Hey there! No copyright infringement intended. No profits being made. I do this for those who dare readthislong term, long lost, long in general story. I'm just having fun, so no harm done?

Anyway: TRIGGER WARNINGS! For this chapter --mentionsofsexual abuse andassault, mentions ofdomestic violence, threats of danger, language and adult themesWithout further ado... Enjoy Andrella's returntoScotland to meet with Snape...and others. ;)

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The night before my meeting with Snape, I dream of a future I am not a part of, a future where I do not belong.

I dream that it's George's birthday, but no longer Fred's. I know this, inherently, deep in my bones. Even before I read the lettering on the cake forgotten on the grass, before I read the name on the headstone it sits beside.

I can tell it isn't a prank, a joke of any kind by the way George lays on the grass with his arms thrown around the stone, embracing his brother in the only way he can now.

The air is silent, choked as the sobs stuck in George's throat. There is no birdsong, no tittering of gnomes in the meadow where Fred is buried. No hint of sunshine in the sky. There aren't even any clouds, just a solid mass of gray that feels like it's pressing down on us.

I see a crack of green lightning strike across the field. Then I hear the thunder that sounds like the laughter that echoes through one of the worst memories I witnessed, but didn't truly own. The cruel laughter of a tyrant, the hissing of a serpent.

The lightning strikes again, moving closer. George doesn't notice, doesn't move from the ground. Not even when the skies open up.

I know, instinctually, deep in my soul. Even before I feel it's weight and slick on my skin, before I smell or taste the copper or see it stain George's pale skin red.

Blood washes over the stone, over George, until Fred's name is unreadable, his twins face unrecognizable. Until all I see is blood—hot, heavy, wet, and red. Until red was the only color left.

Then the flash of slate blue steel as George lifts his head to glare at me. His mouth opens, blood rushing out down his mouth to join the blood cried from the sky to say one word. To scream it. "GO!"

XXX

When I wake up, I expect to be covered in blood. I expect my skin to feel sticky and slick, I expect my stomach to feel sick at the stench of copper and rust. I should learn not to have expectations.

The first thing I register beside the coral ceiling above is the scent of freshly baked bread. It's enough to coax me into opening my eyes fully to let the light in. I see blue and yellow.

Blue from the sunlight illuminating the sea and yellow from the school of fish who swim together just on the other side of the enchanted glass. I am warm, sweating under a blanket I did not put over myself. I see my quill set on the table next to an empty bottle of odgens. I hear a startled squeak from my right and turn sluggish to see Dobby walking into the room with a tray of food floating before him.

"Morning, Dobby." I croak to the elf, surprised by how hoarse my voice sounds upon waking. I suppose I shouldn't be with how much I cried last night, how much I must have drank to black out.

"Good afternoon, Miss Andrella." Dobby squeaks, tray wobbling in surprise. He smiles at me with wide eyes as he successfully places it on the table. "Dobby is glad to see you awake."

"Did you put this blanket on me?"

"Yes, Miss Andrella. Dobby promised to be there when Miss Andrella is needing me and so Dobby was." Dobby said with conviction, proud as ever in his ability to do as he wishes as a free elf.

"Thank you, Dobby. Truly, thank you." I say with tears in my eyes, emotional now that the liquor isn't numbing the flow of my feelings or thoughts.

"Of course, Miss Andrella." Dobby nods dutifully, picking up a vial from the tray and handing it to me. "Drink this and you will feel good enough to eat your breakfast. Dobby must return to Hogwarts to help prepare dinner now."

"Thank you, Dobby. I appreciate all you have done to help me." I say sincerely, wishing there was a way to truly express my gratitude.

"I will see you soon, Miss Andrella. Wherever you end up, I will come if you call." Dobby promised with a solemn smile before he disappeared with a snap and a crack of his fingers.

I shake my head at his abrupt departure but open the vial and take a cautious wiff. The familiar and repugnant scent of hangover potion makes me snort with fondness before I gulp it down.

Instantly feeling better, I begin to nibble at the croissants and eggs Dobby had prepared for me. I sip the tea he's made before daring to try the bacon. I eat slowly out of necessary caution, my stomach queasy despite the miracle cure potion. The potion healed my hangover completely, but it didn't heal the lingering pain that caused me to drink to the point of blacking out.

I managed to eat half of the food and finish almost all my tea before my hands started shaking too much to hold the cup. I set it down and start to breathe. I no longer startle at the sound of his voice in my head. I welcome it.

That's right, love. In and out, nice and slow.

I do as he says until I feel grounded enough to open my eyes. My appetite is gone and I noticed how badly I reek of booze and desperation. I leave the rest of my breakfast for later and return to the upstairs so I can shower.

It is there, under the spray of too hot water I can admit to myself the horrible truth.

Andrella Jade Wendling is dead.

Donald and Melinda Wendling are in their own form of witness protection plan. Relocated to live in Johannesburg, South Africa where they practice law pro bono to fight the injustice in the system. They never had children of their own, could never adopt, and so they chose to take care of all the kids that truly needed them. Instead of loving one child—me—they now loved and cared for dozens.

Romona was surprisingly poetic in her protection of them, giving them a life so meaningful I would never dare return for selfish reasons. Keeping them safe from Lucius and Greyback and all the death eaters that would target them in their attempts to get to me.

But Andrella Jade Malfoy would never exist. I would never claim that name, despite its legitimacy. I would never claim that vile man to be my father.

I dropped the soap in shock. Falling down with it to sit on the floor of the shower as it struck me for the first time. I have a brother.

Not only that, but my brother is Draco bloody Malfoy. My personal terrorizer this year despite his forced hand in the equation. The unwitting pawn in his father's game, unwilling and unable to rebel. A scared child that I cannot save.

I saw it now, the resemblance between us that I never saw before. No one dared to point it out. But it was there. And as I pictured his face in reaction to his father torturing Renea, I saw my own hopelessness in the situation.

I felt all my hatred flicker and fade away to nothing. But how could I ever know him? How would that be safe? How could he believe the truth? Even if I could make him see it?

The last time I saw him I transfigured his nose into a prick and his mouth into an arsehole. And he didn't find it nearly as hilarious as I did. I'm sure he'd attack on sight given the chance.

You could always take away that chance. Romona advised, strategic as ever. Immobilize him and make him see the truth in a way he can't deny.

You can show him that you mean him no harm, that you see what he has done to protect Renae and that you forgive him for what Lucius made him do. Neviah comes in to soften the blow.

"And how would that do him any good? Anyone associated with me is in danger. What kind of sister would that make me?" I ground out through gritted teeth.

The water was freezing cold and my body was shaking but I made no move to turn off the water. It was starting to do its job, at any rate.

It makes you the kind of sister anyone would dream for or hope to have. It makes you a sister who would give anything in their power to protect their sibling and give them their best chance at happiness in life by guiding them to find their meaning in their own way and time. There is no greater gift you could give a younger sibling, and inherently you know that. You're already formulating what you will say to him. I would have expected these kinds of words from Neviah , but I guess that's why Romona needed to be the one to say them for me to listen.

I'll try not to resent that. Romona snorted with an eye roll I could hear.

Nor will I, as long as you listen. Neviah added cheerily.

I reached out to turn off the water but didn't immediately move to get up. I knew that when I did so I would have to officially start my day by getting dressed for my meeting. I was excited to see Severus, hopefully Remus and Sirius, too. Beyond excited, really. But still I hesitated.

There was a part of me that loathed the idea of leaving my personal cocoon of safety and isolation. Here in this bubble, with thanks to Dobby, I had everything I would ever need. I would never have to leave this place out of necessity. But there was another part of me that begged I had no choice.

I couldn't stay hidden here for the rest of my days. I had to go out and actually live my life. I had to allow myself to connect to others, to be a part of a community outside of the one that lived in my soul, spoke in my mind and lent me their wisdom and magical might.

We will be right there with you and this place will be right here when you should need it again. Its only as far as a thought away. Romona reminded me. It was the boost I needed.

"Right, then." I said out loud, getting used to my voice again. Besides my short conversations with Dobby over the last few days, it had been weeks since I spoke out loud regularly. "Time to make ourselves presentable, might as well have fun.."

I couldn't agree more, Allow me the honors? Neviah snickered in such a seductively mischievous way I could not deny her request.

Close your eyes and sing along to the song playing. Dance, move, stand still it doesn't matter just don't open your eyes until the song is over, understand?

I nodded my head dumbly, still in awe at this new side of Neviah that was being revealed to me. I didn't dare ask my question of what if I didn't know the song. It felt too dumb even rattling in my own mind. I was thankful neither of them agreed to that and simply shut my eyes as requested. I waited for the song to start playing, my stomach bubbling with an odd excitement over the mystery of it all.

The music began to play, soft and slow and mesmerizing. I was sure I had never heard this song in my life, and yet there was a familiarity I could not shake. The tap of the tambourine inspired the rhythm of my toes, taping silently in time on the cool marble floor.

As soon as I registered the chill, I felt my feet covered in lace stockings. The feeling of the fabric against my skin as silky as the beat that called to a rising feeling in my chest. Finally it bubbled its way up my throat until words I didn't know but rather felt came pouring out of my mouth.

"Today, I feel like pleasing you

More than before"

I was called by a magic I could not ignore, not that I wanted to. I was filled with an incredibly warm and soft feeling of safety as the words swirled inside my chest before spilling effortlessly from my mouth.

"Today, I know what I wanna do

But I don't know what for"

And it was true, I knew exactly what I wanted to do, how I wanted today to go but I couldn't logically explain why. Just like I couldn't logically explain the visions or the sultry baritone voice that joined me in singing the next verse.

"To be living for you

Is all I want to do

To be loving you

It'll all be there

When my dreams come true."

I felt myself raising to my tiptoes so high heels could be slipped onto my stocking feet. I felt the buckles tighten themselves around my ankles.

"Today, you'll make me say

That I somehow have changed

Today, you look into my eyes

I'm just not the same."

There was a sadness to the man's voice as he sang this part that I could not understand. I was distracted from trying to figure it out as I felt my body being changed. It was almost too odd of a sensation to describe. Maybe if I had ever taken polyjuice potion I would have a better way to relate, but it felt like how I heard the effects of the potion being described.

It was disorienting feeling myself shrink at the legs, grow in the hips and chest and waist. It was jarring to feel my hair recede into my head and bound up in thick curls. It was shocking to feel the bones of my face rearrange and snap into a new shape.

And yet I kept my eyes shut and kept singing.

"To be any more than all I am

Would be a lie

I'm so full of love

I could burst apart

And start to cry."

I felt the truth of the words swell in my chest, too full to contain the emotions they carried. The truth of it began welling behind my closed eyes until a few tears escaped past my new eyelids, spilling down cheeks fuller than my own. I tried to sing the next line but a choked sob broke through my now full lips.

The man sang the next lines alone.

"Today, everything you want

I swear it all will come true."

The sound of his voice was the encouragement I needed to regain my composure and rejoin him in the next verse. Even if my voice was shaky in the first words, the song carried on.

"Today, I realize how much

I'm in love with you

With you standing here

I could tell the world

What it means to love."

I felt lace against the bare skin of my thighs, working up to hug the rest of my body in the delicate material until my arms were covered to the wrist. The lace stretched up to my neck, stretching tightly over my breasts in a distracting way. I felt my skin heating up at the insinuation but was thankfully called to sing through it.

"To go on from here

I can't use words

That don't say enough."

But I was not saved from my embarrassment as the cool, unmistakable feel of leather suddenly pressed around my breasts and stomach. I opened my mouth to protest when my mortification became too much but ended in a huff of indignation as the corset was laced tightly, momentarily taking my breath and protests with it.

Once again, the man sang alone. His voice hung heavy in the air with desperation as it took on a pleading note.

"Please, please, listen to me

It's taken so long to come true

And it's all for you, all for you"

I felt the warmth of a cloak fall around my shoulders as I basked in the love I heard in his voice. It was too honest, too vulnerable to deny. So I didn't try and refute it, I simply smiled and swayed as the ending notes faded.

"What was that? It was lovely but so strange. I'm sure I've never heard that song before and yet…" I asked into the silence.

"Today" by Jefferson Airplane. Romona answered. He will play it for you and you will sing togetheragain and you will know.

"How can I hear him in my head like I hear you?"

Or George… my mind added.

No more questions. Open your eyes, Maledetto. Neviah instructed, casually using Romona's nickname for me for the first time. It felt odd to hear it from her and I was going to tell her as much when my voice failed me.

I was shocked to see the reflection staring at me. While not my own, it was mind bogglingly familiar. While I had technically never seen this version of it, the face was unmistakably known to me.

Neviah had transformed me into a young Romona in her mid 20s. And I was in awe of how absolutely stunning I looked.

I'll try not to be offended by that. Romona snorted her catchphrase of the morning.

Whatever perceived insult she could have found was erased by the fact I was checking out my new body without shame. I never had a very girlish figure, certainly never anything close to the womanly curves I now possessed. And the texture and color of my hair! So thick and curly, so rich and dark and smooth. When I moved my hair bounced and so did my breasts. I looked down at the foreign feeling and was met with the foreign sight of cleavage.

The gold lace highlighted the deep olive skin it clung to, showing off the fullness of my hips and thighs, my chest and backside. The black corset hugged my breasts and waist, dipping in a low v in the front and the back. It dropped just low enough to cover the fact I was bare beneath save for the lace.

"I can't go out like this." I told my foreign reflection, mesmerized by the way the full lips looked in motion.

And why ever not? Neviah demanded, clearly offended by my questioning her hard work.

"Maybe Because I am naked and generally people wear pants in public. Or at least something that covers their arse." I scoffed, resisting the urge to check out my now rather full and appealing backside to not diminish my point.

I agree with the first point Andrella made. Romona came to my defense as well as her own. I wasn't quick to believe Romona wanted her arse on display for all of Hogsmeade anymore than I would want mine.

You just want to win the bet. Neviah accused her sister.

"What bet?" I asked, immediately suspicious.

Never you mind, Maledetto. Romona snickered.

"Tell me now or I won't be going anywhere." I demanded, knowing neither of them would call me on the bluff. If they did, they'd trigger the stubborn streak most of us Gryffindors were known to have.

We're betting on how long it takes for you to jump each others bones. Romona answered loftily, adding And who rips the other's clothes off first.

"So, you made me up as a fancy lady so you could win a bet? You don't even use money! What do you possibly have to bet over." I said, trying to make myself sound grumpier than I felt. I wasn't used to having a body I wanted to show off and I was feeling bolder for wearing Romona's likeness.

Yes, exactly. Romona laughed. Now if you can just hold out for the next three days and let him make the first move, I'll greatly appreciate it.

"You're both ridiculous. I'm not going to jump anyone's bones and I'm not going out like this." I said with a finality they didn't find the need to push.

Fine. Neviah scoffed maliciously.

I say maliciously because no sooner was my body encased in more of the tight leather. Neviah's solution was to extend the corset until it became what could pass as a dress by the loosest terms.

No more outfit changes or complaints. You're going to be more than fashionably late as it is. Neviah scolded me, but I couldn't argue. She was right. We all knew Snape had a disdain for tardiness and I couldn't afford to irk my only ally. Much less could I stand to rob myself of the merit of always being on time for my meetings.

So, I did not argue. I simply slipped my arms through the openings and buttoned up the ruby red cloak. Romona must have been a part of the no complaint rule or else I was sure she would have had a snide comment for the garrish Gryffindor color scheme. I didn't even wear my house colors so proudly save for Quidditch matches. Yet, I could not deny that the colors complimented my olive skin and dark black hair. My green eyes shining more gold than ever against my sun kissed, freckled cheeks.

At least now I was beautiful enough to dress so brazenly should I dare to unbutton my cloak. I didn't think I would, but I wouldn't promise it. I was already slipping into a different mindset to prepare myself for my return to society. My hermit lifestyle was hard to shake so I tried to embody the spirit of the Empress, the powerful confidence Romona radiated so effortlessly.

Forgetting the concern over punctuality, I moved through my new home, walking through each room to say goodbye to it. I knew it was silly and sentimental of me but I didn't care. This bubble under the sea had been the safe space I needed to return to myself, to discover the truth of who I am.

I knew I could always return, but I wanted to properly acknowledge that it would never be like the first time I came here. I knew that once I left here, the next chapter of my life was truly starting. It didn't feel right to start it without properly saying goodbye to the physical space that allowed me to come to terms with that.

I turned to the empty space of the living room and said out loud,"thank you".

I turned back to the sea, readying myself for the day. I watched the jellyfish swirl together for a moment more before I closed my eyes and slipped into the ancient power that allows me to move anywhere in the span of a single thought.

The woods surrounding Hogsmeade Village.

And with that thought I left my sanctuary behind, ready to face my fears. I was ready to start that next chapter of life even if it would bring the final trial with it. Hell, if it meant an end to all this madness then I'm ready for that to start, too.

XXX

I landed in the cover of the dense forest, thanking Neviah for charming the ridiculously high heels she put me in so that I would not bust my arse on the ice or sink into the snow. In fact, as I stepped around to make sure no one was around before making myself visible again, I noticed no footprints were left at all. When I was sure no one was around to see me, I appeared and began making my way to the Hog's Head.

It wasn't very long before I was out of the forest and onto the cobblestone. Thankfully the paths weren't too busy, being late afternoon on a Tuesday. No students should be out, but I was very aware of how often that rule was broken. Specifically by the set of identical faces I was most nervous about seeing. I thanked Severus for his insistence that I come fully disguised.

It only took a few minutes of walking down the familiar passageways before I was in front of the less frequented tavern in town. I gathered my cloak around me and headed into the tavern.

It was dingy and dark despite it being midday. There were very few patrons inside which made it very easy to spot Severus. He was further darkening the corner table in the back that allowed him to monitor the entrance. Thankfully I found him just in time to see his widened eyes and slack jaw snap back into his trademark mask of boredom.

I set my face in a wide smile as I made my way to him, calling just a little too loudly, "Uncle Sev! How lovely it is to see you! Don't you just look marvelous!" I couldn't resist the urge to tease my surly ex-professor turned…friend? Mentor? Ally?

"Sit. Down." Severus seethed through clenched teeth causing me to laugh at his expense. "I told you not to call me that."

"Oh, don't be cross." I rolled my eyes at him and sat down, leaning over the table to whisper. "It's all a part of our cover.

"You are late." Severus groused.

"It takes time to look this good." I offered with a shrug and a lazy grin.

Snape snorted but didn't say anything else. He simply sat with his arms crossed and glared at me. For being possibly the bravest and wisest man I knew, he sure could throw the most childish temper tantrums. But still, I didn't want this to stretch on.

"I'm sorry I was late. I got a bit emotional saying goodbye to the…house I was staying in. It was so beautiful, I think you would love it." I said wistfully, thinking of the truth of that. The Slytherin common room was under the black lake, after all. So were his private quarters.

I was suddenly hot thinking of Hogwarts, the abrupt end of my childhood. I dared to loosen the buttons of my cloak, holding it together across my body but allowing the air to flow in just enough that I could breathe again.

Severus visibly softened at this admission, "I am glad you have been safe."

"Are the others late as well?" I asked, scanning the bar as nonchalantly as I could manage.

"No." Snape said curtly, his annoyance returning.

"No?" I repeated.

"The mutt is being his selfish, stubborn, spoiled self." Snape spat his explanation, using the hateful tone I've only ever heard him use for two people.

"What do you mean?" I asked instead of admonishing him for his harsh words.

"He does not believe that the meeting was requested by you. He believes I have designed a trap to send him to the…hoods." Snape spoke in code despite his exasperation for it all, still working to protect Sirius despite his irritation.

"And.. Romulus is with him now, I take it?" I nodded my head, mind already turning to form a plan.

"Yes, trying to convince the stubborn mutt to get his head out of his arse and come down to meet us." Snape glanced at the clock on the wall before adding, "Judging by the hour, rather fruitlessly."

"Do you know where they are?"

"Approximately." Snape answered with his guard up. "What are you planning?"

"To have the meeting I called for. Now let's pay the tab and go." I answered, standing up and gesturing for him to do the same.

"You've gotten rather bossy these last few weeks." Severus sniffed but stood to join me nonetheless.

We walked over to the bar where we waited for the bar man to pay the tab. He had his back to us, with it his long silver hair and dark gray cloak. I didn't think anything of this until he turned around and I was greeted by a face that startled me enough I gasped.

"What are you looking at, girlie?" The Dumbledore look-a-like spoke in such a harsh manner, his voice too gruff to belong to my former Headmaster, turned enemy.

"Don't mind her, Aberforth. She just hasn't yet had the displeasure of coming across a face as ugly as yours " Severus snarked, slapping his payment on the counter.

To my surprise the man named Aberforth broke out into raucous laughter. "That's rich coming from you, Nosey."

"I'm sorry, Mister Aberforth." I apologized as soon as their laughter died. "It's just that you reminded me of someone I rather don't like at the moment."

"I see where she gets her sass from, Son." Aberforth barked at Snape who raised a pointed eyebrow in return before turning his attention to me. "And it's all right, girl, if you never refer to me as Mister again. Just Abe will do just fine and for the record… I don't like him much either. What can I do for you?"

"She doesn't ne—" Snape started before I cut him off.

"How much for two bottles of Ogden's?" I beamed.

He stared at me a long moment before turning back to Severus. "She's old enough to drink?"

"Yes, but—" Snape began this time being cut off by Aberforth.

"For you? Free but for a promise." Aberforth said, suddenly very serious again as he stared at me.

"What promise?" I asked warily.

"That you'll wisen up and leave this wanker. And when you do, you come straight here and old Abe will take his payment then." Aberforth cackled at the sight of my initial confusion turning into embarrassed indignation.

"You're disgusting!" I screeched, turning to Severus for assistance to see him pale faced and green around the gills. "He's my uncle!" I spouted the cover story in defense.

"Whatever you say, girlie." He chuckled as he turned to retrieve my bottles from the shelves behind him. He held them out of my reach as he took a moment to look me up and down before his face broke out in a Cheshire grin. "But you don't come here, dressed like that to meet your 'uncle'."

"You've got it all wrong!" I shouted at him, mentally cursing Neviah for dressing me like a strumpet. I snatched the bottles off the counter and turned around in a huff. I grabbed Severus' arm and dragged him behind me, Aberforth's laughter falling on our backs.

"What an awful and presumptuous old coot." I cursed as soon as we were passing through the doors, letting them slam in our wake. I let go of Severus and worked to stash the bottles of fire whiskey in the magically extended pockets of my cloak.

When Severus still hadn't agreed with me or made any noise to affirm he heard me, I looked to make sure he was still at my side. He, in fact, was not by my side, but rather rooted to the spot outside the door. He still had a sick, stunned look on his face as he stared into the snowy forest, unseeing.

"Hello? What's your problem?" I asked, waving my hand in front of his face. He made no indication he heard me or saw my hands waving just a few centimeters from his face. But when I laid my hand on his shoulder he startled awake and recoiled from my touch. "Okay, seriously. What is wrong with you?"

Snape turned his black eyes to meet mine, with the heels I wore we were eye level. He stared for quite some time but was unable to read my foreign eyes. He cleared his throat and began to speak in an uncharacteristically shaky voice. "I regret the need to ask…but do you have romantic feelings for me?"

"Merlin, no! What is this?" I shuddered, unsure if my stomach was bubbling with nausea or laughter at the absurdity of the question.

"There have been…rumors circulating." Severus choked out the words.

"Again? What now?" I sighed.

"That our relationship is not…professional or appropriate in nature or conduct." Snape said unable to hide his discomfort.

"That is ridiculous. Who's starting this rumor? Surely not Malfoy." I scoffed, unsurprised and unimpressed with the Hogwarts rumor mill.

"Not here. Let's go somewhere private." Severus said, eyes darting to the alleyway before he was snapping up in attention.

Automatically, my eyes followed to where he was looking. I felt my heart drop immediately. Not even six meters away, at the mouth of the alley stood George and Fred. Even worse, for whatever reason, they seemed to be approaching us. I began to panic that my disguise had slipped but a glance at my hands revealed glowing olive skin several shades darker than my own. I was safe. He couldn't know it was me; he's never seen Romona.

"What are you doing here?" George seethed, stomping directly up to me. "How could you be so stupid?"

"I'm sorry, sir, but do I know you?" I stuttered backing away from George as the panic began to overtake me anyway.

"Mr. Weasley, I will ask you to step away from my niece and return to the castle." Snape cut in with his menacing professor threats veiled as a choice. "I will see the both of you at 7pm sharp for detention."

George let out a particularly unkind bark of laughter, saying only the word "niece". Fred stood at his side, silent and unsure but ready to defend his twin. George was unhinged, but I couldn't figure out why. Not until he turned to me, the blue of his eyes raging.

"Drella, you can't be here. It isn't safe for you. You have to leave now." George begged in a low whisper, stepping toward me again. This time I did not back away. Hearing him say his nickname for me broke me.

"George?" I rasped, proud of myself for speaking his name without sobbing.

"You need to go. Greyback is in town, looking for you." George warned me looking around wildly as if the werewolf would appear at any second.

"But how did you know it was me, George? How come the disguise doesn't work on you?" I begged him to answer me, taking a very hesitant step toward him before I could stop myself.

"The same way he'll be able to find you in a minute if you stay any longer." George urged me to understand. "Your scent. It's unmistakable and strong. You need to go. Now."

"But George—" I pleaded, reaching out for him.

He shoved me back so that I knocked into Severus, who thankfully steadied me before I fell on my arse. I looked at him with hurt eyes but he looked too panicked to stay cross. "Go." He said firmly, glancing over hesitantly at Snape. "Take him and get out of here now. We'll cover your scent."

I made sure my grip on Severus was solid before giving George a sad, silent nod of understanding and gratitude before I disappeared us from the street.

We quickly reappeared on the side of a mountain, at the mouth of a cave. I could see a faint glow of a fire illuminating the walls even in the daylight. I gripped the rocky side for stability as I tried to get the panic to fade away.

In and out, nice and slow.

His voice came as a blessing, a guiding light. I couldn't help but notice how much closer it sounded, like if I opened my eyes I might see him.

That's right, in and out. Nice and slow. Just like that. His voice purred, practically in my ear now.

I shivered at the turn my thoughts took. I blushed at his responding dirty chuckle. His promise of soon.

I snapped my eyes open as I remembered my company. To his credit, Severus pretended he hadn't been watching me, choosing to hide the evidence with a story of surveying the location. I simply nodded my head and asked if this was the right place. He gave a solitary, rather solemn nod.

"Shall we, then?" I laughed at his moroseness.

He sniffed at me but led the way inside. I followed him around the ledge carefully. I knew I wasn't in any real danger of falling. Logically I knew I could fly, as a human, a bird, and a bloody dragon. But human instincts were hard to shake and I found myself uncharacteristically nervous at the height.

Maybe it's something else that has you nervous? Neviah disguised her teasing with concern but I saw right through it.

Sod off, yeah? I shot back, nearly stumbling at her insulation. Romona's laughter was grating on my last nerve. The both of you, out of my head. Now.

Killjoy. Romona huffed as she retreated. Neviah giving only a displeased huff.

I could feel them in the very back of my mind, but they remained silent and still. The confusing danger George presented me with too real to be dismissed. They wouldn't have really left me without their protection even if I forbid them. They couldn't. It was their job as guardians.

I shook my head at them but silently thanked both for staying.

I was thankful for them, but I couldn't get through this meeting with their commentary. I silently promised them I would endure everything they wanted to say when we were alone again. This was enough for them to agree to leaving me to my own mental devices.

Magically, they were still at the ready. I would not be caught unprepared again, but…

To meet him, now, as I was, I needed to be all me.

XXX

Ello Lovely Readers!

I'll have you know I already edited this once...I was almost done when one false paste and all the hard work was for not. All well, I guess that's the price for editing in a frenzy.

Lucky for us all, I won't be deterred so easily. Also, lucky for us my frenzy includes writing. After this chapter is still posted I have 2-3 chapters ready to go (30 pages in total!) And now that we're finally--FINALLY!--at this point in the story? I don't see that stopping anytime soon.

Anyway... as always I hope you've enjoyed the chapter and I hope to hear what you think.

Until next time...

Ex's & Oh's

Audrey V. Sullivan