Prosapia Aenigmatis - The Family Riddle

The group had been waiting for Aislinn in the hall of Malfoy Manor and when she arrived they took a portkey straight to Platform 9 3/4. Several passing men nodded to her father and Mr. Malfoy when they arrived. If they only knew, she thought to herself. The two men seemed to have fooled everyone into thinking they were law-abiding citizens of the community. Aislinn's father worked for the Ministry of Magic and Mr. Malfoy was a highly respected member of the community and seemed to be great friends with the Minister himself. She looked around the station, wondering how many other men where Death Eaters as well. Aislinn felt that she could trust no one.

"Goodbye darling, have a wonderful term." Aislinn closed her eyes tightly as her father leaned in to kiss her cheek. She gave the best smile she could manage as she turned to board the train.

"Miss Macnair," Aislinn felt her body go cold with fear as she turned to see the tall blonde man directly in front of her. "Thank you for being our guest over the holiday. We greatly enjoyed your company You must come and visit again soon, I know Draco would enjoy the company. Perhaps over the summer?" She nodded but didn't meet his gaze; she never wanted to look into those unfeeling gray eyes again. Aislinn felt a shudder course through her as he leaned down and kissed her cheek. He lingered momentarily and his scent filled her nostrils. When he stood upright, he winked and gave her a knowing smile. Aislinn felt as if she would collapse from anger and disgust. He laughed callously as Aislinn bolted onto the train and she felt her sickness rise again.

Aislinn walked swiftly down the train's corridor, looking into each compartment for Quinn. She finally found her friend sitting with a somber group: Ginny, Fred, and Hermione Granger. Aislinn stood in the doorway as the four of them stared at her. Quinn looked at her coldly and Aislinn felt as if her heart had just been plucked out of her chest. Quinn knew! She felt the tears brimming in her eyes as she took in the loathing expression on her best friend's face. Aislinn couldn't take anymore of this. She turned and ran down the corridor, nearly knocking over the old witch pushing the refreshment trolley.

"Watch it, Miss." The woman called after her but Aislinn didn't care. She had resolved to sit alone when a small hand grabbed her arm.

"Aislinn, there you are. We have been wondering about you." It was Marianne. "Come and sit with us." Aislinn let Marianne guide her into the compartment. There were only two free seats. One was next to Nathanial, which Marianne took quickly. The remaining vacancy was next to, of course, Draco Malfoy. Draco winked at her and patted the seat lightly. Aislinn sighed and took the seat next to him, keeping her eyes on the window, fighting the urge to strangle him barehanded. She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. Aislinn spent the rest of the trip thinking of Quinn, and trying to block Draco's scent and the sound of his voice out of her mind.

* * *

Quinn and the Weasleys arrived at Kings Cross fairly early especially since, according to Ginny, they always ran late. No one talked much. Quinn sat next to Fred, who seemed determined to stare out the window for the entire train ride.

Quinn bit her lip and fiddled with her hands in her lap. She had never been so nervous to return to school. Quinn thought about the last two days, since the attack. She had been with Fred at St. Mungo's quite a bit. Although everyone had spent time in the hospital, Fred hadn't left George's side for more than an hour total since they had first arrived. Quinn had been the one to bring him food and convince him to rest a bit. Normally she would have been paranoid that the Weasleys would notice this behavior. They all seemed too preoccupied to notice that Quinn was even there. The Weasley family had amazed her during each minute of her holiday. After the attack however, the Weasleys had become almost deific in her eyes. Quinn saw the way they held to each other and kept each other strong. She marveled at the bond between them. A selfish part of Quinn, which she tried to push away, was jealous and upset not to be in the family anymore.

This was also Quinn's first ride on the Hogwarts Express without Aislinn beside her. Quinn had thought about Aislinn quite a bit since the attack. She had imagined Aislinn with her parents and the Malfoys, celebrating their success. Quinn wasn't sure how much she would have to see Aislinn at school but she knew she wasn't ready to start it yet.

As if on cue, the compartment door slid open and Aislinn was there. Quinn looked up at her former friend and set her jaw. It finally clicked in her brain. These two parts of her life had seemed so separate. Now Aislinn was right in front of her and Quinn felt ill just looking in her direction. Aislinn's own father had been with the men who had hurt George. Aislinn had known about it. A small part of Quinn's mind may have doubted that assumption until this very moment. Now Quinn saw the guilt all over Aislinn's face. She had definitely known.

Quinn looked away from Aislinn, trying to hold together all the emotion. The compartment door slid shut. Quinn saw Ginny giving her a look of concern but Quinn ignored it. She definitely didn't want to talk about this, nor could she explain it to Ginny.

Quinn just wanted a bit of silent, strong affection. Before she realized it, she had scooted closer to Fred and put her head on his shoulder. He looked away from the window with surprise. Quinn just gave him a tired frown, all the communication she could muster. Fred seemed to understand however. Quinn was certain he felt the same way, even for an entirely different reason. Fred slowly put his arm around Quinn, pulling her closer.

Quinn felt an electric shock run through her body. Their holding hands on the night of the attack had been one thing but this was another entirely. This was Quinn with her head pressed right against Fred's woolly blue sweater. His long arm was draped lazily around her. For a moment, Quinn felt both at peace and extremely tense.

Quinn wasn't sure anyone talked during the next few hours. She dozed off briefly and woke up to find that she was no longer leaned against Fred. He had, however, bought her a chocolate frog and a cauldron cake from the witch with the cart. Quinn bit her lip and smiled shyly at him.

"Thanks Fred," Quinn glanced at him as she opened the cake. He was smiling strangely at her and Quinn wondered briefly if the cake was safe. His smile was different than usual however. Quinn thought for a moment before she remembered when he had smiled like that before.

Quinn popped a small piece of cauldron cake in her mouth and continued to think. She almost choked when she realized that Fred used to smile at Angelina that way. Quinn turned away from Fred, trying to hide the blush that was taking over her face.

As they ate, everyone began to gradually talk. Quinn exchanged small talk with Ginny but all she could think of was Fred. He was munching on his fingers again, still staring out the window. She tried not to look, wondering the entire time whether she had imagined the look in his eyes.

When they reached Hogwarts, Quinn felt very awkward. She had a bond with the Weasleys now. To just abandon them and sit apart was a very alien idea. Quinn hadn't thought about this since before the attack. She remembered resolving to tell Fred how she felt before the end of the holidays. Quinn almost laughed at the idea now. Fred had so much on his mind; Quinn was surprised when he remembered his own name. Quinn felt disappointed that things had turned out this way; then chastised herself for being so egocentric. She shot Fred one last, longing look and turned to Ravenclaw's table in the Great Hall.

Throughout the entire meal Quinn could almost feel Aislinn's eyes boring into her back. Still, she pushed these thoughts from her mind. Quinn noticed that Terry Boot seemed to be finally back to a normal haircut. His ego had suffered vastly from a lack of beautiful golden locks. He had spent most of his days wearing his hat and each night applying liberal amounts of hair growth serum. Terry had not spoken to Quinn since the 'incident.' The majority of Ravenclaw house however, had praised Quinn immeasurably. Roger Davies had been especially grateful. Apparently prior to his makeover, Terry had repeatedly attempted to share special shampoo with Roger in the Prefect's bathroom. Although Quinn wasn't a fan of the flakiness that occasionally hovered on Roger's shoulders, she accepted his praise regardless. The whole of Ravenclaw seemed appreciative. Most of them hadn't the tempers to do what Quinn had done. She assumed it was the Slytherin in her, the influence of Aislinn on her personality.

Quinn bit her lip. Avoiding thoughts of Aislinn would be difficult to get used to. Quinn once again felt overcome by anger and betrayal. She looked over at the solemn Weasleys, her lower lip quivering with emotion. She felt so much remorse well up inside her like a fountain. Remorse because she hadn't seen the signs in her 'friend'; Guilt because she had spent time in the very home of the Weasley's attackers. Most of all however, Quinn felt guilty because she alone knew the identity of one of the Death Eaters. Quinn alone could prevent him from harming anyone. Yet she did nothing.

Quinn saw Ron put his arm around Ginny and whisper some comforting words. Quinn felt physically ill, unable to look at any of them. While Quinn had been with the Weasleys, she had not felt this self-condemnation. Now that she was apart from them for the first time in two weeks, Quinn felt unfit to lick their shoes. They had taken her in; protected and included her. She was betraying them in return.

Quinn felt tears well up in her eyes, threatening to expose her shame. People were already giving her funny looks after hearing about the Burrow attack. The last thing Quinn needed was for the school to see her cry. She forced herself to pull it together and start talking to Alyssa again.

That night Quinn went to bed early. She played back in her mind all the little moments she had shared with Fred over the past weeks. Now Quinn only felt iniquity. She felt responsible, as if she had deceived the Weasleys, Fred in particular. Every little smile they had shared now just felt awkward upon recollection. Quinn couldn't figure out her sudden onslaught of culpability at first. She hadn't felt this way at the Weasleys.

Part of it was the shock wearing off, Quinn was sure of that. Another part was confusion. She was attempting to settle into a familiar place when nothing felt familiar. The Weasleys had each other; Quinn had no one. She never would have thought that at Hogwarts she could feel so alone.

Quinn forced herself to sleep that night after Alyssa complained about her constant tossing and turning. This was the first time she had slept somewhere other than a couch at St. Mungo's for a while but she still couldn't get comfortable. Perhaps she would rather have been back on the couch, a part of the Weasley family, than in the big bed feeling very secluded.

* * *

The week following her return to Hogwarts was probably the worst time Aislinn had spent there in all of her four years. She felt completely and utterly alone. Aislinn had tried repeatedly to talk to Quinn only to be snubbed harshly each time. Sure, Aislinn had other friends, but they weren't the same as Quinn. Aislinn could tell Quinn anything. Marianne had noticed Aislinn's depressed behavior and had tried to talk to her on many occasions, but Aislinn didn't want to talk to anyone but Quinn. Aislinn had snapped at Marianne a few times and didn't even bother to apologize. She often stayed in her dorm between classes and spent her spare time staring blankly at walls and other inanimate objects. Aislinn still couldn't seem to believe what Draco had told her.

Aislinn got up and dressed quickly, it was a Saturday but she had resolved to find Quinn and end this. Quinn had to hear her story; Aislinn would go mad if she told no one. Draco certainly wasn't making things easy on her. Every chance he got he threw a smug wink her way. He had even tried to spark up a conversation about her newfound news, but Aislinn had declined him, saying that she had other things to do which of course wasn't true. Aislinn just didn't think that she could talk to him. In fact she didn't want to talk to him, ever again for that matter. It had taken all her will power to refrain from smacking him in his smug face. Aislinn had decided, however, that she must continue to put on a show for him. Draco could never find out how she really felt about her father's affiliations with the Dark Lord. Aislinn also wanted to get as much information out of Draco as she could, in case something terrible like what happened to the Weasleys was to happen again.

Aislinn walked into the common room alone, but was soon accosted by Marianne. Aislinn gave her a polite smile, hoping that Marianne would get the hint. She appeared not to get the hint, and if she did, she didn't appear to care.

"Aislinn, please tell me what is bothering you. I truly want to help. Did something happen with Draco over the holiday? Did he try to force himself on you?" Marianne was pleading with her, and Aislinn knew that she was being genuine in her offer. Aislinn also knew that she couldn't tell her a thing about the holiday.

"No Marianne, Draco did nothing of the kind. I am just a little sad to leave my family that's all. Now please excuse me, I must find Quinn." Aislinn broke her arm free of Marianne's grasp and ran out of the common room. Aislinn was walking around the halls, desperate to find Quinn. Aislinn would not let Quinn get away this time without explaining to her. Even if that meant that she had to stun Quinn. This had to be done; Aislinn had to talk to someone. She had been having horrible nightmares, sometimes about Lucius Malfoy, others about Lord Voldemort and her father. Each time she would wake up screaming in a cold sweat, and Marianne would rush to her bed and hug her, telling Aislinn that she was safe, and that everything would be ok. Little did Marianne know; everything wouldn't be ok. Aislinn continued on this train of thought as she wandered the halls, until she began to cry. Why would Quinn refuse to talk to her? 'Go away!' The words had chilled Aislinn to the bone and brought about endless tears. Aislinn felt she truly had no one. She began thinking of Quinn's words again and rounded a corner, bumping headlong into someone. Aislinn had hit the person so hard that she immediately fell back into the wall.

* * *

The next day Quinn saw Aislinn twice. She steeled herself up beforehand, forcing a blank face. She raised her chin defiantly but Quinn couldn't bring herself to look into Aislinn's eyes. During Arithmancy class, Quinn spent the entire hour trying to check her emotions. When class was released, Quinn let out a breath and tried to control her nerves. She was shaking a bit from the effort.

Quinn shook herself. She couldn't fall apart this way every day. Quinn headed for the place that comforted her most: the library. Of course there were lots of memories of Aislinn there. These hit Quinn like the Cruciatus as she walked in the door. She swallowed the feelings back and found a seat in the corner.

Quinn had been studying for almost an hour when she looked up and saw Aislinn. Once again her 'friend' wore a strange look, one Quinn had rarely seen on that familiar face. It was genuine vulnerability. Quinn fought to keep from biting her lip.

Aislinn began to walk over. Quinn was both petrified and angry, but mostly just unsure. She looked up with what she knew must have been a strange mixture of indifference and fear. Quinn couldn't look at her friend with real indifference any more than she could look at Fred with disgust. Still, she tried her best; convinced that showing emotion would only make things worse.

"Quinn, I" was all Aislinn said. Quinn felt fury unleash inside her. She must have reflected this anger because Aislinn's eyes widened. She backed away with a horrified look on her face.

When Aislinn was gone, Quinn buried her face in her hands and let out a little sob. Nothing could have prepared her for the feeling of being back at Hogwarts and being so terribly alone. Quinn shrouded her face behind a thick Charms text and tried to collect herself. She ignored the rumbling of her stomach, which began to sound like a percussion ensemble. The last thing Quinn wanted was to sit through another dinner full of strange looks and vapid conversation.

Quinn looked up some time later when two people approached her hiding spot. Her cold gaze softened when she saw that it was Fred and Ginny. They sat on either side of her. Quinn tried not to think of Fred's knee, which was softly touching her own.

"You weren't at dinner." Ginny said with a concerned look. "I brought you some toast and an éclair, if you're hungry." With a furtive glance toward Madam Pince, Ginny produced the food and a napkin. Quinn was painfully reminded of Mrs. Weasley. She had a desire to hug Ginny. Instead her stomach spoke for her, emitting a loud rumble. Quinn blushed and took the proffered food with a sheepish grin.

"I was just studying. Thanks," Quinn said before eagerly biting into the toast. As Quinn munched she tried to look casual and comfortable. Ginny talked about George a bit, repeating the general lack of news from St. Mungo's. The doctors were still expecting George to wake up any day. Quinn forced herself not to think about it. Instead she concentrated on eating.

Ginny stood up after a few minutes of chatting. "I've got to get back to the common room. Neville is helping me with Herbology." She walked away swiftly, leaving Quinn alone with Fred.

"What did I just eat? Am I going to turn into Filch now?" Quinn looked, terrified into Fred's big eyes. To her immense shock, Fred reached toward her. His fingertips slightly touched her lips. Quinn couldn't breathe for awe. She felt her eyelids flicker lazily at the sensation of Fred's smooth warm hands. It seemed to last an eternity but Quinn was sure that as soon as Fred's hand touched her, it was gone.

Quinn looked questioningly at him. Fred brought his finger up to his mouth and sucked on it. "You had some frosting on your chin," he said with an innnt grin. Quinn felt herself turn scarlet. Her ears felt as though the fire of the sun was pressed against them. Fred continued to grin wickedly as Quinn tried to snap out of it.

"So what is wrong? Did you have a fight with your friend?" Quinn's jaw dropped as Fred looked at her with concern. How could he have known about Aislinn? She bit her lip, wondering what to say.

"Yeah. Um, I," Quinn stuttered. She didn't really want to talk about Aislinn with Fred. Quinn was afraid she would give something away. Still, it was difficult to keep something so horrible to herself. Quinn looked up into Fred's big eyes and blushed. More than anything she wanted to keep talking to him. Quinn found herself speaking without even thinking about what she said. "Well Aislinn has a big crush on Draco Malfoy. Never mind that I hate him and he hates me." Quinn stopped herself a minute too late. Not only had she told Fred about Aislinn's crush, but Quinn was sure that Fred had much larger problems on his mind. "I'm sorry. You must think my problems are so...juvenile." Fred shook his head.

"No, Quinn I don't think that. I know what it's like to be separated from your best friend." Quinn felt her heart crumple at the sorrow in Fred's eyes. He was looking down at the couch between them, idly playing with a loose thread in the fabric. "I've never been apart from George for more than a weekend." Quinn wasn't sure what to say to this. Her problems with Aislinn seemed very small now. Still, she knew that Fred would never want pity from anyone. The Weasleys were all that way. Still, the sorrow in Quinn's mind must have shown on her face. Fred looked a bit angry. "Look, I asked because I wanted to know. Don't walk on eggshells around me." Quinn stared at him with mounting desire. He looked so proud and a little angry, but all Quinn could think of was how handsome he was.

Quinn began to tell Fred about Aislinn's obsession with Draco. She felt guilty for spilling Aislinn's secret but Quinn pushed those thoughts into the back of her mind. As she talked, Quinn felt her soul let out a grateful exhalation. She began rambling a bit, saying most of what she had tried not to think of. Fred listened intently and Quinn couldn't imagine how her little problems could hold his attention. Finally Quinn realized she needed to get back to Ravenclaw tower. As she said goodbye to Fred, she saw it again. That look on his face, that slight smile. The same one he usually reserved for Angelina. Quinn was sure of it this time and she nearly tripped over a table on her way out of the library. She hadn't imagined it, she was sure, but Quinn had no idea what it meant. As usual, Quinn's over-analytical mind switched in to high gear. She tried to drive all thoughts of Fred from her mind but of course she couldn't. As Quinn fell asleep she could once again feel Fred's soft fingers against her lips.

* * *

"I-I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention." Aislinn was rubbing the back of her head and hadn't looked up to see whom she had hit until he spoke.

"That, Miss Macnair, is plainly evident. Now, take my hand and get to your feet." Snape spoke in a cold voice, but it wasn't his usual student hating tone. Aislinn was puzzled for a moment before thinking about when she had seen him over the holiday. He must have been thinking the same thing. "I trust that this holiday was your first at the Malfoy's, was it not?" Snape seemed to know what she had found out about her father, but he didn't seem to know how she felt about it. It was as if someone was giving her permission to let go of all the emotions that she had felt since the beginning of Christmas holiday until this very moment. Aislinn felt her breath catch in her throat for a moment before she began to cry. She cried softly at first and before long it became a veritable outpouring of uncontrollable sobbing. Aislinn tried to make it stop, but it only became worse when she saw Professor Snape's horrified expression.

"Be quiet, girl. Unless you wish to draw everyone in this half of the castle's attention," Snape said in a hurried quiet tone. Snape hesitated for a moment and then put his arm around her, and led her the short distance to the dungeons. He led her through a thankfully empty Potions classroom and into what appeared to be his office.

Snape motioned to an empty chair but Aislinn didn't take it. Instead she launched herself at him and began to cry even harder. Snape stiffened for a moment and then pushed her away. "What on earth has gotten into you Miss Macnair? Please don't tell me this has anything to do with that ridiculous bear I took from you last year." His face was a sneer and he continued to study her when she didn't respond. Aislinn continued to cry and he sat her down in the chair. "Would you care to tell me what this is all about, or should I call Madam Pomfrey to admit you to the Hospital Wing?"

Aislinn calmed herself enough so that she could speak. "No sir, please don't call Madam Pomfrey. I am sorry that I have behaved this way. Forgive me." Aislinn looked at him hopefully and he waved his hand for her to continue. "I'm really sorry sir, It's just that, well, I have had so many things burdening my mind since the holiday, and I have no one to talk to. When you mentioned it, I felt like I had found someone whom I could tell." Aislinn sighed and looked up at him nervously. She desperately wanted to tell him everything, but she wasn't sure if she could trust him. Aislinn had to find out, but how to phrase it.

"Sir, are you at all acquainted with my father? I mean, erm . . ." Aislinn fell silent. She didn't know where to go with this conversation, she couldn't tell just anyone about what she had learned. Snape eyed her cautiously for a moment and then got up from his chair. He circled the room a few times, with his hands behind his back, and when he came back to her chair, he paused.

"Miss Macnair, if you are talking about your father's, ah, after hours, position. Then yes, I am fully aware of it." Snape eyed her closely again. Aislinn blinked, he knew? How could he know, unless . . .

"Professor, do you hold that same position?" she asked in alarm. Aislinn couldn't believe that her favorite teacher was a Death Eater, too.

Snape sighed and closed the door to the office. He turned to her slowly and took the seat next to hers. "Miss Macnair, what I am about to tell you shall not leave this office. In fact, when we are through speaking, I shall put a special silencing charm on you, it will forbid you to tell anyone what I am about to tell you." Snape paused for Aislinn's approval. Aislinn nodded and watched him do something most peculiar. Snape began unfastening the buttons of his left sleeve. Aislinn was bewildered by what he was doing as he slowly lifted the fabric to reveal a sort of tattoo on his left arm. It was light black; almost gray and shaped like a skull with a serpent for a tongue. Aislinn stared at it, perplexed. What was that thing? She felt her hand reaching out to touch it, but Snape withdrew his arm and looked alarmed. Aislinn looked up at him, and he sighed again, pushing the sleeve back over his arm.

* * *

That week Quinn spent each night in the library, usually with Ginny. Fred joined them occasionally. Each day he seemed to grow more distressed and upset. There was little news from St. Mungo's. George's condition had not changed. On Saturday, Quinn met Ginny in the library after breakfast. They were studying Ancient Runes though Quinn wasn't accomplishing much.

She had seen Aislinn that morning. Once again the Slytherin had approached Quinn, looking to talk. Whenever this happened, Quinn felt ill as she had to push Aislinn away. She was preoccupied with it almost every day. After the tension that week, Quinn had started biting her nails. She looked at them now, jagged and short. Quinn decided to look for a manicure spell to attempt to repair the damage.

Quinn spent ten minutes looking for the correct book in the far corner of the library. As she walked back to her usual couch, Quinn looked up to see Fred hugging Ginny enthusiastically. Quinn hurried over.

"He's awake!" Ginny shrieked tears in her eyes. "George is okay!" Quinn felt a smile burst onto her face and all her tension release. Ginny hugged her fervently and Quinn saw a few tears on her friend's face. Quinn felt breathless with joy at the news. After all the dread and all the guilt, the Weasleys were all happy and healthy. Quinn almost felt like crying with relief herself.

When they broke apart, Quinn faced Fred with exhilaration. He wore a strange face. A few small tears softened his cheeks and the intense emotion seemed to overwhelm him. He was smiling, but it was a different smile. He seemed to be liberated from all the emotion he had been concealing since the attack. Quinn could almost see a rush of adrenaline come pumping through him. He had never looked so sexy.

The two of them merely looked at each other for a moment. Then Fred reached out and grabbed Quinn in a huge hug. Quinn was swept off her feet into his arms. She flushed as they broke apart, a huge smile on her face.

Then, time seemed to stop moving entirely. Quinn saw Fred, smiling brilliantly, lean closer to her. His hands cupped her face and Quinn felt her eyes widen. Fred leaned in and for the briefest of seconds, his soft lips pressed against her own.

Quinn barely had a chance to register their warm smooth texture before they were gone. Quinn felt paralyzed with fear and exhilaration. Fred grabbed her hand and the three of them rushed to the hospital wing, where George was about to arrive.

As they walked, Quinn tried to pinch herself, wondering if it was all a dream. It wasn't. Fred had kissed her. Surely it was just the excitement which made him do it, Quinn reasoned. She tried to stay calm.

Quinn's first instinct was to rush off and tell Aislinn about the kiss. She was halfway through deciding where Aislinn was likely to be when a wave of sorrow washed over her. She wasn't speaking to Aislinn. Something amazing had happened, but the worst part was not being able to share it with her best friend.

* * *

"That is the mark of the Dark Lord Aislinn. Before a person becomes a Death Eater, they must go through an initiation ritual. Now, I am not going to tell you what that ritual consists of, but when the ritual is over, the person receives the mark on his left arm. It is the Dark Lords way of calling his followers to him. Now, before I continue, I want you to tell me how you learned of your father's involvement, and what you think of it." Snape narrowed his eyes at her and Aislinn became frightened. She didn't want to tell him that she hated the idea, worse than hated it. She despised it with every breath in her body.

"Well, Draco told me that he wanted to show me something one morning during the holiday. Later that night, he brought me out to a garden in the back of the Manor. My father was there, along with Mr. Malfoy and three others. Draco had cast a spell on us so we wouldn't be detected by them, but it didn't work. When he . . ." Aislinn gathered a breath and continued, "When Voldemort arrived they talked of a plan to get something, and then the men left. Before Voldemort left, he turned and looked right at Draco and myself. I was," Aislinn looked down, "I was terrified, sir."

Snape studied her for a moment and then handed her a handkerchief. "Miss Macnair, Draco should have known that the spell would not work. Not with you anyhow." Aislinn looked up at him as the tears fell. Not with me? Why wouldn't it work with me? Unless. . .Aislinn nodded; she understood now. He continued, "Now you didn't tell me how you feel about your father being tied with the Dark Lord. It is very important that you tell me the truth, Miss Macnair. Don't let anything I have showed you or told you influence your decision. I promise that I will not repeat a word that is said here. I will be putting the same silencing charm on myself before we leave my office."

Aislinn sighed, she had to tell someone, or she felt like she would burst. She had no choice but to trust him. "Sir, I, well," she began to cry once more as the words came rushing out of her, "I hate my father for being connected to that despicable man. I hate Draco for telling me about my family, and I hate Mr. Malfoy for . . ." Aislinn stopped and felt her eyes widen. She hadn't intended to reveal so much. Snape leaned in closely to her.

"Miss Macnair, you do not have to tell me anything about Mr. Malfoy. That is your business, although I am sure if he knew that you were aware of your family's status, he would never have done such a thing." Aislinn's cheeks colored as she looked back down at her feet. He knew, he knew it all. Aislinn was horrified, what if he told? Snape sat up slowly and took a deep breath. "Miss Macnair, I have known Lucius Malfoy since I was a student at Hogwarts. I know what kind of man he is. I am sure it would be of no consolation for me to tell you how sorry I am that you had to experience whatever it is he has done, but I will do so anyhow. I will also tell you that I am no longer a follower of Lord Voldemort, but I am not sure whether he knows or not. The men at Mr. Malfoy's party confronted me that night, asking me about Dumbledore and other things. For the past several years, my loyalty has been to Dumbledore and the light side. However, I cannot let the Death Eaters know this. I would most certainly be killed, but more importantly, I would not be able to carry on my work for the Headmaster."

Was Snape telling her that he is a spy? Aislinn's mind was reeling. If Snape was a spy, how did he keep it so quiet? She couldn't believe that an ex Death Eater had been wandering the halls of Hogwarts free all this time. How did no one know? Aislinn wondered how long he had been spying for Dumbledore when a thought entered her mind. She could do the same. Obviously not on the level that Snape did, but in her own way. She could talk to Draco often, hang on his every word if she had to. Aislinn decided that whatever she found out, she would tell Dumbledore, anonymously. She didn't want him to know it was her; she couldn't let anyone know.

"As for your situation, Miss Macnair; I am afraid that one day, you, too, will have to make a choice. I want you to think about it. It will not be easy. Lord Voldemort will offer you spectacular things in return for your service. Can you refuse them?" Snape almost looked sad as he asked her the last question. Aislinn had no doubt why; he hadn't been able to refuse the Dark Lord. She wondered how many people he might have wounded, or even killed. Before she could continue on that track, however he spoke again.

"Aislinn, what did Voldemort say he wanted from the Weasleys? Did he mention anything in particular?" He looked like he had just made some sort of revelation in his mind.

"I think I remember him saying something about a potion . . . Wait, Draco told me about a potion that Voldemort drank a long time ago, before his heir was born, I believe it was called-"

"Auduageo Potion," Snape finished for her. He looked very grim. Aislinn was confused, how did Snape know about it, unless . . . "It was made for him, so many years ago. Enough for two doses was made. He must be wanting to use the last dose now." Aislinn thought she noticed his face light up a bit. "The potion can only be ingested on May first, under the light of the Beltane moon. We might have time." Snape got up quickly from his chair and walked over to his bookcase. He removed a very old book and opened to a torn page. He walked over to her holding the book open and pointed to an article.

* * *

Quinn spent quite a bit of time in the Hospital Wing over the next week. Mostly she went to see George, but she always timed her visits so that Fred was likely to be there. She felt slightly guilty about this. The kiss played itself over and over inside Quinn's mind and this made it impossible for her to be around Fred without blushing crimson. He didn't seem to be bothered by this. He hugged her a lot now and Quinn felt a rush of adrenaline each time she saw him.

Quinn was petrified that as George left the hospital wing and the twins became inseparable again, her relationship with Fred would cease to exist. If one could consider their strange flirting a relationship anyway.

For the first week after George was released from the Hospital Wing, Quinn didn't see Fred at all. She felt so very alone and confused. She wanted desperately to see Aislinn, to talk to her. Some days Quinn would wake up and not remember the status of her friendship. Twice Quinn had had a dream about Terry Boot attacking her with conditioner, and laughed her butt off upon recalling it. Quinn had been prepared to seek out Aislinn and tell her the dream, knowing her friend would truly appreciate it. Then Quinn remembered, usually as she brushed her teeth, that they weren't speaking. That week was one of the worst of Quinn's life. The Weasleys were reconnected and inseparable, and Aislinn...was no longer her friend. Quinn tried desperately to hold it together.

After that week, Fred started to come see Quinn in the library again. He asked more questions about Aislinn. She had to skirt around the issue a lot; she was petrified that he would figure out what was really going on between she and Aislinn. Still, Fred was a surprisingly good listener and, as nervous as he made her, Quinn still appreciated the time he spent with her.

She started to feel that maybe she could go on without Aislinn. This miniscule drop of hope was shattered each time she saw her former friend. A mere glance from Aislinn was enough to make Quinn shiver for the whole day. Quinn realized that when she thought about life without her best friend being okay, she was obviously delusional. Letting go of Aislinn was like trying to let go of her best and worst qualities. All Quinn was left with was a big, dull, middle section. Not only that, but Quinn had begun to doubt her instincts because of this situation. She had trusted Aislinn, trusted her with every fiber of her being. Yet all of it had been one huge web of deceit. She hadn't known Aislinn at all. The idea was so strange that Quinn shook her head, trying to force comprehension. If Quinn hadn't really known Aislinn, how could she know anyone?

* * *

"While the Auduageo potion is a most powerful potion that gives the drinker an enormous amount of power, strength and stamina, It is very difficult to make. It takes almost a full year to steep and once the process is complete, it can only be ingested under the Beltane moon. Two of the ingredients are so rare that it is highly unlikely that anyone will ever be able to successfully brew this potion."

Aislinn looked up at Snape. "Well that is good then, I mean, if the ingredients are so rare then surely he won't be able to acquire them for the final ritual, will he?"

Snape nodded his head. "The final ingredients are rare and almost unattainable to all but him and a few others. Keep reading."

Aislinn looked back down at the book.

"Another powerful potion that is equally hard to produce is the Adficio potion. This potion is known to have the opposite affect as the Auduageo. The Adficio potion completely drains a person of all extraordinary magical powers that weren't present when the drinker was born. The ingredients for it are not nearly as rare, and it has a much shorter steeping time. However, the ingredients for this potion are only found in one book and therein lies the problem. The book is called Dark Potions for the Cunning Wizard. This book is so rare that there are only 4 known copies remaining in the world."

Aislinn sat still for a moment, thinking about the article. So, there was a potion that could stop Voldemort. The only problem was that the book was almost non-existent. Aislinn read the name of the title over again. It sounded strangely familiar. "Professor, if you don't find this book, the one with the Adficio potion that is, what will happen? Is there anything else that can be done?"

Snape looked thoughtful for a moment and shook his head. "The only other things we could do would be to try and steal the potion from him so he can't drink it, and that would be impossible. Or, we could sabotage his drinking it. That would be very dangerous and might not even work. Voldemort is very proactive in his security measures. No doubt he will have put up several unbreakable wards around the ritual site. Now Miss Macnair, I must go and speak to the Headmaster." Snape stood up and opened the door for her to leave. Aislinn nodded her head and made her way to the door.

"One moment Miss Macnair." Aislinn turned to see Professor Snape pointing his wand at her head. "Reticeo." Aislinn felt dizzy for a moment as she watched Snape perform the same spell on himself. "You may go now." Aislinn walked out of his office and through the empty classroom. She was headed straight to the library. She figured out one of the ingredients to the Auduageo potion after thinking back to what Draco had told her and desperately wanted to find out more about it. She also hoped that Quinn would be in there so that she could have a chance to talk to her and explain everything.