When I said I told Snape "everything", I do not really mean everything.

I did not go into vivid detail about the second vision-the one with Elliott and my mirror entwined in a cloud of steam. I told him just enough for him to understand before moving onto the last vision. Talking about George and I being so happy when everything seemed to be spiraling only made me more uneasy. It was comparitvely less upsetting than when I was describing "my" encounter with Elliott, but more than watching my mother's murder. I realized how backwards that seemed. If Snape was able to hear the distinction in the way I described the dreams he did not acknowledge anything as he sat unblinking for several moments after I finished speaking.

It wasn't until I reached out and covered his hand with my own that he seemed to rejoin the conversation. The intensity of his brooding thoughts carried into his voice. "Thank you for giving me an honest account of your visions despite how uncomfortable it might have been to do so. From what you have told me in addition to the information I gathered by meeting with Lucius last night, a new theory is forming. I believe that there might be a plausible explanation to many of your questions but I am afraid it is not a happy one."

"I'd never expect it to be." I laughed at Snape's disclaimer. It was a desperate sound to even my own ears. There was no denying I was holding onto every word he said now, ready to accept any explanation for this nightmare as I pleaded, "Please share with the class, Professor."

"To ensure I am not getting ahead of myself, I must ask you a few more uncomfortable questions."

"Of course you do. It's quickly becoming a precursor conversation before all of our deeper conversations." I gave him a sarcastic grin, adding. "Make it quick, will you?"

"In your first vision. The one with your mother and the Dark Lord. Was I present in the room?" Snape leveled the first blow.

I closed my eyes. Inhaling deeply, I recalled the faces burned into borrowed retinas. Opening my eyes to meet his, I exhaled, "No."

"Is there any indication of date?"

"No." I answered quickly. A sad smile slid onto my face as my mental companions supplied the sought after information. "But I know it was early November of 1977, no more than two weeks after my mother left me in the care of Dumbledore."

That was the one thought that kept my mother sane through the torture. "She's safe. She's safe. She's safe."

"Your mother was aware she was being hunted?" Snape mused.

"Yes. She prepared for it. As much as anyone can prepare for something like that." I replied without hesitation. I didn't have to guess at how difficult it was for my mother to leave me behind anymore. In my vision of her last minutes, I felt it.

"I believe you were shown everything for a reason, but I have a few more questions before I am ready to discuss my theory." Snape cleared his throat once I nodded my head for him to continue. I couldn't help but note the tense way he held himself, signaling neither of us were truly ready for his next line of questioning.

"Was there anything… significant about the vision you had of the present? The one with… Mr. Napier?" I opened my mouth to protest, but I shut it just as quickly. Snape noticed my inability to deny. "What is it, Andrella? I do not wish to discuss your sex life anymore than you do. However, if it was something depicted in the vision. Especially the vision of the present, I am afraid it might be more relevant than you realize."

"Well, aside from the fact that it must have been wrong or misinterpreted because it didn't actually happen...it did resemble a moment George and I shared earlier in the day." I admitted.

"Resembled how?" Snape asked with a warranted air of caution.

"Almost every detail was the same...except what was said and that it was Elliott instead of George." I said the words slowly. Flashes of my real encounter with George and my envisioned bastardized version with Elliott were merging into one, and it was all I could do to keep the bile from rising up my throat.

"Who knew the details of your encounter with George?"

"Just Renae...and maybe Fred." I added Fred's name as an afterthought and wished I hadn't. The inquisitive peek of Snape's brow brought a blush to my cheeks as I worked to explain. "I don't think George would have given anyone else that level of detail."

"I see." Snape said with a profound nod of his head.

"What do you see?" I groaned, growing more agitated as the seconds ticked by.

"Do you believe the potion was successful?" Snape asked instead.

"I-Yes." I conceded, deciding following along would be more productive than protesting.

Snape nodded his head again, then nothing. He just stared at me with that unreadable expression as I tapped my fingers against his desk. I felt myself about to snap and he must have felt it, too, because he chose the next moment to speak.

"I believe Malfoy has restrategized his efforts to end your life." Snape declared, shocking me into silence. He let his words settle in and they sunk into my blood like ice water. When he spoke again he had my complete attention. "Last night, I did not think I gained any valuable information on his plans concerning you. He seemed to be speaking in riddles but now that this...disruption has occurred, it seems he might have revealed more than I originally thought.

"He kept saying he needed to prepare for the dawning of the Dark Lord. That he had been far too lenient and that bold moves must be made in the name of glory robbed from him. I thought he was talking about something else at the time but he said he was 'tired of doing all the hard work' and 'A man of his stature should not have to get his hands dirty.'" Snape sneered Malfoy's quotes, eyes retreating somewhere I did not want to follow.

Snapping himself out of it before things turned even more awkward, Snape finished, "I believe he's returned to his roots-his comfort zone, if nothing else."

"I'm sorry, Professor, but I don't think I understand."

"Before Lucius was practicing the dark arts so regularly and openly, he had perfected another method of torture. Frankly, it was far more subtle and while he has a talent for both, he has a true passion for manipulation."

"You think this is some sort of plot to manipulate me?" I asked, unwilling to think my opponent would still underestimate me.

"Manipulate you? No. But how you are seen? The way you are perceived by your peers? By wizarding society at large? Absolutely." Snape affirmed. "Malfoy always has taken pleasure in ruining reputations."

"He wants to publicly humiliate me instead of kill me? Is that what you are saying?" I asked slowly, unable to believe I was processing the information correctly.

"Essentially, yes. But most likely only as means to make you an easier target in isolation. That does not mean any less significant risk for you, however." Snape warned, bony finger pointed in my face. "A person has much more than just their own life to lose-in fact, the alternatives can be so unbearable, many would choose to sacrifice their life if given the option."

"What alternative is worse than death?" I scoffed.

"As a young person with so much, I will not fault you this ignorance. If anything, It gives me hope you might just be the one." Snape said with a regretful sigh. "Would you not agree it is much easier to lose your life than it is your health? Your liberty? Security? Sanity? Sense of self? Is it not easier to die than it is to watch your family die? Your friends? Your social support? Your love? Your own soul? Can you imagine how your own life would rank if only one could be salvaged or even two? Malfoy's plan will attack many of those targets. He already has and at first strike, seems to have successfully knocked out at least two."

I took a moment to consider his words. I wondered how many Snape had sacrificed thus far to make it to this point in the war. I wondered how much pain his own actions caused him. I wondered how many Malfoy had taken from him with his own two hands. I looked down to where my fingers absentmindedly thumbed the coyote outline hanging from my neck.

"Do you know who started the lies or why everyone so readily accepted them as truth?" I asked into the silence.

"In my memories, you saw how Marcus Flint encouraged the rumors-"

"The LIES!" I corrected him.

Snape ignored my outburst but amended his statement. "Flint did nothing but exaggerate the lies, a policy the other Slytherins rumored to be involved seemed to have agreed upon unanimously. George physically assaulting Flint at breakfast seems to have cemented that rumor as truth by public opinion. The same could be said about Fred's attack on Elliott Napier"

"Another lie!"

"I know that, Andrella." Snape said as an empathetic frown that was jarring to see replace his usual scowl. "The problem is that the twins were handed proof they see as damning evidence. Their actions have caused the easily swayed student body to accept the rumors as truth."

"WHAT EVIDENCE?!" There IS no evidence! I haven't done anything!" I shouted.

"I know that, Andrella. But Reneae has obviously said or done something that has them convinced otherwise." Snape explained, calm as ever.

"Renae? What does she have to do with this?" I asked, calming down enough to be confused.

"Apparently everything, if you are to believe the rumors." Snape conceded, taking pity on me as he did not wait to elaborate. "Angelina Johnson and Lee Jordan were having a heated conversation before class began this morning. Johnson confided that Renae had approached the twins in the common room, sobbing apologetically. She allegedly handed George a piece of parchment and they stormed out, demanding that Renae follow.

"According to Jordan, the twins did not return to the dorm until early that morning. Fred was silently fuming and George was near comatose. They locked themselves in the dorm and refused to speak to anyone. I do not know what Renae showed them or what was written on the parchment, but once you find out, I believe you will have many of the answers you need." Snape offered.

"Do you know where she is?" I asked, trying to keep my expression from revealing my brutish impulse to get to the bottom of this.

"No, I do not. She was not present at breakfast and neither was my godson." Snape replied, tone clipping again.

"You think that Renae was recruited into Malfoy's plan?" I asked once I pieced together the reason for his hesitance.

"I do not believe Lucius is above manipulating an impressionable young girl or even his own son in order to achieve his goal if he believes it necessary or convenient." Snape answered.

"You said it was imperative Malfoy doesn't know that I suspect him of anything, so what do I do?" I asked, remembering Romona and Neviahs's warning that I handle the situation accordingly.

"You are right. If anything, now that he has made his move, how you react to it is more important than ever. At this point, he believes that he has recruited me to keep an eye on you." Snape explained.

"What do you mean 'recruited you'?" I asked, feeling a sudden rush of dread.

Snape must have seen it. He gave me a small smile and an equally gentle pat to the hand. "I understand how that must sound to you, but you must understand that I am nothing else but a professional spy to him. Lucius believes I have remained a devoted servant to the Dark Lord and to himself. He has no reason to believe anything that does not benefit him. At this time, my service benefits him greatly and he has already tried to exploit them. When I refused to plot against you, he asked me to simply keep aware of your going abouts in the castle."

"And you agreed?"

"I did." Snape answered. The fact that he was watching for the reaction in microexpression was obvious.

"Why?" I asked, proud of myself for keeping my composure.

"As I have just said, I am a professional spy." Snape said with a hint of mirth in his tone. It frustrated me to no end. I was sick and tired of being a punchline. "What Lucius fails to realize is that I always have and always will be loyal to myself first."

"And second?"

"Second, I am loyal to those I consider my family." Snape answered, this time accompanied by a smile that was equal parts sincerity and snickery. "What many have failed to realize, even myself at times, is that blood has never been a part of my definition of kin. Lucius is foolish to believe the term ever fitted him or his master, but-"

"But what, Professor?" I encouraged him as he silenced himself with pursed lips.

Snape heaved another sigh before answering, "But I cannot burn that bridge, not when my godson remains under his manipulative thumb. Draco is completely brainwashed by his father and until he has realized this for himself, I have no power to help him. But I will not abandon him."

"I understand, Professor." I placed my hand back over his and immediately was overwhelmed by the grief, the raw resentment, and rageful determination radiating from Snape's cold hands. This touch was different. This time it felt like I was absorbing Snape's most sentient emotions, not only absorbing them but feeling them as my own.

"If what you say is true about his father, he is a victim as much as he is a shithead. But he's your family, I get it."

"Lily Evans was my family, too. I lost her long before she took that prat's last name." Snape's fist clenched and unclenched, bringing mine along for the emotional release roller coaster. "I lost her because of pride. I will not lose another person I care for due to my own inability to accept my role in life. I certainly will not allow you to make the same mistake as I did."

"But-"

"Do not make me say it, Andrella." Snape all but growled.

And he was right. He didn't need to say how much he cared for me, how he considered me to be his only living family aside from his grandson. I felt it as he felt it, as strong and as pure as he felt in his heart.

"Thank you, Professor." I said softly, gently removing my hand from his. I felt the change immediately, as my emotions returned to mine alone.

"But you still haven't told me what I should do about Lucius and Greyback." I reminded him.

"You are right. I have not told you what to do because I do not know the best course of action. However, I think it is safe enough to tell you that if you see either of them, see yourself out of the situation. By whatever means necessary, keep yourself safe." Snape advised. "We will start discussing a more specific course of action tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" I asked skeptically. What could possibly be more pressing than that?

"Right now you have to go. You have been patient enough. I'm sure you're still keen on finding Mr. Weasley?" Snape awarded but not without a sarcastic lilt of his head.

"Of course, but-"

"I have told you all that I know. I will not have any new information until tomorrow morning, at best. Right now, the most useful thing you can do to help yourself is to get the answers only Mr. Weasley can give you. You are excused for the rest of the day." Snape dismissed me with another reserved smile.

When I made no motion to vacate my seat, he reached his hand across the table to rest over mine. His voice was gentler this time, but the fierceness of his sincerity shone through his words. "No matter what happens next, Remember you are not alone in this. I will not allow you to become another of Malfoy's victims."

"Thank you, Professor." I mumbled, focused on the weight of his hand on mine.

"I mean it, Andrella. I will not abandon you." Snape vowed. He patted my hand once and retreated back into his bubble.

"Right, yeah. I'm going to...go...now…"I stammered, uncomfortable to say the least. I gathered my belongings in record time, mumbling a soft "Goodbye, Professor". I didn't bother waiting for his reply before I made myself invisible before I shuffled out of the room.

It wasn't Snape's touch that made me uncomfortable. It wasn't even the words he said or the sentiments behind them. It was the conviction bordered in sympathy that it did not sit right with me. Especially not when the only comparable display of emotion was shown in response to losing Lily Evans. This is not a fact that bodes well for his belief in my survival.

I pressed my back to the door, heart heavier as the wood I pressed myself against for support. I knew time was of the essence and I already wasted too much. But with the ground crumbling out beneath me, each step speeding up the erosion process, it was hard to know where to step next. I needed to ground myself. I needed to breathe and restore balance within. I only hoped I managed to do so before I took the wrong step. I hoped it was before I unleashed rage unknown onto the soul unfortunate enough to be in my vicinity at the time my breaking point had been found.

I still had no idea what was going on-not really. I knew I needed to figure it out before it got any worse. I wasn't sure how it could get any worse, but I knew better to challenge fate that way. So, I focused on my breathing and the magically forged pendant around my neck. I focused on how smooth the stone felt underneath my finger tips. I focused on how beautifully the onyx coyote and obsidian raven danced together in the sunlight distorted green by the lake. When I felt collected enough to do so, I turned the pendant oer and read the enchanted engraving.

"Fortress in Forbidden Forest; Pacing"

Neviah guided me through another deep breathing exercise as I traced the pattern of our soul animals. I kissed the stone before letting it drop back to its resting place against my heart. Now that I knew that George was available to speak, I wasted no time with walking. Although, if I knew how this conversation would play into Destiny's plan, I could have used the extra time walking would have provided.

Not that it would have made any difference.

Like Snape's musings on life and death, I was on my way to finding out there were other acts of Fate that one could never truly be prepared to face. Out of all of Destiny's dealings, Death may not be the most difficult to endure, when it is thought of as a draw instead of defeat.

XXX

For the second time in less than twenty-four hours, I found myself unintentionally eavesdropping on the twins. Once again, I was the subject up for debate and once against it wasn't Fred's question that stopped me from announcing my presence. I remained invisible, holding my breath for George's answer.

"Do you really think it's true, Georgie?"

"What? That Andrella cheated on me with half of the Slytherin Quidditch team?" George shot back, no pause in his pacing. Fred and I both winched at the bitterness in the accusation. By the wariness of Fred's gaze, I figured George had been at it for a while. If he kept up his current pace rate, I wouldn't put it past him to wear down the stone.

"Well, yeah, I mean...surely there must be an explanation for this? You don't really think-"

George didn't allow Fred to finish his sentence. "After what we saw last night, there is no explanation. I mean for fuck's sake, Fred! What does it matter how many other blokes she's fucked behind my back? One is all it takes to ruin everything!" George shouted, voice cracking as his anger quickly dissipated into a desperation that was more difficult to stomach. "How could she do it, Fred? How could she throw away everything we've built? Did she ever love me? Was it all just a lie?"

The last question broke me.

I materialized in an instant and was rushing toward George in the next. "I've never lied to you, George. I don't know why this is happening but I know who's behind it. I love you and I never lied to you."

Both twins startled at my abrupt appearance as they both turned to watch my approach. That is where the similarity in their reactions end. As I spoke, all expression drained from George's face as he started backing away from me. For every step George took backward, Fred and I stepped toward each other. With every step forward, Fred's expression darkened until his entire face was obscured by a cloud of ugliness.

"You've got a lot of fucking nerve making those claims after what you did." Fred seethed. His hands balled at his side, the staring not to strike me clear in his clenched jaw. The message in his stance was clear-he was not allowing me any closer to George.

"Fred, I haven't done anything. If you would just let me explain-"

"What explanation is there for letting another bloke-or six!-stick their dick inside of you when you're supposed to be in love with my brother!" Fred raged.

I did not see any benefit in pointing out how he had just argued the same point on my behalf not even five minutes prior. There was no reasoning with him now. When the vein in his forehead was visibly pulsing coupled with a rapidly bobbing adam's apple there was little hope for logic.

Still, I had to try to set the record straight. At the very least, defend myself. "Never have I cheated on George nor had the desire to. I haven't had eyes for anyone else since I turned thirteen. I love him," I said, trying to peer around Fred's menacing form. George steadfastly refused to meet my gaze.

"How can you continue to do it? Continue to stand there and lie to our faces even after you've been found out?" Fred laughed. It was a mirthless sound that cut sharper than Voldemort's cruciatus curse.

"I am not lying." I insisted.

"We saw you! We heard you, too! Last night! With him, of all people!" Fred screamed, crowding into my space.

"Saw me with who? Heard me doing what?" I shouted back. Taking a breath to calm myself, I tried again. "I don't know what you think you witnessed last night, but after I took the potion I went back to my dorm and passed out waiting for Renea."

"Funny you should mention Renae." Fred said, managing to strip the passive aggressive phrase of the essential 'passive' part.

"How is it funny?" In curiosity's name, I poked the bear, or rather, hyena.

"Renae came and found us last night. She wanted to give us this." Fred said, holding up a parchment I hadn't noticed he had been clutching before. "Do you know what this is?"

"No."

"Are you sure about that?" You did write it, after all." Fred spat, balling up the parchment before throwing it at my face.

I let the shock of the act settle. I was unwilling to cry because of him, but my eyes stung with betrayal. I stared at him, unblinking. In the state he was in, I knew he would not allow the silence to stretch on for long. It took barely thirty seconds for Fred to break the standstill.

"Are you admitting that you already know what it says? Is that why you're not curious enough to pick it up?" Fred accused, purposefully mistaking my inaction for admission.

Literally swallowing my pride, I bent down and retrieved the crumbled parchment. It looked like the letter was written hastily, making the words hard to decipher. I barely had the chance to read the first sentence before Fred launched new accusations.

"What's the matter, Andrella? Can't read your own handwriting?" Fred taunted. As he stepped forward with a raised hand, there was a moment of genuine fear where I honestly believed he might hit me. Instead he snatched the paper out of my loose grip. "Here. I'll read you the highlights."

"'Dear Elliott, sorry for our fight-I had to make sure George was convinced'. Oh, here's a good one. 'I don't want to keep sneaking about the library to meet you. I want us to be together.'" As Fred read the foreign words, he used a mocking tone. Fred was always quick to prove his quick tongue could be used for more than humor, moreso, it was eager and quicker to burn than any flame.

"Here's the best part and I have to credit your ability to manipulate like no other. 'Oh, Elliott. I long for the day you can throw me against the wall and have your way with me. I want you to claim me, mark me, and make me yours. I want you to wash away George completely.' You knew just what to say to make this prat into your plaything. I bet you didn't even think about the fact the poor sap's in love with you. But such a simple thing as someone else's feelings isn't a concern for Andrella, is it?" Fred taunted.

"Stop!" I shouted, unable to hear anymore of Fred's abuse. Even still, it was better than the fictitious letter. "I never wrote that!"

"So, this isn't your handwriting?"

"It is, but I didn't write it." I pleaded, offering the simplest explanation. "Someone must've forged it."

"You must really think we're daft if you think we would believe that." Fred spat, head shaking his hair around his face like crackling wildfire. "After what we saw-"

"What! What did you see?" My voice raised to meet his aggression, and I spoke from a place of desperation. "I'm telling you I never wrote that letter and I never cheated on George. So, please, for the love of Merlin, what have you seen that have convinced you I'm lying so resolutely you won't even give me the benefit of the doubt? Or a fucking trial, for fuck's sake!" I demanded, unable to stop myself from giving into my anger once the misplaced betrayal in his eyes became too much to handle.

"I saw you fucking Elliott Napier! I heard you begging him to come inside you!" George fumed, breaking his vow of silence. "I stood right in front of you and you didn't even notice I was there. You were too busy fucking that pretty boy arsehat!" He kept his feet firmly rooted in place but his voice raised and his glare deepened.

"George, I didn't-I wouldn't-" I choked out a defense.

"How can you lie to my face like it's nothing to you?" Like I'm nothing to you, was the true question deflected by rearranged "t" "m" "s". I heard the truth in the waver in his voice. Underneath the mask of rage there was pain.

"I'm not lying to you. I don't know what's happening. I don't have an explanation but I know I haven't done what you think I've done." I pleaded my innocence, taking an unconscious step forward. When George retreated at my adancem it was the first sign things were worse than I feared. "George, please. What can I do to make you believe I'm telling the truth?"

"That's the problem, isn't it?" George countered. His volume had lowered but this sarcastic simmering was worse. I had no idea how to respond to it.

"George, please. Just tell me what I can do so we can fix this together. I love you. Please let me fight for us." I begged. George hadn't moved but it felt like every second past he was being pushed away from me.

"And give you more time to think of another lie to tell me? I don't think so, Andrella." The way he said my full first name was fully intended to break me. It worked and George knew it would. I would swallow my pride and let him see that if that's what he needed.

"I'm not lying, George. Please, just let me explain. I'll take veritaserum or I can show you my memories. Whatever you need to believe I'm telling the truth, I will do it." I offered.

I tried stepping forward again, even as George continued to retreat. With his brother's back literally against the wall and me standing in front of him, Fred stood over to the side. It was clear by the tension radiating from his coiled muscles he was waiting for the call to act. It was also clear that he didn't know what to do, that he was having some internal conflict about taking physical action against me. The way his hands fidgeted, it was also clear he was ready to do it if I gave him a reason.

"That's the problem, Andrella." George sighed. "I do believe you will do whatever it takes to convince me. We both know you have the power to do it, but I won't let you use your magic to make me believe anymore of your lies."

"George-"

"No, Andrella." George cut me off. Immediately I noticed how he shoved his hands into his pockets before they had the chance to ball into fists. "I've spent all night thinking of possible explanations, and I've realized something. When it comes to the truth, it's usually the simplest answer and they're always the hardest to accept. I've accepted that what I thought we had was too good to be last. Now, I know it's too good to be true."

"George, no." I refuted, shaking my head at him. "No. How can you say that? How can you believe I'd do that to you?"

"I won't let you turn this around on me! If you wanted out of this relationship you could have just told me! You didn't have to cheat! Then, we could have maybe still been mates, but now?" George wailed, reacting physically to my counter accusations. His arms reached up to grip my shoulders. For a second it seemed like he was going to shake me, but with a display of effortless strength, George lifted me up and reversed our positions.

His grip was loosening and my hands snapped up to keep them in place. "George, I didn't-I couldn't-please."

"Stop it, Andrella!" George said forcefully, extracting himself from my hold. "I want to believe 'you didn't, that you couldn't'...but I don't. I want to, but after everything I saw last night, I can't."

I watched in horror as George reached around his neck to unclasp the locket. My eyes followed the trail of swirled onyx and obsidian as the pendant fell into the palm of his waiting hand. He held it out to me, saying, "I can't be with someone when I can't trust them. I can't do this anymore, Andrella."

"George, no." I protested as he tried to give me back his christmas gift. He grabbed my hand, stroking with his thumb under my fist opened up for him. He placed the pendant in my hand and closed my fingers around it. He squeezed my hand once before his hands fell back to his sides, balled into trembling fists.

"I'll always love you, Andrella. But-But I don't think we can be anything anymore. I can't stand looking at you right now. All I see is…" With every word he took a step away. I stood there frozen in disbelief unable to do anything but listen to him break our hearts. "It's over, Andrella. I'm sorry. This has to be goodbye."

With a murderous glare, Fred reached into his robes. He pulled out a small stack of paper-photographs, maybe?-and launched them at me with a vicious beater's toss. His smirk darkened as one sliced my across the cheek. He said nothing else as he followed the retreating form of his twin. I watched, brain overactive as my body remained paralyzed. Once they were almost out of sight, I heard Fred's spiteful grumbling. "Hate to say I've told you so but, we bloody well should've turned it into a potions lab, all things considered."

"All things considered, you deserve to tell me you told me so. Older and wiser, eh? Comes with the territory, doesn't it?" I heard George muster a weak chuckle before they moved beyond hearing range.

I'm not sure how long I just stood there staring up the ramp where the twins disappeared. No one was around to see how pathetic I looked and that was as much of a blessing as it was a curse. I'm sure I looked like a medusa statue of horror and despair-hand still raised, fingers whiteknuckled around the stone, eyes glassy and unblinking, mouth gaping open with unsaid goodbyes. It could have been minutes, maybe hours, but they were long gone by now..

My mind raced to close the distance, between how perfect everything had been twenty-four hours ago to where I stood now, presumably at rock bottom. My heart longed to race after George, to try and make him believe the truth. My left foot thawed first and instinctively took a step toward the ramp. A voice of rationality spoke inside my mind as my right foot slowly followed it's lead.

Do not go to him now.

But I can't just let him go! I argued with Neviah.

He's already gone. Romona insisted.

No, I don't believe that! There has to be a way for him to believe the truth. He'll come around. I persisted.

You don't know the truth. Not all of it, not yet. Romona's firm tone softened at the end, as if the rest of the truth could make the situation worse.

As if that's even possible.

Things can always be worse, Andrella. Believe me. We have seen many possible outcomes of this trial. Neviah corrected gently, but she paused before she continued. It was longer than natural, even for her, making it clear she was choosing her next words with extra care.

Life is a game of choices. Your decisions have consequences, yes. So, do your actions. The same rules apply to all the other players on the board. Every play by every player affects the outcome. These cards have already been dealt. Do not try to tempt Fate by attempting to swap out cards now. Play your hand.

"How do you know? What if I make it worse by not going after him now?" I argued.

You will make it worse if you try to talk to George again without having all the answers. He will only be more convinced that you are lying. Romona reinforced.

"What are the answers then? What's happening?" I groaned, the despair in my voice reverberating off the stone walls.

What has happened is that your opponent has launched their offensive attack for total social annihilation. A plan that unfortunately was rather successful. Romona talked as she was discussing battle plans-with enthusiastic cunning.

What does that mean?

It means the counterstrike must be equally as devastating.

Counter strike to what? Against who? Malfoy?

Do you want us to tell you or show you? The latter will be infinitely more painful. Neviah warned.

Show me? How?

While we remain bound to your mind, our own are free to wander...to observe, to witness and to obtain knowledge, Romona began to explain, Neviah taking over.

While we are bound to you, we cannot wander far or freely. We do, however, have the power to explore the Paths of Destiny of all those you encounter. We have the answers you seek because of this.

Then what are you waiting for? Tell me! I exclaimed, quickly editing myself. Show me!

The question you must first ask yourself is whether you believe yourself able to know but not to act. This is knowledge powerful enough to change the course of your path, and not necessarily for the better.

But you said we needed an 'equally devastating counter attack!

This is the type of assault that involves 'taking the high road', so to speak. You must show Malfoy and everyone else watching that you cannot be broken so easily. But you must do this without stooping to their level.

How do I do that?"

By knowing.

Knowing what?!

Everything. Romona said plainly. Sensing another objection, her dramatic pause was shorter than usual. What they know, what their mission is, what motivates them, what they have already achieved, and what lengths will they go to in order to complete their mission.

Do you know these answers?

Some of them.

Will you tell me?

No.

But-

But we will show you. Some of them, at least. Some of these answers you must discover by Destiny's design.

Okay, then. Let's get started! How does this work?

Lay on the bed and try to relax. This will only be more painful if you're tense. The visions will appear in rapid succession. Some will be more clear than others. And there will be no sound, just images.

No sound? Why not?

Because what you're about to witness will be hard enough to watch without listening to the soundtrack. Now lay down, close your eyes, and try to clear your mind.

I glanced down at the pieces of paper scattered at my feet, quickly realizing they were photographs. Before I could make out the subject, Neviah sighed. Look at them later. For now, please lay down, Andrella.

This time when I went to move my legs, I was surprised they cooperated. They were stiff from standing still for so long, but they moved to carry out Neviah's instructions. They placed me at the edge of the bed where the sheets were still rumpled from the last time George and I laid in it together. I felt the stinging at the concern of my eyes and closed them to keep the tears at bay. I couldn't help the memories made in the bed before me from flashing across my mind. So many happy memories made over the span of eight days. Would they all be ruined now by the memory of this fight?

When I opened my eyes I found myself bent over the bed, palm splayed across the sheets of the left side of the bed-George's side. They were cold, not that I was expecting anything different. Those nights were made a lifetime ago.

Lay down, Andrella. What you are about to see will answer many of your questions. Are you absolutely certain you are able to see this at the moment? Neviah prompted.

Yes. I need to do this now. I made the voice in my head stern, begging them not to argue. The sooner I am aware of what the issue is, the sooner I can solve it.

I laid down on George's side of the bed and imagined I could still smell him lingering on the sheets. I held both pendants to my chest, squeezing the smooth stone as I pictured George laying next to me. He was sleeping peacefully and I strived to match my breathing to his. The only indication that the scene was nothing but my imagination was Neviah's gentle reminder.

We will be right there with you through it all, but once we start we cannot stop until you have received the vision in its entirety.

I'm ready. I try to assure her as much as myself. I was fairly certain I failed on both accounts but it didn't seem enough for them to decide against proceeding. I heard Romona's heavy sigh before the conjured image of George began to blur and take on a different shape. A blink and the scene reset entirely.

XXX

AUTHOR'S NOTE

XXX

Ello, lovely readers! I'm baaaaaaaaaaaack!

With a whole mess of drama coming your way!

As always, if you've made it this far, I appreciate you more than you can understand. Please tell me what you think of the "breakup" chapter I've been STRUGGLING to write.

Ex's & Oh's

Audrey V. Sullivan