1995
The students were packed on and around several platforms that rose over the Black Lake. The champions were to retrieve their treasures from the bottom of the frigid water while also avoiding the creatures that lurked there. Shaylah stood on the edge of the water with Nate and Carrie. From here they could see everything. A shot rang out and the champions dove into the depths. Nate leaned in and whispered, "The Weasley twins were taking bets, I bet on Diggory to win."
"I bet on Krum." Carrie added.
Shaylah gave them both a disgusted look. "Where are they? My money's on Potter."
The crowd was full of murmurs as they waited for the champions to reemerge. The frigid wind nipped at their noses. A Gryffindor boy named Neville was nervously pacing behind the crowd, muttering under his breath. She couldn't make out what he was saying except for the word 'Potter.' A loud gasp rippled through the crowd as Fleur returned to the surface. Her hands were empty, her treasure unretrieved.
"Glad I didn't bet on her." Carrie muttered.
The crowd continued to wait, the suspense growing heavier as the water remained calm. Cedric Diggory emerged next, Cho Chang treading water next to him. The crowd thundered with applause. Shaylah noticed Moody pacing on one of the platforms, his pocket watch clutched tightly in his hand. Severus stood watching him, his dark eyes examining the man's mannerisms.
Nate clapped louder than anyone and grabbed Shaylah by the shoulders, shaking her. "I knew Diggory would do it!"
Krum was the next to surface, Hermione Granger was the treasure he had pulled from the lake. An overwhelming cheer pierced Shaylah's ears as the crowd praised him. Moody continued to pace as the hour the champions were allotted grew to a close. The seconds ticked down but Harry hadn't broken the surface. The crowd became quiet as the clock chimed, drawing the challenge to an end.
Two bodies emerged and applause broke out but it was quickly stifled. Neither of them were Harry. Ron Weasley and Fleur's sister were helped onto the lowest platform and the suspense squeezed the lungs of the spectators. Shaylah felt Severus' eyes on her and she shook her head faintly. He returned to watching Moody who now watched the water with an almost satisfied expression.
Then something similar to a giant fish leapt from the water and landed on the platform near Dumbledore. The crowd broke into celebration, the cheers were deafening. Shaylah found herself jumping up and down, her hands were a frenzied blur as she applauded. Harry was soon lost in the sea of bodies that rushed to congratulate him. An announcement was soon made that Harry received first place in the task because of his bravery. Another uproar ensued.
Nate was cursing under his breath as the three made their way back toward the castle. Shaylah gave him a playful jab as she told him that she would bet on Potter in the next round. The colors of twilight had begun to fall, bathing the skyline in a soft rainbow of purple and pink. Shaylah stopped for a moment to appreciate the splendor of it. She waved her friends ahead.
The icy wind swept around her as the last few stragglers from the crowd entered the massive doors and made their way to the Great Hall for dinner. Shaylah recalled the times she and Severus had watched the sunset and then laid out for hours pointing out the planets and constellations. Those times were few with the lives they led, so they were all the more meaningful.
Shaylah drew in a deep breath, the cold air turning to ice in her lungs. She made her way into the hall but was abruptly stopped by Professor Moody. "I need a word with you Miss Epans."
"But Professor, I turned in all my homework."
"It's a bit more pressing than homework girl."
She attempted to ignore him, his very presence made her uncomfortable. She took a step toward the doors of the Great Hall but Moody snatched her by the elbow. Her friends watched as she was dragged away, befuddled looks on their faces. Had this man been Alastor Moody in the flesh, perhaps her stomach would not have lodged in her throat but she knew who he was and the crimes he had and would commit. She knew the monster that dwelled under the influence of the Polyjuice potion and now he was dragging her away from the people she trusted.
She pulled against him but his fingers only dug further into her flesh. "Professor, what have I done?" She shouted, hoping someone in the area would hear her but the corridors seemed abandoned.
"I wouldn't do that." Moody warned. His blue eye whirred in its socket.
When they reached his office he threw her in first, and she heard the clicking of several locks as the door slammed closed behind him. Her heart began to race, she was locked in a room with Barty Jr., who wore the face of Alastor Moody. His mechanical eye stopped whirring and bore into her. Moody retrieved his flask and took a long drink. "You know, you shouldn't drink so much." said Shaylah.
Moody ran his arm across his mouth before pointing an accusatory finger at her. "And you shouldn't push false blame on the innocent."
"I don't know what you mean sir."
"Oh, I think you know exactly what I mean." He crossed the room, his false leg making an ominous thud with each step. His blue eye was even more unsettling up close.
"No sir, I'm sure I don't."
His face contorted with rage, a snarl formed on his mouth like a rabid dog. She felt the tip of his wand press into her throat. "Lie to me again."
Three heavy knocks sounded on the door. "Moody!" Severus' voice seeped through the door.
"Don't you make a sound." Moody growled. He also remained quiet, leaving the knocks unanswered.
Severus tried again. Three booming knocks and a shout. Moody pressed the wand further into her flesh. She let out a small yelp and he planted his thick hand over her throat with great pressure. Silence fell on the other side of the door. Moody returned his attention to Shaylah who was struggling to breathe. "I don't know who you are, but you're a bloody thorn in my side. I was hoping Severus was going to take care of you at the Yule Ball but he failed of course."
Shaylah was pulling at his thick arm, fighting for the air that was so close but unattainable. Moody's lips pulled into a wide smile, a wicked reflection of the man underneath. His grip tightened and his wand dug deeper.
Three more loud and furious knocks. "Moody!" Severus' voice was warped, a mixture of wrath and worry. Moody shook his head. White mist had begun to dance in the peripherals of her eyes. Her vision was fading. How ironic that Barty would one day be choked with his own tongue but right now he was going to suffocate her. They would both die begging for air.
The locks did nothing to keep Severus out, the door flew from its hinges. Pieces of wood rained down on them as Moody dropped Shaylah to the floor. Dust filled the room and the scene became something other than what it was. "What the hell Severus, are you mad?" Moody exclaimed. Dusting off his clothes.
"Why didn't you answer and why are you locked in a room with a student?"
Moody's face took on an arrogant expression. "At least I do it behind closed doors and not in the corridors Severus." The murderous look in Severus' eyes would have been enough to strike Moody dead if he hadn't left the room.
Shaylah fought to get to her feet, her lungs were still grasping for the air that she was sucking in in short gasps. Unfortunately the first gulp of air she had taken had been filled with dust. Her throat burned and she was sure a bruise in the shape of Moody's fingers was starting to form on her throat. Severus crossed over to her and examined the damage. "What did he do?" There was an urgency in his voice.
"He tried to kill me. I'm telling you he isn't who he says Professor."
Severus ran his fingers over her throat, the sore skin protested but was quickly quelled by a wave of his wand. Shaylah ran her own fingers over her throat and the pain was gone. "I'll kill him." Severus cursed under his breath, the words were not meant for her. "The bruising will dissipate." He stated. "Dumbledore wanted to see you, but have dinner first."
Severus accompanied her back to the Great Hall but did not enter with her. He said he had something to see to. Dumbledore had already left, or had he ever come at all? Shaylah couldn't be sure. She joined Marsha and Carrie who had just finished their plates but kept her company as she ate. They discussed the events of the tournament and how Nate was still bitter that he had bet against Potter.
When her plate was empty she told her friends she would be up soon and made her way to the Headmaster's office. A boulder had formed in the pit of her stomach as she ascended the stairs, she wasn't sure what to expect from this meeting. When she entered the open office, she was greeted by a waiting Dumbledore who wore a look of concern.
"Thank you for coming, Miss Epans. It has been brought to my attention that you had a run in with a certain teacher, in a locked room?" A brow rose quizzically on the inflection of the last word.
"It was nothing like that-" Dumbledore held up a single bony finger to silence her.
"I know it was not," he said as he folded his arms behind his back. "Now tell me, why would Professor Moody attack you my dear?"
"Because I know who he is and I thought you did too." Her voice trembled at the confession.
"Of course I know who he is. There is no evidence to prove otherwise. Of course he will be reprimanded for his actions."
"There won't be any evidence until it is too late. Please sir, check his flask. Please." Shaylah begged.
A shadow crossed the old wizard's eyes as Shaylah stared into them. Her reflection was overtaken by the fleeting vision. Then a gentle smile took over his features and he gestured toward the door. "I will take your concerns into account, Miss Epans." He wasted no time shooing her from his office and down the steps. Shaylah had the oddest feeling she had missed something, or perhaps misunderstood.
The corridors were deserted as she made her way back toward the dorms, the curfew had long passed. The chill in the air seemed ominous and the walls closed in just a bit more than usual. Shaylah had just began to descend the stairs when she was approached by the caretaker's cat, Mrs. Norris, and Filch, the caretaker himself. He seemed all too eager to be the one to discipline her, no matter the explanation that she had been to see the Headmaster. Begrudgingly he brought her to her Head of House while muttering under his breath about shackles.
When Filch knocked on the door to Severus' office, a nervous Shaylah's elbow clutched in his fist. He was greeted by a furious bellow of dismissal. When Filch tried again, this time with the mention of a sneaking student, the door swung open. Severus' black robes flew back like wings when the door was wrenched open. His dark eyes widened as they fell on the student in question.
Severus sent Filch away with a disinterested flick of his wrist and slammed the door behind him once Shaylah was inside. She took several steps towards his desk but noticed he did not pass her. He stayed closely behind her, so close she could feel the heat of him. She stopped abruptly and he pressed into her. A lump formed in her throat. What was he doing?
She turned to face him. "Prof-" He swallowed her words as he crashed his lips into hers. The energy between them became like fire, burning away any rational thought. Their hands quickly became tangled in each other's hair and soon she was laid on his desk, much like the last time he had chased her. She had no intention of stopping what had begun to unfold. In fact she yearned for it. The primal instincts that broke free when they were together were unlike any physical bond she had ever experienced.
Her core pulsed as he tore at her robes and she was all too aware of his arousal as he thrashed against her. Her heart threatened to break out of its cage as Severus broke away and nipped her bottom lip. He traced the line of her jaw with the pad of his thumb before lacing kisses across the skin of her shoulder. She wanted this more than anything in the moment but she was suddenly struck with the need to stop it. It wouldn't be right.
His palm slid up her inner thigh as he continued to kiss her collarbone. They both let out a deep moan before she pressed her palm into his chest and pushed him back. "Sev- Professor, we can't do this."
He thrust his hips toward her before slamming his palms down on the desk. He ran his fingers through his hair before straightening and taking several steps away from her. The heat that had just encased them seemed to freeze so quickly. Shaylah straightened her clothes and slid off the desk.
"Sunflowers," he muttered. "They're your favorite."
She froze, the strings of her cloak still grasped in her hands as she tied it. "Prof-"
"I taught you how to brew the Draught of Living Death."
"Well, of course you did."
"I trained you in Occlumency."
"Sir, that's not possib-"
"Let me see the ring." He cut in holding his hand out expectantly,
"Sir, I have never taken it off."
"Then simply place your hand on the desk." Shaylah did as she was instructed. She would allow him to examine it as long as she didn't have to take it off. Severus placed his wand over the ring and swayed it back and forth with concentrated movements. Shaylah saw nothing, but Severus seemed to see everything. "I enchanted this ring, this is my magic." He muttered to himself. His eyes had taken on a soft sadness, the same one she had seen before she left him in the past. Before she left their life behind.
Again she watched as his eyes clouded and he went to work connecting dots that she couldn't see. Pieces of himself so carefully slotted back into place. Shaylah couldn't help but be frightened at the aspect of it all becoming cohesive. She wondered if he would be furious at the lies and secrecy she had to uphold. There were so many variables and she still had gotten nowhere with convincing Severus or Dumbledore about Moody. Shaylah took a step to the side, hoping to get past him while he was solving the mystery of himself. His hand grasped her wrist and his nose touched the tip of hers, the trance broken.
"No, you never did take it off, did you Shay?" The softness in his eyes told her that he knew. Yet there was no fury in his words. No volatile remarks danced on the tip of his tongue. His entire demeanor had shifted but Shaylah wondered if it was temporary. Would the piece of him that she knew so well disappear again? "I hope I have found you in all the lives I have been allowed to live." He said as he wrapped her in his arms. Her nerves delayed her reaction, for a moment she stood paralyzed with shock.
"Severus, do-do you know me?" She asked, her voice muffled against his chest. His heart was beating as heavily as her own but the rhythm was soothing. It took all she had not to let the tears overwhelm her.
"I think I've always known you, I just needed reminding. It really is the oddest feeling." He admitted as he brushed his fingers through her hair.
She wrapped herself around him, no longer fighting to hold back the tears. They began to fall freely and Severus tipped her face up to meet his. The pad of his thumb swiped away the tears that stained her cheeks. It was such a familiar gesture. She reveled in the warmth of him, the look of adoration in his eyes instead of frustration. She separated from him temporarily to riffle through the pocket of her robes.
When she pulled the now severely creased and crumpled photo from her pocket, she was thrilled to see one small face beaming back at her. Prince had returned but the scenery behind them was drastically different. She handed the picture to Severus who held it gingerly in the tips of his fingers. His face brightened as his eyes traced the features of each of their faces. "Is this-?"
"It's our family." Shaylah whispered. "When I arrived we were all in the picture, then you all disappeared and it was just me. Now only our daughter Rose is missing." A single tear rolled from the corner of Severus' eye and she quickly wiped it away. "I don't know what exactly has changed. I'm not sure how all this works."
"Nor am I. There are many theories but time is so fickle and dangerous things can happen when you mess with it." He said ominously, still taking in the photo. "Rose is our daughter."
Shaylah nodded her head and placed her hand on his wrist. "Moody, you have to convince Dumbledore he can't be trusted. It's the whole reason you sent me back."
"I had a meeting with Dumbledore about what happened between you and Moody, he is suspicious."
She pulled the photo from his hand and slipped it back into her robes. "Moody cannot be allowed to help with the final task. Please, that may bring Rose back and change the future. The future we so adamantly tried to alter."
He threw his arms around her once more, his robes engulfing her in his scent and warmth. Her arms snaked their way around his neck, tangling in the hair that fell on his collar. They basked in the silence and the feeling of right that encased them. The ring on her finger glowed the same familiar emerald that it always had when she was around Severus. The same glow that he had so fervently sought to figure out because he knew it, he had seen it often in another time.
Severus entwined his fingers with hers and tilted her face to his before planting a deep kiss on her lips and when he pulled away he nipped her bottom lip. The foreboding feeling in her gut was long gone, taken away on the beating wings of butterflies. She was confident that on the path she now walked she would be accompanied by Severus and in fourteen years she would not be forced to tell him goodbye.
