Author's Note: Getting behind on the daily updates. DnD will distract, won't it? Anyway, here we see some real action. I warn you, the rating comes into play here. I'm not a graphic person, but the suggestive nature of my tale isn't appropriate for everyone. Kids, don't read any further.

Admissions: HP chars belong to J. K. Rowling, Leiko to me, and Ravindra to my soul-sister Rave.

Section 14: Midnight Rendezvous

Snape muttered under his breath as he cleaned up the remainder of the mess a first year had made during class. How the students managed to cause such catastrophes was beyond his understanding. He stepped back and nearly jumped out of his shoes as an arm suddenly wrapped about his shoulders.

"Bit skittish, aren't you Snape?"

The Potion's Master turned and glared at his fellow teacher. How did she manage to sneak up on him like that? It was something few people could do. But then, she wasn't 'normal' now was she?

"Why are you here, Leiko? I have to make this room suitable to teach in, if you don't mind."

"Students getting better at blowing things up? Must be smarter than you give them credit for."

Snape gave her a warning look, and Leiko quickly changed the subject. She didn't want to antagonize him.

"Actually, I need you to help me with something. I received a rather ominous letter today, and I was wondering if you could tell me anything about the sender."

Leiko handed the envelope to Snape, who studied it carefully before pulling out the letter. He read it twice, making sure he understood just what every word was saying.

"You can't go. It's a trap."

"I know that. I also intend to go. And don't give me that look. I'm not stupid enough to head into the forest alone."

"Then your sister will be going with you for protection?"

"No. You are."

Snape stared in shock at Leiko's face, noting that the woman meant every word she was saying.

"Why not Rave? Why must I come with you? If it is indeed the Dark Lord who sent this then I won't be able to help you without revealing my true loyalties. I can't do that."

"I know, Severus. I don't want you visible. I also doubt that Voldemort would come himself. The letter smells faintly of Lucius, so I imagine he's the one who'll be waiting for me. And it is possible to deal with that blond charmer without getting you into trouble. You, my dear Snape, shall be hidden away behind a tree or shrub and will not be seen."

"You're mad, you know that? Perhaps I should inform your sister and let her deal with it. I certainly can't do anything with you."

Leiko's green eyes gleamed suddenly as she smiled at Snape and growled.

"Oh, you can do plenty with me. Just not change my mind."

Snape knew that look. He'd only seen it once before, but it was something he'd never forget. The gryffin tightened her grip on his shoulders, pulling her body firmly against his. She hissed into his ear and bit gently at the flesh of Snape's neck. Leiko wanted to 'play' and the professor found himself unable to resist.

Within minutes the pair was in Snape's office. Leiko forced her lover to the floor as she ripped at his robes. Snape, however, had little trouble removing Leiko's 'clothing'. He still couldn't believe she wore such garments, let alone in public. But, just now, he was glad of her tastes in fashion.

"Think you can conjure up a blanket? These stone floors are colder than I like."

As Leiko went back to disrobing him, Snape took out his wand and, with the flick of his wrist, a small bed appeared beside them. Leiko paused long enough to leap onto the mattress. She leaned back and gave Snape a 'come-hither' look that was also full of malicious intent. The Potion's Master stood and, shedding the remainder of his clothing, joined the attractive woman on the bed.

Several hours, and much biting, later the pair noticed a figure in the office doorway. As Snape pulled a sheet around himself he realized he'd neglected to lock the door earlier. That was why a rather embarrassed Professor McGonagall was standing in the doorway with a look of surprise on her face. Leiko was giving the other woman a cold look. Snape, once over his initial shock, glared with all the anger he could muster. The woman should have knocked!

"I didn't mean to disturb you..."

McGonagall put some effort into ignoring the scene she'd walked in on. It was something that was best not remembered, and she was already making a silent resolution to do something about removing the sight from her mind once she'd said what she came to say.

"Albus was worried when you didn't arrive for dinner. I came to make sure you were alright, as well as to ask if you could brew some more healing potions for the infirmary. Now, I do believe I'm needed elsewhere."

Professor McGonagall turned and quickly left, shutting the door behind her. That had to be one of the worst moments of her life. Seeing both Snape and Leiko nude together would give anyone nightmares. Silently the Head of Gryffindor was thankful that it had not been a student. The two professors would most likely have killed any child who dared to interrupt them. As it was she wasn't entirely sure she was safe. The look Snape had given her said more about how close she'd come to physical harm than any words he could have spoken.

Leiko, on the other hand, was amused by the whole incident. That is, once she calmed down. She was actually laughing about it, much to Snape's vexation. She nuzzled the infuriated man's neck and chuckled. If she could just get him to channel that rage into

It was almost midnight when Snape awoke. He looked over and saw Leiko sleeping soundly beside him, her face looked so innocent without the gleam of those devious eyes. Strange how she seemed to be the embodiment of both evil and innocence. The dark haired wizard sighed and considered letting her sleep. He had no desire to see the gryffin walk into that trap that was waiting for her. He knew all too well what the Dark Lord was capable of.

Snape tried to get up without disturbing his sleeping companion. An arm shot up and pulled him back down, smashing his hope that the perilous meeting could be avoided.

"Going somewhere?"

"Getting dressed, actually."

Leiko eyed Snape with a knowing look. She didn't have to read minds to know the man had hoped she would sleep 'till morning. She growled at him and got up to hunt her clothes.

Midnight found Leiko standing at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, waiting. Snape was somewhere in the vicinity, but she didn't know exactly where. They had decided his location should be known only to him in case Voldemort tried to invade her mind again. She wasn't convinced of the soundness of that plan, but Snape had melded into the shadows before she could question him.

"Well, well. I must admit I'm surprised to see you here. You do know this is a trap?"

Leiko turned to the shadowy figure that could only be Lucius Malfoy. His voice conveyed just how little surprise he actually felt. The blond had known she'd be there. Leiko was annoyed, yet curious.

"I'm not a complete fool, Lucius. I'm here because I want to know more about certain...persons."

The figure stepped closer and Leiko saw that he was holding his wand casually at his side. Prepared for anything, or just waiting for the proper time to use it on her? Probably both. Leiko figured Malfoy would talk, and, once he realized she had no intention of joining the Dark Lord, he'd use that wand on her. Clever man, but predictable.

"I believe you already know of my Lord. No doubt Dumbledore told you how evil he is, how his followers are villains and criminals."

"Not exactly, but the Headmaster did tell me of Voldemort."

"The Dark Lord is simply searching for purity in the wizarding world. He wishes to weed out the muggle impurities that have corrupted our society. Unfortunately many resist this goal, forcing my Lord to take rather...extreme measures."

"You'd need powerful allies to accomplish that goal. I'll assume you've already got them among the wizards. Searching out the beasts now? Doesn't that go against your beliefs?"

"We are willing to make...exceptions. Certain forces are far too valuable to ignore."

"So I'm a resource for you? Willing or not, I'd assume."

"Yes, you are far too important to waste on Dumbledore. That old fool is fighting a loosing battle and everyone sees it except him. Your position as a professor, as well as your unique qualities, make you an ideal ally."

"My teaching here is of importance? Why? You've already got operatives within the school walls."

"You are not human, nor are you a true beast. You can take action where others must hold back. In return for your loyalty, the Dark Lord can give you greatness and all the benefits inherent to such a position."

"I already have more than your Lord could ever promise. However, I am intrigued. What needs doing in Hogwarts?"

Lucius considered the gryffin. He couldn't see her face, shrouded as they were in shadow, but she seemed genuinely interested. It could do no harm to tell her. They were alone, after all, and she did not have a wand.

"We want you to kill Harry Potter. That brat is a great nuisance to our Lord, and must be dealt with."

"Potter? I was told he had some link to Voldemort, but never thought it was serious. Nuisance, eh? Well, he does tend to interrupt at the most inconvenient times. Have a plan in mind?"

"That I'd leave up to you. An accident would be preferable, but so long as he dies the technique matters not."

"There are a few other students I'd like to try my 'technique' on..."

Lucius gave Leiko a calculating look. He was sure that his son was included in that statement. Why must Draco be so obvious? Lucius kept hoping the boy would learn tact, but each year served to dim that hope. Draco would never be the suave wizard his father was. Pity really, as Draco was in an ideal position to communicate with the gryffin. Lucius reminded himself that he still needed to have that 'talk' with his son about alienating creatures before he had time to recognize their potential.

"I have to go, Lucius. Dumbledore tends to keep a close eye on me since the attack. Oh, tell Tom not to do that again. I might take it personally."

The woman turned and headed back towards the castle. As she left the shadow of the trees and stepped out into the moonlight Lucius saw what she was wearing. He couldn't believe it. He didn't object, but he still couldn't believe the woman was allowed to wear such skimpy garments.

Suddenly remembering his orders Lucius raised his wand. Before he could take action a powerful spell hit him, knocking him against a tree. Confused but still clutching his wand the dark wizard cast a sleeping spell on Leiko. The woman fell over, but did not drop into the deep sleep Lucius had intended. He dodged a curse from the unseen attacker and sent a stronger spell at Leiko, this time succeeding in rendering the woman unconscious. Running to her side, Lucius Malfoy took a portkey out of his pocket and disappeared.

Snape growled as Malfoy dodged the last curse. The Potion's Master had heard the entire conversation and knew that Leiko wasn't the least bit tempted by the Dark Lord's offer. He'd been concerned about her loyalties, as she had none. But it seemed she had no taste for mass murder, and Snape had been applauding her skills at dealing with Malfoy when the woman abruptly decided to leave.

How stupid could she be, thought Snape. One did not hear the Dark Lord's plans and then leave immediately. It was a sure giveaway that Leiko had no wish to join Voldemort. Although, being a gryffin, Leiko might just naturally be abrupt. After all, she'd heard what Lucius had to say. Leaving might seem the next logical step to her gryphonic mind. Malfoy would not know that.

Snape stared in shock at the empty grounds. That wizard must have had a portkey on him, for no one could apparate in Hogwarts. And he'd taken Leiko with him. Damn.

Snape punched a tree, hurting his hand in the process. Cursing both his stupidity in hitting a tree and in losing Leiko, the Potion's Master slowly headed back to the school