The candle light sent dancing shadows against the wooden panels on the walls as Dawn made her way along the castle's corridors. Her satin shoes fell as softly as her companion's paws making no sound on the wooden floors.

Spike stalked silently ahead of her through the shadows, alert to every movement and sound.

Dark eyes were upon Dawn as during her nightly travels. Severus had followed her. Severus watched her, he had watched her since her arrival but now he had begun to follow her by night.

She had made the same journey every week for the last month. After classes were over she would remain in her classroom or office writing in her journal which she was careful never to leave unattended. When she eventually left the DADA class room she went to the library before returning to her quarters.

Her animal would always be present on these trips. It went to her classroom as soon as the sun set to wait for her. It guarded her. Had it not been for the convenience of an invisibility spell Severus knew it would have spotted him. As it was it seemed to sense his presence.

Dawn was starting to get a feeling she was being followed, she turned swiftly her hands reaching for her daggers. Nothing.

Had she not been Dawn Summers she may have passed it off as her mind playing tricks on her but Dawn had learned never to ignore any such feelings. She glanced around. The space next to a suit of armour suddenly caught her attention but the space was empty.

Severus had already stopped against the wall when Dawn spun round; she was frowning as if in thought. He had not been aware until now that she was carrying weapons. Her cape had hidden them. She had drawn them and held them out in a fighting stance. So she knew how to fight without magic.

She stood still for a moment before returning the daggers to her person but she continued to observe her surroundings with a critical eye.

Sevrus froze as hazel eyes suddenly set upon him. They narrowed. Could she see him? He readied himself as her fingers ran over the hilt of the dagger at her hip.

Dawn sighed now and Spike came to sit beside her. Looking down she saw him nod at her, "You felt it too?" another nod. "We better get back to my rooms." She said before they both turned and walked off again.

Dawn and Spike were almost at the door to the rooms. Dawn still had her guard up, "Do you get the feeling someone doesn't want us here Spike?" He nodded. "We had better not make these trips any more. I already know enough about this place."

Soon Dawn Stopped in front of the door to her chambers, she took one final look around. "Stake" she whispered before the door opened and she disappeared inside with Spike.

Severus had watched her converse with the beast with intrigue. Clearly this was no ordinary animal. Not even the most intelligent magical creatures could understand human speech to its entirety.

Something else that bothered him was the way she had looked directly at him. At first he feared she may be immune to invisibility but she gave no impression of actually seeing him.

Severus' next realisation drew a sly smile to his lips, he had heard her password. Severus was no fool though. He could not use this information yet. He would wait. Turning he left the deserted corridor and made his way back to his on rooms.

As the sun rose up above the blackness of the forbidden forestHermione sat in the library working and pondering her theories on Professor Summers. She had risen early for the very purpose despite it being the weekend. She had failed to find anything to prove her new Professor was not just here to teach during the last three weeks but recently she had observed her in the Library reading. Nothing unusual about that but it was what she was reading that had caught Hermione's eye. Professor Summers seemed very interested in learning about Hogwarts and the History of magic.

Once Hermione had finished her essay for Charms she made her way back to the common room. It was Saturday and she had arranged to Hogsmeed with Harry and Ron that afternoon.

Harry and Ron were waiting for Hermione, "She's late." Ron stated taking Harry's knight. "Library." Harry said. Ron shook his head, "Only Hermione would get up early to work on a Saturday. Check."

The secret entrance door creaked now. "Hi, sorry I'm late." Hermione called as she practically fell through the doorway behind the fat lady and onto the red and gold rug.

"Get any work done?" Harry asked as she scrambled to her feet. "Finished the Essay Professor Flitwick, she held up her parchment proudly. "And I found out something interesting about Professor Summers!" Ron groaned.

On the othher side of Hogwarts Dawn had been rushing around all morning she couldn't believe how much paper work she had to do. She felt she would never get used to writing with a quill either, there were ink blots on much of her writings and she had had to re write several parchments.

Her arms were full of parchments as she rushed round the next corner and right into Professor Snape.

Snape was on his feet again immediately, "Summers" he fumed. Dawn stared up at him from her place on the floor. Scrolls were scattered around her. "Oh dear." She said. Snape glared down at her.

He didn't move as she started collecting up her work on her hands and knees, seemingly ignoring the Potions Master. He was concentrating on feeling angry at her. Once she had all the scrolls she stood up to face him, "I beg your Pardon Professor Snape." "Summers I must speak with you." He said firmly.