AN/- thanks guys for those awesome reviews-help me get to 200 and I'l promise another chapter asap. Thanks! =) (PS: I am not black mailing for reviews just suggesting that they'd help the writing process.)

Chapter 60

The rest of the week Audrey spent alone—she ate every meal alone—neither Ron nor Hermione sat next to her—she didn't really blame them either. They were Harry's friends before hers and she respected that—although Hermione kept throwing anxious glances at her through classes and at breakfast but Audrey didn't know how the chosen one was turning the house whose respect she had so painstakingly earned over a year into a joke. No one really spoke to Audrey anymore—well apart from Cormac who was trying to get into her knickers, everyone from her house who she tried to have a half way decent conversation with would either tried their best to get out of it, like Neville who made the most obscure excuses that although however hard he tried to be nice Audrey knew he was as awkward as a goat found in a bar, Neville wasn't the only one though.

The biggest shock came when Audrey had been eating breakfast that morning a week after Halloween. Professor McGonagall came up to her and stood over her as Audrey looked up from her book and at her grandmother who was looking at her a little sadly.

"Oh—morning Professor," she greeted her with a small smile; she seemed to be happy seeing she had finally gotten her hand on her father's personal stock of books. She loved how every first page was marked with his name in his handwriting—the nicest thing her father had done was scribbled her name under his own with a 'and' above it, she had been happy when he had shown her that—she had kissed his cheek in gratefulness as he pulled her into a tighter hug—she liked how it felt in his arms—it was as if he pulled her away from the world, she felt secure.

"Oh Audrey!" sighed Minerva as softly as she could manage.

"How can I help you?" asked Audrey a little cheerfully as hailstones began to drop and disintegrate into the air, although it was obvious that Neville's unlucky nature had a few hit him violently on his head and shoulders.

"Ms. Snape—"began Minerva a little sadly as the Gryffindor table was listening in closely—each and every ear from every year on the table which was absolutely quite.

"I would require you badge," said Minerva painfully as Audrey frowned.

"Umm...Why?" asked Audrey curiously.

"Because...the team—has declared impeachment," said Minerva as Audrey's mouth dropped slightly.

"I don't—"

"You've been replaced,"

"Replaced?"

"The team believes that—you—aren't fit enough—to be captain," said Minerva showing Audrey a signed petition for her immediate removal.

"You have been voted off as captain—off the team," said Minerva as she unpinned the badge of Audrey's' robes.

"I'm sorry—Ms. Snape—but a team's vote cannot be revoked—I'm sorry—Ms. Snape," said Minerva as Audrey was left staring into space—she was brought out of her trance when a line of water dripped down her face. She looked down instantly as her hair covered the sides of her face hiding her away from prying eyes.

"Audrey?—come with me," ordered a girl as Audrey looked up—she noticed the entire table gossiping and laughing at her expense. She lost it—she let her tears fall freely in public—she picked up her bag and made a beeline out of the hall.

"Audrey—Audrey—come on—stop—Audrey!" called Astoria but Audrey didn't stop for a second—she turned corners and didn't realize when she reached a deserted corridor—she was still running her eyes blurred with tears, when she crashed into someone, she didn't look at them, but apologized as faintly as she could manage with the voice that came out of her throat and began to walk away when the person held her back, his hand caught hold of her hand and pushed her into an empty classroom, Audrey pulled out her wand but when the remaining tears fell out she saw her father standing there looking worriedly at her. She didn't know what else to do as she ran to him and pushed her hands around his neck as he held her close.

"Oh, child –stop—please stop," he said calmly as she cried for a few more seconds when the hiccups started followed by extensive sniffing and then a deep breath, this was a customary pattern that she followed while crying. She noticed a small smile on his face when she looked up as she cleaned her face with his handkerchief.

"What?" she asked her voice still shaky.

"Nothing—it's funny how alike you and your mother are—even she cries like that," he said as Audrey chuckled slightly.

"Clear up—I'll fix that arse potter," he said pulling her into a hug as she chuckled.

"Don't do that—don't need that arse to get the satisfaction that I went and complained to daddy," said Audrey smiling.

"Weren't you dating him—what happened to that?" he asked as Audrey opened and shut her mouth like a fish

"You—you—you knew?"

"Of course I knew child—I am your father—I observe things—I am a spy—I am bloody good at it," sad Severus as Audrey smiled, he reminded her about her mother's favourite movies 'Bond—James Bond'

"So what happened?" asked Severus curiously as Audrey was a little surprised that he wasnt angry at her for dating Harry.

"Well—we broke up," she said shrugging.

"Why?"

"Because he's a prick!"

"Yes—but I'm not sure that is the only reason,"

"He found out about Malfoy,"

"I see," he said softly—almost feeling guilty about the whole thing.

"I have to get to class," said Audrey checking her new watch that her mother had bought her that summer.

"Right—me too," said Severus awkwardly as Audrey frowned and gave him a small chuckle, he ruffled her hair and was the first to leave the class as Audrey made her way to the greenhouses for Herbology.

It went on like that for days but before Audrey knew it—she had forgotten about it. But a note from her grandfather changed things—he had asked for her to meet him and Harry for their normal class in his office. When she got there—she saw the gleaming captain badge on Harry's chest—she bit her lip to stop herself from lashing out at him. Merlin, she saw what her father did—she could now tell exactly why he detested Potter so much. Although Ron and Hermione seem to have had the worst fall out and so Hermione had suddenly changed sides—she spent most of her time in the library with Audrey or just talking with Harry. Audrey was surprised in the beginning about this—didn't Harry mind her being with her—but Hermione explained just how she had told Harry off about it—and said that she didnt want to take any sides—and that both of them were her friends and she'd like to keep it that way. Audrey had not asked any more question on that.

"Ladies first," said Albus as he emptied a vial into the pensieve as Audrey quickly dunked her head in as the two followed her.

The memory was of professor Slughorn bidding students goodnight after what looked like some sort of dinner.

"Oh—Tom—what are you doing here?—you don't want to miss curfew," said Slughorn his huge belly moving as he walked to a handsome 16 year old version of Voldemort.

"I like spending my time productively sir and I find that it is most fruitful when I am in your presence," said Voldemort as he Slughorn chuckled.

"Now then if you're done with the flattery Tom," laughed Slughorn obviously very impressed by the boy.

"I was in the library the other day sir and I came across a certain interesting piece of information—however I believe only you could help me out with it sir," said Tom.

"Why so?" asked Slughorn frowning.

"Well—I don't believe the other professors would understand it," said Tom further flattering Slughorn's knowledge.

"Well—go on then Tom," edged Slughorn jovially.

"Well sir, I was wondering what—what a Horcrux is?" asked Tom Riddle but that very second Slughorn grew so fanatic that he stepped forward like an angry elephant.

"I don't know where you read this Tom—and I will most certainly not tell you anything about it—now get out!" snarled Slughorn—it was quiet hard to believe that the man grew so angry all of sudden—and lash out and what had seemed like his favourite student.

"What do you see from this memory?" Dumbledore asked Audrey and Harry once they were out of the pensieve and sitting on the chairs on the other side of the large desk.

"You haven't brought professor Slughorn back just to teach have you sir?" asked Harry as Dumbledore smiled.

"No Harry, I haven't," said Dumbledore as he got up and turned to Audrey who had a look on her that said she was thinking.

"Knut for your thoughts?" asked Albus as Audrey looked at him.

"This wasn't the real memory was it?" asked Audrey as Albus raised his eyebrows.

"And how do you come to that?" he asked her.

"Well—his behaviour—the body language—the tone of his voice—and his belt was different" said Audrey as Albus smiled at her.

"Very good," he said shaking his head as Audrey smiled at him.

"It indeed is not the real memory—only a hoax—this is what we need from Horace—this memory links everything—you understand—it is therefore a task that I assign the two of you—we need that memory—to get to the core," finished Dumbledore as they nodded but did not look at each other.

"Everything all right?" asked Dumbledore frowning as they nodded.

"I mean between you two?" asked Dumbledore as they did not respond—an awkward silence ensured Albus got his answer.

"Now listen, you do not have time for these trivial fights—I believe it is best if we set our differences aside and shake hands—you will need team work to get to Horace," said Albus as neither moved.

"Come on," he edged again as they finally looked at each other—Harry put his hand forward as she looked at it suspiciously but shook it, a second later they were dismissed as Harry left and Audrey waited back—the weight of Draco's words was on her and she had to get it cleared.

"Oh—something you needed?" he asked as he noticed her still there.

"Yes—information," she said looking at him as he looked at her interestedly.

"Yes?"

"What—who—Dra—Malfoy—let slip something to me a few weeks back," she said as Dumbledore nodded.

"Something about me being Harry's defender?—what is a defender?" asked Audrey as Dumbledore smiled.

"So is that what you've been thinking all night long?" asked Dumbledore as she shook her head. She had tried her best to go through books in the library but she found nothing.

"Well—let me being with the process of how you are Harry's defender—you see the ceremony that was performed that night when Voldemort returned not only needed Harry's blood—but also yours—therefore when the blood was mixed together—it did not just resurrect lord Voldemort but also formed some sort of connection but your streams," said Dumbledore.

"Meaning?"

"Meaning—if Harry gets hurt you'll feel it and when he is hurt you can tell—therefore you are each other's defenders—you need to keep a watch on each other to make sure neither of you are bruised," said Dumbledore as Audrey frowned.

"So if I fall of the broom and break my bones he'll break his bones too?" asked Audrey horrified.

"No, meaning that when Harry is in need for help—you'll have to be present to—together your magic will help defeat the resurrected," said Dumbledore.

"So, what about the prophecy then?" asked Audrey.

"The prophecy said that neither can live while the other survives—so if Harry-," she couldn't go on.

"No, you won't die—but there will be a part of you that—might—although—this is ancient magic—you never know—what could happen,"

"So, there is a possibility that if Harry's killed so will I?" said Audrey struggling to speak.

"There is a—possibility," said Dumbledore helplessly as Audrey gulped, she was shocked , horrified, she tried to register the fact that she could be killed—seeing just how reckless Harry was—her knees buckled as she fell into the seat behind her.

"Audrey?" called Albus as Audrey bit her lips and closed her eyes as a few tears left her eyes.

"Do—do—do my parents—parents know?" asked Audrey softly.

"No—your father was curious—but I did not give him this information—and I believe Voldemort would not let it out seeing it as a weakness," said Dumbledore as he sat down in the chair next to her.

"I see," she said gulping as she cleared her eyes and looked at him determined.

"You make sure they don't find out—especially mum—she won't be able to take it," said Audrey as she stood.

"You think I can?" asked Dumbledore looking at her softly as she shrugged and shook her head.

"You haven't spoken to me like you used to since you found out the truth," said Albus as Audrey gulped, it was true—she hadn't—but then she had been awkward—what was she supposed to call him.

"You could call me grandpa," said Albus as Audrey smiled faintly as she hugged him tightly; his hand went through her head.

"I will," she said a few more tears left her eyes.

"Good—now keep an eye on Draco—I believe he is having second thoughts about being in Slytherine and even a Malfoy," said Albus as he let her go and waved his hand in the air as the door opened and Hermione fell into the room looking extremely embarrassed.

"I believe you will be needing your friends," said Albus as Audrey smiled and sighed as she walked out with Hermione—explaining everything—from the beginning—Hermione was so depressed she cried for both her best friends as she promised never to leave Audrey's side.

Dessert was being served by the house elves as nineteen people sat around a large round table, Hermione and Ginny distinctly noticed Harry who was sitting in between them throwing concerned and eager glances at the door—hoping maybe that she'd appear.

"So tell me Cormac have you heard from your uncle recently?" asked Slughorn as Belby who was sitting on the other side tried to gather a large scoop on chocolate hazelnut into his tiny spoon.

"He's doing marvellously—I just received a letter from him yesterday sir—our family might be going on our traditional hunting trip this Christmas," said Cormac proudly as Slughorn nodded impressed as Zambini Blaise and Ginny rolled their eyes together and then shot each other an odd smile.

"And what about your uncle Belby—has been had any new break through?" asked Slughorn as Belby from Hufflepuff seemed more interested in his mission to complete the impossibly large ice cream sundae that he did not care to impress Slughorn.

"Well—me dad and me uncle don't get along too well—says he could only do any good for the wolfs—all his other stuffs a lod of crap," said Belby declaring as Slughorn seemed to look like he regretted his choice as the Carrow twins made a disgusted face at Belby and then sniggered something into each other's ears.

"And what do you're parents do in the muggle world Ms. Granger?" asked Slughorn as Hermione snapped her attention to him.

"My parents are dentist," smiled Hermione confidently as a few Slytherines threw her a disgusted look.

"Oh—and what do they do?"asked Slughorn interested.

"Well—they tend to people's teeth," said Hermione in an obvious sort of way.

"I see—and is that considered a dangerous profession?" asked Slughorn sitting up straighter.

"Not really—but one boy called Fredrick did bite my father once—he needed ten stitches," said Hermione, chuckling fondly at the memory as Neville who was sitting on Ginny's other side smiled a little at her.

"I see—and do you know where Ms. Snape is—her company is being thoroughly missed!" stated Slughorn as Hermione shrugged a little.

"I don't think Audrey will be able to make it today sir," said Neville as Harry shot his head up to look at him.

"Why not Mr. Longbottom?"

"Well—she told me she was going to the library—I think she's still there," said Neville.

"Really—now?" asked Slughorn as Neville nodded.

"Bless her soul—if someone told me how different she was from her father—I'd ask them to get an eye test," laughed Slughorn, Harry looked away.

"She's nothing like professor Snape—she a conceited, self-obssessed, Gryffindor—professor Snape doesn't consider her anything but another Gryffindor student," snapped one of the Carrow twins defending her teacher as Slughorn glared at her.

"Now—I want you to be completely honest with me—does Ms. Snape hate her father as well?" asked Slughorn trying to get his share of gossip.

"She doesn't deserve him as a father," snapped the other Carrow twin.

"Agreed," said a seventh year Slytherine.

"What do you think Ms. Greengrass—you seem to have been spending an awful lot of time with Ms. Snape?" asked Slughorn as Astoria looked up worriedly.

"I don't know sir—I don't know her too well—but she doesn't seem to like him very much," lied Astoria ofcourse she knew Audrey—but she replied honestly when it came to Snape.

"But why?" asked Slughorn.

"Why shouldn't she?" called Harry suddenly as the room went quiet as everyone turned to him.

"I mean he walked out on her mother when she was pregnant—she grew up without knowing him—I suppose the hatred for him comes naturally," said Harry defending Audrey's honor the best he could as a small smile was shared between Ginny, Hermione and Neville.

"Oh—I didnt know it would get this steamy," said Slughorn excitedly as Harry did not speak anymore as Slughorn went to another topic.

"Where is Audrey really?" Ginny whispered to Neville as Neville looked down.

"I don't know—Parvati told me that she had heard Audrey crying in the bathroom of their dormitory but she doesn't know about what—she said—she seemed rather upset about something—she said she could feel her pain," said Neville icily as Ginny breadthed deeply, Hermione bit her lip—she knew why—when she turned to look up she noticed a look of pure guilt cross Harry's face.

"You know—she's really very lonely," said Hermione as Harry licked his dried lips.

"She does love you Harry—and I know you do too," said Hermione as she placed her hand on his under the table. Harry shook his head.

"She'd never listen to me—and besides all she cares about is Malfoy—so I am guessing it's hopeless," he said as a there was a knock on the door.

Audrey walked in a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up revealing the pale skin on her forehand as her tight jeans stuck to her perfectly, she had let her hair loose as it fell to her shoulders now, seeing it had grown since last year, she removed some from her eyes and tried to smile. Harry could tell just how worn she looked—for a second he was reminded of Remus.

Harry blinked as when he opened his eyes again their eyes met as she looked away instantly as if in pain.

"My apologies for my tardiness professor," said Audrey softly as Slughorn waved it away and beamed at her, motioning her to sit down in the empty chair next to Hermione.

"Oh no, my child—please do sit down—have some dessert—that is if Belby has left you any," he said as Audrey smiled clearly not understanding the joke as she reached for the large chair. Harry's sprung to his legs as she looked at him surprised, had he gotten up for her—out of respect? Courteousy? Or was he making a spectacle out of them on purpose? Once again their eyes met in some sort of connection as Audrey felt a pull at her heart—was this what the defenders connection meant?—she wondered if he felt it too—and she knew he did as his lifted a light hand and drifted it past his left ribs.

Audrey sat down quietly as Slughorn opened up another topic and as Audrey's eyes scanned the new Slug Club she noticed McLaggen dip his finger into the chocolate topping sauce on his monstrous scoop of ice cream and then push it into his mouth. Audrey looked horrified and disgusted as she looked away embarrassed while a triumphant smirk could be seen on Mclaggen's face.

"Maybe you should wash your hands MsLaggen—don't want you touching other people's thing with your spit," whispered Harry across the table as if genuinely worried. Cormac instantly placed his limbs and their connecting parts off the table and glared for a few seconds at Harry.

"Bastard," was the only other thing that came from Harry's mouth that made Audrey smile throughout the gathering—for the first time in a long time—did she feel—completely—secure again.

AN/- Hi guys do leave your thoughts behind-also has anyone watched Sirius Black and the secret keeper yet-pretty cool-go youtube it!