Iuga Sortis III: The Beginning

Fourteen

"You gotta hit him harder than that, Ginny! You think Set or Voldemort's gonna send you a love tap? No! You gotta hit him like it's a battle!"

Ginny looked at her partner helplessly, and Draco made a sound of indignation and dropped his hands from his fighting stance. "But this is not a battle, and it's me she's about to hit with a debilitating force!"

"Be appreciative this is a non-magical battle, boy! And besides, ain't like she ain't gonna heal you later on, anyway!" Jamilah said with an arched eyebrow. Ginny blushed furiously, and Draco gulped visibly.

"But, Jamilah . . . uh . . . can't you transfigure something, so we can go full force? I just can't bring myself to fight Draco so hard," Ginny said apologetically. Draco gave her a grateful look, and she smiled at him.

Jamilah frowned, then threw up her hands and rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll transform the punching bags for a five-minute bout. That should be long enough, no?"

Both students blew a breath of relief. "More than long enough," Draco muttered, repositioning his hands.

"You want it shorter?"

"NO!" they yelled with wide eyes, then snickered when they realized Jamilah was kidding.

"I swear I'm bein' too lenient with y'all . . ."

"But you love us!" Draco deadpanned, sending a wink to Ginny. Jamilah rolled her eyes before transforming the punching bags into rather large apes.

Apes?

Draco and Ginny shared a skeptical look, but when an ape clocked him good against his face, Draco realized it was no joke. He was surprised the blow didn't send his cheekbone to the back of his throat, but he knew better than to lie there and allow another bone-crushing hit to his person and rolled out the way as part of the floor caved in from the force of the attack.

That could've been my stomach!

He glanced over to see Ginny having a bit more luck, her body's flexibility and agility giving her an advantage over brute strength. Draco felt a prickly sensation behind him and whirled away, dodging another punch. It sent the ape off balance, and Draco performed a roundhouse, connecting solidly with the furry, hard back. Draco gritted his teeth and schooled his face not to grimace, but he knew he'd be feeling that hit in the morning. His ape growled and came towards him with alarming speed, but Draco summoned nunchaku, bewildering his opponent as it looked at the blurring weapon in awe. The ape's inattention allowed Draco to send a kick to its groin, and when it bent over, he used the nunchaku to send a blow to its temple. The ape's roar sent sound waves through him, and he trembled, not without a healthy dose of fear. A similar outburst came from Ginny's ape, and Draco's hackles were raised.

"Stay focused on your opponent, Draco! She's a big girl--she can handle hers!" Jamilah yelled at him.

Draco growled. He didn't care if Ginny was bloody invincible; he would always keep an eye on her . . protect her--

Draco was sure bones cracked; a big, hairy fist hit his upper back, sending him sprawling ungracefully on the mat. His face stung as he hit the plastic blue mat and let out a yell as a foot smashed on his ankle. Draco rolled onto his back and targeted all his energy into his fist; it began to glow sliver, and he ran it through the ape's chest. It let out a bloodcurdling scream; the blood streamed red before falling in fluffy white clouds to the mat.

"Boy! You messed up a perfectly good punching bag!" Jamilah yelled, lifting it from him. Draco glared at her, put out she cared more about a bloody punching bag than the broken bones he sustained in the fight.

"Ginger?"

The reply was long in coming, and when it did, it was breathy and halting. "Where are you hurt?"

Her voice was coming closer as she spoke, and Draco dropped his head, too tired to hold it up. Ginny saved him the trouble, reclining him against her as she examined his back with light touches. He winced and hissed as she brushed against his broken shoulder blade, and she made a low sound in the back of her throat.

"Be still," she murmured and, placing her hand rather firmly against his back, muttered an incantation. Before he could scream out in pain, the bones melded together, and his back felt better than it had before it was broken.

"What else?" she whispered, her breath tickling the skin at his hairline. He dragged his eyes closed, taking a moment to enjoy her nearness, her chest against his back making him yearn for more than just her healing touch.

"My ankle needs attention," he said, snuggling closer and placing a kiss at her neck. She shivered, and he grinned. Ginny moved to his feet and eased in a sitting position, gently lifting his injured foot. The ankle was swollen massively, and she had a hard time taking off his trainers. Draco sucked in a pained breath, falling back on his elbows and breathing heavily. Fingers danced across his throbbing foot, and Draco concentrated on that rather than the unbearable pain from his broken ankle. A low humming sound came from Ginny, and it lulled him, before he knew it, to sleep.

When he awoke, it was to the sounds of splashing, and his body froze in panic.

"Relax, love . . . you're in a bath, that's all . . ."

He closed his eyes at the sound of Ginny's voice and the contact of her lips at his temple. Sandalwood permeated his senses; the water was warm with a milky color to it.

"It's a healing balm Jamilah gave me to use on you. Your muscles should stop aching, and your bones stop hurting. Is it working?"

He swallowed and sat straighter against him, licking his lips as he rested his head on her shoulder to look in her eyes. "She's allowing us to take a bath together?"

Ginny snorted and smirked, picking up a washcloth and wringing the excess water out of it. She ran it over his chest, and Draco's eyes closed as the rough texture went over a nipple, drawing it to a hard peak. "She knows this is not the first time we've seen each other naked, Draco."

"And I hope you know it won't be the last," he said huskily.

She chuckled and kissed his head. "I hope you know, as well, Mr. Malfoy. As soon as you become healthy again, I plan to have my share of fun . . ."

His member twitched, and he exhaled lowly. "I may have had broken bones, love, but not the one between my legs."

She laughed and nipped the shell of his ear. "Possibly the most important one at the moment, no?"

Draco moaned as the washcloth and her hand covered him, stroking firmly. The coarse fibers and Ginny's knowing hand threatened to send him over the edge, and he gripped her wrist earnestly. "As much as I love what you're doing, Ginger, I'm afraid I don't have the energy to return the favor."

"I'm just washing you as I was told--'Make sure you get to all his bones, Ginny,' Jamilah said."

He growled, turning his head and sucking the skin over her pulse point. Her nipples hardened against his back, and he snuggled into her. The washcloth dropped in the tub as Ginny brought his face to hers and kissed him hard. Draco shoved his tongue in her mouth and swirled it against hers. Her hand cupped his face, and his cupped the heavy weight of her breast. His thumb caressed the nipple, and he relished in her shiver.

"Mmm . . . Nia's a stronger girl than I, for I'm ready to throw you down and have my naughty way with you . . ."

Draco's eyes popped open, and he pulled away. "What?"

Ginny's eyes went wide, and she gasped. "Oh damn . . ."

He moved his entire body away then and glared at her. "What do you mean, 'Nia's a stronger girl'? Did Potter put his filthy hands on her?"

Ginny bit her lip and blinked rapidly, looking at the ceiling, the walls, anywhere but him.

Draco gripped the bathtub's sides, feeling the ceramic melt under his hands in his ire. "I'll kill him. I'm going to fucking kill Harry Potter!" He stood quickly, only to have his legs give way. He fell hard in the tub, sinking underneath the water and taking some inside his lungs. He gasped and surged to the surface, wiping heavy strands of hair from his eyes and sputtering.

"Serves you bloody right, Draco Malfoy! You leave him alone!" Ginny snarled.

Draco rested against the tub's side, breathing erratically as his body recovered from overexertion. "How could he touch her? How? She's bloody fourteen years old! And this date happened almost three weeks ago! How could she not tell me this? There's no bloody way I'm letting randy-arsed Harry fucking Potter see her, let alone touch her!"

Ginny rolled her eyes and crossed her arms at her chest. Draco's eyebrows quirked as her rosy nipples bobbed above the water's surface, contrasting intriguingly with its milky color. "Quit staring at my chest, or I won't let randy-arsed Draco fucking Malfoy see me, let alone touch me!"

Flint-eyes widened, and he gaped at her. "Ginny!"

She shook her head and held out a hand to still his words. A frown marred her features, and her skin was flushed pink from the hot water and probably annoyance. "You're acting like Ron right now! At least Harry was a gentleman enough to stop, because there would've been plenty of men who wouldn't have and Merlin knows what could've resulted from that . . ."

Draco glared at the water faucet, upset she compared him to Weasel, but more upset because she was right. There was no bloke he'd trust other than Potter to treat Nia as she should be treated, and that fact burned him. "I should've told the bloke he couldn't take her out," he muttered, his frown deepening.

He heard Ginny wade through the water and come to his side. Her palm was cool as it touched his face. He looked at her, her eyes warm pools of chocolate with a sprinkle of mirth. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing his lips to hers. It was a light, chaste kiss, and he brought his hand to cup her elbow. "I love you, Draco . . . so much . . and despite what my brothers and other people say, I'm going to be with you until my dying breath. What makes you think Nia doesn't feel the same toward Harry?"

He dropped his forehead to hers and took a deep breath. He knew she spoke sense, but that didn't stop him from wanting to beat Potter to a bloody pulp. "Can you help me up?" he whispered against her skin. She pulled back and gave him a skeptical look.

"I promise I won't hurt him . . ." he said wearily.

Ginny sighed and pulled herself out of the water. Water hugged every curve as it ran down her body, and Draco felt envious of it.

"You make a man lose his bloody mind," he moaned, resting against the side of the tub and covering his eyes with his hand. It was torture watching her and not being able to do anything about it.

Arms came around his neck and squeezed, and she kissed his cheek. "Funny . . . I didn't know a penis had brains to lose . . ."

He laughed then, a full, echoing bellow that bounced against the tiles and woke the mermaid from her slumber. It tossed them an annoyed look Draco returned with a smirk.

Ginny tsked in his ear as she helped him stand. "You know she's right moody, Draco," she chastised gently. He turned in her arms, bringing her body flush against him. Every curve and crevice fitted against his strong, lean frame, and she sighed, burrowing her head under his chin.

Draco chuckled and wrapped the towel around them both. "As much as I enjoy standing like this, Ginger, I can't for extended periods of time. I need to sit."

"Do you need me to carry you?"

He gave her a sharp look. "I can manage walking, thank you; I just need assistance."

"You can always lean on me," she said with a wink.

Draco swallowed a groan at her corniness and summoned his clothes. They dressed in silence and made deliberate speed to the dungeons.

"Maybe Snape has some potions that will make you feel better," Ginny said as she held the door open for him.

Snape was at his desk, shuffling through parchment and scribbling hurriedly with his phoenix-feather quill. It was an iridescent green which reflected only silver shafts of light. It was one of the more phenomenal quills Draco had ever seen.

"Mr. Malfoy, Miss Weasley, how may I help you on this rather quiet night?" he drawled without looking at them.

"Draco got beat up by an ape, and he needs some potions to make him feel better," Ginny said sweetly, rubbing Draco's back.

Draco sneered, determined to get Little Weasel back for that.

Snape regarded him with amused curiosity. "I do not think I want to know why."

"The how or why is not important, only that my ankle and back are smarting and I'd like for it to stop."

Snape's eyebrow rose, but he went back to his files. Draco gritted his teeth and sat at a desk gingerly. Ginny sat beside him and rested her head on his uninjured shoulder, and he allowed her to keep it there. He wasn't so petty as to exact his revenge by denying her the comfort of his touch. Never mind that he enjoyed it just as much, and probably more than she.

"There's a blue flask in my office--on the potions case in the far corner of the right wall--Mr. Malfoy, which should help alleviate the pain. Two drops, and two drops only, is what you need. If the pain it isn't fully gone in an hour, let me know."

"Could you get it for me, love?" Draco asked sweetly. Ginny nodded and went to the office. Draco smirked, listening to glasses clink together as she searched for the right potion. He planted his hands on the desk, staring at his professor.

"What did Nia tell you about the date?" Draco asked a little louder than necessary. The clinking in the office became softer, and the quill slowed its movements.

"She said she had a good time."

Excellent. Draco snorted. "I'll bet Potter had an even better time, but as long as Little One is happy and you know she's happy, I won't worry you further." He shrugged and noted with amusement the clinking had stopped altogether.

Snape blinked. "How much fun did Mr. Potter have?"

"Here it is!" Ginny answered, holding up the flask triumphantly and walking quickly to Draco. "C'mon, love. Let's get you some of this potion, so you can feel better!" She grasped his arm to help him stand, but he remained planted in his seat.

"Any more fun and she could've had a mini-Potter in nine months."

It was extremely quiet and still at his comment, and Ginny dropped his arm in defeat. "Draco . . " she moaned softly.

The quill in Snape's hand trembled violently for a quick second before becoming alarmingly still. He placed it on the desk and stood from his chair with graceful fury; the sound of wood scraping against stone grated Draco's ears. Snape opened the secret passageway to Sirius' room, but Draco's cousin was not there.

"Wonderful . . . I think Jamilah would like to know exactly what her paramour is teaching his young charge," Snape said silkily, the only indication of his anger the deep crease between his eyes. His steps were firm and stride was long as he walked out of the classroom, too intent on his goal to close the door.

Draco folded his hands on the desk and stared ahead, waiting for the torrent that was sure to come.

"You bloody, no good, vindictive prat!"

He grinned, relishing in her ranting, and took the potion. He made a face at the bitter taste of it, but soon became more interested in the redhead before him. She was marching and stopping everywhere--behind his desk, Snape's desk, to just about every wall in the room--she even saved some particularly naughty words for his ear alone--and the entire time she was flailing her arms and prattling passionately.

Right about the time he was a lily-livered poopoo-head, Draco interrupted. "Do you know how randy you're making me right now?"

She stopped and stared at him, one arm lifted to the sky and the other held at her side. "I cannot believe you," she said quietly.

"I don't know why. It's not like you haven't made me randy before . . ."

She looked at him as if he had sprouted a tail and begun to bunny hop around the room. "Do you know what you've just done?"

He hunched forward, his grin widening. "Earn Potter a visit with a papa and a shotgun."

"What?"

"Muggle thing . . ."

She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "What in the world would you know about Muggle things?"

"My best friend was raised Muggle; I pick up a few things . ."

"Well, what's Muggle for 'not getting any for a long while?'"

"A very bad joke."

She glared at him. "What makes you think I'm telling a joke?"

"Because you can't resist me, love."

She laughed and looked away from him. "I can so resist you, Draco . . . it is you who cannot resist me . . ."

He lifted an eyebrow and reclined in the chair. "Care to make a little wager on that?"

She stared at him a moment before grinning. "I'm game . . ."

Draco tilted back his head and rubbed his chin. "If I win . . . you have to--"

"If I win, you have to walk around only in a Gryffindor tie and skirt, bare bum, and moon everyone whenever I give a signal," Ginny said with a large grin. She waggled her eyebrows up and down, and he shook his head.

"No bloody way!"

"If you can resist me, then you have nothing to worry about!" She batted her eyelashes and gave him a big grin.

Draco frowned, drumming his fingers on the desk. He needed to think--she would have to do something mortifying when he won the bet. Suddenly he grinned. "If I win, Ginger, you have to sing 'Draco Is My King'--lyrics provided by me, of course--as you strip to your underwear, whilst standing on the table in front of me."

She frowned. "That's it?"

"Oh, how silly of me . . . all of this will be done during dinner in the Great Hall."

Her mouth dropped open, and she blanched. "I can't do that! Ron would kill me; not to mention I'd lose points for Gryffindor!"

Draco rolled his eyes and waved his hand negligently. "As if Potty, Weasel, and Granger won't get them all back saving the world or what have you. So do you accept?"

"So the first one to do what loses?"

Draco shrugged. "I guess the first one to admit defeat."

She snorted. "Do you honestly think one of us will do that?"

He grinned and reveled in her slight flush. "One of us will get randy enough, and we'll admit it."

"I guess that means no shagging, huh?"

"That doesn't mean we can't try . . ."

"But you can't resist me, Draco."

"And here is the entire point of the bet, love--to prove I can."

Ginny dropped her hands and sauntered to him, straddling his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck. She wiggled her hips, and Draco muffled a moan. His hands itched to wrap around her waist, to grind her into him, and his breathing became erratic.

"Looks like I'm about to win a bet," she whispered in his ear before trailing the curve of it with her tongue.

Draco sucked in a breath, but decided to turn the tables on her. His hands ran up her smooth thigh until he felt the elastic in her knickers. She was so warm, and his fingers grazed lightly over the cotton covering her. Ginny bit his ear, and he chuckled. "Who's about to win a bet now?"

Her hand went to his groin and squeezed. She chuckled at his muffled moan. "Still me."

And as long as she kept doing that, he half-figured he'd more than welcome her victory. As it was, he barely controlled the urge to set her on the desk and shag her senseless. The potion had effectively stopped his aches and pains, and he was good as new.

But he was a Slytherin, and Slytherins had more tactics than fair ones. Let her think she had the upper hand (or was it brilliant hand?), while he implemented his "underhanded" tricks. His lips went to her neck, dropping dew-light kisses along her column. She began to growl low in her throat, and he smiled. Ginny was very tense, trying not to tremble in his arms. Once she started to tremble, it was all over. She knew that, and he knew that.

All I have to do is brush my finger against her--

~I. Am. Going. To. Kill. You!~

Draco sighed and dropped his head to her shoulder. He could feel Nia's anger as strongly as if she were in the room. Ginny had stopped stroking him and got off his lap, a half-shameful look on her face.

"Harry?" he asked tiredly, running a hand down his face.

She nodded. "He said he's going to tell Ron where I go after prefects' meetings."

"If he hasn't figured it out yet, he doesn't deserve to know," Draco drawled, leaning on the back two legs of his chair, retaining balance by holding onto the desk. Ginny sat on it, the skirt barely reaching her knees. "I should've never let it slip--"

"You should've. Harry went way too far with her on that."

"He's a normal, straight boy who had a very attractive girl with him--"

"Who is underage!"

Ginny snorted, not vocalizing the hypocrisy of that statement.

"You don't count," he said quickly.

"Oh, that makes me feel better! I don't count!" Ginny jumped from the desk and walked away from him.

Ginny--his Ginny--did not just have a girl moment. Draco refused to believe his Ginger threw tantrums like he saw Pansy do numerous times when she didn't get her way. "Ginny . . "

"No! How can you say that? Especially when Nia is in the same position!"

"The difference between fourteen and sixteen is astounding psychologically--surely you know that! Besides, we had a magical excuse!"

"And you think they don't have one too? If any two people were shafted over and over again, it was Apedemak and Aset! What makes you think that now, after millennia of being apart, they wouldn't jump at the chance to be together again?"

Draco was getting a headache. Her logic was sound, and it annoyed him. "She's still too young."

"Which is why nothing happened. Harry knows what he's doing--"

"But Nia doesn't."

"Someone will have to teach her, then."

Draco looked at her, horrified. "I'm not going to do it! I'm not her mother!"

Ginny giggled, covering her mouth. "Could you just imagine Snape giving Nia the sex talk?"

He made a disgusted face. "I'd rather not, thanks."

She huffed and waved his comment away. "C'mon, Draco! I think it would be funny!"

Draco really tried to keep his face serious, but the image of a very pale and stuttering Snape proved too comical to deny. "He'll probably give her a De-Randying Potion to save himself the trouble!"

"Is there such a thing?"

"Probably not, but knowing Snape, he'd figure something out . ."

She laughed, and it tickled the glass flasks around the room, chiming like a bell. "Either that, or he'd make you do it."

"He better not."

"Oh, why not? You're the one who brought it up in the first place."

"It had to be."

"And since you seem so concerned about her virtue, why not you to discuss the birds and the bees? It's not like you haven't had any practicals in the matter . . ."

He scowled at her before resting his head in his hands. "Jamilah should've done it."

"She may still--just don't be surprised if Nia comes to you and asks, 'what are birds and bees?'"

"She's fourteen not four," he drawled.

Ginny smiled and looked off to space. Her cheeks were still flushed from earlier. . . ah . . . activities, and her brown eyes reflected the candlelight. Wisps of hair brushed her shoulders as they shook with her chuckles.

Her beauty awed Draco.

She cast him a shy glance before looking at the far wall again. "Believe it or not, Percy gave me the talk."

He was the last person Draco would've pinned to do the job. "Really."

She glanced his way and shrugged. "Well, not technically. He was giving Fred and George the talk when they were talking about Angelina's bits one day--"

"She has rather nice bits, love."

She whirled towards him. "What are you doing looking at them?"

Draco rolled his eyes, a smirk forming. "I'm not blind, love. A Malfoy's taught to appreciate fine things."

"So now she's a thing?"

Ginny could be the death of him at times, and this was one of them. "Ginny . . "

"Fine. Whatever."

Draco heard the pout in her voice, and by the way her back faced him, he knew she was more perturbed than he initially thought. Quelling a sigh, he went to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Ginny . . ." She didn't answer, but she didn't pull away from him either. Draco thought that was a good step. "The last time I appreciated a girl's bits that weren't yours was before the first time I kissed you. After that, everyone else's bits paled compared to yours . . ."

Her shoulders began to shake, and he thought he made her cry. Alarmed he turned her to face him, tilting her bent head to his. She had her eyes closed and her lip between her teeth.

Oh bugger.

He was about to say words of comfort when a highly un-ladylike snort came. His brows furrowed, and her shaking shoulders became more violent.

"'Everyone else's bits paled compared to yours?!' Ooh, that's just rich! Oh, I'm going to have to tell Nia that!"

He dropped his hand from her and glared. "You will tell her no such thing!"

"And Hermione, and Harry! Harry will love--"

He shut her up the only way he knew how--planting his lips over hers. Ginny returned the embrace enthusiastically. She melded with him so perfectly, and he could feel her curves so totally; he was dangerously close to shagging her where they stood.

She's bloody right! I can't resist her!

"Is that bloody bet still on?" he asked breathlessly when they parted. "I don't think I can take it without touching you."

She ran her hand through his hair, and he trembled. "I don't really know if I fancy you showing that arse for all the world to see. It's mine and mine alone."

He hummed and captured her lips again, glad she wasn't going to follow through with the bet. "You're so damn sexy when you're possessive . ."

"And you're just sexy, period."

He smirked. "This is what I know."

She grinned and kissed his lips, jaw, cheek, and the skin underneath his earlobe. "Also know this--bottoms up."

**

Severus burst into the DADA classroom, the door slamming against the wall twice from the force. The training students snapped their heads to him, and the boy blanched as he realized who was the focus of the anger.

"What are you doing here, Snape?" Sirius snarled, dropping his propped up legs from the desk and giving him a menacing look.

Severus ignored him. Black could wait. "Potter . . . a word . . . or several."

Nia stepped in front as if to protect him, but Potter pulled her behind. Severus all but rolled his eyes at that. He was going to kill Potter, not Nia . .

"What is the meanin' of this?! You can't just barge in here like a--"

"Did you know Mr. Potter has been very inappropriate with your granddaughter, Jamilah?"

The older woman's eyes widened and looked toward the students in the center of the room. This time Nia tried to step behind Potter, but he moved back instead. "Nia?"

Severus could feel the young girl's panic, and he intervened. "I believe your anger is directed to the wrong party, Jamilah. Of course, had you educated your granddaughter about randy little boys I would not have received the report that had Mr. Potter been 'less than upstanding,' there would be a new Potter coming in nine months, so to speak."

"You daft prick! How dare you accuse Harry like that?!"

Jamilah looked as if she was going to be sick, and Snape was glad someone shared his mood. The air became charged. Severus saw Nia's weapon glow gold, and Potter was rubbing her back to calm her. Both had looks of anger and humiliation on their faces.

"Don't you have anything to say for yourself, Potter?" he intoned lowly.

"We didn't do anything!"

Severus cut his eyes to the ceiling and worried the cuffs on his sleeves. "I know, Potter; didn't I just I just say that?!"

Nia stepped toward Severus with a plaintive look. "But he didn't mean to! I--"

"Nia, it's okay. I can handle him."

Severus snorted. "Right. All I'm doing is protecting my daughter's honor--something you seem so keen on taking."

Potter's jaw was clenched, and his face was turning red.

"Daddy!"

"Snape--a word!" Black said lowly. Severus pinned Potter with one last look before going to the boy's godfather.

"You two are dismissed--to your own houses!" Jamilah said with a pointed look.

The students put up their weapons and walked out of the room with hands held. Severus followed them with his eyes, taking a little bit of pleasure at the tension in Potter's back. Nia begged him with her eyes to be sympathetic.

"Actually--don't leave. Wait outside. I think I may want to talk to both of you," Severus said lowly. The teens continued to walk, but their stutter steps indicated they heard him. It was quiet for a few moments after the door closed behind Nia and Harry.

"Snape!"

He turned slowly to the simmering man before him.

Jamilah still had a dazed expression on her face, and she gripped the desk. "I don't understa--"

"Have you ever told Nia about sex, Jamilah?"

She turned pale, an incredible feat for someone her skin tone. "She's only fourteen years old!"

"And she's only in a relationship with a seventeen year old boy! Boys--no matter if they are the Boy Who Lived--have one thing on their minds: sex!" Black opened his mouth, but Severus cut him off. "I dare you to challenge that statement, Black!"

Jamilah groaned, putting one hand on a jutted hip and the other on the bridge of her nose. "She's just fourteen years old!"

"Yes, but her body is not that of a fourteen year old. She's very developed for her age, Jamilah, and with that apparent development, there will be certain . . . assumptions made, and boys--including Potter--might want to make good on those assumptions," Severus said wearily, sitting on a desk.

Sirius had his arms crossed and a perpetual glare directed at Severus. Severus returned it with an even look, refusing to be intimidated by Potter's godfather. It was his charge that dared compromise his daughter, and he wouldn't stand for it--no matter how much "genuine affection" the boy had for her.

"Harry is a good man," Black said with a dark look.

"He's a randy boy. And he's attracted to my daughter. Therein lies the problem. As it was, he could hardly keep his hands off her throughout his entire defense of himself."

"Nia was doing her fair share of touching as well," Black pointed out.

Snape looked at him with raised eyebrows and leaned forward slightly. "What exactly are you saying, Black? Are you insinuating she's leading him on?"

Black didn't say anything, though Severus thought that had more to do with the menacing look Jamilah directed at him. The other man shuffled nervously, giving Jamilah a placating smile. "Jam--"

"Do you think she's leadin' him on?"

"NO! I-I mean, of course not! How could you ever--"

Severus snorted. "You think Potter can do no wrong, that's why--you and the rest of this bloody school."

Black's lips pursed into a fine line. "I'm just saying times are different. Kids are younger and younger when they decide to take relationships to the next level."

"And how does one who's spent, until recently, the past thirteen years of his life imprisoned know about 'kids these days'?" Severus asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Harry and I talk, and--"

"Is the boy still a virgin?"

"I'm not going to answer you that!"

Severus gave a sardonic chuckle. "If the reported behavior is any indication--then no, he's not a virgin . . . pity the poor girl who had to break him in . . ."

Black was turning red. "Oh, you mean the same pity I bestowed upon Malika, who broke you in?"

"Stop it! Both of you! Those are my children y'all speakin' of so casually!"

Both men had the decency to look ashamed, though Severus thought he had righteous indignation on his side. "Yes, but in my situation with Malika, we both waited until she was of age, after she discussed it with her mother, after we were both on the same page. I did not take advantage of her. Harry took liberties."

"How would you know? Did you even discuss it with him?"

Severus raised his eyebrows. "Good point. POTTER!"

The door creaked open, and the teen walked inside, head high, shoulders squared--every bit the obnoxious Gryffindor.

Severus sighed and stood next to the adults. "Have a seat," he said, in a voice not unlike the one he used during his own lessons.

Potter shifted his eyes between the three of them and did as he was told, folding his hands on top of the desk, his posture still impeccable. No one spoke, instead regarding each other and making mental notes. Potter's eyes did not stray from the three of them, nor did he fidget. Severus gave him credit for being firm and confident despite the inquisition he was about to face--from him, anyway.

It was the boy who broke the silence. "You wanted to see me, Professor?"

It was polite and to the point, so full of censure and annoyance that Severus' lip curled.

"What exactly happened almost a month ago on your date with my daughter--and do not lie to me, Potter. I have ways of finding out."

"If you mean slipping Veritaserum in a potion I have to test, I would say how Slytherin of you."

Black snorted, and Jamilah groaned softly.

"Fifteen points from Gryffindor for that, Potter. And in case you've forgotten, the young girl you are dating is a Slytherin."

"Even more reason to think she's capable of leading Potter on!" Black said passionately.

"Sirius!" two voices yelled. Snape glared daggers.

"That is my grandchild! I ain't raised her to be no floozy!"

Severus smirked. "Take foot, insert in mouth, chew thoroughly, then swallow."

"Piss off, Snivellus!"

Potter was glaring at his godfather. "I can't believe you said that! This is Nia, for Merlin's sake! She didn't know what was happening to her!"

"What was happening to her?"

Potter closed his mouth with a snap and swallowed. Severus arched an eyebrow, anticipating the moment where he'd do a Black and eat his foot. "Ah . . . uh . . .well, ah--"

"I don't think I wanna know!" Jamilah said, waving her hands in front of her face.

Severus frowned, knowing he didn't want to know. As it was, Potter sat there, his face very red and his brows furrowed.

"Well? What happened?" Black asked, any semblance of tact gone.

Severus clenched his fists and stomped down the urge to strangle the man.

Potter wore a pained expression. "We were kissing, and then . . . things happened . . ."

"What kinds of things?"

"That is none of your business! Sirius! What are you on about?" Potter said, standing with such force the chair fell back.

Severus wanted to know as well, for, though Black was usually uncouth and randy, it was never like this, especially with regard to his lover's granddaughter!

"I'm just saying with a girl like that--"

"A girl like what?! She's the most perfect thing--she would never do something like that! And really, lead me on for what? What would she have to gain by--" Potter stopped abruptly, giving Black a cautious look. "Sirius . . . why are you shrinking?"

And he was, though he didn't get too much shorter than his original height. He gained around sixty pounds in as many seconds, bursting the seams of his trousers. The long, dark hair with strands of gray became a buzz cut, and the man's face became pudgy.

Severus drew his wand quickly and pointed it at the transformed man. "Suspension, Mr. Crabbe, and 150 points from Slytherin."

"TRAITOR!" Crabbe yelled even as he eyed Severus' wand warily.

Potter's shock gave way to ire, and he moved in front of the desk. "You piece of despicable shit! You stinking pervert! Where is he?"

Potter's fists were glowing green, and Crabbe's eyes widened. Severus even admitted the display was impressive, but if Potter didn't cool it, he'd do something irrevocably rash.

"No wonder Nia was behaving so oddly; she even said something was off!" Potter muttered as he began to pace.

"How long have you known?" Severus asked, ignoring the mumbling Boy Who Lived.

"Since Potty and her went on that date. Things were getting pretty hot and heavy--"

"You spied on us?!" Potter gasped.

"You're right, Professor--she doesn't have a fourteen year old's body. I wouldn't mind having a go at her, even if she is a Mudblood nig--OUCH!"

Jamilah was squeezing the hell out of Crabbe's ear, and her mouth was clenched. "You talk about my grandchild one mo' time; you call her out her name one mo' time--I swear to all that is holy I will hurtcha where the sun don't shine--got it?"

By then Crabbe was on his knees, desperately trying to free himself from Jamilah's grip. This was not good, and Severus knew it. How long had Crabbe suspected, been a spy? He could be in danger--they all could--and the only way to find that out was with Veritaserum.

Severus kept his wand trained on Crabbe yet spoke to Potter. "Get Dumbledore, and tell him to bring a vial of Veritaserum."

The younger boy was breathing heavily, but it couldn't disguise the pure hate coming from his voice. "You are a traitor!" Severus rolled his eyes, neither confirming nor denying the accusation. "The Dark Lord will be alerted to this!"

Severus tried to drum up enough emotion to care--he really did--but he was found wanting. "Considering you probably will not be leaving my sight, let alone this castle for a while, I'd like to see you try."

Crabbe's eyes grew wild, and he continued to struggle with Jamilah. "Was she a good shag? The nigger bitch you had to fuck to conceive Nia?"

He'd never struck a student, but he was dangerously close to doing so now.

Jamilah twisted Crabbe's ear, and he howled in pain. "Don't call my daughter outside her name, either. Or me. Matta fact--just shut up!" Crabbe shot her a menacing look, but she rolled her eyes.

The door slammed open and revealed Dumbledore, Potter, Nia, and Snuffles. Though it was obvious Crabbe knew about Black's return, Severus hoped the escaped convict would stay in his Animagus form.

Dumbledore was grim and formidable; even Severus felt a tremor of trepidation. Crabbe's flimsy bravado all but collapsed at the sight of the headmaster, and Dumbledore's usually mirthful blue eyes were fierce and frightening. The wizard did not speak, instead letting his eyes do all the talking. Crabbe seemed to shrink with each passing second, and Severus lowered his wand, knowing Crabbe would much rather face Severus' path or even Nia's if it didn't mean a meeting with Dumbledore.

Well, maybe not Nia in four years . . . if Crabbe is a threat next year . .

"What do you have to say for yourself, Mr. Crabbe?"

Crabbe drew back his shoulders and looked at Dumbledore squarely. "You can go to hell--you and the rest of your Gryffindoric lot! And take Snape with you!"

Dumbledore looked over his shoulder at Severus with a mildly surprised expression. "Has he always been this articulate and passionate?"

"Not in recent memory, Headmaster," Severus said lowly. Crabbe's face was less pinched than earlier, which led Severus to believe Jamilah wasn't squeezing his ear anymore. Snuffles was sitting at Jamilah's legs, growling at Crabbe.

"Regardless of your desires, Mr. Crabbe, you've committed some serious offenses here--the main one of which was the illegal use of Polyjuice to hurt a student."

Severus frowned, a bit embittered by this. The Golden Trio used Polyjuice their second year to incriminate Draco as the Heir of Slytherin--he was definitely sure they didn't receive this declaration!

"That has been banned since Voldemort's new resurrection, Severus. It was one of the first laws that actually passed--before Fudge defected to him, that is . . . "

"He's the best Minister of Magic we've ever had!" Crabbe stated emphatically.

Severus scowled. "He's an ambitious arse who thinks with the wrong head."

Crabbe smirked. "You mean like Malfoy--trailing away after some poverty-stricken Gryffindor slut? Or like you, who decided to throw it all away on her?!"

Nia held Potter back; though his hands glowed green again, her placating touch calmed him.

"You daft prick!" Potter snarled.

"Bitter because you didn't get any? Potty, I would've gone for it! Roberts is every boy's dream--stupid and willing to put out! She even offered you a hand job! If that were me, I would've made it a blowjob!" Suddenly Crabbe's head snapped back, and he gave a painful look to Dumbledore.

The headmaster's blue eyes were blazing fury, and he himself had barely controlled magic flowing. "You will show the young lady respect, Mr. Crabbe." Dumbledore said no more after that, not that it was necessary. Severus was sure his charge understood the consequences of not following Dumbledore's orders, and he didn't think Crabbe would be daft enough to push his luck.

Severus looked to Nia, and her head was bowed. Potter was on his knees beside her, trying to coax her to look at him. After Crabbe's embarrassing revelations, Potter should know she wouldn't want to see him! "Let her alone, Potter; she doesn't want to be bothered."

Potter gave him a scowl yet did as told. He scooted a seat next to hers and caressed her cheek, no, wiped away her tears.

Crabbe would pay for humiliating his daughter.

"Drink this, Mr. Crabbe."

"I will tell my father of this!" he threatened.

"Your father is a coward who knows better than to pick a fight with the wizard the Dark Lord himself fears!"

The younger boy blanched.

"Take the serum, Mr. Crabbe," Dumbledore ordered again, only this time his tone left no room for refusal. Grudgingly Crabbe downed the vial's contents, wincing as the serum went down his throat. His eyes glazed over before clearing again, though his arms crossed and a glower permanently etched itself on his face.

"Ask him some good questions," Jamilah said, her hold still firm on his ear. Snuffles nodded, then rubbed his head against Jamilah's calf.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "How did you get the fibers to change into Mr. Black?"

"I was tailing Nia, and I saw him walking with Professor Roberts . . . I brushed against him, and I got a hair sample," he all but muttered.

"How long have you known him to be here?"

"Since the beginning of this year."

"Do you know who Nia is?"

"She's a Mudblood nigger bitch who has abnormal superpowers . . I think the Dark Lord would like to know of this--especially since she ruined Malfoy and is close to Potty." Severus breathed a sigh of relief; at least Crabbe didn't know why she was so powerful.

Dumbledore gave Severus a cautious look before continuing. "Have you told anyone what you know?"

"No."

Severus thought that odd. Why would Crabbe sit on a piece of information like that?

"Why did you not tell anyone?"

"It was to be used as a bargaining chip against Potter . . . and Snape."

Severus rolled his eyes. "You've sorely misjudged yourself, then."

Crabbe smirked. "You forget I still know."

"You two may leave," Dumbledore said to Nia and Potter. "Take Snuffles with you."

"Making them leave won't erase my memory!" Crabbe cackled as the three left.

Severus curled a lip and pointed his wand at him. "Obliviate!"

Crabbe's head jerked back, and he blinked his eyes rapidly.

"Can you please tell me, Mr. Crabbe, why you were snooping around the DADA class?" Dumbledore asked with an arched eyebrow. "Listening in on faculty discussions could land you in detention--"

"No--they will land him in detention. Every week for the rest of the semester I daresay is enough."

Crabbe shot up, fire in his eyes. "That's bloody unfair!"

"Life's not fair, Mr. Crabbe. You may go."

He still was out of sorts, and Severus hoped Potter, Nia, and Black were far enough ahead not to draw Crabbe's memory. The three remaining adults said nothing for a moment and looked at each other silently.

"He knows more than he says he does."

"You know he can only answer truthfully, not necessarily voluntarily give information," Dumbledore reminded.

"What does that mean for my grandbaby, then?" Jamilah asked, a hand at her throat.

Severus shook his head and wiped his face wearily. "I'm not sure, but I do know my time is running out . . . and possibly Nia's too."

Jamilah's eyes widened. "You're not saying--"

"I said it last year, and I'll say it again: one of us will be exposed soon."

Dumbledore's face was grim, and he shook his head slowly. "I fear . . . I fear one of you already has been."