?

I don't know why they even have a Slytherin house. Everyone knows all the dark witches and wizards come from there! They should just send anyone sorted into that house straight home! They think they're so much better than the rest of the school just because they're pure-blood; and they treat everyone like dirt. They aren't that special! Madeline is top of the class and she's a half-blood.

I just feel so bad for Jane. Her parents just gave her that music box for Christmas. At least Professor O'Connor was able to put it mostly back together. I bet that ass Dorset still has the missing piece.

1/14/1990

Whatever new force was at work within the castle didn't waste any time once the students returned. Two Sundays after they arrived back from the holiday Dorset Scarbrough was found in a coma. As usual Poppy, Snape, and O'Connor examined the student before he was sent off to St. Mungo's; and just as before they were left without any explanation as to what was causing it. They had no further clues as to why either. None of the student seemed to have anything in common. No. That was a lie. They did all have one thing in common. They were all pure-blood or had very little muggle blood in their family.

Snape growled and raked his hands through his hair as he paced his sitting room. Not only were they all students of O'Conner's, but she was one of the last people to have contact with each of them aside from their house members. She had hugged Camilla at the Halloween feast, Samara had come to her classroom for a forgotten book before turning in for the night, and now Dorset had served a detention with her for breaking another student's property.

He felt agitated. He had worked with O'Connor all of last year and they had gone through a hell of an ordeal together. She'd mauled a man to protect him and one of his students. They'd survived an Acromantula attack together and were nearly crushed by an Occamy. As much as he hated to admit it a tentative bond had formed between them after the last year. The kind of bond people form when they go through traumatic experiences together.

This year he'd learned a personal fact about her and been let in on a closely guarded family secret. Despite her mysteries she was open with him and willing to reveal more about herself as their rapport grew. That was especially so any time something happened that caused her trust in him to grow. So it was frustrating to him that despite all of that he still found himself jumping to dubiety with her.

He wished he could say he didn't know why he always tried to assume the worst with her, but he did. To admit such lack of control of his emotions left him disgusted with himself; but he was beginning to enjoy their time together, to look forward to their chess matches and weekend duels. She seemed to genuinely enjoy his company and even seemed to care about him. The woman had refused to leave him alone on New Years and had even nursed him back to health last week.

His life was not meant for such positives though. If he didn't muck it up like he had with Lily, he was sure O'Connor would eventually find someone else to occupy her time. Probably someone less cruel and vindictive and far more handsome and kind. Perhaps she was simply using him to pass the time and would eventually grow bored of him.

So instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop if he just assumed the worst now, he wouldn't be blindsided later. He wouldn't be disappointed or let down that way. It was better than getting his hopes up and having them dashed, but it wasn't what he wanted. He wanted to trust her without any doubts no matter what the situation. This song and dance had been done before. It had to stop.

"This is ridiculous! I will do what I should have done in the first place and ask her about the books!"

Snape left his quarters in a whirl of black fabric, intent on stalking up to O'Connor's office. He would demand; no, asking was better; he would ask why she had those two books. Was she feeding on the students like her relative? Had she attacked Filius and Minerva? Did she have the books for research and not practical use? Was she trying to find out how the actual criminal was operating?

That sounds more like the O'Connor I've come to know.

"Hm?"

His boot had just touched the landing to the Entrance Hall when the sound of light and hurried footsteps reached his ears. It was well after sunset and hidden in the flickering shadows of the stairwell he could see the hooded figure that descended the main staircase and pushed open the front doors. Locks of flaming red hair spilling from beneath the cowl told him it was O'Connor. As she passed into the moonlight her cloak rippled with a disillusionment spell. No one would be able to see her unless they were looking closely; and he looking very closely.

Fate is either conspiring for me or against me.

Snape tapped the top of his head and felt the familiar tingling of the disillusionment trickle over him. If was obvious where she was going and he gave her a head start before silently following to the Forbidden Forest. Twice she looked back to see if she was being followed. He would stop, pulling his cloak tight to prevent movement, and she would looked right through him.

The hidden bonfire was as she left it at the start of term. Hidden behind one of the larger trees he watched as she threw on a few more branches and ignited it wordlessly with her index finger. A small purple velvet pouch appeared from the folds of her cloak and she cast a pinch of powder into the fire. The flames roared high and turned a vibrant violet color. For a moment she just stared at them and then something dark began to revolve within them, steadily growing larger.

Snape stared at the face of the woman that appeared in the flames. She was ageless, sporting no wrinkles but lacking the innocent look of youth, and her eyes were completely white. There were no pupils no irises, just expanses of white. Perched on her head was something between a Beret and a Pillbox. The stiff rim was lined with pretty beads and stones with strings of them hanging to frame her face.

"I'm sorry for doing this so late Augur Aurelia, but there are fewer people for me to run into now and even fewer to see me going into the forest."

So this is Augur Aurelia, the one who can see her rogue family members.

Snape waited to hear the seer's reply but none was forthcoming. She just stared out of the fire at the red-haired woman. At least he thought she was looking at her. Her face was pointed that direction at least. Without any pupils it was difficult to tell where the woman was looking. Suddenly O'Connor was speaking again, as if the woman had replied. He frowned at them. Had he missed it?

"No, not a thing. You'd never even know there was anyone or thing in the dorm and there isn't a mark on any of the kids."

A frigid sliver of ice dropped into his stomach making him feel hollow. It couldn't be. He didn't want to believe it.

"I tried. I really tried but I couldn't go through with it."

Tried what? What couldn't she go through with? And how in the hell was this woman communicating with O'Connor?

"Damn right I am! One wrong move and it's all over for me!" O'Connor threw up her hands and started pacing. "What would it have all been for then?"

What good would all what be for? What was she talking about and what couldn't she go through with? A horrifying thought occurred. Had she tried to kill Filius and Minerva but lost her nerve and only ended up injuring them? If she was guilty of the five attacks it really would be all over for her. She'd be in Azkaban for life if they didn't give her the death penalty outright.

"Yes well that's a lot easier said than done with the looming consequences." She sighed heavily and stopped her pacing to stare at the Augur. "What about M&M? Have they responded?"

Snape scowled. Consequences. So that was it then. She was the one attacking their colleagues and the students. If felt as if an iron fist had closed around his chest and he couldn't breathe. O'Connor had been playing him for a fool the entire time; and to think he… A hot rage built up in him. How dare she? He wondered who M&M were. Accomplices?

"What do the cards say? The bones?"

His rage fizzled slightly. Cards? Bones? What was she talking about now? Was she mad?

"I see. How long before the students…?"

Why do you care? Afraid they'll I.D you when they wake up?

"Not as long as I had hoped." O'Connor sounded strained and she rubbed her forehead fretfully. "Were you able to find the book?"

He frowned.

More books for her to use against us?

"I'll be careful, I promise."

The purple flames rippled as Aurelia's face disappeared. A moment later she returned, her arms extending through the fire. That one was new on him. Ordinary floo couldn't do that. The Augur's hands were thin and long, ending in pointed navy colored nails and covered in rings. Clutched between them was a large cloth wrapped tome.

"Oh? And what if it doesn't? Or what if I don't find anything?"

There was a pause as Aurelia likely communicated her answer, then she frowned and tilted her head. She seemed to be considering something. There was silence for a moment longer and then…

"Severus?" His heart crawled up into his throat and beat there mercilessly. Was he found out? He knew he could handle O'Connor, but he knew nothing of Aurelia. Did she practice the Dark Arts their family knew of? For that matter did O'Connor? Could he actually take her? Had she been hiding her real power?

"No. I think not. One shouldn't put all their eggs in one basket. He knows enough the way it is."

The pressure in his chest lightened. She didn't know he was there. They were just discussing him. What were they saying though?

"Yes, but it hasn't even been two years. That's not long enough to learn anything. I'm testing the waters so to speak. Only time will tell with him. He's not the type you should rush."

Their conversation just kept getting more confusing. Was she hoping she could sway him to her side? All the Dark Arts books she had in her office; did she hope to tempt him by playing on his fascination with them? O'Connor muttered two syllables he couldn't understand and clutched the book to her chest like a life line, her thumb stroking the spine.

"I should get back to the school. Thank you for your help." There was a pause as the Augur replied and O'Connor smiled fondly. "I'm sure it wouldn't. Good night. I'll contact you again soon."

Augur Aurelia nodded once and disappeared from the fire. The vibrant purple flames died down and reverted to their natural color. O'Connor didn't move though. She stayed there, still as a statue watching the flames until they had died down to nothing more than glittering coals.

Why is she just standing there? Does she know? Is she trying to wait me out?

"Dammit. I can't not do it."

The little purple pouch reappeared and she threw a pinch of powder into the embers.

"Ciaran's Hall!"

The purple flames roared high, crackling fiercely. For a heartbeat they remained empty and then a shocking face appeared and Snape had to smother his gasp. It was a male, if his bone structure was anything to go by, and his skin was blackened and flakey as if he'd been burned. His bronze colored eyes glared out of the fire until they alighted upon the redhead. He grinned solicitously, but it looked more like a sneer.

"Cousin. Playing dress up again are we?"

"I'm working if you must know."

Cousin?

O'Connor's words from last year came back to him.

"My family history is rife with conflict with the "Dark Arts". Dark Arts even Voldemort has no knowledge of. Arts so dark they twist your very person to reflect your blackened soul."

She said they don't practice them. She lied! Is she using those arts now? Does she look like that? It must be convenient being a metamorphmagus then.

"Still working for that bumbling ministry? How droll. So, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I need Sinead's Root."

"Sinead's Root? Whatever do you need that for?" Ciaran drawled. He grinned liked the Cheshire Cat.

"You don't really need to know."

"Oh but I can probably guess. Been playing around with one of Augur Aurelia's books haven't you? Having a bit of trouble?" He laughed darkly. "You don't have the constitution."

"I'm not going to have this conversation with you. All things are situational. Now, will you get me the root? I can get you your unsavory preferences."

"Yes, stale ones. No venom either. Too afraid. I heard about last year from dear old grandmother. Nearly got your pet killed."

"Do not refer to him that way!" She roared. The forest creaked dangerously and the small foliage at her feet withered. Some of the playfulness dropped from Ciaran's face. "Don't lump me in with you! I don't share your ideals. Blood is all we share. And I've told you this before. I will not kill a Unicorn for you! You can take the deceased or nothing at all!"

Snape stared at the scene before him feeling disjointed. The whole situation had just been turned on its head. This made it seem like she hadn't done any Astral Projection or rituals yet. So if she hadn't then who had attacked Filius and Minerva? Had she defended him as well? She didn't want to be lumped in with Ciaran's principles and he had referred to Snape as a pet. What did that mean?

"Now, do you want the dead Unicorn or not?"

"You know what I'd really like."

"A yearlong supply of Aloe Vera?"

All pretense of levity dropped from Ciaran's countenance and he glared at her. His eyes darkened and Snape could see red light beginning to show from the cracks in his skin, like he was lit by some fire burning within.

"Think you're funny do you?"

Light even shown from his mouth as he spoke.

"I'm hilarious. You're not getting it. Ever. It will stay where it is forever more. Now, either you take my deal and help me out of the good of whatever heart fragments you have left or we walk away now. I don't have time to waste. Lives are at stake. So what will it be?"

"Gaiseadh leat!"

The violet flames roared high and then they and Ciaran were gone. O'Connor sighed heavily and extinguished the embers.

"I knew it was a long shot, but still…"

She shook her head and turned back towards the castle. Something glinted at her waist and Snape felt his stomach drop. She was wearing her charms. They hadn't been close enough before but if she kept walking the monocle would tell her he was there under the disillusionment charm. He quickly huddled down against the large root system and removed the spell. It was blessedly dark in the forest and he hoped his cloak would be enough cover should her wand sweep too far his way.

Snape remained where he was for several minutes after O'Connor left the clearing, worried she might turn around. Instead he sat there, looking at the charms she had given him for Christmas. The compass glinted as a small sliver of moonlight slipped through the trees before disappearing again. Had she given these to him to keep track of him? Were they modified to keep him off her trail? The bell had not chimed to signal ill intent as she passed. Why hadn't the compass told her he was following her then? The little needle on his compass wobbled slightly as it tracked her progress back to the castle.

None of this makes any sense. I don't understand. First it seemed without a doubt that she was the attacker. Her conversation with her cousin made it seem as if she were trying to help.

He didn't even want to think on that conversation. There was so much there to take in it made his head spin.

I've gotten no closer to figuring this out. One conversation implicates her and the other the opposite. The second opens up more concerns. Even if she isn't guilty of the recent attacks she may be dangerous for other reasons.

A little voice in the back of his mind piped up that he'd also only heard half of the first conversation. It could make her seem guilty because everything was out of context. Coco liked her and had commented on the kindness of the Irish. She was helping him get better at wandless magic. She'd helped him save a pure-blood student last year. Why do that if she hated them enough to be attacking them this year? He cursed loudly and stood to leave the forest. Speculation would get him nowhere. He should have just stopped her in the Entrance Hall and asked her his questions like he'd originally intended.

She would have answered me or hexed me but at least I'd have had my answer by now.

The castle was still and silent as he pushed open the front doors. O'Connor must have come through and gone already. He turned to the main staircase and made it to the second floor before he was stopped. Albus stood there in ridiculous robes of midnight blue with twinkling stars, a matching nightcap, and slippers. He was holding a mug of what smelled like hot chocolate and looked surprised to see his Potions master.

"Severus! What are you doing out of bed so late: and all the way up here no less?"

"I needed to speak with O'Connor."

There was no use in lying.

"At this hour?"

"Yes Headmaster. It couldn't wait." He had to beat down the urge to roll his eyes and sneer.

"You seem troubled, my boy. Is something wrong?" The older wizard paused for a moment, his blue eyes searching Snape's face. Something seemed to occur to him then. "Does this have to do with our discussion after the welcoming feast?"

He was hard pressed to keep the surprise from his face, but his eyes were stricken. The old man was too damn clever. He hadn't wanted to discuss his worries with anyone but O'Connor; at least not until he had spoken to her and determined if there was a reason to. Now he was stuck. There was no way Albus was going to let go of this. He'd be worried O'Connor had done something to him if he refused. He wasn't someone who refrained from speaking his mind after all.

"It is isn't it? Come to my office and we'll discuss it."

Dumbledore lit the hearth in his office and urged the younger wizard to take the armchair opposite his before the fire.

"Now, why don't you tell me what's troubling you. Has something happened?"

Snape stared into the flames feeling confused and torn. At the start of this nighttime adventure he would have gladly turned O'Connor over to Dumbledore. Now the thought of telling him what he'd seen in the forest left him feeling like someone had performed Langlock on him. He knew it was the right thing to do, to notify Albus of a possible suspect, but it felt wrong. He could be wrong.

I didn't even give her the benefit of the doubt. I just went straight to accusing her because I'm afraid to trust.

"Severus?"

He decided he would just tell Albus of his earlier concerns and leave out the trip through the forest.

"I didn't want to accuse her of anything outright, but I was concerned by some coincidences I had noticed."

He felt dirty as he thought of her playing the violin at his beside and squeezed his knees subconsciously.

"Go on, my boy."

"The students who have been attacked so far are all pure-blood, all students of hers. She was also the last to be in contact with each of them; two of them alone, before they returned to their dorms."

"I see. You do have a point." Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Did she not help rescue Miss Stillwell last year? She's a pure-blood."

"I am aware of that Albus. It's why I didn't want to accuse her outright. Just ask her about it."

Blue eyes bore into him skeptically.

"I feel there is something you're not telling me, Severus."

"Like what?"

How the hell…?

"I don't know. I'm looking for you to tell me. This does not seem like enough to get you half running through the castle to speak with her so late at night. Now what is it that has put a bee in your bonnet?"

Snape stared at him again feeling like his tongue was glued to the roof of his mouth. He didn't want to tell him about the books, but he was stuck. What else could he say? Albus knew there was something. He was a spy dammit! He fooled the Dark Lord! How could he not come up with a simple lie right now? Albus laid a gentle hand on his knee and gave him a twinkling look that seemed to pass right through him.

"Despite your protests last year you've found a friend after all." Snape wanted to protest, but couldn't unlock his jaw. "I will not accuse her until we have greater proof, something not circumstantial, and I will simply tell her members of the staff came to me with concerns. We will observe her, you will not be implicated, no harm no foul; and if another attack happens she'll have an alibi. You two can continue to become friends as if nothing happened.

We can't because I'll never stop feeling dirty. Not that I was ever clean to begin with. It's all right. I didn't deserve her friendship in the first place.

Like a broken damn he spilled his concerns about the books. He told him of her collection of Dark Arts books and how the two thin tomes were tucked away in the back. He was sure to voice the fact that she was likely using the books to search for clues on who the actual attacker was. Albus didn't protest the assumption and actually agreed with him.

"We must look at all possibilities. I will speak to her in the morning. There will be no judgment cast. Abigail will simply be kept under observation until she is proven innocent by another attack or…"

Snape did not want to think about the "or". He bid the Headmaster goodnight and left to stew in his quarters until he passed into restless slumber in his armchair before the dying embers.

I've gone and mucked it up again.

"I can't pretend anymore. You've chosen your way, I've chosen mine."

Snape had managed maybe two hours of sleep before he needed to get up and ready for the day. He showered quickly, threw on a new set of robes, and made his way to the Great Hall. Fate was indeed working against him after all. O'Connor was descending the staircase as he stepped into the Entrance Hall. Her face was like thunder and a man with chestnut hair and eyes accompanied her. She glared and gestured wildly at the man.

"How do you like the ministry assigned guard masquerading as my intern?!" She hissed quietly.

"Ministry assigned…?"

"Yes. Indeed." She looked away furiously, rubbing a hand over her mouth in agitation. Her eyes were fierce as she whipped back around to face him. He could hardly breathe his heart was beating so fast.

"Dumbledore came to my room with him first thing this morning; said some of the staff had voiced… concerns. He told me while he practically searched my office; took two of my books with him. I told him they were for research. I wanted to see if someone was using Astral Projection to attack Filius and Minerva."

Snape felt sick. Here she was ready to just offer up the information he wanted. It wasn't even some big secret, her voice was too light for that and she wasn't even trying to keep quiet. He hadn't trusted her enough and here she was confiding her feelings in him about her colleagues doubts; never even assuming he could have been one of them.

"I don't understand. How could they ever think that I would…?"

She turned to look at him and paused, no doubt confused by his stricken expression.

"Snape what's…?"

She stared at him for a moment, realization dawning on her soon enough. Her eyes shimmered with pain and betrayal.

"It was you. You were the one who went to Dumbledore. He already knew the books were there because you told him. Why? How could you think…? After everything we…?"

"Abigail, please, I…"

"No." She stepped back away from him, holding out a hand to keep him at a distance. "There's no need to explain Professor Snape. You've made thing pretty clear. I'm heading straight to my classroom Jonah. I'm no longer hungry."

"O'Connor gathered up her robes and ascended the Main Staircase with dignity despite the tear tracks on her face. Snape watched her go feeling hollow inside.

O'Connor did not appear in the Great Hall for meals for the rest of the week. She did not speak in the weekly staff meeting and students could be heard in the halls discussing her lackluster behavior; speculating on the cause. The staff didn't need to speculate. One of them must have overheard or seen them in the Entrance Hall and told the others. They refused to speak with him and he hadn't received so many dark looks since his hearing with the Wizengamot after the Dark Lord's downfall.

Coco had found out as well. O'Connor was more than likely calling on her to bring meals to her office. The little elf had dropped by his quarters only once to give him a sound scolding, calling him a bad wizard, and then flat out refused to answer any of his summonses afterwards. She must have rallied the other elves against him as well. Any food he put on his plate turned to liver and onions; even his breakfast.

?

That damn brat! What a teacher's pet! I can't believe the third year prat ratted us out! I guess that's what we get for talking about it in the library, but still! Some people will do anything to get a pat on the back from the teachers. Luckily Jane and I got away, but Filch caught the others. Now they're stuck polishing the Trophy room and cleaning cauldrons for the next week. Guess they won't be having parties in the old music room anymore. That was the last chance before Professor O'Connor fixed it up and it starts getting used again. Grr! I didn't even get to have a first party. That damn brat!

By Friday evening Snape was hungry, angry, and dispirited. He hurled a vase across the room into the fireplace and upended the coffee table. Did they think they could make him feel any worse than he already did? They could not hate him more than he hated himself at the moment. He threw himself into his chair before the fire and started unlacing his boots.

Twenty years ago a lonely kid in a dilapidated neighborhood had sought and found kinship and camaraderie in Lily Evans, a little girl who shared his gift. Six years or so later he sought to fill his desire to belong to something bigger than himself, to have power, and made one of the biggest mistakes of his life. The mistake that led first to the loss of his friendship with the only woman he'd ever love, and then the loss of her life.

Since then he sought nothing more for himself. He would spend the rest of his life living only to do what he could to atone for that mistake. He held no desire for friendship or anything else. Then Abigail O'Connor came into his life and turned everything upside down. She was like a flickering and ever changing flame and he a moth helplessly drawn to it. O'Connor was a skilled and powerful witch with the brains to match. She was like him in temperament and never backed down from his moods; often able to show him what it was like to be on the receiving end.

Against his will and better judgment he found himself growing fond of her, again wishing for a friend. It was vexing. He didn't deserve such a thing, having proved that yet again, but god did he want it. So it seemed had she.

"This is a second chance for you; one that you can make the right decisions with this time."

The headmaster's words rung in his ears and he got to his feet. He had made mistakes again, but perhaps if she could forgive him where Lily had not he could do better. This time he wouldn't be a fool and he wouldn't hurt his friend any further. Snape crossed his quarters, threw open his door, and rushed to her office. The familiarity of the situation did not escape him. He only hoped the end result would be different this time.

Abigail stared down into her cup of tea, her feet resting on the hearth grate. She was still in shock that Snape had gone to Dumbledore and accused her of perpetrating the attacks. After everything that happed last year; after Christmas and New Years; after she spent a week caring for him because his fever was too high for him to remain upright. He didn't trust her. She was an interloper carrying too many secrets; a scapegoat to be blamed for the wrongs at the castle.

Jonah pretended to be engrossed in the book Augur Aurelia had given her and feigned ignorance to the sniffles and the tears brushed away. He was pissed that, that bastard Professor had hurt his cousin in such a way. He'd gladly hex the man but it wouldn't do for anyone to find out who he was. For now he'd just have to hope Snape got what was coming to him.

They were startled out of their individual reveres when an almighty bang sounded at the door. O'Connor jumped to her feet and looked at the door with alarm. Was he coming for her? Now would be his chance. Steal her away while suspicions were aroused. He could easily make it look like she had run away. Well he had another thing coming if he thought it would be that simple.

She crossed the room determinedly, ignoring Jonah's sputtering as he scrambled to hide the book, and threw open the door. For a moment she stared into the empty hallway with confusion, then movement drew her gaze downward. Snape was hunched on the floor at her feet trying to stem the flow of blood from his nose. The laces of his boots were untied.

"If you thought throwing yourself face first into my door would get me to forgive you you're sorely mistaken." She tried to shut the door but he reached out a hand to prevent it.

"Please wait! Just hear me out! I want to apologize."

"What? Are you going to try and explain away what you did; down play it? Do you feel bad and your want me to forgive you so you stop feeling guilty?"

"No!" He licked his lip and spat blood on the floor. His nose was streaming steadily. "I do feel terrible but that's not why I'm here. I'm here because I was wrong. I hurt you and you didn't deserve that and I'm sorry. I want to earn your forgiveness, but I'm under no illusion that I deserve it."

Jonah scoffed and Snape snapped his head around to look at him. They stared at each other for a moment and O'Connor wondered if the Potions master would clam up now that he knew he had an audience. Surprisingly he didn't. His dark eyes found hers again, bruises already forming beneath them.

"Even if you don't forgive me, I'll accept that; but I needed to tell you regardless. It was foolish for me to even consider you the guilty party. You were right. After everything that's happened, the thought never even should have crossed my mind."

"So why did it?" She growled. "Were you so worried by my personal life not being laid out at your feet that you thought surely she must be hiding something?"

"No I…" He fidgeted as he tilted his head back, pinching his nose. It didn't seem to want to quit. "I was being a coward."

O'Connor frowned, confusion flickering in her eyes.

"We were becoming close and I…" He grit his jaw, the words catching. She knew what he was trying to say. "So I decided to just assume the worst. Then if I was right I wouldn't be caught by surprise and it wouldn't…"

She glared down at him. She was starting to understand the dour man a little more. Life had indeed been unkind it seemed. That did not excuse his actions though.

"So what? You decided that instead of talking to me about it you would just tell Dumbledore I was attacking people?"

"No! I never wanted to tell Dumbledore anything! I…" He rubbed a hand across his mouth, smearing the blood there. His nose had slowed to a trickle now. "I was coming here Sunday night to speak to you but…"

The man was really looking anxious now and she had a good feeling why. She let her arms drop to her sides with her fists clenched. The bastard had fucking spied on her again. No wonder he thought he was right! How did this one man seem to evade every instinct she'd perfected over the years?! How did he always manage to draw out some secret she held?

"I followed you into the forest and back out. I was on my way here when I ran into Dumbledore." O'Connor's eyes were like steel and he quickly continued. "I told him nothing about what I saw in the forest. I only expressed my concerns and told him about the books. They're what brought all this on."

"Why didn't you just ask about them when you first saw them?"

"I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. I was trying to ignore my paranoia; but instead it festered and won in the end." He dabbed at his face just to keep his hands busy. "I was wrong and I'm sorry."

O'Connor glared down at him, arms crossed, and for a few moments neither of them moved. Then with lightning swiftness she reached down to seize his head squeezing slightly as she pulled him up from the floor. The pads of her thumbs pressed painfully against the sides of his nose, her fingers splayed through his hair to curl around the base of his skull. His pulse beat a steady rhythm beneath the edge of her palm. She leaned down as she brought them nose-to-nose, her gaze more predatory than he'd ever seen it before.

"And if I were to tell you, you were right all along?"

He stared back unflinchingly, his gaze and pulse steady.

"I wouldn't believe you."

She searched his face for any hint of a lie and took a chance at probing his mind. They locked eyes and she felt his shield give way, crumbling like walls of sand. A sharp breath hissed in through her nostrils. Had he really just done that?

"I could look at anything I wanted right now and you wouldn't be able to stop me fast enough."

"I know, but I also know you won't."

"Mm. Episkey."

She squeezed his nose hard as she uttered the spell and he gave a quiet cry at the pressure before she released him. Jonah laughed as Snape cradled his nose while she walked back in the room.

"Leave us."

Snape felt his heart plummet. It was Lily all over again. O'Connor would not forgive him. He stood to leave.

"Wait, what?" Jonah said. Snape's head snapped around.

"You heard me." O'Connor said. "Just make sure you're back by morning in case someone comes by."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" The brunet glared at the Potions master.

"It's fine."

"Whatever." Jonah slammed his shoulder against Snape's as he left, muttering obscenities under his breath.

"Are you coming in or not?" O'Connor gave an agitated wave of her hand and he felt himself pulled forward before the door slammed behind him. "Sit."

The redhead was already seated behind her desk, left elbow propped on the armrest, her knuckles pressed against her mouth. He sat across from her wandering what she was going to say. For a long time there was silence. She stared into space and he stared at a knot in the wood of her desk.

"I can't keep doing this rollercoaster ride with you Snape. I've given you the benefit of the doubt, my trust, despite your past. I've stopped questioning your allegiance. I've even started to see you as a friend, but here we are again. That's the second time you've spied on me this year. The second time you've made it seem like I have some nefarious plot.

"I understand how difficult it is to trust. Just last year I was reminded of that. It was a blow I never saw coming. Then I come here and for some reason I just keep fucking up and letting you see or telling you things I've always kept to myself. I thought maybe it meant something, that maybe I could have someone outside my family who I could be open with. Then this happens; another setback."

Snape never looked away from her as she lectured him. He never turned from the emotions in her eyes. He met her gaze unwaveringly, the obsidian depths seemed to try and convey his contrition and desire for repentance. His mind was still open to her but she didn't try and sift through it. She wanted him to act better and show her that she could trust him. If she told him, if she showed him, everything she couldn't have him telling everyone else.

"Can we do this Snape?"

"I want to. I never would have thought it possible again for me to want such a thing, but I would like for us to be friends."

The statement made her curious. Had a friendship hurt him before? She tried to think if she'd seen him with any other friends that weren't Death Eaters.

That's right. He and Lily Evans were often on the grounds together. I saw them arguing with Potter and Black now and then. Come to think of it I don't remember seeing them together during their last year or so. I wonder if something happened aside from him joining the Death Eaters.

"I would like that too, but you're going to have to work your way back into my good graces. Show me we can trust each other."

Snape nodded resolutely and for a moment they simply stared at one another; no thoughts, just whirls of emotion.

"Scone? I have clotted cream and jam." She lifted the cloche on her desk to reveal the still steaming treat. Snape groaned exasperatedly and dropped his head into his hands as she laughed.

Snape spent the night with her in the office. She told him that she was trying to use Astral Projection to see if someone else was using it to move about the castle unseen. Those who used it left a trail that another user could see. Augur Aurelia believed a necromancy ritual was to blame for the student's comas. Someone was probably trying to recall a soul from beyond to converse with or trying to pull a ghost into a recently deceased body or a golem they created. So O'Connor was researching rituals that might pertain to such a thing.

"In the forest when you said about one wrong move you were talking about the Astral Projection going wrong weren't you?"

She looked annoyed for a moment then sighed.

"Yes. It's a very difficult art and I have no desire to remain permanently separated from my body."

"She thought I could help, didn't she?"

"Yes."

There was a moment of silence as they each stared into their teacups."

"Do you really want to try?"

"Not yet, but I will."

Jonah returned shortly before four in the morning to find them asleep in the armchairs before the fire.

Snape was awoken the next morning by a beam on sunlight coming through the window to shine on his face. O'Connor was still sleeping soundly, a curtain of red hair hiding half her face from view. Jonah was stretched across the couch, right arm and leg hanging off the side. He was snoring lightly with his face pressed against the armrest.

For a time he watched them sleep thinking about the previous evening and how differently things could have gone. O'Connor hadn't said she forgave him, but she hadn't said she wouldn't. She didn't turn away or dismiss him. She still wanted to try and be friends. The thought made him feel lighter than he had in a long time. Things would be different with O'Connor. He would not ruin this friendship like he had with Lily.

"It's rude to stare you know."

Snape came out of his revere to notice a single deep green eye staring back at him. He quickly averted his gaze, his cheeks feeling warm.

"I was merely lost in thought."

"I noticed."

She groaned and stretched her long limbs, back arching out of the chair. Her left shoulder popped loudly.

"I didn't expect for us to fall asleep in our chairs." She grinned amusedly at him. "Are you hungry? I can make us some crepes."

He stared at her.

"What?"

"How can you just go back to normal like that? Cooking for us like nothing happened. I thought you'd be much colder towards me for some time."

"What good would that do us in repairing the damage? Let's just move forward. Now, crepes?"

Before Snape could respond there was a knock on the door. They both whipped around to face it and Jonah sat up quickly.

"Oh no. Something tells me I'm about to be proven innocent." O'Connor whispered quietly.

"Don't worry." Jonah said. He quickly straightened his hair and clothes so it didn't look as if he'd been sleeping instead of watching her.

"No. I'll speak to him."

Snape squared his shoulders and pulled open her office door. Dumbledore's sorrowful look changed to one of shock as he saw his Potions master standing there looking quite rumpled and sporting two black eyes.

"Severus! Whatever are you doing here, my boy? Are you all right?!"

"I am fine. I merely lost a fight with a door last night."

He looked away, cheeks warm. The headmaster's confused blue eyes quickly flicked up and down and his voice came out strange.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything then."

Snape's face colored and he quickly straightened his appearance.

"We've done nothing of the sort! We fell asleep in separate chairs before the fire."

"Ah, I see. Good, good. I don't need two wizards coming in and out of these quarters at odd hours. The students might catch on." Snape blanched. "None the less I would have been even more surprised were that the case. Jonah's presence notwithstanding, we were all under the impression Miss O'Connor was quite cross with you."

"I came to apologize. I was wrong to have suspected her in the first place."

"Well I'm afraid it's all moot at this point. Another student has slipped into a coma. Given her relation with the family and their views, even if she wasn't under observation I'd be hard pressed to suspect her."

"Who was it Albus?"

"Percy Weasley."

"No!"

They could only watch as she pushed past them to run down the hall.

An hour later Snape and O'Connor were standing side-by-side in the infirmary. They had completed their observations in awkward silence and now watched as Molly cried over her son, Arthur holding her tightly.

"Is there nothing in this castle Dumbledore doesn't know is happening?"

"Perhaps you and your visitor needed to be more discreet."

"I think maybe I should remove the portraits in my hallway."

"I don't know why you're so sore about it. It's not exactly like it isn't allowed for two teachers to fall in love." She scoffed, he ignored it. "The headmaster just doesn't want us having all manner of affairs in the castle. It isn't professional"

He paused for a moment, a realization coming to him.

"You berated me on New Year when I…"

She cut him off.

"No. No. I berated you for making it seem like I was some slut picking a new boy toy each year; which was incredibly rude and uncalled for on your part. I still can't believe you said that."

"Well forgive me for being annoyed. It occurred to me if that were the case you were too busy fraternizing with him to remember you'd promised me a chess match. That would have been fine had you told me not to climb five flights of finicky stairs to get to your office." He glared peevishly at her. She tried to hide her smirk. That sounded more like jealousy to her.

Aww! He wants my time all to himself. I guess someone who doesn't really cultivate friendships would want their friend's time all to themselves.

"If you're planning on cultivating something with Levitski then what does it matter if Dumbledore knows?"

"I'm not. I don't really do long term; and no that doesn't mean I'll just pick up somebody new next year. We just kind of happened after Halloween. I don't plan to continue it past the end of the school year."

"Why not?"

"I like my independence. I can do what I like when I like where I like. No compromising over any of it; no one to share my house with and make it ours. I can do whatever I want with it. No arguments over money. I'm not saying that'll never change, but it's not what I'm looking for right now. Besides, it's kind of difficult to cultivate relationships when you can't tell someone everything about yourself."

"I see. Will we need to change the word to enter your quarters then?"

"Why? It's not like I gave it to Nikolai." O'Connor sniffed and dabbed at her eyes as the healers from St. Mungo's arrived. "You, me, and Jonah are the only ones who know it."

"I see." Snape was unable to say why that made his chest feel like it housed a horde of butterflies. "Jonah is one of your family members isn't he?"

She grinned.

"I have a very extensive family. My dad was one of six, my mother was one of three, and her mother was one of thirteen. A couple family members also work for the ministry and when Jonah heard what was going on he volunteered."

"No one knows you're all related do they?"

"Nope."

She offered nothing else and he knew it wasn't because Molly was walking over to them.

"Abigail, promise me you'll figure out who's doing this. Promise me you'll be able to help them."

"Don't worry Molly. Snape and I, the Aurors, we'll do everything we can to resolve this. You have my word."

O'Connor hugged them and the four walked to the front doors. As the Weasleys left and walked to the front gates Snape turned to his friend. She was staring after the redheads resolutely.

"You're ready to try."

"I am."

?

Something strange is happening. I think my bangle may be a magical one. Ever since I got it everyone I write about falls into a weird coma. It's like it's punishing everyone who hurts me or my friends. First Camilla and Samara, then Dorset, and now that know-it-all brat Percy. I've never heard of anything like it and I don't know what exactly it's doing or if they'll ever wake up. The scariest part is I don't think I care.