Author's Note: I do own any of the characters except for Alexandria Moonberry and the Moonfire family, the rest are J.K. Rowlings.

Chapter 3 – What to do with Myself

"What do you mean I cant teach?" Severus shouted throwing over the table nearest him. "I have more experience than she will ever have! You are one teacher short and you need me to be here."

"Professor Snape, sit down!" McGonagall yelled pointing to the chair he had been sitting in. "I have this taken care of. I cannot risk the students' lives because of your assurance it will not happen again. I'm sure when it did happen you didn't even know it was happening or that it would happen. Now, you do not have to stay at Hogwarts if you don't want. You may go back to your home. Your other option would be to stay and teach with Professor Moonberry. Those are your only options professor. I hate to do this to you but your health comes first."

Severus wanted to strangle her for saying that. If she had cared anything about his health she would have realized how much he needed this job to keep him sane and away from those thoughts. "You need not say anymore." He said bitterly rising to his feet again.

"I'll leave you two to talk before you leave. If there is anything about the class Professor Moonberry should know, tell her now." McGonagall said closing the door behind her.

Severus looked at Moonberry, "Do not think that I want to speak with you. I don't. I just want to get my things and go. You have the itinerary." He walked to the desk picking up a few books. They meant little to him but they were all he had left there. "I take my leave now Moonberry."

"Severus… I never meant for this to happen." She said gently placing her hand on his face. He would have pushed it away if he would have had free hands but they were all full. Her hand was warm and almost enchanting. For a moment, he had wanted to lean into her warmth. Why is she touching me? Her hands are so warm… Is that natural? What? Why is she lifting her other arm? If this blasted woman tries anything funny I'll drop these books on her feet!

Honestly Severus, like I cant hear you…

Get out of my head! And keep your hands off of me. You've only gotten this far because my arms are full! Anything else and…

You'll drop the books on my feet… I heard. A smile was on her face. Don't be a stranger Severus. Come visit soon and often.

Hands off Moonberry. Good day. Enjoy my position. With that he left. He could have blocked her from his mind with ease but for somereason had decided against it. It no longer mattered, Severus was on the first train home.

Before long, he was standing at the front of his muggle home. The grass was overgrown all the time in the front and back yards, as usual. It was an old Victorian style house. Most people were frightened by the dark dreary look to it so they stayed away. He couldn't even remember the last time he had checked the mailbox. Carefully he made his way to the front door past all the brush. His small muggle key unlocked it and he opened to find it a mess as it usually was. The wooden floors had not been polished since he had begun living there. Cobwebs filled every corner. The windows were all sealed with wooden boards. Every step on the stairs creaked and then he found his master bedroom. Potion bottles and vials lay all over the floor and desk. There were more in the bathroom but all he wanted to do right then was drop the bag he had put the books in. He laid himself down and stared up at the white ceiling with water marks. I was only gone 6 weeks and already this place has more things that need to be done with it. If only I cared enough to do it. He reached for the wand in his inside left pocket. Empty?! How? Sure enough his wand was no where to be found. He had not even recalled getting it back at all since he woke from his two day slumber. "ACCIO WAND!" he shouted. Nothing happened. For a few minutes he waited thinking his wand had to travel quite a distance but in the end it never came. The trip back to Hogwarts for just one wand was pointless, he knew that. I will owl the old bat and she will probably have Hagrid bring it this way.

Days passed slowly. He had thought of conjuring new spells and hexes but the will in him was dead. After three weeks of confinement in his lowly house with almost nothing to eat, he was beginning to feel weak and as if his purpose was no more. He had never owled McGonagall for his wand because he figured he did not need it in this world. When the doorbell rang, he had been laying face down on his bed for a few days… He had lost count of how many because it was so dark in his room the sun never seemed to come up anyway. Severus forced himself up. If its a sale's person I'm going to hex him into another dimension… When Severus looked out the window he saw Alexandria standing at the front steps looking around at the mess he called a front yard. What does that bloody woman want? Even now she must come and rub her new position in my face? He made his way down in due time wondering if she had even bothered to wait that long before leaving. As the bottom of the stairs got near he realized the front door was open. She just walked in? How rude… A sneer crept up on him. "Moonberry!"

"Severus?" She said walking in from the living room. "I was just…"

"Do you not have any common sense or do you really just like being rude on purpose?"

"Well when you didn't answer I thought perhaps something might be wrong again so I just…"

"Intruded on private property?" He asked raising his voice to her.

For once he saw her cower a little bit. It was uncharacteristic of her but he didn't care too much. "Well I'm sorry then, I just thought it would be best to hand this to you personally." Out of the black cloak she pulled out his wand. "McGonagall though it be best you stay away from the magical world for a bit since you had left so we sealed your wand in Hogwarts but I didn't think it would be the best idea. What if someone from the magical world came looking for you?"

"Are you under estimating me without my wand?"

Alexandria sighed. His attitude towards her trouble for doing a favor were rather annoying. "Well you couldn't even tidy the place up without it. What is there to show me that you can manage without it? This place looks like shite Severus. Perhaps if I could see that you've done something with yourself in these last few weeks, but no. I come here and this place is disgusting! You should be glad I even decided to take the time. The least you can do is say thank you."

Thank you? For what? For intruding into my space? If she wouldn't have taken my wand to begin with and just handed it to me before I left she would have spared herself the trip. Severus watched as Alexandria just shook her head and walked out. She was not wearing Hogwarts attire, just some beige colored pants and a long tan trench coat that covered whatever shirt she was wearing. Was it cold outside? He watched her as she disappeared walking along the path near the lake. An icy wind took him and he walked back in the dreary damp house and sealed the door magically preventing any further intrusions.

Severus had to admit the place looked terrible but it was not like he got many visitors anyway. His room smelt of old potions gone wrong. For fear of poisoning the muggle world he usually just threw them out the window. Maybe thats why the weeds that grew in his garden looked so alive… He took up a corner chair and looked around. I'll show her… I'd last longer in this muggle world than she ever would… He thought, taking his owl out of its cage… the thing looked positively deadly. Giving it some old crackers, he sent it off with his wand. Now to get to work, but where to start? He didn't have the slightest clue. As soon as the thought had run through his head a drop fell on him. He looked up and saw the water mark above him… It was raining outside… his apartment would be gone in no time, he thought looking at the other water marks around the room. He made his way outside and looked up. Pieces of the roof were missing here and there. I'd never even noticed that. The rain is light but I don't even know where to begin fixing this house… He looked around him; the weeds had grown to disturbing lengths. -sigh- I suppose I could begin pulling some these while the soil is loose because of the rain. He pulled for half the day only clearing about a fourth of the yard. Severus collapsed on his porch. It was too much on no food. The kitchen seemed foreign to him. Severus, you have not even gone for food. What are you hoping to find? There was a small convenience store about a mile down the road that he would head to.

The walk was not too long but as soon as he got there the store closed for the day. What time was it? Why were they closing so early? He tried knocking but no one came to. That whole walk, to the outskirts of town, for nothing. He walked further and down a few streets. They were not nearly as crowded as he remembered. What was the occasion? Music could be heard atop an old apartment building. It was a dance school. His mom had made him attend with his cousin when they were young because she had not had anyone to go with. Severus detested it. He walked on, one of the larger grocery shops was sure to be open. Much to his surprise, it was. After bagging as many things as he could afford he walked out and it was pouring rain. He uttered curses under his breathe and began walking. As soon as he walked through his front door he dropped the bags and took off his dripping wet cloak. It didnt help because he was soaked to the bone with the icy water. A change of clothes was in order.

Severus walked back down once he was in something more smug and dry. A squishy sound came from under his feet as he made his way to the bags. The bags had gathered water and when he dropped them they had spilt all over floor. The carpet was now soaked within a four foot radius of the door. "Bloody Hell!" he shouted out loud. Today, was not his day. It was bad enough that he had to carry the heavy bags in his cut up hands for two or three miles and now they had soaked his carpet. He looked at the things inside. Mostly vegetables that would be fine. The bread seemed ok as it was closer to the top of the bag and wrapped in a plastic bag of its own. After he ate a small sandwich he walked back up to his room to find the large vials he had used to gather drops from the leaks were almost already full. He threw them out the window one by one. He heard a small noise downstairs as if something had dropped. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a piece of the ceiling that doesn't have a second floor over it. As soon as he finished, he walked down and saw a small package sitting in his moist fireplace. He opened it and found a letter first. It was from Moonberry.

"In exchange for yours."

He opened it and found her black wand inside. It had a old celtic pattern all over it in silver. He had sent her his wand so she would see that he had made the changes to his house on his own without magic. Of course he could have used wandless magic… Severus put the wand back in its box and took it up to his room putting it in a drawer. He would have returned it but decided that if he had to live in the muggle world without his, he would make it difficult for her and let her live in the wizarding world without hers.

It took him one week to fix the house. It actually took him two and a half before it would be completely done. He had tried for three days the last week to fix the roof before he gave up. "There is no way to fix that stupid thing." he mumbled to himself. He hated the roof of his victorian style house because it always went up in a rather steep slant. As he was looking for a pair of gloves he knew he had somewhere he came across the box with Moonberry's wand. Severus… you don't need it. He heard thunder in the distance. "Yes, I do." he said to himself looking up at the large watermarks. It had rained the whole week he had started and then stayed dried for the next. Rain was predicted soon and he still had not done anything about the roof. Severus grabbed the wand out of its box and hoped it would work and not blow the roof off completely. Every wizard had his/her appropriately appointed wand for a reason. The drops were beginning to fall as he hesitated to use the wand. She would never know. Unless you blew up the house. His thoughts spoke to him. The drops falling from the sky increased in volume. He lifted the wand. "Reparo" he said rather unsure of himself. His eyes were closed; he could hear cracking and banging. It was over for him. His house would be gone in any moment. Slowly, he opened both his eyes and much to his surprise it was completely there and nicer than he had ever seen it look. A genuine smile came over him without warning. It really did feel better to see his house like this.

The halls were empty. Severus could hear his footsteps as he walked through the hallways. His cloak fluttered behind him. He was almost to his former class. Laughter could be heard from the room. As soon as he opened the classroom door, he saw kids crawling all over the walls and ceiling. Alexandria was standing straight up in the middle of the ceiling. Her cloak was hanging down past her head and she was in some Indian style sari and pants. "Severus? Hi!" she shouted waving at him with both hands.

"Bloody hell woman! What kind of DADA class is this?" his voice bellowed walking to the middle of the room and constantly turning around in a twitchy manner. The constant feeling that some kid would fall on him was irking him.

Neville lost grip of his hand as soon as he saw the professor and began to fall but stopped mid air. Professor Snape dogded the falling boy and stood in the door frame once more. He watched as Moonberry landed the boy safely on the ground. "Everyone down now."

The kids all found their seats and Moonberry smiled at the former master. "Now Professor, what can we do for you." He walked over and handed her the wand.

"This is, I believe, your wand? You may need it incase anymore of these children start falling off the walls," he said setting it down on her desk. "Or perhaps to teach something that will actually help with defense of the dark arts."

She snatched the wand from him. "Thank you. Is that all?"

"For now. Carry on." He said excusing himself. What did he come back for? His house was nice, clean and looked like brand new and yet… he hated the solitude it brought. Severus found his old room in the teacher's quarters of the castle. It was messy and stacks of books and vials covered his desk. His bed was made, on the other hand, and on top the pillow lay his wand. He turned sharply and saw Professor Moonberry. "Intrude on my things here too?" he asked mainly looking over at the pensieve they had moved there when he left potions.

"Don't worry Severus, I only made the bed so you wouldn't sit on the damn wand." she said with a bit of a smirk. That was the first time he would think she looked somewhat tolerable when it came to looks. Did you just think her fair? He looked down at the wand and then at her again. She smiled, her blood red lips splitting and revealing her pearly white teeth. A frown came over him. She's not that good looking and what is with her ridiculous clothes all the time? What is she Indian today? Wonder what tomorrow will be tomorrow… "You may go now."

"Very well. And Severus… loosen up a bit." She said, her hand up on the door frame as she disappeared behind it.

What? Did she just actually say that to you? How dare she… Why, if I could, I'd give her a piece of my mind, and maybe throw in a few hexes.

The meeting took place with Severus present this time. McGonagall was up front waiting for Professor Lupin to show up. He had been holding detentions since Severus had been gone. Moonberry sat by Trelawny and listen intently as she was told by the auror that her fate actually didn't look to good in the next year. There were good things in her future but after very grim signs. Moonberry nodded her head and looked over at Severus with a smile. He frowned at Trelawny, it brought up bad memories of when he only served the Dark lord… "Bunch of nonesense…" A pain shot up his leg. He winced and looked at Moonberry. Did she just kick me? Alexandria shook her head as in hoping he would not insult Trelawny, but it wasn't his fault the only thing she could tell were bad things and even then they were hardly ever true… He glared at her. She raised her left eyebrow at him with a sort of evil smirk. There! Again! There it was again the look that made him think twice about his thoughts on her looks. Something about her mischievious look seemed to draw him. Draw you Severus? No… she doesn't draw you, just makes you curious what the look is for is all…

"Ah professor you made it." McGonagall said welcoming Professor Lupin in.

"Yes, sorry about being terribly late, a certain Slytherin showed up thirty minutes late. I say we should extend his detention until he makes up all the lost time."

"Ok." Alexandria said in agreement.

Severus's head shot her a look of death. Who is she to decide this?! I'm sitting right here. "Professor?" he asked looking at Moonberry.

"You don't agree Professor Snape?" she said her eyes begging him not to make a scene.

"I just think we should keep him how ever long he shows up late. If we extend, Lucius will be furious and I just want to spare you the trouble of dealing with him." He answered. As if I would make a scene with all these people present...

"What do we do about the professor's time lost?" Alexandria asked.

"I was just saying. Lucius Malfoy is not someone you want to face."

"My dear!" Trelawny shouted, "You have a similar aura… Careful..."

All the professors looked at her in shock. McGonagall rolled here eyes at the wide eyed professor with frizzy hair. Remus tried very hard to hold in some laughter but a small snort slipped and before he knew it he had to excuse himself. Trelawny shook her head, fear had taken her. McGonagall excused her as she asked to leave the presence of evil. As soon as she walked out Lupin walked in and burst into laughter along with McGonagall and a handful of other professors. Severus, on the other hand, did not laugh. Alexandria smiled but she did not find laughter either instead she felt curious as to what that could mean. Severus looked at her intently. Anger was written all over his face. He obviously was not thinking of the foretelling but as to why she had his former class and now position as Head of Slytherin house. The meeting ended with a few changes here and there. Still no sign of the "beast" spotted over two months ago. The lake would still be forbidden. A mention of a student request for another ball was mention but greatly ignored due to the fact that most of the professors had found it difficult to refrain from laughter.

"Severus." McGonagall said motioning for him to stay behind. As the rest of their professor walked out he sat and turned toward the headmistress. "Severus, it was only because you left the campus. You are welcomed to be head of Slytherin again if you plan on staying."

"Yes I will stay, but why was she made the head?" he asked leaning back in the chair.

"Moonberry's grandfather, Alexander Moonfire, was a Slytherin. There are many things you don't know about her professor. I suggest you get to know her more before questioning and expecting answers she may not want to answer. She has much disdain for that position but there was no one else who could have taken it. The sorting hat would have had a field day had she attended Hogwarts. She was privately schooled by her Aunt Cassiria who was a well renowned witch of her day. Yes, she has many traits but some you have yet to learn of. Be easier on her Severus, she enjoys your company." McGonagall smiled, "Why? I'm not sure." She said winking at the professor.

"Why tell me all of this?" he asked rather harshly. "Why should I care?"

"Severus, she is smart like a Ravenclaw. Honest and loyal like a Griffindor. But, she is cunning and will do what she must to have what she wants, not to mention a parselmouth." McGonagall said. "As much as she hates her grandfather, there will be things she will never escape. I will tell you more in due time if she does not. Right now, it is not my place to tell you the rest. "

Severus looked at the headmistress, "like what? That she is a 'pure blood and a princess of the wizarding world'?" he asked sarcastically using Lucius's words.

McGonagall smiled, "No my dear boy." Her scottish accent coming through, "you will learn in time."

She left Severus alone, not sure it was the wisest idea but hoping it would improve relations between the two. A parselmouth? He was sure he would have never guessed that. He had heard few things of Alexander Moonfire, but he knew that he had heard it at times during a meeting with Voldomort and his death-eaters. A money giver no doubt. The things he had heard were that he went to Hogwarts and finished top of his class in the Slytherin house, but lived most his days in the muggle world making money off of them. He ran a large business in the Wizarding world over in Europe. Its purpose was not clear. The sudden urge to know more came over him. Severus walked to the library to see if he could find more.

The next week had not been out of the ordinary he was back in charge of Slytherin house but his position in DADA was still occupied by Moonberry. He would check in a few times. Never at her third period at her request, because Neville Longbottom always seemed to mess up in his work whenever Severus came near. A larger room had been given to him to keep his things and space for studies and research. It was a cold night and a full moon. He would go on patrolling the halls soon. Severus threw his robes over his shoulders and grabbed his wand. If any of the kids were up and roaming he would make sure they were punished severely. Lupin was more than likely out and about. He closed all the windows and made sure the doors were secured properly. As he finished closing the last one he heard an explosion that seemed to come from a distance. He opened a window and looked out. There was a puff of red smoke coming from the lake. Sighing and opening the door again, he made his way down the path and over to the smoke. He kept watch around him at all times so that not a creature could come up on him. As he reached the lake he saw Alexandria standing there in a cloud of smoke holding a vile. She took a sip of the clear liquid inside. He stayed behind a tree watching to see what it could have been. Nothing seemed to change. Slowly she removed he robes. A white flowing dress covered her and a silver band was intwined through her hair and a small charm fell at the point on her forehead. It was the first time he had seen her hair not in a ponytail or down straight. He looked back over. She was shivering and he could see it. Still she walked to the edge of the lake. She's going swimming?! Alexandria took a deep breath and took a step forward. A few steps forward and he noticed her feet above the water. She's walking on water? He watched as she took a few more steps and looked around her. A large smile came over her. The next step she took she raised onto her toes. He took a step forward and out from behind the tree. A look of confusion came over his face. She spun on her toes and threw her arms out here and there gracefully. She dances. A ballerina. Dancing in the moonlight on the lake….ON THE LAKE?!?!?! Of all places Alexandria, seriously? He looked around him once more getting a sudden feeling of uneasiness. He could not help but feel mesmorized in watching her dance. It was something he had not seen before. An aura of blue seemed to surround her. "Moon fire…" he whispered to himself.

"Alexandria! Come back from there!" he shouted out to her. Suddenly, she stopped and dropped back on her whole foot. The other foot behind her in a point on the water. She looked over her shoulder and smiled at him almost evilly.

"No." she said once and then looked away from him. "You come here." This time she ran further from the shore. Stopping suddenly she turned to him. Again she smiled sort of evilly. Her head fell and then shot back up. Her arms flew out and a sort of blue flame came from her hands. Her whole body seemed to be burning in the moonlight. He almost dropped his wand. She dropped her arms and laughed out. Alexandria began to dance again, more intensely than before. The blue burned brighter. She stopped once more and ran to the edge where he stood. "Take a drink and join me."

"No." he said stepping back away from her. Her soft tender smile came back and she held out her hand. "I said no." he said pointing his wand at her. "What are you?"

She laughed at him playfully and kept her hand in its place. Finally she turned it away from him and blew softly. The flame seemed to come off of it. Again she held out her hand. It still seemed to have the blue glow but the flames seemed to be fading from around her. He stepped back. "Severus, please?"

"This lake is forbidden! You need to get back inside before I call McGonagall. Plus Remus could be lurking..."

"Why would Remus be lurking?" she asked confused.

"What?" Severus stepped forward even more distraught than she seemed. "I'm sorry, what did you just say?"

Alexandria ignored him, "Go then… I will stay here. I'm sorry you are scared of me. I am though… a Moonfire… as much as I hate it."

He grabbed the potion off the floor and took a sip. What had possessed him he was not sure but he felt the urge to go in that moment. His mind fought him but he could not resist. "What are you doing to me? Why can I not refuse you? That is an unforgivable curse!"

"I have not done anything to you. You follow because the potion does what you want to do most at the moment."

He felt the water under his shoes and wanted to step back but a part of him was facinated. A crack came from behind him. Severus turned sharply and felt his feet fall under the water. Luckily he only fell to his knees. There before the both of them stood a large wolf like creature walking on his hind legs like a human. "Remus!" Horror took his face. He stood in front of Alexandria. "Stay back Moonberry."

The werewolf looked at them both and howled into the moonlight. It approached. Severus thought of all the possible things he could do without killing the professor. The wand left his grip. He turned suddenly. Moonberry still stood on the water. She had his wand. They had conspired against him! Just as thoughts ran through his head. A light eminated from Remus.

"HOMORPHUS!" Alexandria shouted. Severus turned from the sharp light and when he turned back he saw Remus's naked body laying face down on the ground his breathing was deep. She changed him? Is that safe with the moon still out? Alexandria walked over and covered the professor with her robes that she had shed earlier. He raised himself slowly onto his hands and knees taking the robes and then falling back on his rear. He closed them entirely and leaned on a tree.

"Alexandria… Severus… Forgive me…" his voice was scratchy and Severus could see he was having a hard time breathing.

"Hush now Remus, there is no reason to be sorry." Alexandria said kneeling beside him and brushing back his hair. "You never have to be sorry," her smile a warm and caring.

Severus had almost never seen a smile so sincere. He knelt by her and shook his head at Remus. "You really should try staying in the shrieking shack."

Remus laughed and nodded, "I will once you two stop making so much noise in a peaceful forest. I could see the light and flames from the shack." he said almost smiling.

Severus looked at Alexandria. She burst into laughter and hugged Remus. "We'll try."

We? What was this "we" business? She had done it all herself. Now she's dragging me into this? He stood up and turned to the lake. For a moment he caught a glimps of something disappearing into the lake. "We need to go. That beast knows we are here. Quick! Up! lets go!" he said as Alexandria helped Remus to his feet.

"What? I don't see anything." Alexandria said looking over to the lake. The tide came up a bit on shore. Something had certainly disturbed the water. "Never mind, lets go."

Remus could hardly stand so Severus lifted the professor over his shoulder and began to walk at a steady pace. Alexandria was walking behind him and it began to make him worry. "Moonberry walk in front of me so I know I haven't lost you."

Alexandria caught up to his side and stayed there looking behind them as they made their way up the path to the castle. As soon as they reached the top, they saw the end of a tail slip back into the lake from the shore they had been in a few moments earlier. Severus let them in through the doors and sealed them. He placed Remus on the floor and slid down the wall next to Moonberry. He was exhausted. All three of them sat against the wall and slowly sleep found them. The last thing he noticed was Alexandria's head falling onto his shoulder.

The sound of small voices all around him kept him from sleeping any further the following morning. He opened his eyes slightly to see a bunch of students gathered around in a half circle. He frowned and lifted his head from his current position. To his left he saw Moonberry asleep on his shoulder, her arms wrapped around his left arm. Remus was asleep on the floor beside her with only his head on her leg. He sleepily forced open his eyes and looked in time to see McGonagall appear through the kids.

"Oh, my… Children, go to class! The professors will be there soon." She said turning some children and sending them off. "What happened? Do I even want to know?" A pause. "Severus?"

Why was she picking on him? Did he honestly look like the person to start this? "Perhaps Moonberry can better answer that question when she wakes."

"Very well." she said with a small smile and she walked away. Severus stood up and watched as Moonberry woke when she hit the ground.

"Ouch… that hurt…" she looked up at him with a tender smile, "good morning Severus."

"I suggest you both get up soon. Your classes are waiting. And McGonagall wants an explination from you."

"Ok." she sat up and shook Remus lightly.

While Alexandria was in with Professor McGonagall, he had taken over the DADA class. All the children were busy reading when Draco Malfoy looked up at him. "Professor? What were you doing this morning sleeping in the hallway with the werewolf and that Egyptian teacher of ours?"

Severus descended down the steps of the balcony. "That Mr. Malfoy is none of your concern. You will also address them as Professor Lupin and Professor Moonberry? Anyone else!?" The room was silent. "Good." He sneered at the young Slytherin and made his way back up to the balcony to better see the children.

Moonberry walked through the door with a large grin on her face. "Good mornign children, Hullo Severus," she said putting her hand on his shoulder and disappeared behind him into the teachers office.

"Great, she's back…" Draco mumbled under his breath. "Just when I thought things would get better…"

"Silence Mr. Malfoy." Snape said glaring at the pupil.

"Professor, why don't you teach this class anymore?" Draco asked looking up at his former professor.

"Mr. Malfoy, if you speak out of term one more time I will not save you from a whole years detention the next time!"

"Severus?" Moonberry called from inside the room. "Can I see you for a moment?"

He walked in and saw her sitting at the table in one of the corners. "Yes?"

"McGonagall told me to tell you that…" she paused. "she says thank you. For saving Remus and me last night. We might have been attacked, had you not seen the beast. She also says she hopes you will start teaching with me soon, so as soon as we know you are well I can take back my class."

He turned to leave when she leapt forward and grabbed his hand. "Severus…" He turned just in time to have her face come in contact with his as she planted a small kiss by the right side of his lips. Her lips where hot against his skin. "Thank You," she said letting him go. "I will be collecting a few things from Professor Sprout for the next class, you may carry on." With a smile she walked out and left the room entirely.

He stood there with his back to the balcony. There were no mirrors in the room. What if you have a kiss mark? You cant go out without being certain. Imagine if the kids new she kissed me. Me? And Moonberry? No there's no way I would ever want to be associated with her in such a way. He pulled out his pocket watch and realized it was almost time for the kids to go. Never had he dismissed his classes early but he made the exception today. "Class dismissed!" he shouted from inside the room. As soon as he was sure the class had cleared he shook his head so that his hair fell in his face and he made his way out. A mirror. He needed a mirror. He practically ran down the halls with his head lowered and then up to his room. He looked at his mirror. Nothing. A feeling of relief had come over him. "Why the hell did that bloody woman do something like that?" he grumbled. "if she had just stayed away from the lake she would never have put anyone including Lupin in danger." He collapsed in a chair by the window. Looking out he saw a bunch of students gathering around the greenhouse. Alexandria stood there in a long green dress and for the first time ever he saw a tall pointed hat sitting on her head. He watched as plants with thorns began shooting out of the ground attacking some of the kids. Suddenly all the children where in a panic. Some ran, some where hanging upside down and others throwing hexes. Severus was sure Neville Longbottom was the first one hanging upside down crying. Hermoine stood out above the rest taking down three or four sprouts at a time. Moonberry only interfered to take down Mr. Longbottom and hold him beside her as he shook with fear for a while before making his way behind Hermione and throwing a hex here and there. The sprouts disappeared as soon as all the children were on the ground. Severus chuckled as he saw Ron fall on his rear end when the sprout was hexed from under him. Perhaps she wasnt as bad a teacher as he had first thought and then a warm feeling came over the right side of his face were her blood red lips had touched ever so slightly.