Chapter Twenty-Five

He's My Best Friend

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! Or Happy December 25th!

A/N: 25 chapters on the 25th; seems pretty awesome if you ask me. Now, previously someone left a comment asking if I was American due to certain words I have used. Yes - I am from the USA. I try my hardest to find the correct jargon but sometimes it can be hard so I use what I am familiar with. I'm sorry if this upsets anyone, I will try harder in the future.

Disclaimer: I only own Aurora and any other OC's. Remember, I will occasionally use quotes from both the books or movie, depending on the scene; I do not own direct quotes or phrases.

~ oOo ~

Everything around the woman seemed to be working against her senses. The swishing from the Black Lake against the windows wasn't there; the smell of antiseptic instead of herbs was strong. Aurora fought in opening her eyes. She fidgeted and squirmed, disturbed knowing she was lonely in her bed as Severus wasn't by her side. Groaning, she finally managed to open her eyes, squinting into the dark as she did so. Except, it wasn't as dark as she assumed, nor was it as light as she expected. Eyelids cracking open slow at first, they then widened when she realized she wasn't in her room at all. Aurora was laying in the Hospital Wing.

She was nowhere close to laying in her bed down in the dungeons.

Groggily, Aurora pushed herself against the bed, moving into a sitting position as she glanced around the room. Rubbing the sleep from her face, she watched through the windows, noticing it was pitch black outside, the room illuminated only by dim light from the fireplace and several lamps here and there.

SQUEE!

MEOW!

Bombarded by two individuals covered in fur and scales, Aurora managed to release a squeal of laughter as Sapphire and Merlin pounced onto her chest. Excited to see their mother, they furiously licked and prodded her face with kisses, causing the woman to fall back against the mattress.

Quick footsteps raced against the stone flooring. As her pets were removed from her stomach, Aurora stole a glance upward to see it was Severus, who was failing in holding Sapphire and Merlin who squirmed in his arms. Trying to sit up again, Aurora smiled, loving the way her pets wanted nothing more than to be in her arms.

"It seems you're finally awake."

Shuddering to hear the voice was from none other than Severus, Aurora tensed. Outstretching her arms, he gave her the creatures, both having calmed down; one curled on her lap while the other snuggled against her leg. Breathing deeply, Aurora rubbed her face again, stealing a look between her fingers to see the Potions Master dragged a chair over, taking a seat by her side. As he stared long and hard, Aurora didn't say anything. Knowing the look currently plastered on Severus' face was the same he reserved for his students.

When she still didn't say anything, Severus sighed, hard. "You're such a dunderhead," he muttered loudly, rubbing his temple.

"I wake up in the Hospital Wing and that's all you can say?" She was truly confused. Was there something she was missing? What had she done to be called a dunderhead?

Severus growled. "What else do you expect me to say?"

Already? Aurora thought. I just woke up and he's already mad at me? Just what the bloody hell happened?!

"First, I discover you're not really eating and barely sleeping. Second, I receive a letter late in the night from Rose stating you fell asleep in the rain at your mother's grave. And lastly!" Standing, Severus narrowed his eyes. "If it wasn't for Miss Granger barging into my classroom, I wouldn't of known you had collapsed from exhaustion!"

"…collapsed?" Billowing the blankets around her waist, Aurora contemplated what the man was saying. "I collapsed? When? Where?!"

"In your bloody classroom!" He roared, cape twirling with his body as he turned back around. "You collapsed and wouldn't wake up. You've been here all day, asleep, for nearly nine hours!" His voice echoed far and wide within the wing. Thankfully Poppy was down in the Great Hall for dinner, leaving the two of them alone, as there were no other students around.

Now rubbing the bridge of his nose, Severus was split between his emotions. On one hand, the wizard was fuming due to there reason of Aurora's collapse; on the other, he was elated that she was finally awake. Having sat by her side all afternoon and into the early evening, Severus knew exactly what he was going to say the moment she woke up. The wizard would call her a dunderhead. And he had.

Except he didn't feel good about having done so.

He had turned to face the pendulum from the clock tower, breath having gone ragged from anger. That anger stemmed from his own emotional rampage from that morning. He'd been stuffed into a frenzy the moment Hermione ran into his classroom, screaming how Aurora had collapsed and wouldn't wake.

"…I'm sorry."

Head falling, Severus curled his head, only for him to step back in horror. Aurora merely sat in the bed, hands scratching her beloved animals as she silently cried. Tears, one-by-one fell down her face. She raised her head. Their eyes connected, and that's when the waterworks began.

Stepping up to her side, Severus ignored Merlin's cry as he leaned down, immediately grasping Aurora to hold within his arms. Lips fell to her head, dropping several kisses upon her skin while rubbing up and down her arms. She whispered an apology again, and again, and again, until her whisper turned to naught.

"No, no you have nothing to apologize for." Whistling, he pointed towards Merlin and Sapphire to jump across to the other bed. Obliging, the pets left their mother, leaving an empty space for Severus to claim. Holding the woman in his arms, the wizard thought back on his words and realized he shouldn't have said what he did. So, what did he do instead? Something he rarely does; to anyone.

He apologized.

"I…I'm the one who should be sorry, Aurora; I shouldn't have called you a dunderhead. I was just worried about you, and then Poppy said you'd lost nearly ten pounds, and then you wouldn't wake up…"

"Severus?"

"No Aurora, I need to say this, because I never apologize for the things I do…"

"Severus!" Crashing her lips against, Aurora used this technique to quiet the man down. Letting go, she swiped at her face, trying to clear her vision as the tears continued to fall. "You don't need to apologize, that's my job. You had a right to call me the things you did. I just…didn't know things would end up this badly."

Circling an arm around her waist, Severus leaned backward against the pillow, dragging Aurora down with him as her head fell into his chest. "You knew you'd collapse…?"

"Not that, no…" She replied weakly. Heaving a sigh, she called her pets over once again. Merlin claimed her lap as Sapphire curled into Severus'. Scratching the black cat's head, Aurora peered backwards to the wizard. "I hadn't been feeling well since the night Sirius broke into the castle. And with all the night patrol shifts I'd been taking, I figured it was only a matter of time before my body gave out."

"So why'd you…?!" Softly rubbing Sapphire's back, Severus inhaled and released the same breath as slowly as he could. Finding the right words with the best tone took several moments, and when he was ready to speak again, his mind and heart were clear. "Aurora…why didn't you say anything to me?"

"I mean…it's a bad excuse, it's just that I didn't want you to worry. I know someone can't live off of potions for several days straight, but I think it was the incident with my mother that threw everything off."

Head shaken, Severus was at a loss for words. "Listen…no one on the staff would think differently if you decided to take a few days off - and no, don't give me the whole 'I have fewer classes than everyone else'. You work just as hard as everyone else, if not harder. You also assist me with my own classes, brewing potions for Poppy and then you decided to assist with the patrols?"

"I…" Sniffling, she released a laugh. "I have no answer then. You caught me."

Kissing her temple, Severus sighed. "I'm just…glad you're awake. You certainly gave myself a scare, let alone Poppy. Bloody hell, even the Weasley's, Potter and Granger wouldn't leave your side earlier today."

"How come?"

"What do you remember?"

"Umm…well, I was transcribing my notes onto the chalkboard in my classroom, then…Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred and George stopped by to ask for help…but I wanted to finish my notes, and then…" She squinted her eyes, as if she was searching for something in the dark. "I remember nothing after that."

"That's exactly what they told me and Poppy. I wanted to speak with her privately so she sent them off to lunch but they came back once classes were over. They would not leave. I had to threaten House Point deductions for me to be alone with you."

"Oh goodness gracious Sev. Seriously? Bloody hell, you're so mean." In a quieter voice, she added, "I kinda like it."

"Of course you do, just look at the man you're with."

"Hmm, the man is handsome but his attitude could use some work." Smiling brightly, she snickered at her own joke causing the man to roll his eyes.

"You're bloody terrible."

"But you love me anyways." Inhaling, Aurora glanced around the room, thankful it was just the two of them. Then again, if there had been students present, Severus wouldn't have been acting the way he had. "So tell me. What was Poppy's diagnosis? I'll be able to return to our room when she comes back, right?"

Severus suddenly shook his head. "Unfortunately no. She believes you're suffering from severe exhaustion which was most likely caused from sleep deprivation. As a Potions Mistress, you, Aurora, should know that there are only so many vials of an anti-sleeping potion one can take before its effects wear off."

"Yes, yes I'm well aware of my foolishness." Blinking, Aurora fiddled with her fingers. "…you also mentioned something about me having lost weight?"

Breathing out sharply through his nose, Severus glanced away. "Ten pounds, to be exact. And I'd rather not talk about it. Poppy's not happy about it either, mind you."

"I don't doubt it. It's not like I was purposely skipping meals!"

"So you admit you weren't eating?"

"You make it sound so much worse than it really is."

"Considering you lost ten pounds in over a week?" Severus chuckled. "You better believe I'll make it sound worse." Sniffling, Aurora let his statement go, as she curled further into Severus' side. Soon, her breathing evened out as she drifted off into the magical world of sleep once more. Noticing this, Severus shook the woman's shoulders, glad to see her eyes flutter open, a blank stare glaring back at him.

"Poppy declares I need sleep and you're waking me up…?"

"She, along with my opinion, declared you need to take this." Rolling towards the nightstand behind him, Severus grabbed the small vial, popping the cork off as he handed it to her. "Drink this," he ordered.

Sniffing the contents, she smirked. "Let me guess, Dreamless Sleep?" Severus nodded. So knowing it was needed, Aurora leaned forward, throwing her head back as the liquid trailed down her throat. The potions effects, along with her already tired mindset, worked instantly. Her eyelids drooped one last time as her weight fell into the warm body next to her.

Kissing her head, Severus leaned his against hers, watching her sleep as Sapphire and Merlin curled into them, sleeping as well. His last words to her that she could hear were, "I love you, Aurora."

~ oOo ~

"I'm fairly certain we brought all the books you suggested."

Having been several days since entering the Hospital Wing, Aurora had finally been released. Poppy kept an eye on her for two days, as the Healer wanted to see her friend gain some of her lost weight before being discharged. She was thankful to be out, and was very apologetic to Severus, Poppy, and her students for having, unexpectedly, frightened them so. On the following Saturday, she currently was in her classroom with Harry, Ron and Hermione, stacks of books currently formed around them on her desk.

"It looks like you brought more," Aurora smiled. "How much time did you spend in the library?" Hermione opened her mouth to speak when their professor held her hand up, laughing. "Nah, I think I know."

"Where do we start? I mean…has there ever been a successful case won when the creature was the attacker?"

"From what I've read, it's been slim; very slim. Once the creature turns and attacks someone, that's when the perception changes and people are on the victims side. In our case…well, this was part of a classroom instruction with two teachers present. I believe we have a strong case, we just need to construct it in our favor."

Hermione grabbed one book off the stack, opening it up to a marked page then grabbed a piece of chalk. "I began reading through several and have already devised a plan. We need to present everything in order, so why not make a list of what happened that day?"

"I think that's a good place to start," Aurora offered, taking her own piece of chalk, writing her notes onto the board. "I'll ask Hagrid, but I'm certain we can provide testimonies from the three of you as witnesses. Though…" Pausing in her writing, Aurora moved towards one of the open books she had on her desk, flipping through several pages for reference. "You three might be seen as biased considering the relationship you have with Hagrid."

"But that's absurd! We're also his students except followed his rules!"

Aurora patted Hermione's arm gently. "I know, trust me, I know." Sighing, she moved around, flipping through book after book. "It's still an advantage to formulate a plan, so let's get going."

In the time they had been discussing, Hermione kept glancing backwards towards the males to see their attention was zoned in on one book in particular. Thinking they were forming a defense, she let them be. Except, when they hadn't spoken up in her discussion was when she became concerned. Walking up behind them, Hermione snatched the item from their fingers. Crying out, Harry and Ron quickly stood to their feet, trying to take the book back from their friend.

"Hey! Give that back Hermione!" Ron cried, outstretching his arm to fail in taking the book. Maneuvering around him, Hermione claimed Aurora's seat behind her desk, immediately engrossed in what she was reading.

"Uhh, Hermione? We can explain!"

Observing the entire scene, Aurora could resist in muffling her laughter into her sleeve. Seeing the interaction between the three best friends was something she would never be tired of. They were rowdy and simply the best people she knew; at least, for their age, that is. Stepping behind the young girl, Aurora was startled to see the particular book they borrowed from the library. "You brought a Hogwarts Yearbook?"

"Well…yeah!" Harry starred at Hermione. "We were looking for the books on the list, and then…"

"We got bored," Ron stated easily. "So we started looking through the library and found this. Cool, huh? It's pretty old though."

"Hey! That's not just any yearbook!" Aurora cried out. Hermione lifted the book for the older witch to take, who quickly flipped through its pages. Turning over the cover to the back, the woman grinned from ear to ear. "This is the yearbook from my Seventh Year!"

All three jumped to their feet, eyes locked onto the book in Aurora's hand.

"1979 to…1980?" Harry read the years dated on the spine.

Squinting down at a certain redhead, she whispered, "Pretty old, huh?" Ron merely blushed. Flipping its pages, Aurora found the section which contained the photos of all students in their year until she landed on hers towards the back of the Seventh Years. Placing her finger on the portrait of her, she said, "See? That's me when I was seventeen."

"Whoa!" Harry stared, seemingly in awe to see one of his favorite professors in Gryffindor robes.

Ron was the opposite. "This is just to weird. You're standing here as our teacher but we're looking at the student version of you. Creepy if you ask me."

Rolling her eyes, Aurora managed to laugh. "This is just as creepy for me as it is for you. It's weird seeing your school years as an adult." Taking a seat, her three students followed, staring closely at the yearbook in her hands. Flipping through the pages, Aurora silently reminisced as she remembered everything from that year.

Surviving the first year without her step-father.

Severus willing to risk his position as a teacher to be with her in a relationship.

James and Lily Potter murdered by Voldemort.

Harry Potter sent to live with his Aunt and Uncle.

Aurora graduating with a broken heart.

Oh yeah. It was the best year to end her life at Hogwarts.

"Hey here's the dueling club!"

Freezing on the page Harry was pointing to, Aurora smiled. "That's right, and here I am off to the side. See? Right there."

"Whoa," Harry and Ron stated.

"I did a lot when I was a student, though my studies always came first."

Lifting her head, Hermione asked, "Your studies? How come?"

"Ah, well…I've always been interested in learning. As you know I'm Muggleborn, so when I first came to Hogwarts, all I wanted to do is learn, so I spent all my time studying or working in the library."

"Sounds like you didn't have a lot of friends - ow!"

"Knock it off Ronald!" Hermione snapped at the redhead.

"Well…you didn't have to say it like that, though he's right. Before and after coming to Hogwarts I didn't have many friends. Actually…the only friend I had until he graduated was Professor Snape."

"Snape?!" Harry and Ron cried at the same time.

Aurora rolled her eyes. "Yes. Professor Snape was the only friend I had, until he graduated. There's a five year gap between the two of us, so my Fourth Year was pretty lonely."

"But…there's a picture of the two of you right here." Hermione had scanned through the rest of the yearbook and was now holding her finger against another photo. This time, she was right; it was Aurora and Severus. They were leaning into each other, casually glancing at each other as Aurora held a trophy in her hands.

Staring, the woman trailed her finger along the moving photo. "I…I completely forgot about this picture."

"Oh that's gross, you're hugging Snape."

This time, Ronald earned a slap from Aurora herself.

"Goodness boy, you need to learn to read the room and watch that tongue of yours." Huffing, Aurora stared down at the photo. The day was clear in her memory. "See this trophy I'm holding? That year, Hogwarts hosted a huge Potions competition between our school, Durmstrang Institute and The Beauxbaton Academy of Magic. Such accommodations between three schools doesn't happen that often, so this was a huge event for Hogwarts. The competition took place over three weeks, and by the end, I reigned as champion."

"We hosted a Potions competition?" Harry asked, glancing up at the woman who wore a bright smile.

"Yes," she answered. "Strange, I know, but Hogwarts seems to attract strange concepts from time to time. It had been a long time prior before the three schools had been apart of the same competition, and I bet it'll be some time more before they cooperate again. Severus was so proud that day, he demanded a picture. The news made front page at the Prophet; my mother was so happy when she heard."

"That's not the only picture you have with the Ministry!" Ron, now having flipped through the book himself, showed another photo, this time with Aurora, Albus and the Minister of Magic. "What's this one for?"

"Hmm?" Taking a peek, she gasped. "Goodness, they kept this photo in here?"

"What is it Aurora?"

"I-I, well…I'd feel like I'm bragging if I tell." Seeing the look on all three faces, she caved. Sighing, she was quick with her answer. "I..might've set a school record that hadn't been seen before." Seeing their confused looks, Aurora added, "Professor Dumbledore and the Minister wanted to commemorate how I received an Outstanding on every test and every exam during my time at Hogwarts. I never received a mark lower than an O."

Ron, with an incredulous facade, dropped his mouth. "On every single test?"

Whisking a strand of hair behind her ear, Aurora turned sheepish. "Um, that's right. Oh, did I mention my O.W.L.S. and N.E.W.T.S.?"

"No way!" Hermione gasped. "You scored an Outstanding on everything when you were a student?!" Aurora nodded, cheeks turning pink. "How'd you manage that?"

"I was just like you during your first year, Hermione. I studied; a lot. Like I said, I didn't have many friends except for Severus, so my first few years kinda set me up as a student." Harry's eyes refused to diminish in size; Ron's mouth was touching the floor; and Hermione seemed pleasantly surprised to find someone who loved to learn just as much as herself. "I'm sorry. I don't like talking about this award to much."

Harry glanced down at the moving picture, confused by her hesitancy to admit the truth. "But, why not? It's a pretty big deal Aurora!"

"I never said it wasn't, but I was made fun of a lot as a kid, before and after I entered Hogwarts. So it kinda stuck with me as I grew older to not talk about how much I love to learn."

The three fell quiet. Only the turning of the pages by Harry's hand was the sound running through everyone's ears. He stopped on another page that had all the Seventh Years in their dorm rooms; he easily spotted Aurora and smiled.

"Aurora…can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, Harry."

"Did you…ever think you were placed into the wrong House as a student?"

Ron and Hermione stared at their best friend, all while their Professor lifted her lips to answer, only to fall silent. Considering his question, she had to wonder of its roots, and why. "That's a random question to ask. Where did this come from, Harry?"

Twiddling his fingers, Harry was silent for a moment, considering how to answer without revealing too much. He knew he could trust Aurora with anything. She had always been there when he needed someone by his side. "Remember with everything regarding the Chamber of Secrets last year?" She nodded as the other two stared on, curious to see where this was going. "Filch caught me the night Justin was petrified, so I was sent to Dumbledore's office when the Sorting Hat and I had a conversation about me being in the right House or not."

Crossing her legs, Aurora leaned onto her arms. "Hmm, now that's interesting. I don't think I've ever heard of the Sorting Hat questioning its own placement. What happened?"

"The Hat believed I would've done just as well in Slytherin."

"No!" Ron gasped.

"Oh yeah," Harry confirmed. "But I told the Hat it was wrong because I knew Gryffindor was where I belonged. But, if I may…when I talk with you, and everything you've told us today…I have to wonder if you've ever felt that way?"

"Hm, yes, interesting question. Let me ask you this first: you're wondering if I was placed in the right House, no?" Harry struggled to even respond when Aurora waved off any possible answer. "Don't fret, I'm not mad. I, too, did consider if I was placed into the right House. As a young student who had just learned she was a witch, I didn't feel like I fit in with the other Gryffindor students. So…what House would you have placed me into?"

"Ravenclaw," Hermione was quick to answer. "Because that's the House I felt I should've been placed into as well."

Aurora tapped the tip of her nose. "You're spot on Hermione, I felt the exact same. It's unknown why the Sorting Hat chooses the Houses for students. Sometimes I wonder if it's lineage, like Draco, for example. From what I know, everyone in his entire family has always been placed in Slytherin. Or like you and your family, Ron, where you've all been placed into Gryffindor. But then there's the so-called characteristics the hat is supposed to follow with each House."

Hermione seemed surprised at this. "There are characteristics? Wait a minute…you mean the ones the hat sings every year at the feast?"

"Yes ma'am. The Sorting Hat uses those characteristics as a guide to determine where the student will be placed. As for me, I've never thought I was brave or daring. Besides, my head was always stuck in a book. Then again…" Aurora ran a hand up and down her arms, knowing exactly where each scar was placed. "I survived some traumatic events as a young child, maybe that's where the hat saw I was brave."

"Then what about me?" Ron interjected. "I never did anything until I started school. Was I chosen to be a Gryffindor simply because of my family?"

Aurora gently held Ron's shoulder. "It might've played a part. However!" Her last word was stern as Ron opened his mouth to interrupt her. "The Sorting Hat is also designed to see an individuals more prominent characteristics. Ron, maybe he noticed you held bravery and loyalty within your heart and knew Gryffindor would be the perfect place for you; regardless of the fact your entire family is their as well. And Hermione." She turned towards the female. "The same goes for you and me."

"Um, I have another question?" Harry lifted his eyes from the yearbook to glance at Aurora. Without waiting, he asked, "Why is there another picture of you and Snape in here?"

"There's another one?" Her face lit up, cheeks burning even more. Snatching the yearbook from his hands, Aurora was surprised to see there was, indeed, another photo. And then she remembered. It was the same photo she had in her scrapbook in her chamber, the same one from the day she graduated where she is hugging Severus. "I remember. This is from the day I graduated."

"Yeah, but why are there even photos of you and Snape together? Ouch! Hermione will you stop smacking me!"

"Then stop being so stupid! You've been quite rude to Aurora all morning!" Catching the Professor's eye, Ron mumbled an apology, earning a laugh in return.

"You have to remember, Ronald, that Severus was practically my only friend when we were at school together. He graduated when I was a Third Year, then returned during my Seventh as the new Potions Master. He…well, he was also helping me cope. I lost my step-father the year prior, so being away from home was harder that year."

"You mean Snape actually helped you?"

"Seriously! That doesn't sound right."

Glaring between both males, Aurora groaned. "I swear! You two need to let go of this…thing you have against Professor Snape! You only know him from inside the classroom, whereas I know the man outside of Hogwarts."

"Then why is he so moody all the bloody time?" Ron grunted. "Hermione! I'm warning you!" Hermione grinned wickedly, earning a wink from Aurora as they laughed. "I'm being serious! The man never smiles, never does anything to make himself happy - "

"Ronald Weasley." Halting the moment his name left her lips, Ron froze, peering upward at the woman he admired. "I am asking you nicely to please stop from what you're about to say. You are only a student here, and know nothing of what Severus has gone through."

Snapping the book close, Aurora held it close as she deposited it upon her desk. Returning to the chalkboard, she withheld the sob trying to burst from her throat. She knew there were many, many students who were not fond of Severus as a professor. But Aurora knew. She knew there were reasons for his specific demeanor. Though she was not a liberty to discuss with the infamous three as she herself as to why, she herself understood. If she was the only person on Severus' side, then so be it.

"Look," she finally spoke after several minutes. Turning back to them, her face was as serious as they had ever seen; Ron actually leaned back into his chair. "Severus Snape is a good man. Whatever vendetta you have against him, talk about that on your own time. But please, do not speak of any ill will of him in front of me. That man is my friend and he has been through more than enough in his life."

Now it was their turn to fall silent, all three glancing at one another, knowing exactly what they did.

"I'm sorry, Aurora." Ron suddenly stated, eyes furrowed in confusion. She knew he couldn't, and wouldn't, understand why Severus meant so much to her, but it was enough that he apologized.

Stepping towards them, she smiled. "I know you are, and I appreciate the sentiment. Professor Snape is…a very complex individual."

"How so?" Seemingly interested, Harry decided he needed to know. What about the man known as Severus Snape was so appealing to Aurora?

"I will not speak on the matter, Harry. Do you go around openly discussing your own scars?" Unconsciously, the boy went to touch the scar upon his head, when Aurora shook hers from side to side. "No, not the one that can be seen." Eyebrow raised, Harry's pupils widened, grasping what she meant. He didn't go around talking about how the Dursley's treated him since he was a baby.

"Oh," was all he said.

"Exactly. Now, I shouldn't have said that much, so if any of you spread this around, well…I know where you sleep," she giggled at the end, failing to sound as threatening as her lover.

"We promise," all three said.

"Good, I'll hold you to that. Now…" She stole a look at the clock, seeing they hadn't gotten any work done. "Why don't we end it here for today."

"But we haven't even done anything or formulated a plan!" Hermione cried, waving her hands over all the books they had.

"I'm aware, but we spent enough time glancing through memories. We can pick this up again tomorrow if you'd like." They immediately nodded in confirmation. "Alright, then let's meet back here after lunch, and this time we'll actually get some work done. Deal?"

"Deal," they mimicked. Closing all the books, they left a majority of them on Aurora's desk while Hermione clung to three, wanting to glance through them later that night in preparation for tomorrow. Once the room was all tidy, they said goodbye when one froze in their doorway.

"Hey, you go on ahead, I'll meet you in the Common Room."

"You sure Hermione?" Harry asked. "We can wait."

"That's alright, There's some things I forgot to ask; I'll meet you in the Great Hall for dinner."

"Well, ok, we'll see you in a bit." Leaving Hermione behind, Ron and Harry closed the door, causing their female friend to turn back around towards their teacher / friend. Dropping her books on the desk, Aurora swirled at the noise, confused why Hermione stayed.

"Everything alright, Hermione?"

"I think so." Jumping onto the desk that was hers the previous year, Hermione crossed her ankles. "Aurora, i-it's probably not my place to ask, but…"

"Let me guess." Rotating to face the young witch, Aurora crossed her arms, knowing exactly what she wanted to question. "You want to inquire about me and Severus, do you not?" Watching the girls mouth drop only caused the woman to laugh. "I had a feeling that was it."

Incredulously, Hermione fumbled with her next words, completely and utterly stunned. "H-How did you know?!"

"I could ask you the same." Pulling her chair in front of the surprised girl, Aurora claimed the seat. "Hermione, you're just like me in that we're curious creatures and have this urge to just know, no matter what that knowing is."

"So…so it's true…You and Professor Snape are…?"

Nodding to affirm the girl's suspicion, Aurora smiled happily. "We are." Hermione gasped, though a smile grew of her own. Though still caught off guard with this new piece of information, Hermione came prepared with question after question, not once stopping to even take a breath. Aurora held up a hand to halt the witch. "Woah, calm down Hermione. I'll answer anything you ask, but! Hermione, you have to promise me that you won't tell a soul, and that includes Harry and Ron."

"Oh definitely, I promise I won't. Just…why? If you guys are happy, wouldn't you want everyone to know?"

She considered the young witches statement, though she'd done so many times on her own. "Well…we both decided it'd be better if we kept this to ourselves. It's just easier that way."

Deciding to leave it at that, Hermione swung her legs back and forth, suddenly giddy to know her favorite Professor was in a relationship with another. "So how long? I mean, have you two been together since you arrived?"

"No, but I have known Sever - um, Professor Snape since I was a First Year, he was a Fifth Year then. That's actually how I first became interested in Potions."

"Really?"

"Mhm. I struggled during first term and was asked by the Potions Master then to seek out one of his students. At first we was just my tutor. Soon after, we became friends. Between my Fourth Year to my Sixth he wasn't there, but we owled each other as much as we could."

"What about your last year?" she asked.

"That's the year he became Hogwart's Potions Master and began teaching. It was weird having to see him as both my Professor and my friend. We had to keep things strictly Professor and student. Sadly, we lost contact once I graduated. We…had a bit of a falling out."

Face falling, Hermione said, "I'm sorry to hear that."

Shrugging her shoulders, Aurora knew everything was alright. Thinking back on the past was still sometimes difficult to bear. Now that she and Severus had worked some of their issues out and had talked about what happened twelve years ago, it grew easier to think about back then. "It's ok. He continued to teach and I traveled around the world. During those ten years before I saw him again I apprenticed to be a Healer; worked with Ron's brother Charlie in Romania; then eventually apprenticed with the Potions Master at Ilvermony in America."

Eyes bright with wonder, Hermione released a bright smile. "Wow! You've told us this before but every time I hear it I'm just…baffled by everything you've manage to do. So you're apprenticed in two different areas? Why teach when you could work at St. Mungo's?"

"Well…as much as I loved being a Healer and helping the injured, I just knew it wasn't my calling. Dumbledore somehow heard of my adventures and experience, which is why he owled, asking to join the staff and teach here. I was…apprehensive at first, but soon accepted. I haven't looked back since."

"I'm very glad you haven't. You're one of the best Professor's we have; I hear so many students talk about how great you are."

Resting an arm on her knee, Aurora couldn't help to grin. She didn't want this information going to her head, but she loved to know people liked her. "That makes me happy to hear. I just wish they treated Professor Snape the same as they treat me."

This is where Hermione halted with her questions. Eyes avoiding Aurora's, she wasn't sure how and what to state after what had bene said. "W-Well, Professor Snape is…I mean he's…"

"Hermione." Glancing upward, she noticed Aurora leaned in closer. "I know how Professor Snape is in the classroom; I'm not condoning nor accepting how he treats some students. However, how would you react if your students kept calling you names, sometimes right in your face, or your classroom?"

Taken back, Hermione straightened her spine. Eyes furrowed, she grasped in chin in consideration. "I wouldn't…I wouldn't like it. I don't think anyone would."

"Nor would I. Professor Snape…he's different. Again, I don't agree with some of his teaching methods, but…" Shaking her head, Aurora lost her words. She knew that if she said anything else on the matter, she'd regret it later, even if Hermione promised not to say anything. "It seems we've strayed away from the initial subject."

"We have, but that's ok. There's still one more question I have." Aurora nodded for her to continue. "Why…why Professor Snape?" Seeing the woman's eyebrows raise, Hermione was quick to fix her statement. "N-No, no that's not what I meant! What I meant to say was…how? How did you know he was the one for you?"

An immediate release of laughter escaped Aurora's mouth. Grasping her sides, the woman had tears in her eyes from such an innocent question. "Oh Hermione, that was brilliant!" Swiping at her yes, a giggle here and there continued to. escape. "Trust me, when you're older, you'll definitely know who 'the one' is. With Professor Snape…I just knew." The corners of her lips lifted slightly, thinking back on all the memories she had with the man. "I'm safe around him. He's more than just the man I'm in a relationship with; he's my best friend."

Seeing a flicker of black from the corner of her eye, Aurora suddenly stood. "I think that's it for today. You should head back to the Common Room, get some homework done for your classes. But, knowing you, it's already done."

The young witch nodded happily. "Harry and Ron are probably wondering where I'm at anyways. It's almost time for dinner too. Thanks for, you know…everything. You didn't have to tell me. I'll tell them we were talking more about the Hearing."

"Good plan. And thanks for promising me. We'll get together again soon and - "

"Ahem."

Both females turned to the door to see one Severus Snape leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed as he peered right back at them. Hermione tensed, quickly grabbed her books before walking towards the door. "Professor Snape," she murmured quietly. Calling to the woman still in the classroom, she said, "Thank you Aurora. I'll glance through these books and hopefully we can formulate a plan."

Waving goodbye, Aurora and Severus watched the young witch leave. Taking a mental note of what she had written on the chalkboard, Aurora then erased the entire work, completely unaware how the male eyed her closely as he closed the door. Walking up behind her, Severus grasped the woman around her waist, head resting atop her own. "Do I need to know what was being discussed here?"

Tilting her head backwards, she smiled at the man, a twinkle in her blue eyes. "Depends. How much of the conversation did you hear?"

"Enough," Severus replied, stepping backwards to claim a seat. "So…Ms. Hermione Granger knows about us."

"Oh she figured it before I could tell her."

"And why did you tell her?"

"She came to me, now I need you to know that." Waving her finger, Aurora chuckled, knowing Severus was trying to pin this on her. "Give me a break, it felt nice to be able to talk about this to someone face-to-face. And we can trust Hermione. She won't even tell Harry or Ron."

"Are you sure?" His eyebrow raised.

Claiming her own seat upon his lap, Aurora dropped a chaste kiss to his lips. Running her fingers through his hair, Aurora then kissed his temple, knowing full well what his concern was. "I am very sure, Sev; we can trust Hermione to keep our secret."

"And…you're not mad?"

Quizzically, she peered down at him. "Ugh, you're still on about that? I've told you before: we both agreed to keep this a secret. Until we're ready…I'm fine." Slithering her arms around his neck, she pulled the wizard closer. "As long as I have you, nothing else matters." Sharing her kiss, Severus leaned back into the chair, keeping the woman tightly secured in his lap. Tongue enticing hers, he moaned into her lips.

"So I'm your best friend now, is that it?"

Smirking against his lips, face bright with mischief and love. "That and more."

Eyebrow arched, a slight quirk of Severus' lip left the man chuckling. "Oh really now. How much more?"

"Let me show you."

~ oOo ~

Stay safe everyone!

DragonGoddess629