A/N: I received a question asking me a few things about my little enchantment, so here are your answers. The magical buildup started in Rowena's time, which explains why Kent's so powerful. Kids are born with their own, normal wizarding powers, but inherit the magical buildup when their parents die. Thanks for the question, Threstals Breath!

My arm hurts from my Tentus shot, so this chapter was slightly irritating to write.

Disclaimer: I own nothing (except Miranda Kent) … especially not Harry Potter

Happy Reading!

Chapter Five – Good Old Felix

Miranda was tired. Not just the kind of tired that made you a wee bit drowsy as you stared into space, but a kind of tired that made you wish you hadn't bothered waking up. It was the kind of tired that you could only experience after doing nothing all day. And Miranda felt it. Unfortunately for Miranda, she was also in the middle of a training session with Severus, and received a sharp blow in the knees.

Miranda fell over, snapping back to reality. Severus, who looked slightly grumpy, dropped the ninja pole on the ground and assisted her to her feet.

"What is wrong with you today?" He asked.

She rubbed her eyes and yawned.

"I'm tired," She replied groggily, rubbing her eyes.

"That would be apparent," Severus replied.

Miranda limped over to the nearest chair and plopped down into it, too tired for a witty comment. Severus sat down in the chair next to her and watched as she rubbed her knees in the place he had swatted her. And suddenly, without warning, she was asleep. Severus leaned forward in his chair, eyes narrowed in disbelief.

"What the-? She's not…"

Severus tapped her on the shoulder and got no response. Sure enough, she was fast asleep with her head tiled to one side and her breathing slow. He, who was kind of shocked, got up and quietly walked over to Miranda's desk, ignoring the note he had given her for Christmas, which was now taped to her desk. Severus opened said desk as quietly as he could and pulled out a grape lollipop. He studied it for a moment, then unwrapped it and popped it into his mouth.

"Aha, I knew it!"

He jumped and spun around to see Miranda sitting up in the chair, awake and pointing at him. He quickly pulled the lolly out of his mouth and stuffed it into his pocket.

"What?" he feigned confusion.

"Don't say 'what' in that tone, I know it was you. Someone's been pilfering my lollipop stash and now I know who it is."

Severus rolled his eyes and plunked back into the chair he had been previously sitting in, pulling out the lollipop from his pocket.

"Yeah, well I only took a few," Severus replied, picking pocket lint off the confection before gingerly placing it back in his mouth.

"You could have asked," Miranda said. "Did you not see the second part of your Christmas gift?"

"I did," Severus replied gravely. "Hence, I am now housing a similar addiction to yours."

"Except," Miranda finished, "you only like grape."

"Precisely," Severus replied in a bored voice before giving Miranda a blank look. "Are you not tired?"

Miranda yawned and stretched out in the chair.

"No, I'm dead tired. I just have so much to do. Which reminds me…"

Miranda leaned forward across to him.

"Do you think you can stop by here tonight at ten after six?" Miranda asked.

"For what?"

Miranda grinned, leaned back in her chair, and laced her fingers behind her head.

"I need to do a test and I cannot fulfill the requirements."

Severus raised his eyebrows.

o-o-o

Promptly at six, Harry knocked on Miranda's door and was told to enter. Miranda was sitting on her pillow on the floor, and beckoned Harry to sit as well. Harry did, and noticed that there was another pillow on the ground next to Miranda that had never been used before. Miranda took no notice of it, however, and ignored Harry's quizzical expression. They meditated for a while, practiced some Occlumency, and then there was a knock on the door.

"Enter," Miranda said, and the door opened.

Snape strode in, looking slightly reluctant, and closed the door behind him. Harry's jaw literally dropped, and it took him a minute to notice. Harry just hadn't been able to make eye contact with Snape since he saw him in the corridor, and could not now. And then, all of a sudden, Harry realized why Snape was there.

"Sit down, Professor," Miranda said to Snape, patting the pillow next to her.

Snape hesitantly strode forward and even more hesitantly sat down. Harry thought that Snape looked peculiar on the ground with his legs crossed, for he was rather tall, and Snape was not usually the type to sit on the ground. Miranda gazed pleasantly at the two of them, as if they were all the best of friends, and then spoke.

"Well, Harry, seeing as I think you've gotten much better at Occlumency, I brought in the expert to try and break into your mind. Now, I've been advised against this by numerous people, but I think we can manage to get along for an hour, or at least long enough for this final test. Harry, if you can pull this off tonight, we will not have to meet any more. If not, then we'll have to do this again. Shall we?"

Miranda made as if she was going to conduct the lesson in her pleasant manner, but Harry knew what was coming. Snape stood up and beckoned that Harry do the same. Both Harry and Miranda rose to their feet, Miranda with some uncertainty, and watched. Harry, who knew what was coming, knew that he was not going to let Snape get the better hand. Harry pulled forth the image, a powerful image of Ginny Weasley giving him a very stern look, and concentrated on it. Snape raised his wand.

"Ready, Potter?" Snape said.

"Yes, sir," Harry replied in the same tone.

"Legilimens!"

Harry was ready this time, and when the spell hit him, he was already started. Harry fought back Snape and, to Snape's utmost surprise, conquered. As Snape stared in uncovered shock, Harry made sure that his stare was full of loathing and anger.

"Well Potter, that was certainly an improvement," Snape said in his silky voice, though Harry could tell Snape was not pleased.

Miranda, however, was quite pleased. She was grinning and seemed rather proud.

"Brilliant!" Miranda said. "Harry, congratulations, you've passed Occlumency. Professor, if I could have a word?"

Miranda gave Harry one last look.

"You may leave, Harry, and further lessons are no longer necessary."

Harry nodded, wanting to get away from Snape as quickly as possible, and left the room. When the door had closed, Miranda turned to Severus.

"Severus," she said, "Could you possibly tell me what's going on with Lucius? Why isn't he in Azkaban? What is Draco supposed to do? Where do you play a role in all of this?"

Severus sighed and motioned towards the fireplace.

"This will be a long discussion," Severus said. "Should we go elsewhere?"

Miranda nodded and they flooed to her room. Miranda took a minute in the bathroom to get ready for bed and then came back to see Severus still standing by her desk, looking slightly forlorn. She sat down on her bed with a pillow propped up behind her back and motioned for Severus to sit down. He did so, cautiously, on the edge of her bed.

"So, Severus, where to begin?" Miranda said.

"Well, we should start with Draco's task from the Dark Lord. Draco was assigned, shortly after his father was broken out of Azkaban, to kill Albus Dumbledore."

When Miranda had no witty comment, Severus continued.

"My thoughts exactly," Severus said when he saw Miranda's expression. "Of course, I personally believe that Albus is far more important in this war than Draco, and I've told him so. I told him he was taking things for granted that he couldn't afford to, and I didn't know if I was going to let it happen."

"Bet he didn't like that," Miranda said gravely.

"He did not, indeed," Severus replied, staring at his feet. "So, just in case, should Albus die this year, he is telling Potter everything he knows – and he knows that he was reaching the end anyway. He is not bothered."

"But you are," Miranda said gently, and Severus looked up from his feet.

"Of course, I don't think Draco should be forced to kill anybody. Even I haven't even killed anybody," Severus said, then added in an undertone, "Not directly, anyway."

Miranda got on all fours and crawled over to where he sat. She swung her legs out and sat on the edge of her bed like him, aware of what he was talking about.

"You didn't know," She said quietly.

Severus said nothing and then fell back on the bed, hands behind head.

"Lucius, on the other hand, was broken out of Azkaban. His position was switched with Avery, who is slipped a stock of the Polyjuice potion once a week in secret by a Death Eater stationed at Azkaban," Snape said in a bored voice, staring at the ceiling. "Lucius is far more valuable than Avery, even with the Dark Lord being frustrated with him. Personally, I think –"

Suddenly Severus sat upright and jumped to his feet, clutching his left forearm.

"What is it?" Miranda asked, also jumping to her feet.

Severus pulled back his sleeve to reveal the Dark Mark, which was currently burning jet black. Severus nodded once, let out a slow, shuddery breath that gave away that he was hiding great pain, and rolled his sleeve back down.

"I must go," Severus said in a concluding voice.

"Now?"

"Yes, Now. I will be back in the morning, so I bid you goodnight."

"Be careful," Miranda said in a scared voice that did not suit her as she kissed him on the cheek.

"I will wake you up at six," Severus said, and then he left.

Miranda heard the door close and felt as if something heavy had been placed on her heart. She stood there in her pajamas for a minute or so, staring at the door and wondering what had called for the late-night meeting.

o-o-o

But Severus did not wake her up at six. In fact, when Miranda awoke at ten to find that she had missed her first lesson, she was not even upset. She was scared. She sprung out of bed, threw on her traveling cloak, and fled from her bedroom. She hurdled down the stairs of the dungeons and stopped in front of a door. After regaining her composure and taking a deep breath, Miranda pushed open the door.

She had never been in Severus' room before now. It was the same design as hers, only with a few subtle differences. There were more slimy things on the walls and bookshelves upon bookshelves, stacked with books off all kinds. Miranda did not stop to take all this in, for she strode forward and pulled the hangings away from Severus' bed.

There he was, fast asleep in his robes from the prior day. Miranda let out a breath of relief and wondered what the best way to wake Severus up was. She knew better than to prod him or do anything Miranda-like, and didn't know if saying anything was such a good idea. If he was in a confused state, he might attack her or something of the sort, so she decided she'd do something else. Something that would surprise him but not give him the opportunity to attack. Something witty but still rather stupid. Miranda smirked, aimed her finger and shot a spell.

Severus' bed turned to a pool full of water, and he fell in. He opened his eyes as soon as he touched the water, cursed loudly, and went under. He resurfaced, his hair in two soaking curtains in front of his face, dripping.

"Good morning," Severus said in a voice that clearly wished her to burn in hell.

Miranda smiled warmly.

"I knew I shouldn't say anything or prod you, lest you attack me, so I did something much safer," Miranda said.

Severus climbed out of the pool and stood up, saying, "Not so conservative, however. But nevertheless effective."

"So you're not mad?" Miranda asked, watching as Severus flicked his wand and turned the pool back into a bed.

"No," Severus replied. "Not this time. What time is it?"

"It's nearly ten thirty," Miranda replied, and Severus' eyes widened.

"WHAT?"

"That's what I said," Miranda replied hastily. "I just woke up, too. We've missed our first lesson."

Severus took a deep, calming breath, and walked over to the fireplace. He lit it with a flick of his wand, threw some powder into it, and stuck his head in the flames.

"Albus, may I have a word?"

Severus withdrew his head and Albus' appeared there, looking slightly concerned.

"Yes, Severus? Oh, hello Miranda. How are you?"

Miranda smiled and nodded once.

"Albus, I apologize, but it is my fault that Miranda and I have missed our lesson. You see, I was not dismissed until after five AM. I got back and instantly fell asleep. I only just awoke, sir," Severus said.

Albus smiled.

"No harm has been done, Severus, though nobody was notified of your absences. I daresay your classes had a good time without you," Albus said, watching as Severus continued to drip everywhere. "And – Severus, is it raining outside?"

Miranda laughed and Severus failed to respond right away. Albus smiled with a twinkle in his eye.

"No, that was Miss Kent," Severus replied in a drawl, an eyebrow arching. "I will make sure that both of us are on time for our next lesson. My apologies."

"My dear Severus, there is nothing to forgive," Albus replied with one last nod to Miranda. "Good day, Miranda. Severus. I will see you both at lunch."

With a faint pop, Albus was gone. Severus turned to see Miranda grinning.

"What?" Severus snapped defensively.

She shook her head, trying to hide the grin on her face.

"Nothing," She said in a non-convincing tone.

Severus looked at her apprehensively, knew not to bother with Legilimency, and scowled. He shooed her out of the room so he could get ready.

Meanwhile, Harry, Ron and Hermione walking down the corridor from the dungeons, talking about Snape's absence. Before their Potions class, the topic of conversation was that Lupin and Tonks had somehow found love. All of this suddenly made sense to Harry, for Tonks had been showing signs that he mad mistaken for those of remorse for Sirius. Now, however, seeing as Snape had been absent, the trio had something new to discuss.

"Wonder where he is," Ron said for the umpteenth time.

"Maybe he's doing something for the Order," mused Hermione, clutching her books to her chest.

"Well, I heard Kent wasn't at her lesson either, so…" Ron said in a slightly nauseated voice; Harry had told them what he had had the misfortune to see the other day.

As they were walking by a random room in the dungeons, the door opened and Miranda came out, giggling and wearing her pajamas and a cloak. When she saw the trio standing there, looking dumbfounded, she smiled in their direction.

"Hello," She said, still smirking. "Lovely day, isn't it? See you after lunch!"

She pranced away, still smirking. Ron and Harry exchanged slightly revolted expressions.

"Isn't that…?"

"Yes."

Even Hermione couldn't hide her disgust, though she tried to.

"Oh honestly, don't you think that they could have just been discussing curriculum or something? Why must you always jump to conclusions?"

Just then, the door opened again and Snape strode out. When he saw Hermione, Ron and Harry, his lip curled.

"Ten points from Gryffindor for loitering. Now get moving!" Snape said in a menacing voice.

Harry, who opened his mouth to protest, got a swift jab in the ribs from Hermione and they hurried off to Charms.

o-o-o

April came, full of wet weather and the promise of spring. Miranda was sitting in her office with nothing to do during one of her breaks, and decided she'd like to go and harass Severus in his class. It was the last class of the day, and Miranda was bored out of her mind. She sighed, stretched, and stood up. She opened the door and strode out into the corridor, her combat boots making a faint jingling sound as she walked. She ambled on down the dungeon stairs, pausing to greet a second-year, and stopped outside the potions classroom door. Miranda pulled her foot back and swung out at the door to kick it in.

Snape was striding up and down the aisles of struggling students, breathing down their necks as they attempted to make their potions. Only Hermione Granger had managed to get something like the potion, but Snape chose to ignore her as he usually did. There was complete silence except for the turning of pages and the bubbling of potions, and then there was an earsplitting crash.

The entire class looked up to see a combat boot sticking through the door, which was splintered. The person on the other side of the door cursed, wrenched their foot out of the door, and then came into the room. It was, of course, Miranda Kent, blushing.

Snape lazily flicked his wand as the rest of the class laughed and the door repaired itself.

"What have I told you?" Snape said to Miranda in a silky voice. "I told you that would happen eventually.

Miranda merely laughed and crossed the room. She plopped down in Snape's chair in front of his desk, and the class turned to see what Snape's reaction would be. To everyone's surprise but Harry, Ron and Hermione's, he did nothing. In fact, he had already moved on to verbally abusing Ron's potion.

Harry watched out of the corner of his eye as Miranda pulled open the drawer of the desk and took out a jar of something gross-looking. She uncapped it, sniffed the contents, pulled a face, and capped it again. Harry was not alone in watching her, nor was he the only one who found Miranda a lot more interesting than potions class. Miranda then pulled open another drawer and triumphantly pulled out a grape lolly.

"Aha!" Miranda exclaimed before unwrapping it and popping it into her mouth.

Still Snape said nothing about the woman in his chair, but looked, if possible, faintly amused. Harry quickly turned back to his potion and tried to remember what he had been doing. He only succeeded in dropping his entire scale set into his cauldron. It bubbled and hissed, causing Snape's attention to be averted from Ron's potion and towards Harry. Snape flicked his wand, causing the remains of Harry's scales to fly out of the cauldron, and flicked his wand again. Harry's cauldron was instantly emptied.

"Zero, Potter," Snape said in his low, sneering voice.

Harry fumed silently, wishing death upon Snape. Miranda gave Harry an apologetic look before clearing her throat.

"Do you think that was necessary, Severus?" Miranda said.

Snape turned around swiftly, his eyes boring into Miranda's. If Harry had not known of their – relationship – then he would have been very scared for Miranda.

"Yes, I believe it is," Snape said quietly.

"Oh, well I would have fixed the potion," Miranda said nonchalantly. "Then he would have had a chance."

The class watched from Snape to Kent, eager to see who would win this time.

"Well this is not your class, is it?" Snape said jerkily.

"No," Miranda said, "but –"

"Then it is not your decision," Snape finished. "You may leave if you do not choose to remain quiet."

Harry raised his eyebrows, nonplussed. He couldn't understand what Kent saw in him – he was so mean. Miranda shrugged and when Snape turned away, she stuck her tongue out at him. Several people chuckled, but shut up the instant Snape gave them a menacing look.

After the lesson ended and all the students had left, Severus and Miranda walked up to Miranda's room. Miranda was dwelling upon the meeting she'd had with Dumbledore a day or two ago. Apparently, he needed her to complete some sort of mission for him involving Horace Slughorn, her old potions master, and a memory. She knew what she was supposed to do, but was not sure why she had been selected for this specific task and didn't know when she was going to have to go through with it. She had mentioned it to Severus, but she was not sure if he had been listening; his eyes had been dark and his expression had been thoughtful.

Miranda ushered him into her room and closed the door behind him. She crossed the room and plopped down onto her bed. He summoned a chair out of nowhere and sat down in it, sighing.

"Long day," He said quietly, rubbing his temples.

"Tell me about it," Miranda replied, yawning. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he replied, leaning back in his chair.

Miranda unlaced her combat boots and allowed them to fall to the floor with two thuds. She got up and walked over to where Severus was sitting and stopped behind him. She placed her hands on his shoulders and massaged his shoulders gently. She sighed.

"It's hard to believe that the year's almost over," Miranda said. "I'm still here. I thought this position was supposed to be cursed, but I guess not."

"Do you mean you'll be teaching here next year?" Severus asked.

"Bearing complications, yes," Miranda said. "I believe so."

Severus nodded slowly and let out a slow breath.

"I'm feeling a bit under the weather," He commented, changing the subject with ease.

A smile played on Miranda's lips suddenly and she leaned forward.

"I think," Miranda said quietly into his ear, "I can help you with that."

She raised a finger and the door locked itself. Severus raised an eyebrow and turned, with a curious expression, to Miranda, who was smirking mischievously.

o-o-o

A month later, Miranda and Severus were on their way to dinner. Miranda stopped in the corridor and slapped her palm to her forehead.

"Drat!" She exclaimed, "I forgot something!"

"What?" Severus turned to her with a questioning expression.

"Come on, I'll just be a second," Miranda insisted, and pulled him off towards her office.

She stopped in front of her office and kicked open the door. She slipped inside the room and closed the door.

"I'm sorry. I'll just be a moment, I've gotta get something," Miranda assured Severus, and strode over to her desk to get her cloak.

Sitting on the desk was a tiny scroll, rolled up and tied shut with a red ribbon. Miranda picked up the scroll, slid the ribbon off, and unfolded the scroll. It was a piece of parchment, and she read it with her brows furrowed.

Dear Miranda Kent,

I must ask of you the favor today. If you would be so kind as to come to my office after dinner, I will give you instruction. Remember, you are the only one who currently has the means of getting this memory.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore.

P.S. Feeling lucky?

Miranda read the note over. She understood the first part, but she was not sure how she was supposed to go about getting this memory. And the P.S. was even more unnerving. "Feeling lucky?" What was that supposed to mean?

Apparently Miranda was taking too long, for Severus opened the door and stepped inside.

"What's taking you?" He asked, and then saw that she was standing very still, her eyes glued to a parchment in her hands.

She looked up at him and then back to the letter.

"I'm going tonight," Miranda said.

Severus strode forward and took the parchment from her with ease.

"Going where?" Severus asked quietly, reading the parchment as he asked.

He looked up from the letter and she saw that his expression was grave. He handed her back the parchment and furrowed his brows.

"Feeling lucky?" Severus said quietly.

Miranda shrugged and he rolled his eyes.

"Feeling lucky," Severus repeated, and then his eyes grew wide. "Felix Felicis! You're the only one who currently has a bottle in this entire castle. That's why you're the only one who can do the job."

Miranda's mouth fell open in realization.

"Oh," she said dumbly. "Well, looks like I'm going, then. Ooh, I can't wait! I haven't seen old Sluggy in years!"

When Severus said nothing, she gestured to the door. They began to walk down to dinner and Miranda continued her excited monologue.

"Did you know I was one of his favorites? I was pretty much the best in the grade because of the Progenitor Veneficium, so he wanted me to be in his silly club."

Severus still said nothing; it could not have been clearer that he was troubled. Miranda took notice of this and gave him a questioning look.

"What?"

Severus looked down at her, his brows furrowed.

"I don't think you should go," Severus said. "It's too dangerous. You could get captured."

Miranda rolled her eyes and punched him in the arm.

"Don't be a baby, Severus, I can take care of myself," Miranda said.

Severus, on the other hand, thought otherwise.

After dinner, Severus half escorted, half chased Miranda up to Dumbledore's office. She gave the password and hopped onto the revolving staircase. She knocked with the griffin door-knocker and was instantly told to enter. She pushed open the door excitedly after deciding that kicking the headmaster's door in was not a good idea, and strode inside with Severus at her heels. Dumbledore was standing there as if he had known that all this was going to happen, and greeted them both with a warm smile.

"Good evening," Albus said pleasantly. "Severus, if I could have a private word?"

Severus looked taken aback for a split second before he nodded curtly and stepped out of the room. When Severus was gone, Dumbledore turned back to Miranda.

"Miranda, my instructions are simple. You need to get the whole and complete memory that we have spoken about from Horace. Do you have your Felix?"

Miranda groped in her inner pocket for a moment before pulling out a vial, which contained a small dose of the potion.

"Good," Albus said. "You will leave here and go out of the grounds. Once outside the gates and in Hogsmeade Station, you will meet the Auror who will be accompanying you on this task. Are you prepared?"

Miranda nodded and Dumbledore ushered her to the door.

"Come back as soon as you have the memory, do not dawdle," Albus warned, and Miranda left.

After Miranda strode past him without a word, Severus went back into the office and closed the door. Severus stood there for a few moments after Miranda's footfalls had faded, and then began to pace worriedly.

"She shouldn't be out there on her own, it's not safe," Severus said in a hushed voice, determined not to show his anxiety (and failing).

"Severus, do you honestly think I would send Miss Kent out into the open without any protection?" Albus said.

Severus stopped pacing and stared at Albus with his brows furrowed.

"Who…?"

o-o-o

Miranda walked quickly down the sloping grounds and to the gate, where she found the gates locked. She, however, knew the enchantments and performed them. The chains that bound the gates together drew back like serpents and she exited the grounds, pausing only to lock the gates back up.

She walked down a little further until she came to the train platform at Hogsmeade Station. Sitting on the brick wall was, not a bearded, solemn, professional-looking Auror, but a woman. This woman, however, was wearing Auror robes and had bright pink, spiky hair. The woman gave Miranda a smile which Miranda returned, and stood. They shook hands and Kent smiled.

"Nice hair," Miranda said.

"Nice boots," the woman replied. "I'm Tonks, and you must be Miranda Kent."

"That's me," Miranda replied cheerfully.

The two women grinned at each other as they set off; Miranda was sure that they would get along just fine.

o-o-o

About an hour or so later, Severus had still not been able to sit down. Albus watched with a pleasant smile on his face, not appearing the slightest bit worried, as Severus paced back and fourth across the office. Severus stopped walking in front of Albus and gripped the back of a chair tightly.

"I don't like this, Albus," Severus said, again pacing the room with his robes whipping about behind him. "Not one bit. She's been gone for a while."

"Persuading Horace will not take five minutes," Albus replied. "Do not worry, Severus, she will be fine."

"I'm not worried," Severus spat anxiously. "I just – well, okay, maybe I am. A little."

Albus smiled warmly.

"Do not be afraid to love, Severus," Albus said. "Love is vital to survival in this war."

Severus stopped in his tracks and stared at Albus, his brows furrowed.

"Love?"

"Yes, Severus, love."

o-o-o

Meanwhile, Miranda opened the door to Horace's house, triumphantly holding a small bottle filled with a swirling silvery substance. Tonks, who had been sitting nearby on the watch, instantly stood up. She hurried over to Miranda and gaped at the bottle.

"So you got your memory?" Tonks said in awe.

"Sure did," Miranda replied. "Just follow Felix. I asked to have a drink for old times' sake, chat about our lives, yada yada yada, eventually get him drunk to the point where he won't remember anything, and then tell him some stuff. He'll get sentimental and give up the memory. No sweat."

"Excellent," Tonks replied. "We should be going now, though."

"Yeah, I agree," Miranda said, "I think Felix just finished wearing off when I stepped outside. Good old Felix.Here, hold this."

She handed the swirling memory to Tonks, who quickly stashed it in her robe pocket. Miranda used both hands to swing her cloak around her neck and adjust it accordingly. They apparated together into Hogsmeade Station to see that they were not alone. In fact, they were surrounded in every which direction by hooded, cloaked, and masked people. Death Eaters.

"Uh oh," murmured Miranda. "Tonks, get ready to fight."

The Death Eaters laughed.

"Do you really think that you can defeat all of us?" sneered the unmistakable voice of Bellatrix Lestrange.

"No," Miranda replied, "but we can sure as hell try. Tonks, now!"

Everyone attacked at once. Miranda and Tonks did brilliantly, but they were really no match for the number of Death Eaters that were present. Miranda heard Tonks get hit by a jinx and fall to the ground.

"Leave the pink one!" Shouted a male voice. "The Dark Lord is only concerned with Kent."

They drew in closer. Miranda was tempted to do a little bit of Ravenclaw magic to get her out, but the problem was that if the raven that came from her hands did not make it back, Miranda would be just as weak as a first-year. The raven was most useful in one on one combat. This was no one on one combat, and that was no lie. Though the ground was littered with Death Eaters, Miranda could not get them all at once. A red beam of light hit her in the back and she was stupefied. Miranda fell to the ground, defenseless and captured.

Shortly after, Severus had finally been coaxed into a comfy armchair by Dumbledore. A knock on the door penetrated the silence, and Severus jumped to his feet, clutching a glass of wine that he had been handed shortly before.

"Enter," Said Dumbledore, and McGonagall strode in, looking frightened.

"What is the matter, Minerva?" Albus asked, standing from his desk.

"Albus, Dawlish just found Nymphadora Tonks at Hogsmeade Station, stupefied and injured. Miranda Kent was nowhere to be found, Albus," McGonagall said before finishing in a choked voice, "They've captured her."

Severus dropped the glass of wine; it hit the ground and shattered with a smash that he did not hear.

A/N: Where is Kent? Is Snape going to totally spaz out? Will that wine stain ever come out of the carpet? Find out soon!