AN/- I understand how late this update it but I seriously had and have no time to write-to messed up with other shit in life-but my love for fanfiction and Harry Potter keeps me going and since it is Harry's and JK Rowlings birthday today-i thought it would be good idea to give you guys a little gift. Do Leave a Review-that is most crucial.

Chapter 61

Harry was sitting on his usual seat as all of them waited for the feast to begin, a small commotion ensued as Audrey walked into the hall looking rather angry and frustrated as McLaggen trailed behind her love struck

"Come on Audrey—how long are you going to take to be mine!"

"Look—Mclaggen—I have tried telling you this before and I'll tell you this again—I don't like you—I am not going to go out with you!" she snarled looking at him as angrily as she could. Harry bent over to look at what was happening.

"But you promised you'd think about it!" snarled McLaggen angry himself.

"Well—I lied—move on!" she snapped as McLaggen then did something that made several people gasp. He pulled her to him, his hand rested dangerous close to her bottom as she was being pushed flush against him; his mouth was on hers his other hand pushing her head towards his forcefully. Harry jumped in his seat immediately as Ron who had been busy love talking to Lavender looked over at the commotion and then at Harry as Ron pulled him back into his seat. Why was Audrey letting him kiss her, truth was Audrey was so overwhelmed by the action that she didn't realise she was kissing him back—but a few seconds when he pushed his horrible tongue onto her lips, she opened her eyes and tried to pull away—he was admittedly strong—but an idiot—she kicked him in the nuts as he fell to the ground.

"Just by the way you kiss like an infected camel you sick jerk!" she said disgustedly as she kicked his shin making him groan again.

There were several people hooting and cheering as other passed crude comments at her—called her horrible things as Audrey felt her gaze over to were Ron was speaking to Harry—thanking her stars that they did not notice she picked up her bag and ran out of the hall, not really able to accept the humiliation anymore. In her state she did not realise when she reached the deserted seventh floor corridor—so when she noticed this she cleared her eyes and turned around when she saw him, she wondered what he was doing here at this time, so she hid herself behind a support pillar as he walked forward, crossed the odd cages with the lovebirds in them and opened one as one bird was pulled out by him.

She followed Draco further down the corridor as she hid herself the best she could—so when he opened the room of requirement he didn't notice a figure stroll behind him. The room wasn't like what it had been last year when they had used it for training session for the DA, it was filled with mountains of junk—it was like a lost and found that had not been cleaned in a million years—all the better for her though—she got a place to hide.

Draco pulled a dusty blanket over what looked like some sort of cabinet—Audrey's eyes went wide—that was impossible—how did he get the cabinet from the shop in knockturnal alley here? And why did he put the bird in there?

Draco proceeded to chant something like a spell—he kept chanting it and only on the twentieth chant did he open his eyes and then opened the door of the cabinet—the bird—it was gone! Draco smirked as he shut the door again and began his little chant again as Audrey could do nothing but stare but this time when he opened the door Audrey had to suppress a gasp as Draco looked as disturbed as she did—the bird—it was—dead.

Draco kneeled to the bird as he cradled it gently and let remorse take over—Audrey took slow and quiet steps out of the place—what was Draco doing—what was his task—and what did that cabinet do—were there two of those—some sort of connection between the cabinet here and the cabinet in knockturnal alley—or was it the same cabinet—real question was why did Draco need it?

There were two weeks left for Christmas break but the snow made the castle's atmosphere extremely enthusiastic—although Harry for one was tired—so tired of Ron and Lavender hanging out everywhere they went that he wanted to punch them into oblivion if they snogged again—or if Lavender called him "won-won"—what the fuck was "won-won" Anyway?

"I made this especially for you—see daddy said-we'd be going for the hunting trip with Cormac's family so I won't be able to see you over Christmas—I'll miss you my won-won," she said snogging him as he responded readily as Harry hit his head lightly against the table during Saturday breakfast. He missed Hermione—he missed her remarks and taunts—now all she did was sit with Audrey—well—he missed Audrey too—he missed her so much he was ready to apologise for everything if his ego allowed it—so he wrote to Sirius telling him everything and Sirius just asked him to do what his heart said—so Harry didn't do anything—he just waited till he thought was a good time. But he knew he had better grow some balls because Ron and Lavender were getting to his nerves. What did Ron see in Lavender anyway?—the fact that that she kept snogging him—or did he like the intense mollycoddling –or the flashy gifts she insisted he wear—like the gold chain with the pendent that said 'won-won' that she bought him for this Christmas and forced him to wear it at all times.

"Harry?" called a familiar voice in the back as Harry raised his head to look around—Audrey stood over him with her bag on her shoulder and a few books in her hand. They stared at each other for a few minutes as Harry tried to study her face clearly, she seemed sad—was she sad to be talking to him?

"Yea?" he asked gently getting up, he wondered if he should tell her-tell her just how much he missed her—tell how much he loved—he loved—he loved seeing her.

"I think I took your book by mistake in potions last time—sorry," she said bluntly as Harry stared at the book in her outstretched hand—it was his—or rather the half blood prince's potions book.

"Umm...thanks," he said taking the book from her as he looked apprehensively at her, she did not reciprocate, but instead turned around to leave—it was now or never—he had to ask her.

"Audrey!" he called softly as she turned around to look at him—a blank expression—he could not tell what she was thinking.

"Do you want to go to the Christmas party together?" he asked her as she looked a little taken aback—he thought about it—she must be thinking I am such an arse—I didn't even apologize—such a prude!

"I am already going with someone else," she said softly as Harry's mind was fogged with anger again.

"Oh—ok," he snapped and then waited for her to leave as he thought who it was—he thought he had a good idea—had to be Malfoy—after all—they seemed to be too friendly to be friends alright!

"I was going to ask Ron to come but since he's being as arse about it," snapped Hermione incredulously.

"Well so we could go together," said Harry shrugging.

"Of course—why didn't I think of this!" she said loudly hitting her head with her head.

"So I take you've asked someone as well—who are you taking?" asked Harry a little down.

"So you found out about Audrey then—anyway—it's a surprise—it's you you've got to worry about—you can't just take anyone?" asked Hermione feeling a little sad for her friend.

"Yea—and you know what I don't really care—I can get any girl I want!" he said as someone shushed them from the opposite side of the library.

"I'd be careful—with where you're going," said Hermione as Harry frowned.

"See that girl over there—" she said motioning her eyes towards a sixth year Ravenclaw who was looking at Harry and smiling.

"She seems nice," said Harry smiling back as Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Just because she has long legs does not make her nice! Besides that's Romilda Vain—she's was caught by professor Snape in the library trying to nick the recipe for making love potion—the other day I heard she got a box of them from the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes which is absolutely against all school rules and guess what—they were discussing in the toilets that she was going to slip some into your dinner," said Hermione disapprovingly.

"Really?" asked Harry feeling a little flattered.

"Hey—she's only interested in you—because she thinks you're the chosen one," said Hermione snapping her fingers in front of his face probably pulling him out of the trance as she picked up the parchment and then got up together.

"But I am the chosen one," said Harry smiling to himself as Hermione turned around in shock and hit him in the face with the parchment.

"Umm...sorry...got carried away...a bit," he said smiling at her apologetically as she laughed softly.

"I'll find someone—someone cool," he said nodding.

When Harry had said that to Hermione last afternoon, that he would find someone cool—he did not know how he was going to do it—so he just decided to go for someone he knew he could trust as a friend and therefore he asked Luna to go with him—although she only agreed under certain circumstances.

"Luna, do you want to go to Slughorn's party with me?"

"Ok, but as friends Harry potter—I don't like you any other way,"

Harry did not know how she could say that with a dreamy smile on her face—but then again it was Luna—not that going as friends made a difference to him—he was only going to know whether Audrey had gone so low as to ask Malfoy to come with her.

"Hello Harry," Luna greeted him as he straightened his black tie under his black waist coat over his maroon shirt. Luna however had other plans when it came to dressing up for the party—what she was wearing could be successfully described as a mixture between Christmas decoration and silver coloured gift wrapping paper—although Harry did not mind—she seemed to look alright for her standards—seeing the whole school knew just how wacked out she really was, but Harry thought she was a genuine person—and Harry believed that was what was crucial—not the way she dressed.

"I have never been in this part of the castle—at least not while I am awake—I sleep walk you see—that why I wear my shoes to bed," she said as Harry tried his best not to laugh.

Once in the party Harry hunted for someone as Luna went her way to get a drink and then talk to Terry Boot and Dennis Creevy who seemed to have come together. Slughorn pulled him to him and requested him to grab a picture with him.

"Would you like something to drink?" Neville asked as Harry jumped on the spot seeing Neville dressed like a waiter with drinks made him frown.

"It's alright really—he's got Belby collecting dirty towels," said Neville scrunching his nose.

"But-," Harry wondered as he picked a drink from the tray.

"Yea—I wish I'd known before—I wouldn't have asked Audrey to come with me—now she's got to sit alone all night," said Neville a little disappointedly as Harry looked at where he was looking. He found Audrey—she looked rather bored—but extremely gorgeous—she was wearing a cream coloured dress with a thin chain—she looked even more paler than normal due to the colour but it made Harry smile, when she pulled out some of her hair from her face. Most of all he smiled because he had been wrong—Audrey wasn't here with Malfoy—she was here with Neville—and he knew all too well—she didn't have any feelings for Neville—after all they were cousins or something—so it must have been just like he asking Luna to come with him—as friends.

A sudden surge of guilt rose in Harry's chest as decided upon it—this was it—the right moment! He walked towards her as she stared outside the window with a glass of sherry in her hand looking at the snow falling in a customary slow pattern

"Psst—Harry," someone called him as he turned around to see who it was, he noticed Hermione run and hide behind a few thin green curtains—he followed her.

"Hermione," he said merrily as she smiled, peeping outside as she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes and sighed.

"Thank merlin he's gone," said Hermione.

"Who?" asked Harry.

"Cormac," she said unsteadily as Harry wanted to laugh.

"You came with McLaggen?" asked Harry surprised as she nodded distastefully.

"I shall regret it forever," she said, as a waiter came in and offered them what was in his tray.

"What is it?" asked Harry.

"Dragon balls," he replied as the two of them shook their heads.

"Might as well—seeing they give you terrible bad breath," said the waiter grinning as Harry frowned.

"Give it here!" she said pulling the whole tray to her and then shutting her nose to take it in.

"He's coming Hermione!" said someone from the outside as the girl came in, it was Audrey—she stopped as her smiled dropped and she turned to look at Hermione when she noticed him—Harry's heart clenched harshly.

"Go, go, go," said Harry as Hermione handed Harry the tray leaving him alone with Audrey as she discreetly went out when Cormac entered.

"Hey," said Cormac to the two silent Gryffindors.

"Are you two?—shit I'm sorry to be the party pooper," said Cormac winking at them.

"No—it's what you think," stated Audrey in an obvious way.

"I'm here with someone else," she said disgruntled by Cormac's assumptions.

"Yea—me too," said Harry as softly as he could—he was hurt—he was hurt that she said the truth so easily—she was with Neville but not that way.

"Oh—alright then—you haven't seen your friend have you—she's a quick little minx," he said chomping on at least five dragon balls at the same time—it smelt so bad that Audrey couldn't help but edge towards Harry, they grew incredibly uncomfortable.

"She went to powder her nose," said Harry as Audrey glanced at him with a raised eyebrow—as he shrugged.

"Oh—what is this anyway?" asked Cormac finished almost everything on the tray.

"Dragon balls," stated Audrey disgustedly as Cormac gagged.

"Excuse me," he said as he dashed out of the curtains as the sound of vomit could be heard outside.

"How have you been?" Harry asked—what—was he thinking—how have you been?—really?—she hates you and all you can say is that? You're pathetic—he thought to himself.

"Fine—I'm fine," she stated plainly as he nodded.

"Thanks for giving me my book that day," he said as Audrey nodded stiffly. They shared a few seconds of silence as Harry sighed and closed his eyes.

"Audrey—look I just wanted to say—" he began as someone scolded McLaggen—it was Snape.

"You've just earned yourself a month's detention McLaggen!" snarled Snape—his new shoes—the boy vomited on his new shoes—the little twit!

"Can we go someplace else?" Harry asked urgently—not believing when she nodded and followed him out of the curtains.

"Not so fast!" snapped Snape in the back as they both turned to look at him.

"I think we should be getting back to the party sir—our dates,"

"Can surely wait," said Severus dangerously as he was the first one to notice they were holding hands—as when Audrey saw his line of vision—she let go of Harry instantly and crossed her hands tightly.

"Besides—I only wish to convey a message—it is from professor Dumbledore you see—he's travelling and won't be back until term resumes—he hopes you'll have a good holiday," said Snape bluntly as Harry frowned.

"Ms. Snape—you're refreshment seems to be empty, go get another one," said Severus staring straight at Harry.

"But I don't want another—"

"GO!"

Audrey frowned at his odd behaviour—if he wanted to talk to Harry privately—he could just say so—but she knew herself but to walk away—she would eavesdrop.

"Where is he travelling to?" Harry asked again—wondering if Snape had sent Audrey away for that.

"Shut up Potter—now listen closely—if you ever—lay a hand on my daughter again—I will make sure I kill you before the dark lord gets a chance to—am I clear?"snapped Severus as Harry looked at him blinking.

"Potter!"

"I love her!" said Harry defiantly.

"What?" snapped Severus grabbing the boy by the collar.

"I said I love your daughter sir!" said Harry as Snape's eyes burnt angrily—he was scared now—what was Snape going to do to him—probably pickle his organs and use his blood in other potions.

"Well—you've got a weird a way of showing it," said Severus boring his eyes into Potter's. Harry couldn't believe it—Snape was—he was—he was taking this exceptionally well.

"I don't like it— when she gets hurt Potter—make sure she doesn't!" snarled Severus in Harry's face as he let go of the boy's scuff.

This was unbelievable, had Snape just—Snape had just—approved of him?

"I—I promise sir," said Harry nodding as Snape eyed him wearily and then walked towards the exit when Slughorn caught hold of him and began talking to him. But Harry trusting Snape was short lived because of the series of the series of unfortunate events.

Draco Malfoy was being dragged into the room by Mr. Filch and his ugly cat by the scuff. Harry noticed Audrey step forward to see just like Astoria had.

"Let go off me you filthy squib!"

"Professor Slughorn, I found this boy lurking in the corridors—claims he was invited to your party!" said Filch shaking Malfoy like he was weightless.

"Ok , ok, I was gate crashing!" snarled Malfoy as he jerked himself away from Filch's dirty hands and mistakenly stepped on madam Norris's tail—Madam Norris hissed and spluttered around as Filch almost tore Malfoy apart.

"It is alright Mr. Filch—let him stay—I'm sure the poor boy only wanted to enjoy a good Christmas, with friends," smiled Slughorn pleasantly as Filch spat in disgust at Malfoy—who looked like he was going to pull out his wand any second and murder him.

"I will escort—Mr. Malfoy out," said Snape silkily as the silent party looked at him and then over to Malfoy as they glanced at him pitifully.

"Now Severus—you don't need to be too harsh on the boy—let him enjoy,"

"I am his head of house professor Slughorn—I believe some disciplining is necessary—this is not how Slytherine's like Mr. Malfoy should behave," snapped Severus as he threw Malfoy a glare and placed a hand over his back pushing him out of the room.

"Well—I suppose it's his problem now," said Slughorn shrugging and taking another large sip from his goblet.

Harry followed them out of the room into the corridor; thank Merlin for his invisibility cloak. He spotted Draco walking ahead aggressively as Snape followed and pushed him against the cold wall of the corridor as Snape looked angrily at him; Harry had never seen him this way. He seemed angry and worried at the same time—what was going on.

"Maybe I did impurse that Bell girl—maybe I didn't—what's it to you?" snarled Draco looking defiantly at Snape as Snape face grew into a terrifying sneer.

"I swore to protect you—I made the unbreakable vow,"

"I don't need protection!"

"I was chosen for this!"

"Out of all the others ME!"

"Fine, Draco! Let me at least assist you," said Snape his voice much calmer.

"No—this is my moment—watch me sweep your daughter off her feet!" snapped Draco as he pushed himself forward.

"What do you mean!" snarled Snape pulling the boy by his arm, he sounded almost unaware of this, Draco looked at him suspiciously as he gulped but then spoke.

"The dark lord gave me another task—he said if I get Potter's defender away from him—it would be only too easy without the girl—he will be nothing—he will be weak!" said Draco as Snape let go of Draco's arm as the boy grinned.

"You'll be rid of her for good!" said Draco as he left Snape standing in the middle of the corridor—Harry could see it—he could see Snape almost catch his breath—as if he had stopped breathing and could no longer survive without air.

Harry wondered what this defender meant—what did Draco mean by 'Harry' couldn't survive without Audrey?—but most of all he was worried about Audrey—Harry knew she trusted Malfoy—and that Malfoy had her right where he needed her. Harry had to do something about it—but what?—what could he do—when she wouldn't even talk him—he had tried to tell her—so many times—the truth that he had so blatantly put out to her father—he had too—he just had to tell her.

Severus was angry, no he was furious—who did the dark lord think he was—who—how dare he think that he could just kill his daughter?—His daughter—No! He wouldn't let anything touch her—nothing.

Severus did not wait for the staircase to move on its own he ran up and knocked furiously at the door. When he entered most of his anger died when a woman came colliding into him—crying—Rachel was crying. He looked at Dumbledore who sighed a little—so he had decided to finally tell her—to finally let her into everything—just like he had promised Severus he would.

"Is he—really going to-?" she asked as Severus pulled her closer while she sobbed into him.

"I afraid I am," said Albus softly.

"But you can't" she cried louder.

"Everyone must child," finished Albus as Rachel did not stop—it became evident to Albus that night just how truly his daughter loved him and although she may have shown reprimand for his ideas, techniques and other qualities—she did love him—so deeply.

"And you—you—idiot!" she cried harder as she hit him with her fist—lashing them against his chest as she refused to stop.

"I'm sorry!" was all Severus could manage to counter as she continued to pummel him with her fist.

"Your such an idiot—you risked everything—now everything is so messed up—it's all your fault—all you fault-!" she snarled crying as Severus did not know whether it was what he had heard previously or what his love was saying—or combination of both but he could not help but break down himself. He caught hold of her wrist as she thrashed around wildly.

"Rachel—Rachel—I'm sorry!" he shouted at least thrice as she heard his last call out to her, she glanced to look up at him holding her wrist crying silently.

"I know it's all my fault—that I screwed everything up—and I am sorry—I am so sorry!" he said softly as she sobbed and shook her head pulling him into her arms.

"No—we'll get through it Sev—you and me—we'll get through it,"

"I don't know if we can—I'm sorry—I'm sorry," he said apologizing as he pulled away and cleared his eyes and then pushed his thumbs through her face as she sighed and kissed his lips—he took her into his arms instantly as they could hear someone clearing their throat in the background—they had both forgotten he was still here.

"Yes—I'm not dead yet," smiled Albus as Rachel frowned at his sentence.

"Now—Rachel I will need your answer immediately," said Albus as Rachel pondered—Severus knew the question as he waited, Rachel was obviously filled in with the plan—and would be further filled in for any news or changes—right now they needed to know the future she was going to chose.

"You don't have to think about it Rachel," said Severus simply looking at her determined.

"You need to stay with her—she's going to need you!" said Severus as Rachel bit her lip.

"You'll need me too," she said softly placing her hand gently into his large one.

"You don't understand—she is going to need you most!" he said getting up feeling helpless as he paced.

"Everything alright Severus?" asked Albus curiously as Severus sighed.

"The dark lord is not only after Potter—he is—"

"After Audrey—did she tell you about this?"

"She knows?" Severus looked shocked.

"You underestimate just how much your daughter is like you—she has Malfoy's full trust—knows more than you Severus," smiled Albus as Severus frowned.

"Yes, but that is what is so cracked—the dark lord wants her out of his way so he can get to Potter—and Malfoy has to—bring her to him—so it is not just us who are playing with him—it's like trying to catch wind Albus—it's too confusing!" said Severus pacing.

"What—what are you'll talking about?" asked Rachel standing.

"Voldemort is of the belief that Audrey is Harry's defender," said Albus as Rachel's eyes went wide.

"And she knows about it—she knows she might—die?" asked Rachel worriedly as Albus nodded gravely.

"She's taken it exceptionally well," said Albus sounding a little impressed.

"I urge you to pull her off Malfoy's case," said Severus stopping in his pacing.

"You know I cannot do that Severus—it is only Audrey who can make him see what he has become—or becoming," said Albus.

"So I'll just sit here and watch my daughter die then?" snapped Severus angrily as Albus looked him over his glasses.

"Something has to be done," snarled Severus pacing again.

"Whatever has to be done—will be done by Harry Potter," said Albus in an obvious tone.

"Potter is an idiot—he doesn't even know whether he has feelings for her or not—was being boisterous and telling me he loves her—he doesn't have the guts to tell her!" said Severus shaking his head spitting Potter's name like poison.

"Yes, but for now—but when he gathers his wits Severus—when he truly comes to his senses—when he becomes a man—he will be brave enough to do it—give him time—he is not his father—he is not as bold and reckless—he's a lot like you Severus," said Albus as Severus frowned and raised his head and looked over to Dumbledore.

"He's nothing like me—we—it was—it was—different—it's nothing like that!" snapped Snape.

"It is actually—you bursting into Mum's quarters a day before graduation and declaring that you loved me—before even considering to tell me what you were doing—as I recall you told me about this a year later when you actually asked me to marry you," said Rachel fondly remembering how frightened he had been then—18 and asking her to marry him—but Severus had never been more sure in his life then he had been then.

"It's not-,"

"Give him time," smiled Rachel reaching out to his arm trying to comfort him as he pushed himself down with a sigh.

"So what have you decided?" asked Albus raising his eyebrows.

"I shall meet the dark lord provided Severus can make arrangements," said Rachel as Severus closed his eyes.

"And what if they don't believe you—Bellatrix will most certainly refuse," said Severus frowning.

"Don't worry—I've made Audrey eat broccoli at least once every year—I think I'll be convincing enough," said Rachel smartly as she smirked a little.

Review guys-make me happy =)