"Why are you so angry!" Severus said harshly at Hermione, as they took their seats in front of Albus' desk.
"Because you're acting like an idiot right now! Have you not learned from the past when you jump to conclusions, especially when it comes to Abby!" Hermione bellowed, red faced.
"Why don't you both take a minute to calm down, especially you Hermione. Getting agitated like this can't be good for the baby", Albus said bringing them both a cup of tea.
The mention of the baby caused Severus to tense, and look in Hermione's direction. He really hadn't intended to upset her. Hermione scowled at him and starred into her tea.
"Now these occurrences need to be stopped, which is going to involve us finding out who is behind them", Albus said sitting at his desk.
Severus and Hermione both nodded.
"I agree with you both. The evidence does seem to be pointing in Abby's direction, but we cannot accuse her of anything until we know if it's her or not."
"I don't believe it's Abby", Hermione said with a trace of anger in her voice.
"I'm not saying I believe it's her either, it's just the evidence is pointing at her. But, there is a very good possibility she could be being set up."
"I don't know what to think", Severus said sighing.
"We already know what you think, you made that very clear Severus", Hermione snapped.
Severus scowled but kept his mouth shut. He didn't want to upset Hermione any further then she already was.
"I will leave it to you two to try and figure out if Abby is the one creating these things. I, along with Harry, Ron, Draco, and Remus will investigate everything else. Minerva suggested that we bring in Aurors, to perhaps scare the culprit. Or, if this gets out of hand, we can use them to help us", Albus said rubbing his tired eyes.
Severus and Hermione nodded.
"For now, I suggest you two go down to your chambers and get some rest."
"Thank you, Albus", Hermione mumbled, and stalked out of the office before Severus could even stand.
Severus sighed and stood up.
"Severus, don't worry about Hermione tonight. I put a calming drought into her tea, but I made sure It would have a delayed effect. She will be asleep in no time."
"Thank you, Albus."
"Oh, and Severus. Keep an eye on Abby, but tread lightly."
Severus walked slowly down to his chambers. He wanted to give Hermione enough time to get settled in bed, and hopefully asleep before he got there.
Severus was greeted with dimly lit light and silence when he entered his chambers. He walked into his bedroom, Hermione was completely wrapped in the blanket, as far as she could be on her side of the bed.
Sighing, Severus undressed and summoned a blanket from the closet.
"I'm sorry, love", Severus said quietly, stroking her back, after he laid down.
Severus woke up the next morning to the sounds of the shower running. He hoped Hermione was in a better mood. This was their first real fight, and he wasn't sure how she was going to react to him today.
Deciding it wasn't a good idea to join Hermione in the bathroom, like he normally did when he was doing his morning routine, he went and used the bathroom near Abby's room. Thirty minutes later, Severus emerged from the bathroom, to his empty chambers. Apparently, Hermione decided to go to breakfast without him.
Entering the Great Hall, Severus saw Hermione sitting in her normal seat. She looked up at him as he approached, but made no facial expression and lowered her gaze back to her plate.
Severus sat down silently, debating on whether or not he should try to coax Hermione into a conversation.
"How are we doing this morning", Albus said sensing the tension between the two.
"Fine", Hermione said sighing.
Severus reached over and rubbed small circles into her back, Hermione leaned into his touch.
"Perhaps we should talk", Severus said softly.
Hermione nodded and caught his gaze.
"I just don't want you blowing up at Abby when we don't know exactly what's going on."
"I know, and your right. This is all just over whelming to me. These last six months with all these events involving Abby are starting to wear thin on me."
Hermione grabbed Severus' hand and smiled, "It will all be ok Severus, we will make sure of that. Let's just eat breakfast and finish this talk later tonight."
Severus smiled and started eating.
The Great Hall had been a swarm of whispers this morning. Albus had stood and gave another speech, letting the students know that another event had occurred, but not letting out exactly what it was. There were some completely ridiculous rumors going around about the events, but then there were some that were right on.
Gasps and shocked screams brought the staffs attention to the great hall ceiling. The dark mark was floating around, a skull with a snake swirling in and out of it's eye sockets. Half the student tables jumped up, screaming, and heading for the exit.
"SILENCE", Albus bellowed as he stood.
The entire student body froze and silence swept over the Great Hall.
"Return to your seats at once", Albus said firmly, as he pointed his wand at the ceiling, making it reflect the snowy day outside.
The student body rushed back to their seats. Severus' eyes scanned for Abby, she was still sitting at the Gryffindor table, looking at the ceiling.
"I will not tolerate anymore of these ridiculous events at Hogwarts!" Albus said angrily, which caught the attention of the students and staff. "I demand that the person behind these events come forward by the end of the day or you will be immediately expelled from Hogwarts once I find out who it is!"
Albus took a moment to scan the students and to calm down.
"Now return to your breakfast. You are in no immediate danger. The markings on the ceiling were easily transfigured, which tells me that a student is producing these events", Albus said more calmly and returning to his seat.
The hall remained silent as everyone finished their breakfast. Severus kept his eyes on Abby, she seemed to be unphazed by what was going on.
"She has to have something to do with this", Severus growled. "Look at her, she doesn't seem scared like all the others!"
Severus jumped up.
"Severus! What are you doing!" Hermione hissed.
Severus stalked his way down to where Abby was sitting at the Gryffindor table, and yanked her into a standing position by the back of her robes.
"What are you doing!" Abby said glaring at Severus.
"Shut your mouth! Your coming with me!" Severus said dragging Abby out of the Great Hall by her robes.
Severus pulled Abby to the entrance of Hogwarts and out the doors. He figured they could have the most privacy there.
"Tell me the truth, do you have anything to do with these occurrences!" Severus bellowed as he let go of Abby's robes.
"What are you talking about dad!" Abby said angrily.
"Don't play stupid with me, Abigail. You know exactly what I am speaking of!"
"I have nothing to do with any of these stupid things that people are doing around here. How could you accuse me of that!"
"You don't exactly have a clean record when it comes to getting into trouble. And all these events are pointing to a muggle born witch or wizard."
"So that automatically makes it me! Over half the castle is muggle born."
"But you showed no reaction to the dark mark!"
"I was just shocked that it was hovering above my head. Half these kids have never seen the dark mark, except for in our history book. And if you recall, you use to have one tattooed on your left arm. So I'm well aware of what the dark mark looks like!" Abby spat.
"Don't you dare speak to me like that!" Severus seethed, getting an inch away from Abby's face.
Abby was on the verge of spitting out a retort.
"I believe it is time for classes to start", Albus said calmly from the door.
Severus and Abby both jerked their heads in Albus' direction.
"Severus, Draco is with your class, waiting on your arrival", Albus added.
Severus huffed and swooped passed Abby and Albus, back into the building. As he entered the building, he was greeted by a scowling Hermione.
"Do you enjoy being an idiot, Severus! I hope you also enjoy sleeping on the couch!" Hermione seethed, then turned and walked away.
"Abby, if you would follow me to my office please", Albus said as they both entered the castle.
It took Hermione until well after lunch to fully calm down. She had spent lunch in her office, Albus had brought her a meal from the kitchens. Albus claimed he just wanted to make sure she was eating, and that Severus had insisted that he make sure she was alright.
The rumor mill was running high, since the morning event. Severus snatching Abby up, made for a whole new topic of gossip. Abby was now the number one suspect on the students list of who could be pulling off these events. The staff seemed to be split, some thought it probably was Abby, some didn't think it was her, and then others had no idea what to think.
Hermione's last class was 5th year Gryffindor and Slytherin. She had assigned the class a chapter of reading and an essay, to give her a break and the two houses wouldn't have to interact with each other.
Hermione looked over at Abby, she obviously wasn't reading. Through the gossip in the hallway, Hermione had heard that all the house, including Gryffindor. were giving Abby strange looks and whispering behind her back. She had also heard from Albus that he spoke with her that morning, but she was still rather upset from the confrontation with Severus.
Jordan and Shelly were still sticking beside Abby, which Hermione was glad to see. Although she hadn't seen them interacting at all since they got to her classroom.
"Alright, that's enough for the day, leave your essays on your desk and you may leave", Hermione said to her class.
The students did as they were told and filed out. Abby was putting her things away slowly, obviously trying to let the crowd get ahead her.
"Abby, can I speak with you", Hermione asked as Abby was standing.
Abby nodded, Jordan and Shelly walked out of the room.
"If you're going to accuse me of being responsible for these events, then please don't say anything. I've had enough of being accused by my dad, granddad, and every damned student in this school. Harry even took the invisibility cloak back from me. I didn't do anything!" Abby said on the verge of tears.
Hermione walked over and pulled Abby into a hug, "I just wanted to make sure you were ok."
Abby started crying into Hermione's neck.
"I believe you Abby, I don't think you did any of these things. I don't believe your granddad does either, he just had to question you about it. Harry and I talked, we didn't want the invisibility cloak to be used against you. He's going to return it to you once all this stuff is over. Your father is just being a stubborn foul, that's going to be sleeping on the couch for awhile."
Abby pulled back, "Are you two fighting because of me? Please don't, if sticking up for me is causing the tension between you two, then stop. My dad loves you, I don't want to be the cause of you two splitting up."
"Abby, we're not splitting up. We are just arguing, all couples argue."
"I know, I just know how my dads temper can get sometimes. Please, you don't have to stick up for me."
"Abby, it's ok", Hermione said but stopped as she saw Talon swoop down and land on Abby's shoulder.
Abby let out a sigh of relief as Talon cooed in her ear and rubbed his head on her cheek. Hermione noticed that Abby had calmed considerably. Talon jumped over to Hermione, doing the same as he did to Abby, sending a feeling of ease through her.
"Come, why don't you and Talon join me in my old chambers. We can have dinner there and just have some time to ourselves."
After spending the evening calming herself and Abby down, Hermione returned to hers and Severus' shared chambers. The light was dim in the sitting room, but the door to Severus' personal lab was open.
Still being upset with Severus, Hermione brought his pillow and blanket and tossed it onto the couch, along with his Pajama pants.
Severus walked into the empty sitting room thirty minutes later. He sighed and rubbed his face when he saw his items on the couch. This was going to be a long fight.
The next morning Severus woke up to Talon squawking at him.
"What do you want", Severus snapped.
Talon flew up to his perch and squawked some more. Severus looked at the clock on the wall and realized he was going to be late if he didn't get up. He slowly made his way into his bedroom, but Hermione was already gone. Severus scowled and got dressed, then made his way to the great hall.
Hermione was sat in her chair, at the high table, drinking tea and reading the daily profit. Severus had sat down five minutes ago and neither had spoken to the other.
"Are you going to be angry with me forever", Severus finally said, breaking the silence.
"I was thinking about it."
Severus glared and scanned the Gryffindor table, "Do you know where Abby is?"
"Why? Have something else to accuse her of", Hermione said coldly.
"No. It's just I haven't seen her at a meal since yesterday at lunch", Severus snapped.
"She ate dinner with me last night, I have idea where she is now", Hermione said glancing to where Abby usually sat. "Maybe she over slept."
The chilly air nipped at Abby's ears, as she sat out in front of the ice covered lake. She needed a break from the whispering students and staff, so she decided to skip breakfast and have a quiet morning to herself.
"Well, you just look ravishing right now", Graham said as he sat down beside her.
Abby sighed and closed her eyes.
"Please, just leave me alone today. I can't handle you on top of everything else."
"All those students and professors blaming you for the odd events getting to be too much?" Graham replied with a slight smirk.
"I know it was you, I'm not stupid", Abby snapped. "I just can't prove it."
Graham smiled, "You know there is an easy way to make anymore of these events go away."
"And hows that", Abby said cocking an eyebrow.
"You know what I want", he said as he stroked Abby's cheek.
Abby locked eyes with Graham, but didn't say anything.
"Just think, your father won't be able to blame you for things that are not happening. He and Professor Granger will stop fighting, I can see the tension between them and you and I both know it's because they're fighting over you and these events."
Graham stood and walked to the front of Abby and bent down.
"I will give you until this evening to decide", he said as he placed a soft kiss on her lips and walked away.
Abby sat and contemplated her options.
-Review! I haven't completely decided what's going to happen next between Graham and Abby so your thoughts and comments are welcome!