Chapter 9

Severus woke the next morning just 20 minutes before his class was scheduled to start, to find Andraste awake, but still laying in his arms. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm still weak, but I have a favor to ask of you."

"What is that, Andi?" Hearing him call her by that made a small but sincere smile cross her lips.

"I need to see Harry."

"Potter? Why?"

"Because he's just a kid, and I know what he had to witness, and please – let him bring his friends, it will make him more comfortable."

"Very well, I will be back after class." Without thinking about it, he laid a quick kiss on her forehead and walked out.

Professor Snape's 6th year potions class passed much too slowly for his liking, and he spent most of it absentmindedly grading the essays the students had turned in. Not a single student failed to notice how little attention he was paying – he had not even docked points from Gryffindor when Neville's potion gave a long hiss and filled the room with purple smoke. He had only looked up long enough to wave his wand, clearing the mess, and mumble something about an idiot. Fifteen minutes before the class was over he stood up from his desk, seemingly brought back to reality. "Weasley, Potter, and Granger, you can stay and clean up this mess since you weren't able to shut up in the last three hours. The rest of you are dismissed." Most of the class filed out quickly, astonished that Snape had let them out before the period was actually over. Only the Slytherins took their time, making snide comments and laughing at the students remaining. "Draco, unless you and your friends would like to help, I suggest you leave." That threat was sufficiently shocking, Snape thought, to leave the little rats scurrying away.

His gaze met that of the three that had been told to stay behind, silently laughing to himself about the looks of terror on their faces. "Mr. Weasley, if you would close the door." Ron rushed to obey as the other two began to clean. "That won't be necessary," their potions professor said; and with a wave of his wand the mess was gone. "Please come here." The students slowly walked up to the desk that Professor Snape was leaning against, the fear in their eyes now mingled with utter confusion.

"I would like to begin, Miss Granger," he said, focusing on Hermione, "by awarding you 20 points for making a perfect Elkhorn Healing Draught. Your potion may have very well saved Professor Andraste's life." He continued, ignoring the look of shock on their faces. "Potter, Professor Andraste would like to speak with you about what happened Wednesday night. She has requested that you be allowed to bring your friends with you. IF you would all like to come with me, I'll write you passes excusing you from your next class." They nodded and followed as he walked off towards his office. The painting of Salazar Slytherin swung out of the way, revealing a hallway that led to Professor Snape's living room. "Have a seat," he said, motioning towards the plush green furniture, and disappeared back into a second hall.

"Andraste," Severus called quietly as he opened the bedroom door. His voice was enough to wake her from the light sleep she was in. "Yes, Severus?"

"Potter and his friends are here."

"I'll be right out."

Severus turned around and headed back to the living room and to the three kids that looked positively uncomfortable. "Would you like some tea?" They simply stared blankly at him. "This is not a detention, you are here because Professor Andraste requested it. Now, would you like some tea?"

"Yes, sir," they chimed, almost in unison. With a wave of his wand a tray appeared holding a pot and five cups. He filled them all in turn, and handed them out. Without looking he knew that Andi had emerged from the bedroom; and turned, placing a cup of tea in her hands as well.

"You look as though you're feeling a bit better."

"I am, Professor Snape, thank you," she replied, reverting back to formalities for the sake of present company. The students all looked stunned to see the uncommon display of kindness out of their potions professor, especially with it directed at a woman he had screamed at two days before.

Harry was the first one to recover and find his voice. "Professor Snape said you wanted to talk to me?"

"Yes Harry," Andraste said, taking a seat beside Severus so that she was facing the students. "I assume you have told you friends the details of what happened Wednesday night, so if you want to discuss it here, or privately in the other room is up to you."

"Here is fine, ma'am."

"Very well Harry, it's your choice. How are you?"

"I'm fine, Professor Andraste. I suspect I know what happened, but the vision stopped before I saw anyone die." He hesitated for a moment before he continued. "How did you stop it?"

Severus studied Andraste's face for a moment, seeing deep lines of exhaustion in her eyes. Somehow her like to Voldemort had continued after she had stopped Harry's dream. "This isn't the first time I've been too close to someone else's visions, Harry. Once I recognized what was happening, I was able to move the link that was from him to you to me, directly from him to me."

"So you saw..."

"Don't interrupt, Potter," Severus shot in.

"It's okay," she said, momentarily laying a hand over his, a motion that only Hermione saw. "Yes, Harry, I did see more than you."

"What happened to them, I mean, did he..."

"Yes, Harry, he did. But don't worry, we're going to stop him, and for now you won't have to worry about your visions anymore. If you'll excuse me, I need to retrieve something from my room." They sat in an uncomfortable silence while she was gone, Professor Snape wondering what the mischievous smile on Hermione's face meant. When Professor Andraste returned she was carrying a gold necklace with a small tear shaped stone on it; the one Severus had seen her wearing in Paris. The stone was pulsating a variety of colors in turn. When she walked up to Harry and hung it around his neck, it settled into a soft shimmering purple. "This is called a dragon's tear diamond. There are very few in existence, so please take very good care of it. It is the only thing of value I was wearing when I was found in that alleyway..." Her voice drifted off for just a moment. "As long as you're wearing it, the visions will stop. You will also find that your powers are more potent, so please use restraint when casting spells at your fellow students...except Malfoy," she added, earning laughter from the kids, and even a small smirk from Professor Snape." I'm going to meet with Voldemort tonight, after that we will decide the best way to destroy him. Now, if Professor Snape doesn't mind, you can go back to your common room and I'll make your excuses with your other teachers." The three thanked her several times, and their Potions Master led them out to the hall, giving them each a pass. He stormed back into his living room, it was his turn to have a talk with Professor Andraste.