Disclaimer.
J.K Rowling went out one day so I took her characters out to play.
We ran around, they laughed with glee,
All this fun and she works for free!
Sorry – a long wait for updating – Work, that pesky thing got in the way.
Thanks to my loyal reviewers.
Severus and Phaelan embraced for only a moment before stepping apart. Phaelan took a deep breath anticipating the next confrontation with the Weasley matriarch. Without speaking, the couple made their way back to the infirmary.
Entering the infirmary, they could hear Molly. Phaelan could almost empathize with her. Young Ginny had managed to harm herself once again while in the care of the school. Phaelan felt responsible in part for the suicide attempt. She blamed herself believing there must have been some indication, some warning sign she must have missed.
"How could this have happened?" demanded Molly. "Why would she do this? I thought you said she was recovering?"
The invective was directed not at a Hogwarts staff member but at the small woman in brown who stood quietly accepting the bitter words from Molly. As she paused to breathe, the other woman, a specialized Soul Healer Mediwitch, began to explain.
"Mrs. Weasley, as horrible as this appears to be, Ginny's attempt at suicide could be a turning point." Replying in a soothing voice that was at the same time firm with conviction. "What we must do when she is physically healed is look into what triggered such anger."
"My thoughts are that she has somehow felt betrayed again." Mused the Mediwitch. "Betrayal is after all the root of Ginny's illness. It will take a while for her to be trusting of anyone; even you Mrs. Weasley."
Phaelan walked to Ginny's bedside where Madam Pomfrey stood watch over her. Her face was still pale but her breathing had evened out and her lips were again pink.
"I feel responsible. I should have seen it coming." Phaelan looked at Poppy and the Soul Healer who joined them. "She must have said or done something that should have triggered a warning in me but I missed it."
The Soul Healer, Madam Alma Curador, recognized the woman wearing an obviously Muggle outfit as the newest Professor. She saw a dark look of guilt and self recrimination on her face.
"My dear, unless you have hidden empathic abilities, there was likely nothing you would have seen or heard that would have set off a warning bell in your mind." Alma pointed out. "You are not at fault. There are no fingers to be pointed and no blame to be held in your heart. Be at peace, Ginny has told me of her respect for you. You have helped her."
Phaelan gave a snort of self derision, "You'll have to pardon me if I have trouble believing that. I'm a task master. I don't offer a shoulder to cry on. I push her and criticize her…"
"And tell her when she has succeeded and encourage her to test her limits. Professor, Ginny has many shoulders to cry on. She needs you to be her anchor to reality. She needs you to let her be just Ginny." pointed out the Soul Healer.
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Much later Saturday evening, Phaelan and Severus sat entwined upon the sofa facing the fireplace in his rooms. Both had exchanged their clothes for loose dressing gowns. They hadn't spoken since they had shared a late supper in the kitchens.
Severus looked back over the day and wondered if another one like it would ever happen. Between the flight on Phaelan's aircraft and the Weasley chit's suicide attempt, it had been a day of extremes. There was one thing that still bothered him like a seed between the teeth. He had to get it off his mind.
"Are you awake?" he asked quietly.
Moving slightly to look at him, Phaelan murmured."Mmh, just thinking."
"Today before lunch; the man who spoke to you, whom you did not introduce me to. Who was he?" he asked quietly looking into her eyes.
The look in her eyes changed to guarded. "No one important, just someone from my old life I want to forget."
"Who or what is JAG?" He asked.
Pulling out of his arms, she stood and walked to pour herself a glass of wine.
"I don't want to talk about it Severus, it's old history over and done with. Let it be." firmly closing the subject in her mind.
Severus wasn't so inclined. The subject appeared to distress her and it bothered him.
"Why are you avoiding my questions Phaelan? Your commander appeared to know him. What kind of history do you have to cause him to say the things he did?" Severus insisted.
Phaelan turned and put her glass on a side table, clearly annoyed with his prying.
"I said I would not discuss it Severus. I meant it. Now, I think I'd better go." She snapped as she made for the fireplace to floo to her rooms.
Moving quickly, Snape grabbed her arm and swung her away from the fireplace. As she made to evade his capture, Snape grabbed her other arm and twisted both behind her pulling her close to his body.
Phaelan struggled against his grip, "Let me go!"
Growling at her continued resistance, he pulled her head back to look at her, "Be still woman; don't make me get my wand. You forget I know how to fight as well as you do."
"Let me go! I don't want to talk about it; I don't want to remember it." She insisted.
"Not until you tell me what upsets you so. I thought you trusted me. Now, tell me freely or I will take it from your mind." Threatened Snape the Deatheater.
"You wouldn't dare!" cried Phaelan.
"Don't dare me anything Madam. You do not know the depths my depraved mind will delve to in search of knowledge." He finally spat.
"I don't want to Severus, please, let me go." She begged tears of desperation beginning.
"Let me see Phaelan. Trust me. What ever happened still causes you pain today. Let me help. " Looking into her eyes, he intoned one word, "Legimens."
As he sifted through her memories he saw the man again. He saw them together making love. He saw them in a club for people whose taste ran to the extremes in BDSM. He saw her remembering the acts she and this man had shared and felt her shame. The scene changed again to a flat where they appeared to be living together. At first he saw her laughter then he saw the man and the fist swung in anger. He felt her memories of pain and deep soul crushing despair. Then the scene changed again to what appeared to be a court room where men and women in uniform appeared to be passing judgment. He felt Phaelan's sorrow and deep anger and withdrew from her mind.
She was crying, deep heart wrenching sobs of grief. When he released her, Phaelan threw herself on to the sofa and curled into a ball, rocking in despair.
Severus stood and looked down at her with anger filling his soul. Not at Phaelan, but at the one who would harm her so and at himself for insisting she relive it in her mind. Severus knelt on the floor before her.
"Phaelan, I'm sorry. Please Phaelan, look at me. Why didn't you tell me?" He begged as he tried to pull her arms away from her face.
Phaelan screamed at him and slapped his hands away," Don't touch me! How could you? You could see how ashamed I was."
Severus shook his head. "Please, Phaelan. I had to know what upset you so. It would forever lie between us. Phaelan, look at me."
"No, I can't. I don't want to see the pity and the disgust. I don't want to see you try to find a way to get rid of me." She sobbed, "Just go to your bedroom and I'll floo back to my rooms. Just leave me alone; that's the way I'm meant to live."
"No, Phaelan, I won't leave you alone. Look at me; I didn't want to hurt you. I feel nothing of the things you believe you'll see. Look at me!" he finally shook her shoulders in frustration.
"I'm poison. Didn't you hear him? You'll end up hating me in the long run and I can't bear the thought of your scorn." She finally looked at him through her tears.
"Oh Phaelan, there is nothing in your past that could possibly make me feel so." He finally sat beside her and reached out to cup her chin.
"Phaelan, I feel neither pity nor disgust. I'm angry and hurt. Not at you my practical one, I'm angry at him for what he did and what he put you through. I'm angry at those who let you think you were to blame. And I'm hurt that you might think I could possibly look upon you as less than… perfect." His last words were soft.
For a long time, she just looked at him, the man who had as many secrets as she and whose pain ran as deep. His face was open and calm though troubled. Her breathing still shuddered and her nose was running and red. He seemed to see none of it; he only looked at her eyes.
Phaelan reached out and touched his face. "I should have trusted you. I should have known you would understand."
"I've lived alone for years Phaelan. I have felt the abhorrence of my students and some of my peers. I wouldn't wish that isolation on anyone I cared for. Now that you're here, neither of us will be alone. I won't allow it. I want to think of you as my own and I am very particular about what I call my own. I don't share." He looked at her a moment longer before pulling her into his arms. "Am I allowed to call you mine Phaelan?"
She sniffled and drew a shuddering breath as she relaxed in his embrace. "If you're willing to take a very flawed, recycled and overwrought pilot come teacher to call your own, who am I to argue?"
He laughed softly and gently tipped her head back to kiss her lips. "Come, let's go to bed." And having spoken pulled her into his arms to carry her to the bedroom.
"Severus, can we just go to sleep tonight?"
"It's all I had in mind, Phaelan."
"I seriously doubt that statement." Phaelan rested her head on his shoulder already drowsing in his comforting arms.
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It was all set. The appointment had been made a week previously. Such a simple task, walk in, drop off, leave, kaboom. Donnelly and O'Bannion were so confident of their success at such an easy job; they made no provision for being recognized for who and what they were.
After Snape had revealed Voldemort's plans for the Grangers, Shacklebolt, other Aurors and those working to protect Hermione's parents within the Order had been given pictures of the pair of ex-IRA hit men. The Ministry of Magic maintained only tenuous connections with Muggle police services but in this case, the information gleaned from the Muggle files was invaluable.
Tonks and Olwen were still together, working day shift undercover as Muggles. They were dressed in the uniform of the avid young raver complete with Tonks outrageously chartreuse coloured hair and Doc Martins. The convenience of a coffee shop complete with outdoor tables situated directly across from the Grangers office, made for a comfortable post to work from. With the addition of a disillusionment charm (except when refreshment was desired) they had an ideal look out point.
"Do the Grangers have any idea of the plot against them?" Olwen asked as he watched the comings and goings of people at the professional building facing them.
"They were told that something was afoot but I don't think Moody gave too much information. Said 'e didn't want to scare 'em. " Tonks sceptically replied. "Myself, I think they should 'ave been given the pictures but you know Moody."
Olwen sniggered, "That boyo sees things with that eye of his in some strange ways. I think he has doubts of everyone, maybe even the Headmaster."
Tonks looked at her partner with a Snape like lift of the brow, "Well, 'e's alive in't 'e. Seen more trouble that man than most." Then with a shrug she added "but 'e does 'ave a very jaded way of looking at things I suppose."
Sitting quietly for a while, they gave calm scrutiny to the surrounding area. Close to 9:00 am, they noticed two men walking to the front of the building, one of them carrying a briefcase. As one they sat up straight in their chairs.
"Come on." Tonks led her partner across the street.
The Granger's offices were on the fourth floor of a six storey building. The upper floors were serviced by two lifts both of which were in use when the two Aurors entered the foyer. They ran to the stairwell and apparated to the fourth level. Coming into the access hallway, they split to look for the pair of assassins. The hallway was empty. Tonks led the way to the Grangers suite and walked to the receptionist.
"'Ave you seen either of these chaps?" she asked abruptly while brandishing the photos.
"I beg your pardon, who are you?" the girl indignantly asked.
"Were either of 'em 'ere? It's very urgent I know." Demanded Tonks.
The girl huffed and looked at the pictures. "Yes, this one came in a few minutes ago and cancelled an appointment for this afternoon; said he wasn't feeling well."
Olwen was looking around to see if anything had been left behind unattended. Not knowing what to look for he asked. "Did he leave anything behind?"
"Not that I know of. What is going on?" the receptionist was now officially annoyed and stepped around to the front of her desk.
"Alright, clear the room everyone, out you go!" Announced Tonks as she pulled out her Auror's badge that looked official and Muggle enough at a distance. "By order of Scotland Yard. Leave the building immediately."
The waiting patients looked confused as this strange looking plain clothes constable was ordering them to leave but they complied.
Turning to Olwen, "Go and pull the fire alarm ducks then get yourself out. I'll get the Grangers." She ordered.
The young man went into the hall and pulled the handle on the red box causing the fire bell to sound throughout the building. Not only was an evacuation underway, but an alarm had been sent to the local Fire Brigade to bring the emergency rescue forces to bear. Tonks went to the examination rooms to look for the intended victims. All the doors were open now and the dental hygienists and their appointments were leaving along with the Grangers clients all with drip bibs still in place.
Tonks grabbed the two dentists, "Where is the port key?" she demanded. They showed her and grabbed on as it was activated by their touch alone. A disorienting few minutes later the threesome arrived outside Grimmauld Place. Tonks led them to the magically concealed house which suddenly appeared before them. As they entered, a flustered Molly bustled them off to the kitchen.
Back at the coffee shop facing the office building, Olwen watched as people finished pouring out of the structure. In the distance he heard the sirens of Muggle emergency vehicles approaching. Suddenly, the air was split by a thunderous explosion. The entire side of the building had been demolished and debris rained down on the people below who were running to escape the disaster. Olwen saw what the Muggles couldn't, the strange green flames of Magical Unquenchable fire. No Fire Brigade would put this fire out until all the consumable objects coated with the potion that created the fire were burnt to ashes. He only hoped they had been in time to get everyone out. Walking to a nearby alley, Olwen apparated to Grimmauld Place to join his partner.
Phaelan's Monday morning first period class was, as usual, filled with students tired from their weekend. She wondered vaguely if she should ask for coffee to be provided for the upper sixth to keep them awake. With a sigh she began.
"Good morning all. I see that you are your usual effervescent selves this morning, all bright eyed and bushy tailed." Phaelan sarcastically teased only to be met with groans.
"Okay, I have your tests marked and, surprise surprise, no one failed. Give yourselves a hand." She announced as she led the applause. 'Yeah, shocked me too. Miss Parkinson, pass these out please."
As the Slytherin girl passed out the marked papers, Phaelan wrote the next topic for study on the board.
Turning back to the students, she saw them comparing their marks; some with smiles a few with frowns.
"We have completed our look at the Government in the UK and we've done an overview of the governments in place around the world. Now, we'll take a step back in time to the beginning of this century and study how the world society as we know it today evolved."
Walking to a book case she counted out the books she would use.
"Finnegan, Goyle, please hand these texts out. I have procured specific text books which you will use during this section of study. Don't write in them or loose them. They are only on loan to you. They are Muggle books, so I would suggest refraining from using any magic on them in case they fall apart. If you loose or significantly damage the books, you will pay for a replacement.'' Finishing her lecture on the care of loaned books, Phaelan got back to the matter at hand.
"Now, who can name a significant achievement or event in the Twentieth century that had a major impact on the world at large?" Phaelan waited for a show of hands. All of three.
"Mr. Finch-Fletchly." Called Phaelan, resigned to her fate.
"World War Two." He answered.
Phaelan nodded it was the answer she expected. "Yes, that rather jumps out at you doesn't it. Anyone else?" she hoped.
A couple of hands went up. "Okay, Miss Granger." Phaelan decided, knowing she would likely be sorry.
"Well, Marconi and the Wireless radio, the Model T car by Ford, Einstein and the Theory of Relativity, Edison and the electric light, Women's suffrage for the vote, birth control, Landing on the Moon. World War One, the Viet Nam war, the discovery of Penicillin and Insulin, the discovery of vaccines for all kinds of illness, umm HIV and Aids, cloning…."
Phaelan jumped in as Hermione paused for breath. "Whoa, there girl. I only have so much time to teach this class."
The rest of the class started to giggle. Only to be scowled at by Phaelan.
"What are you all laughing about? Most of you couldn't come up with one idea. Where have you been people? I know that the outside world's news does leak into Diagon Alley and beyond. Open your minds, your ears, your eyes. Listen to your grandparents, they are the best history teachers around." scolded Phaelan.
"Now, lets analyse and categorize what Miss Granger has so eloquently listed for us. Perhaps we can come up with some other examples along the way." Phaelan turned to the boards on the wall and began to lead her class in a study of social reform.
Tonks and Olwen left the Grangers to Molly's ministrations at Grimmauld Place and made their way to Hogwarts to brief the Headmaster on what had happened. Sitting in the Headmasters office, the two Aurors waited for the summoned Snape to arrive. In the mean time, Dumbledore summoned an elf and tasked him to go to the Muggle studies class carrying a message quickly written on a parchment. Snape had now arrived and was advised of the attempted assassination. He was relieved to know there had been time for the Grangers to escape and for the building to be emptied. There had been injuries of course but as far as Tonks and Olwen could ascertain no fatalities.
The castle elf appeared in Phaelan's class much to everyone's surprise; elves were almost never seen in a classroom. Phaelan took the parchment allowing the elf to leave with the characteristic pop. The students watched her as she read the contents and saw her usually bright eyes darken.
"Malfoy, take over the class. Finish reading the chapter and before you leave here today, provide a précis of the three page essay due for next class. Miss Granger, get your things and come with me." Phaelan threw over her shoulder as she walked briskly to the door with Hermione on her heels.
Malfoy took his place at the front of the room with a snotty sneer crossing his face.
"Alright, alright, everyone back to work. I don't want to hear a cheep out of you lot until the précis has been handed in."
Crabbe raised his hand.
"Yes Crabbe what do you want?" drawled Malfoy.
Looking at Draco with false innocence, he asked. "Please sir, what's a précis?"
"We learned that in our second class here Crabbe, sod off." He snorted.
Other hands went up around the room.
"Finnegan." He recognized.
"Please sir, I have to go to the little boy's room." Finnegan stood with his hands crossed holding his crotch.
Morag McDougal, a Ravenclaw stood up and walked to the front. "Look sir, I'm the first one finished. Do I get extra credit for my effort? You know all about HARD work don't you sir?" purring in a soft Scots accent while batting her eyes at him and licking her lips.
"Hey, back off McDougal." Snarled a jealous Pansy.
"What's wrong Pansy? Afraid you'll loose him? Just because my conversation exceeds 'Harder, harder, faster, faster,' ……"
Pansy leapt out of her chair to grab the other girl but was in turn grabbed by Draco and pushed back down on her chair. Around the room a chorus of boo's shared at the lost entertainment.
"Stop it, all of you," Draco yelled. "One more stupid stunt and I'll hand out detention, right?" he turned to walk back to the teacher's desk only to be hit on the back of the head by a rather large spit ball.
Spinning around he spat, "Who did that?" glaring at the seated students obediently bent over their work. He sighed as he admitted defeat and made a silent resolution never to be a teacher.
Phaelan and Hermione walked to the Headmaster's office.
"What is it Professor?" asked a worried Hermione.
"The note didn't give any details Granger; just bring you to the office immediately." Phaelan replied as they approached the stairs leading to the gargoyles. After giving the password, Phaelan stood aside to let Hermione enter first. When they went into the office itself, Phaelan felt her internal alarms go off at seeing Tonks and Olwen along with Severus.
Turning to Dumbledore, Phaelan asked, "You asked us to come immediately headmaster, is there a problem?"
"Have a seat Professor, Miss Granger. Tonks has some disturbing news." Began Dumbledore as he conjured two more chairs for them.
Standing, Tonks went to stand beside Hermione.
"Hermione, luv, there was an 'orrible incident at your parent's office today. Two men working for Old Moldy delivered a high explosives package to their office. The building was demolished."
Hermione jumped to her feet. "My parents – are they alright, are they hurt? Where are they? Oh god don't tell me they're dead." She cried, grabbing Tonks arm in alarm.
"Calm yourself luv, they're fine. We used the port key and took them to Grimmauld Place. They're with Molly now." Tonks reassured Hermione, wrapping an arm around the young woman's shoulders.
"What about the rest of the occupants, Tonks?" Phaelan inquired, knowing Hermione would likely take on guilt if any innocent was harmed.
Olwen looked at Phaelan, "I pulled the fire alarm a few minutes before the bomb went off. I think we managed to get everyone out but we won't know until we see the Muggle Police and Fire report. What I'd like to know is how the two murdering buggers got away so fast. Maybe, they had a port key."
"There were people hurt though. It was rush hour and everyone was out on the street. When she blew, half the building came down right away." Added Tonks.
"The escalation is disturbing. He's never before been so overt in his actions against Muggles." Snape leaned against his customary window sill with a grim visage marking his concern.
"Professor Dumbledore, what about my parents? If they go home, they will know they didn't succeed and they'll be in even more danger."
"They meaning Voldemort's followers, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore looked at the worried face of his young charge. Hermione nodded.
"It would be best if they not stay at Grimmauld Place sir," advised Snape. "There is far too much coming and going of members."
"I agree. Suggestions?" Albus looked around the room.
Phaelan cleared her throat, "Sir Nick has said there are parts of the castle that are not in use; that students don't even know exist. Could we bring them here, at least temporarily?"
"That's a good idea, Headmaster. We don't have anywhere we can put under a Fidelius Charm right now. At least here, they will be out of sight and we can work something out when we can think straight." Tonks agreed. Listening to the woman with wild hair, Phaelan recalled she was the Witch equivalent of a trained police officer; klutz or not.
Dumbledore looked over his glasses at Hermione. "Miss Granger, what do you think?"
Hermione thought for a moment. "Well, knowing my parents, they're probably more worried about their staff and patients and right about now they will be trying to get out of hiding to find out what they can. Poor Molly."
Snape stifled a snort of amusement that did not go unnoticed by Phaelan who quirked her eyebrow.
Hermione continued. "I think bringing them here is about the only way we can keep them safe from their own stubbornness. They aren't the type to tread a cautious course sir," She concluded sagely.
Snape now allowed himself an audible snort. "I look forward to the day I can say pot meet kettle to you Miss Granger. Be assured, it will likely come sooner rather than later."
Hermione answered him with a simpering saccharine smile.
"It's decided then." Dumbledore stood. "We will open the old married quarters; we'll have it clean out and refurnished. It even has a small courtyard and fountain. Severus, Phaelan, go to Grimmauld place and pick up the Grangers this evening. You can floo to their house so that they may get what they need."
The Headmaster turned to Hermione and regarded her clear gaze seeing her courage and resolve shine. "Miss Granger, it goes without saying, you must not let anyone know your parents are here.'
"Of course, Headmaster, I understand. Will I be able to see them this evening?" she hopefully asked.
"I think arrangements can be made Hermione, now off to class with you." He dismissed her. Turning to Phaelan and Severus, he continued with his instructions, "I think around dinner time would be best to move the Grangers. They will likely be resistant to the suggestion but I will floo Molly and she can break the news to them."
"Very well Headmaster, we shall be ready." Bowing slightly, Snape turned to leave.
"If this section of the castle has not been used for as long as you imply, will it be ready by this evening?" Phaelan wondered.
"Ah, my dear, you forget the wonders that can be wrought by our castle elves." Reminded a smiling Albus. Phaelan smiled back and turned to leave. "That is of course, unless Severus and you would like to serve another detention together. You apparently learned a great lesson from that afternoon of ….labour."
Phaelan turned to give a retort only to have Severus reach over and clamp his hand over her mouth before pulling her out of the office. "Thank you Headmaster, we need no repeat." Said Snape as he left with his lady.
Phaelan looked over at him when they had descended the stairs. "Coward." She muttered out of the side of her mouth.
He gave her a side long glance. "I have no particular desire to be on my hands and knees scrubbing floors again."
"I like to see you all hot and sweaty. You look very sexy with your shirt plastered against your skin. It might be a titch kinky but your scent when you work turns me on." Phaelan teased in a soft voice. "Argh!" she screamed.
Phaelan suddenly found herself in a concealed alcove with her arms pinned over her head and a very aroused man before her.
"You madam are still begging for that spanking and perhaps even more." Snape's silky voice surrounded her senses.
"Tell me Severus, what is your……pleasure." Her breathy words tickling his ears.
"To mark you as mine and remind you who is Lord." Snape replied as he caressed her ear.
"And does the Lady have equal opportunity my lord?" Phaelan asked in keeping with the mood.
"I might permit some indulgence."
Phaelan looked at her lover, wishing they could just find a place to be alone forever. She leaned forward and kissed him with soft passion, "What time do we leave?"
Severus looked at his lover, wishing there was no war and no dark lord. He pulled her into a tight embrace and returned the kiss even more deeply. "Six, I'll floo to your rooms."
With a final kiss, they both sighed before parting from their embrace. Stepping out of the alcove they continued their path until they came to the hall where they split to move to their respective classrooms.
"Thank you Professor Snape, that was most enlightening." Phaelan offered as a parting.
"Your thirst for knowledge is inspiring, Professor McKenzie." He replied and with an uncharacteristic casual smile, Severus left for his dungeon domain while Phaelan made her way to the third year class.
Peter Pettigrew scurried to the front door of his master's house carrying the Muggle evening newspapers. The morning's explosion had made the front page as expected. Opening the front door, Peter was confronted by Nagini who scented his presence with a flickering tongue and found him acceptable.
Sidling along the wall, Peter tried to pass the huge serpent, uttering, "Good girl, nice girl, let me pass," As he continued to edge his way around his master's familiar. When he reached the door to the parlour, he reached behind himself to open the door. Stepping through, he quickly closed the door to keep the snake out. Turning, he then bowed to the figure sitting before the fire.
"Master, I have the Muggle papers and as you predicted, the news was on the front page." Peter eagerly held up the paper for his Lord.
"Bring them here Peter." Voldemort ordered as he held out his hand.
Taking the papers, he began to read through the Muggle account of the explosion. He smiled in satisfaction until he came to the paragraph naming his hired assassins. Turning the page, he saw their pictures with the caption 'IRA assassins sought in investigation of Terrorist bombing.'
"Imbeciles. They were seen." Jumping to his feet, Voldemort pulled his wand and blasted the newspapers lying on the table. "Bring them to me that I might give them their just rewards. I tire of incompetence and the rubbish I am forced to endure. Find them Peter; I'll not pay for stupidity."
"Yes master, at once." Peter hurried out of the room preferring Nagini's company to that of his furious Lord.
Shortly before six, Severus flooed to Phaelan's rooms. She had changed from her teaching clothes into her trademark cargo pants that revealed the tattoo. Smiling as he stared at her derriere, he admired the shape and recalled how good it felt to have his hands resting on the two perfect mounds.
"Can you tear your eyes off my backside?" scolded Phaelan.
"No, it's far too enticing, a work of art, so plump and squeezable, biteable, delectable…." He gently teased.
"Thank you Severus, are we ready to go? I have a few things I want to take with me." Phaelan was pulling on a hooded sweat shirt with 'Property of USN' emblazoned on the front.
"What kind of things?" Snape queried, curious at her serious change in tone.
Phaelan had not revealed her cache of weapons beneath her bed to anyone and had ordered Polly not to touch anything under the bed she might find other than clothing. She thought that she might be able to trust Severus now with the knowledge.
"In here." Leading him into the bedroom, Phaelan dropped to her knees at the side of the bed and pulled out two cases. As she opened them, Severus gasped.
"Merlin, Phaelan. Did you feel so insecure with us, you had to arm yourself?" Severus incredulous at what she had revealed knelt beside her.
"After what you revealed about the Deatheaters, I was not about to feel helpless. I carry weapons on me all the time." She watched him for his reaction.
Snape didn't know how to react. Intellectually he understood her reasoning and background. His male ego kept getting in the way of seeing her as a very predatory warrior trained by experts. He wanted to look after her but…..
"I thought Muggles had restrictions on carrying weapons between countries?"
Phaelan sat back on her heels, "They do but I was travelling on military transport and these don't show up as metal."
Severus reached out and lifted a particularly efficient looking dagger from the case. Pulling it from its sheath he examined the object, unable to figure out what material had been used in its manufacture.
Frowning he asked, "What material is this made from?"
Taking the sheath from him, Phaelan sat on the bed and strapped it to her leg. "It's a man made ceramic. It does not trigger the sensors in the way that metal does. It almost never needs to be sharpened." Taking the dagger she placed it in the sheath and covered it with her pants. "You should recognize it; it's the same one I used at the lab."
Kneeling again, Phaelan opened a section and removed the small hand gun. After loading it, she placed it in a holster that clipped to the back of her pants.
"Does the Headmaster know?" Severus finally asked.
Looking at his worried face, she gave a tight smile and stroked his hair. "Only you, my dark wizard." She turned and locked the cases before storing them once more beneath her bed.
Severus rose and pulled her up with him. Lifting her right hand, he kissed the back and looked into her guileless eyes once more.
"Phaelan, I don't know why I deserve your trust but I will never betray it, I swear." Still holding her hand, he led the way to her door. "Come we will floo from Albus' office."
"Okay," she grabbed her purse as they passed her desk. Just as they left her rooms, Phaelan turned to Severus with an annoyed frown.
"Did you say plump? Is my ass getting fat or something?" she tried to look down at her posterior as Severus rolled his eyes.
As Hermione had predicted, Susan and Geoffrey Granger were adamant about returning to their home and life.
"We are not schoolchildren nor are we subject to your restrictions Headmaster." Insisted Susan.
"Mrs Granger, firstly, when a child comes to Hogwarts, the entire family is placed under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Magic. You know you can't speak about Hogwarts outside of your home. Secondly, the story of the bombing has received widespread coverage in both Muggle and Wizarding media. Your name has figured in both." He paused to let this sink in.
"Voldemort knows there were no bodies recovered from the building as mortal casualties. His plans were thwarted and he risks even more exposure if Muggle authorities get the operatives before he does. That is of course, if the pair doesn't turn themselves in to protect themselves from his wrath. Tom Riddle is not known to be humane with his captives."
Geoffrey sat in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place with his head in his hands. He still wore the scrub suit he had donned in the morning. He had neither wallet nor keys. No credit cards, no means of transportation; his car had been demolished by the falling debris.
"What do you suggest Headmaster?" asked a resigned Geoffrey Granger.
"We need to find you a safe haven until we have vanquished Tom Riddle. In the short term, we have set up a suite for you at the school. You can move there tonight." Advised Dumbledore.
Susan was indignant. "Geoffrey, I won't have a mad man drive us away from all we have worked for."
Standing, Geoffrey walked over to his wife and grabbed her shoulders. "Susan, it's only a house and 'things'. There is nothing more important than you and Hermione. I will not allow you to risk your life to prove a moot point. He only wins if we allow him to continue on his path of terrorism. Next time, other innocents could die because of us. We got lucky this time. Let's not give him another chance."
Susan closed her eyes as silent tears slid down her face. She nodded as her husband pulled her into his comforting arms.
"What next?" Geoffrey asked.
Dumbledore stood, "Severus, go to the Granger house and open the floo." Snape bowed and left to apparate to Hermione's home.
"Miss McKenzie will accompany you to pick up what you need and then she and Severus will floo with you to Hogwarts." Instructed Dumbledore.
They moved to the library to await word from Snape to floo to their home. Susan looked at Phaelan who had not as yet spoken.
"So, what are we like? Two helpless Muggles messing around in the world of Magic?" Susan quipped. "You witches must think us helpless."
Phaelan returned her smile. "No Mrs Granger, not at all. Muggles are just as powerful as any witch or wizard in the long run as long as the right tools are available."
Geoffrey looked at her and frowned, "Strange talk from a witch?"
Phaelan laughed lightly, "My dear doctors Granger, I am no more a witch than you are. Just a mere Muggle messing around in the world of magic." At that moment the flames turned green and Snape's head appeared.
"All clear." He said and removed his head.
"I'll demonstrate and the Headmaster will help you." Said Phaelan as she grabbed floo powder and left.
An hour later, the Grangers had flooed to the Hogwarts married quarters to be met by their worried daughter who threw herself into their loving arms.
Severus and Phaelan watched the tearful reunion both thinking that they had never experienced such a family love and wished they might have.
"Miss Granger," interrupted Snape, "You have until curfew tonight to help your parents. An elf has been assigned. Please explain what must needs be done for tonight. You are excused from my class tomorrow morning to return."
Hermione turned and looked at her Potions Master with a tearful smile. Severus thought for a horrible moment she was going to hug him.
"Thank you, thank you professors. This means so much. I'll make up the time Professor Snape. I promise." Hermione gushed with emotion.
"Yes, well….Goodnight Doctors. I'm sure I will see you again soon." He bowed slightly to make his leave.
"Professor," called Susan, "You have done so much for us. We can never repay you."
Severus smirked, "Surviving the Dark Lord will be sufficient madam." He bowed again and left.
Phaelan looked at them again, "I have some free time tomorrow; I'll come by and see you. I'm sure you'll have the same questions I did when I first arrived. Hermione, order some supper and explain the elves?"
"Yes professor and thank you again."
Phaelan nodded and left. Severus was waiting for her in the long hallway that connected the married quarters with the rest of the school.
"Hermione is a lucky girl." Phaelan quietly shared.
Severus nodded, "Yes. I'm glad her parents survived."
"Old softy." Teased Phaelan.
"I'll show you soft madam." Severus grabbed her and pulled her into another chamber replete with a huge four poster bed and hot tub.
"How did you know this was here?" she asked in amazement.
"Do you think Hogwarts only has one Room of Requirement?" Severus had started to undress her. "And I required YOU!"
Phaelan laughed all the way to the tub.
A/N Alma Curador the Soul Healer – Directly translated from Spanish means Soul Healer.