(14)D-Day

Harry laughed in disbelief! "Ron could you say that again?!"

"I'm serious!" Ron yelped. "Lupin said so! He's in love with Merida!"

"Really!" Harry said. "Why?"

"Why? WHY?!" Ron retorted. "Who knows why! Lupin ended the conversation with that!"

Harry sighed & then glanced at Merida, who had become strangly silent! "What do you think, Merida?"

"Ooooooh!!" Merida groaned. "Poor Susan!"

"What does Susan have to do with this?" asked Ron.

Merida sighed, somewhat exasperated & then explained everything from getting the diamond necklace to her friends teasing her about it. "Then Lupin held up the notes & threatened to read them!" Merida finished. "I managed to convince him otherwise but I was so mean to Susan afterward! She was right! They all were right but I just didn't believe them, thinking they were just silly girls!"

"What'll you do now?" asked Harry, trying not to sound jealous!

"Do?" Merida yelped. "There is nothing to do but go to Susan & beg forgivness! Poor thing won't even look at me right now!"

"I meant about Lupin?" Harry rephrased himself.

"I deal with the Professor later!" Merida half-snapped. "First Susan!"

"I think Harry is trying to say he's jealous!" Ron laughed.

"Shut up!" Harry snapped at him.

Merida smiled in spite of herself. "Oh, Harry! You've nothing to worry about! I can handle Lupin!"

It took a lot of explaining & grovelling on Merida's part but Susan finally became her friend again! "See? Didn't we all tell you?" Susan laughed.

"Yeah, you told me!" Merida smiled dryly. "& got us both into detention because of it!"

Susan smiled sheepishly. "So what are you going to do about----you know who?"

"My father won't let me anywhere near the Dark Lord!" Merida teased.

"Lupin!!" Susan snapped playfully! "You silly girl!"

"I knew that!" Merida laughed. "Nothing! I'm in love with Harry. In fact, I think I'm ready to take our relationship a bit further!"

"Your father will eat Harry alive!" Susan gasped. "& probably ground you for all eternity!"

"Oh, well!" Merida shrugged. "First, I'll clear this matter up with Lupin! It won't be until next Monday, after the weekend."

Merida pretended to look for something in her bag as the rest of the Dark Arts students filed out after class on Monday. When she was the last one, she turned her attention on Lupin. Then Merida realised she'd have to explain about using the Polyjuice Potion! "Oh, great!" Merida muttered, staring evilly into her bag!

"Forgot something, Miss Snape?"

Merida jumped! "Uh---no---er---well, not exactly!"

"Exactly? Either you did forget something or you didnt!" Lupin teased.

Merida gritted her teeth for a moment! "Oh, fine! I need to ask you something! Come here!" Merida waved to the desk beside her.

Don't go anywhere near her, Remus! Lupin ordered himself. Next moment, he was sitting in the desk beside Merida anyway! "Well, what is it?" he finally asked after a long silence!

"Ok, I'm only going to say this once!" Merida yelped. "I know what you did to father on Christmas Eve------!"

"Yes! Finally!" Lupin said. "It's about time he admitted it! I was hoping he'd tell you!"

"He didn't tell me, sir!" said Merida.

"Then who did?" asked Lupin.

"YOU, sir!" Merida smiled shyly.

"Uh---w-what?" Lupin half-laughed, completely confused!

"Polyjuice, sir! I made some & Ron posed as father & talked to you on Friday!" Merida gasped out in one breath.

"I knew it!" Lupin snarled through gritted fangs. "I just KNEW it wasn't Sever---HOW could you do this to me, Miss Snape?! What else did......RON.....say?"

"I know why you & father are always bickering!" said Merida. "You dated my Mom? That's why I used Polyjuice! I wanted to know what was wrong with you two!"

"Yes," Lupin said. "Rachelle was mine for awhile! Here in Hogwarts, if you can believe that!"

"There's something else!" Merida continued. "For the last time, Susan & I weren't cheating!" Merida handed him the old notes. "Susan saw something about you that I didn't believe or notice. She was trying to make me see it for myself! Profes-------Lu--------Remus, how can you be in love with me?"

Lupin smiled nervously, but with fangs well exposed. "Ohhhhhhhh! Merlin!" he groaned. "Oh no! I don't---I did NOT----OH!!" He buried his face in his hands.

Merida waited forever, but Lupin didn't look up again. She reached over & held up his face in her hand. Don't! Oh please don't! Lupin leaned into her hand anyway! "You do realise that Harry & I are---!" Merida began in a soft voice.

"That's why I didn't want you to know!" Lupin was desperate to keep his voice calm as he held her hand in his. "Harry is special to me! He's James's son! I don't want another fight with another man over a woman!"

"At first, Harry was a bit jealous," Merida began. "but now, he's actually glad you care for me!"

"He is? Are you two breaking up?" Lupin asked much to quickly! REMUS LUPIN!!! OH I COULD KILL MYSELF!! AVADA KEDAVRA?

Merida tried not to laugh! "No!" she said, straining to keep from smiling! "Now father has both of you in love with me! You & Harry are going to drive him crazy!"

"To late!" Lupin growled.

"I should go now!" Merida said suddenly. "I'm late for his class! Let me guess; 20 points from Gryfindor, no doubt!"

Lupin slowly released her hand. "I can just imagine!" he smiled dryly. "Best get going Miss Sna---------Merida!"

Merida left Lupin with the notes. He stared down at them for a long time though he didn't have to read them. Lupin shook his head in disbelief. "Typical!" he scoffed. "She's as devious as her father! But as beautiful as her mother!"

"30 points from Gryfindor, Miss Snape!" he snapped as soon as Merida dared to show her face in the door of Snape's potion class! "Where were you?!"

"Oh, must it be 30 points?" Merida snapped back as she sat down beside Neville.

"50 points then!" said Snape as Merida stared in disbelief! Now, in all, she had made Gryfindor lose 80 points! "Keep it up, Merida! I can deduct more?" he threatened.

"Alright! Alright!" Merida sighed exasperatedly! "I get it! Don't worry! I'll catch up! Oh, look somewhere else, Malfoy!!!" Draco had been staring back at her, snickering! "At least my father doesn't go to Azkaban for having a Mark!" Merida snapped.

"Merida Hepburn Snape!" Draco & Snape both yelped while the rest of classed "Ooooed" sassily! Merida grinned evilly & turned to her cauldron. "Another 20 points from Gryfindor!"

Merida rolled her eyes. Well, I knew there'd be a 20 point loss in there somewhere! she fumed to herself!

"You'll pay for that, Miss Snape!" Draco snapped.

"Malfoy!" Snape warned in his low voice.

"Just let me smack her once!" Draco retorted. "Just once?!" Snape stared at his desk, ignoring Draco though Merida could see his usual half-smile. Snape found Draco amusing!

"If you do hit me," Merida retorted. "I'll have Lupin turn you into a white ferret! So there!" She giggled as Draco's face turned a bright red. Others made "squeak squeak" sounds!

"Stay at your desk, Merida!" Snape ordered as the others left. "Exasperating! Completely exasperating!" he groaned. "One: don't ever mention Azkaban in front of Draco Malfoy again! Two: don't ever mention white ferrets in front of Draco Malfoy again! Three: don't ever mention Lupin's name in front of ME again!"

"I know why you two hate each other!" said Merida.

"I doubt that!" Snape snapped.

"Mom!" said Merida. Snape hyperventilated! "I know everything, father! Even how he feels about me!"

"How? Did he tell you?" Snape glowered.

"Yes, but I'm not going to say how I seduced him to tell me!" said Merida.

"Sedu--------? MERLIN!!!" Snape yelped. "Oh dear Merlin! You slept with him? WOMAN HOW COULD YOU?!?!"

Damn my Veela blood! Wrong choice of words! Merida scolded herself! "I did not!" she defended. "I--I--I--just--well--!"

"Silence!" Snape snapped. "Nevermind! I'll find out what you did!" Snape marched away without another word.

"That could NOT have gone more wrong!" Merida scolded herself aloud when he left. "Oh, I'll fix it later!" She got up from her desk & left to find Harry.

Harry was trying to keep up with Lupin's fast pace by the edge of the forrest, heading for Hagrid's hut. "Harry it just happened!" Lupin said. "I never wanted you or Merida to find out!"

"She was worried about you & Snape!" said Harry. "Don't worry! Actually, I don't mind!"

"Why not?" Lupin was careful not to make the same mistake again!

Harry took a long time in answering. They past through a small grove of trees. Harry watched as Hedwig flew across the lake, Peeps in hot pursuit! So long as the owls were outside, they didn't harm each other but did a fantastically annoying job of driving each other crazy! "Because of the Dark Lord!" Harry finally spoke. "If something happens to me----or---what if she ends up alone?"

"Merida worries about the same thing!" said Lupin. "The last time we used my boggart, it changed into you dying! She's really close to you!"

"I wish we could get closer!" Harry half-smiled.

He & Lupin eyed each other a moment. "Her father!" they laughed at the same time!

"Yes, that does spoil things!" Lupin gritted his fangs. "Snivillus ruins everything!"

Harry smiled at the nickname the Mauraders had given Snape! "What's wrong with him anyway?"

"Well, & I can hardly believe I'm defending him," Lupin started. "you must understand, Merida is all he has left! He murdered everyone else, some of it was accidental, of course!"

"He's afraid of losing Merida, too!" Harry added.

"Exactly!" said Lupin.

"But we won't kill her!" Harry defended.

"Harry, there are more ways of losing someone then by death!" said Lupin. "Severus wants time with Merida as his daughter but you came into her life & basically stole her away!"

"She's an adult in just a few months!" Harry said.

"Quite right! Just like us!" agreed Lupin. "Merida has grown up far to fast for Severus!"

"At least she & I had the time to grow up!" said Harry. "Who knows when the Dark Lord will strike!"

"Actually, Albus thinks it may be this spring!" said Lupin.

"What? Why?" Harry yelped.

"No idea!" answered Lupin. "but it's probably because of the fall of Azkaban!"

"This spring?!" Harry gasped. "That's only a few weeks away! Ow! Hedwig! Watch where you're going!" Hedwig flew into the side of Harry's face & landed gracefully on a tree branch beside him. She had a letter for him! Harry read it through once & then read it again to Lupin.

The AdultSchool Of Magic has been destroyed! Death Eaters unknown have burned it & left no survivors!

"Isn't that the one your Aunt was going to?" Lupin asked.

"Yes! She was in training there when we discovered she had magic!" Harry wondered if he would cry. "I........have to go!" Harry fled to te castle.

"Go? Go where?" Lupin yelled after him, having an odd feeling of what Harry may have meant!

Harry didn't hear! He ran across the grounds to the castle & fled upstairs to the Gryfindor common room. Glancing around, Harry confirmed it was empty. He headed for the fireplace.

"Hi Harry!" Neville said as he just came down the stairs!

"Damn!" Harry muttered.

"You look like you're up to something?" asked Ron who was right behind Neville.

"I'll be back in an hour!" Harry retorted. "I've got to get to my Aunt's home!"

"Why?" asked Merida.

"Where'd you come from?" Harry glowered.

"A wedding night, no doubt!" Merida teased, slightly taken aback!

"Oh, that was dirty!" Neville exposed his fangs in a wince!

"Eh, she's Veela!" Ron shrugged. "What do you expect?"

"Oh, alright!" Merida laughed. "I was just coming downstairs to do some homework by the fire!"

"OK!" Harry sighed, exasperatedly. "I'll tell you but don't tell anyone else!" He told them of the letter. "It's going to be front page on the Daily Prophet by tomorrow! I just want to see if she made it home! Maybe she wasn't at school at the time! I have to know!"

"We're going with you!" Ron marched for the fireplace.

"No, stay here!" Harry pleaded. "You'll get in trouble!"

"Look on the bright side," said Neville. "at least you'll know we won't tell anyone!"

Harry watched as Neville burst into emerald flames & beamed away to the Dursley home. Ron followed next! Then Merida stepped into the fireplace. "Wait a minute! You shouldn't go!" Harry pulled her out.

"Why not?" Merida asked. "I want to be with you!"

"I know but if your father finds out---!"

"I'll deal with him if he does!" Merida defended. "but like you said, we probably won't be gone long! He'll never miss us!"

Harry pulled Merida close & kissed her for a long time. "Please stay! I don't want you in trouble!"

"I'm going with you!" Merida kissed Harry back & then jumped into the fire. Harry rolled his eyes! Snapes were most stubborn at times! Harry ended up being the last one to enter his aunt's house! He emerged from the fireplace covered in soot & ash! Ron started snickering!

"Very funny, I'm sure!" Harry snapped. "You're the same way!" Harry went crossed eyed a moment to check his glasses! As usual, they did not survive the trip by Floo powder!

"Occulos Repairus!" Merida giggled, fixing up his glasses with a flick of her wand!

"Thanks!" Harry muttered.

"What about your cousin?" Ron asked.

"He's one of the reasons I'm here!" said Harry. "He hasn't been the same since his father died! Now he may have lost his mother as well!"

"Well, let's start looking for them!" Neville headed off through the kitchen.

The four of them checked over the whole house thoroughly. They met back in the kitchen 20 minutes later. "Well, Dudley's fine!" Harry said. "He's been staying with some friends of his!"

"You didn't tell him about the attack on his mother's school, did you?" Merida asked knowingly.

"Not yet!" said Harry.

"Did you find your aunt?" asked Neville

"No nothing!" Harry sighed. The doorbell rang, making everyone jump! "Get ready to get back into the fireplace!" Harry pulled out his wand. "I'll check the door!" Harry disappeared into the hall. He moved slowly towards the door, wand ready for anything. He opened the door. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Nice to see you too, Potter!" Snape snapped as he stepped inside! "You didn't think I'd notice?! That letter was from Allastor! Hedwig probably went to you first just to see you! She brought the letter to Albus after you dropped it on the ground! The Order knew immediatly about that attack & we found traces of floo powder in the Gryfindor common room!" Snape hyperventilated for a moment! "Enough of that! I came for my daughter! She'd follow you into Hell if you let her!"

"I tried to stop her!" Harry yelped. "Honestly! Besides, I think you came here to see my aunt to!"

"No! No I can't!" Snape snapped as he marched passed Harry, Ron, Neville & Merida. "I don't want her knowing I'm a werwol..............fffffffff!" Snape closed his eyes & heaved a big sigh! Great! Just great! In front of Merida too! Slowly, he turned around to face them but oddly enough, no one seemed surprised. "You.........you knew?"

"Merida made a Polyjuice Potion," said Ron. "& I used it to become you & talk to Lupin!"

"Oooooooohhhh!" Snape groaned, raising his eyes to the ceiling! "A curse on whoever came up with the potion of polyjuice!"

"That would be the French!" Merida snapped, glaring demonicly at Snape!

"What are you upset about?" Snape glared back at her!

"You dared to think I slept with Lupin!" Merida marched up to Snape & pinned him against the wall. "You the Potions Master! Polyjuice should have been formost on your mind!"

"Well I'm sorry!" Snape yelped. "YOU were the one who said the word "seduced"!! What was I supposed to think?!"

"Bad choice of words!" Merida snapped.

"Yes!" Snape agreed. "Very bad indeed!"

"Harry? Severus? What are you doing here?"

Everyone looked around. There stood Petunia, looking quite perplexed! "Aunt Petunia! You're alright!" Harry yelped.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Petunia said. "Merida! Let him go!" Merida was all but strangling Snape! She pushed herself away from him in a fury! Snape made sure his fangs were well hidden! "Now Harry!" Petunia glared at him once Snape was safe from Merida deathly grip! "What are you & your friends doing here?"

"We thought you were dead!" Harry stared at the floor. "I didn't want to believe it but........!"

"Why would I be dead?" Petunia laughed as she entered the living room. Harry explained to her about the attack. "All dead?" Petunia gasped. "I had no classes on that day! Are you sure?"

"The Order is investigating it now," said Snape. Everyone stared at the floor for a moment, thinking of the past event. The sudden ring of the phone made everyone jump back to reality! Snape yanked out his wand & aimed for it!

"Father, what are you doing?!" Merida yelped as she pounced him!

"I wasn't expecting it!" Snape defended. "I was----!"

"Get into the kitchen!" Merida ordered, waving her wand. "Mrs. Dursley! Answer that please!" Merida pulled Snape back to the kitchen with her. "I can't believe you almost destroyed that!" she laughed.

"It's a muggle contraption!" Snape snapped. "How was I supposed to know what it is?"

"Oh, father! You drive ME crazy at times!" Merida teased. "Phones are muggle electronic owls! Pureblood wizards! Attacking a phone! Ridiculous!" Merida turned away from Snape, giggling! Finally, she put on a straight face & turned back to look at him. "Father? Why are you wearing a pink tu-tu? With pink ribbons in your hair?"

"What? I am n----!" Snape glanced at his apparral. "This is YOUR fault, Merida!" Snape folded his arms across his chest, his Death Mark clearly visible but faintly pink through the glossamier pale pink gloves! "Get me out of this!"

"MY f-f-f-fault?!" Merida gasped between tears of laughter!

"You were waving your wand around when you said "ridiculous"!" Snape snapped. "Now undo this hex before Petunia or Potter sees---actually forget Potter!" Harry had just walked in! The two of them stared at each other. A bright flash brought them back to reality! "What was that?" Snape snapped.

"I don't know!" Merida said as she held Petunia's camera behind her back!

Harry fell against the wall in hysteria! "Look at it this way, sir!" he gasped. "at least Professor Mcgonagall isn't around to see your pompass a---!"

"MR. POTTER?!" Snape snarled.

"Sir?"

"Shut up!!!!!!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Seven whole years I've been meaning to say that to him!" Snape muttered. Merida finally managed to undo her hex & Snape marched away, furious!

"Let's show that picture to Ron & Neville!" Harry giggled. "I'll get them upstairs!"

Snape stormed out to the back patio & stopped short on the stairs. It was late by now, & the moon was up! Though it was not full, partial moonlight still caused great discomfort to werwolves. Snape stepped backwards under the protection of the patio roof, cursing Lupin under his breath! He paced around for a moment.

"What are you pacing around up there for?" asked Petunia. "You'd have more of a walk if you'd come out to the garden?"

Snape didn't realise he wasn't alone. He stared down at her for a moment. Petunia was in the moonlight. The garden was in the moonlight! He had to come up with an excuse & fast! Just then, a small cloud creeped over the half-moon, blotting out its light for a few minutes. "Only for a moment!" Snape said in a somewhat panicked voice! He entered the garden, keeping an eye on where the moon would reappear.

"Are you alright, Severus?" asked Petunia.

"I'm fine!" he answered much to quickly! Slow down, will you, Severus? "Yes, I'm fine!"

"Alright then!" Petunia turned away.

Snape was overcome by a strong urge to attack! He gritted his fangs against it, promising himself that he would make Lupin pay for this! Sudden shrieks of laughter from an upstairs open window broke up his concentration. "Thank Merlin! A distraction!" he muttered to himself.

"Your daughter has a grand gift of laughter!" Petunia teased, naive to the danger she was in.

"Yes, she does!" Snape half-snapped, dropping his predatory instincts for a moment. "Most of the time she's laughing at me!"

"At least she's happy," said Petunia. "I hope Dudley could meet her. Maybe he'd at least learn to smile again!"

"Still upset about losing his father?" asked Snape.

"Yes," sighed Petunia. "You're most lucky to have a daughter to fill your life with joy!"

"Aunt Petunia!" Harry yelled out the window. "You got to come in here & see this!"

"You'd love it Mrs. Dursley!" Merida was in hysterics. Petunia laughed softly & entered the house.

For a moment, Snape could breath again! He didn't have Petunia in front of him as something to prey on. Then the moon returned from behind the cloud. Though Snapecould not transform, only the force of the full moon would do that, he felt as if he were under Crucio. He fell to the ground wondering how he could get out of this one! Then a shadow surrounded Snape, gaurding him from the light. Glancing around, Snape saw a hippogrif with its wings opened forward & the wing-tips meeting over the head, creating a long length of shadow towards the door. Snape followed it & stopped under the patio roof to regain his composure.

He felt something touching his hair & turned to find himself looking at Merida. "It's alright, father!" Merida said softly. "Relax now!" Snape held her close. He was not going to cry over this! He refused to let Lupin break him! He would not breakdown in front of his own daughter, either! Merida pushed Snape down onto the patio swing & sat down beside him.

"& you wonder why I don't like Remus!" Snape snapped.

"It's mom you're fighting over, not this!" Merida said.

Snape growled softly. "He ruined your summer!" he snapped. "I thought we could try it again! Last year didn't go well!"

"Last year was disasteriffic!" Merida winced.

"Disasteriffic?" Snape half-smiled.

"The only good of it was getting Salem!" Merida went on.

"It was to early for us!" said Snape. "We weren't ready! Now you can't stay with me!"

"Why not?" asked Merida.

"Merida, I almost killed Petunia or worse!" Snape declared. "If you hadn't called her in when you did..........! & I wasn't even a wolf! It was acting on instinct! I'll end up killing you too, like I did everyone else! You can never stay with me again!"

"Yes I can!" said Merida. "I'll just become an animal!"

"Every night?" Snape stared at her.

"Sure, why not?" Merida shrugged.

"I'll think about it!" Snape muttered. "Let's get inside!"

"OK!" Merida smiled sheepishly all of a sudden.

"Oh, what did you do now?" Snape groaned as he went inside. He found Petunia in the kitchen. As soon as she saw him, she turned away, giggling! Snape waited a moment but she contunied laughing. "Petu.........Pet.......!" Snape sighed exasperatedly. "Petunia Evans Dursley! What is so funny?!?!"

"Do you like ballette?!" Petunia gasped out.

"How------camera flash!" Snape groaned. "It was a camera fla-----Merida!" Petunia tried not to get hysterical but was failing horribly! "Silence!" Snape snapped. "Merida had better pray to Merlin I don't get my hands on her!"

"Coffee, Severus?" Petunia burst out laughing again!

"That would be lovely, Petunia!" Snape stated flatly through gritted fangs! Fortunatly, Petunia was turned away from him, wiping tears from her face!

Merida & Harry were giggling in the living room! "Nice move, Merida!" Harry laughed.

"Thanks!" Merida smiled. "I can't wait to show that picture to Lupin!"

"Oh, that would give them something to fight about!" Harry snickered.

"Maybe your right!" Merida sighed as she laid aside her diamond earrings & necklace on the coffee table. "What?" she asked when she noticed Harry was watching her!

"Nothing!" Harry smiled sheepishly. Good Merlin, she's beautiful! Merida stood there, gazing at him, her long blonde hair falling over her shoulders. The cold cruel eyes of her father were filled with a mishevious gleam. Harry pulled her into a passionate kiss. He felt Merida pulling him forward. He let go for a moment. Merida took his hand & led him upstairs, smiling wickedly. Harry picked up the pace & led the way to his bedroom where they began to kiss more intently!

An owl pecked away at the kitchen window. Snape began to move toward it to let it in but stepped backward as the moonlight touched him. Though the kitchen light was on, the moon still shined through, invisible under the eletric light! Petunia gave him an odd look as she let in the owl. It had a letter from the Order, addressed to Snape. "The fireplace passages are under gaurd!" Snape said after a few minutes reading it. "We can no longer use Floo Powder. Allastor will escort us out of London tomorrow! Something's wrong! There's something he didn't mention!"

"Another attack?" asked Petunia.

"Most likely!" Snape answered. "We'll find out tomorrow!"

Snape paced around the living room for a long time, trying to calm his werwolf instincts. He couldn't believe the power of a half-moon could be so strong! Petunia was in her own room. Ron & Neville were in the guest room. Harry & Merida were having their own time, unbeknown to Snape, who could hardly wait for the dawn! Neville was used to the moon by now & was wise enough to stay out of its light at all costs! Snape, as usual, had to learn the hard way!

Finally, the sun was up! Snape did not know how he survived that night but he was glad it was over! It was late morning. Snape entered the kitchen & let out a soft yelp as something puonced on him! Petunia dragged him to the window & exposed his------Death Mark? Petunia stared at it for a moment!----to the sun. "Does the sun harm you?" she asked after a moment.

"No!" Snape yelped. "But you are just about twisting my arm off!"

"Sorry!" Petunia released him.

"What are you trying to do to me?" Snape snapped, rubbing his shoulder awkwardly!

"You've been acting strange last night!" Petunia pressed Snape against the wall & exposed his fangs! Snape let out a soft whimper like a puppy. "I knew there was something different about you!" said Petunia. "You didn't have fangs the last time I saw you?"

"No!" Snape glanced to the floor. "No, this is recent!!"

"Werwolf?" asked Petunia.

"Yes!" Snape fixed his eyes downward, wondering what she would do.

"Remus Lupin?" asked Petunia.

"Yes!" Snape answered in almost a wisper. "Remus! Christmas Eve!"

"Christmas Eve?" repeated Petunia. "That was not a full moon! You two must have had one hell of a fight!" Snape nodded, feeling weak. "Don't worry about it, Severus! I don't mind!"

"W--What?" Snape half-laughed.

"Just stay away from me on full moons!" said Petunia.

"I'll try!" said Snape as Ron & Neville entered the kitchen. "Where's Merida?"

"Where's Harry?" asked Petunia.

"Who knows?" they shrugged.

"Merida is probably outside somewhere as something or other!" Snape said. "I'll get Harry down here. Allastor should be here soon!" Snape headed for the stairs.

"Not so fast, Severus!" Petunia pulled her wand out! "I recognise that Mark!"

Snape's breath choked him. "It's my lycanthropy you should fear!" he yelped. "not my Death Mark! I've had it since I was 14!"

"It's alright, Mrs. Dursley!" Neville said.

"He isn't a loyal Death Eater!" said Ron. "He's a spy for the Order!" Petnia thought about it for a moment but decided to let Snape go!

He went upstairs. Petunia, Ron & Neville went about getting breakfast when they were suddenly interupted by Snape's stern voice & a whole lot of screaming! "WHAT THE DEVIL IS GOING ON IN HERE?!?!?!?!"

Harry yelped & sat straight up in bed.

"That sounded like Merida screaming!" said Ron.

"No, that was Harry!" Neville answered. Another scream! "THAT was Merida!"

"Oh! Would it kill you to knock first?!" Merida groaned.

"OUT OF THAT BED THIS INSTANT, MERIDA!!!!!!!" Snape ordered.

"Are you sure you want me to just jump out of bed?" Merida snapped.

"Merida, obey me at once!"

"OK!" Merida lay back & flipped the quilt off. She was, of course, naked!

"AHAHA!!" Snape yelped a laugh as he jumped sideways out of the room, covering his eyes! "WHOO!! Oh dear! Oh---Merlin!"

"& THAT was Professor Snape!" Ron & Neville said at the same time!

Petunia ran upstairs. "Severus? Are you alright?"

Snape lowered his hand from his eyes. "Oh, I'm fine!" he actually giggled nervously. "I just saw my little girl naked & acting all grown up with a boy but I'm fine!" His shocked smile was frozen to his face, fangs gritted furiuosly!

"I'M NOT LITTLE FATHER!!!" Merida roared. "I'm an adult in just a few months! In July!"

"Come here, Harry!" Petunia ordered.

"Uh--no no no!" Snape blocked her entrance into Harry's room. "They're both--uh--er--indecent at the moment!" He laughed awkwardly then finally found his stern voice again! "Merida! Potter! I want you out of bed, DRESSED & downstairs in five minutes or the both of you will wish you'd never been born! MOVE!!" Snape marched downstairs!

"Severus, wait!" Petunia ran after him. "I'll take Harry to the kitchen & you take Merida to the living room!"

"Divide & conquer?" Snape smiled evilly. "I like that!"

Petunia grabbed Harry by the ear & dragged him off. "He's in there, Merida!" she nodded to the living room.

Merida reluctantly entered the living room. Snape turned around, glowering! He stared at her for a moment. Merida was wearing her black lawnjerray skirt & bikini-style top with her hair falling about her shoulders, a fine thing for Harry to look on! Snape narrowed his eyes. "Sit down Merida!" He pointed with his long wand to the couch!

"Why?" Merida asked in a small, scared voice.

Snape hyperventilated through gritted fangs. "Because I'm having a bad morning! Because you're small & insignificant! Because I'll CRUCIO you if you don't!!!"

"Why else?!" yelped Merida.

"NOW, Merida!!!!!!!" Snape snapped. She quickly sat herself down. "If you--------NO! If I-----you! OH!!" Snape huffed. He had a whole speech planned out for her but now that she was here, he couldn't remember a single word of it! Snape sat down beside her & buried his face in his hands for a moment. "Merida, I can handle the kissing," he finally spoke. "& the hand-holding but this----this----how could you----what do you have to say for yourself?!?!"

"Harry....was.....good?" Merida stammered. Snape glared at her. "Excellent? Wonderful? Passiona-------?"

"ALRIGHT I GET THE PICTURE!!!!!" Snape raged. "I mean----uh----oh the imagry! NO that's NOT what I meant! For God's sake! Merida you--you---oh whatever!" Snape jumped up & turned away from her for a moment.

"Father, it was going to happen sooner or later!" Merida defended.

"I'd rather it be later!" Snape snapped. "MUCH later & NOT with Harry Potter!"

"Very well then!" Merida glowered. "I'll go to Remus!" she threatened.

"Oh, you little-------!" Snape didn't know what to say! "Remus? Over my dead body!" Merida smiled so evilly that Snape wasn't sure if she was only teasing or meaning it! He couldn't use his telepathy on her for Merida had learned to block him out completely. "We are discussing Harry Potter, understand?!" Snape snapped. "Don't try to distract me by mentioning that mutt!"

"He's not the only mutt around here!" Merida snapped, glaring at Snape.

Snape sighed frusturatedly! "Merida, I've ignored your fling with Potter, hoping it would go away on its on!" Snape began. "I've tried to be patient about it, but I've had it! I forbid you to ever see Harry again, apart from class! Do I make myself clear?"

"What?" Merida yelped.

"You heard me!" Snape snapped. "Thank Merlin Harry is finished school this year while you have one more year to go! You'll find someone new! Someone better!"

"No, father!" Merida cried. "Please don't-------!"

"Merida, apart from mentioning the Dark Lord's name half the time, you've never failed me!" said Snape. "I know you will obey me now! You will not see Harry again!"

"But father, I love him!" Merida burst out. Realising what she said, she jumped over behind the couch away from Snape.

"No! Have you lost your senses, completely?!" Snape raged. "He's a Potter! You're a Snape!"

"I don't care!" Merida snapped.

"So help me Merlin! I'm going to get through to you, Merida!" Snape raised his wand. "& if this is the only way, so be it!"

Merida closed her eyes & waited for the Crucio to touch her. She heard something burst, breaking into shards. Merida dared to look & saw her diamond earings in pieces! The necklace was still intact, but not for long! "Father? No! Don't!" She leaped over the couch to save it but Snape yanked her back. "No, please stop!" Merida begged but the next thing she knew, a fountain of splintered diamonds fell off the table to the floor. Merida stared at them in shock for a moment & then threw herself over them, sobbing.

Snape left her alone & headed for the kitchen. He stopped for a moment in the doorway & winced, feeling a little awkward about making Merida cry. Snape had never seen her cry before. He sat down at the kitchen table.

Petunia caught his eye. "I heard that all the way from here!"

"Was I to hard on her?" Snape worried. "I have never seen her cry so!"

"She'll get over it!" said Petunia. "If Merida had been mine, I'd show her who is in control! I told Harry to stay away from her! That boy never ceases to surprise me with his little tricks!"

"I know!" Snape muttered. "He's so like his father! Always up to something! I'll leave Merida alone! She'll get over it soon enough!"

"Never!" Merida retorted, as she suddenly appeared in the kitchen. "I'll never leave Harry! But I will leave you!" With that, Merida fled for the door & ran for it!

"Merida?" Snape got up & ran outside after her. "Merida come back here!" he yelled down the street as Merida disappeared into the late morning fog. "Merlin's sake, woman! You're in your-----" Snape lowered his voice to normal as there was really no point in yelling anymore for Merida was gone! "lawnjerray!" Snape fled back inside. "She's gone! She ran away!"

"You drove her away!" Harry glared.

"Silence!" Snape snapped. "If you hadn't touched her, this wouldn't have happened!"

"Well you should knock first before entering my bedroom!" Harry raged.

"Well you should learn that Snapes & Potters don't mix!" Snape smiled his half-smile.

"Well you should learn to control your temper!" Everyone looked around. That was Moody speaking! "Give Harry a break, will you Severus? Now let's go!"

"We're not going anywhere, Allastor!" Snape snapped.

"& why is that?!" Moody asked.

"Merida ran away!" Snape snarled.