~You have exactly thirty seconds,~ Snape tapped his wand against his left temple, ~to convince me I shouldn't find some way to eject or destroy you immediately.~

Richard thought as quickly as he could, give that his disembodied spirit had to work through Snape's own angry synapses. ~This matter is far more complex than you are aware of, and it would be unwise to do anything without full information. ~

~Insufficient, as you had ample time to fill me in prior - ~

~Not everything would be safe to share immediately! And how was I to know the two of you would jump into bed at the first possible chance?~

~It's not your business what Granger and I choose to do or not do.~ Snape murdered his breakfast bagel with a few stabs of his butter knife.

~I'm sharing your body, of course it is of concern to me. And on that note, trying to remove me would likely bring great harm to yourself.~

~That's a risk I am finding myself increasingly willing to take.~

~I suppose it is like arguing with someone with a death wish.~

~There aren't many to mourn if something goes wrong.~ Snape shrugged, feeling tired, the quiet solitude of his chambers weighing heavily. ~And it isn't your place to interfere.~

~All right then, I won't next time.~ Richard would have sighed if Snape hadn't been eating. ~But you should know at least this – contraceptive charms won't work.~

"What?" Snape spluttered out his tea.

~If you had really, 'despoiled the virgin,' as you so eloquently put it, then you'd be a proud father. And even if Miss Hermione was all right with getting pregnant, I highly doubt a witch of her talent and intellect would prefer this particular timing, being it is her last year of school.~

~And WHY would such charms not work?~

~She is host to a Phoenix butterfly. The drive of the butterfly to be reborn will over-ride any power a mere wizard can throw at it. There can be no frolicking dalliance for her – the man she gives herself to will inherit great power, and she will bear him an heir of even greater power. And while I might say it would be convenient for myself if she chose you, that is not a decision to be made in a moment of passion.~

Seconds crawled by, the tea nearly cold by the time Snape responded. "I see," he hissed. ~Am I now host to a…butterfly…myself?~

~Yes,~ Richard admitted. ~You will also grow in power, and should not take any woman to your sheets without due caution.~

Snape growled. ~I'm not sure more power is worth this hassle. And while I now see why you felt the need to interrupt, you could have simply warned me. There are countless ways, both magical and mundane, for a witch and wizard to have fun that don't involve making babies.~

~I – I hadn't thought of that.~

~Of course not,~ Snape snorted, ~I suppose you and Amelia were strictly missionary? No back door or upper floor?~

~Why, I -~ That got Richard to shut up for a few minutes, especially as Snape flashed a few X-rated memories his way of the many ways one could pleasure a witch.

~I suspect we can table this particular discussion for now,~ Snape stood and stretched. ~There's nothing like being rudely interrupted to kill the mood, and I'd wager even lusty Granger wouldn't let her libido interfere with the chance to show off at Dumbledore's CRIW event. I wouldn't be surprised if she took on a project for every class."

*****

Hermione spent the wee hours of morning in the library, reading books on how to exorcise spirits, demons, ghosts, and other unwanted guests. Most of them were dime-novel quality written by the wizarding equivalent of snake-oil salesmen, but that wasn't the point.

~Please talk to me.~ Amelia pleaded.

The Gryffindor girl did not respond, and simply underlined a chapter heading, "The Expelling of the White Maiden" with a large flourish of her quill.

~I wasn't trying to control you -~

Silence.

~It was for your own safety~

Hermione slammed the book shut and picked up another.

~I should have warned you first-~

"Look," Hermione hissed under her breath, then switched to mental communication. ~My whole life, I've been expected to be the good girl. Even if I broke the rules, there always needed to be some noble reason behind it, see? If Harry or Ron get into mischief it's just good fun, blowing off some steam - but no one expects me to make trouble. And when I graduate? It's only going to get worse. Apprenticeships, internships, independent research projects, interviews, conferences – I won't have time to even think of dating. Maybe it's selfish of me, but Professor Snape isn't the type of man to demand I swear undying love or service to him, or anything like that. It might be scandalous to have an affair with him – but nothing in the rule book says it's actually illegal, and even after I graduate, I don't think he'd say no to meeting up once or twice a year to mutually blow some steam off together. No strings attached.~

~That's – that's actually rather sad. Heartbreakingly practical, even. The both of you just using each other.~

~I'm not using him,' Hermione protested. ~It's to our mutual advantage. I find him compelling and attractive – and he at least has realized I'm available and willing. Just because I've planned out my future doesn't mean I plan to ignore every physical desire I have. But why would you stop us like that? Even if I still had my time-turner, it's not like I can get that moment back. That was my moment, not yours.~ An odd stabbing sensation throbbed in her heart, as Hermione realized she was partially lying in her own projected thoughts. It wasn't just that she wanted the convenience of an attractive wizard to explore her darker fantasies with – it was that she *specifically* wanted Snape to be that man. She wanted, craved whatever few moments with him she could persuade him to give – and the fact he now seemed to notice her as a woman, not some know-it-all child, gave her a tiny spark of hope that maybe he would want more, someday, then just her body and a few stolen moments of passion.

Amelia wisely did not tell Hermione that the witch was now crying. She waited a minute for her to compose herself. ~I know you despise me for what I did, but I had a good reason. A reason that will sound horrendously unfair, because it is. The phoenix butterfly I am bound to – that now you are bound to as well, will seek both rebirth and propagation. As you are now it's host, the simplest method for it to do so is with a human child. But it is only partially sentient; it will not bargain or reason with you. Nor is it a creature of strictly good alignment, nor evil – its first duty is to itself. As to what this means for you – you need to choose your first partner carefully, as the butterfly will bind you with strings even if you wish for none.~

~I wasn't planning on getting pregnant with anyone,~ Hermione scoffed, ~If that is what you are getting at. Even I can cast contraception charms, and I'm sure the professor knows far more -~

~They wouldn't work. Time grows short for my butterfly, it must renew soon. That will drive it to extreme measures – perhaps even nudging you to things you wouldn't normally do.~

~That is unsettling,~ Hermione conceded, ~however I haven't done anything that at least part of me hasn't fantasized on and off for years about, so even if it were pushing me I don't think it can manipulate me far. Or can it?~

~It never made me do anything I did not want at some level, though I confess if it had, would I have realized it?~

~All right then, remind me to do more research on potentially dangerous beings which could be messing with my free will. And, at least for the time being, I won't do anything that could make a baby directly – no promises beyond that. Is there anything else of immense importance I should know, before I go back to ignoring you?~

~I'd rather you didn't ignore me,~ Amelia sulked, ~But there are some things you should know. First, perhaps the most obvious, do not speak to anyone of this matter, no matter how much you believe they are otherwise trustworthy. Don't tell McGonagall you host a phoenix butterfly, or the headmaster, for example. Such knowledge could have unintended consequences, even if they mean well.~

~Snape?~

~He would be the natural exception, considering he can now speak with Richard and has access to similar information. Second, you may experience strange things with your powers, or unexpected amplification. It would be wise to limit your spells and take extra precautions and you find your new normal.~

~Sensible. I suppose I shouldn't complain about extra magic power as a side effect.~

~Third, you may need to choose a bondmate soon.~

"What?" Hermione almost shouted, but even her restrained cry was enough to gain a glare from Madam Pomfrey. She clamped a hand over her own mouth. ~What? Why? You just stopped me and Snape right in the middle of things, but you actually want me to get involved with someone? Didn't you say I'd get pregnant?~

~I did say it was unfair to you. You may have to put those future plans on hold a year or two. But the phoenix butterfly will seek to renew, and the longer you wait, it may start to affect other people.~

~Like Draco?~

~Oh no, fortunately – or unfortunately for him, I should think. He seems to be affected by some sort of triggered curse, which is perhaps far worse than having your desires pushed at and shaped by an inhuman magical creature. But you may find yourself the target of more attention than usual, or the center of plots no one would have conceived otherwise – I, for example, did not marry when I came of age. I decided to apprentice for a while in potions instead. Yet one summer when I returned home, I was suddenly pushed to accept an arranged marriage with Septimus, even though my parents had promised when I was younger to never force me into one. I begged to finish out my apprenticeship first, and they reluctantly put the wedding date off – but if you do not take some charge of your choice and destiny, then it may become harder for you to keep your full range of choices later on. So if you really think your professor is the one, then you should pursue him. But if not, you should avoid him.~

~I don't know!~ Hermione began stacking the exorcism books in frustration. ~I want him, but that isn't the same thing as knowing I want to marry him. We'd probably be a terrible match, and he'd probably laugh his head off if he knew the thought even crossed my mind. And can you imagine him as a dad? Does he even want kids? And I'm hardly so conceited as to think I'm the first student he's ever taken to his bed, he must have a world of experience I don't. And I'm a Gryffindor, and a student, and Harry Potter's friend, and - ~

~I don't need the full checklist,~ Amelia took control of one of the hands and patted the other. "Right now, let's just go down to breakfast and get some warm food. We aren't going to solve this in a day. But I will tell you this – listing reasons he might reject you isn't the same as saying you outright would reject him. So I won't insist you avoid him, at this time. I will ask that you be a bit more honest with yourself."

~I can try.~ Hermione grabbed her things, for once not bothering to put every book back in its place. ~But I insist you never interfere with me as you did last night. If you try that again – I really will do my best to ignore you forever.~