Armilla II

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters or storyline created by the wonderful J.K. Rowling. Armilla Snape is my own original character.

Chapter 12

I went back to my bedroom after breakfast later that morning feeling like a heavy weight had been lifted off me. Though Severus had been far from impressed, I was glad that I had snapped the day before; it had led to Severus realising what had been happening to our relationship due to Harry's presence. The incredible loneliness and isolation I had been feeling didn't seem so unbearable now that Severus knew of it and understood what had caused it.

Severus and Harry had actually been civil to each other at breakfast...well civil for them anyway. Severus hadn't snapped at Harry or made an insulting remark, and Harry hadn't spent the majority of the meal sending my brother death glares and making moody comments. Harry had even offered a small smile in greeting when I had come into the room. I had returned it, wondering if this newfound friendliness was a result of having seen my Severus boggart the evening before. Perhaps Harry had finally accepted that I was capable of caring for his most hated teacher. Maybe it had made Severus seem more human in Harry's eyes.

Professor Flitwick stopped by for another violin lesson, which I greatly enjoyed since my cheerful spirits had been somewhat renewed. I didn't spend the time wondering what Severus and Harry were doing. Professor Flitwick had seemed pleased with my practice and had assured me that he would come again in another two days.

My happier mood threatened to become lost again when Severus sought me out in my bedroom a week later. My happier mood had remained, seeing as I was enjoying the violin more and Severus was finding to time to spend with me in the evenings. If he and Harry still argued constantly they were doing a good job at hiding it. They were far from being friendly with each other, but Severus seemed to be avoiding insulting him or baiting him in my presence. Harry remained mostly quiet during mealtimes, but the air didn't seem as full of tension as it had previously done. All in all, the tolerable level of civility the two seemed to have found was doing the household some good.

"I trust you didn't study all day?" Severus asked, sitting down on the bed opposite me.

I shook my head. "No, I practised the violin for most of the morning. I studied this afternoon. There's not a great deal else to do here."

He nodded. "I know. I'm looking forward to going home as much as you are."

I frowned. "Harry was no better today then?"

He shook his head. "As a matter of fact, Potter made some progress today. It is astounding how much Potter can achieve when he puts his mind to it. There's been a vast improvement in the last few days."

I smiled. "Did you award points in advance to Gryffindor?"

"I did no such thing," he said, his lips twitching. "That would be getting carried away. As it was, I did let Potter know that I had noted his progress and was satisfied with it. That should be enough for him."

I nodded. I was sure the tiniest, backhanded compliment from Professor Snape was equivalent to a hundred "Oh, well done!" compliments from Professor Flitwick in Harry's eyes. Harry had probably wondered if Severus was being genuine.

"That wasn't what I came to talk about though," Severus went on, looking serious. "I wanted to talk to you about the defensive magic lessons you don't wish to have while we're here."

I shifted slightly, feeling uncomfortable. I had announced a week ago that I had no wish to continue with our lessons whilst we were at Grimmauld Place. I wanted to wait until we were home or at school, when Severus wasn't also seeing Harry for most of the day. Dealing with Post-Harry Severus wasn't fun in the least. Severus hadn't seemed happy with this idea in the least, but had remained silent about it until thus far.

"I would like you to reconsider," Severus said plainly, his black eyes fixed on mine.

I stared at him for a moment, wondering what I really wanted. I loved learning defensive magic from him and I needed to learn it. But was it really worth learning it from a tired Severus who was irritable because of Harry?

"Why?" I asked softly. I was a little surprised that he hadn't just told me that he was making the decision and therefore I would be taking the lessons.

"Because I believe them important," he said simply. "Also the longer you go without practising, the longer we will have to spend bringing your recently acquired skills up to scratch again."

I was silent. I did want to learn the magic; I just didn't want to learn it from Professor Snape. I wanted to learn it from Severus. I had made it clear to Severus a week ago that I was finding it hard to see Severus at Grimmauld Place. I had to admit, I had seen more of Severus over the past week, but it would take one little incident with Harry to send Severus off in a foul mood again.

Severus sighed, my silence obviously agitating him. "It won't be like last week, Armilla," he said sincerely, "I promise you that."

"I don't know..." I said hesitantly, thinking of how angry and forceful Severus had been that afternoon during the lesson he had demanded we have.

Severus looked a little disconcerted. "I see there's an issue of trust here," he said quietly. "In that-"

"No," I said, feeling guilty. "I-"

"I am not accusing you, Armilla," he said sternly. "I believe I betrayed your trust during that lesson. The guilt is mine and mine alone. I do think the lessons should continue and I promise you that while we're here, I shall only seek you out for a lesson if I am in the right mood for it...if we are both in the right mood for it." He paused. "Is that agreeable to you?"

"Yes," I said quietly, "if you promise not to use magic at a level I'm not ready for."

He looked guilty. "I didn't mean to hurt you last week," he said, his voice just above a whisper. "My anger at Potter was no excuse for using magic of that level of force on you."

I nodded.

"I have a new idea for strengthening your mental shield to a level that will prevent the strongest curses getting through," he went on, his eyes glittering, "but I shall not try it out until you give me leave to."

"All right," I said, nodding. I could tell he was very eager to try out his idea. He loved experimenting with magic, particularly defensive magic. When I had duelled with Father the month before, my mental shield had finally failed trying to hold off the Cruciatus curse. Severus had been particularly interested in the fact that my shield had been able to ward it off at first. He was very keen to increase its strength so as to hold off the strongest curses.

"What's your idea?" I asked, very interested. It was hard to say no to duelling with Severus when I was enthusiastic about it. My interest in duelling was solely due to my brother's influence.

"Confining simple spells within a bubble of sorts in the space directly in front of the wand," he said promptly. "Each hex is delivered with the utmost force as usual," he went on, his voice betraying his eagerness to discuss one of his most loved subjects, "but as it is cast, you immediately restrict it to an invisible magical barrier. As these spells accumulate, so too does the force with which they are cast. Once the caster is satisfied with the amount of force built up, he is free to direct the bubble of spells directly at the opponent." He paused, watching me closely. "Of course, this sort of hex is not suitable for duelling as it is time consuming, however I feel it might be useful in teaching you to block strong hexes with your mental shield."

I was impressed, but was put off by one flaw I could see in the plan. "But if the force of the hex is accumulated," I said slowly, thinking carefully about this theory, "doesn't that mean the effects will be stronger if I fail to maintain the shield? Even if it's a simple hex, wouldn't the effects be a lot more harmful?"

"You're quite right," he said, nodding. "However, you must take into account that fact that spells lose their strength during delivery. We are going to stop the spells hitting the opponent at first in order to accumulate them into one bubble. If we keep them there, the magical effects on the spell will wane, but the force with which they are delivered in the moments after will not. If it was a tickling spell for example, you might feel a small amount of the effects if your shield failed." He frowned. "You will certainly feel the force of the hexes if your shield fails. For that reason, we will gradually build upon the number of hexes accumulated in the magical bubble."

I stared at him in awe. He really did have a talent for developing defensive magic.

"Well?" he said quietly, still frowning. "What do you think of this?"

"It's impressive," I said bluntly, "but I'm not sure I'll be able to handle a bunch of hexes compressed together at the same level of force as the Cruciatus curse."

Severus didn't look deterred. "You felt this way when we were first developing your mental shield," he pointed out, "yet you certainly succeeded there. I am confident that you will handle this just as well." He paused for a moment, meeting my eyes steadily. "Though, as I said," he continued, "I will only advance the level at which you're working when you express your confidence in doing so."

I nodded, watching him stand up. "So...can we start now?"

He turned back and looked down at me, a tiny smile playing about his lips. "Certainly." He headed for the door. "Potter is working in the library as we speak so we shall use the drawing room. Come."

I followed, not really caring that I hadn't put up a fight to have my way about the not duelling at Grimmauld Place thing. If Severus was serious about me controlling the amount I was learning then hopefully all would go well.

We went into the drawing room. I had scarcely been in this room since we had been here. I noticed that all the furniture had been pushed up against walls to allow for the utmost space. I wondered again what sorts of things Harry had been learning. Severus had told me that he hadn't taught Harry any of his own innovative spells. They were mainly concentrating on Occlumency, all areas of magical focus and discipline, as well as some defensive magic.

"Take out your-" Severus began, turning around. He stopped when he saw that my wand was already in my hand. I had developed this habit early on in his tutelage. "Well then," he said, taking his own wand out. He warded the room against outsiders eavesdropping or intruding. "I believe we should spend some time duelling first to see how your mental shield is faring." He raised his wand. "Try and block me as well as you can with the shield so that you are free to use your wand to defend yourself."

I nodded, raising my wand. Severus immediately struck with a nonverbal hex and I warded him off easily. His hex was no where near as strong as it had been last week. We continued this way for a few minutes; I managed to cast a few hexes myself, which Severus easily blocked.

"You've maintained it well," he said, when we stopped a minute later.

"You're not being strong enough," I pointed out, giving him an annoyed look.

He smirked. "Very well. Brace yourself." He struck again, this time with more force and it was more challenging to maintain the shield this time. This was the level we had previously been working with at home. My role was to keep the shield up whilst casting hexes strong enough to damage the opponent. When we had left off, my hexes still weren't strong enough because I was too focused on the shield. I knew I needed more practice.

After a few minutes Severus lowered his wand and I was panting this time.

"Better?" he asked, running his fingers along his wand.

I nodded. "Better, but my hexes still aren't strong enough."

He nodded. "I agree, but time and practice will take care of that." He raised his wand again. "I will continue to deliver hexes at the same force, but try to limit your focus on the shield. You are reaching a stage where the shield should be maintained like second nature, much like the way you use Occlumency."

I nodded, raising my own wand and waiting for something to hit my shield. I had gotten used to Severus using nonverbal hexes. He considered it a more sophisticated way to duel.

I felt something strong vibrate the shield and I tried to concentrate on casting a stronger hex, letting the back of my mind concentrate on keeping the shield in place. It proved very difficult, but the hex I delivered felt like it had more force than usual. Severus blocked it without trouble, but only because he always used a mental shield as well. He could tell by the way my hex hit his shield whether or not the hex was strong. He gave a small not before launching into another range of hexes and charms.

I blocked the first two whilst casting my own hexes, but it completely crumpled on the third and I was hit with a tickling charm.

"Finite incantatum," Severus commanded, smiling slightly at my obvious attempt at trying not to laugh from the effects of the tickling curse.

"I was trying too hard to make the hex strong," I said breathlessly, feeling the sensation leave me.

He nodded. "You did well to ward it off at first," he said. "That's something we'll continue to work on. As I said, practice will help you develop the focus you need to conquer the skill." He raised his wand again. "Ready?"

We continued in this fashion, on and off again, for another fifteen minutes. My shield failed a couple of more times, but after longer periods. My hexes were slowly getting better. They had come a long way from the rather feeble ones I had cast when I was first learning the skill.

"Are you too tired to have a go at blocking the accumulated hexes?" Severus asked, as we finished drinking the water he had conjured. "It's not really learning a new skill; merely learning to block stronger forces of magic. I am happy to wait until you are confident enough in casting stronger hexes with the shield in place."

I shook my head. "I wanted to have a go at it today."

He nodded. "Very well, but I am not going to use many hexes at first. It would be foolish. I will show you so that you may see how it is done."

We stood up and took our wands out again.

"Just watch," Severus instructed. He proceeded to cast a nonverbal charm, but waved his wand in a new way at the last second so that the light which had burst from his wand didn't come directly at me. It sort of circled in a sphere shape, remaining connected to the wand. Severus finally broke the link and the whitish sphere, about the size of a quaffle, floated in front of him.

"This is the bubble that will contain the hexes," he explained. "Because I've only just developed this, it has a limited time capacity, so I must act quickly." He raised his wand again. "I am going to cast a hex and direct it into the sphere."

I watched as a reddish light burst from his wand and was directed into the sphere. The sphere now had a reddish hue to it. Severus cast another hex and also directed in into the sphere. The sphere continued to float in front of him.

"I could keep building this up," he said, "but I want to show you the effects without hurting you. It has the force of two hexes at the moment, which you can handle, so I will direct the bubble to you so you can block it. Block it as you would block a normal hex. Do you understand?"

"Yes," I said, raising my wand.

Severus nodded and then pointed his wand at the sphere. All at once the sphere came hurtling towards me and I concentrated hard on my mental shield. I felt the force as the sphere hit and disappeared, but it wasn't strong enough to be too challenging. Months ago the shield would have shattered from the impact.

I smiled over at my brother. "That's pretty clever."

Not one for receiving compliments, Severus merely nodded. "I need to work on it."

We finished up not long after and as we left the room, we heard the sound of angry voices coming from upstairs.

"What's he doing now?" Severus muttered, looking irritated.

We walked upstairs and headed towards the library. The door was open and inside we found Harry and Kreacher standing a few metres apart, facing each other. Kreacher was eying Harry with the utmost contempt, while Harry was looking back at him in very obvious distress. His face was red and his eyes were brimming with unshed tears. On the floor between them was what looked to be the shattered remains of a Remembrall.

"What is going on here?" Severus asked in a deadly calm voice.

Harry and Kreacher both started as they turned to see Severus and I in the doorway.

Harry immediately looked away, embarrassed, and wiped his face with his sleeve.

"Kreacher!" Severus snapped. "Explain."

The house elf jumped. "Kreacher accidentally broke Sirius Black's old Remembrall, sir."

I waited for Harry to shout that Kreacher had done it on purpose, but he didn't. Actually, I was surprised that Harry wasn't already pointing his wand at Kreacher. Instead, Harry just glared back at Kreacher with hatred.

Severus sneered at Kreacher and then turned to Harry. "Potter?" he said softly, his eyes narrowing. "Your version of the incident?"

Harry looked back at Severus, his face turning even redder, which was, I assumed, from his embarrassment at getting so emotional over one of his godfather's old possessions. I didn't blame him. I would have felt the same. "I found Sirius' Remembrall this morning under Kreacher's mattress, sir," he said quietly. He pointed to the table at his right. "I left it on the table there, and Kreacher came in a moment ago and nudged it off the table." He looked over at Kreacher before looking back at Severus. "It wasn't an accident."

"Harry Potter is Kreacher's Master," said Kreacher smoothly, looking very innocently at Severus. "Kreacher would do no such thing."

"I command you to tell me if you did it on purpose," Harry said quietly, though his voice was hard.

Kreacher seemed to struggle with himself for a moment. Finally he nodded. "Kreacher was doing it on purpose," he muttered, looking at Harry with loathing. "Kreacher was enjoying it too."

I waited for Harry to strike. The Harry I knew would have snapped at such baiting. But he didn't. Instead, he looked calmly at Kreacher. "You will go and bring me every one of the Black family's possessions that you have hidden or relocated in this house."

Kreacher looked furious "Yes, Master," he spat begrudgingly. He gave a jerky bow and strode past Severus and I out the door.

Harry shuddered as he knelt down to pick up the remains of the broken Remembrall.

"Don't touch it, Potter," Severus ordered, striding forward. He took out his wand and vanished the remains.

Harry looked back at him in horror.

"Touching the remains of a Remembrall could have been damaging," Severus said impatiently, clearly having no time to deal with Harry's distress over Sirius Black's old Remembrall. "Do you want to have memory problems as bad as Longbottom's for the rest of your life?"

Harry shook his head, looking down at the spot where the Remembrall had just vanished.

Severus sighed. "Potter, I am sure there are plenty of other possessions in this house that belonged to Black for you to be sentimental over. You said yourself that you only found the Remembrall this morning. You haven't had a lot of time to become desperately attached to it."

I waited for Harry to glare at Severus and say something cutting back. But he didn't. Instead he looked up at Severus, some distress still evident on his face. "It wasn't about being attached to the Remembrall," he said quietly.

"Then what was it?" Severus asked curtly.

"The fact that Kreacher destroyed one of Sirius' things on purpose."

Severus sneered. "We both know very well that the house elf was being childish, Potter. You did well not to respond with childish behaviour yourself. Kreacher could have handled being hexed, but he will not like having to hand over possessions he's hidden. Your reprimand was fitting."

Harry looked back at Severus, a hint of disbelief on his face. I hid my own surprise at my brother's expression of approval of Harry's behaviour.

"Thankyou, sir," Harry muttered, using his sleeve once more to wipe at his face.

Severus sneered. "Honestly, Potter, your manners are appalling. Your sleeve is not a handkerchief. Do learn to tell the difference."

o o o o o o o o o o

"Docky is wishing he could come with you, Miss Armilla," Docky said morosely, as we watched Severus levitating the last of our belongings into the waiting carriage in the courtyard. I could hear Morag hooting indignantly from inside the carriage. I was sure without a doubt that she was not at all satisfied in being separated from Aeolus again, especially since we had only come back to the Merrigan Estate just over a fortnight ago.

I had never been so happy to be home. I had left Grimmauld Place with the hope that I would not have to see it again for a very long time. Docky had been beside himself with joy upon our return. Morag had been delighted at being reunited with Aeolus, and Severus and I had been happy to have the freedom of our own home again. This meant more to me than anything, especially because it meant that Severus could be completely himself again.

Harry had been equally happy to leave. I couldn't say that Harry had reached a level of the utmost respect for my brother, but there was now some sort of unspoken understanding between them. I was doubtful it would continue into the school year; Severus had a reputation to uphold and I knew he was only holding back his cutting remarks to Harry for my benefit. It was certainly not born of a desire to be on good terms with Harry.

"Alas, you cannot," Severus said curtly as he ascended the front steps to join Docky and I near the front door. He looked down at the glum house elf. "You know your job is to bounce off the walls here."

Docky gave a guilty smile. "Docky is getting too old to bounce, Master Severus, sir."

"Rubbish," Severus snorted. "I caught you jumping on your mattress this morning."

Docky grinned. "Docky was inspired when he saw you do it, Master Severus."

Severus opened his mouth, his expression somewhere between scandalised and irritated. "Docky," he said, his voice hard. "You will refrain from telling untruths. I did not-"

"Not today, Master Severus," said Docky brightly, seeming to forget his sadness for a moment. "Years and years and years ago. You stopped after the unfortunate incident."

"What unfortunate incident?" I asked, enjoying my brother's now very obvious embarrassment.

"He bounced off and broke his collarbone," said Docky promptly, his eyes bright with mischief.

I gave a fruitless attempt to suppress a smile while Severus glowered down at Docky, determined not to look at me.

"Docky," he said dangerously, taking out his wand. "You seem to have expressed a wish to spend the school year without the use of your limbs." He raised his wand, his eyes narrowed with very evident malice. "Shall I oblige you?" he said silkily.

Docky took a step back, his large eyes even wider. "No, Master Severus, sir!" he squeaked. "Docky will not do it again." He bowed deeply. "Docky was very wrong to speak of Master's Severus' amusing childhood incidents."

Severus sneered, lowering his wand. "I do not recall it being amusing," he huffed. "On the contrary..."

He glared at me as I laughed. He turned back to Docky with an irritated expression on his face. "Goodbye, Docky. Do try and keep the house standing in our absence."

Docky bowed. "Fare thee well, Master Severus! Docky will do his very best to keep everything in order."

Severus grunted as he turned and headed towards the carriage, his black robes billowing out behind him.

"Goodbye, Docky," I said kindly, smiling down at the elf. "I might see you at Christmas if Severus says we can come back."

Docky smiled. "That would be nice. Docky promises he won't wear jingle bells this year. Master Severus didn't seem to appreciate them last year."

I smiled. "Try reindeer antlers this year. They won't be noisy, but they're festive and they'll annoy Severus."

Docky gave me a toothy grin. "Docky will work on that, Miss Armilla."

"Good." I turned and went down the steps to join Severus. We got into the carriage and it immediately started to move. I waved to Docky, who was now jumping up and down the front steps.

Morag's hooting became louder as she spotted Aeolus perched on a stone wall next the courtyard's exit. As we passed him, she fluttered her wings in protest.

"Cease that detestable racket at once," Severus said irritably. "I am sure Aeolus will be there when you come back...if you come back."

Morag stopped and then focused her energy for the next few minutes on glaring at Severus. Severus, of course, did not seem at all bothered, which annoyed Morag all the more. She turned various shades of pink, but to no avail.

"Well, I must say," said Severus, as Morag turned crimson, "the summer turned out to be a little more eventful than we thought it would be."

I nodded in agreement. Narcissa and Draco Malfoy's visit had started what had ended up being a rather challenging summer. Dumbledore's visit to announce the appearance of Mother's body had not been one of my favourite parts of the summer, but knowing she was now buried on the Merrigan Estate did leave me feeling more content about her.

Harry had finally mastered Occlumency, though it had taken weeks of strict tutelage. He had also learned a higher degree of self control, as I had noticed when Kreacher had broken Sirius' Remembrall. We would see how well Harry could keep his temper when we returned to Hogwarts. There were many more people there who knew how to make Harry angry.

When Severus and I had finally returned home from Grimmauld Place, we had spent a few days just enjoying being at home again. We went flying, collected ingredients in the greenhouses, I cooked with Docky and I played Wizard's Chess with Severus (losing many times). I even played the piano out of a desire to, which was unusual considering Severus usually had to nudge me into doing it. I was getting better at the violin and Flitwick came a few times more to teach me. He had left after the last lesson with the promise that we would continue at Hogwarts. Severus had firmly promised Flitwick that if I went more than two days without practising he would make me join the school band. I still shuddered at the thought.

My ability to deliver strong hexes whilst maintaining my mental shield was coming along well. I wasn't fantastic at it, but practice virtually every day with Severus had ensured vast progress. Severus was now hurling five accumulated hexes at me to block. I was only just managing it, so it would be at least another week or two before I would tell him to make it six. Severus had been very good about letting me decide when he could advance the magic I was learning. He would generally offer none too subtle hints when he thought things had become too easy, but he never pressured me.

Severus had been called a few times more since we had come home. Draco Malfoy had indeed become a Death Eater, and Narcissa had come over late at night when I was in bed to express her worry over this. Apparently Severus had sent her away half an hour later, firmly chastised for doubting the Dark Lord. While Severus had been telling me this, I could tell that he was worried himself about what would become of Draco.

Terry and Lisa had come over once more and I had been delighted to see them. They had brought their brooms this time and we had spent a joyous afternoon flying around the grounds. I had beaten Terry in a race, though he claimed I had only won because of my new broom. Either way, I had been pleased at being a galleon richer when Terry lost the bet.

Severus and I had also been to see Matilda once more. She had been a great deal more pleasant to Severus than she had at the beginning of the summer. I had been grateful that Severus hadn't looked too sickened much when Matilda had presented me with a pink, fluffy beanie she had knitted with a matching set of gloves. I had tried to contain my amusement when Matilda had then given him a black beanie with matching gloves. I knew he would wear the gloves, but Severus did not wear beanies.

While the time at Grimmauld Place seemed to have moved along at a snail's pace, the last couple of weeks of the holidays had definitely zoomed by. We were now returning to Hogwarts a day early, so that Severus could ensure that everything was in order for the new school year.

I was having mixed feelings about returning to school. I was excited to be starting Sixth Year, which meant dropping Astronomy and History of Magic, but I was nervous about Father trying something again. I had been safe with Severus during the holidays, but Hogwarts had proved itself not to be as safe as previously thought. I had voiced my worry to Severus as the carriage bumped along to the clearing in the forest where we would apparate to the border of the Hogwarts ward barrier.

"It will take getting used to again," he acknowledged. "Dumbledore told me that security is to be further increased this year, but we both know that Hogwarts is never completely safe. It's a matter of being vigilant, reporting anything that seems unusual, no matter how insignificant and following the rules set for your safety." He paused. "I seem to be practising my Head of Slytherin speech on you."

I smiled. "Am I going to follow some sort of timetable for duelling lessons with you?"

He nodded. "I will wait until my own timetable is finalised, as well as look into time allocations for meetings with prefects as well as staff meetings. At the moment, I think Sunday afternoons, as before, as well as Wednesday evenings."

"What about staying in the dungeons?" I asked. I had started spending a few nights a week in the dungeon early on in the last school year. When my OWLS had been approaching I had spent every night there.

Severus considered me for a moment, looking thoughtful. "Sunday nights and Wednesday nights," he said. "Unless I request it, you may choose where you spend your other nights. You may find yourself spending more time in Ravenclaw Tower this year, especially since you won't have the pressure of OWLs." He paused. "Of course, that doesn't mean I don't expect you to study."

"Who's teaching Defence against the Dark Arts this year?" I asked, shuddering at the thought of Umbridge returning.

Severus suddenly looked annoyed. "The Headmaster hasn't told me," he said disdainfully. "I daresay we'll find out this afternoon. Apparently I already know the person."

I frowned. "That doesn't really narrow it down."

"No," he agreed. "It doesn't. It could be someone I went to school with or even a past student." He sneered. "As long as Lupin doesn't make a surprise return..."

"Or Lockhart," I pointed out.

He narrowed his eyes. "Yes, or that conceited dunderhead. I think we're safe there. The last I heard, he was practising his autographs in the Closed Ward at St Mungo's."

o o o o o o o o o o

"Severus! Armilla!" said Dumbledore pleasantly, as we rushed into the Hogwarts Entrance Hall to escape the pouring rain. "So good to see you both."

"Headmaster," said Severus, nodding, looking a little ill-tempered from being drenched by the rain.

"I trust you had a pleasant journey?" Dumbledore was rocking back and forth on his heels, looking a little too cheerful. Maybe he just loved the start of the school year.

"Delightful," Severus drawled, his voice laced with sarcasm. His wet boots made a squelching noise as he took a step forward.

"Ready for the new school year, Armilla?" Dumbledore enquired, adjusting the sleeves of his robes. I noticed that the withered, blackened hand looked no better.

"Yes, sir."

"Excellent. Well, I shall not detain you, seeing as you're both leaving water marks on my lovely clean floor. Filch will have my head."

Severus grumbled. "Filch can go to-"

"Is that dear Severus' voice I can hear?" said a booming voice.

Startled at the unfamiliar voice, I looked to my left to see a very...large man emerging from the ground floor corridor. He was quite short, but his protruding stomach saved him from being deemed petite. His silvery blue waistcoat with gold, shiny buttons told me he like lavish things. His balding head was shiny and he had prominent eyes, but it was the silvery walrus-like moustache that distracted me most. All in all, I thought he looked like a creature that belonged in the ocean.

"Professor Slughorn," said Severus quietly, a slight frown on his face as he shook the man's hand.

"Come, my boy," said Slughorn, chuckling, "I'm not your teacher anymore. You can drop the formalities. I must insist that you call me Horace."

"Very well then," Severus said quietly, eying Slughorn with what I could only call doubt.

"And this must be dear Hazel's daughter," Slughorn said, turning to me. "A friend, an old student of mine, at the ministry mentioned the discovery of your identity to me." He reached out to shake my hand. "It was an unusual name, I recall. Aurelia, Amelia?"

"Armilla," Severus and I said at the same time. Severus actually looked a little annoyed.

"Armilla," Slughorn repeated, shaking my hand vigorously. "It's a pleasure. Are you as gifted at Potions as your brother here?"

"No," I said bluntly.

Slughorn frowned. "Oh." He looked a little disappointed.

"Armilla is more than adequate at Potions," Severus said smoothly.

"But not gifted?" said Slughorn. "Not gifted like you and Lily were, Severus?"

Severus' face flushed. He stared back at Slughorn with a stony expression.

I felt uncomfortable for him. I had suspected for some time that there had once been a friendship of sorts between my brother and Harry's mum.

"Actually, Horace," Dumbledore cut in, his face cheerful, as if he hadn't detected the discomfort on my brother's part, "Armilla's talents lie in the Charms field. Filius has spoken highly of Armilla's wand work and incantations since her first week at this school."

"Oh," said Slughorn, looking pleased as he looked back at me. "Why didn't you say so? You must be a modest young lass. I daresay it'll be a pleasure to teach you. You come from a family of highly talented people. I will have high expectations of you."

Oh great.

"Horace has graciously agreed to take on the role of Defence against the Dark Arts teacher, Severus," Dumbledore explained. "He has come out of retirement for us."

"How wonderful," said Severus, indifferently. I felt sorry for him that he couldn't have the job he wanted.

"Graciously?" Slughorn muttered. "You used the Potter boy to twist my arm, Albus."

Dumbledore smiled. "Let's not dwell on technicalities, dear Horace. I have offered you excellent conditions, have I not?"

"Well, I suppose if you put it like that," Slughorn grumbled. "I must admit to having missed being able to employ my excellent aptitude for talent spotting. I will have to start up the old Slug Club before long."

"The Slug Club?" Severus repeated dubiously, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh course, my boy, the Slug Club!" said Slughorn, clapping his hands together. "My own handpicked selection of the very best students, all gathered together for various get-togethers. You must remember, Severus," he said. "You were invited all the time."

"How could I forget?" Severus drawled, looking bored.

"And I am sure Armilla here will be only too delighted to be invited, won't you?" Slughorn asked, giving me what he must have thought was a fond, grandfatherly-like smile.

"I don't know, sir," I said honestly. "I don't know what I'm being invited to."

Slughorn let out a deep chuckle. "Choosy about your invitations, are you?" He winked at Severus. "That'll be easier for you when the young men come knocking, Severus."

Severus looked far from impressed at this comment. "Indeed," he said dryly.

"I will make sure only the very best young men attend my gatherings," Slughorn went on, smiling knowingly at me. I gave him a puzzled look. What was this nutter on about? I hadn't implied anything.

"Horace," Dumbledore cut in politely. "Severus and Armilla are quite drenched. They are looking forward to spending a quiet evening in dry clothes before the hubbub of the Welcoming Feast tomorrow night. I think we should detain them no longer."

"Very good, very good," Slughorn said cheerfully, bouncing on his heels. "I look forward to working with you, Severus."

Severus looked wryly back at him. "I'm simply ecstatic, Horace."

Slughorn chuckled as he turned to me. "And I look forward to teaching you, dear. I am sure I will draw out all the talent within you."

I gave a tiny nod, not really sure what to say to this. I turned and followed Severus to the dungeon stairs, trying to work out Slughorn's character.

"He's harmless, don't worry," Severus said quietly, as soon as we were alone in the chilly dungeon corridor.

"He's strange, that's what he is," I remarked. "And I don't want to go to whatever that club thing is."

"For the sake of remaining on good terms with him, it might be beneficial," Severus said seriously. "Slughorn has a bit of influence at the ministry. He prides himself on knowing the right people. It would be prudent to remain on good terms with him."

"Even with all the young men who will be in the club?" I said warily, glancing at my brother. Slughorn had seemed keen at the idea of matchmaking in his club. Severus was adamant that all dating was to be kept for after graduation.

"Certainly," he said smoothly. "Those young men won't forget that I work here too. I won't hesitate to add more names to my hit list."

I sighed, thinking this over as we walked along the silent corridors. Finally we reached the portrait of Hortensia Kinchela. Severus touched the serpent's head and the portrait swung open to reveal the door. Severus opened it and we walked inside.

"Terry was right," I said, as I took in the familiar surroundings of our sitting room.

"Right about what?" Severus asked, closing the door.

"I'm going to have to marry someone who didn't go to Hogwarts. All the boys here would be too scared to have you for a brother-in-law."

He didn't say anything. He merely smiled.

o o o o o o o o o o