Disclaimer: Jo prolly wouldn't approve of my story, but I don't approve of her waiting so long between novels, so there. :D


Chapter 33- What's My Age Again?

Awakening Thursday morning with Lorelei curled beside him gave Severus such a feeling of warmth- emotional and physical- that he actually smiled. Tomorrow, the potion would wear off completely and he wondered how best to celebrate. Perhaps the Room of Requirement... A hushed, deferential voice spoke from the doorway,

"Master?"

Pulling up the sheet, Snape sat upright, swept long, black strands out of his face, and answered tersely, "Yes, Slinky?"

"Headmaster is requiring your presence, Master."

The holidays were definitely over. Concealing his weariness over this never-ending business, the Potions Master replied tonelessly, "Very well. Assure him that I shall be there shortly." The elf nodded obsequiously, slanting a curious look at the female in the bed before flooing away. A soft body pressed itself against his back, hugged him tightly.

"Poor baby, duty calls, hmmm?"

"Hmmm…"

Turning, he lingeringly kissed the upturned face and slid off the bed. In response to her questioning look after he surveyed her and smirked, he stated, "Certain...assets...have improved, and your hair is halfway to spiraling." Lorelei looked at a lock of hair and glanced down at her chest, grinning,

"What's my age again?"

He gave her an appreciative look, "I'd say twenty, but...mature...for your age. Not as beautiful as twenty-six, but a vast improvement on sixteen." His honesty was rewarded with a cheeky look.

"Thanks. Good thing for you I know how to decipher your left-handed compliments."

Pausing on his way to the shower, Severus challenged, "Good thing for you I know how to handle a siren posing as a schoolgirl in my classroom this afternoon."

"Oh really...we'll just see about that."

Not about to dignify that impertinence with a reply, he stepped under the spray that did nothing to drown out the melodic laughter floating in from the other room.

Stalking through the corridors on his way to the Great Hall , Snape knew that Dumbledore had not deliberately set up the situation that required he leave the castle this afternoon and not return until morning. That didn't stop an inner voice from hissing, Won't Potty be pleased when he learns that you'll be out of the way tonight and Lorelei will be alone and vulnerable... A thunderous expression crossed the lean face, making first years on their way to breakfast snivel in dread. Accustomed to students jumping out of his way, Severus didn't even notice.

Inside the Hall, he strode to the Slytherin table, to inform Malfoy of his deliverance from just punishment. The professor heard the boy banter with Zabini about being friends lifelong- good or bad. When the girl replied laughingly, 'right or wrong', a chill went down the man's spine. He demanded the teens tell him to what they were referring. They seemed to be unaware of any magic spells associated with terms such as those, but he'd have to keep an eye on the pair...one more thing to add to a growing list. After telling Mr. Boot as well that detention was cancelled, Snape glanced over at the Gryffindor Table and saw Lorelei smiling at him, while Potter smiled at her and inched closer.

Apparently, the boy's claim of friendship was specious as the reasoning that if the girl acted friendly, the youth would accept that she only wanted to be friends. The Potions Master stormed out of the Hall looking so fierce that the Hufflepuff seventh year who was entering started whimpering. The man sneered. No wonder their Quidditch Team was the worst of the lot if their Captain was such a faint-heart.

As the time for Gryffindor potions approached, Snape considered what would be the best way to deal with Harry-Bloody-Potter. His mouth curved. A wicked, Slytherin idea had just slithered its way past his detached reasoning to cozy up to his primal side, which told the other to sod off. A faint voice of logic insisted that what he planned might not be the most prudent of actions, and was summarily ignored.

Outwardly composed, the lean man waved his wand to manifest instructions for the day's potion on the blackboard. The students filed in. All but one...who strolled inside right before class began. In a breathy voice, the girl apologized with a smile that probably looked shy to the class, but was sly to him,

"I hope I'm not tardy Professor Snape. I stopped by the kitchen to get you...this..."

Impassively, he watched the minx take out a large, red, shiny apple and polish it against her chest before placing it on his desk.

Coolly inclining his head, the professor watched the siren sashay over to sit by that mousy girl- Perks. The class, recovered from their shock at seeing a student...a female student...give their hated teacher an apple, began to assemble the ingredients needed for their potions. Covertly watching Lorelei/Ronan avoid Potter at the storage cupboard and refuse to look in the boy's direction at all, Snape began to prowl the dungeon chamber, looking for mistakes to correct. He found plenty. When his perambulations brought him near the 'new girl', she met his gaze and raised her hand. He said curtly, "Yes?"

"Why are we making this potion?"

Ah. So that was her plan. Question curriculum and make him lose his cool. It wasn't going to work. He drawled, "The Draught of Docility has many uses, Ms...Ronan..." He raised his voice to address the class, "Can anyone explain the potion's usage to their classmate? Anyone beside Granger...No...? Very well, Ms. Granger..." The know-it-all Gryffindor was happy to state the obvious uses for mental patients and Azkaban violent offenders before going further to list all the esoteric ones.

While the girl droned on, Severus noticed that his lover was displaying too much leg in an obvious bid to disrupt his composure. It wasn't subtle, but it was effective. Abruptly raising his hand to still the flow of knowledge that poured from Granger like water from a sieve, the professor hastily returned to his vigilant watch over his class of incompetents.

Several minutes later, in firm control of his reactions, outward and internal, Severus strolled by Lorelei's table and heard her instructing her tablemate,

"No, Sally-Anne, you don't hack the herbs, you use a firm, rocking motion." Large onyx eyes met his as she continued, "Are you satisfied with my technique, professor?"

Resisting the urge to tug at his collar, the irritated man deliberately inspected the 'girl' up and down, and was pleased to note pearly skin turning pink. The moment she licked her lips, however, he decided to make a strategic retreat, firing a salvo while he turned toward his desk, "Hardly. The potion is incomplete. Only an effective solution will meet the class requirements acceptably." His repressive tone stopped the bold wench not one whit. She shot back in a voice that blended earnestness with innuendo,

"Thank you, professor. I'm going to do my best to do anything you require..."

A palpable hit... Praise the stars Longbottom diverted his and the entire class' attention away from the 'girl' by turning the flames under his cauldron too high and making his solution boil over. Taking care of the mess provided Severus with the time he needed to compose himself. Lorelei was a lot harder to 'handle' than he'd thought she would be. Even when she wasn't being deliberately seductive, she beguiled by using humor to instruct her hapless partner, and everyone around her, in potion making.

The professor could feel Ms. Granger's eyes glaring daggers of indignation over the new girl being allowed to help classmates in a way she'd always been chastised for. A muscle in the lean jaw twitched. No one said life was fair. He ignored the hand waving madly in the air. Stygian-black eyes looked down to conceal his amusement. Finally, Granger stood, speaking without permission.

"Sir? Professor Snape?"

He looked up. "Ten points from Gryffindor for talking out of turn." The girl was speechless, a rare, pleasant occurrence. He smirked and waved genially, "Please, now that you've paid the price, do tell the class what was so important that it was worth losing House Points to share." The other students were giving Ms. Must Tell sour looks. The girl wilted for a moment, before recovering to blurt,

"Why is Ronan being allowed to assist classmates when no one else is?"

Standing, the professor moved from behind his desk, walking toward the 'new girl'. Looking from her long legs, to the perfectly done solution, which gave off pale blue tendrils of smoke in its cauldron, to the equally correct ones of her neighbors, he held her gaze while replying, "It's possible that Ms. Ronan is allowed clemency because she is new and not aware of class policy. Maybe her attitude, the willingness to satisfy my requirements makes me more lenient. Or perhaps I just enjoy confounding a know-all, Ms. Granger. Take your pick and take your seat."

Two other pairs of eyes were glaring daggers now- poisoned tipped ones. The blue ones he discounted, but the green ones were met, and an eyebrow lifted mockingly at the boy's impotent fury. Briskly informing the class to fill, label, and leave their flagons, the man relaxed in his chair until every student had left the chamber except four. Glancing at Potter, Snape drawled, "I want to have a word with you, Potter...in a few moments. Wait outside the classroom until you're called." The teen said to the 'girl' who was taking an inordinate time at the back basin to clean her cauldron,

"Come on...Ronan..."

The girl dried her cauldron with a wave of her wand and placed it on a side table. She smiled cheerfully,

"Go on and wait outside, Harry...Professor Snape needs to talk to me first."

Granger was turning her head from one classmate to another like a fan at a tennis match. She advised,

"Better come along, Harry. The professor will call for you in a few minutes, I'm sure."

She didn't sound sure...another pleasant occurrence. After Mr. Weasley practically dragged his friend outside, Severus closed and warded the door with his wand. Lorelei had taken off her robes and straddled his lap almost before the door shut. He smirked while removing her tie, "I told you I would handle you."

Her mouth sought his. The Slytherin inner voice hissed that he could go ahead with his plan to leave his mark on the siren in such a way that Harry-Bloody-Potter would have no doubt who she loved, even before their little talk. His fingers began to disorder silken hair while his lips pressed demandingly against hers.

The expression on The Famous Harry Potter's face a short while later was rewarding. The 'girl' drifted past her admirer with only a half smile of acknowledgement after the boy had been left cooling his heels in the corridor. Granger and Weasley were nowhere in sight, so Potter had some idea of what the 'talk' would be about and wanted his friends to have no part in it. Fury and jealousy were promising emotions for the Wonder Boy to feel. The man staring coldly at his student across the expanse of desk wanted his young rival to experience one more emotion: fear.


Mutinously glaring at the git across from him, Harry wanted to blast that smug look off his ugly face. The evil bat had deliberately made him wait outside. Crossing his arms defensively, and to hide clenched fists, Harry sullenly decided to make Snape say the first word. Round glasses reflected the torchlight while he made sure not to stare into the pitch black soulless eyes he knew could see things he didn't want revealed. He'd never hated anyone as much as he hated Snape for literally rubbing his nose in the fact that he had Lorelei and Harry didn't. The boy couldn't speak. He was choked up with dark emotions. The man leaned forward, eyes narrowed and frowning,

"What goes through your mind, Mr. Potter? I admit it; I cannot fathom why a sixteen year old boy would take a crush on a teacher to such destructive lengths. Did you think Lorelei and I were merely friends like your little schoolmates? That she would transfer her affections from me to you? Come, Potter, I'd like to understand why you persist in pressing your unwanted attentions..."

"They're not unwanted!" The words exploded from Harry, and he wished he could take them back, but they hung in the air. A flickering glance revealed that assessing gaze he loathed so much. The man closed his eyes briefly and pinched the bridge of his overlarge nose. After releasing a harsh breath, Snape said in a quiet tone that was probably supposed to be conciliatory, but just sounded condescending to the boy who could never hear what the man said objectively,

"I will concede that Lorelei cares very much for you, Potter, although I do not understand why. I have not objected to her overtures of friendship. I do object to you using her caring nature to try and force a relationship that will never be." Snape saw his eyes flare defiantly and shook his head, "I always knew you were obdurate and selfish Potter, and this proves it. I have tried to be civil, to converse on this awkward subject in a rational manner, but I see that you are beyond reasoning with." Standing, the professor leant over the desk, teeth bared, black eyes balefully threatening, "Let me put it plainly, boy. Lorelei is my lover. If you continue to distress her, you will regret it."

Harry felt an instant of icy fear, which the Potions Master immediately saw and misconstrued, because he nodded and pointed to the door.

"We understand one another. I sincerely hope never to speak to you about this again."

The teen rose and kept his gaze from meeting Snape's. He didn't want the bastard to know that all he'd done was harden the resolve to take the final step to see who Lorelei really wanted. Harry left the room. In the outer corridor, he remembered every denigrating word the malevolent bat had uttered. Hurrying up the dungeon stairway, his mind was suddenly cold and calculating as a Slytherin's.

At dinner, he noticed that the Potion Master's chair was empty. The boy waited for the girl beside him to finish listening to Neville blather about a leaf waving Macarena plant and asked, "Where's Snape?" Looking nervous, she shrugged. Ron heard the question and volunteered,

"'Mione and I were...uh...patrolling...the corridors earlier and we saw him leave the castle."

Harry leaned toward Lorelei and whispered, "Does that mean you'll actually sleep in Gryffindor Tower tonight?" Reluctantly, she nodded. He smiled genuinely for the first time that day. She glared, and her voice rose, attracting attention,

"Don't get any ideas, Harry!"

Leaning until his face was close to hers, he whispered, "I got loads of ideas waiting in that corridor." She grew pale, rising to toss her juice in his face. He took off his glasses and wiped them. Her smirk made him act impulsively- he stood, picked up his goblet of pumpkin juice and splashed her in the face with it. Sputtering in indignation, she wiped her eyes and looked down at the table. Snatching a bowl of mashed potatoes up, the angry 'girl' dumped them on his head.

Feeling the potatoes slide down his hair, the ridiculousness of the situation hit Harry. He ignored the gasps and gossip flying around the hall. Putting his glasses on with a toss of his head to keep the goop out of his eyes, the teen grinned while he gathered some potatoes on his fingers and promptly wiped them across a beautiful, gaping face, observing, "Looks good on you." Glancing around at their stunned audience, he started to laugh. Colin called out,

"Is this a private party, or can anybody join?"

In answer, the professor who looked like a girl gazed down at the table and waited for a bowl of pudding to appear. Scooping up a double handful, she threw the stuff at the blond, hitting him, as well as splattering Ginny, Hermione, and Ron. The four grabbed whatever was handy and fired back. Neville pelted everyone with rolls. Food started flying. It was messy and disgusting and awesome. Professor McGonagall's shouting for order finally got through to the rowdy Gryffindor Table, and everyone stood dripping and apprehensive until the one who started everything raised her wand and with an elaborately waving spell of incomprehensible Gaelic words made the mess vanish without a trace.

The Head of Gryffindor was still enraged and ordered him and Ronan to their House at once to contemplate their 'woeful lack of decorum'. Covering her face, shaking her head, the siren ran out of the Hall. Harry tried to look repentant, but his lips keep twitching, no matter how hard he tried to press them together. The boy realized that he was strutting when he left, but didn't care who saw or what they thought about it. The night was looking up.

Later, he changed his mind about how good the night was. Lorelei...Ronan...wouldn't talk about anything 'serious', and kept scooting away from him on the common room sofa. When Ginny came in, Ronan jumped up, happy to run away. He tried to get her to stay, "This could be our last night together...you haven't even tried...I won't let you go!" She pulled her sleeve out of his grasp,

"How many times do I have to tell you, Harry James Potter- that we are not meant to be anything other than friends? I haven't tried because I don't want to...we're not going to spend the night together and there's nothing you can do about it!"

He hated feeling helpless, powerless, and refused to let her reduce him to that. Grimly, he promised, "I know one thing I can do about it." Lorelei...he was so sick of calling her Ronan...froze, before saying,

"You wouldn't!"

His eyes hardened in resolve. He wasn't going to let anyone, not even this woman, push him around and tell him what to do. The words flew into his mind and out of his mouth before he could call them back, "Wouldn't I? Wait and see." She left, didn't take him seriously. She should have. Turning around, he met Ron's troubled gaze,

"What was that about mate?"

Spiky black hair shook, "Nothing."

"Don't tell me 'nothing', Harry. It sounded like you were threatening her- will you promise not to try and sneak up the Girls' Staircase or do I have to go find some Wizard Restraints?"

Smiling at the thought of Ron trying to handcuff him for his own good, Harry raised his hand to his heart and said, "By Godric Gryffindor, I vow not to go up the Girls' Staircase or have anything to do with Ronan unless she comes to me." His best mate was smiling in relief. Hermione looked at him suspiciously, her brain no doubt trying to decipher the hidden meaning behind the words. His smile widened- she'd find out tomorrow.

They suggested a game of Exploding Snap. Harry agreed, figuring he had a few hours to kill. He sure wasn't going to get Ron to give him the password to the Prefects' bathroom again. Not after some Hufflepuff gave him "his knickers" back. The large white granny panties had his name embroidered inside the waistband. The Boy-Who-Knew-Malfoy-Was-Behind-It didn't even care. What did some stupid prank matter when his whole life could change tonight?

Climbing the stairs to his dorm, Harry listened to his roommates chatter with half an ear. He rushed ahead to grab his pajamas and head for the shower. Dean noticed how tamed his hair looked and kidded,

"You look better going to sleep than you do awake, mate! Get your priorities straight!"

He laughed, "I am, I am..."

Seamus walked over and looked at him closely. Turning to the other guys, he declared,

"I think the lad's moonstruck. He thinks a beautiful girl's going to visit and he needs to look his best. Notice the silky threads, mates." The boy blinked his lashes exaggeratedly and said in a falsetto, "They match his eyes!" Once the laughter died down, Seamus slapped his friend on the shoulder and stated, "Well, Potter, if your dream girl's still there in the morning, I'll bring you breakfast in bed, deal?"

Grinning, Harry nodded, and said goodnight, pulling his curtains closed and checking his timepiece. 11PM. He had just enough time to work a deep sleep spell on his roommates before getting everything ready for the really important magic.


Bidding Colin goodnight with a wave and a smile, Lorelei was grateful that he'd agreed to take the long way back to Gryffindor after they and a few other students had returned from their jaunt to the Broomsticks. She'd needed a drink after the week she'd been having. At the time, sneaking out and using a personae falsus potion to change appearance had seemed like a brilliant idea. Now, it occurred to her that the need for company might not outweigh rule breaking in Severus' mind. Maybe she'd never have to tell him- she knew the teens wouldn't say a word.

The moment she'd blurted to Creevey, "Let's not go back just yet, how about we take the scenic route", the woman who still looked like a girl had known that she was trying to delay going back to the Tower. She couldn't help it-she'd felt such dread. Roaming the corridors, hiding from Filch and Mrs. Norris and then Hermione and Ron had been fun. First, they'd run into Peeves. The poltergeist had taken one look at her and immediately burst into peals of wicked laughter. She'd given him a warning look. He'd ignored it and bobbed upside down in front of her, grinning and singing,

"Little seal, little seal, you and I shall make a deal."

Quickly agreeing to sing a song at another time, she'd dragged the slim blond away from the cackling spirit, who was celebrating by zipping into a nearby classroom and turning the contents of the waste paper basket into confetti. Later, they'd hidden behind a stature while the Gryffindor Prefects passed by. Her companion had whispered that Bertha the Behemoth was his favorite statue. She'd smiled, but prudently didn't confess she rather favored Simon the Salacious herself- not for the randy old Slytherin's historical contributions, but because his tall, lean image with a commanding nose reminded her of someone who made her feel salacious.

A quarter till midnight found Lorelei walking up the Girls' Staircase trying to shake off the ominous feeling of impending doom. She wasn't a silly heroine in a Gothic Romance for Merlin's sake. The villain wasn't going to spirit her out of bed and do vile things to her just because her Gothic Hero was away from the castle, and no one was there to stop him...or to hear her scream...

"Ahhh!" Hermione coming up behind her just as she reached for the handle had scared the boggart out of her. The brunette smiled apologetically,

"Did I startle you? Sorry. I just returned...from patrol...and was about to check and see if you'd got back yet. I'd like to talk with you."

Wonderful...girl talk with Granger... Restraining the urge to sigh or roll her eyes, the still youthful appearing professor gestured for the other girl to follow her to the bathroom. Turning on the light and the water, Lorelei used her wand to release the ward on her cosmetic kit- no spotty teens were touching her things- and began to cleanse her face. Hermione looked at the multi-drawer case in reluctant fascination. Removing a small vial in the shape of an S, the siren handed it over and said, "Why don't you try that? Its Siren Smoothing Serum- works miracles on unmanageable hair." Amber eyes stared at the product like it was the Philosopher's Stone. Reverently, 'Mione poured the shiny substance on her palms, smoothed it over her hair. The effect was...miraculous.

Lorelei smiled at the look of awe on the girl's face as she stared at the sleek tresses reflected in the mirror. "So much better than that sticky Sleekeazy's gook, isn't it? I'll have a box of samples OWLed to you. That's still waiting for Ministry patent so it's not available in shops yet. I'd save them for special occasions, when you really want to knock someone's socks off...say at a Valentine's Dance..."

"A Valentine's Dance? I haven't heard anything about any dance, and I'm a Prefect!"

Trying not to laugh, she said, "Well, somebody told me that they heard a rumor...it's a good idea, don't you think?"

Smooth, glossy locks swayed when the Prefect nodded, "A brilliant idea...I wonder how we could make the rumor real..."

However brainy Ms. Granger was there were still some areas in which she had a lot to learn. Lorelei remarked casually, "I bet if someone suggested to Professor Hands that the students could learn about Muggle culture by attending a Muggle-style Valentine's Dance, he'd ask Dumbledore if one could be held, and the Headmaster would agree that it's a splendid idea."

Lorelei could almost see the well oiled cogs of Hermione's brain whirling like little dust devils across desert sands. The professor/student bet that the idea would become a reality before long. This was a girl who knew how to get things done. Lorelei dried her face and dreamily stared off thinking about dancing with Severus in a dark corner... Looking at Hermione, the unfocused glaze told her that she wasn't the only one fantasizing about a dance. Clearing her throat pointedly, the 'girl' said, "I need to take a shower, so if there was something you wanted to say..." Ms. Granger took the hint,

"I want to know what's going on with you and Harry."

Well, that was certainly direct. She could be blunt too, "Get used to disappointment." The girl made a face,

"Stop quoting The Princess Bride and be serious, please. Ron and I are worried about Harry. He...I'm telling you this in strictest confidence...he seemed to have a...well...crush on your sister...and now you and he are so...after that scene tonight, he vowed to stay away from you...so now I want your promise to stay away from him."

How sweet. Hermione was like a big sister trying to protect her barmy little brother. Too bad 'brother' Harry had problems that couldn't be fixed with a bracing talk and a practical attitude. Patting the protective girl affectionately on the arm, she said the only thing she could, "I'll try my best." That seemed to satisfy Ms. Granger, who smiled and went off to bed. After her shower, Lorelei searched her trunk for something to wear. A red satin nightgown caught her eye. It looked like a slip, ending above her knees. Within the curtained bed, shadows lengthened, appeared to move and shift. She whispered Lumos minor and was comforted by the soft glow of her wand acting like a night light. Hugging her pillow, the siren prayed for Severus to return soon and fell into an uneasy sleep.

While her roommates slept, Lorelei awoke. Someone was calling her name, he needed her...she had to go to him. Sliding out of bed, she drifted barefoot down the steps and stood in the dark common room waiting for the psychic call to come again. When it did, she smiled and ascended the Boys' Staircase. Opening the door to the Chamber of the boy who needed her so much, the woman whose Selkie blood had been called by the blood of the one within made her way to a bed and opened the curtains... The faint glow of a wand tip illuminated the face of a young man. He was sitting up, wearing round glasses, eyes gleaming with excitement.

She pulled back the covers and slid beneath them, lying on her side to face the boy who had quickly lain down beside her. Reaching out, she took his hand and brought the cut finger to her lips, kissing the blood away. When he lowered his hand to try to kiss her, she covered his mouth with her fingers. The boy smiled and kissed them instead, his fingers stroking her shoulders. She captured his hand with hers and brought it to her face. She cupped his cheek and said gently, "That's not what you need, Harry." He disagreed,

"Yes it is."

Removing his glasses, Lorelei reached her hand through the curtains to drop them onto the side table. She placed her face so close to his that their noses touched. The moment he gazed into her eyes, his expression of frustration smoothed out. A faint smile appeared. She ran her fingers through short hair in a soothing caress. The siren/selkie explained softly, "I should have figured things out sooner, but I was too afraid..."

"Afraid of me?"

She smiled at the new, sleepy tone of his voice and shook her head, "Afraid of myself...I'm half siren, half selkie, but I'd never had such a reaction to someone's blood before, or had such empathy for anyone other than Severus. It frightened me, Harry. That's why I couldn't see it before."

"See what?"

The boy closed his eyes. His voice was slow and relaxed. Her lips quirked , "That you're destined to be a dear friend, not a lover."

"Can't friends be lovers?"

The teen smiled when she said, "Of course they can." His lips turned down when she added, "But unless they love each other, it's not enough, and eventually, they won't be either friends or lovers." He was quiet for a long time before he asked, with a vulnerable expression on his face,

"If we're not going to be lovers, then why are you here?"

Soft lips pressed against his cheek in a kiss that expressed tenderness and caring that was agape, not eros. Drawing back, her smile was reflected in the sweetness of his, "You've needed something for a long, long, time Harry, and tonight I want you to have it. May I stay?" He nodded and scooted down to lay his head against her chest. His arms wrapped around her. She relaxingly caressed his hair. Lorelei closed her eyes and let the selkie within project without words the affection that was pure and deep and unconditional. Into her mind came a vision of a woman with emerald green eyes rocking a black-haired baby and singing. She felt Harry's longing to feel that kind of warmth and security again. Allowing the mother's words to become her own, she sang the lullabye, All through the night...

The boy's arms tightened almost painfully around her. Silent tears fell onto her skin, even while she felt his lips curve into a smile, releasing pain and accepting comfort. Moisture welled and trickled down her own cheeks. She crooned the words that lulled Harry to sleep.

In the morning, Lorelei opened her eyes and stared into a green gaze identical to the woman's in her vision. She smiled ruefully, "Looks like I was wrong about spending the night." Harry grinned sheepishly,

"Yeah...I was wrong too. I thought nothing would be better than...you know...but last night...whatever that was...was amazing...it was..."

"What you needed?"

He nodded. They smiled at each other. A voice outside the curtained bed exclaimed,

"Wotcher Dean! Think the dream girl paid a visit? Hey Potter, do I owe you breakfast in bed?"

Seamus pulled apart the curtains on the side of the bed not in view of the door and stared openmouthed at the pair lying close together. Lorelei's slightly hysteric giggles brought Dean over to gape as well. Ron came out of the bathroom still combing his hair, demanding,

"What's going on in here?" He stopped and his freckled face crumpled, "Crikey Harry, what do you think you're doing?"

Handing Harry his glasses, the 'girl' sat up and said, "Ordering breakfast? I'd like a pot of tea, Seamus, and a scone or two...how about you, Harry?"

Adjusting his spectacles, Harry grinned at his friends,

"I'll take hot chocolate...and some eggs...scrambled."

Ron collapsed across his bed, covering his face with lightly freckled hands, muttering,

"This isn't happening, I've started seeing things due to stress, there's no girl in this room." Removing his hands, the hopeful expression on his face turned woeful, and then alarmed when the door burst opened. Professor McGonagall blew in like an ill wind, cool and blustery,

"I have been informed by an anonymous source that a female student has spent the night in this chamber. Is that true?"

The three other boys started stammering, "Uh", "Well", "Would you repeat the question please?" Lorelei bent and whispered to Harry, "Hermione or Dobby...which do you think?"

Thinking about it for a moment, he shrugged.

"Could be either."

She agreed with an answering shrug, and then said softly, "I'm not waiting for her to drag me out, Harry." Tossing back the covers, she hopped out of the bed. The Head of Gryffindor House and the other boys goggled. Lorelei waggled her fingers at the boys who were crowding the corridor outside hoping to witness something scandalous and said cheerfully,

"Good Morning, Professor McGonagall!"

Thrown by the odd reaction, the older woman became aware of their audience and drew herself up in a pose of offended dignity.

"You have broken so many rules of conduct that I cannot begin to count them all young lady. Return to your dorm and clothe yourself properly. I will see you in my office after breakfast to discuss your punishment!"

"What rules of conduct have I broken, Professor?" The militant facade collapsed into incredulity as the girl- who knew from the curled lip that she was being thought of by Minerva as 'the little hussy'- stated calmly. "I walked right up the stairs...if it wasn't allowed; I should've slid down again." The woman looked so incensed, Lorelei wondered if she was about to be turned into something slimy and stepped on. Fortunately, she was just getting a verbal lashing.

"I...You...Fifty points from Gryffindor for your unbecoming conduct...all of it, including an egregious lack of respect for staff and authority...Go to your chamber this instant!"

"Bye Harry…guys…" Moving past the woman, Lorelei smiled at the boys outside and said, "Make way, please." Silently, they parted and allowed her to walk down the stairs. The Common Room was standing room only it was so filled with students wanting to be witness to the historic event of McGonagall catching Harry Potter with a girl. Not just any girl either- one who'd spent the night with him and brazenly sauntered down the steps, across the room and up the Girls' Staircase wearing a red nightie!

By breakfast the other houses would probably hear that she'd done a Lady Godiva and walked out bare arsed, covered only by her hair! Filled with elation at this being her final day under the influence of the Anti-Aging Potion and giddy with relief that she was Harry's friend and his crush was over, any sense of embarrassment was negated. She waved and said hello to those she knew and once inside 'her' dorm room, couldn't help laughing.

"How can you laugh? You might be expelled. You might get Harry expelled!"

Hermione sounded like she had a cold. She was sniffing and blotchy faced. Guilty conscience? Lorelei said , "Should've thought of that before you ran tattling to McGonagall, shouldn't you?" The girl gasped,

"She said she'd say 'anonymous source'!"

Taking pity on Hermione, Lorelei admitted, "She did. Harry and I figured that it was either you or Dobby- thanks for saving me a trip to the kitchen- and don't worry about anything. We're not going to be expelled." Granger watched her pull clothing from the trunk with a frown.

"Why are you wearing those clothes? You still have to wear a uniform, we have classes..."

"No I don't...to all of the above..." Smiling gently at the girl who looked ready to cry some more, she grabbed the makeup kit that she'd levitated over, used a Siren Cosmetics 'Instant Effect Natural Beauty' charm and handed an emergency vial of complexion restoration potion to the girl who looked like a mourner at a funeral-really pitiful. Hermione brightened up after drinking the potion and asked,

"Why are you packing?"

After summoning Dobby from the fireplace and asking him to send her trunk to her mother's in London, the professor who was counting the hours until she became herself again explained, "I'm leaving school, 'Mione. It's been...an experience...even fun...at times...but I'm not cut out to be a student, so I'm doing a Fred and George...without the swamp, or the grand exit."

The golden-brown eyes watching her looked relieved. Hermione probably thought that once she left Harry would become his old self again. Well, it didn't hurt to let the girl believe it. She'd find out soon enough that certain things had changed forever. The two walked into the Great Hall together; where Lorelei/Ronan's long, unfastened dragon hide coat, black turtleneck and low rise black jeans gave the students even more to talk about. Her lips curved- if they wanted a bad girl, she was more than happy to look the part. Harry saw her and stood up. So did Ginny and the rest of the little band of present day Marauders. After hugging and kissing everyone on the cheek, she turned to Harry, who smiled wistfully and said,

"Leaving, huh?"

"Yeah. Take care, Harry."

His eyes searched hers,

"We still friends?"

She smiled and hugged him once more, whispering, "We'll always be friends, Harry... and don't you forget it."

"I won't."

Looking over at the Slytherin Table, Lorelei cupped her hands to her mouth and called, "Hey Kieran!" His dark eyes lit mischievously, yelling back,

"Hey Ronan! What's up?"

She glanced over at the Staff Table; where McGonagall was frowning, Dumbledore smiling, and Snape absent, praise the stars. Obeying a wild impulse to make a memorable exit, she stepped onto the bench, and hopped on top of the table. Neville grabbed a basket of muffins, protectively clutching them against his chest. Taking two small steps, the 'girl' leapt down to the other side, coat billowing. Walking over to the Slytherin Table, she did the same thing, with a smile that was returned by Malfoy and Zabini when she jumped over and between. Landing by her brother, who stood laughing at her antics, she smiled, "I'm leaving, Kieran...how about walking your sister to the door?" He nodded,

"About time..."

She hooked her arm through the one gallantly extended and together they made their way to the Entrance Hall, leaving their gossiping classmates behind them.

Hours later, Lorelei stood staring up at a stately town home. It was in a Wizard section of London that had once been elite, but now was comfortably egalitarian. Two small children on training brooms flew past her. Looking down at the little girls giggling in glee because their mother was pretending to be unable to catch them, the woman smiled. Opening the squeaky front gate, she climbed the steps and used the...interesting...gargoyle doorknocker to announce her presence. The door creaked open. Hesitating, she called, "Severus?" before stepping inside.

The door slammed shut behind her, making her jump and laugh nervously. The interior was dimly lit, with only a few enchanted candelabras and wall sconces flickering to light the way. The furniture was covered, and no one answered her downstairs. Taking a deep breath, she climbed the staircase. Paintings of imperiously attractive Snape ancestors looked her over on the way up. She heard a few 'Hmmms' and a couple 'Humphs' but none of the portraits commented on her appearance in their domain. They seemed to be reserving judgment. Was that a good sign?

The second floor was dark except for a room at the end of the corridor. She walked toward the chamber. A fire was burning in the fireplace. Entering the room, she took note of the large bed, the lack of dust. The table in front of the hearth held a bottle of champagne in a silver bucket. Becoming accustomed to the gloom, she could see that a pool of shadows seemed especially deep by the velvet draped windows. Lorelei called again, "Severus?"

He stepped out of the darkness and handed her a flute of champagne. The man's expression was unreadable, his attire the customary tailored black shirt and trousers. She felt like she had at the beginning of their relationship; mesmerized by his eyes, wanting a sign from him to let her know how he felt about her. Glancing down at the glass in her hand, she took a sip, and then became lost again in Snape's eyes. The siren wondered if they were celebrating, or if he thought she'd need a drink to hear what he had to say. Thin, clever lips curved.

"We're celebrating."

She placed her glass on the table, removed her coat, draped it over one of the wing chairs flanking it, and took a step forward. Her smile wobbled. She was so relieved, she wanted to cry. Shakily, the Lorelei admitted, "I've been so worried that the letter I OWLed wouldn't be enough, that you'd hear the school gossip and be so displeased..."

"I would never have been pleased, however innocent the episode was or how bizarrely maternal you feel toward that blasted boy." He interjected.

Lorelei bit her lip. She'd hoped he wouldn't have mentioned that sticky subject. She smiled weakly. "Does this mean you don't want us to adopt him?"

Talented lips pursed so much that she knew he was hiding a smile. His eyes hooded, looking down at her. She slid her arms around his waist and giggled when he replied sardonically,

"Merlin forbid- I have no wish to have Oedipus for a son, thank-you-very-much." His hands rose to play with her fully spiraled hair. Wrapping a curl around his finger, he remarked with studied casualness, "I would much prefer to one day have a son with your looks and talents and my cool intellect."

The tears she'd suppressed before returned to wet her eyelashes and roll down her cheeks. Her voice was thick with emotion, "I want him to have your eyes...and your aristocratic nose...and your beautiful lips..." His mouth twitched before halting her list of all his wonderful attributes with a kiss. So happy to be the woman in his arms again, to feel his hands trace her true curves, Lorelei boldly pressed him over to the bed and down upon its soft surface. His clever fingers- she definitely wanted their son to have his father's ingenious fingers- undid the tie to her wrap dress. Severus groaned when he discovered she was wearing nothing underneath. He mirrored her smile while his hands began celebrating their love.


A/N: I thought it appropriate that since they were a triangle of sorts, the chap be comprised of the three character's pov's. Couldn't resist the Oedipus reference- it's another one of those Greek tales where an oracle predicts that the newborn son of the King and Queen of Thebes will kill his father and marry his mother, and they're stupid enough to believe it. Yet instead of killing the boy outright, the royals leave the kid in the wilderness so they can say a dingo ate their baby. So of course little 'Ed' becomes the adopted son of the King and Queen of Corinth, grows up, finds out he's adopted, hears the dire prophecy from several oracles (who naturally don't know who his real parents are) and still he goes off to...yeah...kill his father and marry his mother... After they have four kids together, the unnatural couple learns that the darned Oracle was right! Shock! Horror! Mom commits suicide, and dumb arse blinds himself.

Moral of the story: don't listen to Oracles? You can't fight fate? Greek audiences liked tragedy with a little perviness thrown in, if the pervs were unwitting and suffer in the end? Even if you're a victim of society and circumstances you still have to think for yourself? The last one made me think of Harry. Any thoughts my brilliant readers would like to add? Whether or not you do, Review! Praise is also good. ;-) Remember, next week is Valentine's at Hogwarts, and I revved up the romance just for you!