The 8th Year Student

by Virgil McMeanie

(Finished) New transfer student George arrives at Hogwarts, and shares rooms with Prof. Snape. A reluctant friendship eventually, magnified by the horribly different backgrounds. Heaps of songs. Lots of colorful language, and this is my first fic.

16. Chapter Sixteen Winter Interlude

Chapter Sixteen--Winter Interlude

Warning: Strong Language--PG-13/R (emotions as well--yick)



She didn't spend the evening idle. She finished writing a paper for her Defense Against the Dark Arts and she cleaned her clothes and then her rooms up nicely. For once she really didn't have anything that pressing. She usually did, and just ignored it to do something more fun, but this time...

Sirius returned about dinnertime and accompanied her up to the Great Hall. He sat un-introduced with the staff, but he always wore a dark hat pulled over his eyes, obscuring his features. He sat just beyond Hagrid and boasted of the ladies he'd met that day and of the charming things he'd said to them. Hagrid whispered aside to Georgie, "Well, how's it 'e's not eating wi' them then?" Georgie coughed to cover a laugh and reached for her juice. Sirius Black fancied himself a ladies man, and Georgie believed it, but she didn't always wish to hear of it all. Still he was charming.

Sirius walked with her downstairs and she noticed several odd looks from curious students. Sirius laughed as he explained that he'd probably not make it back that night, so don't wait up. Georgie giggled and wished him luck. He was such great fun truly, but she was glad to see him grab up his leather jacket (Georgie approved), to combat the wind and rain on the way to Hogsmeade and stride confidently out of the room. Sirius knew about Severus' work, but that still didn't mean that she wanted him around to see her bandage him up. And if Severus became embarrassed in having someone else watch him--Severus' temper was never long suffering, and having an audience might tick him off, Georgie imagined.

She felt ill at ease an easy hour into sitting on her own in the lounge. She had no appetite for music or reading or studying. She knew she was being ridiculous, but she was one who always had to have an active occupation. Perhaps I should take up needlework, she giggled at the picture she'd make. She'd probably find a way to depict famous and bloody beheadings or something. Nearly Headless Nick might not appreciate the reminder though.

She sighed and stood uneasily to her feet, she wobbled dizzily for a moment then, determined, marched to her room. She had even set her face into a grim pout of resolve, she thought generously of herself. She dug her cloak out of the wardrobe where it's remained since the day before when she'd used it to get to Herbology. As she slipped it on, before shutting the doors on the wardrobe, she spotted the vibrant colors of her dress-robes. She thought to purposely ignore them, but doing so hadn't changed the fact that the Christmas dance was only two days away. That and the end of term. End of term would be lovely. She'd get a chance to explore London perhaps, and Christmas itself was her favorite holiday. The season evoked wonderful memories of snow, songs, delicious foods baking, warm fires and friends--it was going to be fantastic this year also--she'd make sure of that.

Ah, but the dance, she grimaced. She enjoyed dancing; just not particularly dances--if that made any sense, which Georgie deemed that it didn't. She wouldn't be able to pull anything fun like last time, but it was alright--Severus didn't get handed the Emcee duty, so he could leave when he damn well felt like it.

She found a knit scarf that smelled like the pastry she'd bought in Diagon Alley; she'd probably gotten some of it on it, she sniffed deeply. She brought her hand to head, as if to run it through her hair, but she paused at the top of forehead. She coughed, Man, I got to get out of here--I feel constricted. She grabbed a beanie and stuffed her hair up into it harshly as she walked back to the lounge--Sirius always called it 'the study' but that title irked Georgie. It sounded too formal, when half the time they all just gabbed and joked and teased one-another.

She brought a fire to life in the fireplace for warmth and for once not for Severus' return. He had spelled out to her that he was going to apparate to just to the outside of the Forbidden Forest then trek in on foot. She thought him being paranoid, but it was his life, she had shrugged, if he wants to get cold and wet and die of a absurd cold, go on ahead. And she told him just that as well.

Georgie looked to her watch, Mickey--faithful little Mickey smiled at her and told her it was only nine and she could go off and return with plenty of time to prepare for Severus' return. God bless Mickey, she grinned smugly--He was a constant. She passed through the Common Room--it was uncommonly dark and silent for that time of night--but she guessed most everyone had to be at the library--studying up for exams. Siobhan had spent the majority of her spare time there now that the threat of exams loomed before the poor girl. Siobhan had joked and stopped a student to ask directions to the Library, as she'd never been there before....

Georgie pushed open the side door to the outside, battling back the winds. Her cloak slapped against her legs and she strained to turn her face away from the wind. This is so cool, she grinned as she took a few steps forward. She was leaning pretty far over and her progress was slow. She kept one hand on top of her head, making sure her hat stayed in place. "Woo-hoo!" She couldn't help but to whoop into the wind, which drowned almost all noise out. It rose and fell in gusts and the trees at the edge of the forest seemed to be bobbing like corks in a bathtub, kinda humorous. She took faltering steps and had to bring her hand up to her face every few steps to wipe the ice-rain from her eyes, nose and chin. Her eyes opened wide in shock as some water ran unsolicited down her shirt.

This is an adventure, she laughed madly to herself, as she began her long hike uphill in the wind around the lake.



She returned, shaking and numb from the cold. Her fingers were swollen and red, and her face stung from the wind. She dashed over to stand in front of the fire. She felt wonderfully alive. Her senses were screaming at her, and the sudden change from very cold to very hot had made her blood stream through her veins like racing quicksilver.

It was only half eleven, so she figured she'd shower and then vegetate on the couch for awhile. She kicked off her shoes and lined them up in front of the fire. She trooped off to her room to grab her towel and shampoos.

The scalding water beat her back nearly purple. The steam rose up around her in warm clouds, raising the hairs on the back of her neck. Her feet were almost frozen when she'd peeled her socks off and threw them on the floor of the bathroom, she had wiggled her toes and seen them move with her own eyes, but felt nothing under her feet when she set them back down to the tile. Now she just got lost in her thoughts and her feelings--God, it was heavenly; she closed her eyes in bliss. And it was going to be freezing when she eventually got out and walked around with wet hair. She stayed in for as long as she dared to.

She dripped water in a faint line behind her when she streaked in her towel and robe back to her wardrobe. She slipped quickly into a warm nightdress and pulled socks on before sticking her feet inside her slippers. She threw a blanket around her shoulders and padded gingerly to check the medical stores. When she was completely satisfied with their contents, she plopped down on the couch with her new Mediwizardry book from Diagon Alley. She wished she'd gotten a chance to practice more spells, but with the injuries Severus brought home, she was fated for more Potions work. She couldn't very well tell Severus to come back covered in scales every once in a while to give her practice. Well, she could tell him, but he'd ignore her so it wasn't really worth it.

She followed several diagrams with her finger: a fascinating topic--wand surgery. She didn't think Madam Pomfrey ever got the chance to try something like that--thank goodness. If some young witch or wizard had that serious of a problem, they were simply sent to St. Mungo's. Still, Field Mediwizard's were trained in rudimentary techniques. She'd look deeper into that possibility over the holiday she considered excitedly.

All of the sudden the door banged open and slammed into the wall behind it. Georgie's head snapped up. Severus was standing rigid in the doorway. He was sopping wet and very, very dirty; she narrowed her eyes at him disapprovingly. If he'd listened to her, if he'd have gone by Floo, then he wouldn't be as wet, as cold as...

"You look like crap," Georgie she said rather harsher than she'd intended, noticing he had a faint bloody nose.

"My apologies," Severus seemed to ignore her--he looked right past her, or through her even. Ah, just like the good old days, Georgie remembered bitterly. He took a step forward and his strength seemed to falter, and he stumbled and caught himself from falling by grabbing hold of the end of the couch.

Georgie was out of her seat like a flash, "Oh my goodness, you're hurt. What happened? Should I get Pomfrey?" He shook his head violently and frowned at something behind her. She accosted him and saw that his face was translucent and his lips were tinged blue. She whipped the blanket off of her shoulders and threw it around his neck.

"Holy crap, you're freezing," she took his hands in her own. Severus always had cold hands, but this--this was like a corpse. She reached around him and nearly dragged him over to where she was just a few seconds ago sitting. She turned her wand on the fire and made it blaze higher and hotter than before. His pupils were dilating--she wondered if it was from the cold or from something else. She checked him over briefly for signs of burns or bleeding. His nose was bleeding, but she felt the bone for breaks and it was fine.

She hopped up and ran to the supply cabinet and grabbed a Pepperup and Thawing potion to combat the effects of the cold first. He seemed to be in a sort of daze and his glossy eyes couldn't focus on her face or her voice. She furled her brows; it's a miracle he made it to the castle at all. A minute after he had swallowed grudgingly the two potions--he'd hoarsely coughed smoke--still his eyes hadn't come back into focus. She bit her lip, what the hell happened? She honestly didn't know.....

She lay Severus down and hefted his feet onto the couch, she crawled over shuffling on her knees until she was directly above his face. "Severus? If you can hear me you have to let me know, okay?" She made sure panic didn't creep into her voice.

"Severus, I can fix whatever's got to you if you tell me what it is. Can you hear me? Just tell me what it is?" She coaxed urgently. She checked his vitals; it was some kind of shock--but to what she hadn't a clue. If worse came to worse, she'd give him anti-dotes to everything she could think of--but he'd be incapacitated for days afterwards.

"Severus, dear, listen to my voice. Please! Just tell me what it is so I can help you." She was frustrated and she knew that he could hear her speaking at him.

"Did something hit your head?" She paused. No answer. "Was it a Slow-Motion spell?" She threw-out a small list of options to the man. That was a long shot, and she knew it. The symptoms barely bore any resemblance to it--it was a waste of breath and time to bother. "Was it Incendigrito?" Quite probable. But nothing. She ticked her tongue in disappointment. "A sort of Petrification?" She hated to ask, shit, she hated this... "Severus, was it Cruciatus?" She watched in shock as he slowly acknowledged that it had been that curse by nodding.

"Fuck." She exclaimed. That meant that if he was subjected to it for an extended period of time he might have internal bleeding, which would need to be stopped now. She jumped to her feet and grabbed the Anti-Hemorrhage potion and a few others. Cruciatus was odd in that it rarely did any physical damage, but messed them up psychologically afterwards for a short time. He was most likely in shock from that.

She poured the first bottle down his throat and he coughed and sputtered, but his eyes seemed to regain some of their lost focus. She put her hand on his shoulder, "Severus, what happened?" She articulated carefully. He seemed to see her for the first time. "Orris got Azkaban for life today. Voldemort doesn't know why though...only that He's momentarily losing ground. He put the Cruciatus on all of us gathered there." He turned from her and starred at the ceiling, apparently finished with speaking.

She lifted his head up so he could swallow the other potions and then set him down lightly. "Fucking bastard." She fumed. She slid her wand out of her pocket and lifted Severus' shirt at the navel. She held her wand to his stomach and lungs and heart to reinforce them and then cast a spell to reduce swelling-damages and internal bleeding.

"Damn!" She kept uttering out-loud. "Damned asshole..." she finished, and pulled his shirt back down. She looked at his stern and stony face, his eyes alive, but vacant--somewhere else... A surge of rage raced through her and she seethed. "Voldemort's fucking dead. Just lovely... ah, Damn!" She spat, in a voice not like her own. She wanted to say that it wasn't fair, but Severus had once retorted back "You say that so often, I wonder what your basis for comparison is?"


She got to her feet. "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck..." She wanted to punch something or kill something. What gave the right to do that to anyone else?!

She checked Severus again and his breathing seemed normal once again, he was fine--not hurt. She was glad of that, but not over her anger because of it. He'd snap out of his daze in a couple hours, hell in the morning he'd be fine. The irony of it, made her sick to her stomach. She asked him another question, but he didn't respond, and Georgie just shrugged it off.

She walked to her room and lifted the extra blanket off the end of her bed, then returned to drape it over Severus. His face was regaining some color to it--it looked unnatural on him, but she knew it was a good sign. That was all she could do, damn stupid Mediwizardry. It didn't do anything really, she reflected in a bitter moment. She sat by him for a moment, making sure he was warm--she didn't want dying of an ague or the flu or something.

She rose to her feet. She didn't want to leave him, but she had to tell Dumbledore. Someone had to know, especially if she wasn't to tell Madam Pomfrey. She didn't lift her eyes from him until she'd passed out of the doorway, shutting it tightly behind her. She jogged up to the Headmaster's office. It was past midnight already and she dreaded waking him, but she'd do it if she had to, no question. She frowned and looked daggers all around her as she mounted the steps to his door. She knocked on his door and the old man opened it after a few tense moments. Georgie looked to her shoes, her hands, her nails, anything to keep her from screaming and going crazy.

They exchanged a few hurried words and the old man insisted on following her back down to the dungeons.




On their entering, Severus appeared to be acting a bit more like himself. He was cognizant enough to realize that she'd left him alone, she hoped he wouldn't hold it to her and all. Dumbledore stood beside Georgie looking down at Severus, Dumbledore asking after his condition and Georgie trying to sound professional as she explained what it was and how he'd gotten it and what she'd done to help him.

"There's nothing one can do," she explained clearly upset. "It just chews you up, spits you out...and you recover. I wish there were more..." Dumbledore hushed her own self-doubts with a look before she even voiced then. She knew he was right, but she second-guessed everyone's idea to have her do this stupid Mediwizard thing. It was a joke. Madam Pomfrey would suffice, who the hell saw if Severus was in the corridors? She knew that much thought had gone into this, but she felt not up to it. Who the hell could be up to it? How could he live like this? How could she?

Severus answered a few specific questions for Dumbledore and the old man replied finally that this would be enough for tonight, and that Severus had better rest now. He turned nodded and smiled to Georgie and walked out. Georgie just stood there starring at Severus, not making a sound, not twitching a muscle. He grew slightly uncomfortable at this.

"Thank you for whatever you did." He said gruffly.

"Don't you ever do that to me again, Severus Snape." She replied coldly and evenly. Severus found her flashing eyes and angry face to be dangerous and frightening--he was amused.

"I cannot help what is done to me, you know that." He began reasonably in a cold undertone. "I'm doing this for the good of everyone, I don't care what he does to me so long as in the end we will win."

"How noble." She sneered. Kneeling beside him, "I didn't know what to do at first. I thought you might die or something. Voldemort's one sick fuck."

He looked at her harshly for her language.

"I know what you're going too say, and to that I say, 'Fuck it and fuck you'." She seethed. "It doesn't matter in the end does it? Nothing does. I patch you up and you go out and get mangled again. You've repaid your debt to society and all that. You're free, why can't you just live like a free man? How can you live like this for so very long, Severus, how can you?" Her eyes were full of hurt and she just felt like breaking down under the weight of the stress and the emotions.

He did not have time for these...emotions from her. He replied coldly, "I do what I must to stay alive--that's what war is. My goals drive me on--I want to see Voldemort destroyed, nothing less. You have to have something to motivate you, or you get sucked into the machinery." He said acridly. "We all lose some of our humanity and our innocence. Hopefully the end-results will outweigh the casualties."

"Damnit, Severus, you're not going to make it out of this alive."

Neither said anything. Georgie's lower lip quivered as she fought back tears.

"I might not. Certainly better men than I have died for this." His features were gaunt.

"I don't care if better men than you die--I care if you die." The last few words were slurred by the sniffling and the blurred vision the tears running down her face occasioned. She looked down and wiped her eyes on the back of her hand, "I hate myself."

He ignored that and even he feigned a pout at this coming from his friend. He sat up and patted the cushion beside him for her to sit, and so she joined him.

"I've told you before I have no intention of dying. Quite the opposite really, I promise you." He tried to sound reassuring, but that was ridiculous. She knew it as well as he did. "I'll live for a long time yet, I have things to do still..."

"Don't die." She spoke sadly. She knew that their talking about things wouldn't change a single thing.

He reached out and hugged her close to his side. He stared straight ahead of him, while tremors shook her shoulders in silence for what seemed a long time. He knew he wasn't a very...warm person. Still, it felt...natural? No, Merlin's sake, not natural. Perhaps habitual, perhaps imitative of her behaviors. But no, not natural.

"Severus, listen, I'm sorry. I'm just kind of high-strung tonight," she voiced quietly and in control of herself once again. "Ignore me, okay. I know that you are doing the right thing. Just sometimes, I worry about you and everything seems hopeless, and..." She sighed. "I dunno what the hell's the matter with me. I should be helping you, not planting dire thoughts in your head. Lately I've been breaking down and becoming all soft--not at all like myself. Forgive me."

"No need."

"But there is. I don't know how you can live like this, I couldn't. I'm cracking under watching you live this. Others couldn't stand it. You certainly don't need rubbish from me on top of it all." She shook her head lightly.

If this was her idea of apologizing, why did it feel like she was accusing him further? "Just keep me alive, alright." He patted her arm. "We'll call everything even if you can keep me alive." He chuckled at this tall order.

She even allowed herself to grin at it. "I shouldn't have said that you wouldn't make it..." She burst into tears anew on his shoulder and laughed through them.

He smiled at the sight she made. She looked awful, but he was touched, and pained that he hurt her at the same time. Still he had a job to do, and he wasn't about to change. Not for her, or for anyone. It just was one of those things...

She hiccuped and coughed, then giggled. "Oh dear, this is awkward." She laughed. Severus didn't speak, just sat there like a rock with is arm about her. Georgie leaned back easily against his shoulder putting her full weight on him, then brought her feet up beside her and her fingers played with her toes absent-mindedly.

"I wish I could go with you. Then I could get you out of trouble and stuff," She growled.

He enjoyed he child-like simplicity. "As much as Voldemort would enjoying hearing such a confession, I do not. And don't get any ideas. I would murder you myself if you were fool enough to follow in my footsteps. I'd being doing you a favor."

"You don't mean that," she looked at him harshly.

"Yes I do. At least..." Indecision crept into his voice. He'd never killed anyone whom he'd liked or had a personal relationship. Only 'bad people', or so he told himself.

"Uh, okay." Unpredictable, Severus was so weird sometimes. He said once in jest that he had 'inner demons' and Georgie had exclaimed 'cool' or something to that. "I think I'll become a priest." Georgie proclaimed out of the blue.

Severus was surprised, but by now he was getting halfway used to these outbursts. "You're not a male, I think that immediately eliminates you from the running."

"Well, I'll be a nun then."

"Why ever would you do that?" Besides having to live as a Muggle.

She laughed highly, and coughed. Damn cough--it was the moistness in the castle she reckoned. "They devote their lives to study and service to humankind and all that stuff. It's all meditation and charity and stuff--bigger stuff than themselves. Plus they wear black." She winked. "What a glorious and useful way to live. I just wish I were always so useful."

"You will be--but not like that."

"But not for ever and always?" She prodded.

"Not for ever. Sometimes I can see you causing uproars and making messes and making everyone worry for you and your sanity with everything you say and do." He smiled a little.

"Ah," she simpered, "I'd love that life as well..." She sang, "How do you solve a problem like Georgie?"

He snorted.

She was very tired by now, but she felt like talking still. Her eyelids closed shut for a moment to rest them. "You'd be an awful priest, though sometimes you look like one. Black-clad, austere, mean..." She shook with laughter at her last accusation.

"I am not mean." He insisted, almost angrily. He always thought of himself as fair and just.

"Yeah, you tell that to those kids who wet themselves out of fear when they see you even walk by." She spoke lightly and she knew he realized she was being silly.

"Just because I'm not some giggling sop," He slapped her upside the head. "It doesn't mean that I am a not a normal person." He growled irritably. "Just because a person isn't friendly, everyone thinks they're dark and evil." He stiffened. "A person may be contemplative, or reserved, or serious."

"Bullshit." Georgie broke in. "You're mean, admit it."

He glared at her, actually become quite upset. He had--well, he thought that he had--tried to be more 'human' as she called it.

"It doesn't mean I don't think you're the greatest thing since Diet Coke," She paused to laugh at her own joke, "It's just the way you are, I suppose. I mean, we wouldn't want it any other way than you being yourself." She felt him behind her gathering himself up.

"Severus, get off it. You're the greatest. Live with it, Alright? You're 'wicked' yourself. You've got a fabulously wicked sense of humor, you're 'deathly' intelligent, and no one knows about you so it's even cooler, 'cuz I can horde ya." She elbowed him sharply in the side, forgetting his injuries.

"Oh, shit, sorry I forgot!" She laughed nervously as her eyes flew open in alarm, and she turned a worried eye on him

He waved her of, "No harm done. What does deathly intelligent mean exactly?" He entreated her.

"Dunno, made it up, but it sounded cool. Thought you'd like it better." She closed her eyes again and settled back on his shoulder. "You're marvelously mushy you know. So," she took a deep breath. "Tell all the nifty things you're going to get me for Christmas."

The corners of his mouth twitched, but he didn't allow himself to smile. His eyes were smiling though. "Oh, I was thinking perhaps Exploding Playing Cards, or maybe a book on grooming. But I don't think you'd even bother to open it." She coughed at that.

He continued on about the preposterous things he'd get her, she knew of course he wouldn't dare--she'd kill him if he tried some of them out on her, and moreover it wasn't his style. But his ideas for a self-singing guitar so he wouldn't have to be so tortured actually might have been doable.

She eventually fell asleep, and Severus only stopped talking to himself when he had to shift beneath her weight, as his arm was numb. He looked at her curiously as it dawned on him that her eyelids were down and her breathing even. He definitely didn't hate her tonight, but he worried for her. She was so young, so impressionable. He knew her to be world-wise and everything, but violence and death could change someone so dramatically he'd hate to see more of that in her. But he also knew it was inevitable.

He brought his hand up just above her head and hesitated. Then he lightly brought his hand to her hair and pat the top of her head. She didn't stir and he was glad because Severus was so in awe of his own behavior at this, that he wouldn't have been able to explain his way out of this. He'd never touched anyone's head like that, so...sweetly. He frowned at his own thought. It was such an intimate thing to do, like a parent to a sick child, a sweetheart to a sleeping lover--he shuddered at this. He certainly wouldn't want to come across as someone like that.

He had once briefly thought of her in that sort of capacity--once when she was dressed all in tidy black and looked wonderful, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her so. Besides she'd been shooting out witty barbs and condescension so that he couldn't had he even wanted to. But Severus knew he didn't have feelings for her in that way, he knew it deeply within himself that he was being truthful--even if his mind wandered away in that direction every once in a great while. Just because she looked attractive, didn't mean he was actually attracted to her, he reasoned quite wisely. And Georgie certainly didn't feel that way, he knew without a hesitation. She'd probably be mortified if she knew he'd even thought in that way in any capacity.

He assumed that she thought Severus almost devoid of deeper feelings like those. Still Severus Snape was a man--unfortunately, he grumbled. Thus things were never that easy. Thoughts just came like those when one spends so much time with another person. And when things went easily between the both of them, conversation and a general ease of feeling between themselves--it just made things amplified. She was his best friend, younger and crazier than he was; he admitted all the same.... He just didn't know what he was trying to say to himself right then.

Best friends were for forever, and everything else would just complicate and destroy everything. Besides, he was content with his life now. He, like Georgie's great wish, was leading a life where he was needed--he was useful--He was an integral player in the dangerous game. He would live and in 10 years from then he would dance at her wedding, he would visit her children, be Uncle Snape or some other such nonsense. He preferred to have her around for a few years.

He retracted his hand, and rested it snuggly on her shoulder. She was rather nice--in reality he knew she was really very normal, but to be his friend, endure his abuses... He stopped himself, imagining the headaches she'd given him in return. Perhaps it all evens out, he considered. She puts up with the grouchy old man, and he puts up with the obnoxious, impulsive girl. He sighed, trying not to stir her. At least their lives were full, and that was important.

He suddenly started. It was rather late and here she lay, sleeping in arms. It would look like...well...he didn't want to consider what it looked like. And Sirius might burst in on them in the morning and set his tongue wagging and he'd have no peace. He was about to go into how he should move or some other option, when he stopped. They hadn't done anything, they were best friends and they were just sleeping. If they'd wanted to do anything, what sense would it make to do it right out in front of everyone? He smirked, Sirius might get a start, but what of it. He leered evilly into the darkness before him. Screw him, he sneered. Damn, he was even starting to sound like her. He brought his friend closer and soon he himself fell asleep, his head leaning on top of her head.



Georgie awakened with a cramp in her neck, and a weight on her head. She froze when she realized a loose strand of black hair mingled with her brown hair had fell onto her cheek. It tickled something awful though. She shimmied her hand out and to the front of her so she could see what time it was. There was at least an hour still till breakfast, so she didn't feel up to waking her friend up. The windows were still black with darkness and she could hear the pat of rain against the window.

She sighed and shivered a little, snuggling softly into her friend's side for further warmth. Severus Snape acting for the moment as Georgie's warm blanket slowly opened one eye, but didn't speak. He just peered sullenly around as his eyes adjusted, and the rest of him woke up. Georgie breathed deeply and felt Severus' heart beat through her back. She thought two things on that subject: that it was awkward being so close to someone else that you could actually feel their heartbeat, and also that he was way too skinny. She waited for him to wake up on his own, or until the time when she'd need to do it for him. She pouted and sat tight.

She coughed a little and tried to stifle the convulsions of her shoulders. She daren't turn around to see if she'd woken him up with her last spasm of hoarse coughs, so she waited and as his breathing continued deeply and evenly, she figured he was still fast sleep. After another minute, she extricated her hand once more from it's entanglement and held it up towards the fireplace. A tiny, noiseless fire sprang to life before her eyes. But at that same second, she felt Severus' arms tighten around her. "You're cold." It was more a statement than a question. She nodded begrudgingly. Well, they were awake now...




She flew into the room banging the door behind her and pointed an accusing finger at Severus, who sat at his desk in his classroom. "You gave away that Lupin was a werewolf and you turned Sirius over to the Dementors?!" She demanded highly incensed. He frowned, slightly annoyed that he had to set his quill aside. He muttered to shut the open door and found her level gaze.

Ah, it appears that Sirius and she had been chatting. "You seem to have already made up your mind on the subject."

"Come off it, Sirius told me. What the hell could have made you do that? That's beyond not-nice, it's cruel. How could you have not told me this?"

He glared in her general direction--He did not appreciate being scolded by a student. "I didn't deny either." He looked her squarely in the face, rubbing his long nose momentarily. "My reasons for both are complicated, and I'm sure you wouldn't find either one satisfactory." Yes, considering the state she looked to be in.

"Try me." She barely opened her mouth.

"Lupin's unmasking was a hasty mistake--I regret that and I've told him that. It was even beneath me. I tried to justify my actions by saying I did it all for the safety of the students, but as Dumbledore later brought to my attention, I was jealous. I admit this to be true. I can be insanely jealous, and I hardly thought clearly that entire day, I was so consumed. Not my finest hour, I assure you." He spat.

He stood in front of his desk and walked around it until he was towering over Georgie.

"Sirius I believed to be truly guilty--everyone did. It's hard to swallow that someone the world believed to be a mass murderer for 10 years is suddenly reversed back to the status of a 'normal bloke' in the course of an evening. The law is the law, criminals get their comeuppance in the end and everything." He pointed out angrily to her, his eyes flashing and his face sallow.

"Yes, but how could you not tell me? I don't give a rat's ass that it was you, so long as you're over it and everyone's okay with it now." She persisted. "It's awful enough, but Gawd, to hear it from someone else. I felt like such a damned fool. Anything else you haven't told me? Minerva helped you rob Gringotts or something?" She hissed. She was being absurd, they both knew it, but she was hurt and didn't want to let on, so instead she got angry.

"No." His voice was like venom and he sneered down at her with a great displeasure.

"You're infuriatingly like some damned police inspector--the law and rules, no matter if it's right or wrong." She shook her head and glared at him as meanly as she could. He'd probably just take that as a compliment.

She stomped to the door.

He was tired, so tired. He'd gotten hardly any sleep. "So what's done is done," He called out to her making her stop in her tracks, but she didn't turn to face him. "What can I do now about anything?" He spoke articulated slowly and emotionlessly. In a way he was making fun of her.

"Tell me everything no matter what, and I won't kill you." She replied seriously, then walked out, slamming his classroom's heavy door behind her.

He returned and sat at his desk, and once seated, he leaned back and wiped his face with his hands. She really upset him sometimes, and this was one of those times. Granted, he'd not helped matters by not telling her, but he'd seen no reason to bring it up. He had almost gotten more frustrated with her than he did with Potter--Harry or James.

He knew from past rows that she'd come to him and apologize, then he'd apologize and they'd be fast friends again in no time at all, so it really didn't bother him. This was nothing major anyhow. He was glad of the predictability of it all.




Later that evening she did exactly that, and he apologized and promised he'd tell her simply everything--be it good or bad. He really didn't believe the words himself and he doubted whether she bought them as well. And they journeyed off to the kitchens for 'make-up munchies' as Georgie declared them.

"You are so very odd."




Next day was the last day before the holiday break and Georgie bounced around the couches in the Lounge before breakfast to Severus' mild amusement and Sirius' annoyance, as she'd woken him up with her squealing and gleeful tittering. He'd headed back to his room, tightening his dressing robe with finality. Georgie stared after him, and Severus sat in his chair grinning. A minute later Sirius bolted from his room and grumbled something to Severus then took off out through the Common Room.

"Ignore, him--he's just a stuffed up killjoy." Georgie eyed Severus sneakily. Coming from such a person as Snape, this was amazing indeed.

"Thanks, Sugar Lips."

"Anytime Snore Monster." He looked at his watch. "Get yourself up to breakfast already."

"Okily dokily." And she leapt off the couch she was standing on and dashed out the door. So simplistic.




Georgie pranced into the Great Hall and sat down beside Siobhan who was sitting by herself. "What's up, Tiger Lily?" She teased.

"My life is over." She whined, as she ate some hot cereal.

"Excellent. Why?"

"Potions. And I haven't got a date for the dance. And I'm going home for Christmas for the first time in years and for once I really wanted to stay."

"Well, I haven't got a date either. It's more fun that way. Date's suck--they drag you down. You have to be an independent woman living in the moment." Georgie reached across her friend's nose and snagged up a glass and filled it herself with juice from the pitcher.

"Georgie, you're full of something...."

Both girls chuckled together. "Yeah, probably." She admitted.

Georgie leaned in, "Okay, I've got a question: what the devil's up with your sister?"

Siobhan nodded understandingly. "If you're asking after her and the Professor, I'm not too sure. I think there's something there, but she won't confide in me and I can't force a confidence."

"I can." Georgie said from between her teeth.

"Anyway, from what I do know she'd been getting private tutoring lessons--She's always wanted to be an Auror you know. I don't know though. He's disgustingly handsome, and the sweetest lad, but I don't know, he's a tad old for her I'd reckon. And doesn't that say something about him?" She was pointing her toast at Georgie.

"I mean, when a man can't get a gal his own age, you know? There's gotta be something wrong with him."

"Nah, that's crap. He just hasn't found the right gal. People just don't settle for any old thing because they happen to be aging--or at least they shouldn't." Georgie smiled at her softly. "I mean, Snape's older too. Bad example: there's most definitely something wrong with Snape though. Did ya know they were in school together? And they're both still bachelors. Crazy small world."

Siobhan seemed to be mulling something over, "Do you think you could--I mean if it wouldn't be that much trouble for you..." She huffed her cheeks out. "Can you ask Snape what he knows about Lupin? I mean just if he's an honest guy and doesn't have some deep dark secret."

Georgie wondered at what exactly a deep-dark secret could consist of, but she figured Lupin's being a werewolf would probably fit into that category. Didn't everyone know of that? Niamh would no doubt know this, as she was working so extensively with the man now. But Georgie didn't know if she should be the one to remind Siobhan.

"Uh, I'll ask Snape, sure." She nodded drinking from the glass. She'd at least tell Severus of the conversation. She figured she'd try and corner Remus and ask him what she ought to do, since it concerned him in the first place.

She chatted with her friend and teased her fellow Slytherins mercilessly on the subject of whom was attending with whom and all that, every so often eyeing the staff table for Lupin.

When he stood up to leave the room, Georgie did the same and rushed to meet him as he went out the great door. Thankfully there wasn't anyone around at that moment, just a few younger students walking away, their backs disappearing down the corridor. He heard her footsteps and he turned to face her.

"Good Morning, Georgie. You look quite happy today." He smiled weakly at her. Damn he was a cutie--Niamh was the sly one.

"I'm great, thank you. I was wondering if I could chat with you for just a second," She nodded her head in the direction of the antechamber.

He nodded good-naturedly. She walked by his side making small talk, "How are you this morning?"

He chuckled, "I'm wonderful. Thank you for asking."

Once inside she started in to it. "Remus, you're my friend so I had to ask you something." His face fell at these words.

"Oh for goodness sake, don't look so dreadful at it. Nothing's the matter!" She grinned.

He relaxed as she continued, "Okay Niamh's sister Siobhan is curious about you--wants to know if you're good and honorable and all that. She even asked me to ask Severus to get information on you, since you two were in school together. Siobhan asked me if you had a 'deep, dark secret' and everything. She doesn't know you're a werewolf."

Lupin's face drew a blank and he ran his hand through his hair. "Hm." He pondered out-loud.

"I wouldn't worry too much about it: she's just protective of her sister." She grinned knowingly and Lupin looked up alarmed, then smiled at her expression.

"She's a dear and good girl." He offered her, to which Georgie quickly agreed. "The best."

"I'll have Niamh tell her today." His brow wrinkled in deep thought.

"Fabulous, then I'm gonna take off for my first class...which is with you!" She suddenly recollected. "Nevermind then." She sniggered.

He laughed at her absent-mindedness also.

"So..." Georgie was feeling really brave. "Ya like her?" She teased.

Remus gave her one look, but Georgie's silliness didn't lessen. "Listen, I'm not going to tell--you're my friends. Beside, I've known it for simply ages now."

"Oh, stop being so melodramatic." He beamed. "She's wonderful, perfect, understanding--so smart too. She's got such spirit in her." His eyes glazed over.

"And unlike Siobhan, she uses hers for good and not for evil and fun. So what are you to do?" Georgie put her hands lightly on her hips.

"Nothing." He looked at her seriously. "She's a student. She's got another year, then she graduates. Then, we'll see what happens."

"Ooh, I'm so happy!" She pretended to wail. "Somebody's gonna be all mushy, and lovey-dovey, so cute, so cute! I'm so excited and happy for you! For you both. I hope you guys will be happy for forever and ever..." She pranced around the room, sighing dreamily and clasping her hands in front of her.

"Georgie, cut that out." He rolled his eyes.

"Nah--can't, waay too happy. Damn, I wouldn't be this happy if I were in love."

"Who said I was in love?" He asked, laughingly.

"I did. You look it. Remember: I've got fabulous intuition. I just know it, so don't deny it." She giggled.

"Georgie, you're horrid." He blushed deeply.

"Yeah, I am." She relished it.

"But, really, don't talk of it." He turned all seriousness. "I'm not allowing anything to happen until she graduates--by then she might not even like me."

"No way of that. But, I promise I won't say a word, but it's just so wonderful really."

"Your day will come." He beamed at her.

"Fuck that." She howled with laughter.

"Georgie!" he snapped sharply, appalled at her language. Georgie snorted and bellyached at his expression.

She threw her head back, "La, I have no idea how I'm going to make it through this day--I'm too high on happiness and stuff."

"Well compose yourself because we're both leaving for class this moment." And with that he took her elbow and led her out the door. Georgie stumbled over her feet the entire way, doubling over in fits of sighing and laughter and well-wishing, Remus all the while trying to shush her up and stop her from making a scene.



That was a poor indication for the rest of the day. Herbology went swimmingly, and George had difficulties handling the poisonous Nettle-trap in between the laughter. Sprout herself kept meeting her eye and chuckling to herself. Halfway through the lesson she approached Georgie's side, "What's the matter dear? A Cheering charm?"

"Nope, naturally happy. So very happy," she was giddy and sore by lunchtime, her side ached so from laughter. The old woman patted her shoulder and whispered, "Well, I'm very happy to see you so very happy." And walked over to the next student.

Later on, Georgie's partner got a plant's poison on his hand, so she was dismissed early so she could escort him to the Hospital Wing. It gave her a chance to chat with Madam Pomfrey after she set the boy up with the anti-dote and cleaned up his hands.

Georgie mentioned wand-surgery and Pomfrey told her what little she knew of he subject, but suggested Dumbledore sign a recommendation so she could take the crash-training course for Mediwizards. Usually, she explained that it was for those getting re-certified or whom every few years took the course to catch up on the latest techniques. But the older woman assured Georgie that the girl would be able to handle it. But that was all the women could tell her as Poppy had never taken the course herself, as obviously at Hogwarts there was no need.

Georgie headed down to lunch a little disappointed. If she were in Pomfrey's place she'd have taken the class just to take it, to have the knowledge for herself. Besides, there are heaps of 'what-if' scenarios--and one never knew when it might come in handy. Georgie reflected that it was better to be over-prepared than under. Even though Severus would really never need it.

Georgie passed into the hall and ambled up to the High Table. She didn't blame Pomfrey though. She was thorough and efficient and had never failed Hogwarts yet--and if that was the extent to her ambition, then she was doing perfectly. But Georgie was ambitious, and figured if one was to do anything, it's better to do it straight on and full out, rather than half-assedly.

When Lupin entered the Great Hall, he purposely didn't meet her eye, but Georgie made it difficult for him by acting dramatically and making huge sweeping movements as she loudly extolled the virtues of being young, of knowing beautiful young people and falling for them. The staff that had already assembled smiled at her, and tried to think back to when they were as giddy and carefree.

Lupin tried to shoot daggers at her with his eyes, but it didn't have the same effect as when Severus did it--how Severus could make blood run cold. She winked at him blatantly and, clutched her hand to her chest, gasping and sobbing, wiping pretend tears from her eyes.

She grinned and started a conversation at her end of the table by asking Professor Binns if he'd ever been in love. Sinistra spat her drink back into her glass abruptly, and shook with laughter which the rest of the staff soon echoed. Binns, looked confused at the laughter, and didn't realize at all that it was meant for him, so he continued on about how once he admired a fair lady from afar, but nothing came of it. Those who were laughing were positively dying by that point. Hagrid was clutching her arm, as he pounded his fist repeatedly on the table. Georgie kept turning her eyes upward, and bringing the back of her hand up to her forehead in a dramatic gesture.

Severus appeared behind her on the way to his seat. "Who are you supposed to be?"

"Cowardly Lion." She replied cheekily.

"Never heard of him."

Georgie turned and glared at him "You've got to be kidding me!" He shrugged. "Holy crap, you need to get out more." She turned to her end of the table once more and joined in their conversation.

Minerva looked at her sharply, 'What?' Georgie mouthed in return. 'Nothing' she mouthed back down the table and shook her head, smiling smugly to herself. Georgie guessed that she should not have said 'holy crap' or something along those lines.

Georgie was excited that there would be a dance and all, but dreaded it the same. She'd sounded more secure than she actually felt when she'd told Siobhan that she didn't need a date. Not like she cared, she snuffed, as she walked by herself to her last class of the day. I mean, what the heck would I do with a little 16-year old date? At her 'advanced' age she felt there was a huge difference between those ages. But it still would be a pain. The entire school would be there this time and it was even more important to be going with someone this time around, the Slytherins had informed her. Georgie said she didn't care one bit, but she secretly did.

The last class of the day and of the term was a joke. No one paid any attention whatsoever and the gossiping and giggling never ceased. They were all turned out of the classroom in disgust after only an hour.

Georgie was surprised at this action as she flocked with the rest of the students back out the door, flowing in their joyful wake, but she didn't feel too upset by the early dismissal. But then on re-examination, she did feel slightly upset. That meant more hours with nothing to do but panic and primp and prepare and worry....

Everyone broke up to his or her respective rooms from the Common Room, everyone looking either very excited or very nervous. Georgie felt a little of both. She pushed open the door to her study, not expecting anyone to be there and she wasn't disappointed. Sirius had taken off that morning on some urgent business for the ministry--"Or so he claims," Severus had narrowed his eyes at him after he'd explained why he'd gone. Georgie rolled her eyes at that. If it weren't the Ministry, it was a lady friend and what was so awful about that?

Sirius had it hard enough having to live with a bunch of Slytherins when he himself had been a courageous and out-spoken Gryffindor. It went sorely against the grain, but he usually buttoned his mouth against saying anything destructive. Severus was his colleague and now a sort of friend, so he respected his House. Usually.

Georgie took off for a bath first--that could waste a good hour, she grinned.

When she returned from the bathroom she hurried into her room shivering. She ducked back outside just long enough to start a fire in the fireplace. She pouted as she threw open her wardrobe in disgust. She'd saved her Christmas dress robes for now she could get away with green and red and burgundy--she eyed the burgundy. It was a fab color and the cut was fashionably old-fashioned. She took out all three and laid them side-by-side on her bed after hastily throwing the covers back up. The green was maybe truer to her Slytherin roots and she loved the color green, but she figured everyone would be wearing those colors too. And red was too... she frowned, too red. Too bright, too cheer-ey. Georgie was cheerful enough without having to blind everyone with her robe. That was simple enough--burgundy it was. She picked up the other two and put them back away. What else did she have to do? Perhaps her hair. She didn't know what she was going to do so she got dressed into an old T-shirt and a pair of shorts and trotted off to Niamh's and Siobhan's room.

They both were inside and greeted her warmly. Georgie started off by saying that she had no idea what to do with her hair and both girls approached her scrutinizing her from many different angles. Siobhan asked her what color her robes were going to be, "Burgundy." The other girl twinkled with delight. "It's a horribly old-fashioned style, you know--low square neckline, high waist...It's the required style at my old school. A bit boring." Georgie volunteered. Her stomach growled as the two girls led her to sit on a bed, and it was only four o'clock--the feast wouldn't start for another three hours.

Niamh smiled sweetly, "Time to play dress up." Georgie sighed happily; she'd gone to the right place.




An hour or two later--she hadn't the foggiest--Georgie thanked the twins and hugged them over and over for their help. They really were such dears Georgie accredited. She crossed the Common Room and went to her room. No sign of Severus, and she was kind of glad. She looked marvelous, she thought so even herself and she was her own toughest critic. She wanted to see his reaction. He probably wouldn't recognize her, she imagined with pleasure.

Inside her room with her door shut, she undid her robes from the hanger and hooks. It was a complicated piece of work. It consisted of a dress that perfectly matched the over-robes. It was very distinguished looking she'd thought. She carefully slide into the dress, taking care not to mess her hair up. Oh dear, she was being prissy. After this repast she'd have to go outside and blast something with her wand just to get it out of her system, she thought pleasingly.

The over-robe slid on with the same ease. She buttoned the front enclosures and made sure the back collar
didn't get tucked in. She slipped into a pair of flats that matched in color--well almost, but hopefully no one would be staring at her feet. She thought momentarily that gloves would top off the outfit, but Georgie hadn't any but her heavy winter woolen ones. And on second thought that'd be too formal for this night. Too much like her past dances...

At The Institute they'd had a Christmas Ball and it was painfully formal. The ladies all wore sweeping matching white gowns of silk--not dark and heavy robes at all. And the men wore robes of black with trousers beneath. The uniformity of it made it easier to prepare for than this, and she could blame her not looking good on the required ball-gown. But they had had to wear kid gloves to that dance. Not her favorite requisite.

She heard Severus enter the study and a second later go to his room and shut the door. Her watch told that it was only a little after six. She dug out a bag of make-up and applied a little to her lips so that it didn't look like she were wearing any. She felt better knowing she was wearing it for some reason, but she wasn't bold enough to really do much with the art. She tied a ribbon around the base of her throat in lieu of a necklace--no more charmed jewelry for a long while. After repeating a Holding charm on her hair she checked herself out in the mirror. The twins had done her hair up into tons of thick and long ringlets that trailed down her back. Whenever she twisted her head, then snapped around like little whip-ends. Cool...

She looked up in the direction of the door when she heard Severus enter the study once more as he shut his door. It was time to go....

"Hiya, cutie." She winked at her mirror-self. Spinning around one last time, checking to make sure that nothing was showing that wasn't meant to be showing and all. She winked once more at herself as she turned from the mirror. Her stomach was turning somersaults as she stood with her hand on the doorknob, "I'm not gonna hurl," she reminded herself in a whisper. She said a little prayer and opened the door and stepped through.

Severus was sitting on the back of the couch, apparently waiting for her. "I heard you in there so I thought I'd wait for you... His voice died on seeing her.

Georgie's eyes widened and smiled in wonderful delight when she caught sight of him. "La, Severus Snape. You look...incredible." She starred unabated straight at him, her mouth hanging open. "Wow."

He wore robes of deep emerald that shone like real precious stones. And his hair was somehow different, less greasy and less limp--though his skin was just as sallow and dull. The robes themselves were less like the ones he wore everyday. This one was more modern, with no high collar and the sleeves didn't end in bell-shapes. The top was even a bit tight--he's still too skinny, but still... "Wow." She repeated.

He stared at her with equal fascination. She looked ravishing. The dress and robes she wore flattered her fuller figure perfectly. And her hair was beautiful, like a timeless art-print. And it was a simple-enough outfit. He took in how she moved in the robes and how the dress moved with her. It was like liquid, she seemed to glide across the room to him. Severus knew he should try and get himself collected and together, but it was hard to stop staring at her. It was crazy and he knew it, but...

"Georgie. You look handsome." She grinned widely at this. He bowed low to her and she in turn curtsied to him. Then she laughed at the formality.

She brought her wrist up to her eyes. "Time to go." She held up the watch for him to see. It was Mickey Mouse again, but this one was a delicate gold with a tiny band instead of the usual gaudy black. "Dress Mickey." She submitted and he chuckled.

He took a deep breath and forced himself to focus. "Shall we?" She stuck her tongue out at him as he offered her his arm.

"Really?" She asked unbelievingly, raising her eyebrows at him.

"If you don't, I'll beat you into a bloody pulp."

"Excellent," but she grabbed the proffered hand. "I don't think I've been on any other people's arms besides my father's and Dumbledore's." She confessed.

"I don't think I've ever offered my arm to anyone except you and Orris." Georgie flinched at Orris' name, but Severus took no notice and he himself seemed fine with it.

As they walked out into the Slytherin Common Room only a handful of students remained there--most would be waiting for the doors to be opened for the feast and if they were meeting dates from other houses they were trying to locate one another. The students who did remain in the room turned full on to stare at the pair who crossed the room and exited without a word.

Severus actually turned red. "Oh my goodness! You're blushing, I don't think I've ever seen you blush before!" She remarked graciously.

"You just feel lucky that no once could tell the difference between when you're blushing and when you are not." He kept his head down a little.

"It's kinda cute. The Potions Master who strikes fear into the heart of all, blushes when a couple of students look at you in amazement. You brought this on yourself you know. You chose to show up looking splendid. What did you do?" She shook her head in amazement, as she looked him over once again.

"Nothing." He scoffed. "Didn't put the stuff I usually put in my hair, slapped a little after-shave on...viola!" He said with bravado. "Dumbledore insists I make an effort after an occasion we had with a reporter on hand for a formal occasion."

"You shave?"

"No." He smiled at having been caught. "I never shave." She shook with laughter at that. "What did you do to yourself?" He asked of her now.

"Nothing really. Took a bath, put a dress on, had the twins do up my hair...that's it." He looked her over again and nodded. "Glad you approve," she taunted tartly.

He rolled his eyes at her. "We're both gorgeous, we both know it. Let's get in there so we can get all the attention."

She brought her hand to her heart. "Ah, a man after my own heart." She gushed.

He smiled broadly, holy crap, thought Georgie, is he going to beam like that in front of the entire world? He likes sort of a ridiculous creature like that. But her question was answered his face changed to one of indifference and stony silence, and she figured it was better than sneering at everyone. "You could try to smile." She urged.

"No."

"Gawd, can't take you anywhere." They had climbed up to the front entryway and stood a little bit behind the crowd pushing forward at the still closed doors.

"I think I'm going to be sick." She doubled-over, feeling dizzy.

"No you're not." He said gruffly. "It's just nerves." He looked up as the doors swung open and there was a mad rush streaming through. "I don't understand how The Crazy-Georgie could do anything in public: act mad, act like a fool--and not care a iota about what people thought of her. Now look, she's acting the scaredy cat just because she's got a dress on?!" He seemed to be asking the hall's ceiling these questions as if it were a student in one of his lectures.

He snatched her hand up and off her knees. "We're going." He dragged her by the hand up to the door where he let go gently. And with that they swept into the room.

Georgie saw with a great curiosity that there were a great many smaller tables seating 10 or 12 students at each one, instead of the regular long tables in the rows. Georgie looked for the twins and other people she knew as she walked by Severus' side up to the front of the room. But she gave up after a minute. It was impossible to recognize people when they were seated around the tables. Most of the eyes of people facing their direction were riveted on their persons, so she followed Severus' example by staring straight ahead and not showing that you cared.

There were two smaller teacher's tables and Severus stopped and pointed towards one where there was still room for six more, so they could sit easily there. Georgie took the lead and grabbed up a seat and Severus sat at her elbow. Already seated were Minerva, Sprout, Lupin, Vector, Trewlaney and Dumbledore by Severus's side. Georgie's other side sat empty.

Remus caught her eye and grinned widely at her pointedly, and she winked at him, knowing that by now everything was probably fixed up. He turned around and casually scanned the room trying to look disinterested. Georgie knew whom he was looking for, but just smiled to herself.

Severus caught all this, "Stop winking at the bloody werewolf." He snarled.

"Severus..." She leaned over to him. "Shut the bloody hell up." She looked up as a coughing fit suddenly racked Dumbledore, but his eyes twinkled at her, so he must've overheard her. She grinned back at him. This was going to be fun.

At the last moment Hagrid sat down by Georgie's other side and Madam Pomfrey sat beyond him. Everyone at the table had to shift over a bit to make room for the additions.

The Headmaster rose in his place and silence blossomed over the great room. He welcomed everyone and said something about how the feast and dance would take place...Georgie tuned him out. Georgie took that time to checkout the decorations. There were twelve decorated Christmas trees--She'd known about these because Hagrid had told her he was working on them. There were lights dancing about by the ceiling and Georgie guessed they were pixies or something. There were great ribbons and festoons dangling off the walls, and a soft instrumental music whispered throughout the air, haunting renditions of Christmas carols, sounding as it the wind himself were singing them. Dumbledore announced that they were about to eat, and with that sat down once more.

"Food, glorious food..." George sang.

"And you said you couldn't take me anywhere?" Severus smirked at her.

Minerva complimented the both of them from clear across the table, and they both accepted the compliment with a high degree of embarrassment--especially from Severus who once again blushed. "Man, that's two so far. Wonders of wonders..."

They then took turn looking at a short menu and calling out what they would like from it. Food appeared from out of thin air and then all began to dig in. There were roasted game birds with dressings and stuffings, potatoes, puddings and roasted vegetables. There were also breads and cheeses and fresh fruit. A sort of cranberry rhubarb crisp topped everything off, and Georgie noted her breath smelled like cinnamon after eating it. Also there was warm spiced wine--she guessed that this special treat was only at the Teacher's tables. Georgie turned and grinned at Severus when she spied that on the table, and he winked back at her when she pointed it out to him.

The feast set her mind immediately at ease and she even ignored most of Severus' barbs and stings--for Dumbledore's sake, she told herself. It really was getting to be a great evening. There was fantastic conversation; the warm wine actually brought the faintest hint of color to Georgie's tan cheeks--which she zealously dismissed having ever happened. It was just great. She felt surrounded by friends whom she knew well, so she relaxed and was very warm and friendly.

And if it weren't for Remus' constant looking over his shoulder, she'd almost have forgotten there were other tables with other people in the room--especially as most of the other people continued to stare up at their table for some or another reason.

When Dumbledore rose again, the other teachers followed his movements automatically and so Georgie followed suit. They all backed a little bit off towards the wall and stood huddled against the wall. Minerva looked good too, she wasn't wearing a hat and she looked so much softer without it--very feminine. She walked very cat-like anyway, perhaps it was because she was an animagi, but she really looked the part. She wore a gray robe with shimmery stuff that flashed almost gold in the right light. It had little cap sleeves, and she looked like a princess. She had a bit of lace at her throat--a very dignified and chic princess, but Georgie loved it immensely.

Lupin approached her as Dumbledore once again addressed the students to have them stand so he could push back the tables. Lupin asked if he'd dance with her first and she agreed happily. She would automatically suggest that he dance with Niamh afterwards. Perhaps Remus knew that she'd do this and perhaps he needed a little push--they all had nerves tonight, she guessed.

The tables were soon cleared away and she took a hold of Remus arm and followed as the other couples led the way out to the floor. It was all Christmas carols tonight and she figured they just spiked the volume of that haunted carol music. It was waltzing music, and Georgie looked around her as she took Remus' hand and as his hand found her waist before all the students who probably hadn't the foggiest idea what to do in a waltz.

She laughed as they began to spin around the floor. Remus complimented her on her robes and she returned the compliment truthfully. He wore a deep blue robe, like the color of the ocean around Aruba or someplace, very deep and warm looking. It brought out his eyes, which were curiously enough golden, if that was at all possible. They chatted and Remus hardly seemed to be listening to what she was saying, but she didn't blame him.

Severus, swept by with Sprout in his arms, and Georgie couldn't help but laugh at the sight, making Remus turn and chuckle as well. He simply towered over her. Sprout was tiny anyway compared even to the students, but next to Professor Snape--it was David and Goliath.

Georgie spotted Hagrid towering over everyone and thing else in the room and dancing with him was poor Minerva. She looked very cross and supposed that Hagrid wasn't all that great of a dancer.

The song was soon over and Remus stopped in the middle of the floor. "Want to take a go again?" She knew he really didn't, but appreciated the kindness anyhow.

"Uh, Um, listen Remus, I'm not used to all this dancing and stuff, so I'm going to sit this one out. But I'll find you a replacement." Pretending to search high and low, she finally spotted Niamh, sitting with her back to them both near the wall a scant few paces from them.

"Niamh!" Georgie called. The girl turned around and seeing Lupin, grinned unashamedly. The girl rose and walked towards them. "I'm sitting this out, could you do me an enormous favor and dance with Professor Lupin for me?" The girl nodded, trying to look solemn, like duty required this of her, so she must do what she must. But she walked straight into his arms, and didn't give a second glance to Georgie.

Georgie guffawed as soon as they were out of earshot. "As it should be," she muttered under her breath. "They'd better invite me to the wedding..."

"Oh really...?" A voice behind her asked. She turned and looked up at Snape who had followed her gaze to the couple.

"Nothing."

"You said a wedding." He tried to pry it out of her.

"Yours and Draco Malfoy's wedding. Gawd, Snape!" She rolled his eyes.

"I know what you were talking about."

"Want applause? You probably do know, but you're not to speak of it. He's not even going to say anything until she's graduated. Everything's aboveboard." She turned from him. "How'd you know?"

"I know everything. I am, after all, a sneaky character." He smirked. "Besides, you just said it out-loud."

"I did?" Whoops. He scowled at her. "Oh."

She continued watching Remus and Niamh dance. She wore a splendid robe of silky silver and her red hair glowed compared to it. And they looked so happy and content out there, waltzing in each others arms--eyes locked together, ignoring the rest of the world around them who apparently were ignoring them right back.

"George you're practically drooling--cut it out." Severus woke her from her admiration.

"So are we dancing?" She turned on Severus.

"No." He paused, waiting for her to get vexed or panicky. He yawned, "Right now we're just standing here."

He grabbed her arm and yanked her to the dance floor. He put his hand coldly on her waist and took her hand in his; Georgie stood up tall to regard him. With a nod of his head they began to move together around the room. "You can waltz." Snape admitted grudgingly. He really had expected her to bumble the dance up. But she moved easily and even gracefully.

"You're surprised." She stated pleasantly. "It's in my blood. Polynesians dance as easily as a fish swims. And it's not like everyone imagines them to be--some thin-waisted, buxom beauty. No, those are for the tourists. Real dances are with larger women--as Polynesians value a fuller figure, who move light as the air, so beautiful, so stately. Very refined and affecting."

He wondered why a simple 'yes' could never suffice with her. "But what of your upbringing?" Severus knew Georgie's parents weren't Polynesian.

"My parents taught me to waltz," she smiled at recollections. "They extolled the virtues of it--My dad especially. When I was quite tiny still, I used to ballroom dance with him around our house--me standing on his toes, so he just swept me off with him wherever he led. Later at school we were formally taught the Viennese Waltz in preparation for our own Christmas Ball."

"But what about yourself? Where'd you learn your moves?" She prompted.

"My parents believed that I should of course be raised to a high command of the gentlemanly arts: As my family had raised their descendents for hundreds of years. Most of my knowledge has been for the most part unutilized. Dancing, proper dialogue and address all were taught to me."

Georgie laughed, "Fan-fucking-tastic."

Severus didn't miss a step nor a beat, "What the devil did you just say?"

"Fantastic." He glared at her for that. "Well, I don't like everything being so stiff and proper--and even the words freaks me out. Had to break the tension."

"So you're saying social situations--rather formal situations, frighten you?" Severus looked like he'd just struck gold. He'd tuck that away in his pocket for future use and abuse.

She frowned, "Maybe."

Severus was enjoying himself, but he continued to glare and scowl and sneer at all the students around him.

After that dance, Georgie told Snape she'd return in a minute--she had to go to the bathroom.

Severus corrected her, "You're powdering your nose, you meant."

She called over her shoulder, "Nope. I don't even own powder...going potty."

She was so vulgar, for one that as far as he could determine, came from a respectable family.

Severus Snape was immediately pounced on by several of the Slytherin Seventh-year ladies. It was horrendously trying for him to be put in that position: dancing with the two-faced dolts. But he was carefully trained to not betray his emotions in society, and he did a fine job at masking his repulsion and anger at the twittering flirtations. He even managed a few meager compliments as well. Not welcome from likes such as those.

To be sure, he wasn't often sought after, still he at least was proud, and prided himself that he would remain the same person regardless of how he dressed himself. Shallow fools! Why him? There wasn't any shortage of younger, more fetching males there that night. Perhaps for the novelty of it: they'll have 'I Danced with Snape' badges up by the next morning...

He took a short spin around the floor with Minerva, which was less trying than the preceding had been. In fact, he enjoyed it. Her fine mind made for pleasant, ambivalent conversation.

Severus went outside for some air. The night air was cold and crisp, and when he took a sharp intake of breath, the coolness saturated his lungs. He really did enjoy being cold. It was fitting somehow. He stood just outside the doors and watched as couples and small groups wandered off onto the dark grounds. He scowled at these students. He turned to see that Georgie had been snatched up for the next dance by Hagrid who had probably lay in waiting for her to return, and he watched as she gathered the hem of her skirts in her hand and danced a fair distance apart from the waltzing Hagrid. He watched the enormous man trod on her foot once, then he laughed at her misfortune and stepped off into the gardens.

He wandered among the hedges beneath the tall windows of the Great Hall.

"10 points from Ravenclaw--and 10 more for you too, Mr. Thomas." As two younger students dashed from behind the bushes they were hiding in.

He strode purposefully around, his ears pricking up whenever he heard breathing or whispering.

"You may sit in the courtyard or the upper field, but not in the dark and out of bounds.... That's 20 points from Gryffindor." He grinned maliciously. He did enjoy it so. His robes picked up in the wind and he looked up to the sky, where the dark, low clouds obscured the moon. It was almost black out--a night better fitting for Halloween charades, than cozy Christmas thoughts.

"20 more points from Ravenclaw--and Miss Morales, I'm deeply disappointed in you." She'd probably cry herself to sleep on her silken pillow over the embarrassment, he shrugged. That seventh year girl was too self-conscious for her own good.

He turned a corner and didn't encounter any other students. But on entering a straightaway he nearly tripped on a pair of legs. "What the devil is the matter with you Ravenclaws tonight!" He nearly shrieked. "That's 20 more points from your house."

A few minutes later he encountered a pair of Slytherins and here Professor Snape chewed them out for such behavior and only docked them 5 points apiece. He justified it by saying that they were actually trustworthy Slytherins and his lecture had probably frightened them out of doing anything so foolish again.

And to prove that he wasn't just being heinously biased, the next pair he met were Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy whom he docked 15 points apiece as 'Lucius would be so very disappointed in them.'
They were most decidedly not trustworthy.

He plodded on. He spied a couple stealthily making their way to just the edge of the Forbidden Forest and stood in the shadows of the trees in a tight embrace. Severus was off in a second, but he halted his progress several hundred paces off. He recognized the outline and bearing of the taller of the individuals: It was Remus Lupin. That meant the other individual must be Miss Niamh Malone, if he wasn't very well mistaken. He was at a loss on how to act. He knew he would normally rush in and break them up in as public a way as possible, but he couldn't embarrass a colleague. Well, he could, be scruples wouldn't allow it this time. He recalled he'd already done that to Remus Lupin. He frowned and breathed deeply out. They hadn't spotted him yet, and he could pretend to not have recognized both partners from such a far-off distance.

Really, Remus deserved this, Severus argued with his sense of better judgment. He was fool enough to get involved with a student--and display this on the school grounds. Georgie was misled perhaps on the details. Instead he called out loudly, making the couple jump apart abruptly. "Miss Malone, I'm deeply disappointed in you. That's 35 points from Slytherin. See that this doesn't happen again." He barked then walked away. He didn't want to deal with them when they came out to the light.

That was one of the steepest penalties he'd given to his own house that evening, and he grimaced at the necessity. Yes, he was upset over it. Niamh would probably wonder at the larger amount of points, but wouldn't dare question the call. Severus knew that in a way he was punishing Lupin by taking away those points in a roundabout way, and Severus really didn't care.

Severus took out his wand and set fire to several ivy bushes as he passed by them. He was falling out of temper very quickly. He stopped and blasted the bottom most limb of a scrawny tree near the walkway. He still did have amazing aim; he nodded as the smoldering wood creaked and fell to the ground still burning. He bent down to cast a freezing charm on a potted plant and then alternating between freezing and blasting he continued his hunt for students. Two more Gryffindors, then a Slytherin and a Hufflepuff couple later--Severus was sure the Slytherin girl had bullied the Hufflepuff boy into it; he turned to the path leading back up to the school.

He remembered that it was only just last year that he'd walked with Igor Karkaroff this way. Blasting apart rosebushes. It seemed so long ago, but these days a week felt like an eternity. He'd rejoined Voldemort's forces with a greater devotion apparently, gotten used to the tortures--numbed to them really, all over again.

He blasted an ivy vine deftly when he suddenly needed to jump out of the way, wand in hand, as a fireball flew narrowly past him and struck a bush beside him. He stepped forward alertly and Georgie stepped out of the shadows unsmilingly. He still had his wand up and pointed it down at her as she walked straight into it. She walked jauntily, sort of weaving and swaying her hips more than normally. When she stopped with the wand point hitting her in the neck, she sort of posed in front of it, one hand on her hip and the other trailing down the side of her neck.

"Georgie, what in the world do you think you're doing? You could have missed." He demanded.

She was very close and reached a hand up to Severus' shoulder and stroked his arm in a very uncharacteristic way. He leered at her.

"If I had wanted to hit you, I would have." She said silkily, and Severus' hair rose on the back of his neck. "Besides... I'm not Georgie." She whispered with a hiss. And with that she ducked behind him and swept his legs to the ground. Severus Snape just stood looking up at her with a look of surprise and horror. She laughed shrilly at his face as she stepped on his back firmly keeping him place, sprawled out on the ground. She bent to pick up his fallen wand, aiming her own at his recumbent form.