From Chapter 36

Harry reached into his bag before pulling out a shabby piece of parchment. He looked around before tapping the parchment with his wand. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

Chapter 37

I watched, mesmerised as many lines materialised on the parchment before my eyes, as if someone was drawing them with invisible ink. The lines covered every part of the parchment, some joining up and others criss-crossing as they headed in different directions. I leaned in, watching as curly green writing appeared.

Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs

Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers

are proud to present

THE MARUADER'S MAP

"Wow," I breathed, as I saw the tiny ink dots moving about on the parchment, each labelled with tiny writing. I pointed at one name in the Entrance Hall. "Is that really-"

"Filch, yep," Harry said. "And Mrs Norris right next to him."

"Where's Dumbledore?" I asked. He wasn't in his office, nor could I see him anywhere else. I looked closely at the map, scanning all the little dots. Professor McGonagall was in her office, as was my own Head of House, Professor Flitwick. Peeves seemed to be bouncing around a couple of corridors away.

Harry frowned, also looking carefully at the map. "He could be out," he said, nonchalantly. "He's been doing a fair bit of Order work lately."

I looked over at him. "Which is why you've spent a bit of time with him?"

Harry regarded me for a moment, before nodding. "Yeah."

"Has he told you much about his blackened hand?"

Again, Harry simply stared at me. "A little," he admitted. He looked back at the map before looking over at me again. "Do you know about it?"

I shook my head. "Not really." I didn't say that Severus had told me that Dumbledore was not going to get better. I assumed Harry already knew that.

"Hey look, Snape's out on the grounds," Harry said suddenly, pointing at the map. "He's heading for the gates. Did he tell you he was going somewhere?"

My heart seemed to skip a beat as I saw the dot labelled Severus Snape. He was indeed heading for the front gates.

"Think he got called?" Harry asked quietly.

Biting my lip, I nodded.

We watched together as the dot with my brother's name reached the front gates. A moment after it got on the other side of them, it vanished. Severus had disapparated.

I sighed. I hated it when Severus was called.

"I'd say it'll be okay, but I don't think that's entirely helpful," said Harry, turning his eyes back to the map.

I shook my head. "No, not really."

"I'll see what I can find," Harry said. "Ah, here we are." He placed his finger on the two marks in the library labelled Harry Potter and Armilla Snape. "Hey, here's a thought," he said suddenly. "I wonder why I didn't pick up two Snapes on this map years ago. You could have found out who you were much sooner." He shook his head. "You'd think I would have noticed two Snapes on here. It's a name I've looked for frequently enough, especially when I've been sneaking around the castle."

I considered this for a moment. "I don't think I would have appeared as Armilla Snape," I said thoughtfully. "I probably would have appeared as Armilla Kemp. I bet it shows your legal name. It would only have changed when you change your name."

Harry nodded. "I suppose so. I guess it changes with maiden and married names too." He looked back at the map as I took my chocolate frog card out from a pocket in my robes. I saw that the wizard was waving at me, indicating a new message and I activated the card. A few lines appeared.

I've been called. I sent a message to Professor Flitwick to escort you to Ravenclaw Tower in an hour and a half if I have not returned. Avoid leaving the library alone with Potter if you possibly can.

I shook my head slightly. It was strange how the simplest things like being alone with Harry Potter in the halls of Hogwarts created a potentially dangerous problem for Severus. I understood though; the last thing I wanted was for the Dark Lord to know that we were friends. Even worse, I didn't want to think about the Dark Lord's reaction if he knew that the sister of one of his most trusted Death Eaters was currently dating a Weasley blood traitor.

"There doesn't seem to be anything suspicious going on nearby," Harry murmured. "I don't recognise any unusual names." He suddenly paused. "Wait."

"What?" I asked, putting the card back in my pocket.

"Slughorn's heading to the library and he's with someone called Arian Bletchley."

My heart seemed to drop into my stomach. "Arian Bletchley?"

"Bletchley," Harry repeated. "Haven't all the Bletchleys graduated?"

I nodded.

Harry wrinkled his nose. "Slytherins."

I watched in trepidation as I saw the two dots labelled Horace Slughorn and Arian Bletchley reach the entrance to the library. I did not want to talk to Arian Bletchley; he couldn't seem to take no for an answer.

"That Bletchley?" Harry said, as Slughorn and Arian entered the library. "Wasn't he that bloke you were talking to at Slughorn's Christmas party?"

"That's the one," I said dismally. "Don't mention George."

Harry snorted. "As if I would." He waved his wand to cancel the silencing charm.

"There they are!" Slughorn called, still a good twenty feet away, earning him a disapproving glare from Madam Pince. "My two best students!"

"Ah ha!" Harry said under his breath. "Of course…Armilla, I'll need your help."

I looked at him, confused. "With what?"

Harry shook his head. "Just stay tuned and play along. What's your acting like?"

"Oh, I'm world renowned," I said dryly.

Harry folded the map and put it in his pocket. "Excellent."

"Good evening!" Slughorn said merrily when he reached us. "You remember Arian Bletchley?"

Harry and I both nodded. I only glanced momentarily at Arian before looking at Slughorn again.

"Actually, I don't recall having ever spoken to Harry Potter before," Arian said a little stiffly, looking at Harry.

"He's one of my best students," Slughorn said, rocking back and forth on his heels. "As well as Armilla, of course, which is why I partner them together. You should see them duel, Arian!"

This time I did look properly at Arian. He looked back at me, his face showing a hint of surprise. "Really? I'm sure Armilla's late father would have been delighted to hear that."

I stopped myself from glaring at him, whilst Harry pulled a face at Arian. "What has her father got to do with it?"

Arian shrugged. "Nothing, I suppose."

I frowned. Arian had barely known my father as far as I knew. Of course, I knew my father would have hated the idea of me duelling anyone, let alone Harry Potter. He had preferred the idea of me sitting quietly at home, abiding by his old fashioned ideas.

Arian addressed himself to me. "Armilla, I am here because I need a word with you on something that can no longer wait. Would you mind stepping outside the library for a moment?"

I opened my mouth to state that I was not about to leave the library, but Slughorn, most surprisingly, got there first.

"Now then, Arian," he said jovially, "I did tell you that any word you need to have with Armilla may be communicated whilst you're in my sights. I know Professor Snape would not approve of my letting Armilla go alone with you."

Arian's face seemed to twitch. "I assure you, sir, my intentions are honourable. I have no desire to-"

"I know, I know," Slughorn boomed, still rocking on his heels, "but I must insist, Arian. If it is so important that you must be alone with Armilla to impart some knowledge, I suggest that you contact Professor Snape to seek his permission."

Arian raised an eyebrow. "Am I to infer, sir, that I've been banned from speaking to Armilla in private?"

"Of course not, Arian," I said, a little impatiently. "You know my brother would not approve of any visitor coming into the school with a request to speak alone with me."

"It is highly unusual," Harry put in, looking between Arian and I.

"We don't need your input, Potter," Arian snapped.

"Come on then," I said, getting up. I looked over at Slughorn, who was looking at Arian with a bemused expression. "Professor, we'll go over there by the Ancient Runes section. You'll be able to see us there."

"Certainly," he replied, taking my seat. "Potter and I'll have a chat while we're waiting."

"Brilliant," Harry said. "I do have something I wish to speak to you about, Professor."

Slughorn's face fell. He made to get up again. "Harry, I've told you-"

"Oh no," Harry interjected. "Not that, sir. I just want to discuss the latest assignment Armilla and I have been working on."

Slughorn settled back into his seat again, still looking a little suspicious. "Oh…well, go on then Mr Potter."

Arian looked at me and then waved an arm for me to lead the way. Once we were over at the Ancient Runes section, a good twenty feet away from Slughorn and Harry, Arian took out his wand and non-verbally cast a spell, no doubt stopping our conversation from being overheard.

"Wait," I said, before Arian could begin. "I need to know that it's Arian Bletchley I'm talking to. Who did you use a spell on at Father's party and what spell was it?"

Arian smirked. "That idiot, Marcus Flint, was drunk, and I used Expelliarmus on him."

I nodded. "Correct."

He gave a small laugh. "Well, that little incident certainly put me in your father's good books."

I shrugged. "I should say so."

Arian's smile faltered a little. "I have to tell you something very serious."

I nodded, indicating for him to go on. Already it felt like my stomach was trying to find a new location. What could be so important?

"I've never mentioned to you that my Transfiguration Master in France is Marcel Rougier."

I feigned surprise. Of course, I already knew that; Draco Malfoy had let that little fact slip. "A relation of Zita Rougier?"

"Zita Snape, you mean," he said quietly, meeting my eye.

I looked at him, startled. "How did you-"

Arian shook his head. "She hasn't kept her marriage to your father a secret from her brother. As such, I know too."

Now it was my turn to raise an eyebrow. "And they let you in on their family affairs?"

Arian smirked again. "You'd be surprised."

I did not know what to make of this. What did Arian know? Did he know that Zita was also pregnant with Father's child?

"Arian," I said quietly. "Tell me what it is you've come to say."

"You need to be on your guard, Armilla." Arian's face was very serious. "I know what Zita is capable of."

Oh, I knew what she was capable of. Just thinking about Father's kidnap the year before and the evening in Rougier's presence was enough to make me shudder.

"Marcel Rougier made a financial blunder last August," Arian went on. "Quite a large one, in fact. He lost the family money that he and his sister had inherited. He owed…and still owes money to a lot of people and even now, he's receiving threats from those he's indebted to."

"Threats?" I repeated. "Like what?"

Arian shrugged. "The usual," he said indifferently. "Hexing him, hexing his family…"

I shook my head. I didn't know if I was more disturbed by the threats or by Arian's indifference.

"Zita had been strange about it all," Arian continued. "She normally visited her brother regularly, but she had been disappearing for weeks on end around the time Marcel went bankrupt."

That's because she was with Father, I guessed. He was still in hiding in August and as far as I knew, Rougier had stayed with him. She had married him after all.

"Zita then had the idea to marry your father. I have no idea how she got him to consent to marriage, but as you know, she was successful. She hoped that any money she received from Aurelius Snape would be enough to settle her brother's debts."

I shook my head. "And it wasn't?"

Arian shook his head too. "He settled debts with a few of his creditors, but a lot of money is still owed elsewhere. I don't think your father was too liberal with giving his new wife a lot of money. Marcel became increasingly frustrated that Zita could only contribute a minimal amount to his debts."

"How do you know all this in such detail?"

"I'm a trusted apprentice," Arian said.

I narrowed my eyes. "Who is currently telling me his master's business?"

Arian scowled. "Yes, but it's for your safety."

"Go on."

"Zita would never say a lot, but she had the idea that your father was upset with you." Arian's look implied that he wanted me to fill in the details. When I remained silent, he sighed and continued. "Zita was angered to discover that your father had no intention of changing his will after marrying her. She assumed that the new wife would inherit Snape Manor and all its assets."

Now I couldn't help but smirk. Merlin, I loathed that woman. As much as I didn't want to inherit anything that had been Father's, having it all go to Rougier was another story.

"That's when it got out of hand," Arian said, rolling his eyes.

I looked at him, incredulously. "Are you saying it wasn't out of hand before that?"

Arian didn't smile. "Well, this last piece of information wasn't revealed to me easily. In fact, Zita would be furious if she knew I know. I got the information from a rather drunken Marcel last night and the made it my priority to see you today."

I looked at him expectantly. "Well?"

"You know that Zita is…with child?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes."

"You know that there's a section of your father's will that states that the witch or wizard who inherits the estate must have magical ability?"

I frowned at him. "Zita has revealed that much?"

Arian had a question of his own. "Have you noticed in problems with your magic since you've started Sixth Year?"

That was it. I was sure my stomach was now lodged somewhere near my heart. I did my best not to show that I was bothered by the question. Very bothered.

"That's an odd question to ask."

"It's not an odd question if your magic has been tampered with," Arian responded, gazing at me.

I tried to maintain my composure. "Arian, what do you know?"

"I know that it has been Zita's goal for the past year, even before she was pregnant, to try and rid you of your magic. That's what I found out from Marcel last night. Once you were rid of your magic and were, let's face it, a squib, then Zita's baby would inherit the estate, thus securing the future of the Rougier family."

"And where is Zita now?" I asked, using all my will to quell the trepidation creeping up inside me. Rougier was behind the ghostly Merle. It made sense that it was her.

Arian shook his head. "I don't know. Marcel doesn't know. I have seen her occasionally in the past year, but she's never spoken of what she's been up to. You haven't answered my question about your magic."

"My magic's fine," I lied. "But I do care that no one knows where Zita is."

"Which is why I came to warn you," Arian said. "I care about you, Armilla."

"But not enough to come to me sooner," I said, watching him closely. "You didn't say anything when you knew Zita was doing the best she could to take Father's money."

Arian glared at me. "It's enough that I am breaking with my master's confidence to tell you now, isn't it?"

I folded my arms. "And how did Zita cope with my father's death? Being newly married, one could only imagined she was devastated."

Arian flinched. "I could not tell you. Zita tends to keep her emotions to herself…and like I told you, I have not seen a lot of her."

Something was not adding up. If Zita had been trying to rid me of my magic to ensure that her child would become the heir to the Snape estate, wouldn't it be natural to assume that Father's sudden death was woven somewhere into her plans?

"Thank you for telling me, Arian," I said honestly. "I appreciate it. I really must get back-"

"Wait," Arian said, authority very evident in his tone. "I am not finished."

I could almost hear Severus' voice in my head, telling me to stay controlled, no matter how much I wanted to hex him.

"Yes?" I said, feigning politeness.

"George Weasley," he said, giving me a knowing look.

I gave him a surprised look. "What about him?"

"Are you dating him?"

"No," I said coolly, "not that it's any of your business."

Arian's face relaxed a little. "I had thought-"

"Arian," I said, "I need to get back to my homework now. There is no point discussing this."

I turned and walked back to where Slughorn was still sitting in my seat, conversing with Harry. Harry looked strangely cheerful. Arian followed, looking a little disgruntled.

"I must take my leave, sir," Arian said politely to Slughorn, when we reached their table. "I cannot stay away too long, but thank you for your assistance."

"Not at all, my boy, not at all," said Slughorn merrily. "And give my regards to your parents, won't you?"

Arian inclined his head. "Of course, sir." He then nodded at me. "Good evening, Armilla." He jerked his head a little at Harry. "Potter." With that, he turned and swept away without a backward glance.

"Old family, the Bletchleys," Slughorn said, watching Arian's retreating back. "Taught his parents at school. Such a shame the family is not as affluent as they once were."

I said nothing. Slughorn really should not have made such a comment to Harry and I. In the back of my mind, I wondered if Father had known that fact about the Bletchleys. I assumed he had, but had still valued their pureblood status.

"Professor," said Harry suddenly, "might we have a word with you in your office? In private, you know. Armilla and I have something we need to speak to you about."

Slughorn looked from Harry to me and back again. "You do, do you?" He looked suspicious. "Harry, you know I-"

"Please, sir," Harry said earnestly, "this is important and if you only knew how Armilla feels you'd hear us out."

I frowned at Harry. What the hell was he talking about? Suddenly his words earlier dawned on me. Ah, my acting skills. It would have helped if he had told me what I was acting for. Honestly, what if I didn't agree with it?

"Oh, very well, very well," Slughorn said, standing up. "Come along then."

We quickly gathered up our books and followed him out. "Sir," I said, catching up with him. "Professor Flitwick is supposed to be escorting me back to Ravenclaw Tower in just over an hour. Are you able to walk us back to the library? I'm not allowed-"

"Don't worry, Armilla," said Slughorn, tapping his nose. "I will walk you back here. I know how Severus feels about you and Harry." He laughed. "I cannot tell you how many times he's hinted at me to have you and Harry work with different partners. I am having none of it. I cannot think of two people more suited as partners in this subject."

"Thank you, sir," said Harry, cheerfully.

I rolled my eyes at him behind Slughorn's back.

Several minutes later we were in Slughorn's rather decorative office. "Have a seat," Slughorn said, gesturing to the rather squishy armchairs in front of his desk. "Now, what can I assist you with Harry?"

Harry was silent for a moment, clearly deliberating over his choice of words. He hadn't sat down. Instead he had wondered over to a table full of photographs. "My mother," he said, picking up one of the frames. "You once told me she was one of your favourite students."

Slughorn's face darkened and he immediately open his mouth to speak, but Harry continued. "But I never got to know her, Professor. She died at the hand of the Voldemort."

Slughorn flinched a little. "Oh dear. Yes, that was – terrible indeed. Terrible…terrible." He looked over at me. "Both of you. Your mother died a long time ago too, Armilla?"

Harry immediately looked over in my direction, curiosity evident on his face. The circumstances of my mother's death weren't generally known.

"Yes, Professor," I said quietly. "She died when I was a baby. Death Eaters went on a raid and killed lots of people. My mother was one of them."

Slughorn looked a little sickened. "Hazel Merrigan," he said quietly. "I remember her." He looked down at his hands for a moment. "I don't – don't suppose either of you remember it?" he asked awkwardly.

I shook my head.

"No – well, I was only one when they died," said Harry. "But I've found out pretty much what happened since. My dad died first. Did you know that?"

"I – I didn't," said Slughorn in a hushed voice.

I was feeling very uncomfortable now. What was Harry playing at? The expression on his face seemed to show one of sadness, but I sensed there was something quite Slytherin lurking underneath.

"Yeah…Voldemort murdered him and then stepped over his body towards my mum," said Harry, placing the frame back on the table.

Slughorn gave a great shudder, but did not seem able to tear his horrified gaze away from Harry's face.

"He told her to get out of the way," Harry continued. "He told me she needn't have died. He only wanted me. She could have run."

I looked at Harry, horrified. His mum had had the choice of stepping aside? That certainly didn't seem to be the Dark Lord's style. Why would he have offered? I felt sick at the thought of it all.

"Oh dear," breathed Slughorn. "She could have…she needn't…that's awful…"

"It is, isn't it?" said Harry, in a voice barely more than a whisper. "But she didn't move. Dad was already dead, but she didn't want me to go too. She tried to plead with Voldemort, but he just laughed…"

I felt tears prick my eyes. I knew Harry had a reason for telling the story, but the truth of it was just sickening.

"That's enough!" said Slughorn suddenly, raising a shaking hand. "Really, my dear boy, enough…I'm an old man…I don't need to hear…I don't want to hear…"

"I forgot," said Harry, gesturing to the photograph of his mother. "You really liked her, didn't you?"

Lily Potter had certainly been rather beautiful. She had the same bright green eyes as Harry and long dark red hair. My heart felt constricted as I looked over at the photograph. I had long held a suspicion that Severus had held feelings for her.

"Liked her?" said Slughorn, his eyes now brimming with tears. "I don't imagine anyone who met her wouldn't have liked her…very brave…very funny…it was the most horrible thing…" He looked over at me. "And she and Severus were such good friends at school. Such brilliant Potions students…I always made sure they were partnered."

"She and Professor Snape were friends," Harry acknowledged. "Professor Snape told me so himself months ago."

I cringed, thinking of the day that Severus had taken away the book that had had Harry so enraptured, mistakenly thinking that the two people who had written notes in it were his parents. Severus had admitted to Harry that he'd had a friendship with Lily.

"And Armilla has to go through the pain of not knowing if her brother is coming back every time the Dark Lord calls," Harry said heavily. "Did you know that Professor Snape was called tonight, Professor? Did you know that Armilla has no other family? Her mother died because of Voldemort."

Slughorn didn't answer him; his tearful face was now focused on me. "You poor dear," he said softly. "Of course, I knew that…but had never stopped to think that…Oh, Armilla."

"Do you want the risk Professor Snape's taking to be in vain, Professor?" Harry went on. "Do you want him to risk his life while you know that it's you who may hold the key to the knowledge of how to truly destroy Voldemort?"

I looked over at Harry, alarmed. What was it that Harry wanted? This was all very disconcerting.

"And you won't help Lily's son," said Harry. "she gave me her life, but you won't give me her memory."

A memory? That was what Harry wanted? This was all very strange.

"Don't say that," Slughorn whispered. "It isn't a question…if it were to help you, of course…but no purpose can be served…"

"It can," said Harry clearly. "Dumbledore needs information. I need information." Harry finally sat down in the seat next to me. He leaned across Slughorn's desk, his face very serious. "I am the Chosen One. I have to kill him. I need that memory."

Harry had to kill the Dark Lord. The thought of having that responsibility was utterly repulsive. I almost didn't want to know what Harry had been discussing with Dumbledore during their session together.

Slughorn was paler than ever and his shiny forehead gleamed with sweat. "You are the Chosen One?"

"Of course I am," said Harry calmly.

"But then…my dear boy…you're asking a great deal…you're asking me, in fact, to aid you in your attempt to destroy-"

"You don't want to get rid of the wizard who killed Lily Evans? The wizard who Professor Snape is risking his life to serve, knowing that Armilla suffers every time he is called?"

I wanted to add my support to what Harry was asking, but quite frankly, Harry had put me in a very difficult position. Suppose the Dark Lord or one of his followers ever did find out about all this…I would be placing my brother in a very precarious position by being so earnest in desiring to help Harry get this memory. To be so open about destroying the Dark Lord… It reminded me once again how careful I had to be in my position. I hoped that Harry wouldn't take my silence as an offence.

"Armilla, Harry, of course I want to see him destroyed, but – "

"You're scared he'll find out you helped me?"

Slughorn said nothing; he looked terrified.

"Be brave like my mother, Professor…"

Slughorn raised a pudgy hand and pressed his shaking fingers to his mouth. I had never seen an adult look so childlike.

"I am not proud…" he whispered through his fingers. "I am ashamed of what – of what that memory shows…I think I may have done great damage that day…"

"You'd cancel out anything you did by giving me the memory," said Harry. "It would be a very brave and noble thing to do."

Slughorn looked at me and I looked evenly back at him. "I can see the Slytherin in both of you, you know," he said softly. "Harry, you have been manoeuvring me, and Armilla, I know you may agree with his sentiments but you cannot say anything."

Again, I said nothing. I looked from Slughorn to Harry, who looked a little guilty.

"I didn't think that through," Harry said quietly, looking at me. "I'm sorry, Armilla."

"All I will say," I said slowly, "is that having my brother live through the war is of paramount importance to me…and I cannot be sure that he will…that any of us will, but I am determined to do what I can."

There was silence.

Then, very slowly, Slughorn put his hand in his pocket and pulled out his wand. He put his other hand inside his robes and took out a small, empty bottle. Looking into my eyes and then Harry's eyes, Slughorn touched the tip of his wand to his temple and withdraw it, so that a long thread of silver memory stretched until it broke and swung, silvery bright, from the wand. Slughorn lowered it into the bottle where it coiled, then spread, swirling like gas. He corked the bottle with a trembling hand and then passed it across the table to Harry.

"You're a good boy," said Slughorn, tears trickling down his face and into his walrus moustache. "And you've got her eyes…just don't think too badly of me once you've seen it…"

"Well then," I said, after casting a silencing charm around Harry and I in the library. Slughorn had just escorted us back to the library, looking a little worse for wear. I actually felt a little bad for him. "Care to explain what that was all about?"

Harry sighed, actually looking a little tired himself. "I'm so sorry, Armilla. I was thinking of a means to an end and I didn't consider all the implications it might have for you. I've been trying to get that memory from Slughorn for ages and I know how highly he thinks of you…and of Snape. It suddenly seemed like a good idea to have your presence in another attempt to secure the memory."

"I'm glad you appreciate how difficult the situation was," I said. "It must be something important for you to place me in that sort of situation, Harry."

Harry now looked a little worried. "You're not going to tell Snape are you?"

"What if Slughorn mentions it?" I said. "Not that I think he's likely to, but there's always a trail. Dumbledore will be sure to ask how you managed it if, as you say, you've been struggling to get the memory. Once you're honest with him, which I'm sure you'll be, Dumbledore might tell my brother."

Harry looked a little deflated. "Oh good. Now I am almost certain to have detention for the rest of Sixth Year."

I shrugged. "I'll do my best to persuade him that your actions were those of a Slytherin."

Harry smiled a little at that. "How much sway to you have with Snape?"

I laughed. "When it comes to you?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Fair enough."

"You still haven't answered my question. Why did you need a memory from Slughorn? Why was he so worried about giving it to you? How can it help defeat the Dark Lord?"

"That's three questions," Harry pointed out.

"I'm a Ravenclaw," I said dryly. "I have a thirst for knowledge, remember?"

Harry sighed again. "I cannot tell you everything," he said. "I cannot tell you about the memory because I don't know exactly what it is and Dumbledore's rather secretive about everything."

"Dumbledore has secrets everywhere," I said, thinking of Draco Malfoy and little Lydia Riddle.

Harry looked curiously at me for a moment because looking at his watch. "I really should check if Dumbledore is back by now. He'll be wanting to see this memory." He looked around the library at the other students here and there. I could see Michael Corner and Anthony Goldstein bent over a few books several tables away. Ruby Parkes was wandering between the rows of books, looking a little distracted. At least she wasn't coming over to us to imply that Harry and I liked each other again. She drove me crazy. "Are you allowed to be left alone?"

"Madam Pince is here," I said, "and there are plenty of other students about so I'll be fine. We can work on our assignment tomorrow night."

"Yeah," Harry agreed. "Thanks." He started rummaging in his bag. "Listen, would you like to borrow the Marauder's Map for a couple of days? You did do me a big favour after all and I can only hope that it might help you."

"That would be great, thanks," I replied, holding my hand out for it. "What words do you use to activate it again?"

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," he said, placing it in my hand. "And you wipe it by saying mischief managed."

"Right," I laughed. "Very creative."

I entered my dormitory later that evening, to find Lisa and Padma already there. Flitwick had just walked me to Ravenclaw Tower and I had left him having a chat with Terry and a couple of Fifth and Seventh Years in the common room. Our Head of House occasionally made an appearance in our common room, so it wouldn't have been considered strange that I had arrived there with him.

"Where are the others?" I asked, making my way over to my bed. Lisa, who seemed to be in the middle of writing a letter, looked up. "I think Mandy is in the common room trying to chat up one of the Seventh Year boys," she said. "She's given up on Anthony Goldstein. I have no idea where Ruby is."

"She was in the library an hour ago," I said. "She'd better hurry up or she'll be caught out after curfew."

"Wouldn't be the first time," Padma said. "She received a detention from Flitwick last week for being caught near Ravenclaw Tower after ten o'clock in the evening. Stupid really. Ravenclaw lost twenty points."

"Oh, get over it," Ruby said, walking into the room. "I am here like a good girl, see?"

Padma laughed. "Keep it that way. We don't want to lose any more points."

Ruby rolled her eyes, walking to the bathroom. "I am going to go and take an incredibly long shower."

"And I am turning in for the night," said Padma, closing the curtains around her bed. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Lisa and I replied.

I didn't immediately get ready for bed. Instead, I drew the curtains around my bed and pulled the parchment Harry had given me from my bag. I tapped my wand on the parchment and very quietly spoke the words to activate the map. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

Within seconds, I had a full view of Hogwarts and its occupants again. I immediately started looking for our quarters in the dungeons to see if Severus was back yet. No one was there.

I sighed, looking for Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore was certainly back, as I could see a small dot with his name, standing quite still in his office. Harry's dot was there in Dumbledore's office too. I wondered if Dumbledore had only just returned or if Harry had been in there for ages. Slughorn's worried face appeared in my mind. I wondered what the memory might be. Had Slughorn done something terrible? Unforgivable?

I heard a noise outside my curtains and heard Mandy talking to Lisa. They were having a muffled conversation about how repulsive Mandy found one of the Seventh Year boys.

I looked back at the map, looking for Ravenclaw Tower. Finding it, I noticed that Professor Flitwick was now in the corridor outside the common room, heading towards his office. Terry was still down in the common room with a few other boys.

Smiling, I found my dormitory and put my finger on my own name. There I was and there was Lisa close by. There was Mandy and there was Padma. And in the bathroom, there was…

Zita Snape.

Yes, still here. Please review! I have been leading up to this moment for a long time and I know some reviewers were very suspicious about a certain character!

Credit to HBP, as a lot of Slughorn/Harry text was borrowed for this chapter