Chapter 8: A Siriusly Big Problem
Disclaimer: After checking for what must be the millionth time I have re-discovered that I am not J. . Therefore I do not own most of the lovely characters you shall find herein. However if you find one you don't recognize from the books they are probably mine.
A/n: A special thanks to my lovely beta, bkermom1! Any mistakes you may find in this fic are mine and mine alone. And without a doubt there would be more without her kind assistance.
A/n: I have to address a one thing that is slightly IMPORTANT. Because of the many changes that have been happening on I am now getting a lot of reviews where the screen name is only Guest. The only problem this creates is possible confusion when I address my reviewers at the beginning of each chapter. I always respond to my reviews in order from first to show up for that chapter to last to show up. So if you simply really don't want to type in a name then you may look up your order and then read my response. However, this also brings up another question. Should I continue with my response to reviews? If you would like me to continue responding to your lovely reviews simply say so and they will continue. If not I will stop. Your reviews will be treasured either way. Also, in this chapter there will be a dream sequence/memory that has graphic gore! If you can't stomach it I understand completely and apologize. I do feel that it was necessary though. Thank you.
BloodyRose90: Thank you for your lovely review! Yes, I enjoy writing Mrs. Norris with her obsession for poor Sev. I can completely understand you not liking dear Nykedimius. He is kind of a jerk isn't he? But a lot of fun to write. Hehe.
Revengerufus: Yay indeed! Thanks for your review!
Risi: I love hearing that people love my little story. Yes I've been looking forward to Minerva finding out. And yes, I'm sure if Filch could turn into a cat him and Mrs. Norris could run off and be happy together. Perhaps have a litter of deranged kittens…or not. Hahaha.
Lientjuhh: Happy to hear you like it! Thanks for the review!
Guest: Haha. Yes, Nyke presents a whole new kind of trouble for darling Draco. I really do love Draco but he is kinda fun to pick on. And so is Severus. I'm sure they would be quite angry with me.
Emily Redbird: Haha. No reason to feel stupid. But yes I figured it would be pretty easy for Minerva to recognize Sev in her cat form since Sirius said in POA that he could communicate with Crookshanks. I take that to mean any animagus can communicate with any animal pretty much. McGonagall is hard to keep in character simply because in the books she is almost always seen in a professional setting but I think I did an alright job.
Surrealistic Angel: Thank you so much for your kind words!
Guest: I take it you're talking about Harry and Draco not having found out Sev's identity. Well let's face it; Harry was never the brightest crayon in the box. As for Draco, the poor kid is going through a lot right now so he really doesn't have that much time to pay attention to a cat. Haha.
Catzarossa: Oh…well thank you a lot for your kind words. Unfortunately, the ending definitely will not be quite like that. Alas, Harry and Draco are not meant to be in this fic. And poor Sev would be miserable if he had to live his life as a cat until he died. Haha.
AlmondWithUnicornHair: I'm glad you like my story! Thanks for the review!
Revengerufus: Haha. Well I suppose two reviews means I should respond twice. Thanks for your review!
Guest: Haha. Yep. Those two have a nice kitty talk in this chapter!
Guest: I know that you're either intrepidfish or SanchiaSnape. But since you're signed in as only "guest" and the one who isn't you hasn't reviewed this chapter I have no way of knowing which you are. Haha. But whichever you are I'm relieved to hear that you're not upset with being unable to beta. Everyone seems to love Mrs. Norris and Sev's interactions which makes me happy. Good luck with your story and thanks for the review.
Guest: Haha. Yes, Severus would be a lovely name for a cat. Personally I have a cat named Harry. He enjoys it when I bow to him and greet him as Mr. Potter.
Torry-Riddle: Thanks for your review!
Lain Marie: Thanks so much for the review! I'm always happy when someone finds my fic funny. And don't tell anyone, but your wish for what happens next may come true faster than you think. Hehe.
Saturnblue: Haha. Yep. Sev is veeeery slowly coming around to not completely hating dear Harry. And yes, I really like the whole Draco being comforted by Harry when the whole school turns against him thing.
Codelulu-chan: I'm happy to hear you're liking it so far. Yes, they can only hear Sev after they guess that it's him.
SuperSaiyanTeemo: Hahaha. No need to worry about me giving up the story. Even if it takes a bit I give my solemn vow that the chapters will keep coming.
XoxoxoxoxoX
Sirius Black, long time prankster, Marauder-til-death, godfather of the chosen one, and lover of Remus Lupin, was horribly bored.
It was Saturday morning which meant there were no classes. He had taken Remus to bed earlier that morning, the full moon having been the night before. Sirius had considered asking the new Potions professor whether she could brew some Wolfsbane potion for Remus but when he had suggested this Moony had shaken his head. "From what McGonagall says I might as well ask a first year to brew it. I may get a better result than I would with that Chambers woman." He had said. "I'll get along fine as long as you're there with me."
So at sunset the day before, he and Remus had locked themselves into the warded room that Galloway had supplied for the transformation. Sirius had transformed into Padfoot and eventually Remus' transformation came as well. Sirius hated it when they couldn't find someone to brew Wolfsbane for Remus. Being with him as Padfoot did calm him a lot but there were still times when he would lash out at himself or Sirius. And he was always more exhausted after a full moon without Wolfsbane.
He had fallen asleep at sunrise and Sirius had cast a Feather Light charm on him before carrying him up to bed. He had tucked him in and pressed a kiss to his forehead before heading to the Hospital Wing to get a scratch on his leg fixed. During the night Moony had gotten antsy and lashed out at Sirius before he had a chance to calm him.
It really showed just how much Remus loved him when, right after Moony had hurt him, he began whimpering and cleaning the wound with his tongue. But unfortunately, werewolf saliva wasn't known for its healing properties. So Sirius still ended up in the infirmary.
Madame Pomfrey healed the claw mark with a wave of her wand and Sirius was back to being bored. He went to Harry's rooms, wondering if he could do something with his godson for a while. They had been in the same school all year and yet he felt like he had barely seen his godson at all.
So he went up to his rooms to ask if Harry wanted to go out and possibly play some one-on-one Quidditch. They hadn't had the time to play since the middle of summer and it was rather nice out for being late autumn. When he went into the eighth year Gryffindor rooms he found Harry busy helping Draco Malfoy of all people brew a potion.
"No Potter! I clearly said shred not slice. For Merlin's sake! Aren't you in N.E.W.T.s potions?" Draco griped, pushing the wrongly prepared ingredients away.
"I said I was sorry! It's not as though we can't get more dried lavender! Quit harping at me, while you're at it! You sound like a bloody crazy person!" Harry shot back.
Sirius was truly surprised to see the two getting along so well. They may be arguing but the light in Harry's eyes seemed to suggest it was good natured instead of beingfuelled by bitterness. Sirius still found it odd seeing as Harry had complained to him about the Malfoy heir numerous times over his school career. But now he was looking at the blond with a look of amused frustration. He cleared his throat to get their attention.
"Sirius! What are you up to?" Harry asked, ignoring Malfoy's huff.
"Just figured I would come up and see what my godson was up to." Sirius glanced at the steaming cauldron that Draco was stirring carefully.
"I'm helping Draco brew a potion to wake up Hermione." Harry answered. "It's supposedly difficult to brew alone and Ron has this tendency of fighting with Draco whenever they're alone…or not alone. So it was decided that I would help. How's Lupin? Last night was the full moon, right?"
"Yes. He had a bit of a hard time last night but we made it through." Sirius gave a small smile, making a mental note to ask Harry when he had started getting on with the Malfoy heir so well. He knew they were both gay. Perhaps they had a secret relationship going. "I guess I'll get out of your way."
"Ah, well in an hour the potion will have to brew for the next twelve hours. So if you don't have anything going on we can find Ron and maybe play some Quidditch." Harry grinned to his godfather as he smashed Moon Blossom petals into a paste. "Would you want to come and play, Draco?"
Draco's eyes widened in surprise at being included. "Ah, well, yes. I suppose that could be…nice."
"Great. I'll see you two in about an hour." Sirius waved and went out the portrait hole.
XoxoxoxoxoX
Severus was currently sitting on Minerva's desk in her office. Minerva sat behind her desk, a tea cup in front of each of them. Severus, trying to suppress a headache as he absorbed all the information she had just told him about.
Apparently Potter's hero complex exceeded simply risking himself for any living creature. It also made him feel as though he had to do dead men favours. According to Minerva the boy had argued Severus' innocence in front of the Wizard Council, providing his memories as proof of his true loyalties, and even going so far as to insist Severus receive an Order of Merlin, First Class. And apparently that wasn't all he thought fit to do. He had also appealed to the Board of Governors to get Severus' portrait hung in the Headmasters office. They had allowed it even though it usually wasn't a privilege given to Headmasters who had abandoned their post. There was even, if what Minerva said was true, going to be a memorial for Severus put up on the grounds as well as another memorial for all the war victims that was to be put up in Hogsmead. All because Potter felt the foolish need to make something up to a dead man.
"And, out of curiosity, what became of the money that is awarded to Order of Merlin recipients?" Severus asked.
"Since you had no family it was donated to the Dumbledore's Army House for Orphans of War. It's a new orphanage that was opened over the summer to take in the many children left without parents. It's located in Godric's Hollow. I believe that was something that Mrs. Granger, Mrs. Lovegood, and Mr. Longbottom were mostly working on this summer. I believe it was Mr. Longbottom who proposed the idea to the Ministry. As well as the name." Minerva answered.
"Do you know whether anyone told Potter that there were worthier pursuits for his time than getting my name any form of recognition?" Severus asked with a slight sneer.
"Not that I know of. Most people thought it was a very kind gesture." She answered, sipping her tea delicately.
"A kind gesture. Maybe it would have been a kind, though still unwelcome, gesture had I still been alive. As it is, such actions seem useless and extremely sentimental coming from a boy who loathed and disrespected me at every turn." Severus lapped at his tea, not looking at Minerva as he spoke.
The Transfiguration teacher held herself back from rolling her eyes. "Everyone agreed that you deserved to be recognized as the war hero that you were." Minerva halted for Severus' snort of disbelief but continued none-the-less. "Mr. Potter, being one of the few people who have viewed the memories you left, decided to do all he could to get you the recognition you deserve."
"One of the few? I thought he gave the memories as evidence." Severus looked at Minerva curiously.
"Mr. Potter only allowed a few members of the council to actually see the memories. The memories legally belong to him since it was him you left them to. He didn't think it appropriate to allow too many people to see them." She shot a meaningful look at him.
Severus felt a rather unwelcome stab of gratitude for Potter. He had been a bit concerned that when and if he ever returned to his body he would be forced to face person after person who had seen his memories. People who now thought they knew him and would try to force him into the mould of some tragic hero. At his age that was the absolute last thing he needed.
When and if he returned to his normal life he planned on getting rid of the house on Spinner's End first thing. He would pack up his possessions and move to a nice quiet place in the country. Maybe he would start an Owl Order potion service. He would live there in peace until he was allowed to die for good. There would be no more missions, no more spying, no more masters, no more having to rescue Harry bloody Potter, and no more incurably stupid students. And thanks to Potter's discretion with his memories all of that might actually be possible if he ever got back into his body. The mere thought of it was rather lovely.
"Severus…are you purring?" Minerva was giving Severus and odd look as he wandered in his own thoughts.
He snapped out of it quickly. "Of course I'm not." He said, keeping a straight face. Something that wasn't too difficult in the body of a cat. "So at the beginning of the year it seemed as if you weren't entirely overjoyed with the new Headmaster. Galloway, isn't it?"
Minerva pursed her lips. "He is a…capable man." She sipped her tea. "We simply had a slight disagreement over whether or not certain students should be allowed to return to the school."
"Mr. Malfoy?" Severus asked.
"Him as well as a few others who were also associated with Death Eaters in some way. He believed that it would be inappropriate to allow them back into the school while it was my belief that they should be given the chance to complete their education should they wish to. I may have…insinuated that his time as Headmaster would go more smoothly if he had the full support of the staff."
Severus smirked. "Yes. I got a taste of how it is to run the school without the 'full support of the staff'. You can be most adept at making a Headmaster's life miserable. Though I should have realized that during the Umbridge crisis." His voice held a trace of amusement. "But I think I will head back to Mr. Potter's rooms. He and Mr. Malfoy are working on the potion I mentioned and I would like to supervise."
He leapt from the desk as Minerva banished their tea cups. "There's something I would have never thought I'd hear. Potter and Malfoy getting along in any way. Good afternoon, Severus. Feel free to stop by again. I know you never were very social but now that you don't have the option you might miss it every now and then." She gave a smile as he left her office. Severus feeling in higher spirits than he had since he had come back to life. Though, truth be told, it had probably been even longer than that since he had felt even slightly happy.
XoxoxoxoxoX
Sirius, having an hour to burn and no other way to burn it, was enjoying a pastime that would have made Remus shake his head in exasperation. But he couldn't help it. He had tried to tell Remus that it was just instinctual but he still got a lecture every time he was caught. Sirius Black, pureblood son of a mad family, was in dog form chasing student's cats.
It had all started in seventh year when he and James had perhaps indulged in a few too much firewhisky. Remus had long since retired for that evening and Peter had passed out. James and him however were still reliving the cause for the celebration, Gryffindor slashing Slytherin for the Quidditch Cup, and needed something to do in order to entertain themselves. So they had taken to the halls where James had challenged Sirius to chase Mrs. Norris.
So Sirius had found that he quite enjoyed chasing cats. He hadn't really been able to take part in the guilty pleasure for a while but there was no time like the present. Especially when there was time to kill and Remus couldn't really get around to yell at him. The familiar scent was what had caught his attention at first. He couldn't tell exactly why it was familiar. He could tell the scent belonged to a cat but there was something else to it. A slight memory it was trying to tug at. So the faster he found it, the faster he would see it was just a cat at which time he could shake off the weird feeling and chase said cat.
This thought, coupled with the fact that the trail was getting fresher, made his tail wag happily. He spotted the cat at the end of one of the halls as he turned a corner. It was a lanky black cat with a green collar around its neck. Sirius was sure he had seen it before, explaining the familiar scent, but didn't let that worry him. He let out a playful growl and ran at the feline with a series of echoing barks.
XoxoxoxoxoX
Severus had been calmly strolling back to Potter's room, thinking about nothing in particular, when his relaxing walk was completely destroyed by a loud growl. He turned just in time to see a large black dog come running at him down the hallway. The dog letting out a cacophony of loud barks.
There wasn't time to think, his instincts kicked in long before his brain had fully caught up to what was happening, and he bolted down the hallway. The damn dog, that Severus knew was Sirius bloody Black, continued to chase while barking madly.
Sirius meanwhile was being slightly distracted by the memory that was still trying to surface. A tingling feeling that there was something he needed to remember. The feeling was so strong that he wasn't feeling nearly as much enjoyment for cat chasing that he usually felt.
He growled in slight frustration for a moment; though the sight of the cat running into a dead end made him slightly happier. For some reason he found it hilarious when the cats got all puffed up and backed into corners. He figured it must just be one of those dog things like the strong desire he always got to pee on the furniture whenever it was close to Remus' time of the month.
Severus meanwhile was looking for an escape frantically. Finding none, he turned to face the great fool of a mutt chasing him. He knew that Sirius probably wouldn't hurt a random cat but that didn't stop the fur on his back from standing up or a hiss sounding loudly from his mouth. He raised a paw, ready to claw the fool as much as he could if he got too close.
Sirius, who only planned on stepping forward and freaking the cat out a bit more and then leaving, was finally overtaken by the memory that had been trying to force its way forward. He, James and Peter had snuck out of their dorm under the invisibility cloak. Remus had been upset with them over some prank he hadn't approved of and had stayed in the dorm.
They had been going to check a possible new secret passageway that Peter said he had heard about from one of the ghosts. They may not have been being as careful as one should have been. James had tucked the cloak under his arm, them having gotten irritated with tripping over it.
They had been laughing at some joke that James had said when they had heard footsteps from up ahead. They had quickly gotten under the cloak just in time to see Snape coming down the hall with a load of books in his arms. He must have been working on some essay or another in the library. They, almost giddy with their luck, followed Snape down the hallway. The opportunity was almost too good to be true. Peter was having a hard time keeping his laughter contained.
Snape had just been about to turn down the hallway that lead to the dungeons when the three Marauders revealed themselves. As usual, the Slytherin reacted immediately. He dropped his pile of books as he went for his wand. He had nearly pulled it out when James hit him with an Expelliarmus.
His wand flew down the hallway and Sirius Accio-ed it with a laugh. Snape had turned and ran down the hallway, the three Marauders on his heels laughing as they cased. In the end they had cornered him and hit him with numerous jinxes, going on their way when they were done with him.
But right now, as Sirius cornered the cat, its eyes were absolutely identical to how Snape's eyes had looked that night so many years ago when the Marauders had cornered him. It was shocking and for some reason Sirius found his stunned mind stating, 'The cat is Snape.'
He came to a dead stop in front of the cat and transformed back into his human form with a pop. "S-Snape?" he stammered.
All of a sudden Snape's voice sounded in Sirius' head, letting out a rather horrible curse. Sirius, who had knelt down, fell back in shock. The cat was looking angry, glaring darkly at Sirius. "Is that really you, Snape?" Sirius asked hesitantly.
The cat gave him a withering glare and then sighed. "Yes Black. It's me." He growled.
Before he could say one more thing however, Sirius snatched him up into his arms and began running quickly through the halls, heading back to his and Remus' room. "What are you doing, Black? Put me down at once! Let me go!" Severus hissed all the way there as loudly as he possibly could.
Sirius threw open the door to his rooms. "Remus!" he yelled, striding for the bedroom while trying to ignore the claws digging into his arm.
Remus, who had been sleeping somewhat fitfully, jerked up in bed at Sirius' alarmed yell. "Sirius? What's the matter?" he asked as Sirius barged into the room holding what looked like Harry's cat.
Sirius held the cat out to him, eyes wide. "Can you hear him talking too?" he asked in a rush.
Remus looked at him oddly, managing to sit up all the way with a slight pained grunt. "Sirius are you feeling quite alright? Why on earth do you have that cat?"
"You realize in order for him to hear me I would actually have to be saying something." Severus rolled his eyes.
Remus edged himself out of bed slowly, grimacing with pain. "Sirius, love, what are you talking about?"
"He's Snape! The cat is Snape!" Sirius gave the cat a shake which caused Severus to hiss in discomfort.
"Alright Sirius." Remus took a hesitant step toward him. "I think we need to call Madame Pomfrey. Why don't you just lay down and—"
"I don't need a Healer! Just look at the cat, Remy. He's Snape!" Sirius shook Severus again.
Severus decided that he had taken quite enough abuse. He twisted around in Sirius' grasp, trying to claw him viciously. He had nearly succeeded in swiping Black's cheek when Remus grabbed him from Sirius, looking at the cat.
"I have had quite enough of being manhandled by you and your mutt! Put me down this instant you damn bloody wolf!" Severus hissed.
"Don't talk to him like that!" Sirius snarled.
Remus looked from the cat to Sirius. "You're hearing Severus' voice in your head? Coming from this cat?"
Sirius nodded. "Can you not hear him too?"
"Only people who believe that I am Severus Snape can hear me." Severus snarled.
"You have to believe me Remy. I'm not crazy. I don't know how it happened but somehow Snape is in the body of a cat." Sirius looked at Remus, as if pleading with him to confirm that he hadn't gone insane.
Remus looked back at the scowling black cat. He had thought the cat's scent was familiar a few days before. Not to mention the way the cat was looking at him, glaring with its black eyes. The same way that Severus had always looked at him.
"You know now too, don't you?" Severus deadpanned.
Remus, shocked at hearing Severus' voice, jumped. He gasped in pain that spread through his back and ribs, dropping Severus. "Remy! Are you alright?" Sirius stepped forward, reaching out to his lover.
Remus waved him off. "I'm fine." He reassured his worried mate. His eyes went to Severus who was now sitting on the bed. "Severus…how did this happen?"
Severus sighed. Why was it that he was so very accomplished at getting some people to see who he actually was, and yet he had only managed to convince one of the four that mattered? His luck was truly horrible. Severus looked from Remus to Sirius and then began to explain everything. Remus eventually sat down, still exhausted, while Sirius remained standing while glaring at Severus.
"—and so it must be kept a secret from Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy, and Miss Granger once she returns." Severus finished.
"And if we don't?" Sirius asked.
Severus' eyes locked onto Sirius in a dark glare. But before he could say anything Remus spoke, "Now Sirius, we have to keep Severus' secret. Don't be childish." He scolded softly.
"No Remus. Why should I allow my godson to be tricked into keeping him," Sirius pointed to Severus scornfully, "near him?"
"I'm not in any way hurting your bloody godson!" Severus hissed. He stood on the bed, the fur on his back standing up.
"I don't think he needs this kind of thing in his life right now! Have you thought about all of the horrible memories this is going to dredge up when you come back from the dead? Has Harry not been through enough?" Sirius snarled.
"This world does not revolve around Harry Potter!" Severus yelled, eyes flashing. "I didn't choose this in any way! If it had been up to me I would still be quite dead!"
"I won't let you cause more problems! Everyone is trying to move past the war! You coming back wouldn't help!" Sirius yelled back, moving toward the door.
"Sirius stop! Severus please calm down! Sirius where are you going?" Remus struggled to his feet again as Sirius threw the door open.
"I'm not letting this continue! I'm revealing this whole lie right now! I'm telling Harry what's going on!" Sirius headed down the hallway, Remus on his heels.
Severus felt a stab of panic spread through him and raced after the two men. Remus was trying to stop Sirius but the mutt was having none of it. "Sirius! Stop this instant!"
"Black! This isn't some stupid joke! Are you as willing to destroy my life now as you were when we were boys?"
"I don't give one bloody fuck about your life, Snape!"
"What is going on here?" Minerva's voice cut through the men's shouts.
"He's trying to tell Potter about me, Minerva!" Severus exclaimed.
"You knew about this?" Sirius asked McGonagall, pointing at Severus.
"Sirius Black, I expect you to calm down this instant. If not because I am ordering you to then because of what your rash behaviour is doing to the man you love." Minerva motioned to where Remus was leaning against the wall, breathing laboured and clutching his side. This seemed to get through to Sirius when nothing else had.
"Remy, oh God, I'm sorry." Sirius stepped towards his lover, wrapping an arm around him.
"Mr. Black, you will follow me along with Remus and Severus into my office. There we will sit and talk about this like adults instead of the childish yelling that you've been doing up to this point." Minerva ordered, her tone leaving no room for any argument.
Severus shot a glare to Sirius before following Minerva into her office. Sirius helped Remus into the office, whispering apologies for being so careless. "It's alright. I'll be fine. But please reconsider what you were just about to do." Remus whispered as they took their seats.
Minerva was seated behind the desk while Severus was sitting rigidly on a corner of the desk. "Sirius, would you like to explain exactly what it is that you were doing?" Minerva asked strictly.
Sirius fought the urge to look down like a student being punished. "I'm not going to let him bring up bad memories for Harry. I haven't been able to protect Harry from a lot of the horrible things he's been through, but all of that is over now. Everyone can move on. But not if Snape comes back and brings all of the war memories with him! Harry saw you die, Snape! Don't you think you coming back to life out of the blue might be a bit traumatic?"
"Sirius, Harry isn't some fragile thing one touch away from breaking. He is stronger than anyone ever expected him to be." Remus spoke softly, trying to calm his partner.
"He's right, Sirius. Not to mention, with his history of heroics, Mr. Potter would probably want to help Severus." McGonagall pointed out.
This brought a scathing noise from Severus. Everyone's attention shifted to him. "Listen Black. I have no interest in spending one second more around Potter than I absolutely have to. As soon as I regain my human body I plan fully on disappearing completely. I won't be around to 'bring up bad memories' or do anything else that might harm your precious godson." He sneered.
Sirius grit his teeth and glared at Snape. "Sirius, Mr. Potter aside, I am not going to allow you to ruin Severus' chance at returning to his human body. Do not make me expel you from these grounds." Minerva's lips thinned as she warned Sirius. "You are grown men. I know that Albus tried, and failed, to get you two to get along. I'm not asking that of you. I don't expect you to get along or even work together. But I do expect you to avoid each other if no other solution can be reached. You are grown men. Act like it."
Sirius glared at Severus before leaving the room, slamming the door behind him. "Severus, I am sincerely sorry about him. He'll get over it. I personally am happy that you'll be able to have a second chance." Remus offered a smile.
"Don't worry over Black. I'm certainly not. As long as he doesn't go barking out my secrets I don't care what the mutt does." Severus drawled. "More importantly, are you no longer having someone brew a Wolfsbane potion for you? You're obviously in a lot more pain than you would be if you had taken it."
"I had heard that Miss Chambers was a tiny bit…unreliable when it came to more complicated potions. I've had a bad batch of Wolfsbane before, not yours of course, and it actually made the transformation more painful." Remus chuckled slightly.
Severus nodded. "You could always ask Draco. If Minerva is willing to get him the password to my rooms he would have access to the ingredients as well as my notes. He certainly has the skill."
Remus blinked in surprise. "Thank you, Severus. I'll probably do just that. I didn't know you cared." He gave a slightly teasing smirk.
Severus sneered. "I simply don't relish the idea of a werewolf sealed up in one of the castle's infrequently used rooms." He jumped from the desk and headed for the door. Remus stood and opened it for the cat. "And keep a leash on your mutt. If he really has time enough to chase cats he can be put to work doing something at least slightly useful."
XoxoxoxoxoX
"Hey Sirius! We were just coming out to meet you for Quidditch. Are you alright?" Harry looked at his godfather with concern.
Sirius, who had completely forgotten about Quidditch, looked up from the floor at his godson along with Draco and Ron; all of them toting their brooms. Sirius put a smile on his face, hiding his bad mood. "I'm fine, kiddo. Just a little disagreement with Remus. Nothing for you to worry about. I'll probably say sorry later as it is."
Harry offered a smile in return. "Sorry to hear that. Does this mean you're not up for Quidditch?"
"No! I'll come along. Let me get my broom and I'll meet you out there." Sirius smiled.
The three younger men left and Sirius rushed up to his room to gather his broom. He went out to the Quidditch pitch to see all three of the so-called eighth years zooming through the air. Harry was looking happier than he had in quite a while. He was good at hiding it but Sirius could tell he hadn't been sleeping well recently. He hoped that Harry would be okay but he had no idea of how to approach him about the problem.
"Come on Sirius! Me and you on one team and Ron and Draco on the other!" Harry called.
Sirius mounted his broom and kicked off. "Ron and Draco on one team?" he asked Harry, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm trying to get them to get along." Harry grinned.
Draco rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Potter. You're trying to put me off my game. But you'll soon find out that I can beat you even with a Weasley on my team."
"Oh stuff it, Malfoy." Ron grumbled. Harry chuckled as the game began.
XoxoxoxoxoX
Draco was having one of the most enjoyable days he had had all year. He and Potter played as the Chasers for their teams while Ron and Sirius acted as Keepers. The sun shone in one of its last shows of warmth for the year. Harry made a decent Chaser while Sirius made a slightly less-than-adequate Keeper.
Draco gave a happy shout as he scored another goal. "Ha! I'm thrashing you, Potter!"
Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm not made to be a Chaser!" he called. "I've only ever played seeker before!"
Harry managed to snag the Quaffle from Draco and throw it towards one of the goal posts. It had nearly gone in when Ron managed to block it at the last moment. "If you truly had any talent you would be able to adapt." Draco called with a smirk.
Harry was about to make a retort when a shout from the ground caught the four player's attention. They looked down to see Charlie and Nykedimius holding brooms. They both mounted and kicked off, flying into the air and hovering at a proper height. "Can we join you?" Charlie asked, shooting a grin to Draco.
"Sure." Harry smiled. "Just pick a team. Me and Sirius or Draco and Ron."
Before Charlie could say anything Nykedimius raised a hand. "I'll be with Draco and Ron!" he grinned. Draco grit his teeth as Desiderus aimed that grin at him. "You two will have to be patient with me, I'm not the flier that Charlie is."
The game continued, Charlie flirting with Draco as they flew. Sirius chucked the Quaffle to Charlie after a lucky save. "Try to stay focused Charlie!" he yelled. "Young love is great but put it on hold for a bit!"
"Easier said than done!" Charlie yelled back, smiling and winking at Draco.
Draco smiled at him, deciding that ignoring Nykedimius in favor of Charlie was the best option. He was not going to let some stupid jealous prat ruin his fun. He swooped around Charlie suddenly, startling him into dropping the Quaffle. Draco dove after it, laughing as he caught it. He was about to fly towards the goal when there was a shout and something rammed into his side with enough force to feel like it had stabbed through him.
The breath whooshed out of him all at once as the handle of Nykedimius' broom stabbed into his side. In his shock he felt his fingers let go of the broom as he fell off the side. The Quaffle fell from his grasp and he tried to yell, his body unable to pull in enough breath for that to be possible. He heard shouts from the others and saw a small grin on Desiderus' face as he fell.
He was sure he would hit the ground, life fleeing his body before it was even able to pull in a last breath. Suddenly a hand wrapped around his arm, gripping his tightly. His eyes met Charlie's as he was pulled to a sudden stop. His body's momentum tried to carry on towards the earth, however, and there was a sickening pop as Draco's arm dislocated.
Finally able to pull in a breath, Draco let out a loud scream of pain. Charlie struggled to pull the blond onto his broom. He finally managed it and held him close as they landed. Draco held onto his injured arm, keeping it from dangling uselessly and hurting even more than it already did. He barely noticed that Charlie was saying something. "—re okay. You're okay." He was saying, reassuringly.
Draco looked up to Charlie as the others landed. "Are you alright, Draco?" Harry asked as he ran over.
"I'm so sorry, Draco! I was going after the Quaffle and couldn't stop myself in time!" Nykedimius exclaimed convincingly.
Draco sent a glare as he caught his breath. "I'm fine." He gasped.
"Let me heal your arm. It'll only take a sec." Charlie said, pulling out his wand and pointing it to Draco's shoulder. There was another pop, Draco gave a gasp of pain, and his arm was repaired. "Are your ribs okay?"
"Yes. I'm just fine." Draco pulled himself out of Charlie's arms.
"Draco maybe we should take you to the Hospital Wing." Harry suggested.
"I'm not going to the Hospital Wing, Potter. I'm going to my room." Draco bit out. Nykedimius had basically tried to kill him and he couldn't say a thing about it. If he even tried to suggest that the incident had been on purpose it would turn Charlie against him. Not one of them would believe him.
He went to walk away but was stopped by Nykedimius' hand on his arm. "I really am so sorry, Draco. I hope you'll forgive me." He gave a seemingly hopeful smile.
Draco jerked his arm out of Desiderus' grasp and ran to the castle. Nykedimius knew what he was doing and he wasn't going to stop. He knew Draco wasn't able to do anything about the bastard's subtle cruelty.
XoxoxoxoxoX
"Poor thing. He seems quite upset with me. A bit hot-headed, isn't he?" Nykedimius said with a small smirk.
Harry felt a surge of irrational yet intense dislike flare through him aimed at Nykedimius. It was something about the way he smirked. Something about his tone when he apologized to Draco. Harry shook it off and looked to where Draco had run off to. "I'm going to go check on Draco. It looked like he got jabbed pretty hard with the end of that broom. He probably needs to have his ribs checked." Harry reasoned.
"I can go after him." Charlie offered but was stopped by Nykedimius' hand on his arm.
"He's upset and probably embarrassed. You should let Harry take care of it." Nyke smiled. "I know if it was me I would be more comfortable with a friend that I've known for a while."
Sirius gave Nykedimius a slightly suspicious look before following Harry off the field. He caught up with his godson and fell into step next to him. "Does that Nykedimius man have something against Draco?" he asked.
"You noticed something was off too?" Harry looked over to his godfather.
"It was a bit hard to miss. He came close to killing Malfoy and he wasn't exactly distressed over it." Sirius glanced back to where Nykedimius was still chatting to Charlie and Ron.
"Maybe it's because Draco was a Death Eater. A lot of people around here are still quite mad at him for that." Harry shrugged.
"Somehow I don't think that's quite it. If that was the problem I doubt he would be as subtle as he's trying to be." Sirius mused
"I don't really care what he has against Draco to be honest. I'm just sick of all the problems this year. The war is over. Why can't everyone just stop fighting, Sirius?" Harry asked with a sigh.
Sirius frowned. Harry stared at the ground, looking slightly morose. He clapped his godson on the shoulder with a slight smile. "It'll get better, Harry. It's just going to take a little while."
"I suppose you're right. I'm going to check on Draco but where are you going?"
"I'm going to go check on Remy." Sirius smiled. "Hopefully he's resting and I'm not in the dog house too bad."
"Say hi for me. I'll see you in a bit." Harry waved as he headed in the opposite direction of where Sirius was headed.
XoxoxoxoxoX
Harry found Draco in the Gryffindor eighth year rooms, looking at the cauldron that was letting out spiralling wisps of lavender smoke. "It's supposed to be doing that, right?" he asked, slightly teasing.
"Of course, Potter. Don't be ridiculous." He rolled his eyes.
Harry let out a sigh. "Are your ribs okay? It looked like he hit you pretty hard."
Draco cringed slightly. "I'm just fine. I'm sure it looked much worse than it was."
Harry hesitated before asking his next question, unsure of how the testy blond would take it. "Does that Desiderus guy have some kind of problem with you?"
Draco froze in the act of grinding frog bones for the next stage of the potion. He sat down the mortar with a soft thump. "Why would you think that?" he asked softly.
"He was acting kind of…off. I thought maybe he had said something about it to you. Not to mention the fact that he nearly skewered you on the end of his broom and barely had a word to say about it." Harry took a step towards Draco, frowning.
Draco scowled at eh cauldron which was simmering softly, shining a nearly metallic bluish-green. "He…dislikes me." He fiddled with a bundle of dove tail feathers. "He likes Charlie. He said he was going to lure Charlie away from me. Said I'm not good enough for him." Draco ended up telling Harry about all the things Nykedimius had said to him on the day that they had met.
Somehow he and Harry ended up sitting on the sofa, Harry having called for tea and a house elf being only too happy to bring it, Draco pouring his woes out to Potter like a pre-teen girl writing in her diary. "I don't know what to do." He finally grumbled, sipping his tea.
"Well Charlie's not stupid. I think he'll eventually find out that Desiderus is a complete arse. A two-faced arse at that." Harry grinned. "As for Charlie not actually being attracted to you, that's a load of bollocks. He's obviously quite taken with you. Don't even bother worrying about that part."
"Are you flattering me, Potter?" Draco smirked.
"Don't be a wanker." Harry laughed.
"My, what a way with words you have. Be careful of I just might fall for you." He rolled his eyes sarcastically.
"I feel like you're a bit too high maintenance for me." Harry informed cheerfully.
"I'm not that high maintenance!" Draco huffed. He flinched as he exhaled, his hand flying to his ribs.
Harry frowned in concern. "Let me see your ribs." He ordered.
"I'm fine, Potter." Draco scowled.
"Don't make me stun you to look." Harry threatened, scooting closer to Draco.
"Oh Merlin, Potter. Fine! Gawk at me all you bloody want. You really are hard up, aren't you?" Draco grumbled as he shed his robe, lifting his shirt.
Harry blushed. "I'm not wanting to stare at your chest, prat." He looked at Draco's torso, finding a large oval bruise that was already darkening on Draco's fair skin. "Jeeze. He nearly brought blood." He gently touched it with the tips of his fingers. Draco hissed in pain and swatted the hand away.
"In case you couldn't tell, he didn't exactly slow down to hit me." Draco scowled.
"Are you sure your ribs are fine? He may have cracked one."
"I don't think he did. It hurt, knocked the breath out of me, but I didn't hear a crack." Draco looked down at the bruise.
"And your arm?" Harry asked, reaching for the arm in question.
"It's fine. Charlie's spell fixed it up." Draco lifted his arm, showing the range of movement. "But anyways, speaking of you being hard up, did you happen to notice the bloke in the stands that couldn't keep his eyes off you?"
"What bloke?" There had been a few students watching the impromptu Quidditch match but none stuck out in Harry's mind.
"He was in the stands. A Gryffindor, I believe. Looked like a seventh year. I saw him watching you while we walked out. He was sitting with some of his friends." Draco straightened his robes and brushed imaginary dust from his clothing
"You're exaggerating. I'm sure he wasn't looking at me anymore than normal." Harry scoffed slightly.
"Oh yes, because you're so very experienced with men." Draco rolled his eyes.
"How many boyfriends have you had, then?" Harry frowned at the Slytherin.
"I may not have had many boyfriends but I at least do know when someone is flirting with me." Draco smirked smugly.
"I'm sure I would realize it if someone was actually interested in me." Harry defended.
Draco levelled him with a considering look. "No I don't think so."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Stay here and work on the potion, you prat. I'm going to get some of Pomfrey's paste for bruises."
"I do not need to be rescued from a bruise, Potter!" Draco called. Harry chuckled and walked out the door.
XoxoxoxoxoX
Harry walked down the hallway to the Hospital Wing, humming to himself quietly. He turned a corner to come face to face with a seventh year Gryffindor with short dirty-blond hair and lovely hazel eyes. Dimples flashed on his cheeks as he recognized Harry. Though the Boy-Who-Lived didn't know it, he had just bumped into the boy that Draco had noticed watching Harry during their Quidditch game.
"Sorry about that, Potter." The boy, perhaps man was a better word, grinned. His voice was pleasant, his smile charming. "Wasn't watching where I was going."
"N-not at all." Harry muttered, feeling a blush rising to his cheeks for unknown reasons. He struggled to remember the man's name. "Gundry, right?"
"That's right. Ariston Gundry." That charming smile was flashed at Harry again. "I saw you playing Quidditch today. Who knew you were as good in the just-for-fun games as you are in a serious one. Never go easy on the other side, huh? I like that."
Harry felt the blush overtake his face. Butterflies began to awaken and flutter in his stomach. "Thank you." He mumbled.
"Hey…I've been curious for a while, how would you like to go out with me on the next Hogsmead weekend?"
Harry blinked in surprise, saying the first thing that sprang to mind. "Like as friends?"
Gundry gave a warm chuckle. "I was thinking more like a date."
Harry's face felt like it was going to catch fire at any moment. He would be lying if he said that Gundry wasn't a very fit bloke but it was also true that they barely knew each other. "W-we don't know each other very well." he squeaked out.
Another chuckle, a flash of white teeth and a twinkling of hazel eyes. "That's why I want to take you out. Everybody knows all about the 'Boy-Who-Lived'. I want to get to know Harry. Just Harry."
The butterflies in Harry's belly seemed to multiply. "I…then yes. Yes I'll go out with you." The blush once again darkened. "That'll be nice."
"Fantastic. I'll meet you at the castle gates in a week, yeah?"
"Yes." Harry smirked. Gundry gave another of his heart-melting smiles and walked down the hallway. Harry turned to watch him until the other man turned a corner.
XoxoxoxoxoX
Harry returned to the dorm with the bruise paste in tow. Madame Pomfrey had huffed at him before handing the paste over and shooing him off. Warning him to be more careful as he left. "Why are you smiling like that?" Draco asked as Harry entered the room. He was at the cauldron again, stirring in careful figure eight patterns.
Harry hadn't been able to subdue his grin ever since being asked out by Gundry. It didn't take a second for him to launch into the explanation for his smile. Draco listened while cutting the heat on the cauldron. As Harry finished he looked up with a smirk. "I told you there was a guy watching you. One day you'll accept that I'm right about everything."
"Let's not get any more arrogant than you already are." Harry scolded. "So you think it's a good idea?"
"What? Going out with Gundry? Of course I think it's a good idea, Potter! I know for a fact, from years of listening for the slightest bit of information to make fun of you with, that you suck at relationships. Your little debacle with Cho Chang was just one example. You are completely oblivious to people who are interested in you." Draco snorted.
"I am not!" Harry protested with a frown.
"I had a crush on you in first year. Did you know? I wanted to impress you. I actually didn't fully realize it at the time but I am told by Blaise that I was quite obvious. It's why I was so upset when you refused my hand on the train." Draco smirked.
Harry blinked in surprise. "You can't be serious."
"Of course I am. Don't worry, that snitch was caught a long time ago. I came to my senses when I realized you have horrible taste in friends, clothes, hair styles, and pretty much everything else."
"I consider you my friend." Harry smirked.
"That does not change my statement." Draco deadpanned.
"And how the hell was I supposed to realize you liked me when you were always being such an arse?" Harry laughed.
"My Ministry appointed therapist says that's how I show affection."
Harry chocked on a laugh. "You have to be kidding!"
Draco smirked. "Well I do have a Ministry appointed therapist. It's required as part of my probation. But no, he hasn't actually said that being an arse is how I show affection."
Harry laughed. "Well I would hope not."
"But besides me having a stupid crush on you there have been quite a few others."
"What? Who?" Harry frowned in confusion.
Draco gave a sigh. "The oldest Creevy brother was completely enamoured with you as soon as he set eyes on you. And then there's Victoria Frobisher, Lisa Turpin, Rose Zeller and numerous other girls that have desired you for years. I know of five other Hufflepuff girls right now that would give their left arms to go on a date with you." He rolled his eyes.
"I think you're exaggerating." Harry huffed.
"Right. Believe whatever you want to then. You're great in relationships." He drawled sarcastically.
Harry just smirked. "I may not be great with relationships but maybe Gundry can change that."
"We can only hope." Draco added a pinch of mint to the cauldron and gave a smile. "Good news, Potter. With two days cooling time notwithstanding, the potion is finished."
"Really? That's great! You're amazing, Draco!" Harry beamed at the blond as well as the shimmering lilac potion.
Draco tried to hide his proud smile. It was a tricky potion to make, especially dealing with the delicate blue flower which had to be added to the potion while it was at exactly 96.5 degrees. If the temperature was off even slightly the potion would fail. And of course there were the complicated stirring patterns when adding the dove feathers. Harry was still grinning, looking into the cauldron.
"Let's go find Ron and tell him. Then we can head to dinner." Harry smiled. Draco agreed and followed Harry out of the room.
XoxoxoxoxoX
The room was dark and yet Severus could dimly see half a dozen figures on their knees in the middle of the floor. His eyes flicked around the room, seeing five other figures dressed in black robes. One of the five was seated on a large chair made of dark stone. He was the only one in a black robe that did not don a hood. His pale skin shone in the darkness. His red eyes gleamed in malicious glee as he looked down on the six muggles on the floor.
The Dark Lord looked at his Death Eaters. "Severus, I asked dear Lucius to collect some specimens for you to harvest potion ingredients from for the potion we discussed. You said the ingredients were best when harvested fresh, did you not?"
"Yes, my lord." Severus heard himself say. And had he said such a thing? Yes perhaps he had. At the time as an excuse for why he couldn't make a potion that would amplify the Death Eaters' curses to an extent that would shatter most magic shields. Of course it would come to this. The Dark Lord would get what he desired and what would Albus do about it this time?
"Lucius has also found a very useful spell that should aid in the collection of ingredients as well as provide a bit of entertainment for everyone. Lucius, you may proceed." Voldemort gave something that resembled a smile.
Severus watched as Lucius stepped forward, the six muggles on the floor flinching away as best as they could. Lucius grabbed one of the men, dragging him away from the others. The man babbled frantically in Italian. Begging and sobbing. Making Severus wish he didn't speak Italian.
"Don't harm me sir! Please spare me and my wife! We won't tell anyone! We have children waiting for us! Please!" the man screamed, his breath coming out in loud panicked gasps. Lucius pulled his wand, holding it above the man. With a flick of it the man's clothes were ripped from his body. He gave a shriek, more from surprise than anything.
Severus felt bile rise in his throat as the other Death Eaters laughed. Had he ever wanted to come to this? Even as a teenager, cruel, angry, and blood thirsty. Had he ever wanted or ever thought about what service to the Dark Lord would actually turn him into?
Surely to the muggles, one of which was now screaming for her husband, they were the ones that looked like animals. Cruel animals interested in spilling blood for no other reason than to hear their victims scream and beg. How monstrous they must look. How utterly and unimaginably vile.
Lucius gave looked at the frightened man as if he were some putrid insect. "Tersus Incidere!" he spat. A line appeared, travelling up the Italian man's torso as if someone were drawing on him with a red quill. The man gasped and looked around, not yet realizing he was already dying.
The cut, thin, smooth, and graceful as any surgeon could ever hope for, opened suddenly. The man gave an inhuman scream as his intestines spilled from his body. He tried to stand, as if to get away from the horror of his own innards, and tripped over the exposed guts. A grotesque squish coming from the trod upon organ.
Severus rushed forward. "Hold him down!" he demanded but was unable to be heard over the screams and laughter that rang throughout the small room. He forced the man onto the ground, attempting to pin him. "Lie still! Lie still, damn you!" He barked in Italian. The man blubbered and cried, somewhere his wife was being restrained while screaming for her husband's release. And over it all was the maddening sound of laughter. Laughter from the Death Eaters but even above that the high pitched laughter from the Dark Lord.
Severus cut with his wand organs out of the still living owner, as he was ordered. It took a surprising amount of time for the man to die from this kind of energy. It seemed an eternity before the man's screams died to a bloody gurgle before stopping completely.
Severus was covered in blood. So much marred his hands he wondered if it would ever fully come off. He had just finished cutting the last useful bit from Mr. Italy when the sounds of tearing clothing rang again through the room.
Mr. Italy's wife had been stripped, her letting out a scream and trying to cover her ample breasts as her clothes were ripped away. Quick as a flash her hands were pulled away from their protective position, two of the Death Eaters deciding to help keep this victim in control. Lucius' voice sounded again and her torso was slit open. She gave a scream so full of dismay it was devastating and ripped one of her hands away from her capture, trying to hold her torso together with a desperate cry. Her hand was ripped away again and she was forced to lie down on the stone floor.
A flash of awareness came to Severus. He had seen this before. It was a dream, no, a memory. One he had relived in his dreams a hundred times. He knew without looking that the woman was fighting her capturers' like a wildcat, her torso slipping open to reveal the bloody mess inside.
And if he looked at the bosom she had been so desperate to hide would he not see a golden necklace shaped like a heart with the words, 'IO amore tu, Maria.' Inscribed on the back? A necklace that would later be severed by a slicing spell. A necklace that Severus would pick up later when the others had left and yet their laughter still rang. A necklace he would keep for the rest of his damned existence in a hidden box in his rooms. Something to serve as a reminder. A symbol of his sins.
Yes, those things would happen (had happened?), and yet Severus couldn't stop himself from stepping toward the woman. The woman had stopped screaming even though she must be in horrible pain. Instead silent tears ran down her cheeks as her torso was fully opened for Severus' perusal.
Severus stooped down towards her, his knees in a pool of blood, and drew his wand. As he did so the woman, whom he later would learn was Maria Grace Abandonato, looked at him with cold eyes. "Let God curse you for all your life. May you suffer every day and then be cast into the pits of Hell." She whispered softly, almost as if talking to a lover.
"I am already there." He remembered thinking. He killed her as he had killed her husband. He cut the organs from her still living body but still she did not scream. The hate that blazed in her eyes keeping her silent and alive until the moment Severus removed her heart.
"One more tonight, Severus. The rest of them you may all do whatever you wish. We can always find more." Voldemort grinned, being answered by approving yells from his Death Eaters.
Severus turned to meet the next victim whose blood he would have on his hands. Instead of the young American boy who should have been there, the one that cried for his mother and pissed himself when he was stripped, was replaced by a familiar head of messy black hair and startling green eyes.
"Potter." He heard himself whisper though none of the Death Eaters seemed to take notice.
Potter looked up at him, his eyes shone in the gloom, a saviour stripped at Severus' feet for some dark senseless sacrifice. "It's alright, Prince. It's okay." The boy spoke softly, calmly.
"It is not okay, Potter! You need to get out of this place!" Severus snarled, stepping towards the boy, ready to disarm Lucius if he tried to use Tersus Incidere on Potter the way he had on Mr. and Mrs. Abandonato.
"Shh. It's okay. It's alright." Potter repeated.
Severus glared; about to scream at the foolish boy for not realizing the danger he was in. That is when Severus was jerked quite suddenly out of sleep.
Potter was stroking him as he lay on the foot of Potter's bed, those eyes shining like a devastating reminder of Severus' failures. A loud and horrible yowling had been coming from Severus as he dreamed and was cut off suddenly as he awoke.
"Are you okay, Prince? You sounded hurt! God, you were making such horrid noises!" Harry's hands were fluttering softly over Severus' body.
Severus sprang to his feet with a hiss. "I am fine, brat!" He looked away from Harry, more than a little embarrassed.
Harry blinked at the cat's sudden departure and then let out a sigh of relief. "I guess if you can be your usual grumpy self you can't be too hurt. What the heck was all that about?"
Severus continued not looking at Harry, wishing once again that he had simply remained dead. Surely one couldn't have dreams like the one he had just experienced if they were dead. Then again he hadn't been able to stick around long enough to see whether or not he was going to be sent to Hell.
Potter eventually lay back down. Severus slowly returned to the foot of the boy's bed. Potter's hand returned to stroking his back softly. "I have bad dreams too, you know." He mumbled. "Though I have no clue what a cat has to have nightmares about. Really bad hairballs maybe?"
This thought earned him a slight hiss. "Go to sleep, brat." Harry stroked him until he fell back into sleep. Severus, knowing sleep would evade him for the rest of the night, watched the foolish saviour breathing and mumbling in his slumber. And if he gained small comfort from these small noises he surely wouldn't admit to even so much as taking notice.
Xo End Chapter oX
A/n: Love of Jesus that was a long chapter! Sorry it took so long. School and whatnot. I have just made it through my midterms, alive at that, and now post this chapter in celebration. I feel like this chapter has earned the M rating it's had since the beginning but probably not in the way most readers wanted. Ha ha. I'm truly sorry about that. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, lots more action to come. Please send me a review! I love hearing from you. If you must flame at least let it be for a good reason. As always, thank you for reading.