Dark Coil

by gotsnape

I updated! I updated!

41. The Things That Don't Kill Us

Chapter 41- The Things That Don't Kill Us

This chapter is dedicated to Inge L. , who sent me the most wonderful review and brought my perspective back to its rightful place after it had taken a terrible blow from someone I should be able to trust. Thank you, Inge. You really poured a healing oil on my battered heart. Most of the time we never reap the benefits of our kind deeds and gentle words. We go on with our lives never realizing what a blessing we have been to others. I am so glad I have the chance to tell you how much you blessed me with your timely words of encouragement and praise. God bless you, dear. Huggs to you and I hope you continue to enjoy this story. Love, gotsnape

"Though the Dragon strikes, she will not lift up her hand against him. By this, shall he be comforted." Book of Surinim

Olivia sank weakly back into her chair, a sickly smile on her face. With a voice forced high by the stress, she squeaked, "Coffee, anyone?"

Ephenia Snape kept her eyes fixed upon her plate. Severus and Septemus flashed matching glares of obsidian towards Olivia before the younger wizard sighed with resignation. "Father, you and Mother have a purpose for this visit, do you not? Let us dispense with the dross skimming and fix ourselves upon the true nature of your call." Snape's voice was as cold and dry as the wind blown snow hissing at the windows.

After wiping his mouth brusquely, Septemus folded his napkin with great care before lying it beside the plate. His brow was furrowed as he cleared his throat. "Yes, there is a matter of some import that we wish to discuss with you...and Miss McGonagall."

Olivia could feel her heart beating in her throat as she willed Severus' father to seal his mouth, to keep the words she was sure he was about to utter behind those thick, white teeth.

Her desires were quickly dashed.

"We have come to find out your intentions regarding Miss McGonagall." Septemus stated baldly.

Severus cocked an inquiring brow and a bitter chuckle painted his response. "My intentions?"

"Yes!" His father barked, leaning forward in an intimidating manner. "Your intentions. Are the stories true? Are you and Miss McGonagall courting?"

Time froze and Olivia attempted to lick her lips, however her tongue was sealed to the roof of her mouth in fear. The leather of the Potions Master's chair complained loudly as he shifted his hips forward and pressed his shoulders casually into the cushioned backrest. Lifting his glass, Severus took a slow sip. He held the blood red fluid in his mouth for a time, letting the liquid bathe his tongue into numbness, then swallowed. "And if we were... courting?" He asked.

Ephenia's head snapped up, hope filling her previously timid face. Olivia felt her heart go out to the woman.

The older couple shared a brief exchange of glances before Septemus responded. "Then your mother and I would be most pleased."

A tiny muscle twitched along Severus' jaw as he studiously placed his glass upon the table. "Then you are doomed to disappointment. Since that particular state is comfortably familiar to you, this should not come as a total shock."

"But the stories in the Daily Prophet..." Ephenia began.

"Are just that, Mrs. Snape." Olivia concluded for the older witch, hating herself for dousing the small gleam of light that had been shining earlier. "Merely the products of Rita Skeeter's acid quill and twisted imaginings."

"Oh!" Severus' mother covered her lips with a trembling hand. "We had hoped..."

"Hoped for what, Mother?" Severus growled. "That I was finally settling down? Did you think I would present you and Father with a brood of grandchildren that you could treat with the same cold detachment I enjoyed as a boy?"

His mother flinched.

"And why this sudden interest in my life, Mother? Did your poodle die?"

"Enough!" Septemus roared, coming to his feet. "You will not address your mother, my wife, in such a manner!"

Fixing his hooded eyes upon the glowering wizard, Severus countered, "I stand corrected. That privilege is yours alone."

Olivia rose as Septemus heaved his chair away and advanced upon the unmoving form of his son. "Stop this right now!" She demanded, her voice ringing with unmistakable authority. Mr. Snape eyed her with some confusion while Severus warned her away with a small shake of his black head. She narrowed green eyes at him before continuing. "I do not see the need for more blood than what has already been drawn. A question was asked and a response provided." She turned to Ephenia and placed a comforting hand on the other witch's shoulder. "I realize the answer was not what you wanted to hear, and I regret causing you pain, but," here, she lifted her eyes to Septemus. "there is nothing to be gained from flinging angry words and baiting one another."

Snape's father pulled a legal size envelope from in inner breast pocket of his robes. "Then perhaps you would be willing to explain these?" He inquired with a familiar sneer.

Curious, Olivia accepted the envelope. Lifting the unsealed flap, she removed the contents.

They were clippings. Most were from The Daily Prophet, but some had been snipped from the pages of Witch Weekly and The Quibbler. Olivia wondered whether Albus Dumbledore was aware of the pubescent paparazzi lurking within the school, for each of the moving images had been snapped at Hogwarts.

Severus flowed to Olivia's side as she skimmed quickly through the thin bits of paper. The wizard's face hardened as he too, recognized the various locales printed in stark black and white. There were images of she and Severus at the Head Table, their heads intimately close; one shot of the pair of them strolling, her hand snugly tucked within the crook of the Potions Master's elbow. Several pictures had the young witch smiling playfully into the dark wizard's face, and while his countenance did not beam in return, there was a distinct softness in his gaze.

Olivia managed to stifle a gasp as her eyes skated over her miniature self being wrestled to the stones by an exuberant appearing Snape. The final clipping depicted a limp, black veiled witch being tenderly escorted into the shadowy gloom of an arched portal.

Returning the slips once more to the envelope, Olivia calmly gauged her lover's temper before looking to the older couple. "Interesting photos, but hardly evidence of a romantic relationship." Returning the package to the elder Snape, Olivia continued. "You are aware that your son and I have a shared past. I have twice represented Severus and I admit that there is a certain, how shall I put it, intimacy that develops between the councilor and the client. The foundation of trust, the need to share information, provide and accept advice, creates a connection, a very necessary working connection between the two parties, but not one of a romantic nature. Wouldn't you agree, Severus?"

"I concur fully." Snape replied before addressing his parents. "Our mutual history allows for a certain degree of familiarity that Miss McGonagall and I indulge in from time to time, but nothing beyond the boundaries of our current situation. The idea of an emotional attachment between the two of us is beyond consideration." His eyes hardened further. " I will not apologize for any inconvenience you have incurred as I in no way encouraged either of you in this venture." Even Olivia felt herself flinch from the bite in Severus' words.

"I refuse to believe you." Mr. Snape muttered between tight lips.

Severus grinned hatefully. "Then you remain a fool."

Ephenia gasped and Septemus wrapped his stout arm about her waist.

"Dammit man!" Septemus muttered belligerently. "Have you not a care for the pain and suffering you have visited upon your mother all these years?"

"Not a one." Severus replied coldly.

"You always were a cold, ungrateful boy." Septemus Snape growled, ignoring the placating hand Ephenia lay on his forearm.

"Then you may take some pride in knowing that your lessons were well taught." His son responded with equal chill.

"Then at least you learned something at my knee." Septemus replied sarcastically. Striding to the sideboard, the tall wizard sloshed a measure of whiskey into a tumbler, tossing the amber liquid back with a grimace. "Why did you not extinguish the rumors? Was there a reason for allowing any and all to believe that you killed a another wizard simply to bed his witch?"

"Father," Severus spoke lazily, but the tensing of his hands told Olivia the story of his hidden anger. " I have never cared a knut for the vagaries of public opinion."

"Yes!" Mr. Snape declared, slamming the tumbler down sharply. Ephenia and Olivia jumped at the explosive sound. "How true! You have never given a tinker's damn about the thoughts and feelings of others. Do you realize the embarrassment I have endured through the years because of you?" He glared at his son hatefully, then continued. "You had a home, a family name going back to the courts of Charlemagne, a duty to that same name! And what have you done with yourself?" Arching a pewter brow he poured another generous portion of liquor while waiting for his offspring to respond. When Severus held to his silence, Septemus gestured grandly with his drink. "You are a teacher! A baby-tender to the progeny of savages!" Olivia edged closer to her lover when she saw the angry tic under his eye, the ring of white appearing around the nostrils of his thin nose.

Septemus raised the drink to his lips, muttering into the glass, "You became a murderer."

Olivia was across the room, her slender finger pointed right at the older wizard's chest before Severus had risen from his chair.

"Let me tell you one thing, buster," she proclaimed. "Your son was cleared of all charges, BOTH times!"

Septemus stared sourly at the petite witch jabbing her finger into the front of his dress robes, his expression clearing stating that he did not consider her a threat. Olivia, however was not finished with her speech.

"But since neither you or Mrs. Snape had the courage to appear in court for him, you couldn't possibly know that." She hissed with a sneer on her lips that Severus had been unaware she was capable of producing.

The lung full of air she sucked in to continue the verbal barrage left her chest in a loud, "Whoosh!" as a corded arm wrapped around her waist and lifted her from the floor. Turning, Snape released the sputtering woman and placed a gentle finger to her tight lips. "Hush." he cautioned quietly. Olivia opened her mouth in protest, but he gave her the look normally reserved for persistently pesky, second years. "Ach!", he commanded, tapping his finger against her pink flesh. With great reluctance, she withdrew from the field, green eyes sparking with mutiny.

Bowing slightly in the direction of his parents, Severus kept a restraining finger pressed to his companion's lips. "This conversation has become painfully unpropitious, so I shall take my leave of you. Turning to Olivia, Snape repeated the courtly gesture. "Miss McGonagall, I apologize for any embarrassment or discomfort inflicted upon you by the events of this evening. Allow me to escort you to your chambers or to any other destination you choose."

Murmuring her excuses, twin flags of pique flying on her cheeks, Olivia made ready to leave, gathering her cloak and bag before joining Severus at the exit. He allowed her to proceed him out. Before closing the door, he calmly addressed the couple that remained one last time.

"I bid you both farewell. Do not return to Hogwarts. You are not welcome here."

Ephenia lay her graying head upon her husband's chest.

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A veil of boredom covered Draco's features, hiding the depths of his sensibilities like a bland mist. His feet, encased in boots of dragon hide were propped upon the hearth, daringly close to the snapping flames. Disinterested eyes of icy blue idly tracked the tendrils of smoke rising from the jewel-like scales.

The aura of ennui concealed turbulent thoughts that swirled about the solidified core of Draco's purpose. Since the death of Sirius Black, one goal had held the young wizard's thoughts: Olivia McGonagall must not fall into the Dark Lord's hands. It was simply the "how" of that goal that had kept the teen awake for too many nights.

The answer, when it came, had been glaringly obvious, so natural and unaffected in its construction as to be nearly invisible. Draco could have hexed himself for the hours of mental agony he had inflicted upon his brain. As he strove to formulate some way to circumvent fate, he had overlooked the elementary answer until it had been practically laid in his lap by a very unlikely author.

Gregory Goyle's cheeks were still a scorching red when he propelled himself through the door of the Slytherin Common Room several days earlier. Slamming his book bag to the stones, he commenced to kicking the hapless container about the floor while cursing loudly.

Draco had descended the wide stairs, a malicious grin pasted on his face, the scene from the Muggle Law class fresh before his mind's eye. Goyle, unprepared as usual, had crawled, whimpering from the flames of Miss McGonagall's charring ill-humor to find himself assigned six feet of parchment dealing with procrastination and three nights of detention with Filch.

"That bitch needs to die!" Goyle thundered, pummeling the book bag with a massive foot.

Draco's smirk had crumbled slightly as the words penetrated the lock of his conciseness, the tumblers finally clicking into place. How life seemed to mock him at that moment. He had grappled with the dilemma; doggedly pouring over possible strategies and outcomes only to have his problem solved by a foaming, raging idiot.

It was very clear now.

Olivia McGonagall must die.

With that matter neatly resolved, Draco had moved on to the actually nuts and bolts of the plan. How does one go about murdering one's own teacher? The avenues leading to this ultimate end were numerous. It was the identifying and the mapping of those paths that now occupied the young Slytherin's mind.

He had ruled out the use of spells immediately, the wards of the school being too powerful for the employment of dark spells to go undetected. Also, Prior Incantatum would surely be cast upon every wand at the school, making it essentially impossible to disguise the murder weapon.

Potions too, were abandoned at the onset. While Draco knew himself to be a capable enough student of the art, brewing a mixture potent enough to kill yet subtle enough to remain undetected was, at present, beyond his talent.

The youth had toyed with the prospect of hiring a professional to dispatch the witch, but despite popular myth, Draco's funds were neither extensive nor unending. Lack of capital therefore, narrowed the choice of assassin down to one.

And once more, contrary to public belief, Draco had never killed a human being and was not looking forward to the murdering of Miss McGonagall. While he owned no tender fantasies towards the witch, his breast did allow room for human compassion and respect. Draco's esteem for his target was such that he would do all that was reasonable to minimize Olivia's pain and reduce her feelings of fear and betrayal.

As instructed by his Head of House, Malfoy had employed himself in subtle, yet substantial tasks geared towards decreasing the distance between Miss McGonagall and himself. He had worked at improving his standing in her class, even going so far as to request an extra assignment or two. He no longer indulged in the childish pranks and heckling that had eaten up so much of the instructional time. If the witch believed it to be due to her threat to ban him from Quidditch, all the better. At least her glaring, verdigris eyes no longer pinned him to the wall, but settled on him in calm approval.

In the Dueling Club, Draco had become an unofficial assistant to the quirky witch. He would arrive early to help in setting up and stay late to aid Olivia and Snape in packing away the gear. On several occasions she had requested that Draco put his superior dueling skills to better use by aiding and instructing small groups of students.

When Miss McGonagall came across Draco sprinting along the Upper Gallery late one night wearing his dueling clothes and trainers, she had joined him and the pair ended up jogging for miles along the dark school corridors. It was now Draco's habit to make an appearance each evening in the Upper Gallery. The effort he had put out had not borne much in the way of fruit. He had nothing of import to supply to Professor Snape, for the witch did not confide in the teen during their times together. Yet, neither did she push him away. If Miss McGonagall showed, they would run together. On those nights when she did not appear, Draco would go it alone, with only his thoughts for company.

He thought of what he must do if the Wizarding world was to continue. He didn't want to kill the McGonagall woman. Hell, he didn't want to kill anyone. He just wanted things to be... different. That was a childish notion, and Draco recognized it as such, still it was hard not to possess the desire.

He sighed, rubbing blond bangs from his eyes. He had the proximity. He had the opportunity. What he lacked was the method. In his mind, the act of killing itself had a closeness, an intimacy, that Draco normally associated with sex. The removal of natural barriers, the physical contact, the vulnerability of both parties during consummation. Without the use of magic, he would have to touch her, look into her eyes as he caused their light to darken and fade. He would have to grapple with her body as she struggled against him, feel her living heat.

She would fight him, of that Draco was certain. She would not be taken easily once she caught on to his plan. He must move carefully. He would have to catch her unaware, before she had time to defend herself. He needed her vulnerable.

A long, ringing scrape intruded upon Draco's thoughts and took his eyes from the trailing wisps of smoke curling from his pointed boot tips. Pansy Parkinson sat sprawled in a nearby chair, her legs dangling over one upholstered arm. She was once more occupied with the sharpening of that damnable blade! For weeks now, whenever the witch was not studying, in class or busy bullying the younger house members, she was to be found working the shining edge along a piece of whet stone. Other house members had complained about the grating noise, but it had not particularly bothered Draco until this night.

"Pansy," He drawled in an irritated manner. "If you keep honing that blade, you will be able to employ it as a needle."

"I like to keep it sharp." She replied, not raising her eyes from her task. RAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSP. RAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSP.

"What do you use it for, that is requires so much maintenance? It cannot possibly be of good quality steel if it will not hold an edge for any length of time." Draco pulled his feet from the fire and taking a handkerchief from his pocket, proceeded to wipe the soot from the thick hide.

"I haven't used it." Pansy answered, then smiled. "Yet."

Tossing the soiled cloth into the flames, Draco rose and stretched. It would be time for him to head to the Upper Gallery soon. "Are you planning something?'' He inquired, not particularly interested in her reply.

"Perhaps." The young witch responded, sliding the blade slowly down the pale, glimmering stone. The firelight danced along the slender piece, the oil she used adding to its brightness. The piece was wickedly long and slim, closely resembling a stiletto. Pansy's fingers hid the hilt, but something about the weapon captured Draco's attention, calling him closer.

Moving to her chair, he presented his hand. "Show me the piece."

Pansy glared up at him, pulling her hands to her chest. "No! This is special to me. I don't ever let anyone touch it."

The refusal irritated Draco more than normal and he scowled down at her threateningly. "Show me the knife!"

With a slight pout, she made to rise, but he captured her wrist in an iron grip. When the girl fought against him, Draco snatched her from the chair and onto the floor. Her lips parted against the pain he inflicted but she refused to cry out. Placing his knee into her chest, the blond Slytherin applied his full weight. Her free hand beat ineffectually against the thick muscles of his thigh while her captured wrist bones were being ground to dust. Slowly, as if opening the petals of a flower, Draco pulled her numb fingers apart until the released blade fell with a thud to the hearth rug.

A frown marred the smooth skin of Draco's brow as he looked down at the strangely familiar piece glittering on the floor. The flames painted the smooth metal with the colors of fire and blood. They shimmered along the etched scales of the silver serpent that twined itself around the hilt to raise its fanged face and set the jeweled eyes glowing with something like hate.

Snapping his attention to the silent witch, Draco whispered angrily, "Where did you get this?"

Pansy pressed her lips into a thin line as her eyes narrowed in anger.

Retrieving his wand, the young wizard pointed its narrow tip directly at the woman's throat and gave her a look of calculated reproach. "Incisio."

A thin line of crimson trickled from the wound that formed just below Pansy's jaw. Draco could feel her shudder under his knee and raised the wand tip a fraction. "I recognize the blade, Pansy. Did you steal it from Professor Snape?"

"I found it, ok?" She growled, pushing hard against his leg. "Let me up!"

"Ah now, Pansy," he crooned. "I can tell when I am being lied to. How do you think I have managed to remain alive these many years in the Serpent's Den?" He raised the wand's tip by a fraction. "The next one shall be deeper, I promise. Now, how did you come into possession of the knife?" Pansy remained stubbornly silent. With a chilling curl of his lip, Draco murmured the spell.

She felt a burning pressure beneath her left eye, and she attempted to move away but Draco continued to lean heavily upon her torso, his left hand still firmly manacled to her wrist. The heat intensified and she felt a liquid warmth slide past her ear.

"I stole the blade!" Pansy shrieked in pain and rage. "I took it from his desk weeks ago!"

"To what purpose?" Malfoy continued to hold his wand steady, though he threw Pansy's bruised arm from his and rose gracefully to his feet.

"I don't know why I took it!" Pansy snarled, digging for a handkerchief. "Snape pissed me off and I took the damn thing, all right?" She dabbed gingerly at her cheek. Gasping in horror at the amount of crimson staining the white cloth, the young woman scrambled hastily to her feet to peer into the ornately framed glass hanging above the mantle.

"The night he refused to shag you, no doubt. Accio, Snape's blade!" The serpent knife flashed into Draco's hand and immediately disappeared into the wizard's robes. Smirking nastily at Pansy's reflected expression of shock. "What?" He laughed. "Did you actually believe Millicent would keep your delicious little secret in a display of female solidarity?" Scooping up his cloak, Draco continued. "You really are a stupid bint!"

Pansy snarled in rage, whirling from the mirror, but Draco froze her with a flat glare.

"It is one thing to prey on Gryffindors, but to cannibalize your own house?" He shook his silver head in feigned regret. " I am seriously considering having you excommunicated from Slytherin." Swirling his cloak about his shoulders, Draco bounded up the steps to the exit.

"What are you going to do, Draco?" Pansy cried, panic in her voice.

"I have not decided yet." He called over his shoulder. "When I do, I will be sure to let you know." The heavy wood chopped off the shriek of rage and fear coming from the Serpent's Den. Snorting in disgust, Draco headed in the direction of Professor Snape's quarters. As much as he despised the female Slytherin, he had no intentions of telling the Head of House about her thievery. He would simply tuck the knife into a pile of parchment or some such and leave it at that. It would be much more entertaining to watch as Pansy squirmed and worried over when the ax would fall upon her exposed neck. He would use advising his Head of House of his intentions to meet Miss McGonagall as an excuse for getting into Snape's office.

The young snake continued to harbor doubts about Snape's involvement with Voldemort and his disciples. The teen respected and admired the dark, tacturnine potions professor and had placed his tenuous trust on the hope that Snape would guide him through the mire of the future planned out by his father. If Professor Snape let him down, Draco knew that all would be lost. He would be forced to take the Dark Mark, that is if he intended on remaining alive. He would be made to participate, and pretend to enjoy the atrocities his father enacted upon other humans, be they Wizard or Muggle. Draco shuddered at the thought.

A grumbled "Enter" followed by thunderous barking answered Draco's knock. Pushing the heavy door open, the young wizard did as he was bid, his eyes not on the Potions Master, but rather the massive black and brown monster that stood before Snape's desk, barking loudly and slinging ropes of thick saliva about the chamber.

"Shut up before I have you neutered and your balls used for window weights!" Snape roared from his place behind the desk, whose top was littered with piles of half graded parchments, the remains of the wizard's dinner and a large gray and white tabby cat.. "What do you want, Mr. Malfoy? I am exceedingly busy at the moment."

Draco pulled his gaze from the now silent dog to his instructor. "You have a dog?" he asked in disbelief before mentally slapping himself for the blatant stupidity of the question.

Yea, the old fart's got a dog and it's killing 'em! Black's thoughts were unheard, save by the feline perched upon the desk.

"Yes," Professor Snape groaned, tossing down the red-tipped quill he had been using. "as much as it pains me to admit it, I have a dog." This last was muttered in a low, long-suffering tone. The dog in question turned his blocky head at the sound of Snape's voice and Draco could have sworn he saw the animal smile with malicious glee.

And the dog wants to go for walkies!! Or I am going to dump a load right here on your moldy, old rug!

That is so gross! Cat glared down at the cavorting canine. You have the place smelling bad enough as it is.

The older wizard scowled at the grinning Black before returning his attention to his young visitor. "You have something you wish to discuss, Mr. Malfoy?"

Yea, what you want, Ferret-Boy? Need some pointers on how to be even more of an arse than your old man? Snape'll be able to help. He is one of the biggest arse-holes in...

Stop that! Cat hissed, his whiskers bristling.

Suck a mouse!

"Not particularly, sir." Draco closed the door behind him and moved cautiously nearer the animal. Reaching out, he stroked the sleek, black head. As a young child, Draco had desired an animal companion but Lucius had refused. Once, when Narcissa had gifted her son with a puppy, Lucius had forced the eight year old Draco to drown the creature. There had been no more talk of familiars.

"Then why are you here, Mr. Malfoy?" Professor Snape asked, his tone heavy with impatience.

Maybe he needs your nose to pry open a bottle of butterbeer, Snape.

"I was on my way to meet with Miss McGonagall." Draco was on his knees now, fingers busily kneading the ears of the dog while it pressed its weight into his hands and moaned in canine ecstasy. "I thought I should let you know. She did not appear last evening. Where did you get him?"

Wouldn't you love to know the answer to that one. Rub right there, yes!

If he was startled by the sudden change in topic, Snape did not allow it to show on his face. Leaning back into the soft leather of his chair, the Potions Master summoned a steaming pot of tea, pouring himself a cup whilst delivering the story he and Olivia had concocted.

"I was the sole beneficiary of an elderly relative-- a great-great uncle, or some such. Imagine my delight when I inherited the fool's considerable debt and this-" He slashed one hand in the direction where Draco crouched. "cur."

Hahahahahahahahahaha! Sirius laughed, his tongue lolling from his gaping mouth.

I would watch it, were I you. Cat advised. The Daddy has that look on his face, if you know what I mean.

Like he's constipated?

Yes, that would be the one.

"He looks to be a fine animal, sir." Draco stood but kept one hand resting upon the dog's head. "What have you named him?"

Yea, Snape. What do you call your big ol' puppy?

"Why so curious, Mr. Malfoy?"

Shrugging, Draco replied, "I am sorry, sir. It is none of my concern."

Snape studied the young man before him. He noted the way Draco's hand continued to stroke Black's hard head, heard the disgusting sounds of pleasure coming from deep within the canine's chest and a delightfully evil plan began to grow in his mind.

"I call him Dog." Snape stated flatly. "That is, when I deign to call him at all."

That's MR. Dog.

A tiny smile lurked on the edges of Draco's lips.

Severus continued to let his hard gaze press on the youth, then inquired suddenly. "What would you call such a brute, were he yours to name, that is?"

Again, Draco shrugged, slightly taken aback by the question and giving himself time to ponder. "King is too common." he said after a bit of thought. "As is Caesar. Yet, he is a noble looking animal and deserves a noble title." Bending slightly, the youth peered into eyes of shining amber. "I would call you Czar." He told the dog and was rewarded with a wet tongue across the face. With a laugh, he pushed the massive animal away and looked at his professor.

You think I'm noble? Who's a good boy, Who's a good boy? Atta boy, Draco!

"Czar?" Snape mouthed the name with his trademark sneer, ignoring Black's gloating look.

Look, I got Ferret-Boy to like me.

Sirius, be careful. The Daddy is thinking of something. I can see it in his eyes.

With a dismissive nod, Snape retrieved his quill and pulled another roll of parchment towards him. "If that is all, Mr. Malfoy, you should be on your way. Miss McGonagall herself informed me that she would be in the Upper Gallery this evening."

Giving the dog a final slap on the shoulders, Draco walked to the door. "Of course, sir. I will let you know if I learn anything."

Yea, you do that little ol' thing, Ferret-Boy!

Without raising his head, Professor Snape asked blandly, "Mr. Malfoy, are you forgetting something?"

Draco paused, his hand upon the latch. "Sir?" He asked, baffled.

With an impatient snarl, Snape pointed the feathered end of his quill at the huge animal. "Your dog, Mr. Malfoy."

"What?"

What?!!

Oh no! I told you chewing on the chair legs was a bad idea.

For the first time in years, Draco stammered. "B...b...but..."

"You sound like a faulty distillation valve, Mr. Malfoy. Are you going to take the dog, or not?" Snape had returned to his grading, the crimson tipped quill scratching furiously.

"Sir, while I appreciate the gesture, Father will never allow me to keep a dog."

See? The old man won't let him keep a dog. Snape, what are you THINKING??!

"Are planning on living in your parent's home upon graduation, Mr. Malfoy?"

"No sir, but..."

"Then the matter is settled. You either take the brute, or I shall have to dispose of him some other way." Snape said coldly. "I have no fondness for the creature and dogs, by their very nature, are useless as potions ingredients."

A grin filled Draco's face and for a second, Severus glimpsed a warmth in the young wizard's eyes that was quickly veiled.

"Thank you, sir." Draco stated. "I will take good care of him."

I'm not believing this.... Snape!

"He will take good care of you as well, Mr. Malfoy. Now, if you do not mind?" The professor left the question hanging as his black eyes twitched once more to the rolls of yellow and cream.

"Of course. Come, Czar!" Draco threaded his fingers under the thick leather band fastened about the dog's massive neck. Sirius whined, casting pleading looks over his shoulder as Malfoy maneuvered him, resisting into the corridor. "Come on, boy. You can run with me tonight."

Snape! You bastard!

As the lock clicked behind the pair, Snape smirked in gleeful victory. Not only was he shed of the offensive Black, he now had another set of eyes in Slytherin House.

A boy and his dog. What a lovely picture.

It wasn't until later that night while preparing a sleeping spot for Czar, that Draco realized he had neglected to return the knife to his ebon robed professor.

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The next few weeks leading up to Christmas break melted away, much like the icicles on the southeastern corner of the castle would form and then drip out of existence against the sun warmed stone.

The day finally arrived, bright and sparkling with its newness. A blue bird sky arched far and away, cloudless, save for the thin finger of white that rose from the stack of the scarlet engine puffing impatiently in the Hogsmeade station. Students, pulling luggage carts and balancing assorted cages, chattered and laughed as teachers herded their young charges into the train cars. Finally, the doors slid shut and the adults heaved a sigh of relief, as the engine seemed to suck in a mighty lung full of air for the long journey to Kings Cross and points beyond.

From where he stood upon the hill overlooking the school, Draco watched the train and its load of celebrating students fade in the distance. By his side stood Czar, a thick knotted rope dangling from either side of of his mouth. Clouds of vapor poured from the quivering, black nose and hovered in the still air. As the train vanished from sight, a low whimper escaped the animal.

Harry.

"Well, my lad, it looks like it will just be you and I for the next few weeks." Draco stated, petting the dog's broad shoulders fondly.

Oh boy, Christmas with the Malfoys! Does you old man still get roaring drunk and disembowel kittens to celebrate this season of cheer?

"You want to play fetch? Give me that rope, you brute!" The blond made a grab for the retrieving toy he had fashioned for Czar, only to have the animal leap away.

Come and get it, Ferret-Boy! Sirius snarled, shaking his huge head, his stumpy tail wiggling with involuntary glee.

The two battled playfully, Sirius making frequent, silent comments about Malfoy's habits, hygiene and the possible link between genetic isolation with underdeveloped, gender specific, physical attributes, but without the usual acid that would have been applied earlier in their relationship. Much to his surprise, Sirius found that he was intrigued by the young Slytherin. There seemed to be another side to Draco; a slender, previously obstructed facet of his personality that the boy had managed to keep well hidden from the world.

That the teen was actually kind to Sirius had caused the animagus to drop his slobbery jaws in amazement. Sirius had expected chill acceptance to his presence in Malfoy's life, but instead received gestures of affection and trust. He had been presented with a comfortable cushion for sleeping and free range of Slytherin territory. The other members of Draco's house had been warned at wand point to keep their distance from the Head Boy's new companion, and though they groused about Draco's highhandedness, they complied. Sirius had remained unmolested.

Black also noted that while Malfoy possessed the necessary entourage of fawning sycophants, the boy had no friends. Draco moved through the Serpent's Den with his eyes constantly scanning the other inhabitants, never revealing his back to certain parties, his wand ever at the ready. The dungeon dweller's interactions, it seemed to Sirius, were limited to curt, biting remarks as each Slytherin hissed and coiled about themselves, staking their positions upon the sharp, narrow ledges of their dark hierarchy. Fangs were never truly revealed, but the knowledge of their poisoned existence was firmly established in each young mind. Sirius's marrow shivered at the thought of growing up within these green and silver draped walls.

The chime signaling lunch spilled from the bell tower and rolled over the expanse of white where Draco and Sirius wrestled for possession of the now sopping rope. Huffing from the exercise, the two companions trudged back towards the nearly empty castle.

Later that evening, Sirius lay on his belly, his hind legs splayed out behind him while he chewed singleminedly upon a thick roll of dried rawhide, another gift from Draco. As he gnawed, the dog sneaked glances at the teen sprawled, liquid-limbed, in a comfortable chair before the fire, to all appearances, a vision of tranquility, but Sirius was worried.

Once more, Draco was examining the beautifully crafted knife. Sirius had seen the blade many times since being shanghaied into Slytherin House. Malfoy would never display the item in the common room. Only when they were alone, together, would the young wizard pull the weapon from its hiding place on his body and loose himself in gazing at its glittering, deadly form. It was the expression on the young, unlined face that troubled the animagus the most. It was not the fixed, hungry stare of one consumed by the thrill of possession, but rather a look of troubled purpose. There was a slight whisper of dread in the blue eyes, but mostly they were filled with the realization of duty, unwanted, yet accepted.

With a groaning sigh, the dog pushed his gigantic frame from the hearth rug, his muzzle crinkling in pleasure as he stretched the kinks from his hind quarters. Padding heavily over to where Draco lounged, Sirius plopped his thickly jowled chin upon the teen's knee and released a sad whine.

Pulling his eyes from their pensive study, Draco grinned at the black and brown face resting on his leg. "Tired, Czar?" He scratched the animal's ear fondly. "We had a good day together, did we not?" The smile slipped marginally. "How many more will there be?"

Sirius remained still, patiently anxious for the youth to continue.

Draco stared into the fire, his fingers slowly stroking the velvet head. Time passed in quiet contemplation, Draco of the flames and Sirius of the youthful wizard.

"I have read that to die in battle is glorious. To give one's life for a cause, a noble thing. What do you think, Czar?"

Sirius wrinkled his furry brow as if contemplating the concept while his heart hammered in alarm. What was the boy considering?

"Me, you ask? I just wanted to live through the war, brushing the ash from my robes without having actually participated in battle. Father would think that cowardly, but I was simply being pragmatic. Why fight when there are so many other fools willing to do the deed in my place?"

Whining, Sirius lifted his head.

"I have had duty thrust upon me. No, that is wrong." Draco, rubbed a weary hand over his eyes. "I recognized a duty and have taken it upon myself to see it through." He chuckled at the dog's bewildered expression. "I know, just shopping for trouble; stupid. Utterly, supremely stupid. I could remain aloof. After all, by not acting, I secure my future. But..." The blue eyes returned to their study of the serpent twined blade. With a sigh, Draco leaned forward in the chair, resting his forehead in his palms. "Czar, I am so tired, so very tired." With a bitter laugh, he rose. "Silly isn't it, my lad? Tired at my age?" Walking to the stairs leading to the upper rooms, the wizard summoned the dog to his side. "It's off to bed for us."

Sirius followed closely. Draco's words deeply effected the altered wizard and he determined to monitor the teen carefully.

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"What in Circe's name happened?" Severus demanded. He had just stepped from the fire into Olivia's chambers to find the witch swabbing at an ugly scrape that ran down the length of one shapely calf.

"Malfoy happened." She responded tartly. The antiseptic she was applying stung mightily.

With a growl, the black-garbed wizard was at her side, ignoring the ash and wood chips that fell from his robes. "He attacked you?" Taking the damp, bloody gauze from her hands, he sniffed the material before tossing it from him.

Olivia sighed at his disapproval. "Hydrogen peroxide was all I had at the moment, Severus. And no, he didn't attack me...well, not really." she concluded with a lame attempt at a smile.

"Which is it, woman?" Severus exhaled loudly, pulling several vials from various pockets of his garment. Kneeling on the floor beside her, the wizard lifted her foot and placed it upon his lap.

"He thought to add a bit of dueling practice to our runs. Pretty sneaky, if you ask me." Olivia sucked in a breath as Severus poured a blue solution over her leg. "That hurts!" She made to snatch the offended appendage from him, but Snape clamped one hand firmly about her slender ankle.

Snorting at her immature reaction, he produced a handkerchief and dabbed away the excess potion, his brow furrowed. "What else, my lady?" His manner suggesting that there was more to the tale.

With a laugh, Olivia obliged him. "You should see your young snake."

"How many pieces?" A corner of the Potions Master's mouth twitched.

"Oh, he is still in one piece." She replied. "One, big sore piece. Did you know that Slytherins bounce?"

"I have been told that one particular Slytherin has a talent for... bouncing, yes."

"Well, he bounced clear down the Upper Gallery and two flights of stairs." Olivia flexed her toes against the stiff material of Severus' pants leg. "Quite the vocabulary scholar, your Mr. Malfoy. Is 'Appropriate Application of Artful Adjectives' a required course in Slytherin House?" she asked with a grin.

"Only for fifth years and up. Does that feel better?" Snape ran a finger down the now smooth skin.

"Much! Thanks." Olivia removed her foot from Snape's lap and stood, pulling the bottom of her dressing gown closed. "Would you mind checking my shoulder?"

"Your shoulder?" Snape thundered, coming to his feet, his face once more black with anger.

Olivia laid a gentle hand on his chest. "Now, Severus, he was only practicing. He meant no real harm, I am sure."

"Whether he meant harm or no, is beside the point, madam! You are carrying a burden most precious, and I would not have you or our child damaged by Draco's folly." He spun her around and pulled the collar of her robe down, exposing the clean, pale lines of her back. On the right shoulder a large bruise was blooming. "Damnation woman! You will cease these outings with Mr. Malfoy at once! I insist."

"Insist all you like, big fella. I intend to continue my runs and should Draco choose to join me, I will allow him to do so." She heard him draw a rebuttal breath, so turned to face him, the sight of her creamy, soft armor robbing him of speech. "Severus, he is alone in this castle during Christmas!" Cupping his chin, she lifted his black eyes from their consideration of her bare breasts. "He meant no harm and really, it would do us both good to spar with one another." Her green eyes pleaded sweetly. "I will be careful, I promise. Don't make me shut him out."

Snape released a deep sigh and pulled Olivia close to his breast. "I am not familiar with the proper steps in a...relationship, yet I have a fierce desire to protect that which I cherish. You may precieve me to be a boorish lout, yet I beg your indulgence as I make these first, tottering steps, towards humanity."

"Totter away, love. I am here to catch you and kiss it all better."

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"Oh, bloody hell!" Snape groaned, sotto voice, as a tapping at the window forced the wizard to glance up from the potion he was decanting for the waiting Remus Lupin. A large, black owl wearing a leather harness stamped with the golden seal of Gringotts waited impatiently on the sill. He turned his attention back to his task, determined that the bird would have to wait until Lupin had quitted the chamber. Of all the times to...

"No worries, Severus, I will let him in." Remus strode to the window on long legs.

"That is not necessary, Lupin. The animal can wait." But the werewolf had already freed the latch and the owl swept into the dungeon chamber with an irritated hoot. It glided once around the room before lighting on the work table before the irate professor. They matched each other, glare for glare.

Returning to his stool, Remus regarded the pair of dark creatures before inquiring, "So, are you going to relieve him of the package, or shall I?" The owl shot the graying wizard an imperious look as if to say, 'as if YOU could!'

Severus capped the potion bottle and thrust it towards the other man. "I know you have places to be, Lupin, so if you do not mind."

"Oh, I'm in no hurry. No place to go. No one to see." Remus grinned at the stewing wizard. "So, what have you been retrieving from your vault?"

"It is personal, Lupin!" Severus growled.

"Personal? Everyone knows you don't have a personal life, Snape." He teased, pocketing the wolfsbane potion. "You prop yourself in the drying rack with the rest of the stirring rods when no one else is around." White teeth flashed in the candle light. "Com'on, what have you sent for?"

Wiping his hands on a towel, Snape hissed, "Ass!"

"Bastard!" Lupin responded promptly, then rubbed his own hands gleefully as he watched Snape release the clasp on the owl's harness.

Reaching into the container, the Potions Master pulled out a small, velvet box of deepest green. Holding the item in his long fingers, he coolly instructed his companion, "Feed the beast and let it be on its way."

Remus complied and then hurried back to Snape's side. In the other man's hand was a ring. The white gold band appeared as warm and smooth as living flesh against his skin. The candlelight flickered within the depths of the elliptical, emerald setting like a tiny heartbeat. "It belonged to my great-many-times-over-grandmother." Severus advised in a low voice.

"Whoa! That's quite a ring." Lupin whispered. "You got anything to wear with it?"

Snape rolled his black eyes before returning the jewel to its box. "Not that it is any of your business, but yes, I do." he replied smugly, tucking the box into his pocket.

Lupin held his palm parallel to the floor, at shoulder height. "Say, something about this tall with green eyes and a saucy mouth?"

"The very one. Now if you will excuse me, the dinner bell should be ringing soon and I must prepare." Snape inclined his head to the door in an obvious gesture.

Remus slapped the Potions Master on the shoulder, causing the other wizard to grimace in distaste, then headed to the exit.

"Lupin." Snape's voice stopped him as his hand fell upon the latch. "I would greatly appreciate your silence on this matter."

The werewolf looked at the black robed wizard who stood in the center of the gloomy chamber, an expression of uncertainty on his face. Lupin nodded, "Not a word, Severus. Werewolf's promise!"

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Christmas Eve dawned cold and overcast, the icy wind battering the stones of the castle, moaning dire promises of worse to come. Sirius pressed his muzzle into the pillow and stared at the young wizard beside him.

Draco's cries had wakened the dog during the night and brought him padding over to the bed where the young man struggled fiercely with the bed clothes. Whining, Sirius pawed at the thrashing shoulders, attempting to wake the teen, but to no avail. Draco continued to fight his nightmare, calling out hoarsely, "Forgive me! Forgive me!" Even more alarming to the animagus were the tears that leaked from the tightly closed eyes as the silver-blond head flailed from side to side. Backing away from the bed, Sirius barked sharply, twice, three times.

Draco awakened with a start. The dying embers of the fire set Czar's bulk into inky silhouette, and he could hear the animal's anxious whining over the wind outside the window. Sitting up in the bed, the teen fisted the cuff of his pajama top and wiped angrily at the moisture on his face before addressing the canine in an offended tone. "You big baby!" He teased sharply, though his clogged nose took the punch from the words. "It is just a bit of wind."

Sirius returned to the bed side, his amber eyes studying the wizard's reddened face and still trembling hands. Draco scooted over and pulled his pillow from the mass of twisted bed covers. "Well, if you are going to be such a cat, I suppose I can let you sleep with me just this once. Come on." He patted the empty space on the mattress and then nearly toppled to the stones when Czar's massive weight shifted its surface to a precarious angle. Draco waited with seeming ill patience as the dog circled three times before tossing his hulking frame down. "See that you stay on your side!" He advised the black mound.

Pulling the covers over his chilled body, Draco shivered as he tried to brush the memory of the nightmare from his mind. He had grappled with a bloody, battered Miss McGonagall, yet no matter how many times he struck the witch, she would struggle from his grasp and challenge him. In the dream, he had beat her to the floor and straddled her bucking hips as she flailed about with her fists and nails. His dream self suddenly held a gleaming, metal object that he repeatedly plunged into her chest. The shining ruby eyes of the snake flashed at him with each stroke. Crouching over McGonagall's tattered body, Draco felt her bloody hand slide over his cheek, her green eyes, life fading from their depths, held no accusation, only regret.

"Forgive me! Forgive me!" His dream self cried, as he had buried the knife a final time in her breast.

The gory images clung to his brain like spider webs, causing his flesh to creep and pucker. Amber eyes observed his torment until the youth fell into a fitful sleep.

Sirius dozed until the gray dawn light brought him fully awake to stare thoughtfully at the slumbering wizard beside him. The enspelled Black resolved to speak with Lupin at the earliest opportunity. There was something growing inside of Malfoy and it troubled the dog greatly.

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"Olivia, I cannot think of one positive benefit to be gained from all this tromping about in the snow!" Snape groused, the tip of his aquiline nose glowing a bright red.

"The castle air is smoky and close, Severus." The witch striding ahead of him called back over her shoulder. "This may be the last decent day to get out for a while. Uncle Albus thinks we are in for quite a blow." She stopped and faced the scowling Potions Master. "Anyway, I am enjoying myself."

"Well, perhaps you could enjoy yourself at a faster pace. I have a fire in my hearth that requires my immediate attention." He snarked.

The couple circled down past Hagrid's cottage, Snape casting a hungry gaze at the line of smoke rising from the giant's chimney. Smiling, Olivia refused to take pity on her pouting companion, instead asking as she moved towards the Forest's edge, "What are your plans for Christmas Day?"

Severus pulled the edges of his cloak tighter to his thin frame. "Outside of the circle jerk commonly referred to as the Hogwarts Christmas Feast, my time is free. Why do you ask?"

She shrugged, a tiny smile lurking in her eyes. "No reason. Just curious."

Skirting the perimeter of the trees, the pair continued on until they finally reached the shores of the frozen lake. There, on the bank stood a lopsided snowman, his pointed hat askew with his carrot nose laying a few feet away. Scooping up the root, Olivia jabbed it back into the frosty face before setting the hat more securely on the misshapen head.

"How cruel of you to deny some poor rabbit his Christmas meal." Severus drawled as Olivia admired the sculpture.

"Oh!" she cried and Snape tsked in disgust as she pulled the carrot from its hole and tossed it once more to the ground. "You shall have to breath through your mouth, I suppose." Olivia advised the snowman then addressed the wizard, "Come on, love, you have earned your seat before the fire. I will even brew you a cup of tea." So saying, she slipped her hand into the bend of Severus' elbow and made to head back to the castle.

"What was that?" Her companion asked suddenly.

"What?" Olivia glanced around, alarmed. All was still, save where Mr. Malfoy and Sirius romped in the distance.

"Beg your pardon." Snape intoned solemnly, bowing to the snowy figure on the lake shore. "I did not recognize you without your vestments."

"Severus? What are you doing?" Olivia inquired, concerned and confused by Snape's behavior.

Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, "The parson, Miss McGonagall."

"Parson?"

"Allow me to introduce you." Taking her hand, Severus turned. "Olivia McGonagall, meet Parson Brown, a stalwart servant of the people and all around busybody."

Falling into his game, Olivia laughed and curtsied. "It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, good sir."

Shuffling, the wizard looked down at his feet. "No sir, but I intend to set that a'right."

"What did he ask, Severus?"

Olivia's breath left her lungs in a slow wheeze when Severus glanced at her through the long black latticework of his lashes. A fierce possessiveness burned there in the ebony depths, but the tightening about the glowing orbs betrayed his anxiety. The witch felt her stomach tighten with desire as she watched the breeze pull strands of jet silk across his cheeks and lips, blurring his expression.

"He wondered if we were wed." Severus informed her, his voice a thin whisper.

A tremor of joy moved through her body. It quickly became a shudder as chill reality washed over Olivia. Wed? To Severus? To pledge a forever where there was none to be seen? Could she be that cruel to this man? The Potions Master continued to stare at her and the joy that had faltered under her fear reasserted itself at the tender love in his eyes. Snape's image wavered with the rush of tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks and a bubble of laughter escaped her lips. "You are correct, Severus." she gushed. He quirked a jet brow inquiringly. "He is a busybody!" Spinning from Snape's startled countenance, she sprinted down the hill, her cloak and bell like laughter floating upon the air in her wake.

What? Snape roared internally. I am set to propose to the wench, yet she laughs in my face and flits away like some blasted sprite!

At least she didn't run away screaming, admonished a voice that sounded alarmingly Lupin-esk.

A muffled thundering of rapidly moving paws and a monstrous bark shook the wizard from his study of the fleeing Olivia. His red tongue flapping wildly, Sirius charged past the silent wizard, bearing down on the female figure with alarming speed. Passing Olivia, the dog skidded to a halt, sending snow out into a wide arch. Snarling and shaking his head in mock savagery, Sirius challenged the witch. Severus growled under his breath in annoyance, "She will need a thorough washing after this."

Draco approached his Head of House as he stood watching Czar and Miss McGonagall roll in the snow. The older wizard had a sour expression upon his sallow face, his thin lips were pinched and tight. The young Slytherin had pondered the many rumors connecting the bitter professor with the vexing legal studies witch. Could it be possible for Professor Snape to possess an emotion so tender as affection for the brown haired minx currently wrestling in the snow or was he just following the orders of the Dark Lord, to keep the woman secured until she was needed? Thrusting caution aside, Draco decided he had to know once and for all.

"That Miss McGonagall, she is quite a corker, wouldn't you say so, sir?"

Severus, still stinging from Olivia's reaction to his near proposal, whirled upon the student. Draco stepped back from his instructor. The web of black hair tangled over Snape's hard features by the wind, reminded the teen of the masks worn by Death Eaters. The Potions Master's words gelled the image.

"A corker, Mr. Malfoy?" He snarled. "She is a vessel, nothing more. You would do well to remember that!"

Draco could only nod dumbly as his Head of House stalked away.

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"You will have to remain here tonight, Czar." Draco's voice was flat and hard as he shoved his stockinged feet into his black trainers. The dog's whines had gone unnoticed, so he snarled angrily. The teen's blue eyes were as dead as his voice when he raised them to the agitated animal quivering on the hearth rug.

What are you planning, Draco! Sirius barked, the sound bouncing dully off of the charms Malfoy had cast on the chamber. He watched anxiously as the slender youth stood and tucked his wand into the waistband of his sweat pants. Sirius' apprehension increased when Draco crossed the bed chamber and removed the serpent wrapped blade from its hiding place within a wall sconce. Silver-blue eyes roamed over the deadly looking piece of steel before it was inserted into the wrist holster normally used for wands. Baying thunderously, Sirius hurled himself between Malfoy and the door. Draco, you got me scared here, man! I really don't want you leaving this room tonight!

Stepping around the barking animal, Draco accio'ed his cloak to his shoulders, fastening the Slytherin clasp under his chin. Sirius grabbed a mouthful of material and locked his legs.

"Czar, let go!"

No! What ever is eating at you, kid, we can sort it out.

Snarling, Draco raised his fist, intending to smack the fool dog's head across the room, but dropped the hand with an exhausted groan. Kneeling, he gently pried the end of his cloak from Czar's teeth then pulled the beast against his chest. "I cannot take you with me tonight, boy. It is not something I am able to explain." Rubbing the heavy ears, he continued. "I have left a message for Dumbledore. He will see that you are well placed."

The Slytherin rose and moved to the door in one fluid motion, leaving Sirius gaping at the heavy wooden surface as it slammed shut in his face. He scrambled frantically at the frame, but his thick claws merely glided over the now, stone-like substance. His rage cresting, Sirius hurled his massive form at the door. Over and over, the black and brown body crashed into the unyielding barrier, until, panting in fatigue and fear, he sank to his haunches. Laying his head back, Sirius howled.

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Olivia stroked the silver inlay on the black leather wand scabbard. It was her Christmas gift to Severus and she eagerly anticipated his expression when he open the box, revealing the archaic, yet elegant piece. Her stomach tingled, picturing how the matching belt would look, slung low upon his narrow hips while the thong at the bottom of the scabbard would hold the wand casing close to his lean thigh. It was truly perfect! Wearing the scabbard, Severus would resemble a noble wizard lord from ages past.

Darned sexy.

Yep, yep, yep!

It had taken several days for the brooding wizard to recover from the untimely visit of his parents. He had avoided Olivia, not coming to her chambers and politely refusing her offers of comfort. Wisely, she had given him the time and space he needed to deal with his towering anger at the highhanded tactics employed by his father and mother. The day finally arrived when Severus brushed her fingertips with his own, and Olivia knew he was once more himself.

Wrapping the gift once more in a piece of heavily embroidered, green silk, she placed it on the bed next to the gown that had been laid out for later this evening. Severus' words came back to Olivia's ears and her heart trembled in her chest. Tonight! Tonight she would go to him and pledge her life to his. Tonight, Olivia vowed, she would tell her lover of the fear and together they would find a way to defeat prophesy.

"Ah, but first I have to cream Mr. Malfoy!"

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Draco tugged fiercely at the laces of his black leather trainers. He had arrived early to the Upper Gallery in the vain hope that the extra time would settle his nerves. He forced his breathing to a slow, steady four count to stave off hyperventilating, but could do nothing to rein in his galloping heart. The Slytherin had decided against taking a calming potion. He could not risk the slightest dulling of his senses; the tiniest retardation in his reaction time. Rising, Draco rolled his shoulders, allowing his head to rotate slowly, stretching the muscles taut with waiting.

A hollow sound of moving air in the back of his throat assured Draco that he was breathing properly. He slowly released his upper body, folding forward until he could press his forehead to is shins. The deep stretch relaxed Draco a bit and he held the posture for a moment or two longer than usual.

"Ooooo! There 'e goes flash'n that bum 'o 'is 'gain, Meg!" A shrill voice called. "Bet ye could crack 'n egg on that 'un, ye could!"

Another voice, Meg, it appeared, cackled her appreciation.

Draco rose gracefully, sending a blistering glare to a nearby painting where two rosy-cheeked scullery wenches were busily stripping the plumage from a brace of geese.

"Oi, he don' 'erd ye now, Floss!" Meg advised her buxom friend from behind a handful of feathers.

"Fah!" Snorted Floss. "E don' sceer me none! All piss an' wind is that 'un."

Disregarding their grating, common voices, Draco concentrated on the necessary sequence of events that must take place if he was to complete his self-appointed task.

" 'Edmaster's no' in 'is riot min' ta let lass go dash'en 'bout liok she does, sez Oi." Meg was shaking her sweaty curls. " 'E should put a stop to all 'er gadd'en up and down corridors, an' 'er breed'en an' all." she concluded with in a whining sigh.

"Aye!" Floss agreed, tossing feathers to the stones. "Ew'd think she'd know be'er, 'er be'en all filled wi' booklearn'en. Go'na wrap tha cord 'bout babe's 'ed, she is. Me mam done tol' me 'bout thangs liok tha'."

"An' tha' 'un," Meg jutted her glistening chin in Draco's direction. "E's been a'ex'n 'er an' toss'n 'er on stone floor liok 'er was some big auld lad. Got a min' to thrash 'em, Oi do!"

"Ew could do it, Meg. Gi' 'im a bi' o' wisdom ta 'chew on. Wha, 'ill serve 'im riot ta ha' thou' bung some sense in 'is nogg'n."

Tossing down her bird, Meg skirted the worktable and stalked to the fore of the painting. Planting her rough fists on ample hips, the doughty maid barked at Draco. "Ey! Oi won' 'ave a wor' wi' ye!"

"I do not converse with hired help, be they real or painted." he drawled in reply.

Meg waggled her head as she mimicked Draco in a high voice. " 'Oi don' converse wi' 'ired 'elp!' Thinks riot much o' 'imsef now don' 'e, Floss? Well, me fion young lad, ew'll be lissen'n ta me! We's been a'wotch'n ew come up 'ere at niogh', mak'n tha lass do all man'er o' foolish thangs and i' bes' stop."

Draco remained silent, intending to ignore the harpy until she tired and returned to her task. But Meg was painted of finer oils than that.

"Ow's tha go'n feel when lass loses wee one 'cause of tha foolishness, 'eh? 'Tain't riot ta my way o' see'n. No' riot, 'tall!" She gave the young wizard a glare, her jaw jutting forward stubbornly. "Wha' hast tha ta say for tha'sef?"

His heart began to pound with alarm. Flattening his expression, Draco approached the painting. Unwilling to believe what he was hearing, but needing to learn more, he knew could not afford to tip his hand at the moment. He bluffed. "So, you know about the child, heh?"

"Aye, Oi do, as does Floss 'ere." She jerked her thumb over her beefy shoulder at the smug looking Floss. " Be'n see'n signs for some time now. Ew should know bet'er'n 'ave lass fash'n 'ersef. 'Ave tha babe riot on flags 'er will if ew keeps on."

"You are saying that excerise is, perhaps, not in Miss McGonagall's best interest at this point?" Draco forced himself to look contrite while his mind churned in raw panic. "She could harm herself and the child?"

" Wou'n wan' tha' 'appen, now wou' we?" Meg asked, her demeanor softening now that Draco seemed intent on her words. That's all the lad needed, she concluded, someone to point out the obvious. Lor' love 'em! Men were all alike! Needed a woman's head to lead them like sheep.

Droco froze as the import of Meg's words penetrated his brain. McGonagall? With child? A cold sweat broke out above his lip and he felt his stomach roll with horror. HE had already been with her, the spell performed. The product of their dark union was already growing in her body. He shoved all reservation and hesitation aside. Tonight would be the night. He could put off the inevitable no longer.

Nodding politely to the now beaming scullery maids, he said, "I will take your advice into consideration. Bear in mind, the lady is strong willed and not easily persuaded."

Meg flapped her feathered hands and gave a hearty laugh. "Oi no'd ye be a good lad. She be lis'n to tha if'n tha speaks wi' reason an' no' anger. Ge' on wi' ye now. She be 'ere soon an' tha 'as ta be ready." Her civic duty performed, Meg returned to the table and the geese. She and Floss were once more in giggling conversation.

"Draco! Are you early or am I late?" Miss McGonagall called from the head of the stairs. Casting one last glance to the painting, where Meg was nodding sagely, Draco turned.

"No." He replied. "You are right on time. Let us move down the corridor a bit. I have something new I want to show you."

"Sure." she answered. "But let's not stay too late tonight. Christmas Eve and all." Raising her arms above her head, Olivia gave a deep stretch.

From beneath his lowered lashes, Draco's eyes traced over the witch's lithe form, searching for some sign that would refute the words of the bird plucking maids. Miss McGonagall's cinch pants were riding low on her hips and as her tee was lifted by her stretch, Draco felt his heart ice over.

There it was. A slight, soft rounding of her stomach, the pale skin showing a faint line of dark hair running from the exposed navel and vanishing beneath the top of her pants. How could he have been so blind?

"It will not take long." The teen murmured. "I will be quick about it. I promise."

(((((((((((((Oh no!! What is going to happen now????))))))))))))))

"Well, at least she didn't run away screaming." Remus joked, accepting the snifter of brandy proffered by his host. Seeing the thin lips twist bitterly, the werewolf denied himself the usual treat that was Snape-baiting and moved closer to the fire.

Severus sighed as he settled into his chair, kicking his booted feet upon the fender. Taking a slow, appreciative sip, he felt his body relax, surprising Lupin with a reply. "Yes, there is that. Scant comfort, though, seeing how she laughed."

"I am sure it was a joyful laugh." Remus pointed out, diplomatically, while his companion shrugged and nodded. "She is joining you this evening, I presume?"

"Yes, we shall see the Yule in together."

"Well, I expect you will be chained and branded by tomorrow at breakfast. You mark my words." Lupin remarked with a grin.

The two wizards sat in amiable contemplation of the snapping flames, the liquor warming their blood as the fire warmed their toes. Occasionally, Lupin would wince, as if struck by swift pain, but he made no mention of discomfort. The sharp eyed Potions Master noted the tiny flickers of distress, attributing them to the unpleasant physical sensations that came with each monthly shift from human to wolf. The moon was due to rise shortly. Remus would want to be secure in his chambers before the alteration began.

"What are your plans for Christmas?" Snape inquired. "Will you be visiting the delightful Miss Granger?" He injected a note of derision to his tone, just to yank the wolf's tail.

"Well, it would have proven a bit awkward, my roaming about the house as a wolf. I used that as an excuse to beg off."

Snape toasted his almost friend. "Good show, Lupin."

"Actually, Severus, I think I would rather chew off my own paw than be forced to deal with Hermione's parents. I get the horrors just thinking about it." Remus took another sip from his glass, attempting to quash another flash of discomfort.

Remus set his drink upon a nearby table, his expression far away. "You know, this will be the first Christmas since he escaped Azkaban that Sirius and I have not been together."

Snape rolled his eyes, groaning, "Please spare me the image! The two of you on Christmas morn, rolling from the embrace of inebriated whores is a picture I would rather die without." Raising his hand, the black haired mage summoned the bottle from his liquor cabinet, flicking an inquiring brow in Lupin's direction.

With a nod, Remus extended his glass for a refill. "Truth to tell, Snape, it would have been a treat to have a woman for Christmas, paid for or no." He took a sip before staring moodily into the amber brew. "Most often than not, we would be in my old place. Drafty, wet, fireplace that smoked. My family was all gone, and Sirius' weren't worth hexing." Again, the flicker of annoying discomfort. This time Remus frowned darkly and glanced over his shoulder before returning his gaze to the contents of his cup. "There is nothing sadder than two old bachelors trying to draw comfort from each other at Christmas."

Severus studied the wizard beside him before speaking. "Try one old bachelor."

Remus nodded, raising his glass in salute. "Here's to better and brighter Christmas' for both of us- damn, Snape what the HELL is that racket?" Lupin's shout ended in a throaty growl.

Snape rose slowly from his chair, glittering eyes scanning the shadows. He cocked his head, listening. "I hear nothing."

"It is driving me mad!" Remus snarled, running his fingers through his long, brown hair. "It's not so much a sound as a feeling. It stabs into the bone below my ears, makes my teeth judder." He turned glowing eyes towards the other wizard. "Make it stop, Snape!" The sound came from deep within Lupin's chest and Severus felt the hair on his arms rise in growing alarm.

"What does it sound like?" He asked the now trembling Remus.

"No! No! It is muffled, hidden. Only the waves are hitting me." He growled in frustration. Springing from his chair, Lupin loped across the stones and snatched open the door leading out into the Slytherin corridor. His wand leading, Severus joined Remus who stood panting in dim, torch lit hallway. "It's that way." He advised the Potions Master, waiting for permission to proceed.

"Lead the way, Lupin."

With a huff, he was off, Severus close upon his heels. Remus barely paused before he burst through the door to the Slytherin common room and snarled before checking himself as he felt Snape's cautioning hand on his shoulder.

"Slowly Remus. We know not what awaits us."

The rangy wizard nodded and then pointed to the stairs leading upwards to the dormitories. "There." He panted, teeth gleaming. "It is coming from up there."

"The students are gone." Severus whispered, then stopped. Damnation! How could he forget. "Malfoy, alone, remained behind."

Shoulders now hunched, his hands dangling before his chest, Remus nodded, heading for the stairs. But the blood in Severus' veins became immobile as Lupin suddenly gripped his head and howled. The sound, trapped as it was by the narrow, stone stairway, rasped along the other wizard's bones, making his knees tremble with the effort of holding himself aright. Gaining a measure of control, Remus glanced back to the pale face of his companion and grinned sheepishly. "Sorry 'bout that."

The pair reached the top of the stairs without further mishap, and Severus noted that there was a distinct vibration moving upon the air in the upper corridor. A tone, outside the range of actual hearing, beat against the sides of his head and set his teeth on edge. Severus could now understand and emphathize with Lupin's agitation.

This close to the source, both wizards were able to experience the ebb and flow of inaudible sound. It would rise, causing their spines to quiver in discomfort, linger at its highest point and then descend. A period of emptiness would fill the air before the torturous quavering waves would commence once more.

Growling deeply from his chest, Lupin led the pair to a door that glowed faintly with many wards. His twisting hands trembling with the effort, Remus pulled his wand from its holster. "Whose chambers?" he rumbled to Snape.

"Draco Malfoy." came the whispered reply. "He is alone in this part of the dungeons. Why would he place so many wards about his door?"

Lupin shrugged. "Silencing charms first, I think." He said, pointing his wand towards the heavy wood.

Severus nodded in agreement. "Perhaps we can discover the source of the emanations before revealing ourselves to whatever is within that chamber." Working together, they quickly dissolved the sound retarding wards and now their ears began to ring with the baying cries of a hound.

"It's Sirius." Remus bellowed, his voice like rough gravel. His next spell broke the locking wards and the door flew inwards.

Sitting in the middle of the chamber was Sirius, his head thrown back, muzzle pointed ceiling ward. Hearing the door slam against the wall, the dog stopped his mournful cries and leaped at Remus, barking frantically. Severus moved cautiously into the room, his eyes carefully scanning for the source of Black's distress.

"Slow down, Sirius!" Remus chided. "I can't quite follow you." Black released more thunderous barks and the werewolf's eyes flew wide. Spinning to the Potions Master, he translated. "Draco has been acting strangely. He has a blade. Sirius thinks he plans to kill himself."

Sirius dashed to the door and halted. He barked sharply over his shoulder then took off down the corridor at a mad run. As Lupin made to follow, Snape grabbed him by the robes.

"Draco was to meet Olivia tonight."

"Good gods, Severus!" Remus growled. "Do you think he intends harm to Olivia?"

There was no answer, for the black haired mage was flying down the corridor, Lupin at his heels.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Olivia's cheeks glowed pink with exertion. The chill air of the long gallery corridor stung the delicate lining of her nose as she inhaled in time with her swiftly pumping legs. She and Draco had exchanged several hexes and take down maneuvers between stretches of running. The young Slytherin had disappeared in the shadowy distance and Olivia rapidly tossed her attention over the murky terrain, ferreting out his hiding spot.

He caught her totally unaware.

A leg shot out from behind a low potted plant, too low for his rangy teenage frame, Olivia noted sourly. 'Little magic-Muggle attack combo, huh?' Adroitly side stepping the fleece clad obstacle, she mentally gave the kid points for adaptive skills. She felt her leg being snatched. Olivia rolled her shoulder into the fall, turning a complete somersault before springing once more to her feet. Whirling to challenge her attacker, her eye caught a flash of silver. With a leap worthy of her inner lynx, she propelled herself back and to the right. Draco advanced, his glittering blade held in reverse, the point proceeding from the bottom of his fisted hand.

"Nice toothpick!" Olivia chuckled, then sucked her abdomen in tightly as the adversary slid in with a vicious back sweep.

"Just a little something I picked up." Draco replied, flipping the point to the overhand position.

"Promise you will be careful," the witch chided, side stepping another jab. "You could put your eye out!"

The Slytherin paused at her comment, his brow furrowed in confusion. Olivia laughed. "Forget it, ok? It's a Muggle-thing. Let me see that, why don't you?"

Without hesitation, Draco surrendered the blade and watched as the woman examined the fine workmanship, running her thumb gingerly along the meticulous edge. "Nice." She said in admiration, reversing the weapon and handing it to the wizard hilt first.

Stepping closer, he took it from her. "Thank you." Barely a hand's breadth separated them when Draco shot his arm about Olivia's shoulder, pulling her tightly against his sweaty chest.

"Draco, wha...?" she started to say. Palms pressed flat against the hard muscled wall of his breast, Olivia felt his fist connect sharply against her left side. With a mighty shove, she was free, her accusing, green eyes boring into the white faced youth before her. As a burning pain flared out from her side, Olivia dropped her gaze to the bloody knife in Draco's grip.

She staggered, fire spreading from her side into the rest of her body. The hand that had instinctively gone to the site came away covered in scarlet gore, the fluid hot and steaming on the frigid air. Her face a twisted mask of pain and confusion, Olivia extended the blood coated hand towards Draco, who stood trembling visibly, wide eyed, sweat pouring from his chalky white face.

"Draco?" She could barely force the whisper past her lips. "My Lady?" Olivia called through the vaults of her soul. "What is this?"

The only answer, her own voice, a lonely echo in the vaults of her mind.

With a strangled cry, Draco lunged forward, swinging the knife in low from the right. Olivia stumbled away from the attack, calling weakly, "Expelliarmus!"

Draco was lifted backwards but managed to keep his footing, his eyes growing wider at her use of wandless magic. Once more he leaped into his attack, the witch barely completing a forearm block that turned the blade from its intended target but allowing it to score a jagged line deep into the arm muscle. Her scream of pain was filled with an equal dose of rage as the reality of what was occurring exploded into her brain.

'He really means to kill me!' Olivia cried silently as she desperately fought off the untalented yet deadly blows. "Help me, My Lady!" Once more, only emptiness answered her plea. "Where are you, Brigit?" Olivia wailed. "Why have you abandoned me?"

Another murderous thrust from her attacker was fended away as she back peddled carefully. A hollowness, a vast cavern of lightless void grew in Olivia's mind and her soul wept with the absence of her goddess. Draco waded in with another sweep of his dripping blade and she instinctively evaded the blow. Shaking sweaty bangs from her eyes, Olivia resolved that she would not go down mewling. She would not allow this punk to harm the living proof of Severus' love, and with a feral growl, seized Draco's wrist, using his own forward momentum to bring his groin in line with her own rapidly rising knee. As he folded in on himself, Olivia blasted Draco's chin with the heel of one hand. His head snapped back with such force, Olivia felt sure she had broken the teen's neck. He landed at her feet, the back of his blond head impacting the stones with a loud crack, the knife still in his jealous grip.

Panting, Olivia stood swaying, her hands once more pressed to the leaking hole in her side. Safe place! Need to find a safe place! But even as she cast her eyes about for an avenue of escape, Draco surged to his feet, his breath gruggling through the red tinted saliva that clogged his mouth.

Get him to talk! Distract him!' Olivia demanded of herself. 'It's one of the first things you taught the kid!' Nausea seized her stomach as the frigid air fed on her body heat and she felt her strength ebbing. "Draco..." she pleaded in a ragged whisper. "...why?"

Sweat mixed with tears as Draco choked down hard on the lump blocking his throat. The horror, the awful reality of what he was doing, warred with the necessity of the act. 'Why don't you just die?' He wanted to scream in response to her heart broken plea. 'Die and stop looking at me with those eyes!'

"You are pregnant!" He croaked and watched as her bloody hand moved to cup the burden growing within her. The gesture added fuel to his blazing anguish. "You would protect that THING?" He screamed.

"I protect my child!" Olivia responded, and Draco recoiled slightly at the near feline howl.

"You protect a monster, an evil that never deserved to live."

"You don't understand," Olivia began, but her moon-haired attacker roared.

"You're damn right I don't understand!" he bellowed. Tears poured from eyes of silver blue; eyes that now regarded her with foul contempt. "I don't understand how you could let him touch you! How you could have agreed to..." His words faded to a whimper as he wiped his bare arm across his bloody lips. "I will never understand how you could let yourself be used for this purpose."

Olivia felt the last fingers of her might loosening their grip. Tiny balls of black danced in her vision as a whispering rush of wind began to fill her ears. "Draco, I am hurt," she choked. "dying. Please, help me. I can explain. I can..." She faltered, trying to clear her mind and he saw his chance.

A vacuum, a sucking emptiness seemed to smother all of Draco's senses. He became deaf, blind and numb to every point of stimulation save for the weakening Miss McGonagall. With a strength born of fear and desperation, he attacked.

Olivia's reaction was sluggish. Her vision had been growing foggy as she struggled to remain upright. Draco plowed into her, throwing both of them to the stones. She caught a glimpse of the knife as it plunged towards her chest. With all her remaining strength, the witch boxed Draco's hard on both ears, the action causing her slashed arm to shut down from the agony. His bellow of pain was cut off as she pushed him away from her. She rolled to hands and knees, the injured arm buckling immediately. Olivia scrambled futilely, attempting any means of escape. Staggering like a drunkard, Olivia gained her footing and fighting against the pain that demanded she surrender, headed for the nearest staircase.

Shaking the ringing from his head, Draco lifted his eyes just in time to see his prey vanish around a corner.

**********************************************************************************************

A howl of pain and rage caused the Potions Master to pause in his desperate flight up the main staircase. Glancing back over his shoulder, he saw Lupin writhing on the stones. The altering wizard raised his head, now narrow and elongated. With his hideous, bald muzzle, he was able to grunt, "Go! I will follow. Now GO!"

Swallowing the bile that sprang to his mouth at the sight of the morphing Lupin, Snape nodded before taking the stairs three at a time. He had lost sight of Black upon reaching the exit from the dungeons, but the wizard knew where he would find the missing Gryffindor. A loud barking, slightly muffled by distance caused Snape to apply more speed. Flying around a turn, he bellowed a curse, for the huge dog was upon the stair leading to the Upper Gallery and the twice damned, stone arch was swinging away from its mooring. Black continued to bark madly as he whipped around and shot up the shifting mass. When he reached the brim, his bunched muscles propelled him through the air. He barely made the leap and Severus' heart was in his mouth as he watched the huge animal scramble desperately with his back paws, attempting to push his body to safety. The iron hard claws found purchase and with a final surge, Sirius clambered onto the landing. Giving another bark at the stranded Snape, the dog disappeared.

His sharp eyes scanning the scene, Snape's mind rapidly flipped through other routes to the upper floors. He could go around by the Western Entrance, but it would add minutes to his flight. Minutes he was sure Olivia did not possess. Studying the gap between himself and the far landing, he wondered if he could possibly make the jump. It was a good twelve to fifteen yards over a mind staggering drop. Hurriedly putting the notion from him, the wizard turned and was making to follow an alternate route when Lupin burst into view.

His change was complete and the sight of the giant werewolf caused the blood to slow in Severus' veins. As large as a young horse, the wolf was a blur of silver and black as he galloped up to the panting wizard. Amber eyes took in the situation and Lupin moved closer to Snape, pushing roughly against his chest with one hairy side. Without further thought, Severus clamped his wand between his teeth and grabbing a handful of course, black pelt, vaulted on to the animal's shoulders. Lupin was off even before Snape was completely secure in his seat. Wrapping his fingers into the thick ruff about the werewolf's neck, Snape leaned forward, his knees pressed firmly into the heaving sides.

The chill air whistled past his ears as Lupin contracted his muscles and flew over the dark chasm. They cleared the gap and landed well away from the edge. The jolt as wolf and rider touched down rattled the teeth in Snape's head and drove the animal's hard spinal column into his crotch. Throwing his leg from the broad back, Snape took off at a run only to be overtaken and passed by the swifter canine.
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Olivia lurched to the portrait of a young man playing a violin. His eyes flew wide, clearly shocked by her bloody, torn body. "Help me!" She gasped, clutching desperately at the frame. "Find someone, anyone..."

"At once, milady!" The young man called, dropping his stringed instrument and dashing from the canvas. Exhausted by her flight, Olivia pressed her sweating forehead to the slick, oil surface, trying to calm herself, one hand pressed to the bleeding hole in her side.

The blow, when it landed between her shoulders, knocked the breath from her lungs and she tasted warm, coppery blood as it filled her mouth. With a strangled cry, Olivia spun, her clawed fingers leading the way. She missed his eyes, but left a set of deep furrows in Draco's damp cheek. Her left arm dangled uselessly, unbalancing her as she pivoted, slinging her right foot up in a roundhouse kick. It caught Draco in the chest, propelling him backward and Olivia crashed to the floor on her back.

A sharp SNAP accompanied Olivia's scream of torment. The knife that Draco had buried to the hilt between her shoulders had broken off, leaving the pointed blade deep within her body. Struggling against the pain, attempting to draw air into her aching lungs, Olivia did not see Draco fight to gain hands and knees and crawl to where she lay, supine. Releasing a jagged sigh, the young wizard straddled her stomach and wrapped his fingers about her throat.

"Why don't you just die?" Draco wailed, tears pouring from his eyes. "Please, please, please..." With each word his fingers contracted. "Please...forgive me!"

Olivia's good hand came up in a feeble attempt to push him from her. Her fingers slid along Draco's face, coating it with her blood. Her vision was becoming narrow, as if she peered down a long, dark tube with only the tormented face, smeared in crimson and tears, visible.

Draco did not see the approaching hound, nor did he hear the vicious, angry bark as Black launched himself at the pair struggling on the floor. He could only cry out in surprise and pain when sharp teeth sank deeply into his upper arm, yanking him from his victim. Black dragged Draco, screaming and thrashing over the stones, the boy's fists contacting with unyielding bulk. With a violent shake, the dog tossed Draco against a wall. The blond head contacted stone with a loud crack and the youth slumped boneless, his eyes dazed and unfocused.

The clicking of iron claws on stone alerted Black to Lupin's approach and he whirled to see the huge wolf barreling down the corridor, his lips pulled back as he emitted a thunderous growl. Even in his dazed state, Draco screamed in terror at the sight of the approaching creature, its gleaming, stiletto teeth bared, the hair standing erect along the animal's spine.

"Let me have him, Sirius! " Lupin rumbled.

"No! You will not do this! His death would put you UNDER Azkaban!"

"I don't care! " The werewolf bayed. "For what he has done, he must die!"

"You can't do this, Remus!" Sirius whined, then snapped violently as Lupin made to leap around him. "No! Back off, Remus! I won't let you kill him."

"No!!" Snape's anguished howl pulled the contending beasts' attention from each other. Severus crashed to his knees beside the unmoving body of Olivia, his hands hovering in uncertainty. Black eyes roved quickly, assessing the extent of the damage, taking in the jagged gap that desecrated her side, the vile defense wounds that scored her hands and arms, the purple bruising that stained the long column of her throat.

"Olivia?" he rasped, stroking a finger along her cheek. Tenderly he probed along her neck, searching, praying to find a pulse. Time hung, bitter and hateful as he waited, to be rewarded by a faint tic, thin and weak, beneath his grateful fingertips. Tears blurred his eyes, but he ignored them, pulling his wand and directing the tip at the still leaking cuts. Stopping further blood loss was vital. He added a warming charm as he noted the bluish tint to her scarlet speckled lips. Her breathing sounded wet and shallow and Snape was positive her lungs were filling.

Choked sobs and whimpers penetrated Severus' concentration and he glanced up to see Black and Lupin guarding a hysterical Malfoy. The teen's face was a grey mask of terror, his normally icy eyes, wide and devoid of reason. Snape stabbed a rigid finger at the animals. "Ward him well." he intoned in a slow, deadly tone. "He belongs to me." The promise was delivered in a calm, deliberate manner that assured the animagus and the wolf that failure to keep the youth alive was not an option.

The Potions Master's attention snapped back to the dying witch and his chest constricted painfully. He felt as if his own life's blood was leaking away with each labored breath she drew. The child inside of her would be starving for oxygen soon. To lose them both would be his undoing.

"I will be gentle as I can, love." Severus whispered. " Hang on, Olivia. Do not think about leaving me, woman!"

As tenderly as he could, Snape slid his arm beneath her shoulders and wailed with renewed grief when he discovered the pool of blood under her. Scooping her to his chest, Severus rose with a groan. Though slight, her dead weight was unwieldy. She hung limp and white, a broken doll. Pressing her head into his shoulder, Severus kissed her matted hair. "Do not leave me alone, Olivia. I am begging you." Staggering, the wizard made to leave but was halted by a quiet, tenderly rendered command.

"Give her to me, Severus."

Albus Dumbledore blocked Snape's path, the elderly wizard's face filled with aching sadness and compassion.

"Albus." Severus croaked around the painful lump in his breast. "She is damaged... I cannot..."

Nodding, Dumbledore smoothed Olivia's hair with an age spotted hand. "I know, my dear boy. I know." Albus' blue eyes entreated the stricken, grieving wizard. Once more, he commanded gently, "Give her to me, Severus."

Strangling on his sobs, Snape surrendered his precious burden into Dumbledore's seemingly frail embrace. Laying his wrinkled cheek on Olivia's head, the pair silently vanished.

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Ok, I have made some minor changes and altered the way it ended. I feel better about the way the story is moving now and the writer's block has been rolled away. I am going to go back and re-write most of the previous chapters. But not right this second. With the mess in this chappy cleaned up, I can move on to the next one. I will continue to update and work on the back chapters as time allows. Hope you like this version better.