Hello readers! I am updating a day early, mainly because I'm procrastinating from homework... ;) Thanks much to everyone who read the last chapter and has favorited/followed so far! :D And a special thank you to all those who reviewed on the last chapter: DragonSlayer2187, Moon Lantern, fuzzysocksandwriting, and TheWeaslyGirl. :) Next chapter will wait until next Friday though... I have a lot of stuff due next week that I haven't done yet. ;) But if I finish my labs for Chemistry on time, I will reward you (and myself I suppose) with another chapter! :D

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Enjoy!

Chapter 15 LPFAL: Discovered?

It was nearing the end of Severus Snape's afternoon double potions class with his NEWT students when a wisp of silver vapor flew through the ceiling and Albus Dumbledore's voice echoed through the dungeon classroom. "Severus come quickly! My office! You are needed urgently!" Then it was gone.

The seventh year students all around the dungeon exchanged bewildered and surprised looks as Professor Snape sprung suddenly into action, vanishing all of the nearly-finished potions with a single flick of his wand and called, "Full credit for everyone."

He sounded distracted, eliciting even more questioning looks from the students than his statement had. Severus Snape, the immovable potions master, the ideal Slytherin, distracted? It was unheard of.

"And a four-foot essay on the making, use and properties of Pepperup Potion, to be handed in next lesson," he added, his voice regaining its harsh and sharp tone.

The Slytherins sighed silently with relief, while more than a few of the other students groaned at their professor's latter words, but Severus Snape didn't stick around to hear them. He had already grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and called out "Headmaster's Office", disappearing in a flash of green flame.

Urgently needed.

Worried as he was to hear their agreed-upon code for any problems with Leah, Snape wished it could have come at a better time. Certainly his seventh years didn't really need to hear such information?

And with those infuriating Weasley twins in the class, rumors will certainly be spread around the entire school before dinner even begins. His brain supplied unhelpfully. That was just what he needed. More potential ammunition for reckless Gryffindors to throw at me behind my back.

He fell out of the fireplace, but for a moment thought that he must have still been spinning through the flames. Wind whipped around him and there was a blur of objects flying through his field of vision.

What the-

A second look told him it was not him spinning, but the various objects that had once been littered around the headmaster's office. Books and various instruments zoomed pell-mell through the air in a great jumble. The wind made it difficult to hear anything, but he could vaguely make out Albus' voice shouting something.

Sidestepping a bowl of lemon drops, Severus saw Leah in the center of the whirlwind. Her hands were around her legs and she seemed to be shivering. Her back heaved frantically; he realized she was hyperventilating.

Ducking beneath a heavy tome and a few other objects he finally arrived in the area directly around where she sat – where the wind was at its strongest. Albus was on the opposite side of Leah's chair, but he could still hear the older man's shouts.

"Severus! Please help her! She throws me back every time I approach! I've tried everything!"

There was a strange note in his voice and, looking closer at his face, Severus saw that the Headmaster was desperate. How long had this behavior been going on for him to look such a way?

Reluctance overcame him for a moment, but Albus' next words urged him forward.

"Hurry! If she keeps this up, it could cause serious consequences! It's not safe for her to expend all her energy in this way!"

Severus made up his mind quickly - he had made some strange, though not unexpected progress with Leah the last two nights. Perhaps her subconsciousness would recognize him as someone who would want to help and not harm her.

He quickly made his way through the maelstrom of objects that were zooming through the air, but had to stop often for objects that sped past him at unimaginable speeds. How could she be keeping this up so long? He asked himself. She must be exceedingly powerful. Finally he got to the center of the hurricane of objects, where the air was eerily still. He looked down at the girl who looked so much like Lily. His Lily.

Severus was a bit apprehensive about touching her, if she had managed to throw the headmaster back, but he crouched down next to her on the floor and pulled her tightly into his arms, hugging her to his chest.

She struggled slightly for a moment, so he started murmuring comforting, nonsensical words into her ear.

"It's alright Leah. You're safe. It's alright, be calm child. You're alright. You're safe. It's okay."

Her lithe body went limp in his arms, and for a split second he thought the worst. Ignoring the crashes of books and glass as everything that had been flying through the air suddenly stopped and fell to the ground, Severus quickly checked her pulse and was relieved that she only seemed to have fallen asleep. Though it was a bit fast, it wasn't dangerously high or dangerously low.

Guiding her dead weight into a more comfortable position on the stone floor, he examined the office around him, grimacing at the smashed trinkets and torn books. Who knew someone so small could ever make so large a mess. He thought, letting a small smirk slide onto his face at the thought.

A sigh from Albus' direction caused him to turn his head quickly, worried that the Headmaster had been hit by a falling object. I shouldn't have worried. He thought, rolling his eyes at the sight of the headmaster already on his feet.

"Well I believe I can say with full confidence that my office has never descended into such turmoil before – even in all my long years of teaching," Albus said with a growing smile on his wrinkled face.

Mutterings from the portraits of past headmasters and headmistresses around the walls filled the air.

"I should certainly hope so!" Phineas Nigellus Black called out, crossing his arms angrily in his frame. "Of all the outlandish displays of adolescent magic I have ever seen… Well let's just say that if I were still employed as headmaster, her wand would be broken in an instant," he harrumphed angrily.

"Ah, but Phineas," Albus began, his blue eyes twinkling, "She hasn't even got a wand yet. In her case I actually believe she showed amazing restraint. Without ever learning to control her magic and being as old as she is – why I believe she could have done much more damage. Especially if it were intentional…" he mused as an afterthought.

Phineas scoffed and rolled his eyes. Severus' smirk grew. Just like Albus to find a loophole.

"Regardless of the type or power of magic Albus, I suggest you tidy up," Armando Dippet said from his place behind the headmaster's desk. "It is quite messy in here."

"Quite right you are, Armando."

And with a few simple charms, everything was back in its proper place.

"Severus? Are you alright?" Albus asked, walking over to him and crouching down.

He started, looking up at the older man. Gazing around, he realized that Leah's head was tucked underneath his chin, and he had been stroking her hair along her back subconsciously, letting the silky smooth locks slip effortlessly through his fingers. He hadn't even realized he had lost focus so completely. He shook his head, years of being a spy coming back to him.

"Fine Albus," he said gruffly, letting his hand fall to his side. Leah murmured something in her sleep and snuggled closer to the dark-robed chest, much as he could imagine a young child doing. Albus let out a chuckle and Severus glared at him, though there was little to no venom in look.

"Could you help me up?" he asked, gesturing to the girl on his lap.

For a moment it seemed that Albus would deny his request, but he summoned a blanket from his personal quarters and, showing great mobility for his age, scooped the girl to his chest. Severus clambered to his feet, grimacing at the tingling in his legs.

"Not a word to Minerva," he snapped, seeing Albus' muffled laughter. "Not a word."

"Why I wouldn't dream of it dear boy."

Like I believe that.

Rolling his eyes, Severus simply held out his arms for Leah. Albus handed her over and Severus was again surprised by her lightness, even if she was a dead weight in his arms. Her tenure in captivity had damaged her not just mentally, but also physically, and he hoped she would be able to recover fully. Which reminds me of a question I have yet to ask.

"Albus, why was she in this state in the first place?"

Albus sighed, leaning against his desk. "Unfortunately she was relating to me the details of her capture and subsequent escape, but fell into her memories near the end of her tale. I must admit that I believe I pushed her too hard too soon after her arrival, despite how strong she appeared to be."

Severus sighed, sparing Albus a small glare. The man did have a tendency to overexert others when they seemed alright, even if it was obvious that they weren't.

"You should've known better," he scolded. "If it had been me, you would have waited at least a week, or until Poppy allowed it."

"Poppy did allow-"

"Grudgingly, maybe. But I can assure you that she did not want to let one of her wards leave while not healed. When she has a chance to meet with you I have no doubt her frustration will be delivered with an 'I told you so' and perhaps even a jinx or two."

The Headmaster sighed again. "And I do suppose I have earned it."

"Indeed," Severus muttered. "Now if you would excuse me, I believe our matron is missing a patient. I will return her, as I need to head back to the dungeons anyway."

He turned and left the office, allowing the spiral staircase to carry him down to the corridor, where he stepped off, the stone gray gargoyle that guarded the entrance swinging closed behind him.

The majority of the school was at lunch – save for the intrepid students who frequented the library. Quite a few of the sixth and seventh year Ravenclaws looked at him strangely when they saw him carrying what they assumed was a student. A well-timed glare sent them scurrying however. Several of his own Slytherins spotted him, but simply nodded their heads in his direction, content to let him have his secrets.

Severus thanked whatever deities existed that he didn't meet any curious Gryffindors or compassionate Hufflepuffs on the way to the Hospital Wing. They surely would have stopped to ask him what he was doing, then would have proceeded to spread word all around the school. Which, consequently, was the very last thing he needed, when Umbridge was supposed to be kept in the dark about the second Potter.

But as Severus Snape entered through the large double doors to the Infirmary, he realized he had spoken – thought? – too soon. Not only was Potter (the male one, of course) sitting up and eating lunch, but know-it-all Granger and Weasley were sitting on either side of his bed, informing him about the classes he had missed.

He attempted to simply walk past them, hoping that they would be too engrossed in their conversation to spare him space of mind, but he had only walked a few steps past the first bed when a shout drew his attention.

"Who's that?"

Severus turned his gaze toward Mr. Potter, who had yelled out.

"None of your concern."

"Yes it is! Please sir?"

The boy almost appeared scared, or worried. Severus paid it no mind. Despite his softness before the boy the previous evening, he had to keep up his usual appearances.

"It is none of your business, Mr. Potter," he ground out through clenched teeth. "Now hold your tongue, before I give you detention for two weeks after you have recovered and left the Hospital Wing."

The boy obviously wanted an answer, as he was about to speak out again, but Granger hurriedly whispered something in his ear, placing a hand on his shoulder. Potter winced at the pressure, but seemed to deflate.

"Sorry sir."

Severus eyed the boy warily, wondering if the apology was genuine. Seeing no fault in the boy's eyes, he accepted the apology with a curt nod of his head and continued on to the curtained bed where Leah had taken up residence. If he had looked back he would have seen the look of combined desperation, fear and hope that crossed the boy's face, which only heightened as the tall man slipped behind the crisp, white curtains.

A/N: Don't forget to review! How do you think Harry will react next chapter? Is there anything you want to see? Any ideas you think would be helpful? Thanks again for reading!