Disclaimer: Same as before. Draconic language property of Dungeons & Dragons 'Races of the Dragon'.

EDIT: I've vastly changed this chapter and I apologize.

Chapter 5

At last term had ended. After the last double attack more students had decided to go home for Christmas leaving the Hufflepuff House empty. The other houses had only a few left as well which wasn't a bad thing. It was defiantly easier for the teachers to keep an eye on them.

It was the second evening of the holidays when Snape checked in on the remaining Slytherins. The common room was completely empty and he walked over to the chess table where he spotted a strange book.

"History of the Dark Arts," he read out loud.

He looked through a few pages and came to the conclusion this was not from Hogwarts. It held evil spells and nasty curses; Dumbledore would never allow a student to read this.

"Oh."

Snape jumped as Gale came down the steps.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you Professor."

Snape turned to face her and his mouth went dry; she was back in her real body. She was simply dressed in the shirt with her wings lazily folded to her back.

"This is yours?" he said finally holding up the book.

He could tell she was a little startled he'd found it.

"It's not wise to leave things like this lying around," he said without any admonition. "I'm surprised you're even interested in the Dark Arts."

Gale uttered an unsure thank you as he handed the book to her. When he turned to go, she slipped in front of him, stopping him short.

"One moment Professor," she said. "While I have you here I might as well ask."

Snape felt the faint cold emanating from her and the scent of fresh fallen snow reached his nose. She was too close for comfort.

"Will you come flying with me?"

Snape caught himself staring and cleared his throat.

"Why me?" he asked.

"I'd feel safest with you," she said locking his gaze. "And you already know about me."

Snape could have gotten lost in her eyes if it weren't for that nagging voice in his head.

"Very well," he said finally. "I don't really know who else you would ask anyway; I wouldn't trust Lockheart as far as I can throw him and Professor McGonagall…"

Gale laughed and the corners of his mouth tugged up.

"Then I have something to show you."

Gale gestured for him to follow and headed up to her empty dorm room. Snape fought hard to keep the most primal male thoughts from surfacing when he glanced at the bed, a glimpse of his dreams coming to mind, and instead focused on what she was doing. Gale rummaged in her trunk until she retrieved a small scale on a chain and gave it to him. On closer inspection he noticed miniscule runes carved into it.

"What is it for?" he asked.

"An alternate mode of transportation," she explained. "Either I carry you on my back or you turn into a dragon yourself and fly on your own. It would take a day to teach you how to fly however."

"I see," he said examining the scale again. "Well then, I believe I will fly on my own. When were you planning to go?"

"As soon as possible actually," said Gale. "Would it be ok to teach you after dinner tonight?"

"Very well."

At dinnertime the Slytherins kept their distance from Gale as usual, but now it was more obvious as the handful sat at the opposite end of the long table. The Weasley twins had been making jokes about Harry as the supposed Heir of Slytherin all day and now it really livened up the Gryffindor table. So much in fact that the few Ravenclaws joined them, forgetting their fear of Harry.

"Why don't you join us too?" called Ron to Gale. "Come on."

Gale stared at him a moment before walking over with a sigh. She sat next to Ron's sister, Ginny, who was not at all pleased with her brothers' jokes.

"What's the matter?" asked Gale.

"My brothers are making fun about the fact that Harry might be the… the…"

"The heir of Slytherin?" finished Gale.

Ginny nodded and looked up at her.

"Do you think he is?' she asked so quiet no one else could hear.

"He can't be, that place is already taken."

Before Ginny could ask more, Gale turned to Harry.

"Why would anyone think you're the heir of Slytherin?" asked Gale. "You're not even in Slytherin."

"Because I can speak parseltongue," he said. "You saw it at the dueling club. Everyone thinks I was egging the snake on to attack Justin—"

"That's nonsense; you told it to stop not attack."

Everyone went silent and looked at Gale.

"What?" she asked slowly.

"How do you know what Harry said?" asked Ron suspiciously.

"It doesn't take a genius to see whether a snake is attacking or not," she said hastily. "Since the snake calmed after Harry talked to it, it's obvious."

Gale shook her head and left the table, leaving the Great Hall cursing her slip up.

….

At nine sharp, Professor Snape arrived at the Quidditch field where Gale waited in her real body. She smiled in welcome.

"Did you bring the scale?"

"I'm wearing it," he said.

"Basically if you think about being a dragon you'll change into one," explained Gale. "So empty your mind and think of nothing else."

Snape did as told and closed his eyes to concentrate better. A moment passed, but nothing happened."

"It's not working," said Snape mildly annoyed.

"Are you sure your dong it right?" asked Gale.

Snape frowned and Gale thought for a moment when her eyes lit up with an idea. She approached Snape and lightly cupped his face when Snape grabbed her wrists and stepped back.

"What are you doing?" he asked confused.

"I'm going to give you an idea what it means to be a dragon," she said. "It'll make it easier."

Snape hesitantly let go and swallowed hard when she touched him.

"Now close your eye."

Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes as Gale touched her forehead to his. A flood of feelings washed over him and he felt like he was swimming. He felt powerful and regal; then a great joy filled him, the joy of flying high above the clouds where nothing could touch him. Suddenly it all changed to something far different. It felt like a longing… a longing to touch her, to kiss her and he was filled with her scent. He'd only have to tilt his head to kiss her.

Gale suddenly broke the connection by stepping back. She hadn't meant for him to feel her love for him, but somehow it surfaced. She only hoped he didn't quite understand it for what it was.

"T-Try again," she said trying to regain control.

Snape was completely baffled, but quickly focused and tried it again. A sudden tingling sensation coursed through his body as he felt himself grow; new appendages forming. Gale stepped back as he transformed into a ten foot black dragon. Small horns ran over his head forming into two large twisting horns sweeping back from the top. More small horns ran along his cheeks and lower jaw as well. His frilled ears twitched as the transformation was ended and the back sweeping purple tinged neck frill rose and fell for an instant.

"It worked," he rumbled flaring his nostrils in his beaked snout.

Gale smiled and transformed; as it turned out he was only 2 feet taller than her.

"A black dragon; why am I not surprised?" she mused. "Now try walking, it's harder than you think."

As Snape took his first step he realized what she meant. He wanted to move on all four, but his mind wanted to walk on two legs and he found himself sitting before he knew it. Gale snorted trying hard not to laugh and Snape growled deeply. He got back up and took one clumsy step after another until he started walking quite well. Gale ran past him and he chased after her. There was no way he was going to let her make a fool of him and overtook her, reaching the end of the stadium before her. His face was more expressive than hers and she saw him smirk in triumph.

"Ok, now try moving your wings," she said.

Snape moved his left shoulder and then his right, but his wings wouldn't budge.

"I don't even feel them," he said turning to Gale.

Gale walked up to him and inspected his back, something wasn't right.

"Stand as straight as you can please," she said.

Snape did as told and she reared up; holding his shoulder for support she punched down hard on his shoulder blades between the wings. A loud crack sounded and Snape hit the ground.

"What do you think your doing," he bellowed with his wings spread angrily.

"It worked didn't it?" she pointed at his wings.

Snape turned to look at his wings and his anger subsided.

"So it seems," he said getting the feel for them.

"Now, if you wish to fly you have to kick off with all your might," explained Gale. "But don't think about moving your wings, it'll happen instinctively. All you have to think about is how much you want to be up there."

As a visual aid she kicked off and flew a small circle around Snape before settling down again. Snape knew he was going to make a fool of himself now and hesitated before trying his luck. He kicked off as hard as he could and jumped quite high, but he did exactly what he wasn't supposed to and his wings didn't move together. He landed gracefully at least and growled. He tried thrice more before snarling at the sky.

"It's not working," he said turning to Gale.

The silver looked up at the moonlit sky before approaching Snape. Without permission she touched the side of her snout against his and again he was filled with the want to fly, the joy of being high up above the world. As well as the want for her.

"Hold on to that thought," she said softly drawing back from him. "Try again."

Snape looked into her eyes a moment before looking up. Kicking off high into the sky all he thought about was being up there and his wings spread wide, scooping the air, carrying him higher. Gale watched him a moment before kicking off herself and pulled up by his side. Together they flew higher than any broomstick could and banked into an air current to carry them effortlessly.

"Now I truly understand your urge to fly," said Snape, his draconic voice easily carrying over the wind.

"Since you expect to be attacked how about learning some evasive maneuvers?" she asked gliding idly.

"I believe I can dodge well enough," said Snape.

"Prove it," she said. "I'll give you a head start and come after you."

"I won't play childish games," rumbled Snape.

"Wasn't the whole point of your accompanying me to protect me?" she said.

"Very well then," he said pulling out of the current.

Accelerating with powerful wing strokes, Snape pulled ahead as Gale hung back. She counted to twenty and went after him, catching up to him effortlessly. She dove into his back before he even realized she was there and they fell in a mess of wings.

"You just died," she growled before pushing away from him into a dive.

Snape was a little startled by the change in her demeanor, but he quickly recovered and spread his wings to catch the current and circle. Gale flew to his side a moment later.

"I though you can dodge?"

"And I suppose you can do better," growled Snape already knowing the answer.

"Let's find out."

Gale brushed her tail along his stomach as she banked off and speed away. Snape went after her with wings slicing through the air and gained on her fast; however as soon as he was about to grab her tail she swooped into a summersault and snapped at him. Snape jerked around and tried again, but she evaded him all the same. Chasing her made him feel odd and despite the strong winds her sent was stronger than ever. He had to catch her and put on a burst of speed that visibly surprised her, but still she escaped his grasp at the last moment. Snape growled in frustration when he was hit by an idea. Hanging back he let himself drop out of the sky.

Gale looked back to see Snape falling and made a tight turn back. She thought he was just fooling around, but as he gained speed she got worried and went after him.

"Professor, pull out!" she called. "You're going too fast!"

When the black kept on falling she tucked her wings tightly and arrowed her body for speed to catch up.

"Severus!"

Just as they broke through the clouds she started to reach out to grab onto his back when he spun around and grabbed her instead, trapping her in his claws.

"It appears I've caught you," he rumbled.

"Pothoc levethix!" she snarled. "You're going to get us killed!"

Snape quickly spread his wings and grunted against the pain it caused when the wind almost tore them right off. Holding Gale close to him, he managed to level out after a rather odd spiral and he rode the current in a steady glide. He was very aware she had called out his name. Giving her a warning, he reluctantly let her go and she came up beside him.

"Don't ever do that again," she rumbled. "If you go too fast you won't be able to break the fall."

"Yes, I felt that," he said. "But I caught you nonetheless."

"Because you cheated," she teased. "That doesn't count."

"It's called tactical thinking," retorted Snape. "If the enemy thinks you're injured or worse they'll let down their guard and give an opening for an attack."

Gale stalled his wing with her tail making him falter and banked off trailing laughter marking the start of a very un-Snape like horseplay that lasted a couple hours. He didn't know what it was, but he just felt years younger and her scent was driving him mad in a good way. He just had to make sure not to get carried away in that way. The eventual play fighting in the air and grappling on the ground came to an end when Snape managed to pin her down for good.

"I still win," he huffed breathlessly as he stood over her.

"You have the advantage of size," she chuckled equally breathless.

"I can't be more than two feet taller," he smirked. "Now admit it; I've won."

"Axun, wux vivex," she sighed.

"I didn't understand one word," frowned Snape.

"That's because you're not even part dragon," she said patting his proud chest.

As though waking up, Snape gave a soft tired growl and let her up.

"It's already after curfew," he said looking to the castle. "We need to return."

Gale looked puzzled, but quietly followed him as they returned to Hogwarts in silence. Snape had enjoyed this all too much and wondered if he could trust himself with her alone for an entire week.

….

Straddled on his lap facing him, she smiled seductively, her satin nightgown leaving little to the imagination as his member pressed against her sex through her thin panties. Every small move on her part served to harden him as his hands caressed her soft pale skin; they're tongues caressing each other passionately, her warm breasts pressing against his chest.

"I want you," she whispered heatedly, grinding down on him.

His lust flamed to new heights he knelt, letting her fall to the mattress with a mischievous smirk. He made short work of pulling away her panties and kissed her deeply, pushing up her nightgown. He held off long enough to take of his pants and settled himself between her legs. She smiled that seductive smile, granting him permission...

Snape punched his mattress; he had been so close!

"Who are you?"

….

Owl post came during lunch the next day and Gale received an unmarked package. Thinking nothing of it she paid the owl and tore off the brown wrapping to reveal a wooden box. Hissing came out of the shadows as she lifted the lid and a cobra raised its head, flicking its tongue.

"What the bloody hell is that?" asked Malfoy leaning away.

"What does it look like you imbecile," frowned Gale.

The snake hissed again and Gale stared at it wide eyed before grabbing it out of the box and hurried out of the Great Hall. Turning the first corner she found, she set it down on the window sill and listened to what it had to say, unaware that Harry, who had been late to lunch, was watching from around the corner.

Harry had a horrible feeling as he watched Gale talk to the snake, his scar burning more than ever. Only when a firm hand gripped his shoulder and whirled him around did he come to his senses.

"What are you doing out here during lunch, Potter," demanded Snape icily.

"G-Gale," he stammered white faced. "She's talking to V- a snake."

Snape glared at the boy with venom.

"Just because you can speak parseltongue doesn't mean everyone else can," he sneered.

Harry knew he was going to regret this as he grabbed the dreaded Professor's arm and pulled him to the corner.

"Shut up and look!"

Instead of Gale talking to the snake, he found her on her hands and knees gasping for air. Jerking his arm out of Harry's grasp, he hurried to her side.

"What happened; what's wrong with you?" he asked getting on one knee. "Miss Glider!"

Gale weakly lifted her hand to her collar, but shuddered and collapsed into his quick arms. Snape turned her on her back and swept her hair out of the way, revealing two small bite marks in the crook of her neck.

"You fool, Potter!" he snapped at the gaping boy. "This could have been prevented if not for your smart mouth allegations!"

"But- but she… I'm telling you I know what I saw!" argued Harry. "I heard them!"

"Spare me till later," he snarled. "Now go get Dumbledore!"

As Harry tripped over himself in a rush to get the Headmaster, Snape patted her cheek.

"Wake up Gale," he said. "Come on, open your eyes."

Suddenly a faint sting crept into his left arm and he looked up to see the snake staring at him intently from the corner of the window sill. His mind was racing when Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall hurried to the scene. Professor McGonagall knelt and too her pulse.

"Her heart is racing… and she's burning up," she added feeling her forehead.

"Severus, what happened?" asked Dumbledore with his hand on Harry's trembling shoulder.

"It appears she's been bitten by a snake," he said showing them the bite mark. "I didn't see it happen."

Snape flashed Harry a glare to make him flinch and stood up with Gale in his arms.

"Did you see the snake?" asked Professor McGonagall looking around their feet.

"It was just here," said Snape finding the snake was gone.

"Why didn't you trap it? Do you know what kind it was?"

"I was a little preoccupied with Miss Glider," snapped Snape.

"Let us bring Miss Glider to the hospital wing and continue this in my office," said Dumbledore with quiet authority.

Only then did the two quarreling Professors notice they were surrounded by the remaining students. Dumbledore led Harry through the small crowd by the shoulder, followed by the other two. Ron and Hermione filed in behind them. When they passed Malfoy he smirked.

"Harry Potter, the heir of Slytherin strikes again," he said boisterous. "Time to run Mudbloods!"

"Mr. Malfoy!" yelled McGonagall outraged. "Come to me at once!"

Malfoy's smirk fell away when she grabbed him by his ear and pulled him after her.

The small group reached soon reached the hospital wing and Professor Snape laid Gale into one of the many beds lining the wall as Madam Pomfrey walked up to them.

"What happened?" she asked. "Not another attack is it?"

"She has been bitten by a snake," said Dumbledore. "We don't know what kind it was I'm afraid."

The healer took Gale's pulse and checked her temperature as everyone watched.

"She's running a high fever," she said heading for a cupboard in the back. "But I have just the thing; she'll be up and running in no time."

A quick search and she took out a large dark glass flask with thick liquid, a satchel containing a mixture of dried herbs and a glass.

"This works against a range of snake poisons," she commented as she made a mix of the items in the glass.

Madam Pomfrey lifted Gale up enough to give her the potion; when it had been drained she laid her down and watched. Gale groaned and she furrowed her brows before opening her eyes. The Professors were visibly relieved; when she suddenly cramped up, arching her back with her eyes shut tight.

"What's happening?" asked Professor McGonagall startled.

"I don't know," said Madam Pomfrey. "This never happened before!"

Snape saw her skin shortly flash silver as her hands fell to her face and he took Madam Pomfrey by the arm, starting to drag her to the door.

"You two get out now," he snapped at the two stunned boys.

"Why I never! What has gotten into you Professor?!"

"You have to leave too," he said.

Shoving the three out of the room he locked the door and faced the puzzled Professors.

"What are you doing?" asked Dumbledore.

"Miss Glider is about to revert if I'm not mistaken," said Snape.

No sooner had he said it, that Gale jerked up, her wings tearing her robe and spreading wide. She was plaintively muttering something about heat and began to revert into the silver dragon.

"Has this ever happened before?" asked McGonagall backing away with Dumbledore.

"I'm beginning to believe that was no ordinary snake," said Dumbledore.

Gale had now fully changed, crushing furniture around her as she fell on her side. She seemed very angry.

"Miss Glider, listen to me," called Snape cautiously approaching her. "Calm down and change back."

Gale turned her eyes on Snape and growled. Her tail lashed out at him, but he ducked in time and three more beds shattered.

"Heavens; are you alright Severus?" gasped McGonagall.

"I'm too old for this," he frowned getting up. "Gale! It's only us; calm down so we can help you!"

His answer came in the form of her wing as it smacked him clear across the room. He hit the ground hard and groaned in pain as Gale stood up and shook herself.

"We need to get the petrified people out of here first," said Dumbledore. "It's no longer safe; Miss Glider is not herself."

He had gone no more than two steps toward one of the occupied beds when Gale opened her jaws and darted at him. A large black dragon suddenly appeared and tackled her before she could tear into the old wizard.

"Are you alright Albus?" rumbled Snape turning to him.

"I'm impressed," said Dumbledore with raised brows. "I never knew you could do this."

"I'll explain later," he said turning back to Gale as she got up. "Right now you should get the others out of here."

McGonagall and Dumbledore hurried to the beds and started rolling them to the door when Gale tried to use her breath weapon. Snape quickly grabbed her snout and pushed it up towards the ceiling. They reared up and he pushed her against the wall, keeping her pinned as she tried to push him away.

…

Harry, Draco and Pomfrey were stuck to the door listening to the sound of shattering furniture and vicious growling. They almost fell in when the door opened and jumped aside as a bed came rolling out, followed by McGonagall, another bed and Dumbledore with the third one in tow.

"What's going on in there?" asked Pomfrey. "Why did you bring out the beds?"

"Please relocate the beds to a substitute room Poppy," said Dumbledore as he closed the door. "And if you boys would please help her."

….

"Gale, it's me, Snape," he rumbled struggling to keep her pinned. "Come to your senses; I don't want to hurt you!"

Gale jerked her head out of his grip and smashed it against the side of his face, knocking him down. She snarled and bit down at the base of his neck making him roar in pain. The black twisted his neck and bit down just below her head, making her release him. Snape rolled them over and put his weight on her.

"Gale please; come back to me," he said looking deep into her eyes. "Let me help you."

It was then that he noticed a green discoloring in her eyes.

"What happened?"

Twisting viciously she threw him off and followed through with a savage bite to his flank, tearing a deep wound that bleed freely, making him roar. It suddenly felt like something was taking over and Snape tore across her snout with the sharp claw on his wing, making her flinch back long enough to jump her. Scales flew and blood sprayed as the two dragons tore and bit at each other with no restraint whatsoever; they were both lost to themselves now.

When Dumbledore reentered the room, he could only stare a moment at the scene before him as McGonagall grabbed her chest. Blood was smeared everywhere and the leviathans were locked in a brutal struggle for dominance.

"Merlin help me," he said taking out his wand.

However, before he could even think of a spell, the room went icy cold and a sudden burst of dark magic threw the dragons apart, smashing them against the walls. As they hit the floor it seemed as though it was made of quicksand; dark pools of writhing shadows swallowing them up without a trace.

"What's happened to them," asked a very pale McGonagall.

"My guess is Kiasa has a hand in this," said Dumbledore walking further into the room. "Where did you take them Kiasa?"

"Gale has been poisoned with liquid fire; it's driving her mad," said the unseen Nightwalker. "As for the wizard it seems he's been consumed by a false state of mind."

"Where did you take them," repeated Dumbledore evenly.

"A frozen lake, colder than the one here, in the mountains to the north," rasped Kiasa. "The temperature will bring them both back to their senses."

"What about their injuries!" demanded McGonagall finally finding her voice. "Look at this place; they could both bleed to death!"

"Their wounds will heal," said Kiasa. "All they must do is remain dragon."

"We can't just sit here until they come back Albus," said McGonagall turning to the elder wizard. "We have to find them."

"I'll send someone from the department of search and rescue," said Dumbledore. "They—"

"NO!" boomed Kiasa. "If you dare send anyone from the Ministry I will kill them before they ever find her!"

"We can't leave them there on their own in the state they're in," said Dumbledore. "It's unacceptable."

"I will be there," rasped Kiasa.

"I don't trust you one bit!" huffed McGonagall.

"You have little choice in the matter, witch," said Kiasa darkly. "Send them and I'll kill them!"

"Then we will go," said Dumbledore.

"And leave your sweet children to fend for themselves?"

Dumbledore closed his eyes in thought a moment.

"I hate to admit it, but he's right," said McGonagall. "We can't leave with the monster loose somewhere."

"Kiasa," said Dumbledore opening his eyes. "If anything more happens to either of them I will destroy you; do you understand?"

Dark laughter echoed in their minds and the chill lessened.

"You're a fool if you think I'll let Gale die," he said growing distant.

The cold left the room completely and they knew he had gone.

"Isn't there anything we can do?" asked McGonagall.

"I'm afraid all we can do is wait and pray," said Dumbledore. "Sending anyone for them is the same as condemning them to death."

……..

Thank you to all who've reviewed and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Tell me what you think.

Draconic words:

Pothoc - Stupid

Levethix - Wizard

Axun - Yes

Wux - You

Vivex - Victory

Later Days, Imako the Demon Wolf