A/N: Hmm...most intriguing. Some of you like this Harry, some of you don't so much. You will find that I am much kinder to Harry as a character than I am to Ron and Hermione. I feel that of the three of them, Harry is the one with the greatest capacity for empathy, which is admittedly one of the big themes of S & A. In later chapters, the dinner scene will be revisited and explained by Mr. Potter. You must forgive me my OCC-ness. I am not Rowling, unfortunately; therefore, there are bound to be discrepancies.

Now, on with the show...

Chapter 6- Dreams and Nighttime Strategy

Your desire to my heart is an absolute commandment.- The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia: Sir Philip Sidney

The night grew later and later as the three of them sat around Remus's table, talking of many unconnected things. Severus wasn't mentioned again, although Samantha and Harry shared several knowing looks. The topics for conversation slowly dried up. Remus stood and cleared the table, setting the dishes in the sink to washing with a casual flick of his wand.

"Well, Harry," said Remus, as he moved to stand behind his chair. "I'd better get you back to the Burrow before Molly sends half her kids after me." He ruffled Harry's hair affectionately.

"Right," said Harry. The boy stood and stretched. "Thanks for dinner, Remus. Everything was really good."

"Glad you enjoyed it," said Remus. "Maybe you can come back over before you and the other two leave on your trip."

"Oh," said Harry, looking everywhere but at Remus. "Yeah. Maybe." He turned to where Samantha had stood to leave. "It was really nice meeting you, Sam. I really enjoyed our talk."

Samantha smiled at him has she took his proffered hand. "As did I, Mr. Potter." She gave him a knowing look as she released his hand. "I'm sure I'll talk to you again soon."

Harry nodded his head and walked over to where Remus was standing in the doorway leading to hall. Remus nodded at Samantha.

"Hey Sami, I'm just gonna floo over and make sure that Harry gets back okay. If you don't mind, would you wait for me? I want to talk to you about something." He gave her a very pointed look that was not lost on Harry.

"Sure, Remus," said Samantha. She glanced at Harry when Remus turned his back to walk out of the room. She mouthed the word later at him, and he turned to follow Remus.

Ever since last year when Severus was trying to teach Harry Occlumency and found him dreaming of the Prophecy Room, he had begged Albus to give the boy Order information. Not everything, Severus had said, but enough to where the boy would be aware of what was going on behind the scenes. Albus had refused, seconded by Molly Weasley's tearful pleas for Harry, and by extension Ron, Hermione and Ginny, to be kept out of the Order until they finished with school. Although Severus agreed with Molly's concerns, he felt the dangers of them rushing into situations without full knowledge would be even more life-threatening. Samantha had agreed with Severus along with, much to Severus's surprise, Sirius and Remus as well. But Albus had sternly and firmly told the four of them that Harry was not to be told anything under any circumstances.

Samantha had left that meeting frustrated. Severus left furious. After the Ministry fiasco with the Death Eaters, and Sirius being killed, Albus had apologized to Severus, saying that he had told Harry everything, including the Prophecy's contents, which he had never told to Severus for obvious reasons, and everything Albus knew about Harry's scar and the protection that Lily had given him through her death.

However, Samantha was not about to let this young man be left in the dark again. She knew both Molly and Arthur felt strongly that the kids should still not be inducted into the Order, even though they were of age and deserved to be given the chance to fight the war they were already fighting. Remus felt similarly, the loss of Sirius hitting him hard and the fear of losing Harry close to the surface. She would have to talk to Severus, and find some way to get the information to the kids as they looked for the Horcruxes.

Samantha heard the fireplace flare to life in the other room. She walked out into the hall and saw Remus still brushing ash off his clothes. He waved a hand towards the sitting room and waited for Samantha to go in front of him.

Seated in much the same way she and Harry had been earlier that night, Samantha waited silently for Remus to start talking.

"Arthur and Molly agreed to move the wedding to the day before," said Remus. "Molly's already working on contacting the Delacours and the extended Weasley members about the date change. The only explanation she's giving them is for "security reasons." No one outside the Order will know the real reason. The kids won't be told either to avoid them wanting to stay and help." Remus glared at her to reinforce his point.

"Alright, Remus," said Samantha, "I won't tell Harry anything about what the Order is planning for the attack."

"Right, well, they'll be at Headquarters on the first with Molly," said Remus. "Bill and Fleur will be gone to Egypt and Ginny will be at the Lovegoods visiting Luna. We've scheduled an Order meeting for tomorrow night at Headquarters. Nine o'clock. We'll discuss logistics and plan the ambush then."

Samantha nodded and got up from the chair. She grabbed her cloak off the hooks by the door and draped it around her shoulders. Remus kissed her cheek.

"I'll see you tomorrow night, Sami," said Remus as he straightened her cloak.

"Thanks for everything, Remus," said Samantha. "Dinner was wonderful. I really enjoyed meeting Mr. Potter. He is an excellent dinner companion."

Remus smiled. "That he is, my dear. That he is." He watched as Samantha turned and disapparated. He clapped his hands once, and the lights went off in the front part of the house.

Severus sat in his bedroom, staring at the empty owl cage hanging in the corner. A pale finger traced the outline of his thin lips in the darkness of the room. They had only a few days. He was worried Samantha wouldn't be able to do anything to get the ceremony moved. If he had to attack the wedding, there was no way he could keep someone from being killed. No way to guarantee their safety from the idiots who had been chosen to accompany him on this mission.

He'd received a note earlier from a black eagle owl. The bird had nearly bitten Severus's finger off when he reached for the black envelope. Inside, Severus found a list of names along with a time, place to rendezvous, and specific instructions not to fatally wound Potter. Bellatrix, Pettigrew, Nicolas Goyle, Gibbons, and about ten other names that Severus couldn't match to a face. He had stared in shock at reading the last five.

Draco Malfoy

Pansy Parkinson

Gregory Goyle

Vincent Crabbe

Theodore Nott


Severus shook his head. Not only was he to be expected to attack most of the Order, but he was to take untrained kids along. This was a nightmare.

So, he sat in the dark, waiting for word from Sam, thinking of anything to stop the scenarios of bleeding kids with pleading eyes that were running rampant through his mind. Madeline had been gone the entire day, so he had been unable to send this new information to Sam. He didn't dare send a Patronus message while the rat was still awake. Thankfully, Wormtail went to bed fairly early and slept late.

Severus started at the sound of tapping on the window. He cursed his jumpiness, and wrenched open the glass pane. Madeline flew in and landed on the desk. Severus didn't notice the letter attached to her leg as he absently petted her wing.

"Ow!" cried Severus as Madeline bit his finger hard. Severus put his bleeding knuckle in his mouth and glared at the bird. The bird glared back and gave an impatient hoot.

"Don't look at me like that, you little vixen," said Severus, seeing the moonlight glint off white parchment. "If you didn't notice, it's dark in here."

Madeline held still as Severus took the letter from her. She fluffed her tail at him and flew over to her cage, her back to Severus.

"Yes, fine, whatever," muttered Severus as he lit a single candle sitting on the desk. The light skimmed across the name 'Gabriel' in green ink. Severus broke the blank seal and pulled out the parchment.

My dearest Gabriel -


My moonlit dinner was phenomenal! The green-eyed terror turned out to be quite the conversationalist once he got a grasp on my knowledge of jewelry. I mentioned you and your knowledge of antiques. He seemed hesitant at first to accept your expertise in the area, but I convinced him that you did indeed know what you're talking about. He said to contact him with any more advice you might have about other antiques.


The family heirloom that Blue Sparkles and the green-eyed terror came by was a fake. I don't know if Blue Sparkles knew it. Turns out the real one was misplaced by one of your former business associates. I will need your assistance in deciphering the code he left for the father of the family.

Some friends are having a little get-together tomorrow evening at the old place. The Patriarch wants to see if he can prevent it from raining on his parade. Mama Bear is tracking down white rabbits overseas. I hope you don't mind me borrowing your proposal for the big feast. I didn't think red hares would eat it if they knew it was from you. The Moon frowns on the children serving dessert, but I think that some blackbird pies might be nice. Three would be more than enough.


I miss you, my sweet Gabriel. Remember that falcons fly fast after parties.


Je t'aime, mon amour, avec tout mon coeur,
Haydyn

Thank Merlin, thought Severus as he slumped in relief. Sam, you're brilliant, love! He read the first two paragraphs again. For once in his life, Potter was showing signs of true intelligence. Brilliant. But the Horcrux Potter had was a fake! Severus ran a hand through his shoulder-length hair. Damn it to hell, Albus! screamed Severus mentally. Misplaced by former associate, he read. He looked up and narrowed his eyes in thought. A Death Eater had stolen the locket and was stupid enough to leave a note to the Dark Lord confessing?

He stood and walked to the window, the letter in the hand by his side. This person would have to have had deep knowledge of the Dark Arts - Inner Circle or Wizarding dynasty with a large, extensive library. Well, thought Severus, that narrows us down to about 50 possible candidates. He sighed. He would have to wait and talk to Sam in person.

The Order meeting would be tomorrow, planning and strategy most likely. Sam had told them she thought of changing the date. Perfect. He raised the letter to reread the last bit. The Moon frowns on children…Lupin. The idiot. Severus sneered at the thought of the werewolf protecting his cubs now, of all times. Three blackbird pies… Severus chuckled to himself and shook his head. It was an inspired idea. Potter, for all his reckless rushing into danger, was an excellent flyer. Severus hated him for it. He had watched James Potter fly circles around him on the pitch, showing off for the crowd. Then, to make matters worse, Severus had to watch as the Gryffindor chosen child did it to his godson. Sickening. The youngest Weasley boy was also not a bad flyer. Granger, he'd heard, was a lost cause. But if she stayed inside the Burrow…

Severus glided over to his desk and found some parchment and a quill. He drew a sketch layout of the Burrow and wrote. Signing it with a bit of a flourish, he rolled it up and tapped the parchment with his wand. He raised it towards the wall and a white fox leapt through the wall.

Samantha was sitting in a chair near the fireplace. She loved this chair. It was the only one in the entire commons room that wasn't falling apart or so far away from the fireplace as to leave the occupant shivering from the cold. Even in June, the dungeons were still cold enough at night to warrant cloaks and blankets. But the warmth from the fireplace was comforting. The craziness of N.E.W.T.s had taken its toll on everyone. Samantha's last exam was the next morning. She had always done well in Charms, but she still sat up late, rereading the last few chapters of Quintessence, A Quest. She heard light footsteps behind her. She tensed in her chair, her hands gripping the book tightly. She exhaled in relief when the night walker spoke.

"Sam, what are you still doing up?" asked a young man as he walked around the back of her chair. His hair was pulled back from his face, throwing his sharp features into relief, the firelight flickering over his porcelain white skin. His shirt was untucked, his green and silver-striped tie hanging loose around his neck. The boyish grin on his face made him look younger than his eighteen years.


"I could ask you the same thing, Gabriel," said Sam. She closed her book and looked up at him, her arms resting on the arms of the chair. "I was just doing a bit of revising for Charms. I couldn't remember the exact wand movement for -"

"Haydyn, you remember everything," said Severus, rolling his eyes. "Your mind's a damn sponge. I'll have you know, it's quite irritating to sit next to you in Charms and watch Flitwick fawn all over you, while it takes me the whole class and extra practice to get the incantations down. So, just for that --" He suddenly grabbed both her arms and yanked her up out of the chair, her book falling loudly on the floor. Before she could make a sound of shock, he was sitting in her chair as if a king on a throne. She glared at him and placed her fists on her hips. Severus smirked at her fury.

"Severus Gabriel Snape, get out of my chair now!" whispered Samantha fiercely.


"Oh, I'm terribly sorry," said Severus with mock worry, "but-" he looked down at the chair on either side, "I don't see your name on it." He turned to look at the back of the chair and shrugged. "Nope. Not one 'Samantha Haydyn McKinnon' anywhere in sight. Lend me your wand, and I'll see if it's written in invisible ink."


"You are such an irritating, conceited, poncing little -" growled Samantha.

"Ah, ah, ah," said Severus teasingly, shaking a single thin finger at her. "I will have no name calling in my presence. That is so beneath a lady of your standing within the noble house of Slytherin."


Samantha gave him a sly grin and walked slowly towards him. She saw a brief flash of worry in his eyes as she got closer. Placing a hand on each of his shoulders, effectively pinning him to the back of the chair, she straddled him with a leg on either side of his and sat on his lap.

"How about this?" whispered Samantha. She slowly raised her hands to cup his face and gazed into the dark pools of his eyes.


"Do not start something you do not want to finish, my dear Haydyn," said Severus breathily. He grabbed her hands in his own. "Please, Samantha, we can't do this. I'm too dangerous for you to be around. We can't- "


Samantha leaned forward next to his ear. "Severus," she whispered, "I will not be pushed away. You've done it for so long now. I choose you. It's always been you. But it is up to you to decide if you want this." She leaned back to gaze into his eyes.


They sat silently in the firelight. Samantha watched several emotions flash in his eyes - desire, fear, love - each one only visible for the briefest time. He stared at her, not saying a word. Samantha lowered her head in embarrassment. She had ruined the only wonderful thing she had. She had practically thrown herself at him. Severus, her best friend. The friend she had fallen so hard for. How could she have been so stupid as to think he wanted something more?


Severus placed her hands onto the chair's arms. She began to get up to apologize profusely when he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. His other hand settled on the side of her neck, his thumb brushing her jaw line. He sat forward and pressed his lips to her neck, his tongue darting out to taste her skin with each kiss. Samantha closed her eyes as he trailed kisses to her cheek.


"My beautiful Samantha," whispered Severus against her lips.


The kiss was so soft, so tender, that Samantha felt as if she were melting. His tongue touched her lips, asking permission. She opened and met him with her own. She reached up and pulled the ribbon out of his hair. The silky locks spilled over her hands as she ran her hands through his hair. Severus slid his hands around her waist, slipping them under the edge of her blouse to touch the smooth skin of her back. Samantha arched at the feel of his hands, warm and slightly callused, on her bare skin. Severus took the opportunity to kiss her neck, her collarbone, the hollow of her throat. He looked up to kiss her again…


All of the sudden, Samantha saw a bright white light shine harshly through her eyelids. Not wanting to wake up from her dream, she turned over in the hopes of escaping the intruding glare. But the light was unrelenting. She opened her eyes, and saw a blurry shape jumping up and down on the bed beside her.

She sat up quickly, fully awake. She blinked her eyes several times to clear her vision. The white light slowly solidified into the shape of a fox.

"Damn," she muttered, flopping back in the bed. She reached out her hand, feeling for her wand on her bedside table. She raised the length of ebony wood to touch the Patronus. Grabbing the parchment from her wand, she watched the little fox dissipate into the darkness of her room. She closed her eyes briefly, trying to recapture the feel of sweet, slow kisses…

She snorted softly in frustration. Samantha got up out of bed, throwing on her black dressing robe. She lit the candle on her desk and unrolled the parchment.

To the most intelligent, clever, beautiful woman on the face of the whole earth-

Samantha, my love, have I told you how much I absolutely adore you? You are brilliant! I'll see what I can dig up for Potter. Maybe you can teach them Patronus Messaging before they head off into the great unknown.


I will have to find some way to meet you to talk about this missive from our thieving Death Eater. Get all the clues Potter will let you have. If we can figure out who wrote the letter, we may be able to uncover clues about the other bits of the Dark Lord. See if you can find out when Potter's planning on leaving.

I think having the kids on brooms the day of the attack is a great idea. Unfortunately, Granger will be of no use in the air, but Potter and Weasley will be invaluable. Have them watch for some signal from you to start an aerial attack. Disillusion them (do NOT let Potter use his cloak) and the brooms. Convince Granger to aim from a window on an upper floor of the house. I've included a sketch of the best areas for stationing her. Good luck dealing with any babysitters or raging, overprotective werewolves.

I received the list of my charges for the attack. No one of note, power-wise. Bella and Wormtail will be there, but other than that, there should be no fear. However, the Dark Lord has deemed this mission as prime training ground for 5 young recruits. Draco, Parkinson, Nott, and the younger Crabbe and Goyle will be among my legion of sycophants. I can't have them excluded without raising suspicion. We're to be in Ottery St. Catchpole at 12:30, so make sure your team is there and ready by then.

Well, I have nothing more to report, love. I will eagerly await any fast-flying falcons tomorrow night. Should darkness fall, I'll send word to you, either with Madeline or by Patronus.


God, I miss you, Sam. I think about you all the time, love. Can't wait to see you again. Be ready on Saturday.


With all my heart, mind, and soul,
Severus


Tears were streaming down Samantha's face as she read the last lines of the letter. This, coupled with the dream, made her chest constrict painfully with longing for Severus. A sob escaped her lips as she walked back to her bed. She buried her head in her pillow and cried herself to sleep, Severus's letter sitting on top of her desk.