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!
Thanks to my loyal reviewers, you know who you are. Lets carry on. The chapter following this might be a bit shorter so I can get back on schedule.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
"Come on, come on, come on step it up people. You're climbing the Cliffside stairs like the pensioners doddering up to the tea room at a Church Jumble sale." Hooch taunted as the students slogged up the steep rock steps cut into the side of the outcropping Hogwarts was built upon. "Keep up there Thomas and do try to breathe normally, you're starting to sound like the Hogwarts express."
Phaelan was running up the stairs, bringing up the rear. She had given everyone a good head start before beginning herself but she found herself overtaking the students lagging behind. When she reached the top, Phaelan nodded to Hooch before standing beside Hermione who was noting everyone's time as read out by Neville. Hermione and Neville had started out first to be at the top before the rest.
"How are they doing?" Phaelan asked looking over Hermione's shoulder.
"Most of them made the time; just." Hermione replied, emphasizing the last word. "The ones with a check mark came in well below the expected time but they're all still woefully under conditioned."
Phaelan looked over at the bodies strewn around the lawn in various stages of pulmonary distress or exhaustion. "I agree, we've got to step it up over the holidays. I'm going in. We'll meet in the R.O.R in ten."
"R.O.R?" asked Neville.
"Room of Requirement in military speak Neville." Hermione told him as she tucked a pencil behind her ear and stalked over to the casualties of physical exertion.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Phaelan entered the school and snapped her fingers calling for Dobby.
"Miss has summoned Dobby instead of Polly. Is there something wrong Miss?" Dobby asked in surprise.
"No Dobby. I need your help with something." Phaelan looked around to see if there was anyone about then beckoned the elf to follow her into a side alcove. "You know about the students who meet with me in the room of requirement?" she asked.
Dobby nodded enthusiastically "Oh yes Miss, Dumbledore's Army. Very important that we keep this a secret." He told her in a stage whisper.
"Yes well, I'd like to give everyone an early Christmas present. How fast can you duplicate something Dobby? I mean copy it enough times for the Army." She asked.
Dobby thought for a moment, his mouth pushed into a moue as he calculated. "If the thing is small and not alive and if Dobby had some others help, maybe three or four minutes."
"Three or four minutes?" Phaelan asked in wonder.
"Well, Miss will want the presents wrapped won't she?" he asked, now worried his estimate had disappointed her.
Phaelan nodded, "Yeah sure. Uhm Polly." She snapped again to get her Lady's elf. When Polly appeared, Phaelan called her over and whispered in her ear.
"Yes Miss, Polly knows," She told Phaelan as she nodded her head. "Come on, Dobby, we's got a job to do." The two elves disappeared with a pop leaving Phaelan shaking her head.
Heading off to the R.O.R., Phaelan found herself humming a tune. She smiled as she realized she was singing 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas'.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Some more tea Albus?" asked Minerva as she poured the fragrant brew into their cups. "What ever are you stewing about? I haven't seen that face since you were calculating odds for the Quidditch finals between France and England." She teased; trying to get at the cause of the pensive mood Dumbledore fell into whenever he was alone.
Sitting up, he spooned several helpings of sugar into his cup and stirred. "Something is afoot in the castle that has changed the balance in the feelings between the houses. Almost as if a great weight has shifted and the scale has gone slightly off kilter." He told her as he reached for an Empire biscuit with a juicy cherry on top.
"Och Albus, you know I'm not one for metaphors. Spit it out man, what do you mean?"
He looked at her between dunking his biscuit and sipping his tea, "I mean, the tension between Gryffindor and Slytherin has changed. Oh, the rivalry is still there but the acrimony that normally accompanies the taunts is not near as vituperative as it has been in past years."
Minerva thought about what the old man said and had to agree, "Aye, I have noticed. When did it start?" she wondered.
"I noticed it around the time young Neville was transformed in to a Merman," he finished off the biscuit and reached for a Fairy cake that also had a cherry adorning the white icing. "It had likely started before but that incident seemed to bring it to a head and forced something that has been coming for a while, to the surface."
Minerva nodded, remembering what he had told her about Malfoy. Even she had to admit, the boy was a good Head Boy, refraining from his previous predilection for house favouritism.
"You see this as a good thing then?" she asked.
The Headmaster frowned, "I'm not sure Minerva. It's just a trifle unsettling."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hermione stood at one end of the gym waiting for everyone to assemble. The victims of the morning exercise shuffled in, moaning and groaning, one trying to outdo the other with their tale of suffering and agony. Only the few who had dedicated themselves to totally improving their fitness level stood easy, feeling no ill effect from the run. Hermione, Ron, Harry, Neville, Luna, the Creevey brothers, Lavender Brown and the Patil sisters all stood at the front of the room, relaxed with the release of lactic acid worked off.
"You know, it's really pathetic these girls can't see the benefit of all this exercise," Lavender began, "I mean, at the end of the season when the prices are down it's always the smallest sizes that are left. I mean, really," she exclaimed as she looked up and held her palms out, "you just can't get designer cheaper."
"Well, we're so glad your agenda and ours is so compatible, Lavender. I'm sure you will inspire others, or at least you might if you weren't so self centred." Hermione spat.
"At least I try Granger," Lavender retorted, "and if it does suit my purposes, so much the better."
Hermione looked down at her notes, chastened at her roommate's words. "I'm sorry Lav, I just get so focussed on what we're trying to do…I know you work hard. Whether it's for the DA or yourself…I'm proud of what you've accomplished."
Lavender frowned at what she was feeling inside. She kept pretending that this was just a club and the training they received was just a game but she knew… she knew one day she would fight beside her friends to protect her world. She was afraid to fight but she was more afraid of what would happen if she didn't. Her family was only two generations away from being Muggles; her maternal grandparents were both Muggleborn.
"Thanks Hermione. I know…. I mean I realize…." Lavender still couldn't put her feelings into words.
"Hey Lavender, it's okay, really." Harry told her. "We know…I know."
Lavender smiled and joined the Patil twins in comparing their current level of development. They were talking about abdominal muscles and how well a sari might look with the definition of same.
Phaelan entered the R.O.R. with a small entourage of followers bearing baskets of early Christmas presents each carefully wrapped in gaudy Christmas paper and adorned with a green or red bow. Snape had followed them in; curious to see what was happening more than anything else. Lupin and Tonks were at the far end near the changing rooms quietly talking to each other oblivious to the goings on.
Placing two fingers in her mouth, Phaelan whistled for attention. "Why doesn't everyone sit on the floor and take a load off. After all, you can barely haul yourselves up a few flights of stairs without wheezing like a set of old bellows. When we started out, I told you what was expected. Now, most of you are almost there, a few have succeeded thanks to a little hard work. As for the others…well, you took an oath and you haven't kept up your end of the bargain." A few voices were raised in protest, only to be stilled when Phaelan raised her hand. "You all had the same challenges this year; don't make excuses about school work. You need to manage your time better not me."
Striding to the centre of the room, Phaelan indicated the elves with their baskets. "To help you out, I've decided on some early Christmas presents. Dobby if you please?" she requested and the elves began distributing the gifts. When almost every one had a parcel she told them, "Go ahead, and open them up."
"A skipping rope?" asked Laura Madley, a Hufflepuff who had joined the DA for the first time this year.
"Yes, a skipping rope. I expect everyone to use it here and at home over the holidays." Phaelan told them firmly, "It may look like a child's toy, but I have used one for years for when I couldn't work out any other way. They are effective. Now as added incentive, you may take one day off of running a week and substitute the jump rope. Remember, you still have to work at it. If you don't, it'll show." She paused and looked around, "Showers."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Severus sat in his private lab and studied the two phials before him containing the crystalline compound that had been taken from the Faubert girls' ears. The samples were very small and he had to think how best to begin using only minute amounts of the crystal in his study. He opened one phial and shook the crystal onto a piece of blotting paper. Taking up a set of fine pincer tongs and a rasp, he gently abraded the crystal above a glass slide that was indented to hold liquids. Carefully, he slipped the slide onto his brass microscope and rough adjusted the lens close to the plate. Peering into the eyepiece, he adjusted the mirror to capture the light and focussed the image appearing before his eye. He sat up sighing and made a notation in his lab journal. Checking his reagents on the shelves, Severus selected various bottles and brought them to his bench. After several slides were prepared like the first sample, he created a chart in his journal. One after another, the slides were put on the microscope and, as he observed the magnified image, a drop of reagent was added. All but one failed to get a reaction but the saline solution seemed to have a small reaction. Why? He packed the samples away carefully. The answer was obvious in it's simplicity but complex in its application. Time to bounce options off of someone; time to find Phaelan and fly.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Phaelan was showering in the dungeon chamber of Severus Snape. While the shower in her own chambers was nice, his was positively decadent. The shower heads seemed to hit her body at just the right places. Closing her eyes, she rinsed the shampoo from her hair, running her fingers through to lift the hair off her scalp.
Severus entered his chambers and heard the water running in his shower. Smiling, he started disrobing on his way to the bathroom. He stood and looked over at the shower where his lady stood with her eyes closed, head thrown back enjoying the feeling of the water beating on her body. She was sliding her hands down over her breasts to her belly and then back around to buttocks. Severus shivered and felt his erection grow harder with desire. Her back was to him now as he approached. She screamed when his hands cupped her breasts and his cock lay between her ass cheeks.
"You should be careful when you leave the door's unlocked my lady, you never know who's watching." He whispered as he pinched and twisted her nipples.
"Like I could keep you out by locking a door, Severus." Phaelan relaxed back onto his body and curled her arm up and round his neck.
Severus turned her towards him and pulled her face up into a deep kiss. As he pulled away he nibbled her lips and kissed her eyes. "You have learned then that you cannot deny me my pleasures."
"As if I want to." She replied before kissing him back.
Severus picked her up and sat her on the small ledge at one side of the shower, parting her knees, he stepped between her legs and wrapped them around his hips. Phaelan reached down and helped guide him as he entered her. They fit together so perfectly; they moved in unison as though in a choreographed dance.
"Cum for me Phaelan, cum for me. I want to feel you, I need you…Oh gods Phaelan." He moaned in her ear before kissing and biting his way down her neck.
"Yesss, mmmhh, yesss. Fuck me Severus, harder." She begged as she fisted her hand in his hair.
He snaked one hand between them and began to finger her hard nub. He leaned back slightly to watch his cock pounding into her. Phaelan looked down at his shaft as it pistoned its shining head into her again and again. Their foreheads touched as they watched their coupling. The tension mounted between them and their breathing became ragged. Phaelan's release began only moments before Severus spasmed his cum into her. They stayed joined for several minutes reluctant to part. They kissed and whispered their love long after they separated.
At long last, Severus turned off the water and used a drying charm on them both.
"Dress warmly, I want to fly tonight, Phaelan." She told her as he pulled on his undershirt and then a heavy jersey.
"What's wrong, you usually only fly when you need to work something out or when you want to get me on side for something?" she wondered.
"Exactly, come on." Grabbing his broom, he led them out the hidden door and took off for the mountain outcropping.
When they arrived, Phaelan saw the cabana was still standing. Severus cast his warming charm on the structure as they stepped inside. Phaelan pulled off her outer cloak and sat on the canvas chair that sat to one side.
"Okay, what's up?" she asked.
"I've started the analysis on the crystals Poppy and Shacklebolt brought back from St Mungos' and it's promising." He began.
"Good. So, why are we here?" she asked.
"It's too ridiculously easy. The crystals react to saline which means they would act with the natural body secretions and dissolve."
"But?"
"If the crystals were the only thing affecting them, why haven't they woken up yet." He asked the rhetorical question.
Phaelan thought for a moment, "The crystals were in the ear, that's not where you'd expect a great deal of perspiration to gather."
"Yes," he replied, "What type of fluid gathers in the ear and when?"
"Ear, nose and throat, they're all connected. The ears become fluid filled when they are infected. Otherwise they should be clear." Phaelan offered her observation.
Snape shook his head, "We're missing something."
"Okay, let's go about this by elimination. What was present at the time the crystals were placed in the girls ears that would be missing otherwise? What were the conditions?" she asked.
Severus sat on a matching chair opposite Phaelan, "There would have been confusion, hysteria, massive fear and a great deal of physical and magical energy released."
"So the physical reactions would have been a release of adrenalin, tears, sweat…" Phaelan began to list the common reactions to stress.
"Bile, urine, faeces…" he looked at her "There was murder committed, those fluids are almost always present in violent death."
Phaelan nodded her head in agreement. "Okay, so you have an environment which would allow the crystals to dissolve and enter their bodies. After they were unconscious, what kept them asleep?"
"Or from waking…the antidotes, of course it's so obvious." Severus rose, his face alight with a possible solution. "We never even conceived of something so simple. Yes, it could work….we need to…no…yes. Yes!"
Phaelan looked at the scientist in Snape working over time, "Can you share your revelation or are you planning to publish a paper?"
"What? No! It was you my love!" he told her as he grabbed her up from her seat and kissed her before grabbing her cloak and pulling it around her shoulders..
Phaelan was clueless, "Sure, okay. Now what?"
"Come, we must share the knowledge. We need Poppy's help." He told her as he set her before him to return to the castle. When they landed, Severus pulled her into a jog, leading her to the hidden entrance.
In the tower above, Ron and Hermione watched as the older couple sped to the castle.
"Looks like he's desperate for it." Ron commented crudely.
Hermione grimaced, "Ron, don't be disgusting."
He looked at her sideways, "I can't imagine he has many pure thoughts, Hermione."
Frowning at the odd comment, she asked, "What exactly happened during the meeting between you two?"
He looked away, "Guy stuff 'Mione. You know how I should respect you and stuff."
Hermione was suspicious, "I've got a feeling that you talked about more than that."
Ron grabbed her off of the low wall where they were sitting and pulled her to lie atop him. "We talked about your honour and how I had to preserve your good name."
Hermione chuckled, "Preserve, sounds like he wants to stuff me inside one of those glass jars he keeps in his office and pickle me for posterity."
Rolling over on the blanket he had placed a cushioning charm on, Ron put Hermione on her back and half covered her with his body. Hermione stared into his blue eyes, now so intense with something she hadn't seen before.
"Ron, what is it?" she asked. They had never done this before and the intimacy of their position scared and excited her. "What happened?"
Ron stroked her hair and kissed her brow, "I love you Hermione. I'll do anything to be with you." reaching up he stroked her cheek and pulled her chin up to kiss her mouth more intensely than they had ever experienced before. He pulled away and kissed her throat.
"Ron," Hermione whispered, "what's happening? I feel…..I feel…Oh Ron." Her whispers were cut off as his mouth found hers again and continued the exploration of desire they had begun.
Hermione stroked his back letting her hands travel under his jumper to stroke over his cotton shirt. Ron had let his knee slip between her thighs and her leg wrapped around his. Ron's hand stroked down the side of her body past her hip to her knee and had started its journey back. Hermione felt herself tremble from within and noticed a knotting sensation in her abdomen. She also felt something harden against her groin and realized Ron was experiencing an erection.
"I want you so Hermione, I love you." He whispered fervently in her ear.
"Wait Ron, stop, please. I'm not...not here Ron, not our first time." Hermione told him as she reigned in her own feelings. She pulled his face up and stroked his cheek. "Too soon, love. Too soon."
Ron closed his eyes and took a shuddering breath before he pulled himself up into a sitting position. "'Mione, I...I didn't "
Hermione silenced him with her hand on his mouth, "Hush, I wanted it just as much as you did." She looked away, "We just can't yet."
Ron looked out over the parapet to the sky, "He'll know won't he."
Hermione nodded, "Probably, don't worry, I'll tell him it was my idea. Half of it was anyway."
"Yeah, good luck." He whispered as they stood to return to Gryffindor.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"I have it here, Severus. Let's see...yes...aha...mmhhmm..." Poppy was perusing the record sent to her of the Ravenclaw girls stay in St. Mungo's.
"For the love of Merlin, Poppy, spit it out or pass it over." Severus spat.
"All right, you impertinent man, here. Everything about their treatment and the counter agents and spells used is there. All were complete and correct as far as I can tell. They brought in specialists but everything they tried seemed to drive the girls deeper into a coma rather than lighten it." She told him acerbically, passing the notes over.
Severus nodded. "It makes sense. The more stimulation applied, the more antidote given, caused a cascade effect."
Poppy looked at Phaelan, "What's he talking about?"
Phaelan shrugged, "It was something I said apparently."
Severus ignored the women's comments, "Poppy, I need to get into the hospital. Can you arrange it? I'll need a disguise...Polyjuice using a figure known at St Mungo's."
"Alright, Severus, but can't you tell me what's going on?" Poppy asked.
"If I am right, now that the crystals are gone, nothing is going on and we need to make something happen." He answered bafflingly. "Let me know when we're going and I'll bring the Polyjuice." He grabbed Phaelan's hand and led her away from the infirmary.
As the couple strode down the hall, Severus suddenly stopped and pulled out a parchment from his pocket. As he passed his wand over the blank surface, a line drawing appeared.
"The disobedient little chit. Phaelan, I'll see you in our chambers later." He quickly retraced his steps leaving Phaelan confused. As he obviously wanted to go alone, she made her way to her own chambers and the work awaiting her there.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ron and Hermione were almost to the Gryffindor tower when they saw him, a dark eminence grise in their path. They stopped and watched Snape approach, as intimidating as they'd ever experienced.
He looked directly at Hermione, "Mr. Weasley, we had a discussion. Go to your chambers and rethink our words at that time, while you ponder if you shall ever be closer than arms length to your lady again."
Ron made to speak, but was silenced by Snape raising his hand and pointing to the portrait entrance to the tower. With a single glance at Hermione, Ron made his way down the hall.
"Now Miss Granger, tarry with me awhile over here." Severus indicated an alcove off to the side. As she followed him into the space, Hermione felt him cast a privacy charm; no one would hear their conversation.
"Miss Granger, do you take me for a fool?" he opened.
"No sir, never." Hermione gasped in surprise at the question.
"Then why do you play me for one?"
Hermione was confused a bit at the question, "Sir? I don't…"
"Don't play coy with me girl. What were you up to in the tower?"
"Nothing, we were just..."
"Don't lie to me." Snape spat. "I told you I could track you, did you doubt my word?"
Hermione felt tears coming to her eyes and blinked them back determined not to let him best her. "No, Professor. Ron and I were talking and we held hands. There was nothing, honestly."
Severus sighed, "You dissemble poorly, girl. The scent of shared pheromones is still on your clothing as is your arousal. I warned you." He walked behind her. "Did you know in some countries where your type of arrangement is still commonplace, your guarantor would have the right, nay the responsibility to administer corporal punishment for your type of behaviour."
"NO! My parents never hit me. You have no right, none…" Hermione exclaimed.
"Wrong." He whispered in her ear. "Now take you to your chambers and think on what I have said. I will see you in my office before breakfast tomorrow to discuss the consequences of your….dalliance."
Hermione took off at a run, not asking for further permission to leave. Snape smirked behind her. Part 1, sub section 1 in place, Weasley should be quite motivated to keep his lady out of trouble. Threats were a wonderful inspiration to encourage cooperation from reluctant parties.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hermione came to Snape's office door and reluctantly knocked. She heard a muffled 'enter' and opened the door. As she closed the door, she noticed Pansy Parkinson sitting to one side.
"Professor, you required me to come this morning." Hermione opened quietly.
"Indeed, Miss Granger." Shape responded as he walked to stand in front of his desk. "You, of course, are acquainted with Miss Parkinson."
It wasn't a question, but Hermione nodded and looked at the Slytherin girl sullenly.
"Good. Now, since you are Muggleborn you may be unfamiliar with some of the customs of our Pure-blooded families when it comes to young ladies who are of the age to be presented." He gestured to Pansy, "I have asked Miss Parkinson to join us to apprise you of what you are missing."
Hermione felt her anger rise, "Sir, I was not aware I was to be inflicted with Slytherin prejudice as punishment."
Snape looked at his ward, who was now indignant at her birthright being impugned. "You are not, Miss Granger. I ask only you listen to the requirement placed upon many young pureblood maidens and ask yourself if you wish to be among their number. If you do, I shall arrange it. Miss Parkinson." He indicated Pansy should speak.
Pansy seemed hesitant, "Well," she looked at Snape who nodded. "Since I turned sixteen, my parents were concerned that I might find…someone that I might want to be with. They wanted to be sure that, when the time came…when I was to become betrothed, I would be untouched." Pansy swallowed and looked uncomfortable. "Every Hogsmeade weekend, I have to go to visit the Hag Midwife. Not just me, there are other girls from Hogwarts as well."
Hermione frowned, "What does she do, cast a charm to check your…you know?"
Pansy laughed, "I wish it was so…gentle. No. There are about a dozen of us. We take off our pants and knickers and bend over her table. She uses the handle of a wooden spoon and puts it inside us. If it hits the…you know, she sees a light in the bowl of the spoon. If it doesn't… Once, a girl was caught," Pansy sobbed, "The old hag left the spoon in after she had pushed it in as far as it would go. Then she fastened the girls' arms to the table and called her father. We had to stay. When he arrived," Pansy was now crying, "he took a switch from the hag and beat her until her backside was bleeding. Oh sir, please…" she covered her face with her hands.
Snape walked over to the distraught girl and put one hand on her shoulder while the other stroked her hair. "It's alright, Pansy. I told you I would stop it. You'll never have to go to the Hag again." He tipped her face up and used his handkerchief to wipe her face. "I haven't done this since you were a first year." Pansy laughed and took the handkerchief. Pulling his wand, Snape waved it over her to remove the evidence of her tears. "You may return to your chambers, Miss Parkinson."
'Yes sir." She said before glancing at Hermione who was numb with shock.
Severus walked around and sat behind his desk, "Sit down, Miss Granger." Hermione didn't move. "MISS GRANGER." He shouted to get her attention.
Hermione jumped and looked at him, "Sir?"
"Sit." Snape pointed to a chair in front of his desk.
Hermione sat down still trying to make sense of what Pansy had related. It was medieval, barbaric and disgusting in any age.
"Why?" she asked.
"Miss Granger, there are things that happen that are beyond your ken; things that the Order, for all it's bluster, tends to overlook." He spoke to her softly. "If you had not noticed, the hierarchy of the order is Pureblood led."
Hermione thought on what he said, "I had noticed. The Muggleborns and Half bloods are further down the pecking order."
"Many of our Pureblood traditions are good and honourable; others should be cast aside. This I have no qualms about. Now I ask you again; you have taken the oath of a pureblood witch to remain faithful to one man and to obey your parents or in this case me." Severus stood again, "I can't imagine you would wish to submit to the Hag."
"Never!" Hermione spat.
"Then, you will submit to my will…and….if you and Mr Weasley wish to accelerate your relationship at some time in the future, you will approach me about appropriate protection at the proper time."
"Yes sir, I ….agree."
"Very well. Now, the Christmas Ball approaches; you may submit your wardrobe for approval."
Hermione nodded, "Yes sir, I'll let you see my dress." Hermione rose ready to leave.
"Tut, tut, Miss Granger, I said wardrobe as in from the skin out." He told her.
"Professor!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Calm yourself, Miss Granger, I shall not be doing the approval, I have asked Professor McGonagall to assist you."
"Oh, all right then." She acquiesced.
"Then we have reached an understanding?" Snape asked.
"Yes sir." Hermione replied. At his nod she left with a mind full of turbulent and disturbing thoughts.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx