Armilla II

Chapter 27

Luck, I thought, my eyes fixed upon the house elf beneath the tottering tray of what looked like Father Christmas ginger biscuits. I needed luck. Whether needing the luck was more for Severus seeing that I was worth listening to occasionally on matters of importance or more for the bigger picture, I couldn't be sure. I was extremely hopeful that the accidental magic I'd just hit Malfoy with was painful.

I crouched down next to the elf. "Excuse me-"

The house elf looked extremely surprised that I'd crouched down to her level. "You is wanting a Caroling Claus, Miss?" she asked. "Just one bite and you is singing carols all night long."

"Er-no, no thanks," I said hastily, thinking how much Docky would love those biscuits. I lowered my voice. "I would like a favour, actually."

The elf smiled brightly. "Charis is happy to be doing Miss a favour, as long as Charis isn't being in trouble for it."

"Of course not." I straightened up and walked slowly to the other side of the room, pretending to be unaware that a house elf was following me. When I was in a less crowded area, I turned back to the elf.

"Charis, could you find one of the elves that handles the laundering?"

Charis nodded. "I can help with that, Miss. Charis is an excellent ironer. What is needing to be straightened out?"

"Many things," I muttered. "Actually, this is more about a lost item. A couple of weeks ago a small hinge would have been sent to the laundry with the rest of my things. I don't have it now, so I'm hoping that it's lying about somewhere in the laundry."

"Charis understands," the house elf said, nodding vigorously and causing one of the biscuits to bounce off the tray. "We is finding things all the time. Is you wanting to come to the laundry and check yourself, Miss?"

"Yes, that would-" I paused, thinking of Severus' reaction if he came back and I wasn't there. I didn't think sneaking off with a house elf to search the laundry and prove him wrong would be a valid excuse. "No," I said slowly. "Perhaps you would be so kind as to check for me?"

"Yes, Miss," Charis squeaked. "At once!" With that, she disappeared with her tray. I fervently hoped that she would return before Severus did.

"Ah, there you are, Armilla," said a voice behind me. I turned to see Arian standing there, smiling. "Come with me," he said. "I'd like you to meet my cousin. He arrived a few minutes ago."

"Oh," I said, turning back to the spot from where Charis had just vanished, "I-"

But Arian had already turned and was walking away through the crowd. I sighed and began to follow. Bad timing. There was nothing for it; I couldn't really explain the case to Arian. I wasn't sure anyone would really understand if I said that I was waiting on a house elf to return from the laundry to report on the whereabouts of a hinge. Hm, perhaps the Weasley twins would.

"Here she is," Arian said, gesturing to me when we reached a sandy-haired young man in the middle of the room. He looked to be in his late twenties and he was gazing at us with a slight smirk on his face. "Alonzo, this is Armilla Snape. Armilla, this is my cousin, Alonzo Hewitt."

I knew that I shouldn't have been so judgemental, but I didn't like this man simply from the handshake. Alonzo's thumb rubbed my hand when he shook it. I immediately wanted to wrench it back.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Armilla," he drawled, looking down his nose at me. "I've heard so much about you."

"From Arian?" I asked, staring between Arian and Alonzo. "I am barely acquainted with Arian. We've met just once before."

Alonzo raised an eyebrow. "Must have made quite an impression then," he said, before taking a drink from his goblet.

I looked over at Arian again, but he was staring determinedly at Alonzo. I didn't like this cousin at all.

"So," said Alonzo, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "You're in your seventh year, I assume?"

"Sixth," I replied.

"Oh." He gave Arian a pointed look and Arian stared blankly back at him.

"And what do you want to do when you leave Hogwarts, Armilla?"

"I am undecided."

Alonzo smirked, looking at Arian again. Why did he keep looking at Arian?

"You don't want an impressive career then?"

Was he daft? "No," I said, frowning slightly at him. "Like I said, I'm undecided."

"Which would generally mean that she has yet to make a choice, Lon," Arian said.

"Ah," he said, smiling again.

"And you?" I asked suddenly, turning so I could see if Charis had returned. "Do you have an impressive career?"

I manage my own bookstore," he said, looking mighty pleased with himself.

"Lon is doing his best to outsell Flourish and Blotts," Arian said, frowning.

"Yes, long hours, indeed," Alonzo went on, before taking a long drink. "I'm grateful I have my wife at home, otherwise the house would be a disaster zone by now."

"Lon got married last summer," Arian explained. He shook his head at his cousin. "His house was a putrid sight before Leticia moved in."

I stared at Alonzo. "Was putrid? Shall I assume that you cleaned it before your wife moved in?"

Alonzo laughed heartily. "Not at all. I knew she'd be happy to clean it. She doesn't work after all. She knows how hard I work for the two of us."

"How wonderful," I said dryly.

"She'll be working even harder in a few months," Arian said, clapping Alonzo on the back. "There will be more to do than cooking and cleaning come mid-April."

"Apparently babies are hard work," Alonzo said dismissively. He grinned at me.

I suppressed a shudder. "Congratulations." They were already having a baby?

"Thank you," he said, nodding. "It'll be a relief when the baby's born."

"A relief?" Perhaps it was a difficult pregnancy.

"Yes, to know that everything is as it should be and I have my heir."

"Oh." An heir. How terribly important.

"Oh I agree," Arian said, looking serious. "You need to have an heir."

I looked away and was happily distracted as my eyes fell on Charis over the other side of the room. Her tray was gone now and she was looking about, clearly searching for me. My eyes then fell upon Severus as he walked back in.

I turned to Arian. "Would you excuse me? Severus is looking for me."

Without waiting for an answer, I said my "nice to meet you" to Alonzo and quickly headed away. I walked several steps in Severus' direction before 'accidentally' getting lost in the crowd and ending up next to Charis.

"Find anything?" I asked quietly.

She smiled brightly up at me. "Charis is being successful!" She opened her hand to reveal the bronze hinge.

"Thank you!" I whispered happily, taking it from her. "Was it easy to find?"

She nodded. "Easy. Jenks was knowing exactly what Charis was looking for and he was putting his hand on it right away."

"Thanks, Charis," I said, closing my hand tightly around the hinge as I looked for Severus. "I really appreciate it.

"Charis is happy to be helping," the elf said, as she wandered away.

"So, has he asked you on a date yet?" a familiar voice asked.

"Hi Harry."

"I suppose he's right for you, if you like the Slytherin sort. He looks Slytherin."

I shook my head at him. "You're making assumptions. Unwise."

"Oh, do excuse me," he laughed. "Maybe my eyes have deceived me."

I frowned. "More than likely." I looked over at him. "Luna Lovegood? Excellent choice."

"Now you're making assumptions." He folded his arms. "We came as friends...she was perfectly happy to come as friends."

"Indeed I was," said Luna airily, as she appeared at Harry's other side. "I'm having a lovely time too."

"I'm having a better time now that I can spend time reliving the memory of Malfoy being dragged in by Filch." Harry grinned at the thought.

"He looked a little diseased to me," Luna said, her eyes wide. "I believe he-"

"Do excuse me, Miss Lovegood," my brother interrupted, looking irritated about something. He turned to me. "We'd best be taking our leave now."

I nodded, squeezing the hinge that was still hidden in my hand.

"Don't forget the anti-Nargle wards, Professor," Luna said brightly.

Severus surveyed Luna through narrowed eyes and I waited for the cutting remark that was surely about to pass his lips. "I assure you, I have no intention of forgetting, Miss Lovegood."

Harry frowned, while Luna beamed.

"Come," said Severus curtly, brushing my arm as he turned around. He crossed the room and seemed to part the crowd like the Red Sea with his black robes. I followed in his wake, trying not to laugh at a vision of my brother as a teenager, practising walking in robes that gave him such an intimidating presence.

"I expected more opposition from you about leaving the party," Severus said, as we headed back to the dungeons. The frosty halls were deserted and we could clearly hear the music from the party off in the distance.

"There wasn't much to keep me there," I said indifferently.

"I didn't know you were on friendly terms with Arian Bletchley," he commented.

"I'm not," I said shortly.

"I see."

"We're not friends," I replied. "I met him at Father's last year, remember?"

"Yes, I know."

Something about his expression bothered me. "What?"

He shook his head. "Nothing."

We were silent the rest of the way back to our quarters. I realised that I was more tired than I should have been, seeing that I hadn't been at the party for an awfully long time. Perhaps it was a result of not having ventured outside our rooms in weeks because of the pneumonia.

"Eventful, to say the least," Severus said, as he closed the door.

"Yes," I replied quietly, nodding in agreement as I headed towards my bedroom. I wanted to tell Severus about the hinge, but I was feeling more than a little agitated, a mood which generally meant that I was likely to come off second best after a conversation with Severus. I planned to bring it up after taking a shower.

"A word, Armilla," Severus called after me.

I turned around in the corridor and stepped back into the sitting room, watching as Severus sat down on the sofa, helping himself to the tea that had just appeared on the coffee table. Reluctantly, I slowly walked over and sat down heavily next to him.

"We have a few things to discuss, wouldn't you agree?" he asked, passing me a cup of tea.

"I suppose so." I paused, wanting to bite back what I was thinking. "Did you solve whatever Malfoy's problem was?" Nope, not in the least bit successful.

Severus looked sharply at me. "No," he said, after a moment's pause, "I did not."

I looked away, squeezing the hinge that was still in my hand.

"I would have returned earlier," Severus said, fixing me with a look he normally reserved for Gryffindors, "if my time hadn't been taken up healing a certain mark on Draco left by a hex."

"I didn't do it on purpose," I said indignantly.

He shook his head. "I would forgive that sort of accidental magic if you were a little girl, Armilla, but you are not. I have taught you to have better control than that."

"Of course it's my fault," I muttered. "He shouldn't have been there in the first place."

"No," my brother agreed, looking irritated, "he shouldn't have been, but that doesn't justify petty, albeit accidental hexing."

I grimaced. "I know I'm wrong-"

"But you're not sorry," he finished for me.

"Not even a little bit." I frowned as I looked over at him. "We are talking of the git who made me lose my memory."

"Yes," he said curtly, "and we are therefore even more cautious where that young man is concerned because we know just how far he will go to obtain his goals."

I sighed. "I was annoyed."

He raised an eyebrow. "Well, there's some news."

"Not about Malfoy. You wouldn't take me seriously about the hinge."

"I was taking you seriously, Armilla, however I felt that speaking with Draco took a higher priority at that moment."

I shook my head, looking away.

"About the hinge, then?" he said pointedly. "You said you thought there was another?"

"No," I said crossly, looking back at him. "I know there is another. I remember what happened now. Here-" I handed the hinge to him.

"Where did you-" Severus started to say, as he leaned forward and placed his cup on the table. He reached into his robes and pulled out the other hinge, which was a perfect match.

"I told you there was another. That's what I cut my foot on."

"Where did you get it?"

"The Room of Requirement."

He frowned at me. "You left the party to go to the Room of Requirement? Alone?"

I shook my head. "No, that's where I got it originally. I found it that night I took my violin there. I took it, but it ended up in the laundry."

He was still frowning. "So you left the party to search the laundry? Alone?"

I made a face. "It's nice to know you have so much faith in me."

"Armilla-"

"I found a house elf at the party," I said quickly, feeling annoyed. "I had her search the laundry for lost items because I knew better than to roam the castle by myself. There is, after all, a strange curse following me around. It was the house elf, not me, who located the hinge while I was safe at the party. I got lucky."

"Very lucky," he said dryly, examining the hinges. He looked over at me. "I apologise."

Hmph. "Malfoy wants both of them back so he can repair a cupboard in the Room of Requirement."

Severus froze. "A cupboard?" he repeated. "He's repairing a cupboard?"

"Cupboard...cabinet...something like that. I assume that's what he's doing."

I told Severus all I could remember from that night, from Malfoy's rage at not being able to find the hinge to having the hinge protected by the emerald on my bracelet. I described all I could remember about the detail of the cabinet.

"Well," said Severus finally, rubbing his temples. "Some of the boy's behaviour is starting to make sense. The Headmaster should be informed of this immediately. He is leaving for a trip shortly." He summoned a house elf and asked him to check if Dumbledore was still in the castle.

"I...am glad you remembered about the hinge," he said quietly. "I daresay it will be a rather important clue to whatever Draco is up to."

"That's what I was hoping."

"I'm sorry I treated the subject so lightly earlier." Merlin, he looked so uncomfortable when he apologised. "I was a little more than distracted by the manner of Draco's sudden appearance in the room, not to mention how he conducted himself."

I nodded, hiding my smile at the thought of Malfoy's dishevelled, sickly appearance. I still could not bring myself to feel sorry for him. He was the reason for so much suffering in the past few weeks.

"Would you care to explain exactly what happened in the bathroom earlier?" Severus asked, after finishing his tea. "It's certainly a new development."

"I was experimenting," I explained, feeling some energy return at the thought of what had transpired in the bathroom.

"Ah yes, after you were accidentally alone in the bathroom."

"That's right," I said evenly, daring him to make another snide remark about it.

He waved a hand aside. "Go on."

I told him all about the appearance of Merle and how her reflection in the mirror looked like me. I told him of my sudden idea to use the emerald on my bracelet on her. Severus was very interested about Merle changing colour and the sheen-like substance that the ghostly form had been coated with.

"I think it's a sign that she's storing my lost magical strength in some way," I finished.

"So it would seem." Severus looked thoughtful. "It is indeed very interesting."

"I need to find a way to break the sheen."

Severus shook his head. "I agree, but I fear that simply breaking it could cause more substantial problems."

"What problem here is more substantial than my lost magic?"

Again, Severus shook his head. "I believe you can work that one out for yourself, Armilla. What generally happens when something fragile breaks?"

"It ends up in many pieces..."

"Exactly," he said, nodding. "Sometimes things are reparable, but they're never the same again."

"Oh." He had a good point. "If I just find a way to burst Merle, the magic could end up being destructive."

"It could," he said, inclining his head. "I do believe that it may recognise you, since in essence, the magic is you. It may, in a magnetic way, instantly want to become one with you again and use full force to get there."

I said nothing. The idea of that didn't sound good.

"Your magical core has been weakened by the curse," Severus went on, looking lost in thought. "Your body may not respond well to being hit by such a strong force, even if it is by your own magical strength."

"A charm to make it leak then..." I murmured. "I can always use my emerald to ensure the magic finds its way back to me...or maybe I can instruct the emerald to break it open..."

Severus nodded. "It is worth a try."

I stared at him. "You mean you're actually letting me out alone?"

He rolled his eyes, but nodded. "Yes, when we come back after the holidays...though it depends if a certain Mr Bletchley is somewhere in the castle."

This comment made me annoyed. "Well, he doesn't attend school here anymore," I said, getting up, "so it's all right."

"You know what I mean."

"Of course I know what you mean and I don't think you have anything to worry about there." I turned to go to my bedroom.

"I did not say that I was worried."

I paused mid-step and turned around. "What does that mean?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Precisely what I said."

He was so aggravating at times! I turned and almost stomped the way to my bedroom, intending to drown the strange, uncomfortable feeling I had in the shower.

I emerged from the bathroom a fair while later, having taken longer than necessary to get ready for bed. As I started putting some things away, I realised that Dumbledore was out in the sitting room with Severus. It took only a split second to tell that the conversation the two were engaged in was not at all a pleasant one. I made no effort to close my door, which was slightly ajar.

"-You have granted my leave, Headmaster!"

"That was before this new development, Severus. That cabinet must be seen to-"

"Of course it must! I had thought you would delay your trip to investigate."

"My trip is of vital importance. I can delay it no longer than a day, but it may take longer than that to fully investigate the cabinet in question."

"So the happy task falls to me?"

"You have agreed to this, Severus. It would also be prudent for you to watch over young Mr Malfoy over the break-"

"I wrote to Narcissa this morning. I am determined to have Draco spend the Christmas break at home, even if I have to deliver to boy to his mother myself."

"Is that wise?"

"I believe so. No good can come from his staying here during the break."

"It's easier for him to strengthen his connections at home."

"I am willing to take that risk. It will be beneficial-"

"For whom, Severus? The war or your own interests?"

There was a silence. When I heard my brother speak again, I could hear the fury laced in his words. "My interest is in the war, Headmaster. Forgive me, but I was quite certain you were aware of that."

"There now, I meant no insult on your commitment, Severus. It is merely clear now that you have different priorities in your life. I understand that you'd like a break like everyone else over Christmas so that you can spend time with Armilla-"

"That shouldn't be such a huge favour to ask. Armilla is well used to my disappearing when I've promised my time to her. She will probably expect several absences once we return home."

"As long as your first priority is the war, Severus. Armilla must understand that and continue to support your role in this war."

Again, there was a silence. "Priorities, Headmaster? If I don't live past this war, I want to leave this life knowing that its purpose was to be Armilla's brother, not your spy."

I felt a pang in my heart at the thought of a world without Severus. How often did he contemplate not living past the war? Of course it was a real possibility, but...it was an established belief in my mind that I could have no world without Severus.

"And Lily, Severus? What about that promise?"

Silence.

Dumbledore continued. "Am I to assume that-"

"Assume nothing, Dumbledore! I will continue to do what is required of me."

I bit my lip as I got into bed, picking up a muggle novel that Matilda had sent me. What promise about Lily?

"Harry continues to improve under your tutelage."

"He has more care now."

"I believe the boy views you differently, Severus."

"How imprudent of him."

"What I meant was he's not so hearty in voicing his displeasure of your lessons."

"How touching."

"Really, Severus!"

"Is that all, Headmaster? It is getting late and I do believe there is a cabinet that awaits our inspection."

"Shall we head up there, then? After you."

"I'll follow on. I do have a sister who might wonder at my disappearance if I don't inform her of it."

"Certainly. I shall see you soon."

I heard the opening and closing of the front door. A moment later, Severus came in, looking even more irritated than earlier.

"I won't pretend you didn't hear all that," he said gruffly, sitting on my bed.

"Not all of it."

"Our trip home may need to be delayed if we haven't solved the problem of the cabinet by Christmas Eve. That gives us a few days."

"Did Dumbledore know what cabinet Malfoy is using?"

He nodded. "He believes it is the Vanishing Cabinet, which broke years ago and was stored in the Room of Requirement. It's a rather dangerous piece of furniture."

"What would he be trying to vanish?"

"The Headmaster mentioned that there's another cabinet somewhere. The idea is that whatever vanishes in one cabinet will appear in the other." Severus shook his head. "It's really an excellent idea of Draco's if I'm following his line of thought."

"Which is?" I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the answer.

Severus shook his head again. "I've said too much-"

"So he could get dark objects into the castle?" I suggested. A most unsettling thought occurred to me. "Death Eaters, perhaps?"

Severus stared at me for a moment before giving a slight nod.

"Why wouldn't Malfoy tell you about that?"

"Clearly he doesn't think it is my business to know."

"So, you would act all surprised if Death Eaters suddenly turned up in the castle?"

He got up. "Goodnight, Armilla. Remember to take the Dreamless Sleep."

"I know - too many questions." I reached over and picked up the potion.

"Indeed."

"Severus?"

"Mm?" He turned around, his hand on the doorknob.

"Do you think that...having an heir is the most important thing when one gets married?"

"No," he said simply.

"Oh...are you in the minority of people who think that?"

He frowned. "I suppose I am...for the pureblood families. Most other wizarding couples will have children simply because they choose to...or are simply...not careful."

"Oh."

He was watching me closely. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason."

"Armilla."

I grimaced. "I was just thinking about it, that's all. I wasn't trying to imply anything."

"It was an odd question to ask."

"I won't ask anything else-"

"Armilla," he said, shaking his head as he walked back into the room. "You're thinking too much about this-"

"Would you care if I married a muggle?" I suddenly asked.

He paused. "I'd care about the implications it would cause-"

"A muggle-born then?"

"No, I wouldn't mind, Armilla, but there would be implications. What-"

"I'm just wondering," I muttered moodily.

He sighed. He leaned down and kissed me. "To save yourself the trouble of such wearisome thoughts," he said, as he straightened up, "just become an old recluse like me."

I looked up. "You're not old. Well, not really old."

"Thank you."

"I'm sorry," I said, as he walked to the door again. "I do think too much on stupid things."

"We're all guilty of it," he said dismissively, turning around again at the door.

"So...," I said slowly, "you would have married a muggle-born, despite what Mother and Father would have said? Even if it meant that any heirs might not inherit the estates?"

"You don't need to have pure blood to inherit either the Merrigan or Snape estate," he answered. "You simply need the blood from that line."

I nodded, waiting for him to answer my other question.

After another pause, he spoke again. "I was never in a position to consider it, Armilla, but yes, if I had been, I wouldn't have cared about marrying a muggle-born."

o o o o o o o o o o o

We finally arrived home for the Christmas break, only hours later than expected instead of days later. To my dismay, the Vanishing Cabinet had not been destroyed, as I had hoped it would. In the middle of the night, Dumbledore had relocated it, and Severus had spent the days following ensuring that it would never carry a trace of magic again.

I wasn't sure whether or not to be relieved about the whole thing. Didn't this mean that Malfoy would only move on to something new? Perhaps something even more dangerous? I wished he would just give up on whatever mission he had. Easier said than done, I supposed, when you were working for the Dark Lord.

Narcissa Malfoy had personally come to take her son home only the day before. Apparently there had been a bit of a tantrum in Severus' office when Malfoy had declared that he wanted to stay at Hogwarts during the break. As Malfoy was the only Slytherin staying, Severus used the excuse that none of his House were permitted to stay for the break and he encouraged them to go home to their families. By the look on Severus' face when he came back to our quarters not long after, Malfoy had not gone quietly.

"Happy Christmas!" Docky squeaked, jumping up and down on the front steps as the carriage came to a halt.

"Happy Christmas, Docky," I replied cheerfully, as I got out of the carriage. I immediately started laughing when I got a closer look at him.

"Docky, take that ridiculous thing off at once," Severus ordered, as he climbed out behind me. "Why you insist on such ludicrous costumes is beyond me. Armilla stop laughing at him."

Docky tapped the red plastic bauble on his nose and it immediately started flashing. "Whoops, wrong one," he said. He tapped it again and a bunch of red tinsel shot out the end of it, hitting my brother and I before most of it landed in the snow.

Severus pursed his lips as he pulled some tinsel off his cloak. "I've got clothes for you for Christmas, Docky," he said snidely. "It'll be a happy Christmas for all."

Docky's ears drooped, but his smile barely faltered. "Master Severus says that every year."

"And every year I become more serious about it," Severus grumbled, closing the carriage door. He turned back to Docky. "I'm going to donate you to the Malfoys."

Docky's large eyes grew even wider. With a face full of fear, he turned and fled up the stairs into the house.

"You're mean," I said, as we ascended the stairs.

"And he asks for it."

"It's a disposition you only need to tolerate for a small amount of time each year."

"Don't make this about my faults, Armilla," Severus said curtly, as we went inside.

"So can I sleep without Dreamless Sleep tonight?" I asked, changing the subject. I wanted to do my best to get the rest of my memories back before school started again.

Severus sighed. "It's Christmas Eve, Armilla. Surely you don't want to spend Christmas Day with a headache?"

"It would be the best Christmas gift ever to have even a couple more memories back," I said seriously, as we walked down to the kitchen.

Severus shook his head. "And a late night for me because I've got to be there to watch you in case something goes wrong."

"What if I go to bed really early?" I suggested, putting Morag's cage down. "And then after I get a couple of memories back I'll take the Dreamless Sleep."

"And a headache potion," Severus said, shaking his head slightly. "I won't be doing this every night of the holidays if the fever starts. We're not going through that process again."

"So I can try tonight?" I asked, sitting at the kitchen bench as Severus went over to the oven to inspect Docky's baked dinner.

"If you go to bed exceptionally early," he answered, taking the meal out of the oven. "I mean straight after dinner."

I grinned, getting up to get the plates. "Fine."

He scowled at me as he started cutting up the meat. "I mean it, Armilla. If the fever starts, it's back to Dreamless Sleep for another week."

o o o o o o o o o o o

I had the feeling I hadn't been here in ages. Everything looked normal: the house, the garden, the clouds... clouds in the kitchen...clouds in the oven...a cloud on Docky's nose. Yes, everything was as it should be.

"Pull my nose!" Docky said excitedly, jumping up and down.

"No, Armilla," Severus said, stirring clouds into the gravy. "Don't encourage him."

"But it itches!" Docky cried. "Help! Achoo!" Little clouds flew out of his cloud nose and started floating about. "Get them!"

I ran to catch them. They were so tiny! I winced as I grabbed hold of each one; I felt a little stab in my head for each one that I caught. Random facts about Wendelin the Weird and Howard the Haughty, amongst other strange memories floated into my mind. Who cared about those things? I jumped for the ones up high. Ugh! I couldn't reach them; something was holding me back.

Docky was still clutching his cloud nose. "What about my nose? Pull it off! It itches!"

I reached out and grabbed onto it. "Ow!" Pulling it was hurting me more than it hurt him!

"Ahh!" Docky screamed.

"Ow!" I fell back, clutching my head. Memories of Grimmauld Place flashed before my eyes. No wait...that was the light in my bedroom.

"That was fun," Severus said wryly, from where he sat on my bed, my muggle novel in his hand. "You've had an hour's sleep...if I can call it that; you've been muttering nonsense for the last fifteen minutes."

I sat up. "I got some memories back...some pointless stuff from History of Magic...some other Transfiguration and Charms stuff...and more memories from Grimmauld Place." I was on a roll. "My head's not aching as badly as before."

"I am glad to hear it." He held out the headache potion to me all the same.

"Can I do it again?" I asked when I had finished the potion.

He handed me the Dreamless Sleep. "Absolutely not."

I frowned. "Why not?"

"One step at a time," he said firmly.

"Severus-"

"Or we can take no steps at all," he said, sending me a warning glance as he stood up.

"As long as I can go back to school with all my memories."

"We'll see." He handed me my muggle book with a look of distaste. "Tell Matilda that if she wants to send you books, find some wizarding ones. These muggle ones are odd."

"Matilda said it's popular," I said.

He pulled a face. "A muggle woman wanting to marry off her five daughters to wealthy men? Riveting."

I shook my head. "You read it?"

"Just the first few pages while you were sleeping." He sneered. "I couldn't bear to go on."

o o o o o o o o o o o

I woke up on Christmas morning to the sound of the strong wind hitting the windows. Sitting up, I watched as snow flew in every direction outside. Morag, who was also awake, was sitting atop her cage, watching the snow.

"I'm sure Aeolus is fine," I told her, wondering where her owl friend was at that moment. I grinned at her. "Happy Anniversary, Morag. It's a year ago today that I got you."

Morag hooted and continued to stare out the window.

Rolling my eyes, I got up and pulled my dressing gown and slippers on. I peeked around the front of my bed and found several packages waiting for me there. I smiled, wondering what Severus had gotten me. I stretched, glancing at the clock. It was only seven in the morning.

At least Severus would be up by now; he was always an early riser. I left my room and walked the short way down the corridor to his bedroom. I knocked on the door, which was slightly ajar, and pushed it open when I heard Severus tell me to come in.

He was sitting on his unmade bed with a piece of folded parchment in his hand. He also hadn't changed yet; he was wearing his dark grey dressing gown and grey socks.

"Good morning," he said, putting the parchment away in a drawer. "Happy Christmas."

"Happy Christmas," I said. I pointed at the small pile of gifts at the foot of his bed. "Why haven't you opened your presents?"

"I was waiting for you. Have you opened yours?"

"No."

He picked up his wand from his bedside table and summoned my gifts. A moment later they all floated in and landed on the bed.

"You first then," Severus said, picking up two different packages. "Do you want one of mine or your friends' gift?"

I climbed up on the bed beside him and took the present from him. It was soft. I tore off the silver paper and was met with an unexpected present.

"New slippers?" I examined the soft blue slippers, trying to hide my smile at how similar his gift was to mine. These slippers were much nicer than my old, faded pink ones. "What's wrong with my old slippers?"

"They're unsightly."

"Merle bought those," I said indignantly.

He gave me a mocking smile. "And I'm sure if she was here she'd agree they've become unsightly."

I smiled, pulling on the new ones. "Your turn. That one." I threw the soft package into his lap.

"Tea cosy?" he guessed, feeling the package.

"Nah, maybe for your birthday."

"Damn." He tore open the packaging and pulled out a pair of woolly, blue bed socks.

"Bed socks?"

I grinned. "So you can throw out your old ones."

"What's wrong with my old ones?"

"They're unsightly."

"No, they're not." He shook his head. "I'll throw out the old ones then." He pulled a face. "Blue? Really? You couldn't find grey ones?"

I laughed. "Blue is a much nicer colour. Grey is boring."

"Hmph."

"Actually, I ran out of grey wool."

He looked surprised. "You knitted these?"

I nodded. "I remembered most of what Merle had taught me...I apologise in advance if they unravel after a week."

He shook his head. "I'm sure they won't. What were you knitting with grey wool?"

I nodded at my other present for him. He reached for it and unwrapped it, revealing a dark grey scarf and matching gloves.

"I didn't think you were prepared to wear blue in public," I said, watching as he examined them.

"No," he agreed. He looked over at me and smiled. "I did need replacements. Thank you."

"You don't have to wear them or anything," I said. "Making them took up some time while I was sick."

"Of course I'll wear them," he said, "most especially the bed socks." He passed me a larger, soft package. "There seems to be a theme this year."

I tore off the paper and placed my hand on the beautiful, silvery blue velvet-like material. It was a new travelling cloak. I ran my hands over the blue and silver embroidery.

"It's beautiful," I said softly, holding it up. I had never owned a cloak like it.

"It will adjust to the conditions outside to ensure the right amount of warmth."

"I didn't know such cloaks existed," I said, impressed.

He shook his head. "If they do, I've never seen them. I sent the material to Matilda with the design and she was happy to make it for you. I added the appropriate charms once she'd sent it back."

How awfully clever. I'd had my other travelling cloak since my second year, so I welcomed a new one, especially this one. "Thank you," I said sincerely, leaning over to kiss Severus.

I unwrapped gifts from my friends, which turned out to be an assortment of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes products.

"I bet the Weasley twins did a trade this Christmas," Severus said, as he reached for the other two packages. "Chocolate stars, I wager," he said rolling his eyes at the one from Dumbledore. "Can't break with tradition."

Sure enough, he pulled out a packet of Honeydukes Chocolate Stars, which he gave to me, just like the year before. Docky's present to each of us was far more interesting. We each received a pair of earmuffs, mine purple and Severus' black. They looked innocent enough until I dared to put mine on. I immediately heard a hilarious rendition of Deck the Halls, sung by Docky.

"Don't encourage him," Severus said, as I pulled it off, laughing. "Ridiculous elf."

Our Christmas day turned out to be even happier than the year before. The idea of the Dark Lord celebrating Christmas made me cringe, but at least he didn't summon Severus. We spent part of the morning in the greenhouses, before walking through the snow to Mother's grave.

I helped Docky cook Christmas lunch, which turned out to be rather time consuming because Docky had organised a feast that would ensure we had leftovers for days. After lunch, I spent time playing the piano in my bedroom and practising the violin. I'd promised Docky I would play him some Christmas carols, as long as he was sure Severus was out of earshot.

Severus and I had just sat down to supper that evening, discussing our plan to duel the following morning, when the doorbell rang.

"That had better not be Dumbledore," Severus grumbled, as we heard Docky scamper down the hall.

A moment later, it was clear that it certainly not the Headmaster calling in for a visit.

"If you wait here, M'am," Docky was saying, "Docky will inform his master that-"

"Out of my way, elf!"

"Docky begs you to-"

"Do you want to be hexed?"

Severus stood up abruptly and walked around the table, but before he could reach the door, Docky came hurtling into the room, closely followed by an irate Narcissa Malfoy.

"Narcissa!" Severus said, as Docky, clearly not expecting to see Severus so close to the door, collided with my brother's legs and landed in a heap at his feet.

"Mrs Malfoy to see you, sir," Docky said woozily, rubbing his head.

Severus stepped around Docky and extended his hand to Mrs Malfoy, which she shook hastily. I had never seen Mrs Malfoy looking so dishevelled. Her skin had a greyish tone to it and her blonde hair had a strange, matted look to it.

"Severus, I need your help!" she cried, grasping his hand with both of hers. "Draco's gone!"

Severus stared at her. "Gone?" He repeated. "A little more detail would suffice, Narcissa."

Mrs Malfoy let go of him and her hands flailed about as she spoke. "Disappeared!" she yelled, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I went to his bedroom to check on him, but he wasn't there!" She covered her face with her hands.

"Did he give you any indication at all that he was thinking of leaving?" Severus asked quietly, after a moment's silence.

Mrs Malfoy, her hands still covering her face, shook her head. After another pause, in which the only sound was Docky leaving the room with a slight limp, she finally lowered her hands and met my brother's gaze.

"He's been so angry, Severus. He's broken so many things since he's come home... Lucius would have-" She looked away, blinking back tears. "It wouldn't have happened if Lucius had been home. Something's happened, I know it has." She pulled a handkerchief from her robes and dabbed at her eyes.

"Narcissa-"

"I don't know what's worse," she said heavily, looking at Severus again. "Either Draco has disappeared of his own accord, or it's the Dark Lord's doing. If he's trying to hide himself from the Dark Lord, he's being utterly foolish."

"Indeed he is."

"The Dark Lord is waiting to kill him, Severus, I know he is!" Mrs Malfoy covered her face with her hands again. "Draco's mind hasn't been sound since he took the Mark. This is my son, Severus! Not a pawn in the Dark Lord's game!"

Severus looked back at me and jerked his head in the direction of the door. Taking the cue, I silently left the room, intending to see if Docky was all right.

I walked down the kitchen stairs, wondering where Malfoy was at that moment. Had he simply decided to disappear? Had removing the Vanishing Cabinet pushed him over the edge? What if You-Know-Who had become angry and keeping him somewhere, torturing him?

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The end of January came and still there had been no word from Draco Malfoy. He was listed as missing in the papers, and according to Severus, the Dark Lord hadn't mentioned him once. This was practically confirmation that You-Know-Who was perfectly aware of Malfoy's whereabouts. After all, wouldn't he have sought him out by now if Malfoy had run off?

Narcissa Malfoy's understandable distress at the situation had rendered her indisposed to venturing outside her home. Severus told me little of what he knew of the situation, except that Bellatrix Lestrange frequented Malfoy Manor far more often now.

I now had the majority of my memories back. The thought of the whole experience still enabled me to think of Malfoy with very little sympathy. I occasionally still stumbled across small clouds in my dreams, but on the whole, I was feeling much better. I no longer had the feeling that parts of my mind were missing.

Going back to classes in January was wonderful. It gave life the sort of normalcy that was appreciated in the midst of a war. Severus' thirty-seventh birthday was celebrated with minimal fuss, as he had expressly ordered. I'd gotten Charis, the house elf I'd virtually befriended, to bake him a dark chocolate cake and we'd had dinner that night in our quarters, while he'd grumbled about the staff singing happy birthday to him in the staffroom. He had been particularly delighted with a new invention of mine, which I had presented to him as his birthday gift. I had found a rather grumpy looking pewter wizard, about the size of my knight, Rodrigo, and I had charmed him to offer scathing comments when anyone looked in his direction. He lived on a shelf in our sitting room and offered a variety of comments in his gruff voice, like:

I will try being nicer if you try being smarter

I'm smiling. This should scare you.

I have multiple personalities and none of them like you.

My personal favourite was his simple "Go away." Severus had looked uncertain whether to be amused or not when I had confirmed that I had come up with the comments myself. They made us laugh at any rate, and in a world where everyone suffered from nerves, it was a very welcome laugh.

Everyone seemed more on edge than ever before, especially because a number of students had missing family members. News arrived almost daily to various students, informing them of missing persons or the deaths of loved ones. Students were seen leaving with their parents at least twice a week.

Lisa's uncle, who worked at the Ministry, had been missing for weeks, and her aunt and cousins had gone into hiding. Terry's family were considering moving abroad, more so recently due to the number of sudden deaths of witches and wizards in his village.

I had no cousins, aunts or uncles to speak of. My comfort was that I saw Severus on a daily basis. Speaking of comforting things, I would have thought ages ago that not seeing the ghostly Merle would be a great comfort. Now that I was allowed to see her and test out my new theory, I hadn't seen her once! I wondered if turning my bracelet on her the last time had caused some damage. I wanted to see her again - how else would I get my magic back? I didn't like the faded green of the emerald on my bracelet.

As I was getting ready for bed on the first Thursday in February, there came a tapping at the window.

"At last," said Mandy, going to the window. "That must be my letter from Ruby. I hope she's all right."

Ruby had not come back after the holidays. We didn't have much information except that someone in her family was ill. According to Lisa, she had started going home on weekends during the last few weeks of December. She wasn't expected to come back.

Mandy opened the window and let the large, black owl in. It immediately flew to me and landed on my bedside table. It hooted, holding out its leg to me. I frowned as I untied the letter, recognising the Ministry stamp on the envelope. How strange. With another hoot, the owl took off and swooped out the window.

Mandy made a sound of annoyance as she closed the window. "She could at least write," she muttered, stomping over to her bed.

"Maybe she's got better things to do," Lisa said sleepily from her bed. "No one wants to hear you wallow over Anthony Goldstein."

"Shut up, Lisa."

I sat down on my bed as I pulled the parchment out of the envelope. Why would the Ministry be contacting me?

Thursday, 6^th February, 1997

Dear Miss Snape,

It is with hearty condolences that we inform you of the death of your father, Aurelius Merula Snape. His death was noted on our records as occurring at 11:03am on this day. The nature of his death has yet to be determined.

You are receiving this information as you, Armilla Lucia Kemp Snape, are listed as a beneficiary on the Last Will and Testament of the late Mr Snape. We invite you to present yourself with your guardian at the Ministry on Saturday, 8^th February at 9:00am for an interview with me, so that the Will can be discussed with you and the other beneficiary.

Hoping you are well,

Titus Rosethorne

Family Solicitor

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