AN: Sorry it took so long to update I needed to figure out who would duel Severus. Once again I am not JK Rowling.

It was quiet for one long moment then everyone shouted names at once. Sarah hid behind my back so she wouldn't get picked and Neville stepped in front of Hannah.

"Why not Potter?" Someone asked.

"But I already went!" Harry said his eyes wide. There was more shouting and I started to tap my wand against my pant leg thinking.

"What about Sirius?" I yelled over the noise. Almost everyone turned on me and I shrank back paling.

"It wouldn't be an even fight!" Dean said his eyes wide.

"Sirius would beat Snape it wouldn't be a fair fight!" Romilda yelled her eyes flicking to Sirius' muscles. I glared at her and her smile faltered.

"And a student fighting against Snape would?" I asked glaring at them. "Who honestly thinks they could beat the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've had since Remus?" When no one spoke up I tied my hair back. It looked like I would be dueling Severus.

"I'll do it." I froze and turned to where Neville was standing. He had a determined look in his eyes. I turned to look at Severus and smiled. He had a deer in the headlights look on his face for a moment then quickly covered it with a smirk. Kids cheered at Hannah kissed his cheek for good luck.

"Go Nev!"

"You can do it!"

"I believe in you!

"Don't hurt yourself!"

"Hope the room provides a hospital!" I growled and threw a hex at Zacharias Smith. Stupid prat. He yelped and looked around trying to find who hit him. I leaned back against the wall and sighed as Sirius made his way over to Sarah and I. Sarah blushed and ducked her eyes when Sirius ruffled her hair.

"Who do you think will win?" Sirius asked kissing my forehead as he leaned against the wall next to me. He entwined our hands and I smiled up at him.

"I am most definitely not picking sides." I said as Neville crossed the room and stopped a short distance away from Severus. The both barely inclined their heads then took a step back. Neville's eyes darted away from Severus' so he couldn't cheat with Legilimency. Severus stood perfectly straight. Didn't move a muscle. Neville flew back through the air and hit the wall hard.

I gasped sharply and took a step forward to help but Sirius stopped me. "If you intervene Neville will be horribly embarrassed."

I growled darkly but stayed where I was. Neville threw a stunner at Severus but he easily blocked it. It was easy to see Neville was trying his hardest after he threw one hex after another sweat dripping down his face. But Severus barely moved as if he was perfectly content to stand and lazily swing his wand as if it bored him to tears.

Neville suddenly lost his wand with a silent Expelliarmus and panted placing his hands on his knees as Dennis Creevey ran off to retrieve his wand.

"Good job Neville." Severus said then silently made his way over to the wall he had been standing by earlier.

Sirius squeezed my hand then made his way back to the front of the room and flicked a strand of hair out of his eyes. "So every once in awhile we will be doing duels like that. It keeps it fun and interesting because not everyone duels the same way. One person your dueling could be like Harry. Loud and viscous barely letting in spell." Everyone turned to Harry and he flushed in embarrassment.

"Others may be silent and barely move so you have no idea what they could possibly be thinking like Severus." No one dared look at Severus. They were all too scared. The thought of someone being so poised in battle was terrifying.

"A silent Crucio?" Padma asked her face pale.

"Yes." Sirius said nodding. Some of the kids were paling and others were fidgeting nervously. No one was brave enough to ask the one question on everyone's mind.

"What about the killing curse?" Sarah asked her soft voice echoing around the room. I shivered involuntarily and I nervously tapped my wand against my side.

"Its not possible." There was an audible sigh of relief throughout the room and the tense atmosphere was suddenly gone. Wait a moment... I paused thinking then snapped my head up to look at my husband. How would he know?

Sirius dismissed the students a few minutes later and I turned to glare at my husband. Most of the kids were standing around talking or practicing in small groups of three or four. "I know what your thinking."

"And what's that?" I asked trying to calm myself. He hadn't killed anyone. I swallowed thickly and bit my lip.

"You wondering who I tried it on." He said running his hand through his hair. I waited patiently for him to continue. "It was Peter."

I blinked. "Oh."

"Yeah, to do an unforgivable you have to mean it. I did mean it with all my heart I wanted to kill him. But the curse didn't work nonverbally and he escaped before I could shout it out." I sighed in relief.

"I'm just glad you didn't kill anyone." I said softly smiling at him.

"Me too it would have -"

"Ugh would you two please stop your giving me a cavity with all this sweetness its disgusting." Severus said rolling his eyes. I threw my head back and laughed heartily. When I stopped I heard people shouting by the door.

"Come on guys go through!"

"I want to get back before curfew!"

"Is Peeves blocking the door again?" Someone yelled from the middle. I rolled my eyes and made my way over to the door. Sirius was behind me as I pushed my way to the front of the group. I stopped short paling when I made it to the front. Sirius growled and firmly set his hand on my shoulder when I started to shake.

Standing at the end of the corridor were the Serpents. It was a mix of all four houses but they were mostly Slytherin. Standing in the front were Pansy, Millicent and the Ravenclaw who yelled to get rid of me. I swallowed and slipped my wand into my hand as I glared down Pansy.

Our two groups stared each other down and we waited to see who would throw the first hex. Nothing happened and I shivered trying to be brave. A wave of love and determination flowed throught the bond and I stood taller. The Serpents walked away a moment later and everyone relaxed. I looked up and cursed taking an automatic step back.

Give us the Mudblood Black and her Blood Traitor Husband or else.

Below the green cursive was a list of everyone in the D.A. and their parentage. James and Lily Potter were crossed out, Hannah's parents were too as were a fourth of the others. I covered my hand over my mouth. The Serpents would go after their families if they didn't give us up. I lowered my head and covered my face with my hands as I silently cried my heart heavy in my chest.

AN: Please Review! Tell me what you love, what you hate, what you want to see happen, anything. It helps more than you think.