted as I may be . . . there's someone else I care for very much and starting an affair with you now, is not the best way to, shall we say progress things?"

"That is quite a pity, it really is, it would have been very interesting though," he leered at her, "oh well, perhaps you'll reconsider in the future?"

"Perhaps, and if you would be so good,' she said motioning toward the door. He smiled that haughty smile and opened it, allowing her to leave.

Lucious stood there for a few moments, grinning lasciviously before he followed her.

Snape was hidden in the shadows of the alley as he saw Taranis leave the shop looking a bit dishevel, filled with a quiet fury as he saw Lucious step out soon after. "Malfoy," he sneered walking up the man, "I would suggest you wipe that lipstick off your face."

"Oh, yes," he said, taking out his monogrammed handkerchief and wiping at his lips.

"What are you doing? That was Professor Aislin I saw leaving here!" He raged and the man just stood there with that infernal grin on his face. Severus flexed his fists as he glowered at the man. He was not as a general rule a physically violent person, but at this very moment he could conceive of nothing that please him more than to beat this man to a bloody pulp!

"Yes it was wasn't it, fascinating woman isn't she? Mentioned something about having some man? Anything you know about Snape?" He asked in his calm quiet way.

"Miss Aislin is not seeing anyone that I'm aware of and may I remind you she is a professor at Hogwarts and you would do well the remember that!"

Malfoy looked down at Snape with amused interest, perhaps I am not the only one to find her attractive? He laughed softly as he walked away, like that greasy git of a professor stands a chance . . .

Taranis had arrived at the lab before Snape that evening, so she started without him. She was startled to hear him hiss behind her.

"Just what do you think you're doing?"

"Well, I'm trying to figure out the chemical makeup of Merlins hair, deducing how much could have gotten into the mixture and,"-

"Not that! I mean about Malfoy?"

Taranis turned to face the man, "oh, well I've told him repeatedly to pay attention in class but he just keeps,"-

Snape groaned, "not 'that' Malfoy, Lucious Malfoy, about this tall," he said raising his hand to the mark, "blond hair, nasty sort of fellow."

"That Malfoy huh," she studied Severus and narrowed her eyes, "and just 'why' would you think I was doing something with him Severus?"

"I saw you coming out of Bourgin and Burkes, and then 'he' came out, covered in lipstick I might add," he barked.

"Oh, now I remember, and just why do you think that's any of your business?"

"This is no joking matter Taranis!"

"Ha . . .Ha . . .Ha . . ." She said dryly.

"Damn it he is an evil man and not to be tampered with!"

"He's also devilishly handsome and charming."

"I mean it! Listen to me, you have no idea of the horrors that man is capable of! I can't believe you were off, snogging on the man."

"That's partly what makes him attractive," oh he was mad, she thought, oh yes, doesn't like me kissing someone else at all does he. "Why Severus are you jealous?"

Of course I'm jealous, he observed. What, no I'm not, "I assure you jealousy is yet another emotion I am incapable of."

"Hmm," Taranis poked him in the chest with her finger and slowly moved it along as she walked around where he stood stiffly. "A small taste of evil can be an alluring an heady experience. Too much can be a deadly trap, very easy to ensnare oneself and always baring the mark of it's claws."

Well put indeed, Severus thought as he continued to glower at her.

"Look Sevs he cornered me in the store ok I did what I thought best."

"You let him touch you," he grunted.

"Well what did you want me to do kick him in the balls? That wouldn't piss him off at all would it? You're the one who suggested not to make an enemy of the man right? So I let him down easy, flattered him and got away? Look I'm sorry, but hey, what were you doing there in the first place? Severus Snape were you following me again?"

"What no, of course no I just happened to be,"-

"How dare you! I'm a grown woman, I can take care of myself! Who appointed you to guard me anyway?"

"Taranis it wasn't like that," he started to be cut off at the flip of her hand.

"Forget it I'm going."

Snape groaned, "Taranis please, if you'll just let me,"-

As she stormed out Snape started to follow her, but she slammed the door before he could reach it. When he didn't follow, a huge grin plastered her face. She slapped her hands together as if wiping the dirt off. Chapter three, 'The Woman's Guide to Turning the Situation to Her Favor.'

Severus stared at the door as it slammed shut. What! How did she do that? I was in the middle of a perfectly good rage and she just . . .Damn, he thought as he stormed off dejectedly.

At dinner that night Severus watched as Taranis sat between Dumbledore and McGonagall. What was she pointing at behind her hand, something at the Slytherin table? His eyes wandered over his charges and he found nothing amiss, except for the Graves boy. Normally a quiet sulky sort, he seemed immersed in conversation with several other students. His normally shabby appearance was also much improved the head of house noted.

Looking back over to where the three sat, the Dark Arts instructor was looking quite pleased with herself about something as the other two nodded their heads. He merely raised his eyebrows when the two elder people looked his way, but after Taranis had left those two kept looking at him. Ye gods what were those two grinning idiots up to. McGonagall actually patted him on the shoulder and laughed on her way out.

Narrowing his eyes he took off after Dumbledore. "Albus, I would hope that you three were not gossiping about me." he drawled.

"Not at all Severus, in fact your name didn't even come up once," but the twinkle in his eye prompted Snape to continue.

"Then why were you two staring at me?"

"Ah, Taranis was just telling us about how a certain female student came to her for advise regarding some feelings of a, ah, personal nature."

"And," he prompted.

"It seems this attractive young girl has a bit of a crush on a boy, who is a troubled youth, someone few have befriended. I'm afraid, the girl wanted to approach him but was unsure both of his reaction and that of her peers." Dumbledore puffed up a bit like a proud father, "our Taranis told her that the true beauty behind a person is on the inside and that if you don't take the time to get to know them, it would be a great loss. If the spark in your heart is there, you owe it to your head to follow it and see where it leads. She told her it would be a great pity to pass up the love of a lifetime simply because one appears to be different."

"Don't tell me Graves was the boy?"

"As a matter of fact he was, and he's quite different today isn't he? It makes quite a difference to have a compassionate caring person come to you when others are unwilling to do so, does it not Severus?"

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about Albus," he said as they walked into the headmaster's office.

"Severus, you and I have been friends for a long time, and so I'm going to be honest with you." He looked the other man in the face thoughtfully, "you Severus Snape get my vote for fool of the century."

The Potions Master was shocked, what on earth did he do to deserve this? I don't deserve this, "Albus explain yourself!"

"That woman cares for you, she is beautiful, intelligent, warm and she gets along with you and I assure you that in itself is no small feat. Lets face it my friend, you've never exactly had the ladies knocking down your door."

"If I wanted them to I'm sure they would cover the lawns in droves, however that is not appropriate given my position is it," he crossed his arms and glowered at the older man.

"You have a chance to be happy and so does she, yes, it may be for only a short time, but you are fools to waste it!" Shaking his finger at Snape he continued, "and don't you dare tell me you don't care about her Severus, not after I've seen you rolling around on the floor together, and 'you' were laughing."

The Potions Master open and closed his mouth, and with no sufficient reply, "was not."

Dumbledore sat down behind his desk and sighed, "Severus do you remember when you were a student and things were hard for you and friends were scarce? What if Taranis had been in your life then? Consider that and all that would have changed because of it. Think about that as you look toward a future without her." The old man got up and walked to the younger and placed a hand on his shoulder, "she's inquired about a transfer to Durmstrang next year." He felt the younger man stiffen under his hand briefly before he turned and stormed out the door.