"Ahh, Severus." Said Dumbledore, taking a seat in Theda's vacant chair as Severus was eating breakfast. "There you are. I've been hoping I'd get a chance to speak to you."

"Yes, Headmaster?"

"It's about Miss Desmond. Do you have any idea where I might find her? I wanted to ask all the staff to join me in my office this afternoon for a brief meeting."

"She's gone to Paris for the weekend. She should be back this evening."

"Paris, you say? Whatever for?"

"It's a long story, Headmaster. She's gone to the Ministry to attend to a personal matter."

"Ahh, well, very good. I can brief her tomorrow if she's not back by the afternoon." He said, seeming lost in thought. "You know, it seems you're the only one she told of her plans. The two of you seem to be becoming good friends." Dumbledore said, peering at Severus over the rim of his half-moon spectacles.

"Yes, I suppose we're... friendly with one another."

"Excellent. Then you wouldn't mind letting her sit in on a couple of your classes, would you?"

"For what purpose?"

"Well, this is her first year teaching, and as her classes are so small this term I thought it would be good for her to get some practice working with a larger class. Are you aware of her... unique condition?"

Severus was surprised by this revelation. He had assumed he was the only one Theda had told, and he felt a little hurt knowing she had confided in someone else as well, even if it was Dumbledore.

"I believe I know of what you speak, Headmaster."

"Then you'll appreciate how important it is that she gains some experience adjusting to larger groups of students. I'd like to ease her into it so that she's not overwhelmed if her class sizes increase next term. I was thinking perhaps she could sit in on your classes once a week for the time being? I trust you'll be able to coordinate amongst yourselves."

Severus paused for a moment. He'd never had another teacher sit in on his lessons before, and he wasn't sure he liked the idea. Couldn't she sit in on someone else's class?

"Very well." He begrudgingly agreed.

"I know you prefer to work alone, Severus, but I hear she has quite a knack for potions. I don't think she'll be a nuisance."

"I'll work out the logistics with her when she returns." He said, looking mildly annoyed.

"Thank you, Severus."

Dumbledore rose from Theda's chair.

"You know, I can't remember the last time I spent a weekend in France." He said dreamily. "Paris... the city of lovers... That takes me back." He seemed to lose himself in a memory for a moment before continuing. "Perhaps you should have gone with her."

Severus nearly spit out his tea.

"Why on earth would I do that?" He asked in astonishment.

"Well, Paris is a lovely city, she's a lovely girl... And she seems quite taken with you."

"Hah!" He scoffed. "I think you're mistaken."

"Well, she certainly seems to enjoy your company. I think that's a fair assessment."

Severus said nothing, taking another sip of his tea.

"And you really should take a weekend off from time to time, Severus. You're long overdue for a nice holiday. In the meantime, I'll see you in my office at 1:00 for the staff meeting."

With that, Dumbledore made his way towards his office, leaving Severus to stew in his feelings. He didn't necessarily mind the idea of Theda joining him in his classes once a week, but he was almost certain that Dumbledore had an ulterior motive for assigning her to him instead of one of the other teachers.

As he made his way back to his chambers, Severus found himself unable to think about anything but Theda. Largely because he was curious if she had learned anything in Paris, but also because, as much as he didn't want to admit it, he was starting to feel her absence. Why, though? She hadn't even been gone 24 hours and yet here he was, longing to see her, to hear all she had to tell him.

Ever since she arrived at Hogwarts, she had been so kind to him. She had made an effort to befriend him since their very first encounter. Even after witnessing his temperamental nature more than once, her attitude toward him had never changed. He loved the way she always seemed to look at him as if he was the most interesting person in the room. The indescribable lightness he had felt in his body when she had gently rested her hand on his. How she always said exactly what she was thinking. The way she babbled aimlessly when she was nervous. Her patient and understanding nature. She possessed qualities he lacked, which only made him admire her all the more.

The more he thought, the more he began to realize his own feelings. He had been enjoying getting to know Theda, but it was dawning on him now that in his heart of hearts, he was yearning for more than just friendship. Somehow, when he'd had his guard down, she had begun to charm her way into his heart.

He thought about skipping the staff meeting, to leave a note on his door saying that he was feeling ill and didn't want to be disturbed. He wanted to lay in bed, close his eyes, and lose himself in thoughts of her, replaying previous conversations and imagining that she was in bed beside him. The fact that Theda was completely unaware that she was taking up so much of his mental and emotional energy made him feel a little uneasy, almost like he was doing something wrong. It almost felt predatory to him, which quickly conjured up feelings of shame. He tried to dismiss these feelings away, telling himself that there was no harm in an innocent fantasy that wasn't hurting anyone.

And then, a woman's voice sounded in his mind, but it wasn't Theda's.

"What you're doing is unforgivable."

Lily's words immediately brought Severus back to earth. In 11 years of silently speaking to her every single day, he had never once heard her speak back. In fact, he had nearly forgotten the sound of her voice, as the memories had grown more and more faint.

He clutched the headboard as he fell backward onto the bed, suddenly feeling very dizzy. Sweat was gathering at the back of his neck as he felt his insides churning.

Why now? Why now after all these years was Lily breaking the silence? Through 11 years of pain and loneliness, he had longed for the comfort of her voice but had been met only with the echo of his own thoughts. But now... now that he was actually beginning to feel a shred of happiness she was making her presence known. Or was she? Perhaps it was a suppressed memory, or his own conscience. He wasn't sure.

He cleared his mind and lay in wait, unsure if she would speak to him again.

Nothing.

Still unsure whether Lily's voice had truly come from her spirit or the dark recesses of his own mind, he decided it didn't matter. How could he have been so foolish? What was he thinking, imagining himself romantically involved with another woman? Lily was the center of his life. He'd made her a promise to love her forever, and to make protecting Harry his priority above all else. His feelings for Theda had almost caused him to lose sight of that, and he felt disgusted by his own disloyalty.

Severus felt he was losing control. He, who was usually so skillful at suppressing his emotions, had allowed himself to get carried away with his feelings for someone he hardly knew. He had to nip this in the bud, to distance himself from her. As much as it pained him to think about how confused and hurt Theda would surely be, it was something he was just going to have to live with. Either way, there was no choice he could make that wouldn't leave him consumed with guilt.

Truly feeling now that he was going to be sick, he decided he was going to skip the staff meeting after all.

Several hours later there was a knock at the door. Assuming it was Dumbledore coming to inquire about why he'd missed the meeting, he made his way to the door. To his surprise, it was not Dumbledore.

"Severus! I had to rush over as soon as I got back! You'll never guess what I—" She trailed off as she noticed that he was looking paler than normal, with a sickly green tint to his skin. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Actually, no. I've been ill all day."

Theda held her hand to his forehead, which was damp with sweat. He tried to ignore the butterflies in his stomach as he continued.

"This isn't a good time."

"Do you want me to bring you something? Food or something to drink or maybe a potion? If you tell me what would help I can run to the store room—"

"That won't be necessary." He interrupted. "Peace and quiet is all I need."

"Oh, okay." She said, sounding disappointed but understanding. "I'll tell you about the trip some other time."

"Good night." Said Severus, closing the door abruptly as she was left standing awkwardly in the hall.