This chapter and the next are long. However, i think that they are very well written. I'm proud of myself! :D

Enjoy!

The carriage stopped, and Severus and Kathryn woke with a start, looking around. They remembered where they were, and sat up. Kathryn rubbed her eyes.

Curious to know how long she'd been asleep, she checked the time. It was nearing 11. She smiled. She'd gotten at least an hour of sleep.

Severus hopped out of the carriage, helping her to step out of it. Hand in hand they walked back to the front door, opening it slowly, trying not to let it creak. They skipped across the first floor, and she took his hand, rushing to the library. They opened this door carefully as well, and shut it slowly behind them.

They breathed out a sigh of relief, and she took his hand again, leading him to the back of the library. Their stomachs dropped as the handle of the library door clicked, signaling that someone was about to enter. They ran for the back door that Severus had seen her slip through this morning.

She grabbed his wand out of his pocket, and pointed it at the door.

"Colloportus!" She hissed. They heard the door lock, and sighed. She held a finger to her lips, telling him to be silent as she cast a muffliato spell, then smiled, handing his wand back to him. He took it and put it back in his pocket.

"At least one of us has the sense to cover our butts this late. Thanks." He said. Only when he looked behind her did he realize that there was a large mirror. The moonlight that streamed in reflected off of it and illuminated the room. She smiled, and walked up to it, looking in it.

"Where did this come from?" He asked, surprised. He'd been all over this school, and had never seen this mirror.

"It only appeared here recently. I stumbled on it when I was running away from some jerks trying to curse me." She explained. She sat down in front of it, and closed her eyes, focusing on something. She opened her eyes a short while later, and smiled at the mirror.

"Hi, Dad." She said, grinning at him. She stood, and spun around.

She looked over at him and smiled, reaching out a hand for him to take.

"Severus?" She asked. He slowly took her hand, his gut leaping. She pulled him to stand next to her, holding his hand comfortingly. He looked in the mirror, and his mouth dropped open. Staring back at him proudly was her father, wearing some type of uniform, a cap to match, and tightly laced black boots.

"Wow. You look a lot like him… er, like, your shape… uh…" He trailed off, feeling incredibly foolish.

Kathryn's Dad began to sign to her, and she smiled, translating for him.

"He says that you and I look good together." She told him. Severus smiled, and looked at the mirror again.

"Wow… I wasn't sure what you meant when you said that I could meet him, but this… this is amazing! What is this thing?" He asked. She laughed at his reaction, not having seen him this baffled in quite a while.

"I don't know. I think it shows us what we want to see. All we have to do is focus on it. Or, maybe it only shows us dead people. Here, you try." She said, stepping out of the view of the mirror. He looked at her, blurting out a startled "what"?

He looked at the mirror, and his confused reflection stared back at him. He thought for a minute, trying to think of who to think about. He looked at Kathryn unsure. She nodded at him, and then he back at the mirror. He thought of his mother, and concentrated, closing his eyes.

He slowly opened them, half expecting it to work. It didn't, and he chuckled.

"Well, it doesn't work with people that are alive." He muttered, sitting down. He closed his eyes again, and thought of his sister Kadie. He couldn't quite remember the tiny details, but when he opened his eyes again, there she was. He smiled.

"You were right. It must only work with dead people." He confirmed. She looked at him.

"Who do you know that's dead?" She asked. He shook his head.

"It's a long story. I can tell you tomorrow. Besides, that's not what I wanted to show you." He said, standing to face her. He took a few steps toward her, away from the view of the mirror. She waited, and then blushed as he started to unbutton his jacket and shirt, showing his chest and abs, handsomely toned from Quidditch practice and Karate. She looked him up and down.

"What are you…" She wondered aloud, scanning everything. He smiled at her.

"Close your eyes. Don't open them until I tell you."

She smirked, but did so. Severus focused, and forced his wings out, and spread them, stretching. He was surprised to learn that it felt really good. He took a deep breath.

"Ok, you can open your eyes now."

When she opened her eyes, her jaw dropped open, and she jumped, taking a few steps back. She then shook her head, and walked up to him and around him in a circle, examining him like he was on display at a museum. Truth be told, he felt like it.

"Are they… real?" She asked, reaching out to touch the feathers on it. She couldn't believe her hands when they touched them, the softness tickling her fingers. Her mind was blown. He had wings, and they were fucking tangible.

"Yes, they are." He admitted, nodding. She rushed back to face him, confusion on her face. Whatever she knew of human anatomy was now null and void.

"What the hell?" She blurted, her eyes wide. He smiled.

"How is this possible? Humans don't have wings!" She muttered aloud, her medical mind still on pause.

She gasped as she looked back at him.

"Are you… not human?" She asked. Severus nodded, smiling down at her. She stared back at him like she'd just been stupefied. His gut dropped when she turned away from him.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" She asked. He frowned, displeased and slightly hurt by her statement.

"I didn't find out until last night, actually. That's what Nayeli left to talk about with our parents." He muttered, his skin breaking out in goose bumps as he feared that she was now afraid of him. She turned back around, and looked up at him.

"They didn't tell you until last night? How did you get these?" She asked, still baffled. He looked at her apologetically.

"I would have told you before if I knew." He muttered. She blinked tiredly, and hugged him. He smiled and hugged her back tightly. She glanced at the mirror, and blushed. Her father was right; they did look good together.

"That is a long story too, and I really want to get back to my mother. She seemed like she had something else to tell me." He whispered, breaking away from her and retracting his wings. He noticed it was the first time he'd actually done it himself. It seemed to come naturally, almost like a reflex.

He grabbed his shirt, and put it back on, buttoning it back up. He put on his jacket, thankful for the warmth.

"We'd better get you to Gryffindor Tower before we get into trouble." He reminded her. She nodded, and turned back to the mirror. Her father had left. She frowned, but then smiled, taking his hand and walking away.

They snuck back out of the library, and rushed up the stairs. She turned the corner on the seventh floor but stopped him as she saw that someone was out and about. She held up a finger to her lips, telling him to be silent. He nodded.

She looked up at the suit of armor that they were standing next, to, and grinned as she thought of an idea. She reached up to grab the helm off of it, but found that she was too short. She frowned. Severus grinned, and reached up and handed it to her, wondering what she was going to do.

With a small grunt, she hurled it across the hallway, and it clanged loudly and rolled down the carpet. They both flattened as much as they could against the wall and in the dark shadow of the wall, keeping insanely still as the person that had been monitoring the hallway. Severus' eyes widened as they realized that it was Professor Potter.

Kathryn poked her head out, and she could have sworn that she seen the woman grin.

They slipped around the corner, rushing like mad to the portrait of the Fat Lady. She was still awake, downing a glass of red wine, singing to herself. She looked almost miserable. She stared in slight shock as she saw Kathryn out of her common room after hours, of all things. Even more surprisingly, she was with Nayeli's brother.

"Well, I'll be damned. This is a first for you, Kathryn." She commented. Kathryn blushed and muttered the password, taking a step forward. She paused, and turned back to Severus. He pulled her into another hug and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, smirking.

"I really appreciate all that you did for me, Severus. Thank you." She whispered. The Fat Lady wiped a few tears from her eyes, and smiled down at them. They were indeed cute together. She looked up as she heard more footsteps, and swung open the door, ushering them in. Kathryn and Severus waited in the space between the hallway and the common room, pressed together in a slightly awkward and suggestive manner.

Severus bit his lip until it hurt, trying to keep himself calm. He felt his nerves go haywire as she pushed herself up, blushing madly. His hands were on her hips, which he enjoyed, but he froze as he realized he had a raging boner.

She gasped as she felt it against her lower abdomen, and tried to stand up out of modesty. She only ended up pressing herself against him, and he groaned, his grip on her hips tightening.

"Kathryn…" He whispered heatedly, running a hand up her back. Chills erupted along her spine and she shuddered from the excitement as she felt a pool of heat between her legs. She looked up at him, nervous. His lips claimed hers in a heated kiss, and he held her tightly to his body. He lightly pushed her against the opposite wall, pressing against her again, pleased when she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

He allowed his other hand to reach down and cup her butt, giving it a light squeeze. She giggled, and stood up on the balls of her feet to reach him a little better. She gave a hushed squeak of surprise when he grabbed her and lifted her up, pinning her to the wall by standing between her legs. She instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist, holding onto his shoulders for dear life.

"Don't worry. I won't drop you." He reassured, claiming her mouth again. She closed her eyes and let out a small moan, running her fingers through his black hair. She moaned again when he slipped his tongue in her mouth, and she ran her tongue along his, enjoying the moment.

She pressed her core against him and he growled, breaking the kiss and attaching his mouth to her neck, kissing, sucking, and nibbling passionately.

"Oh, God, Severus…" She whispered, her voice caught in her throat. She trailed her hand along his shoulder, giving it a light squeeze, and then further down his upper arm, amazed and cranked on by the flexing of his muscles as they supported her. He was amazingly strong.

When she began to slip, he grabbed her butt and lifted her again, a little higher against the wall. He hooked his arms underneath her knees, pinning her against the wall, not caring that the dress's edge had bunched up around her waist, revealing a pair of green lace underwear. He toyed with it, slipping his thumbs underneath the fabric and tightening his grip on her hips.

He began to grind himself against her, his eyes fluttering closed at the relief. The heat that she was emitting against his member nearly pushed him over the edge, but he slowed down, opening his eyes and staring at her. She was looking back at him through half-lidded eyes, back arched off the wall and her lips parted in silent moans.

She bucked her hips against him and he moaned, biting her lip gently as he began to kiss her again. She pushed herself up the wall as she started to slip again, grabbing his biceps and wrapping one arm around his shoulders. She broke away from their kiss to lean her mouth next to his ear.

"Couch." She demanded, wanting to feel him even closer to her. He gave a feral growl and pushed them off of the wall, carrying her over to the couch, and lying themselves down in it. She found that he was struggling with the size of it, and so reached into his pocket and grabbed his wand. She took it out and pointed it at the couch.

"Engorgio." She commanded. The couch widened and lengthened to the size of a twin bed, and he found that he was able to comfortably prop himself above her. She looked towards the direction of the dorm rooms, and raised his wand again, muttering another spell that he didn't catch, as well as a silencing spell. He shrugged off his jacket, as it was getting too warm for comfort.

She smiled at him as they kissed again, enjoying the fact that she was finally able to allow her small hands to roam his body. His shoulder blade muscles were taught, flexed as they worked to keep him propped up against her. He hissed as she brushed the area where his wings would protrude, as the muscles around them were still very tender. I'm sorry. He'd barely heard her mutter.

She sat up, her legs still straddling his waist. She began to unbutton his shirt, and he held her against him, trailing her spine with the tips of his fingers. She kissed his neck tenderly, biting him as he'd done to her. She even took his earlobe into her mouth and tugged at it between her teeth. He chuckled in response.

She trailed her hands down the front of his chest. His pectoral muscles were well toned from his training, and she rubbed her thumb over the small bit of chest hair that grew between them. She let her eyes wander down his torso, down what Lily referred to as a "treasure trail", and to the tent in his pants. She immediately snapped her eyes back up to meet his. She smiled sheepishly as she traced his abs, and he sucked in a breath, slightly ticklish. She noted this for later, smirking.

He'd found the zipper of her dress, and slowly pulled it down, the zipping sound teasing both of their ears. He looped his index finger beneath the straps of the dress, pulling them down her smooth, petite shoulders. She smiled up at him nervously. He leaned forward and kissed her passionately, tracing her body with his hands.

She shivered as he lifted her dress, and lifted her arms as he pulled it over her shoulders. She blushed, and covered her chest with her arms. He chuckled at her; she was too cute sometimes. He grabbed her wrists gently and pulled them away.

"Let me see you, Kathryn." He whispered. He leaned forward to kiss her again, but then gasped and jumped as his sister's voice rang out in his head.

Severus, how much longer are you going to keep us waiting? Mom's got something important to tell us. Get your butt down here, now! She hissed. She didn't seem pleased.

Severus groaned, annoyed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Kathryn looked at him, confused.

"I've gotta go. My family's waiting for me… Impeccable fucking timing…" He growled, sighing heavily. He reached for the dress that he'd taken off of her barely a minute ago, and slipped it back on over her head. She frowned, but then nodded.

"Sorry to keep you…" She muttered. She understood that family was important.

He grinned and kissed her again, giving her butt a nice squeeze.

"Believe me, I don't want to leave." He purred. He grinned at her, and then kissed her again. He broke away reluctantly, and stood, stretching. He didn't mind when she gazed at him. He picked up his wand and put it back in his pocket, grabbing his shirt and throwing it on, finding that he had a difficult time buttoning it up. She handed him his jacket, and he thanked her, throwing it on and taking a few steps towards the door.

She rushed after him and hugged him around his middle, squeezing tightly.

"Good night, Severus." She whispered. He grinned and kissed the top of her head.

"Good night, Kathryn." He replied. She broke away and watched him as he left, fidgeting with her hands and rocking from side to side in a giddy fit. She giggled to herself as she rushed back to the couch, fishing around in her backpack for her diary. She unscrewed the cap to her ink bottle, and dipped her quill into it, scribbling excitedly onto the parchment.

Severus took his time, trying to calm himself down. By the time he got to their office, his raging boner was gone, thankfully. He knocked on the door, and Draco opened it, arching an eyebrow.

"Good to see you made it back… Did you have a good time?" He began. Severus grinned and nodded his head feverishly. As Severus walked in, Draco took his coat, and smirked.

"Your shirt's inside out, did you know?" He commented. Severus blanched, and his mouth dropped open. He set his hand on his forehead, embarrassed. No wonder he'd had trouble trying to get it buttoned up.

They all laughed, save for Jeffrey, who must have already been asleep.

Severus began to laugh too. At least they hadn't gotten on his case too badly.

"So, what's up, Mom? Nayeli said you had something…" He trailed off when he noticed that she was sharpening Okami ni kama. It rested on her lap while she ran a grind stone along the blade. It made a terrifying noise, and he shivered slightly.

He looked at the table, and saw a myriad of potions lined up neatly. Nayeli was sewing a small satchel to put them in. He turned and looked at his fathers for an explanation. They took deep breaths, and avoided his gaze to the floor.

"I am leaving tomorrow morning. Where I am going, you will not follow. Until I return, you are to stay here with your fathers and brother and sister, Severus. If your fathers tell you to run, you do that. You will run and hide, do you understand?" She asked, keeping her eyes on her sword.

Severus began to tremble. He didn't remember the last time he'd heard her talk so seriously, if at all. Nayeli didn't meet his eyes either, but he saw that she had tears in them. He shook his head, somewhat angry.

"Why are you leaving, Mom? Why can't we go with you?" He hissed, scowling at her. She finally met his gaze, and his chest ached as he saw how red and puffy her eyes were.

"You said last night that you saw what happened to Kadie, Severus. I cannot bear to watch that again." She whispered, staring forlornly at the floor. She glanced at the clock. It was nearing midnight. She sighed, and went back to sharpening her weapons.

"You're going to Kadessa?" He asked. She let out a huff, almost a chuckle.

"Worse. I may end up going to Mayfil." She admitted, grabbing a rag off of the table and wiping away the shards of metal from the blade. She turned it, and held it out straight in front of her, blade towards the ceiling, examining her handiwork.

Normally she would be keeping them sharp for show. However, for the first time in a long time, she was sharpening it to kill.

Draco grabbed Shinigami off the wall as she put Okami ni kama back into its scabbard, leaning it against the wall next to the chair. Draco handed it to her, visibly shaking. He was terrified. They all were.

"Promise me that you will continue your training, Severus?" She asked him. Severus looked at his mother sadly, and slowly nodded his head.

She looked up when he didn't answer, and almost let out a sob of her own, as Severus had a few tears falling from his eyes. She pushed Shinigami off of her lap and onto the floor, standing and walking up to him, raising his face to meet hers.

"I love you, Severus. I love this family. I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep this family safe." She stated. He blinked, lost in the slurry of emotions that he felt. She smiled sadly at him.

"I am the one that trained the man I am going to kill. I know his secrets, his style, as he knows mine. If he were to come here, I know that he would use my weaknesses against me. That is why I am going there. I must have the upper-hand, because otherwise…" She trailed off, and looked away, dropping her hand.

Severus stood and hugged his mother, crying into her shoulder. He understood, much as he didn't want to.

"How long will you be gone, Mom?" He asked. She shook her head.

"I cannot say." She answered. He sighed, not liking her answer. She broke away from him, and back to her chair, crossing one leg over the other. She picked up Shinigami and balanced the blade on her knee, running the grindstone along the edge. This process was much smoother than with her other blade, as there were less imperfections along the sharp edge of the blade.

She wiped the metal shards with a rag and put it back into its scabbard, closing her eyes and resting her head against the wall. She opened her eyes slowly.

"Severus, unbutton your shirt." She ordered, standing again and walking up to him. She set her hand on his left shoulder and formed a sign with her hands. Severus hissed as something burned him, and he wrinkled his nose as the smell of burning flesh hit it. It was a disgusting smell, one that he wouldn't like to ever smell again.

His mother kissed him tenderly on the cheek before walking up to Nayeli.

Nayeli looked up at the scent of something burning, and sat up.

"You too Nayeli." She ordered. Nayeli gave her a look, and then looked at Severus over her shoulder. He was grimacing and rubbing his shoulder lightly. She snapped her head back at her mother when she cleared her throat. Nayeli nodded, and pulled down the collar of her shirt, revealing her left shoulder as well.

Her eyes widened as a searing pain shot on her shoulder, a disturbing sizzling noise erupting from the seal that her mother made. She felt her eyes water, but closed then, grimacing as well. The after burn hurt worse than the initial burn.

Sheeva kissed her on the forehead tenderly as well, and turned away sadly.

"What was that, mother?" She asked, touching her shoulder lightly. It stung, and she hissed sharply.

"Should you run into trouble here, I will be able to come back to wherever you may be." She explained, reaching up to wipe away a tear. They all hugged her, and sniffled. The clock run out, signaling that it was midnight, causing them all to jump and break apart.

Sheeva looked around, checking off the mental list she'd made. Her swords were ready, sharpened. Her potions were in her bag. Her children, sealed. She took a deep breath, and nodded. Everything was in order.

"You should go to bed Nayeli, Severus." Sheeva announced. They began to tremble, and clung to her, both beginning to cry. She smiled, and allowed herself to cry as well, sobbing into Nayeli's shoulder.

Draco and Blaise cried too, and joined hands, silently comforting one another.

"Please, don't go!" Nayeli cried. Sheeva steeled herself, and nodded.

"I must. I am the only one that can." She reminded her daughter. She began to hum the lullaby that she used to sing for them when they were younger, and Nayeli felt herself being lulled to sleep. She fought a yawn, but failed, and Sheeva smiled as she noticed.

She whispered a goodnight, and waved her hand, sending Nayeli to the Gryffindor common room. She fell to her knees in front of the fireplace, sobbing as quietly as she could handle. She didn't notice that Kathryn was fast asleep on the couch until she finished her cry and stood to go to her bed. She caught herself smiling a little, and grabbed the blanket off of the back of the lounge chair and tossed it on her friend.

She dimmed the fire with a wave of her hand, and sighed, walking to her dorm room. She stared at her bed, and scowled at it. Now that her mother was gone, she feared that she might have even more nightmares.

Nayeli shook her head.

No. I've got to take charge! If I cover it up with potions, I'll be on those damn things for the rest of my life! She thought to herself, yawning again. With a new bout of confidence, she pulled back the covers and crawled into her bed, her eyes drooping closed and falling asleep quicker than she thought that she would.

Please review! Even if it's just to say "Eat monkey turds and die!"

...On second thought, don't use those words...