Chapter Eleven

Severus sat in a large armchair beside the blazing fire in his dungeon quarters holding a half full bottle of brandy in his hand. Every once in a while, he would take a swig, to drown the thoughts that were coming to his mind. He would down two swigs as his daughter's words repeated in his head.

"I told you not to touch me, Snape!"

It had echoed endlessly in his head. At first, it was strong, but after half a bottle of brandy, it was almost muffled entirely. Still, he heard it. Those harsh words were only spoken to him by one other person – a person that he had nearly forgotten, until a few hours ago.

"You had best lay off that, Severus," warned a familiar voice, "You have classes to teach tomorrow."

He looked up to see the silvery figure of Albus Dumbledore floating beside the chair. Severus grinned a drunken grin.

"I do believe that I am more drunk than I intended to get. So comforting, though, how a drink here and a drink there will ward off the thoughts and pain of the past…"

"Not for long, Severus. Only until morning, it will provide you with an outlet, but it is not worth it. I know what happened tonight after dinner and I know the cause of it. However, I will ask you to drink a sobering potion before I try to explain."

Severus laughed, "So you aren't just an apparition of my current state. You have really come to me…to aid me?"

"Yes, Severus, my son."

Severus stood, put the brandy on the table and found the vial of sobering potion. After a few moments, he lay down on the black leather couch looking more distraught than ever. He covered his face with his hands and rubbed his eyes.

"Albus," he said finally, "please tell me what is wrong with my Treasure. I need to know."

"Treasure's behavior is not her fault, Severus," Albus explained, "As Hermione feared this afternoon, she did make love to her new boyfriend, causing her to lose her virginity."

"So, what is causing her outrageous behavior? Hormones?"

"Granger."

Severus flinched at the name, "What do you mean? Granger wasn't even a real person – just a character…a split personality…created by Potter and Black---"

"There you are wrong. Granger was a person. When she was killed after Treasure's birth, her spirit left Hermione's body. When Treasure lost her virginity last night, it was the only time Granger's spirit had to come back as a person. She possessed Treasure's body, and now she lives in there, without her knowledge."

"I have to tell Hermione," Severus exclaimed, standing up.

"No," Albus ordered, "Its too dangerous. If either you or Hermione confront Treasure with your knowledge of this, Granger will kill her in an instant."

"Then what in the name of Merlin are we supposed to do," Severus yelled.

"Nothing, yet. Treasure will soon realize that something is wrong on her own and Granger may even speak to her. I don't know what may happen. I just need to tell you this so you would know what is going on and that you know that none of this is your fault."

"It is still going to hurt."

"That is exactly what Granger wants to see from you. She wants you to see pain, but Treasure does not. Treasure cares for you, and remember that she wouldn't do anything intentionally to hurt you. Promise me that you wont let Granger affect you – for Treasure's sake."

Severus looked up at the ghost, "I promise."

Albus smiled, "Thank you. Now, get some sleep. You look like you have been run over by a train."

"So my image does go with my feelings. How about that?"

With a smirk and a snap of his fingers, Albus was gone. Severus fell asleep almost immediately right where he lay.

Treasure was sitting on the couch in the common room, absentmindedly strumming her guitar and staring into the fire. She didn't even notice when Phoenix walked in until he had placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Phoenix," she exclaimed in a surprised tone, "What are you doing down here?"

"I could ask you the same," he replied grinning, "I just come down here sometimes to think. Nice guitar."

"Thanks. My mum got it for me on my seventeenth birthday. It's a Muggle instrument."

"Could you play something for me?"

Treasure blushed, "Oh, I am no good. Really, you wouldn't want to hear anything that I play."

"Please?"

Phoenix put the most pitiful look on is face and Treasure couldn't refuse.

"Oh, alright. However, you cannot laugh if it sounds bad or if I mess up because I warned you and you still asked for it."

Phoenix sat beside her and placed his hand on her cheek, "You could never sound bad and I could never laugh at you."

That was enough assurance for her and she began to play.

When we were together I was blown away,

Just like paper from a fan,

But you would act like I was just a kid,

Like we were never gonna last.

Treasure was smiling as she sang and she looked up into Phoenix's gray eyes. He was admiring her – every bit of her.

Now I've got someone who cares for me

He wrote my name in silver sands

I think you know you've lost the love of your life

And you said, I was the best you've ever had

Phoenix was amazed at his much talent lie in this girl, the girl he loved, and he was happy to learn something new about her everyday.

Its only when I fall asleep

I see that winning smile

When my dreams just move along

You've lost the race by miles

Because I'm in demand

You're thinking of the way you should have held my hand

And all the times you say you didn't understand

You never had our love written in our plans

But now I'm in demand

The song grew slower and softer and, soon, Treasure's sweet voice drifted away. Phoenix was so in awe that he couldn't speak. She sighed and laid her guitar flat in her lap.

"It was horrid, wasn't it?"

"No," Phoenix exclaimed, more loudly than he meant to, "That was amazing. If I had known that you were so talented, I could have brought my drums and we could have started a band."

Treasure giggled, "You play the drums?"

"A bit, yes."

The musical conversation was interrupted by the clock striking four.

"Wow, we are going to have to wake up in a few hours. You, my dear, should be getting your beauty sleep – not that you need it."

Treasure smiled at Phoenix's comment and kissed him good night.

"Sleep tight," she whispered as she went to bed.

"Wonderful practice tonight you guys," Phoenix panted as he addressed his team on the Pitch, "Chasers, your maneuvers were wonderfully clean, and Chris, I think you will do wonderfully in Saturday's game. There is no doubt in my mind that you will give us this well-deserved win. John, great job in front of those goals. You were impressive. Last, but not least, Treasure," Phoenix winked, "your partner is a piece of trash, so you will have to play by yourself."

"Awesome," Treasure replied and everybody laughed.

Phoenix shook his head, "Although we had a great practice, there are a few things that I would like to go over with you in the locker room."

The team piled into the locker room and sat as Phoenix went into the back and had someone come forward.

"I am sure you all know our Head Boy, Brian Kei," Phoenix announced, "Well, on top of that, he is our spy."

The team looked at each other, not knowing what to make of this and Brian smiled.

"Brian has been using his power to the fullest by getting into Gryffindor Quidditch practices and 'supervising' them," Phoenix continued, "Now, he has a report on their first three practices."

Brian nodded and stepped forward, "I am afraid this isn't going to be easy to say, but I must inform you that Gryffindor is the sloppiest I have seen them in years. You guys are doing really well compared to them. There is nothing more, really, that I can report. They are going to play the same plays and maneuvers as they have been since Harry Potter was captain, but much worse, and that still think that they are the best in the school. They are predictable, that's what they are. So, good luck on Saturday's game!"

The Slytherin team cheered and was dismissed to their dorms. Treasure was no Seer, but she could tell that the Saturday game against Gryffindor was going to be a snap. ~+~