Disowning me, is exactly what he's doing," said Severus to the ghost.

"Really? I may just be a child, Professor, but I must say it looked to me like they weren't giving up on you. Not just yet. But what time have we to sit here and talk rubbish? Let us be on, one last house is all I ask of you."

Severus by now was very accustomed to riding the wind with a ghostly mentor. By the time they reached the next house, then, he was feeling somewhat comfortable in this- dream or ullusion, whatever it may be- nothing, he told himself, could surprise him.

"Hurry, girly, so I may keep the rest of the night as my own." She slyly replied,

"You can't have everything...the night is in no one's possession."

"You know, for once in my life, I'll say I may have prefered Sirius giving me this tour. Hurry, now!"

"Hurry yourself- the window's right there."

By now, the over-confident man was used to looking in windows. "Quite routine," he chuckled to himself. He stood to gaze in this one and, as he did, he noticed for the first time teh shabbiness of this house- a great deal smaller than the other, by comparison.

Wry attitude, expectant of anything, guided weary eyes to the inside of the cottage. His vows not to be surprised or moved at any sight were shattered as he saw Mr. Creevy being reassured by Minister Fudge- why was he here? Creevy's wife and children sat on the dirty floor. From outside, it looked as though the little boy and girl were comforting their crying mother- it was not just his sight, this was real! Colin slowly got up from the floor- and went to a rocking chair in the corner of the tiny room. For the first time, Severus took notice of the boy sitting in it- it was little Dennis Creevy! He looked sickly and fragile indeed, as Severus recalled, he had been told by Colin of his condition. And, oh! How he had dismissed him! Severus reddened in shame. He turned to the spirit.

"But, he'll be alright, of course?" Something of a smile- twisted as it was, spread over Myrtle's face as she carelessly replied, "Nuh-uh. Fudge told you, he was on the brink of death...your memory isn't all too keen, is it now?"

Severus could do nothing more than stare at the girl, in her apathy, so unfeeling towards the boy- so tiny, so vulnerable.

"How can you SAY that?!" he demanded, forming something of an outrage. She just shrugged, stirring yet again his other voice- 'how can YOU say that?' it asked of him. 'Certainly, he's just another brick in the wall to you?'

"No...he...he's...he'll die!" Severus cried, holding his head as if trying to calm it and all its voices.

"Yes, how about that? I remember when I died..."

"Not...another...word", he told the spirit through clenched teeth. "I'm so sick...and tired...just take..me home." No sooner said he the words than he found himself lying upon his throne of teathered feathers and tarnished thoughts.