Disclaimer: Same applies as in all chapters.
Chapter 7
The moonlight reflected in the silver hair of the woman as she approached him. Her soft hand touched his cheek and he reached out, embracing her; holding her close. Her body felt cool against his and he kissed her deeply, laying her down beneath him.
Heat. He never thought he'd be so glad to feel this kind of warmth wash over him. Opening his eyes he stared directly at a large fire, his surroundings hidden in shadow. To his surprise his head wasn't killing him anymore; for that matter he didn't hurt half as bad as before. Raising his head he looked around; it seemed they were in a cave. His growing panic was erased when he found Gale lying in a dark corner behind him. A dark shadow seemed to embrace her broken wing and it wasn't until it turned that he recognized Kiasa. It was odd, but somehow there wasn't even a hint of the usual hostility he felt from the nightwalker and he just turned back to what he was doing. Snape got up and walked over to sit with Gale and watched as Kiasa continued to mend her wing.
"You saved her life," he said. "I owe you a great debt."
"I shouldn't have let her go in the first place," he grumbled.
"I've done all I can for you," said Kiasa getting to his feet. "This cave has a lake with fish deeper inside and it's hidden from the outside. You should be able to fly in a day's time."
"Why can't you transport us back; you're the one who got us here in the first place."
"I've expended too much of my strength to heal you both."
Kiasa stared off into space a moment and turned back to Snape.
"My master calls; I must go."
When Kiasa was gone, Snape didn't wait long and settled down next to Gale. Be it so or not, right now he just didn't see her as his student at all. He couldn't recall ever being so scared for someone else in his life; he would defend her if it cost him his life and he almost did. It was a miracle he didn't have brain damage as it was. With a heavy sigh he shifted to get more comfortable when he suddenly noticed Gale was awake and looking at him.
"How are you feeling?" he asked slightly cocking his head.
"I saw what you did for me before I lost consciousness," she said raising her head. "I owe you my life."
Without hesitating she drew close and licked the side of his snout; a kiss if dragons were to do such things and then she lowered her head again, closing her eyes to sleep. Snape yawned and did the same. The thought of how things would change when they returned bothered him; all injuries and battles aside, he had liked just being with her as a companion of sorts instead of a teacher. Nevertheless it couldn't be helped and he'd just have to deal with it.
Gale was the first to wake the next morning and quietly padded off to the opening of the cave and made sure nothing was near before walking out. The cave mouth was well hidden as it was at the bottom of a large crevice. She couldn't imagine how Kiasa had gotten them down here without just pushing them over the edge, but she forgave him, knowing he had done well in healing them. Gale scaled the wall with her sharp claws and took another look around. The mountain itself went further up; however, more interested in the beyond, she walked to the edge of the plateau, looking out into the world. There were no clouds today and she could see clearly for miles around.
"And here I thought you'd have learned from your mistake the first time" grumbled Snape as he came up behind her. "While you're busy sightseeing all manner of creatures could have snuck up on you."
"Sorry sir, but just look," she said gesturing to the view with her snout. "Isn't it beautiful?"
Snape frowned and shook his head.
"Women," he muttered.
Gale smacked her tail against his flank.
"I heard that!" she huffed.
"If you're quite done it's time to get off this bloody mountain," he said scanning the landscape. "We can't fly in broad daylight when there are no clouds; I'll have to apparate."
"You can apparate all the way back to Hogwarts?" she asked cocking her head. "I can't even see the magical distortion of its barrier."
"Of course I can't, but if I go as far as I possibly can we should get there in a few tries."
Snape turned back to human and Gale followed suit, taking his offered hand.
"Hogwarts is south from here," he commented looking up at the sun to get his barring. "That means we go that way."
Gale giggled at the overly serious attitude he'd taken on and they disappeared with the sound of a whip crack. As predicted it had taken ten bounds until they finally reached Hogsmade at which point Snape was feeling a little dizzy.
"I need to learn to apparate someday," said Gale as Snape took a breather. "It would be a good stand in until I learn translocation."
Snape regarded her with a raised brow.
"What, pray tell, is the difference?" he asked straightening up.
"Draconic translocation has no limit as to distance," she said simply. "It'll take me a few hundred years to be ready for it however."
Snape gave a snort and they started walking up the trail to Hogwarts in comfortable silence; Gale changed her age half way there.
….
Knowing perfectly well this was the first thing Dumbledore would make them do, Snape took Gale to the hospital wing to get a checkup. The room had been cleaned and repaired by the diligent house elves and no one except the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall had seen the mess. But that didn't stop Madam Pomfrey from making a huge fuss and he wondered if she had waited for this very moment this whole time. He thanked his stars when Dumbledore and McGonagall came hurrying in.
"Thank goodness you two are safe," breathed the elder witch. "We were so worried! After seeing--"
"It's good to see you back unharmed," interjected Dumbledore putting his hand on McGonagall's shoulder.
Gale got up from the bed she was sitting on and lowered her head.
"I'm really sorry for all the trouble I've caused," she apologized. "I'll do anything to try and make up for it."
Dumbledore warmly smiled at her.
"We'll talk about it in my office," he said. "You'll be able to tell me everything in quiet."
Reaching the office, everyone took a seat and Dumbledore offered refreshments which were politely declined.
"Where to begin," said Dumbledore. "Miss Glider, in your absents I've found some answers to some very important questions; most importantly the question why anyone would try to poison you."
Gale stiffened a little, but continued to listen quietly.
"I also had a word with Mr. Potter, which further confirmed my thoughts about you," he continued. "Prior to being bitten, he tells me he saw you talking to the snake. What caught my attention was the fact that his scar started hurting him."
The change in the room was almost tangible and glancing around she saw the quasi disturbed expressions of the other two Professors.
"The thing about Harry's scar, is that it hurts him when he's in the presence of any essence of Voldemort; be it him or just a shadow of his power," he said eliciting a small gasp from McGonagall at the mention of the name. "He also tells me of his scar bothering him when he sees you, albeit just a little."
"You're not seriously implying Miss Glider is possessed," said Snape rising from the chair. "It's ridiculous and Potter—"
"Not possessed, Severus," said Dumbledore keeping his eyes on Gale.
Snape went quiet and looked at Gale. She'd grown very pale, her eyes glazed; when she met his eyes she seemed to beg his forgiveness and without looking she pulled up the sleeve of her left arm. She put her hand on a spot Snape knew all too well and looking down at it, removed her hand again to reveal a discoloring in her skin.
"You're bloody joking," he whispered stunned.
McGonagall folded her hands in front of her mouth, unable to say anything when she saw the birthmark inherited by all members of the Slytherin line; a mark, that years ago to this day instilled fear wherever it appeared.
"Riddle," she confessed dejectedly. "My name is Riddle; I was sent here to kill Harry Potter."
"And the snake was a punishment," offered Dumbledore. "Because you haven't done it."
Gale nodded.
"Why haven't you?" asked Snape back in control. "You've had more than a few opportunities."
"Severus!" snapped McGonagall.
"It's a perfectly valid question Minerva," frowned Snape crossing his arms.
"Please answer," said Dumbledore.
"I don't want to kill him," she said while hiding the mark again. "Killing the innocent goes against my very being; even if I weren't a silver I'd still not kill him."
"Why should we believe that?" probed Snape. "What proof can you offer to convince us to trust you?"
Gale couldn't blame Snape, but it hurt a little coming from him.
"I can't give you anything but my word sir," she said. "As you've said yourself; I've had ample opportunity to kill Potter and you when we were stranded in the mountains for that matter."
At that she looked away and sighed.
"Sir," she addressed Dumbledore. "If there's no other way, I won't resist if you notify the Ministry of my existence, but I swear to you it was never my intention to kill Harry. I'm nothing like my father."
"I don't think that will be necessary Miss Glider," he said after a moment, emphasizing her fake name. "The crimes of the father are not yours to bear and I don't sense that you're lying or bear any ill will towards my students. But I do profess myself disappointed that you didn't come to me with this from the beginning. I- we can't help you if you don't trust us first."
"Sir?"
"As far as anyone needs to know, you're name is Glider," said Dumbledore. "You'll attend classes as before, but I will be checking all mail addressed to you from now on and I'd ask that you be honest with me in the future."
"… Thank you…" she said overwhelmed.
Dumbledore nodded with a warm smile.
"Everyone deserves a chance," he said getting up and coming around his desk. "Now if you would excuse us."
The Headmaster saw Gale out the door when she put her hand on his arm.
"Sir, you truly are a great man," she said before hurrying away.
Dumbledore chuckled and headed back into the office.
"Now to you, Severus," he said returning to his seat. "Tell me what happened to you…"
….
Sitting on the parapet of the astronomy tower hugging her legs, Gale looked off towards the mountains without really seeing anything as she was lost in her thoughts. She had dreaded her secret being revealed since the day she had begun walking among other people, but somehow she was glad that Dumbledore had found out. It was a big weight off her shoulders and it had gone vastly different than she had feared the entire time. In her head she had thought they would shun and lock her up and try to get information she didn't poses, but instead, the Headmaster had shown kindness and even went as far as to keep it a secret himself. As good as it made her feel, it also made her feel horrible for not telling Snape first. The look on his face cut deep and she wondered if there was anyway to reconcile with him. She had long ago developed feelings far beyond her primary crush on him and after he had risked his life for her, those feelings deepened. In her fancy she sometimes believed Snape himself had exhibited signs he might like her at least a little.
It was the beginning of winter's premature evening gloom when Gale was startled by the creaking of the door behind her.
"You're harder to find than a stray house elf," said Snape as he closed the door behind him.
He walked up to her and laid his arms on the parapet, folding his hands; he merely pretended to enjoy the view for a long moment, as did she, albeit a bit tenser than him. With a sigh he turned enough to comfortably glance at her from the side, his eyes examining the stone he was leaning on.
"Why didn't you tell me," he asked finally.
Gale was unable to answer.
"After everything we've been through I had hoped you'd trust me by now," he continued then.
"I do trust you…"
"Then why were you afraid to tell me Gale? I don't go about risking my life for people to just abandon them afterwards," he said straightening up. "Not even if they are the daughter of the world's most powerful dark wizard. And now I find out you don't even trust me; not really."
Gale almost fell off the parapet she shifted so fast to sit on the very edge facing him.
"That's not true!" she all but shouted. "I trust you with my life! Why else would I have chosen you to protect me before this mess happened?"
"Then why!" he demanded equally loud.
Their eyes had locked until Gale had to look away, turning her face down to the side.
"Because I've been in love with you for months and I didn't want to loose what kindness you've shown me," she said jumping off the parapet to walk away from him.
Standing with her back to him she hugged herself and sighed deeply.
"Sir… I'm sorry I didn't tell you," she said quietly. "And if I've lost your favor then I'll have to cope with it. Just forget what I just said."
So Kiasa had been telling the truth. In retrospect he was rather daft for not catching onto it sooner.
"The reason I even care that you didn't confide in me is because quite frankly I care about you," he said turning his head enough to glance at her through his peripheral vision. "I… when we started flying together I started feeling…"
Snape took a breath and turned.
"Every time I see you, I see you as you really are," he said gaining confidence. "The feelings I have for you are always there. And it's so incredibly frustrating you chose to come here as a child!"
It took a moment for Gale to muster the courage to face him again; Snape grimaced.
"Now it's even more frustrating to know it's mutual," he muttered.
"But I'm not a child," said Gale slightly spreading her hands in indication of herself. "You said yourself you see me as I really am; why didn't you tell me?"
"Probably for the same reason you didn't," he said. "I haven't enjoyed being with another person as I do with you in a long time; I didn't want to jeopardize it."
"Yes, you don't strike me as very social," she dared to kid.
"Why thank you; this coming from the woman who broke a student's arm for trying to see her face," he chided crossing his arms.
A wide smile split her face and she stifled a giggle, making Snape smile and shake his head.
"So you're really ok with who I am?" she asked sober again.
Snape leaned back against the parapet and worked something out in his mind before answering.
"Who you are has nothing to do with what family you're born into," he said. "Dumbledore had said as much. However, I feel I should tell you something about me you might not like."
Gale walked up to him and leaned against the parapet at his side.
"I believe I already know what you're going to say," said Gale. "You were one of them, weren't you?"
"Yes," said Snape looking into her eyes.
"Are you one who waits for my father's return to power?" she asked after a moment.
"No, I left the fold prior to his downfall," he said. "I turned spy for Dumbledore."
"Then it's all in the past."
"Don't say that so lightly Gale; I've done terrible things and killing isn't the worst of it."
"I'm fully aware of that, but you left of your own accord and worked at redeeming yourself," she said with a soft smile. "That part of you is in the past."
Snape opened his mouth to say something, but decided against it and simply looked into her eyes for a few heartbeats. Then, taking her hand in his left he coaxed her closer, straightening up and stroked her hair with his right before slipping it to the nape of her neck; their kiss was soft and slow, her hands resting on his chest as he completely encircled her with his arms.
….
It was the final day of vacation and by evening the school would be filled with students once again. That fact alone made Gale want to spend it in as much peace as she could. However, first she would have to come up with a plausible cover story at breakfast with the Gryffindors. From them it would circulate to others and with any luck she would never have to answer to the events again.
He audience paid rapt attention as she related the bogus events that led to her and Snape's disappearance. In Gale's version, Madam Pomfrey had somehow managed to break one of the shelves in her cupboard and the resulting mess just happened to be the ingredients to create an odd monster. Having detected the vapors beforehand, Professor Snape acted accordingly and sent the healer and students to safety before the creature could come to be and attack. This accounted for the crashing and the roars and the need to relocate the petrified victims. Then, without the needed potions, Professor Snape had taken her to St. Mungo's and that's where they had been.
Personally, Gale thought this would never work, but to her amusement Ron voiced what a shame it was he couldn't see the creature before it was destroyed and launched the group into animated conversation amongst themselves. It surprised her with what ease they had accepted her cover story, but then she remembered they really were just children in a magical world of endless mysteries and adventures. For her part, Gale found out Hermione was out sick in the hospital wing. Downing her water she left them to it and walked out of the great hall to go on her prearranged flight.
It was during that time that it suddenly struck her she had no where to go after this school year was over. She was only posing as a student because of Harry, but really there was already no more reason to do so. She had made up her mind and was not going to bring harm to the boy; thus she was of no more use for her father and she doubted very much he would want her back after such treachery in his eyes. However, even if Voldemort had no real body there were many ways for him to bring her harm or even kill her. This school was the only real safe place she knew and that aside, she really loved it here. But since she's not really a student, there was no reason for her to come back; Hogwarts wasn't a house to simply live in after all.
The answer to everything made her laugh out loud and she swiftly banked back towards the school.
….
"You want to what?" asked Snape looking up from his paper.
"I want to become a teacher," repeated Gale with excitement dancing in her eyes. "I can't very well remain a student here, but I don't want to leave for good either."
"Why on earth would you willingly submit yourself to the constant flow of dunderheads who's only mission in life is to make your job a living hell?" he asked leaning back. "Not to mention give you a headache every other night."
Gale walked around the desk and gently massaged his temples with her cool fingers as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes.
"I'll admit some of it is for selfish reasons of self preservation, but the more I thought about it, the more I started liking the idea," said Gale. "And why did you become a teacher then for that matter?"
Snape opened his eyes and reached up to caress the side of her face with the back of his hand.
"I'll have a word with Dumbledore tomorrow," he said with a small smile.
Gale smiled before leaning down to kiss him.
"Thank you," she said.
….
True to his word, Professor Snape had informed the Headmaster of Gale's wish and she was invited to walk with him in the courtyard Thursday after classes.
"Professor Snape told me about your request," he said conversationally as they strolled along the cobble stoned path. "Tell me, what has brought this about?"
"Basically, sir, I see no reason to remain as a student once this year is over," said Gale. "I only did it because of Potter; however I also chose to go against my father and not bring harm to the boy. I've come to really like it here and where at first I was merely scared for my future, I now really like the idea of teaching here one day."
"Go on," smiled Dumbledore.
"As things stand, my magic is different from humans'; I don't need a wand for channeling or the mystic paths to cast my spells."
As she spoke, Gale had taken out a small silver piece, levitating it over her palm and transfiguring it into various items to demonstrate her point. Dumbledore chuckled.
"I don't need this schooling and I'm old enough," she finished.
"It's true your mixed heritage has an emphasis on your draconic bloodline and it's left you well off," smiled Dumbledore. "You have a good understanding of theory and you'd learn to convey your knowledge to the students during your apprenticeship. I don't see a reason why I shouldn't accept your request; what did you have in mind?"
"I thought of majoring in Potions and Transfiguration and minor in Defense Against the Dark Arts," she answered happily.
"Sounds well rounded," nodded Dumbledore. "I'll have a word with the Professors if they are willing to take you as an apprentice next year."
"Thank you sir."
….
It was the end of February when Gale received the good news of her acceptance as Professor's apprentice and the paperwork that came with it; by the beginning of March she had her Ministry approved license.
It was the Easter holidays, the day of the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Gale was helping Professor McGonagall return a stack of books in a hurry as the Gryffindor had her heart set on watching the match.
"I'm glad you offered to help Miss Glider," she was saying. "I would so hate to miss the start of—Merlin's beard!"
The Professor's sudden stop wasn't registered at once as an odd sound caught her attention fading away and Gale ran into her arm and dropped the books; that's when she saw the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw peering sightlessly around the corner of the library with the aid of a mirror. Professor McGonagall drew her wand and looked around, holding Gale slightly behind her by her shoulder.
"Quickly, help me get them to the infirmary," she said anxiously.
Gale conjured two stretchers and the Professor lifted them up.
"I think whatever did this is gone Professor," said Gale. "I don't hear anything out of the ordinary."
"I'm not taking any chances," she said. "Hurry now."
After reaching the infirmary the Professor left Gale there to hurry down to the Quidditch field and call it off. She could hear her magnified voice a while later urging all students to return to their House common rooms and made to leave when Madam Pomfrey stopped her.
"Oh you're not going anywhere," she said. "You still need to tell me exactly what happened."
Gale frowned.
"But there's nothing to tell," she said. "I was helping Professor McGonagall put away some books when we found them. That's all I know."
"Well, I'd still feel better if you would wait until someone can escort you," she said.
"In a moment the entire student body will come tramping in," said Gale walking to the door. "I'll be careful!"
She knew if she didn't leave now she really would be stuck until escorted and hurried out the door before Madam Pomfrey could say anything more. By the time she got to the common room the majority of students were already there and waiting. Professor Snape came in not to long after the last student and read out a scroll with new rules.
"…are effected immediately," he finished rolling up the scroll. "Under the circumstances I trust you're all clear on the fact these new security measures are for your protection and breaking them will get you expelled… if you're lucky."
"But why should we have to stay cooped up in here?" asked Malfoy. "We're Slytherin; you won't find any mudblood here."
"Just because none of us have been attacked doesn't mean we're not liable to be attacked in the future," snapped Gale.
"You saw the message on the wall," retorted Malfoy. "Enemies of the Heir beware. The Heir of Slytherin was a pureblood! And why would he attack his own house?"
Gale let out an inhuman growl.
"What do you know of the Heir of Slytherin!" she snarled. "I—"
"That's enough," interjected Snape. "Miss Glider, a word?"
Snape had to partly drag her a few steps before she followed him out of the common room. He waited until the entrance had sealed itself.
"You realize you almost gave yourself away in there right?" he said fixing his eyes on hers. "Not only that you're not completely human, but also who you really are."
For a moment Snape could see nothing of the woman she really was, instead all he saw was an angry girl as she crossed her arms and looked away.
"What's wrong Gale?" he asked finally. "You never let anyone get to you like this."
"Malfoy keeps reaching a new level of low," she growled. "I just want to strangle that—"
"Remember who you are," frowned Snape. "You're starting to act the way you look."
Gale took a breath and cooled off.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I'm just a little tense."
"We all are," said Snape. "Now can I trust you not to kill Malfoy as soon as I turn my back?"
As he'd hoped it put a smile on her face.
"I can't promise anything."
….
The next morning at breakfast the students received some more bad news. Professor McGonagall informed everyone that Hagrid had been taken to Azkaban, making sure to add she was not one bit convinced of his guilt and that she would be filling in as Headmistress as Dumbledore had been suspended by the governors. From then on, fear and suspicion hung heavy in the halls of Hogwarts.
It was two weeks after the Headmaster's suspension when Gale found herself in the common room so bored she thought she might die. Everyone else had long gone to bed and she was at least able to stretch her wings. Not being able to fly was murder. Gale tensed when she suddenly heard something dragging in the wall; a sound akin to when she would drag her tail. It seemed to come from below and head up. Grabbing her cloak, she threw it on and climbed up to one of the enchanted windows. Tonight it looked out towards Hagrid's empty hut. When she was out she could no longer see a window and groaned at the prospect of sneaking around to the front of the castle and get down into the dungeons again.
"I really should have thought about that before I left," she muttered.
Her eyesight was so much better at night and she caught a glimpse of Harry and Ron coming out of Hagrid's hut with ease and sprinted over on swift and silent feet. Mere feet away Ron elbowed Harry and pointed at her.
"What are you two doing here?" she said not even out of breath.
"We could ask you the same thing," said Ron. "You're not going to tell on us are you?"
"I don't even know what you're doing," frowned Gale.
"We think this trail of spiders will lead us to the answer of who opened the chamber of secrets," said Harry pointing on the ground.
Gale stared at the spiders as they crawled into the forbidden forest and suppressed a growl. She had a score to settle with their much bigger brethren.
"I'm coming too," she said resolutely.
Harry lit his wand and they started walking into the forest, following the steady trickle of spiders. The further they went the denser the forest became and soon everyone but Gale were tripping; it slowed the search immensely. It was around half an hour later when the forest floor began to slope down and she could see more and more webbing all around. Then Fang let out a loud bark to scare the living daylights out of the three and they stopped as something big snapped branches as it came towards them.
"Why on earth did you bring him along," hissed Gale concentrating on their surroundings.
"I think something big's out there," breathed Harry.
"You think?" said Ron in a high voice. "And Fang just gave us away!"
The three of them stood stock still when suddenly from their right a blaze of bright light made them throw up their arms to shield their eyes. Gale swore at the stab of pain.
"Harry look!" said Ron with great relief. "Harry, it's our car!"
"What's a car?" asked Gale still rubbing her eyes.
Both boys ignored her question and walked towards the car; Ron hugged and patted it.
"I wondered where you'd gone," he was saying. "Look, the forest's made it wild; it's been out here all along."
Harry crouched down to look for the spiders, but they had all fled from the headlight's glare.
"We'll have to look for the spiders again," he said after a moment.
Gale was about to say something when she saw large spiders appear all around them.
"Um guys…"
She turned, but it was too late, both boys and even the dog were captured in their strong pincers. One of them tried to grab her as well, but she easily broke free and made a run for it. She felt a little guilty for leaving them, but she'd be no good to anyone if she too were overwhelmed. She looked back to see them being carried off, tearing her cloak on a bramble bush and ran until she had enough room to revert and take to the air out of reach. She had to circle in a wide radius a few times before she caught a glimpse of what looked promisingly like a spider's den. It was a large clearing and she was able to swoop down and arrived on the scene just as Harry and Ron were being attacked by the large creatures. She let out a fierce roar to draw their attention and breathed cold to freeze the spiders in the immediate vicinity.
"Now were really done for," squeaked Ron pale as the dead.
Gale touched down just behind them and batted away a few more spiders with her tail.
"It's me, Gale," she rumbled. "Sorry for running off on you."
"You're a dragon?!" gaped Harry.
"Save it for later," growled Gale. "Right now you need to get out of here."
As soon as she'd said it, the car came thundering in and ran over anything in its path until it screeched to a halt at Gale's flank.
"Get Fang!" yelled Harry as he dove into the car.
Ron grabbed the dog and threw him in before jumping in after. The car slammed its doors shut and speed back up the slope, running over more spiders as Gale backed up after them. She snapped down on a mouthful of spiders with a satisfying crunch and swallowed. The acrid taste was pretty good, but this wasn't the time to fill her stomach and she ran after the car, taking to the air just after it did. She wondered why she'd never seen this strange creature before if it could fly and made a mental note to ask later.
The car landed at the very edge of the forest and Gale followed suit, changing to human as soon as she touched the ground.
"Are you two alright," she asked.
Ron stepped aside and emptied his stomach in the pumpkin patch as Harry ogled at her.
"Wow it really was you," he said. "You're a real dragon!"
"Half dragon," she corrected him scratching the back of her head. "Listen, do me a favor and don't tell anyone ok?"
When Gale had reached up to her head, her torn left sleeve had fallen back and Harry caught a glimpse of something that made his scar sizzle.
"I won't," he swallowed trying not to look the way he felt.
"Thank you," she smiled and looked over to Ron. "Did you guys find anything worth the trip?"
"No, just another dead end," said Ron weakly.
"We found out Hagrid was innocent," frowned Harry.
"Well, I trust you have a way back to the castle, because I'm leaving before anyone notices I'm gone," said Gale and left them to it.
……
Hope you enjoyed this chapter and its length. At first it was too short then I had two then I thought the first had a stupid ending and then I just stuck two chapters into one. I have two more chapters ready, but I'm not completely sure I'm satisfied with the third in progress yet which would lead to rewriting the others so I won't be posting them yet. And I hope Snape is still in character… I know I'm stretching his boundaries, but I can't make it fit without some OOC ness which might well increase in later chapters. He's not the type of man to really show his emotions or talk about them, but sometimes I need him to. Sorry.
Later Days, Imako the Demon Wolf