TW: Suicide and sexual harassment/assault.

Author's Notes: It's been…it's been a while. Coming back to write after having so much time off from it, has proved difficult for me to jump back into my usual swing again. It's been difficult to write much recently, and not for lack of content – I have plenty of it – but since throwing myself back into being a workaholic again, I haven't had much time or energy to write. In no way will I ever abandon this story – it's too close to my heart to do such a thing, and I am sorry for keeping you all waiting. On top of working a lot, my mental health has not been great, and I have been having some technical issues with my laptop keyboard (yay, dodgy space bar). I am still going to be a bit slow with updates still, but I am trying. Thank you for being so patient with me and thank you all for the beautiful messages upon my father's passing. xx

I'm super excited for this one – things are getting a little crazy!

"We overlook the greater gifts inherent in our wounds – the strength to overcome them and the wisdom that we are meant to receive through them. Wounds are the means through which we enter the hearts of other people. They are meant to teach us to become compassionate and wise."

– Caroline Myss

CHAPTER 40: The Bitter Storm

September 1st, 2003

[Harry Potter]

Harry had not stopped thinking about the new dangers around the wizarding world. Both Ron and Severus' predictions left him feeling incredibly uneasy and for the first time in a long time, he was worried for the future of his family.

A strong sense of déjà vu overran his thoughts and emotions, feeling the same existential dread he felt when Voldemort was still a problem. He never thought he'd ever face similar horrors again, but that possibility was growing more real by the day. He couldn't even bring himself to tell Ginny, instead masking it with the understandable worries of becoming a new father. It was too heartbreaking for him to even tell her about the dangers of their child. Their son or daughter had not even been born yet and already it faced perils when the time came for it to arrive out into the world.

Harry was scared. He did not like this feeling of being so powerless and unable to do anything. He knew he had a right to feel so anxious over it all, but the strength he needed for his family was all but a current flickering flame.

He arrived a day before the students were set to begin making their entrances, confronting Dawn about what Ron and Severus had said. She hadn't denied it, but she too felt powerless against the growing evil hidden out in the community. He begged her in the same way he begged Severus – to allow him to assist. He simply could not do nothing, and the waiting is what was likely to drive him to madness.

He couldn't wait. For what? Danger to attack, then wonder why he chose to do nothing? If the Aurors were having difficulty finding them, then they needed help. A liaison of sorts. If Severus was allowed to partake in the investigation, then why couldn't Harry? Harry was immensely excited about Ginny growing their tiny human within her, but he was more afraid of current problems than anything.

That evening he hadn't expected Draco to join the staff for an early lunch in the Great Hall before the students were expected to arrive for the Sorting Feast. As predicted, he sat alone, tapping away at the wooden table and staring down at a dull stack of crepes. Draco appeared older, as once would have expected. His chin was slightly more pointed and his hair far longer into quite an impressive ponytail. For an unexpected pang of fury, he looked almost exactly like his father. But Draco wasn't him, and he knew he was undergoing his own changes. He was slightly taller and kept his face cleanly shaven, although the idea of him having any facial hair was a strange sight to envision. Severus had obviously not arrived yet and so Harry decided to plant himself next to him instead.

…Four years was a long time.

Draco raised his eyebrow at Harry, "…Potter."

"Draco."

"You're probably thinking what the hell am I doing back here?"

Harry nodded lazily, but he already knew, "Well, yeah…Severus already told me. I am more surprised, really."

Draco gave a half-hearted shrug, "I suppose I'm taking a page out of Severus' book after all."

"Things are different here, now. You'll be fine, " Harry offered a friendly smile, but Draco certainly wasn't impressed by that, "I'm really glad you could join us. Severus will be able to show you the routine."

"So, one year in, and I'm assuming your students survived under your ghastly watch?" Draco smirked, leaving Harry relieved that he could show some semblance of enthusiasm.

Harry straightened up his posture, "Yes, as a matter of fact, they did."

"Now I have to deal with your squabbles for the rest of eternity?" Severus broke through their conversation and sat himself beside Draco, immediately reaching for a spinach and cheese muffin.

Harry laughed, "No, no, just a friendly banter."

"Friendly?" Draco asked coyly.

"Yes, friendly, " Harry reiterated. He wasn't interested in going back to their old ways, but since he and Severus continued their banter even years later, a new one wasn't quite so bad. "Well, at least Severus isn't my mentor…You have my deepest sympathy."

Draco laughed, earning a dark glare from Severus.

"Curb your tongue, Draco. I'd watch your step, " Severus warned, but when he turned his head away, a shadow of a smirk was hidden beneath his raven locks. "It is Horace that will be his mentor, not myself. Merlin forbid."

"Oi, " Draco retorted.

Harry felt himself grin, too. Despite the worries on his mind, it was nice to have something to break the tension. He could see Severus slightly tight-lipped, but occasionally he'd notice him frequently panning the room for Dawn, who hadn't yet arrived for lunch. Thankfully Draco hadn't noticed, who was busy downing the rest of his crepe. Eventually, Dawn finally arrived, walking into the Great Hall with Gregory at her side seemingly laughing about something as they entered. Harry stole a quick, subtle side glance at Severus who had clearly noticed but eyed Gregory rather carefully as the pair sat down on the other side.

Once lunchtime had come to an end, Severus departed with Draco immediately lecturing him on the start of year staff routine in preparation for the Sorting Ceremony.

Harry had left soon after, leaving for his quarters to prepare for the year ahead. His first official year as a fully qualified Professor. He couldn't believe he had come to this already since the previous year had flown by so quickly. But preparing his robes for the following Feast gave him a sense of accomplishment. A pride he didn't quite have before for himself, but he was glad he finally found it.

When the students slowly began to arrive from the carriages and first year boats, they began to line the Great Hall for the Sorting Ceremony. Harry was once again seated at the staff table with the others waiting for the usual opening by Headmistress McGonagall to begin. After her introduction to Draco Malfoy's arrival as the new Potion Professor taking over from Horace once he retires at the end of the school year, the Sorting Ceremony finally began. As expected, there were several small gasps, and dead silence once Draco's name was announced.

He could see so many unfamiliar faces, but one thing that he noticed almost immediately was the sheer extra volume of students beginning the new year. There was almost double the number of intakes compared to the previous year and he knew very well a portion of those children were inflicted with lycanthropy. Of course, they were to be kept secret for their own safety and dignity and they were free to share whenever they felt comfortable to. But here they were, gaining an education with the other magical folk, giving them a chance at a better life. A less isolated one.

Remus would have been so proud.

When Minerva continued the speech, he had become so accustomed to the usual routine that he often blocked out much of the sorting out of his mind.

Except for one familiar name.

"Elias Bellevue – Hufflepuff!"

Blinking himself back into the present, he watched the small dusty-haired boy jump up from the chair and wander to the Hufflepuff table on the other side. Harry beamed joyously. It was Elias – The little boy he had rescued those few years ago with Ginny from the burning house at Godric's Hollow. It seemed like so long ago since it happened, but his fond memory of reuniting him with his surviving family rang blissfully in his mind. Now he was far older than he remembered.

To save a child only to have them begin their schooling in front of Harry's eyes years later, was a comfort he didn't know he needed at that time. When Elias spotted Harry, he waved excitedly at him, definitely remembering his rescuer.

He was going to be excited to inform his wife of this.

September 28th, 2003

[Severus Snape]

"Now, who can tell me the properties of an erumpent horn?"

Severus paced slowly through the classroom, weaving in between groups of sixth-year Gryffindors and Slytherins, each naturally segregated by their House. Some of them seemed to retreat into themselves when he rounded their tables, but he also noticed some of the Slytherins relaxing around him. He had to wonder if at all they were finally gradually warming up to his return, even if it took them some time to do so. Perhaps seeing his return for yet another year, sparked a curiosity for them to assume he was genuinely interested in staying with them.

He looked carefully around the room for a brave soul to answer. A hand raised in the air calmly.

Severus nodded to the curly redhead, "Yes, Mr. Donovan?"

"It contains a highly explosive material which can be injected into any object."

Severus gave a single nod, continuing to eye the rest of his students for anyone else confident enough to answer, "Adequate. Can anyone else tell me what its classification is?" Another hand raised, revealed a lanky Gryffindor brunette, "Yes, Miss Keeley?"

"Class B Tradeable Material, sir."

"Meaning?"

"It is classed by the Ministry in order to determine its trade value."

"Good. Two points to Gryffindor."

There were sudden hushes within the classroom, seemingly alarmed by the idea of Severus Snape actually awarding points for Gryffindor. Since his display of deducting points from his own house the previous year, it seems he was taking a single step up, much to his own surprise. Ignoring the rather annoying hushes all around him, he wandered back to the front of the class and scribbled a few tasks on the blackboard, when the class fell into silence.

Once he was done, he turned back to the class, "Your task for this lesson is to list the useable parts of the Erumpent, its magical effects, and what it could possibly be used for. You are to split into pairs, and you will find one of the opposite house only. If you do not allocate yourself a partner, I will."

Yet again, there were strange whispers and protests. Most were alarmed about the idea of pairing up with another member of the other house. It was practically unheard of in Severus Snape's class.

But Severus found this a little amusing. He cut through the protests raising his palm to silence them until they complied almost immediately, "Those are the conditions, end of discussion. We are going to cooperate with a non-House member, and that is how things will be running, henceforth. I want no complaints or further whining about it. Am I making myself clear?"

There were mumblings of 'yes, sir', and constant nods but to his great surprise, there were no mishaps, disasters, or arguments. Each unlikely pair managed to cooperate in a civil manner without anything going wrong. Severus silently interweaved through them ensuring they did what they told, and yet they did so without further question.

As before, word got out into the school of Severus' strange point allocation. Minerva herself was far more surprised than anyone else had been. And yet he didn't see why it was such a big deal.

He had already spoken to his House at the start of the year, informing them of his expectations and continuous improvement. They had managed to slowly find their feet during the last year, although his relationship with them was still a little rocky and would take a little more trust to regain their loyalty. Some still feared him, though there were a select few who had come to accept him back since his supposed abandonment of them. Cyrus Hastwell, now elected as one of the Prefects, did a pleasing job of easing their fears. Severus needed his students to confide in him if he had any hopes of steering them in a better direction, yet he could not do that alone. Draco now being added to the faculty might very well make things a little more complicated, but if the Slytherins can see two ex-Death Eaters making a better life for themselves, then they had hoped not to forever be branded as terrible people. The sins of a few, should not be the sins of an entire house.

Severus wanted their cunning and ambition used in a good way, not one with nefarious intent. He wanted to prove everyone else wrong, and he was determined to change their trajectory for the better. He was going to damn well make sure he dedicated his time to his own House to avoid seeing them spiral under his watch.

When dinner arrived in the Great Hall, Severus did something he never thought he'd ever had the courage to do.

He chose to sit beside Dawn, not caring what anyone else thought.

Harry himself appeared surprised, but he knew the younger Gryffindor was silently pleased that he managed to do as such. Dawn smiled brightly, possibly taken aback by the gesture as well. A smile he once saw of Lily, now faded into the back of his mind. Those memories of a friendship long passed were losing their clarity and its purpose and he really didn't know how he felt about that. Lily's presence was always the one who brought him the most comfort. Now, he wasn't sure if that was still true. As it appears, another light grew brighter and far more significant, more than he ever deemed possible.

But he only had to wonder if Dawn ever felt the same way he did about her. Perhaps his growing adoration for her was what sparked his own inner journey to figuring out what it all meant for him, but perhaps love was a little easier for Dawn to grasp onto than himself. Certainly, not an easy concept for him, that of which he still struggled with constantly.

As the week flew by, Severus and Dawn had met back into the Restricted Section pooling together all the evidence they have of the investigation, including the happenings around Hogwarts. They had sent word to Harry who wanted to know what was going on and so he joined them shortly after.

"So, this is where you two hide away, " Harry stated bluntly, and yet Severus felt his cheeks burn and Dawn merely grinned. He turned seriously to Severus, "I heard you awarded two points to Gryffindor. Were you under the Imperious Curse or something?"

Dawn chuckled; her eyes twinkled in amusement, "Careful, he might deduct those points back."

Severus rolled his eyes, "Alright, you two. I merely see nothing wrong with it."

Dawn's face softened, leaving her to smile empathetically, "There isn't, Severus. It's rather nice of you to begin doing so."

Severus said nothing as he turned back to the table, re-sorting their scrapped mess upon the table now with Harry joining them. Dawn and Harry swapped gazes occasionally, and frankly, he wished Harry wasn't there at all and wanted to selfishly spend this time with her. It was difficult to find that space, but he felt even more hopelessly nervous around Dawn knowing he was here.

Dawn spent the following hour updating the two on the investigation, including the capture of two new members. They had rounded up a few of those Dementors before the others fled during the event at the manor, much to their dismay. The children, however, were now safely back with their families but placed under strict Auror protection. Dawn was able to finally obtain an image of the group symbol and had sketched a copy of it for them to see.

Severus took the piece of parchment and studied the symbol. A snake wound in a circle, eating its tail. He knew exactly what it was the others had branded themselves with, "It's an ouroboros. Yet again, a serpent. The eternal cycle of destruction and re-creation."

Harry's shoulders slumped, but he said nothing.

"We don't know yet what they are calling themselves, but we know their members are using code names, " Dawn explained.

Harry leaned forward on the table, lowering his voice, "If they hate Muggleborns, then why on earth are they killing them and stealing their children? It makes not a shred of sense!"

Severus glanced nonchalantly at him, "They are raising them in their image. Teaching them the Dark Arts at a young age and grooming them to become torturers…murderers. They will be so far indoctrinated that it will be the only life they know."

"Severus, we cannot allow this to happen!"

"We will not. The future of the Wizarding World cannot be brutalised by the likes of this vermin."

Dawn looked worried and Severus found he didn't like it when she did, "Children are vulnerable, and do not know any better. Once they are taken, they can be altered, brainwashed – " She squeezed her eyes shut and Severus noticed her lips quivering, "We need more people to help. We cannot do this alone."

"But how do we even find them? They are hiding away, waiting for the next attack?" Harry questioned.

"Those children's minds have been scoured by the Ministry - Delicately, of course - in order to find any evidence of what they look like, names, further locations…" She appeared lost behind those blue eyes, and Severus' heart sank. Perhaps she was still thinking about what they discovered at the manor, and the idea that she was still haunted by it, consumed him, "Desmond is out of action, so we are already down an Auror on this private investigation."

"Well, I think we need to focus on things here. If it is all connected, maybe someone at Hogwarts is involved somehow, " Harry said, swallowing rising bile.

"Someone…here?" Dawn questioned.

Harry shrugged, "Well, if things are happening here, then what makes you think they are doing it all remotely?"

"Good call. But who?"

"We are dealing with creatures who are sending themselves into an unnatural death, ingredients have essentially been poisoned, which leaves me to believe that someone is acting on sabotage, " Severus said, "But Harry is correct – they must be located here if either of these things are happening. They are quite obviously not acting alone."

"Which also means that it is possible that they know we are onto them – " Dawn nodded, before turning grimly to Harry, "Harry, I suspect you have essays to mark? I'd make a habit of getting them done as soon as you can."

"Wait – " Harry began to protest, but it was no use.

She looked sternly at him, all semblance of her usual warmth faded, "We will inform you of anything new."

Harry eventually nodded, dragging his feet away. Severus was silently grateful for that before he turned to closely look at the woman's sullen face. Severus' eyes flickered to her own, "What are you holding back, Dawn?"

She shrugged meekly as if she did not want to say it. She turned away from his gaze, staring at the littered symbols and scribbled parchments on the desk in front of them, "I think…I think there is something…in the forest. The strange creatures' deaths were centered there. Perhaps they picked something up, that is somehow contagious? And those tainted ingredients were selected there. Like…Like an illness."

Deep down, Severus agreed and felt the same, "I think you might be right. Something is amiss beyond the boundary, and it is causing a strange sickness to both flora and fauna. We'll figure this out, Dawn."

"How, Severus?" She pleaded desperately, "We have nothing to go on. We're no more to finding the culprits behind all of this than we are bringing Voldemort back. We are ironically chasing our tails like the new Dark Mark. That's all we have – "

Severus placed his palms flat on the table, "It's a start. Not a good one, but one, nonetheless. We have a symbol of them, which means we can search for a reveal spell that might lead us to more of them. We might be close to tracking them. So far you have been able to infiltrate two of their bases. It is only a matter of time until they begin doing things on a large scale, in which case they can no longer hide."

"We cannot wait for such things to happen. We lost children last month, Severus – " She looked pained yet again, " – I can't bear to see that again."

"I know, " Severus spoke quietly, "But we will put an end to them."

Dawn managed to crack a weak smile, "Now look who is the optimist."

A small smile twinged at the corner of his lips, "Because the way they operate is on par with how the Death Eaters were. This feels, regrettably, familiar."

Severus allowed his eyes to rest upon hers and Dawn blinked back slightly distracted by seemingly his own. She smiled warmly, silently pleased that he was there. Severus tried his hardest not to break eye contact in his usual panic, instead, he lowered his head and tried to distract himself by packing up the remainder of the books. "Gregory has been awfully fond of you as of recent months."

"Him?" Dawn blinked, motionless, "Severus, we are friends, nothing more."

Severus hesitated, "I merely wondered."

"He's been kindly to me, that's all. He...He's been a good friend since I began here. I owe him multiple bottles of bourbon for all the times he's listened to my nonsense."

Severus knew he shouldn't be worried, but deep within himself, he felt a little wounded. That moronic Ravenclaw? Now suddenly Severus felt angered with himself for even comparing himself to him. Why was he worried, anyway? He was being foolish and yet remained cowardly silent.

Dawn nibbled on her lip, hanging her head slightly until she tilted it rather sweetly, "You don't need to worry about me, Severus."

"I'm not." He knew that was a lie. Truthfully, he was worried. He just didn't want to see her get hurt and witness that usual bright smile vanish from her face.

"Then don't let it get to you. I can handle myself, " Dawn's hand brushed casually against his arm, the corner of her lips curving slightly upwards. She paused for a moment, with her mouth parted slightly as if she were about to say something else, instead, she managed a playful smirk, "Worry not…You'll get worse wrinkles."

The quiet touch, although unexpected, caused his heart to flutter. Somehow, he wished for her to say what was on her mind, rather than Severus to admit his own. He merely nodded hopelessly, watching as Dawn wandered away and out of the sanctuary of the Restricted Section.

Trying to find bliss and reprieve in a life that has constantly tried to bury your soul, was the most difficult task of all. The weight of hopelessness and pain becomes a wall of steel over time; difficult to penetrate. A mind broken time and time again struggles to find the one flicker of light to keep one going. Finding a smile - such a simple, human action - could feel so foreign to someone who has long since been happy. A few fleeting memories never seemed enough. Happiness felt so unobtainable when darkness constantly wrestles with your mind.

With her, he always felt something more. With her, he found his light.

But his emotional cowardice would always overrule his heart, forever condemned of what could be if he ever found that courage.

November 3rd, 2003

[Dawn Rheingold]

The cold, autumn evening turned into a quick chill, causing Dawn to huddle tightly within her burgundy cloak. Nightly patrols weren't as boring as many of the other staff thought of it since she relished in the peace and quiet during the hours when the castle was in such deep silence. She didn't really consider herself a night owl, but given the chaos of her usual day, the nights were rather welcoming. Like a breath of fresh air.

She and Gregory were tasked with the nightly patrols, with Dawn taking the north-eastern side, and Gregory taking charge of the south-western side. The Ravenclaw wasn't exactly efficient, finding the entire chore to be completely boring. He often had a book tucked under his arm and crunched on a pear as he rounded such corridors.

They would occasionally pass each other by when some corridors intervened, but it was drawing just after midnight when their patrol was close to the end. She found Gregory standing rather casually by the staircase leading to the dungeons, pulling off his thick-rimmed glasses and yawning.

"Night patrols aren't all that terrible, " Dawn strolled up beside him, leaning over on the railing and eyeing a sleeping portrait of an elderly maiden.

He chuckled, stirring another portrait briefly from their slumber, "It would be far worse if I was doing this by myself. You keep me awake."

"If I didn't keep you focused, I'd instead be finding you tucked away in the corner somewhere, napping, " She smirked, giving him a playful nudge on the shoulder, "We're almost done."

"Hmm, " Gregory's smile was charming, often staring at her rather hazily with his hazel eyes. It was almost like he took that as an invite, taking a small step towards her until their shoulders were practically touching. "Well, I can't imagine doing patrol with anyone else. They are a little more uptight."

Dawn couldn't help but tense slightly, making a very subtle turn away, "No, they do a very good job. Don't be so hard on them. Not everyone likes wandering the corridors at night, watching out for curfew-breaking students."

"You're right, I'd much rather be in bed getting a good night's sleep, " Gregory responded rather coyly, "Besides, I really enjoy seeing you work."

She tilted her head, with a frown, "…What?"

He shrugged his own comment off with somewhat of a shy laugh, "What I meant is that…you are rather admirable. You know, being an Auror. You do things differently and that's exactly what this school needs."

Dawn couldn't help but stare at him, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the scrutiny, "I do what I can, Gregory."

"Oh, I know. And you do it well, " Gregory smiled, but suddenly his hand rested on the lower of her back and suddenly she felt disgusted, feeling his hands too low for comfort.

Dawn shifted out of the way, doing her best to hide the look of revulsion on her face. Gregory, however, appeared unaffected as if what he tried to do was completely warranted. He was far too close that she could smell the remnants of the pear he was eating earlier, enough to make her want to gag. He had never approached her in that way before, and it sent her feeling highly defensive.

Putting on a brave face, stared pointedly at him, "Why don't you go and have an early night? I'll finish up here."

Gregory shrugged, "Let's go grab a drink in the kitchens instead. My treat."

"No, no, " She shook her head, "I need to finish patrolling."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive, " Dawn managed a smile as strained, and as forced as it felt.

There was a pause from Gregory, who was still staring directly into her eyes, "…Alright. I shall. It's been a lovely night with you, Dawn. Let's synchronise our patrols again."

She said nothing as she waved at his departure in such a lazy manner, merely frozen in the thought of him. He disappeared shortly after in the direction of his quarters, hearing his boots slowly vanish in the distance. Feeling free from his presence, she leaned heavily back over the railing, releasing a breath she didn't realise she had held. The touch of his fingers upon the lower of her back sent tingles up her spine. And not in a good way.

Since when did he ever make a move like that before? It was strange since she never sensed any other sexual attraction when he was concerned, in fact, she was comfortable enough seeing him only as a friend. In fact, she did grow slightly annoyed when Severus mentioned it, but she knew deep down it was not Gregory she desired.

Leaving the area as quickly as her legs could take her, she found herself descending the stairs to the dungeons, finding herself back at Severus' door to his private quarters. She still had an hour left of her patrol to go and yet she needed a small reprieve. A moment away in safety, as much as she didn't want to admit that she would ever need a thing in this situation.

She knocked on the door, sensing automatic movement on the other side. Eventually, the door opened revealing Severus still wearing his day robes as if he hadn't even thought of sleeping yet.

Severus raised an eyebrow quizzically, "Are you not on patrol this evening?"

"I was…Still am, " Dawn exhaled gently in defeat, "I was in the area. Gregory took an earlier finish, and, well…Would you like to take a stroll with me?"

She wasn't expecting to even make such a proposition, but the words so happened to spill so quickly from her mouth, that she didn't even stop to register how strange it all sounded. She only intended to see him for a few moments, not to invite him out for a walk at one in the morning. The look on Severus' face was strange. He eyed her closely as if he was struggling to read her, but his brows crinkled in between as they usually did when he was considering something. He didn't appear mad or angry at the intrusion, in fact, he seemed so…delicately pleased about it.

Severus' corner of lips curved and parted ever so slightly, observing her in all his curiosity. She felt her cheeks grow warm, but so did the feelings within her chest.

He gave a single, small nod, "Of course. Give me a moment."

Once he turned his back to finish things up inside, she suddenly cracked a toothy, warm smile without him knowing which caused her own heart to flutter. Why did this make her so unexpectedly happy? He was never one to deny or refuse anything she ever asked, but it was such a small gesture, and yet it felt so significant for her. He didn't force anything upon her, nor did he ever disregard her feelings, as much as he tried to understand them. And when he didn't, he would support her anyway.

Such a vast difference from how she felt when she had just seen Gregory.

Once he re-emerged from his quarters and locked up behind him, the pair of them fled the frost of the dungeons and found themselves wandering the first floor past the DADA and History of Magic classrooms. They had been silent on the journey so far and as comfortable as she was talking in general, this time she felt a strange nervousness within her. Occasionally she could feel his careful side glances, possibly waiting for her to speak first. But somehow, she just could not speak the words in her mind as much as she wished she could.

"Thank you for joining me, Severus, " Dawn finally said. It was all she could manage at this point.

"I am rather…pleased you asked, " Severus turned his head, hiding the smallest of smiles beneath the shadows cast by his hair.

Dawn smiled contentedly, "I've always loved your company…I knew you'd be awake. And honestly, I would have been a little disheartened if you'd declined."

"I wouldn't have, " Severus responded, in what appeared in a shaky, breath.

"Severus, stop for a moment, please – " Dawn slowed herself to a stop, turning to face him directly. She felt her heart beat faster and yet her thoughts scattered and fleeting from her. He gazed upon her; his own eyes struggled to meet hers. Oh, he was nervous. His brows creased, but merely that of confusion and possibly even his own hesitation. "I'm…I'm really glad you chose to stay. Here, at Hogwarts. Relieved, even."

Severus' lips twitched as if a smile there was desperate to burst through to the surface, "I did not feel ready to depart. A year, looking back on it now, was hardly adequate time."

Dawn's heart grew tenfold. She could sense a soft connection there with him when he was around, and she could only wonder if he felt it, too. Her fingers aching to rest upon him, smoothing away those few stubborn strands of his hair. Severus hung his head; his eyes wandered elsewhere, and yet she so desperately wanted to melt within the safety of his embrace.

"Severus, I – " Dawn struggled for the right words to escape her lips, but she was cut short by what sounded like a scream coming from outside. Dawn's eyes widened like a deer in headlights, "…You heard that too, right?"

Severus, reached for Dawn's elbows to steady her as both fell silent.

They heard the scream again.

With another helpless glance at each other, they both turned on their heels to find the stairwell to descend down to the ground floor. It sounded like it came from outside, yet they couldn't be sure. There were no echoes to be heard, so that was the only possible reason. As they reached the castle foyer, they saw Gregory dash from the other side, looking just as alarmed as they were.

"Greg, I thought you retreated for the night?"

Gregory appeared breathless, "I was – you heard it too, yeah?"

They collectively nodded and the three of them burst through the front doors and rounded the courtyard, ignoring the light mist of rain that had set upon them. They heard the scream again, followed by a sobbed wailing close to Hagrid's hut. Their boots pounded through the rickety wooden bridge, without a single word to be spoken. As they reached the other side of the bridge, they saw a single student bounding furiously towards them, drenched in rain and mud. Once the student with the Hufflepuff robes reached them, the young girl collapsed on the ground in front of them, sobbing loudly.

Still breathless from their quick bolt, Dawn knelt beside the auburn hair girl, clasping her shoulders gently. The girl trembled and shook in terror, "Miss Pierce, what did you see?"

The girl shook her head, tears cascading down her face. She couldn't speak.

Dawn lowered her voice again, "You must tell us what you witnessed."

"I – I can't…"

"Yes, you can, " Dawn pleaded, looking up at Severus and Gregory in pure shock.

The girl sobbed again, hiccupping between words, "Felicity – she's – she's in the tree – she's gone…"

Dawn's heart dropped, peering over the child's head to gain a visual of what she may have seen. Instead, she saw Rubeus Hagrid clambering over the hill towards them looking grim and like the student, soaked with rain.

"A - a Hufflepuff - is dead, " Hagrid himself sobbed.

Dawn looked back at the child, "Was she alone?"

The girl nodded her head.

"Why were you there?"

The girl's eyes widened, "It wasn't me!"

"No, I meant, how did you find her?" Dawn questioned. They needed answers and yet so many questions burned within her mind.

The girl took a struggling breath, wiping her eyes with the edge of her robes, "She had to use the loo. She seemed normal. But she never returned to our dormitory. Then I heard the main common room door open, then I followed." The Hufflepuff choked back another sob.

"And then what else?"

"I followed her to the Forest. I didn't have time to find a Professor – she was moving so fast. But then I accidentally turned and made a noise and she stopped and turned around. Her face was unlike anything I've ever seen…She wasn't herself."

Dawn's brows crinkled together, "How so?"

"Her eyes…They were white. It was…strange…"

"White?" Dawn shot a concerned look at Severus who was silent during the exchange. Gregory stood rooted to the spot. She turned back to the distraught student, allowing her hands to stay on the student's shoulders, "Then what else?"

The student struggled to breathe, "She conjured a rope and climbed the tree…I-I couldn't stop her - "

Dawn had heard enough, holding a hand up to silence the poor girl, "Alright, Miss Pierce, I think that is all we need to know. Rubeus, please accompany this girl to the Hospital Wing and ensure she arrives hastily. I will liaise with the Healers later."

Gregory beside them, looked as white a ghost and appeared as if he was ready to hurl into the nearest bushes.

Nodding without a word, the half-giant escorted the young Hufflepuff back towards the school. Once they were out of earshot, she turned sharply to Severus, "What's the bet that we both know exactly what this means?"

"The Imperious Curse, " Severus responded simply, "Her movements were, as described, unusual. Milky white eyes is a sign someone who has been bewitched."

Dawn nodded, "Indeed. Which also means the caster is either in the vicinity or on school grounds. If they followed this student from the Common Room, then we can guess they are already in the school. It seems Harry was right."

Once Rubeus had led the student away, Dawn, Severus and Gregory continued along the path to where the student had bolted from, but it did not take long for them to reach their destination. The haunting silhouette of the poor student hung in front of one of the trees barely inward from the boundary, not far from Rubeus' hut. The crescent moonlight was barely enough to light the area, but it was more than enough for them to see amongst the twisted shadows of the swaying trees around them.

Dawn felt absolutely sickened.

"Oh, bloody hell – " Gregory stood, gobsmacked. His face paled another shade so quickly, that he turned to the nearest bush and emptied out his stomach contents. "I don't think I can look again – "

Severus twisted his lips and nudged in Gregory's direction, "Go and alert Minerva at once. It is going to be a long night."

Gregory did not protest to that fact, slowly composing himself and stumbling out from the forest.

Severus turned towards her, "If the culprit is the one sending creatures and young children to their unnatural and unwilling deaths, this appears to also fit the description of the Muggleborn victims within your investigation. We have gained another piece of the puzzle, so it seems."

Dawn was clearly upset, as her broken voice indicated otherwise, "But why? What are they getting from all of this? This student was a Pureblood."

Severus appeared unfazed, "No matter. Riddle pursued anyone who opposed him, including whom he so lovingly labeled as Blood Traitors."

"But she was a child. An innocent, young child – " Dawn drew in a deep breath, her chest feeling heavy as if a weight was upon it.

"A child is easily susceptible to such control, " Severus spoke quietly.

Dawn nodded, disheartened. But then another thought came to her, "Severus, I am assuming we are both witnessing the same mode of death. Also confirmed by the student witness. What else do you see?"

The man paused, frowning deeply as he raised his Lumos-lit wand and scanned the area. He did several turns on his heels, observing each and every surrounding tree, pathway, and bushes until he settled on a bundle of rocks littering the ground, "A trail of blood - over there."

Dawn drew in a trembling breath, "Lead the way."

Without another word, the pair weaved around the victim following this new trail that Severus had found. As their silent steps drew themselves closer to the thick of the forest, her heart pounded strongly within her chest, not knowing what else they'd find.

They wandered for what seemed like ten minutes passed when Severus' steps slowed down immensely until suddenly, he stumbled, clamping his hands over his head as he fell to his knees. A strange wailing of pain shot through the man as he tightly shut his eyes as if something was taking hold of him, "No - not - here - please - "

Dawn instantly fell beside him, cradling his head with both of her hands ever so softly, in order to comfort him. Her eyes widened in worry, "Severus, what is it? What is happening!?"

Through a haze of agony, Severus' desperate eyes met hers – and it was filled with such horror, "Get me away from here - please - "

There was no time to waste. Dawn was able to pull him to his feet and quickly lead him away.

What on earth was going on?!