Fortunately for them both, Lynx seemed to remember factual information learned through classes and homework, she seemed to be fuzzy with the physical people and places, and the memory attached to them. Lynx had stayed in Nyt's room discussing everything that Nyt did her best to explain the gaps of Lynx's memory. Lynx understood that some things were so complicated that words wouldn't be enough. With that in mind she didn't inquire much about their families and focused most the recent events. By morning Lynx knew most all that was need to function through out the day. While Lynx got ready for classes, Nyt ran down to the principle's office were she knew that regardless of the early hour the principle would be there. She acquired a permission note for her to attend all the classes with Lynx for the day or perhaps longer, until significant improvement in her memory.

Before the halls filled with students, Nyt walked Lynx through the building pointing out the most important things. Nyt had taken for granted the mundane things the are known throughout the day: restrooms, lunchrooms, even her own room. Lynx had to relearn them all.

They ended up in the lunchroom for breakfast. A few groups were scattered, but none that Nyt or Lynx were regularly with. They got the food and sat at Lynx common table.

"So, do you remember all I just showed you."

Lynx's mouth was full but Nyt received and eager head nod.

"I was wondering if you wanted to play a game."

Lynx's eyes widened and her brow furrowed in confusion.

"I was just wondering if you wanted that I hadn't told you anything."

"Why."

"Well, I explained our dilemma with Skyra to you right?"

"Yeah, but I don't see…."

"I also explain why I'm being almost constantly watched. So, I think I have a way to get back at her, yet make it look absolutely by accident."

Lynx's curiosity spiked, but the lunchroom was getting full and she didn't believe that Nyt wanted to be overheard.

"I'll just tell you, she has a very embarrassing past event that she revealed to us years ago. I was surprised I had forgot it, but yesterday I was talking to H…..Henry in the hallway and something he said triggered my memory. Ironic I know. But among many things I need, I need you to make it seem that you still don't remember even the slightest thing. You can't know our history with Skyra, and to be safe with most anyone here. You'll have to make it look like your memory has to start over, which shouldn't be too hard. I'll need you to act like this for roughly a week possibly two."

"Are you saying with everything that you have told me about her, you want me to pretend that Skyra and we are still best friends?"

"Difficult I know, but vital."

"Well, as long as it is good. I'm in."

"Good, this message will self destruct in five….four….three."

"What?"

"Never mind Lynx."

They joked around for a short time while the room filled around them. Lynx's table filled up fast. Harry hadn't told anything that Nyt had told him including her information about Lynx's condition, so every one was surprised to discover Lynx had almost no memory at all.

"Well what happened?" Ron's eagerness was somewhat dissolved by the food in his mouth, but he didn't bother to swallow first.

Lynx went to answer but didn't know what to say. With her mouth open, Nyt supplied and answer.

"She hit her head really hard."

"Doing what."

"She was… pulling down some books from her shelf and one fell form her stack and smacked her on the head."

Ron looked and Lynx's head for a moment then replied "I don't see a mark."

Nyt was about to speak but Lynx beat her to it. Even with out her memory Lynx was still Lynx.

"Ron if I hit you over this hand with my fist will it always make a mark?"

"I don't know."

Lynx began to move off the seat, "Here let me show you."

"Lynx…" Nyt tugged on her arm. "Let the poor boy stuff his pancakes unceremoniously into his mouth. We should head to your first class. Conveniently enough, my first class."

They both got up to leave, as they pasted the entrance door, Lynx recognized Professor Snape enter. Upon seeing them both, he glanced the other way. Lynx looked to Nyt, but her head was down and her face covered by her back hair. The air had tensed, but once Snape passed them Nyt began walking fast, anger in her eyes.

Lynx wanted to enquire, but they came to the classroom with about 5 minutes to spare before class they sat and chatted. Harry came in and joined them after sitting his stuff in his usual seat.

"So what is up, what's the plan?" Harry sat on the desk his feet dangling next to both their legs. Lynx looked at Nyt startled.

"It okay, I ran into him last night, and…well, I think he can help."

"Oh?"

There was a brief silence. Nyt didn't seem to want to go into detail about this run-in-meeting with Harry, but so long as she trusts him Lynx could too. Harry broke the silence with a question.

"How much precisely to you remember?"

Lynx turned to Nyt, "If I hear that question one more time, I'm going to break."

"Yeah, and just what do you think you would do?"

"Maybe I'll…….."

"Head lock, I taught you a really good head lock years ago."

"Really, I don't…" She trailed off.

"Well I'll show you."

People were beginning to file into the room, but neither Lynx nor Nyt had ever really cared for what other thought of them. Oblivious to people watching Nyt stood and beckoned Lynx. She placed Lynx's arms and hands in the proper spot and began to give instructions as to what she was about to do. Just as she started moving the class collectively gasped.

Her surroundings and, in particular, the time explained the class' reaction. She didn't turn around; she didn't want to see him. Behind her the door closed with a loud, startling slam.

"Miss Lupin, Miss Nikov surely you can explain what you are doing?"

"Nyt was just showing me something I probably should remember."

"Amnesia does not condone this" His voice was a dangerous hiss, as if preparing for a strike.

Nyt, facing the class, saw that a few students were surprised at this. Well. At least it was public now. One step less to her goal.

"Sit down, both of you before I give you a grueling detention."

They both sat and class progressed in a moody fashion. Nyt didn't once look up at Severus, nor did she do anything to attract attention to herself. She did manage to scribble a quick note requesting Harry to meet again tonight.

As the class left hurriedly, Nyt managed to worm next to Harry and slip it into his coat pocket. She made sure to let him know it was there and then pulled Lynx along with her. They walked to her next class in silence, Nyt still refusing to look people in the eyes.

Severus saw them all leave, and even though Nyt tried to hide her letter Severus saw a flash of it before she placed it in Potter's pocket. Rage filled him. A wish to yank her from the exiting line, throw her into his office, and yell until his lungs popped traveled through him. With years of experience he quailed it, taking a deep breath that didn't help calm him but gave him restraint to turn away.

In his office he sat, again mulling over his anger. Nyt. He wanted to be near her, but it was a question of the future which shouldn't be held back by him. He had chosen last night that he would treat her like any other student with hopes for her to begin searching for someone else. He just didn't think it would have happed so quickly. It hadn't even been twenty-four hours since he had formulated this idea!

No, she wasn't with Potter, that couldn't be it. He would be able to recognize that from her expressions if she was attracted to someone, he had seen it directed towards him. He would despise the man receiving her affections, the thought made his anger grew exponentially, but her future would be safe…from him.

Lynx didn't know what had happened between the class periods but a normal Nyt met her after class.

"So how did it go?"

"Has well as someone who doesn't remember anyone can get by."

"Well, do you recall anything yet?"

"Only what we have discussed. I know a few more people and I believe I can get to my first classes without help."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Prove it." Nyt extended her arm letting Lynx take the lead. Hesitantly, Lynx began to led and Nyt followed into step besides her.

"Do remember the time you got really drunk and sang the national anthem on the statue in front of the Jude Center in a toga?"

Lynx stopped horrified. "Did…did I do that…ever?"

Nyt's smile was bright and big. "No, I was just checking." Nyt gave a carefree laugh, she apparently had been wanting to do something small like that for a while.

"Very funny. When you get amnesia I'm claiming that you were schizophrenic."

"But, my dear I am. You can't pull a fast one on me if it is true."

"What are you serious?" Lynx grew worried again; she wouldn't have forgotten something that important if she remembered Nyt, would she?

"What do you think? I may be crazy and just a tad weird, but that doesn't mean I hear voice."

They went back into silence. They had almost, from Lynx's guess, reached the lunchroom.

"Hey Bobby."

Startled Lynx looked around the hallway. There were a few people ahead them and a group behind them. No one, however, was walking towards them or had they passed.

"Bobby?"

Nyt's laughed, "You didn't hear Bobby say hi?"

"Nyt, I didn't hear anyone say hi."

Her expression paled and panic filled her voice and both Lynx and Nyt stopped in the hallway

"You don't hear him?"

"No," Lynx too was getting worried.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"You don't hear that?"

"Hear what?"

Nyt didn't say anything for a moment, just looked to a spot above Lynx's head.

"Shut-up." Relaxing, Lynx gave a playful shove to Nyt. Both continued to joke as they entered the lunchroom.

Nyt had led Lynx to her proper room with a promise to return later in the evening before curfew. Lynx looked around the room. It was a weird feeling to have pictures of her self that she didn't remember posing for. There were little knickknacks she didn't remember receiving.

As she traveled around the room she noticed a folded paper with her name written in loopy script on her bed. With some hesitation she picked it up but didn't yet have the courage to open it. From what she knew her room was unknown to all but the Gryffins and, of course, Nyt. 'It must be one of them, I wonder what they want.' She opened it and read:

Dear Lynx,

I understand the predicament you are in right now. Though you have no or little memory of me, for a while we have been considered to be dating.

She recalled Nyt mentioning that she had been dating someone named Draco. Nyt had explained the circumstances of the relationship, how the school doesn't view Draco as nice though she had found him to be charming. Nyt told her that always to both her and Nyt, he had been a complete gentleman. Looking to the bottom of the page she discovered the letter to be his. It was nerve wracking to not remember who this person is, but the idea of this man sending her a letter before confronting her was sweet.

I would understand as well, if you decided you needed sometime before you wished to see, or indeed met me…again, though I don't relish the idea. Tonight I plan to be in the gardens just past the oak tree behind the south school exit around 11. If, I hope, you would like to meet me and discuss things, I would be happy to help.

Draco

P.S. I won't change any event that has happened, and I won't make anything up, if that helps you to decide.

Lynx smiled. Her…boyfriend…was unbelievably kind. She wasn't absolutely certain it was from him, but Nyt had told her of other things he had done and it seems that he would think of something like this. She believed that the author was in fact Draco.

Although being alone in the school at night brought her some discomfort, she would be able to meet the kind-souled writer of this letter. Perhaps, with his help, she could begin to remember something of the past. She was sick of not knowing the most mundane things. After Nyt checked on her, Lynx would go met Draco face to face.

The hallways were deserted, as they should be. Light was deeming creating shadows on the hall walls. There was silence but it lacked the peace that the darkness seemed to hold. She traveled slowly towards the south exit, remembering it from her tour with Nyt this morning.

Every step was laid with caution, yet some how someone noticed. As Lynx rounded the last corridor to the doorway she jumped back frightened.

A tall, snarky Professor Snape stood straight with his arms crossed over his chest. He looked down on her, anger rippling in his dark eyes. He didn't say anything for a moment then grabbed her by the arm and began to pull her down the hallway.

Where he was taking her she didn't know. With the shock of being caught and his rough transporting manner, she lost bearing on her surrounding just trying to keep from falling on the floor.

Finally, the back portion library came into view. 'Why would he be going this way? Oh, I'm so dead.' He turned down a hallway that had a dead end expect for a glass door to the left.

Lynx barely had time to notice people through the glass before he threw open the door and pulled her inside.

A very startled, yet angry Nyt met her gaze and then the professor's. Fear flashed in Harry's eyes. No one spoke until the professor lightly shoved Lynx towards Nyt.

"I found her wondering the hallways." The words were filled with venom, "I don't know what is going on here but all of you have detention! I will not tolerate this! She, " He pointed to Lynx, "shouldn't even be alone until we catch who is responsible for earlier actions against her. And you," he pointed between Nyt and Harry, but his eyes never left Nyt, "I don't know or care what is progressing here, but I don't want to see you two out after curfew! Ever again!"

Saying what he had wanted to say, he turned, threw the door open again, and marched from the room.

Lynx turned towards Nyt. Her eyes were filled with tears, but her posture was rigid. Lynx may not remember much, but she knew this look. It was anger and hurt within Nyt and while she may be hurting more, she would only express the anger. Nyt brought a hand to her eyes and wiped them clean. The only visible emotion on her was anger, and she was seething.

Not knowing what to do or say, Harry began towards the door. He stopped and looked back to Nyt.

"I don't want our friendship to end. We've only had two days, but I enjoy your company."

Even in her state, Nyt managed a charming smile, "Nor would I. Trust me things will change."

Neither Harry nor Lynx knew what she meant, but Harry finished, "When I'm able I would like to discuss with you…this." He pointed between Nyt and the door the professor had just left from.

"Sooner than you think."

Harry left Nyt and Lynx. They both moved to the door. Nyt's anger had evaporated, Lynx knew, but she would get angry later when she was able to deal with it.

"So what are you doing out past curfew."
Guilt filled Lynx, she should have told her. "I was going to met Draco."

For a brief moment the hurt flashed into Nyt's eyes but it was quickly replaced by solemn understanding.

"I'm sorry you didn't get a chance. Write him a letter for tomorrow explaining why, if he doesn't understand that you couldn't meet him I'll talk to you for him."

"Thank you."

"How did you two plan to meet?"

"He left me a letter on my bed."

"That rat! Did you teach him to use the vent…. Sorry I forgot… .you wouldn't remember"

"Yep, that seems to be the story now." She was silent for a moment, but there were too many questions that she could no longer hold in. "What is going on? Is there something, was there something, between you and the professor. You seem to provoke a lot of emotion from him."
"Yeah, I'll explain that when we get you to your rooms."

"Okay, but could you tell me what you meant with 'things will change'?"

"I'm tired of looking over my shoulder and worrying what everyone will think. I'm sick of these house rivalries that go beyond friendly competition. I plan to change some of the things within this school."

The next morning Lynx woke up to a knock on her door. Checking to make sure she looked appropriate for whoever could walk through she called out to the visitor. Harry's head stuck out from behind the door.

"Um, we were just wondering if you would like to come to breakfast with us."

"Sure, just…I need a few moments to get ready."

He smiled brightly and nodded.

Lynx bustled around the room as her hunger mounted. She and Nyt had been discussing Snape into morning. Although she couldn't see what attracted Nyt to the 25-year-old, snarky professor, she could understand Nyt's pain. She said he was rejecting her now for her future, but Lynx easily read that his rejection was hurting. Nyt said she understood and wasn't upset with him, yet she didn't understand why he seemed so upset at her- she hadn't done anything beyond the average. Lynx just told her to be prepared for whatever is to come.

Harry and Ginny had waited for her. They entered the busy eating hall. It was full and the multiple conversations supplied the usual noise. Lynx looked around for Nyt but she couldn't see her. They attempted to walk to their usual table, but a crowd had formed around their common sitting spot. The people all tried to crane their heads around each other to glimpse the middle of the group while chanting of "GO! GO! GO!"

Lynx wormed her way through the crowd as a soft applause broke out. She broke between two students into the middle and met a smiling Nyt and a very disgruntled George.

"How in the world could someone that small chug so much?"

Nyt leaned over to George placing a hand on his shoulder. "George, deary, it isn't size, it's metabolism."

"Want to go again?"

Shock passed Nyt's features and then a sick expression. "Maybe in a few minutes. I may be faster, but it appears that you have stamina."

"Don't you forget it." The crowded laughed all focused on Nyt and George until George looked around and said. "Who's next?"

There was confusion as people debated taking on the Great Guzzler George that Lynx used to slide into a vacated seat next to Nyt.

"Just what do you think you are doing at the Gryffin table?"

Nyt turned towards her, the smile never leaving her face. "I told you, I'm changing things."

"And this is your plan?"

"Well, I'm not going to be able to change the whole school alone. I figure that if I make good enough friends in the other houses, I have a back up group incase the snakes don't reject the transition. You have some really amazing people in this house." Nyt pulled a boy about the age of 16 from the crowd. "Take dear Stephen here, only 16 and already has a novel written."

The boy beamed, "Well, its not published yet."

"Don't you even think that way, I've talked to you for scant minutes and already love the story line."

The boy's face reddened by all the attention but a friend pulled him back into the crowd that had now formed barely feet away around George and Ron.

"How do you get people to tell you their life story while meeting them?" Lynx rested her hand against her chin, marveling at the abilities of Nyt.

"Everyone has something in common with someone else, I just form a connection and run with it. Besides, working together, you and I can get almost anything we want."
"Amazing."
"I know."

Lynx slapped her arm, "No, not you" Nyt frowned "Thanks" but Lynx continued, "Him,"

She pointed to the blonde hair boy with George.
"Oh my god! Is that…is that Draco?"

"What is he doing over here."

"He seems to be following you plan."

"I didn't think it would work that fast. I told him just last night, I figured he wouldn't participate."

"Well, you were wrong."

"So it would seem." They watched as people cheered on both Draco and George. Students from the Snake table had begun to file into the Gryffin crowd all looking towards the middle. Nyt turned back to Lynx, "Um, Lynx… I didn't know what to do really, but I didn't want to see you under anymore stress, so I told a very mad Draco of your delay. He told me he would talk to you today, before curfew."

Just as she said that clapping again broke out and they could hear over the crowd, "Good game Weasley, I just hope one person in this crowd can defeat you." Laughter answered back before someone shouted, "Nikov already has."

Both girls sobered as not moments after Draco emerged from the group. Nyt, with a shy apologizing smile said, "Well, he's early, but before curfew" and grabbed the nearest passing student to begin a conversation that would inevitably bind someone else in friendship to Nyt.

Lynx sat in class wondering where all the enthusiasm that had been in the students this morning had went. A few chatted together, she noticed some from Raven talking to a few Snakes, but most everyone else set facing the front of the room.

She had discussed her issues with Draco and he agreed that they would go to the library for lunch to talk out the rest of their problems, especially the one where she doesn't remember him.

Just as she turned to talk to someone, anyone, the door opened and with a BANG! Closed. Students sprinted to their seats and remained quiet, unmoving.

"I don't know what has caused the improvement on the relationship between houses, nor do I care. Make friends with each other just DON'T. DO. IT. IN. MY. CLASS!"

Snape paced to the front of the room and looked down upon all the students. Lynx could feel the tension in Nyt's body next to her. She didn't dare look up or even breathe too loudly. Snape seemed to be in quiet a mood.

Without any further word he wrote a page number on the board, went to his desk and sat, staring at all the students. They all looked around nervously, then opened their books and begun the chapter.

The class had been going relatively well, when everything happened at once. Harry, who had fallen asleep, dropped out of his chair creating a large ruckus. The noise caused Neville to physically jump out his seat. Unfortunately, he was turned towards his partner before he jumped and ended up pushing Seamus (who was leaning in his chair so only two of its legs touched the ground) over backwards. Seamus was seated right in front of both Lynx and Nyt. His body shoved the table towards the girls. Lynx had been far back from the table, her book on her lap, reading. The force of the shove only pushed her book hard into her lap. It was a second before she comprehended a loud yelp she had heard to be Nyt's.

Lynx turned towards her friend who was slightly hopping in one place, hunched over her hand on her leg. Lynx remembered that Nyt had been sitting with her leg on the chair, her head resting on her knee. The table seemed to have shoved into her bone, and from the slight blood line that was forming, it hit her about 4 inches below her knee. Snape stood and the class went quiet but Nyt hadn't seen him stand. He was in front of her before she could sit. "Miss Nikov, why are you out of your seat and causing such a ruckus?"

"Sir, I didn't mean to nor do I know what happed but I'm bleeding." She pointed to the cut on her leg. It wasn't deep but it was large, rough and bleed had begun to cover her lower pant leg.

"It is only a flesh wound." His gaze flashed down to her leg then to the rest of the class.

"But sir, please, I need to bandage it before…"

"NO! What is it that you don't understand? Is your brain that focused upon

Potter and Weasley that you can't comprehend human speech? No! Now, I want to know what started this commotion." No one of course answered. "If I don't receive an answer from the one who is at fault Miss Nikov will be receiving all the blame!"

Nyt's face turned a shade of red. Lynx prayed for her not to say anything, to give Harry time to confess. Yet, she could see from Nyt's expression that she has had enough.

"No! I'm not so focused upon Harry or George that I don't understand you. I just didn't believe that you would act like such a jerk! I didn't cause this problem, I didn't want this to happen nor did I want it to be like this! Any of it! Thing aren't working because of reasons outside of my control, yet here you are again blaming me for it! I'm sick of it!"

Lynx could only stare at the two. She watched as Nyt took a deep breath, her face still full of anger. She saw Snape's face, which was already upset, become livid.

"Detention."

Nyt laughed, actually laughed. It was hollow sounding to Lynx, "That's right, resort to you position for protection. Never can handle…"

"Miss Nikov," his voice was sharp with a dangerous ring that no one in the class had ever heard, "I suggest you shut-up."

"What not going to send me to Dumbledore?"

Their faces were close. From a bystander without knowledge of the conversation, it would seem natural for them to kiss or at the least hug. "No, Miss Nikov, you're getting detention. And trust me, capital punishment may be outlawed, but you'll wish you had never met me."

Lynx watched as something else crossed over Nyt's face, she recognized it. It was the expression Nyt exhibited when she was emotionally hurt. Lynx had seen it more this year than she has ever had from Nyt.

"Somedays I wish I hadn't."

Shock crossed his face as the silence became awkward in the room. Snape just stared at Nyt in horror. Then as quickly as it all happened, he seemed to realize the class had watched every moment. He turned back to his desk, making his way to the front of the room, "Miss Nikov, Miss Lupin, and Mister Potter, if you remember we have a to-be-scheduled detention. I will see you three tonight at 7 o'clock. Sharp. Dismissed."

Shocked the students all got up and hurriedly left the classroom.

Class proceeded throughout the day without any problems. For a while, Lynx had been able to remember her need-to-know school locations so she had departed with Nyt's help, much to Nyt's charging. When she met Nyt later in the evening, before they entered the great hall, she was astounded at Nyt. She had bandaged her leg and changed her bloodied pants, so no physical affect from this morning's incident showed. Lynx had figured Nyt would be despondent for a while, but she had been wrong. Nyt smiled at her as cheery as ever. Lynx didn't have time to broach the subject because in a few moments they stood in front of the great hall.

They entered the Hall to be surprised by what was inside. Most of the students sat with their houses, a very few were seated at other house tables. Lynx caught the look of disappointment on Nyt's features.

"Don't worry Nyt, most of the students have there closest friends in their own house. That is where they wish to sit."

Nyt gave a tiny smile back and followed Lynx to her table. Harry and Ron waited there, food already heaped upon their plates and mouths full. Both nodded their hello as they sat down. George ran over and sat next to Nyt placing his arm around her shoulders. From Lynx's perspective the two were flirting matches, neither at all attracted to the other just enjoying the banter.

"So, here's the girl of the hour! The whole school has heard. Are you crazy or just suicidal?"

"I'll go with crazy." Lynx chimed in. Nyt placed a hand to her chest and looked offended.

"Really Lynx, it is touching to know that you agree with me." Everyone laughed, "And yes George, I'm crazy."

"Oh, well, I can accept that."
"You better, who else possess a challenge to you?"

"You're right, no one else has been able to defeat me." He puffed his chest out proudly as most people at the table rolled their eyes

"George, honey, it didn't take much for me to."

The people around then laughed at George's mock-hurt expression.

"You wound me, my dear."

"Maybe this time it will be fatal."

George turned to the crowd, "See how she treats me! It's a wonder that she hasn't unhinged her jaw and swallowed me whole." The crowd laughed at this as well. Lynx could catch the light beginning to glow behind Nyt's eyes meaning that she was in the mood for this banter.

"Well, Georgy," George cringed at the endearment, "I would do so if you Gryffin hide wasn't as tough as you thick skull!"

"I never…"

"Know when you have been beat." Harry interrupted as the crowded continued to laugh. The small group they had formed at the Gryffin table was interrupted as Dumbledore stopped next to the table.

"Miss Nikov, may I have a word."

The group 'uuuuuuuu'ed, as George spoke up, "It is about time I have received some justice for the way she treats me. I don't even know why I put up with it."

She and Dumbledore moved away from all the tables. Conversation continued around Lynx but her attention was focused on the two. Finally, Nyt returned the table. Laughter rang out as most focused on and now bantering George and Angelina

"Well, what did he say?"

"He wanted to tell me he was pleased with this morning, how many seemed to follow my example and have begun to form out-of-house friendships. He also wanted to know how I knew such a trivial thing would work."

"What did you say?"

"That all I had to do was get a few very popular people to mingle just a little and many others would follow."

"Really? Very Popular?"

"Harry and Draco spent 10 minutes at the same table together and looked how it worked out. If students believe they won't be so horribly judged for just talking to someone, they'll become friends with many people."

"Nice, Nyt."

"Just part of the plan; I don't want Skyra to have anyone to turn to."

"What? This was part of the plan?"

"Originally yes, but now there seems to be some very affective sideaffects. I mean sooner or later you and Draco could openly display a relationship. Plus he switched my detention from Severus to McGonagall. He said it only seemed appropriate."
Lynx's mouth dropped. "You got out of Snape's detention! Not fair."

"Come now, my dear, envy doesn't suit you complexion."

"Just…..shut-up."

"Suave."

Both laughed, though Lynx was beginning to dread detention that night, and she had reason.

At 7 o'clock sharp Lynx and Harry knocked on Snape's classroom door.

"Enter."

They did, only to be met with a very enraged Snape. He didn't seem happy with one of the students escaping his detention.

"Since they have banned any physical labor for detention (a mistake for students like you), you will be grading all my beginners homework. If Headmaster Dumbledore hadn't moved Miss Nikov from my detention to McGonagall's you two would have had less work to do. Now, I don't want to hear any noise come from either of you. Sit over there and begin." He turned from them strode from the room. Lynx could hear mumbles of 'meddling old fool' and 'foolish arrogant woman'. She took note that Snape had said woman and not girl.

Lynx turned to find six stacks of homework, each about a 1 ½ feet high, spread across the desk Snape had pointed to. Both of them shuffled to the desk, took a seat, grabbed the provided pen, and begun a long night.

"Lynx….lynx." Someone grabbed her arm and shook, hard, "LYNX."

"What? There better be a fire."

"No, worse. Class."

"Ohhh, I'm not going."

She sat up to find Nyt perched on her bed. Nyt only smiled, "It went that bad?"

"Horribly, he was so upset that you escaped that he just assigned us work and let. He didn't even bother us after that. It was scary. I kept expecting him to do something drastically…well, Snapish. I don't quite remember him much but a few minute with him during class proved he has wraith and, boy, is his he ready to explode."
"Yeah, well, he'll have to get over it. I can escape him as much as he thinks he has me."

"What exactly are you running from?"

"Just doing what it takes not to get hurt."

Lynx nodded, understanding the wish to avoid pain. She understood Nyt's perspective and knew that Nyt would run until she believed she was safe. Lynx wanted to tell her this wasn't the way to deal with this situation, but she knew that Nyt would be unable to face Snape emotionally for a while. Even though he didn't out right reject her, his reverence- for both their sakes- was ill timed.

Nyt interrupted her thoughts, "Aren't you hungry?"

"Starved, famished.."

"Well, get clothes on, I'm hungry too. Nevermind, go naked. Well get there faster and you'll get Draco's attention."

Lynx blushed, "That and every boy in the school."
"Not to mention a few girls."

Lynx's mouth dropped. "No…really?"

"Yeah, I'll point them out to you later."

"Uhhhg, that's just, just, uhhhgggg." She shivered dramatically.

"Hurry up, or I'll make you go naked." Nyt left, surprisingly out the door. People were only supposed to be in their house, no one else's. For someone who claimed to be laying low, Nyt seemed to be doing it with color, not camouflage.

"Nyt," Lynx nudged Nyt in the side and gestured with her fork, "Look up at the table."

"I know, he hasn't stopped watching me since we've came in. Either I have one of the static clean clothes stuck to me or he's furious."

"I'm going with the furious, I stuck the clothe on your back yesterday."

"That explains the fresh scent."

"No only the clean smell."

Nyt jabbed Lynx with her finger. "Hey, my clothes are clean."

"Once a month."

"I believe that I was doing your laundry last week."

"Yes and you did a fabulous job."

Nyt gave a huge smile and turned towards the teacher's table. Then with deviousness that Lynx didn't think possible, Nyt reached across the table and tapped Harry on the shoulder. Lynx's gaze shifted between Nyt and Snape who's have caused Nyt to explode.

Nyt sat back down, having Harry's attention. "Hey, Harry, did you ever solve our calculus problem?"

"No, I was hoping you did." He gave a generous smile that caused Snape's expression to darken.

"Well, mon amie, you're in luck. I did. Here I'll make you a copy quickly."

Nyt pulled a piece of paper from her bag and proceeded to write the solution out. Unfortunately from a spectator view, the tiny piece of paper wouldn't seem to hold a math solution. Snape stood from the table, his expression stiff.

"Nyt, stop, just stop, this is hurting him."

Nyt looked at Lynx, her eyes filled with guilt and pain but she didn't say anything, only nodded. Snape had sat back down, still his eyes hadn't left their table.

"Umm, Lynx, I need to just get out of here. I'm not liking this."

"Okay, where should we go?"

"I don't want to sound rude, but I need to just…be by myself for a bite, especially before class."

"Sure, Nyt." Nyt stood to leave but Lynx caught her arm. "You will talk to me once you feel better, or if you need to relieve some of this." She gestured between Nyt and the teacher's table.

"Darling, you'll be the first to know." The soft smile gave Lynx some hope that Nyt really would open up eventually.

She turned back to her friends, letting her worry of Nyt go. Harry had opened his paper book and was mumbling 'bloody genuis' as he scribbled down the formula provided by Nyt. She suddenly had the urge to find Skyra. Looking down the table, she couldn't see her. Lynx glanced around the room and found Skyra and some Raven talking very closely. 'Well at least the unity thing is begin to work' And truly her study of the room showed that there were many people sitting at tables to which they don't belong.

A movement caught her eye; Snape stood and had began towards the door. It didn't take a year of knowing him to recognize the look in his eye, he was going to Nyt. Lynx quickly jumped up and tailed Snape from the lunch hall. Once she had followed him a good distance from the hall she cut Snape off and faced him.

"Miss Lupin, searching for a sequel to last night's detention?"

"No sir. I just thought to warn you that Nyt needs some time."

"Why would you presume that I'm looking for Miss Nikov?"

"The paper had a math formula on it." She could tell that he was quickly becoming annoyed with her. So with sentence construction speed she thought only Nyt possessed she finished. "What you did a few night's ago, although she knows that it was for the best, hurt her. She doesn't deal with emotions like that well… if she hasn't told you why, it isn't my place. Just understand that she is experiencing a lot of pain."

"Miss Lupin, I think that you prior knowledge of Miss Nikov's and mine's relationship has gone to you head. Please, move from my way."

Lynx knew that she was going to be able to say much else to him. She also had a feeling that things were going to get worse before they get better. "Sir, please, even if you have no need to know this, just give her some time."

"I don't follow directions from students! I should give you another detention."

"Go ahead! I'm just trying to make sure Nyt doesn't get hurt worse than she already is."

Snape turned with soldier's practice and quickly went to leave. Lynx was turning back toward the hall when Snape stopped. "I won't do anything about her pain."

"You won't…sir"

His face became solemn, "I can't." With a small hesitation, he left Lynx in confusion.

"Lynx, hey Lynx." She heard Draco call out as he rounded the corner behind her. "Man you sure can move fast with those tiny legs."

"Hey! These tiny legs can easily beat you in a race. Or at the least, beat you into submission." Lynx joked. They had begun to walk back down the corridor to the lunch hall.

"Owwww, I love a girl with a good violent streak."

"You say the nicest things." From that they continued to walk in silence, enjoying the comfortable silence of each other.