Hey guys sorry about the wait but you all know what's going on in the real world. Anyway this chapter's where Salena and Snape get into another quarrel and this time Lupin steps in to try and fix it. Plus Salena uses her own talents when Sirius comes around, and she meets him before the others.

Enjoy & leave a good review!

Salena hadn't spoken to Snape, Lupin, Dumbledore, or anyone else but the students for a month after that meeting in Dumbledore's office. She spent most of her time with her classes, outside, with Naomi, in her room, or in the library to keep her mind off it all. They had tried to speak with her every chance they got but she just avoided them. Naomi kept convincing her to let it go but Salena wouldn't budge on it.

Salena was now walking out in the snowy school grounds as the snowflakes kept falling softly to the ground. She had on her long green and black hooded cape and as she walked the wind blew it behind her. The snow reminded her of the first time she met Austin, when they were kids and they fought over their home territories, and they won it out with a snowball fight. Austin won, but he said he liked playing with Salena and wanted to do it again; after that they became good friends and soon engaged.

'Austin…' she thought of him all the way until she heard someone coming up to meet her. She didn't turn, even when they kept calling her but she paid no attention.

"Eleanor please talk with me…" it was Lupin again, but Salena picked up the pace and he kept trailing after her. "Eleanor please, Albus, Severus, and all the other teachers are worried about you and they want to know what's wrong."

"I don't have to explain anything to any of them." She mumbled. Lupin sighed rubbing the back of his neck.

"Alright, I guess I'll just tell them you don't want to be bothered…again." That made Salena stop and turn to glare at Lupin.

"Again? What are you their messenger owl?! They don't need to know everything that goes on in my life, nor do they have a right to pester me with you as their owl, or anybody else for that matter!" she stormed off and headed back into the palace towards her dorms; that is until she ran into Minerva.

"Eleanor…could we talk for a minute?" she asked and Salena just brushed by growling "No.", and left to her room where Naomi was curled up on the bed.

"You alright mistress?"

"No I'm not! Dammit Naomi why does everyone keep pestering me about me being alright; what they think I'm sick or something?!"

"Well with all due respect mistress you haven't been yourself lately and they probably think it's because of what happened with Lockhart."

"Naaahhh really?" Salena spoke sarcastically. "I've told them a thousand times that I'm fine and I don't want anyone's help."

"You sure? Ignoring everyone's not really good for you mistress…maybe you should talk to someone."

"No Naomi, I already have enough problems as it is I don't need anymore! Now if you'll excuse me I think it's almost time for dinner." Salena walked out the door but as she opened the door she came face to face with Severus Snape.

"I heard you talking to Naomi, you sounded a little tense."

"I'm fine thank you Professor Snape, now if you'll please let me pass I need to be in the Great Hall." She tried to move by him but he wouldn't let her.

"Salena please…"

"No Severus, now move or you'll be Naomi's next meal!" Snape still didn't move. Salena was getting angry. Rather than wait on him to move she pushed him into the wall and walked fast out the corridor. He ran after her and yanked her into a secret passageway holding her against the wall.

"Salena you have got to stop this! Everyone's worried sick and you just keep pushing us away, why are you acting like this?!" Salena slapped Snape across the face and kicked him in the stomach. He fell over holding his gut groaning in pain while she walked off again saying, "Don't forget who you're messing with Severus, it's not wise to patronize a snake queen."

"Salena…wait…" she pretended not to hear him and just walked off towards the Great Hall. Everyone was gathering at the moment and the teachers were already there. Salena took her seat next to Dumbledore and calmly awaited the rest of the students.

"Feeling alright there Eleanor?"

"Fine Headmaster thank you."

"Where's Professor Snape?"

"Probably still in the corridors where I left him…he should be here soon." Dumbledore looked at Salena about to speak when Snape limped in. Dumbledore looked at him then back at Salena who just stared out at the students.

"Severus what…?"

"Don't worry headmaster, it's just a cramp." Snape could barely sit right in his seat and Dumbledore just went quiet. They ate in silence, not one person asking about Salena being alright, nor did Snape bother to push the subject like he wanted to. Salena finished early and left but rather than head to her rooms she decided to wait in the potions classroom where she knew Snape would go for a healing potion after her little assault.

10 minutes later:

Salena was sitting on one of the desks near the shelves containing several ingredients still waiting on Snape.

'I'm getting sick of this, if he wants to talk then fine!' just then she heard footsteps heading her way so she hid in the darkest corner of the room in time to see Snape, Lupin, and Dumbledore walk into the classroom; Snape was still limping and Lupin helped him to his desk to get something from the drawer.

"What did she do to you Severus?" Lupin asked sitting on the desk near Snape's.

"Not really your concern is it Lupin?" Snape growled.

"Severus…" Dumbledore warned.

"It's nothing; she just kicked me that's all…"

"Then what's that red spot on your face?"

"She slapped me…alright that's it. I tried to talk to her and she went berserk."

'Berserk?!' Salena stayed still and quiet while the three talked.

"Were you forceful with her?"

"I just pulled her into the corridor, and she went nuts."

"More like yanked me into the corridor you git!" all three men spun towards the corner where Salena appeared from the shadows, arms crossed and eyes fierce. Snape's eyes widened at the glare but Dumbledore looked calm.

"You've been there the whole time Salena?" Lupin asked and Salena looked at him questioningly but then to Dumbledore.

"He knows?"

"Yes."

"About time." Salena went up and smacked Snape on the back hard making him wince. "You try pulling on me like that again and I'll knock you back to grade school!"

"Salena what were you doing hiding in here?" Dumbledore crossed his arms and Salena scoffed.

"I was waiting on Severus, if he would stop bugging me about what's wrong then fine I'll talk!"

"Alright, tell us Salena why have you been acting so stubborn lately?"

"Stubborn? Is that what it looks like to you?!"

"Just answer the question Ms. Salena, no need for shouting."

"I'm not shouting Albus, I would like to clear out that I wasn't stubborn, I was just….angry."

"At?"

"You three…for making me feel like an insubordinate idiot when you know last year that incident wasn't my fault but that bastard Lockhart's!"

"Salena we weren't trying to disgrace you, we were just explaining what happened to Mr. Lupin here."

"It matters not Albus, I won't have anyone disgrace me in a place my father Salazar Slytherin worked so hard to create with my godmother and the others!"

"I understand your intentions Salena, but we were only worried about you since you've gotten rather strict with the school since last year. May I ask why…?"

"I don't ever want to feel as helpless as I did that night, nor do I wish to speak of it ever again is that clear?" all three men nodded and Salena gestured Snape to follow her. They walked into Salena's quarters, but the room had changed from a bedroom to a living room with couches, a fireplace, nightstands, paintings, lamps, a bookshelf, an elegant rug near the fireplace, and some tea and treats on the stand. Salena took a seat on the couch and a cup of warm tea, took a sip and gestured for Snape to sit. He sat on the green armchair, and took a cup.

"That was rather short…" Snape spoke taking a sip.

"It was supposed to be…mind telling me why you've been acting so weird lately?"

"Weird how Salena?"

"You've been rather…………….clingy around me. You follow me around like a little puppy almost every day even the students can see it, and Naomi. So what's the deal?" Snape just sat calmly and kept sipping his tea.

"It's Dumbledore's orders that I kept watch over you, apparently he's gotten worried about you."

"I can see that, but you've drawn it up a level and apparently you seem to stalk me during your free time, which is rare since you spend more time in detention than anywhere else."

"Potter and his friends deserve to be treated with discipline Salena…"

"Oh is that it? Or are you just picking on them because they're a lot like the Marauders? You know Padfoot, Prongs, Wormtail, and Moony? Or should I say Sirius, James, Peter, and Remus?"

"Salena that's none of your concern…"

"Oh and it's your concern to try and peer into my personal life and feelings, but it's not my concern on how you were bullied by those four boys, one dead, one hiding and two on Dumbledore's side?" Snape slammed his tea cup on the table and stood up in front of Salena.

"That's enough from you!"

"Calm down Severus you'll give yourself a heart attack."

"A heart attack, god I'm going to give myself a stroke if I keep dealing with a spoiled brat like you! If you don't want to be around people who are actually trying to help you, then just do us all a favor and go back to your cave. Or better yet, crystallize yourself again so someone else can wake you in another thousand years!!" Snape stormed out of the room and Salena stood flabbergasted at the harsh words.

'Nice going old girl, you really did it in this time.' Suddenly the room changed back into her bedroom and Salena took out her black hooded robe, a bag full of emergency supplies, her wand, and her mother's necklace. Those words sunk in deep, so deep it could almost cut through her heart. Salena looked out the window seeing the moonlight shine over the grounds; she went out into the corridor, and headed straight for the kitchen cellar, and snuck out through the secret door. The night was warm, but the winds were cooler blowing her cape behind her as she walked quickly into the forest.

Meanwhile:

Snape had stormed up all the way to Dumbledore's office in the middle of the night; truthfully Dumbledore liked staying up late when it came to school, this time he would be in his office reading his favorite book while snacking on lemon drops.

"What's the matter Severus? Where's Salena?"

"Probably off in her room scoffing at us for being idiots…"

"Idiots?"

"I went up there with her, we had tea, I tried to tell her we're just trying to help and she flipped on me. Brought up those Marauders, Potter and his friends…."

"Severus…"

"Right sorry headmaster, that woman is utterly insane! I do everything I can to help her, I comfort her when she's sad, I even saved her life and this is how she repays me?!!"

"Severus calm down, now think about it…Salena comes from a family where it seems she always took care of herself, and never wanted for anything. Her fiancé was possibly the only man she ever loved and he was taken from her, along with her family. Why do you think she's difficult to understand? Is that all…or is it more?"

"How in the hell should I know, she probably just has some issues with men like us."

"Us? Severus don't start this again, you need to try and understand Salena's feelings. She's probably upset that she didn't see Lockhart try and attack her in her visions, without a doubt her psychic vision has weakened slightly and she can only see what happens to others in the future but not herself. Now what do you think?"

"Was quite a shock to her maybe, she just can't understand why this happened but it was a year ago she needs to get over it."

"It could take longer than a year for any woman to move on after a near-rape attempt or worse, she's just lucky you got to her in time."

"Yes but does she show any appreciation towards me for it?! After all we've done for her she just decides to give us the cold shoulder?"

"Severus you really don't understand women do you? They are fragile, but they also have pride and Salena's pride is something she depends on, probably something that also gives her strength to fend for herself so you can't just expect her to blow this over. Let's not forget she's still trying to get used to all of us in this future."

"I know headmaster but…"

"Severus, forgive me if I'm being nosy but do you have some feelings for Salena? Like you did Lily Evans?" Snape looked appalled at Dumbledore.

"Headmaster have you got your heads in the clouds? How could you possibly think I'd fall in love with another woman…?!"

"It's just a question Severus, you didn't have to answer. Now I suggest you go back and apologize to Salena, and try to be a little more compassionate with her." Before Snape could respond there was a knock on the door and Trelawney walked in. She bowed and smiled at the two men, but her body shook slightly.

"F-Forgive me f-for intruding sirs…but I-I just saw Ms. Sardinia…"

"Where Sybil?"

"Leaving…the palace…she was h-heading into the Dark Forest." Snape's eyes widened and he looked at Dumbledore.

"Sybil alert Filch, Hagrid, and Minerva, have them search the grounds and remember that tonight's a full moon. Severus you and I will head into the forest, but bring Naomi." The two teachers nodded and went straight to their places.

Salena had been traveling for almost three hours in the Dark Forest until she came upon a cave in the brush near the pond. The dementors were all out and about but Salena had a cloaking spell on her so they couldn't see her. The wind was blowing like crazy but it didn't bother her; the cave was dark but it seemed all that inhabited the cave was a small black dog.

"Hey doggy aren't you cute?" the dog lifted its head and sniffed Salena's hand giving it a small lick. It panted and suddenly jumped on her lap trying to lick her face. She just pushed at the dog and smiled.

"Down Sirius down…" the dog's ears perked up and tilted its head.

"I know it's you Sirius Black, now come on show me your human form." The dog sat there for a few seconds and soon it transformed into a ragged looking man wearing an old prison outfit. He smiled at Salena; she smiled back.

"Nice to finally meet you."

"A pleasure to you too ma'am, might I ask who you are?"

"Eleanor…Eleanor Sardinia, and don't be alarmed I already knew about you. Dumbledore told me…"

"Oh, well that's good because if you were lying I would've killed you ha ha."

"I highly doubt that, but I suppose you could put up a bit of a fight with me."

"Ah…so what brings you all the way out here, this late at night?"

"Oh it's nothing really; I just had some trouble at the school and decided to get away for a bit, maybe I didn't think this whole thing through." The wind started blowing harder, making Salena shiver slightly.

"Now I think I should be going, I need to find Remus."

"You can't do that it's a full moon out tonight." Sirius's eyes widened at Salena, and he closed in on her slightly.

"H-How did you…?"

"Dumbledore."

"Oh, then you should know he won't hurt me if I'm in dog form, besides he's locked up in the Shrieking Shack." Sirius shifted form and suddenly took off before Salena could stop him. She ran after him but he disappeared in the deep dark bushes and soon the place began to feel cold.

'Damn, dementors…' she cloaked herself again, this time it drew attention from a snarling beast deep in the cave. Its large yellow eyes glared at her and just before she could yank out her wand the thing jumped out at her and pushed her down the hill into a big pile of thorns that stuck to her dress and pulled on her cape. She tried to get up but a thick vine wrapped itself around her ankles and pulled at her when the beast tried to jump at her again. Salena fired a spell at the vine freeing herself but froze the beast seeing it was a giant wolf, a werewolf.

'Lupin…' she fired at the wolf again but it dodged her spell and scratched her across the back and knocked her into a tree hitting her on the back of her skull. The last thing she saw was the wolf looking about ready to pounce on her when a flash of light caught the corner of her eye.

'Severus…I'm sorry…' then everything went black.

A week later:

"Severus for god's sake get some sleep you haven't left her side for days." Poppy complained changing the bandage on Salena's back as she was turned over on her stomach. Snape had his back turned from the scene since the unconscious woman was half naked.

"I'm fine Poppy, I've been taking morning potions I'm not tired."

"Still it wouldn't kill you to leave this woman alone, especially in her own chambers I mean the poor dear almost died this time. If that cut didn't kill her the head wound sure would've done the trick."

"Well she obviously wasn't thinking straight when she ran out like that. How could she be so stupid?"

"Oh like it's her fault you and Albus kept badgering her and made her feel weak when she was still recovering from last year? Or is it her fault that you screamed at her and made her so upset she almost got killed by a werewolf? She's just lucky that dog found you and Albus or who knows what would've happened." Poppy finished wrapping the bandages and pulled the covers up to Salena's neck carefully enough before applying a healing salve on the head wound.

"I didn't mean to upset her I just lost control and it cost her life. I just wanted to help her…"

"Well you obviously did show her any compassion, not to mention she's missed a lot since this is the third time she's been knocked unconscious and nearly missed all the excitement." Poppy gathered up her medical supplies and was about to walk out when Albus walked in.

"How is she doing?"

"Still unconscious Albus; reckon she won't wake for another few days or so." Poppy left and Snape sat down on the bed next to Salena. He brushed some stray hairs from her face and smoothed out the blankets for her to be comfortable.

"You really care for her don't you Severus?" Snape looked up and Dumbledore and shook his head.

"Not now Albus, she could be listening."

"So you do…tell me Severus did you really think Salena resented what we'd done for her? Or were you just mad because she was being so secretive?"

"I can't say Albus…I suppose it had something to do with…with…"

"With Lily? Severus were you afraid Salena would leave like Lily did?" Snape stayed silent but nodded. "Well Severus all I can tell you is to keep your tongue under control or you might lose her." Salena suddenly stirred and her head turned to face Snape.

"Lose…who?" she mumbled. Snape almost smiled at her but he held back, again.

"Oh thank goodness Salena, we were afraid you'd never wake up." Salena tried to sit up but Snape pushed her back down gently.

"Don't sit up; your back is badly injured along with the back of your skull." Salena looked confused and reached to touch her head but flinched at the pain in her back.

"Oww…what…what happened?" Snape looked at her and stroked her hair.

"You were attacked, by Lupin. He somehow got away from the Shrieking Shack and forgot to take his potion so he went after you when you left. He clawed you in the back and threw you into a tree…" Salena's eyes stayed blank and she blinked a couple of times.

"Did it again didn't I? Dammit…why does this keep happening to me?!" Salena's eyes began to water up and some tears fell onto her pillow down her face. She started sobbing into her pillow and Snape took the opportunity to comfort her by carefully wrapping his arms around her gently pulling her to his chest. She yelped a bit at the sudden pain but clung to him tightly.

"I-I'm sorry…I'm so s-sorry…" she kept stuttering and out of the blue Snape planted a kiss on Salena's head in front of Dumbledore, who's eyes widened but softened.

"Severus, I'll let you stay with Salena for now but please try and get some sleep." With that he left closing the door behind him. Snape continued to hold Salena to him until she pulled away, wiped her eyes and sat up to face him.

"Severus, how long have you been here?" her eyes were blood red but her face was blotchy from crying.

"A week Salena…but I couldn't stay away, not after what happened." Her eyes widened slightly.

"You didn't want to leave? Not for a minute?"

"Only to use the loo but that's it…I know it's weird but I…I…wanted to protect you."

"Protect…me? Severus what…"

"I just wanted to make sure you would be alright, and I wanted to stick around when you woke up." Before Snape could say more Salena grabbed his face and kissed him on the lips, almost forcefully. Snape gasped but gave in as Salena gave him access into her mouth. His arms wrapped around her waist and hers around his neck but he was careful to avoid her injured back as he held her. They kissed for a while until Salena pulled away for air. She stared at him for a bit but her arms still remained around his neck.

"Did you enjoy that?" he asked her. Salena thought for a minute then nodded. "I'm glad…Salena I—"

"Don't say it Severus, not yet." Her smile faltered slightly and she snuggled close to Snape. "Just….don't say it…….not now." Snape nodded, figuring she wasn't ready to hear those three words at the moment, not after all she'd been through.

"I understand…now then…"

"Now then what?"

"What are we going to do? Dumbledore will without a doubt find out quick but what about the rest of the staff, the students?"

"We'll keep it discrete, no one will find out. We'll act as if nothing's happened in the last few months, but we'll see each other the minute we get the chance."

"Yes of course, but Salena you know as well as I that the Dark Lord will eventually return. What if he should find out? And the other death eaters?"

"That will also be a secret, we are both masters of Occlumency, and so he won't be able to get it out of us. I'm prepared for his arrival, and there will be hell to pay when he meets me." Snape laughed a bit but lowly so the students couldn't hear.

"Where's Naomi?"

"Dumbledore set her out into the garden, she should back soon. It's that time of year where the ferrets come out to play." Salena giggled and kissed Snape's cheek.

"What about Lupin? And Sirius?" Snape groaned at those names. "Severus?"

"Lupin resigned his post, and Black somehow escaped without the dementors following him. Potter and his friends of course interfered…"

"As I saw it; my visions have returned but they've gotten shorter so I only see what's happened that's dangerous or important." They sat together in silence for a while, but then the little clock on the stand struck nine and Salena's stomach growled.

"You're hungry my dear? I'll go get us something to eat…"

"Don't go, stay with me."

"But you're hunger won't wait…"

"Send word to the house elves, they'll bring us food."

"But…"

"Just look as if you're keeping watch over me and I'll pretend to be in pain ok? Use the fireplace…" Snape got up and called the elves to bring up some leftovers from dinner. A few minutes later two elves came up carrying two trays, Salena was lying down on her stomach and Snape was in a chair next to her. They put down the trays and Snape placed Salena's on her lap as she sat up. They toasted with their wine glasses with a ding and drank.

"Here's to you my dear Salena, may we both make it alive out of this dreadful war."

"And to you my slimy snake, may we forever remain friends and always partners in crime." They toasted and drank again, and ate the rest of the evening in silence until they both fell asleep.

Sorry about the wait but here's the chapter and I hope you enjoyed it. Please leave a review and enjoy the next chapter when it gets here.