Armilla

Chapter 71

We sat in silence for a moment. I was contemplating what he had just said.

There was no sarcasm in his tone, nor were there traces of the dry humour that I was so familiar with. Those words came from a man who was always so guarded when it came to expressing himself. I had known for a long time that Snape loved me, but hearing him actually say it without a trace of awkwardness in his voice cemented for me the level our relationship had reached.

When I had first found out about our relationship I had only ever thought of having a loving bond with my brother when I had been feeling particularly sarcastic and depressed. I had thought that it was time to stand on my own two feet and fend for myself. Other than depending upon Snape for financial support and some extra defensive lessons, I hadn't believed that we would ever develop a bond with each other.

But here we were... It had taken me a long time to realise that the strange feeling I felt for him was love. If I had travelled into the future at the beginning of fifth year and witnessed the scene I was currently in, I would have died of embarrassment or at least would have obtained a permanent bed at St Mungo's with Chronic Bewilderment.

It just went to show that you could never be so sure about what the future entailed. I would never have bet in a million years that the fearsome Head of Slytherin would not only turn out to be my brother, but would also become the light of my world.

"I must go," said Snape finally, letting go and standing up. I got up too and he turned to face me. "I will be back shortly with your friends. In the meantime I suggest you think about what you will tell them about our new arrangement."

"What am I allowed to tell them?" I asked.

He frowned slightly as he looked at me. I knew he would have preferred for me to tell my friends nothing about my family, but it would be strange to tell them that I was suddenly solely in Snape's custody without providing an explanation. "How much do they know about Father?"

"Nothing in detail," I answered. My friends knew that my father was not the nicest man, but I had refrained from going into specifics. They knew that he could be abusive and they knew all about Rougier, but I hadn't told them a lot of private family stuff.

"Keep it that way," he said, nodding. "The Headmaster and I spoke about the situation and we think it is best for now that a limited number of people know what transpired after Father took you. Custody of you is being granted to me on the grounds that Father was abusive and unsuitable in the role of guardian. That is the story that you will give your friends. It is truthful, just not detailed."

"They'll know that my disappearance had something to do with it," I pointed out. "But I suppose it is wise to keep them in the dark." It certainly was. It shouldn't get out that I had won a duel against Aurelius Snape. My friends wouldn't tell on purpose, but there was all kinds of Dark Magic around that could make people talk. We were living in dangerous times.

"I am glad you agree," he said, walking to the door. He turned around, his hand on the doorknob. "Are you sure you will be alright while I am gone?" His dark eyes met mine with such intensity that I couldn't look away.

I nodded. "I think so." That was honest enough. My worry hadn't vanished in a matter of minutes. I was still a little preoccupied with the thought of impostors roaming the castle.

"I daresay your friends will keep you occupied," he said, a slight sneer visible on his face. "I am sure they will be thrilled to be told to come down here again." The sarcasm in his tone brought a smile to my face.

"They were very out of place down here," I admitted. Though Snape had made it clear often enough before that these rooms were just as much mine as they were his, I felt a little bad that my friends had been in our quarters. Snape liked his privacy; having other Ravenclaw students visit would certainly not be his cup of tea, whether he was there or not.

"Thankyou for letting them come down here," I said. "I know they're intruding on your space...but...-"

Snape held up a hand to stop me. "I won't even be here, Armilla. If having them come to you can help you then my space is not an issue. I am sure your friends won't wreak havoc down here." He smirked. "Perhaps I should lay down some ground rules to them on the way down here."

Before I could answer, he had opened the door and was gone. I felt a little bit of sympathy for my friends. I was sure the last thing they would want on a stress free Saturday morning was their Potions Master swooping down on them and demanding their immediate presence in the dungeons. I knew that Snape wouldn't put it to them in the form of a friendly invitation.

I left the sitting room and headed towards the bathroom so I could wash my face. Terry and Lisa would ask questions if they thought I had been crying. I seldom cried in front of them.

"I've seen you look better, dear," said the mirror, as I turned the tap on.

I ignored it and offered no conversation.

While I was waiting for my brother to return with my friends, I set about tidying my bedroom. It was pretty neat anyway, but I just put stray quills and bits of parchment away out of a want for something to do. When I had straightened my bedspread three times I decided I was becoming neurotic and so I went out to the sitting room with my study notes to wait.

I wasn't kept waiting long. The average person would have taken longer to go all the way up to Ravenclaw Tower and back from the dungeons, but Snape always walked quickly.

I looked up from my study notes as the door opened. Snape came in, looking perfectly at ease, while my friends came in quietly behind him, looks of trepidation on their faces.

I suddenly realised that my friends would want to know why they had to come down to the dungeons again. They would want me to go back up to Ravenclaw Tower with them.

"I have explained to Miss Turpin and Mr Boot, Armilla," said my brother, gesturing for Lisa to move out of the way so he could close the door, "that you are still recovering from the other night and that I have no wish for you to be roaming about the castle today."

I nodded, feeling a little relieved that Snape had solved my problem for me. I looked from Snape to my friends. Lisa was a little red, and Terry had a slightly bemused expression on his face.

"I have also told them that there is something you would like to tell them," Snape went on, sounding very much like he was conducting a business meeting. "However," he said, his voice hard, "I have made it very clear that they are not to use this opportunity to seek details or pry into our business." He paused to give each of my friends a warning look. It was the kind of look that would generally have a first year running in the opposite direction. Lisa and Terry took it well; they looked back at their teacher, their faces determinedly casual.

Snape looked back at me again. "I must go. I won't stay away long." He gave me a penetrating look. "Contact me if you need me."

He sounded just like any parent going out and leaving a child home alone, but I knew that the last comment was in reference to my chocolate frog card. He meant for me to contact him if I started to feel anxious.

I nodded. "Alright," I said quietly, trying to push away the gnawing feeling inside. I didn't want him to go.

Snape had a slightly dubious expression on his face as he looked back at me, but he wasn't about to say anything in front of my friends.

"I mean it," he said quietly, not breaking his gaze with me. I hoped that I wouldn't have to contact him while he was gone; I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.

"I know," I said.

He finally broke eye contact. He turned his attention to my friends. "Remember my instructions," he said curtly as he opened the door.

"Yes sir," they said in unison.

He closed the door with a snap behind him and I tried not to smile as Terry and Lisa breathed out sighs of relief. Though I was trying not to smile, I couldn't ignore the pang I felt in my heart when Snape left.

Lisa brought her hands up to her face as she joined me on the sofa. Terry sat down in an armchair for a split second before jumping back up again.

"This isn't Snape's chair, is it?"

"They're all his," I said vaguely, watching as Lisa put her hands down and leaned back into the sofa, wearing a nervous grin.

"No, I mean is this the chair he uses all the time?" Terry pressed, looking anxious. "If it is, I don't want to be sitting here when he returns. I don't want detention for sitting in his favourite spot."

"He wouldn't give you detention," I said, not hiding my smile now. I was so used to Snape, but this was a terrifying experience for my friends. "And no, that isn't his chair. We don't really have favourite spots."

"You're sure?" he asked.

"Come to think of it," I said, staring at Lisa. "When we're both sitting on the sofa, I generally sit to Severus' right, so you're sitting in his spot."

Terry gestured to Lisa. "Get up."

Lisa folded her arms. "I'm perfectly fine here, thankyou."

"It doesn't matter, Terry," I insisted. "I've never been told to move because I've been in his spot."

Terry looked sceptical. "I probably sound paranoid," he said finally, as he flopped down into the armchair again.

"I don't blame you," I said honestly. "He does his best to intimidate you."

"You can say that again," said Lisa. "We had just left Ravenclaw Tower when we saw Snape striding towards us. He told us that our presence was required in the dungeons for the morning and we were left with no choice but to follow him."

"I swear all the passing students thought we were in trouble," Terry grumbled.

"He then proceeded to lay down the law in regards to prying into your business, Mill," Lisa continued. "Though he disguised parts of his one-sided conversation so passing students would think he was he was talking of something school-related."

"I'm sorry for what you two have to go through when you see him," I said quietly, thinking of where Snape would be at that moment. Still somewhere in the Hogwarts grounds? Near a point where he could Apparate? I still wished that I could have gone with him.

They both shrugged. "It comes with being your friend," said Lisa dismissively, "and you know that we wouldn't give up your friendship for anything."

I smiled. "Well, I know he's very private, but he doesn't really think that you'd do your best to pry into our business."

"Ha! Don't be so sure," Terry muttered. "I'm not sure he trusts many people."

We were all silent for a moment.

"So did you end up going back to bed yesterday?" I asked, remembering that my friends had also been up all that night.

"Yeah," Terry answered. "We were so relieved that you were alright, but when the worry had disappeared exhaustion came instead. I slept the morning away."

"So did I," said Lisa, nodding. "We didn't want to come barging down here to see you, so we spent the afternoon in Ravenclaw Tower. What did you do yesterday?"

"I slept a lot," I admitted. "I helped Snape in the lab, and I saw Dumbledore."

"I'm so glad he's back," said Terry. "I don't care how eccentric he is, his abilities as Headmaster by far surpass those of Umbridge."

I nodded in agreement.

"So you were paid a visit by Dumbledore then?" he asked.

I shrugged. "He comes to discuss things with Snape, so he'll talk to me too sometimes."

"Is this leading to what you have to tell us?" Lisa asked.

I nodded.

"Is it a good thing or a bad thing?" she pressed.

"It's most definitely a good thing."

"You haven't found out about another long lost relative, have you?" said Terry, grinning. "A reunion of Snapes?"

"No," I laughed. "No more Snapes."

"What then?" asked Lisa, leaning forward.

"I'm not going to see my father this summer," I said.

Their eyes widened.

"Oh, Mill, that's wonderful"' Lisa exclaimed.

"How did Snape manage to pull that off?" Terry asked, looking incredulous. "I thought your father had a lot of power."

"He did," I said nodding. "But not so much now. I can't go into that though."

"We know," said Lisa at once. "Just tell us what you are able to without getting you or us into trouble. So will you have to make up the time to your father?"

"No," I said simply. "Severus is getting full custody. I won't be seeing Father anymore."

"On what grounds?" asked Terry, his eyes wide. He suddenly shook his head. "No, forget I said that. I shouldn't be asking such questions."

"Well, it's obvious it's got something to do with your disappearance," said Lisa quietly. "And we knew before that he was abusive towards you. We know you don't want our pity, so we won't pry."

"We'll just accept the news and show our joy that your git of a father won't have any more time with you," said Terry. "You must be so thrilled, Milly."

I nodded. "You have no idea how happy and relieved I am not to be going to Snape Manor this summer. More than anything else I'm thrilled that from now on it's just Severus and me. We won't have to consult Father about anything. No writing to him. No putting up with his ridiculous letters."

"I imagine that Snape is also happy then," said Lisa.

I nodded. "I think he was even more relieved than me," I said softly.

"You know, I think finding out he had a sister was probably one of the best things that ever happened to Snape," said Terry, leaning back in the armchair. "I mean, before he was just a greasy git...well he still is a git to us, but you've no doubt made a huge impact on his life, Milly."

I nodded vaguely, thinking about all my memories of Snape before I had known he was my brother. I had thought he was a git too. "I have," I said finally. I was silent for a moment, thinking about something else. "I should also tell you that this new arrangement will mean the end of my mother."

They both looked uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry, Mill," Lisa whispered. "I know she's a spirit, but you did get to know her well enough that it would have seemed like..."

"She was really there," Terry finished. "It's hard to explain I suppose."

"Yeah," I said softly. "But that was the condition on which her spirit entered the ring. She would remain there until she was satisfied with who was taking care of me. It was Severus alone who she wanted and so she now has to go. She's been fading for awhile." I bit my lip. "Actually, I don't even know if we'll be able to activate the ring when we go to see her later on."

"It'll be hard, no doubt," said Terry. "But it was fortunate that you got to know her at all."

"That's what Severus says," I said.

"Losing your mother's spirit will be a big loss," said Lisa slowly, "and of course she can't be replaced, but think about how much you're gaining."

I nodded. "What I've wanted for a long time; Severus having full custody."

"Exactly," she said. "That doesn't mean losing your mum will be easy, but surely the knowledge that you won't be seeing your father would make it easier."

"I suppose so," I said. "I'm lucky to have known her at all. And I'm grateful that I'll be able to stay with Severus all summer."

"What are you going to do all summer with him then?" Lisa asked, looking anxious. "I mean, would he have plenty of stuff that keeps him occupied all summer? Won't you be bored?"

I shrugged. "We haven't discussed what we'll do this summer. Just knowing that it won't involve an extended visit to Father's house is enough."

"Does this mean we don't have to be polite to Draco Malfoy anymore?" asked Terry, his eyes shining.

I shook my head. "I'm not going to go out of my way to speak with him. It will be like before; be polite when I do see him and just think evil thoughts rather than say them."

"But your father won't be monitoring what you're saying to him now," he complained, looking annoyed.

"No, but it won't go down well for me to be rude to the Slytherins when my brother is their Head of House," I pointed out.

"Fine," he huffed, folding his arms and looking quite put out. "I can put up with the little smirks on that pointed face, but when he implies that the upholstery in Ravenclaw doesn't match Slytherin standards..." He broke off, glaring at the floor.

"Slytherin could have the finest interior decorating of all the Houses and I still would not want to join it," said Lisa matter-of-factly.

"I'm glad Severus isn't here to hear you say that," I said, smiling. "He'd throw you out for such a comment." I wished he was nearby. I was comfortable enough having my friends close, but I knew I would be more comfortable if my brother was close by.

Terry grinned. "Is there any House rivalry between the two of you?"

"Sometimes," I replied.

"And who generally wins?" he asked.

"We both like to think we do."

A loud hoot brought an end to the subject.

Terry looked around. "Can I see your owl, Milly?"

"Sure," I said, standing up. "Come on."

They stood up and followed me into my bedroom.

"Well," said Terry, staring around my pale blue room. "I can't see any bottled slugs in here or black walls."

I lightly punched him in the arm before moving over to Morag.

"Terry and I used to wonder what your bedroom would look like," Lisa explained. "In the beginning, of course, when we weren't so sure about Snape."

"You're sure now, are you?" I asked wryly, as Morag, in her normal white form, hopped onto my outstretched arm, hooting happily.

"Of course," she said. "We've been pretty sure for awhile, but there was something about the other night...when we saw the two of you in the Entrance Hall..."

I looked away and met Morag's gaze instead. I had been holding Snape's hand when my friends had appeared at the top of the stairs.

"We could tell that it's more than just obligation, that's all," said Terry quietly, looking closely at Morag. "No matter who he is to the other students, Snape is someone entirely different to you."

I looked back at him and gave a small nod. "He is."

I didn't want to go into the degree of Snape's affection towards me with my friends. It was enough that they believed him to be affectionate, but I wanted to keep the sort of relationship we had to myself, and I knew that Snape would appreciate that.

"Morag doesn't look any different from normal owls," said Terry, squinting down at her. "She's certainly small, Mill."

Morag let out an indignant hoot and immediately grew twice her size.

"Whoa!" Terry exclaimed, stepping back.

Morag let out another hoot and turned black.

"Alright, alright, I'm sorry," said Terry, grinning at her. "I wasn't judging you or anything. After all, Armilla is small. Ow!"

"I don't regret that," I said, as Terry rubbed the spot on his arm where I had hit him with my good hand.

"How is your arm, Mill?" Lisa asked, sitting down on my bed as Morag fluttered onto Terry's arm. She was looking at him with curiosity, hooting softly.

"Better," I said. "Hopefully I can take the bandages off tomorrow. It's irritating."

"How are you?" she asked, looking serious.

"Fine," I said simply.

"Come on, Mill," she said, looking impatient, "I know we can't know what went on the other night, but you were in a pretty bad way when we saw you. It must have affected you."

I shrugged. "Maybe. I'll get over it."

Lisa pursed her lips.

"Look," I said, sitting down next to her. "I'm fine, okay? There's nothing wrong."

"Well Snape seemed pretty ardent in his instructions to contact him if you needed him," she said.

"Don't your parents say that to you when they go out?" I asked, looking casually back at her. I didn't want to talk to my friends about my separation anxiety. Maybe I was too proud.

"Yeah," she admitted, looking a little flustered. "But you know what I mean, Mill, don't you? I think Snape looked worried."

"Just drop it, Lis," said Terry, stroking Morag's feathers, which were now lime green. "If Armilla says she's alright then leave it at that."

Lisa looked put out at that and I felt terrible.

"Lisa," I said softly. "I can't go into exactly how I'm feeling without getting into what happened. But..." I sighed, "if I'm not fine now then I will be in a few days. You know that I would ask you if I needed help."

Slowly, Lisa nodded and a smile crept back onto her face. "Yeah, I know," she said, pulling me into a hug. "I'm just worried, that's all. You've just had so much stuff happen to you in the past year. I don't want you to crack."

"She won't crack," said Terry firmly. "She's a Snape."

o o o o o o o o o

Though my mind did linger on my brother's absence a fair bit, it was nothing to what it had been the day before. The chatter of my friends saw that I didn't have a lot of time to spend worrying about being left alone.

It was now just before midday and my friends and I were sitting out in the sitting room again, as Morag had had enough excitement and had chosen to take a nap. We could hear her snoring out in the sitting room. Terry especially had found it hilarious that Morag was able to snore. Snape had always put it down to a simple noise that Morag made to irritate him.

"Do you think Snape will let you visit us in the holidays?" Terry asked, stifling a yawn.

I shrugged. "I really don't know. We saw Matilda at Easter time and Snape said then that I would be able to see her."

"He might not let you come to see us," said Lisa thoughtfully. "I can't imagine him letting you outside the house without his supervision."

"Yeah, well I couldn't imagine Snape letting us near his home during the holidays either," said Terry.

"I don't know," I said, thinking about Snape's position as a spy. "If I'm not allowed to see you two over the holidays there will be a legitimate reason for it. It won't be because he doesn't want students in his home."

"Well, we can write to each other anyway," said Lisa. "I'm going to visit my brother in New Zealand for a week or two, so I'll send tidings from the other side of the world."

"Lucky thing," Terry muttered. "I've got to help Gran sort through her attic in the first week...Hey!" he said suddenly, turning to me. "You won't be coming home on the Hogwarts Express from now on, will you?"

"I guess not," I said. "I don't think teachers even leave Hogwarts the same day as the students. I'll probably be here a day or two after the rest of you have gone."

"You could go exploring," said Terry, as the door opened.

"Certainly not," came my brother's curt voice. "Armilla knows how I feel about her unsupervised expeditions."

I gave Snape a small smile as he closed the door behind him. I knew we were both thinking of the voyages I had undertaken in the Secret Wing without his permission. I didn't regret the treasure I had found.

I felt relieved to see him. I had handled his absence well enough in my opinion, but the sight of him brought about a stronger sense of relief than I cared to admit.

"I do hope you're not encouraging rule-breaking, Mr Boot," said Snape smoothly, looking at Terry through narrowed eyes.

"Of course not, sir," said Terry, going red.

The silence that followed was quickly filled by a rather loud snore from my bedroom.

Snape rolled his eyes.

"I daresay you filled Mr Boot and Miss Turpin in?" he asked, addressing himself to me now.

"Yes," I answered.

"Very well." He looked at my friends. "I thank you for coming down here at such short notice. I believe Armilla might have breakfast with you in the Great Hall tomorrow." He looked back at me. "Am I correct?"

"I think so," I said quietly. I still didn't feel good about the idea of leaving our quarters.

He nodded. "Well then," he said, looking at Lisa and Terry. "The two of you may leave."

"Thanks for coming down here," I said, getting up with them.

"No problem," said Terry.

"We'll see you tomorrow," said Lisa, as Snape opened the door.

I nodded. "Bye."

After he had closed the door behind them, Snape turned to face me, his dark eyes fixed on mine. "Well?" he said. "How was it?"

"Alright," I said. "Not perfect...but-"

"I wouldn't have expected everything to be perfect," he said, moving closer to me. "Not straightaway. Your friends kept you occupied I trust?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I just kept trying to ignore it every time I felt..." I didn't want to say nervous or anxious; it made me feel fragile.

"I know," he said, taking off his travelling cloak. "But I assure you that it will get easier."

I said nothing. He was right, of course, but at the moment I still wanted to stay home alone with him.

Snape reached for my hand and pulled me into his arms. He was hardly ever affectionate more than once a day; maybe I was fragile at the moment.

"There were no problems at the Ministry," he murmured. "You were officially declared my responsibility this morning."

I smiled. "No more Father," I said softly. I could scarcely believe that I wouldn't have to see him during the summer.

"No more Father."

"And no more governesses," I muttered.

He let out a dry sound of amusement. "You're sure? I could always arrange one for you."

I shook my head. "You wouldn't be so mean."

"Ah, perhaps not," he said, looking over to the table where our lunch had just magically appeared. "I don't think a governess would suffice as the female influence your mother is determined for you to have." He released me. "Come."

I followed him over to the table. "I don't need female influence at home."

"Good," he said curtly, sitting down at the table, "because I have no intentions of providing it."

"What do you normally do during the summer?" I asked, also sitting down.

"I stay at Hogwarts for a few days to tie up any loose ends, record what stock is needed for the following year, attend staff development meetings and general packing up for the end of the school year." He picked up my plate and started spooning stew onto it from the steaming pot in the middle of the table.

"That is not your time to explore the castle though," he said severely, giving me a stern look as he placed my plate in front of me and picked up his own, "despite what Mr Boot recommends."

"I wouldn't go exploring," I said. "I only went exploring before because I wanted to find the puddle."

He sneered. "Ah yes, the infamous puddle, the cause of much disobedience on your part."

"No regrets," I said casually.

His sneer faded slightly as he met my gaze. "No, I suppose not," he agreed.

We ate in silence for a minute before Snape brought another subject to my attention.

"The Headmaster has arranged for us to visit Mother at one-thirty this afternoon," he said, his voice giving no hint of emotion. "Would you prefer to walk up to the Headmaster's office through the school or go through the Secret Wing?"

I thought the question seemed more like a test. If I said that I would rather go through the Secret Wing to Dumbledore's office then that would show my reluctance to walk through the school. If I did choose to walk through the school though, Snape would be with me anyway. I knew I would have greater amount of self respect for myself if I chose the path I didn't fancy so much.

"Did you hear my question?" Snape asked, sparing me a curious look before pouring himself water.

"Yes," I answered. "I was thinking." I paused, wishing that we could just go through the Secret Wing. "We'll go through the school."

His eyes narrowed slightly as he considered me. "You are certain about that? I do not want to push you too much."

I nodded. "I'm sure. I want to go through the Secret Wing, but I know I should go through the school...so we'll go through the school."

He stared at me for a moment, his face unfathomable. Finally he nodded. "Alright then," he said. "It is your decision."

"How will we even know if we can activate the ring?" I asked, my anxious thoughts about going through the school turning to anxious thoughts about my mother. "I mean, we've had so much trouble recently with it. Now that Father no longer has custody, do you think the ring will even work?"

Snape didn't answer at first. He seemed more intent on studying the contents on his plate. "I don't know," he said finally, looking up at me. "I cannot be certain that we will be able to activate the ring...she might already be gone."

His words confirmed the worried thoughts I'd been having. Snape seemed just as troubled by it at the moment; though she was already dead, losing Mother's spirit was going to be like losing her for the second time for my brother.

o o o o o o o o o o

The time to go to Dumbledore's office came by very quickly. Snape and I were both silent as we walked through the dungeon corridors. He hadn't asked me again if I wished to go through the Secret Wing. I wasn't sure if I would have given a different answer. Walking through the dungeons was making me feel anxious, even though I was walking right next to my brother. In fact, as soon as I had stepped out of our sitting room and into the corridor, my nerves had sprung up. I had tried to suppress my queasy feeling as well as I could, but the cold and eerie atmosphere of the dungeon corridors had done nothing to help me.

I was walking a lot closer to Snape's side than I usually did. As he rarely missed a thing, I was sure he had noticed. He said nothing about it; he merely strode along as he usually did through the school, a stern expression on his face and his black robes billowing out behind him.

When we came to the point where I had met my father in the form of Lucius Malfoy only two days before, I stopped suddenly. I didn't know why; I just instinctively stopped, staring at the place where we had disappeared. Realising that stopping because of such a memory was a silly thing to do, I started to walk again, only to feel a hand closing over my wrist.

Before I had time to register what had happened, I let out a sharp gasp, closing my eyes as terror spread through me. I was not going to let it happen again. I wasn't going to go through it again. My mental shield instinctively came up and a moment later I heard another sharp gasp and the hand around my wrist abruptly let go.

"Armilla, what-" I heard my brother voice in the distance.

I opened my eyes to see that he was actually standing right next to me. My hands were shaking and I felt shame spreading through me, replacing the terror as I looked back at my brother.

Snape was looking at a small graze on his hand, obviously the hand that had closed around my wrist.

"Did I do that?" I whispered, staring at his hand.

He took out his wand and muttered a few spells, sound proofing the area and keeping people away.

"Yes," he answered, now pointing his wand at his hand. He muttered a charm to heal the skin.

"I'm sorry," I said, as he put his wand away.

"Don't be," he said shortly. "I believe I am at fault here. I assume this is right where Father took you on Thursday afternoon?"

I nodded.

He nodded too. "I thought this must have been the place," he said quietly. "Otherwise you wouldn't have stopped. I wanted to ask you about it, but now I realise that taking your arm was not the way to go about it." He looked at me closely. "Did you start to relive it?"

"Sort of," I answered, clenching my shaking hands into fists in an effort to calm them. "I'm not sure what happened. Instinct took over before my mind had time to register what had happened."

Snape smirked slightly. "Then I am proud of your instinct. Accidental or not, your instinct managed to cause shock to who you thought was an enemy. Did your mental shield come up?"

Again I nodded.

He gave a small smile. "Well your nerves might be questionable at the moment, but your reflexes aren't failing you."

"You don't think I overreacted then?"

"No," he said. "It wouldn't have happened if I hadn't suddenly taken hold of your wrist."

I smiled, though I felt a little guilty. "I hope I didn't hurt you too badly."

He sighed as he showed me his completely healed hand. "Healed," he said, "but the shock may last for hours." He gave me a mocking smile. "You may have to make my tea and wait on me hand and foot for the rest of the day."

I laughed. Finding the humour in the situation certainly helped relieve my nerves and the guilt I felt.

"Are you still certain that you want to take this path to the Headmaster's office?" he asked, now looking serious again.

I nodded. "Quite certain."

"Very well. Come." He took out his wand and took down the warding spells, and then we began to walk. I didn't give the area we had just left a backwards glance.

We met no one in the dungeons. I assumed that most people were still celebrating the end of exams in their common rooms, eating in the Great Hall, or basking in the sun outside.

When we reached the Entrance Hall, I saw many groups of students walking in all directions, laughing as they chattered and made plans for the afternoon. I could hear one group planning to go outside and play games by the lake.

I hadn't realised that I had moved closer to Snape again upon seeing so many people. Any of these people could be impostors with portkeys in their hands. I felt my heart start to beat faster.

"Use your shield," said Snape quietly, glancing briefly at me before casting a few students a cold look. A few of them had stopped to look at us as we had emerged from the dungeon stairs. Though the whole school had found out about our relationship months and months ago, actually seeing us together still gained a high level of interest from other students. The looks I received were still a combination of pity and fear. I didn't need pitying looks; the relationship I had with my brother didn't make me worthy of receiving them. But the other students didn't know, and I couldn't care less. Besides, I was sure Snape enjoyed the fear he instilled in his students.

I walked with my brother up the marble staircase, ignoring the eyes that followed us. We didn't meet a great number of students as we walked in silence to Dumbledore's office. The ones we did see quickly diverted their eyes when they saw Snape, though a couple of Slytherins that passed did nod at their Head of House out of respect, and a few Ravenclaws smiled at me.

As we turned into the corridor that had the entrance to Dumbledore's office, we came face to face with Malfoy, for once not flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.

Malfoy's whole demeanour seemed entirely different to the last time I had seen him. His haughty expression was not there, nor was the arrogant smile.

"Professor," he said in greeting, nodding at Snape. He didn't spare me a glance. I wasn't sure whether it was out of plain rudeness or a slighted ego. Having his father in Azkaban as well as having marriage plans shattered wouldn't be doing him any good.

"Mr. Malfoy," said Snape curtly, nodding as well. "Everything alright?"

I supposed that was the Slytherin way of asking how someone was. I didn't think Malfoy would appreciate a "How are you?" I knew him well enough to know that he would feel patronised.

"Yes sir," he said evenly, his face passive.

Snape's eyes narrowed as he regarded his student. "I don't believe you."

Malfoy opened his mouth and then abruptly closed it again.

"I have known you for a very long time Draco," said Snape coldly. "Do not presume to think that you can lie to me. Give me a satisfactory answer to my question."

Malfoy sighed, looking at the floor. "Not the best," he muttered.

Snape raised an eyebrow. "Do not let your family name down, Mr Malfoy," he said curtly. "Answer me with respect."

Malfoy looked up, a brief look of pain flashing across his face. "Not the best, sir," he said clearly. "But I'll manage...as long as I don't run into Potter anytime soon." He practically spat the name.

"You will have to manage," said Snape, looking at him through narrowed eyes. "Now is not the time for a childish revengeful attitude, Draco. See that you remember that."

Snape started to walk away and I moved to follow.

"How did you hurt your arm, Armilla?" Malfoy asked, his tone cool as his eyes rested on my bandaged hand and arm.

"I broke it," I said shortly. I opened my mouth to add that he didn't need to know how I had broken it because it wasn't his business. However, obviously sensing my hostile attitude, Snape overrode me.

"It's strange, Draco," he said conversationally. "She broke it in the same circumstances as when you broke yours when you were five."

Malfoy smirked as he looked back at me. "You fell down the stairs?"

I felt my face flush as I glanced over at my brother. He looked back at me indifferently.

"Not all of them," I answered, looking back at Malfoy, giving him a look that dared him to laugh at me.

"Perhaps you should look where you're going next time," he said smugly.

"You think?" I said, raising an eyebrow. "Thanks for the advice; I'll take it into consideration." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Snape's lips twitching.

"Come, Armilla," he said. He nodded to Malfoy. "See that you stay out of trouble, Draco."

Malfoy nodded and turned to walk in the direction in which Snape and I had come.

My brother and I walked the rest of the way to Dumbledore's office in silence.

"Fairyfloss," said Snape sourly, sneering at the stone gargoyle. It sprang to life and the entrance was revealed. Snape and I stepped onto the stairs.

"Fell down the stairs?" I said angrily to Snape.

"We needed a simple excuse," he responded, seeming unconcerned by my anger.

"One that made me look like an idiot?" I said, fuming.

He raised an eyebrow as he looked back at me. "That was not my intention, Armilla. If that is how you interpreted the excuse I gave, I most sincerely apologise. However, I hope you will consider the long-term effects of this excuse and appreciate the fact that we needed a quick alibi to satisfy Malfoy's curiosity. Comparing it to something he had done was an effective means by which to distract him." His tone was hard by the time he had finished speaking.

I looked away. He was right, but I had still felt like an idiot.

"Besides," he went on, a trace of anger now in his voice. "I did not appreciate your attitude towards Malfoy. I do hope it will not happen again."

I looked back up at him and was met with a stern expression that matched his tone.

"It won't," I said quietly, feeling dreadful that I had disappointed him. "I'm sorry."

He nodded and we were silent until we were in Dumbledore's office.

Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk when we entered. A soft trill was coming from his phoenix, which was resting on a perch near the desk.

"Ah, Severus, Armilla," said Dumbledore, smiling as he stood up. "I won't stay in your way, but before I leave, I do want to offer my heartfelt congratulations. Without Aurelius, you are now a proper family brought together by love instead of circumstances."

Snape shifted slightly, obviously not comfortable by such talk of family and love. I knew things hadn't really changed in that regard. He would now admit his feelings to me, but such talk to others was out of the question.

Dumbledore smiled at Snape. "I won't stay to make you more on edge, Severus," he said brightly. "I know such talk of love makes you itch to curse me."

"Certainly not, Headmaster," said Snape indifferently, folding his arms.

Dumbledore merely smiled again. "Well, I am due to meet with Hagrid, so you must excuse me. The ring is where you left it." He became grave at the mention of the ring. Obviously Snape had informed him of what had been happening with it lately. "Take your time," he said quietly, looking at each of us in turn.

We both nodded and watched as Dumbledore left the office.

"Come," said Snape, sweeping over to the table upon which the ring rested. We both sat down. I felt trepidation coming over me already. I had a feeling that we wouldn't be able to activate it.

He placed his hand on it. Sure enough, my feeling was confirmed. Nothing happened. The ring glowed as it usually did, but the misty, swirling substance in the ring gave no indication that anything had been disturbed.

It took five attempts before the substance reacted. Even then, it was only a slight reaction and still Mother's face did not appear.

"We're wasting our time," I said dejectedly, after the twelfth attempt. "She's not there."

He didn't answer. He just kept trying, a grim expression on his face. On the sixteenth attempt, the puddle-like substance moved more than it had before, but by the twentieth attempt, Mother's face still hadn't appeared.

"Well, we did consider it a possibility that she wouldn't be there," said Snape quietly, leaning back from the ring. "Though the fact that every now and then we do get a reaction tells me that her spirit should still be there. It's just a lot weaker."

"Maybe she knows we're here but can't communicate with us," I said, studying the ring.

"Perhaps." He leaned forward and tried again. As expected, nothing happened.

"Your magic might help," he suggested, looking back at me.

I shook my head. "My magic hasn't worked on it in a long time. Yours is stronger."

"No, I meant that we'll try and activate it at the same time," he said.

"Oh." I reached forward and we both touched the ring. The substance started to swirl more than before and the faintest glimpse of Mother's face came into view before fading again.

"Let's try again," Snape murmured, his face resolute. We touched it again and Mother's face came into view, a fair bit clearer than before.

"Oh," she said. "There you are." After that she disappeared.

I didn't need to be told what to do. We both reached out and touched it again. "Please try," I murmured to Mother, unsure if she could even hear me.

Her face appeared once more and I noticed that her brown hair was flapping behind her, as if a strong wind was pushing her back.

"Can you feel some sort of force, Mother?" Snape asked, looking quite disturbed at our windswept Mother.

Mother spoke quite loudly, as if she was trying to speak over the strong wind, which Snape and I couldn't hear.

"I'm trying to hold on, Severus," she called, "but I'm being pushed back. I can't hold on for much longer." Her face disappeared again.

Snape and I immediately reached forward again to activate it. This wasn't how we wanted to say goodbye. Just a couple of seconds at a time while my mother was being forced back wasn't fair.

Mother's face only appeared for a couple of seconds before disappearing. We kept trying until her face appeared and became clearer.

"Mother," said Snape, speaking louder than usual himself. "Your spirit is trying to leave the ring. It is satisfied with Armilla's current safety."

"What about Aurelius?" Mother called, looking from me to my brother.

"He's in hiding somewhere," he answered. "The ministry deemed him abusive and I have become the sole guardian of Armilla."

"Oh Severus!" said Mother, tears gleaming in her blue eyes. "I am so happy!" Her face abruptly disappeared again.

"No," I said under my breath as Snape and I reached forward once more. After another three attempts, Mother's face cam back into view.

"I cannot hold on much longer," she panted, looking tired. "I am being forced back."

I had known that this moment would come, but preparing myself for it hadn't made it any easier. I bit my lip and I watched Mother's face go from being tired to determined and back to tired again. Clearly, her spirit was trying to hold on for a little longer.

"Look after your sister, Severus," she yelled above the wind. "And look after yourself...and do consider getting married."

Snape rolled his eyes. "Mother, do be serious."

"I am being serious!" she called. "Armilla, I am so happy that Severus has become your guardian, just as I wished. Whether he admits it or not, your brother needs taking care of. Make sure that you do that for me."

Snape scoffed as I smiled.

"Armilla," she said again. "I'm sorry that I was the cause of you losing your identity for so many years. But I hope that having found it brings you more joy than regrets."

"It does," I said sincerely.

Her face disappeared and we took another four attempts to bring her back.

"More joy than you imagined?" she asked, her voice fading slightly.

"Yes," I said, biting my lip as Mother's face came in and out of view.

"More joy than we both imagined, I believe," said Snape, staring down at Mother.

Mother beamed up at him. "Oh Severus, I couldn't tell you how happy I am to hear to say that." Her face went blank for a moment. "Oh..." she said, suddenly sounding like she was far away, "I can't hold on."

My heart was beating frantically at this stage. It was painful to actually watch this. Mother appeared to be holding on with all her might, a pained expression on her face. The glow on the ring itself had started to flash.

I looked over to Snape to see that he also looked troubled. He must have felt just as I did, if not worse. After all, he was losing her for the second time. We were watching our Mother struggle in vain to stay with us, and we were powerless to save her. But this was how it was intended, as Snape had reminded me many times. Mother's spirit had entered the ring on the condition that it would be released once she was satisfied with my wellbeing and guardian. This was how it was meant to be.

I let out a shaky breath. That didn't mean that it would be easy to witness.

Mother's pained face disappeared and Snape and I reached forward again, quite out of habit now. Ten attempts later, her face came back, but not as clearly as before.

"I...have...to let...go," she panted, looking absolutely exhausted. "Severus...Armilla...I love you."

Before either of us could respond, it seemed that she literally let go, for her face became smaller and smaller, as if she was falling away from us.

"I am flying," she called, closing her eyes, as the strong wind blew her away. Her voice became fainter. "I can see..."

But what she saw, we never found out. A moment later, her face disappeared, along with the substance. The glowing around the ring suddenly became so bright that Snape and I had to cover our eyes as it lit up the office.

It stayed that way for about thirty seconds. We just sat with our hands over our faces as the extraordinary white light lit up every corner of the room.

It came as quite a shock when it suddenly disappeared. We took our hands from our faces and blinked. Though there was light from the afternoon sun, the room seemed quite dark in comparison.

We both looked over at the ring. It no longer glowed and there was no puddle-like substance swirling around in the middle. Instinctively, we both reached out to touch it. It was a lot colder than it normally felt. Nothing happened. Neither of us had to say it.

She was gone.