Rachel looked up at the sound of the door opening and turned to ask Hermione if they were still studying Potions today because they had an essay on brewing Doxycide that was due on Monday. Instead she stared in confusion as Hermione came through the door with her cat bundled in her arms.

Hermione kicked the door closed behind her and set Crookshanks down on the floor.

"Uh, Hermione? Not that we mind, but why did you bring your cat to the study group?" Theo asked.

Hermione sat down in her chair and dropped her bag down onto the table. "Ron Weasley."

Rachel exchanged a confused glance with Millie.

"He's not being mean to your cat, is he?" Millie asked.

Crookshanks jumped up onto the table and began looking around at the study group.

"Not exactly," Ginny said tentatively, looking to where Hermione was sitting with her arms folded. "Ron thinks that Crookshanks ate Scabbers."

"Scabbers?" Theo asked.

"Ron's pet rat," Neville said.

"It's impossible, every time Ron sees Crookshanks he throws a fit about Crookshanks eating Scabbers, and there's no proof at all that's what happened! I've been trying to keep Crookshanks in my dorm, but I can't just keep him locked up in a single room all the time. It's not fair," Hermione said, covering her face as she tried very obviously not to cry.

"Why was he letting a rat run loose in the first place? We're not even supposed to have rats as pets," Millie said.

"Crookshanks doesn't understand the difference between someone's pet and just a rat he can eat," Hermione said, sniffling. "He's a cat. Obviously I tried to keep him from chasing Ron's rat, but I can't watch him every minute of the day. Besides there are plenty of cats in Gryffindor Tower, one of them could easily have been responsible for eating Scabbers, but Ron is just focused on Crookshanks."

Crookshanks went over to Hermione and climbed onto her lap, purring loudly.

"It's not your fault," Rachel said. "As sad as it is for anyone to lose their pet, you can't help it if a cat gets hungry and eats the nearest thing that looks like food."

"Exactly," Hermione said.

"Have you offered to buy him a new pet?" Luna suggested. "Maybe a mouse, if he only likes rodents?"

"I don't think that's a good idea right now," Ginny said quickly. "Maybe at the end of the year, ask if he wants a new pet."

Hermione nodded. "I can do that. In the meantime, if you don't mind, I'm going to bring Crookshanks with me to our study groups so he can at least get out of my dorm room for a little while."

"That's fine," Millie said. "Maybe I should bring Midnight too and they can be friends."

Hermione managed a small smile. "That would be nice."

"Do you want me to try to talk some sense into Ron?" Neville asked.

"No, Hermione said, shaking her head. "I don't think that will do any good at this point. Right now he's grieving and he wants to blame me. Maybe when he's managed his grief he'll be a little bit more receptive to the idea that it could have been any number of things that happened to Scabbers, not just Crookshanks. I think we're doing Doxycide essays today, is that right?"

"Yes, sixteen inches on the brewing of Doxycide and the interactions between ingredients. I got some books from the library that we can use for ingredient properties and interactions," Rachel said, pointing to the stack of books in the middle of the table.

"And tonight we've got a twelve inch History of Magic essay on Clause 73 of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy," Neville said.

"Alright then, let's get started," Hermione said with a nod. "Rachel, do you want to lead us through the salient points before we start on our essays?"

"Sure," Rachel said. She'd made the necessary notes in their two-way books last night. "Let's start with the instructions, then we'll go through the properties of Bundimun ooze, dragon liver, hemlock essence, and cowbane essence."


"I'd like sixteen inches on Kappas and techniques you can use against them, due next Friday," Professor Lupin said. "You're dismissed."

Rachel wrote down the assignment in her planner and closed her book. They had a lot of homework to do this weekend and that was with the Ravenclaw vs Gryffindor game tomorrow too. Hopefully Ginny would catch the Snitch quickly.

"I'm starving," Millie said as she stood up and shoved her book into her bag.

"I'll meet you in the Great Hall," Rachel said as she stood up. "I need to talk to Professor Lupin about something."

"Do you want us to wait for you?" Theo asked.

"No, this will only take a few minutes and then I'll come sit with you in the Great Hall," Rachel said.

"If you're sure," Theo said. He left the classroom with Millie, Hermione, and Neville.

Rachel put the strap of her bag over her shoulder and went to the front of the classroom where Professor Lupin was covering the Kappa's tank.

"Did you have a question, Rachel?" Professor Lupin asked, turning to face her.

"No," Rachel said. "I wanted to apologize to you."

"Whatever for?" Professor Lupin asked.

"For getting you into trouble with the whole boggart-Dementor thing," Rachel said, shifting uncomfortably. "I didn't realize what we were doing was so dangerous, or I wouldn't have asked you to do it."

"If you'll recall, I was the one who suggested using a boggart, if anything, I should be apologizing to you for not acting quickly enough to prevent you from being affected by the Dementor. Have the after-effects passed?" Professor Lupin asked.

"For the most part," Rachel said, not wanting to tell him about her nightmares. "But still, you asked me if I was sure I wanted to do it, and I told you yes."

"Well I certainly wasn't going to force you to do it," Professor Lupin said. "Has Severus been lecturing you because of this?"

"No," Rachel said quickly, not wanting Professor Lupin to get the wrong idea about Severus. "He just asked me to be more careful and to think about how a situation might be dangerous before I act, and to ask him before I try anything potentially dangerous."

"I can't fault him for that advice," Professor Lupin said. "How does he act toward you in general, Rachel? Does he hold you responsible for what James did when we were students together?"

"What?" Rachel asked. "Professor Snape is very kind to me. We don't talk about my dad very much. What did he do?"

Professor Lupin sighed. "James and Severus had a very contentious relationship. They fought frequently. Hexes and curses were thrown on both sides and many pranks were played. Some of those pranks went too far. I'm ashamed to admit that while I didn't often participate in the more egregious pranks, I did nothing to stop them either."

Rachel stared at Professor Lupin, trying to reconcile what he was saying with what Severus had told her about her dad. "My dad bullied Professor Snape?"

"Yes, though after we all grew up some, we stopped. Severus hasn't told you about any of this?" Professor Lupin asked.

"No. He told me James was loyal to his friends, and that he was brave, and that he fought the Dark Lord, and that he loved and wanted me," Rachel said, trying not to be upset.

"And all of those things are true," Professor Lupin said. "Your father showed me and our friends incredible loyalty and I will be in his debt forever for the things he did for me. He was incredibly brave and gifted and talented. He joined Professor Dumbledore's group to fight You-Know-Who right after he finished his NEWTs and never backed down from a mission because it would be dangerous. He loved you and Lily more than anything. He would have done anything to protect you both."

"And he was a bully," Rachel said quietly.

"Yes, and for a time he was a bully," Professor Lupin said. "People are complex, Rachel. No one is all good or all bad. No one is perfect. I would hate for you to think less of your father because of this one thing, which he outgrew and learned from."

Rachel frowned, remembering the Gryffindors who had locked her in a closet in her first year. Was her dad someone who did things like that? "It's just a lot to think about," she said finally.

"I understand," Professor Lupin said.

"I need to go to lunch," Rachel said, though mostly she wanted to be alone.

"Of course. Please come see me if you want to talk about anything," Professor Lupin said.

Rachel nodded, though she wasn't sure she was going to take him up on that offer. She'd heard quite enough about her dad for the time being.


On Saturday morning the study group, minus Ginny, made their way out of the castle bundled up in their winter cloaks, hats, and scarves.

"I'm glad we're not playing," Rachel said, looking up at the sky. There was another storm coming in.

"Hopefully it doesn't start snowing until after the game," Hermione said, glancing upward at the dark clouds.

"Hopefully Ginny makes this a quick match," Theo said.

"Let's go get seats before there's a crowd," Millie said.

"Agreed," Rachel said. She hated walking up through the staircases of the Quidditch stands when there were crowds of people on either side of her. It always made her feel like she couldn't breathe properly.

"There's Hagrid," Neville said, waving at him. "Hagrid!"

Hagrid looked over and waved. He had no trouble walking through the snow to meet them. "I'd come sit with you lot, but now that I'm teaching I can't show favoritism," he said.

"That's okay, Ginny knows you're cheering for her," Luna said. Somewhere she had gotten a Gryffindor scarf and she had little lion earrings that gave quiet roars.

"That I am," Hagrid agreed. "If you want to, you can come around my place afterward for a cup of tea."

"We'd like that," Neville said.

Rachel nodded. Getting the opportunity to spend time with Hagrid was more important than their study schedule.

"Well, you know where to find me," Hagrid said as they reached the stands.

"Bye," Rachel called.

They made their way to the Gryffindor section and climbed up to the seats, Rachel purposefully giving herself three steps of space before following Theo.

"Up top?" Millie asked, pointing to an empty row.

"Sure," Hermione said.

They climbed up to the top row and settled in to watch the stands fill up with students.

"Look, with Professor McGonagall," Neville said, pointing at the staff box.

"Who is it?" Theo asked.

"The scouts from Puddlemere United," Rachel said. "They're here to watch Oliver play."

"Hopefully we do well," Hermione said. "I don't think Oliver can imagine himself doing anything but Quidditch."

"The Ravenclaw Keeper is their weak point, this is his first year on the team. Ginny has to watch out for Cho Chang though, she's fast," Rachel said.

"What are they doing here?" Ron Weasley asked loudly.

They looked up from their conversation to find the third year Gryffindor boys two rows below them.

"Problem, Ron?" Hermione asked tartly.

"They're Slytherins, they should be sitting in the Slytherin stands," Ron said.

"We're here to cheer on your sister. If you hadn't noticed, we're her friends," Millie said.

"Which is weird, why aren't you friends with people in your own House? I'm sure Draco Malfoy needs some new lackeys," Ron said.

"I'm not a Slytherin," Luna said.

"What?" Ron asked.

"Luna is a Ravenclaw," Neville said. "Do you have a problem with her being Ginny's friend too, or just the Slytherins? One of which, by the way, is the Girl-Who-Lived."

Rachel flushed at the nickname. She hated being called that.

"I'm just saying, the Gryffindor stands are for Gryffindors," Ron said, avoiding the question.

"Oh leave us alone," Hermione said. "Anyway, as we were saying, I think the Gryffindor Chasers and the Ravenclaw Chasers are pretty evenly matched, which obviously gives the Gryffindors the advantage because Oliver is a strong Keeper."

"That's right," Rachel said, trying to ignore Ron. "Ginny and Cho both have a mixed record when it comes to Seeking, so it's hard to say, though the Gryffindors have better brooms than the Ravenclaws."

"I think the school should provide brooms for the Quidditch teams so that no one has an unfair advantage just because they have a better broom," Hermione said.

"Probably, but good luck convincing the school they need to spend thousands of Galleons on broomsticks that only a tenth of the school get to use," Theo said.

"Which is kind of unfair in its own way. Why aren't there any other sports at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked.

"Quodpot isn't very well liked here," Luna said. "My father says it's because the Americans cursed it."

"They cursed the entire game?" Neville asked.

"Oh yes. They were worried that if the Europeans started playing Quodpot they would be better at it. Now every time someone tries to start a Quodpot league in Europe they're afflicted by a curse that stops them from continuing," Luna explained.

"I just don't know why we can't have football. Or cricket even," Hermione said.

"Would you play either of those?" Millie asked.

"No, but I'm sure there's some people who would want to play. Or even if they had informal Quidditch teams for anyone who wanted to play," Hermione said.

"I think you're up against a losing battle if you want to make the wizarding world fair, Hermione," Theo said.

"That doesn't mean we shouldn't try," Hermione said. "Look, here's the teams. There's Ginny."

They joined in the cheering and clapping that was coming from both the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw sections of the stands as the teams took their places.

"And they're off," the commentator said as Madam Hooch blew the whistle.

Rachel settled in to watch the game as the first snow flakes started to fall, glad for a chance to simply watch the game, even though she'd rather it had been warmer outside.


"What's wrong?" Rachel asked as soon as they found Hermione, Neville, Ginny, and Luna waiting for them outside the Great Hall on Sunday morning.

"It's complicated and we'll tell you about it but not here. Our plan is to go get food and take it up to our study room so we can talk," Hermione said.

"Alright," Theo agreed after glancing at Rachel and Millie. "Let's go quickly then."

They went into the Great Hall and Rachel broke off with Theo and Millie to get some food from the Slytherin table. Rachel got a napkin and put some scrambled eggs on a piece of toast with two slices of bacon on top. She also quickly drank half a glass of pumpkin juice while she had the chance.

"They're ready to go," Millie said, putting down her glass of milk.

They rejoined the study group and went upstairs to their study room, passing students who were on their way down to the Great Hall.

"I think it's best if Neville tells the story since he was there through the whole thing," Hermione said once they were all sitting down.

"There's not much to tell," Neville said, putting down his toast. "Ron started screaming in the middle of the night. We heard the door to our dormitory slam closed. Ron said that Sirius Black was there and he had a knife, he had cut through the curtains on Ron's bed. Other students heard the screaming and we all went down into the common room. Professor McGonagall showed up to tell us off and she asked the portrait if Sirius Black had come in, and the portrait said yes and that he knew the password too. We waited up while the teachers searched the castle, but he escaped again," Neville explained.

Rachel was horrified. Sirius Black could have killed all of the third year boys, including Neville, and it would have been because Sirius Black was looking for her.

"If Sirius Black is after Rachel, what was he doing in the boys dorms?" Theo asked. "I can understand him not knowing Rachel is a Slytherin, but he should know that Rachel isn't a boy."

"Maybe Azkaban really did drive him crazy and he was acting on his memories of when he was in Gryffindor?" Millie suggested.

"Then why was he doing a very bad job trying to kill Ron with a knife?" Ginny asked. "He was coherent enough to get the password and sneak into Hogwarts, something that should be impossible to do considering all the Dementors outside."

"Maybe he has moments where he's coherent and moments when he's not. Or we don't understand his plan at all," Luna said.

"Ginny has a point," Neville said. "Luna too, actually. If he wanted to kill someone, he could have easily pulled back the curtains and stabbed Ron. But instead he cut the curtains in a way that made enough noise that Ron woke up and screamed. There was still enough time while we were all waking up that he still could have stabbed Ron and run away if he'd wanted to."

"So is this some sort of psychological warfare against Rachel?" Hermione asked. "Is he trying to prove that he can get into Hogwarts whenever he wants and go after whoever he wants?"

Rachel felt chilled at the idea that all of this was some sort of mind game. "Then next time he'll hurt someone, or kill them, to prove his point. But why Ron? If he's trying to get to me, wouldn't he go after one of you?"

"I think if he's trying to terrorize you his next step would be to get into the Slytherin common room or dormitories," Hermione said.

"If he does that, then I'm moving in with Professor Snape until Black's caught," Rachel said, though she couldn't help but wonder if doing so would just leave him more likely to attack her friends. Maybe it was better if she left herself somewhere Sirius Black could get to her, then maybe he would leave her friends alone?

"That's a good idea," Millie said. "You really think he intentionally nearly got caught just to prove that he could make it deep enough into the castle to get to the dormitories?"

"It makes a certain amount of sense," Theo said. "Twice now Black has made it deep into the school and no one has seen him but the portraits. He's obviously a skilled wizard to have accomplished that much, there are wards on Hogwarts in addition to the Dementors. Also, he made sure to wake Ron up so that word would be spread that he was in the castle, and he made sure to look threatening. He was using a knife instead of a wand. And then he got back out of the castle, even though Professor McGonagall must have alerted the rest of the staff within five minutes of him running from the dorms. He clearly has a plan and knows what he's doing, even if we can only guess at it."

"He also attacked the Fat Lady when he got frustrated," Luna said. "That doesn't speak to mental stability."

"Neither does lurking in dormitories with a knife, but I see what you're saying," Ginny said.

"He also obviously knows a way in and out of the castle that no one else knows about," Hermione said. "Maybe even some way that gets him past the Dementors."

"There's no way he could have gotten out of the castle in the amount of time he had without another way out," Neville agreed.

"I'll ask Professor Snape about what he knows about secret passages in the castle when I see him tonight," Rachel said. She assumed they were already being watched somehow, but it would be good to check.

"I can ask Fred and George too. I can't guarantee they'll tell me anything, but maybe they'll understand that it's important that Sirius Black might be getting in through a passage they know about," Ginny said.

"Alright. I know we're all worried about Sirius Black, but unless we have any more ideas of useful things we can do, I think we should focus on getting our Herbology essay done this morning and then we can work on our Defense essay in the afternoon," Hermione said.

Rachel nodded in agreement. It would be nice if she could put aside her nightmares and her worries and just focus on homework for a little while.


"You had Quidditch practice today?" Severus asked as Rachel came through the wall into the main room of his quarters.

"Yes, Imogen walked me there and back," Rachel said, already knowing what Severus' concern was.

Severus nodded. "I've already told the prefects this, and I'll tell Imogen and Marcus as well, but I'm asking everyone to be on high alert. It's clear that Black can get in and out of the castle at will. Thus far he hasn't breached the Slytherin common room, but I don't want us to assume that he can't. I've asked Curbin to watch over the comings and goings of the hallway around the entrance to the common room. He'll come to one of the portraits in my office if he spots Black."

Rachel sat down on the couch. "Did any of the portraits see what direction he went in? That might give us an idea of how he's getting in and out of the castle."

"A few, just outside of Gryffindor tower, but as soon as he turned a corner we couldn't track him," Severus said.

"What about secret passages? We thought it's likely he's using one to get in and out of the castle, and maybe even past the Dementors," Rachel said.

"There are many secret passages in Hogwarts, including some that lead in and out of the castle. The Headmaster has blocked off the ones he knows of. However, I think one of two scenarios is likely," Severus said. "Either Black is utilizing another secret passage, one that somehow gets him on the grounds and past the Dementors, or he is receiving help from inside the castle."

"Maybe one of the students who has a relative who is a Death Eater," Rachel said, trying to imagine anyone willingly helping Sirius Black. "Their relatives could have been close with him and then asked their child to help him, especially if their goal is wanting me dead too."

"That's one possibility," Severus agreed. "Regardless, I want you to be on guard. Stay with your friends in the hallways and in the Great Hall. If you go to the bathroom, take Millie along with you."

Rachel frowned. "Won't that just get Millie killed too?"

"Hopefully having someone else present will be enough for one of you to disarm him using expelliarmus and then run to get help," Severus said.

Rachel shook her head. "Should I even be at Hogwarts right now? What if me being here gets someone killed? My friends could get killed because Sirius Black is messing with me, or even just some random person like Ron Weasley could get killed, just because he's proving that he can get in the castle and that he's dangerous."

"First of all, I'll say this. Whatever Sirius Black's actions are, they are not your fault. If Ron Weasley had been hurt, or even killed last night, that would be the result of Black's actions and no one else's. You are not responsible for what Sirius Black does," Severus said.

"Even though he's only coming into the castle at all because he wants to kill me?" Rachel asked.

"Yes, even though his goal is to kill you, that does not make his actions your fault. Look at it this way, what if we removed you from Hogwarts, and Sirius Black got frustrated and killed several students to make a point," Severus said.

"Would he do that?" Rachel asked, horrified at the idea.

"It's a possibility. I knew Sirius Black back in the day and patience is not one of his few virtues. He killed twelve muggles just because they happened to be there and he wanted to make a scene," Severus said, shaking his head. "My point is this, you cannot control Black's actions. If you stay here or if you go back to Fallow Farm, either leaves the option for Black to injure or kill someone here at Hogwarts. That being said, do you want to leave Hogwarts?"

Rachel considered it. She'd rather stay here and have Sirius Black play mind games with her instead of him outright killing people. "No. Not right now at least. But, if Sirius Black gets into the Slytherin common room, can I move in here until he's caught?"

"Yes, of course. Did you want to move in now?" Severus asked.

"No, not yet, just if he starts to show an interest in Slytherins or in the dungeons," Rachel said.

"If you change your mind, just let me know," Severus said. "These rooms are always open to you."

"Thanks," Rachel said, shifting uncomfortably. "I guess you stayed up all night searching through the castle?"

"Yes," Severus said, scowling slightly.

"If you want, I can leave so you can go to sleep," Rachel offered.

"No. I'm perfectly capable of staying up all night and functioning the next day. Stay and have dinner with me," Severus said.

"Okay," Rachel agreed. "What do you know about stinksap and how it contrasts with dittany?"

"Are you considering brewing some Healing Salve?" Severus asked.

"No, we just wrote an essay about stinksap for Herbology and I noticed that it's used with several medicinal potions, and so is dittany, but not usually in the same potion, except with the Healing Salve," Rachel explained.

"Good catch," Severus said. "Let's discuss it over dinner."


Severus apparated to the Surrey Police Station Headquarters, arriving to the side of the building where an alley shielded him from view. He had a letter in his pocket from Tim Walker that had arrived last night. Severus only hoped he was in time.

He walked around to the front of the building and then went inside and up to the front desk. "My name is Detective Inspector Samuel Smith, I'm here to see Detective Inspector Walker at his invitation," Severus said to the officer at the desk.

"Yes, sir, I'll check with him," the officer said, picking up the phone.

It didn't take long for Tim to appear. "Samuel, I wasn't sure you could make it. Follow me."

"I came as soon as I could," Severus said truthfully. He had a flask of Polyjuice in his pocket and he had let his seventh year prefects know that he'd be stepping out for the evening.

"We've already got him in for questioning, but he's got a solicitor with him. He hasn't given us much yet, but we're sure he's our man," Tim said as he led Severus through the police station.

"What do you know so far?" Severus asked.

"Not much. His name is John Faber. We've got his birthdate and address, though I suspect he has an off the books address as well. But he matches the name and description that Wells gave us, and we found him just where he said to look for him," Tim explained.

Severus nodded. That gave him plenty to work with.

"This might be a waste of time, his solicitor is going to stop him from saying anything useful, but I figured you should take a shot at him," Tim said, coming to a stop in front of a door. "Just keep your temper."

"I assure you that's not a problem," Severus said. As much as he loathed the man sitting in that room, he had controlled his emotions under circumstances far worse.

"Alright, let's go," Tim said, opening the door.

"How long are you going to keep my client here?"

"Jeremy O'Reilly, John Faber's solicitor. This is Inspector Detective Samuel Smith. He has some questions for Mr. Faber," Tim said.

Severus inclined his head and shook the man's hand.

"This is a complete waste of time, all you have on my client is hearsay," O'Reilly said as he sat back down.

"That remains to be seen," Severus said. He sat down next to Tim and then looked at John Faber. The man was almost nondescript. Average height, average build, blond hair, grey eyes, and a dark grey suit worn without a tie. Under the table, Severus slid his wand out of his pocket and locked eyes with Faber. "You will answer the questions we ask you."

Faber continued to stare at Severus and then slowly blinked.

"It would help if you actually asked us any questions," O'Reilly said.

Severus slid his wand back into his pocket. "Describe your business relationship with Adam Wells."

"Adam takes care of the day-to-day operations. He handles the money and the bookings at the hotel. I run the books and arrange meetings with clients and our suppliers," Faber answered.

"Describe what exactly your business provides," Severus said.

"We provide children for men who wish to have sexual relations with them," Faber said, his eyes growing wide as he realized what he just said.

"John, shut up. I'm putting a stop to this," O'Reilly said.

"A little late for that," Tim said, tapping his finger against the tape recorder.

"Where do you keep your records and books?" Severus asked quickly.

"18 Saint Andrews, in the safe," Faber answered, putting his hand up to his mouth.

O'Reilly stood up. "Something is wrong with my client. This questioning is postponed until after he can be examined by a medical professional."

Faber stood up as well. "I'd like to go back to my cell."

Tim stood up. "We can take a short break."

"No, my client is in medical distress and needs to be seen by a physician before he is questioned further," O'Reilly said.

"We have officers trained in medicine who can see him here in his cell, and then we will continue the questioning," Tim said. "Samuel, wait for me, I'll be right back."

"Of course," Severus said.

The trio left the room and Severus frowned. He hadn't realized that the solicitor actually had the power to call off a questioning. That would complicate things, though they'd gotten the most pertinent information already. Specifics would have to wait.

About ten minutes later Tim returned. He pressed a button on the tape recorder to turn it off and sat back down. "That was something. I half think O'Reilly is right and something is wrong with Faber. Before you showed up he'd only answer basic questions, then he just blurted all that out. It's almost like magic."

Severus fought to keep his expression neutral. Apparently he wasn't being as subtle as he thought he was. "I do tend to have that effect on people," he said.

Tim laughed. "I can see why the Home Office recruited you. It's too bad, I could use you around every time I question a suspect."

"Unfortunately my talents are needed elsewhere, though I do want to assist with this case as much as is necessary," Severus said.

"Right, personal interest," Tim said. "I get that."

"Do you believe Faber will be brought back for further questioning tonight?" Severus asked.

"We'll give the medic thirty minutes to look him over and see what he says. O'Reilly's saying he needs a full work up and a hospital, but we're not going that far," Tim said.

Severus glanced at his watch. He needed to drink more Polyjuice in approximately thirty five minutes. "I can wait that long."


"Are you sure you don't mind going, even though it's snowing?" Rachel asked Severus as they made their way out of the dungeons.

"I don't mind," Severus said. "Though if you prefer to remain here, we don't have to go."

"I want to go, but I'm sure you have better things to do," Rachel said, fidgeting with her glove.

Severus came to a stop. "The only other thing I need to be doing right now is grading homework, and I can assure you I'd rather be accompanying you to Hogsmeade. Why are you suddenly so worried about this?"

Rachel shrugged, though it was barely visible under her winter cloak. "I just don't want you to do things that you don't want to do, just because of me."

"I'm not doing things that I don't want to do. If I needed to not go today, I would tell you," Severus said.

"It just can't be that much fun for you, spending time with us," Rachel said. She had been considering telling her friends she was just staying at the castle this time around, but they'd included her in their plans and she felt like she couldn't just turn them down.

"I am glad to see you happy with your friends. If this were every single Saturday, that would be different, but I certainly don't mind accompanying you to Hogsmeade five times a year, and perhaps next year you will not need me as an escort at all," Severus said. "It is truly not a problem, Rachel."

"If you're sure," Rachel said, trying to believe him through her feelings of guilt that she was making him go with them.

"I am," Severus said.

They started walking again and before long they'd joined Rachel's friends and were on their way through the snow on the path toward the gate.

"Do you want us to cast our Patronus', Professor?" Hermione asked as they came close to the gate where the Dementors were waiting.

"Only if they are corporeal and you have good control over them, our goal is not to remove the Dementors, merely to pass through," Severus said. His silver doe appeared from his wand.

"We can only do the non-corporeal Patronus," Millie said. "And it took us weeks to get to that point."

"That's not surprising, it's a difficult spell. Can your entire study group cast non-corporeal Patronus'?" Severus asked.

"Yes, even Ginny and Luna," Neville said.

Severus nodded his approval. "Gather around my Patronus and we will pass through the gate."

Rachel moved as close as possible to the silvery doe and they walked through the gate. She tried to ignore the wave of cold that came from the Dementors. The last thing she needed was to be passing out on the way to Hogsmeade - she'd never get to go again if that happened, at least not while the Dementors were present.

"Whew, I hate those things," Millie said once they were a distance past the Dementors.

"Me too," Rachel said, unable to stop herself from shivering. She came to a stop and pulled out her wand and performed a warming charm on the clothes under her cloak.

"Are you alright?" Severus asked.

"I'm fine, I just got chilled," Rachel said, putting her wand away and starting up the path again before Severus could suggest that they go back.

Theo was watching her with a worried expression and Rachel smiled to try to reassure him.

"Where are we going today?" Severus asked.

Neville grabbed Hermione's arm as she turned and started to slip. "Whoa! Thank you. I was thinking the sweets shop, the bookstore, and then the Three Broomsticks. That should cover everyone, I think."

"Fine by me," Theo said.

"Me too, but let's do Honeydukes first before it gets too busy," Millie said.

Rachel felt herself flush despite the cold. She still felt uncomfortable with people going out of their way to accommodate her.

"That works for me," Neville said.

"Rachel?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, that's fine," Rachel said.

They made their way down the main street of Hogsmeade and suddenly Millie put her hand to her mouth and started quietly laughing.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"Marcus and Imogen are going in Madam Puddifoot's together," Millie said.

Rachel looked down the street and sure enough Marcus and Imogen were standing in front of the tea shop and Marcus was holding the door open for her.

"So?" Rachel asked.

"They're going on a date," Hermione said. "It's actually kind of sweet."

"Pansy is going to lose five Galleons to Daphne because Pansy said they would never get together while they are at Hogwarts," Millie said.

Now that Millie mentioned it, Rachel vaguely remembered Pansy and Daphne having that conversation a few weeks ago.

"It doesn't have to be a date, it could just be having tea," Neville pointed out.

"Not at Madam Puddifoot's," Hermione said with a nod.

Rachel made a mental note to never go into Madam Puddifoot's.

"I believe the sweet shop is further on," Severus said.

"Yes, sir," Hermione said quickly.

Fortunately Honeydukes wasn't very busy yet. Rachel bought some more fudge since she still had a box of chocolate frogs left from Christmas. It didn't take long for everyone to get what they wanted and then they made their way back up the street to Tomes and Scrolls.

"Welcome, I'll be right with you," a witch called when they went into the shop.

"No need, we're just looking," Hermione called back.

"Look, they've got a whole Horath Bogtrotter display," Millie said.

"I wish there were more books in the series," Rachel said, looking at the large moving picture. It was of Horath Bogtrotter, flying on his broomstick with his wand out as he cast curses at the robed figures in front of him.

"They're good, but they're rather unrealistic," Hermione said. "I think I prefer the Winfred Adams series, have you read those?"

"No, what are they about?" Rachel asked.

"A magical librarian. I think you'd both like them. I don't have them with me at Hogwarts, but we can see if this shop has them in stock," Hermione said.

"I'm going to go look to see what they have in the Transfiguration section," Theo said.

"I'll go with you," Neville said quickly.

They left the shop nearly an hour later, Theo with a new book on Transfiguration, Hermione with a book on magic systems around the world, and Rachel and Millie each with a copy of the first Winfred Adams book.

"Okay, let's go to the Three Broomsticks for some warm butterbeer and then back to Hogwarts. My feet are freezing," Millie said.

"Why do you not have your boots on, Miss Bulstrode?" Severus asked.

Millie looked down. "I outgrew them and I forgot to tell my mom over Christmas."

"When we get back to the castle, bring your boots to me and I will see if we can do a sizing charm on them to make them last you the rest of this winter," Severus said.

"Thank you. Sorry, sir," Millie said.

Severus nodded once. "Let's get inside then."

They made their way up the street to the Three Broomsticks. Rachel felt bad that Millie was embarrassed, but she was glad that this sort of thing happened to other people as well and not just her.