OH MY GOD! YAY! YAY! YAY! Does a little dance I'm at FIFTY REVIEWS! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT! I'M AT FIFTY REVIEWS! I got all teary when I checked my e-mail today and there was my fiftith review waiting there for me. Bya reviewer I've never seen before. SO HERE'S SEVERAL HUGE COOKIES FOR ALL MY REVIEWERS! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HAPPY I AM TO HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR!

Bluebear13--THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! You made my reviews reach fifty! tear You made me so happy. I'm glad you let me know what you think. I always like getting reviews, even the negitive ones because it tells me what I have to fix in my stories. I was trying to go for orignial. There are tons of stories out there where Severus has a daughter or son or children and I didn't want this to be the same. I'm so glad that it is a great read. My worst fear most of the time is that I'll create a boring story. Is this update soon enough that you'll drop me a review again? Lol. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Ktoddhim--What does your name stand for anyhow? It's cool, I always say it K-Todd-Him. (I talk about my reviewers a lot because they make me happy. : D Aren't I stupid? ) Anyhoos, yeah, poorLeo. I'm always horrible to my characters but I try to make them strong too. Thanks for the complement on the chapters. REVIEW PLEASE!

A.S. Leif--'Ello. : D At least I keep you intersted with the story... : D Just don't have panic attacks on me or else you can't review and make me smile while I stress about my plays. Lol. : P I'M AT FIFTY REVIEWS! AH! I'M SO HAPPY! I'M AT FIFTY REVIEWS! I'm going to give a really big cookie to whoever breaks fifty. I'm going to write tons just because this makes me happy! Lol. Sugar is always fun. But having sugar when you have medince with codine in it is very intersting. Stef and Laura knew each other really well, I'll probably bring some more history on them in later but not much so remind me when it's not ten o' clock at night when I'm posting and I'll tell you the history between them. I don't think I reveal much in the story but shrugs you never know with me. sigh Sev...hm...complecated character to write for in this chapter. I'm horrible at insults by the way so if Sev's insults suck I'm sorry I just can't insult people. I just love throwing in nasty shocks, don't I? I was sick when I got your review and I was laughing so hard when I pictured Molly with a sword saying "Charge!" It was hysterical. My parents thought I lost it but...smiles you made me feel better. The twins don't live at home, remember? They have a room above their shop (that is actually in one of the books. I got the info from a site on line.) She's a prankster herself, remember? LOl. But no they won't prank her. She has a lot that happens to her before the school year starts. The healing process will be hard but in another five or six chapters guess who's popping up (at last)...HARRY! It's been long enough but I HAD to get her to the Weasleys somehow. Mayhem is fun. Review please: D P.S. I can keep up the work there is just no guaranty that it will be good. Lol ; P

Thank you so much for reivewing! For initive for me to write more please:

REVIEW!


Chapter Twenty-One

Problems

Needless to say, Lenore felt a hundred times better when she woke up for the second time. She wasn't exactly thrilled to wake up in the hospital but at least she would be going home today. She had just opened her eyes went the reality of the thought sunk in. Home. Wormtail flashed in her mind and she sat up sharply, drawing in a deep breath, her eyes darting around the room, trying to make sure he wasn't there. Someone touched her hand and she nearly let out a scream, startled.

"Lenore, calm down," a male voice said. She focused on the person and let out a haltering breath. She looked around the room. "He's not here, you're safe."

"Safe," she repeated before she spotted Laura snoozing in the corner armchair. She looked back at Severus and let out another breath. "What time is it?"

"Just after seven," came a mumbled reply from another chair.

She jumped, startled. She looked over sharply and a smile spread across her face. "George!" she exclaimed as the redhead opened his eyes. "What are you doing here? When did you get here?"

"Not so many questions, I just woke up." He moaned rubbing his eyes.

Laura shifted in the corner. "Hm…add some monkwood with the belladonna carefully into the mixture." She mumbled in her sleep.

Lenore giggled as George shook his head and got up. "How are you feeling?"

The brunette looked down and sighed. "A little nervous but I'm okay. So what are you doing here?"

"Several reason, all of which have to do with you,"

"Am I in trouble?" she joked as Laura shifted again.

George dragged a chair over. "Not at all."

She glanced at Severus, who seemed to be fuming. She opened her mouth to say something when Severus stood up abruptly. "I am going to find the Healer."

She watched him walk out feeling a little hurt. She looked at Laura who had just opened her eyes. Laura started to go back to sleep when apparently she realized that Lenore was staring at her because nearly fell out of her chair. "LEO!"

Lenore began to giggle. "Morning, Laura. Sleep well?"

"Quiet brat." She muttered rubbing her eyes.

Lenore laughed again. "Dream about potions,"

"More about you blowing up my laboratory." She muttered. She shook her head, the red curls hitting her face. She got up and moved towards Lenore. "How are you feeling?" Lenore glanced at the chair that Severus had occupied. Why did he leave? "What did the idiot do this time?" Laura moaned.

"What? He…I mean…what?" she stumbled over her words. She had actually started liking Severus but now her feelings were mixed and confused.

"I really don't like that man." She said scratching her head.

"And you've been telling me for weeks that I should give him a chance," Lenore couldn't help but retort.

"Miss Keller?" a voice from the doorway caused all of them to jump.

Lenore looked sharply and she saw Severus standing behind the Healer that had checked her out the night before. She felt an instant wave of guilt. She hadn't said that because she didn't like the man, she only said it because she liked to point out the obvious in statements. For once she really didn't mean the insult that came with the statement. Though she had grown used to the stony faced man dressed in black she hadn't grown used to the coldness in his eyes. She looked down with an embarrassed sigh.

"Yeah?" she managed.

"I'm going to do a quick scan and then you're free to leave."

Her head shot up as she looked from Severus to Laura and then back at him. "Um…okay." The Healer walked in and was done with the scan told Lenore that she was free to leave, only to sign out at the front desk before leaving himself. She swallowed hard as Severus walked into the room but not towards her. "Um…where am I going to stay?" A thick silence passed that statement. "Severus…I…I can't stay with you at Hogwarts…not again." Her breathing increased.

"Sshh, sshh, calm down. Leo, look at me." Laura said in a soothing voice. "Look at me," She did so. "We won't send you back there. There are too many irresponsible" Laura shot a sideways glare at Severus. "adults there that can't take care of you. Lord knows how you people became teachers in the first place."

"I would advice you to shut up." Severus said in a deadly tone.

Lenore swallowed hard looked at both of them. "Where am I going to stay?"

"You have three choices." Laura said in a strained voice. "One is you go back with…him and stay at Hogwarts for the rest of the summer." Her muscles visibly tensed. "The second is that you could stay at Hogwarts," Panic started to set in. "WITH me there with you," Lenore looked at her. "Number three is—"

George cut her off. "How would you like to stay with my mom and dad? Technically, Fred and I can't legally have you in the house without someone over twenty because you're still a minor."

"Only until August," she muttered.

"These are the ideas that we have come up with," Laura said with a small smile. "Dumbledore has decided that you will decided."

Lenore looked at Severus. He let no emotion past his face. She glanced at Laura who was looking at her caringly and then at George who was making a face which caused her to laugh. "I…I…" she looked back at Severus who sneered slightly at what George was doing. She bit her lip before dropping her head. She brought her knees to her chest. "I can't go back to Hogwarts…" She heard Laura shift. "At all." She looked at her old teacher. "Why can't I just go back home with you?"

Laura looked at Severus with a death glare. "Yeah, why can't she?"

The girl looked from both adults confused. "What's going on?"

"It's your secret to tell, Ms. Bent. Why don't you explain to Lenore why you've been lying to her?"

"Lying to me,"

Laura shook her head exasperated at him. "Of course, you just have to go and try and dump the blame on me like the rotten man you are."

"Watch your tone," he growled.

"I can't, you can't watch sound." She shot back.

"If you speak like this in front of your students it is no wonder Americans are so vulgar."

"Moody bastard."

"Pretentious wench."

"HEY!" Lenore shouted. They both looked at her. "What the hell is going on!"

"Language!" snapped Severus.

"NO!" she exclaimed. "Why were you two calling each other names! What is going on!"

Laura sighed. George forced a tight smile. "I'm going to go get something to eat. I'll be back in twenty minutes with my entourage," he said before backing out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

Lenore looked back at them. "What is going on?" she asked a bit calmer.

The red head glared at Severus before looking at Lenore. "Do you know what an Almost Human is?" The raven-haired teenager nodded. "Well…" Suddenly in the place of Laura sat a blue person. Lenore let out a squeal and nearly fell off the bed, trying to move away. Quick as lightening Severus was by the bed, catching her before she hit the floor. "That's about the typical reaction." The blue person said nodding with a half grimace.

Lenore grasped Severus' robes as he held her in place, half off the bed and half on. "Laura?"

"Hi,"

"You're…you're…"

"An Almost Human. A centaur defect that has twice the normal magic of a normal Almost Human, sort of a contradiction though a 'normal Almost Human'. Almost Humans aren't normal are they," the blue person babbled, the dark blue hair bouncing as her head moved, just the way the red curls always did on Laura.

Lenore shifted back onto the bed looking at Severus before back at Laura. "Are you…are you really Laura?" she asked studying the beautiful person. Though the blue had startled her it gave her a haunting beauty that didn't always display on Laura Bent her potions professor.

"Yup, it's really me." She forced a smile, her deep blue-green eyes shooting daggers at the man behind Lenore.

"Wow," She swallowed nervously as Laura shifted onto the edge of the bed. "Is your skin really that color or is it fur? I wanted to ask Adem that for so long but I thought he might get mad at me."

The blue A.H. let out a laugh, it was rich and sounded like the echoes of water. "Go on, touch it."

Lenore licked her lips nervously and touched Laura's hand. Her eyes widened and a smile spread across her face. "It's silky like kitten's fur. Is it fur?"

"Dunno. Sorry I scared you."

"I…yeah…" Lenore said before looking at Severus. "But I'm not sure I understand. Why would her being an Almost Human effect me going to live with her?" A realization hit her. "Unless you're unwilling to give up custody of me,"

Severus looked uncomfortable as Laura snorted. "Hardly a problem, Leo," The teenager looked at her sharply as the woman produced a scroll. "Your mother gave me custody. I decided that it might be good for you to meet your father." Another pointed glare was directed to the man. "But apparently you were right about his behavior and what a bastard he is," Lenore cringed slightly. "But now Dumbledore has gotten involved and won't let me take full custody of you."

"Dumbledore." She said numbly, something hurting inside of her for a reason she wasn't quite sure.

"Yes. He believes that, however powerful we both are, we can't be adequately protected alone."

"Dumbledore said that," Lenore said staring at Laura.

She nodded. "Yes. So he is forcing the issue and unless you want to spend a month in court for custody you'll have to stay here."

"Dumbledore…"

"Yes. We've established that Dumbledore was the one who is pushing these problems upon us." Snapped Severus moodily.

She looked up at him realizing why something hurt when she found out who had been pushing the point. She had half hoped that he had started to care about her enough to want her. She looked down, anger and bitterness filling her. "But you have custody of me, Laura. Dumbledore has no say in where I am put."

"No but he moved his pawn into play." Laura sneered.

Severus glared at her. "I am not his pawn. I just took his advice."

The blue woman jumped to her feet. "After sixteen years you want her, I'm not buying it."

"Buy or think what you will, I do not care."

"You can't just waltz back into her life and expect her to live with the fact you haven't been a part of it for her entire life!" Laura shouted.

"I didn't waltz into her life, she was brought here!"

"So she was right about you from the beginning! You never wanted her!"

Their voices raised, shouting over the bed with Lenore in-between them, listening in horror.

"SHUT UP! YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THAT!" his voice thundered.

Her blue hair fell over her shoulders in cascades and Lenore thought momentarily that it looked like a waterfall before she was brought back to the conversation by the volume of the their arguments. "I don't, do I! I've watched Serafina raise that girl on her own because you deserted her! SHE LOVED YOU TILL HER DYING DAY YOU UNGREATFUL BASTARD!"

"UNGREATFUL! YOU HALF BREED MUDBLOOD, YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO SHOUT AT ME LIKE THIS!" he thundered back.

Lenore winced. "MUDBLOOD! YOU TELL HER TO WATCH HER MOUTH, MERLIN, MAN, YOU MUST EAT THE SHIT THAT YOU DISH OUT!" Laura shouted.

"I do not need to have this conversation with an idiot like yourself." He said in a deadly voice. He turned to leave.

"Oh because you're becoming afraid that she'll know the truth!" she circled around the bed. "I am beginning to agree with what Leo was saying when she first arrived! You're a using bastard who has a stick so far up his ass that it's coming out your mouth!"

"Childish insults will get you nowhere."

"You deserted her and now you want her back! I think that you only do what your damn Headmaster says for you to. Hell I think that you would even give her up to the Dark Lord if he asked you to!"

There was a loud slap and Lenore stared in shock as Laura grabbed her face from where Severus had hit her. "Do not speak of things you don't know of woman."

Laura swung around and punched him straight in the jaw. He stumbled back startled. "Lenore saw it, you fool. I know what you Death Eaters did to Serafina. I know how you laughed and acted. Why would you want Lenore after all these years? Some sort of guilt!"

"STOP IT!" Lenore shouted throwing her hands in opposite directions. Suddenly both adults flew to opposite sides of the room. She looked at her hands and then at them. "Just stop it!" They both looked at her, partially in shock, but worry was etched into each of their eyes. Laura opened her mouth but Lenore held up her hand. Laura tried to speak but nothing came out. Lenore squeezed her eyes shut. "I don't care! Just shut up! You two are trying to decide my life for me." She shook her head opening her eyes. "I can't do this! I'll live with the Weasleys for all I care, just stop arguing!"

They both stared at her for a moment. Severus straightened up awkwardly and then gave her a curt nod. "I shall inform the Headmaster. I'm sure Ms. Bent and Mr. Weasley can help you to Hogwarts to pack you things," and with that he swept from the room, not even giving her the chance to say anything to him.

Lenore looked at Laura and shook her head. "Go find George, tell him I want to stay with his family."

"Leo I—" started Laura.

"NO!" she shouted, fighting tears. "Just go!" She pointed towards the door. "Come back in a half hour, I'll be dressed and ready to go." Laura sighed and walked out, shutting the door behind her.

Lenore threw the covers off herself and swung her legs over. They were throbbing slightly. She shook her head, blinking back the tears that were burning in her eyes. Dumbledore. Dumbledore wanted her to stay, not Severus. Not the man that she had started to…started to grow close to. She swallowed hard and grabbed her wand. She whispered the levitation spell on herself when all of a sudden everything in the room began to float, the bed included. She let out a small cry.

She looked around sharply. "What the hell," she muttered gripping the bed tightly. "Uh, help?" she called hesitantly. Nothing. "HELP!" she called louder. Nothing. She stretched forward. If she could just reach the nurse button she could get help. She was inches from it when she slid off the bed. "AH!" She scrunched her eyes shut, waiting for the impact with the floor but it never happened. She peeked open and she was still levitating. "What is going on?" she moaned pressing the nurse button. Moments later a blonde ran into the room and stopped short. She stared at Lenore in shock. Lenore gave a half smile as she gripped the bars on the bed, her wand on the floor. "Um…help?"