A/N: I know, I know, I told many of you I would update long ago. However, circumstances prevented it, and now… well, now you have a fairly long chapter. Work on the next one has already begun, so it should take as long. Maybe this week if you're nice to me!

Ron began to cough. Loudly. Hermione shook her head, and pounded him on the back.

"Good evening Mrs. Finnegan. I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Ron Weasley. We were just catching up on some studying."

"How nice. I didn't know Seamus studied. You must be a wonderful influence. You are the children that were in all the papers two years ago, right? They didn't do you justice

by any means, Hermione. I assume, of course, that you two will be coming as well, considering you are friends of Harry?" she asked, sitting on the arm of the couch next to her son, who had resumed his position on Harry's lap.

"Going? Where are you going, Harry?" Ron asked, raising an eyebrow. Hermione looked at him askance.

"I think we'd both like to know that." She said. Harry shrugged, and looked at Seamus, who looked at his mother, apprehension apparent in his eyes.

"Mum? You aren't going to kidnap Harry, are you? Because the last time you took off with one of my boyfriends, he came back straight..." Seamus asked quickly, obviously serious. The woman laughed.

"I remember that boy! Dean, wasn't it? And he didn't come back straight, he came back...less sure of himself. And no. I'm not kidnapping Harry. You mean our Headmaster hasn't told you yet? You're to come with me. We're going to Willoughbey. Hermione and Ron are more than welcome, and have already been given permission by Professor Dumbledore and their parents." Seamus had sat straight up at the mention of Willoughbey, his eyes wide. Harry shifted nervously under him.

"Sea, that's rather uncomf..." But Seamus ignored him.

"You mean I finally get to go? Will we be involved at all? How many others are staying? Anyone I know? Do we still have schoolwork? Can we share a suite?" He wiggled excitedly, and Harry blushed, pushing the boy off his lap and placing a pillow there instead. Hermione raised her eyebrows at him, but didn't say anything. Seamus continued, unfazed by his recent change of seating. "Are there house elves? Can I decorate my room? How long are we staying? Will you be there the whole time? Are those demons still running around? Uncle Lon said they were extremely friendly. And I've always wanted to give one a try. Can we do magic there? Can we sleep in? Does Lon still have that muggle game thingie with him? It works there, right? Do the walls change like you told me? Is there..." his mother cut him off.

"We can talk about that later, Sea. Can't we at least explain to your friends where we're going?" Seamus turned to the others, a huge grin on his face.

"Guys... You are never gonna believe this..."

Draco lay on his bed, facing the ceiling. Apparently it was a nice day outside. He didn't care. At that particular moment, Draco had much bigger things to worry about. He felt Bianca pad across his stomach and sighed. He didn't know how to avoid Voldemort's meeting. Severus had called him into his office several times trying to think of something that would fool the Snake Prince, but neither of them could come up with any solution save one... Draco would go to the meeting, and Sev, as his teacher, friend, and suspected lover would point out the illogical reasoning behind Draco getting the Mark. Perhaps one or both of them would get punished, but Voldemort almost always listened to Severus, and at least took his opinions into consideration. He was most trusted. What Severus didn't know was that Draco was scared to death. The meeting was the upcoming weekend.

"So you're telling me we're invited to completely magical mansion... Remind me why, again?"

"Okay, Hermione, lets go over this one last time... There's a big bad man after Harry. I can help protect him by taking him to Willoughbey. While we're there, we can not only strategize and stuff, but Harry will be safer there than he could be here, and until we have a plan, I would prefer Harry be as safe as possible. Besides, this place is amazing. We're going because we can, and it's going to be fun. Are you coming, or not?" Seamus asked, hands on his hips. They were all in various stages of packing for Willoughbey, and only Hermione was skeptical.

"Will we be able to talk to Professor Dumbledore about schoolwork before we leave?" She asked, biting her lower lip worriedly. Seamus's mother, Maureen, nodded.

"I've spoken to him about getting several of retired teachers together to continue your schoolwork there, but if you would feel better hearing it from him, that's no problem. We can stop by his office on our way out. Accio Blankie!" She said, pointing her wand at Seamus's sleeping area. A faded, rumpled looking purple baby blanket flew out from under the boy's mattress and into Maureen's hand, who immediately began to fold it.

"Mom!"

"What? I know you can't sleep without your Blankie!" she said innocently, her eyes sparkling. Seamus slapped his palm against his forehead, and continued packing as Ron snorted at him. Harry just shook his head.

Draco sat hunched over in his mentor's office. He knew he should still be scared, but he had reached the point of numbness. He felt nothing. The skinny blonde looked up at Severus with dead eyes.

''So there's really no way to avoid it, then?" He asked dully. The Potions Master shook his head.

"Not if we want to keep your father away from Hogwarts. His letter said that under no circumstances shall you miss the meeting. He's threatened to come here in person if I don't bring you along." Hearing this, Draco stood slowly, showing obvious exhaustion.

"Very well. We'll just have to convene him I'm not ready, and that it would be too difficult to hide the Mark at Hogwarts." he stated, simple resolve coloring his tone. "I'm off to bed now, Severus. As you ca..." Draco paused letting out a yawn as he stretched, the fabric of his shirt coming up to reveal a pale few inches of stomach. He looked like a small child, and Severus smiled slightly at how young the boy appeared. "As you can see,'' he resumed, "I'm a bit sleepy. 'Night." he started towards the doorway, but a concerned voice stopped him.

"Draco... son, wait. I know you. Something has been bothering you. Something besides all this. You're distracted during class and at meal times, you haven't been sleeping, and you haven't hexed a first year in weeks. What's going on, Draco?" Severus asked softly, worry clearly showing. Draco sighed.

"Sev, it's... I don't know. Have you ever been in love? I mean, with someone forbidden to you? Someone who could never love you back? Someone who wouldn't give you a second look walking down the street?" Draco broke off, a lump rising in his throat. Severus uncrossed his legs and stared at Draco from under his bangs.

"I have, my boy. And in my experience, you have three options. One, you could leave things as they are and continue pining for her. Two, you could force yourself to stop the attraction for her and forget her completely, or three, you could take action and do something about it." Draco hung his head.

"Sev?"

"Yes, Draco?"

"What if she's not a she? What if the person I love... is male?"

Severus's head jerked up, and he looked at the boy. Draco was blushing furiously.

"Ah... I see..." Was the man's reply. "Well, I won't ask who he is. But I see how the situation could pose a problem. However, it doesn't change your options.''

''I know, Sev. But you don't hate me? You don't think I'm... unclean or a pervert?" Snape grimaced.

"Fortunately son, your father's views of homosexuality being dirty aren't shared by many in the wizarding world. He was raised by an extremely prejudiced muggle nurse. For the most part, wizards look at love as its own magic, and disregard your sex completely. All I can tell you is to follow you heart." Severus said smiling. But Draco noticed the pain behind his eyes.

"You've been in love, haven't you, sir? What happened?" Draco asked curiously, feeling a little better just talking to the older man. Severus bowed his head and lowered his voice.

"The only reason I'm not with my love is that she and I would both be killed if anyone else knew." This time it was Severus not meeting Draco's eyes.

"Professor? Do you think it's worth it? I mean, there's the possibility that you'll die, but you keep loving her, even though you can only see her in secret. Is it worth the fear and the hiding?" Draco asked carefully.

"I wouldn't trade my moments with her for anything. Draco... the thing that's so subversive is... well, love is everything people make it out to be. That's why people are so cynical about it, and so doubtful of it. It's worth keeping secrets for, worth fighting for. It makes you brave and reckless at the same time, and it really is worth risking everything for. The worst part is, if you don't risk anything, dear boy, you risk even more." The Potions Master looked at Draco with flushed cheeks and pain set deep in his eyes. "I think its time for bed now Draco. Think about what I've said. And do try to get some sleep."

It was late evening before everyone had finished packing, and when they went to see Dumbledore, he invited Maureen to stay for dinner, and suggested that she stay in the Gryffindor Common Room for the night. She agreed immediately, and assured the kids that they would leave early the next morning. At supper, she was received with open arms by almost everyone.

"Mom! I mean it this time, hands above the table!" Seamus scolded her after Dean had nearly fallen off his seat for the fourth time. Maureen got a pouty look on her face, and Hermione giggled.

"At least Dean is eighteen. But I see where Seamus got his sex drive, at least." Lavender whispered to Hermione, eyes wide as the boy and his mother bickered back and forth. ("You never let me have any fun!"-"Mum, let's think. Who was dating Dean when you went after him last time?")

Hermione nodded in agreement with Lavender, and gestured at Harry with a hot wing.

"He doesn't seem to mind, though," she said. "About Seamus's sex drive, I mean." the girls laughed. Harry and Ron were talking in low tones about some sort of Quidditch play. Lavender shook her head.

"You're right. But then, look at the sexy guy he gets out of it! I wouldn't mind either!"

Suddenly, everyone turned towards Maureen as she stood up.

"I'll meet you kids later, okay? I've got some things to take care of." And with that, she walked out, leaving a lightly sweating Dean quite thankful.

"Hello, Severus. Long time, no see. What have you been up to lately?" Maureen asked loudly, making the Potions teacher stop in his tracks. He turned slowly.

"My God, it can't be... Maureen? Maureen Shelby? Is it really you?" She grinned, and nodded.

"Well, it's Finnegan now, but yes, Severus, it's me." she said. He quickly closed the space between them with three large steps. He swept the small woman into his arms, and spun her around.

"How are you, Maureen? What's it been, fifteen, twenty years? What brings you back to Hogwarts, my dear?" Severus asked, grinning fit to split his face.

"My son, actually, Seamus. Do you know him?" she asked. Severus snorted.

"Know the boy? He's in my class. Abysmal potion maker. Of course, if he wasn't constantly flirting with his classmates, he would do fine." Severus replied in his 'terrifying Potions Master' tone. Maureen giggled.

"That voice still gives me chills! she said, blushing. "Even after twenty years... ah, seventeen was a good year for me." she said, sighing.

"Well, I was twenty-two, my dear, and the Potion Master's apprentice at that. That voice allowed me to seduce you right in class, and no one ever knew." Severus said, smiling. Maureen hugged him tightly.

"So tell me, Sev, what have you been doing with yourself besides terrorizing young children?" the woman asked softly, brushing her hand very purposefully over his inner arm, right over his Mark. His eyes went wide, and he pulled back, staring at her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered her explanation.

"I know about you, dear. You an Narcissa's son are our most valuable spies. Did you honestly think my organization wouldn't keep tabs on you?" she asked softly. "We need to talk. Is there somewhere secure we can go?" Severus nodded, and took the younger woman's arm, leading her to his office.

Draco pushed his food around on his plate and stared at it. That woman who had been causing such a disturbance at the Gryffindor table was gone. Not bad looking, for a mother. And everyone, from Hagrid to the ghosts seemed to know her. No one knew why she was at Hogwarts, though. Eh. None of his business anyways. Draco lost himself in his thoughts once more.

No one knows what it's like. Not Severus, not Harry. Sev put himself under the Dark Lord's thumb. Harry is simply fighting to stay out of Voldemort's clutches. But I was born already pledged to the Snake. And now I want nothing more than to have a normal life. Is that too much to ask?

He looked up, towards the Gryffindor table. His stomach flopped as Harry yawned, said something to Seamus, and got up to leave. In that split second, Draco made a decision. He stood quickly, oblivious to Pansy's questions and Crabbe and Goyle's stares. He followed the other boy out of the Great Hall.

"Hey, Harry! Wait..."

Harry turned, and sighed when he saw who was calling him.

"Can I help you, Malfoy?" Harry asked reluctantly, trying to remember which pocket he had stashed his wand in.

"Relax, Harry, I just want to talk. I mean... yeah." the blonde finished lamely. Harry raised an eyebrow.

"What could you possibly want to talk about with me?" Harry replied, turning to walk away.

"Harry, stop." he turned to look at Draco.

"Yes?"

"Just... listen to me for a moment. I understand why you don't trust me. I know I haven't been... Well, I've been a jerk. But I have to tell you. I'm... I'm like Snape." Draco said in a whisper, urging Harry to get it. Harry's eyes went wide.

"I... erm...Elaborate on that, please!" Harry hissed, grabbing Draco's arm and pulling him towards a nearby statue. Harry pulled out his wand and said something under his breath. The statue raised up, floating about four feet above the ground, revealing a small passageway. Harry grabbed the other boy by the hand.

"C'mon. This way we won't be heard."

"So, nice place you've got here, Sev. Quite... cozy. I can see why the kids love you..." Maureen said sarcastically, picking up a jar from one dusty shelf and examining it.

"I wouldn't touch if I were you, dear," he replied, gently taking the jar from her hands and replacing it on the shelf. "They might think you're hostile." Maureen raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment.

"So tell me about this organization of yours. Here I was, thinking that only Albus, Draco, and myself knew all the details behind our work, and then you come along. What exactly, pray tell, do you know about me and my protégé?" Severus asked, dropping into a worn looking black armchair. Maureen took a seat across from him and put her feet up before replying.

"We know everything, Sev. We know Narcissa's boy -Draco, is it? -is a spy, and we know about you. Your background, however, is privy only to our top layer of leaders. Albus and I are two of them. There are four others, all but one of whom knew you intimately at one point. Some of our members you have been acquainted with, but several you have not. I am the leader of the European division as well as the owner of our headquarters. We have called ourselves Orion's Children since the beginning. Orion was the name of the man I married, and his murder began my... obsession... with fighting dark forces. Our focus now is working out, move by move, ever trick that Voldemort could possibly play and how to combat it. We are also uncovering traitors in our midst and... eliminating them as quietly as possible. We are doing virtually the same things as your Order of the Phoenix, simply on a larger scale." she finished, and looked up at Severus. He stood, and pulled a small, tattered looking book off a nearby shelf. Flipping a few pages, he wordlessly handed the book to Maureen and resumed his seat. Maureen gasped as she looked down at the page. It was a photo album, and what she saw there almost brought tears to the woman's eyes.

"Do you remember," Severus asked softly, "When all we has to worry about was finding somewhere to steal a kiss?" Severus sighed, as Maureen flipped through the book. On every page were images of her and Severus, laughing, kissing, holding hands... before their lives had been torn apart by circumstance and forever changed by evil. "Maureen, I wouldn't trade those carefree days for anything. But we went our separate ways for a reason. You fell in love, got married, and had a child. I... I had an affair with the wife of a very dangerous man. Both of us lost the people we loved, I made some ill-thought choices. Luckily, I was set right. You've turned out a wonderful life so far," he paused, and handed Maureen his handkerchief. She was crying freely now. "My point is, I still care about you greatly. Together, we could be a great force against the Dark Lord. But I no longer love you. I'm not the naive, idealistic boy you knew, and I know you feel the same way. So you wanted to talk to me about our situations. Before you say anything, just know this: I am still willing to do anything for you. Even though we are no longer in love." Severus finished resolutely. He was sitting on the edge of his chair and staring into his first love's teary eyes. Maureen opened her mouth to reply, cleared her throat, pushed her hair back, and started again

"Sev, you were the first man I truly loved, and your words only prove that we agree on everything to this day. I believe we could still be the best of friends. I found my soul mate, and from the sounds of things, so did you. I just wanted to give you something before I leave again." Maureen reached into a pocket on her jacket and pulled out a ring. She tossed it over to Severus, who held it up to the light, squinting at it. It had a dragon shaped stone set into it, but nothing else.

"What's this?" he asked.

"That is what I wanted to talk to you about. It's a delayed portkey. You ca wear it for years, but it will never activate until you turn the dragon in, towards your palm, and say the password. You and anyone touching you that you wish to bring with you will be sent to the Europe headquarters of Orion's Children. All our members have some trinket like this, but yours has a slight variation on it. The password is your old nickname for me, and instead of being sent to a meeting room, you will go directly to your suite in the part of the headquarters mansion where I live." she explained, closing the photo album and wiping her eyes. "I've had a suite made up and reserved for you since I realized you were not only a spy, but the teacher of both my son and Harry Potter. I thought one day you might need it." Severus looked rather surprised, then curious. He slipped on the ring, and started as it disappeared.

"Security precaution."

"I see. Maureen, where exactly are these headquarters?" Severus asked. She turned away and closed her eyes.

"A place called Willoughbey."

A/N: Thanks SO MUCH for staying with me, you guys. And for prodding me in the right direction with your wonderful reviews! I know it took awhile, and I have no excuse except school, issues with friends in trouble, the school play, and repeated watchings of 'Rent' on the big screen. Speaking of, have any of you actually seen it on stage? Just curious. Alas, the poor teenage from an itty-bitty town has not the cash to see it onstage. But I bought the soundtrack. I'm in love with Angel and Mark. If you have no clue what I'm talking about, go read about the Broadway show 'Rent.' 1996, Jonathan Larson, drugs, sex, love, and amazing music. Do we really need anything else? (Nix the drugs, of course. That's how Mimi and Roger got where they are.)

Rimki: So sorry to break in, folks, but she could go on like this for pages. It is now past one a.m., and her mind becomes... a tad bipolar late at night.

Draco: A TAD? Try freakin' nuts! Harry, remember what she made you do the last time she was like this!

Harry: Mmm-hmm. I didn't think you were that flexible, Seamus.

Seamus: :glares: Yeah. And I still can't figure out how Draco did that twisty-thing and got his-

Rimki: Ahem. Boys, run along. Mel says she wants to play. Good reading, everyone! I just hope these boys aren't too tired to perform next chapter.

Author: Oh, don't worry. Draco's only there for a little while. We can tire him out.

Harry & Seamus: Yay!