J. K. Rowling has just finished her 6th book which was amazing. If you people have read the other to 22 chapters of this story it is obvious that I am not her… Therefore I believe it is safe to say I don't own it and I make no money off of it.

Note if you forget who Mr. Winther is you need to remind yourself now! I'm sorry I know it's been a while.

Chapter Twenty-three
Granddaughter

Over the next few days Sarah became furious over her work researching Winther. The only time she ever paused in her work was to teach. Severus had notice a change in Sarah since there visit to the Squeaky Door. Every time one of the other mages would offer to help with Severus or one of her other students beyond what they already did she would become defensive launching into feuds and speeches about how she was there rightful teacher and how the young mages as she called them, much to Severus's grief, were her responsibility.

One day when Severus had stepped into the mages room to pick up a potions recipe Sarah had wanted him to try, he had found himself alone with Scott who had been intently staring at a bowl of. The mage had given Severus some unneeded comforting telling him that Sarah was just worried about failing again. He told Severus that she often got paranoid like this and that it was nothing to worry about.

Severus thought about the mages words and realized how really paranoid she was. She was working entirely in invisible ink now in her research on Winther, determined to not let anything slip. She was now relaying all information to Severus directly too, because of the mishap with the information for the Squeaky Door.

Meanwhile James's bird which had been found squawking with two broken wings and a fractured leg on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. James had healed it in a few hours, but he and Hagrid were still watching after it like their only child, which made Severus smirk every time he thought of the happy couple.

Meanwhile the whole school was in an uproar over the upcoming quidditch match. It was the first match of the year and it was Slytherin verses Gryffindor. Both the number of pranks and the number of detentions given because of them had doubled in the past week.

Sarah and Severus were to meet in the staff room after lunch the next Tuesday. They had been planning on going over some of Sarah's research since she and Severus were the only teachers that didn't have classes on Tuesday afternoon.

They met in the corridor outside of the staff room and entered together. However they both soon realized that they were not alone. Professor McGonagall sat an one of the chairs facing the door sipping a cup of very dark looking coffee, looking rather pale and worn.

The couple froze at the door. But Sarah was well aware that it would arouse suspicion and not to mention anger if they both were to just turn around and leave.

Severus who stood behind Sarah was watching his teacher closely to see what she wanted to do about this unsuspected intrusion. When Severus realized that she was just as stunned as he, he took the first opening he saw to fish then both from the moat.

"Minerva, I thought you would be in class."

The old women looked up from her coffee and threw her gaze back and forth between the pair still stand at the door.

Severus gave his teacher a little shove in the back to push her forward so that they could both enter the room.

McGonagall watched Sarah with glaring eyes as Severus took the chair directly across from the older witch and Sarah to the farther of the to chairs next to Severus.

Minerva turned her gaze back towards Severus. "Well I would be in class, but I was forced to cancel all my afternoon classes because within five minutes of the start of class my inter fourth year Hufflepuff and Slytherin class was poisoned with a toxic gas that had erupted from a Hufflepuff girls wand. There're all down in the hospital wing and Poppy is in such a fuss I came up here to escape the madness."

Severus looked on with interest, but Sarah had found a better interest in her hilt knife. McGonagall watched her finger the knife with apprehension.

"Why were you not contaminated?" Asked Severus looking intrigued.

"When I realized what was happening I was able to through up a shield around me and the students but they are younger and most of them smaller, so the vapor had already taken effect Replied McGonagall finally looking away from Sarah's shimmering blade.

"And how long did it take you to realize that you were allowing your entire class to be poisoned?" Asked Sarah.

McGonagall turned to glare at her. "First off I did not poison them. Secondly Madam Pomfrey assures me that in a worst case scenario one of the students shall have to spend the night… Do you watch quidditch Professor?"

Sarah smiled slyly. "I shall ignore the fact that you did not answer my question if only to answer yours.

"I have never if fact seen a match, but I have seen a few books on the subject and have a bit of background in riding a broom stick."

"Oh," said McGonagall with a smile. "So you'll have not picked who you are going to cheer for on Saturday."

"No, I can't say that I have."

"Well… Which are you going to pick Gryffindor… or Slytherin."

Sarah graced McGonagall with another of her loveliest fake smiles. "Are the teachers suppose to pick sides if the are not the head of the opposing teams house?"

McGonagall frowned, but made a quick recovery. "Well for the sake of the students we don't discussed our preferences in front of them, however that doesn't mean we don't have them." She smiled. "So what will it be then?" She asked with a smile towards Severus before looking back at Sarah. "You grandfather was a great asset to Gryffindor in his day you know."

"Yes, in fact I did. As I understand it Gryffindor is currently in possession of the Quidditch Cup, are they not?"

"Why yes," McGonagall smiled at Severus again before turning back to Sarah.

"Well then… I suppose the appropriate color for me to wear on Saturday would be green…"

Severus was shocked, but he was having a bit more luck in covering his emotions than dear McGonagall across from him.

"Because it is my understanding that the underdog is always the way to place ones chips." Finished Sarah.

Placing her hilt knife back in her sock she stood to leave. "If you need me Severus I shall be in my library doing some research." She turned to McGonagall, "Good day Professor."

Severus used his wand to summon the pot of coffee and a cup from the side table before pouring himself a cup, smirking all the while.

The week progressed as normal. Sarah had even invited Severus to assist in her research after his lesson Friday. She had still made no headway in her research and when the clock struck two and Severus headed back to his own quarters there was still no difference.

Sarah had intended to continue in her research after showing Severus out, but as soon as she sat down again there was a knock at her office door. Without waiting for an answer the door was opened and Kaki stepped through the office headed straight for the light coming from the library.

She stopped right in front or the worktable waiting for Sarah to acknowledge her presence.

"What are you doing up?" Sarah asked the cloudy eyed mage. "You look like the walking dead."

"I could tell you the same thing." Kaki replied tartly. "It's late. Why are you still working?"

"For your information I'm almost done… Why are you here anyway?"

"Neil confessed that you had told him you would be spending the night in our room when you didn't show up. So I figured either Severus had managed to make a potions mistake that killed you both or you were stupid enough to try and pull another all-nighter."

Sarah gave her friend a rather crocked smile. "Sorry I forgot. I invited Severus to do some research with me and he just left not but five minuets ago."

"Fine, I'll help you clean up and then we can head back together." Kaki said while crossing her arms over her chest and giving Sarah a look that said don't argue with me. But, Sarah did anyway.

"I think I'll stay her actually… You can stay too if you'd like." She replied in a carefree tone.

Kaki seemed to consider this for a minute before she uncrossed her arms and smiled. "All right, but you'll have to floo the others and tell them were staying. Magical powder or no I still don't like the idea for sticking my head in the fire."

Sarah smile too as she began to laugh. Walking over to the hearth she threw in a pinch of powder before putting her head in the green flames and calling out, "The Mages' room."

The next morning Sarah awoke to the smell of very strong coffee. Opening her eyes she excepted the mug Kaki gave her, grateful that her own was filled with tea.

"I'm going to head back to my room so I can get changed. I'll see you at the match all right?"

And once again without waiting for an answer Kaki left the room leaving Sarah to get ready herself. Since she had canceled all her Saturday classes due to the match Sarah took her time getting dressed.

After getting dressed in her usual fashion of breeches with a while button-down shirt. She pulled on her black habit which she always wore when she was with her students, except for Severus that is and went down to the great hall for a quick bite to eat before heading out to the pitch planning on snagged a front row seat in the teachers box from which she would watch the game.

Although when she entered the box she noticed that Severus was sitting in the corner of the top row and went to sit with him instead.

"Good morning, Severus." She said brightly while pulling a long emerald green and white striped scarf from the left-hand pocket of the habit. She had seen some of the Slytherin's wearing them in the mornings on there way to Herbology and had kindly asked the house elf Dobby to get her one after she had told McGonagall she would be routing for Slytherin. Sarah however had been taken aback when at first Dobby had returned with a red and gold scarf with some cock-en-bull story about it being warmer. However on the second try the elf had returned a scarf in the appropriate colors.

Severus looked over at his teacher as she rapped the Slytherin scarf cicurly around her neck. He himself never wore any such thing. Everyone at Hogwarts new who he wanted to win. "Good morning." He replied once she was settled.

Severus then turned away from her trying to think of a to make her leave. He did not want to be seen with her when- to late. Lucius Malfoy had just appeared in the teachers box.

"Good morning, old friend." Said Malfoy as he made his way up to the top of the box.

"Hello Lucius."

"Ah, Severus who is your young lady friend." He asked but without waiting for a reply he continued up the stairs to stand in the row just before the one where the two professors were sitting. He then took Sarah's hand and pressed it softly to his lips, looking at her through his long, lashes. "Usually women as beautiful as yourself don't find it fit to speed there time with the likes of my dear friend."

Severus saw a broad, sweet smile come to Sarah's face. It looked to be genuine but Severus thought other wise as she answered in an overly sweet voice, "Well that really is a shame that some women are so shallow… But I assure you Mr. Malfoy that I am nothing of the sort."

Lucius eyed her for a moment as if questioning her answers. Severus became tense as if readying himself to pounce. Then Lucius Struck up the conversation once more on something completely different.

"And why is it that someone like the Headmaster's granddaughter is rooting for Slytherin. It seems just as likely as Severus being a secret fan of Gryffindor." He smiled at Severus who hadn't even heard the insult. He brain had stared working a mile a minute as soon as he had heard Lucius mention the word granddaughter.

Sarah, however had a much better handle over her own surprise. "And what makes you think I have any relation to the Headmaster?"

Lucius was now grinning, which made his normally serious face look as if it was about to break.

My son had informed me that the Headmaster's granddaughter had taken up a post here… And the fact that you just look so much like him… I believe you know my son, Draco in fact. He is one of your students I think."

"Yes he is. And I feel I must mention how Draco is the spiting image of yourself."

Standing tall he and proud he said, "Yes, he does indeed look like a Malfoy."

"Indeed."

Just then the Headmaster walked into the box. "Ah, hello Lucius. Come to watch the game have you. I see you have met Professor Merloom."

"Lucius turned to Dumbledore with a smug look in his eye. "Yes in fact, your granddaughter was just enlightening me as to why she is rooting for Slytherin."

Severus saw the twinkle in the old man's eye's die out at the word granddaughter.

That word seems to have become a more feared word than Voldemort. Severus thought to himself while trying desperately to quickly draw attention away from Sarah's heritage before things got to out of hand.

However the Headmaster was once again far ahead of everyone else, however this time with not such an ingenious plan.

"Sarah if you would please come down to sit by me you can better hear the commentator."

Sarah smiled and nodded. "Of course." And with one last sarcastically sweet glance at Luicus Sarah left the top row of the box leaving Luicus to take the place next to Severus.

"Well indeed old friend this does promise to be a most interesting game."

Severus nodded as he watch the rest of the student flood into the stands.

"AND HE'S DONE IT! DRACO MALFOY HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH!" Cried the commentator. A third year Slythirein who was filling in because the normal commentator had conveniently been accidentally hit with a misfired spell the day before that had removed his tongue. SYLTHEIREIN WINS! 180 to 90.

With the match ended everyone began to pile out of the stands. Severus could hear the Slytherins roaring from across the stadium. They seemed to be singing some song about Weasley and a King but he paid this little mind for as he reached the landed and continued out upon the ground he saw Lucius edge his way over to where Sarah was standing alone.

Severus quickly glance around for her friends and the Headmaster but found them all chatting still walking up to the school. Please don't be waiting for me. Severus though dreading what Lucius might say if he got to speak with her again.

It was then that Severus realized his friend was indeed chatting idilly with the mage. Walking quickly towards them, his robes billowing behind them he came to a halt next to them just in time to hear Lucius say, "You never did tell me why you routed for Slytherin."

"And by that comment might I assume that you still wish to know?" Sarah challenged.

"You may."

"Well then, it is my experience that the underdog," she added extra emphasis on that word making a sour look come to Lucius's face, "is always the better bet."

"Severus could see Lucius's wheels turning for a way to stick her back. Much to his grief he found it.

Reaching into his pocket the platinum blond pulled out a handful of gallons and stuffed them into Sarah's hand. "By the looks of your attire it looks as if you betting isn't always so accurate. Perhaps you could use this to by a new set of robes. It seems such a shame to hide such an excellent figure under such obvious signs of poverty."

Severus feared Sarah was about to do something that would surly have her sent to Askaban however by that time the Headmaster had finally noticed his granddaughters strange company and come to her much unwanted rescue.

"Ah, Lucius, I see you and Severus seem very interested in mage craft. Perhaps if you would like to come up to my office the three of us can discuss it."

Severus could practically feel the rage radiating from Sarah as watched her Grandfather make such an obvious and in her opinion unneeded attempt to save her.

"No that's quite all right Headmaster in fact we were actually discussing you granddaughters interesting choice in wardrobe."

From the look in his eyes Severus was pretty sure the Headmaster had caught on to the black joke as he replied. "Yes aren't they wonderful. She got them for becoming a black level mage. There's only ten in the world you know. They are held in the highest honor if not only for there power and skills but for there smarts in judgment."

And at that the Headmaster took Sarah's hand and lead her off towards the castle. Sarah let the gallons in her free hand drop carelessly to the ground stepping on them as she went.

After Severus had gotten rid of Lucius and made his way up to the Headmaster office where he was sure he was being waited for Severus knocked on the old wooden door atop the stone steps and was immediately let it.

There he found a fuming Sarah standing besides what was supposed to be her chair while Dumbledore also stood. One hand over his eyes as he used the other to lean on his desk.

"I don't need a baby-sitter grandfather."

"Sarah, don't you understand? Voldemort knows who you are."

"Oh, and what is that?"

"Sarah this is serious! He knows that you are my granddaughter."

Severus could see the light in Sarah's eyes. However unlike her grandfather her certain twinkle usually resulted in some sort of pain for whoever fell under her gaze.

"Your granddaughter!" Sarah raged, eye's flashing. "That I might be Albus, but that is not all that I am. I am one of the most powerful mages in the world and completely capable of defending myself!"

Severus felt the air tighten and he swore he saw the quill on Dumbledore's desk twitch and the bolting paper nearby begin to shake.

"I suggest you focus your heroics on those who actually need it. Good day, Headmaster."

Leaving both Dumbledore and Severus frozen in place, she stormed out.

Severus was the first to recover from his shock. He watched and waited for Dumbledore to move and after a moment Dumbledore's had reached for a picture on his desk holding it with great care he brought it close to his face. "You think it would be easier as they get older… However as the days pass you realize that it just keeps getting harder and harder to keep them from harm."

He set the picture down gently, setting it at an angle that allowed Severus to see the picture occupant. A toddler version of Sarah was laughing as she sat upon her grandfather's lap tugging on his long beard as Dumbledore smiled back at her holding her close. Severus looked up at Dumbledore to see him smiling gently at the picture.

Excusing himself Severus got up from his chair without a word and left shutting the door quietly behind him. He knew that he would be called back later to discuss things but he also knew that for now he was dismiss.

On the way back to his rooms from the Headmaster's office at four in the morning Severus though his tired and weary state decided to take a little detour. He didn't know why but his feet seemed to be leading him along a path that would take him to Sarah's rooms. He knew that she would be awake when he got there, but how he knew this he had know idea. He just somehow knew he had to go to her… Something was up.

When reaching her door Severus knocked and waited. After sometime he knocked again getting aggravated but refusing to leave.

Inside Sarah was sitting at a desk upon hearing the second knock she guess it was something regent that could not be ignore. Sending out her magic she realized that the person outside her door was Severus. Taking the quill she was currently writing with she scribbled a hurried note and sent the paper out her library, through her office, and under the door.

After his third knock a piece of paper slid from under the door. You have training tomorrow. You should be in bed. Come in.

Severus grimace at the note before turning the handle o the door and walking through the office towards the light coming from the open library door.

There he found Sarah sitting at the work table with those infernal reading glass on, writing on a piece of very long parchment with what looked to be no ink. Setting her quill in an empty ink pot and taking off her glasses Sarah turned in her seat to look at him. What she said next shocked the living hell out of him.

"Wotcher Severus, Winther has a granddaughter."

People look at this story as a break for your tied fingers. I don't give a damn if you review. I write this for a friend of mine and I could always strange her option from her personally;)

This is not proff read at ALL I've had 2 months of comuter problems and just want this thing out!

You've all been so sweetJ Happy I hate Walmart Day!